Category: South Africa Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will intensify efforts to combat corruption, address illegal immigration, tackle the water crisis and turn around struggling municipalities as part of a broader drive to build a capable and developmental State.

Addressing Parliament during the Presidency Budget Vote on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said strengthening law enforcement institutions and restoring public confidence in government remain key priorities. 

“We continue to rebuild and strengthen our law enforcement agencies, security services, National Prosecuting Authority and specialised anti-corruption bodies,” he said.

The President said government was awaiting the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

He said the commission’s recommendations were expected to strengthen the South African Police Service (SAPS) and broader efforts to combat corruption and organised crime.

According to President Ramaphosa, a special task team established by SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority following the commission’s first interim report had already begun bringing cases before the courts.

The President reiterated government’s commitment to rooting out corruption.
“We must be unequivocal: public office is a public trust. Those who abuse public resources for private gain betray the Constitution, undermine development and steal from the poor.

“There will be no tolerance for corruption, regardless of position, status or political affiliation,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa reported significant progress in implementing recommendations of the State Capture Commission. 

“Of the 60 actions contained in our implementation plan, 80% are complete, substantially complete or on track,” the President said. 

He added that recoveries linked to state capture investigations now exceeded R17 billion.
“The recoveries by law enforcement linked to the work of the Commission now stand at over R17 billion,” he said. 

The President said ten new laws had been enacted to address weaknesses exposed by State Capture, including legislation aimed at improving procurement systems, professionalising the public service and reforming intelligence services.

Government had also approved a draft amendment to the Protected Disclosures Act for public comment.
“This Bill aims to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers and is a vital pillar of our fight against corruption,” the President said.

GBVF 

He also highlighted government’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which he said had been classified as a national disaster in November last year.

“In November last year, gender-based violence and femicide was classified as a national disaster, and Cabinet has approved an action plan to tackle this crisis and commit the necessary resources,” he said. 
The President said prevention remains a priority, with increased focus on promoting positive masculinity among boys and young men.

Migration 

On migration, the President acknowledged growing public concerns about illegal immigration and its impact on public services and employment opportunities. 

“As announced in SONA [State of the Nation Address], government is taking decisive action to address this challenge. We are cracking down on violations of immigration laws.” 

The President said government was increasing workplace inspections, prosecuting employers who break labour laws, strengthening border security and addressing corruption within the immigration system.
At the same time, he warned against xenophobia and vigilantism.

“We must never give in to violence, xenophobia or vigilantism. We will strengthen and enforce our laws, while upholding the Constitution and the human dignity of all,” the President emphasised. 

Resolving the water crisis 

A major focus of government’s programme for the coming year will be resolving South Africa’s worsening water crisis. 

President Ramaphosa told Parliament that government had established a National Water Crisis Committee to coordinate implementation of the National Water Action Plan.

“Drawing on our experience in ending load shedding, we have established the National Water Crisis Committee,” he said. 

The committee will oversee both emergency interventions and long-term reforms aimed at improving water management and service delivery.

“In the short term, national government will intervene directly in municipalities facing acute water failures using existing constitutional and legislative powers,” he said. 

Fixing local government

The President said municipalities would also be required to ring-fence water revenue to ensure funds generated from water services were reinvested into infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

He stressed that fixing local government was among the administration’s most urgent priorities.

“The true test of government is not what happens at the Union Buildings or in the Houses of Parliament. The true test is whether water flows from a tap, whether a streetlight works, whether refuse is collected, whether a road is maintained and whether a community feels safe.” 

President Ramaphosa said poor municipal performance was undermining economic growth and discouraging investment. 

“If the conditions for investment in our cities and towns are unfavourable, if there is a lack of electricity or water or poorly managed infrastructure, investors simply take their business elsewhere,” he said. 

To address these challenges, government is continuing to support reforms contained in the revised White Paper on Local Government and has expanded collaborative working groups in major metropolitan municipalities, including eThekwini and Johannesburg.

