Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

By David Jacobs

South Africa and Botswana are set to convene the 6th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Gaborone on 21 May 2026, marking another important milestone in the long-standing relations between the two neighbouring countries. 

The high-level engagement will be preceded by an officials’ meetings scheduled from 17 to 19 May, followed by a Ministers’ Meeting on 20 May 2026. These engagements form part of a structured process aimed at consolidating cooperation and assessing progress on joint commitments between the two nations. 

The Bi-National Commission, formally established through an agreement signed in August 2012 and inaugurated in 2013, serves as a key platform for dialogue on bilateral, regional and continental matters. Through this mechanism, South Africa and Botswana regularly review cooperation and identify new opportunities to strengthen their partnership. 

Relations between the two countries are rooted in strong historical and fraternal ties, dating back to the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. Since South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, these relations have continued to deepen, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and broader economic cooperation. 

The upcoming session is expected to reaffirm the warm and cordial relations between the two nations, while advancing cooperation across a wide range of sectors. Discussions will focus on strengthening political and economic ties, enhancing collaboration through established committees, and building on shared positions on regional and global issues. 

Key areas of engagement will include regional security within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The session will also assess progress on existing agreements, commitments and joint projects, while exploring new areas of cooperation. 

South Africa and Botswana maintain a robust strategic partnership supported by an extensive framework of agreements. To date, the two countries have concluded 38 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding spanning sectors such as trade, infrastructure, agriculture, security, health, education and tourism. 

This cooperation has translated into strong economic linkages, with South Africa remaining one of Botswana’s major trading partners. Botswana continues to rely significantly on imports from South Africa, including fuel, machinery, food and other essential goods. At the same time, Botswana serves as a key export market, with South African exports reaching R3.67 billion in January 2026. 

The BNC provides an opportunity for both countries to further expand these economic ties, creating conditions for inclusive growth and development. It also reinforces a shared commitment to regional integration and continental unity, particularly within the framework of the AfCFTA, which seeks to create the world’s largest single market and unlock opportunities for over 1.3 billion people across Africa. 

As South Africa and Botswana prepare to meet in Gaborone, the 6th Session of the Bi-National Commission is expected to build on the solid foundation of cooperation, strengthen partnerships across sectors, and chart a path for continued collaboration in pursuit of shared prosperity.

*David Jacobs is Chief Director: Cluster Communication and Stakeholder Management at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The Department of Health (DoH) says it has noted the Constitutional Court judgment declaring that sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act 61 of 2003 are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The court handed down the judgment today, further declaring that the sections are irrational and unjustifiably limit the right to choose a trade, occupation or profession freely.

“While noting this judgement, it is also important to clarify that the judgement is not a judgement relating to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.

“The sections in question were passed by Parliament 23 years ago and have never been brought into effect. Thus, there is no direct impact of the judgement on the NHI as some within the political and private health sector have rushed to mislead the public on. No section of the NHI has been declared unconstitutional,” the department emphasised.

The DoH added that it is continuing with preparations for the NHI.

“The Department will continue with all necessary health system strengthening preparations for the NHI as the mechanism for South Africa to realise universal healthcare coverage.

“This is in line with the provisions of section 27 of the Constitution which guarantees everyone the right to access healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has requested the Bureau of Heraldry South Africa to conduct a formal investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of the Coat of Arms by the Somali Association of South Africa.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said it had noted what appears to be the Coat of Arms, or a reproduction thereof, being incorporated into the association’s logo and branding materials.

“I wish to confirm that I have today formally referred this matter to Thembinkosi Mabaso, State Herald of the Bureau of Heraldry, with instructions to conduct a formal investigation into whether the logo and branding materials of the Somali Association of South Africa constitute a contravention of the Heraldry Act,” the Minister said.

McKenzie has also requested the State Herald of the Bureau of Heraldry to issue an appropriate compliance notice requiring the immediate cessation of any unauthorised use, should a contravention be found, and to apply the full range of sanctions available under the Act if the association fails to comply.

The Bureau of Heraldry has been asked to submit its findings to the Minister’s office within 10 working days.

“The integrity of South Africa’s national symbols is non-negotiable. The Coat of Arms is not a decorative element available for adoption by any organisation that finds it convenient. It belongs to the people of South Africa and must be treated with the dignity and legal respect it commands. 

