Category: South Africa Government

Source: Government of South Africa

By Dikeledi Molobela

Schloss Hauptwil, Switzerland – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has described President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Switzerland as “a resounding success” that deepened political, economic, and developmental ties between the two nations.

Speaking to SAnews in Schloss Hauptwil, a centuries-old castle nestled in the Thurgau region, Minister Lamola reflected on the significance of the visit. 

The elegant estate, known for its tranquil gardens and timeless architecture, provided a dignified and intimate setting for a lunch hosted by local authorities in honour of President Ramaphosa and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. 

Minister Lamola said the visit had marked a historic milestone in South Africa–Switzerland relations. 

“We have just concluded a very successful state visit to Switzerland the first between South Africa and Switzerland by a State President from South Africa. 

“The first one we had here was a working visit by our former President Mandela. But the Swiss have elevated this to a much higher pedestal to show and deepen our political and economic relationship,” he said. 

The Minister noted that discussions between the two countries covered a wide range of areas from peacebuilding and mediation to collaboration in multilateral platforms and trade.

“They are very keen to work with us on peacebuilding initiatives, mediation, and also on our work in the continent and in various multilateral platforms. In terms of the economy, they have brought leading Swiss companies, some already active in South Africa, while others are exploring opportunities to invest. There is huge space for collaboration and investment by Swiss companies, with a clear intention to build manufacturing plants and to develop skills in South Africa,” the Minister said. 

Lamola highlighted that one of the most valuable lessons from the visit was Switzerland’s dual education system, a model that merges theoretical learning with practical experience. 

“The Swiss education system is a dual education system which enables young people, from the age of 15, to learn both theory and practice. They call it ‘where practice and theory meet.’ It is a very encouraging and stimulating system that produces highly skilled artisans from boiler makers to mechanics and other trades that every growing economy needs, including ours,” he explained.

The Minister said the South African delegation which included the Ministers of Higher Education Buti Manamela, and Science and Technology, Blade Nzimande was inspired by the potential to adapt this approach to help tackle youth unemployment and boost industrial growth.

“This visit has really inspired all of us, including our President. We will now move to implement this in our country, in collaboration with industries, to strengthen skills development and respond to our unemployment challenges. 

“It’s clear that we need a radical shift in how we skill our young people to integrate them early into economic life and ensure they contribute meaningfully to our society. This was a very good visit in that regard, because we will now move to implement and ensure that practice meets theory,” he said. 

The State Visit, which included engagements at the Vocational and Further Education Centre in Wil-Uzwil and the Bühler AG Manufacturing Facility, aimed to strengthen cooperation in education, trade, and industrial development marking a new era in the partnership between South Africa and Switzerland. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

By Dikeledi Molobela 

Uzwil, Switzerland – President Cyril Ramaphosa has described Switzerland’s dual education system as “hugely impressive” and a model that could help ignite a skills revolution in South Africa.

Speaking during a media doorstop in Uzwil on Wednesday, during his two-day State Visit to the country, President Ramaphosa said his visit was motivated by a desire to learn firsthand how Switzerland integrates academic learning with practical training.

“Everything about the dual education system that we’re being exposed to here is so hugely impressive. It would, in many ways, when implemented in South Africa, lead to the type of skills revolution that we’ve been talking about the need to train young people in real skills, not just classroom education, but skills that are needed in the economy and in industry,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter visited the BZWU Uzwil Vocational and Further Education Training Centre and interacted with students and teachers. 

The two Presidents visited the school to highlight vocational education and training, which supports a youth cooperation aimed at building skills for the modern economy. 

The vocational school offers dual education and apprenticeship programs with hands-on workshops, specialised training rooms, and open learning spaces that promote practical, connected learning. 

During a guided tour of the facility, President Ramaphosa interacted with students and teachers who showcased the hands-on nature of Switzerland’s education model. 

The President was visibly impressed as he observed learners demonstrating their trade skills.

In one section, automotive mechatronic apprentices dismantled a wheel, removed and mounted a tyre, balanced it, and refitted it, all under the watchful eyes of their instructors.

In another, road specialist apprentices were tasked with securing a barrel using proper lashing techniques and testing their devices under tensile conditions to ensure occupational safety.

The demonstrations highlighted how theory and practice are seamlessly combined to prepare students for the workplace from a young age.

President Ramaphosa said this approach could help South Africa address one of its most pressing challenges, youth unemployment.

“I have seen how it’s being done here, being done to good effect at the top level. Young people, as young as 15, are already so well adept with the way of the industrial work world and that is exactly what we need as we seek to grow our economy, to improve employment, and to industrialise,” the President said. 

