Category: MIL-OSI

Cabinet is calling on all South Africans to dedicate their time to  help build a better country that works for all.
This as the country commemorates Mandela Month in July.

“South Africa will in July commemorate Mandela Month under the theme ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’. Cabinet calls on all South Africans to dedicate their time and efforts during Mandela Month and on Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2026, to help build a South Africa that works for South Africans,” it said in a statement on Friday.

In addition, the month of July is also used to commemorate National Science Month, which will be launched on 4 July 2026 at the Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng.

The launch will be held under the theme: “Science, Technology and Innovation are for everyone”. 
The month-long science celebration aims to build a science-literate society that can form independent opinions on science, technology and innovation. It seeks to promote a community with confidence in science, scientists, and scientific institutions. – SAnews.gov.za

The 2026 National Bee Conference has positioned the North West province as an emerging hub for beekeeping and pollination-related investment while highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to food security, economic growth and rural development.

Hosted by the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO), the conference took place at Sun City in Rustenburg from 30 June to 1 July under the theme, “Pollinators for Food Security, Economic Growth and Rural Transformation.”

The two-day event brought together emerging and commercial beekeepers, researchers, agricultural stakeholders and industry representatives from across South Africa to discuss opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the country’s beekeeping industry. 

Delegates explored ways to strengthen collaboration, promote innovation and expand the sector while examining the role the North West Province can play in creating sustainable economic opportunities through beekeeping.

Discussions focused on the importance of pollinators in supporting crop production, improving agricultural resilience and strengthening food security. Participants also considered measures to protect and expand pollinator populations as a strategic agricultural resource.

North West beekeepers were among the top performers at the National Honey, Mead and Value-Added Products Competition, held in collaboration with the Honey Judges’ and Stewards’ Guild of South Africa.

Among those recognised for excellence were Kenalemang Mooketsi, Gabathata Matshidiso, Thato Lesufi, Peter Mputle, Lukas Radise and Lenah Mosiapoa. The awards recognised outstanding achievements in honey production, mead-making and value-added bee products, reflecting the growing expertise and innovation within the province’s beekeeping sector.

Delegates concluded the conference by adopting several resolutions aimed at strengthening South Africa’s beekeeping industry.

The resolutions include implementing the National Beekeeping Strategy as the sector’s guiding framework; strengthening national bee health systems; recognising pollination as strategic agricultural infrastructure; protecting forage resources; improving colony resilience; expanding participation in beekeeping; promoting evidence-based decision-making; improving consumer confidence and industry competitiveness; and enhancing coordination among government, industry and research institutions.

SABIO Chairperson Tumi Mobu thanked the province and the beekeeping community for contributing to a successful conference.

“Thank you to the North West Province for its warm hospitality and to all the beekeepers, partners and stakeholders whose participation contributed to the success of this conference. The conference resolutions will be implemented through collaboration between industry stakeholders, government departments and research institutions, including the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Agricultural Research Council,” Mobu said. 

North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha said the conference demonstrated the province’s potential to become a key player in South Africa’s growing beekeeping industry.

He said beekeeping offers practical opportunities for young people, women and rural entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in agriculture.

“With the right technical support, mentorship and access to markets, beekeeping provides opportunities to build sustainable enterprises that contribute both to household incomes and to the wider agricultural economy. Our focus should be on creating an environment where these enterprises can grow into successful businesses that create jobs and invest back into their communities,” Sambatha said.

The MEC also commended participants, exhibitors and competition winners for contributing to the success of the conference.

He said the department would continue working with industry stakeholders, research institutions and beekeepers to create an enabling environment for the sector to grow and support sustainable enterprises.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from government, industry and research partners to strengthen collaboration and implement the adopted resolutions, to build a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable beekeeping sector that supports food security, economic growth and rural transformation. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet has approved the publication of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment (NEMLA) as well as the Electronic Deeds Registration and Recordal Systems Amendment Bills for public comment.

At a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, Minister in the Presidency Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the NEMLA Bill seeks to amend the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998).

It also seeks to to strengthen environmental compliance and enforcement by empowering environmental inspectors to issue compliance notices and enable municipalities to issue directives for environmental violations. 

