Category: English

Source: Government of South Africa

An agreement to enhance collaboration in research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in science, technology, and innovation (STI) to promote sustainable development.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC), in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The NRF is an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The organisations said that this move marks a significant milestone in South-South cooperation.

UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) that aims to promote peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.

ISTIC is a leading international platform offering sustainable programmes and services in producing holistic talents towards institutional excellence and augmenting sustainable development for South-South Cooperation.

The MoU was signed by Dr Nare Prudence Makhura, the Executive Director of International Grants and Partnerships at the NRF, during a high-level ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. 

Also present were senior officials, researchers, and partners from both countries.

“This strategic partnership aims to facilitate collaborative research, enhance capacity-building for early- and mid-career researchers in the Global South, and promote the exchange of knowledge, scientific expertise, and innovation.”

Areas of focus include water, health, climate change, artificial intelligence, and other mutually beneficial fields aligned with national and global priorities.

“This partnership reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable development through science, technology and innovation,” said Director of ISTIC, Tengku Sharizad Tengku Dahlan. 
“Together, ISTIC and NRF will create opportunities for co-creation, knowledge exchange, and impactful joint initiatives across the Global South.”

NRF’s Director of International Grants and Partnerships, Michael Nxumalo, stated that through this MoU, the organisation aims to encourage not only research collaboration but also stronger connections between institutions and scientific communities.

“We look forward to nurturing a robust ecosystem of innovation and excellence,” Nxumalo added. 
The agreement includes provisions for joint calls for research proposals, workshops, symposia, and the joint development of knowledge products. 

“It also sets the stage for future project-specific agreements and the joint mobilisation of resources to support priority initiatives.” 

Meanwhile, the leaders said the ISTIC–NRF MoU reinforces the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex global challenges and demonstrates how institutions from the Global South can lead in shaping a more equitable and knowledge-driven future. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Drugs, sharp objects and cash are among the items discovered during a successful multidisciplinary search operation conducted at the Pollsmoor Correctional Facility in the Western Cape.

The Wednesday evening operation focused on the Remand Section of the facility and involved an intensive search of remand detainees and sentenced offenders working in the kitchen area. 

Over 800 inmates were searched in a carefully coordinated intervention designed to rid the facility of illegal contraband and restore institutional discipline. 

The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, led the sweeping operation which resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of prohibited items, demonstrating the ongoing challenges posed by illicit activities within correctional centres. 

Among the items confiscated were: 

• 119 cellphones

• 74 cellphone chargers

• 50 cable chargers

• 41 cellphone batteries

• 34 sim cards

• 81 sharp objects

• 37 dagga pipes

• 305 packets of dagga (totaling 854.80 grams)

• 36 mandrax tablets (approximately 50 grams)

• Tik packets (34.00 grams)

• Cash amounting to R363.60

• Various other contraband items.

“The operation was executed with precision and professionalism by a combined team of 124 Emergency Support Team (EST) members from Correctional Services, supported by 23 officials from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and seven officers from the Metro Police. 

“The collaborative nature of this initiative affirms the department’s commitment to working closely with law enforcement partners to combat the smuggling and possession of contraband inside correctional centres,” said the Department of Correctional Services.

The National Commissioner emphasised the strategic importance of sustained search operations, particularly in high-risk areas such as the Remand Section. 

“These operations are not only necessary but vital. They reinforce our resolve to run safe, secure, and rehabilitative correctional environments where the environment is conducive for correction, development, and reformation.” 

He reiterated that contraband not only undermines institutional security but also compromises the rehabilitation process of inmates. 

The department said it will continue to strengthen its internal security measures and deploy targeted interventions in identified hotspots across the country. 

“The success of the Pollsmoor operation sends a clear message that contraband has no place in our correctional centres, and the department will continue to act decisively to protect the integrity of the correctional system,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has called on families who are still searching for missing loved ones in the areas affected by last month’s catastrophic floods, to come forward with information to assist ongoing recovery efforts.

“Your information is vital to help rescue teams determine if any individuals are still unaccounted for and to continue their search efforts,” Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Zolile Williams, said during a media briefing on Wednesday.