He noted that many South African graduates struggle to find work due to a lack of practical experience. The dual education model, he said, bridges that gap by combining classroom learning with workplace exposure.

The President told SAnews that the country could benefit greatly from adopting a similar dual-track education approach.

“This, to us, has been a great inspiration in terms of how we can do it. It is the dual education system, a skills development system. It’s a two-track model where you do the academic as you do the practical at the same time, and the two should be complementary,” the President explained. 

President Ramaphosa said the Swiss example reinforced his vision of transforming South Africa’s education and training landscape to better align with industry needs.

Following the tour, President Ramaphosa and President Keller-Sutter proceeded to the Bühler AG Manufacturing Facility and apprenticeship centre in Uzwil.

There, President Ramaphosa had an opportunity to interact virtually with young South Africans currently working at Bühler’s operations in South Africa. The young professionals joined the meeting online and shared with the President insights into their daily work and experiences at the company.

Their participation highlighted the tangible links already being built between South Africa and Switzerland in the areas of skills development and industrial training, an exchange the President said he hopes to see grow even further.

The visit forms part of President Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Switzerland, aimed at strengthening political, economic, and social ties between the two countries while exploring models for inclusive and sustainable growth. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has unveiled a new multisectoral strategy aimed at tackling the root causes of early pregnancy through prevention, protection, and accountability measures.

Launched this week at Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre in the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, the Multisectoral Strategy to Curb Child and Teenage Pregnancies (2025–2029) outlines six key pillars to guide implementation across government, communities, and civil society.

The comprehensive strategy focuses on six pillars for prevention, protection and accountability. These include empowering youth with knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and their rights; coordinated, integrated youth support programmes across all sectors; protecting and supporting pregnant teens to remain in school and access healthcare; strengthening community capacity to prevent abuse and exploitation; actively involving boys and young men in prevention and positive behaviour change, and ensuring perpetrators face swift justice, including prioritised convictions for statutory rape and abuse.

Ntuli described child and teenage pregnancy as a “direct threat” to the province’s future, warning that it undermines efforts to fight HIV/Aids. It also limits access to education and deepens cycles of poverty.

“The statistics reported between April and December last year revealed that ⁠26 515 girls aged 10 to 19 fell pregnant, and ⁠1 254 of them were 14 years old and younger. When children become mothers, society has failed them, and allowing this crisis to persist will rob the province of future leaders, innovators and change-makers.

“A young girl who falls pregnant faces increased risk of contracting HIV. This is not only a health crisis but a social and economic one that steals potential and destroys futures.” Ntuli said.

The Premier said the strategy was developed through extensive consultations across all 11 districts, including community dialogues, government departments, researchers, frontline workers, and development partners.

“This plan belongs to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, built from community insight and a strong demand for urgent action,” he said.

Ntuli also issued a stern warning to adults who prey on children, stressing that “sexual activity with anyone under 16 constitutes statutory rape and must result in imprisonment”.

He condemned harmful practices where families accept compensation from abusers instead of reporting them.

Ntuli further called for collective action across all sectors. He said government must integrate its services, and law enforcement must ensure justice is delivered swiftly.

He urged traditional and faith leaders to lead moral accountability, and for civil society, youth-led organisations, and the private sector to expand their interventions, adding that frontline workers must continue serving with compassion and resilience.

⁠“This strategy demands coordination, compassion and courage. The time for talk-shops is over,” he said.

The Premier concluded by reaffirming the province’s commitment to achieving zero pregnancies among children, and a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies across the province.

“Let us go forth and build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for every child in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has addressed several challenges facing municipalities, including corruption, financial mismanagement, and instability within coalitions, emphasising that the National Dialogue offers a significant opportunity to enhance governance.

In response to oral questions about his responsibilities during a session in the National Assembly on Thursday, the Deputy President stated that a comprehensive strategy is essential for municipal transformation. 

He told Members of Parliament (MPs) that government is actively pursuing systemic reforms through the National Dialogue and targeted interventions.

Deputy President Mashatile cited reports from the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), which identify corruption, financial mismanagement, a lack of administrative capacity, and insufficient accountability as critical issues hindering municipal performance.

“All of which impede service delivery, among other challenges. We have also observed that coalition arrangements at the local government level often result in instability and compromised governance in those affected municipalities. As a result, we have decided to convene a National Dialogue.” 

In August this year, a National Dialogue was convened to address these challenges, establishing key principles such as putting people first, combating poverty, building a prosperous economy, and promoting good governance.

“As part of my responsibility to support the President in the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM), we continue to coordinate all spheres of government to improve municipal performance and to address community concerns.

