Category: South Africa Government

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is inviting young people across the province to apply for opportunities within the YearBeyond Programme.

YearBeyond is a youth service partnership that includes government, the National Youth Development Agency, donors, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). 

The programme, originally initiated in the Western Cape, is now a national initiative that provides unemployed youth aged 18 to 25 with meaningful work experience and a pathway to further studies or employment.

Running from 7 January to 13 February 2026, the #SayYeBo campaign invites young people to apply for a year of structured service – gaining valuable skills and experience while contributing positively to their communities.

Through YearBeyond, young people, known as “YeBoneers,” are placed in education and community-based programmes that respond to real needs. 

These include learner support in schools, early childhood development, libraries and reading initiatives, youth wellbeing and social-emotional learning programmes, play-based activities, and broader social cohesion work. 

Speaking about the campaign this week, Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, said the initiative aims to address youth unemployment. 

“Through the YearBeyond programme, we are creating meaningful pathways for young people who may be uncertain about their next steps. The programme provides an opportunity to gain a year’s practical experience, improve their CV and gain important skills which will help them to access future employment opportunities as employees or employers.” 

Mackenzie said the provincial government wants to offer the youth a hand up to help them take the next steps towards becoming independent, thriving adults. 

“Programmes like this give young people options. Without this, many young people might end up in gangs or on the street. I’m proud of this programme in that it provides a pathway to independence and employment,” Mackenzie added.

The MEC also highlighted that YearBeyond reflects the Western Cape Government’s commitment to hope, optimism and practical pathways for youth, offering young people the chance to gain experience, build confidence and develop skills that support their transition into work or further study.

“It is part of our responsibility to give young people the best possible chance to succeed in life – empowering them to uplift their families and make meaningful contributions to their communities,” said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

The Premier believes that YearBeyond is a vital investment in the potential of young people, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to secure jobs and thrive, ultimately playing an active role in our economy.

“I urge young people to take full advantage of this incredible programme,” he said.

Young people who are interested in applying are encouraged to:
Create or update their profile on www.sayouth.mobi.
Ensure their address details are correct and up to date.
Log in to the SAYouth.mobi platform and search for YearBeyond.
Open the opportunity card for their municipality and apply.
Select all 2026 YearBeyond programmes that interest them. For more information on qualification criteria, visit: https://www.yearbeyond.org/apply-1. 

Applications close on 13 February 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Border Management Authority (BMA), in close collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), has intercepted over 20 minors near the Limpopo River close to the Beitbridge border fence.

In the incident on Thursday, officials reported that the children, aged between five and 17, were believed to be travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe when they were intercepted during routine border safeguarding operations.

Among the group were 10 adults; however, preliminary checks by BMA officials revealed that only one adult was the parent of one of the children. 

The remaining minors were found to be travelling without parental supervision or legal guardianship.

BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, expressed serious concerns about child protection, potential exploitation, and the violation of immigration and child welfare laws as a result of this interception.

“All individuals have been placed under the care of the relevant authorities, and processes are underway to ensure the safety, well-being, and lawful handling of the minors in line with South African laws and international child protection protocols,” Masiapato said in a statement.

The BMA is collaborating closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development, and other relevant stakeholders to verify identities, understand the circumstances surrounding the movement of the children, and identify appropriate interventions.

Masiapato has emphasised the agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards the unlawful movement of children across South Africa’s borders.

“The protection of vulnerable persons, particularly children, remains a priority for the BMA. We will continue to intensify joint operations with our security cluster partners to prevent exploitation and safeguard the integrity of our borders,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a message that is currently circulating on social media platforms warning of a storm dubbed “Storm Baron” is false and should be regarded as a hoax.

“There is currently no tropical cyclone activity over the south-western Indian Ocean, and no officially recognised storm named Baron,” the weather service said on Thursday.

However, an intense low-pressure system is expected to develop over the southern parts of Mozambique in the coming days. 

This system is forecast to then move further south and is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms to the north-eastern parts of the country from early morning Saturday, 10 January 2026, persisting until Thursday 15 January 2026. 

The areas’ most likely to be affected include the escarpment and lowveld areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

“It must be noted that, at present, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the exact placement of the core of the system, which directly influences where the heaviest rainfall is expected. 

“While several numerical weather prediction models place the system’s core to the east of South Africa, over southern Mozambique, there are those models that indicate it could track much closer to the country,” the SAWS said.

The first scenario would result in relatively lower rainfall amounts, while the second would mean very high amounts, potentially totalling several hundreds of millimetres in some places.

The SAWS continues to closely monitor this situation and will be providing regular updates as new information becomes available. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced that the results of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations will be published in accredited newspapers next Tuesday, 13 January 2026. 

