Category: Africa

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa emphasised on Tuesday that adopting prevention-oriented, proactive strategies is essential for disaster management.

“By prioritising risk assessment, mitigation efforts, and community preparedness, we can significantly reduce the potential impact of disasters before they strike,” the Minister said.

Addressing the National Disaster Management Strategic Indaba at Emperors Palace in Boksburg, Johannesburg, Hlabisa said the growing intensity and frequency of disasters in recent years underscore the urgent need to move beyond traditional reactive disaster management strategies.

According to the Minister, this historical approach, which focuses primarily on responding to disasters after they occur, “has proven insufficient in the face of escalating natural and man-made threats.”

Held under the theme: “Strengthening Disaster Management Functions across the country”, the Indaba brought together representatives from government, practitioners, academia, civil society and the private sector to strengthen a prevention-focused approach to disaster management.

Hlabisa described the gathering as a critical opportunity to reshape South Africa’s disaster management system into one that is proactive, integrated, and effective.

“Our task today is very clear. We need to move decisively from fragmented, reactive responses toward a coherent, prevention-focused, and risk-informed disaster management system.

“Our country faces significant and intensifying disaster risks, including floods, droughts, wildfires, severe storms, and tornadoes. These risks are driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequality,” the Minister said.

Hlabisa cited recent disasters as evidence of the country’s vulnerability.

These include the April 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal, which displaced more than 40 000 people and claimed over 500 lives, exposing weaknesses in infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness. In June 2025, severe flooding in the Eastern Cape resulted in over 200 fatalities, further highlighting the need for improved systems.

More recently, floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga in early 2026 led to loss of life, displacement of families, and extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
“Communities were caught off guard, highlighting the urgent necessity for improved early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms,” the Minister said.

Beyond flooding, persistent threats from severe droughts, wildfires, and storms continue to disrupt agricultural production, local economies and livelihoods across provinces. Vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons, people with disabilities and marginalised communities, continue to bear the greatest burden, largely due to pre-existing inequalities and limited access to resources and services.

Hlabisa noted that while South Africa has a solid legislative framework, including the Disaster Management Act of 2002 and the National Disaster Management Framework, “legislation alone cannot guarantee success.”

“The effectiveness of these frameworks hinges on strong leadership, effective coordination, diligent enforcement, and comprehensive implementation,” he said.

Proactive strategies 
The Minister emphasised that a fundamental transition to prevention-oriented strategies must become the cornerstone of disaster management.

By prioritising risk assessment, mitigation efforts, and community preparedness, the country can significantly reduce the potential impact of disasters before they strike.

“The familiar phrase ‘prevention is better than cure,’ transcends mere cliché; it represents a vital strategic imperative. Investing in preventive measures not only saves lives but also preserves livelihoods and strengthens community resilience in the long term.”

Risk-informed planning, prevention and mitigation, improved preparedness and early warning systems,and sustainable recovery strategies were among the key priorities highlighted.

The Minister said municipalities play a vital role as the first line of defence against disasters and are essential for tackling the root causes of these disasters, which are often complex and multifaceted. However, they face significant challenges, including poor spatial planning, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and the expansion of settlements in high-risk areas.

He called for fully functional and well-resourced Disaster Management Centres in all municipalities, supported by funded and regularly updated disaster management plans.

“Empowering communities is essential for effective disaster risk reduction. Local residents must be engaged as active partners in the planning and implementation of these strategies. True success in disaster management is achievable only when the community is involved, motivated, and prepared to act alongside municipalities,” Hlabisa said.

He also underscored the importance of effective early warning systems that are technologically advanced and methodologies that can accurately detect and predict potential threats.

“The system should be able to disseminate timely alerts and information through multiple channels, such as mobile notifications, community meetings, and local radio, so that everyone receives the necessary information well in advance.”

