Category: South Africa Government

Agriculture and rural development took centre stage in KwaZulu-Natal’s economic agenda as Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli outlined wide-ranging interventions aimed at revitalising rural economies, improving food security and expanding employment opportunities.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Pietermaritzburg, Ntuli said agriculture remains fundamental to both the economic and social fabric of KwaZulu-Natal.

“Beyond its contribution to GDP [Gross Domestic Product], the agricultural sector underpins the rural political economy by creating livelihoods, sustaining communities, and promoting inclusive economic growth. The interlinkages between agriculture, rural development, and food security are clear,” the Premier said on Friday.

He said a key focus of the provincial government has been the identification and revitalisation of government-owned farms that have remained fallow.

“In the past year, our administration committed to prioritising the identification and revitalisation of all government-owned farms that have remained fallow. This initiative is guided by a carefully developed concept, and we are in the final stages of formulating a detailed implementation plan,” he said.

He said a trial pilot project will be launched at a Department of Agriculture and Rural Development farm in the Amajuba District, serving as a model for scaling up interventions across the province to ensure idle land is returned to productive use.

The department is also intensifying support production for land reform farms across KwaZulu-Natal.
“In Ugu District, for example, kwaNodumo and Njoli farms, which were previously underutilised, have each received R1.9 million in support.  These interventions include critical inputs, infrastructure development, and technical assistance, enabling farmers to generate sustainable yields and strengthen local food systems.

“Similarly, in the uThukela District, Amafu Farming and Mpembe Consulting have each received R2 million for infrastructure improvements and breeding stock. These investments are designed to enhance farm productivity, promote agribusiness development, and create employment opportunities in rural communities,” the Premier said.

By strengthening these farms, the provincial government is not only boosting agricultural output, but also stimulating the broader rural economy, he added.

In the Zululand District, Amandla Power has been supported to establish 50 saw units, with operations now fully underway. The initiative reflects a shift towards value-added agricultural activities and diversified rural livelihoods, fostering economic resilience beyond primary production.
Smallholder development is another pillar of the province’s rural strategy.

The Jozini Small-holder Farmer Programme, launched in April 2025, supports about 100 smallholder farmers through training, mechanisation and infrastructure, such as drying tunnels, with a focus on herbs and spices, building skills and access to markets.

Ntuli noted that the programme emphasises youth and women participation.
He said thousands of subsistence and smallholder farmers were supported in planting and mechanisation, in the form of back-yard gardens and food security initiatives.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development purchased 24 new tractors last year to service the communities and added another 24 this year to increase the hectares producing food in the province.
Artisans have been appointed in district municipalities to ensure ongoing maintenance and to minimise downtime.

“Youth in Agriculture programmes are active — with funding allocated to train and upskill young farmers and expand agricultural participation. This includes bursaries, learnerships, and practical farm experience to position youth for long-term agricultural success.

“It is vital that we continue to implement skills development and market access programmes to support employment growth in rural areas. The public-private partnerships will be supported to promote formal market access for smallholder produce, which lifts incomes and reduces rural poverty,” the Premier said.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

The Premier also addressed the province’s response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which poses a significant risk to the livestock sector.

He reported that KwaZulu-Natal has received 200 000 vaccine doses from a national batch of one million, the largest share allocated to any province.

The vaccination rollout is being intensified as part of efforts to contain the disease.
“We are expecting same or more quantities every week until our herd population is covered. We are working with farmers, both commercial and communal, to mitigate the risk of FMD,” Ntuli said. – SAnews.gov.za

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KwaZulu-Natal is steadily defying the economic odds following two shocks of the July 2021 unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, with the provincial government reporting measurable gains in growth, investment and job creation.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA), Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the province has emerged from “profound disruption” that tested the resilience of its economy, institutions and communities.

The unrest and pandemic resulted in a loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, business closures and a sharp erosion of investor confidence.

“Yet, out of this period of hardship, we made a deliberate choice as a government: not merely to rebuild what was lost, but to reimagine and reconstruct our provincial economy on a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable foundation,” Ntuli said on Friday.

Guided by this resolve, the provincial government subsequently embarked on a coordinated recovery and reconstruction programme, focused on restoring stability, strengthening governance and rebuilding trust with social partners. 

Strategic economic infrastructure was prioritised for protection, intergovernmental coordination was improved, and partnerships with the private sector, labour, and traditional leadership were reinforced.

“These interventions were essential in signalling that KwaZulu-Natal remains open for business and committed to policy certainty, institutional integrity, and long-term growth,” Ntuli said.

