Category: South Africa Government

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved an 8.76% electricity price hike in April this year, followed by an 8.83% increase in April 2027.

The move is a redetermination of Eskom’s price increases for the next two years, which were initially set at 5.36% for 2026/27 and a further increase of 6.19% for the 2027/28 financial year.

“The redetermination follows a High Court judgment [in December], which remitted NERSA’s decision on Eskom’s Generation RAB [Regulatory Asset Base] for 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 for redetermination.

“The redetermination was conducted using the approved MYPD4 [Multi-Year Price Determination] Methodology, following a public consultation process in line with the court judgement.

“This process entailed NERSA undertaking a detailed, component-by-component recalculation of Eskom’s Generation RAB, using the same information originally submitted by Eskom in its MYPD6 application and applying the approved methodology strictly,” a NERSA statement read.

The total additional revenue for Eskom will be implemented in phases.

“The phased approach limits additional price impacts to single digit increases in 2026/27 and 2027/28, and avoids any retrospective adjustment for 2025/26, in line with the court judgment. It further reduces tariff volatility and demand erosion risk and balances Eskom’s financial sustainability with customer affordability. No retrospective tariff increases were applied.

“The re-determination is consistent with the statutory tariff principles, which require tariffs that enable an efficient licensee to recover the full cost of licensed activities, including a reasonable return.

“NERSA’s adopted WACC [Weighted Average Cost of Capital] and phased recovery reflect an approach that ensures Eskom receives a reasonable, cost-reflective return while mitigating immediate tariff shocks, limiting demand erosion, and maintaining tariff stability. NERSA remains committed to transparent, fair, and independent regulation in the public interest,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Senior Advisor at the Presidential Climate Commission, Dipak Patel, as Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.

Patel previously served as the Senior Advisor for Climate Finance and Innovation at the commission and his new tenure will begin this year and end in 2030.

“Mr Patel’s designation as Deputy Chairperson forms part of strengthening the commission’s work on climate finance, investment mobilisation and the delivery of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition objective.

“Mr Patel is an experienced professional with expertise in production management, process engineering, climate finance, and investment banking, and has strong networks across the business and public sectors,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

Some 25 new commissioners were also appointed by President Ramaphosa earlier this year.

READ | President announces new Climate Commissioners

“The commission is an independent, statutory, multi-stakeholder body that oversees and facilitates South Africa’s just and equitable transition towards a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has outlined responsibilities that scholar transport operators must fulfil to advance their applications for operating within the legal framework.

To ensure compliance, operators must enter into formal agreements with parents, including signed indemnity forms granting responsibility to transport learners.

Vehicles used for scholar transport should also be roadworthy.

“They must also obtain endorsement letters from School Governing Bodies (SGBs) or school principals confirming that they transport learners from those institutions. The department has engaged the Gauteng Department of Education to facilitate this process,” the MEC said.

The MEC was addressing the Provincial Scholar Transport Stakeholder Engagement Meeting at the Johannesburg City Hall on Sunday.

The gathering served as a critical platform to advance discussions on shared responsibilities in ensuring learner safety, strengthening compliance enforcement, and addressing operational challenges faced by scholar transport operators across the province.

The meeting brought together scholar transport operators, industry stakeholders, and government representatives.

Diale-Tlabela stressed that government is committed to supporting operators to regularise their operations.

“The department has engaged private Vehicle Testing Stations (VTS) across Gauteng and negotiated reduced testing fees to make compliance more accessible. There is no excuse for transporting children in unroadworthy vehicles.

“As the Department of Roads and Transport, our responsibility is to assist them and ensure they operate within the law. But we must meet each other halfway,” she said.

Since the department intensified its compliance drive last year, more than 1 500 scholar transport operators have applied for operating licences. 

Of these, over 500 licences have already been issued, while 1 009 applications are currently in the finalisation stage. 

Some applications remain pending due to outstanding municipal concurrence, incomplete documentation, or changes in applicants’ contact details.

In the past two weeks alone, more than 600 application forms were collected from departmental offices, yet only 54 completed forms were returned. 

The MEC urged operators experiencing challenges to return to the department for assistance.

“If you are struggling with the process, come back to us. Our doors are open. But we cannot finalise your operating licence without the required documents. Learner safety cannot be compromised,” she said.

READ | Engagements continue to resolve public scholar transport payment matters. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has assured the mining community that environmental legislation and regulations are not designed to hinder development, but to ensure that it is responsible, sustainable and resilient in the long term.

“In fact, they are inseparable and can yield much-needed economic benefit for all South Africans. Striking the balance is often difficult because South Africans need and want economic development, but not at the expense of the environment,” the Minister said on Sunday.

