MIL Africa Engine

By Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation 

Those who have had the opportunity to carefully study South Africa’s road to democracy would most likely agree with the assertion that our democracy is a special product of intangible solidarity. 

It is almost as if all the nations of the world from Africa, to anti-apartheid movements which threaded Europe right across Asia and right across the Atlantic Ocean to countries like Cuba, heeded the profound words of wisdom by liberation stalwart and President of the African National Congress, Oliver Tambo, “We, who are free to eat and sleep at will, to write, to speak, to travel as we please; we, who are free to make or break revolution, let us use our comparative freedom, not to perpetuate the misery of those who suffer, nor give indirect aid to the enemy they fight by withholding our own contribution”.

This year marks 32 years since we chose a path of democracy over segregation. Our Constitution, which has been in effect for 30 years has been a remarkable tool which has enabled our country to evolve, political, socially, and economically. 

Of course, it is quite evident that we are still grappling with a system of structural inequality embedded into the fabric of our nation over a period 

350 years and what becomes the most democratic way to address it.

Our foreign policy is not divorced from this endeavour. In fact, it is instrumental. Building a better Africa cannot be divorced from our national interest. Neither can the quest to build a better world. 

But as the saying goes,” charity begins at home” this is a truism. It is not a case for us to be myopic in our interests.

The question of whether democracy has failed is an incorrect question

Since 1994, there have been undeniable gains which our democracy has delivered – expanded access to housing, education and healthcare; we are a diverse society along the lines of culture and linguistics. This is not necessarily reflective of our economy. Racial inequality is still vividly evident, and youth unemployment is a matter of deep national concern. None of which is aided by the pervasive tide of corruption. And increasingly it is difficult to say our communities are paragons of safety.

The question is how we address these challenges to fully realise the real promise of our democracy, which is a Better Life for All. 

In the 7th Administration’s Medium-Term Framework, we have set ourselves the tasks of job creation, investing in people, equitable land reform, deepening our democracy, building safer communities, deepening capacity to be resilient for climate change and deepening global cooperation. 

Addressing challenges

To this end, President Ramaphosa, in the  second State of Nation Address (SoNA) of the 7th Administration, sets out the irrefutable evidence which shows how we are addressing these challenges. This includes stepping up the fight against organised crime and criminal syndicates through technology, intelligence and integrated law enforcement. 

Multi-disciplinary intervention teams focused on dismantling criminal networks and appointing 5 500 new police officers. This is in addition to 

20 000 new officers announced in SoNA 2025.

The SoNA also illustrated ongoing interventions to deepen the State’s capacity to deliver on the promise of a better life for all.  The interventions include fixing local government by committing significant financial resources towards water and sanitation reform, speeding up economic transformation, inclusive growth and job creation by prioritising digital infrastructure and establishing R100 trillion infrastructure push over three years, build and maintain infrastructure and create jobs. 

In addition, the Youth Employment Service continues to provide young people with valuable work experience, with the programme having benefited approximately 200 000 participants to date.

There is no question that overall, the role of diplomacy is not tangental to these endeavours. It is further amplified by our bilateral agreements, our participation in plurilateral and multilateral forums.

Achieving a better global environment (a better world) benefits all South Africans

It is becoming increasingly clear, especially in the current geopolitical environment that foreign policy is the bridge between domestic progress and global influence. Put differently, we must be a nation that inspires by example. A human rights outlook does not mean policing the world. 

Human Rights are universal principles, which in our view are grounded in Ubuntu, which cannot translate into uniform enforcement by a single actor. 

By implementing a foreign policy based on constitutionally enshrined values and a principled stance, the country is, at the same time, being pragmatic in how it achieves its objective. This is because a foreign policy based on Ubuntu is similar to the idea of “enlightened self-interest,” where one’s own long-term interests is advanced by helping others and supporting wider stability rather than short-term narrow gains. 

Achieving a better global environment (a better world) benefits all South Africans in the long-term. A principled, value-based foreign policy also generates trust, which is vital to building international agreements, cooperation and a more stable international system.

In practice this means that whilst we may recognise that some countries may have domestic challenges, we are also carefully alive to the fact that the political authority to change that does not rest with us. No single actor has the authority to dictate outcomes in another country.

Our own history shows that it is solidarity that inspires change, and ultimately it is dialogue that leads to change. Mediation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts is how long-lasting peace is ushered in – not through the barrel of the gun.

