MIL Africa Engine

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Transport has condemned acts of violence and criminality that resulted in the tragic death of an e-hailing driver and the injury of two others at Maponya Mall, in Soweto.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa strongly condemned these acts.

“They also expressed their message of condolences to the bereaved family who lost their loved one. [They] further indicated that such criminal behaviour has no place in the public transport sector, and that those responsible must face the full might of the law,” the Department of Transport said on Thursday.

Reports indicate that violence erupted in Gauteng’s Soweto on Wednesday at the mall, allegedly involving taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.

READ | Gauteng government to visit Maponya Mall

Gauteng police are reportedly monitoring a protest by community members that is taking place outside the mall.

The Department of Transport has indicated that it is addressing the entirety of the challenges affecting the public transport system.

“Central to the issues addressed is the persistent violence across the system. In a meeting held on 25 April 2025, Minister Creecy and the taxi industry leadership unanimously denounced violence in the industry. 

“The meeting also agreed on a formation of a task team between the National and Gauteng Provincial Departments of Transport to fast track the process of digitisation of the issuing of operating licences to resolve route encroachments in the taxi industry, which is the main cause of taxi violence,” the department said.

The taxi industry leadership was also requested to reflect on this matter and make tangible proposals to government on the way forward.

Furthermore, the department is implementing the National Land Transport Information System, which will among other things, ensure that the operating licences are linked to the National Traffic Information System (eNATIS) eliminate the unlawful usage of one operating licence for more than one taxi vehicle.

Meanwhile, last year President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) 5 of 2009, paving the way for e-hailing services operators to apply for operating licences like any other public transport operator.

The President also signed into law the Transport Appeal Tribunal Amendment Act on 11 June 2024.

“The regulations have been approved, now awaiting the second official language translation for gazetting and implementation of the Amendment Act. This will usher in a new era in the regulation of the e-hailing services,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile convened the National Dialogue Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) this week to review the readiness report in preparation for the upcoming National Convention.

The convention is scheduled to take place at UNISA’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria from 15 – 16 August 2025.

The Deputy President chairs the IMC, which comprises government departments, to coordinate the State’s contribution towards the National Convention and the National Dialogue. 

According to the Presidency, the IMC has been tirelessly mobilising resources for the convention and overseeing expenditures.

The report, presented by Boichoko Ditlhake, Chairperson of the Convention Organising Committee, and Makhukhu Mampuru, Executive Director of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), provided a detailed update on the progress made. 

They assured the Deputy President that everything is on track for the upcoming two-day convention.

Premiers and Mayors were among those in attendance, who have pledged their support.

“The IMC noted the decision by some foundations to pull out of the preparations for the National Convention and requested that the Deputy President engage these foundations in the process towards this inclusive dialogue.

“Furthermore, the IMC appreciated the efforts made to save costs on hosting the first National Convention of the National Dialogue,” the statement read. 

The IMC has assured Deputy President Mashatile that all budgetary processes regarding the National Convention are consistent with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

NEDLAC and the Presidency are funding the first National Convention’s costs from their existing budgets for secretariat support, communications, as well as logistics. 

“All procurement and management of public funds will adhere to the PFMA and applicable Treasury regulations. All funds will be accounted for through the normal public finance mechanisms.” 

The IMC further applauded the stakeholders who are providing support and expressed appreciation to UNISA for offering to host the first National Convention as well as provide associated goods and services at no cost.

UNISA is providing the venues for the plenary, overflow venues with livestream services, 10 breakaway venues, a dining area and work areas. 

In addition, UNISA is providing facilities for an operations centre, which has been running over the past week with catering, ushers, audio-visual services, printing of discussion documents, signage, conference bags, notepads, pens and Wi-Fi.

“The IMC emphasised the importance of the first National Convention and the National Dialogue being citizen-led and fully inclusive.” 

In the meantime, the IMC has called for communities to raise all issues so that they can be addressed and attended to accordingly.

“As Chair of the IMC, the Deputy President welcomed the report and affirmed government’s commitment to supporting the first National Convention to kick-start the citizen-led and inclusive National Dialogue.“

In addition, the Deputy President’s Office said all budget formulation will rely on in-kind contributions, donations, and other mobilisable resources. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

By Maesela Kekana

Climate change is no longer a future problem – it’s happening now, and having dramatic impacts, especially on vulnerable countries and including on our own continent Climate action is necessary on all fronts – ambitious mitigation to reduce impacts, ambitious adaptation, to cope with impacts and build long-term resilience, and measures to address loss and damage, where impacts cannot be avoided.

All of these require financing, structured in a way that developing countries can afford, and enhanced international co-operation, both to address climate mitigation and impacts, and to make progress in meeting the sustainable development goals.

Climate change requires a response which addresses social, economic and environmental challenges
Without a united, whole-of-society response, at a national and multilateral level, these impacts will only worsen. South Africa is aligning its domestic action with international priorities to drive real outcomes under its 2025 G20 Presidency. 

