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Social Development and BMA to strengthen social services at border posts

Location: News

Social Development and BMA to strengthen social services at border posts

The Department of Social Development and the Border Management Authority (BMA) have committed to working together to address gaps in social service delivery at border crossings.

The two bodies held a high-level strategic meeting focusing on implementing the strategy for the employment of social workers and other social service professionals.

The meeting examined strengthening the partnerships between the two entities to address essential gaps in social service delivery, particularly in cross-border contexts.

The session, chaired by Acting Deputy Director-General for Corporate Support Services Lumka Oliphant, explored avenues for collaboration. This included building synergies between social service professionals and border management officials, recognising the vital role social workers play in protecting vulnerable groups including undocumented migrants, victims of human trafficking, and children in need of care and protection. 

Amanda Vokwana, the department’s Director of Organisational Development and HR Planning, outlined the strategy for the employment of social workers and other social service professionals. 

The strategy was developed as part of a broader government effort to employ 55 000 social service professionals by 2030, in alignment with the National Development Plan. 

“This strategy is not just a vision; it is a collective commitment to building a social service sector that is responsive to the needs of our communities. It seeks to address the employment gaps faced by social workers while ensuring that their skills are effectively utilised in both the public and private sectors,” Vokwana said at Friday's meeting.

This as the country continues to face pressing social ills, including poverty, substance abuse, gender-based violence, child-headed households, and human trafficking, she emphasised. 

The strategy provides a framework for recruiting, training, and retaining qualified social service professionals to tackle these issues. It also introduces a funding and deployment model to ensure professionals are placed where they are needed most, including in border management operations.

Vulnerable groups 

A significant part of the meeting held in Pretoria focused on a proposal for collaboration between the department and the BMA.
The proposal presented by Oliphant underscored the vital need to integrate social workers into the BMA’s operations, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. 

Oliphant highlighted that, like the South African National Defence Force, the South African Police Service, and the Department of Correctional Services, the Border Management Authority also requires dedicated social workers.
“Border posts are high-risk environments where social vulnerabilities intersect with security concerns.

“Social workers play an essential role in ensuring that individuals, especially children and victims of trafficking, receive the necessary psychosocial support and interventions in line with legislative frameworks,” she explained. 

Beyond assisting vulnerable groups, Oliphant stressed that social workers would also be instrumental in supporting the Border Management Authority’s personnel who are frequently exposed to traumatic and high-pressure situations.

“Border officials often deal with emotionally taxing cases, from human trafficking survivors to desperate asylum seekers. Having in-house social workers would provide much-needed psychological support and trauma counselling, ensuring the well-being of both staff and those they serve.

“With the growing complexities of migration and border-related social issues, it is critical that social service professionals are part of border management processes. Their expertise in psychosocial support, child protection, and victim assistance will enhance the effectiveness of our interventions,” she said. 

The Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Peter Mphilo, acknowledged the financial constraints that have hindered the establishment of an independent social services unit within the agency.

While recognising the initial intent to develop internal capacity, he emphasised the necessity of collaboration with the Department of Social Development and provincial stakeholders. 

“We appreciate the assistance and cooperation from the provinces. The demand for social services at our border posts far exceeds supply, and this collaboration is critical in addressing those challenges,” Mphilo said. 

Infrastructure

He highlighted the need to assess infrastructure requirements at border posts, focusing on interception procedures, interview facilities, and the seamless handover of vulnerable individuals to inland social services.

“Mapping out the entire process, from the port of entry to final social service intervention, is crucial for us to determine what needs to be funded,” he added. 

Regarding funding strategies, Mphilo inquired about the role of donor funding and private sector involvement in the employment of social workers.

He stressed the importance of understanding whether private players directly fund social worker employment or contribute to broader organisational initiatives. 

Moving forward, the Border Management Authority aims to refine its strategy by aligning funding mechanisms, infrastructure planning, and service delivery models to support social service professionals operating within border management, effectively.
“We need to be guided in terms of requirements. A phased approach, where we employ one or two social workers per region to provide advisory services, would be beneficial.

“Currently, we rely on provinces for support, but their capacity varies, and assistance does not always arrive on time. Having dedicated social workers within border regions would help bridge this gap.”

Mphilo also emphasised the importance of ensuring compliance with legislative frameworks, particularly the Children’s Act, given that many women who cross borders irregularly do so with children. 

The presence of social workers at border posts would help facilitate proper child protection interventions.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its partnership with the department, benefitting from its support, and actively participating in the broader interdepartmental task team to enhance social service provision within border management operations. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Mon, 03/03/2025 - 12:03
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U20 South Africa: Africa’s ‘moment to lead’

Location: News

U20 South Africa: Africa's 'moment to lead'

City of Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, has described the 8th cycle of the Urban 20 (U20) – which is co-chaired by the City of Tshwane and Johannesburg - as a moment for Africa to lead.

The Mayor was delivering remarks at the launch of the 8th cycle of the U20 on Monday.

The U20 is an engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20). South Africa has taken over the Presidency of the G20 for 2025.

“This is our moment to lead. Not just as the City of Tshwane or the City of Johannesburg, but as Africa’s voice in the global urban conversation.

“Through U20 2025, we have the opportunity to shape a future that is just, sustainable, and inclusive. A future where African cities are not just participants but leaders in the global urban agenda.

“As co-hosts of U20 2025, our mission is clear: to ensure that the voice of African cities is heard on the world stage and that the priorities of the Global South are brought into the G20 agenda,” Moya said.

The U20 is a city diplomacy initiative which includes cities from the G20 countries and this year’s theme will be “Cities Leading the Way in Reimagining Global Change”.

Key priorities for this year include:
•    Economic opportunities and financing
•    Climate action and urban resilience
•    Social inclusion and equity
•    Digital transformation and innovation

Engaging citizens

Moya highlighted that although this year’s U20 will build on the foundation laid by last year’s co-chairs São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, “our goal is to ensure that this presidency reflects the realities of African cities and the needs of our communities”.

“U20 is a global initiative, but its success will not be measured in communiqués and declarations alone. Its impact must be felt at a local level. 

“This is not just about diplomatic meetings and international cooperation. It is about real economic opportunities, real investment, and real solutions for our people. It is about ensuring that the people of Tshwane and Johannesburg see themselves in this process and feel its benefits.

