Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has reiterated its commitment to the Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) Programme, aimed at unlocking large-scale investment in transmission infrastructure critical for the expansion of the electricity grid.

This according to a joint statement by the Department of Electricity and Energy and National Treasury.

“The ITP Programme remains on track to unlock large-scale investment in transmission infrastructure and is being implemented in a manner that upholds bankability, transparency, and credibility, which are key conditions for long-term investor confidence.

“The [departments] remain united in their commitment to deliver a credible, transparent, and globally benchmarked procurement process. By aligning the ITP and CGV timelines, government is acting decisively to ensure that this first-of-its-kind programme is technically sound, commercially bankable, and institutionally aligned.

“The ITP Programme continues to serve as a cornerstone of South Africa’s energy reform agenda and as a catalyst for investment, localisation, and economic renewal,” the statement read.

The two departments said there would be a refining of timelines to “strengthen alignment and market confidence”.

“As part of ongoing coordination between government and development partners, it has become necessary to better align the timelines of the ITP Phase I procurement with the establishment of the Credit Guarantee Vehicle [CGV], a key credit enhancement instrument being developed by National Treasury with the support of the World Bank Group.

“The sequencing of these two processes is critical to ensure that bidders and lenders have full clarity on the guarantee framework that will underpin the financial close of the ITP transactions,” the statement said.

Pre-qualified bidders (PQBs) are expected to be announced no later than 15 December 2025, which will be followed by the release of a draft Request for Proposal (RFP).

“This will allow PQBs to provide feedback on commercial and bankability components prior to the release of the final RFP. The final RFP will be released by no later than quarter 3 of the 2026 calendar year,” the departments said.

The consultations with the market are aimed at ensuring that the final RFP will be:

• Be a fit-for-purpose RFP that reflects market realities, lender expectations, and international best practice.
• Enable early identification of technical and commercial barriers, thereby minimising post-release clarifications.
• Instill enhanced investor confidence, signalling government’s commitment to transparency, predictability, and collaboration.
• Provide a strong foundation for competitive, high-quality bids that support timely financial close.
• Reduce downstream clarifications once the RFP is formally released.
• Reinforce South Africa’s reputation for transparent, credible, and world-class energy procurement.

“Although this refinement adds time to the initial RFP schedule, it ensures that the ITP Programme proceeds on a sound, coordinated, and fully bankable footing, protecting the integrity of both the RFP process and the CGV’s credit framework,” the statement said.

At the same time, the two departments have made “significant progress on the CGV’s technical, legal, and financial design”.

“The CGV will be established as a private, nonlife insurer, independent from government and regulated by the Prudential Authority. The CGV is expected to provide credit guarantees for qualifying infrastructure projects, commencing with Phase I of the ITP Programme.

“The current focus is on finalising capital commitments and progressing licensing requirements, with CGV operationalisation anticipated in second half of 2026, which is critical to implement Phase I of the ITP Programme.

“This facility is a groundbreaking innovation in South Africa’s infrastructure finance architecture, designed to mobilise private capital and reduce reliance on sovereign guarantees,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Police have arrested a man for allegedly trespassing at the NASREC venue in the south of Johannesburg, where South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) conference will be hosted from 22-23 November, 2025.

The man who works as an operations director at Gauntlet Security Solutions was arrested on Monday. 

“His stunt at NASREC was an attempt at proving his falsehood that South Africa’s security apparatus were not ready to secure the forthcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit,” Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi said on Tuesday.

According to Baloyi, the man’s arrest demonstrates that the law enforcement agencies are more than ready to ensure the safety of all delegates at the upcoming summit. 

Since taking over the G20 Presidency, South Africa has already hosted more than 130 G20 preparatory meetings, some at Ministerial level and Governors of Central Banks, without any incident.

South Africa assumed the Presidency for G20 from 1 December 2024, and it runs through to November 2025, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”

G20 members include the world’s major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and since 2023, the African Union. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

The leaders of the ten political parties leading the Government of National Unity (GNU) have reaffirmed their commitment to the seventh administration and serving the people of South Africa.

The leaders held a two-day retreat at the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng over the weekend.

According to a joint statement of the parties, the retreat provided a platform for reflection on progress in implementation of the GNU statement of intent priorities, discussion on “contemporary national and international issues” and to address “critical issues facing the country”.

