Category: Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has assured the public that the presence of anti-retroviral (ARV) residues in drinking water poses no health risk and cannot result in HIV transmission.

This follows the release of a study by North West University’s Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management and the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, which found measurable levels of ARV residues in some South African water sources.

The report, titled “Quantification, Fate, and Hazard Assessment of HIV-ARVs in Water Resources”, revealed that ARVs are entering the water supply primarily through municipal wastewater treatment systems.

These facilities, originally not designed to eliminate such pharmaceutical compounds, allow residues to pass into rivers and into drinking water sources.

The most detected ARVs included lopinavir and efavirenz, with concentrations at some sites far exceeding global norms.

Despite this, the department emphasised that the presence of ARV residues in drinking water is harmless, although “prolonged exposure to the broader population may lead to antimicrobial resistance, a subject of ongoing research”.

In a joint statement with the Water Research Commission (WRC), the department noted that the appearance of ARVs in water is a result of South Africa’s massive programme to curb HIV and AIDS treatment programme.

As a result, traces of ARVs are entering municipal sewage systems and passing through these systems into rivers.

“Pharmaceuticals such as ARVs are drugs used to treat diseases – they do not cause diseases. Therefore, the presence of traces of ARVs in the water will not result in people contracting HIV.

“At present, there is limited knowledge of environmental toxicity, potential adverse effects on ecosystems and viral resistance of these compounds. The study did not find any ARVs in fish,” the department said.

Emerging global challenge

The Water Research Commission, alongside local and international partner research organisations, has since early 2000 commissioned several studies on the presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in water resources and drinking water.

The WRC’s research has focused on CECs such as microplastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals that could potentially pose risks to human health and the environment. These studies inform the water quality guidelines and regulations issued by DWS.

“However, CECs are a relatively new area of research globally, particularly relating to the causes and effects of CEC, the human health risks, treatment methods to remove CECs, and potential regulatory measures that can be taken to address the problem.”

The study commissioned by the WRC and carried out by North West University found that:

• Almost all the concentrations in drinking water samples at the test sites were below limits of quantification. The most frequently detected compound was fluconazole (28 detections from 72 samples), with concentrations ranging between 0.06-1.8 μg/L (nanograms per litre).
• Nevirapine and efavirenz were the second most detected compounds, both with 22 detections out of 72 samples.
• However, on average, lopinavir and efavirenz had the highest concentrations of the compounds analysed, while Didanosine and zidovudine were the least detected compounds (2 and 6 detections out of 72 samples).

The department has also assured that the key water quality risks to human health of a biological and microbiological nature, are well understood and regulated in South Africa.

“The South African National Standard SANS241 for water quality is based on World Health Organisation standards, ensuring that the human health risks are mitigated. 

“This has enabled DWS to implement monitoring programmes such as the blue and green drop programmes to provide information to the public on the performance of municipal water and wastewater systems relative to SANS241.

“The traces of pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other such CECs that have been found in water resources in South Africa are very small quantities, measured in nanograms (one billionth of a gram). Conventional water and wastewater treatment technologies are designed to remove much larger contaminants such as particles of faeces and bacteria,” the department said.

To access the report visit: wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2594 – Volume 1.pdf and https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/31661.pdf. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Justice, Police committees to recommend Ad Hoc Committee on Mkhwanazi allegations

NeoB
Fri, 07/18/2025 – 11:20

Source: Government of South Africa

SA strengthens science and innovation cooperation with Algeria

Gabisile
Fri, 07/18/2025 – 10:41

Source: Government of South Africa

In line with the 2025 Mandela Day theme, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is taking action to restore dignity and improve lives through the third edition of its life-changing surgical marathons. 

This year’s commemoration is held under the theme: ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’.

In alignment with this theme, the department will prioritise critical surgical interventions, including prostate, cleft palate, cataract and stoma procedures, which are essential to improving the quality of life of vulnerable patients, who have long been waiting for care.

“Gauteng public hospitals, in collaboration with private partners, have pledged to conduct over 1 000 surgical procedures, which include cataract surgeries, colostomy reversals, cleft palate repairs, urology procedures, breast surgeries, and general surgeries encompassing hernia repairs, ENT, orthopedics, gynaecology, arthroplasty and other specialties. 

“This reflects the commitment by health professionals to improve the health and quality of life for vulnerable individuals in our communities,” the department said. 

Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko will conduct a walkabout and oversight visit to theaters and wards to ensure the effective implementation of the surgical marathon. 

