On July 3rd, Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the symposium “Empowering Lesotho: Unlocking Finance to Drive the Energy Transition in a Land-Locked Developing Country”, co-hosted by the United Nations University and the Embassy of Lesotho in Japan, with the presence of the H.M. Letsie III, King of the Kingdom of Lesotho and H.M. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, who are in Japan to participate in the National Day events of the Osaka-Kansai Expo. She delivered a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The outline of the speech is as follows.
At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI welcomed the visit of H.M. Letsie III and H.M. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso to Japan, and stated that, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Japan and Lesotho have built cordial relations through cooperation in areas such as food security, renewable energy, education, and health.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI mentioned Japan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and expressed her hope to work with Lesotho, which is actively promoting the transition to renewable energy by leveraging its abundant water resources and high-quality renewable energy resources, to lead global efforts for climate change measures and promote economic development.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI mentioned that the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) will be held in Yokohama in August this year, and concluded her remarks by expressing her hope to take this opportunity to create innovative solutions that will lead to the prosperity of both Japan and Africa by leveraging Japanese technology and expertise on various topics including the renewable energy sector, which was discussed in this symposium.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
The Togolese authorities must put an end to unnecessary and excessive use of force against protesters, said Amnesty International, amid the latest violent crackdown on protests in the capital, Lomé, since 26 June.
The organization spoke with 18 victims and witnesses. Thirteen described a pattern of unlawful use of force and mistreatment by police and security forces against protesters and passers-by.
“These cases must be independently and transparently investigated as a matter of urgency.” Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa
These protests, considered illegal by the authorities, are the latest in a series of demonstrations since the beginning of June against the repression of dissent, the high cost of living and changes to the constitution. Last month, Amnesty International documented allegations that protesters had been tortured or subjected to ill-treatment.
“In recent days, we have interviewed people who have alleged that men identified as security forces carried out unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, acts of torture and other ill-treatment, and several cases of abduction. These cases must be independently and transparently investigated as a matter of urgency,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
Reports of unlawful use of force by security forces
Thirteen people interviewed by Amnesty International said that men in uniform, suspected to be members of security forces and people described as ‘militiamen’ used unnecessary and excessive force and violence.
A man living in Avénou said: “On 30 June, everything was quiet in our neighbourhood. Suddenly three pick-ups and a car came speeding down our street. Everyone started running away. Men forced their way into our house. They made us get out and told us to kneel down. They were all in civilian clothes. They pointed their guns at us and then they beat us. They left, saying they were going to come back.”
A 38-year-old man said: “On 26 June at around 3pm, I was taking part in a protest in Attiégou, when a group of soldiers attacked me. They hit me hard. I ended up losing consciousness and some young people took me for treatment.”
A 17-year-old teenager said he was arrested on 26 June by gendarmes and held for five days, first at the Zorobar gendarmerie station, then at the former national gendarmerie headquarters and the Avepozo gendarmerie camp. “They put us on our knees with our arms raised. If we lowered our arms, they hit us with cords […]. All day long, we only drank one sachet of water”.
The teenager says he is still suffering from back pain. According to him, more than 40 people were detained with him at the gendarmerie on 30 June, including other children.
Two men and a woman have been missing since 27 June. They were allegedly abducted by unidentified men from a house in the Adidogomé neighbourhood. In a video broadcast live on Tik Tok on 27 June by one of the victims, people were seen bursting into the room, and then the video cut. In the preceding days, he had published several videos in support of the protests and denouncing arbitrary arrests.
“All light must be shed on these deaths and the whereabouts of those who have disappeared.” Fabien Offner, researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa
At least seven people found dead, including children
The parents of a 16-year-old boy found dead in the Bè lagoon on 27 June told Amnesty International that members of the security forces in black uniforms had entered the neighbourhood the previous day and that tear gas shots had been heard. The boy’s body was found along with that of another child.
In a statement shared on 29 June, Togolese civil society organizations reported the deaths of seven people, whose bodies were found in rivers in Lomé, and mentioned ‘beatings’ and ‘arbitrary arrests of passers-by, youth, and older people’, and ‘chases […] of young people, sometimes children, forced to take refuge in the lagoon’.
