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Strategic partnerships key to youth economic inclusion, says Chikunga

Source: Government of South Africa

Strategic partnerships key to youth economic inclusion, says Chikunga

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for stronger strategic partnerships between government and the private sector to accelerate youth economic inclusion, women’s empowerment, food security, skills development, and inclusive economic growth.

The Minister made the call at the KFC Africa Impact Report Launch in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Held under the theme: “Private Sector as a Partner in Youth Economic Inclusion and Food Security”, KFC Africa’s Impact Report highlights the company’s contribution to youth employment, entrepreneurship, and food security through three key pillars.

The first focuses on creating jobs at scale by providing employment opportunities and skills development within the quick service restaurant sector, while the second showcases the company’s franchise model as a vehicle for accelerating small business growth by expanding Black-owned enterprises and advancing economic empowerment.

The third pillar, Add Hope, highlights KFC Africa’s support for vulnerable communities through its feeding programme, which has provided more than 180 million meals to children since 2009 to support school nutrition and household food security.

Together, the three pillars demonstrate the company’s efforts to promote employment, enterprise development and social impact across South Africa.

Delivering her keynote address, Chikunga commended KFC Africa for its contribution to youth employment through its workforce and its participation in the Youth Employment Service (YES), a public-private partnership that has enabled more than 200 000 young South Africans from being labelled as “unemployed” to being registered as “employed” through a 12-month work experience placement in the private sector.

She said the company’s impact report demonstrated how partnerships between business and government could create employment opportunities, support Black-owned enterprises through franchising and contribute to food security initiatives.

Chikunga urged companies operating across the food, agriculture, hospitality, and distribution sectors to expand opportunities for young people through skills development, enterprise support and integration into supply chains.

“Our young people must be trained, integrated, and transitioned into viable businesses across the food, agricultural value chains, and related industries — from primary production to logistics and distribution, to the food services and hospitality sector, and into the digital platforms that increasingly mediate all of these.

“Every young South African who enters an agricultural value chain, or a food services enterprise, or a hospitality business, must have an exit pathway in place. This is what youth economic inclusion means, substantively. It is the substantive integration of young people into productive enterprises, on terms that give them ownership, agency, and the substantive prospect of accumulation,” the Minister said.

She said emerging Black farmers, particularly women and persons with disabilities, should be supported to transition into commercial agribusinesses through technical support, access to finance, market opportunities and supply chain integration.

“The multiplier effect of a young farmer transitioning into commercial scale is substantively higher than the multiplier effect of most other sectors of the economy. The private sector must recognise this — and act on it.”

Chikunga also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an opportunity to help young entrepreneurs expand beyond local markets into continental and international trade.

She called for greater investment in youth-owned small businesses through franchise development programmes and stronger integration of small enterprises into corporate value chains.

The Minister further called for greater investment in the digital economy, saying expanding affordable internet access and digital opportunities would help young people participate more fully in the modern economy.

“The digital and platform economy is one of the substantive frontiers of the twenty-first century economic mission. Our young people are on that frontier already. The private sector must meet them there,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Nearly 2 million auto-assessed as SARS introduces enhancements

Source: Government of South Africa

Nearly 2 million auto-assessed as SARS introduces enhancements

As the 2026 tax filing season gets underway, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a range of digital tools to improve the taxpayer experience, with millions of South Africans being auto-assessed.

In a statement on Thursday, SARS said the enhancements are designed to make tax compliance simpler, faster and more secure for millions of taxpayers. 

“As at the end of 1 July 2026, more than 1.9 million taxpayers were auto-assessed, with about R8 billion refunds paid out in 72 hours.

“The improvements form part of SARS’s commitment to excellent service and its vision to build a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity. SARS aims to give clarity and certainty, and to make it easy for taxpayers to comply with their obligations,” the revenue collector said.

SARS added that enhancements aim to “create a seamless end-to-end filing experience that covers every stage of the taxpayer journey”.

