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Deadline for comments into CPA discussion papers looms 

Source: South Africa News Agency

Deadline for comments into CPA discussion papers looms 

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) is appealing to citizens to make their voices heard as the deadline for comments into the discussion papers for the review of the Criminal Procedure Act draws closer. 

Last month, the Deputy Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster welcomed the publication of the discussion papers on the review of the Act which were released by the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC).

The review seeks to address systemic challenges in the Act, particularly in relation to provisions that deal with arrest, bail, alternative dispute resolution, and victim participation in the criminal justice process.

In an interview with SAnews, the Deputy Director-General for Court Administration at the DOJ&CD Lucky Mohalaba said the Act was outdated.

“It’s a pre-1994 piece of legislation and one of the key areas which the department and the [JCPS] cluster is faced with, is how do we ensure that important legislation like the Criminal Procedure Act [CPA] is reviewed to be in line with the Constitution? Our Constitution actually was signed into law after the Criminal Procedure Act,” he remarked of the 1977 legislation.

The act makes provision for procedures and related matters in criminal proceedings.

“This initiative from the department as led by Deputy Minister [Andries] Nel is really a milestone. Firstly to ensure that we comply and are in line with the constitutional imperatives including the issues that relate to equality [and] transparency.  
“The work that the Law Reform Commission has undertaken is going to result in the reform of legislation, including the Criminal Procedure Act,” said Mohalaba.

The SALRC released the discussion papers covering the pre-trial stage on the Bail System Reform, Arrest Dispensation Reform, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Criminal Matters and the Non-Trial Resolutions (NTRs): Deferred Prosecution, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Non-Prosecution.

“In the main, there are components where the issue of the bail dispensation is going to be looked at. Secondly, the issues that relate to the arrest dispensation is going to be looked at. Part of the issues raised there is [that] should people be arrested for having committed certain crimes or should they be given dates to come to court and appear in court for those crimes? 

“Are we not increasing the numbers in our correctional centres by arresting everyone? So those are the areas that the research papers are looking at,” the DDG said of the four papers that were first published on 20 February 2025.

This as the comment period into the documents will close on 31 March 2025.

Content of the documents

The Bail System Reform discussion document speaks to ensuring a balanced approach that upholds the rights of accused persons while addressing public safety concerns, reducing lengthy pre-trial detention, and easing overcrowding in correctional facilities.

Chapter 1 of the Review of South Africa’s Bail System document, states that the country’s bail law forms an “integral part of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 a law of apartheid extraction which has been in existence for almost five decades.” 

It further states that it is “also probable that the relevant provisions have become obsolete and redundant.”

South Africa’s bail system is regulated under Chapter 9 of the CPA with the review aiming to align bail laws with constitutional principles while also tackling inefficiencies.

Challenges with bail for foreign nationals, limited police powers in the granting of bail, the strict verification of accused persons’ residential addresses as well as affordability issues that prevent accused individuals from securing bail are some of the deficiencies identified in the current bail system according to Chapter 2 of the document.

The proposals for reform include enhancing victim rights where courts should consider victim safety when granting bail as well as that victims should be informed of bail proceedings and allowed to express their concerns. 

The proposals for reform in the document also talks to reducing delays and overcrowding where automatic bail reviews to avoid unnecessary detentions is introduced while revising bail conditions. The proposal is that alternative measures be found for those who can’t afford bail.

The document states that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Commission “lamented the failure of the law to cater specifically for victims of crime. It argued, at the time, that if the position of victims was not drastically reformed in the criminal justice system, it would lead to a legitimacy crisis.”

The Arrest Dispensation Reform speaks to promoting alternative measures, such as summons, to secure court attendance and reduce unlawful and unnecessary arrests. 

Chapter 3 of this discussion paper states that the CPA outlines the methods for securing the court attendance of accused persons. This as Section 38 of the legislation “provides that the methods of securing the court appearance of accused persons are arrest, written notice, summons and indictment.” 

However, the CPA doesn’t specify which of the measures should be used in “certain situations, nor does it mandate the utilisation of the least intrusive measure.”

The paper notes that arrest should only be used as a last resort when other methods (summons, written notices) are inadequate and that police discretion in arrest decisions is broad, often leading to unnecessary detentions and overcrowding in prisons. 

The paper proposes the amendment of Section 39 of the CPA to define the purpose of arrest, preventing misuse as well as the amendment of Section 40 to restrict arrests without warrants, ensuring judicial oversight.

Section 39 of the Act states that an arrest can be effected with or without a warrant and, unless the person to be arrested submits to custody, by actually touching his body or, if the circumstances so require, by forcibly confining his body.

It also states that at the time of effecting the arrest or immediately after effecting the arrest, the person effecting it should inform the arrested person of the cause of the arrest. It adds that in an arrest effected by virtue of a warrant, upon demand of the person arrested, a copy of the warrant must be given.

Meanwhile, section 40 of the Act talks to the arrest by peace officers. This is whereby a peace officer may without  a warrant arrest any person who commits or attempts to commit any offence in his presence or a person who has escaped or who attempts to escape from lawful custody, among others.

According to the CPA, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has the power to declare by notice in the Government Gazette any category of persons, by virtue of their office, as peace officers for specific purposes.
This as peace officers are not police officials. 

The proposal made in the document speaks to clarifying the powers of peace officers as well as creating an oversight mechanism. It also notes that electronic summons and written notice could replace many physical arrests among others.

The third document which is the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Criminal Matters, speaks to challenges in the criminal justice system such as the over-reliance on imprisonment leading to overcrowding and the high costs of traditional prosecution among others.

The document notes that the country’s “legal system does not make provision for the coherent and unified regulation of ADR in criminal matters, a concept which, in foreign jurisdictions may be referred to in a number of ways, including discretionary prosecution, waiver of prosecution and out of court settlements.”

The proposed reforms it makes include the expanded use of ADR for minor offenses. This includes conditional withdrawals of prosecution, greater victim participation in ADR processes as well as focussing on restorative justice that includes victim-offender mediation. This also includes community-based sentencing alternatives such as rehabilitation programmes and community service.

