Category: Africa

The Gauteng Departments of Community Safety and Education have called on parents, guardians and caregivers to prioritise the safety and well-being of children during the winter school holidays. 

Public schools across Gauteng closed on Friday, 26 June 2026, and are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. 

With learners expected to spend more time outdoors, travelling, visiting friends and relatives, or participating in recreational activities, the two departments have urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take practical steps to keep children safe throughout the holiday period.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure children are supervised at all times and to know their whereabouts. 

Children should also be taught their home address and their parents’ or guardians’ full names and contact numbers, while younger children should remain within sight of a trusted adult or caregiver. 

The departments also urged parents to educate children on road safety and the importance of using designated pedestrian crossings. Children should be prevented from playing near busy roads, rivers, dams, construction sites and abandoned buildings. 

Parents and caregivers are further encouraged to monitor children’s online activities and educate them about the dangers of interacting with strangers on social media and other online platforms.

The departments said children should be encouraged to participate in safe and structured recreational, educational and sporting activities. Parents are also advised to speak openly with children about personal safety and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour, while ensuring they are not left alone for extended periods without responsible adult supervision.

Cases of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, missing children or other criminal activities should be reported to the nearest police station. 

The departments noted that while school holidays provide children with an opportunity to take a break from their studies and spend quality time with family and friends, children can be vulnerable.

“It is during this period that, in some instances, children are exposed to vulnerability, and it is, therefore, important that community members play an active role in safeguarding children,” the departments said.  
The departments emphasised that protecting children is a shared responsibility.

“We remain of the firm belief that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and, accordingly, the safety of all Gauteng’s children is the responsibility of all members of the community – from parents, teachers, police officers, street vendors to community patrollers, to mention a few,” the departments said. 

Members of the public have been encouraged to report suspicious activities to their nearest police station, support community safety initiatives and work together to create safer environments for children during the school holidays.

The Gauteng Departments of Community Safety and Education wished all learners, educators and parents a safe and enjoyable winter school holiday. – SAnews.gov.za

By the CEO of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent, Pati Kgomo

South Africa’s long-term development projections are closely tied to the strength and sustainability of its local government institutions. Municipalities remain the frontline of service delivery, they are responsible for the infrastructure that enables communities to access basic services, i.e. water, sanitation, roads, solid waste removal and electricity.

Ensuring that municipalities possess the necessary technical skills and institutional capacity therefore becomes a national development imperative. To this effect, for over a decade now the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) continues to play a critical role in supporting municipalities by strengthening technical capacity while simultaneously investing in the development of young South Africans.

Through its targeted skills development programmes, MISA contributes to building a pipeline of resilient and future-ready workforce that enhances municipal service delivery and supports sustainable development. A key pillar of this effort is the MISA Apprenticeship Programme, which seeks to address the persistent shortage of scarce and critical artisan skills across the country.

The programme provides unemployed youth with the opportunity to pursue Red Seal trade test qualifications in essential fields such as electrical work, plumbing, bricklaying, and diesel and motor mechanics. These trades are fundamental to maintaining and expanding municipal infrastructure systems that communities depend on daily.

By equipping young people with these practical and technical competencies, the programme simultaneously tackles two pressing national challenges: youth unemployment and the shortage of skilled artisans within the public sector. Importantly, municipalities participating in the programme benefit from access to a growing pool of competent, work-ready artisans capable of supporting infrastructure delivery and maintenance.

The impact of the programme continues to grow. During the 2024/25 financial year, thirty apprentices successfully completed their trade testing. This brings the total number of apprentices trained through MISA since the year 2014 to 1732. These achievements demonstrate the sustained commitment of government to building the technical expertise required to strengthen local government institutions and improve service delivery outcomes.

This work is closely aligned with the vision articulated in the National Development Plan 2030, which emphasises the importance of producing 30,000 qualified artisans annually to support infrastructure development, economic growth, and employment creation. Skilled artisans are central to the country’s ability to build, maintain, and modernise infrastructure systems that underpin inclusive development.

Equally important is the alignment of MISA’s initiatives with the District Development Model (DDM). By ensuring that skills development programmes are linked to the specific needs of local economies, the approach promotes place-based development and strengthens the relationship between training, employment opportunities, and municipal service delivery. In doing so, it contributes to reducing the pressures of rural-to-urban migration by enabling young people to build sustainable livelihoods within their own communities.