The President also announced plans to expand youth employment programmes, including the National Youth Service, which will provide 100 000 community service opportunities during the current financial year.

As government implements its reform agenda, President Ramaphosa called on all South Africans to participate in the next phase of the National Dialogue process, with pilot engagements scheduled to take place between June and August.

“I call on all South Africans to come together once more and be part of crafting a new vision for South Africa,” he said. 

He concluded by saying government must remain focused on improving service delivery, creating jobs, combating corruption and strengthening democratic institutions.

“Work must now continue in earnest. Let us not allow ourselves to be deterred by distractions or political intrigue,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The eThekwini Municipality has moved to clarify its role following an alleged housing fraud case linked to a beneficiary of the Illovu Housing Project, stressing that the suspect is not a municipal employee.

According to the municipality, media reports incorrectly identified the suspect as an employee of eThekwini Municipality. The city said the accused is employed by a private company.

The allegations against the suspect relate to claims that she falsely declared herself unemployed in an attempt to qualify for housing assistance under the Illovu Housing Project, which was established to assist families affected by the 2022 floods.

The municipality noted that individuals earning more than R3 500 per month do not qualify for a housing subsidy.

According to the city, the discrepancy was detected by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements, which is responsible for implementing the project, as well as registering and approving beneficiaries.

While the identities of those alleged to have collaborated with the suspect have not been disclosed, eThekwini Municipality emphasised that it has not been involved in the subsidy registration, or approvals of potential beneficiaries linked to the Illovu Housing Project.

“The approval and non-approval of beneficiaries is managed through the Housing Subsidy System, which is managed by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements and not eThekwini Municipality,” the municipality said in a statement on Tuesday.

The municipality added that all beneficiary approvals for the project are undertaken by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

The city said it is disappointed by the false narrative being published and called for corrections to be made where incorrect information had been published.

A 64-year-old woman, allegedly acting as the kingpin of a massive cartel, appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court last week, for fraudulently obtaining a government-subsidised house intended for 2022 flood victims. The case was postponed to 22 June 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will intensify efforts to grow the economy, create jobs and attract investment, despite growing global uncertainties that threaten South Africa’s economic recovery.

Delivering the Presidency Budget Vote in the National Assembly on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said the Presidency remains focused on driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and the cost of living, and building a capable and ethical State.

The President said South Africa’s economic outlook has improved following years of challenges.

“Following years of challenges, our economy is on the mend. The macroeconomic environment has improved, tax collection revenues remain strong, public finances are in better shape and national debt has stabilised,” President Ramaphosa told Parliament.

He highlighted recent improvements in South Africa’s international credit outlook, noting that ratings agency Moody’s recently upgraded the country’s outlook from stable to positive, while S&P had lifted South Africa’s credit rating for the first time in two decades. 

President Ramaphosa said the Presidency continues to coordinate the national investment drive and has secured substantial commitments through the South Africa Investment Conference.

“In March, we held a successful 6th South Africa Investment Conference, where we secured pledges in excess of R890 billion in industries across the economy,” he said. 

He welcomed the strong participation of domestic investors.

“Significantly, a substantial portion of investment commitments were from domestic investors. When local investors show confidence in the prospects of the economy, international investors follow suit,” he said.

President Ramaphosa stressed that economic growth should ultimately improve the lives of citizens. 

“Economic growth is not an end in itself. Its purpose is to create work, restore hope and expand opportunity. Every investment secured, every infrastructure project completed and every reform implemented must ultimately improve the lives of ordinary South Africans,” he said. 

The President said government had embarked on what he described as the largest infrastructure build programme in the country’s history.

“Over the next three years, the State will be investing R1 trillion in building and refurbishing roads, dams, schools, hospitals and clinics, as well as energy, logistics and transportation infrastructure,” the President said. 

Government is also working to protect jobs in distressed sectors, including the automotive, cement and steel industries, while expanding export markets for South African products.

