Category: South Africa Government

From humble beginnings in Mputi Village, near Mthatha, to becoming an inspiration for young farmers across the Eastern Cape, Jay Jay Farming has proven that agriculture is not just about ploughing fields, it is about sowing the seeds of economic freedom.

A group of determined young farmers from the Eastern Cape are rewriting the narrative, at a time when South Africa continues to battle youth unemployment and food insecurity.

Jay Jay Farming has become a shining example of how young people can thrive in agriculture with the right support, vision and perseverance.

On Thursday, the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture officially launched the R100 million 2025/26 Cropping Season in Bhaziya Village, Mthatha. The event, held during World Food Security Month, was not just about launching a new planting season, but about showcasing the transformative power of agriculture when driven by youth innovation and government support.

MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, used Jay Jay Farming as a case study to showcase excellence and the opportunities available in the sector.

“We are here to showcase to the farmers that if they start something, the department is here to support them. We are using these young farmers who have done a lot, to showcase excellence. I am glad to see young men and women working so hard,” Kontsiwe said.

She stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of the provincial economy and a viable path for young people seeking sustainable livelihoods.

“Agriculture is the only way to go. Young people must see this sector as a driver of economic growth and stop the notion that the sector is only for the uneducated. Mentorship programmes exist to assist new entrants in producing good quality yields for better income,” Kontsiwe said.

For Jay Jay Farming co-owner, Sipho Joyi, the journey has been far from easy but deeply rewarding.

“It has been seven years since we have been doing this. We have been through difficult terrains, but we stood up and continued. Today, at least we are able to put food on the table for ourselves and the families of those we have hired,” Joyi said.

Joyi and his team have built a thriving enterprise producing grains including yellow and white maize and soya beans, along with potatoes, cabbages, spinach, and green mealies.

The farm currently employs 12 permanent staff and up to 50 seasonal workers during planting and harvesting seasons. It also rents ploughing fields from the community, which helps to circulate income within the local economy.

This season, Jay Jay Farming plans to plant 130 hectares of soybeans (with support from Land Bank and departmental partner, Ukhanyo Development Farmer), 500 hectares of maize (supported by the department), and 2 hectares of potatoes (through a partnership with Potato SA and the department).

Collaboration breeds growth

MEC Kontsiwe commended Jay Jay Farming for not relying solely on the department.

“They did not only rely on the department, which is supporting them a lot, but they looked for assistance in the private sector for mentoring and other resources they needed. The key priority of the department is to fight and eradicate poverty totally and farmers like these are assisting us,” she said.

The MEC noted that the department’s broader goal is to expose farmers to the emerging farmers to the full agricultural value chain and invest in them to become commercial-scale producers.

The 2025/26 summer cropping season will cover approximately 23 000 hectares, focusing on grain, vegetable, and fodder crops.

This builds on the success of the 2024/25 season, during which the department successfully planted 22 584 hectares of maize, yielding over 112 920 tons of grain.

The MEC said about 90% of the total targeted land continues to be dedicated to grain production. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet has urged all citizens to support South Africa’s women’s national cricket team as they aim to make history by winning the first-ever International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025.

Cabinet extended its best wishes to the team as they prepare for the final this weekend.

On Wednesday, the South African Women’s cricket team achieved a historic milestone in Guwahati, India, thanks to an outstanding innings from their captain, Laura Wolvaardt, and impressive bowling by Marizanne Kapp, who took five wickets for just 20 runs. 

This incredible performance led them to a 125-run victory over England, propelling them into their first-ever 50-over World Cup final. 

Cabinet has congratulated the team on their historic achievement.

“Their performance was electrifying, and they have established themselves as contenders on the global stage,” the Cabinet statement released on Thursday read. 

Cabinet expressed its satisfaction with the year 2025, calling it the best year for the South African national cricket teams. 

The men’s team triumphed in the ICC Test Championship final, while the women’s team reached the ODI World Cup final. 

Most recently, Proteas Women made it to the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup in both 2023 and 2024, highlighted by a historic victory over Australia in Canberra in 2024.  

Cricket South Africa praised the Proteas Women for their resilience, strong batting line-ups, and adaptable bowling, noting that they continue to inspire and make history in every format of the game.

South Africa and India will face off on Sunday, 2 November 2025, as both teams compete for the title. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has expressed its satisfaction with South Africa’s preparations for the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit, saying it is confident the country will host the event successfully.

Thousands of international delegates, media representatives, and visitors are expected to gather at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg for the two-day summit scheduled to take place from 22 – 23 November 2025. 

The event aims to showcase South Africa’s attractions to the world and promote long-term growth in the tourism sector.

Cabinet said South Africa’s G20 Presidency is already strengthening the country’s tourism sector, with 100 out of 132 official meetings held across the country since 1 November 2024. 

According to a Cabinet statement released on Thursday, the summit is expected to generate substantial economic activity by increasing demand for goods, services, infrastructure, and logistics. 

