Category: South Africa Government

Government is proposing fundamental reforms to address the root causes of dysfunction in many municipalities and to improve the efficiency of service delivery.

These changes are expected to be implemented in the coming months through the finalisation of the White Paper on Local Government.

“This will provide solutions for the functioning of an effective local government system. The White Paper will reimagine the way that local government works,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of Parliament, the President said the current local government system is overly complex and fragmented, placing excessive responsibilities on small and weak municipalities.

“We will propose fundamental changes that recognise the reality that some municipalities can take on more functions than others, and that we need a differentiated approach to municipal powers and responsibilities,” President Ramaphosa said.

Government is also proposing more structured cooperation between municipalities and traditional and Khoi-San leadership institutions to strengthen community engagement and promote shared problem-solving.

“We will ensure that senior officials in local government have the required qualifications and are appointed through an independent process free from political interference.

“Where municipalities fail, we will strengthen the ability of national government to intervene more quickly and to direct corrective measures in the interests of serving our people better,” the President said.

Acknowledging that the reforms may be challenging, President Ramaphosa stressed that they are necessary.

He said progress has been made in stabilising eThekwini, resulting in renewed investor confidence. However, he warned that Johannesburg still faces significant challenges, including collapsing infrastructure, financial mismanagement, and ongoing electricity and water disruptions.

“There are many committed people with skills and experience working in local government. It is our responsibility to remake, reorganise and better resource municipalities so that they can do their work,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

Guests and Members of Parliament have used the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to tell a story far deeper than fabric and thread and instead used the occasion to tell a story of growth and ambition.

“I believe that I must look nice like this, but most importantly, our designers get an opportunity not only to showcase their work, but to create jobs,” said Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni as she stepped onto the State of the Nation Address (SONA) red carpet with confidence.

Using the glamour of the evening as a platform, the Minister championed local entrepreneurs and designers, reminding onlookers that every stitch can stimulate the economy.

Her ensemble was crafted by a local designer. Subtle branding details and distinctive design elements quietly reinforced her call to action.

“South Africans should stop overlooking homegrown talent. Local designers are not out of reach. They may not carry global luxury logos, but they carry something far more valuable, the ability to grow the economy and create employment,” Ndabeni said.

The red carpet became a runway of advocacy. Contemporary African prints merged tradition with modern sophistication. Each carefully styled look was a nod to a thriving creative industry that fuels small businesses across the country, from seamstresses and textile producers to stylists and makeup artists.

Ndabeni also reflected on the substance behind the red carpet. Inside the chamber of the Cape Town City Hall, President Cyril Ramaphosa would account for commitments made in the previous year and outline plans for the months ahead.

Small businesses, she noted, are eager to hear how economic redistribution efforts are progressing and what infrastructure developments will enable entrepreneurs to trade more efficiently, wherever they are.

But before the speeches and policy outlines, there was the glow of the carpet — and the unmistakable aura of empowerment.

Final touches mattered. The Minister’s designer “Boss Lady” energy defined the night’s bold, assured, and unapologetic looks. Hair styled to perfection by John crowned many of the evening’s standout looks sculpting confidence into every silhouette that passed before the cameras. – SAnews.gov.za
 

With only a few hours remaining before President Cyril Ramaphosa steps onto the red carpet at the National Assembly, the streets surrounding Parliament are alive with anticipation, colour and ceremony.

Barricades line the historic precinct; security officials stand at attention, and camera crews from across the globe jostle for position.

Members of Parliament are expected to begin filing into the House from 4pm – their arrival adding to the hum of expectation that has settled over Cape Town.

At 7pm, President Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of Parliament, bringing together the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces under one roof in one of the country’s most significant democratic rituals.

Across South Africa, millions are expected to tune in as the address is broadcast live on SABC radio and television stations. Community halls, public squares, and organised live viewing sites are preparing to host citizens eager to hear the President outline government’s priorities for the year ahead.

Outside Parliament, the ceremonial red carpet has been rolled out, ready to welcome dignitaries in a display of tradition and national pride.

Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo described the occasion as far more than a joint sitting of lawmakers.

“SONA is one of the rare moments where the three arms of the State converge under one roof,” Mothapo told the media on Thursday, during a detailed briefing on the evening’s proceedings.

Members of the Judiciary, both at national and provincial levels, will be present. Representatives of the diplomatic corps, Speakers and Premiers of provincial legislatures, former Presiding Officers of Parliament, and an array of distinguished guests from various professions and sectors of society, are also expected to attend.

As tradition dictates, the bells will begin ringing at exactly 5:45pm, signalling to Members of Parliament (MPs) that they must take their seats as the formal programme prepares to unfold.

The ceremony will begin with full state honours, the national salute, music by a military band, a South African Air Force flypast overhead, and a 21-gun salute. Only then will the President enter the National Assembly chamber to deliver his address.

Inside the House, 490 MPs from both Houses of Parliament will be seated. A further 263 guests from a wide cross-section of society will fill the public gallery, while ordinary members of the public will be accommodated in a specially erected marquee on the parliamentary grounds.

Approximately 1 500 journalists from local and international news houses were accredited to cover the event, underscoring the global attention that the State of the Nation Address commands. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has outlined government’s key reform priorities ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting urgent interventions in water security, crime, economic recovery and local government reform.

Speaking to GoZa TV on Thursday, Ntshavheni said the President’s address would detail short, medium and long-term plans to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

Water crisis a national concern

Addressing the water shortages in Gauteng, Ntshavheni emphasised that the crisis extends beyond Johannesburg.

She confirmed that President Ramaphosa has dispatched the Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa to assess the situation on the ground.

“The water shortage is a national issue, and it’s for that reason that during the sixth administration, we started to make legislative amendments… that will enable national government to make interventions into the water problem due to local government capacity,” she said.

Ntshavheni added that in the seventh administration, water reforms were included as part of broader local government interventions under Operation Vulindlela.

“The President this evening will then articulate what are the interventions that are going to be made, both in the short term, medium term and long term, accepting that the water problems cannot be resolved overnight,” she said.  

She also called on citizens to reduce consumption amid high demand.

“We need to, all of us, to reduce the demand for water. We need to use water sparingly. We cannot water our gardens… we can’t refill the swimming pools,” she said, urging residents to report leaks and conserve supply.

Foot-and-mouth disease response

On the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Minister Ntshavheni said rebuilding vaccine production capacity was a priority.

“You are aware that we have rebuilt the capacity of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to produce the Foot and Mouth vaccines. And though we will not be able to have enough numbers, there will be measures to get enough vaccines…So the President will articulate because we need to deal with that situation,” she said.

South Africa, she noted, must regain its FMD-free status.

“There was a time South Africa was FMD free. We need to go back to that status. But it is also going to impact on the crisis of food…and also our export, because we are a big exporter of beef,” she said.

The President is expected to outline further measures to secure adequate vaccine supply and protect the agricultural sector.

Intensifying the fight against organised crime

On crime and corruption, Ntshavheni said government’s focus is shifting from petty crime to organised criminal networks.

“You’ll recall that in the previous administration, we launched Operation Shanela… and we have dealt a number of blows [to crime]. We have had a significant reduction in the crime levels in those areas.

“Now the focus is shifting to dealing with organised crime, including illicit trade. And we … have finalised a strategy on organised crime,” she said.

She stressed that efforts are underway to “decontaminate the criminal justice system of criminality or being run by organised crime,” referencing measures emerging from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Ntshavheni also urged citizens not to enable corruption.

“When you say to a traffic officer: ‘No, my brother I can give you something…’ – that is corruption,” she said.

She called on communities to report criminal activity, including gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“We need to report them to the police so that they can be dealt with,” she said, adding that strengthening support structures for victims remains critical.

Freight logistics and economic growth

Ntshavheni said improvements in rail and port infrastructure are beginning to support economic recovery.

“What’s important is not just the trains being back online. It’s also what it means for the cost of travel,” she said.

