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Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela says his department has moved to stabilise governance, reposition technical colleges and accelerate digital transformation since his appointment to office.

Delivering Budget Vote 17 in Parliament on Tuesday, Manamela outlined a series of interventions already implemented across the post-school education and training sector, saying his focus had been on identifying “where the system is stuck” and how to address longstanding weaknesses.

“Since my appointment, I have asked of every official, every entity, every council, and every meeting one question: where is the system stuck, and what will it take to unstick it?” Manamela said.

The Minister highlighted four key streams of work prioritised by the department since he took office.

The first stream included stabilising governance across institutions and entities under the department.

He said decisive action has been taken at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) following governance and operational concerns.

“Where the institution fell short of the public trust placed in it, we acted within the law to restore order, protect students, and put in place a remedial path,” the Minister said.

The Minister also confirmed that underperforming Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) have been placed under administration, while audit action plans, council development programmes and pre-employment screening for senior managers are being institutionalised across the sector.

“Consequence management is no longer a slogan; it is becoming a discipline,” he said.

The second focus area included the repositioning of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as the core driver of occupational and technical skills development.

Manamela announced that 24 new occupational qualifications have been introduced at TVET colleges from January 2026, and government has also set a target of 30% of TVET enrolment in occupational qualifications and skills programmes.

In addition, 500 TVET lecturers are expected to obtain formal qualifications, while 150 TVET council members will undergo training.

“We are establishing five regional industrial skills compacts, and by 30 September 2026, we will table a TVET Turnaround Strategy that confronts the system’s chronic challenges head-on,” the Minister said.

Thirdly, the department has started to build digital and future-skills capacity across the post-school system.

This includes plans to complete a feasibility study for online public TVET by March 2027, introduce a TVET digital transformation strategy, launch four new programmes on the National Open Learning System, integrate Khetha career services to reach 250 000 users, and establish a Skills Development Zone.

The fourth area of intervention has focused on reshaping the size and structure of the post-school education and training system.

Manamela said government is finalising a university enrolment plan for 2025 to 2030 and developing a five-year TVET enrolment strategy.

“We are addressing student housing and infrastructure as the precondition for any meaningful expansion,” the Minister said.

He said the reforms are intended to strengthen the link between education, employability, and economic growth.

“We inherit a system of great achievement and deep contradiction. It has opened doors for millions. It has not yet built enough bridges to work, to innovation, and to economic participation,” he said.

He added that government’s broader objective is to ensure that the post-school education and training system becomes a platform for economic inclusion, productivity, and opportunity for young South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has tabled a R149.2 billion budget anchored on what he described as a “skills revolution” intended to strengthen the link between education, work, and industrial development.

The department’s Budget Vote presented in Parliament on Tuesday, is aimed at driving digital transformation, expanding technical and vocational training, and repositioning South Africa’s post-school education and training system to respond more directly to employment and economic needs.

Manamela stressed that the budget must become more than a budget of transfers, but a budget of “transformation, coordination, skills, accountability, and outcomes.”

The department’s allocation for the 2026/27 financial year has increased from R142.4 billion in 2025/26 to R149.2 billion, while total spending over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is projected at R468 billion.

Transfers and subsidies account for R134.9 billion, or 90.4% of the total allocation.

Universities remain the largest component of the budget, receiving R100.1 billion, representing approximately 82.4% of the programme budget.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges receive R14.7 billion, reflecting a 6.3% increase as government intensifies efforts to position TVET institutions as centres of occupational and technical skills development.

Community Education and Training (CET) colleges receive R3.3 billion, which Manamela acknowledged highlighted the structural underfunding of the sector.

Manamela noted that TVET and CET colleges are still under-scaled relative to the size of the country’s population and the demands of its economy.

“TVET is central to the production of mid-level technical and vocational skills. CET provides the second-chance opportunities that reconnect young people and adults to the education and training system. Both must grow — and both must improve,” the Minister said.

The Minister announced that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is projected to increase from R48.8 billion in 2025/26 to R54.6 billion by 2028/29, with skills levy income projected to rise from R27.7 billion in 2026/27 to R31.1 billion by 2028/29.