Aucamp was addressing the Mining Indaba Critical Minerals Ministerial Roundtable in Cape Town, which brought together African leaders, industry stakeholders, and investors to discuss the responsible development of the continent’s mineral resources amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

“In line with the department’s mandate, I have a constitutional and legislative mandate to protect the environment, enforce environmental laws, and integrate sustainability into various economic sectors. This includes the mining sector. In this regard, I serve as the appeal authority for Environmental Authorisations issued for prospecting and mining activities,” the Minister said.

In the mining context, this translates into the following responsibilities:
•    Ensuring that environmental authorisations are credible, transparent and that decisions issued are legally defensible.
•    Ensuring that such decisions do not negatively impact water resources, ecosystems and biodiversity.
•    Enforcing compliance with environmental conditions of authorisation and rehabilitation obligations.
•    Support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts; and 
•    ensure that environmental governance contributes to investment certainty and does not create unnecessary delays.

“I remain fully committed to working closely with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum (DMPR) to improve alignment and streamline processes and timeframes, where possible, within the environmental management sector. 

“My department is already engaging with the DMPR in this regard, including through our ongoing collaboration on the Mineral Resources Development Bill.” 

Published in May 2025, the bill aims to restructure the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 to amend and insert new definitions and to provide for matters relating to small-scale and artisanal mining among others.

“Together we can ensure that South Africa’s mining sector grows in a manner that support’s economic development, protect our natural heritage and delivers lasting benefits for generations to come,” the Minister said.

In his address at the Ministerial Symposium on Sunday, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said discussions at the Mining Indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The Enquiry into the Fitness to Hold Office of Advocate Andrew Chauke, known as the Nkabinde Enquiry, is expected to resume hearings this morning with evidence leaders expected to present a request for postponement of proceedings.

The inquiry is led by retired Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde and was established in September last year to investigate and determine the fitness to hold office of Advocate Chauke, the Director of Public Prosecutions for the South Gauteng Division.

“When the hearings resume, the Evidence Leaders will present an application for the postponement of the public hearings by one week, to 17 February 2026, in order to finalise preparations for forthcoming witnesses and to ensure the orderly and uninterrupted continuation of the enquiry’s proceedings,” enquiry spokesperson, Tiyisela Mpuzana said.

An opposing application by Chauke’s legal team is also expected to be heard.

“It is further anticipated that, arising from the opposing application, the Chauke legal team will present a counter-application in relation to the same matter.

“The Enquiry Panel, chaired by Justice Bess Nkabinde, and assisted by Advocate Baloyi-Mere SC and Attorney Matshego Ramagaga, will, after due consideration, announce its ruling on the applications to be heard on Monday, 09 February 2026,” Mpuzana concluded.

Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa granted an extension for the completion date for the Nkabinde Inquiry.– SAnews.gov.za

 

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Botswana and Zambia have positioned themselves as key partners in Africa’s push for mineral beneficiation, energy security, and regional industrialisation, as leaders from both countries called for deeper cooperation and long-term investment.

The two countries said this at Brand South Africa’s Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Welcome Reception on Sunday night.

Botswana’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Bogolo Kenewendo, said her country is deliberately shifting from an extractive mining model towards industrialisation, energy security, and regional value chains.

Kenewendo said Botswana’s long-standing reputation as a stable and transparent mining jurisdiction provides a strong foundation for its next phase of growth, which would be driven by beneficiation, downstream manufacturing, and cross-border integration.

“We are looking for serious partners, and not exploitation and exploration, but in beneficiation, in processing, and in the downstream manufacturing. If your minds are thinking beyond the pit into smelting, refining, fabrication, or regional supply, Botswana wants to work with you now,” she said.  

Without energy, she said, industrialisation would not be possible, noting that Botswana is aggressively expanding its power base through renewable energy, base-load generation and cross-border power agreements within the Southern African Power Pool, including cooperation with Zambia, Namibia and South Africa.

Head of Investments: Mining and Energy at the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia, Mulumba Lwatula, echoed the call for regional collaboration, saying Africa must drive its own development agenda by leveraging continental strengths.

Lwatula said Zambia now views itself as “land-linked” rather than landlocked, positioning the country as a logistics and trade hub within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

He said Zambia was implementing mining sector reforms and creating platforms for partnerships with junior explorers, major mining companies, and regional governments to expand copper production and support the global energy transition.

He added that regional cooperation, particularly with South Africa’s established mining expertise and infrastructure, would be critical to building human capital, scaling production, and strengthening Africa’s role in global value chains.

