Deputy President Mashatile arrives in Juba, South Sudan on a Working Visit

Source: President of South Africa –

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Special Envoy to South Sudan, has today, Wednesday, 08 October 2025, arrived in Juba, South Sudan to hold consultations with various stakeholders on the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

During his two day Working Visit, Deputy President Mashatile is expected to hold primary discussions with His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit and key signatories to the Revitalised Agreement, as well as other stakeholders, to find lasting peace, development and stability for the people of South Sudan.

The Republic of South Sudan is implementing a peace process under auspices of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, signed in September 2018.  

“We have returned to this great city of Juba, in South Sudan, to once again, consult with the relevant Parties, who are Signatories to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan, to track progress achieved in implementation of the provisions and commitments expressed in the Agreement. The drafting of a new constitution, transitional security arrangements and preparations for elections scheduled for December 2026, are amongst the important elements of our focus,” said Deputy President Mashatile.

Deputy President Mashatile and delegation were received by the South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Monday Semaya Kumba; Director General Bilateral, Amb. Phillip Jade; South Sudan Ambassardor to South Africa, Amb. Simon Doku; the Director for Africa, Ambassador Kau Nar Maper; as well as Amb Mahlodi Muofhe of the South African High Commission in South Sudan.   

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Ramaphosa arrives in Ireland for Official Visit

Source: President of South Africa –

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, 08 October 2025, arrived in Dublin, Ireland for an Official Visit aimed at advancing trade relations between South Africa and Ireland.

President Ramaphosa will today hold official talks with President Michael D. Higgins and Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in science and innovation, higher education and skills development, as well as trade and investment. The visit seeks to elevate bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership, creating new opportunities for enhanced collaboration and mutual economic growth.

This visit also reaffirms the strong historical bond between South Africa and Ireland founded on shared values and Ireland’s principled support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.

In addition to bilateral matters, the leaders will discuss global and regional geopolitics and explore avenues for deeper bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Ireland grew by 12% to $638 million in 2024 from $567 million in 2023. South Africa increased its exports to Ireland by 40.4%, from $119 million in 2023 to $168 million in 2024. South Africa’s imports from Ireland also grew by 5%, from $448 million in 2023 to $470 million in 2024.

During his visit, President Ramaphosa will also engage with leading Irish companies to promote investment and collaboration.

President Ramaphosa is supported by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola and Minister of Higher Education and Training Mr Buti Manamela.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Call for bids to manage RSA retail savings bonds programme

Source: Government of South Africa

Call for bids to manage RSA retail savings bonds programme

The National Treasury has issued a tender inviting qualified and experienced service providers to submit proposals to distribute, administer, and manage the RSA Retail Savings Bonds Programme.

This initiative forms part of the National Treasury’s broader digital transformation agenda to enhance public access to RSA Retail Bonds, and enable South Africans to invest confidently, securing market related returns in a safe and transparent manner. 

National Treasury has encouraged interested persons who are interested to attend in a non-compulsory briefing session that will be conducted using Microsoft Teams to send an email to NTAdministrativeTenders@treasury.gov.za.

The Terms of Reference (Tender NT006-2025) seek multiple service providers to take over and modernise the RSA Retail Bonds programme.

The scope of work includes:

  • Full distribution (including digital channels) and administration of retail bonds.
  • Customer onboarding, engagement, and servicing.
  • Transaction processing and compliance.
  • Data analytics and performance reporting.

Key requirements for prospective bidders include:

  • Registration and compliance on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
  • Submission of information in the prescribed templates.
  • Valid Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) accreditation.
  • Submission of a signed CV using the prescribed template.

Non-compulsory briefing session details:

For further details and to download the official Terms of Reference (TOR), visit the e-Tender Portal. 

Deadline for submissions: 28 October 2025 at 11:00 AM (SAST)

No late submissions will be accepted. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

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Renew vehicle licence discs before holiday rush

Source: Government of South Africa

Renew vehicle licence discs before holiday rush

With the festive season fast approaching, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on motorists to renew their motor vehicle licence discs before finalising their travel arrangements.

“A total of 1 002 771 vehicle licences discs are set to expire at the end of October. A further 1 060 382 will expire in November, while 1 112 393 will expire in December,” the RTMC said on Tuesday.

