Category: English

The renewable energy industry is a “defining opportunity” for African countries to leverage its vast resources to re-industrialise, create dignified employment opportunities for youth and power a new wave of skills development.

This according to Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, who was speaking at a side event of the G20 4th Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meetings.

“For Africa, this is the defining challenge and the defining opportunity of our century. Our continent holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources, vast wind potential, and many of the critical minerals that underpin the global clean energy economy. But our greatest asset is our people. Young, innovative, and ready to build. 

“This combination gives Africa the chance to leapfrog into a new era of re-industrialisation, one that connects renewable energy to manufacturing, beneficiation, and regional value chain development,” she said.

Pressing further, the Deputy Minister explained how the continent’s vast resources can be turned from resources to sources of economic growth.

“It means using our solar and wind energy to manufacture green steel, electric mobility components, hydrogen derivatives and the equipment needed for the energy transition itself. 

“It also means designing this growth to be inclusive, creating dignified jobs for our youth, supporting small businesses and ensuring community sharing the benefits,” Graham-Maré said.

She cited the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Cape Town and the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), in the Eastern Cape, as models of this transformation.

The Atlantis SEZ is a hub for local manufacturing of renewable energy components while Coega IDZ is positioned as a hydrogen export hub.

“These hubs represent more than clusters of factories. They are ecosystems of innovation. They bring together clean energy supply, industrial activities, research institutions, and communities in a single integration level. When done right, they can transform regional economies and demonstrate how industrial policy, energy policy, and social policy intersect. 

“But we are still in the very early stage of this journey. Scaling such efforts will require coordinated investment, enabling policy frameworks, and above all, strong partnerships. 

“Building green industrialisation hubs is not something any single sector can do on its own. It is about systems working together. It starts with policy coherence, aligning industrial, energy, and trade policies, so that clean energy doesn’t just power homes, it powers factories,” she said.

Co-development of technology, de-risking investment capital and public-private partnerships are also key to Africa’s renewable energy re-industrialisation.

“This is how we build an industrial transition that is coordinated, inclusive and sustainable. Each of these levers, policy, skills, technology, finance, forms part of a wider system, that would determine whether Africa can industrialise sustainably and competitively.

“This is where the G20 leadership is vital. G20 economies hold the policy tools, capital and markets that can help unlock a just and inclusive industrial transition in the global South. 

“True G20 leadership means recognising that sustainable industrialisation in Africa, is not peripheral to the global energy transition. It is central to it. It means viewing Africa not as a recipient of technology, but as a partner. We need predictable climate finance frameworks, open and fair trade for low carbon goods and platforms for…co-investment,” the Deputy Minister said.

She highlighted that South Africa’s G20 Presidency is committed to creating platforms for collaboration – bringing together governments, industry and international partners to “connect clean energy, manufacturing and innovation so that each strengthens the other”.

“These efforts are part of a broader movement to build capacity, share data, and accelerate sustainable industrialisation across the global south,” she noted.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged that as the energy transition gains momentum, South Africa “will not leave behind” those industries and communities tied to coal intensive sectors.

“We will bring them with us, turning former coal regions into new green industrial hubs, and giving proud workers new opportunities for the future. Colleagues, Africa’s industrial future will not be imported. It will be built with our energy, our ideas, and our partnerships. 

“If we get this right, Africa will not only power its own development, it will help power the world’s transition to sustainability. This is not just about out energy or industry. It’s about dignity, opportunity and agency. It’s about insurance that the transition, we are all part of, delivers prosperity for all. 

“Together, we can build a future where Africa’s green industrialisation is not a distant aspiration, but a living reality. One which is African in origin, global in impact and sustainable by design,” Graham-Maré concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya has reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring timely stipend payments for Education Assistants and General School Assistants under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

Speaking at a joint media briefing on Wednesday in Pretoria, Sibiya said the recent delays under Phase V of the programme were resolved, following intensive engagement between the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

“Following intensive engagements that continued late into the night, government has now resolved the payment impasse. As of this morning, the UIF has released funds for stipend payments, and Education Assistants and General School Assistants began receiving their payments from 10am,” he said.

