Community safety structures commended for strengthening democracy
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended voluntary community safety structures for their role in protecting communities and strengthening democracy.
Ntuli was speaking at Zakheni B Community Hall in the Alfred Duma Local Municipality, where he officially welcomed newly trained members of community safety structures.
The event coincided with Freedom Day earlier in the week, which marked 32 years of South Africa’s first democratic elections.
Delivering his keynote address, Ntuli commended the spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by community safety structure members, noting that their work contributes significantly to protecting the gains of South Africa’s democratic dispensation since 1994.
“Community-based crime prevention structures play a critical role in supporting law enforcement agencies and strengthening grassroots safety interventions,” Ntuli said.
He highlighted the importance of civic participation, noting that community safety structures embody the spirit of active citizenship central to South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
Addressing crime concerns
Ntuli raised concern about the proliferation of unlicensed firearms in parts of the municipality and urged both community safety structures and residents to report illegal weapons to their nearest police stations.
He also pointed to growing challenges related to drug dependency and increasing incidents of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) reported, particularly in areas such as Zakheni.
“Law enforcement agencies have identified several high-risk areas requiring intensified intervention and collaboration. These include Pieters Industrial Estate, Qinisa, Zakheni sections A, B, D and E, Manzabilayo, St Chads and Mhlumayo,” the Premier said.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between police and community safety structures to effectively combat crime in these hotspots.
Strengthening partnerships for safer communities
The Premier further acknowledged the role played by traditional leaders, including mayors, the religious sector and the business community in supporting crime prevention efforts and promoting safer environments.
“Addressing crime requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving all stakeholders, including government, law enforcement and communities,” he said.
Ntuli reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening and supporting community safety structures, ensuring they are adequately equipped to contribute meaningfully to safer communities across KwaZulu-Natal. – SAnews.gov.za
APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the pan-African communications consultancy integrating advisory, execution, and proprietary news distribution, today was named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year category in the seventh annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, sponsored by the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards are the only business awards programme to recognise innovation in the workplace in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programmes such as The International Business Awards® for 24 years.
More than 1,400 nominations from organisations across the Middle East and North Africa were considered this year in categories such as Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products & Services, Award for Innovative Management, and Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among many others. APO Group won in the Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year category.
APO Group’s winning submission presented a body of work spanning major international brands, humanitarian organisations, and global technology and business investment platforms, collectively generating over USD1.2 billion in PR value, more than 1,500 media features and interviews, and over 20 million social media impressions. Together, these results reflect a communications model built on integration: strategy, on-ground PR, and guaranteed visibility operating as one high-impact system.
These campaigns, executed for organisations such as Africa’s Business Heroes, Canon, Mercy Ships, The Basketball Africa League (BAL), GITEX Africa, and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), demonstrate APO Group’s ability to operate at scale across sectors and markets, delivering innovative strategic communication with measurable results.
“This award recognises something specific: a communications model that treats consultancy, execution, and distribution as one system rather than three separate disciplines. The MENA Stevie® Awards reflect APO Group’s commitment to delivering PR and communications strategies that match the realities of operating across Africa,” said Bas Wijne, Chief Executive Officer at APO Group. “Effective pan-African work requires deep knowledge of how individual markets function, how media ecosystems differ, and how audiences in each context connect with a narrative. We’re proud to help African and MENA organisations engage with impact across one of the world’s most complex and rewarding media landscapes.”
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 executives around the world acting as judges on six juries.
“We are delighted to recognise the achievements of such a diverse group of organisations across the MENA region in the 2026 edition of the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “We look forward to celebrating Stevie winners during our gala event on 11 September at the InterContinental Hotel, Istanbul, Türkiye. The quality of nominations received this year was exceptional. The programme has grown every year, showing the vast amount of innovation in the MENA region.”
APO Group has received multiple major industry honours over the past year, including consecutive Gold Sabre Awards and Gold at the Davos Communications Awards for excellence in strategic communications and campaign execution. The company was also named Africa’s Leading PR Agency – 2025 by Brands Review Magazine and Best Public Relations & Media Consultancy Agency of the Year – 2025 by World Business Outlook.