“The improvements are expected to reduce administrative burdens, shorten turnaround times, and improve taxpayer satisfaction.

“SARS expects more than six million taxpayers to receive Auto Assessments this year. By using information from employers, banks, medical schemes, retirement funds, and other third-party providers, SARS can pre-populate returns and significantly reduce the information taxpayers need to capture themselves.

“Taxpayers selected for Auto Assessment between 1 and 12 July 2026 should not rush to SARS Service Centres. Instead, they should wait for official SARS communication and review their assessments through eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, or other authorised digital channels,” the revenue service said.

Key enhancements introduced include: 

  • More accurate Auto Assessments driven by expanded third-party data sources.
  • Expanded digital self-service capabilities through eFiling, SARS MobiApp, and SARS Online Query System.
  • Enhanced profile security through biometric authentication, two-factor authentication, and device-level security controls.
  • Expanded support through the Lwazi AI virtual assistant.
  • The ability to upload supporting documents through WhatsApp.
  • Delivery of Notices of Assessment and Statements of Account through WhatsApp and other digital channels.
  • Improved integration of taxpayer information and enhanced pre-population of returns.
  • SARS has created necessary capacity to cater for increased volumes of taxpayers interacting with it through the various channels

“Our goal is to make compliance effortless for honest taxpayers. Every enhancement introduced this Filing Season is designed to improve service, reduce complexity, and give taxpayers greater confidence when engaging with SARS.

“We want taxpayers to spend less time dealing with administration and more time benefiting from our modern digital services,” SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said.

The Commissioner warned that although security systems have been bolstered, taxpayers should remain vigilant against scams and criminality.

“Taxpayers should be cautious of anyone who guarantees a refund or requests sensitive information without proper verification. Protecting personal information remains a shared responsibility between SARS and taxpayers.

“Filing Season 2026 demonstrates the progress SARS continues to make in modernising tax administration and improving the taxpayer experience.

“Through enhanced Auto Assessments, stronger digital platforms, improved security, expanded self-service channels, and innovative solutions such as WhatsApp functionality, we are making compliance easier than ever before,” Makhubu said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Binance Surpasses $1 Billion in Assets Under Management for Stocks Trading in 30 Days

Source: APO


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Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and digital asset infrastructure provider, today announced that stock trading on its platform has surpassed $1 billion in assets under management (AUM) in 30 days since launch. The milestone is accompanied by more than $3 billion in total trading volume since the product went live on June 1, 2026. 

Stock trading on Binance gives users access to over 7,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs (https://apo-opa.co/4v7gJTs), settled in stablecoins, directly within the Binance app alongside their existing crypto holdings.

Key figures since launch include:

  • More than $1 billion in AUM reached within 30 days of launch 
  • Over $3 billion in total trading volume since June 1, 2026
  • Average daily inflows of $42 million
  • Approximately 73% of users come from emerging markets
  • 1 in 7 visitors to Binance’s stock trading page registered an account; of those new sign-ups, nearly 90% went on to place a trade
  • Fractional orders averaged 35% of equity trading volume, with users able to participate from as little as $5
  • Approximately 71% of equity holdings allocated to the Technology sector, with almost half (48%) of that directed toward Semiconductors

“A billion dollars in 30 days is a sign of the demand that has been waiting decades for a door to walk through. The walls that kept most of the world out of U.S. stocks were never as solid as they looked. We built this for the hundreds of millions of people who never had a way in,” said Shunyet Jan, Head of Exchange and Trading at Binance.

Closing a Longstanding Access Gap

According to Binance Research (https://apo-opa.co/3SIAL9s), only around 11% of adults worldwide currently hold a brokerage account. U.S. equities represent roughly half of global stock market capitalisation, yet foreign investors hold only around 18% of that market, and equity participation outside the United States broadly sits below 20%. 

