Category: Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has congratulated Dr Thandi Mgwebi, Group Executive for Business Advancement and Global Partnerships, on her appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Walter Sisulu University (WSU). 

She will assume her new position starting 1 January 2026.

Mgwebi has had a long association with the NRF, serving in various senior management roles, including Director of Human Capital Development. 

She also led collaborations with institutions such as Fulbright, the British Council, and the Newton Fund.

According to the NRF, her previous senior executive roles include serving as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation at both Nelson Mandela University and the Tshwane University of Technology.

She holds a PhD in cell and developmental biology from the University of Cape Town, where she also completed postdoctoral research in virology. 

Mgwebi also completed an educational management degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Her illustrious career spans over 20 years as an internationally recognised leader in higher education, including more than 10 years’ experience in research, innovation, and internationalisation.

“Dr Mgwebi’s strengths lie in strategic and inspirational leadership, strengthening partnerships, and resource mobilisation. This includes developing systems and strategies that involve management and mentoring multicultural teams, as well as establishing and guiding multi-sectoral partnerships and networks,” the statement read. 

The NFR stated that her contributions go beyond her current role within the organisation. 

Mgwebi continues to serve on several national committees and boards, where collaboration and people-centred skills are essential for translating strategic insights and high-level foresight into effective operational planning.

These include her current involvement as a council member of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences and an appointment by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to lead the review of Doctoral studies in South Africa. 

During 2023, she was appointed as an Advisory member of the Carnegie Diaspora Fellowship Programme.

The CEO of NRF, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, added his well-wishes to those already expressed by several stakeholders within the National System of Innovation.

“We are immensely proud of Dr Mgwebi as she returns to her alma mater, WSU, where her academic journey first began when it was still known as the University of Transkei. 

“We wish her the very best in this new role and look forward to deepening our partnership with WSU under her leadership,” Fulufhelo added. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the preparations the provincial government and municipalities have taken ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, will serve as a springboard to accelerate service delivery.

The Premier was briefing the media on the state of readiness for the global gathering to be held in Johannesburg later this month.

“The service delivery improvements implemented, from repaired roads and functional streetlights to enhanced public spaces and advanced security technology, are not for the summit alone.

“They are permanent enhancements designed for the enduring benefit of all who live in, work in, and visit our beautiful province,” he stated.

Lesufi brushed off concerns of window dressing for the thousands of visitors expected to descend on the province for the summit and praised the collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that the province is ready to host the Leaders’ Summit.

“A dedicated team, including the MECs, Mayors, MMCS and CEOs of our agencies, representatives of the taxi industry and labour, have met weekly to set targets and conducted weekly progress tracking and on-site inspections. This multi-level government approach has been the cornerstone of our success, ensuring that every municipality is aligned and actively contributing to our shared goal. 

“The spirit of cooperation between the province and our municipalities has been exceptional, and this partnership has moved beyond planning into decisive action, delivering tangible improvements across the province. We intend to keep this mode of collaboration and adopt it as a blueprint we will use indefinitely to build a better province for everyone,” he said.

The Premier further noted that the summit and its build-up must be “meaningful and accessible to ordinary citizens”.

“We have actively engaged with civil society, business, youth, and people with disabilities through extensive outreach programmes. This includes G20 awareness campaigns in townships and ensuring diverse South African voices contribute to the global dialogue. For public visibility, the Gauteng Provincial Government has rolled out branding and advertising across the city.

“The summit is expected to yield significant benefits for Gauteng, including increased investment, job creation, and a major boost to our tourism and hospitality sectors. It also provides a global platform to share our growth strategy, Growing Gauteng Together 2030, as we position our province as a destination of choice for investors,” he said.

Influx of visitors

Lesufi highlighted that the summit will also be a boon for the province’s tourism sector.

“The summit is expected to place our province in the global spotlight and support our broader goal of expanding and promoting the business tourism sector in Gauteng.

“The G20 Leaders’ Summit will bring a large influx of visitors, including heads of state, delegates, and media, creating a surge in demand for hotels, transportation, and local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors,” he said.

He invited the visitors to enjoy the offerings the province boasts.

“With thousands of star-graded accommodation options to fit every budget, including many prestigious international hotel brands, Gauteng ensures comfort and quality for all visitors. 

“As part of Visit GAUTENG – Zwakala, we have curated special tourism promotion itineraries that have been loaded on the G20 official site,” Lesufi said.

Resolving challenges

In March this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted a Working Visit to Johannesburg and expressed concerns about service delivery and other challenges particularly with the summit to be held in that city.

“[President Ramaphosa] voiced deep concerns over the province’s deteriorating infrastructure, citing persistent issues like water shortages, potholes, burst pipes, non-functional traffic lights, power cuts, uncollected waste, and sewer spills, which he deemed unacceptable ahead of the global event.

“Today, we are proud to report back to the President that we have resolved all these matters. Today, we are proud to report to all South Africans that we are ready to host this event without all those issues that the President raised.

