Category: MIL-OSI

In the year marking 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution; 50 years since the 1976 Youth Uprising; 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March and 60 years since the forced removals in District Six – government is engaging communities across the country to celebrate the gains, achievements and milestones of 32 years of democracy.

“Today’s launch forms part of the wider rollout of the Milestones of Freedom campaign, which was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June this year,” Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Kenny Morolong said.

Speaking at the provincial launch of the Milestones of Freedom campaign at the uMfolozi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, Morolong said the first provincial launch took place in Sharpeville, Gauteng, in July 2026, where the GCIS, together with provincial government structures, hosted a memorial lecture marking the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Constitution.

The Milestones of Freedom campaign is being commemorated through a year-long programme under the theme: “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future.” The campaign seeks to promote social cohesion, inspire national pride and encourage reflection on South Africa’s democratic journey by highlighting key milestones the country is commemorating this year.

The Deputy Minister said South Africa has recorded many achievements since attaining democracy in 1994.

“The 30-Year Review Report of South Africa’s Democracy (1994–2024), supported by the findings of Census 2022, reminds us that our country has recorded many achievements since 1994 that have uplifted our nation.

“These achievements also reflect the four areas or milestones we are commemorating this year, beginning with the adoption of the Constitution. 

“The Constitution enshrines equality, human dignity and freedom from discrimination, laying the foundation for one of the world’s most progressive legal frameworks. It remains the cornerstone of our democracy and ensures that all laws align with the values and spirit of our democratic order,” the Deputy Minister explained.

This as South Africa’s Constitution is respected across the world for its commitment to human rights, judicial independence and accountable governance.

He said that Former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, praised the Constitution as a modern and carefully crafted charter of governance, noting its deliberate commitment to protecting fundamental human rights and securing an independent judiciary.

“Its promise has been affirmed through landmark court decisions that have protected fundamental rights, advanced equality and strengthened our democracy. These include the prohibition of capital punishment and the advancement of equality for women and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more) persons,” he said.

Morolong explained that a defining feature of the constitutional order is the separation of powers between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, which ensures that each branch exercises oversight over the others, reinforcing accountability and the rule of law.

“This framework is further strengthened by the Chapter 9 institutions, which play an indispensable role in protecting democracy, promoting good governance, and providing independent mechanisms through which citizens can seek redress and hold public institutions accountable.

“The courts and Chapter 9 institutions have over the years helped defend the rights of vulnerable and marginalised communities. South Africa has also held seven successful national and provincial elections, reaffirming the legitimacy and resilience of our democratic system,” he said.

The democratic gains have supported efforts to improve people’s quality of life through wider access to education, healthcare, housing, clean water, electricity, roads, social protection, and improved wages.

“According to the 2025 General Household Survey, access to improved sanitation increased from 61,7% in 2002 to 84,0% in 2025, while electricity access increased from 76,7% to 90,6%. 

“Households with piped municipal water increased from 9.2 million in 2004 to 15.4 million in 2024, and 84,1% of households lived in formal dwellings in 2024. 

“Social protection has also expanded, with the percentage of individuals benefiting from social grants increasing from 12,8% in 2003 to 39,5% in 2025,” the Deputy Minister said.

Honouring Chief Luthuli

The gathering was also attended by the family of prominent anti-apartheid activist, Chief Albert Luthuli.

“Chief Albert Luthuli taught us that we must not live only for ourselves but for other people. He always said that when we reach out to those who have less than us, that is where we find true joy. As we look around today and see the development in this community, we are grateful that his legacy continues to make a difference,” Luthuli’s daughter-in-law, Veli Luthuli, said.

Speaking on behalf of the family, she further added that the activist was an exceptional communicator.

“He was also an exceptional communicator and strategist who knew how to unite and inspire people, and his message remains relevant today,” she said.

The day’s programme began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Groutville United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, where Deputy Minister Morolong, joined by members of the Luthuli family, as well as provincial and local leadership, paid tribute to Chief Albert Luthuli.

