Category: MIL-OSI

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in partnership with leading e-commerce business, Takealot Group, is working to provide 500 students with income-earning opportunities while they continue with their studies.

The initiative forms part of the expansion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DHET and Takealot, led by Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe.

Takealot Group recently met with the South African Union of Students and the Deputy Minister to introduce the Takealot Township Economy Initiative (TTEI).

The programme offers students three flexible income-generating opportunities, while also creating a pathway towards entrepreneurship. 

The programmes are designed to accommodate student schedules, with peak earning opportunities expected on Fridays, month-end weekends and Saturdays.

The initiative builds on the four focus areas outlined in the original DHET-Takealot MOU and aims to create practical pathways from higher education into the economy. 

It will also include SETA-accredited training to provide structured workplace learning.

“Through this newly added focus area and collaboration, we are turning our already impactful MOU into real economic participation for students, providing them with tangible work experience, income, and entrepreneurship skills,” the Deputy Minister said.

Details of the programme and information on student participation are expected to be communicated ahead of the pilot period, which is scheduled to roll out at three identified institutions over the next three months.

Gondwe said strengthening public-private partnerships remains critical in addressing youth unemployment and expanding economic inclusion opportunities for students across the country. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has unveiled a real-time dashboard aimed at tracking key performance indicators of all 11 of the province’s municipalities.

The tool, known as the Gauteng Smart City Performance Monitor, will monitor crucial areas, including governance, financial management, infrastructure delivery, climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

“The dashboard will further provide residents with access to municipal performance data, enabling communities to monitor progress and strengthen accountability in service delivery.

“Integrated technology platforms, including CCTV networks, the LIMIT land invasion monitoring system and smart water management dashboards, form part of Gauteng’s broader digital transformation journey aimed at building responsive and data-driven municipalities,” the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department said.

Turning it around

The dashboard is a part of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy (LGTS), which was adopted in October 2024 to address persistent service delivery bottlenecks.

“The LGTS… continues to serve as a coordinated framework to address longstanding challenges facing municipalities, while advancing the vision of building smart and resilient municipalities.

“Through Intergovernmental Relations [IGR] platforms, facilitated by Gauteng COGTA, provincial government, municipalities and strategic stakeholders have strengthened collaboration to tackle persistent service delivery constraints. Early gains from this approach are becoming increasingly evident,” the department said.

These early gains include:

• Audit turnaround: Resolved audit findings increased from 35% in the third quarter of 2023/24 to 55% during the same period in 2024/25. Non-compliance findings also dropped from 35% to 27%, while two municipalities maintained clean audits.
• Staffing and capacity: The filling of senior management positions improved from 70% in March 2025 to 86% in March 2026. All Municipal and City Manager posts are currently occupied, alongside 88% of critical technical roles filled.
• Municipal financial performance: Provincial government debt payments amounting to R209.24 million received by March 2026. Debt settlement arrangements have been secured with most municipalities regarding Rand Water obligations, while several municipalities have improved current account payments to key service providers.

“Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. Municipal debtors reached R173.3 billion by March 2026, while Eskom debt increased to R31.27 billion. Gauteng continues to work with municipalities to strengthen revenue collection, improve financial controls and accelerate infrastructure investment.

“Infrastructure and service delivery interventions remain central to the turnaround programme. Municipalities continue implementing measures to reduce non-revenue water losses, improve maintenance expenditure and strengthen water management systems.

“New interventions aimed at reducing water losses, protecting infrastructure and improving service delivery outcomes continue to be prioritised under the Local Government Turnaround Strategy.

“The Gauteng Provincial Government maintains that the [LGTS] is not a once-off intervention, but an ongoing programme aimed at rebuilding municipal capability, strengthening accountability and improving service delivery outcomes.

“Through the… strategy, Gauteng continues to fix the basics while building smart cities of the future, anchored in integration, innovation, digital transformation and cooperative governance,” the department affirmed.

Speaking at a progress report briefing on municipal performance, Gauteng COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo reiterated the importance of working together to resolve challenges.

“What we are doing through our Intergovernmental Relations structures is precisely to ensure greater integration and coordination so that when we commit to resolving the 13 priority challenges identified by Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the State of the Province Address, we do so with clear programmes and interventions that deliver long-term solutions.

“I am encouraged that national, provincial and local government are increasingly recognising that we are stronger when we work together, and that blame-shifting or reacting to problems in isolation will not assist us in addressing the complex challenges that continue to hamper service delivery,” Mamabolo said. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the importance of collective prayer as a unifying force capable of healing communities and inspiring renewed commitment to peace, compassion and responsible citizenship.

Ntuli made the remarks during the Annual KZN Provincial Prayer, held at the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Sports Ground in Ulundi on Friday, where thousands of congregants, including faith leaders and community members gathered in a spirit of unity, reflection and hope.

The prayer gathering brought together people from across the province to seek divine guidance, promote moral renewal, and strengthen social cohesion as KwaZulu-Natal continues to confront challenges including crime, gender-based violence (GBV), substance abuse, poverty and social instability.

In his address, Ntuli emphasised that faith-based organisations remain critical partners in building a safer, stronger and more prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.

“Churches and religious leaders continue to play a vital role in counselling families, guiding the youth, supporting vulnerable communities and promoting values that strengthen society,” the Premier said.

The Premier also highlighted moral regeneration and social cohesion as key pillars of the province’s development agenda, calling on communities to work together to restore respect, dignity and Ubuntu in everyday life.

The Annual KZN Provincial Prayer served as a reminder of the need for continued collaboration between government, faith leaders and communities in building a province grounded in unity, peace and shared purpose.

