Category: Africa

Three water supply infrastructure projects are set to improve the lives of residents in three Limpopo municipalities.

This, as Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, together with Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, embark on a three-day programme to officially hand over the completed water supply infrastructure projects.

The programme kicks off with the official handover of the completed Seshego Water Treatment Works (WTW) to Polokwane Local Municipality Executive Mayor John Mpe on Friday, 4 September 2026.

The plant was constructed through the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional and Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), at a cost of more than R200 million.

The project is aimed at assisting the municipality with improved water provision and enhancing potable water supply to the communities of Seshego and surrounding areas within the city of Polokwane.

On Saturday, 5 September 2026, Majodina will lead the delegation in handing over the Jakkalskei Water Supply Scheme to Mogalakwena Local Municipality Executive Mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala.

The project includes the Kroomkloof WTW and high-lift pump stations, a 3.5 million-litre water capacity, the development of boreholes, and the refurbishment of 26 community reservoirs.

“The scheme will improve reliable water supply to over 42 000 households of Mokopane,” the department said.

Majodina will conclude the programme on Sunday, 6 September, in Blougerg Local Municipality, where she will hand over two water supply schemes to Mayor Maria Thamaga in the townships of Maokeng and Dilaeneng in Senwabarwana area.

The two water schemes, funded through DWS’ Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant (WSIG), have a combined value of R23 million and will benefit more than 800 households in the two townships.

The handovers form part of government’s ongoing efforts to address water challenges and ensure that communities have access to safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water.

The department continues to implement infrastructure projects across the country through grants and funding mechanisms to expand water supply, upgrade ageing infrastructure, improve water treatment capacity, and strengthen bulk and local water systems.

The department also collaborates with municipalities and their entities to address water shortages, maintain and rehabilitate infrastructure, develop new water sources, and strengthen water supply systems.

These interventions are aimed not only at increasing access to potable water but also ensuring that water infrastructure can sustainably support growing communities and economic development. – SAnews.gov.za

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe have paid tribute to legendary equestrian Enos Mafokate, extending condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, following his passing.

Mafokate died on 3 September 2026 at the age of 82.

“Mafokate rose from Alexandra to enter a sport that apartheid had made appear as though it belonged to others. He showed that we belonged there too. What I respect most is that Mafokate did not forget those coming behind him. He went back and opened the way for others. That is what a real champion does,” McKenzie said in a statement on Thursday.

Born on 15 February 1944 in Alexandra, Johannesburg, Mafokate helped transform South African equestrian sport and inspire generations of young riders.

“He rose from working as a groom to becoming South Africa’s first Black showjumper, competing at the highest levels of the sport. Among his achievements were a second-place finish in the Rothmans Derby in 1976, victories at the Constantia Show Grounds, and a fifth-place finish at the 1980 Royal International Horse Show at Wembley.

“Mafokate was part of South Africa’s equestrian representation at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. His greatest achievement was the legacy he built beyond competition,” the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said.

Through the Soweto Equestrian Centre, Mafokate created opportunities for young people to participate in a sport that had historically been out of reach for many Black South Africans.

His contribution was recognised through honours including the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award and the Rand Show Gold Medal.

“We have lost a great South African, but we must celebrate the life Mafokate lived and the doors he opened. His legacy will live in every young person who was given an opportunity because he refused to accept that some dreams were not meant for Black people to dream,” the Minister said.

Deputy Minister Mabe said Mafokate’s life demonstrated the power of sport to break barriers, transform lives and create opportunities for future generations.

“Mafokate was more than a sporting pioneer. He was a symbol of courage, resilience and excellence. His contribution to equestrian sport and to the transformation of South African sport will remain an enduring part of our national heritage.

“We are truly grateful for his contribution to the betterment of our society. His legacy will continue to inspire young South Africans to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles before them,” Deputy Minister Mabe said. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has expressed its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tshepang Nyathi, who was tragically killed during a Spring Day celebration.

While the South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested the alleged suspect, the government said the safety and protection of children is paramount, with parents, caregivers, schools and communities sharing a responsibility to ensure that children can enjoy these celebrations in safe, supervised and respectful environments.