She noted that commuter rail has significantly reduced transport costs for low- and middle-income earners.

“You cut the price of commuter travel in a day by 75% so you are paying 25% of what you have paid on travel and using a train,” she said.

On freight logistics, she pointed to port decongestion and new private sector participation in rail corridors as key to boosting exports and economic growth.

“It talks directly to the ability of the economy to grow, very specially when we are ramping up our capacity as a manufacturing economy,” she said.

She added that growth projections are improving and that reforms in energy and logistics are yielding results, alongside progress in stabilising electricity supply.

Building capable local government

With local government elections on the horizon, Ntshavheni stressed that reforms are focused on capacity, not campaigning.

“It’s not about the elections that are coming. It’s about the realisation… that so if local government doesn’t function, the entities of government does not function,” she said.

She said reviewing the White Paper on Local Government is central to building a “capable, capacitated, skilled local government” able to deliver housing, water, waste management and disaster-resilient infrastructure.

“We need to make sure that when we rebuild the infrastructure, we build it in a manner that is sustainable and that it is disaster resilient,” she said.

Ntshavheni also called for stronger partnerships between municipalities, traditional leaders and communities, including paying for municipal services.

Call for national partnership

In her closing remarks, Ntshavheni urged South Africans to use SONA as an opportunity to reflect and engage.

“We want South Africans to use the opportunity of the SONA as a feedback of from the work that has been done… and interact with government as part of that partnership,” she said.

She linked this call to significant national milestones.

“We must do that as we celebrate 70 years of the Women’s March, 50 years of the youth uprising, and 30 years of our Constitution… it calls on us to partner with government to make sure we build a better South Africa together,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says the State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an important event in the country’s calendar, a day on which the eyes of the country and many beyond the borders turn to Parliament to hear the President outline the nation’s priorities and the path forward.

“The State of the Nation Address demands the highest level of preparedness and professionalism,” Cachalia said.

This as President Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening deliver the State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall at 7pm.

The Acting Minister was speaking at the Operational Readiness for SONA Parade in Cape Town on Thursday, where he was addressing members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies deployed to ensure safety during the State of the Nation Address.

With just hours to go to the address being delivered, Cachalia said SONA is a major national event, involving government leaders, dignitaries, the media, and thousands of South Africans who look to us for assurance that their safety is guaranteed.

“Your deployment today is not a routine assignment;  it is an important opportunity for you to demonstrate the very valuable service you provide to the people who reside in the Republic of South Africa.

“We therefore gather here to recognise and appreciate you, the men and women entrusted with ensuring that the event proceeds safely, smoothly and with the dignity it deserves,” Cachalia said.

He told  officers that their presence underscores the crucial role that law enforcement plays in protecting democracy. 

“I want to emphasise to each one of you, your visibility matters. Your conduct matters. Your professionalism matters. 

“Our citizens must see in you professionals who role-model discipline, respect, restraint and confidence. Their trust in law enforcement is reinforced not only by the work you do, but by the manner in which you do it.

“As you carry out your duties today, I call on you to remain vigilant, alert to any risks or potential disruptions. I call on you to be professional, upholding the high standards expected of every officer in uniform. I call on you to be respectful, treating every member of the public with dignity and fairness, regardless of the circumstances. And above all, I call on you to be lawful, remembering that you serve the promise of the Constitution and the people of South Africa.”

The Minister also told the law enforcement officers that their conduct reflects not only on the SAPS and the broader law enforcement community; it reflects on the entire government and on the nation.

“Let us show the country what excellence in law enforcement looks like. I have no doubt that you can do it. I also want to remind you to look after one another. 

The Minister concluded by thanking all the police officers deployed to ensure safety during SONA.

“As your Minister of Police, I thank each of you for stepping up to serve our country, your dedication, and your commitment to upholding safety and security. 

“Your contribution as police officials makes a vast difference that will shape the type of country we will become. I wish you strength, clarity, and confidence as you head into your deployment. 

