Category: South Africa Government

The launch of Lenacapavir – a groundbreaking HIV drug – will be held on June 5 in Mpumalanga.

This is according to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi who delivered the department’s budget vote on Wednesday.

Lenacapavir is administered via injection twice a year, offering patients six months of continuous protection per dose and offers a welcome relief from daily pills or the bi-monthly injections.

“In the next two weeks, we will be delivering Lenacapavir stocks to depots and health facilities. We will be starting with 360 health facilities in the high burden districts of the country.

“We have specifically targeted the following categories of our population for prioritisation: Adolescent girls and young women up to age 24 years, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, female sex workers, men-having- sex-with-men, transgender people and injecting drug users,” Motsoaledi explained.

READ | Lenacapavir: a game changer in SA’s fight against HIV

The Minister insisted that South Africa is well on the way to dealing with HIV decisively.

“Honourable Members, we are in a position where we dare say we can eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat. All we have to do is to work hard and work hard together as South Africans motivated and bound together by a common destiny. 

“As a country we know what is at stake because we had achieved results which are there for everybody to see,” he said.

South Africa has the world’s biggest HIV counselling, testing and treatment campaign which has borne the following results:
•    Increased life expectancy in our country to 66.9 years, by 2025 from a low of 54 years in 2010 
•    Reduced maternal mortality to 89 deaths per 100 000 live births by 2020, from a high of 240 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2010 
•    Reduced under 5 mortality rate to 27.7 per 1000 live births by 2025 from a high of 74.3 in 2010 
•    Reduced incidence of TB to 4217 per 100 000 population from a high of 988 per 100 000 population in 2015 

“We achieved all these by taming the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Imagine what we can achieve if we work hard together once more,” he said.

Eliminating cervical cancer

Motsoaledi warned that cancer is fast becoming South Africa’s “new HIV pandemic”.

“Cervical cancer is the 2nd biggest killer of women after breast cancer.

“The sooner we do something about it the better. Scientific advances have now put us in a position where it is possible to eliminate cervical cancer. The WHO has delivered a formula called 90-70-90 along the same lines as the HIV elimination formula of 95-95-95.

“The 1st 90 is that 90% of young girls between the ages of 9 – 15 years must receive HPV vaccine. The 70 in the middle means that 70% of women by age of 35 years and again by the age of 45 years need to be screened with new DNA-based technologies. The last 90 means that 90% of women with advanced cancer i.e. stage 3 and stage 4, need to be put on treatment,” he explained.

The Minister said that South Africa has had to modify this formula to suit the country’s environment.

“We are forced by our unique and unwelcome position of being the world highest HIV/AIDS burdened country. In our country, 65% of all the women with diagnosed cervical cancer are also HIV+. 

“Hence, we extended our age cohort to start 10 years earlier and end 10 years later than the WHO determination. In our 70% formula, we will start at 25 years and end at 55 years while the WHO formula starts at 35 years and end at 45 years,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is set to officially launch the national programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising on Thursday.

The launch will mark the start of a year-long government programme aimed at honouring the sacrifices of the 1976 student uprising, a defining moment in South Africa’s liberation struggle, while inspiring a new generation of young people to advance freedom, justice and equality.

Held under the theme “RESET@50 – The Future Calls”, the commemoration carries the slogan: “Our national commitment to the future, for freedom lives in every generation.” 

The theme highlights the critical role of young people as drivers of inclusive economic growth, social cohesion and national renewal.

As part of government’s broader Milestones of Freedom programme, the 50th anniversary will not only honour the courage and resilience of the youth of 1976 but also create a platform for dialogue on challenges facing young people today.

These include unemployment, mental health, access to education, gender-based violence and social inclusion.

The initiative forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of 1976 while strengthening youth participation in nation-building and socio-economic development.

The launch of the golden jubilee will unveil a series of activities to be rolled out over the next year, focused on accelerating investment in youth development.

The programme will involve collaboration across multiple stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society and the media, to drive impactful interventions.

The aim is to empower young people to play a meaningful role in shaping the country’s future.

