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Authorities arrest 36 people in illegal mining crackdown

Source: Government of South Africa

Authorities arrest 36 people in illegal mining crackdown

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have arrested 36 people, including illegal immigrants, and confiscated more than 800 rounds of live ammunition and 16 unlicensed firearms during law enforcement operations in Gauteng.

Authorities also recovered illegal mining equipment, including phendukas, gas cylinders, generators and steel pot crushers, during the joint operation known as Operation Prosper, which was conducted across the West Rand, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni between 25 and 31 May 2026.

The intervention forms part of a national initiative announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to intensify efforts against criminal networks linked to illegal mining and gang violence.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, said the operation’s aim is to uphold the rule of law, with SAPS leading enforcement while the SANDF acts as a force multiplier.

“Police and soldiers have tightened the net on gangs and illegal miners in Gauteng and in other places in Gauteng. The intelligence-driven operation is targeting gang violence and illegal mining across the West Rand, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni,” Nevhuhulwi said.

Nevhuhulwi said the operation is aimed at disrupting criminal networks and restoring stability in communities affected by gang crime and illegal mining.

She said law enforcement teams will remain on the ground as part of ongoing efforts to remove illegal firearms, arrest suspects and dismantle criminal operations.

Police have called on communities to help by reporting criminal activities at their nearest police stations or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send anonymous tip-offs through the MySAPS App. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Statement on Attacks Against Health Facilities During the Bundibugyo Virus Disease Response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Source: APO


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Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) (www.AfricaCDC.org) is concerned about the recent attack and destruction of a treatment facility serving communities affected by the Bundibugyo Virus Disease, in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We strongly condemn all acts of violence against health facilities, healthcare workers, patients, and response teams working tirelessly to protect communities and contain the outbreak. 

We recognise that outbreaks such as Bundibugyo Virus Disease generate fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and social distress within affected communities. Families are worried about their safety, livelihoods, loved ones, and the impact of public health measures on their daily lives. These concerns are real and legitimate, and they must be addressed through empathy, transparency, dialogue, and sustained community engagement. 

“Communities are not the enemy in an outbreak response. Fear, misinformation, mistrust, and lack of engagement are often the greatest barriers to controlling disease outbreaks,” said H.E. Dr Jea n Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “Our responsibility as public health institutions is to provide treatment and technical support, to listen, engage honestly, build trust, and work alongside communities every step of the way.” 

At the same time, attacks on treatment centres and response teams place communities at even greater risk. Treatment centres are established to protect communities by providing safe care, isolating infected patients, supporting surveillance and contact tracing, and helping prevent further spread of the disease. When these facilities are attacked or disrupted, outbreaks become harder to contain, frontline workers are endangered, and vulnerable families lose access to life-saving services. 

Africa CDC is particularly concerned that community mistrust and misinformation risk becoming a parallel crisis alongside the outbreak itself. The lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks in the region, including the 2018–2020 North Kivu outbreak, demonstrated clearly that outbreaks cannot be contained through technical interventions alone. Community trust is essential to an effective response. 

Despite these challenges, there are encouraging signs of progress. The recent discharge of Ebola survivors in Bunia represents a powerful message of hope and recovery that can help strengthen community trust and ownership of the response. Survivors bring lived experience and credibility that can support community engagement efforts, address fears and misconceptions, and encourage timely care-seeking. In addition, the training and deployment of Community Health Workers will further strengthen community awareness, surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), and other critical response activities. Together, these efforts will contribute to controlling the outbreak while strengthening the resilience of communities and the health system.

“We must approach communities with humility, respect, and solidarity,” added Dr Kaseya. “Communities must remain at the centre of the Bundibugyo Virus Disease response. The recovery of survivors demonstrates that early detection and quality care save lives. By working alongside communities, supporting frontline health workers, and building trust through meaningful engagement, we can overcome this outbreak together. Protecting health facilities and health workers ultimately means protecting families, protecting communities, and protecting lives.”

Africa CDC therefore reaffirms that Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) remains a core and strategic pillar of the Ebola response. Africa CDC is intensifying support to national authorities and partners through strengthened community engagement, social listening, rumour management, behavioural insights, and community-led approaches aimed at building trust, addressing fears and misinformation, and improving public understanding of the response. 

