Category: South Africa Government

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, is set to launch the Travel Ready 2025 Campaign at the brand new Baywest Mall at the Home Affairs office in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, today.

“The Travel Ready 2025 Campaign aims to prepare citizens for the upcoming festive season travel period by encouraging South Africans to ensure that their essential travel documents are up to date,” said the Department of Home Affairs ahead of Monday’s event.

The campaign forms part of the department’s commitment to delivering dignity for all, by providing efficient, accessible, and people-centred services.

Following the launch, the Minister will proceed to Jeffrey’s Bay for a community outreach engagement.
 – SAnews.gov.za

Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, is set to hand over critical investments aimed at strengthening food security, supporting rural enterprises and empowering women and youth in the Joe Gqabi District Municipality.

On Monday, Kontsiwe will hand over a brand-new tractor and implements to the Mission Youth Project at Phelandaba Village in Senqu Municipality, Sterkspruit.

According to the department, the investment in the project is aimed at encouraging youth participation in agriculture and promote the sector as a viable business opportunity.

On Tuesday, the MEC will officially launch a spring water project and hand over industrial sewing machines and agricultural production inputs under the iLima Lokulima programme at Lower Tsitsana Village in Nqanqarhu (Maclear), Elundini Local Municipality.

“The Spring Water Project, which is set to benefit Sigoga and Saqhuthe villages in Elundini’s Ward 4 initiative, is aimed at enhancing access to water for the rural communities.

“A total of 205 households now have access to clean water from the 26 taps that have been installed both villages. The water will not only assist in consumption but will boost food production,” the department said in a statement.

As part of ensuring synergy between provision of water and food production, the MEC will be handing over production inputs to 120 beneficiaries from Ward 4 in a bid to reduce food insecurity, increase food production and enable aggregation of food for the potential market.

In addition, Kontsiwe will hand over 32 industrial sewing machines, including overlockers and straight-stitch machines to 16 women-owned enterprises from three Joe Gqabi local municipalities.

The initiative seeks to boost the clothing and textile industry, improve rural livelihoods and advance women-owned enterprises.

The two-day programme underscores government’s commitment to supporting rural development and improving the quality of life for communities across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of educator, diplomat and business leader, Dr Franklin Sonn.

In a statement on Saturday, the Presidency said Dr Sonn who passed away at the age of 86, contributed significantly to different sectors of society and the economy.

Sonn was an esteemed Member of the National Order of the Baobab and recipient of numerous international honours.

President Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to Mrs Joan Sonn and children Crispin and Heather, as well the extended families and Dr Sonn’s associates nationally and internationally.

Dr Sonn, who served as the democratic South Africa’s first Ambassador to the United States, distinguished himself in leadership roles in education, politics, and business. 

He began his career as a teacher and became principal of Spes Bona High School in Athlone, Cape Town.
He was President of the Cape Teachers’ Professional Association before his appointment as Rector of the then Peninsula Technikon in Cape Town, a post he held until his diplomatic posting.

Dr Sonn was an anti-apartheid campaigner and pioneering champion of broad-based economic empowerment, who exercised his vision for a just South Africa as a board member in significant corporate businesses and as a co-founder of large black-owned enterprises.

“I join the Sonns and Franklin’s diverse friends and associates in mourning the loss of a leader whose life exemplified the essence of the Order of the Baobab. Franklin Sonn inspired the young lives entrusted to him in his early career as a teacher. He provided similar inspiration to the teachers he mobilised in the Cape Teachers’ Professional Association at a time when all sectors were mobilised against apartheid,” said President Ramaphosa.

He also remembered him as “an advocate and activist for the accelerated transformation of our country after the end of apartheid and the upliftment of historically marginalised communities.”

“He fought for equality and development in all his endeavours, which included philanthropic work alongside Joan Sonn. Together, they endowed Crispin and Heather with leadership abilities that have created an intergenerational legacy.

“Franklin Sonn played a great part in our history that lives on in our present and we owe him our commitment to keep building the society he envisioned. May his soul rest in peace,” said the President. –SAnews.gov.za

The country’s new Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp, and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Alexandra Lilian Amelia Abrahams, will be sworn into office at a ceremony at the Union Buildings on Monday.

