Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has welcomed the opening of a new product development laboratory at Biovac in Cape Town, set to expand South Africa’s capacity to develop vaccines from start to finish.  

“Today marks a historic milestone for South Africa, as the opening of Biovac’s new Product Development Laboratory brings us closer to our vision of achieving full, end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capability on the African continent,” said Gina on Thursday.

Currently, vaccines in South Africa are completed and filled using active ingredients sourced from abroad. 

With the new laboratory, the country will be able to develop vaccines from start to finish, enhancing Biovac’s world-class capabilities in vaccine product development.

The new facility will also enable the production of vaccines for Africa from the early stages of product development through drug substance and drug product manufacturing and will aid in responding to the continent’s high disease burden with locally driven solutions.

This evolution into vaccine product development reflects South Africa’s growing vaccine innovation and manufacturing capacity, strengthened by public-private collaboration.

The company currently develops, formulates, fills, finishes, and distributes vaccines used in South Africa’s childhood vaccine programme.

The Deputy Minister added that this high-tech facility, equipped with advanced mRNA technology and state-of-the-art research capacity, will empower scientists to tackle the most prevalent diseases in Africa, ensuring that homegrown innovation addresses the health needs of the citizens.

“The Government of South Africa, together with partners like the Gates Foundation and the Industrial Development Corporation, remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that build robust local pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhance our preparedness for future health emergencies,” the Deputy Minister said.

She believes that the laboratory was not just a monument to technological advancement, but a beacon of hope for all Africans, a demonstration of what is possible when vision, investment and scientific excellence come together. 

“Let us celebrate this step forward, confident that today’s investment in science will yield tomorrow’s health and economic security for our country and continent.”

The new laboratory has been realised through the support of the Gates Foundation. 

The department stated that it will assist Biovac, South Africa, and the African continent, to be able to develop its own vaccines across multiple platforms and be better able to respond to future pandemics or outbreaks using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment.

The laboratory includes infrastructure for mRNA drug substance development, screening, evaluation, and manufacturing. 

It houses a specialised suite to formulate nanoparticles that safely encapsulate and protect mRNA, along with dedicated areas for bacterial and cell culture, cell bank storage and handling of sensitive medical materials.

The African Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) committed in 2022 to ensuring that 60% of vaccines used on the continent are manufactured in Africa by 2040. 

Currently, only about 1% are produced locally; a gap this facility seeks to help close.

Biovac CEO, Dr Morena Makhoana, said: “The establishment of our new product development laboratory gives us the capability to develop and test next-generation vaccines using the most advanced technology available, ensuring that Africa is not left behind in responding to current and future vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Gates Foundation CEO, Mark Suzman, stated that Biovac’s new product development laboratory represents a leap forward for vaccine innovation and manufacturing in Africa. 

“For millions of people across the continent, it brings the promise of faster, more reliable access to lifesaving vaccines, developed and produced in Africa, for Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, November 7, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the decision to appoint an Advisory Panel for the Selection of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) is aimed at instilling public confidence in the process and the person who will fill the vacancy.

The President was speaking during a Questions for Oral Reply session in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Current NDPP, Advocate Shamila Batohi, is set to retire from the position in January 2026.

“This process is transparent and helps to build public confidence in the appointment of a person in this critical office.

“I selected a panel that would combine a variety of skills and experiences. These include the public service administration, financial management, legal and jurisprudence, administration of justice and the promotion of equality and human rights,” the President said.

The panel constituted by the President includes “representatives from the national executive, chapter 9 institutions and legal bodies”.

“I chose the heads of certain Chapter 9 institutions for the panel because these are independent bodies that were established in terms of our constitution to support and to protect South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

“They are required to always act impartially and subject to only the constitution and the law – ensuring that their decisions are made without fear, favour or prejudice.

“They are therefore well positioned to understand the qualities and capabilities expected of an NDPP,” the President noted.

Furthermore, legal practitioners are included in the panel to ensure that candidates are evaluated by experienced people in the legal and criminal justice system. 

“And in addition to their legal acumen, candidates must be able to demonstrate qualities and capabilities relating to leadership, strategic management, financial management, ethical leadership and broad understanding of our criminal justice system.