Great cost and danger march alongside all of us:

Our freedom is not a commodity that can be measured or possessed; it is an intangible product of solidarity. While it became necessary to take up arms in the struggle against apartheid, it was the solidarity of the people of the world that sustained the liberation of the oppressed and, in time, even freed the enforcers of apartheid from the moral prison of their own system

Dialogue among South Africans revealed a profound truth: that people of all races and religious creeds can live side by side in dignity. Even when this coexistence was denied in practice, the very act of dialogue illuminated the possibility of a shared future, proving that reconciliation is not born of force but of recognition and celebration of diversity, respect, and solidarity is what unites us. 

We are a nation which was and still is inspired by the bravery of the United States of America Senator Robert Kennedy’s Speech in 1966 on our shores when he said, 

“We have passed laws prohibiting discrimination in education, in employment, in housing; but these laws alone cannot overcome the heritage of centuries of broken families and stunted children, and poverty and degradation and pain. So, the road toward equality of freedom is not easy, and great cost and danger march alongside all of us”. 

These words were said at a time when the Senator’s country had an ambivalent position on apartheid. Most interestingly his words are not just a challenge for our own society but also in those where discrimination existed and continues to exist. 

Why Africa is the centre piece of our foreign policy

Equally, we are a nation inspired by the heroic acts of African States like Nigeria which, upon attaining independence across all political lines, used their foreign policy to pursue the liberation and decolonisation of South Africa by spearheading the forceful expulsion of Apartheid South Africa from international forums. 

But the support went far beyond the diplomatic action. By the end of apartheid in 1994, Nigeria had contributed an estimated US$61 billion toward the anti-apartheid effort. In today’s terms, this amount exceeds US$130 billion, or roughly R2.4 trillion. To put that in perspective, a fellow African nation invested the equivalent of nearly one-and-a-half times our current annual national budget into our liberation.

Examples of this include ordinary Nigerians like students contributing financially to the anti-apartheid movement in reaction to the 1976 Soweto uprisings and Nigerian civil servants who likewise contributed portions of their salaries. 

The current challenges of migration and other matters of law enforcement should not be used as blinkers to negate these heroic and tangible contributions to our freedom.

Closer to home, solidarity came at a high price for our immediate neighbours. Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe paid in blood and infrastructure.

Between 1980 and 1989 alone, South African-backed destabilisation cost these nations an estimated US$60 billion (over US$220 billion today). Their railways were sabotaged, their bridges bombed, and their power lines cut. The United Nations estimated that the region’s gross domestic product was stunted by nearly 30% because they refused to stop supporting our struggle.

When we speak of “charity beginning at home,” we must remember that for decades, the homes of our neighbours were under fire because they chose to make our cause their own. It its within this context that we exert and exalt Africa as the centre piece of our foreign policy.

Today, as we confront the pervasive tides of corruption, youth unemployment and the challenges of safety in our communities, we must resist the urge to turn inward or but continue to work for regional integration through the African Free Trade Area – the AU flagship programme aimed at creating one Africa market, accounting for 1.4 billion Africans. 

*This article first appeared in Public Sector Magazine

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The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR) has announced that petrol and diesel prices will increase by between R3.27 and R6.19 from Wednesday.

The increase comes alongside government efforts to cushion the blow for consumers through the extension of the R3 decrease in the general fuel levy for petrol with a R3.93 reduction for diesel.

The adjusted prices for this month are as follows:

• Petrol 93 and 95 (ULP & LRP): R3.27 per litre (p/l) increase.
• Diesel (0.05% sulphur): R6.19 p/l increase.
• Diesel (0.005% sulphur): R6.19 p/l increase.
• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): R4.22 p/l increase
• Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin: R5.63 p/l increase.
• Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: R5.07 per kg increase in Gauteng and R5.78 per kg increase in the Western Cape

“The average Brent Crude oil price increased from 93.67 US Dollars (USD) to 101 USD during the period under review. This is due to the continued tension between the US and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to other crucial infrastructure which have affected crude oil supply.

“The average international product prices followed the increasing trend of crude oil prices. The prices of middle distillates [diesel and paraffin] increased more than petrol prices because of higher demand and reduced supply from the Persian Gulf. These factors led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by R2.04 per litre, R4.96 per litre and R4.21 per litre, respectively.

“The prices of Propane and Butane increased during the period under review due to limited global supply since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” the department said.

The Rand remained constant against the US Dollar during the period under review, resulting in a “contribution of less than one cent per litre to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin”. – SAnews.gov.za

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Eskom says the power system remains stable and resilient, despite increased electricity demand typically seen at the start of the winter season.

