Category: South Africa Government

The South African government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in correctional services with Namibia to advance the interstate transfer of sentenced offenders.

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Correctional Services said the MoU marks the second agreement paving the way for the future transfer of sentenced offenders between countries, building on the recent agreement concluded with Botswana.

“Transfers will, however, only become possible once the necessary enabling legislation is in place. The Bi-National Commission undertook that the South African legislative enabling tool is to be concluded by mid-2027,” the Ministry said.

To this end, proposed amendments to the Correctional Services Act have been drafted and are currently before the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS) for comment and input, after which the formal parliamentary process will commence.

The MoU was signed by Minister of Correctional Services Dr Pieter Groenewald and Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, during the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission.

The agreement establishes a framework for technical cooperation between the Department of Correctional Services and the Namibian Correctional Service across several areas.

“Engagements with foreign nationals in the correctional system indicate that many prefer to serve their sentences in their countries of origin, as family and community support are integral parts of rehabilitation.

“A subsequent reduction in the offender population benefits South Africa by easing budgetary pressure associated with incarceration costs,” the Ministry said.

The Minister welcomed the positive support for the initiative from the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services and noted the backing it has received across party lines.

“I hope that this support will translate into the swift passage of the amendments through Parliament. This amendment to the Act will bring much-needed solutions to the challenges facing the department,” Groenewald said. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officially commission the Klipdrift 50-megalitre-per-day Package Water Treatment Plant in Hammanskraal, as part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Mandela Day programme to expand access to safe drinking water. 

The commissioning forms part of government’s National Water Access Acceleration Programme, a flagship initiative launched by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina to accelerate water provision to unserved and underserved communities across the country.

The Klipdrift Package Water Treatment Plant forms part of the Hammanskraal Emergency Water Supply Intervention, implemented by Magalies Water under the direction of the Department of Water and Sanitation, following the 2023 cholera outbreak.

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the fully operational facility will supply an additional 50 megalitres of treated potable water per day to the City of Tshwane’s distribution network, benefiting an estimated 47 550 households, or about 180 679 residents in Hammanskraal and surrounding communities.

In addition to improving water security, the project generated 169 employment opportunities during construction, including permanent positions, skilled and local labour, while 18 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) participated in the implementation. 

Sixty local community members also benefited directly through project employment initiatives.

President Ramaphosa and Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will also hand over several decentralised groundwater supply schemes in Hammanskraal through the Rand Water Foundation.

The schemes include borehole-based water systems at Kekana Community Hall, Botlhokwa bja Bana, Suurman Ridge Unit 5, Mashemong Section 5 and Lepheng Village. 

Each intervention includes boreholes, elevated storage tanks, communal water collection points and water treatment systems designed to ensure compliance with national drinking water standards.

The borehole projects are expected to improve access to safe drinking water for more than 1 400 households and learners in the Hammanskraal area while strengthening community water security.

“Each decentralised scheme comprises a production borehole source, elevated storage capacity and infrastructure, communal water collection points and water treatment systems to address contaminants identified in the groundwater, to ensure that the drinking water supplied complies with the minimum drinking water quality requirements of South African National Standard (SANS) 241,” the department said.

The Gauteng programme forms part of the national launch of 67 decentralised groundwater supply schemes being handed over across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, in celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July 2026.

The National Water Access Acceleration Programme targets more than 2 600 unserved settlements across South Africa through interventions including borehole drilling, groundwater development, spring protection, rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of existing water supply schemes and small-scale reticulation projects.

More than R200 million has been allocated for the first phase of the programme, with additional implementation phases planned for October 2026 and April 2027.

