Category: English

By David Jacobs

South Africa is entering a new phase in its economic renewal. After years of grappling with structural constraints, the country is beginning to see the tangible results of reform. Energy reliability is improving, logistics performance is recovering, infrastructure investment is moving from plans to construction, and business confidence is strengthening.

For much of the past decade, growth was constrained by persistent bottlenecks in energy, transport and infrastructure. These challenges increased the cost of doing business, weakened competitiveness and dampened investor confidence. Government responded with a series of bold reforms aimed at addressing these constraints at their source.

The clearest evidence of progress is in the energy sector, where South Africa is now on the cusp of nearly 500 consecutive days without load shedding, following the five interventions announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022. This has resulted in Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor reaching its highest level since 2020. More than 6,100 MW have been restored to the grid, unplanned outages have fallen sharply, and diesel expenditure has declined by over 80%. Reliable energy provides the certainty businesses need to invest, expand production and create jobs.

Infrastructure delivery is also gathering pace. A portfolio of 263 projects valued at almost R2 trillion is advancing through various stages of development, while 37 projects worth R69 billion have been completed over the past 18 months. More importantly, South Africa is increasingly demonstrating the ability to convert infrastructure plans into infrastructure delivery, strengthening connectivity, service provision and economic activity.

The next phase is to translate these structural gains into faster and more inclusive growth. This is the focus of Phase 3 of the Government Business Partnership, launched last month against the backdrop of key achievements such as South Africa’s exit from the FATF grey list and recent sovereign credit-rating upgrades.

The partnership moves beyond stabilisation towards growth. Its objective is to unlock investment, accelerate economic activity and support the creation of more than one million jobs by 2030. Targeted interventions across energy, logistics, mining, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure will be complemented by measures to combat crime and corruption, strengthen competitiveness and expand opportunities for young people.

Ambitious targets have been set. These include operationalising the South African Wholesale Electricity Market by early 2027, unlocking a 32 GW grid connection pipeline, increasing freight volumes to 180 million tonnes, mobilising an estimated R500 billion in transport and logistics investment, unlocking more than R50 billion in mining capital expenditure, and growing international tourist arrivals to 3.8 million by the end of 2027.

This partnership reflects a simple but powerful principle that sustainable growth requires collaboration. Government creates an enabling environment through policy certainty, infrastructure and public services, while business provides the capital, innovation and expertise needed to expand productive activity. Together, they can unlock the investment, industrial growth and employment opportunities required to drive long-term prosperity.

Recent economic data serves as a reminder that the journey is not yet complete. Following six consecutive quarters of growth, the economy contracted by 0.2 % in the second quarter of 2026. Weaknesses in mining, manufacturing and trade, together with subdued investment and rising imports, continue to weigh on performance.

This short-term fluctuation should not obscure the deeper structural progress underway. Reforms in energy, logistics and infrastructure are beginning to address some of the most significant constraints to growth. The task now is to ensure these improvements translate into higher investment, stronger productivity, more jobs and rising living standards.

South Africa has laid important foundations for a more competitive and resilient economy. The challenge ahead is not simply to sustain reform, but to convert reform into momentum. With continued collaboration, accountability and execution, the country has an opportunity to move from recovery to sustained, inclusive growth.

*David Jacobs is Chief Director: Cluster Communication at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)*

Farmers and Communal Property Associations (CPAs) in Tigane near Klerksdorp, North West, are set to benefit from improved access to agricultural machinery, following the provincial government’s intervention to boost production and strengthen food security. 

North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha handed over a tractor and other agricultural implements to farmers on Monday, as part of efforts to address limited access to mechanisation among small-scale and emerging farmers. 

The tractor will operate as a shared service for farmers from the Seven Seasons, Oblate, Thusanang and Ikageng CPAs in the Tigane community. 

The department also handed over a boom sprayer and disc plough to strengthen farmers’ operational capacity and support agricultural production.

The intervention forms part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to transform the agricultural sector, reduce poverty, and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers in rural communities.

Speaking during the handover, Sambatha said access to agricultural machinery is critical to increasing production and supporting livelihoods among under-resourced farming communities.