“Based on their assessment, the panel will submit a shortlist of recommended candidates to me for consideration and appointment as empowered by the constitution and the NPA Act,” President Ramaphosa said.

Members of the panel – which is chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi – are:

• Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Andrew Christoffel Nissen.
• Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale.
• Auditor-General of South Africa, Tsakani Maluleke.
• Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Professor Somadoda Fikeni.
• President of the Black Lawyers Association, Nkosana Mvundlela.
• Representative of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, Machini Motloung

“The panel that I have appointed are all people of great integrity and great eminence. So whatever decision will come out of the panel will be the panel’s decision. I’m assured about that.

“The minister who knows all the contours of the work that needs to be done by this key official, will play a critical role as chair of the panel so that even if they veer into areas that are not prescribed…she will be able to give guidance. 

“The panel itself will take decisions that will then be put forward to me. I have full confidence in the ability of the minister ability to do so,” President Ramaphosa said.

The closing date for applications and nominations is expected to be this week, as announced by the Justice Department last month. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

As the world prepares for the upcoming G20 Summit, global civil society has issued a call-to-action urging world leaders to commit to solidarity, equality, and sustainability as the cornerstones of a just global order. 

Representing more than 3,000 civil society organisations across the world, the Civil 20 – (C20) the official civil society engagement group of the G20 – today presented its Political Declaration and Communiqué to G20 leaders, outlining key recommendations to reform global systems and advance people-centred development. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, C20 Sherpa Mabalane Mfundisi said the declaration reflects the lived realities and policy priorities of communities most affected by inequality, exclusion, and crisis.

The declaration marks the culmination of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and draws from the work of 14 C20 working groups shaped by feminist, youth, disability, Indigenous and LGBTQI+ perspectives.

“The wellbeing of people and the health of the planet must be at the centre of the global economic agenda. The time for incrementalism has passed. The path ahead must be grounded in participation, redistribution, and environmental justice,” the declaration states.

A blueprint for a just and sustainable world

The C20 communiqué calls for far-reaching reforms across five key pillars: economic justice, climate action, technology and cultural sovereignty, food and care economies, and civic participation.

Among its major demands, the C20 calls for:

• Reform of global financial institutions to reflect the economic contributions of the Global South, including democratic governance of the IMF and World Bank.
• Debt cancellation and establishment of fair, UN-led mechanisms to manage sovereign debt, coupled with reparative and redistributive financing models.
• A time-bound transition away from fossil fuels, anchored in climate justice and community-defined just transition plans.
• Investment in inclusive education, technology governance, and indigenous knowledge systems to promote decolonised, future-ready societies.
• Protection of civic space and defenders, and creation of a Permanent G20 Gender Equality Taskforce to advance women’s representation.

The declaration also urges world leaders to reject extractive economic models that erode local resources, to recognise local and Indigenous knowledge systems as engines of climate and economic resilience, and to embed equity in global migration and environmental governance.

As the C20 prepares for its official summit from 12 – 14 November 2025, the organisation says its message to the G20 is clear: the future is political, and justice delayed is justice denied.

“We present this declaration not just to G20 governments but to the people of the world, as a manifesto for just futures. Let this be the year civil society was not simply heard but heeded,” Mfundisi said. 

The C20’s Political Declaration and Communiqué will inform discussions at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, as South Africa concludes its term as G20 President. 

“The future is not sustainable without justice. No one must be left behind. The question is: not whether the G20 has been told – but whether they will act on the clear collective demands of the constituencies they serve,” Mfundisi said. 

The 14 Policy Briefs and 2 Statements of Intent that form an integral part of this Political Declaration/ Communiquè can be found on this link : https://showmeyournumbersa-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/mabalane_showmeyournumber_org_za2/EixLqldt9M1OiYJXIv7lskABL3ZvvWuFZuscm3XwCIxVjA?e=qMvFWA – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has officially approved the inclusion of indigenous crops and medicinal plants in the list of declared agricultural products under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (MAP Act) of 1996.

This landmark decision, approved on 21 July 2025, formally recognises a high potential sector estimated to be valued at about R12 billion annually to South Africa’s economy.

