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Statement by Nazley Sharif MP – DA Spokesperson on Social Development: The DA rejects and condemns President Cyril Ramaphosa’s shock decision last night to appoint Dina Pule back into Cabinet. Dina Pule was removed from Cabinet in disgrace, years ago, with serious findings against her by the Public Protector including maladministration and improper conduct. Pule …
FOUR PAWS warns of growing zoonotic disease risks in South Africa ahead of World Zoonoses Day. Cape Town — Ahead of World Zoonoses Day on 6 July, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is calling for urgent, unified action to tackle the root causes of zoonotic diseases, many of which are deeply embedded in everyday …
Butterworth families say government departments have spent years passing the buck while 300 people live in unsafe, prefabricated homes
ActionSA strongly condemns the City of Cape Town's decision to commit municipal funds towards the repatriation of undocumented migrants, just days after imposing a 48% increase in MyCiTi bus fares on residents already under severe cost-of-living pressure.
The post ActionSA Condemns City of Cape Town’s Decision to Fund Migrant Repatriation While Burdening Residents with Massive MyCiti Fare Hikes appeared first on ActionSA.
Pretoria, South Africa — A decade-long investment in waste research and innovation is paying off, with the Department of Science and Innovation’s Waste RDI Roadmap showing strong results in human capital development. Hosted by the CSIR, the programme has supported academic candidates in waste management research between 2015 and 2025, creating measurable impact in skills …
In a Rohingya camp in Bangladesh, Razia was wrongly struck from a food register. Her chatbot investigated and reinstated her […]
Immigrants say threats and evictions forced them to flee their homes
This is a question that we recently asked AI to answer for us. And the results were all positive in intent (only one neutral sentiment) and solid reach for the small sample. Based on recent data from late June 2026, the platform continues to capture highly diverse distributions across multiple sectors. Here is a curated …
The success of any piping system depends on sound engineering, robust technical specifications, quality manufacturing and proper installation. Whether supplying drinking water to communities, supporting mining operations or serving industrial facilities, the long-term performance of plastic piping systems relies on every component meeting the highest standards of quality and compliance. Piping Material Engineers play a …
The tariff hike that will take effect in Mogale City Municipality (Krugersdorp, Muldersdrift, Magaliesburg, Tarlton) today will make services unaffordable for many residents and needlessly increase pressure on families trying to keep their heads above water financially. These exorbitant tariff hikes are the result of years of poor planning, maladministration and reckless squandering of taxpayers’ […]
The post Mogale City’s new tariffs will suffocate residents appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Lilita Gcwabe|Published 3 days ago Ask AI 5min The planned demonstrations, driven by anti-illegal immigration movements including March and March, follow weeks of mobilisation around a self-declared deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. While organisers have framed the campaign as a call for immigration enforcement, the government, analysts, and civil society organisations …
We have the tools to end TB. But is our health system organised and financed in a way that allows those tools to reach the people who need them most. Gauteng: When Mphonyana Mtamane arrived at Zola Clinic… Business Day: A leading financial newspaper that provides insights into the South African economy and business landscape. …
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) calls for nominations for the 2026 edition of the prestigious AWIEF Awards.
The AWIEF Awards was established since 2017 to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of female founders and business leaders across Africa.
The Awards have showcased and honoured exceptional women leaders who are building successful businesses, driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to Africa's economic growth, while inspiring future generations and highlighting the vital role of women in Africa's development.
To remain relevant and responsive to Africa's evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem, this year the Awards categories have been refined to better reflect emerging trends, innovation, and impact.
In addition to updating the existing categories, AWIEF has introduced the Male Ally Award to recognise male leaders whose actions and influence have contributed meaningfully to advancing women's economic empowerment and leadership.
The winners of the AWIEF Awards 2026 will be announced at a high-profile awards ceremony and gala dinner on 11 November 2026, as the grand finale of the AWIEF 2026 Conference, taking place on 10 and 11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.
Awards Categories
Woman to Watch Award
The Woman to Watch Award recognises a female leader under 35, or founder/leader of a venture under three years old, based in or primarily operating in Africa, who is already demonstrating strong early traction through revenue, pilots, partnerships, users, or beneficiaries.