Manamela said the budget priorities centred around three strategic areas, including digital transformation, the skills revolution, and reshaping the size and structure of the post-school education and training system.

He announced plans to expand online and digital learning platforms, modernise data systems, introduce online TVET and CET offerings, and strengthen digital career guidance services.

The department also plans to deepen investment in artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity and data-related skills through partnerships with leading technology companies.

“The real question is whether the system can plan, teach, track, fund and connect people to opportunity at the speed and scale that the moment requires,” Manamela said.

The Minister said the “skills revolution” would focus on occupational qualifications, apprenticeships and artisan development, workplace-integrated learning, regional industrial skills compacts, and employer participation.

Among the targets announced were the establishment of five regional industrial skills compacts, employer participation agreements through Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), and increased artisan and occupational skills training.

Manamela said government is finalising the university enrolment plan for 2025 to 2030, develop a five-year TVET enrolment plan, auditing the CET landscape, and continue work on new institutions, including the proposed Ekurhuleni University and new medical and veterinary schools.

“We are converting agricultural colleges into higher education colleges, and we are addressing student housing and infrastructure as the precondition for any meaningful expansion.”

He stressed that the effectiveness of the budget would ultimately be judged by whether it improved opportunities for young people.

“The test of this Budget Vote is not whether the department spends. The test is whether a young person in Mitchells Plain, in Giyani, in Rustenburg, in Lusikisiki, in Kuruman, in Mdantsane, or in Soweto, can see — and can walk — a pathway from learning to livelihood,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Residents have been reminded of Rand Water’s planned maintenance at its Palmiet and Zuikerbosch systems, which will lead to water supply interruptions between 29 May and 17 July 2026.

Rand Water said the maintenance will focus on critical electrical and pumping infrastructure aimed at improving system reliability, operational flexibility and long-term water supply stability.

According to Rand Water, some pumps will need to be temporarily shut down during the maintenance period, which may affect water supply to several municipalities, industries and direct customers.

“The planned maintenance activities are necessary to improve pump availability and standby capacity.  They also enhance operational flexibility across key Rand Water systems, reduce the risk of plant trips and equipment failures,” the utility said in a statement.

Rand Water said the work had been coordinated with Eskom and deliberately scheduled during the winter season, which is traditionally a low-water-demand period.

Key maintenance activities will include Eskom-related electrical maintenance at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet systems; the installation and upgrading of motors at Zuikerbosch Raw Water Engine Room 4; replacement of critical valves and thrust bearings at Palmiet, Vereeniging and Foresthill systems; and M11 pipeline cross-connections within the Mapleton system.

The planned maintenance will affect parts of Gauteng, the North West, Free State and Mpumalanga.

Municipalities expected to be affected include the Metros of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as local municipalities such as Mogale City, West Rand, Merafong, Rustenburg, Madibeng, Lesedi, Victor Khanye, Govan Mbeki, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal, Emfuleni, Metsimaholo, Ngwathe and the Royal Bafokeng Administration.

Rand Water said various industries, mines and direct customers, including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), may also be affected.

In line with its commitment to operational transparency and excellence, Rand Water has issued a 21-day notice to all affected municipalities, industries and direct customers.

“The notification is intended to provide all customers with sufficient time to implement contingency measures and minimise potential water supply disruptions to consumers,” Rand Water said.

The utility added that regular updates on the maintenance programme would be communicated through its official channels, including social media platforms. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Household access to improved water, sanitation and electricity has improved significantly over the past 23 years, according to Statistics South Africa’s 2025 General Household Survey.

The survey, conducted annually since 2002, tracks development progress and highlights persistent service-delivery gaps across South Africa.

Access to improved sanitation (flush toilets and pit toilets with ventilation pipes) increased from 61,7% in 2002 to 84,0% in 2025. 

“The largest increases were observed in the Eastern Cape (54,6 percentage points) and Limpopo (37,9 percentage points).

“An estimated 16,8% of households used pit toilets with ventilation pipes (up from 4,4% in 2002). Pit latrine without ventilation pipes decreased by 12,4 percentage points to 13,0% in 2025,” Stats SA said.

