Mr. Habteab Tesfatsion, Governor of the Southern Region, and Dr. Woldai Fitur, head of the Investment Center at the Office of the President, conducted a tour of inspection to assess the progress of development programs in the sub-zones of the Southern Region.
During the tour, conducted from 16 to 22 April in the sub-zones of Mendefera, Areza, Mai-Aini, Dekemhare, Dubarwa, Adi-Keih, Senafe and Mai-Mine, the two officials inspected the progress of efforts to redress the environment, as well as vegetable and livestock farming, milk processing and dairy production, and other activities. They also held discussions with project heads and investors.
Noting that efforts are being exerted to create a conducive atmosphere for citizens who want to invest in various sectors, Mr. Habteab said that favorable conditions have been created for those who want to invest in agricultural activities.
Dr. Woldai, for his part, underlined that follow-up on socio-economic development activities has a significant contribution in identifying investment opportunities. He said that the tour was aimed at exploring the inherent opportunities and challenges for investment. He also called for exerting more effort to modernize vegetable and fruit farming, livestock development, and milk processing, based on the experience already gained, so that they become competitive.
The investors, on their part, called for addressing the challenges they are currently facing in their efforts to expand their agricultural activities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Great Green Wall Initiative workshop to be held in Johannesburg
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, is expected to open the Southern African Great Green Wall Initiative (SA GGWI) Regional Capacity Building Workshop to be held in Johannesburg.
The workshop, which the Deputy Minister will open on Tuesday, is convened in partnership with the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
“The workshop brings together regional governments, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to accelerate the transition from policy commitments to investment-ready programmes that restore degraded landscapes, strengthen climate resilience, and unlock sustainable economic opportunities across Southern Africa.
“The workshop aims to equip stakeholders with the technical capacity to design, finance, and implement nature-based solutions,” said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on Sunday.
The workshop will also support the development of a pipeline of bankable projects, contributing to efforts to close the financing gap for land restoration and climate resilience initiatives in the region.
It will take place at The Capital on the Park from 27 April to 1 May 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
Pan-African Parliament to hold Extraordinary Session
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative organ of the African Union (AU), is expected to convene an Extraordinary Session of its Seventh Legislature from Tuesday.
The session will be held at its headquarters in Midrand, Gauteng, and will elect five members of its Bureau comprising one President and four Vice-Presidents.
“This Extraordinary Session follows the conclusion of the mandate of the Sixth Bureau on 28 February 2026 and is convened in accordance with Decisions 1288 (XLVI) and 1663 (XLVII) of the African Union Executive Council, as complemented by a subsequent decision adopted on 27 March 2026, and pursuant to Rule 29 of the PAP Rules of Procedure.
“The election process will be overseen by the H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, representing the Chairperson of the African Union, and supported by a High-Level Group mandated to supervise the process, ensuring transparency, credibility, and adherence to African Union legal and institutional frameworks,” the PAP said in a statement.
The election is expected to be held on Thursday.
“The newly elected Bureau will serve a three-year term and will reflect the African Union’s principle of equitable, regular, and predictable regional rotation, with representation structured as follows: President (North Africa), First Vice-President (East Africa), Second Vice-President (West Africa), Third Vice-President (Central Africa), and Fourth Vice-President (Southern Africa).
“The PAP Bureau [is] composed of a President and four Vice-Presidents, representing the five regions of the African continent. As the principal leadership and administrative organ of the Parliament, the Bureau provides strategic direction and ensures the effective functioning of the institution and its organs.
“The Bureau is responsible for the overall management and administration of the affairs and facilities of the Parliament and its organs,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
President Ramaphosa joins Eswatini in commemorating coronation of King Mswati III
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday joined the Kingdom of Eswatini as it commemorated the 40th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Mswati III, as well as the King’s 58th birthday.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa … arrived in the Kingdom of Eswatini as the Kingdom celebrates the 40th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Mswati III, as well as the King’s 58th birthday,” the Presidency said.
According to the Presidency, 2026 marks King Mswati III’s Ruby Jubilee as the Eswatini monarch, as His Majesty commenced his reign in 1986.
