Category: South Africa Government

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC), on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), has invested approximately R2.7 billion in a mixed-use development in the Waterfall precinct, supporting about 23 000 jobs.

The development features more than 500 retail outlets, around 70 restaurants, as well as major commercial and logistics operations.

PIC Chairperson, Dr David Masondo, said developments of this scale play a critical role in strengthening the country’s economic infrastructure, attracting investment, and creating vibrant spaces where businesses and communities can thrive.

“Waterfall City reflects the kind of scale, vision and execution that South Africa needs as we build modern, sustainable and competitive cities,” he said.

Masondo, who also serves as the Deputy Minister of Finance, conducted a site visit to Waterfall City on Tuesday, describing it as a strong post-1994 example of long-term, high-quality investment in the country’s urban future.

The visit forms part of a broader national oversight programme scheduled over the next three months, aimed at showcasing how pension fund capital is being deployed into infrastructure and other productive assets.

The Waterfall precinct is owned by the Atterbury Waterfall Investment Company (AWIC), which is 70% owned by Attacq Limited and 30% by the GEPF.

“Our property investments span a wide range of activities; from large-scale commercial developments to affordable housing, inner-city regeneration, and support for emerging and black property developers,” Masondo said.

He added that the PIC’s approach is anchored in both financial sustainability and developmental impact, ensuring that investment decisions contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive economy. 

“We see our role as both custodians of public servants’ pensions and participants in South Africa’s broader economic transformation. That requires a portfolio that is diverse, forward-looking, and responsive to the needs of the country,” Masondo said.

Waterfall City is one of many assets within the PIC’s portfolio, which remains broad, diversified and development-focused. 

“Beyond flagship assets, our investment record shows clear and sustained support for black developers, affordable housing, and emerging players. We have backed Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) developers in commercial property. 

“We have supported black-led development platforms. We have invested in inner-city housing and provided catalytic financing to small and medium contractors building affordable homes. Transformation is not an afterthought; it is built into how we invest,” Masondo said. –SAnews.gov.za

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has welcomed Cabinet’s approval of the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection. 

Cabinet’s approval followed an extensive programme of public consultation undertaken by the Department of Home Affairs, which covered all nine provinces, and generated thousands of inputs from stakeholders and members of the public.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the Revised White Paper outlines the policy priorities for the most fundamental reform to South Africa’s citizenship, immigration and refugee protection frameworks. 

“It is designed to clamp down on fraud and abuse, enhance national security, improve service delivery through digital transformation and promote economic development,” the department said.

Following last week’s Cabinet approval of the Revised White Paper, the department will initiate the process of drafting and tabling in Parliament the requisite legislative amendments to implement the Revised White Paper.

Key reforms approved by Cabinet in the Revised White Paper include:

• Refugee management reforms

The implementation of the “First Safe Country Principle”, which states that asylum seekers who have been granted refugee status or lawful protection in another country, or who pass through safe third countries to reach South Africa, are ineligible for asylum in South Africa. 

This is designed to combat the phenomenon of applicants “picking and choosing” South Africa as their preferred destination to claim asylum, while passing through other safe countries on the way. In order to mitigate the risk of refoulement, this reform will require the Minister of Home Affairs to, on an annual basis, designate safe third countries that have ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and to withdraw such designation, as and when the need arises. 

It also mandates government to enter into bilateral agreements with safe third countries in order for the burden of migration in sub-Saharan Africa to be shared on a more equitable basis. By adopting this focus on regional migration flows, South Africa will be positioned to support the implementation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ route-based approach that seeks to move away from focusing on individual countries towards entire routes of migration.

• Citizenship reforms

These reforms introduce objective criteria for naturalisation and an annual window period for the submission of applications to prevent backlogs, a Citizenship Advisory Panel (CAP) to objectively consider and advise on applications, and a point-based system for economic pathways to citizenship.

This is a new, merit-based approach to the granting of citizenship, as opposed to basing qualification solely on the number of years a foreigner has resided in the country. 

This new system will operate in parallel to the existing principle that a child with at least one parent who is a South African citizen at the time of birth automatically becomes a citizen, while a child born to non-South African parents have to apply for naturalisation.

