Category: English

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has encouraged the public to nominate women, youth, and persons with disabilities to serve as members of the Council of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), in line with government’s commitment to promote diversity and inclusion. 

In a statement on Thursday, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, reopened the call for nominations to the general public to nominate suitable persons to serve SAHRA from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2028. 

“Nominated candidates should possess broad knowledge and skills on the Council, inter alia, in the fields of archaeology, architecture, amasiko, law paleontology, shipwrecks, social history, victims of conflict and urban planning, managerial and financial expertise, legal knowledge and knowledge of marketing and liaison, fundraising, education and cultural/social research, as well as a willingness to render community service.

“Individuals who have already been nominated during the previous call must not resubmit their nominations. All previously submitted nominations remain valid and will be considered,” the department said.

Anyone wishing to nominate persons to serve as members of Council of the South African Heritage Resources Agency should submit the following:

• A letter containing full names, address, and telephone numbers of the nominee, giving reasons for nomination.
• Recently updated Curriculum Vitae of the nominee, including three contactable references.
• A brief statement signed by the nominee accepting the nomination and explaining his/her suitability for appointment.
• Certified copies of qualifications and ID document.

“No nomination will be considered unless all of the above are included. Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. Should you not be contacted within three months from the closing date, consider your nomination unsuccessful. Suitability and background checks will be conducted prior to the appointment of recommended candidates,” the department said.

The closing date for nominations is 26 June 2025.

Nominations must be submitted by email to SAHRA.Nominations@dsac.gov.za. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has confirmed that the provincial government is ready for the upcoming winter season. 

Several days of cold and wet weather are forecasted for the remainder of this week and into next week in the Western Cape. 

Bredell announced that disaster and emergency services will closely monitor the situation to respond swiftly where needed.

“The Provincial Disaster Management Centre coordinates and supports the district disaster centres, and each local municipality in the province knows what is expected during the coming winter months to keep people safe,” Bredell said.

In light of the recent tragic drowning of a young woman at a low-level bridge in Slanghoek, Bredell emphasised the importance of reminding the public about safety precautions during inclement weather.

In addition, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre has advised residents to create a household emergency plan to ensure they know what to do in the event of a flood.

“Assess where you live, as your home may flood if you are near a river or if there is poor drainage. Assemble a grab-and-go kit and keep it in a designated, easily accessible location,” the centre said.

The grab-and-go kit should contain:

•    Important documents such as IDs, passports, birth certificates, policies and clinic cards.

•    Cellphone charger.

•    Essential medication and copies of prescriptions.

•    Credit cards and money.

•    First aid kit. 

“We appeal to the public not to litter or dump in stormwater drains, as this will stop the water from draining away and cause even more flooding,” Bredell said.

When heavy rains occur, it is important to keep the following points in mind:

•    Stay informed and heed warnings. Listen to the radio or check reliable social media sources, such as the South African Weather Services or your local municipality, for updates on areas at risk of flooding.

•    Store a supply of drinking water.

•    If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately.

•    If told to evacuate by authorities, please do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances.

•    Avoid areas, roads, and passes that are subject to sudden flooding.

•    Avoid damaged live electrical infrastructure.

•    Avoid walking or driving through flooded roads. Just 15 cm of fast-moving water can knock you down, and a depth of two feet can float a car. Never attempt to walk, swim, or drive through rapidly flowing water.

•    Avoid contact with flood water as it can be mixed with sewerage, oil, fuel, or dangerous chemicals.

•    Prevent children from playing in and near flood waters. 

Bredell asked the public to trust and listen to emergency personnel when instructions are issued relating to flood prevention or during rescue operations. 

“These men and women are trained to keep us safe, and they risk their own lives to do this. We can reduce these risks by giving our full cooperation and sharing a mindset of rather safe than sorry.” 

On Friday last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to offer support and assess the damage following the recent floods that killed about 90 people.

