Category: English

Eskom has issued a notice of intent to reduce, interrupt and/or terminate electricity supply to certain bulk supply points in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).

The power utility said this was due to the R5.2 billion owed by the city and City Power (CP) to Eskom. 

The debt does not include the R1.5 billion that is due to Eskom in June.

“Eskom has been working with CoJ and/or CP for over two years to support the metro in meeting its payment obligations.

“As a result of CoJ/CP’s continued failure to honour its Electricity Supply Agreement with Eskom, including repeated defaults, Eskom has been forced to issue a notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt and/or terminate the supply of electricity to certain bulk supply points against the City of Johannesburg and City Power,” Eskom said.

The power utility maintained that it “cannot be acceptable to the City’s residents and all South Africans” that the city is “failing to pay over Eskom’s share” of electricity revenue collected.

“While Eskom continues to focus on being cost-efficient, escalating municipal and metro arrear debt undermines these efforts.  Eskom’s financial sustainability and ability to supply electricity at affordable prices are dependent upon its ability to improve its balance sheet by increasing revenue and reducing expenses. Revenue can only be increased by collecting electricity debts and/or increasing electricity tariffs.

“Across the country, many municipalities and metros are working with Eskom to develop sustainable debt solutions and Eskom is continuing to accelerate its support for this approach.  Eskom announced on 5 May that nine municipalities have received council resolutions to sign Distribution Agency Agreements following consultation processes,” Eskom said.

Furthermore, the power utility has also developed the Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA), a “long-term, non-permanent contract between a municipality or metro and Eskom, as part of the Active Partnering initiative”.

“This agreement offers a suite of services and solutions aimed at restoring the sustainability of electricity provision in a municipality or metro by enhancing its technical and financial sustainability.

“The services include skill development and training, replacement or installation of smart meters, as well as Eskom collecting revenue on behalf of the municipality.  Eskom is working nationwide to assist in the rollout of this initiative,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has announced a R350 million commitment towards a government and business partnership aimed at placing 130 000 young people into learning and employment opportunities. 

Delivering the Department of Employment and Labour’s Budget Vote 31 speech in Parliament on Tuesday, Meth said the intervention forms part of government’s intensified efforts to tackle the country’s worsening unemployment crisis.

“The latest Statistics South Africa (STATS SA) report reminds us of a reality that South Africa’s economic recovery is not translating into jobs,” the Minister said.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate increased from 31.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026, with more than eight million South Africans unemployed.

Meth said youth unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.

“The crisis confronting young people between the ages of 15 and 34, is that unemployment remains critically high at nearly 46%, underscoring the urgent need for accelerated economic growth, targeted labour market interventions and large-scale youth employment opportunities.”

Government has declared 2026 as “The Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work, in Honour of the 1976 Youth and Commemoration of the Youth Uprising Golden Jubilee.”

“To deepen these interventions, R350 million has been committed to the Government and Business Partnership, working with the Presidency and the National Pathway Management Network to place 130 000 young people, into learning opportunities, work exposure programmes and employment interventions,” she said.   

She added that an additional R95 million has been committed to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to support Youth Employment Innovation Projects aimed at placing 7 000 young people into productive economic activity. 

Labour Activation Programme revamped

The Labour Activation Programme is being repositioned to better respond to South Africa’s unemployment crisis. 

“The review of the Labour Activation Programme strategy, is now centred on three focused pillars aimed at improving labour market absorption, strengthening workplace experience and supporting enterprise-led job creation,” she said. 

The first pillar will focus on demand-led skills development aligned with scarce and critical skills needed by the economy.

The second pillar will prioritise internships and work-integrated learning opportunities for graduates and TVET students.

“This will include the placement of 20 000 TVET students in work-integrated learning (WIL), Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), chartered accountants, professional technicians and engineers, law students and health inspectors. In addition, we will train 10 000 youth on digital skills and 10 000 for driver’s licence [training],” the Minister said. 

The third pillar focuses on supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through blended finance mechanisms.

Government targets 200 000 jobs

Meth said government plans to recruit 200 000 unemployed people during the current financial year through targeted labour market interventions.

“Importantly, 70% of all opportunities will be directed towards the youth, reflecting a deliberate commitment to address the plight of unemployed young people,” she said. 

Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, government aims to support a total of 605 000 beneficiaries.

The Minister also revealed that R36.6 billion has been set aside over the MTEF for the Labour Activation Programme.

“For the 2026/27 financial year, the Department of Employment and Labour has been allocated R4.578 billion (four billion, five hundred and seventy-eight million rand), representing a 10.2% (ten-point two percent) increase from the previous financial year,” the Minister said. 

Meth called on employers to partner with government in creating opportunities for young South Africans.

“We call on all employers to partner with us and open opportunities to place young South Africans to either complete their studies or for first time work experience, through internships,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a two-day State Visit to the Republic of Botswana on Wednesday.

