Category: English

With the arrival of the first batch of a 3.5 million-dose consignment of Biogénesis Bagó Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called on all provincial departments to prioritise vaccinating as many animals as possible over the coming weeks.

The remainder of the record-breaking shipment from Argentina is already en route and is expected to arrive during the week.

“This is the largest single consignment of FMD vaccines ever imported into South Africa. Provinces must now move with speed and urgency to scale up frontline vaccination efforts and protect our national herd of approximately 14 million cattle,” the Minister said on Sunday.

South Africa has successfully secured and imported a total of 13.5 million vaccine doses before the end of May 2026, including the 3.5 million doses that arrived on Sunday.

“The acquisition of 13.5 million doses in just four months demonstrates the seriousness with which we are confronting this disease,” Steenhuisen said.

The rollout forms part of the Department of Agriculture’s broader strategy to achieve and maintain “FMD free with vaccination” status, while safeguarding rural livelihoods, food security and agricultural exports.

“If we maintain this disciplined and aggressive trajectory, and ensure these vaccines are administered rapidly and effectively, we can ensure that South Africa never again experiences outbreaks on this scale. But the government cannot do this alone. 

“Every livestock owner has a responsibility to protect their animals through strict biosecurity measures, compliance with movement controls, and full participation in vaccination and identification programmes,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that defeating FMD requires a unified national effort across government, industry and farming communities.

“This is a moment that demands partnership and collective action. Commercial farmers, communal farmers, veterinarians, industry bodies and government all have a role to play if we are to defeat this disease and secure the future of our livestock sector.

“The stakes could not be higher. This is about protecting jobs, defending rural economies, safeguarding food security, and protecting the national interest,” Steenhuisen said.

To support the accelerated vaccination campaign, more Animal Health Technicians will be appointed and deployed across affected provinces to strengthen the frontline operations and expand vaccination capacity. –SAnews.gov.za

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Foreign Ministers have committed to a coordinated regional response aimed at strengthening economic resilience and shielding member states from escalating global geopolitical and economic disruptions.

This follows the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat held from 22 to 24 May 2026 in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where ministers assessed the impact of intensifying global tensions on trade, energy, food security and financial systems.

The retreat was convened in line with a decision taken at the SADC Council of Ministers meeting in March 2026, also held in South Africa, to reflect on evolving geopolitical developments and their implications for the region.

Delivering the outcome statement, South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Ronald Lamola said ministers had noted the growing risks posed by global instability, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, climate-related pressures, and disruptions to global supply chains.

“Ministers underscored the impact of intensifying geopolitical rivalry, including the current Middle-East conflict, climate-related pressures, and disruptions to global trade, energy, tourism, and financial systems, and noted that these factors are driving higher food and fuel prices, exchange-rate volatility, and increasing risks to food and energy security across Member States,” the statement read.

Ministers further reaffirmed their commitment to collective action to strengthen regional integration, enhance policy coherence and advance sustainable development across SADC member states.

They also committed to strengthening regional institutions and coordinated diplomacy to ensure a more unified SADC voice in global engagements.

The retreat deliberated on five key thematic areas, including financing regional integration, investment, public debt management and domestic revenue mobilisation; industrialisation, value chains and trade; infrastructure, transport and logistics; free movement of people, goods and services; energy, oil and gas; and agriculture and food security.

According to the outcome statement, ministers identified priority measures for collective action aimed at accelerating regional cooperation and implementation across these sectors.

“Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening regional solidarity, enhancing policy coherence, strengthening regional institutions, and deepening cooperation in order to build a more resilient, self-sustaining, and competitive SADC region,” the statement said.

They further agreed that the outcomes of the retreat should serve as a practical roadmap to strengthen accountability, coordination and implementation across member states.

The retreat also recommitted the region to advancing SADC Vision 2050, which sets out a long-term aspiration for a common future characterised by economic well-being, improved living standards, social justice, peace and security. 

