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Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to take decisive prosecutorial action following the completion of the South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation into the George building collapse.

The appeal comes as the country marks the second anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed 34 lives and left 28 people injured.

On 6 May 2024, a five-storey apartment block under construction in George collapsed in what remains South Africa’s deadliest building disaster in recent years.

Macpherson said the incident continues to serve as a stark reminder of the work still required to prevent similar disasters from taking place in future.

“With SAPS having completed its investigation, the responsibility now rests with the National Prosecuting Authority to take the necessary prosecutorial decisions and, where warranted, bring those responsible to court for this avoidable tragedy,” the Minister said.

Since assuming office shortly after the collapse, the Minister has engaged with those affected and victims’ families. He has also visited George to share findings from an investigation into the engineer who signed off on the building plans. The engineer was subsequently found guilty of five legal contraventions and suspended.

Macpherson has also met with Human Settlements Minister Thembisile Simelane to strengthen building regulations and oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing future incidents.

Reflecting on the anniversary, the Minister paid tribute to those affected and reiterated the need for accountability.

“Today, we remember every life lost, every family still grieving, and every survivor who continues to live with the consequences of this tragedy. The George building collapse remains one of the most painful construction disasters in our country’s recent history,” the Minister said.

He stressed that accountability must apply to all parties involved.

“It was a disaster that should never have happened and must never be allowed to happen again. No one should be above the law — not an engineer, not a developer, not an official, nor anyone whose actions or failure may have contributed to this disaster. Justice delayed only deepens the pain of families who have already waited too long for answers,” Macpherson said.

The Minister assured that his department will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and relevant departments to support the pursuit of justice.

“On this second anniversary, we once again express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. We stand with the survivors, honour the rescue workers, and renew our commitment to ensuring accountability is enforced, and that a tragedy like the George building collapse never happens again,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

In the quiet rural village of Ezindophi in KwaZulu-Natal’s uMlalazi Local Municipality, a group of determined women are rewriting the story of hardship into one of hope, dignity and opportunity.

What began as a small collective of five community members in 2005 has grown into the Qalekhaya Shining Star Cooperative (QSSC), a thriving, women-led enterprise changing lives through skills development, job creation, and social support.

Founded with a vision to tackle poverty, unemployment, and gender-based violence (GBV), the cooperative has become a lifeline for many women and young people in the area, particularly those with limited access to economic opportunities.

Today, QSSC’s activities range from clothing and furniture manufacturing to food security initiatives. At its core, however, is a commitment to uplifting unemployed women, including survivors of GBV, by equipping them with practical skills and a path to financial independence.

With support from the National Development Agency (NDA), the cooperative has steadily expanded its reach and impact. Funding in 2021 enabled the purchase of essential equipment, including a generator that keeps operations running even during power disruptions. It also boosted production of school desks, benches and coffins supplied to local schools and communities.

But beyond production, the cooperative’s true impact is felt in households.

Through an NDA-supported volunteer programme, QSSC introduced the One-Home-One-Garden Project, encouraging families to grow their own food and improve household nutrition. This initiative later evolved into Shining Star Community Development, which tackles GBV and other social challenges at grassroots level.

More recently, additional support for sewing equipment has opened new doors for women rebuilding their lives after abuse. The programme offers training, mentorship and enterprise development, turning vulnerability into empowerment.

For beneficiaries like Phumzile Khoza, the change has been life-altering.

“I have successfully completed the sewing programme. I can now make full garments and have started helping other women reach my level. I am able to earn an income for myself,” she said.

Her story is one of many emerging from the cooperative, stories of resilience, growth, and renewed purpose.

During a recent oversight visit, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe described the initiative as proof of what is possible when rural communities are supported.

“We have not only heard but seen that when rural women and youth are given the right tools and support, they can build sustainable enterprises that change entire communities,” she said.

The Minister also stressed the importance of accountability in the use of public funds and called for successful models like QSSC to be replicated across the country.

Recognised by local authorities as a high-performing initiative, the cooperative continues to grow through partnerships with government departments and organisations, including KZN Wildlife, Department of Rural Development, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Social Development.