Focus on opportunities and partnerships

Key objectives of the programme include:
• Positioning young people as active contributors to economic growth and social development;
• Showcasing practical interventions that support youth empowerment;
• Strengthening partnerships with media, civil society and the private sector;
• Creating opportunities for skills development, employment and entrepreneurship; and
• Linking youth-owned enterprises and National Youth Service beneficiaries to economic opportunities.

Expected outcomes

Government expects the Youth Month 2026 programme to:
•    Raise national awareness of the 50th anniversary commemorations;
•    Improve public understanding of youth development initiatives;
•    Strengthen confidence in youth-led enterprises and programmes;
•    Enhance media collaboration and consistent messaging; and
•    Increase youth participation in nation-building efforts. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 11 suspects, including four Mexican nationals and one woman, following the discovery of a multimillion-rand drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in Swartruggens in the North West.

The operation, led by SAPS specialised units, was intelligence-driven and resulted in the successful dismantling of the illicit drug facility. 

Earlier reports claimed the drug laboratory was worth an estimated R100 million.

According to SAPS Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, the coordinated operation involved National Head Office Crime Intelligence, National Head Office Organised Crime Investigations, and a national team from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).

Dimpane praised law enforcement officers for their ongoing efforts to combat organised crime syndicates involved in the manufacture and distribution of drugs across South Africa.

“The latest drug bust must send a stern warning to criminals that the South African Police Service remains resolute and relentless in the fight against crime. We will continue to intensify operations aimed at disrupting and dismantling drug networks operating within our communities,” said Dimpane.

The arrests come amid intensified nationwide anti-drug operations by SAPS. 

Police revealed that during the past week alone, 280 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, while a further 2 573 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs during operations conducted across the country.

Investigations into the Swartruggens drug laboratory are continuing. – SAnews.gov.za 

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The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will receive an allocation of R7.8 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, with medium-term funding totalling R24.6 billion, as government intensifies efforts to reform infrastructure delivery, improve asset management and unlock investment through public property and stalled projects.

Tabling Budget Vote 13 on Wednesday, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson said approximately R6.4 billion of the allocation would go towards transfers and subsidies, including support for entities and conditional grants for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), while the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) projected revenue of R18 billion for the year ahead.

Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) was highlighted as a key vehicle for unlocking infrastructure investment and improving the state’s ability to prepare credible projects. 

At the South African Investment Conference, ISA helped secure a $1 billion investment pledge, equivalent to about R17 billion, linked to a proposed bioethanol production facility. 

Government also confirmed that the Minister of Finance had approved the formalisation of ISA, with draft legislation expected to be gazetted for public comment within the next two months.

Among the department’s flagship infrastructure projects is the new R769 million Deeds Office under construction in Johannesburg’s inner city. 

The project, described as the first new high-rise development in the Johannesburg CBD in more than two decades, is expected to be completed in October and is intended to reduce rental costs while contributing to urban renewal.

Government said it had also prioritised unblocking delayed infrastructure projects through the Strategic and Special Delivery Unit. 

This included the handover of the Durban Forensic Science Laboratory to the South African Police Service within 12 months and progress on the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance, where a contractor has now been appointed after delays spanning more than a decade.

The Independent Development Trust (IDT), which government said had previously become associated with corruption and instability, was presented as another area of recovery. 

The Minister said the IDT’s order book had grown from near collapse to R6 billion in confirmed projects after increasing by R2 billion, while its monthly cash position had tripled. During the 2025/26 financial year, the IDT completed 279 social infrastructure facilities, exceeding its target of 244.

Macpherson outlined efforts to repurpose state-owned properties for social use. 

More than 46 government-owned properties were made available during the past financial year for shelters for victims of gender-based violence and femicide, as well as for skills development centres. 

Government said it was also proceeding with the disposal of 801 unused properties.

In the construction sector, the Construction Industry Development Board removed 52 contractors from the Register of Contractors for fraudulent activity over the past 22 months. The Minister noted that only two contractors had been blacklisted in the previous 22 years.

He announced reforms to the EPWP through a pilot initiative called Working on Infrastructure. 

The programme aims to address both unemployment and infrastructure maintenance challenges through longer-term work opportunities lasting between eight and 10 months. 

The initiative includes skills development, workplace experience and digital application systems designed to eliminate political gatekeeping and manipulation in recruitment processes.