President Ramaphosa pointed to improvements in energy security as one of government’s major achievements.

“Through the National Energy Crisis Committee – and thanks to the efforts of Eskom, government departments and social partners – the country has recorded more than a year without load shedding,” the President said.  

He said Eskom has returned to financial and operational viability and that additional electricity generation capacity continues to be added to the national grid.

The President also cited improvements in logistics through reforms at Transnet, saying better performance at ports and on rail networks is helping to ease bottlenecks affecting mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

Agriculture remains a key growth sector, he said.

“For example, between January and March this year, agriculture recorded an 11% increase in export earnings, compared to the same period last year,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa further announced a major land reform initiative aimed at strengthening the position of black farmers.

“As part of our efforts to revitalise rural economies, to strengthen land rights and support the inclusion of black farmers in commercial agriculture, we have embarked on a concerted programme to release this land with title deeds to deserving beneficiaries,” he said.

He added that the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development would provide details of plans to convert agricultural leases into title deeds. 

Tourism on the rise

Tourism is also showing strong growth, with South Africa recording 10.5 million international tourist arrivals last year, the highest on record.

However, the President warned that escalating conflict in the Middle East could undermine economic gains.

“The attack by the United States and Israel on Iran – and the conflict that has now engulfed much of the region – has set off a global oil crisis,” President Ramaphosa said. 

He said rising oil and fertiliser prices were likely to place pressure on inflation and increase the cost of living. 

“The effects of the surge in oil prices – and of other critical supplies like fertiliser – are likely to undermine much of the progress we had made in bringing down inflation and the cost of living,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa cautioned that economic conditions were likely to remain difficult in the short-term, particularly as recent labour market data shows a decline in employment.

“We know from experience that it often takes time for investment to translate into economic growth, and for growth to translate into jobs. But we must still be deeply concerned about the decline in employment, because it is about people’s lives and livelihoods,” he said. 

The President said these challenges underscore the urgency of implementing government’s economic reform agenda and accelerating measures aimed at creating jobs and stimulating growth. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa’s national’s men’s soccer team Bafana Bafana have arrived in Mexico ahead of the start of the FIFA Soccer World Cup next week.

Their safe arrival was announced in a post on social media platform, X, on Tuesday.

The team departed for the tournament on Monday after visas were secured for all the players on Sunday, 31 May.

“The South African Football Association (SAFA) held an Emergency Committee Meeting on Sunday night, 31 May, where a number of issues around the South African senior men’s national team’s delayed travel plans to Mexico were discussed by the members,” the association said in a statement on Monday.

At the meeting, it was revealed that four members of the camp had outstanding visas for the North American trip.

“To strengthen operational coordination during the FIFA World Cup, SAFA can further reveal that a three-member organising committee has been established to manage the team’s administrative affairs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup comprising of Bafana Bafana Head of Delegation (HOD) David Molwantwa, SAFA Chairperson of the Finance Committee Mxolisi Sibam, together with the Team Manager Vincent Tseka.” 

The three will work together in ensuring that any logistical or administrative matters that may arise during the global tournament are dealt with expeditiously. 

“While the visa delays resulted in the team losing a valuable day in its travel and preparation schedule, SAFA is satisfied that the matter has now been substantially resolved and that the team’s World Cup plans remain firmly on course,” SAFA said at the time.

In addition, SAFA also apologised to the nation for the unexpected travel delays and thanked the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for their assistance, as well as the US Consulate in Johannesburg, which went beyond the call of duty over the weekend to ensure that the visas were issued for all  players to travel.

This year’s FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national men’s football team prepares to make its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup.

READ | Call to rally behind Bafana Bafana

“I call on all South Africans to rally behind our team and show their support. Let us wear the team colours and fly the flag,” said the President. – SAnews.gov.za

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An investigation into the affairs of the Office of the Premier in the Free State has uncovered serious maladministration and the awarding of bursaries to foreign nationals, relatives and a deceased student.

Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Leonard Lekgetho said the investigation was initiated following a referral from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) concerning irregularities.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Tuesday, Lekgetho said the AGSA’s reports from 2019 and 2020 revealed serious irregularities in the management of bursaries and funds intended to educate and uplift youth in the Free State.

The awarding of the bursaries in question took place during Ace Magashule’s tenure as Premier. The investigation was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 123 of 2023.

“The SIU’s investigation revealed that officials approved bursaries negligently, failed to comply with the eligibility criteria, and irregularly extended bursary contracts,” Lekgetho said.

Lekgetho said the investigation confirmed that a deceased student had received bursaries from both Office of the Premier and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“The Office of the Premier paid R34 891.60 to the University of the Free State, which deposited the money into a suspense account after the student’s death. NSFAS also paid R13 000 into the student’s bank account, which his parents used. 

“Since the student had died before completing his studies, the funds could not be recovered, especially since the proclamation did not cover NSFAS. The parents also lack the means to pay back the money.

“The SIU identified the officials who approved the bursary and extension, resulting in the payment of R34 891.60, as well as funding courses the student failed to complete, resulting in breach of contractual and policy obligations,” Lekgetho said.

The investigation also showed that seven students who received the bursary were foreign nationals, with six students then funded on a merit basis as top achievers.

However, the SIU found no approval to deviate from the policy, which specifies that bursaries are for South African citizens residing in the Free State, and this resulted in an expenditure of R576 734.48.

According to Lekgetho, in total, an amount of R8.3 million was spent, benefiting 161 students and 16 officials from various government departments. 

Lekgetho said the SIU has made 38 disciplinary referrals against the implicated officials, including human resources officials, administration clerks, Assistant, Deputy Directors and Directors.

The unit also uncovered that in one instance, a degree that was supposed to be finalised in three years ended up being finalised in seven years, and throughout these years, the bursary was awarded. 

In their investigations, the SIU uncovered that an official awarded bursaries to relatives without following due process. 

In some cases, the Office of the Premier awarded bursaries to applicants for qualifications not included in the 2018-19 Provincial Workplace Skills Plan.

The SIU said it had signed 18 acknowledgements of debt totalling R1.9 million with individuals who received undue benefits from the bursary scheme.  

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae welcomed the investigation and committed her administration to supporting the SIU investigations.

“Our objective is to ensure that eligibility requirements, approval, and oversight mechanisms are clearly defined and consistently applied,” she said.

She said the disciplinary process for the eight employees involved in these irregularities would be executed. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth says government is strengthening labour market enforcement and labour migration reforms to ensure South Africans are prioritised for employment opportunities, while maintaining a lawful and fair migration system.

Speaking during a Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Deep Dive Media Engagement, Meth said government’s labour market reforms are intended to address high unemployment levels and tackle unlawful employment practices.

“These reforms are intended to strengthen labour market governance, improve the regulation of employment services, [and] protect labour standards,” she said.

The reforms include implementation of the National Labour Migration Policy and the Employment Services Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen enforcement powers available to labour inspectors.

Meth said the measures are designed to strike a balance between protecting opportunities for South Africans and meeting the economy’s demand for scarce and critical skills.

“They seek to strike an appropriate balance between safeguarding employment opportunities for South Africans and meeting the economy’s demand for critical skills,” she said. 

A key focus of the reforms is strengthening enforcement against the employment of undocumented foreign nationals.

“It is important for employers to be deliberate in utilizing ESSA [Employment Services South Africa]  to recruit South Africans, and in abiding with the law to prioritise South Africans and employ those who are legally in South Africa from other countries,” the Minister said.

Meth rejected claims that South Africans are unwilling to work, arguing that the real challenge is a shortage of employment opportunities.

“We must firmly reject the narrative that South Africans are unwilling to work.

“Millions of South Africans wake up every day in search of work, eager to contribute their skills, earn a living and support their families,” the minister said. 

Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya echoed the sentiment, saying employers should stop favouring undocumented foreign nationals.

“There is nothing like South Africans do not want to work, we must stop that notion,” he said. 

Sibiya warned that tougher penalties are on the way for employers who violate labour and immigration laws.

“Our fines are going to be harsher going forward for employers who are non-compliant. Non-compliance is very expensive. You can’t prioritise illegal immigrants because you want to exploit them,” he said. 

According to the department, the Employment Services Amendment Bill will introduce stronger enforcement mechanisms and fines of up to R100 000 for non-compliance.

The Deputy Minister said inspections have already uncovered widespread violations in sectors such as hospitality and construction.

“We’ve been going big on construction,” he said.

He revealed that labour inspections recently identified 79 undocumented foreign nationals on a single construction site in the Western Cape.

“We are going big on them, but we are going to engage as well with the construction sector, as we are doing with hospitality,” Sibiya said. 

At the same time, government says it remains committed to ensuring labour migration is managed in a lawful and developmental manner.

Acting Deputy Director-General Thembinkosi Mkalipi explained that the National Labour Migration Policy does not exclude the informal sector and forms part of a broader package of reforms being implemented across government.

He said government is also working with companies operating in platform and delivery services to improve opportunities for South Africans.

Mkalipi pointed to partnerships with delivery and e-hailing companies that have resulted in greater employment opportunities for local workers.

“The Minister talked about this perception that South Africans don’t like certain jobs, which is not true,” Mkalipi said. 

The labour migration reforms form part of government’s wider strategy to improve labour market governance while addressing unemployment and protecting labour standards.

Meth said government’s objective is to create a labour market that is fair, orderly and supportive of inclusive economic growth.

“Collectively, these measures will contribute to a more orderly, equitable, and effective labor market that protects workers, supports employers, and advances inclusive economic growth.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Police in the Western Cape are investigating the murders of two Mozambican nationals and an 18-year-old South African following violent unrest in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay, over the weekend.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers from the George Public Order Police unit, supported by local police, responded to sporadic violence in the Asla Park informal settlement on Friday, 29 May 2026. 

About 55 shacks were allegedly set alight by a group of people during the unrest.

Police, together with fire services and disaster management teams, brought the situation under control, however, a number of residents have been displaced.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, police discovered the body of a 27-year-old man with multiple injuries in the area. 

Shortly afterwards, another man who had sustained assault-related injuries was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. 

Investigators later confirmed that the two victims, aged 27 and 43, were Mozambican nationals.

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the two murders, and investigations are continuing, said the police.

In a separate incident, KwaNonqaba police were called to the New Rest informal settlement at about 3am on Sunday after the body of an 18-year-old South African man was found outside a shack. 

The victim had suffered stab wounds and was declared dead by paramedics at 3:19am.

Police said detectives were making progress in the investigation and were searching for a known suspect.

Since the outbreak of violence, police have arrested five suspects. 

Two have been charged with public violence and appeared in court on Monday, where they were granted bail of R1 000 each.

Three other suspects were expected to appear in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges relating to the possession of presumed stolen property.

SAPS said it respects the right of citizens to protest but urged demonstrators to act within the law. The police warned that officers would act decisively against those involved in violent acts or the incitement of violence.

The police also appealed to community members and leaders to refrain from spreading unverified information, saying it could cause unnecessary panic and anxiety.

Police said deployments remain on high alert in the area as authorities work to restore calm and order. No further incidents have been reported since Monday. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government has declared 2026 the “Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work” and is rolling out a range of interventions aimed at tackling unemployment, particularly among young people, through a revamped Labour Activation Programme (LAP).

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth outlined the plans during a Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Deep Dive Media Engagement, where she unpacked the department’s Budget Vote priorities and efforts to address South Africa’s persistently high unemployment rate.

The department has been allocated R4.578 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, representing a 10.2% increase from the previous year.