Strategic Significance for Government

The Hammanskraal Water Intervention Project demonstrates:

•    Government’s rapid response to the 2023 cholera outbreak.
•    Successful implementation of the District Development Model principles through collaborative governance.
•    Effective partnership between DWS, Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane.
•    Deployment of innovative water treatment technology at scale.
•    Delivery of a tangible solution to a long-standing community challenge.
•    Government’s commitment to ensuring access to safe drinking water as a constitutional right. – SAnews.gov.za
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africa and Namibia to seize a historic opportunity to transform their abundant natural resources into engines of industrialisation, job creation and regional prosperity. 

Opening the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria on Friday, President Ramaphosa said the two neighbouring countries must shift their focus from simply extracting resources to building regional value chains that produce finished products and create sustainable employment.

“The question before us is not whether Africa possesses these resources. The question is whether Africans will capture the value they create. Our objective should be to build regional value chains that produce finished products, rather than merely exporting raw materials.

“For too long, Africa has exported opportunity while importing prosperity. We have exported raw materials and imported manufactured goods. We have created industries elsewhere while unemployment has remained one of our greatest challenges at home,” President Ramaphosa said. 

He emphasised that this model cannot define Africa’s future.

“The days when our minerals leave our shores simply as rock and dust must steadily come to an end. Instead, we should increasingly process, refine, manufacture and innovate here in Southern Africa, creating value for our own economies and opportunities for our own people,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa co-chaired the Fourth Session of the BNC with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah following meetings of senior officials, held from 14 to 15 July, and a Council of Ministers meeting on 16 July, where delegates prepared recommendations for consideration by the two Heads of State.

Established in 2013, the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission is the highest formal mechanism for cooperation between the two countries. The Commission coordinates bilateral relations, reviews progress and identifies new opportunities to strengthen cooperation across political, economic, social, defence and security sectors.

The Fourth Session builds on three previous BNC meetings that have strengthened bilateral relations since the mechanism was established. To date, South Africa and Namibia have concluded 75 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering political, economic, social, defence and security cooperation, as well as historical agreements relating to the handover of Walvis Bay. 

Welcoming the Namibian delegation, President Ramaphosa described Namibia as “not merely our neighbour” but “our sister nation” –  saying the relationship between the two countries was forged through the shared struggle against colonialism and apartheid. 

“The friendship between our countries was forged not by convenience, but through struggle, sacrifice and solidarity. Together, our peoples resisted colonialism and apartheid.

“Together, we stood for justice, freedom and human dignity. Together, we helped shape a Southern Africa that is today defined by democracy, peace and cooperation,” the President said. 

He said the Commission represented far more than a bilateral engagement, but rather “our collective determination to build a partnership that advances prosperity for our peoples and contributes to the development and stability of our region and continent.”

While acknowledging the work completed by ministers, senior officials and technical experts over the past three days, President Ramaphosa stressed that implementation would determine the Commission’s success.

“The true measure of our success, however, will not be the number of agreements we sign, but the effectiveness with which we implement them. Implementation must now become our foremost priority,” he said. 

A major focus of the President’s address was strengthening cooperation in strategic sectors expected to drive future economic growth.

He highlighted the Orange Basin, where significant offshore oil and gas discoveries have attracted international attention, as an opportunity to establish an integrated regional energy economy rather than simply exporting resources.

“Its development presents us with an opportunity not simply to extract oil and gas, but to establish an integrated regional energy economy encompassing exploration, engineering, refining, petrochemicals, logistics, maritime services and advanced manufacturing,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa congratulated Namibia on its offshore discoveries and said South Africa’s own exploration efforts, coupled with the countries’ shared geology and geographical proximity, created a compelling case for closer collaboration in exploration, infrastructure development, skills development and investment promotion.

He also pointed to the potential of green hydrogen, saying South Africa’s Boegoebaai Deepwater Port and Green Hydrogen Development Programme, located near the Namibian border, presented “an important opportunity for collaboration in building a globally competitive green industrial corridor linking our two countries.”

Mining cooperation, particularly around critical minerals, was another area identified for expansion.

