Category: South Africa Government

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel has posited that corruption deepens inequality by exploiting existing gender power structures and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, particularly women.

Nel delivered an address at the Stellenbosch University’s Symposium on Gender Inequality and Anti-Corruption, hosted by the university on Wednesday.

The symposium took place as South Africa commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings, who stood up against apartheid pass laws. 

“Corruption is not gender neutral because corruption does not take place in a socially neutral environment. It takes place within existing structures of economic, political and social power. Where those structures are characterised by significant gender inequality, corruption may reproduce or deepen that inequality.

“Conversely, unequal access to resources, institutions and decision-making can create forms of dependence and vulnerability that facilitate corruption. The relationship is therefore more complex than asking whether women suffer more from corruption than men,” the Deputy Minister said.

He noted that corruption redirects resources from public purposes to private interests, and a gender responsive analysis must ask who ultimately bears the costs when public services deteriorate.

“If access to a public service becomes dependent upon a bribe, political connection, personal relationship or some other improper consideration, a formally equal system may produce highly unequal outcomes. Those with resources may pay. Those with connections may circumvent the problem. Those without either may simply be excluded.

“Corruption must therefore be understood not only as a problem of legality or administrative efficiency, but also as a problem of substantive equality,” Nel stated.

From diagnosis to implementation

Nel noted that the Zondo Commission is a clear demonstration of the “systemic character corruption can assume”, adding that reforms borne from the report of that commission have recovered some R11 billion in stolen public funds.

On the ongoing Madlanga Commission, the Deputy Minister warned against prejudging matters, but added that “government cannot be indifferent to what is emerging”.

“Evidence before the Madlanga Commission has raised serious questions about aspects of IDAC’s [Investigating Directorate Against Corruption] own functioning and the exercise of its investigative mandate.

“These concerns have not been ignored by Government or by the leadership of the National Prosecuting Authority,” Nel stated.

The Deputy Minister described both commissions as part of an “evolving process of institutional learning”.

“The Zondo Commission required us to confront the consequences of institutional capture. The Madlanga Commission requires us to examine more closely the integrity of the institutions through which the State investigates, prosecutes and combats criminality and corruption.

“Both remind us that institutional reform cannot be a once-off event following a commission of inquiry.

“It must be a continuous process of building capacity, testing institutional arrangements against experience, identifying weaknesses and correcting them. A strong institution is not merely one with extensive powers. It is one capable of exercising those powers effectively, lawfully, professionally and accountably,” he noted.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced a reset of IDAC, including a host of remedial activities to be carried out.

Since the revelations at the commission, IDAC Head Advocate Andrea Johnson has resigned from her position.

“Government established IDAC because South Africa needs effective specialised capacity to investigate serious corruption. That objective remains valid. The credibility of an anti-corruption institution depends not only upon the importance of its mandate; it also depends upon how that mandate is exercised.

“We must, therefore, be capable of doing two things simultaneously: strengthening the institutional capacity required to combat corruption, while insisting upon accountability where questions arise concerning the exercise of that capacity,” Nel insisted.

He called on all sectors gathered at the symposium and beyond to work with government to realise the constitutional ideal gender equality and accountability.

“Thirty years after the adoption of our Constitution, substantive equality and accountable government remain mutually reinforcing constitutional imperatives.

“Government has a responsibility to lead this work. However, building institutions that are more equal, accountable and resistant to corruption requires the active participation of all the sectors represented here,” Nel concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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As South Africa marks Women’s Month, the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) offer a powerful reminder of the important role women continue to play in shaping the country’s future.

Across laboratories, universities, hospitals, research institutions and technology companies, South African women are making significant contributions to scientific discovery, innovation and the development of solutions that improve lives.

One example is Professor Liesl Zühlke, whose recent international recognition highlights the calibre of women scientists emerging from South Africa.

Zühlke, a paediatric cardiologist and researcher at the University of Cape Town, was named the 2026 laureate for Africa and the Arab States in the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. She was officially honoured at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 11 June 2026.

Her work focuses on cardiovascular diseases in children, including rheumatic heart disease, a preventable condition that continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Her research demonstrates how scientific excellence can be translated into practical interventions that improve healthcare and save lives.