The power utility has maintained at least 350 days without implementing load shedding.

“[The system is] supported by sustained improvements in generation performance and disciplined operational execution.

“Progress delivered through the Generation Recovery Plan has materially reduced reliance on diesel‑fired generation, strengthened cost efficiency, and underpins Eskom’s Winter Outlook, which projects no loadshedding for the period ahead,” an Eskom statement read.

The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) now stands at some 60.14%, a 4.13% increase from last year.

“This performance reflects sustained progress under Eskom’s turnaround strategy and represents a 4.52% improvement compared to the corresponding period two years ago.

“Between 24 and 30 April 2026, average unplanned outages declined to 12 795MW, a reduction of 1 854MW compared to the 14 649MW recorded over the same period last year, contributing to a less constrained power grid.

“Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), which reflects unplanned outages, was 26.65%, representing a 4.21% reduction compared to the 30.86% recorded during the same period last year, thereby contributing to available capacity,” the statement continued.

Dependence on diesel for Open Cycle Gas Turbines has also reduced, with expenditure reducing to R374.93 million, significantly decreasing from the R2.347 billion incurred in the same period last year (1 to 30 April 2026).

“This continued reduction demonstrates both the cost savings and the operational improvements achieved through Eskom’s ongoing turnaround efforts. Overall, this positive trend highlights the growing stability and efficiency of the power system,” the statement said.

Eskom will bring 3 063MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday.

Meanwhile, Eskom’s work to end load reduction is gaining momentum with some 352 968 customers now no longer affected.

Load reduction is implemented as a temporary measure in high-risk areas to protect both communities and the electricity network where illegal connections and meter tampering persist.

“To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has launched a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. The programme targets 971 feeders and will benefit approximately 1.69 million customers across all provinces, out of Eskom’s total customer base of 7.2 million. 

“With the feeders removed from load reduction to date, an estimated 352 968 customers are now benefiting. The remaining customers still due for load reduction removal by financial year‑end are 122 817 in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 76 322 in Gauteng, 13 080 in both the Eastern and Western Cape, 5 936 in the KwaZulu-Natal and Free State, and 6 224 in the Northern Cape and North West provinces,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za

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As South Africa reaffirms its commitment to constitutional democracy, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has urged all stakeholders to collaborate effectively to ensure that female journalists can operate freely and securely.

The call coincided with the global observance of World Press Freedom Day on Sunday, marked this year against a backdrop of growing international concern over the safety of women in media.

In a statement, Minister responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, called for urgent and strengthened measures to protect female journalists, noting that they remain exposed to escalated risks while performing their duties.

“Female journalists are disproportionately subjected to harassment, intimidation, online abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) threats that not only endanger their safety but also potentially undermine the principles of media freedom and democratic governance,” Chikunga said.

The Minister underscored that a free, independent, and secure media environment is essential for the promotion of human rights, transparency, and accountability. 

However, she said, for numerous women in journalism, “exercising these freedoms entails personal sacrifices.”

Chikunga further linked violence against female journalists to broader societal challenges, including those addressed through South Africa’s national response to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

“Female journalists are not merely reporters; they are custodians of truth and democracy. Their protection is non-negotiable.

“It is imperative that their voices are not silenced by fear, violence or discrimination, whether in newsrooms, on the field, or online,” the Minister said.

The department called on media houses to strengthen workplace safety regulations, including protections against harassment and digital abuse. It also urged social media platforms to implement decisive measures against online harassment and gender-based hate speech, while encouraging society to endorse and honour the vital role of women in the media sector.

The department reiterated the need to adopt frameworks, in accordance with international standards such as those advocated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which promote journalists’ safety and combat impunity. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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A period of cold, wet, and windy weather conditions is expected to affect large parts of the country from Monday through to Thursday. 

This change in weather is associated with a cut-off low-pressure system expected to make landfall over the western parts of South Africa from Tuesday morning. 

“The system is expected to initially affect the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape before spreading eastward across the central and eastern interior from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning,” the South African Weather Service (SAWS) said.

A cut-off low is a slow-moving or stationary weather system that can cause prolonged severe weather in one area.

Isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are expected over the central and western interior of South Africa on Monday, with scattered thundershowers likely over the Free State, Northern Cape, western parts of North West, as well as parts of the Eastern Cape and the western regions of the Western Cape. 

Rainfall is expected to become more widespread along the south-west coast. 

There is a high likelihood of severe thunderstorms developing over the interior and the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape from the afternoon onwards. 

