Category: MIL-OSI

While reflecting on the gains and challenges of South Africa’s democratic journey, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has welcomed the rise in earnings among black South Africans, saying this has significantly changed the racial composition of the country’s middle- and upper-income earners over the past three decades of democracy.

According to the General Household Survey by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the proportion of black households earning more than R75 000 per month increased from 29% in 2012 to 41% in 2024.

“Accordingly, the number of black South Africans in the middle- and upper-income brackets, defined as those earning more than R22 000 a month, quadrupled to more than 7 million in 2024 from 2012. Overall, the total number of people in those income groups rose from about 4 million to more than 11 million over the period (2012 – 2024),” the Minister said on Wednesday, tabling the Budget Vote for Stats SA in parliament.

Ntshavheni used the Budget Vote to reflect on evidence presented through Stats SA data over the past 30 years, noting that in 1996, for the first time in South Africa’s history, the organisation undertook a national study to count every person, in every community and language, as equal citizens of a free South Africa.

Poverty trends

In December 2025, Stats SA released the report Poverty Trends in South Africa: An examination of absolute poverty between 2006 and 2023.

The poverty trends report by Stats SA indicates a significant improvement in poverty reduction. 

The report points to notable progress in reducing poverty levels. 

“For example, the percentage of the population that is considered Lower Bound Poverty Line (LBPL) decreased from 57.5% in 2006 to 37.9% in 2023, number of LBPL poor in millions similarly decreased from 27.3 million in 2006 to 23.2 million in 2023. 

“Furthermore, the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty (below the Food Poverty Line) also decreased from 27.4% in 2006 to 17.6% in 2023 – translating to 10.8 million people living in extreme poverty or food poverty line – equalling 2.2 million fewer people living in food poverty line in 2023 compared to 2006,” the Minister said.

Despite the progress, Ntshavheni expressed concern that 10.8 million South Africans still live below the food poverty line. 

She said the government would continue using poverty data to improve the targeting of developmental policies and intervention programmes.

“Stats SA in the 2003 – 2026 Poverty Report asserts that education remains one of the most potent tools for fighting poverty, as those with lower education levels recorded notably higher poverty headcounts compared to those with higher levels of education. 

“It is for this reason that the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act is non-negotiable. There is also a need to support the Minister of Higher Education on the continuing work to review the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), including measures to expand access to higher education for the dependents of police officers, teachers, nurses and other public servants who often fall outside existing support thresholds despite facing significant financial pressures,” the Minister said.

The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the “missing middle” in higher education funding.

“The aim is to build a more inclusive and sustainable student funding system that broadens opportunity while safeguarding the future viability of the scheme,” the Minister said.

Unemployment concerns

Turning to the persistent challenge of unemployment, Ntshavheni referred to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey for 2026, which showed employment declined by 345 000 people to 16.8 million in the first quarter, down from 17.1 million in the previous quarter.

“The argument of an increase in unemployment due to first-quarter trends of increased labour market entrants does not hold, as the country experienced a decline in the number of employed persons,” Ntshavheni said.

She noted that the decline in employment opportunities comes at a time when infrastructure investment is gaining momentum.

The Minister of Finance has announced a R1 trillion allocation for infrastructure development in the 2026 National Budget, while the sixth edition of the South African Investment Conference secured more than R1.5 trillion in investment commitments

“This decline is reported when the country is experiencing an increase in anti-foreign nationals’ sentiments, which, in addition to accusing foreign nationals of taking part in criminal activities, the major complaint is the accusation that foreign nationals are taking opportunities that must be reserved for South Africans,” the Minister said.

According to Stats SA’s Migration Module of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate among foreign-born persons in 2022 stood at 18.2%, compared to 34% for locally born persons.

“The absorption rate of foreign-born persons was 64% and that of locally born persons was 37,7%, meaning that foreign-born persons were twice as likely to be employed in South Africa than locally born persons. The absorption rate is the proportion of those in working age (15-64 years) who are employed,” she said.

The Minister added that the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Department of Home Affairs are actively addressing the presence of undocumented foreign nationals.

As of 31 December 2025, South Africa recorded 55 190 refugees and 82 410 asylum seekers.

“Cabinet has directed the Department of Employment and Labour to intensify inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with employment laws across vulnerable sectors such as hospitality, farms, trucking, and construction, amongst others,” she said.

