Category: Africa

Government has taken a pivotal step towards transforming water security in Limpopo with the commercial close of the first phase of the massive Olifants Management Model (OMM) programme.

The Badirammogo Water User Association (BWUA), a unique 50:50 public-private partnership representing both government and commercial partners, has successfully secured the R8.5 billion in funding required for Stage 1 of the OMM programme.

Government, through the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), collaborated with commercial members including miners, the Infrastructure Fund and a consortium of commercial lenders to bring the programme to life.

“This landmark event marks a critical milestone for one of South Africa’s most significant water infrastructure projects, implemented by BWUA, paving the way for Stage 1 Financial Close and the commencement of construction on a programme designed to transform water security and drive economic growth in Limpopo,” a joint statement by the partners read.

The OMM programme is aimed at providing water to areas including the Sekhukhune District, Mogalakwena Local and Polokwane Local Municipalities in Limpopo.

“Stage 1 of the OMMP is valued at R8.5 billion and comprises the construction of critical bulk raw water pipelines, pump stations and associated water treatment works, and an energy solution.

“At completion, the full OMMP will deliver approximately 263 million cubic metres per day to commercial and institutional users by 2050.

“It is projected to provide potable water to approximately 140 communities – benefiting approximately 390 000 people, supply raw water to key mining and industrial users and create an estimated 42 000 direct, indirect and induced employment opportunities,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is set to announce its new President and Vice-President for the 2025–2030 term. 

This announcement will take place during the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Council on Friday evening in Sandton, Johannesburg. 

According to Section 7 of the Health Professions Act of 1974, Council members are required to elect the President and Vice-President from among themselves at this inaugural meeting.

This election follows the recent official inauguration of the 12 professional boards for the 2025–2030 term, which was completed through a national nomination and ministerial appointment process, as stated by the HPCSA.

Representatives of the new boards and appointees of the Minister will collectively form the new Council that will serve for the next five years.

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will be in attendance at the Council’s Inaugural Gala Dinner this evening.

“The election of the President and Vice-President represents the final step in constituting Council for the new term, ensuring stable governance and continued fulfilment of the HPCSA’s legislative mandate to protect the public and guide the professions,” the advisory read. 

The HPCSA, along with its 12 professional boards, is established to oversee the education, training, and registration of health professionals as outlined by the Health Professions Act.
To protect the public and guide the professions, the Council ensures that practitioners maintain high professional and ethical standards. 

It also investigates complaints against practitioners and ensures that disciplinary actions are taken against those who do not comply with these standards. – SAnews.gov.za

At least 800 National Road Traffic Law-Enforcement Officers, supported by various other law enforcement agencies, will be deployed throughout the festive season to monitor compliance with traffic regulations and maintain safety.

“We began the law enforcement operations in November at an intensified pace. It’s been a year-long campaign, and we have increased our efforts in November and December and will continue doing so through to the end of January,” Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said on Friday.

He was addressing members of the media during a law enforcement operation and festive season road safety activation along the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3 as part of a campaign to educate the public on road safety, focusing on behaviour change, enhanced law enforcement and 24-hour patrols in high-risk areas.

The Department of Transport has identified priority routes that include N1, N2, N3, N4, N17, as well as notorious secondary roads such as the Moloto Road. 

“We are here on the N3, which will remain one of our primary focus areas throughout the festive season as part of the top 20 priority routes identified across the country. 

“Truck drivers are often reckless and irresponsible in how they navigate traffic and manage the flow of movement towards Durban and back. We will be engaging with the Trucking Association next week so that we can develop joint messaging and improve interactions with truck drivers,” the Deputy Minister said.

The 365-day campaign is based on evidence gathered throughout the year, which shows that human error accounts for nine out of ten accidents. 

The law enforcement operations will also focus on bridges and weigh-in-motion assessments for all vehicles to prevent overloading and to ensure that trucks and public transport vehicles — including buses and taxis — do not travel long distances without inspection.

“Our message remains the same. We are asking drivers: please do not drink and drive. Please do not drink and walk or jaywalk.

“Forty-eight percent of our fatalities in the country are pedestrians. We remain deeply concerned about fatigue on the roads, especially during this period of long-distance travel. We urge motorists to rest every 200 kilometres or every two hours,” he said.

The department has established provincial operations across provinces and municipalities as part of an overall approach to share and pool resources for maximum consequence management. 

“We are working with civil society and the private sector as part of a joint national operation for road safety,” he said. 

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has reported that in the first nine days of December, 213 fatal crashes were recorded resulting in 249 fatalities.

This accounts for a 30% decline for both fatal crashes and fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.

For the period ended 30 November 2025,  preliminary reports show crashes at 8 613 and the corresponding number of fatalities at 10 089. 

This is an improvement in comparison to the prior year, where fatal crashes for the period were 9 288 and fatalities were 10 878, this is a reduction of 7.3%. – SAnews.gov.za

In an address marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2025, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has examined South Africa’s healthcare system, challenging the current model of healthcare financing and advocating for transformative change.

“We are sick of unaffordable health costs,” Motsoaledi said in Pretoria on Friday, highlighting the day’s theme.

Universal Health Coverage Day advocates for urgent government efforts to implement UHC, ensuring that everyone can access quality healthcare services without facing financial hardship.

This global campaign is led by the UHC2030, which is a global, multi-stakeholder platform for accelerating sustainable progress towards UHC. It is hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The Minister’s speech traced the historical transitions in healthcare, drawing on The Lancet’s analysis report of three critical epochs, including sanitation, vaccination, and now, UHC. 

“The Lancet says the third transition is on the horizon, and it will signify the time when people don’t have to pay cash for their healthcare needs.”

Motsoaledi said the financialisation of health referred to a growing influence of financial markets, investors, and corporate interests in the healthcare sector. 

“Nobody invests money without expecting profit. But should we do that with sick people,” he questioned.

The Minister shared examples of how financial motivations compromise healthcare, including an anecdote about an elderly patient being prepared for surgery without clear consent or medical necessity.

“Healthcare becomes unaffordable for poor and marginalised communities, exacerbating disparities and inequalities,” Motsoaledi said, adding that the current system prioritises profits over patient well-being.

NHI

The Minister said the solution is the National Health Insurance (NHI), which he described as “a strong global antidote to financialisation of health”.

South Africa has made significant progress toward achieving UHC with the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

The NHI is based on the establishment of a single purchaser, the NHI Fund, which will acquire healthcare services from accredited and contracted providers in both the public and private sectors. 

This initiative aims to ensure that all citizens receive quality, affordable healthcare without facing financial hardship.

This is despite significant legal threats and challenges facing the implementation of the NHI Act, which is part of the country’s transformative agenda. 

He also spoke about a UHC model focusing on comprehensive care that particularly protects women and children, who are “the biggest losers in a financialised system.”

He also touched on South Africa’s potential to lead global healthcare transformation, drawing on the country’s successful HIV treatment campaign of 2010 as proof of what can be achieved when healthcare is prioritised over profit.

The Minister traced significant public health achievements, particularly in HIV/AIDS treatment, where maternal mortality rates dramatically decreased from 240 to just below 99 per 100 000 live births around 2019. 

He highlighted the affordability of a new HIV treatment, lenacapavir, initially priced at US$28 000 per person, now available for US$40 thanks to the Global Fund and other organisations.

South Africa plans to launch lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention method, as early as March 2026.

“We are at the verge of eliminating HIV AIDS as a public health threat in our lifetime,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za