Category: Africa

The Department of Employment and Labour says eliminating silicosis in non-mining sectors remains a key priority as government works towards eradicating the occupational disease by 2030. 

The Department’s Acting Deputy Director-General for Labour Policy and Industrial Relations, Thembinkosi Mkalipi, said South Africa has an obligation as a member of the international community and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to reduce workers’ exposure to the disease.

Mkalipi warned that available research continues to show increasing cases of silicosis and stressed that government is focusing on sectors where workers remain vulnerable.

He was speaking during a seminar held in Kempton Park on Tuesday to mark the release of findings from the benchmark study on silicosis in non-mining sectors.

Silicosis is an irreversible and progressive occupational lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. The disease leads to inflammation, permanent lung scarring and severe breathing difficulties. While treatment may include medication and avoiding further exposure, the condition is often fatal.

Workers in sectors such as construction, mining and stone fabrication are considered among the most vulnerable.

To determine the prevalence of silicosis in non-mining industries, the department commissioned research conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), the University of the Witwatersrand and the Wits Health Consortium.

The study analysed the prevalence of silicosis across industries between 2012 and 2018 and examined trends in deaths from silica-related diseases over the same period. It also sought to develop occupational health strategies and programmes to reduce exposure to respirable silica dust and support the elimination of silicosis in South Africa by 2030.

Head of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the National Institute for Occupational Health, Nisha Naicker, explained that the project was structured into three work packages.

“The first work package focused on prevalence assessment, the second on guiding prioritisation and implementation of elimination strategies, and the third on developing a toolbox of tools and methods for silicosis elimination,” Naicker said. 

Key findings from the first phase of the research showed that 225 workers participated in the study, with the majority having more than 10 years of work experience.

Most participants were from the brick-making sector (40%), followed by construction (34%). The ages of participants ranged from 24 to 65 years, with an average age of 45.

The study also found that 81.78% of participants were male and that workers with more than 10 years of experience had an average of 20 years in their respective sectors.

None of the participants reported a prior diagnosis of silicosis. However, screening showed that 12.44% experienced symptoms suggestive of Tuberculosis.

Chest X-ray examinations identified one case of silicosis, representing a prevalence rate of 0.5%. The affected worker, a 45-year-old crusher operator in the mineral processing sector with 15 years of experience, is currently receiving medical care.

Deputy Director in the Department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services branch, Warren Mallon, emphasised that safeguarding the safety and health of workers is a fundamental right.

He said occupational accidents, injuries and diseases carry significant human, social and economic costs, reaffirming the department’s commitment to eliminating exposure to silicosis.

“The department’s National Programme for the Elimination of Silicosis was initiated in 2004,” Mallon said, adding that the programme includes training inspectors and requiring employers to report on workers’ exposure levels.

He said South Africa remains on track to eliminate silicosis by 2030 in line with ILO obligations, while the department’s Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2024–2029 aims to achieve zero injuries and occupational diseases.

The study concluded that there is currently no single reliable method for collecting national data on silicosis cases.

Researchers recommended strengthening diagnostic processes, improving reporting under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, establishing a national silicosis register, analysing medical aid databases and conducting targeted surveys.

The research focused on sectors including construction, artificial stone manufacturing, brick manufacturing, pottery and ceramics.

Leading the third work package, David Rees of the University of the Witwatersrand said the study assessed silica exposure levels in 11 companies.

The findings showed that workers were at risk of silicosis in all sectors studied, except roof tile manufacturing.

Rees cautioned that the goal of eliminating silicosis could be undermined if exposure risks in workplaces are not addressed effectively. – SAnews.gov.za

79 views

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has placed the department’s Director-General, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, on precautionary suspension.

Buthelezi – along with Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services, Dr Malixole Percival Mahlati and Chief Financial Officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale – was arrested and appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria last week.

They face charges of fraud and theft related to the allegedly irregular appointment of two service providers at the department.

Buthelezi faces an additional charge of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

“The Minister [suspended Buthelezi] after receiving delegations from the President.

“The Minister has also placed the Deputy Director General for Hospitals Services, Tertiary Health Services and Human Resource Development, Dr Percy Mahlati, on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised, or until the expiry of his contract, whichever comes first.