The statement also mentioned ‘bullet holes in three bodies found in the Bè lagoon on 27 June […] and testimonies of local residents who reported gunshots’.
“All light must be shed on these deaths and the whereabouts of those who have disappeared. Those detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be released,” said Fabien Offner, researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa.
The government announced on 29 June that the bodies found were those of people who had ‘drowned’, citing ‘the results of forensic analyses’.
“We don’t know the exact number of people brought before the court and those still in custody”, lawyer Darius K. Atsoo said to Amnesty International. According to him, as of 30 June, 18 people arrested on 26, 27 and 28 June had been released and 31 were still being held in custody following hearings before the public prosecutor.
On 2 July, at least six people had not been found by their families, according to testimonies.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), through the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), has awarded a $1 million grant to South Africa’s National Business Initiative (NBI) to strengthen efforts to build a dynamic, demand-led skills ecosystem that enables South Africans, particularly young people, to access emerging job opportunities in the green economy.
South Africa continues to face significant challenges in youth employment, with StatisticsSA (http://apo-opa.co/3I92YRD) reporting that 46.1% of young people aged 15 to 34 were unemployed in the first quarter of 2025.
The funding will support the country’s Just Energy Transition Skilling for Employment Programme (JET SEP), led by the National Business Initiative in partnership with the management consultancy Boston Consulting Group. The initiative coordinates private sector efforts to prepare the workforce for the energy transition, in tandem with the government’s JET Skilling Implementation Plan, focused on inclusive workforce development and sustainable job creation.
Specifically, the grant will finance the programme’s first phase, including feasibility studies for the design of skills development zones and capacity building within the public technical and vocational education and training system. Skills development zones will anchor the delivery of inclusive skills and foster local economic growth during the country’s just-energy transition.
Launched in 2024 and endorsed by the JET Project Management Unit under the presidency of the Government of South Africa, JET SEP has garnered support from over 30 influential South African CEOs, public sector leaders, and civil society leaders in the past year.
Of the grant, Kennedy Mbekeani, African Development Bank Director General for Southern Africa, said: “By linking a strong private sector coalition – the engine for job creation – with government, academia, and NGOs, the FAPA grant will play a catalytic role to support informed policy decisions in skills development and labour market programmes. It will also strengthen skills development efforts for the growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the creation of jobs for youth in South Africa’s green economy.”
The grant builds on the African Development Bank’s significant investment in South Africa’s energy sector. Since 2007, the Bank has invested $3.4 billion to support energy infrastructure, including renewable energy. The current grant will support the government’s efforts to identify the skills needed for the sector, with a particular focus on renewable energy.
Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative, said: “This grant from the African Development Bank is a critical step toward turning vision into action, strengthening the national skills system, and ensuring that all South Africans are equipped to seize new opportunities in the green economy. We are proud to continue working alongside our partners and stakeholders to build an inclusive future-ready workforce and to stimulate local economies in a way that leaves no one behind.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media contact:
African Development Bank:
Emeka Anuforo,
Communication and External Relations Department, media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) (www.Orange.com) unveils its 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. Entitled “Cultivating Impact”, the report illustrates Orange’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive transformation grounded in the realities of the 17 countries in which the brand operates.
A transformation rooted in usage, skills, and territories
The report comes at a pivotal time for Africa and the Middle East, where digital, energy, economic and financial transitions are driving deep and progressive societal shifts. One clear guiding principle emerges: human-centered digital technology. It takes shape in everyday uses, built on access to resilient, optimized, and low-carbon digital infrastructure, and a strong commitment to the circular economy through the recovery, refurbishment, and recycling of network and mobile equipment allowing millions to fully experience the digital age, even in the most remote areas. This transformation is accelerated by solutions such as Max it, OMEA’s super-app as a new lever for inclusion, Orange Money and Orange Bank Africa for financial inclusion, and Orange Energies for energy inclusion.
