Category: English

Government has taken a pivotal step towards transforming water security in Limpopo with the commercial close of the first phase of the massive Olifants Management Model (OMM) programme.

The Badirammogo Water User Association (BWUA), a unique 50:50 public-private partnership representing both government and commercial partners, has successfully secured the R8.5 billion in funding required for Stage 1 of the OMM programme.

Government, through the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), collaborated with commercial members including miners, the Infrastructure Fund and a consortium of commercial lenders to bring the programme to life.

“This landmark event marks a critical milestone for one of South Africa’s most significant water infrastructure projects, implemented by BWUA, paving the way for Stage 1 Financial Close and the commencement of construction on a programme designed to transform water security and drive economic growth in Limpopo,” a joint statement by the partners read.

The OMM programme is aimed at providing water to areas including the Sekhukhune District, Mogalakwena Local and Polokwane Local Municipalities in Limpopo.

“Stage 1 of the OMMP is valued at R8.5 billion and comprises the construction of critical bulk raw water pipelines, pump stations and associated water treatment works, and an energy solution.

“At completion, the full OMMP will deliver approximately 263 million cubic metres per day to commercial and institutional users by 2050.

“It is projected to provide potable water to approximately 140 communities – benefiting approximately 390 000 people, supply raw water to key mining and industrial users and create an estimated 42 000 direct, indirect and induced employment opportunities,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is set to announce its new President and Vice-President for the 2025–2030 term. 

This announcement will take place during the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Council on Friday evening in Sandton, Johannesburg. 

According to Section 7 of the Health Professions Act of 1974, Council members are required to elect the President and Vice-President from among themselves at this inaugural meeting.

This election follows the recent official inauguration of the 12 professional boards for the 2025–2030 term, which was completed through a national nomination and ministerial appointment process, as stated by the HPCSA.

Representatives of the new boards and appointees of the Minister will collectively form the new Council that will serve for the next five years.

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will be in attendance at the Council’s Inaugural Gala Dinner this evening.

“The election of the President and Vice-President represents the final step in constituting Council for the new term, ensuring stable governance and continued fulfilment of the HPCSA’s legislative mandate to protect the public and guide the professions,” the advisory read. 

The HPCSA, along with its 12 professional boards, is established to oversee the education, training, and registration of health professionals as outlined by the Health Professions Act.
To protect the public and guide the professions, the Council ensures that practitioners maintain high professional and ethical standards. 

It also investigates complaints against practitioners and ensures that disciplinary actions are taken against those who do not comply with these standards. – SAnews.gov.za

At least 800 National Road Traffic Law-Enforcement Officers, supported by various other law enforcement agencies, will be deployed throughout the festive season to monitor compliance with traffic regulations and maintain safety.

“We began the law enforcement operations in November at an intensified pace. It’s been a year-long campaign, and we have increased our efforts in November and December and will continue doing so through to the end of January,” Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said on Friday.

He was addressing members of the media during a law enforcement operation and festive season road safety activation along the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3 as part of a campaign to educate the public on road safety, focusing on behaviour change, enhanced law enforcement and 24-hour patrols in high-risk areas.

The Department of Transport has identified priority routes that include N1, N2, N3, N4, N17, as well as notorious secondary roads such as the Moloto Road. 

“We are here on the N3, which will remain one of our primary focus areas throughout the festive season as part of the top 20 priority routes identified across the country. 

“Truck drivers are often reckless and irresponsible in how they navigate traffic and manage the flow of movement towards Durban and back. We will be engaging with the Trucking Association next week so that we can develop joint messaging and improve interactions with truck drivers,” the Deputy Minister said.

The 365-day campaign is based on evidence gathered throughout the year, which shows that human error accounts for nine out of ten accidents. 

The law enforcement operations will also focus on bridges and weigh-in-motion assessments for all vehicles to prevent overloading and to ensure that trucks and public transport vehicles — including buses and taxis — do not travel long distances without inspection.

“Our message remains the same. We are asking drivers: please do not drink and drive. Please do not drink and walk or jaywalk.

