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Their abilities on attack and sheer-mindedness on defence will stand the Springbok Women’s Sevens team in good stead at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, when the second World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 tournament kicks off. That is the belief of Nadine Roos, the leading points scorer, who feels that a strong performance …
Dear Editor The DA calls for the swift investigation and prosecution of 6,000 more State employees, found by the Special Investigations Unit to have unlawfully received the special Temporary Employment Relief grant during the COVID-19 Pandemic, while simultaneously receiving their government salary or remuneration. An amount of R350 million is believed to have been stolen …
Your mind is the control centre of your life. Every thought that enters it either builds you up or breaks you down. The problem? Most people let their thoughts run unchecked, leading to self-doubt, fear, and stagnation. But here’s the truth: You have the power to take control, says Jacqueline van Rooijen, Transformation Coach and …
JOHANNESBURG: Having played a huge role in helping the Hollywoodbets Dolphins secure a historic 50-over title last season, opening batter Alexandra...
South Africa’s G20 Presidency to benefit all
International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Thandi Moraka says South Africa’s G20 Presidency is aimed at ensuring resource-rich nations and communities in places like Limpopo can benefit equitably from their mineral wealth.
“In the midst of global geopolitical tensions and rising protectionist, South Africa’s G20 Presidency will champion cooperation, collaboration and partnerships between individuals, groups, peoples and nations,” Moraka said.
Speaking at the G20 Community Outreach event at the University of Venda in Limpopo today, Moraka said strengthening partnerships and expanding dialogue with a wide range of actors is important to collectively shape the G20’s approach to issues requiring international cooperation.
“South Africa will therefore also host a G20 Social Summit, prior to the Leaders’ Summit, by expanding outreach to communities beyond the 13 official G20 Engagement Groups,” Moraka said.
Moraka said during South Africa’s Presidency, there will be more than 85 in-person meetings throughout the country, including five meetings in Limpopo.
“We encourage the people of Limpopo to become more involved in these processes. We have been asked, and rightfully so, what benefits does the G20 Presidency brings to South Africa
“Tens of thousands of delegates and support staff from some of the world’s largest developed and developing economies are expected to arrive in South Africa over the year-long Presidency.
“In addition to many Ministers, the Heads of State and Government of more than 40 countries will attend the Leaders’ Summit in November 2025,” the Deputy Minister said.
Moraka said the G20 Presidency was without a doubt a mammoth task, requiring considerable personnel and resources, by most accounts, this was the largest national project that South Africa has ever undertaken.
“This project is expected to have significant economic benefits for South Africa, notably for the tourism, transport, restaurant, entertainment and hospitality industries, with global visibility in all nine provinces.
“There is also significant opportunity for South African provinces and cities to promote their cultural, heritage, tourism and innovation, but also an opportunity to demonstrate South Africa’s technological, industrial and commercial advances across various sectors,” Moraka said.
A number of direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
“It therefore goes without saying that the support of all South Africans in telling a good story and highlighting our successes is critical if we are to leave a permanent G20 legacy for South Africa, and the whole of the African continent.
“It is important for us all to work in synergy and in cooperation and partnership, more so in a fractured world filled with conflict and destruction. As much as we are excited to host the first G20 Presidency on the African continent, we are also cognisant of the enormous task that is before us,” the Deputy Minister said.
Also speaking at the same event, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said she was delighted to welcome esteemed members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, business leaders and all distinguished guests to the historic occasion, the first-ever G20 community outreach to be held in the province.
Ramathuba said the engagement was an opportunity to strengthen ties, advance collaboration and ensure that global economic policies translate into meaningful opportunities for local communities.
“It is also a symbolic gesture, a recognition of the role that provinces like Limpopo play in shaping the broader economic landscape of South Africa and the African continent,” the Premier said.
As the only African nation represented in the G20, South Africa carries a profound responsibility in ensuring that the voices of developing economies, particularly those in Africa, are heard on the global stage.
“The G20’s focus on economic growth, trade, investment, climate action and digital transformation resonates deeply with developmental priorities in Limpopo.
“We understand that global economic policies have real, tangible effects on the lives of ordinary people, and it is our duty to ensure that these policies translate into meaningful opportunities for our communities,” Dr Ramathuba said.