“We must use this platform not just to advocate for our cities on the global stage, but to showcase their resilience, innovation, and leadership to our own communities,” she said.

Pressing further, Moya emphasised that the impact of the U20 “must extend beyond government officials and politicians” who will gather for the U20 Sherpa Summit and African Mayor’s Assembly in June and the Mayoral Summit in September.

“We are committed to ensuring that the U20 process engages the people it is meant to serve. That means creating spaces for public dialogue and community participation, ensuring that our residents have a voice in shaping urban policies. 

“It means fostering connections between local entrepreneurs and global investors, creating pathways for businesses to grow. It means recognising that Tshwane, as a knowledge hub, has world-class institutions that must be part of this conversation.

“Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, economic inequality, and social exclusion. It is time for our voices to be heard at the highest levels of global decision-making,” Moya said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Mon, 03/03/2025 - 12:05
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Meet Deel Local Payroll, Powered by Payspace: The Next Evolution in Payroll Innovation

Location: Business
PaySpace

PaySpace by Deel is now Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace (www.PaySpace.com)! One year after being acquired by Deel, PaySpace by Deel has officially transitioned into Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace. This milestone isn't just about a name change—it's about why Deel acquired PaySpace in the first place.

PaySpace customers can expect the same powerful payroll platform, now under Deel's global brand. Deel customers can utilise real-time payroll, which means real-time G2N (Gross-to-Net) calculations, shorter cut-off times, and less overall pressure and stress when running payroll across multiple countries.

Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, formerly known as PaySpace by Deel, is a market leader in payroll technology, with more than 20 years of payroll and HR experience. Its flexible solutions cater to a wide range of clients, including small businesses, enterprises, and payroll service providers. The company has built the most technologically advanced native payroll engine, serving clients in 44 countries across Africa and the Middle East. It has over 15,000 customers, including big brands like Heineken, Coca-Cola, and Puma Sports.

Deel is a trailblazer in global employee and payroll management, enabling its customers to operate in different territories and simplify the complexities of managing employees according to regional financial and legal requirements. With global operations in over 150 countries, Deel simplifies the complexities of international payroll and HR, enabling companies to manage their global workforce efficiently and compliantly. Founded in 2018, Deel is the fastest-growing unicorn in history (a unicorn is a privately owned startup valued at over US$1 billion—Deel is currently valued at over $12 billion), helping businesses hire anyone, anywhere.

PaySpace is now Deel Local Payroll: New Brand, Same Team and Innovation

The acquisition, concluded in 2024, aligns the award-winning Deel Local Payroll team and cloud-native PaySpace platform with Deel's global operations. Deel Local Payroll is an independent subsidiary and a payroll product sold as a self-service option alongside Deel's global payroll product. Deel customers benefit through enhanced, innovative, and more flexible payroll tools for their teams.

The PaySpace calculation engine is now Deel's calculation engine, onto which Deel has localised its Employer Of Record (EOR) and Global Payroll (GP) products across numerous countries, including the UK, South Africa, Canada, and the UAE. Deel will keep localising countries onto this single engine—a unique competitive offering in the payroll market.

Under the Deel brand, Deel Local Payroll will continue to provide the same excellent payroll software and dedicated team that its customers have come to rely on, with the same management team, employees, support, channels, and logistics—only the name has changed. This seamless transition ensures no disruption to existing customer contracts, systems, or processes.

Deel Local Payroll's core cloud-native platform is now the PaySpace platform, an intrinsic part of how Deel delivers payroll services at grassroots levels to customers across the globe.

The PaySpace platform includes groundbreaking features:

  • Automatic legislative updates that are pushed directly to customers.
  • Robust integration with dozens of business applications and data sources.
  • Extensive automation features to remove pressure on payroll teams.
  • Powerful scale and flexibility that supports changing business requirements.
  • Secure anywhere, anytime access for multiple users and devices.
  • Pacey, a WhatsApp employee self-service bot for payroll slips and other information.

"When we founded PaySpace, we set out to create world-class payroll management that served all markets. Taking inspiration and lessons from our customers in Africa and leveraging cutting-edge cloud technologies, we built a true 21st-century payroll service that evolves with the needs of modern companies and their workforces. The rebranding from PaySpace to Deel Local Payroll allows for deeper integration with Deel, positioning us for continued success and growth. It's a positive move, building on the strong foundation we've already established," says Bruce van Wyk, CEO at Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.

Deel's acquisition of Payspace, now Deel Local Payroll, and the PaySpace platform is a significant win for customers. It also serves as a testament to the resilience and flexibility of African tech. Deel, Deel Local Payroll, and the PaySpace platform are building bright futures for their customers as they continue to innovate and provide world-class payroll solutions built to simplify and enhance payroll at every level.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PaySpace.

Media contact:
Victoria Lindsay
victoria@innocomm.co.za

About Deel Local Payroll:
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, revolutionises payroll management. It offers online, multi-country payroll and HR management for businesses from start-ups through to enterprise in over 40 African countries, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Brazil.

Cloud-native, Deel Local Payroll, is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use—delivering anytime, anywhere access. It features payroll automation, self-service features, automatic legislation and feature updates, customised reporting, and more.

Since 2024, Deel Local Payroll has been part of Deel, operating as an independent subsidiary, serving its customers through the PaySpace platform. 

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Report on Hazelmere Dam water release dismissed

Location: News

Report on Hazelmere Dam water release dismissed

UMngeni-uThukela Water has dismissed a video circulating suggesting that water will be released from the Hazelmere Dam without any prior warning being issued to communities living in the vicinity of the dam. 

In a statement issued on Monday, uMngeni-uThukela Water spokesperson, Siyabonga Maphumulo, said the entity has not effected a release of water from the Hazelmere Dam, as the video suggested on Sunday, 2 March 2025. 

“The dam is currently overflowing due to the recent heavy rains in parts of KwaZulu-Natal that have pushed up dam levels to 102%. 

“In this regard, uMngeni-uThukela Water issued a media statement on Friday, 28 February 2025, wherein it cautioned communities living downstream of the dam to practice extra caution, as the dam overflow would lead to the uMdloti River swelling,” Maphumulo said. 

uMngeni-uThukela Water will continue to monitor the Hazelmere Dam, and in the event that its level gets to 105%, the entity will consider a water release. 

