Category: South Africa Government

The Presidency has dismissed what it describes as a sustained misinformation campaign aimed at portraying South Africa as isolated from the rest of the African continent, following recent anti-illegal migration protests.

Addressing a media briefing at the Union Buildings on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the campaign sought to paint South Africa as a “pariah state”, despite government’s repeated condemnation of vigilantism against foreign nationals and its commitment to enforcing immigration laws within the Constitution.

“Over the last two months, we have observed a sustained campaign that seeks to isolate South Africa from the rest of the African continent, under the guise of protesting against the recent wave of anti-illegal migration protests that we have recently experienced here in South Africa.

“This campaign has sought to create an impression that South Africa is now a pariah state, which must be referred to international courts,” he said. 

Magwenya said the campaign ignored numerous official government statements condemning attacks on foreign nationals and affirming that the enforcement of immigration laws remains the responsibility of the state.

He also raised concern over what he described as the deliberate spread of false information by a diplomatic representative.

“More concerning has been the peddling of false information by a diplomatic representative of a country that has become central to this campaign. Even ordinary diplomatic exchanges over meetings have been deliberately misrepresented to create an impression that South Africa is being isolated,” he said. 

Magwenya stressed that the Presidency rejects attempts to misrepresent the country’s international standing.

“As the Presidency, we firmly reject and caution against the peddling of false information against South Africa, and we further assert that any campaign that seeks to misrepresent what South Africa is and represents will be rejected with the utmost contempt that it deserves,” Magwenya said. 

He said recent diplomatic engagements demonstrate that South Africa continues to enjoy strong relations both on the continent and internationally.

“Recent evidence shows that this false campaign, concerning as it is, is faltering. South Africa is not isolated. On the contrary, South Africa remains firmly engaged with our African continent and the rest of the world,” he said. 

Magwenya pointed to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent working visit to France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and co-chaired the Leaders Group meeting of the High-Level Steering Committee on Education alongside the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) before attending the Transforming Education Summit +4.

He said the engagements reaffirmed France as a strategic partner and demonstrated South Africa’s active role in shaping global education priorities.

“This demonstrates a South Africa and a President that is fully engaged with contributing towards a better Africa and a better world,” he said. 

Magwenya also highlighted President Ramaphosa’s engagements with African leaders through bilateral meetings, telephone calls, Bi-National Commissions and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summits, including discussions with the Presidents of Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

He further cited the President’s recent working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where South Africa pledged financial support to assist the country’s response to the Ebola outbreak and continued working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

“This is a South Africa that is engaged with the African continent and that can never be isolated,” he said. 

The spokesperson also highlighted International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola’s recent visit to South Sudan as South Africa’s representative in the African Union Committee of Five, which oversees the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in that country.

According to Magwenya, Lamola reported renewed optimism that an inclusive national dialogue would take place and that the electoral process would remain credible.

“For South Africa it remains vital that the elections in South Sudan are inclusive, transparent and fair, and that the security environment is conducive to conducting free and fair elections,” the spokesperson said. 

Magwenya reiterated that South Africa’s diplomatic engagements across the continent underscore its commitment to peace, regional integration and multilateral cooperation.

“Once again, we assert that South Africa is not isolated and can never be isolated from the rest of the African continent,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The manufacturing sector remains the backbone of every successful industrial economy, Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Deputy Minister John Steenhuisen said.

“Around the world, countries that have achieved sustained economic development have done so by building competitive manufacturing capabilities,” he said at the 2026 Manufacturing Indaba in Sandton, near Johannesburg on Tuesday.

He added that the manufacturing industry has the potential to create sustainable employment, drive technological innovation, raise productivity, stimulate exports, and create demand throughout the economy.

“In South Africa, manufacturing contributes approximately 13% of GDP [gross domestic product], accounts for more than 1.6 million direct jobs, and supports millions more indirect jobs across mining, agriculture, logistics, business services and the wider value chain,” he said.

Steenhuisen said every manufacturing job has a multiplier effect, creating additional opportunities in local supplier industries.

“The sector is therefore not simply another economic sector, it is the engine that transforms raw materials into higher-value products, strengthens domestic capabilities, and builds economic resilience. For this reason, governments across the world deliberately support manufacturing, as no country has industrialised by leaving it entirely to market forces.

“Support for the manufacturing sector can be costly but crucial for sustainable economic growth, and it can be viewed as an investment in productive capacity, decent jobs, technological capability, economic sovereignty, and long-term national prosperity. 

“Such support, be it through industrial financing, infrastructure investment, localisation, public procurement, trade measures, skills development, or innovation incentives, should not be viewed merely as a cost but as a means of creating a conducive environment for the sector’s growth,” he said.

He added that South Africa needs to recognise both the opportunities and challenges the industrial economy presents and then trim the sails of the country’s policies and approaches accordingly. 

