The Western Cape Provincial Strategic Plan (PSP) 2025–2030 outlines the province’s vision and priorities for sustainable development, economic growth, and social transformation. It serves as a guiding framework for government departments, municipalities, and stakeholders to align their efforts toward achieving long-term prosperity.
Key Focus Areas of the PSP 2025–2030
Growth for Jobs:
Stimulating economic growth and job creation through investment, skills development, and entrepreneurship support.
Strengthening key industries such as tourism, agriculture, and technology to boost employment opportunities.
Safe and Resilient Communities:
Enhancing law enforcement and crime prevention strategies to create safer neighborhoods.
Strengthening disaster management and climate resilience initiatives to protect communities from environmental risks.
Educated, Healthy & Caring Society:
Improving access to quality education and healthcare services.
Expanding social development programs to support vulnerable groups, including youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Innovation, Culture & Governance:
Promoting digital transformation and innovation in government services.
Strengthening governance structures to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
The Western Cape Government is made up of 13 Departments which are Department of Agriculture, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Department of Local Government, Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Department of Social Development, Department of the Premier, Provincial Treasury, Western Cape Education Department, Western Cape Government Health and Wellness and Western Cape Mobility Department
With a range of development, research, and support services, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture works to advance agriculture within the province. Elsenburg, Boland is home to the department's administrative headquarters. The agriculture industry boosts economic expansion and generates long-term employment prospects. 13 million hectares are covered by the department; 2 million of those are farmed, while 320,000 are irrigated. Aside from wine, the department also affects the production of citrus, fruit, grain, fynbos, vegetables, ostriches, milk, and dairy products. The varying rainfall and Mediterranean climate of the Western Cape contribute to the wide range of crops.
DCAS, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, promotes both inclusivity and excellence. We unite people through sport and culture to create a creative and energetic Western Cape. By supporting and working together, we generate possibilities and unite our communities as a strong and cohesive nation.
Pictured on the Left is Minister Ricardo Mackenzie.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) of the Western Cape Government is a key government agency dedicated to driving sustainable economic growth, job creation, and investment throughout the province. Its mission is to provide leadership in developing and implementing policies and programmes that make the Western Cape more competitive and attractive for business, while also promoting tourism as a vital economic engine. The department works to modernize the regulatory framework, support public–private partnership initiatives, and foster an environment that enables both small enterprises and large investors to flourish. By aligning its efforts with the broader provincial strategic plan, particularly the focus on “Growth for Jobs” and economic transformation, DEDAT not only boosts the province’s economic resilience but also ensures that economic benefits are shared across communities. Its work spans all key sectors, ranging from infrastructure development and tourism promotion to support for innovation and export growth, ultimately contributing to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable provincial economy.
The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (EADP) is a key government entity within the Western Cape Government responsible for both preserving the province’s natural environment and promoting sustainable development. Its dual mandate is to safeguard the environment for future generations while managing urban, regional, and rural development in a coherent and integrated way. The department implements national and provincial environmental legislation, policies, and norms related to land use, spatial planning, and resource management. Additionally, EADP provides regional planning and facilitation services to ensure that development initiatives are aligned with sustainable practices and that municipalities receive the necessary support for integrated development planning. Through its work, EADP aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable living environment that supports economic growth while protecting natural resources and enhancing the quality of life for all residents of the Western Cape.
The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure is a key entity within the provincial government dedicated to planning, delivering, and coordinating transformational infrastructure projects. Its mandate encompasses a broad range of public works initiatives from the development and maintenance of roads, public buildings, and essential services, to the implementation of community-based programs under the Expanded Public Works Programme. The department’s efforts are geared towards enhancing connectivity, promoting spatial transformation, and ultimately improving the lived reality of communities across the province. By crafting clear policy directions and managing significant capital investments, it ensures that infrastructure plays a central role in supporting economic growth and job creation, a critical component of the province’s “Growth for Jobs” priority.