“Carry out your responsibilities with honour. Carry them out with pride and carry them out knowing that all of us appreciate the sacrifices you make,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Minister has embarked on a series of engagements with a broad range of stakeholders to discuss policing challenges in the Western Cape and strengthen measures to improve safety in communities across the province. 
READ | Minister meets various stakeholders to improve safety in WC communities

“These engagements form part of the Minister’s programme ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) later this evening,” the police said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has underscored the importance of all spheres of government working together to tackle the water supply challenges in Gauteng.

“When we work together, we’ll be able to address the challenges our communities are facing,” the Minister said on Thursday.

The Minister made these remarks during an oversight visit in Johannesburg, which was conducted to assess the water supply system.

READ | Government intensifies oversight of Midrand water supply interventions

“We are on the ground, engaging with our communities and explaining the challenges we are facing. Seeing these challenges being addressed is truly satisfying from a government perspective. At national level, we are here to support you as you work to overcome them.

“If you look at the progress that has been made up to this far, it tells us that when we join hands, we can get around this situation much quicker. We are committed to [addressing the challenges],” Hlabisa said.

During the oversight visit, he was joined by Minister of Water and Sanitation Penny Majodina; Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo; Deputy Minister of COGTA, Dr Dickson Namane Masemola; Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo, and Executive Mayor Dada Morero. 

“Let us appreciate the fact that the population is growing very rapidly. The Johannesburg area, Midrand in particular, is developing at a fast pace, and with such development comes increased demand for water, as more water is abstracted. 

“We monitor this closely, and the mayor is addressing it by building more reservoirs, because what we need is improved storage capacity. We are making progress,” Majodina said.

The Gauteng Provincial Government has established an Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Water Operations Centre to facilitate and coordinate responses aimed at stabilising water supply across the province. 

The Water IGR Operations Centre brings together national government departments, Rand Water, metropolitan and local municipalities, and key provincial entities. 

Its purpose is to strengthen coordination, enable real-time system monitoring, improve joint decision-making, and provide a single source of verified information on the state of the provincial water system.

The Operations Centre was activated on Monday at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Midrand.

Through the Water IGR, immediate interventions are being fast-tracked, including leak detection and repair, reservoir refurbishment, operational support to municipalities, and the strengthening of early-warning and communication systems. 

Parallel work is underway to support municipalities in developing credible funding proposals to unlock medium- and long-term investment in critical water infrastructure. – SAnews.gov.za

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has embarked on a series of engagements with a broad range of stakeholders to discuss policing challenges in the Western Cape and strengthen measures to improve safety in communities across the province. 

“These engagements form part of the Minister’s programme ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) later this evening,” the police said in a statement. 

The Western Cape continues to be severely affected by persistent gang violence and organised crime, which have destabilised communities and endangered lives. 

“In September last year, following extensive consultations with provincial stakeholders, the South African Police Service (SAPS) developed a stabilisation plan to address these challenges. The plan requires more time to take effect as well as some adjustments.

“In response, the SAPS is finalising a revised stabilisation plan, which places strong emphasis on the enhanced deployment of specialised units in addition to the existing Anti-Gang Unit to areas mostly affected by gang-related violence. 

“This enhanced approach aims to improve operational capability, increase police visibility, and strengthen intelligence-driven policing in hotspots across the province,” the police said. 

The Minister met with several civil society, religious and community-based organisations including the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (C4), and others as part of government’s commitment to inclusive and community-centred policing. 

As part of his ongoing programme, Cachalia will meet with the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde as well as stakeholders in Kayamandi and Cloetesville in Stellenbosch in the coming weeks. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa has been elected to serve a two-year term on the African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council.

AU member states elected South Africa to the council during the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU’s Executive Council.

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South Africa was elected alongside Lesotho to represent Southern Africa on the council.

On the election, DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola said: “To achieve the goals of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, we have to exert more efforts on peace making and peacebuilding in our continent”.

South Africa will serve on the council from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028. 

“The Republic of South Africa thanks the AU Member States for their confidence and reaffirms its commitment to work constructively with the entire membership of the AUPSC [African Union Peace and Security Council] in addressing the many peace and security challenges that bedevil our continent.

