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JOHANNESBURG – Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen has described as “absolute nonsense” suggestions that there are human rights violations against white people in South Africa. Van der Bellen has just wrapped up a joint media briefing at the Union Building in Pretoria with his counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa. READ: Federal President of Austria Van …
South Africans can now access Google’s most advanced AI video generator, Veo 3, via the Vids app linked to Gmail, following its global rollout to over 159 countries last Thursday. The tool, first introduced at Google I/O 2025, allows users to generate short, AI-powered video clips up to eight seconds long. While Veo 2 remains …
Ineos has officially launched two new models for the Grenadier in South Africa. Earlier this year, the chemical company-turned-carmaker announced that it would produce a new commercial variant of the SUV in response to customer demand. The Commercial models strip away the back seats in favour of a reinforced cargo bay, allowing users to carry …
The Working Party on Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries (WPCCTF) from the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), met in Mauritius to continue its work on strengthening regional cooperation for the effective management of tuna fisheries and other highly migratory fish in the region.
The 13th Session of the WPCCTF brought together during two days (17-18 June 2025) 11 from the 12 SWIOFC countries - Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and Tanzania. Partner organizations, namely the World Bank, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Nairobi Convention - UNEP, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the South West Indian Ocean Tuna Forum (SWIOTUNA) attended the meeting as SWIOFC Observers. Other Regional Fishery Bodies – the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)- actively participated in the discussion with members, specifically regarding SWIOFC compliance and reporting requirements.
Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the WPCCTF as a platform for dialogue and collective action, underscoring the need for coastal states to manage tuna stocks responsibly within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and to collaborate regionally to rebuild overexploited stocks, particularly yellowfin tuna. Talla stressed the importance of strengthening national capacities to comply with Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) and to implement effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems.
Mbuli Charles Boliko, FAO Representative in Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, highlighted the significance of the Indian Ocean as the second-largest tuna-producing region globally, playing a vital role in supporting national economies and livelihoods. Boliko stressed that challenges such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate-induced migratory shifts, and external competition require a unified regional response grounded in science, cooperation, and shared commitment.
The Working Party members acknowledged the progress made in the region, including the adoption and progressive implementation of the SWIOFC-led instrument, the MTC Guidelines, and the regional effort for jointly regulating and managing foreign fishing access for the best interest of the region. The MTC Guidelines (the Guidelines for Minimum Terms and Conditions for foreign fishing access) were officially adopted by all SWIOFC member countries in February 2019. WWF, a long-standing partner of the WPCCTF, presented recent work conducted on this subject, which was led by the Minimum Terms and Conditions Task Force (MTCTF) of the SWIOFC. This work received technical support from NFDS and focused on the joint and concerted actions required for the implementation of the priority provisions of the SWIOFC instrument, such as the provisions regulating licensing requirements, the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), transshipments and compensations and access fees.
Other subject thoroughly discussed was the cooperation between SWIOFC, SADC and IOC on regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) initiatives. The new workplan for 2025–2026 was adopted, and the WP formulated joint recommendations for the upcoming plenary session of the SWIOFC, scheduled to take place in November 2025.
The event was supported by the SWIOFish5 TRANSFORM project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by IOC with technical assistance from FAO. The project, ending in 2030, has the objective of strengthening regional, evidence-based fisheries management in the region.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.Media files
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PREVIEW: South Africa’s first Test of the season between the Springboks and Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday can rightly be described as a battle between David and Goliath. ADVERTISEMENT Italy will come with pride and passion, while South Africa is the frontrunner in world rugby, the one the rest of the pack is chasing. …
Pioneering Leader, Trailblazer for Women in Motorsport, and Devoted Champion of the Sport Motorsport South Africa pays tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Beaulah Schoeman, who passed away shortly before her 81st birthday after a courageous battle with cancer. Fondly known as the “Iron Lady of Motorsport,” Beaulah was a formidable leader whose …
Grant beneficiaries complain they have not received their money
4 July 2025 – South Africa will open their account at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek, Namibia, on Saturday when the U20 men’s and the women’s teams face their Zambia counterparts to kickstart their participation in the tournament. The tournament got underway on Friday, 4 July 2025 and the women’s group stages will be
The post South African teams open their account at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek appeared first on South African Football Association.
bp South Africa – a subsidiary of global energy major bp – is undergoing a strategic transformation to modernize its services, infrastructure and customer experience across the country. In May 2025, the company launched a comprehensive nationwide upgrade of its existing service stations and announced plans to construct 40 new retail sites equipped with expanded offerings, including electric vehicle charging stations and a low-carbon battery rental service. These efforts underscore bp South Africa's commitment to driving innovation while addressing energy poverty and decarbonization.