Sunday’s reception, which was addressed by Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, was held ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba on Monday, 09 February in Cape Town.– SAnews.gov.za

 

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Africa’s mineral wealth is placing the continent at the centre of future industries, from clean energy to advanced manufacturing, as demand for critical minerals accelerates the global energy transition. 

This is according to Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong, who was delivering the keynote address at Brand South Africa’s Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Welcome Reception Dinner held at The Capital Hotel in Cape Town on Sunday evening.

Held ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba on Monday, 09 February, Morolong said Africa is moving decisively from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a global hub for industrial value addition, driven by clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

“Our mobilising theme for this evening is industrialising Africa at scale, the role of strategic minerals, integrated infrastructure and continental policy, which speaks to a bold vision for our continent’s future.”
He said minerals were the backbone of modern economies and would become even more critical as the world decarbonises.

“Wherever we are or come from in the world, metals and minerals are part of our daily lives. Minerals are a lifeblood of any modern and modernising society,” he said.

Morolong added that Africa now has an “unprecedented opportunity to move from being a mere supplier of raw materials to becoming a hub of industrial value addition and innovation.”

He said the demand outlook for critical minerals underscored the urgency of Africa’s industrialisation drive, noting that minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements would soon surpass fossil fuels in global value.
“These are the new oils of the 21st century.”

Morolong noted that demand for minerals such as rare earth elements and lithium is projected to nearly triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, while cumulative revenues from critical minerals between now and 2050 are expected to be more than three times greater than those from fossil fuels.

“In other words, these minerals, all of which are found beneath African soil, will be significantly valuable to the global economy than oil or gas in the coming decades.”

He said this global shift places Africa and South Africa in particular at the forefront of future industries.
“As [the] South African government, we see Africa as a continent on the cusp of transformation. South Africa is a proponent, and a gateway to a fully integrated African economy that will no longer be defined by trade in raw materials, but by the production of tertiary goods such as battery, solar panels in electronics and industrial products that will power the 21st century.

“We invite our partners and investors congregated here tonight, and the rest of the week, to join us on this journey of a long-term partnership and shared prosperity,” the Deputy Minister said.

Value addition
Morolong said African countries have already begun restricting the export of unprocessed critical minerals to ensure value addition takes place on the continent.

“What this says is that we Africans are no longer content to merely supply the inputs of industrial economies. It says we want to capture the downstream opportunities and build industries for ourselves in the global economy.”

This shift is supported by continental policy frameworks, including the African Union’s African Green Minerals Strategy adopted in 2024, which guides countries on harnessing critical minerals for industrialisation.

Improving the investment climate
Turning to South Africa’s mining sector, Morolong said mining remains a cornerstone of the economy and must be managed sustainably.

“Minerals and metals account for nearly half of South Africa’s export by value, and mineral production is equivalent to about 10% of our GDP [Gross Domestic Product],” he said.

He said the government is implementing reforms to improve the investment climate, including streamlining licensing processes, addressing energy constraints and reforming logistics and port infrastructure.
“Government has raised [the] licensing threshold to encourage private power generation, enabling mining companies to invest in their own renewable energy plants.”

He stressed that infrastructure development remains central to Africa’s industrial ambitions.
“You cannot build a competitive and reliable industrial base without reliable power, good transport networks and efficient logistics,” he said.

Morolong also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he said would unlock economies of scale by creating a single African market valued at US$3.4 trillion.
“As we pursue growth through mining and industrialisation, we are keenly aware that our progress must be sustainable and inclusive,” he said, adding that developing human capital is essential to the continent’s industrial future.

He invited investors to partner with Africa on a long-term basis.

“We seek long-term partnerships that offer mutually beneficial outcomes, attractive returns for investors and sustainable development for our people,” Morolong said.

The reception, hosted by Brand South Africa, set the tone for the Mining Indaba 2026, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders ahead of a week of engagements under the theme: “Mining in Transformation: Fuelling Africa’s sustainable future.” 

READ | Morolong to address Brand SA Mining Indaba reception

By convening senior government leaders, captains of industry, continental institutions and international investors, the reception positions Africa’s mineral resources at the centre of global conversations on industrialisation, infrastructure development and long-term socio-economic transformation. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, will this evening deliver an address at the Brand South Africa Mining Indaba Welcome Reception in Cape Town.

The Deputy Minister’s address will focus on strategic minerals, integrated infrastructure, and continental policy.

The session will take place at the Capital 15 on Orange Hotel.

