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Growing participation in the National Dialogue signals that South Africans are ready to confront the country’s challenges openly and help shape practical solutions, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

“The pilot dialogues have shown that South Africans are eager to participate in shaping the future of our country. Our responsibility is to ensure that these voices are heard, that the process remains credible and inclusive, and that the outcomes translate into meaningful action that improves the lives of our people,” the Deputy President said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mashatile made the remarks after meeting the Steering Committee, which is working to build a National Dialogue that is inclusive, credible and responsive to the aspirations of South Africans.

Provincial governments and local stakeholders have supported security coordination, transport arrangements and regulatory approvals, underscoring the importance of a whole-of-society approach.

The Deputy President said these developments confirm that the vision of a citizen-led National Dialogue is gaining momentum across society.

In recent months, various sectors have convened meetings and dialogues on issues affecting South Africans.

Notable developments include:

• The youth sector has developed its own coordination framework, resolved internal organisational matters and begun preparations for youth-led dialogue processes.
• The sector representing people with disabilities has successfully convened consultations and provided valuable recommendations on accessibility, participation and inclusion.
• Civil society, faith-based organisations, women, youth and other sectors have demonstrated a strong commitment to mobilising communities and preparing them to participate in the National Dialogue.

Mashatile welcomed the Steering Committee’s report on progress in advancing the National Dialogue.

He reiterated that the National Dialogue belongs to the people of South Africa.

“The conversations held thus far demonstrate that citizens are ready to engage honestly about the challenges facing our country and to contribute solutions,” he said.

After the upcoming Local Government Elections, the Deputy President emphasised that the Steering Committee should prioritise resolving all outstanding governance and participation matters in a way that strengthens unity and confidence in the process. He said every sector should finalise its implementation plan, mobilisation strategy and dialogue methodology. – SAnews.gov.za

More than R70 million in private investment has been secured for the redevelopment of 137 Lower Marine Parade on Durban’s Golden Mile, with total investment expected to approach R100 million once tenant fit-outs are completed.

The Golden Mile is a paved walkway stretch of beachfront, sandy coastline, and paved promenade in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The eThekwini Municipality said preferred bidder Imvusa (Pty) Ltd has secured funding for the redevelopment, which is expected to more than double the commercial space at the site from 1,700 square metres to 4,000 square metres.

“Construction is set to commence in January 2027, following the completion of statutory planning processes and the signing of leases,” the municipality said in a statement.

The municipality said signed leases are in place with several food and hospitality brands, including Steers, Fishaways, Debonairs Pizza, Wimpy, Milky Lane, Nonna’s Riviera, and Perere by Gushima.

Nonna’s Riviera will make its Durban debut as part of the development, expanding its presence beyond Johannesburg.

“The redevelopment will double permanent positions at the site from 85 to approximately 170, with Nonna’s Riviera accounting for 33 jobs. An additional 80 jobs will be created during construction,” the municipality said.

The project comes amid sustained growth along the beachfront promenade, which recorded 17.45 million pedestrian movements in 2025, a 20% single-year increase. A further 11.25 million pedestrian movements were recorded between January and September 2026.

Construction was rescheduled from June 2026 to conclude legal proceedings relating to vacant possession.

“Remaining occupants must vacate by 15 January 2027, with site handover taking place immediately after. The development aims to open for trading during the 2027/28 festive season,” the municipality said. – SAnews.gov.za

North West police have arrested four suspects at an alleged drug laboratory near Hartbeespoortdam.

Four firearms, including a rifle and three handguns, were also seized following the intelligence-driven operation.

“The Hartbeespoortdam South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Prevention members received information regarding suspected illegal activities at the property, and the information was subsequently shared with Brits Crime Intelligence and Hartbeespoortdam K9 for further intelligence gathering and verification. 

“Upon arrival at the identified address…members found three females and one male. A search of the premises uncovered what appeared to be a drug laboratory, with processed drugs, a drug production mixture and equipment allegedly used in the manufacturing of drugs,” the SAPS statement read on Tuesday.

The four suspects are charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as dealing and manufacturing of drugs in terms of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992 (Act No. 140 of 1992).

They are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court soon.

“The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams, commended the members for their swift response and collaboration, which led to the arrests.

He said the police remain committed to dismantling organised crime syndicates involved in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs and sent a stern warning to criminals that the South African Police Service remains resolute and relentless in the fight against crime.

“Police investigations into the matter and to determine the value of the seized drugs are continuing,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Government will prioritise gas-to-power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to strengthen reliable electricity supply.

This is according to Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who announced the new Section 34 Determination for additional generation capacity over the 2026-2037 planning horizon at a media briefing on Wednesday. 

“This determination advances the seventh administration’s inclusive growth and employment and reduction of the cost-of-living impact on our people.

“This intervention must be read together with the three apex priorities of the seventh administration. The first one is about growing the South African economy and creating jobs. The second is to address the cost of living and also address poverty.

“I’m confident that this presents a new way, a blueprint of how we are addressing an immediate problem…technology gives us an opportunity to resolve that,” Ramokgopa explained.

He added that the prioritisation will respond to the electricity system’s “immediate requirements for storage, flexibility and dispatchable supply”.

“We are sitting with a new problem that…on the back of the clinical implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan by Eskom, we are sitting with surplus electricity on the system. That itself presents a major risk to the system.

“This intervention is to ensure that we avert the possibility of market failure…undermining our future ambition to procure new generation capacity from the private sector because financing will be very expensive as a result of this curtailment arrangement.

“We are going to increase the risk of these projects failing, so it’s important that we are able to make an intervention in relation to how we deal with curtailment. It also undermines the South African economy to benefit from this excess generation capacity, so we want to provide for storage,” the Minister said.