As part of this strategic evolution, bp South Africa returns to African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies as a Platinum Partner, reaffirming its commitment to Africa's energy future. Held under the theme Positioning Africa as the Global Energy Champion, AEW: Invest in African Energies serves as the continent's premier platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making and partnership-building. The event brings together key stakeholders to accelerate progress toward a just and inclusive energy transition.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
In line with its growth strategy, bp South Africa is enhancing fuel logistics through partnerships with DP World and Makwande Supply & Distribution, ensuring more efficient and cost-effective delivery of petroleum products nationwide. The company signed an agreement with the two logistics firms in 2024, enabling bp South Africa to outsource highly-specialized, non-core functions These initiatives aim to improve fuel accessibility and operational resilience across urban and rural markets.
Beyond infrastructure, bp South Africa is deeply invested in local economic development, gender empowerment and inclusive growth. The company places a strong emphasis on diversity, with various programs being implemented to empower local businesses, enhance skills development and outreach. Notably, through a R58 million partnership with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency, bp South Africa is supporting black-owned SMEs with funding and technical skills to operate service stations, contributing to broader economic empowerment. A cooperation agreement was signed in 2023, aimed at supporting black-owned businesses across the country's fuel retain space.
bp in Africa
These efforts align with the broader goals of the larger bp group to advance energy projects in Africa. Driven by a commitment to innovation and inclusive growth, bp is scaling up its operations across the continent through strategic investments and partnerships. In Angola, the company merged its assets with those of energy major Eni in 2022, creating Azule Energy – the country's largest independent equity producer of oil and gas. Azule Energy targets 250,000 barrels per day in Angola, with several projects coming online in the coming months. These include the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development and Angola's first non-associated gas project. In the MSGBC region, bp leads the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project – situated on the maritime border of Senegal and Mauritania. The project achieved first gas flow in January 2025. The company also plays a major role in North Africa's gas sector. Notably, in February 2025, bp went onstream with the second-phase development of the Raven field, offshore Egypt. In Libya, the company is driving a multi-well drilling campaign following its return to the country in 2024. These investments underscore bp's commitment to Africa.
“bp South Africa has played a foundational role in shaping the country's energy sector for over 100 years. As the energy landscape evolves, the company's inclusive approach, focus on innovation and support for women and entrepreneurs will continue playing an instrumental part in driving sustainable solutions,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warmly welcomed Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on his historic State Visit to South Africa. This marks the first time an Austrian Head of State has visited the country since the dawn of democracy in 1994. During a media briefing following officials talks between the two countries, President Ramaphosa reflected …
Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a media briefing on the occasion of the Stave Visit by resident Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria, Union Buildings, Tshwane Your Excellency, President Alexander Van der Bellen,Ministers and Deputy Ministers,Ambassadors,Senior officials,Members of the media,Ladies and gentlemen, As you are aware, Your Excellency, South Africans are today mourning the …
U.S. oil and gas company VAALCO Energy has begun refurbishing its FPSO facility at the Baobab field in Block CI-40, offshore Ivory Coast. The modernization is set to increase production beyond the current 2,891 barrels of oil equivalent per day and extend the field's economic life. A new drilling campaign is planned for 2026 to further develop both the Baobab field and the nearby Kossipo discovery. In addition, VAALCO farmed into Block CI-705 as operator in March 2025, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Ivory Coast's energy sector.
In line with the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies agenda – which centers on maximizing resource development to end energy poverty and drive industrial growth – VAALCO Energy is participating in the 2025 edition as a Platinum Partner. Held under the theme, Invest in African Energy: Positioning Africa as the Global Energy Champion, this year's event will spotlight the contributions of companies like VAALCO in unlocking the continent's estimated 125 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. With over 600 million people in Africa lacking access to reliable electricity and 900 million without clean cooking solutions, Africa's hydrocarbon resources remain critical to closing the energy access gap.
Recognizing this, VAALCO is expanding its investments and footprint across key African markets. In Gabon, the company operates the Etame Marin block with a 58.8% working interest and is preparing to launch a new drilling campaign in Q3 2025. To support its efforts in both Gabon and Ivory Coast, VAALCO secured a $300 million revolving credit facility from Standard Bank of South Africa in March 2025.
In Egypt, VAALCO brought five new wells online in 2025, boosting daily output and enhancing regional energy stability. The company also identified new reserves and a production zone during a Q4 2024 exploration campaign. Its Egyptian portfolio spans the Eastern Desert – including the West Gharib, West Bakr and North West Gharib concessions – as well as the South Ghazalat concession in the Western Desert.