“President Ramaphosa’s honouring of the invitation as a guest at the national celebration in the Kingdom of Eswatini underscores the strong and fraternal relations between South Africa and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“South Africa and Eswatini share strong historical and cultural ties that were formally established at the end of the apartheid era in South Africa,” said the Presidency. –SAnews.gov.za
Strong winds expected in the Northern and Western Cape
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow level 2 warning for strong, damaging winds in parts of the Western Cape and the south-central parts of the Northern Cape.
The weather service said the damaging winds could lead to damage to infrastructure, settlements, problems for high sided vehicles, and travel services.
The SAWS also issued a Yellow level 1 warning for severe thunderstorms with strong, damaging winds and heavy downpours leading to localised flooding and damage to susceptible formal/informal settlements and infrastructure over the central and south-eastern parts of the Northern Cape.
In addition, the SAWS warned of extreme high fire danger conditions expected over the Central Karoo of the Western Cape, also in places over Dr Beyers Naude, Blue Crane, Inxuba Yethemba and Enoch Mgijima municipalities of the Eastern Cape, and the southern parts of the Northern Cape.
Meanwhile, cold to very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected over the southern parts of Namakwa region of the Northern Cape, Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, the western parts of the Overberg, and the City of Cape Town districts of the Western Cape into Monday, the service said on Saturday.
As the country moves to commemorate Freedom Day on Monday, the weather service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for strong winds in the Eastern Cape on Monday.
“A strong pressure gradient as a result of a ridging high and passing front are expected to result in strong south-westerly wind along the coast between Tsitsikama and Port Edward offshore.
“These strong winds are expected to affect coastal areas along Kouga Local Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay,” SAWS said on Sunday.
This could result in: • Damage to settlements and temporary structures • Localised disruption to power and communications • Localised disruptions to the harbour/ports as well as beach activities • Difficulty in navigation at sea • Vessels at risk of taking on water and capsizing within a locality – SAnews.gov.za
Mhlauli, Manamela to hold ‘BackChat’ session with students
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli and Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela will hold a Freedom Day BackChat Conversation on YouTube on Monday.
The conversation will focus on the constitutional rights of students and the responsibilities required to realise them. The session will be held under the theme: “Beyond Fee-Free Education: Are constitutional imperatives honouring the rights of students?”
“This year’s BackChat shifts the focus from abstract notions of freedom to a more urgent and grounded inquiry: What does the Constitution promise students? What responsibilities does it impose on all of us? Where is the gap between that promise and [the] lived realities of students, and what must be done by government, institutions of higher education, and students themselves to close it?”
“The conversation will interrogate whether the post-school education and training sector is fully honouring the rights guaranteed under the Constitution and what is required to give effect to these rights in practice,” a Presidency statement on Friday read.
The platform will bring together students from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and Community Education and Training (CET) institutions.
“The platform provides a space for open dialogue between students and government leaders to engage in conversation on important issues affecting students, which can be used to formulate policies,” the statement read.
The conversation will be livestreamed on YouTube from 6pm on Monday.
The livestream will follow the national Freedom Day commemoration in the Free State.
President Ramaphosa to lead Freedom Day commemoration
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead the national Freedom Day commemoration which will be held in Bloemfontein in the Free State on Monday.
This year marks the 32nd anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections, which were held on 27 April 1994.
“Freedom Day…stands as a testament to the country’s journey towards democracy, justice, equality and human dignity,” the Presidency said.
The day is commemorated under the theme: “Freedom and the Rule of Law: Thirty Years of Democratic Citizenship”.
“The commemoration highlights three decades since the adoption of the Constitution and underscores the importance of constitutional supremacy, the rule of law, and democratic citizenship in shaping South Africa’s future.
“This year’s national event takes place within the context of several significant national milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, 70 years since the Women’s March of 1956, and 50 years since the Soweto youth uprising.
“These milestones continue to shape South Africa’s democratic journey by inspiring continued transformation,” the Presidency added.
The day will bring together government, civil society, and various sectors in a “unified national celebration of the country’s democratic progress”.
“Freedom Month provides an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on the gains of democracy, honour the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom, and recommit to building a united, inclusive and just society.