Municipalities have also been instructed to strengthen enforcement of municipal by-laws, particularly trading by-laws, while South Africans were urged not to sub-lease business licences. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed judges to various divisions across the country.

The appointments were made in terms of section 174(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Presidency said the appointments were made to “ensure courts have the necessary capacity to administer justice”.

The judicial appointments are as follows:
•    Madam Justice Thandi Victoria Norman as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, with effect from 15 May 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Mr Justice Bashier Vally as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, with effect from 01 June 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Madam Justice Leonie Windell as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal with effect from 01 June 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Mr Justice Aubrey Phage Ledwaba as a Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, with effect from 15 May 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Ms Nolubabalo Cengani-Mbakaza as a Judge of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Mthatha with effect from 01 July 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Advocate Sally Ann Collett as a Judge of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Makhanda with effect from 01 July 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Professor Nomthandazo Patience Ntlama-Makhanya as a Judge of the Eastern Cape Division of the Court, Makhanda with effect from 01 August 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Mr Rodges Deon Barendse as a Judge of the Western Cape Division of
the High Court, with effect from 01 June 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Advocate Diane Margaret Davis SC as a Judge of the Western Cape Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 July 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Advocate Ncumisa Thoko Mayosi as a Judge of the Western Cape Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 June 2026 in an existing vacancy;
•    Advocate Pinda Njokweni as a Judge of the Western Cape Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 June 2026 in an existing vacancy; and
•    Advocate Phillipa Susan Van Zyl as a Judge of the Western Cape Division of the High Court, with effect from 01 June 2026 in an existing vacancy.

The President has wished the judges well as they assume their responsibilities. –SAnews.gov.za 

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has welcomed the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results released by Statistics South Africa, which show that KwaZulu-Natal was the only province in South Africa to record an increase in employment and job creation during the first quarter of 2026.

According to the provincial government, KwaZulu-Natal created more than 6 000 jobs during the period, while all other provinces experienced declines in employment and job losses. 

The province said the figures position KwaZulu-Natal as a leading contributor to economic resilience and employment growth in the country.

The provincial government expressed its appreciation to the Provincial Executive, for what it described as decisive leadership focused on economic recovery, investment promotion, service delivery, and sustainable job creation across the province.

The latest labour market figures come as South Africa continues to face economic challenges, including high unemployment, slow economic growth, and increasing pressure on households and businesses.

Commenting on the results, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the province’s performance reflected the impact of focused interventions implemented by the 7th Administration under the Government of Provincial Unity.

“These encouraging figures demonstrate that KwaZulu-Natal is steadily moving in the right direction. As a provincial government, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment for investment, economic growth, industrial expansion, tourism development, infrastructure rollout, and sustainable job creation,” he said.

Ntuli said the province had intensified efforts to position KwaZulu-Natal as an investment destination through strategic partnerships with the private sector, infrastructure development programmes, and support for small businesses, township and rural economies, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and the logistics sector.

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, business, labour, and communities in driving inclusive economic growth.

“The progress we are witnessing is a result of collective effort and collaboration. We appreciate the confidence shown by investors, businesses, workers, and communities in the economic future of KwaZulu-Natal,” said Ntuli.

The provincial government said it remains committed to accelerating programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, particularly among young people, women, and vulnerable groups, through skills development initiatives, entrepreneurship support programmes, and targeted economic interventions.

KwaZulu-Natal continues to focus on strategic economic platforms such as the ports of Durban and Richards Bay, tourism, agricultural expansion, manufacturing, and infrastructure investment to stimulate growth and employment opportunities across the province.

Ntuli said while the latest results marked a significant shift, more work was needed to ensure that greater job opportunities are created for the majority of people in the province. 

He said the provincial government would continue implementing interventions aimed at ensuring that economic growth translates into meaningful opportunities and improved livelihoods for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. – SAnews.gov.za

South African National Parks (SANParks) chairperson Beryl Ferguson says Africa’s Travel Indaba is more than a marketplace – it remains a melting pot for initiatives that expand the horizons of the tourism industry.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 started on Tuesday and ends on Thursday, and is being held under the theme: “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy”.

“It is a meeting of ideas, ambition and responsibility. It is where we collectively shape how Africa is experienced by the world and critically, how the continent’s natural and cultural heritage is valued, narrated and sustained,” she said.

Taking part in the “Conversation about Conservation” dialogue held at the Indaba in Durban, Ferguson said increasingly, global travellers are seeking experiences that are authentic, responsible and rooted in real connection to place, people and purpose.

