Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has reaffirmed his department’s commitment to restoring stability, effective governance, and reliable service delivery in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West.

“We will ensure that the financial recovery plan is implemented effectively to benefit residents and rebuild public trust. Our stance is clear: ‘Every Municipality Must Work’. The people of Ditsobotla deserve reliable services, ethical leadership, and a municipality that is financially sound and responsive to their needs,” the Minister said.

This as he visited the municipality on Tuesday and chaired the first engagement as part of the Cabinet-led intervention to stabilise the municipality.

This follows Cabinet’s approval to invoke Section 139(7) of the Constitution, placing the municipality under national intervention due to ongoing governance failures, financial mismanagement, and the collapse of service delivery.

READ | Cabinet approves placement of Ditsobotla Municipality under administration

“Since its dissolution in September 2022 and reconstitution in December 2022, Ditsobotla has continued to face political instability, administrative dysfunction, and financial decline,” the department noted.

The municipality has adopted unfunded budgets for five consecutive years, accumulated over R1.6 billion in unpaid creditors, defaulted on salary and Eskom payments, and failed to implement court-ordered recovery measures. 

Its low revenue collection undermines its operational capability, with services stalling, including unreliable water and electricity supply, non-compliance in waste management, and halted infrastructure projects.

Previous intervention by the North West Provincial Executive Council under Section 139(5) of the Constitution failed to restore stability or full functionality. 

Meanwhile, varied CoGTA court actions, including those prompted by civil and business organisations, have highlighted the urgent need for decisive action.

Addressing councillors, officials, and community members, Hlabisa emphasised the intervention is “not merely about taking power away, but about restoring credibility, functionality, and trust in this municipality.”

Support

National and provincial governments have already initiated several support mechanisms. 

These include ongoing technical and oversight aid from CoGTA, the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent, the province, and sector departments such as the Department of Electricity and Energy. 

A multidisciplinary Provincial Executive Representative (PER) team is being deployed to provide technical, financial, and governance expertise to both staff and councillors. 

Meanwhile, a skills audit and employee verification process is underway.

Going forward, the National Executive will take on the functions and powers of the provincial executive to implement the mandated financial recovery plan. 

National Cabinet Representative (NCR) Kopung Ralikontsane and a multidisciplinary team of governance and service delivery experts have been appointed to the municipality.

This group, led by the NCR, will implement the financial recovery plan with the National Treasury and deploy technical and governance support via the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) and other national partners. 

They plan to establish a Joint Operations Task Team with the South African Police Service, State Security Agency, Department of Justice, and the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate corruption, maladministration, and irregular appointments.

The team will also focus on institutional reforms, addressing political instability, irregular staff appointments, governance failures, and the enforcement of strict financial controls, with the NCR overseeing all municipal accounts and procurement processes.

Hlabisa stressed that these interventions are not simply quick fixes, but form part of a long-term transformation strategy aimed at restoring public trust. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the outcomes of the National Dialogue will not be dictated by government but shaped by the people of South Africa themselves.

“The outcomes of the National Dialogue will be determined by the citizens of this country,” the President told Members of Parliament on Tuesday. 

He was responding to a question from George Michalakis of the Democratic Alliance, who asked whether the National Dialogue was intended to support government priorities, such as economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation, lowering the cost of living, and building a capable state.

The President said the National Dialogue should be understood as a structured process that brings together citizens, political actors, civil society, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the country. 

“The National Dialogue is aimed at giving ordinary South Africans a voice to articulate precisely the South Africa they want and how they can participate in crafting the solutions of our country,” he said.

The President highlighted that the first National Convention, held in August at UNISA in Tshwane, brought together more than 1 000 delegates from over 200 organisations spanning around 30 sectors of society. 

These included business, labour, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, women, youth, students, academics, military veterans, persons with disabilities, unemployed persons, as well as organisations in media, sport, culture, democracy and human rights.

