Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

The Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF) – a legacy project of South Africa’s G20 presidency – aims to mobilise $3 billion over the next few years in a bid to combat crippling energy inefficiencies across the continent.

This according to Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, who spoke at the legacy launch of the AfEEF in Durban, held ahead of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meetings.

Graham-Maré noted that energy inefficiencies in Africa have reached levels of up to 60% in some areas – leaving millions of people completely without access to electricity and others without clean cooking solutions.

“The Africa Energy Efficiency Facility is a response to this urgent need. AfEEF is envisaged to serve as a continental platform to: mobilise finance at scale, with a target of USD 3 billion by 2030; support Member States to harmonise energy efficiency policies and regulations; build technical capacity across our regions and institutions; and promote digitalisation and innovation through systems such as energy management and appliance databases.

“Energy Efficiency is our ‘first fuel’. It is the fastest, cheapest, and most sustainable way to close the gap between energy demand and supply. It is not simply about saving energy, it is about creating opportunities for growth, jobs, and better lives for all,” she said.

Graham-Maré explained that the AfEEF has the potential to:

• Improve efficiency by at least 12% by 2030
• Create some 1 million ‘green’ jobs by 2040
• Avoid the need for up to 40 gigawatts of new generation capacity saving billions in investment
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million tonnes of CO₂

“This is not just a technical problem. It is a human rights problem. It affects the health of our children, the productivity of our industries, the education of our youth, and the dignity of our households. 

“Without addressing these inefficiencies, we cannot hope to unlock Africa’s full potential,” the Deputy Minister said.

Building partnerships

The AfEEF is a collaboration initiative between the department, the African Union Commission through the African Energy Commission (AFREC), and the United Nations Environment Programme.

The foundations of the initiative were laid at the second and third ETWG meetings held in the Western Cape and North West earlier this year.

The programme is aligned to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and directly responds to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13, focussing on energy access and climate action. 

“Its value lies in the symbolism of Africa’s unity and resolve. It signals to our citizens, our partners, and the world, that Africa is ready to take charge of its energy future and that we are prepared to act together, decisively and ambitiously.

“But…a facility is only as strong as the partnerships that sustain it. I therefore call upon: our AU Member States, to embrace AfEEF and integrate its objectives into national strategies; our development partners and financial institutions, to walk with us, to invest, and to share knowledge; our private sector actors, to seize the opportunities in building markets, delivering technologies, and creating jobs; and our civil society and academia, to help ensure accountability, inclusivity, and innovation.

“Together, let us make AfEEF idea not just an initiative, but a movement. A movement that lights up homes, powers industries, and gives our children a cleaner, safer, more prosperous Africa,” Graham-Maré said.

She emphasised that energy efficiency is “not a technical choice; it is a human imperative”. 

“It is about the mother who should not cook over smoky firewood, the student who deserves light to study at night, and the entrepreneur who needs reliable power to grow a business.

“The Africa Energy Efficiency Facility concept is our promise to them. A promise that we will not stand still while millions remain in the dark. A promise that we will unlock Africa’s energy productivity, not tomorrow, but today,” Graham-Maré said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

To maintain high levels of fitness and physical agility among its soldiers, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has initiated a week-long programme of intensive sporting and recreational activities.

This initiative aims to improve fitness, boost morale, and foster cohesion, ensuring a combat-ready military force. 

The event, titled “Chief of the SANDF Prestige Week“, started on Monday, 6 October 2025, in Pretoria and will conclude on Friday.

All branches of the SANDF will take turns competing against each other in various sports, including but not limited to athletics, football, netball, basketball, combat rifle shooting, judo, swimming, rugby, and many others.

The sporting events will be held at various venues throughout the week. 

The grand opening, conducted by the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, is currently underway at the Military Sports Club in Pretoria.

“In his earlier address to participants, the Chief of the SANDF emphasised that sports will be actively promoted within the force, recognising its significant contribution to overall force readiness and preparation.” 

The winners for this year will be announced during the closing ceremony, scheduled for Friday, 10 October 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Mashatile heads to South Sudan to advance peace process

Gabisile
Tue, 10/07/2025 – 12:43

Source: Government of South Africa

Recognising the rights of persons with disabilities

nosihle
Mon, 10/06/2025 – 15:53

Source: Government of South Africa

As part of National Social Development Month, the Department of Social Development has hosted a Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign at Bosman, Pretoria. 

Speaking at the event on Friday, the department’s Trafficking in Persons Coordinator, Buti Kulwane, highlighted the department’s critical role in combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals.

He emphasised that while law enforcement plays a critical role in addressing trafficking cases, the department focuses on the provision of care, support, and rehabilitation services for victims.

