Category: Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

Protecting and uplifting children remains at the heart of the Department of Social Development’s mandate, Minister Sisisi Tolashe told the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, in Parliament, on Wednesday. 

The department presented its 2024/25 Annual Report, following a session that also included a briefing by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on audit outcomes for the department and its entities, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA).

This engagement formed part of Parliament’s oversight process to assess performance, governance, and financial accountability across the social development portfolio.

Minister Tolashe said the department’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and sound financial management in advancing its mandate of providing social protection services to South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens.

She reaffirmed the department’s unwavering commitment to improving the protection, inclusion, and dignity of vulnerable groups, from children and older persons to persons with disabilities, while ensuring that public resources are used responsibly and effectively.

“For the period under review, we focused on improving the sector’s capacity for the implementation of the Children’s Act. We welcome the promulgation of the Children’s Amendment Act No. 17 of 2022 together with its supporting regulations, which will go a long way to strengthening child protection safety nets and ensuring better protection of our children,” Minister Tolashe said.

Strengthening social protection and service delivery

Reflecting on the department’s performance, the Minister noted that the 2024/25 financial year marked an important period of transition and progress, coinciding with the establishment of the Government of National Unity and the adoption of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2025–2029.

She commended the dedication of the department’s staff and leadership for ensuring stability and continuity of services amid this national transition.

“Since my deployment to this portfolio, my priority has been, and continues to be, stabilising the department and its public entities to deliver on our core mandate. 

“We have made great strides by filling critical posts that had been vacant for extended periods, including that of the Director-General, the Deputy Director-General: Welfare Services, and the Chief Financial Officer,” she said. 

Expanding social assistance

Minister Tolashe highlighted the significant expansion of the social assistance programme, which reached over 28 million eligible individuals during the year under review. This includes more than 13.1 million children benefiting from the Child Support Grant and about 4.1 million older persons receiving the Old Age Grant.

“Realising the pledge to ensure that no one is left behind demands that we remain focused on tackling child and adult poverty now and in the future,” she emphasised.

Audit outcomes and governance improvements

The overall audit outcome of the Department of Social Development for 2024/25 is a qualified audit opinion with findings, while SASSA received an unqualified audit opinion.

Minister Tolashe commended this progress but urged the agency to strive for excellence.

“I will be more pleased to see SASSA moving towards a clean audit in the next financial year. I have directed the CEO to meticulously deal with all findings of the Auditor-General and to provide progress reports to my office regularly,” she said.

She also addressed ongoing matters concerning the Postbank and SASSA that have drawn public attention, noting that the President has referred the issue to an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for resolution.

“We will inform this committee of the IMC’s deliberations and decision in due course,” the Minister said.

She further emphasised that the termination of the Master Service Agreement between SASSA and the Postbank does not affect beneficiaries’ entitlement to access their grants and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure compliance with legislative and financial governance requirements. 

Advancing gender and disability programmes

The Minister also reported progress in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) through the tabling of the Victim Support Services Bill to Cabinet. The Bill addresses existing legislative gaps and strengthens the provision of sheltering and victim support services.

“We have turned around the operational efficiency of the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre and continue to strengthen oversight and monitoring of services in provinces,” she said, adding that the department continues to monitor the implementation of the Universal Treatment Curriculum in treatment centres across the country.

Minister Tolashe commended the Portfolio Committee on Social Development for its continuous oversight role, ensuring that the department’s work translates into tangible impact in people’s lives.

“The significant progress we have made for the year under review would not have been possible without the commitment of our dedicated staff and the support of this committee. I commit my leadership to the task at hand to ensure that we achieve our goals and advance the department’s mandate,” she said.

She extended appreciation to Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, Director-General Peter Netshipale, and the leadership of SASSA and the National Development Agency for their collaboration in driving the social development agenda.

“There is more to do, but the 2024/25 Annual Report clearly shows that we are off to a good start,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Social Development, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA) have been praised for the sector’s improved performance during the 2024/2025 financial year.

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe addressed the Portfolio Committee on Social Development in Parliament on Wednesday, where she presented the annual reports of the department, SASSA and the NDA for the year under review. 

Tolashe said the sector had worked hard to facilitate and enhance services to the needy and put food on the tables of many vulnerable households, while protecting the dignity of children and the elderly. 

Some of the milestones of the 2024/2025 financial year were when she took over the office to stabilise the sector and fill all critical posts in the department and its entities, thus ensuring that they deliver on the core mandate. 