“The Retreat concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the SADC Vision 2050, which envisions a Common Future within a regional community that ensures economic well-being, improved standards of living and quality of life, freedom, social justice, and peace and security for the people of Southern Africa,” the statement read.

The meeting concluded in Skukuza against the backdrop of the Kruger National Park’s vast wilderness, with ministers leaving the retreat having adopted what is expected to guide the region’s collective response to global uncertainty in the years ahead. – SAnews.gov.za

Recovery and mop-up operations are continuing across the Western Cape following severe weather incidents that caused widespread damage to infrastructure, disrupted electricity supply and affected hundreds of roads across the province.

The recent weather events have officially been classified as disasters, highlighting the extent of the impact on communities, infrastructure and service delivery.

Providing an update on ongoing recovery operations, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde acknowledged the frustrations experienced by residents as efforts continue to restore services.

“We understand the frustration many residents are feeling. It has been an exceptionally difficult time and we, along with all role players, apologise for any inconvenience. We thank residents for their patience. Officials have been working tirelessly under extremely difficult conditions to restore power and other critical services as quickly and safely as possible,” Winde said. 

According to the provincial government, Eskom has restored electricity to 80% of affected customers.

However, restoration efforts have been hampered by difficult terrain, vandalism and cable theft.

The Western Cape Government strongly condemned acts of vandalism and theft, saying they continue to aggravate the situation. 

In the Cape Winelands District, repairs to the main power line between Boskloof and Romansrivier are progressing, while teams are also attending to faults in Chavonnes, Hexrivier, Rawsonville and Witzenberg.

In the Cederberg area, repair teams are replacing and restringing damaged poles and conductors in Citrusdal. Work in Algeria is expected to begin once repairs in Citrusdal and Lutzville have been completed.

Several areas in the Garden Route District, including Blanco farms and Harkerville, also remain without electricity as restoration efforts continue.

Construction work in Lutzville in the Matzikama region is progressing, while recovery operations are ongoing in Elgin, Papiesvlei and Stanford in the Overberg region.

The province said about 400 roads were affected by the storms, with more than 60% already repaired and reopened.

Humanitarian relief efforts have also intensified across affected communities.

Non-governmental organisations funded by the Western Cape Department of Social Development are working with relief organisations and government entities to provide meals, blankets, mattresses, water, baby packs and clothing to affected residents.

On Friday, Winde visited the Mustadafin Foundation in Cape Town, where volunteers have been distributing warm meals and disaster relief packs.

“The work this foundation and others do is inspiring. Thank you for your selflessness,” the Premier said during the visit.

Winde also visited the National Sea Rescue Institute Volunteer Support Centre in Cape Town, commending rescue personnel involved in search and rescue operations during and after the storms.

“These brave women and men think little of giving their time and expertise, often risking their own safety to help others. You are truly extraordinary,” the Premier said.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre continues to coordinate the province’s disaster response and recovery operations. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa has concluded its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Consultative Conference with renewed calls for inclusive, community-driven biodiversity implementation that advances both environmental protection and socio-economic development.

The two-day conference, held in Boksburg, Gauteng, from 20 to 21 May 2026, brought together more than 400 delegates from government, civil society, academia, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth formations, the private sector and development partners.

Convened by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the conference forms part of South Africa’s programme leading up to the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2026 Global Flagship Event hosted by the country on 22 May under the theme “Acting Locally for Global Impact.”

The gathering marked a key step toward finalising South Africa’s revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the country’s main instrument for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity at the national level.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, said the conference underscored the importance of inclusive participation in shaping the country’s biodiversity future.  

“The successful conclusion of this Consultative Conference gives South Africa a strong foundation for the next phase of biodiversity implementation. What emerged clearly is that biodiversity action must be people-centred, locally driven and adequately supported.

“As we move toward finalising the NBSAP, communities, municipalities, young people, traditional knowledge holders and all sectors of society must remain active partners in protecting nature while advancing livelihoods, resilience and sustainable development,” Singh said.