Stock trading on Binance addresses this by allowing users to access U.S. stocks and ETFs through stablecoins and BNB, without a traditional brokerage account. Approximately 73% of users come from emerging markets, the regions which traditional brokerages have historically underserved. Meanwhile, fractional orders averaged 35% of equity trading volume, peaking at 72% on June 10 before stabilising near 20% as smaller-size traders demonstrated preference for accessible, fractional exposure of stocks. This reflects one of the core advantages of acquiring stocks through Binance: removing the capital barrier of full-share ownership and allowing users to participate with amounts as small as $5.

User behaviour points to deliberate investing rather than speculation. Nearly 740 of the 7,000 available stocks and ETFs have already been traded. Approximately 71% of equity holdings are allocated to the Technology sector, with 48% of that directed toward Semiconductors, reflecting a clear tilt toward AI-related themes. The Technology sector generates approximately 23 times the trading volume of other sectors, underscoring the conviction that Binance users have behind these positions. The allocation patterns are consistent with a financially literate user base actively managing sector exposure rather than trading indiscriminately.

Industry Outlook

Stock trading on Binance crossing $1 billion in AUM within 30 days is an early data point in a structural shift that extends beyond a single product. Today, only around 700 million brokerage accounts exist globally, while crypto exchanges have already built distribution infrastructure reaching hundreds of millions of users in markets where traditional brokerages have limited presence. Binance Research projects that by 2031, crypto exchanges as a category could channel $2 trillion in incremental capital into global equity markets and bring 300 million new investors into the asset class.

The near-term trajectory supports the thesis. Based on current growth, Binance Research projects that AUM from stock trading on Binance could exceed $10 billion by the end of 2026, less than seven months after launch. The next wave of equity market participation is unlikely to come from traditional brokerages expanding their reach. It is more likely to come from crypto-native platforms that have already solved the distribution problem, and are now solving the access problem to bring the next few billion users onboard.

This milestone follows the recent achievement by bStocks, Binance’s tokenized 1:1 U.S. securities, which hit $100 million in AUM within two weeks of launch (https://apo-opa.co/4ePxXi9). Together, stock trading and bStocks are part of Binance’s broader effort to expand user access to assets beyond digital assets. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

About Binance: 
​Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 320 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. 

For more information, visit: https://www.Binance.com  

Disclaimer: Direct stocks are available only to eligible users and subject to local regulatory requirements and product availability. Securities are subject to market and liquidity risk, price volatility, and potential loss of capital. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Users should make an independent assessment of any transaction in light of their own objectives and circumstances and consult their own advisers where appropriate. 

Disclaimer: Nest Trading Limited acts as your introducing broker and routes your orders for Securities to its clearing broker partner, Alpaca Securities LLC, for execution, clearing, settlement and custody. Binance does not handle or custody your Securities. Securities are subject to high market and liquidity risk and price volatility, particularly outside traditional market hours. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance. Before trading, you should make an independent assessment of the appropriateness of the transaction in light of your own objectives and circumstances, including the risks and potential benefits. Consult your own advisers, where appropriate. This information should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Binance may receive payment for order flow remuneration for directing your orders. For more information, see the applicable Terms of Use, Securities Trading Product Terms and Risk Warning.

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Launch of My Tropical Timber, International Technical Association for Tropical Timber’s (ATIBT) platform for tropical timber professionals: off to a promising start

Source: APO – Report:

Launched by the International Technical Association for Tropical Timber (ATIBT) (www.ATIBT.org), the My Tropical Timber (www.MyTropicalTimber.org) digital platform is off to a particularly encouraging start. Designed to facilitate access to reliable information on tropical timber, identify suppliers, and promote a sustainable, legal, and responsible forestry and timber industry, it is already attracting professionals from several continents.

More than just a directory or technical database, My Tropical Timber was conceived as a true space for knowledge sharing and decision support, serving architects, traders, processors, manufacturers, specifiers, and buyers of tropical timber worldwide.