Zühlke is also Vice-President of the South African Medical Research Council’s Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio, Director of the Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit at UCT and a paediatric cardiologist at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Her research extends beyond rheumatic and congenital heart disease to areas including HIV among adolescents and cardiac disease in women of childbearing age. Her achievements have earned her numerous national and international accolades, including the 2023 South African Women in Science Award and recognition as one of the leading international scholars in rheumatic heart disease research.

Her journey is part of a much broader story of women who are helping to advance South Africa’s scientific and technological landscape. From medical research and engineering to information technology, environmental science, astronomy and biotechnology, women are increasingly contributing to fields that have historically been dominated by men.

The growing visibility of women scientists is also important for the next generation. Recognition at the highest levels of science provides young girls with role models who demonstrate that careers in STEM are not only possible, but can have a meaningful impact on society.

For South Africa, investing in women in science and technology is about more than celebrating individual achievements. It is about creating opportunities for women to participate fully in research, innovation and decision-making, while ensuring that the country’s scientific talent reflects the diversity of its population.

As Women’s Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality, the achievements of scientists such as Professor Zühlke demonstrate the strides South African women are making in STEM.

Their contributions serve as a reminder that when women are given the opportunity, resources and support to pursue scientific careers, they can help solve some of society’s most pressing challenges and contribute to a stronger, healthier and more innovative South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has announced the finalists for the 2026 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).

This comes as South Africa commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings, who stood up against apartheid pass laws. 

“Celebrated annually during Women’s Month, SAWiSA recognises and rewards excellence in science, technology and innovation (ST&I) by South African women. The awards also celebrate outstanding researchers and scientists, whose achievements inspire the next generation of women and girls to pursue careers in ST&I,” the DSTI said on Wednesday.

This year’s theme: “Placing Women at the Centre of Science, Technology and Innovation”, aligns with the department’s mantra of “Placing science, technology and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry and society”. 

The theme underscores the critical role that women play in advancing scientific excellence, driving innovation and contributing to South Africa’s socio-economic development.

“The DSTI Fellowships have been renamed in honour of the late Prof. Shirley Keolebogile Motaung, one of South Africa’s most distinguished black women scientists and academics. 

“The DSTI-Prof. Keolebogile Motaung Fellowships will be awarded to young women pursuing their master’s and doctoral degrees in recognition of their academic excellence and research potential,” the department said.

This year, the department is introducing a new look SAWISA to support the strategic commitment to place women at the centre of science, technology and innovation. 

It strengthens the visibility of research excellence, reinforces SAWiSA’s role as a transformation instrument, and creates a recognisable platform through which awardees can inspire public participation in science, mentorship and future talent development.

The new look combines scientific symbolism, feminine strength and South African identity, and will be reflected in the logo, trophy and overall branding. 

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 20 August 2026 at the NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel. 

The 2026 SAWiSA finalists are as follows: 

Prof. Agnes Chigona

Prof. Tanusha Raniga

Prof. Nirmala Dorasamy

Prof. Xanthe Hunt

Prof. Faheema Mahomed-Asmail

Prof. Musawenkosi Saurombe

Prof. Marietjie Venter

Prof. Sheena Kumari Pillai

Prof. Nelishia Pillay

Prof. Tricia Naicker

Dr Yaseera Ismail

Prof. Muthumuni Managa

Associate Prof. Lynn Hendrick

Dr Hafsa Essop

Prof. Tebogo Mothiba

Associate Prof. Sabrina Kumschick

DSTI-PROF. Keolebogile Shirley Motaung Fellowships 

Doctoral Fellowships

Ms Makwena Sebone

Associate Prof. Jane Ndlovu

Ms Nolwandle Khumalo

Ms Nondumiso Nkosi

Ms Vhuhwavho Tshavhungwe

Ms Victoria Hlokoe

Ms Annarien Headley

Master’s Fellowships 

Ms Kayleigh Mathieson

Ms Mushayathoni Nwovhe

Ms Nasiphi Siguca

Ms Rebaone Mofokeng

Ms Yolanda Mngcongo

Ms Jos Jansen van Vuuren

Ms Ayesha Aswat. 