Africa CDC will continue mobilising technical and operational resources  to support RCCE coordination, strengthen local engagement capacities, and promote sustained dialogue between responders, local leaders, and affected communities. 

Africa CDC calls on all actors to respect and protect healthcare workers, health infrastructure, and affected populations in accordance with humanitarian and public health principles. We further urge all partners and leaders to continue engaging communities with dignity, transparency, cultural sensitivity, and compassion. 

Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, frontline responders, and affected communities as they continue efforts to stop the spread of  Bundibugyo Virus Disease and protect public health under extremely challenging circumstances. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

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KZN Workers’ Parliament charts path to job creation, economic growth

Source: Government of South Africa

KZN Workers’ Parliament charts path to job creation, economic growth

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has tabled a series of resolutions adopted during the provincial Workers’ Parliament, aimed at addressing unemployment, promoting decent work and strengthening economic participation across the province.

The Workers’ Parliament, held at the Greytown Civic Centre in the uMvoti Local Municipality under the uMzinyathi District Municipality on Friday, 29 May, brought together representatives from government, organised labour, workers’ formations and other key stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting workers, economic development and employment creation in the province.

The sitting took place against the backdrop of recent labour market statistics released by Statistics South Africa. According to the latest statistics, the national unemployment rate has increased to 32.7%, leaving an estimated 8.1 million South Africans without work. Youth unemployment remains a significant concern, with 45.8% of people aged between 15 and 34 currently unemployed.

Addressing delegates, Ntuli acknowledged the severity of the unemployment crisis and its impact on households, communities and the broader economy. He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among government, organised labour, business and civil society in finding sustainable solutions to unemployment and economic exclusion.

Despite the challenging national economic environment, Ntuli highlighted encouraging developments within KwaZulu-Natal.

“The province recorded the creation of more than 6 000 new jobs, contributing to a decline in the provincial unemployment rate from 32.3% to 31.2%,” Ntuli said.

Ntuli attributed the improvement to targeted government interventions aimed at stimulating economic growth, supporting investment, strengthening industrial development and expanding opportunities for job creation across key sectors of the provincial economy.

“The resolutions adopted by the Workers’ Parliament will assist government in shaping responsive policies and programmes that promote decent work, protect workers’ rights and strengthen economic participation, particularly among young people and vulnerable groups,” the Premier said.

The Workers’ Parliament reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to working closely with organised labour and social partners to accelerate economic growth, improve living conditions, and create sustainable employment opportunities for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. – SAnews.gov.za

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eThekwini commits R75.3bn to better services, infrastructure and growth

Source: Government of South Africa

eThekwini commits R75.3bn to better services, infrastructure and growth

The eThekwini Council has officially adopted the Municipality’s 2026/2027 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF), approving a R75.3 billion budget aimed at accelerating service delivery, renewing infrastructure, and advancing turnaround strategies for the city’s trading services.

The adopted budget comprises an operating budget of approximately R69 billion and a capital budget of R6.3 billion. The budget was developed within an overall planning framework aligned to the city’s strategic objectives, with a strong focus on sustainable service delivery and long-term financial stability.

Addressing Council during the adoption of the budget, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the budget represents a practical and sustainable financial plan for the city.

“The 2026/2027 budget is not an aspirational document. It is a funded, credible, and sustainable plan, assessed as such by National Treasury. It prioritises the acceleration of repairs, the upgrading of bulk infrastructure, and the full implementation of our trading services turnaround strategies,” Xaba said.

Xaba said the budget followed an extensive public participation process after the draft budget was tabled in March 2026. Between 13 April and 11 May 2026, the city hosted 12 public budget hearings, including dedicated engagements with business stakeholders, disability organisations, and ratepayer associations, as well as regional hearings covering all municipal wards.

“The hearings were well attended, with most inputs reflecting the real challenges faced by our communities. The process was widely advertised through radio, print, and social media, inviting public participation and written submissions,” he said.

The city noted that several public inputs were incorporated into the final budget to provide relief to residents amid ongoing economic pressures.

“As a result, we have made meaningful adjustments to the draft budget. However, not all requests could be accommodated within the available financial envelope. This budget therefore balances service delivery, infrastructure renewal, job creation, affordability, and financial sustainability,” the mayor said.

Following engagements with stakeholders and national government, Council approved revised tariff increases for the 2026/2027 financial year, including reductions to the proposed increases for water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal, and property rates.

