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President Ramaphosa to officially open the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, officially open the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility in the Western Cape.

Drakenstein Correctional Facility, formerly known as Victor Verster Prison, holds profound historical significance as the place from which Nelson Mandela walked to freedom on 10 February 1990.

That historic walk marked a decisive turning point in South Africa’s journey towards democracy, culminating in the election of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first democratically elected President in 1994.

On 11 February, President Ramaphosa will pay a visit to the Madiba House, which housed Nelson Mandela during the final years of his imprisonment.

The President will thereafter officially open the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy, the first of its kind, reaffirming South Africa’s leadership role in advancing human rights, humane correctional practices, and the protection of the dignity and rights of offenders.

The year 2026 marks 11 years since the adoption of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and 16 years since the adoption of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules).

These international instruments provide practical standards that call for the humanisation of correctional systems, recognition of inherent human dignity, and the advancement of justice anchored in humanity.

The establishment of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy reflects South Africa’s continued commitment to embedding these principles within correctional training and practice.

The country will work closely with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as the custodian of the Nelson Mandela Rules, to ensure their effective implementation.

President Ramaphosa will officially open the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Time: 08h00
Venue: Drakenstein Correctional Facility, Western Cape

Members of the media are invited to rsvp to Khutjo Sebata on Khutjo@presidency.gov.za / 079 898 4621 and Mocheta Monama on Mocheta.Monama@dcs.gov.za by Monday, 09 February 2026 at 17h00. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa appoints Mr Dipak Patel as Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commission

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Dipak Patel as Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commission.

Mr Patel’s designation as Deputy Chairperson forms part of strengthening the Commission’s work on climate finance, investment mobilisation and the delivery of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition objectives.

President Ramaphosa, who chairs the Commission, appointed members of the inaugural Presidential Climate Commission in December 2020.

The Commission is an independent, statutory, multi-stakeholder body that oversees and facilitates South Africa’s just and equitable transition towards a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy.

President Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Patel as Deputy Chairperson for a tenure from 2026 to 2030 in terms of Section 10 (8) of the Climate Change Act, 2024 (Act No 22 of 2024).

Mr Patel is an experienced professional with expertise in production management, process engineering, climate finance, and investment banking, and has strong networks across the business and public sectors.

He previously served as a Senior Advisor: Climate Finance and Innovation to the Presidential Climate Commission.

Earlier this year, President Ramaphosa announced the appointment of 25 new commissioners.

The President thanks Mr Patel for availing himself for this role and wishes him and fellow commissioners well in their critical national undertaking.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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NERSA announces electricity price hike

Source: Government of South Africa

NERSA announces electricity price hike

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved an 8.76% electricity price hike in April this year, followed by an 8.83% increase in April 2027.

The move is a redetermination of Eskom’s price increases for the next two years, which were initially set at 5.36% for 2026/27 and a further increase of 6.19% for the 2027/28 financial year.

“The redetermination follows a High Court judgment [in December], which remitted NERSA’s decision on Eskom’s Generation RAB [Regulatory Asset Base] for 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 for redetermination.

“The redetermination was conducted using the approved MYPD4 [Multi-Year Price Determination] Methodology, following a public consultation process in line with the court judgement.

“This process entailed NERSA undertaking a detailed, component-by-component recalculation of Eskom’s Generation RAB, using the same information originally submitted by Eskom in its MYPD6 application and applying the approved methodology strictly,” a NERSA statement read.

The total additional revenue for Eskom will be implemented in phases.

“The phased approach limits additional price impacts to single digit increases in 2026/27 and 2027/28, and avoids any retrospective adjustment for 2025/26, in line with the court judgment. It further reduces tariff volatility and demand erosion risk and balances Eskom’s financial sustainability with customer affordability. No retrospective tariff increases were applied.

“The re-determination is consistent with the statutory tariff principles, which require tariffs that enable an efficient licensee to recover the full cost of licensed activities, including a reasonable return.

