Category: South Africa Government

Discussions at the Mining Indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“Our discussions today – and throughout the Mining Indaba – must, therefore, focus on how we can encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors, financial institutions, investors, and communities to unlock the full potential of our critical minerals for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Speaking at the Ministerial Symposium session ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, Mantashe said mobilising capital at the scale required for exploration, responsible mining, and value-addition closer to the point of production cannot be achieved by governments alone.

“Nor can it be achieved by the private sector operating in isolation. It requires partnership,” he said, adding that South Africa is already acting on this approach through the establishment of the Junior Mining Exploration Fund.

The fund is a deliberate intervention, whose early outcomes point to substantial untapped mineral potential. From an initial allocation of R400 million, the Fund has already attracted pledges amounting to R2 billion.
“This demonstrates investor appetite where policy intent and financial instruments are aligned. While this is encouraging, it remains insufficient.”

He added that across the African continent, significant geological potential remains under-explored.
“We must intensify geological exploration and mapping across the continent through collaborative partnerships and alignment. Such efforts are essential to alleviate the scarcity of critical minerals and to diversify the geographic sources of production.

“Equally critical in the mining value chain is investment in infrastructure, processing facilities, and industrial ecosystems within producer countries. This is where partnerships become decisive: partnerships that align mining investment with infrastructure development, thereby ensuring that greater value is retained locally.”
In addition, he bemoaned the era of Africa competing against itself on who offers the lowest returns as not being a sustainable investment strategy.

“The opportunity before us is to structure partnerships that are transparent, predictable, and mutually beneficial. If we succeed, Africa’s mineral endowment will not only supply raw minerals to global markets but will [also] anchor industrialisation, create jobs, and support inclusive growth across the continent.
“Let us use this opportunity to bridge our differences and chart a clear and collective pathway towards Africa’s success, anchored in the responsible and strategic use of our mineral endowment,” said the Minister.

The Minister said that the G20 Declaration and the G20 Critical Minerals Framework of the first G20 Summit held on African soil in November last year provide a clear pathway forward.

“It seeks to unlock investment in mineral exploration, promote local beneficiation at source, and strengthen governance for sustainable mining practices. It affirms the right of mineral-endowed countries to harness their resources for industrialisation and inclusive growth, while providing long-term certainty.”

He said the key enabler of these initiatives is partnership.

In an advisory earlier this week, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said South Africa hosts the Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 8 to 12 February 2026.

Investor confidence 
The indaba brings together African leaders, industry stakeholders, and investors to discuss the responsible development of the continent’s mineral resources amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

“The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and its entities will use the Indaba platform to restore and strengthen investor confidence in South Africa’s mining sector. Since the previous Indaba, the Department has made significant progress in ensuring stability, policy certainty, and growth through the implementation of a transparent Mining Licensing System, the launch of the Critical Minerals Strategy, and the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, which has accelerated exploration activity and contributed to the discovery of new mineral deposits,” said the DMPR.

In line with its national strategy to build responsible, high-value supply chains, the DMPR will host several engagements on the sidelines of the Indaba, including the African Ministers’ Critical Minerals Roundtable, the Investor Dialogue on Building Critical Minerals Value Chains, the South Africa Exploration Investment Forum, the Women in Mining Brunch, and the Young Professionals Forum.

READ | Mining Indaba to strengthen collaboration between government, investors

Minister Mantashe is set to address the official opening ceremony of the indaba on Monday, 09 February. –SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, is set to participate in land reform and communal property association engagements that form part of government efforts to accelerate land reform.

“The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will join the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, in two important engagements with land reform stakeholders in the Free State. These engagements form part of [the] government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate land reform, strengthen tenure security, and support beneficiaries towards sustainable land use and inclusive rural development,” the Presidency said on Sunday.

The Ministers will engage with land reform beneficiaries, highlighting progress made, addressing challenges, and reinforcing the government’s commitment to restoring land rights.

The programme at Loft Conference Centre in Bethlehem on Monday, 09 February 2026, will also include the handover of title deeds to beneficiaries.

On Tuesday, 10 February 2026, the Ministers will engage with communal property associations (CPAs) .
The engagement will provide a platform for CPAs to present their experiences, challenges, and opportunities in managing communal land for the benefit of communities.

