Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for renewed political commitment, stronger institutional support and sustainable financing to fast-track Africa’s infrastructure development. 

Addressing the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI) Heads of State and Government Meeting on Friday at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, the President said strategic infrastructure remains central to Africa’s transformation, trade integration and long-term economic growth. 

“Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey. Through the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative, we are charting a course to accelerate the continent’s transformation by placing strategic infrastructure at the heart of our shared vision,” the President said in his closing remarks. 

The meeting reviewed progress made under the PICI portfolio and reflected on joint actions required to maintain momentum, particularly ahead of the African Union Summit scheduled for mid-February.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that infrastructure development goes beyond physical construction, noting that its impact must be felt at community level.

“This initiative is not simply about building roads, bridges and energy corridors. It is about connecting our people, our economies and our aspirations. 

“We need to ensure that these projects translate into tangible progress for every community, every region and every citizen,” he said. 

In his opening remarks, the President highlighted infrastructure as a key catalyst for inclusive growth, enabling access to markets, essential services and economic opportunities across the continent. 

“Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth and drives inclusive development. By prioritising infrastructure development, we are laying the groundwork for long-term economic resilience and continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said. 

Citing a joint report by the OECD and the African Union Commission, President Ramaphosa noted that Africa could double its GDP by 2040 if infrastructure investment is scaled up, but warned that the funding gap remains significant.

“It is estimated that between $130 billion and $170 billion is required annually to close the infrastructure funding gap in Africa,” he said.

Governments account for 41% of the continent’s infrastructure spend, underscoring their role in mobilising investment alongside development partners and the private sector.

Despite fiscal constraints and geopolitical shifts, President Ramaphosa said flagship projects under the PICI have shown resilience, pointing to progress on major cross-border initiatives.

“The Trans-Sahara Highway, for example, is now more than 90% complete. 

“The Algerian segment of the fibre optic link between Nigeria and Algeria is now operational,” the President said. 

He also welcomed efforts to eliminate roaming charges in the East African Community and renewed political momentum around the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which has mobilised more than $15 billion in investment interest.

To sustain this progress, the President said the PICI Secretariat must evolve into a dedicated project facility capable of moving projects from concept to financial close.

“With sufficient financial capacity, we will be able to deploy high-level technical expertise, conduct rigorous feasibility studies and create investment-ready packages that meet international standards,” he said.

However, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that challenges such as financing constraints, weak coordination, limited secretariat capacity and security risks continue to slow progress.

“These are real and pressing obstacles but they are not insurmountable,” he said.

Looking ahead to the upcoming AU Summit, the President said the focus must be on securing a clear mandate to strengthen political support, institutional capacity and financing for the next generation of infrastructure projects.

“We seek a mandate that re-energises political support for the initiative, that strengthens its institutional base, and that secures the sustainable financing and partnerships necessary to deliver the next generation of transformative infrastructure,” he said.

President Ramaphosa concluded by reaffirming that Africa’s development must remain driven by African leadership.

“Let us leave this meeting not only with a report to adopt, but with a renewed conviction that Africa’s development is, and must remain, championed by Africans. 

“It must be driven by our leadership, financed through our ingenuity and sustained by our shared vision for a continent that is connected in every sense.” 

The PICI was born out of a proposal by South Africa in 2011 to accelerate regional infrastructure development through the political championing of projects. The initiative serves as a high-level platform to put Africa on the right track towards unlocking its potential and thus achieving the “Africa we want”, as noted in Agenda 2063. 

With the active involvement of 12 championing Member States, PICI stands as solid proof of the steadfast dedication of African Heads of State and Governments towards accelerating infrastructure development through strong political support.

The PICI currently comprises 12 member countries (increased from the original eight), with the following Heads of State and Government serving as political champions: South Africa (Chair) – under President Cyril Ramaphosa, Algeria, Benin, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Sudan as the latest to request admission. – SAnews.gov.za 

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has delivered essential supplies to individuals and communities affected by the recent floods across Limpopo.

The intervention underscores government’s commitment to supporting affected communities during a challenging period, while emphasising the values of solidarity, compassion and collective responsibility.

The relief effort was undertaken in partnership with Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), the Office of the President, the State Security Agency, and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). The collaborating departments donated clothing and food parcels to flood-affected communities.

