Category: South Africa Government

As South Africa prepares to elect local government leaders who will shape the future of municipalities and communities across the country, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has emphasised the importance of broad public participation in the electoral process.

Hlabisa, who serves as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the 2026 Local Government Elections, said the elections give citizens an opportunity to choose leaders who are directly responsible for delivering services and driving development in their communities.

“The decisions taken by municipalities affect the daily lives of residents, from water and sanitation to roads, electricity, local economic development and community safety,” Hlabisa said.

He called on all eligible South Africans to register to vote or check their particulars during the upcoming voter registration weekend announced by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The Electoral Commission has set 20 June 2026 and Sunday 21 June 2026 as the official voter registration weekend. Voting stations across the country will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days, to enable new voters to register and existing voters to update their registration details.

“I encourage all eligible South Africans to register and ensure that their details are up to date. An inclusive and credible electoral process begins with voter registration. Every eligible citizen must seize this opportunity to make their voice count,” the Minister said.

People eligible to register to vote are South African citizens, at least 16 years old, and in possession of a green bar-coded ID book, smart ID card, or temporary identity certificate.

The Minister noted while citizens may register from the age of 16, they may only vote once they have reached the age of 18.

He called on all eligible citizens, especially young people, and first-time voters to play their part in strengthening South Africa’s democracy by participating in the registration weekend.

Citizens can also register to vote or update their registration details online through the IEC’s official registration portal, available 24 hours a day at https://registertovote.elections.org.za

Warning against online scams

The Minister also urged South Africans to remain vigilant against online scams, and to ensure that they only use official IEC platforms when registering or updating their details.

“The right to vote was hard won through decades of struggle and sacrifice. Many brave South Africans dedicated their lives to securing the democratic freedoms we enjoy today, and some never had the opportunity to cast a vote in a democratic South Africa.

“By registering to vote, we honour those who fought for our freedom and confirm our commitment to democracy. Our democracy is founded on the will of the people, and every vote contributes to building accountable, responsive, and developmental local government,” Hlabisa said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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South Africans are turning out in their numbers across the country as the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voter registration weekend for the 2026 Local Government Elections gets under way.

At a media briefing on Saturday, the commission’s Masego Sheburi revealed that some 330 000 voter registration applications were processed by noon.

He noted that nearly all voting stations were open and operating smoothly by 8am with those not opening on time “due to community protests”.

“The voter registration weekend…has started off on an overwhelmingly positive note in 23 706 voting stations.

“Just over 300 000 transactions were processed on the VMD [voter management device] at voting stations, while 30 000 were applications on the online platform. Predictably, provinces with population densities account for the majority of the transactions with KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape recording the highest applications.  

“Early indications point to young persons as the majority of applicants,” Sheburi said.

Furthermore, the commission’s contact centre has facilitated and assisted some “640 voters through direct queries, alongside 221 interactions via social media platforms”.

“The commission expresses its appreciation to the many South Africans who have participated in the registration process since this morning. The turnout recorded thus far reflects an encouraging commitment to democratic participation,” he said.

Documentation needed

Voter registration stations will remain open until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday and eligible citizens are reminded to register in the district where they reside.

Once registered, you will only be able to vote at that station.

“Voters are reminded that a valid South African identity document [liked] a green barcoded identity book, smart ID card, or valid temporary identity certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs, is required to complete their registration or update their details.

“The Department of Home Affairs remains open to facilitate access to the documentation required for voter registration.

“Although proof of address is not required for registration, providing an address or a description of a place of ordinary residence remains important to enable the chief electoral officer to allocate voters to the correct segment of the voters’ roll,” Sheburi explained.

Eligible citizens may also register online at registertovote.elections.org.za.

Voters can also verify registration details on the IEC app, by contacting the Commission’s contact centre on 0800 11 8000 or by sending their identity number via SMS to 32810.

“The online registration portal will remain open until midnight on the day the election is officially proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, after which voter registration and updates to registration details will close. 

“The commission also extends its gratitude to political parties, community leaders, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, security agencies and all stakeholders for supporting the registration process,” Sheburi added.