The move is expected to unlock significant growth potential for small-scale farmers, traditional healers, and communities who rely on these natural resources for their livelihoods.

The declaration of indigenous crops and medicinal plants as agricultural products was requested by one of the directly affected groups in the agricultural industry.

Unlocking the economic potential

According to the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), the combined monetary value of medicinal plants and indigenous crops represents less than 3% of South Africa’s R450 billion annual agricultural output.

Of this amount, the traditional medicinal plant trade contributes approximately R3 billion per year, while indigenous crops account for about R9 billion. Most of this activity occurs outside the formal trade and therefore is an addition to the gross domestic product (GDP).

“For too long, our people who harvest and trade traditional medicines and indigenous crops, have been operating in the economic shadows. With this legislative change we are granting dignity, recognition and a path to prosperity, prosperity,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister emphasised the department’s commitment to keeping its priorities alive, like pushing for a more modern and progressive legislative and regulatory environment.

“Outdated legislation is a hinderance to the rapid absorption of new technologies, remedies, practices and innovations which are essential if we are to improve yield, health and profitability in the agricultural sector the minister continued.”

Newly declared products

The original list of declared agricultural products was published in 1997 and since then, there have been several amendments to the list informed by several factors within the agricultural industry.

Under the new declaration, indigenous crops include those that have their origin in South Africa, as well as plants that have become naturalised or traditionally cultivated over generations. They are broadly classified into three categories, including grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Indigenous grain crops can be defined as any crop yielding starch and protein enriched seeds suitable for food, while indigenous fruit crops feature marula, wild apricot, wild plum, raisin bush, and sour plum.

Indigenous vegetable crops are subdivided into roots or tubers (cas sava, amadumbe, marama bean and living potato) and leafy vegetables (cleome, cowpea, amaranth, blackjack and jews mallow).

While the list of the names of these crops and medicinal plants is not yet finalised, South Africa also boasts a rich variety of indigenous medicinal plants, several of which are internationally recognised for their therapeutic properties. 

These include:
•    Buchu (Agathosma betulina) – Used for urinary tract and stomach ailments, and as a diuretic.
•    Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) – Hoodia is a succulent plant found in the Kalahari Desert. It is traditionally used as an appetite suppressant. 
•    Sutherlandia (Lessertia frutescens) – Also known as “Cancer Bush” or “Balloon Pea,” known as “Cancer Bush,” used in traditional medicine for various conditions, including respiratory infections, stomach problems, and as a general immune booster.
•    Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) – It is a tuberous plant native to the Kalahari region. It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly used to alleviate joint pain, arthritis, and digestive disorders. 
•    Aloe vera – Although it is found in various parts of the world, Aloe vera is indigenous to South Africa, and widely used to soothe and heal burns, skin irritations, and wounds. It also has digestive and immune enhancing properties.
•    African Wormwood (Artemisia afra) – African Wormwood is a perennial shrub with aromatic leaves. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat colds, coughs, and fevers.
•    African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) – The African Potato is a perennial plant with tuberous roots. It has traditionally been used to boost the immune system and alleviate symptoms of HIV/AIDS. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. 
•    Hooded Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides) – Its roots are used to make a herbal remedy called Umckaloabo, which is used to treat respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and sinusitis.
•    Wilde Als (Artemisia afra), also known as “African Wormwood – It is a shrub with fragrant leaves that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory proper ties and is used to alleviate various digestive disorders.

Legislative gateway for industry growth

With the inclusion of these products under the MAP Act, the Minister noted that representative bodies of the newly declared agricultural products can, in the future, apply for statutory measures, such as levies, records and returns and registrations, as provided for in sections 15, 18 and 19 of the MAP Act.

“It is important to note that each application for statutory measures will still be investigated and evaluated in terms of its own merits and may be recommended to the Minister for approval, provided that it meets the set criteria.

“The benefit of a statutory measure is that, once it is approved by the minister, it enables the directly affected groups, among other things, to collect funds and render supporting functions to grow the relevant agricultural industries and create job opportunities,” Steenhuisen said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that efforts to expand women’s access to finance, digital tools, and entrepreneurship must go hand in hand with the fight to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“It’s inspiring when many women who, against extraordinary odds, have transformed adversity into opportunity. When women prosper, the whole community benefits,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President was addressing delegates at the International Women’s Forum (IWF) conference, currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The President paid tribute to women who, despite facing systemic discrimination, have built successful businesses, led communities, and developed innovative solutions that have improved the lives of millions.