Incorporating advanced technology
Hlabisa also underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure, including roads, bridges and housing, saying they must be meticulously designed, constructed, and maintained to endure the impacts of natural hazards.

“This means not only selecting appropriate materials and innovative engineering practices but also incorporating advanced technology to predict and respond to potential threats.

“Equally significant is the need for ongoing maintenance of such infrastructure. Without regular assessments and maintenance, even the most robust structures can deteriorate, leaving them vulnerable during critical moments when their performance is needed most,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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By Dikeledi Molobela

Government has taken a significant step to bolster national security and intelligence integration with the official launch of the National Centre for Intelligence Coordination (NCIC), a move aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to anticipate, detect and neutralise evolving threats.

Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, underscored the strategic importance of the new centre, positioning it as the nerve centre of South Africa’s intelligence architecture.

“Today is not a ceremonial indulgence. It is a reaffirmation of mandate, of law, and of responsibility,” the Minister said. 

The NCIC, which functions as the Office of the Coordinator for Intelligence, is rooted in the National Strategic Intelligence Act 39 of 1994, specifically Section 4, which establishes the framework for intelligence coordination in the Republic in line with the Constitution. 

“We gather under the authority of the National Strategic Intelligence Act 39 of 1994, specifically Section 4, which does not merely constitute a committee, but establishes the Republic’s central nervous system for intelligence coordination. 

“NICOC is where the fragmented becomes unified, where information becomes insight, and where insight must become action,” Ntshavheni said.

A unified intelligence system

The Minister emphasised that the NCIC consolidates South Africa’s intelligence capabilities into a single, cohesive system, integrating domestic, foreign, defence and crime intelligence under a unified command structure.

“You are not parallel structures. You are one system, defined in law and bound in purpose,” she told members of the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (NICOC).

She cautioned that coordination must be treated as a strategic imperative rather than an administrative process.

“Let me be clear, coordination is not a bureaucratic exercise. It is a strategic function. Where coordination fails, Threats are missed; Signals are ignored and the state is exposed.

“Conversely, where coordination succeeds, threats are pre-empted; resources are aligned and the Republic is secured without noise,” Minister Ntshavheni said. 

Symbolism and duty

A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the NCIC emblem and the presentation of commemorative coins to NICOC members, symbols the Minister said carry deep institutional meaning and responsibility.

“The coins I present to you today, bearing the insignia of the National Centre for Intelligence Coordination (NCIC), (which is in all intents and purposes, the Office of the Coordinator for Intelligence), are not tokens. They are markers of duty,” she told members of the NICOC. 

She explained that the coin’s design reflects the intelligence community’s mandate.

“Each element on this coin reflects the mandate you carry. The five stars represent you, the statutory members of NICOC, drawn from the core intelligence disciplines of the Republic – domestic intelligence, foreign intelligence, defence intelligence, crime intelligence, and the coordinating authority vested in the Office of the Coordinator,” she said. 

At the centre of the emblem is the secretary bird, symbolising vigilance and decisive action.

“At the centre stands the secretary bird, not a passive observer, but a decisive hunter of threats. It does not merely watch. It identifies, engages, and neutralises. This is the standard expected of our intelligence community, not reaction, but anticipation and disruption,” the Minister said. 

The protea, South Africa’s national flower, represents unity, resilience and constitutional responsibility. 

“Beneath it lies the protea, the enduring symbol of our nation, resilient, diverse, and sovereign. It is not the state alone that you serve, but the constitutional identity and integrity of the Republic. 

“The protea reminds us that intelligence exists to protect the people, the Constitution, and the future of South Africa,” she said. 

Reform and modernisation

Providing further insight into the identity and symbolism of the NCIC, Acting Coordinator for Intelligence and Chairperson of NICOC, Dr Ntandazo Sifolo, said the unveiling of the emblem marks a shift towards a more defined and modern intelligence structure.

“We want to indicate that the times of just a structure being approved without an identity are gone. So, we have to distinguish ourselves on who we are,” he said.  