“We gather here at a particularly meaningful time in South Africa’s conservation journey, as we commemorate 100 years of the Kruger National Park,” Ferguson said.

Proclaimed in 1926, the Kruger National Park has grown into one of the most recognisable protected landscapes in the world, a place of extraordinary biodiversity, scientific excellence and tourism appeal.

Given this, Ferguson explained that the Kruger is more than an iconic destination. “It is a living landscape shaped by time, learning and change.”

Ferguson said over the past century, conservation in the Kruger has evolved, responding to new knowledge, new pressures and new societal expectations.

“It reminds us that conservation is not static; it is dynamic, human and deeply contextual. The Kruger’s history, like that of many protected areas globally, was shaped in an era of exclusion and dispossession, with lasting consequences for communities linked to this land.

“Recognising this truth does not detract from conservation achievements; rather, it strengthens our resolve to ensure that the future is built differently with communities recognised as rightful partners in stewardship and shared benefit,.

“In the democratic era, SANParks, together with government and community stakeholders, worked to address these legacies through land restitution, co-management arrangements, heritage recognition and benefit sharing initiatives,” Ferguson said.

The Kruger’s story is also one of resilience.

“From ecological pressures to more recent extreme weather events and floods, the Park has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to recover and adapt. These experiences reflect the realities facing conservation today. 

“Climate change, biodiversity loss, land use pressures and shifting global travel patterns are redefining how protected areas must be managed.

“Conservation in the 21st century cannot exist in isolation from society. Protected areas must safeguard ecological integrity, while also delivering social value,” she said.

Ferguson said as SANParks, they believe that the next 100 years of the Kruger National Park and of conservation, more broadly, will be defined by collaboration, adaptability and shared stewardship.

“From grassroots environmental stewardship to global advocacy and education, to the lived management of protected landscapes, each has played a role in advancing conservation consciousness worldwide,” she said.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 takes place as the continent commemorates Africa Month, providing an important platform to strengthen partnerships, and shape a more inclusive tourism future that benefits communities, entrepreneurs and nations. – SAnews.gov.za

The Western Cape Provincial Government says emergency response and recovery operations remain at a critical stage despite improved weather conditions across the province, following recent severe storms.

Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said on Tuesday that the province’s Joint Operations Centre continues to coordinate rescue and relief efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

The Provincial Department of Health and Wellness has confirmed 10 storm-related fatalities across the province. Bredell extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the extreme weather event.

Emergency teams remain active in several districts, particularly the West Coast and Cape Winelands, where widespread flooding and infrastructure damage have disrupted communities and displaced thousands of residents.

In the Cape Winelands alone, more than 2 000 people have been displaced, while evacuations and shelter operations continue across multiple districts. 

Humanitarian organisations, NGOs and community groups are assisting affected residents with food, blankets and hygiene supplies.

Authorities have also raised concerns about dangerously high river levels across the province. 

The Clanwilliam Dam has reached 103% capacity, with all sluice gates open. Officials are closely monitoring downstream communities and have urged residents to comply with safety instructions.

The Breede River is also in flood, with water flow volumes measured at 1 655 cubic metres per second at Swellendam on Tuesday morning, increasing the risk of further downstream flooding.

Residents have been advised to avoid flooded roads, low-water crossings and other high-risk areas.

Eskom said restoration work on electricity and other essential services is underway, although infrastructure damage and limited access to some areas are slowing progress.

Health services remain operational in most parts of the province, with contingency plans activated where facilities have been affected.

The provincial government, municipalities and partner organisations remain focused on rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and infrastructure recovery as recovery efforts continue.

Officials have encouraged residents to monitor official communication channels and report emergencies to the relevant authorities. Further updates are expected as the situation develops. – SAnews.gov.za

While highlighting the critical role played by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in providing credible and independent statistics, Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, has called for concerns about the organisation’s financial pressures to be addressed.

“These challenges must be addressed to ensure that the quality and sustainability of our national statistics are not compromised,” the Deputy Minister said on Wednesday in Parliament during the Budget Vote for Stats SA. 

She added that in a complex and rapidly changing world, South Africa needs reliable data to drive inclusive growth, create jobs, reduce poverty and build a capable state.

“Just yesterday [Tuesday], Stats-SA released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), which is one of its key products measuring the employment and unemployment rate of our country.

