Category: MIL-OSI

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Evaluation Sociale Du Pasfor : Les Parties Prenantes Portent La Reflexion Au Cours D’un Atelier

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


L’étude a montré que les plateformes de dialogue ont permis de résoudre 70 % des conflits à l’amiable. L’étude établit également une cartographie des acteurs, dresse la caractérisation de leurs relations et l’identification des diviseurs et connecteurs. Puis, elle expose les accords et arrangements fonciers entre les différentes communautés ainsi que leurs modalités pratiques et les risques éventuels de remise en question, afin d’anticiper les risques sociaux. Elle propose in fine un plan d’actions présentant les mesures susceptibles d’éviter, prévenir, gérer et suivre chaque type de risque, impact social et conflit foncier.

« Cette évaluation sociale vise à anticiper sur les risques et impacts sociaux importants. Ainsi, l’objectif de l’évaluation est précisément de compléter et améliorer nos dispositifs existants. Cette démarche vise à prévenir les conflits, réduire la vulnérabilité des personnes et des groupes, et assurer l’inclusion sociale de toutes les communautés. En clair, elle est notre boussole pour une prise de décision responsable », a déclaré Edy Amon, Conseiller Technique du ministre Bamba Cheick Daniel, Directeur Général de l’AFOR.

« La sécurisation foncière rurale, si elle n’est pas menée avec une vigilance sociale et environnementale absolue, peut générer de nombreux déséquilibres. C’est pourquoi, une évaluation sociale s’avère indispensable dans l’implémentation du Programme d’Appui à la sécurisation Foncière Rurale (PASFOR) », a dit Edy Amon.

L’organisation de l’atelier répondait au besoin de validation et de restitution, par les parties prenantes, de ce rapport provisoire. L’importance de l’étude vise principalement à identifier et prévenir durablement les risques et impacts sociaux pouvant entraver la mise en œuvre du PASFOR

Distribué par APO Group pour Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

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Central African Republic (CAR): Urgent financial support needed to prevent catastrophic closure of Special Criminal Court

Source: APO


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The closure of the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in the Central African Republic would be a catastrophic blow to thousands of victims’ and survivors’ prospects of securing justice for serious crimes committed over two decades of conflict, Amnesty International said amid serious concerns over the Court’s future due to a major lack of funding.

“We call on the African Union, the European Union and their respective member states, as well as all other State partners to step up with sustained financial and human resources support so the SCC can continue its vital work in the Central African Republic,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

The SCC, inaugurated on 22 October 2018, has a mandate to investigate and prosecute crimes under international law committed during conflicts in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2003. During this period, CAR suffered waves of violence and armed conflicts. Thousands of civilians were killed, raped, abducted, mutilated, wounded, displaced or had their homes burned.

“Ending the SCC’s funding would hand impunity a victory.” Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa

Ongoing proceedings jeopardized

The Court’s budget is solely based on voluntary contributions by states and international organizations.

The United States were its main donor, along with UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA and the EU. In January 2025, the United States suspended its funding to the SCC, leaving about $4.15 million in unpaid commitments. This major cut has profoundly affected the court’s ability to function, jeopardizing ongoing proceedings and essential services for victims and witnesses.

“Despite the authorities’ efforts, national courts still lack the resources and capacity to assume the mandate the SCC has been carrying out. Support to these courts is crucial, but ending the SCC’s funding before that capacity exists would hand impunity a victory,” said Marceau Sivieude.

“The SCC’s issuance of an arrest warrant against former President François Bozizé in 2024 was a very encouraging step for the victims and we continue to call for the execution of this arrest warrant. If the SCC closes having prosecuted only a few low-level individuals concerning a few recent incidents, it will have fallen well short of both its mandate and of the hopes and expectations of CAR’s population. Victims and survivors of crimes under international law have a right to truth, justice and reparations.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

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São Tomé and Príncipe: High-level policy dialogue to anchor tourism at the heart of economic diversification

Source: APO


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São Tomé and Príncipe is set to take a decisive step toward building a sustainable tourism sector grounded in clear economic indicators. With the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, the country will hold a High-Level Policy Dialogue to “Unite Voices for Sustainable Tourism” on 30 October 2025, preceded by a technical validation workshop on 29 October 2025.

