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Mining, manufacturing and property leaders to share how they are cutting water demand through reuse and closed-loop systems at Water Security Africa

Source: APO

Water Security Africa, co-located with Enlit Africa (19–21 May 2026, CTICC), has released its full programme, featuring commercial and industrial leaders demonstrating how organisations are reducing water demand through reuse, recycling and closed-loop systems.

Industry accounts for up to 20% of global water withdrawals, and as municipal supply reliability and tariff pressure increase, more organisations are treating water security as a board-level risk.

The SAICE CPD-accredited programme will showcase practical approaches to reducing demand, improving water governance and building resilient water systems on-site and across supply chains.

Sector case studies and stewardship sessions include:

Mining: closed-loop tailings systems, high recycling rates and pathways towards zero-liquid-discharge approaches

Agro-processing: recovering water from production processes, condensate capture and fit-for-purpose reuse

Hospitality and healthcare: greywater recycling, rainwater systems and demand reduction programmes that can be adapted across portfolios

Property: on-site treatment and reuse solutions designed to reduce exposure to supply unreliability across commercial building portfolios

The programme also connects corporate water stewardship to municipal and catchment realities, including how loss reduction and better network performance improve supply stability and reduce system-wide costs.

“Many organisations have already proven that major reductions in water demand are possible without compromising operations,” said Claire Volkwyn, Head of Content, VUKA Group.. “At Water Security Africa, leaders will share the systems, governance and investment cases behind those results so others can replicate them.”

Confirmed speakers include Darshana Myronidis (Virgin Group UK), Petrus Swanepoel (Mediclinic), Molatelo Motau (Heineken), John van Wyk (Harmony Gold), Zomakahle Ndlovu (Inkomathi Usuthu Catchment Management Agency), Desiree Moima (Gauteng Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs)  and Martjie Cloete (Growthpoint Properties), alongside municipal and utility leaders addressing the broader system context.

Download the programme: https://apo-opa.co/4sIOBGc

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4dNJ10h

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Speaking opportunities:
Claire Volkwyn
VUKA Group
Claire.volkwyn@wearevuka.com  

For sponsorship and exhibition:
Marcel du Toit
marcel.dutoit@wearevuka.com

About Water Security Africa: 
Water Security Africa, co-located with Enlit Africa, addresses operational and economic water challenges across utilities, municipalities and commercial and industrial sectors. The event takes place 19–21 May 2026 at the CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa. All sessions are CPD-accredited by SAICE.

About the event organisers: VUKA Group: 
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and each other, across Africa’s energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy and technology sectors through innovative events, content, and strategic networking. By integrating industry introductions, curated events and digital engagement, the group empowers businesses to navigate complex markets, forge valuable connections and drive sustainable success.

Venture partners to The Global Trust Project, Founders of WomenIN empowerment platform and leaders of NPO, Go Green Africa. The VUKA Group’s diverse portfolio acts to contribute to its purpose of ‘Connecting Africa to the World’s Best, to Influence Sustainable Progress’. Discover more at https://WeAreVUKA.com/

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Africa’s Alumina Boom Signals Next Phase in Mining Value Creation

Source: APO


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African bauxite producers are rapidly moving beyond commodity exports, investing in alumina refineries that convert raw ore into high-value products. While Africa holds nearly 30% of global bauxite reserves, it currently contributes less than 1% of alumina production – a gap that underscores both the continent’s industrial potential and a lucrative investment frontier. With the global alumina market projected to grow to $67 billion by 2032, Africa’s downstream sector is emerging as a strategic hub for long-term growth and local value creation.

African Mining Week 2026 (October 14–16, Cape Town) will serve as the key platform connecting investors, project developers and government regulators with these emerging opportunities. A dedicated panel on “Unlocking Refining Investments” will focus on strategies to scale refinery projects, address operational challenges and maximize local economic impact across the continent’s bauxite value chain.

Nigeria Leads With Gas-Powered Refining

Nigeria is fast-tracking its first large-scale alumina refinery, securing $1.3 billion in financing from the Africa Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund to support a one million-ton-per-annum facility. Expected to produce 19 million tons of alumina over 20 years, the refinery is projected to generate $1.2 billion in annual GDP contributions while advancing the government’s goal of growing mining’s economic contribution from 1% to 10%. Powered largely by local gas, the project aligns with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative, combining energy security with industrialization and local beneficiation.

Speaking in February, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Henry Alake, stated: “We don’t want corridors exporting internationally; we want factories across borders to create jobs and generate value locally.”

Guinea and Ghana Scale Up Refining Capacity

Guinea is pursuing six alumina refineries by 2030, aiming for 7 million tons per year. Deals are in place with China’s State Power Investment Corporation, Chinalco and France’s Alteo and Alcoa. Construction is underway on the first facility in Boké, a $1.2 billion, 1.2 million-ton-per-annum refinery led by the Winning Consortium Alumina Guinea.