The revised tariff adjustments are as follows:
•    Domestic water tariff increase reduced from 15% to 12%
•    Business water tariff increase reduced from 16% to 13%
•    Domestic sanitation tariff increase reduced from 13% to 8%
•    Business sanitation tariff increase reduced from 14% to 9%
•    Average property rates increase reduced from 5% to 2%
•    Refuse tariff increase reduced from 13% to 9.5%
•    Electricity tariff increase reduced from 10.5% to 9%

Xaba said the revised tariffs are intended to provide much-needed relief to residents and businesses.

“As a caring city, we certainly hope that this brings some relief to our ratepayers and consumers,” he said.

Council also approved amendments to the City’s Indigent Support Policy to ensure more targeted assistance for vulnerable households. 

The threshold for exemption from property rates for indigent households has been increased from R350 000 to R400 000, while pensioner rebate qualification thresholds have been raised from R2.5 million to R2.75 million.

The Mayor said the main sources of funding for the operating budget are service charges, property rates, and grants and levies. Key areas of expenditure include bulk purchases, employee-related costs, contracted services, and operational expenditure.

The adopted budget places significant emphasis on upgrading ageing infrastructure, improving the reliability of water, sanitation, and energy services, and driving spatial transformation initiatives across the city.

“The main focus of the budget is to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to our residents in order to uplift their quality of life,” he said.

Improved access to basic, infrastructure services

The Mayor highlighted the significant progress made over the past five years, including improved access to basic services and major infrastructure delivery.

“There has been improved access to basic services, with more than 21 000 new electricity connections, mostly in previously underserved areas, bringing electricity coverage to almost 100%. 

“We have built 7 910 housing units and issued 3 200 title deeds, restoring dignity and providing security of tenure to families who previously had no shelter, and we have successfully rehabilitated more than 500 kilometres of roads,” the mayor said.

An emphasis has also been placed on good governance and internal controls to drive productivity and value for money. 

This includes interventions to reduce overtime abuse, improve response times, and the use of artificial intelligence and digitalisation to improve efficiency and effectiveness. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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SAPS commends investigative teams after bail denied in two high-profile cases

Source: Government of South Africa

SAPS commends investigative teams after bail denied in two high-profile cases

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has commended members of the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and the Commission Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) for their investigative work following the denial of bail in two high-profile cases.

While all accused persons remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, SAPS Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, welcomed the courts’ decisions, saying they reinforce public confidence in the criminal justice system and send a strong message that serious crimes, including murder, corruption and fraud, will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

Dimpane said the denial of bail in both matters reflects the quality of the investigations conducted by the respective teams and demonstrates the strength of the cases presented before the courts.

The first case relates to the murder of Marius van der Merwe (Witness D). Accused Matipandile Sotheni appeared before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, where bail was denied.

The second case involves Janitha van Reneen, an employee of Emfuleni Local Municipality, who is facing fraud charges linked to transactions involving the municipality. 

She was also denied bail by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court.

“The decision by the courts to deny bail is an indication that compelling evidence was placed before the court. 

“It demonstrates the diligence, professionalism and commitment of our investigators and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutors in ensuring that those accused of serious crimes are held accountable through the criminal justice process,” Dimpane said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Swiss Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 1, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a telephone call from HE Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis.

The conversation addressed advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as Pakistan-led mediation efforts between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In addition, they spoke about coordinating efforts to back mediation aimed at de-escalation, thereby helping reinforce security and stability in the region.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs underscored the importance of all parties responding constructively to the ongoing mediation efforts to address the root causes of the crisis through diplomacy and lead to sustainable peace.

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Contribution de la diaspora Ivoirienne au développement : le gouvernement mobilise les Ivoiriens de l’extérieur pour la transformation de l’économie

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Une stabilité politique, des indicateurs sociaux au vert, des performances économiques qui rassurent… la Côte d’Ivoire avance. Et elle veut le faire avec toutes ses filles et tous ses fils. Le gouvernement veut faire de la diaspora ivoirienne un levier du développement économique et social.

La diaspora ivoirienne comprend plus de 1,15 million de personnes vivant dans plus de 140 pays à travers le monde. Certains à la tête de grandes institutions ou d’importantes organisations sous régionales participent au rayonnement du pays. Et d’autres évoluent dans différents secteurs d’activité. Mais tous peuvent être des acteurs engagés dans la construction de la grande Côte d’Ivoire. Pour y arriver le pays veut bâtir des relations plus stratégiques, plus structurées et plus ordonnées pour un investissement à impact significatif.

