Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

The United Nations has launched the Report of the Secretary-General for the Second Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), calling for accelerated action to transform the world’s food systems as a cornerstone of delivering the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The report was officially unveiled on Monday during the UNFSS+4, currently underway at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Launched five years before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline, the report outlines both growing global momentum and the urgent need to scale up inclusive, resilient, and rights-based food systems transformation globally.

At the heart of this is SDG 2, which aims to end hunger and achieve food security by 2030.

In a statement issued on Monday, the United Nations noted that the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit marked a turning point by recognising food systems as fundamental to achieving all 17 SDGs.

“Two years later, the first Stocktake (UNFSS+2) reaffirmed countries’ commitments [to this vision],” the United Nations said.

According to the UNFSS+4 Report, a more coordinated and diverse community of governments, including UN agencies, civil society, indigenous people, youth, farmers, businesses, and others is working together to align food systems pathways with broader national and global development goals.

The report also noted that by 2025, 128 countries had developed national food systems transformation pathways, with 155 having appointed National Convenors.

“Of these, 39 countries revised and updated their pathways into more actionable implementation plans. In a significant increase in accountability, 112 countries voluntarily submitted progress reports in 2025, up from 101 in 2023.”

Key trends highlighted in the report include:

•    The right to food is gaining ground, with countries placing it at the heart of national strategies and, in some cases, enshrining it in constitutions and legislation.
•    Policy integration is deepening, as governments embed food systems into national development plans, budget frameworks, and climate and biodiversity strategies.
•    Governance mechanisms are becoming more fit-for-purpose, with countries establishing high-level, cross-sectoral bodies to oversee implementation.
•    Coalitions and partnerships are expanding, with 20 of the original 31 UNFSS Coalitions of Action continuing to provide critical support through advocacy, technical assistance and financing.
•    Inclusivity is being prioritised, with governments advancing policies that centre women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and smallholder producers.
•    UN support is intensifying, with Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams working closely with governments to align efforts across agencies and sectors.
•    Science, data and technology are driving change, with increased investments in AI, digital tools and evidence-based decision-making.
•    Financing is mobilising, though challenges remain. Countries report reallocating national budgets, accessing climate funds, and engaging with regional and international financial institutions, including through blended finance and innovative instruments.

As the world passes the halfway mark between the 2021 Food Systems Summit and the 2030 SDG deadline, the report stresses the critical role of the multilateral system in delivering resilient food systems and solutions.

Looking ahead, the report identifies upcoming global events, such as the World Summit for Social Development and COP30 [Climate Change Conference] as key opportunities to build on the momentum of UNFSS+4.

These summits are expected to link food systems transformation to broader priorities, including decent jobs, energy and affordability, digital connectivity, education, employment and social protection, and climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The global shift toward a future powered by green energy solutions must be fair and equitable – safeguarding workers, protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that no nation is excluded from the benefits of a sustainable future.

This is according to Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who delivered opening remarks at the third G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting held in the North West.

“Finance must become a tool of inclusion, not a barrier to participation. The credibility of global transition rests on whether finance reaches where it is needed most at the scale required and with the speed demanded by development and climate imperatives.

“The social dimensions of energy transition must remain central. Energy transitions must not deepen inequality. They must reduce it. No community, no worker, no country should be left behind,” Ramokgopa said on Wednesday.

Furthermore, energy transitions will not be sustainable “without a fundamental reconfiguration of the global energy finance architecture”. 

“Scaling up climate and energy finance is not only urgent, but also central to closing the infrastructure gap, addressing energy poverty and driving structural transformation and industrialisation. 

“We must shift from pledges to execution, from fragmented flows to coordinated and catalytic investments.”

According to the Minister, this will require, amongst others:
•    Addressing the systemic underinvestment in transmission, distribution, and flexible generation capacity.
•    Structuring finance to support long-term affordability, particularly for vulnerable and energy poor communities.
•    Establishing derisking mechanisms that attract private capital, whilst preserving public oversight.
•    Expanding access to concessional and blended finance for early stage and localised energy projects.
•    Prioritising small and medium enterprises as delivery agents in the energy value chain.

Balancing energy solutions

The Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of green energy solutions in decarbonising economies. However, he cautioned that “renewables alone cannot meet all systems requirements”.

“We must remain clear eyed about the technical and economic realities of transitioning complex energy systems. Renewables alone cannot meet all systems requirements, especially in regions with variable resources, legacy baseload infrastructure or limited grid flexibility.

