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GOOD Statement by Axolile Notywala,GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor 26 June 2025 *Note to Editors: This speech was delivered during today’s City of Cape Town Council meeting, Budget Vote Speaker, I RISE today, on behalf of the GOOD Party, to dispel the DA’s pro-poor myth, to call out the DA lies and to highlight […]
The post CAPE TOWN’S DEADLY DIVIDE: THE LIVES LOST TO DA NEGLECT appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd,GOOD George Councillor 25 June 2025 The George Council is expected to support a recommendation for disciplinary action against DA Councillor Raybin Figland. While GOOD has long called for accountability, the DA’s sudden willingness to act should not be mistaken for integrity; it is political self-preservation, not principle. The disciplinary recommendation […]
The post GEORGE MUNICIPALITY: DA TURNS ON FIGLAND TO SAVE FACE appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Matthew Cook ,GOOD National Chairperson and City of Johannesburg Councillor 24 June 2025 Johannesburg is a city in crisis It is in desperate need of stable, ethical, and effective leadership. This week, the Johannesburg Council will consider three motions of no confidence, including one targeting the Executive Mayor. These motions have the […]
The post JOHANNESBURG COUNCIL: STABILITY OVER SPECTACLE appeared first on For Good.
Other universities in South Africa have passed resolutions criticising the war
Rot set in straight after the 2021 local government elections
GOOD Speech by Patricia de Lille,GOOD Leader & Minister of Tourism 11 June 2025 Note to editor: This speech was delivered by GOOD Leader Patricia de Lille, during today’s consideration of the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposal This fiscal framework, the third iteration of Budget 2025, reflects both progress and a painful compromise. While […]
The post BUDGET 3.0: A WARNING LIGHT, NOT A VICTORY LAP appeared first on For Good.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) was proud to announce its candidate, Kristle Laäs, for the by-election in Tshwane Metro’s Ward 56 last night (Tuesday). The event was attended by, among others, Dr Corné Mulder, Freedom Front Plus leader, Mr Jaco Mulder, Gauteng provincial leader and Mr Grandi Theunissen, Freedom Front Plus caucus leader in […]
The post Kristle Laäs introduced as Freedom Front Plus candidate for by-election in Tshwane’s Ward 56 appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal shut down by protest on Monday
GOOD Statement by Axolile Notywala,GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor 06 June 2025 In a city struggling with an affordable housing crisis, DA councillors have voted to increase rentals for some of the city’s poorest residents, including pensioners, unemployed individuals, and low-income earners living in Council-owned Community Residential Units (CRUs), mostly on the Cape Flats. […]
The post DA VOTES TO RAISE RENT FOR THE POOR IN CAPE TOWN appeared first on For Good.
But Simunye Workers Forum can still amend its constitution and reapply for registration
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,GOOD Secretary-General 29 May 2025 Today, a new coalition has been formed to govern the Matzikama Municipality. The GOOD Party has voted to remove the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) from office. We will now serve in coalition with the African National Congress (ANC), the Patriotic Alliance […]
The post NEW COALITION FORMED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MATZIKAMA appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse,GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip 28 May 2025 The GOOD Party cannot, in principle, support or vote in favour of the 2025/2026 Drakenstein Municipality budget. This budget fails to reflect the deep and growing economic hardship facing the majority of residents in Drakenstein. It is not pro-poor, and it lacks […]
The post DRAKENSTEIN MUNICIPALITY BUDGET: NO RELIEF, NO VISION appeared first on For Good.
African Leadership Magazine (www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk) proudly unveils the distinguished list of nominees for the 17 categories of the 2025 African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA)—a premier recognition platform celebrating excellence in corporate governance, impactful leadership, and trailblazing contributions to the growth and sustainability of Africa's dynamic business and economic ecosystem. The public voting process is now officially open and will run until 29 May 2025, offering stakeholders across Africa and the globe the opportunity to celebrate and affirm exemplary leadership in the African business space.
The ongoing public voting marks the third phase in a rigorous four-step, points-based selection process for the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA). The process begins with open nominations, followed by a shortlist of top contenders curated by the African Leadership Magazine editorial board. In this third phase, the public is invited to vote, adding stakeholder voices to the evaluation process. The final stage involves a detailed editorial assessment of votes and supporting evidence to determine winners, ensuring a transparent, merit-based outcome that reflects both public sentiment and proven impact.