This two-day engagement marks a crucial milestone in the second phase of the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Development Project, which aims to equip São Tomé and Príncipe with a strategic tool to accurately measure the real contribution of tourism to national wealth, positioning the sector as a key lever for economic diversification and sustainable development.

The High-Level Policy Dialogue on 30 October will serve as a key moment for advocacy, dialogue and political engagement. It will bring together government authorities, development partners, academia, the private sector, and civil society to foster political and institutional ownership of the TSA and to ensure that evidence-based tourism becomes firmly embedded in the country’s economic diversification priorities.

The dialogue will also provide a platform to mobilize inter-institutional partnerships for the implementation of the TSA roadmap and the sustainability of the exercise, ensuring its long-term integration into national planning processes.

“This dialogue aims to translate the project’s technical results into concrete policy commitments, placing sustainable tourism at the core of São Tomé and Príncipe’s economic diversification strategy,” said Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa.

Developed through close collaboration between ECA, national institutions, and UN partners, São Tomé and Príncipe’s first Tourism Satellite Account represents a solid analytical foundation for accurately capturing the true economic value of tourism and guiding public and private investment toward inclusive and sustainable growth.

“Our work seeks to support countries in implementing evidence-based development policies. The tourism potential of São Tomé and Príncipe can only be fully realized through targeted and well-informed public and private investment,” added Jean Luc Mastaki.

A structuring project supported by ECA

Since its launch in 2024, the project—through a series of capacity-building workshops—has enabled national experts to produce the country’s first Tourism Satellite Accounts. The latest workshop, held from 15 to 18 September 2025, resulted in the completion of the TSA analytical report and the initial estimates of tourism’s contribution at 11% of GDP and 10% of Gross Value Added (GVA), paving the way for the validation and policy dialogue stages.

Through this process, ECA and the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe have trained around 25 national experts from ministries, public agencies, academia, civil society, and the private sector, thereby strengthening national capacities in tourism statistics and data-driven policymaking.

By consolidating the achievements of this second project phase, the High-Level Policy Dialogue represents a decisive step toward stronger institutional coordination and the establishment of a sustainable culture of regular TSA production, enhancing the country’s ability to monitor sector performance and inform policy decisions with robust data.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

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Coordination platform meeting highlights joint action for a stronger health system in Ethiopia

Source: APO


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The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) convened a high-level Partners Coordination Platform meeting, co-chaired by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The meeting brought together EPHI development partners to strengthen coordination and collaboration and advance Ethiopia’s public health system.

The EPHI Development Partner Coordination Platform aims to strengthen collaboration and alignment of health initiatives, facilitate information sharing, and enhance joint monitoring and evaluation between EPHI and its development partners. Through regular dialogue and collective action, the platform ensures coordinated, evidence-driven, and impactful partnerships that advance national public health priorities.

Opening the session, Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI and Chair of the Platform, emphasized the importance of coordination and partnership in achieving national public health goals. “By aligning our collective efforts, we can maximize impact, prevent duplication, and ensure sustainable outcomes,” he noted.

Professor Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia and the African Union, commended Ethiopia’s continued commitment to implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR). He underscored the importance of strategic partnerships as catalysts for advancing health security and system resilience.

The meeting featured presentations on key areas including research and technology transfer, laboratory services, national data management and analytics, and public health emergency management. In breakout sessions, participants discussed shared priorities, identified gaps, and proposed joint actions to enhance efficiency and impact.