The 2026 Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Thousands of South Africans are expected to head to voting stations across the country from 8am today as the Electoral Commission (IEC) launches its nationwide voter registration weekend, with young people firmly in its sights.

More than 23 700 registration stations were expected to open their doors across South Africa, giving eligible citizens an opportunity to register to vote, verify their details or update their addresses ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Commission has used Youth Month to intensify its appeal to first-time voters, particularly those aged between 18 and 19, among whom registration levels remain low.

According to the IEC, more than 70% of South Africans in this age group are still not registered to vote.

The registration weekend comes at a crucial time for young people who will be voting in municipal elections that directly affect issues such as local infrastructure, public transport, housing, waste collection, recreation facilities and employment opportunities.

IEC officials said the Local Government Elections differ from national elections because voters must cast their ballots in the voting district where they are registered. For that reason, updating address details is as important as registering for the first time.

The Commission said it was fully prepared for the weekend, having deployed over 48 000 trained registration officials and more than 39 000 voter management devices to support the process.

The current voters’ roll contains approximately 28 million registered voters, but the IEC hopes this weekend will bring thousands more young South Africans into the democratic process.

Across campuses and communities, the Commission has been running extensive voter education campaigns aimed at encouraging youth participation. Through outreach programmes at tertiary institutions, more than 158 000 students have already been added to the voters’ roll this year.

Registration stations will remain open until 5pm today and tomorrow.

Citizens wishing to register must bring a South African identity document, Smart ID card, green barcoded ID book or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate. Proof of address is not required, although voters must provide details of their place of residence.

The Department of Home Affairs is also operating during the registration weekend to assist citizens requiring identity documents.

With the slogan “Get Up. Show Up. Vote.”, the IEC says this weekend is about ensuring every eligible South African has the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of their community.

For many young people, today could be the first step in a lifelong journey of democratic participation. – SAnews.gov.za

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With the deadline drawing near, National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have reminded the public to submit written comments on the 2026 draft Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (2026 draft Rates Bill).

Among other things, the draft Rates Bill outlines adjustments to various tax thresholds, exemptions and limits, as well as changes to excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco-related products.

The 2026 draft Rates Bill, which contains the proposed tax amendments, is available on the National Treasury and SARS websites.

Written comments can be sent to National Treasury’s tax policy depository at AnnexCProposals@zatreasury.onmicrosoft.com and to SARS at 2026LegislationComments@sars.gov.za by close of business on 26 June 2026. –SAnews.gov.za

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The Electoral Commission (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal says it is fully prepared for the voter registration weekend scheduled for 20 and 21 June 2026, a key milestone in preparations for this year’s Local Government Elections (LGE2026).

Addressing the media at the commission’s provincial offices in Westville, Durban, on Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga said extensive preparations had been completed to ensure a smooth registration process across the province’s 5 021 voting districts.

The registration weekend follows a ward boundary re-determination process undertaken by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), which resulted in the number of wards in KwaZulu-Natal increasing from 901 during the 2021 Local Government Elections to 921 for the 2026 polls.

Masinga said the increase was necessitated by legislative requirement for the number of registered voters to not exceed the permissible norm for each municipality across in the province.

“During this process, a number of voters were reassigned to different wards and voting districts,” Masinga said.
To ensure affected voters are correctly registered and informed of the changes, the Electoral Commission conducted a targeted communication and registration campaign between 22 and 24 May.

The campaign reached 1 188 affected voting districts across the province and yielded the highest results nationally.

“During this process, the province recorded the highest yield of all provinces, adding 15 689 new voters and updating registration details of 93 224 voters on the KZN segment of the voters’ roll,” Masinga said.
She encouraged voters who may not have been reached during the campaign to verify and update their addresses on the voters’ roll, to ensure they are placed on the correct segment of the voters’ roll.

Affected voters can update their addresses through the commission’s online voter registration portal registertovote.elections.org.za, or by visiting their nearest voting station during the registration weekend.
“This initiative reinforces the Commission’s commitment to an accurate voters’ roll and ensuring all eligible citizens can vote in their correct wards,” Masinga said.