“The global economy is evolving due to rising geopolitical tensions, reconfiguration supply chains, climate change challenges, and the digitalisation of the economy, including the rise of AI which itself poses both disruption and opportunity. 

“Governments focus to ensure South Africa’s re-industrialisation is based on three core pillars: diversification, decarbonisation and digitalisation.  

“Through diversification, the government aims to expand the economy beyond traditional resource extraction into high-value manufacturing, specifically targeting machinery, chemicals, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, and electro-technical goods,” he explained.

The Deputy Minister said the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) continue to provide globally competitive industrial platforms that attract investment, develop industrial clusters and improve export competitiveness. 

“They have become important catalysts for industrial development by providing world-class infrastructure and enabling firms to integrate into regional and global value chains,” he said.

“We must foster important partnerships and collaboration opportunities between government, industry and organised labour. 
|
“These collaborative programmes must support investment, localisation, economic inclusion and competitiveness across key sectors including automotive, steel, clothing and textiles, poultry, sugar, cannabis, furniture, medical devices, chemicals and other manufacturing industries,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za  
 

Social Development Minister Dina Pule has called on South Africans to speak out against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and not wait to report abuse before it escalates into tragedy.

Pule’s call comes as the country prepares to mark Women’s Month in August.

The Minister said ending GBVF requires collective action from both men and women, stressing that early reporting could save lives.

“When you see the signs of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, you must not wait until it is too late. You must immediately inform the police and social workers, who will come in to assist so that we avoid bigger challenges. If we don’t break the silence, we end up in very serious situations,” Pule said in an interview with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The Minister said her involvement in women’s organisations while growing up, gave her first-hand insight into the challenges faced by women and girls, as well as elderly women, many of whom continue to experience abuse.

She said the prevalence of GBVF had prompted government to treat the crisis as a national priority, with President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring it a national disaster.

Pule also appealed to men to play a leading role in preventing violence against women.

“Men are the protectors of women, including wives, mothers and children. There is no man who was not born of a woman, and I don’t understand how any man would want to hurt women,” she said.

While incidents of GBVF often receive increased public attention during Women’s Month, Pule said South Africans should strive to make this year’s commemoration in which fewer cases of abuse are reported, to show that men have learned a lesson, one or two to make sure that they protect women of the country.

Women’s Month is commemorated annually in August to honour the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the apartheid government’s pass laws. The march has become a symbol of women’s courage and the ongoing struggle for gender equality, with the month serving as a platform to celebrate the achievements of women while highlighting the challenges they continue to face.

Despite constitutional protections and a range of government interventions, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remain among South Africa’s most pressing social challenges, with government, civil society organisations and communities continuing to intensify efforts to prevent violence, support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The South African government has reiterated that illegal migration is a shared continental challenge requiring cooperation rather than confrontation, while rejecting claims that the country is becoming isolated in Africa over its handling of migration and its foreign policy positions.

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said government remains committed to addressing illegal migration through constitutional processes and collaboration with neighbouring countries, while pushing back against what he described as a campaign to portray South Africa as isolated on the continent.

Responding to questions during a media briefing on Wednesday at the Union Buildings, Magwenya said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approach to illegal migration is rooted in cooperation with African leaders rather than assigning blame. 

“South Africa’s posture is a constructive one, and the president has been at pains in explaining this, that illegal migration is not an exceptional, unique challenge facing South Africa only. It is a global challenge, and the President has been at pains in saying it’s a challenge that requires a collaborative effort by all countries, all leaders on the continent, in ensuring its resolution,” he said.

He said the President has consistently argued that African leaders must have an honest discussion about the factors driving migration.

“The President has gone further to say, in that discussion, there has to be an open, honest, transparent reflection on both the pull and the push factors that lead people to abandon their countries of origin, countries of birth, and to seek refuge in South Africa,” he said. 

Magwenya stressed that South Africa would not adopt a confrontational stance towards neighbouring countries over migration.

“It’s not a discussion where South Africa sees itself as superior, and where South Africa assumes a superior position that holds others accountable. That’s not the case. It’s a constructive discussion that we must have in the broader discussion of our continental developmental aspirations,” Magwenya said. 

He said South Africa’s efforts to support peace initiatives in countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo form part of a broader strategy to address instability that contributes to migration.

“What the President has been articulating is: let’s be constructive. Let’s work together, and let’s have an open and honest discussion about these issues. Let’s not scream at each other. Let’s not point fingers,” he said.

Magwenya added that leaders across the continent acknowledge the migration pressures facing South Africa.

“The majority, if in fact all of the leaders the president has spoken to, do acknowledge the challenge, do acknowledge the pressure that South Africa is facing in this regard,” he said. 

Addressing reports of tensions with Ghana and Nigeria, Magwenya dismissed suggestions that South Africa faces diplomatic isolation, saying the country remains an influential voice in continental and global affairs.

