Category: Africa

Despite facing ongoing challenges, South Africa’s supply chain sector is experiencing growth fuelled by a surge in e-commerce and advancements in technology. 

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing on Wednesday. 

“Our business communities have been resilient and adapting through strategies like diversifying suppliers, holding more inventory, and investing in digital transformation,” he told delegates.

Mashatile is in China for a strategic working visit, which began on Monday. Its aim is to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance economic cooperation between the two nations. 

The Deputy President participated in the CISCE at the invitation of Ren Hongbin, the chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The prestigious event highlights the latest advancements in supply chain management. 

Mashatile said this high-level expo is essential for both countries, as it fosters trade, investment, cooperation, innovation and learning within the global supply chain ecosystem.

“South Africa is committed to strengthening global supply chains and fostering resilience in the face of challenges. In today’s rapidly changing world, the global supply chain landscape is facing unprecedented challenges, from natural disasters to political upheavals.” 

He assured the expo that government has also adopted policies and strategies that are conducive for businesses to thrive. 

“We understand the importance of building robust supply chains that can withstand disruptions and ensure the efficient flow of goods and services.

“Our diverse economy and strategic location make us a natural gateway for trade and investment, connecting Africa to the rest of the world.” 

The Deputy President described China as an essential partner in South Africa’s economic journey, recognising significant opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.

“Together, we can leverage our strengths and capabilities to further build supply chains that are not only efficient and cost-effective but also sustainable and resilient.

“The fact that China and South Africa have a strong desire to diversify and expand trade between Africa and China is crucial to our efforts to create a solid supply chain.” 

Mashatile said South Africa’s export portfolio to China comprises mainly basic commodities. 

“While the trade volumes confirm South Africa’s natural endowment, the heavy slant towards mineral-based exports belies our advanced infrastructure, our diversified industrial base, and our leading service sectors.” 

Showcasing unique SA offerings

The South African government delegation was accompanied by 30 manufacturers and producers of uniquely South African products and services. 

These products and services showcase the diversity of South African exports, ranging from ethically sourced and clean cosmetics comprising pure, natural extracts, as well as durable electro-technical equipment that has passed the tests of extreme African climate conditions. 

“Naturally, our offering would not be complete without the companies that are showcasing the finest of South African clothing, leather and footwear.  

“We are exceptionally proud of the delegation that comprises plastics, chemical and mining engineering firms, whose services have met the Chinese standards, such that they have been able to jointly complete infrastructure projects with Chinese firms.” 

The Deputy President believes that the expo is instrumental in linking up Chinese buyers and importers with the South African producers at the stands today. 

“One of the most critical steps in South Africa’s journey to balancing its trade with China will be the extensive listing of South African products on e-commerce platforms like Alibaba.

“We are also making efforts to ensure the placement of quality South African products in various Free Trade Zones throughout China.”

Trade on the African continent

With regards to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Deputy President said the project fosters economic integration and increased trade and investment within Africa, while also providing opportunities for China to deepen its engagement with the continent. 

To diversify its energy balance, reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security, Mashatile said South Africa is also rapidly increasing its dependence on renewable energy sources. 

“We have set ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, particularly in solar and wind power.”

Through the Renewable Energy Masterplan, government has set out how South Africa can set up a new manufacturing industry in renewable energy and battery storage value chains. 

The masterplan also aims to attract at least R15 billion in investment by 2030 and train “green workers” for employment in 25 000 direct jobs. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the Film and Publication Board (FPB) have welcomed the ruling by the Gauteng High Court ordering Meta to shut down certain Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels found to be distributing explicit Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), commonly known as child pornography.

Judge Mudunwazi Makamu ordered Meta to take down any content of a sexual nature that involves school children and to permanently delete any associated profiles.

“With the development and expansion of digital technologies, the crime of online child exploitation and abuse has grown exponentially and has become the most insidious form of global, modern and borderless cybercrime. The psychological effects on victims of child pornography are long- lasting and devastating, hence we applaud the high court ruling,” Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele said on Tuesday.

The Films and Publications Act (The Act) defines child pornography as any image, however created, or any description or representation, that visually depicts a child engaged in sexual activity. 

The Act makes it a criminal offense to produce, distribute, possess, or expose children to child pornography. The penalties for these offenses are severe and include imprisonment and fines.

“Parents and guardians are encouraged to regularly monitor their children’s online activities and educate them about harmful and prohibited content that could lead to their arrest as well as the long-term psychological effects of such content on victims,” the Deputy Minister said.

