Category: Africa

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has called on South Africa’s future public sector professionals to become a new generation of ethical, innovative and accountable leaders capable of rebuilding public trust and driving national development.

Addressing the Public Sector Finance Work-Integrated Learning Engagement Session hosted by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Polokwane on Friday, Simelane said the country needs skilled public servants who view public service as a calling to improve people’s lives, rather than simply a career.

“South Africa needs your talent, your energy, and your ideas. But it also needs your discipline, humility, and courage. Choose excellence over mediocrity.

“Choose evidence over assumption. Choose integrity over convenience. Choose service over self-interest [and] be the authors of your destiny,” Simelane said.

Simelane said the country’s developmental agenda depends on capable institutions, ethical leadership, and a new generation of professionals, committed to serving the public interest.

She reminded students that South Africa is marking 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution, which sets out the democratic values and principles governing public administration, including accountability, transparency, professionalism, fairness and efficient use of public resources.

“A developmental state requires capable institutions; capable institutions require ethical and accountable leadership; and sustainable renewal requires a new generation of skilled public servants. Human Settlements brings these connections into sharp focus because the quality of governance is ultimately experienced in the places where people live,” the Minister said.

Highlighting the role of the Human Settlements sector, Simelane said government is not merely responsible for administering policies but for translating constitutional rights into tangible improvements in people’s lives through serviced land, housing opportunities, secure tenure, and integrated communities located closer to economic opportunities.

She said every school, clinic, road and housing project delivered, reflected the work of public institutions and the public servants responsible for turning government policies into reality.

The Minister also stressed the critical role of public finance professionals in ensuring government programmes achieve meaningful outcomes.

“Public finance is where policy intention meets the discipline of implementation,” she said.

Simelane noted that sound financial management converts limited public resources into infrastructure, services and opportunities, particularly important in a sector such as Human Settlements, where delivery depends on coordinated investment in land, bulk infrastructure, basic services, housing, and social amenities.

She said success should not be measured solely by how much money is spent, but by whether expenditure translates into quality services and improved living conditions.

“A housing project is not successful merely because the budget has been exhausted. It must result in safe, durable, and well-located homes, functioning services and communities connected to opportunity. Compliance, performance, and impact must therefore reinforce one another,” the Minister said.

Ethical leadership and accountability

The Minister also warned that competence without integrity posed a significant risk to public institutions. 

“Ethical leadership is demonstrated in the choices we make when those choices are difficult. It means placing the public interests above personal interests, applying rules fairly, declaring conflicts, protecting public resources, and refusing to normalise conduct that undermines the institution. It means we must not use the authority attached to public office for personal enrichment.

“When ethics and accountability are weakened and effectively undermined, the consequences are felt far beyond an audit report. Resources are diverted from communities, projects are delayed, incomplete or of poor quality, institutional morale declines and public trust is eroded,” Simelane said.

She encouraged aspiring public servants to establish strong professional values before entering the workplace, by maintaining accurate records, respecting governance controls and speaking out when wrongdoing occurs.

Innovation in a changing public sector

With rapid technological change, the Minister said digital platforms, including data analytics, artificial intelligence, geospatial information, and integrated financial systems, are reshaping how governments plan, spend, monitor and report.

However, she warned that technology cannot replace ethical leadership or sound judgement.

“Technology is not a substitute for judgement, ethics or accountability. Poor data produces poor decisions, and sophisticated systems cannot compensate for weak values,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s Just Energy Transition is gathering momentum, with growing investment in renewable energy creating new opportunities while the country works to secure reliable and affordable electricity.

In his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa highlighted the opening of the first phase of the Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm on the Mpumalanga Highveld as a significant symbol of South Africa’s changing energy landscape.

The wind farm, situated between Bethal, Davel and Morgenzon, has been developed by Seriti Green, a subsidiary of South African mining company Seriti Resources.

The first phase comprises 25 wind turbines with a combined generation capacity of 155MW. The electricity will be wheeled through Eskom’s transmission network to supply Seriti’s coal mining operations.

According to President Ramaphosa, the project is expected to form part of a much larger 900MW hybrid energy cluster incorporating wind, solar and battery storage.

Once completed, it is expected to be the largest hybrid energy facility in South Africa.

President Ramaphosa said the development was significant because it demonstrated that the country’s clean energy investment is not being driven solely by international investors, but also by South African companies investing in the country’s energy future.