“This intervention speaks directly to our commitment to uplifting rural farming communities. The tractor and implements we are handing over today are not just machinery; they are essential tools for increasing production, strengthening livelihoods and improving food security,” the MEC said. 

Local farmer and beneficiary, Ramasimane Kalaote, welcomed the support, saying the machinery will assist emerging farmers in the area to improve their farming operations. 

“Farming without the necessary implements can be difficult, but we are grateful for this support and promise that the equipment will be put to good use,” Kalaote said.

The department said limited access to mechanisation remains a significant barrier to agricultural production, particularly among emerging farmers.

It said providing farmers with the necessary equipment would help improve productivity, increase yields, and strengthen household and community food security.

The department said it will continue prioritising investment in agricultural infrastructure, mechanisation and production resources, particularly in historically marginalised rural communities where limited access to farming equipment continues to constrain agricultural development.

“Through these interventions, the department is strengthening farmers’ access to the resources they need to increase production, improve livelihoods and contribute to food security across the province,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

By Terence Khala
The 2026 Foundation Phase Catalogue for Grades 1 – 3 has moved decisively from approval to implementation. 

Following concurrence through the Heads of Education Departments Committee (HEDCOM) and the Council of Education Ministers (CEM), procurement is underway, with November and December 2026 as the key delivery period ahead of the new academic year.

The significance of the new catalogue extends beyond procurement. It is an intervention aimed at strengthening the relationship between curriculum, pedagogy, learning materials and the efficient use of public resources.

The previous catalogue served the sector for many years. Its renewal is part of the normal evolution of an education system. Curricula change, new subjects emerge and evidence about effective teaching develops. Learning materials must evolve accordingly.

A stronger pedagogical proposition

The most important shift is in foundational literacy.

The new catalogue provides for 40 readers per class and a Core Reader for every learner. This provides a stronger resource base for the systematic development of decoding, fluency and comprehension.

The catalogue also includes updated, curriculum-aligned materials and provides for newer curriculum areas such as Coding and Robotics.

This matters because curriculum reform is only meaningful when teachers have the resources to implement it. The pedagogical value of the new catalogue lies in bringing curriculum intention closer to classroom practice.

Better value, broader opportunity

The financial case is equally significant.

Full implementation is projected to cost approximately R1.6 billion, compared with approximately R4.6 billion for equivalent requirements from the previous catalogue — a difference of around R3 billion.

This should not simply be understood as a saving. It is about value for money and allocative efficiency. Coordinated procurement allows larger print runs, creates economies of scale and strengthens oversight of ordering and distribution.

In practical terms, reducing the cost of learning materials creates greater scope to improve coverage. Efficiency therefore becomes an educational issue: public resources can reach further and support more learners.

The reduction from eight listed titles to three also creates greater coherence. Subject advisors can provide more focused support, and teacher development can be better aligned with the materials actually being used in classrooms.

Delivery is now the priority

The catalogue has undergone significant scrutiny. The department has reported that the audit, independent investigation and legal consideration found no fraud, no favouritism and no basis to cancel the process.

That process is now concluded. The focus must shift to execution.

November and December will be critical. Books must move from procurement to delivery and, ultimately, into the hands of teachers and learners.

The value of the 2026 Foundation Phase Catalogue will not be determined by its approval alone. It will be determined by whether it strengthens teaching, expands access to appropriate learning materials and contributes to improved learning outcomes.

The catalogue has been approved, the sector has concurred and procurement is underway. The task now is to turn that investment into better-resourced classrooms and stronger foundations for learning.

*Khala is Acting Director: Communication and Research, at the Department of Basic Education

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has opened its 2026 Debt Relief Programme, providing qualifying account holders with an opportunity to settle outstanding municipal debt over a period of up to 36 months.

The programme opened on 1 September 2026 and applies to municipal accounts with arrears of more than 30 days as of 30 June 2026. Applications will close on 31 December 2026.

