Category: Africa

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo, has welcomed the signs of recovery in water storage levels at several reservoirs in the City of Tshwane, noting that most areas of Region 1 in the north western part of the city are now receiving water as recovery efforts gain momentum.

Mahlobo, accompanied by the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, conducted an oversight visit to the Klipgat, Mabopane Main and Soshanguve L reservoirs on Wednesday.

The visit aimed to assess progress made by the city in implementing measures to increase water supply capacity, stabilise reservoir levels, and strengthen system performance in critical areas.
The Soshanguve L Reservoir remained stable throughout the day, with all areas supplied directly and through the tower zone currently receiving water.

Reservoir levels at Mabopane Main, Klipgat and Kruisfontein remain low but are holding steady and showing slow, gradual improvement as system balancing measures continue.

Mahlobo emphasised that the department’s primary objective is to support and strengthen the city’s efforts to restore stable water supply.

“We are here first and foremost to support the City of Tshwane and to ensure that residents receive reliable water supply. Our approach is to work with the city, provide the necessary intervention, and assist in accelerating progress where challenges exist.”

However, Mahlobo emphasised that support must be met with decisive action, warning that if the city fails to fulfil its responsibilities and stepping up its performance, the department will not hesitate to escalate its intervention.

“Where there is insufficient progress, we will take the necessary steps to assume greater responsibility to safeguard water security for residents,” said the Deputy Minister.

While reiterating that cooperative governance remains the preferred approach, he stressed that accountability and measurable improvements are non-negotiable to ensure sustainable service delivery.

Mahlobo also raised serious concern about the condition of certain facilities, citing inadequate maintenance and neglect. He directed that the Soshanguve L Reservoir be restored to full operational capacity within three months, describing its current condition as unacceptable and in urgent need of remedial action.

He further noted that the Klipgat Reservoir is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and equipment, which must be properly maintained and effectively utilised to support supply stability.

The oversight visit forms part of the department’s ongoing interventions to address persistent water supply challenges in Gauteng, where residents continue to experience intermittent supply due to system pressure constraints, rising demand, and ageing infrastructure.

The department and the city will continue close monitoring of the system and implementation of corrective measures.

Residents have been urged to use water sparingly to sustain recovery efforts and support long-term system stability. – SAnews.gov.za
 

South Africa is marking a significant milestone in agricultural trade, with the country’s first consignment of stone fruit having departed for China.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, accompanied by the People’s Republic of China Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, visited the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek on Wednesday, 18 February, where the inaugural shipment was prepared for export.

The consignment comprises approximately 20 000 cartons of premium plums, primarily the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties. This shipment marks the official commencement of the stone fruit trade protocol, a move set to transform the local deciduous fruit industry.

Speaking at the event, Steenhuisen highlighted that the opening of this Chinese market is no longer just an aspiration, but a fundamental necessity for South Africa’s economic growth.

“Today, the Chinese market is a strategic necessity, not merely an opportunity for South Africa’s agricultural resilience. This is a milestone that Ambassador Peng and I have worked toward together, and today I am happy that we have realised it,” the Minister said.

The export follows the signing of a bilateral trade agreement granting South African produce 0% tariff access to the Chinese market, significantly enhancing the global competitiveness of local growers.

Diversification and economic growth

China imports approximately $200 billion worth of agricultural products annually. South Africa currently holds a modest 0.4% market share.

Steenhuisen said the country aims to drastically expand its footprint, with plans to double the current R400 million export value over the next four years.

“South Africa does have the capacity to provide the quality and quantity of fruit that consumers in China will enjoy. The implementation of this stone fruit protocol will offset the immediate impact of tariffs imposed by other trading partners, particularly on plums. I am confident that our volumes into the Chinese market are going to increase tremendously,” the Minister said.

Expansion to cherries and blueberries

The plum shipment is the first phase of a broader expansion strategy.

Steenhuisen confirmed that government is in the final stages of concluding a trade protocol for cherries, with a blueberries protocol expected later this year.

He commended industry leaders, growers and packhouse staff for their tireless efforts in meeting the rigorous phytosanitary standards required to access the Chinese market, describing their efforts as instrumental in securing the breakthrough. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has developed a Spatial Industrial Development (SID) Strategy to accelerate the rollout of major catalytic industrial projects, which will benefit small businesses and communities across the country’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The successful implementation of the strategy and its potential positive impact dominated discussions at the SEZs Chief Executive Officers Forum in Sandton on Tuesday.   

According to the SEZs Advisor at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Maoto Molefane, the SID Strategy aims to strengthen the effectiveness of spatial initiatives, unlock private sector–led investment, and increase overall socio-economic impact. 

“One important point of reference in this regard is the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises work packages that the Tshwane Automotive SEZ promotes in its implementation strategy. 

