Category: English

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened the inaugural meeting of the Eminent Persons Group to kickstart a critical national dialogue aimed at addressing South Africa’s persistent challenges 31 years after democracy.

Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, President Ramaphosa candidly acknowledged the country’s ongoing struggles. 

“There can be no doubt that we have begun to transform our society and our economy. And yet, the vestiges of our apartheid past remain,” he said, pointing to persistent issues of inequality, poverty and unemployment that continue to plague the nation.

“Our economy has not been growing, and the number of unemployed people has been rising.” 

He also acknowledged the deterioration in governance, a decline in the delivery of services, and widespread corruption and wastage of public resources.

“At the same time, we have seen an increasing disengagement by many people from the democratic process, as witnessed by the turnout in the May 2024 elections.” 

According to the country’s Commander-in-Chief, the national dialogue represents a bold attempt to unite South Africans across political, cultural, and social divides. 

READ | National Convention to set agenda for the National Dialogue

President Ramaphosa used Friday’s meeting to call for a process that is inclusive and citizen-led.

“It cannot be partisan. It cannot favour one group or perspective over any other.

“It needs to be citizen-led, and the outcomes need to reflect the collective views of the South African people.”

The President said the national dialogue represents a strategic effort to mobilise South Africans and restore the country’s developmental trajectory. 

“The national dialogue is neither government-driven nor directed,” President Ramaphosa stressed, underlining the importance of genuine public participation.

“Citizens must be able to freely and fully participate in the national dialogue as individuals, in organised formations, and through representative bodies.

“That is why the Eminent Persons Group is so important.” 

Highlighting the nation’s rich tradition of collaborative problem-solving, President Ramaphosa noted that “dialoguing is not a new phenomenon to South Africans”. 

He also pointed to previous successful national conversations like drafting the Constitution, the National Peace Accord, and the country’s response to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. 

However, the President emphasised that the dialogue is not intended to replace existing democratic processes. 

Instead, President Ramaphosa pointed out that it aims to create a social compact that outlines clear commitments for government, political parties, business, labour, civil society, and citizens. 

President Ramaphosa stated that a carefully selected Eminent Persons Group will champion the dialogue, tasked with ensuring its authenticity and effectiveness. 

He challenged these leaders to be critical guardians of the process, not mere cheerleaders.

“We are asking you, Eminent Persons, to be champions of the national dialogue, not cheerleaders.

“We expect that you will critically consider the progress and the conduct of the national dialogue, and provide advice where correction is required.

“If there is confusion or misunderstanding, or disarray, we ask you to help correct it. If there are groups that seek to commandeer the process, we ask that you alert us.” 

Strengthening social cohesion

The First Citizen announced that the first national convention is scheduled for August, with the hopes of generating a collective vision for South Africa’s future. 

“South Africans want to be heard, they want to participate; they want to be included in whatever process is meant to improve their lives.”

With scepticism and political tensions already emerging, President Ramaphosa believes that the success of this national dialogue remains to be seen. 

“We have already been confronted by the challenge of misinformation and misrepresentation, whether on the cost of the national dialogue or on who is running it.

“But that should not distract us from the work we have to do to give a platform to the millions of voices in our country, so that they may be heard and so that they may be counted.

“We should not fear criticism. We should welcome it.”

Despite criticism, the President strongly believes this platform represents a potentially crucial step in addressing the country’s deep-seated challenges. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube is set to constitute an advisory body that will advise her on issues including the progression and promotion requirements as well as school resourcing.

“In the coming weeks I will be constituting an advisory body, the National Education and Training Council, to advise me on matters including school resourcing, teacher workloads and progression and promotion requirements.

“Whether the pass mark should be 30, 40 or 50% in which subjects must be subjected to a well-researched process of experts. We must be responsible with the curriculum of our children,” she said in Parliament.

Tabling the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Budget Vote on Thursday, the Minister said the budget is a signal of continued commitment to targeted investments that close gaps and unlock every learner’s potential.

This as the DBE received a total budget of over R35 billion – an increase of over 8% from last year.

With Early Childhood Development (ECD) being part of the department’s five key priorities, the ECD Conditional Grant increases to over R1.7 billion; with over R230 million allocated to an ECD Nutrition Pilot and R162 million set aside for ECD infrastructure.
“Our goal is clear: every child must enter Grade R ready to learn in all respects. Our strategy centres on foundational learning – ensuring all children can read and calculate by age ten.”

Meanwhile, over R4.6 billion has been allocated to Curriculum Policy Support and Monitoring – an increase of over 14% enabling national oversight, teacher support and curriculum delivery.

The department’s R1.2 billion Workbook Programme will continue to provide quality learning materials from Grades R to 9 — including Braille and adaptive formats.

“While workbooks support teaching and learning, they are not substitutes for quality teaching. R57 million over the medium term will support learners who are not being taught in their mother-tongue through the rollout of mother-tongued based bilingual education.
“Our message is simple: reading is non-negotiable, and the Foundation Phase is where the battle for equity and excellence must be won.”
Additionally, the department is building an inclusive system that removes barriers to learning for learners with diverse education needs.
It will continue to: 
•    support full-service and special schools through the Inclusive Education Conditional Grant;
•    and monitoring provincial spending on assistive devices, transport and teacher aides.

Investing in teachers

At the same time, district teams are being strengthened to offer diagnostic support with the department investing over R1.8 billion in teacher training, mentorship and leadership.

