Category: Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane says investing in formal housing and the transformation of informal settlements are critical contributions to infrastructure development and economic growth.

Simelane made the remarks during the Urban 20 (U20) Mayors Summit, held in Sandton, on Saturday.

The U20 seeks to strengthen engagement between the G20 and cities, raise the profile of urban issues on the G20 agenda, and create a platform for cities to develop a collective message and perspective to inform G20 negotiations.

Speaking in a panel discussion on “Local Economies as Engines of Inclusive Development: A New Vision for Governance and Informality through Equitable Climate Action and Public Service Provision”, Simelane called for a paradigm shift on how investors and financial institutions perceive informality in relation to its economic potential.

“Investments in supporting township economy is a contribution to economic growth with potential positive spin-offs such as job creation, improved living standards, and quality of life,” the Minister said.

She warned that financial exclusion of informal enterprises continues to stifle growth and innovation, leaving many promising enterprises unable to scale or compete with more established, formal businesses.

“Addressing these barriers through micro-investment ecosystems and enabling entrepreneurial innovation can unlock sustainable township economic development and greater inclusion in national growth,” Simelane said.

To advance the agenda on local economic development and transformation of informality in cities, Simelane highlighted that the 2024 White Paper for Human Settlements advocates for the implementation of developmental interventions.

Among the interventions include:

•    Infrastructure development projects that are packaged to target areas with Transit-Oriented Development with concentration of growth around frequent public transit corridors by locating housing, offices, shops, schools, and services near metro stations and bus hubs.
•    The transformation of existing townships, and areas which have been established since the 1980s, into sustainable human settlements.
•    Focus on the elimination of spatial monotony and the general character of these areas as low-income dormitory suburbs, improving quality of the living environments, including greening the environment, and unlocking township residential property market, through streamlined land transfer and planning processes.

Shaping municipalities’ economies

The Minister urged municipalities to play a proactive role in shaping their respective economies. This requires inclusive stakeholder participation in developing strategies and plans, such as their integrated development models.

She noted that municipalities still grapple with deep economic and spatial disparities which are not only a historical injustice linked to apartheid, but also a geographical and environmental reality.

“Despite these differences, cities must take their own initiatives, as espoused in our Constitution, to share and distribute the economic benefits to their residents,” Simelane said.

She added that people should not only be connected to cities for employment but also for opportunities linked to decent and adequate housing, better living conditions, skills development, participation in manufacturing and entrepreneurial endeavours that generate production inputs, commercial networks, in order to promote and protect their human. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has commenced the recruitment of traffic officers as part of its efforts to build a safer and more prosperous province for all citizens and future generations.

Transport MEC Siboniso Duma unveiled the strategic recruitment drive aimed at strengthening the province’s Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), described as a highly dedicated and efficient law enforcement unit.

“We are looking for honest, hard-working and fit South Africans to join our highly efficient and dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate,” Duma said over the weekend.

He said the department plans to recruit 278 traffic officers, including one Control Provincial Inspector, 10 Senior Provincial Inspectors, 67 Provincial Inspectors, and 200 Trainee Provincial Inspectors.

According to Duma, the initiative forms part of the province’s Zero Tolerance – No Nonsense Alufakwa campaign, which aims to foster a culture of responsible behaviour on the road by targeting motorists who drink and drive.

Duma noted that reckless and negligent driving remain a serious concern, with more than 160 motorists arrested in August alone for driving under the influence. The arrests include a senior public prosecutor, two police officers and a correctional services official, among others.

“It is very disappointing that civil servants tasked with the responsibility to enforce the law and uphold it were caught breaking it,” Duma said.

He confirmed that the case involving the senior prosecutor has been formally enrolled in court, with proceedings postponed to October 2025, pending the outcome of forensic blood test results.

“The arrest of a senior public prosecutor — someone entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the law — strikes at the very heart of the justice system and is viewed by this department with the utmost seriousness. We expect that the matter will be handled with transparency, integrity, and in full accordance with the law,” Duma said.

He said his department, in collaboration with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, is actively monitoring this case and other cases involving law enforcement officers.

“These developments have been formally raised for discussion within the Cluster to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms across the criminal justice value chain. We remain resolute in our mandate to rid our roads of reckless and intoxicated drivers, regardless of rank or profession,” Duma said.

The MEC also commended RTI officers and stakeholders for their continued vigilance and dedication in protecting the lives of innocent citizens, despite limited resources.

“The safety of all road users remains our top priority.”

Application Process

Applications for traffic officer posts may be hand-delivered to the Department of Transport at Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House, 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg, or couriered to: Recruitment & Selection Section, Human Resource Administration Directorate, Private Bag X9043, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.

Applicants are also encouraged to apply online via the KZN e-Recruitment system at www.kznonline.gov.za/kznjobs. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

As South Africa joins the world in celebrating World Ozone Day 2025, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has reflected on the importance of ozone protection, while highlighting measures that South Africa has implemented to protect the ozone layer. 

The Minister on Tuesday highlighted that the ozone also plays an important role in the fight against climate change, as many of the ozone depleting chemicals are potent greenhouse gases.