“The ultimate goal is to have the greatest possible socio-economic impact. This will be accomplished through Afrocentric and transformative industrial enterprises with value-chain connections across several African nations,” he said.

Molefane added that one important channel for achieving this goal is the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

The agreement aims to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-African trade.  

“To enable the realisation of the objectives that underpin the SID Strategy, a number of deliberate strategic interventions are outlined in the strategy document. These are transversal in nature and span from governance to operational issues. Notably, these will be mainly championed by the dtic,” Molefane said.

The Executive Director of the Industrial Zones Programme (IZP) at the Industrial Development Corporation, Lionel October, said the strategy emphasised the need to scale up the SEZs across South Africa.

“The current investment climate is positive, but it is not significantly impacting the broader economy. 

“The strategy calls for a broader and more audacious approach to economic growth and aims to have catalytic projects that will drive overall economic growth through these projects. Key components of the strategy also incorporate green energy-related projects,” said October.

He highlighted the R18 billion investment project in Richards Bay, led by the Nyaza project company.

He said the project, which is expected to transform the geography of Richards Bay, would be the largest since Sasol, focusing on beneficiation, value addition, and exports. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing of renowned futures strategist, Clem Sunter who passed away at the age of 81.

Sunter was a business leader having held the position of Chief Executive at Anglo American and also helped develop a future scenario for South Africa as pressure on the Apartheid government began to ramp up in the 1980s.

“Clem Sunter was a pioneering, incisive leader who cared deeply for our country and focused the attention of political movements, of his peers in the economy and of ordinary citizens on the character and future of our nation.

“He made us think of the terms and conditions of transformation and of the South Africa we needed to build for an inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful country. From consultations with leaders, to his books and the passionate sharing of his ideas with communities, Clem Sunter made his insights accessible to all of us.

“Today, we continue to explore futures for our country and as we do so, we honour Clem Sunter’s groundbreaking reflection on who we are and what we can be. May his soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a high court judgment dismissing controversial businessman Hamilton Ndlovu’s application to reinstate an appeal against the Special Tribunal decision to set aside a R158 million Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contract.

The contract was awarded by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The appeal had lapsed due to the failure to act within the prescribed timelines, and the appellants’ explanation for the delays was found to be superficial, contradictory and dishonest.

“Evidence presented in the case revealed that Mr Ndlovu used multiple fronting companies to exploit emergency procurement processes fraudulently during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the SIU said in a statement.

Ndlovu’s legal troubles began when the SIU launched an investigation into allegations of corruption and the circumstances in which eight companies, directly and indirectly linked to Ndlovu, obtained contracts worth a total of R172 million for the NHLS PPE procurement.

The businessman was eventually hauled to the Special Tribunal by the corruption-busting unit and ordered by the tribunal to pay back some R158 million in monies gained from the tenders.

“The SIU’s investigation found that almost 90% of the NHLS funds were diverted to Mr Ndlovu and his family for luxury assets, including cars, houses and investments, rather than being used for the intended PPE supply. Ultimately, the court confirmed that Mr Ndlovu and company had no prospects of success in overturning the Special Tribunal’s ruling.”

Between March and April 2021, the NHLS awarded 19 contracts for PPE worth R172 million to companies controlled by Ndlovu.

“However, only R13.8 million of the allocated funds was actually used for the procurement of PPEs, with the remainder being diverted for Mr Ndlovu’s personal enrichment,” the SIU explained.

The contracts were declared unlawful by the Special Tribunal in 2022 and set aside while Ndlovu was ordered to repay R158 million to the entity.

“This ruling follows a series of civil litigation initiated by the SIU and the NHLS to recover assets acquired from the unlawful procurement of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The SIU is empowered by Proclamation R.23 of 2020, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice, maladministration, and irregularities in procuring goods and services by State institutions in response to COVID-19,” the SIU said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences on the passing of Palestine’s first female Ambassador and activist Leila Shahid.

Shahid passed away at the age of 76 in France.

The President described Shahid’s passing as a “moment of sadness that ripples from the ruins of a brutalised Palestine to places all over the world where we remain resolute in our solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle for freedom”.

“Leila Shahid leaves us while the State of Israel perpetuates the excessive violence and disregard of international law that Leila witnessed, fought against and brought to the attention of the international community during her decades of activism.

“As an anthropologist, she sought to preserve the cultural history of the people of Palestine who suffered and continue to suffer recurrent attacks on their identity, dignity and political and physical security.

“She campaigned for the freedom of Palestine until the end of her extraordinary life, and her passing is a moment for appreciating the full extent of her leadership and ensuring that her vision of a free Palestine is realised in our lifetime. May her soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement on Thursday. –SAnews.gov.za