Category: South Africa Government

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has outlined plans and activities leading up to the 2026 Armed Forces Day, which will be commemorated on 21 February 2026.

The Armed Forces Day (AFD) will take place in Thohoyandou, Venda, in the province of Limpopo.

Addressing members of the media during a briefing held at the Thulamela Local Municipality Library on Wednesday, the SANDF said AFD remains an important date on the calendar of the Defence Force, having been proclaimed as an annual commemoration on 21 February. 

Armed Forces Day serves a dual purpose of honouring men and women currently serving in uniform, while also remembering about 600 soldiers who lost their lives during the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917. 

“It is a deeply sombre, yet prideful occasion, balancing the modern excellence of the SANDF and the profound historical tragedy of the SS MENDI. This day is a celebration of courage of those who wear the uniform and we bow our heads in memory of those who never returned from the distant horizon,” the SANDF said in a statement. 

Since its inception in 2013, Armed Forces Day has been commemorated in all nine provinces to expose communities to the SANDF and to enhance public understanding and appreciation of its work. 

The hosting of the 2026 commemoration in the Vhembe District and Thulamela Local Municipality forms part of an ongoing effort to reach rural and outlying communities.

“This event charges the SANDF to showcase itself, heighten [a] sense of patriotism and service to all South Africans,” the briefing noted.

A series of activities will take place in the build-up to Armed Forces Day, culminating in the main event on Saturday, 21 February. The activities include a Career Expo at the Fan Park, an Interfaith Church Service, sport clinics, and a wreath-laying ceremony by the President in honour of fallen members.

Communities will also have an opportunity to witness some of the Defence Force’s military hardware, noting that Armed Forces Day is not only about showcasing equipment and personnel, but also serves as a real-time simulation of the SANDF’s ability to mobilise rapidly across the country.

“As we always say we train, as we fight to be prepared for any eventuality should such arise,” the SANDF said.

The briefing further highlighted the SANDF’s people-centred approach to security, aligned with South Africa’s adoption of human security, which focuses on protecting individuals from non-military threats and emphasises freedom from fear, want and indignity.

Supporting communities affected by floods 

The SANDF also confirmed that it is providing support to communities affected by recent heavy rains and floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Engineers and other specialists have been deployed to assist with disaster management and infrastructure restoration.

“We have brought with us our engineers and other expertise to support with the disaster management efforts in the aftermath of the heavy rains. We will be contributing to infrastructure repairs, like roads and bridges in particular, the purification of water and putting up temporary structures with lighting for those affected,” the SANDF said.

The South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) has also been providing health services in deep rural areas, including Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Vhembe districts.

Health support services offered include medical, animal health, mental health, ancillary health, social and welfare services, as well as environmental health, with specialised services such as ophthalmology, oral health and orthopaedics also provided.

Call for participation

The SANDF called on communities around Thohoyandou and neighbouring towns and villages to participate in the Armed Forces Day activities.

“It is an honour for us to be here and share with you the activities of the SANDF whilst we are here and we can call on all communities around Thohoyandou and neighbouring towns and villages to join the SA National Defence Force in honour of our fallen soldiers and to build a compact with the people’s National Defence Force,” the SANDF said. 

The main Armed Forces Day Parade will take place on 21 February 2026 at Thavhani Mall along the R524 in Thohoyandou. 

The event will be preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial site, where President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will honour those who perished in the SS Mendi tragedy, as well as all SANDF members who have fallen in the line of duty. – SAnews.gov.za

The public has been advised to use their smartphones to verify field workers conducting surveys for Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

Throughout the year, Stats SA conducts surveys that include: the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS); General Household Survey (GHS); Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey (GPSJS); Domestic Tourism Survey and the Consumer Price Index.

Stats SA warned the public against false door-to-door ID verification claims that were circulating on social media.

“Stats SA wishes to categorically state that it does not conduct door-to-door visits for biometric collection, ID verification, or fingerprint scanning for any of its surveys – including censuses. Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant. Individuals claiming to represent Stats SA and requesting access to homes for biometric or ID verification are not acting on behalf of the organisation,” Stats SA said. 

