Category: MIL-OSI

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on world leaders and governments to take deliberate collective action to address global inequality.

The President addressed the Global Inequality Dialogue in Johannesburg on Friday, the second meeting of the founding International Panel on Inequality (IPI), founded during South Africa’s Group Twenty (G20) Presidency.

“The decision to establish the Panel is one of the most consequential outcomes of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, held in Johannesburg, in November last year.

“This decision arose from an appreciation by leaders from across the world that inequality severely constrains social and economic development,” President Ramaphosa said.

Inequality stops progress

Inequality remains one of the most pressing global challenges, exacerbating poverty, social instability, democratic fragility, health inequities and climate vulnerability with particular impact in the Global South.

President Ramaphosa described the scourge as the “greatest threat to human progress”. 

“It retards human development and progress because where inequality exists, opportunity is scarce. Where opportunity is scarce, potential is wasted. And where potential is wasted, progress is not just slowed – it is stopped.

“Inequality literally entrenches poverty across generations. It results in one’s starting point in life being a handicap and results in inferior schooling, nutrition, lack of networks that make upward mobility difficult or impossible. This prevents humanity’s progress,” he said.

Pointing to the findings of the Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality led by Professor Joseph Stiglitz during South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the President noted the consequences inequality has on all fronts. 

“Drawing on extensive evidence and a broad range of views, the [Extraordinary Committee’s] report outlines in clear and precise terms the scale, drivers and consequences of rising inequality.

“It is astounding that between 2000 and 2024, the richest 1% of people in the world captured 41% of all new wealth. The poorer half of humanity captured just 1% of new wealth. The committee’s report provided evidence that inequality is a threat to democratic freedoms, to economic growth and to general well-being.

“It would be a mistake to think that inequality is bad only for the poor. Inequality threatens the stability of societies and the sustainability of economies. It worsens the effects of climate disasters and steadily makes the planet less inhabitable for all people. The Extraordinary Committee was correct when it said that the world is facing an inequality emergency,” he reflected.

Call for global action

President Ramaphosa highlighted that despite the challenge that inequality presents, the International Panel on Inequality represents a “concrete opportunity to confront this emergency”.

“It is an opportunity to bring together governments and peoples from different countries to help the world to understand and address inequality. No nation can overcome inequality alone. We need coordinated multilateral action, rooted in solidarity and shared responsibility.

“We need a collective architecture of reform, credible monitoring and actionable insights to guide governments, multilateral agencies, academia and civil society,” he said.

The President noted that at the 4th meeting of the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ initiative held in Barcelona last weekend, world leaders recognised that inequality is a serious challenge to democracies.

He added that the leaders welcomed “coordination with international initiatives addressing inequality and social cohesion, specifically mentioning the International Panel on Inequality”.

“The Panel will therefore begin its work amid a gathering groundswell of global activism for a more inclusive, equal and just world. It will provide the rigorous analysis and credible evidence that is needed to ensure that this sentiment is translated into actions that fundamentally and sustainably reduce inequality within and between countries.

“That is why the work of this Consultative Council is so important. All those gathered here, from South Africa and across the world, are expected to propose an agenda for the first wave of work of the International Panel on Inequality.

“The Consultative Council is expected to identify the critical areas for focus within four key themes taken from the original report: the scale and dimensions of inequality, drivers of inequality, consequences of inequality and finally policy options,” President Ramaphosa said.

He called on governments and all world leaders to “actively support the establishment of the Panel as a permanent international body”.

“Once established, once equipped and supported, this International Panel will be one of the most effective instruments the global community has to direct efforts to substantially reduce inequality.

“But we must recognise that the panel can only take us so far. As communities, as social formations, as governments and as multilateral institutions, it is up to us to take forward the struggle for more equal societies and for a just and inclusive global order.

“The International Panel on Inequality can provide the evidence we need. It can develop the analysis and make the policy recommendations. But it is up to all of us to act, to act together and to act with great urgency,” the President urged.

President Ramaphosa closed on a note of measured optimism.

“We establish this International Panel knowing that inequality is deepening.

“We do so out of grave concern for the quality of lives of billions of people and the prospects for meaningful human progress. Yet, although the challenges are great, we see a rising tide of activism and a renewed determination across the world to confront and overcome this crisis of inequality.

“As we undertake the important preparatory work to put this International Panel in place, we are full of hope and expectation. We are convinced that through our collective efforts we are firmly on the path towards a better, more just and more equal world,” the President concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has confirmed the immediate dismissal of seven additional officials following the conclusion of disciplinary processes into various cases of misconduct.