Beyond the Apprenticeship Programme, MISA has implemented additional capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the technical capabilities of municipalities. 

The Experiential Learnership Programme provides Engineering and Built Environment students and recent graduates with practical workplace experience within host municipalities, enabling them to apply their academic training in real-world environments.

The Young Graduates Programme is a three-to-four-year programme aimed towards professional registration as professional Technicians, Technologists and Pr. Engineers in terms of approved regulatory and professional Bodies frameworks including Act 36 of 2002 and Engineering Professions Act No 46 of 2000 and the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) is the statutory council responsible for regulating the planning profession in terms of the Planning Profession Act, 36 of 2002 (PPA) (herein referred to as the Act) and other related legislation. 

Whilst the programme is not exclusively limited to individuals from previously disadvantaged communities, MISA gives preference to the historically disadvantaged individuals to participate in the work-based internship development programme. 

Young Graduates are from various Universities and University of Technologies through a structured work plan to expand their work experience and achieve professional registration as professional technicians with the relevant statutory professional registration body.

Since its inception in 2013/14 financial year, MISA has already enrolled more than 860 (eight hundred and sixty)Young Graduates in the programme. 

The programme is predominantly on Civil Engineering, Town and Regional Planning and Electrical Engineering Young Graduates. Since 2015 to date, MISA has professionalised 54 Young Graduates, with Town and Regional Planning leading the list. The majority of the professionalised Young Graduates are currently working permanently in different municipalities across South Africa and in the private companies being absorbed when they were placed with host companies in the form of a Third-party placement to receive practical experience.

A total of 51  young graduates who are professionally registered were absorbed permanently in municipalities across South Africa. Four are permanently employed by MISA in different provinces. The rest are working in private companies; some have established own businesses in different provinces, and they are contributing positively to job creation and service delivery in the country.

 As at 1 April 2026, MISA is currently hosting 158  young graduates, who are placed in different municipalities in the provinces. MISA professional teams and municipalities are responsible for supervision and mentoring of the young graduates. In implementing the Young Graduate programme, MISA relies heavily on the support by the sector partners like Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) since the inception of the programme.

These programmes, collectively form part of a broader strategy to create a sustainable pipeline of technical expertise for local government. By investing in the development of young artisans, engineers, town planners, technical professionals and other disciplines that are in demand, government is strengthening the institutional foundations necessary to support infrastructure delivery and long-term economic growth. These initiatives are also in line with the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) priorities of driving inclusive economic growth and job creation; reducing poverty and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

As South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the youth uprising, it is important to recognise the vital role of technical and built environment skills play in building and maintaining the infrastructure that sustains communities. This is in line with the commemoration focus, to bridge the historic struggle for youth empowerment through equal education, inclusive economic participation and skills development. These skills are the backbone of infrastructure development. The skills not only demonstrate technical knowledge but also ensure that infrastructure systems remain functional, reliable, and capable of supporting economic activity.

For MISA, the celebration of Youth Month is also a reminder of the responsibility to continue investing in the next generation of skilled workers. Through sustained collaboration with municipalities, training institutions, and other partners, the agency remains committed to empowering young people with the skills required to participate meaningfully in the economy.

Strengthening municipal infrastructure ultimately requires more than financial investment; it demands the deliberate development of human capability. By nurturing artisan as well as engineering skills and building technical capacity within municipalities, South Africa is laying the groundwork for resilient institutions capable of meeting the needs of communities today and into the future.

MISA is a Schedule 3 government component of the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) established in terms of Section 7(5) of the Public Service Act of 1994 (as amended), with the mandate to provide technical support and build technical capacity for municipalities to enhance their capability to undertake efficient planning, delivery, operations and management of municipal infrastructure.

For more information on the various programmes of MISA visit: https://www.misa.gov.za.
 

As South Africa marks Science Month in July, University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Liesl Zühlke has been named the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Award Laureate for Africa and the Arab States in the field of Life and Environmental Sciences.

The prestigious international award recognises Zühlke’s exceptional contributions to cardiac and cardiovascular science, which have advanced global scientific knowledge and improved health outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children in low- and middle-income countries.

“I am deeply honoured and extremely humbled by this prestigious award. It represents decades of work, focused on children with rheumatic and congenital heart disease, with amazing team members from UCT, as well as with African and global colleagues. 