“The leaders were unanimous that the GNU is united and strong. The meeting agreed that this forum of party leaders would meet regularly to provide strategic political direction to the work of the GNU.

“The leaders recognised difficulties at times in the functioning of the GNU, most notably around the 2025 budget process. However, it has drawn important lessons from these experiences and will ensure more effective consultation in developing fiscal priorities and frameworks.

“All parties reaffirmed their full commitment to the GNU as a reflection of the will of voters as an instrument to advance the interests of all South Africans,” the statement read.

The GNU was formed following the 2024 General Elections and, 16 months on, has “provided stability and leadership to the country”.

“It remains focused on resolving the concerns of the South African people: unemployment, poverty, the cost of living, crime, corruption and delivery of services.

“The GNU has successfully brought together parties from different political traditions and perspectives to undertake a common programme to drive inclusive growth and job creation, tackle poverty and the cost of living, and build a capable developmental state.

“Guided by the basic minimum programme of priorities contained in the Statement of Intent, the GNU has adopted the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) as a transformative vision and programme for the five years of this administration,” the statement continued.

Achievements since the formation of the GNU include:

• Establishing a platform for inclusive growth through far-reaching reforms in energy logistics, telecommunications, water and visas;
• Embarked on a massive infrastructure build and maintenance drive;
• As part of the response to tariff increases, worked to diversify exports and expand into new and existing markets;
• Prioritised the expansion of early childhood development and strengthening the foundational years of learning;
• Provided work and livelihood opportunities to young people on an unprecedented scale through public employment programmes; and
• Sustained spending to support poor households even amid severe financial constraints.

The leaders have agreed that while much has been done during the last 16 months, “work underway needs to be accelerated and its impact needs to be felt by all South Africans”.

Urgent attention will be directed to:

• Ensuring greater urgency and action in the implementation of government programmes, the streamlining of processes and structures and the further professionalisation and depoliticisation of the public service;
• Developing a food security plan to address the dire situation of hunger affecting many households and communities across the country;
• A comprehensive and far-reaching strategy for skills development and the creation of work experience and livelihood opportunities for young people;
• Mobilising law enforcement and security services and key stakeholders to intensify the fight against the rise in gangsterism and organised crime;
• The appointment of capable, ethical leadership in the criminal justice system;
• Equipping national and provincial government to intervene more effectively where municipalities fail to fulfil their mandates;
• Undertaking a comprehensive response to illegal immigration, including strengthening border management and expanding economic opportunities for South Africans; and
• Improving oversight and coordination of state-owned enterprises and setting minimum standards for board appointments.

“The leaders were clear that the GNU is now more cohesive, determined and focused than ever before.

“The GNU is focused on urgency and action and remains true to its fundamental purpose: to serve the interests and meet the needs of all South Africans,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, November 3, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of diversifying South Africa’s trade relations as economic turbulence continues on a global scale.

This as the President travelled to Southeast Asia last week, in a bid to deepen trade and relations with the nations of Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

“In the midst of global economic uncertainty, it has become more important than ever for South Africa to diversify its trade and investment relations.

“As we continue to expand trade with traditional partners, we see great value in strengthening links with other countries of the Global South,” the President said in the weekly newsletter.

South Africa has a footprint in agricultural exports to the three countries.

“During our visits, we discussed how to expand the range and the quantity of agricultural products we supply these countries, ranging from beef to soybeans to fruit. Among other things, we agreed to look at some of the regulatory barriers to market access,” he said.

Now, more exports are being eyed for the mining sector.

“Over time, each of these countries has expanded their advanced manufacturing capacity, with some taking the lead in semiconductors, batteries and electric vehicles.

“South Africa, with its substantial reserves of critical minerals, is well placed to supply the products that these industries need. We are keen to develop partnerships with these countries to ensure that we add value to these minerals before exporting them.

“This is part of our ambition to move away from being an exporter of raw material to producing finished goods,” President Ramaphosa explained.

During the visit to Southeast Asia, many companies expressed their interest in investing in South Africa.

“Some of these companies already have a presence in our country. All of them recognised the great potential of our economy, our well-developed infrastructure, our world-class financial sector, our independent judiciary and stable institutions.

“A number of companies told us about their plans to build new manufacturing plants in South Africa to serve both our domestic market and markets in the Southern African region and on the African continent. They want to locate their operations in South Africa so that they can take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.

