Category: MIL-OSI

South Africa has accelerated its efforts toward a just, inclusive, and community-centred transition, even as some countries remain slow to implement climate action. 

“In this ever-uncertain environment, South Africa stands proud. We have not wavered on our commitments and have in fact scaled up our climate action,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday in Pretoria. 

Over the past five years, the establishment of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) played a pivotal role in shaping government policy to advance a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and society. 

This comes at a time when global momentum on climate action is waning, raising concerns about the world’s ability to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

“The state of climate financing for vulnerable countries remains perilous, hampering the ability of these countries to scale up their levels of ambition for both mitigation and adaptation. We know that these are challenging times for global climate action.

“Nine years since the signing of the Paris Agreement and with just five years to go before the world aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals – countries of the world are way off track on climate goals,” the President said.

According to the World Meteorological Organisation, last year was the warmest year on record. 

“We are on a trajectory to exceed the 1.5 degree Celsius warning limit. Despite this dire warning being sounded by experts for years, there has been noticeable climate action backsliding in a number of countries, including in the Global North,” he said.

The President made these remarks during the 20th Ordinary Commission Session where the PCC handed over its Five-Year Legacy and Review Report to the President as its term has come to an end.

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In July 2021, the PCC delivered the first set of recommendations on South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), advocating for more ambitious emissions targets with lower transition risk.

Just Transition Framework

“A year later, based on recommendations from the Commission, we released our Just Transition Framework, that sets out the actions that government and social partners will take to achieve to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient economy and society.

“It contains outcomes to be achieved over the short-medium, and long-run. On the advice of this Commission, we have been clear that the Just Transition must find expression in the Medium Term Development Plan, Annual Performance Plans as well as in the budget processes of every department,” the President said.

Furthermore, sectoral policies, including around energy, agriculture and industrial policy, should be aligned with a robust climate regulatory system.

“The Framework lays out the skills development, economic diversification, social support, governance and finance mechanisms required to make low carbon economy a reality. It also highlights the need to provide comprehensive social security safety for displaced workers and communities.

“In 2023, the Commission supported the release of the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan 2023-2027. This Plan, developed under the guidance of the Commission and international partners, is what we have been able to take to the international climate finance community and international forums as tangible proof of our resolve to walk the talk on climate action,” President Ramaphosa explained.

It covers the necessary reforms, investments and concrete projects for the energy transition, with a strong focus on social justice.

“At COP30 in Brazil last month, having a credible, tangible plan in place to support meeting our climate targets bolstered South Africa’s credibility, and lent weight to our commitment to equity, ambition and international cooperation.

READ | SA welcomes outcomes of COP30

“The passage of the Climate Change Act last year was a crowning achievement for our country. One that was brought into being with the support of a wide range of stakeholders across society, including the Commission.

“This is not all. As we have worked to overcome a debilitating energy crisis, this Commission has lent its counsel to the restructuring of the energy sector, notably Eskom – and to aiding government in resolving contradictory policy pronouncements.”

Reflections 

The President hailed the Commission for its counsel on the restructuring of the energy sector, notably Eskom – and to aiding government in resolving contradictory policy pronouncements.

Furthermore, the Commission initiated a three-sector study into water, built environment and agriculture, and into the development of an adaptation and resilience investment plan.

It has held consultations around the updated Integrated Resource Plan; supporting the development of municipal Just Energy Transition (JET) readiness assessments; and working on a Climate Finance Landscape report.

“The Commission’s evidence-based recommendations, inclusive processes, internationally respected thought leadership and engagements with international partners have raised South Africa’s profile in multilateral forums. This is particularly so with respect to the climate finance negotiations.

“It would be no understatement to say that the past five years have seen our reputation grow as a respected, principled, and above all pragmatic contributor to the global climate effort,” the President said

By convening business, labour, civil society, academia and government around the Just Transition, the Commission has helped shape conversations around equity, transition financing and the various dimensions of climate action not just domestically but globally.

“The prominence accorded to a just transition at the recent Group Twenty (G20) Summit bears testimony to this. 

“The G20 Leaders’ Summit pledged to amongst other things increase the quality and quantity of climate finance to developing economies, and support country platforms like the Just Energy Transition Partnerships. We also saw substantial sums pledged to expand renewable energy across Africa,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za

Two remaining bodies of three residents who were swept away by floods in New Hanover have been identified, as recovery and humanitarian efforts continue across affected communities.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma reported that the Mayor of Umshwathi Local Municipality Mandla Zondi, Ward 02 Local Councillor Sikhumbuzo Nxumalo, and uMgungundlovu Disaster team, informed the department that the body of one resident who was swept away has been identified. All known victims have been recovered.

