Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa is preparing to develop a comprehensive nuclear industrialisation plan that goes far beyond simply converting nuclear energy into electricity, according to Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

“It’s not just about converting nuclear energy into electricity. It’s about what benefits the South African economy and what components within the nuclear fuel cycle we can domesticate or localise,” Ramokgopa said.

The Minister was speaking during a media briefing on Sunday, where he unveiled the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 following its approval by Cabinet on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.

The R2.2 trillion IRP is a comprehensive strategy that outlines the allocation of South Africa’s primary energy resources, ensuring that the country’s electricity demand is met sustainably and cost-effectively.

By 2039, government aims to add 105 000 megawatts of new generation capacity – effectively building Eskom “two and a half times” its current size.

Key highlights include 11 270 megawatts of solar photovoltaics (PV) by 2030; 7 340 megawatts of wind energy; 6 000 megawatts of gas-to-power, and 5 200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity.

“Nuclear is a big part of our conversation. We’re building 5 200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity in this country. I have made the point that the State will not prevaricate.

“The State will ensure that we are very deliberate, we are transparent in the way we are going to procure this clean energy technology solution. Nuclear… is a big part of what we’ll be doing.”

According to Ramokgopa, the strategy involves close collaboration with scientists to identify specific opportunities for local manufacturing and economic development.

“You know that we have haemorrhaged the skills the [of the] scientists [who] have left as a result of us not building any new nuclear programme. They have left and are all over the world. It’s important that the industrialisation plan also answers the questions: where are the skills going to come from, and how are we going to generate the pipeline of skills going into the future?”

Ramokgopa recognised that there is a shortage of skills needed to support this programme. To address this, he is collaborating with universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, particularly in the fields of engineering related to the built environment and nuclear issues.

“The second risk that sits here is that our industry has been decimated. Historically, we’ve had the big five construction companies. I think now we’re only left with one. If we are going to ramp up this build programme… we’re likely not to have an industry that is in a position to take advantage of these opportunities.”

The Minister said government will meet with industry players to determine how they can increase their capacity to meet the demands of this programme. 

“Of course, the assurance they want from us is that we’re not going to start and stop.”

With over 20 countries committing to expanding nuclear energy at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP28, South Africa sees this as a strategic economic opportunity.

He announced that aspects of the proposed plan include identifying localisable components in the nuclear fuel cycle, exploring small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, developing local industrial capabilities and creating employment opportunities in the nuclear sector.

The Minister noted that globally, around 100 SMR technologies are currently at various feasibility stages, with potential for significant commercial development.

In addition, he said 40 of the world’s top financial institutions have committed to financing nuclear projects, providing additional confidence in the sector’s future.

“We want to develop a nuclear industrialisation plan that creates jobs, builds industries, and supports our broader economic transformation,” the Minister told the media.

Ramokgopa believes that the plan represents a strategic approach to leveraging nuclear technology not just as an energy solution, but as a catalyst for broader industrial development and economic growth. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced an ambitious Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 aimed at resolving the country’s long-standing electricity crisis and jump-starting economic growth. 

Government plans to invest R2.2 trillion, which is about 30% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), in a comprehensive energy transformation strategy.

This comes after last week’s announcement by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, of Cabinet approving a new roadmap. 

“As a result of the lights being off, the South African economy has not been able to grow, as they say in economics. Electricity has been a structural constraint to the South African economy,” Ramokgopa said at a Sunday media briefing. 

He highlighted how persistent power shortages have stunted economic development and contributed to high unemployment rates. 

“Now that we have turned the corner on load shedding, we are addressing the future. Energy now ceases to be a crisis; energy and electricity are going to be a catalyst for growth,” Ramokgopa. 

The IRP aims to address electricity supply issues, promote economic growth, and create jobs, targeting a 3% GDP growth by 2030. 

“There is no economy that grows if the lights are off. There are no industries that will decide to locate in South Africa if we can’t guarantee them available electricity that is of good quality and that is affordable.”

The move also introduces a dramatic shift in the country’s energy mix, with cleaner energy sources like hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar set to surpass coal for the first time in the nation’s history. 

