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Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called for the urgent development of a coherent education-to-work pipeline, stressing that South Africa must align early childhood development, schooling and post-school training to ensure young people transition successfully into the economy.

Delivering a keynote address at the National Education Summit held this week at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Gauteng, Manamela said the country’s greatest challenge is not only unemployment, but a “crisis of pathways” that leaves millions of young people disconnected from opportunity.

The Minister warned that about 3.4 million young South Africans are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET), describing this as a “lived reality” reflecting systemic failures in linking education to economic participation.

“Our crisis is not only unemployment [but] a crisis of pathways. A system that does not yet move young people efficiently from learning into earning, from potential into productivity… from aspiration into dignity.

“We must build a pipeline that is coherent from early childhood, through schooling, into post-school education and training, and ultimately into the economy,” the Minister said.

Manamela said education should not be viewed as a merely sector, but a bridge between that waiting and economic citizenship.

The Minister identified Early Childhood Development (ECD), entrepreneurship education and vocational training as critical pressure points requiring urgent intervention.

He highlighted that government has made progress in ECDs through increased funding and expanded access, including the allocation of R18.4 billion over the medium term and the addition of 300 000 children gaining access to early learning programmes.

However, Manamela warned that only 42% of children are developmentally on track by the age of five, according to the Thrive by Five Index findings.

“This means inequality is not simply reproduced later in life. It is produced early, in access to nutrition, stimulation, language development, and quality early learning,” he said.

Turning to entrepreneurship, Manamela said the education system must evolve from producing job-seekers to job creators, particularly in an economy that cannot absorb all graduates.

He noted that all 50 public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are now offering entrepreneurship programmes, with more than 47 000 students participating in 2024. 

He, however, stressed that success depends on providing practical exposure, access to funding and markets, and building confidence through mentorship and support networks.

“Entrepreneurship will not thrive in an economy that is structurally closed. This is not only about changing the mindset of young people but also opening the economy itself [and] ensuring that small enterprises can access funding, compete, and grow,” the Minister said.

Expanding centres of specialisation

On vocational education, the Minister highlighted a persistent skills gap, noting that while the economy requires approximately 30 000 artisans annually, the country is currently producing around 20 000.

He said government is expanding Centres of Specialisation, which are central to the country’s artisan strategy, increasing training capacity, improving quality, and aligning programmes with economic demand.

Targets include 37 000 artisan registrations this year, 29 000 artisans qualifying annually within the next two years, and over 200 000 work-based learning opportunities.

“Vocational education is not a second choice. It is a central pillar of our development. From fragmentation to a single system,” he said.

Manamela acknowledged that while significant funding has been allocated to education, including support for over 700 000 students through National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and daily meals for nearly 10 million learners, delivery, and execution matters.

“Our challenge is not a lack of programmes but fragmentation,” he said. “This is a system problem, and it requires a system response.”

He called for stronger collaboration between government, industry, labour, and civil society to build an integrated and responsive education system.

“When funding is delayed, when systems fail, [and] when young people are left uncertain, we are not simply dealing with administrative issues [but] breaking a contract. That is why we are addressing these challenges directly, with urgency and accountability.

“We have the plans, resources, and targets. Delivery requires all of us as government, industry, labour, and civil society to work together as a coordinated system,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Eskom projects that no load shedding will be implemented this coming winter season.

The power utility presented the State of the System at a media briefing on Wednesday, to share its 2026 Winter Outlook.

“Eskom enters the 2026 winter season with a resilient power system, projecting a winter period of continued energy stability from 1 April to 31 August 2026. This positive outlook follows the successful conclusion of the summer period, during which the national grid operated with ongoing sustained reliability.

“With the Generation Recovery Plan firmly embedded in day‑to‑day operations, Eskom has moved beyond short‑term recovery into a phase of stability and sustained energy security, ensuring that homes, businesses and industries remain powered through the peak winter months,” Eskom said in a statement.

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane added that the power utility now has a stable platform to “operate and grow from”.

“This enables us to integrate renewable energy sources as per the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan for the maintenance of energy security in the future.

“Eskom is consciously assessing the new capacity build rate across all required technologies as this, along with other socio-economic conditions, will be vital in determining the transition of the coal fired power stations,” Marokane said.

The power utility’s diesel consumption – once relied upon to power expensive open cycle gas turbines – is also on the downturn, reducing by some R26.9 billion.

Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, reflected that cost savings such as those were hard to embed when the generation fleet was unstable.

“These savings are a result of strengthened maintenance discipline and project delivery. Every megawatt we return contributes toward economic growth.

“The restoration of a consistent baseload electricity supply has enabled Eskom to be in a position to support industries in distress, particularly the ferrochrome industry, and play a meaningful role in preventing job losses.

