Category: South Africa Government

In the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SoNA), President Cyril Ramaphosa made a decisive call: South Africa must move from stabilisation to acceleration. The foundation has been laid, and reforms are underway. But the defining task of the 7th Administration is to translate reform momentum into measurable improvements in the lives of all South Africans.

The recent assessments conducted by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) on the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024 – 2029 confirm that progress in the work of government is real. Yet, the assessments also underscore a central truth – delivery must deepen, accelerate and reach every community.

A reform agenda taking root

The MTDP 2024 – 2029, the programme of action and implementation blueprint of the 7th Administration, operationalises the vision of the National Development Plan (NDP) into measurable strategic priorities:

• Driving inclusive growth and job creation
• reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living
• building a capable, ethical and developmental state

The DPME’s review of performance between April and September 2025 tells a story of steadiness and resilience amid global uncertainty.

South Africa recorded 0.8% gross domestic product growth in the second quarter of 2025, the strongest quarterly performance since 2022. In the third quarter, 248 000 jobs were added.

Significantly, the country experienced more than 175 executive days without load shedding, marking a significant improvement in energy reliability and investor confidence.

Operation Vulindlela

Structural reforms under Operation Vulindlela are unblocking constraints in energy, logistics and water. South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list has strengthened financial credibility. Infrastructure financing has gained momentum, with R1.03 trillion allocated over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and substantial blended finance approvals through the Infrastructure Fund.

These are not isolated achievements. They represent the early dividends of a reform programme designed to stabilise and reposition the economy for sustained growth.

Confronting persistent structural challenges

Yet, stabilisation alone is insufficient.

Unemployment remains at 31.9%, with youth unemployment at 58.5%. A Gini coefficient of 0.63 indicates inequality remains and continues to shape the daily realities for millions of South Africans.

The National Development Plan is unequivocal: women, youth and persons with disabilities must be mainstreamed into South Africa’s economic trajectory.

Scaling investment and industrial momentum

Encouraging signs are emerging in industrial policy and investment mobilisation.

Over R44 billion in new investments have been secured across sector masterplans, including expansion in the new energy vehicle ecosystem and battery minerals value chains.

Tourism arrivals reached 7.6 million between January and September 2025, while MSME support programmes created or sustained more than 86 000 jobs.

These green shoots must now be scaled. Reform credibility must translate into higher investment, broader participation and sustained job creation.

Building a capable and ethical state

The SoNA reaffirmed that delivery depends fundamentally on state capability.

The DPME’s assessments indicate measurable progress:

• 93% of senior managers in the Public Service have undergone lifestyle audits
• 55% of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture have been completed or substantially completed
• Ministerial Performance Agreements are now tightly aligned to MTDP 2024 – 2029 and SoNA commitments, strengthening accountability at the highest level

Through the District Development Model (DDM), planning and coordination across national, provincial and local spheres of government are becoming more integrated. An inter-ministerial committee is supporting distressed municipalities, while reforms to the local government framework are under way.

Digital transformation is emerging as a key enabler of capability – from digital identity reforms to the MyMzansi citizen platform prototype. However, municipal capacity, procurement inefficiencies and fiscal pressures continue to hamper implementation in parts of the country.

The lesson is clear – reform must be accompanied by institutional strengthening.

From measurement to acceleration

The DPME’s role is not limited to monitoring performance. It is also to drive corrective action and support course correction.

Recent MTDP reviews have identified priority levers for accelerated delivery – including strengthening housing implementation, improving infrastructure project preparation in municipalities and enhancing administrative efficiency in health and social grant systems.

Evidence-based monitoring is increasingly informing decision-making at Cabinet level. Performance is being tracked. Bottlenecks are being identified. Accountability is being reinforced.

The imperative of acceleration

The SoNA marked a pivot from reform initiation to reform consolidation and acceleration.

Evidence from the DPME’s assessments of the government’s implementation of the MTDP shows that the foundations of recovery are in place – in energy reforms, infrastructure development, logistics recovery, tourism growth and public sector accountability.