On Wednesday, the DBE announced that the results will be presented in the same anonymised format as in recent years, which includes only examination numbers and results – no names, surnames, or ID numbers will be included.

This comes in light of the Information Regulator’s decision to seek permission to appeal a December ruling by a full bench of the Pretoria High Court, which determined that matric results could be published on public platforms using candidates’ examination numbers, as had been done since 2022. 

In 2024, the regulator issued an enforcement notice that prohibited the department from publishing the matric results in newspapers. 

Instead, it stated that the results should be shared in ways that comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), such as allowing students to access their results through their schools or via a secure SMS service from the DBE.

READ | Department welcomes High Court judgement on the publishing NSC results 

However, the DBE stated that, in accordance with its commitment to the rule of law, it is legally required to publish the results in a pseudonymised format. 

The department said this requirement is based on a court order issued on 18 January 2022, which specifically mandates this approach.

“This order remains in force,” the statement read. 

According to the department, the publication of NSC results in accredited newspapers has long been an important and accessible method for learners and parents to obtain results timeously. 

“We will continue to follow the established, court-endorsed practice of publishing the results without identifying learners in a manner that balances accessibility with the protection of personal information.”

Meanwhile, the department further confirmed that it will oppose the application for leave to appeal by the Information Regulator. 

“This opposition is pursued in the best interests of learners, their families, and the education sector. The department remains firmly of the view that the application has no reasonable prospects of success, given the clarity already provided by the courts.

“At the same time, the department emphasises that it holds the highest respect for the Office of the Information Regulator and its constitutional mandate.” 

The department stated that its opposition to the application for leave to appeal should not be interpreted as a “lack of respect” for the Information Regulator. 

“On the contrary, the department values the regulator’s role and looks forward to continued and constructive engagement.” 

The DBE said it remains committed to legal compliance, learner protection, transparency, and accessibility, while ensuring that the rights and dignity of every learner are respected.

The Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule are set to announce the results of the Matric Class of 2025 on Monday, 12 January 2026. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a recall for NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula, which is designed for the dietary management of infants at risk of developing a cow’s milk protein allergy.

The product affected is NAN Special Pro HA in the 800g package for children aged zero to 12 months, with the batch number 51660742F3, produced in June 2025.

According to the NCC, this product has been distributed through all major retailers and distributors across South Africa and has been exported to Namibia and Eswatini.

In the meantime, the commission announced that the product recall is due to the potential presence of Cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, which raises food safety concerns.

“The NAN infant formula has a lifespan of approximately 18 months,” the NCC explained.

According to media reports, Nestlé has announced a recall of certain batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA, and NAN formulas, primarily in Europe, due to potential contamination with a toxin that may lead to nausea and vomiting. 

The company, known for a wide range of products from KitKat to Nescafé, stated that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled items.

The recall was initiated following a quality concern related to an ingredient sourced from a major supplier.

A spokesperson for Nestlé mentioned that the company has begun testing all arachidonic acid oil and associated oil mixtures used in the production of the affected infant nutrition products.

The NCC has advised consumers who have the affected NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula 800g to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

“The NCC will continue to monitor the matter and engage with the supplier to ensure ongoing compliance with the food safety requirements.” – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has expressed serious public safety concerns after 40 people were reported to have been hit by lightning around Majaneng, a rural village in the Hammanskraal area, near Pretoria, earlier this month.

The lightning observation map for 3 January 2026 (12 pm to 10 pm) showed intense thunderstorm activity over the northern parts of Gauteng, with a high concentration of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning strikes in and around the highlighted region of interest. 

“This period coincides with the timeframe during which fatalities and multiple hospitalisations were reported at the troupe event. These incidents serve as a critical reminder that lightning poses a real and significant danger, particularly in the eastern half of South Africa, which is one of the most lightning-prone countries in the world” SAWS said on Wednesday.

READ | Condolences for victims of North West lightning bolt incident 

The weather service report indicates that activity peaked between 5pm and 6pm, with 713 strikes (39%). 

“The events were mostly negative cloud-to-ground strokes (1764 negative vs 66 positive), with a mean amplitude of −13.73 kA, though some strong positive strokes reached 54.9 kA, indicating mature storm stages and surface hazard. 

“The negative strokes were much stronger, with maximum of -179.7 kA recorded, indicating an exceptionally powerful lightning strike during the period,” the weather service said.

Lightning occurred at a mean distance of 14.5 km, but the closest strike was 1.4 km, showing direct risk to the settlement.

“The highest lightning densities occur over the north-eastern interior, particularly Mpumalanga, Limpopo and parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, where values locally exceed 15 to 20 flashes per square kilometre. These regions frequently experience intense summer thunderstorms, driven by strong surface heating, deep atmospheric instability and an influx of warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean,” it said.

