Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Enhancing capacity to mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters and other systemic challenges is at the fore of the Western Cape provincial government’s two-day summit.

Held at the Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers in Century City, the Disaster Resilience Summit unites leaders from government, academia, municipalities, and the private sector to collaboratively develop practical, locally relevant solutions for building resilient communities.

Opening the event on Tuesday in partnership with Santam, Anton Bredell, the Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, emphasised the need for urgent action.

“We must shift decisively from reactive disaster management to proactive risk reduction. That is our task, and that is our responsibility.

“Resilience planning allows us to anticipate risks rather than merely respond to them after the fact,” said Bredell. 

The MEC also pointed to compelling international evidence underscoring the economic and social value of resilience investments.

According to the World Bank, every US$1 invested in making infrastructure disaster-resilient in developing countries saves an estimated US$4 in avoided economic losses. 

In addition, the Global Commission on Adaptation has found that strengthening early warning systems can reduce hazard-related damage by up to 30%. 

“When we invest in anticipatory action and stronger social safety nets, communities recover faster and emerge stronger,” Bredell added.

The MEC believes that the summit is an important milestone in the province’s efforts to promote a comprehensive disaster risk reduction agenda. 

This agenda aims to ensure that the Western Cape is better equipped to handle climate risks, protect livelihoods, and safeguard vulnerable communities. 

This initiative is aligned with this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October, which carries the global theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.”

The summit’s programme focuses on five key areas, including climate risk and infrastructure resilience, integrated disaster risk management and early warning systems, community-based adaptation and social resilience, governance, financing and institutional readiness, as well as data, innovation, and digital resilience tools.

These will be explored through high-level panels, technical workshops, and a marketplace of municipal innovations showcasing practical solutions.

Head of Department for Local Government, Graham Paulse, highlighted the province’s collaborative approach. 

This summit is not just a conversation – it’s a commitment to action. We are here to identify implementable projects that will make our municipalities safer, smarter, and more responsive.”

Head of Strategy and Investor Relations at Santam, Thabiso Rulashe, reaffirmed the role of partnerships and said building resilience is a shared responsibility that requires an all-of-society approach. 

“As South Africa’s leading general insurer, we are committed to working alongside government and municipalities to close existing gaps, strengthen local capacity, and support practical initiatives such as our Partnership for Risk and Resilience programme, which has already reached more than 29 million people since 2012,” Rulashe added. 

The summit is expected to deliver a practical set of outputs, including case studies, policy recommendations, and investment pathways, that will inform future planning, budgeting, and programme design at provincial and municipal levels. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has called for stronger youth participation in parliaments and global decision-making platforms.

Didiza made the call on Monday at the P20 Young Parliamentarians Forum, held under the theme: “Young Parliamentarians as Drivers of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”

The two-day meeting, held from 29 – 30 September, brought together delegates from around the world, ahead of the 11th Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) scheduled for 1 to 3 October 2025.

Didiza emphasised that young people remain a vital force for shaping inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful societies. She highlighted the need to harness the energy, innovation, and perspectives of young leaders.

“Young people are a powerhouse in exploring solutions to the problems of the modern world. Their perspectives, energy and inventive ideas are critical in helping us find original solutions needed for today’s challenges,” Didiza said.

While noting progress made, Didiza said young people continue to be under-represented in many legislatures worldwide.

According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), only 2.8% of the world’s parliamentarians are under the age of 30, and 73% of Upper Houses have no members under the age of 30.

She said South Africa encourages youth participation in Parliament through political party processes and youth activism, which has ensured that the voices of young people are included in both Houses.

Didiza also highlighted several pressing issues confronting young people worldwide. These include persistently high levels of unemployment and poverty; the effects of conflict, instability, and migration, which disproportionately affect youth; the severe consequences of climate change, also burdening younger generations; and limited access to education, skills development, and digital opportunities.

The Speaker urged parliaments to use their oversight powers to advance policies that promote youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, decent work, and access to technology, while also ensuring the responsible regulation of artificial intelligence.

“As we promote societies founded on democracy and respect for human rights, we must be conscious that young people are often the most affected by the decisions we make today. It is no longer acceptable to take decisions without their voices,” Didiza said.

The Speaker further emphasised the need for solidarity and international cooperation to build inclusive economies and address global challenges such as inequality, climate change, and geopolitical tensions.

“The actions and decisions we take today must ensure that young people, particularly in the Global South, gain meaningful access to economic opportunities and play a central role in shaping a just and sustainable future,” she said.

The outcomes of this Summit will inform parliamentary deliberations on issues including unemployment, education, healthcare, and sustainable development in South Africa, the African continent, and the rest of the world. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Forestry and fisheries are proving to be powerful engines of rural and coastal development, directly fueling South Africa’s economic growth.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on Wednesday highlighted how these sectors are creating jobs, supporting families, and driving transformation in areas often overlooked in the country’s growth story.

“Forestry and fisheries are not small, side industries. They are pillars of our economy, supporting families, creating work, and driving transformation in places often left out of the growth story,” said the Minister.

Recent data show that agriculture, forestry and fishing recorded strong growth in late 2024 and early 2025, providing a vital boost to the national GDP at a time when other industries faced pressure.

At the heart of this momentum is the Commercial Forestry Master Plan, adopted in 2019, which charts a course for inclusive growth. As part of the plan, State-owned plantations are being transferred to communities, opening opportunities in timber production and processing industries, and generating jobs in rural areas.

