Category: Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that eThekwini will be the venue for the 46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to be held in August 2026. 

The President announced this when he delivered remarks at the unveiling of the statues of struggle stalwarts, former President Nelson Mandela and ANC leader Oliver Tambo in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday. 

The President described the decision as a worthy recognition of the progress that has been made together with all social partners in restoring confidence in the city and encouragement to complete the work.

“We look forward, as the chair of SADC, to invite leaders from across the region to gather here in eThekwini – where the African Union was launched – to deliberate on issues that are critical to the growth and development of Southern Africa. This would be a fitting tribute to the legacy of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo,” he said. 

The announcement comes as South Africa assumes the interim leadership of the regional bloc.

President Ramaphosa was elected interim Chairperson of SADC during a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held on 7 November 2025.

The decision followed the Republic of Madagascar’s move to relinquish its role as SADC Chair due to recent political developments that affected its capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of the position.

In line with provisions of the SADC Treaty, South Africa, as Deputy Chair, has assumed interim leadership of the regional body until August 2026, when the Summit is expected to make a formal determination.

SADC leaders had originally appointed South Africa as the incoming 46th Chair during the 45th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in August 2025. The Summit is the highest policy-making structure of the regional bloc.

Due to developments in Madagascar, however, South Africa has taken over earlier than anticipated and, as interim Chair, will host all SADC meetings from November 2025.

According to the Summit communiqué, South Africa will steer SADC under the theme adopted in August 2025: “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.”

The hosting of the 46th SADC Summit in eThekwini is therefore expected to cement South Africa’s leadership role within the bloc, while positioning the coastal city as a centre for regional diplomacy and economic cooperation in the year ahead. – SAnews.gov.za 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the unveiling of the 10-meter-tall statues of struggle icons Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in eThekwini as a powerful affirmation of South Africa’s democratic journey and a call to active citizenship. 

Former African National Congress (ANC) Leader Oliver Tambo’s statue was installed at Durban’s Beachfront, and former President Nelson Mandela’s stands at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. 

Speaking at the ceremony in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, the President said the monuments honour the two struggle icons for their contribution to freedom, social justice and the empowerment of South Africans.

“Monuments of this nature are important for preserving our history and heritage. They anchor the collective memory of a nation,” President Ramaphosa said.

The unveiling coincides with 30 years since the adoption of South Africa’s democratic Constitution. The President highlighted the historic role both leaders played in shaping the country’s constitutional democracy. 

It was Tambo, he noted, who initiated the drafting of the ANC’s Constitutional Principles while liberation movements were still banned and apartheid repression was at its height. A decade later, President Mandela signed the democratic Constitution into law.

“It is one of the great coincidences of our history that the two partners of Mandela and Tambo Attorneys were each to play such pivotal parts in the development and adoption of our democratic Constitution,” he said.

A shared legacy of justice

President Ramaphosa reflected on the partnership between Mandela and Tambo, founded on a shared commitment to justice. Through their law firm, they defended the rights of the poor and marginalised, and later, as leaders of the ANC and founders of Umkhonto we Sizwe, took up arms against apartheid. 

Even during nearly three decades of separation – Mandela imprisoned and Tambo in exile – both leaders remained committed to the same vision of a non-racial, democratic South Africa. 

The President said the statues are not merely artistic works but enduring reminders of the values the two leaders embodied: integrity, service, peace and unity.

“They remind us of what we value as a society,” he said, urging South Africans to reject racism, tribalism and sexism, and to continue building a country that belongs to all who live in it.

Call for peace and ethical leadership 

Describing Mandela and Tambo as men of peace, who sought dialogue over conflict, President Ramaphosa said they would have been deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and would have called for adherence to the United Nations Charter and an immediate ceasefire.

He also stressed the need for ethical and selfless leadership in contemporary South Africa.

“They would have joined us in calling for an immediate ceasefire and for the conflict to be resolved through meaningful and earnest negotiations.

“These are leaders that we need today. Leaders that will serve. Leaders that are selfless. Leaders that are honest and ethical,” he said.

Quoting the National Development Plan, the President emphasised that leadership applies in every sphere of life and that citizens should strive to follow the example set by the country’s liberation heroes.

Boost for tourism and regional diplomacy

President Ramaphosa said the statues are expected to enhance tourism in eThekwini, one of South Africa’s premier tourist destinations. He noted that more than 6.8 million people visited the city’s beaches and promenade over the festive season, with over 1.2 million bathers recorded at municipal swimming pools.

In a further boost for the city, the President announced that eThekwini will host the 46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in August 2026.

As chair of the regional bloc, South Africa looks forward to welcoming leaders from across Southern Africa to deliberate on issues critical to the region’s growth and development, he said.

