Category: South Africa Government

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says there is a high likelihood of minor weather impacts, with severe thunderstorms expected over the escarpment and eastern Highveld of Mpumalanga on Thursday.

Severe thunderstorms may cause localised flooding and damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property, vehicles, livelihood and livestock due to heavy downpours and strong damaging winds.

In addition, a surface trough, supported by an upper-air trough west of the country, will result in severe thunderstorms over the Khai-Ma and Hantam municipalities in the Northern Cape on Thursday afternoon.

These conditions may result in localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges. 

Additionally, large amounts of small hail and strong winds may occur.

There may be localised flooding of susceptible roads and low-lying areas, localised damage to infrastructure, settlements, property and vehicles and localised loss of agricultural production and livestock is possible.

There is also a risk of runaway fires sparked from lightning strikes. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of two cold fronts, with good rainfall amounts expected to affect the Western Cape and Northern Cape from Friday until Monday.

The cold fronts will result in a significant drop in the daytime temperatures. 

“Maximum temperatures may be between 10-12°C in places over the southern high-lying areas of the Namakwa (Northern Cape) as well as over the Central Karoo and western part of the Cape Winelands Districts (Western Cape).

“General windy conditions will accompany the cold and wet conditions. Additionally, wave heights are expected to be between 4.0 and 5.0m along the coast from Sunday into Monday,” the weather service advised.

The combination of cold, wet and windy conditions may result in a wind chill factor; thus, temperatures may feel colder than the measured values.

They may be localised disruptions to beachfront activities. –SAnews.gov.za

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As part of efforts to ensure that no child is left behind, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, together with the CEO of HONOR Technologies Africa, Zou Lefeng, handed over laptops to learners of Kaalfontein High School in Ebony Park, Gauteng.

“As government, we remain committed to building an inclusive society where no child is left behind. Initiatives like this are part of a broader effort to ensure that all young people, regardless of where they come from, have access to the tools they need to succeed,” the Deputy Minister said.

Wednesday’s visit to the school was the Deputy Minister’s fourth visit to this school.

“We are not visitors here; we are partners and indeed, we are friends,” she said, adding that in past engagements, career expos, and application drives, among others, have been held to help shape the future of learners.

“And today, we return to honour a promise. We said we would come back with tools that would make a tangible difference in your lives, and today, we are proud to hand over these laptops.

“This initiative is about more than just devices. It is about access. It is about opportunity. It is about bridging the digital divide that continues to disadvantage many of our young people.”

Mhlauli added that in today’s world, access to technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

“It is the gateway to education, to innovation, and to participation in the global economy.”

According to the Deputy Minister, the laptops represent the ability to research and learn beyond the classroom. They also present the opportunity to apply to universities and colleges with ease, while also providing the chance to develop digital skills that are essential for the future of work.

“To the learners, this is your moment. These tools are placed in your hands not just to use, but to transform your lives. Use them with purpose. Use them with discipline. Use them to dream bigger than your circumstances.”

The Deputy Minister also expressed appreciation to Honor South Africa for their generous donation and their commitment to empowering young people through technology.

She also acknowledged the important role played by the Technology Youth Development Agency (TYDA) in facilitating initiatives such as these, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.

She also thanked educators and the school leadership for their continued dedication, as well as parents and the broader community, saying their encouragement and involvement remain critical. –SAnews.gov.za
 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a Working Visit to the Kingdom of Spain on Wednesday night.

“His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa is this evening undertaking a working visit to the Kingdom of Spain, where the President will have an audience with the King of Spain, His Majesty Felipe VI, and a bilateral engagement with the President of the Government of Spain, His Excellency Dr Pedro Sánchez,” the Presidency said on Wednesday night.

In his weekly newsletter, which reflected on the recently concluded sixth South Africa Investment Conference, President Ramaphosa stated that he would be visiting the European country this week.
In Monday’s newsletter, President Ramaphosa said South Africa’s investment drive does not start and end with the Investment Conferences.