The efforts, he added, are beginning to yield positive results.

The Premier highlighted that KwaZulu-Natal’s economy under the Government of Provincial Unity, is showing encouraging signs of steady recovery, as it grew by 1.8% in 2025, a moderate but notable improvement from the subdued post-pandemic period and slightly above the national average growth expectation.

“The growth forecast for 2026 points to a further expansion to 2.1%. This projected increase reflects continued economic stabilisation, underpinned by improvements in energy supply and gradual recovery in key infrastructure systems, particularly in rail and port operations. These improvements are critical to restoring investor confidence and unlocking the full productive capacity of our province,” the Premier said.

Investment

Ntuli highlighted that in late 2025, the province surpassed R100 billion in investment pledges from domestic and international investors, a significant milestone following years of low growth and structural constraints.

The pledged projects are expected to generate more than 100 000 jobs and significantly strengthen economic activity across multiple sectors.

Tourism, one of the key economic pillars, recorded a strong performance in 2025, with the festive season alone having contributed an estimated R13 billion to the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driven by high domestic and international visitor numbers.

Between mid-2025 quarters, KwaZulu-Natal recorded a net gain of approximately 54 000 new jobs, a development that supported household income, boosted consumer spending, and reinforced broader economic growth.

Despite these gains, the provincial government acknowledges that structural constraints remain.

The Premier said historical electricity disruptions, freight inefficiencies and persistent rail and port bottlenecks, continue to limit higher growth potential, while slow national economic expansion exerts additional pressure on the provincial performance.

“Investor confidence is steadily recovering, reflected in renewed engagements with domestic and international investors, increased project pipelines, and growing interest in key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, energy, agriculture, and tourism.”

R168 billion required to create additional jobs

Ntuli also highlighted the scale of the employment challenge facing the province. He said the province requires about 461 000 additional jobs to reduce unemployment from 30.8% to the targeted 20%. Achieving this would require approximately R168 billion in investment.

He said it is estimated that R168 billion is required to create the additional 461 000 jobs, emphasising the need for coordinated public-private investment and district-focused industrial development strategies.

Economists estimate that GDP growth of 5% or higher is required to significantly reduce unemployment, given the province’s relatively low employment elasticity, where a 1% increase in GDP translates into a 0.5% or lower rise in employment.

With growth projected to peak at 2.1%, the Premier said current expansion rates would likely absorb new labour market entrants but fall short of clearing the existing backlog of 461 000 people needed to drop the unemployment rate to 20%.

Growth path

To accelerate progress, Ntuli said the province is pursuing an infrastructure-led and industry-driven growth path under the KwaZulu-Natal Inclusive Growth Strategy. 

Plans include scaling up informal sector development through enhanced cross-border trade and smart infrastructure interventions, such as public Wi-Fi and improved amenities to support township and rural economies.

The revival of the King Shaka International Public Link Solution is also on the agenda to improve connectivity between Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay and Margate, strengthening economic corridors within the province.

In addition, KwaZulu-Natal has engaged the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) to secure an industrial stimulus package aimed at upgrading industrial parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

“The Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal is mandated to facilitate Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) participation in cross-border trade, leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” said the Premier. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has urged small business operators and innovators in Kwaggafontein township in Mpumalanga to take advantage of the various government programmes designed to assist them.

The dtic hosted a workshop to empower entrepreneurs with information on the different offerings of financial and non-financial support, as they develop and commercialise new innovative solutions into the market. 

The workshop was part of a series taking place across the country, organised by the department, in partnership with key agencies such as the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). 

The Deputy Director of Innovation and Technology at the dtic, Patrick Mtsweni, delivered a presentation on the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme (KIPP), which is aimed at assisting entrepreneurs to commercialise their locally developed innovations. 

The programme is administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) – a development finance agency of the dtic.

“The KIPP is designed to promote a competitive economic environment and facilitate economic growth in the South African economy. The support is in the form of subordinated loans and grant funding.

“The product or service being funded or supported should be new (novel innovation) or improved (incremental innovation) and seek to solve localised and/or socio-economic challenges to give the company a sustainable competitive advantage. 

“The key objective is to unearth new technologies, create networking platforms for technology development and commercialisation, as well as focused technology development and innovative thinking,” he said.

Mtsweni said the KIPP supports grassroots innovators who may have invented new solutions to solve local problems. 