Operating across 54 African countries, APO Group provides communications advisory services, public relations, and media distribution through its proprietary newswire, Africa Newsroom, which places content on more than 250 Africa-focused news platforms worldwide.
This latest accolade adds to APO Group’s growing record at these prestigious awards. In 2025, Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, was awarded a Bronze Stevie® Award in the ‘Most Innovative Woman of the Year’ category. El Rafie also chaired the Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee at this year’s competition.
Details about the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards and the list of Stevie Award winners are available at https://MENA.StevieAwards.com.
About APO Group:
APO Group guarantees visibility across all 54 African markets through one integrated PR and communications model. Combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, crisis and reputation management, and proprietary press distribution through its newswire, APO Group operates as Africa’s only fully integrated communications consultancy.
Its platform secures placement on 250+ Africa-focused news sites and connects organisations directly with journalists, analysts, investors, and policymakers worldwide. Operating continent-wide, APO Group delivers the scale, consistency, and control required to shape reputation across Africa.
Recognised internationally for excellence in PR and media strategy, including SABRE Awards and Davos Communications Awards, APO Group supports organisations driving growth and influence across the continent.
About the Stevie® Awards:
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: The American Business Awards®, the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.
About the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RAK Chamber) is the second chamber of commerce commissioned in the United Arab Emirates. Incorporated on 22 October 1967, RAK Chamber adopts the spirit of innovation and creativity, strong leadership and initiative to support and develop business sectors to achieve excellence and become pioneers, focusing on clients, investors and business by meeting their needs and offering them added value. The chamber is keen to create and develop a system of sustainable enterprise relations, and it also works to provide a business environment and practices that enhance the culture of group work by working in a spirit of a unified team – along with responding to internal and external changes by providing information, data, procedures and laws for all concerned categories. This is in order to achieve transparency and credibility and to create a business-motivating environment so as to promote the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as an economic hub in the United Arab Emirates.
On April 24, the 19th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (2026) opened. VOYAH (www.VOYAH-Global.com), a high-end smart new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, made an appearance under the theme “Riding the Wind Upward.” The recently launched VOYAH Taishan X8 garnered significant attention at the event. VOYAH announced three major internationalization initiatives: “Deepening presence in Europe, expanding into the Middle East, and entering right-hand drive markets.” At the same time, the brand unveiled its ESG initiative, “BetterVOYAH,” officially advancing its global strategy and sustainable development roadmap. Additionally, VOYAH will embark on a new phase of its pure electric strategy, aiming for pure electric vehicles to account for over 50% of its sales by 2027, while simultaneously building out a fast-charging network to ensure a truly worry‑free pure electric experience.
Since its founding, VOYAH has achieved rapid and substantial growth in multiple areas, including brand building, product development, technological innovation, channel expansion, and overseas deployment. Recently, the company successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the “first listed high-end new energy vehicle brand among central and state-owned enterprises.” This landmark achievement has reshaped the development logic of the high-end NEV sector. Leveraging its strong growth momentum, VOYAH is also the fastest among central and state-owned high-end NEV brands to expand from domestic to overseas markets. Its products are now sold in more than 40 countries, covering a wide range of European nations as well as the Middle East. The company has established over 240 overseas sales outlets. Thanks to its outstanding product capabilities and high-quality customer service, VOYAH has won broad favor and recognition from global consumers.
Looking ahead to global development, VOYAH will continue to deepen its presence in overseas markets, integrate into local industrial ecosystems, and let the world see the unique charm of China’s high-end “intelligent manufacturing.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Voyah Automotive Technology Co., Ltd..
IDC commended for developmental role in democratic SA
As the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) celebrates 86 years of existence, Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Minister Parks Tau has lauded the role the institution has played in supporting the mandate of democratic South Africa.