“Other highlights for the year under review include the social assistance programme, which witnessed its largest expansion yet reaching over 28 million eligible individuals. 

“Of this number, more than 13.1 million are children who benefited from the Child Support Grant while about 4.1 million older persons were recipients of the Old Age Grant. 

“Realising the pledge to ensure that no one is left behind demands that we remain focused on our unwavering commitment to tackle child and adult poverty now and in the future,” said the Minister. 

She said she was delighted that SASSA had improved over time, overcoming weaknesses identified in previous financial years. 

In 2024/2025, SASSA spent a total of R267 billion on social grants, including the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress which benefitted more than nine million beneficiaries, adding that the normal social grants also increased by 0.6%, from 19.1 million in March 2024 to 19.2 million beneficiaries in March 2025. 

She however acknowledged that challenges persist and recommitted SASSA to meticulously addressing all the challenges faced by beneficiaries on a daily basis and improved customer experience. 

“I have travelled across the country and listened to customers and SASSA frontline employees who understand the operational changes they need to make to improve customer experience. 

“Through the Integrated Community Outreach Programme, we are intensifying our reach to communities across the country. In this regard, I have directed the CEO and his team of Executives, to analyse these issues as raised by communities, prepare responses and provide timely feedback,” she said. 

The Minister was accompanied by Director-General, Peter Netshipale, SASSA Acting CEO, Brenton Van Vrede, NDA Acting CEO, Raphaahle Ramokgopa and executives from the social development sector. 

Van Vrede said SASSA had been tough on fraud and corruption, finalising 478 reported cases out of 483. Some of these cases include the following: 

• SASSA, the South African Police Service and National Credit Regulator arrested and opened 23 criminal cases against money lenders who were found with SASSA cards in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northen Cape.
• The arrest of eight officials in Gauteng on fraud related charges
• The detection of online change of payment method without the consent of the beneficiaries in the Free State, Western Cape, North West, Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
• The fraudulent old age grant captured and verified at Zwide Local Office in the Eastern Cape.
• The detection of SASSA officials who were colluding among themselves by generating fraudulent grants in Mpumalanga.
• A North West official was arrested for soliciting a bribe from a beneficiary.

Van Vrede said the agency had processed 1.8 million grant applications against the targeted 1.6 million. 

He also said that 98% was achieved in processing the Covid-19 SRD applications against the 95% target. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has deployed R21.1 billion in capital expenditure against an allocation of R11.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.

According to PRASA Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Hishaam Emeran this spending reflects the urgent priority the agency has placed on fleet renewal, infrastructure recovery, and system modernisation. 

“This was not just spending – it was strategic investment in South Africa’s economic future. Not only did our capital investment help accelerate our recovery and modernisation programme, but also created and sustained 12 988 direct jobs. 

“More importantly, this investment induced 71 730 additional job opportunities across the economy, bringing the total job impact to 84 718 jobs created and job opportunities during the year, contributing towards economic stimulation,” Emeran said on Wednesday, in Johannesburg.

Addressing a media briefing on the 2024/25 Group Annual Report, the GCEO said the spending on PRASA’s full capital allocation demonstrates that the agency is breaking away from a history of underspending and slow project execution.

From 1 April 2025, PRASA diversified revenue streams and commercialisation drive, now positioned in the subsidiary, Intersite Asset Investments, which is central to delivering long-term financial sustainability through the property portfolio under the secondary mandate.

In 2024/25, commercial income reached R708 million, surpassing the budget of R675 million by 5%.

Flagship Achievements include the Cape Town Station Mixed-Use Development, The Lab on Park Student Accommodation in Braamfontein, Goodwood Social Housing in Cape Town, and Dieprivier affordable housing.

“Our Transit Oriented Development approach to property developments with our partners will continue to be a significant driver of growth and future revenues. Twenty four out of 26 development leases finalised are in the pipeline, and worth approximately R7.8 billion.

“Intersite is advancing PRASA’s commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability through renewable energy integration. A flagship project, the 1 MW [megawatt-peak] PV [photovoltaic] rooftop plant at Durban Station, is now in construction,” the GCEO said.

The Group Annual Report shows that the organisation has achieved an overall performance level of 93%, up from 87% from the previous year.

“To date, PRASA has successfully moved 77 million passengers across 35 of the 40 operational corridors, safely, with commuters now accessing services through 313 stations that have been recovered and rehabilitated to basic functionality.

