Category: English

Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe has welcomed the strong public support shown during the department’s Agricultural Show at Kirkwood, in the Sarah Baartman District, where farmers successfully marketed and sold their produce.

Addressing attendees at the Phindile Madama Qekeni Multipurpose Hall on Monday, Kontsiwe said the event demonstrated the growing value of agricultural shows as platforms for connecting farmers with consumers and creating economic opportunities.

“These shows are not meant to be places where farmers only showcase their produce; they must also serve as hubs of economic activity. They have long provided a platform for celebrating excellence in farming while promoting market access for smallholder farmers,” Kontsiwe said.

The department reintroduced the agricultural shows last year, where various farmers from Amathole, Chris Hani, Sarah Baartman and OR Tambo District Municipalities had an opportunity to showcase their produce to different stakeholders, including buyers and agricultural experts.

The shows also provide a platform for participants and role players across the agricultural value chain to exhibit products, services, funding opportunities and innovations, while enabling farmers to network and access valuable industry information.

Kontsiwe said the department will continue rolling out the reimagined agricultural show model across all district municipalities, with a stronger focus on improving market access and fostering commercial opportunities for farmers.

She said the shows have evolved from traditional competitive events into vibrant marketplaces that connect farmers directly with potential buyers, financial institutions and agribusiness stakeholders.

Farmer Sanelisiwe Phangelele welcomed the initiative, saying it had created valuable opportunities for producers.

“We are very delighted as farmers to have platforms like these, where we are able to sell our produce. This show has brought exciting opportunities for farmers in terms of markets and gaining more knowledge about our products. We need to continue with these shows so that we can improve our produce, learn from others and have access to the markets,” Phangelele said.

The department said the quarterly shows, which will be hosted across all district municipalities, are expected to bridge the gap between production and markets, empower farmers, stimulate rural economies and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the province’s agricultural value chain. – SAnews.gov.za

The joint meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers responsible for Energy and Water gets underway today, with Ministers expected to thrash out measures aimed at strengthening regional energy security, improving water resource management and advancing sustainable socio-economic development.

Taking place in Pretoria in a hybrid format, the gathering brings together Ministers, senior officials, representatives of the SADC Secretariat, regional institutions, cooperating partners and other stakeholders.
South Africa is hosting the meeting in its capacity as Chair of the relevant SADC Sectoral Committees.

READ | SADC Water and Energy Ministers to meet ahead of Ordinary Summit

The meeting, which will conclude on Friday, will review progress in implementing regional programmes and projects in the energy and water sectors, while providing policy direction on emerging priorities.

“The meeting will bring together Ministers, senior officials, representatives of the SADC Secretariat, regional institutions, cooperating partners and other stakeholders to review progress in implementing regional programmes and projects in the energy and water sectors, while providing policy direction on emerging priorities,” SADC said in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s meeting. 

On the energy agenda, Ministers are expected to review electricity demand and supply across the region, assess progress on regional energy projects and discuss measures to strengthen energy security.

Discussions will also focus on expanding renewable energy deployment, promoting energy efficiency, implementing the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Mission 300 to increase electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, and advancing hydrocarbons infrastructure, including fuel pipelines and storage facilities. – SAnews.gov.za 

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh has urged authorities to strengthen collaboration to ensure the successful prosecution of those involved in the illegal trade of fisheries resources.

Addressing South African authorities, including prosecutors, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Coastal Marine Task Force (CMTF), at a training session in KwaZulu-Natal, Singh said every purchase of unlawfully harvested marine resources contributes to the depletion of a national asset.

The training comes amid reports of the persistent illegal sale of crayfish (East Coast rock lobster) along the N2 near Hibberdene.

“What may seem like a simple roadside transaction is often the visible end of a longer criminal chain involving unlawful harvesting, storage, transport, and sale. These activities place unsustainable pressure on our marine resources, undermine lawful fishers, endanger enforcement officers and the public, and erode respect for the law,” the Deputy Minister said in Scottburgh.

Singh emphasised that protecting South Africa’s marine, coastal and natural resources cannot be the responsibility of any single institution, sphere of government or category of official.

He said this requires seamless, well-coordinated synergy across the entire enforcement and prosecutorial chain.

“Coordinated intelligence, lawful and careful investigation, properly preserved evidence, sound charge sheets, informed prosecutorial decisions, and consistent court follow-through must all function as integrated parts of a single, effective system,” Singh said.

Through the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy, government has allocated long-term fishing rights to 172 cooperatives representing approximately 10 000 fishers.