The visit will culminate in the Sixth Session of the Botswana and South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) to be held in Gaborone.

“President Ramaphosa and President Gideon Duma Boko will co-chair the Summit of the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC).

“The Summit will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2026, and the Senior Officials Meeting,” a Presidency statement said.

The visit is aimed at strengthening and deepening the “existing bilateral partnership between the two countries”.

“The Sixth Session of the BNC represents a critical opportunity to reinforce the strategic partnership between South Africa and Botswana. 

“While the relationship remains strong, it is evolving in response to new economic realities and shifting global dynamics.

“A Business Forum that will be held on the margins of the BNC will strengthen private sector collaboration and facilitate business-to-business exchanges,” the Presidency said.

South Africa and Botswana share deep ties “rooted in solidarity during the liberation struggle, when Botswana provided support to South African freedom fighters”.

“This legacy, combined with geographic proximity and shared cultural and linguistic ties, has shaped a durable partnership that continues to expand across multiple sectors.

“The BNC serves as a central institutional mechanism through which this relationship is structured and advanced, enabling coordinated cooperation and sustained dialogue at political, technical, and economic levels,” the Presidency said.

Bilateral trade between the two countries also remains strong, reaching some R82 billion in 2025 with South African exports to Botswana standing at R73.5 billion with imports from Botswana reaching R7.7 billion.

Furthermore, Botswana imports the bulk of its agricultural products from South Africa with imports of those products amounting to R14 billion last year.

“South Africa has a significant corporate presence in Botswana with more than 100 South African companies operating across key sectors, including in financial and banking services, retail and wholesale, mining and mineral beneficiation, infrastructure, construction and logistics, freight, manufacturing and automotive value chains as well as the hospitality and tourism industries. 

“South Africa’s Development Finance Institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa [DBSA] and the Industrial Development Corporation have also developed a pipeline of projects for financing in Botswana.

“The DBSA’s aggregate portfolio of investments under consideration in Botswana represents a total project value of approximately R6.5 billion, demonstrating meaningful scale and impact,” the statement said.

During the upcoming visit, the two countries will explore “renewable energy opportunities in support of Botswana’s effort towards increasing renewable energy to 50 per cent by 2030, creating opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, grid integration, and capacity building”.

“The State Visit takes place against the backdrop of a political transition in Botswana, following the transition to a new administration in October 2024.

“The State Visit signals the new government’s intention to consolidate relations with South Africa while maintaining continuity in bilateral engagement. It also offers South Africa an opportunity to strengthen its strategic relations with Botswana. 

“It is envisaged that the two countries will, during the upcoming engagements focus on High Impact Priority Projects. A number of new agreements will also be signed during the visit,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, to ensure maximum resources are deployed to hunt down the killers of Thato Molosankwe.

According to police, the crime activist and traditional healer, Molosankwe was shot and killed after he was attacked at his home in Lomanyaneng village, in Mahikeng, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Lieutenant General Dimpane strongly condemned the murder and assured the community that no stone would be left unturned until those responsible are found and brought to book.

Local police described Molosankwe as a community-minded individual who played an important role in assisting police efforts aimed at fighting crime and corruption, as well as strengthening relations between the SAPS and communities.

The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit has taken over investigations into the matter.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that may assist investigations to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or provide anonymous tip-offs via the MySAPS App. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has, for the first time, provided international training to officials to equip them with the skills needed to manage the complex global trade in hazardous waste and plastic pollution at sea.

While the government has intensified efforts to curb plastic pollution through stronger waste regulations, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, said legislation and policy frameworks alone were not enough and had to be supported by skilled officials.

“Real impact depends on skilled, knowledgeable and committed officials who can translate legal requirements into practical action. It depends on competent authorities correctly administering prior informed consent and other transboundary controls. 

“It depends on customs officers and Border Management Authority officials who can identify suspicious shipments, apply appropriate risk management, and facilitate legitimate trade while intercepting illegal waste movements,” the Deputy Minister said on Tuesday.

Singh was addressing the opening session of the training programme in Cape Town, where he highlighted the need for Environmental Management Inspectors to have both legal expertise and technical knowledge to effectively combat hazardous pollution at sea.

According to the recent Custos Viridis operational report, environmental crime generates annual losses estimated between 80 and 230 billion Euros. 

The report also points to growing links between waste trafficking, organised crime syndicates, document fraud, illicit financial flows and other forms of transnational crime.

The Deputy Minister said seamless collaboration among regulators, scientists, investigators and prosecutors was critical in combating environmental crime, which is ranked as the world’s fourth-largest organised criminal activity.

“This training programme has been specifically designed to strengthen precisely these capabilities. Through its combination of technical sessions, practical exercises and international perspectives, it will equip participants with the knowledge and networks necessary to enhance implementation and enforcement effectiveness,” he said.

Singh described plastic pollution as one of the defining environmental crises of our time.