“ While we would have previously recorded four consecutive economic growth numbers in the past year, yesterday’s numbers indicate that much more needs to be done to ensure faster and more inclusive economic growth to improve the lives of all South Africans. That is why the role of Stats SA is indispensable,” Mhlauli said.

The Deputy stressed that modern statistical systems require sustained investment in technology, infrastructure and human capability.

She noted that Stats SA is working with the National Treasury and exploring alternative funding models to safeguard the quality and continuity of official statistics.

During the 2026/27 financial year, the entity will publish 299 statistical products covering the economy, society, population and environment.

These include key indicators such as the Consumer Price Index and Gross Domestic Product, which are essential for economic planning and business confidence.

Stats SA will also continue to publish data on poverty, inequality, employment and living conditions. 

“These statistics are vital in guiding government interventions aimed at overcoming the legacy of apartheid and improving the lives of the poor, especially black African women, who remain disproportionately affected by poverty and unemployment.

“The demand for reliable statistics continues to grow. Yet fiscal constraints make it increasingly difficult to expand statistical operations at the pace required,” the Deputy Minister said.

Stats SA has committed to building expertise in data science, digital tools, survey methodology and emerging statistical techniques.

“This investment in human capital will strengthen institutional resilience and ensure that South Africa remains at the forefront of statistical innovation,” she said.

Stats SA is redesigning its household survey programme through the introduction of a continuous population survey.

The organisation is also expanding web-based data collection for business surveys.

“These innovations will improve the timeliness, efficiency and responsiveness of official statistics while reducing costs and administrative burden,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Statistics Amendment Act, 2024, which came into effect in October 2025, strengthens the authority of the Statistician-General to coordinate the National Statistical System.

“This reform will improve collaboration and data sharing across government and with strategic partners, including the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Reserve Bank, the Department of Home Affairs and institutions of higher learning.

“A more integrated data ecosystem will improve efficiency, reduce duplication and ensure that decision-makers have access to credible and consistent information,” Mhlauli said. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed two Deputy National Directors of Public Prosecutions in a move aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the fight against crime.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Presidency announced the appointment of Advocate Chuma Mtengwane as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions: Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The President also appointed Advocate Nicolette Astraid Bell as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions: National Prosecutions Services.

The appointments were made in terms of section 11(1) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No. 32 of 1998), following consultation with Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi.

“The President has appointed two Deputy National Directors of Public Prosecutions as part of ensuring that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains effective in the fight against crime and enjoys public trust,” the Presidency said.

President Ramaphosa wished the newly appointed officials well as they assume their responsibilities within the NPA.

“President Ramaphosa wishes Adv Mtengwane and Adv Bell well as they assume their roles in the National Prosecuting Authority’s constitutionally empowered mandate to institute criminal proceedings on behalf of the State,” the statement said.

Mtengwane currently serves as Acting Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions: Asset Forfeiture Unit and brings 25 years of prosecutorial experience in the public sector.

Her expertise includes asset forfeiture, criminal investigation, police communications, trial litigation and settlement negotiation.

Bell is a career prosecutor who joined the prosecution service on 1 May 1995 at the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court.

She has served as a Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for more than 18 years and has over 29 years of legal experience, including 18 years at senior management level within the NPA. – SAnews.gov.za

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says South Africa has embarked on one of the most important reforms in the tourism and immigration ecosystem — the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

“This is not just a digital upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in how we welcome visitors, how we compete globally and how we grow our tourism economy,” De Lille said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Electronic Travel Authorisation Workshop at  Africa’s Travel Indaba, underway at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, De Lille said the ETA is already demonstrating its impact.

Africa’s Travel Indaba, which started on Tuesday, ends today. 

“Since going live, we have seen a strong uptake, fast processing times and a 94% approval rate for completed applications,” De Lille said.

Travelers are being processed at airports in under 60 seconds through dedicated ETA lanes.

“With renewals, family profiles, and expanded country coverage now rolling out, the system is becoming even more powerful and user-friendly. We designed this session to empower you to understand exactly how the ETA works; how to use it and how to integrate it into your businesses.    

“The easier it is to travel to South Africa, the more travelers will come. And the more travelers come, the more your businesses grow, the more jobs we create, and the more communities benefit,” the minister said.

De Lille said the more people understand how to use ETA, they can confidently promote South Africa as a destination where entry is seamless, predictable and modern.

