Category: English

Source: APO

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Despite notable progress in empowering and elevating South African women in science, Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has urged greater national commitment to spotlighting the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Ms Gina was delivering the keynote address at the seventh annual Women in Science Symposium, hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP) at Future Africa, UP’s pan-African platform for collaborative research, on Friday 8 August.

Held under the theme ‘Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science’, the Deputy Minister described the event as both a tribute and a call to action to celebrate, empower and propel the voices of women in science towards a future that truly reflects the diversity, strength and potential of South Africa.

“We must reflect on the strides we have made, acknowledge the work yet to be done, and commit ourselves to the determination required for real, lasting transformation,” she said. “Women in South Africa are contributing groundbreaking research, setting global standards in health, environmental sciences, data and digital technologies, and many more fields. Yet we cannot ignore that women and girls remain underrepresented, especially at senior and strategic levels.”

Delegates at the event agreed that South Africa has taken important steps since the dawn of democracy to increase representation and access across all fields, including STEM. However, for every South African woman who breaks through, many more are impeded by invisible glass ceilings and systemic barriers. Therefore, they heard, South Africa must ensure that the doors of learning are open to all who wish to enter, regardless of gender, race or background.

Ms Gina said UP’s Women in Science platform is a crucial platform through which to celebrate the achievements of South African women in science, including those who conduct cutting-edge research, lead multidisciplinary teams, head institutions, and inspire thousands of students.

Similarly, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in STEM. By honouring trailblazers, emerging researchers and role models, the awards not only showcase the vital contributions of women to the country’s research and innovation landscape but also inspire the next generation of girls and young women to pursue careers in these fields.

Looking at the diverse audience in the auditorium, Ms Gina said, “You are the architects of new knowledge, the innovators tackling our most pressing challenges, the guides who lift as you rise. Your voices, your questions, and your dreams shape not only scientific discovery, but also the fabric of our society. We know from global research that diverse teams are more creative, innovative and better equipped to solve complex problems. South Africa’s future, and indeed the world’s, depends on your perspectives and leadership.”

But representation must go beyond mere numbers, she added. “It must be measured by agency, by the power to influence decision-making, set research agendas, and mentor the next generation. We must listen and respond to women’s voices, not only when they echo agreement, but also when they challenge convention and demand better.”

UP Vice-Principal for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education Professor Sunil Maharaj applauded the phenomenal contributions and advancements that women have made in all areas of STEM. He acknowledged that these achievements were made in the face of many obstacles, with many more still to be overcome.

UP is home to more than 2 932 academics and researchers, of whom 57% are women. UP has 447 professors, of whom 39% are women. Women currently account for 40% of UP’s total of 570 National Research Foundation-rated researchers, and 50% of its South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) positions are held by women.

“Faced with a legacy of inequality, you have had to go all out to prove yourselves in what was, and in too many cases still is, a male-dominated world,” Prof Maharaj said. “My heartfelt wish is that in the near future we can dispense with terms like ‘male-dominated world’ as a never-to-be-repeated anachronism. At UP, we are entirely committed to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment at all levels and in all fields.”

Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, UP’s Director of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships, said, “We can do so much more together through empowered intergenerational dialogue that starts to interrupt, disrupt, and break the cycle of stereotypes and gender biases. We must ask ourselves the painful questions about our youth. Who gets to see themselves become scientists? And who gets left out before they even get a chance?

These questions need answers and call for transformative and inclusive change that supports the empowerment of girls and women beyond their current place of being relegated to the fringes of the economy and society.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

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The South African agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience in the face of significant global trade headwinds, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen notes as recent data show South Africa’s exports have not only remained competitive, but have increased in the second quarter of 2025 to US$161 million, up by 26% from the same period in 2024.

“However, it is important to examine this performance with a forward-looking perspective. The recent imposition of a 30% tariff on our exports by the United States (US) has brought to light the urgent need to diversify our export markets and enhance our competitiveness to mitigate the economic impact of losing preferential trade access.”

Minister Steenhuisen says the results of the second quarter of 2025 also highlight how urgent it is to resolve the ongoing tariff talks with the US. “Our capacity to gain steady, long-term access to this important market continues to be a top priority,” he adds.

The figures speak for themselves. In the first quarter of 2025, South African agricultural exports to the US were US$118 million, up by 19% year-on-year.

“This growth is not merely a statistical anomaly, but a reflection of a bountiful harvest, a surge in high-quality produce, and the efficient operation of our ports. The products leading this charge include a variety of fruits such as citrus, grapes, apples and pears, as well as nuts and wine. As we continue to engage in diplomatic negotiations and work towards a more favourable trade agreement, the focus remains on ensuring that our farmers and exporters can continue to thrive in the global marketplace, securing the future of our agricultural sector,” Minister Steenhuisen emphasised.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

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The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provisions of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana.