The project is also symbolic of the transformation taking place in Mpumalanga, a province whose economy and communities have for generations been closely linked to coal.

“Since the late 1800s, the coalfields of Mpumalanga have helped industrialise our country,” President Ramaphosa said, pointing to the contribution of coal miners, artisans and power station workers who have helped produce the electricity that powers South Africa’s mines, factories, businesses, hospitals, schools and homes.

He said it was therefore significant that some of the energy systems of the future were now being developed on the Mpumalanga Highveld, drawing on existing strengths and resources while incorporating renewable technologies.

Renewable energy investment accelerates

Although coal continues to dominate South Africa’s energy mix, President Ramaphosa said renewable energy generation is growing rapidly.

Citing Statistics South Africa, he noted that renewable energy accounted for just 2% of locally generated electricity in 2016. That figure increased to 6% in 2021 and reached 9% in 2024.

South Africa now has close to 16GW of installed renewable energy capacity, while another 32GW of projects are in the grid connection process and are expected to connect by 2030.

The renewable energy expansion is also evident in households and businesses, particularly through rooftop solar.

According to Statistics South Africa figures, the number of households with solar panels increased by 86% over a three-year period, reaching 675,000 households in 2025.

The President said investment in clean energy technologies had accelerated during the years of load shedding and had been supported by significant legislative and regulatory reforms.

Among these was the removal of the licensing threshold for self-generation, together with the revival of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. These measures helped unlock greater private investment in electricity generation.

Investment and jobs at the centre of transition

The President said attracting investment in clean energy was important not only for South Africa’s climate commitments, but also for inclusive economic growth and job creation.

At this year’s South Africa Investment Conference, more than R50 billion in green energy investment commitments were announced.

Government has also released South Africa’s first Energy Infrastructure Investment Prospectus, which provides a coordinated pipeline of investment-ready projects across the electricity value chain.

But President Ramaphosa stressed that the Just Energy Transition cannot simply be about replacing coal with renewable energy.

It must also protect communities, workers and businesses that could be affected by the transition while creating new economic opportunities.

“Going green” must, he said, ultimately contribute to lower electricity costs for consumers.

The government is therefore working towards establishing a competitive electricity market in which different operators compete to provide electricity efficiently and at the lowest possible cost.

President Ramaphosa also pointed to recent policy developments, saying Cabinet had approved the publication for public comment of the Revised Electricity Pricing Policy and the draft Electricity Sector Market Transformation Position Paper.

He further said he had received a progress report from the task team working towards the establishment of a fully independent state-owned entity responsible for electricity transmission and the operation of the electricity market.

Ensuring communities benefit

For President Ramaphosa, the transformation taking place in Mpumalanga represents more than a change in the technology used to generate electricity.

The opening of Ummbila Emoyeni and the broader expansion of renewable energy demonstrate, he said, how South Africa has responded to its energy crisis by adapting, implementing reforms and laying the foundations for a different energy future.

The challenge now is to ensure that the benefits of this transition reach the communities and workers who have historically supported the country’s energy system.

President Ramaphosa said government would need to work with business, labour and civil society to ensure that the transition is inclusive and expands economic opportunity.

The ultimate goal, he said, should be a transition that leaves communities stronger than before while delivering secure, reliable and affordable electricity for South Africans both now and in the future. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, will on Wednesday visit the Harry Gwala District Municipality in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, in his role as District Development Model (DDM) Champion.

The DDM is designed to address problems with service delivery by allowing all spheres of government, from local municipalities to the national government, to work together in a more effective and coordinated way.

“Minister Nzimande’s visit follows a previous meeting with the Harry Gwala District Municipality and surrounding local municipalities and is intended to present the department’s response to the concerns that were raised in this meeting.

“The meeting will also provide the Minister with an update on the Status Report of the Political and Technical Hub, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Harry Gwala District Municipality, and the proposed projects by the department’s entity, the Technology, Innovation Agency (TIA),” the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

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National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have invited interested parties to submit written comments on the draft Crypto Assets Manual for cross-border activities (draft Manual).

“The draft Manual should be read together with the draft Regulations [draft Capital Flow Management Regulations 2026] as part of a broader effort to strengthen the oversight of cross-border financial activities and to address emerging risks associated with crypto assets,” a joint statement by the National Treasury and SARB said on Monday.