“The Bill also introduces an administrative penalty system into South Africa’s national environmental legislation. This will complement existing criminal sanctions by providing an alternative to criminal prosecution for less serious environmental contraventions, enabling more efficient enforcement while avoiding the delays and reputational risks associated with criminal proceedings,” she explained.

In addition, at its meeting held on Wednesday, Cabinet approved the submission of the Electronic Deeds Registration and Recordal Systems Amendment Bill to Parliament. 

The Bill seeks to amend the Electronic Deeds Registration Act (Act 19 of 2019), the Deeds Registration Act (Act 47 of 1937) and the Sectional Titles Act (Act 95 of 1986) to modernise the legislative framework governing deeds registration and recordal systems.

“The Bill advances the objectives of an inclusive economy and enhanced security of land tenure. The proposed amendments are largely technical in nature and are intended to strengthen the security of title and improve the administration of land and property rights for the benefit of landowners and rights holders,” said the Minister. – SAnews.gov.za

The uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) has recommended that eThekwini Municipality prioritise reducing water losses and improving the efficiency of its existing water distribution network rather than investing in new package water treatment plants to address ongoing water supply challenges.

The recommendation forms part of a preliminary feasibility study presented to the municipality’s Executive Committee (EXCO) on Thursday.

The municipality had commissioned the study to assess the feasibility of establishing package water treatment plants in communities experiencing prolonged water shortages.

According to UUW, water demand management interventions would deliver faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective benefits than constructing new supply infrastructure.

The utility said demand management interventions would enable the municipality to recover significant volumes of non-revenue water, making more water available to consumers without increasing current bulk water supply.

“These interventions can also be implemented over a shorter period and at a substantially lower cost than developing new water supply schemes,” the municipality said in a statement following the meeting.

While acknowledging that package treatment plants could provide interim relief in some communities, UUW warned that they would require substantial capital investment and may not represent the most cost-effective long-term solution.

For the proposed package plant serving the Qadi area in Umzinyathi, UUW estimated that a 10-megalitre-per-day (ML/day) plant would cost about R1.2 billion, while a 30 ML/day facility would require an investment of about R3.5 billion.

The utility estimated that water produced by the plant would cost approximately R53 per kilolitre over 20 years. The estimated monthly capital unit charges would amount to approximately R12.6 million for the 10 ML/day plant and R37 million for a 30 ML/day plant, excluding applicable bulk water tariffs.

UUW also advised that the provincial Department of Water and Sanitation is unlikely to approve additional water abstraction above the existing licence for the proposed Qadi scheme. Any increase in abstraction would require a corresponding reduction in water drawn by the Wiggins and Durban Heights water treatment works.

The utility further noted that the long-term viability of the Qadi plant may be limited by the planned commissioning of the uMkhomazi Upper Dam from 2034, which is expected to significantly increase bulk water availability to the municipality.

The feasibility study also assessed proposed package plants for Mfume, Craigieburn and Umbumbulu.

The estimated capital cost for the Mfume plant is approximately R650 million.

For Craigieburn and Umbumbulu, UUW said construction would likely be completed only after major regional bulk water projects become operational. The Lower uMkhomazi Dam is expected to begin supplying southern areas of eThekwini from 2029, while the uMkhomazi Upper Dam is projected to supply the entire municipality, including Umbumbulu, from 2034.

UUW also warned that a package plant at Umbumbulu would draw from the same source as the Amanzimtoti Water Treatment Works, potentially reducing water availability to areas already supplied through Amanzimtoti.

The utility added that its ability to undertake large capital projects is constrained by reduced tariff increases, limited borrowing capacity and the shortened economic lifespan of projects that could be superseded by larger regional water schemes.

“EXCO noted the preliminary findings and agreed that the feasibility study should be finalised before any decisions are taken regarding the available options. UUW will return to EXCO to present the completed study together with its final recommendations,” the municipality said.

Progress in reducing 2-Methylisoborneol

Meanwhile, the UUW reported that interventions at the Wiggins Water Treatment Works have significantly reduced 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) levels, the naturally occurring compound responsible for the earthy taste and odour detected in water supplied to parts of eThekwini in recent months.

According to UUW, the problem resulted from increased algal activity in Inanda Dam, which affected the quality of raw water entering the treatment works.

