Category: Africa

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Call to expand internship opportunities for graduates

Source: Government of South Africa

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has urged the private sector to open its doors wider to young graduates in South Africa by creating more internship opportunities.

The Deputy Minister described youth unemployment as a national emergency.

Gina was speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in Johannesburg on Tuesday, marking 20 years of an impactful graduate internship programme and celebrating 131 graduates who have just completed their two-year training at various institutions across the country.

She highlighted the 45.5% official youth unemployment rate and 62.1% under the expanded definition of youth unemployment, warning that South Africa is “sitting on a ticking time bomb” if bold action is not taken.

“We need every employer in the private sector, municipalities, and state-owned enterprises to double their absorption of young graduates each year. The future of our country depends on it,” she said.

Since its establishment in 2005, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) Graduate Internship Programme, implemented by the HSRC, has offered valuable workplace experience and research skills to over 7 600 unemployed graduates. 

This programme focuses on fields such as science, engineering, technology, humanities, and social sciences.
In terms of demographics, 91% of interns placed were black, including African, Coloured and Indian, while 68% were female and 2% were persons with disabilities.

To date, more than 200 institutions have hosted interns, contributing meaningfully to skills development across the country. 

These institutions include science councils, national facilities, museums, government agencies, private companies, and higher education institutions.

The Deputy Minister said the initiative has become one of the most impactful interventions in tackling graduate unemployment and developing skills for the economy. 

“These interventions are not only producing a skilled workforce for science, technology and the social sciences, they are nurturing future entrepreneurs who will innovate, commercialise new ideas, and become employers themselves,” she said.

Tuesday’s event featured past and present beneficiaries, including Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo, an award-winning Global Health academic instrumental in establishing the first Division of Public Health at the University of Pretoria. 

“Because of the internship I received through this programme, I stand here today as a top scholar recognised globally,” said Mulondo.

Among the 131 graduates celebrated last night, Okuhle Ngqoboka, who was hosted by the Durban University of Technology in 2023, described her journey as “exciting and insightful”, paying tribute to her mentor, Dr Bloodless Dzwairo, for recognising her hard work.

“I am now employed on contract as a Grants Assistant. I not only gained valuable work experience but was also motivated to register for my honours degree and continue my studies,” she said.  

Gina applauded the HSRC for running the programme “in a professional and structured way,” adding that its impact “will be felt across the National System of Innovation and the broader economy for years to come.”  

She also encouraged graduates to remain proactive. 

“You are no longer graduates without experience. Use your networks, stay visible, and show initiative. As the African proverb says: the earliest bird catches the fattest worm.”

HSRC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sarah Mosoetsa, said the two decades of learning and training are a true testament to transformation at the HSRC, paying tribute to all partners who have supported the programme over the years. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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New partnership to strengthen evidence-based healthcare policy in SA

Source: Government of South Africa

A groundbreaking collaboration between the Department of Health, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Stellenbosch University aims to transform healthcare policy decision-making in South Africa.  

The Evidence to Decision (E2D) initiative, launched in November 2024, will ensure that healthcare policies are informed by the best available evidence, supporting the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

According to the joint statement, the NHI rollout will bring significant changes to South Africa’s health system, including funding mechanisms, management structures, healthcare delivery platforms, and the scope of healthcare benefits.  

To address these challenges, the E2D partnership unites SAMRC’s Health Systems Research Unit and Cochrane South Africa with Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care (CEBHC).  

The initiative is funded by the Department of Health. 

Deputy Director-General for NHI at the Department of Health, Professor Nicholas Crisp, highlighted the importance of collaboration in optimising evidence use.  

“Key to the success of any evidence-support initiative is an ongoing collaborative working relationship.  Such government-academic partnerships ensure timely research-evidence products,” he said. 

The E2D initiative focuses on producing and translating evidence to support efficient, effective, and equitable health services.  

It also aims to build capacity for health and social care decision-making, while learning from the process of establishing this infrastructure. 

Dean of Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Elmi Muller, stressed the university’s commitment to advancing evidence-informed health policy.  

“The E2D initiative marks a pivotal evolution in our long-standing collaboration with the SAMRC and the National Department of Health, building a national infrastructure for systematic evidence synthesis and translation,” she said. 