Harmful content is described as content that causes emotional, psychological or normal distress to a person, whether it be through any online or offline medium, including through the internet.

Prohibited content is described as content which amounts to propaganda for war, incitement of imminent violence, advocacy of hatred that is based on an identifiable group characteristic, or is prohibited in section 16 (2), 16 (4) and 18 (3).

The FPB has encouraged the public to report any harmful and prohibited material through its toll-free hotline at 0800 148 148 or on WhatsApp Hotline Channel on 083 428 4767. 

The public can also access these links on the FPB website at www.fpb.org.za. –SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has decided to dissolve the Board of Directors of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) due to persistent governance and operational challenges that have beset the fund and significantly undermined its ability to discharge its statutory mandate.

While the fund is grappling with governance challenges and concerns, which were further confirmed through internal oversight and regulatory engagements, the Minister reiterated on Tuesday that her department would continue to pursue all necessary measures to restore institutional stability.

The Department of Transport has also committed to enhancing the RAF’s capacity to fulfil its statutory obligations to the public and ensure a speedy and equitable access to the Road Accident Benefit Scheme by the road accident victims.

READ | Ministry of Transport to engage Road Accident Fund board

Last month the RAF board suspended Collins Letsoalo as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for not attending a Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) hearing in Parliament.

Furthermore, SCOPA resolved to launch a full committee inquiry into allegations of maladministration, financial mismanagement, wasteful and reckless expenditure, and related financial misconduct at the entity.

READ | SCOPA probes RAF for maladministration 

SCOPA made this decision after months of repeated attempts by the committee to obtain truthful, complete information from the RAF Board and executive management to little avail.

The department has flagged as a concern the inconsistent and, at times, reckless handling of the suspension of the CEO, which attracted a legal challenge and institutional uncertainty.

Through an internal oversight and regulatory engagements, the department noted deep divisions within the Board itself, evidenced by most resolutions being passed through the use of casting votes, rather than consensus, reflecting a lack of cohesion in critical decision-making processes.

The board failed to fill at least two critical executive positions, which are critical to the mandate of the fund, namely that of Chief Claims Officer and Head of Legal.

Furthermore, the department identified the protracted and costly litigation pursued by the RAF on the application of accounting standards as a concern. This has resulted in further strain on the entity’s financial resources and capacity.

The department said the frequent incurrence of default judgments against the RAF, exacerbates its contingent liabilities and weakens its financial sustainability.

“This has resulted in the loss of confidence in the board’s ability to run the entity effectively. On 5 June 2025, the Minister issued letters to the eleven members of the RAF board, affording them the opportunity to make representations regarding her intention to dissolve the board due to their failure to discharge their fiduciary duties effectively. 

“The representations were received and have been duly considered. Consequently, the board has been dissolved,” the department said.

Interim measures and review

A submission has been prepared requesting the Minister of Finance to appoint an interim functionary as Accounting Authority in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.

The proposed appointment is intended to prevent a governance vacuum while a new board is being constituted.

“A draft public advertisement has been prepared to commence the process of appointing a new board, ensuring transparent and merit-based selection in line with applicable legislation. 

“To support the development of a sustainable operational and governance model, the Minister has initiated the appointment of a panel of independent experts to review the RAF’s business processes and propose actionable recommendations. Members of the panel will be announced in due course.

“Furthermore, a request has been made to the SIU [Special Investing Unit]  to establish if the current investigation under Proclamation 44 of 2024 covers the events of the last three months and if not, formally request the expansion of the scope to cover these events. 

“The response from the SIU in this regard is eagerly awaited,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za

Government has launched a strategy that seeks to rebuild the Kruger National Park’s white rhino population from just over 2 000 to 12 000 within the next decade by using technology.

Government aims to monitor rhino herds daily using drones, GPS collars, and digital reporting systems to provide real-time data to enforcement teams.

“Starting this year, 90 Rhino Monitors will be trained and deployed annually across Kruger National Park. They are not just protecting rhino. They are protecting livelihoods, family legacies, and the possibility of green jobs for a generation to come,” Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Dr Dion George said on Tuesday.

The Minister made these remarks during the official launch of the Rhino Renaissance Campaign at the Kruger National Park, which is grounded on 24/7 rhino tracking; biological management such as targeted dehorning; DNA tagging and genetic research; enforcement cooperation across provincial, national, and regional levels and, critically, resource mobilisation to sustain operations over the long term.

