Category: South Africa Government

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Deputy President to attend Invest in Senegal Forum

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President to attend Invest in Senegal Forum

The Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, is set to embark on a Working Visit to Dakar, Republic of Senegal, to attend the 2025 Edition of the Invest in Senegal Forum, taking place from 7-8 October 2025.

The Deputy President will depart on Tuesday to attend the Forum at the invitation of His Excellency, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of the Republic of Senegal.

“The Forum is accordingly dedicated to promoting trade and investment by connecting the business communities of Senegal, Africa and the world.

“Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to highlight prospects offered to investors by Senegal’s 2025 National Transformation Agenda,” the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.

During his visit, the Deputy President will also hold consultations with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, with the aim of further strengthening the existing bilateral, political and economic relations between South Africa and Senegal.

This will include deepening trade and investment relations with Senegal to create employment opportunities for citizens of both countries, transform economies through the beneficiation of the natural resources, manufacturing, industrialisation, value addition as well as increasing productivity and ensuring the competitiveness of both countries’ economies.

The Deputy President will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

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Eskom’s profit a testament to partnerships, President Ramaphosa

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom’s profit a testament to partnerships, President Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Eskom’s latest financial results which show a return to profitability for the first time in eight years, is a testament to the value of staying the course and to the benefits of partnerships.

“The relative improvement in Eskom’s financial position reflects the significant recovery in Eskom’s operational performance,” President Ramaphosa said.

In his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa said Eskom’s improved financial position will enable it to invest in critical infrastructure and maintenance under its Generation Recovery Plan that has been pursued with diligence.

“There are plans to invest more than R320 billion in expanding existing infrastructure,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said as the reliability of Eskom’s coal-fired plants has improved there has been less need to burn diesel, resulting in approximately R16 billion in savings on diesel costs.

“In the 2025 financial year, the country experienced loadshedding on just 13 days, down from 329 days the year before. Eskom is to be congratulated on this achievement. 

“However, there are still serious challenges. Municipal debt arrears have grown by 27% since the previous financial year. That is why we continue to work with municipalities to come up with sustainable solutions that enable municipalities to settle their accounts with Eskom, as this is key to its financial viability,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said with grid expansion being central to getting more capacity, Eskom, in partnership with the private sector, has plans to build approximately 14 000 km of new transmission lines over the next decade. 

“On the road to achieving energy security, social partners will continue to be key. The role played by these partners in NECOM [National Energy Crisis Committee] and the Government Business Partnership has been invaluable. 

“Two years since its inception, this collaborative model continues to yield results not only around energy but also in the other workstreams of transport and logistics, crime and corruption and youth unemployment,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa said the ongoing structural reform process represents consistency and resilience.

“We will continue along this recovery path across the economy to achieve our goal of inclusive economic growth that creates more jobs for our people,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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Three convicted for R3 million ghost employee scheme

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has welcomed the sentencing of two former employees and an external accomplice who were convicted of fraud, forgery and theft respectively, in relation to a R3 million ghost employee scheme.

The ghost employee scheme was uncovered through the department’s internal risk investigation, in which seven employees from the Human Resources Unit at the Gauteng West District Office were implicated. 

The scheme defrauded the department of approximately R3 million by creating and processing payments for non-existent employees.

The former employees were sentenced as follows; the first was sentenced to 10 years, with four years suspended, and two six-year sentences to run concurrently. 

The second former employee was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. 

The external accomplice received three years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years.

“This sentencing sends a strong message that fraud and corruption will not be tolerated in our sector. We are encouraged by the collaboration between our internal teams and law enforcement in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the MEC said on Friday.

He emphasised that the department would continue to strengthen internal controls and promote a culture of accountability.

The sentence was handed down on Thursday, 2 October2025, by the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

“This outcome reaffirms the department’s zero tolerance for fraud and corruption. We commend the diligent work of our internal Risk Management officials who exposed the scheme, as well as the dedicated efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies whose investigations ensured accountability.