“Forty-eight percent of our fatalities in the country are pedestrians. We remain deeply concerned about fatigue on the roads, especially during this period of long-distance travel. We urge motorists to rest every 200 kilometres or every two hours,” he said.

The department has established provincial operations across provinces and municipalities as part of an overall approach to share and pool resources for maximum consequence management. 

“We are working with civil society and the private sector as part of a joint national operation for road safety,” he said. 

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has reported that in the first nine days of December, 213 fatal crashes were recorded resulting in 249 fatalities.

This accounts for a 30% decline for both fatal crashes and fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.

For the period ended 30 November 2025,  preliminary reports show crashes at 8 613 and the corresponding number of fatalities at 10 089. 

This is an improvement in comparison to the prior year, where fatal crashes for the period were 9 288 and fatalities were 10 878, this is a reduction of 7.3%. – SAnews.gov.za

In an address marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2025, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has examined South Africa’s healthcare system, challenging the current model of healthcare financing and advocating for transformative change.

“We are sick of unaffordable health costs,” Motsoaledi said in Pretoria on Friday, highlighting the day’s theme.

Universal Health Coverage Day advocates for urgent government efforts to implement UHC, ensuring that everyone can access quality healthcare services without facing financial hardship.

This global campaign is led by the UHC2030, which is a global, multi-stakeholder platform for accelerating sustainable progress towards UHC. It is hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The Minister’s speech traced the historical transitions in healthcare, drawing on The Lancet’s analysis report of three critical epochs, including sanitation, vaccination, and now, UHC. 

“The Lancet says the third transition is on the horizon, and it will signify the time when people don’t have to pay cash for their healthcare needs.”

Motsoaledi said the financialisation of health referred to a growing influence of financial markets, investors, and corporate interests in the healthcare sector. 

“Nobody invests money without expecting profit. But should we do that with sick people,” he questioned.

The Minister shared examples of how financial motivations compromise healthcare, including an anecdote about an elderly patient being prepared for surgery without clear consent or medical necessity.

“Healthcare becomes unaffordable for poor and marginalised communities, exacerbating disparities and inequalities,” Motsoaledi said, adding that the current system prioritises profits over patient well-being.

NHI

The Minister said the solution is the National Health Insurance (NHI), which he described as “a strong global antidote to financialisation of health”.

South Africa has made significant progress toward achieving UHC with the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

The NHI is based on the establishment of a single purchaser, the NHI Fund, which will acquire healthcare services from accredited and contracted providers in both the public and private sectors. 

This initiative aims to ensure that all citizens receive quality, affordable healthcare without facing financial hardship.

This is despite significant legal threats and challenges facing the implementation of the NHI Act, which is part of the country’s transformative agenda. 

He also spoke about a UHC model focusing on comprehensive care that particularly protects women and children, who are “the biggest losers in a financialised system.”

He also touched on South Africa’s potential to lead global healthcare transformation, drawing on the country’s successful HIV treatment campaign of 2010 as proof of what can be achieved when healthcare is prioritised over profit.

The Minister traced significant public health achievements, particularly in HIV/AIDS treatment, where maternal mortality rates dramatically decreased from 240 to just below 99 per 100 000 live births around 2019. 

He highlighted the affordability of a new HIV treatment, lenacapavir, initially priced at US$28 000 per person, now available for US$40 thanks to the Global Fund and other organisations.

South Africa plans to launch lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention method, as early as March 2026.

“We are at the verge of eliminating HIV AIDS as a public health threat in our lifetime,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) will launch the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality on Monday.

The programme which is also known as Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded, will be launched at Uitkyk village near Madikwe on 15 December 2025.

According to the NWPG, this will be the final segment of Thuntsha Lerole for the year, with the next rollout scheduled for January 2026.

Next week’s programme will benefit communities in Uitkyk, Brakuil, Madikwe, Koffiekraal, and Vrede villages.

Services will include the distribution of agricultural packages, food parcels, and tree-planting activities.

Healthcare awareness and promotion activities will be intensified as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public health education.