Lutendo Luvhengo, a third year student at the University of Venda told SAnews that although she had little knowledge about G20 and South Africa’s G20 Presidency, she hoped that South Africa’s hosting of the G20 meetings would benefit ordinary people.
“I believe that our country’s economy is going to improve. The guests coming to South Africa some of them are going to invest in our country and that will create more jobs,” she said.
Luvhengo was confident that the G20 meetings were going to be successful.
Echoing same sentiments was Israel Marema, first year Bcom student who said the G20 meetings were “investments in the country”.
“This is going to reduce the level of poverty by creating more job opportunities,” he said.
Today’s launch of the G20 Outreach Programme forms part of a series of initiatives aimed at fostering wider public dialogue and participation in South Africa's G20 Presidency. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 15:53
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Investors urged to join Global Investor Call
National Treasury has encouraged investors, who are interested in participating in the upcoming Global Investor Call (GIC) after the tabling of the Budget, to submit questions through the respective Goldman Sachs or Investec representatives.
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, will table the 2025 Budget to Parliament on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
“The Republic of South Africa, rated Ba2 (stable) by Moody’s Investors Service Incorporated, BB- (positive) by S&P Global Ratings and BB- (stable) by Fitch Ratings (Hong Kong) Limited, has mandated Goldman Sachs International and Investec Bank Limited, alongside their empowerment partners, Vunani Capital Partners and Cinga Capital, to arrange a non-deal Global Investor Call (“GIC”) scheduled for Wednesday, 12 March 2025 at 16:00 SAST / 14:00 GMT / 09:00 EST,” National Treasury said on Friday.
The GIC will be led by National Treasury Director-General, Dr Duncan Pieterse, and will be supported by senior National Treasury officials.
It said the GIC will be followed by a series of in-person fixed income investor update meetings in Cape Town on Thursday, 13 March 2025, and Friday, 14 March 2025, and in Johannesburg on Friday, 28 March 2025.
“Investec will be arranging logistics. Details of in-person fixed income investor update meetings internationally will be communicated to the market in due course.
“There will be an open Q&A session during the GIC, and the Republic of South Africa also welcomes the pre-submission of questions through the respective Goldman Sachs or Investec representatives,” National Treasury said.
Representatives can be contacted as follows:
Goldman Sachs International:
Investec Bank Limited:
Link to pre-register (Recommended):
https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=367d0b60&confId=78851
Link for the audio replay (only available following the GIC): https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=367d0b60&confId=78851
Following the tabling of the 2025 Budget, a presentation will be available on National Treasury's website:
During the Budget the Finance Minister will to outline the financial, economic and social commitments that government would prioritise in its planned expenditure as part of the 2025 Budget Speech.
He will indicate the allocation of financial resources to the national government’s priorities outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 13:28
274 views
Multi-stakeholder symposium reaffirms commitment to remove SA from FATF grey list
After thorough deliberations, a multi-stakeholder symposium -- hosted by the Department of Social Development -- has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving outstanding action items on Recommendation 8 and ensuring South Africa's removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
The three-day symposium was convened by the Department of Social Development under the theme: "Together Countering the Financing of Terrorism in the NPO Sector-Promoting Cooperation and Compliance with the Global Standards”.
In a statement on Friday, the department said the symposium was convened to focus specifically on FATF Recommendation 8 and was attended by representatives of government, civil society, Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), financial and non-financial regulators, and NPO funding lobby groups.
“Since its grey listing by FATF in February 2023, South Africa has already made notable progress in complying with the global standards on the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing,” the department said.
According to National Treasury, which is the lead department in addressing the overall FATF recommendations, South Africa is now left with one reporting cycle to address the remaining six action items.
Three of the outstanding action items relate to demonstrating a sustained increase in the investigation and prosecution of complex money laundering, terror financing and unlicensed cross-border money or value transfer services.
FATF Recommendation 8 focuses on NPOs and the potential use of the sector as a vehicle for money laundering and terror financing. FATF has rated most of the action items under Recommendation 8 as partly addressed.
“Although FATF has made it clear that not all NPOs are at risk of being used for money laundering and terror financing, the department convened the multi-stakeholder engagement to inform the NPO sector of progress, create broader awareness, share best practice and promote better understanding of FATF global standards for NPOs,” the department said.