Our G20 agenda prioritizes the unlocking of climate finance. Between 2031 and 2050, global climate financing needs are expected to exceed US$10 trillion. Yet the countries most in need, developing nations with the lowest emissions, often have the least access to post-disaster recovery funding, and to climate finance at the necessary scale to fund long-term transformation.

This vital work on the response to climate change and sustainable development challenges, and how to finance this, is being driven during South Africa’s G20 presidency by both the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG), and the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG); it is of critical importance to address the obvious linkages between the work of these two groups.

The ECSWG has as one of its key goals to strengthen implementation of multilateral agreements on sustainable development and the environment, and its work is focused on six priorities:
•    Biodiversity and conservation
•    Land degradation and drought
•    Chemicals and waste
•    Climate change
•    Air quality
•    Oceans and coasts

We aim in this group to identify practical solutions for ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, loss and damage, and sustainable resource use. A key priority is to ensure that the transitions we are working towards are just transitions, focused on people, communities, and economic development.

The urgency of scaled, targeted support for developing nations, especially for adaptation, loss and damage, and capacity development, cannot be overstated. These efforts must reflect the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, acknowledging each country’s unique circumstances and capabilities. The G20 offers a global platform to fast-track action, shaped by the results of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement.

As South Africa leads, we are pushing to ensure developing nations can achieve whole-of-society and economy-wide transitions with access to finance, technology, and skills.

Climate change is a threat multiplier, but it is also an opportunity. An opportunity to build fairer, stronger, more resilient societies and address our critical sustainable development challenges. If we act together, we can tackle both the climate crisis and achieve our sustainable development goals. There has never been a more important time to act.

Maesela Kekana is the Deputy Director General responsible for Climate Change and Air Quality at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will send a delegation to the White House to discuss trade tariffs with United States President Donald Trump’s administration. 

Deputy President Mashatile said the recently announced tariffs could disrupt trade flows and undermine the global competitiveness of the local automotive sector.

As of 8 August 2025, a 30% tariff on all South African goods entering the United States is now in effect.

“We will continue engaging with the USA to identify practical solutions. The President will be sending the delegation once again to the White House to engage with the US administration on this matter,” he said. 

The country’s second-in-command delivered a keynote address at the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) Show 2025, a premier forum showcasing the capabilities of the domestic automotive component manufacturing sector in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

The Deputy President touched on the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement on economic integration and industrialisation, which is projected to draw additional international investment into the African automotive industry.

Creating a single continental market for goods and services could potentially lead to increased trade, investment, and job creation within Africa.

“However, this does not suggest that we do not need other nations as trading partners. We believe in diversifying our investments and engaging in trade with several partners.” 

The Deputy President said Cabinet is committed to protecting the economic interests of the country and is forging ahead toward strengthening the economy and dealing with the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

“I must highlight that there will be repercussions felt throughout the entire value chain if we do not reach an amicable trade agreement with the White House.” 

He said it was likely that South African suppliers supporting domestic original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) exporting automobiles or integrated systems to the United States will face volume reductions.

“This will put pressure on production planning, employment decisions, and investment choices.” 

In addition, the South African automobiles and components would see a direct rise in the landed cost in the United States market. 

“Because of this, they would be unable to compete with goods from nations that have continued preferential or zero-duty access, such as those in the USMCA (United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement). 

“Overall, the imposed tariffs threaten to disrupt well-established trade flows and weaken the global competitiveness of South Africa’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem.”

However, the Deputy President believes South Africa remains resilient and steadfast in its efforts to grow and protect the economy. 

He called for collaboration between the government and the private sector to address the growing dependence on imports, infrastructural inadequacies, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), and the issue of a 30% tariff increase.

He praised the NAACAM for investing a lot of resources in improving the localisation, transformation, and supplier development landscape in South Africa.

The automotive industry holds significant potential for shared prosperity through targeted industrial development. The sector plays a crucial role in the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment of the country. 

It is one of the most strategically important and internationally linked industries, accounting for 22.6% of manufacturing output and contributing 5.2% to the nation’s GDP.

The automotive sector employs around 115 000 people in total, with over 80 000 of these employees working in the component sector. In 2024, the component sector exported R62.5 billion of components.

“We must never allow the loss of these gains because of external and internal pressures. I say this with concern because the employment levels in the sector have been under strain due to ongoing economic pressures and reduced production volumes.” 

In the past two years, NAACAM has reported the closure of 12 companies, affecting over 4 000 people. 

The Deputy President believes that the latest unemployment figures are an indication that the nation’s joblessness crisis remains an urgent concern. 

“We need to do more to combat unemployment, which might include improving education and skills to match labour market demands, promoting entrepreneurship and small enterprises, and investing in public employment programs to generate jobs.” 

He told delegates that government is committed to working with various sectors to create employment and improve the living conditions of the people. 

“As the government, we recognise the industry’s significant role and see it as the backbone of our economic growth, promoting industrial development and encouraging innovation.” – SAnews.gov.za