“The continent continues to grapple with issues such as unconstitutional changes of government, a recurring trend since 2020, which persists until today; and terrorism and violent extremism that has resulted in killings and maiming of thousands of innocent civilians.

“It is in this context that South Africa’s term on the PSC will be guided by its foreign policy which prioritises the African continent’s peace, stability and development,” DIRCO said on Wednesday.

South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to “contributing to a continent that is peaceful, prosperous and embodies pan-African ideals”.

“This commitment is evident in the numerous peace and security initiatives in which South Africa has participated and continues to engage, including its role as interim Chair of the Southern African Development Community.

“South Africa will advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, inclusive dialogue and negotiations, aimed at supporting conflicting parties in finding durable solutions,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

By Moahlodi Maphori 

The stabilisation of water supply in Gauteng remains a priority for government as it implements infrastructure upgrades, system balancing and accelerates investment in new storage capacity.

On Thursday, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Penny Majodina, alongside Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, Deputy Minister of COGTA, Dr Dickson Namane Masemola, Gauteng MEC of COGTA, David Mamabolo and Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero conducted an oversight visit to key water infrastructure sites in Midrand. 

The visit formed part of government’s response to the ongoing water supply challenges in Midrand and surrounding areas, where residents have experienced intermittent water supply linked to system pressure constraints, high demand and ageing infrastructure.

 Early‑morning inspections at strategic reservoirs

The oversight programme began at Errand in Midrand, where political principals and city officials received a technical briefing on the current operational status of the local water supply system.

An inspection was conducted at the Johannesburg Grand Central Water Tower in Glen Austin, a critical component of the area’s distribution network. 

The delegation also received an overview of how the system functions under pressure, particularly the role of elevation in determining which areas receive water during periods of constrained supply.

The ministerial delegation proceeded to the President’s Park Reservoir, where further assessments were conducted on the reservoir’s contribution to supply stability in Midrand. 

Officials indicated that the interconnected nature of the system requires careful management to ensure equitable distribution across affected suburbs.

Another identified challenge was that lower‑lying reservoirs and towers tend to receive water more consistently, while elevated areas become vulnerable during system strain, underscoring the need for improved balancing and additional storage capacity.

New reservoirs in Carlswald

As part of long-term interventions to address Midrand’s water supply issues, the ministerial team visited a building site in the Carlswald area where two new reservoirs are currently being built. 

It is anticipated that the new reservoirs will boost system resilience and storage capacity, especially during times of high demand or operational interruptions. When complete, the infrastructure will facilitate improved pressure control and shorten supply outages’ duration and frequency. 

Minister Majodina said government was concentrating on structural solutions that would sustain water supply in quickly expanding metropolitan areas, like Midrand, rather than relying solely on temporary fixes. 

“The goal of these investments is to future-proof the system and make sure that communities are not repeatedly affected by water disruptions,” she said.

Cooperative governance at the centre of interventions

The visit highlighted the importance of coordination between national departments, municipalities and water entities in resolving water challenges. 

Minister Hlabisa emphasised that water security remains a key service delivery priority and that improved coordination between spheres of government is essential to prevent infrastructure failures from escalating into community crises.

Mayor Morero reaffirmed the City of Johannesburg’s commitment to accelerating maintenance, addressing leaks, and ensuring that new infrastructure projects are delivered on time. 

The city is investing in major infrastructure upgrades in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill supply districts, including the construction of new reservoirs, the installation of modern pump stations, and the refurbishment of ageing infrastructure.

Reassurance to residents

Government has assured residents that work is underway to stabilise supply in Midrand, while longer‑term projects, including the Carlswald reservoirs, are working towards completion.

As government works to make the system stronger and more reliable, residents have been encouraged to use water sparingly and to report leaks and infrastructure failures to municipal authorities in the city.

The oversight visit signalled government’s commitment to ensure that water, as a basic service and constitutional right, is accessible to all members of the public. – SAnews.gov.za