Speaking during the outreach on Friday, Ntshavheni said the initiative was inspired by the resilience and community spirit displayed by those affected.

“When we saw that resilience and community spirit, we felt the need to contribute. We made a call to staff of the departments that constitute the Ministry of the Presidency, including the Presidency, GCIS, StatsSA and the State Security Agency, asking them to donate.

“We said to them, in you own wardrobes, there would be things that you do not use. Can you donate them? And they donated in large volumes. Those are the volumes that we have brough to Limpopo,” the Minister said.

She added that surplus donations would be distributed to other affected provinces. 

“We are also going to take them to Mpumalanga, and if there are still remaining items, we will take them to northern KwaZulu-Natal,” she said.

Ntshavheni further noted that public interest in contributing had increased after the Ministry announced the donation drive. She said government would communicate mechanisms through which members of the public could continue donating, reinforcing the principle of “building together”.

In Tzaneen, the Minister acknowledged the support provided by the Department of Social Development (DSD), which delivered food parcels to residents who had been left without food. She appealed for donations of non-perishable food items to sustain ongoing relief efforts.

“The foundations can come and leave, but we need to be there as a community and support each other, and that is a call out (sic),” Ntshavheni said.

The Minister’s first visit was to Giyani, where she emphasised the strong cooperation between national and provincial government. She highlighted the establishment of the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management, which is coordinating the response and recovery efforts across affected areas.

Her second visit was to Tzaneen, followed by a visit to Petanenge Training Centre, where she reflected on the recurring nature of flooding in Limpopo. The final stop was at Impala Park Stadium in Phalaborwa, where she handed over clothing and essential items to affected residents. She confirmed that efforts to restore electricity in impacted areas are underway.

Ntshavheni expressed her empathy for the Phalaborwa community and commended residents for their unity and cooperation during the crisis. She also called for stronger collaboration between local communities and mining companies operating in Limpopo.

Referring to the recent Cabinet Lekgotla, the Minister said flood response efforts were among the matters discussed, reaffirming government’s commitment to ensuring close coordination between national, provincial and local structures in responding to disasters. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Department of Social Development has urgently deployed Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks to Mpumalanga to assist an elderly woman heading a household of five, including two grandchildren, following the recent floods.

The children recently lost their mother, and their house collapsed during heavy rains in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga. Fortunately, no one was at home at the time of the incident, although most of the family’s belongings remain buried under the rubble.

During a site visit on Friday, Hendricks was moved by the condition of household items recovered from the debris and immediately mobilised assistance for the family.

The Deputy Minister sourced an eight-sleeper heavy-duty army tent, fully equipped with double bunk beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows, a fire extinguisher and a wash basin. He also contacted the Chinese Embassy for assistance, which generously covered the cost of the tent and its contents.

In addition, five more fully fitted tents have been sourced through other donors. Hendricks indicated that efforts are under way to secure a total of 100 tents to support families affected by recent floods in the area.

Following the handover of temporary relief accommodation to the grandmother and her family, the Deputy Minister engaged with the members of the local Youth League to assist with monitoring the tent, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

“We are pleased that the granny can now have all the children she cares for living with her. The tent has taken up space previously used for her vegetable garden, and we hope that an alternative area will soon be identified so she can continue gardening.

“The living arrangements in tents for families take temporary relief to a new level, especially as many families feel uncomfortable staying in municipal halls, which affect privacy and, in some cases, separate families,” Hendricks said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Department of Higher Education and Training is in the process of conducting a sector-wide workshop on international relations, which is aimed at strengthening coherence and strategic alignment across the higher education and training sector.

This was announced by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, at the South African Students in China Association (SASCA) 3rd Virtual National Conference held on 31 January.

Delivering her keynote address, Dube-Ncube described the conference as a critical platform for advancing discussion, research and a deeper understanding of South Africa–China relations.

She emphasised that the engagements are valuable not only from a government-to-government perspective, but also through the lived experiences of students, who are the “end-product of this developmental partnership”.

She noted that the conference takes place at an opportune time, as the current dispensation reconsiders the significance of the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system in addressing urgent national priorities. These include inclusive economic growth, economic recovery, skills development and innovation, while manoeuvring an increasingly competitive and complex global context.