But reform momentum must now yield visible change in the lives of South Africans through:

• more jobs, especially for young people
• faster and more reliable service delivery
• safer communities
• a professional, ethical and capable state

South Africa has entered a new phase, one defined not by promise, but by implementation.

The task before us is to convert momentum into measurable impact.

The progress is real. The direction is clear. The responsibility now is to accelerate delivery – together – in building a nation that works for all.

*This article was originally published in Public Sector Management Magazine

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By Sihle Manda

As South Africa marks Human Rights Month and approaches three decades since the adoption of its Constitution, the link between human rights and human settlements has never been more pronounced. 

Few portfolios illustrate the lived reality of constitutional rights as directly as housing – where dignity, equality and access to opportunity intersect in brick, mortar and place.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane believes this milestone demands reflection, celebration and renewed commitment. Speaking to Public Sector Manager magazine, she frames housing not merely as infrastructure delivery, but as a constitutional promise realised over time.

“Human rights and 30 years of the Constitution is an important celebration that needs to be held,” Simelane says. “I am going to look at it from a human settlements and property ownership perspective.

Gone are the days when women, specialised categories of society, could not own property. It took a lot of policy and direction just to make sure we are equal citizens in the eyes of the law.”

Right to own property

For Simelane, the right to own property is inseparable from the broader project of equality. The Constitution, she argues, did more than remove legal barriers – it fundamentally altered who could claim space, security and belonging.

“…it is to allow you to be able to exercise your right – and your right to be guaranteed by the Constitution – that you deserve dignity,” she explains. “Dignity is part of what could be realised by a government in providing you with a house.”

Yet the Minister is careful to stress that dignity does not end with a roof over one’s head. The democratic vision of human settlements is far more expansive.

“Not only providing you with a house, but a human settlement, where there are amenities like schools, amenities that bring conveniences like complexes, recreation centres like skills training and development centres that our communities so deserve,” she says.

Progress made

This integrated vision is reflected in how the department defines a human settlement. “When we categorise a human settlement, we say it must be provided with electricity – of which our country is doing well. There are challenges, but in our roll out we are at 97% provision,” Simelane notes. “With water and reticulation, we are at 72% in the connectivity of bulk, including roads in human settlements and other social amenities.”

While acknowledging persistent backlogs and service delivery pressures, she believes the constitutional trajectory is clear. “We have ticked what is key,” she says, “but when we talk to issues of urbanisation – which is what we are now dealing with – rapid growth, rapid migration forces us to follow what we call the priorities of the Seventh Administration.”

Those priorities include strengthening smaller towns and secondary cities. “Ensuring that we now even go into urbanisation of the small areas so that, conveniently, people are able to stay where they are,” Simelane explains. 

“To all South Africans, we have made a mark in growth – at a constitutional to a developmental point of view. That deserves to be celebrated.”

The gains

Central to this celebration is the country’s constitutional democracy and its oversight institutions. Simelane sees bodies such as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) not as adversaries of the State but as enablers of better governance.

“We have got a democracy in the form of the SAHRC, and that guarantees every South African that if you feel that your right is being violated in one way or the other, or the promises of the Constitution are not adhered to, you could be able to lay a right that you have in the Constitution for it to be looked into,” she says. 

“We do not take that from a negative point of view. The SAHRC is able to assess your systems, how you can grow and how you can develop in achieving that every right is guaranteed for every South African. We must celebrate the Constitution as a victory.”

Embracing technology

Looking ahead, the Minister situates the department’s current work firmly within this constitutional mandate. “In 2025, we presented our Budget Vote Speech under the theme: Leveraging technologies for resilient, sustainable human settlements,” she says. “We did this with full understanding that technologies can assist us in achieving our targets as contained in the 2024 – 2029 Medium Term Development Plan.”

She points to Section 26 of the Constitution as a guiding principle. “The Constitution enjoins us to take reasonable legislative and other measures within available resources to ensure everyone has access to adequate housing,” Simelane explains. “With this directive, not only to provide houses, but to deliver sustainable human settlements that are affordable, resilient and dignified.”