By 2039, government aims to add 105 000 megawatts of new generation capacity – effectively building Eskom “two and a half times” its current size.

Key highlights include 11 270 megawatts of solar photovoltaics (PV) by 2030; 7 340 megawatts of wind energy; 6 000 megawatts of gas-to-power, and 5 200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity. 

Currently, 58% of installed capacity comes from coal, with 10% from rooftop PV, 10% from grid-connected solar PV, 8% from wind, and 3% from nuclear sources.

The Minister also acknowledged two primary challenges, including a limited skills pipeline and a decimated construction industry. 

However, he stressed that government remains committed to transforming South Africa’s energy landscape and creating economic opportunities.

“This is not just an electricity programme, but a response to an economic question,” the Minister said. 

He underscored the plan’s broader ambitions of economic revival and job creation.

“We’re talking about growth, industrialisation, new skills, and resuscitating collapsed industries,” he said.

The Minister also took the time to stress the plan’s energy security, reducing load shedding, and ensuring affordable electricity.

“We want to ensure that each household has access to this electricity, and this electricity is affordable, and we can guarantee it into the future. That’s the point that we are making.”

Ramokgopa believes that human development has a relationship with GDP growth. 

“For as long as there is no electricity, for as long as the lights are off, we are going to undermine the country’s potential to achieve its ambitions of growth and ensure that we can attract the necessary investments, and then that the people of this country can grow at levels that our potential dictates. 

“That’s what we are resolving now. It’s not just about the megawatts. We are constructing a story about how we’re going to get the South African economy back on its feet.”

The strategy also commits to significant emissions reductions, targeting approximately 160 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent by 2030, declining to 142 million tonnes by 2035.

The Minister also announced that Eskom has already shown promising improvements, with the energy availability factor rising from 48% during peak load shedding to around 70% currently, providing a strong foundation for the ambitious energy transformation. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has pledged that South Africa’s Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) will drive a strong Global South agenda focused on debt relief, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the recently held Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) in Istanbul, Mashatile said South Africa will use its leadership of the world’s most influential economic forum to “amplify the voices of developing nations” and push for a fairer global financial system.

“We aim to renew efforts to tackle the critical issue of debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on Africa and the Global South.

“Our initiative will address weaknesses in the international debt architecture, including high financing costs and the prioritisation of debt service over essential development needs,” said Mashatile.

South Africa became the first African nation to assume the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, under the theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. Mashatile said this theme captures the country’s vision for a people-centred and inclusive global order.

He emphasised that South Africa’s G20 Presidency coincides with a pivotal moment for Africa’s representation in global governance, following the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the G20. 

“The AU’s six priorities for its participation in the G20 all find expression in South Africa’s theme,” he noted.

Mashatile also underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships with like-minded nations, describing Türkiye as a key ally. 

“South Africa appreciates having partners such as Türkiye, whose stance on multilateral issues aligns with the ideals of the developing world,” he said, acknowledging Ankara’s early support for South Africa’s G20 leadership.

During his visit, the Deputy President co-chaired the inaugural session of the South Africa–Türkiye Bi-National Commission aimed at deepening political and economic cooperation. He urged both countries to unlock new possibilities in trade, investment, and technology.

“The future belongs to those who build together, who look beyond borders, and who transform shared aspirations into shared prosperity,” Mashatile said.

Outlining four priorities for South Africa’s G20 term, he highlighted the need to strengthen disaster resilience and response to climate-related crises, which continue to hit vulnerable nations hardest. He also called for renewed cooperation in science, technology, and innovation to drive growth across the Global South.

Invoking the African philosophy of ubuntu, Mashatile said the world’s challenges require collective solutions.

“Ubuntu reminds us of our shared humanity. It must guide our leadership in shaping a more equitable global order,” he concluded.

The Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum brought together African ministers, business leaders, and Turkish officials to strengthen trade ties and discuss joint responses to global challenges. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The Limpopo Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has instructed the police in Elandskraal to utilise all available resources in their efforts to apprehend the male suspects involved in a series of house robberies that occurred in Kliphuiwel village during the early hours of Saturday, 18 October 2025.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the suspects involved appear to be part of a group of criminal syndicates that targeted the Kliphuiwel Section community in the Sekhukhune District. 