President Ramaphosa said finalising a Memorandum of Understanding on geology and mining would strengthen collaboration on joint exploration, scientific research and downstream beneficiation, while cooperation between the two countries’ Councils for Geoscience could unlock new investment opportunities.

The President further emphasised the importance of cooperation on shared water resources, describing water security as a strategic imperative for two water-scarce countries facing growing climate pressures.

“As water-scarce countries sharing important transboundary water systems and aquifers, our cooperation in integrated water resource management is essential not only for sustainable development but also for climate resilience and long-term regional stability,” the President said. 

Trade and investment also featured prominently in the discussions.

President Ramaphosa welcomed the growing presence of South African companies investing in Namibia while encouraging greater Namibian investment into South Africa.

He called for stronger partnerships between the private sector, development finance institutions and state-owned enterprises, saying both countries should identify bankable projects in infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and digital technologies.

He added that removing unnecessary trade barriers, improving border efficiency and strengthening transport corridors would be critical to unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Fourth Session also incorporates the South Africa–Namibia Business Forum, held under the theme “Driving Regional Industrialisation, Investment and Sustainable Growth Through Strategic South Africa–Namibia Partnerships.”

The forum brings together government and business representatives from both countries to strengthen trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

Bilateral trade and investment relations have continued to grow, with more than 50 South African companies investing in Namibia between 2023 and 2025. These investments contributed approximately US$1.2 billion in capital and created around 4 900 jobs across sectors including mining, banking, insurance, property and renewable energy.

A closer cooperation between the two countries is expected to drive economic growth through expanded trade and investment, industrialisation, infrastructure development and job creation.

The Commission is expected to strengthen trade and investment, deepen industrialisation, expand energy cooperation, improve transport corridors, enhance food and water security, and support greater regional integration through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Fourth Session of the BNC is also expected to culminate in the signing of six cooperation agreements covering employment and labour, public administration capacity building, air services, legal cooperation, correctional services, and economic cooperation between the South African and Namibian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

On regional peace and security, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to African-led solutions to African challenges, expressing concern over instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Delgado in Mozambique, Sudan, South Sudan and parts of the Sahel.

“Without peace there can be no investment. Without security there can be no sustainable development,” he said. 

At the international level, he said South Africa and Namibia remained committed to multilateralism, international law and reform of global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council.

President Ramaphosa also addressed migration, saying South Africa would continue enforcing its immigration laws “firmly, fairly and consistently” while upholding constitutional values and human dignity.

He said sustained dialogue, stronger border cooperation, orderly labour mobility and inclusive economic development remained the most effective long-term responses to migration pressures across the continent.

Concluding his address, the President urged both countries to build on the legacy of solidarity inherited from previous generations.

“Our responsibility is to leave to future generations a partnership that is even stronger—one that delivers opportunity, prosperity and hope to every citizen of South Africa and Namibia.

“May this Fourth Session of our Bi-National Commission be remembered not simply for the agreements we conclude, but for the momentum we generate and the future we build together,” he said. 

He then officially declared the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission open. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has dismissed four officials from its Nebo Local Office in Sekhukhune after they were found guilty of involvement in a R33 million social grants fraud scheme.

In a media statement issued on Thursday, SASSA said an internal investigation revealed that the officials manipulated the social grants system in collaboration with external syndicates, resulting in fraudulent activities valued at R33 million.

Following the investigation, disciplinary proceedings were instituted, leading to the dismissal of the four employees.

The officials appealed the sanction, but SASSA said its Appeals Committee upheld the dismissals, citing the seriousness of the misconduct and the need to protect public resources.

The agency reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption, saying it remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the social grant system and ensuring that grant funds reach the rightful beneficiaries who depend on them.

Regional Executive Manager Mapupula Pheeha said fraudulent activities undermine public trust in SASSA and deprive vulnerable communities of much-needed support.

“Fraudulent activities undermine the trust placed in SASSA and deprive vulnerable communities of much-needed support. We will continue to act decisively against any employee found guilty of misconduct,” Pheeha said.

