Category: South Africa Government

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions must anchor a new era of reindustrialisation, urging the country to “build what we use and innovate what we export”.

This as he launched the R100 million Wits Strategic Hydrogen Localisation Investment Facility (Wits-SAHLI) on Friday.

Speaking at the University of the Witwatersrand’s West Campus, Deputy President Mashatile positioned the hydrogen initiative as more than a research milestone – but a national turning point in rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity and reclaiming lost industrial ground.

“This moment marks not only the beginning of a ground-breaking project, but also the start of a shared national endeavour: to build a new industrial capability that drives innovation, creates quality jobs, and contributes to a just, inclusive, and sustainable economy,” he said.

The Wits-SAHLI initiative is a partnership between Air Liquide South Africa, Wits University and the Localisation Support Fund, and forms part of South Africa’s broader Hydrogen Society Roadmap.

From improvised classrooms to world-class laboratories

In a personal reflection, the Deputy President contrasted the modern hydrogen facility with his own school days, when science lessons were conducted in under-resourced classrooms with improvised equipment.

“Our ‘science laboratory’ was nothing more than an ordinary classroom with a cracked chalkboard and wobbly desks…What we had was imagination,” he recalled.

He said facilities such as Wits-SAHLI symbolise how far the country has come and how far it must still go to ensure young South Africans inherit not limitations, but opportunity. 

“They close the gap between potential and possibility,” the Deputy President said, adding that the hydrogen plant would serve as both a technical asset and a training ground for the next generation of engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

Hydrogen as a reindustrialisation lever

Equipped with a 110 kilowatt electrolyser, 200 kilogram hydrogen storage capacity and a 200 kilowatt clean power output system, the modular pilot plant is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale research and industrial implementation.

Deputy President Mashatile framed localisation as the central pillar of the project, arguing that South Africa cannot afford to remain dependent on imported technologies, particularly in emerging sectors such as green hydrogen.

“Localisation generates jobs, enhances skill sets and supports small businesses. By reducing dependency on external supply chains, it empowers local researchers and industries to innovate,” he said.

He pointed to the steady decline in manufacturing from more than 22% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the early 1990s to about 12–13% today and falling employment in the sector as evidence of the urgency to act.

“Behind every percentage point lost are thousands of vanished opportunities,” he warned.

Initiatives such as Wits-SAHLI, he said, are central to reversing that decline by deepening local value chains, developing supplier ecosystems for SMMEs and ensuring that intellectual property and technical expertise remain within South Africa’s borders.

Anchoring the energy transition

The Deputy President acknowledged the role of Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in strengthening policy certainty and positioning green hydrogen within the country’s broader energy transition strategy.

He emphasised that hydrogen development must not occur in isolation, but as part of an integrated national energy plan that includes grid expansion, renewable energy integration and industrial reform.

Academia the backbone of the hydrogen economy

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela joined the launch, with the Deputy President underscoring the importance of universities in building the skills pipeline required to scale the hydrogen economy from pilot phase to commercial viability.

“Universities and research facilities are the backbone of this initiative. The hydrogen economy will require new thinkers, new problem solvers, new technicians, new researchers and new entrepreneurs,” he said.

By 2028, when the facility is expected to be fully operational, the partnership aims to have cultivated a vibrant ecosystem of locally manufactured hydrogen components, strengthened enterprise development pathways and enhanced South Africa’s competitiveness in global green markets.

In closing, Mashatile described the launch as the foundation of a new chapter in South Africa’s industrial and energy landscape. – SAnews.gov.za 

Minister Leon Schreiber has handed over the first Smart ID produced by the Department of Home Affairs and Government Printing Works, which records a Khoi-San traditional name.

This follows the latest upgrades to Home Affairs departmental IT systems.

A month ago, Schreiber was informed of a young man named, !Khūboab Oedasoua Lawrence, who was unable to obtain a Smart ID reflecting his Khoi-San first name. 

According to reports, his family had the same problem over 18 years ago when they were similarly unable to obtain a birth certificate that accurately reflects the spelling of his first name.

Following intervention from the Minister, the department prioritised the matter and managed to identify the root of the problem as a technical IT limitation related to the use of so-called “special characters”.

In less than four weeks, the necessary upgrades were implemented and the limitation is now resolved.

As a result, for the first time in South African history, birth certificates, Smart IDs and passports are now able to recognise and record Khoi-San traditional names.

“The Director-General will be issuing a circular to all offices informing them of the upgrade. The department’s technical team is also on stand-by to effect further upgrades if additional ‘special characters’ need to be adjusted,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Following the focused work to correct this long-standing injustice, Schreiber personally handed over !Khūboab’s Smart ID to him in Stellenbosch, where he is a student, as the first recipient of an enabling document recognising a Khoi-San traditional name.