The Milestones of Freedom Campaign was launched at the Union Buildings on 18 June 2026. 

Earlier this week, the GCIS said it had begun rolling out the campaign to provinces. The campaign is also being launched today in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, in the Northern Cape. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Judicial Matters Amendment Bill seeks to remove legal uncertainty and improve the administration of justice across a range of areas, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, said.

“The Bill amends a number of statutes administered by the Department, addressing practical implementation challenges, responding to Constitutional Court judgments, removing legal uncertainty and improving the administration of justice across a range of areas,” the Deputy Minister said in his opening statement at a briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on Wednesday.

Introducing the Bill to the Committee, the Deputy Minister said South Africa’s constitutional democracy has demonstrated remarkable resilience.

“Our institutions have matured, our courts have developed a rich body of constitutional jurisprudence, and Parliament has continued to refine our legislative framework to ensure that it remains responsive to constitutional developments and practical experience.

“That is precisely the purpose of the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill. Unlike legislation that introduces an entirely new policy framework, this Bill performs an equally important constitutional function. It ensures that our justice legislation remains current, coherent, constitutionally compliant and capable of supporting an effective justice system,” he explained.

He added that the bill demonstrates that the rule of law is not static and requires continuous maintenance, careful refinement and responsible legislative stewardship.

While the amendments deal with different Acts, they are united by a common objective of building a justice system that is more effective, more accessible, more accountable and better able to serve the people of South Africa.

Components of the Bill

According to the Deputy Minister, the Bill strengthens judicial accountability.

“The amendments to the Judicial Service Commission Act expand the capacity of the Judicial Conduct Committee by enabling additional judges to be appointed where necessary to address backlogs, deal with urgent complaints and ensure that disciplinary matters are finalised more expeditiously. 

“Judicial independence and judicial accountability are not competing principles. They reinforce one another. An independent judiciary must also be a judiciary that is accountable through fair, credible and efficient constitutional mechanisms.

Secondly, the Bill strengthens openness and transparency in that amendments to the Promotion of Access to Information Act improve access to information, simplify administrative arrangements and give effect to the Constitutional Court’s judgment in Arena Holdings v SARS concerning access to tax records in circumstances where disclosure is demonstrably in the public interest. 

Thirdly, the Bill strengthens the fight against corruption.

“It closes technical gaps in the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act by ensuring that appropriate penalties apply to the offence of failing to prevent corruption within private entities and state-owned companies.

This gives further legislative effect to reforms arising from the recommendations of the State Capture Commission and reinforces South Africa’s broader anti-corruption agenda,” he explained.

In addition, the Bill promotes a more humane and developmental child justice system.

The amendments ensure that children who are alleged to have committed cannabis-related offences are dealt with through the child justice framework rather than unnecessary arrest, thereby aligning our legislation with more appropriate child-centred interventions. 

“A particularly significant component of the Bill concerns the Legal Practice Act. The proposed amendments seek to modernise aspects of the legal profession, remove unnecessary barriers and improve access to legal services.

“Among other reforms, the Bill provides for the automatic right of appearance for legal practitioners in all courts, rationalises provisions relating to practical vocational training, expands opportunities for legal practice within public institutions and improves the functioning of Legal Aid South Africa and other public legal services.”

These amendments support transformation within the legal profession while promoting greater access to justice for ordinary South Africans.

The Bill also modernises our legislative response to cybercrime as criminal activity increasingly migrates into the digital environment. Nel said South Africa’s law enforcement framework must evolve accordingly.

“The proposed amendments clarify investigative powers and improve the legal framework governing cybercrime investigations while preserving appropriate safeguards. 

Taken together, these amendments demonstrate that maintaining the rule of law requires continuous legislative adaptation to changing social, technological and constitutional realities.”