Government further added that it has also noted reports and social media posts highlighting other incidents during Spring Day celebrations, including delivery vehicle drivers reportedly falling off their vehicles while attempting to avoid water being thrown at them, as well as reports of violent and criminal behaviour, including stone-throwing at a bus and attempts to steal from delivery vehicles.

“While the tradition of celebrating Spring Day with water is enjoyed by children, the recent incidents highlight the need for it to evolve into ways that are safer, more responsible and respectful to others. Splashing strangers, disrupting traffic, targeting motorists, and escalating minor disagreements into violence have no place in our celebrations,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement on Thursday.

In addition, the public is also being reminded that South Africa is a water-scarce country, and every person must practice responsible water use, conserve the scarce resource, protect the environment, and ensure sustainable access for everyone.

“Government calls on all South Africans to ensure their celebrations are in organised and voluntary spaces, respect the dignity and consent of others, avoid behaviour that endangers others, and choose water-wise ways to celebrate Spring.” 

The GCIS said September is a significant month in the national calendar, as the country celebrates Heritage Month and Tourism Month. 

“As we celebrate our diverse heritage and welcome visitors to experience the beauty of our country, let us use this period to strengthen social cohesion and demonstrate the values that define us as a nation, such as respect, responsibility and care for one another.

Let us celebrate Spring in a way that protects children, respects communities, conserves water resources and reflects the South Africa we want to build,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Social Development has welcomed the safe return of two South African children, aged nine and 15, who were repatriated from Malawi, following an alleged case of human trafficking. 

The children were received at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, following extensive collaboration between the Department of Social Development, Interpol South Africa, South African and Malawian authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.

The case was referred to the department by Interpol South Africa after allegations emerged that members of a South African family had been trafficked to Malawi. The two children were rescued by Malawian authorities on 9 July 2026 and placed in a place of safety while arrangements were made for their return to South Africa. 

The department facilitated the repatriation process in accordance with its legislative mandate under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013.

A social worker was delegated to travel to Malawi to support and facilitate the children’s safe return, with their best interests remaining the primary consideration throughout the process.

The Department said the safe return of the children marks an important step towards their recovery, reunification with their family and restoration of their rights.

It will continue to provide the necessary psychosocial support and appropriate social services to the children and their family.

The department emphasised that the matter should not merely be viewed as a missing persons case, saying the circumstances point to serious allegations of trafficking and exploitation that require a coordinated child protection and law enforcement response.

“The trafficking of persons is real and can affect vulnerable families within our communities. The protection of children is a shared responsibility, and government, communities, families and civil society must work together to prevent exploitation and ensure the safety and dignity of every child,” said Social Development Minister Dina Pule.

According to the department, 22 children have been repatriated.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with law enforcement agencies and other partners to combat trafficking in persons and ensure that children who have experienced exploitation receive the protection, care and support they deserve.

The department has also called on parents, caregivers and communities to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of trafficking and child exploitation to the relevant authorities.

The department expressed its appreciation to government officials, law enforcement agencies and partner institutions in South Africa and Malawi whose cooperation contributed to the safe repatriation of the children.

It further urged the media and members of the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the children and their family during this period, allowing them the space and support necessary for their recovery. – SAnews.gov.za

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has flagged the continued concentration of public research funding at South Africa’s leading universities, saying institutional inequality limits the country’s ability to draw on talent across the entire higher education system.

Speaking at the 2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards in Gqeberha on Thursday, Nzimande disclosed that about 63% of NRF funding goes to the 10 universities producing the most research, while 83% of South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) chairs are hosted by top-output universities.

The ceremony, held under the theme: “Building an Inclusive, Impactful and Transformed Research Future”, recognised researchers whose work had advanced science for society’s benefit. 

The Minister will on Friday conclude his two-day programme in the Eastern Cape with a visit to the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ). At the SEZ, discussions will be held to examine the proposed establishment of a Science and Innovation Park intended to strengthen the province’s innovation ecosystem and support emerging industries, including energy security and green hydrogen.

“This issue is crucial not for posterity, but for practical reasons – to ensure our country, with its scarce resource base, makes full use of its institutional resources to reach deeper and wider into every corner of South Africa and unleash its full potential,” he said.

