Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Acting Police Minister Prof Firoz Cachalia today welcomed 3 558 newly qualified police constables who completed their training at various South African Police Service (SAPS) academies in the country.

The passing out parades were conducted simultaneously at various police academies.

Of the total number, 2 036 constables are from the SAPS Academy in Tshwane.

Speaking at the Passing out Parade held at the SAPS Academy in Tshwane, Cachalia told the new constables that the uniform they are wearing is a symbol, a symbol of authority, but more importantly, a symbol of service, of integrity and of a sacred covenant with the people of South Africa.

“Today, you march out as a unified corps, bound by a common oath and shared purpose. You have been tested mentally, physically and ethically. You have learned the law, the power of restraint, the skill of investigation and the critical importance of communication,” Cachalia said.

Cachalia said the new constables are prepared for the immense responsibility that now rests upon their shoulders.

“The road ahead is not an easy one. The challenges facing our communities are complex. Your will encounter violence, poverty and despair. You are the living, breathing embodiment of the promise that, in South Africa, justice and order will prevail.

“The SAPS is entrusting you with its future. The people of South Africa are entrusting you with their safety. Do not let them down,” Cachalia said.

Cachalia told the new constables to always remember the SAPS Code of Conduct that they pledge to and to uphold the values of professionalism, saying “policing is a profession of the heart.”

He urged the new constables to remain guided by the SAPS Code of Conduct and to uphold the values of professionalism and compassion, saying policing is “a profession of the heart”.

In his welcoming address, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola told the new constables that the waiting is over they are now going to be active members of the SAPS.

“We take this opportunity to appreciate those who supported our trainees throughout the training period, essentially contributing to their achievement of this great accomplishment,” he said.

Gen Masemola said since their arrival at the academy, they were oriented on the SAPS in general and taken through the SAPS Code of Conduct covering professional and ethical conduct.

“We expect you to always be mindful of the SAPS Code of Conduct and our Constitutional Mandate as stipulated in Section 205 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. It is important to familiarise yourselves with the organisation’s vision and mission which provide a strategic roadmap and clarify our purpose and values. 

“We urge you to exercise the powers conferred upon you in a responsible and controlled manner. Use your power to take care of communities that you will be deployed to and collaborate with them to prevent and combat crime and to bring perpetrators of crime to justice,” Gen Masemola said.

Earlier this week, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said some of the new constables will be deployed at the Nasrec Expo Centre were the G20 Leaders Summit taking place this weekend. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, November 21, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, November 21, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive, people-centred G20, with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola declaring that the 2025 G20 Social Summit has strengthened the role of civil society in shaping global governance.

Delivering closing remarks at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg on Thursday, Lamola said South Africa had fulfilled President Cyril Ramaphosa’s mandate to continue the social summit tradition established in Brazil during its 2024 G20 Presidency.

“We promised to carry forward the innovative practice and courageous example set by Brazil in holding an inclusive G20 that centred the voices of people on the margins. We also promised to extend the G20’s work beyond engagement groups to include civil society organisations working at the grassroots level. I believe that we have kept that promise,” Lamola said. 

He highlighted that civil society had played a decisive role throughout the summit, amplifying concerns that would otherwise be sidelined in high-level diplomacy.

“International relations are far too important to be left to governments alone. This has long been the mantra of civil society,” Lamola told delegates.

He said civil society movements had been instrumental in warning governments about the risks of a new global minerals boom, cautioning that without beneficiation, it could “usher in yet another era of extraction and plunder.” 

They had also drawn attention to the social costs of the debt crisis, noting that women and children pay the price.

According to Lamola, the message from activists and grassroots organisations was clear: the Sustainable Development Goals will remain out of reach unless global inequality is tackled decisively. 

“Your movements have constantly reminded us that inequality is bad for democracy,” he said.

He reflected on the urgent calls raised during the Summit from climate change and food insecurity to conflict and youth marginalisation. He applauded civil society’s insistence that developing countries must have meaningful representation on global platforms.

“You have said, loud and clear, that Africa must graduate from rule-taker to rule-maker in matters that affect our continent and its peoples,” he said.

