News

Download logo

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency, Mr Rikus Badenhorst, today congratulated the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson, and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) for the decisive steps taken to hold non-performing contractors accountable.

Mr Badenhorst described the announcement that the CIDB has blacklisted 40 contractors since June 2024 as “nothing short of historic”.

“In the 22 years prior, only a single contractor had been blacklisted. The failure to act against non-performing contractors created an environment in which incomplete, poorly built, and abandoned projects became commonplace. This eroded public trust in government's ability to deliver. Under the Minister's leadership, and with the CIDB acting decisively, that chapter is now closed,” said the Chairperson.

Mr Badenhorst stressed that this turnaround is more than a statistic. It is a signal that the department, together with its entities, is serious about restoring professionalism, cleaning up procurement and ensuring that public funds deliver tangible infrastructure for South Africans. The CIDB's action directly supports the Minister's vision of a department that is a highly effective delivery unit, capable of supporting economic growth and job creation.

The Chairperson said that the committee also welcomes the additional reforms announced by the Minister, including refining blacklisting processes, recovering funds from delinquent contractors, filling key vacancies, and tightening accountability mechanisms. “These reforms, reinforced by the CIDB's enforcement powers, represent the kind of systemic change that Parliament has long called for,” he said.

According to the Chairperson, there is now a clear message to communities across South Africa that the days of impunity are over. The combination of ministerial leadership and the CIDB's decisive action is ensuring that contractors who betray the public trust will no longer be allowed to do business with government.

Mr Badenhorst said the committee will continue to exercise its oversight role to ensure that these reforms are sustained, that the CIDB is supported in its regulatory mandate and that South Africans see the results in the form of quality infrastructure that is delivered on time and within budget.

“The committee congratulates the Minister and the CIDB on this important milestone. It represents a fresh start for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and a renewed commitment to accountability, delivery, and economic growth.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Download logo

he Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has invited nominations and applications from individuals and organisations for two suitable people to be appointed as members of the Information Regulator for a period of five years.

According to the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Xola Nqola, one position is full-time and the other is part-time.

A list of all the nominations and applications received with the accompanying Curricula Vitae (CVs) and suitably redacted personal information will be published on Parliament's website for public comment on the suitability of candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a screening process.

In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013, members of the Regulator must be South African citizens who are appropriately qualified, fit and proper persons and:

• At least one of whom must be appointed on account of experience as a practising advocate or attorney or a professor of law at a university; and
• The remainder of whom must be appointed on account of any other qualifications, expertise and experience relating to the objects of the Regulator.

Nominations and applications must be accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae (CV) providing the nominee or applicant's:

• Full name, ID number and gender;
• Contact details, including physical address, telephone/cell number and email address;
• Relevant previous experience (including relevant dates and organisations concerned); and
• Academic qualifications.

In addition, nominations must contain the full name, address or email address and contact details of the person or organisation making the nomination and a signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee.

Nominees and applicants are also requested to indicate whether they would be available to serve as a member of the Regulator in a full-time or part-time capacity, or both, should they be appointed.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Download logo

The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources will, from today, conduct an oversight visit to Alexkor in Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape.

This oversight visit aims to address problems surrounding the Richtersveld Cedar Hub Land Claim, which has significant implications for the Richtersveld community and the restoration of land rights lost due to historical diamond mining activities in the region. The Richtersveld Cedar Hub Land Claim, one of the largest in South Africa's history, has resulted in the community regaining approximately 195 000 hectares of land. This includes a share in the Richtersveld National Park and a 49% stake in a diamond-mining joint venture with Alexkor, alongside development funding for housing.

A vital aspect of the settlement was the establishment of the Richtersveld Community Property Association (CPA) to manage community assets, alongside two trusts and various subsidiaries. Over a decade since the settlement, several requirements outlined in the deed remain unfulfilled, prompting the need for this oversight visit.

Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mpho Modise, said previous engagements and oversight by the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly committees have identified outstanding actions required from government departments and local authorities.

Mr Modise said the reports highlight challenges faced by the local municipality regarding service delivery in the former mining town of Alexander Bay. Issues include:

- Dysfunctionality within the CPA
- Delays in electricity service connections in Alexander Bay
- Operational challenges for agricultural businesses transferred to the CPA
- Unsatisfactory environmental rehabilitation of mined areas falling within the settlement of Alexander Bay or on land returned to the members of the CPA.

During the 7th parliamentary term, the committee has been approached by various stakeholders to resolve ongoing issues with the mining joint venture and to assist the CPA in securing the final transfer of funds owed by Alexkor for payment of the long-standing rental agreement.

During the week-long oversight, the committee will convene meetings with all relevant stakeholders to establish a timeline for completing outstanding actions. Where timelines are lacking and previous provincial task teams have set deadlines, the committee will engage responsible parties to understand the challenges affecting the implementation of the deed settlement.