“My department will act decisively wherever the law has been contravened, and this matter will be dealt with as a precedent for how such contraventions are handled going forward.

The department said it will provide a further update once the Bureau of Heraldry has completed its assessment.

The Bureau of Heraldry, established under Section 3 of the Heraldry Act, 1962, is responsible for registering heraldic representations, names, special names and uniforms, as well as promoting and protecting national symbols. –SAnews.gov.za

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has welcomed the sentencing of former Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officer Mashudu Ernest Mukwevho for soliciting and accepting bribes from motorists.

Mukwevho was convicted on 10 March 2026 following his arrest during a joint undercover operation conducted by the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks) in 2018.

The operation targeted corruption involving law enforcement officers.

“The undercover operation successfully exposed several incidents where metro police officers solicited and accepted bribes from motorists. The RTMC, through NTACU, provided operational support, including undercover agents, audio and visual equipment, and bait vehicles used during the investigation,” the RTMC said on Monday.

Mukwevho was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.

“Corruption by traffic and law enforcement officials undermines public trust, compromises road safety enforcement and weakens the rule of law. The RTMC remains committed to rooting out corruption within the traffic law enforcement environment and ensuring that officers who abuse their authority are brought to book.”  –SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Alexandra Abrahams, will attend the 6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) and deliver remarks at the Botswana-South Africa Business Forum in Gaborone from 20 to 21 May 2026.

The Business Forum will take place on the sidelines of the 6th session of the South Africa-Botswana BNC, a platform aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and deepening cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

The commission is expected to focus on advancing collaboration across several strategic sectors, including agriculture, transport, infrastructure, water, mining, energy, science and technology, finance, tourism, trade and investment.

According to Abrahams, the BNC will provide an opportunity for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) to assess progress on Economic Cluster commitments agreed to during the previous BNC session.

“The deliberations of the BNC are expected to support stronger bilateral trade and investment ties between South Africa and Botswana,” said Abrahams.

She added that discussions would include the implementation plan for the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Industrial Cooperation, which seeks to address market access barriers, improve customs cooperation and support investment partnerships within Southern African Customs Union (SACU) value chains.

Abrahams said the latest BNC session would also create an opportunity for both countries to tackle ongoing market access challenges, particularly trade restrictions affecting key sectors.

“Through this strengthened coordination, the two countries are able to address emerging issues while ensuring the inclusive implementation of commitments made during the previous Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission,” she said.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the growing investment relationship between the two countries, noting that 30 South African companies invested in Botswana between January 2003 and March 2026.

The investments span sectors such as financial services, mining, communications, hospitality and tourism, consumer products, software and information technology services, food and beverages, building materials, and business services.

Abrahams said the investment relationship between South Africa and Botswana demonstrates the importance of strategic cooperation in addressing economic challenges and promoting regional trade and investment growth.

South Africa is Botswana’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 15% of Botswana’s total exports. South Africa exported goods worth R73.6 billion to Botswana in 2025.

Botswana, meanwhile, remains one of South Africa’s important regional trade partners and accounts for around 60% of Botswana’s total imports. South Africa imported goods valued at an estimated R7.6 billion from Botswana during the same period.

The 6th Botswana-South Africa BNC is expected to further strengthen economic cooperation and reinforce long-standing diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has underscored the importance of early childhood development (ECD) as a critical intervention to address the growing skills mismatch in society.

The Premier was speaking at the Early Childhood Development Strategic Dialogue held at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Durban, where policymakers and sector stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of ECD.

The dialogue brought together key stakeholders, including government representatives, education experts and civil society, to explore how early learning can strengthen the foundation for lifelong learning, skills development and economic participation.

In his opening remarks, Ntuli said interventions must begin at the foundation phase level to ensure learners are equipped with relevant skills, long before entering tertiary education or the labour market.

“The ECD Strategic Dialogue is aimed at addressing the skills mismatch at a foundation phase so that learners are armed with skills for the future by the time they reach tertiary level. It is important that we expose learners to skills that will help them to participate meaningfully in the economy,” Ntuli said.

The Premier also highlighted the need for stronger coordination between government, educators, parents, communities and development partners to ensure that early learning programmes respond to the realities of a changing world.