The proposed regulatory measures seek to minimise the risk of regulatory arbitrage between regulated entities conducting cross-border activities, and to enhance the ability of the Financial Surveillance Department (FinSurv) to detect, deter and disrupt illicit financial flows. 

“These measures will complement the existing regulatory oversight of crypto asset activities by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre and South African Revenue Service,” the statement said.

The call for public comments follows the publication of the draft Capital Flow Management Regulations, 2026 (draft Regulations) for public comment on 17 April 2026 and the joint media statement by National Treasury and the SARB on 15 May 2026, which addressed, among other matters, public concerns regarding the treatment, possession and trading of crypto assets, including the potential regulation of cross-border crypto asset transactions. 

The joint statement further indicated that a separate cross-border crypto asset framework, in the form of a draft Manual, would be released for public comment to complement the draft Regulations.

“The draft Manual provides practical guidance on the implementation of the draft Regulations regarding cross-border crypto asset transactions, in particular the application and adjudication process to conduct the business of an Authorised Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP), the permissions and conditions applicable to cross-border crypto asset transactions, details of related administrative responsibilities, and reporting requirements to FinSurv,” the statement said.

National Treasury and the SARB emphasised that comments received on the draft Regulations during the public consultation process are currently being considered. 

“Due to the release timing and the volume of the comments, this draft Manual has not yet taken into consideration the inputs already submitted in relation to the draft Regulations. The draft Regulations and draft Manual remain subject to refinement following the consideration of all public comments and stakeholder engagements,” the statement said.

The draft Manual provides clarity on the point at which crypto asset transactions are regarded as cross-border in terms of the draft Regulations. 

“The trigger point arises when crypto assets are transferred between a domestic Authorised CASP and an offshore CASP, or from a domestic Authorised CASP to a non-custodial wallet, resulting in a cross-border inflow or outflow that must be reported to FinSurv.

“The above means that only individuals, at this stage, will be allowed to externalise crypto assets via Authorised CASPs in terms of their single discretionary allowance or foreign capital allowance. 

“Providing the trigger point ensures that crypto asset transactions giving rise to cross-border flows are consistently identified, appropriately reported and effectively monitored,” the statement said.

The SARB has adopted an activity-based approach following research, testing and assessments of the benefits and risks. 

“It is important to note that, at this stage, this proposed approach neither distinguishes between different types of crypto assets, nor does it declare crypto assets an official currency in South Africa. 

“The SARB is still undertaking research and consultations on various other aspects of crypto assets, and both local and global developments will be tracked closely to make appropriate future enhancements to the draft Manual.” –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Government is calling on families whose loved ones died, disappeared, or were buried in Angola during the liberation struggle to come forward and register with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).

This comes after government officially launched the Angola phase of South Africa’s Exile Repatriation Programme on Friday in Pretoria at a media briefing hosted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and SAHRA.

The Exile Repatriation Project gives effect to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which called on government to continue tracing people who disappeared in political circumstances between 1960 and 1994.

Cabinet approved the initiative in Angola in March 2026 as part of government’s Five-Year Exile Repatriation Plan, which gives effect to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Governments of South Africa and Angola in December 2024 under the Roads to Independence: African Liberation Heritage Programme.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said the programme is about restoring dignity to families who have spent decades without answers.

“There is a woman in this country who was a girl when her brother walked out of the family home. She never saw him again. Today there are hundreds of families like hers. We are here to tell them that the waiting is coming to an end,” McKenzie said.

The Minister explained that Angola has been identified as the immediate focus because it holds the largest concentration of South Africans who died in exile during the liberation struggle. 

Government has already identified more than 400 possible burial sites across various regions of Angola, although the recovery process will remain complex due to landmines, overgrown and unmarked graves, deteriorated remains, difficult terrain and limited historical records.

The Minister acknowledged that despite the use of advanced forensic science and DNA analysis, some remains may never be recovered or identified.

McKenzie said applications are now open for families seeking the exhumation, forensic identification and repatriation of relatives who died in exile in Angola.

Government has emphasised that the programme is open to all South African families, regardless of political affiliation or organisational membership. 

Families can submit applications online through the SAHRA Exile Repatriation Portal at https://www.sahra.org.za/exile-repatriation/, where they can complete the application form, access a step-by-step application guide, download the repatriation request form and obtain detailed information about the programme. 