A key intervention in this regard is the Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) Summit, hosted by the department in early February. “This Summit is a national platform dedicated to advancing and showcasing innovative, sustainable and scalable construction solutions,” she says. 

“It supports the delivery of dignified housing, the eradication of informal settlements and mud houses, and strengthens our capacity to respond to housing emergencies stemming from disasters.”

“These challenges are further compounded by climate change, which has increased the frequency and severity of floods and storms.”

Rapid urbanisation adds another layer of complexity. “Our country continues to experience rapid urbanisation and population growth,” she notes. “These dynamics require new and innovative approaches to housing delivery that are faster, more cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, climate resilient and capable of being deployed at scale.”

Innovation

For Simelane, innovation is not a luxury – it is a constitutional necessity. “A key focus of the summit is the role of IBTs in accelerating housing delivery while maintaining quality, safety and compliance with regulatory standards,” she says. “These technologies include modular and fabricated construction systems, alternative and locally produced building materials, climate-resilient designs, green and energy-efficient solutions, and smart construction methods that reduce time and cost.”

She is particularly concerned about the continued existence of mud houses. “These structures are often highly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, including heavy rains and flooding, posing serious risks to the safety and well-being of occupants,” Simelane says.

 “Through IBTs, we want durable, affordable alternatives that can be rolled out rapidly, while supporting local manufacturing, skills development and job creation.”

Spatial justice 

The constitutional promise of dignity, she insists, must also translate into spatial justice. “With IBTs, we seek to achieve spatially transformed and socially integrated communities,” she says. 

“By promoting innovative construction methods that support higher density development and well-located housing, we will reverse apartheid spatial patterns and build communities truly reflective of a democratic South Africa.”

As South Africa reflects on 30 years of constitutional democracy, Simelane’s message is both reflective and forward-looking. “Through hosting the IBTs Summit, the department affirms its commitment to ensuring that all South Africans have safe, decent and affordable housing,” she says. “Innovation must play a critical role in accelerating delivery and improving the quality of household life.”

Ultimately, she returns to the Constitution itself. “Housing is not just about structures,” Simelane concludes. “It is about dignity, equality and human rights made real. That is what 30 years of our Constitution calls on us to protect – and to deepen – for generations to come.” 

*This article was originally published in Public Sector Management Magazine

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is implementing the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) to address structural challenges in the economy and place South Africa back on a path toward achieving the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The President was responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday following a question on whether the NDP’s targets of reducing unemployment to 6%, achieving 5% economic growth and building a capable state by 2030 are still attainable.

The President said a Ten-Year Review of the NDP released by the National Planning Commission in September 2023 found that the targets relating to the elimination of poverty and the reduction of inequality and unemployment will not be met by 2030.

However, he noted that progress has been made in several areas. 

“While progress has been made on other NDP targets – such as access to education, health, water, electricity and social assistance, South Africa remains highly unequal, marked by wealth disparities that span generations,” the President said.

He explained that several internal and external factors had slowed progress in achieving the NDP goals.

Among these were the lingering effects of the global financial crisis between 2007 and 2009, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the period of state capture during which billions of rands were siphoned from the state and investor confidence declined.

President Ramaphosa also cited the weakening of key State-owned enterprises such as Eskom and Transnet, years of unreliable electricity supply and declining performance in ports and rail infrastructure as additional constraints on economic growth.

Other challenges include declining state capacity, particularly at local government level, reduced fixed investment and poor coordination across government.

To address these challenges, the President said the MTDP has been developed to accelerate inclusive economic growth and job creation.

The MTDP aims to drive inclusive growth and job creation through structural reform and large-scale investment in energy, logistics and water infrastructure.

“It is focused on encouraging investment and creating employment in sectors like mining, agriculture, tourism and the green economy, while providing support for small and informal enterprises,” he said. 

Government is also working to reduce poverty and the high cost of living through expanded social protection, improved healthcare, stronger foundational education and targeted skills development.