Attached please find the programme of the oversight https://tinyurl.com/7mzuj4jy

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Download logo

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his warm compliments to South Africa's Jewish community for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah (New Year).

President Ramaphosa said: “I wish our Jewish community Shanah Tova as you spend this time in prayer for forgiveness and in celebration of a fresh start in all areas of life.

“We are blessed as a nation that Rosh Hashanah 2025 takes place in the week in which we observe Heritage Day, as the Jewish community and Judaism are an integral and valued part of our cultural and religious diversity.

“This time of prayer is a time for reflection on suffering and conflict unfolding in different parts of the world, and for recommitting ourselves to tolerance, peace and justice.

“May the year ahead be filled with good health, safety and prosperity.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Download logo

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New York in the United States of America to lead a South African delegation during High-Level Segment of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).

The high-level segment will take place from 23 to 29 September 2025 under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter.

The President will on Monday, 22 September 2025 participate in a Two-State Solution High-Level Meeting convened and co-chaired by His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron of France and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HRH, Faisal bin Al Saud.  The meeting will reaffirm international commitments to the two-state solution and seek to mobilize support for its implementation.

In championing robust multilateralism, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the unwavering protection of human rights for all, the President will address the General Debate on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. He will also carry a message from the Global South, amplified by South Africa's current role as Chair of the G20.

These segments provides an opportunity for the President to engage on urgent international issues, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, conflicts in Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo and the war in Ukraine, and other geopolitical tensions. South Africa will leverage its proven reputation as a trusted mediator to build bridges between opposing sides and advocate for dialogue over discord.

On Wednesday 24 September 2025, President Ramaphosa will also participate in the Biennial Summit for Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, convened and chaired by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

The forum provides an opportunity for leaders to assess progress, and advance practical solutions to mobilise global resources and strengthen global economic governance in support of the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Building on its G20 mandate to shape global economic solutions, South Africa will argue forcefully for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global economy. The delegation will spotlight the disproportionate impact of current global challenges on developing nations and push for enhanced international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In his capacity as the Chair of the Global Leaders Network on Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health, President Ramaphosa will convene a high-level meeting on Recommitting to Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health and Rights: A call to action for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development.  The meeting will be co-chaired by His Excellency Boko Duma of the Republic of Botswana and Rt. Hon. Ms Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Board Chair of Partnerships for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH).

The High-Level meeting presents a powerful opportunity for global advocacy, agenda setting, and cross-sectoral engagement at the highest level of Heads of State and Government to elevate women's, children's and adolescents' health as a foundation for peace, security, and sustainable developments.

The President will also participate in a Special High-level Event on Climate Action to be convened and co-chaired by Secretary General Guterres and His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

This event brings together Heads of State and Government, business and civil society, to drive action across mitigation, adaptation, finances and information integrity and other critical matters, in line with Paris Agreement and COP30 priorities.

In reaffirming South Africa's commitment as strategic economic partner focusing on trade relations, investment, and collaboration, the President will on the margins of UNGA engage with the private sector during the Trade and Investment Executive Dialogue hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The President will also meet with several leading US Companies as part of the investment drive.

The United States has long been a strategic partner for South Africa, ranking among country's top five export destinations accounting for 7.5% of our global exports. The US also features as one the country's largest sources of foreign direct investment

On Thursday, 25 September 2025, The President will lead the High level opening segment of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.  G20 plays a pivotal role in contributing to UN efforts aimed at creating an economically prosperous world that contributes towards lasting global peace

President will also hold bilateral talks with Heads of State and Government attending the UNGA High-Level week.

The President is supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Ronald Lamola; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau; the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga; the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George; the Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Maropene Ramokgopa; Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr. Mondli Gungubele.

UNGA80 High-Level schedule and clean feed available on https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Download logo

Artificial intelligence, quantum computing and neurotechnology are rapidly transforming our environment, redefining industries, society and human experience itself.

In this period of great potential and great risks, there is an urgent need for increased international collaboration and meaningful debate. The world also needs a new type of leadership, one able to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, and therefore transform disruption into a force for constructive change.

In this context, the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), through the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) platform and in collaboration with the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), is hosting the Anticipatory Leadership Week (ALW) as a G20 side event from 18 to 22 September 2025.

The SDCfA, an initiative of the DSTI and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is a platform that fosters international collaboration in science, technology and innovation (STI) to address Africa's pressing societal challenges and contribute meaningfully to global development.

The Anticipatory Leadership Week is focused on equipping policy and decision-makers with skills related to anticipating the impact of disruptive technologies on societies. Held as a side event to the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group and G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meetings, the five-day ALW currently under way in Pretoria.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening on 19 September 2025, the Director-General of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Mlungisi Cele, said that the gathering reflected South Africa's commitment to positioning STI as central drivers of sustainable development, both nationally and globally.