Beneficiaries banking with Capitec and FNB have already received their stipends, while those with other financial institutions will receive their payments according to standard inter-bank clearance times.

Sibiya emphasised that the BEEI is a multi-departmental partnership designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and proper oversight.

“The UIF provides the financial backbone of the programme. The IDC ensures payments are processed efficiently and transparently, while the DBE oversees implementation in schools, including attendance tracking and coordination with provinces. This collaboration demonstrates the strength of the South African state when institutions work together in unity and in service of the people,” he said.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged that delays were due to compliance requirements under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and not neglect. He also apologised for the hardship caused to thousands of young South Africans. 

“We must always uphold integrity when managing public funds, but we also acknowledge that delays in verification caused undue hardship for thousands of young people, and for that, government unreservedly apologises,” he said.

To prevent future delays, Sibiya outlined a corrective plan, including timely submission of compliance documents and attendance registers, a joint technical team to fast-track verification, improvements to the Kwantu Payment System, and proactive monitoring by the UIF.

“These steps represent a government that learns, adapts, and acts, not one that hides behind process, but one that transforms process into progress,” he said.

He further stressed that the resolution does not mark the end of accountability. The BEEI project will be a standing item in senior management and interdepartmental review meetings, and consequence management will follow where negligence is identified.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that the initiative has created 158,000 employment opportunities for young South Africans, providing work experience, training, and skills development.

“These young people are not beneficiaries, they are contributors to our social progress. Your government has heard you, and today, we have acted,” said Sibiya.

He concluded by emphasising government’s determination to strengthen collaboration between the DBE and DEL, to ensure timely payments, faster verification through digital tools, and transparent communication about programme progress.

“Interdepartmental unity is a model we want to replicate across other youth employment and skills development programmes nationwide. Our people do not want excuses; they want delivery. And that is exactly what we are doing today,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Three former employees of the Gauteng West Department of Education have been convicted and sentenced for theft and fraud, by the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

The former employees, Thaniso Ralethe (37), Kenneth Maredi Mothiang (43) and Banyana Caroline Mokela (50), were employed by the department between 2014 and 2015, when they fraudulently created ghost employees on the department’s payroll system and assigned them to Bekkersdal Primary School. 

The scheme was uncovered when the school submitted a request to the department to fill vacant posts, prompting an internal review that revealed the fraudulent activity.

Following the discovery, the case was reported to the police, resulting to the arrest of the three officials, who subsequently resigned from the department in December 2015.

On 23 May 2025, the court found the trio guilty, and on 02 October 2025, they were sentenced as follows: Thaniso Ralethe was sentenced to three years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, on condition that no similar offence is committed during the suspension period.

Kenneth Maredi Mothiang was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with four years wholly suspended, on condition that no similar offence is committed during the suspension period. The accused was sentenced to an effective six years imprisonment.

Banyana Caroline Mokela was sentenced to an effective eight years imprisonment. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has denied claims that government funded the repatriation of local Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists who were detained in Israel. 

The department clarified that the activists’ return was made possible through financial support from their families and solidarity groups.

“The South African Government’s role has been one of diplomatic facilitation and engagement with all relevant parties,” the department explained. 

The delegation was expected to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning after they safely landed in Jordan, where they were welcomed by South Africa’s Ambassador to Jordan, Tselane Mokuena, yesterday.

South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner, Reaaz Moolla, Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.

Minister Ronald Lamola has since reiterated government’s profound gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to this successful outcome through their cooperation and support.

The GSF set sail from Barcelona, Spain, in early September and was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters as it approached Gaza. 

Reports indicate that Israeli police arrested over 470 people who were on board the flotilla boats.

The GSF is an international initiative led by civil society, launched in June of this year.

The movement aims to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, raise awareness about the urgent needs of the Palestinian people, and emphasise the necessity of ending the conflict in Gaza.

On Monday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that 171 activists from the flotilla, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were deported from Israel to Greece and Slovakia.

The deportees are citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Serbia, and the United States. – SAnews.gov.za