– SAnews.gov.za

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South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy Minister, Dr Polly Boshielo, will this week lead the launch of a Campus Community Safety Forum at North West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng Campus.

“The launch forms part of the SAPS and Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) continued commitment to strengthening safety at institutions of higher learning through the establishment of Campus Community Safety Forums,” the police said in a statement.

“These forums provide a collaborative and proactive platform for the SAPS, campus management, students, staff and other stakeholders to work together to prevent and combat crime both on and off campus, while promoting safer learning and living environments,” the statement said.

The launch will take place on 13 and 14 August 2026 and will include the signing of a Campus Community Safety Forum pledge, as well as a career exhibition aimed at exposing students to career opportunities within law enforcement. – SAnews.gov.za

 

                                                                                                                                     

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South Africa and China are set to deepen cooperation on disability inclusion, data, universal design, artificial intelligence and assistive technology as the two countries seek practical ways to improve the lives and rights of persons with disabilities.

The commitment was highlighted by the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga during the visit of a delegation from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) to South Africa on Tuesday.

Welcoming the Chinese delegation, the Minister described the engagement as an important continuation of high-level discussions held in China in October 2025, saying the two countries were now moving from dialogue towards measurable and practical implementation.

The partnership is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and South Africa’s White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Minister stressed that disability inclusion should not be treated as a stand-alone programme, but must be integrated across government planning, budgeting and digital transformation.

At the heart of the cooperation is a commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are recognised not merely as recipients of services, but as rights-holders, economic contributors, innovators and equal citizens.

Using data to drive inclusion

Chikunga said effective planning for inclusion requires governments to understand who is being excluded, where barriers exist and whether policies are producing meaningful results.

South Africa is therefore conceptualising a Disability Nerve Centre of Excellence as a G20 legacy project. The proposed centre would work with Statistics South Africa, institutions of higher learning and other disability-data stakeholders.

South Africa also wants to exchange expertise with China on disability-disaggregated administrative data, census methodologies, digital platforms and the ethical use of data.

Universal design was identified as another major pillar of the proposed partnership.

The Minister said accessibility should become a normal and non-negotiable part of national development rather than something added after infrastructure and services have already been designed.

This includes public buildings, transport networks, housing and digital platforms.

South Africa and China could also collaborate on joint training and knowledge exchanges on universal design and compliance auditing. Such programmes could benefit government officials, architects, urban planners and information technology professionals.

The Minister called for the two countries to explore ethical, affordable and locally relevant AI-enabled assistive technologies.

The proposed areas of cooperation include smart wheelchairs and intelligent mobility devices, AI-supported speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools, communication technologies, navigation systems for blind and visually impaired people, accessible digital interfaces, AI-supported learning tools, rehabilitation technologies and smart-home solutions.

However, Chikunga cautioned that innovation must be accessible to the people who need it most.

The goal, she said, is to combine innovation with inclusion, technology with dignity and artificial intelligence with human rights.

The Minister noted that people cannot fully access government services, education, employment, justice or healthcare if information is not provided in a form they can understand and use.

The proposed approach includes Easy Read and plain-language communication, Braille and accessible print, captioning and subtitling, South African Sign Language and other sign-language services, audio descriptions, accessible websites and mobile applications, as well as targeted accessible public information campaigns.

The Minister proposed a seven-point action plan designed to ensure that the bilateral engagement produces tangible outcomes rather than simply more meetings and presentations.

The proposed framework includes establishing a South Africa–China Disability Inclusion Knowledge Exchange Platform, joint capacity-building programmes, stronger cooperation between research institutions and universities, collaboration with technology developers and organisations of persons with disabilities, joint exploration of AI and assistive technologies, deeper cooperation on disability data and statistics, and joint programmes on universal design and accessibility.

The plan also proposes structured exchanges between learners with disabilities in pre-vocational and vocational programmes in both countries to support skills development. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Small businesses are set to benefit from a partnership between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and global shipping and logistics company, DHL.