Les transferts financiers des Ivoiriens de la diaspora sont passés de 99,5 milliards FCFA en 2008 à 640 milliards en 2023 puis à 840 milliards FCFA en 2024. Dans le détail, seulement 10 à 15% de ces ressources sont consacrés aux investissements productifs. 60% à 70% vont dans les aides aux familles et 15 à 20% sont investis dans le logement.

Pour le ministre délégué chargé de l’Intégration africaine et des Ivoiriens de l’extérieur, Adama Dosso, c’est « un potentiel de plus de 600 milliards de FCFA mobilisables chaque année et un vivier de plus d’un million de compétences ».

Le gouvernement entend bien canaliser ces flux et en faire un atout pour le développement économique et social. Il a lancé le 7 mai 2026, à Abidjan, le Forum de la diaspora.

Ce forum veut marquer un changement de paradigme. « Nous passons d’une diaspora contributive à une diaspora investisseuse, d’une diaspora solidaire à une diaspora stratégiquement engagée », a indiqué Adama Dosso.

Le Roadshow de Milan (Italie) aura lieu le 6 juin et le Forum de Paris prévu les 26 et 27 juin. Ces grands rendez-vous vont permettre de consolider les passerelles entre la Côte d’Ivoire et sa diaspora.

Le gouvernement ivoirien pour faciliter et renforcer la contribution économique de sa diaspora a pris certaines dispositions. C’est dans ce sens que le ministre délégué chargé de l’Intégration africaine et des Ivoiriens de l’Extérieur a procédé à la signature de convention-cadre avec des établissements bancaires.

Les accords visent à faciliter l’accès des Ivoiriens résidant à l’étranger à des solutions de financement pour leurs projets d’investissement en Côte d’Ivoire

Le Centre de promotion des investissements en Côte d’Ivoire (Cepici) a créé un Service Afrique et Diaspora et mis en place des mécanismes structurants pour capter cette énergie et la transformer en investissements concrets.

Toute cette nouvelle dynamique repose sur une volonté politique forte. En effet, le Président de la République, Alassane Ouattara depuis son accession au pouvoir a exhorté tous les Ivoiriens à participer à la marche du pays. On peut rappeler la création d’une direction générale des Ivoiriens de l’extérieur ; l’organisation de la journée « Diaspora for Growth » à Paris, le 22 juin 2013, avec pour thème « la diaspora dans la reconstruction socio-économique : quelle implication ? » et l’organisation de la 1ère édition du forum de la diaspora ivoirienne, à Abidjan les 7 et 8 mai 2015, avec pour thème : « Diaspora ivoirienne, quels enjeux pour une Côte d’Ivoire en voie d’émergence » et qui sera suivie de plusieurs autres éditions.

Et depuis quelques années, le gouvernement qui entend mobiliser les compétences a, à travers le ministère de la Fonction publique et de la Modernisation de l’administration, ouvert un concours de recrutement exceptionnel spécifique de la diaspora.

Ainsi, le pays multiplie les efforts pour attirer les flux financiers et les expertises. Il compte donner une place à chaque Ivoirien pour que tous ensemble ils portent le développement et construisent une belle et grande nation.

Distribué par APO Group pour Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

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Putting consumers at the centre of Africa’s dairy transformation

Source: APO – Report:

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Africa holds about one‑fifth of the world’s cattle, yet contributes only a small share of global milk production. This contrast has often led policymakers and experts to focus on how to produce more milk through better breeds, improved feeds and stronger value chains. However, new analysis from the 2nd IDF Africa Regional Dairy Conference suggests that a different factor may be even more important: how much dairy do Africans actually consume?

In a presentation titled “Rethinking Dairy Development in Africa,” Nigerian dairy researcher Olusegun Tunmise Oloruntobi compared dairy systems in North, West, East and Southern Africa using standardized data from the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN). The study examined fifteen different parameters, including herd size, milk yield, self‑sufficiency, trade levels and farm numbers. When these variables were analysed together, only one emerged as the strongest factor distinguishing the regions from one another: per capita consumption of dairy products. 