The meeting provided a platform for partners to align their plans and investments with EPHI’s priorities—ensuring that collective efforts are focused, complementary, and strategically coordinated. Through this alignment, EPHI and its partners aim to avoid duplication and maximize the impact of limited resources and accelerate progress toward a resilient and responsive health system. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government of Ethiopia in strengthening public health capacities to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats. The Coordination Platform remains a vital mechanism for fostering coordination, collaboration, promoting accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed to national priorities.

Representatives from more than 15 partner organizations reiterated their support for EPHI’s mission and pledged continued partnership to build a stronger, more resilient health system in Ethiopia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.

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Foreign Minister of Egypt calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

Source: APO


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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Dr. Badr Abdelatty called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.

2. Prime Minister conveyed his warm congratulations to President Sisi for Egypt’s crucial role in the Gaza Peace Agreement and expressed hope that it would lead to lasting peace in the region.

3. Foreign Minister Abdelatty briefed Prime Minister on the first India-Egypt Strategic Dialogue being held during his visit.

4. Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the progress being achieved in various areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, technology, energy, defence and people-to-people ties.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

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Presidential Election in the Republic of Seychelles (Statement by Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro)

Source: APO


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  1. Japan congratulates Mr. Patrick Herminie on his election as President of the Republic of Seychelles on October 12 (local time), following the announcement of the results of the presidential election which was held for the first time since October 2020 in the Republic of Seychelles.
  2. Japan expresses its respect for Seychelles’ steady development under a stable democracy and hopes that the efforts towards the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and the promotion of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region will be further advanced under the leadership of the new President.
  3. Looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Seychelles next year, and taking into account the outcomes of TICAD 9 held in August this year, Japan will strengthen the good bilateral relations and further advance cooperation with Seychelles towards realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

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Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency’s (TIKA) Support for Qualified Beekeeping for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities in Tunisia

Source: APO


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Within the scope of the project, 20 members of a local cooperative—composed predominantly of women—received donations of modern beekeeping equipment, including beehives, production and extraction tools, and packaging materials. In addition, both theoretical and practical training sessions on honey production were provided to strengthen the members’ technical capacity.

In Tunisia, the lack of knowledge regarding the nutritional value and authenticity of locally produced honey limits its market potential and increases demand for imported alternatives. In response to this, the cooperative has been implementing a model project in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries of Tunisia and the National Institute for Research and Physico-Chemical Analysis (INRAP), aiming to analyze and certify the nutritional content and authenticity of the honey produced. This analysis and certification process not only enhances consumer confidence in local honey but also sets an example for other local producers.

Through the establishment of a packaging and sales unit within the cooperative, the project aims to bring certified and nutritionally analyzed honey to market with greater added value. In addition to strengthening the economic participation of women, youth, and persons with special needs, the project is also expected to contribute to the wider adoption of qualified and professional honey production in the country.

TİKA continues to support the active participation of vulnerable groups in economic life through projects that prioritize local development and promote sustainable production.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

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Speech by Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, during the Title Deeds Friday Handover, Frances Baard District Municipality, Northern Cape Province

Source: President of South Africa –

Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Thembi Simelane;
Executive Mayor of Frances Baard District Municipality, Councillor Wende Marekwa;
MECs and Members of the Provincial Legislature;
Councillors from Phokwane Local Municipality;
Representatives from COGHSTA and the Deeds Office;
Beneficiaries and community members of Pampierstad;
Members of the media;

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Introduction

It is a great honour to join you here in Frances Baard District in the heart of the Northern Cape to witness this important milestone in the lives of our people.

Today’s Title Deeds Friday handover is not just an administrative exercise. It is a deeply symbolic act of restoring dignity, ownership, and inclusion to hundreds of families who have waited patiently for what is rightfully theirs.

We are here to celebrate the perseverance of the people of Pampierstad and to affirm Government’s commitment to turning houses into homes and settlements into thriving communities.

Background and Progress in Pampierstad 1422

The Pampierstad housing development, known as Pampierstad 1422, is one of the most significant human settlements initiatives in the Frances Baard District.