To restore road quality and support service delivery in rural areas of the local municipality, road blading will take place from Koffiekraal to Uitkyk and from Uitkyk to Madikwe.

In addition, the Clean Cities Campaign will be implemented to address waste management challenges and promote cleanliness in public spaces.

“All provincial government departments and state-owned entities will be on-site to render a range of essential services and address service-related queries from the community members,” the provincial government’s advisory read. 

The Moses Kotane Local Municipality is one of the 10 local municipalities prioritised for the implementation of Phase 5 of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, which is facing a backlog in road maintenance, which affects accessibility for rural residents. 

In addition, the municipality has limited access to proper sanitation in these areas, among other challenges.

The day’s programme will be led by Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, who will be joined by the MECs, Mayors and local traditional leaders. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has honoured South African-born Achim von Arnim, a pioneer of Cap Classique and founder of Haute Cabrière.

The Minister described Von Arnim, who passed away on Monday at the age of 80, as someone who did far more than craft exceptional wines but shifted the trajectory of an entire industry.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Achim von Arnim, a man whose name is woven into the story of South African wine,” the Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

With his curiosity, Steenhuisen said, Von Arnim’s uncompromising standards and unmistakable flair helped South Africa believe its sparkling wines could stand proudly among the world’s best.

“Many producers who have gone on to build their own legacies will quietly tell you that they learned their courage, their palate, or their sense of potential from Achim. Achim leaves behind a hole far larger than the vineyards he tended to or the cellars he had built.”

The Minister reflected on the community of winemakers, farm workers, restaurateurs and loyal customers who were shaped by Von Arnim’s generosity and irrepressible spirit. 

“Furthermore, he leaves behind memories shared around countless family tables where many a Sunday lunch across South Africa was made a little more special by opening a bottle of his iconic Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir.” 

On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, the Minister extended his sincere condolences to Von Arnim’s family, to the team at Haute Cabrière, and to all who walked part of their professional journey with him. 

“South Africa has lost a true legend; however, the imprint Achim von Arnim leaves on our wine culture will endure for generations.” 

According to Wine Magazine, after completing his studies at Geisenheim in Germany, Von Arnim joined Boschendal in the 1970s as a winemaker at the age of just 32, where he created South Africa’s first Blanc de Noir. 

The publication said he later became a founding member of the Cap Classique Association in 1992.

In retirement, Wine Magazine said Von Arnim remained in Franschhoek, dedicating his time to art, poetry and karate. 

The publication said he is survived by his wife, Hildegard, their four children – Takuan, Zoe, Tanja and Tamo – and their grandchildren. – SAnews.gov.za

The Western Cape Mobility Department has expressed its support for the recent ruling by the Western Cape High Court regarding the case involving the MEC for Mobility and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and others.

The court’s decision on Wednesday has made permanent an earlier interim order aimed at reducing violence, intimidation, and illegal operations within the minibus taxi industry. 

The provincial department said the ruling was a significant step towards protecting commuters and restoring stability in the sector.

The legal action was initiated by Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku earlier this year, due to ongoing conflicts between rival associations, CATA and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA).

The disputes were particularly centred around the contested M18 route between Mfuleni and Somerset West.

“Despite attempts to mediate, violence escalated from June 2025 onward, leading to several fatalities and continued threats to public safety. A temporary interdict was granted in August 2025, but violent incidents persisted, including as recently as October.” 

The department said the court’s decision sent a clear message that the rule of law must prevail and the safety of commuters must come first. 

The department said associations were required to comply with all operating licence conditions, and failure to comply with this ruling would result in legal consequences.

“This order is a victory for every commuter who deserves to travel safely and without fear. Violence and lawlessness have no place in our transport system. We will continue to work with law enforcement and industry stakeholders to ensure that the rights of commuters are protected and that the taxi industry operates within the bounds of the law,” said Sileku.

He commended the legal team for their diligent work and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure a safe, reliable, and regulated public transport system.

“Together, we can build a mini-bus taxi industry that serves the people of the Western Cape with dignity and respect,” added Sileku. – SAnews.gov.za