Public votes in this phase contribute 65% of the final decision, with the remaining 35% based on supporting evidence for each nominee. This ensures a fair and credible process that values both public opinion and verifiable impact. Winners and first runners-up will be honoured at the 15th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA), a special highlight of the Africa Summit–London, scheduled for 9–10 July 2025 at the House of Lords, London, United Kingdom.
To cast your vote, visit:
The 2025 African Business Leadership Awards (BLA Nominee Highlights
African Business Leader of the Year
African Female Business Leader of the Year
African Regulator of the Year
Business-Friendly Governor of the Year
African Finance Minister of the Year
Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of the Year
Central Bank Governor of the Year
Trade & Investment Minister of the Year
African CEO of the Year
Young Business Leader of the Year
Africa CSR & Community Development Impact Award
African Brand of the Year
African Company of the Year
Industry Personality of the Year
Africa Business Integrity Leader Award
African Tech & Digital Economy Leader of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.
Media Enquiries:
Ehis Ayere
T: +44 (0) 20 3051 1883
E: ehis@africanleadership.co.uk
About African Leadership Magazine:
African Leadership Magazine is the flagship publication of the African Leadership Organisation (UK) Limited. For over 19 years, it has championed impactful leadership across Africa and amplified African opportunities on the global stage. Through its platforms—including Afro-positive content, trade facilitation, market entry solutions, public sector consulting, and business networking events—the magazine plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable development and positive change across the continent.
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SIU investigates unfinished arts centre backed by music legends Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu
IEC CEO calls for responsible, inclusive approach to e-voting in South Africa
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo, has underscored the need for a responsible and inclusive approach to adopting new voting technologies.
The CEO was delivering remarks at the e-Voting Conference in Cape Town on Monday. The IEC is hosting a groundbreaking national dialogue on the future of voting in South Africa from 10 - 12 March 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
This three-day conference will launch South Africa's first Green Paper on e-Voting, bringing together voices from across society to shape how South Africans might vote in future elections.
“While digitalisation is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives, we must acknowledge that some portions of our country continue to have limited access to broadband connectivity, particularly in rural areas. In our discussion here, let us not be oblivious that a significant number of South Africans still have limited access to technology.
“Having said so, it is evident that the adoption of new technologies is apposite and necessary. We cannot be oblivious to the ever-present force that drives innovation and exposes us to new possibilities,” Mamabolo said.
The conference, which seeks to shape public policy on e-voting, comes at a time when South Africa is undergoing a digital transformation across various sectors. The Vision 2030 roadmap of South Africa emphasises incorporating technology into business, education and governance.
The country's burgeoning digital ecosystem is distinguished by developments in technology infrastructure driven by public and private sector partnerships.
Mamabolo said the rapid growth of data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure has transformed how most industries do business today and how ordinary folk converse.
Global and African E-Voting Experiences
The CEO highlighted that countries such as Estonia, Switzerland, Brazil and India have implemented or tested e-voting systems, while others have paused or abandoned such initiatives due to concerns related to security, costs and reliability.
In Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have explored e-voting, but challenges have hindered widespread implementation.
Mamabolo noted that some of the common delays or factors halting the implementation of e-voting in many countries are largely related to security concerns and affordability.
As a result, many countries have focused on digitalising aspects of the voting process (such as registration or information access) rather than implementing full-scale electronic voting systems and related technologies for their elections.
“As much as the prospects for experimenting with e-voting systems and technologies can be exciting, we must also approach it with open minds and a sense of responsibility.
“At the forefront of these challenges are questions of security and trust. We remain committed to our mandate to deliver uncompromised elections with utmost integrity, impartiality and accountability,” he said.
Addressing security concerns and digital divide
Mamabolo further stressed that in an era where cyber threats are increasingly prevalent, ensuring the safety and security of an electronic voting system is paramount.
“We must build systems that are resilient, secure, and able to withstand the threats of today and the future,” he said.
Moreover, he urged that the digital divide must be urgently addressed.
“As we indicate, South Africa is a country with varying levels of technological access. While urban areas may have reliable internet and a high rate of technological literacy, rural communities, and impoverished areas still face significant barriers to digital inclusion,” the CEO said.