“NERSA’s adopted WACC [Weighted Average Cost of Capital] and phased recovery reflect an approach that ensures Eskom receives a reasonable, cost-reflective return while mitigating immediate tariff shocks, limiting demand erosion, and maintaining tariff stability. NERSA remains committed to transparent, fair, and independent regulation in the public interest,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

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Presidential Climate Commission Deputy Chair announced

Source: Government of South Africa

Presidential Climate Commission Deputy Chair announced

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Senior Advisor at the Presidential Climate Commission, Dipak Patel, as Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.

Patel previously served as the Senior Advisor for Climate Finance and Innovation at the commission and his new tenure will begin this year and end in 2030.

“Mr Patel’s designation as Deputy Chairperson forms part of strengthening the commission’s work on climate finance, investment mobilisation and the delivery of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition objective.

“Mr Patel is an experienced professional with expertise in production management, process engineering, climate finance, and investment banking, and has strong networks across the business and public sectors,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

Some 25 new commissioners were also appointed by President Ramaphosa earlier this year.

READ | President announces new Climate Commissioners

“The commission is an independent, statutory, multi-stakeholder body that oversees and facilitates South Africa’s just and equitable transition towards a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

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Gauteng reiterates obligations for scholar transport operators

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng reiterates obligations for scholar transport operators

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has outlined responsibilities that scholar transport operators must fulfil to advance their applications for operating within the legal framework.

To ensure compliance, operators must enter into formal agreements with parents, including signed indemnity forms granting responsibility to transport learners.

Vehicles used for scholar transport should also be roadworthy.

“They must also obtain endorsement letters from School Governing Bodies (SGBs) or school principals confirming that they transport learners from those institutions. The department has engaged the Gauteng Department of Education to facilitate this process,” the MEC said.

The MEC was addressing the Provincial Scholar Transport Stakeholder Engagement Meeting at the Johannesburg City Hall on Sunday.

The gathering served as a critical platform to advance discussions on shared responsibilities in ensuring learner safety, strengthening compliance enforcement, and addressing operational challenges faced by scholar transport operators across the province.

The meeting brought together scholar transport operators, industry stakeholders, and government representatives.

Diale-Tlabela stressed that government is committed to supporting operators to regularise their operations.

“The department has engaged private Vehicle Testing Stations (VTS) across Gauteng and negotiated reduced testing fees to make compliance more accessible. There is no excuse for transporting children in unroadworthy vehicles.

“As the Department of Roads and Transport, our responsibility is to assist them and ensure they operate within the law. But we must meet each other halfway,” she said.

Since the department intensified its compliance drive last year, more than 1 500 scholar transport operators have applied for operating licences. 

Of these, over 500 licences have already been issued, while 1 009 applications are currently in the finalisation stage. 

Some applications remain pending due to outstanding municipal concurrence, incomplete documentation, or changes in applicants’ contact details.

In the past two weeks alone, more than 600 application forms were collected from departmental offices, yet only 54 completed forms were returned. 

The MEC urged operators experiencing challenges to return to the department for assistance.

“If you are struggling with the process, come back to us. Our doors are open. But we cannot finalise your operating licence without the required documents. Learner safety cannot be compromised,” she said.

READ | Engagements continue to resolve public scholar transport payment matters. – SAnews.gov.za

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Environmental legislation supports sustainable development

Source: Government of South Africa

Environmental legislation supports sustainable development

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has assured the mining community that environmental legislation and regulations are not designed to hinder development, but to ensure that it is responsible, sustainable and resilient in the long term.

“In fact, they are inseparable and can yield much-needed economic benefit for all South Africans. Striking the balance is often difficult because South Africans need and want economic development, but not at the expense of the environment,” the Minister said on Sunday.

Aucamp was addressing the Mining Indaba Critical Minerals Ministerial Roundtable in Cape Town, which brought together African leaders, industry stakeholders, and investors to discuss the responsible development of the continent’s mineral resources amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

“In line with the department’s mandate, I have a constitutional and legislative mandate to protect the environment, enforce environmental laws, and integrate sustainability into various economic sectors. This includes the mining sector. In this regard, I serve as the appeal authority for Environmental Authorisations issued for prospecting and mining activities,” the Minister said.

