Category: MIL-OSI

Residents of Mzamomhle and the Quenera Lagoon area in the Eastern Cape, are set to benefit from improved mobility and safer travel as work progresses on the long-awaited upgrade of the Quenera Lagoon Access Road.

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Mayor Princess Faku recently visited the construction site to assess progress on the project and engage officials overseeing the project.

The visit highlighted progress in transforming the existing gravel road into a modern, asphalt-surfaced route.

The road upgrade forms part of the municipality’s broader infrastructure master plan, which aims to improve connectivity, strengthen service delivery and create an environment conducive to economic development across Buffalo City.

The project entails the upgrading of approximately four kilometres of road and includes pedestrian sidewalks, street lighting and stormwater infrastructure such as pipes, open channels and culverts.

The improvements are expected to enhance safety and reliability for residents, pedestrians and motorists using the route.

Faku welcomed the progress made, describing the project as an important investment in the future of surrounding communities.

“This road is much more than a transport route. It is a catalyst for development and a gateway to new opportunities for the people of Mzamomhle and Quenera Lagoon,” Faku said.

The project has been years in the making and is being implemented through collaboration between BCMM and the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, which provided funding in 2025 to co-fund the upgrade. The department remains the custodian of the road.

Construction on Phase One is nearing completion, with the installation of street lighting approximately 90% complete. Overall construction is progressing steadily, with the municipality expecting the first phase to be completed by the end of August.

Planning and design work for Phase Two, which will cover a further 3.2 kilometres, is already underway.

The municipality said this will help maintain momentum towards the eventual upgrading of the full route.

The project is being implemented by Devomix Construction and includes opportunities for local labour, enabling the infrastructure investment to also contribute to surrounding communities through employment opportunities during construction.

The municipality said it has a long-term vision for the corridor to accommodate increased development and traffic as the area grows. This includes the possibility of transforming the route into a dual carriageway.

With Phase One approaching completion and Phase Two in the planning stage, the Quenera Lagoon Access Road project represents tangible progress towards improved infrastructure and connectivity in the area.

“Once fully completed, the upgraded road is expected to support safer movement, stimulate economic activity and contribute to the continued development of not only the Quenera area but the Buffalo City Metro,” the municipality said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong will participate in the 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation, where South Africa will seek to strengthen cooperation with China and other African countries in broadcasting, audio-visual services, digital transformation, content innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging media technologies.

The forum, hosted by China’s National Radio and Television Administration, will take place from 19 to 21 August 2026, under the theme: “Share Development Opportunities, Shape the Audio-Visual Future.”

“The Deputy Minister’s participation forms part of South Africa’s broader efforts to strengthen South Africa-China and China-Africa cooperation in media and communications, while advancing a more balanced representation of Africa and the Global South in the international information environment,” the Presidency said in a statement.

During the visit, Morolong is expected to engage with the Chinese government and media institutions, technology companies and African counterparts. Discussions will focus on opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation, broadcasting technology, content production, artificial intelligence and media skills development.

South Africa will use the engagement to:

• Strengthen China-Africa media and broadcasting cooperation;
• Promote responsible and inclusive digital transformation and innovation;
• Explore cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital content and emerging technologies;
• Advance information integrity, ethical digital governance and the responsible use of technology;
• Promote Africa as a producer of content, knowledge and innovation, rather than merely a consumer; and
• Strengthen partnerships among African and Global South media institutions.

– SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has hailed the successful hosting of the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government and its associated programmes as a vote of confidence in the province’s infrastructure, security capabilities and hospitality sector.

The summit concluded on Monday, 17 August, without any major security incidents being reported.

Ntuli expressed his appreciation to the South African Police Service (SAPS), law enforcement agencies, security personnel and other stakeholders who worked tirelessly to ensure a safe, secure and seamless hosting of the Summit.

“The successful hosting of the SADC Summit is a tremendous achievement for KwaZulu-Natal and a clear vote of confidence in our province. We have demonstrated that our infrastructure, hospitality sector, security capabilities and public institutions have the capacity to host events of continental and international importance,” Ntuli said.

Ntuli commended SAPS and other law enforcement and security agencies for their professionalism, dedication, and vigilance throughout the summit.

“The fact that the programme was concluded successfully without any major security incident is testimony to the effectiveness of the comprehensive security arrangements that were put in place.”

The Premier said the successful hosting of the Summit also demonstrated the province’s ability to mobilise different sectors of society and government around a common objective.

He commended provincial government departments, including municipalities, traditional leadership, the business sector, hospitality establishments, transport operators, emergency services, civil society, event organisers, volunteers and other stakeholders for their contributions to the summit and its related programmes.

The Premier also highlighted the successful hosting of the SADC Public Lecture delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa last Friday, which formed part of the broader programme surrounding the Summit.

He said engagements of this nature provide an important platform for strengthening public understanding of regional integration, African cooperation, and the role of the Southern African Development Community in advancing development across the region.

“The success of the Summit was not achieved by government alone. It was the result of a collective effort involving law enforcement, government departments, municipalities, the private sector, our hospitality industry, communities and many other partners,” Ntuli said.