The alignment of voting districts (VDs) to the newly demarcated ward boundaries has also increased the number of voting districts in the province from 4 974 used during the 2024 National and Provincial Elections to 5 021 for LGE2026.

KwaZulu-Natal now accounts for 21% of South Africa’s 23 706 voting districts, the highest share of any province.

Over five million voters registered
According to the latest registration figures, KwaZulu-Natal has 5 764 286 registered voters, representing 20.5% of the more than 28 million voters registered on the national common voters’ roll.

While voter registration levels remain strong, the commission has expressed concern about the participation of younger voters.

Of the 28 million registered voters nationally, approximately 4.5 million are aged between 18 and 29 years. However, the proportion of first-time voters within this age group remains lower than desired.
Masinga said the commission continues to work with a range of stakeholders to encourage and mobilise eligible young people to register and participate in the democratic process.

Women continue to make up the majority of registered voters in the province. According to the commission, female voters account for 3 256 368 of the registered electorate in KwaZulu-Natal, representing 56% of all registered voters.

10 000 registration officials recruited
To support the registration weekend, the Electoral Commission has recruited and trained 10 042 registration officials who will be deployed at voting stations throughout the province.

Masinga said transparency and electoral integrity remained central to the recruitment process.

“In the interest of transparency and electoral integrity, the names of Presiding Officers were shared with political parties, affording them an opportunity to raise objections where there may be concerns regarding the impartiality or suitability of any of these officials,” she said.

The commission has also secured all 5 021 voting stations that will be operational during the registration weekend.
Working closely with government departments and state entities, the IEC has ensured that voting stations will be accessible and equipped with the basic amenities required for efficient operations.

Security arrangements have also been put in place, with the province working closely with security establishments to ensure the registration weekend is held in a secure and conducive environment.
“We are confident that all voting stations will operate efficiently and effectively throughout the registration period,” Masinga said.

The distribution of registration materials, including Voter Management Devices (VMDs), stationery packs, directional signage and document storage boxes, has also been completed in all 44 municipalities.

A total of 7 908 VMDs will be available for use across the province’s 5 021 voting districts, with additional devices allocated to high-volume voting districts to minimise waiting times and improve service delivery.
Masinga said the devices had undergone maintenance and testing to ensure operational readiness.

The VMDs enable real-time citizenship verification, accurate capture of voter information and direct integration with the voters’ roll. In areas where network connectivity is unavailable, data will be stored on the devices and uploaded once connectivity is restored.

All voting stations will be open from 08:00 to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday to allow eligible citizens to register, re-register or update their registration details. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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The call for a skills revolution in South Africa will remain little more than a talking point unless learners are actively encouraged to enrol at TVET colleges and other post-school institutions.

This is according to Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who addressed the launch of the Artisan and Skills Development Centre at Elangeni TVET College in Inchanga, west of Durban, on Friday.

Dube-Ncube called for a renewed effort by government, communities, industry and education stakeholders to elevate the status of vocational education and ensure that skills development translates into meaningful economic opportunities.

“Yesterday [Thursday] at the career expo in Ndwendwe, while interacting with learners in basic education, I had a reckoning with the fact that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges remain unattractive to our learners,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Deputy Minister said South Africa’s economic future depends on building a strong skills pipeline aligned with the country’s industrial, infrastructure and economic development needs.

She stressed that investment in skills development facilities must be matched by efforts to attract students and ensure institutions fulfil their intended mandate.

“We hold a responsibility to ensure that the money and infrastructural investment of institutions like these do not fall by the wayside. We need this TVET college to action its envisaged mandate, and it is in that hope that every TVET college in the country follows suit,” the Deputy Minister said.

Dube-Ncube described the launch of the Artisan and Skills Development Centre as a significant step towards strengthening vocational training and expanding access to skills that are increasingly in demand in the modern economy.

She said TVET colleges should no longer be viewed as secondary institutions but as central pillars of South Africa’s economic reconstruction and development agenda.

“Today’s gathering must signal a shift in how we understand the role of TVET colleges within the Post-School Education and Training system. It should affirm that these institutions are not peripheral, nor secondary, but are in fact central to our national development agenda and industrial future.” she said.