In an advisory on Sunday, the Presidency said the Swearing-in Ceremony of the newly appointed members of the National Executive will take place on Monday, 17 November 2025 at 9 am.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, in accordance with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

“The President has also appointed Ms Alexandra Lilian Amelia Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, in accordance with section 93 (1) (a) of the Constitution,” said the Presidency. 

The President announced changes to the National Executive earlier this week.

READ | Changes to National Executive announced
–SAnews.gov.za

With just days to go to the G20 Leader’s Summit in Johannesburg, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is set to brief the media the country’s state of readiness to host the historic summit.

“The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is set to brief the media on South Africa’s state of readiness to host the historic G20 Leaders’ Summit, which is scheduled to take place on 22-23 November 2025 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. 

“The G20 Leaders’ Summit will mark the culmination of South Africa’s presidency of the G20, having succeeded Brazil in this role,” said the department in an advisory on Friday.

Monday’s briefing will take place at the G20 Media Centre, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Hall 5.
The briefing will get underway at 11:30 am.

On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the G20 Leaders’ Summit will proceed as planned, despite the absence of representation from the United States (US) government.

READ | G20 Leaders’ Summit ‘will go on’ despite absences – President Ramaphosa

The President was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the CEO-City Cleanup Partnership Programme held in Kliptown, Johannesburg, on Friday morning. –SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have directed the RTMC to investigate the cause of a truck and an Interstate Bus Train crash in the Free State.

Saturday’s accident claimed the lives of 10 people.

“Creecy and Hlengwa have directed the RTMC [Road Traffic Management Corporation] to investigate the cause of the crash working together with local authorities. The preliminary investigation report is expected in 48 hours once the RTMC begins its investigation,” the Department of Transport said in a statement.

The Minister and Deputy Minister have expressed serious concern with the persistent rise in the number of road fatalities due to crashes involving public transport modes. 

The crash took place approximately 5 km from Mandela View between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo. 

“The crash involved a total of 41 people, and it has been confirmed by emergency services that six persons suffered severe and critical injuries and were taken to Pelonomi Trauma Unit, while seven patients were transported to Botshabelo hospital and Busamed with moderate injuries. 

“This is in addition to twenty-four other people who sustained minor injuries and were transported to Botshabelo Hospital for further care. One of the affected persons chose not to be transported to hospital,” said the department.

Creecy and Hlengwa have also extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased during this challenging time while also wishing the injured a swift recovery.

“They have also urged all road users to be more cautious as we approach the festive season and its attendant risks including the risks that come with the rainfall season,” said the department. –SAnews.gov.za

E-hailing APP Providers working with e-hailing operators in Gauteng have been urged to legally register their applications in line with Section 66(A) of the National Land Transport Amendment Act, 2009 (Act No. 5 of 2009).

“[The Act] requires e-hailing platform providers to register their digital applications (Apps) with the National Department of Transport [NDoT] through the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) prior to engaging in any application for operating licensing processes at provincial level.

“This directive forms part of the department’s broader effort to implement the amended NLTA [National Land Transport Amendment Act] and new E-hailing regulations, but also to ensure alignment between national and provincial frameworks, and promote a safe, accessible, transparent, and compliant public transport environment across the province,” the Gauteng Roads and Transport Department explained.

In the statement on Sunday, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela called on the operators to work with government.

“The growth of the e-hailing service in Gauteng has been significant, offering valuable mobility options and creating economic opportunities for thousands of operators. However, this growth must take place within a transparent and well-regulated environment that protects both operators and commuters.

“The current regulations provide an opportunity to realign the system with national legislation and ensure that all e-hailing platform providers and operators meet the required legal requirements and regulatory standards.

“We therefore call upon all the APP companies operating in Gauteng to work with us by submitting their registration and help us build an accountable, efficient, and lawful public transport system,” she said.
Register the digital applications by visiting the office of the National Department of Transport, located at 159 Struben Street, Forum Building, Pretoria.

“It is in the interest of all APP Providers and E-hailing to register and finalize all other legislated requirements including voluntary agreements to enable the GPRE to start receiving and deciding their applications for operating licenses. 

“GPRE [Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity] will convene meetings across the province to provide more details and ensure that APP Providers and E-hailing Operators fully understand what is required and are able to comply,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za