Category: English

Source: APO

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On August 21 commencing at 1:05 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Honourable Mr. Ronald LAMOLA, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, who is visiting Japan to participate in the in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister IWAYA welcomed expressed his respect for the leadership of Minister Lamola as the G20 Presidency and stated that Japan would like to cooperate closely with South Africa in order to create synergy between the achievements of TICAD 9 and the G20 Summit. In response, Minister Lamola expressed his gratitude for the hospitality extended by Japan during his visit and welcomed the successful holding of TICAD 9. Minister Lamola also stated his desire to further develop bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, and to further develop cooperation in the international arena, including within the G20.
    
2. Following that, Minister IWAYA welcomed active defense exchanges, such as goodwill training with the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and expressed his desire to cooperate in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Minister IWAYA also welcomed the signing of the joint statement on decarbonization cooperation, referring to the importance of energy transition in a practical manner, and asked cooperation to enable stable business activities for Japanese companies. In response, Minister Lamola expressed his desire to further develop cooperation in the fields of defense and energy. In addition, Minister Lamola expressed his desire to work closely with Japan toward the success of the G20 Johannesburg Summit in November.
    
3. Both Ministers exchanged views and concurred in closely working together to respond to various regional and international challenges, including their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, as well as the United Nations Security Council reform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO

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On August 21, commencing at 1:30 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Amb. Monday Semaya Kenneth Kumba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, who is visiting Japan to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister IWAYA stated that stability in South Sudan is important for peace and stability of the region and, referring to Japan’s support for South Sudan to date, expressed Japan’s intention to continue supporting South Sudan as an escort runner. In response, Minister Semaya expressed gratitude for Japan’s support for South Sudan to date and expressed his hope that Japanese companies would expand their investment in South Sudan.
    
2. Following that, Minister IWAYA stated that Japan will provide new assistance in the areas of food and landmines, and expressed his hope for the improvement of security through the implementation of the peace agreement in order to encourage Japanese companies to invest in South Sudan. In response, Minister Semaya mentioned the importance of TICAD and expressed his expectations for TICAD’s achievements in areas such as infrastructure, human resource development, and human resource exchange. He also stated that the Government of South Sudan will work toward the implementation of the peace agreement, including the holding of elections.
    
3. The two Ministers exchanged views regarding various regional and international challenges, including their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, as well as the United Nations Security Council reform and concurred in closely working together.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO

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With just one week until the C&I Energy + Storage Summit Zambia (27-28 August 2025) (www.Energy-StorageSummit.com) at The Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, the event’s keynote and plenary sessions promise to deliver critical insights into Zambia’s energy transition, supporting Mission 300’s goal of 10,000MW by 2030 and fostering private sector growth in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism.

The first day commences with a ministerial keynote by Hon Minister Makozo Chikote, Ministry of Energy of Zambia. This address will outline strategies to enhance private sector participation in the power sector amid rising demand.

The keynote will be followed by a view from the Zimbabwean Energy Intensive Users Group, and then a presentation on the M300 Energy Compact, emphasizing policy frameworks and the direction of travel for the Government of Zambia on topics like the Multi-Year Tariff Framework, Electricity Open Access Framework, Net Metering, and Energy Single Licensing System. These initiatives aim to mobilize $11.9 billion in investments, with $9.5 billion from private sources, while bolstering ZESCO’s continued role as primary provider of power. The day includes a pivotal panel on mitigating energy risks for business continuity, moderated by Dr Johnstone Chikwanda, a well know energy expert. Panellists include:

• Chabuka Kawesha, Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Muntanga Lindunda, Zambia Association of Manufacturers
• Judy Ngumbi, Farmers Association of Zambia
• Helen Zulu, ENGIE Energy Access
• Hilton Mwape Fulele, Copperbelt Energy Corporation

Day 2 opens with a plenary hosted by Chabuka Kawesha, Vice President (South Block), Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed by an overview of Zambia’s Open Access Regime promulgated under the Electricity Act of 2019, promoting market liberalisation and increasing private sector involvement.

A panel on Open Access’s role in reshaping the energy sector, moderated by Mbiko Banda from Africa GreenCo, features senior representatives from Copperbelt Energy Corporation, the Ministry of Energy and ZESCO. Discussions will cover policy objectives, economic impacts, private opportunities and challenges.

Aligning discussions with the M300 compact and goals outlined by the Government of Zambia ensures that the interconnectedness of public and private sector in the success of power delivery and economic development is clearly demonstrated.

The recently aired webinar, “Copperbelt Mining: Energy Infrastructure Trends and Opportunities,” offers a taste of the discussions to be expected at the C&I Energy+Storage Summit Zambia and is available to view on demand (http://apo-opa.co/4mW5eux). It explores hybrid, solar, and storage system options to combat diesel costs and volatility, with real-world examples and investment insights for mining leaders.