Held under the theme “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy”, this year’s opening ceremony brought together African tourism ministers, international buyers, exhibitors, airlines, investors and tourism stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.

An Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital authorisation that allows prospective travelers from eligible visa required countries to travel to South Africa for tourism or visitors purposes, without the need for a traditional visitor’s visa. 

Visa-exempt travelers can also apply for an ETA that will facilitate more efficient processing at the border, enhancing the overall travel experience.

The ETA is linked to an individual’s passport and allows eligible holders to travel multiple times within the duration of the validity of the ETA. ETAs are not designed to allow repeated extended stays in South Africa for other purposes. Work in South Africa is also not permitted on an ETA.

Applicants who hold valid ordinary passports may apply for an e-Visa online provided they will land at O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport or Lanseria International Airport. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Health will submit more than 10 bids to the expanded Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) starting in the July 2026 bid window.

This is according to Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, during the tabling of the department’s Budget Vote on Wednesday.

The bids are aimed at accelerating implementation of government’s commitment to undertaking substantial investment in health infrastructure, prioritising the construction and revitalisation of academic hospitals as spelt out by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier during the State of the Nation Address this year.

“In February this year, during the Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance announced the increase in the capacity of the BFI, an instrument for managing large public infrastructure projects.

“Treasury has pronounced 4 bid windows in this financial year for Departments to bid for any infrastructure more than R 1 billion. We as Health will be sending 11 bids starting in July bid window,” Motsoaledi said.

The 11 bids are as follows:
•    Dr George Mkhari Academic Hospital in Gauteng 
•    Victoria Mxenge (King Edward VIII) academic hospitals in KZN 
•    Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Eastern Cape 
•    Tshilidzini Regional Hospital in Limpopo (Replacement of a completely aged facility) 
•    Elim Hospital in Limpopo (another replacement of a completely aged facility) 
•    Soshanguve District Hospital in Gauteng 
•    Diepsloot District Hospital in Gauteng 
•    Thabang District Hospital in Dobsonville in Gauteng 
•    Eldorado Park Hospital in Gauteng 
•    Holomisa Hospital in Holomisa Informal Settlement in Westonaria in Gauteng 
•    Mpumalanga Mental Health Hospital in Mpumalanga 

“The other facilities are six community health centres which will be announced in due course,” the Minister added.

He noted that the department is not “necessarily starting from ground zero” with the following health infrastructure already under construction:

•    Limpopo Central Hospital – 488 bed teaching hospital is already at 43% completion, and it is worth mentioning that it is ahead of schedule. 
•    Siloam District Hospital in Limpopo – a 224-bed replacement facility is at 92% completion. 
•    Dihlabeng Regional Hospital in Bethlehem in the Free State is at 57% completion. 
•    Bambisane District Hospital in the Eastern Cape OR Tambo District is at 69% completion. 
•    Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital is at 38% completion. 
•    Mapulaneng Hospital is at 92% completion. 
•    Middleburg Hospital in Mpumalanga is just waiting for a date from the President for an official opening. 

The budget

Motsoaledi reflected that the department has “suffered austerity measures over a long period of time – a decade long austerity”.

“Last year, the Minister of Finance decided to start a move to take us out of the austerity slowly but surely.

“He allocated to Health R6,7 billion. He decided to utilise it to perform four very important functions,” he said.

Those functions were:
•    Hire 1 200 post community service doctors, 200 nurses and 250 other health workers. 
•    Hire 27 000 community health workers on a permanent basis so that they no longer come through NGOs. 
•    Acquire 1.4 million articles worth R1.3 billion to spice-up public hospitals – these are beds, bassinets, mattresses, ICU beds, linen, towels, blankets. 
•    Lastly, to pay for quarrels which accumulated for over a decade. You know what it means? Chair, it means a complete revolution. 

“On the hiring of 1 200 post community service doctors, 200 nurses and 250 other health professionals. [Some] 933 doctors post-community service were employed from January to March 2026.

“On the hiring of 27 000 community health workers, 22 856 community health workers with matric verified had been appointed by the end of January 2026.

“On acquiring the beds, linen and other articles, 25 589 beds, 8 8333 mattresses and 73748 linen articles had been procured by the end of March 2026. On accruals of specific vulnerable products, R1.04 billion accruals were paid by the end of March 2026,” Motsoaledi announced.

The budget of the National Department of Health for this financial year is R64.8 billion. – SAnews.gov.za