SASSA added that it is strengthening measures to prevent similar incidents in future. These include enhanced monitoring, stricter internal controls and ongoing staff ethics training aimed at protecting the integrity of the social grants system.

The agency said the dismissals demonstrate its commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability among its employees while protecting public funds intended for South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens. – SAnews.gov.za 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) programme has attracted R14.8 billion in revenue and created more than 30 000 jobs across sectors, including automotive manufacturing, agro-processing and renewable energy.

This is according to a World Bank study. Government introduced the Industrial Development Zone programme in 1997 to create world-class industrial hubs that would attract investment, boost exports and drive industrial growth.

“Recognising the power of strategic infrastructure and supportive policy, the programme laid the foundation for a more competitive and diversified economy. 

“Over time, it has evolved into the Special Economic Zones programme, with a broader focus on accelerating industrialisation, creating jobs, and driving inclusive economic development in South Africa and across the African continent,” the Deputy President said.

Speaking at the Second International Special Economic Zones Conference in Durban on Friday, Mashatile said the programme has produced notable projects, including the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) and the Coega Industrial Development Zone in the Eastern Cape, which support skills development and downstream supply chains.

“We have learned valuable lessons since Coega was designated in 2001. By 2010, Government had invested more than R3 billion in Coega alone, attracting 21 investments valued at R9.2 billion and generating 2 837 operational jobs.

“However, some of these investments were not new, but had relocated from elsewhere due to weakened municipal service delivery and township integration, leading to zones risking becoming enclaves,” Mashatile said.

In response, government shifted to Special Economic Zones in 2012 under the SEZ Act. The programme is now entering a third phase through the Spatial Industrial Development Strategy.

The strategy aims to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 12%, with manufacturing seen as having significant multiplier effects that can help reduce socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, especially among youth and women.

To drive manufacturing-led industrialisation, the government has identified key economic sectors categorised into three areas:

• Decarbonisation, aimed at low-carbon technologies and climate resilience;
• Diversification, focused on expanding the manufacturing base for value-added goods and export markets; and
• Digitalisation, emphasising the integration of productivity-enhancing digital technologies across industries. 

Mashatile said the Special Economic Zones Programme is a key mechanism for the re-industrialisation agenda.

“We are building on an existing network of SEZs and Industrial Parks that have already established industrial foundations across every province of our country. 

“We have 5 400 SEZs globally competing for the same capital. We cannot compete simply by being the cheapest. We compete by being the most strategic, the most reliable, and the most inclusive. 

“As we leave Durban, let us renew our collective commitment to ensure that our Special Economic Zones become engines of investment, innovation and opportunity, not islands of prosperity, but catalysts for inclusive growth that will uplift every province and every community across our country,” Mashatile said.

Mashatile said SEZs are intended to create conditions for investment, industrialisation, employment and shared prosperity, while supporting economic growth that improves people’s lives.

“This task extends beyond any single province. Across our nation, from KwaZulu-Natal to Limpopo, from the Eastern Cape to the Northern Cape, SEZs are unlocking regional potential, strengthening industrial capacity, and connecting local enterprises to regional and global markets.

“They are also strategically positioning South Africa as a gateway to the African continent and supporting the broader vision of an integrated, industrialised and prosperous Africa,” the Deputy President said. -SAnews.gov.za

South Africa and Namibia are set to deepen bilateral cooperation on gender equality and women’s empowerment, following talks between Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga and Namibia’s Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Dr Emma Kantema.

The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC), held at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria on Thursday, 16 July 2026.

Addressing the meeting, Chikunga said the two countries’ longstanding historical and political ties continue to provide a strong foundation for cooperation on social and economic development, particularly in advancing the rights and empowerment of women.

She said South Africa and Namibia’s relationship is underpinned by shared history, geographic proximity and collaboration through regional and multilateral institutions, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and the United Nations.

