Category: Africa

South African Local Government Association (SALGA) President Bheke Stofile says the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) must be more than compliance checklists, but a living document that link community priorities to budgets, strengthen service delivery and position municipalities as investment hubs.

“The IDP must become a living economic contract with measurable projects, clear responsibilities and firm timelines, not a document remembered only when compliance is tested,” Stofile said.

Stofile was speaking at the SALGA Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) Investment Lekgotla, currently underway at KuGompo City, in East London.

The Eastern Cape convened the PEC Investment Lekgotla, which forms part of the SALGA Provincial Members Assembly (PMA), bringing together municipal leaders, government stakeholders, and investors, to reflect on socio‑economic progress achieved during the 6th term of Local Government Administration.

As the highest constitutional decision-making platform of SALGA’s member municipalities in the province, the PMA provides a strategic forum to review progress, address persistent challenges, and set priorities for strengthening local governance and accelerating service delivery.

In accordance with the SALGA Constitution, the two-day Assembly, which commences on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, will adopt the province’s programme of action, business plan and budget, consider reports from provincial structures and oversight bodies, and deliberate on matters affecting municipalities across the Eastern Cape.

Proceedings started with a Local Government Investment Promotion Lekgotla, aimed at positioning municipalities as attractive investment destinations and unlocking new opportunities for local economic development.

The session will showcase bankable municipal projects, promote public-private partnerships, facilitate engagements between municipalities and investors, and strengthen efforts to build investment-ready local governments capable of driving inclusive economic growth.

Municipalities from across the province will present investment-ready opportunities, while key economic development departments and institutions will outline the support available to unlock local economic development and attract investment into communities.

Stofile warned that the fiscal story of local government remains incomplete as debt owed by government departments, businesses and households remains overlooked, yet service delivery depends on the timely payment of municipal accounts.

On the second day of the Assembly, Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Zolile Williams is expected to reflect on the achievements of the 6th Administration and outline priorities for the incoming 7th Administration.

His address will focus on strengthening cooperative governance and accelerating service delivery outcomes for communities.

The Provincial Members Assembly comes at a defining moment for local government, providing an opportunity to reflect on the progress made over the past 30 years, while also marking three decades of SALGA’s advocacy for developmental local government.

The Assembly will also seek to position Eastern Cape municipalities for the future by strengthening governance, attracting investment, and driving inclusive economic growth that translates into improved livelihoods and better services for communities across the province. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Musa Nene and Malijeng Ngqaleni as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), respectively.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Presidency said the appointments are in terms of section 221 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 and section 8 of the Financial and Fiscal Commission Act of 1997.

The Commission’s primary objective is to make recommendations to Parliament, the provincial legislatures, local government, and other organs of state on financial and fiscal matters as envisaged in the Constitution and other national legislation.

In addition, the President appointed Bulelwa Dygrecia Nqadolo, Advocate Neo Khethang Tsholanku, Andrew Robert Donaldson, and Astrid Ludin as members of the Commission.

“The appointments are for a period of five years, effective from the date of assumption of office. Furthermore, the Chairperson serves as a full-time member, while the Deputy Chairperson and the other members serve on a part-time basis,” the Presidency said.

Nene also served as a Member of Parliament. He served as  the Deputy Minister of Finance and as a member of the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.

Ms. Ngqaleni is currently a member of the Commission. She is a former Deputy Director-General: Intergovernmental Relations at the National Treasury, where she was also the Chief Director: Provincial and Local Government Infrastructure and Director: Provincial Budget and Policy Analysis.

Ms. Nqadolo was previously a Deputy Director-General: Municipal Financial Governance, Deputy Director-General/Chief Financial Officer, Chief Director/Chief Financial Officer at the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury and also served as Director: Financial Administration at the Eastern Cape.

Advocate Tsholanku serves as Head of Corporate: Legal Services at the South Africa Revenue Service (SARS). He is the former Head of Criminal Investigations at SARS and a General Manager: Legal and Compliance, Chief Legal Advisor, Legal Team Manager at Eskom, and Senior Legal Advisor at the South African Broadcasting Corporation. He was a practicing Advocate and also served as a public prosecutor.