Also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, World Ozone Day is observed annually on 16 September as a global reminder of the importance of protecting the ozone layer. 

The ozone layer is the invisible shield in the Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, preventing them from reaching the surface, thus protecting humans, animals, plants, biodiversity, oceans and ecosystems from extensive damage. 

Without the ozone layer, there would be significantly higher cases of skin cancers, cataracts, crop failures, biodiversity loss and long-term damages to oceans and ecosystems.

This year’s theme for World Ozone Day captures the scientific essence of the global ozone protection journey, while remembering how the world united to respond after the 1970s to 1980s discovery that human-made chemicals had caused severe thinning of the ozone layer.

This thinning created the “ozone hole” over Antarctica. Subsequently, nations from around the globe gathered 40 years ago, under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone, where they agreed to take appropriate measures to protect the ozone layer. 

This gathering culminated in the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

 “Since then, South Africa has made some progress. We have phased out chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) which are widely used in air conditioners, refrigerators and aerosols sprays; halons used in fire extinguishers; while some of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and foam sector, are being phased down. 

The Ventilation Refrigeration Air-conditioning and Heat Pump industries is also making progress in efforts to save our ozone layer by adopting safer refrigerants and investing in sustainable technologies as well as training employees on best practices and monitoring refrigerant use,” the Minister said.

Furthermore, some individuals and communities have become more conscious of their choices. They contribute to ozone protection by choosing energy-efficient appliances, servicing air conditioners and refrigerators, and safe disposal of old equipment. 

There have also been significant developments toward the reduction of carbon emissions as part of the Just Energy Transition.

For instance, the Minister recently published the draft National Greenhouse Gas Carbon Budget and Mitigation Plan Regulations, which will facilitate South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and ensure compliance with international obligations. 

Another carbon emission reduction effort includes the stricter exemptions for Eskom power stations, where each facility has to adhere to stringent conditions to mitigate the impacts of non-compliance with the minimum emission standards, while balancing energy security, economic stability, and environmental protection.

“Much more needs to be done and each one of us plays a part in securing a healthier atmosphere and the recovery of the ozone layer, not only for the present, but for the benefit of future generations,” George said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure successfully hosted a housing beneficiary verification drive in Subcouncil 14 of the City of Cape Town.

This drive, held over the past weekend, provided residents already registered in the housing demand database with the opportunity to review and update their registration details.

“We aim to ensure a fair and transparent beneficiary process. Residents in this area have waited a very long time for housing opportunities, and we must make sure that the correct individuals benefit from our housing projects,” Western Cape Infrastructure MEC, Tertuis Simmers, said on Monday.

The Welmoed development is part of the Southern Corridor Integrated Human Settlements Programme, with the first phase set to deliver 3 296 housing opportunities.

These will include a mix of affordable housing, mixed-use options, and private development units.

According to the provincial department, beneficiaries will be drawn from subcouncil 14 and surrounding informal settlements.

Subcouncil 14 includes Amandelsig, Kuils River, Zevenwacht, Oakdene, Sarepta, Blackheath, Blue Downs, Eerste River, Dennemere, Welmoed, Kalkfontein, Mfuleni, and their surrounding areas.

The ward numbers are Ward 11, Ward 14, Ward 16, Ward 17, Ward 19, Ward 108, and Ward 114.

The Welmoed project will also create economic growth and provide up to 6 000 job opportunities.

Part of the development plan requires contractors to employ local labour and subcontractors from the Subcouncil 14 area.

“The Welmoed project is about much more than just housing units. Together, we are building resilient communities, restoring dignity, and creating thousands of job opportunities that will transform the lives of our people. Through infrastructure, we are building an inclusive, prosperous future for all,” Simmers said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Deputy Minister of Finance, Ashor Sarupen, has emphasised the importance of governments, the private sector, development finance institutions, and multilateral partners working together to create an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to succeed. 

Addressing an official side event of South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency, Sarupen highlighted that MSMEs are the backbone of every economy – accounting for over 90% of businesses globally.

“The private sector plays a key role—not only in providing capital, but also in driving innovation and market access. Emerging partnerships with non-bank finance actors—such as equity, crowdfunding, and venture capital—are promising and must be scaled to close the MSME funding gap,” the Deputy Minister said on Monday in Johannesburg.

In South Africa, MSMEs represent 91% of formal businesses, provide 60% of jobs, and contribute up to 34% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  

“Their impact is clear, and so is our responsibility to create an environment that enables their success. The informal sector also holds potential to address unemployment yet remains excluded from adequate support. It contributes 6% to GDP and 17% to employment but continues to struggle with growth and productivity,” Sarupen said.

He was addressing the Global SME Finance Forum – an official side event of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion Working Group.

“In line with the G20/ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles on SME Financing, we must support diverse instruments, enhance transparency, improve financial literacy, and promote timely payments. Together, we can build ecosystems that are inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready,” he explained.

Inclusive financial sector

South Africa’s efforts include the National Treasury’s Financial Inclusion Policy, approved in 2023, which sets a framework to build a more inclusive financial sector. 

It focuses on deepening inclusion for individuals, expanding access to MSMEs, and diversifying financial channels.

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, September 16, 2025