Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged global leaders to recognise the significant impact of their decisions on humanity’s future.

Speaking to an audience of local and international delegates at the G20 Social Summit, the Deputy President stressed the summit’s critical mission to “develop solutions while serving as a platform for fostering collaboration between state and non-state actors to advance sustainable global partnership for development.”

The G20 Social Summit began on Tuesday at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”

WATCH | Deputy President addresses the G20 Social Summit 

The three-day G20 Social Summit is designed as an inclusive platform to amplify the voices of civil society, grassroots organisations and communities.

READ | G20 Social Summit opens with vibrant cultural showcase, as delegates gather for inclusive dialogue

The country’s second-in-command used his platform to highlight the urgent need for collective action. 
“As we engage in discussions in the coming days, we must remember the billions of lives at stake, the aspirations of unborn children and our profound responsibility to leave behind a world that surpasses the one we inherited.” 

Grounded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, the gathering seeks to reshape global discourse by positioning developing nations, particularly in Africa, as active agents of innovation and change, not mere recipients of aid.

Priorities 

Key priorities included addressing global challenges such as climate change, social and economic inequalities, and creating pathways for inclusive economic growth. 
The summit introduced three cross-cutting task forces focusing on economic growth, food security, and artificial intelligence for sustainable development.

“We must continuously find ways to build bridges and common ground. 
“Working together is key to building a better future with solutions that fit our unique challenges,” the Deputy President stressed. 

The summit represents a critical platform for civil society to directly influence international decision-making, with recommendations set to be presented to G20 leaders in the coming days.

As the summit progresses, he said achieving global progress requires unprecedented levels of cooperation, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable world for everyone.

GBV and gender equality 

While the G20 Social Summit in South Africa focuses on global partnership, Deputy President Mashatile believes that other issues have significantly broader implications across multiple critical societal challenges. 

He also took the time to touch on the gender-based violence (GBV), which he described as “one of Africa’s most pressing and severe social issues.”

The Deputy President urged the international community to address obstacles to gender equality with “renewed agency, solidarity and innovation.” The country’s second-in-command highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to protect women’s dignity and economic engagement.

Youth and African development

He also placed the spotlight on youth leadership, noting that through the Youth 20 (Y20) communique, the African youth have effectively delivered directly youth-driven recommendations to G20 leaders.
The Deputy President said the leaders see the youth as “vital contributors to the creation of a sustainable and inclusive global future.”

On African development, he stated that South Africa positioned the summit as an opportunity to reshape global narratives about Africa and the use of the continent’s vast mineral resources and arable land to benefit Africans. 

Diversity 

Former Deputy President Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in her capacity as Co-Convener of this year’s 2025 G20 Social Summit, thanked everyone in the room for the work they have done preparing for the gathering. 

She recognised the importance of the diverse voices and said the programme will be nothing without the lived experience of people.

“Africa is not poor, it has more than 50% of the world’s arable land, so we shouldn’t be having poverty and hunger.”

Mlambo-Ngcuka rallied the summit participants to focus on sustainable impact. 

“The outcomes of this summit must support the last five remaining years of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. We must also support the vision that is outlined in Agenda 2063.” 

She is of the view that Africa’s path forward must be built on collective purpose and responsibility. 

“We should really look at how we make sure that we start the new order with each one of us taking the responsibility to lead governments, civil society, business institutions, because it is only when we live together with purpose that we will give birth to Africa we once envisioned,” she added. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the G20 Africa Expert Panel Report aimed at dealing with the continent’s most pressing economic challenges, including country debt and investment.

Earlier this year, National Treasury noted that the continent is faced with an “unprecedented debt crisis” with countries expected to pay nearly $89 billion in external debt service this year, added to some 20 countries facing debt distress.

This led to the formation of a 26-member strong, expert panel with South African former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel as chairperson.

In written remarks for the handover of the report, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that the question of debt puts the development of the continent at risk.

“If we do not address the debt burden facing many African countries, we risk a lost decade for development in Africa and other regions of the world. That is why South Africa has made debt sustainability a high-level priority of our G20 Presidency.