“The department remains committed to protecting public funds, safeguarding the integrity of the education system, and taking decisive action against unethical conduct,” Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Power grid remains stable

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom says the power system remains stable, supported by sustained improvements in generation performance through the ongoing delivery of the Generation Recovery Plan.

In a statement on Friday, the power utility indicated that the month-to-date Energy Availability Factor (EAF) stood at 70.45%, reflecting consistent gains in plant reliability and a reduction in unplanned outages.

This is key to stabilising the grid and supporting economic growth.

“The ongoing technical improvements under Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan have ensured that electricity demand is met for over 97.8% of the time in the current financial year.

“From 1 April to 2 October 2025, diesel expenditure remained consistently below budget, reflecting reduced reliance on the diesel-powered Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) fleet, with the year-to-date load factor for OCGTs decreasing to 6.63%,” Eskom explained.

This trend highlights ongoing efficiency improvements, a significant reduction in dependence on diesel generation and a sustained shift toward more cost-effective primary generation sources.

On 29 September 2025, Unit 6 at Kusile Power Station entered commercial operation, marking the completion of Eskom’s New-Build Programme. 

This milestone concludes the construction of South Africa’s two supercritical coal-fired power stations—Medupi and Kusile. 

“Together, they can deliver up to 9 600MW at full capacity, strengthening the country’s continuous (24/7) electricity supply—commonly referred to as baseload capacity. The unit’s output will be included in the EAF calculations, further contributing to Eskom’s overall performance metrics.

“Between 26 September and 2 October 2025, Eskom recorded an average of 9 534MW in unplanned outages, a significant improvement compared to 11 505MW during the same period last year. This represents a year-on-year reduction of 1 971MW in breakdowns — nearly equivalent to the entire output capacity of Koeberg Power Station,” Eskom said.

This trend demonstrates increasing stability and improved reliability across Eskom’s generation fleet. 

The country has gone140 consecutive days without loadshedding, with only 26 hours recorded between 1 April and 2 October 2025.

To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 4 200MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 6 October 2025 and throughout the coming week.

Eskom published the Summer Outlook on 5 September 2025, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which forecasts no loadshedding due to the structural progress in plant performance as a result of the ongoing implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan.

Avoid illegal connections

Eskom has urged customers to avoid illegal connections, purchase electricity only from Eskom accredited vendors, and regularise their accounts. 

These measures are essential to preventing load reduction and ensuring safe, reliable, and equitable electricity access for all.

“Despite the overall stability and reliability of Eskom’s power system, load reduction remains necessary in certain high-risk areas to safeguard infrastructure and ensure public safety. 

“This is primarily due to electricity theft through illegal connections and meter tampering, which compromise the integrity of the network. These activities often result in equipment damage, transformer overloads, and, in severe cases, explosions and prolonged outages,” the power utility said.

To mitigate these risks, Eskom may implement load reduction by temporarily switching off power in affected areas during peak demand periods. 

Between April and June 2025, average load reductions ranged from 529MW to 544MW.

Eskom, however, is committed to eliminating load reduction within the next 12 to 18 months. 

“This goal will be achieved by addressing 640,000 illegal connections, upgrading infrastructure — including the installation of smart meters — curbing illegal electricity vending, and expanding access to free basic electricity in priority areas,” Eskom said. –SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng government schools have 8 596 smart classrooms

Source: Government of South Africa

As part of an initiative to transform classrooms into digital learning spaces with top of the range information communications technology, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has to date introduced a total of 8 596 smart classrooms.

These classrooms are prioritised for township secondary schools and identified primary schools in line with the GDE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategy. 

“For years, the GDE has rolled out LED interactive display panels in selected schools to support interactive and collaborative learning. These devices feature high-definition screens with multi-touch capacity, stylus support, software integration, and multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, LAN, HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth,” the department said on Friday.

Each unit includes a warranty, training for educators, and maintenance support.