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the rights of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents, and initiation school principals.

The campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders, and communities.

The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, NW PICC Chairperson, Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders, and representatives from government departments.

Kgosi Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance-takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated.

“We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the Department, and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people,” remarked Kgosi Gasebone.

The Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote, and regulate initiation. It provides for acceptable norms and standards; initiation oversight and coordinating structures; protection of life; prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates; addresses the governance aspects of initiation; protects the customary practice of initiation; and ensures that it is practiced within the constitutional and other legal prescripts.

As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents.

Meanwhile, initiation school principals have until 03 October 2025 to apply to operate schools during the summer initiation season. The traditional surgeon must also be 40 years and above, must have undergone initiation over 10 years ago, and must have been mentored as a surgeon for a period of five years.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

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The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile would like to express its deep concern and outrage following reports that 14 employees of North West Transport Investments’ (NTI) bus companies have taken their own lives due to months of unpaid salaries.

“Families are suffering, homes are being repossessed, and in some cases, workers have reportedly died of hunger, while a legal impasse continues to drag on,” stated Hon. Sonakile.

The Committee is firm in its view that the entire province cannot be held to ransom by one individual, NTI’s first Business Rescue Practitioner, Mr Thomas Sammons, whose repeated appeals have stalled progress.

“This legal circus cannot continue while workers and their families bear the brunt of the crisis. We insist that urgent measures must be facilitated to ensure that salaries are paid without further delay, irrespective of the ongoing court processes. Workers continue to serve the public, and their dignity must be restore,” said Hon. Sonakile.

The Committee has resolved to call on Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, together with the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, MEC Wessels Morweng, and MEC for North West Provincial Treasury, MEC Keneetswe Mosenogi, to amongst others urgently meet with NTI’s Acting CEO, Dr Ben Dikobe and the current Business Rescue Practitioner, Mr Mahomed Tayob, to devise immediate strategies that will allow salary payments to flow while the legal case continues. The Committee also noted that workers cannot remain the collateral damage of protracted litigation and government indecision.

Furthermore, the Committee calls on the North West Provincial Government to:

• Vigorously defend the current business rescue process in the courts;
• Pursue cost orders against Mr Sammons to deter further frivolous appeals; and
• Demonstrate its seriousness by providing full support to the workers during this transition.

The Committee demands that the Premier and MECs provide formal feedback within 14 days on the concrete steps being taken to ensure that workers are paid.

In parallel, the Committee will also engage with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to establish progress on the case it previously referred regarding NTI’s affairs.

“Failure by government to act with urgency will render it equally complicit in the suffering of employees, especially since it was government that invoked voluntary business rescue in the first place,” stated Hon. Sonakile.

The Committee will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to hold both the Department and the entity accountable. The lives and livelihoods of workers must come before any legal theatrics.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

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National workshop of the consultative framework on autonomous solar pv technologies in Côte d’Ivoire: the rogeap/ecowas project contributes to achieving the objectives for the development of a regional market.

The Director General of Energy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, represented by Mr. KALET Guy Pacom, Director of Conventional Energy, chaired a national workshop on the 13th of August 2025 in Abidjan, dedicated to the Consultation Framework on Autonomous Solar Photovoltaic Technologies. The event was attended by the Senior Advisor for the ROGEAP project, Mr Elhadji SYLLA, representatives of GIZ and technical and financial partners.

This workshop, funded by the ECOWAS Commission through the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), aims to strengthen national dialogue and accelerate the establishment of an efficient off-grid solar photovoltaic market in Côte d’Ivoire.

ROGEAP supports 19 countries in West Africa and the Sahel to increase access to electricity for households, businesses and public institutions through modern off-grid solar systems. Support includes strengthening the regulatory framework, organising awareness-raising and training workshops, providing technical and financial support to private sector companies, and creating an environment conducive to the development of the off-grid solar PV market.

In Côte d’Ivoire, a national consultation framework has been established to bring together all stakeholders, public authorities, the private sector, civil society organisations and technical partners, in order to find sustainable solutions for off-grid rural electrification.

“The aim of this workshop is to strengthen exchanges, take stock of developments in the framework, present the opportunities offered by ROGEAP and, above all, work on developing a common vision and a structured action plan for the harmonious and sustainable development of off-grid solar photovoltaic energy in Côte d’Ivoire” said Mr KALET Guy Pacom.

ROGEAP is funded by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), and implemented by the ECOWAS Commission as part of its Component 1 aimed at developing a regional off-grid solar energy market.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).