Maphumulo emphasised that in the event of a water release, uMngeni-uThukela Water, guided by its operating protocols, would inform the public and all affected stakeholders before effecting the water release. 

“As the water levels at the Hazelmere Dam levels have not reached 105% mark, uMngeni[1]uThukela Water has no immediate plans of releasing water via its emergency scours. UMngeni-uThukela Water would therefore like to allay any public fears or concerns about water releases. 

“We would also like to again remind the public to practice vigilance around the Umdloti River due to the dam overflow,” Maphumulo said.

Floods

Addressing the media on Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi announced that more than 20 people have lost their lives as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in the province.

“We have lost more than 20 people in the last two months and we are continuing to count the cost, especially the destruction of public infrastructure such a roads, clinics and access to homes,” Buthelezi said.

The MEC urged residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter on higher ground and appealed to people in the province to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, as roads in eThekwini, are already flooded.

“We strongly urge residents in low-lying areas, and those who are near riverbanks, to immediately move away and seek shelter on higher ground. Residents are also advised to avoid all non-essential travel,” the MEC said.

More rain expected 

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service has reported that isolated showers and thundershowers expected over the most parts of the country, on Tuesday and Wednesday, with scattered over the south-eastern areas, as well as the western parts of the Northern Cape on Tuesday.

The forecaster has also issued an alert level 5 for eThekwini and other four KwaZulu-Natal areas, including Ray Nkonyeni, Mkhambathini, UMzumbe and Umdoni Local Municipalities. 

"Take immediate action to ensure your safety. Stay indoors, avoid travel and follow evacuation instructions, if necessary,” the weather service said in a statement on Monday. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Mon, 03/03/2025 - 15:15
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G20 meeting highlights the role of science in tackling climate change

Location: News

G20 meeting highlights the role of science in tackling climate change

Rising global temperatures, extended droughts, and the growing spread of disease are some of the severe impacts of climate change, according to the President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Council, Professor Thokozani Majozi. 

Speaking at a recent Science20 (S20) meeting in Pretoria, Majozi noted that no region is immune to these effects, which range from wildfires in the Americas and Australia to catastrophic flooding in Europe and Asia.

“Climate change does not recognise national boundaries, making international scientific cooperation not just beneficial but essential,” he said. 

The meeting highlighted the urgent challenge of climate change.

“This issue transcends borders, economies, and political systems. The evidence is unequivocal: our climate is changing at an unprecedented rate due to human activities,” the Professor warned. 

S20 is the official engagement group for science academies within the Group of Twenty (G20) to foster science-based dialogue and provide policy advice. 

Established in 2017, its mission is to promote scientific cooperation and ensure that scientific perspectives influence G20 decisions on global challenges. 

The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries that seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues.

Under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, three foundational themes shape political and scientific discussions: solidarity, equality, and sustainable development.

He outlined the key responsibilities of the scientific community, which include advancing our understanding of climate systems and their effects on human health and wellbeing. 

The Professor also urged his colleagues to communicate complex scientific findings in ways that can inform both policymakers and the public. In addition, he emphasised the importance of fostering collaboration across natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. 

Majozi believes in nurturing the next generation of scientists who are equipped to address these complex challenges, and he advocated for the integration of indigenous and local knowledge systems with traditional scientific approaches.
“We are not merely repositories of knowledge but active participants in shaping how that knowledge is applied to real-world challenges,” he added. 

Led by the ASSAf, this year’s S20 gathering is particularly significant, as it marks the first time the G20 is hosted on the African continent. 

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, addressed the meeting virtually and called for global scientific cooperation and evidence-based policymaking. 

Nzimande emphasised the connection between the S20 theme, “Climate change and well-being,” and South Africa’s overarching G20 theme of “Solidarity, equality, and sustainability.”

“These themes do not merely serve as reminders of the urgent need for science-driven policy responses to challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and global inequality,” he said. 

“They also highlight that today’s fundamental challenges are interconnected, demanding multidisciplinary approaches, collaboration, and decisive science-based action.”

Priorities and skills development

Nzimande outlined key science, technology, and innovation priorities that will define South Africa’s G20 leadership. 

These include, among other initiatives, enhancing our capacity for pandemic preparedness; promoting research and development in emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence; and integrating these technologies into essential economic sectors such as energy, agriculture, mining, health, and the digital economy.

It also it involves developing critical and advanced skills, including through the Presidential PhD Programme.

The Minister stressed the crucial role of the S20 meeting in shaping the broader G20 Research and Innovation Working Group discussions, which will culminate in a ministerial meeting in September 2025. 

President of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Professor Helena Nader, applauded South Africa for highlighting the topic of climate change and wellbeing, especially considering recent global floods and storms. 

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the United States National Academies Policy and Global Affairs Division, Dr Vaughan Turekian, praised G20 members’ long history of collaboration and expressed his desire for it to expand through the S20. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Mon, 03/03/2025 - 12:45
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Social Development hosts engagement session on the FATF’s Recommendation 8

Location: News

Social Development hosts engagement session on the FATF’s Recommendation 8

As part of South Africa’s ongoing measures to fully implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Department of Social Development is hosting a multi-stakeholder engagement in Kempton Park. 

“The objective of the multi-stakeholder engagement is to enhance government, NPOs [non-profit organisations] and key partners’ understanding and requirements of the FATF standards to combat money laundering and terror financing and the implementation of effective national measures to mitigate the risks. 

“The fight against money laundering and terrorist financing requires a collective national effort and collaboration among key stakeholders. As the registrar and custodian of the NPO Act (Act No. 71 of 1997, as amended through the General Laws Amendment Act No. 22 of 2022), one of Social Development’s strategic goals is the promotion of strategic partnerships with NPOs to deliver services to communities,” the department said of the three-day engagement that begins today.

The FATF is the international standard-setting body that oversees global compliance with anti-money laundering rules.

With South Africa due to report back to FATF on the remaining deficiencies in its fifth-round mutual evaluation in June this year, the engagement will bring together government, NPOS, development agencies, donors, private sector, law enforcement agencies and financial institutions. 

Stakeholders will focus on Recommendation 8 of the FATF, which aims to protect NPOs from potential terrorist financing and money laundering abuse through effective implementation of risk-based measures. 