Nzimande acknowledged that the best-performing universities continued to receive the largest share of NRF support, but said interventions were being implemented to address inequalities inherited from apartheid-era higher education.

“To broaden participation, strengthen capacity, and deepen structural transformation, earlier this year we awarded 41 new SARChI chairs, specifically for historically disadvantaged institutions, universities of technology and new universities,” he said.

The NRF had also begun implementing its University Programmes and Collaborations initiative, comprising tailored interventions intended to improve research and human-capital capacity at historically disadvantaged institutions.

Nzimande nevertheless pointed to substantial demographic changes in the researchers and postgraduate students supported by the NRF. In 2025, the proportion of Black South African NRF-funded students increased to 86%, a sharp rise from 46% in 1999. During this period, the proportion of South African women postgraduate bursary recipients rose from 40% to 60%. 

In the 2025/2026 financial year, the foundation awarded bursaries to 5 951 postgraduate students, with 77% receiving full-cost-of-study support. Among funded researchers, Black representation increased from 15% in 1999 to 57% in 2025, while women’s representation rose from 17% to 47%.

“If science, technology and innovation is to serve society, then the people who produce knowledge, the institutions that host research and the students who enter the research pipeline must reflect the full diversity and potential of the whole of our country,” the Minister said.

However, he warned that slower growth in public investment, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, had constrained the number of financially disadvantaged students benefiting from the full-cost funding model introduced in 2020. 

He also called for stronger efforts to convert publicly supported research into commercially viable products.

“South Africa pays far more for foreign intellectual property than it generates from its own innovations. We must bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application by, among others, co-funding early-stage tech development with private industry, driving venture capital into local start-ups and turning indigenous discoveries into market-ready products,” Minister Nzimande added.

He argued that technological capacity had become increasingly important as geopolitical rivalries centred on semiconductors, algorithms, energy, telecommunications and defence systems.

“This has increased urgency for governments in the Global South to cultivate domestic technological capabilities to reduce critical dependencies on foreign adversaries for energy, telecommunications, and defence systems,” he said.

Nzimande also urged the continent to build a “sovereign research and development agenda for Africa” that was “designed, funded and executed by Africa”.

“For too long, Africa’s research priorities have been dictated by external donor funding rather than continental needs. Initiatives such as the Science Granting Councils Initiative will be critical in this regard,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara has been appointed as the Acting Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) until a permanent incumbent is appointed.

He was appointed by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi following the resignation of Advocate Andrea Johnson.  In July, President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted Johnson’s request to resign with immediate effect.

“[Vanara] is a senior executive and accomplished legal, governance and regulatory leader with more than 25 years [of] progressive experience across state institutions, state-owned enterprises, Parliament and other complex and highly regulated environments.

“He previously served as the Group executive: Legal, Governance and Regulatory at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, with earlier senior leadership experience at the Parliament of South Africa and across pension fund, audit and risk, ethics and governance structures,” the department said in a statement on Thursday.

Vanara holds a B. Proc qualification from Vista University as well as LLB and LLM qualifications from the University of the Free State.

“Advocate Vanara currently serves at the executive level as Chief Legal Counsel of the Special Investigating Unit, providing strategic leadership across the organisation, with specific focus on civil litigation and asset recovery, corporate legal services, legal support to investigations as well as legal compliance management.

“He will join the IDAC on [a] secondment basis and assume the responsibilities of the Acting Head of IDAC with immediate effect.

“The Minister wishes Advocate Vanara well in his new role and has expressed full confidence in his ability to discharge his responsibilities with integrity and conscientiousness,” the department stated. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa this week undertook a guided tour of Denel facilities in Johannesburg and Tshwane, ahead of the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Expo.

“The President’s visit to Denel’s operations in the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane follows a commitment he made during his visit to the Denel stand at the 2024 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show to visit the company’s operations.

“The visit…provides an opportunity to assess Denel Aerospace’s capabilities and contribution to South Africa’s defence industry and national security,” the Presidency said in a social media post on X, on Wednesday.

The President toured the facilities alongside Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga. The visit comes as the state-owned defence equipment manufacturer has faced challenges. However, with a turnaround strategy in place, Denel is turning a corner.