The President said the MTDP also prioritises building a capable and ethical state by professionalising the public service, strengthening law enforcement, improving local government performance and tackling corruption.

The plan includes a results framework that sets measurable targets, strategic interventions and indicators to be achieved over the five-year period.

These targets inform the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and are reflected in departmental annual performance plans and budgets.

President Ramaphosa added that performance agreements concluded with ministers include key priorities and measurable indicators derived from the MTDP.

“Through the implementation of the MTDP and the work that has been underway over the last five years, we are steadily rebuilding our economy and restoring the capability of the state so that we can accelerate progress towards the achievement of the goals of the National Development Plan,” he said.

Government strengthens role of traditional leaders in governance

Meanwhile, responding to another question, the President outlined steps taken to strengthen the participation of traditional leaders in governance and service delivery. 

The President said traditional and Khoi-San leaders are recognised as key governance partners under the District Development Model.

He said the legal framework supporting their participation includes the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, which enables traditional councils to support municipalities in identifying community needs.

In addition, the Municipal Systems Act requires municipalities to consult traditional leaders when developing Integrated Development Plans, while the Municipal Structures Act allows recognised senior traditional and Khoi-San leaders to participate in municipal councils as ex officio advisory members.

These provisions allow traditional leaders to attend council meetings, address councils on issues affecting their communities and contribute to discussions on policy, by-laws and service delivery.

“While the framework is robust, implementation across municipalities remains uneven. To address this, the Medium-Term Development Plan now includes a specific indicator for the participation of Traditional and Khoi-San leadership in planning, implementing and monitoring government programmes,” the President said. 

He said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has begun capacity-building workshops in district and metropolitan municipalities to improve compliance with the legislation.

The review of the White Paper on Local Government currently underway is also expected to propose stronger cooperation between municipalities and traditional leadership institutions.

“The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring that the institution of Traditional and Khoi San Leadership is fully recognised, empowered and integrated into our governance system. Their wisdom, legitimacy and proximity to communities are indispensable to building a capable state and improving service delivery for our people,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za 

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) is expected to significantly reduce serious and violent crime in targeted areas affected by gangsterism and illicit mining.

The President was responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, following a question about the measurable outcomes and public safety improvements expected from the deployment.

President Ramaphosa said the SANDF will act as a “force multiplier” to support police operations aimed at tackling gang violence in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng, as well as illegal mining activities in Gauteng and the North West.

“The SANDF deployment is necessary to complement the efforts of SAPS in tackling these crimes and bringing stability to communities,” the President said.

He explained that soldiers will operate under police command, with clear rules of engagement and for specific, time-limited objectives.

According to the President, SANDF members may assist by providing protection during high-risk police operations, supporting cordon-and-search operations against armed criminals and securing critical infrastructure.

This support will allow police officers to focus on investigations, arrests and building strong cases that lead to successful prosecutions.

The deployment will also form part of broader interventions that include strengthening anti-gang units and illegal mining task teams.

Police will work alongside the National Prosecuting Authority through multidisciplinary task teams aimed at dismantling criminal networks by targeting their leadership, finances, firearms and logistics.

“Through this support we aim to achieve a significant reduction in serious and violent crime across targeted areas of deployment with the neutralisation of gang violence and illicit mining,” President Ramaphosa said.

National Health Insurance

Meanwhile, responding to a separate question from Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters, the President outlined progress made toward implementing the National Health Insurance Act. 

President Ramaphosa said government is undertaking preparatory work to implement the NHI, which aims to provide universal health coverage for all South Africans.

This includes developing procedures for registering NHI users, establishing accreditation frameworks and contracting arrangements for healthcare providers.

Government is also rolling out digital health systems to allow patient records to be tracked across both public and private healthcare facilities.

These systems include a Health Patient Registration System linked to the Department of Home Affairs’ population register and an Electronic Medical Record system expected to be rolled out to more than 3 500 public healthcare facilities over the next 15 months.