The formal programme at the three-day engagement will feature presentations, case studies and emerging best practices by experts from key financial institutions and regulators, including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), South African Revenue Service (SARS), Chartered Institute for Business Accountants (CIBA, National Lotteries Commission and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). 

These will highlight trends and overview of national measures to combat money laundering and terror financing, as well as the important role of NPOs in combating money laundering and terror financing in South Africa.

The multi-stakeholder engagement builds on measures already underway as South Africa works to finalise outstanding action items from FATF’s recommendations. 

South Africa is now deemed to have addressed or largely addressed 20 of the 22 action items in its Action Plan, leaving two items to be addressed in the next reporting period that runs from March 2025 to June 2025. This would enable South Africa to be considered for delisting from the FATF grey list in October 2025.

This as the FATF grey listed South Africa at its February 2023 plenary meeting held in Paris. It developed an Action Plan with 22 Action items linked to the eight strategic deficiencies identified in the country’s anti-money laundering and combating of financial terrorism regime.

Deregistration 

This week’s gathering comes at the department has embarked on deregistration of non-compliant NPOs, with 203 279 organisations at the risk of deregistration for failure to comply with the requirements to submit annual reports as per the provisions of section 18 (1) of the Non-Profit Organisations Act (Act No. 71 of 1997, as amended through the General Laws Amendment Act 22 of 2022).
READ | Social Development issues notices of non-compliance to NPOs

The engagement session which is being held at the Premier Hotel OR Tambo will culminate in the adoption of a declaration on combating money laundering and terror financing in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Mon, 03/03/2025 - 11:28
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DPSA hosts inaugural G20 Anti-Corruption meeting

Location: News

DPSA hosts inaugural G20 Anti-Corruption meeting

Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi will from today host the first G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) in Cape Town.

The ACWG ends on Wednesday.

The Department of Public Service and Administration, in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Department of International Relations (DIRCO), is at the forefront of South Africa's efforts to combat corruption.

The ACWG’s work is guided by the St Petersburg Strategic Framework of 2013 and the G20 ACWG Action Plan for 2025-2027, aligning with the priorities of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

As South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency in December 2024, a series of important events led by the ACWG are planned throughout the year. 

Co-chaired by South Africa and Brazil, the ACWG will focus on four key priorities:

  • Strengthening the Public Sector: Promoting good practices for transparency and accountability, culminating in a Ministerial Declaration.
  • Increasing efficiency of asset recovery measures: Discussions will centre on high-level principles for managing seized assets, with technical assistance from global partners.
  • Enhancing inclusive participation: Mobilising the public sector, private sector, civil society, and academia to combat corruption collaboratively and share best practices through dedicated side events.
  • Enhancing whistle-blower protection: Reinforcing commitments to safeguarding whistle-blowers with accountability reports and specific side events focused on effective protection mechanisms.

The agenda for the first ACWG Technical Meeting, to be held from 3 to 5 March 2025 -  includes sessions dedicated to increasing the efficiency of asset recovery measures, enhancing whistleblower protection mechanisms and fostering inclusive participation among diverse stakeholders. 

Sessions will also receive updates on upcoming anti-corruption events, including the financing for development agenda and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of State Parties (CoSP 11). – SAnews.gov.za

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Mon, 03/03/2025 - 08:32
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SANPC to Showcase Strategic Vision at IAE 2025

Location: Business
Energy Capital & Power

South Africa's newly established South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) will host an investor roadshow at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this May, highlighting its strategic vision and the more than R95 billion in untapped market and investment opportunities in South Africa's oil and gas sector. Under the theme "South Africa's Energy Future: A New Age State Entity," the presentation will be led by SANPC CEO Godfrey Moagi, following the company's official launch, scheduled for April 2025.

With a clear mandate to promote energy independence and diversification, SANPC is set to drive large-scale investments in the oil, gas and clean energy sectors. SANPC's strategy includes ring-fencing all non-functioning assets, identifying assets that can be moved to the NOC and ensuring these assets can be traded and utilized effectively. At the IAE 2025, delegates will gain an exclusive look into SANPC's far-reaching goals, including the creation of a state-backed energy company that will enhance the country's energy security, facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources and create employment opportunities for the nation's youth.

IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4h81CCe) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

SANPC's strategic vision aligns with South Africa's National Development Plan, which outlines the country's goals to expand access to affordable, reliable energy while navigating the energy transition. The creation of SANPC marks a bold step toward achieving these objectives, acting as a catalyst for new ventures, partnerships and large-scale infrastructure projects. As South Africa's energy landscape undergoes reform, SANPC aims to drive the rapid deployment of new projects while adhering to the highest sustainability standards and fostering regional integration in oil and gas.

SANPC's participation at IAE 2025 is part of the company's series of investor roadshows, first launched at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference in Cape Town. These roadshows support the company's commitment to attracting foreign investment and offer stakeholders the opportunity to engage with SANPC leadership, while gaining insight into the company's vision for an energy future that fosters both economic and environmental sustainability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Next generation of scholars gathering to shape Africa’s future

Location: News

Next generation of scholars gathering to shape Africa’s future

Research-based insights and collaboration on finding solutions to Africa’s most urgent challenges will be at the heart of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)’s 19th Africa Young Graduates and Scholars (AYGS) Conference. 

The conference which gets underway tomorrow, is being held in collaboration with the University of Mpumalanga (UMP).

Under the theme “Enabling Africa’s Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities,” the conference will gather over 100 young and emerging scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from various regions of Africa to share research-based insights and collaborate on solutions to the continent’s most urgent challenges. 

The gathering will take place at UMP’s Mbombela campus from 4 to 6 March 2025. 

“We are excited to provide a platform for Africa’s next generation of leaders to engage, share knowledge, and shape the continent’s future,” said the Executive Head at the HSRC’s Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA), Dr Sabelo Gumedze. 

He believes that the AYGS Conference has the potential to contribute significantly to Africa’s developmental trajectory, and said they were looking forward to fostering innovative solutions, enhancing capacity, and informing policy decisions with research-based insights.

Meanwhile, the UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Aldo Stroebel, said the university was privileged to partner with the HSRC and other prominent stakeholders to engage and strengthen an opportunity framework for emerging scholars through critical thinking and policy impact. 

“UMP benefits from this convening to further advance our focus on sustainability and innovation, building a strong base of intellectual engagement, international networks, and learning,” Stroebel added. 

