Category: Africa

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim has welcomed the Transport Education and Training Authority’s (TETA) commitment to accelerate the payment of outstanding student bursary allowances and apprentice stipends following months of delays.

The commitment follows the Deputy Minister’s engagement with TETA this week, after nearly 300 beneficiaries reported that they had not received their bursary allowances and stipends from February to August 2026.

The visit was prompted by student queries and concerns received through the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk regarding unpaid bursary allowances and apprentice stipends. 

It also formed part of Cassim’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with institutions to resolve issues affecting students and ensure quicker solutions to challenges within the post-school education and training sector.

Following the engagement, TETA has committed to finalise bursary allowance payments for 104 students by the end of this week.

The remaining beneficiaries will undergo an expedited verification process, with payments processed immediately after the verifications are completed next week.

While acknowledging the operational context provided by TETA, which has led to these delays, Cassim emphasised the need for swift action to prevent further delays.

“Students are unfairly disadvantaged in their studies whilst waiting the entire year for their allowances,” Cassim said.

Action steps

As part of the agreed action plan, TETA has committed to:
•    Finalising payments for 104 student bursary beneficiaries by the end of this week.
•    Completing the verification of supporting documentation for an additional 108 beneficiaries by the end of next week, with payments to follow immediately thereafter.
•    TETA is developing a new payment model, in partnership with relevant institutions, to reduce administrative burden by leveraging existing university systems. The revised model is expected to be implemented in the next academic year.
•    Working with the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, which will escalate all incoming TETA-related bursary enquiries directly to the entity for urgent attention.

Cassim said he will continue to closely monitor progress to ensure students receive the financial support they are entitled to and intervene whenever students’ chances of academic success are compromised.

“Students shouldn’t have to choose between studying and worrying about allowances. Through my engagement with TETA, I have emphasised that these payments must be prioritised and completed urgently,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Deputy Minister also thanked TETA for its constructive engagement and willingness to work constructively to address the concerns raised. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has been honoured with the Emerging Leader Award at the International Pride Awards during WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has congratulated Letsike on receiving the award, which recognises individuals who are “reimagining LGBTIQ+ liberation for a new generation”.

The department said the award speaks directly to a defining challenge of our time: how a new generation takes forward the struggle for LGBTIQ+ liberation in a vastly changing political environment. 

The International Pride Awards, a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World, celebrate courageous individuals working across the world to advance equality, freedom and safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ people, including in environments where undertaking this work comes at significant personal and political risk. 

The department described Letsike’s recognition, announced on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, as particularly significant because it acknowledges a leadership journey rooted in decades of activism that now carries into the institutions of democratic governance.

For decades, Letsike has been part of South Africa’s struggle for equality and social justice, advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons, while insisting that struggles against homophobia, transphobia and gender inequality cannot be separated from the broader struggles against racism, patriarchy, poverty and economic exclusion. 

The department noted that the award comes at a time when the world is witnessing the growth of increasingly organised and transnational anti-gender and anti-rights movements.

“Through disinformation, moral panic and political mobilisation, these forces seek not only to reverse advances in LGBTIQ+ rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality, but also to weaken the democratic institutions upon which these freedoms depend. It is in this context that reimagining liberation for a new generation becomes urgent,” the department said.

Accepting the award, Letsike said she received the recognition with profound humility, stressing that the struggle for human dignity has always been a collective effort.

“I stand on the shoulders of generations of activists who fought when it was dangerous to be visible, dangerous to speak and, for many, dangerous simply to exist as themselves. But every generation must define what liberation demands of it.

“The struggle before young people today is not identical to the struggle that came before us. They confront new technologies, new forms of disinformation and surveillance, new expressions of exclusion and a highly organised global movement seeking to reverse rights we once believed were secure.

“Yet I remain hopeful because I see in this generation the courage, imagination and determination not only to defend the freedoms we have won, but to take the struggle for liberation further than we ever imagined possible,” Letsike said.

The department said the international recognition also holds particular significance for South Africa, whose Constitution was founded on the principle that no person should face discrimination based on race, sex, gender, sexual orientation or any other characteristic of identity.

It noted that South Africa’s constitutional protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation became an important global milestone.

It noted that while South Africa’s constitutional protections for sexual orientation marked a global milestone, constitutional recognition is not the end of liberation.

“The continuing experiences of violence, hate crime, discrimination, economic exclusion and social prejudice experienced by LGBTIQ+ persons remind us that formal equality must constantly be converted into substantive, lived equality,” the department said.

The department said it views the Emerging Leader Award not merely as an individual accolade, but as international recognition of South Africa’s and Africa’s ongoing struggle for human dignity.