“In addition, it also highlights the role of women in science. I have been deeply inspired by authentic, committed and courageous women scientists in my community, at UCT and beyond. I hope this award brings attention to the plight of childhood-onset heart disease, which remains neglected in the world,” Zühlke said.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards honour five exceptional women scientists annually for advancing scientific knowledge and strengthening gender representation in research.
Established in 1998, the programme celebrates researchers whose work has had a significant impact on science and society. Each year, one laureate is selected from five global regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.

Zühlke is Director of the Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit at UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences and serves as Vice President for Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio at the South African Medical Research Council.

A paediatric cardiologist and globally respected researcher, she has dedicated her career to tackling childhood-onset heart diseases, particularly in underserved communities. Her research focuses on congenital and rheumatic heart disease, heart failure and cardiovascular health in women of childbearing age – areas that continue to carry a substantial and growing disease burden despite receiving limited global research attention.

Acting Deputy Dean for Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Sharon Prince, described the award as a powerful recognition of research that transforms lives.

“Zühlke is a remarkable scientist, whose work has consistently bridged rigorous research with deep humanity. Her leadership has opened doors for new knowledge, stronger health systems and more equitable care for women and children across the continent,” Prince said. 

Zühlke’s work has had a far-reaching impact on public health across Africa, particularly in the understanding, prevention and treatment of rheumatic heart disease, a condition affecting more than 50 million people worldwide and responsible for over 360 000 deaths each year.

Through a research portfolio spanning basic science, clinical research, clinical trials, translational medicine, policy engagement and community-based initiatives, she has helped shape international priorities in rheumatic and congenital heart disease. Her research has also advanced care for children born with congenital heart disease, particularly in resource-limited settings where outcomes remain disproportionately poor.

Recognising that children are often overlooked in global health metrics, including Disability Adjusted Life Years and Quality-Adjusted Life Years, Zühlke has consistently focused on diseases of poverty affecting children, adolescents and marginalised communities.

Beyond academia, she is a leading advocate for children and families living with heart disease. Through collaborations with organisations including the African Union, the World Health Organization and the World Heart Federation, she has helped advance research and policy aimed at improving care for children with heart disease.

Zühlke has authored more than 230 peer-reviewed publications, with her work receiving more than 91 000 citations globally. Her research has informed policy development and contributed to more inclusive research practices by amplifying the voices and lived experiences of patients historically excluded from decision-making processes.

Prince said Zühlke’s influence extends well beyond her scientific achievements.
“What makes Zühlke exceptional is not only the scale of her scientific contributions, but also the way she lifts others as she rises. She has mentored, inspired and created space for women scientists and young researchers to thrive, and that legacy is as important as any publication or award,” she said.

Zühlke’s selection as a 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Award Laureate recognises not only her scientific excellence and global leadership, but also her unwavering commitment to advancing health equity.

Her achievement serves as an inspiration to the next generation of women scientists in South Africa, across Africa and around the world.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will formally announce the launch of the inaugural edition of National Science Month (NSM) on Monday, 29 June 2026.

The launch of the inaugural edition of the NSM will take place on 4 July 2026 at the Vaal University of Technology.  – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa’s retail sector is playing an increasingly important role in building a capable State by driving localisation, supporting industrial growth and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

In support of this objective, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) will host the Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase, Networking Dinner and Targeted Factory Visits at the Coastlands Hotel Umhlanga in Umhlanga, Durban, from 1 to 2 July 2026.

The event is being hosted in partnership with the South African Footwear and Leather Industries Association (SAFLIA), the South African Footwear and Leather Export Council (SAFLEC), and with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The initiative forms part of the implementation of South Africa’s Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Master Plan 2030 and aims to strengthen localisation by creating direct commercial engagement between South African footwear manufacturers and major retailers, buyers and sourcing decision-makers.

By strengthening these linkages, the retail sector is helping to build state capability through deeper industrial coordination, stronger domestic supply chains and greater support for local production. This collaborative approach advances government’s broader goal of fostering an economy that is inclusive, productive and resilient.

The event will provide a platform for local footwear manufacturers to showcase their products, production capabilities and readiness to supply both domestic and international markets.