For the women of Ezindophi, QSSC is more than a project, it is a symbol of what can happen when opportunity meets determination. In a place once defined by scarcity, it now stands as a beacon of possibility. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The impact of technology and rising uptake of social media are making an indelible mark on the landscape of journalism, shifting South African audiences from passive consumers to active participants in the news cycle.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong on Wednesday said audiences are developing new “news habits” that are transforming the role of journalists and media institutions.

“The good deal of what we know about our world, we know because of journalism,” Morolong said.

Speaking at the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Funders’ Breakfast in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, Morolong said technology, smarter phones and faster internet — coupled with the rise of multinational social media platforms — pull audiences away from local content and shrink revenue streams for news organisations.

“Audiences are also increasingly involved in both curating media for sharing and in commenting, or in other ways augmenting the media they share,” he said.

He warned that digital news consumption, particularly via mobile phones and social media, is fragmenting audiences, weakening traditional income sources.

Printed newspapers — from community titles to established publications — are closing or scaling down at a considerable pace, while community publishers are increasingly struggling to survive.

“While South African news organisations are developing some new business models and income streams that might sustain independent news journalism into the future, this is not happening fast enough or across enough platforms to forestall a likely decline in media diversity, despite the affordances of mobile Internet,” Morolong said.

In the midst of these challenges, Morolong acknowledged the role of funders and partners in keeping community media alive.

“… [Let me extend] government’s deep appreciation for the vital role you play in building a vibrant and sustainable community media landscape.

“Today, we recognise your unwavering commitment and acknowledge the critical role that you, our funders and partners, have made in advancing media development and diversity in our nation.”

He emphasised that while the MDDA often measures its success through the number of community stations supported, the voices amplified and the reach achieved, the true foundation of that impact is anchored in partnerships.

“Behind every one of those measures lies a simple truth — none of it would be possible without partnerships,” he said.

The MDDA is a South African statutory body established in 2003 (Act No. 14 of 2002) to promote media development and diversity. It provides grant funding, training and research support to community and small commercial media, fostering a vibrant, innovative, sustainable, and people-centered sector, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities.

Changing times

Morolong highlighted the financial strain facing the community media csector, noting that the MDDA relies on limited public funds, which must be spread across many beneficiaries.

As a result, many community media outlets operate on tight margins, grappling with high operational costs that too often lead to unsustainability, particularly for smaller projects that struggle to meet regulatory requirements, such as audited financial statements.

Morolong said that 30% funding for community media is now government policy.

“These community radio stations, television broadcasters and print publications exist because of the ecosystem we have collectively built.

“They provide a platform for diverse perspectives, echoing the voices of the citizens they serve and facilitating the fundamental right to freedom of expression.”

He stressed that community media plays a direct role in strengthening democracy by improving access to information and contributing to better social and economic conditions.

With the first community station licensed in February 1995, the sector has grown into a powerful platform reflecting South Africa’s diversity.

Today, stations broadcast in a range of indigenous languages, including Nama and Khilobedu, ensuring that stories are told in languages that resonate most with communities.

Together, they reach an estimated four million listeners across all nine provinces, acting as a vital bridge for both information and culture.

Morolong said the sector’s resilience is supported by key industry bodies such as the National Community Radio Forum, the National Association of Broadcasters and the South African Community Radio Organisation, which continue to guide its growth.

Opening the event, MDDA representative Qondile Khedama underscored the importance of collaboration, telling delegates that the agency’s progress is rooted in strong stakeholder relationships.

“Without interaction with you, the MDDA would not be where it is today. Our interaction with you shows that you are one of the critical stakeholders,” he said.

Khedama called for robust discussions and forward-looking plans to ensure the sustainability of community media, stressing its critical role in local development.

Also addressing the gathering, Sandile Nene, Acting Deputy Director-General for Content Processing and Dissemination at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), acknowledged stakeholder support and reiterated government’s financial commitment through the 30 percent grant.

Nene reminded delegates that South Africa operates within a three-tier broadcasting system and that the MDDA was established as a statutory body to promote media development and diversity.

The MDDA Funders’ Breakfast brought together representatives from community radio stations, newspapers and government, creating a platform not only for reflection, but for charting a path forward. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has clarified that he had no prior knowledge of an individual of interest to law enforcement who was reportedly present during his recent working visit to Zimbabwe.

This follows reports that surfaced after the President’s visit, which took place on Sunday at the invitation of his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Briefing media on Wednesday in Cape Town, Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the President travelled to Zimbabwe on Sunday at the invitation of his counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa, for discussions on bilateral relations and regional matters.