Dube-Ncube reflected on the evolution of South Africa–China relations over the past few decades, stating that the partnership cannot be viewed solely through the lens of economic engagement, but also rooted in shared historical experiences, political interests, and strategic calculations that have shaped the trajectory of the relationship in a deliberate and sustained manner.

She underscored that mutually beneficial cooperation between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China in the field of higher education and training, particularly within the framework of the People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM), remains both timely and strategic.

She said this cooperation is underpinned by focus areas that are designed to translate policy commitments into practical and measurable outcomes.

A central pillar of this collaboration is the expansion of international scholarship opportunities and short-term training seminars.

“These initiatives are essential to equipping South African students and professionals with advanced skills, global exposure and specialised training in priority areas aligned to South Africa’s development needs. They also contribute to building a cadre of globally competent graduates, who are well-positioned to contribute to the economy and public service upon their return,” Dube-Ncube said.

Internationalisation and national development linkage

The Deputy Minister highlighted that internationalisation has become essential for innovation, competitiveness and high-quality research in higher education.

“Alliances with foreign organisations offer opportunities for collaborative research, jointly supervised postgraduate education, innovation hubs and information sharing, especially in developing nations.”

Referencing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Beijing in 2024, Dube-Ncube reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which is firmly embedded in the country’s foreign policy ambitions.

She explained that the department’s sector-wide engagement on international relations will inform the finalisation of its International Relations Strategy. The initiative, she said, recognises that in an increasingly interconnected global environment, South Africa’s engagement in international education and research must be both coordinated and purposeful.

“Importantly, this sector-wide engagement will also contribute to the finalisation of the department’s International Relations Strategy, which will provide a clear policy framework to guide South Africa’s international cooperation in higher education and training. This strategy will serve as a critical instrument in aligning global partnerships with national skills needs, research priorities, and South Africa’s broader development agenda,” she said.

She stressed that while international partnerships are essential, they must be guided by clear national priorities, mutual benefit, and a long-term commitment to capacity building.

South Africa’s long-standing collaboration with China in various areas of higher education and training, Dube-Ncube said, continues to grow and contribute significantly to the country’s knowledge and skills development, alongside partnerships across other regions of the world.

Geopolitical focus-strategic partnership

Through trade, investment, infrastructure development, and technological collaboration, Dube-Ncube said China has strengthened strategic alliances on a bilateral level.

On multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, G20 and BRICS, China has played an increasingly prominent role in advancing collective action, South-South cooperation, and a more inclusive and multipolar global order.

The Deputy Minister said China is widely expected to play a leading role in advancing the BRICS agenda, leveraging its economic strength and global reach to deepen cooperation among Member Dtates.

In closing, the Deputy Minister emphasised that SASCA as more than a student organisation, but a bridge of unity, learning, and cultural exchange, empowering South African students to thrive abroad while proudly representing our nation and fostering enduring ties between the two countries.

She encouraged students to lead with passion, embrace challenges as opportunities and build lifelong connections.

“Let us carry the spirit of South Africa wherever we go, inspiring others through our actions, our culture, and our commitment to excellence,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in collaboration with other stakeholders will host outreaches in the form of activations, community media engagements and dialogues ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on the programmes of government on 12 February 2026.

The address is delivered at a Joint Sitting of Parliament, including both the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and focuses on the current political and socio-economic state of the nation.

The speech marks the opening of the Parliamentary programme and attracts interest from various stakeholders nationally and internationally as it sets the government agenda for the forthcoming year.

The GCIS said it would host outreach events such as activations at malls, taxi ranks, road intersections and schools; as well as public educations sessions and civic education awareness to encourage the public to participate and follow the 2026 SONA through mainstream media, and online and digital platforms.

“GCIS will also be encouraging the public to comment on what they would want the President to say during his speech and subsequent SONA reply to the debate post SONA.

“The outreaches aim to encourage members of the public to participate in the upcoming SONA by watching TV, listening to community media or being part of the event through social media by following #SoNA2026 on various social media platforms.

“The outreaches will also be encouraging, and collation of data from the public on what they expect government and the President to urgently address,” said the GCIS in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) – popularly known as amaPanyaza – have been formally declared as Peace Officers in terms of Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

This was announced by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, during a joint media briefing with Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

The wardens were disbanded last year following an investigation by the Public Protector (PP), which found that the CPWs’ establishment, appointment and deployment were not underpinned by an appropriate legislative framework and directed remedial actions to be taken.