Mr. Donaldson is a Senior Research Associate of the University of Cape Town Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit. He is a former Deputy Director-General of the National Treasury, responsible for the Budget Office and Public Finance, and served as the Acting Head of the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC).

Ms. Ludin was a Deputy Commissioner at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), where she was responsible for oversight over financial markets and retirement fund supervision, as well as the digital transformation of the FSCA.

She is the President of the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS). In addition, Ludin held senior positions in several regulatory and policy institutions, including serving as the Commissioner at the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, a Deputy Director-General at the Department of Trade and Industry and a Deputy Commissioner at the Competition Commission and was a Senior Advisor at the Prudential Authority.

“Their expertise, experience, and institutional memory will add enormous value to the Commission,” the Presidency said.

President Ramaphosa has congratulated the appointees and wished them all the best in their new responsibilities.

Furthermore, the President expresses his appreciation for the former Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Patience Nombeko Mbava, for her dedication and expertise during her term of office. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The cost of repairs to infrastructure damaged by floods earlier this year in the Kruger National Park is estimated to reach R950 million.

Heavy rains and severe flooding in January 2026 caused substantial damage to infrastructure in the Park, including roads, accommodation, and water-related infrastructure. 

Since then, the Park’s management team and contractors have been hard at work progressively repairing the damage. 

“The recovery work being undertaken is not just repairing the damage, but also building more modern and resilient facilities for the future. Our national parks are valuable environmental assets, and the Kruger National Park is the jewel in our crown. We must ensure that they are maintained and revitalised,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment David Maynier said in a statement on Tuesday.

Last week, the Minister visited the Kruger National Park to receive high-level briefings from the Park’s management team, focusing on the progress in repairing flood-damaged infrastructure.  

He visited one of the worst-hit camps, Letaba Rest Camp, where work is currently underway, and repairs are progressing well. 

The A and B circles at Letaba are expected to be brought back into operation in September 2026. 

The Letaba High-Level bridge was also severely damaged, but is currently open, and the final aspects of the rebuild are now nearing completion. 

Minister Maynier also spent time engaging with guests at both the Skukuza Rest Camp units and the Letaba camp site. 

“The guest experience must be a key focus for investments going forward, as we want families and friends to come together and create lasting memories of their time at the Park. I’m happy to report that the reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and any snags will be addressed by the Park’s management,” Maynier said.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will provide further updates on the recovery works in due course. –SAnews.gov.za

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By David Jacobs
For many South Africans, managing money has become a daily balancing act. Rising living costs, household debt, limited disposable income and unexpected expenses can place significant pressure on families and make it increasingly difficult to plan for the future. The scale of household debt pressures in South Africa is a particular cause for concern. 

According to the National Credit Regulator (NCR), more than 10.5 million credit-active consumers had accounts in arrears, had defaulted on payments, or had other negative information recorded on their credit profiles by June 2025. This represents more than a third of all credit-active consumers and highlights the financial strain experienced by millions of households.

Against this backdrop, financial literacy is not a luxury or a skill reserved for those with high incomes; it is an essential life skill from which every citizen can benefit. Being financially smart is about more than earning an income. It is about understanding how to manage the money we have, making informed decisions about spending and borrowing, planning for unexpected expenses and knowing when and where to seek help.

As households continue to navigate economic pressures, there is an opportunity for citizens to take greater ownership of their financial wellbeing by developing healthier money habits and becoming more confident in managing their finances. At the same time, government, regulators, financial institutions and civil society have an important role to play in ensuring that people have access to reliable information, appropriate support and the tools they need to make informed choices.

Financial literacy should therefore be seen not simply as an educational concept, but as a practical tool for empowerment. The more financially capable citizens become, the better equipped they are to manage their money, make responsible financial decisions, protect their livelihoods and prepare for unexpected financial pressures.

Becoming financially smart starts with understanding the basics of managing money. This includes knowing how to budget, manage debt, use credit responsibly, distinguish between needs and wants, and plan for future expenses. Simple steps can make a meaningful difference. Households can start by keeping track of their monthly income and expenses, reviewing unnecessary costs, cancelling unused subscriptions and engaging creditors early to negotiate payment arrangements before accounts fall into arrears. While these actions may appear small, they can help households gain greater control over their finances and build stronger financial habits over time.