“The energy transition must be planned and managed with reliability, system adequacy, and affordability in mind. This means adopting a pragmatic technology inclusive approach that supports both decarbonisation and development objectives,” Ramokgopa explained.

He said in addition to renewables, the following technologies must be part of the solution:
•    Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) to reduce emissions from hard to abate sectors and existing fossil assets.
•    Small modular reactors as a dispatchable low emission baseload options suitable for diverse geographies.
•    Carbon removal and long duration storage technologies to offset residual emissions and enhance system reliance.
•    Demand side and system flexibility tools, including digital technologies, to balance load and optimise system operations.

“A technology inclusive approach ensures that countries can select solutions that are aligned with their energy mix, infrastructure readiness and industrial strategy. 

“It also expands investments options, supports innovations and avoids prematurely locking out viable low carbon technologies. 

“The transition must be both ambitious and anchored in the realities of implementations. These solutions are essential for hard to abate sectors, and for economies that need flexible pathways. They will help us navigate uncertainty and avoid excluding countries with legacy systems or resource based energy economies.”

Ramokgopa urged G20 countries to “increase cooperation in technology development, expand knowledge exchange, and support capacity building in areas such as carbon storage and CCUS deployment”.

Africa’s aspirations

Ramokgopa noted the African continent’s decarbonisation ambitions in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Africa Energy Efficiency Strategy.

The strategy seeks to explore and define the role of energy efficiency technology in the energy mix of the continent, pledging to achieve a 50% increase in energy productivity by 2050. 

According to the African Union, Agenda 2063 is Africa’s development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development over a 50-year period.

The Minister emphasised that these ambitions “must be supported… not only through declarations, but through practical interventions, investments and partnerships that build resilience and shift outcomes”. 

On a global scale, the Minister highlighted the reality that hundreds of millions still have no electricity.

“We must also be candid. The lack of universal access to modern energy services remains a global failure. Over 760 million people still live without electricity. More than 2.6 billion rely on unsafe fuels for cooking.

“These figures represent people. They are mothers, children, workers and students. They are full of potential, held back by structural energy poverty.

“We commend previous G20 presidencies for elevating clean cooking as a priority. Today, we call on this working group to develop that agenda further and stand with us in accelerating access to clean cooking solutions at scale,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Health Ombud report, released by Professor Taole Mokoena, has revealed concerning findings from an investigation into the treatment, complications and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMHSH). 

The report highlights issues such as prolonged damage to electricity infrastructure, patients freezing to death, acute staff shortages, dangerous medical negligence, and poor facility conditions, including broken windows and leaking roofs.

The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, following complications and deaths of psychiatric patients in the Northern Cape hospitals last year. 

This follows the referral of three patients – John Louw, Cyprian Mohoto and Petrus de Bruin – from NCMHH to RMHSH in critical condition last July.

The investigation revealed that two patients from NCMHH had died. One of them, Mohoto, passed away on 16 July 2024, at RMHSH after being referred there from NCMHH for treatment. 

The other patient, Tshepo Mdimbaza, unexpectedly died at NCMHH on 3 August 2024. 

According to the Health Ombud, the deaths and illnesses occurred when the NCMHH was facing electricity supply problems caused by theft and vandalism of electrical infrastructure. 

WATCH |

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The health establishment was relying on a diesel-powered generator for its electricity supply.

The investigation uncovered multiple critical issues, with patients exposed to extreme cold during electricity outages, with one patient dying from hypothermia and others developing serious medical complications.

It also revealed that two patients from the NCMHH died due to poor conditions, including a lack of electricity and inadequate medical care. 

One patient died of hypothermia, another of pneumonia, and a third of a stroke.

“Patients were freezing to death,” Mokoena said on Wednesday. 

According to the report, Mdimbaza died from hypothermia. Mohoto developed multilobar pneumonia and subsequently passed away. The third patient, Louw, suffered a stroke due to severe hypothermia, and the fourth patient, De Bruin, also experienced hypothermia. 

Mokoena said the lack of heating exposed the patients and personnel to extreme winter cold. 

Meanwhile, the pyjamas and blankets that were procured were of “poor design and flimsy material”, not capable of providing the necessary warmth, with insufficient general linen. 

“Nurses were forced to work in the dark using cellphone torches, and electromagnetic locks were non-functional, creating major security risks,” Mokoena said.

He highlighted key findings, including NCMHH lacking emergency resuscitation equipment and relevant drugs. 

“Thus, patients could not receive the necessary emergency resuscitation with dire consequences, for example, patient Mdimbaza, who died at NCMHH, and patient De Bruin before transfer to RMSH.”