Dr Sifolo explained that the NCIC’s identity stems from reforms driven by the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act 37 of 2024 and recommendations from the 2018 high-level review panel. 

“The identity that we are unveiling is as a result of the approval of the Honourable Minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, in line with the improvements that have been done in terms of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act 37 of 2024. As you would know, that since the 2018 panel review, we were instructed that we need to reform. So, this is part of the reform agenda that we are busy with,” Dr Sifolo said. 

He said the emblem combines two powerful national symbols – the secretary bird and the king protea – to communicate both vigilance and unity. 

“This emblem represents our mission, and this mission incorporates two powerful symbols, the Secretary bird as well as the king Protea. So, we’re combining them to create a powerful and authoritative message so that we can indicate our role as the NICOC as well as the NCIC in terms of the National Strategic Intelligence Act 39 of 1994,” he said. 

Protecting the nation’s blind spots

Dr Sifolo elaborated on the unique positioning of the secretary bird in the emblem, which faces left unlike the national coat of arms which is facing right, to symbolise protection of unseen threats.

“The question we are often asked is: who is looking at the blind spot of our country? That is why we are looking left… to assure the state that what is not in its line of sight, what may pose harm, is covered,” he said. 

He added that the bird’s posture conveys both protection and decisive action.

“We are there to embrace and ensure that we protect the national interest as well as we also make sure that we identify the threats and neutralise them,” he said. 

The emblem also incorporates a shield, symbolising both defence and the safeguarding of sensitive state information. 

“The Shield, as we all know, is a defensive symbol, but it’s not only a defensive symbol, it’s also where the confidentiality aspect lies, in the secrets. That’s where the secrets are. So, we are showing that your secrets of the states are protected,” he said. 

Intelligence in a complex threat environment

Minister Ntshavheni warned that South Africa’s intelligence services operate in an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape. 

“Let it be a reminder to all of us that you operate in an environment defined by complexity, characterised amongst other, by transnational criminal networks, espionage and foreign interference, economic sabotage, as well as emerging technological threats.

“These are not abstract risks. They are active, evolving, and deliberate. Your duty, as constituted under law, is to ensure that the Republic is never blind, never surprised, and never unprepared,” the Minister emphasised. 

She stressed that the NCIC must remain an operational centre of decision-making rather than a passive reporting platform. 

“NICOC must never become a forum of reports. It must remain a centre of decision, integration, and direction,” she said. 

A call to performance and accountability

In closing, the Minister issued a clear directive to intelligence leadership, linking the symbolism of the coin to measurable performance and accountability.

“As you receive this coin, you are reminded that intelligence must be timely, actionable, and relevant. Rivalry between structures must give way to national interest. Silence in the face of threat is failure. Coordination without consequence is complacency. This coin binds you not to symbolism, but to performance.

“Let me conclude by stating that today, as I hand you this NCIC coin, I do so with a simple expectation: That you will embody the unity it represents, that you will execute the mandate it reflects, and that you will protect what it stands for, the sovereignty, security, and constitutional order of South Africa,” the Minister told members of the NICOC. 

She further emphasised that the coin does not grant authority, it reminds the committee of the authority they already carry, and the responsibility that comes with it.

The launch brought together key figures in South Africa’s intelligence community, including Acting Director-General of the State Security Agency Ambassador Gab Msimanga, Head of Crime Intelligence Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lieutenant General Thalita Mxakato, and Acting Coordinator for Intelligence and Chairperson of NICOC Dr Sifolo.  

It signalled a unified front in strengthening the country’s intelligence coordination and national security framework. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has officially handed over the newly-developed Agulhas Precinct in the Agulhas National Park, marking the completion of an R82 million infrastructure project aimed at boosting tourism and local economic development.

Speaking at the southernmost tip of Africa on Tuesday, the Minister described the development as a significant milestone for the Overberg region, highlighting its potential to attract both domestic and international visitors.

