Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Godongwana appointed as Acting President

nosihle
Tue, 10/21/2025 – 15:36

Source: Government of South Africa

The first day of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in Gauteng proceeded smoothly, said Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane.

“We are encouraged by the level of preparedness and commitment displayed across our examination centres on the first day of the NSC exams. Our teams acted swiftly where challenges arose, ensuring that every learner was able to write under fair and conducive conditions. 

“We are satisfied that these minor incidents did not compromise the integrity of the examination. The Department will continue to monitor all centres across Gauteng closely to ensure the smooth administration of this crucial assessment,” said MEC Chiloane.

In a statement on Tuesday, the provincial government said that all districts commenced their examinations as scheduled, without any disruptions or irregularities. 

“A total of 16 968 candidates sat for the 3-hour Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical examination at 09:00 in the morning session. Only four centres recorded minor incidents, all of which were reported before any examination was in session and were promptly managed to ensure that no candidate was disadvantaged.”

According to the department, the Letsibogo Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation in Meadowlands, Soweto, reported a power outage in the area since Monday afternoon. 

The school swiftly implemented contingency measures by using a generator, allowing examinations to proceed without interruption. Accordingly, PJ Simelane Secondary School, also in Soweto, utilised a generator to mitigate similar power supply challenges in the area. Examinations proceeded smoothly at the centre as well.

At Liberty Community School in Bramley, a brief power delay made examinations to start slightly later than scheduled. However, the centre swiftly switched to solar backup, and all candidates completed their practicals successfully. 

At the Falcon Educational Centre in Dawn Park, 21 candidates were safely transported to a neighbouring examination centre to complete their practicals. This precautionary measure was implemented after a technical server challenge was detected before the start of the session.

The department further recorded minor absenteeism from both full-time and part-time candidates; however, the figures are not significant and do not detract from the overall successful start of the examination period in Gauteng. 

READ | Gauteng MEC calls for honesty ahead of start of NSC exams
–SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Gondwe concludes participation in Africa Skills Week

Neo
Tue, 10/21/2025 – 09:14

Source: Government of South Africa

With the ever increasing use of electronic devices and the need to sustainably manage their disposal, government has launched an e-Waste Recycling Pilot Project in the City of Johannesburg’s Alexandra township.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said the improper disposal of e-waste has become a growing concern.

“The increasing number of electronic devices being used without a proper system for disposal has led to the accumulation of waste that harms our environment and contaminates water and soil. Today’s launch of the e-Waste Recycling Pilot Project is our response to this growing crisis,” Swarts said on Tuesday.

The goal of this pilot project is to test and implement a sustainable system for recycling of e-waste in the City of Johannesburg. 

“The success of this project relies heavily on the participation of the local community. By providing households with easy access to collection or drop off points, recycling facilities, and offering guidance on how to properly separate and dispose of their old electronic devices, we aim to change the way residents think about their waste. 

“The Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) working together with local Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) will ensure availability of drop-off points and collection bins/receptacles to ensure ease of access and safe disposal of e-waste,” the Deputy Minister said.

This initiative was launched by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Department of Environment and PROs. 

“Through this collaboration, we aim to not only manage and dispose of e-waste responsibly but also raise awareness among communities about the importance of recycling and the dangers of improper e-waste disposal.

“Furthermore, this project is about more than just waste management; it is about creating jobs and stimulating local economic development,” Swarts said.

Through this initiative, government will be able to engage the PROs that are committed to facilitating the proper recycling of e-waste. 

These organisations play a crucial role in managing the end-of-life phase of electronic products and are an important part of the national effort to promote a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled, rather than discarded. 

“Through collaboration between the City of Johannesburg and the PROs, we can ensure that this pilot project is sustainable and scalable, with the potential to expand across other regions in the future.

“Not only will it help the City of Johannesburg and the residents of Alexandra to manage its e-waste more effectively, it will also contribute to our country’s broader environmental goals,” she said.

As part of the National Waste Management Strategy 2020, South Africa has committed to reducing waste sent to landfills, increasing recycling rates, and promoting a circular economy. 

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which place responsibility for end-of-life products on producers, are key to this vision. 

“By encouraging industry involvement in waste management, we are ensuring that those who create waste are also part of the solution.

“As many of us are aware, e-waste is growing at an alarming rate. It is now considered the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide,” the Deputy Minister said.

The proliferation of technology and the consumer-driven nature of  society have led to millions of tons of electronic devices being discarded each year. 