The session will take place at the Lavender Hill Country Estate in Bethlehem from 9am.

“These engagements reaffirm government’s commitment to meaningful land reform, improved rural livelihoods, and ensuring that land reform beneficiaries and communal institutions are empowered, supported, and sustainable,” said the Presidency. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Four children who were admitted following a suspected food poisoning incident in the Eastern Cape have been discharged from hospital, the Eastern Cape Department of Health said on Sunday.

“The Eastern Cape Department of Health reports that, following a suspected food poisoning incident in Msintsi near Fort Jackson, four of the seven affected children have been discharged, one remains in critical care, and two sadly passed away. Investigations are ongoing, with food samples and clinical tests underway, and a local spaza shop has been temporarily closed as a precaution,” the department said in a statement.

The four were treated at the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, while the other child remains hospitalised at Frere Hospital.

The children (boys aged between two and six years)  were taken to hospital at about 1 pm on Saturday with symptoms including weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, and dizziness.

The children had eaten various food items, including instant porridge, rice, chips, and sweets.

“The Buffalo City Metro Health District outbreak response and Environmental Health teams were promptly deployed and worked alongside clinical staff and hospital management at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital,” said the provincial department.

Response teams conducted site visits in Msintsi, where they met with affected families and the ward committee.

The department further added that post-mortem examinations will be conducted on the deceased to assist in establishing the exact cause of death.

“As a precautionary public health measure, a local spaza shop has been instructed by Environmental Health Practitioners to temporarily close pending formal inspection,” said the department.

In addition, the department is working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality as part of a multi-sectoral investigation. The department is also providing clinical, environmental health, and psychosocial support to the affected families and will maintain ongoing monitoring and follow-up visits within the community while investigations continue.

“The Eastern Cape Department of Health extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures the public that every effort is being made to determine the source of the incident and safeguard the health of the community,” it said.

The department said it will communicate further updates as more information becomes available. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is calling for calm among all stakeholders as engagements with Public Scholar Transport Service Providers continue and processes to fulfil outstanding payments continue.

The department says it remains actively engaged with service providers in good faith to find an amicable and sustainable resolution to the matter.

“We reiterate our appeal for the uninterrupted provision of scholar transport services in the best interests of learners who depend on the programme for safe and consistent access to education,” the department said in a statement on Friday.

Earlier this week, the GDE acknowledged challenges currently affecting the province’s Scholar Transport Programme, which has resulted in some service providers halting operations and negatively affecting learners.

In response to the disruptions experienced, schools have been advised to prepare for the implementation of academic recovery and catch-up programmes to mitigate learning losses and ensure that teaching and learning remain on track.

“Learner safety, access to education and overall well-being remain our highest priorities. We are fully cognisant of the strain this situation has placed on our communities. 

“We will continue to engage all affected stakeholders constructively and remain confident that these engagements will lead to a resolution. We therefore appeal for calm as we work diligently within the required processes to conclude this matter,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, is today hosting the Provincial Scholar Transport Stakeholder Engagement Meeting at the Johannesburg City Hall.

The engagement serves as a platform to advance key discussions on shared responsibilities on learners’ safety, compliance enforcement, and addressing challenges faced by operators within the sector.

“Issues up for discussion include, amongst others, traffic laws and regulations; licensing backlog; restructuring initiatives and operational challenges faced by operators,” said the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

The scholar transport stakeholder engagements are also aimed at promoting safety, reliability while enhancing the quality service of scholar transport in Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) on Sunday issued an Orange Level 6 warning for severe thunderstorms in the Eastern Cape.

“A cut-off low over the country is expected to result in thundershowers over the Eastern Cape. There is a likelihood that the expected storm may be severe and result in heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail, and intense lightning over Amathole, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, and Buffalo City Metro,” said the weather service.

The flooding of roads and settlements, damage to infrastructure, property abd vehicles are among the impacts to be expected of the weather.

“Short-term disruptions to electricity supply can also be expected,” said the SAWS.
The alert is in place for Sunday, 08 February 2026.

Western Cape 
Meanwhile, the weather service on Saturday  issued a Yellow Level 4 weather warning for the Cape Winelands and Overberg areas in the Western Cape.

“Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop over the Overberg and Cape Winelands on Monday from early in the morning. Some of these may become severe, leading to flooding and large amounts of small hail. Rainfall accumulations between 40-70mm are possible. There are indications of more than 100mm in places in the Overberg; however, the uncertainty regarding amounts and placement remains high,” it said.

The impact of the weather could lead to the flooding of roads and susceptible settlements, as well as danger to life when crossing of fast flowing stream.

“Large amounts of small hail/large hail can cause damage to vehicles and difficult driving conditions, especially where heavy downpours are present,” said the SAWS.

It further added that it will continue to give updates.

The weather warnings come as KwaZulu-Natal disaster management teams are on high alert for adverse weather conditions.

“The province faces a dual threat, with a Level 5 Severe Thunderstorm Warning for western and southern regions and a Level 2 Warning for the remainder of the province,” the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said in a statement.

READ | Disaster management on high alert in KZN

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has directed that emergency response units prioritise and monitor several districts in the province. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape is urging the public not to fall victim to a jobs scam that is circulating on social media.

The scam is purported to be related to SAPS vacancies in Jeffreys Bay.

The fake message is mostly circulated via WhatsApp, and it contains the false name of a captain purporting to be working for the SAPS in Jeffreys Bay, who must be contacted for queries about vacancies.

“The South African Police Service wishes to alert the public that this is a scam, and that all available vacancies are advertised through proper and credible media platforms, including the SAPS website.  For any available SAPS vacancies, the public has a responsibility to verify those at their nearest police station,” the SAPS said in a statement on Saturday.

The police have opened an inquiry to unmask the culprit(s) and further lay criminal charges. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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KwaZulu-Natal disaster management teams are on high alert today following weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

“The province faces a dual threat, with a Level 5 Severe Thunderstorm Warning for western and southern regions and a Level 2 Warning for the remainder of the province,” the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said in a statement.

The SAWS issued an Orange Level 5 warning for the province with scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers expected over most parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 08 February 2026.

The weather service said some of the thunderstorms are expected to become severe over the western and southern parts of the province and may be accompanied by heavy downpours.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has directed that emergency response units prioritise and monitor the following districts, where heavy downpours (exceeding 50mm), hail, and damaging winds are expected:

• uMgungundlovu District: Msunduzi, uMshwathi, uMgeni, Mpofana, iMpendle, Richmond and Mkhambathini.
• uThukela District: Alfred Duma, Inkosi Langalibalele, and Okhahlamba.
• Amajuba District: Newcastle, Dannhauser, and eMadlangeni.
• uMzinyathi District: Msinga, uMvoti, and eNdumeni.
• Harry Gwala District: Greater Kokstad, uMzimkhulu, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and uMuziwabantu.
• Ugu District: Ray Nkonyeni, uMzumbe, uMdoni, and uBuhlebezwe.

“A Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is also in place for the rest of KwaZulu-Natal, including the eThekwini Metro, iLembe, King Cetshwayo, and Zululand districts. While the impact is expected to be less severe than in Level 5 areas, the risk of localised flooding and lightning strikes remains high,” the department said.

The provincial department has urged residents to take necessary safety measures to safeguard themselves and their families. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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The fire in the Du Toitskloof Pass area has been contained, the Cape Winelands District Municipality in the Western Cape said on Sunday.

“The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) Fire Services, in partnership with CapeNature, can confirm that the fire in the Du Toitskloof Pass area has been successfully contained,” the municipality said.

The fire was reported on Friday on the Worcester side of the pass and later crossed over to the Paarl side by Friday evening.

“Fresh firefighting teams will be deployed this morning to monitor the area for any possible flare-ups and to continue with mopping-up operations until the area is declared fully safe,” said the CWDM.

No injuries or property loss have been reported, and the Du Toitskloof Pass is open to traffic.

The municipality advised hikers and mountain bikers planning to visit the area to consult CapeNature for the latest updates. As custodian of the province’s natural environment, CapeNature is tasked with promoting nature conservation and awareness, preserving biodiversity, and providing facilities for education, research, and training.

On Saturday, the municipality’s Fire Services, together with CapeNature, continued to battle the wildfire.
“Firefighting vehicles and crews from the Worcester, Nieuwedrift, and Stellenbosch fire stations were deployed to the scene,” said the municipality on Saturday. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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