President and CEO of the SAMRC, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, expressed the council’s dedication to evidence-based research. 

“The SAMRC has been involved in promoting the highest standards in evidence-based research work via our work with Cochrane and others for decades, and remains committed to improving the health of all South Africans by ensuring that high quality, responsive research informs healthcare practices and policies,” he said. 

Ntusi believes that as a health and medical research council in the country, the SAMRC is well placed to provide research leadership to this vital initiative. 

This partnership is set to play a vital role in shaping South Africa’s healthcare system, ensuring that decisions are guided by rigorous research and evidence.  

The collaboration underscores the importance of government-academic partnerships in addressing national health priorities. – SAnews.gov.za

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President El-Sisi Meets European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Source: APO


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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Ms. Kaja Kallas, at his residence in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty, the EU Ambassador to Egypt, the Deputy Head of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Director-General for the Middle East and North Africa at the European External Action Service(EEAS).

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union and emphasized the importance of enhancing consultation and coordination between the two sides, particularly in political and security fields, in a manner that serves the interests of both the Middle East and the EU. 

The President noted the tension the Middle East is witnessing and Egypt’s commitment to a balanced and wise policy aimed at consolidating security and stability, away from narrow interests. The past 10 years proved the success of Egypt’s approach.

President El-Sisi also noted that Europe has not been significantly affected by the consequences of illegal migration, due to Egypt’s efforts in this regard, mainly stopping illegal migration boats from leaving since September 2016, at a time when Egypt hosts around 10 million foreigners who have fled from crisis-stricken and unstable countries. The President stressed that achieving stability in those countries is the best way to curb this phenomenon.

President El-Sisi reviewed Egypt’s efforts to resolve crises and achieve stability in several countries in the region, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and their peoples’ resources and to stop foreign interference.

In this context, the President referred to Egypt’s role in reaching the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with mediators. The President said Egypt looked forward to further enhancing cooperation with the EU in implementing the agreement and US President Trump’s plan. This is while underscoring the importance of underpinning the ceasefire, ensuring the regular entry of humanitarian aid, and starting the reconstruction process of Gaza Strip. The President noted that Egypt intends to host a conference on the reconstruction and recovery of Gaza in November 2025.

Ms. Kallas expressed her pleasure to meet with President El-Sisi and highlighted Egypt’s vital role in achieving ceasefire and stability, not only in Gaza but also in Sudan and other crisis-affected countries. 

Ms. Kallas affirmed that US President Trump’s plan represents a positive step and that the European Union looks forward to actively participating in its implementation. She stressed the importance of preserving the Palestinian Authority and noted the EU’s readiness to support Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, including the upcoming conference Egypt will host in November.

Ms. Kallas emphasized the need to underpin the ceasefire in Gaza and to resolve the crises in Sudan and Libya in a manner that ensures their unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. She also highlighted the importance of ending the war in Ukraine and respecting international law. 

Regarding illegal migration, Ms. Kallas expressed the EU’s great appreciation for Egypt’s substantial efforts in this field and affirmed that the EU’s position is based on supporting stability and development in countries supporting migration.

The meeting also addressed issues related to water, as well as security in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. Both sides emphasized the necessity of respecting international law and norms as well as non-infringement of state sovereignty.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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IEC Telecom Announces Advanced Tracking Solution to Address Escalating Safety Concerns in the Humanitarian Sector

Source: APO

  • Innovative communications platform will be unveiled at AIDEX global disaster relief event
  • Satcom-powered tracking solutions to strengthen safety and coordination for humanitarian missions across Africa and beyond
  • IEC Telecom’s latest innovations to bridge communication gaps in remote and underserved areas

Over recent years, global reliance on humanitarian assistance has risen dramatically. In 2024, nearly 300 million people were projected to require aid and protection — a surge driven by ongoing conflicts, climate shocks, and pandemics. Working at the frontline, humanitarian staff face growing risks, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. IEC Telecom (https://IEC-Telecom.com) will join AIDEX — the world’s leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief event — to unveil a new innovative portfolio of tracking solutions, tailored to meet the critical needs of the humanitarian sector.