“We are proud that all municipalities look clean. We are proud that all major centres are now ready to welcome tourists and visitors in our province. We are also proud that all the investment made in infrastructure, repairing streetlights and traffic lights, ensuring that the guardrails are there is not only made for the G20, but it will benefit our people beyond the G20,” he asserted. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has warned parents against fraudsters offering school placements in public schools for the 2026 academic year in exchange for money. 

In a statement on Wednesday, the department said it has noted with concern reports of an individual known as “Godfrey” who is allegedly soliciting bribes from parents in exchange for school placements in Gauteng public schools.

“We would like to categorically state that there is no person by the name of “Godfrey” employed by the GDE in Tshwane, or any of our district offices, who is responsible for placements. Parents are strongly cautioned not to pay anyone who claims they can secure a school placement. 

“Parents must understand that no individual can fast-track the placement process. Those who pay these fraudsters are paying for nothing, as all placements are managed strictly through the official GDE Online Admissions System,” the GDE said. 

The department further cautioned that criminals often take advantage of parents’ anxiety during this period, therefore the public is urged to remain vigilant. 

“Any suspicious activity or individuals claiming to represent the Department should be reported immediately,” the GDE said. 

Placement process update and clarification

The 2026 Online Admissions Placement Period commenced on 16 October 2025, when the department began gradually sending out placement offers to parents and guardians via SMS and through the Online Admissions System.

“We wish to assure all parents and guardians that the placement process is ongoing and offers are still being issued daily. Every applicant with a complete application will receive a placement offer, there are no technical delays. 

“Parents whose applications are still being processed are requested to be patient and wait for their placement offers,” the department said. 

The department said those who have received offers are encouraged to accept them as final. If a parent receives an SMS indicating that their child has been placed in Grade 1 or Grade 8 at a specific school, this will be regarded as a successful placement. There is no need to log into the system to accept such an offer.

Parents who applied to more than one school may accept offers while awaiting others.

“If no further offers are received within seven days of receiving/accepting an offer, it means that all other schools applied to might have reached capacity. The learner will then be placed at the school where the last accepted offer was made,” the department said. 

Placement criteria

Placement offers are determined according to the following criteria, applied in order of priority (not on a first-come, first-served basis):

• Home address within the school’s feeder zone
• Sibling(s) or previous school
• Work address within the school’s feeder zone
• Home address within a 30km radius
• Home address beyond a 30km radius

Placement is also subject to school capacity and the availability of space in schools.

“Applicants who cannot be accommodated at any of the schools they applied to due to capacity constraints will receive transfer offers to the next closest school with available space.

“These transfer offers are only made after confirming that none of the originally applied schools can accommodate the learner. Parents who receive such offers may accept or decline them,” the GDE said. 

Objections and appeals

To ensure fairness and transparency, parents may lodge an objection if they wish to contest a placement outcome:

• To submit an objection, the parent must decline the placement offer and complete the electronic objection form online.
• Objections must be submitted within 7 days of receiving the placement offer.
• Objections are reviewed on merit, and outcomes are communicated within 14 days.
• Parents who are dissatisfied with the objection outcome may appeal online within 7 days.
• Appeals are finalised within 14–21 days, and the outcome is final.

Parents are urged to note that no objection or appeal may be lodged when a placement offer is made at one of the schools originally applied to.

“The Department continues to work tirelessly to place all learners for the 2026 academic year. Parents and guardians are once again reminded to refrain from engaging with any individual who claims to offer placement assistance in exchange for money. 

“All communication from the GDE regarding placement is officially sent to applicants via SMS and the Online Admissions System. Parents are urged to remain patient and vigilant as we finalise the placement of every learner,” Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said. 

For any placement-related enquiries, parents may contact the GDE Contact Centre at 0800 000 789 or visit their nearest district office. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to placing the fight against global inequality at the centre of the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Johannesburg later this month.

Speaking at the handover of the report by the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality at Tuynhuys on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa described the report as a “seminal and rigorous” document that offers a roadmap for addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges.

“Now, with this report, we have clear actions that we can take as governments, as societies, and as the global community to reduce inequality. It is now up to us, the leaders of the G20 and the leaders of the world, to demonstrate the necessary will and commitment,” he said.

The report, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz, represents the first comprehensive examination of inequality to be presented to the G20 for consideration. 

“This is the first time that a report of this nature on a matter so fundamental to global stability and human progress is presented for consideration by the G20,” President Ramaphosa said.

He emphasised that inequality is not only a moral issue but a direct threat to democracy, inclusive growth, and global peace. 

“This report, which is a blueprint for greater equality, supports the goal of South Africa’s G20 Presidency to put inequality on the international agenda. It correctly asserts that inequality is a betrayal of people’s dignity, an impediment to inclusive growth and a threat to democracy itself. 

“Addressing inequality is our inescapable generational challenge. We have the means to build a fair, just and equal world. We have the resources to narrow gap between and within countries,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa said the findings and recommendations in the report align with South Africa’s goal as G20 President to ensure that inequality remains a key focus on the global agenda.