It is also expected to facilitate business-to-business engagements that could lead to sourcing opportunities, retailer onboarding processes, trial orders and long-term commercial partnerships.

The Acting Deputy Director-General of Sectors at the dtic, Dr Tebogo Makube, said the initiative demonstrates the commitment of government and industry stakeholders to deepen localisation and support the growth of South Africa’s footwear manufacturing sector.

“The Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase represents a practical intervention aimed at connecting local manufacturers with market opportunities.

“Through the R-CTFL Master Plan, government, industry and organised labour have committed themselves to rebuilding and growing domestic manufacturing capacity, creating jobs and increasing local procurement.

“This event provides an important platform for manufacturers to demonstrate their capabilities and for retailers to identify competitive local sourcing opportunities,” he said.

The event is being implemented through the R-CTFL Master Plan Footwear Working Group and contributes directly to the Master Plan’s objectives of localisation, competitiveness, supplier development, transformation and job creation.

Signed in 2019, the R-CTFL Master Plan is a social compact between government, retailers, manufacturers, organised labour and other stakeholders aimed at revitalising South Africa’s clothing, textile, footwear and leather industries.

The Master Plan seeks to increase local procurement, expand manufacturing capacity, create sustainable employment opportunities and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic producers.

Makube said collaboration across the value chain remains critical to the success of the Master Plan.

“The future sustainability of the footwear sector depends on stronger collaboration between manufacturers, retailers, development partners and government institutions.

“By bringing these stakeholders together, we are creating an ecosystem that supports enterprise development, competitiveness improvements, market access and long-term sector growth,” Makube said.

The programme will commence on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, with a Footwear Retail Buyer Showcase, where 13 participating manufacturers will present their product ranges, production capabilities, compliance readiness and company profiles to invited retailers and sourcing teams.

The showcase will be followed by a networking dinner and panel discussion involving representatives from government, industry associations, organised labour, retailers, manufacturers and development partners.

Discussions will focus on localisation, sustainability, compliance, competitiveness, market access and strengthening retailer-manufacturer collaboration within the footwear value chain.

On Thursday, 2 July 2026, selected retailers and buyers will participate in targeted factory visits to gain first-hand insight into manufacturing operations, workforce capabilities, quality management systems, compliance standards and production capacity.

The factory visits are intended to deepen engagement beyond the exhibition environment and support practical sourcing discussions between manufacturers and retailers.

Expected outcomes of the initiative include stronger relationships between manufacturers and retailers, increased visibility for local producers, new sourcing opportunities, supplier development interventions and practical insights that will contribute to the ongoing implementation and review of the R-CTFL Master Plan.

As South Africa works to build a capable developmental State, initiatives such as this demonstrate how strategic partnerships between government and the retail sector can accelerate industrialisation, boost local production and create meaningful economic opportunities. – SAnews.gov.za

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted explosive cables with an estimated street value of about R100 000 concealed in the luggage of a Malawian man travelling on an Interlink bus at the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

BMA Acting Commissioner, retired Major-General David Chilembe, commended the vigilance and professionalism of border guards following the arrest of the suspect travelling from Malawi. 

“This interception is a testament to the vigilance, professionalism, and dedication of our border guards, who remain committed to detecting and preventing the movement of prohibited and dangerous goods across our ports of entry,” Chilembe said.

On Sunday afternoon, a BMA border guard intercepted an Interlink bus travelling from Malawi after identifying suspicious luggage during routine inspections.

Upon further examination, explosive cables, which are classified as explosives in terms of the law, were found concealed inside a bag of rice.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) Bomb Disposal Unit and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, were immediately summoned to the scene to secure the explosives and conduct further investigations.

Chilembe said the interception demonstrates the Authority’s unwavering commitment to protecting South Africa’s borders and safeguarding the public from serious security threats.

“The BMA will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat transnational organised crime and ensure that those who attempt to violate our laws are brought to justice,” said Acting Commissioner Chilembe.

The Malawian man was detained at the Musina Police Station in Limpopo. Investigations are continuing to determine the origin, intended destination and possible criminal networks linked to the explosives.

The BMA reaffirmed that it remains resolute in strengthening border security through intelligence-led operations, advanced risk profiling and close collaboration with law enforcement agencies to prevent the illegal movement of explosives, firearms, drugs and other contraband into and out of the Republic. – SAnews.gov.za