Tech Pioneer Award
This award spotlights a female founder or senior leader with at least five years' experience in technology or innovation, who is using tech, digital tools, data, or deep-tech solutions at the core of the business or initiative to tackle a clearly defined African challenge such as access, inclusion, efficiency, or scalability.
Agri Award
Honouring outstanding women in agriculture, this Award celebrates female founders and leaders with 5+ years in agriculture, agri-processing, agri-tech, food systems, or value chains, who are transforming Africa's food systems and value chains while advancing productivity, sustainability, food security, or farmer livelihoods.
Creative Visionary Award
The Creative Visionary Award recognises a female entrepreneur, creator, or leader with at least five years' experience in the creative industries (such as fashion, design, media, film, music, art, architecture, digital content, or cultural industries) who is significantly shaping African narratives, culture, or creative economies.
Impact for Good Award
The Impact for Good Award honours a female founder or leader whose initiative has been active for at least three years in sustainability, climate, energy, social innovation, community development, health, or education, and can demonstrate measurable social and/or environmental impact well beyond intent or pilot stage.
Male Ally Award
The Male Ally Award honours a male leader, founder, executive, policymaker, or senior decision-maker with 10+ years of leadership who goes beyond words to actively break barriers for women in Africa, driving sustained, systemic change for women's economic empowerment.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award honours a visionary, female leader with at least 25 years of leadership, entrepreneurship, or public service whose lifelong contribution has helped shape Africa's economic, social, or institutional development and paved the way for future generations of women trailblazers.
No nominations are required for this category. Each year AWIEF identifies and selects from across African regions the recipient for this special award.
How to Nominate
You can nominate yourself or someone else. To submit nominations, please go to: https://apo-opa.co/4p2fAvk
Nominations close on 3 August 2026, at 11:59 PM CAT.
Important Dates
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
Sangari South Africa has been appointed an official reseller of Engino, a STEM and robotics education system designed for schools. “The partnership brings Engino’s modular building kits, robotic controllers, curriculum resources and specialised software to primary and secondary schools across South Africa. Engino solutions target learners from late primary through secondary levels, with particular relevance …
Thousands of protesters gather in the Johannesburg CBD. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee Demonstrations against illegal immigration on Tuesday morning drew large crowds in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria, and smaller crowds in other parts of the country. Tuesday marked the 30 June “deadline” set by the anti-immigration movement March and March for the government to act against …
As the southern African winter settles over the Northern Tuli, Mashatu’s 42,000-hectare reserve moves into its clearest, most rewarding months for watching wildlife in the open. It is June 2026, and the remote eastern corner of Botswana where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers meet has slipped fully into the dry season. The grasses have thinned, …
Maia Capital Partners (“www.MaiaCapital.co.za”) announced that they have provided R150 million mezzanine debt funding to the Nesa Power group (“Nesa”) a South African commercial and industrial ("C&I") renewable energy group delivering integrated solar, storage and energy solutions under long-term Power Purchase Agreements ("PPAs").
The mezzanine debt funding will be used by Nesa as growth capital to fund the acquisition of solar photovoltaic (“Solar PV”) sites and expand its PPA portfolio. Nesa is committed to providing renewable energy solutions that drive savings, ensure uninterrupted operations, and reduce businesses' carbon footprints by offering tailored renewable solutions, including on-site and off-site generation and storage.
Since its inception, Nesa and its founders have built over 46 megawatt-peak (“MWp”) of Solar PV generation capacity and 6.5 megawatt-hours (“MWh”) of battery storage and has raised over R400 million in capital in managed funds that have invested in and currently operate over 70 Solar PV C&I assets on a PPA basis.
The Nesa Power Group has built and operated C&I renewable energy assets through strategic investment partnerships and managed funds for more than a decade and has now evolved into an integrated renewable services group providing the C&I market with turnkey renewable energy services. Through its group companies, Nesa offers the market greenfield development, in-house design, engineering, procurement and construction management (“EPCM”), PPA funding, ownership and maintenance (“O&M”) services as well as carbon credit development services where the group has one of the 1st solar based VERRA carbon grouped projects in South Africa.