The project, which began in March 2024, has delivered a range of new facilities, including a 60-seater restaurant, an interpretation centre, upgraded visitor amenities, and improved access infrastructure.

A key outcome of the development is its contribution to job creation.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Minister highlighted that the project created 117 local employment opportunities during construction and supported nine local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

“This is a clear demonstration of how tourism infrastructure investment contributes directly to job creation and enterprise development,” de Lille said.

The project was implemented through a partnership between the Department of Tourism, South African National Parks (SANParks), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, contractors, and local communities.

The handover follows similar collaborative initiatives, including the launch of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in June 2025, which has already attracted more than 88 000 visitors.

The Agulhas Precinct development aligns with national efforts to diversify South Africa’s tourism offering beyond traditional attractions, while promoting lesser-known cultural and natural destinations.

The Minister noted the directive by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to “promote unique cultural, historical and natural attractions of our country”.

She highlighted that South Africa recorded 10.5 million international visitors in 2025, demonstrating strong confidence in the sector.

Confidence has also been reflected in private sector investment, particularly in tourism infrastructure, with R890 billion in pledges secured at the recent South African Investment Conference. Of the R415 billion in private investment pledges, 75.9% is local South African capital.

“This signals a fundamental shift from the investment strike that had plagued the country for years, and today, we are demonstrating that government-led investment is also in full swing. But investment is not only about bricks and mortar, but it is also about maintenance and recovery when disaster strikes,” De Lille said.

In addition to new developments, the Department of Tourism has also focused on protecting tourism infrastructure. Following recent floods in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, R56.3 million was allocated through the Expanded Public Works Programme to support recovery efforts, including at Kruger National Park.

De Lille said the Agulhas development forms part of the government’s Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, which focus on tourism product development, job creation, and coordinated destination marketing.

Located near the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the second-oldest working lighthouse in South Africa, the Minister emphasised that the precinct is not just a national asset with unique biodiversity and cultural heritage, but also a global landmark.

“To our brothers and sisters across the continent — from Cape to Cairo, Morocco to Madagascar — come and experience what it feels like to stand at the southernmost tip of your continent. From east to west, this is where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cold Atlantic Ocean, embracing our beautiful continent,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Government has established a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) lab and a Centre of Specialisation in Mpumalanga for artisan training as part of efforts to cultivate a capable, skilled and competitive South Africa.

“These centres connect education with industry, empower young people with forward-looking skills, and position Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a driver of economic growth and social transformation,” Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, said.

He made these remarks on Tuesday during the launch of the Gert Sibande TVET College 4IR LAB and Centre of Specialisation Millwright Workshop in the Mpumalanga Province.

“The work beginning here will ripple outward, motivating communities, empowering youth, and strengthening South Africa’s voice in the global dialogue on technology and human progress. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping cognition, operations, and problem-solving at a pivotal moment in history,” Mashatile said.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, by 2030, tasks will be nearly evenly divided between humans and machines.

AI may displace 92 million roles but create 170 million new jobs globally, a net gain of 78 million. 
“Higher education institutions must partner in preparing people for jobs in the AI-driven economy. Those displaced must have pathways to retraining and strengthening their resilience. 

“AI must also serve as a transformative force in rural industrialisation, evolving traditional economies into modern, diversified hubs. 

“Integrating AI into agriculture, manufacturing, and services can enhance productivity, elevate product value, and expand market access. This is how we make the digital future equitable, inclusive and considerate,” he said.

The Deputy President said through the 4IR Digital Innovation Lab and Centre of Specialisation, government declares that AI will be harnessed to empower, not erode; to strengthen, not weaken; to ensure all stand as beneficiaries of transformation, not casualties of change.

“AI is not here to reduce human dignity, but to expand human potential. It is a partner in progress, a catalyst for creativity, and a bridge to new horizons. The question is not whether AI will transform society, but how and who will benefit.

