Category: English

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has welcomed the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) report showing growing public support for the inclusion, equality and human dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons in South Africa.

The findings, contained in a landmark national public opinion survey conducted by the HSRC in partnership with civil society foundations, reflect encouraging progress in advancing the universal principles that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

The Deputy Minister said the report reaffirms South Africa’s constitutional values of human dignity, equality, freedom and non-discrimination, while affirming the country’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international human rights instruments.

In a statement issued on Friday, Letsike said human rights are universal, indivisible and inalienable.

“Every person, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, is entitled to dignity, equality, freedom, and protection under the law. The progress reflected in this report is a positive affirmation that South Africans continue to embrace the values of our Constitution and shared humanity,” Letsike said.

While welcoming the survey findings, Letsike acknowledged that many LGBTIQ+ persons continue to experience discrimination, violence, exclusion, hate speech and unequal access to opportunities.

She said these realities demonstrate that legal protections alone are insufficient, unless they are matched by societal acceptance, accountability, and respect for the inherent dignity of every human being. 

“The measure of our democracy is not only the rights we guarantee in law, but the dignity we uphold in everyday life. We must continue to challenge prejudice, reject discrimination and create communities where every person can live openly, safely and without fear,” the Deputy Minister said.

As South Africa continues to build a just, inclusive, and democratic society, the Ministry called on all sectors of society to uphold the principles of Ubuntu, respect for diversity, equality before the law and the inherent dignity of every human being.

“Protecting the rights of one group strengthens the rights of all and reinforces our shared commitment to a society founded on justice, compassion and respect for human dignity,” Letsike said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

0

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended residents, law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders for ensuring that province-wide protests against illegal immigration remained largely peaceful and orderly.

Addressing the media on Thursday following demonstrations held across the province on 30 June 2026, Ntuli said the protests had tested the province’s leadership and security structures but ultimately demonstrated the strength of democratic processes. 

“The province-wide protests and demonstrations vehemently tested our capacity to lead, and we emerged triumphant,” the Premier said.

Ntuli was joined by Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba and the province’s newly appointed Director-General, Nokuthula Khanyile.

The Premier commended law enforcement agencies for their determination and diligence in preventing anarchy, chaos and widespread disruption. He also praised communities across KwaZulu-Natal for exercising restraint, responsibility and maturity throughout the demonstrations.

He said the conduct of the majority of citizens demonstrated the province’s commitment to democratic expression, peace and stability.

Fifty-one arrested for looting and vandalism

While welcoming the largely peaceful nature of the protests, Ntuli condemned incidents in which individuals allegedly hijacked the demonstrations for criminal purposes by engaging in acts of looting, vandalism and other criminal activities.

“We commend the police for arresting 51 people implicated in looting and vandalism. This sent a stern warning to lawbreakers that they do not have a place in KwaZulu-Natal,” Ntuli said.

The Premier said the protests also revealed deeper underlying socio-economic challenges facing the province, particularly unemployment, poverty and limited job opportunities.

He said the provincial government will continue to respond decisively to these underlying concerns, through practical interventions aimed at expanding local economic participation.

As part of these efforts, Ntuli announced plans to convene a roundtable on local economic development, with a particular focus on the spaza shop sector.

“The aim of the roundtable is to turn people’s frustrations into economic opportunities,” he said.

The Premier also announced that the provincial government will intensify workplace inspections through Operation Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla, in an effort to discourage employers from hiring undocumented foreign nationals for positions that could be filled by South Africans.

Ntuli concluded the briefing by expressing appreciation to law enforcement agencies, community safety structures, and other stakeholders for working together to safeguard residents and visitors during the protests.

He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting constitutional rights to peaceful protest, and advancing programmes aimed at addressing the economic challenges facing communities across KwaZulu-Natal. – SAnews.gov.za

2

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has welcomed the start of heavy construction at the Nyanza Light Metals complex in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Instead of exporting raw minerals, this facility will process local resources into high-value titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment, reversing South Africa’s current 100% reliance on importing this essential chemical commodity and offsetting the national trade deficit,” Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said.