Delegates welcomed the department’s efforts to ensure broad participation and alignment with the principles of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through what was described as a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

A strong emphasis was placed on ensuring that biodiversity policies deliver tangible benefits at community level, particularly through job creation, sustainable livelihoods and improved local participation in conservation efforts.

Among the key recommendations emerging from the conference was the need to strengthen financial and institutional support for municipalities, which delegates identified as critical to the implementation of biodiversity and service delivery.

Participants also called for stronger collaboration with the South African Local Government Association to support conservation and sustainable use initiatives at grassroots level.

The conference further highlighted the importance of directing accessible financial resources toward communities to support locally led conservation projects and nature-positive economic opportunities. 

Delegates stressed that investment in skills development, project preparation and biodiversity enterprises would be essential to unlocking funding and creating sustainable economic opportunities.

Youth participation also featured prominently in discussions, with delegates reaffirming the importance of creating opportunities for young people in biodiversity leadership, innovation and employment.

The role of Indigenous and local knowledge systems in conservation, restoration and biodiversity stewardship was also recognised as a critical component of South Africa’s biodiversity strategy.

Following the conference, the draft NBSAP will be revised to incorporate stakeholder inputs received from communities, traditional leaders, traditional healers, youth formations, academia, civil society and the private sector.

The revised document will then proceed through intergovernmental processes before being released for a 30-day public comment period. Thereafter, the final strategy will be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

South Africa aims to submit the completed NBSAP to the Convention on Biological Diversity ahead of COP17, scheduled to take place in Yerevan in October 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

South African National Parks has announced plans to strengthen security measures in isolated areas of the Kruger National Park following the tragic discovery of two tourists who went missing in the park last week.

The bodies of the tourists were discovered on Friday near a river area in the northern section of the park after a search operation was launched when the couple failed to return to their camp on Thursday evening.

Speaking to members of the media on Sunday at Skukuza, SANParks Head of Communication and Spokesperson, Reynold Thakhuli, described the incident as unprecedented in the park’s history.

“I would like to extend our condolences to the family and affected friends as well. It is indeed a tragic incident. We’ve never really seen this kind of incident in the 100 years of the Kruger National Park. This is the very first time that we are seeing something of this nature,” Louw said.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by park rangers, the tourists’ vehicle remains missing. However, tyre tracks suggest that the vehicle may have exited the park through a fence into neighbouring Mozambique.

“The vehicle has not been found, but our rangers have done some preliminary investigations, and it has been discovered that tyre tracks are actually pointing us to the car having exited the park through a fence in Mozambique,” Thakhuli said.

He added that the vehicle did not leave through any official gate.

“We’ve got technology within the park. We have seen it as it came in, and we’ve seen it on the days that they were here in the park, but we have not seen it since Thursday when they disappeared,” he said.

Thakhuli said the incident has prompted SANParks to reassess security in remote sections of the park despite existing surveillance systems.

“We have really high-class security technology that we are using within the park, but this incident has actually given us another process that we need to embark on in terms of ensuring that even those areas that are isolated, we can have some security there,” he said.

He confirmed that SANParks would later issue a statement outlining mitigation measures aimed at improving security across the park.

Thahuli said SANParks executives and police representatives met with the victims’ family on Saturday and pledged continued support throughout the process.

“We were told that the couple are people who really loved the Kruger, and it’s people who would not really get out unnecessarily into areas that are dangerous,” he said.

The family is expected to visit the park on Monday, where SANParks will assist with arrangements, including the transportation of the deceased.

“We’re really going to be supporting the family throughout the entire process,” Thakhuli said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, said he had been briefed on the incident and had engaged SANParks leadership to ensure continued cooperation with the investigation being conducted by the South African Police Service.

“On behalf of SANParks and the Department, we extend our sincere condolences to the family of the victims during this difficult time.

“The SAPS and SANParks have located and notified the family of this tragedy,” Aucamp said. – SAnews.gov.za