• Immigration reforms

Reforms to the immigration system are designed to ensure alignment of the visa system with the recommendations of Operation Vulindlela and the Department’s digital transformation agenda. 

This includes the introduction of new visa categories for remote work, start-ups, skilled workers (which combines the existing critical skills and general work visas into one category), sports and culture, and the replacement of corporate visas with sectoral work visas for specific industries. 

It also introduces a new, merit-based points-based system for certain visas and permanent residency, and supports the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to digitalise and secure the visa application process, and to record biometrics for every foreigner in South Africa.

• Civil registration reforms

Civil registration reforms are anchored in the transformation of South Africa’s National Population Register (NPR) into a modern, digitally-enabled Intelligent Population Register (IPR) as the foundation for a Digital ID system. 

Unlike the existing NPR, which simply records basic information, including names, births, and deaths, an IPR uses advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, biometrics, interoperability and real-time data integration, to improve governance, integrated service delivery, and national planning.

This will be augmented by the introduction, through digital channels, of mandatory birth and death registration for citizens and foreigners who reside in the country.

An important milestone 

“The approval of the Revised White Paper by Cabinet marks another important milestone on our journey to fundamentally reform South Africa’s civics and immigration systems. 

“The policy direction outlined in the Revised White Paper charts a new course for our country to build modern, efficient and secure systems that serve South Africa’s interests.

“I express my sincere appreciation to every stakeholder who participated in the broad ranging consultation process.

“We will now work with the same focus and determination to convert the Revised White Paper into legislative amendments that consolidate and comprehensively reform our country’s citizenship, immigration and refugee protection systems, ensuring that they are fit-for purpose for generations to come,” Schreiber said. – SAnews.gov.za

As the high-traffic Easter period continues, the Western Cape Mobility Department has expressed appreciation to transport operators and motorists for contributing to road safety and ensuring compliance across the province.

The Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) reports that both walk-in and mobile services have been operating smoothly, with transport operators collecting their operating licences on schedule.

To support increased demand and promote compliance, operating hours were extended at key service centres in Athlone and George over Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

In addition, the department’s “Operator Helpdesk on Wheels” initiative has been deployed to different rural areas to help operators to collect their operating licences closer to home. This has helped to reduce travel costs for operators, especially amid rising fuel prices.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku commended long-distance operators for making use of the department’s services during this busy period.

“Their efforts to ensure their vehicles are properly licensed are important for the safety of the many passengers they carry and reflect a shared commitment to compliance and road safety,” Sileku said in a statement on Tuesday.

Between Sunday and Monday, a total of 642 applications were processed, ensuring operators were able to access legal and safe operating options. This has helped prevent situations where operators might otherwise have been forced to operate illegally or use unroadworthy vehicles.

The processed applications include:

•    Seasonal temporary permits (310): Issued to meet increased demand during peak travel periods, such as Easter.
•    Special event permits (238): Granted for organised group travel, including church events and sports trips, based on verified documentation.
•    Temporary replacement applications (60): Allowing operators to continue working while primary vehicles are under repair following breakdowns or accidents.
•    Duplicate document requests (34): Assisting operators who have misplaced original licences to remain compliant.

Sileku emphasised the importance of valid operating licences in ensuring road safety.

“By extending our operating hours and remaining available during this busy period, we are making it easier for operators to prioritise passenger safety. We thank all operators who are ensuring they operate legally on our roads this Easter and beyond, while also supporting our province’s job creation and safety priorities,” Sileku said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has welcomed the recent ranking by Bank of America, placing South Africa at the top of its regional equity market assessment. 

According to government, this recognition represents a strong vote of confidence in South Africa as an attractive and competitive investment destination.

“This endorsement by a leading global financial institution reflects the underlying resilience and sophistication of South Africa’s financial system. Despite a challenging global environment, our financial markets continue to demonstrate stability, depth, and strong regulatory oversight, reinforcing South Africa’s position as a trusted hub for investment on the African continent,” the GCIS said on Wednesday.

This ranking serves as further evidence that the government’s economic reforms are yielding positive results. 