“The view that South Africa’s voice of authority is waning is quite far from the truth as well as the reality,” the Spokesperson said. 

He said South Africa had successfully championed the African Union’s admission as a full member of the G20 and continues to advocate for the continent in international forums.

Magwenya also cautioned against proposals to nationalise South African business assets operating in other African countries, saying such action would be harmful to those economies.

“The economic and trade relationship between these two countries is a mutually beneficial relationship. It’s not a one-way street,” he said. 

He added that there was no evidence that Ghanaian nationals had been disproportionately affected by recent anti-illegal migration protests in South Africa.

“There is no evidence that points to Ghanaian nationals being disproportionately affected by the recent wave of anti-illegal migration protests in South Africa,” Magwenya said. 

On concerns that anti-immigration campaigns and misinformation about South Africa could damage the country’s reputation, Magwenya said international investor confidence remained strong.

“Nothing says South Africa’s image has been damaged by either campaign, nothing whatsoever,” he said. 

He pointed to recent engagements between President Ramaphosa and international investors, including major global companies, as evidence that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination.

Magwenya also said government has developed a clear plan to tackle illegal migration through lawful means.

“As a government, we’ve asserted the supremacy of the Constitution. As a government, we have issued and published a plan to deal with illegal immigration,” he said. 

Magwenya said President Ramaphosa has consulted traditional leaders, business, organised labour and other stakeholders on the issue, describing the approach as one of transparency and inclusive governance. – SAnews.gov.za

The Board of Governors of the New Development Bank has appointed Monale Ratsoma as the bank’s vice-president from South Africa, effective 8 July 2026.

In his new role, Ratsoma will be responsible for risk management, corporate strategy, policies, partnerships and enforcing environmental, social and governance standards.

“Ratsoma is a distinguished executive leader and international financial strategist with over two decades of experience at the intersection of international development, economic policy formulation, macroeconomic analysis, sovereign and private sector finance, and global capital markets,” the National Treasury said on Wednesday.

He has taken up the position of vice-president and chief risk officer.

Ratsoma previously served as the New Development Bank’s vice-president and chief financial officer from 8 July 2024 to 7 July 2026. In that role, he provided executive oversight of the bank’s multicurrency funding strategy across key capital markets, including the Euro Medium Term Note, Panda Bonds and South African rand funding programmes, as well as financial statement preparation and reporting.

He was also director-general at the New Development Bank’s Africa Regional Centre from 2018 to 2024, where he established the bank’s first regional office to finance African operations.

Before joining the New Development Bank, Ratsoma served at South Africa’s National Treasury from 2011 to 2018, where he held various roles, including deputy director-general for economic policy.

In this role, he led macroeconomic modelling and econometric forecasting, as well as microeconomic reforms for South Africa, among other responsibilities.

He also served as acting deputy director-general for international and regional economic policy, where he negotiated landmark agreements, including African Union financing reforms, and coordinated programmes with multilateral development banks and international organisations. He also led participation in the Group of 20, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa bloc, Southern African Development Community and Southern African Customs Union.

Ratsoma was also chief director for debt issuance and liability management, where he managed South Africa’s sovereign debt portfolio.

He has also served in key governance roles, including as an alternate director at the New Development Bank and a non-executive director at the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority and the Corporation for Public Deposits. He was also acting chief executive officer and chief economist at Thebe Stockbroking.

Ratsoma holds a master’s degree in development economics from the University of Johannesburg, as well as an honours degree and a Bachelor of Commerce in economics from the University of the Western Cape. His qualifications are complemented by executive training from the Gordon Institute of Business Science and other international institutions. –SAnews.gov.za

Countries will take stock of progress and share experiences on sustainable urban development when they gather for the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) on Thursday and Friday.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who is representing South Africa, will participate in the meeting, held under the theme: “Delivering Sustainable Urbanisation for all: Accelerating and Scaling Implementation of the New Urban Agenda to 2036 Together.”

The meeting will assess progress, achievements, gaps and emerging challenges in implementing the New Urban Agenda, adopted in 2016.

The conference will also identify and promote priority accelerators, policy innovations, and systemic shifts to advance adequate housing and sustainable urbanisation up to 2036. 

It will showcase effective practices, scalable solutions, and innovative partnerships, including financing mechanisms, to address gaps and support countries differently to ensure no one is left behind.

The meeting will further seek to enhance international cooperation and multilateral engagement to advance sustainable urban development.

The NUA set out a vision for sustainable urbanisation as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable development, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other global agendas.

The department said Simelane will use her participation to underscore South Africa’s position on inclusive development and people-centred urban development to accelerate the implementation of the NUA, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.