Briefing the media on Friday, Kubayi assured that all the remedial actions directed by the PP have been acted upon.

“Government has worked collaboratively across spheres to address the legal deficiencies identified and to align the process with the applicable legislative framework. In this regard, over 9 000 wardens will be declared Peace Officers.

“[The] Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has Gazetted and declared the Gauteng traffic wardens as Peace Officers and therefore making them lawful to operate,” she said.

The CPWs will receive specialised and accredited training, and then absorbed by the Community Safety Department in Gauteng.

“Government… confirms that training is a critical requirement in the process of declaring any category of persons as Peace Officers. Such training must attest to the competency of individuals to exercise powers contemplated in section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, and is considered by the Minister of Police when assessing requests for declaration. 

“We confirm that the wardens are currently undergoing a second phase of training to qualify in line with their designated functions, following recommendations contained in the relevant technical report.

“This process is being undertaken alongside engagements with the relevant stakeholders to ensure full compliance with all legal and statutory requirements,” Kubayi said.

The Peace Officers may only exercise powers within a “specified jurisdiction, in relation to defined offences, and strictly within the scope set out in the declaration published in the Government Gazette”.

“These duties may only be exercised when an officer is properly appointed and in possession of a valid certificate of appointment, failing which, any action taken has no legal force or effect.

“Government has therefore ensured compliance with the legal and policy basis underpinning this declaration, including alignment with the National Road Traffic Act, 1996, the steps taken to give effect to the Public Protector’s remedial actions, and clarity on the scope of authority, powers and limitations applicable to the wardens,” Kubayi explained.

Force multiplier

Cachalia described the declaration as a “significant milestone in strengthening law enforcement capacity”.

“These Peace officers will play a critical role in supporting the criminal justice system. They will serve as a force multiplier for the SAPS by assisting with law enforcement functions within their designated powers.

“Their role enhances visibility, improves response capacity, and contributes to the prevention and detection of crime, particularly in high-pressure environments such as our road networks.”

He praised the Gauteng Provincial Government for creating innovative ways to fight crime.

“The rule of law is a core value of our constitutional order. But it’s not a straight jacket. It allows for innovative responses to public needs, including what is a core interest of our people, public order and safety.

“We are now in a position to implement this brainchild of Premier Lesufi in a way that is lawful and constitutionally compliant. It’s going to make a difference to the communities in Gauteng,” he said.

The Gauteng Premier echoed the Police Minister’s sentiments, stating that the province is determined to push back against criminality.

“This is a victory for the rule of law and for integrated crime fighting that helps align our efforts and strengthen the hand of the State against criminality. Our decision to support the SAPS was nothing else but to ensure that we push back crime in our province.

“Every time statistics were released, we knew that Gauteng was the epicentre of crime in our country.

“As the economic hub of our country, there was no way we could fold our arms when children are killed, women are attacked [and] people are mugged. We felt we must go beyond words… to push back crime in our province,” Lesufi asserted. – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela 

A sense of pride, joy and quiet awe filled the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings on Friday, as President Cyril Ramaphosa officially welcomed the FIFA World Cup Original Trophy to South Africa, marking a historic and emotional moment in the country’s football journey.

Bathed in sunshine and framed by the seat of government, invited guests, football legends, government leaders and members of the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad gathered in anticipation as the most coveted prize in world football was unveiled during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola.

The atmosphere was jubilant as the trophy, rarely seen and even more rarely touched, was revealed and handed to President Ramaphosa – one of the few individuals globally permitted to physically handle the Original Trophy.

“It’s really a joyful moment to be here at the Union Buildings. I’m rather glad that we brought the cup here to the Union Buildings… We have unveiled and touched it. It feels very good. It’s got a nice touch and feel to it,” the President said, drawing warm applause from the audience.

The FIFA World Cup Original Trophy is the one presented to the winning team at the conclusion of the tournament, before returning to the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Outside of the tournament itself, the only time the trophy leaves Switzerland is during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, the only FIFA partner authorised to activate the Original Trophy globally.

For South Africa, the trophy’s arrival carried meaning far beyond spectacle.

After first qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and famously hosting the historic 2010 tournament, South Africa has now qualified again for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 16-year absence from the global stage. 