Tshandu Ramusetheli, CEO of Maia Capital, said: “We are excited to partner with Nesa on this transaction and to support their growth as they continue to build out their renewable energy platform. This investment sits at the heart of what we set out to achieve when we established our impact fund — deploying private capital to address real societal challenges. Providing clean, affordable energy to South African businesses is one of our key impact and investment objectives, and it directly supports the government's ambition to strengthen the country's energy security through expanded private sector generation. This partnership exemplifies our belief that impactful investments can drive both economic growth and social progress”.
Percy Ying, Co-Founder of Nesa Power and Group Chief Investment Officer, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Maia Capital as a long term partner and are grateful for their confidence in Nesa's vision and capabilities. This investment materially strengthens our ability to execute on the Group's growth strategy — accelerating the growth of our PPA portfolio which will underpin our business going forward. The investment will also facilitate meaningful job creation and contribute positively to the broader South African economy — an outcome we are deeply committed to. We extend our gratitude to Maia Capital, our clients and stakeholders, as well as our valued management team for their unwavering belief in Nesa's potential."
Mike Bleyenheuft, Co-Founder and CEO of Nesa Power, added: “Securing this mezzanine facility from Maia Capital is a significant milestone for the Group and reflects the strength of the business we have built. The partnership with Maia Capital will ensure that Nesa continues to deliver innovative, high-quality renewable energy solutions to the C&I market. The energy transition in South Africa is accelerating, and with the private renewable market on a trajectory to surpass R200 billion by 2030, the opportunity ahead of us is substantial. We look forward to leveraging this partnership with Maia Capital to drive our next chapter of growth.”
Covington & Burling acted as legal counsel to Maia Capital
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Maia Capital Partners.
For more information contact:
Tshandu Ramusetheli
Chief Executive Officer
Maia Capital Partners
tshandu@maiacapital.co.za
invest@maiacapital.co.za
Tel: +27-72-197-8752
About Maia Capita Partners and the Maia Debt Impact Fund I:
Maia Capital Partners was established in June 2020 with a mission to generate competitive financial returns while driving positive social and environmental impact through private debt investments. The firm reached its final close in June 2024, raising over R1 billion from South African pension funds.
The Maia Debt Impact Fund I is dedicated to driving economic transformation by providing mezzanine financing to mid-market companies across a variety of sectors, including renewable energy, affordable housing, healthcare, education, financial inclusion and more. Maia Capital's focus on economic transformation ensures we support industries that promote infrastructure development, job creation, and sustainable industrialization, while remaining open to a wide range of impactful transactions.
Maia Capital Partners was founded by a team of seasoned investment professionals with over 80 years of combined experience in private markets, infrastructure, and impact investing. The firm is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa
Website: www.MaiaCapital.co.za
Every wave of anti-immigrant sentiment or discontent around the globe carries an implicit economic claim that foreigners are taking away jobs, committing crimes, draining public services and hollowing out local livelihoods. In South Africa, those claims were sharpened with a cruel and concrete threat of eviction by 30 June. It might be worth pausing on …
City of Cape Town planned to spend R51-million, but funds dried up
With a Round of 16 spot on the line, both sides gave everything in a fiercely contested battle for qualification. But ultimately, it proved to be a heart-breaking day for South Africa, as their journey came to a disappointing end after an added time goal for Canada saw the co-hosts progress to the next round. …
29 June 2026 – Justin Visagie and Ruth Castel-Branco The economic and social conditions in which anti-migrant sentiment has exploded in South Africa include high joblessness and a collapse of government services. South Africa is in the midst of its most significant anti-immigrant mobilisation in years. The emergence of the March and March movement, calls …
By Staff WriterPublished: 28 June 2026 This forecast covers: Wed 01 Jul – Fri 03 Jul Snowfall is possible from late on Wednesday through to the early hours of Friday morning as per the map, with the main snow day being Thursday. Note the zoomed-in maps at the bottom of this page that show more …
Apart from sporadic incidents of looting, including a break-in at a tuckshop in the eThekwini metro’s township of Hammarsdale, the main march in Durban proceeded peacefully. A crowd of more than 15 000 marches gathered, without incident, in the Durban CBD. Comprising mainly young people who had been bused from various townships around the city, …
The Democratic Alliance (DA) extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Proteas Women for their outstanding performances on the international stage, making every South African proud. The Proteas Women have once again shown why they are among the world’s leading cricket teams. Their resilience, skill and commitment have booked them a spot in the semi-final of …