Category: Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will next week officiate the start of commercial operations at a 155MW wind energy facility in Mpumalanga, in a move expected to add renewable generation capacity to South Africa’s electricity system.

The President will officially mark the commencement of operations at the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility near Bethal on Friday, 31 July 2026.

The facility’s launch comes as South Africa continues efforts to strengthen energy security, expand electricity generation capacity and accelerate the country’s transition towards a more diversified energy mix.

The first phase of the project will generate 155MW of wind power and forms part of a planned 900MW renewable energy programme.

Located in Mpumalanga, traditionally South Africa’s energy-producing heartland, the project is being positioned as an example of the country’s Just Energy Transition, combining renewable energy generation with investment in transmission infrastructure and regional economic development.

The project also includes commitments to local supplier participation, skills development, employment opportunities and community investment.

The commencement of commercial operations comes three years after the investment commitment linked to the Seriti Green project was announced at the South African Investment Conference.

The milestone is expected to highlight the role of public-private partnerships and private investment in translating commitments made at investment conferences into operational infrastructure capable of contributing to the country’s long-term economic growth.

The project brings together government, private-sector investors and local communities, with the broader programme expected to increase renewable electricity generation while supporting infrastructure development and economic activity in the region. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday address the Official Opening of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), at its headquarters in Midrand, Gauteng.

The session, convened by the Pan-African Parliament from 27 to 31 July 2026, will be held under the African Union’s 2026 theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”.

This follows the successful election of the new PAP Bureau on 30 April 2026, marking the commencement of a new parliamentary term, and reaffirming the institution’s role in promoting democratic governance, continental integration and the implementation of Agenda 2063.

“As the host country of the Pan-African Parliament, South Africa remains firmly committed to  supporting the institution and strengthening cooperation among African Union Member States and continental institutions in advancing Africa’s collective interests,” said the Presidency in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Postbank has issued an appeal to social grant beneficiaries who have not yet replaced their SASSA Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards, warning that the deadline for the migration is fast approaching.

Beneficiaries have until 31 August 2026 to complete the switch, with the Postbank cautioning that SASSA Gold Cards are being phased out and will no longer function once the migration process is concluded.

The Postbank said beneficiaries who fail to replace their cards by the deadline could face disruptions in accessing their social grant payments.

The bank is urging beneficiaries not to wait until August or their usual grant payment dates to make the switch, warning that delays could result in longer queues at card replacement sites as the deadline approaches.

“We are already noticing a steady increase in queues at several of our card replacement sites and based on current trends, we anticipate that queues will become considerably longer in August, which is the final month before the deadline,” said Thamsanqa Cele, Postbank’s chief commercial officer.

“Beneficiaries who postpone their visit until then may experience substantial delays due to the expected increase in demand.”

The Postbank said it has deployed resources to support the card migration programme but stressed that beneficiaries also need to make use of the time remaining to replace their cards.

Postbank Black Cards are available from selected retailers, including Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar stores.

Card replacement sites are open nationwide from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

Beneficiaries can dial 120 355# from their mobile phones to locate their nearest replacement site.

The replacement process is free, and beneficiaries are required to present a valid South African identity document or temporary ID.

The Postbank is also advising beneficiaries not to visit SASSA offices unnecessarily for enquiries related to Gold Cards or Black Cards. Instead, beneficiaries are encouraged to visit a nearby Postbank service point or contact the bank’s call centre for assistance with payment-related queries.

It said its customer service teams are equipped to assist with issues including missed payments, PIN-related queries, lost or stolen cards, card reissues and declined transactions.

Beneficiaries requiring assistance can contact the Postbank’s call centre on 0800 5354 55. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to international law and multilateralism.

This featured prominently during discussions between Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister, Dr Johann Wadephul, during the German Minister’s working visit to South Africa.

Following a tête-à-tête and official bilateral talks, the Ministers addressed the media and outlined areas of agreement and disagreement on some of the world’s most pressing conflicts.

Lamola said respect for international law was a central theme of the discussions. From South Africa’s perspective, he said, the application of international law must be consistent and free from selective interpretation.

“Indeed, this was one of the subjects of robust engagement. International law must be principled, consistent and predictable. There must be no double standards in the application of international law.

“International law must be applicable across the board,” Lamola emphasised. 

Call for accountability and negotiations

Lamola criticised what he described as the continued failure to implement provisional measures issued by international courts regarding Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

“We were very clear that we have had a number of provisional orders that continue to be ignored by the state of Israel,” he said. 

On the conflict involving Iran, he said South Africa believes the military confrontation could have been avoided.

“Our view is very clear that this was an unnecessary war that could have been avoided,” he said. 

He argued that hostilities erupted while negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme were at an advanced stage and warned that mistrust now risks further escalation.

South Africa, he said, continues to advocate for diplomacy and negotiations as the only sustainable path to peace.

“South Africa will call for a return to the negotiation table for durable peace, for peace that is sustainable,” the Minister said. 

Lamola also reiterated South Africa’s position on the war in Ukraine, saying any settlement must be anchored in international law and respect for sovereignty. 

He noted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s continued engagement with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of ongoing peace efforts.

“We stated that our President has engaged both parties, President Putin and President Zelensky, with an aim of them arriving to a long-lasting solution.”

Lamola said President Zelensky had indicated a willingness to return to negotiations.

“We are pleased that in the last engagement between our President and President Zelensky, he had agreed that he is ready to go back to the negotiation table with no conditions, except that he still stated that he would want the negotiations to happen at a neutral venue,” the Minister said. 