Encouraging results from the very first weeks

Initial usage data reflects growing interest in the platform and its increasing visibility among professionals.

Over the past 28 days, My Tropical Timber has recorded:

  • 585 active users, representing a 287% increase;
  • more than 2,500 page views;
  • 552 new visitors;
  • a 2,260% increase in visits from search engines;
  • an active audience across several continents, with a strong presence in Singapore, France, and Germany.

These results illustrate the need expressed by market stakeholders for a centralized, reliable, and accessible tool to better understand tropical timber species and companies committed to sustainable forest management.

A go-to platform for tropical timber professionals

My Tropical Timber provides professionals with a range of features designed to simplify their research and support informed decision-making:

  • identify tropical timber suppliers;
  • search for companies by location or certifications;
  • compare the technical characteristics of wood species;
  • discover lesser-known species and alternatives suited to their needs;
  • access reliable technical data on tropical wood species, particularly through the integration of Tropix reference sheets developed by CIRAD;
  • find FSC- and/or PEFC-PAFC-certified wood sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Available in French, English, Spanish, and Chinese, the platform is aimed at an international audience and helps promote the principle of “the right wood for the right use,” while encouraging better utilization of the diversity of tropical wood species.

For all company listing requests: https://apo-opa.co/4aAw6N4

A Launch Marked by Key Events

The official launch of My Tropical Timber was celebrated on May 10, 2025, during an international webinar held in French and English. This event provided an opportunity to showcase the platform’s features and the benefits it offers to industry professionals. Given the interest generated, ATIBT plans to organize additional sessions, notably in Spanish and Chinese, to support the platform’s expansion to new audiences.

The platform was also presented at the Carrefour International du Bois in Nantes, one of the industry’s leading European events. Extensive discussions with attending professionals confirmed the tool’s relevance and its potential to support companies’ technical and commercial decisions.

Outlook

Building on this momentum, ATIBT is continuing to develop My Tropical Timber with several objectives in mind:

  • regularly expanding the data available on the platform;
  • increasing the number of listed companies and suppliers;
  • developing new features that meet users’ needs;
  • enhancing its international visibility through webinars and professional events;
  • promoting greater awareness and more diverse use of tropical timber sourced from sustainably managed forests.

The goal is clear: to make My Tropical Timber an indispensable tool for all professionals seeking reliable information, promoting responsible practices, and ensuring the sustainable use of tropical forest resources.

A project made possible thanks to the support of its donors and partners

The development of My Tropical Timber is the result of a collective effort coordinated by ATIBT and made possible thanks to the support of its donors and financial partners: the Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC), the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF), the IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, the “Support for the Private Forestry and Timber Sector” project (Cameroon Green Pact) funded by the EU; the ConForMa project funded by the FFEM; the Tropical Timber Trade Facility project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH; and the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC).

CIRAD also contributes to the project by providing Tropix data and technical data sheets, which serve as an international reference for knowledge and the promotion of tropical tree species.

Their commitment to a sustainable, transparent, and responsible tropical forestry and timber sector has made it possible to turn this ambition into reality and to offer industry professionals an innovative, accessible, and internationally oriented tool.

– on behalf of Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT).

Press Contact:
Nathalie Bouville
Communications Manager
Nathalie.bouville@atibt.org
+33695803250
WhatsApp +24106005796

About ATIBT (www.ATIBT.org):
Founded in 1951 at the request of the FAO and the OECD, ATIBT is the leading international professional organization for the tropical forestry and timber sector. It brings together public and private stakeholders from 28 countries and works to promote a sustainable and responsible industry, the legal and ethical trade in tropical timber, the sustainable management of tropical forests, and the development of innovative tools for industry professionals.

Website: www.ATIBT.org

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Uganda: Musasizi tasks MPs to monitor budget implementation in their constituencies

Source: APO – Report:

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi has urged Members of Parliament to monitor implementation of the national budget in their constituencies, saying effective oversight is not only their constitutional mandate but also key to earning the confidence of voters.