A key outcome of the engagement is the anticipated signing of a bilateral agreement on cooperation in gender equality and women’s empowerment during the Fourth Bi-National Commission.

The agreement, first initiated in 2022, provides a framework for collaboration in six priority areas, including the preventing and eliminating femicide and all forms of violence against women and girls; sharing expertise on national legislation, programmes and strategies to prevent and combat GBVF; exchanging strategies to enable adequate representation of women in decision making positions in the public and private sectors, including capacity-building.

It also includes joint programmes on the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector and other economic sectors identified by the Parties; joint training of women and girls in conflict resolution under the Women, Peace and Security agenda; and joint participation in national, regional and international dialogues on entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment.

Chikunga welcomed progress made by officials from both countries in finalising the agreement and said its implementation should be guided by a clear action plan.

“As we sign tomorrow [Friday], this must translate into a concrete Implementation Plan with clear targets and timeframes,” the Minister said.

The Minister also outlined South Africa’s priorities ahead of assuming the chairship of SADC, saying the country would work closely with member states, including Namibia, to accelerate implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030.

She noted that the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, together with the SADC Secretariat, convened a virtual meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Gender and Women’s Affairs on 26 June 2026 as part of preparations for South Africa’s leadership of the regional bloc.

South Africa is expected to host the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August 2026.

“Our strategic approach will be informed by the imperative to implement the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, so that it is fully realised by its planned date of expiry. Our Chairship coincides with the ongoing Mid-Term Review of the RISDP, whose outcomes will provide reliable data on the scale and extent of implementation so far,” Chikunga said.

The Minister reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to working closely with Namibia and other SADC member states to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment and broader regional development priorities. – SAnews.gov.za
 

A nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, organised crime and gang-related violence has resulted in the arrest of 1 149 suspects during June, as law enforcement agencies intensified intelligence-driven operations across South Africa.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said Operation Prosper continued to target illegal mining syndicates, organised criminal networks and gang activity through coordinated, multi-disciplinary operations across several provinces.

Authorities said the suspects were arrested for a range of serious offences, including illegal mining, murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of gold-bearing material, immigration-related offences, possession of suspected stolen property and illegal liquor trading.

Among those arrested were 212 suspects for drug-related crimes, 269 for contravening the Immigration Act, 183 for illegal liquor dealing, 12 for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, 10 for unlawful possession of ammunition, 13 for possession of suspected stolen property, five for murder and five for attempted murder.

The joint operations also led to the seizure of 25 illegal and unlicensed firearms, including handguns, a shotgun, homemade and replica firearms, as well as 238 rounds of ammunition, 11 magazines and 95 dangerous weapons.

Officers also recovered a truck, gold-bearing material and quantities of drugs, including dagga, mandrax, heroin and CAT.

Mining equipment confiscated during the operations included 46 generators, 10 pieces of heavy-duty machinery, 324 phendukas, 51 gas bottles and seven cutting torches.

Gauteng recorded some of the largest illegal mining arrests. At the Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria, multidisciplinary teams arrested 217 suspects before a separate intelligence-led operation in Randfontein resulted in a further 121 arrests.

On 10 July, another 70 suspects were arrested in Mohlakeng on the West Rand, where police also impounded two vehicles, seized more than 20 generators and confiscated over 100 bags of gold-bearing material.

In the Free State, disruptive operations in the Lejweleputswa District led to the demolition of makeshift processing sites in Thabong and the arrest of four foreign nationals. Three more foreign nationals were arrested at the St Helena 08 Old Shaft for illegal mining activities.

Police also confiscated 12.5kg of suspected gold-bearing material together with specialised mining equipment. At the Harmony Country Club, 27 suspects were arrested for trespassing and possession of housebreaking implements, while 17.1kg of stolen copper cable was recovered.