A commitment rooted in the realities of Africa and the Middle East
Throughout the report, OMEA’s role as a key player in regional transformation is reflected in a clear and committed vision: a development model that combines economic performance with social responsibility. In the 17 countries where the Group operates, Orange works closely with local realities to meet the specific needs of each territory.
Driven by its 18,000 employees, this shared ambition is embodied in the company’s operations and in the #OrangeEngageforChange program, which rallies employees around high-impact, socially driven projects. This culture of impact is also reflected in the millions of opportunities made available to youth, women, and entrepreneurs through free inclusion initiatives like the Orange Digital Centers, which have already trained and supported 1.2 million people. The company’s commitment also translates into concrete actions in health, culture, ecosystem preservation, and community resilience.
Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, comments: “Cultivating impact means anchoring our mission in people’s daily lives by turning our commitments into meaningful, lasting actions. In 2025 we will continue, together, to accelerate this positive transformation to build a fairer, more inclusive, and more resilient future.”
Asma Ennaifer, Executive Director, CSR, Orange Digital Center and Communications for Orange Middle East and Africa, concludes: “Our responsibility is to act in a way that is concrete, measurable, and aligned with local challenges. Every action we take only matters if it brings tangible progress for women, youth, entrepreneurs, and the communities we serve.”
To discover and download Orange Middle East and Africa’s 2024 CSR report: Rapport RSE OMEA 2024 – EN (https://apo-opa.co/4lGtGzz)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.
As the Third Technical Meeting of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) draws to a close, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Steve Letsike has called for G20 members to transform commitments into lasting action.
Delivering closing remarks on Thursday, the Deputy Minister applauded the depth of deliberations held over the past days and called for greater accountability to drive tangible progress in the global pursuit of gender equality.
“This meeting has been a powerful space of shared purpose. We have engaged in thoughtful and sometimes difficult conversations, recognising that the path toward gender equality requires not only commitment, but concrete action and accountability.
“Through collective commitment and action, G20 members can make significant strides in promoting gender equality and achieving sustainable development,” Letsike said.
Framed around three interlinked priority areas – care economy, financial inclusion, and gender-based violence – the EWWG discussions drew attention to the complex and deeply rooted inequalities that continue to hinder the advancement of women and girls globally.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the economic and social significance of care work, both paid and unpaid, which is often overlooked, despite being “the backbone of our societies and economies”.
She highlighted the importance of elevating care work and ensuring decent wages and equitable conditions, underscoring that these are “not just gender issues but they are economic imperatives”.
On the issue of financial inclusion, Letsike welcomed the early outcomes under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, including a newly proposed action plan aimed at increasing access to financial tools and opportunities for women and girls.
“I am happy that we are beginning to see the tangibles that will emerge from the South African G20 Presidency. One of these is the action plan on financial inclusion, which starts to define the key strategic focus or pillars, action areas and initiatives that we could adopt as G20 members to drive financial inclusion.
“This action plan or framework will assist to ensure systemic reform, institutional accountability, and policy innovation grounded in lived realities and rigorous evidence,” the Deputy Minister said.
The meeting also took a firm stand on the global scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, calling for decisive action through prevention, protection and prosecution.
“No society can claim to be just or equal while women continue to live in fear, or worse, lose their lives simply because they are women.
“We reaffirmed the urgent need for prevention, protection and prosecution anchored in survivor-centred policies and a culture of zero tolerance,” Letsike stressed.
Policy briefs on the care economy and gender-based violence, along with global frameworks, such as the 5R [Recognise, Reduce, Redistribute, Represent and Reward unpaid and paid care work] and SIGI [Social Institutions and Gender Index], are expected to guide G20 members toward national policy development and implementation.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a G20 approach built on consensus and inclusive growth, adding that the knowledge products generated during this technical meeting would contribute to the legacy of the country’s Presidency.
“The South African G20 Presidency is committed to the principles of G20 based on consensus, which is a cornerstone of our collective efforts. Through open dialogue and collaboration, we have reaffirmed our shared vision of a more inclusive and accessible world,” she said.
Looking ahead, the Ministerial Declaration resulting from these engagements will be presented to the Ministers for adoption in October 2025.