Families requiring assistance may also register telephonically or in person at SAHRA offices, Freedom Park, provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture offices and through military veterans’ structures, where assistance will be provided in their preferred language.

“Every family that applies will be supported. Where physical remains cannot be recovered, government will facilitate spiritual repatriation so that no family is left without an opportunity to honour their loved one,” McKenzie said.

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga described the initiative as a national obligation to honour those who sacrificed everything for South Africa’s freedom.

“This work is far more than an administrative exercise. It is a national duty. It is about restoring dignity to those who sacrificed everything for the freedom we enjoy today,” Motshekga said.

She said recovery teams continue to navigate mine-affected areas, unmarked burial sites, deteriorated remains and changing landscapes, making each recovery mission technically demanding and requiring close cooperation between South Africa, Angola and specialist forensic teams.

Motshekga urged families to come forward, emphasising that every testimony, document and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sample strengthens government’s ability to identify and return another liberation hero to their family. –SAnews.gov.za

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Team South Africa athletes finished the 2026 Commonwealth Games on a high note, clinching 28 medals – one more than at the 2022 Games in Birmingham. 

That placed the team 11th on the final medals table at the multi-sport event in Glasgow, Scotland, which began on 23 July 2026 and ends on 2 August 2026.

“The outstanding performer for Team SA was swimmer Pieter Coetze, who won three individual gold medals in the backstroke and two in the relay. Other gold medals came from Lara van Niekerk (swimming), Nathan Hendricks and Christian Sadie (para swimming) and Sinesipho Dlamini (athletics),” Team SA said on their website.

South Africa secured seven gold medals, 11 silver medals and 10 bronze medals.

On Saturday, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie congratulated Team South Africa on an outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the team started the day with 25 medals.

“This team went to Glasgow and did us proud. They have given it their all, and every single one of them comes home having helped to add another proud chapter to South Africa’s sporting history,” the Minister said in a statement.

A large part of Team South Africa’s delegation arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning.

Although the Minister was unable to welcome the team, he conveyed a message of congratulations to the athletes and officials through the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC).

“To every young South African who watched these Games: these athletes were once just like you, and you can write your own names into the record books if seeing these achievements lit a fire in your belly.

“And to every South African living with a disability who saw Nathan Hendricks, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke and Masala Makatu on that podium – that was a reminder that the focus of life should never be only on what you cannot do, or what may be denied to you, but rather should be on the many things you can do. By overcoming adversity, you inspire someone else facing their own struggles.

“We salute you all as the heroes you are, and I look forward to being with the whole team again soon,” McKenzie said.

The Minister confirmed that the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture would be arranging a formal reception for the full delegation once all athletes had returned from Glasgow. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says typical winter conditions are expected across the country this week, with some cold fronts passing south of South Africa.

“No significant weather is expected. Monday’s conditions will be fine and cool to warm, but partly cloudy in places, with isolated showers and rain along the east coast and adjacent interior,” the weather service said.

SAWS said forecasts and warnings will be updated as the likelihood and severity of impacts become clearer.

The public is also advised to remain cautious of unauthorised or unverified information sources and to refrain from sharing such information. — SAnews.gov.za

By William Baloyi
South Africa has built a world-class higher education system that has become a strategic national asset. Our universities are not only recognised among the best globally; they are centres of excellence that drive innovation, strengthen the economy, develop highly skilled graduates and contribute to global knowledge creation.

The growing international recognition of South Africa’s universities is a story worth celebrating. It reflects the enduring vision of a society where education, knowledge and opportunity are powerful drivers of transformation and progress. This vision was central to the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who recognised education as one of the most important tools for empowering people and building a more equal society. Today, the strong performance of South African universities in respected global rankings is more than a source of national pride; it reflects the country’s intellectual capital, capacity for innovation and ability to compete on the global stage.

As South Africa works to accelerate inclusive economic growth and create sustainable opportunities, the achievements of its universities serve as a powerful reminder that investing in knowledge is ultimately an investment in the nation’s future. This is a story of excellence, innovation and national capability. It reflects the quality of scholarship, research and graduates that South Africa continues to produce, while demonstrating how universities are advancing practical solutions to some of the country’s most pressing development priorities, from energy security and public health to food security, climate resilience and the future of work.