The symposium underscored the critical importance of civil society and NPOs in South Africa, as they complement government and the private sectors in providing essential services to the most vulnerable groups and communities in society.
Some of the key highlights from the multi-stakeholder engagement symposium are as follows:
· No one size fits all approach. Not all NPOs are vulnerable to money laundering and terror financing, as some only operate within the borders of South Africa. FATF’s risk-based approach should be applied to high-risk NPOs.
· Data sharing across government and with the private sector/funders. The multi-stakeholder engagement symposium highlighted the need for data sharing agreements among government departments, law enforcement agencies and the private sector to assist in early warning and detection of suspicious activities by high- risk NPOs.
· Overregulation of the NPO sector. While the NPO sector welcomed government’s proposed initiative and measures to comply with FATF’s global standards as part of implementing Recommendation 8, they cautioned against overregulating the sector, which has the potential to stifle community activism and active citizenry envisaged in the National Development Plan.
· Expansion of outreach and educational programmes. One of the key issues emerging from the multi-stakeholder engagement symposium is the need for the Department of Social Development to conduct more outreach in collaboration with other regulators such as the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
· Establishment of an independent NPO regulator. It was recommended that the Department of Social Development should consider setting up the NPO Directorate in its current form as an independent NPO regulator. There was general consensus that the department cannot play a dual role of being NPO funder and regulator at the same time.
· Continued commitment beyond FATF’s grey listing. All participants agreed to continue collaborating and improving coordination, including harmonisation of funding requirements.
The symposium closed with a declaration signed and adopted by all participants to combat all forms of money laundering and terror financing in South Africa.
Delivering closing remarks, the Acting Deputy Director-General: Community Development, Mpho Mngxitama, expressed gratitude to all participants and commended them for their unwavering commitment to exit South Africa from the grey list, as well as improve transparency and accountability in the NPO sector.
“As FATF’s onsite visit approaches, it is now all hands-on deck to expedite action on all
outstanding items to exit South Africa from the grey list on record time,” the department said.
NPO Online Solution
The department seized the opportunity to demonstrate the NPO Online Solution, a self-service portal that will enable members of the public to register new NPOs, check status of their application, submit annual compliance reports and voluntary deregistration, amongst others.
A key feature of the new innovative and streamlined DSD NPO Online Solution is that it will be linked to the portals of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
It was agreed that a webinar will be organised to pilot the online solution before national roll out in the new financial year. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 13:59
96 views
8th March 2025 – In an industry where chainsaws fell giants and brushcutters tame the wild, women are cutting their own path to success. They’re taking charge and proving that mastery in the outdoor power tool sector isn’t about gender – it’s about technical knowledge, leadership and customer service. This International Women’s Day, Husqvarna South …
Nelson Mandela Bay unveils backyard dwellers programme
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, has officially unveiled the much-awaited programme to register backyard dwellers for RDP houses.
Launched in KwaLanga, Kariega, on Wednesday, the Backyard Dweller Registration Programme is an effort by the municipality to give special focus to the plight of backyard dwellers, who have been raising what they called a ‘neglect and prioritisation of illegal land occupiers’.
Lobishe explained that the programme will be rolled out by the offices of ward councillors, where backyard dwellers will be registered on a list that will be audited to check whether requirements are met.
“The qualifying residents will then be included in the housing waiting list. Those who have met the requirements and qualified will be informed,” Lobishe said.
Lobishe said the registration programme responded to the plight of backyard dwellers.
Reflecting on the government’s decision to build RDP houses, the Mayor emphasised the aim to restore dignity to previously disadvantaged individuals.
To ensure accurate data collection, she said 200 field workers have been appointed across the city, with four assigned per ward.
Lobishe also commended backyard dwellers for their patience and discipline in refraining from land invasions, saying “this is the time to reward you”.
“The fact that you have stayed in your backyard rooms or houses for all these years, while some have decided to invade land, is not taken for granted. From now we will be moving with speed to complete the registration process in three months’ time.
“We are also engaging the other spheres of government to consider us in their budgeting so that our housing delivery can include backyard dwellers. We accept that we should have done more for you, and appeal that you work with us, as we start this journey,” Lobishe said.
Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, said the commencement of the programme is part of the key deliverables for the directorate.
"We have set ourselves key priorities, taking care of the vulnerable, elderly, women, and child- headed families, and addressing the imbalances of the past like backyard dwelling, asbestos-roofed homes and informal settlements,” Mafana said.
One of the prospective backyard dweller beneficiaries, Nosipho Jicelo, said they are happy that the time has come for backyard dwellers to be taken care of.
"Some of us have been living as backyard dwellers for more than 20 years, patiently waiting for us to be considered. We hope that this programme will yield positive results this time around,” Jicelo said.
The registration process will start on 6 March 2025 until the end of June 2025, with a stringent verification process in place. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 11:53
129 views
Friday, 07 March 2025: Eskom has announced that Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from today at 14:00 until Monday, 10 March 2025 at 05:00. This decision comes after a loss of 2700MW in the past 14 hours. This includes Koeberg Unit 2, which was taken offline after being brought back on Wednesday, and two...
The Minister of Transport, Hon. Barbara Creecy directed the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to conduct safety inspections of all South African commercial fishing vessels operating in South African waters. This comes after serious fishing incidents that occurred in South Africa’s waters in 2024 that resulted in the tragic loss of eighteen (18) fishers’ … Continue reading The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) launches its nationwide Fishing Vessel Safety Audit to assess compliance with safety regulations in the commercial fishing sector
KZN Premier calls for swift arrest in Sphindiwe Hlongwa’s murder
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for the swift arrest of the perpetrators involved in the rape and murder of Sphindiwe Hlongwa, whose body was found dumped near her home in Mkhazini, south of Durban.
According to reports, Hlongwa, 31, was found strangled to death, with visible signs of assault and a swollen face after being dropped off by a Renault Kwid near her home on Monday evening.
Ntuli has condemned Hlongwa’s killing, describing the act as “barbaric, inhumane, and an attack on the dignity and safety of women” in the province.
“We are deeply horrified by yet another grotesque act of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice without delay. This is one of many murders linked to the scourge of GBVF in our province.
“However, working with the SAPS [South African Police Service] under our Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, we will make sure to treat every case as an emergency, one case at a time. We will never give up and we will do everything to defeat GBVF,” the Premier said.
Ntuli urged anyone with information related to the crime to come forward and assist the police by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or their nearest police station.
International Women's Month commemoration
Meanwhile, Ntuli will on Saturday lead a delegation of the Members of the Executive Council (MEC) to commemorate International Women's Day at the KwaMashu Civic Centre.
International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women's achievements and a call for gender equality. Observed annually on 8 March, the day is a reminder of the contributions women make to society and the challenges they continue to face. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 11:54
50 views
Police seize illegally harvested abalone worth R1.3m
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has welcomed the recovery of over 4 300 illegally harvested abalone valued at approximately R1.3 million and the arrest of 11 people allegedly involved in illegal poaching operations.
From 28 February to 2 March 2025, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the City of Cape Town Marine Unit, and other enforcement agencies successfully disrupted a large-scale illegal poaching operation involving approximately 50 snorkel divers at Robben Island.
"The scale and brazenness of this illegal activity are deeply concerning, but the professionalism and dedication of our enforcement teams have once again demonstrated our unwavering commitment to protecting South Africa’s marine resources.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to all those involved for their tireless work in preventing the exploitation of our marine biodiversity,” the Minister said on Friday.
This operation follows a series of successful interventions in the last month, where law enforcement officers intercepted four significant abalone-related cases in a single day.
On 13 February 2025, coordinated operations in Glencairn, Muizenberg, Grabouw, and Botriver led to the seizure of thousands of illegally harvested abalone and the arrest of multiple suspects.
The Minister has reiterated government's firm stance against illegal fishing and called on the public to report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
"We will continue strengthening our enforcement capabilities and working closely with our partners to ensure that those who exploit our natural resources face the full consequences of the law. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every officer and partner involved in these operations. Their hard work and sacrifice are crucial in safeguarding South Africa’s marine biodiversity,” George said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 11:58
39 views
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development welcomes the arrest of three South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials suspected of fraud at the Idutywa Local Office in the Eastern Cape.