Electricity access rose from 76,7% in 2002 to 90,6% in 2025, accompanied by reduced reliance on traditional fuels. 

However, wood use remains relatively high in some provinces, particularly Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Access to refuse removal services highlights ongoing inequality. 

“While 84,9% of urban households received regular services, only 13,0% of rural households did so. Consequently, a large majority (84,7%) of households reported burning waste. Recycling practices remain limited, with only 10,5% of households separating recyclable material,” Stats SA said.

Access to the internet continues to expand rapidly and close to nine-tenths (85,6%) of households had access to any kind of internet in 2025. 

In contrast, traditional mail services continue to decline, with 67,4% of households reporting no access to postal services.

Families remain central to child development; however, living arrangements vary considerably.

In 2025, fewer than one-third of children (31,4%) lived with both biological parents, while nearly half (45,9%) resided with their mothers only. 

A notable 18,5% of children lived with neither parent, and 11,2% experienced orphanhood. 

Single-person households accounted for 26,6% of all households, while nuclear households made up 38,9%. 

Female-headed households remained significant at 42,6%, particularly in rural areas where the proportion rose to 47,6%.

Participation in early childhood development (ECD) programmes remained uneven, with only 36,3% of children aged 0–4 having attended ECD facilities, while more than half (50,2%) were cared for at home. 

Stats SA added that school attendance was nearly universal until age 15, when it increased to 97,1%; however, delayed progression persists, with 8,8% of 21-year-olds still enrolled in secondary school.

The report shows that educational attainment continues to improve. 

“The proportion of adults with no education declined significantly from 11,4% in 2002 to 2,6% in 2025. Meanwhile, the share of those with at least a National Senior Certificate increased from 30,7% to 53,5%. 

“No-fee schools remained a cornerstone of access, serving 65,1% of learners nationally, although provincial disparities remain pronounced,” Stats SA said.

Medical aid coverage remained relatively unchanged at 15,5%, highlighting persistent inequities in access to private healthcare. 

Coverage was highest in the Western Cape (25,9%) and Gauteng (22,1%) and lowest in Limpopo (8,2%) and KwaZulu-Natal (9,5%). 

Black African individuals comprised the majority (52,2%) of medical aid beneficiaries.

The GHS report revealed that by 2025, grants reached 39,5% of individuals and 50,6% of households, with nearly one-quarter (23,4%) relying on them as their main income source.

“Salaries and wages remained the primary income source for 54,3% of households, though this varied widely across provinces.

“Just over one fifth (22,0%) of households considered their access to food as inadequate or severely inadequate, 4,2 percentage points higher than in 2019 before the outbreak of COVID-19. The need was most common in NC (43,0%) and least common in LP (6,1%),” Stats SA said. –SAnews.gov.za

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a freezing order from the Special Tribunal to preserve a luxury Alberton home linked to businessman Thapelo Samuel Buthelezi.

In May last year, the tribunal ordered that Buthelezi’s companies pay back undue benefits gleaned from R500 million worth of unlawful tenders awarded by the Free State Health Department.

“The order prohibits Buthelezi from selling, transferring, mortgaging, or otherwise dealing with the property.

“The SIU instituted civil proceedings to review and set aside the irregular tenders and subsequent contracts after the provincial department paid R532,789,770.12 to four companies linked to Buthelezi,” the SIU said.

Buthelezi was also ordered to file audited statements detailing expenses incurred, income received, and net profits made under the tender and service contracts, together with supporting documentation.

“Despite a number of attempts and reminders by the SIU, Buthelezi failed to comply with the order. As a result, a judicial case management meeting was convened virtually on 12 September 2025 at the request of the SIU and chaired by the President of the Special Tribunal, Margaret Victor. 

“Due to ongoing non-compliance with the May 2025 order, the SIU initiated contempt proceedings against Buthelezi. In his affidavit, Buthelezi did not dispute the existence of the May 2025 order or his knowledge of it but sought to justify his non-compliance on the grounds of alleged financial constraints, lack of legal representation, and other practical difficulties,” the corruption busting unit explained.