In the North West, joint teams comprising SAPS, SANDF and the Department of Home Affairs dismantled illegal processing sites in the Bojanala and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts. The operation resulted in the seizure of 25 bags of gold-bearing material, mining equipment and illicit gambling machines, while 19 suspects were arrested for immigration-related offences.

Operation Prosper also maintained pressure on gang violence hotspots in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

In the Western Cape, law enforcement agencies arrested 1054 suspects during operations across 17 high-crime precincts. The suspects face charges ranging from murder and attempted murder to illegal firearm possession, drug offences, possession of dangerous weapons and illegal liquor trading.

In Gauteng, intelligence-driven operations in Westbury on 9 July led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 21 and 26, after officers recovered two unlicensed 9mm pistols, magazines and live ammunition in separate incidents.

In the Eastern Cape, coordinated operations in the Nelson Mandela Bay District resulted in five key arrests following the execution of 14 search warrants and vehicle stop-and-search operations. Police seized a Norinco pistol, a revolver with its serial number removed, two replica firearms, a blank gun and 11 rounds of ammunition.

Authorities also confiscated cocaine, CAT, tik, mandrax and dagga during the operation. In a separate raid in Helenvale, officers recovered another Norinco pistol, ammunition and weighing scales. Although a hostile crowd forced a tactical withdrawal, police said they later recovered 5,725 abandoned Stilpane tablets and syrup bottles.

SAPS and SANDF said Operation Prosper remains intelligence-led and will continue targeting organised criminal networks, illegal mining operations and gang-related crime in identified hotspot areas across the country. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts has called on South Africans to participate in the celebration of International Nelson Mandela Day by taking action and donating time, knowledge or resources to a community organisation.

“Every act of kindness matters. Every act of service counts. Every tree planted contributes to a larger movement of hope and restoration,” the Deputy Minister said on Friday.

She was leading the commemoration of International Nelson Mandela Day at the National Botanical Gardens in Pretoria under the theme: “Planting Hope, Growing Resilience: 67 Minutes for People, Nature and Climate Action.”

The initiative forms part of a global tree-planting relay spanning continents and demonstrating that environmental stewardship knows no borders, and that each of us has a role to play in building a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

“A restored landscape can support livelihoods and food security. A tree nursery can create employment. A protected wetland can provide clean water and reduce the impacts of floods. A safe public park can strengthen social cohesion and give children a place to learn, play and grow,” the Deputy Minister said. 

Swarts emphasised that greening communities is therefore not simply about making places beautiful. 

“It is about justice. It is about ensuring that every child, regardless of where they live, can enjoy clean air, shade, safe public spaces and a healthy environment.

“It is about addressing the environmental inequalities created by our history and ensuring that no community is left behind as we respond to climate change. When we plant trees in schools, clinics, parks, townships, informal settlements and rural villages, we are investing in dignity, health and equality,” the Deputy Minister said.

Mandela Day is an annual global celebration, officially recognised by the United Nations, which takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.

The day is a call to action for individuals, communities and organisations to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to take meaningful steps to make a positive impact in their own communities.

“As we dedicate our 67 minutes today, let us remember that the greatest tribute we can offer Nelson Mandela is not simply to speak about his legacy, but to live it. Madiba’s legacy calls on us to choose courage over indifference, service over self-interest and solidarity over division.

“It calls on us to recognise that poverty cannot be separated from inequality, and inequality cannot be separated from the condition of the places in which people live,” Swarts said.

She said Nelson Mandela showed us that change remains possible even when the challenges before us appear overwhelming.

“The challenges of poverty, inequity, climate change and environmental degradation are significant. But they are not beyond our ability to address.

“They are in the hands of young people who are determined to create a better future. As we leave here today, let us not plant trees only for photographs or ceremonies. Let us plant trees that will be protected, nurtured and allowed to grow.

“Let us plant not only trees, but also the seeds of dignity, opportunity, equality and lasting change. There is a well-known saying that the best time to plant a tree was many years ago. The second-best time is today. Let us plant hope, grow resilience and build communities in which both people and nature can thrive,” the Deputy Minister said.