In a statement, the department said BESS is central to mitigating curtailment.

“Batteries can charge from electricity that would otherwise be curtailed and discharge during evening peaks or other periods of need. This will help convert surplus generation into usable electricity, while providing rapid balancing and grid support. 

“Storage must be located and operated where it can access surplus electricity and discharge without reproducing the network constraint. Procurement will therefore be aligned with the charging and discharge requirements of the System Operator, supported by enforceable availability and performance obligations,” the statement explained. 

The department noted that the country “already has a foundation for expanding this programme”.

By June last year, all five projects in the first battery storage bid window had “reached commercial close and entered construction, attracting R15.4 billion in investment”.

“The proposed 4,600 MW allocation will substantially expand the procurement of storage services,” the statement read.

Regarding gas-to-power, the proposed 5000MW allocation will complement storage by “providing dispatchable electricity when renewable output falls, or demand rises”. 

“Gas generation does not absorb surplus electricity. Its contribution depends on flexible operation that allows renewable generation to serve demand during high-output periods and supplies the remaining requirement when that output declines.

“Procurement design will address start-up times, ramping capability and minimum operating levels. Fuel availability, delivered gas prices, supporting port and pipeline infrastructure, grid connections and commissioning schedules will be assessed together. Affordability must be evaluated against the expected operating profile of the plants. 

Both storage and gas procurement will form part of government’s programme of transmission expansion, new industrial electricity demand and regional electricity trade.

“BESS can mitigate curtailment, but sustained progress also requires delivery of the grid infrastructure needed to move electricity to consumers. 

“The procurement programme will support local manufacturing, engineering, construction, skills development and broader ownership of energy infrastructure through measurable commitments,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has emphasised the important role of Amakhosi and Izinduna in identifying community challenges and ensuring that residents’ concerns and needs are communicated to government.

Ntuli was speaking during a meeting with traditional leaders on Tuesday, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the provincial government and traditional leadership. 

The engagement provided Amakhosi and Izinduna with an opportunity to raise challenges affecting their respective communities directly with the Premier and discuss practical interventions to address them. 
The meeting also provided a platform for dialogue on how government and traditional leadership can work more closely to address issues affecting communities.

“Meaningful engagement with traditional leadership remains essential to ensuring that government understands the realities experienced by communities and can respond more effectively to their needs,” Ntuli said.

The Premier also stressed the importance of moving beyond identifying challenges towards developing practical solutions and ensuring that matters raised by communities are directed to the relevant government structures for attention.

He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to maintaining an open, constructive relationship with traditional leadership, saying sustained cooperation will help strengthen service delivery, community development, and responsive governance.

Ntuli said sustained cooperation between government, Amakhosi and Izinduna will help in ensuring that communities remain active participants in shaping solutions to the challenges they face.

The meeting reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with traditional leadership and ensuring that issues raised at grassroots level receive the necessary attention. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has condemned disinformation about the Constitutional Court’s 7 July 2026 judgment in the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town matter, which concerns the processing of asylum applications.

“Despite it being public knowledge that this case was vigorously opposed by the department and that it led to a binding ruling of the Constitutional Court, nefarious actors have launched a large scale disinformation campaign targeting the Minister of Home Affairs and other officials, claiming that the decision to suspend good cause interviews was taken at the initiative of the Minister, the department or political parties. This is categorically false,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

In July, the DHA said it would study the judgment handed down by the court in the matter between the Scalabrini Centre and the Minister of Home Affairs. 

The Scalabrini Centre is a non-profit organisation that assists migrants, refugees and local South Africans.

The case between the centre and the Minister concerns the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Refugees Act relating to the asylum application process. The Constitutional Court confirmed the Western Cape High Court’s declaration that these provisions were unconstitutional and invalid.

The court declared sections of the Refugees Act, which allowed for immigration officials to deport an asylum seeker if they are in the country without a transit visa, unconstitutional. A transit visa is issued at a port of entry to allow a person to travel to a refugee reception centre and apply for asylum.

The Scalabrini Centre, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, challenged the Minister of Home Affairs regarding practices related to asylum seekers and the “good cause” interviews required for their applications. If applicants failed to meet these conditions, they had to provide immigration officers with a valid reason and show “good cause” for lacking the required visa. “Good cause” interviews were conducted to determine whether someone, who did not have the required documentation, could proceed with an asylum application.

READ | Home Affairs notes Constitutional Court judgment

The case was brought to the Western Cape High Court, where the applicants argued that certain provisions of the Refugees Act unjustly barred individuals with irregular immigration status from seeking asylum, violating their constitutional rights and international non-refoulement principles.

On Wednesday, the DHA said the Constitutional Court judgment is binding, adding that the “department is constitutionally obliged to implement”.

“An operational directive was subsequently issued solely to give effect to that judgment, as is standard practice to ensure compliance with rulings of the highest court in the land. Claims that this judgment by the Constitutional Court grants asylum seekers citizenship or provides for the blanket legalisation of foreign nationals are also categorically false.

“Respect for binding court judgments is fundamental to the rule of law and our constitutional democracy,” the DHA said.

The department said it will continue to fulfil its constitutional obligations, irrespective of whether it was successful in the litigation concerned.

“The matter will be referred to the Independent Electoral Commission for further action in terms of the newly published Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation,” said the DHA.

The Code provides rail guards for the conduct of political parties, candidates and anyone acting on political parties’ or candidates’ instruction, authority or for reward across all election-related communication, whether online or offline, paid or unpaid. The Code protects legitimate debate and robust debate.

The department further called on South Africans to help combat the growing scourge of disinformation and incitement by verifying information. –SAnews.gov.za