“The Chief Financial Officer, Phaswa Mamogale, has also been placed on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised,” the department said in a statement.

Buthelezi’s suspension also lasts until his “cases are finalised or until his contract comes to an end, whichever comes first”.

“Minister Motsoaledi would like to allow the law to take its course. All officials affected by the decision have been formally notified of their suspensions. 

“In the meantime, the Minister has appointed the Deputy Director General for National Health Insurance, Prof Nicolas Crisp as acting Director General for a period of three months. 

“Minister Motsoaledi would like to assure the stakeholders and public that the department will continue to function optimally according to its mandate,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

0 views

The bonds of solidarity created during the liberation struggle that united South Africa and Kenya against apartheid now fuel an economic and diplomatic partnership “forged in the fires of history”. 

This is according to Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong who delivered remarks at the Global South Africans Fireside Chat and Networking Dinner held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Morolong reminded the audience that long before the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1994, the East African country “stood firmly on the side of justice and freedom for the people of South Africa”.

“When the struggle against apartheid demanded international solidarity, Kenya answered that call. Kenyan leaders, institutions, and ordinary citizens extended moral, diplomatic and political support to South Africa’s liberation movement.

“Indeed, Kenya’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, once reminded the world that Africa’s freedom would remain incomplete until South Africa was free,” he reflected.

That shared destiny, Morolong added, “continues to guide the partnership between South Africa and Kenya”.

He emphasised the strategic importance of both nations – proffering Kenya as the “economic and logistical gateway to East Africa” and South Africa anchoring the “economic activity in Southern Africa”.

“Together, we are not just participants in Africa’s development story, we are co-authors of it. In continental platforms such as the African Union, our nations have consistently worked together to advance peace, democratic governance, and economic integration.

“We share a commitment to the idea that African challenges deserve African solutions, and African opportunities deserve African partnerships,” the Deputy Minister said.

Mutual trade

Morolong added that the relationship extends beyond diplomacy but also reaches “boardrooms, factories, financial institutions, and technology platforms across Kenya”.

South African companies in the banking, media and entertainment, mobile communications and clothing sectors often choose the country as a base for East African operations.

“These companies represent more than corporate presence. They represent confidence in Kenya’s future, belief in Africa’s markets, and commitment to shared prosperity.

“They create jobs, transfer skills, support entrepreneurship, and help connect African economies in ways that strengthen the continent as a whole,” he said.

Furthermore, trade between the two countries reaches hundreds of million of Dollars.

South Africa’s exports to Kenya have reached some US$660 million while in the converse, exports to South Africa from Kenya stand at approximately US$50 million.

“These trade flows highlight the complementary strengths of our economies.

“South Africa brings industrial capacity and manufacturing expertise, while Kenya contributes agricultural excellence, logistics networks, and one of Africa’s most dynamic digital innovation ecosystems,” Morolong said.

He added that current strong trade between the two countries represents “only a fraction of what we could achieve tomorrow”.

Morolong explained that with the implementation of the (AfCTA) African Continental Free Trade Area represents a “transformative project for the continent”.

The agreement – the largest of its kind in the world – seeks to unlock opportunities on the continent by:

• Reducing tariffs across the continent
• Removing non-tariff barriers
• Promoting regional value chains
• Supporting industrialisation
• Encouraging African countries to trade more with each other rather than exporting raw materials to distant markets

“For Kenya and South Africa, this agreement is more than a trade framework.

“It is a continental development strategy. It allows South African manufacturing to integrate with East African supply chains. It enables Kenyan innovation and logistics to reach Southern African markets. It turns borders that once divided markets into bridges that connect opportunity,” he explained.

Addressing South Africans in the diaspora directly, the Deputy Minister described them as “ambassadors of South Africa’s spirit” and “bridge builders between markets, cultures, and opportunities”.

“You are bridge builders between markets, cultures, and opportunities. You represent the ingenuity, resilience, and diversity that defines South Africa.

“And in cities like Nairobi, where African innovation and entrepreneurship are thriving, your role becomes even more important. Because every partnership you build, every investment you make, and every collaboration you foster strengthens not only South Africa, but Africa as a whole,” he said.