“The Ministerial Declaration on Debt, agreed by G20 member countries last month, acknowledges the importance of the debt and development challenge and provides a basis for further concrete action to be taken. The report of the Africa Expert Panel puts forward clear and specific proposals that build on the commitments outlined in the declaration,” the President said on Tuesday.

He noted that the report highlights the high cost of capital that African countries face, raising the borrowing costs and limiting equity investment on the continent. 

“To reduce the cost of capital, we need to mobilise significantly more concessional funding from multilateral development banks and African trade and finance institutions.

“We need to address biased risk perceptions of Africa by mandating greater transparency and accountability from credit rating agencies,” he asserted.

The report contains recommendations on debt, including:

•    Launching a new G20 debt refinancing initiative for low-income and vulnerable countries with contributions from the official sector.
•    Establishing a Borrowers’ Club to strengthen the collective voice of borrowers and coordinate peer learning, technical assistance, and research. Convene African Finance Ministers to take this agenda forward and host the launch of the borrowers’ platform.
•    Building a multilateral sovereign debt resolution mechanism that is transparent, timely, and effective.
•    Assisting developing countries to strengthen debt transparency, build systems for the automatic exchange of information between debtors and creditors, and ensure that creditors participate in the reconciliation of debt data.
•    Improving debt sustainability analysis to better distinguish between liquidity and solvency issues, account for heterogeneous external and domestic debt, and reflect sovereign net worth.
On accelerating investments in Africa, the recommendations include:
•    Defining and developing national growth programs and national and regional investment frameworks to drive economic transformation and identify critical investments, supported by robust data and governance.
•    Accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a core platform for African integration and investment.
•    Improving the regulation of Credit Rating Agencies by ensuring full disclosure of rating assessment data and reforming their methodologies that recognise economic diversity and avoid procyclical rating actions.

“Together, the actions they propose can create an investment boom in Africa. South Africa will take these proposals forward, not only in the G20, but in other international fora, working closely with the African Union and other partners.

“This report adds significant impetus to our collective effort to ensure that Africa mobilises the resources that it needs to develop and to grow,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Group of 20 (G20) Social Summit kicked off with a spirited cultural programme, where delegates and invited guests were entertained by groups, which showcased South Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

The three-day summit, which began on Tuesday, saw thousands of delegates from all walks of life gather at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, to air their views ahead of the long-awaited G20 Leaders’ Summit, taking place over the weekend.

The three-day G20 Social Summit is designed as an inclusive platform to amplify the voices of civil society, grassroots organisations and communities.

In a groundbreaking moment for international diplomacy, the G20 Summit has landed on African soil for the first time, marking a pivotal chapter in global governance. 

The summit, hosted in South Africa, is emerging as a powerful platform for challenging existing global power structures and demanding meaningful African representation.

Dr William Carew, representing the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council, delivered a passionate address that cut to the heart of the continent’s long-standing marginalisation. 

“We are no longer content to be observers of our own destiny, but we are builders of a new global war,” he said, stressing Africa’s determination to author its own narrative.

Highlighting the stark inequities in global systems, Carew pointed out critical disparities. 

“Africa owns 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, possesses 60% of the world’s arable land and is home to the youngest population on Earth, and yet we remain on the periphery of global economic decision making.”

Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s welcoming remarks set a tone of hope and transformation.

Lesufi proclaimed that this summit will deepen cooperation, and will ensure all nations come together with one goal: to make the world a better place.

Professor Narnia Bohler-Muller, representing the G20 engagement groups, further amplified the call for systemic change. 

“We meet at a time of compounding crisis… climate collapse, democratic erosion, backsliding on human rights, economic precarity and deepening inequalities.”

However, she believes this is “a time of opportunity, where the architecture of global governance can be reimagined and not only repaired”.

The delegates’ core message resonated with the principle of Ubuntu – “I am because you are” – a philosophy of interconnectedness and mutual responsibility. 

“We are not just stakeholders. We are co-authors of the global agenda,” said Bohler-Muller.

The delegates believe that this is more than a diplomatic event, but a profound statement of African agency, demanding recognition, respect and genuine partnership in solving global challenges.

“This is not a call for charity or concession. This is a demand for justice,” Carew said. 