“The country has invested in Eskom, and we are continuously working to restore this national asset to full health; it is a resource that all citizens have supported,” Nxumalo said.

Other year‑on‑year improvements in system performance include:

• Energy Availability Factor (EAF) improved by ~10.8%:  The EAF has improved from 54.55% in Financial Year (FY) 2023 to ~65.35% in FY2026, a gain of ~10.8%, reflecting stronger generation reliability and power system stability. EAF reached or exceeded 70% on more than 83 occasions during FY26.
• Unplanned losses, reduced by ~7.1GW: Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), measuring unplanned losses, reduced by ~7.1GW, declining from 16.5GW to ~9.1GW as at 31 March 2026, a reduction exceeding one‑and‑a‑half times the capacity of Kusile Power Station.
• Planned maintenance increased, averaging 5.4GW:  Planned maintenance increased from an average of 4.7GW in FY2023 to peaks of around 8.0GW, with an annual average of 5.4GW in FY2026, strengthening long‑term plant reliability while temporarily reducing available capacity.

“Together, these improvements supported a period, as of [Wednesday], of 341 consecutive days without load shedding,” Eskom said.

Tackling load reduction

Eskom noted that it is working closely with the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) and other relevant stakeholders to “accelerate the elimination of load reduction”.

Load reduction is implemented by the power utility to protect infrastructure from overloading and destruction where there are illegal connections.

Eskom said its elimination programme is already yielding results, with the Northern Cape and Western Cape now fully removed from load reduction schedules.

“Nationally, more than 340 000 customers who previously faced load reduction are no longer experiencing it, ensuring continuous supply during the winter period.

“A key part of the programme is the installation of more than 600 000 smart meters, which improve network visibility, support better load management and help stabilise local electricity networks.

“In addition, 2119 customers have been connected through distributed energy resources to strengthen the electricity supply in areas where network limitations previously contributed to load reduction,” the power utility explained.

The programme is expected to be concluded by next year.

“By September 2026, Eskom expects that about 60% of feeders currently affected by load reduction, 573 out of 971, will be removed from load reduction, with the remaining feeders addressed progressively by 2027,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has emphasised that South Africa will continue to pursue gender parity on the judicial bench “vigorously and unapologetically”.

The Minister addressed the third day of the Second High-Level Meeting of Women Judicial Leaders of Africa held in Johannesburg this week, in conjunction with the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CCJA).

The gathering convenes women in judicial leadership across Africa, with the aim of fostering collaboration, facilitating the sharing expertise, and advancing constitutional justice and gender equality.

“Our country has made huge strides in empowering and affirming women jurists in the judiciary. At the advent of our democracy in 1994, our Judiciary comprised of 165 Judges of which 160 were white males, three black men and two white women. South Africa had no black woman Judge in 1994.

“Today, there are about 255 Judges in all the Superior Courts of which 131 are men and 124 women Judges.

“Progress has indeed been made however, more still needs to be done to ensure gender parity which we are vigorously and unapologetically pursuing,” Kubayi said.

She added that out of South Africa’s 15 Superior Courts, at least six are led by women, including the Constitutional Court as led by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.

Additionally, the Constitutional Court has a majority of women Judges as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal – the country’s second highest court in the land.

“The Magistracy has fared much better in terms of gender transformation in that of the 1626 magistrates, 898 are women. This means that 55% of the total number of magistrates are women.

“We are immensely proud that women in the Judiciary continue to lead in our quest to transform our jurisprudence on gender equality, reproductive rights and the protection of the vulnerable. Their presence in the Judiciary is in line with the vision of our constitutional order,” the minister said.

Confronting challenges

Although hopeful of the future ahead for women in the judiciary and in general, Kubayi did not mince her words on the challenges that still persist in the sector.

She cited slow implementation and the scourges of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as two of the key obstacles to overcome.

“In the past 30 years, we have learnt that the codification legislative or regulatory does not always translate into implementation. The achievement of gender equality requires a deliberate set of implementable actions that are conceptualised with a gender perspective. We all know that power concedes nothing without demand.

“As happens in many countries around the world, South African women continue to experience high levels of pernicious discrimination and violence.

“And despite the plethora of progressive rights-based legislation in our country, we cannot claim that we are closer to delivering on the aspirations embedded in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Maputo protocol, the Constitution and the Sustainable Development Goals, to promote gender equality and empower women,” Kubayi said.

The Minister bemoaned the abuse of women across the globe and the devastating effects it has on families, the grotesque scar it leaves on communities and how it undermines the rule of law.

“It is for this reason that our President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national disaster. Accordingly, South Africa developed, as a response, the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, a multi-sectoral, rights-based framework that seeks to eliminate GBV through coordinated prevention, protection, accountability, and support services.

“In addition to this, Government has also put in place a number of strategies to strengthen gender focused jurisprudence in our quest to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and other discriminatory practices,” Kubayi stated.