Better Africa, Better World

Turning to continental positioning, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of nation branding, describing it as “about identity, credibility, and shared narrative”. 

“South Africa’s national brand is built on resilience, diversity, innovation, and democratic progress. Kenya’s national brand reflects entrepreneurship, technological leadership, creativity, and regional connectivity.

“When these two national brands align, they amplify each other. They send a message to investors, entrepreneurs, and young Africans across the continent that Africa is open for partnership, innovation, and growth. And perhaps more importantly, they help Africa tell its own story, confidently, authentically, and on its own terms,” Morolong said.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the enduring principle that “Africa rises when Africans work together”.

“So let us deepen our partnerships. Let us expand trade. Let us unlock the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“And let us continue building an African future defined not by limitations, but by possibility.

“Because when Kenya and South Africa walk together – Africa does not merely move forward, Africa leads,” Morolong concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

 

8 views

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed the latest Statistics South Africa Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures, which position the agricultural sector as the primary engine of South Africa’s economic resilience.

According to the latest data released by Statistics SA, South Africa’s GDP increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, contributing to an annual real GDP growth rate of 1.1% for the year.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector recorded significant growth of 17.4% in 2025 compared to 2024, making it one of the strongest performing sectors of the economy.

While some traditional pillars like mining faced headwinds, contracting by 0.6% due to declines in coal and platinum group metals, agriculture boosted the primary sector with a 0.4% increase in the final quarter, fuelled by strong performances in field crops and horticulture.

Agriculture a “beacon of hope”

Steenhuisen emphasised that the figures represent more than just statistics; they represent a lifeline for national development.

“The agricultural sector is no longer just a contributor to the fiscus; it is a beacon of hope for job creation and national prosperity. No mistake should be made – this success is not merely the result of putting seeds in the ground.

“We are witnessing the evolution of a high-tech, scientific, and economically sophisticated industry. This is the new era of farming that offers our youth a diverse range of careers in tech-driven production, global logistics, and scientific research,” the Minister said.

He added that the 2025/26 financial year results solidify agriculture’s role as an important stabiliser of the South African economy.

The Ministry and the Department of Agriculture reaffirmed its committed to creating an environment where innovation and technical skills can continue to drive growth in the sector.

Strengthening agricultural partnerships

Meanwhile, Steenhuisen has held a meeting with Kuwait Ambassador to South Africa, Salem Al-Shebli, to explore agricultural investment opportunities between the two countries.

The discussions also included the intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will strengthen collaboration and unlock new opportunities for growth, trade and innovation in the agricultural sector.

“South Africa continues to build strategic partnerships that support food security, investment, and the development of the agricultural sector,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday. – SAnews.gov.za

94 views

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will hand over land and title deeds to the Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family, also known as the Schulk Marhiqa Communal Property Association (CPA) in Mpumalanga, on Friday.

The Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family land claim comprises 18 households and 86 beneficiaries.

“The claimant family lived on the subject properties in the early 1700s. The land parcels claimed by the claimant family measure more than 627 hectares, situated within the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality’s jurisdiction,” the Presidency said on Wednesday.

The claim was lodged before the old order claims cut-off date of 31 December 1998, as set out in the Restitution of Land Rights Act, by Schulk Ngazimbi Marhiqa Mtshoeni on behalf of the affected families.

“For three decades, the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) has been at the forefront of South Africa’s transformation journey, restoring dignity through land restitution. 

“Every restored hectare, every handed-over title deed, and every resolved claim is a step towards justice, a tangible symbol of the government’s commitment to healing historical wounds and rebuilding South Africa into a just and equitable country,” the Presidency said.

The Presidency asserted that the commission’s work also demonstrates that land restitution is more than compensation – it is the restoration of identity, belonging, and opportunity to the beneficiary communities.

The title deeds will be issued to the family claimants for the two Grootvlei 293 IS Farm properties, divided into Portion 24 and 26. 

The properties are owned by the land claimants through the Schulk Marhiqa CPA.

The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, will accompany the Deputy President to Secunda in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District, in Mpumalanga Province. –SAnews.gov.za

 

55 views

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo has directed that a joint task team be established between Rustenburg Local Municipality and Magalies Water to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure sustainable water provision for residents of Rustenburg.