The conference will feature sessions covering various topics such as advancing agricultural sustainability and food security. 

The panellists will also zoom into governance, peace, and security in enabling Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development; climate change action and the Just Transition; and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive Africa’s development priorities.

Meanwhile, more than 30 papers will be presented by scholars from over 15 countries, including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

The annual AYGS conference is a research capacity-building project that was conceived in 2005 to build a body of knowledge and to project the African “voice” into various global discussions. 

It is further intended to bridge the existing expertise gap in knowledge production on African affairs by developing a society of knowledge producers among the youth. 

The conference, which features a comprehensive programme including a pre-conference training workshop on policy-engaged research and open science, is hosted by the HSRC’s Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) in collaboration with the UMP, the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre, the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), and other key partners. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Mon, 03/03/2025 - 08:50
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Umhlali police arrest alleged house robbers minutes after committing crime

Location: News

Umhlali police arrest alleged house robbers minutes after committing crime

The swift action of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Umhlali, in the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has led to the arrest of five suspects wanted for a house robbery and kidnapping - just minutes after the crime had been committed.

The suspects were arrested on Friday after they allegedly terrorised a family of three at their home in Shakashead in the Umhlali Policing Precinct.

It is alleged that the five armed suspects entered the victims’ home, removed the safe from the bedroom wall and questioned the victims about the vehicles they owned. 

They are believed to have terrorised the victims and assaulted them before taking one of the victims, a 32-year-old male, to withdraw money from a nearby ATM.

It is then that the victim’s mother immediately contacted SAPS Umhlali. 

Within minutes, Umhlali Police responded and intercepted the suspect’s vehicle, approximately 100m from the crime scene. 

All five suspects were arrested and the victim was rescued. The vehicle used in the commission of the crime was recovered and the victims were taken to receive medical treatment.

All five suspects were charged for house robbery and kidnapping and will appear in KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court soon. 

ILembe District Commissioner Major General Anthony Gopaul commended the swift and decisive action of the SAPS Umhlali. 

"Their rapid response and effective coordination led to the immediate arrest of these dangerous suspects and the safe rescue of the victim. This incident serves as a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities. 

“We will continue to work tirelessly to combat crime and bring perpetrators to justice. This successful operation reinforces the message that criminal activity will not be tolerated in the iLembe District," Major General Gopaul said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Mon, 03/03/2025 - 08:54
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Read moreUmhlali police arrest alleged house robbers minutes after committing crime

Botes to co-chair political consultations with Slovak Republic counterpart

Location: News

Botes to co-chair political consultations with Slovak Republic counterpart

South Africa and the Slovak Republic will review the state of their bilateral political relations to consolidate and further enhance diplomatic and political cooperation.

Bilateral political relations as well as diplomatic and political cooperation will be up for discussion at the meeting between International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes and the Slovak Republic’s State Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs,Marek Eštok.

The Deputy Minister will co-chair the South Africa-Slovak Republic Political Consultations with the State Secretary on Monday in Pretoria.

“This round of political consultations provides an opportunity for the Deputy Minister and his counterpart to review the state of the bilateral political relations to consolidate and further enhance diplomatic and political cooperation between the two nations.

“The Deputy Minister and State Secretary will also share perspectives and deepen their understanding of regional, multilateral and global issues of mutual concern,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Bilateral political consultations between South Africa and the Slovak Republic are based on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, signed in 2007 in Bratislava.

Economic and trade relations are conducted through a Joint Council for Economic Cooperation (JCEC).

“Relations between South Africa and the Slovak Republic are cordial and relatively modest, with trade and investment levels remaining at a very low base. Bilateral trade between the two countries in 2024 totalled €287.4 million, representing an increase of 3.1% in comparison to 2023,” said the department ahead of Monday’s meeting in Pretoria.

South African exports to the Slovak Republic in 2024 amounted to €92.1 million, a decrease of 4.8%. Slovak exports to South Africa amounted to €195.3 million, an increase of 7.3% compared to 2023. -SAnews.gov.za 
 

Neo
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 16:43
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SA participates in expedition along the African coastline

Location: News

SA participates in expedition along the African coastline

The South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), a long-term environmental observation and research facility of the National Research, is participating in the Around Africa Expedition, the National Research Foundation said.

Led by global ocean exploration non-profit organisations, OceanX and the newly established Ocean Quest, Around Africa Expedition is a pioneering collaborative expedition along the African coastline and is an endorsed action programme of the United Nations Ocean Decade framework (2021-2030) for its contributions to capacity building and scientific understanding of the ocean.

“Its journey began on 30 January 2025 in Moroni, Comoros aboard OceanX’s state-of-the-art research and media vessel, OceanXplorer. The first leg of this expedition, conducted in collaboration with NRF-SAEON, aimed to map and conduct biodiversity surveys of Indian Ocean seamounts on the Madagascan Ridge and Agulhas Plateau,” said the National Research Foundation (NRF).

The guest science team onboard included established and early career researchers from South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Portugal, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. 

In its statement, the NRF said the measurement of both the physical features and biodiversity at these seamounts will advance scientific knowledge and help to guide informed decisions on conservation and restoration efforts in these remote ocean areas.

“Although these seamounts are located in the high seas, far from any human populations, their contribution towards serving as larval transport corridors are critical and can influence population connectivity across vast ocean distances, supporting ecosystem resilience and replenishment of fisheries in both deep-sea and coastal environments.”

South African benthic ecologist, Dr Lara Atkinson from NRF-SAEON is part of the team leading the exploration of seamounts, including Walters Shoal and the Africana II seamount.

“A seamount is an underwater mountain that rises from the seafloor but does not reach the ocean’s surface. Seamounts are formed primarily by volcanic activity, often at tectonic plate boundaries or hotspots.

“Their height can range from hundreds to thousands of meters, depending on the intensity and duration of volcanic activity. They play an important role in influencing ocean currents, creating nutrient-rich upwelling that supports diverse marine life, including plankton, corals, sponges, fish, and marine mammals,” said Atkinson.

Meanwhile, a group of Cape Town high school learners from Luhlaza, Ocean View, Bulumko, Masiphumelele and Usasazo High Schools had the privilege to join a live-streamed session from OceanXplorer on its journey towards Cape Town, as researchers onboard conducted a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive on Walters Shoal seamount.