The probe also found staff operating at only 53% capacity, junior nurses managing high-acuity units without proper supervision, and a lack of professional leadership. 

In addition, the Health Ombud stated that both nursing and medical staff do not keep up-to-date patient vital signs, and there was generally poor record keeping.

Mokoena said it was an indictment that NCMHH took a year to repair the damaged electricity infrastructure, whereas the adjacent private hospitals managed to repair their affected electricity infrastructure within one month. 

“These shortcomings have not been allowed to prevail; the patients who died could still be alive today,” said Mokoena. 

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi told the media that there could be potential professional misconduct by medical staff and suggested a referral of medical personnel to the South African Health Professions Council (HPCSA). 

The Minister emphasised poor leadership, saying: “My conclusion is that… leadership is not working together. I don’t think they even have management meetings or mortality meetings.”

The Minister also announced the establishment of a National Mental Health Review Committee to comprehensively investigate and restart hospital management processes. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to food sovereignty as a pillar of national resilience and development.

Steenhuisen made the commitment at the second United Nations Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4), held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The three-day conference, which began on Sunday, brought together Heads of State, Ministers, scientists, producers, indigenous leaders, youth and civil society to assess progress on transforming food systems worldwide.

In his address, the Minister outlined a series of strategic initiatives designed to strengthen local food production and empower communities to define their own food policies.

He said the South African government is promoting localised food production, with a clear focus on leveraging indigenous crops and livestock, which have both nutritional value and resilience to climate change.

“Current government programmes are mapping these crops nationwide and investing in research to identify underutilised plants and their agro-processing potential to develop products that will facilitate the upscaling and uptake of these foods for nutrition security,” the Minister said.

To further bolster self-sufficiency, Steenhuisen announced the development of community seed banks, ensuring reliable access to quality seeds, and supporting agricultural self-sufficiency.

“Breeding for resilience is the buzzword in promoting livestock, with a focus on indigenous livestock for genetic material. Strengthening biosecurity with the development of modern diagnostic tools that will aid tracking and tracing outbreaks, and research and development of vaccines to support prevention programmes, are prioritised,” he said.

The Minister underscored government’s continued support for smallholder farmers, noting the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), which provides financial assistance, training, and infrastructure to enhance productivity and sustainability.

With global food inflation on the rise, Steenhuisen highlighted initiatives like Ilima/Letsema’s (One Household, One Garden) model designed to help households mitigate rising food costs, especially for vulnerable populations.

He highlighted that South Africa is also advancing sustainable and regenerative production systems.

“We are actively encouraging our farmers to embrace regenerative agriculture, agroecology and conservation practices. These approaches are designed to restore land, improve biodiversity, and future-proof local food systems in the face of climate volatility,” the Minister said.

“Food safety and quality assurance are non-negotiable priorities. The South African Good Agricultural Practices (SA GAP) programme is helping farmers – especially smallholders – adopt responsible, market-friendly production methods that meet both domestic and international standards.”

Reflecting on international collaboration, the Minister noted South Africa’s engagement with global partners, such as the G20 Food Security Task Force and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to address food price inflation and its impact on low-income households.

“The aim is to develop policy “baskets” that support effective interventions, both at home and across the African continent. Key elements include smallholder farmer support, sustainable agriculture aligned with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, and country-led planning—all in support of the African Agenda 2063,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has emphasised the urgent need for the international community to take concrete action toward achieving a two-State solution in resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

The Minister was speaking during his address at the United Nations’ High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine in New York, amid escalating violence in Gaza.

Lamola emphasised the context of his call to action by referencing the tragic events of 7 October 2023, when innocent Israeli citizens were killed. However, he stressed that even in the face of such violence, the pursuit of a meaningful resolution must prevail.

“Despite this challenging context in which the international legal and multilateral system has been paralysed and turned into a blunt tool, the focus today on a real path to lasting peace must prevail,” he said on Tuesday. 

Highlighting the importance of international action, the Minister denounced the prevailing “might is right” doctrine, which he argued justifies the ongoing violence and attempts to eradicate the Palestinian people. 

“This doctrine can no longer be justified. It has led to perpetual insecurity, and it justifies an attempt to eradicate the Palestinian people through killing and starvation,” he asserted.

He also spoke about South Africa’s position, which is that the establishment of a Palestinian state, existing peacefully alongside Israel within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, is paramount. 

The Minister reflected on the historical context, citing Resolution 181 from 1947, which provided for the creation of two states amidst a backdrop of colonialism. 