“This role and responsibility is critical as we address challenges, which include slow growth, declining industrial capacity, dwindling investments in the economy’s productive sectors, backlogs in infrastructure, and a persistent concentration of economic power that stifles competitiveness,” Tau said.
Speaking at the IDC offices in Johannesburg on Thursday, Tau said the IDC’s role is evolving from being a traditional direct lender, towards becoming a platform for industrial ecosystem development, mobilising capital, partners and capability to unlock high-impact sectors, and rebuilding South Africa’s industrial base.
“Through the IDC, we partner with countries like Spain, China, Saudi Arabia, Europe and African countries to create financing instruments and blended financing mechanism to leverage resources and maintain a development finance path,” Tau said.
He said the partnership-centred model reflects the scale of South Africa’s industrial challenge and positions the IDC as a primary financing partner for structural reforms in network industries.
“This developmental and transformational path requires an appropriate governance structure. It is for this reason we have appointed a capable board, comprising experienced professionals drawn from the legal, finance, energy, mining and engineering sectors.
“Rest assured that where there are weaknesses in responsiveness, communication, complaints handling or execution, those weaknesses must be addressed. We were part of the engagement with Parliament, and we had an engagement with NAFCOC [National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry].
“This is why the IDC is not only reaffirming its mandate today, but it is also strengthening how it responds to ongoing industry concerns,” the Minister said.
Tau used the occasion to announce the members of the IDC board, which is led by Gloria Serobe.
The members are: Ms BusiMabuza, Advocate Thandi Orleyn, Mr Brian Dames, Ms Tryphosa Ramano, Mr Andre Kriel, Mr Reon Barnard, Ms Tanya Reeva Cohen, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, Dr Tebogo Makube and Dr Keitumetse Mothibedi.
Tau explained that the board has a responsibility to address the negative and real challenges experiences by black entrepreneurs.
“As we continue to celebrate our freedom and recognise the important contribution made by our labour movement, the IDC’s strategic focus is rightly placed on supporting and creating future-facing, job-rich value chains, including critical minerals, green industries and digital infrastructure.
“Equally important is the corporation’s emphasis on partnerships, leveraging blended finance and co-investment with the private sector to amplify development impact and crowd in capital.
“The world economy is changing. Countries are moving to secure supply chains and are investing in strategic sectors, building technological capability to advance and defend industrial competitiveness. South Africa cannot stand still in this environment. Therefore, the IDC’s strategy responds to shifting dynamics in the global economic landscape,” Tau said.
The commemoration of the IDC’s 86 years of existence takes place as the country observes Freedom Month, which marks the country’s transition from the apartheid regime to a free, democratic country. It is in remembrance of the first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.
Ensuring good governance
IDC chair Serobe said the board is key to guiding strategy renewal, strengthening operational discipline, and ensuring that concerns and complaints are handled credibly and fairly.
“The IDC remains a strategic institution for our country. Its mandate is developmental, to advance industrialisation, jobs and transformation, and it must be sustained through sound governance, risk discipline and financial stewardship.
“The board’s responsibility is to protect both developmental ambition and the institutional sustainability that make it possible.”
Serobe assured that the IDC is not without oversight or direction.
“It is being governed, challenged and strengthened so it can remain developmental, accountable and sustainable.” – SAnews.gov.za
Le 24 avril, le 19e Salon international de l’automobile de Pékin (2026) a ouvert ses portes. VOYAH (www.VOYAH-Global.com), une marque de véhicules intelligents à énergie nouvelle (NEV) haut de gamme, s’est affichée sous le thème « Riding the Wind Upward ». Le VOYAH Taishan X8, récemment lancé, a attiré beaucoup d’attention lors de l’événement. VOYAH a annoncé trois initiatives majeures en matière d’internationalisation : « Renforcer sa présence en Europe, s’étendre au Moyen-Orient et pénétrer les marchés des véhicules à conduite à droite ». Dans le même temps, la marque a dévoilé son initiative ESG, « BetterVOYAH », officialisant ainsi sa stratégie mondiale et sa feuille de route en matière de développement durable. De plus, VOYAH s’apprête à entamer une nouvelle phase de sa stratégie 100 % électrique, avec pour objectif que les véhicules 100 % électriques représentent plus de 50 % de ses ventes d’ici 2027, tout en développant un réseau de recharge rapide afin de garantir une expérience 100 % électrique en toute sérénité.
