Category: South Africa Government

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has expressed satisfaction with the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the second quarter of 2025.

The data released by Statistics South Africa earlier this week showed a commendable 0.8% growth. 

The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry grew by 2.5%, contributing 0.1 percentage points to GDP, driven by increased economic activities in horticulture and animal products, reflecting the success of the Department’s sustainable agricultural and forestry initiatives.

This progress highlights the significant contributions of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to South Africa’s economic resilience. 

“The department remains steadfast in its mission to foster a green economy that supports economic growth while preserving our natural heritage.

“Through strategic interventions in environmental sectors, sustainable forest management, and fisheries governance, we are creating jobs and boosting sectors critical to our nation’s development. 

“The 1.7% growth in trade, catering and accommodation, including eco-tourism benefits, and the 0.5% rise in personal services from community initiatives, further illustrate how our conservation efforts drive inclusive economic gains,” the Minister said on Thursday.

George noted the R16.6 billion inventory buildup, with significant contributions from mining, transport, and manufacturing, as evidence of improved supply chain resilience supported by DFFE’s environmental policies. 

“As we move forward, the department will continue to champion biodiversity economy projects and climate resilience measures to sustain this positive trajectory and uplift communities across South Africa,” the Minister said.

He encouraged all stakeholders to embrace sustainable practices to ensure long-term economic and environmental prosperity. –SAnews.gov.za
 

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, says the organisation continues to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of its members on a daily basis.

He said in-house employee health and wellness (EHW) is available 24/7 and 365 days a year to all police officers as well as for their family members.

This follows the hostage incident in Mamelodi in which a SAPS Constable held his family members hostage for more than 15 hours following an alleged family dispute.

The Constable fatally shot his nephew and turned the gun on himself. 

His 69-year-old mother was released through the assistance of the SAPS Special Task Force negotiators.

Masemola said the organisation was doing all it can to ensure members mental health and well-being is prioritised, including:

• Counselling and trauma debriefing are available to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all provinces.
• The SAPS Employee Health and Wellness follows an integrated approach utilising psychology professionals, social workers, chaplains and medical administration practitioners to provide support and assistance to employees of SAPS and their families.
• Pro-active programs are presented to members on an ongoing basis. Examples of these programs include: Choose Life which is a suicide prevention programme focusing on suicide warning signs, stress reactions and management and more. Depression and Bipolar awareness programs focus on signs, symptoms and recovery strategies.
• Multiple stressor workshops are presented to members in order to assist with vicarious trauma. Mental health and employee health and wellness related topics and articles are also shared on internal communication platforms regularly.
• Standby duties are made available to all members 24 /7. SAPS employees are continuously made aware of EHW and the support in proactive and reactive services that can be provided. These awareness drives occur on a continuous basis during station lectures, parades, awareness days such as Mental health month, World AIDS day, international day for People with disabilities, 16 days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign and many more.
• SAPS partners with POLMED and GEMS to ensure its employees have access to external specialists and services that will be able to cater for their needs.

“I encourage all our SAPS members across the country to prioritise their health and mental wellbeing by undergoing health screenings and check-ups regularly as well as attending debriefing sessions. 

“This is vital for early detection of potential health issues, allowing for timely intervention and avoiding complications by managing conditions more effectively, resulting in better overall health and well-being. As management we are here to support you,” Masemola said. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala is set to address the 2nd National Contractor Development roadshow in the Northern Cape.

To be held in Kimberly, the roadshow is aimed at supporting emerging contractors to break through the lower level Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading, by providing business growth and opportunities, funding, mentorship and skills development.

The roadshow is a response to concerns that many contractors remain in the 1 to 4 CIDB grading which limits their participation in multi-million-rand construction projects. 

The roadshow will go to different parts of the country, making sure that no contractors are left behind.
Led by the Deputy Minister, the National Contractor Development roadshow is a countrywide initiative to supercharge contractor development. 

The campaign aims to advance economic transformation by reaching contractors across all nine CIDB grades, creating a platform for real, lasting change in the construction sector.