The fourth discussion document known as the Non-Trial Resolutions (NTRs): Deferred Prosecution, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Non-Prosecution explores NTRs as an alternative to traditional criminal prosecutions. 

It focuses on Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs), Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and Non-Prosecution Agreements (NPAs), particularly in corruption and financial crime cases.

It states that traditional criminal trials for corporate and economic crimes are slow, costly, and complex adding that NTRs encourage self-reporting, corporate reform, and financial restitution without lengthy trials.

It states that the country lacks a structured legal framework for non-trial resolutions, unlike countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The document adds that the Zondo Commission recommends the proposed introduction of   Deferred Prosecution Agreements for companies implicated in corruption.  Appointed by the President, The Zondo Commission was a commission of inquiry that investigated state capture in South Africa.

The DPAs allow companies to admit wrongdoing, pay fines, and commit to reforms in exchange for prosecutorial leniency.
The benefits of NTRs are that they encourage companies to cooperate with law enforcement and also reduces court backlogs while prioritising serious cases for trial.

The recommendation is that NTRs should be legislated to provide clear guidelines for corporate settlements as well as ensure judicial oversight to prevent abuse among others.

In November 2023, former Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola appointed an Advisory Committee consisting of eight experts chaired by the former Judge President of Mpumalanga, Justice Francis Legodi to advise the Law Reform Commission on the review of the Criminal Justice System. 

The Law Reform Commission is currently chaired by former Constitutional Court judge, Justice Chris Jafta.

Reforming SA’s laws 

At the release of the discussion papers, Deputy Minister Nel spoke of the need to transform the justice system.
The DDG said discussion documents provide an opportunity for citizens to debate the proposals.

“I’m quite certain that given the launch of the discussion documents these then will present an opportunity for South Africans to debate the proposals made in the documents which will ultimately result in the Criminal Procedure Bill which will replace the current Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 so that we are more aligned to our constitutional values as a country.

“We really wish to welcome members of the public, NGOs [non-government organisations], community organisations to make sure that they make inputs into the discussion papers. This is quite an important area for us as a country going forward to reform and modernise the laws that are applicable currently,” he said.

The discussion papers which were released at a media briefing in Pretoria 20 February, can be accessed at https://www.justice.gov.za/salrc/dpapers.htm .  
–SAnews.gov.za

Neo

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Limpopo a province of boundless opportunity

Source: South Africa News Agency

Limpopo a province of boundless opportunity

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has called on the Diplomatic Corps to view Limpopo as a province of boundless opportunity.

“Our economy is powered by three key drivers, mining, agriculture, and tourism, each offering lucrative potential for investment and growth,” Ramathuba said.

Speaking at a Diplomatic Corps breakfast in Thohoyandou on Saturday, she said Limpopo was rich in mineral wealth, home to vast deposits of platinum, diamonds and rare earth minerals that are crucial to the modern world.

“The global demand for these resources continues to grow, and Limpopo is well-positioned to be a leading supplier, offering a stable and investor-friendly environment for responsible mining and beneficiation,” Ramathuba said.

Limpopo remains the breadbasket of South Africa, she said, producing a significant portion of the country’s fresh produce, including citrus, avocados and macadamia nuts.

“With fertile lands and a climate suited for year-round production, we are not just feeding the nation, we are feeding the world. 

“We seek partnerships that will drive agro-processing, value addition and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that our agricultural sector remains a pillar of economic resilience.

“Our province is a place where nature, culture and heritage converge. From the breathtaking landscapes of the Kruger National Park to the ancient wonders of Mapungubwe, we offer an unparalleled tourism experience,” the Premier said.

Ramathuba said the hospitality of Limpopo people, combined with world-class facilities, makes the province a premier destination for both domestic and international travelers.

“We therefore invite you to join us in expanding this sector, developing eco-tourism, luxury lodges, and cultural heritage sites that will continue to draw visitors from across the globe.

“Our province is not just an economic hub, it is a strategic gateway to Africa. Limpopo shares borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, making it a key trade corridor for goods and services moving across the continent. 

“Our transfrontier parks and cross-border infrastructure position us as a link between SADC markets and global investors looking for an entry point into Africa’s growing economies,” the Premier said.

The province hosted the first Outreach Program of the Group of 20 (G20) on Friday. The Premier described it as a historic milestone.

“The G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. The outreach was more than just a dialogue, it was a powerful opportunity for the people of Limpopo to understand and engage with South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

“Moreover, it allowed us to showcase our investment potential in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and the green economy,” she said.

Ramathuba said Limpopo was ready to open doors to investors, to forge new partnerships and to build a future where the province stands as a global leader in industrialisation and sustainable development.

“Limpopo is open for business. Our investment landscape is rich with potential and we stand ready to work alongside you to turn vision into reality,” Ramathuba said.

At a gala dinner on Friday, the Premier told the Diplomatic Corps that Limpopo was a land of immense potential, rich in culture, heritage and economic opportunities.

“We encourage you to consider Limpopo not just as a tourist destination but as a region ripe for investment. Tourism is one of the key drivers of our economy, creating jobs and supporting local communities,” she said.

She said the province believed that investment in infrastructure, particularly in roads, bridges, and logistics would unlock the full economic potential of the province.

“When businesses and farmers have access to reliable roads, they can transport goods efficiently, engage in larger markets, and ultimately grow their enterprises. 

“We invite our esteemed guests and members of the Diplomatic Corps to explore opportunities in infrastructure development, as we seek partnerships that will transform Limpopo into a well-connected economic hub,” she said.

Limpopo is blessed with fertile soil and a climate that supports diverse agricultural activities. 

“We are committed to strengthening our farming industry by supporting small-scale farmers to transition into commercial farming,” the Premier said.  

Friday’s launch of the G20 Outreach Programme forms part of a series of initiatives aimed at fostering wider public dialogue and participation in South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024.

