Category: Africa

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has congratulated two Limpopo learner teams, Robo-Kidz and Roborise, for representing South Africa at the prestigious Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Robo-Kidz hail from Mashupye Tladi Primary School, while Roborise come from Bokamoso Secondary School. 

The international competition is taking place from 7 to 10 July 2026 at the Palexpo International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The two teams earned their place on the global stage after progressing through the local, provincial and national rounds of the competition.

According to the department, their achievement reflects the growing impact of its investment in coding and robotics education as part of its commitment to equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The department has approved and gazetted the Coding and Robotics Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) and has been implementing the curriculum through phased pilots since 2021. 

The programme continues to expose learners to computational thinking, problem-solving, innovation, and digital technologies, while preparing them for future careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 

The success of the Limpopo teams has been made possible through the province’s implementation of the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Conditional Grant, which supports coding and robotics, learner enrichment programmes, teacher development, laboratory resources, and technical education. 

Through the grant, approximately 90 000 learners benefit annually from camps, Olympiads, science fairs, competitions, and international opportunities that nurture innovation and excellence. 

Acting Director for Communications, Terence Khala, said the achievement proves the value of sustained investment in future-focused education.

“These learners are highlighting the best of South African education on the global stage. Their success proves what is possible when we invest in innovation, quality teaching and meaningful opportunities that allow young people to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. 

“As the Department of Basic Education, we are still committed to expanding access to coding and robotics and strengthening STEM education so that every learner can thrive in a rapidly changing world,” Khala said. 

The department also commended the educators, school leadership, parents, the Limpopo Department of Education, and all partners who have supported the learners throughout their journey. 

As South Africa continues to expand the implementation of Coding and Robotics across the schooling system, the department said the achievements such as these reinforce its vision of developing a generation of digitally capable, innovative, and globally competitive learners.  

The Department wished both teams every success as they compete against young innovators from around the world and proudly fly the South African flag. – SAnews.gov.za  

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has extended the public comment period for the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill by one month, from 6 July to 6 August 2026.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the extension follows requests from several organisations and members of the public, who said additional time was needed to engage with the proposed legislation and prepare submissions. 

Simelane published the PIE Amendment Bill for public comment on 16 April 2026. The Bill seeks to amend the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, 1998, which was enacted to prevent unlawful evictions and address historical injustices associated with the removal of people from land without due process.

To ensure that no one was left behind and that there was maximum public participation on the bill, the Minister has appealed to the public and different organisations to seize this opportunity and make their voices heard.

“This about the people for the people. Once again, they have another opportunity to shape the bill,” Simelane said.

The department said it will continue hosting public information sessions over the coming weeks with a range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations, the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA), Chapter 9 institutions and other government departments.

Additional information sessions will also be held in Gauteng and the Northern Cape. The department said it will publish a schedule of the remaining public engagement sessions.

Over and above information sessions, members of the public are also urged to submit their comments to PIE.AmendmentBill@dhs.gov.za, or hand deliver them at 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, or send them to the Director General, Department of Human Settlements, Private Bag x 644, Pretoria, 0001. – SAnews.gov.za

North West Finance MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Oageng Molapisi will engage the Kgetleng-Rivier Municipal Council on the revised implementation approach for the municipality’s Financial Recovery Plan during a special council sitting on Wednesday.

The engagement forms part of a series of special council meetings with municipalities implementing mandatory Financial Recovery Plans (FRPs) in terms of Section 139(5)(c) of the Constitution, read with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

As part of the provincial government’s 2026/27 programme of support to municipalities, Mosenogi announced a comprehensive review and recalibration of the implementation of Financial Recovery Plans.

“The revised approach prioritises high-impact and non-negotiable recovery interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of municipal financial distress and supporting municipalities to transition from the rescue phase towards accelerated financial and institutional stabilisation,” Mosenogi said.

The special council sitting will provide Provincial Treasury and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) with an opportunity to present the revised Provincial Executive Representative (PER) Terms of Reference and brief councillors on the updated implementation approach, including revised reporting, monitoring, and accountability arrangements.

The Kgetleng-Rivier engagement follows a similar special council meeting held at Madibeng Local Municipality last week, where the provincial government introduced the revised PER Terms of Reference as part of efforts to strengthen financial sustainability, governance, and service delivery in municipalities under mandatory financial intervention.

Addressing the Madibeng council, Mosenogi said the move reaffirms the provincial government’s commitment to restoring municipal financial sustainability, strengthening governance, and improving service delivery.

