Category: South Africa Government

A newly opened vegetable packhouse in Bloemhof is set to unlock growth opportunities for farmers, improve access to formal markets and strengthen the agricultural value chain in the North West.

North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Madoda Sambatha officially opened and handed over the facility at Mor Farming’s Matlabane Stad Farm, just outside Bloemhof in the Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality, on Monday.

The state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the province’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve market access for emerging farmers, and stimulate local economic growth.

As part of its commitment to farmer development and agricultural transformation, the department invested in the construction of the packhouse to enhance Mor Farming’s operational capacity.

The facility will serve as a critical hub where harvested produce is cleaned, graded, sorted, and packaged to meet food quality, safety, and market standards before reaching consumers.

Mor Farming has grown into a successful horticultural enterprise producing a range of vegetables, including butternut, pumpkin, beetroot, watermelon, green beans, and green peppers.

The farm currently supplies produce to markets across the North West, as well as neighbouring provinces, including Gauteng, the Free State and the Northern Cape, while also serving local and informal markets in Bloemhof.

In addition to the packhouse, the department has supported the enterprise through the provision of essential agricultural inputs and equipment, including seeds, packaging materials, harvest bins, baskets, a forklift, food processors, and vegetable cutters.

These interventions have improved productivity and strengthened the farm’s readiness to access formal markets.

To support the sustainability of the project, farm owner Moroeng also participated in the South African Good Agricultural Practices (SA-GAP) training programme, which focuses on food safety, quality assurance, good agricultural practices, and the proper handling of produce.

Moroeng expressed gratitude for the department’s support, noting that the training has equipped him with valuable knowledge and practical skills.

“I am grateful for the support and guidance i have received from the department. Through the SA-GAP programme, I have gained valuable knowledge and practical skills in food safety, soil management, chemical handling, post-harvest management, quality control, traceability, record-keeping, and compliance with agricultural standards.

“Most importantly, SA-GAP has shown me how to maintain high-quality standards and ensure that the produce leaving my farm is safe for consumers. This has improved the marketability of my products and opened opportunities to access more profitable local and potential export markets,” Moroeng said.

The development of packhouses across the province forms part of the department’s broader strategy to strengthen the agricultural value chain, improve post-harvest handling, reduce losses, and increase farmers’ competitiveness in formal markets.

Addressing stakeholders during the launch on Monday, Sambatha said the Mor Farming Packhouse is among seven packhouses constructed by the department across the province, with the remaining facilities set to be officially launched in the coming months.

“Several packhouses have already been completed across the province, and we will be launching them soon. We are deliberately investing in infrastructure that enables farmers to grow and expand their businesses.

“When farmers grow, they create jobs, strengthen local economies, and contribute meaningfully to provincial economic development. Through investments such as these, we are creating opportunities for current and future generations of farmers, while building a more inclusive and competitive agricultural sector in the North West Province,” Sambatha said.

Sambatha emphasised that the department’s investment is aligned with its objective of growing the number of successful farmers in the province while encouraging more young people to enter the agricultural sector.

The Bloemhof facility forms part of a broader provincial initiative aimed at supporting farmers, increasing agricultural production, and unlocking new market opportunities. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa says infrastructure investment is central to South Africa’s economic growth, job creation and regional integration.

Addressing the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2026, President Ramaphosa said infrastructure is fundamental to integrating the Southern African region and the African continent. 

“We need roads, bridges, rail lines, ports, power lines, data cables and gas pipelines that cross our region and continent,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said these networks must link mines to factories, farms to markets, gas fields to industrial plants, wind farms to homes and businesses, mobile phones to data centres, and businesses to customers.

“It is for this reason that South Africa has placed infrastructure investment at the centre of our drive for inclusive growth and job creation,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Ramaphosa said the country’s ability to grow the economy depends on reliable energy, sufficient water, efficient ports and railways, functioning roads, digital connectivity, and cities and towns that work.