Despite progress, the department said resistance to reform remained entrenched, particularly within the PMTE. 

The entity, which oversees state property assets, has never achieved a clean audit since its establishment in 2014. Government said the PMTE had been affected by weak systems, inflated leases, underutilised buildings and financial pressure.

The department noted that government continues to spend around R6 billion annually on private leases despite owning thousands of buildings and millions of hectares of land. Concerns were raised about leases lacking proper oversight, emergency extensions designed to bypass scrutiny and widespread underutilisation of state assets.

The Auditor-General’s findings on Telkom Towers were cited as evidence of poor asset management, with most buildings remaining unoccupied or not used for their intended purpose.

Government said audits had also uncovered 60 individuals who had allegedly received salaries despite not being employed by the department, with most cases linked to KwaZulu-Natal. Lifestyle audits of senior officials were also underway, although the department said some officials had resisted participation.

Looking ahead, the department identified three infrastructure priorities for the coming year. 

The first is the establishment of the South African National Property Company, which government said would shift the state from passive ownership to active asset management. 

The proposed entity is intended to unlock value from public assets, reduce dependence on private leases and support mixed-use precincts, affordable housing and urban renewal projects.

The second priority is deepening EPWP reform through the expansion of Working on Infrastructure, with plans to strengthen digital recruitment systems and improve participant verification.

The third priority focuses on small harbour reform aimed at stimulating economic growth in coastal communities. Government said it was developing a framework to determine the best-use model for each harbour to support sectors including fishing, tourism, transport and small business development.

The department said the year ahead would focus on fighting corruption, strengthening governance, stabilising entities and accelerating infrastructure delivery despite what it described as organised resistance to reform. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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South Africa and China have agreed on a set of key measures to deepen cooperation in digital education, technical skills development and student mobility.

The agreement follows bilateral talks between Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela and China’s Vice Minister of Education Xu Qingsen, held on the sidelines of the World Digital Education Conference in Hangzhou on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

The meeting produced a framework aimed at strengthening collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), vocational training and industry-linked education pathways.

Among the agreed outcomes are the establishment of a structured cooperation framework on AI in education and digital transformation, and the creation of a Joint Technical Working Group to oversee the rollout of China–South Africa Vocational and Technical Centres across all nine provinces.

The two countries also committed to expanding technical and vocational education and training (TVET) cooperation, aligning programmes with key industrial sectors including AI, robotics, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

Manamela said the partnership is moving beyond isolated projects towards a more coordinated system of cooperation that directly supports industrialisation, employment, and youth development.
“This engagement is about translating political commitments into practical outcomes that deliver at scale,” he said.

The bilateral meeting also resolved to strengthen scholarship programmes, with a shift towards aligning funding with South Africa’s industrial priorities.

These include AI, engineering, green energy, advanced manufacturing and the development of TVET lecturers.

Currently, South Africa and China are jointly administering multiple scholarship programmes, including initiatives targeting young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), as well as sector-specific training supported by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Both countries agreed to expand postgraduate study opportunities and joint research initiatives as part of the next phase of cooperation.

A major focus of the discussions was strengthening education-to-employment pathways, building on existing cooperation between South Africa and Chinese institutions.

Among this include is the partnership with Beijing Polytechnic College, where a cohort of South African TVET students has completed specialised training in new energy vehicle and hybrid technologies, with Chinese automaker BYD committing to provide internships and employment opportunities.

Another key outcome is the improved alignment of short-term training programmes with South Africa’s developmental priorities.

Future programmes will focus on areas such as AI governance, digital learning systems, industrial policy and digital public infrastructure, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity across government and the post-school education sector.

Toward a strategic partnership

The bilateral engagement builds on commitments made during the 9th Session of the South Africa–China Bi-National Commission earlier this year, where both countries agreed to deepen cooperation across sectors.

Manamela said South Africa sees the partnership as part of a broader strategy, positioning the country as a gateway for China–Africa collaboration in education and skills development.

“We are ready to move from a relationship defined by individual projects to one characterised by coordinated systems cooperation,” he said.