Addressing MPs during their induction on Wednesday, 01 July 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Musasizi said Parliament’s role extends beyond approving the national budget to ensuring that public funds translate into improved service delivery.

“Budget approval is the beginning, not the end. Track whether funds reach the people they were intended for,” he said, urging MPs to ensure value for money sent to their local governments.

Drawing from his experience of serving as an MP for 15 consecutive years, he encouraged legislators to regularly engage local government officials and communities to assess the progress of government-funded projects.

“Most of the money goes to your districts, it goes to your sub-counties. It is important that you ask the Chief Administrative Officer in writing; ask him or her the progress of certain projects, ask If you can together visit those projects, if for example schools have teachers and if they are teaching,” Musasizi said.

He added that such engagement strengthens accountability and enhances an MP’s connection with constituents.

“These things are important to bring you back to Parliament. If you want to be a good Member, sample some parishes under Parish Development Model, meet them, ask them whether they are receiving money in time and what they are using it for,” said Musasizi.

The Minister also revealed plans to strengthen budget discipline by ensuring supplementary expenditure is limited to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances as prescribed in the Public Finance Management Act.

Kassanda North County MP, Hon. Patrick Oshabe, raised concern over delays by the Ministry in submitting budget documents to Parliament, saying the practice limits legislators’ ability to scrutinise government proposals.

“When you became a minister, I thought things would change. Members do not have enough time to scrutinise these documents. Quite often we debate a national budget in one day. Why don’t we have mandatory deadlines?” Oshabe asked.

Kampala Woman MP, Hon. Shamim Malende asked the Minister to address public concerns over double taxation, while the Second Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Crispus Kiyonga called for investment in infrastructure in areas earmarked for industrial parks.

“The Uganda Investment Authority mapped out land for industrial parks country wide but in many of the areas there is no action yet. I think they could be a tool to help achieve the desired ten-fold growth,” Kiyonga said.

The National Planning Authority Chairperson, Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, who made a presentation on the National Development Plan IV, called on MPs to push for legislations that support Uganda Vision 2040, which aims at growing Uganda’s economy to US$500 billion by 2040.

“Parliament is supposed to play critical roles to achieve this vision, including legislation, appropriation, oversight of all Government programmes in line with the grand strategy, debating in line with the Vision,” Mbabazi said. ​

– on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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Seychelles: President Herminie Joins Reception Honouring 250 Years of United States Independence

Source: APO – Report:

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Against the backdrop of two historic national anniversaries, President Dr Patrick Herminie this evening joined Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Seychelles, Mr Adham Loutfi, for a reception commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America at Canopy by Hilton Seychelles, Anse La Mouche.

The occasion brought together national leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests in recognition of the enduring partnership between Seychelles and the United States, as the two nations also mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Also in attendance were First Lady Mrs Veronique Herminie, Vice-President Mr Sebastien Pillay, Principal Minister Mr Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora Mr Barry Faure, Cabinet Ministers, ambassadors, Mayor of Victoria Ms Josie Michaud. and other distinguished guests.

Delivering the welcome address, Chargé d’Affaires Mr Adham Loutfi reflected on the longstanding friendship between the two countries, describing it as one founded on mutual respect, shared democratic values, and longstanding cooperation. He noted that while the evening celebrated 250 years of American independence, it also coincided with Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee of Independence and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Mr Loutfi highlighted the growing partnership between Seychelles and the United States in areas including maritime security, financial integrity, cultural exchanges, and efforts to combat drug trafficking. He also welcomed recent agreements between the Seychelles Defence Forces and the New Mexico National Guard, as well as cooperation between the Regional Coordination Operations Centre and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, describing them as longterm investments in regional security, institutional trust, and shared prosperity.