How to identify genuine Stats SA fieldworkers:

• All fieldworkers carry official photo ID cards and signed approach letters.
• They wear Stats SA-branded attire, including t-shirts, bibs, and caps.
• They operate official vehicles branded with the Stats SA logo.
• The public is encouraged to verify the legitimacy of fieldworkers using the verification tool available on the Stats SA website at www.statssa.gov.za  or by contacting the Call Centre on 0800 110 248.

Suspicious activity should be reported to the nearest police station and brought to Stats SA’s attention via its social media platforms or call centre. – SAnews.gov.za

eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has reaffirmed the city’s commitment to working closely with the national Department of Transport and its entities to upgrade transport infrastructure and strengthen it’s position as a vibrant transport and logistics hub.

The commitment follows a two-day oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport to assess various major infrastructure and public transport projects in the city.

During the visit, the committee commended progress made by the municipality in implementing the Integrated Public Transport Network, GO! Durban, while also raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the programme amid the winding down of the Public Transport Network Grant.

Xaba led a joint delegation comprising members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, officials from the Department of Transport and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport on a site inspection of the GO! Durban C3 route.

The oversight programme began at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre before proceeding to Pinecrest Mall, where the delegation inspected the C3 route, which operates between Pinetown and Bridge City.

Committee Chairperson Donald Selamolela welcomed the engagement, saying the visit provided valuable insight into both the progress achieved and the challenges faced in delivering a safe, reliable and integrated public transport system.

Addressing the debriefing session, Xaba thanked the committee for the oversight visit, noting that it offered a clearer understanding of the C3 route and its supporting infrastructure.

He said the city’s infrastructure drive was underpinned by growing economic trajectory, citing the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Business Confidence Index, which showed a marked increase in eThekwini’s score from 52.12 points in the third quarter of 2025 to 63.38 in the fourth quarter.

“This improvement reflects growing optimism among businesspeople about both the current and future economic climate in Durban. This vote of confidence from the business sector compels us to redouble our efforts to upgrade infrastructure and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” Xaba said.

He added that the municipality continues to work closely with the Department of Transport, its entities and the private sector to upgrade transport infrastructure and reinforce eThekwini’s position as a vibrant transport and logistics hub.

As part of broader efforts to improve freight efficiency, the city is collaborating with Transnet to decongest and improve operations at the Port of Durban. Engagements have also been held with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa to discuss strategies for upgrading and modernising passenger rail infrastructure.

Xaba said partnerships with the private sector and Transnet Freight Rail Infrastructure Manager are moving swiftly to implement bold initiatives aimed at shifting a significant portion of freight from road to rail.

“A few months ago, we unveiled the R10 billion Insimbi Ridge Development in Cato Ridge, which forms part of our broader programme to establish an inland port and decongest the harbour. Furthermore, SANRAL [the South African National Roads Agency] is undertaking major projects within the city to upgrade the N2 and N3 transport corridors,” Xaba said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee and Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has reiterated the call for long-term disaster preparedness and climate adaptation measures.

The call was made during Parliament’s Joint Oversight Delegation on Cooperative Governance to flood-affected communities in Limpopo on Tuesday.

The delegation visited Tshakhuma in the Makhado Local Municipality within the Vhembe District, as well as Matsakali Village in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality.

The visit forms part of Parliament’s oversight mandate to assess government’s response to recent disasters and to evaluate recovery and mitigation plans at provincial and local level.

Led by Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration, Mxolisi Kaunda, and Chairperson of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the delegation inspected areas located along flood plains and riverbanks where extensive damage has been recorded.

Flooding caused by extreme weather conditions resulted in the widespread destruction of homes, roads, bridges, water infrastructure and other essential services, leaving some communities isolated and vulnerable.

Kaunda said the joint delegation’s oversight visit was intended to support provincial and local government and local communities, while ensuring accountability for commitments made to restore services.

“We are here to support the local and provincial government and affected communities, but also to conduct oversight on the commitments that were made to restore services,” Kaunda said.

Engagements with provincial and local authorities, traditional leaders and affected residents focused on the restoration of critical services, including access roads, water and sanitation, electricity infrastructure, and the continuation of schooling for learners.