The curious learners in attendance were fascinated by the live view of the seabed at a depth of nearly 500 m and this inspired them to ask many interesting questions to gain further insights about the science being conducted during the expedition. 

Thabo Mbuyazi, a technician from the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), explained the importance of ensuring that all scientific equipment is maintained to the highest of standards to be able to collect data for researchers.

He introduced the learners and educators to the two submersibles onboard the vessel, Neptune and Nadir. These three-person submersibles hosted some of the research team during deployments to 500 m depths during the expedition. -SAnews.gov.za  
 

Edwin
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 12:49
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Collective effort needed to rear children as equals 

Location: News

Collective effort needed to rear children as equals 

Deputy Minister in the department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike has called for a collective effort in raising children equally so as to dismantle historical injustices while also eradicating inequality.

The Deputy Minister was speaking during a panel discussion hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on the importance of focusing on the boy child as part of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) prevention strategy.

She underscored the significance of all stakeholders in shaping a just society.

"The young people of our country will grow up in a better place when we all put our hands together. 

“President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his State of the Nation Address, made a clarion call for a nation that works for all. All stakeholders matter in bringing up a better strong child justice system. We are a resilient people, and this country will be built by everyone, including the children before us. Let us nurture them, guide them to do the right thing, and let them thrive," Letsike said.

She emphasised that children should be raised equally, regardless of gender, and lamented the historical social constructs that have led to divisions between boys and girls.

"Sometimes, as adults, we diagnose and redefine how we bring up children, even to the point of polarising them. Children are meant to be brought up equally, they are born equal…We have divided children, we have divided men and women. We know the contributing factors which stem from issues of patriarchy, dominance and privilege.”

Speaking to those attending the session at the GCIS head office in Pretoria, the Deputy Minister highlighted the social implications of unequal child-rearing which can lead to bullying, violence, substance abuse, and mental health struggles.

She emphasised that past initiatives aimed at empowering the girl child were never meant to diminish the boy child but to address historical inequalities.

"When we paid attention to the girl child, it was never to minimise the boy child. It was about addressing inequality and dismantling social constructs that left both men and women behind. 

“We must liberate ourselves by affirming that the girl child matters, the boy child matters, and the LGBTQ+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more] community matters. We must return to our African principles of unity and raising children as a community," she said.

CEO of Soul City Institute, Phinah Kodisang, reinforced the need for equal treatment of all children, stressing that achieving equality requires challenging societal norms.

"We need to challenge the things that make equality difficult to achieve. The boy child must understand the privilege they live in and advocate against factors that perpetuate inequality. Before I am a woman, I am a human being, and even our Constitution speaks to human rights. 

“We need to dismantle divisions that were created in the past and shift from mere words to action. Let’s instil values in our children through behaviour, even in something as simple as the toys we buy for them," Kodisang said.

The Soul City Institute for Social Justice is an intersectional feminist organisation committed to social justice for all.

Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer of Primestars, Nkosinathi Moshoana, spoke on the importance of allowing young boys to open up about their struggles and vulnerabilities.

"Men are often perceived as perfect when put on a stage, and this makes it difficult for young boys to share their challenges. The key to helping young men express themselves is for society and fathers to be vulnerable and share their own struggles. That way, boys will see that we also faced challenges and overcame them," Moshoana said.

Primestars is a provider of youth development programmes.

Pledge 

During the event, young boys in attendance signed a pledge to end gender-based violence and femicide committing to fostering a culture of respect and equality.

Deputy Minister Letsike commended the boys for their bravery. 

“You are brave and strong. You must continue to be strong," she concluded.

The panel discussion emphasised the need for an inclusive approach to child-rearing, one that fosters equality, respect, and unity to build a safer and more just society for future generations. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Fri, 02/28/2025 - 15:21
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Montana weather event confirmed as a landspout

Location: News

Montana weather event confirmed as a landspout

Analysis of the recent destructive weather event in Montana, north of Pretoria, has been confirmed as a landspout and not a tornado.

This as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) conducted a thorough analysis of the destructive weather event that took place on Tuesday, 18 February.

“Following the analysis, which included visits to the site of the event and a close study of high-resolution satellite images of the event, among other things, the SAWS has concluded that the event was, in fact, a landspout as opposed to a tornado,” the weather service said on Friday.

In its statement it explained that a landspout develops over land and is generally smaller and weaker. A tornado, on the other hand, is a violent rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm and measures less than a few hundred meters in diameter although some are larger than 1 km.

“Tornadoes and landspouts are two small-sized events that the SAWS is working tirelessly to nowcast for the benefit of the public. Unlike with other weather conditions, signs of the potential development of a tornado are very evasive, particularly for landspouts,” it explained.

However, there has been an instance where the SAWS issued a tornado warning before its formation (on Saturday, 30 December 2017) albeit four minutes before it struck.

“Both tornadoes and landspouts have a similar appearance, but their development mechanisms and strengths differ. It is for this reason that the SAWS conducted a thorough analysis across Montana after which it was concluded that the event was a landspout.”

The landspout developed shortly before 5pm local time and affected a short stretch to the busy Sefako Makgato Drive. 

From there, it uprooted trees and remained on the one side of the main road. Eyewitnesses estimated that this landspout took less than five minutes before lifting and disappearing. 

The trace of its weakened phase was noted towards Zambezi where only tree branches were broken off with a zigzagging motion to the right side and back to the left of the main road. 

Here, carport awnings and more roof sheeting were broken, twisted and lofted into the air.

“It is miraculous that, to date, no reports of deaths or injuries have been received.

“The landspout was rated as an EF0 according to the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale for tornado intensity, which is in use internationally. An EF0 event is generally associated with light or minor damage and corresponds to estimated wind speeds of the order of 90 to 130 kmh,” SAWS said.

At the time of the incident, the SAWS had an Orange Level 5 Impact-Based weather warning in place over Gauteng and adjacent provinces for disruptive rainfall and/or localised flooding. 