The G20 Social Summit stands as a landmark moment, signalling a potential shift from a world order built on historical inequities, to one founded on genuine solidarity, equality, and shared prosperity.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to deliver the keynote address at the Social Summit this afternoon. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

By Willaim Baloyi 
South Africa’s recent commemoration of National Press Freedom Day on 19 October 2025, marked 48 years since the infamous Black Wednesday of 1977. This day serves not only as a remembrance of the brutal silencing of voices under the apartheid era but is also as a powerful reminder of the enduring value of media freedom in a democratic society.

Black Wednesday saw the banning of The World and Weekend World newspapers, the outlawing of 19 Black Consciousness organisations, and the detention of journalists like Percy Qoboza under the Internal Security Act. This legislation allowed governing authorities at the time to arrest, detain or ban whoever threatened the regime. 

These actions were designed to suppress dissent, conceal the system’s atrocities and hidden agendas, and prevent journalists from exposing the truth. The apartheid government weaponised secrecy and censorship to maintain control, raiding newsrooms and harassing reporters in a bid to silence alternative voices.

But through the resilience of the South African people, we have earned our freedom through struggle and sacrifice.  The dawn of democracy in 1994 ushered in a new era of freedom, enshrined in our South African Constitution enacted in 1996, which remains one of the most progressive laws in the world. 

Freedom of expression is guaranteed through Chapter 2 of the Constitution, which details our Bill of Rights, specifically Section 16 which declares freedom of the press and other media, as well as the right to receive or impart information.

This constitutional protection laid the foundation for the expansion of the public sphere, as journalists are enabled to unveil the untold stories and realities of societies. Media freedom enables open dialogue, protects whistleblowers, and ensures that uncomfortable truths are not buried. Through this liberation, independent journalism can flourish—giving rise to a press that acts as a fourth estate and watchdog of democracy.

We honour the courageous journalists who amplify the voices of ordinary citizens and hold officials to account as well as those who expose corruption, all whilst risking it all to speak truth to power without fear.
Through the actions of bold investigative journalists, revelations on allegations of corruption such as State Capture have been brought to light, reflecting a transparent and accountable media, which is a corner stone of our democracy. 

Though media freedom is stronger than ever before in South Africa, it is not absolute. It must be exercised responsibly and ethically- grounded in factual reporting, supported by trusted sources, and integrity, which is essential to maintaining public trust and democratic accountability. 

To further reinforce transparency, accountability and public participation, the media is guided by legislation such as the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), the Films and Publications Act, and the Broadcasting Act. These laws empower citizens and journalists alike to hold power to account and promote social justice.

Today, the media landscape is rapidly evolving. Journalists face new threats such as online harassment, political pressure, and financial instability. Traditional newsrooms and journalism appear to be shrinking, whilst citizen journalism increases.

The rise of citizen journalism has broadened access to information, giving marginalised citizens a platform to speak out and voice their concerns. However, it has also presented challenges- as misinformation, propaganda and unverifiable claims which blur the lines between fact and fiction.

Citizens are reminded that as they create and share information online, they assume the role of citizen journalists- a role that has become increasingly influential in the digital era. Therefore, every citizen is encouraged to act responsibly online and not abuse the freedom we have struggled to earn. 

Our freedom, including media freedom, comes with social responsibility. It involves taking accountability, for the information we share, remaining vigilant of our actions online and respecting the rights of others. Let us continue to safeguard media freedom whilst also maintaining accountability- which is a necessity for a flourishing media and a thriving democracy. 

*William Baloyi is the Deputy Government Spokesperson

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has heralded the commencement of production at the Ivanplats Platreef Mine as “an important moment for the company, for the mining industry and for the country”.

The President delivered remarks at the event at the mine on Tuesday.

The mine is considered one of the world’s largest undeveloped precious metals mines – with deposits of Platinum Group Metals, which hold properties essential for technologies driving the global green energy transition.

“The inauguration of the Platreef concentrator plant at Mogalakwena is taking place as South Africa is positioning itself as a strategic partner in the global energy transition and the next wave of green industrialisation. 