“Our oceans, rivers, estuaries, coastlines and terrestrial ecosystems are under growing pressure from plastic waste and microplastics. 

“The consequences extend far beyond environmental degradation: marine plastic pollution threatens fisheries, biodiversity, tourism, coastal livelihoods, and, ultimately, human health and food security. With its extensive coastline and vibrant ocean economy, South Africa is acutely aware of these risks,” he said.

Government has therefore intensified efforts to curb plastic pollution through stronger waste regulation, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, waste diversion and recycling programmes, and the promotion of circular economy principles. 

“We are equally committed to broader ocean governance initiatives aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and advancing sustainable blue economy outcomes. 

“The Plastic Waste Amendments provide an essential international framework to support these domestic actions and to prevent the dumping of problematic plastic wastes on developing countries,” Singh said.

 The training was aimed at addressing a critical gap in enforcing the Basel Convention and its Plastic Waste Amendments. 

For the first time, international experts and officials came together to strengthen cross-border controls on illegal waste trafficking and marine plastic pollution.

The training brought together officials and experts involved in environmental regulation, customs coordination, compliance monitoring and enforcement, with a particular focus on implementing the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments and measures to address the growing global challenge of plastic pollution at sea. –SAnews.gov.za

Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, alongside Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Kenny Morolong, will on Wednesday table the Government Communication and Information System’s (GCIS) Budget Vote, which will outline the department’s priorities and plans for the 2026/27 financial year. 

The Budget Vote will also outline the plans and priorities of the GCIS entities, Brand South Africa (Brand SA) and the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

The annual tabling of departmental Budget Votes is an accountability mechanism for Parliament and the public to monitor how the government is implementing its service delivery commitments against the funds voted. 

Budget Vote debates provide an opportunity for Parliament to discuss and formally adopt the budgets of government departments and entities funded through a parliamentary vote. 

The debate allows for Parliament and the public to be updated about what departments are doing; how they are performing and exactly how public money is being used in a forum larger than a Committee meeting. 

On Thursday, the Minister will lead a delegation from GCIS, Brand SA and the MDDA on a street cleaning and painting campaign in Khayelitsha as part of the Love Your Street campaign, in an initiate aimed at keeping cities and neighbourhoods clean. –SAnews.gov.za

Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Buthelezi has used his 2026 Budget Vote speech to outline a reform agenda aimed at building what he described as a “capable, ethical and developmental State” grounded in professionalism, accountability and public trust.

Delivering the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Buthelezi said recent amendments to the Public Service Act and the Public Administration Management Act marked a “defining moment” in the evolution of South Africa’s public administration.

He said the reforms would reinforce the separation between political and administrative authority by prohibiting heads of departments and senior officials from holding political office in political parties.

“For the first time in democratic South Africa, the separation between political authority and administrative authority is being reinforced with legal certainty,” he said, adding that a professional public service cannot exist where political and administrative lines are blurred.

Buthelezi said the legislation would also strengthen consequence management, improve oversight and allow government to recover irregular salary overpayments, while protecting constitutional rights.

The Minister said government intended to intensify oversight of senior appointments and strengthen merit-based recruitment as part of a broader professionalisation framework across the public service.

“Leadership positions in the public service must be occupied by individuals capable of managing complex institutions in difficult conditions,” he said.

He added that government would expand lifestyle audits and establish an Integrity and Interference Log across departments to identify governance failures before they became systemic crises.

A central register for disciplinary cases would operate across all spheres of government to prevent officials dismissed for misconduct from moving between departments without consequence.

Buthelezi said digital transformation would become a central pillar of state reform, arguing that a modern state had to be digitally capable to improve service delivery, institutional integrity and economic inclusion.

“Digital transformation is not simply about technology procurement. It is about institutional capability,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the role of the National School of Government, saying it had trained more than 600 000 individuals since its establishment and would continue expanding compulsory programmes in financial management, cybersecurity and governance.

He announced the formalisation of a ministerial advisory committee on curriculum development and quality assurance, chaired by former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

On healthcare support for public servants, Buthelezi said the Government Employees Medical Scheme had reached agreement with labour and government to reduce a proposed contribution increase from 9.5% to 7.5%.

He said the adjustment balanced financial sustainability with the wellbeing of workers facing rising living costs.

The Minister described the Public Service Commission (PSC) as a constitutional safeguard for ethical governance and professional administration.

He said a new PSC Bill before the National Council of Provinces would strengthen the commission’s enforcement powers and expand its role in professionalisation, recruitment oversight, ethics investigations and anti-corruption work.

Buthelezi acknowledged former Public Service Commission Director-General Advocate Dinkie Dube on her appointment as Deputy Public Protector.

Buthelezi said South Africa could no longer afford “a public service that is politically contested, administratively weak and ethically uncertain”.

“This Budget Vote advances a simple but substantial proposition that the constitutional promise of a capable, ethical and developmental State must now move from aspiration to reality,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za