The modus operandi of these armed suspects reveals that they specifically aimed to invade various homes in the area at gunpoint, as evidenced by three separate incidents.

“At about 2am, five unknown male suspects with firearms allegedly entered the house of a female victim, who was sleeping with her family.

“They kicked open a bedroom door and took valuables, including a cellphone, schoolbag and also robbed the family of an undisclosed amount of cash,” the SAPS statement read. 

An incident of a home invasion occurred around 3am when an unknown male suspect pointed a firearm at a female victim outside her residence. 

According to the police, the victim was ordered to enter her house, and two additional unknown males followed her inside and fired one shot.

“The suspects allegedly ransacked the house and took cellphones valued at more than R5 000 and an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene.” 

At around 3:50am, a male victim was robbed of his cellphone at gunpoint by three male suspects while he was sleeping at home. 

The trio then fired a shot outside the house before fleeing the scene on foot.

“I have directed the police to work tirelessly around the clock to track and arrest these suspects. We will never allow our community to live in fear of these criminal elements,” said Hadebe. 

SAPS has announced that a manhunt for the suspects is currently ongoing and is requesting anyone who has information that could help in apprehending these suspects to contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Cedric Monakedi, on 082 414 6674. 

Alternatively, you can reach the crime stop number at 08600 10111, report to your nearest police station, or use the MySAPSApp. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Many will remember the childhood threat to finish our vegetables at dinnertime, or risk not growing up to be as strong as our favourite superheroes in comic books or TV shows.

And while we wished that those superheroes would swoop in to rescue us from the dreaded broccoli or whatever was on the plate, never would we have imagined that research being carried out today is looking into preserving what is on our plate from possible threat.

As adults, we’ve come to realise that heroes do exist in real life, albeit not cloaked in spandex and capes. The hero in this case is the National Planning Commission (NPC) which is working on research in the agricultural space at a time when climate change is having its way with the world.

“What would it look like if for example if certain crops are no longer available? What will it look like if we no longer have access to wheat at the price that we are used to? What does it mean for the cost of pap and what does that mean for our cultural legacy and the way that food plays a really important part in our social traditional, communal ways of being, ways of celebrating and ways of sustaining ourselves?”

 Commissioner at the NPC, Dr Lebogang Pheko recently told SAnews, in an interview. 

While her comment is indeed a scary thought, it points to the important role of research in any society.
Appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa, the Commission is an independent advisory body and think tank that is the custodian of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). 

The plan seeks to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 with raising economic growth, promoting exports and getting the economy to be more labour absorbing being a part of the plan’s objectives.
As one of the 26 Commissioners of the NPC, Pheko is putting her hand to the plough.

“We have been able to procure and to commission pieces of important research [which] speak to issues…including different agricultural methods, small business development, red tape reduction, irrigation and agriculture in this country,” she said.

Chapter 6 of the NDP states that agriculture, “as the primary economic activity in rural areas, has the potential to create close to one million new jobs by 2030. It adds that the vegetable industry could be one of the largest contributors to job creation and the improvement of livelihoods if the potential growth in demand in South Africa and the southern African region is considered”.

Research into irrigation and agriculture is among the body of research that Dr Pheko is working on. 

“What we were looking at there was a few things: we were bearing in mind that firstly we are in the midst of climate change and climate vagaries. This means that with the water scarcity that we experience as a country is potentially going to get worse unless we begin to put in place mechanisms to reduce and manage that.” 

The implications of that, she told SAnews are that harvesting seasons may change and that the kinds of foods that have been readily available may also change.

“This also has implications and bearing not only for the cost of food which is extremely significant, and the way that we have to import and export food in the future but also for the kinds of legacy foods that we associate with our day-to-day life,” she explained.

Pheko, who is also a senior researcher and political economist, said the research also looks at  how the country should reframe its agricultural footprint going forward.