The convention endorsed the need for a National Dialogue and identified nine broad themes, including building an inclusive economy, tackling crime and corruption, strengthening education and health, fixing the state, advancing gender equality, ending gender-based violence, addressing intergenerational trauma, promoting environmental justice, and advancing land and mineral rights.

Delegates also supported the establishment of a representative Steering Committee to drive the process, which will work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Deputy President and under the guidance of an Eminent Persons Group.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the process would be “citizen-led” while government would act as a facilitator.

“Let us be clear. The Steering Committee will be led by the citizens of our country, giving credence to our intention that this must be a citizen-led process, while government’s role is that of a facilitator,” he said. 

The President added that for the government, the dialogue will be “hands off” except for financial injection, where it is necessary. 

“Let me make it very clear, it will be South Africans who will be talking to each other, meeting at ward level where even our voters, the people who voted for us, are represented. So they will be talking and they will not even be cajoled not to talk. They will opt to go to those meetings and participate. So it is to the detriment of us who are sitting here to say no, we are not going to participate,” the President said. 

The President said the dialogue is expected to culminate in a social compact that defines the roles and responsibilities of all sectors in addressing the country’s challenges and building the South African nation.

While citizens will have the final say, the President said the process is anticipated to make a a significant contribution to economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation, lowering the cost of living and building a capable State. 

“Citizens feel ownership over national decisions when they are directly involved in shaping them, complementing the important role that is played by elected representatives. Involving the people directly enhances the process of developing a shared vision for the future of our country,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has called on investors and all involved in the tourism sector to bring forward ideas, models and innovations to build tourism infrastructure that not only attracts visitors, but uplifts communities and creates jobs.

“The ground is fertile for shovel-ready infrastructure projects,” De Lille said.

In her opening remarks at the G20 Tourism Investment Summit, currently underway in the Western Cape, De Lille said tourism is not just about business, but livelihoods.

“This is about reshaping South Africa and positioning Africa as a global tourism powerhouse,” De Lille said.

De Lille said through the Government of National Unity, government has demonstrated that policy shifts unlock growth.

“As of 1 June 2025, the Amended National Treasury Regulation 16 for Public-Private Partnerships came into effect. These changes allow us to embrace models from Design-Build Operate (DBO) partnerships to blended finance and even crowdfunding.

“And while PPPs [Public-Private Partnerships] are one option, the amendments introduced by treasury allow investors to provide us with innovative financing models. With the right mix, we can build infrastructure, create jobs and uplift communities all at once,” the Minister said.

The Minister also highlighted that tourism contributes at least 8.5% to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product.

“In July alone, South Africa welcomed over 880 000 visitors, which is a 26% increase compared to last year. Behind these numbers are livelihoods, families and communities.

“According to UN Tourism, South African startups attracted over $39 million in venture capital between 2019 and 2024. This is more than half of the continent’s total in tourism solutions,” De Lille said.

De Lille said the UN Tourism will announce 100 scholarships aligned with demand-led skills development in the country.

“For tourism to thrive, our young people must have the skills the sector needs. Again, investors guide us on what the demand-led skills of the future are. What will be the skills that we need in the next 5 to 10 years. South Africa’s human capital is one of its strongest assets,” De Lille said.

De Lille said with 56% of the population under the age of 30 and an adult literacy rate of 95%, the country provides a broad and adaptable labour base.

“Supported by advanced universities and national skills development efforts such as those led by the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority [CATHSSETA], the tourism workforce is prepared for inclusive, service-oriented growth,” the Minister said.

De Lille said government is also unlocking access for more travellers to visit South Africa. 

“Following the launch of the Trusted Tour Operators Scheme in India and China, our Department of Home Affairs will soon, before the end of September, roll out the Electronic Travel Authorisation system. 

“This will digitalise and automate all short-stay visas, enabling secure and seamless travel for tourists across the globe. We are also broadening our offerings through sports tourism,” the Minister said.

South Africa’s tourism sector is a key pillar of economic growth, contributing significantly to GDP, employment and foreign direct investment.