“In this regard, I have been visiting and interacting with municipalities to have a full appreciation of governance challenges and service delivery blockages.” 

According to Deputy President Mashatile, government is also strengthening support initiatives and interventions to address water-related challenges, infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

In June this year, government launched a Clean Cities, Towns and Villages Campaign in Kliptown, Soweto, in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). 

The campaign is a nationwide initiative, aimed at promoting a cleaner environment and improving service delivery. 

“We continue to encourage communities to take charge in the cleaning of their cities, towns and villages as part of the government response to local government challenges.” 

He also believes the ongoing review of the 1998 Local Government White Paper, and the proposed Public Service Commission Bill, demonstrate a commitment to creating a more responsive and effective local government system.

In May this year, the municipal audit outcomes for 2023/24 were released. 

The audit found that only 140 municipalities, which is 55%, achieved either unqualified or clean audit outcomes. This is a modest increase from 34 to 41 clean audits.

“It is worth noting, as it reflects an improved level of commitment of municipal leadership and officials to uphold financial discipline, internal controls and consequence management, while several municipalities in the Western Cape are doing well in terms of audit outcomes. It is important to note that there is a significant and persistent disparity between the well-being of many residents residing in the township and the informal settlement of the province of the Western Cape.” – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong says South Africa’s G20 Presidency is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the global discourse, and to place the lived experiences of Africans at the centre of that discourse.

“This is a momentous role for our country, Africa and all the developing world that is home to the majority of the poor and rural communities,” Morolong said.

Speaking at the G20 Social Dialogue with the community of Frankfort in the Free State, Morolong explained that the G20 is a forum of the world’s 20 largest economies. 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme is ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. The G20 Summit will be held on 22 – 23 November 2025 in Johannesburg.

“Together, these nations shape decisions on global economic policy, trade, public health, climate change, digital development and many other aspects of our socio-economic life,” Morolong said.

Morolong said decisions taken at the G20 meeting are not theoretical.

“They influence the price of food, the level of investment in infrastructure, the availability of employment and the resources allocated to education and technology. When these countries meet, they are not just debating statistics; they are determining the conditions under which you will live, learn and work,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said South Africa’s G20 Presidency is not only about global visibility or prestige, but it is about aligning the agenda of global cooperation with the priorities of communities. 

“We have deliberately chosen a theme that reflects our national values and historical journey solidarity, equality and sustainability. These words are not just guiding principles for international diplomacy; they are urgent necessities for our everyday lives. 

“Through solidarity, we imagine a world where nations and peoples stand together, especially in moments of crisis. We have seen through pandemics, economic downturns, and climate shocks that what happens in one part of the world affects us all,” Morolong said.

Morolong said South Africans know very well that unless they actively work to reduce inequality, the benefits of growth and development will continue to bypass and leave millions of people behind.

“Whether it is the inequality between rural and urban areas, between the wealthy and the poor, or between those who are digitally connected and those who are not, these gaps must be deliberately and decisively closed,” Morolong said.

Morolong said South Africa’s G20 Presidency has prioritised several areas of focus, all of which intersect with the realities people, especially young South Africans, face.

“Among the most urgent is the transformation of our digital economy. Access to the internet and its enormous capability to digitally connect people over vast distances is not a luxury. It is a gateway to education, employment, civic engagement and innovation,” the Deputy Minister said.

Morolong said in order to ensure that no one is left behind, the universal, affordable and meaningful connectivity must be treated as a basic right.

“Under the G20 Digital Economy Working Group, we are championing universal broadband access, digital skills development and inclusive data policies. We are advocating for investment in digital public infrastructure platforms and systems that allow citizens to access government services efficiently and securely using digital tools.

“Equally important is our commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence, data governance, and emerging technologies work in the public interest. 

“Technology must serve people and not exploit or exclude them. We are pushing for ethical standards that prevent bias in algorithms, protect privacy, and ensure that African data is used to develop tools that reflect our realities and languages,” he said.

South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20 on 1 December 2024, marking the start of the fourth successive Global South Presidency, the first presidency by an African state, and the second year of the African Union’s full membership. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, has called for a shift from a passive income model to one that encourages sustainable income generation.

“The goal is to move from temporary relief to lasting economic empowerment for communities,” he said.

The Deputy Minister was addressing participants at the final day of the Social Security Colloquium on Wednesday, which included informal traders and youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET).

This engagement was part of the Department of Social Development’s Social Protection Colloquium, held under the theme: “From Grants to Growth: Integrating Social Protection and Income-Generating Opportunities”.

