Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has officially switched on the 2026 Online Admissions System, marking the start of applications for parents and guardians with children going to Grade 1 and Grade 8 at Gauteng public schools in the 2026 academic year. 

Speaking at the YMCA in Ga-Rankuwa Zone 5, the MEC expressed confidence in the department’s online application system.

“I have just received confirmation that 80 000 applications have already gone through since the opening this morning. The parents are responding positively, and we are anticipating that we will have a much larger number by the end of the day. So far, so good. I have not received any complaints about glitches. There hasn’t been a system crash, so all is well,” Chiloane said. 

The YMCA in Ga-Rankuwa Zone 5 serves as one of the 81 walk-in centres across the province, where parents and guardians who do not have access to the requisite resources can get assistance. 

Parents and guardians can submit their application online on any device by visiting www.gdeadmissions.gov.za. The 2026 online admissions application period will close on Friday, 29 August 2025 at midnight. 

The MEC said significant upgrades have been made to the province’s online admissions system aimed at improving user experience and processing efficiency. 

“Every year after we have done the application process, we do a review and engage a couple of stakeholders that interact with the system, the learner, parent, SGB just to get feedback as to where can we improve. 

“Largely, it has been improvements in communication that we have made. When you apply you get an SMS that shows you have completed the steps,” he said. 

The MEC said another major enhancement was the system’s processing capacity. 

The upgraded platform can now handle up to 40 000 applications per minute, reducing delays and improving turnaround time during the high-traffic application period.

“We have also improved as well on allowing parents (mother and father) to apply for the same child but obviously the system will only give them an option of 5 schools, so there has been quite a lot of improvement in the system, we have done quite a lot,” Chiloane said. 

How the system works

All parents need to register new profiles. Old profiles and previous login details will not work.

After registering on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za, the system will prompt parents to create login credentials (username and password).

“Parents must keep these credentials safe, as they will use them to access the Online Admissions System, and view and manage their profile and application details.

“Parents must accept the POPI [Protection of Personal Information] disclaimer, enter their correct ID number and details, and remember to read and accept the Terms and Conditions,” Chiloane advised. 

Once parents have gained access to the system, they must begin with the application process and ensure that they complete the 5 step application process. 

“It is essential for parents and guardians to fill in correct and accurate details in every step of the application process as prompted by the system. Documents must be uploaded or submitted within seven days of applying.

“Registering a profile without completing every step of the 5 step application process will result in an incomplete application and the applicant not being considered for placement,” he said.

To receive important SMS notifications and updates regarding their application(s), applicants must provide one reliable and correct cellphone number when registering.

“Every step of the application process will be confirmed via SMS for security and verification purposes. There will be weekly pop-up messages on the system and SMS notifications sent to registered applicants as reminders to complete their application.

“SMS notifications will also be sent to parents to acknowledge submission and verification of documents. Therefore, parents are encouraged not to change or lose their cellphone numbers, but in unforeseen cases the department must be contacted for assistance,” the MEC explained.

He encouraged parents to use the Home Address Within School Feeder Zone option when applying on the system to see schools with feeder zones that cover their home address.

To increase the chances of placement closer to the parent’s home address, parents should select schools with feeder zones that cover the parent’s home address.

When applying, parents are urged to select a minimum of three schools and a maximum of five schools. All schools will remain open and accessible on the system for applications during the application period.

Closing date 

No new applications will be accepted once the application period closes on 29 August 2025 at midnight. Parents are advised to not fall for scams that charge a fee to assist with applying online.

“Bogus operators are scamming parents by falsely promising guaranteed placements in exchange for money. All scams and illegal placements must be reported to the GDE. The GDE does not charge any fees for assisting parents with the application process, all official support is completely free,” the MEC emphasised.

For more information, assistance or comments:
•    Call 0800 000 789
•    WhatsApp 060 891 0361 or
•    Email: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za

– SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

HSRC to host free training academy to equip researchers for AI

Gabisile
Wed, 07/23/2025 – 10:33

Source: Government of South Africa

The City of Tshwane, in partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Magalies Water (MW), has moved to address the water challenges in the affected communities in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria. 

