Category: Africa

As South Africa observes TB Awareness Month, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has reported sustained progress in the fight against tuberculosis, particularly in reducing mortality, improving treatment outcomes and maintaining strong case detection.

In the first three quarters (Q1 – Q3) of the current 2025/26 financial year, the GDoH made notable progress in diagnosing and treating TB.

South Africa observes TB Awareness Month from 01–31 March 2026.

In a statement on Sunday, the provincial department said case-finding rates remained consistently high, with 95% of cases detected in Q1 (6655 of 6842 cases), 96% in Q2 (7481 of 7757 cases) and 95% in Q3 (6664 of 7020 cases).

“These results reflect the impact of intensive community-based screening and outreach programmes targeting townships, informal settlements and hostels. The department also focused on high-risk groups, including people living with HIV, ex-mine workers and sex workers.”

The GDoH exceeded treatment initiation targets, with over 20000 patients aged five years and older starting TB treatment in Q3, while 643 children under five began treatment.

“These successes were achieved through prompt monitoring of lost follow-ups, high testing rates, increased case finding and the implementation of the SMS strategy by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS),” said the department.

Treatment outcomes also showed positive trends with the department having reached a 71% treatment success rate for Rifampicin-Resistant/Multidrug-Resistant TB (RR/MDR-TB), driven by high retention in care and consistent mentorship for TB clinicians.

Mortality data also demonstrates measurable progress in saving lives. During Q1 and Q2, Gauteng recorded a total of 1131 TB-related deaths, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment adherence. 
Mortality audits indicate that late presentation at health facilities remains the primary contributor to TB fatalities, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and community engagement.
The department said these achievements are in line with the National END TB Campaign, which aims to screen five million people and improve TB case-finding, diagnosis and linkage to care.

“Gauteng also collaborates with key stakeholders, including private healthcare providers, mines, social development agencies and traditional and faith-based leaders, to expand access to testing and support adherence to treatment.”

The partnerships have enhanced outreach, especially in high-risk communities andimproved overall TB service delivery.

The department called on residents to take proactive action during TB Awareness Month.
Anyone experiencing persistent cough, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss should seek testing immediately.

Residents are urged to complete the full course of treatment, which is critical to curing TB and preventing drug resistance.

“Every life saved and every patient successfully treated demonstrates the impact of sustained effort and targeted interventions. We encourage residents to seek care early at their nearest clinics and to support family, friends and neighbours to complete treatment.

“TB is curable when treatedearly and together, we can reduce transmission and safeguard community health,” Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said. –SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says that while Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) has faced implementation shortcomings, it has led to measurable progress in economic inclusion, particularly through the growth of the Black middle class and advancement in industries such as mining and finance.

Speaking at the second Frank Dialogue on the future of B-BBEE in Durban on Saturday, Mashatile stressed the importance of addressing historical inequities to foster inclusive growth.

“I fully agree with the prevailing view among panellists that it is crucial to address historical inequities for fostering inclusive growth, emphasising the need for transformative policies such as B-BBEE,” he said.
However, the Deputy President acknowledged that the implementation of B-BBEE has faced inconsistencies and various hurdles over the years, some of which are still evident today.

“Economic opportunities remain largely concentrated, accompanied by significant skill deficits that impede the policy’s effectiveness. Furthermore, procurement processes often marginalise Black-owned enterprises, contradicting B-BBEE’s objectives.”

He warned that empowerment must be substantive rather than symbolic.
“Policy legitimacy depends on outcomes. Where empowerment becomes paper-based rather than production-based, where fronting occurs, and where exclusion persists, trust is weakened.”

Mashatile called for firmer and more consistent enforcement, supported by credible oversight, to close gaps exploited by fronting practices and aligning agency interests more closely with the principles of B-BBEE.

Reform
The Deputy President warned against conflating governance failures of implementation and broader governance issues with the intrinsic purpose and design of B-BBEE.

“It is misleading to attribute complex macroeconomic outcomes solely to the policy while ignoring other pressing factors, including structural constraints. Abandoning B-BBEE is not an option. The path forward is reform, strengthening and disciplined implementation.”
Government is undertaking a two-phase review of the B-BBEE framework, led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The aim, he said, is to refine and reinforce the policy so that it drives transformation, reduces corruption, and promotes inclusive, broad-based growth.

Mashatile referred to the BEE Commission’s 2022 National Status Report, which highlights annual certification data that tracks improvements in ownership, management control, skills pipelines, and supplier development, suggesting that transformation is advancing, albeit unevenly, rather than stagnating.
“This incremental upward trend is consistent with the Government’s stance that B-BBEE is a vital policy tool for promoting the meaningful involvement of historically disadvantaged groups, specifically women, youth, and persons with disabilities, in sectors where inequality persists,” the Deputy President said.