The G20 is a group of 19 countries, as well as the African Union and the European Union, which defines itself as the premier forum for global economic cooperation. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Office of the Deputy President provides clarity regarding Deputy President Mashatile’s international programme travel expenses

Source: President of South Africa –

The Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa wishes to provide clarity regarding Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s international travel expenses which has recently gained much attention in the media, with reports and commentary coming from News24, City Press, Sunday Times/Timeslive, SowetanLIVE, Independent Media/IOL, The Citizen, BusinessLive, ENCA and others. Categorically, the office and the Deputy President have not, as seems to be suggested, misused State funds or been extravagant in financing the costs of the Deputy President’s international travel.

This unprecedented matter which involves the international work of the Deputy President’s travel costs, was first raised by Action SA, a political party represented in Parliament, in a written question to the Deputy President.  In light of such an expected phenomena, the Deputy President replied to the question in full and also provided specific details which include; correct figures and breakdown of individual costs by members of the delegation supporting the Deputy President. 

The Office of the Deputy President wishes to reiterate that Deputy President Mashatile undertakes all international working visits, not in his personal capacity but on behalf of the South African Government as delegated by President Cyril Ramaphosa.  Moreover, the majority of these strategic international visits are aimed at strengthening existing bilateral, political, economic and diplomatic relations between South Africa and visited countries. 

As part of South Africa’s global investment drive, and commitment to contribute to global peace and stability, South Africa, through the President and Deputy President as well as Ministers, have a role to play in advancing the global agenda, an aspect of which includes engagements with counterparts in other countries. For instance, the Deputy President co-chairs the SA-China BNC with Vice President Han Zheng and many other delegated countries including, but not limited to Vietnam and South Sudan.

In summary, in the comprehensive answer to the Parliamentary Question by Action SA, it was stated that since Deputy President Mashatile assumed office on 3 July 2024, he has undertaken the following International official visits:

• Ireland and United Kingdom Working Visits 26 September – 4 October 2024: Ireland 26 – 29 September 2024 and United Kingdom Working 30 September – 4 October 2024
• Standing for President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Republic of South Africa at the Inauguration of the President of Botswana, H.E Duma Boko on 8 November 2024
• Standing for President Ramaphosa and South Africa at the Extraordinary SADC Summit held on 20 November 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe
• Japan Working Visit 16 – 19 March 2025
• France Working Visit 19 – 24 May 2025

The Working Visit to Japan in particular, being the one raised by most media, was of strategic importance to South Africa, as it focussed on strengthening political, economic and social areas of cooperation between the two countries. The Working Visit came at the back of the two nations celebrating 115 years of strong diplomatic relations. The Deputy President was accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka; the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie; the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane; the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, and the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina.

In addition, the Japan Working Visit achieved several key objectives including representing the first high-level engagement between South Africa and Japan in the last 10 years; signalling an acknowledgement and appreciation for the long-standing relationship between the two countries based on a wide area of cooperation not limited to trade and investment. This visit was beneficial in terms of South Africa’s African Agenda, the current confluence of South Africa’s G20 Chairship and Japan’s hosting of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in August, presenting a unique opportunity for South Africa to communicate its own and the continent’s position and priorities to Japan and the expected support and role that Japan could to play in this regard.

Finally, in our response to Parliament, the office has provided a breakdown of the cost to Government of all individual members of the delegation supporting the Deputy President. Regrettably, some of the figures presented by the media are significantly blown out of proportion and do not accurately reflect the cost of the trips. For example, one media liaison officer, referred to by Timeslive as the “most expensive supporting official”, is said to have cost R580, 582 for Japan alone, when in fact the total cost for that official is less than R66 000 including flights and accommodation. 

While the cost of international travel is generally very high, these figures must always be seen in the context of their original currency in relation to the Rand Dollar exchange, as well as the going rate of such travel expenses, including ground transport, accommodation and flights. 

In terms of the travel policy in the Presidential Handbook, transport for the President and Deputy President during travel outside South Africa is the responsibility and for the account of the State. Accommodation and incidental expenses of the President and Deputy President whilst on all official journeys abroad is arranged through, and paid for, by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The logistics and choice of accommodation is not the responsibility or competency of the Office of the Deputy President or Presidency. In fact, DIRCO plays an integral role in reviewing, advising and endorsing Government Delegation compositions, ensuring that participation aligns with formal policy guidelines that emphasise relevance, necessity, and cost-effectiveness. These guidelines reflect government directives aimed at optimising resource allocation while maintaining operational effectiveness during international engagements.

Regarding the financial aspects of the visits, responsibility for travel, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses is generally shared among DIRCO and other participating departments, depending on the officials’ affiliations and roles. Prior to the visit, DIRCO oversees the processing of budget submissions or cost estimates to ensure compliance with approved spending frameworks. This includes strict adherence to National Treasury guidelines on international travel, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and other precepts governing public expenditure.

In all these visits, the Office of the Deputy President has insisted on the most cost-effective provisions for the Deputy President and his delegations, and has therefore not misused nor extravagantly used State funds as alluded.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 065 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the National Dialogue

Source: President of South Africa –

My Fellow South Africans, 

Today, I wish to address you about the National Dialogue, an initiative that has been in discussion by a number of leaders in our country and many other people for some time now. 

This initiative has been gathering great support and enthusiasm since it was proposed last year. It has been endorsed by a wide range of formations across society. 

Over the last few months, we have been engaged in discussions with various entities on the purpose and the form of the National Dialogue. 

In the wake of these consultations, there is broad agreement that given the challenges our country is facing at the moment, we should convene the National Dialogue. 

The idea of holding a dialogue is not a new concept in our country. In many ways having dialogues is part of our DNA as a nation. 

At every important moment in the history of our country, we have come together as a nation to confront our challenges and forge a path into the future in dialogue with one another. 

Through dialogue we were able to deal with the challenges that the apartheid system caused in our country and achieved peace and overcame violence. 

We established a democracy and ended apartheid. 

Following the negotiations process, we used dialogue to start building a united nation where once there had only been conflict and division. 

We achieved all this because we came together in dialogue to discuss our difficulties, our concerns, our hopes and our aspirations as a people. 

