Category: Africa

South Africa has responded to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s newsletter on Substack.

In the newsletter Rubio criticised Pretoria, stating that Washington will not tolerate what he describes as the “radical” ANC-led government. He also condemned South Africa’s focus on climate change, diversity, and inclusion during its presidency of the Group of 20 (G20).

In a break from long-standing tradition, the G20 Leaders’ Summit last month adopted a declaration addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges right at the start of their meeting. 

Despite weeks of tough negotiations and the absence of the United States, South Africa managed to achieve a consensus based on its own terms.

The G20 declaration commits major economies to combat global inequality, reform international financial systems to alleviate debt pressures on developing countries, and promote inclusive growth, with a particular focus on Africa and the broader Global South. 

It also emphasises climate action, renewable energy transitions, and enhanced multilateral cooperation to advance peace, sustainability, and development globally.

However, on Wednesday, Secretary of State Rubio announced that the United States is moving forward with a new G20. 

“America’s G20 will propel us forward with innovation, entrepreneurship and perseverance that make America great and provide a roadmap of prosperity to the world. We’re ready to lead the way in Miami,” he wrote. 

In addition, the United States officially invited Poland to participate in the G20 summit, which will take place in 2026 in Miami, Florida, while excluding South Africa. 

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has in a statement defended South Africa’s leadership of the G20 and rejecting suggestions that the country undermined consensus within the forum. 

Lamola congratulated the United States on assuming the G20 Presidency but said Rubio’s remarks required an honest response.

“Your words compel me to speak, not merely as a representative of a government, but as a voice from a nation whose very existence is a testament to a profound truth: that the deepest divides can be bridged… not through unilateral action but global solidarity,” he wrote. 

He stressed that South Africa, as a founding member, “has no unilateral right to be excluded from the G20”.

Highlighting the philosophy behind South Africa’s G20 Presidency, Lamola said the country approached its leadership with the belief “that treating Africa and the Global South as equal partners and that it was not an act of charity, but a strategic imperative for a stable, prosperous world”. 

He said the success of the summit was rooted in South Africa’s creation of “a hospitable environment in the true spirit of Ubuntu”, citing international delegates who praised the warm reception. 

The Minister rejected the United States’ claims that South Africa sabotaged the consensus, noting that “the United States chose not to attend our G20 meetings”.

He argued that the purpose of the forum was not forced agreement but ensuring “everyone leaves feeling they have been truly heard”.

Addressing Rubio’s criticism of South Africa’s domestic policies, Lamola stated that the country’s transformation agenda is rooted in its Constitution and history. 

“Our policies of redress are not a political invention. They are the fulfilment of a promise made to all South Africans as we emerged from the darkness of apartheid,” he said, quoting former President Nelson Mandela on the need to change the “excessive concentration of power in a few white hands”.

He countered claims that the government promotes racism or threatens Afrikaner farmers, insisting this was “further from the truth”. 

He pointed to growth in the agricultural sector and rising exports, adding that “no country with land grabs and invasion would reap such success.” 

Land reform, he said, is pursued through a just and equitable approach that maintains property rights and investor confidence.

He highlighted the country’s socio-economic progress since 1994, including improved access to electricity and water, as well as rising human development indicators. 

While acknowledging past challenges such as State Capture, he said describing the South African economy as a failure was “an exaggeration”.

Lamola urged a more respectful tone in international engagement. 

“The world is growing weary of double standards… We do not seek your approval for our path… but we do seek, and we will always extend, a hand of respectful partnership.”

Click here to read Minister Lamola’s full letter. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The use of digital platforms must be used optimally to encourage the youth to participate in electoral democracy.

This was the call made at the Electoral Commission’s seminar on digital technology held in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

The seminar was initiated to engage various stakeholders on how digital tools and technologies can inspire and drive young people to actively participate in electoral processes. 

Held under the theme: “Digital Democracy: Leveraging Digital Technology to Promote Youth Participation”, the event was attended by representatives from various sectors, including political leaders, academics, youth organisations, students and civil society.

Ntombifuthi Masinga, the Provincial Electoral Officer in KwaZulu Natal, said research continues to show a decline in voter participation among young people. 

She said the seminar provided an opportunity to initiate robust conversations that could translate youth digital activism into active participation in electoral processes.

Professor Upasana Gitanjali Singh, academic leader in Information Systems and Technology at the University of KwaZulu Natal, said the participation of young people in electoral democracy can be strengthened if institutions invest in digital innovations.

“Today, the need before us is digital transformation, an imperative driven not only by technological advancement but by the expectations and behaviours of our citizens, especially our youth,” Singh said.

Thabile Mdluli, from the Centre for Community Development South Africa (CCDSA) and Bayanda Gumbi from Luma Learn echoed Singh’s sentiments and encouraged organisations to meet young people where they were on digital platforms. 

“Voting should be an everyday conversation, that should be held by all of us in our different capacities to ensure that young people are always well informed and know how to tackle key issues that affect them,” Mdluli said.

Josias Pila, Director of Intergovernmental Coordination and Stakeholder Management at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), said bridging the digital divide will enable meaningful participation of young people in elections and civic life.

The commission has, over the years, used various digital platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp to interact with the followers and has about 500 000 followers across these platforms. 

The commission will in 2026 introduce its own podcast platform and an improved WhatsApp channel to interact with voters, the media and other stakeholders.

