Category: English

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the National Business Initiative (NBI), describing the organisation as a “powerful agent for change” that has helped shape South Africa’s democratic journey over the past three decades.

The President addressed the NBI’s 30^th anniversary cocktail reception in Sandton, on Thursday evening.

The event marked 30 years of cooperation between government, business and civil society in advancing South Africa’s economic and development transformation.

“It is truly a privilege to pay tribute to an organisation that has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s democratic journey.

“For the past 30 years, the National Business Initiative has been a respected voice of responsible business action and a powerful agent for change,” the President said.

He noted that the NBI was founded at a critical time in the nation’s history when the country moved on from the divisive apartheid government to a new democratic dispensation.

“It was launched in 1995 at a time when all of society was being called upon to step forward to build a new nation. 

“The formation of the NBI signalled that progressive South African business was ready to be active partners in nation-building and to help define the contours of a new, inclusive economy and society,” the President said.

Historical ties

The NBI’s roots trace back to the late 1980s, when organised business first engaged with the liberation movements in exile.

“These engagements culminated in the formation of the Consultative Business Movement [CBM], the forerunner of the NBI. 

“The Consultative Business Movement would go on to play a formative role in the pre-1994 transition period by helping open channels of dialogue between business and the government in waiting, and by actively supporting the peace negotiations. 

“The Consultative Business Movement provided the secretariat and administrative support to the CODESA processes that began in December 1991 and later to the Multi-Party Negotiating Forum,” President Ramaphosa reflected.

In 1995, the CBM merged with the Urban Foundation in a move the President described as “rebirth but also continuity”.

“The organisation had already cemented its reputation as a credible, non-partisan and pragmatic partner in the cause of building a new South Africa,” he said.

Modern day South Africa

The President praised the organisation’s ability to respond to the complexities and changing dynamics of South African society.

It has pioneered initiatives in support of transformation, service delivery, skills development, job creation and safety and security.

“Whether through the formation of Business against Crime, the Education Quality Improvement Partnerships, support to the Youth Employment Service or the groundbreaking CEO Initiative, the NBI has been at the forefront of innovation. 

“The NBI has a proud history of supporting pathways for employment. The organisation’s Skills and Youth Employability programme has become even more critical at a time when we have to urgently align the skills being produced by our institutions of higher learning with those needed by the economy of the future. 

“This pathfinding work is anchored in a deep appreciation that creating a sustainable, equitable and thriving economy relies on collective action,” President Ramaphosa said.

A government at work

The President outlined the Government of National Unity’s priorities, which include driving inclusive growth and job creation, addressing poverty and the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.

He acknowledged past challenges, including State capture, the energy crisis and corruption, as well as failures in service delivery.

“Overcoming these challenges will require of us the mettle that helped dismantle apartheid. It will require the spirit of collectivism that defined our transition. 

“We do so at a time when our economy is showing promising signs of recovery. Growth is improving, investment is expanding and more jobs are being created. National debt has stabilised and our sovereign outlook has improved. 

“The reform agenda being driven through Operation Vulindlela has gained significant momentum, enabling growing confidence in our economic trajectory,” he said.

Furthermore, the energy crisis is now “largely behind us”, sound governance has been restored at a number of State Owned Enterprises, with a “marked improvement” in the performance of rail and port systems, the President said.

Government has also embarked on a R1 trillion infrastructure build programme, the largest in South African history.

“As the structural reforms take root, as investor confidence returns and the green shoots of growth break ground, there can be no better time to seize this window of opportunity. 

“As a bridge-builder during the political transition, we call on the NBI to help us complete the bridge we set out to build in 199; the bridge from the promise of our Constitution to meaningful and tangible economic transformation. 

“We thank you for your enduring contribution to South Africa’s democratic journey,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that a well-developed cold front is expected to affect the Western Cape and the Namakwa region in the Northern Cape from Sunday afternoon.

Rainfall of between 20mm and 40mm is forecast over the south-western parts of the Western Cape.

Strong interior winds of 40–50 km/h, with gusts reaching 70–90 km/h, are also expected over the southern parts of the Namakwa region and the Central Karoo in the Western Cape on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

On Monday, 27 April 2026, daytime temperatures are expected to drop to 10°C or below in the Karoo Hoogland Municipality in the Northern Cape and the Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape. These conditions will be accompanied by winds of around 30 km/h and wet weather.

In addition, south-westerly swells with wave heights of between 4.0m and 5.0m are expected along the coast between Saldanha Bay and Plettenberg Bay.

The extended forecast for Saturday and Sunday indicates partly cloudy conditions, with cold to cool temperatures and isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Department of Basic Education and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have partnered with Swimming South Africa to host the 2026 Autumn Swimming National School Sport Championships in Cape Town from 24 to 27 April.

The championships will take place at the University of the Western Cape Swimming Pool and are expected to bring together young swimmers from across the country in one of South Africa’s flagship school sport events.