“It was also looking at the fact that many young people don’t have as much interest in land as we would like them to and in agricultural pursuit. We must think and rethink how we not so much rebrand …but really rethink the ways in which we are able going forward, to ensure that irrigation and agricultural studies are part of a discourse of nation building,” she explained.

In a newsletter to the nation in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that agriculture is one of South Africa’s most important sectors in the economy, adding that data from the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) showed that the country’s agricultural exports reached a record $13.7 billion in 2024. Forty four percent of the products were exported to other African countries.

Additionally, the value and volume of the farming sector has more than doubled since the dawn of democracy in 1994 and is a major source of employment with 924,000 people having worked directly in agriculture and over 200,000 having worked elsewhere in the agriculture value chain by the end of 2024.
“The health and growth of our farming sector is vital to supporting small towns and keeping rural South Africa vibrant,” said the President.

To expand agriculture and create one million jobs in the sector, the Commission in the NDP makes several recommendations including increasing investment in water resource and irrigation infrastructure. Another of its recommendations is “to increase and refocus investment in research and development for the agricultural sector”. 
Pheko said another element of the research was looking at what climate change looks like in the context of climate mitigating factors the country has to take into consideration.

“We’ve already seen this in KwaZulu-Natal where it’s becoming an annual occurrence that there are terrible floods, and yet it seems like we’re not able to mitigate this. What this means is also that, amid the floods, there will be disruption of everyday life.

“It also links to urban and rural planning and the intersection between urban and rural planning because I sometimes think that there’s a bit of a false divide between the two. We must plan for cities in the context of urban areas. We have to plan urban areas in the context of rural areas because we cannot continue to have the kind of overflow of people into urban areas because they don’t see a life for themselves in rural areas.

“So, sustainability in terms of water, in terms of agriculture, means that we have to rethink our rural development plans in the context of urban planning and in the context of self-sufficient autonomous nodes of possibility where people of all generations feel as though they can make a life for themselves,” she explained.

Beyond 2030 and why it matters

And just as superheroes anticipate trouble around those they protect, the research looks at various scenarios ensuring that the country does not find itself in a lamb to the slaughter situation.

“The research looks beyond 2030, its really long-term intergenerational planning. We are trying to project what are the sorts of scenarios that would be important for us to put in place so that we are able to begin to think and reimagine some of our socio spatial, socio agricultural and socio water and energy needs going forward.”
Asked about how she would describe the current South African landscape ahead of the 2030 NDP deadline, Commissioner Pheko said that the country’s economy continues to be complex in nature.

“Our economy is really complex – complex historically because of the kind of political economy of extraction that we come from, and we haven’t been really able to shift and remodel,” she explained.

She further added that the country’s economy tended to be labour intensive.

“For an economy that is trying to be STEM [ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] oriented in generations to come, our basic fundamental education is not feeding into that sufficiently. You still have a large percentage of young people who by Grade 5, 6 cannot read for comprehension. You also have a large amount of young people who cannot grasp the fundamentals of mathematics in a way that is necessary for us to build a STEM culture.”

She added that to create a STEM culture requires intentionality and that the country’s planning and knowledge economy is not matching up with what “we hope will be our labour economy and a diversification of skills.”

“Another part is that our skills in the agricultural market, which is a very important market, are also being overtaken by mechanisation. We have to rethink our export and import markets,” she said.

G20

With the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held from 22-23 November 2025, the NPC has been privy to some of the conversations ahead of the Summit.

“The NPC – because of our socio policies positioning – has been privy to quite a few of those conversations and processes,” she said, adding that the grouping provides an opportunity to advocate for issues that are impacting not only African nations but also the broader, global community. 

“We are also trying to leverage our Presidency to amplify voices of dispossessed populations across the continent including advocating for the inclusion of more African nations in the G20 discussions.
“And remember, this follows the membership of the African Union [AU] as a bloc in 2023 and whether or not that membership of the AU is yielding dividends is something perhaps, we should advocate for and be much more vigorous about. 

“It also coincides with a time of a lot of grappling with multiple crises including climate change, food security and economic instability among others. We can also think around how South Africa can confront these issues by trying to encourage more collaborative international efforts that recognise the interconnectedness of our challenges as a globe.”