These strategies include:

• Expansion of Specialised Sexual Offences Courts and Thuthuzela Care Centres which designed are specifically to deal with GBVF;
• Strengthening of legal protections through the GBVF Legislative reforms;
• An online application service of domestic violence protection orders and the delivery of such protection orders through social media, e.g. WhatsApp;
• Judicial and prosecutorial training on gender sensitivity and victim empowerment;
• Development of a Femicide Watch to collect data and monitor GBVF incidents and trends, and
• Engagement with traditional leaders and community forums to embed constitutional values in every corner of society – ensuring that custom and culture do not undermine women’s dignity and safety.

From history to history making

Kubayi reminded the delegates that their presence in Johannesburg is a fulfilment of a legacy sparked decades ago.

Reflecting on the August 1956 Women’s March, she noted that the gathering coincides with the 60th anniversary of that historic defiance.

On that iconic day, struggle heroes Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophie De Bruyn and Rahima Moosa led 20 000 women to the seat of the Apartheid Government in Pretoria, demanding the scrapping of pass laws.

“Asserting themselves through a firm slogan that says: ‘wathint’ abafazi wathint’ imbokodo, you strike a woman you strike a rock’, these brave women stood firm to tell their oppressors and the world at large that they too were their own liberators. 

“Not only were they fighting for the end of racial and class discrimination, but they also fought for the unconditional end of gender discrimination,” Kubayi said.

Invoking the spirit of those 1956 heroes, the Minister emphasised that today’s judicial leaders must carry that same defiance to push back against discriminatory challenges.

“Many of you have personal stories about the obstacles that you had overcome and the walls you had to break down for you to get to where you are today.

“As women judges, your lived experiences provide better insight into the realities behind the cases. The resilience and courage of the delegates attending the conference is not only personal, but it is structural. It reshapes how law is interpreted, how justice is delivered, and how society evolves.

“This meeting should not only be used to exchange insights, but to sharpen our collective commitment to law that heals, courts that transform, and systems that centre around humanity. Together we can create a world in which men and women are equal,” Kubayi concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has unveiled plans to facilitate the creation of over 100 000 employment opportunities through various projects and programmes in the new financial year. 

Among these “catalytic instruments” are Special Economic Zones (SEZ), various incentives, transformation programmes, exports and global business services. 

This as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau and the department’s leadership on Tuesday tabled the Annual Performance Plan (APP) before the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition in Parliament. 

He said the APP has its foundation on the key priorities of the 7th Administration as reflected in the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) namely, inclusive growth and job creation, poverty reduction and tackling the high cost of living and build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

“This APP will outline our priorities for the coming financial year, including placing emphasis on our new industrial policy, our investment targets and our trade relations, emphasising implementation and moving from the foundation we built in the previous financial year,” Tau said.

Director-General Simphiwe Hamilton said through the Investment and Spatial Industrial Development programme, the department will intensify industrialisation efforts by revitalising Industrial Parks and gearing up SEZs to full operation with job creation being one of the key objectives.

“Within this programme, our target this financial year is to ensure 15 Industrial Parks are revitalised into competitive infrastructure platforms to support sector diversification in marginalised areas.  We are also gearing to operationalise 10 of 12 Special Economic Zones,” Hamilton said.

He said through various incentive schemes of the department up to R4 billion will be disbursed to enterprises that comply with the latest Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.

Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi said the APP is anchored on one central task: to convert improving macroeconomic conditions into real industrial expansion, higher investment, sustainable jobs and deeper economic transformation.

“South Africa is entering a period where the foundations for growth are being rebuilt through greater stability in energy, logistics and fiscal conditions, and the responsibility of the dtic is to ensure that this momentum translates into productive sectors of the economy. 

“Our focus in the year ahead is to deepen re-industrialisation, expand exports, strengthen investment mobilisation, and advance transformation through practical instruments that widen participation for Black-owned enterprises, SMMEs, women and young people,” Godlimpi said.

Deputy Minister Alexandra Abrahams added that the plan reflects a deliberate and necessary focus on enabling economic growth through investment, industrial expansion and enterprise development.

“The dtic’s approach this year is therefore grounded in creating the conditions for businesses to grow, compete and employ more South Africans at scale. 

“Sustained job creation will come from a stronger, more competitive economy, supported by practical policy interventions to advance the economy, improved coordination across government, and consistent implementation that translates commitments into measurable outcomes,” Abrahams said.

Another key priority is increasing investment into the South African economy through the Omnibus Industrial Development and Investment Acceleration Bill.  The bill is aimed at accelerating industrial development and investment, creating an enabling environment, ease of doing business and reducing red tape. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, are today holding community engagements in the Stellenbosch area in the Western Cape, with a specific focus on Cloetesville.