“However, the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, guaranteed under international law, has remained elusive for close to 80 years.”

The urgency of the situation was further highlighted by a recent motion passed by the Israeli Knesset, calling for the application of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley. 

Lamola expressed concern that such moves “could effectively bury the two-State solution” and continue to violate international law.

He further outlined fundamental principles necessary for restoring credibility to the peace process. He stressed that recognising Palestinian statehood and ensuring the territorial integrity of Palestine are crucial first steps. 

Lamola also took the time to praise France’s intentions to recognise the state of Palestine as “an important step towards achieving a two-state solution.”

In addition, he Lamola called for an end to Israeli actions that threaten the very existence of the Palestinian people, describing these as part of a “systematic pattern of injustices and oppression.” 

He urged the UN Security Council to act, stating, “These actions must be condemned, and the UN Security Council must act to protect the Palestinian people in whole and in part.”

Emphasising the role of international law, he called on all states to comply with their collective obligations. 

“We all have a duty to preserve the sanctity of international law and ensure accountability.” 

He highlighted recent initiatives, such as the Hague Group and the Madrid Group, aimed at promoting international law and accountability.

To facilitate the two-State solution, Lamola outlined several critical steps, including an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and political prisoners, the halt of illegal Israeli settlement expansion, the removal of the illegal separation wall, and the resumption of humanitarian efforts.

“Global attention is on this conference. There is an expectation that we will deliver an effective response to the destruction of an entire population and a peaceful path for preserving the prospect of a viable Palestinian State existing side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has expressed concern over what she described as dwindling support for multilateral institutions dedicated to workers’ rights. 

Delivering the keynote address during the opening of the 4th G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting, Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said the “retreat from collective responsibility strikes at the heart of global labour governance”.

“The International Labour Organisation, our indispensable beacon for decent work standards, has been forced to silence the voices of 225 dedicated guardians of social justice through job losses.

“This erosion of capacity within the ILO is not an isolated budgetary concern, but it is also a direct blow to the protective shield for workers everywhere, weakening our shared ability to navigate the complex future of work and undermining the very foundation of fair globalisation. This retreat from funding multilateral pillars signals a dangerous indifference to the architecture of social justice we have built together,” the Deputy Minister said. 

The two-day EWG meeting of technical experts ended on Tuesday, and will be followed by a two-day Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting from 30 – 31 July 2024. 

The double header meetings are being held at Fancourt Hotel in George, in the Western Cape. The theme of the G20 EWG stream is: “Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives”. It is aligned to South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme — “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said the meeting starts amidst profound transitions, including geopolitical division and escalating trade tensions threatening to unravel decades of carefully woven economic interdependence.

“The harsh reality is that these tensions are not limited to diplomatic chambers or trading floors; they hit hardest on the shop floors, in the fields, and within workers’ homes all around the world. When the delicate threads of international cooperation break, it is the world of work that suffers the most. We see this in the breakdown of supply chains, the weaponisation of market access and the weakening of the very institutions meant to support social justice.

“Consider the tremors felt here in Southern Africa. A sudden, severe tariff imposition by a major trading partner has cast a long shadow over our economic landscape. Industries vital to our national livelihood, including automotive manufacturing, agriculture, steel and aluminium, now face an existential challenge,” Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said.

She said that this is not merely an economic statistic, but a “quiet panic in communities where entire towns, ecosystems built on decades of trade, now hang precariously in the balance”. 

The EWG meeting is expected to lay the foundation for the crafting of the Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting (LEMM) declaration.

Deputy Minister told EWG delegates that equality means ensuring that all nations, especially those in the developing world that bear disproportionate burdens from global disruptions, have a fair stake and a powerful voice in shaping the economic rules that govern their destinies. 

“Trade policies that devastate developing economies stand in direct contradiction to this principle,” she said. 

She further said true sustainability was impossible without stable and predictable international cooperation. 

According to the Deputy Minister, when geopolitical rivalry stifles dialogue, the space for vital social dialogue contracts. 

She called on the EWG to develop a bold declaration that confronts the full spectrum of the polycrisis – the environmental, technological and social challenges, alongside the insidious geopolitical and trade headwinds that actively undermine global economic stability and workers’ security. 

The Deputy Minister further said a concrete blueprint advances measurable, actionable commitments.

“Let the Fancourt Declaration be a beacon, demonstrating the G20’s unwavering resolve to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order, explicitly recognising the fundamental link between predictable, fair-trade rules, and stable and dignified employment for all. Trade policy is jobs policy, and its destabilisation is a direct threat to global peace and social cohesion,” she said.