In solidarity

The President noted that beyond the trade and investment talks that dominated the visit to the region, South Africa and the three nations share a “common approach to international matters”. 

“We are all firm advocates of multilateralism and international law, the reform of the United Nations and cooperation between the countries of the Global South. We therefore agreed to work together to promote peace and security, climate action and sustainable development.

“Our common approach was evident also at the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which we attended at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The theme for the ASEAN summit: ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, mirrors the theme for our G20 Presidency: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’.

“This underlines the alignment between our vision of the world and that of the countries of Southeast Asia,” he said.

Historical ties also bind the three countries to South Africa, having supported the fight against apartheid.

The Indonesian and Malaysian ties go back even further as South Africa is home to the descendants of peoples of the two nations who were brought to the country by the colonialist Dutch as forced labourers – a community of South Africans now known as the Cape Malay.

“As we recognise these strong historical ties, these visits have been firmly focused on the future. There is enormous potential for greater trade and investment between South Africa and each of these countries.

“Although we are separated by the Indian Ocean, South Africa and Southeast Asia are closer now than we have been before. We share a determination to build a common future of development and inclusive growth from which all our people benefit,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has hailed South Africa’s grain producers for delivering a record-breaking harvest this season, despite the economic pressures facing farmers due to rising input costs and falling commodity prices.

Speaking at the Grain SA Grain Producer of the Year Awards held at the Birchwood Hotel in Gauteng on Friday night, Steenhuisen described the 2025 season as “an incredible achievement,” with the country’s total grain and oilseed harvest exceeding 23 million tonnes, a 30% increase compared to last year.

“With our maize harvest alone, at a staggering 16,33 million tons, we are well over our national need of 12 million tons. This success secures our food supply and positions us strongly as a key regional supplier. Well done! You are truly an asset to our nation,” the Minister said.

He commended the resilience and contribution of grain producers, noting that they not only feed the nation, but also bring in crucial foreign currency, stabilise our trade balance, and create tens of thousands of jobs.

“You are the vanguard of South African agriculture, and your resilience in the face of immense challenges is deeply appreciated.”

While celebrating the bumper crop, Steenhuisen cautioned that the current abundance has also brought serious financial strain to producers.

He said farmers are facing immense “financial squeeze” that is hitting their bottom line from two opposing directions, including lower output prices caused by the oversupply of grain, and rising operational costs driven by higher prices for fertiliser, fuel, equipment, and labour.

“When the money you get from selling your crop is low, but the cost of growing it is high, the financial consequence is immediate: your profit margins are severely squeezed or worse, wiped out,” Steenhuisen said.

He highlighted that producers, especially wheat producers are being under pressure, citing ridged policy environment that is not focused on long term sustainability.

According to the Minister, losing domestic wheat producers due to current circumstances, could cost South African consumers an additional R643 million just to maintain the current quality bread on the table.

Drawing parallels with the situation in the United States, he said the plight of South African farmers reflects a global challenge of rising production costs and falling grain prices.

“The example from Minnesota shows clearly that high production volume is worthless if prices are too low to cover the cost of production. We feel your pain because it’s a global problem,” Steenhuisen said.

Measures to boost competitiveness

Steenhuisen outlined government priorities aimed at supporting farmers and protecting the sector’s competitiveness.

Among the key interventions include access to the best and safest new breeding technologies and creating an environment that encourages investment in innovation, both from local and international partners, such as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Syngenta.

“It also means improving logistics at every level: local, provincial and national, and continuing to open up new international markets. Over the past year, the Department of Agriculture has been engaging with many countries to prioritise our exporting farmers.

“Above all, we must focus on regulatory efficiency, so that progress in agriculture is not held back by unnecessary red tape. These priorities align strongly with the goals of the Agriculture and Agro–Processing Master Plan, which remains our shared roadmap for growth and competitiveness in the sector,” the Minister said.

Protecting a strategic national asset

Steenhuisen described agriculture as one of South Africa’s most strategic national assets, reaffirming government’s commitment to stand with producers in addressing rising costs, collapsing margins, and unnecessary red tape.

“We will work with you, not above you, to ensure that South African grain remains among the most respected in the world. Let us keep the spirit of partnership alive, because together we can weather any storm and secure a future that is both profitable and proudly South African,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Monday, November 3, 2025