For more than 30 years, we have worked together to realise the promise of our democratic Constitution. 

We have made great strides as a nation, expanding freedom, deepening democracy and building a better life for millions. 

Yet we face persistent challenges. 

Poverty, unemployment and inequality are deep wounds that prevent us from reaching our full potential as a nation and as a country. 

Millions of people are under-employed and unemployed. Many of those who work earn wages that cannot sustain them or their families. 

Crime, gender-based violence and corruption are prevalent across our society. 

We are therefore called upon at this moment to direct all our efforts to build a thriving, inclusive economy that creates jobs and opportunities. 

We are called upon to build safer communities and to create a better future for our children. 

We are also called upon to give all sectors of our society – men and women, young and old, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI community, and urban and rural people – a voice to determine how we address the problems of today and build the South Africa we want for future generations. 

That is why we have agreed to convene an inclusive National Dialogue. 

The dialogue will be a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future. 

The National Dialogue is a chance for all South Africans, from all walks of life, to come together and help shape the next chapter of our democracy. 

Through the National Dialogue, we seek a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and develop a new national ethos and common value system. 

It is an opportunity to forge a new social compact for the development of our country, a compact that will unite all South Africans, with clear responsibilities for different stakeholders, government, business, labour, civil society, men and women, communities and citizens. 

It is anticipated that the National Dialogue will drive progress towards our Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa’s National Development Plan. 

The National Dialogue itself is not an event.

Rather, it will be a participatory process that unfolds in phases, from local consultations and sectoral engagements to provincial and national gatherings. 

In my capacity as the Head of State, I will be calling a National Convention on Friday, the 15th of August 2025. 

This National Convention will represent the diversity of the South African nation. The first National Convention will set the agenda for the National Dialogue. 

It will be a representative gathering, bringing together government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others. 

Through their various political, social and other formations, in their workplaces, in places of worship, communities, villages and sites of learning, South Africans will in the months following the National Convention be encouraged to be in dialogue to define our nation’s path into the future. 

The views, concerns and proposals that will emerge from this conversation will be brought together at a second National Convention, that is planned to be held in the beginning of next year. 

This second National Convention will reinforce our shared values and adopt a common vision and programme of action for our country into the future. 

We expect that the National Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans. 

To guide and champion the National Dialogue, I am appointing an Eminent Persons Group. 

These are leading figures in our society, reflecting the great diversity of our nation, with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building. 

The members of the Eminent Persons Group are: 
• Dr Brigalia Bam, former Independent Electoral Commission Chairperson, 
• Mr Robbie Brozin, entrepreneur and business person, 
• Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge, 
• Mr Manne Dipico, former Northern Cape Premier, 
• Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana coach and football legend, 
• Ms Ela Gandhi, peace activist and stalwart, 
• Prof Nomboniso Gasa, researcher and rural activist, 
• Mr Bobby Godsell, business leader, 
• Dr John Kani, award-winning actor, 
• Mr Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain and world champion, 
• Ms Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, 
• His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, leader of the Zion Christian Church, 
• His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane, leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church, 
• The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, 
• Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, 
• Dr Barbara Masekela, poet, educator and stalwart, 
• Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Member of Parliament, 
• Mr Roelf Meyer, former Minister and constitutional negotiator, 
• Ms Gcina Mhlope, storyteller, writer and actor, 
• Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, student activist and former Member of Parliament, 
• Ms Kgothatso Montjane, Grand Slam tennis champion, 
• Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, former activist and educationist, 
• Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali, unionist and former COSATU General Secretary, 
• Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa, traditional leader, 
• Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, 
• Dr Gloria Serobe, business leader, 
• Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers, 
• Prof Derrick Swartz, academic, 
• Ms Lorato Trok, author and early literacy expert, 
• Mr Sibusiso Vilane, mountaineer and adventurer, 
• Mr Siyabulela Xuza, award-winning rocket scientist. 

UBaba uShembe uNyazi LweZulu has also been invited to join the Eminent Persons Group, but, as he is travelling, has not yet been able to confirm his availability. 

I am grateful to each of these South African patriots who have made themselves available to act as the guarantors of an inclusive, constructive and credible process. 

An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been established under the chairpersonship of the Deputy President to coordinate government’s contribution to the National Dialogue. 

We will be establishing a Steering Committee, comprised of representatives of various sectors of society, to set strategic priorities and coordinate implementation of the National Dialogue process. 

The Secretariat, which is responsible for day-to-day management of National Dialogue activities, will be housed at NEDLAC, the National Economic Development and Labour Council. 

As a nation, we are embarking on a new path of partnership and united action. 

We are drawing on our traditions of dialogue and debate. We are determined to define a shared vision of a nation which belongs to all South Africans united in their diversity. 

I thank you. 

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President mourns passing of Justice Sangoni, former Judge President of the Eastern Cape

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with sadness the passing of former Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Justice Clement Temba Sangoni.

Judge Sangoni retired in 2017 and passed away earlier today, Tuesday, 10 June 2025, after a short illness.

President Ramaphosa offers his condolences to the extended family of the late Judge Sangoni Aah! Dilizintaba, who was a senior traditional leader of the Qokolweni-Zimbane Traditional Council at Mthatha.

President Ramaphosa said: “The passing of Justice Sangoni is a devastating loss to his family and immediate community and it is a profound loss to our judiciary and our legal heritage.

“Judge Sangoni lived for justice and the improvement of the material conditions of communities in the Eastern Cape and elsewhere through constitutionally sound, progressive jurisprudence.

“Under his leadership, the Judiciary in the Eastern Cape also applied its mind collectively and individually to matters pertaining to the development of this economically vital province.

“Judge Sangoni served the people of the Eastern Cape from the Bench and through his deep involvement in community life in his role as a traditional leader – a role which enriched his adjudication of a broad range of matters placed before the courts.

“We will continue to appreciate his contribution to the rule of law and the wisdom of law in our country and to the communities in which he lived and served with distinction.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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President Ramaphosa to visit Presidential youth flagship programmes

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday 10 June 2025, engage with youth beneficiaries of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) flagship programmes in Pretoria.