Kaunda underscored the importance of safeguarding the culture of learning and teaching in the aftermath of a disaster and ensuring that schools can operate safely and effectively.

Community safety emerged as a key concern, with both chairpersons warning that settlement in flood-prone areas poses an unacceptable risk to life.

The delegation urged local authorities to present clear relocation plans for affected households to safer land already identified by the Department of Human Settlements.
Members also stressed the need for transparency and ensure that the right people benefit from emergency housing and rebuilding interventions and called for urgent repairs to damaged infrastructure such as low-level bridges and access roads that have cut off communities.

Mkhize said relocation remained the only sustainable solution for households living on flood plains and stressed the need for coordinated action across all spheres of government to support affected families in re-establishing themselves in safer areas.

Both chairpersons expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones during the floods and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to ongoing oversight of disaster response efforts.

Preparedness 

The delegation further underscored the importance of long-term disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation.

“We are asking what plans are being put in place to mitigate this so that we don’t experience the same problems, especially given climate change challenges. Preparation must be our focus, not only response whenever we are informed,” Kaunda said.

He added that rebuilding efforts must prioritise safety and sustainability, warning against returning communities to high-risk areas.

He also called for improved stormwater drainage, the clearing of waterways, protection of wetlands, tree planting and the integration of environmental planning into municipal development.

“Wetlands and open spaces play a critical role in absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and reducing the impact on residential areas,” Kaunda noted.

The joint delegation is expected to continue its oversight work in the Giyani and Tzaneen areas on Wednesday before moving to flood-affected areas in Mpumalanga.
Insights from the visit would be used to strengthen oversight of disaster response, recovery planning and long-term risk mitigation. – SAnews.gov.za
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa’s accession to the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) as a major milestone in advancing Africa’s economic integration, industrial development and intra-continental trade.

He was delivering a keynote address at the Afreximbank Accession Signing Ceremony held at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.

“Today, we mark a major milestone in our quest to realise the economic integration of our continent. South Africa’s accession to the Africa Export Import Bank affirms our commitment to African industrial development and to deepening trade, investment and development across the continent,” the President said.

The signing ceremony marked South Africa’s formal transition to Class A Shareholder status in Afreximbank and the activation of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing industrial development, export-led growth and deeper intra-African trade integration. 

Afreximbank is a pan-African multilateral financial institution that facilitates, promotes and expands intra- and extra-African trade and plays a key role in financing Africa’s economic development and industrialisation.

Once finalised, the South Africa Afreximbank Country Programme will be operationalised through a finance package that will initially support a range of strategic projects across the trade and industrial cluster. 

The programme is expected to inject capital into priority industrial projects, export diversification, infrastructure development and transformation initiatives.

“Today’s signing signals a deliberate, ambitious and more impactful phase in South Africa’s economic engagement with Africa and the world. For South Africa, the decision to accede to Afreximbank represents a strategic alignment.

“We seek to contribute to an Africa that prioritises intra‑continental trade, that builds its own industrial base, and that mobilises African financial institutions to support development,” the President said. 

He noted that Afreximbank has, for more than 30 years, demonstrated resilience, innovation and impact through a diversified portfolio across geographies and sectors. 

The partnership will strengthen South Africa’s ability to support exporters, industrial projects and regional value chains, while advancing continental development.

The President said South Africa accedes to Afreximbank at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the continent, with global economic uncertainties, climate risks and shifting trade patterns underscoring the need to build economic resilience.

“As a country, we are implementing far‑reaching reforms to restore growth, improve competitiveness and expand inclusion. We are working to accelerate economic growth by implementing structural reforms, increasing infrastructure investment and through targeted industrial policy,” the President said. 

He emphasised that membership alone is not the objective, saying what matters is how the partnership is translated into practical instruments that expand productive capacity, diversify exports and integrate more South Africans into regional and global value chains.

President Ramaphosa outlined South Africa’s industrialisation path as being anchored by three mutually reinforcing pillars: decarbonisation, diversification and digitisation. 

He said the country was pursuing an energy transition that balances climate imperatives with developmental realities, while building new industrial capabilities and creating jobs.