This project dates back to the early 2000s and was implemented in three phases:

• Phase 1: 200 houses completed
• Phase 2: 500 houses completed
• Phase 3: 722 houses completed

This brings the total to 1,422 residential sites, funded and implemented through the partnership between the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and the Phokwane Local Municipality.

Following years of administrative delays including the verification of diagrams and encroachment corrections the General Plan was successfully registered at the Vryburg Deeds Office in November 2024.

As of this year, 521 properties have already been registered and transferred to beneficiaries across all three phases, and work continues to finalise the remaining transfers.

Significance of This Moment

Today’s event is not only about paperwork and deeds; it is about the security of tenure, economic empowerment, and social stability.

Owning a title deed means:

• You can now call the land you live on your own.
• You can use it as an asset to build generational wealth.
• You gain access to finance, insurance, and municipal services as a recognised property owner.
• You can pass your home on to your children with pride and certainty.

It is also about redressing the injustices of the past. Pampierstad, as we know, was born out of forced removals under apartheid and today’s ceremony reverses that history by affirming ownership, dignity, and belonging for its people.

Partnership and Delivery

This was made possible through collaboration between the national Department of Human Settlements, COGHSTA Northern Cape, the Surveyor General, Deeds Office, and our municipal leaders who worked tirelessly to ensure compliance and accuracy in the registration process.

It reflects the very essence of the District Development Model (DDM) one plan, one budget, one approach  where all spheres of Government pull together to deliver integrated, people-centred development.

Message to Beneficiaries

To our beneficiaries mothers, fathers, young professionals, and pensioners congratulations. You are now proud homeowners.

I want to remind you that a title deed comes with both rights and responsibilities.

Take care of your property. Keep your documents safe. Participate in your local ward committees to ensure services are maintained. Use your property to empower your family and build your community.

Let this moment be a new chapter one of stability, pride, and hope.

Closing Message

Today we see what is possible when Government works together and remains focused on service delivery that transforms lives.

As we continue implementing the District Development Model (DDM), we will ensure that this integrated approach becomes the norm where land, housing, infrastructure, and livelihoods are aligned to create sustainable human settlements.

To the leadership of the district and province thank you for your partnership and commitment.

To our national colleagues  thank you for ensuring that policy translates into impact on the ground.

And most importantly, to the people of Pampierstad; this day belongs to you.

Thank you. Let us continue building homes, communities, and a nation that belongs to all who live in it.

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Remarks by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the South Africa – Türkiye Business Council, Istanbul International Conference Centre

Source: President of South Africa –

Ministers from South Africa and Türkiye;
Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye, Dr. Ömer Bolat;
Chairperson and President of DEİK, Mr Abubekir Salim and Mr Nail Olpak;
Esteemed business leaders;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to join you today at this gathering that reflects our shared determination to deepen trade, strengthen investment ties, and build lasting partnerships.

Let me begin by thanking our hosts, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, DEİK, for their warm hospitality and for their continued efforts to bring our two business communities together. The South Africa – Türkiye Business Council under DEİK’s leadership has become an important platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the creation of new opportunities.

This Forum comes at an important moment. Both our countries are redefining our place in a rapidly changing global economy, one shaped by new trade patterns, climate transitions, and shifts in regional value chains.

These global challenges are not without opportunity. They give emerging economies like ours the chance to lead differently, to lead with innovation, resilience, and partnership at the centre.

South Africa and Türkiye are natural partners. Both are strong industrial players in our regions, with diverse economies and entrepreneurial energy. We share a belief in the power of innovation, manufacturing, and trade to drive inclusive growth.

Earlier this week, I had the honour of co-chairing the inaugural South Africa – Türkiye Bi-National Commission in Ankara. It was a historic milestone, elevating our cooperation to a new and more strategic level. 

Our discussions were practical and focused on implementation, moving beyond dialogue to real action.

