Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that worsening conflicts, unconstitutional changes of government and humanitarian crises threaten to reverse Africa’s democratic and developmental gains.

The President delivered remarks on the report of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of States and Government held in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

“South Africa appreciates the report on the state of peace and security on our continent, and remains concerned about worsening conditions of conflict, war and instability on our continent. 

“South Africa reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the vision of a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa as articulated in agenda 2063,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President noted that several countries have been suspended from the AU due to unconstitutional changes of government, thus reversing “democratic gains and development of our continent”.

“The slow transition to constitutional order by the suspended countries is of concern.

“There must be demonstrable and comprehensive political engagement to assist any suspended country to navigate their respective transitions successfully and speedily; and to ensure they do not slide back into conflict,” President Ramaphosa said.

His comments come amid member suspensions by the AU following coups in several countries in parts of West and Central Africa since 2020.

Spotlight on Sudan

Turning to the Horn of Africa, President Ramaphosa emphasised concern about safety in the region where conflict between a paramilitary group and the army has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions.

 “The situation in Sudan remains of concern to us all.

“We reiterate our call for all warring parties to lay down their arms immediately, allow unfettered humanitarian access and, most importantly, embark on an inclusive national political dialogue as the only way towards a sustainable resolution,” he said.

On the recent political and security developments in South Sudan, the President called for a ceasefire.

“We call for a ceasefire in all affected States and urge all stakeholders to engage in an all-inclusive dialogue that will pave the way for free, inclusive and credible elections to end the long transition.

“South Africa, together with other C5 Members and members of IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development], is hosting a C5 Plus Summit here in Addis Ababa to consolidate South Sudan peace.

“There is a need for pragmatism and for an honest assessment of the minimum conditions required to conduct free, inclusive and credible elections, while acknowledging that certain processes may necessarily extend beyond the lifespan of the Revitalised Agreement,” President Ramaphosa said.

The eastern DRC

President Ramaphosa raised alarm that despite “several mediation and peace processes”, the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has not improved.

“We reiterate that the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be upheld and respected. We condemn the continued capture of territories by the M23/AFC in the Kivu and Ituri provinces. Such unlawful actions must be corrected decisively. 

“South Africa has assumed the role of the Regional Oversight Mechanism for the DRC and the Region, and during our tenure we will work with all signatory countries to the Framework to find a durable solution to this protracted conflict,” President Ramaphosa said. 

At the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on 12 February 2026 at Cape Town City Hall, President Cyril Ramaphosa set out an ambitious programme for economic growth, job creation, infrastructure investment and reform.

Infrastructure push:

• R1 trillion committed to public infrastructure over the next three years — the largest allocation of its kind in South Africa’s history.
• R156 billion dedicated specifically to water and sanitation infrastructure over three years.
• R54 billion incentive introduced to help metros reform water, sanitation and electricity services.
• First national infrastructure bond launched.

Economic recovery by the numbers:

• 4 consecutive quarters of GDP growth.
• 2 consecutive primary budget surpluses.
• Inflation at its lowest level in 20 years.
• South Africa removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
• Rand strengthened against the dollar.

Government has now set a target of raising R2 trillion in new investment over five years, building on the R1.5 trillion pledged at previous Investment Conferences — of which R600 billion has already flowed into projects.

Energy reform and renewables:

• By 2030, more than 40% of electricity supply is expected to come from renewable sources.
• First round of independent transmission projects to begin this year.
• Eskom restructuring underway, including a fully independent transmission entity.

Water crisis response:

• 56 municipalities criminally charged for failing to meet water obligations.
• Government to lay charges against municipal managers personally.
• National Water Crisis Committee established, chaired by the President.
• Major projects advancing include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the Ntabelanga Dam.

Crime and law enforcement:

• 5 500 new police officers to be recruited this year.
• Builds on 20 000 officers announced in previous SONA addresses.
• 10 000 additional labour inspectors to be hired to strengthen immigration and labour enforcement.
• Lifestyle audits reached 93% compliance among senior public servants last year.