Depuis sa création, VOYAH a enregistré une croissance rapide et significative dans plusieurs domaines, notamment le développement de la marque, la conception de produits, l’innovation technologique, l’élargissement de ses réseaux de distribution et son implantation à l’international. Récemment, l’entreprise a fait ses débuts à la Bourse de Hong Kong, devenant ainsi « la première marque de véhicules électriques haut de gamme cotée en bourse parmi les entreprises publiques et d’État ». Cette avancée majeure a remodelé la logique de développement du secteur des véhicules électriques haut de gamme. Fort de sa forte dynamique de croissance, VOYAH est également la marque de véhicules électriques haut de gamme, parmi les marques centrales et d’État, qui s’est développée le plus rapidement sur les marchés internationaux. Ses produits sont désormais commercialisés dans plus de 40 pays, couvrant un large éventail de nations européennes ainsi que le Moyen-Orient. L’entreprise a implanté plus de 240 points de vente à l’étranger. Fort de ses produits d’exception et de son service client de grande qualité, VOYAH a su gagner la faveur et la reconnaissance d’un large public de consommateurs à travers le monde.
Face aux perspectives de développement mondial, VOYAH poursuivra ses efforts pour renforcer sa présence sur les marchés internationaux, se fondre dans les écosystèmes industriels locaux et faire découvrir au monde entier le charme unique de la « fabrication intelligente » haut de gamme chinoise.
Distribué par APO Group pour Voyah Automotive Technology Co., Ltd..
Le Canada met actuellement en œuvre un cadre fédéral pour les prestataires de services de paiement en vertu de la LAPR, sous la supervision de la Banque du Canada. Dans ce cadre, les prestataires enregistrés sont soumis à des exigences strictes en matière de gestion des risques opérationnels, de protection des fonds des utilisateurs finaux et de déclaration d’incidents. La plateforme de paiement transfrontalier Grey (https://Grey.co/) est désormais officiellement enregistrée sous le régime de la LAPR.
L’enregistrement de Grey lui permet d’offrir des services de paiement aux clients canadiens en conformité avec ces exigences réglementaires. Grâce à ses partenaires bancaires et de paiement, l’entreprise prend en charge les transferts vers les comptes bancaires canadiens, y compris les paiements facilités par des systèmes nationaux tels qu’Interac.
Cette étape intervient alors que les flux financiers transfrontaliers entre le Canada et le reste du monde continuent de croître, portés par les communautés de la diaspora et l’augmentation de l’activité commerciale mondiale. Ces flux, couramment utilisés pour le soutien familial, les revenus de freelance, les frais de scolarité et les transactions commerciales, reposaient historiquement sur des systèmes hérités (legacy) plus lents et plus coûteux.
« L’enregistrement sous le cadre de la LAPR est une étape cruciale pour aligner nos opérations sur les attentes réglementaires du Canada », a déclaré Idorenyin Obong, PDG et cofondateur de Grey. « Notre objectif est de fournir aux utilisateurs un moyen fiable et transparent d’envoyer de l’argent au Canada, avec des délais de livraison pouvant être quasi instantanés selon la méthode de paiement utilisée. »
Grey est également enregistrée en tant qu’entreprise de services monétaires (ESM) auprès de CANAFE au Canada et du Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) aux États-Unis.
La plateforme permet aux particuliers et aux entreprises d’accéder à des comptes multi-devises en USD, GBP et EUR, prend en charge les transferts vers plus de 170 destinations et propose des cartes virtuelles pour les dépenses internationales. Grey sert des clients en Afrique, en Europe et sur d’autres marchés mondiaux, avec pour mission de simplifier l’accès financier transfrontalier.