She added that the G20 has substantive economic clout as it represents 85% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 75% of international trade.

“Again, I’m no champion of GDP as the primary instrument of growth, I think it is neocolonial and hasn’t really proven itself to be the most effective way to reframe development. But that said, certainly in terms of what those figures represent and the engagement in this influential forum to leverage this, perhaps those would be some of the few talking points.

Legacy

With the term of office of the Commissioners due come to an end in 2026, Pheko said that what keeps her up at night is the “possibility that we won’t be able to, after all of these efforts to look our descendants in the eye.”

“The possibility that we don’t deal with growing inequality…the missing middle and that the disposed remain dispossessed and lose hope in any possibility of a way forward, that for me is the worst-case scenario.”

Pausing to reflect on what she would like her legacy to be she said: “I think a commitment to building a solid foundation for policy formulation to enable our future governments and future Commissions to respond to the needs of citizens where we left off. I think another legacy would hopefully be a commitment that people would see that we tried to draft a long-term plan that charted a course for the country with multiple forms of growth. 

“I also hope that we leave behind a legacy of collaboration, of strategic foresight to hopefully shape the future in a small way,” she said. 

With the five-year, part time term of office of the third cohort of the NPC Commissioners approaching, Pheko said the work that the Commissioners are carrying out is not about reinventing the wheel.
“What we are trying to do is to build legacy work and legacy projects,” she said.

Just as superheroes prioritise the wellness of those they protect, the Commission is doing its bit by way of research to ensure a better South Africa, with our greens intact.-SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Umzinyathi District Water Summit wrapped up on Friday, with local leaders, stakeholders, and communities uniting to forge a cohesive plan for the district’s water future.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the summit’s outcomes and the crucial role of traditional leadership in achieving water sustainability.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all stakeholders, including government departments, municipalities, civil society, and the private sector, for your active participation and commitment to securing our district’s water future,” he said. 

Hlabisa emphasised the importance of the Amakhosi, acknowledging their deep-rooted connection to the land and resources. 

“Your wisdom and leadership remind us that water is not only a resource but a heritage,” he added. 

The two-day summit, which took place at Battlefield Country Lodge in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, addressed urgent water service delivery challenges across all 61 wards of the uMzinyathi District.

The summit’s theme: “Securing Umzinyathi District’s Water Future through Good Governance, Sustainable and Resilient Water Infrastructure,” guided various discussions and resolutions that are set to shape the region’s water policies. 

The gathering affirmed good governance as the cornerstone of effective service delivery. 
“We have committed to conducting skills audits, implementing capacity-building programs, and developing succession plans to ensure continuity and institutional memory.”

The summit also focused on ensuring equitable access to water. 
Delegates resolved to finalise the District Water Master Plan and prioritise refurbishing aged infrastructure. 

Hlabisa noted that short-term interventions, such as rainwater harvesting and borehole development, will complement long-term strategies.
These efforts aim to guarantee reliable water access for every household in Umzinyathi.

Water conservation and demand management were key discussion points, with participants expressing concerns over illegal connections and water losses. 
“We will enforce the bylaws, establish ward-based water committees, and implement awareness campaigns,” he said, stressing a proactive approach to curbing wastage.

In addition, financial sustainability emerged as another critical area of focus and detailed a plan to strengthen revenue collection and prioritise debt recovery. 

“Community engagement will reinforce the culture of paying for services,” he said, highlighting the necessity for infrastructure refurbishment to maintain revenue streams.

The summit also touched on the importance of road conditions in facilitating effective service delivery.
Hlabisa assured that collaboration with local municipalities to repair potholes would be prioritised, particularly in areas close to traditional leadership. 

“This is not only a gesture of respect but also a practical step to ensure safe access for traditional leadership and the communities they serve,” he said. 

As the summit concluded, Hlabisa called for urgent action. 

“These resolutions are not mere words; they are commitments that demand urgency, collaboration, and accountability. 

“The success of this summit will be measured not by the quality of our discussions, but by the speed and integrity of our implementation.” – SAnews.gov.za