“The Funza Lushaka bursary scheme will fund over 9,000 students focused on priority subjects and Foundation Phase education. Recruitment will prioritise candidates willing to teach in rural and high-need areas.

“Teachers are the single most important in-school resource influencing learning outcomes. We must continue to support and professionalise them.”

Infrastructure and nutrition

On school infrastructure, R15.3 billion Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) will be used by provinces to eliminate pit toilets, expand classrooms and repair schools.

“We’ve made progress on school infrastructure and safety, completing 97% of sanitation projects under the SAFE initiative (as of today), and supporting provinces to eradicate the remaining unsafe sanitation facilities,” said Gwarube.

She added that over nine million learners rely on the school nutrition programme.

“R10 billion will feed over nine million learners daily while we’re improving menus, delivery and local sourcing. This budget reflects our constitutional duty and belief in education as the most powerful lever for transformation.

“We are reviewing the provincial school nutrition models to improve efficiency, financial management, and the impact of this programme. Every day, 9.7 million learners depend on this programme for a meal, and we cannot afford to fail them.”

BELA Act 

The Minister said the DBE has actively supported the sector in implementing the BELA Act, which came into effect on 24 December 2024.

The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act which amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the original legislation.

“This includes training of provincial officials, interim guidelines and an extensive suite of draft regulations. 
“The first two regulations, focused on admissions and capacity, will be published in the coming weeks for public comment, with further regulations to follow,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa, through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), will host the second technical meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) next week.

The meeting will be held from 14-18 18 July 2025, at Kruger National Park (KNP) in Skukuza, Mpumalanga.

The ECSWG will facilitate high-level discussions on various critical topics, including biodiversity and conservation, climate change, land degradation, desertification and drought, chemicals and waste management, air quality, and ocean and coastal issues.

According to the department, this meeting will build on the progress made at the first virtual ECSWG meeting held in March and will focus on deepening collaboration within the priorities of the G20 ECSWG.

READ | G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group first meeting concluded

The DFFE is coordinating the ECSWG, ensuring alignment with South Africa’s policy priorities and global sustainability commitments. 

The key activities focused on promoting global cooperation for environmental sustainability. 

This includes leading three ECSWG meetings, integrating sustainability discussions within G20 Working Groups, and collaborating with stakeholders and member states to achieve actionable results in climate finance, biodiversity, pollution management, and ocean governance.

The meeting at the KNP forms part of a series of three ECSWG engagements hosted by South Africa during its G20 Presidency. 
The meeting will bring together over 250 delegates, including representatives from G20 member states, invited countries, international organisations, government officials, and the media.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, will launch G20 legacy projects at the second technical meeting of the ECSWG.

The launch of the G20 legacy project, Rhino Renaissance Campaign, will demonstrate conservation efforts in fighting wildlife crime. 

This will include a live demonstration of the dehorning of rhino process to be administered by the world-acclaimed South African National Parks Veterinary Services in the presence of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and a selected group of delegates.   

The leaders will also embark on the G20 tree planting activity, a symbolic tree planting ceremony of 20 trees, one for each G20 member, outside the Nombolo Mdluli Conference Centre. 

“This initiative forms part of South Africa’s National Greening Programme, which aims to plant 10 million trees over five years. It is a bold step toward addressing the Presidential imperatives on greening,” the statement read. 

The leaders will also announce the school essay winners. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, July 11, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, July 11, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, July 11, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has expressed his support for the recent ruling by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) involving Caster Semenya. 

This ruling upheld a 2023 decision by the ECHR’s lower chamber, which found that Semenya was denied a fair and effective hearing by the Swiss Federal Tribunal. 

According to reports, this was part of the two-time Olympic champion’s seven-year legal battle against the eligibility rules in track and field. 

On Thursday, the court’s 17-judge panel ruled in a 15-2 vote that Semenya’s rights to a fair hearing were violated at Switzerland’s Supreme Court, where she had appealed a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in favour of World Athletics.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) believes that the decision marks a critical moment in the long-standing battle for the dignity and human rights of female athletes with differences of sexual development.

“Caster, we as South Africa have always stood by you, and we will continue to do so as the fight for your bodily rights continues,” the Minister said. 

From the outset, the department said the South African government stood firmly behind Semenya. 

“Through the current DSAC and the former Department of Sport and Recreation, a coordinated and multi-sectoral response was established that included expert panels in the legal, medical, and advocacy spheres. 

“The department also launched the #NaturallySuperior campaign to mobilise public awareness and international solidarity, highlighting that Semenya’s natural talents should be celebrated rather than policed.”

DSAC committed financially in support of Athletics South Africa’s legal efforts with Semenya and further engaged with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to elevate the matter internationally, leading to a strong resolution on the matter at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“This resolution condemned the current regulations against her as a violation of bodily integrity, equality, and freedom from cruel or degrading treatment.”

While the recent ruling has not overturned these discriminatory regulations, it is an important legal and moral victory, which opens new legal avenues and affirms the right of athletes such as Semenya to be heard on just and equal terms. 

DSAC said it will continue working with Athletics South Africa, legal experts, and other African governments and federations to pursue justice through all available channels, including within the structures of World Athletics.

“Caster Semenya has become the face of defiance against injustice in global sport, and this court victory is a victory for every African child. South Africa is proud of her, and we will walk every step of this journey with you, Caster, until justice is not only seen, but felt,” said McKenzie. 

“We can’t wait to see you running again,” he added.  

Meanwhile, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said they have noted the judgment handed down by the ECHR.  
“The Commission is still studying the judgment. A formal statement on our position will be released in due course,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za