“It also serves as a platform to promote active citizenship, deepen understanding of constitutional rights, and strengthen social cohesion, particularly among young people.
“The commemoration will feature ceremonial elements, including participation by the South African National Defence Force, adding to the significance of the national occasion,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za
Parliament has expressed condolences to the family of retired Judge President Achmat Naeem Jappie who passed away at the age of 70.
The retired Judge President had served for nearly two decades on the bench.
“His passing is a profound loss not only to the Judiciary and legal profession, but to the broader constitutional project of South Africa.
“On behalf of Parliament, the Presiding Officers extend their heartfelt condolences to his wife, Judge Soraya Hassim, his children, family, colleagues, and all who were touched by his life and service,” Parliament said in a statement.
The respected jurist was appointed to the bench in 1998, just four years after South Africa’s transition to a democratic dispensation.
“His leadership as Deputy Judge President and later Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, as well as his service as an Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court and at the Labour Appeal Court, reflected the high regard in which he was held and was an affirmation of his deep commitment to the rule of law and as a principled advocate of the constitutional values that underpin South Africa’s democracy – integrity, fairness, accountability, and fidelity to the law.
“Through his judicial service, including his contribution to South Africa’s evolving legal jurisprudence, Judge President Jappie formed part of a generation of jurists who have, over time, shaped and affirmed the principles of constitutional supremacy, legality, and accountability in the exercise of public power.
“This body of jurisprudence continues to guide all arms of state, including Parliament, in ensuring that legislative processes, executive oversight, and institutional conduct remain firmly grounded in the Constitution,” the statement read.
Jappie retired in 2021 but continued to serve as Chairperson of a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.
“Even in retirement, Judge President Jappie continued to serve the nation with distinction, including through his role in judicial conduct processes, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to institutional accountability and ethical governance,” the statement concluded.
Earlier in the week, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, on behalf of the South African Judiciary, expressed sadness at the passing of the retired Judge President.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ndidzulafhi Innocent Sinthumule, Associate Professor, University of Johannesburg
South Africa’s Limpopo province borders Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. It is one of the poorest provinces in the country. This is due to a combination of historical underdevelopment, a high unemployment rate, heavy reliance on government grants and a rural-based economy with limited industrial diversification.
It’s an interesting place for a geographer like me. My work brings together the themes of traditional ecological knowledge, environmental geography, conservation and society. My research looks at sustainable environmental outcomes by recognising the role of local culture, sacred sites and community practices in managing natural resources in southern Africa.
In two recent studies I explored how local communities in Limpopo are commercialising the harvesting of local insects to manage extreme poverty.
In one I explored the process involved in the commercialisation of mopane worms. Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina) are a nutritious, high-protein seasonal delicacy for many communities in Limpopo.
In a similar study, I turned to the harvesting and commercialisation of termite alates in Limpopo.
These resources are important for food security and poverty relief. Mopane worms and alate termites offer both high-quality nutrition and substantial income-generating opportunities for rural households. Both foods are traded in local and regional, formal and informal markets.
This enterprise is largely driven by unemployment, economic hardship, and the need for cash income in rural areas.
My research shows clearly that these resources play an important part in rural households and it’s important to manage them sustainably. One way of ensuring this happens is to tap into local knowledge.
As a separate study I did shows, traditional knowledge can help manage scarce resources by integrating customary rules, taboos and seasonal monitoring to prevent over-exploitation.
Mopane harvesting and trade
The mopane worm study took place in June and July 2023 in Muyexe and Nsavulani villages, Mopani District, Limpopo. The area is dominated by mopane woodlands, trees which are the main food of mopane worms (caterpillars). These villages have not benefited from development in the past and people depend heavily on natural resources for survival.
Degutting mopane worms.Author supplied, Author provided (no reuse)
The processing of mopane worms (from harvesting to a marketable commodity) involves a series of traditional, manual steps to ensure quality. They are degutted (squeezing the caterpillar to remove stomach contents or frass), washed, boiled and dried to allow them to be stored for long periods. They are then graded and sold at home or in towns.
