Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng Legislature condemns youth involvement in Westbury shooting

Edwin
Wed, 10/22/2025 – 10:07

Source: Government of South Africa

By Dikeledi Molobela

Hanoi, Vietnam – The buzz in Hanoi is unmistakable. Streets draped in vibrant red flags, and gold stars ripple in the autumn breeze, while the hum of motorbikes mingles with the soft chatter of locals anticipating the arrival of a special guest. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to touch down in the Vietnamese capital on Thursday for a State Visit that is as symbolic as it is strategic, one that promises to cement South Africa’s engagement with Southeast Asia. 

Speaking to SAnews on the ground ahead of the visit, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, described the trip as a pivotal moment to deepen cooperation between the two countries. 

“We have arrived in Hanoi for a State Visit that will be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa to meet the Prime Minister here to deepen cooperation between the two countries that have very good, friendly relations, which we now look to build on the bilateral relations towards economic trade, political cooperation and also skills exchange,” the Minister told SAnews.

From the bustling Old Quarter to the imposing marble façade of the Presidential Palace, there’s an air of optimism, a sense that this visit extends beyond protocol and pageantry. 

“The engagements will be on various phases of exchange [between] small business, agriculture, and various other issues of trade, which obviously will incorporate issues of electric vehicles, skills exchange, commodities, mining, agriculture, and research and development,” Lamola said.

The Minister highlighted that South Africa already has a footprint in Vietnam’s education and research space, with a contingent of South Africans in the Maritime University of Vietnam. 

“We already have a contingent of South Africans here in Vietnam in the Maritime University of Vietnam, which is deepening our skills exchange, and we look forward to cooperation between Vietnam and South African institutions of research and skills development,” he told SAnews.

This, he added, reflects the growing synergy between the two nations in areas of innovation and capacity building.

For South Africa, Vietnam’s rapidly expanding economy – one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia – represents both an opportunity and a partnership of shared aspiration. 

“This leg of the visit is very important for also diversification of our markets into the Vietnam economy, because Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. It remains a very important market. 

“It’s a developing country, an emerging market, almost similar to ours, and it offers an opportunity to diversify our trade and products into the Vietnam market, but it also offers good opportunities of agreements on the various areas of trade, which we can then exchange between the two countries,” Lamola said. 

President Ramaphosa’s visit coincides with several significant developments in Vietnam’s political landscape, including a generational transition in leadership, the conclusion of key domestic planning and reform cycles, and the country’s increasing prominence in regional and global economic affairs. It also comes as Vietnam commemorates 80 Years of Independence, a milestone that holds deep historical significance.

Vietnam’s expanding consumer market presents promising opportunities for South African exporters, particularly in the context of the country’s strategic efforts to diversify trade destinations.

The State Visit to Vietnam by President Ramaphosa reflects the deepening ties between the leaders of South Africa and Vietnam, underpinned by mutual respect and growing cooperation. 

The decision to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership marks a significant milestone, signalling shared commitment to long-term collaboration across key sectors.

President Ramaphosa is on a three-nation visit to the Southeast Asia region, which kicked off in Indonesia, followed by the State Visit to Vietnam and a working visit to Malaysia.

The President is accompanied by several Ministers including the Minister of Small Business Development of South Africa, Stella Ndabeni; Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, among others. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has urged the private sector to open its doors wider to young graduates in South Africa by creating more internship opportunities.

The Deputy Minister described youth unemployment as a national emergency.

Gina was speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in Johannesburg on Tuesday, marking 20 years of an impactful graduate internship programme and celebrating 131 graduates who have just completed their two-year training at various institutions across the country.

She highlighted the 45.5% official youth unemployment rate and 62.1% under the expanded definition of youth unemployment, warning that South Africa is “sitting on a ticking time bomb” if bold action is not taken.

“We need every employer in the private sector, municipalities, and state-owned enterprises to double their absorption of young graduates each year. The future of our country depends on it,” she said.

Since its establishment in 2005, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) Graduate Internship Programme, implemented by the HSRC, has offered valuable workplace experience and research skills to over 7 600 unemployed graduates. 

This programme focuses on fields such as science, engineering, technology, humanities, and social sciences.
In terms of demographics, 91% of interns placed were black, including African, Coloured and Indian, while 68% were female and 2% were persons with disabilities.

To date, more than 200 institutions have hosted interns, contributing meaningfully to skills development across the country. 

These institutions include science councils, national facilities, museums, government agencies, private companies, and higher education institutions.

The Deputy Minister said the initiative has become one of the most impactful interventions in tackling graduate unemployment and developing skills for the economy. 

“These interventions are not only producing a skilled workforce for science, technology and the social sciences, they are nurturing future entrepreneurs who will innovate, commercialise new ideas, and become employers themselves,” she said.