“Infrastructure affects the daily lives of South Africans. It determines whether a household has clean water, whether a community has functioning sanitation, whether a learner has a safe and suitable school, whether a commuter can travel safely and affordably, and whether a business can rely on the basic services it needs to operate.

“When we embarked on the infrastructure investment drive, we were clear that South Africa needed to fundamentally change the way infrastructure is planned, prepared, financed and delivered. We recognised that our infrastructure system was too fragmented,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa has strengthened coordination through the Infrastructure Development Act and the work of Infrastructure South Africa in preparing and advancing the country’s strategic infrastructure pipeline.

“We expect Infrastructure South Africa to ensure that the country’s infrastructure pipeline is progressing, that projects are properly prepared, that funding is secured, and that procurement takes place when it is supposed to.

“South Africa’s level of investment remains far below what is required to achieve faster and more sustained economic growth,” the President said.

He said the estimated capital value of the portfolio of Strategic Integrated Projects has grown from approximately R340 billion in 2020 to more than R1.67 trillion today.

“There are 195 public- and private-led infrastructure projects across priority sectors in the current portfolio. Over the last several years, 32 projects with an estimated value of approximately R48 billion have been completed. At present, 55 projects with an estimated value of more than R407 billion are in construction,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said the country must convert plans into prepared projects, prepared projects into investment, investment into construction, and construction into infrastructure that supports economic activity and improves people’s lives.

“One of the most important lessons we have learned is that South Africa does not suffer from a shortage of infrastructure proposals. Our constraint is that too many of these projects are not adequately prepared.

“The role of Infrastructure South Africa is vital to this. Drawing its mandate from the Infrastructure Development Act, Infrastructure SA plays a critical role in coordinating and facilitating Strategic Integrated Projects across government,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said that through Infrastructure South Africa’s R600 million project preparation facility, 26 projects have received, or are receiving, project development support.

“This kind of support is particularly important as we shift our focus towards municipal infrastructure delivery. Municipal infrastructure is not only where the effectiveness of the state is most directly tested; it is also the foundation of inclusive economic growth,” the President said.

The SIDSSA 2026 programme has been designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for collaboration among leaders shaping the future of infrastructure development.

More than 1 000 guests, including delegates from neighbouring countries, are attending the summit, which ends today. – SAnews.gov.za

Over the past 18 months, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) has committed R131 million to supporting local government infrastructure, says Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson.

“This includes R9.39 million to package strategic water projects in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, with a combined estimated investment value of approximately R7.3 billion,” Macpherson said.

The Minister was speaking at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2026, which is underway in Cape Town. Macpherson cited developments in Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State, where approximately R1.8 million was invested in preparing a nonrevenue water programme, which helped to unlock an R800 million debt-financing facility from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

“Through the Presidential Adopt-a-Municipality pilot programme, Infrastructure South Africa is supporting four municipalities across four provinces. The programme is preparing projects that seek to unlock approximately R7 billion in water, sanitation, energy and waste management investment,” Macpherson said.

He said a relatively small investment in technical preparation can unlock hundreds of millions and sometimes billions of rands in infrastructure investment.

“Progress is also being made across the wider Public Works and Infrastructure portfolio. During the first 22 years of the Construction Industry Development Board, only two contractors were removed from its register for fraudulent conduct. 

“In the last 22 months, 52 contractors have been removed, with more on the way.  These achievements show the direction in which we are moving towards stronger institutions, better prepared projects, greater accountability and a relentless focus on delivery.

“The approval to formalise Infrastructure South Africa as a public entity is central to the next phase of this work,” the Minister said.

Macpherson said government is building a permanent institution capable of serving as the central point for major infrastructure projects, maintaining a credible national pipeline, coordinating approvals, mobilising finance and supporting implementation. 

“Our responsibility is now to translate that commitment into properly prepared projects, credible procurement processes, active construction sites and functioning infrastructure. Our infrastructure programme must be judged not by the value of its announcements, but by what is financed and built, and delivered to communities,” the Minister said.