The Deputy Minister said the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has carefully considered the submissions received from stakeholders, including Judges Matter, the Information Regulator, the Legal Practice Council, the Law Society of South Africa and members of the public.

Where persuasive proposals have strengthened the Bill, the department has recommended amendments accordingly. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), in partnership with the International Trade Institute of Southern Africa (ITISA), has launched a free Online Export Course aimed at equipping businesses with the skills and knowledge needed to compete in international markets. 

The initiative forms part of the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which seeks to drive economic growth, expand market access, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The department said the self-paced course has already attracted strong interest from businesses across the province, with 518 participants registering since its launch.

To date, more than 70 participants have successfully completed the course, with many going on to access additional export support initiatives offered by the provincial government.

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said export growth is one of the most effective ways to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. 

“Through this free Online Export Course, we are equipping entrepreneurs and businesses with the practical skills they need to access new markets, grow their customer base, and contribute to the Western Cape’s export-led growth agenda,” Meyer said.

Supporting export-ready businesses

The department said the course is already helping entrepreneurs and export professionals strengthen their capacity to participate in international trade. 

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Imbali Nature’s Crown, an emerging agro-processing business, Alicia Somdaka, said the programme provided valuable insights into export compliance and international trade requirements.

She said the training enhanced her understanding of export documentation, tariff classification and accessing international markets.

“Following the course, I registered a business domain and dedicated company email, redesigned my product labels to meet export requirements, and I’m currently preparing my business for export opportunities in Europe and the Middle East,” Somdaka said.

She added that the programme provided a practical roadmap that she continues to use as she builds an export-ready business.

Another participant, Sandiswa Masimini, described the course as an enriching learning experience that provided a comprehensive understanding of export operations, including documentation, compliance, logistics, customs procedures and international trade requirements.

Masimini said the programme had boosted her confidence in managing export processes, improved her efficiency, and strengthened her contribution to her organisation’s export activities. 

“I would highly recommend the course to anyone seeking to build or advance a career in exports and international trade,” Masimini said. 

Practical export training 

According to the department, the course combines practical tools, expert guidance, and real-world case studies to help businesses develop effective export strategies and navigate the complexities of international trade. 

The programme caters to both emerging and experienced exporters and offers flexible, self-paced learning through videos, downloadable resources and assessments. 

Its nine modules cover key aspects of the export journey, including export readiness, international marketing, global trade, transport and logistics, cargo insurance, Incoterms® 2020, export administration, financial risk management, customs procedures, product classification, and compliance requirements.

The course is aimed at entrepreneurs and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) looking to enter international markets, business development professionals, trade facilitators, and export managers seeking to strengthen their export strategies and operational capabilities. 

Entrepreneurs, business owners and export managers can access the free Online Export Course through the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s website at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/edat/online-export-course 

For more information, interested participants can contact the department at Khanya.Gcolotela@westerncape.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The eThekwini Municipality will on Friday officially launch Phase One of the R29 million Mansel Road Market Development and hand over trading permits to 53 newly selected Church Walk traders, marking another milestone in efforts to strengthen Durban’s informal economy.

The project forms part of the municipality’s ongoing investment to modernise informal trading infrastructure, create sustainable livelihood opportunities and build a more inclusive local economy, where informal businesses can thrive.

Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli, said the informal economy remains one of the city’s strongest economic pillars, supporting thousands of households and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs across eThekwini.

“Our informal traders are not only business owners, but they are also job creators, breadwinners and drivers of local economic growth. Through strategic investments such as the Mansel Road Market Development, we are creating safer, dignified and business-friendly trading spaces that enable entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while improving the lives of their families,” Ntuli said.

The upgraded facility features improved trading infrastructure, upgraded ablution facilities, as well as dedicated maintenance and cleaning services designed to provide traders with a safer and more conducive business environment.