Lamola emphasised that the outcomes of the Social Summit would enrich the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Declaration, expected to be adopted over the weekend. He urged delegates not to leave South Africa with resignation, but with “renewed vigour.”

Referencing Keorapetse Kgositsile’s poem Bandung Dance, he closed with a call for persistence: “Like this dancer, may we defy fatigue and dance on. May we refuse to waver in our commitment to solidarity, equality and sustainability.”

South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Social Summit marks one of its most significant efforts to elevate grassroots voices in global decision-making as it continues its G20 Presidency. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has committed to creating a favourable environment for trade and investment as South Africa and Vietnam work diligently to strengthen their economic ties, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said.

During his speech at the South Africa-Vietnam Business Forum held at the Capital Empire Hotel in Sandton on Friday, the Deputy President highlighted the importance of simplifying business operations, improving industrial infrastructure, and increasing trade finance support. 

He emphasised the roles of organisations such as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) in these efforts.

He encouraged Vietnamese companies to explore investment opportunities in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which offer world-class infrastructure and incentives. 

“Likewise, we welcome South African businesses to invest in Vietnam’s dynamic industrial clusters and technology hubs.” 

WATCH | SA-Vietnam Business Forum

Through Joint Trade Committee and bilateral cooperation frameworks, the Deputy President said they will continue to address trade barriers, facilitate market access, and enhance cooperation between both chambers of commerce and industry bodies.

The forum takes place alongside the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit, which begins tomorrow at the Nasrec Expo Centre.

Bilateral relations 

It also builds on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State Visit to Vietnam, which marked a new phase in bilateral relations and expanded cooperation in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, and science and technology.

READ | President Ramaphosa hails ‘successful’ three-nation visit to Southeast Asia

According to the country’s second-in-command, South Africa remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner on the African continent, while Vietnam offers a gateway to the 700-million-strong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. 

Meanwhile, South Africa provides access to the African Continental Free Trade Area, connecting 1.4 billion consumers.

“This forum is not only about economics – it is about partnership, shared growth, and solidarity. It is about recognising that South–South cooperation offers a path to inclusive development, innovation, and resilience.

“In this era of global uncertainty, both South Africa and Vietnam stand as advocates for multilateralism, sustainable trade, and equitable growth.” 

As hosts of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, he emphasised the importance of collaboration among emerging economies to reform global trade systems and ensure that development benefits all.

“To our distinguished business leaders, you are the engine of this partnership. The opportunities before us will only be realised through your innovation, your entrepreneurship, and your commitment to building bridges across borders.

“Let us use this platform to identify bankable projects, establish joint ventures, and promote technology and skills exchange that can advance industrialisation and inclusive growth in both our countries.

“Our government, together with our Vietnamese counterparts, stands ready to support you every step of the way.” 

He called on the delegates to build on the momentum of President Ramaphosa’s State Visit and the spirit of this G20 Leaders’ Summit to propel South Africa–Vietnam relations to new heights.

“This commitment was similarly reaffirmed during the reciprocal visit when Vietnam’s Vice President visited South Africa in September 2023, and during my visit to Vietnam in December 2023, which included opportunities to engage with business leaders aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in sectors such as trade and investment.” 

He said the forthcoming agreement to enhance bilateral relations signifies that both parties want to establish camaraderie while also ensuring mutual benefits for their populations.

South Africa has called for stronger economic collaboration with Vietnam, highlighting untapped opportunities in trade and industrial partnerships. 

Despite steady trade growth, South Africa recorded exports of US$610.89 million to Vietnam in 2024 against imports of US$1.14 billion, leaving a sizable trade deficit. 

The two countries currently trade largely in raw commodities and manufactured goods, respectively – an imbalance South Africa hopes to address through value addition and industrial cooperation. 

“Together, we can create a model of partnership that demonstrates how developing nations, through mutual respect and shared ambition, can achieve prosperity that is both inclusive and sustainable.” 

The Deputy President is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the province’s commitment to accountability, cooperative governance, and community-centred service delivery.

This comes as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) convened its “Taking Parliament to the People” programme at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Pietermaritzburg.