Giving an update on the provincial disaster management response and recovery, Williams reported that the total number of people who lost their lives remains at 103, with 100 of them being positively identified and laid to rest with dignity.

“One child is still missing, and the rescue teams are still searching. Three bodies remain unclaimed, two of which have not been positively identified through the national population register.

“The deceased include five government employees, one educator and two nurses, as well as two firefighters from the Department of Transport,” Williams said.

Williams said the province has established a dedicated task team to assist bereaved families with the coordination of burial services support for all the deceased.

“Government burial support was provided ranging from death registrations with Home Affairs, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Education’s funeral support funding to families of deceased learners, distribution of groceries to needy families, [and] provision of burial services by AVBOB, as per need of the affected families,” Williams said.

Relief was also extended to survivors and families of the deceased through coordinated Social Relief of Distress (SRD) measures.

Over 1 300 displaced accommodated across centres 

The MEC announced that more than 1 353 displaced individuals have been accommodated across Mass Care Centres, while 122 are in Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA), prioritising the most vulnerable groups, with full access to healthcare, food, sanitation, dignity packs, mattresses, blankets, and school uniforms.

He said more than 6 869 households across the province were affected by the disaster, with 4 724 homes completely destroyed and 2 145 partially damaged.

In response, the Departments of Social Development, Health, Education, and the African Social Security Agency (SASSA), along with non-governmental organisations, such as Al Imdaad and Gift of the Givers, provided emergency relief to the affected families and individuals.

“Beneficiaries were issued SASSA food vouchers to alleviate immediate food insecurity. To date, more than 1 353 displaced individuals have been accommodated across Mass Care Centres and 122 in Temporary Emergency Accommodation, prioritising the most vulnerable groups, with full access to healthcare, food, sanitation, dignity packs, mattresses, blankets, and school uniforms.

“Numbers at Mass Care Centres are decreasing as people either seek shelter with their relatives or go back to their houses as they become habitable. Additionally, over 2 900 beneficiaries have received psychosocial support and dignity services through mobile teams and social workers deployed across the hardest-hit areas,” the MEC said.

The Department of Home Affairs has mobilised to assist disaster survivors in rebuilding their lives.

A total of 1 197 ID card applications have been received and are being processed, while 103 birth certificate applications have been finalised, with 22 certificates already collected by applicants. One hundred deaths certificates have also been registered and issued.

Recovery and resilience plan underway 

Despite the challenges, the MEC confirmed that recovery plans are well underway. A key focus is on a multi-pronged approach to rebuilding and improving the province’s resilience.

“Infrastructure reconstruction will be prioritised and aligned with risk reduction principles, ensuring greater resilience against future disasters. For the next two-three months, it is critical for government to have made strides in the implementation of infrastructure repair projects.

“The provincial government is also intensifying climate resilience planning and strengthening institutional capacity, including the debriefing and support of frontline responders, to ensure readiness and sustainability in future disaster responses,” Williams said.

The province is also in engagement with potential partners to build the much-needed capacity.

“While we support the victims of this disaster to rebuild their lives, it is equally important that we continue debriefing of teams that are involved in our response and recovery project. We remain indebted to these teams for the work they are doing,” Williams said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa and China are at a crucial juncture in redefining their economic partnership, moving from a focus on raw material trade to a collaborative approach to industrialisation. 

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who was speaking during a working dinner with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and Standard Bank at the China World Summit Wing Hotel Conference Hall in Beijing.

“South Africa and China are at a pivotal moment to redefine our economic partnership, from raw material trade to co-industrialisation. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future that brings prosperity to our people and strengthens the bonds between our nations.“

The Deputy President emphasised the need for collaboration in strategic sectors to promote investment and trade in areas such as battery manufacturing, critical minerals, renewable energy, green hydrogen, infrastructure, rail modernisation, and metallurgy revitalisation.

“South Africa presents significant investment opportunities in metallurgy and smelter revitalisation, driven by its rich mineral resources and the global shift towards a low-carbon economy.

“Let us turn commitments into concrete projects that create jobs, transfer technology, and position South Africa as China’s gateway to Africa.”

Mashatile is currently in China for a strategic working visit.

The purpose of the visit, which began on Monday, is to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance economic cooperation between South Africa and China.