“This is a historic step forward to enhance the inclusion and dignity of Khoi-San communities in South Africa. 

“As Minister, I recognise that a name is more than a practicality; it is central to every person’s identity. I am therefore very proud that we were able to correct this long-standing problem within record time after becoming aware of it.

“South Africa’s national motto uses these same characters when it implores: !ke e: /xarra //ke, literally meaning ‘diverse people unite’.

“For the first time, this motto has now found expression at Home Affairs for the Khoi-San community. This reform offers the latest powerful demonstration of how our reform drive towards digital transformation is delivering dignity for all,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has formally met with the families of the South African men recently repatriated after being caught in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The meeting on Thursday served as a “humanitarian touchpoint” after the safe return of their family members from the conflict zone, according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The department said the Minister expressed the government’s relief regarding the safe return of the citizens, acknowledging the immense distress their families have endured. 

“The Minister emphasised that this government intervention was an exceptional measure taken to preserve South African lives,” said the department in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the South African government, working closely with Russian authorities, had secured the safe return of the men, aged between 20 and 39, after distress calls were received from them seeking assistance to come home.

Ntshavheni confirmed that all 17 men have been released from the contracts they had signed with military contractors

“Fifteen of the men are back in South Africa, while two remain in Russia, with one in a hospital and the other one is being processed before finalising his travel arrangements,” Ntshavheni said.

The South African Embassy in Moscow will continue monitoring the individual who remains in hospital until he has fully recovered and is fit to travel.

Minister Lamola said: “The safety of our citizens abroad is a priority, but we must be clear: the circumstances that led to this situation were highly irregular. Our empathy for the families is matched by our duty to uphold the laws of our Republic.”

The Ministry is deeply concerned by the suspicious circumstances and predatory recruitment tactics used to lure citizens into danger.

“If a job offer abroad sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” the Minister cautioned. 

South Africans have been urged to exercise extreme due diligence when pursuing international employment, particularly those involving “security,” “logistics,” or “technical support” in high-risk regions.

The government continues to investigate the networks involved in these recruitment efforts to ensure that those who exploit vulnerable citizens face the full might of the law.

The department said separate to these 17 men, the South African government had been informed that two South Africans have lost their lives on the frontlines and that the families have been informed. – SAnews.gov.za

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has announced wide-ranging infrastructure commitments aimed at restoring dignity, accelerating service delivery and stimulating local economic growth across the province.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Mahikeng on Thursday, Mokgosi outlined major investments in water, housing and road infrastructure as part of government’s broader development agenda.

R2.2 billion boost for water infrastructure

To fast-track equitable access to water, the Premier said nearly R300 million has already been spent on water and sanitation projects in Maquassi Hills, and the villages of Segakwaneng, Manamakgotheng, Pahalane, Makoshong in Moretele Local Municipality as well as Kokomeng, Khudutlou, Molelema and Longaneng in the Taung Local Municipality.

“An additional R1.9 billion has been set aside for ongoing bulk water supply projects in Madibeng, Ratlou, Mahikeng and Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities,” Mokgosi said.

The funding is expected to improve the reliability of supply and expand access to underserved communities.

Over R500 million committed to housing delivery

In the human settlements sector, more than R500 million has been committed for the construction of 1 148 housing units in Madibeng, Moses Kotane and Matlosana, where bulk infrastructure has also been installed in more than 1 800 sites.

“Progress is being registered and to date we have spent R30 million for the completion of 215 housing units which were abandoned by contractors, in areas such as Lethabong, Glodina, Sekhing and Kgomotso,” Mokgosi said.

The project will also extend to Tshweunyane village in Mahikeng, where a contractor was appointed in January.

The provincial government has further committed to spend 80% of the Human Settlements budget to complete all blocked housing projects in the province.

Mokgosi reaffirmed that the Smart and Mega Cities Programme remains a strategic priority, with the North West Housing Corporation leading implementation and driving delivery across the province.

Private-sector funding for the Mahikeng Student City has been secured, positioning the project to commence once outstanding land matters are resolved. Engineering designs have been finalised, rendering the project construction ready.

“The Mahikeng Student City alone is projected to unlock over 3 500 jobs, creating meaningful economic opportunities for SMMEs [small, medium, and micro enterprises], youth, women and persons with disabilities,” Mokgosi said.

In addition, R45 million has been allocated for asbestos roof removal in Madibeng, JB Marks, Mahikeng and Ditsobotla.

The province will also dispose of 288 government-built houses located on tribal land, prioritising current lawful occupants to ensure security of tenure. The properties are situated across the Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts.