“Entrepreneurial support must target the unemployed, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. We must build a South Africa where social protection is not the end of the story, but the beginning of inclusive prosperity. Let us keep building a future where protection and prosperity go hand in hand,” said Hendricks.

Policymakers, government leaders, practitioners, and academics convened in Gauteng to discuss strategies for advancing citizen-centred digital transformation through MyMzansi, South Africa’s roadmap for public sector digital transformation.

The colloquium was hosted in partnership with the Presidency’s Digital Innovation in the Public Sector and the Digital Service Unit, with support from Genesis Analytics and the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg.

During the discussions, beneficiaries shared their lived experiences, emphasising how social protection programmes have impacted their access to basic services and their ability to pursue sustainable livelihoods.

The talks also focused on how the adoption of digital systems can deepen social protection while safeguarding the dignity of social grant beneficiaries.

The country’s digital transformation roadmap is based on the principles of a single point of entry for services and a single digital identity document (ID), supported by Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that links departmental databases.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), an entity of the Department of Social Development, serves as the first use case to pilot the DPI rollout.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SASSA adopted digital systems to provide services to more than 20 million beneficiaries.

“As government moves beyond a grant-based approach towards a more comprehensive model of social protection, the digital transformation roadmap envisions a lifecycle of services that cater to beneficiaries’ changing needs.”

The department said SASSA currently pays social grants to 19 million beneficiaries, most of whom live in townships and rural areas.

The agency continues to face challenges, such as long queues at local offices.

However, the department said the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SDR) grant has demonstrated that this could be significantly reduced through digital systems.

Through digitisation, SASSA aims to streamline internal processes, minimise manual paperwork, and reduce administrative errors.

Meanwhile, the agency is modernising its infrastructure to improve service delivery and is working to link its databases with other entities, such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), to simplify access to tertiary education funding.

Several grant beneficiaries shared their personal stories of resilience and empowerment.

Dikgapi Michelle Susane, a young woman who previously benefited from the COVID-19 SRD grant, shared that the provision helped to meet her basic needs.

After the support ended, she joined the Basic Package of Support (BPS) programme for unemployed youth, which assisted her in acquiring skills and starting her own business.

Another participant in the BPS programme, Mmankwane Marutle, who is now employed and was previously a COVID-19 SRD recipient, described how the programme boosted his confidence and helped him develop a positive mindset.

Hendricks stressed the necessity for stronger collaboration among government, universities, and research institutions to ensure that policy decisions are guided by evidence-based research. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has welcomed the Transport Department’s latest move to advance the development of regional speed trains connecting Durban with other major cities, including Johannesburg, Polokwane, Musina, Pretoria, and Mbombela.

This follows the issuing of a Request for Information (RFI) by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to explore potential partnerships and technical inputs for the proposed high-speed rail network.

Xaba said he has been in ongoing engagements with Minister Creecy and key transport entities, such as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet on a number of strategic initiatives.

These include the proposed Durban to Johannesburg speed train, port efficiency improvements, and rail infrastructure upgrades.

“I am pleased that all these engagements are yielding positive results. I must indicate that during these engagements I have been constantly emphasising to the Minister and her team the importance of resuscitating the speed train project.

“As a city, we welcome this move as it will boost the economy of Durban, especially the tourism sector. Upon completion, thousands of people from Gauteng will be descending on Durban on a weekly basis for business and tourism,” Xaba said.

The mayor also welcomed the participation of the private sector in the initiative, highlighting that public–private collaboration is key to improving transport infrastructure and driving economic growth.

“I also want to applaud Transnet for continuing to invest in infrastructure upgrades at the Durban Container Terminal to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the port,” said Mayor Xaba.

This follows Transnet’s announcement of a R1 billion investment for the procurement of four new ship-to-shore cranes to boost operations at the Durban Container Terminal.

Xaba said this investment is crucial in positioning Durban as a globally competitive port city and confirmed that his team is working closely with Transnet on multiple projects to improve port efficiency.

He confirmed that the municipality is working closely with Transnet on several projects, aimed at improving port efficiency, including the development of a dry port in Cato Ridge, establishment of truck staging areas, and construction of a second access road to the port.

“A Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed between the municipality and Transnet Port Terminals to implement these initiatives. The municipality has also commenced the rezoning processes for land earmarked for these projects,” the mayor said.

On the Cato Ridge dry port, Xaba announced that plans are at an advanced stage to launch the Insimbi Ridge Project, a 350-hectare logistics and light industrial development, aimed at improving efficiency along the Strategic Infrastructure Project 2 corridor (Durban to Johannesburg) and decongesting the port.

“I am happy that in the next few days, we will be officially launching this project,” Xaba said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, October 30, 2025