As part of the programme, the Ministers will jointly hand over Identity Documents to matric learners at Cloetesville High School and donate laptops to teachers who are teaching STEM subjects at the school. 

“This initiative forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all learners are properly documented, enabling them to fully participate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations and access opportunities beyond school,” the Department of Basic Education said in a statement.

“Ensuring that matriculants have the necessary identification is a critical step in safeguarding their future prospects, including access to higher education, employment and other essential services. 

“The handover of ID documents and launching of the Bank Branch is part of Home Affairs’ efforts to “bring home affairs to your door,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to working closely with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.

Ntuli made the pledge during a consultation session with the Commission, led by its chairperson Mosotho Moepya.

The engagement forms part of the Commission’s week-long stakeholder programme in the province, taking place from 20 – 24 April 2026, as preparations intensify for the 2026/27 Local Government Elections.

The programme underscores a shared commitment between government and the Commission to strengthen electoral democracy, enhance transparency, and build public confidence in the electoral process.

During the session on Monday, the Commission presented findings from a voter participation survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The survey provides insights into voter behaviour, participation trends and public perceptions of elections and democratic processes.

Ntuli said the findings would assist government and stakeholders in developing targeted interventions to increase voter turnout, particularly among young people and communities that have historically demonstrated lower levels of participation.

He emphasised that a strong democracy depends on active citizen participation and sustained public trust in democratic institutions.

Ntuli also encouraged all eligible citizens to participate fully in the democratic process by registering, verifying their details, and exercising their right to vote.

“Ensuring that democracy works is not only the responsibility of the IEC. As government and society at large, we all have a role to play. As government, our responsibility extends beyond elections.

“Using our sphere of influence, including government programmes and public platforms, we will embark on a sustained citizen education drive in support of the IEC,” Ntuli said.

The Premier expressed appreciation to the Commission for its continued efforts to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s electoral system and strengthen democratic governance in the province.

Moepya welcomed the Premier’s affirmation of commitment to joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the Commission’s image and expanding voter education across KwaZulu-Natal.

“We express appreciation for the continued partnership and reaffirm the Commission’s commitment to working collaboratively with provincial leadership to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, enhance voter education efforts, and support the delivery of credible and transparent elections,” Moepya said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The National Assembly has passed the Division of Revenue Bill and the Special Appropriation Bill, which were tabled by the Minister of Finance in February, as part of the national Budget. 

The Division of Revenue Bill sets out how government funds are shared across national, provincial and local government, with a strong focus on improving the capacity of municipalities to deliver services where people live. 

The Bill aims to ensure that public money is used to provide basic services, support economic growth and job creation, and keep government debt under control.

As part of this effort, government is investing R12.8 billion over the medium term to expand Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes. 

At the same time, R800 million in 2026/27 is being redirected to protect key priorities, including R446 million for the National School Nutrition Programme, R13 million for learners with severe to profound intellectual disabilities, and R342 million to progressively equalise the salaries of Grade R educators. 

A further R175 million has been allocated to implement the e-Cares system to improve data collection and strengthen the management of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services.

Additional funding shifts include R109 million for agriculture to modernise systems such as e-certification and animal traceability, ensuring the sector becomes more efficient and competitive.

Following extensive engagement with the National Treasury, the Parliament Budget Office and other stakeholders, the Standing Committee on Appropriations welcomed the proposed allocations. 

However, the Committee stressed that their success will depend on strong governance, effective oversight and responsible spending.

“The Committee has recommended that the Minister of Finance ensure the National Treasury presents a clear plan to stabilise the public service wage bill so that rising personnel costs do not crowd out spending on critical services and infrastructure. 

“It has also called for a full cost-benefit analysis on the use of implementing agents, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa, to deliver infrastructure projects on behalf of municipalities. National Treasury is required to report back to Parliament on these matters twice a year,” Parliament said.

The Special Appropriation Bill provides an additional R13.5 billion for the 2025/26 financial year to address urgent and unforeseen spending needs. 

This mechanism allows government to respond quickly to pressing national priorities without waiting for the next budget cycle.

This funding will support Parliament and key departments, namely Home Affairs, National Treasury, Transport and Communications and Digital Technologies. 

A significant portion is allocated to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), an entity of the Department of Transport, to procure new locomotives, repair trains, and improve commuter rail services – helping millions of South Africans travel safely and affordably.

Funding has also been allocated to Sentech to help resolve its ongoing dispute with the South African Broadcasting Corporation over approximately R1.6 billion in unpaid fees, while also supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the entity.

The Committee further welcomed the allocation of R2.081 billion for the rebuilding of Parliament and R1.116 billion for the Electoral Commission of South Africa to support the 2026 local government elections. 

This election funding is recognised as a necessary, once-off constitutional cost to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

Both Bills will now be referred to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

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