However, individual responsibility must be supported by an enabling environment that gives citizens access to opportunities, information and support. While households can take practical steps to manage their finances more effectively, government also has an important role to play in addressing the broader economic conditions that affect household financial wellbeing.

Government recognises that addressing South Africa’s economic challenges requires sound policy choices, inclusive growth and structural reforms, alongside practical measures that support households and expand economic inclusion. These measures include social protection programmes, employment initiatives, skills development opportunities and support for small enterprises, all of which can help households strengthen their economic security.

Among these interventions are the Presidential Employment Stimulus and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which provide employment opportunities and income support, as well as skills development programmes delivered through the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Social assistance programmes, including grants, also provide an essential safety net for vulnerable households, helping millions of South Africans meet their basic needs during periods of financial pressure.

Through initiatives such as the National Consumer Financial Education Strategy and the draft National Consumer Financial Education Policy, government is strengthening efforts to build financial capability and promote the financial wellbeing of citizens. The work of institutions such as the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is equally important in promoting consumer education, protecting financial customers and ensuring that people have the knowledge and confidence to participate safely and responsibly in the financial system. Strengthening these efforts can help citizens make informed choices, avoid harmful financial practices and become better prepared to manage financial shocks.

Importantly, citizens do not have to navigate financial challenges alone. Assistance is available through the National Credit Regulator (NCR), which provides information on consumer rights, responsible borrowing and access to registered debt counsellors. The NCR can be contacted on 0860 627 627 or through its website at www.ncr.org.za.

Consumers can also access financial education resources, consumer protection information and complaint mechanisms through the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) by calling 0800 20 3722 or visiting www.fsca.co.za. The National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) is a national initiative that provides free and confidential counselling, treatment referrals and support services for individuals experiencing gambling-related challenges.

By making financial literacy part of everyday life, we can move towards a society in which citizens are not only better equipped to navigate financial challenges but are confident and capable of making informed decisions that strengthen their financial wellbeing and contribute to a more resilient economy. Becoming financially smart is an investment in oneself, one’s family and one’s future. Every informed decision about spending, borrowing, saving and planning is a step towards greater financial security and a stronger financial future.

Financial literacy is ultimately about putting citizens in a stronger position to make their money work for them, rather than allowing financial pressures to dictate their choices.

*Jacobs is Chief Director: Cluster Communication at the Government Communication and Information System

 

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South African citrus exporters are set to benefit from improved market access to India, following the approval of additional treatment options for fresh citrus fruit after nearly a decade of negotiations. 

In a statement, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) and the Department of Agriculture announced that India has approved additional fruit fly cold treatment options, which will allow the quality of the fruit in the market to improve and add important logistical flexibility. 

South Africa already exports citrus to India using various fruit-fly treatment protocols. 

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp welcomed the development, saying “it indicates how advanced technology enables South African farmers to push barriers to have other countries enjoy our high-quality produce.” 

With a population of approximately 1.47 billion people and one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, India presents significant growth potential for South African citrus exporters. 

Despite this, India’s share of exports from South Africa is very small and thus presents an exceptional opportunity for growth. 

India is itself one of the world’s largest citrus producers, with consumers already familiar with the product category. 

South Africa’s counter-seasonal production provides an opportunity to complement domestic supply, particularly as the middle class expands, health-conscious consumption grows and demand for mandarin-type citrus increases. 

Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa Chief Executive Officer, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, commended the Department of Agriculture and Citrus Research International for their continued technical engagement with Indian authorities that have made the new treatment options possible.

“This demonstrates the importance of sustained public-private partnership in improving technical conditions for accessing markets,” Ntshabele said. 

He also emphasised that attention should now shift towards improving the commercial conditions under which South African citrus enters the Indian market.

Most-Favoured-Nation tariffs of approximately 25-30% continue to place South African citrus at a disadvantage compared with Southern Hemisphere competitors benefiting from preferential tariff arrangements.

“We look forward to working with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) on the critical task of addressing these tariff barriers and improving the competitiveness of South African citrus in the Indian market going forward,” Ntshabele said.

The CGA said that with positive developments in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) -India Preferential Trade Agreement process, continued momentum towards improved preferential access will help unlock India’s great market potential and support the long-term sustainability and diversification of the South African citrus industry.