One key outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Free Zones, otherwise known in South Africa as Special Economic Zones. 

This follows a benchmarking study by South African officials who visited Türkiye to learn from its successful zone models. Through this agreement, we aim to strengthen our own Special Economic Zones, attract more investment, and develop joint export pipelines between our two countries.

Over the past few days, I also met with leading Turkish companies in sectors such as agriculture, energy, defence, and electronics. Our engagements also included South African firms already partnering with Turkish businesses, and I was pleased to see their optimism and confidence in South Africa as a preferred investment destination.

A great example of this partnership is Arçelik — a company that has become a household name in South Africa through its ownership of Defy. Since acquiring Defy in 2011, Arçelik has built one of the strongest models of Türkiye’s industrial collaboration on the African continent. 

Today, they employ more than 2,700 South Africans across major manufacturing facilities, making Defy the largest producer of household appliances in sub-Saharan Africa.

Beyond creating jobs, Arçelik has invested in developing local skills, promoting research, and leading green manufacturing. Its success shows the confidence Türkiye has in South Africa’s capacity as a gateway to the African market and as a hub for innovation. We are proud of this partnership, and we want to see many more like it.

Ladies and gentlemen,

South Africa’s economy has shown remarkable resilience over the past year. GDP growth is projected at 1.6 per cent for 2025, supported by stronger manufacturing output, better logistics, and greater energy stability.

Exports grew by nearly 5 per cent in 2024, driven by higher-value products in automotive, mineral processing, and agriculture. Business confidence has steadily improved, reflecting investor optimism in our economic reforms. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Confidence Index has shown steady recovery, averaging 115 points in mid-2025, reflecting optimism about our economic reforms and investor confidence. 

Our Energy Action Plan continues to attract investment in renewable energy, battery storage, and green hydrogen; all these areas offer immense opportunities for Turkish collaboration and co-manufacturing.

Looking ahead, we want to deepen this partnership not only through trade but through shared industrial innovation, technology, and skills transfer and development.

Türkiye’s expertise in advanced manufacturing, combined with South Africa’s infrastructure and young, skilled workforce, creates an ideal foundation for cooperation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This collaboration is particularly vital as South Africa works to address the structural challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, while laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth. 

We seek to position our nation as a fertile business environment and first mover in a rapidly evolving multipolar global economy; moreover, an Africa that is equal, capable, and competitive. Our partnership with Türkiye is therefore not only economic, but also developmental, empowering our people, strengthening our industries, and contributing to a shared future of prosperity and justice.

While bilateral trade between our countries reached approximately two billion US dollars in 2024, we know we can do much more. Our goal is to diversify and balance our trade relationship. At present, South Africa exports mostly raw minerals, while Türkiye exports mostly finished products. We want to change that dynamic, to grow both sides through value-added production and joint ventures.

Our partnership will be guided by three pillars: diversification, decarbonisation, and industrial collaboration.

Through this approach, we aim to expand South African exports of manufactured and processed goods, including automotive products, mining equipment, agro-processed foods, and pharmaceuticals, while encouraging greater Turkish investment in renewable energy, defence, textiles, ICT, and pharmaceuticals.

We also recognise the need to address trade barriers such as tariffs and standards to unlock the full potential of our partnership.

Currently, Turkish investments in South Africa total around 32 million US dollars, concentrated in textiles, food, and appliances. We welcome this, and we are ready to support further expansion.

Likewise, South African investments in Türkiye have grown from 217 million US dollars in 2022 to 274 million in 2023. This growth shows our confidence in one another’s markets and our shared ambition to build sustainable, innovation-driven economies.

Our Government is working hard to make South Africa an even easier and more attractive place to do business. We are simplifying regulations, strengthening industrial incentives, and expanding our Special Economic Zones.

Importantly, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the largest free trade area in the world, gives Turkish investors access to a market of 1.4 billion people. By investing in South Africa, you gain a foothold not just in our country, but across the entire continent.