IEC's Preparedness and Public Engagement
The IEC has already integrated technology into its processes through initiatives such as an online voter registration system, which allows citizens to register or update their details remotely.
“The Electoral Commission is already ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing the advent of technology. The Commission has implemented an online voter registration system that enables new voters to register and existing voters to update or alter their registration from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere. This online registration portal is not constrained by time and space,” the CEO said.
The commission believes that engaging with the public and key stakeholders is essential to ensuring that any transition to e-voting is both transparent and widely accepted.
“As the Commission, we encourage conversations, discussions, and lively debates among South Africans from all walks of life on this matter, as we have seen happening in some social media platforms recently. Such national conversation is essential because elections are a public enterprise that belong to all citizens of our country,” he said.
Prior work conducted on e-voting
As part of its commitment to facilitating informed decision-making, Mamabolo said the Commission always had e-voting in its line of sight, with electronic voting discussions having commenced back in 2013.
The Electoral Commission has carried out several investigations into this subject, aiming to learn from the global experiences of countries that have either successfully or unsuccessfully tried to implement e-voting.
It has explored issues such as available technologies, costs, security/reliability, public trust, existing tech infrastructure in SA and policy options, among others.
It has identified the need for thorough public dialogue/discussions on the feasibility/potential benefits and risks.
The IEC has compiled a Discussion Document based on findings from its 2023 research study on electronic voting, which explored prospects and potential challenges for e-voting in SA.
“The way forward for e-voting to be a viable solution [is that] it must be accessible to all South Africans regardless of their location or socio-economic status. That is why our discussions here must be comprehensive, aiming to address all blind spots and ultimately provide fit-for-purpose solutions for all South Africans,” Mamabolo said.
Looking ahead
The IEC has not yet determined whether e-voting will be proposed to Parliament but aims to lead a comprehensive discussion on its feasibility.
To this end, the commission will launch a series of nationwide workshops and public consultations, gathering insights from citizens and stakeholders. Mamabolo said the feedback will be used to refine the Discussion Document, which could eventually inform a National Green Paper on e-voting.
South Africans are encouraged to participate in the conversation through various platforms, including email submissions, social media engagements, and public discussions.
The public can review the discussion document and provide informed commentary to info@elections.org.za. You can also share your views and experiences through the IEC’s social media @IECSouthAfrica using the #SAeVoting2025. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 13:31
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My Vote Counts wants all political donations disclosed, no matter how small
Dutywa residents were promised houses and told relocation was only temporary by Mbashe Local Municipality
SA, Mozambique find ways to mitigate disruptions at border posts
South Africa and Mozambique have agreed to enhance diplomatic channels for continuous engagement to minimise disruptions to trade and supply chains amid the ongoing post-election turmoil in the neighbouring country.
The border post’s operations were temporarily suspended recently due to protests in Mozambique, which caused disruptions near the Mozambique and South African border.
In a statement released on Monday, the Border Management Authority (BMA) said the Lebombo port of entry was running smoothly as holiday movements increase.
According to the agency, the processing of cargo on both arrival and departure continues as normal, with efficient facilitation ensuring seamless movement of goods.
“Similarly, traveller movements in both directions are flowing without disruptions, reflecting the authority’s preparedness for the busy holiday season,” the BMA said yesterday.
READ | Operations run smoothly at Lebombo port of entry
According to the BBC, demonstrations began at the end of October in Maputo after Daniel Chapo, the Frelimo candidate, was officially declared the winner of the elections with over 71% of the vote.
Protesters are contesting the results of the 9 October elections, which allowed the ruling Frelimo party to extend its 49-year rule.
The protests, primarily led by young people, have resulted in violent clashes with the police, leading to at least 18 deaths, according to Human Rights Watch.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and his Mozambican counterpart, Pascoal Ronda, held a joint media briefing after the inter-ministerial meeting in Mpumalanga on Wednesday morning.
“This important meeting between friendly and fraternal neighbouring countries is reflective of the very good levels of bilateral cooperation between our two countries. The meeting was held in a very constructive, and cordial manner, illustrating the great spirit of collaboration between South Africa and Mozambique,” a Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) statement read.
The meeting discussed ways to jointly address the disruptions at the ports of entry, particularly at Lebombo and Ressano Garcia, a small town in Maputo.