The moment symbolised not just a return but a renewal, placing the hopes, pride and aspirations of the nation firmly back into the international football conversation.

“We are going to lend it out, but it’s going to come back. We’ll allow it to go for a while, and then after the FIFA World Cup, the boys are going to bring it back, and we will have it here at the Union Buildings again,” President Ramaphosa said.

Addressing the Bafana Bafana squad, the President offered words of encouragement and national backing as they prepare to compete in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“I want to applaud you and wish you well on your journey to go and do battle in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and we do have full confidence that you’re going to bring the cup back. The South African public – the entire population – wishes you well, and this is the one moment when you must feel the full support of South Africans behind you.

“We are going to fill your sails with a great deal of luck, confidence and best wishes as you go out to represent the country and when you are there, just know that you are representing the 62 million people of South Africa,” the President said. 

The ceremony also underscored the Union Buildings’ symbolic role as the heart of South Africa’s democracy and leadership.

“This is a beautiful, sunny day in Pretoria. This is the seat of our government, and this is where we make things happen,” President Ramaphosa said, thanking Coca-Cola for bringing the global moment home.

The event featured key photo moments with the President, FIFA World Cup-winning legend Marcel Desailly, South African football icons Siphiwe Tshabalala, members of the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad, government leadership and Coca-Cola system executives, capturing a rare convergence of sport, State and history.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola in South Africa is more than a tour: it is a homecoming for South Africa, marking the symbolic beginning of the country’s return to the world’s biggest sporting stage. 

As the trophy was carefully returned to its case and the ceremony drew to a close, one message resonated clearly – South Africa’s football story is once again being written, and the journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun. – SAnews.gov.za 

Government has acknowledged the significant hardship and disruption experienced by households, businesses and communities across Gauteng, following the explosion of a motor connected to one of the pumps at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant.

The explosion on Tuesday, 27 January 2027, had a ripple effect and affected the entire Engine Room 4, resulting in the temporary shutdown of operations, particularly in the metropolitan municipalities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

Government expressed regret for the inconvenience, distress and economic impact caused by low water pressure, temporary outages, and widespread supply interruptions, which were exacerbated by high water consumption during this period.

In response, the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, led by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, convened an urgent stakeholder meeting on Thursday evening.

The meeting brought together Rand Water, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water.

The meeting was also attended by Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, and City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero, who provided detailed updates on the ongoing recovery efforts and the local impact of the incident.

Stakeholders received a comprehensive briefing on the cause of the explosion, assessed its impact on water supply systems and coordinated measures to accelerate recovery while strengthening long-term system resilience.

The meeting commended Rand Water for its swift and effective response, noting that emergency repair teams worked around the clock to complete emergency repairs.

“Government is pleased to confirm that full operations at Zuikerbosch have been restored, with all booster stations – Palmiet, Eikenhof, Mapleton, and Zwartkopjes – now pumping at full capacity. Reservoir levels in the affected systems are recovering steadily, and customers should see gradual improvements in water pressure and supply over the coming hours and days as the network stabilises,” government said in a joint statement on Friday.

The meeting also commended Johannesburg Water for its proactive intervention in deploying additional water tankers to alleviate pressure on businesses and communities during the disruption.

While welcoming the rapid recovery, government said the incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of Gauteng’s bulk water supply system. 

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting infrastructure upgrades, including expanded reservoir capacity, to ensure a more reliable and robust bulk water system for the province.

Over R32 billion investment in JHB water infrastructure

The meeting noted that Johannesburg, in particular, requires increased water storage capacity in reservoirs to better buffer against unpredictable events like as infrastructure failures.

In this regard, Johannesburg Water plans to invest more than R32 billion over the next 10 years in water services infrastructure across the city, with a portion of this funding earmarked for expanding storage capacity.

“Enhancing storage will ensure that accidents or technical failures have minimal impact on communities, preventing severe disruptions even during high-demand periods or unexpected incidents,” the statement said.

Government extended its sincere apology to all affected residents, businesses and stakeholders, and thanked the public for their patience and cooperation shown throughout this challenging time.

“Rand Water and Johannesburg Water will continue their close collaboration to restore uninterrupted supply fully and provide ongoing updates. Residents are encouraged to contact their local water utility or Rand Water’s Customer Care line for assistance.” – SAnews.gov.za