Meanwhile, in Equatorial Guinea, VAALCO is progressing toward FID for the Venus field development in Block P, with front-end engineering and design currently underway. Drilling is set to commence following FID, with first oil targeted for 2026. As the company scales up its operations across the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies offers a strategic platform for VAALCO to engage with partners, investors, buyers and regulators and to solidify its role in advancing Africa's industrialization.
“VAALCO Energy's growing footprint across Africa speaks to the vast opportunities available on the continent. Their commitment to investing in infrastructure, boosting production and supporting local economies aligns perfectly with our mission to position Africa as a global energy frontier,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
About African Energy Week:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.
To South African Authorities , friends and the Lebanese communities, As my tenure as Ambassador of Lebanon to the Republic of South Africa comes to an end, I find myself reflecting with deep appreciation on the years I have spent in this beautiful country. It has been a profound honor and privilege to represent my …
4 July 2025 – Three years after winning the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy, South Africa is just three days away from starting the defence of their title. The tournament, which will be held in Morocco, is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 5 July with the final penciled in for Saturday,
The post We have to focus on ourselves – Noxolo Cesane appeared first on South African Football Association.
Despite early optimism for South Africa’s economic growth, mounting challenges, including political tensions within the government of national unity, evolving (and sometimes devolving) diplomatic relations with the US, and service delivery concerns in key metropolitan areas, have led economists to adjust their growth forecasts downward. This shift is placing considerable strain on vulnerable sectors, which …
The upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) programme features the continent's entire carbon markets value chain in what is a compelling combination of successful early carbon market movers, climate-finance-ready projects, regulatory bodies as well as global institutional development organisations and investors. The event is taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October, with pre-conference sessions on 21 October.
CMAS is dedicated to unlocking Africa's carbon market potential, incorporating integrity, investment and impact. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) are official supporters of the event.
Shifting global landscape
Day 1's opening session will focus on the continent's pivotal opportunity to define its own carbon trajectory, attract meaningful investment and align carbon market growth with the priorities of climate resilience, equity and sustainable development. Speakers already confirmed include:
- Iain Banner, Chairman, South Africa
- Fenella Aouane, Global Green Growth Institute, Luxembourg
- Maxwell Gomera, UNDP
- Javier Manzanares, Allen Manza, Panama
- Caroline Tixier, EU Delegation to South Africa
- Angela Churie Kallhauge, Impact, Environmental Defence Fund, USA
Aligning strategy with global agendas
The session on the "Road to COP30: Aligning Africa's Carbon Strategy with Global Agendas" will look compare Africa's carbon strategy with global frameworks such as Article 6. High-level representatives from the GMEX Group, AfDBm Verra and ACMI will be part of this panel discussion.
Carbon market frameworks
As African countries move from climate ambition to implementation, regulatory clarity is becoming the cornerstone of carbon market development. A session titled “Turning Policy into Action,” will explore how national frameworks are evolving post-COP29, what integration of Article 6 looks like on the ground and how public-private collaboration can drive effective execution. Strong representation from across the continent and value chain bodes for an enlightening discussion, including the UNDP, Government of Nigeria, the South African Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment, Zambia's Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and Uganda Climate Change Department.
The challenges with regards to integrity that carbon markets have faced will be tackled head-on during CMAS. Promethium's Principal Climate Change Advisor Olivia Tuchten will lead the panel discussion around standards, verification and market oversight with experts from Verra, Gold Standard and Anthesis.
Financing Africa's carbon pipeline
Day 2 of the packed CMAS programme features investor roundtables in a more intimate setting, aimed at “Connecting Climate Capital with Scalable Carbon Solutions,” during which a select group of carbon market investors and financiers can present their funds, strategies and investment opportunities to both potential capital partners and carbon project developers.
Keynote on investment
Day 2's keynote session on “Financing Africa's Carbon Pipeline: Derisking, Scaling and Innovating" will address both sides of the investment equation with participants from Shell Nature Based Solutions, Standard Bank, MIGA, AfDB and South Pole.
Jonathan First, Senior Advisor at Climate Policy Initiative will also unpack the question of how to mobilise private capital for Africa's carbon markets with several financiers from TransEnergy Global, FSD Africa, the JSE and JP Morgan.
Pre-conference day
The CARBON 101 masterclass will provide investors, policymakers and developers with the necessary insights into the burgeoning business of carbon markets. The expert facilitators in this relatively new field will cover everything from international frameworks, African policy landscapes, credit integrity and investment fundamentals.
“Trust plays a key role”
As part of CMAS 2025's mission to catalyse high-integrity, African-led carbon markets, Dominic Wilhelm, Executive Director of the Global Trust Project, will also lead a high-impact dialogue working session.
“While the current value of carbon markets as of 2023 is about $950 billion, within the next 10 years, it's going to be worth $16 trillion,” says Wilhelm. “However, the full value chain of carbon markets is very fragmented, and it's not transparent. Therefore, the full value chain needs to rapidly come together in a high-level dialogue, in which trust plays a key role to solve some of these challenges.”
