Category: Africa

Johannesburg will take centre stage on Thursday as the Gauteng Provincial Government hosts the second annual Gauteng Investment Conference (GIC).

The GIC – which comes hot off the heels of the successful sixth South Africa Investment Conference – will be held at Melrose Arch, with Deputy President Paul Mashatile expected to deliver the keynote address.

Delivering the provincial budget speech last month, then Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile outlined that the provincial government is targeting some R200 billion in investment pledges.

“For the upcoming GIC, our objective is to secure new investment commitments. We remain determined to secure R800 billion in investments by the end of the seventh administration.

“This target is not aspirational. It is pipeline-backed and supported by structured engagement with domestic investors, foreign direct investors and sector leaders. It builds on the momentum of 2025, but it moves us from mobilisation to institutionalisation. We are institutionalising marketing, origination, facilitation and delivery

“But conferences are not judged by attendance numbers or headlines. They are judged by implementation. It is therefore important that we account not only for what was pledged, but for what has been delivered,” Maile said at the time.

From promise to progress

Last year, the GIC garnered some R312.5 billion in pledges in sectors including agro-processing, transport, infrastructure, property development and aviation.

These pledges are expected to provide some 114 000 job opportunities.

During the launch of the 2026 GIC on 17 February, Maile stated that as of February this year, at least 28% of the pledges have resulted in active projects.

“[Some] 17 out of 60 projects are now in a roll-out and this translates to R73 billion that has been unlocked for the real economy.

“This conversion rate is central to our credibility, as it demonstrates that Gauteng does not treat investment mobilisation as an event driven exercise. But rather, as a continuous life cycle from origination and structuring to facilitation and delivery,” he said at the launch. 

Maile highlighted that the GIC serves as a platform that “integrates project preparation, investor engagement, intergovernmental coordination and capital mobilisation across our strategic pillars”.

“It achieves this by bringing visibility, structure and accountability to the provincial investment pipeline. In so doing, the GIC accelerates delivery and converts intent into implementation, as it translates strategy into bankable projects, aligns provincial ambitions with investor expectations and ensures that economic policy matches execution.

“This approach strongly reinforces the objectives and ambitions of the Gauteng Economic Development Plan, which emphasises inclusive growth, industrial expansion, infrastructure acceleration, job creation and long-term competitiveness,” he said.

Driving Gauteng forward

Maile noted that as GIC 2026 comes around, the provincial government is “now elevating the model”.

“Our goal is to fortify Gauteng’s standing as the top sub-national investment destination in Africa — a status characterised by its credibility, project preparedness and execution discipline.

“We aim to secure R200 billion in new investment commitments. We seek to showcase high-growth sectors that align with global and continental trends, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicle value chains, digital infrastructure logistics, agro-processing, green hydrogen and financial services,” he said.

Some key catalytic projects to be showcased at GIC 2026 include:

• Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network extensions.
• The Lanseria Smart City.
• The aerotropolis around OR Tambo International Airport.
• The expansion of the West Rand SEZ [Special Economic Zone].
• The proposed Vaal SEZ focused on steel revitalisation and green hydrogen

This year’s conference is also aimed at strengthening the “entire investment lifecycle, building on the momentum of 2025”.

“We are institutionalising marketing, origination, facilitation and delivery. We are aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area and African Union Agenda 2063 to deepen Pan-African value chains.

“We are building on engagements in Davos, Italy and the Mining Indaba to convert diplomatic relations into structured pipelines. We are also placing municipalities at the centre of this model. Urban planning, infrastructure approvals 

“In 2025, we demonstrated that Gauteng can mobilise capital and in 2026, we are showing that Gauteng can convert capital into projects, jobs and leading to growth of the economy,” Maile said. – SAnews.gov.za

EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has extended heartfelt condolences to the family of Albert Mazibuko, a long-serving and award-winning member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who passed away over the weekend after a short illness.

The internationally acclaimed choral group confirmed Mazibuko’s passing in a statement on its Facebook page.

Xaba described Mazibuko (77) as a towering figure in South African music, whose artistry and dedication helped elevate the multi-Grammy Award-winning isicathamiya group to global prominence.

“Albert Mazibuko was more than a performer; he was a mentor and role model to generations of artists. His passing is not only a profound loss to his family and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, but to the nation as a whole,” Xaba said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mazibuko’s career spanned more than five decades, during which he helped secure five Grammy Awards and 19 nominations for the group, further cementing the global reach of isicathamiya and mbube music.