The President said government is also investing in healthcare infrastructure through the rebuilding of older hospitals and construction of new hospitals, clinics and health centres, while improving hospital governance.

Efforts are also underway to employ more doctors, health professionals and community health workers.

President Ramaphosa noted that government has undertaken not to proclaim sections of the NHI Act until the Constitutional Court of South Africa has ruled on legal challenges relating to the public participation process followed during the adoption of the legislation.

The cases are expected to be heard in early May 2026.

He said the undertaking, which has been made an order of court, will not affect the overall timetable for implementing the NHI or halt the work currently underway.

“The NHI aims to establish a single national fund that will allow for the equitable purchasing of health services from public and private healthcare providers,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the reforms introduced through the NHI are complex and will be implemented gradually in line with available financial resources.

“We are determined to ensure that every South African has equal access to quality health care regardless of their ability to pay,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has assured the public that it is attending to reports of a strong sulphurous odour detected in various parts of Gauteng, particularly in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.

The department has confirmed that the stench experienced by residents in these areas is likely caused by hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). 

“DFFE wishes to assure the public that the matter is receiving attention.”

The department received reports of the strong sulphurous odour in Gauteng on 10 March 2026. 

Air quality monitoring information from the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS https://saaqis.environment.gov.za/ ) showed that levels of sulphur dioxide, while elevated, remained in compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards during this period. 

“For hydrogen sulphide, monitoring data also showed elevated peaks, especially in Secunda, Springs, Irene (Pretoria), Midstream and Buccleuch air quality monitoring stations. 

“Although there are no National Ambient Air Quality Standards for hydrogen sulphide for now, these pollution levels were all significantly higher than the World Health Organisation recommended threshold for ambient nuisance odour of 5.02 parts per billion. 

“Based on these observations, it is highly likely that complaints raised by the public were prompted by elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide,” the department explained. 

Meteorological conditions show prevailing south-easterly winds that allowed for the transportation of air pollution from Mpumalanga into Gauteng, particularly over the cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Health effects of Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)

Exposure to hydrogen sulphide may irritate the eyes and respiratory system. 

Other possible health effects include dizziness, headaches, nausea and stomach upset, weakness, irritability, and breathing difficulties.

In severe cases, high exposure may lead to convulsions, loss of consciousness, or respiratory complications.

Children may be particularly vulnerable because they breathe more rapidly, relative to their body size, and may therefore receive higher exposure levels than adults in the same environment.

The department, therefore, urges members of the public in affected areas to report persistent strong odours to local environmental health authorities or health authorities. 

“Avoid prolonged exposure if strong odours are present. Seek medical attention if experiencing persistent respiratory discomfort or irritation.

“The department will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with provincial and municipal authorities to identify the sources of emissions and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.”

Legislative improvements

Following a similar sulphurous odour episode experienced in 2022 across Mpumalanga and Gauteng, the government identified and is currently implementing two key legislative measures.

They are aimed at tightening minimum emission standards and introducing hydrogen sulphide as a criteria pollutant.

“Government is tightening the minimum emission standards for hydrogen sulphide in coal gasification processes to significantly reduce emissions.

“The department is also in the process of introducing hydrogen sulphide as a criteria pollutant under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act.”

This will allow South Africa to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards for hydrogen sulphide, aligned with international health protection guidelines.

Consultations with provinces and municipalities on these standards are currently underway. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa’s current account balance switched from a deficit of R72.0 billion in the third quarter of 2025 to a surplus of R50.2 billion in the fourth quarter – the first surplus in two years.

This is according to data on the current account of the balance of payments for the fourth quarter of 2025 released on Thursday by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

The current account provides a summary of transactions between South African residents and the rest of the world, including trade in goods and services, income and current transfers.

The SARB attributed the improvement in the current account in the fourth quarter of 2025 to higher rand prices for exports and lower import prices.

“Similarly, the current account balance as a ratio of gross domestic product (GDP) switched to a surplus of 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from a deficit of 0.9% in the third quarter. On an annual basis, the deficit on the current account narrowed to R35.2 billion (0.5% of GDP) in 2025 from R48.0 billion (0.7% of GDP) in 2024.