On the fisheries front, the department has formally recognised about 10 000 small-scale fishers, organised into 171 cooperatives across four provinces. With support in co-management, abalone ranching and mentorship, these cooperatives are gaining access to resources that increase income and resilience.

The Fishing for Freedom campaign is also breathing new life into South Africa’s harbours, turning them into hubs of economic activity. Revitalised harbours are now supporting fish processing, boat repair, tourism and hospitality, ensuring that coastal towns become vibrant centres of growth.

“Every cooperative supported, and every harbour revitalised is proof that environmental stewardship is not in conflict with jobs. It is the foundation of jobs,” said George.

He added that the growth of forestry and fisheries demonstrates how green industries can deliver prosperity while safeguarding resources for the future.

“By planting trees, empowering cooperatives, and revitalising harbours, we are showing that rural and coastal economies are not waiting at the margins. They are leading South Africa’s growth story,” George said. — SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

A Limpopo company based at the Ga-Matlala Ramoshebo village near Marble Hall is on a mission to seek an export market in Germany. 

Setsong Tea Crafters will be one of the 30 companies that will be showcasing their products at the Anuga International Food and Beverage Trade Fair that will take place in the German town of Cologne, from 4-8 October 2025.

The participation of the companies has been made possible by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) that has set up a national pavilion for the showcasing of proudly South African products at Anuga. This is part of the department’s efforts to assist companies seek export opportunities in various parts of the world.

READ | SA companies to showcase their products at Anuga International Trade Fair

The co-founder of Setsong Tea Crafters, Nondumiso Phaahla, says the company will take full advantage of the opportunity to showcase its products in Germany with the hope of capturing the hearts and attention of international importers who will flock to Germany in search of quality, world-class food products and beverages. 

Anuga is a biennial event that is regarded as the world’s largest and most important food and beverage fair. It attracts distributors, retailers, importers and wholesalers of food and beverages from all continents.

Phaahla is optimistic that the tasteful indigenous black bush and red root tea products that are produced by her company will impress the international importers and distributors. In South Africa, the Setsong products, that are produced from indigenous plants found in Limpopo, are sold in various stores including Spar, Food Lovers Market and Dischem.

“We are working hard to meet the growing local demand, but we are looking forward to the trip to Germany because we are confident that our tea will definitely hold its own and compete successfully on the international market.

We are excited about the trip as it provides us with an opportunity to showcase products from a village in Limpopo on an international stage. Organic foods and beverages are in demand all over the world,” explained Phaahla.

The company is also planning to expand its production factory in order to meet the domestic and international demand that it is “optimistic will be created by our trip to Germany.”

“We are not only targeting Germany, but Europe and other parts of the world, as there will be food importers from various continents at Anuga,” she said.

She said if the company succeeds in securing exports orders from international importers at Anuga, the impact on the company will be positive and far-reaching, as they will be compelled to increase production in order to service the new export markets. Increasing production will result in the creation of more jobs. 

Currently, the company, which was established in 2014, employs 35 permanent staff and will soon roll out its expansion plans that will see a state-of-the-art factory being built in the village to enable them to increase production. 

The company’s production facilities consist of seven rondavels that have been turned into a food agro-processing centre. The rondavels represent various stages of the production value cycle from harvesting to packaging.

“Our place has become a tea and indigenous knowledge hub. We are now adding an agro tourism component and have started hosting tea tours that are gradually becoming popular with visitors,” Phaahla said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has announced a 58.4% increase in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Effort (TAE) for the 2025/2026 West Coast Rock Lobster fishing season.

“The 58.4% increase reflects our commitment to both ecological recovery and economic opportunity. By basing our decisions on the best available science, we can ensure that this iconic fishery continues to thrive for generations to come,” the Minister said on Tuesday.

The TAC will rise from 505 tonnes in 2024/2025 to 800 tonnes for 2025/2026.

This follows the latest scientific assessment, which shows signs of recovery in the resource.

The TAC will be shared as follows:

• Commercial Offshore: 400 tonnes (50%).
• Commercial Nearshore: 136 tonnes (17%).
• Recreational: 24 tonnes (3%).
• Small Scale Nearshore: 136 tonnes (17%).
• Small Scale Offshore: 104 tonnes (13%).

To protect the stock, the fishing season remains capped at four months per zone, typically from 15 November 2025 to 15 March 2026. 

The limit prevents harvesting during sensitive biological periods and helps curb poaching.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment considered an industry request to extend the season to six months but opted to retain the four-month limit.

 “Extending the season at this stage would compromise recovery. The shorter season strikes the balance between protecting the stock and sustaining the livelihoods of fishing communities,” George said.

Other industry requests, such as landing rights for nearshore holders on behalf of others, and weekend fishing in May and June, were declined due to concerns about poaching and stock monitoring.

However, the Minister stressed the department’s willingness to keep engaging.

“We value the industry’s input and remain committed to working together on solutions that protect our marine ecosystems, while addressing community needs,” he said.

For recreational fishers, the season is set at 12 days, with dates to be confirmed by amendment to the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) Regulations. 

Stakeholders may appeal TAC and TAE decisions within 30 days by writing to MLRAAppeals@dffe.gov.za, with a copy to CSCapplications@dffe.gov.za.

According to the Minister, the increase signals a positive trajectory for the West Coast Rock Lobster.

“By maintaining rigorous science and constructive engagement, South Africa is building a sustainable fishery that supports jobs, strengthens communities and preserves the country’s marine heritage,” George said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 1, 2025