The gathering brought together senior government officials, G20 partners, civil society, academics, and international organisations strengthening global momentum toward a more just and equitable world for women and girls.
The closed sessions that took place on Wednesday and continues today focused onthe global context of gender-based violence, emphasising the need for private sector engagement and legislation to protect women.
Key points included the criminalisation of certain behaviours, the creation of codes for daily access, and the importance of community-driven sustainability in health provisions.
The speakers also stressed the importance of international support, governance, and the need for a comprehensive approach to address gender-based violence effectively. – SAnews.gov.za
The North West Provincial Government has disputed claims regarding its budget expenditure for the 2024/25 financial year, after reports indicated that it would return R383 million to the National Treasury.
This is after an opposition party noted that while most provincial departments spent between 98% and 99% of their allocated budgets, which aligns with acceptable spending norms, the province’s underspending still amounts to a significant R383 million.
According to the party, this underspending includes considerable shortfalls in key departments.
The party has called on the North West Provincial Government to account for the R383 million in underspending for the 2024/25 financial year.
However, the provincial government confirmed that, according to the preliminary audit outcomes for 2024/25, 99.29% of its R54.2 billion budget was spent, which translates to a total expenditure of R53.9 billion.
“This is a much-improved performance compared to the previous financial year, with only two departments spending below a threshold of 95%.
“The under-expenditure of R383 million, which is made up of R176 million of the equitable share, will be retained by the province.”
The provincial government stated that the remaining amount, approximately R207 million, will roll over into the 2025/26 financial year.
“Already, National Treasury has approved R172 million, which will be re-appropriated through the November adjustment budget. These funds will be used for various infrastructure projects to address service delivery challenges and create various socio-economic opportunities for locals.
“Therefore, there is no R383 million which is going to be returned to National Treasury, as alleged by some in the mainstream and social media platforms.” – SAnews.gov.za
Esteemed Members of the Tipperary Peace Convention,
Distinguished Guests,
It is with deep humility and immense gratitude that I accept the Tipperary International Peace Award, not as a personal honor, but on behalf of the State of Qatar—its people, its principles, and its leadership. It is a recognition of what Qatar represents in the world today: a steady voice for peace, a defender of dialogue, and a nation that does not waver in the face of hardship.
To stand here in Ireland—a country whose peace was earned through reconciliation and moral courage—is profoundly meaningful. Your journey affirms what we in Qatar have always believed: peace is not given, it is built.
I am reminded of the late John Hume, who said: “The basis of peace and stability, in any society, has to be the fullest respect for the human rights of all its people.”
However, today, I speak to you not about my story, but the story of the proud people of Qatar.
I am often asked, What guides Qatar’s efforts, from Gaza to Afghanistan, from Lebanon to Ukraine, Some have claimed that Qatar does this for its own gain. This cannot be further from the truth.
Our work is not transactional; it is transformational. It is not a tactic; it is a national identity shaped by culture, driven by faith, enshrined in the constitution, and inspired by leadership.
His Highness the Amir is a model of leadership rare in today’s world. He does not simply govern—he feels, putting his heart and soul in every duty, from the needs of his citizens, to regional and international peace. He sees the people of the region, and innocent people around the world, as his own, grieves for every life lost, and envisions peace as his legacy.
Words cannot express my pride in His Highness. I had the honor to serve my country under his leadership for over ten years, and will be honored to do so for as long as I am able to. It is his wisdom, passion, and determination that I personally draw from the inspiration to propel me forward.
This award comes at a moment of great significance.
Just a week ago, our country came under direct missile attack, a direct result of recklessness concerning the peace and stability of our region. But even as our air defences were falling, our diplomats were doing theirs, securing a ceasefire by dawn. Most importantly, dawn broke with no lives lost and no human cost. That realization led to the choice of restraint rather than retaliation. At that difficult moment, while we were discussing with the Emir options of what our next move will be, he decided that as long as thankfully no lives were lost in the attack, none shall be lost. The choice was restraint. And I must be clear: Qatar chose restraint from a position of strength, not weakness, because we prioritized regional stability and the well-being of all in our region, over rhetoric and pity show of force.