Water project to benefit uKhahlamba communities

Meanwhile, more than 3 500 households in uKhahlamba are expected to benefit from a recently completed water infrastructure project officially unveiled by the Premier.

Ntuli launched the Vimbukhalo Water Supply Project in the uKhahlamba Local Municipality under the uThukela District Municipality, marking a significant milestone in the provincial government’s efforts to improve access to clean, reliable and sustainable water across KwaZulu-Natal.

The project included the unveiling of two major water reticulation developments, Vimbukhalo Reticulation 03 and Vimbukhalo Reticulation 04, aimed at strengthening water supply infrastructure and improving access to potable water for households in Wards 2 and 14.

The completed infrastructure is expected to bring relief to communities that have long experienced challenges related to water access.

The project has also created employment opportunities for local residents during its implementation, contributing to local economic activity and supporting livelihoods within the municipality.

Ntuli said the Vimbukhalo Water Supply Project reflects government’s commitment to addressing service delivery challenges, investing in critical infrastructure, and ensuring that communities receive essential basic services.

He said the completion of the two projects marks an important step towards restoring dignity, improving quality of life, and inspiring new hope for the people of uKhahlamba.

“Access to water is not only a basic service, but a foundation for health, development and economic participation. Reliable water supply enables communities to live with dignity, supports local development and strengthens the broader socio-economic growth of the district,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba is leading a four-day service delivery week in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality as part of efforts to assess service delivery, monitor government projects and strengthen coordination among all spheres of government.

The programme, which runs from 25 to 28 May 2026, is being conducted in line with the District Development Model (DDM) and brings together provincial and local government leaders to address service delivery challenges in the municipality.

Ramathuba is joined by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), the Executive Mayor of the Waterberg District Municipality and the Mayor of the Mogalakwena Local Municipality.

The service delivery week aims to improve coordination in the delivery of government services while strengthening intergovernmental planning, budgeting and implementation. 

It also seeks to foster collaboration between government, the private sector, civil society organisations, organised labour, traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the district.

According to the Limpopo Provincial Government, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure that development programmes respond effectively to the needs of communities and that government projects are implemented efficiently.

Speaking ahead of the programme, Ramathuba said the service delivery week would provide an opportunity to tackle key challenges facing the municipality.

“This service delivery week will address service delivery challenges and provide strategic support on the state of the municipality regarding finance, governance and infrastructure provision,” she said.

The provincial government is expected to use the engagement to assess progress on existing projects, identify bottlenecks affecting service delivery and develop interventions aimed at improving municipal performance.

The service delivery week is being held at the Hans van Rensburg Hall in Mokopane and is expected to run daily from 10:00. – SAnews.gov.za

EThekwini Municipality and the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) have concluded final consultations with traditional leaders on the ward delimitation process ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The engagement, held recently at the Pinetown Civic Centre, provided traditional leaders with updates on ward boundary changes and preparations for implementation after the elections.

MDB KwaZulu-Natal provincial coordinator Mthobisi Manzini said the ward demarcation process in eThekwini had taken longer than in other municipalities across the country.

However, he confirmed that the final ward determinations had been completed and formally handed over to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to begin electoral preparations.

Manzini said the number of wards in eThekwini Municipality will increase from 111 to 112, with the additional ward located in the northern region of the city.

“A portion of Ward 5, covering the Mophela area, has been incorporated into uMkhambathini Municipality, while part of Ward 4 in the Makwatas area has been incorporated into Ward 103 under eThekwini Municipality,” Manzini said.

The boundary changes are expected to take effect after the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Executive Director in the Office of the City Manager, Sipho Cele, said cooperation from residents would be essential to ensure the smooth implementation of the changes.

Cele said public consultations had been conducted across six regions to gather input and proposals from communities affected by the delimitation process.

He said further consultations with uMkhambathini Municipality will be held to facilitate the transfer of assets, personnel and budgets linked to the boundary adjustments.

“We understand that there is a cemetery that has been under eThekwini Municipality and will now be inherited by uMkhambathini Municipality. A proper handover process will be initiated to avoid hindrance of service delivery. The demarcation process is intended for better municipal management and improvement of service delivery,” Cele said.

Update details on the voters’ roll

IEC Regional Assistant Manager for the eThekwini District, Sibongiseni Nkomo, urged residents to update their details on the voters’ roll ahead of the voter registration weekend scheduled for 20 and 21 June.

Nkomo reminded residents to bring either their green barcoded identity documents or smart ID cards when registering.

“Residents will only vote in a ward where they are registered to vote. We will conduct targeted communication, and registration is underway in wards that were affected by the ward delimitation process,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has confirmed that a fire broke out at the Himeville Magistrate’s Court in the Harry Gwala District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.

The fire broke out over the weekend, gutting several areas of the court.

“Preliminary information indicates that the fire originated in the Magistrate’s office after a contractor working on site started a fire in the office fireplace, which spread throughout the court building. Emergency services were called to the scene, and efforts were made to contain the fire. No injuries and fatalities have been reported.

“The department can further confirm that the cash hall and the filing room containing charge sheets and related court records remain unaffected, while the Magistrate’s office, the offices of the National Prosecuting Authority and the courtroom sustained severe damage,” the department said in a statement.

The department, together with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s Real Estate Management Services, is working together to “identify alternative State-owned properties that can accommodate the Magistrate’s Court as an interim measure”.

“Further communication will be issued in due course regarding provisional operational arrangements that will ensure the continuation of essential judicial services to the affected community,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za