“That is why we are investing in renewable energy, green hydrogen, sustainable fuels and climate resilient infrastructure,” he said, adding that South Africa is also focused on beneficiating critical minerals for clean energy technologies, sectors where African countries hold a competitive advantage.

The President said diversifying both the export basket and the exporter base remains key to South Africa’s economic growth strategy, with a shift toward higher value and more complex exports in advanced manufacturing, green industries, critical minerals beneficiation, pharmaceuticals and the digital economy.

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he said, South Africa is working to build African value chains that anchor production on the continent and strengthen Africa’s economic sovereignty. 

Afreximbank’s instruments, including trade finance, project preparation, risk mitigation and market access support, were described as indispensable in turning this vision into reality.

President Ramaphosa highlighted the Afreximbank Inclusive Development Support Programme for South Africa, which sets aside a dedicated facility to address structural barriers that have historically excluded many South Africans from participating in trade and industrialisation.

The programme will support small and medium enterprises, black industrialists, and women- and youth-owned firms to access finance, build assets and participate in strategic sectors.

South Africa’s accession brings the country closer to the incubation of a South African Export–Import Bank, which will be developed in collaboration with Afreximbank and build on the experience of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation.

“This is a strategic investment in our ability to compete and to support South African firms across the export lifecycle,” the President said.

In concluding, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the leadership of Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr George Elombi, and former President of the bank, Professor Benedict Oramah, under whose leadership South Africa’s accession process was initiated. He also thanked Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, for his role in advancing South Africa’s trade and industrial agenda.

“Today, as we sign this Instrument of Accession, we do so with clarity of purpose and confidence. Let this moment mark not only South Africa’s full membership of Afreximbank, but the activation of a partnership that delivers growth, transformation and opportunity for our country and for our continent,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za 

The first participant in the BRILLIANT 011 first-in-human clinical trial for the HIV vaccine has been enrolled at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) site at the Groote Schuur Hospital.

The groundbreaking trial is being conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), together with the DTHF and the Wits Health Consortium.

“The trial is testing two cutting-edge vaccine components – BG505 GT1.1 and 426c.Mod.Core-C4b – administered with the SMNP adjuvant.

“These state-of-the-art immunogens are the result of international scientific collaboration involving the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the Scripps Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development and Amsterdam University Medical Centers.

“The trial is…marking a major milestone in African-led HIV vaccine research. BRILLIANT 011 brings renewed hope that an HIV vaccine developed through African science, for African populations, is becoming increasingly possible,” the SAMRC said in a statement.

SAMRC sponsor representative, Professor Glenda Gray, said: “Advances in HIV vaccine research and development place our team in a pivotal position to map immune responses to these novel vaccines in order to guide further development of this regimen.”

African partnership

The BRILLIANT Consortium (BRinging Innovation to cLinical and Laboratory research to end HIV In Africa through New vaccine Technology) is an initiative launched some two years ago and the study forms part of this consortium.

The consortium unites leading researchers from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique, and is “notable for being predominantly led by African women scientists, with the SAMRC leading this first study”.

“Despite facing severe setbacks following US funding cuts that threatened to derail the programme, the BRILLIANT Consortium demonstrated remarkable scientific resilience.

“Through swift leadership action and the mobilisation of new investment, the team successfully preserved the integrity of the research and ensured that Africa’s first clinical trial under BRILLIANT could proceed,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has warned that illegal mining is one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa’s mining sector – costing the economy billions in lost revenue.

The Minister was delivering remarks at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) National Inquiry into Policy Framework around Artisanal Mining.

The inquiry – now in its second leg – is investigating the Policy Framework around artisanal mining, the impact of artisanal mining on the human rights of surrounding communities and the scope and tactics employed in Operation Vala Umgodi.

“The dawn of democracy in 1994 marked a decisive break with this past. It ushered in a constitutional order grounded in human dignity, equality, and freedom, and it gave us the opportunity – and the responsibility – to correct historical injustices.

“For the mining industry, this meant developing a regulatory framework that promotes meaningful participation of historically disadvantaged persons, ensures responsible and sustainable mining, and drives socio-economic development.

“While progress has been made, significant challenges remain. One of the most pressing challenges confronting the sector is illegal mining, which is often conflated with artisanal and small-scale mining,” Mantashe said.