Denel’s 2025/2026 financial results reported a 15% increase in revenue to R1.473 billion, up from R1.272 billion the previous year. The company also recorded its second consecutive annual profit, though net profit fell to R156 million from R193 million in 2024/2025.

The company’s R2 billion G6 howitzer upgrade contract for Oman is emerging as the clearest evidence that the state-owned defence manufacturer can still compete on the international stage.

The G6 contract, worth USD105.9 million, has seen every scheduled milestone met on time since May 2025. Design reviews have been signed off, technical training delivered, facility construction is underway in the customer country, and hardware testing has been cleared on schedule.

However, a R350 million in advance payment is locked up as collateral by the guarantee-issuing bank. However, Denel is working on alternative financing.

Facts and figures
As the company continues on its turnaround plan, the figures show that:
•    Revenue stands at R1.473 million in 2025/2026, up 15% from R1,272 million the year before.
•    Net profit: R156 million in 202520/26, down from R193 million the year before. Most of this came from investment income (R716m), not operations.
•    Operating cost margin improved to 60% from 74.5% two years ago, but costs are projected to rise again to R912 million.
•    Cash fell from R3.77 billion in 2023 to R783 million in 2025.
•    Denel needs R4 billion in revenue to sustain its current costs, against the  R1.4 billion achieved.
•    R3.4 billion was received from National Treasury and R992 million from the Denel Medical Benefit Trust; most of this has already been spent on legacy debt.
•    Furthermore, government guarantees have been ring-fenced and no executive bonuses paid since 2022.

A new broom
In a statement announcing Denel’s new board earlier this year, Minister Motshekga expressed confidence in a new era for the company.

“The incoming Board brings a wealth of experience across governance, defence, finance, engineering and executive leadership. We have full confidence in the capability of the new Board to strengthen governance, restore operational performance, rebuild stakeholder confidence and guide Denel towards long-term sustainability”. 

“We look forward to working closely with the new Denel Board as it undertakes the task of being an innovative, ethical and commercially viable entity with a sustained ability to deliver world-class products across the spectrum of aerospace, defence-related technologies from land to sea, to airspace, cyber, space and security environments,” Motshekga said.

Following the appointment of the new board, the board set out success factors vital to the company’s future sustainability.

These include:
•    Building a healthy order book by securing contracts from both local and international clients.
•    Prioritising support to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
•    Ensuring that adequate working capital is available to support future growth, including the re-engineering of cash flow and the management of working capital.
•    The establishment of pillars that strengthen ethical leadership and embed a robust governance culture which will permeate through the entire value chain.
•    Upgrading Denel’s information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and strengthening controls to deliver accurate and credible financial statements.

“The Board and management introduced a robust remedial plan, which includes the re-establishment of strong internal control governance structures that drive implementation of the plan. 

“Denel also introduced a wide-ranging fraud and corruption prevention strategy which meets international standards, including lifestyle audits for staff, senior management and executives.

“Denel’s vital role in the safeguarding of South Africa’s sovereign defence capabilities cannot be overstated. It remains a cornerstone of national security, providing the country with control over advanced technologies, systems and platforms necessary for operational readiness and strategic independence,” the company said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has completed the recovery and reconstruction of the Cape Mainline, following severe storm damage and major washaways in the Western Cape.

“The reopening of the Cape Mainline reinforces TRIM’s commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient rail network and responding decisively to infrastructure disruptions caused by extreme weather,” said TRIM Chief Executive Moshe Motlohi in a statement on Friday.

Heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding on 11 and 12 May caused extensive damage to railway infrastructure, including five locations in the Worcester area and two washaways at Leeu-Gamka in the Karoo region. 

As a result, sections of the line were closed for more than two months.

TRIM said it rapidly mobilised internal teams and external stakeholders to restore the railway safely and minimise disruption to rail operations. 

The recovery involved rebuilding washed-away track formations and supporting infrastructure, reinstating track structures and overhead equipment, and replacing mast poles damaged by the storms.

On 31 July 2026, the Cape Mainline reopened to diesel-hauled trains, and in August 2026 the line was fully reopened for electric trains after the completion and commissioning of the reinstated overhead track equipment. –SAnews.gov.za