Singh said the Electoral Commission’s online voter registration portal was one of many digital innovations necessary to encourage youth participation in democratic processes. Voters can register or update their details online on https://registertovote.elections.org.za/

“Registering to vote used to require physical presence at a station, access to transport, and awareness of registration weekends—barriers that disproportionately affected young people who were studying far from home, frequently moving between residences, or living in areas where transport was costly.

“Today, a young person can register in a few minutes using a smartphone. They can update their address instantly when they move for studies or work. They no longer depend on sporadic registration weekends or travel logistics. 

“This shift is profound: it takes voter registration from being an administrative burden to being a seamless digital experience—something a young person can do in the same space where they order food or communicate with friends,” Singh said.

Citizens are reminded to register to vote in voting districts of the wards where they are residents. 

A registered voter who has moved since they last registered is urged to check and, if necessary, update their address details to ensure that they are registered in a ward linked to their new place of residence. –  SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa and Mozambique have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing regional collaboration in skills development through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Education and Training, which guides joint efforts to address shared educational and training priorities.

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa to Maputo for the 4th South Africa–Mozambique Binational Commission (BNC), where he led efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the higher education and training sector.

As part of the programme, the Minister participated at the Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.

A significant outcome of the BNC was the signing of a new Agreement on Cooperation in the field of higher education and training.

The agreement establishes a formal framework to deepen cooperation between the two countries, with a strong emphasis on strengthening institutional capacity to support a knowledge-driven economy and help improve people’s socio-economic wellbeing.

The agreement outlines areas of cooperation, including:

•    The exchange of delegations to share knowledge and experience in higher education and training systems.
•    Collaboration between quality assurance, evaluation, accreditation, and recognition bodies to enhance the quality of higher education.
•    Increased sharing of information, research, and publications.
•    Promotion of direct partnerships between higher education institutions to advance joint research and development initiatives in areas of mutual interest as well as expand academic exchange programmes involving researchers, academics, specialists, experts, and students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
•    Facilitation of the exchange of policy documents, curricula, and partnership models in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, particularly for colleges, students, and lecturers.

A central focus of the agreement is strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, which Manamela described as critical for equipping young people with practical skills necessary for economic growth and development.

“This cooperation is designed to directly improve the skills profile, employability, and entrepreneurial capacity of young people, thereby closing the skills gap and fuelling economic growth in both nations. The agreement will strengthen institutional linkages and build technical capacity, supporting the objectives of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP).

“The twinning of institutions of higher education is vital for fostering academic collaboration. This Agreement marks a substantial step forward in solidifying an educational partnership that promises to yield lasting benefits for skills development of citizens of both countries,” Manamela said.

The Minister noted that South Africa and Mozambique, through the respective Ministries will jointly develop a concrete action plan to implement the agreement, with progress to be reported at the next BNC. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Department of Home Affairs will be extending operating hours at its offices by an additional two hours daily for applications and collections of enabling documents.

From 8 to 19 December 2025 and from 5 to 16 January 2026, the offices will close at 18:00, instead of 16:00. 

Services offered during the extended hours will be available at offices equipped to process Smart ID Cards and passports.

The department advised clients to book application or collection appointments before visiting offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), available on the Home Affairs website. Those without a booking may still visit offices as walk-ins.

“We remain committed to providing accessible and people-centred services. With our offices operating on extended hours ahead of and during the festive season, I encourage South Africans to make use of the longer opening hours to ensure that their essential documents are up to date, including travel documents,” Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said.

He said the extended hours will go a long way in assisting people to get the documents they need to spend precious time with friends and family, and to prepare for the New Year.

Schreiber officially launched the Travel Ready Campaign last month at the new Baywest Mall Home Affairs office in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

“I salute the commitment of members of #TeamHomeAffairs who will be working longer hours to ensure that South Africans can enjoy their festive season with friends and family. 

“My message to citizens who have applied for Smart ID Cards and Passports is that they should take this opportunity to collect their documents. We now offer dedicated counters for collections as we continue our journey towards delivering dignity for all,” Schreiber concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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A coordinated effort between the Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), has led to the seizure of 17 rhino horn and lion and tiger bones.

This as the BMA, SARS, and the DPCI, working with other stakeholders, have confirmed a breakthrough in the fight against wildlife trafficking, following a coordinated transnational operation that resulted in the seizure of a significant consignment of rhino horns and lion/tiger parts destined for the South East Asian illegal market.

The operation conducted on Monday, was led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Wildlife Trafficking Section, with support from the BMA, SARS Customs, Tracker Connect, the Gauteng South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team and the Gauteng SAPS Airwing, among others.

“The intelligence-driven operation was launched after a suspicious consignment originally dispatched to Singapore, was identified and returned to its sender in South Africa.  Investigative teams traced the shipment to a storage facility in Kempton Park [in Gauteng]. Upon execution of the search, four boxes were identified and thoroughly examined.

“Inside the boxes, officials uncovered 17 rhino horns weighing 55.4 kilograms, along with 26.2 kilograms of lion and tiger bones, skulls and claws,” said the BMA in a statement on Thursday.

Two Nigerian nationals, aged 34 and 35, were identified as the receivers of the consignment and were taken into custody. 

The two appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 03 December 2025, on charges relating to the contravention of Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004), which prohibits restricted activities involving listed threatened or protected species.

The value of the items has not yet disclosed due to ongoing forensic and valuation processes. 

The multi-agency investigation remains active, and additional arrests have not been ruled out as authorities pursue all leads and deepen cooperation with both domestic and international partners.

The Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Michael Masiapato, commended all agencies involved for their seamless coordination and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, which threatens South Africa’s natural heritage and fuels organised criminal networks. 
– SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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