With South Africa currently hosting the Group Twenty (G20) Presidency, this campaign has been adopted as a G20 Legacy Project to rally global support, both diplomatic and financial, to scale this work.

South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, which runs to 30 November 2025, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”.

“This work does not stand alone. We are fighting wildlife crime on every front. Our National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking is anchored in the Medium-Term Development Plan, the country’s roadmap for the next five years. 

“This strategy brings together key government departments – including my department, Police, Justice, Border Management, Intelligence, [the] South African National Parks (SANParks) and the provincial conservation entities – in a united, multidisciplinary response. It also builds strong partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and communities on the ground,” George explained.

Tackling wildlife crimes

Fighting wildlife crime is one of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s six core priorities. 

“At its heart is a commitment to a fair and sustainable future – one where our iconic wildlife supports livelihoods, uplifts communities, and strengthens our national identity. 

“The Rhino Renaissance Campaign is a vital part of this effort. It supports our vision of a fair industry for lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos — a future where these species are not only protected but thrive alongside the people who live among them.
“No country or sector can tackle this threat alone. South Africa is building strong enforcement networks across borders and finalising agreements with rhino horn destination countries,” the Minister said.

Government is engaging partners such as Interpol, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) neighbours to strengthen intelligence-sharing and cross-border cooperation.

South Africa’s response goes beyond law enforcement. It includes financial intelligence, anti-corruption efforts, and international diplomacy- because wildlife crime is deeply embedded in global criminal networks.

Decline in rhino poaching

As of the end of June, 195 rhinos had been poached across South Africa this year – a reduction of 35 compared to the same period in 2024.

“While any loss is too many, this decrease signals that our intensified enforcement efforts are starting to have an effect. June recorded the lowest monthly poaching figures so far this year, with 22 rhinos killed nationwide. Here in the  Kruger, which is still a primary target for poachers, we lost 11 rhinos in both May and June, down from 17 in January and 30 in February.

“These numbers are a stark reminder that the threat remains real and unrelenting. But they also show that progress is possible. Our rangers, enforcement teams, and intelligence units continue to work tirelessly on the front lines to protect our wildlife and hold the line,” the Minister said.

Through rhino dehorning, South Africa removes the reasons rhinos are being killed in the first place.
“Dehorning does not harm the animal. It saves its life. It buys us time – to restore numbers, upgrade security, and disrupt demand,” he explained.

The country is already seeing green shoots which include the relocation of 2 000 rhinos from African Parks to safe havens across the country; Munyawana Conservancy and others are growing populations through rewilding; cross-border work is underway in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and across the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.

Safe havens have been identified in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana and collaboration between government and private wildlife owners in the Integrated Wildlife Zones has been enhanced. –SAnews.gov.za
 

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is taking decisive action to phase out harmful captive lion breeding practices and reinforcing animal well-being through updated regulations, as part of ongoing efforts to protect South Africa’s wildlife.

The department has announced significant progress toward the publication of a Prohibition Notice that will ban the establishment of new captive lion breeding facilities in South Africa.

This decisive step forms part of broader efforts to phase out intensive breeding practices for commercial gain and to strengthen the country’s biodiversity laws under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA), 2004.

“This marks a turning point in our approach to wildlife conservation. By prohibiting new captive lion breeding facilities and addressing critical animal well-being provisions in the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations to be published in due course, we are committed to enforcing clear, effective, and legally robust measures that protect South Africa’s natural heritage and address concerns raised by the public, conservation experts, and stakeholders,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said on Tuesday.

The Lion Prohibition Notice implements a key recommendation from the Ministerial Task Team Report and in line with the objectives of the Policy Position on the conservation and Sustainable use of Elephant, Lion, Leopard, and Rhinoceros. 

The Notice prohibits the establishment of new captive lion facilities for commercial purposes, aligning with global conservation standards and ethical wildlife management practices.

Since the Notice was tabled before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on 10 June 2025, the required 30-day consideration period has passed.

The Minister said the department has completed critical administrative steps for promulgation by the Executive Authority.

Additionally, the department is engaging provincial Members of the Executive Council (MECs) under Section 87A (3) of NEM:BA to facilitate implementation of this Prohibition Notice. 

The Minister will provide further updates at stakeholder engagements, including the upcoming G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group meeting in Kruger National Park. 

“We are building a regulatory foundation that prioritises animal wellbeing, biodiversity protection, and practical enforcement. The department remains fully committed to finalising and implementing these reforms without delay, ensuring a sustainable future for South Africa’s wildlife,” George said. –SAnews.gov.za