Category: English

Source: Government of South Africa

The Electoral Commission has urged all South Africans to participate in the ongoing public consultations on the feasibility of introducing electronic voting (e-voting) at some point in the future.

Public consultations are currently taking place across all provinces to ensure inclusive and wide-reaching engagement on the policy document.

“We invite South Africans to submit their views, proposals, and concerns on this important matter. Submissions should be sent to the email address evoting@elections.org.za by no later than the end of September 2025,” said the Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.

He said following the conclusion of the consultation process, the commission would integrate the comments into the current discussion document to produce a green paper.

The green paper will then be presented to the Minister of Home Affairs to process through the relevant constitutional structures.

He said it was important to note the commission has not yet decided on adopting e-voting.

“The current physical ballot papers will be used in the impending municipal elections, as there is no official national policy and legislative framework on e-voting,” said Mamabolo.

He said since the 2024 General Elections, the commission had registered a total of 34 new political parties. Thirteen of the new parties were registered in the period between July 2025 and today.

To date, the total number of registered political parties was 472.

“Of these, 287 are registered on a national level, while the balance of 185 are either registered provincially or on the district or metro municipal level,” he said.

He said political contestants remain critical in the planning phase.

“The commission will convene a series of information sessions starting in November 2025 with registered but unrepresented political parties and aspiring independent candidates in preparation for the upcoming elections. The sessions in November will mark the beginning of formal consultations with key stakeholders,” he said.

Mamabolo called on corporate South Africa to donate to the Multi-Party Democracy Fund.

“Supporting the MPDF helps to foster a vibrant democracy and amplify diverse political voices. The Electoral Commission is in the process of preparing a report highlighting key recommendations for consideration by Parliament,” he said.

Mamabolo said the commission had acknowledged the recent amendment to the regulations on political party funding in South Africa.

“The revised regulations were promulgated by the President on 18 August. Under the revised rules, the minimum disclosure threshold has increased from R100 000 to R200 000, while the maximum allowable annual donation has risen from R15 million to R30 million in a financial year,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

As South Africa implements the national rail reform programme, the private sector will play a key role in investing in rail and port operations, while ensuring that the infrastructure remains State-owned.

“The current state of Transnet’s rail infrastructure is cause for concern for freight operators and cargo owners alike. The state has limited availability of resources for major refurbishment. This makes private sector investment critical,” Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

Earlier this year, the Minister launched an online Request for Information (RFI) to enable an environment for private sector participation and enhanced investment in rail and port infrastructure and operations.

The RFI received an overwhelming interest with162 formal responses from the private sector. 

“To sustain our economy, we cannot afford to wait until the Private Sector Participations (PSP), reach financial close before launching a programme to rehabilitate Transnet’s rail network.

“Immediate sources of finance for this work include Transnet’s current infrastructure budgets, two applications to National Treasury’s Budget facility for infrastructure and a joint funding and collaboration framework which could allow current customers to assist in repairing the network without adding to Transnet’s debt,” the Minister explained.

Creecy was addressing the Southern African Railway Association (SARA) Rail Conference and Exhibition, which plays a pivotal role in advancing and modernising railways, not only within Southern Africa but across the continent.

“Later this year, Transnet will issue Requests for Proposals and begin the formal procurement process, which will bring substantial private sector investment into the rail infrastructure probably through a concessioning model. It is important to emphasise once again that this process will take place in the context of the network as a whole remaining in state ownership,” Creecy said.

Rail reform journey 

Last week, the Minister announced that eleven private sector operators met the initial application criteria and have been allocated amongst them a total of 41 routes across six corridors, for operating periods of up to ten years.

The Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) estimates that the new Train Operating Companies (TOCs) will carry an additional 20 million tonnes of freight per annum from the 2026/27 financial year. 

“This will supplement Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR’s) forecasted volumes and contribute to government’s target of increasing freight moved by rail to 250 million tons per annum by 2029.

“This is a significant step in our rail reform journey and makes open access to freight rail a reality in our country. It will contribute to a more efficient, reliable and sustainable rail system that can promote inclusive growth and ensure job retention and job creation.

“In South Africa, reforms such as the separation of infrastructure and operations at Transnet, the strengthening of the Railway Safety Regulator, and the expansion of passenger rail through the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) revitalised services are setting important examples for the continent,” Creecy said.

National Rail Master Plan

Government is currently finalising the National Rail Master Plan (NRMP), which will be a comprehensive, evidence-based framework to guide the transformation of South Africa’s rail sector over the next 30 years.

“When implemented, our Master Plan would complement the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Rail Master Plan. Going forward we can use both plans to work together as a region,” she said.

The vision for the SADC Regional Transport Master Plan is focussed on providing transport infrastructure, services, policy and legislature, enabling environmental and supportive institutions with the necessary human resource and institutional capacity to transform the transport sector. 

Appetite for investment

In the passenger rail space, PRASA is restoring routes, introducing modern train sets, and improving safety — proving that passenger rail can be an affordable, reliable, and dignified transport option for millions.

“Thus far PRASA has successfully revived 35 out of 40 corridors and sections of service lines, and the agency achieved an unaudited figure of 77 million passenger journeys for the last financial year.

“In September we will launch the Request for Information (RFI) for passenger rail, which will initiate the process of determining the appetite for investment in commuter rail.

“By recovering our passenger rail capacity, we aim to reach the milestone of 600 million annual passenger journeys on the PRASA network, within five years,” the Minister said.

With the expansion of the rail sector, the Minister emphasised the importance of ensuring the railways are green, climate-resilient, and sustainable. 