“We are now shifting focus towards practical support — markets, infrastructure, cold storage, processing facilities, governance, and business development — so that lawful users can thrive.

“Effective enforcement protects the space for these lawful participants to succeed. When we fail to prosecute transgressors robustly, we undermine the very opportunities we are creating for coastal communities and future generations,” Singh said.

During the period April to June 2026 alone, joint operations opened six case dockets under the Marine Living Resources Act, led to nine arrests, issued 22 admission-of-guilt fines totalling R42 000, and resulted in significant confiscations, including 352 linefish valued at R176 000, East Coast rock lobster valued at R31 500, and 47 illegal gillnets valued at R21 150.

“These outcomes demonstrate the power of coordinated intelligence-led enforcement. Yet we must be honest: while progress has been made, challenges remain. Gillnetting continues to devastate estuaries, and complex cases involving undocumented foreign nationals add layers of difficulty. 

“Illegal development in sensitive coastal areas such as Umgababa, forestry transgressions, and other offences all require the same integrated response across the enforcement chain,” the Deputy Minister said.

Singh said these successes, as well as persistent challenges, underscore a central truth: effective environmental enforcement is not measured only by arrests and confiscations, but ultimately by successful prosecutions, appropriate sentencing and the ability to protect resources for present and future generations.

“This requires every link in the chain —investigators, compliance officials, and prosecutors — to understand each other’s operational realities, evidentiary requirements, and procedural needs,” he said.

Over the two-day training, authorities will cover key areas, including the Marine Living Resources Act; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; the Integrated Coastal Management Act; off-road vehicle controls; municipal development enforcement; forestry legislation; mining and water-use compliance; biodiversity offences; and Marine Protected Areas. –SAnews.gov.za

Over 13 000 suspects were nabbed for various offences in nationwide Operation Shanela II police operations.

A total 13 020 suspects were arrested in operations carried out between 06 and 12 July 2026.

Amongst those arrested are 1 886 individuals wanted for serious and violent crimes including murder, rape, armed robbery and hijacking. 

In addition, 105 individuals were arrested for murder with the majority of the arrests having been made in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Police also arrested 138 suspects for rape while 276 others were cuffed for dealing in drugs.

For the contravention of the Immigration Act, 2089 illegal foreign nationals were nabbed of which 801 were apprehended by police in Gauteng. In addition, 523 people were arrested for driving under the influence while 488 others were nabbed for the possession of dangerous weapons among others.

Meanwhile, police recovered 46 stolen or hijacked vehicles while also seizing 100 unlicensed firearms including handguns, shotguns, and rifles. 

In addition, a multidisciplinary law enforcement operation, conducted at Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria, Gauteng on 07 July 2026, resulted in the arrest of 217 suspects.

“Operation Prosper was led by police in Gauteng in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Sibanye Protection Services and Fidelity Specialised Services. The operation targeted illegal mining activities and related criminal offences in the area,” said the police.

In a separate operation, SAPS in collaboration with SANDF arrested 120 illegal miners in Mohlakeng, West Rand District. The suspects face charges related to possession of gold bearing material and contravention of the Immigration Act.

“Our men and women in blue remain hard at work to ensure a safer and more secure country for all,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in partnership with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), has officially launched a coffee bean production project at the state-owned Kgora Farmer Training Centre near Ramatlabama in Mahikeng.

First announced by MEC Madoda Sambatha during the department’s Budget Vote and Policy Speech, the project aims to diversify agricultural production, creating new economic opportunities and supporting emerging farmers in the province.

The initiative will focus on coffee cultivation, processing and value addition, as well as creating market opportunities for locally produced coffee. The project also includes the construction of a processing facility that will enable the on-site de-husking, roasting and packaging of coffee beans and granules.

The project is expected to create employment opportunities, transfer agricultural and processing skills to farmers, and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector in the North West. It will also explore opportunities to access local and international markets, including potential exports to Turkey and other countries.

Speaking at the launch on Monday, Sambatha said the partnership with TIKA demonstrates the department’s commitment to introducing new agricultural opportunities that can benefit farmers and rural communities.

“This project marks an important step towards diversifying agriculture in the North West. Through our partnership with TIKA, we are introducing a new commodity that has the potential to create jobs, support farmers and open new market opportunities. We appreciate TIKA’s support in helping us establish this project,” Sambatha said.

He also highlighted that the project has the potential to expand beyond Kgora Farmer Training Centre and could be replicated in other districts if it proves successful.

