Category: South Africa Government

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has welcomed the Western Cape High Court ruling granting the City of Cape Town, in partnership with the Departments of Home Affairs and Public Works and Infrastructure, authority to serve eviction notices at the Wingfield and Paint City sites in Bellville.

This follows the COVID-19 lockdown, when groups of people were relocated to the two sites after their removal from Greenmarket Square and the Central Methodist Church in Cape Town’s city centre. 

While many accepted support and reintegration, approximately 160 people remained at Wingfield and 200 at Paint City, rejecting assistance and demanding relocation abroad – requests that government said were not legally feasible.

“This ruling demonstrates the importance of collaboration between national and local government. Together with the City and the Department of Home Affairs, we have taken a decisive step towards restoring these sites and ensuring that state-owned assets are protected and used for the benefit of the public.

“We are relentlessly pursuing our agenda to reclaim state assets and repurpose them for public good. The rule of law will be enforced. No person has the legal right to unlawfully occupy state land or to claim public buildings and land as their own. It is our responsibility to return these properties to their intended purpose so they can contribute to the upliftment of our communities,” the Minister said on Friday.

The Minister also stressed that the evictions will help relieve the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure of the millions of rands in costs paid each month to maintain tents and facilities at these sites, freeing up funds for essential infrastructure and service delivery. 

The ruling allows the sheriff of the court, working with government partners, to serve notices on those currently occupying the sites.

“This process will allow us to reclaim these sites to ensure they become productive spaces that can be used to support community development,” Macpherson. – SAnews.gov.za

With the escalation of fighting in the Republic of the Sudan, the South African government has reiterated its call for an immediate end to the conflict and resumption of genuine and sincere talks to bring an end to the conflict.

The on-going armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the significant loss of civilian lives, the destruction of property, especially critical infrastructure, and the internal and external displacement of the Sudanese population.

Since 15 April 2023, the innocent people of Sudan have been subjected to suffering in this crossfire, with the gravity of the situation becoming more dire.

In a statement on Saturday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the latest brutal attack on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has been besieged for over 500 days, is yet another example of the many atrocities the civilians have had to endure. 

It has been reported that heavy artillery was fired at densely packed neighbourhoods, including the central market and Awlad al-Reef, claiming around 24 lives, leaving 55 others wounded, among the wounded are five women. 

“South Africa stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan, especially women and children, who continue to face the plight of this war. This prolonged conflict poses a grave threat to the stability and economic prosperity of Sudan and the broader region, as its spillover effects, including the humanitarian and refugee crisis have worsened,” DIRCO said.

South Africa has also called on all the parties to the conflict to respect international law, including international humanitarian law that seeks to protect civilians, especially women and children. 

“In this regard, we also urge the parties to allow access for the distribution of humanitarian assistance as well as the provision of critical medical support to those in desperate need, notably in El Fasher.

“There can be no military solution to the conflict, which must be resolved in a peaceful manner on the basis of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led inclusive dialogue, paving the way to a peaceful transition process where a civilian-led, democratic government, can steer the country towards harmony, reconciliation and redevelopment.

“It cannot be emphasised enough that there is an urgent need to put an end to this conflict where indiscriminate human rights abuses are committed daily. Despite the numerous mediation efforts, which have yet to yield a peaceful resolution, the role of multilateral and regional bodies and other initiatives, remains relevant, and the work must continue ceaselessly to this end,” the Ministry said.

South Africa has reaffirmed its full support to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, the African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to promote the peaceful end to the conflict through mediation and dialogue that will ensure that the people of Sudan can enjoy sustainable peace and freedom in this lifetime. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, former Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2.

The long-serving diplomat passed away at the age of 72 on 24 August 2025, on his way to a South African hospital after a short illness.

The President has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from Saturday, 30 August 2025, until the evening of his funeral on Saturday, 6 September 2025.

Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to the Mahlangu family, colleagues, comrades, and associates with whom Ambassador Mahlangu engaged during his distinguished career.

Ambassador Mahlangu served as the High Commissioner of South Africa to the Republic of Kenya; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).

He was instrumental in the drafting of South Africa’s democratic Constitution and served in the first Parliament.

“The President has declared that Ambassador Mahlangu will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 which will entail ceremonial honours performed by the South African Police Service,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The funeral service will take place in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. – SAnews.gov.za