R1.6 billion for roads and transport corridors

The Premier noted that road infrastructure projects valued at more than R1.6 billion are underway in Phelindaba, Makwassie, Verdwaal and Ramokokastad to restore access, reconnect communities and stimulate local economies.

The long-awaited Nelson Mandela Drive upgrade in Mahikeng will resume, with a contractor expected on site in April.

“A contractor will be on site from April as we transition from compliance processes to visible construction,” Mokgosi said.

Over R700 million has also been allocated for rehabilitation of the Swartruggens–Magaliesberg corridor to strengthen freight and commuter transport links.

The project follows the successful completion of phase one, which included refurbishment of roads in and around Golf View suburb.

A similar road rehabilitation initiative has already been implemented in Koster in the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality.

Mokgosi said the infrastructure rollout will serve as a catalyst for job creation, improved mobility and sustained economic development across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
 

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has declared 2026 the “year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy”, pledging firm interventions to restore municipal functionality, accelerate infrastructure delivery and drive inclusive growth.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Mahikeng on Thursday, Mokgosi said the province remains committed to tackling unemployment, poverty and inequality while consolidating democratic gains 30 years after the adoption of the Constitution.

The Premier invoked the legacy of Sol Plaatje and the sacrifices of past generations, urging renewed focus on ethical leadership, accountable governance, and delivery of tangible benefits to communities.

Turning around local government

Mokgosi placed local government reform at the centre of the provincial agenda, stressing that functional municipalities are essential for service delivery and economic growth.

He noted improvements in audit outcomes, with nine out of eleven provincial departments receiving unqualified or clean audits in the last audit cycle. A number of municipalities, including Moses Kotane, Taung and JB Marks, have improved from qualified to unqualified audit opinions.

“We will be dedicating our ongoing efforts in assisting the Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipalities as well as the Moretele Local Municipality to move from unqualified to clean audit outcomes,” the Premier said.

He noted the decrease in disclaimer audit outcomes from nine municipalities in 2020/21 to only one in 2024/25, which is Ditsobotla.

To strengthen oversight, the Premier announced the introduction of a province-wide SmartGov Monitoring and Evaluation Dashboard from the beginning of 2026/27 financial year.

“All our departments will be integrated into a single executive oversight platform, that allows real time tracking of performance, expenditure, and service delivery outcomes.”

Mokgosi announced that targeted interventions under Sections 154 of the Constitution will be implemented in identified struggling municipalities, including Ditsobotla and Matlosana, to strengthen their capacity in areas, including waste management and road maintenance.

“The Departments of Public Works and Roads as well Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism will be seized with the responsibility to assist with the aforementioned. 

“Ditsobotla and Matlosana Local Municipalities will be our starting point where our cooperation will include working with SANRAL [South African National Roads Agency] and farmer’s organisations.

“Section 106 investigations into alleged acts of maladministration at City of Matlosana, Madibeng and Tswaing have been completed with remedial action plans being implemented. In relation to Matlosana we are using other various legislative measures to stabilize the municipality. This is aimed at strengthening administrative stability and financial accounting,” Mokgosi said.

Eskom will also assist municipalities grappling with load reduction with energy efficiency and demand management grant. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet has confidence the rebuilding of local vaccine manufacturing capacity within the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) will help South Africa reclaim its Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free status from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research facility has resumed production of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines for the first time in more than 20 years.

The first batch of locally produced vaccines was officially handed over on Friday, 6 February 2026. The vaccine is registered as a stock remedy under Act 36 of 1947 and meets all required standards for quality, safety, and efficacy standards.

Between 2010 and 2018, the ARC undertook extensive research within its existing facilities aimed at strengthening regional vaccine capacity.

The programme sought to identify new candidate vaccine strains appropriate for use within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, adapt the strains for large-scale in vitro cultivation in bioreactors to improve yields, and assess their ability to elicit protective immunity both immunologically and clinically.

Researchers also evaluated vaccine potency and the duration of immunity to inform appropriate field vaccination schedules.

Briefing media in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the resumption of local vaccine production marked a critical milestone in efforts to curb the current FMD outbreak affecting more than 14 million livestock in the country.

The outbreak has caused significant losses within the farming sector and threatens the country’s agricultural export standing.

“Cabinet extends its appreciation to the farming community, who have worked tirelessly to complement efforts of the Department of Agriculture to curb the current outbreak of the FMD,” Ntshavheni said.

Black households now 41% of high-income earners

Meanwhile, Cabinet welcomed findings from a University of Cape Town Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing study, based on Statistics South Africa data, indicating a notable shift in the country’s income distribution patterns.