The floods have caused widespread destruction to homes, government facilities, roads, hospitals, and schools, highlighting the urgent need to tackle climate change.

President Ramaphosa said that this is becoming a new reality for South Africa, with both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal experiencing recurring annual disasters. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Ten additional black rhinos have been successfully translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique to help secure the first founder population of black rhinos since becoming locally extinct 50 years ago.

The rhinos, including five males and five females, were donated by South Africa’s provincial conservation entity, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks Foundation. 

The translocation was made possible through funding from the United Kingdom’s People’s Postcode Lottery.

By reintroducing wildlife to areas where the species once thrived, biodiversity is restored. The preservation of natural ecosystems is one of the most effective tools in mitigating climate change. Through the creation of ecosystem ‘carbon sinks’, these ecosystems can increase global carbon uptake by up to 12 times.

With 37 rhinos already introduced and thriving, this initiative aims to enhance biodiversity and reinforce the park as Mozambique’s only ‘big five’ national park, setting a new standard for wildlife conservation and ecological restoration.

Peace Parks Foundation approached Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for a donation of black rhinos to boost the numbers to form a viable breeding population of black rhinos in Mozambique. 

An agreement was reached on the ten rhinos sourced from Ithala Game Reserve and Ezemvelo’s three Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. The rhinos were initially relocated to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, where they were housed in specially prepared holding facilities in preparation for the 48-hour journey to Zinave.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, described this as a significant conservation success.

Goerge commended the Government of Mozambique and its co-management partner, Peace Parks Foundation, on achieving this important milestone, noting that establishing new founder populations is one of many critical interventions to secure the future of these species.

“South Africa’s successes in rhino conservation and the implementation of anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts have stabilised its rhino populations, thereby placing the country in a position as a source of rhino for range States in Africa which have either lost many or all of their rhino and wish to re-establish populations or augment current populations, as is the case with this translocation. 

“The export and import of these valuable black rhinos have been done in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora’s legislation of both countries,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

To ensure successful translocation and compliance with all the required permits, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Management Inspectors (EMIs), together with officials from Border Management Authority (BMA), played a crucial role during the loading and endorsement of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permits at the ports of exit. 

During the loading this week, the departmental EMIs ensured that all the allocated microchip numbers, as prescribed in the CITES permits, correspond with those inserted in the live rhino.

The first rhinos were successfully translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in 2022, in the longest road transfer of rhinos ever undertaken. 

This initiative, the result of a partnership between Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks Foundation, marked the beginning of Mozambique’s efforts to rebuild founder white and black rhino populations as part of a national conservation initiative to reintroduce rhinos in the country. 

In 2023, Peace Parks received a funding award of £800,000, raised by players of the UK People’s Postcode Lottery towards the translocation of ten more black rhinos to Zinave, which enabled this critical next phase in rhino rewilding.

“Supporting the rewilding of critically endangered species like the black rhino is at the heart of what we believe in — creating lasting impact for people and planet. I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been able to support Peace Parks Foundation. 

“This historic translocation to Zinave National Park simply wouldn’t have happened without player-raised funding. It’s a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together across borders to restore nature and protect our shared future,” Managing Director of UK People’s Postcode Lottery Clara Govier said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has welcomed delegates from across the world to the Future Hospitality Summit Africa which is currently underway in Cape Town.

For over a decade the Future Hospitality Summit Africa – previously known as AHIF – has served as a launchpad for hospitality investment across the continent, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming Africa’s tourism and hospitality landscape. 

The summit, which began on Tuesday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), gathers global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders who are dedicated to turning potential into reality. The summit concludes on Thursday, 19 June.

In his address, Meyer emphasised the province’s dynamic role in shaping the future of the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“Cape Town is not just a backdrop; it is a beacon of possibility. But our world-class infrastructure, stable governance, and vibrant economic ecosystem make the Western Cape Africa’s gateway to investment,” Meyer said. 