In a statement on Friday, the department also announced that an additional16 officials have been suspended as part of ongoing disciplinary action, including cases arising from findings emanating from the interim investigation report by released by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The latest dismissals bring the total number of officials dismissed since the establishment of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in July 2024 to 63.

The department said the actions form part of an ongoing crackdown on corruption, maladministration and unethical conduct, undertaken in collaboration with the SIU and other law enforcement agencies.

Since July 2024, the department has initiated a total of 95 misconduct cases related to various irregularities, of which 75 have been finalised. 

This reflects the department’s intensified and consistent approach to consequence management, ensuring that all cases are dealt with decisively and without undue delay.

He added that the department continues to strengthen its internal controls and oversight mechanisms to act against wrongdoing.

“These efforts are yielding measurable progress in restoring integrity to Home Affairs operations. The decisive pace at which the department now processes disciplinary matters, resulting in ongoing dismissals and other disciplinary action, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to cleaning up the damage done to Home Affairs over many years.

“Our zero-tolerance approach does not rely on words – it is demonstrated an ongoing concrete action to rebuild the rule of law in a department that is fundamental to the functioning of our society,” Schreiber said.

He added that the department’ message remains clear on both accountability and reform.

“We will continue to empower and reward the many officials in Home Affairs who are working diligently to implement our digital transformation agenda to deliver dignity for all, while dealing decisively and immediately with anyone found guilty of corruption, fraud or misconduct,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has successfully disbursed allowances amounting to R621 million to 203 653 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, in line with its commitment of 17 April 2026.  

The disbursement forms part of NSFAS’s ongoing efforts to ensure efficient and timely payments, supporting uninterrupted teaching and learning across institutions of higher education.

In a statement on Thursday, NSFAS reported that during its routine review and verification processes, 12 000 students who did not qualify for inclusion in this payment cycle were identified. This was due to data exchange inconsistencies between colleges and NSFAS systems.

The scheme said it is working closely with affected institutions to resolve these discrepancies and will determine whether a supplementary payment run is necessary once corrections are finalised.

“NSFAS is actively assisting all affected colleges in reviewing and correcting student records. Regional working sessions with college staff commenced [this week], with priority given to resolving outstanding data issues. Upon receipt of verified and corrected data, we encourage institutions to expedite data correction to ensure eligible students are included in upcoming disbursements,” NSFAS said.

To prevent further disruptions, NSFAS has implemented enhanced support measures, including the deployment of specialist teams to colleges across the provinces to assist with resolving outstanding data issues.

“We are [also] strengthening collaboration with all institutions to ensure accurate and timely data submission, which is critical for efficient allowance disbursement and to prevent future delays.”

NSFAS reaffirmed its commitment to enabling uninterrupted teaching and learning and urged all colleges to prioritise data review and correction to ensure prompt payment to all eligible students.

“NSFAS values the partnership with stakeholders and remains committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, and student-centred service delivery. We appreciate the cooperation and patience of all parties as we work towards a swift resolution,” the scheme said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Special Tribunal has set aside the R85 million tender for the construction of a concrete barrier wall along the KwaZulu‑Natal and Mozambique border.

According to the Special Investigating Unit which probed the contract, the tender was awarded to the ISF Shula Joint Venture and commissioned by the KZN Transport Department.

“The wall was commissioned…in response to community concerns about rampant cross-border crime, particularly the smuggling and trafficking of stolen and hijacked vehicles into Mozambique.

“Instead of delivering on this urgent public safety measure, the Joint Venture submitted fraudulent documents, failed to meet mandatory requirements and left the project incomplete despite receiving R84 million,” the SIU said in a statement.

The corruption busting unit investigated the tender and found:

• Only 5.29km of the planned 8km wall was erected, forcing the department to tender for another company to complete the wall at an additional cost of R62 million;
• A fraudulent B-BBEE certificate was used to secure the tender;
• An expired Letter of Good Standing;
• Non-compliance with financial capacity requirements.

“The Tribunal’s ruling underscores the constitutional imperative that government procurement must be fair, transparent, competitive, and cost‑effective. The SIU will now pursue recovery of the monies paid, ensuring that public funds are restored to the state.

“As part of the order, ISF Shula Joint Venture has been directed to repay all profits it derived from the contract to the SIU. An independent expert will be appointed by ISF Shula Joint Venture to determine the amount of these profits.