He said the successful hosting of the summit strengthens KwaZulu-Natal’s case to host future major continental and international events, including programmes associated with BRICS and other multilateral platforms.

According to Ntuli, the province’s ability to accommodate thousands of delegates, facilitate high-level engagements, provide hospitality services, ensure secure movement and maintain effective coordination throughout the programme demonstrated its readiness to compete for major international events.

Ntuli said the hosting of the Summit is also expected to contribute positively to the provincial economy through increased demand for accommodation, restaurants, transport, tourism, conferencing, retail, events, and other services.

“We are confident that the hosting of the SADC Summit and its associated activities have contributed to the growth of our provincial economy. Major events such as this create opportunities for businesses, particularly in tourism, hospitality, transport, retail and other sectors of the economy. They also showcase KwaZulu-Natal to the region and the world as a destination for investment, tourism and international business,” the Premier said.

He said the provincial government will build on the experience and lessons gained from hosting the summit to strengthen KwaZulu-Natal’s positioning as a preferred destination for major continental and international events.

“KwaZulu-Natal remains committed to working with national government, municipalities, the private sector and international partners to attract events that promote economic growth, tourism, investment and international cooperation.”

Ntuli congratulated all stakeholders who contributed to the successful hosting of the summit and thanked the people of KwaZulu-Natal for welcoming delegates and visitors to the province.

“KwaZulu-Natal has once again shown that it is on the ball. We have the infrastructure, the people, the hospitality, the security capacity and the organisational capability to host events that place our province and our country on the global stage.

“We must now build on this success and ensure that KwaZulu-Natal continues to position itself as a premier destination for continental and international events,” Ntuli said. –
SAnews.gov.za

By Mmapaseka Steve Letsike

It is a sad reflection of our society that almost everyone knows or has heard of a woman who has experienced abuse, gender-based violence or femicide (GBVF). Sometimes we convince ourselves that such abuse occurs in the dark underbelly of society, or that it is far removed from our daily lives. Yet women are often harmed by people they know and trust – a husband, partner, superior, colleague, fellow church member, teacher or acquaintance.

To assume that violence and abuse against women are somebody else’s problem is to ignore the reality. It is our problem. Far too often, abuse happens behind closed doors but within the knowledge of family members, neighbours, colleagues, churches and communities. As a society, doing nothing is simply not good enough. Looking away can allow abuse to continue and can leave women and children trapped in cycles of violence.

Some would argue that tougher legislation and stronger enforcement are the primary solutions. South Africa has a comprehensive legislative framework to combat GBVF, and in 2022 existing protections were further strengthened through legislation aimed at strengthening the criminal justice system, promoting accountability and improving support for survivors.

These laws strengthen the protection of victims of gender-based violence, enhance measures to hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen the ability of the criminal justice system to respond decisively to these crimes.

However, stronger legislation is only one part of our comprehensive approach to combating GBVF. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF, launched in 2020, provides a national framework for addressing this scourge. It recognises that the response to GBVF must extend beyond the criminal justice system to include prevention, survivor support, economic empowerment and efforts to address the social conditions that make women and children vulnerable to violence.
Since the launch of the NSP on GBVF, progress has also been made in strengthening the criminal justice response. More than 32 regional courts have been designated as Sexual Offences Courts in various parts of the country, with further expansion taking place.

There are also Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country, which provide integrated support to survivors of sexual offences. These centres assist survivors with reporting cases to the police, accessing medical care and receiving counselling, helping to ensure that they do not have to navigate multiple systems on their own.

But, as we have seen time and again, laws and interventions alone will not end GBVF. It will only be defeated when all of society takes responsibility for preventing violence, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable.

We cannot wait until a tragedy has unfolded before raising our voices. Too often, cases of violence reveal that people knew about or suspected the abuse but remained silent. We must create communities where speaking out, seeking help, and protecting those at risk are seen as collective responsibilities.

The consequences of GBVF extend far beyond the immediate physical and psychological harm experienced by survivors. Violence affects children, families and communities and carries broader social and economic costs. Many households are women-led, with women serving as primary income earners and caregivers. When women experience violence, the consequences can reverberate throughout the household, affecting children’s wellbeing, family stability and household livelihoods.
This is why the government has also pursued legislation, policies and programmes aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment and participation. Gender equality cannot be fully realised without the meaningful participation of women in the economy and in all spheres of society.

The Employment Equity Act and other measures aimed at advancing gender equality have contributed to creating greater opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in the economy. Government has also supported women-owned enterprises through initiatives involving institutions such as the National Empowerment Fund and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency, among others.

Economic empowerment is an important part of creating greater choices for women. A woman who has access to income, employment, skills and economic opportunities may be better positioned to make decisions about her life and, where necessary, to leave an abusive environment. However, economic empowerment must be part of a broader response to GBVF; no woman should have to achieve financial independence before she deserves to live free from violence.

Ultimately, the fight against GBVF requires all of us. Families must raise boys and girls to respect one another, value human dignity and understand that violence is never an acceptable expression of power or conflict. Communities must challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours that normalise violence against women and children. Friends, neighbours, colleagues and institutions must be prepared to speak up and support survivors.