The G20 Tourism Investment Summit is attended by global leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders to drive investment and develop a robust investment pipeline for South Africa’s tourism industry. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Postbank is not yet in a position to be granted a licence to operate as a fully-fledged State-owned bank.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the President stressed that while financial inclusion remains a national priority, Postbank still has work to do before it can qualify for a commercial banking licence.

ANC Member of Parliament, Mdumiseni Ntuli, asked what measures government is taking to support the Postbank in obtaining its commercial banking licence and whether government has established the need to capitalise the institution. 

“According to the Minister, Postbank has not yet fully met the conditions for a banking licence, particularly around its card key management processes and compliance with prudential standards.

“Its immediate challenge is to strengthen its governance, ensure compliance with prudential standards and stabilise its finances,” President Ramaphosa said.

Government remains committed to supporting the Postbank to obtain its licence, as it is meant to play a critical role in extending affordable banking services to underserved communities, small businesses, and youth- and women-owned enterprises.

“When more South Africans, especially those in rural and underserved communities, are able to access affordable banking and credit, we unlock entrepreneurship, support job creation and stimulate growth in local economies.

“Financial inclusion also empowers youth- and women-owned enterprises, narrows inequality and builds resilience in households and communities,” he said.

The President explained that South Africa has a well-developed and competitive financial services sector and its commercial banks, development finance institutions, co-operative banks and new digital entrants, all provide a range of financial products and services to small businesses and individuals. 

“The Postbank Amendment Act was enacted to strengthen the diversity of our financial sector and ensure a dedicated focus on underserved communities.

“The Act was meant to establish Postbank as a developmental State-owned commercial bank, offering accessible financial services to all South Africans,” he said. 

The President further explained that while capitalisation will be considered, it will only take place after Postbank has been granted authorisation to establish a bank. Once authorisation is secured, the institution will have 12 months to raise the necessary funding to be registered as a bank.

He said that this will be determined by its business case, for which the Postbank board is responsible, and submitting that business case to government via the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.

“These steps are essential to ensure that Postbank obtains its banking licence and is able to fulfil the vital mandate that it bears to promote financial inclusion for all,” President Ramaphosa said.

In answering further supplementary questions on the matter, President Ramaphosa indicated that government will not rule out the possibility of bringing together African Bank and Postbank as part of establishing a state bank. 

He told Parliament that all available assets may need to be leveraged to extend banking services to South Africa’s unbanked population.

“There is a general agreement that we need a state bank. The key question is how we move forward to put a bank together, and how we put all key elements together – whether it resides in Postbank or whether African Bank could be part of it.

“We must remind ourselves that African Bank has other shareholders who aren’t state entities. All those entities need to be synchronised to create a state bank,” the President told MPs. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia on Tuesday held an engagement with community stakeholders in Mitchells Plain and Mfuleni in an effort to curb violence linked to gang activity in the Western Cape.

The Minister’s visit forms part of a broader Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster effort aim to implement practical, community-driven interventions against gang violence and foster safety.

Among the stakeholders attended the engagements included representatives from civic groups, religious leaders and Community Policing Forums (CPFs). 

Cachalia said gang violence in the province are as a result of organised transnational crime, stressing the need for a coordinated response. 

Cachalia said he requested a briefing from National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on what the South African Police Service (SAPS) is doing to curb the violence, including the effectiveness of anti-gang units that has been established.

“I am aware of course that some time ago anti-gang units were put in place. There’s been some question about their effectiveness, and I intend to look into that,” he said.

Gang violence in areas like Mitchells Plain and Mfuleni has been going on for some time, with communities experiencing high levels of extortion, shootings and drug-related crimes. 

The Cape Flats, including some suburbs, sees frequent clashes between rival gangs such as the Americans and Mongrels, leading to crossfire that endangers innocent residents.

Mitchells Plain residents told Cachalia that they need increased police presence to protect them from gangsters’ violence.

