Category: South Africa Government

While government continues to review reducing inflation levels, the Ministry of Finance and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have asserted that the work being done on it will be evidence based.

South Africa continues to target inflation within the 3‒6% range, with the SARB focusing on anchoring inflation at the midpoint of the range, or 4.5%, since 2017. 

“Research and consultations have however highlighted a range of specific challenges associated with a wide target band and the long-term costs to the economy and entrenched inequality caused by relatively high inflation,” a joint statement by Ministry of Finance and SARB said on Monday.

With the post-pandemic surge in inflation fading, National Treasury and SARB have analysed and discussed the value of reducing inflation to levels consistent with the country’s trading partners.

“Over the past year, inflation expectations have shifted downward in line with softer inflation outcomes. To sustain this progress and meet its constitutional mandate of price stability, at its July 2025 meeting, the SARB’s Monetary Policy Committee expressed its preference for consumer price inflation to remain low, around the bottom end of the current target range of 3‒6%.

“Similarly, National Treasury, in its 2024 Macroeconomic Policy Review, acknowledged that low and stable inflation is good for economic growth and concluded that monetary policy goals have broadly been achieved,” the statement said.

The review also emphasised that, while the current macroeconomic policy framework is fit for purpose and flexible to changing conditions, some adjustments could make it more effective. 

In this regard, additional technical work was undertaken by the Macroeconomic Standing Committee (MSC) of the two institutions to assess the appropriateness of the inflation target. 

“As has been the practice, macroeconomic policy, including adjustments to the inflation target, will continue to be evidence-based. As the technical work draws to a close, the MSC will draft recommendations on the inflation target and table them to both the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the SARB. 

“The Minister of Finance and Governor will agree on any changes to the target band. The Minister of Finance will make a formal announcement as soon as is practical to anchor expectations,” the statement said.

Rising public debt and inflation globally have made clear the importance of sound macroeconomic frameworks to sustainable economic growth. 

“Since the pandemic and its aftermath, domestic inflation has eased, and the debt trajectory tempered. Monetary policy has been effective, and fiscal policy is actively moving to a more sustainable path for public finances. 

“Nonetheless, new risks to the global outlook underscore the high potential for further global shocks. Macroeconomic policy needs to be both flexible and robust to these shocks and the many others that will inevitably come our way,” the statement read. –SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has called on women entrepreneurs across sectors including ICT, agriculture, finance, education, hospitality, energy, and climate to take advantage of legal frameworks, government programmes, and the 40% public procurement target to strengthen their businesses.

Speaking at the Women-Owned Business Empowerment series in Richards Bay, on Saturday, Letsike stressed that the commitments to women’s economic participation must be “tracked and enforced.”

“Empowerment is not an act of goodwill; it is our collective responsibility,” she said.

Letsike noted that access to finance remains one of the greatest obstacles for women entrepreneurs.

“Women are less likely to have collateral, less likely to be considered “credit-worthy” by traditional banks, and more likely to face discrimination in the allocation of capital,” the Deputy Minister said.

Government has introduced measures such as the R3.2 billion Women Empowerment Fund, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and procurement reforms that channel at least 40% of public sector procurement spend to women-owned businesses.

However, Letsike acknowledged that the implementation gaps remain, and bureaucracy continue to frustrate the same entrepreneurs it seeks to support.

“Our task is to ensure that policy commitments translate into real opportunities on the ground. Beyond finance, we must address access to markets.

“Too often, women’s businesses are confined to the informal sector, unable to grow beyond micro-enterprise level because they cannot access supply chains,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the role of the Women’s Economic Assembly, which brings together government, business, and civil society to open value chains in sectors such as mining, agriculture, automotive, retail, and ICT sectors to women-owned enterprises.

“These commitments must now be tracked and enforced,” Letsike said.

Digital inclusion

While acknowledging that the role of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in reshaping how people live and work, Letsike said the digital divide threatens to leave women behind.

“In South Africa, women are less likely to have access to smartphones, data, or digital literacy training. Yet, digital platforms are increasingly where businesses are born, where trade is conducted, and where opportunities are found, particularly with the rise of e-commerce as a disruptive force on how business is conducted.

She added that programmes such as SA Connect, the Smart Africa Youth Chapter, and initiatives by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to expand broadband access must prioritise women, especially in rural and township areas.

“When women are digitally connected, they are economically connected,” she said.

Letsike also emphasised that empowerment strategies must account for the diverse realities faced by women.