“South Africa is ready to move from a relationship characterised by individual projects to one defined by coordinated systems cooperation, cooperation that contributes directly to industrialisation, employment, youth development, and the building of capable institutions on both sides,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The Africa Travel Indaba not only focuses on big businesses and international cooperations. Small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) also benefit by making business deals and forging partnerships with both local and international companies.

Here at home, the South African National Parks (SANParks) has taken some small tourism businesses under its wing providing, among other things, support and training.

One of the small businesses benefiting from the guidance of SANParks is Awelani Lodge situated in Limpopo on the R521 next to the Kruger National Park’s Pafuri Gate. The lodge offers chalets, bungalows, tents, backpacker rooms and camping sites. 

SAnews spoke to Maanda Mpfunzeni, who is the General Manager at Awelani Lodge. Mpfunzeni explained how the business started as a vision in 2001.

Mpfunzeni explained that for the business to take of, he went to the Vhembe local municipal and shared his vision. He was advised to submit a business plan and that was when the business started to take shape.

“We got funding in 2008 for development and SANParks came on board and gave advisors,” Mpfunzeni said.

Mpfunzeni told SAnews that the business has employed 26 permanent staff, who come from four nearby villages including Tshikuyu, Duluthulu, Bileni and Mutele B.

“We are here to grow the business by establishing partnerships with other local and international businesses. We have already established partnerships with various stakeholders in the tourism sector,” Mpfunzeni said, adding that most people they made contact with at the Indaba have shown interest in forging a partnership with them.

SAnews also spoke to Tshepo Lesholu, Business Coordinator at Mehloding Adventure Trail, situated in Matatiele during the Indaba.

“Since Monday, we have been talking to different people who have shown interest in what we are doing.” 

Lesholu said his enterprise has participated in the Africa Travel Indaba for the past five years, where they managed to forge partnerships with other business operators.

“Our business is growing because of the Indaba and we hope that this year, we will secure more deals and partnerships,” he said.

The Mehloding Adventure Trail, managed by the Mehloding Community Tourism Trust, is a 4-day linear trail classed as a moderate hike with some difficult sections, with altitudes ranging between 1 400 – 2 000m above sea level. It is located at the border of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.

“The business is going very well with the help and support of SANParks,” Lesholu said.

Another business which stands to benefit from the Indaba through its partnership with SANParks is the Golden Gate Zipline, which is going to be launched this weekend.

Jerry Thabane, the business manager, told SAnews that they hope to forge partnerships with various stakeholders in the tourism sector.

“Our staff is highly trained, and we hope we will be able to create awareness about our new business,” Thabane said.

In his address at the opening of the Indaba on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said tourism is more than a sector of the economy. He described it as a “living expression of the people”.

“We take pride in the partnerships that have carried us through some of the most challenging years the global tourism industry has faced,” he said.

The President  said the Africa’s Travel Indaba has become one of the most powerful platforms for tourism growth on the continent.

“The benefits are felt not only in boardrooms but also in small businesses, township enterprises and the homes of ordinary South Africans. The benefits of this Indaba are felt across our country and across the continent as new destinations are discovered and new linkages are formed,” the President said.

According to Statistics South Africa, the tourism sector now accounts for nearly one million direct jobs in the country, meaning around one in every 18 workers is directly employed in tourism.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 started on Tuesday and ends on Thursday. It is being held under the theme: “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy”.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 takes place as the continent commemorates Africa Month, providing an important platform to strengthen partnerships, and shape a more inclusive tourism future that benefits communities, entrepreneurs and nations. – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy Minister of Finance David Masondo has called on the private sector to play a far greater role in financing South Africa’s next phase of infrastructure development, warning that public resources alone will not be enough to meet the country’s massive infrastructure needs.

His remarks follow a joint study by the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the World Bank, titled Beyond the Gap, which estimates South Africa’s infrastructure financing shortfall at approximately R13 trillion.

Speaking at the Infrastructure Investment Summit hosted by BlackRock in Cape Town on Wednesday, Masondo said government plans to spend around R1.07 trillion on infrastructure over the next three years, with much of the investment to be implemented through state-owned companies and public entities. 

“This means public resources alone will not be sufficient. Private capital must play a far larger role in financing South Africa’s next phase of infrastructure development,” Masondo said.

He highlighted energy infrastructure as one of the country’s biggest investment opportunities, noting that South Africa plans to build about 14 000 kilometres of transmission lines at an estimated cost of R450 billion.