The plant will also utilise process by-products to manufacture critical materials for the energy transition and technology sectors, including Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and fumed silica (SiO₂).

Over the next 12 months, contractors will install more than 6,000 deep-foundation concrete piles across the 70-hectare site, driving them up to 45 metres into the ground to anchor the infrastructure ahead of final commissioning by the end of 2029.

“Crucially, the complex targets long-term industrial self-reliance through advanced manufacturing and complete import substitution.

“By shifting up the value chain to advanced chemical manufacturing, this project anchors South Africa’s manufacturing self-reliance and secures our position in global green energy, electric vehicle, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) compute infrastructure supply chains,” Tau said.

After 15 years of planning, the project has transitioned from blueprint to active execution.

The milestone advances South Africa’s national strategy to accelerate local mineral beneficiation, reduce import dependence and build advanced manufacturing capacity through the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) framework.

The Minister said the development demonstrates South Africa’s ability to attract high-value Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into mega-industrial projects.

“By leveraging the institutional credibility of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a foundational co-developer alongside the regulatory ecosystem of the RBIDZ, the project is mobilising a syndicate of premier pan-African development finance institutions (DFIs).

“This coalition – including the African Development Bank (AfDB), and co-led by Afreximbank and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) acting as Co-Mandated Lead Arrangers and project developers, demonstrates international investor confidence in South Africa’s industrial viability and regulatory stability,” Tau said.

Tau said the project aligns directly with government’s economic objectives by generating measurable economic activity in the local economy.

At its peak, the construction phase will create more than 3,000 jobs, providing industrial employment opportunities and specialised civil engineering skills in the region.

In line with national localisation targets, the project is also onboarding a network of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to support its operational, civil engineering and logistical requirements, contributing to community-level economic growth. – SAnews.gov.za

0

The Electoral Commission is calling on South Africans to comment on the draft Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation ahead of the 21 July 2026 deadline.

“The Electoral Commission has published the draft Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation in the Government Gazette [dated 30 June 2026] for public comment, marking an important milestone in safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. 
“The Commission invites all South Africans, political parties, independent candidates, civil society organisations, media practitioners, academics, technology companies, election observers and all interested stakeholders to study the draft Code and submit their comments before the closing date on 21 July 2026,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

The Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation seeks to establish clear principles and standards that encourage responsible conduct by all electoral participants and stakeholders. 
The code promotes ethical communication, transparency and accountability while reinforcing the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, political participation and access to information. 

The Code of Conduct aims to: 
• Give practical effect to the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and political participation, while reinforcing existing legal provisions that prohibit the intentional dissemination of false election-related information. 
• Foster an informed, credible and diverse information environment that supports the free flow of accurate and trustworthy election information, while strengthening resilience against disinformation, manipulation and coordinated inauthentic online behaviour. 
• Provide guidance to political parties, candidates, public representatives and other influential actors on the standards of conduct expected in preventing, identifying and responding to disinformation that threatens electoral integrity and democratic processes. 
• Establish practical and effective measures to prevent, detect and respond to disinformation in the digital environment, including content disseminated  through social media platforms and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The Commission emphasises that countering disinformation is a shared responsibility. The success of South Africa’s democracy depends on the active participation of citizens and stakeholders in protecting the integrity of electoral information and promoting informed public debate.

“The public consultation process provides an opportunity for all interested persons to contribute to the development of a practical, balanced and effective framework that supports credible elections while respecting constitutional rights and freedoms. The Commission therefore encourages all South Africans to review the draft Code and submit constructive comments and proposals,” it said.

The draft code can be accessed here:  https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202607/54925gon3995.pdf 

The code comes as South Africa will go the polls in the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026. Last month the Commission held a voter registration weekend to which the Commission said citizens responded to the call to register and update their voter details ahead of the  polls. –SAnews.gov.za

 

0

The eThekwini Municipality has approved a six-month extension of contracts for participants in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure the continuity of critical municipal services across the city.