Buthelezi failed to appear at the hearing held in January this year and the tribunal issued an interdict in favour of the SIU regarding Buthelezi’s other property, a farm in the Free State.

“The order prohibited and restrained Buthelezi EMS, the registered owner of the farm, from selling, disposing of, alienating, transferring, mortgaging, pledging, or otherwise encumbering the immovable property.

“The SIU investigation into Buthelezi EMS contracts was initiated through Proclamation 42 of 2019. The Special Tribunal orders part of implementing the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions because of corruption or negligence,” the SIU said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Chief Director of Transformation and Competition at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Takalani Tambani, says the department will continue to dismantle economic barriers and foster inclusive growth in South Africa. 

Tambani was speaking at the Kgodiso Development Fund stakeholder engagement held in Johannesburg, on Tuesday.

The Kgodiso Development Fund aims to support broad economic imperatives of black-owned farming and other Small and Medium Enterprises across PepsiCo’s value chain.

According to Tambani, key strategies to dismantling economic barriers and fostering inclusive growth in South Africa include leveraging strategic relationships with private sectors, expanding market access, and diversifying trade to enhance resilience in a volatile global trade environment.

“Initiatives like the Transformation Fund, aimed at aggregating enterprise and development funds for small and black-owned enterprises, and the Black Industrialists Programme are key in supporting access by black-owned and controlled enterprises to the mainstream of the economy. 

“the dtic also notes the importance of localisation, particularly in agriculture, and celebrates the achievements of the private sector funds in promoting inclusive growth and job creation,” Tambani said.

Speaking on industrialisation, Tambani said industrialisation remains central to the department’s mandate, thus, government puts emphasis on industrialisation and the development of future growth sectors, including agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism and green industries.

“Through a combination of industrial financing, market access initiatives and supplier development programmes, the dtic aims to build sustainable and competitive enterprises that contribute meaningfully to industrial expansion and employment creation. 

“All these initiatives will be complemented by pursuing deepened localisation as a key pillar of transformation that is aimed at building domestic manufacturing capability and repositioning South Africa as a significant participant in global manufacturing value chains,” he said

Tambani stated that transformation remained a non-negotiable aspect of the dtic work, aiming to strengthen economic inclusion and broaden participation in all industries.

He said the dtic regarded the Kgodiso Development Fund as a good example of how public interest conditions can advance inclusive economic transformation.

“Transformation must be measured in policy commitments, hectares planted, farmers funded, business sustained and livelihoods improved,” said Tambani. – SAnews.gov.za

 Tourism Minister Patricial de Lille says tourism sustained 954,000 direct jobs in the economy in 2024, meaning tourism now supports 1 in every 18 jobs in South Africa and for every 13 international tourists who arrive, one job is supported. 

“South Africa welcomed a record 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, more than 2.9 million inbound travellers were welcomed – representing 12.6% growth compared to the same period last year,” the Minister said.

Delivering her department’s Budget Vote in Cape Town on Tuesday, De Lille said domestic spend reached R111.6 billion, outweighing international spend of R102.2 billion, reinforcing domestic tourism as the bedrock of the sector. 

Government and industry have jointly adopted the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, which the Minister described as a working compact between the public and private sectors with measurable targets, shared accountability and clear implementation plans, not another strategy document gathering dust on shelves. 

“Together, government and industry are pursuing National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 goals, including increasing domestic tourism spend to R139.4 billion, increasing international tourist spend to R115.2 billion, growing international tourist arrivals to 15 million, increasing annual domestic trips to 45.1 million, increasing direct employment to 1 million and increasing indirect and induced employment to 1.5 million,” De Lille said.

De Lille said the Electronic Travel Authorisation system is now live in China, India, Indonesia and Mexico – travellers from these source markets can receive visa outcomes digitally within 24 hours from their homes and cellphones. 

“Once fully rolled out, the ETA system is expected to increase arrivals in a way that could create between 80 000 and 100 000 jobs,” the Minister said.