And frankly speaking, we do not want to be among the countries who are in the club preaching something and doing something else. So we are trying to at least practice what we preach.
We have long warned of the dangers of regional spillover and of how the reckless behavior of Israel risked widening the conflict beyond repair. The price of ignoring those warnings is being paid not only in Gaza but across the region.
The ever-expanding conflicts in our world today have put to the test the ideals and principles that are supposed to secure international peace, the blatant violations of international law, and especially international humanitarian law that are ongoing, with very little accountability and complete impunity perpetrated by members of the United Nations are increasing every day. The erosion of trust in the international order and norms. Nowhere is it safe.
Nowhere is that tragedy more visible than in Gaza. The images from there are unbearable. The loss is unspeakable. Yet in the face of devastation, His Highness the Amir has remained unwavering in his commitment to the people of Gaza, whether it be through continuous aid, actively working towards peace, or defending their dignity in the international arena.
In the international arena, not only the people of Gaza, but we remain committed to freeing the remaining Israeli hostages despite the Israeli government’s apathy towards a peaceful outcome. A human life to us is sacred, regardless of political or any other identity.
Their suffering weighs heavily on our conscience and strengthens our resolve.
Even when provoked, even when attacked, we remain committed to peace—not as a slogan, but as a duty. Our armed forces protect our sovereignty with courage. Our diplomats build bridges in silence. And through it all, our people stand united.
As our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Shall I not tell you what is better than the rank of prayer, fasting, and charity? It is reconciling people.”
To the next generation—those watching from afar: do not believe that peace is naïve. It is harder than war. But it is worth every effort. It is stronger than cynicism and louder than violence.
On behalf of the people of Qatar, I thank the Tipperary Peace Convention for this recognition. And on their behalf, I accept it with humility and with renewed commitment—that Qatar will remain a voice of calm, a partner in peace, and a friend to all who believe that dialogue must triumph over destruction.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $50 million Trade Finance Transaction Guarantee facility to support to trade finance activities of Awash Bank S.C. (Awash) (https://apo-opa.co/44ecHyL), in Ethiopia.
This facility will enable the Bank to provide a guarantee of up to 100 percent to confirming banks for the non-payment risk arising from the confirmation of Letters of Credit and similar trade finance instruments issued by Awash. The facility will provide much needed import trade finance requirements to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and local corporates in Ethiopia. It will also support intra-Africa trade, thus directly contributing to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) (https://apo-opa.co/44J2Sc1) agenda.
Following the approval, African Development Bank Head of Trade Finance, Lamin Drammeh said: “Supporting Trade in Africa is a key priority at the African Development Bank. Trade finance is an important driver of economic growth and is critical for cross-border trade, particularly in emerging markets. We are delighted to work with Awash, a strong partner with extensive knowledge and network in Ethiopia, on a shared ambition to support the region’s Trade.”
Commenting on the approval, Tsehay Shiferaw, CEO of Awash Bank S.C., said: “The Trade Finance Transaction Guarantee facility approved to our bank by the African Development Bank will ease the burden of arranging cash collateral with banks, thereby improving our liquidity and enabling us to support more trade customers.” He added: “The facility will enhance our trade relationships with other International and African confirming banks.
Awash looks forward to further strengthening its partnership and benefiting more from the resources and extensive capabilities of the African Development Bank and its partners, Shiferaw said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Contact:
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Communication and External Relations Department
email: a.mpoke-bigg@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.
W Cape completes housing market studies for seven municipalities
The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure, has completed the second round of housing market studies across seven municipalities.
The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said this initiative is part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to better understand the dynamics of the local housing market.
According to Bredell, the goal is to promote well-located, affordable housing opportunities and to support the development of municipal inclusionary housing policies, where appropriate.
The municipalities included in this latest phase are Swartland, Saldanha Bay, Overstrand, Breede Valley, Bitou, Knysna, and Oudtshoorn.
The studies provide critical insight into how local housing markets function, highlighting trends in supply and demand, affordability challenges, and opportunities for both private and public sector investment.