“These are the women who have raised families while pursuing education; who have crossed cultural and structural barriers to lead in fields where they were once invisible,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said the stories of resilience remind society that progress is not just about policy, but also courage, creativity and persistence. 

“This conference is a platform to examine how women in leadership can not only respond to today’s challenges but anticipate the opportunities of tomorrow.”

The President noted that the sessions at the conference bring global perspectives from women leading large institutions and shaping entire communities. These discussions, he said, are especially timely in a world of shifting geopolitics, where multilateralism is tested and new forms of cooperation are urgently needed.

Ramaphosa called for collective action to ensure there is no backsliding on the progress made in advancing gender equality.

“We must recognise that our progress is intertwined. That when women rise, societies rise with them. Today, we celebrate not only the leaders in this room but also the millions of women worldwide who, through courage, and ingenuity, are transforming their communities and breaking down barriers for the next generation,” the President said.

Welcoming delegates, the President said South Africa is honoured to host a gathering of thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers committed to shaping the contours of the global future.

“Your presence here signals a shared determination to confront entrenched inequalities, to champion inclusive growth and to create pathways that empower women everywhere,” President Ramaphosa said.

Convened under a theme: ‘Ubuntu: I am because we are,” the conference called on the global community to recognise shared humanity, interdependence and collective power of women in shaping society.

The International Women’s Forum of South Africa (IWFSA) was established 19 years ago when its patron, Zanele Mbeki, together with a group of women leaders, set up a South African chapter of the IWF.

IWFSA currently has grown to include 100 members from government, business, science, the arts and numerous other sectors.

The IWFSA members, who are at the top of their fields of endeavour and who have nationally and internationally identifiable track records, enjoy unique networking opportunities with access to both local and global influence of high performing, like minded and accomplished women. – SAnews.gov.za

  

  

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Health Department Deputy Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has urged Group of 20 (G20) leaders to address the structural challenges that impede progress in enhancing public financing and developing strong primary healthcare (PHC) systems.

“The financial stresses facing the health sector in many nations serve as a crucial reminder that health is fundamentally an investment in global stability and economic prosperity,” Phaahla said on Thursday morning.

The Deputy Minister was addressing the delegates at the G20 Health Ministerial Meeting held at the Ranch Resort in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Phaahla emphasised that the agenda for the two-day meeting not only includes discussions but also outlines a structured approach toward achieving constructive outcomes.

“Our agenda reflects our determination to tackle complex health threats through cooperation.”

The delegates will hold a session focused on addressing what Phaahla terms as one of humanity’s persistent challenges – Tuberculosis (TB). 

In addition, the leaders will discuss health financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the importance of global partnerships. 

This discussion will include the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment, which aims to secure more resources for combating HIV, TB, and malaria.

“The afternoon session on health financing for UHC is perhaps the most critical. It allows us to explore sustainable models, including the role of public investment, and to jointly examine how global economic forces impact national health budgets. 

“We seek common ground in securing the financial bedrock for resilient health systems.”

According to Phaahla, the Health Ministers’ Meeting aims to synthesise and integrate the work of South Africa’s G20 Presidency in Health.

“It begins with a crucial focus on ensuring that scientific progress benefits everyone, with our discussion on making lenacapavir affordable and available for all. 

“This speaks to our G20 value of equity in access to medical breakthroughs.” 

The leaders are also expected to work diligently to create a shared understanding and define strategic directions. 

The gathering will also conclude with the important G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministerial Meeting (JFHMM).

“This joint forum is a powerful signal of our collective recognition that fiscal policy and health outcomes are inextricably linked. Bringing our respective Ministers together will be key to translating our health goals into financially sound, implementable national and global strategies.” 

He encouraged all delegates to embody mutual respect and shared goals that this forum demands.

“The solutions we seek require bold thinking, sustained effort, and unwavering solidarity,” he concluded. – SAnews.gov.za