“We continue with our outward investment missions in search of new markets and to consolidate existing trade ties. We continue to convene structured business forums on the sidelines of bilateral engagements, including state visits and bi-national commissions. As we have done in the past, we continue to prioritise targeted, one-on-one engagements with investors during international trips,” he said.

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Spain grew by 9.7% from US$3.1 billion in 2022 to US$3.4 billion in 2023. Previously, the Presidency stated that there had been steady investment in South Africa by Spanish companies, while South African companies have also looked to Spain as an investment destination in the real estate sector. 

More than 150 Spanish companies have invested in South Africa, creating over 20,000 jobs across various sectors.

Prime Minister Sánchez visited South Africa in October 2022.

The President’s Working Visit reaffirms the strong diplomatic relations and partnership between the Kingdom of Spain and South Africa, and will explore opportunities to strengthen people-to-people ties. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, has raised concerns over delays in the completion of the R220 million upgrade of the Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). 

Seitlholo raised concerns during an oversight visit to the facility in the Midvaal Local Municipality, within the Sedibeng District Municipality, as part of ongoing efforts to address sanitation challenges. 

Tuesday’s visit aimed to assess progress on the upgrade and expansion of the project, which resumed in 2017, and to engage with key stakeholders.

He was accompanied by Sipho Mosai, Chief Executive Officer of Rand Water, as well as Midvaal Executive Mayor Peter Teixeira, Sedibeng Executive Mayor Lerato Maloka, and Desmond Fransman, Chairperson of the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency.

Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works project was funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant. With Rand Water appointed as the implementing agent, the project is intended to improve sanitation services and ensure that the effluent treated at the plant meets the required standards. 

Two phases of the project have been completed, while the third phase, which will expand the plant’s capacity from yielding 10 megalitres per day (ml/d) to 25 ml/d is still underway.

Seitlholo expressed concern over the delays, warning that ongoing failures in wastewater management will threaten the municipality’s water resources, locally and nationally. Rand Water has, however, committed to completing the project within the current financial year.

Project delays have been attributed to contractor cash flow constraints, payment challenges, and persistent rainfall, which disrupted construction. Rand Water said it has since implemented recovery measures, including resolving payment issues, re-engaging subcontractors and accelerating construction to recover lost time.

The utility added that sanitation challenges are not only limited to Midvaal but also affect the broader Sedibeng District.

Beyond the delays, Seitlholo emphasised the need to protect water resources as a component of the water value chain.

“If we do not take care of the value chain, how are we going to secure the quality at the end of it? How are we going to give people clean drinking water?” the Deputy Minister said.

He stressed that safeguarding rivers, tributaries and dams from pollution is essential to ensuring a safe water supply, warning that the discharge of untreated sewage continues to threaten water quality.

“I am concerned about the beginning of water value chain and this has propelled me to engage with stakeholders in the country on how to fundamentally get to a point where our water resources, tributaries, rivers, and dams are not being infiltrated by millions of litres of raw sewerage every day,” said the Deputy Minister, underscoring his commitment to the protection of water resources.

Seitlholo added that the improvement of the water value chain at the infrastructure level, with a completed upgrade of Meyerton WWTW will significantly improve sanitation services for communities, including Rothdene, Meyerton, Rustervaal, Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement and the surrounding industries.

The Department of Water and Sanitation maintains that the oversight visits are essential to hold implementing agents accountable, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure that infrastructure projects deliver tangible benefits to communities without further delay. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent reforms to unlock local economies, warning that poor governance at municipal level is undermining service delivery and stifling economic growth.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 National Local Economic Development (LED) Summit at the Birchwood Conference Centre on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa said persistent failures in local government are directly affecting economic opportunity.

“The Auditor-General’s report on local government highlights persistent weaknesses that directly undermine service delivery and constrain local economic development,” he said.

He listed key shortcomings, including “weak financial management and revenue collection, failure to maintain infrastructure, ineffective supply chain management, irregular and wasteful expenditure, and weak consequence management”.

These failures, he said, are felt daily by citizens and businesses.