“Platinum Group Metals are strategic enablers in the critical minerals transition, so we see the Platreef mine as being integral to the success of our new Critical Minerals Strategy,” the President said.

The mine has allocated some 20% of its B-BBEE [Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment] shareholding structure to a community trust to benefit at least 20 local communities with a further trust in the structure that holds a “3% interest for the benefit of non-managerial employees at Platreef”.

“Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment continues to play a pivotal role in the transformation of the highly racialised economy we inherited from apartheid. These laws are no less significant now than they were when they were first passed. 

“We have seen great progress in promoting worker ownership of the companies in which they work. Worker ownership schemes in the mining sector are to be welcomed, particularly with its troubled history in South Africa and on the continent. 

“I congratulate Ivanplats and other miners that are prioritising worker shareholder schemes. This is an important contribution to the ongoing transformation of the mining industry,” President Ramaphosa affirmed.

Furthermore, some 85% of the workforce is drawn from the local communities with a “concerted effort to prioritise local procurement and enterprise development”.

“We, therefore, call on the community to safeguard this production facility that is today a source of employment and development. To Ivanplats we say, hire from this community, procure goods and services from this community, and leave a sustainable legacy for this community.

“With the Platreef mine now officially having commenced production, the imperative of sustainable, ethical and patriotic corporate citizenship becomes all the greater.

“We want mining companies to take this approach not merely for purposes of compliance, but out of a firm commitment to the communities in which the operate,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Industry on the rise

The President highlighted that despite turbulent times globally, the mining industry – a key building block of the South African economy – continues to show its strength.

“Even amidst strong headwinds, figures released in September by Statistics South Africa point to 1.2 percent growth in total mining production on a year-on-year basis. 

“As the Minerals Council has noted, there has been a notable uptick in total mineral sales for 2025, reaching R614 billion between January and September. This is better than the same periods in 2023 and 2024. 

“The opening of mines like Platreef gives us confidence that the mining industry will continue to grow,” he said.

The President noted that the mine’s opening comes as the country readies itself for the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held on African soil.

“In the week that we prepare to host the first G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil, the opening of this mine stands as a proud testament to South Africa’s steady economic recovery. 

“Your journey to this opening is an example of sustainability in action. Well done to everyone involved in achieving this great milestone. It gives us a glimpse of the bright future of South Africa’s mining industry,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

As South Africa hosts global leaders for the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit this weekend, law enforcement agencies are urging Gauteng residents and commuters to plan their travel ahead of time, with significant traffic disruptions and road closures expected. 

According to a joint statement by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, (JMPD), Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department, (TMPD), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, (EMPD) and South Africa Police Service (SAPS), road closures are scheduled from 18 to 23 November 2025.

“These measures are necessary as South Africa proudly hosts the G20 Summit, a major international event bringing together global leaders. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow additional travel time, and consider alternative routes where possible. 

“These measures are essential to enhance public safety, enforce traffic compliance, and support ongoing traffic law enforcement initiatives, including vehicle inspections and congestion management.

“Clear signage, traffic officers, and real-time updates will be provided to guide road users, and access for emergency and essential services will be always prioritised,” law enforcement agencies said.

Road closures will affect the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and City of Ekurhuleni.

Affected routes and road networks: operations will target high-security routes, including major national highways and central urban arteries.

Major national and regional routes:

• N1 Atterbury / Garsfontein / Delmas / Flying Sauser / Botha / John Vorster / Brakfontein / Samrand / Olifantsfontein / New Road / Allandale / Bucculeuch / Winnie Mandela / Rivonia / 14th / Gordon / Maraisburg / N17 / Rand Show
• N3 south / N3 north flyover
• N12 Elands / Voortrekker / Reading / Comaro / Kliprivier / Xavier / Uncle Charlie / Diepkloof
• N14
• R21 south and Atlas off – ramp / R21 south and Voortrekker off-ramp
• R24 west and N12 west junction
• M1 Woodmead / Marlboro / Grayston / Corlett / Athol Oaklands / Glenhove / 11th Avenue / Oxford / St Andrew / Jan Smuts / Empire / Smit / Carr / M2 Crown / Booysens / Xavier / Golden Highway

Major arterial and urban roads:

• Sandton: 5th Street; Maude Street; Daisy Street; Rivonia Road; Grayston Drive and Kathrine Street.
• Melrose Arch: Whiteley Road; Melrose Boulevard and Athol Oaklands Road.
• Rosebank, Westcliff, Parkview: Oxford Road; Glenhove Road and Jan Smuts Avenue.
• Fourways: Winnie Mandela Drive.
• Roodepoort: Hendrick Potgieter Road.