The Minister said new air routes have been launched between Johannesburg and Perth, Cape Town and Mauritius and that soon Madrid and Johannesburg through Air Europa will be launched.

“The Department continues working through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Visas with the Department of Home Affairs to further expand visa reforms and air access, recognising that if tourists cannot get to South Africa easily, they will simply go elsewhere,” the minister said.

De Lille said the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, a R120 million project developed together with the European Union, has already attracted more than 90 000 visitors since its launch last year, where the world’s oldest dinosaur embryo was discovered.

“A Tourism Infrastructure Facilitation Unit has been established to remove barriers for investors. The second Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit will be hosted in Gauteng in October 2026, following the inaugural Cape Town summit, where eight projects worth R1 billion were unveiled and three have already secured funding,” De Lille said.

De Lille said the South African National Convention Bureau secured 66 international and regional conferences expected to contribute over R1.2 billion to the economy between 2025 and 2030, with events scheduled across Bela-Bela, Cape Town, Durban, Grabouw, Hermanus, Johannesburg, Makhanda, Mbombela, Polokwane, Skukuza, Sun City and Tshwane,  demonstrating geographic spread of business events.

The Department of Tourism has been allocated R2.54 billion for 2026/27, with R1.278 billion transferred to South African Tourism for destination marketing and sector growth. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) have ramped up a nationwide crackdown on the illegal manufacturing and supply of unregistered weight-loss medicines.

The medicines contain Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, or a combination product containing both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.

“SAHPRA and SAPC conducted a joint investigation inspection at iDexis (Pty) Ltd trading as Sentra Pharmacy in Silverton, Pretoria. The inspection focused on Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and combination formulations and discovered critical regulatory non-compliance, all GIP/GLP-1 injectable products found onsite were seized.

“The investigation revealed that the company was producing and supplying medicines under the pretext of ‘compounding’, but outside the legal framework permitted under South African law.

“While compounding is strictly limited to the preparation of medicines for individual patients based on a valid prescription, the facility was found to be manufacturing and marketing GIP/GLP-1-based products, including Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and combination formulations, for broader commercial distribution, particularly for weight management purposes,” the two health watchdogs said in a joint statement.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed serious deficiencies in quality, safety, and regulatory compliance, including:

• The illegal importation of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs);
• The absence of analytical testing to confirm identity, potency and purity;
• Inadequate sterile manufacturing conditions, high risk of contamination;
• Inadequate equipment for aseptic medical preparations; and 
• The lack of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

“The room allocated for producing GLP-1/GIP products didn’t meet the requirements of aseptically prepared products. In addition, no pharmacovigilance system was in place to monitor or respond to adverse drug reactions.

“SAHPRA has also noted reports of adverse events, including hospitalisations, linked to the use of these products, as well as concerns regarding possible illegal importation of APIs and promotional activities targeting healthcare providers and consumers,” the statement continued.

All finished products containing Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and related combinations have been seized.

“The company has been instructed to initiate a full recall of affected products distributed through healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other channels.

“According to the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 101 of 1965, as amended, compounding must remain strictly within the applicable parameters of the law and cannot be used as a mechanism for large-scale manufacture, advertising, or distribution of unregistered medicines,” the statement read.

SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said: “SAHPRA will continue to take decisive regulatory and enforcement action against any entity that contravenes the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

“The unlawful manufacture, importation, advertising, and distribution of unregistered medicines pose a serious risk to public health. We will not hesitate to act to protect patients and safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s regulatory system.”

SAPC CEO Vincent Tlala added that the council will be taking further action against pharmacy professionals involved in illegal manufacturing.

“Unlawful manufacturing, promotion and distribution of unregistered GLP-1 medicines for weight loss is a serious violation of the law and a direct threat to public safety. 

“Following the inspection conducted at Sentra Pharmacy, the SAPC will pursue decisive regulatory action against those involved.

“Pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel found selling, compounding or distributing these unregistered medicines risk severe disciplinary action. Including possible removal from the register. Council will not tolerate any conduct that compromises patient safety or the integrity of the pharmacy profession,” Tlala warned. – SAnews.gov.za