These storms may result in heavy downpours leading to localised flooding, as well as damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning.

Significant weather-related impacts are expected along parts of the Eastern Cape coastline and the adjacent interior on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as over the eastern parts of the Western Cape from Tuesday afternoon through to Thursday. 

“Widespread rainfall is anticipated over the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, extending into the Free State, with 24-hour rainfall accumulations likely to exceed 100 – 200 mm in places. 

“This may result in widespread flooding. In addition, damaging winds and very rough sea conditions are expected, particularly along the south coast of the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape coastline,” the weather service warned.

The public has been advised to exercise caution when travelling, especially in areas prone to flooding or reduced visibility; avoid crossing flooded roads and swollen streams, and to secure loose outdoor items due to strong winds.

The following weather-related impacts are anticipated as the cut-off low progresses over the country between Tuesday and Thursday: 

• Disruptive rainfall, leading to widespread flooding of roads and settlements, mudslides, major traffic disruptions, and damage to roads and bridges, is possible along the coast and adjacent interior of the Eastern Cape, as well as the eastern parts of the Western Cape. 
• Damaging coastal and interior winds, resulting in power interruptions, damage to temporary structures, and transport routes being affected by falling trees, are possible along the coast of the Eastern Cape, as well as the south coast and Central Karoo of the Western Cape. 
• Damaging coastal waves, with wave heights exceeding 5,0 to 7.0 m, leading to damage to coastal infrastructure, disruption to harbours and modification of beaches, are possible along the south coast of the Western Cape and the coast of the Eastern Cape, where possible storm surge could occur. 
• Disruptive snowfall, leading to loss of vulnerable livestock and the closure of mountain passes, is possible over the north-eastern high-ground of the Western Cape, as well as the northern high-ground of the Eastern Cape. 
• Severe thunderstorms, leading to localised flooding, large amounts of small hail, and localised damage to settlements, are possible over the Free State and North West. 

–SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has renewed calls for reparations to address the enduring impact of colonialism and slavery on the African continent, arguing that meaningful redress must support development and economic justice.

In his weekly newsletter marking Africa Month, President Ramaphosa said while the continent celebrates its unity and shared identity, the legacy of colonialism continues to shape inequality, economic exclusion and instability across Africa. 

“We are one people. Despite Africa’s many languages and cultures, we take pride in a common identity, in our shared values and in a belonging that transcends geographical boundaries. 

“Even as we celebrate our continent’s vibrancy and dynamism, we are mindful of the legacy of Africa’s colonial past and how it continues to shape our continent’s fortunes,” he said. 

The President highlighted that while most African countries achieved independence many decades ago, the effects of the colonial era are still evident in much of the inequality, economic exclusion, political instability and conflicts that persist in parts of Africa. 

He also highlighted the transcontinental slave trade as one of the most extreme forms of dehumanisation, noting that millions of Africans were captured and treated as possessions. He said the wealth of former colonial powers was built on the exploitation of African people, land and resources.

President Ramaphosa also pointed to the looting of African cultural artefacts and the display of human remains in foreign institutions as part of the continent’s historical injustice, adding that colonial powers have largely avoided full accountability.

The debate on reparations, he said, has gained renewed momentum following a recent resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, which declared the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as among the gravest crimes against humanity. The resolution calls for acknowledgement of harm, restitution, and the return of looted cultural property.

Quoting Guyanese academic Walter Rodney, the President stressed that the impact of slavery should be understood as “social violence” with long-lasting effects on African societies. 

He rejected arguments against reparations that cite the passage of time or changes in modern states, saying such views ignore the intergenerational trauma and developmental setbacks caused by slavery and colonialism.

“Whatever form reparations ultimately take, they should be aligned with our continent’s developmental objectives and assist African countries to tackle debt challenges, poverty alleviation, inequality and unemployment,” President Ramaphosa said. 

He added that redress should include direct investment in Africa’s development, expanded market access, skills and technology transfer, and the return of historical artefacts.

South Africa, he said, supports a unified continental approach to reparations, calling on former colonial powers to confront historical injustices with honesty and integrity and commit to tangible measures that advance Africa’s growth.

President Ramaphosa drew parallels with South Africa’s own reconciliation process, saying meaningful redress must be forward-looking and contribute to sustainable development across the continent. 

“Just as truth and reconciliation has been an integral part of our own journey towards nationhood, so too must the former colonial powers confront the historical injustice of colonialism with honesty and integrity. 

“Beyond that, they must make a clear commitment to tangible measures of redress that support Africa’s growth and development,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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