He emphasised that B-BBEE is also a moral obligation rooted in democratic processes. It aligns with Section 9(2) of the Constitution, which allows corrective actions to promote equality and redress discrimination.

The Deputy President linked empowerment policy directly to South Africa’s unemployment crisis.
According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate stood at 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, with 7.8 million people unemployed. The expanded rate, including discouraged work-seekers, reached 42.1%, while youth unemployment among those aged 15–24 stood at 57%.

On poverty and inequality, the World Bank estimates South Africa’s Gini coefficient at around 63, with the bottom 40% of the population accounting for just 11.5% of income, compared to nearly 60% for the top 20%.

“Transformative policies such as Affirmative Action, Employment Equity, and B-BBEE remain absolutely necessary because exclusion remains measurable and unabated. Thus, these transformative policies offer an opportunity to shape a future where everyone has equal opportunities, despite not starting from an equal footing.

“These policies are essential in addressing the significant wealth gap between Black and White South Africans, highlighting the need for race-based laws to ensure a more equitable playing field. It is through proper implementation that we can also address unemployment and youth exclusion in the key economic activities,” the Deputy President said.

He also pointed to persistent representation gaps, noting that persons with disabilities remain at around 1% of workforce representation, underscoring slow progress without stronger delivery mechanisms.
The Deputy President said urgent attention is required to deepen Black participation in key sectors, including agriculture, mining, finance, and manufacturing.

Citing economist Wandile Sihlobo’s book “A Country of Two Agricultures,” he noted that Black farmers account for only about 10% of South Africa’s commercial agricultural output.

“This stark figure tells us that our growth agenda must have a deliberate bias towards the empowerment of Black farmers,” he said.

He outlined how B-BBEE tools, including ownership, skills development, preferential procurement and enterprise development, can be leveraged to support land reform, open markets, and integrate emerging farmers into value chains.

He further referenced findings by the Competition Commission of South Africa showing persistent market concentration, with small and medium enterprises representing 95% of firms but contributing only 24% of turnover, compared to 76% from large firms.

“Empowerment must be about opening value chains and expanding productive inclusion, not only compliance,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

South African Tourism is monitoring developments of the global flight disruptions linked to the evolving situation in the Middle East and associated airspace closures, which are impacting international travel schedules.

“South African Tourism is aware of confirmed global flight disruptions and cancellations linked to the evolving situation in the Middle East and associated airspace closures, which are impacting international travel schedules.

We are closely monitoring developments in collaboration with aviation authorities, airports, airlines, and tourism partners to remain informed of any implications for travellers to and from South Africa,” South African Tourism said in a statement on Sunday.

South African Tourism, which is the tourism marketing arm of the South African government, has encouraged all travellers to contact their airlines, travel agents, or relevant airports directly to confirm the latest flight information before proceeding with travel arrangements.

It also advised affected travellers to engage their booking agents or airlines regarding rebooking and onward travel assistance. It added that the safety and well-being of visitors remain our highest priority. South Africa values every visitor who has chosen to visit our country.

“During this period of disruption, South African Tourism has no doubt that, in the true South African spirit of ubuntu, the tourism industry will ensure that affected travellers are supported while they await onward journeys to their respective homes. This collective care is a reflection or our humanity and reinforces South Africa’s reputation as a welcoming and responsive tourism partner,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, Dr Shamilla Chettiar.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create space for continued meaningful negotiations.

In addition, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that the current closure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace is having an impact on flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways, thus far.

The current flight disruptions are as follows:
• O.R. Tambo International (JNB): eight cancellations (seven outbound and one inbound).
• Cape Town International (CPT): four cancellations (outbound).
• King Shaka International (DUR): two cancellations (outbound).
–SAnews.gov.za

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced a comprehensive electricity tariff framework aimed at stabilising and revitalising South Africa’s ferrochrome industry.

Addressing the media on efforts to develop sustainable solutions for the ferrochrome industry, the Minister outlined the government’s efforts to develop sustainable solutions for the struggling ferrochrome industry. The industry has been severely impacted by rising electricity costs and challenging market conditions.

At a briefing on Friday, the Minister announced the government’s support for electricity tariff relief measures. 

These include a significant reduction in power costs for ferrochrome producers, notably proposed tariffs of around 62 cents per kilowatt-hour for major smelters such as Samancor Chrome and the Glencore-Merafe venture, down from an interim tariff of 87.74 cents per kilowatt-hour approved by the energy regulator in January 2026.

This is intended to stabilise operations, prevent job losses and attract more smelters back into production.

WATCH | Minister’s media briefing

Ramokgopa described the intervention as a “game changer” for the economy, attributing the turnaround at Eskom to enabling the government to intervene meaningfully in support of energy-intensive industries.