The President will visit three sites: the Sefako Makgatho Primary School in Saulsville; the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACCI) in Eersterust, and the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) in Pretoria East.

These visits will highlight innovative implementation models and public-private partnerships that are delivering dignified, high-quality employment and skilling outcomes for youth at scale.

The President will during the visits interact directly with youth beneficiaries, educators, and implementing partners, and see first-hand how the PES and PYEI’s community-based, demand-led approach is reshaping labour market access for the country’s most excluded youth.

The site visits will commence with the Sefako Makgatho Primary School, a part of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) and a flagship programme of the PES, designed to address the dual challenges of youth unemployment and support, for the basic education system by placing young people in roles within public schools as education and general school assistant.

The programme is implemented by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and administrated by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

The President will then proceed to the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII) which is a creative hub providing technical skills training, business incubation, production facilities and networking for artists and entrepreneurs in the creative industries.

The organisation is funded by National Pathway Management Network, a grant initiative of the PYEI, led by the National Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and administered by the IDC.

The funding assists with improving and expanding the Visual Special Effects (VFX) programme, which is one of its kind in South Africa, specifically designed to train youth in the highly technical field of VFX.

The programme connects young people to industry jobs in the creative gig economy. One hundred trainees have been enrolled into the programme through the Innovation Fund.

The President will conclude his visit at the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) which provides health sector professionals and unemployed youth interested in the health field access to affordable, accessible quality education through management and clinical skills development courses.

These courses are customised to the needs of healthcare managers, practitioners and organisations.

The programme is funded through the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, an outcome-based instrument to unlock jobs for excluded young people by linking contracted payments with desired outcomes.

This intervention of the PYEI that is led by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) with the National Skills Fund (NSF) as the lead implementer.

The media programme will unfold as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Time: 10h00 (Media arrival at 09h00)
Venue: Sefako Makgatho Primary School, 2 Sakweng street, Saulsville, Pretoria

Members of the media wishing to attend are requested to send their details to Ndivhuwo Kharivhe on Ndivhuwo@presidency.gov.za  by no later than 13h00 today Monday, 09 June 2025.

NOTE TO MEDIA/EDITORS:
The visit to the school will be open to all media to cover the engagement between President and Teacher Assistants.  However, due to space limitations, the other two sites will only be restricted to the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), which will disseminate the materials to all media post the visits.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Eulogy by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Special Provincial Funeral of Rev Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, University of Venda Stadium, Thohoyandou

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Directors,
The Farisani Family,
Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba,
Representatives of the African National Congress and the broader liberation movement,
Leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa,
Traditional and religious leaders present,
Leadership of the University of Venda,
Fellow Mourners,
 
Fellow South Africans, batho ba Limpopo, muta waDean Farisani,
 
We are to bid farewell to Dean Tshenuwani Farisani.
 
His life bears witness to the mission of Christ espoused in the Gospel of Luke chapter 4.
 
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed.”
 
We have lost an extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life.
 
He was born in 1948, a year that was a turning point in South Africa’s history. 
 
This was the year the National Party swept to power and ushered in the reviled system of apartheid.
 
Dean Farisani was born into circumstances that mirrored the lives of millions of black South Africans at the time.
 
He was just a child, barely three years old, when his family was confronted with the ugly face of injustice.
 
Many years later, in 1996, he would testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how his family were victims of forced removed from the Songozi Tsapila area near then Louis Trichardt, now Makhado.
 
The authorities arrived one day without warning, and his parents were ordered to vacate the area immediately.
 
He recounted how they had to carry their belongings on their backs and leave, on foot. That which could not be carried, including all the family’s livestock, was left behind.
 
They were relocated to another empty piece of land and told this was their new home. They were never compensated for the land that was stolen from them.
 
Eight years later, in 1959, the family were forcibly removed again. 
 
Two years later, in 1961, again.
 
These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of justice. 
 
They planted the seeds of his political consciousness when he was still in his teens.
 
He only entered formal schooling at the age of 12. Like most children in rural areas at the time, he was a child labourer on the white farms.
 
At school a missionary from the Evangelical Lutheran Church noticed his academic brilliance and he was prepared to enter theological training.
 
It was at Maphumulo Theological Seminary in KwaZulu-Natal that he first became acquainted with the Black Consciousness Movement.
 
Its teachings fired his growing political awareness.
 
For him, there was no contradiction between the teachings of his faith and the mission of national liberation.
 
He soon became attracted to liberation theology, and its message that true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor.
 
Apartheid was a great injustice, and he, heroic heart, was not content to choose a quiet life of pastoralism.
 
He was eventually expelled from the seminary after hebecame involved with underground political organisations like the South African Students Organisation, the Black People’s Convention and the Black Consciousness Movement.
 
By then he was at the Beuster Mission at Maungani outside Thohoyandou and a rising figure in the BCM, going on to be elected its president in 1973.
 
I first met Dean Farisani when he spoke at my high school, Mpaphuli.
 
We formed an immediate and lasting bond.
 
For many years we worked alongside each other in the Black Evangelical Youth Organisation.
 
There were many points in the life of the great man we lay to rest today where he found himself sorely tested.
 
During the late 1970s and 1980s was arrested on a number of occasions for his political activities. But it was his third detention, in 1981, that he found his courage truly tested. His faith tested. His principles tested.
 
He was detained by the Venda police on suspicion of being involved in the bombing of a police station in Sibasa. 
 
He was held for more than eight months and severely tortured. 
 
In his book, Diary from a South African Prison, he recounts the unimaginable ordeal of beatings, electricshocks, being forced to squat for days and being smothered.
 
In an interview given years later he recounts how his torturers tried everything to force a confession, even offering him the position of Bishop of Venda.
 
And yet he, strong in will, did not yield.
 
Fellow Mourners, Comrades, 
Fellow South Africans,
 
Dean Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and stand up for their rights. I was amongst them.
 
He was a beloved father and a grandfather who will be sorely missed by his wife, mufumakadzi Mudzunga, his daughters Nzumbululo and Ndamulelo, by his son Zwovhonala and by the entire extended family.
 