“AI must be seen as a driver of economic development, enhancing productivity, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities. This laboratory, therefore, matters because it allows us to shape outcomes rather than react to them,” the Deputy President added.

It creates a platform for the institution to evolve into a hub of inclusive innovation, where research addresses societal needs and the future of work is shaped around people. 
He emphasised that AI transformation must be guided by wisdom, compassion, and responsibility, ensuring technology becomes a bridge to inclusion, not a barrier to dignity. 

“For South Africa, unemployment, inequality, and poverty, compounded by the digital divide, risk deepening exclusion. New jobs will arise in skilled sectors, leaving unskilled workers vulnerable to automation. Access to digital tools, affordable internet, and advanced skills remains inconsistent, limiting adaptation.
“Technology is a valuable tool, but it cannot lead development alone. Genuine advancement requires integration with human agency, cultural context, and moral leadership. Individuals, policies, and leaders are essential. 

“We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes. This transformation must be guided by wisdom, compassion, and responsibility, ensuring technology becomes a bridge to inclusion, not a barrier to dignity,” Mashatile said.

He stressed that the success of AI will be judged not by efficiency alone, but by its ability to strengthen social cohesion, expand opportunities, and restore confidence in our collective future.  

“South Africa’s successful adoption of AI will depend less on algorithms than on building a workforce skilled in data literacy, cloud computing, ethical governance, and applied AI integration. We must embed 4IR technologies into artisan training to ensure graduates are industry-ready. 

“Our Government is developing a comprehensive response through the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy, released for public comment in April 2026. Once approved, it will establish national priorities, norms, and sector-specific strategies across manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, transport, and trade,” the Deputy President said.

The policy introduces interventions for capacity building and digital infrastructure, integrating AI into all levels of education to create a pipeline of talent. 

It envisions AI hubs and super-computing facilities to empower startups and small enterprises, democratising access and distributing benefits across communities. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has described the Northern Cape as strategically positioned to become South Africa’s next major growth region.

Addressing the second day of the Northern Cape Investment and Jobs Conference in Kimberley, Tau said the global race for green hydrogen is no longer speculative, with governments and corporations across Europe, Asia and the Americas committing billions to secure supply chains.

“The Northern Cape sits at the intersection of all three: namely, clean energy, critical minerals and green hydrogen. Certainly, this province has the land, the sun and the wind to become one of Africa’s pre-eminent renewable energy production zones. 

“Through Boegoebaai and the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy, it has the infrastructure anchor to build a hydrogen economy of genuine scale. These are live policies and programmes with government commitment and investor interest behind them,” Tau said at the Mittah Seperepere International Convention Centre on Tuesday.

The three-day conference aims to serve as a catalyst to align government, business and development partners around a shared programme to unlock large scale investment, accelerate industrial development and sustainable job creation.

According to the Minister, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has structured its approach to industrialisation around three organising themes, namely: decarbonisation, diversification, and digitalisation.

These align almost precisely with where the Northern Cape’s competitive advantages lie.

“As an outcome of our G20/B20 Presidency, which was premised on the pillars of solidarity, equality and sustainable development, government and the private sector will be coming together to realise the Northern Cape’s potential and position it as South Africa’s next economic frontier,” he concluded.

As part of ongoing efforts to create a conducive, business-friendly environment and position the province as an attractive destination for global investors, government launched the investSA One Stop Shop in the province on Monday.

It is designed to ensure broad, accessible and responsive engagement through multiple channels, including South African foreign missions, foreign missions based in South Africa, business chambers, the investSA website, social media platforms, direct marketing emails, newsletters, surveys, and targeted domestic and international investment promotion events.

As in other provinces, the One Stop Shop facility in the Northern Cape is a collaboration between the dtic, the Northern Cape’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Provincial Investment Promotion Agency, other national, provincial and local government departments and agencies, traditional leaders and business associations. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

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