The MEC also touched on the upcoming Western Cape Investment Summit 2025, which is set to take place from 5-7 November.

This summit serves as a transformative platform aimed at connecting global capital with high-impact opportunities.

Aligned with the province’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, the summit seeks to attract R200 billion in direct investment, to develop an inclusive R1 trillion economy that grows at an annual rate of 3-5% by 2035.

According to the provincial department, the hospitality and tourism sectors are essential components of this vision.

In April 2025, Cape Town’s hotels recorded an impressive occupancy rate of 72.5%, along with a 20.1% year-on-year increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Meanwhile, the luxury properties led the charge, reinforcing the city’s status as a global tourism hub.

The summit will showcase investment-ready projects across nine sectors, with tourism and hospitality offering premium experiences, cultural capital, and tech-driven innovation. 

The gathering will provide streamlined regulatory support, expedited approvals, and direct access to key decision-makers.
Meyer concluded with a call to action to join the Western Cape Investment Summit 2025, aiming to shape the future of hospitality and tourism in Africa.

“Together, we can create jobs, uplift communities, and position the Western Cape as Africa’s investment leader.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Electoral Commission of South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo, says the Party Funding in SA symposium has been convened to assess the implementation and impact of South Africa’s political funding law.

The first-ever symposium on political funding follows four years of implementing the Political Funding Act of 2018, which came into effect on 1 April 2021.

Held under the theme: “Sustaining Multi-Party Democracy through Enhancing Political Funding Regulation in South Africa”, the symposium aims to foster informed dialogue on matters related to the use of money in politics, promote transparency and accountability models, as well as possible reforms to ensure an effective political finance regulatory regime in South Africa.

WATCH |

Speaking at the two-day symposium held in Durban, Mamabolo on Wednesday said an assessment of the effectiveness of disclosure mechanisms for political parties must be conducted.

“While the [Political Funding Act] was designed to enhance transparency, concerns remain about the opacity of certain contributions, the adequacy of public reporting and the efficacy of the enforcement framework,” he said.

He said they must consider the law’s impact on the promotion of multi-party democracy.  

“As is always necessary in evaluating regulatory frameworks, comparative analysis will be provided to juxtapose our own experiences with regulatory frameworks that… from other democracies around the world.

“I urge all participants, regardless of ideological persuasion, to see this moment not as a burden, but as an opportunity, a chance to improve a law that touches the very soul of our democratic practice,” Mamabolo said.

He said the symposium must evaluate the current framework with a view to providing the policymaker, which is Parliament, with proposals to strengthen the regulatory framework.

“Let our debates be rigorous, but respectful. Let our differences sharpen the outcome, not delay it, and let our unity be in service of something far greater than any single party: our democracy itself,” he said.

The symposium convenes a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from political parties, Members of Parliament, academia, civil society, media, the business sector, as well as international and intergovernmental organisations. 

In Pictures | Symposium on political party funding in SA 

– SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is today hosting a Provincial Day of Mourning in honour of the victims of last week’s floods.

Thursday’s ceremony which will take place at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Mthatha will bring together government leaders and community members to pay tribute to the lives lost in the storms.

The death toll in the tragedy currently stands at 92, including a teenage girl whose body was recovered along the Mthatha River on Wednesday. The total number of fatalities in Mthatha alone are at 68.

“Mthatha in the OR Tambo District Municipality remain the hardest hit across the province and the number of deceased persons may continue to rise. Progress has been made with the processing of the bodies as 86 bodies have now been positively identified, with 83 collected by family members.

“Five bodies remain unidentified. The Provincial Government is still urging members of the public to report any missing persons at their nearest police station to assist ongoing recovery and identification efforts,” provincial spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie said in a statement.

Rantjie said the provincial government continues to work tirelessly to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to 4 308 individuals that have been left homeless across the province.

Processes are underway to ensure the provision of Temporary Residential Units (TRUs).