He was a renowned academic and prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless. 
 
He was a guide and mentor to many. He was a dear friend.
 
And yet it is Dean Farisani’s most salient quality that I will most remember him for: he was a man of unwavering principle.
 
Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the South African people, and to their total emancipation.
 
In detention, he was offered positions and status. He refused them.
 
When he was released and went into exile in the United States, he could have easily put the entire experience behind him and led a quiet life. 
 
Instead he campaigned vigorously against the regime from abroad.
 
When Venda was proclaimed as a so-called independent homeland by the apartheid regime he was outspoken in his opposition, even when this brought him into conflict with church leaders in his circuit.
 
His activism continued into the democratic South Africa.
 
He was determined to be part of the struggle to overcome the injustice and inequality bred of apartheid.
 
He was elected to the first democratic Parliament in 1994. 
 
He would go on to serve further as an MEC here in Limpopo and as speaker of the Legislature.
 
These roles placed him in a position of power and influence. Yet they did not change him. 
 
He did not succumb to the allure of high office. He was never arrogant. 
 
He was a servant leader who came, served and left, and continued to contribute to the betterment of his beloved country.
 
He did not regard loyalty to a political cause or party as being above his own principles.
 
When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those entrusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism. He held power to account.
 
The Foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice, including for apartheid’s many victims.
 
Fellow Mourners,
 
Neither beatings nor torture could make Dean Farisani surrender his principles. The trappings of power did not interest him. He was content to walk in the footsteps of his Lord with the downtrodden, the oppressed and the marginalised.
 
He understood his life’s mission and it was not negotiable.
 
These are the greatest lessons we take from his life. These are the reflections we take today as we lay this great son of the soil to rest.
 
To the family, we share in your great sorrow. Yet even amidst our mourning we celebrate a man who has left such a deep and lasting impact on all of us. He was an inspiration. 
 
In Dean Farisani’s book of poetry, titled Justice in my Tears, there is a moving poem.
 
It is called “The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 in Pietermaritzburg and Howick.”
 
It was published in 1977, the period of his first imprisonment.
 
In it he writes:
 
“The Lord is my shepherd, 
I shall not buckle
He rests me in the land of freedom
I drink from the cup of liberty,
Even when I wander in the valley of torture.
I shall fear no human beasts,
 
He shall fight my fight.
His angels and his visions
Guide me through brutal interrogations
He gives me life in the hands of murderers
Giving me a crown for a victory his own”
 
Dean Farisani, yours was a life of service to others. As the South African people we crown you as you go to your eternal rest.
 
In the words of the Psalm 23 you so loved, surely goodness and mercy did follow you all the days of your life. May you dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
 
Fare well brother, comrade, friend, patriot.
 
I thank you.
 

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Nigerian children don’t imagine women as political leaders: what shapes their view

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adebusola Okedele, Senior Lecturer, Political Science, Babcock University

A new ranking by UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union puts Nigeria 179th out of 185 countries for the percentage of women in the national legislature.

Women currently make up only 3.9% of seats in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, three of the 108 current members are women. In the executive branch, women head eight of 45 (17.8%) of ministries.

This absence of women in prominent positions in politics subtly reinforces societal biases and moulds public opinion, which subconsciously excludes women from political leadership.

We are a group of researchers who have expertise in gender and African politics and childhood political socialisation. We have been researching the political socialisation of children in Nigeria for the past three years.

Our research in Ogun State reveals that children are internalising what they see on the political stage. We asked children aged 5 to 16 at 12 schools in Ogun State to imagine and draw a leader such as a president, governor, or member of a national or state assembly at work. Only 5% of 981 children drew a woman as a political leader.

Ninety-two percent of girls drew a man, compared to 98% of boys.

A drawing of a political leader by an 11-year-old girl. Source: The authors

Why do so few children draw women as political leaders? Children absorb the power dynamics and gender roles they observe in political happenings, shaping their understanding of politics.

In democracies, a lack of women interested in politics, as well as running for and winning political office, matters. If women are absent in decision-making spaces, their concerns might not be considered. While men can represent women’s interests, women committed to change can draw on their experiences and those of women in their networks to bring new ideas to the table.

Read more: Nigeria’s National Assembly: why adding seats for women isn’t enough

Women in authority in Nigeria

We conducted our study in the three senatorial districts of Ogun State, one of Nigeria’s 36 states. In Ogun State, the deputy governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, is a woman, and her picture is on many classroom walls.

The late anti-colonial activist and leader Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was from Ogun State too. The presence of visible women leaders could encourage some children in the state to imagine and depict women as political leaders. Thus, it is possible that our sample of children were more likely to draw a woman than children in other states.

Six other states have women deputy governors: Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna, Plateau and Rivers States.

But women’s representation in state assemblies throughout the country is low. No woman has ever been elected to be a governor in Nigeria.

In our study, we asked children what jobs they would like to have in the future. In general, boys were more interested in jobs in politics (president, governor, local government chair) than girls were. For the specific job of president or governor, however, girls seemed to be just as interested as boys.

The children’s response isn’t specific to Nigeria. In a study conducted in 2017 and 2018 in the United States (where 19.3% of members of the House of Representatives at the time were women), only 13% of children drew a woman political leader.

Read more: Nigeria has few women in politics: here’s why, and what to do about it

Broader forces

Multiple factors hinder women’s representation in elected offices in Nigeria. These include political party practices that favour the recruitment and selection of men candidates, the high costs of running for office, as outlined in Ayisha Osori’s book Love Does Not Win Elections, and societal biases against women holding positions of political power.

Deeply entrenched societal biases add to the challenges. Cultural norms assign leadership roles to men and certain religious interpretations restrict women’s public participation.

The perception that women are more suited for domestic roles, or lack assertiveness, impedes their ability to garner support for political leadership.

Low numbers of women representatives also suggest there are systemic biases in the democratic electoral process.