The partnership, which is aimed at expanding the footprint of emerging exporters in regional and global trade, was formally announced on Tuesday at an official launch event at the DHL Baobab Facility in Waterfall City in Gauteng. The launch included the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the dtic and DHL. 

The signing marks the start of a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing South Africa’s e-commerce export agenda and strengthening support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and emerging exporters.

The collaboration will be undertaken under the banner of DHL’s GoTrade Programme, focusing on trade education, capacity-building programmes, business clinics, trade missions, corridor activation initiatives and increased awareness of key trade frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other trade agreements that create new opportunities for African businesses.

The partnership supports the dtic’s broader objectives on industrialisation, export growth and emerging exporter development and promotion. It also reflects the department’s ongoing efforts to work with private sector partners in building a more enabling environment for South African businesses to trade competitively.

DHL’s GoTrade Programme is aligned to the dtic’s newly launched eTrade South Africa Programme, which is centred on core strategic pillars aimed at equipping businesses with the knowledge, skills, tools and market access required to participate in cross-border e-commerce and successfully expand their global footprint.

“Today marks an important milestone in the dtic’s efforts to build a stronger, more connected export development ecosystem. At the heart of the agreement we are signing with DHL is a shared commitment to combining our complementary strengths. 

“Government provides policy support, market intelligence and exporter development programmes, while the private sector contributes operational expertise, technology, finance, logistics and direct access to markets,” said the Acting Deputy Director-General of Exports at the dtic, Willem van der Spuy.

He said the dtic initiated this engagement with DHL because it recognised that its exporter development work could be significantly strengthened by bringing in the expertise of a global logistics and trade-enablement partner.

“eTrade South Africa will be powered by DHL’s GoTrade initiative, bringing together the dtic’s exporter development capabilities and DHL’s practical expertise in logistics, trade facilitation, e-commerce and international market connectivity. Our ambition is simple: to help more South African MSMEs transition from businesses with export potential to businesses that are actively exporting and competing in global markets,” said Van der Spuy.

He also pointed to the wider ecosystem taking shape around the partnership.

“The connection between the dtic’s policy and exporter development mandate, DHL’s logistics and trade enablement, Standard Bank’s finance and financial solutions, and MTN’s connectivity and digital capability can create something far more powerful than four separate interventions. We begin to build an export ecosystem around the MSME itself,” Van der Spuy concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary Elias Magosi has highlighted progress made by the region in energy, digital connectivity, trade, investment and agriculture, while calling for deeper regional cooperation to address persistent challenges facing Member States. 

Magosi was speaking on Wednesday at the official opening of the Ordinary Meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers in Durban. 

He said the region was meeting against the backdrop of profound global change, including geopolitical tensions, shifting economic realities, declining development assistance and conflicts in various parts of the world.

“While these developments pose challenges for the region, they also reinforce an important lesson we can no longer ignore, that the future of our region will increasingly depend on our ability to trust each other more and work together more, to strengthen regional resilience and drive our own development agenda under our own terms,” Magosi said.

He said this understanding informed the Retreat of SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Skukuza, Mpumalanga, in May, where Member States reaffirmed their commitment to deeper regional integration, collective resilience and sustainable development.

Energy and digital connectivity

Magosi said the SADC region added 3 253 megawatts of new installed generation capacity across 12 mainland Member States during the 2025/26 financial year, with a further 1 611 megawatts added by the Island States.

The region’s total installed capacity now stands at 88 202 megawatts, while operational capacity has reached 54 812 megawatts, exceeding combined regional peak demand and reserve requirements of 52 617 megawatts.

However, Mogisi stressed that progress in the energy sector should ultimately be measured by the number of households, schools, health facilities and businesses gaining access to reliable electricity.

Regional electricity access increased from 56% in 2024 to 60% in 2025, although this remains below the target of 85% access by 2030.

Magosi called for accelerated grid expansion, stronger cross-border interconnections and increased investment in off-grid and renewable energy solutions.

On digital connectivity, he said internet penetration had risen to 57.2%, while 4G network coverage reached 79.2% and mobile penetration stood at 95.2%.