He told the attendees that the gathering signifies the importance of fostering strong partnerships between South Africa and China in strategic sectors for investment and trade promotion. 

“With the diversified resources of South Africa and the economic strength of China, there is a great deal that we can accomplish together. We must augment our collaboration, especially in critical industries poised for investment and trade.” 

Currently, the Deputy President stated that South Africa and China have strong economic cooperation, with bilateral commerce amounting to US$34 billion in 2024 and Chinese foreign direct investment in South Africa being US$13.21 billion. 

The Deputy President believes that this partnership is characterised by a growing trade relationship, with China being South Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

“A notable aspect of the trade relationship is the trade imbalance, where South Africa exports primarily raw materials to China and imports manufactured goods, creating a trade deficit for South Africa. South Africa needs to benefit more from its active, albeit highly unequal, trading partnership with China,” he said. 

He said the dinner presented a strategic opportunity to leverage the institutions’ financial expertise and advisory market insights to deepen investment in SA’s priority sectors and to also address trade imbalances by promoting value-added exports and technology transfer. 

The Deputy President said the platform was crucial to advancing partnerships in renewable energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, and manufacturing under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.

“Through the process of recognising and capitalising on these key sectors, we can create an environment in which both of our economies benefit and in which we make progress towards our common objectives.

“I am certain that the many areas of expertise and knowledge that have been collected around these tables will make it possible for us to devise specific plans and strategies that can be put into action, which will propel our partnership ahead.” 

He also highlighted some opportunities in green industrialisation, infrastructure financing, and export diversification. 

“In addition to a rapidly expanding renewable energy industry, the country’s plentiful natural resources, which include minerals that are essential for the development of environmentally friendly technology, provide a solid basis for the expansion of green industrialisation.” 

Meanwhile, he stressed that strategic investments in infrastructure, particularly in water and sanitation, and a focus on export diversification can further drive sustainable economic development and job creation. 

Mashatile said there was potential for South Africa and China to work together to foster innovation, the transfer of technology, and the development of skills.

“There is the potential for us to form partnerships that are beneficial to both parties if we capitalise on our skills and explore new ways of working together.

“Through partnership and working together for a common purpose, we can realise the full potential of both our countries.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The G20 bloc must remain a source of leadership and action in development, as the world economy and countries continue to face a multitude of challenges.

This is the word from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who delivered the opening remarks at the 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

“We meet at a time of a fragile global economic growth. While inflation is gradually moderating and financial conditions have started to stabilise in some regions, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on global growth prospects.

“Rising trade barriers, persistent global imbalances and new geopolitical risks are… concerns,” he said.

Furthermore, many developing countries – particularly those in Africa – remain “burdened by high and rising debt vulnerabilities, constrained fiscal space and high cost of capital”, which limits their ability to invest in their economies.

“Technological shifts, especially in artificial intelligence and digital finance, offer tremendous potential but also demand robust governance and coordinated action to harness to the opportunities, mitigate risks such as job displacement, and bridge digital divides towards inclusive growth.

“At the same time, climate-related shocks and extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity worldwide, impacting lives, livelihoods and economic stability.  The cumulative impact of these cascading challenges is pushing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 further out of reach,” Godongwana said.

The Minister noted that developing countries, particularly those in Africa, face a “staggering” yearly financing gap of some $4 trillion for sustainable development.

“The message from the 4th Financing for Development Conference in Spain was unequivocal: We must act decisively, choose cooperation over fragmentation, unity over division and action over inaction before the window to deliver on our shared commitment closes.

“In the face of these complex challenges, the G20 must remain a source of strategic global leadership, cooperation and action. We must extend our efforts if we are to reach our true potential as a collective, to enable us to deal decisively with economic, environmental, developmental and social challenges that plague… low-income countries in other regions and small developing States.

“We have a critical role to play in revitalising and strengthening multilateralism by fostering inclusive dialogue, reinforcing rules-based cooperation and driving collective action in global challenges that no country can solve alone,” Godongwana said.

He called on the delegates to approach discussions at the meeting to with “open minds, collective purpose and a determination to deliver progress”.

“The need for bold, cooperative leadership has never been greater,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za