Category: South Africa Government

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in the People’s Republic of China for a Working Visit.

The Deputy President arrived in the Asian country on Saturday and is accompanied by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi as well as senior government officials. 

“Building on the successful outcomes of the South Africa-China Bi-National Commission held in Cape Town in March 2026, and co-chaired by Deputy President Mashatile and Vice President Han Zheng of the People’s Republic of China, the visit seeks to further advance cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest,” the Presidency said in a statement.

During the visit, Deputy President Mashatile will participate in the Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) at the invitation of the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Ren Hongbin.

“This will be the Deputy President’s second participation in the expo, following his attendance at the Third CISCE in July 2025, where he advanced the South Africa-China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era and reinforced South Africa’s position as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

“The Deputy President will also hold a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Mr Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China,” the statement said.

In a bid to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, the Deputy President will also engage with leading Chinese companies focusing on “infrastructure development, advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth”.

“The Deputy President will thereafter travel to Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, from 25 to 26 June 2026, to build on the outcomes of the 2024 Shenzhen Presidential Business Forum. 

“During the Shenzhen leg of the visit, the Deputy President will continue engagements with business leaders, to reflect South Africa’s commitment to building sustainable partnerships with Chinese private and state-linked enterprises,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has urged the youth to actively participate in building the green economy of the future.

The Minister addressed the closing ceremony of the 11^th  Green Youth Indaba held at Sun City in the North West on Friday.

The two-day indaba was held to bring awareness to the youth regarding the opportunities available to them within the green economy.

“As we conclude the 11th Green Youth Indaba, we do so inspired by what we have witnessed over the past two days and challenged by the responsibility that now rests upon all of us.

“This gathering has shown that young South Africans are not waiting for the future to arrive; they are already building it through innovation, enterprise, research, activism and service.

“This year’s theme, From Youth Innovation to Green Enterprise and Economic Impact, speaks directly to the task of our time: to convert ideas into practical solutions, and to convert those solutions into enterprises, jobs and lasting economic value,” the deputy minister said.

Morolong noted that over the course of the indaba, participants explored solutions in areas including renewable energy, water security and circular economy development.

They also heard from policymakers, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs and from young people who are already developing practical solutions to real-world challenges.

“What has become abundantly clear is that South Africa does not suffer from a shortage of talent.

“Our greatest challenge is ensuring that innovation is transformed into enterprise, that enterprise attracts investment and that investment creates jobs, incomes and sustainable economic opportunities,” the deputy minister said.

Milestones of Freedom

Morolong drew comparisons between the Green Youth Indaba and the Milestones of Freedom campaign launched President Cyril Ramaphosa last week under the theme: Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future.

The campaign is aimed at reflecting on South Africa’s journey to freedom and the interventions government has made to build a capable State.

“We would like to repeat that message here today, because the story of freedom is also the story of youth courage, youth imagination and youth action.

“The milestones we commemorate are not monuments frozen in time. They are instructions to the present generation on how to use today to build tomorrow,” he stated.

The campaign also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, the 50th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprisings, the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March and the 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six.

“Each of these moments teaches us something important: that freedom is defended by courage, deepened by organisation and made meaningful through delivery.

“The Constitution reminds us that every young person has dignity, rights and responsibilities. The youth of 1976 remind us that young people can change the direction of history when they refuse to accept injustice.

“The women of 1956 remind us that organised communities can confront systems that appear immovable [and] District Six reminds us that development without justice destroys lives, and that rebuilding must always restore belonging, opportunity and dignity,” Morolong emphasised.

The green economy is here

Turning back to the business of the day, Morolong noted that the indaba has grown into “one of South Africa’s most important youth development and green economy platforms”, connecting young people with “opportunities, partnerships, knowledge and networks”.

“The significance of this gathering extends beyond sustainability.

“It speaks directly to one of the central priorities of the Government of National Unity: creating faster economic growth, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for all South Africans, especially young people.

“The Medium-Term Development Plan 2024–2029 recognises that South Africa’s long-term success depends on building an economy that is inclusive, competitive, innovative and capable of delivering measurable improvements in people’s lives,” the deputy minister said.

He added that at the centre of this plan is the youth of South Africa.

“Every economic reform we undertake, every infrastructure programme we implement, every industrial policy intervention we introduce, and every investment we mobilise must ultimately expand opportunity for the next generation.

“That is why youth development cannot be treated as a separate programme. It must be integrated into every aspect of economic transformation,” Morolong highlighted.

He added that young people must lead as innovators, entrepreneurs, industrialists, employers and active builders of the economy of the future.

“In renewable energy, young people can become installers, electricians, maintenance technicians, energy auditors and green construction entrepreneurs. In agriculture, they can work across the full value chain from production to processing, packaging, logistics, irrigation, exports and agribusiness management.

“In water, they can build solutions for leak detection, treatment, conservation and infrastructure maintenance.