“This is one of the largest infrastructure opportunities currently available in emerging markets,” the Deputy Minister said.

To attract private investment, government has developed a Credit Guarantee Vehicle aimed at reducing investor risk in transmission infrastructure projects. 

The initial goal is to mobilise R10 billion from development finance partners, with National Treasury providing first-loss capital support of 20%, starting with an initial US$100 million commitment.

“The National Treasury will provide first-loss capital support of 20 per cent, beginning with an initial US$100 million commitment.

 “The Credit Guarantee Vehicle is expected to become operational by July 2026, aligned with the first phase of transmission expansion projects. Over time, this vehicle may be expanded beyond transmission infrastructure into logistics and water infrastructure,” Masondo said.

The Deputy Minister stressed that infrastructure development should support industrialisation and economic production rather than exist as an end in itself.

“Too often across the developing world, we have seen roads built without industrial corridors, ports expanded without manufacturing zones, and energy infrastructure developed without alignment to industrial demand.

“The result is infrastructure that is underutilised, economically inefficient, and unable to generate the growth required to sustain long-term returns,” Masondo said.

Masondo said infrastructure delivers the greatest economic impact when it supports production, trade, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and exports.

“If we begin there, infrastructure becomes more targeted, more bankable, more growth-enhancing, and ultimately more investable,” the Deputy Minister said.

He added that South Africa has recently strengthened its macroeconomic position, helping government raise capital at increasingly favourable rates. 

The country has achieved a primary budget surplus for three consecutive years and exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list.

During the 2026/27 budget, government also revised Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projections upward for the first time in many years.

“These developments matter to investors because capital prices are risky. Banks, pension funds, insurers, and asset managers allocate capital based on their assessment of stability, liability profiles, predictability, and returns.

 “When risk declines, the cost of capital falls. Lower inflation, stronger public finances, and improved growth prospects reduce financing costs not only for government, but across the entire economy,” the Deputy Minister said.

He further noted that South Africa faces an estimated R36 billion annual municipal infrastructure maintenance gap. 

To help address this, government has introduced the Metro Trading Services Reform, which aims to ring-fence revenue generated from water, electricity, and waste services and ensure it is reinvested directly into infrastructure and operations.

“The reforms are designed to improve financial transparency, strengthen operational accountability, and create clearer revenue visibility for investors and lenders.

 “Government has already mobilised R54 billion in performance-linked incentives to support these reforms. Importantly, this programme is expected to unlock more than R100 billion in infrastructure investment opportunities across metropolitan municipalities,” the Deputy Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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No nation can claim freedom while its women remain unsafe, unpaid, unseen, or excluded from the economy.

These remarks, made by Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, set the tone for government’s 2026/27 priorities, placing the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) at the centre of South Africa’s development agenda.

Presenting the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, Chikunga said government is intensifying efforts to strengthen a coordinated and multisectoral response to GBVF, anchored in the principle that women’s safety, dignity and economic empowerment are inseparable.

National council to lead GBVF response
Since the adoption of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, Chikunga highlighted that government has worked to strengthen a coordinated and multisectoral response to GBVF.

She said that in the 2026/27 financial year, this work will be accelerated following the classification of GBVF as a national disaster and the adoption of a Cabinet-approved action plan.

READ | Violence against women a national disaster that demands national action – President

A key priority will be supporting the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which will lead and coordinate the country’s response to GBVF.

The Minister said the department will continue to strengthen the monitoring of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) 2020-2030 across government, Cabinet clusters and sectors.

“We will deepen prevention work through the Comprehensive National Prevention Strategy, particularly our flagship project – positive masculinity focused on boys; young men and older men, including targeted interventions in schools, communities and stakeholders.

“We will continue to strengthen GBVF Rapid Response Teams and support the 100-Day Challenge model, to resolve practical blockages in the justice and support systems. We will continue to advance women’s economic empowerment through programmes that open access to markets, finance, procurement and strategic value chains,” the Minister said.

Linking safety to economic empowerment

Chikunga emphasised that tackling GBVF cannot be separated from advancing women’s economic participation.

“We cannot speak of freedom if women remain excluded from the economy.”