“This intervention is not punitive but corrective. It is intended to restore financial stability, strengthen governance and accountability, and ultimately improve the quality of services delivered to our communities. Achieving these objectives requires the full cooperation and commitment of both council and municipal administration,” Mosenogi said.

Molapisi said the revised Terms of Reference empower the Provincial Executive Representative to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Financial Recovery Plan, supported by a multidisciplinary team from CoGTA.

“The PER will be provided with extensive support to oversee governance reforms, strengthen financial management and expenditure controls, monitor municipal finances, ensure compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, and coordinate the implementation of the Financial Recovery Plan,” Molapisi said. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has rejected misleading social media information regarding the death in custody of a Nigerian national in the Sunnyside policing precinct in Tshwane.

“The South African Police Service notes with concern misleading information being peddled on social media regarding death in custody of a Nigerian national in Sunnyside policing precinct. On 28 June 2026, members of SAPS Tshwane Drugs team, acting on intelligence, arrested a Nigerian national at his apartment for possession of drugs,” the SAPS said in a statement on Tuesday.

During the arrest, the suspect was handcuffed and while being taken into custody, he collapsed. 

“Members immediately called for medical assistance. Paramedics attended the scene and declared him dead. [The] Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), was immediately notified as the death occurred in police custody.”

The police further added that an inquest case was registered as well as a case of possession of drugs. The drugs found on the scene were booked into SAPS 13 store as evidence.

“Both [a] SAPS Detective and IPID Investigator attended the postmortem examination, and it was decided that the case will be investigated by the police pending postmortem results.

“SAPS strongly rejects attempts to link this incident to anti-illegal immigrants’ protests. Such claims are baseless and an attempt to mislead the public,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, has emphasised the critical role of local councillors in unlocking economic growth and creating jobs.

Meyer made the remarks during a two-day training workshop on Economic Governance and Local Economic Development held in Paarl on 6 and 7 July 2026.

The workshop formed part of the annual multi-party Seasonal School for Local Councillors, jointly organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Western Cape Government and the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University.

More than 100 councillors and mayors from municipalities across the Western Cape attended the programme, which focused on strengthening local government’s role in driving sustainable economic growth and create employment opportunities.

A key contributor was Thomas Huber, a member of the Bavarian State Parliament and a long-serving municipal and district councillor, who shared practical insights from Bavaria’s local government experience.

Discussions centred on long-term land-use planning, support for entrepreneurship, investment in critical infrastructure and inter-municipal cooperation as key drivers of economic development.

The partnership between Bavaria, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Western Cape Government spans more than three decades and continues to facilitate the exchange of best practices in governance, investment attraction and economic development.

Meyer said that unlocking local economies requires leadership and that small, practical actions at the local level can deliver significant economic impact.

“Unlocking local economies requires leadership. Small practical actions at a local level can have a significant economic impact. Councillors are central to creating an enabling environment, driving coordinated action, and ensuring that implementation happens,” Meyer said.

During bilateral engagements with Meyer and Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell, Huber shared perspectives on reducing bureaucracy, strengthening municipal effectiveness and implementing practical solutions to support economic growth.

The discussions also focused on investment in infrastructure, digitalisation, good governance, energy security and strategic local development as critical enablers of economic growth and job creation.

Bredell said addressing poverty remains the foremost responsibility of public representatives, noting that local councillors, through their ability to influence local legislation and policy, have a critical responsibility to create conditions that support economic growth and job creation.

He urged councillors to use their legislative and policy-making powers to pass legislation and implement measures that enable investment, support business growth and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“The most important role of any public representative is to address the scourge of poverty. Local councillors have the power to influence local legislation and should therefore be pass legislation that enables economic development and job creation. Sustainable employment is the most effective pathway out of poverty,” Bredell said.

Addressing delegates, Huber outlined five key lessons for successful local economic development.

He said municipalities should prioritise long-term planning and policy continuity, strengthen cooperation rather than competing against each other, maximise the use of planning and funding instruments available within the legal framework to stimulate development, build strong support ecosystems for entrepreneurs, and ensure transparent, efficient and accountable governance to attract investment.

Meyer said sustainable economic growth is built on effective partnerships, capable local government and a shared commitment to implementation.

“Economic growth happens where leadership, planning and implementation come together. By empowering councillors with practical knowledge and strengthening collaboration across all spheres of government, we can create an environment where businesses invest, economies grow and more jobs are created,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za