“Electrification, hybrid locomotives, and circular economy practices will help us meet our climate goals. At the same time, we must invest in our people — training engineers and logistics practitioners, technicians, managers, and innovators who will design and operate the railways of the future. This is about building African skills for African rail solutions,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Western Cape Provincial Government has expressed its support for Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s announcement regarding the completion of Transnet’s adjudication process, which selected new Train Operating Companies (TOCs) through its Rail Infrastructure Manager.

Last week, the Minister said involving private operators would significantly increase Transnet rail volumes. 

This participation would help producers in the mining and agricultural sectors meet the rail cargo volume expectations of exporters and encourage the upgrading of rail infrastructure.

During a media briefing on the outcome of the application process for third-party participation of TOCs on the Transnet rail network, Creecy said the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) estimated that the new TOCs would transport an additional 20 million tonnes of freight annually starting from the 2026/27 financial year.

Out of the 25 TOC applications received, 11 have fulfilled the requirements and will advance to the next stage of negotiations and contracting.

According to the provincial government, this milestone was especially important for the Western Cape, as two new TOCs have been allocated to the Cape Corridor, directly serving the province.

Both operators will manage manganese routes originating in the Northern Cape’s Hotazel and Postmasburg mining regions, transporting this vital mineral to the Port of Saldanha.

Saldanha Bay is South Africa’s premier bulk export port and a strategic asset for the Western Cape economy. 

Strengthening these manganese flows to Saldanha Bay will not only enhance the port’s global competitiveness but also ease pressure on roads by shifting heavy loads from trucks to rail.

The Western Cape MEC for Mobility, Isaac Sileku, said the province was encouraged by Creecy’s announcement. 

“Opening access to our freight rail network is a critical step towards building a modern, efficient, and sustainable rail system that drives economic growth, creates jobs, and strengthens our province’s role as a national and international trade hub. 

“We look forward to working closely with Transnet, new operators, and the private sector to ensure that these reforms deliver real benefits to our communities and businesses,” Sileku said. 

By increasing rail capacity into Saldanha Bay, the reliability of the supply chain for agriculture, mining, and manufacturing exporters, who rely on efficient ports and logistics to compete globally, is further enhanced. 

“At the same time, improved freight services can generate greater investment in rolling stock and terminals, unlocking billions of rands in private sector opportunities that will modernise South Africa’s rail system.” 

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said this milestone marked a significant step forward in South Africa’s rail reform journey and aligns powerfully with the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs Strategy. 

“By enabling third-party access to our rail network, we are unlocking new opportunities for private sector investment, improving freight efficiency, and laying the foundation for inclusive, jobs-rich economic growth.

“The allocation of new rail slots, particularly in corridors such as the Cape Corridor for manganese, will support the provincial government’s strategic goals of boosting exports, enhancing competitiveness, and driving investment in key sectors like agriculture and agri-processing,” said Meyer.

By opening the Cape Corridor to new operators, Sileku said the province can move more cargo by rail, ease pressure on roads, and unlock growth at the Port of Saldanha that creates jobs across the Western Cape. 

Following the announcement, the provincial government said the focus must shift to implementation and delivery. 

“The Western Cape Government urges all partners, including national government, Transnet, new operators, and cargo owners, to move with urgency so that the full benefits of rail reform are realised.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has emphasised the need for greater self-reliance in financing health systems to ensure sustainability. 

This is especially following the recent withdrawal of international partners and donors who supported health systems in Africa.

“The defunding and underfunding of our health systems threaten and undermine any progress that we might have made in strengthening health systems and achieving universal health coverage. In light of this, South Africa wishes to reiterate and emphasise the importance of self-reliance in financing our health systems,” he said on Monday.  

The Minister was speaking at the opening of the 75th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa where African Health Ministers were gathering in Lusaka, Zambia, to discuss health challenges, endorse resolutions to improve health outcomes, and strengthen health diplomacy for the region.

The current United States of America administration recently reduced foreign aid to Africa.  The United States government’s AIDS fund, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), previously supported many nonprofits in South Africa.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa is one of the six WHO regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO African Region, which comprises 47 member states with the regional office in Brazzaville, Congo.

Motsoaledi stated that South Africa is promoting enhanced domestic financial resource mobilisation through the fiscal system.
He stressed that investing in the country’s health systems is essential for sustainable development and for enhancing the health and well-being of its population.

“Chairperson, we wish to state without any equivocation or fear of contradiction, that while international solidarity is very precious and appreciated, in today’s uncertain world, the primary responsibility of taking care of the health of citizens lies with member states and no one else.” 

He urged the member states to prioritise health financing and explore innovative financing mechanisms to support health systems as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approach. 

“By doing so, we can reduce our dependence on external funding and ensure that our health systems are resilient and responsive to the needs of our people.

“Let us work together to strengthen our health systems, promote universal health coverage, and ensure that our people have access to quality healthcare services without experiencing financial hardships. We are committed to collaborating with WHO-AFRO [African Region] and other partners to achieve these goals.” 

He told delegates that South Africa aligns itself with the key issues raised and priorities identified, including accelerating progress in the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents by transforming health systems in the region, as well as strengthening Africa’s health security.

The Minister also took the time to acknowledge the achievements highlighted in the WHO Regional Office for Africa’s report. 
Despite financial constraints, he said the WHO supported 47 member states in progressing towards universal health coverage, with a focus on primary healthcare.  

“However, we are concerned that in advancing these plans, there is a paucity of debate regarding how our efforts are going to be financed sustainably.”

Meanwhile, he expressed congratulations to the government and people of Zambia for assuming the chairship of the WHO Africa Region. 

“We also appreciate the hospitality and warm welcome extended to us in Lusaka. We would like to once again congratulate Professor Mohamed Yakub Janani on his assumption as the new Regional Director of the WHO Africa Region. 

“We look forward to working with him and appreciate his leadership in advancing health agendas in our region.” – SAnews.gov.za