Category: Africa

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has confirmed that the opening day of the ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship, held on Saturday, 18 April 2026 at Hobie Beach, was successfully executed without incident.

Municipal officials said all scheduled races were delivered safely, supported by integrated planning, strong inter-agency coordination, and world-class event management standards.

Saturday’s programme featured the ISUZU 5150 Triathlon, the ISUZU Corporate Triathlon Challenge powered by Algoa FM, and the IRONKIDS race. The events drew strong participation and enthusiastic spectator support, activating both the coastline and key urban routes while reinforcing the city’s reputation as a host of international endurance events.

Beyond the racecourse, the championship continues to deliver significant economic and destination marketing value. Current estimates indicate the event injects more than R87 million into the local economy within a single race cycle, with over 20 787 verified overnight stays recorded. 

Visitors are spending an average of R2 500 per day, directly benefiting SMMEs, hospitality establishments and township economies.

The IRONMAN Nelson Mandela Bay route is ranked among the top four run courses globally and second in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, further strengthening the metro’s standing as a competitive global sporting destination.

Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the successful, incident-free delivery of the opening day reflected the city’s readiness and capability to host events of excellence.

“Nelson Mandela Bay is not just hosting an event, we are demonstrating a proven, high impact model of how sport drives economic growth, tourism and global positioning. We are proud to be Africa’s home of IRONMAN and a destination of choice for world class events,” Lobishe said.

The municipality expressed its appreciation to residents, volunteers, traders, organisers, safety and security personnel, emergency services and media partners for ensuring a seamless experience. It also commended participating athletes for embodying resilience and the spirit of endurance sport.

Sunday’s main event programme included men and women races, merchandise sales at boardwalk grass lawns, and bike and gear check-out.

The municipality reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the city as a leading destination for sport, tourism, and investment. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Cold, wet and windy conditions are expected to continue across large parts of South Africa, with the Western and Northern Cape provinces likely to experience the most severe weather.

Weather forecasters Lehlohonolo Thobela and Tokelo Chiloane said the adverse conditions are expected to continue affecting much of the country through Monday, 20 April 2026.

The forecasters attributed the change in weather to the passage of two consecutive cold fronts making landfall over the western parts of South Africa.

“Initially, these systems are expected to impact the Western Cape and Northern Cape, before spreading eastwards across the central and eastern interior over the weekend,” the forecasters said in a statement.

The weather service predicted that by Sunday, 19 April 2026, cold, wet and windy conditions will have spread to the eastern and southern parts of the country, including the southern and eastern coastline of South Africa.

“Moreover, marine conditions are expected to markedly deteriorate, with wave heights along the coastline forecast to reach between 4 and 5 metres from Sunday into Monday, potentially impacting coastal and beach activities.”

Furthermore, daytime maximum temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with some high lying areas in the western interior and adjacent regions possibly experiencing daytime temperatures between 10°C and 12°C.

“These conditions, combined with strong winds, will result in a pronounced wind chill effect. By contrast, the northern extremities of the country are expected to remain relatively warm during this period,” the forecasters said.

Cold, wet and windy conditions may result in a significant wind chill factor, making temperatures feel colder than measured; localised flooding of low-lying areas and poor drainage systems may occur in region experiencing persistent rainfall; disruptions to outdoor and beachfront activities are possible due to strong winds and rough seas and reduced visibility and slippery roads may impact travel conditions.

The weather service has advised the public to take the following precautionary measures, including:
•    Dress warmly and ensure adequate heating in homes.
•    Use heating devices safely to avoid fire hazards.
•    Exercise caution when travelling on wet and slippery roads.
•    Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall.
•    Secure loose outdoor objects that may be affected by strong winds.
•    Stay away from the coastline during rough sea conditions.
•    Continuously monitor official weather updates and warnings issued by SAWS.

Members of the public and stakeholders are strongly urged to continuously monitor official SAWS forecasts and warnings. These warnings will be updated regularly as the likelihood and severity of impacts become clearer.