Nasrec: Rand Show Road; Booysens Reserve Road; Nasrec Road and Golden Highway (Nasrec).

• Full closure on Grayston Drive will be implemented on Saturday, 22 November 2025 between 04h00 – 10h00.
• Full closure will be implemented on Golden Highway between Rand Show Road and Soweto Highway from Wednesday the 17th of November 2025.
• On the 22nd and 23rd November, Nasrec Road will be closed off to traffic between Rand Show and Shaft 17 Road. There’ll limited access on Nasrec Road from the N17 traffic circle to Shaft 17 Road.
• On the 22nd and 23rd the northern portion of Rand Show Road will be closed off between the N1 and Nasrec Road. The southern portion of Nasrec Road will be converted into dual carriage to allow contra traffic flow accommodating residents of Ormonde View.
• On the 22nd and 23rd, Booysens Reserve Road will be closed between Crownwood Road and with limited access. Intersections leading towards Booysens Reserve; Crownwood and Amethyst / Crownwood and Modulus will be closed off to traffic with limited access.

South Africa will host the G20 Social Summit from 18 to 20 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province.

Affected regional routes: 1st Road; View Point Road; North Rand Road; Trichardt Road and Northern Road.

“When the convoys are moving, roads will be closed off completely and movement from road users; pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will be limited. Roads will be opened as soon as the convoys move pass the affected routes with approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour delay in some areas,” law enforcement agencies said.

Operation schedule and times:

• Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025 and Sunday, 23 November 2025
• Time Period: Morning, 07h00 – 10h00 and Evening, 17h00 – 20h00
• Action: Rolling Road Closures in the City of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni

Alternative Routes Around Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane

• Use M57 as an alternative to the R21 between Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.
• For east-west travel, use smaller regional roads through Germiston, Kempton Park, or Bedfordview instead of R24/N12.
• In the Roodepoort area, use Beyers Naudé Drive, Christiaan De Wet Road, Ontdekkers Road instead of Hendrick Potgieter Road.
• Within Fourways, use Main Road, Cedar Road and Witkoppen Road
• Within Sandton/Rosebank/Parktown, use side streets parallel to Jan Smuts, Oxford, or Rivonia Road, such as Corlett Drive, Sandton Drive, 11th Avenue,
• In southern Johannesburg, Riverlea, Nasrec and Ormonde View, use Chris Hani Road, Main Reef Road, Crownwood Road (Fordsburg–Crown Mines) Soweto Highway, N17, Aerodrome Road and Adcock Ingram Road. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

By Nosihle Shelembe

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) have the potential to help bridge the continent’s infrastructure financing gap, enabling industrialisation, infrastructure expansion and social development, says Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo.

With Sub-Saharan African countries only allocating 3.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to infrastructure annually, it falls short of the 7.1% required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

SDGs are aimed at tackling a wide range of global issues, including those related to poverty, health, education, water and sanitation, energy, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. 

Infrastructure development plays a key role in the SDG agenda, with three goals focused directly on addressing infrastructure-related challenges in water, sanitation and hygiene; energy; and industrialisation.

“The continent faces an estimated infrastructure funding gap of US$130–170 billion per year, yet only US$80 billion is currently accessible. Traditional financing mechanisms like national budgets, development finance, or concessional loans, are insufficient on their own. 

“What is required is a new mix of capital and a new appetite for risk-sharing, where SWFs become catalytic investors rather than passive reserve custodians. This need is further amplified by shifts in the global development finance landscape,” the Deputy Minister said on Monday.

Masondo highlighted the role that Sovereign Wealth Funds could play in accelerating development on the African continent during the Group Twenty (G20) Social Summit side event in Ekurhuleni, noting also that Official Development Assistance is projected to decline sharply. 