“Brand South Africa will host its official Welcome Reception on Sunday, 08 February 2026, as global leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry pioneers gather for Mining Indaba 2026, creating a moment for reflection, connection, and renewed commitment to Africa’s shared future. The reception sets the tone for the week ahead, anchoring conversations around responsible industrialisation, strategic minerals, and Africa’s role in shaping a just and inclusive global economy,” Brand South Africa said in an earlier statement.

It said the gathering is one where like-minded industry leaders come together to showcase how mining is not only about extraction, but about impact, legacy, and people.

“[The] Mining Indaba is a powerful platform that positions South Africa’s mineral wealth and reaffirms its global role as one of Africa’s leading mining giants. By convening senior government leaders, captains of industry, continental institutions, and international investors, the reception positions Africa’s mineral resources at the centre of global conversations on industrialisation,” said Neville Matjie, Chief Executive Officer of Brand South Africa.

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said discussions at the indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people.

“Our discussions today – and throughout the Mining Indaba – must, therefore, focus on how we can encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors, financial institutions, investors, and communities to unlock the full potential of our critical minerals for the benefit of our people,” Mantashe said on Sunday.

READ | Collaboration key to mineral beneficiation

The Minister was speaking at the Ministerial Symposium session ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town.

Minister Mantashe is set to address the official opening ceremony of the indaba on Monday, 09 February. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Discussions at the Mining Indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“Our discussions today – and throughout the Mining Indaba – must, therefore, focus on how we can encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors, financial institutions, investors, and communities to unlock the full potential of our critical minerals for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Speaking at the Ministerial Symposium session ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, Mantashe said mobilising capital at the scale required for exploration, responsible mining, and value-addition closer to the point of production cannot be achieved by governments alone.

“Nor can it be achieved by the private sector operating in isolation. It requires partnership,” he said, adding that South Africa is already acting on this approach through the establishment of the Junior Mining Exploration Fund.

The fund is a deliberate intervention, whose early outcomes point to substantial untapped mineral potential. From an initial allocation of R400 million, the Fund has already attracted pledges amounting to R2 billion.
“This demonstrates investor appetite where policy intent and financial instruments are aligned. While this is encouraging, it remains insufficient.”

He added that across the African continent, significant geological potential remains under-explored.
“We must intensify geological exploration and mapping across the continent through collaborative partnerships and alignment. Such efforts are essential to alleviate the scarcity of critical minerals and to diversify the geographic sources of production.

“Equally critical in the mining value chain is investment in infrastructure, processing facilities, and industrial ecosystems within producer countries. This is where partnerships become decisive: partnerships that align mining investment with infrastructure development, thereby ensuring that greater value is retained locally.”
In addition, he bemoaned the era of Africa competing against itself on who offers the lowest returns as not being a sustainable investment strategy.

“The opportunity before us is to structure partnerships that are transparent, predictable, and mutually beneficial. If we succeed, Africa’s mineral endowment will not only supply raw minerals to global markets but will [also] anchor industrialisation, create jobs, and support inclusive growth across the continent.
“Let us use this opportunity to bridge our differences and chart a clear and collective pathway towards Africa’s success, anchored in the responsible and strategic use of our mineral endowment,” said the Minister.

The Minister said that the G20 Declaration and the G20 Critical Minerals Framework of the first G20 Summit held on African soil in November last year provide a clear pathway forward.

“It seeks to unlock investment in mineral exploration, promote local beneficiation at source, and strengthen governance for sustainable mining practices. It affirms the right of mineral-endowed countries to harness their resources for industrialisation and inclusive growth, while providing long-term certainty.”

He said the key enabler of these initiatives is partnership.

In an advisory earlier this week, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said South Africa hosts the Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 8 to 12 February 2026.

Investor confidence 
The indaba brings together African leaders, industry stakeholders, and investors to discuss the responsible development of the continent’s mineral resources amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

“The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and its entities will use the Indaba platform to restore and strengthen investor confidence in South Africa’s mining sector. Since the previous Indaba, the Department has made significant progress in ensuring stability, policy certainty, and growth through the implementation of a transparent Mining Licensing System, the launch of the Critical Minerals Strategy, and the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, which has accelerated exploration activity and contributed to the discovery of new mineral deposits,” said the DMPR.

In line with its national strategy to build responsible, high-value supply chains, the DMPR will host several engagements on the sidelines of the Indaba, including the African Ministers’ Critical Minerals Roundtable, the Investor Dialogue on Building Critical Minerals Value Chains, the South Africa Exploration Investment Forum, the Women in Mining Brunch, and the Young Professionals Forum.

READ | Mining Indaba to strengthen collaboration between government, investors

Minister Mantashe is set to address the official opening ceremony of the indaba on Monday, 09 February. –SAnews.gov.za

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