She will also assess the quality of care being provided and engage with healthcare staff and patients about their experiences and needs during this critical initiative.

Furthermore, the MEC will proceed to reopen the refurbished Urology Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital for advanced prostate biopsies, which will significantly reduce the need for repeat procedures due to inconclusive results. 

Additionally, the newly upgraded Breast Centre for Excellence will also be reopened at Helen Joseph Hospital to provide comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and surgical services specifically for breast cancer patients.

In line with the announcement made during the 2025/26 GDoH Budget Vote, Nkomo-Ralehoko will conclude the day by launching the Treatment Time Guarantee (TTG) Framework.

“This initiative draws from the best global practices and ensures equitable access to surgical care and [institutional] time-based clinical accountability. It means that going forward, patients will be given clear timeframes as to when their operations will be performed. 

“In this way, treatment times will be standardised across facilities. This will further provide clarity on what constitutes waiting times and backlogs,” the department said. 

The Mandela Day Surgical Marathon activities will commence with a walkabout at theatres and the opening of the Urology Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, followed by the opening of the refurbished Breast Unit at the Helen Joseph Hospital Breast Clinic. 

This will be followed by a walkabout at theaters and wards at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Dr. SK Matseke Hospital. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

While the relationship between South Africa and China has mutually benefited both nations through increased trade and investment, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has acknowledged a persistent trade deficit that favours China.

“South Africa’s trade imbalance with China is mostly attributable to the nature of our trading relationship. South Africa mainly exports raw materials and minerals while importing manufactured goods and capital goods from China,” he said. 

He noted that South Africa’s trade deficit with China increased from under US$1 billion between 1988 and 2000 to US$9.71 billion by 2023.

“Since FOCAC’s (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) inception, this trade imbalance has resulted in an accumulated cash outflow of US$114.83 billion from South Africa to China,” he said. 

The Deputy President was speaking at the South Africa-China Investment Forum during the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) visit to Beijing on Thursday.

He used the platform to call for urgent action between South Africa and China to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome. 

“We need to develop a more coordinated and strategic approach. We need to address challenges such as access to the Chinese market due to factors like tariffs and non-tariff barriers, distance, and competition from other countries.” 

This necessitates expanding South Africa’s export portfolio, encouraging value-added exports, and establishing a more balanced trade relationship. 

The Deputy President believes the two nations need to expand partnerships in various sectors.

“It is through strategic trade and investment partnerships with China that we can both create a balance and subsequently play a significant role towards South Africa’s economic growth, job creation, and overall development.”

He acknowledged the role of Chinese investment in South Africa, which includes various businesses and key sectors such as banking, manufacturing, and renewable energy. 

Deputy President Mashatile stated that South Africa’s mineral exports, agricultural products, and manufactured goods have made significant inroads into the Chinese market. 

He also noted that since President Cyril Ramaphosa’s investment mobilisation drive, there has been a steady influx of investment from Chinese companies.

The investment forum offers an additional opportunity to strengthen the investment relationship by facilitating exchanges and sector-specific discussions aimed at exploring the many available investment opportunities.

Deputy President Mashatile said a major significant investment was made by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which purchased a 20% stake in the assets and earnings of Standard Bank for US$5.5 billion.

Meanwhile, he said another major Chinese electronics manufacturer, Hisense, entered the South African market in 1997 and established an industrial park in 2013. 

Other Chinese flagship companies such as Zhong Xing Communications (ZTE) and Huawei Technologies are also expanding their presence in South Africa. 

Over the last decade, 48 Chinese companies invested in South Africa with a capital investment of over US$11.69 billion.

“As South Africa-China relations continue to deepen, new opportunities emerge for Chinese businesses seeking to enter the South African market, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, infrastructure and logistics, our special economic zones, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and the beneficiation of critical minerals, as well as in the digital economy.”

He told delegates that South Africa wants to continue to build on the economic relations that have seen substantial growth since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1998. 

“We value this longstanding relationship because it has been established on a shared vision for a prosperous future.”

Both nations are involved in several multilateral institutions, including the United Nations (UN), the Group of 20 (G20), and BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation made up of ten countries. 

South Africa and China utilises these platforms to collaborate on global issues and advocate for the interests of developing countries.

He also took the time to encourage investors who are interested in expanding to the rest of the African continent to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is anticipated to provide access to the African market for companies in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors and infrastructure. – SAnews.gov.za