Macpherson said SIDSSA 2026 must take government from stronger preparation to faster implementation, and from national ambition to visible local delivery.

“We have strengthened the pipeline. We have expanded project preparation support. We have brought credible projects together with financiers. We must now convert that progress into financial close, procurement, construction and finally, functioning infrastructure.”

Municipalities as enablers of stable infrastructure

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said infrastructure challenges and opportunities facing municipalities require government, businesses, investors, development finance institutions, technical experts, and communities to work together around a common objective.

“Our discussion on reimagining municipal trading services and building financially sustainable cities through infrastructure investment speaks directly to that challenge.

“It calls on us to look beyond the traditional understanding of municipal water, electricity, sanitation, waste management and related services as simply functions that municipalities must perform. 

“We must understand these services as economic foundations upon which our cities and towns are built.” 

Hlabisa said when municipal services are consistently reliable, businesses can operate with greater certainty, industries can expand, investors can make long-term decisions and communities can participate more meaningfully in the economy.

“When municipal services are unreliable, the consequences extend far beyond the municipal balance sheet. They affect investment decisions, business confidence, productivity, employment, property values and the overall competitiveness of a city or region.

“This is why reimagining municipal trading services is ultimately about reimagining the economic future of our municipalities.” 

He said since the advent of democracy, South Africa has made significant progress in expanding access to basic services for the majority of citizens.

“Millions of households have gained access to water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal. These achievements, which represent some of the most important gains of our democratic era, must be protected. 

“We must move from simply asking whether infrastructure exists, to asking whether it is reliable, resilient, financially sustainable and capable of supporting economic growth,” Hlabisa said.

SIDSSA 2026 is in full swing, attracting more than 1 000 guests, including those from neighbouring countries.  

The SIDSSA 2026 programme has been designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for collaboration among leaders shaping the future of infrastructure development. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel has called on all South Africans to treat the Constitution not merely as a historical achievement born after years of hardship, but as an active tool for shaping the nation’s future.

Nel addressed the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the constitution hosted by the Centre for Constitutional Values.

He noted that over the past three decades, the supreme law has “fundamentally changed” South Africa’s legal and political landscape by entrenching an extensive Bill of Rights, establishing a judiciary that is independent as well as institutions supporting constitutional democracy.

“It also recognised that political freedom could not be separated from the social and economic conditions in which people live. That is why socio-economic rights form such an important part of our constitutional order.

“But thirty years is also long enough for us to reflect critically. The Constitution cannot transform society simply by existing. It cannot by itself overcome the enormous inequalities produced by our history. It cannot create jobs, eradicate poverty, end gender-based violence, defeat crime and corruption or ensure that every community receives decent public services,” he said.

Nel added that the responsibility belongs to all: government, Parliament, the courts, civil society, business, labour, communities and citizens.

“Every generation has to acquire an understanding of the Constitution for itself. Young South Africans who were born long after 1996 must be able to see the Constitution not simply as an historical achievement of an earlier generation, but as an instrument through which they can shape their own future.

“We need to renew our commitment to constitutionalism, to the rule of law, to accountable and capable government and to strong democratic institutions. But we must also recommit ourselves to the transformative objectives of the Constitution,” the Deputy Minister urged.

Reflecting on the promises of the preamble of the Constitution, he added that although much work still needs to be done but much has also been achieved.

“We can be proud of our Constitution and what it has enabled us to achieve over the past thirty years. But perhaps the best way to honour that achievement is not simply to celebrate what we did then. It is to ask what the Constitution requires of us now.

“The Constitution belongs to all of us. So does the responsibility for making its promise real,” he concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Her Majesty Queen Neo Mopeli is making her mark in the world by embracing simplicity and defying the stereotype that royalty is disconnected from everyday life. 

In fact, for the recognised Queen of the Bakoena Nation in the Free State. serving humanity is the cornerstone upon which she hopes her legacy will be built. 