“Young women face higher unemployment rates than men. Women with disabilities encounter double discrimination in accessing opportunities. Rural women must contend with geographic isolation and poor infrastructure. Migrant women face legal and social barriers to inclusion.

“An effective empowerment strategy cannot treat women as a monolith, it must be tailored, intersectional, and responsive to the lived realities of diverse women,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has concluded its Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to Nigeria and Ghana.

The mission formed part of the dtic’s ongoing mandate to strengthen South Africa’s trade and investment footprint across the continent and to position local companies for opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Over the course of the weeklong selling mission held from 25-30 August, a delegation of South African companies, supported through the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme, participated in a structured programme that included trade and investment seminars, business-to-business engagements, and site visits in Lagos and Accra.

Reflecting on the mission, the Chief Director of Export Promotion at the dtic, Zanele Sanni, emphasised the value of the engagements.

“The Outward Selling Mission has provided South African businesses with important exposure to the Nigerian and Ghanaian markets,” said Sanni.

She said the platforms created in the week have allowed the delegation to introduce their products and services, explore areas of collaboration, and gain insights into the evolving trade and investment landscape in West Africa,” she said.

READ | Local companies to participate in outward selling mission to West Africa 

The delegation concluded its programme in Ghana with a visit to the Dawa Industrial Zone, one of the country’s flagship industrialisation projects.

“The visit to Dawa Industrial Zone highlighted the scale of opportunities that exist for industrial cooperation. It underscored Ghana’s commitment to manufacturing and value-added production, which could present future partnership prospects for South African companies,” Sanni said.

She further stressed that while immediate outcomes will take time to materialise, the groundwork laid during the mission was an important step in strengthening South Africa’s trade relations in the region.

“As with all outward missions, the tangible results will become clearer in the coming months as participating companies build on the connections they have made. What is important is that we have taken deliberate steps to deepen our economic ties with two of West Africa’s most strategic partners, and that momentum will carry forward,” Sanni said.

The dtic, working in collaboration with the South African High Commissions in Nigeria and Ghana, will continue to provide follow-up support to participating companies to ensure that the engagements from this mission contribute towards sustainable trade and investment growth. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the second phase of the reopening of Silvermine Gate 1 and most of the trails in the Silvermine area on Table Mountain on Monday.

This follows the successful reopening of Silvermine Gate 2 and areas of Tokai on 1 July after the fire in late April 2025 that affected approximately 2 800 hectares in the area.

Located in the central section of the Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine offers some of the best hikes in the park with beautiful fynbos landscapes.

“Upper Tokai will also reopen on 1 September 2025, including Levels 4 and 5, which were previously closed in July due to unstable terrain during the rainy season. However, a section of the road from the Silvermine boom gate to the junction of Level 4 and 5 will remain inaccessible to cyclists, as rehabilitation efforts are still ongoing,” SANParks said.

The Donkey Trail from Silvermine to Upper Tokai and the Level 1 and 2 Jeep tracks for horseback riders will remain closed until further notice due to severe rain damage.

Silvermine Gate 1, located on the western side of Ou Kaapse Weg, which includes the Silvermine Dam, the Elephant’s Eye trail and the Silvermine Riverwalk, will be officially open to the public. 

“Maintenance work will continue in certain areas, including the construction of new ablution facilities. Visitors will be able to make use of the ablution facilities located at the entrance gate and near the western side of the dam until the burnt facilities near the dam parking can be reconstructed. The uThango braai area will remain closed and is expected to reopen in December 2025, pending ongoing restoration of the infrastructure.

“Although some trails may seem visually unaffected, access is being restricted in specific areas to ensure user safety and support ecological restoration efforts. Public safety is our top priority,” SANParks said.

Therefore, all trail users are urged to strictly adhere to signage, area closures, and instructions from rangers. 

Visitors must remain vigilant and stick to designated paths at all times.

“To ensure the safe reopening of these areas, SANParks is conducting Safety Awareness Campaigns as it welcomes visitors back. SANParks appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as we work towards safely restoring access to these important areas.” –SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has extended permits for the Small Pelagic sector due to review applications brought before the Western Cape High Court on the finalisation of appeals in the 2021/22 Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP).

The department had originally aimed to complete this process by 29 August 2025. 

However, later court orders required adjustments to this timetable. Following consultation with stakeholders, the new deadline for finalisation is 30 October 2025.