The housing market studies also build on the first round of research completed for Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, George, and Mossel Bay.
Based on recent findings, Stellenbosch Municipality has developed and begun implementing its Inclusionary Zoning Policy in targeted areas, aiming to increase the supply of affordable and well-located housing opportunities.
The second round of the study has identified several common challenges faced by municipalities, emphasising the need for targeted, evidence-based interventions to improve housing affordability and the overall functionality of the market.
The study has revealed that widespread affordability constraints are restricting access to formal housing, particularly for lower-income households.
In these segments, the demand for housing significantly exceeds the supply, mainly due to affordability challenges.
In addition, there is a substantial undersupply of entry-level housing (priced up to R300 000) and affordable housing (priced between R300 000 and R600 000).
”There is limited formal housing available for households that can afford or qualify within this price range,” Bredell said.
Meanwhile, the conventional housing market segment (priced between R600 000 and R900 000) is also experiencing significant shortages, with the number of potential buyers or households vastly exceeding the available housing stock.
In contrast, the high-end housing market (priced between R900 000 and R1.2 million) and the luxury market (priced above R1.2 million) are generally well supplied, featuring a higher share of both existing stock and new market-driven development activities.
“The imbalance in the housing market, characterised by a shortage of affordable options in the lower and middle segments and an oversupply in the upper-end market, is leading to a rise in informal housing and backyard dwellings. As households struggle to access formal housing, they are compelled to seek alternative shelter solutions.
“It is also worth noting that the studies primarily reflect trends within the formal housing market,” said Bredell.
As such, the study found that informal settlements, backyard dwellings, and subsidised units without title deeds are underrepresented.
“This suggests that the true scale of housing need, especially among the lowest income groups, is likely even greater than reflected in the data.”
The Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, emphasised that these studies are pivotal in giving us the intelligence to invest smarter, plan better, and partner more effectively to deliver affordable housing where it’s needed most.
”The housing crisis is not just about quantity, it’s about access, location, and dignity, and this data helps us respond in ways that are practical, targeted, and inclusive,” Simmers said.
In addition, Bredell believes that the insights from the housing market studies will assist municipalities in developing appropriate responses to housing affordability challenges.
“This may include developing an Inclusionary Housing Policy, Affordable Housing Strategy, refining the Municipal Spatial Development Framework, Integrated Development Plan, and Human Settlements Plan, while also exploring innovative approaches beyond traditional state-subsidised housing delivery that enable the delivery of affordable housing,” Bredell added.
The provincial government said the final phase of the project, scheduled for 2025/26, will revisit and update the original four municipal studies that were undertaken in the first round.
“It will also include a knowledge-sharing workshop and the publication of a consolidated comparative report. This report will identify key trends, highlight regional differences, and outline strategic interventions to enhance housing market performance across the province.” – SAnews.gov.za
The national awareness campaign on the Spaza Shop Support Fund is today in Volksrust, Mpumalanga.
Township-based entrepreneurs in the area will have an opportunity to engage directly with government and its partners on how to access vital support to grow and sustain their businesses.
Led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), the ongoing campaign forms part of a national drive to raise awareness about available support for spaza shops and township convenience stores. It aims to close information gaps and bring services closer to communities.
Following successful stops in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, the Free State, and the Northern Cape, this leg targets entrepreneurs and spaza shop owners in the Dr. Pixley Ka Isaka Ka Seme Local Municipality and surrounding areas, who are often underserved but play a vital role in the local economy.
At the centre of the campaign is the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund, launched by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau and Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, in April 2025.
The fund is administered by the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) agencies of the DSBD and the dtic, respectively.
Attendees in Volksrust will receive detailed guidance on how to apply for financial and non-financial assistance, including:
Access to affordable stock through delivery partners.
Infrastructure upgrades such as shelving, refrigeration and security.
Point-of-sale devices.
Business training on compliance, digital literacy, credit health and food safety.
Market access support through partnerships with black industrialists and local manufacturers.
“The initiative aims to boost the competitiveness of township businesses and foster inclusive economic participation by bringing more informal retailers into the broader retail value chain,” the dtic said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za