“It also challenges the false narrative that LGBTIQ+ equality is foreign to Africa. Africa possesses its own histories of diversity, resistance, solidarity and human dignity. Our task is to ensure that the next generation of African activists can claim this history, shape its future and advance an African vision of liberation that leaves no one behind.”

Congratulating Letsike and the other 2026 International Pride Awards recipients, and activists across the world, the department said the recognition should strengthen global efforts to build societies where all people can live freely and with dignity.

“This recognition should renew our collective determination to build a world in which no young person must hide who they are in order to survive, and in which equality is not merely protected when it is convenient, but defended precisely when it is under attack,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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While acknowledging the unemployment challenge, government is urging young South Africans to take advantage of the wide range of education, skills development and employment opportunities available to help them transition from learning to earning.

Addressing the Youth in Action Expo at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Wednesday, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, encouraged young people to actively pursue opportunities rather than wait for them.

“This is my second opportunity to address the Youth in Action Expo, and I must say that returning to this platform is truly an honour,” she said.

Mhlauli praised the growth of the expo, which has expanded from 1 500 participants three years ago to more than 14 000 this year.

“That is not a statistic. That is a movement. It tells us something our country urgently needs to hear – young South Africans are not waiting for the future to arrive; they are showing up to build it.”

Acknowledging the country’s high youth unemployment rate, Mhlauli said government could not address the challenge alone.

“But let me be honest: government cannot fix this alone. Solving youth unemployment needs all of us, government, business, schools, colleges and you working together,” she said.

She encouraged young people to consider Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges alongside universities, saying vocational education is a pathway to opportunity rather than a second choice.

“If I could leave you with one message today, it is this: TVET is not a second choice; it is a pathway to opportunity,” Mhlauli said.

She added that funding is available for young people through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), urging prospective students to apply when the 2027 application window opens later this year.

She said the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), launched in 2020, continues to create pathways into employment through partnerships between government, business and civil society.

According to Mhlauli, the intervention has facilitated access to more than 2.5 million earning opportunities since its inception, while over 5.9 million young people have registered on SAYouth.mobi and more than 5.36 million on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) platform.

“In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 155 161 new opportunities were created, with more than 70% accessed by young women,” Mhlauli said.

She urged unemployed youth to register on the SAYouth.mobi platform, which is free and zero-rated. It connects users with jobs, internships, learnerships, apprenticeships, bursaries and skills development opportunities.

“It is completely free. It is zero-rated on participating mobile networks. You do not need a single megabyte of data,” she emphasised.

Mhlauli also encouraged graduates to explore opportunities offered through the Youth Employment Service (YES), while aspiring entrepreneurs were urged to access support through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF).

Marking Women’s Month, the Deputy Minister reflected on the legacy of the 1956 Women’s March and called for the greater empowerment of young women.

She noted that more than 70% of opportunities created through the PYEI have been accessed by young women, underscoring government’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for women.

Concluding her address, Mhlauli urged young people attending the expo to make the most of the opportunities available to them.

“So, before you leave this expo, ask questions, make connections, explore every opportunity available and believe in your potential. The future is not something we wait for; it is something we build together,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa has formally assumed the Chairpersonship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standing Committee of Senior Officials, with the country pledging to strengthen implementation of regional programmes and advance the objectives of the bloc.

Addressing the opening of the SADC Senior Officials Meeting in Durban on Thursday, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials, Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, said South Africa accepted the responsibility with humility and a commitment to advancing the aspirations of the regional organisation. 

“It is both a profound honour and a great privilege to stand before you today as I accept, on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, the Chairpersonship of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials for the period from August 2026 to August 2027,” Seokolo said.

The meeting in KwaZulu-Natal precedes the SADC Council of Ministers gathering scheduled for 12 August and the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government taking place from 16 to 17 August.

READ | South Africa prepares to host landmark SADC Summit

Seokolo said South Africa’s formal assumption of the Chairship followed its role as Interim Chair of SADC after unforeseen circumstances affected Madagascar.

“Although South Africa has had the honour of serving as Interim Chair of SADC following the unforeseen circumstances that affected our sister Republic of Madagascar, today marks our formal assumption of the substantive Chairship,” he said.

He said the transition demonstrated the resilience of SADC institutions and the commitment of member states to ensure continuity despite challenges.

Seokolo expressed appreciation to Zimbabwe for its leadership during the transitional period, saying the country’s willingness to host statutory meetings helped sustain the organisation’s work.

“I wish to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, the Republic of Zimbabwe for its remarkable sense of camaraderie, solidarity, and selfless leadership in willingly putting its shoulder to the wheel as we collectively sought to keep the leadership wagon of our organisation moving during an unprecedented period,” he said.