Seitlholo issued the directive during a stakeholder meeting held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre Council Chamber on Monday. The meeting brought together key stakeholders responsible for water services in the area to assess the progress of ongoing interventions and discuss challenges affecting water supply.

During the meeting, Moses Kotane Local Municipality raised concerns about ageing infrastructure and vandalism of boreholes, which have contributed to water supply disruptions in several areas.

In response, Seitlholo indicated that the municipality would be considered for inclusion in the Department of Water and Sanitation’s National Borehole Refurbishment Programme for restoring non-functional boreholes.

The Deputy Minister also urged stakeholders to present accurate assessments of their infrastructure and operational challenges, warning that problems cannot be resolved if they are not openly acknowledged.

“This meeting is not about presenting perfect reports. It is about presenting the true situation so that we can work together to find solutions,” he said.

Seitlholo further emphasised that sanitation challenges must be addressed with the same urgency as water supply issues.

“Communities are not only affected by water shortages [but] also by flooded sewer systems and failing wastewater treatment plants that result in sewage spillages. Sanitation is just as important as water supply,” he said.

He encouraged the Rustenburg Local Municipality and Magalies Water to engage further on water allocation issues to improve alignment and coordination.

The Deputy Minister also urged stronger collaboration between municipalities and Magalies Water to ensure infrastructure projects are implemented efficiently and within agreed timeframes.

“Sustainable solutions require cooperation, accountability and a shared commitment to improving water and sanitation services for communities.”

The task team has been requested to provide feedback to the Deputy Minister by Friday, 20 March 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

49 views

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has described the Constitution as a vital framework for the sustenance of democracy.

The Minister delivered a statement in the National Assembly on Tuesday on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

Citing the words of former President Tata Nelson Mandela on the day the Constitution was adopted with a call for the improvement of lives, Kubayi called for lawmakers and public office bearers to reflect on the work needed to build a better life for all.

“It is time for all of us to reflect on this 30 years of our Constitution and recommit to ‘improve the quality of life of the people’ and recognise that “there is nothing else that can justify the existence of government but to redress the centuries of unspeakable privations, by striving to eliminate poverty, illiteracy, homelessness and disease.

“We celebrate the 30 years of the Constitution not because it is perfect but it is a vital framework for the sustenance of our democracy, progressive realisation of human rights, and accountability,” Kubayi said.

The Constitution was adopted 30 years ago, following collective negotiations with a number of politicians, legal scholars, intellectual architects and negotiators, and mass public participation.

“On 8 May 1996, elected representatives of the people of South Africa gathered in Parliament to celebrate the victory of the many years of struggle for freedom and democracy. Two years after our democratic elections, it was on this occasion that the Constitution, that is now part of who we are as South Africans, was adopted as the supreme law of the land, binding the executive, the legislature and the judiciary alike.

“The adoption of the constitution marked a significant and irreversible moment in our people’s march towards a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.

“Our constitution did not only codify the norms and procedures of our democracy, but it also gave an expression to the aspirations of the majority of South Africans, thus becoming an integral part of who we are as South Africans,” Kubayi said.

She noted that the diversity of parties currently represented in Parliament is a testament of the “enduring legacy of what the Constitution has made possible in the ever-evolving political landscape of our country”.

Some 18 parties occupy the 400 seats that are available in the National Assembly.

“The parties represented here today were freely elected in open, free and fair elections representing the will of the people, giving life to the expression, ‘The people shall govern’, which is one of the cardinal pillars of our Constitution and democracy,” she told the assembly.

Depths of despair

Kubayi highlighted that the period before the adoption of the democratic Constitution was one where South Africa was at the depth of apartheid and preceding that, colonialisation.

She described pre-democracy South Africa as a place of “race-based dehumanisation and systematic dispossession and exclusion of the majority from political and economic participation”.

“Broadly speaking, our Constitution was drafted to achieve peace, unity and stability after many years of painful and violent struggle and secondly, to lay a foundation for a transformation of the South African society, so as to ‘Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights’.

“The drafters of the Constitution sought to negate the many years of racial segregation and institutionalised racial hierarchy.