“Our overall performance is aligned with our key strategic focus to deliver an excellent passenger service, grow gross commercial revenue, modernise operational assets, and expand the business by exploring other business opportunities,” he said.

PRASA’s future

PRASA is entering the next phase of its turnaround journey with a renewed focus on optimising services, to enhance the commuter experience.

“Over the coming years, the agency will prioritise expanding train services to improve access, continue upgrading track quality to enable faster journeys, and installing modern signalling systems to cut waiting times from an hour to as little as 10 minutes on high-demand corridors. 

“The reopening of remaining metro stations, the introduction of modernised ticketing solutions, such as tap and-go payments, and the continued growth of the electric multiple unit (EMU) fleet, including the much-anticipated milestone delivery of Train 300, marking the halfway point of the 600-train target by 2035, will further expand our services, improve convenience, and strengthen PRASA’s commitment to safe, reliable, and accessible rail transport for all South Africans.

“This has been a defining year for PRASA. We did not just deliver on our promises, we exceeded them,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

During the 2024/25 financial year, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) saw an increase in passenger trips to 77 million, a significant increase from the previous financial year total of 39.4 million.

“Across every region, we have registered momentum. Gauteng delivered 40.7 million trips, the Western Cape 22.7 million, KwaZulu-Natal 12.7 million, and the Eastern Cape 670,000 trips. We expect the growth in passenger trips to grow across the PRASA network,” PRASA Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Hishaam Emeran said. 

The agency’s achievements have been highlighted in the 2024/25 Group Annual Report, which was released by Emeran during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

“Of 208 254 scheduled services, we operated 202 358 – that is 91% on-time performance with cancellations held to just 3%. On-time performance is one of our most important metrics. Given that many of our passengers take the train to get to work, our on-time performance guarantees that they will get to work on time. This operational discipline, combined with our progressive deployment of modern rolling stock, is why passengers are choosing rail again,” the GCEO said.

According to the Group’s Annual Report, the organisation has achieved an overall performance level of 93%, up from 87% from the previous year. 

This is the highest in more than a decade and marks an upward trajectory in performance in three consecutive years against the Annual Performance Plan (APP).

“Our service restoration tells an even better story. We have successfully returned 35 of PRASA’s 40 service lines to operation, with 70% now fully operational.

“Strategic corridor recoveries including the phased restoration of Johannesburg–Roodepoort–Randfontein and increased frequencies on high-demand routes like Saulsville–Pretoria and Germiston–Pilot–Kwesine are directly translating into reduced travel times and higher patronage,” he said.

Modernisation 

According to the GCEO, the Rolling Stock Modernisation Programme remains on track. 

“The majority of our corridors now run the modern electric multiple unit (EMU) fleet. Our operational EMU fleet has grown from 96 to 134 units during the year, reflecting the systematic replacement of our legacy rolling stock with modern, reliable trains that passengers can depend on.

“By the end of March 2025, PRASA had received a total of 268 new trains, with 60 trains delivered in the 2024/25 financial year and over 70% deployed in the Regions. 

“Safety remains one of our top priorities. We maintained our three-year Railway Safety Regulator permit (valid through August 2025) and closed 144 of 200 historical Improvement Directives – clear evidence that our safety management systems are maturing,” he said.

New signalling infrastructure was commissioned on three priority lines in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, improving train frequencies and headways between trains to deliver reliable and efficient services.

Forty-six stations were revitalised, surpassing the target of 40, bringing the total of recovered and operational stations to 313 out of 468 commuter stations.

Despite strong passenger volume growth, Metrorail revenue of R396.6 million fell short of targets due to ticketing system gaps, delay-related refunds, increased season ticket adoption, and deferred fare adjustments. 

“We are implementing targeted interventions – stabilising ticketing systems, refining customer policies, and proceeding with planned fare adjustments to ensure patronage growth translates into sustainable revenue streams.

Unqualified audit opinion

In another historic milestone, PRASA has received an Unqualified Audit Opinion from the Auditor-General for the first time in nine years. 

This achievement follows years of adverse findings – four years of disclaimer opinions (2019–2022) and two years of qualified opinions (2023–2024).

“Our governance structures have shown marked improvement. The Audit & Risk Committee reports consistent compliance with Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) requirements, enhanced audit coverage spanning 52 audits across 42 operational areas, and sustained quality assurance processes. 