The RTMC said it will be sending out SMS’s and email reminders to all motorists who are registered on the online renewal platform, reminding them to comply.

To register on this easy to use, convenient and affordable platform, motorists must log on online.natis.gov.za and follow the simple steps to upload their details.

According to RTMC, the platform has proven to be most popular with vehicle owners. 

“About five million vehicle licences have been renewed on this platform since its launch in 2022. An average of 7 908 daily renewals were processed on this platform in the past seven days.

“Clients from major banking institutions such as Capitec, First National Bank and Nedbank have access to the platform through their banking apps,” RTMC said.

The platform now offers motorists a safe service to pay their Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Enforcement Orders. 

This value-added service is intended to improve convenience and to enable users to save time by using a one-stop service for their vehicle licence compliance needs.

A relatively new offering on the platform is the online vehicle registration and change of owners. 

This offering is directed at motor vehicle dealers who deal with bulk transactions and require a fast, secure platform register vehicles.

More than 10 large motor vehicle dealerships have now registered and are conducting transactions on the platform daily.

A total of 120 230 change of ownership transactions were conducted on the platform from April to October 2025 with 78 239 registrations taking place in the same period. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

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Western Cape completes R43.5m upgrade of Boontjieskraal Road

Source: Government of South Africa

Western Cape completes R43.5m upgrade of Boontjieskraal Road

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has completed a R43.5 million project to upgrade and perform emergency repairs on Main Road (MR) 276, also known as Boontjieskraal Road, located near Bot River.

According to the provincial government, the 6.7km road connects the N2 highway between Bot River and Caledon on one side and the R43 highway between the N2 and Villiersdorp on the other side.

Jandre Bakker from DOI stated that before the drainage infrastructure and related works could be finished, adverse weather conditions forced the department to reallocate its internal resources to address the effects of adverse weather during both 2023 and 2024.

Bakker noted that certain sections of the road exhibited severe cracking due to high fill conditions. 

The contract for the project included several rehabilitation tasks on two sections of MR276 that were significantly affected by cracking. 

These tasks involved constructing a 100m retaining wall to support the road at high fill areas, building a retaining wall in an eroded cutting, and installing concrete-lined and sub-soil drains to manage water flow. 

It also included erosion protection measures, installing a rumble strip would be added to the southbound lane near the railway level crossing on MR276, and replacing fencing, along with the installation of gates at legal road accesses. 

In addition, work involved the installation of guardrails at high fill locations and the updating of road signs and markings. 

During the ceremonial opening of the road, Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, announced that the project created 113 short-term work opportunities and generated 6 885 person-days of work.

He said the R11.8 million was spent on procuring goods and services from targeted enterprises, and three local enterprises and four emerging contractors benefited from the project. 

“This road is of both economic and agricultural importance. The road further cuts travel time by regular users of the route, which used to be a gravel road. I am often asked how my department decides on which roads to upgrade from gravel to surfaced roads, and a variety of factors are taken into consideration,” said Simmers. 

The MEC said these factors range from the important metric of vehicle counts to the condition of the road, future importance of the road and role in the broader network, economic importance and others. 

“This is, however, always done within a very tight fiscal envelope, and we have to make tough decisions. 

“While we do our bit by constructing and maintaining quality transport infrastructure, I call on road users to do their part and use these assets responsibly,” the MEC added. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile

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President Ramaphosa names panel for selection on National Director of Public Prosecutions

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a panel for the selection of the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) who will be identified through an open and transparent process that reflects the importance of this vital position in our democracy.
 
President Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, as Chairperson of the panel comprising:
 
. The Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission
· The Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality
· The Auditor-General South Africa
· The Chairperson of the Public Service Commission
· A representative of the Black Lawyers Association
· A representative of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers.
 
President Ramaphosa has decided to follow the same open and transparent process that led to the appointment of the current National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Shamila Batohi.
 
Adv Batohi’s term of office comes to an end in January 2026.
 
President Ramaphosa considers the National Director of Public Prosecutions as a vital position in our democracy that makes an essential contribution to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the efficiency and integrity of law enforcement.
 
The NDPP must ensure that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) exercises its functions without fear, favour or prejudice and should not be beholden to any vested interests, whether in politics, in business or elsewhere.
 
The NDPP needs to be able to take decisions independently and impartially.
 