The opportunities are vast, from renewable energy and automotive manufacturing to defence, agriculture, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and digital innovation.

Our mineral wealth also offers attractive investment opportunities. South Africa has abundant resources in battery minerals, energy minerals, and materials vital for the green and digital economy. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has identified several investment-ready projects in these areas, and I encourage you to engage with our officials to explore them further.

In energy, South Africa’s growing demand opens new avenues for investment in generation, transmission, distribution, and in repurposing old coal plants for cleaner power. Opportunities in wind and solar energy, and in component manufacturing for these technologies, are expanding rapidly.

We are also prioritising infrastructure development in transport, logistics, water, and energy to improve capacity and efficiency. We invite Turkish firms to partner with South African companies to localise production and build industrial capability for the continent.

To make investment easier, we have launched an Energy One Stop Shop, managed by InvestSA, which streamlines approval processes and helps power-generating companies navigate regulatory requirements quickly and efficiently.

There are also growing opportunities in the automotive and mobility sectors. We invite Turkish companies to consider setting up local operations in South Africa, bringing technical expertise and innovation that can be mutually beneficial.

South Africa’s rich manganese reserves and existing battery industry make our country an ideal destination for lithium-ion battery assembly and manufacturing. 

There are also exciting prospects in semiconductors, glass, and composite materials, all essential components for modern industry. We have the CEO of the Components Manufacturing Association also here with us on this visit, who can outline in detail the opportunities available.

In healthcare, Türkiye’s strong pharmaceutical and medical device industries can play a key role in helping South Africa build a more resilient and localised health system. We see particular promise in partnerships around vaccines, diagnostics, and mRNA research and development.

We also see great potential in the defence and agro-processing sectors. South African defence companies will participate in the Konya Defence Industry Fair in November, showcasing their capabilities and exploring integration into Turkish supply chains. 

In agriculture, we are eager to see more South African products on Turkish shelves and Turkish technology supporting African farming.

To help deepen this cooperation, I extend a warm invitation for Turkish companies to attend our flagship investment events — including the Mining Indaba in February, Africa Energy Week in March, ENLIT Africa in May, Africa Health, and the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in 2026. These platforms will help you understand South Africa’s investment landscape and meet potential local partners.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This forum should mark the beginning of a new phase of practical cooperation, one that includes trade missions, joint ventures, and stronger collaboration between our chambers of commerce and development finance institutions.

We are encouraged by the growing role of the private sector in driving this partnership. Turkish and South African firms are already working together in renewable energy, automotive components, textiles, and construction.

To build on this momentum, we have brought a strong South African business delegation representing key sectors including automotive, healthcare, defence, agro-processing, ICT, mining, and finance.

Our task now is to focus not only on the volume of trade, but on its quality — ensuring that every partnership creates jobs, builds skills, and strengthens our industrial base.

South Africa views Türkiye as a strategic partner, a bridge between Europe, Asia, and Africa, a nation that shares our commitment to industrial development, innovation, and inclusive prosperity.

Let this forum serve as a catalyst, a platform to unlock new possibilities in trade, investment, and technology cooperation.

The future belongs to those who build together, who look beyond borders, and who transform shared aspirations into shared prosperity.

Together, South Africa and Türkiye can advance a new development compact, one that is green, digital, and inclusive, uplifting our people and strengthening the bonds of our shared humanity.

Thank you.

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Using research for a better South Africa 

Source: Government of South Africa

Many will remember the childhood threat to finish our vegetables at dinnertime, or risk not growing up to be as strong as our favourite superheroes in comic books or TV shows.

And while we wished that those superheroes would swoop in to rescue us from the dreaded broccoli or whatever was on the plate, never would we have imagined that research being carried out today is looking into preserving what is on our plate from possible threat.

As adults, we’ve come to realise that heroes do exist in real life, albeit not cloaked in spandex and capes. The hero in this case is the National Planning Commission (NPC) which is working on research in the agricultural space at a time when climate change is having its way with the world.