Sudan humanitarian crisis raised

The Ministers also discussed conflicts elsewhere on the continent, particularly Sudan.

Lamola described Sudan as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies and called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.

“It is one of those very catastrophic conflicts, with the highest level of humanitarian disaster that the world has ever experienced,” he said.

South Africa, currently serving on the African Union Peace and Security Council, continues to support AU-led efforts to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Partnership anchored in multilateralism

The discussions took place against the backdrop of a long-standing bilateral relationship built on democratic values, economic cooperation and support for multilateral institutions. 

Germany is South Africa’s largest European trading partner and a key investor, while both countries continue to cooperate on peacebuilding, democratic resilience and global governance reform. 

Despite differences on some geopolitical questions, both Ministers emphasised the importance of dialogue and engagement in resolving conflicts and defending the international rules-based order. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africans can expect a mostly fine and cold to cool weekend, with warmer conditions in some areas, while parts of KwaZulu-Natal face strong winds and isolated showers and rain.

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds for parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, with strong south-easterly to south-westerly winds expected along the coast and adjacent interior.

The warning, valid from 4am until midnight on Friday, follows the passage of a cold front accompanied by a ridging high-pressure system. Winds are expected to reach around 40km/h, with gusts of up to 80km/h.

The weather service warned that the strong winds could pose a risk to small vessels, with the possibility of boats taking on water or capsizing. Small harbours and ports could also experience temporary disruptions.

The conditions may also affect transport routes and travel services, particularly where trees are brought down by strong winds. High-sided vehicles could face difficulties on exposed roads, high-level routes and bridges due to crosswinds.

For Saturday, 25 July, the extended forecast indicates generally fine and cold to cool conditions, although some areas could experience warmer weather.

The north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal are expected to be partly cloudy, with isolated showers and rain.

The weather service has urged members of the public, motorists and those involved in maritime activities to remain alert to changing weather conditions, particularly in areas affected by strong winds. – SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the leadership of the provincial taxi industry have reached an agreement to resolve key challenges in the sector.

The agreement will also ensure uninterrupted public transport services across the province.

Department MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met with industry representatives on Thursday to discuss the issues including operating licences, regulatory compliance, commuter safety and sector stability.

“We welcome the spirit of cooperation demonstrated today. We remain committed to resolving all outstanding matters through constructive engagement in the best interests of commuters and the people of Gauteng.

“Uninterrupted public transport is critical to our economy and to the lives of our residents. Every commuter has the right to travel safely, freely, and without fear. We will continue working closely with the taxi industry to build a system that is safe, reliable, affordable, and compliant with the law,” Diale-Tlabela said.

Key agreements include:

•    Ongoing structured engagements with regular progress reviews 
•    Accelerated resolution of operating licence issuance, including verification and inheritance matters. 
•    Joint interventions to address commuter safety concerns, including allegations of intimidation and harassment.

“The provincial government and taxi leadership have recommitted to accountability and collaboration as we tackle the challenges facing the sector. Our shared goal is a safe, reliable, and accessible public transport system for all.

“The department is also strengthening direct engagement with operators to improve oversight and better understand sector challenges,” the MEC noted. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a National Water Action Plan aimed at addressing South Africa’s worsening water supply crisis and ensuring a reliable supply of quality water across the country.

The plan was released on Thursday, following a meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee (WATERCOM) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The National Water Action Plan sets out short, medium-and long-term interventions to tackle the root causes of persistent water supply challenges affecting municipalities, communities and businesses.

Among the measures outlined in the plan are increased investment in water infrastructure, including through private-sector participation, legal and regulatory reforms to improve municipal service delivery, and efforts to tackle corruption and criminality in the water sector.

WATERCOM, which is chaired by President Ramaphosa, was established following the 2026 State of the Nation Address in response to increasingly severe water supply interruptions in parts of the country.

The committee brings together government departments and public agencies responsible for implementing the plan, as well as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

The Presidency said the plan was developed following extensive consultations across all three spheres of government and with key stakeholders.

WATERCOM will work with municipalities to mobilise resources, technical expertise and new partnerships to stabilise failing water systems, restore critical services and expand access.

A key part of the plan is to reform the way water services are managed and financed, including ring-fencing water revenues to ensure that money collected for water services is used to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure.

The plan also seeks to increase investment in bulk water and distribution infrastructure.

According to the Presidency, the water crisis is partly rooted in a delivery model that has resulted in water revenues being diverted to other municipal functions, leaving insufficient funds for infrastructure maintenance, investment and the recruitment of skilled personnel.

The government also identified fragmented accountability as a challenge, saying municipal water and sanitation departments often oversee technical operations while having limited control over billing, revenue collection and the protection of water assets.

The Presidency said dedicated teams have been appointed to drive implementation of the plan, accelerate results and support long-term reforms in the sector.

President Ramaphosa compared the approach to the government’s response to the energy crisis, saying the same focus used to improve Eskom and reform the energy system would now be applied to the country’s water challenges.

“By acting boldly and decisively to improve the performance of Eskom and reform our energy system, we were able to end load shedding and achieve a secure and reliable energy supply.

“Now, we are applying the same approach to the water crisis that has been unfolding in many parts of our country,” the President said.

The President said the plan provided a “clear, practical and focused approach” to achieving water security for all South Africans.

WATERCOM is expected to meet regularly to oversee implementation of the plan and hold government departments and agencies accountable for delivering on the proposed interventions. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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