The officials were arrested after SASSA's Eastern Cape Regional Executive Manager, Mr Bandile Maqetuka, visited the Idutywa Local Office on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, unannounced. Several unaccounted-for documents, such as birth certificates, affidavits, bank cards, identity documents, and stamped municipal letters, were found in one of the official's drawers.
The committee commends SASSA for following up with the unannounced visit after receiving a tip-off from beneficiaries. It is important for government departments and entities to take information from whistle-blowers seriously, as this is part of accountability.
Furthermore, the committee is pleased with the swift action from the South African Police Service in arresting the officials and hopes all the law enforcement agencies in the value chain will continue in the same manner.
The committee has consistently lamented the slow pace of investigations in cases related to fraud, corruption and financial misconduct in the Department of Social Development and SASSA. The Auditor-General has flagged the issue of investigations taking place at a snail's pace in the department and at SASSA.
The committee hopes the arrest will help deter fraudulent activities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Husqvarna Partners with International Organisations in a Bold Initiative to Restore Vital Ecosystems Kenya’s mangrove forests are among the country’s most critical habitats in the fight against climate change. These vital ecosystems serve as essential breeding grounds for marine life, shield the coastline from storms and act as powerful, natural carbon sinks, storing up to …
World Glaucoma Week (March 9–15) highlights a silent and often overlooked eye disease.While it is typically associated with older adults, glaucoma can also affect children, making early detection and treatment critical in preventing vision loss. Childhood glaucoma, also known as paediatric glaucoma, is a rare but serious condition caused by improper fluid drainage in the …
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy was briefed by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on the reasons for its decision on Eskom's Multi-Year Price Determination 6 (MYPD6) Revenue Application.
Briefing the committee, NERSA outlined the rationale behind its decisions, emphasising the need to balance Eskom's financial sustainability with the economic pressures facing consumers. The presentation highlighted that Eskom originally requested a staggering 57% increase in tariffs over three years. However, after thorough evaluations and consultations, NERSA approved a significantly reduced increase of 24.3%.
NERSA said it considered its decision within the broader context of ensuring affordability for consumers while enabling Eskom to address its operational challenges effectively.
The committee expressed significant concerns about the implications of tariff increases on consumers and the broader economy. Members highlighted the historical pattern of tariff hikes and their adverse effects on economic activity, seeking clarification on how NERSA plans to ensure that future increases do not unduly burden vulnerable households and small businesses.
Additionally, there were worries that the tariff increases might stem from mismanagement at Eskom. Some committee members voiced scepticism about Eskom's ability to effectively utilise the funds generated from these increases, pointing to past inefficiencies and corruption. In response, NERSA explained that the approved increases are contingent upon Eskom meeting specific performance targets and operational efficiency benchmarks. The regulator assured the committee that it would closely monitor Eskom's financial management and operational practices to ensure that any additional revenue is directed towards improving service delivery and reducing load shedding.
The energy regulator emphasised its commitment to conducting thorough economic impact assessments prior to approving any tariff adjustments. NERSA noted that the approved increases were based on careful consideration of operational costs, maintenance needs and performance targets for Eskom. Additionally, NERSA recognised the necessity for enhanced accountability and oversight, reaffirming its intention to monitor Eskom's compliance with established performance standards diligently.
Another significant question raised by the committee involved the integration of independent power producers (IPPs) into the energy landscape and how this would affect future pricing. Members expressed concerns about the potential costs associated with integrating renewable energy sources and whether these costs would be passed on to consumers. NERSA assured the committee that while IPPs will contribute to diversifying the energy mix, careful planning and regulation will be essential to manage costs effectively.
Committee members inquired whether NERSA is considering any changes to the existing regulatory framework to better address Eskom's challenges and those of the energy sector as a whole. In response, NERSA said the evolving landscape of the energy market, continuous policy review will be required. Furthermore, NERSA stressed that any amendments would only be made after careful consideration of the long-term implications for both Eskom and consumers.
The discussion also touched on the issue of the gas/coal problem, particularly with regard to the integration of gas as a transitional fuel in South Africa's energy mix. Committee members raised questions about the implications of relying on gas while also managing coal dependencies. NERSA recognised the complexity of this issue, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to energy generation that considers both environmental sustainability and economic viability.