This finding is striking. It shows that differences in the quantity of milk and dairy consumed by people in each region are more decisive than differences in the number of cows, farms or the volume of milk produced. In simple terms, what truly separates Africa’s dairy regions is not just how much they produce, but how much their populations actually drink and eat. This shifts the conversation from a purely production‑focused view of dairy development to one that places consumers and demand at the centre.

North Africa offers a clear example of how higher consumption can shape a stronger dairy sector. Countries such as Algeria, Egypt and Morocco record the highest per capita dairy consumption on the continent. This is supported by a mix of long‑standing dietary traditions, relatively higher incomes and deliberate government policies that encourage dairy intake and help keep prices stable. Measures such as subsidies, strategic imports and price controls help ensure that dairy products remain available and affordable for ordinary consumers, which in turn sustains a robust dairy industry and better nutrition outcomes. 

In many parts of West, East and Southern Africa, the picture is quite different. Despite large cattle populations and significant potential for dairy production, per capita consumption remains relatively low. This low intake is often linked to limited purchasing power, weak cold chains, inadequate market infrastructure and, in some cases, cultural or dietary preferences that do not favour regular dairy consumption. The result is a cycle where low demand discourages investment, constrains productivity and delays the development of inclusive, resilient value chains. 

The study’s main conclusion is that African dairy policies must move beyond a narrow focus on production and embrace a more demand‑driven approach. Increasing the consumption of livestock‑sourced foods, particularly milk and dairy products, is not a secondary issue; it is central to transforming both the sector and nutrition outcomes. Livestock‑sourced foods are among the most nutrient‑dense foods available, supplying high‑quality protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals that are difficult to obtain from staple crops alone. For children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women and other vulnerable groups, regular access to safe, affordable dairy can make a tangible difference to growth, cognitive development and overall health.

Putting consumers at the heart of dairy policy means taking several complementary actions. Governments and partners can invest in public awareness campaigns that highlight the nutritional value of milk and dairy products, particularly for school‑age children. Expanding school milk programmes and social protection schemes that include dairy can help reach low‑income households that may otherwise struggle to afford these foods. At the same time, measures to stabilise prices, support small and medium‑scale processors, and improve market access can ensure that higher demand translates into sustainable opportunities for farmers and other value chain actors. 

Innovation also has a role to play. Developing affordable, shelf‑stable and fortified dairy products can help reach consumers in remote rural areas and informal settlements where cold storage is limited. Strengthening regional trade, improving quality standards and promoting investments in processing and distribution can further enhance the availability and diversity of dairy products across the continent. These efforts must be guided by reliable data on consumption patterns so that policies and investments are tailored to the specific needs and realities of each region. 

Ultimately, the message from Oloruntobi’s analysis is clear: country‑level dairy consumption is the single most important factor differentiating Africa’s dairy systems. If Africa is to change its nutrition security outcomes, increasing the consumption of livestock‑sourced foods must become a deliberate and explicit priority. By designing policies that encourage regular, equitable access to milk and dairy products, African countries can unlock the full nutritional and economic benefits of their livestock resources, strengthen resilience in their food systems and move closer to a future where good nutrition is within reach for all. 

– on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

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International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ebola outbreak likely far larger than official figures suggest

Source: APO – Report:

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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is likely significantly larger and more advanced than official figures suggest, as response efforts struggle with delayed detection and dangerously low levels of contact tracing, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned today.

With only 20% of contacts currently being traced, health authorities are struggling to identify and isolate new chains of transmission. The virus may have been spreading undetected since before March, potentially as long as three months before the first official case was identified, allowing multiple chains of transmission to establish across communities and provinces. The combination of these factors dramatically increases the likelihood that the true scale of infections is far higher than reported, the IRC warned.

Rachel Howard, Senior Technical Emergency Health advisor at the IRC, said:

“The true scale of this Ebola outbreak is likely far worse than official figures suggest. When four out of five contacts are not being traced, it becomes incredibly difficult to contain the outbreak or even understand its true scale. We’re especially concerned about the virus spreading to other countries like Burundi or South Sudan.”

IRC teams warn that shortages of diagnostic cartridges and testing backlogs are slowing confirmation of cases, further obscuring the true spread of the outbreak. Seven confirmed Ebola patients have reportedly left treatment centers in the DRC, while more than six healthcare workers have died, including two doctors in recent days. The incidents underscore the deep fear and mistrust some communities continue to have toward Ebola prevention and treatment efforts.