The programme, one of South Africa’s most significant participatory democracy platforms, brings national lawmakers into direct engagement with communities to listen, observe, and respond to service-delivery challenges raised by citizens.

The KwaZulu-Natal delegation of permanent delegates to the NCOP crisscrossed the uMgungudlovu municipal area from 19 to 20 November 2025, to assess the progress of various infrastructure development projects.

Premier Ntuli described the engagement as a constitutional imperative that ensures Parliament remains close to the people it serves, especially those whose voices often go unheard.

He said the NCOP’s focus on the uMgungundlovu District provide the province an opportunity to reassess progress and confront persistent service-delivery obstacles, and [refine government’s developmental approach.]

Economic and large-scale investment

The Premier highlighted notable progress across the province, including economic renewal and large-scale investment.

At the 2025 KZN Investment Conference, the province secured R100.1 billion in commitments across 34 major projects, which are expected to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities.

“Infrastructure development continues to accelerate, with catalytic corridors in eThekwini, tourism developments in iLembe, and major water schemes such as the R463 million Greater Mthonjaneni Bulk Water Project,” the Premier said.

He also highlighted the establishment of the KwaZulu-Natal Infrastructure Council, which oversees a R3.9 trillion long-term project pipeline focused on inclusive growth; climate resilience; integrity in procurement and broader participation of rural communities; small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), women and youth.

Road rehabilitation remains a major priority, with more than 5 million square metres of roads currently being resurfaced or repaired.

Ntuli said the province has strengthened partnerships with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to address construction mafia disruptions, enabling critical infrastructure projects to proceed safely.

“Through SAPS partnerships, disruptions caused by construction mafias are being contained, allowing projects to proceed safely,” the Premier said.

Ntuli added that KwaZulu-Natal is intensifying its climate-resilience planning.

“The Climate Change Council continues to prioritise climate-resilient infrastructure, early-warning systems, responsible land-use planning, and the growth of green industries aimed at youth employment.”

Despite progress, Ntuli acknowledged persistent water supply challenges, especially in Ugu, Zululand, uThukela and uMzinyathi, while urban centres such as Msunduzi, KwaDukuza and Newcastle face sewage failures and ageing sanitation networks.

He said illegal dumping, which the NCOP highlighted sharply during its walkabouts in uMgungundlovu, remains an urgent environmental and health concern across multiple municipalities.

“Electricity availability sits at more than 93 percent in the province, yet local networks are increasingly strained by illegal connections, vandalism, and ageing infrastructure. Municipal financial recovery is non-negotiable, especially as some government departments continue to carry substantial debt to municipalities, undermining local capacity,” the Premier said.

To stabilise governance, the Premier outlined several interventions, including strengthened intergovernmental forums, improved coordination through the District Development Model, and Section 154 support for financially distressed municipalities.

He cited improvements in Msunduzi Municipality as evidence that targeted oversight and expert deployment can restore administrative and financial stability.

Community safety also featured prominently in Ntuli’s address. He argued that economic development and service delivery cannot thrive without safe communities, as insecurity disrupts clinics, schools, and municipal operations.

“The province is expanding intelligence-driven operations, enhancing rural safety, deploying specialised law-enforcement support to high-risk municipalities, installing CCTV systems, and strengthening school-safety and youth-at-risk programmes,” he said.

Ntuli stressed that building capable municipalities is crucial to long-term progress, warning that without strong financial controls, engineering capacity and effective governance systems, infrastructure plans collapse before implementation.

“Building capable, reliable municipalities is a moral responsibility owed to every household in KwaZulu-Natal.”

The Premier also urged the NCOP to support the province in reviewing equitable-share allocations, fast-tracking disaster relief funding, enforcing municipal turnaround plans, and addressing national logistics constraints affecting development, including port inefficiencies, rail limitations, and special economic zone blockages. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the decision of the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Bongani Elias Sithole, to classify gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act of 2002. 

According to the department, this decisive action comes after a comprehensive reassessment of earlier reports and updated submissions from state organs and civil organisations.

“After evaluating the persistent and immediate life-safety risks posed by ongoing acts of violence, the NDMC has concluded that GBVF now meets the threshold of a potential disaster as defined in the Act,” the department said in a statement on Friday. 