In the mining context, this translates into the following responsibilities:
•    Ensuring that environmental authorisations are credible, transparent and that decisions issued are legally defensible.
•    Ensuring that such decisions do not negatively impact water resources, ecosystems and biodiversity.
•    Enforcing compliance with environmental conditions of authorisation and rehabilitation obligations.
•    Support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts; and 
•    ensure that environmental governance contributes to investment certainty and does not create unnecessary delays.

“I remain fully committed to working closely with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum (DMPR) to improve alignment and streamline processes and timeframes, where possible, within the environmental management sector. 

“My department is already engaging with the DMPR in this regard, including through our ongoing collaboration on the Mineral Resources Development Bill.” 

Published in May 2025, the bill aims to restructure the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 to amend and insert new definitions and to provide for matters relating to small-scale and artisanal mining among others.

“Together we can ensure that South Africa’s mining sector grows in a manner that support’s economic development, protect our natural heritage and delivers lasting benefits for generations to come,” the Minister said.

In his address at the Ministerial Symposium on Sunday, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said discussions at the Mining Indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

nosihle

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Nkabinde Enquiry to hear postponement application

Source: Government of South Africa

Nkabinde Enquiry to hear postponement application

The Enquiry into the Fitness to Hold Office of Advocate Andrew Chauke, known as the Nkabinde Enquiry, is expected to resume hearings this morning with evidence leaders expected to present a request for postponement of proceedings.

The inquiry is led by retired Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde and was established in September last year to investigate and determine the fitness to hold office of Advocate Chauke, the Director of Public Prosecutions for the South Gauteng Division.

“When the hearings resume, the Evidence Leaders will present an application for the postponement of the public hearings by one week, to 17 February 2026, in order to finalise preparations for forthcoming witnesses and to ensure the orderly and uninterrupted continuation of the enquiry’s proceedings,” enquiry spokesperson, Tiyisela Mpuzana said.

An opposing application by Chauke’s legal team is also expected to be heard.

“It is further anticipated that, arising from the opposing application, the Chauke legal team will present a counter-application in relation to the same matter.

“The Enquiry Panel, chaired by Justice Bess Nkabinde, and assisted by Advocate Baloyi-Mere SC and Attorney Matshego Ramagaga, will, after due consideration, announce its ruling on the applications to be heard on Monday, 09 February 2026,” Mpuzana concluded.

Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa granted an extension for the completion date for the Nkabinde Inquiry.– SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

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African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 Puts African Mining at the Center of Global Supply Chains

Source: APO


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Africa holds 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves, positioning the continent at the center of the global energy transition and industrial supply chain realignment. With global mineral demand set to increase four-fold by 2050, this position becomes increasingly strategic – and it is within this context that African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 emerges as a critical platform to convert geological potential into investable projects, partnerships and value-chain development across the continent.

Taking place October 14-16 in Cape Town, AMW 2026 returns with a sharpened focus on partnerships and transactions that advance Africa’s mineral value chain. This year’s event takes place under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value, reflecting a growing emphasis on project bankability, downstream beneficiation and cross-border collaboration as Africa seeks to strengthen its position in increasingly competitive global minerals markets.

Rising Mineral Output, Strengthened Global Trade Flows

Africa hosts some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, platinum group metals, chrome, coltan and manganese, placing the continent at the forefront of global minerals essential to electrification, clean energy deployment and industrial expansion. As demand for these resources accelerates and commodity prices are expected to remain elevated through 2026, Africa’s role as a strategic supply partner is becoming increasingly pronounced. Within this context, AMW 2026 will examine how African producers can move beyond volume-led growth to capture greater value across mining, processing and trade.

International Partnerships Drive Production

Across the continent, mineral producers are scaling-up production, leveraging international partnerships to secure capital and technical expertise. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Africa’s largest copper producer and the world’s leading cobalt supplier – recently partnered with the U.S to leverage technical expertise and financing to unlock an estimated $24 trillion in untapped mineral potential. Speaking at AMW 2025, the country’s Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba, underscored the level of opportunity that remains in the country, explaining that “Opportunities across the mining sector in the DRC are huge, with 90% of our resources awaiting greenfield exploration.”