Cachalia pledged to do everything in his power to improve policing and reducing crime in the country. 

Cachalia said the provincial commissioner and the head of crime intelligence presented him with a strategy to fight crime in the affected areas.

“They must still implement that plan. They must still resource that plan, that plan is needed. So we need a stabilisation plan.

“We need to go on the offensive against the drug lords, stabilise our communities, make sure that we are in charge, not the criminals,” he said.

Cachalia said that they might have to put in place special measures to get rid of gangsterism.

A number of people have died in gang-related violence. 

The acting Minister and his delegation are expected to meet with the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Gold ribbons place the spotlight on childhood cancer

Gabisile
Wed, 09/10/2025 – 10:27

Source: Government of South Africa

The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies committee has indicated that in the next few weeks, it will prioritise and fast-track law-making to modernise communications legislation to be in line with the fast-changing digital environment. 

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies Khusela Sangoni-Diko expressed that one of the most pressing barriers to progress in the sector is outdated legislation.

“Our communications laws were largely designed for an analogue era and are not fit for purpose in a fast-changing digital environment characterised by artificial intelligence, e-commerce, internet of things, blockchain and many other technologies. 

“This outdated framework hampers innovation, delays transformation, and constrains the ability of entities such as the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Sentech, South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Postbank to adapt to new realities,” Sangoni-Diko said.

In the next few weeks, the committee’s legislative agenda will be adopting committee-initiated bills.

“The committee will prioritise and fast-track law-making to modernise this legislative environment for an inclusive, agile and secured society. 

“Amongst the priorities will be legislation for the preservation and protection of the media, amendments where necessary to the Electronic Communications Act and the overarching legislation, to govern the so-called over-the-top services for platform accountability, should government not move with the requisite speed. 

“Ours is to ensure that our legal framework keeps pace with global technological advancements,” Sangoni-Diko said.

Meanwhile, the committee welcomed progress made under SA Connect, particularly the rollout of over 3 000 public Wi-Fi hotspots serving four million South Africans to date.

“Young people and people in rural areas are beginning to access the opportunities the digital world offers. However much more remains to be done. Meaningful school connectivity remains a pipe dream for many learners. We call on the Departments of Communications and Digital Technologies and Basic Education to prioritise this urgently,” she said.

SABC

Meanwhile, the committee has warned that the SABC is at risk of collapse due to financial and operational challenges.

“Sentech, in turn, is bleeding more than R70 million per month subsidising the broadcaster’s signal costs. Yet the SABC Bill – essential to ensuring sustainability – remains stalled in Parliament. As the SABC is teetering on the brink of collapse, jobs livelihoods and the sustainability of the public and community broadcasting sector is threatened.”

Sangoni-Diko has called on Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to engage with the National Treasury on the investment into the SABC.

“The public broadcaster has not had a technology or infrastructure refresh in more than a decade. The SABC is not looking for a bailout. Government has a responsibility to invest in this strategic asset and recapitalise it where necessary. The time for decisive action is now; otherwise, South Africa risks losing its public broadcaster altogether,” the Chairperson said.

Furthermore, she implored the department to finalise the digital migration process.

“Since missing the ITU [International Telecommunication Union] deadline in 2015, government has repeatedly postponed analogue switch-off. Ten years later, South Africa continues to squander the economic and technological benefits of digital migration. 

“Digital content creators are calling for space on the channels promised to them as part of the benefits on migration. We call on the department and the Minister to bring this matter to finality,” she said.

Post Office

The committee stressed that the Post Office must diversify its revenue streams and leverage its infrastructure for broader service delivery.

“Two years into business rescue, progress at SAPO has been slow and costly, with almost R250 million spent on business rescue practitioner fees and thousands of jobs lost. While we welcome signs of stabilisation, a sustainable turnaround plan remains elusive.

“Despite its challenges, the Post Office remains a strategic state institution which is a lifeline who many underserved communities. We must leverage its strengths,” Sangoni-Diko said. –SAnews.gov.za