Jobs and small business support:

• 2.5 million opportunities created through the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
• If every SME hired one additional worker, 3 million jobs could be created.
• R2.5 billion in funding this year for 180 000 small and medium enterprises.
• Additional R1 billion in guarantees to support small businesses.
• Youth Employment Service has placed over 200 000 young people in work experience opportunities.

Agriculture and mining:

• R7.8 billion provided to black farmers through blended finance.
• 10 000 new extension officers to support farmers.
• 14 million cattle to be vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease.
• 28 million vaccine doses required over 12 months.
• South Africa’s ore reserves valued at R40 trillion.
• R300 million announced for the Frontier Rare Earths Project.

Education and skills:

• The 88% matric pass rate for the Class of 2025 was the highest in history.
• Employment equity target for persons with disabilities increased to 7% by 2030.
• Skills development levy return to employers restored to 40%.

Health and social support:

• Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant to continue and be redesigned.
• Massive rollout of Lenacapavir, a 6-monthly HIV prevention injection.
• Campaign to eliminate child stunting by 2030.

Housing and restitution:

• R500 million allocated to Phase 4 of District Six restitution housing.
• Shift toward subsidy models supporting ownership and rental in well-located areas.

Tourism and trade:

• 10.5 million international tourist arrivals last year — a record high.
• Every 13 international tourists support one job.
• 55 data centres already built, with R50 billion in expected digital infrastructure investment over three years.

Africa and global positioning:

• African Continental Free Trade Area market: 1.4 billion people.
• Working-age population projected to double in 25 years.
• International Just Energy Transition pledges now stand at R250 billion.

The President framed the address against key anniversaries:

• 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March.
• 100 000 petitions delivered by 20 000 women, Members of Parliament stood in silence for 30 minutes.
• 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising.
• 30 years since adoption of the Constitution in 1996.

SONA 2026 sets out a high-stakes agenda built around big numbers: R1 trillion in infrastructure, R2 trillion in new investment targets, millions of jobs, and large-scale reforms to energy, water, policing and local government. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has announced a series of measures to fast-track the recovery of water supply in Gauteng following recent disruptions.

According to the Presidency, Rand Water has restored operations to full capacity. However, municipal systems—particularly in the City of Johannesburg—remain under strain due to low reservoir levels, heightened demand during the heatwave, ageing infrastructure, and water losses averaging 33%.

To accelerate recovery, government is implementing several interventions, including controlling system recovery and load shifting, deploying water tankers to affected areas, and providing technical support to municipalities.

The measures follow Friday’s meeting convened by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Water Task Team, with Ministers and senior officials to assess water supply challenges across Gauteng.

The Water Task Team was briefed that electro-mechanical failures at Rand Water pump stations, along with a major pipe burst in late January, temporarily reduced bulk water supply.

“Government expects supply to progressively stabilise over the coming week, subject to reduced demand. Water security remains a national priority, and the Water Task Team will continue to monitor implementation and enforce compliance where necessary,” the Presidency said.

Meanwhile, a team of Ministers has been engaging on the ground with Gauteng provincial leadership and municipalities—particularly Johannesburg—where plans are underway to resolve the water crisis. 

The Deputy President is also expected to visit Johannesburg next week to monitor the interventions. — SAnews.gov.za

Proceeds from this year’s Presidential Golf Challenge will support 622 adopted schools and contribute to improving education infrastructure, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday, as he teed off at the annual fundraising event.

Held a day after he delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the golf challenge was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate and raises funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation through its Adopt-a-School programme, which supports school development initiatives alongside government.

Explaining the purpose of the initiative, the President said it is a long-standing tradition that after the (SONA), every President over the decades has been afforded the opportunity to host a golf day.

“Proceeds thereof go to the charity that the President supports. And in this case, I started a charity called Adopt-a-School with my Chief of Staff about 30 years ago or so, and that charity continues and now that I am a President it is a beneficiary of the work we do.