Preserving memory for future generations

President Ramaphosa recalled eThekwini’s historical significance in the lives of both leaders, including Mandela’s final night in the city before his arrest in 1962 and Tambo’s handover of the ANC presidency to Mandela at the organisation’s 48th National Conference in 1991.

“These statues are more than just art. They are promises – promises made by a free people to themselves that they will not forget what it cost to be free,” he said. 

By erecting the statues, the nation affirms its gratitude to Mandela, Tambo and their families for the sacrifices made in pursuit of freedom, the President added.

“It is said that a nation that forgets its past has no future. We choose to have a future by remembering our past,” the President concluded. – SAnews.gov.za 

The Department of Water and Sanitation has reaffirmed that access to sufficient, safe and reliable water is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for advancing dignity, gender equality and social justice.

The department’s remarks come as South Africa marks National Water Month in March, which coincides with Human Rights Month and International Women’s Day on 8 March.

The alignment of these commemorations, the department said, reinforces a rights-based approach to addressing the country’s water challenges and underscores government’s constitutional obligation to progressively realise the right to water for all.

“In communities without safe drinking water, inequalities disproportionately affect women and girls,” the department noted.

South Africa is currently facing water supply challenges in several regions due to systemic issues, including inadequate planning and investment, years of infrastructure neglect, rising water demand driven by economic and population growth, urbanisation and unsustainable practices. Pollution has further reduced the availability of usable water.

In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared water supply challenges a national crisis. During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February 2026, the President announced a comprehensive national intervention, drawing on the successful multi-agency model applied to stabilise the energy sector.

“To centralise and accelerate recovery, government has established the National Water Crisis Committee, chaired by the President. This body will coordinate all state efforts to address the water crisis, drive the required reforms in the water sector, and deploy national resources and technical experts to struggling municipalities,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has announced a series of nationwide activities in March to highlight government’s response to water security challenges, infrastructure maintenance and investment, as South Africa observes National Water Month.

Commemorated annually from 1 – 31 March, National Water Month underscores the importance of managing water as a shared national resource and strengthening resilience for future generations.

The campaign is led by the Department of Water and Sanitation, and promotes water conservation, infrastructure development, and collective action to safeguard the country’s limited water resources.

The programme builds on the United Nations’ World Water Day, commemorated globally on 22 March each year. World Water Day raises awareness about the millions of people who still lack access to clean and safe drinking water, and galvanises global efforts to achieve universal access to safe water by 2030, in line with sustainable development goals.

National Water Month expands this focus locally by promoting the sustainable management of freshwater resources and advocating for long-term water security.

Water and gender

This year’s World Water Day focuses on the the, ‘Water and Gender’, under the slogan, ‘Where Water Flows, Equality Grows’. It places women and girls at the centre of water solutions. It calls for their voices, leadership and agency to be fully recognised in water governance and decision-making processes.

The theme advances a transformative, rights-based approach to addressing water challenges.

In a statement, the department noted that in many communities, women and girls spend hours collecting water, limiting their time for education, economic participation and family care.

“Safe access to water eases these burdens, enhancing health, safety and opportunities. When women and girls participate equally in water governance, services become more inclusive, sustainable, and effective. Water then transforms into a catalyst for a healthier, prosperous and gender-equal future, benefiting us all,” the department said.

Infrastructure investment and water supply interventions

The Department of Water and Sanitation is currently implementing various bulk water supply schemes in some parts of the country to ensure municipalities have sufficient potable water to supply to communities.

In addition, large-scale water resource development projects are underway nationally and are reported to be progressing relatively well.

“The DWS is also exploring further water projects development to augment to the current available surface water, such as leveraging on groundwater, desalination of sea water, protection of freshwater springs and wastewater reuse,” the department highlighted.

Throughout the month of March, the Ministry of Water and Sanitation will lead engagements across the country to assess progress on various projects under implementation and bring together communities, experts and innovators to find solutions to water security challenges. Discussions will focus on conservation, pollution, climate change impacts, as well as flood and drought management.

The department will also encourage entities, role players, partners and stakeholders, as well as the general public to participate in a new orientation around the country’s water resources to ensure future sustainability, affordable and reliable access to safe water and sanitation for socio-economic growth, while respecting environment. – SAnews.gov.za

Interventions implemented by the Higher Education and Training Department six months ago have restored governance and trust in three Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Minister Buti Manamela said on Tuesday.

Addressing the media on progress made by administrators appointed to stabilise three SETAs, the Minister reflected on his decision of 19 August 2025 to place the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) and the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) under administration.

Manamela said the decision, announced less than a month after his appointment, was a necessary and decisive step to stabilise governance, restore institutional integrity, enforce consequence management, and protect the credibility of South Africa’s skills development system.