The municipality said the allocation of trading permits will enable newly selected Church Walk traders to operate legally while supporting the growth and sustainability of their businesses. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim has welcomed the Transport Education and Training Authority’s (TETA) commitment to accelerate the payment of outstanding student bursary allowances and apprentice stipends following months of delays.

The commitment follows the Deputy Minister’s engagement with TETA this week, after nearly 300 beneficiaries reported that they had not received their bursary allowances and stipends from February to August 2026.

The visit was prompted by student queries and concerns received through the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk regarding unpaid bursary allowances and apprentice stipends. 

It also formed part of Cassim’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with institutions to resolve issues affecting students and ensure quicker solutions to challenges within the post-school education and training sector.

Following the engagement, TETA has committed to finalise bursary allowance payments for 104 students by the end of this week.

The remaining beneficiaries will undergo an expedited verification process, with payments processed immediately after the verifications are completed next week.

While acknowledging the operational context provided by TETA, which has led to these delays, Cassim emphasised the need for swift action to prevent further delays.

“Students are unfairly disadvantaged in their studies whilst waiting the entire year for their allowances,” Cassim said.

Action steps

As part of the agreed action plan, TETA has committed to:
•    Finalising payments for 104 student bursary beneficiaries by the end of this week.
•    Completing the verification of supporting documentation for an additional 108 beneficiaries by the end of next week, with payments to follow immediately thereafter.
•    TETA is developing a new payment model, in partnership with relevant institutions, to reduce administrative burden by leveraging existing university systems. The revised model is expected to be implemented in the next academic year.
•    Working with the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, which will escalate all incoming TETA-related bursary enquiries directly to the entity for urgent attention.

Cassim said he will continue to closely monitor progress to ensure students receive the financial support they are entitled to and intervene whenever students’ chances of academic success are compromised.

“Students shouldn’t have to choose between studying and worrying about allowances. Through my engagement with TETA, I have emphasised that these payments must be prioritised and completed urgently,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Deputy Minister also thanked TETA for its constructive engagement and willingness to work constructively to address the concerns raised. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has been honoured with the Emerging Leader Award at the International Pride Awards during WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has congratulated Letsike on receiving the award, which recognises individuals who are “reimagining LGBTIQ+ liberation for a new generation”.

The department said the award speaks directly to a defining challenge of our time: how a new generation takes forward the struggle for LGBTIQ+ liberation in a vastly changing political environment. 

The International Pride Awards, a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World, celebrate courageous individuals working across the world to advance equality, freedom and safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ people, including in environments where undertaking this work comes at significant personal and political risk. 

The department described Letsike’s recognition, announced on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, as particularly significant because it acknowledges a leadership journey rooted in decades of activism that now carries into the institutions of democratic governance.

For decades, Letsike has been part of South Africa’s struggle for equality and social justice, advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons, while insisting that struggles against homophobia, transphobia and gender inequality cannot be separated from the broader struggles against racism, patriarchy, poverty and economic exclusion. 

The department noted that the award comes at a time when the world is witnessing the growth of increasingly organised and transnational anti-gender and anti-rights movements.

“Through disinformation, moral panic and political mobilisation, these forces seek not only to reverse advances in LGBTIQ+ rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality, but also to weaken the democratic institutions upon which these freedoms depend. It is in this context that reimagining liberation for a new generation becomes urgent,” the department said.

Accepting the award, Letsike said she received the recognition with profound humility, stressing that the struggle for human dignity has always been a collective effort.

“I stand on the shoulders of generations of activists who fought when it was dangerous to be visible, dangerous to speak and, for many, dangerous simply to exist as themselves. But every generation must define what liberation demands of it.

“The struggle before young people today is not identical to the struggle that came before us. They confront new technologies, new forms of disinformation and surveillance, new expressions of exclusion and a highly organised global movement seeking to reverse rights we once believed were secure.

“Yet I remain hopeful because I see in this generation the courage, imagination and determination not only to defend the freedoms we have won, but to take the struggle for liberation further than we ever imagined possible,” Letsike said.