Tuesday’s event featured past and present beneficiaries, including Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo, an award-winning Global Health academic instrumental in establishing the first Division of Public Health at the University of Pretoria. 

“Because of the internship I received through this programme, I stand here today as a top scholar recognised globally,” said Mulondo.

Among the 131 graduates celebrated last night, Okuhle Ngqoboka, who was hosted by the Durban University of Technology in 2023, described her journey as “exciting and insightful”, paying tribute to her mentor, Dr Bloodless Dzwairo, for recognising her hard work.

“I am now employed on contract as a Grants Assistant. I not only gained valuable work experience but was also motivated to register for my honours degree and continue my studies,” she said.  

Gina applauded the HSRC for running the programme “in a professional and structured way,” adding that its impact “will be felt across the National System of Innovation and the broader economy for years to come.”  

She also encouraged graduates to remain proactive. 

“You are no longer graduates without experience. Use your networks, stay visible, and show initiative. As the African proverb says: the earliest bird catches the fattest worm.”

HSRC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sarah Mosoetsa, said the two decades of learning and training are a true testament to transformation at the HSRC, paying tribute to all partners who have supported the programme over the years. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

A groundbreaking collaboration between the Department of Health, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Stellenbosch University aims to transform healthcare policy decision-making in South Africa.  

The Evidence to Decision (E2D) initiative, launched in November 2024, will ensure that healthcare policies are informed by the best available evidence, supporting the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI). 

According to the joint statement, the NHI rollout will bring significant changes to South Africa’s health system, including funding mechanisms, management structures, healthcare delivery platforms, and the scope of healthcare benefits.  

To address these challenges, the E2D partnership unites SAMRC’s Health Systems Research Unit and Cochrane South Africa with Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care (CEBHC).  

The initiative is funded by the Department of Health. 

Deputy Director-General for NHI at the Department of Health, Professor Nicholas Crisp, highlighted the importance of collaboration in optimising evidence use.  

“Key to the success of any evidence-support initiative is an ongoing collaborative working relationship.  Such government-academic partnerships ensure timely research-evidence products,” he said. 

The E2D initiative focuses on producing and translating evidence to support efficient, effective, and equitable health services.  

It also aims to build capacity for health and social care decision-making, while learning from the process of establishing this infrastructure. 

Dean of Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Elmi Muller, stressed the university’s commitment to advancing evidence-informed health policy.  

“The E2D initiative marks a pivotal evolution in our long-standing collaboration with the SAMRC and the National Department of Health, building a national infrastructure for systematic evidence synthesis and translation,” she said. 

President and CEO of the SAMRC, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, expressed the council’s dedication to evidence-based research. 

“The SAMRC has been involved in promoting the highest standards in evidence-based research work via our work with Cochrane and others for decades, and remains committed to improving the health of all South Africans by ensuring that high quality, responsive research informs healthcare practices and policies,” he said. 

Ntusi believes that as a health and medical research council in the country, the SAMRC is well placed to provide research leadership to this vital initiative. 

This partnership is set to play a vital role in shaping South Africa’s healthcare system, ensuring that decisions are guided by rigorous research and evidence.  

The collaboration underscores the importance of government-academic partnerships in addressing national health priorities. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Fannie Masemola, says police are working around the clock to apprehend the suspects behind Tuesday’s mass shooting in Westbury.

“It’s just a matter of time before we track down these teenagers. Our crime intelligence operatives, detectives and uniformed police are on the ground actively searching for these suspects at various areas of interest,” General Masemola said.

This as police on Tuesday responded to a shooting incident where six teenagers were shot. The victims were rushed to hospital where two of them were declared dead on arrival and four were receiving medical attention. Preliminary reports suggest that the shooting was gang related. It is reported that the six, aged between 14 and 19 years, were shot at by suspects believed to be from a rival gang.

The Commissioner visited Westbury in Gauteng on Tuesday night where he said he was continuously receiving a briefing on progress made in addressing gang violence in this area and other areas that are hotspots for gang violence in the province.

“I have instructed the provincial Commissioner of Gauteng to deal decisively with these lolly lounges where these children in all these hotspot areas are allegedly bunking school to sit and smoke drugs at these lounges,” he said.

He added that police are going after the owners of these houses and those that are supplying the drugs.
“We are also investigating the source of where these firearms are coming from and how children as young as 13 years old have access to these firearms.

“We are aware as indicated last night that older gang members are using children as runners to evade justice. We are indeed focusing on these handlers and surely, we will find them and make them answer as to why they are destroying the future of these young children.”

The Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) operating in eight communities ridden by gang activity such as Westbury, Langlaagte, Reiger Park, Eldorado Park and others continue to combat crime in a bid to enhance public safety.