Similarly, Guinea – home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves – is enhancing cooperation with global investors to maximize its mineral value chain under the Simandou 2040 – an international cooperation and national development strategy. Securing $20 billion in international investments for the Simandou iron ore project, Guinea is leveraging this global partnership model to expand bauxite production and processing, corelating to a 25% increase in bauxite exports in 2025.

Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, is positioning its copper sector as a catalyst for economic expansion, GDP growth and employment creation. The country is actively engaging international investors to achieve its 2031 production target of 3.1 million tons per annum, reinforcing Africa’s role in future copper supply chains.

Balancing Exports with Local Value Addition

As global mineral demand rises, African governments are increasingly prioritizing local beneficiation to retain value, deepen domestic supply chains and unlock broader economic growth. Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer, recently signed an agreement with South Africa’s Rand Refinery to expand domestic gold processing capacity. Mali is developing a 200-ton-per-annum gold refinery in partnership with Russian investors. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest lithium producer, is working with Chinese investors to expand lithium processing capacity ahead of its 2027 ban on lithium concentrate exports. These moves signal a broader shift form export-centered development models to strategies that prioritize domestic markets.

As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, Africa’s ability to align production growth with beneficiation, investment readiness and policy coherence will define its long-term position in global supply chains. AMW 2026 will serve as a focal point for advancing the partnerships and transactions needed to translate mineral wealth into sustainable economic value across the continent.

“AMW 2026 is designed to bring project developers, governments and international investors into the same room to accelerate transactions that move Africa’s mining sector from potential to production and value creation,” stated Rachelle Kasongo, Event Director, AMW.

AMW 2026 serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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

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Nature, Carbon and Climate Are Becoming Core Investment Themes – with Africa at the Centre

Source: APO


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Climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are no longer just environmental challenges; they are now central to how investors assess resilience and long-term returns.

Nature underpins large parts of the global economy, from water security and food systems to infrastructure and climate resilience. Yet according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) the global biodiversity finance gap is estimated to reach USD 942 billion per year by 2030. Current finance flows into nature total around USD 200 billion annually, with just USD 35 billion coming from private capital.

At the same time, capital markets are shifting. Private finance for nature has increased more than tenfold in recent years, rising from USD 9.4 billion to over USD 100 billion, and could reach up to USD 1.45 trillion by 2030 if current the momentum continues.

Alongside this, carbon markets, nature-based solutions and resilience infrastructure are increasingly being treated as linked investment themes, with new asset classes emerging across carbon, biodiversity and climate adaptation. This convergence is reshaping how investors assess risk, returns and long-term resilience, particularly in emerging markets.

The economic stakes are already clear. In South Africa alone, healthy ecosystems contribute over R275 billion (around USD 14 billion) per year, equivalent to at least 7% of GDP.

Across Africa, natural capital accounts for an estimated 30%-50% of total wealth in many countries, underlining how closely economic growth, stability and development prospects are tied to climate and nature outcomes. In many African economies, natural capital makes up a far larger share of national wealth than factories or infrastructure, meaning that damage to nature can quickly translate into pressure on public finances and long- term economic stability.

Recent flooding in parts of Kruger National Park and ongoing water stress in the Western Cape have reinforced how climate and ecosystem risks translate directly into economic losses, infrastructure damage and pressure on public finances. These are no longer peripheral sustainability issues; they are core financial and investment risks.

Against this backdrop, Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 will open with the Climate, Carbon & Nature Financing Academy on Monday, 24 February 2026 in Cape Town, ahead of the main Summit from 25 – 27 February 2026. The Academy will focus on how climate, carbon and nature can be translated into bankable projects and investable asset classes, including through instruments such as carbon markets, green, blue and wildlife bonds, debt-for-nature swaps and performance-linked finance.

“The escalating impact of climate change in Africa calls for the global community and private sector to recognise that a climate-resilient Africa is essential for global stability, prosperity, and shared security. Investing in Africa’s adaptation and mitigation projects is not an act of generosity; it is an investment in our common future,” said Harsen Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission.