According to the department, full ICT schools receive smart classrooms from Grade 7 to 12, while township fee- and no fee-paying schools receive them from Grades 10 to 12, depending on classroom infrastructure readiness. 

Smart classrooms meet minimum standards including electricity, safety and security, and installed LED boards.

Over the past three financial years the department has invested in LED interactive display boards as follows: in 2022/23, a total of 1 020 boards were purchased at a unit cost of R123 950, while in 2023/24, 1 000 boards at R124 730, and in 2024/25, 500 boards at R125 300.

“These devices were selected to align with pedagogical requirements, support interactive learning, integrate with existing ICT infrastructure, and ensure operational durability. 

“The installation, training, and maintenance are included in the unit costs. Additional smart classrooms are not planned for the 2025/26 financial year due to budget constraints.

“Bongani Rainmaker Logistics manages the provisioning and installation of LED boards under a project valued at R63 million for the 2024/25 financial year, with R62 650 000 transferred to date,” the department said.

These stats were provided by the department in a statement outlining key education initiatives and recent developments, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving teaching, learning, safety, and skills development across Gauteng.

Special Schools

With 655 full-time specialists employed at special schools, comprising 522 therapists and 133 nurses, the department said it continues to strengthen support for special schools across the province.

Psychologists based at head office and district offices provide support across all schools within their districts.

“Learner-to-specialist ratios vary by district, ranging from 1:50 to 1:129. To address staffing needs, there are 453 teacher vacancies and 125 specialist vacancies. 

“Recruitment occurs twice a year nationally, with the Occupation-Specific Dispensation (OSD) supporting retention of specialist staff.

“Curriculum offerings include the Technical Occupational Curriculum in 44 schools, the Differentiated Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (DCAPS) for Severe Intellectual Disabilities in 73 schools, and the Learning Programme for Profound Intellectual Disabilities in 27 schools,” the department said.

The department provides ongoing support through professional learning communities, integrated school assessment pilots, and DCAPS training via the Mathew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance.

Educators in special schools are highly qualified, with 99.66% professionally registered with the South African Council of Educators, and 22% holding additional accredited qualifications in inclusive education related fields.

Samson LSEN school

The Samson LSEN school currently has 486 learners and received R8.9 million in funding for 2025/26 to support teaching, learner wellbeing, transport, and skills development.

“Half of teaching time is dedicated to practical skills through the Technical Occupation Curriculum, covering Consumer Studies, Motor Mechanics, Hair Care, Computer Literacy, and Woodwork. Programmes are evaluated by the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) where applicable and by GDE District Curriculum and Assessment Units.

“Skills classrooms funded in 2022 were completed in late 2024 and are being finalised for full use, accommodating up to 15 learners each,” the department said.

Meanwhile, the Nancefield Primary School project in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, has reached 69% completion.

The main contractor, SMC Construction & Building, is supported by DNA Land Use Consultants as professional service providers. 

“All monies owed to the contractor have been paid, with an additional budget allocation of R87 million provided for project completion,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Stay safe online

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has called on members of the public to remain vigilant, responsible, and digitally literate to ensure their safety in cyberspace. 

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can protect citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, from the ever-growing threats in the digital space,” Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Friday.

Government’s plea comes as South Africa joins the global community in observing Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October by educating the public and private sectors about the importance of online security and promoting practical steps to reduce cyber risks.

As part of these efforts, government, in partnership with stakeholders across law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector, hosted a webinar on Thursday on cybersecurity awareness and responsible use of online platforms.

During this session, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Deputy Director for Cybersecurity Operations Noma-Efese Mnqeta, highlighted the role of the National Cybersecurity Hub, a Computer Security Incident Response Team hosted by the department. 

The Hub works closely with the South African Police Service on cybercrime investigations, the Internet Service Providers’ Association on fraudulent website takedowns, and the GCIS on public awareness. 

She warned about the growing prevalence of tender scams, investment scams and online shopping fraud, which continue to target unsuspecting citizens.