“I’m a simple girl; at the core of it all. I am a wife and mom. I am a daughter, a friend and a sister. I am a community leader and worker. My biggest purpose and goal in life is to always work for the marginalised and the vulnerable,” she said in an interview with SAnews.

Her Majesty also serves as one of the 25 commissioners of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC).

The Commission is an independent, multi-stakeholder body, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to oversee and facilitate a just and equitable transition to a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy.

The President announced the second cohort of PCC commissioners in January this year.

The Queen described her appointment as a humbling experience as the commissioners move into the implementation phase of their work centering on the lived realities of ordinary South Africans.

“When you look at the group of Commissioners, it’s really the cream of the crop of their various industries. I have a deep respect for the work done in the first five years (of the Commission).

“We are moving from conceptualisation into implementation, and we are going to centre our work around the lived realities of ordinary South Africans. I come from the traditional constituency, which makes up a large part of the public that would ordinarily never find themselves in these kinds of rooms, platforms and tables.

“I would like to ensure that the voices of the rural communities, particularly the women and the young people, are heard and incorporated into the recommendations and ultimately, the work of the PCC,” she explained.

Just Energy Transition and climate change
She added that South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET), which is central to the work of the Commission, must take into account issues such as jobs, inequality and food security.

According to the PCC, the JET focuses on the transition of the energy sector as the country navigates the shift away from coal towards cleaner energy sources.

She added that climate change is often misunderstood.

“Our job is to assist in translating climate change and the Just Transition into the ordinary, normal lives of people. Remember, the most important thing is that the transition doesn’t happen to people; it happens with people – that is the motto and the slogan that we are using at the PCC. 

“People think that climate change is all about today’s weather being cold and yesterday being hot. Climate change takes into account water security, food security, energy and agriculture. If the weather is on and off, what happens to agricultural produce?” she asked. 

Another important aspect of climate change is that it does not affect everyone equally.  For example, those who have built their homes along the floodlines will be impacted differently to those who live in the suburbs.

“Everybody will be affected in one way or another. It is not a problem that is for the elite or those in rural areas. It’s a generational problem. We need to look at renewable energy, technology, sustainable agriculture, emerging industries and importantly, we need to look at bringing everybody into this new phase. It also needs a quick response.”

Royalty
While Her Majesty always knew she had a greater purpose in life, this did not include the prospect of becoming a Queen.

“I didn’t think that purpose would find me so early on in life. It’s been such a fulfilling role that has taught me humility, gratitude and thankfulness,” she said.

Having people stand up when she enters a room is one of the biggest culture shocks she recalls experiencing since becoming Queen six years ago.  While the role includes an element of glamour, attending events and meeting with prominent people, it is the quiet moments that are not caught on camera that she cherishes most.

Her Majesty recalls a party she hosted at orphanage whereby a child hugged her and told her it was the first time they had ever had a party.

“This is why I do it…and this is why I continue to do it,” gushed the mother of Prince Motebang and Prince Seeiso, who are aged four and two, respectively.

She added that the two are being raised with the understanding that leadership comes with responsibility and the need for humility and grace.

“Morena ke Morena ka sechaba – a King is a King by the people,” she said, adding that relatability is an important cog of leadership.
This is because people need to see something of themselves in those who lead them.

Supporting traditional communities

In the wide-ranging interview with SAnews, Her Majesty spoke of the work of the South African Queens Council, where she serves as Deputy Chair.

Born from the Majesties Forum (of recognised traditional Kings), the Council brings together queens from different provinces to tackle issues affecting traditional communities.
The Council, first announced by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velinkosini Hlabisa on 27 October 2024, provides a platform for queens to support their majesties in their customary duties and serve as trusted advisors on key matters impacting their communities.

Her Majesty added that while the Majesties Forum is focused on national policies, related structures, and legislation, the Queens Council has a particular focus on women, youth and other community programmes.

The Queen said traditional communities face a range of interconnected challenges.
These include access to services, land and resources, cultural preservation, poverty, unemployment and gender-based violence.