“It is important to note that we declared 2026 as ‘The Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work’, in honour of the 1976 Youth and Commemoration of the Youth Uprising Golden Jubilee.

“We will be more aggressive in funding targeted youth-focused job creation initiatives, with a 70% of these opportunities strictly ring-fenced for our youth,” Meth said.

According to Statistics South Africa, the country’s official unemployment rate currently stands at 32.7%. 

Meth described unemployment as more than an economic challenge, saying it has become a social justice issue that threatens social stability and undermines the dignity and future prospects of millions of young people.

The centrepiece of government’s intervention is a redesigned Labour Activation Programme, which has been restructured following a review that found it was not achieving the scale and impact required to respond effectively to the unemployment crisis.

The programme now rests on three pillars: workplace-integrated learning and placement, demand-led skills training, and support for small enterprises.

The first pillar focuses on placing graduates, TVET students and other work seekers in workplaces, particularly those who require practical training before they can qualify.

Meth said many students remain trapped in a “missing middle” category, having completed their studies but unable to graduate because they cannot secure workplace placements.

“The issue of being associated with going to universities, even though in other economies you see people who go to TVET and be the ones who are holding the economy,” she said.

She explained that many students complete theoretical studies but are unable to enter the labour market because they still need workplace-integrated learning.

“We have picked it up as a gap and decide we’ll use this program, labour activation, to identify those and place them in numbers, so that at least we can assist them to graduate,” the Minister said.

Government plans to place 20 000 TVET students and other learners requiring practical workplace exposure, including trainee engineers, law graduates, health inspectors, chartered accountants and chartered financial analysts.

The second pillar focuses on demand-led skills training aligned with labour market needs.

Meth said government had moved away from simply training people without considering whether jobs existed in those sectors.

“We are saying we will only partner with those credible and reliable training providers from the public sector and the institutions that are providing training, and also employers, in particular, but focusing on demand-led skills, skills that are needed by the labour market, so that once you are trained on that skill, there is no discussion about where do you go, because already the market is ready for you,” she said. 

As part of this effort, the department plans to train 10 000 young people in digital skills after research identified approximately 149 000 opportunities in the digital economy.

“The issue of AI digital technologies, we don’t have the success of that skill. It’s a skill that we need,” Meth said.

The department will also fund driver’s licences for 10 000 young people to remove a major barrier to entry into the labour market.

Meth noted that many entry-level positions require driver’s licences, making it difficult for unemployed youth to access opportunities.

The third pillar focuses on supporting small enterprises and the informal economy.

Meth said small businesses have the potential to create jobs but face challenges including limited access to finance, crime and inadequate municipal support.

“We must, if we want to see jobs as a department of employment and labour, have a program that supports the informal sector,” she said.

Overall, government aims to create 200 000 opportunities during the current financial year through the Labour Activation Programme and related interventions.

Seventy percent of these opportunities have been ring-fenced for young people.

In addition, the department has committed R350 million through its partnership with the Presidency and the National Pathway Management Network to place 130 000 young people in learning opportunities, work exposure programmes and employment interventions.

Meth called on employers to work with government to provide internships and workplace experience opportunities.

“It cannot be business as usual to have so many unemployed South Africans,” she said.

The Minister also encouraged employers to make greater use of Employment Services South Africa (ESSA), government’s online recruitment platform that contains millions of job seeker profiles.

“Employers must utilise the database. It’s an online system, which can be accessed via www.labor.gov.sa to directly recruit and match with unemployed works, whether they require chefs, waiters, drivers, plumbers, artisans, etcetera,” she said. 

Meth stressed that while government programmes can help improve employability and create pathways into work, long-term success ultimately depends on broader economic growth and stronger private sector job creation.

“We are still awaiting patiently, but we are very anxious for the economy to grow, for the economy to absorb the labour force,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will host and officially welcome her counterparts from Eswatini and Mozambique at the inaugural Council of Ministers Meeting of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) on Friday, 5 June, in Boksburg, Johannesburg.