International rankings consistently place South African universities among the world’s leading institutions. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has emerged as Africa’s leading university in the 2026 Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR). This recognition reflects the university’s excellence in research, educational quality, faculty performance, and graduate employability, reinforcing the important role that South African universities play in advancing knowledge, innovation, and development across the continent and beyond.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) continues to receive global recognition for its academic excellence and research impact. In major international rankings, including the 2026/27 US News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings and the QS World University Rankings 2027, UCT is recognised as one of Africa’s highest-performing universities, reflecting its strength in research reputation, academic excellence, international collaboration and graduate outcomes. Together, these achievements demonstrate the depth of excellence within South Africa’s higher education sector and the ability of multiple institutions to compete among the world’s best.

The impact of South Africa’s universities is perhaps best demonstrated through the groundbreaking research they produce, including the work of Wits University public health leader and vaccinologist, Professor Shabir A. Madhi, who has been recognised with one of the world’s leading infectious disease honours. Professor Madhi will be receiving the 2026 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement, a recognition that not only reflects hard work and dedication but also affirms the global significance of South African research in combatting some of the world’s deadliest childhood diseases and pandemic threats.

Across the country, revolutionary breakthroughs are emerging through South African research as scholars develop practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. At the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), researchers are leading Africa’s first HIV cure trial, which has shown promising results in enabling some participants to remain virally suppressed without lifelong antiretroviral therapy, a significant milestone in the global fight against HIV. UKZN researchers are also advancing innovative solutions to improve water quality through cutting-edge chemistry research aimed at removing harmful pollutants from wastewater.

Similar contributions are being made at Stellenbosch University, where researchers are advancing work in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, biotechnology and health sciences. The university’s efforts in developing innovative agricultural technologies, improving food security and advancing sustainable energy solutions demonstrate how research can respond to national priorities while addressing global challenges. Through collaboration with industry, government and international partners, Stellenbosch University continues to translate scientific knowledge into solutions that support economic development and improve livelihoods.

South Africa’s commitment to impactful research is equally evident at the University of Pretoria (UP), where researchers are making significant contributions in fields including veterinary science, agriculture, engineering and artificial intelligence. Through the development of solutions that strengthen food security, improve animal health, support disease prevention and advance technological innovation, UP demonstrates how higher education institutions can play a vital role in strengthening communities and building a more resilient economy.

The University of Cape Town is also contributing to solutions for one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: energy security. Through its Energy Systems Research Group, UCT is conducting groundbreaking research that combines modelling, policy analysis and field-based studies to support evidence-based decision-making on energy transitions in South Africa and the broader region. This work assists policymakers, industry and communities in identifying pathways towards a more sustainable and reliable energy system.

UCT-led researchers have also made important advances in cancer research by studying how cancer cells change in ways that allow them to avoid detection by the immune system. This research could contribute to the development of new cancer treatments, early detection methods and vaccines, while demonstrating how South African scientists are contributing to global efforts to better understand and fight complex diseases.

The University of South Africa (UNISA) adds another important dimension to this story by demonstrating how open and distance learning can expand South Africa’s research capacity. In 2025, UNISA produced more than 550 doctoral graduates, highlighting the important role of accessible higher education in developing advanced skills, strengthening research capacity and producing the next generation of scholars and innovators. Each doctoral graduate represents new knowledge, innovation and future leadership that can contribute to South Africa, the continent and the world.

The global recognition of South Africa’s higher education excellence will reach another milestone when the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosts the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit from 29 September to 1 October 2026, marking the first time this prestigious gathering will be held on African soil.

Co-hosted with the University of Bristol, the summit will bring global leaders in higher education, research, policy, business and civil society to South Africa. It is a historic platform to showcase Africa’s contribution to global knowledge and to place South African scholarship at the centre of debates about inclusive, sustainable and future-ready societies.

As South Africa reflects on the remarkable achievements of its universities, we are reminded that education has always been at the heart of building a better society. Nelson Mandela understood that education is a powerful tool for transformation, one that unlocks human potential, expands opportunities and empowers generations to shape their own futures.

Today, South Africa’s universities are carrying this legacy forward. They are not only producing graduates and advancing knowledge; they are solving complex challenges, driving innovation and contributing to the development of a more inclusive and competitive nation. Their achievements demonstrate that South Africa has the talent, creativity and intellectual capacity to make meaningful contributions to the world.
The success of these institutions is the success of South Africa itself.

*Baloyi is the Deputy Spokesperson of the South African Government

 

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