MIL Africa Engine

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the School Nutrition Programme as one of South Africa’s most impactful pro-poor programmes since the dawn of democracy.

The President delivered a keynote address at the 7th Social Justice Summit held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The school nutrition programme feeds some 9.7 million children from indigent households during the week, with studies showing the positive impact it has on learner attendance, concentration and academic performance. 

“Put into perspective even further, when one is quantifying the longer-term impact, last year, learners from quintile 1 – 3 schools accounted for 67% of all bachelor passes. These learners, who now have the opportunity to go on to achieve their dreams, will have received 12 full years of nutrition support at school through this programme.

“Without a shadow of doubt, the School Nutrition Programme is one of the most transformative, pro-poor and pro-development policies to have emanated from our democratic dispensation. It is more than just a support system; it is a strategic effort to promote a healthier, more educated future,” President Ramaphosa said.

Furthermore, government has gone on to ensure that these learners receive two meals a day at school.

“…[Learners] now get two meals a day – breakfast and lunch – because as children come to school in the morning, they have invariably not had breakfast. 

“This is a real impactful change,” he added.

Additionally, social grants are also playing a critical role in feeding the households that some of these learners come from.

“The social grant system is a lifeline for millions of South Africans, who rely on grants to feed themselves and their families. The impact of social grants on supporting nutrition cannot be understated.

“There is a vast body of research from government as well as civil society organisations backing up the assertion that grants are associated with better nutrition and lower food insecurity.

“The National Income Dynamics Study/Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey… found that the Social Relief of Distress or SRD grant introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of people below the food poverty line by 2 million in 2021,” President Rampho sa said.

Government interventions

President Ramaphosa continued to outline government’s efforts to fight food insecurity since the dawn of democracy.

He pointed to “provincially managed programmes to support food production in the form of backyard food gardens”as one example.

Nutrition at a primary health level is also being prioritised through initiatives including breastfeeding promotion, micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women and a National Obesity Strategy.

“Since 2003, we have also implemented a mandatory food fortification programme for staples like wheat and maize flour to combat micronutrient deficiencies and improve nutrition.

“We have [also] leveraged fiscal and market-based measures to improve food affordability. Since 1991, we have implemented zero-rating of the basic foods basket to support low-income households, and this list continues to be expanded.

“In 2018, we began implementing a health promotion levy on sweetened beverages to support efforts to decrease diabetes, obesity and other related diseases,” President Ramaphosa highlighted.

He called on the summit attendees to “reaffirm the conviction that social justice cannot exist in the presence of hunger”. 

“Let it remind us that the realisation of the right to food is not only a measure of policy success, but a test of our collective conscience,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The summit leverages the country’s G20 leadership to champion the African agenda and global cooperation. 

As a platform for intersectoral collaboration, the summit deliberates constitutional commitments and policy outcomes, including the positioning of food justice as a transformative driver of social cohesion, regional food security and global solidarity. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen economies on the continent, South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency has launched an initiative to unlock and accelerate cross-border infrastructure projects.

Cross border connectivity through roads, bridges, railways, water and transmission lines is vital for fostering trade, enhancing competitiveness and lifting the living standards of people. 

“Recognising that increasing quality infrastructure investment is critical to support faster economic growth, sustainable development and disaster resilience, members reaffirmed the focus on addressing impediments to scaling up private investment in infrastructure,” said the Chairs summary of the fourth G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting on Thursday.

During this meeting, the South Africa’s G20 Presidency launched the Ubuntu Legacy Initiative as it supports the full operationalisation of  the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

The trade agreement intends to boost intra-Africa trade and economic integration by creating a single continental market for goods and services.

The Infrastructure Working Group, under the South African Presidency, has provided practical solutions to developing a credible pipeline of projects underpinned by an enabling environment and well-structured project preparation practices supported by the availability of timely and good-quality market and project level data.

Moreover, the group came up with solutions on the de-risking of sustainable infrastructure investments through blended finance instruments, including guarantees and credit enhancements; and advancing cross border projects for regional development across economic, governance and financial dimensions.
To ensure the effective implementation of the project, the National Treasury has partnered with the African Development Bank.

International financial architecture

The G20 reaffirmed the critical role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in driving poverty reduction, economic growth, and development across client countries.

“Members underscored the need for enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries in decision-making in MDBs and other international economic and financial institutions.

“Members committed to addressing debt vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner,” the Chairs summary said.

In addition, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors reaffirmed support for the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

They welcomed the DSSI recent progress, which further strengthens its implementation in a predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner.

Launched in 2020, the DSSI temporarily suspended debt payments for eligible low-income countries to help them cope with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Members welcomed the increased information sharing between the G20 and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) and expressed support for continuing this collaboration. Members noted the G20 Presidency’s note on supporting debt sustainability and addressing liquidity challenges in vulnerable developing countries.