Humanitarian workers are essential in delivering aid to people in crisis, yet their safety is facing growing risks. According to Humanitarian Outcomes’ Aid Worker Security Report 2025, nearly 230 aid workers lost their lives in the first half of 2025 — already surpassing the annual total recorded in any year between 1997 and 2022. These numbers highlight the steep and rising cost of reaching vulnerable populations involved in bringing life-saving assistance to those in unstable and insecure environments.

Reliable communication and digital connectivity are now central to aid worker safety. Disruptions compromise missions and coordination, making secure communication and tracking tools indispensable for protecting lives. Today, IEC Telecom presented a new range of solutions intended to help management maintain complete visibility over remote personnel, share critical updates across multiple user groups, and receive timely SOS notifications — enabling rapid response measures such as dispatching support, mobilising rescue operations, or providing medical assistance when needed most. 

“IEC Telecom has been serving the humanitarian sector for over thirty years, giving us first-hand insight into the harsh working conditions and specific requirements of aid organisations. Coordinated action is essential not only for mission success but also for ensuring the safety of staff operating across the globe. IEC Telecom’s new tracking portfolio, powered by Garmin’s leading hardware and managed through our Traksat digital platform, is purpose-built for organisational deployment,” explained Gwenael Loheac, President Europe & West Africa at IEC Telecom Group.

The new range presented at AIDEX today introduces a comprehensive solution built around the Garmin GPSMAP ® H1i Plus (https://apo-opa.co/4ouIK4q), a recent addition to Garmin’s handheld product line. This rugged GPS navigator features a modern 3.5-inch colour touchscreen, supports preloaded maps and enables the exchange of multimedia files. Most importantly for humanitarian missions, it incorporates an integrated Iridium® receiver, allowing field personnel to stay connected well beyond the limits of cellular coverage.

The Traksat platform by IEC Telecom enhances the capabilities of the GPSMAP H1i Plus, making it suitable for organisation-wide deployment with centralised management, post-paid billing and advanced reporting — a critical advantage for high-stakes missions. Personnel connected via the GPSMAP H1i Plus can be integrated into an organisational pool, which may be further segmented into groups and subgroups based on location or task. Administrators can establish geofencing, which can trigger timely alerts to ensure field teams remain within safe operational areas. In addition, the platform supports multiple mapping options and allows the implementation of mission checklists, enabling advanced visibility over remote operations. The system is designed for scalability, enabling headquarters to adjust settings, activate or deactivate licences, and scale usage up or down — all without the long-term commitments.

The introduction of this comprehensive solution comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with a growing trend in the humanitarian sector known as localisation. In the face of substantial cuts to humanitarian funding, many major aid institutions are shifting towards reduced deployment of international staff in remote areas, relying instead on strengthened partnerships with local NGOs. In this context, the ability to monitor and support dispersed teams in real time becomes increasingly vital, ensuring transparency over remote operations in terms of resource allocation, while safeguarding both mission efficiency and staff safety on the ground.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IEC Telecom.

About IEC Telecom:
IEC Telecom Group is a leading global provider of satellite telecommunication services. With over three decades of industry expertise, the Group has extensive experience in critical communications. From portable satellite systems for on-the-go use to enterprise-grade network management solutions, IEC Telecom delivers comprehensive communication services—regardless of location or project scale. With global stock availability and an intercontinental distribution network, IEC Telecom delivers worldwide. Learn more: https://IEC-Telecom.com

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Orange celebrates 15 years of commitment to impact entrepreneurship and reveals the winners of the Orange Social Ventures Prize (OSVP) in Africa and the Middle East

Source: APO

On the 15th edition of OSVP, Orange revealed the winners of this anniversary edition during the international ceremony organized at the Mobile World Congress Kigali in Rwanda. The event was held in the presence of Yasser Shaker, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Middle East and Africa (www.Orange.com), as well as many actors from the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: “In 15 years, POESAM has become far more than an award. With over 17,000 projects received; including 3,000 this year alone; it stands today as Africa’s leading platform for innovation, empowering entrepreneurs who turn challenges into opportunities.”