Ghana targets 4–6 million tons of annual alumina refining capacity through partnerships with Greek industrial group Mytilineos SA, enhancing local beneficiation of bauxite resources. Meanwhile, Australian company Canyon Resources is advancing a feasibility study for a refinery at its Minim Martap project in Cameroon, with results expected by Q3 2026.

Implications for Investors

These projects illustrate a broader push to capture downstream value in Africa’s mining sector. Alumina refineries not only increase export revenue but also generate high-skilled jobs, stimulate local supply chains and attract international investment. By linking energy infrastructure, industrial policy and mineral beneficiation, these facilities can transform bauxite-rich countries into regional manufacturing hubs.

African Mining Week 2026 will bring stakeholders together to accelerate deal-making, form partnerships and discuss operational strategies for refinery deployment. With governments and developers focused on turning reserves into industrial value, alumina refining is positioned as one of the continent’s most tangible opportunities for economic transformation and strategic investment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Calls for deeper SA–China trade ties to drive industrialisation and jobs

Source: Government of South Africa

Calls for deeper SA–China trade ties to drive industrialisation and jobs

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for stronger economic cooperation between South Africa and China, urging increased investment in key sectors to support industrialisation, job creation and sustainable growth.  

Speaking at the South Africa-China Economic and Trade Forum, held at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, on Friday, Deputy President Mashatile said the partnership between the two countries continues to yield tangible economic benefits but requires further expansion to unlock its full potential.

“We firmly believe that this forum serves as a platform for aligning government strategies with private sector engagement. 

“The issues discussed in our diplomatic and technical sessions are expected to be implemented by private sector players, leading to job creation, industrialisation, and shared prosperity. Central to this collaboration are opportunities that directly address our shared priorities,” Deputy President Mashatile said. 

The forum followed the 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission, co-chaired by Deputy President Mashatile and his counterpart from the People’s Republic of China, Vice President Han Zheng, which reaffirmed the longstanding ties between the two nations built on mutual respect and shared development.

Deputy President Mashatile highlighted that China remains South Africa’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade increasing by 6.4% from US$34.2 billion in 2024, to US$36.4 billion in 2025. 

He said government efforts are now focused on restructuring trade patterns to promote value-added exports rather than raw commodities.

“Economic cooperation remains central to government collaboration. Efforts are focused on restructuring trade to enhance value-added exports to China,” he said.

He noted that Chinese investment in South Africa has reached US$8.11 billion across 103 foreign direct investment projects, creating more than 5 600 jobs. In turn, South African companies have invested US$689 million in China across sectors such as healthcare, ICT, manufacturing and financial services.

The Deputy President said the recently signed Framework Agreement for the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA) is expected to further enhance trade by lowering costs for Chinese imports of South African goods while improving market access for local industries.

He added that ongoing discussions around an Early Harvest Agreement could see certain South African exports receiving permanent zero-tariff treatment, subject to consultations within the customs union.

The Deputy President identified several priority sectors for investment, including mineral beneficiation, renewable and clean energy, ICT, agriculture, automotive manufacturing, and the hydrogen economy.

He emphasised the importance of moving beyond raw mineral exports by investing in processing and infrastructure development, adding that such efforts would help build sustainable industries and support long-term economic growth.

In the energy sector, the Deputy President said collaboration with China could accelerate South Africa’s transition to renewable energy, particularly in solar, wind and energy storage technologies.

He also highlighted the country’s potential to become a global leader in green hydrogen production, noting that South Africa’s natural resources position it as a low-cost producer of clean fuels. 

“With strategic partnerships, we can lead the way into a new energy future, positioning our country as a global leader in clean fuels and sustainable industrialisation,” he said.

Deputy President Mashatile encouraged Chinese investors to take advantage of South Africa’s Special Economic Zones and industrial parks, which offer infrastructure, incentives and access to skilled labour.

He said South Africa offers political stability, a strong legal framework and world-class infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for investment and a gateway to the broader African market of 1.4 billion people.

He concluded by calling on both governments and the private sector to translate agreements into tangible outcomes that will drive inclusive growth.

“Let us take this moment to ensure that our collaboration not only brings prosperity to both our nations but also makes a meaningful contribution to Africa’s broader development agenda. Together, we can create a future defined by resilience, inclusivity, and shared success,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM

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Coal Could Provide African Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Much-Needed Fiscal Relief Amid Escalating Fuel Prices

Source: APO


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Africa continues to face significant implications from the ongoing Gulf war, with Brent prices fluctuating from $81 per barrel on March 3 to $112 on March 12 and back down to $98 on March 25. But escalating crude prices bring challenges beyond imports, with African economies which rely heavily on diesel-fired power generation now faced with both unreliable supplies and heightened fuel costs. This challenge is most felt by small to medium-sized enterprises (SME), which now face a punishing rise in power costs at a time when margins are already under pressure.