“It [has] adopted 622 schools and it’s participating in the improvement of education alongside our government. So, the proceeds today as every golfer hits a ball or misses a ball, it is going to contribute to that charity,” he explained.

He said that they were lucky to have sponsors like Sasol and MTN, which are the anchor sponsors for the golf day. 

“We’ve always enjoyed their support in everything we do. So, they are not captured, they have not captured us. If anything, they are making a contribution to the success of our education system.”

He added that funds raised from the golf day will go towards improving school infrastructure, including sanitation facilities. 

SANDF deployment 

Turning to security matters, President Ramaphosa championed his decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support police in gang-affected areas as announced in Thursday’s SONA.

“Well, if you listen to me very carefully, which I hope you did last night, I did say that I have decided to deploy the soldiers, and I have directed the Minister of Police to work with the Minister of Defence to work out the full plan and the timing as well must be worked out in the next few days. 

“I also did say I will be approaching Parliament. I’ll be informing Parliament and informing them that this is the step I am taking in terms of our Constitution, and I will also be informing them what it will cost. So, the costings are still to be worked out. They’ll be worked out between now and the next few days,” the President said. 
However, operational details would not be disclosed publicly.

“And the interventions, we are not going to tell you, because if we tell you about the type of tactical intervention, those people who are doing wrong things, the gangs will now know in advance what we are going to do. We are going to keep the interventions to ourselves, and the soldiers and the police will make those interventions as effectively as possible.”

He emphasised that soldiers would support, and not replace, the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“Our soldiers will act in support of the South African Police Service in troubled areas, particularly here in the Western Cape to deal with gang violence, and also in Gauteng, they have done extremely well whenever they have been deployed alongside the police, and they give confidence to our people, and they are a deterrent force.

“You must know that the soldiers are not police people. Soldiers are trained to kill and to defend the people of South Africa, and in this case, they’ll be defending the peace. They’ll be defending anti criminality, and that is what they will be doing,” the President said. 

The President added that the SAPS had been performing well and that the deployment was meant to strengthen ongoing operations. 

“The SAPS has been doing extremely well. They’ve been doing very well in various of the projects or missions like [Operation] Shanela. They have done extremely well, our jails are now filled to overcapacity because of the success that they have been recording now with the Western Cape, it’s been persistent.”

He explained that government has set up an anti-gang team, and they’ve been working very well.
“They need support. It should never be looked at from a negative point of view, if anything, we should be very pleased that we are bringing all the might of the state to bear to deal with a persistent problem, gang violence has been going on in the Western Cape for a long time.

“We want to eliminate gang violence once and for all, and the South African National Defence Force will help us in playing that role,” he said. 

Water and municipal intervention

On water challenges, President Ramaphosa said national government would step in where municipalities fail to deliver services.

“We have a constitutional situation that devolve the reticulation of water to our local government. Now we allocate money to our local government, and they are supposed to maintain, they’re supposed to ensure that there’s reticulation,” he said. 

Referring to previous intervention efforts, the President recalled his visit to Hammanskraal where the waterworks was not well looked after. 

“I called on the Tshwane municipality to do their work and when they didn’t, we intervened. We intervened and made sure that water is delivered to the people in Hammanskraal. That process continues now,” he said. 

He indicated that legislative mechanisms would now be used more decisively.

“What I said yesterday is that we have now realised that rather than have our people without water and be punished by the lack of activity or delivery by municipalities, we are now going to intervene, and we will use a section in the Water Act to intervene,” the President said. 

Foreign policy position

On foreign policy, the President reaffirmed South Africa’s stance on Palestine and peacekeeping.

“Everybody knows what South Africa stance is with regard to supporting the people of Palestine, with regard to their self-determination, and supporting also a two state solution, where Israel will continue to exist as a state and the establishment of Palestine as a state, and the two states living side by side in peace and with Jerusalem being the capital. So, we support that firmly and completely,” the President said. 