People are avoiding health facilities, raising fears that those affected are remaining within communities rather than seeking treatment. As a result, transmission is spreading across multiple areas, and communities are losing trust in the response. Strengthening local, community-based prevention and infection control should be the immediate priority  to control the outbreak at the source. Without urgent funding, the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

This outbreak is increasingly resembling the 2018–2020 North Kivu Ebola crisis, which infected thousands of people and was complicated by insecurity, population movement, and community resistance. However, unlike previous outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine available for this Ebola strain.

The IRC is calling for urgent international support to scale up contact tracing, surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment capacity, and community engagement efforts before the outbreak escalates further. It is also critical to build trust with affected communities, including through survivor-led awareness and risk awareness activities.

In response to the current escalating outbreak, whilst working in close coordination with the government health authorities who are leading the response, IRC has launched prevention and control activities, including distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as awareness raising activities amidst communities at risk, rehabilitation of triage areas and rehabilitation/construction of showers, latrines and waste disposal areas.   

In Uganda, IRC is working with the Ministry of Health on the border to support infection, prevention and control activities including screening people coming across the border. IRC is also supporting response coordination in Uganda. 

– on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

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Deputy President calls for deeper SA-India cooperation

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President calls for deeper SA-India cooperation

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged Indian business leaders and investors to work with South Africa to build industries that create jobs, advance technology and expand skills to meet the changing needs of the economy.

Addressing the South Africa-India Technology, Trade and Investment Roundtable, he underscored the importance of deeper cooperation in turning global challenges such as unilateralism, climate change and resource depletion into opportunities.

“Our collective task is therefore to transform these shared challenges into opportunities, to turn climate action into renewal, technology into empowerment, and global governance into a voice for all. 

“This is the call of our time to face the limits of our planet with courage, to harness the power of innovation with wisdom, and to defend the dignity of nations with unity,”  the Deputy President said on Saturday.

He said India’s globally competitive Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem and South Africa’s industrial and entrepreneurial base offer strong complementarities.

To leverage the strengths of both countries, Mashatile proposed the establishment of a South Africa-India Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Industrial Linkage Programme focused on supply-chain integration, co-production and joint market access.

“This partnership will prioritise sectors where our strengths are complementary, including agro-processing, mining beneficiation, renewable energy components, pharmaceuticals and digital services, and will move beyond trade facilitation towards true industrial cooperation.

“Critically, this collaboration must be digital by design. India’s experience in technology-enabled MSMEs, including AI and automation, offers valuable lessons as South Africa strengthens the competitiveness of its small business sector,” he said.

Mashatile also called for a shift from technology transfer to technology co-creation.

“Artificial intelligence will shape competitiveness across mining, logistics, retail and public administration. South Africa and India must be active architects of this transformation while deepening cooperation on AI ethics, governance and public trust,” Mashatile said.

He urged businesses to invest in data centres, cloud infrastructure and fibre connectivity to strengthen Africa’s digital economy and enable scale under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“India already has a strong investment footprint in South Africa. We now seek to deepen this through beneficiation-led and manufacturing-focused investment, particularly in critical minerals such as platinum group metals, manganese and vanadium, as well as pharmaceuticals and renewable energy technologies,” the Deputy President said.

Mashatile said South Africa could learn from India’s technical training and industrial skills to expand capacity in software engineering, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and green technologies.

“We will therefore pursue a South Africa-India Skills and Innovation Exchange, anchored in university partnerships, youth technology programmes and vocational training aligned with industry demand.

“At the same time, we see strong potential to connect our innovation hubs, from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, creating an Africa-Asia Innovation Bridge that supports start-ups, co-investment and global scaling,” he said.

The Deputy President said India-affiliated Global Capability Centres in South Africa present a significant opportunity by leveraging the country’s skilled talent base and continental reach.

“To focus our collective effort, we propose three flagship outcomes from this collaboration: first, the launch of the South Africa-India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme within the next year.

“Second, the establishment of at least two joint technology or pharmaceutical manufacturing projects serving African markets. Third, the rollout of a South Africa-India Youth Technology Skills Programme targeting AI, digital services and advanced manufacturing,” Mashatile said.

He said these initiatives would provide tangible platforms for partnership, investment and job creation. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

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