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there is a 7% drop or US$4.2 billion, in external funding to Sub-Saharan Africa. 

“At the same time, low levels of economic diversification, high informality and slowing growth continue to constrain tax revenue. In this environment, development financing must evolve. It is therefore no surprise that more African countries are exploring or establishing SWFs to promote investment, stabilise fiscal systems, and leverage global partnerships,” he said.

When appropriately structured and governed, SWFs offer several unique advantages for Africa’s development trajectory. 

“They strengthen resilience against commodity price volatility, support intergenerational wealth transfer, and reduce exposure to volatile external markets. 

“They can crowd-in foreign direct investment, promote industrialisation, and create opportunities for domestic businesses and workers, particularly in marginalised communities. 

“A well-designed SWF model also aligns strongly with Agenda 2063, prioritising infrastructure, industrialisation, technology development and a just transition to a green economy,” Masondo said.

He emphasised that SWFs can also unlock Africa’s green industrial opportunity. 

With long-term mandates, these funds are well positioned to invest in renewable energy including solar, wind, hydro and green hydrogen and in sustainable agriculture, circular-economy industries and climate-resilient infrastructure.

“These investments deliver financial returns while advancing energy security, climate action, jobs and inclusive growth. Across the continent, we are seeing encouraging examples: Morocco’s Green Growth Infrastructure Facility, Senegal’s FONSIS [the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Senegal for Strategic Investments], and new frameworks emerging in Angola and Nigeria dedicated to social impact and strategic industries,” the Deputy Minister said.

South Africa has placed this agenda firmly on the table during its G20 Presidency, advocating for the establishment of more African SWFs and for greater visibility of Africa’s development financing needs within global financial governance. 

“Our message was unmistakable: Africa does not lack ideas, opportunities, or ambition, it lacks access to predictable, affordable and long-term capital. SWFs can be an important part of the solution.

“Over the past two decades, the global Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) ecosystem has grown remarkably in number, assets and sophistication. By 2023, SWF assets expanded by 14%, reaching US$13 trillion, up from US$11.6 trillion in 2022. 

“In Africa, however, SWFs collectively account for just 0.24% of global SWF assets. Their scale may be modest, but their potential impact for Africa’s industrialisation, infrastructure expansion and social development is immense. Nowhere is this potential more urgent than in bridging the infrastructure financing gap,” he said.

The Deputy Minister called for designing SWFs that are transparent, professionally governed and socially impactful. 

“We must promote Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and social outcomes alongside financial returns. We must build partnerships with global sovereign investors, multilateral financial institutions and private capital, which deliver results on the ground for communities, workers and households.

“If we succeed, SWFs can become more than financial instruments. They can become vehicles of dignity and could be used in funding hospitals, schools, infrastructure, affordable energy, resilient cities and new industries that allow young Africans to thrive,” Masondo said. 

South Africa is hosting the G20 Social Summit from 18 to 20 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province.

Th summit brings together a wide spectrum of stakeholders including governments, civil society, labour, youth, women, persons with disabilities, philanthropy, and grassroots organisations ensuring that the lived experiences of ordinary people shape the outcomes of the G20 process.

The event is being held as part of the South Africa’s G20 Presidency, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” 

The G20 Social Summit will convene formal and informal networks, including youth movements, women’s organisations, faith-based groups, organisations of persons with disabilities, community forums, and other grassroots structures.

Together, they will engage on global issues that directly impact people’s daily lives.

The G20 Social Summit seeks to elevate issues of social development, equity, and inclusion to the same level of priority as macroeconomic and financial matters. -SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the City of uMhlathuze have renewed their cooperation agreement to accelerate key infrastructure and economic development projects in Richards Bay, reaffirming a strategic partnership that has driven major improvements in port-city operations since 2018.

Signed on Monday, the new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) strengthens executive-level collaboration between the two entities and formalises mechanisms for coordinated project delivery, dispute resolution and joint funding efforts.

Acting TNPA Chief Executive, Phyllis Difeto, said the continued partnership will better align national port priorities with local government development needs.