Much of the central interior, including Gauteng, the Free State and North West, show moderate lightning activity of approximately five to 10 flashes per square kilometre. 

This reflects the Highveld’s climatology, where afternoon and evening convective storms are common during the summer rainfall season.

Lightning is strongly associated with deep convective clouds, which develop most readily in warm, moist and unstable environments, conditions that are far less common in the western parts of the country.

The public is urged to take lightning warnings seriously. 

“If thunder is heard, it means lightning is close enough to pose a danger. Outdoor activities should be stopped immediately, and people should seek shelter in fully enclosed buildings or inside vehicles with closed windows. 

“People should avoid open fields, hilltops, trees, metal fences, poles, water bodies, and temporary structures. If no shelter is available, individuals should spread out, crouch low with feet together, minimise contact with the ground, and avoid lying flat,” SAWS said.

After a thunderstorm, activities should only resume at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. 

The SAWS said it is important to note that lightning strike victims do not carry an electrical charge, and it is safe to assist them. 

Emergency services should be contacted immediately, and CPR should be administered if trained to do so.

Lightning-related injuries and fatalities are largely preventable through awareness, preparedness, and timely action.

The South African Weather Service will continue to closely monitor evolving weather and climate conditions and will provide weekly updates and early warnings where necessary to support public safety and preparedness. –SAnews.gov.za
 

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Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, is expected to meet with the leaders of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

This after current SIU Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, was appointed as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) at the NPA.

“The Minister will, in the days to come, convene a meeting with the leadership and relevant teams within the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit to ensure a smooth transition, and to implement the decision of the President [to appoint Mothibi],” a statement from the department noted.

Mothibi’s appointment was announced this week, with effect from February, at the retirement of current head, Advocate Shamila Batohi.

“Minister [Kubayi] also welcomes the appointment of Mr Leonard Lekgetho as the Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit.

“The Minister notes the confidence expressed by the President in both Advocate Mothibi and Mr Lekgetho, and wishes them well in the execution of their constitutional and statutory responsibilities, which are central to the strengthening of the rule of law and the effective functioning of the criminal justice system,” the department said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

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As the holiday season comes to an end, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape is urging all motorists and travellers returning home to prioritise road safety and responsible driving.

SAPS expects a significant increase in traffic volumes on major routes, as families and holidaymakers make their way back.

Road users are advised to plan their trips carefully, allow sufficient time for travel and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on their long journeys.

“SAPS hereby reminds drivers to obey traffic laws at all times, adhere to speed limits, and avoid reckless and negligent driving behaviour, such as overtaking on dangerous parts of the road and curves.” 

According to police, fatigue remains a major contributing factor to road accidents. 

“Drivers are encouraged to take regular rest breaks and to share driving responsibilities where possible.” 

SAPS reiterated that driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs will not be tolerated. 

“Law enforcement officers will maintain an increased presence on the roads through ongoing high-visibility operations, including roadblocks and vehicle checks, to ensure compliance and promote safer roads,” the statement read. 

Pedestrians are also urged to exercise caution when crossing roads, particularly in high traffic areas and to wear visible clothing when walking at night. 

Passengers are also encouraged to always wear seatbelts and to report unsafe driving to the authorities.

“The SAPS calls on all road users to work together in ensuring that everyone reaches their destinations safely. Responsible behaviour on the roads can save lives.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have welcomed the High Court’s declaratory order that sets aside the appointment of IDEMIA as a preferred bidder for the driving license card machines tender.

On Tuesday, the Gauteng North High Court declared that the tender was irregular, invalid, unlawful and unenforceable. 
Consequently, the tender has been set aside by the court. The Department of Transport has been ordered to re-advertise the tender within 30 days.

“Pending the appointment of a successful service provider under the re- advertised tender, the department has also been allowed by the court to outsource the services of printing and issuing of driving license (cards) to the Department of Home Affairs,” the department said on Wednesday.

The court’s declaratory order is based on the department’s court application, following the findings of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) that pointed out irregularities in the tender process.

Reacting to the court’s declaratory order, the Minister said that the court outcome is a vindication of the department’s commitment to the transparency and legitimacy of tender processes with the decision to approach the court for guidance on the matter as a necessary step for effective regulation.

Meanwhile, on 9 December 2025, the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) agency cleared the backlog of driving license cards that were outstanding for printing, following the breakdown of the printing machine from February to May 2025.

As a result, from 8 May to 8 December 2025, a total of 2 239 456 driving license cards were printed by the DLCA.

The State Security Agency has approved the prototype driving licence card designed by the Government Printing Works (GPW).

“The establishment of the network connection between the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and GPW was successfully tested. This will allow the transfer of data/files required by GPW to print the driving license cards.

“A Cabinet process will soon be undertaken to sought Cabinet approval of the prototype card design,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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