She said the Council provides an opportunity for queens from different provinces to learn from each other.

Challenges that emerge in one province may also be experienced elsewhere, making the sharing of ideas and solutions valuable.

Gender-based violence (GBV)
On GBV, the Queen said while government continues to do what it can to address the scourge, more needs to be done.

“Until we have zero percent GBV, whatever we do will never be enough.” She added that South Africa’s response to GBV should include a change in how the boy child is raised and socialised.

She believes some people have grown up in households where violence was normalised.
“We need to completely re-alter every structure we have known; we have to try something different because what we have been doing in raising our boys is not working.”

She said the change must begin at grassroots level and include better parenting and a change in attitudes among men and boys.

Celebrating SA’s Constitution
Reflecting on 30 years of the Constitution, Her Majesty, who is also an attorney, is of the view that much progress has been made.

She says the Constitution’s emphasis on dignity, equality and freedom was an extraordinary achievement and that South Africans should celebrate the rights that have been secured.

At the same time, she believes the country must be honest about the work that remains.

“As a community leader, I can never divorce myself from people’s lived realities. I also see how the Constitution is sometimes so far removed from the everyday realities of the local person on the ground. We need to bridge that gap; the next 30 years need to really be about implementation. We need to implement the rights of the Constitution, and if they need to evolve, let them evolve to suit where we are right now,” she explained.

Legal Eagles
The Queen’s commitment to community building is also reflected in her Legal Eagles Mentorship Programme. The initiative started after she advertised on the social media platform X for an intern or legal officer. One CV became 50 and then 100.

She realised there was a significant gap and created a WhatsApp group where opportunities could be shared. What started as a single group has since grown to five groups on the platform. To date, the group assists over 2500 young graduates from legal-related courses to find work opportunities.

The programme has gone beyond sharing job opportunities. Members of the groups, many of whom have no idea that they are interacting with a Queen, also ask her to review their CVs and offer interview advice.

Spending a few minutes daily across the groups, the Queen enjoys the secret identity she has, as she only uses her initials across the groups.
Balancing her responsibilities as a mother, Queen, attorney and Commissioner requires careful organisation.

“I will sleep when I’m dead. For the time that I’m living, I’m going to make the most of every single hour.”

She says she often sleeps very little and uses a notebook to keep track of the many issues that arise during the day.

She categorises and prioritises her activities, while also relying on support from her family, friends and colleagues.

A typical day begins with checking her laptop and reviewing the meetings and calls scheduled for the day.

The calendar, she says, ultimately determines the direction of the day.

Recognition
The Queen was among the women honoured by the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities at the 40 Under Forty Awards last year.

She won in the charity and philanthropy category, an achievement she describes as particularly meaningful as it recognises work centred on people and giving back.

“Having them is great; it is a form of validation and affirmation,” she said, while acknowledging that awards are not the reason she serves. 

Women’s Month
As South Africa continues to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Women’s March to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, Her Majesty thanked the country’s older women for the sacrifices made to carry families throughout generations while also urging young women to never apologise for their ambition.

“To our young women: never allow your circumstances to define the limits of your dreams. Your voice matters, your education matters, and your leadership matters. Walk boldly into spaces where decisions are made and never apologise for your ambition.

“To our older women: thank you for the sacrifices that have carried families, communities, and this nation through generations. Your wisdom is a treasure that must continue to guide and mentor those who come after you,” she said.

She stressed that Women’s Month should not only be a celebration of women but also a renewed commitment to protecting women, empowering women economically and ensuring that every girl grows up in a South Africa where she is safe, valued and given equal opportunity to thrive.

Asked what she would  like her legacy to be, Her Majesty reiterated her desire for service, integrity and empowerment.

“As Queen, as a professional woman, and as a servant of the people, I hope to be remembered as someone who used every platform entrusted to her to uplift others -particularly women, children, and communities that have historically been overlooked. If, years from now, young women believe more deeply in their own potential because they saw someone who carried both tradition and modern leadership with grace and conviction, then I would consider that a meaningful legacy,” she said.