Regarding the negotiated pricing agreements between Eskom and large industrial users, committee members questioned the fairness of these agreements in the context of rising tariffs for ordinary consumers. The energy regulator reiterated that such agreements are governed by the electricity pricing policy and said that it will continue to review these contracts to ensure they align with South Africa's broader economic goals.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Classic Car Friday is the first event at the annual Simola Hillclimb, with a diverse range of cars from 1937 to 2000 set to compete this year for class wins, and ultimately vying for the overall Classic Conqueror title Illustrious brands and legendary cars from Austin, Jaguar, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Shelby, Ford, Lotus, Chevrolet, BMW, […]
Two bouts of power cuts in the last six weeks were a painful reminder of the precarious state of Eskom and precarious state of our energy supply. And it’s led to renewed interest from people wanting to install solar systems at their homes and businesses. But before those who’ve already forked out the substantial amount of money needed for solar say, “I told you so”, they might want to read the fine print in a plan unveiled by Eskom.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting between the national executive and the Gauteng provincial executive council. The meeting follows three engagements with the provincial governments of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
President Ramaphosa intends to visit and engage the leadership of all nine provinces.
The national and provincial executive meetings are aimed at strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation. They are also important for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity.
President Ramaphosa urged the province to accelerate the resolution of recurring problems across Gauteng. Some of these include governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness and unreliable service delivery. This includes broader national challenges—unemployment and poverty. The provision of water across some areas in the province remains a concern.
The province tabled several strategic areas that require support from the national government. These include disaster preparedness, response and recovery in areas affected by sinkholes.
The province also requires more support from law enforcement agencies in responding to threats presented by taxi violence, illegal mining and undocumented foreign nationals.
Other strategic areas of national-provincial cooperation that could stimulate economic development in the province include investment in bulk infrastructure, collaboration in enhancing investment in high-tech manufacturing for the green economy, mining services, biotech and digital sectors and the energy generation and transmission eco-system.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the engagement with the national executive and committed to continue working closely with the national government on the priority areas of governance, social and economic development.
The Premier identified the expansion of special economic zones and critical infrastructure refurbishments as vital elements for stimulating economic growth and sustainable service delivery in the province.
In closing, President Ramaphosa commended the province's focus on the areas of cooperation between the national and provincial governments that will be a catalyst for social and economic growth.
The President outlined the importance of balancing development ambitions with budgetary realities.
Furthermore, the President encouraged the province to work closely with the private sector in ensuring innovative ways of funding key infrastructure projects, including working with metros in providing incentives to crowd in private sector participation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will host the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba, HE Mr Bruno Rodriquez Parrilla, on 10 March 2025 for Bilateral Talks in Pretoria.
The Working Visit will provide an opportunity for the two Ministers to strengthen South Africa-Cuba strategic bilateral relations and cooperation programmes.
The Ministers will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
Cuba is one of South Africa's strategic partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. The two countries' relations date back well before the 1994 democratic elections, which in great part can be attributed to the remarkable contribution made by Cuba to the liberation of South Africa and the defeat of apartheid and colonialism.
South Africa and Cuba are bound by ties of culture, history, shared struggles, international solidarity and a joint commitment to advance the development agenda of the Global South.
The long-enduring bilateral collaboration between South Africa and Cuba is multifaceted and sustained by a substantial number of bilateral agreements covering a wide range of areas, including health, public works, education and water and sanitation cooperation.
South Africa and Cuba's foreign policies are centred on the peaceful resolution of conflict, multilateralism, the rule of International Law and the centrality of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Internationally celebrated visual artists, sponsors and organisations collaborate to host orphaned and abandoned children for an exclusive “Love on a Plate” dinner, with art, storytelling and music as backdrop to the overall experience. Initiated and curated by specialist ‘Art & Design’ company, The FINISHING Touch Group, the “Love on a Plate” initiative is a celebration …
Postbank acknowledges that completing the card transition before 20 March deadline is unlikely
Cape Town, South Africa – 6 March 2025: The stage is set for a game-changing moment in African trade. Access Bank PLC is gearing up to host its inaugural Africa Trade Conference (ATC) on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. The landmark event is designed to drive economic transformation across the continent. …