We cannot stand idly by while our sisters, mothers, wives, partners and daughters are abused, violated, raped or murdered. Ending GBVF requires sustained action, courage and collective responsibility. Government will continue strengthening legislation, services and interventions, but lasting change will only come when every South African recognises that preventing violence is our shared responsibility.

If you see something, say something. If you suspect that someone is experiencing abuse, do not simply look away. Help connect survivors to the appropriate support services and encourage them to seek assistance.

Together, we can build families and communities where women and children are safe, respected and able to live with dignity, free from violence and fear.

*Letsike is the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, will address the Eastern Cape Export Symposium and Exhibition Ministerial Dinner this evening to enhance collaboration between national, and provincial institutions while increasing awareness and uptake of the department’s export support programmes and services.

The three-day symposium and exhibition, which kicks off today, will focus on export competitiveness, market access, inward buying mission, investment promotion and strategic partnerships to expand export opportunities for South African businesses and is a collaboration between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).

Tau said the Eastern Cape remains one of South Africa’s leading export provinces, with internationally competitive sectors including automotive manufacturing, agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, ocean economy and renewable energy.

“The Eastern Cape sits at the centre of our industrialisation and export diversification agenda. Its automotive, agro-processing and ocean economy sectors, anchored by industrial infrastructure such as the Coega Special Economic Zone and East London Industrial Development Zone, give the province the depth to compete globally and to help us broaden our export base beyond traditional markets.

“As global trade conditions shift, strengthening these local export capabilities and connecting more of our enterprises, particularly small and black-owned businesses, to international markets is central to building a more resilient and inclusive economy,” he said.

Tau added that the dtic has been an active partner in previous editions through technical presentations on trade agreements, export incentives and export development programmes.

Since its inception in 2019, the symposium has become the Eastern Cape flagship export promotion platform, attracting over 4000 delegates, supporting more than 1200 enterprises, hosting 300 exhibitors, and facilitating export opportunities estimated at R200 million. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has announced the appointment of new independent expert members to its Board’s Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and Information Technology Governance Committee (ITGC) in a move to strengthen institutional governance, accountability and digital innovation.

According to the NHLS, the newly appointed members bring extensive expertise in digital transformation, governance, finance, risk management, and public-sector leadership.

“Among the appointees are Poppy Tshabalala, a Chartered Chief Information Officer and digital transformation leader with more than 25 years of Information and Communication Technology experience, and Patrick Ganesan, a specialist in enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance, who are appointed to the ITGC.

“In the Audit and Risk Committee, Suren Maharaj, a Chartered Accountant and seasoned finance executive with over 30 years of experience; Fulufhelo Tshikhudo, an accomplished governance, risk, and finance expert with more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across key state institutions; and Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba, a Chartered Accountant with expertise in financial management have been appointed,” the NHLS said.

The entity welcomed their appointments.

“The NHLS believes the collective expertise of the expert independent Committee Members will strengthen governance, accountability, strategic oversight, and innovation as the organisation continues to deliver quality diagnostic pathology services, support public health surveillance, and advance medical research and training in South Africa. 

“The NHLS looks forward to their immense contribution towards advancing the NHLS mandate and supporting the broader goals of South Africa’s public healthcare system.

“The NHLS also extends its appreciation to the outgoing Board members for their service and contribution,” the NHLS noted. – SAnews.gov.za

Police continue to intensify efforts to curb contraband trade and distribution through the enforcement of the Counterfeit Goods Act, this as 57-year-old foreign national was arrested for the possession of suspected counterfeit cigarettes.

The arrest was made by the Welkom K9 Unit.

“On Tuesday, members attached to the Welkom K9 Unit received information about suspected illegal cigarettes that are being transported to an identified house in Welkom. Information was operationalised and led police to a house in Jim Fouchè Park, Welkom,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

On arrival on the scene, entry was gained into the premises and police discovered a large quantity of boxes containing suspected illicit cigarettes. 

“Preliminary investigations were conducted and the cigarettes were confirmed to be counterfeit,” the police said.

Police seized the boxes of illicit cigarettes estimated to be valued at R6.2 million rands.

The arrested suspect will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday host Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The BNC was first launched more than a decade ago and it serves as a mechanism for managing and advancing the partnership between the two Southern African nations.

“To date, more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.

“The Fourth Session will provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to review progress in implementing existing bilateral commitments and to identify opportunities to further strengthen relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe,” the Presidency said in a statement.

Engagements at the BNC, to be held in Pretoria, will aim to deepen bilateral cooperation across key areas of mutual interest including “trade and investment, infrastructure, economic development and other areas that contribute to shared growth and development”.

“The session will culminate in the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at further expanding bilateral cooperation in strategic areas.

“The Heads of State Meeting will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting, following the Senior Officials Meeting of the Fourth Session of the BNC, which took place yesterday. The Ministerial and Senior Officials Meetings serve to prepare matters for consideration by the two Heads of State,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za