This follows growing concerns from the Hammanskraal community over continued inconsistencies in water supply, particularly in the Phase Two target areas.

The affected communities include Majaneng (east of Makapanstad Road), Kudube Units 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and Unit D, as well as the Jubilee Tower, Jubilee Direct, and Dominican Tower zones.

The department officially handed over Module 2 of the Klipdrift Water Treatment Works to the City of Tshwane on 29 June 2025.

The new module is designed to supply 12.5 megalitres of water per day, but due to unanticipated delays in completing the permanent pipeline to take water from Babelegi to Temba, an alternative, older pipeline was used to deliver water in the interim.

However, the pipeline has experienced setbacks due to frequent leaks and delivery of lesser volumes than anticipated.

“The project partners – Magalies Water Board, the City of Tshwane, and the Department of Water and Sanitation – have resolved to expedite the completion of the main planned pipeline. In the meantime, the old temporary pipeline is still being used to provide what is likely to be an intermittent water supply for flushing purposes,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

To cover the shortfall, the City of Tshwane has made available additional water tankers. A detailed schedule outlining tanker availability per area will be shared with the community to ensure continued access to water while the permanent pipeline is being completed.

To address these challenges and improve the water supply to the affected areas, with the aim of restoring water supply by the second week of August 2025, the following actions are being undertaken:

• Permanent supply line from Babelegi to Temba Reservoir 3: The permanent pipeline is on track for completion, once completed, it will allow for a more stable and higher volume of water to be delivered. Water supply to the community through this route will be fully utilized after final testing confirms the water is safe to use and the pipeline is fit for transporting water.
• Improving the temporary Bosplaas Line: The Bosplaas pipeline is currently delivering an average of 6.3 million litres per day, which is not enough to complete the system flushing process. The technical team is working on adjusting the system to deliver improved volumes while working on completing the pipeline. These adjustments will help the system work more efficiently and effectively.
• Water quality testing and flushing: The process of cleaning and testing the water system is now over 90% complete and should be completed as soon as there is sufficient water to conclude the flushing, a week would be sufficient.

While some residents have called for the reactivation of water supply from the Temba Water Treatment Works, while waiting for increased volume, the department warned this would reverse the progress made to date and delay the completion of the flushing process to around mid-September 2025.

“The water currently being produced by the two modules meets the minimum safety standards (SANS 241:2015) and is being used to clean the system. However, residents in Module 2 are advised not to drink the water from their taps until official communication confirms the safe consumption and use of the water.

“We recognise the seriousness of the situation and assure the Hammanskraal community that all reasonable efforts are being made to restore a consistent and safe water supply. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and hardship caused by these challenges,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver the closing remarks at the Global Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting on Thursday, 24 July 2025. 

The event is organised by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC).

The meeting began on Tuesday, 22 July at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng, and focuses on exploring new business opportunities.

The event has brought together about 500 participants, including representatives and Ministers from over 100 countries, as well as entrepreneurs, innovators, and global leaders. 

Together, they represent the global entrepreneurship ecosystem and are working to address the most pressing challenges that prevent businesses from realising their full potential.

According to the Presidency, delegates share the common objective of building partnerships to enhance the development of international micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

“The event is an opportunity for South Africa to showcase its development of MSMEs and position the country as the best place for investment and collaboration on enterprise development,” the Presidency said.

Meanwhile, the Global SME meeting is further built on the overarching need for trade-driven economic transformation, which would enable growth, development and job creation. 

“It is envisaged that the outcomes of the meeting will focus on economic transformation, in terms of access to finance, digital transformation and the green economy, with some of the discussions exploring opportunities for MSMEs to grow and adapt, as well as support measures needed to close gaps and build further capacity,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni has revealed that South Africa will champion the cause of the establishment of a G20 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Startup Working Group.

The Minister was delivering remarks at the inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday.

The sector currently enjoys inclusion in the G20 through the Startup20 Engagement Group.