These devices – from old cell phones, computers, laptops to televisions and household appliances (such as fridges, stoves, kettles and anything that uses electricity) – contain harmful materials such as lead, mercury, and many other toxic chemicals, which can have devastating effects on the environment and health, if not properly managed. 

“In South Africa, we generate over 360 000 tons of e-waste annually, and it is estimated that at least 50% of this waste is generated in Gauteng. 

“Only a small fraction of approximately 10% of this is properly managed. The rest ends up in landfills, or worse, is illegally dumped, posing serious risks to our ecosystems. 

“Our waste laws do not allow the disposal of e-waste to landfills. This is done with the intention of diverting this waste stream from landfill for recycling purposes,” she said.

In November 2021, South Africa has implemented the EPR legislation for Electrical and Electronic Equipment, which compels the producers of electronic products to take-back and ensure proper recycling thereof. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

By Neo Bodumela

Jakarta, Indonesia – Against a backdrop of historic solidarity and shared vision for a better world, South Africa will move to deepen bilateral relations with Indonesia during an official State Visit to the Southeast Asian country by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.

This according to Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, who spoke to SAnews ahead of the State Visit in Jakarta.

“It’s a high level exchange and an opportunity to recognise mutual cooperation, to respect the benefits of our bilateral relationship and to deepen multilateralism between our two countries, as it relates to our participation in global governance institutions.

“The fact that Indonesia has been accepted as a member of the BRICS+ family bodes quite well for our bilateral relationship,” Botes said on Tuesday.

The history between the two countries dates to the 1600s with the arrival of the first people of Indonesian descent in South Africa. In 1694, celebrated religious leader of noble descent, Sheikh Yusuf Al Makassari, was exiled from Jakarta (known then as Batavia) to Cape Town, where he became one of the first to preach and spread the teachings of Islam in the Cape.

A shrine was erected in Cape Town in his honour, where his legacy is celebrated by the Islamic community.

In the 1990s, former President Nelson Mandela visited that country and developed a deep appreciation for the Indonesian Batik shirt – known in South Africa as the Madiba shirt. 

Relations between the two countries were formalised in 1994, with several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements signed since that time.

“We have a structured bilateral mechanism between South Africa and Indonesia that guides the relationship between the two nations. [The] high level visitation is really an expression – in the form of a State Visit – of the nature of the relationship and its propensity.

“Indonesia has been a key pen holder, multilaterally, to bring about Afro-Asian solidarity through convening the 1955 Bandung Conference 70 years ago, which still holds the principles that South Africa stands firmly for: non-alignment, respect for sovereign integrity of nation States and mutual respect,” Botes explained.

He highlighted that some of Indonesia’s actions on the global stage are in line with South Africa’s own policies.

“The role that Indonesia has played, for example, as a key interlocutor in peace diplomacy, on behalf of the Palestinian people, is significant.

“Much of the work that Indonesia has done, geopolitically, is reconcilable with South Africa’s foreign policy…in particular over the past year,” he told SAnews.

Trade relations have also strengthened, with South African exports to Indonesia standing at R10.5 billion and Indonesian imports amounting to R16.9 billion.

In this regard, the Deputy Minister remarked during the SA-Indonesia Business Forum that the two countries’ longstanding trade relationship can be transformed into a powerful economic partnership for the modern era.

“Our priority investment sectors include mining, manufacturing, services, infrastructure, and the green economy – with particular potential in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen, as well as the oil and gas sector.

“Indonesia’s leadership in the global nickel industry positions it as a natural partner for South Africa, whose reserves of manganese and platinum group metals are vital for battery and fuel cell technologies. 

“By integrating our strengths, we can create a sustainable electric-mobility value chain – from upstream mineral extraction, to downstream manufacturing and recycling. South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, valued at over R1.5 trillion, sets out a pathway for investment in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and hydrogen technologies,” the Deputy Minister said.

Following the business forum, Botes told SAnews that at least two areas were highlighted for pursuit.

“A key ambition from the business forum is the establishment of a working group that will ultimately lead to the launching of the South Africa-Indonesia Business Council. 

“The second… was on a possible partnership on the managing of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Indonesia has 19 SEZs – most with particular mandates. We think there are areas for collaboration in terms of SEZ governance and the digitisation thereof, so we will be pursuing some interesting discussions, which – hopefully – will ultimately lead to an establishment of a MoU,” Botes said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit will commence at 6am South African time on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za