The Deputy Minister noted that South Africa is transitioning towards an economy driven by advanced manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, digital transformation and infrastructure development.

In this environment, she said, TVET colleges have a critical role to play in producing the skilled workforce required to support economic growth and industrial competitiveness.

“TVET colleges are not simply training institutions. They are strategic economic enablers,” she said.

Dube-Ncube said education and employment can no longer be treated as separate stages of development, arguing that learning must be directly linked to workplace readiness, productivity and innovation.

The new centre, she said, is expected to provide artisan training, workplace-based learning opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and industry-responsive technical education programmes.

“It represents a decisive shift from training for certification to training for production, employment and enterprise creation,” she said.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of aligning training programmes with the economic realities of local communities.

She said the centre’s location positions it to support economic activity and skills development in Inchanga, Hammarsdale, Ximba, Nyuswa and surrounding rural and peri-urban communities.

“We must be deliberate in aligning education provision with economic geography, ensuring that training institutions are embedded within growth corridors where skills demand is real, immediate and expanding,” she said.

She called on industry partners to expand workplace placement opportunities, apprenticeships and graduate absorption programmes.

“Training without absorption does not complete the development cycle,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) continues to make significant strides in connecting young South Africans to earning opportunities, with 155 161 new opportunities secured during the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.

Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, Deputy Minister in The Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli said the intervention remains a key vehicle in government’s efforts to address youth unemployment.

“The PYEI is South Africa’s most comprehensive flagship strategy designed to address the chronic youth unemployment crisis. Launched in 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the PYEI acts as a multi-sector action plan aimed at transitioning young people from ‘learning to earning’. 

“Rather than replacing existing systems, it coordinates, accelerates, and enhances national efforts across government departments, the private sector, and civil society,” Mhlauli said.

The Deputy Minister noted that the release of the fourth-quarter report coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprising.

“Today’s progress report comes at a seminal moment as we commemorate the strides made by the youth of 1976 exactly 50 years ago. Let their steadfast courage and sacrifice be a reminder to all young people of South Africa that change only comes about though action,” she said. 

She encouraged young people to participate in the upcoming voter registration weekend.

“We therefore want to encourage all young people to make use of this upcoming open voter registration weekend of the IEC to register to vote. By registering to vote, young people affirm their voice, strengthen our democracy and contribute to building a South Africa that reflects their aspirations, hopes and dreams,” Mhlauli said. 

According to the report, the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), which serves as the backbone of the intervention, continues to expand its reach. 

More than 5.9 million young people are currently registered on the SA Youth platform, while over 5.36 million are registered on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system.

Mhlauli said since its launch in 2020, the PYEI has facilitated access to more than 2.5 million temporary earning opportunities through SA Youth and a further 422 667 opportunities through ESSA.

She added that the intervention continues to advance gender inclusion, with over 70% of opportunities accessed through SA Youth being taken up by young women.

Among the key achievements recorded during the quarter was the placement of 18 310 young people into workplace experience opportunities through the private-sector-led Youth Employment Service (YES).

In addition, the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) placements programme facilitated 5 005 work-integrated learning opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners and graduates.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) provided 6 085 financial and non-financial enterprise opportunities to young entrepreneurs, while Phase 4 of the revitalised National Youth Service (NYS) recruited an additional 5 272 young people.

This brought the total number of paid service opportunities created through the programme to 138 056 since its inception.

Looking ahead, Mhlauli said Phase 5 of the NYS will recruit a further 100 000 young people across the country.

A major highlight during the quarter was the conclusion of the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund Pilot, a R300 million outcomes-based financing initiative aimed at supporting youth employment.

As of 30 March 2026, the pilot had enrolled 9 174 young people, achieving 110% of its enrolment target. It also secured 7 044 job placements, exceeding the original target by 54%.

Furthermore, 5 211 three-month sustained jobs had been verified, while 3 795 jobs had been sustained for six months as verification processes continued.

“Most importantly, it proved that outcomes-based financing successfully supports the most disadvantaged, with youth from Quintile 1 schools achieving higher retention rates. Based on these lessons, we are preparing to scale this fund to R1 billion to deliver 20,000 high-quality job placements through a public-private partnership approach,” Mhlauli said.