“By extending permits and engaging openly with stakeholders, we are safeguarding stability in the sector while honouring the principle of fairness. Our goal is to build trust, certainty and sustainability for the fishing communities who depend on these resources,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George said.

The Minister said fairness and transparency are non-negotiable in the allocation of fishing rights.
“That is why we must follow due process and resolve all legal matters before finalising decisions that affect rightsholders and the sustainability of our fishery. 

“Because allocations in this sector are interconnected, final decisions on rights and quantum can only be made once all appeals have been reconsidered and comments on the Provisional Sardine and Anchovy Appeals Reconsideration General Published Reasons (GPRs) have been taken into account,” George said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has signed a landmark co-operation agreement with the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZN CC), signalling a decisive shift towards structured collaboration between government and the faith sector to confront some of the province’s most urgent social challenges.

Signed in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, the agreement establishes a strategic partnership aimed at addressing crime, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and moral decline through coordinated, province-wide interventions.

Grounded in practical and measurable actions, the partnership is built upon four key pillars, including:
•    Food security – Promoting community-based agriculture through the establishment of gardens on church and residential land, with government support in the form of fencing, seeds, tools, and technical assistance.
•    Crimefighting and survivor support – Providing survivors of crime with psychosocial and legal support via trained counsellors and advisors, while launching peacebuilding initiatives across all 11 district municipalities.
•    Shelter and rehabilitation for the homeless – Identifying underutilised government buildings and church facilities to offer shelter, alongside structured rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
•    Moral regeneration and community mobilisation – Driving values-based community engagement and social renewal through faith-led initiatives, in collaboration with relevant provincial departments.

Ntuli emphasised the significance of the strategic value of the agreement, noting that with a membership base exceeding 3.4 million across KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN CC is well-positioned to mobilise grassroots support and foster meaningful, community-driven transformation.

“This partnership is a bold step towards restoring the moral compass of our society. The church has always been a beacon of hope and healing. Through this agreement, we are empowering it to lead in rebuilding communities and fostering peace and dignity across KwaZulu-Natal.

“This agreement reflects the KwaZulu-Natal government’s unwavering commitment to working with all sectors of society to create safe, resilient, and morally grounded communities. It is not only a partnership of principle but a call to action — where leadership, faith, and civic responsibility converge to reshape the future of the province,” Ntuli said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has sought to clarify that its partnership with music duo Scorpion Kings for a concert was a non-financial collaboration aimed at creating opportunities for young people in the creative sector.

This comes after the agency noted concerns raised by the public regarding its involvement in the event.

“The NYDA has entered a partnership with Scorpion Kings to expand opportunities for young people. The NYDA did not pay or provide financial support for the Scorpion Kings event,” NYDA said in a statement on Friday.

The partnership provides the National Youth Service (NYS) participants with exposure and practical experience in event management and related functions, while supporting the broader growth of South Africa’s arts and culture industry.

“By engaging young people in event functions such as ushering, stage support, and front-of house operations, the NYS is helping to build technical and professional skills that extend across the arts, culture, and entertainment industries. 

“This positions the NYS as a key enabler of entry-level opportunities, giving participants the foundation to pursue careers in events, stage management, production, hospitality, and beyond.

“The Scorpion Kings concert partnership illustrates how public-private collaboration can create spaces for youth to be active participants in major cultural events, not just as audiences but as contributors,” the agency said.

Currently, more than 4 000 NYS participants are applying their craft to uplift communities, whether through local performances or cultural initiatives that foster social cohesion.

Additionally, through the Young Creatives Programme (TYCP) and the partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), over 330 young artists are supported to grow their talents while preserving and promoting South Africa’s cultural heritage.

According to the NYDA, the creative arts and entertainment sector is one of the fastest-growing contributors to South Africa’s economy, however, it remains underdeveloped in terms of accessible pathways for youth. 

“The NYS is working to bridge this gap. This partnership is more than a single event. It represents a broader vision of youth empowerment, using the service as a platform for skills development, employability, and sector transformation. 

“By integrating youth into the creative industries, the NYS contributes to diversification, professionalisation, and unlocking the sector’s potential for job creation. Equally, it positions the NYS as a structured, scalable model for industries seeking to nurture and grow young talent, as well as advancing inclusive economic growth,” NYDA said.

The agency said it plans to scale and replicate this model to impact youth across both rural areas and their urban counterparts, ensuring equitable access to opportunities within the creative economy nationwide. –SAnews.gov.za