Don’t miss this transformative event.

Download the programme: https://apo-opa.co/41MI5Cv

Register: https://apo-opa.co/47FPFTk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Contact:
For sponsorship or hosted buyer enquiries,
contact Marcel du Toit: marcel.dutoit@wearevka.com

For speaking opportunities,
contact Babalwa Bungane: babalwa.bungane@wearevuka.com

For press enquiries,
contact Natalie Simms: natalie.simms@wearevuka.com

About VUKA Group:
As part of the Power and Energy Portfolio of VUKA Group, this Summit aligns with VUKA’s mission to connect industries, spark innovation, and fuel economic growth. VUKA Group is a premier organiser of conferences, exhibitions, and events across Africa, delivering tailored platforms for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development in energy and related sectors.

Source: APO

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On August 21, commencing at 10:40 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Dr. David Moinina SENGEH, Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who is visiting Japan to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. At the outset, Minister IWAYA expressed his respect for Sierra Leone, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and stated his desire to further strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone, which assumed the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) this June, for regional peace and stability. In response, Chief Minister Sengeh expressed his high appreciation for Japan’s efforts in TICAD to date and his desire to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena.
    
2. Following that, Minister IWAYA stated Japan’s intention to contribute to strengthening Sierra Leone’s food security and to enhance economic relations with Sierra Leone, which boasts natural good ports and abundant mineral resources. In response, Chief Minister Sengeh expressed his gratitude for Japan’s continued support and stated his desire to continue close cooperation between the two countries in promoting further investment by Japanese companies in fields such as minerals and agriculture, in expanding people-to-people exchanges, and in contributing to peace and stability in the region and the international community.
    
3. The both sides also concurred in further strengthening cooperation in responding to various regional and international challenges, such as policies towards North Korea including the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and the United Nations Security Council reform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) yesterday met with the Department of CoGTA and Merafong City Local Municipality to assess the municipality’s financial viability and service delivery performance.

The Committee expressed deep concern over Merafong’s deteriorating financial and governance position, which has left residents exposed to prolonged service disruptions. Towns such as Welverdiend have endured electricity outages lasting more than a month due to transformer failures, while water provision has been compromised by the municipality’s R1.4 billion debt to Rand Water. Although a payment of R50 million secured partial restoration, only about 80% of water supply has resumed, and full restoration remains uncertain. Infrastructure in the Carletonville CBD continues to decline, while the municipality’s own performance assessment shows that just 34% of service delivery targets were achieved in the past financial year.

The Committee noted that these concerns align closely with findings of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), which earlier this year considered a petition from residents of Khutsong. The NCOP’s report, adopted on 1 April 2025, raised alarm over ageing infrastructure, unreliable transformers, and poor governance in Merafong. Amongst its resolutions, the NCOP directed Gauteng CoGTA to step in under Section 154 of the Constitution to provide structured support, called for monthly progress reports from the municipality, and prioritised the resettlement of informal settlements in hazardous dolomitic zones. It also instructed that forensic investigations be undertaken into questionable procurement and payments thereof, reckless recruitment, and the appointment of dubious senior officials. The Committee is particularly concerned that these directives remain outstanding and have not yet served before the full Council. The Committee has committed to ensuring that both the Department and the Municipality account fully on their implementation.

The Committee also raised concerns regarding the appointment of a Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Merafong. While the municipality appointed the Deputy CFO in April 2024, questions remain about the compliance of such a position with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), which does not make provision for the designation of “Deputy CFO” within municipal structures. The Committee emphasised the need for urgent legal certainty on the matter to ensure that the municipality’s financial management structures are fully aligned with legislation. The Committee will write to the MEC for COGTA to receive further clarity on this matter.

Committee Chairperson, Hon. Mzi Khumalo, acknowledged that while Merafong faces immense challenges, there are signs of improvement, particularly in its financial reporting. “The municipality has started to make progress in strengthening its audit processes, and that effort should not be overlooked. These are small but important steps towards restoring stability. However, sustained progress requires firm leadership, improved revenue collection, and stronger accountability. With the right interventions and the full commitment of all spheres of government, Merafong has the potential to recover and rebuild public confidence,” he said.

The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous oversight of the 10-point turnaround strategy, including cash flow improvements, the rollout of smart metering, enhanced indigent household support, and strengthened audit outcomes. It further called on the Department and the municipality to fast-track compliance with NCOP directives and demonstrate measurable progress in addressing service delivery and governance failures.

– on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Department of Higher Education and Training announces that, following consultation with the National Skills Authority (NSA) in terms of Section 15(1) of the Skills Development Act, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela, MP, has appointed administrators to the Services SETA, Local Government SETA (LGSETA), and Construction SETA (CETA).