Read more: Ghana’s election system keeps women out of parliament. How to change that

Children pay attention

Recent research shows that when girls observe women in political power or running for political office, they are more engaged in politics later in life. This suggests that positive exposure to women in politics may have positive effects on girls’ political engagement. Negative exposure could have negative effects.

Take, for example, the “Natasha-Akpabio case” in Nigeria. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Senate president Godswill Akpabio had sexually harassed her. The Senate president denied the allegation. Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from her position by the Senate ethics committee for what it described as misconduct and disregard for the Senate standing orders.

Experiences like those may influence future generations’ understanding of gender equality in leadership. When young Nigerians observe powerful women facing harassment and retaliation for voicing their concerns, it may undermine the notion that women are equally capable of political authority.

Girls may internalise the idea that politics is a hostile space for women. For boys, seeing women leaders undermined might reinforce a sense of male dominance.

Read more: AU commission has made a good start on gender equality. But a lot remains to be done

Policy solutions

Our finding that children largely see politics as a “man’s world” prompts reflection on societal and political biases. To address the under-representation of women in political leadership positions in Nigeria, it is important to invest in civic education programmes. Children should be helped to understand the significance of equitable political participation from an early age.

Campaigns should use different media platforms to challenge gender stereotypes in leadership.

Finally, enacting and enforcing legislated gender quotas across all levels of Nigerian government and within political parties is a crucial step to improve the representation of women in leadership positions.

– Nigerian children don’t imagine women as political leaders: what shapes their view
– https://theconversation.com/nigerian-children-dont-imagine-women-as-political-leaders-what-shapes-their-view-256638

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5 benefits Africa’s new space agency can deliver

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Scott Firsing, Senior Research Associate, University of South Africa

The African Space Agency was officially inaugurated in Cairo’s Space City in April 2025. The event marked a milestone in a process that had been in the works since the early 2000s. Drawing inspiration from the European Space Agency, it unites African Union (AU) member states to harness space technology for development. This is in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063, aimed at advancing Africa into a prosperous future.

Read more: Africa has ambitious goals for 2063: plans for outer space hold the key to success

The agency’s goal is to:

  • coordinate and implement Africa’s space ambitions by promoting collaboration among the AU’s 55 member states

  • harness space technologies for sustainable development, climate resilience and socio-economic growth

  • oversee the African Space Policy and Strategy to enhance access to space-derived data

  • foster partnerships with international space agencies like the European Space Agency and others.

Over 20 African countries operate space programmes and more than 65 African satellites have been launched. It is my view as a global space diplomacy expert that the agency can help ensure that Africa isn’t a bystander in the space economy. This sector is projected to be worth US$1.8 trillion by 2035.

The space agency positions Africa to address pressing challenges and take advantage of opportunities in the global space economy. These include using satellite data, boosting connectivity, driving economic growth, fostering global partnerships and training future leaders.

Five benefits

Valuable eyes in the sky

Space assets, particularly Earth observation satellites, offer a number of advantages. The continent faces significant climate risks like droughts, fires and floods. This is particularly problematic as the agricultural sector is approximately 35% of Africa’s GDP and employs about half of its people across over 1 billion hectares of arable land.

Satellite data optimises crop yields, supports climate-resilient farming, and enhances sustainable fisheries and port modernisation. Nigeria’s National Space Research and Deveopment Agency, for example, has used satellites like the NigSat-2 to monitor crop health and predict yields.

Beyond agriculture, satellites assist in project planning in cities across Africa. Kenya uses a satellite to track urban development trends and enhance municipal urban planning capacities.

Satellites also keep an eye on Africa’s resource-abundant territories while tackling problems like armed conflict, deforestation, and illegal migration and mining.

The African Space Agency will help provide access to AI-enhanced satellite data. This will enable even nations with constrained resources to tackle local needs. For instance, Côte d’Ivoire’s first locally made satellite, launched in 2024, shows how African nations are building their own capabilities.

Read more: Côte d’Ivoire is launching its first satellite for Earth observation – and it’s locally made

By making it easier to share data, the African Space Agency also positions the continent to generate revenue in the global space data market. That fuels innovation.

Enhancing connectivity and enabling cutting-edge technology

Africa’s digital divide is stark. Only 38% of its population was online in 2024, compared to the global average of 68%. The African Space Agency aims to bridge this gap through satellite-based communications. This technology can deliver broadband to remote regions where cell towers and undersea cables are impractical.

Connectivity enables education, e-commerce and telemedicine.

Satellite services, like those provided by SpaceX’s Starlink in 21 African countries, will drive digital inclusion. In turn this promises to reduce unemployment and help entrepreneurs.

The African Space Agency is also positioning Africa to embrace new space technologies. Examples include Japan’s 2025 demonstration of beaming solar power from space, following a US achievement in 2023.

This could revolutionise energy access. Space-based solar power captures solar energy in orbit via satellite and transmits it as microwaves to Earth. This offers a solution to Africa’s energy poverty. It could provide reliable power to remote areas without extensive grid infrastructure.

The African Space Agency’s role in coordinating satellite launches and data sharing will make these technologies more accessible and cost-effective.

Driving economic growth and innovation

Africa’s space sector, now worth over US$20 billion, is growing rapidly. The industry has seen an increase of private companies and investor support, moving beyond sole dependence on government funding. Investment is being fuelled by 327 NewSpace firms, a term used for the new emerging commercial space industry in nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. These firms often excel in satellite communication, Earth observation and component manufacturing.

But many African nations lack resources. The agency will lower barriers by fostering collaboration, coordinating national space programmes, and reducing duplication.For example, the African Space Agency’s efforts to streamline satellite development and launches will spur local manufacturing and tech hubs.

This means that smaller economies will be able to participate.

Strengthening regional and global connections

Africa’s space sector relies on partnerships with space agencies and commercial space companies based in the “space powers”. These include the US, Russia, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. These institutions provide launch services, satellite development and ground stations.

An example is Senegal’s GaindeSAT-1A, a CubeSat launched in 2024 via America’s SpaceX with French collaboration.