Dried cooked mopane worms.By Mark Marathon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
I chose 161 households in Muyexe village and 82 households in Nsavulani village as respondents, and interviewed villagers using a questionnaire. The questions covered:
the socio-economic profile of respondents
the availability and procurement, processing, marketing, trading and livelihood benefits of mopane worms.
The study found that most of the harvesters in Muyexe (69%) and Nsavulani (59%) villages were women. Almost all processed the worms at home. They collected the worms for both household consumption and trade. Those who traded worms reported making between R1,000 (US$54) and R3,000 (US$163) per season. There are two mopane seasons in Limpopo: November to January and April to May.
The study found that 55% of households in Muyexe village and 70% in Nsavulani village derived income only from mopane worm sales. (Individuals were under 60 and didn’t qualify for a social grant, or administered grants for children, nor for themselves.) Although the income earned from the sale of mopane worms is seasonal, communities appreciate it. Commercialising mopane worms contributed significantly to rural livelihoods. It is a crucial source of food security and cash income. This helps alleviate poverty and improves the lives and livelihoods of those involved in the business.
Termite harvesting and trade
Termite alates.Tim Cowley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
In a similar study, I turned to the harvesting and commercialisation of termite alates in Limpopo. I interviewed 71 respondents in Thohoyandou and Sibasa towns (who came mainly from villages), as well as Mukula and Tshidzivhe villages, and found that these insects were harvested to eat at home and to sell.
Women of all ages were more involved than men in this enterprise, making up 75% of the respondents. Almost half had secondary education and 23% had tertiary education; 63% were self-employed. The majority lived below the upper bound poverty line of R1,558 (about US$95) per person per month. About 31% of the traders indicated that over the selling season (October to December), alates contributed up to 100% of the income in their households.
Management for the future
While commercialisation puts pressure on resources, traditional rules and local management protect the trees. In the study on traditional ecological knowledge, I found that the communities imposed rules that:
prohibited cutting of green branches
restricted harvesting during specific seasons to allow for maturity
prohibited tree damage during the mopane worm harvest.
Traditional ecological knowledge regulated the timing of harvest, protected host tree health, and ensured long-term livelihood security for local communities.
This shows that integrating local traditional ecological knowledge into harvesting practices is crucial for managing these resources sustainably.
Management strategies should be integrated into local and regional planning efforts. Efforts should also be made to communicate these strategies to relevant authorities to foster cooperation and raise awareness about the importance of mopane trees for all user groups.
To ensure the sustainable future of this woodland species, I recommend that the government work with traditional leaders and communities to support and enforce existing traditional practices.
– Mopane worm and termite sales relieve poverty in rural South Africa – studies explore the impact – https://theconversation.com/mopane-worm-and-termite-sales-relieve-poverty-in-rural-south-africa-studies-explore-the-impact-280926
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday, 27 April 2026, lead the national Freedom Day Commemoration to be held in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in Bloemfontein, Free State Province.
Freedom Day 2026 marks the 32nd anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994 and stands as a testament to the country’s journey towards democracy, justice, equality and human dignity.
Freedom Day 2026 is commemorated under the theme, “Freedom and the Rule of Law: Thirty Years of Democratic Citizenship”.
The commemoration highlights three decades since the adoption of the Constitution and underscores the importance of constitutional supremacy, the rule of law, and democratic citizenship in shaping South Africa’s future.
This year’s national event takes place within the context of several significant national milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, 70 years since the Women’s March if 1956, and 50 years since the Soweto youth uprising.
These milestones continue to shape South Africa’s democratic journey by inspiring continued transformation.
The Freedom Day commemoration will bring together all organs of state and all three spheres of Government, alongside representatives from civil society and various sectors, in a unified national celebration of the country’s democratic progress.
Freedom Month provides an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on the gains of democracy, honour the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom, and recommit to building a united, inclusive and just society. It also serves as a platform to promote active citizenship, deepen understanding of constitutional rights, and strengthen social cohesion, particularly among young people.
The commemoration will feature ceremonial elements, including participation by the South African National Defence Force, adding to the significance of the national occasion.
President Ramaphosa will lead the Freedom Day Commemoration as follows:
Date: Monday, 27 April 2026 Time: 10h00 Venue: Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium, Bloemfontein
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