By foregrounding climate, carbon and nature finance at the start of 2026, AGES reflects a broader market reality: these are no longer side conversations in sustainable finance, they are becoming central pillars of Africa’s investment future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Additional link:
https://apo-opa.co/4tkvd2L

Media enquiries and interview requests:
Elize Engle
Pr1@tishalacommunications.com
+27 63 574 5249

Tshepang Mokoena
Pr@tishalacommunications.com
+27 76 682 9608

About Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES):
Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) (https://apo-opa.co/3Mq2N6U) is a premier pan-African platform dedicated to accelerating Africa’s transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient economy. Hosted by VUKA Group, AGES brings together policymakers, investors, project developers, innovators, and business leaders to unlock green finance, scale bankable projects, and drive actionable solutions across energy, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, water, waste, and the blue economy. Through high-level content, deal-making opportunities, and strategic networking, AGES turns ambition into action for Africa’s green future.

For more information or registration: www.GreenEconomySummit.com

About VUKA Group: 
VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com) brings people and organisations together to connect through platforms that drive growth and transformation across Africa’s key industries. With over 20 years of experience on the continent, VUKA delivers sector-leading platforms across Energy, Mining, Mobility, Retail, Sustainability, and Women Empowerment—creating spaces where knowledge is shared, partnerships are formed, and real economic impact is achieved.

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Egypt: The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Launches an Intensive Training Program on “Programs and Performance” Methodology to Ensure the Implementation of the Targets of Egypt’s Narrative for Comprehensive Development

Source: APO – Report:

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The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation has launched an intensive training program on the “Programs and Performance” methodology as an entry point for developing planning, monitoring, and performance evaluation systems.

In its first phase, the program aims to raise awareness among the Ministry’s leadership, heads of specialized sectors, and technical departments regarding advanced tools for development planning and monitoring development performance. This comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to ensure the implementation of the targets of Egypt’s Narrative for Comprehensive Development, which serve as the basis for preparing national, sectoral, and local development plans, as well as the Medium-Term Budget Framework, in accordance with Cabinet decisions issued at its meeting No. (74) in January 2026, and in alignment with the State Public Planning Law No. (18) of 2022 and the Unified Public Finance Law No. (6) of 2022. A total of 150 leaders and staff members of the Ministry benefited from the training program.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, pointed out that the training program is part of ongoing efforts to enhance institutional performance and build the capacities of teams responsible for planning, monitoring, and performance evaluation across all government entities. These teams have been formed within each ministry over the past period to ensure integration and coordination among specialists responsible for preparing strategies, plans, and financial budgets; project and program managers responsible for implementation; as well as officials in charge of financial monitoring and development performance monitoring and evaluation. This comes in light of the importance of linking development performance with financial performance through the application of the “Programs and Performance” methodology and the transition toward comprehensive strategic planning, with a focus on bridging national, sectoral, and local development gaps, thereby achieving efficiency and effectiveness in public spending.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that the second phase of the intensive training program aims to enhance the capacities of work teams across all ministries and state entities, with a focus on sectoral discussions to ensure integration and coordination among all relevant ministries.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat further noted that the executive program of Egypt’s Narrative for Comprehensive Development includes specific quantitative targets linked to horizontal objectives that require joint coordination among various concerned entities to ensure consistency and integration in implementation, in addition to vertical objectives that are directly related to the mandates and responsibilities of all ministries and entities.

In line with this, the training program focuses on advanced planning tools, models, and guidelines for the preparation and monitoring of development plans, as well as the associated electronic platforms, particularly the National Monitoring and Evaluation System “Adaa” (performance system) and the Integrated System for Investment Plan Preparation and Monitoring (ISIPPM). This is intended to ensure the linkage and alignment of all programs and projects of the development plan with the targets of Egypt’s Narrative for Comprehensive Development, while securing necessary financial allocations and policies’ implementation to achieve these targets, with the highest priority to improving citizens’ living standards.

– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.