Giving an update on intervention by Human Settlements, following a visit by Minister Thembi Simelane, Duma said the department’s roving team has been deployed to support the ongoing recovery process and to work closely with municipal and disaster officials on the ground.

Duma expressed his deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

The MEC confirmed the close to 19 homes that were destroyed by the floods and the recent hailstorm in New Hanover will receive urgent assistance.

He commended Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane for her swift intervention following her oversight visit to the area on Monday.

“Her visit on Monday has augmented our intervention. We have agreed that landlords who built houses along the riverbank will no longer be allowed to rent out their places. Tenants will look for safe alternative places to rent.

“People who live in both mud and block houses, not built by government, will be given Temporary Residential Units (TRU) and their houses will be demolished,” Duma said.

Duma said the department is also managing the possibilities of relocating four families who are living in houses built by the government, as the policy does not allow them to receive state housing support twice.

“Engineers will be assessing houses built away from the riverbank, which are also flooded during rainy days.”

Following another storm on Tuesday night, Duma said the department has been receiving reports from the roving teams from human settlements in various district municipalities that houses across municipalities have sustained damage.

He said information is still being consolidated as teams collaborate with disaster management officials to ensure that “no one is left behind.”

On transport, Duma said the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) team is monitoring traffic and ensuring the safety of motorists.

“We have our engineers who are also assessing road infrastructure. They will indicate if there is any need to close certain road networks. We urge motorists to keep a following distance and reduce speed,” Duma said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

South Africa’s quality councils have issued a nationwide warning to learners and parents to verify institutions and qualifications before registering for post-school education and training in 2026, as fraudulent and unaccredited providers continue to target the public.

The call was made on Friday during a joint media briefing of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Umalusi, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

At the briefing in Pretoria, the entities stressed that while the country’s education system remains credible, the rise of bogus institutions poses a serious threat to learners’ futures and families’ finances.

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Umalusi chief executive officer (CEO), Dr Mafu Rakometsi, warned and emphasised that no school public or private, may operate or issue qualifications without being properly registered and accredited.

He noted that while the majority of schools comply with legislation, Umalusi continues to encounter illegal operators who promise “quick” matric certificates or shortcuts into the National Senior Certificate (NSC) system.

“Parents and learners must understand that only institutions registered with the provincial education departments and accredited by Umalusi may offer qualifications such as the NSC and NCV [National Certificate Vocational],” Rakometsi said.

He warned that fraudulent matric rewrite centres, back-room tuition centres, and institutions using misleading names often emerge during the matric results period, preying on anxious learners.

“There are no shortcuts in achieving a credible qualification. Any organisation that claims to issue a matric certificate without proper registration is deceiving the public,” said the quality assurance body CEO.

Occupational training targeted by scammers

QCTO CEO Vijayen Naidoo issued a firm warning against institutions falsely claiming to offer occupational certificates or the historic “Red Seal” trade test.

“As opportunities grow in the occupational training space, so does the number of unaccredited and bogus institutions claiming to offer QCTO certificates. Let us be clear: a QCTO qualification is only valid if it is offered by a QCTO-accredited skills development provider and assessed through a QCTO-accredited trade test or assessment centre,” he said. 

Naidoo said the QCTO currently has over 900 occupational qualifications and part qualifications registered on the NQF, all developed by industry and aimed at boosting employability and productivity in key sectors, including new and emerging occupations such as renewable energy, solar photovoltaic installation, and hybrid vehicle technologies.

However, he cautioned that fraudulent providers many of whom are operating online continue to lure learners with promises of guaranteed certificates, fast-track trade tests and “Red Seal” qualifications without assessment. 
“If something sounds too good to be true, it is a scam,” he said.

Naidoo also revealed that the QCTO has uncovered “unscrupulous activities” even among some accredited skills development providers and trade test centres. Action is being taken in collaboration with SAQA, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and law enforcement agencies. 

Transition from pre-2009 ‘legacy qualifications’

The QCTO is currently managing the national transition away from outdated pre-2009 qualifications. While all already-achieved legacy qualifications remain valid, students who have not yet completed them must take note of the tightened timelines.

The last enrolment for pre-2009 qualifications is now June 2026, with completion deadlines extending between June 2027 and June 2029, depending on programme-specific teach-out periods.

Students still on these pathways are urged to consult their training providers about transitioning into the modern occupational qualifications through the national credit accumulation and transfer system.

