Category: MIL-OSI

South Africa and Namibia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation by signing seven agreements aimed at boosting trade, investment, industrialisation and regional integration during the Fourth Session of the South Africa -Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria.

Co-chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Commission reviewed progress in bilateral relations and adopted measures to accelerate implementation of agreements and programmes that will deliver tangible economic and developmental benefits to the people of both countries.

The Fourth Session was preceded by meetings of senior officials from 14 to 15 July and a ministerial segment on 16 July, where progress on previous decisions was assessed and recommendations prepared for consideration by the two Heads of State.

In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting on Friday, the two Presidents reaffirmed the historic bonds of friendship forged during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

“The two Presidents reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of cooperation between the two countries. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthening political, economic, social and cultural relations for the mutual benefit of their peoples,” the joint communiqué said. 

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and other multilateral forums, while advancing regional peace, security, economic integration and sustainable development.

They underscored the urgency of accelerating implementation of regional and continental frameworks, including the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Namibia also expressed its support for South Africa as host of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August 2026.

Recognising the geographical proximity, economic interdependence and complementary resource endowments of the two countries, the Presidents agreed to intensify economic cooperation.

“They agreed to promote greater trade and investment, strengthen cross-border value chains, facilitate private-sector partnerships and pursue opportunities for joint industrial development and beneficiation,” the joint communiqué said. 

The two countries also agreed to deepen collaboration in the mining, petroleum and natural gas sectors by expanding cooperation across mineral and energy value chains.

The communiqué said the partnership would place greater emphasis on exploration, research, technology, skills development, local value addition and beneficiation to support industrialisation, economic diversification, energy security and employment creation.

Energy cooperation featured prominently during the discussions, with the two leaders agreeing to strengthen collaboration in electricity generation and transmission, renewable energy and regional energy security.

They also committed to accelerating implementation of the Kudu Gas Power Project.

Transport and logistics were identified as critical enablers of trade, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation on the Trans-Kalahari Corridor and other transport links connecting South Africa, Namibia and the broader Southern African region.

The two governments also agreed to strengthen cooperation in water resource management, agriculture and food security, public health, skills development and public-sector capacity building to improve resilience, service delivery and socio-economic development.

The Commission culminated in the signing of seven bilateral agreements and instruments of cooperation covering:

• Employment and labour; 
• Public administration capacity building between South Africa’s National School of Government and Namibia’s Institute of Public Administration and Management; 
• Bilateral air services; 
• Legal cooperation; 
• Correctional services; 
• An economic partnership agreement between the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and 
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

The two Heads of State also welcomed the convening of the South Africa-Namibia Business Forum, describing it as a strategic public-private partnership platform that will promote greater economic cooperation between the two countries.

Held under the theme: “Driving Regional Industrialisation, Investment and Sustainable Growth Through Strategic South Africa–Namibia Partnerships”, the forum brought together government and business leaders to strengthen trade, investment and industrial partnerships.

South Africa and Namibia already enjoy strong trade and investment relations, with more than 50 South African companies investing in Namibia between 2023 and 2025. These investments contributed approximately US$1.2 billion in capital and created around 4 900 jobs across sectors including mining, banking, insurance, property and renewable energy.

Established in 2013, the Bi-National Commission is the highest formal mechanism for cooperation between South Africa and Namibia. Since its inception, it has become the principal platform for coordinating bilateral relations across political, economic, social, environmental, science and technology, defence and security sectors.

The two countries have concluded 75 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering a broad range of areas, including political and economic cooperation, social development, defence and security, as well as historical agreements relating to the handover of Walvis Bay.

To ensure decisions taken during the Fourth Session are implemented, the two Presidents directed relevant ministries, departments and agencies to develop clear implementation plans with defined responsibilities and timelines.

They further instructed senior officials to monitor implementation regularly and use the Mid-Term Review mechanism to assess progress, address challenges and ensure accountability.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah also invited President Ramaphosa to undertake a working visit to Namibia to co-chair the Fifth Session of the Bi-National Commission at a mutually agreed date. President Ramaphosa accepted the invitation. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government will use this year’s Mandela Day to launch 67 decentralised water supply projects across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape as part of a national drive to provide safe and reliable water to underserved communities.

The initiatives form part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s National Water Access Acceleration Programme, which seeks to fast-track access to water services in more than 2 600 unserved settlements nationwide.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, and Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa will lead handover ceremonies in the three provinces on Saturday, 18 July 2026.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Deputy President and Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo will officially hand over 27 decentralised water supply schemes, including the Babanango Community Water Supply Scheme and the Msinga Borehole Water Supply Intervention.

The Babanango project supplies treated drinking water to communities in the uMzinyathi District through protected natural springs, a borehole backup system and a 0.5-megalitre-per-day package water treatment plant connected to approximately 42 kilometres of pipelines, reservoirs and communal standpipes.

The scheme provides reliable drinking water to communities including Ngwebeni, Enkanini, Nkonjane, Nhlengile and Nkangala while generating employment and skills development opportunities during construction.

The Msinga intervention comprises nine interconnected borehole-based water supply schemes serving remote rural communities in the uMzinyathi District Municipality. The projects provide potable water through boreholes, storage reservoirs and communal standpipes, reducing dependence on unsafe water sources and lengthy walks to collect water.

The two KwaZulu-Natal projects are expected to improve water security for more than 8 000 residents.

Mncwasa Water Supply Scheme

In the Eastern Cape, Minister Ramokgopa will officially launch the Mncwasa Water Supply Scheme in the OR Tambo District.