“These achievements are helping us to drive innovation, improve connectivity and expand economic opportunities across the region,” he said.

Trade, investment and industrialisation

Magosi said economic transformation remained at the centre of SADC’s regional integration agenda, although performance across key economic indicators remained mixed.

Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) as a share of GDP declined from 11.3% in 2024 to 10.9% in 2025, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to strengthen industrialisation and value addition.

At the same time, intra-regional trade recorded modest growth, reaching 20.2% in 2025, driven by manufactured products, fuels, machinery, vehicles and agricultural goods.

The region’s merchandise trade balance remained positive at US$27.9 billion, despite declining by US$2.2 billion in 2025.

Foreign Direct Investment, meanwhile, increased by 44% to US$11 billion, largely driven by strong inflows into Mozambique and South Africa.

Magosi said the growth reflected continued investor confidence in the opportunities available within the region but warned that investment in research and development remained below regional and continental targets.

“No Member State has achieved the regional target of investing 1% of GDP in research and development, nor the African Union target of 1.5%,” he said.

He stressed that greater investment in science, technology and innovation would be critical to advancing industrialisation, improving productivity and maintaining competitiveness.

Agriculture and food security

Agriculture remains the backbone of SADC economies and the primary source of livelihoods for more than 70% of the region’s population.

Magosi said agricultural growth was estimated at between 2% and 3% in 2025, compared with negative or stagnant growth in 2024, following severe climatic shocks in recent years.

He also highlighted a 16% reduction in the number of food-insecure people across the region, saying the progress should strengthen efforts to invest in sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

However, recent Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks have disrupted livestock production and related trade, threatening livelihoods, nutrition and market access.

With nearly 75% of the SADC population below the age of 35, Magosi said young people must be placed at the centre of the transformation of agrifood systems.

He called for youth priorities to be integrated into national and regional agrifood systems and investment plans, with resources directed towards youth-centred agribusiness initiatives.

Peace, security and movement of people

Magosi said peace, security and good governance remained fundamental to sustainable development, investment and prosperity.

He noted progress in addressing political and security challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar, while highlighting the role of the SADC Panel of Elders and the Mediation Reference Group in conflict prevention, mediation and preventive diplomacy.

However, he said women’s participation in peace and security processes remained below desired levels.

“Women’s participation in peace and security processes remains below desired levels despite the disproportionate impact that conflicts have on women and girls,” he said. 

On regional integration, Magosi said 15 Member States now implement a 90-day visa-free regime for SADC citizens, while Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe have exempted all SADC Member States from visa requirements.

He said 10 Member States had signed the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons, with seven having ratified it.

With 11 ratifications required for the Protocol to enter into force, Magosi encouraged the remaining Member States to accelerate ratification.

Climate change and health

Magosi warned that climate change continued to pose a major threat to the region’s development gains.

He said devastating floods earlier this year claimed lives, damaged critical infrastructure, displaced communities and disrupted trade, while seasonal forecasts indicated a high likelihood of a severe El Niño event during the 2026/27 season.

He called for a shift from reacting to disasters towards investing in resilience through stronger early warning systems, anticipatory planning, climate-resilient infrastructure, disaster risk financing and resilient recovery.

He also highlighted the importance of operationalising the SADC Humanitarian Emergency Operations Centre in Nacala, Mozambique, to strengthen regional preparedness and response capacity.

On health, Magosi expressed solidarity with the government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo amid the Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak, which he said had resulted in significant loss of life and placed additional strain on the country’s health system.

He also welcomed the emphasis placed on sustainable health financing at the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers of Finance and Ministers of Health held in Harare last month.

“The message from the Ministers was clear: investing in health is not merely a social obligation; it is a strategic investment in human capital, economic productivity, and long-term sustainable development,” he said.

Zambia elections

Magosi also expressed the region’s support for Zambia ahead of its General Elections on Thursday, 13 August 2026.

He said SADC took pride in the electoral process in the region as a means of strengthening democratic and governance obligations under the SADC Principles and Guidelines governing democratic elections.

“We therefore extend our best wishes to the people of Zambia as they take this critical step in selecting a government.