“Our aim is for this project to grow and benefit more communities across the province. As we implement it, we will assess opportunities to expand coffee production to other areas and ensure that more farmers can participate in this value chain,” he said.

As part of its contribution, TIKA has provided coffee trees and processing equipment and will continue supporting the project through technical assistance, skills development, and market access support.

Most beneficiaries are drawn from communities surrounding the Kgora Farmer Training Centre and Ramatlabama area, ensuring that local residents benefit from skills development, employment opportunities and economic activities linked to the project.

The department believes the coffee bean production project will contribute to agricultural innovation, strengthen value addition, and support the development of a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector in the North West Province. – SAnews.gov.za
 

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for urgent action to eliminate fragmentation within the province’s skills development system.

Speaking at the close of the Third Term KwaZulu-Natal Human Resource Development (HRD) Council orientation, held recently in Umhlanga, Ntuli, who chairs the provincial HRD Council, said greater coordination, accountability and capacity building within the skills development ecosystem are essential to addressing the growing mismatch between available skills and labour market demands.

He urged Council members to rely on credible data and statistics to help the province eradicate misalignment and mismatches in the skills required in the current employment sector.

“The time for sugar-coating issues is over. Now is the time to tell us the things we do not want to hear so that we can solve the pertinent issue of chronic unemployment among the youth, especially graduates.

“This chronic unemployment is a ticking time bomb, which when left unattended, will lead to our destruction. Unemployment is a sore thumb and a painful thorn in the flesh of the province,” Ntuli said.

The Premier said the Human Resource Development Council has a responsibility to provide practical, honest and evidence-based guidance that will help government, institutions of higher learning and industry to respond more effectively to the province’s unemployment crisis.

He noted that skills development initiatives must be directly aligned with the lived realities of communities and the province’s economic challenges.

Ntuli also congratulated newly appointed Human Resource Development Council members, saying they had already demonstrated a willingness to confront the province’s unemployment and skills challenges.

“This is the calibre of leaders that our Human Resource Development Council deserves. Leaders who are not afraid to tackle unemployment and skills challenges head-on,” Ntuli said.

In an effort to address issues related to the local economy, Ntuli announced plans to convene a roundtable on the spaza shop economy. He said the roundtable will be aligned with the development of entrepreneurial skills and the broader objective of expanding opportunities for local economic participation.

“Human Resource Development cannot be pursued at the expense of the lived realities that face our people on a daily basis,” Ntuli said.

The Premier also said the ongoing debate around undocumented foreign nationals laid bare the question of skills facing local citizens, particularly in relation to access to opportunities and participation in the economy.

He concluded his remarks by urging Human Resource Development Council members to act with urgency in resolving the skills mismatch and misalignment facing KwaZulu-Natal and the country.

Ntuli said the Council must play a decisive role in building a skilled, responsive and competitive workforce capable of supporting economic growth, reducing unemployment and creating meaningful opportunities for young people across the province. – SAnews.gov.za

The Board of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has resolved to place its Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Dlamini, on precautionary suspension following allegations of impropriety against him contained in a whistleblower report submitted last month.

Dlamini was placed on precautionary suspension in line with the PIC’s whistleblower policy.

In a statement on Monday, the Board said it believed it was necessary to give Dlamini sufficient space and time to respond to the allegations.

“In line with applicable labour legislation and internal PIC policies, the precautionary suspension is intended to ensure a fair, objective and independent investigation into these allegations.

“The suspension does not, in any way, constitute a finding nor is it a pronouncement of any wrongdoing on the part of the CEO. The Board is finalising interim arrangements for the position of Acting CEO and will make further announcements in due course.”

The Board also resolved that Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) Acting Chief Investment Officer August Van Heerden will cease serving in the position.

It has appointed Leon Smit, the current Head of Fixed Income in Listed Investments at the PIC, as Acting Chief Investment Officer to ensure stability and the optimum management of PIC investment decisions.

The Board said Smit is a highly accomplished investment professional with more than three decades of experience in fixed income, treasury management and financial markets.

He joined the PIC in August 2000 and currently leads the management of listed fixed income investments and cash flows in accordance with client mandates.

He is responsible for overseeing the PIC’s listed fixed income dealing activities in the domestic market and driving investment performance while maintaining prudent risk management.

Smit holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Economics from the University of Pretoria and has completed advanced qualifications in Treasury Management, Financial Markets, and Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS).

He has previously acted as Chief Investment Officer for several interim periods.

The Board said it remains committed to the highest standards of governance and institutional integrity. –SAnews.gov.za