“What would it look like if for example if certain crops are no longer available? What will it look like if we no longer have access to wheat at the price that we are used to? What does it mean for the cost of pap and what does that mean for our cultural legacy and the way that food plays a really important part in our social traditional, communal ways of being, ways of celebrating and ways of sustaining ourselves?”

 Commissioner at the NPC, Dr Lebogang Pheko recently told SAnews, in an interview. 

While her comment is indeed a scary thought, it points to the important role of research in any society.
Appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa, the Commission is an independent advisory body and think tank that is the custodian of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). 

The plan seeks to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 with raising economic growth, promoting exports and getting the economy to be more labour absorbing being a part of the plan’s objectives.
As one of the 26 Commissioners of the NPC, Pheko is putting her hand to the plough.

“We have been able to procure and to commission pieces of important research [which] speak to issues…including different agricultural methods, small business development, red tape reduction, irrigation and agriculture in this country,” she said.

Chapter 6 of the NDP states that agriculture, “as the primary economic activity in rural areas, has the potential to create close to one million new jobs by 2030. It adds that the vegetable industry could be one of the largest contributors to job creation and the improvement of livelihoods if the potential growth in demand in South Africa and the southern African region is considered”.

Research into irrigation and agriculture is among the body of research that Dr Pheko is working on. 

“What we were looking at there was a few things: we were bearing in mind that firstly we are in the midst of climate change and climate vagaries. This means that with the water scarcity that we experience as a country is potentially going to get worse unless we begin to put in place mechanisms to reduce and manage that.” 

The implications of that, she told SAnews are that harvesting seasons may change and that the kinds of foods that have been readily available may also change.

“This also has implications and bearing not only for the cost of food which is extremely significant, and the way that we have to import and export food in the future but also for the kinds of legacy foods that we associate with our day-to-day life,” she explained.

Pheko, who is also a senior researcher and political economist, said the research also looks at  how the country should reframe its agricultural footprint going forward.

“It was also looking at the fact that many young people don’t have as much interest in land as we would like them to and in agricultural pursuit. We must think and rethink how we not so much rebrand …but really rethink the ways in which we are able going forward, to ensure that irrigation and agricultural studies are part of a discourse of nation building,” she explained.

In a newsletter to the nation in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that agriculture is one of South Africa’s most important sectors in the economy, adding that data from the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) showed that the country’s agricultural exports reached a record $13.7 billion in 2024. Forty four percent of the products were exported to other African countries.

Additionally, the value and volume of the farming sector has more than doubled since the dawn of democracy in 1994 and is a major source of employment with 924,000 people having worked directly in agriculture and over 200,000 having worked elsewhere in the agriculture value chain by the end of 2024.
“The health and growth of our farming sector is vital to supporting small towns and keeping rural South Africa vibrant,” said the President.

To expand agriculture and create one million jobs in the sector, the Commission in the NDP makes several recommendations including increasing investment in water resource and irrigation infrastructure. Another of its recommendations is “to increase and refocus investment in research and development for the agricultural sector”. 
Pheko said another element of the research was looking at what climate change looks like in the context of climate mitigating factors the country has to take into consideration.

“We’ve already seen this in KwaZulu-Natal where it’s becoming an annual occurrence that there are terrible floods, and yet it seems like we’re not able to mitigate this. What this means is also that, amid the floods, there will be disruption of everyday life.

“It also links to urban and rural planning and the intersection between urban and rural planning because I sometimes think that there’s a bit of a false divide between the two. We must plan for cities in the context of urban areas. We have to plan urban areas in the context of rural areas because we cannot continue to have the kind of overflow of people into urban areas because they don’t see a life for themselves in rural areas.

“So, sustainability in terms of water, in terms of agriculture, means that we have to rethink our rural development plans in the context of urban planning and in the context of self-sufficient autonomous nodes of possibility where people of all generations feel as though they can make a life for themselves,” she explained.