The National School Sports Championship, led by the two departments, is regarded as a key platform for talent identification and sport development. 

Organisers say the initiative aims to strengthen participation in school sport while creating opportunities for learners from all backgrounds to compete at a national level.

The programme also promotes a safe and inclusive sporting environment, with the broader goal of ensuring that every school in South Africa participates in at least one sporting code.

This year’s autumn swimming championships will include para swimming events under a multi-class and multi-disability format. 

Athletes must be professionally classified through recognised structures, including South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled and South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired.

Competitors will participate in age groups for boys and girls aged 12 to 14, and 15 to 19. 

Classifications range from S1 to S15, with qualifying times set according to gender, age group and classification. Results will be calculated using the AUS points system based on world record benchmarks.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, 24 April at 12:30, while medal ceremonies will be held daily during finals sessions beginning at 15:00 on 24, 25 and 26 April.

The event will conclude with an official closing ceremony on the afternoon of Monday, 27 April.

Members of the media have been invited to attend the championships, with daily proceedings starting at 08:30. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The North West Provincial Legislature will on Friday, 24 April 2026, host a series of public hearings on the Division of Revenue Bill (B5-2026) across several municipalities in the province.

The hearings will be led by the Portfolio Committee on Premier and Finance, chaired by Nathan Oliphant, and are scheduled to begin at 10:00.

Residents and stakeholders will have an opportunity to make submissions on the bill at the following venues:

• Barolong Boo Mariba Tribal Hall in Tshidilamolomo. 
• Vaal Reefs Hall in Orkney. 
• Kgetleng Municipal Hall in Koster. 
• Ipelegeng Multipurpose Centre in Schweizer-Reneke. 

The Division of Revenue Bill sets out how nationally raised revenue will be shared among South Africa’s national, provincial and local spheres of government for the 2026/27 financial year.

It also outlines the equitable share allocation for each province, transfers to provinces and municipalities from national government’s share, and the responsibilities of all three spheres of government in implementing those allocations.

The legislature said relevant stakeholders have been invited to participate in the hearings as part of efforts to encourage public involvement in the budgeting process.

Members of the public who are unable to attend in person can follow proceedings via a live stream on the North West Provincial Legislature Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/NWPLegislature/. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Enquiry into the Fitness to Hold Office of Advocate Andrew Chauke, known as the Nkabinde Enquiry, has reached a critical stage with both legal parties having now formally closed their cases.

The enquiry is led by retired Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde and was established in September last year to investigate and determine the fitness to hold office of Advocate Chauke, the Director of Public Prosecutions for the South Gauteng Division.

The enquiry will now proceed to the submissions phase. 

“The Nkabinde Enquiry notes that all legal parties have now formally closed their cases. The evidence leaders, led by Advocate Mohlamonyane SC, have concluded the presentation of evidence, and Advocate Andrew Chauke has likewise closed his case. The evidentiary phase of the enquiry is accordingly concluded.

“The enquiry now proceeds to the submissions phase. All parties are directed to file comprehensive written submissions, not limited to heads of argument, by Thursday, 14 May 2026. No submissions will be accepted after this deadline, and the Secretary of the Enquiry has been directed not to distribute any late submissions,” enquiry spokesperson Tiyisela Mpuzana said.

Following the submissions, the enquiry will then “determine whether oral submissions are required”.

Mpuzana noted that former National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, has “elected not to return to the enquiry to complete her partially tendered evidence under cross-examination”.

“This position was communicated through her legal representatives. A request was made for a written statement by Advocate Batohi to be admitted into the record through her legal counsel reading it into the record.

“Having considered the matter, the panel determined that the statement has no probative value and may prejudice parties referred to therein, including the panel. The request has therefore been refused,” Mpuzana said.

The enquiry is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa by 30 June 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to attend a Formula One Grand Prix later this year as part of efforts to bring Formula One back to South Africa.

The visit forms part of the country’s broader ambition to host an F1 race on African soil for the first time since the dawn of democracy.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed the development during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.

“His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed to join me at a Formula One Grand Prix later this year. This is a working visit, not a social one,” McKenzie said.

Formula One has not staged a race in Africa for more than three decades. During that time, the sport has expanded across the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, leaving Africa as the only continent without a race.

“That is not acceptable, and it is not sustainable. An entire generation of young African motorsport enthusiasts has never seen a Formula One race in their own backyard. We intend to change that,” the Minister said.

He added that the President’s participation signals that the initiative has backing at the highest level of government.

“There are criteria that any country must meet to host a Grand Prix – commercial, logistical, infrastructural and safety requirements – and we are working methodically to meet each of them.

“The President’s visit will allow us to observe, engage and strengthen our case. I will provide further details on the timing and the specific Grand Prix in due course, in coordination with the Presidency,” McKenzie said. –SAnews.gov.za

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