Les utilisateurs peuvent télécharger l’application Grey sur iOS ou Android, ou consulter le site https://Grey.co/ pour plus d’informations.
Distribué par APO Group pour Grey.
Contact média :
Pour toute demande de presse, veuillez contacter Oyinda via oyinda@grey.co
À propos de Grey :
Grey est à l’avant-garde des solutions bancaires mondiales sécurisées et pratiques. Détentrice de licences d’entreprise de services monétaires auprès de CANAFE au Canada et du FinCEN aux États-Unis, Grey se concentre principalement sur les marchés émergents. Sa gamme de services permet de gérer facilement des comptes multi-devises, d’effectuer des changes, d’envoyer et de recevoir des paiements depuis plus de 170 pays, et d’accéder à des cartes virtuelles.
Canada is implementing a federal framework for payment service providers under the Retail Payment Activities Act, overseen by the Bank of Canada. Under this framework, registered providers are subject to requirements for operational risk management, safeguarding end-user funds, and incident reporting. The cross-border payment platform, Grey (https://Grey.co/), has now been registered under the RPAA as part of this framework.
Grey’s registration under the RPAA allows the company to offer payment services to customers in Canada in alignment with these regulatory requirements. The company supports transfers to Canadian bank accounts, including payments facilitated through domestic transfer systems such as Interac, via its banking and payments partners.
The development comes as cross-border financial flows between Canada and the rest of the world continue to grow, driven by diaspora communities and increasing global business activity. These flows are commonly used for family support, freelance income, tuition payments, and business transactions and have historically relied on slower, more expensive legacy systems.
“Registering under the RPAA framework is an important step in aligning our operations with Canada’s regulatory expectations,” said Idorenyin Obong, CEO and co-founder of Grey. “Our goal is to provide a reliable and transparent way for users to send money to Canada, with delivery times that can be near real-time depending on the payment method used.”
Grey is also registered as a Money Services Business with FINTRAC in Canada and with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in the United States.
The platform enables individuals and businesses to access multi-currency accounts in USD, GBP, and EUR, supports transfers to more than 170 destinations, and provides virtual cards for international spending. Grey serves customers across Africa, Europe, and other global markets, with a focus on simplifying cross-border financial access.
Users can download the Grey app on iOS or Android, or visit https://Grey.co/ to learn more.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Grey.
Media contact:
For all press-related enquiries, please contact Oyinda via oyinda@grey.co
About Grey:
Grey is at the forefront of providing secure and convenient global banking solutions to meet the needs of customers and businesses. Grey holds a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada, and FinCEN in the USA, and our primary focus is on emerging markets. Our range of services enables individuals and businesses to easily own and manage multi-currency accounts. This includes currency exchange, sending and receiving payments to and from over 170 countries, as well as access to virtual cards.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has accepted a series of resignations from the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), including the resignation of the interim Chairperson, Dr Mugwena Maluleke, with effect from 27 April 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the department said Maluleke stepped down from both his roles as board member and interim chairperson, citing personal and academic commitments.
“The Minister has expressed appreciation for his contribution during his tenure, particularly in efforts to strengthen governance and support the core mandate of the NSFAS,” the department said.
The Minister also acknowledged the resignation of board member Karabo Mohale, who chaired the Human Resources and Organisational Development Committee.
The department said Mohale’s observations on institutional challenges, including the need for organisational redesign, stronger executive capacity and improved governance systems have been noted as part of the broader assessment of NSFAS.
According to the department, the cumulative effect of these and other resignations has significantly reduced the number of voting members, raising concerns about the board’s ability to remain properly constituted, and fulfil its statutory and fiduciary responsibilities.
The department said the Minister is now assessing the legal and governance implications, including whether the board can continue to exercise effective oversight and decision-making functions, in line with the applicable legislative framework.
As part of this process, Manamela has initiated formal engagements with the remaining board members.
“Individual correspondence has been issued, affording them an opportunity to make representations within a defined timeframe on the current governance position and on any lawful and practical alternatives available to ensure institutional stability.