“Members noted the G20 Technical Presidency note on the recent voluntary use of climate resilient debt clauses (CRDCs). Members called for enhanced debt transparency from all stakeholders, including private creditors. Members supported a G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability,” the statement said.

They urged the international community to support vulnerable countries whose debt is sustainable but are facing liquidity challenges and encouraged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to further continue their work on feasible options to support these countries, which should be country-specific and voluntary.

“Members generally supported continued IMF collaboration with Regional Financing Arrangements (RFA). Members have advanced the domestic approvals for their consent to the quota increase under the 16th General Review of Quotas (GRQ) and look forward to finalising this process with no further delay.”

They acknowledged the importance of realignment in quota shares to better reflect members’ relative positions in the world economy while protecting the quota shares of the poorest members. 

“Members acknowledged, however, that building consensus among members on quota and governance reforms will require progress in stages. Members supported the call for the IMF Executive Board to develop a set of principles guiding future discussions on IMF quotas and governance by the 2026 Spring meetings in line with the Diriyah Declaration.

“Members acknowledged the growing influence of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) on capital flows and noted the International Financial Architecture Working Group Co-chairs’ note on understanding NBFI behaviour and investment in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs),” said the summary. 

READ | G20 supports efforts to address high debt servicing costs
–SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is currently hosting the Science Diplomacy Summer School with the aim of equipping participants with knowledge needed to address Africa’s developmental and global challenges.

Held in collaboration with its partners, the summer school is a hybrid event, taking place both online and in person in Gauteng from 15 to 24 October 2025.

The council said the innovative programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to effectively leverage the intersection of science, policy, and diplomacy in addressing Africa’s developmental and global challenges.

The programme offers participants a comprehensive grounding in the theory and practice of science diplomacy as a critical tool for navigating complex global challenges.

The HSRC said that through contextually relevant case studies, dialogues, and reflective exercises, participants will explore the diverse roles and perspectives of policymakers, diplomats, scientists, and civil society actors. 

This combination of theory and practice is designed to enhance analytical and critical thinking, while fostering innovative strategies to strengthen Africa’s voice and influence in global science and diplomacy arenas.

The programme takes an interactive and practice-oriented approach, combining conceptual learning with hands-on activities and engagement. Participants will explore various dimensions, tracks, and methods of science diplomacy through relevant case studies, dialogues, reflective exercises, and working groups.

By the end of the summer school, attendees will understand the tools, soft skills, and expertise necessary for effective science diplomacy. They will learn to apply systems thinking to science diplomacy at the multilateral level using real-world scenarios. 

In addition, participants will gain a solid understanding of policy stakeholders and effective engagement mechanisms for scientific and diplomatic partnerships.

The participants will engage in integrating African perspectives, knowledge systems, and priorities into global science diplomacy dialogues, identifying opportunities and challenges for advancing science diplomacy within the African context.

The summer school include three online sessions via MS Teams. 

There will be in-person sessions held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre on 20 and 21 October 2025.
All materials related to the summer school are available to registered participants on the HSRC website: https://hsrc.ac.za/science-diplomacy-summer-school/. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The Group of Twenty (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors has reaffirmed its commitment to support efforts by low- and middle-income countries to address debt vulnerabilities in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner.

“We recognise that a high level of debt is one of the obstacles to inclusive growth in many developing economies, which limits their ability to invest in infrastructure, disaster resilience, healthcare, education and other development needs,” read the Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability on Thursday.

The declaration was released at the conclusion of the fourth G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, which took place in Washington, DC in the United States of America. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

It further outlined actions to enhance debt sustainability.

While the risk of a systemic debt crisis appears to be broadly contained, many vulnerable low and middle- income countries face high financing costs, large external refinancing needs, and a significant outflow of private capital.

According to the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, interest payments on total external public debt have increased significantly and have more than doubled over the past decade for low-income countries (LICs).

“We reiterate our commitment to further strengthen the implementation of the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) in a predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner,” the declaration said.

Launched in 2020, the DSSI temporarily suspended debt payments for eligible low-income countries to help them cope with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We reaffirm our call to enhance debt transparency from all stakeholders, including private creditors. We support the ongoing review of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Low Income Countries Debt Sustainability Framework (LIC-DSF), which will result in further improving the methodology underpinning the IMF-World Bank Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) for LICs and thus contribute to understanding and addressing debt vulnerabilities more effectively,” the declaration stated.

The Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors noted that the voluntary use of crisis resilient debt clauses where appropriate could potentially provide vital breathing space and liquidity.

“We note the efforts to explore the consideration of the use of liability management operations and debt-for-development, debt-for-climate, or similar swaps on a voluntary and case-by-case basis, with a balanced view on their benefits and limitations to help strengthen debt sustainability.”

The Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors indicated that they remain committed to engaging constructively with key stakeholders in further advancing common understanding, including with the private sector, official bilateral and multilateral creditors and debtor countries, for example, in the context of the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR).