Swarts said climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and environmental degradation affect us all, but they do not affect everyone equally. 

“Poor and vulnerable communities are often the first to experience the consequences of floods, droughts, extreme heat, water shortages, food insecurity and the degradation of natural resources,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said many rural communities depend directly on healthy ecosystems for food, water, grazing, medicinal plants and income. 

“When rivers become polluted, wetlands disappear, forests are cleared, and land becomes degraded, these communities lose more than natural resources. They lose livelihoods, security and opportunities for development.

“In our cities, poorer communities frequently have fewer trees, fewer parks and fewer safe green spaces. They are more exposed to extreme heat, polluted air and environmental hazards,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has described the opening of a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Centre of Excellence and three new Centres of Specialisation in Mossel Bay as a significant step towards equipping young South Africans with skills for the future economy.

Dube-Ncube officially launched the centres at South Cape TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) College’s Mossel Bay Campus on Thursday.

The facilities, which include Centres of Specialisation in electrical, boilermaking and automotive motor mechanics, were established through a combined investment of more than R24 million from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA), the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MerSETA), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), with additional support from Intel and HP.

Speaking at the launch, Dube-Ncube said the investment demonstrated government’s commitment to expanding access to world-class technical and vocational education, while preparing students for the demands of rapidly evolving industries.

“This is not just money spent on machines. It is a vote of confidence in you [college students] and in the young people of this region. It says: we believe in your future, and we are backing it,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Deputy Minister noted that the South Cape TVET College facility is the latest in a growing network of 4IR Centres of Excellence established across the country, following similar launches at Eastcape Midlands TVET College, Flavius Mareka TVET College and Letaba TVET College.

She said the centres are intended to bring advanced technologies, including robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing, directly into TVET college classrooms.

Preparing students for future industries

Dube-Ncube said the new Centres of Specialisation will provide industry-relevant training aligned with South Africa’s economic priorities.

Electrical students will receive training in modern electrical installations and renewable energy systems, while boilermaking students will develop skills in fabrication, welding and modern computer-aided design. Automotive Motor Mechanics students will be trained to service hybrid and electric vehicles.

“These skills are needed right now, and they will be needed even more tomorrow,” she said.

She encouraged students to embrace digital technologies, describing coding, robotics and artificial intelligence as essential skills for the future.

“No young South African should be excluded from learning the language of the future.”

Call for stronger industry partnerships

The Deputy Minister urged industry partners, funders and the Mossel Bay Municipality to continue supporting the college through workplace-based learning opportunities, mentorship programmes and graduate employment.

“A centre without a path to employment is just a building. A centre with that path is a bridge to a better life,” Dube-Ncube said.

She added that strengthening partnerships between TVET colleges and Economic Development Zones will ensure training programmes remain aligned with regional economic opportunities, particularly in sectors such as maritime industries, energy and agriculture along the Garden Route.

Dube-Ncube cited the collaboration between TVET colleges and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone as an example of how structured partnerships can improve graduate employment outcomes.

Expanding access to international opportunities

The Deputy-Minister also highlighted government-funded international scholarship programmes available to South African students, saying many young people remain unaware of opportunities to study abroad.

She said South African students are currently studying through scholarship programmes in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and China, while 196 students had been awarded or nominated for scholarships in eight countries this year from more than 5 600 applications.

Applications for the Department’s 2027 international scholarship programmes are expected to open between August and December this year.

Supporting skills agenda

Dube-Ncube said the investment in modern training infrastructure will also strengthen South Africa’s competitiveness in international artisan competitions, such as the WorldSkills Championship.

She said access to globally competitive equipment will enable students to train to international standards in trades including electrical, welding and automotive technology.

“The world is changing fast. If we want our students to lead in that world, and not fall behind it, we must keep investing in the tools that make that possible.” – SAnews.gov.za