“While challenges remain in financial controls, supply chain management, and consequence management, we have implemented concrete remediation measures with visible year-on-year improvement. 

“We received an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General, a clear demonstration of the strides we have made in our control environment,” Emeran said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Science, technology, and innovation hold the key to shaping inclusive, just, and sustainable societies – and global leaders must recognise their transformative power, says Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande.

Nzimande was speaking during his keynote address at the 9th Biennial Conference, held under the theme “Science, Technology, and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”

He urged policymakers, scientists, researchers, and innovators to ensure that advancements in these fields serve the public good, promote social justice, and respond to the needs of both people and the planet.

“As policy makers, scientists, researchers, and innovators, we carry a huge responsibility to ensure that science, technology and innovation serve the public good, advance social justice and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.

“It is, therefore, my sincere hope that you will see this conference as an opportunity to strengthen our resolve to harness science, technology and innovation not only to build knowledge systems that are inclusive, ethical, but also responsive to the needs of our planet and its people,” Nzimande told the attendees.

The session was held in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community (G-STIC), an initiative led by the Belgian Research and Technology Organisation (VITO).

Hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the gathering coincides with the entity’s 80th anniversary, celebrating its positive impact through innovation.

In addition, he stated that the African continent cannot afford to be left behind in the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) revolution occurring globally.

“A sovereign research agenda will ensure that Africa does not fall into the trap, as was the case with previous technological revolutions, of being reduced to mere importers and consumers of other people’s AI solutions.” 

He believes that the development of a sovereign research agenda for Africa is critical. 

“As the African continent, we do not want a repeat of the tragedy we experienced during the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the lives of millions on our continent were dependent on the vaccines from other parts of the world.”

As the threat to multilateralism increases due to the aggressive tactics of certain countries and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, he emphasised that the lessons learned from these challenges indicate that no country can address these issues in isolation.

“Also, more than ever before, we must be intentional about mobilising all the available scientific knowledge in the world, to develop sustainable responses to the challenges of our time.” 

Nzimande also took the time to congratulate the leadership and staff of the CSIR on their milestone of 80 years. 

“Formed in 1945, the apartheid government used the CSIR as part of its oppressive machinery to, among others, produce weapons to commit all manner of atrocities against our people in South Africa and parts of the African continent.

“With the advent of democracy, the democratic government repositioned CSIR to play a more progressive role in society and for it to use its research and scientific capabilities for the development of our country and continent,” he explained. 

In alignment with the government’s strategic priorities, the CSIR has played a crucial role in advancing key sectors such as health, defence, energy, mining, manufacturing, digital innovation, and supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

“I am proud to state that the CSIR plays a profoundly progressive role in our country’s development agenda and continues to be one of the most well-run public institutions in our country.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has condemned all forms of physical or verbal attacks directed at police officers or any law enforcement officers. 

“Such actions are not only criminal and punishable by law, but they also endanger the very individuals sworn to protect communities and uphold public safety,” said Deputy Government spokesperson William Baloyi.

This follows a recent video showing police officers being attacked in Kimberley in the Northern Cape but similarly pertains to a number of previous incidents. 

The swift arrest of the two suspects involved, including one who assaulted a female police officer, is a clear warning that government will not tolerate any act of aggression or obstruction against law enforcement officials.

“An attack on a police officer is an attack on the rule of law itself. It undermines the stability and safety of our society and erodes the principles of respect and accountability on which our democracy stands. 

“Respect for law enforcement is not optional; it is a civic duty and a cornerstone of public order. We urge all citizens to act responsibly and respectfully when engaging with law enforcement officers, especially as we approach the festive season. 

“Police officers are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday period. Their safety and security are paramount, they must be able to carry out their duties without fear of attack or intimidation,” Baloyi said.

He added that police officers serve on the front lines every day, often under difficult and dangerous conditions, to protect communities, prevent crime and respond to emergencies. 

“Cooperation with officers’ lawful instructions is essential. While citizens may sometimes disagree with an officer’s actions, such disagreement can never justify violence, abuse, or interference. Concerns or complaints about conduct should always be channelled through proper reporting mechanisms after the fact.

“As the festive season approaches, a time when law enforcement presence intensifies to safeguard communities, government calls on all South Africans to show respect, patience, and cooperation,” he said. 

Baloyi urged members of public to ensure that the holiday season is marked by safety, responsibility and mutual respect between citizens and those who protect them. – SAnews.gov.za