“The Minister has emphasised that this step is intended to ensure procedural fairness and to allow for a full and considered assessment before any further action is taken,” the department said.
The Department of Higher Education and Training has reassured students, institutions and the public that NSFAS operations will continue without disruption.
“All operational processes, including the disbursement of student funding remain in place and are being closely monitored to ensure continuity and stability.”
The Minister reiterated that NSFAS remains a critical instrument of government policy, central to expanding access to higher education and training for poor and working-class students, and that maintaining its stability is paramount.
The department said it will continue engaging all relevant stakeholders, including Parliament, National Treasury, and oversight bodies as the process unfolds. – SAnews.gov.za
President Ramaphosa rallies all spheres of government to tackle water crisis
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent, coordinated action across all three spheres of government to resolve South Africa’s deepening water crisis, warning that poor municipal performance is placing an increasing burden on ordinary citizens.
Delivering the opening address at an Extended Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) meeting in Boksburg on Thursday, the President placed the country’s water and sanitation challenges at the centre of government’s priorities, outlining reforms already underway, whilst calling for stronger accountability, improved financial management and technical capacity at local level.
The high-level meeting, held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, brought together national, provincial and local government leadership in what President Ramaphosa described as a “historic get-together” aimed at strengthening coordination and delivering concrete solutions.
“This is the first time that the PCC holds an extended meeting that brings together all the mayors and municipal managers of our local government tier of government. You are all participating in a historic get-together,” he said.
WATCH | Extended PCC meeting
Water crisis takes centre stage
President Ramaphosa said the deterioration of water services across municipalities has become one of the most immediate and widespread challenges facing the country, despite significant gains since the advent of democracy.
The meeting takes place as South Africa observes Freedom Month, which marks the country’s transition from the apartheid regime to a free, democratic country. It is in commemoration of the first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.
“There is no doubt that over the three decades of democracy, we have made great progress in extending access to water,” President Ramaphosa said, noting that over 82% of households had access to piped water by 2022, up from 61% in 1996.
However, he warned that reliability has worsened.
“The percentage of households that experienced water interruptions lasting more than two days at a time increased from 24% in 2012 to 34% in 2024,” the President said.
He attributed the crisis to a combination of ageing infrastructure, illegal connections, weak maintenance, poor revenue collection and institutional instability, adding that metros are losing vast amounts of water before it can even be billed.
“Our eight metropolitan municipalities are collectively losing an average of 34% of all water purchased before it can be billed. Some metros are approaching 50%,” he said.
Coordinated national response underway
The President pointed to ongoing reforms under Operation Vulindlela and confirmed that government has already begun implementing structural interventions in the water sector.
These include the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, improvements in water-use licensing, and the reinstatement of key monitoring reports to track municipal performance.
He also highlighted the Metro Trading Services Reform programme aimed at restoring financial sustainability and unlocking investment in municipal services.
In response to the crisis, President Ramaphosa reiterated the establishment of the National Water Crisis Committee announced earlier this year at the during the State of the Nation Address (SoNA), which will oversee the implementation of a National Water Action Plan.
“As we did to great effect in overcoming load shedding, the Water Crisis Committee will oversee the implementation of a National Water Action Plan,” he said.
Five principles to guide action
President Ramaphosa outlined five key principles to guide government’s response, stressing the need for urgency and discipline in execution.
“First, accountability must be restored. Every institution represented here must be clear about its role, obligations and timelines. The people of South Africa are entitled to know who is responsible if commitments are not met.
“Second, the financial integrity of water services must be protected. Revenue generated from water services must be ring-fenced to support the operation, maintenance, upgrading and long-term sustainability of those services,” he said.
The President warned that if infrastructure is allowed to deteriorate while revenues are diverted to other functions, the water crisis will only deepen.
“Third, technical and professional capability must be strengthened. Municipal water and sanitation systems require qualified engineers, plant operators, project managers, technicians and financial experts.