For this reason, the President has mandated the panel to call for nominations through an open and transparent manner, conduct shortlisting, interviews, ensure vetting of suitable candidates, and submit the names of three suitable candidates with a detailed report on suitability of the individuals to the President for consideration.
 
The panel is required its final report with recommendations to the President within three months of the appointment as the panel.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Police Commissioner warns against attacks on police officers

Source: Government of South Africa

Police Commissioner warns against attacks on police officers

As the South African Police Service (SAPS) prepares to launch its safer festive season operations today, National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola has issued a stern warning against attacks on police officers.

Masemola warns that anyone who tries to stop police officers in carrying out their mandate in preventing and combating crime will be met with the full might of the law. 

“An attack on a police officer, is an attack on the state and also an attack on national security,” Masemola said. 

The Commissioner noted that interference with police officers in the execution of their powers or functions, constitutes an offence in terms of Section 67 of the South African Police Service Act, 1995. 

He said police officials are authorised to use reasonable force to overcome such resistance or hindrance.

“Police officers are mothers and fathers who left their own families to risk their lives to maintain law and order in a bid to ensure everyone within the borders of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) are safe at all times. 

“South Africans have a similar responsibility to protect police officers and stand up against police attacks and killings. Crime can only be rooted out in our communities if community members respect the law and support the South African Police Service,” Masemola said. 

General Masemola said by interference or obstructing police officers to perform their functions, community members become part of the crime and undermine any attempt to address crime in their communities. Communities cannot pick and choose who they believe should be arrested or prosecuted.

“The responsibility of the South African Police Service is to execute our constitutional mandate, as set out in section 205(3) of The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, namely, to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property and uphold and enforce the law. 

“Policing is not an easy task. When others run away at the sound of gunfire and threat of violence, police officers ran directly towards danger and to avert potential loss of life, in order to serve and protect the community.

“As we prepare to heighten our police operations to prevent and combat serious and violent crime including armed robberies, cash-in-transit heists, GBVF, and any criminal activities, I urge our communities to work with our police officers and protect them in the execution of their functions,” the Commissioner said. 

It cannot be the very communities that depend on the police for safety who attack and kill police officers, he said. 

The Commissioner condemned the recent attack on a female police officer in Kimberley.

“The subsequent arrest of the two men who attacked the female police officer should serve as a deterrent that the police will not allow an attack on its own and will not tolerate any GBV [Gender-Based-Violence] against its members,” he said.

Masemola also commended the police officers who equipped with their firearms, acted with restraint to prevent the loss of life. 

He further urged the public to work with police during the festive season operations and report any wrongdoing.

“Most importantly respect the blue uniform and the blue uniform will serve and protect you.  To our hardworking and dedicated men and women in blue, continue to execute your duties with diligence and honour. 

“Stay within the ambit of the law but don’t hesitate to act when the situation requires you to do so. Remember to use force that is proportional and reasonable to the threat,” he said.

Masemola added that the safety and readiness of officers remain a priority, supported by continuous training, operational preparedness, and the provision of modern safety equipment. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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SA’s G20 legacy programme to tackle energy inefficiency in Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

The Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF) – a legacy project of South Africa’s G20 presidency – aims to mobilise $3 billion over the next few years in a bid to combat crippling energy inefficiencies across the continent.

This according to Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, who spoke at the legacy launch of the AfEEF in Durban, held ahead of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meetings.

Graham-Maré noted that energy inefficiencies in Africa have reached levels of up to 60% in some areas – leaving millions of people completely without access to electricity and others without clean cooking solutions.

“The Africa Energy Efficiency Facility is a response to this urgent need. AfEEF is envisaged to serve as a continental platform to: mobilise finance at scale, with a target of USD 3 billion by 2030; support Member States to harmonise energy efficiency policies and regulations; build technical capacity across our regions and institutions; and promote digitalisation and innovation through systems such as energy management and appliance databases.

“Energy Efficiency is our ‘first fuel’. It is the fastest, cheapest, and most sustainable way to close the gap between energy demand and supply. It is not simply about saving energy, it is about creating opportunities for growth, jobs, and better lives for all,” she said.