Members of the public are also advised to treat unauthorised or unverified information sources with caution and to refrain from distributing such information further. – SAnews.gov.za

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KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has raised serious concerns over the poor audit outcomes in several municipalities, following a 2024–2025 Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) audit outcomes briefing presented to the Provincial Legislature by Auditor-General Tsakane Maluleke.

During the recent presentation, the Auditor-General highlighted ongoing weaknesses in compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, identifying this as a primary cause of persistent audit failures.

These include poor financial discipline, weak governance structures, and inadequate consequence management, factors that directly undermine service delivery and erode public trust in local government.

Rodgers condemned the disregard for financial legislation by some municipalities and their leadership.

“The MFMA is not optional—it is a legal and ethical obligation. Poor compliance with the Act leads directly to poor audit outcomes, financial instability, and ultimately the inability of municipalities to deliver basic services to our people. This culture of non-compliance must end,” Rodgers said.

At the same time, the MEC acknowledged municipalities that continue to demonstrate discipline and commitment to good governance, noting that improvement is achievable where leadership takes responsibility seriously.

“We commend municipalities such as Richmond Local Municipality, which have shown that openness to working closely with KZN Treasury, adherence to the MFMA, strong internal controls, and ethical leadership can result in improved audit outcomes. These municipalities prove that clean governance is achievable when there is discipline and political will,” the MEC said.

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury reiterated its alignment with the Auditor-General’s consistent view that political leadership plays a central role in improving local government performance, and that councils, mayors, and municipal managers must account fully for how public funds are managed.

With local government elections approaching, Rodgers called for heightened accountability among political office-bearers.

“Now more than ever, as we head into local government elections, political will is imperative. Politicians must be reminded that they are custodians of public resources, not owners of them. Failure to uphold this responsibility has real consequences for communities,” the MEC said.

Echoing the Auditor-General’s call for a strengthened accountability ecosystem, Rodgers emphasised that accountability is not the responsibility of government alone.

“Citizens must actively exercise their democratic rights. Communities have the power to demand accountability, to ask how their money is spent, and to hold elected representatives to account for poor governance and maladministration,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury reaffirmed its commitment to supporting municipalities through technical assistance, capacity building, and oversight, while insisting on firm consequences for persistent non-compliance with financial legislation.

“There can be no sustainable service delivery without accountability. Clean audits are not about pleasing the Auditor-General and Treasury; they are about restoring integrity in local government and improving the lived realities of our people,” Rodgers said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for action “grounded in hope, unity, and progressive change”.

Addressing the Global Progressive Mobilisation Plenary during a working visit to Spain on Saturday, the President highlighted the current global situation, which is increasingly defined by aggression, war, conflict and destruction.

Institutions of global governance, he said, are being undermined or maliciously repurposed.

“The laws and norms that have long defined relations between nations are wilfully violated. The principles of solidarity, cooperation and friendship are being challenged by the resurgence of narrow nationalism, prejudice and intolerance,” President Ramaphosa said in Barcelona.

He linked the resurgence in unlawful wars of aggression and genocide in places like Palestine to enduring global inequalities rooted in historical systems of colonialism and imperialism. These ideologies of superiority, he argued, continue to treat the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America as second class global citizens.

Beyond geopolitical tensions, President Ramaphosa highlighted the deepening climate crisis, growing inequality within and between countries, widespread poverty due to no work and skills, and many societies becoming more fragmented and isolated.

He warned that political discourse is being reshaped by algorithms that fuel extremism and hate.

“These are not separate crises, they are connected. They reflect a world that has yet to overcome the severe imbalances of power, opportunity and material well-being that have for so long held back inclusive and sustainable human progress,” President Ramaphosa said.

Despite this assessment, the President said this was not a moment for doubt or despair, but a moment of unique opportunity. “This is a moment for action, for mobilisation, and renewal.”

He called for a “global progressive revival”, reinvigorated movement rooted in its values, clear in its purpose and united in its resolve.

“This moment of severe crisis is at the same time a moment of unique opportunity. It is an opportunity to galvanise the forces of progressive change to forge a new path of peace, democracy, and social justice. It is an opportunity for a new generation of progressives to emerge and to develop a vision of a better, more justice and more inclusive world.