Beyond 2030 and why it matters

And just as superheroes anticipate trouble around those they protect, the research looks at various scenarios ensuring that the country does not find itself in a lamb to the slaughter situation.

“The research looks beyond 2030, its really long-term intergenerational planning. We are trying to project what are the sorts of scenarios that would be important for us to put in place so that we are able to begin to think and reimagine some of our socio spatial, socio agricultural and socio water and energy needs going forward.”
Asked about how she would describe the current South African landscape ahead of the 2030 NDP deadline, Commissioner Pheko said that the country’s economy continues to be complex in nature.

“Our economy is really complex – complex historically because of the kind of political economy of extraction that we come from, and we haven’t been really able to shift and remodel,” she explained.

She further added that the country’s economy tended to be labour intensive.

“For an economy that is trying to be STEM [ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] oriented in generations to come, our basic fundamental education is not feeding into that sufficiently. You still have a large percentage of young people who by Grade 5, 6 cannot read for comprehension. You also have a large amount of young people who cannot grasp the fundamentals of mathematics in a way that is necessary for us to build a STEM culture.”

She added that to create a STEM culture requires intentionality and that the country’s planning and knowledge economy is not matching up with what “we hope will be our labour economy and a diversification of skills.”

“Another part is that our skills in the agricultural market, which is a very important market, are also being overtaken by mechanisation. We have to rethink our export and import markets,” she said.

G20

With the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held from 22-23 November 2025, the NPC has been privy to some of the conversations ahead of the Summit.

“The NPC – because of our socio policies positioning – has been privy to quite a few of those conversations and processes,” she said, adding that the grouping provides an opportunity to advocate for issues that are impacting not only African nations but also the broader, global community. 

“We are also trying to leverage our Presidency to amplify voices of dispossessed populations across the continent including advocating for the inclusion of more African nations in the G20 discussions.
“And remember, this follows the membership of the African Union [AU] as a bloc in 2023 and whether or not that membership of the AU is yielding dividends is something perhaps, we should advocate for and be much more vigorous about. 

“It also coincides with a time of a lot of grappling with multiple crises including climate change, food security and economic instability among others. We can also think around how South Africa can confront these issues by trying to encourage more collaborative international efforts that recognise the interconnectedness of our challenges as a globe.”

She added that the G20 has substantive economic clout as it represents 85% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 75% of international trade.

“Again, I’m no champion of GDP as the primary instrument of growth, I think it is neocolonial and hasn’t really proven itself to be the most effective way to reframe development. But that said, certainly in terms of what those figures represent and the engagement in this influential forum to leverage this, perhaps those would be some of the few talking points.

Legacy

With the term of office of the Commissioners due come to an end in 2026, Pheko said that what keeps her up at night is the “possibility that we won’t be able to, after all of these efforts to look our descendants in the eye.”

“The possibility that we don’t deal with growing inequality…the missing middle and that the disposed remain dispossessed and lose hope in any possibility of a way forward, that for me is the worst-case scenario.”

Pausing to reflect on what she would like her legacy to be she said: “I think a commitment to building a solid foundation for policy formulation to enable our future governments and future Commissions to respond to the needs of citizens where we left off. I think another legacy would hopefully be a commitment that people would see that we tried to draft a long-term plan that charted a course for the country with multiple forms of growth. 

“I also hope that we leave behind a legacy of collaboration, of strategic foresight to hopefully shape the future in a small way,” she said. 

With the five-year, part time term of office of the third cohort of the NPC Commissioners approaching, Pheko said the work that the Commissioners are carrying out is not about reinventing the wheel.
“What we are trying to do is to build legacy work and legacy projects,” she said.

Just as superheroes prioritise the wellness of those they protect, the Commission is doing its bit by way of research to ensure a better South Africa, with our greens intact.-SAnews.gov.za