In paying tribute, Xaba also called on social partners to strengthen support for the creative industry to ensure that the legacy of cultural icons like Mazibuko continues to inspire and empower future talent.

He also encouraged young artists to draw inspiration from Mazibuko’s discipline, humility and enduring contribution to the arts.

“Mazibuko’s family and colleagues can take comfort in knowing that his remarkable career has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s cultural heritage,” Xaba said.

A memorial service will take place on 15 April in Durban. The funeral service will be held on 18 April in Entabamhlophe, Estcourt. – SAnews.gov.za

Following the successful sixth South African Investment Conference, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has continued efforts to mobilise business leaders to invest in the South African economy.

Speaking during an engagement with the global think tank, The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA), held at the Inanda Country Club in Sandton on Wednesday, Tau urged leaders to explore investment opportunities in South Africa.

The Minister emphasised that government has been working to create a conducive environment for investment and has made progress in addressing key constraints.

These include achieving four consecutive quarters of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth up to early 2026, securing a sovereign credit rating upgrade, removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, and the end of load shedding.

“The sixth investment conference was also the platform on which we launched two instruments that directly address the frustrations investors have historically voiced.

“The first is the Fusion Centre — a coordinated government mechanism designed to fast-track regulatory approvals and resolve bottlenecks in real time, with defined timelines and enhanced transparency for investors. 

“The second is the planned Omnibus Fast-tracking Act, which will streamline licensing processes, digitise permits, and enable faster visa approvals for scarce skills. Herein, we are engineering a system that works for investors,” Tau said. 

He further highlighted energy, minerals and beneficiation, automotive and new energy vehicles and green industrialisation as some of the key sectors that will drive the South African economy going forward. 

Tau underscored that South Africa’s path to prosperity is anchored in strong partnerships between government and the private sector. – SAnews.gov.za

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi will on Wednesday visit sugar mills in KwaZulu-Natal in preparation for the reopening of the Sugarcane Crushing Season in May.

The Deputy Minister will start his visit with the re-opening of the Gledhow Mill. 

This follows a R1.8 billion expansion by the new owners, which was a commitment pledge made at the South African Investment Conference which took place on 31 March 2026 in Sandton, Gauteng.

Godlimpi will also sign Phase 2 of the Sugar Cane Value Chain Master Plan during the quarterly Executive Oversight Committee meeting. 

According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Phase 1 of the Sugar Industry Master Plan (SIMP) was established as a partnership between government, the private sector and labour to stabilise and transform the sugar sector.

“The South African sugar industry remains a strategic agro-processing value chain, supporting rural livelihoods, small-scale growers, and regional economies, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 

“The industry is currently facing several structural challenges, including the risks of potential mill closures that could significantly affect cane growers, rural employment, and associated value chains,” the department said. 

Notwithstanding the challenges faced by the industry, the dtic and government development finance institutions like the Industrial Development Corporation remain committed to supporting the reopening of the sugar cane mills to preserve jobs and sustain the rural livelihoods in KZN. 

This commitment comes from the appreciation that livelihoods would be negatively impacted should there be a disruption in the sugar industry operations. – SAnews.gov.za

The Special Tribunal has declared the R14 million in funding awarded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to the Madumelani Community Project as unlawful, invalid and set aside.

The ruling, which was welcomed by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), comes after the unit exposed an intricate scheme by brothers Tshimangadzo and Ndoweni Mukutu, who fraudulently obtained funding intended for the construction of a cultural village in Hammanskraal.

The cultural village that the two had claimed they would build was already established in 2015 through legitimate R300 000 in NLC funding by the Maubane Cultural Village and Community Arts Centre.

In her judgment, President of the Special Tribunal, Judge Margaret Victor, found that the scheme concocted by the two brothers was “clearly fraudulent”.

“The available facts and context are clear. South Africa is in the midst of a catastrophic corruption epidemic.

“In this case, the facts are such that the conduct of the antagonists is unconscionable, which justifies the piercing of the corporate veil. Money earmarked for a cultural village, a pride and joy of any community, has been lost to a fraudulent scheme,” Victor said.

The brothers have also been ordered to pay back the funding money.

Web of lies

According to the SIU, the two brothers weaved a scheme with “extensive planning and deliberate misrepresentation, including the unlawful use of the Madumelani Community Project’s constitution”.