Created in 2011, the Orange Social Ventures Prize (OSVP) for Social Entrepreneurs in Africa and the Middle East illustrates Orange’s commitment over the last 15 years to stimulate technological innovation in the service of sustainable development and inclusion. In 2025, 5 startups among 70 finalists from 17 countries were rewarded for their creativity, their positive impact and will be supported by the Orange Digital Center to accelerate the development of their project and their opening to new markets.

For the International Grand Prize which rewards the first three projects combining measurable social and/or environmental impacts, a strong potential for large-scale development and relying on new technologies, the winners are:

  • 1st prize of €25,000: Sand to Green (Morocco). Sand to Green is an agritech platform modeling profitable and regenerative agroforestry plantations, helping the transition towards sustainable and resilient systems.
  • 2nd prize of €15,000: E-Blood Bank Makila (Democratic Republic of the Congo). E-Blood Bank Makila is a digital platform connecting hospitals, blood banks and donors, with secure payments and fast deliveries by drone or motorcycle.
  • 3rd prize of €10,000: N’Zassa Fund (Ivory Coast). N’Zassa Fund is an African gamified micro-donations mobile application, transforming donations into fun experiences to support local NGOs via mobile money.

For the special awards, the winners are:

  • International Women’s Prize of €20,000 which rewards a startup whose high-impact project is led by a woman: Proverdy (Tunisia). Proverdy is an AI Platform helping companies measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint, with compliant reporting and certified offset projects.
  • Prize Coup de Coeur of 10,000€, which rewards a startup that stands out for its originality and impact: Maarifa (Botswana). Maarifa is an AI-powered online learning platform, offering personalized and accessible teaching to improve academic success in Botswana.

Since its launch, the enthusiasm for OSVP continues to grow with nearly 17,600 applications received, with this year an 82% increase in the number of participations compared to the previous year. This 15th edition, placed under the banner of responsible and inclusive innovation, illustrates the rise of impact entrepreneurship and the growing contribution of women to technological dynamics in Africa and the Middle East. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

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Orange célèbre 15 ans d’engagement pour l’entrepreneuriat à impact et révèle les lauréats du Prix Orange de l’Entrepreneur Social en Afrique et au Moyen-Orient (POESAM)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

À l’occasion de la 15ᵉ édition du POESAM, Orange a révélé les lauréats de cette édition anniversaire lors de la cérémonie internationale organisée au Mobile World Congress Kigali au Rwanda. L’événement s’est tenu en présence de Yasser Shaker, Directeur général d’Orange Afrique et Moyen-Orient (www.Orange.com), ainsi que de nombreux acteurs de l’écosystème entrepreneurial du continent. 

Yasser Shaker, Directeur Général d’Orange Afrique et Moyen-Orient a déclaré : « En 15 ans, POESAM est devenu bien plus qu’un simple prix. Avec plus de 17 000 projets reçus, dont 3 000 cette année seulement, il s’impose aujourd’hui comme la principale plateforme africaine dédiée à l’innovation, donnant les moyens aux entrepreneurs de transformer les défis en opportunités.»  

Créé en 2011, le Prix Orange de l’Entrepreneur Social en Afrique et au Moyen-Orient (POESAM) illustre depuis 15 ans l’engagement d’Orange pour stimuler l’innovation technologique au service du développement durable et de l’inclusion. En 2025, 5 startups parmi 70 finalistes issus de 17 pays ont été récompensées pour leur créativité, leur impact positif et seront accompagnés par les Orange Digital Center afin d’accélérer le développement de leur projet et leur ouverture à de nouveaux marchés.

Pour le Grand Prix International qui récompense les trois premiers projets alliant des impacts sociaux et/ou environnementaux mesurables, un fort potentiel de développement à grande échelle et s’appuyant sur les nouvelles technologies, les lauréats sont :  

  • 1er prix de 25 000 € : Sand To Green (Maroc). Sand to Green est une plateforme agritech modélisant des plantations agroforestières rentables et régénératives, aidant à la transition vers des systèmes durables et résilients. 
  • 2ème prix de 15 000€ : E-Blood Bank Makila (République Démocratique du Congo). E-Blood Bank Makila est une plateforme digitale connectant hôpitaux, banques de sang et donneurs, avec des paiements sécurisés et des livraisons rapides par drone ou moto. 
  • 3ème prix de 10 000€ : N’Zassa Fund (Côte d’Ivoire). N’Zassa Fund est une application mobile africaine de micro-dons gamifiée, transformant les dons en expériences ludiques pour soutenir les ONG locales via mobile money. 