The strategic dialogue reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to investing in children from the earliest stages of development, ensuring that every learner is given a fair opportunity to grow, learn and contribute meaningfully to KwaZulu-Natal’s future. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The City of Cape Town has called on residents and businesses to limit water use to essential consumption after severe weather disrupted key water treatment operations and placed pressure on the bulk water supply system.

The city said that while tap water remains safe to drink, residents should boil it as a precaution, if it appears discoloured and report the issue to the city.

Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Dr Zahid Badroodien, said recent storms have caused raw water quality, particularly from the Wemmershoek and Theewaterskloof Dams, to significantly deteriorate.

“The current highly elevated turbidity and colour levels have reduced the normal production of drinking water at the city’s Wemmershoek and Blackheath water treatment plants,” Badroodien said.

Heavy rainfall in mountainous catchment areas has washed mud and debris into the dams feeding these treatment plants. 

Although the affected treatment plants, Badroodien said production volumes have been reduced, while teams work to maintain required water quality standards.

Additional operational constraints have been reported at the Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant, where technical faults also impacted water production which has reduced the total volume of drinking water in bulk storage reservoirs.

The city said it is implementing measures to stabilise the system, including optimising treatment processes and increasing chlorine dosing where necessary to manage elevated turbidity and boost production capacity.

To help stabilise storage levels and improve treatment efficiency, the city’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will optimise its treatment processes, including increasing chlorine dosing where required to address the elevated turbidity levels and support increased production capacity.

Monitoring and sampling across the supply network have also been intensified throughout the water supply network to ensure compliance with the required South African National Standard (SANS) 241 drinking water quality standards.

Residents have been advised to report discoloured water and boil it before use as a precaution. The city’s Water Pollution Control inspectors will investigate reported cases and take necessary samples for testing.

Badroodien said the recent severe weather has had a direct impact on several key components of the city’s bulk water system and urged public cooperation.

“While teams are working around the clock to stabilise operations and recover reservoir levels, it is critical that we work together to maintain stable supply across the network,” he said.

The city has urged residents and businesses to avoid non-essential water use during this period, including irrigation, filling swimming pools and excessive outdoor cleaning, until the system stabilises.

Report discoloured water to the city on WhatsApp at 060 018 1505; or call 0860 103 089; or online at www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequest, or on email at water@capetown.gov.za; or SMS 31373 or visit a city walk-in centre.

Officials thanked the public for their cooperation as efforts continue to manage the temporary impact of the adverse weather conditions. – SAnews.gov.za

Higher Education and Training (DHET) Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube has undertaken an official working visit to London, United Kingdom, to represent South Africa at the Education World Forum (EWF).

Taking place from 17 – 20 May 2026, this year’s forum will bring together education and training ministers from over 130 countries around the world, alongside key multilateral organisations and strategic industry partners to learn from one another and explore how education, at all levels, in all settings and throughout life, can be reimagined to tackle today’s most pressing challenges and unlock opportunities for growth.

The forum will convene under the theme: “Educating for a Shared Future: Peace, Planet, Purpose and Pathways”. It resenting a cohesive vision that education, supported by strong international dialogue and partnerships, is the key to unlocking opportunities, mitigating crises and building a shared, sustainable future for all.

South Africa’s participation is anchored in the country’s most urgent developmental imperatives, including addressing youth unemployment through education pathways that produce work-ready and entrepreneurial graduates aligned to the demands of a changing economy.

The delegation will also highlight efforts to accelerate adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) by integrating artificial intelligence, digital skills, and green economy competencies across universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and community learning institutions.

Expanding access and reducing structural inequality remain central to the country’s agenda, with programmes such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Comprehensive Student Funding Model, and initiatives to reposition TVET colleges as institutions of first choice expected to feature prominently.

The visit will also promote entrepreneurship as a driver of economic inclusion, supported by initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme and skills development linked to the Just Energy Transition.

During the forum, the Deputy Minister is expected to participate in high-level plenary debates, bilateral ministerial meetings and multilateral engagements, while advocating for the priorities of the Global South.

These include decolonised curricula, multilingual artificial intelligence development, and equitable education financing as non-negotiable pillars of the world’s shared educational future.

Speaking ahead of the forum, Dube-Ncube said South Africa would participate as an active contributor to global education reform.

“South Africa goes to EWF not as an observer, but as a nation actively rebuilding an education system from the legacy of apartheid, adapting to a fast-changing world, while striving to ensure no young person is left behind,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za