"South Africa's G20 Presidency is a crucial moment for the country and the African continent. The 2025 theme for the Research and Innovation Working Group, namely, 'Science, technology and innovation for solidarity, equality and sustainability', aims to address critical global challenges, with a strong focus on Africa's development", he said.

Cele spoke of the growing importance of global cooperation to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, food security, health and energy. He noted that new technological frontiers, including artificial intelligence, called for collaborative approaches that anticipated both opportunities and challenges.

"Given the emerging global challenges that we face, there is a key role for international cooperation in providing innovative solutions. More than ever, the focus is not only on how we use these for the global good, but also on the opportunities to work together to anticipate evolving opportunities and challenges," he stated.

The event also emphasised Africa's science and innovation priorities, aligning with the African Union's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034.

According to the Cele, the discussions at the ALW are designed to bridge local perspectives with global conversations shaping the impact of technology on societies.

"Science knows no borders, providing key platforms for initiatives and cooperation that transcend boundaries. The diversity of participants reflects the importance of science and technology across sectors and regions," he added.

The Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation Resources at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Daan du Toit, presented South Africa's latest STI policy updates and highlighted findings from the latest national survey on research and experimental development, which showed research and development spending at 0,62% of GDP and progress in the transformation of participation, with 47% of researchers being women.

He outlined the government's STI priorities under the 7th administration, namely, inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and building a capable developmental state. He noted that the STI Decadal Plan (2022-2032) provided the framework for achieving this vision. There was a strong focus on transforming the national system of innovation (NSI), ensuring that it was responsive to South Africa's needs, as well as on improving governance, coordination and collaboration in order to increase investment in a difficult economic environment.

When referring to the recommendations of the NSI Transformation Summit held in March 2025, Du Toit noted the priority intervention areas for transformation – fostering a new cultural mindset and reshaping the way knowledge is produced, anticipating and harnessing disruptive technologies, focusing its efforts on advancing African and Global South agendas, and remaining responsive to shifting geopolitical dynamics.

He said that internationalisation and science diplomacy were regarded as essential enablers of South Africa's STI agenda and global problem solving, particularly in advancing African and Global South priorities.

Dr Ndumiso Cingo, Strategic Partnerships Manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, said that the ALW would encourage the kind of thinking that made it possible to address some of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Prof. Michael Otmar Hengartner, Chair of the GESDA Academic Forum and Board President of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH), spoke about GESDA's Science Breakthrough Radar®, which provides an overview of science trends and breakthrough predictions in 42 science and technology emerging topics. He also looked at how the ALW enabled GESDA and others to identify current opportunities for action.

The Science Breakthrough Radar® asks leading scientists how they envisage the future of their field in five, 10 and 25 years. Hengartner indicated that "2 300 scientists from 87 countries have contributed to the Radar since its inception in 2021".

He also talked about the role of science diplomacy in a changing geopolitical context and said science and technology advances were accelerating, with transformative impacts on people, society and the planet. He indicated that he considered science and technology as inherent drivers of geopolitics.

Talking about the ALW, Hengartner said that anticipatory leadership training would, among other things, expand the role of stakeholders in science diplomacy. In a shifting and multipolar geopolitical scenario, it could serve as a bridge for engagement when other forms of multilateral cooperation were not possible.

The event, which brought participants from government, academia, diplomacy, and industry, has allowed South Africa to contribute to the Global Curriculum for Anticipatory Leadership, a GESDA initiative aimed at designing a new paradigm for leadership training.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Republic of South Africa.

Download logo

The Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, today welcomed reports of a directive by the South African Police Service to end the unnecessary confiscation of syringes and needles.

“This development supports recommendations I have previously made in my reports with regards to harm reduction policy tools, to include Needle and syringe programmes as an essential component to the right to health and the right to benefit from scientific progress and its applications,” Mofokeng said.

The Special Rapporteur encouraged all states to desist from law enforcement practices that hamper the right to health, including the seizure or destruction of injection equipment and the prosecution of healthcare and harm reduction service providers.

“While this is a positive development in South Africa, I want to underline the importance of committing fully to alignment with international human rights norms and standards, harm reduction approaches and the operationalisation of the right to health approach – that services are available, acceptable, accessible and of quality,” she said.

“Governments must facilitate drug laws and policies at the domestic level that are centred on people's dignity, public health and human rights, and grounded in the best available evidence, free from conflicts of interest,” the expert said.

Mofokeng urged Member States to move expeditiously to end criminalisation, stigmatisation and discrimination, because they represent structural barriers to accessing services and establishing therapeutic relationships, leading to poorer health outcomes.

“It is essential to ensure that people do not have to fear legal consequences when they access services,” she said, calling on all Member States to integrate harm reduction within a universal health coverage, to advance public health and contribute to better global health outcomes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).