For Her Majesty, all that she does is a blessing.

“This is a blessing; it’s not a right,” she concluded. –SAnews.gov.za 

Seven Emfuleni Local Municipality employees have appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on charges of fraud, theft amounting to R150 000, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure, following their arrest over the weekend.

It is alleged that over a period of about two years, businesses and individuals who had their electricity disconnected due to arrears were approached by the accused to reconnect in exchange for payment. 

“After receiving money from the complainants, they would allegedly unlawfully reconnect the electricity and manipulate records to reflect a reduced amount owing on the affected accounts.

“However, in the following months, the electricity account would show the initial amount owed as per their initial bill prior to being approached by the accused. Their electricity, however, would remain connected due to the illegal connection.  The complainants reported the matter to the municipality,” the National Prosecuting Authority explained.

The case was postponed to 31 August 2026 for bail applications and the suspects will all remain in custody.

“The NPA remains committed to prosecuting corruption, fraud, and crimes that undermine essential public infrastructure and service delivery.

“Such offences erode public trust and prejudice communities that rely on municipal services, and the NPA will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to hold those responsible accountable,” the prosecutorial body said. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson says the Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge Project is an innovation he wants other municipalities to replicate.

The Minister said this while on a site visit to the project on the sidelines of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2026.

“It’s groundbreaking what they are doing here and very impressive, and it’s about focusing budgets on infrastructure,” he said.

The project was commissioned in response to the Cape Town water crisis.

The water treatment plant located in the Cape Flats recharges the aquifer through a series of four linear filtration buildings.

According to Infrastructure South Africa, the Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge Project is a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 19 Water and Sanitation project supported by ISA as part of its mandate to coordinate, plan and support the implementation of priority infrastructure projects. 

“Aligned with national water security objectives, the project contributes to the development of resilient water infrastructure that supports sustainable urban growth, economic development and an improved quality of life for residents of the City of Cape Town. By strengthening the sustainable use and recharge of the Cape Flats Aquifer, the project contributes to the region’s long-term water security and resilience,” ISA said. 

Macpherson said the City of Cape Town is on track to complete the project on time, and next will be maintenance.

“What they are looking at is an outsourced model which will then bring an operator to maintain this facility, which is innovative,” he said.

“I certainly support what the City of Cape Town is doing, working with the private sector to deliver services to the people that when they open their taps they will have clean and reliable water,” he said.

Macpherson expressed concern over municipalities returning monies to Treasury, saying the money should have been used for service delivery.

“We need to get our metros moving in terms of infrastructure delivery and infrastructure maintenance, and we need to get the right people on the job,” he said.

The Cape Flats Aquifer Recharge Plant, designed by SALT Architects for the City of Cape Town, has received the Architizer A+ Award Jury Prize in the Factories and Warehouses category.

The award recognises architecture that transforms technical and industrial buildings into meaningful contributors to the public realm. 

Macpherson is attending the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa 2026 in Cape Town.

The SIDSSA 2026 programme has been designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for collaboration among leaders shaping the future of infrastructure development – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the dates during which day visitors can gain free access to participating national parks.   

The 21st annual SA National Parks Week is set to take place from 7 to 13 September 2026. However, for Kruger National Park, West Coast National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park –  free access will be from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September 2026 only and excludes the weekend. 

“This highly anticipated South African National Parks (SANParks) campaign opens the gates of participating national parks to South African day visitors at no charge, creating an opportunity for families, communities, schools, nature lovers and first-time visitors to experience some of the country’s most spectacular protected areas,” SANParks said on Monday.

Namaqua National Park, the Boulders Penguin Colony Section of Table Mountain National Park and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are not included in the free access week.

“To qualify for free access, South Africans must present their identity documents, whilst children below the age of 18 will not be required to provide identification. 