The meeting will bring together Eswatini’s Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokela Dlamini, and Mozambique’s Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael — marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation on the management of shared water resources.

The historic gathering marks an important milestone in regional cooperation on shared water resources between South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique.

“Bringing Ministers of the three Member States together at this level reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation, deepening partnership and advancing a common vision for the sustainable management of the region’s shared water resources,” the department said.

The inaugural meeting will lay a strong foundation for coordinated action, shared responsibility and long-term resilience in managing the vital Incomati and Maputo river systems, which continue to support livelihoods, economic development, and environmental sustainability across the region.

According to the department, the engagement reflects a collective commitment to harness water as a catalyst for integration, stability, and prosperity in Southern Africa.

The meeting also builds on decades of cooperation among the three countries under the Tripartite Permanent Technical Committee, which served as the foundation for the establishment of INMACOM in 2021.

Through this inaugural session, the department said the three countries will consolidate institutional arrangements and advance coordinated approaches to the equitable and sustainable management of shared watercourses.

“South Africa’s hosting of the inaugural INMACOM Council of Ministers Meeting reaffirms its continued leadership in advancing regional cooperation and integrated water resources management within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region,” the department said.

The inaugural INMACOM Council of Ministers Meeting is poised to establish a strong foundation for long-term collaboration and reinforce institutional mechanisms that will guide the sustainable management of the shared river basins in the years ahead.

This landmark engagement will see ministers deliberate on strategic priorities central to regional water governance, including water availability, infrastructure development, sharing of hydrological data and information, and environmental sustainability.

Discussions are expected to lay the foundation for enhanced resilience and long-term water security across the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.

INMACOM is a transboundary river basin organisation established by South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique to promote cooperation in the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of shared water resources.

The Commission serves as a vital platform for joint planning, information sharing and coordinated management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins, ensuring the equitable and peaceful use of water resources for present and future generations.

The main responsibility of the Commission is to, amongst others, encourage cooperation between the parties to ensure the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of the water resources shared by the Member States. – SAnews.gov.za

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Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp has announced the publication of South Africa’s National Elephant Heritage Strategy in the Government Gazette, paving the way for its implementation as a national framework for elephant conservation and management.

The strategy provides a coherent, evidence-based approach to the conservation and management of the African elephant in South Africa and is aligned with national biodiversity targets and policy mandates.

According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), African elephants are currently listed nationally as “least concern”, reflecting a widespread and stable population that faces a low risk of extinction within South Africa.

The strategy was developed through a partnership between the DFFE, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks). 

The initiative was aimed at creating a unified framework to guide elephant conservation and management across the country.

In line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the strategy was developed using a whole-of-society approach that incorporated input from stakeholders across South Africa. 

As part of the process, a National Elephant Indaba was convened to discuss challenges related to human-elephant conflict and to develop a coordinated national response informed by scientific evidence.

The National Elephant Heritage Strategy is intended to guide the development, revision and implementation of several key mechanisms and tools, including the Elephant Norms and Standards, the National Elephant Research Strategy, the Non-Detrimental Finding for Elephants, the Elephant Red-list Assessment, reserve-level Elephant Management Plans and the National Elephant Meta-Population Plan.

The department said the strategy adopts an integrated socio-ecological framework aimed at strengthening adaptive management, improving stakeholder engagement and enhancing sustainable benefit-sharing opportunities associated with elephants and their habitats.

The strategy will also serve as South Africa’s National Elephant Action Plan for the implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP). 

Government said the framework aligns with the country’s international obligations and will support engagement with other elephant range states while demonstrating South Africa’s contribution to achieving the objectives of the AEAP.

Electronic copies of the Government Notice for the National Elephant Heritage Strategy are available at https://www.dffe.gov.za/legislation/gazetted_notices or www.gpwonline.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za

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