She said the department will continue to roll out programmes that improve women’s access to markets, finance and procurement opportunities, including initiatives such as Women Economic Assembly (WECONA), Women in Trade, and the Women’s Cooperative Financial Institution.

Efforts will also focus on integrating women into key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, oceans and the green economy.

“We will work with public and private sector partners to ensure that all women, irrespective of age, are not merely beneficiaries of development, but owners, producers, traders and leaders in the economy. This will include leveraging the critical Mineral strategy to place women and youth at the centre of South Africa’s mining expansion and industrial plans,” Chikunga said.

She also urged sectors to submit inputs on the Public Procurement Regulations published by the National Treasury for public comment.

READ | Have your say on draft procurement regulations

Expanding youth development programmes
 

As South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 youth uprisings under the theme “Reset@50 – The Future Calls”, Chikunga said the department is scaling up interventions to address youth unemployment.

Through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which has been allocated R1.8 billion, she said government aims to significantly expand youth development programmes.

Key targets for the year include funding at least 2 600 youth-owned small businesses, expanding paid service opportunities under the National Youth Service and Presidential Youth Employment Intervention from 40 000 to 100 000 young people, providing business development support to 23 500 youth, and supporting employment and job placement for more than 26 000 young people.

The Department will also develop a National Youth Fund Strategy to increase access to funding for youth-owned enterprises, particularly for young women; persons with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) youth; and other marginalised young people.

Chikunga stressed the need to address barriers facing graduates, calling for greater opportunities for young people to gain work experience.

“As we fight to have all public service and private sector posts filled, no young person should be overlooked because of the so-called overqualification with no experience. Young people with qualifications must be given an opportunity to work and gain experience. Moreover, we wish to stress that, our call extends for those above the age of 35 years,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has announced 11 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) that were allocated slots to operate routes on Transnet’s rail network, marking a major milestone in South Africa’s rail reform journey. 

As part of efforts to reform the rail sector, government opened South Africa’s rail network to private operators to increase Transnet rail volumes and assist producers in ensuring more minerals, vehicles and agricultural produce reach international markets.

This achievement increases the number of active operators on the national rail network from one to 12, spanning five strategic corridors. 

The allocations are expected to introduce an additional 24  million tonnes (Mt) of freight capacity to the network, with the potential to scale to 52mt over the next five years, supporting the national objective of increasing rail volumes from approximately 180mt to 250mt by 2030.

“This milestone represents more than slot allocation; it signals the creation of a functional and competitive rail marketplace. We have moved from policy design to practical implementation, enabling real private-sector participation and investment in rail,” said TRIM Chief Executive Moshe Motlohi. 

The new TOCs are: ARC South Africa (ARC), The Railway Corporation, MSC, TLD Marine, MENAR, Sharp Logistics, Barberry, Grindrod, Minrail, IRACEMA, Motheo Logistics, and Interlinks, spanning key sectors such as coal, manganese, containers, fuel, and general freight, collectively driving diversification and competitiveness across the network.

In December 2025, TRIM introduced the Ad Hoc Slot application process, an innovative, rules-based mechanism that enables rapid allocation of rail capacity outside the annual cycle.

This process has already unlocked new opportunities, including a proposed short-haul service between Cato Ridge and Durban aimed at reducing road congestion in the port precinct. 

The service is targeted to commence operations in May 2026.

“The Ad Hoc Slot process is a game-changer. It allows operators to respond to real-time demand while maintaining the highest standards of safety, transparency, and efficiency,” Motlohi said.

Engagements are currently underway to onboard and assist the new TOCs with operational readiness.

Some TOCs are targeting to commence operations before the end of 2026, while the remaining operators are expected to be operational during the course of 2027.

“This collaborative process has also enhanced the bankability of rail projects by incorporating feedback from both operators and financial institutions. The insights gathered are informing ongoing improvements to Network Statement Version 4, which is currently at an advanced stage of finalisation.

“As TRIM continues to refine its access framework through Network Statement Version 4, the focus remains on scaling participation, enhancing operational efficiency, and unlocking further investment into the rail sector – building a modern rail ecosystem that is competitive, accessible, and aligned with South Africa’s economic growth ambitions,” Transnet said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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