In collaboration with the board, client departments and development agencies, the roadshow brings opportunities directly to contractors’ doorsteps – whether in rural towns or urban centres. – SAnews.gov.za

The Western Cape Government’s MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has hailed the blended finance catalyst for agriculture as a “game-changer” for emerging and smallholder farmers.

Spearheaded by the national Department of Agriculture in partnership with financial institutions including Land Bank and ABSA, the Blended Finance Scheme is designed to reduce financial risk while increasing access to capital.

It targets historically disadvantaged individuals, particularly women, youth and people with disabilities, and supports investments in infrastructure, mechanisation, and value-adding enterprises.

“This model is about unlocking opportunity. It combines the strength of government grants with the discipline of private sector finance to empower our farmers to grow, compete, and thrive,” Meyer said. 

The MEC was addressing over 250 farmers and stakeholders at the national Department of Agriculture’s Blended Finance Roadshow, held in Paarl in the Drakenstein Municipality. 

The event, held on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, marked a significant milestone in the Western Cape Government’s ongoing efforts to support the commercialisation of Black producers and transform the agricultural sector.

Meyer emphasised the Western Cape’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, and rural development. 

“We are not just investing in farms; we are investing in people, in communities, and in the future of our province.”

The roadshow brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including 122 farmers from across the province’s eight districts, commodity organisations, extension practitioners, and representatives from the private sector. 

The event also featured a welcome address by Drakenstein Executive Mayor, Stephen Korabie, and showcased the province’s key agricultural commodities aligned with the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), including deciduous fruit, wine grapes, citrus, grains, poultry, and red meat.

Meyer concluded by encouraging farmers to seize the opportunity presented by the scheme. 

“This is your time. Let us walk this journey together – government, financiers, and farmers – to build a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural sector.” – SAnews.gov.za

In a move that marries its energy mandate with a vision for a sustainable future, state-owned power utility Eskom has officially plugged into the future of transport with the introduction of its inaugural fleet of electric vehicles.

The initiative is supported by the installation of some 10 charging stations on five sites aimed at supporting the adaptation of electric transportation.

The state-owned power utility described the move as “a major milestone” on the journey toward “sustainable transport and a cleaner energy future for all South Africans”.

“Eskom is driving South Africa’s shift to a cleaner, low-carbon future. Through e-mobility, we are cutting emissions, boosting innovation, and showing how sustainable energy solutions can create real benefits for communities and the economy. 

“We see ourselves as more than just an electricity provider – we are enablers of progress,” Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane said.

The power utility’s Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, described the move as transformational.

“Eskom is taking steps to transform how South Africans move in a world where climate change is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality. 

“The launch of these vehicles is not only about mobility; it is about reimagining the energy landscape, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring every community benefits from the transition to sustainable transport,” Mlambo said.

To date, the power utility has taken delivery of some 20 electric vehicles.

These vehicles range from light delivery vehicles to light trucks with another 100 planned for the near future. 

“These vehicles will be deployed primarily in the Distribution and Generation Divisions, supporting operations while demonstrating the practicality and benefits of e-mobility in South Africa.

“Eskom’s vision for e-mobility extends beyond vehicles. The organisation has committed to gradually transitioning its entire fleet to EVs, with the Distribution Division, which has the largest vehicle footprint, targeting full electrification by 2035.

“To enable this shift, Eskom will expand charging infrastructure across its sites and roll out 55 public EV charging stations over the next two years, creating opportunities for broader adoption,” the power utility said.

Furthermore, Eskom is also “prioritising grid readiness for e-mobility”.

EV load forecasting is integrated into long-term planning to ensure that increased electricity demand is managed effectively. 

Smart charging systems and time-of-use tariffs are being developed to optimise energy use, making EV ownership more affordable and sustainable for the public.

“Since 2021, Eskom has engaged with government, automotive manufacturers, petroleum companies, and research institutions to build a strong and integrated e-mobility framework for South Africa.

“Through e-mobility. Eskom is not only reducing emissions but also driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to a cleaner, healthier future for all South Africans. By embracing electric mobility, we are delivering tangible benefits to communities and the economy, while also pivoting into new revenue streams by this offering for our customers,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za