He recalled his remarks during the establishment of the Extraordinary Committee in August 2025, when he warned that inequality continues to erode human dignity, citing examples such as vaccine apartheid and the economic fallout of global crises.

“People across the world know how extreme inequality undermines their dignity and chance for a better future. They saw the brutal unfairness of vaccine apartheid, where millions in the Global South were denied the vaccines to save them,” the President said.

The President commended the committee for its work, saying the report provides practical and actionable steps that governments and societies can take to narrow the gap between and within nations.

President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation to Professor Stiglitz, the committee of experts, and supporting organisations such as Oxfam for their contributions to the study.

He said the document will form the foundation for discussions at the upcoming G20 Summit, which South Africa will host for the first time.

“This report provides a solid platform on which to launch a renewed global effort to tackle inequality. I look forward to discussing its findings at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg later this month,” he said.

The Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality was established under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 to examine the structural causes of inequality and propose strategies to achieve a fairer global economy. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says government remains focused on ensuring that traffic signals and road infrastructure function optimally to improve road safety and mobility across the province.

“We are aware of the inconvenience caused by non-functional traffic lights and the impact this has on traffic flow and safety. Our teams are working tirelessly to restore vandalised intersections and strengthen maintenance across the province,” the MEC said on Wednesday.

She said the upcoming procurement of maintenance service providers will significantly improve government’s ability to respond swiftly to faults and prevent prolonged outages. 

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport asserted that it continues to intensify efforts to enhance traffic management and road infrastructure, with significant progress reported on the M43 (Atlas Road) traffic lights in Ekurhuleni and the Rooihuiskraal/N14 off-ramp project in Centurion.

Several intersections along the M43 are currently fully operational, however, inspections have identified that certain intersections were vandalised and remain non-operational. 

Damaged components include power supply units, poles, and copper cables. 

The department is in the process of finalising procurement for the restoration of these intersections, with costs to be confirmed upon completion of this process.

The department further noted that certain intersections along the route fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Ekurhuleni. 

Engagements will be undertaken with the City to ensure coordination and alignment of repair efforts.
Diale-Tlabela also expressed concern about the recurring vandalism and theft of road infrastructure, which continues to undermine service delivery and public safety. 

“Vandalism and cable theft remain some of our biggest challenges, costing the province millions and setting back progress. We urge communities to work with law enforcement and report acts of vandalism so that we can protect these shared public assets and ensure a safer, more efficient transport system for all,” she said.

The department has confirmed that development for the Rooihuiskraal/N14 off-ramp project will proceed as a standalone project.

Procurement for a service provider is planned for Quarter 3 of the 2025/2026 Financial Year. 

“The Rooihuiskraal/N14 off-ramp project is an important investment in improving traffic flow and accessibility in Centurion. It forms part of our broader programme to expand and modernise Gauteng’s road network in support of economic growth and improved connectivity,” the MEC said.

The department said it remains committed to delivering safe, efficient, and reliable road infrastructure across the province. 

“Despite the challenges posed by vandalism and budgetary constraints, efforts continue to restore and maintain critical infrastructure, improve mobility, and advance the province’s transport priorities,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, will lead South Africa’s delegation from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) at the 43rd Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) General Conference, currently under way in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The conference, which began on 30 October, will conclude on 13 November 2025.

The DSTI delegation will participate in sessions that align with the department’s areas of expertise and mandate, starting on Thursday, 6 November.

The UNESCO General Conference convenes every two years and gathers ministers, heads of delegation, senior policymakers, and experts from 195 member states. 

It also includes representatives from the United Nations (UN) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Nzimande emphasised the significance of participating in the conference and believes that this global forum provides South Africa with a strategic opportunity to influence global standards concerning the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI) and open science. 

“It contributes to multilateral frameworks that advance science, innovation, and environmental sustainability, promotes South Africa’s initiatives in indigenous knowledge systems, youth engagement in science, and inclusive sport and education. It also strengthens our country’s visibility and leadership within the Group of 20 (G20) science and innovation platforms.”

South Africa will begin sessions focusing on two key UNESCO Commissions, the Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Commission and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (SC-IOC) for Natural Sciences.

The SHS Commission will focus on the ethical, social, and policy aspects of science, technology, and education. This includes topics such as the ethics of artificial intelligence, science policy, inclusive sports, and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. 

The commission will be chaired by South Africa’s permanent representative to UNESCO, Ambassador, Dr Phil Mjwara.

According to the department, South Africa’s participation in this commission is undertaken in partnership with the Department of Social Development, the lead department for the SHS Sector. 

SC-IOC will focus on science, oceanography, climate, and environmental sustainability. 

The DSTI will lead South Africa’s participation in this commission, supported by the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.

As part of the conference program, Dr Blade Nzimande has been invited by UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Dr Lidia Brito, to be a panellist in a high-level side event titled: “Trust, Transformation, Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2025.” The event will take place on Sunday, 10 November. 

Through its active participation in the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference, the DSTI reaffirms its commitment to fostering global collaboration and addressing societal challenges through science, technology, and innovation. – SAnews.gov.za