The Western Cape Department of Local Government is a vital provincial agency responsible for strengthening and supporting the capacity of municipalities throughout the province. Its primary mandate is to empower local governments so they can effectively manage their own affairs and deliver essential services to communities. The department plays a critical role in facilitating the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of local governance, ensuring that municipalities operate in an inclusive, efficient, and accountable manner.
In pursuit of this mandate, the department provides technical assistance, policy guidance, and capacity-building programs that help municipalities adopt integrated development approaches and best practices in areas such as urban planning, service delivery, and financial management. It also promotes civic engagement and participatory decision-making processes, ensuring that local residents have a voice in shaping the services and development initiatives in their communities. By aligning local government operations with broader provincial strategies, the Western Cape Department of Local Government helps to bridge the gap between high-level government priorities and grassroots implementation, ultimately contributing to the creation of more resilient, well-governed, and empowered communities.
The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety is a provincial agency committed to ensuring accountability in policing and enhancing community security across the region. It is entrusted with monitoring police conduct, investigating allegations of misconduct, and overseeing the effective enforcement of safety policies all while fostering trust between law enforcement and the public. By providing independent oversight and robust transparency mechanisms, the department helps ensure that the police adhere to established laws, ethical practices, and national human rights standards.
Additionally, the department plays a proactive role in community safety through initiatives like supporting Neighbourhood Watch programs, conducting safety education and youth empowerment projects, and integrating technological solutions to improve crime data management and reporting.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is a cornerstone agency within the provincial government dedicated to addressing and alleviating poverty, supporting vulnerable communities, and promoting social inclusion. Its mandate encompasses the provision, coordination, and oversight of a comprehensive range of social services including programs for child care and protection, support for older persons and persons with disabilities, youth development, substance abuse intervention, and victim empowerment.
The Western Cape Department of the Premier plays a pivotal role within the provincial government by coordinating the overall political and strategic direction of the Western Cape. It is responsible for setting policy priorities, ensuring interdepartmental coherence, and spearheading transformational projects that advance the government’s agenda. This department works closely with the Premier’s office to translate high-level political decisions into actionable plans across various sectors including economic development, job creation, service delivery, and social inclusion thus ensuring that the province’s initiatives are both people-centered and aligned with broader strategic objectives.
In addition, the department serves as a central hub for oversight and communications, connecting with other provincial departments, local governments, and key external stakeholders.
Annual Performance Plan of 2024/25
The Western Cape Provincial Treasury is a critical department within the Western Cape Government tasked with ensuring effective and sustainable public financial management across the province. Its core responsibilities include the preparation and oversight of the provincial budget, the management of revenue and expenditure, and the implementation of fiscal policies that are aligned with broader economic and social development priorities. The Treasury plays an integral role in promoting transparency and accountability by enforcing national public finance management standards and by coordinating with other provincial and municipal entities.
Policy related to Department
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is the provincial authority responsible for overseeing and managing public education throughout the Western Cape. Its remit covers everything from early childhood development through primary and secondary education to curriculum oversight and quality assurance. The department develops and implements policies that aim to enhance teaching and learning outcomes, ensure equitable access to quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all students. Moreover, WCED is tasked with supporting schools in terms of infrastructure development, monitoring academic performance, and facilitating teacher professional development
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is a central provincial agency responsible for delivering comprehensive public health services and promoting overall well-being in the Western Cape. This department’s mandate includes developing and implementing health policies, overseeing the operation of hospitals and clinics, and managing public health programs that address issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases. It strives to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare by integrating preventative care, specialized medical services, and community-focused wellness initiatives.
The Western Cape Mobility Department is the provincial agency responsible for managing and enhancing transportation infrastructure and services throughout the Western Cape. Its mandate encompasses the construction, maintenance, and upgrading of roads and critical public facilities including educational, health, and community structures to ensure efficient, safe, and accessible mobility for all residents.
Information sourced from: Western Cape Government