“In a period of four months from June 2025 to September 2025, the AGU arrested 176 suspects for crimes which include murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as being in possession of drugs.

“Among the notable successes, the AGU has arrested 21 suspects for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 94 for drug-related offences, 24 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, highlighting the police’s determination to reduce gang-related crimes.

“The AGU Detectives have also placed in court three cases, which have been concluded with a combined sentence of 17 years and four months for three accused,” Masemola said.

The AGU’s proactive measures have also led to seizures, including 26 firearms and 452 rounds of ammunition, two stolen vehicles, over 600 grams of dagga, 480 grams of methcathinone (CAT) and over 10 000 grams worth of mandrax tablets.

Other seized items include cellphones, medicine, knives, and substantial amount of cash, all contributing to the ongoing efforts to dismantle local criminal networks.

“As the SAPS, we continue to encourage community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious and criminal activity to the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, you may opt to remain anonymous, all information received will be treated with confidentiality.

“Our deployments remain in place, and we urge all these communities to work closely with the police to put an end to gang violence,” Masemola said.

According to Masemola, five survivors are fighting for their lives in hospital, and the two deceased victims have been identified as 18-year-old Tigan Du Plessis and 17- year-old Diegan Ryters.  – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Government is set to introduce a new framework to guide and expand high-integrity carbon markets in South Africa. 

Addressing the Carbon Markets Africa Summit 2025, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said when carbon markets are governed with integrity, they can mobilise finance, transfer technology, and drive inclusive growth. 

“The framework lays the foundation for developing, governing, and scaling high-integrity carbon markets in South Africa. It is designed to create an enabling environment for credible, transparent, and socially inclusive carbon market activity, aligned with our Nationally Determined Contributions and with the Paris Agreement’s cooperative mechanisms,” the Minister said in Johannesburg on Wednesday.    

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) embody South Africa’s efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

“The future of carbon markets will be defined not by promises but by performance. Our goal is simple: to build a credible system that attracts investment, delivers real emission reductions, and creates lasting value for our people. Through integrity, innovation and partnership, Africa can lead a new era of climate-smart growth,” George said. 

The Draft South African Carbon Markets Framework was developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. 

This draft framework has been widely consulted upon, with input from stakeholders across government, business, and civil society. It is now being vetted and will be gazetted soon. 

“Carbon markets are not a substitute for national action. They are a tool to deepen ambition, enable cooperation, and deliver measurable results. They provide a pathway for countries to work together while maintaining environmental integrity and national sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Building on this foundation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is developing a complementary instrument, the Draft Carbon Credit Revenue Plan, which aims to monetise the department’s natural assets and generate new sources of sustainable revenue.

“Together, these two draft instruments represent a bold and integrated approach to advancing climate finance: a framework for integrity, a plan for implementation, and a vision for inclusive growth,” he said.

The objectives of the Draft Carbon Credit Revenue Plan are threefold:
•    First, to generate sustainable revenue by converting South Africa’s forests, wetlands, oceans, and protected landscapes into high-integrity carbon credits.
•    Second, to reinvest this revenue into environmental programmes that advance national priorities and NDC targets, ensuring that ambition is matched by practical implementation.
•    Third, to reinforce South Africa’s leadership in climate innovation by demonstrating that environmental protection can drive economic growth, social inclusion, and resilience.

The Draft Carbon Credit Revenue Plan builds on the department’s existing portfolio of scalable programmes, which align with South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) priorities: biodiversity and conservation, climate change, oceans, chemicals and waste, and land use.

“In Forestry and Land Use, our Ten Million Trees Programme is ready to be scaled as a major afforestation project. We are advancing sustainable forest management and REDD+ [reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries] initiatives that protect vital ecosystems.

“In Biodiversity and Conservation, we are managing national parks and protected areas as verified carbon sinks, restoring degraded grasslands and biomes, and creating jobs through ecological restoration,” the Minister said.

Regarding the Oceans and Coasts, South Africa’s 3 000 kilometres of coastline holds immense Blue Carbon potential. 

The restoration of mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes supports climate mitigation and coastal community resilience.

“In Chemicals and Waste, we are capturing and destroying greenhouse gases from landfills, wastewater, and industrial processes, turning pollution into both a financial and environmental asset.

“We will begin with a comprehensive status analysis and a strong institutional setup, including an inter-agency arrangement. Pilot projects will be launched in the identified sectors to demonstrate early success,” he said.

A fair revenue-sharing model will ensure that benefits flow to the national fiscus, into project expansion, and to local communities who are the stewards of our land.

South Africa’s approach aligns with the Paris Agreement’s Crediting Mechanism, which ensures that South African credits are credible, respected, and tradable internationally. –SAnews.gov.za