“Significant progress has also been made in the restoration of critical infrastructure. The OR Tambo District Municipality has reported steady advancements in the restoration of water supply systems. Full restoration is anticipated across all affected areas by Friday, 21 June 2025,” Rantjie said.

READ | Death toll in Eastern Cape floods rises to 90

In the Amathole District Municipality, operations at the Butterworth Water Treatment Works (WTW) have resumed following the successful repairs to the high lift and backwash pumps. Water supply has also been restored in most areas.

However, the provincial government said high-lying communities are still facing limited access as the system stabilises, and this will take some additional time to recover fully.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and conduct assessments to quantify the full restoration across all affected communities.

Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has commended South Africans and the world for the provision of much needed support to reach people in dire need.

“We are encouraged by the outpouring of love and support from all corners of the globe. The Provincial Government remains committed to working alongside municipalities, national departments, and civil society to restore dignity and livelihoods across the province,” Mabuyane said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: South Africa News Agency

As of 31 March 2025, total consumers debt owed to municipalities amounted to R416.1 billion when compared to R347.6 billion that was reported in the same period in 2023/24.

This is according to a report released by National Treasury on local government revenue and expenditure for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

“A total amount of R10.8 billion or 2.6% has been written off as bad debt. The largest component of this debt relates to households and represents 72% or R299.5 billion (73 % or R253.6 billion in the same period in 2023/24 financial year),” National Treasury said on Wednesday.

The third quarter publication covers 257 municipalities on financial information and conditional grant information.

“The government debt accounts for 6% or R24.9 billion (R21 billion reported in the same period in 2023/24) of the total outstanding debtors.

“Total outstanding creditors owed by municipalities as at 31 March 2025 amount to R131.8 billion an increase from R106.7 billion reported in the same quarter in 2023/24. R111.8 billion or 84.8% has been outstanding for more than 90 days,” said Treasury.

Provinces with the highest percentage of outstanding municipal creditors in the category greater than 90 days include the Free State at 94.4%, Mpumalanga at 93.9%, the Northern Cape at 93.8%, and the North West at 84.4%. 

An increase in outstanding creditors could be an indication that municipalities are experiencing liquidity and cash challenges and consequently are delaying the settlement of outstanding debt owed.

“Analysis of the collection rates indicates that while municipalities’ average collection rate on the adjusted budget is 85%, the aggregated actual collection against billed and other revenue is only 63.6 percent. The metros budgeted (adjusted budget) for a 87.9% collection rate and collected only 58.2%. The secondary cities budgeted billing was 86.3% and the actual collection was 69.7%,” it explained.

Municipal spending

As at 31 March 2025, aggregate spending by municipalities was at 64.9% or R432.2 billion of the total adjusted expenditure budget of R665.9 billion.

“Aggregated billing and other revenue was 71.7% or R478 billion of the total adjusted revenue budget of R666.8 billion.

“Capital expenditure was R26.4 billion or 33.6% of the adjusted capital budget of R78.5 billion.

“The adjusted operating expenditure budget was R587.5 billion, of which R405.8 billion or 69.1 per cent) was spent by 31 March 2025.”

Municipalities adjusted their salaries and wages (including remuneration of Councillors) budget from R162.6 billion in the adopted budget to R161.1 billion in the adjusted budget for the 2024/25 financial year, representing a R1.5 billion or a 0.9% decrease. 

The budget for salaries and wages constituted 27.4 % of the total adjusted operating expenditure budget of R587.5 billion. 

As at 31 March 2025, R114.2 billion or 70.9% of the adjusted salary budget was spent.

Conditional Grants

As at 31 March 2025, municipalities were allocated R44.7 billion for direct conditional grants, of which R38.9 billion has been transferred. 

This amount excludes the Equitable Share allocation, Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) as a supplementary capital allocation to metropolitan municipalities as well as indirect grants. 