“The CGA sees combining improved phytosanitary market access with more competitive tariff conditions as being key to growing South Africa’s presence in India and supporting the long-term sustainability, growth and diversification of the South African citrus industry.” – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa will place infrastructure development at the centre of its year-long Chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with SADC Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling for faster implementation of regional corridors, railways, ports, roads, energy and water projects.

Closing the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in eThekwini on Monday evening, President Ramaphosa said infrastructure would be critical to turning the region’s industrialisation ambitions into factories, jobs, trade and economic opportunity.

For President Ramaphosa, industrialisation cannot be separated from the infrastructure needed to move goods, people, energy and resources across borders.

“Our region is richly endowed. We have minerals that are critical to the industries of the future. We have vast agricultural potential. We have abundant renewable energy resources. We have a young population and a growing market.

“Our task is to convert these endowments into factories, farms, enterprises, skills, exports and jobs. For this to happen, we are committed to build the infrastructure that binds our economies together.

“South Africa will therefore place infrastructure development at the centre of its Chairship of SADC,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The announcement gives practical expression to South Africa’s Chairship priorities and positions infrastructure as the connective tissue between industrialisation, regional trade and economic development. 

The Summit adopted a theme focused on accelerating industrialisation, building on the region’s previous commitments to agricultural transformation, energy transition and greater productive capacity.

Southern Africa possesses significant mineral resources, agricultural potential and renewable energy resources, as well as a young and growing population. But converting these advantages into economic growth requires infrastructure capable of linking production to markets. 

Corridors as arteries of regional integration

A major focus of South Africa’s Chairship will therefore be the development and efficient functioning of regional corridors.

President Ramaphosa said the corridors should become “arteries of regional integration”, connecting production centres to markets, linking landlocked countries to ports and allowing goods, services and people to move more efficiently and at lower cost.

“We therefore call on corridor countries to conclude and implement the necessary legal and institutional arrangements required to operationalise these corridors,” he said. 

The emphasis on corridors builds on SADC’s long-standing regional infrastructure agenda, including the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP), which identifies transport connectivity as a critical component of regional integration.

The region has also recognised that infrastructure investment cannot be considered in isolation from trade facilitation. Inefficient border procedures, fragmented systems and delays can undermine the economic value of major roads, railways and ports.

The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency has identified the reduction of mobility constraints and the improvement of the unimpeded flow of freight and commuters as central to cross-border transport and regional integration. 

Its strategic work has included support for One-Stop Border Posts, corridor efficiency, harmonised standards and procedures, and the development of cross-border transport partnerships.

From roads to rail and ports

President Ramaphosa said South Africa would also work with the region to revitalise railway networks, expand and modernise ports and improve road and logistics systems.

“We know that without efficient infrastructure, there can be no competitive regional economy,” he said.

The emphasis is particularly important for landlocked SADC countries, whose economies depend on efficient transport corridors to access regional and international markets.

The development of corridors can also support regional industrialisation by allowing countries to specialise in different stages of production while ensuring that components, raw materials and finished products can move efficiently between them.

This is central to SADC’s ambition to develop regional value chains rather than simply exporting raw materials.

The SADC Annual Corporate Plan for 2026/27 identifies industrial development and market integration, infrastructure development in support of regional integration, and increased intra-SADC trade as core priorities.

Energy as another pillar

Infrastructure under South Africa’s Chairship will not be confined to transport.

President Ramaphosa said SADC was determined to increase access to electricity across the region to at least 85 percent by 2030.

“But access alone is not enough. Our households and businesses need electricity that is reliable, affordable and increasingly generated from the diverse energy resources with which our region is blessed.

“We will strengthen regional electricity interconnection and accelerate investment in generation and transmission infrastructure so that energy can move efficiently between our countries,” he said. 

This is particularly important as SADC seeks to industrialise. Reliable energy is necessary for manufacturing, mining, agriculture, digital infrastructure and small businesses, while regional electricity trading can help countries balance differences in generation capacity and demand.

The same infrastructure logic, the President said, must apply to water and sanitation.

“We will bring the same urgency to water and sanitation,” he said. 

He framed such investment not merely as capital expenditure, but as an investment in the region’s people and productive capacity.