“As a community, we stand in solidarity with Zambia and remain confident that the elections will further strengthen peace, enhance unity, ensure stability, and facilitate development in the country,” he said. 

Magosi also commended South Africa for hosting the 9th SADC Industrialisation Week and Exhibition in Durban from 26 to 31 July, saying the event demonstrated the region’s determination to accelerate industrialisation, deepen regional integration, attract strategic investment and unlock sustainable economic growth. 

The Ordinary Meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers is being held in Durban as Member States consider regional priorities and provide strategic guidance towards the implementation of the SADC Vision and shared development goals. – SAnews.gov.za

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The struggle for South African women’s freedom stretches far beyond the historic 1956 march to the Union Buildings, with the story of Sarah Baartman offering a stark reminder of the colonial violence and dehumanisation from which women had to be liberated, Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Nonkgubeka Pieters says.

Speaking at the Eastern Cape leg of the Milestones of Freedom programme during Women’s Month, Pieters placed Baartman’s story at the centre of the country’s long journey towards women’s emancipation, arguing that the history of colonial conquest must be confronted alongside the struggle against apartheid.

Pieters said the women who marched on 9 August 1956 were not simply demanding changes to apartheid legislation, but were fighting for “total liberation”.

The marchers, including Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, had challenged a system that sought to restrict the rights and freedom of Black South African women, she said.

But, she argued that the history of women’s oppression in South Africa began well before apartheid was formally established.

“To understand the full scope of what South African women were emancipated from – and to grasp the scale of what we must still build – we must look deeper into the historical architecture of colonial conquest,” Pieters said.

That history, she said, could not be told without confronting the story of Sarah Baartman, a Khoikhoi woman born in the Eastern Cape in the 1780s.

Baartman was taken to Europe under coercive circumstances and exhibited publicly in London and Paris, where she was presented as an exotic spectacle. After her death, her remains were subjected to further examination and displayed in France for decades.

For the MEC, Baartman’s experience represented the intersection of racial, gender and class oppression inflicted on African women under colonial rule.

“To speak of Sarah Baartman is to confront the most acute historical manifestation of imperialist dehumanization, gender-based degradation, and racial supremacy,” she said.

Baartman’s remains were eventually returned to South Africa following negotiations between the democratic government and France. She was buried in Hankey in the Eastern Cape on Women’s Day in 2002.

Pieters described Baartman’s repatriation as more than an act of remembrance, saying it represented the democratic state’s commitment to restoring the dignity and humanity denied to her under colonial rule.

Her burial, she said, was a declaration that women in democratic South Africa would no longer be treated as property or second-class citizens.

Pieters then drew a direct line between Baartman’s history and the 1956 women’s march, saying both moments formed part of a much longer struggle for women’s dignity and self-determination.

However, the MEC warned that the attainment of political freedom in 1994 had not brought the struggle to an end.

Despite South Africa’s constitutional and legislative advances on gender equality, women continue to face poverty, unemployment, inequality and gender-based violence, she said.

Pieters particularly highlighted economic dependence as a continuing threat to women’s freedom, arguing that women who lack financial independence can face greater difficulty escaping abusive relationships.

“The fight against GBVF is inextricably linked to the fight for economic independence,” Pieters said.

The address therefore positioned economic empowerment as the next stage of the historical struggle, with the government calling for greater access to capital, land, skills, procurement opportunities and ownership for women.

She also called on the private sector to open supply chains to women-owned businesses and urged government to prepare women and girls for emerging sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and commercial agriculture.

The significance of Women’s Month lay not only in commemorating the women who fought apartheid, but in recognising the much longer history of oppression that preceded it.

The journey from Baartman’s forced exhibition in Europe to women occupying positions in Parliament, government, business and science demonstrated how far South Africa had travelled, the MEC said.

Pieters cautioned, however, that the country could not claim complete victory while women continued to face economic exclusion and violence.

“Let us honour the marchers of 1956 not just with speeches, but with capital, land, skills, and absolute protection,” the MEC said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has paid tribute to the young people who lost their lives in the struggle against apartheid, saying their sacrifices will not be forgotten.