Call for due diligence

CHE CEO Dr Whitfield Green reaffirmed the credibility of South Africa’s higher education system but warned that capacity constraints and the existence of bogus institutions make vigilance essential.

Of the more than 815 000 candidates who sat for matric exams this year, the post-school education and training system can only absorb about half placing many young people in the crosshairs of illegal operators.

“No institution purporting to be a higher education institution can offer qualifications unless those qualifications are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered on the National Qualifications Framework,” Green said.

South Africa has 26 public universities and about 145 registered private high education institutions. Unregistered private colleges operating outside this system are illegal, and their qualifications have no standing. 

Green urged prospective students to verify qualifications on:
•    the SAQA website (NQF registration),
•    the DHET Register of Private Higher Education Institutions, and
•    the CHE’s official accreditation listings.
“There is no grey area. If it is not accredited by the CHE and not registered on the NQF, it is an illegitimate qualification,” Green said. 

Sector developments

The CHE announced several key developments expected to reshape South Africa’s higher education landscape, including: 
•    A new policy on institutional types published in May 2025, allowing for public and private universities, university colleges, and higher education colleges.
•    A revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework to be published in the coming months.
•    A new policy for collaborative or joint qualifications, enabling local and international institutions to jointly offer programmes.
•    A sector-wide review of hybrid and blended learning modes following shifts observed after COVID-19.
•    A comprehensive national review of initial teacher education qualifications scheduled for 2026.

Appeal to the public

During the briefing, CHE Communications Manager Ntokozo Bhengu made an appeal, highlighting the devastating effect bogus institutions have on families especially in rural areas.

“It saddens us when you find a student from a rural area whose parents had to sell livestock to pay for tuition, only to discover upon graduation that the qualification is not registered. The student has been duped and scammed, and the parents have lost money. By then, the kraal is empty. There is not a single cow left because they were trying to invest in the future of their child. 

“We plead with the media to help us elevate the message and spread it across the country so that it reaches all students and parents to avoid this unnecessary pain and suffering,” Bhengu urged. 

Verify before you register

The entities concluded the briefing with a unified message to the class of 2025, parents, teachers, and community leaders to verify the institution, and the programme offered because their future is too important to risk.

Accredited qualifications and providers can be checked on the:
•    QCTO website: www.qcto.org.za
•    SAQA qualification search
•    DHET registers
The quality councils reaffirmed their commitment to protecting learners, strengthening employer partnerships, and closing the space for fraudsters. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has expressed deep sadness following the passing of Jennifer Glennie, the founding Executive Director of the South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE) and respected pioneer in the field of distance learning.

In a statement on Thursday, Manamela said Glennie’s death represented a significant loss to South Africa’s education fraternity.

Paying tribute to her lifelong work, the Minister described Glennie as “a visionary leader whose lifelong passion for education, particularly in distance learning, has left an indelible mark”.

From the apartheid era through to the democratic transition, Glennie championed access, equity, and justice in education.

Manamela highlighted her pioneering role in developing contextually appropriate, activity-based learning materials and innovative student support mechanisms that transformed South Africa’s distance education landscape.

Glennie contributed extensively to the national higher education system, including playing a central role in establishing the Council on Higher Education, serving for two decades on the Council of the University of South Africa (Unisa), and representing the country at the Commonwealth of Learning. She was also instrumental in the founding of Sol Plaatje University.

A recognised advocate for technology enabled learning, Glennie was a at the forefront of promoting Open Educational Resources (OER), to create meaningful educational opportunities for poor and marginalised groups.

“The higher education sector would not be what it is today without the dedication of pioneers like Jennifer Glennie. Her deep love for the people of this country and her abhorrence for injustice touched and improved many lives. Her role in expanding access to higher education for Africans and her legacy will continue to inspire us,” the Minister said.

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Glennie’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire higher education sector.

Sol Plaatje University’s Council Chairperson, Professor Randall Carolissen, described Glennie as a remarkable leader who devoted her life to expanding access to quality education at all levels for marginalised communities in South Africa.

“Glennie had a long and distinguished connection with Sol Plaatje University (SPU) where she was instrumental in setting the tone for the impeccable governance culture that guided the Council through its difficult early years. She served as the Chairperson of the Interim Council in 2013 and then as the Deputy Chairperson of the Inaugural Council from 2014 to 2022.

“She was the Deputy Chairperson of both the Executive Committee and the Remuneration Committee of Council; a member of the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and later served as the Chairperson of the ARC until the end of her term on Council,” Carolissen said. – SAnews.gov.za