“It’s something that I could not have been able to announce about 18 months ago, and this has been made possible by the men and women of Eskom… for having the foresight in ensuring that we are able to design an acceptable framework that will make it possible for us to intervene in the South African economy.”

The intervention follows Section 189 retrenchment processes initiated by major ferrochrome producers, including Glencore and Samancor, which cited unsustainable electricity prices as their primary grievance.

Producers were previously paying around R1.35 per kilowatt-hour. Following engagements and regulatory approval by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), tariffs were reduced to approximately 87 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The Minister said the competitive benchmark is closer to 62 cents per kilowatt-hour — in line with international competitors like China.

Working within the existing fiscal framework, including the debt relief programme, government structured a solution that does not require new funding or shift costs onto residential consumers.

“We are not asking for new money. We have no intention of socialising this cost… we are working within the existing framework,” Ramokgopa said.

While the initial focus is on Glencore and Samancor due to their immediate distress, the Minister stressed that support will be extended to the broader sector through a phased approach.
“This is a phased intervention. We are starting here, but we are coming to everyone,” he said.

Over 11 000 direct jobs
The Minister noted that South Africa has 66 smelters, but only 11 are currently operational due to high electricity costs and market pressures.

He said the intervention is expected to see 45 smelters operating by December 2026 and 49 by December 2027, representing 74% of national capacity.

The framework is projected to support approximately 11 480 direct jobs and potentially 121 392 total jobs, including indirect employment across the value chain.

“When I talk smelters, I’m talking jobs, I’m talking [about an] injection into the South African economy. It means families can put food on the table. We have restored their dignity.”

Economic benefits
Government estimates that the intervention will generate an additional R20 billion in expenditure on raw minerals for beneficiation, deliver R5.5 billion in additional tax revenue to the fiscus, contribute approximately R76 billion in export earnings, and provide Eskom with an additional R17.9 billion in electricity revenue from 24-hour smelter operations.

Ramokgopa emphasised that the measures are not subsidies, but competitiveness interventions aimed at retaining beneficiation at source and breaking from historical extraction patterns.

“President [Cyril] Ramaphosa has made the point that we must move away from colonial patterns of extraction. There must be beneficiation at source. Electricity is the first mover in that process,” Ramokgopa said.

He added that the intervention represents the most significant announcement of his tenure as Minister.
“This is the gain we spoke about. We have paid the pain of load shedding. Now is the time for the return,” he said.

Industrial growth
Eskom Board Chairperson, Dr Mteto Nyati, described the announcement as a proud milestone in South Africa’s journey toward industrial growth and shared prosperity.

“We stand here not just to announce support for our smelters, but to celebrate what became possible when a utility recommits to its purpose. Our purpose is powering growth sustainably,” Nyati said.

He noted Eskom’s dual mandate, to operate as a commercially viable entity while advancing developmental objectives.

“Commercially, we must operate efficiently, deliver reliable power, manage our costs and secure financial health. Developmentally, we must recognise the critical role electricity plays in enabling jobs, beneficiation, exports and communities to thrive,” Nyati said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that the current closure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace is having an impact on flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways, thus far.

This follows recent military strikes in the Middle East.

ACSA owns and operates South Africa’s nine principal airports, including three international gateways: O.R. Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International Airports.

The current flight disruptions are as follows:
• O.R. Tambo International (JNB): eight cancellations (seven outbound and one inbound).
• Cape Town International (CPT): four cancellations (outbound).
• King Shaka International (DUR): two cancellations (outbound).

“Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airlines or relevant embassies directly for the latest flight schedules and status updates. ACSA remains committed to the safety of all travellers, and our thoughts are with those impacted by these disruptions,” it said.

ACSA is an entity of the Department of Transport.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of the Republic of South Africa have expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that the developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Presidency said the situation carries far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences.

READ | President Ramaphosa calls for dialogue in the Middle East

The President reiterated his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create space for continued meaningful negotiations.

“We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution. As a nation that has emerged from conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of the Republic of South Africa have expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that the developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Presidency said the situation carries far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences.

President Ramaphosa called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.

Referring to Article 51 of the UN Charter, the President noted that the provision provides for self-defence only when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion.

He emphasised that anticipatory self-defence is not recognised under international law, and that claims of self-defence are not permitted under international law, and self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation.

The President also stressed that experience has repeatedly demonstrated that there can be no military solution to fundamentally political problems that can and should be resolved diplomatically. Military confrontation has never delivered sustainable peace, nor has it addressed the legitimate grievances that underlie conflict.

“Long-term peace and stability can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and a genuine commitment to justice and coexistence.”

The President reiterated his call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create space for continued meaningful negotiations.

“We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution. As a nation that has emerged from conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za