Citing Sections 23 and 26 of the Act, the department explained that the National Executive now carries primary responsibility for coordinating and managing this national disaster, using existing legislation and the contingency arrangements already established across government. 

“The classification calls on all organs of state to strengthen their support to existing GBVF response structures, to fully implement their contingency arrangements, and to ensure that all necessary mechanisms are activated to enable the National Executive to manage the disaster effectively.” 

In terms of Section 22 of the Act, the department said organs of state, the private sector, communities and individuals are urged to intensify their risk-reduction and prevention practices through the implementation of GBVF-related standards, procedures and legislative measures.

In addition, individuals are strongly encouraged to refrain from any acts of GBVF. 

Meanwhile, the national, provincial, and municipal authorities are also advised, consistent with the Act, to implement multisectoral prevention, mitigation, relief and rehabilitation plans to address the effects of this disaster holistically.

Importantly, the department stated that this classification does not invoke emergency powers. 
Instead, it reinforces and strengthens existing systems by consolidating key initiatives. 

These include the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF, the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Priority Committee, the 90-Day GBVF Acceleration Programme, the expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres, the strengthening of Sexual Offences Courts, and ongoing reforms within the criminal justice system.

All affected organs of state are required to submit progress reports to the NDMC, as set out in Section 24, to enable the monitoring of interventions by government departments, municipalities, non-government organisations and communities.

Meanwhile, the notice explains that the classification will be revoked by the Head of the NDMC once the occurrence can no longer be regarded as a disaster under the Act, unless a national state of disaster is declared in the future. 

In that case, the classification will automatically lapse when the national state of disaster ends or expires in terms of Section 27(5).

“This effort pulls together every sphere of government and every critical sector, including policing, social development, justice, health, education, economic development, and traditional leadership. Above all, it confirms a fundamental truth that GBVF is not a women’s issue. It is a national crisis,” Hlabisa said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement declaring GBVF as a national crisis.

DWYPD Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said the “bold and necessary” declaration marks a significant step toward strengthening South Africa’s multi-sectoral response to “one of the most devastating and persistent human rights violations affecting women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.”

READ | DWYPD welcomes President Ramaphosa’s call as GBVF declared a national crisis

President Ramaphosa made the announcement when he was delivering the keynote address at the closing ceremony of the G20 Social Summit at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Heads of State and Government have started arriving in Johannesburg ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which officially opens tomorrow and concludes on Sunday at the Nasrec Expo Centre, in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

The annual gathering is drawing not only world leaders but also hundreds of media representatives and international visitors. 

Government has confirmed that preparations are complete and it’s all systems go for the Summit.

South Africa assumed the year-long G20 Presidency in December 2024, becoming the first African state to host the prestigious global forum.

Among the dignitaries already in the country include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, President of the European Council António Costa, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Several other leaders are expected to arrive throughout the day.

Security has been tightened around the Nasrec Expo Centre, with multiple road closures in the vicinity. 

Earlier this week, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to ensure the safety of delegates and the public during the Summit.

“As the NATJOINTS, we have been meeting daily with all relevant role-players to ensure our security plan is well-executed,” NATJOINTS Chairperson, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said.

Mosikili urged the public to familiarise themselves with the temporary road closures and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities. She added that roads will be closed off completely and movement from pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will be limited when convoys pass through. 

“Roads will be opened as soon as the convoys move past the affected routes,” she said.

At the Nasrec Expo Centre, local and international journalists from various media houses are already gathered in anticipation of briefings from government officials. 

SAnews observed a visible police presence throughout Johannesburg, with officers stationed at major intersections and access routes leading to the venue.

The city is awash with colourful G20-branded posters and banners, some featuring participating Heads of State.

According to Mosikili, additional police officers will be deployed over the weekend to bolster security.

“We will therefore not allow any disruptions, lawlessness and no damaging and defacing of G20 infrastructure, including posters. It is on that note, that we request everyone within the borders of South Africa to cooperate with law enforcement officers at all times, to enable us to deliver a successful event,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za