Entrepreneurs can get up to R7 million worth of support from the KIPP depending on their needs. – SAnews.gov.za

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Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza has noted with concern the “unfortunate developments” at the Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

During the proceedings on Thursday, one of the witnesses, Paul O’Sullivan, walked out while giving evidence before the committee.

“Parliamentary committees are constitutionally mandated to conduct oversight, gather evidence, and interrogate matters of public importance in a manner that upholds the dignity, authority and integrity of Parliament. Witnesses appearing before committees are expected to cooperate fully with proceedings and to respect the authority of Parliament,” Parliament said in a statement.

The Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004, expressly prohibits any person from improperly interfering with or impeding the exercise by Parliament or its committees of their authority or functions. 

The Act further prohibits creating or taking part in any disturbance while a committee is meeting.

The Speaker said she is concerned about the implications of this conduct for Parliament’s ability to discharge its constitutional obligation to exercise oversight and to thoroughly interrogate the serious allegations that are before the Ad Hoc Committee.

The Speaker has requested an urgent report from the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Molapi Lekganyane, detailing the events of proceedings, including the circumstances surrounding the witness’s departure. 

“Upon receipt and consideration of this report, the Speaker will determine what action, if any, may be necessary in terms of the Powers and Privileges Act and the Rules of the National Assembly to safeguard the integrity of Parliament and to ensure that its constitutional mandate is not undermined.

“Parliament remains committed to ensuring that its processes are conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and its established Rules, and that oversight is exercised firmly, fairly and without fear or favour,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Law enforcement agencies within the Southern Africa region have committed to strengthening collaboration in the fight against cross-border and transnational organised crime. 

This is according to National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, who was speaking on Thursday at a two-day consultative meeting attended by heads of police in Botswana on transnational organised crime. 

This high-level meeting has brought together police chiefs and specialised detectives and intelligence operatives from Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Its aim was to ensure all law enforcement agencies within the region strengthen and heighten working relations through joint operations and investigations, explore new strategies and promote joint efforts to prevent and combat transnational organised crime.

The meeting saw all six countries commit resources and capacity that will focus on dealing decisively with organised crime syndicates involved in stock theft, illegal mining, cybercrime, smuggling of stolen vehicles, the proliferation of firearms, drug trafficking as well as human trafficking and smuggling.

“By coming together under one roof and sharing expertise, we are now better prepared, more capable, and one step ahead in confronting increasingly sophisticated criminal networks,” Masemola said.

He told the delegates attending the meeting that South Africa remains firmly committed to strengthening regional stability and security.

“Gatherings such as these are not ceremonial engagements they are strategic platforms. They facilitate direct collaboration, intelligence sharing and the development of proactive responses to emerging criminal trends,” he said.

He said the meetings were an important tool in dismantling the work of organised crime syndicates.

“By coming together under one roof and sharing expertise, we are now better prepared, more capable, and one step ahead in confronting increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

“In South Africa, we are doing all we can to dislodge the work of organised crime syndicates, we continue to intensify efforts against the syndicates operating within the nine identified focus areas through weekly operations,” the General said.

Masemola said in terms of addressing the proliferation of firearms, in South Africa authorities conduct stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, tracing initiatives and targeted intelligence-driven interventions.

“On average, we seize no fewer than 120 firearms per week. Just this past week, we confiscated 173 firearms, the previous week, 147 and the week before that, 142 unlicensed firearms,” he said.

Masemola said they have destroyed 13 859 firearms as part of the annual destruction process. 

“Over the past seven years, the SAPS has permanently removed more than 305 000 firearms from circulation. These weapons were either seized during operations or voluntarily surrendered,” he said.

On drug trafficking, Masemola told the delegates that at OR Tambo International Airport, a primary gateway into Africa, they have arrested more than 20 drug mules in recent operations.

“Many originate from São Paulo, Brazil, and smuggle drugs by swallowing them. Through intelligence-led policing, we intercept these individuals and follow due legal and medical processes to recover the drugs.

“Most of our arrests through our weekly operations are those that were found in possession of drugs. Just this past four months, we arrested more than 33 000 suspects who were found in possession of drugs,” Masemola said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Law enforcement agencies within the Southern Africa region have committed to strengthening collaboration in the fight against cross-border and transnational organised crime. 

This is according to National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, who was speaking on Thursday at a two-day consultative meeting attended by heads of police in Botswana on transnational organised crime. 

This high-level meeting has brought together police chiefs and specialised detectives and intelligence operatives from Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Its aim was to ensure all law enforcement agencies within the region strengthen and heighten working relations through joint operations and investigations, explore new strategies and promote joint efforts to prevent and combat transnational organised crime.