“In the circular economy, waste can become value through recycling, plastics beneficiation, e-waste recovery and circular manufacturing. In the digital economy, coding, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and advanced manufacturing can help young people solve old problems in new ways,” Morolong said.

He encouraged the youth to use government programmes aimed at supporting enterprise development, skills development and innovation.

These structures include the National Youth Development Agency, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, Sector Education and Training Authorities, TVET colleges, universities, innovation hubs and business incubators. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is gathering pace with the arrival of another batch of vaccines and the acceleration of provincial vaccinations.

Some two million doses of the Dollvet vaccines arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced in a statement.

“I am also pleased to announce that the Agricultural Research Council bottled 20 000 vaccines on 12 June 2026 with the process commencing for the bottling of another 20 000 before the end of June, which will bring our local production to 40 000 for the month.

“It remains imperative that we continue with the provision of a consistent supply of vaccine provision,” he said.

The total number of vaccinations has eclipsed five million with the Free State the second province to reach the one million vaccination milestone.

The total number of vaccinations per province are as follows:
•    Eastern Cape: 891 924
•    Free State: 1 015 020
•    Gauteng: 351 945
•    KZN: 1 163 193
•    Limpopo: 357 045
•    Mpumalanga: 531 096
•    North West: 753 522
•    Northern Cape: 114 071
•    Western Cape: 309 044

“We will continue to work closely with the provinces and reiterate our call for faster vaccinations. It is also important that the feedlots utilise their allocations in order to keep the economic value chain going.

“I have also engaged with my Department and requested them to expedite the Section 9 Report which should reach my Office within the next day or two in order to bring additional reprieve to our farmers,” Steenhuisen added.

The Minister thanked stakeholders for working together with the department to vaccinate at scale.

“The goal must remain: to work together to vaccinate as many cattle as possible as quickly as possible in order to end the current outbreak and place us on the path to ensuring that this is the last major outbreak of FMD in South Africa,” Steenhuisen said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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The Department of Health has reassured South Africans that its plans to achieve more financial independence from external funding sources have been under development for some time.

This after media reports suggested that the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is set to be withdrawn.

“While the department has not received a formal correspondence from the US Government, directly or indirectly, regarding what has been published in the media, this did not come as a surprise because the department has long been working on a self-reliance plan to minimise the impact of funding withdrawal since the initial freeze on foreign assistance and a cancellation of USAID grants in January 2025.

“Thus, there is no need for public to panic because the transition plan has long been developed and the implementation has been ongoing,” the department said in a statement.

The department acknowledged that PEPFAR funding was a “big contributor” to government’s HIV/AIDS response programme.

However, it said, the funding does not affect the provision of antiretrovirals (ARVs) because the country procures 90% of ARVs from government fiscus, supported by 10% from the Global Fund.

“It is important to remind the public that PEPFAR was supporting the Department of Health in 27 HIV/AIDS High burden Districts out of 52 districts in the country in 8 provinces, with the exception of the Northern Cape.

“Public health facilities remain accessible for to clients, including those who used to receive health services from PEPFAR funded clinics.

“The issue of HIV/AIDS response funding will be part of the United Nations High-Level Meeting agenda scheduled to take place on 22–23 June 2026, which Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will participate in the debates in New York,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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As South Africa prepares to elect local government leaders who will shape the future of municipalities and communities across the country, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has emphasised the importance of broad public participation in the electoral process.

Hlabisa, who serves as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the 2026 Local Government Elections, said the elections give citizens an opportunity to choose leaders who are directly responsible for delivering services and driving development in their communities.

“The decisions taken by municipalities affect the daily lives of residents, from water and sanitation to roads, electricity, local economic development and community safety,” Hlabisa said.

He called on all eligible South Africans to register to vote or check their particulars during the upcoming voter registration weekend announced by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The Electoral Commission has set 20 June 2026 and Sunday 21 June 2026 as the official voter registration weekend. Voting stations across the country will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days, to enable new voters to register and existing voters to update their registration details.

“I encourage all eligible South Africans to register and ensure that their details are up to date. An inclusive and credible electoral process begins with voter registration. Every eligible citizen must seize this opportunity to make their voice count,” the Minister said.

People eligible to register to vote are South African citizens, at least 16 years old, and in possession of a green bar-coded ID book, smart ID card, or temporary identity certificate.

The Minister noted while citizens may register from the age of 16, they may only vote once they have reached the age of 18.

He called on all eligible citizens, especially young people, and first-time voters to play their part in strengthening South Africa’s democracy by participating in the registration weekend.

Citizens can also register to vote or update their registration details online through the IEC’s official registration portal, available 24 hours a day at https://registertovote.elections.org.za

Warning against online scams

The Minister also urged South Africans to remain vigilant against online scams, and to ensure that they only use official IEC platforms when registering or updating their details.