“These challenges translate into unreliable electricity, water insecurity, poor roads, poor service delivery and unsafe trading environments.” 

President Ramaphosa stressed that governance reform is non-negotiable if municipalities are to play their role in economic development.

“Without fixing governance, we cannot fix service delivery and without fixing service delivery, we cannot unlock local economic development. The task of this summit is to shift the discussion from the problems to the solutions,” the President said. 

He raised concern over the chronic underinvestment in infrastructure maintenance, noting that municipalities are falling far below required benchmarks.

“National Treasury Guidelines require municipalities to budget 8% of the carrying value of property, plant and equipment. Many municipalities are budgeting less than 1%,” he said. 

The President called for improved revenue collection and greater use of private investment to address infrastructure backlogs, saying municipalities must take the lead in resolving service delivery constraints. 

“As my contribution to the deliberations of the summit, there are four sets of actions that I would like to put forward. The first of these is to unblock service delivery constraints at local government level, especially with regards to basic infrastructure,” he said. 

He emphasised that reliable energy, water and transport systems are essential to economic growth. 

“Energy security, water provision, roads and rail lines are the foundation of growth. We have made much progress in tackling load shedding and improving the efficiency of our logistics sector. This summit must now translate national progress into local success,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa added that municipalities must ensure conducive conditions for businesses to operate. 

“Municipalities must be the frontline in unblocking infrastructure constraints, ensuring that the local industrial park has the power it needs… and that township businesses have streetlighting to trade safely beyond daylight hours,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, describing him as a seasoned and capable envoy suited to strengthening bilateral relations.

The President confirmed the appointment on the sidelines of the National Local Economic Development (LED) Summit in Boksburg on Wednesday.

“Roelf Meyer is a South African, a very loyal and patriotic South African, who has distinguished himself in a number of areas where he has worked. And yes, he did lead the National Party negotiating team, together with myself. 

“He was a Cabinet Minister in the initial government of national unity and has done very well in those areas,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President highlighted Meyer’s recent international mediation work as a key asset to his diplomatic role.

“Recently, he’s been involved in mediation processes in a number of countries, and that, in many ways, has sharpened his diplomatic skills, where he has been able to get involved either in conflict situations, trying to bring peace amongst differing warring parties at a very quiet level, continuing to assist even our government in these different diplomatic efforts,” he said. 

The President said Meyer has already begun engaging key stakeholders in the United States.

“When we needed to appoint an Ambassador to the United States, I found him to be more than qualified to be able to work in the United States, recalibrate our relationship with the United States and interface with a number of stakeholders. 

“As it is now, he’s been interfacing with a number of people in the United States, both in Capitol Hill and in the various departments of the United States.

“Already a lot of interactions have taken place. So he is, for me, more than well qualified to execute this task,” the President said. 

He added that Meyer is expected to formally present his credentials to the US government.

“He still has to present his credentials to the government of the United States or to the President of the United States and I am more than hopeful that just as we have received and accepted the credentials of Ambassador Bozell, he will also be accredited equally in that manner,” President Ramaphosa said. 

President Ramaphosa expressed confidence that Meyer will represent South Africa effectively.

“He has always flown the South African flag, and he will do so like all our ambassadors all over the world, and all we should do is to wish him well and the very best, and give him all the support that he needs,” the President said. 

He emphasised the importance of the United States as a strategic partner.

“The United States is the largest economy in the world, and it still plays an important role in our own economic fortunes,” said the President. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for sweeping reforms to cut red tape and support small businesses, warning that bureaucratic delays at municipal level are driving away investment and limiting opportunities for township entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the 2026 National Local Economic Development (LED) Summit at the Birchwood Conference Centre, President Ramaphosa said improving the ease of doing business must be a top priority for local government.

“Cutting red tape is crucial both to attract large scale investments and also to enable informal traders and small township entrepreneurs to succeed,” he said on Wednesday. 

While acknowledging progress in some municipalities, he expressed concern that these remain isolated successes.