Speaking during the Western Cape leg of the Milestones of Freedom campaign in Cape Town on Tuesday, Morolong said the memories of those who gave their lives for freedom would live on for generations to come.

The campaign brings together communities, government and young people to reflect on South Africa’s liberation history and commemorate the sacrifices that paved the way for the country’s democracy.

As part of the Western Cape programme, Morolong visited the families of Christopher Truter and Xolile Mosie, two young lives cut short during the 1976 student uprisings. The visit preceded wreath-laying ceremonies at Maitland Cemetery.

Truter was 15 when he was shot by apartheid police after students gathered at Arcadia Primary School in Cape Town, following the 16 June 1976 uprising. He was fatally wounded during the unrest in Langa.

Morolong said the Western Cape leg of the campaign was particularly significant, as it honours the lives and sacrifices of the two young men.

“When the students came here in 1976, following the June 16 student uprisings, Mosie was fatally wounded by the apartheid regime and lost his life instantly. We also celebrate the life of Christopher Truter, a 15-year-old, who was shot when students gathered at Arcadia Primary School, following the June 16 student uprisings to protest against the killing of innocent lives,” Morolong said.

He said the history of South Africa’s liberation struggle was marked by the loss of many young lives, adding that their sacrifices played an important role in the eventual dismantling of apartheid.

“Today, we honour these young lives as we prepare to meet with young people who are gathered to commemorate the heroism of the youth of the 1976 uprisings. We say to their families that the death of their loved ones was not in vain. For as long as we shall live, their memories will live forever,” Morolong said.

The programme included a Torch of Freedom ceremony at Langa Police Station; a candlelight ceremony and the unveiling of the Pond at Langa Secondary School, commemorating the events and sacrifices of June 1976.

The ceremonies provided an opportunity for younger generations to learn about the courage of the youth who challenged the apartheid system, and to reflect on the democratic freedoms that followed.

The Western Cape programme forms part of the national Milestones of Freedom Campaign – a year-long initiative being rolled out across the country under the theme: “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future”.

The campaign seeks to preserve South Africa’s liberation history, while promoting social cohesion, national pride and a deeper understanding of the country’s democratic journey.

This year’s commemorations mark several significant milestones, including 30 Years of the Constitution, 50 years since the 1976 Youth Uprisings, 70 years since the Women’s Anti-Pass Campaign and 60 years since the forced removals from District Six in Cape Town.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) began rolling out the campaign to provinces, following its national launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 18 June 2026.

Through engagements such as the Western Cape programme, the campaign seeks to ensure that the stories of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom are not lost, while inspiring young South Africans to understand the responsibilities that come with the democratic gains achieved through their struggle. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government’s Milestones of Freedom campaign moved to the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, with communities called on to work together to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The Eastern Cape leg started with wreath-laying in honour of Sarah Baartman in Hankey.

Speaking at the wreath-laying ceremony, Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Nonkgubeka Pieters called on men, government, communities, traditional leaders, church leaders and others to join hands in the fight against gender-based violence.

“What happened to Sarah Baartman is the same thing that is happening to women today. Sarah Baartman was humiliated as a black woman because they did not see her as a human being.

“Some men do not see women as human beings, but see them as objects. That is why it is so easy for them to kill a woman,” Pieters said.

This must come to an end, she said, adding that men must do the right thing and protect women and children and end this scourge.

“We are here to celebrate 70 years of the Women’s March. Women did not march to be abused; they marched to be free,” she said.

The Milestones of Freedom campaign is a year-long programme held under the theme: “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future”.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is rolling out the Milestones of Freedom campaign to provinces, following its national launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 18 June 2026.

The campaign seeks to promote social cohesion, inspire national pride and encourage reflection on South Africa’s democratic journey by highlighting key milestones the country is commemorating this year.

These include the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising, the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March against pass laws, and the 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six.

Last week, the campaign was held in KwaZulu-Natal under the leadership of Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong.

Pieters emphasised the need to change the future so that generations to come do not feel what was felt under the oppressive regime.

“If we talk of freedom and human rights, we are talking of women’s rights – women have human rights as citizens of this country, women must be treated with respect.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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