Pour les prix spéciaux, les lauréats sont :  

  • Prix Féminin International de 20 000€ qui récompense une startup dont le projet à fort impact est porté par une femme : Proverdy (Tunisie). Proverdy est une Plateforme IA aidant les entreprises à mesurer, gérer et réduire leur empreinte carbone, avec un reporting conforme et des projets de compensation certifiés. 
  • Prix Coup de Cœur de 10 000€, qui récompense une startup qui se distingue par son originalité et son impact : Maarifa (Botswana). Maarifa est une plateforme d’apprentissage en ligne alimentée par l’IA, offrant un enseignement personnalisé et accessible pour améliorer la réussite scolaire au Botswana. 

Depuis son lancement, l’engouement pour le POESAM ne cesse de croitre avec près de 17 600 candidatures reçues, avec cette année une hausse de 82 % du nombre de participations par rapport à l’année précédente. Cette 15ᵉ édition, placée sous le signe de l’innovation responsable et inclusive, illustre la montée en puissance de l’entrepreneuriat à impact et la contribution croissante des femmes à la dynamique technologique en Afrique et au Moyen-Orient. 

Distribué par APO Group pour Orange Middle East and Africa.

Contacts presse :  
Stella Fumey
stella.fumey@orange.com 

A propos d’Orange Afrique et Moyen Orient (OMEA) : 
Orange est présent dans 18 pays en Afrique et au Moyen Orient et compte plus de 161 millions de clients au 31 décembre 2024. Avec 7,7 milliards d’euros de chiffre d’affaires en 2024, Orange MEA est la première zone de croissance du groupe Orange. Orange Money, son offre de transfert d’argent et de services financiers, est disponible dans 17 pays et compte plus de 100 millions de clients. Orange, opérateur multi-services, partenaire de référence de la transformation digitale apporte son expertise pour accompagner le développement de nouveaux services digitaux en Afrique et au Moyen-Orient.  

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Africa Finance Corporation Partners Lagos Fashion Week 2025 to Drive Africa’s Creative and Manufacturing Transformation

Source: APO – Report:

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has announced its partnership with Lagos Fashion Week 2025, underscoring its commitment to empowering Africa’s youth and creative industries, as engines for inclusive economic growth.

Africa’s apparel and textile exports is projected to reach$15b by 2030. As a key partner, AFC will support Lagos Fashion Week 2025 in advancing Africa’s creative economy, one of the continent’s fastest-growing sectors, by promoting sustainable production, local manufacturing, and value addition within the fashion and textiles value chain.

This collaboration builds on AFC’s broader mandate to drive industrialisation and job creation through strategic investments in critical infrastructure that transforms economies. Through its investee company ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), AFC is facilitating Africa’s transition from being primarily an exporter of raw materials to a producer and exporter of finished goods. The Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin Republic hosts world-class textile factories where African cotton is processed into finished garments and exported to leading global retailers, including The Children’s Store in the United States. This transformational project is creating thousands of skilled jobs for local youth and stands as a model of sustainability in textiles manufacturing with the use of 100% sustainably sourced cotton running exclusively on renewable energy and recycling up to 95% of its water. 

“Africa’s creative industries embody both our cultural pride and our economic promise. Through this partnership with Lagos Fashion Week 2025, we are advancing AFC’s commitment to turn that promise into measurable impact—supporting the full fashion value chain to empower the youth, strengthen local manufacturing, and drive value addition on the continent,” said Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC. “By building critical infrastructure that underpins these creative value chains, AFC is ensuring that Africa’s designers and manufacturers can compete on a truly global stage,” he added.

Now in its 15th year, Lagos Fashion Week has become a globally recognised platform showcasing African design excellence and creativity. The 2025 edition will spotlight circular fashion, responsible sourcing, and regional value chains, areas where AFC’s infrastructure investments are helping bridge Africa’s creative and industrial potential.