To address the issue, the utility has strengthened water quality monitoring from the catchment to consumers, implemented multi-level abstraction to draw water from lower levels of the dam where appropriate, and applied advanced treatment chemicals to remove taste and odour compounds.

UUW said ongoing daily monitoring confirms that treated water remains safe for human consumption and continues to comply with the South African National Standard for Drinking Water. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet has approved the publication of the draft Strategic Petroleum Stocks Policy for public comment, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Friday.

Briefing reporters in Pretoria, the Minister said the policy aims to strengthen South Africa’s energy security and minimise the economic impact of supply shocks.

“It follows a comprehensive study commissioned by government in 2024 on the country’s strategic petroleum stocks, which identified areas requiring attention, including the need to strengthen stockholding arrangements and increase domestic refining capacity,” she said.

She added that the policy proposes a mixed stockholding model under which the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) will maintain strategic reserves equivalent to 60 days of net imports for both crude oil and refined petroleum products, with a phased increase to 90 days over the long term.

“The policy will contribute to safeguarding national energy security, improving resilience against global supply shocks and supporting sustainable economic growth,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the Integrated Social Facilitation Framework  (ISFF) as a binding national policy instrument to standardise and institutionalise community engagement in infrastructure delivery across all spheres of government, state-owned entities and infrastructure development stakeholders.
The framework is intended to address community protests, project disruptions, vandalism, delays and security risks by promoting structured community participation throughout the infrastructure project lifecycle, thereby strengthening public trust, social cohesion and protection of infrastructure investments.

Cabinet said the ISFF introduces a professionalised and coordinated approach to social facilitation, including accreditation of social facilitators, clearer governance arrangements, stronger monitoring and evaluation, and a risk-based approach to managing community-related risks.

In addition, Cabinet approved the release of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Report for public comment.

“The report emphasises the need for South Africa to avoid over-reliance on foreign funding and to build local funding capacity to mitigate threats posed to the country’s research programmes in order to safeguard South Africa’s scientific sovereignty,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has lauded South Africa’s men’s football team, Bafana Bafana, for their “stellar performance” at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavhen, who conducted the post-Cabinet media briefing on Friday afternoon, congratulated the national squad, on behalf of the executive.

The team played four games at the tournament, including the opening match of the tournament against the Mexico national team.

They progressed to the second round of games at the tournament – making history in the process.

“Cabinet joined the nation in congratulating Bafana Bafana on their stellar performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which saw the team progressing to the Round-of-32 for the first time since South Africa’s 1998 World Cup debut.

“Bafana Bafana also displayed impressive football against Canada in the round of 32 where they heartbreakingly lost to a stoppage time goal. Our nation is extremely proud of our boys, who showed that they could go toe-to-toe with the best on the global stage,” Ntshavheni said.

The team was given a hero’s welcome when they arrived at OR Tambo International earlier this week after defeat in the knockout game against Canada.

“Thank you, South Africa, for your hearty welcome to our Boys. No DNA, just RSA,” Ntshavheni added.

The team’s were not the only athletes lauded by Cabinet with congratulations extended to:

• South African cricketer Temba Bavuma, who was named among the TIME100 Most Influential Sports People of 2026, a prestigious honour awarded by global publication TIME Magazine.
• Bayanda Walaza, for winning the Men’s 100m at the Ostrava Golden Spike in Czechia, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 9.94 seconds.
• Akani Simbine on winning the Men’s 100m race at the FBK Games in the Netherlands with a time of 10.08 seconds
• Prudence Sekgodiso on becoming the first South African woman to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, following her historic victory in Nanjing, China.
• The Proteas Women for flying the South African flag high and reaching the semi-finals of the T20 Women’s World Cup. They were knocked out of the tournament.
• The Junior Springboks for defeating Uruguay 104 – 7 in their opening match of the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia.
• Bradley Nkoana, for joining a very exclusive club by becoming the 12th South African to break the 10 second barrier over 100m.
• George Kusche and Gerda Steyn for winning the 2026 men’s and women’s Comrades Marathon respectively

“We want to commend our national teams, our sportsmen and women for continuing to build and bring this nation together, making sure they remind us what we are. We are South Africans,” Ntshavheni concluded. – SAnews.gov.za