He confirmed that South Africa had informed the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General of its intention to withdraw troops from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to consolidate and rebuild the country’s defence force for future peacekeeping missions. – SAnews.gov.za

Government joins the global community in commemorating World Radio Day, a day that recognises the enduring power of radio as a trusted and accessible source of information, education and entertainment. 

Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO member states and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, World Radio Day (WRD) is celebrated every February 13th. 

This day highlights the important role radio continues to play in strengthening communication, promoting cultural diversity, and advancing democratic participation.

“Radio remains one of the most widely used and affordable forms of communication, especially in communities where access to digital platforms may be limited. 

“Across South Africa, community, public, and commercial radio stations serve as vital platforms that connect citizens, amplify local voices, and ensure that information reaches people in all corners of the country. 

“Through radio, millions of listeners stay informed about government programmes, public services, and matters affecting their daily lives,” said a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Friday.

On this World Radio Day, government said it recognises the contribution of broadcasters, journalists, producers, and technical teams who work tirelessly to keep the nation informed. 

“Their commitment to ethical reporting and reliable communication plays a critical role in building an informed society and supporting transparency, accountability, and public dialogue.”

The theme for this year is: “AI is a tool, not a voice” which highlights the continued relevance of radio in an evolving media landscape. 

“Even as technology advances and new digital platforms emerge, radio remains a resilient medium that adapts to change while maintaining its unique ability to reach diverse audiences in real time. 

“It fosters social cohesion, supports local languages, and preserves cultural heritage through storytelling and community engagement. Technology alone does not build trust. Radio broadcasters do,” said the GCIS.

The GCIS encouraged all radio stations to continue partnering with government and civil society to share information that empowers citizens, promotes development, and supports national priorities.

Radio serves as a bridge between government and communities, ensuring that important messages on health, education, safety, and economic opportunities are widely understood and accessible.

“As we celebrate World Radio Day, GCIS reaffirms its commitment to strengthening communication across the country and supporting the vital role of radio in promoting unity, inclusivity, and participation. 

“We call on all South Africans to recognise and support their local radio stations, which remain an essential part of our democratic and developmental journey,” government said. – SAnews.gov.za

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau says South Africa’s industrial future will be defined by bold and collaborative decision-making, 

Speaking at the Sasol Engagement Dinner on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Thursday, Tau outlined a vision of reindustrialisation built on a low-carbon economy.

The Minister said the path to a thriving, competitive and sustainable economy lies in adopting a low-carbon industrial policy that draws global investment, broadens market access and safeguards South Africa’s industrial base.

“If we build the energy system of the future, mobilise capital at scale, and secure our position in the global critical minerals economy, we will not only decarbonise, but we will also reindustrialise,” Tau said.

He emphasised that Sasol and its clients have a pivotal role to play and affirmed that government stands ready to partner with them. 

“Together, they can turn this period of transition into a transformative opportunity that drives growth, strengthens competitiveness and expands opportunities for all South Africans.

“The transition before us requires reliable electricity, which must be both green and affordable. There are hard-to-abate sectors that cannot be fully electrified, and for these industries we must unlock sustainable fuels that are competitive at scale,” Tau said.

Furthermore, he stressed the need for coordinated planning, greater transparency and a shared commitment to long-term policy certainty.

Against this backdrop, he stressed that collaboration must also extend across government-to-government channels. 

This, he said, can be advanced through deepening commercial dialogue with the United States, strengthened cooperation with China, and engagement with the European Union through the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership.

“Sasol’s role is profound in building a new industrial economy. The operations sit at the intersection of energy, chemicals, fuels, and advanced manufacturing, which gives both responsibilities and opportunities. 

“The opportunities include unlocking giga-scale investment in renewable energy, mega-storage, High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission, and gas-to-power—especially as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) becomes central to our industrial feedstock strategy post-2028,” emphasised Tau. – SAnews.gov.za