“In this regard, the Ministers agreed amongst others to enhance channels for frequent and continuous engagements at diplomatic and bilateral levels to mitigate disruptions to trade and supply chains, jointly identify alternative routes and deploy additional resources to expedite and facilitate trade and collaborate with all stakeholders particularly business in order limit the impact of the disruptions on their operations.”
Both Ministers have committed to protecting and securing infrastructure for trade facilitation.
They continue to collaborate to ensure minimal disruption for regional integration, including associated cross-border value chains.
The leaders emphasised that these disruptions have negatively affected the economies of both countries and hindered the free movement of people and goods between them.
“Many companies have suffered losses as a result of the disruption in trade. Should the situation persist there is great danger of food and energy insecurity.”
The Ministers also took the time to commend efforts undertaken by senior officials from various departments and agencies on both sides in mitigating the negative effects of the disruptions at the border to date.
“Accordingly, the Ministers committed to accelerate actions to address existing infrastructure challenges at our ports of entry and improve cooperation by establishing a joint technical team between the two countries which will implement the decisions of this meeting,” said DIRCO. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 12/18/2024 - 15:16
Cabinet congratulates Namibian President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Cabinet has congratulated the Namibian President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for securing a victory in the Namibian Presidential election and becoming the first female President of the country.
Addressing a media briefing earlier on Thursday, following a Cabinet meeting in Cape Town, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet commended the people of Namibia for coming out in their numbers to vote in the elections and called on everyone to allow the Electoral Commission of Namibia space to finalise the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia said it was overwhelmed by the high number of people who turned out to vote.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a 72-year-old veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organisation, cast her ballot in the capital Windhoek, as polls opened with long queues outside many polling stations in the sparsely populated country. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 13:25
Cabinet notes decline in GDP by 0.3% in third quarter of 2024
Despite the third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) decline, Cabinet has welcomed the positive economic outlook by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P), as the impact of the implemented Operation Vulindlela coordinated reforms have started to bear fruit.
This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who briefed the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 4 December.
S&P revised South Africa’s outlook to “positive” from “stable” in November this year, citing plans for accelerated economic reforms by the new government of national unity and a pickup in private investments.
Ntshavheni said Cabinet noted the decline in GDP by 0.3% in the third quarter of 2024, with the largest decline of 28.8% recorded in the agriculture, forestry and fishing, which may indicate the impact of drought.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has indicated that the severe drought in 2024 caused a 0.3% decline in the country’s GDP in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, S&P also upgraded Eskom’s long-term global-scale foreign and local currency ratings from stable to positive, which indicates the progress made by government in strengthening Eskom’s financial and operational foundation through the work of the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM), the Eskom Board and Executive team.
“Cabinet further welcomed the decision by the South African Reserve Bank to cut the repo rate by another 25 basis points from 8% to 7.75%," said Ntshavheni.
The Executive believes that the lower interest rate will continue to ease the burden on highly indebted consumers and mitigate the high cost of living, while also encouraging businesses to expand their operations to further stimulate economic activity.
Investment
Cabinet has welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia to invest R9.5 billion to build a platinum smelter and base metals refinery in the Waterberg in Limpopo.
“This new investment is a strong vote of confidence in our nation and builds on the first phase of our investment mobilisation drive under the sixth administration that saw our nation surpass its investment target by 26% to reach a total of R1.51 trillion in investment pledges,” said Ntshavheni.
The Minister said South Africa is now targeting R2 trillion in new investments over another five years between 2023 and 2028.
SAA
In addition, the Executive has commended South African Airways’ (SAA) strong performance, highlighting the airline’s significant progress towards financial sustainability.
“For the first time since 2012, the SAA has recorded a net profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year, and group revenue increased from R2 billion to R5.7 billion.
“Remarkably, SAA achieved this milestone while operating with only six to eight aircraft across nine destinations at the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year,” Ntshavheni said, adding that the airline has since doubled its fleet, launched intercontinental routes, and increased its network to 16 destinations. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 12/05/2024 - 15:44
South Africa calls for calm amid post-election tensions in Mozambique
South Africa has reiterated its call for calm and restraint following post-election protests in Mozambique.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, told a media briefing on Tuesday, that on 6 November 2024, he had spoken with his Mozambican counterpart, Minister Verónica Macamo, and discussed the current security situation in Mozambique following the recent general elections.