The decision was taken during the municipality’s Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting on Thursday, where several resolutions aimed at strengthening key service delivery and accelerating key municipal programmes were adopted.

In a statement after the meeting, the municipality said the extension, which is in line with EPWP guidelines, will provide stability while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

“EPWP participants play an important role in supporting a range of municipal programmes, including community safety, public health, water and sanitation services, waste management, environmental sustainability, social development and other frontline services that benefit residents across the city,” the municipality said.

The six-month extension is supported by a budget of R53.49 million, including R7.49 million from the EPWP grant and R46 million from municipal funds.

EXCO also noted progress made in strengthening the administration of the EPWP following historical findings raised by the Auditor-General relating to the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years.

According to the municipality, a range of corrective measures has been implemented to improve oversight, accountability and compliance. These include strengthened verification processes and ongoing monitoring, which have resulted in no identified cases during the current financial year of payments to deceased beneficiaries, ghost participants or individuals employed by other organs of state.

“The municipality has also taken decisive action to address past irregularities through disciplinary processes, recovery of funds where applicable, the opening of criminal cases, and the removal of deceased and ineligible beneficiaries from the programme.”

New sister city partnerships approved
EXCO also approved the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to establish Sister City partnerships with Xi’an in the People’s Republic of China and Bahía Blanca in Argentina, as part of efforts to expand eThekwini’s international cooperation.

The municipality said the partnerships are intended to unlock new opportunities for investment, trade, tourism, skills development, and cultural exchange that will contribute to economic growth and improved opportunities for residents.

By expanding its global network of Sister Cities, the municipality aims to attract investment, promote innovation, strengthen its port economy, and create platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration with leading international cities.

The partnership with Xi’an builds on a Letter of Intent signed by the mayors of the two cities in October 2025 and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

The municipality said Xi’an is a globally recognised centre for innovation, education and tourism, presenting opportunities to support Durban’s economic development and strengthen its international profile.
The partnership with Bahía Blanca forms part of the municipality’s strategy to expand South-South cooperation.

As one of Argentina’s leading port and industrial cities, Bahía Blanca has expertise in logistics, petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing and green hydrogen development, areas that align with Durban’s long-term development priorities and Port City agenda.

“Together, these partnerships are expected to facilitate business and investment opportunities, encourage knowledge and technology exchange, strengthen collaboration between academic and cultural institutions, promote tourism, and support innovation and youth development.

“They will also enhance Durban’s global positioning, diversify the municipality’s international partnerships and contribute to sustainable economic development,” the municipality said.

Implementation of both partnerships will be coordinated by the municipality’s International and Intergovernmental Relations Directorate, working with relevant municipal departments. Progress reports will be submitted to the Governance and Human Resources Committee as required. – SAnews.gov.za

 

0

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli says Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have become essential institutions for developing a skilled workforce, with government strengthening the sector as a pathway to economic opportunities.

“They produce artisans, technicians, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, and countless other skilled individuals whose expertise keeps our industries functioning and our economy growing,” Mhlauli said.

Speaking at the Grand Finale of the Unilever TVET Cook Challenge in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, Mhlauli said government continues to strengthen the TVET sector because it recognises that economic growth cannot be achieved without practical skills.

“South Africa requires qualified electricians, welders, plumbers, mechanics, hospitality professionals, agricultural specialists and chefs just as much as it requires lawyers, accountants and engineers,” Mhlauli said.

Mhlauli encouraged learners pursuing careers in hospitality to start businesses.

“We should also consider entrepreneurship. Some of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs began with nothing more than a passion for food and the determination to succeed.

“The culinary industry offers limitless possibilities. It creates opportunities in restaurants, hotels, tourism, catering, food manufacturing, event management, baking, food styling, digital content creation and product innovation,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said today’s young chef can become tomorrow’s employer, and today’s food truck can become tomorrow’s restaurant chain.