Brigadier Rapula Mosito, Section Head of Cybercrime Investigation at the HAWKS, indicated that cybercrime is enforceable under the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, while cybersecurity matters are guided by the forthcoming Cybersecurity Bill. 

He identified phishing, ransomware, malware, identity theft, online child exploitation, and personal data theft as key threats.

Film and Publications Board (FPB) Acting CEO Hulisani Ramugadi expressed concern about the rise in harmful online content, including image-based abuse, cyberbullying, hate speech, and malicious AI-generated material. 

He emphasised that sharing intimate images without consent was a crime and highlighted the FPB’s partnerships with social media platforms to issue takedown notices for harmful material.

Head of Client Services at Digify Africa Omphile Kgwathe-Nkiwane encouraged South Africans to practice safe digital habits through platforms like Kitso on WhatsApp (076 593 7181), which provides parents, teachers, and learners with digital safety tips. 

She urged citizens to use strong passwords and avoid using personal information as passwords. 

In addition, Kgwathe-Nkiwane urged the public to never share one-time pins (OTPs) or banking details, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions and to stay alert to suspicious links, unsolicited calls, and fraudulent emails. –SAnews.gov.za

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SA welcomes progress towards Gaza peace agreement

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, October 5, 2025

The South African government has noted the recent developments intended to achieve a ceasefire and peace for Gaza and the region.

In a statement on Saturday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the developments towards peace have the potential to alleviate profound human suffering and build much-needed confidence.

“We welcome the decision by Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and its stated readiness for further engagement. This decision must be met with reciprocal action by the State of Israel. 

“Such reciprocal measures will be a confidence building measure for de-escalation and the restoration of trust. They represent a critical opportunity to uphold universal human dignity and build a foundation for a just and durable peace.

“We therefore emphasise that the release of Palestinian political prisoners, including children, and the abductees seized from the humanitarian flotilla must be urgently addressed,” DIRCO said.

South Africa has asserted that a lasting peace cannot be built upon the suppression of a people’s fundamental human rights. 

“We urge all parties to transcend this cycle of confrontation and address the root causes of the conflict. This necessitates an immediate and permanent ceasefire, alongside a definitive political process that realizes the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self- determination and statehood. This is in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.

“Guided by a commitment to a rules-based international order founded on international law, South Africa stands ready to support all genuine inclusive efforts aimed at achieving this definitive and peaceful resolution,” DIRCO said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government reiterates commitment to provide access to water

Source: Government of South Africa

Sunday, October 5, 2025

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all South Africans have access to sustainable water and sanitation services.

Addressing the Commission on Policy Review and Legislative Reforms, the department’s Deputy Director-General Dr Risimati Mathye emphasised that water is not only a basic human right but the cornerstone of health, dignity and economic growth, which must therefore be managed and delivered with long-term sustainability in mind.

The two-day gathering brought together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to reflect on the past 25 years of democratic local government and to chart an agenda for the next 25 years. 

“The department remains steadfast in its mission to close existing service gaps while preparing for the future. By working together with municipalities, business and communities, we can ensure that every drop counts and that no South African is left behind when it comes to access to water and sanitation,” Mathye said on Friday in Midrand.

He outlined the department’s plans which include the professionalisation of local government, legislative reforms to strengthen oversight, the establishment of an independent water sector regulator and the development of a national water action plan. 

These measures will be complemented by Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela, which focuses on accelerating structural reforms to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. 

Operation Vulindlela was established in October 2020 as a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury.

Within the water and sanitation sector, Phase 2 seeks to streamline regulatory processes, enhance infrastructure investment through public-private collaboration, and establish efficient institutions such as the National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) and Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs). 

These reforms are designed to improve efficiency, ensure better management of water resources and secure long-term water sustainability for all. – SAnews.gov.za

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Home Affairs welcomes conviction of former employee

Source: Government of South Africa

Home Affairs welcomes conviction of former employee

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has welcomed the conviction of a dismissed official, Dawn Pieterson, who has been found guilty on nine counts of fraud and two counts of contravening the Births and Deaths Registration Act.