Department of Employment and Labour Acting Director General, Jacky Molisane said the theme of the gathering calls on all to deliver targeted and inclusive implementation of policy responses. 

She said the journey travelled so far started with the first EWG meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in Gqeberha, and by the time the third meeting was held in Geneva in May, the task had become more focused – initiating the document of the ministerial declaration, advancing negotiations on the gender targets and finalising deliverables for ministerial considerations.

“Our task is clear and urgent. We must conclude negotiations on ministerial declarations, finalise agreement on our deliverables, especially the new targets and the Brisbane-eThekwini gender commitment, and ensure the document is ready,” Molisane said.

The G20 EWG’s mandate is to address labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced and job-rich growth for all. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, is attending two high-level global parliamentary events in Geneva, the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament and the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

The parliamentary events are both convened under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament brings together the highest parliamentary decision-making positions to shape the parliamentary agenda based on emerging political, economic, environmental, and social changes that require united and gender-responsive global governance solutions. 

The summit which began on Monday, is set to conclude Thursday, 30 July 2025.

It also offers a platform for women leaders to network and exchange views and experiences.

This year’s summit coincides with significant global milestones for women and girls, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 10-year milestone of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

“The women, peace and security agenda is marking 25 years of existence and is needed even more today than when it was established. The summit will focus on the role of women speakers in leading for inclusive and lasting peace,” the Speaker’s spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament 2025 kicked off at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations Office in Geneva on Tuesday.

Organised by the IPU in collaboration with the United Nations, the conference offers a unique global forum for parliamentary leaders to engage in high-level dialogue on strengthening the role of parliaments in global governance.

The 2025 edition of the conference that will conclude on Thursday, marks the culmination of two years of preparatory work by a committee of approximately 20 parliamentary speakers representing all regions of the world.

In keeping with the IPU’s inclusive approach, the conference will also feature contributions from prominent leaders from other international organisations, academia, and civil society. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a conclusion on the US trade deal.

“South Africa took the decision not to retaliate to the reciprocal tariffs announced by the United States. We also want to reiterate that we have no intention of decoupling from the United States either. Our view is that negotiations remain the best tool to deal with the issues that are on the table,” said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

In a statement on Wednesday, the dtic said the intersection of geopolitical, domestic and trade issues best defines the current impasse between South Africa and the United States, and that a reset is “unavoidable”.

Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the correspondence from the United States (US) President Donald Trump on the unilateral imposition of a 30% trade tariff against South Africa.

READ | President notes US tariff announcement

In a letter addressed to President Ramaphosa, President Trump announced that he would subject imports from South Africa to new 30% tariffs, that would take effect from 1 August 2025.

At the time, the Presidency said the 30% tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade between South Africa and the United States, and that the contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States. 

On Wednesday, the dtic said South Africa is not in a unique position, as the United States attempts to finalise negotiations with some 185 countries around the world by 1 August 2025.

“We remain committed to the cause as we await substantive feedback from our US counterparts on the final status on our Framework deal,” said the department.

The deal featured a number of areas, including but not limited to:
•    Importing 75 -100 petajoules of Liquified Natural Gas for a 10-year period, unlocking $12 billion.
•    Agricultural Market Access by simplifying of US poultry exports under the 2016 tariff rate quota and unlock approximately $91m million in trade. In addition, readiness to open market access for blueberries, subject to necessary protocols. 
•    South African firms committed to invest $3.3 billion in US industries, such as mining and metals recycling, while both governments agreed to pursue joint investment in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and agri-machinery.
•    Exemption of specific sectors from reciprocal tariffs to preserve supply chains e.g. ship building, counter-seasonal agriculture trade, exports from MSMEs of less than $1 million per annum.

“As the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, we have been in a period of intense negotiations with the United States. We have signed a condition precedent document and have readied our inputs for entry into the template, which is to follow from the US.

“Despite the challenges that have been presented by this period, we have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks, who have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios. We have planned for these scenarios and have not sat idle,” the department said.

Support desk

In addition, the department is working with other government departments on a response plan, which includes a support desk within the dtic.

“Our response package also focuses on demand side interventions in the impacted industries. The way forward is clear. President Ramaphosa has expressed our willingness to reset the trade relationship with the US and develop a solution that is mutually beneficial.

“The dtic has made this issue an apex priority since well before 2 April 2025, and we have centred South Africa and her people as our non-negotiable,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za