Omoyemi Akerele, Founder of Lagos Fashion Week, said: “We are pleased to welcome AFC as a key partner for Lagos Fashion Week 2025. Their commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure and local manufacturing aligns with our mission to strengthen the foundations of Africa’s fashion ecosystem and foster meaningful leadership in financing sustainable infrastructure and manufacturing aligns perfectly with our vision for a future where Africa’s creative industries not only inspire but also produce and export value from within the continent.”

AFC’s partnership with Lagos Fashion Week 2025 follows similar collaborations across Africa’s creative landscape, including its +234Art Fair partnership with Ecobank, reflecting a continued commitment to supporting the continent’s young entrepreneurs, innovators, and artists who are redefining Africa’s global narrative. Collectively, AFC-backed projects have to date added over US$50 billion to GDP and supported the creation of 7 million jobs across 36 countries on the continent.

– on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporationc
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 46 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

www.AfricaFC.org

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SA welcomes Zim decision to lift ban on importation of maize and grains

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the decision by Zimbabwean authorities to lift the ban on the importation of maize and other grains, as gazetted under the new Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025. 

The Minister hailed the move as a return to sound economic principles that are essential for the prosperity and stability of the Southern African region. 

“Exports stabilise local prices and the Zimbabwean market plays an important role for both white and yellow maize.

“This is an extremely welcome development that underscores the collective responsibility we share in ensuring food sufficiency.

“The agricultural sector thrives on predictability and efficiency, and restrictive trade measures – while sometimes intended to protect local producers – too often lead to market distortions that ultimately harm the consumer,” Steenhuisen said.

The formal removal of the ban is crucial for food security and consumer welfare across the region.

“By allowing the free flow of maize, particularly white maize that our people on the continent consume as a staple food, we are sending a clear signal of confidence to our agribusinesses and exporters, encouraging the investment and expanded production that benefits all in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States. 

“It strengthens regional integration and ensures that surplus-producing nations can readily meet the needs of their neighbours,” the Minister  said.

The Department of Agriculture said it remains committed to collaborating with all regional partners to promote fair, open and efficient trade in agricultural products, which is the cornerstone of sustainable growth and poverty alleviation in Southern Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police on the hunt for Westbury shooters

Source: Government of South Africa

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Fannie Masemola, says police are working around the clock to apprehend the suspects behind Tuesday’s mass shooting in Westbury.

“It’s just a matter of time before we track down these teenagers. Our crime intelligence operatives, detectives and uniformed police are on the ground actively searching for these suspects at various areas of interest,” General Masemola said.

This as police on Tuesday responded to a shooting incident where six teenagers were shot. The victims were rushed to hospital where two of them were declared dead on arrival and four were receiving medical attention. Preliminary reports suggest that the shooting was gang related. It is reported that the six, aged between 14 and 19 years, were shot at by suspects believed to be from a rival gang.

The Commissioner visited Westbury in Gauteng on Tuesday night where he said he was continuously receiving a briefing on progress made in addressing gang violence in this area and other areas that are hotspots for gang violence in the province.

“I have instructed the provincial Commissioner of Gauteng to deal decisively with these lolly lounges where these children in all these hotspot areas are allegedly bunking school to sit and smoke drugs at these lounges,” he said.

He added that police are going after the owners of these houses and those that are supplying the drugs.
“We are also investigating the source of where these firearms are coming from and how children as young as 13 years old have access to these firearms.

“We are aware as indicated last night that older gang members are using children as runners to evade justice. We are indeed focusing on these handlers and surely, we will find them and make them answer as to why they are destroying the future of these young children.”

The Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) operating in eight communities ridden by gang activity such as Westbury, Langlaagte, Reiger Park, Eldorado Park and others continue to combat crime in a bid to enhance public safety.

“In a period of four months from June 2025 to September 2025, the AGU arrested 176 suspects for crimes which include murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as being in possession of drugs.

“Among the notable successes, the AGU has arrested 21 suspects for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 94 for drug-related offences, 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, highlighting the police’s determination to reduce gang-related crimes.

“The AGU Detectives have also placed in court three cases, which have been concluded with a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for three accused,” Masemola said.

The AGU’s proactive measures have also led to seizures, including 26 firearms and 452 rounds of ammunition, two stolen vehicles, over 600 grams of dagga, 480 grams of methcathinone (CAT) and over 10 000 grams worth of mandrax tablets.