“For the MSMEs, we will bolster support efforts to support market access, access to capital and ensuring that MSMEs are recognised as strategic actors, not policy afterthoughts.

“This is why we are advocating for the establishment of a dedicated G20 MSME and Startup Working Group to be formally included in the G20 declaration in November. Let this be one of the key legacies of our collective efforts as we make history,” Ndabeni said.

READ | G20: Startup20 priorities unveiled

The Minister emphasised the importance and role that MSMEs play in reaching even the marginalised.

“MSMEs are not just participants in our economies. They are engines of inclusive growth. They are anchors of community resilience and they are incubators of innovation.

“They generate livelihoods in the places where people live, particularly in marginalised… areas such as the townships and the rural areas. They are agile and adaptable in a world that is volatile and fast changing. 

“But they are also vulnerable, especially if we do not enable them to adapt to new global standards, digital technologies and climate smart markets. It is up to us, as policymakers, to ensure that they are effectively enabled through policy and targeted ecosystem support,” she said.

WATCH| Global SME Ministerial Meeting

Global SME Ministerial MeetingGlobal SME Ministerial Meeting

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Ndabeni called on delegates at the Ministerial Meeting to share best practice and to forge new strategic partnerships at multilateral and bilateral levels to “strengthen our country level SMME support ecosystems”.

“Global value chains are rapidly changing, with trade protectionism threatening markets and MSMEs, especially in developing and least developed countries. This is something we need to be upfront about… and find practical ways to soften the impact,” she said.

Turning to the issue of funding for MSMEs, Ndabeni acknowledged the challenge facing entrepreneurs, particularly those in developing countries.

“Fintech has brought tens of millions of entrepreneurs and SMMEs into the formal financial system and digital matchmaking platforms are now connecting entrepreneurs with more appropriate funding instruments.

“But the small business and startup funding gap remains extreme. By example, Africa has 18% of the world’s population but receives less than 2% of global venture capital flows. This has resulted in the continent moving to tech hubs elsewhere to register and commercialise their intellectual property and we ought to fix that,” she said.

Ndabeni said although the South African government is working to assist small business, the funding gap is estimated to have reached some $20 billion.

“This despite our effort as government to de-risk credit extension through guarantees and blended instruments. The funding need is enormous.

“This [meeting] must propose solutions to this question of capital access. Here is the call to action: Let this ministerial meeting mark the beginning of a bold new global compact for MSME development, one that expands access to markets, unlocks affordable finance, accelerates digital inclusion and ensures that women, youth and underserved communities are not spectators but architects of economic transformation,” Ndabeni said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

A state-of-the-art licensing centre has been opened at the Protea Glen Mall in Soweto, as part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to bringing convenience and efficient services closer to the people.

The modernised centre signifies substantial progress towards a more efficient and streamlined licensing process, while prioritising service delivery initiatives in or near areas identified as townships, informal settlements, and hostels (TISH).

Boasting cutting-edge innovation with an emphasis on professionalism and community engagement, the centre will go a long way in enhancing the quality of licensing services offered in the area.

MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, who officially opened the centre on Tuesday, said the department was actively seeking to meet the needs of underserved TISH communities. 

“The establishment of smart Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) in these regions represents a laudable initiative in enhancing government services and expansion of regulatory frontline services in the townships, informal settlements, and hostels,” the MEC said.

Diale-Tlabela added that by prioritising accessibility, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, this initiative aims to significantly improve service delivery and alleviate congestion frequently found at conventional licensing offices.  

“Through meticulous planning, the integration of technology, and active community engagement, the Smart Licensing Service Centre is poised to become a significant addition to the existing infrastructure,” the MEC added.

In terms of the National Road Traffic Act (93 of 1996), the MEC for Roads and Transport is responsible for the registration, testing and licensing of motor vehicle and drivers in Gauteng.

The legislative function of licensing of learner drivers, qualified drivers, vehicles, driving schools, instructors, number plate embossers, number plate manufacturers, and many others is one of the largest portfolios in Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za