Cited as one of the respondents in the judgment is Dzata Accountants – a firm already identified by the SIU as one of five firms that helped in the looting of NLC coffers.

The accounting firm allegedly prepared false financial statements for the grant application.

“The SIU investigation found that the original members of the Madumelani Community Project… did not apply for NLC funding and were unaware of the grant application process. Instead, Tshimangadzo Mukutu fraudulently submitted the application, falsely claiming to be a director of the organisation.

“Further evidence from the SIU’s probe revealed that the brothers had previously approached the project’s members, obtained a copy of its constitution under the pretext of assisting with funding applications, and later used it without authorisation.

“Several individuals listed as members in the application confirmed that they had no knowledge of the submission and that their signatures had been forged. The probe also uncovered misrepresentation regarding the purpose of the funding,” the corruption busting unit said.

Follow the money

The false takeover of the legitimate project also included the appointment of fictitious office bearers and the “opening of a bank account through which millions of rands were disbursed”.

“Following the disbursement of funds in February 2018 into a newly opened bank account, substantial payments were channelled to various entities and relatives, including companies associated with T Mukutu,” the SIU stated.

Between March and July 2018, the following transactions were made:

• Nine transactions with RUM Management Consultancy, owned by Ndoweni Mukutu, totalling some R3 070 000.
• Ndhava Management Consulting, owned by Tshisimba Collin Mukondoleli, received a payment of R4 999 000
• Thwala Front, owned by Mukondoleli’s wife, Kharivhe Fulufhelo Promise, was paid R1 400 000. At least R1 million of that money was paid to a money trading account.
• R50 000 was paid in salaries
• R400 000 was recorded as a hardware purchase

“The SIU found that the Mukutu brothers, along with Mukondoleli and his wife, and Tshilidzi David Netswinganani, who acted as the treasurer and one of the signatories, had ‘hijacked’ the NPO.

“In April 2018, five payments totalling R4 650 000 were also made, with R3 519 000 going to Mudonde Events and Investment owned by N Mukutu. These also included a payment of R3 million to a trust associated with Advocate William Huma, a former NLC Board member.

“Last year, the Special Tribunal ordered Huma to reimburse R21 million in misused grant funds, and the SIU obtained a preservation order for R10 million from the sale of his luxury residence,” the SIU said.

The corruption busting unit welcomed the ruling.

“The order of the Special Tribunal is part of the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions due to corruption, maladministration, or malpractice.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence it uncovers that indicates possible criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action,” the SIU said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC), on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), has invested approximately R2.7 billion in a mixed-use development in the Waterfall precinct, supporting about 23 000 jobs.

The development features more than 500 retail outlets, around 70 restaurants, as well as major commercial and logistics operations.

PIC Chairperson, Dr David Masondo, said developments of this scale play a critical role in strengthening the country’s economic infrastructure, attracting investment, and creating vibrant spaces where businesses and communities can thrive.

“Waterfall City reflects the kind of scale, vision and execution that South Africa needs as we build modern, sustainable and competitive cities,” he said.

Masondo, who also serves as the Deputy Minister of Finance, conducted a site visit to Waterfall City on Tuesday, describing it as a strong post-1994 example of long-term, high-quality investment in the country’s urban future.

The visit forms part of a broader national oversight programme scheduled over the next three months, aimed at showcasing how pension fund capital is being deployed into infrastructure and other productive assets.

The Waterfall precinct is owned by the Atterbury Waterfall Investment Company (AWIC), which is 70% owned by Attacq Limited and 30% by the GEPF.

“Our property investments span a wide range of activities; from large-scale commercial developments to affordable housing, inner-city regeneration, and support for emerging and black property developers,” Masondo said.

He added that the PIC’s approach is anchored in both financial sustainability and developmental impact, ensuring that investment decisions contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive economy. 

“We see our role as both custodians of public servants’ pensions and participants in South Africa’s broader economic transformation. That requires a portfolio that is diverse, forward-looking, and responsive to the needs of the country,” Masondo said.

Waterfall City is one of many assets within the PIC’s portfolio, which remains broad, diversified and development-focused. 

“Beyond flagship assets, our investment record shows clear and sustained support for black developers, affordable housing, and emerging players. We have backed Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) developers in commercial property. 

“We have supported black-led development platforms. We have invested in inner-city housing and provided catalytic financing to small and medium contractors building affordable homes. Transformation is not an afterthought; it is built into how we invest,” Masondo said. –SAnews.gov.za