“Investment in water, sanitation, energy and transport infrastructure is not simply investment in physical assets.

“It is investment in human dignity, economic opportunity and the future productive capacity of our region,” he said.

Financing the ambition

The scale of the infrastructure agenda raises a central question: where will the money come from? 

President Ramaphosa said South Africa’s Chairship would support stronger mobilisation of domestic, regional and international resources for implementation of the RISDP and SADC Vision 2050.

A key component will be the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund.

The Fund is designed to provide a regional financing mechanism for economic development and sustainable growth. Its operationalisation has been repeatedly identified by SADC as an important step towards addressing financing gaps for regional programmes and projects.

Recent SADC engagements with the African Development Bank have similarly focused on infrastructure financing, industrialisation, private-sector participation and innovative financing solutions.

President Ramaphosa said the region should mobilise its own resources to finance its development priorities while continuing to work with international financial institutions, development partners and the private sector.

The test is implementation

President Ramaphosa said SADC had developed the strategies, institutions and reforms needed to deepen regional integration, but the focus must now shift to implementation.

“The challenge before us is therefore implementation,” he said.

He said progress should be measured not by meetings held and resolutions adopted, but by tangible outcomes, including kilometres of railway rehabilitated, megawatts of electricity generated and transmitted, reduced border-crossing times, factories established, increased intra-regional trade and jobs created.

For South Africa’s Chairship, this means using its convening role to drive infrastructure projects, financing mechanisms and reforms that translate regional commitments into tangible benefits for citizens.

“Let us build a Southern Africa that is peaceful, integrated, industrialised and prosperous. And let us build it together,” the SADC Chair said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Southern Africa’s ambition to deepen regional integration will increasingly be tested at its borders, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for the accelerated establishment of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) and the modernisation of systems that govern the movement of goods and people across the region. 

Closing the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in eThekwini on Monday evening, President Ramaphosa placed more efficient borders at the heart of South Africa’s Chairship, linking them to regional industrialisation, infrastructure development and lower costs of trade. 

He said the objective was straightforward: goods and people should not lose valuable time at borders because neighbouring countries operate disconnected systems.

“We must accelerate the establishment of the identified One-Stop Border Posts. A truck carrying goods across Southern Africa should not spend days waiting at a border,” he said. 

The President said borders should facilitate legitimate trade and movement while retaining effective security and customs controls.

“Our borders must facilitate legitimate trade and movement while maintaining effective security and customs controls,” the SADC Chair said. 

From two stops to one

One-Stop Border Posts are designed to address one of the most persistent obstacles to efficient cross-border movement: the duplication of processes when travellers and trucks are required to stop at separate border facilities operated by neighbouring countries.

The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) has identified inland border posts as a major constraint on the unimpeded flow of cross-border traffic, with challenges including inadequate infrastructure, fragmented systems, multiple stakeholders operating in silos and different operating arrangements between countries.

SADC’s Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan has prioritised the transformation of traditional two-stop borders into One-Stop Border Posts.

The C-BRTA has identified a number of OSBPs and regional border initiatives, including Chirundu, Kazungula, Kasumbalesa, Lebombo and Mamuno, as part of broader efforts to improve corridor efficiency.

The significance of the President’s call is therefore not simply about constructing new border facilities. It is about changing the way border agencies and neighbouring countries work together.

Cross-border transport transformation

South Africa has been pursuing a broader transformation of its cross-border road transport system through improved regulation, digital services and efforts to reduce operational constraints.

The C-BRTA’s mandate includes improving the unimpeded flow of freight and commuters across the SADC region, reducing operational constraints, facilitating market access and supporting social and economic development.

The Agency has also introduced digital tools such as Cross-Easy, which allows cross-border operators to apply for permits online, track applications, make payments and receive notifications digitally.

The system forms part of efforts to reduce administrative burdens and improve the experience of freight and passenger operators.

The C-BRTA is also pursuing an Operator Compliance Accreditation System designed to reduce transit delays and improve supply-chain visibility and corridor efficiency by using risk-based compliance mechanisms.

These interventions point towards a broader transformation in which physical infrastructure is combined with digital systems, regulatory harmonisation and better coordination between border agencies.

Digitising the border

The transformation is also taking place at regional level.