“South Africa’s trade surplus widened substantially from R169.0 billion in the third quarter of 2025 to R282.2 billion in the fourth quarter as the value of merchandise and net gold exports increased while that of merchandise imports decreased,” SARB said.

The value of exports of goods and services in the fourth quarter of 2025 increased by R51.1 billion, reflecting higher prices, while the value of imports of goods and services decreased by R54.4 billion due to lower prices.

For 2025, the trade surplus narrowed slightly to R212.1 billion (2.8% of GDP) from R214.3 billion (2.9% of GDP) in 2024.

“The deficit on the services, income and current transfer account narrowed from R241.0 billion in the third quarter of 2025 to R232.1 billion in the fourth quarter. The narrower deficit stemmed from a smaller shortfall on the primary income account while the deficits on the services and current transfer accounts widened. 

“As a percentage of GDP, the deficit on the services, income and current transfer account narrowed from 3.1% in the third quarter of 2025 to 3.0% in the fourth quarter and similarly narrowed on an annual basis from 3.6% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025,” SARB said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

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After decades of waiting, members of the Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family in Mpumalanga, are set to receive land and title deeds to property their ancestors once occupied, in a move government says represents a step toward restoring dignity and addressing historical injustices.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday hand over the land and title deeds to the family, also known as the Schulk Marhiqa Communal Property Association (CPA). 

The claim involves 18 households and 86 beneficiaries and covers more than 627 hectares within the jurisdiction of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga.

According to the Presidency, the claimant family lived on the properties as far back as the early 1700s. The claim was submitted before the old-order deadline of 31 December 1998 under the Restitution of Land Rights Act by Schulk Ngazimbi Marhiqa Mtshoeni on behalf of the affected families.

The land parcels to be handed over include two properties on the Grootvlei 293 IS Farm, specifically Portions 24 and 26. Ownership will rest with the claimant families through the Schulk Marhiqa CPA.

The Presidency said the process forms part of the broader work carried out over the past three decades by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, which focuses on addressing dispossession by restoring land to rightful claimants.

Government has described each resolved claim and transferred title deed as a concrete step toward justice and national transformation, emphasising that land restitution is not only about compensation but also about restoring identity, belonging and opportunities for communities affected by past injustices.

Deputy President Mashatile will be joined during the handover in Secunda by the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso. The ceremony will take place in the Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has welcomed the swift and coordinated action by law enforcement to intercept four Chinese-flagged fishing vessels that entered South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial waters without the required authorisation.

“South Africa will not tolerate the unlawful use of its maritime zones. We remain resolute in safeguarding our marine resources and ensuring that our ports are not perceived as ports of convenience. Compliance with our laws is non-negotiable,” the Minister said on Thursday.

The vessels – Zhong Yang 231, Zhong Yang 232, Zhong Yang 233, and Zhong Yang 239 – were placed under guard by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Team members and Fishery Control Officers at the Port of Cape Town anchorage. 

At the same time, compliance processes were finalised between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the vessel owner, Shenzhen Shuiwan Pelagic Fisheries Co. Ltd.

The vessels initially requested permission on 23 February 2026 to pass through South Africa’s EEZ under “innocent passage” – indicating they would exit by 3 March. 

On 27 February, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported that the vessels had also applied for Off-Port Limits (OPL) authorisation without the required justification or documentation, and the request was rejected.

Further investigations by the department revealed that the vessels had already entered South African territorial waters while the OPL request was under consideration. 

They were detected within 12 nautical miles of the KwaZulu-Natal coast and later tracked along the Eastern Cape coastline.

“During this time, the vessels repeatedly switched their Automatic Identification System (AIS) on and off. This is a violation of South African regulations requiring foreign vessels to keep AIS active while transiting national waters. 

“AIS is a critical safety system used to ensure navigational awareness and prevent collisions at sea. Based on the available evidence, there were reasonable grounds to suspect non-compliance with the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998,” the department said.