In a statement, the municipality noted that it has also decided to accommodate customers who currently have, or previously had, debt relief payment arrangements, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

“Qualifying customers may arrange to pay qualifying municipal debt over a period of 36 months. Customers who already have an active payment arrangement, or who previously benefited from the 2025 Debt Relief Programme, may still apply for the 2026 Debt Relief Programme.

“However, customers with an existing arrangement must continue to honour their current payment arrangement and pay their current account until their new application has been approved and the new terms and conditions have been confirmed by the Debtor Management Section,” the municipality explained.

The municipality said the debt relief process will be conducted online by Debtor Management staff once the required IT programming has been finalised. In the interim, only application forms will be accepted for processing.

Applications must be submitted in person at the municipality’s customer service counters. Applications cannot be submitted telephonically or directly by email.

Once completed at the customer service counters, the relevant documents will be scanned and emailed to accountrelief@mandelametro.gov.za.

“The original documents, as with pensioners’ rates rebate applications, must be listed and hand-delivered to Head Office. Head Office will then deliver the list and supporting applications to the Debtor Management Section and obtain a receipt signature.

“The original documentation is required for audit purposes. Customers must continue paying their current accounts while their applications are being processed,” the municipality said.

The municipality added that a “Do Not Cut” (DNC) notice will be placed on the accounts of customers who apply, with the initial DNC date set for 13 November 2026.

Customers are advised to continue paying their current accounts until they receive communication from the Debtor Management Section regarding the online processing of their applications.

“The DNC will automatically be extended every two months until the online programming is finalised, provided that the current accounts are paid, in line with the process currently used for queries.”

Applicants are required to submit completed application form; checklist; and required supporting documents.

The municipality has encouraged account holders experiencing difficulties in settling their municipal debt to make use of the Debt Relief Programme, provided they meet the qualifying requirements and comply with the applicable terms and conditions. – SAnews.gov.za

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and its Board have unanimously approved a proposal by Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp to allow qualifying private companies to use the ARC’s intellectual property (IP) to manufacture its Foot-and -Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine at a large scale.

The decision, taken on Monday, is aimed at addressing current manufacturing constraints and increasing the availability of the ARC vaccine as South Africa continues to respond to the FMD outbreak.

The ARC is an entity of the Department of Agriculture.

The ARC vaccine is an effective defence against the domestic FMD strains and requires a single annual administration. However, due to manufacturing constraints, the ARC is currently not able to manufacture their FMD vaccine at scale.

Under conditional IP licensing agreements with the ARC, local and international companies will be allowed to manufacture the vaccine, helping to expand production while the ARC continues to strengthen its own manufacturing capacity.

Aucamp said the decision marks a decisive breakthrough in safeguarding South Africa’s livestock sector, strengthening national biosecurity, and securing food supply chains.

“I have listened to the concerns of farmers and other stakeholders in the sector, and I appreciate that they want swift action to deal with this Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak.

“It is against this background that we are now, for the first time, going to allow the private sector to make use of the IP of the ARC to enhance the availability of the ARC vaccine,” the Minister said following a meeting.

He said the ARC will continue working to rebuild and expand its own internal FMD vaccine manufacturing capacity, while third-party manufacturers assist with large-scale production.

Any income that the ARC will derive from these licencing agreements will be ringfenced by the ARC and will only be used by the ARC to increase its own FMD vaccine manufacturing capacity.

While the implementation of the decision will not happen overnight, Aucamp said the agreement is a huge step forward in combating the FMD outbreak.

“I am proud to confirm that all parties involved have committed to do whatever they can to ensure that this decision is implemented without delay,” Aucamp said.

As part of efforts to strengthen the scientific assessment of vaccines, the ARC will also, at Aucamp’s request, submit representative FMD field-circulating virus isolates from South Africa to the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom in October, for a second round of vaccine-matching assessments.

The purpose of this exercise is to provide an additional scientific assessment of the suitability of available local and imported vaccines against FMD viruses currently circulating in South Africa.

The Department of Agriculture said it will continue to work with commodity organisations, provincial veterinary services, the ARC, organised agriculture, and other stakeholders to strengthen the country’s FMD control programme. – SAnews.gov.za