The project, funded through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant, involved upgrading an existing groundwater supply system, rehabilitating pumping infrastructure, constructing nearly seven kilometres of new reticulation pipelines and installing additional communal standpipes.

The R4.4 million project will provide a sustainable water supply to approximately 510 residents of Mncwasa and Mbhozisa villages and was completed ahead of schedule.

The Department of Water and Sanitation said the 67 projects represent the first phase of the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, implemented through Water Boards under the Water Services Act.

More than R200 million has been allocated to Phase One of the programme, which combines borehole drilling, groundwater development, spring protection, rainwater harvesting and rehabilitation of existing water infrastructure to expand access to safe drinking water.

The 67 groundwater interventions are expected to benefit an estimated 125 986 people across the three provinces, with further implementation phases planned for October 2026 and April 2027. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim has met with National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Administrator, Professor Hlengani Mathebula, to address student concerns over funding delays, outstanding GAP or vetting process investigations, allowance payments and the processing of appeals.

The meeting, held in Cape Town this week, followed complaints received through the Deputy Minister’s Help Desk and issues raised during Cassim’s recent visit to the University of South Africa (Unisa), where students reported delays in receiving NSFAS allowances.

Among immediate outcome of the engagement include the deployment of NSFAS teams to the Central University of Technology to assist students in non-accredited accommodation who have experienced delays in receiving their allowances.

Over 2 000 investigations completed

Cassim raised concerns over delays in GAP investigations, noting that prolonged waiting periods have left many students without funding for several months.

While acknowledging the importance of the verification process to confirm student registration, enrolment, accommodation and academic eligibility, and to prevent fraud, he said the lengthy turnaround times affect students’ ability to continue their studies.

NSFAS reported that it is awaiting academic information from higher education institutions for 4 138 students whose GAP investigations remain outstanding.

The Deputy Minister requested a breakdown of affected students by institution and instructed the department’s university branch to assist NSFAS in obtaining the required information to speed up the process.

NSFAS reported that it has completed 2 361 GAP investigations, restoring funding for students, from a caseload of more than 10 000.

The scheme also committed to:
• Finalising 1 515 outstanding Unisa GAP cases by 17 July 2026;
• Urgently resolving GAP cases affecting more than 400 Nelson Mandela University students enrolled in Extended Programmes; and
• Conducting a visit to Nelson Mandela University to engage directly on funding-related issues.

Cassim also expressed concern that NSFAS had not yet provided certainty on funding for students due to register for Unisa’s second semester, which begins next week.

NSFAS said it is finalising its funding submission to the Ministry of Higher Education and Training in light of funding constraints.

“I will continue engaging the scheme to ensure the matter is resolved without further delay,” Cassim said.

Allowance payments and appeals

The Deputy Minister questioned NSFAS’s monthly allowance payment schedule, noting that transfers to institutions are generally made about a week after the start of each month, leaving institutions with limited time to process student payments.

He appealed to NSFAS to review the payment schedule for Unisa’s R316 personal care allowance to ensure students receive payments on time. NSFAS acknowledged the concern and undertook to provide feedback.

Cassim also raised concerns about delays in processing student appeals.

According to NSFAS, appeals are now handled directly by the scheme after the appeals tribunal was discontinued, with measures being implemented to improve turnaround times. This follows the appointment of the Administrator.

The Deputy Minister and the NSFAS Administrator also discussed broader policy issues, including concerns over the adequacy of the R316 personal care allowance and the value and structure of other student allowances.

“The ongoing review of NSFAS policies, together with the anticipated review of the NSFAS Act, provides an opportunity to address these issues,” Cassim said.

Improving student support

During his visit, Cassim toured the NSFAS call centre, where he met staff and discussed delays in resolving student queries.

“It is important that we improve our response rate to student queries at all times. My office will ensure that the Deputy Minister’s Help Desk works closely with NSFAS so that we can collaborate more effectively to assist students,” he said.

He added that his office remains available to support NSFAS in improving service delivery and encouraged the Administrator to continue supporting officials committed to strengthening the institution.

NSFAS also assured the Deputy Minister that there are no outstanding allowance payments, including for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students.

Cassim said individual cases received through the Deputy Minister’s Help Desk would be referred directly to NSFAS for resolution. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in correctional services with Namibia to advance the interstate transfer of sentenced offenders.

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Correctional Services said the MoU marks the second agreement paving the way for the future transfer of sentenced offenders between countries, building on the recent agreement concluded with Botswana.

“Transfers will, however, only become possible once the necessary enabling legislation is in place. The Bi-National Commission undertook that the South African legislative enabling tool is to be concluded by mid-2027,” the Ministry said.

To this end, proposed amendments to the Correctional Services Act have been drafted and are currently before the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS) for comment and input, after which the formal parliamentary process will commence.

The MoU was signed by Minister of Correctional Services Dr Pieter Groenewald and Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, during the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission.

The agreement establishes a framework for technical cooperation between the Department of Correctional Services and the Namibian Correctional Service across several areas.

“Engagements with foreign nationals in the correctional system indicate that many prefer to serve their sentences in their countries of origin, as family and community support are integral parts of rehabilitation.

“A subsequent reduction in the offender population benefits South Africa by easing budgetary pressure associated with incarceration costs,” the Ministry said.

The Minister welcomed the positive support for the initiative from the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services and noted the backing it has received across party lines.

“I hope that this support will translate into the swift passage of the amendments through Parliament. This amendment to the Act will bring much-needed solutions to the challenges facing the department,” Groenewald said. –SAnews.gov.za

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