“It is important to engage with and enhance the voice of borrower countries. We continue to urge the international community to support vulnerable countries with a strong reform agenda whose debt is sustainable but are facing liquidity challenges and encourage the IMF and the World Bank to continue their work on feasible options to support these countries, which should be country-specific and voluntary. 

“We underscore the importance of addressing gaps in debt management, debt transparency, public financial management, and domestic resource mobilisation and will continue to advance adequate capacity-building initiatives to this end,” the declaration said. –SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Government of South Africa

The National Dialogue process has reached a pivotal stage with the completion of the nomination of sectoral representatives to the National Dialogue Steering Committee, the Presidency announced on Friday. 

The first National Convention, held on 15 – 16 August 2025, approved the mandate, responsibilities and composition of the Steering Committee. It also resolved that each identified sector would conduct its own consultations to nominate representatives to serve on the Steering Committee and its sub-committees.

To date, no fewer than 26 sectors have submitted nominations for the Steering Committee. The list of nominees has been handed over to the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) for quality assurance. The EPG will, in turn, submit its recommendations to President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Head of State and Convener of the National Dialogue, for finalisation.

The Presidency said that once approved by the President, the Steering Committee will oversee the rollout of public dialogues across the country. It is anticipated that the process of appointing the Steering Committee will be concluded in the coming weeks.

In addition, President Ramaphosa has received the Handover Report of the Convention Organising Committee (COC), as well as the Report on the National Convention, marking the completion of the COC’s mandate. The COC had been tasked with organising the first National Convention after the withdrawal of some foundations from the process.

President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation to members of the Convention Organising Committee for their dedication and commitment.

“As a country, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the members of the Convention Organising Committee. Working with the Eminent Persons Group and the Inter-Ministerial Committee, the committee made sure that hundreds of delegates from around the country were able to gather at the National Convention to endorse and to launch the National Dialogue. Through a truly collective effort, the National Convention proceeded smoothly and gave people from all sectors an opportunity to express themselves,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The President also acknowledged the contribution of legacy foundations and civil society organisations that participated in the Preparatory Task Team, noting their instrumental role in getting the National Dialogue off the ground. 

“We must also recognise the vital role played by the legacy foundations and other civil society organisations in the Preparatory Task Team, which were instrumental in getting the National Dialogue off the ground.

“It is extremely important now that the momentum that has been built up and the expectations that have been raised are not allowed to dissipate. We need to ensure that as the Steering Committee is established, there is no disruption in the processes that need to happen,” the President said.

The Eminent Persons Group, the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the Presidency remain custodians of the process’s integrity and will continue to safeguard its credibility until it is handed over to the Steering Committee. 

Work is underway to establish a fully-fledged National Dialogue Secretariat, housed at NEDLAC, which will provide institutional support to the process. 

The Report of the National Convention is available for download: https://tinyurl.com/4v7z7rfu – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

The District Development Model (DDM) provides a mechanism for the development and the delivery of services for local communities, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli said.

“The District Development Model is the local engine that turns global commitments into tangible change through jobs for our youth, clean water, functioning infrastructure, and safe neighbourhoods. The conversations we are having in Frances Baard today are part of the same national and global movement to make development people-centred, inclusive, and accountable,” the Deputy Minister said on Thursday.

This as she hosted a G20 Community Leaders Dialogue at the Roodepan community’s Roman Catholic Church in the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Frances Baard District, in the Northern Cape.

The DDM was introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to end the silo approach that has slowed service delivery and brings together the three spheres of government (national, provincial, and local) into one plan, one budget, and one accountability framework.

She said that in the Frances Baard District, the plan focuses on areas such as water security and sanitation improvements; youth employment and skills development; and roads and infrastructure maintenance among others.

“As we meet here today, South Africa holds the Presidency of the G20 a platform of the world’s largest economies. Our Presidency theme [of an] ‘Inclusive Growth for a Sustainable Future,’ reminds us that real progress begins in communities like Roodepan,” she said.

The Deputy Minister added that recent Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)environmental assessment and engagements show that the community faces ageing infrastructure and water shortages in areas like Roodepan, Windsorton, and Pampierstad as well as poor health service experiences and shortages of medication.

Other challenges include high electricity costs and frequent outages as well as delays in housing projects and title deeds.

To respond to these, the The Sol Plaatje Municipality is installing high-mast lights and new taps in Lerato Park.
“Phokwane is distributing water tanks and repairing potholes. Magareng is upgrading its water treatment plant,” said the Deputy Minister.

In addition, the 1 Billion Housing Project launched by President Ramaphosa includes units for Diamond Park and Roodepan.

“Our task now is to ensure that these projects are completed, maintained, and serve the people they are meant for,” she said.

The Deputy Minister further called for partnerships adding that government will set up regular feedback sessions, so that “your issues are captured in the One Plan review and acted upon.”

“Frances Baard is a proud and resilient district the economic heart of the Northern Cape. The challenges you face are not insurmountable. Let us work together, community and Government hand-in-hand, to turn Roodepan into a model of cooperative governance in action,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za