Pieterson was formerly employed at the Department of Home Affairs office in Calvinia in the Northern Cape, where she abused her access to departmental records to commit fraud and corruption between February 2019 and September 2022. 

She did this by opening funeral policies on clients’ identity numbers, nominating herself as the beneficiary, then falsely declaring the holders of the ID numbers as deceased in order to access the payouts.

The department said it would continue to monitor the case as Pieterson is scheduled to be sentenced on 26 January 2026.

“This latest successful conviction is another step forward in our ongoing work to clean up Home Affairs. It is the ninth conviction secured through the collaboration between the department and law enforcement agencies. It also follows the dismissal of 37 officials since July 2024. 

“I applaud the department’s Counter Corruption unit for this conviction, as well as our partners in the Hawks and other entities.”

The Minister said the modus operandi used in this case confirmed the fundamental importance of the digital transformation agenda. 

“By fully automating and digitalising all departmental processes, as we are doing through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visas and through Digital ID for civics services, we will eliminate the space for human discretion and interference exploited by criminals like Pieterson. 

“We are absolutely determined to both put criminal officials behind bars, while simultaneously using technology to close the loopholes they exploit. This is how we can defeat the scourge of corruption once and for all,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Ethical leadership key to local government in SA

Source: Government of South Africa

Ethical leadership key to local government in SA

The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has called for a renewed focus on ethical leadership as the foundation for turning around the decline in municipalities across South Africa.

Speaking at the Local Government Indaba in Gauteng, the MEC said that without ethical leadership, no number of new laws or revised frameworks will improve service delivery.

“South Africa has enough resources in the system to meet the needs of our people. The real problem is corruption, theft and poor management. Ethical leadership is the only way we can restore dignity, trust and delivery in our municipalities,” said Bredell.

The MEC outlined several key interventions to turn local government around in South Africa.

“We need a new financial model that aligns national, provincial and local responsibilities with sustainable funding. If the national government takes a top slice first, other spheres of government will not receive their rightful allocation.” 

He said the country needs stronger consequence management, such as automatic intervention when councils fail to pass funded budgets. 

“In this manner, we will spend much less time in court fighting with municipalities and more time supporting them at the early onset of challenges. Also, make it a law that municipalities should spend a minimum of 8% of their budget on infrastructure maintenance of critical infrastructure.”

In addition, he is of the view that the creation of independent auditors employed by the National Treasury within municipalities can act as a shield for professional officials subjected to political interference. 

“We are struggling to attract and keep qualified and experienced municipal managers and financial officers. We require reform in legislation to enable and attract suitable and qualified senior managers.

“As government, it is our responsibility to support people to have a dignified life. Research we conducted in the Western Cape shows that the current indigent support provided to vulnerable people is not enough.”

According to the MEC, the legislation provides for 6 kilolitres of water and 50 kWh of electricity per household, but this should be at least 10 kilolitres of water and at least 150 kWh of electricity.

“I believe that an investment in dignity will yield positive results. Electricity in a home means children can safely do homework at night, improving our education outcomes. 

“Access to clean water will lessen the burden on our clinics and hospitals. The question should not be if we can afford to increase basic services to indigent households. The question should be, can we afford not to invest in our people?”

During a keynote address at the Local Government Indaba, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa said that although significant progress has been made since 2000 in improving democratic governance and service delivery, municipalities still face challenges.

These include institutional weaknesses, poor financial management, governance failures, and a decline in public trust.

He stressed that improved accountability, ethical leadership, professionalisation, and inclusive public participation are central to revitalising municipalities and ensuring that “every municipality must work.”

“The culture of no accountability, lack of transparency, political interference, and no consequence management is a major weakness in our communities, especially the underperforming municipalities. This culture must be stopped,” Hlabisa added. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile

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