“As the department, we are committed to both preventing and combating the crime of trafficking in persons. 

“Our role is to ensure that victims receive the necessary care and support to overcome trauma, rebuild their lives, and become mentally prepared to assist the criminal justice process by providing key evidence,” Kulwane said. 

Kulwane said that many victims of trafficking experience severe emotional and psychological trauma, adding that the department offers trauma-informed care to assist them in their recovery. 

“We operate shelters where victims can receive the care they need. Some of these shelters are managed by the government, while others are run by non-governmental organisations. Regardless of who operates them, they all follow a trauma-informed approach,” he said.

He added that the choice of Bosman Station as the venue for the launch of Social Development Month was strategic, as it serves as a major transport hub with thousands of daily commuters travelling between South Africa’s provinces and neighbouring countries. 

“We are targeting commuters using buses, taxis, and trains. Transport stations can become points of entry or exit for trafficked persons, and that is why it is important to have our officials here, engaging directly with the public,” Kulwane stated.

During the campaign, department officials are on-site, engaging with commuters, distributing educational materials, and encouraging the public to report suspicious activities.

The key message being promoted is that everyone has a role to play in preventing human trafficking. 

“We encourage people to report when they see someone in distress or suspect they may be a victim of trafficking,” he added.

Kulwane referenced a recent case involving a Chinese national connected to human trafficking activities in Malawi. He used the case to illustrate the international nature of the crime and the need for cross-border collaboration and vigilance.

In line with international efforts, South Africa observes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July each year, aligning its national activities with global awareness campaigns.

In addition, the country has established its own National Human Trafficking Awareness Week, observed during the first week of October. The current campaign is one of many taking place during this week as part of the Qaphela campaign, which promotes awareness, education, and community mobilisation.

Kulwane concluded by stating that the department’s efforts are part of a broader national and international strategy involving multiple stakeholders.

“This campaign is not only for the police or the department. It includes civil society organisations, other government departments, and international partners, all working together to tell the story of what we are doing to fight human trafficking,” he said.

The initiative reflects the Department of Social Development’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and fostering safer communities through education, support, and collaborative action. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to undertake working visits to Ireland on 08 October 2025 and to the Belgium on 09 October 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, The Presidency said the President will on Wednesday hold official talks in Ireland with Irish President Michael D. Higgins and Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

“This official visit will consolidate the long-standing and strong relationship between South Africa and Ireland, particularly in science and innovation, higher education and skills development, and trade and investment. 

“The visit will elevate cooperation to a strategic partnership, creating new opportunities to enhance trade and investment between the two countries, and highlighting South Africa’s strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), of which Ireland is a member,” the Presidency said. 

The leaders are also set to discuss global and regional geopolitics as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation. 

A historically significant relationship, rooted in mutual respect and common values, binds the two countries. Ireland’s principled stance in support of the anti-apartheid movement exemplified this bond, reflecting its deep commitment to human rights and social justice.

“The ongoing collaboration between the two countries shows how important working together is to address shared challenges and to foster understanding and cooperation for a more harmonious future,” the Presidency said. 

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Ireland grew by 12% to $638 million in 2024 from $567 million in 2023. South Africa increased its exports to Ireland by 40.4%, from $119 million in 2023 to $168 million in 2024. South Africa’s imports from Ireland also grew by 5%, from $448 million in 2023 to $470 million in 2024.

Ireland is an invited guest country to the G20, alongside Nigeria, Egypt, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and the UAE.

While on the working visit, President Ramaphosa will also meet with leading Irish companies to promote investment and collaboration.

Working Visit to Belgium 

At the invitation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Ramaphosa will participate in the Global Gateway Forum (GGF) in Brussels, Belgium, from 9 to 10 October 2025.

The European Union’s Global Gateway initiative serves as its external investment strategy, aimed at enhancing smart, clean, and secure connections across digital, energy, and transport sectors, while strengthening health, education, and research systems worldwide.

Led by President von der Leyen, the GGF brings together Heads of State and Government, senior representatives from governments, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society to explore innovative strategies for scaling up European investments in partner countries.

Building on the success of the inaugural forum in 2023, this year’s event will focus on advancing global connectivity amid growing geopolitical and geo-economic challenges. Heads of State and Government from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe, as well as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, are expected to attend. A high-level South African business delegation will also participate.

The visit to Brussels follows recent engagements between President Ramaphosa and President von der Leyen on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as well as the successful 8th South Africa–EU Summit, held in March 2025. 

The summit reaffirmed the strong Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the European Union. As a bloc, the EU remains South Africa’s largest trade and investment partner, as well as an important development cooperation partner.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande; Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela; and Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi, along with senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, October 7, 2025