“South Africa expresses concern at the outbreak of incidents of post-electoral violence and regrets the loss of lives and destruction of property. We once again reiterate the call made by various leaders in Mozambique to the law enforcement agencies to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice speedily.
“We reiterate our calls for calm and restraint, to allow the electoral process to conclude successfully, and to give the Constitutional Court of Mozambique time and space to address the concerns raised by all parties and validate the election results in accordance with its mandate,” Lamola said.
As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa played a key role in the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM), which monitored Mozambique’s presidential, legislative, and provincial elections on 9 October 2024.
The SEOM, led by former President of Zanzibar, Dr Amani Abeid Karume, was composed of 53 observers from 10 SADC countries.
A total of 17 169 239 Mozambicans were registered to vote, including 333 839 in the diaspora, yet only 7464,822 turned out on election day, yielding a voter turnout of 43%.
In a preliminary statement, Dr Karume noted the late amendment to Mozambique's Electoral Law, which impacted voter education.
Despite this, the SEOM Preliminary Statement concluded that, “the SEOM observed that the pre-election and voting phases of the 2024 Presidential, Legislative, and Provincial Elections were professionally organized, conducted in an orderly, peaceful, and free atmosphere”.
The Preliminary Statement further identified areas for improvement following the Mozambican elections.
Following the announcement of the preliminary results, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need for calm, urging respect for legal procedures in resolving election disputes.
“South Africa, therefore, believes that the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections remain the viable set of norms to support the delivery of regular, free, fair, and credible elections in the SADC Member States,” the Minister said.
Looking ahead, South Africa welcomes the upcoming SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit and SADC Extraordinary Summit on November 20, 2024, in Zimbabwe.
These meetings, preceded by sessions of senior officials and ministers starting on 15 November, will focus on recent political developments in the region, including elections in Mozambique, Botswana and Mauritius. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 11/13/2024 - 10:33
Government accelerating land reform and redistribution
Accelerating land reform remains the key priority of government, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
The Deputy President announced in Parliament on Thursday that in the past five years alone, the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform and Agriculture, through the relevant departments and State organs, redistributed 305 990 hectares of land.
This includes 127 525 hectares allocated to women, 111 071 hectares to youth, and 2 781 hectares to people with disability between 2019 and 2024.
Meanwhile, he said about 2.3 million people have benefitted from land restitution, where a total of R25 billion was spent on the restitution of 3 972 331 hectares.
In addition, R22.5 billion has been spent on financial compensation for those beneficiaries who opted to receive financial compensation instead of the land being transferred.
The Deputy President was responding to a question from a Member of Parliament from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party who had asked about his role in leading government efforts to fast-track land reform and coordinating programmes to accelerate land reform and agricultural support.
The MP asked whether the Deputy President intended to facilitate the introduction of a Bill by the government to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to give effect to expropriation without compensation instead of expropriation with nil compensation.
“Regarding the matter of the introduction of a Bill to amend Section 25 of the Constitution, this is a matter that falls within the structures of Parliament.
“Honourable Members would remember that the sixth Parliament established the Joint Constitutional Review Committee, which conducted public hearings in all the provinces of South Africa to get public inputs on the amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution.”
The country’s second-in-command said this process culminated in the development of a Bill that was aimed at amending Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.
“However, the National Assembly could not pass this Bill since its support could not meet the required two-thirds majority vote for the 18th Amendment of the Constitution.”
He told MPs that the current constitutional framework provides for the expropriation of property subject to just and equitable compensation.
“To this end, Parliament has passed the Expropriation Bill which has been sent to the President for assent. The Bill provides for the expropriation of property for a public purpose or in the public interest and matters connected therewith.”
He assured Parliament that the agenda of accelerating land reform and land restitution will continue.
“However, we are certain that once the President has completed his consultation process, and assented the Bill into an act, government will be in a better position to accelerate the pace of land reform, land restitution and sustainable development that will benefit all the people of South Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 09:51
100 days in office: Advancing the strategic priorities of the GNU
By Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts
The first 100 days as Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, under the Government of National Unity (GNU), have been a period of significant learning and action.
It has allowed me to engage closely with stakeholders in the sector, developing a blueprint to drive the implementation of the GNU's strategic priorities which are to fostering inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and addressing the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
The experience has been invaluable, providing me with a deeper understanding of the department’s mandate, core operations, and both domestic and international context.