This intervention follows serious and entrenched governance failures in these entities, including procurement irregularities, lapses in oversight, and board instability, which threatened their ability to deliver on their mandate to advance skills development.

The following appointments have been made:

• Mr Matjie Lehlogonolo Alfred Masoga – Administrator of the Services SETA

• Mr Dithabe Oupa Nkoane – Administrator of the Construction SETA (CETA)

• Mr Zukile Christopher Mvalo – Administrator of the Local Government SETA (LGSETA)

“This decision marks the first step in stabilising SETA governance. We cannot allow governance failures to erode the public’s confidence in our skills development system. These administrators have a clear mandate to restore integrity, enforce consequence management where necessary, and ensure that learners and workers are not prejudiced by institutional weaknesses. Our goal is to reposition SETAs so they can contribute effectively to the fight against unemployment, poverty, and inequality,” said Minister Buti Manamela.

Brief biographies of the administrators

• Mr Matjie Lehlogonolo Alfred Masoga is a seasoned public leader with extensive experience in governance, economic development, and strategic management. He is the former CEO of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ SOC), Group Executive at the Limpopo Economic Development Agency, and former Deputy Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature. He holds multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master of Management in Governance and Public Leadership, and is currently a PhD candidate in Public Affairs.

• Mr Dithabe Oupa Nkoane has more than 20 years’ experience in public administration, governance, and infrastructure development. He has served as Municipal Manager and Section 139 Administrator at Emfuleni Municipality, Acting City Manager of Tshwane, Head of City Planning in Ekurhuleni, and CEO of the Municipal Demarcation Board. He holds a Master’s degree in Town and Regional Planning and has extensive experience in financial recovery, organisational turnaround, and spatial development.

• Mr Zukile Christopher Mvalo is the current Deputy Director-General for Skills Development at the Department of Higher Education and Training, with direct oversight of all 22 SETAs, the National Skills Authority, and the QCTO since 2013. He has a strong legal background, holding an LLM, LLB, and Postgraduate Diploma in Employment Law, alongside a Master’s in Public Administration. He has also held senior executive roles in local government and corporate services.

Mandate of the administrators

The administrators’ mandate is to:

• Restore governance and financial integrity in line with the PFMA

• Enforce consequence management where wrongdoing is found

• Ensure core programmes, including learner support and employer partnerships, continue without disruption

• Oversee the proper reconstitution and appointment of new Accounting Authorities

The Minister wishes the administrators well in the execution of their duties.

– on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Ms Ronalda Nalumango, has noted with concern the dissolution, with immediate effect, of the South African Tourism Board by the Minister of Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille.

According to media reports, the minister dissolved the Board because it exceeded its powers by appointing a board member to carry out some of the functions of the previous Chairperson, Professor Gregory Davids, who resigned in July. It was further reported that the Board contravened its own charter by holding a special Board meeting that the Chairperson did not convene.

Ms Nalumango said that the committee will invite the minister to brief it on her decision to dissolve the South African Tourism Board.

“We look forward to hearing from her about this development, particularly in light of the committee’s earlier engagement on her commitments to take South African Tourism to new heights when she marked 100 days since her appointment as minister,” said Ms Nalumango.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade has noted the Minister’s decision to dissolve the entire board of SA Tourism.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Sonja Boshoff, said that when such decisions are taken, they should always be aimed at improving governance within government entities.

She said: “The committee is satisfied that the Minister acted on sound legal advice in arriving at her decision, which the committee notes and welcomes. The role of this entity is even more crucial given the geopolitical ructions that the country currently faces.”

Ms Boshoff further stated that it would be ideal for a new board to be appointed without delay, and she stressed that the absence of a board should not disrupt the programmes of SA Tourism.

Minister Patricia de Lille announced on Wednesday that she had decided to dissolve the board with immediate effect. The Minister said the board had failed to show cause in addressing the legality of the procedure it followed when convening a special meeting on 1 August—against her advice—wherein an unlawful resolution was taken.

“As the shareholder, one expects that the Minister’s counsel on such matters should be regarded and respected by entities under her portfolio,” Ms Boshoff said.

Ms Boshoff added that the committee will continue to exercise effective oversight over the entity. “We want to see improved performance from SA Tourism, not meaningless meetings and international trips. Small role players within the sector must benefit meaningfully from the work and programmes of SA Tourism. We do not want redundancy and duplication of work already being done by the Department of Tourism.”

Ms Boshoff called on the Minister to act with speed to stabilise the entity so that it can focus on restoring South Africa’s image among international tourists. “South Africa must be a destination of choice for international travellers. There is nothing they cannot find in this beautiful country of ours,” she concluded.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.