The Masters of the vessels were charged, and an administrative penalty of R400 000 was imposed. 

The vessel owner subsequently paid the fine, after which the vessels were released and departed South African waters. –SAnews.gov.za

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called for predictable policies, improved infrastructure and reduced regulatory barriers to support South Africa’s grain producers.

Addressing the Grain SA Congress at NampoPark in Bothaville, in the Free State, on Wednesday, Steenhuisen said grain farmers remain central to the country’s food security and agricultural economy, despite facing mounting structural challenges.

“Very little in South Africa’s food system happens without the work done by grain producers,” he said, noting that staples such as bread, maize meal and livestock feed all begin with decisions made on farms across the country.

Steenhuisen said the agricultural sector employs close to 950 000 South Africans and contributes roughly 6% to 7% of South Africa’s economy when the broader agro-processing value chain is included.

The sector also remains a major foreign revenue source for the country, with agricultural exports worth more than US$15 billion last year, generating a trade surplus of over US$7 billion.

Within the broader agricultural system, the Minister said maize production remains one of the country’s most strategic pillars. South African farmers produce between 10 million and 16 million tonnes of maize annually, depending on rainfall conditions, supplying both domestic consumption and regional export markets.

However, the country remains structurally dependent on wheat imports. South Africa consumes more than 3.5 million tonnes of wheat each year, but local production typically reaches only around two million tonnes, leaving the country reliant on imports for 40% to 50% of its wheat needs.

Steenhuisen said the widening gap between production costs and farm returns has become a major concern across the grain sector.

“That gap reflects a convergence of pressures that producers are being forced to manage simultaneously, including rising input costs, climate variability, infrastructure inefficiencies and global market volatility,” Steenhuisen said.

Input costs remain one of the biggest drivers of financial pressure on farmers, particularly fertiliser and fuel. Fertiliser alone accounts for 35% to 50% of production costs, while South Africa imports more than 80% of its fertiliser requirements, leaving farmers exposed to global supply disruptions and currency fluctuations.

Steenhuisen said recent geopolitical tensions affecting shipping routes in the Middle East could further raise fertiliser transport costs, while diesel prices are projected to increase by about R4.40 per litre from April, adding further pressure on farm budgets.

Fuel already accounts for between 12% and 18% of a farmer’s production costs, meaning incresing prices will affect both winter grain planting and summer harvest operations.

Beyond input costs, Steenhuisen highlighted infrastructure failures as a major constraint on the sector. Freight rail currently carries only 3% of South Africa’s grain and oilseed transport, down from about 20% in 2011, forcing producers to rely increasingly on road transport.

In many farming regions, deteriorating rural roads have become a significant cost burden, increasing fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance, and transport delays.

Steenhuisen said a recent cooperation agreement between government, business and agricultural organisations aims to identify critical agricultural road corridors for targeted infrastructure investment, beginning with a pilot project in the Free State.

Predictable policy implementation was also essential, he said, particularly regarding the wheat import tariff system, which is designed to balance domestic production with the country’s reliance on imported wheat.

He said administrative delays in publishing tariff adjustments can create volatility in the value chain and expose importers, millers and farmers to significant financial risks.

Steenhuisen said government is exploring options for a more automated tariff adjustment system to improve predictability and reduce administrative delays.

Looking ahead, the Minister said innovation and research will be critical to the long-term sustainability of grain production, particularly as climate change increases weather-related risks.

Advances in plant breeding technologies, including gene-editing techniques, such as CRISPR [a revolutionary gene-editing technology derived from bacterial immune systems that allows scientists to precisely add, remove, or alter DNA sequences], could help improve crop resilience and yield stability under changing climatic conditions.

Steenhuisen also highlighted the potential for expanding domestic demand for maize through industries such as biofuels and agro-processing, which could reduce the sector’s dependence on volatile export markets.

“Food security ultimately rests on farm profitability. If farmers cannot operate viable businesses, the entire food system becomes fragile.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

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