Ongoing efforts to stabilise energy supply, improve logistics and strengthen fiscal management are contributing to renewed investor confidence and improved market performance.

“We are also encouraged by the recent investment commitments totalling R889,8 billion announced through the 6th South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), which signal growing domestic and international confidence in the country’s economic trajectory. These commitments underscore the tangible progress being made to unlock growth and create an enabling environment for investment,” the GCIS said.

Government has called on investors, both local and international, to take note of these positive developments and to partner with South Africa in driving inclusive economic growth. 

“There are significant opportunities across key sectors of our economy, and we remain committed to ensuring policy certainty, structural reform, and a conducive business environment.

“South Africa is open for business, and this latest recognition affirms that the country remains a compelling destination for investment,” the GCIS said. –SAnews.gov.za

Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy says South Africa and Mozambique are entering a “solution phase” in efforts to resolve long-standing congestion challenges at the Lebombo Port of Entry.

Speaking during a visit to the border on Tuesday, Creecy said the trip formed part of ongoing work to tackle delays in freight movement between the two countries, which have placed sustained pressure on transport routes such as the N4.

“We are visiting the Ressano Garcia/Lebombo Port of Entry today as part of our ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to the congestion challenges,” she said.

Creecy noted that both governments have been working closely to improve traffic flow across the border, following a joint visit in December 2025 where officials assessed infrastructure at key freight processing sites, including Kilometre 4 in Mozambique and Kilometre 7 on the South African side.

Since that visit, several interventions have been implemented. 

A joint “dry run” involving immigration officials from both countries demonstrated that co-location – processing traffic from a single point – significantly improves efficiency. This approach has since been maintained, with Mozambican officials now operating within the South African side of the port.

“These interventions have assisted in moving the traffic faster, thus reducing the pressure on the N4,” Creecy said, while acknowledging that a more permanent solution is still required.

Upgrades at the Kilometre 7 processing centre are central to the plan. 

The facility will serve as a hub where key agencies, including border management, customs and law enforcement, will operate together. Enhancements include camera installations to monitor vehicle movement and infrastructure improvements to streamline cargo processing.

Customs systems are also being installed and are expected to be completed within the next few months, ahead of the busy December period. 

Once fully operational, the facility will allow for prioritisation of pre-cleared cargo and provide dedicated space for inspections.

A detailed processing plan has already been agreed upon by stakeholders, outlining staged procedures at both Kilometre 7 and the main port of entry. 

These measures are expected to support the rollout of a “one-stop border” system aimed at speeding up freight movement.

“With the implementation of these measures and systems, a one-stop border concept will be activated,” Creecy said.

The Minister also highlighted plans to develop a “single window” platform, which would allow traders to interact with multiple government agencies through a single system, reducing duplication and delays.

However, she stressed that success depends on alignment between South Africa and Mozambique.

“These efforts will be in vain if our systems are not coordinated and aligned with those of our sister country,” she said, adding that similar progress is needed at Mozambique’s Kilometre 4 site.

Creecy said the improvements are part of a broader effort to enhance trade and passenger movement, noting that transporters remain the most affected by border inefficiencies.

“We are now at a solution phase to a problem that has engulfed our two nations for a while and choking movements to the detriment of our economies,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is reviewing the local fuel price mechanism with the process to be completed in March next year.

This according to the department’s Director of Fuel Pricing Mechanism, Robert Maake, who spoke to SAnews.gov.za in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Maake explained that the price of fuel is the end result of a multitude of global and domestic forces ranging from the fluctuating price of crude oil and the strength of the Rand to the intricate costs of shipping, storage, and a series of government levies and taxes.

“Our pricing formula is based on two components. One of them is the import part where all the costs associated with importing petroleum products into South Africa is accounted for.

“The second part is the local factor. What changes on a monthly basis is the international component driven mainly by the oil price and the Rand/Dollar exchange rate. What is happening now is the very high oil price due to the war in the Middle East which is driving the [escalating] fuel prices and the weaker Rand,” he said.

While the international factors, including the price Brent Crude Oil, demurrage rates and freight costs, are set internationally, the local factors are under consideration.