VUKA Group
Carbon Markets Africa Summit is organised by VUKA Group, which has more than 20 years' experience in serving the business community across Africa.
Event dates and location:
Dates:
21 October: Pre-summit day
22–23 October: Summit
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
Additional Information:
Download the Carbon Markets Africa Summit Programme Brochure here:
https://apo-opa.co/44xg9Dg
Contact details for Carbon Markets Africa Summit:
Tailor-made partnerships: Natalie Kruger
Cell: +66 (0) 65 614 8605
Email: natalie.kruger@wearevuka.com
Project Lead: Emmanuelle Nicholls
Cell: +27 83 447 8410
Email: emmanuelle.nicholls@wearevuka.com
Event website:
www.CarbonMarketsAfrica.com
South Africa is in the driving seat of the rotating G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025. The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum for economic cooperation that develops policies and strategies to tackle current and future global challenges. Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability At the launch of South Africa’s G20 …
Western Province edged the Golden Lions in the final match of the FNB U18 Girls Week while Border Country Districts snatched a late draw against the Blue Bulls in the last round of the FNB U16 Girls Week at Queens High School in Johannesburg on Friday. WP and the Bulls claimed wins on Friday to …
The Sharks and Blue Bulls finished the FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week unbeaten after claiming convincing wins in the final round of the tournament staged at St Alban’s College in Pretoria on Friday. The Sharks scored seven tries to beat Western Province 51-28 in the final match of the day, while the Bulls, Eastern Province, …
Jesse Kriel, who will become South Africa’s 67th Test captain when he leads the Springboks against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, was delighted about the honour bestowed upon him, but he warned that it would be remiss to underestimate the Italians going into the clash. Both Kriel and Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile …
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa will host the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) – a gathering of Speakers and Presiding Officers from G20 member countries – at the Arabella Hotel in Kleinmond, outside Cape Town, from 29 September to 3 October 2025. The Summit will be held under the theme: Harnessing …
Andiswa Mengo, who made the allegations, said Mbenenge had deleted the pictures, but not before she had saved them on her phone
Omoda and Jaecoo are performing incredibly well in South Africa, bringing in record-breaking sales. The Chinese car brand, often referred to as “O&J,” recently announced that it recorded its best sales month to date in June 2025. According to the Naamsa’s latest industry performance report, O&J moved a combined total of 1,009 new vehicles last …
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Mr Jan de Villiers, on Thursday submitted a formal request to the Minister of Police calling for an independent and immediate audit into ghost employees within the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence Division.
This request follows the recent arrest of seven senior officials for serious corruption-related offences. They appeared before the Pretoria Regional Court on charges of fraud and corruption relating to the appointment of an unqualified civilian in a senior post. The arrests, which took place between June and July 2025, involved high-ranking officials responsible for financial oversight, personnel management and internal controls. The list includes:
Mr de Villiers said these arrests raise grave concerns about systemic corruption within Crime Intelligence, particularly in relation to payroll fraud and the possible existence of “ghost workers” – non-existent individuals who draw salaries and benefits from the SAPS payroll.
In his letter, the Chairperson also refers to the Secret Services Account, a classified budget line intended for covert operations and informant payments, which has historically been flagged as highly vulnerable to abuse. With many of the arrested officials directly responsible for managing this fund, there is serious concern that public resources may have been misappropriated to fund fabricated operatives or fake intelligence activity. “It is reasonable to expect similar malpractice in payroll management... the possibility of irregular appointments, inflated headcounts and unvetted recruits of ‘ghost' employees is high,” said the Chairperson.
The formal request also calls for the National Treasury and the Public Service Commission to coordinate an audit of the Crime Intelligence division within 90 days. This audit must focus on verifying headcounts against the number of personnel physically deployed. All Secret Service Account payments, including informant lists and payment records, must also be audited.
This request is aligned with the Minister of Finance and the Department of Public Service and Administration's ongoing efforts to identify and remove ghost employees across the public service.
The Chairperson also reminded the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, and the rest of SAPS leadership that ghost-worker fraud in government is not isolated. “It takes sophisticated collusion to create and maintain these ghost-worker employees, who operate like organised criminal syndicates embedded in our government systems,” he said.
“We trust that under Minister Mchunu's leadership, SAPS will use this opportunity to lead by example – rooting out embedded corruption and reclaiming public funds for real intelligence and public safety services.”
This urgent audit is not just a matter of financial accountability but also one of restoring public trust in Crime Intelligence and ensuring that South Africa's intelligence-led policing is backed by a credible, ethical and fully functional institution.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.