Alongside Minister Dr Dion George and fellow Deputy Minister Narend Singh, we recently briefed the media on our progress in the department during this period.
A key highlight of these 100 days has been the opportunity to engage with staff and various stakeholders, including the forestry sector, traditional leaders, firefighting personnel, community forest owners, young beneficiaries of departmental programs, field rangers from entities such as South African National Parks (SANParks), and industry players like the South African Weather Service (SAWS). These engagements have helped shape a shared vision for the department's future.
We kicked off our 100 days in the office by presenting the department's Budget Vote to Parliament on July 15, 2024. We delivered our department’s budget vote in a month where we celebrated our national unifying figure in the form of uTata Madiba – which seemed to tie in well with our mandate of unifying our people through the Government of National Unity.
In the first 100 days, we have initiated efforts to reengineer and repackage the department’s approach to wildland fire management. This involves building firefighting skills, especially in vulnerable rural communities, with a focus on women and youth. We aim to strengthen stakeholder engagement across both state and non-state actors to better deliver on our critical priorities.
As part of this initiative, I hosted stakeholder engagements with on the National Veld and Forest Fires Act, 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998). These engagements were hosted with various stakeholders within the wildland fire management sector from both the North West and Free State. Some of the stakeholders who attended these engagements included local and provincial government departments, fire protection associations (FPAs) and other key players in the sector.
Through these stakeholder engagements, I have instructed the officials to address challenges raised in these interactive engagements such as payment delays for FPAs, challenges on the use of government firefighting vehicles, training of FPA members as well as the clarification of the roles of different stakeholders. I am satisfied with the honest discussions and note the commitment of all parties to find practical solutions.
I have recently led the 2024 Forestry Summit at the Freedom Park in Pretoria. The Summit brought all stakeholders within the forestry sector under one roof to discuss pertinent issues within the sector such as the growth and transformation of the sector, forestry sustainability and the contribution of the sector in addressing climate change.
The Summit was interactive as it provided role players with an opportunity to freely engage with us on the challenges they face in the sector. What was even more fascinating was the involvement of traditional leaders who came from various parts of the country to raise issues their communities were facing. I am pleased with the decision that came out of this frank engagement, which includes plans to go to communities to address issues they have raised.
In the month of September, I had the privilege to lead both the launch and closing ceremonies of the 2024 National Arbor Month campaign. The launch was hosted at Freedom Park in Pretoria and the closing ceremony at Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute in Middledrift, Eastern Cape. A total of 6000 trees were planted in both the localities that hosted these ceremonies.
The Arbor Month campaign is aimed at raising awareness among South Africans about the importance of conserving, protecting, and planting trees for the benefit of both the environment and society.
As part of the Arbor Month launch, I planted the first tree to officially initiate the Forest of Freedom at the designated site at Freedom Park in honour of the heroes and heroines who contributed to South Africa's democracy and liberation struggle. The first 30 trees planted at the Forest of Freedom marks the 30 years of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa. World leaders and other luminaries visiting Freedom Park will get an opportunity to plant a tree in the Forest of Freedom, when it is ready.
During the Arbor Month, I also took a deliberate decision to heighten the Presidential Ten Million Tree Programme, which is a clarion call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to all sectors of society led by DFFE. As the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, I am currently driving an ambitious campaign to relaunch the Presidential Ten Million Tree Programme by planting 1 million trees in one day, on a day to be announced soon.
I want to call on all South Africans – the three spheres of Government, forestry sector, private sector, labour, academia, civil society and many others to join this ambitious campaign by pledging and committing to providing and planting trees on that specific day and going forward.
Trees are important for life. I call on all South Africans to plant trees today and build a better future for generations to come!
On July 31, we celebrated World Ranger Day at Kruger National Park, honoring the dedication of rangers who protect our natural heritage. Their commitment inspires our ongoing conservation efforts.
I also participated in the National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL), a UN initiative aimed at protecting people from hazardous weather events by 2027. We are committed to developing systems that not only safeguard the economy and infrastructure but also protect the lives and well-being of our people.
The first 100 days have been marked by hard work and significant strides towards delivering the priorities of the GNU.
I look forward to continuing our work, confident that together we will achieve our shared goals for a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable South Africa.
*Bernice Swarts is the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Janine
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 10:24