Magwenya said the visit underscored the deeply historical relationship between the two countries, rooted in their shared struggles against colonialism and apartheid, as well as strong trade ties. In 2025, South African exports to Zimbabwe reached approximately US$4.3 billion, largely driven by agricultural products and machinery.

During the visit, the two leaders held discussions in an informal setting at Mnangagwa’s farm, where Ramaphosa also sought insight into initiatives supporting local farmers in surrounding areas.

However, the Presidency noted “with concern” reports that an individual wanted by law enforcement was present during the visit.

“President Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of who will be present during the visit nor was he familiar with the said individual. The President flew to Zimbabwe for a meeting with his counterpart and nothing else,” Magwenya said.

He added that the President supports ongoing investigations, urging law enforcement agencies to pursue the matter “with no fear or hesitation”.

Water crisis response intensified

Magwenya also provided an update on the National Water Crisis Committee (WATERCOM), established earlier this year and chaired by the President to coordinate responses to water supply challenges.

The committee brings together key departments including Water and Sanitation, National Treasury, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements, Public Works and Infrastructure, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as well as the South African Police Service.

At a technical level, the structure is led by the Director-General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni.

WATERCOM is overseeing the implementation of a National Water Action Plan aimed at addressing supply disruptions and accelerating reforms across government.

The plan focuses on improving service delivery in priority areas, reforming local government water systems, unlocking infrastructure investment, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and tackling corruption and criminality in the sector, including the misuse of water tankers.

Engagements on the plan have already taken place with provinces and municipalities, with further consultations planned with business, labour and civil society. An advisory group of water experts from academia and other institutions is also being established.

May programme

Meanwhile, the Presidency outlined a busy programme for President Ramaphosa in May.

On Thursday, the President will visit the South32 Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay to mark 30 years of operations. The facility, the largest aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere, supports an estimated 29,000 jobs and has contributed around R35 billion to the economy over the past decade.

On 12 May, Ramaphosa will officially open the Africa Travel Indaba in Durban, a major platform for tourism investment and collaboration across the continent.

He is also expected to address the BlackRock Infrastructure Investment Conference on 13 May, engaging global investors on opportunities in energy, transport, digital and water infrastructure.

Other key engagements include responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on 14 May, presiding over the National Orders awards on 19 May, and undertaking a working visit to Botswana on 20 May for the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission.

The Presidency said these engagements form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, drive investment, and address domestic challenges facing the country. –SAnews.gov.za

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP), led by Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, will roll out its flagship public participation and oversight programme, Taking Parliament to the People (TPTTP), to the Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West next week.

The programme will run from 12 to 15 May 2026, under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of the Constitution: Deepening Participatory Democracy for Service Delivery.”

TPTTP forms part of the NCOP’s constitutional mandate in terms of Section 72, which requires Parliament to facilitate public participation and conduct its business in an open and transparent manner.

Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the NCOP, as the House representing provincial and local interests at national level, plays a unique and critical role in strengthening South Africa’s democracy.

“Its core functions include oversight over local and provincial government; cooperative governance and protecting provincial interests. The NCOP acts as a bridge, ensuring that provincial and local concerns inform national policy and legislation,” Mothapo said.

He added that the TPTTP programme creates a direct platform for collaboration by bringing together all three spheres of government to the same table, with the same communities.

“Through the TPTTP, delegates to the NCOP assess service delivery challenges first-hand and hold government leaders accountable. The programme, therefore, is not merely a public dialogue but a constitutional exercise in participatory democracy, accountability and cooperative governance. It brings democracy to life at the grassroots level by enabling citizens to voice their concerns and contribute directly to decision-making processes,” Mothapo explained.

It also provides a unique platform for all three spheres of government, including national, provincial and local, to engage collectively on service delivery challenges and policy matters affecting communities.

The programme will enable communities in the Kenneth Kaunda District and surrounding municipalities to engage directly with government leaders on key service delivery issues.

These include local economic development and job creation; infrastructure maintenance, covering water and sanitation, roads, electricity, human settlements, health, and mining; as well as financial management and governance.

Activities will include public hearings, oversight visits to service delivery hotspots, and direct engagements with permanent delegates to the NCOP, Ministers, Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs), and local councillors.– SAnews.gov.za