Graham-Maré explained that the AfEEF has the potential to:

  • Improve efficiency by at least 12% by 2030
  • Create some 1 million ‘green’ jobs by 2040
  • Avoid the need for up to 40 gigawatts of new generation capacity saving billions in investment
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million tonnes of CO₂

“This is not just a technical problem. It is a human rights problem. It affects the health of our children, the productivity of our industries, the education of our youth, and the dignity of our households. 

“Without addressing these inefficiencies, we cannot hope to unlock Africa’s full potential,” the Deputy Minister said.

Building partnerships

The AfEEF is a collaboration initiative between the department, the African Union Commission through the African Energy Commission (AFREC), and the United Nations Environment Programme.

The foundations of the initiative were laid at the second and third ETWG meetings held in the Western Cape and North West earlier this year.

The programme is aligned to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and directly responds to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13, focussing on energy access and climate action. 

“Its value lies in the symbolism of Africa’s unity and resolve. It signals to our citizens, our partners, and the world, that Africa is ready to take charge of its energy future and that we are prepared to act together, decisively and ambitiously.

“But…a facility is only as strong as the partnerships that sustain it. I therefore call upon: our AU Member States, to embrace AfEEF and integrate its objectives into national strategies; our development partners and financial institutions, to walk with us, to invest, and to share knowledge; our private sector actors, to seize the opportunities in building markets, delivering technologies, and creating jobs; and our civil society and academia, to help ensure accountability, inclusivity, and innovation.

“Together, let us make AfEEF idea not just an initiative, but a movement. A movement that lights up homes, powers industries, and gives our children a cleaner, safer, more prosperous Africa,” Graham-Maré said.

She emphasised that energy efficiency is “not a technical choice; it is a human imperative”. 

“It is about the mother who should not cook over smoky firewood, the student who deserves light to study at night, and the entrepreneur who needs reliable power to grow a business.

“The Africa Energy Efficiency Facility concept is our promise to them. A promise that we will not stand still while millions remain in the dark. A promise that we will unlock Africa’s energy productivity, not tomorrow, but today,” Graham-Maré said. – SAnews.gov.za

SANDF launches week-long fitness programme for soldiers

Source: Government of South Africa

To maintain high levels of fitness and physical agility among its soldiers, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has initiated a week-long programme of intensive sporting and recreational activities.

This initiative aims to improve fitness, boost morale, and foster cohesion, ensuring a combat-ready military force. 

The event, titled “Chief of the SANDF Prestige Week“, started on Monday, 6 October 2025, in Pretoria and will conclude on Friday.

All branches of the SANDF will take turns competing against each other in various sports, including but not limited to athletics, football, netball, basketball, combat rifle shooting, judo, swimming, rugby, and many others.

The sporting events will be held at various venues throughout the week. 

The grand opening, conducted by the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, is currently underway at the Military Sports Club in Pretoria.

“In his earlier address to participants, the Chief of the SANDF emphasised that sports will be actively promoted within the force, recognising its significant contribution to overall force readiness and preparation.” 

The winners for this year will be announced during the closing ceremony, scheduled for Friday, 10 October 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

Mashatile heads to South Sudan to advance peace process

Source: Government of South Africa

Mashatile heads to South Sudan to advance peace process

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will undertake a working visit to Juba, South Sudan, on Thursday and Friday this week, in his role as the Presidential Special Envoy to South Sudan.

According to the Presidency, this working visit aims to strengthen political efforts and enhance the implementation of the peace process. 

This is in accordance with the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (RARCRSS), to ensure a peaceful and democratic conclusion to the transitional period.

“Both South Africa and South Sudan share strong historical bonds, dating back to the days of the struggle for independence and freedom, which form the basis of mutual bilateral cooperation.

“In this regard, the Deputy President will hold primary consultations with His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit and key signatories to the Revitalised Agreement, as well as other stakeholders, to find lasting peace, development and stability for the people of South Sudan,” the Presidency said. 

The Presidency announced that South Sudan is actively implementing a peace process under the framework of the RARCRSS, which was signed in September 2018.

Key provisions of the RARCRSS include, among other things, the drafting of a new constitution, the establishment of transitional security arrangements, and preparations for elections scheduled for December 2026.

“These milestones are vital for a peaceful and democratic end of the transitional period.

“The Deputy President will therefore utilise the opportunity during this working visit to assess progress on the status of implementation of the agreement.”

Deputy President Mashatile will be supported by senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile

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