“The SIU will review the findings, and if there is a dispute, the matter will be referred back to the Tribunal for determination. Furthermore, ISF Shula Joint Venture has been ordered to pay the legal costs,” the SIU said.

The unit highlighted that the judgement sends a “clear message that fraudulent certificates, misrepresentation, and incomplete delivery will not be rewarded”.

“The SIU will continue to act decisively to protect the integrity of public procurement and restore public trust.

“The SIU was mandated by Proclamation R.16 of 2021 the President. It directed the SIU to investigate allegations relating to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport between 13 July 2016 and 7 May 2021, including the lawfulness and validity of the border wall tender awarded to the ISF Shula Joint Venture.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the National Business Initiative (NBI), describing the organisation as a “powerful agent for change” that has helped shape South Africa’s democratic journey over the past three decades.

The President addressed the NBI’s 30^th anniversary cocktail reception in Sandton, on Thursday evening.

The event marked 30 years of cooperation between government, business and civil society in advancing South Africa’s economic and development transformation.

“It is truly a privilege to pay tribute to an organisation that has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s democratic journey.

“For the past 30 years, the National Business Initiative has been a respected voice of responsible business action and a powerful agent for change,” the President said.

He noted that the NBI was founded at a critical time in the nation’s history when the country moved on from the divisive apartheid government to a new democratic dispensation.

“It was launched in 1995 at a time when all of society was being called upon to step forward to build a new nation. 

“The formation of the NBI signalled that progressive South African business was ready to be active partners in nation-building and to help define the contours of a new, inclusive economy and society,” the President said.

Historical ties

The NBI’s roots trace back to the late 1980s, when organised business first engaged with the liberation movements in exile.

“These engagements culminated in the formation of the Consultative Business Movement [CBM], the forerunner of the NBI. 

“The Consultative Business Movement would go on to play a formative role in the pre-1994 transition period by helping open channels of dialogue between business and the government in waiting, and by actively supporting the peace negotiations. 

“The Consultative Business Movement provided the secretariat and administrative support to the CODESA processes that began in December 1991 and later to the Multi-Party Negotiating Forum,” President Ramaphosa reflected.

In 1995, the CBM merged with the Urban Foundation in a move the President described as “rebirth but also continuity”.

“The organisation had already cemented its reputation as a credible, non-partisan and pragmatic partner in the cause of building a new South Africa,” he said.

Modern day South Africa

The President praised the organisation’s ability to respond to the complexities and changing dynamics of South African society.

It has pioneered initiatives in support of transformation, service delivery, skills development, job creation and safety and security.

“Whether through the formation of Business against Crime, the Education Quality Improvement Partnerships, support to the Youth Employment Service or the groundbreaking CEO Initiative, the NBI has been at the forefront of innovation. 

“The NBI has a proud history of supporting pathways for employment. The organisation’s Skills and Youth Employability programme has become even more critical at a time when we have to urgently align the skills being produced by our institutions of higher learning with those needed by the economy of the future. 

“This pathfinding work is anchored in a deep appreciation that creating a sustainable, equitable and thriving economy relies on collective action,” President Ramaphosa said.

A government at work

The President outlined the Government of National Unity’s priorities, which include driving inclusive growth and job creation, addressing poverty and the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.

He acknowledged past challenges, including State capture, the energy crisis and corruption, as well as failures in service delivery.

“Overcoming these challenges will require of us the mettle that helped dismantle apartheid. It will require the spirit of collectivism that defined our transition. 

“We do so at a time when our economy is showing promising signs of recovery. Growth is improving, investment is expanding and more jobs are being created. National debt has stabilised and our sovereign outlook has improved. 

“The reform agenda being driven through Operation Vulindlela has gained significant momentum, enabling growing confidence in our economic trajectory,” he said.

Furthermore, the energy crisis is now “largely behind us”, sound governance has been restored at a number of State Owned Enterprises, with a “marked improvement” in the performance of rail and port systems, the President said.

Government has also embarked on a R1 trillion infrastructure build programme, the largest in South African history.

“As the structural reforms take root, as investor confidence returns and the green shoots of growth break ground, there can be no better time to seize this window of opportunity. 

“As a bridge-builder during the political transition, we call on the NBI to help us complete the bridge we set out to build in 199; the bridge from the promise of our Constitution to meaningful and tangible economic transformation. 

“We thank you for your enduring contribution to South Africa’s democratic journey,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za