SADC and its tripartite partners have been developing digital systems to make the movement of people and goods more efficient.

The Corridor Trip Monitoring System (CTMS), developed under the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme, is designed to integrate transport, immigration and customs systems and provide advance information on drivers, crew and passengers.

The system also supports electronic documentation, cargo tracking and corridor performance monitoring, with the broader objective of reducing travel and transit times and enabling more efficient border procedures.

SADC has described digital transformation as a critical enabler of its Vision 2050 objectives, with technology expected to support more efficient state structures, economic activity, skills development and job creation.

The region’s previous work on migration has likewise identified digital interventions, e-visas and cross-border identity management as important tools for facilitating movement while strengthening security.

This is increasingly important as SADC attempts to balance two objectives that are sometimes presented as competing: making legitimate movement easier while making it more difficult for criminals and irregular movements to exploit weaknesses in border systems.

Making migration management smarter

Migration featured in the President’s broader call for a more connected region.

SADC’s approach recognises that migration is a permanent feature of regional economic and social life and that well-managed migration can contribute to development, labour markets and regional integration.

The region has previously identified the need for coordinated migration policies, stronger migration data systems and measures that facilitate safe and regular movement of people. Its Labour Migration Action Plan was designed to strengthen labour migration governance, protect migrant workers and increase their contribution to socio-economic development.

Digital systems are becoming increasingly important to this agenda.

South Africa itself has been modernising migration management through electronic visa systems and the Electronic Travel Authorisation, with the Department of Home Affairs describing digital migration management as a means of improving efficiency while strengthening security and supporting tourism and economic growth.

At regional level, the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA is another example of how migration and tourism policy can intersect. The proposed instrument seeks to facilitate tourism travel across participating SADC countries through a common visa arrangement.

The border as an economic instrument

For the region’s industrialisation ambitions, the border is more than an immigration checkpoint.

It is part of the economic infrastructure.

A truck delayed for hours or days at a border adds costs to manufacturers, exporters, importers and consumers. Delays can disrupt supply chains, reduce the competitiveness of regional producers and undermine the value of investments made in roads, rail and ports.

The Department of Transport has acknowledged that long queues at strategic borders affect regional logistics value chains and place strain on transport infrastructure and cargo security. 

South Africa has consequently been working on improved processing capacity at critical crossings including Beitbridge, Lebombo and Maseru Bridge, alongside greater inter-agency coordination and digitisation of border procedures.

This is why President Ramaphosa’s call for OSBPs sits directly within South Africa’s wider Chairship priority of infrastructure-led regional integration.

The objective is to connect the entire logistics chain from production centre, through roads and railways, to ports and across borders, rather than improving one component while leaving bottlenecks elsewhere.

A border that connects rather than divides

The President’s closing address ultimately framed the issue in terms of what regional integration should feel like for citizens.

He said Southern Africa should move towards a region where borders connect rather than divide its people, and where the benefits of integration are visible in everyday life.

This means faster movement for freight operators, more predictable conditions for businesses, easier travel for tourists and legitimate travellers, and stronger systems to combat trafficking and other cross-border crimes.

It also means making existing regional commitments work.

SADC has already developed strategies, protocols and digital initiatives aimed at facilitating trade and movement. The challenge now is to bring these instruments together at the border and ensure that they function in practice.

President Ramaphosa said the region must judge itself by measurable outcomes rather than the number of resolutions adopted.

“We must measure our progress not only in meetings held and agreements signed, but in kilometres of railway rehabilitated, megawatts of electricity generated and transmitted, border-crossing times reduced, factories established, intra-regional trade expanded and jobs created,” he said. 

For South Africa’s Chairship, the border therefore becomes one of the clearest places where the promise of SADC can be tested.

If regional corridors become faster, if border systems become more integrated, if digital tools reduce paperwork and waiting times, and if legitimate movement becomes easier while security improves, regional integration moves from a policy concept into something citizens and businesses can experience.

That is ultimately the direction President Ramaphosa set at the close of the Summit:

“Let us leave eThekwini with renewed determination to build a Southern Africa in which our borders connect rather than divide us; in which our resources are transformed into prosperity; and in which the benefits of regional integration are felt in the lives of all our people,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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