“This is an opportunity to confront the forces of reaction, who have gained much ground by offering people easy answers to complex problems. They have exploited legitimate grievances — about jobs, about security, about identity — and they have redirected people’s fears and anger toward the most vulnerable,” the President said.

Building a global movement

President Ramaphosa emphasised the building of a global movement that enables countries to undertake just and inclusive transitions that drive social and economic development while protecting affected communities, workers and businesses.

“We must build a world of genuine multilateral cooperation, with global institutions that are representative, democratic, and capable of meeting the challenges of the present and the future. We must restore the United Nations to its position at the centre of international relations.

“We must advance peace through dialogue and diplomacy, through the consistent application of international law and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter. 

“We must address the debt burden that holds back many developing economies [and] reform the financial architecture and close the financing gap for development,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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The Department of Agriculture has announced the immediate and permanent withdrawal of accreditation for Animal On the Move as a recognised dog import agent.

This follows the confirmed use of fraudulent import permits in contravention of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998).

“The department enforces a zero-tolerance stance on fraud to safeguard the integrity and traceability of South Africa’s canine population,” the department said in a statement on Friday.

The department urged members of the public and industry stakeholders to engage only with authorised import agents to ensure compliance with national regulations.

For enquiries related to animal improvement permits, the department advised the public to contact the Office of the Registrar of Animal Improvement at AnimalImp@nda.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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National Treasury has published the draft Capital Flow Management Regulations of 2026 for public comment.

The regulations appeared in Government Notice No. 54520 in Government Gazette No. 7375, published on 17 April 2026. 

The draft regulations, which will replace the Exchange Control Regulations of 1961, can be accessed on the National Treasury website at www.treasury.gov.za. 

The due date for submitting public comments is 10 June 2026.

According to National Treasury, since the abolition of the financial rand in 1991, South Africa has adopted “a prudent approach to managing cross-border capital flows by gradually recalibrating exchange controls to reflect the macroeconomic policy stance”.

“In recent years, National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have been reviewing the country’s exchange control framework under the Exchange Control Regulations of 1961. 

“These reviews aimed to refine policies and support South Africa’s growth and global integration, while also acknowledging the economy’s susceptibility to volatile capital flows and exchange rate swings. 

“Global integration drives foreign investment growth and technology exchange, while also developing human capital and knowledge and mitigating investment risks through diversification,” said Treasury in a statement at the weekend.

In this context, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced in the 2026 Budget Speech that amendments to the Exchange Control Regulations of 1961, under the Currency and Exchanges Act 9 of 1933, would be published for public comment.

Treasury said the amendments signal South Africa’s readiness to modernise and adopt a “positive bias” approach to managing cross-border capital flows through fewer transaction pre-approvals, a focus on reporting, the surveillance of high-impact and high-risk cross-border transactions, and the combating of illicit financial flows. 

This shift will align South Africa with international best practice, while also managing various risks using a risk-based approach and existing macroprudential tools.

These amendments address gaps in the current regulations, including in relation to cross-border crypto asset transactions, which will complement existing regulation by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and Financial Intelligence Centre. 

They also provide for new and amended definitions; transitional arrangements; administrative sanctions on regulated entities; increased penalties; the removal of any ambiguity with regard to the declaration of foreign assets; and the removal of restrictions on dealing in securities belonging to non-residents. 

The amendments also address uncertainty regarding local businesses controlled from outside of South Africa.

The promulgation of the final Capital Flow Management Regulations of 2026, and their replacement of the Exchange Control Regulations of 1961, will enable the implementation of the capital flow management framework announced by the Minister of Finance. 

“The relevant manuals will be updated, and various exemptions will be considered and granted to enable the transition. Certain measures that are common in other countries could still be retained in the interest of supporting South Africa’s economy,” said the department.

Written comments on the draft regulations must be sent to National Treasury at Commentdraftlegislation@treasury.gov.za by close of business on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

Following the deadline, National Treasury and the SARB will consider the written comments and make appropriate revisions where necessary. – SAnews.gov.za

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