“The free access does not include accommodation, guided activities, game drives or other tourist activities as these carry their normal fees. Individual parks may also have different entry conditions and visitor limits,” SANParks said.

For respective dates on when different parks will be observing SA National Parks Week and allowing free access, visit: https://www.sanparks.org/events/sa-national-parks-week-2026

Since its inception in 2006, SA National Parks Week has become one of SANParks’ flagship public awareness initiatives, attracting hundreds of thousands of day visitors and helping to strengthen public appreciation of South Africa’s national parks and the vital role they play in conservation.

 In 2025 alone, more than 105 000 visitors took advantage of the free-access initiative. –SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Water and Sanitation has called on eThekwini Municipality to strengthen its response and accelerate efforts to address persistent water and sanitation challenges affecting communities across the metro.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Dr Jack Bloom, made the call during a two-day strategic oversight visit to the municipality from 20 to 21 August 2026, which placed water and sanitation service delivery, environmental protection and accountability under the spotlight.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister engaged directly with affected communities, municipal leadership, officials and other stakeholders to assess the challenges and identify practical interventions. 

Bloom emphasised that persistent service delivery challenges require decisive action, stronger accountability and measurable results.

While acknowledging the scale and complexity of the challenges facing eThekwini, he stressed that these cannot be used as a reason for delays, particularly where communities continue to experience disruptions to basic water and sanitation services and failures in wastewater management pose risks to the environment and water resources.

“We need to see a stronger and more urgent response to the water and sanitation challenges facing communities in eThekwini. Where problems have been identified, there must be clear responsibility, decisive intervention and consistent follow-through,” Bloom said.

A key focus of the oversight programme was direct engagement with communities affected by water and sanitation challenges.

In Verulam, the Deputy Minister met with community members through the Verulam Water Crisis Committee, where residents raised concerns about water supply and service delivery challenges affecting households and communities.

Bloom also engaged with residents in Buffelsdraai, where he listened to their concerns and gained first-hand insight into the challenges experienced by the community. 

The engagements enabled the Deputy Minister to hear directly from affected residents and ensure that their concerns were considered alongside information provided by municipal officials and findings from infrastructure inspections.

Management of wastewater infrastructure 

The oversight programme also included inspections at the Phoenix Wastewater Treatment Works, the eZimbokodweni River in the Amanzimtoti Golf Club area, and the Southern Wastewater Treatment Works in Merebank. 

The inspections focused on reported pollution and sewage spills, the condition and performance of wastewater infrastructure, environmental and water-quality impacts, contributing factors, and interventions required to address identified challenges.

The inspections highlighted the need to strengthen the operation, maintenance and management of wastewater infrastructure.

Bloom warned that pollution of rivers and other water resources cannot be normalised and requires urgent corrective action.

Particular attention was also given to compliance and enforcement, with the Deputy Minister committing to follow up with the department’s Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit on directives previously issued and action required to address cases of non-compliance.

He emphasised that oversight visits must go beyond identifying problems and should result in concrete action, accountability, and measurable improvements.

“An oversight visit must lead to action and where directives have been issued, we need to see implementation and appropriate enforcement where required,” Bloom said.

The two-day programme also included engagements with municipal leadership, officials, civic organisations and other stakeholders on governance, accountability, service delivery, and efforts to strengthen water security in eThekwini.

Bloom called for stronger cooperation between the department, eThekwini Municipality, water sector institutions and communities, emphasising that collaboration must be supported by clear responsibilities, measurable commitments and regular follow-up.

He said the visit reinforced the importance of responsive and accountable government, particularly in ensuring that communities have reliable access to water and sanitation services and that water resources are protected from pollution.

The Department of Water and Sanitation will continue to monitor progress on matters raised during the oversight visit and engage with eThekwini Municipality and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that identified challenges are addressed.

This will include efforts to strengthen water security, improve wastewater management, protect water resources and promote greater accountability in the delivery of water and sanitation services for all. – SAnews.gov.za