Proposing a toast on behalf of the Government of Seychelles, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora Mr Barry Faure reaffirmed the importance of the relationship between the two countries and conveyed Seychelles’ congratulations to the Government and people of the United States on the historic milestone.

“As we celebrate this remarkable anniversary, we also celebrate a friendship that has matured over five decades. The relationship between Seychelles and the United States continues to be guided by mutual respect, shared interests and constructive dialogue, and we remain committed to strengthening that partnership for the benefit of our peoples.”

Minister Faure said the two countries had developed a longstanding record of cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including security, environmental protection, education. and economic development, while continuing to work together on regional and international issues of common concern.

“Our cooperation has demonstrated what can be achieved when nations work together in a spirit of trust and respect. As we look to the future, Seychelles values the United States as a longstanding partner, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration while advancing peace, stability and sustainable development in our region and beyond.”

The evening concluded with a ceremonial toast celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and the United States, reaffirming the enduring friendship, mutual respect and shared commitment that continue to strengthen the partnership between the two nations. 

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Eskom receives report on alleged irregular diesel procurement

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom receives report on alleged irregular diesel procurement

Eskom has received a report on the independent investigation into possible irregularities relating to the procurement of diesel fuel and storage contracts.

According to Eskom, the investigation was originally launched in March 2025 by the power utility’s Group Investigations and Security (GIS) function following “monitoring of contract performance during operational emergencies” involving load shedding early last year, as well as tip-offs.

“The independent forensic firm has delivered its comprehensive report, and the matter is progressing through the required internal corporate governance, legal review and quality assurance processes to ensure that all findings strictly meet the necessary evidentiary and procedural standards to support any disciplinary and legal action.

“As part of strengthening the evidentiary base of the investigation, Eskom previously expanded the scope of work associated with the management of the contracts following the interim report, to include further document analysis, supplementary interviews, and digital forensic reviews of key records,” the power utility explained.

Eskom Group Chief Executive (GCE) Dan Marokane has assured the public that the power utility is handling the matter with precision.

“We remain committed to taking the corrective actions on the findings of this investigation with the appropriate level of legal thoroughness given what is at stake.

“We will update stakeholders at the end of the quality assurance process, which is expected to be by the end of July,” Marokane said.

The matter has been reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) for investigation.

Eskom stated it will temporarily withhold specific details of the findings due to the sensitive ongoing legal and disciplinary procedures.

“Considering the internal processes currently underway as well as the consequence management steps Eskom is already taking, and may need to further take, to address the identified procurement and contract management breaches relating to this matter, and the possibility of criminal prosecution…Eskom is not in a position to engage on the details or comment further at this stage, so as not to jeopardise the next stage of the process.

“Eskom supports and encourages the reporting of any concerns or alleged wrongdoing through its established whistleblowing and reporting mechanisms and treats all such information with the necessary seriousness and confidentiality,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za

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 Sixteen killed in Touwsriver accident

Source: Government of South Africa

 Sixteen killed in Touwsriver accident

Sixteen people have been killed in a bus accident on the N1 in Touwsriver in the Western Cape, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.

According to the RTMC, the bus was transporting approximately 78 passengers, including children, from Cape Town to Idutywa in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.

“The crash resulted in 16 fatalities, 20 occupants sustained injuries and were transported to Worcester Hospital, and 43 occupants refused medical treatment,” said the RTMC of the overturned bus. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Government strengthens coordinated response to migration challenges

Source: Government of South Africa

Government strengthens coordinated response to migration challenges

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has reiterated government’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach to managing irregular migration.

The approach includes strengthening border security, upholding the constitutional principle of the rule of law, stamping out corruption in the immigration system, cracking down on violence and lawlessness, and refining the country’s legislative framework.

It also involves collaboration with fellow African nations to forge a broader and more cohesive response to migration challenges across the region and the continent.

Cachalia said this work is being implemented through the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, with dedicated work streams addressing key areas, including law enforcement and strategic communications.

