FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ECPTA CALLS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AS IT SAFEGUARDS SERVICES DURING PLANNED NEHAWU PICKET
21 September 2026
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) is bracing itself for planned industrial action following a deadlock in salary negotiations with members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU). ECPTA recognises employees’ right to participate in lawful and peaceful picketing. The Agency regrets that the matter has reached this stage, despite sustained efforts to achieve an amicable resolution through established employee relations processes.
ECPTA wishes to clarify that it has not refused to grant employees a salary increase. The Agency proposed a 4.14% salary adjustment, which was accepted by the Public Servants Association (PSA). Together with a 1.5% salary scale progression, this amounts to a total salary adjustment of 5.64% for the 2026/27 financial year. Engagement with NEHAWU on the proposal has not yet resulted in an agreement.
The proposal was made in a severely constrained financial and operational environment. ECPTA has operated under austerity measures for two consecutive years, limiting the scope for conventional collective bargaining. These pressures have intensified in the 2026/27 financial year because of the Agency’s limited operational budget. Funding for employee compensation has been ring fenced, including provision for the proposed total salary adjustment of 5.64%. ECPTA has sought to explain these constraints to NEHAWU while balancing employee interests with its responsibility to protect financial stability, operations and service delivery.
Throughout the negotiations, the Agency has been transparent about its financial position and has prioritised the continued payment of employee salaries. Communication channels with NEHAWU remain open in pursuit of a fair, responsible and sustainable resolution.
All programmes and business units are required to operate within limited resources. Salary
commitments must therefore be considered alongside their broader impact on the Agency.
Expenditure beyond available and approved resources would place additional pressure on
ECPTA’s operations, service delivery and long-term sustainability.
“We value our employees and understand the financial pressures they face. At the same time,
every commitment we make must protect ECPTA’s ability to conserve the province’s natural
assets, support tourism and deliver essential public services. We remain ready to engage in
good faith and urge all parties to work with us towards a fair, responsible and sustainable
resolution,” says ECPTA Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ms Nokulunga Mnqeta.
ECPTA calls on all parties and stakeholders to recognise the financial realities within which
the Agency must operate and to support a resolution reached through good faith dialogue.
Business continuity measures are in place to maintain essential operations and minimise
disruption during the planned industrial action. Any confirmed impact on visitor facilities or
public services will be communicated promptly through ECPTA’s official platforms.
For operational enquiries, stakeholders may contact Ms Lihle Dlamini at
lihle.dlamini@ecpta.co.za or 082 901 8031
Media Enquiries:
Oyanga Ngalika
PR & Communications Manager
Cell: +27 (0)79 891 8624
Email: Oyanga.Ngalika@ecpta.co.za