“The home bakery of today can become tomorrow’s national brand. That is why entrepreneurship must become central to our thinking as a nation.

“Government is committed to building an economy where young people do not only search for employment but are empowered to create employment for others.

“This is why programmes such as the National Youth Development Agency grant programme, the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and the Industrial Development Corporation continue to provide financial and business development support to qualifying young entrepreneurs,” she said.

Mhlauli called on aspiring chefs to make use of government financial support to establish businesses.

“Your qualification should not become a certificate that hangs on the wall. It should become the foundation upon which you build businesses that contribute to South Africa’s economic growth,” she said.

Touching on the 16 June 1976 youth uprisings, Mhlauli said young South Africans at the time demonstrated extraordinary courage in confronting an unjust system that sought to deny them quality education and equal opportunity.

“They understood that education was the foundation upon which freedom, dignity and prosperity would be built. Their struggle was never simply about classrooms. It was about creating opportunities for future generations to realise their full potential. Today, we honour their legacy not only through remembrance but through action,” she said.

Mhlauli said every investment in education, every bursary awarded, every apprenticeship created, every young entrepreneur supported, and every partnership between government, business and educational institutions is a continuation of the vision for which the youth of 1976 sacrificed so much.

“The freedom they fought for now places a responsibility upon us to ensure that every young South African has access to opportunities that allow them to succeed,” she said.

Mhlauli also urged young people to register to vote and participate actively in democracy.

“Do not leave the future of this country in the hands of others. The decisions taken through democratic processes influence education. They influence economic policy, investment, entrepreneurship, including employment. 

“If you care about opportunities for young people, if you care about building an economy that works for everyone, then make your voice heard.

“Democracy is strongest when young people participate. Do not become spectators in the future of your own country. Become active citizens,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

2

The Gauteng Department of Health has rolled out a suite of targeted interventions aimed at drastically reducing paediatric surgical wait times and accelerating access to specialised medical care for infants and children at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).

According to the department, the provincial health system has faced mounting pressure regarding delays for elective operations.
The interventions include:
•    Strengthening theatre efficiency.
•    Improving waiting list management.
•    Enhancing the scheduling of surgical cases and implementing the Treatment Time Guarantee (TTG) programme, which supports improved patient flow and more effective utilisation of theatre capacity across Gauteng public hospitals.

The department noted that paediatric surgery remains a “highly specialised service that manages a wide range of conditions affecting infants and children”.

Despite “ongoing service pressures” and demand for these surgeries, the hospital has “a stable paediatric surgical programme, performing more than 2000 paediatric surgical procedures annually over the past several years”.

“The department acknowledges that waiting times for some elective paediatric procedures remain a challenge.

“Contributing factors include increased demand for emergency surgical services, limited theatre capacity, the availability of specialised anaesthetic personnel and constrained access to post-operative and critical care beds,” the GDoH explained.

However, emergency admissions often disrupt planned schedules, leading to postponements of elective procedures.

“While this approach ensures that emergency cases receive timely treatment, it places additional pressure on available theatre time and contributes to longer waiting periods for some elective procedures.

“To address these challenges, the department continues to strengthen the management of surgical waiting lists through regular clinical reviews and prioritisation of patients according to the urgency of their conditions,” the department said in a statement on Thursday.

Furthermore, the department’s optimisation of theatre schedules and improved coordination of surgical pathways are “assisting in increasing theatre utilisation and reducing cancellations”.

To supplement this, the department revealed that it is exploring the establishment of a “dedicated emergency paediatric surgical theatre list supported by dedicated anaesthetic and nursing teams”.

“This intervention is expected to improve access to emergency surgery while protecting elective operating time, reducing cancellations and preventing further growth of surgical waiting lists.

“The Treatment Time Guarantee programme continues to support these efforts by improving patient management and increasing surgical output across public hospitals in the province. The system has already yielded positive results in improving access to surgery and reducing delays in treatment,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

0