Action to be taken when either a landspout or tornado strike:

•    Where possible, quickly get out of the zone to which two thunderclouds are moving. Within such zones, it is almost certain that the wind will be strong and potentially damaging with injurious debris. Community members at the sudden start of a tornado or landspout may be caught by surprise, but each next minute should be used effectively.
•    Do not use a tree as shelter when it is positioned in the path of a tornado or landspout.
•    Loud sounds associated with tornadic impacts should quickly be used to scan the direction of clouds some distance away from the tornado / landspout. Thereafter, move out of the path of this event before moving opposite the main direction of clouds. Then find refuge.
•    When indoors in a formal house, remain in a small room such the bathroom.
•    To minimise impact for the shack dwellers, use the inside of small-sized furniture such as a sided wardrobe.

The SAWS said such action validates the saying “save one life, safe the world”. 

Situational awareness creates a smooth and continuous defence against potential weather hazards, and it forms part and parcel of the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative. 

The EW4All was introduced by the United Nations to ensure that everyone on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through lifesaving Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027.

“The public can be rest assured that SAWS, as mandated by the SAWS Act (Act 8 of 2001), will continue to monitor and assess developing weather systems and endeavour to issue weather-related Impact Based Early Warnings in a timely manner,” it said.

Such early warnings are routinely disseminated via mainstream news platforms such as radio, television, printed media as well as the SAWS website www.weathersa.co.za . 

Additionally, pertinent information regarding on-the-ground impacts and significant expected weather events are posted on major social media platforms such as X (previously Twitter) @SAWeatherServic, Facebook (South African Weather Service) as well as YouTube. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Fri, 02/28/2025 - 11:11
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Minister Creecy outlines plans to reinvigorate logistics sector

Location: News

Minister Creecy outlines plans to reinvigorate logistics sector

The South African government is committed to reinvigorating the country’s logistics sector as an enabler of economic prosperity.

This is according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy who delivered remarks at the launch of a new World Bank report titled: “Driving Inclusive Growth in South Africa: Quick Wins with Competitive Markets and Efficient Institutions".

“[Government has] established the National Logistics Crisis Committee [NLCC]…comprised of representatives from the Presidency, various government departments and the private sector.

“Its work includes securing strategic logistics corridors handling commodities that are essential to the export market and economic growth; addressing backlogs and congestion at strategic border crossings; combatting congestion in key national highway corridors such as the N1 and N3, as well as interventions to combat cable theft and maintenance backlogs at Transnet. 

“This collaboration has seen modest improvements in our logistics performance,” she said on Friday.

The department and Transnet have set a target of moving at least 250 million tonnes of freight on the Transnet network by the year 2030 up from 150 million tonnes in the 2023/24 financial year.

Investment 

Creecy highlighted that to achieve this, the rejuvenation of the rail sector is a key objective, which began with the Cabinet’s approval of the White Paper on National Rail Policy in March 2022. 

“The Rail Policy introduces structural reforms in the sectors that are intended to enable private sector investment, optimal utilisation of the rail network, and effective economic regulation of rail that will facilitate equitable access to the rail network and ensure that it is properly managed. 

“As part of this process a Private Sector Participation [PSP] Unit is being established by the department in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Once established, this unit will help direct and coordinate private sector investments in priority rail projects requiring capital investment.”

The Minister revealed that the department is currently in the process of issuing Requests for Information “regarding potential investment in the rail and port sector”.

“This serves to share information with the public regarding possible PSP projects, but also to allow the department, and by extension Transnet, to gather information on projects with the potential for third party involvement.

“I want to emphasise again that throughout this process all rail and port infrastructure will remain under the government’s ownership. We are also in the process of consulting with organised labour regarding the details of our freight logistics roadmap. 

“We cannot continue with the status quo, where derailments and port blockages cost our economy billions of rands, and thousands of jobs in all sectors of our economy are at risk,” Creecy said.

Port efficiency

Turning to inefficiencies at South African ports, the Minister said Transnet has launched a recovery plan aimed at “increasing and stabilising port and rail volumes”.

“The establishment of various war rooms for specific corridors and commodities has allowed Transnet and the private sector to collaborate and share expertise and address challenges such as derailments and unplanned maintenance.

“As part of Transnet’s Recovery Plan, replacement and refurbishment of crucial ports infrastructure such as cranes, gantries and straddles is planned in the short, medium and long term, and continued collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) has ensured that spare parts for essential machinery can be secured when necessary. 

“This has resulted in improvements we are seeing in our ports which have cut down on ship waiting times and queuing times for trucks,” she said.

Creecy told stakeholders at the launch that collaborations have also assisted to address bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

She insisted that all the measures set out by government will “enable us to meet the targets that we set for the logistics sector, based on pre-pandemic figures”.

“Transnet and the department have set the goal of 250 million tonnes of freight per year, moving on the Transnet network by 2030. Transnet achieved 150 million tonnes of freight per year during the 2023/ 2024 financial year. At our ports, the target is to improve gross crane moves per hour from the 2024 average of 16 to 30 by 2030. 

“These ambitious targets cannot be achieved within the existing Transnet system and will require significant private and public investments in infrastructure, rolling stock and digital systems. 

“This can only be achieved through a partnership between government and the private sector, where technical knowledge, experience, [the] world’s best practice and funding can be shared,” Creecy concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 02/28/2025 - 13:44
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TVET sector issues placed under the spotlight 

Location: News

TVET sector issues placed under the spotlight 

Critical issues affecting Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students were at the core of a meeting between Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane and the South African Technical Vocational Education and Training Student Association (SATVETSA).

Held at Mpumalanga University, the meeting focused on adjustments in TVET student living allowances, payment of 2024 outstanding student allowances, and payment of 2025 student allowances among others.

On the issue of adjustments in TVET student living allowances, it was resolved that parity between TVET and university living allowances should be established while on the matter of the payment of 2024 outstanding student allowances, it was agreed that all outstanding 2024 student allowances will be processed by 25 February.

On the payment of 2025 student allowances, the Minister said allowances for the 2025 academic year will be processed next week, subject to receiving registration data from colleges.

At Monday’s meeting, the payment for student accommodation matter was under the microscope with the resolution being that all outstanding student accommodation fees will be processed by 25 February 2025.

On the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Appeals Process, it was resolved that the Appeals Committee will convene before Friday, 28 February 2025, to finalise all outstanding appeals.

On pending examinations results, the resolution was that the the mop-up process for all pending results will be completed by Wednesday, 26 February and that the process will be followed by Umalusi's approval of the results by Friday, 28 February.

Other issues discussed include the representation on the NSFAS board with the resolution being that SATVETSA will nominate a candidate to represent the TVET sector on the NSFAS board.