“The MoU with the City of uMhlathuze reinforces our joint commitment to creating a thriving regional economy through collaborative planning and infrastructure delivery. Together, we are shaping a more integrated and efficient development landscape that benefits both the Port and the City, while unlocking new opportunities for investment and community growth,” said Difeto.

The renewed agreement follows a series of joint achievements under the previous MoU. Between late 2021 and the end of 2023, TNPA and the City implemented interventions that eased truck congestion in and around the port precinct, clearing the way for the establishment of the City’s truck staging facility in 2024 and the rollout of road construction projects inside the port. These efforts improved traffic flow, enhanced safety standards and supported more efficient logistics operations.

The partnership also delivered environmental gains, including a joint beach replenishment programme and a lease agreement for the Alkantstrand Beach parking area, which will be used as a casting yard for the North Breakwater Upgrade Project starting in mid-2026.

City Mayor Xolani Ngwezi welcomed the renewed collaboration.

“As the City, we welcome the objectives that are in the MoU. The City fully embraces the cooperation and commitment in collaborating on strategic operational catalytic development, and [safety] and security environmental infrastructure of mutual significance. Therefore, the City commits to work within the guidelines of this MoU,” he said.

Several further projects are in the pipeline, including land-exchange initiatives and the reclamation of Alkantstrand Beach, all aimed at strengthening port-city integration and improving the local tourism and investment environment.

The MoU also provides a framework for coordinated work on flagship developments such as the Ports Master Plan, the proposed Container Handling Facility and upcoming Liquefied Natural Gas projects. These investments are expected to bolster regional economic growth and reinforce Richards Bay’s position as one of KwaZulu-Natal’s key industrial and maritime hubs.

TNPA said the partnership supports its mandate to advance efficient, sustainable port operations, while aligning with the City’s development agenda to ensure shared economic benefits for surrounding communities. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), in partnership with Vhembe District Municipality and the University of Venda, will on Thursday host an innovation workshop at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.

The Vhembe Technical and Vocational Education and Training will also be part of hosting the workshop.

This is as part of the mandate to support the South African innovators from idea, development of prototypes, protection of intellectual property and commercialisation of innovation.

The workshop aims to unearth technologies from underdeveloped rural and township communities, create networking platforms for technology development and commercialisation and focused technology development and innovative thinking.

According to the Acting Chief Director of Operations in the Investment and Spatial Industrial Development branch of the dtic,  Takalani Ramuthaga, innovation has a direct link to economic growth and development, and there is a direct correlation between innovative countries and industrialised countries.

Ramuthaga explained that the workshop will enable entrepreneurs in the Vhembe district and surrounding areas to access information on innovation support instruments, as well as other incentives of the dtic. 

She emphasised that engaging with innovators and entrepreneurs located in rural and township areas has a potential to stimulate local economic activity and growth within communities.

“The innovators will receive information on the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme (KIPP), which was established with the objective of stimulating township and rural economies by supporting Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises and start-ups. 

“However, the programme does not exist in isolation, as it is supported by programmes such as the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII), which serves as a feeder for the KIPP. 

“Furthermore, with agriculture being one of Limpopo‘s main economic activities, information on incentives in agro-processing and manufacturing support will also be shared with participants,”  Ramuthaga said.

She said apart from information dissemination, the workshop is aimed at identifying gaps that the innovation support programmes should effectively bridge between the markets and local communities, including innovation in townships and rural areas that policies and strategies may not have addressed adequately.

Ramuthaga underscored the valuable knowledge that exists in townships and rural areas where there is mainly no infrastructure and services. 

To add value to such knowledge, Ramuthaga said government intervention is needed in the form of funding, exposure and forming linkages with the existing instruments. To this end, the workshop is aimed at identifying and unearthing innovative solutions.

“These engagements will also create awareness of valuable knowledge and skills that exist in the township and identify innovation that can be supported through other existing innovation instruments of the dtic, as well as other role players. 

“The planned presentations will cover programmes from the dtic, Department of Small Business Development, Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, Companies, and Intellectual Property Commission, UNIVEN, Vhembe Municipality and other supporting entities on their products and services,” Ramuthaga said. – SAnews.gov.za