The meeting saw all six countries commit resources and capacity that will focus on dealing decisively with organised crime syndicates involved in stock theft, illegal mining, cybercrime, smuggling of stolen vehicles, the proliferation of firearms, drug trafficking as well as human trafficking and smuggling.

“By coming together under one roof and sharing expertise, we are now better prepared, more capable, and one step ahead in confronting increasingly sophisticated criminal networks,” Masemola said.

He told the delegates attending the meeting that South Africa remains firmly committed to strengthening regional stability and security.

“Gatherings such as these are not ceremonial engagements they are strategic platforms. They facilitate direct collaboration, intelligence sharing and the development of proactive responses to emerging criminal trends,” he said.

He said the meetings were an important tool in dismantling the work of organised crime syndicates.

“By coming together under one roof and sharing expertise, we are now better prepared, more capable, and one step ahead in confronting increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

“In South Africa, we are doing all we can to dislodge the work of organised crime syndicates, we continue to intensify efforts against the syndicates operating within the nine identified focus areas through weekly operations,” the General said.

Masemola said in terms of addressing the proliferation of firearms, in South Africa authorities conduct stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, tracing initiatives and targeted intelligence-driven interventions.

“On average, we seize no fewer than 120 firearms per week. Just this past week, we confiscated 173 firearms, the previous week, 147 and the week before that, 142 unlicensed firearms,” he said.

Masemola said they have destroyed 13 859 firearms as part of the annual destruction process. 

“Over the past seven years, the SAPS has permanently removed more than 305 000 firearms from circulation. These weapons were either seized during operations or voluntarily surrendered,” he said.

On drug trafficking, Masemola told the delegates that at OR Tambo International Airport, a primary gateway into Africa, they have arrested more than 20 drug mules in recent operations.

“Many originate from São Paulo, Brazil, and smuggle drugs by swallowing them. Through intelligence-led policing, we intercept these individuals and follow due legal and medical processes to recover the drugs.

“Most of our arrests through our weekly operations are those that were found in possession of drugs. Just this past four months, we arrested more than 33 000 suspects who were found in possession of drugs,” Masemola said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, is today leading a Community-Based Health Screening Campaign at Giyani Stadium in Limpopo as part of ongoing efforts to encourage individuals and communities to take charge of their health by adopting healthier lifestyles and preventative behaviours. 

In a statement, the department highlighted that the rate of morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), otherwise known as the diseases of lifestyle, has been on the rise in the past years in South Africa and globally, with significant increase in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. 

Since 2016, deaths from NCDs have surpassed those from communicable diseases. 

According to Statistics South Africa, NCDs account for 57.8% of all deaths, with 60% occurring prematurely before the age of 70 years.

“In response to this health challenge which has been described as a looming health crisis, the Department of Health in collaboration with various stakeholder in the sector, has launched a community-based health screening campaign for NCDs as part of preventative healthcare to promote regular health screening and testing to ensure early detection of health issues to prevent diseases and promote well-being. 

“Healthy lifestyle begins with regular health screening and testing to know your health status,” the department said.

The department added that this campaign also highlights the significance of community health screening in promoting public health and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.

Deputy Minister Phaahla is accompanied by the MEC for Health in Limpopo, Dieketseng Mashego, local government leaders, traditional leaders, traditional health practitioners, representatives from partner organisations including the World Health Organization, NCD Partners & Alliances. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has welcomed the National Consumer Commission’s (NCC) swift investigation into nine suppliers of sanitary pads and panty liners. 

A study from the University of the Free State found that some sanitary pads and panty liners contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals may cause health issues like hormonal imbalance, infertility, endometriosis, and some cancers. 

“These products aim to protect women during their menstrual cycle. Therefore, the NCC should prioritise consumer safety carefully,” said the department in a statement.

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi said the commission was working with other regulators and authorities within the dtic to gather more data by conducting additional tests. 

“We fully support this investigation, as it will help the NCC decide on the next steps. We encourage consumers to remain patient during the investigation and testing of these products. The dtic is committed to protecting consumers, especially the most vulnerable,” Godlimpi said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Correctional Services Minister, Dr Pieter Groenewald, will unveil new uniform insignia and preside over a medal ceremony to honour long-serving officials of the Department of Correctional Services on Friday.