Other seized items include cellphones, medicine, knives, and substantial amount of cash, all contributing to the ongoing efforts to dismantle local criminal networks.

“As the SAPS, we continue to encourage community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious and criminal activity to the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, you may opt to remain anonymous, all information received will be treated with confidentiality.

“Our deployments remain in place, and we urge all these communities to work closely with the police to put an end to gang violence,” Masemola said.

According to Masemola, five survivors are fighting for their lives in hospital, and the two deceased victims have been identified as 18-year-old Tigan Du Plessis and 17- year-old Diegan Ryters.  – SAnews.gov.za

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SA to introduce framework to govern carbon markets

Source: Government of South Africa

Government is set to introduce a new framework to guide and expand high-integrity carbon markets in South Africa. 

Addressing the Carbon Markets Africa Summit 2025, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said when carbon markets are governed with integrity, they can mobilise finance, transfer technology, and drive inclusive growth. 

“The framework lays the foundation for developing, governing, and scaling high-integrity carbon markets in South Africa. It is designed to create an enabling environment for credible, transparent, and socially inclusive carbon market activity, aligned with our Nationally Determined Contributions and with the Paris Agreement’s cooperative mechanisms,” the Minister said in Johannesburg on Wednesday.    

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) embody South Africa’s efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

“The future of carbon markets will be defined not by promises but by performance. Our goal is simple: to build a credible system that attracts investment, delivers real emission reductions, and creates lasting value for our people. Through integrity, innovation and partnership, Africa can lead a new era of climate-smart growth,” George said. 

The Draft South African Carbon Markets Framework was developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 

This draft framework has been widely consulted upon, with input from stakeholders across government, business, and civil society. It is now being vetted and will be gazetted soon. 

“Carbon markets are not a substitute for national action. They are a tool to deepen ambition, enable cooperation, and deliver measurable results. They provide a pathway for countries to work together while maintaining environmental integrity and national sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Building on this foundation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is developing a complementary instrument, the Draft Carbon Credit Revenue Plan, which aims to monetise the department’s natural assets and generate new sources of sustainable revenue.

“Together, these two draft instruments represent a bold and integrated approach to advancing climate finance: a framework for integrity, a plan for implementation, and a vision for inclusive growth,” he said.

The objectives of the Draft Carbon Credit Revenue Plan are threefold:
•    First, to generate sustainable revenue by converting South Africa’s forests, wetlands, oceans, and protected landscapes into high-integrity carbon credits.
•    Second, to reinvest this revenue into environmental programmes that advance national priorities and NDC targets, ensuring that ambition is matched by practical implementation.
•    Third, to reinforce South Africa’s leadership in climate innovation by demonstrating that environmental protection can drive economic growth, social inclusion, and resilience.

The Draft Carbon Credit Revenue Plan builds on the department’s existing portfolio of scalable programmes, which align with South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) priorities: biodiversity and conservation, climate change, oceans, chemicals and waste, and land use.

“In Forestry and Land Use, our Ten Million Trees Programme is ready to be scaled as a major afforestation project. We are advancing sustainable forest management and REDD+ [reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries] initiatives that protect vital ecosystems.

“In Biodiversity and Conservation, we are managing national parks and protected areas as verified carbon sinks, restoring degraded grasslands and biomes, and creating jobs through ecological restoration,” the Minister said.

Regarding the Oceans and Coasts, South Africa’s 3 000 kilometres of coastline holds immense Blue Carbon potential. 

The restoration of mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes supports climate mitigation and coastal community resilience.

“In Chemicals and Waste, we are capturing and destroying greenhouse gases from landfills, wastewater, and industrial processes, turning pollution into both a financial and environmental asset.

“We will begin with a comprehensive status analysis and a strong institutional setup, including an inter-agency arrangement. Pilot projects will be launched in the identified sectors to demonstrate early success,” he said.

A fair revenue-sharing model will ensure that benefits flow to the national fiscus, into project expansion, and to local communities who are the stewards of our land.

South Africa’s approach aligns with the Paris Agreement’s Crediting Mechanism, which ensures that South African credits are credible, respected, and tradable internationally. –SAnews.gov.za