National Transferring Officers (NTOs) reported spending of R25 billion, or 55.9%, while municipalities reported spending of R19.5 billion or 43.7% of the total allocation. 

In comparison, during the same period in the previous financial year, NTOs reported 58.8% against the total adjusted allocation for direct conditional grants, while municipalities reported expenditure of 46.8 %.

“There are several factors that attributed to the overall underspending of the conditional grants by municipalities during the 2024/25 financial year. Some of these factors include late submissions of business and implementation plans which hindered timely implementation, while persistent Supply Chain Management (SCM) challenges disrupted procurement processes. 

“These issues not only affected grant performance in the third quarter but also led to reduced allocations for many municipalities during the adjustment budget process as uncommitted funds were reallocated to better-performing municipalities.

“The impact of these challenges highlights the need for stronger municipal planning, more efficient SCM systems, and stricter enforcement of procurement regulations to prevent similar underspending in the future.”

Treasury said the third quarter infrastructure grant performance presents a mixed picture, with R23.8 billion or 56.3% expended from the R42.8 billion allocation. 

“While showing moderate overall progress, significant disparities exist between better-performing grants and those facing implementation challenges. While this demonstrates moderate progress, the performance varies considerably across different grants, with some showing effective implementation and others lagging behind.

“While some grants such as the Integrated Urban Development Grant (IUDG), Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the Regional Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) demonstrate efficient spending with expenditure over 60% by the end of the third quarter, others like the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant (MDRG) and the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) remain severely underperforming. 

“This inconsistency highlights the need for a more balanced approach in grant management, such as rewarding well-performing municipalities with additional support while imposing stricter consequences for chronic underspending. Without urgent corrective measures, critical service delivery backlogs will continue to worsen,” National Treasury said. 

Further details on this report can be accessed on the National Treasury’s website: www.treasury.gov.za . – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

As part of efforts to revitalise South Africa’s proclaimed fishing harbours, government has installed new, high-visibility signage at nine key sites across the Western Cape.

While harbour infrastructure falls under the mandate of other departments, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment remains committed to doing everything within its scope to promote operational efficiency and a welcoming, well-managed environment across all proclaimed fishing harbours.

“These signage upgrades are more than cosmetic. They are a statement of intent. They reflect our department’s commitment to restore dignity, pride and functionality to communities who rely on our working harbours,” the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said on Wednesday.

Nine of the Western Cape’s 12 proclaimed fishing harbours now sport newly installed, high-quality signage.

The upgrades reflect government’s visible commitment to revitalising coastal communities.

The following harbours now have new signage in place:

• Kalk Bay – Completed on 18 June 2025.
• Hout Bay – Completed on 18 June 2025.
• Elands Bay – Completed on 16 June 2025.
• Doring Bay – Completed on 16 June 2025.
• Saldanha Bay (Pepperbay) – Completed on 16 June 2025.
• Lamberts Bay – Completed on 14 June 2025.
• St Helena Bay (Sandy Point) – Completed on 12 June 2025.
• Laaiplek – Completed on 12 June 2025.
• Yzerfontein – Initial signage installed on 25 April 2025, with further enhancements planned.

For the remaining harbours — Arniston, Stilbay, Struisbay, Hermanus, Gansbaai and Gordons Bay — site visits have been completed, and signage is prepared for transportation and installation. 

Final installation dates will be announced soon.

The department said close collaboration with local teams is key to ensuring that all remaining harbours soon reflect the same level of visible progress. 

The signage project underscores the department’s broader commitment to rejuvenating fishing communities, promoting sustainable development, and restoring the Western Cape’s harbours as vibrant centres of economic and cultural activity.

“We are determined to uplift and improve our harbours to unlock their economic potential. Our teams are working tirelessly to finalise the remaining installations, and we look forward to celebrating the full revitalisation of these harbours,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

eThekwini Municipality strengthens ties in UAE to advance smart city

GabiK
Thu, 06/19/2025 – 09:02