He also acknowledged Zambia’s leadership as part of the Summit Troika and said South Africa looks forward to working with all member states in advancing the regional agenda.

As the Standing Committee of Senior Officials begins its deliberations, Seokolo said the body has a critical role in ensuring that recommendations presented to the Council of Ministers are strategic, practical and implementable.

“We are entrusted with ensuring that the Council of Ministers receives strategic, well-considered and implementable recommendations. We serve as the bridge between policy formulation and implementation,” he said.

Pressing matters

He highlighted several pressing matters on the agenda, including SADC’s financial sustainability, peace and security challenges, economic transformation, infrastructure development, food and nutrition security, energy security, climate resilience and public health.

“Peace and security remain among our greatest preoccupations, particularly in light of the continuing destabilisation of social and economic livelihoods in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

He also conveyed South Africa’s condolences following the loss of life caused by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On economic development, Seokolo said industrialisation remained central to SADC’s efforts to create employment and achieve shared prosperity.

“Our aspiration for a region that produces what it consumes and trades more extensively within itself remains alive. Therefore, industrialisation remains the cornerstone of our regional efforts to drive economic transformation, create decent employment, and advance shared prosperity.”

Seokolo said South Africa’s tenure would focus on strengthening implementation, improving coordination among member states and ensuring that decisions adopted by SADC institutions translated into measurable developmental outcomes.

“Together, we must continue to strengthen the foundations of our organisation and advance the aspirations embodied in the SADC Treaty, Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan,” he said.

The Senior Officials Meeting will consider reports on the implementation of previous Summit and Council decisions, monitoring and evaluation systems, resource mobilisation, sustainable financing of the Community and institutional reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of SADC structures.

The opening of the meeting took place in Durban, a city Seokolo described as carrying the historical legacy of Africa’s liberation and integration efforts, including the establishment of the African Union in 2002.

The SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials is one of the statutory bodies of the regional organisation and provides technical support to the Council of Ministers. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the recommendations and referrals contained in the Second Interim Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, with the latest referrals set to form part of ongoing investigations by a South African Police Service (SAPS) special investigations task team.

The Presidency said the Commission, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, submitted its second interim report to the President on 29 May 2026. This followed the submission of the first interim report on 17 December 2025.

The Commission was established to investigate allegations arising from claims made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025.

The final report is expected to be submitted to President Ramaphosa on 16 November 2026.

According to the Presidency, the latest report revisits recommendations and referrals made in the first interim report relating to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“The report revisits the recommendations and referrals made in the First Interim Report in respect of the SAPS based on prima facie evidence and, with one exception, confirms these recommendations now that the relevant implicated parties have appeared before the Commission to give evidence,” the Presidency said. 

The report also contains new recommendations and referrals arising from evidence heard by the Commission since the beginning of 2026.

“The report also sets out new recommendations and referrals made by the Commission on the basis of evidence heard since the start of 2026,” the Presidency said. 

Based on the evidence before it, the Commission has recommended disciplinary proceedings and the immediate investigation of alleged criminal conduct against four individuals.

“Flowing from this evidence, the Commission recommends the institution of disciplinary proceedings and the immediate investigation of criminal conduct and, if sufficient evidence be found to exist, the institution of criminal proceedings against the following individuals: Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, Witness G, Sergeant Fannie Nkosi and Brown Mogotsi,” the statement read. 

The Commission has further recommended that the Office of the Inspector General for Intelligence, or another appropriately authorised functionary, conduct an immediate investigation into the alleged off-the-books operations of Crime Intelligence involving Mogotsi and Witness G.

“The Commission also recommends that the Office of the Inspector General for Intelligence or another functionary with the necessary authority conduct an immediate investigation into the off-the-books operation of Crime Intelligence in which Mogotsi and Witness G were allegedly involved.”

The Presidency said the recommendations and referrals were made in accordance with the Commission’s Terms of Reference.

“These recommendations and referrals are made in line with clause 10.4 of the Commission’s Terms of Reference, which provides the Commission with the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover,” the Presidency said. 

The Terms of Reference also empower the Commission to refer matters for prosecution, further investigation or separate inquiries where appropriate.

“Clause 12 further states that ‘the Commission shall, where appropriate, refer any matter for prosecution, further investigation or the convening of a separate enquiry to the appropriate law enforcement agency, government department or regulator.”

The Presidency said the latest referrals will be incorporated into the work of the SAPS special investigations task team established after the submission of the Commission’s first interim report.

“The most recent referrals from the Commission will form part of the work of the SAPS special investigations task team established following receipt of the first interim report to institute investigations against people identified by the Commission as a matter of urgency,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

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