The Deputy Minister highlighted progress made through the NPMN Innovation Fund, which is focused on expanding opportunities in rural communities.

She said HPSA Southern Africa has enrolled 1 800 young people in KwaZulu-Natal to provide agricultural and animal health services. Of these, 678 are already generating income, collectively recording R1.4 million in sales.

“Already, 678 of these young people are actively generating income, recording R1.4 million in collective sales and proving how targeted innovation can build sustainable self-employment where formal jobs are scarce,” she said.

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 financial year, Mhlauli said government remains focused on expanding quality work opportunities and strengthening partnerships to support young people. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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A councillor at the Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo has been arrested on charges of corruption for the alleged attempted bribery of a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator.

According to the SIU, Councillor Netshivhumbe Gumani, who is in office, allegedly offered the investigator some R70 000 in exchange for obstructing justice in an investigation at the Mahikeng Local Municipality.

The corruption busting unit is investigating allegations of maladministration and corruption in Mahikeng concerning to two tenders related to lease agreements.

“The SIU’s forensic analysis revealed suspicious financial flows from the municipality’s service provider to unrelated companies and individuals.

“During the investigation, Gumani first approached one SIU investigator, who refused outright. He then targeted a senior investigator, offering R70 000 to ‘close one eye’ and disregard evidence. On 18 June 2026, during a meeting in Mahikeng, the suspect handed over R10 000 in cash as part of the bribe,” the SIU explained.

A third SIU official from the unit’s headquarters was also approached.

“The SIU had alerted SAPS [South African Police Service] and the Hawks, who authorised an entrapment operation. The suspect was arrested immediately after handing over the cash, and the money was seized and counted in the presence of law enforcement officers.

“The SIU emphasises that its investigators uphold the highest standards of integrity. This case sends a strong deterrent message: corruption will not be tolerated, and those who attempt to corrupt SIU investigators will face the full might of the law,” the SIU stated.

Gumani has appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng with the case postponed to 29 June for a bail application. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially opened the newly renovated South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Museum, describing it as a place of learning, heritage and national pride that will help South Africans better understand the role of the country’s central bank.

Speaking at the launch of the museum in Tshwane on Friday, the President said the institution will play an important role in educating the public about monetary policy, financial stability and the country’s economic history.

He said that while the work of a central bank is often not widely understood, it has a significant impact on the daily lives of South Africans.

“Yet the work of this institution has a profound impact on the value of the money in our pockets and the stability of the banks that hold our savings. It gives businesses – both large and small – the confidence to plan, to invest and to grow,” he said.

The President congratulated the Reserve Bank for establishing the museum, saying it will help inform and educate the public about the role and history of the institution.

“Through its exhibitions and its dedicated schools outreach programme, we expect the museum to deepen financial and economic literacy in society,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the museum will provide young people with an opportunity to better understand how economies function and why institutions that safeguard the country’s financial system are important.

“Our young people will be able to walk through these halls and understand how an economy works, how money holds its value and why the institutions that safeguard it matter.”

The President also welcomed the museum’s inclusion of the Reserve Bank’s extensive art collection, which he said reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage.

“As Governor Kganyago has mentioned, the Reserve Bank has a long and proud history of supporting South African artists, having procured thousands of artworks over many years.

“Through this museum, the Bank is giving the public an opportunity to view its extensive art collection in an accessible way.”

Economic stability and the Constitution

The President emphasised the importance of the Reserve Bank in maintaining economic stability, noting that a stable currency and sound financial system are essential for economic growth, job creation and household financial security.

“When inflation is kept in check, it is the poorest who are protected most. It is they who suffer the most when prices spiral and savings erode,” he said.

Credibility

He stressed the need to protect the institution’s credibility and autonomy.

“We must cherish and defend the integrity and independence of the Reserve Bank for it is a national asset built up over many years and trusted around the world,” he said.

The President also paid tribute to the leaders who have guided the institution since the advent of democracy, including former governors Chris Stals, Tito Mboweni and Gill Marcus, as well as current Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

“The high regard in which this institution is held is the result of the work of many dedicated men and women,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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