“The medal ceremony forms part of the department’s renewed effort to recognise and honour officials who have demonstrated unwavering dedication, commitment and exemplary service over extended periods,” the department said in a statement. 

This first cohort will honour officials with 40 years of service and above, with a total of 80 qualifying officials set to receive medals at ceremony to be held at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility.

The unveiling of new uniform insignia symbolises a renewed identity and professional ethos within Correctional Services.

It forms part of broader efforts to reposition the department, reinforce institutional pride, and reflect the evolving role of correctional officials as professionals at the centre of rehabilitation, security, and social reintegration.

“The recognition of long service remains a vital component in strengthening organisational culture, enhancing employee morale, and reinforcing service excellence. Following an internal analysis, the Department confirmed that 13 965 officials nationally qualify for long-service medals. 

“The resumption of medal ceremonies marks a significant milestone, restoring an important tradition that had ceased during organisational transitions in the 1990s,” the department said.

The ceremony will honour officials from the Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West regions, as well as the Free State and Northern Cape. 

Medal ceremonies for other regions have been scheduled for March 2026.  – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions must anchor a new era of reindustrialisation, urging the country to “build what we use and innovate what we export”.

This as he launched the R100 million Wits Strategic Hydrogen Localisation Investment Facility (Wits-SAHLI) on Friday.

Speaking at the University of the Witwatersrand’s West Campus, Deputy President Mashatile positioned the hydrogen initiative as more than a research milestone – but a national turning point in rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity and reclaiming lost industrial ground.

“This moment marks not only the beginning of a ground-breaking project, but also the start of a shared national endeavour: to build a new industrial capability that drives innovation, creates quality jobs, and contributes to a just, inclusive, and sustainable economy,” he said.

The Wits-SAHLI initiative is a partnership between Air Liquide South Africa, Wits University and the Localisation Support Fund, and forms part of South Africa’s broader Hydrogen Society Roadmap.

From improvised classrooms to world-class laboratories

In a personal reflection, the Deputy President contrasted the modern hydrogen facility with his own school days, when science lessons were conducted in under-resourced classrooms with improvised equipment.

“Our ‘science laboratory’ was nothing more than an ordinary classroom with a cracked chalkboard and wobbly desks…What we had was imagination,” he recalled.

He said facilities such as Wits-SAHLI symbolise how far the country has come and how far it must still go to ensure young South Africans inherit not limitations, but opportunity. 

“They close the gap between potential and possibility,” the Deputy President said, adding that the hydrogen plant would serve as both a technical asset and a training ground for the next generation of engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

Hydrogen as a reindustrialisation lever

Equipped with a 110 kilowatt electrolyser, 200 kilogram hydrogen storage capacity and a 200 kilowatt clean power output system, the modular pilot plant is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale research and industrial implementation.

Deputy President Mashatile framed localisation as the central pillar of the project, arguing that South Africa cannot afford to remain dependent on imported technologies, particularly in emerging sectors such as green hydrogen.

“Localisation generates jobs, enhances skill sets and supports small businesses. By reducing dependency on external supply chains, it empowers local researchers and industries to innovate,” he said.

He pointed to the steady decline in manufacturing from more than 22% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the early 1990s to about 12–13% today and falling employment in the sector as evidence of the urgency to act.

“Behind every percentage point lost are thousands of vanished opportunities,” he warned.

Initiatives such as Wits-SAHLI, he said, are central to reversing that decline by deepening local value chains, developing supplier ecosystems for SMMEs and ensuring that intellectual property and technical expertise remain within South Africa’s borders.

Anchoring the energy transition

The Deputy President acknowledged the role of Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in strengthening policy certainty and positioning green hydrogen within the country’s broader energy transition strategy.

He emphasised that hydrogen development must not occur in isolation, but as part of an integrated national energy plan that includes grid expansion, renewable energy integration and industrial reform.

Academia the backbone of the hydrogen economy

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela joined the launch, with the Deputy President underscoring the importance of universities in building the skills pipeline required to scale the hydrogen economy from pilot phase to commercial viability.

“Universities and research facilities are the backbone of this initiative. The hydrogen economy will require new thinkers, new problem solvers, new technicians, new researchers and new entrepreneurs,” he said.

By 2028, when the facility is expected to be fully operational, the partnership aims to have cultivated a vibrant ecosystem of locally manufactured hydrogen components, strengthened enterprise development pathways and enhanced South Africa’s competitiveness in global green markets.

In closing, Mashatile described the launch as the foundation of a new chapter in South Africa’s industrial and energy landscape. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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