“These imperatives are aligned to the department’s imperatives relating to informal settlements transformation and integrated human settlements development, the provision of adequate housing and climate resilience,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

The High-Level Meeting is expected to adopt a concise and action-oriented political declaration to renew commitment and accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

SA, Libya explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation

Meanwhile, Simelane has held a meeting with Libya’s Minister of Housing and Construction, Eng. Essam Al-Tamouni to reaffirm the longstanding relations between South Africa and Libya and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

The Ministers discussed collaboration in affordable housing, integrated human settlements, informal settlement upgrading, innovative building technologies, spatial planning, urban development and housing finance models.

They also agreed to strengthen technical cooperation through a bilateral framework that will support knowledge sharing and advance sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.

“The engagement reflects a shared commitment to advancing Agenda 2063 and strengthening intra-African cooperation for the benefit of the continent’s people,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has called on the North West Department of Human Settlements to continue ensuring that housing projects are completed on time and within budget.

Simelane made the remarks during a two-day oversight visit to the province aimed at assessing progress in housing delivery, strengthening oversight and engaging communities on human settlements programmes.

“We promised people that we will finish the houses on time, and we should keep that promise, the province must ensure that the contractors meet their deadlines and those that faulter must be held accountable,” Simelane said.

During the visit, Simelane, accompanied by North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Gaoage Molapisi and local mayors, handed over houses in Ventersdorp as part of a housing project expected to deliver 2 500 units by October 2026.

The delegation also handed over title deeds to beneficiaries in the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality under the Title Deeds Fridays campaign.

The Minister urged the provincial government to intensify efforts to unblock stalled housing projects and accelerate the registration and transfer of title deeds.

According to the report presented to the Minister, several housing projects have stalled because of challenges related to dolomitic ground conditions and inadequate bulk infrastructure. The title deeds restoration programme has also been affected by untraceable beneficiaries, incomplete township establishment processes, deceased beneficiaries and the illegal occupation of houses.

The North West government aims to transfer 2 450 title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries during the 2026/27 financial year.

Simelane said the transfer of title deeds remains essential to restoring dignity, providing security of tenure and promoting economic inclusion.

While Simelane welcomed the intervention, she warned against disintegrated planning within the spheres of government and underscored the importance of effective contract management to ensure contractors adhere to their contractual obligations.

Simelane said government remained committed to directing resources towards programmes with greatest social impact.

Molapisi said funding allocated to the province through the Human Settlements Development Grant and the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant will be used to accelerate housing delivery and improve living conditions for communities in need across the province. – SAnews.gov.za

Rand Water and Eskom will proceed with the second phase of planned infrastructure maintenance this weekend, with reduced pumping capacity expected to cause low water pressure and intermittent water supply in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West.

Rand Water announced that the maintenance programme is scheduled to commence at 7am on Friday until 7pm on Sunday.  

The planned infrastructure maintenance follows the successful completion of the first phase between 29 May and 2 June, when Eskom carried out planned maintenance on critical electrical infrastructure to enhance the reliability and stability of the bulk water supply system and ensure its continued efficient operation.

Phase two work includes Eskom’s planned maintenance on electrical infrastructure at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Purification Plant, as well as the completion of cross-connections from old to new pipelines.

During the maintenance period, Rand Water said pumping capacity across its systems will be reduced, with the Palmiet system operating at 78% capacity, the Zwartkopjes system at 50%, and the Eikenhof system at 55%.

Pumping at the Mapleton system will be suspended for 12 hours during the maintenance.

The utility warned that the reduced pumping capacity may result in low water pressure or intermittent water supply in some municipal systems, depending on reservoir levels and water consumption patterns.

“Municipal customers are encouraged to implement appropriate water management interventions and communicate proactively with their consumers,” Rand Water said in a statement.

Areas expected to be affected include the Cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as the local municipalities of Midvaal, Victor Khanye, Govan Mbeki, Lesedi, Thembisile Hani, Mogale City, Rand West, Merafong, Rustenburg and Madibeng, together with the Royal Bafokeng Administration.

“Various industries, mines and direct customers, including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), may also be affected.”

Rand Water said it had issued a 21-day notice to affected municipalities, industries and direct customers to allow sufficient time to implement contingency planning and minimise potential water supply disruptions.

The utility also confirmed that the City of Ekurhuleni will use the maintenance window to carry out its own electrical maintenance at the Mapleton Booster Pumping Station on Friday between 8am and 6pm.

According to Rand Water, aligning the maintenance schedules will reduce operational disruptions, improve coordination between the utility and the municipality, and allow the required work to be completed more efficiently.

The utility said it will provide regular updates before and during the maintenance through its official communication channels.

“Rand Water once again thanks all customers and stakeholders for their continued understanding, cooperation and support as it undertakes these critical infrastructure maintenance activities. These investments are essential to strengthening the long-term reliability, resilience and sustainability of the bulk water supply system for the benefit of all customers,” the utility said. – SAnews.gov.za