The Acting Minister was addressing a meeting on Wednesday attended by the Deputy Ministers of Police, the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Premiers of all nine provinces, following recent demonstrations against illegal immigration.

Also present were MECs responsible for community safety, executive mayors of metropolitan municipalities, Deputy National Commissioners, Provincial, Divisional and District Commissioners, and chiefs of the various metro police departments.

While welcoming the peaceful outcome of the recent demonstrations, Cachalia said vigilance must be maintained, noting indications from organisers that protests may continue every Thursday until the local government elections.

He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between political and law enforcement leadership.
Cachalia also called on provincial governments and Provincial Commissioners to strengthen their partnerships on safety and security matters.

Meeting participants expressed appreciation to members of the South African Police Service for their professionalism, dedication and service.

During discussions, concerns were raised about challenges associated with the repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals, along with calls for additional support from the IMC in provinces where repatriation centres have been established.

In response, Cachalia reaffirmed the government’s whole-of-government approach through the IMC on Migration and its dedicated work streams.

He undertook to convey the concerns raised during the meeting to the Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mamoloko Kubayi, when it convenes on Friday. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Emirates arrives in Cape Town with a third daily service and its newest aircraft

Source: APO

  • EK778 lands at Cape Town International Airport for the first time, bringing the Emirates A350 to South Africa
  • Emirates has also reinstated its fourth daily service to Johannesburg, and now operates a consistent and reliable schedule of 56 weekly flights between South Africa and Dubai  ​

Emirates’ (www.Emirates.com) third daily service on the Dubai-Cape Town route landed at Cape Town International Airport at 18:05 yesterday, marking the first arrival of flight EK778. This also marks the debut of the airline’s next-generation Airbus A350 in South Africa.

The A350 (https://apo-opa.co/3ReSghd) is the newest aircraft type to join Emirates’ all widebody fleet, introducing the latest in-flight experience. The bright and airy cabins have been thoughtfully designed to provide more space and comfort in every cabin, whilst cutting-edge technology and enhanced entertainment options elevate every flight. The deployment also increases access to the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy cabin, which first launched in South Africa in September 2025 and has proved consistently popular with travellers. 

Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager for Southern Africa, said, “Cape Town has long been one of the most popular destinations on our African network. The launch of a third daily service, operated with our newest aircraft, shows how much we believe in this market. The new flight gives travellers more options and an easier connection to our global network through Dubai, while the A350 offers the latest passenger experience. We’d like to extend our thanks to the South African authorities for their partnership and support in securing this new service, and look forward to welcoming passengers onboard.”

The new flight enhances connectivity for South African travellers, offering more choice, flexibility, and improved access to Emirates’ global network, via Dubai, especially long-haul destinations in West Asia, Australasia and the Far East.

The launch of the new service also builds on the agreement signed in April 2026 between Emirates and Wesgro, the tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. The two organisations are working together to bring more visitors from key markets such as the Gulf, the Far East, and India.

Outside of Cape Town, Emirates also reinstated its fourth daily flight to Johannesburg on 1 July 2026, boosting weekly connectivity to Dubai to 56 weekly services from its three South African gateways. The deployment is further supported by the seasonal deployment of the second A380 service into Johannesburg. EK761 and EK762 will now be operated by a full retrofitted A380, equipped with the in-demand Premium Economy cabin and the latest cabin interiors, enhancing Emirates world-class offering and boosting capacity in and out of South Africa’s largest and busiest international airport. 

By enhancing its frequencies, Emirates is not just supporting passenger traffic, but facilitation global trade too. Optimising the belly capacity in the Boeing 777 and A350, as well as the daily flight from Durban, Emirates SkyCargo uplifts key commodities from South Africa such as fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled meat, dairy, seafood and fresh cut flowers, and transports them worldwide, connecting South African businesses with their global customers, quickly, reliably and efficiently.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.Emirates.com. Tickets can also be booked on Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

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