“The main one for us in the department is the review of the fuel price mechanism. What we are going to be doing now is to review how the industry margins are calculated in South Africa. The wholesale margins, retail margins, secondary storage [and] secondary distribution.

“That process has started. We have already signed a service level agreement with a service provider and we expect that work to be concluded by March 2027,” Maake revealed.

In the immediate term, government has already announced the temporary reduction of the general fuel levy by R3 to cushion consumers.

“In the short term it means that consumers are actually paying R3 less for petrol and diesel at the service stations which is useful for households and motorists. It is difficult at the moment to say how government will intervene [in the long term] and what the next step will be,” Maake said.

Paraffin pricing

Turning to the price of paraffin, Maake explained the influences which paved way for the fuel source to increase by R11.67 for wholesale and some R15.60 for the Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin.

“Paraffin is not taxed so the relief measure was to reduce the fuel levy and there’s no fuel levy on paraffin. It is already zero rated so the same cannot be applied to paraffin. We need a different mechanism for paraffin.

“The reason why paraffin has almost doubled in price is because from a refinery production point of view, paraffin and jet fuel, when they come from the refinery, they are known as dual purpose kerosene so it depends on the final use at the end of the day.

“The challenge we had was that there was a demand for air travel last month globally, particularly in Europe where they were coming from their winter season to…where they wanted to travel.

“Unfortunately, because of the winter, some of the major refineries had closed down due to the very cold winter season where they could not operate. So there was a shortage of jet fuel and as a result, both the price of jet fuel and paraffin shot up,” Maake explained.

He added that despite these factors, the department is having “sleepless nights” on how to bring relief to consumers of paraffin.

“We are looking at what other mechanisms we can propose. The first one of zero rating it is fine because there are no taxes on paraffin but what is the next one? Maybe we can look at the indigent framework where paraffin users register and get direct support from government?

“[Also] the bulk of paraffin is used in mixing with diesel by some businesspeople. So, it’s very important that whatever form of support that government comes up with is targeted to the beneficiaries,” he said.

Stable supply

Ahead of the fuel price increase last week, there were reports of fuel shortages at some service stations.

“What we have seen…is something that we have never seen before. Particularly the magnitude of the fuel price increase. So what likely happened is that some of the commercial customers were trying to buy in bulk in anticipation of the high fuel prices. So, they were placing additional orders on top of the orders they had with the suppliers.

“But also, there were complaints that some service stations were running out of fuel and people were thinking that they were hoarding fuel until the new price kicks in. That was a big challenge for us.

“However, we just came from the long weekend and from the reports that we are getting, there was not a lot of reports from provinces that they were running out of fuel,” he said. 

Maake reiterated assurances that supply to South Africa remains stable despite reports to the contrary.

“In as far as supply is concerned, we are safe and secure. In the meetings that we are having with the oil companies…they have indicated the number of vessels that they have secured and confirmed that will be coming to the country even up to the end of May. And, from time to time, when the vessels come then they will place additional orders.

“We have daily meetings with the oil companies and people who are responsible for supply in the oil companies. That’s where they give us assurance in terms of the supply that they are bringing to the country.

“The Director-General [Jacob Mbele] himself has got meetings with the CEOs of oil companies once a week. So that’s the assurance to say that the department, together with the industry, are taking the issue of supply seriously and monitoring it regularly,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the provision of housing to victims of apartheid-era violence as a “moral obligation” and a crucial step towards restoring dignity and advancing reconciliation.

The President was speaking at the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Housing Assistance Reparations programme in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday. 

“The provision of reparations is not just an act of goodwill. It is a moral obligation and a vital part of restoring people’s dignity,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa said the initiative marks a key milestone in South Africa’s journey towards justice.

“Today, we are marking the implementation of regulations that allow victims of apartheid, identified through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process, to receive housing assistance from the State.

“This reflects our commitment as a country to recognising and healing the divisions of our past, and to honouring all those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land.”

The President emphasised that while truth-telling was central to the TRC process, it was not sufficient on its own.

“As a country, we understand that truth alone is not sufficient to repair the harm that was done. We know that reconciliation cannot be enduring without reparations.”