“An honest assessment can only be done by looking at the provisions or elements of the Constitution and the concrete realities of the South African society. Except for sporadic and infrequent ill-informed discontent with our constitutional democracy, the Constitution has, in large measure, achieved the goal of creating a stable, peaceful and united country,” the minister stated.

Reflecting on the preamble of the Constitution, Kubayi highlighted that South Africans – despite the depravity of apartheid and colonisation – chose to say: “South Africa belongs to all who live in it – black and white”.

“South Africans refused to let the painful past get in the way of the creation of a future in which all South Africans, black and white, could live together, and build an equitable and prosperous country.

“Our judiciary has been consolidated into a unitary hierarchical structure that has asserted its independence with decisiveness and stood the test of time as a protector and defender of people’s rights.

“It is the transformation of [South Africa in all its dimensions], all of which can only be realised progressively… It is also precisely on the transformation project that our Constitution reveals its brilliance and foresight,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za

0 views

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo has urged the Rustenburg and Moses Kotane Local Municipalities, the Bojanala District Municipality and Magalies Water to work together to address infrastructure failures and service delivery constraints affecting reliable water supply to communities.

Seitlholo made the call during a stakeholder meeting held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre Council Chamber on Monday. The meeting brought together key stakeholders responsible for water services in the area to assess the status of ongoing interventions that are currently underway.

Among the issues discussed included disruptions to bulk water supply and wastewater management challenges contributing to water pollution in Rustenburg and Moses Kotane Local Municipalities.

The Deputy Minister emphasised the need for stronger coordination, accountability and practical, time-bound solutions to restore operational stability across affected systems.

Seitlholo expressed serious concern about contamination in the Vaalkop Dam, where alien invasive Salvinia plants have spread extensively, covering almost the entire surface of the dam.

He said the presence of Salvinia plants significantly affects the ecological balance of the water resource by blocking sunlight, reducing oxygen levels, damaging aquatic ecosystems, and complicating water abstraction processes.

Seitlholo highlighted the impact of dysfunctional wastewater treatment works in both Rustenburg and Moses Kotane, which have contributed to deterioration of water quality in the area.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has since taken regulatory action by issuing notices and directives under the National Water Act to address the discharge of untreated sewage into water resources.

Seitlholo stressed that the department has a clear mandate in wastewater management, sanitation and pollution control, but must intervene when broader water service challenges threaten the sustainability of water resources.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that our water resources are protected and managed properly. When wastewater treatment systems fail and untreated, sewage enters our water bodies, it undermines the very resources that communities depend on,” the Deputy Minister said,” he said.

On operational challenges, Seitlholo noted that the Kortbegrip Reservoir System is currently operating with only one functional pump instead of three, significantly limiting its water supply capacity.

He raised concerns about persistent electricity supply challenges at the Phatsima Pump Station, which have been ongoing since 2023, and remain a major constraint to water distribution.

The Deputy Minister also raised concern about the Tlhabane Reservoir under the Pilanesberg Phase 2 Project, which remains non-operational because the Mafenya Pump Station has not yet been energised. This is despite the project having already been officially unveiled.

He further pointed out that the decommissioning of the Bospoort Reservoir has placed additional pressure on the remaining 35-megalitre reservoir, which is unable to meet growing water demand.

In addition, Bospoort Plant 3 is operating with only three of the required five pumps, resulting in frequent operational failures and reduced supply capacity.

Frequent pipe bursts along the Monakato pump line were also identified as a major challenge, often causing water supply disruptions lasting between two and three days.

“These cumulative challenges have resulted in recurring water interruptions, growing frustration among communities, and negative consequences for economic activity and basic service delivery,” the Deputy Minister said.

Seitlholo noted that the National Water Act and the Water Services Act clearly define responsibilities of the various institutions involved in water management.

While the department is responsible for managing water resources and overseeing bulk water supply, local municipalities serve as Water Services Authorities responsible for distributing water to communities.

“Once water is supplied to municipalities, the responsibility for its distribution and management lies with the local authority. Magalies Water provides bulk water in accordance with its licence conditions, but municipalities must ensure that the water reaches households and communities through properly functioning infrastructure,” he explained. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

13 views