“Without the right people in the right posts, even the best plans will remain unimplemented. Fourth, there must be consequence management,” the President said.
The President emphasised that where there is underperformance, it must be corrected, and where there is persistent failure, there must be swift intervention.
“There must be no space for corruption, criminality or sabotage,” he said.
Lastly, the President emphasised that cooperative governance must be made practical.
“We are three spheres of government, but we are one State serving one people. We need to be aligned around a shared purpose and disciplined execution,” President Ramaphosa said.
Fixing local government at the core
Beyond the water crisis, President Ramaphosa acknowledged broader systemic weaknesses in municipalities, including limited revenue bases, skills shortages and governance instability.
“This results in poor service delivery. Water and electricity disruptions are common. Roads and other infrastructure are not maintained. It is ordinary South Africans who bear the costs of this.
“Our task in this meeting is not to repeat the catalogue of shortcomings and weaknesses in local government, but to focus on the solutions,” the President said.
He said the forthcoming White Paper on Local Government will be critical in “reimagining” how municipalities function, while efforts to cut red tape and professionalise the public service are essential to unlock economic growth.
“Bureaucratic delays are driving investment away and shutting out the very entrepreneurs we need to grow our local economies,” he said.
Call for political will
President Ramaphosa emphasised that while plans and structures are in place, success will depend on political commitment and cooperation across all spheres of government.
“The water crisis puts that mandate to the test. The National Water Crisis Committee provides the means of coordination. The National Water Action Plan provides the roadmap. What this meeting must provide is the political commitment across all three spheres to make both of them work,” he said.
The President concluded with a call for decisive action.
“The country is looking to us to secure an uninterrupted supply of water to all citizens, businesses and institutions, now and into the future. We have the means to do this. Let us demonstrate that we have the will,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
Ministers commit to clearing military veterans’ housing backlog by 2029
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga have committed to eradicate the housing backlog affecting military veterans by 2029.
The undertaking was made during a recent engagement with community members and housing beneficiaries, including military veterans, the elderly, destitute and child-headed household in the uMshwathi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.
The visit formed part of government’s service delivery programme, which included the handover of houses to military veterans and title deeds to beneficiaries of fully subsidised housing.
In her address, Motshekga acknowledged delays in delivering houses to military veterans. She informed the community that President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Ministers to prioritise the completion of existing projects, particularly the military veterans’ housing backlog.
The Ministers have directed provinces to verify all bona fide military veterans in need of housing. In KwaZulu-Natal, 490 veterans have so far been confirmed as requiring housing, with processes underway to expedite delivery.
“Together with Minister Simelane, we shall endeavour to do our best to finish what we can during this term of office. Military veterans sacrificed their lives and families so that we can have a free and democratic South Africa, and they should be honoured,” Motshekga said.
The community engagement took place as South Africa commemorates Freedom Month, which marks the country’s transition from the apartheid regime to a free, democratic country. It is in commemoration of the first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.
At the event, the Ministers handed over houses to military veterans and 500 title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries.
The houses form part of the uMshwathi Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP), which isexpected to deliver 2 922 housing units. The development includes Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses, First Home Finance opportunities, social housing and units dedicated to military veterans.
To date, 744 units have been completed and handed over.
The Ministers were accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, uMshwathi Local Municipality Executive Mayor Mandla Zondi, and uMgungundlovu District Municipality Executive Mayor Mzi Zuma.
eThekwini commended for flood recovery housing efforts
Meanwhile, Simelane commended the provincial government and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality for their concerted efforts in providing permanent housing to victims of the devastating 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods.
During a visit to Cornubia, under Operation Siyahlola, the Minister said 113 housing units are nearing completion and expected to be handed over to the beneficiaries in May 2026.
“I take comfort [in the fact] that the procurement process to appoint contractors to build 976 units is at an advanced stage. We challenge those appointed to deliver on time, within budget and quality,” Simelane said.
A total of 1 200 families are expected to benefit from the project, which is scheduled for completion in June this year. – SAnews.gov.za