President Ramaphosa said Ndwedwe was one of the communities deeply affected by political violence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“People were forced to flee their homes. Homes were burned and property was destroyed. Many innocent lives were lost. Families were rendered homeless and broken up. Many people lost their livelihoods and access to their land. The effects of the violence lasted for many years and some still persist to this day.” 

He noted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had documented hundreds of cases of violence in the area, formally recognising residents as victims of gross human rights violations.

“Ndwedwe stands as a powerful site of memory and survival, representing rural communities whose suffering often received less public attention but was no less devastating,” President Ramaphosa said.

The newly implemented housing assistance regulations, published in January 2026, flow directly from TRC recommendations and set out how verified beneficiaries will receive support.

“The confirmed beneficiaries are eligible to receive a once-off grant for housing assistance or the construction of a new home,” he said.

The President revealed that 220 beneficiaries have been approved in Ndwedwe, with symbolic cheques representing R40 million in cumulative assistance handed over during the launch.

“The handover of these symbolic cheques today affirms our belief that reconciliation and reparations must be concrete and tangible,” he said.

Linking the programme to broader constitutional commitments, the President said housing remains central to human dignity.

“Our Constitution places a clear obligation on the State to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within available resources, to progressively realise everyone’s right of access to adequate housing.

“Our Constitution places housing as a fundamental pillar of human dignity, safety and security.”

As South Africa marks 30 years of its democratic Constitution, President Ramaphosa said the country must remain committed to addressing historical injustices. 

“As we commemorate 30 years of our Constitution this year, we affirm that our future is built on remembering our past and correcting the injustices that were committed.

“United by one Constitution, inspired by one shared destiny, we recommit to completing the work of nation-building that was begun in 1994.”

He added that government would continue working to ensure that victims of apartheid-era injustices receive support and recognition.

“The task of building a truly united, just and equal society continues. We will not rest until all our people can live in peace, security and comfort,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says government’s housing reparations programme is not only about rebuilding homes, but about healing the deep divisions left by apartheid.

Kubayi was speaking at the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Housing Assistance Reparations programme in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, where President Cyril Ramaphosa is officiating the event.

The launch coincides with the 30-year commemoration of South Africa’s Constitution, held under the theme: “Renew, Reflect and Recommit”.

“We are here to rebuild homes but more importantly, to restore dignity and help communities heal,” Kubayi said.

She explained that the programme targets families whose homes were destroyed during apartheid, often because they were suspected of harbouring activists or supporting liberation movements such as the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).

“In many instances, entire communities were targeted and wiped out, leaving families homeless simply because they were seen as supporting the struggle for freedom,” she said.

Kubayi highlighted Ndwedwe as one of the affected communities, where about 220 houses were destroyed, leaving families displaced and without assistance for decades.

“These families never returned to their homes. Today, through the TRC recommendations, we are correcting that injustice,” she said.

The Minister noted that the programme forms part of the implementation of recommendations contained in the seven volumes of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, which identified victims eligible for reparations.

Through the newly finalised regulations, affected families will receive support to rebuild or extend their homes, depending on their needs.

Kubayi said the initiative sends a deliberate message about the importance of acknowledging the past in order to build a united future.

“For us to be able to rebuild South Africa, we have to heal the divisions of the past. We have to recognise what has happened. Reparations are a critical part of that process.”

She also stressed that the impact of apartheid-era violence was not limited to urban areas.

“The pain was not only felt in townships and cities. Rural communities were affected. That’s why the rebuilding of this nation must [be] across [the board] as we celebrate 30 years of our Constitution under the theme of ’30 Years of the Constitution: Renew, Reflect and Recommit,” she said. 

Kubayi said the moment serves as an opportunity for the country to recommit to the values of democracy and nation-building.

“We do believe that this moment, coming here to Ndwedwe, helps us to reflect and renew our commitment to the principles and values of our democracy, and also to recommit to rebuilding our nation and healing the divisions of our past.”

The programme includes a symbolic handover of housing assistance to selected beneficiaries and forms part of government’s broader efforts to advance restorative justice and redress for victims of apartheid-era human rights violations. – SAnews.gov.za