“The resolutions … represent a significant step towards addressing the systemic issues within the TVET sector,” said the Minister in a statement on Thursday adding that the Ministry, in collaboration with SATVETSA and other stakeholders, is committed to implementing these resolutions without delay.

“The Ministry acknowledges students' frustrations and remains dedicated to fostering a functional, fair, and transparent TVET system. Regular progress updates will be provided to ensure that commitments made in this agreement translate into real, tangible improvements in the lives of TVET students,” it said. -SAnews.gov.za 
 

Edwin
Fri, 02/28/2025 - 10:38
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May the best furniture win

Location: News

May the best furniture win

Innovation in the development of new, competitive furniture products will come to the fore at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (dtic) Furniture Design Competition Awards ceremony this afternoon.

Friday’s award ceremony will take place at the Kyalami Grand Prix and International Expo Centre in Sandton, Gauteng.

“The competition has been established to create an opportunity to promote innovation in the development of new, competitive furniture products and to contribute towards skills development initiatives. Participants include students from local academic institutions who are studying towards related fields and other emerging furniture designers,” the department said ahead of the ceremony.

The Acting Deputy Director-General at the dtic, Dr Tebogo Makube, said the annual competition complements the development of design courses and design workshops.

“The Furniture Industry Masterplan adopted in 2021 identifies the shortage of high-level skills in the furniture industry such as design and skilled artisans in furniture manufacturing as a major concern. This limits South African furniture manufacturers’ capacity to supply world-class products in line with both domestic and global market demand, and thus negatively affects the industry’s competitiveness,” Makube said.

He added that design can also be used as a creative instrument that will link industry players’ creativity and innovative products.  

“It is thus possible to position the local industry as the producer of high-value niche furniture products that are globally competitive based on quality and/or differentiated designs. This requires a concerted effort on the part of the public and private sectors to develop programs that address the challenges that constrain the industry from achieving potential growth levels and significantly raise the levels of competitiveness,” he explained.

The competition is a partnership between the dtic, the South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI), Industrial Development Corporation, Proudly South African, Furntech, and other industry players such as Mecad Solidworks, PG Bison, Lewis Group, Zaptly,  and Rubio Monocoat, will also sponsor competition prizes. -SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Fri, 02/28/2025 - 09:59
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G20 focuses on financing health

Location: News

G20 focuses on financing health

The South African Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency will continue the focus on finance and health coordination through the Joint Finance and Health Task Force (JFHTF), as it recognises the high potential impact of health risks on the global economy.

This is according to the G20 Chair’s Summary of the first Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting that took place in Cape Town from 26 February - 27 February.

The JFHTF seeks to enhance the collaboration and global cooperation on issues relating to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, thus leaving the international community better prepared in the eventual case of future health threat outbreaks. 

The Task Force will also promote the exchange of experiences and best practices, developing coordination arrangements between Finance and Health Ministries, promoting collective action and encouraging effective stewardship of resources to address the existing financing gaps in pandemic preparedness and response.

The G20 welcomed discussion on addressing deep challenges in the capabilities of countries to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. 

“[The meeting] recognised the critical importance of sustainable health financing in addressing these challenges, and towards achieving health Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on universal health coverage. [The meeting] looked forward to the Task Force delivering important work this year by updating the Global Report based on the Framework for Economic Vulnerabilities and Risks.

“The South African G20 Presidency looked forward to updating the Operational Playbook for pandemic response with a focus on day zero and surge financing, as well as simulation exercises to assess the efficiency of domestic and international finance coordination in dealing with future health emergencies and identify any remaining gaps,” the summary statement said on Thursday. 

The G20 welcomed the important contribution of the Pandemic Fund, as a component of pandemic prevention, preparedness and response financing.

It recognised current contributions and encouraged increased support to the fund, in particular through the voluntary expansion of its donor base. 

“[The meeting] looked forward to the plan to take stock of the JFHTF since its establishment, to discuss and evaluate the options for its potential evolution. [It also] acknowledged the continued support of the World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the WHO for hosting the JFHTF Secretariat,” the statement said.

Infrastructure development

Furthermore, the meeting recognised that increasing quality infrastructure investment is critical to support faster, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. 

During the meeting, the Infrastructure Working Group discussed the importance of continuing to focus on addressing impediments to long-term finance and creating an enabling environment for infrastructure as an asset class.

In this regard, the Presidency will prioritise:

•    the development of a robust, accessible and investable pipeline towards attracting private sector participation; 
•    exploration of blended finance de-risking measures to bolster sustainable infrastructure investment flows, particularly in Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs); and
•    development of a toolkit to assist countries in overcoming significant barriers to advancing cross-border infrastructure projects. 

-SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 18:50
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SA welcomes EU support on geopolitics

Location: News

SA welcomes EU support on geopolitics

The Cabinet has welcomed the support of the European Union (EU) for South Africa’s positions on global geopolitics and the priorities of its Group of 20 (G20) Presidency. 

This follows the successful 16th Ministerial Political Dialogue between South Africa and the EU, which took place on 19 February 2025 in Cape Town.

“The dialogue presented an opportunity for the EU and South Africa to reiterate their common commitment to multilateralism, rules-based international order, and the centrality of the United Nations (UN) Charter,” said Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Thursday. 

The Minister was addressing a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town after Wednesday's meeting.

According to Ntshavheni, the parties at  the ministerial dialogue also agreed on the need to reform the UN Security Council, recognising the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable.

The EU and South Africa discussed their cooperation in multilateral and regional fora, highlighting their joint efforts to promote human rights, sustainable development and address climate change.

“They also reviewed opportunities to step up cooperation on sustainable value chains, including critical raw materials to further their respective competitiveness, economic security and decarbonisation efforts,” Ntshavheni said.

She explained that the meeting also acted as a preparatory platform for the upcoming EU-South Africa Summit, scheduled for 13 March 2025 in South Africa. 

The summit will focus on improving economic relations, ensuring a just energy transition, addressing security and defence issues, promoting sustainable value chains and enhancing multilateral cooperation.

The EU is South Africa’s top source of foreign direct investment and South Africa is the EU’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Moreover, Ntshavheni said the meeting also underscored the importance of holding the EU-African Union (AU) Ministerial Meeting and Summit in 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 13:09
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