The department said the international recognition also holds particular significance for South Africa, whose Constitution was founded on the principle that no person should face discrimination based on race, sex, gender, sexual orientation or any other characteristic of identity.

It noted that South Africa’s constitutional protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation became an important global milestone.

It noted that while South Africa’s constitutional protections for sexual orientation marked a global milestone, constitutional recognition is not the end of liberation.

“The continuing experiences of violence, hate crime, discrimination, economic exclusion and social prejudice experienced by LGBTIQ+ persons remind us that formal equality must constantly be converted into substantive, lived equality,” the department said.

The department said it views the Emerging Leader Award not merely as an individual accolade, but as international recognition of South Africa’s and Africa’s ongoing struggle for human dignity.

“It also challenges the false narrative that LGBTIQ+ equality is foreign to Africa. Africa possesses its own histories of diversity, resistance, solidarity and human dignity. Our task is to ensure that the next generation of African activists can claim this history, shape its future and advance an African vision of liberation that leaves no one behind.”

Congratulating Letsike and the other 2026 International Pride Awards recipients, and activists across the world, the department said the recognition should strengthen global efforts to build societies where all people can live freely and with dignity.

“This recognition should renew our collective determination to build a world in which no young person must hide who they are in order to survive, and in which equality is not merely protected when it is convenient, but defended precisely when it is under attack,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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While acknowledging the unemployment challenge, government is urging young South Africans to take advantage of the wide range of education, skills development and employment opportunities available to help them transition from learning to earning.

Addressing the Youth in Action Expo at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Wednesday, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, encouraged young people to actively pursue opportunities rather than wait for them.

“This is my second opportunity to address the Youth in Action Expo, and I must say that returning to this platform is truly an honour,” she said.

Mhlauli praised the growth of the expo, which has expanded from 1 500 participants three years ago to more than 14 000 this year.

“That is not a statistic. That is a movement. It tells us something our country urgently needs to hear – young South Africans are not waiting for the future to arrive; they are showing up to build it.”

Acknowledging the country’s high youth unemployment rate, Mhlauli said government could not address the challenge alone.

“But let me be honest: government cannot fix this alone. Solving youth unemployment needs all of us, government, business, schools, colleges and you working together,” she said.

She encouraged young people to consider Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges alongside universities, saying vocational education is a pathway to opportunity rather than a second choice.

“If I could leave you with one message today, it is this: TVET is not a second choice; it is a pathway to opportunity,” Mhlauli said.

She added that funding is available for young people through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), urging prospective students to apply when the 2027 application window opens later this year.

She said the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), launched in 2020, continues to create pathways into employment through partnerships between government, business and civil society.

According to Mhlauli, the intervention has facilitated access to more than 2.5 million earning opportunities since its inception, while over 5.9 million young people have registered on SAYouth.mobi and more than 5.36 million on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) platform.

“In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 155 161 new opportunities were created, with more than 70% accessed by young women,” Mhlauli said.

She urged unemployed youth to register on the SAYouth.mobi platform, which is free and zero-rated. It connects users with jobs, internships, learnerships, apprenticeships, bursaries and skills development opportunities.

“It is completely free. It is zero-rated on participating mobile networks. You do not need a single megabyte of data,” she emphasised.

Mhlauli also encouraged graduates to explore opportunities offered through the Youth Employment Service (YES), while aspiring entrepreneurs were urged to access support through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF).

Marking Women’s Month, the Deputy Minister reflected on the legacy of the 1956 Women’s March and called for the greater empowerment of young women.

She noted that more than 70% of opportunities created through the PYEI have been accessed by young women, underscoring government’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities for women.

Concluding her address, Mhlauli urged young people attending the expo to make the most of the opportunities available to them.

“So, before you leave this expo, ask questions, make connections, explore every opportunity available and believe in your potential. The future is not something we wait for; it is something we build together,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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