“Some of our cities and municipalities have done well in improving the ease of doing business. They have systems and targets for zoning approvals, issuing construction permits, connecting businesses with water and electricity, issuing trading and business licences, including using e-registration systems. There is regulatory certainty. However, I worry that these municipalities are the exception rather than the rule,” the President said. 

He pointed to administrative inefficiencies that continue to block economic activity.

“More often than not, bureaucratic delays at municipal level prevent local investments from getting over the line,” he said. 

Among the key challenges are delays in issuing business licences, which prevent small enterprises from accessing support.

“There are backlogs in issuing business licences, which, among other things, prevent micro enterprises from accessing government support. This must change,” he emphasised. 

President Ramaphosa said government is working to address these issues through policy reforms, including the Business Licensing Bill and the Red Tape Reduction Framework, but stressed that municipalities must act decisively. 

“We call on local government to drive its own red tape reduction reforms,” he said. 

He further urged stronger collaboration between municipalities and the private sector to unlock local economic potential.

“We would also like to see continuous engagement with local business associations and forums, so that we may understand their frustrations and address their concerns,” he said. 

The President emphasised that investment decisions are heavily influenced by how business-friendly municipalities are.

“Investment will always gravitate towards municipalities that make it easy to do business,” the President said. 

He also called on established businesses to partner with municipalities, develop local suppliers, invest in skills and open value chains. 

“We must leave this summit with a programme of action that binds us to clear deliverables and timelines. 

“We must ensure that the collaborative blueprint we draft here over the next two days contributes to a new reality for every South African, for every business, in every municipality, in every corner of our land,” he said. 

He concluded by reaffirming the country’s entrepreneurial potential and the need to create an enabling environment for it to thrive.

“South Africa is a country of entrepreneurs. Our task is to unleash their potential and, in so doing, to build an inclusive economy that creates opportunities for all,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of severe storms over the extreme north-east of the Northern Cape, the North West, and the Free State on Wednesday. 

Due to the upper air system (cut-off low), conditions are favourable for the development of severe storms, potentially leading to minor impacts.

Due to these conditions, there could be localised damage to infrastructure, settlements (informal), localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, and trees could block minor roads.

The outlook for Thursday and Friday is partly cloudy and warm, but it will be cool in places in the east and south with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers possible over the central and eastern parts of the country. –SAnews.gov.za

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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers has welcomed the comprehensive engagement held with the Government of India on its Government e-Marketplace (GeM) — a world-class digital public procurement platform designed to enhance transparency, efficiency and inclusivity in government procurement systems.

Rodgers noted the strong alignment between the principles underpinning the GeM platform and KwaZulu-Natal’s own efforts to modernise procurement through digital reform.

The GeM platform, which operates as a fully digital, rule-based and transparent procurement marketplace, has been instrumental in reducing human transactional interfaces, improving price determination, expanding supplier participation, particularly among small and emerging enterprises, and strengthening audit trails within public procurement processes.

Rodgers said KwaZulu-Natal Treasury is pursuing a similar vision through the implementation of the provincial digital procurement plan aimed at modernising procurement practices, strengthening financial governance, and curbing inefficiencies and opportunities for maladministration.

“The engagement with the Government of India confirms that KwaZulu-Natal is on the right path in its digital procurement reform journey. Digital procurement platforms are critical for building capable institutions, improving oversight, and restoring public trust in the management of public resources,” Rodgers said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the KwaZulu-Natal government remains open to learning, development and partnership with other governments and institutions that have successfully implemented innovative reforms in public financial management.

“We recognise that no government operates in isolation. There is value in learning from international best practice and adapting proven systems to strengthen service delivery outcomes and ensure value for money for our citizens,” he said.

The engagement forms part of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury’s broader commitment to advancing the vision of an ethical and capable State, where public finances are managed transparently and procurement systems directly support inclusive economic growth and improved service delivery.

Under Rodgers’ leadership, the department is expected to continue exploring collaborative opportunities, knowledge exchange platforms, and reform partnerships aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and institutional capacity across the province. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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