“The right to vote was hard won through decades of struggle and sacrifice. Many brave South Africans dedicated their lives to securing the democratic freedoms we enjoy today, and some never had the opportunity to cast a vote in a democratic South Africa.

“By registering to vote, we honour those who fought for our freedom and confirm our commitment to democracy. Our democracy is founded on the will of the people, and every vote contributes to building accountable, responsive, and developmental local government,” Hlabisa said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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South Africans are turning out in their numbers across the country as the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voter registration weekend for the 2026 Local Government Elections gets under way.

At a media briefing on Saturday, the commission’s Masego Sheburi revealed that some 330 000 voter registration applications were processed by noon.

He noted that nearly all voting stations were open and operating smoothly by 8am with those not opening on time “due to community protests”.

“The voter registration weekend…has started off on an overwhelmingly positive note in 23 706 voting stations.

“Just over 300 000 transactions were processed on the VMD [voter management device] at voting stations, while 30 000 were applications on the online platform. Predictably, provinces with population densities account for the majority of the transactions with KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape recording the highest applications.  

“Early indications point to young persons as the majority of applicants,” Sheburi said.

Furthermore, the commission’s contact centre has facilitated and assisted some “640 voters through direct queries, alongside 221 interactions via social media platforms”.

“The commission expresses its appreciation to the many South Africans who have participated in the registration process since this morning. The turnout recorded thus far reflects an encouraging commitment to democratic participation,” he said.

Documentation needed

Voter registration stations will remain open until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday and eligible citizens are reminded to register in the district where they reside.

Once registered, you will only be able to vote at that station.

“Voters are reminded that a valid South African identity document [liked] a green barcoded identity book, smart ID card, or valid temporary identity certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs, is required to complete their registration or update their details.

“The Department of Home Affairs remains open to facilitate access to the documentation required for voter registration.

“Although proof of address is not required for registration, providing an address or a description of a place of ordinary residence remains important to enable the chief electoral officer to allocate voters to the correct segment of the voters’ roll,” Sheburi explained.

Eligible citizens may also register online at registertovote.elections.org.za.

Voters can also verify registration details on the IEC app, by contacting the Commission’s contact centre on 0800 11 8000 or by sending their identity number via SMS to 32810.

“The online registration portal will remain open until midnight on the day the election is officially proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, after which voter registration and updates to registration details will close. 

“The commission also extends its gratitude to political parties, community leaders, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, security agencies and all stakeholders for supporting the registration process,” Sheburi added.

The 2026 Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Thousands of South Africans are expected to head to voting stations across the country from 8am today as the Electoral Commission (IEC) launches its nationwide voter registration weekend, with young people firmly in its sights.

More than 23 700 registration stations were expected to open their doors across South Africa, giving eligible citizens an opportunity to register to vote, verify their details or update their addresses ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Commission has used Youth Month to intensify its appeal to first-time voters, particularly those aged between 18 and 19, among whom registration levels remain low.

According to the IEC, more than 70% of South Africans in this age group are still not registered to vote.

The registration weekend comes at a crucial time for young people who will be voting in municipal elections that directly affect issues such as local infrastructure, public transport, housing, waste collection, recreation facilities and employment opportunities.

IEC officials said the Local Government Elections differ from national elections because voters must cast their ballots in the voting district where they are registered. For that reason, updating address details is as important as registering for the first time.

The Commission said it was fully prepared for the weekend, having deployed over 48 000 trained registration officials and more than 39 000 voter management devices to support the process.

The current voters’ roll contains approximately 28 million registered voters, but the IEC hopes this weekend will bring thousands more young South Africans into the democratic process.

Across campuses and communities, the Commission has been running extensive voter education campaigns aimed at encouraging youth participation. Through outreach programmes at tertiary institutions, more than 158 000 students have already been added to the voters’ roll this year.

Registration stations will remain open until 5pm today and tomorrow.

Citizens wishing to register must bring a South African identity document, Smart ID card, green barcoded ID book or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate. Proof of address is not required, although voters must provide details of their place of residence.

The Department of Home Affairs is also operating during the registration weekend to assist citizens requiring identity documents.

With the slogan “Get Up. Show Up. Vote.”, the IEC says this weekend is about ensuring every eligible South African has the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of their community.

For many young people, today could be the first step in a lifelong journey of democratic participation. – SAnews.gov.za

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With the deadline drawing near, National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have reminded the public to submit written comments on the 2026 draft Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (2026 draft Rates Bill).

Among other things, the draft Rates Bill outlines adjustments to various tax thresholds, exemptions and limits, as well as changes to excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco-related products.

The 2026 draft Rates Bill, which contains the proposed tax amendments, is available on the National Treasury and SARS websites.

Written comments can be sent to National Treasury’s tax policy depository at AnnexCProposals@zatreasury.onmicrosoft.com and to SARS at 2026LegislationComments@sars.gov.za by close of business on 26 June 2026. –SAnews.gov.za

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