Meanwhile, countries like South Africa are exploring local rocket programmes to enhance the agency’s self-reliance. Africa’s space ground stations are already located across the continent, supporting the European Space Agency and commercial missions. They will soon host a deep space ground station for America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Funding remains a challenge. African nations allocated just US$426 million to space programmes in 2025. That’s less than 1% of global spending. The European Space Agency has an US$8 billion budget.

However, initiatives like the €100 million Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme (2025–2028) aim to boost Africa’s space sovereignty and innovation.

The agency’s vision extends beyond Earth, with an eye on the Moon. Some members, notably Angola, Nigeria and Rwanda, have already signed the US-led Artemis Accords for lunar exploration. For their part Egypt and South Africa are collaborating with China and Russia on the International Lunar Research Station.

Read more: Outer space: Rwanda and Nigeria sign an accord for more responsible exploration – why this matters

Training the next generation

A skilled workforce is critical to Africa’s space industry. The Africa Space Agency Space City plans to host a training academy. It will build on Egypt’s programmes in space project management, satellite design, and orbital simulation.

Partnerships like the Africa-EU programme offer scholarships, while private initiatives, such as the Pathways to Space programme by Boeing and the Future African Space Explorers STEM Academy, engage students in 63 schools in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

– 5 benefits Africa’s new space agency can deliver
– https://theconversation.com/5-benefits-africas-new-space-agency-can-deliver-258098

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Togo’s citizens want to leave Ecowas – new survey suggests why

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Koffi Améssou Adaba, Enseignant et chercheur en sociologie politique, Université de Lomé

A survey of Togolese citizens recently looked into perceptions of their government’s handling of the terrorist threat in the northern region and of the Alliance of Sahel States – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The survey was carried out by Afrobarometer, an independent, pan-African research network, in partnership with the Center for Research and Opinion Polls.

The Savanes region in northern Togo, bordering Burkina Faso, has become an area of insecurity since a jihadist attack in 2021. This security crisis is part of a broader context of growing destabilisation in west African countries, centred on the Sahel region. It led to the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States in July 2024. The survey also covered perceptions of foreign influence in Togo and discrimination against women and girls among other topics.

Koffi Amessou Adaba, a political sociologist and one of the lead authors of the study, shares insights into the survey’s key findings, and the potential implications for Togo’s future.

What are the key findings of the survey?

The survey, which involved 1,200 people, reveals that 64% of Togolese respondents believe the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to form the Alliance of Sahel States is “somewhat” or “very” justified. This view is driven by three main factors:

• a perception that Ecowas is influenced by foreign powers

• a widespread rejection of Ecowas sanctions against Sahel states

• the belief that Ecowas failed to provide military support during those countries’ security crises.

In addition, 54% of Togolese consider the presence of Russia (or the Wagner Group, now known as Africa Corps) in the Alliance of Sahel States to be beneficial. This trust in a non-western external actor reflects a profound shift in geopolitical perceptions in the region.

Another important finding of this study is that 54% of Togolese believe their country would benefit from leaving Ecowas to join the Alliance of Sahel States.

But opinions are split on whether the Alliance of Sahel States helps or hurts west African integration: 39% believe it doesn’t undermine regional integration, but 37% think it does.

Read more: West Africa is changing: five essential reads on breakaways from Ecowas

How do you make sense of the Togolese push to leave Ecowas?

This sentiment reflects growing frustration with Ecowas, which many Togolese now see as out of touch with the region’s realities.

The bloc is widely perceived as being too close to foreign powers and ineffective in responding to major security threats. Its repeated failures to help resolve Togo’s political crises (of 2005 and 2017 for example) have only deepened public disillusionment.

This frustration is unfolding alongside a broader wave of pan-Africanism in the region, marked by a growing rejection of former colonial powers and their institutional ties.

But this momentum should be approached with caution. The desire to leave Ecowas reflects anger and a strong appetite for change, not necessarily a clear assessment of the economic and diplomatic fallout such a move could bring.

Read more: Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa

What do respondents think about terrorism in the north of the country?

Nearly six in ten Togolese (59%) say they trust the government to contain or root out the terror threat. This shows broad support for official counter-terrorism efforts, although some question the current strategy.

Opinions are especially split on how the crisis is communicated. Some find the messaging vague or lacking in transparency. Others think it helps keep people alert without sparking panic.

The survey reveals deeper concerns. Even Togolese outside conflict zones report growing insecurity. The northern crisis appears to be fuelling nationwide anxiety.

Read more: Mali is still unsafe under the military: why it hasn’t made progress against rebels and terrorists

Should Togo leave Ecowas?

Since tensions flared, Togo has been neutral. It has not openly condemned the Alliance of Sahel States countries and has maintained its membership of Ecowas. This careful stance reflects national sentiment – which leans towards support for the Alliance of Sahel States – while preserving Togo’s strategic and economic interests.

This approach isn’t new. It’s part of a long-standing Togolese tradition of balanced, pragmatic diplomacy. The nation has always pursued pragmatic and independent foreign policy that adapts to regional dynamics.

As west Africa’s geopolitical landscape shifts, Togo should:

• maintain open cooperative relations with both Ecowas and the Alliance of Sahel States

• preserve its strategic position as a logistics and trade hub for the region, particularly through the Port of Lomé

• strengthen its image as a diplomatic force for stability in west Africa.

Read more: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have a new defence alliance: an expert view of its chances of success

Can Togo maintain its delicate balancing act?

Togo’s careful balancing act remains its safest bet. The truth is, no one knows what the future holds for the Alliance of Sahel States bloc. But this middle ground gives Togo strategic flexibility regardless of how regional politics evolve.

Togo’s position leaves it well-placed either way. If the Alliance of Sahel States countries rejoin Ecowas, Togo keeps its influence. If they don’t, it still benefits from its neutrality.

Ultimately, Togo should keep playing this diplomatic card. Its measured approach offers rare stability in a volatile region.

– Togo’s citizens want to leave Ecowas – new survey suggests why
– https://theconversation.com/togos-citizens-want-to-leave-ecowas-new-survey-suggests-why-256928