“Six months later, the evidence is clear: the decision was not only justified, but essential,” Manamela said, noting that his report to the public comes against the backdrop of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), which reaffirmed skills development as central to South Africa’s economic renewal.

The Minister detailed systemic governance failures at each institution that necessitated intervention.

CETA had accumulated four consecutive qualified audit opinions and overcommitted discretionary grant (DG) funds by R1.4 billion against an annual income of only R500 million, placing public funds at severe risk. The total commitments stood at R2.7 billion, while internal controls had collapsed, litigation exposure was rising, and labour relations were strained.

Services SETA had received seven consecutive qualified audit opinions, without consequence management over a seven-year period. Investigations uncovered systemic supply chain failures, a former CEO who failed to disclose his relationship with an awarded bidder, and a pattern of pre-payment for services before contracts commenced.

“Despite three major investigations, not a single official had been held accountable,” the Minister said.

LGSETA faced findings from a National Treasury forensic report confirming the irregular appointment of its Chief Executive Officer and the unlawful dissolution of its Audit and Risk Committee.

A criminal case was registered with the South African Police Service on 10 October 2025, while a protracted dispute with the Auditor-General, compounded by a cyberattack that corrupted financial records, creating a discrepancy exceeding R1.5 billion, had paralysed the institution’s governance and audit readiness.

“In each case, administration was the appropriate and proportionate remedy under the Skills Development Act,” Manamela said.

Governance reform and recovery

Manamela said the administrators were given a clear mandate to “restore controls, strengthen financial and operational management, rebuild stakeholder trust, and re-anchor these institutions in their statutory responsibilities. Let me report on delivery against that mandate”.

At CETA, Administrator Oupa Nkoane implemented a four-phase recovery plan comprising 35 activities across 11 performance areas.

Of these, 23 have been fully achieved and 12 are in progress, and “not one has been abandoned.”

The Minister announced that a permanent Chief Financial Officer assumed duty on 2 March 2026, ending nearly two years of acting leadership.

“All key oversight committees, i.e. the Audit and Risk Committee, Clean Audit Task Team, EXCO and Extended EXCO, have been reconstituted and are operational. More than 20 internal audit findings in ICT have been resolved. Salary negotiations have been concluded, restoring workforce stability.

“Seven Skills Centre projects are underway across KwaZulu-Natal, the North West, the Northern Cape, and Western Cape, implemented in partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa as implementing agent. The institution’s reputational recovery is tangible: social media reach expanded from 15 000 accounts in the entire previous calendar year, to over one million accounts between January and February 2026 alone — a 6.567% increase,” the Minister highlighted.

At Services SETA, Administrator Lehlogonolo Masoga reduced legacy commitments from R3.4 billion in March 2025 to R2.8 billion by January 2026.

A legal and accounting review classified 1 434 transactions, with many declared prescribed and eligible for cancellation. Notices totalling R2.3 billion were also issued through national platforms, with potential recoupment of up to R2.8 billion for reinvestment into discretionary grants.

An acting CA(SA)-qualified CFO was appointed in February, and no new irregular or wasteful expenditure has been recorded since administration began.

“For beneficiaries, the 20 000-internship programme, providing two-year workplace exposure with host employers, is operational. Furthermore, the Services SETA has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with Takealot to create 20 000 training and job opportunities for unemployed youth.

“A R1.3 billion bursary fund supports 10 000 TVET [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] College students and 5 000 university students. The SETA has settled outstanding bursary payments previously owed to universities and colleges, a failure that had directly harmed students. The Hawks and the Public Protector are conducting independent investigations into alleged fraud and corruption,” the Minister said.

At LGSETA, Administrator Zukile Mvalo prioritised the implementation of the forensic report. Disciplinary processes against the implicated CEO are underway, and a legal dispute with the Auditor-General has been resolved to restore governance stability.

The Labour Court ruled in favour of the Minister and LGSETA regarding the former CEO’s employment challenge.

Manamela said the progress demonstrates that decisive intervention can restore accountability and ensure that levy payers’ funds serve their intended purpose, equipping South Africans with skills to drive economic growth and social development. – SAnews.gov.za

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has extended the acting period of the Executive Director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Dr Hlengani Bila, until the vacancy is filled.

“This extension, also supported by the Portfolio Committee on Police, is intended to ensure continued stability and effective leadership within the Directorate,” Cachalia said on Tuesday.

Dr Bila has been acting in this capacity since August 2025, after the contract of the former IPID Head, Jennifer Ntlatseng, ended.

“The process to fill the Executive Director position is currently underway, and further updates will be provided as developments unfold,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za