This will create jobs and enhance revenues for local businesses.

In preparation for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, South Africa will host a G20 Social Summit from 18 – 20 November 2025. 

This gathering aims to incorporate the voices of civil society into the G20 decision-making process, promote global solidarity, advance inclusive development, and produce a declaration that reflects the aspirations and realities of citizens’ lives.

“South Africa is using its G20 Presidency to respond to complex challenges facing the world and fostering consensus on various issues. Our priorities are to strengthen disaster resilience and response, ensure debt sustainability for developing economies, mobilise finance for a just energy transition and use critical minerals for inclusive growth,” the statement read. 

“We look forward to welcoming our esteemed guests at the G20 Leaders’ Summit and to a smooth handover of the G20 Presidency to the United States.” 

Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment Summit

Cabinet announced that the Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment Summit will be hosted on 21 November 2025 in Johannesburg. 

This summit, co-hosted by South Africa and the United Kingdom in partnership with the Global Fund, will take place alongside the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The Global Fund is the world’s largest financier of programmes for the prevention, treatment, and care of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. 

“This gathering is a pivotal opportunity to mobilise global commitment and resources to accelerate the fight to end HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria.”

According to Cabinet, the summit will convene Heads of State and government, civil society, communities, multilateral and bilateral partners and the private sector, to secure the investments needed to expand life-saving health programmes.

“Discussions at the summit are expected to assist in strengthening resilient and sustainable health systems, which are pivotal in building a healthier, safer future for all.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala will today officially launch a landmark programme to build new small harbours in neglected coastal towns — a key pillar of inclusive infrastructure development in post-apartheid South Africa. 

The Deputy Minister will hand over the Special Economic Zone, which will designate the areas and sites for this massive infrastructure investment, creating a turning point for inclusive and sustainable coastal development.

According to the department, the new small harbour for KwaZulu-Natal will be in Port Shepstone, while others will be built in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. 

“The new harbours will be the first to be built since the dawn of democracy. The programme aligns with government priorities on job creation, regional economic development, and inclusive access to maritime infrastructure,” the department said in a statement.

According to the department, the initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to redress past inequities by delivering real, tangible infrastructure in neglected towns. 

“This forms part of coastal government initiatives including the District Development Model, Eastern Seaboard Development, N2 Corridor and Operation Phakisa, Oceans Economy, with the intention of developing a project pipeline for new harbour and coastal infrastructure development along the coastline of South Africa,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will on Monday pay a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the KwaKhangela Royal Palace in Nongoma.

“During the meeting, the Minister will present the department and its entities’ plans for infrastructure delivery in KwaZulu-Natal to His Majesty, including ongoing construction and maintenance projects, job creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the implementation of infrastructure reforms like the upcoming Social Facilitation Framework (SFF) to improve delivery performance in the province,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.

The Minister will be joined by KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure Member of the Executive Council, Martin Meyer; Chairperson of the Independent Development Trust, Zimbini Hill; Chairperson of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Khulile Nzo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Built Environment Dr Msizi Myeza. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has at its meeting this week approved a request from the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, Elias Mpedi, for South Africa to assume interim leadership of SADC – due to the recent political developments in Madagascar. 

This includes hosting all SADC meetings scheduled from November 2025 and South Africa is expected to assume interim responsibilities until the Summit makes a formal determination.

“This request is in line with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty which states that when a sitting Chair is unable to fulfil its duties, the incoming Chairperson should resume interim responsibilities until the Summit decides,” Cabinet said in a statement.   

An Inter-Ministerial Committee will be established to guide, coordinate and monitor preparations and execution of South Africa’s interim SADC Chairship responsibilities. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has welcomed the smooth start of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with more than 900 000 candidates sitting for the final exams across the country. 

Cabinet commended the Department of Basic Education for the effective systems put in place to ensure the credible and secure administration of the exams.

“Cabinet urges parents and guardians to continue supporting learners during this period by creating a calm, quiet environment for them to study and monitor their anxiety levels until the release of the final results in January 2026. 

“These young people represent the future of our nation, and they must know that we remain proud of them,” Cabinet said in a statement.

Concerns over bullying in schools

Meanwhile, Cabinet also expressed concern over recent reports on incidents of bullying that occurred at various schools across the country.

“Bullying in schools is an extremely serious matter and it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that our schools are safe and welcoming places of learning. Cabinet calls on all schools to take allegations of bullying, violence and harassment seriously and to investigate them. 

“Learners are encouraged to report incidents of bullying and harassment to principals, educators, parents and guardians,” Cabinet said.

Cabinet reaffirms that schools must adhere to the National School Safety Framework, which provides guidance on addressing violence, including bullying. 

“There is also a need for schools to stringently enforce Learner Codes of Conduct that include clear expectations for behaviour and consequences for bullying,” Cabinet said. – SAnews.gov.za