He noted the fundamental differences between artisanal and illegal mining, namely:

• Illegal mining is a criminal activity conducted in direct contravention of South African law. It is part of broader organised economic crimes and is often linked to serious offences, including illicit financial flows, extreme violence, human trafficking, gender-based violence and femicide, as well as the smuggling of weapons and explosives.
• Artisanal and small-scale mining, by contrast, is a legitimate and formalised economic activity, usually undertaken by citizens or legally documented residents, within a regulated framework.

He added that there is a “disturbing trend” emerging from illegal mining incidents with the involvement of undocumented foreign nationals.

He cited examples including:

• In the Stilfontein incident, 1 826 illegal miners surfaced from underground. The majority of those involved were undocumented foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
• In Barberton, approximately 1 000 illegal miners were arrested, many of whom were also undocumented foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.

“We must be clear: an individual who enters the country illegally and engages in unlawful economic activity cannot be sanitised or reclassified as an artisanal and small-scale miner.

“Whereas illegal mining was once largely confined to derelict and ownerless mines, it is now increasingly encroaching on operational and licensed mines, posing serious risks to safety, security, and economic stability,” he said.

Lost revenue

Mantashe told the inquiry that illegal mining cost the South African economy and the sector some R49 billion in 2019.

In response, government adopted a strategy including:

• The acceleration of the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines
• Implementing Operation Vala uMgodi to clamp down on illegal mining activities
• Streamlining the regulatory framework to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining, while strengthening sanctions against illegal mining 

Strides have also been made in the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines with at least four asbestos mines rehabilitated and 280 mine openings closed.

“This was made possible by an additional funding of R180 million allocated to the programme in the previous financial year.

“For the current financial year, a further R134.7 million was transferred to Mintek to continue this important work. It is important for the commission to note that the annual number of mines to be rehabilitated is dictated by the annual budget allocation received from the National Treasury.

“The department is also closely monitoring the rehabilitation and safe closure of operational mines to prevent these operations from becoming a burden on the state and future generations,” the minister noted.

Furthermore, a review of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) is also underway.

This seeks to:

• Formalise artisanal and small-scale mining,
• Prohibit illegal mining,
• Criminalise the transportation and trade of minerals without prescribed documentation.

“Even as this review continues, the Department has already acted. In 2022, we published the Policy on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining for implementation. This policy provides a framework to formalise the sector and enable lawful economic participation, primarily for South African citizens and legally documented individuals.

“Let me be clear: this policy does not legitimise illegal mining. It creates pathways for lawful, regulated participation – while ensuring that criminal activity is firmly and decisively addressed,” Mantashe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Residents of the Chaba Administrative Area (Ward 1) in Engcobo are one step closer to safer travel, improved access to services and new job opportunities, following the official introduction of a contractor for the long-awaited Chaba Bridge and access road.

For years, community members have had to contend with difficult and often unsafe travel conditions, particularly during heavy rains when access routes become hazardous.

The new project is expected to ease these daily challenges and bring long-term relief to residents who rely on the route to reach schools, health facilities and government offices.

Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Mayor Siyabulela Zangqa introduced the appointed contractor to the community, marking a key milestone in the municipality’s ongoing drive to improve infrastructure and service delivery in rural areas.

Valued at R24 million, the project entails the construction of a new bridge and a 4.9-kilometre access road. Once completed, the development is expected to significantly improve connectivity, enhance road safety and facilitate smoother movement for residents and road users.

The improved infrastructure will also help stimulate local economic activity by making the area more accessible.

Zangqa said the construction is expected to take approximately 12 months and expected to create employment opportunities for about 20 local residents, ensuring that the project delivers immediate economic benefits while promoting community involvement throughout its implementation.

Zangqa said the project was a direct response to issues raised by residents during the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshows, highlighting the importance of public participation in shaping development priorities.

“The municipality will continue to engage with residents to address other matters that require attention,” Zangqa said, reaffirming the local government’s commitment to listening to community concerns.

He added that the Chaba Bridge and access road project represented a major step towards improved living conditions for communities across the area, reinforcing infrastructure investment and supporting inclusive growth across the municipality. – SAnews.gov.za