The study found that the proportion of black households earning more than R75 000 per month increased to 41% in 2024, up from 29% in 2012.

The number of Black South Africans in middle- and upper-income brackets, earning more than R22 000 per month, has quadrupled to more than seven million in 2024. Overall, the total number of people in these income categories rose from approximately four million to more than 11 million between 2012 and 2024.

Ntshavheni said the increase in black remuneration reflected gradual progress in the racial profile of South Africa’s higher income brackets.

“This is a direct dividend of 31 years of democratic transformation through programmes, such as employment equity and Black Economic Empowerment.

“This progress is made in a country that was shaped by institutionalised inequality, where the black majority were systematically discriminated against during colonial and apartheid rule, and earnings were once based on one’s race, through government’s transformation programmes, amongst others,” the Minister said.

However, Cabinet acknowledged that progress remains uneven and not yet proportional to the demographic representation of South Africa’s population.

“Black South Africans still predominate the ranks of the poor and working poor, and millions still live in poverty,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

With the South African Police Service (SAPS) having released Quarter 3 2025/26 crime statistics last week, Cabinet says the national picture painted by these statistics indicates progress, while more work still needs to be done. 

“[With regards to] murder, the downward trend that began in Q1 of 2023/24 has been sustained, with a recorded 8.7% decrease, representing 602 fewer lives lost compared to the same period last year. Over two years, murder for this quarter period has dropped by 17.6%, translating to 1 359 fewer murders,” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni at Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing in Pretoria. 

The Minister said double-digit reductions in murder were recorded in five provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and the North West. 

“Smaller decreases [were recorded] in the Western and Eastern Cape, while slight increases were recorded in Limpopo and the Northern Cape. Of the 30 highest-murder precincts nationally, only 15 recorded decreases. 

“This confirms that while national trends improve, targeted community-level intervention remains essential,” she said.

The Minister said Cabinet was very concerned over the notable increase in the murder of police officials in this quarter. 

“Twenty-three officers lost their lives, with approximately 80% killed while off duty,” she said. 

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service has been tasked to make a full assessment to prevent these deaths. 

With regard to crime, Ntshavheni said total contact crime – encompassing all categories of violent crime – decreased by 6.7%, representing 12 682 fewer cases reported to SAPS compared to the same quarter last year. 

“Over two years, total violent crime for this quarter is down 8.3%, or 15 763, fewer cases. This trend is attributable, in part, to enhanced policing operations,” Ntshavheni said. 

With regard to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) report on Home Affairs, Ntshavheni said Cabinet commended the SIU for its work that will assist the department close outstanding gaps and ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Proclamation authorising the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of corruption and fraud in the VISA application processes on 16 February 2024, the aim was to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s official documents and the immigration system. 

READ | Government welcomes SIU breakthrough in addressing corruption

“Cabinet also commended the Department of Home Affairs for the progress made in strengthening the country’s immigration system since the initial allegations of fraud and corruption where discovered,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has directed Director-General Sifiso Mdakane to implement precautionary suspension and disciplinary proceedings against a senior Construction Project Management (CPM) Director. 

The director appeared in court on Tuesday on charges of fraud in relation to a multimillion-rand project linked to the Mpumalanga Department of Education. 

The Minister acted after learning that the official had been arrested, alongside others, for allegedly defrauding the Mpumalanga Department of Education of R113 million through a tender established between 2018 and 2019 as an emergency intervention to repair 21 schools in the province.

While the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) was not involved in the tender issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Education, the Minister stressed that all officials within the department must be beyond reproach. 

Macpherson said the precautionary suspension and disciplinary action must be in line with the prescripts of the Public Service Act and regulatory framework, and be both procedurally and substantively fair. 

“… We have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and ethical misconduct within this department. That position is non-negotiable. 

“Upon becoming aware of the official’s arrest and court appearance, I directed the Director-General to implement the precautionary suspension of the official and to initiate the appropriate disciplinary action. 

“Any official implicated in serious criminal allegations, particularly those involving public funds meant for critical infrastructure such as schools, ought not remain in their role, while these processes are underway,” the Minister said, adding that the department will fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities, while internal disciplinary processes will proceed in parallel with the criminal matter.

“There will be no protection for wrongdoing. We owe it to the people of South Africa to act decisively against corruption wherever it arises. 

“Every rand lost to fraud is a rand taken away from classrooms, communities and service delivery. We are committed to strengthening governance, tightening oversight, and ensuring that public infrastructure budgets are used strictly for their intended purpose. 

“Accountability is not optional – it is fundamental to restoring trust and ensuring that infrastructure delivery serves the public, not private interests,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za