In this environment, coal-fired power generation deserves renewed attention. With reserves estimated in the hundreds of billions of tons, Africa’s coal market stands to offer the fiscal relief many African SMEs require. As geopolitical tensions continue to mount across the Gulf and prices face even greater fluctuation in the near-term, the question is no longer whether coal-fired power generation is politically fashionable, but how African economies can utilize the resource to stabilize power costs, preserve foreign exchange and support business continuity.

Escalating Fuel Prices Pose Significant Challenge for African SMEs

Prices at the pump have escalated in recent weeks, leaving diesel-reliant businesses faced with even greater fiscal pressure. This comes as diesel generation has become a default for many SMEs operating across Africa, owing to unreliable grid infrastructure. Even the continent’s biggest economy South Africa has seen businesses move to diesel as constrained grid capacity and loadshedding impacts power access. Supply disruption at the Strait of Hormuz and escalating crude prices have placed further strain on the fuels so many African SMEs rely on.  

Nigerian fuel prices have reached upwards of ₦1,000 per liter in March 2026, due to price hikes by the Dangote Refinery and fluctuations in international markets. This represents a 39.5% increase since February, the second highest increase globally. Zimbabwean fuel prices have surged to record highs, with diesel averaging $2.18 per liter and petrol also exceeding $2 per liter. The country currently features the highest fuel prices across all SADC nations. Botswana also faces potential fuel price increases, while Ugandan fuel prices continue to experience volatility, with prices varying by location and supplier.

Why Coal Matters for SME Competitiveness

Coal offers the lifeline so many African SMEs need. Countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Uganda all possess significant coal reserves and the shift to coal-fired power generation can not only help reduce the dependence on imported fuels but create a more predictable electricity cost structure for local businesses. Nigeria holds 9.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of coal reserves, Zimbabwe is home to 502 million cubic meters (mcm), Botswana has 1.6 bcm and Uganda possesses 800 mcm.

For African SMEs, affordable and reliable electricity is often the difference between expansion and stagnation. Coal-fired power can offer a lower-cost alternative that supports manufacturing and commercial growth. It also opens the door to more bankable long-term planning, while offering stability during times of global supply shocks. With many African countries already integrating coal within their broader energy systems, scaling up generation and distribution could directly impact sovereign resilience. 

“When African businesses are being crushed by imported fuel costs, using domestic coal to keep factories running and SMEs alive is not a step backward – it is a rational act of economic self-defense,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

AEW 2026 Puts Coal Back into the Conversation

This is precisely why African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2026 remains such an important platform. Over the past several years, the event has hosted discussions around coal, including the application of clean coal technologies and the role of coal in broader power generation strategies. At a time when energy security, industrialization and affordability are moving back to the center of policymaking, those conversations are becoming more urgent.

Rather than approaching coal through an ideological lens, AEW 2026 provides a venue to examine where and how it can fit into Africa’s power mix in practical terms. That includes discussions around cleaner technologies, efficiency gains, financing models and the role coal can play in supporting productive sectors that cannot function on intermittent or high-cost power alone. AEW 2026 returns to Cape Town from October 12-16, 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Investment, Fuel Security and Strategy to Take Center Stage Across Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Multi-Track Program

Source: APO


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The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition returns to Luanda this September as a bridge connecting global investors and project developers with Angolan projects and partners. At a time when global supply disruptions and geopolitics are sharpening consumer focus on Africa, Angola offers the stability, resource base and investment appeal needed to support long-term security. Reflecting this focus, AOG will once again feature a multi-track program designed to showcase Angolan opportunities to a global audience.

Across three primary tracks – the Strategic, Technical and Roundtables Track – AOG 2026 will bring together policymakers, operators, financiers and technology providers to address challenges and opportunities across the full investment value chain. The expanded program structure underscores the event’s commitment to facilitating targeted discussions that support project development, strengthen partnerships and address the most pressing challenges facing Angola’s oil and gas sector today.

Strategic Track

As Angola continues to position itself as a leading African investment destination, the AOG 2026 Strategic Track will provide a platform for high-level dialogue between government, operators and investors, focusing on the policies, partnerships and capital frameworks required to sustain production and drive new exploration. Taking place across the two-day main conference, the Strategic Track will address the macro and investment-driven themes shaping Angola’s oil and gas industry.

Sessions will cover investment trends, Angola’s upstream competitiveness, advancing deepwater frontier momentum and opportunities in building an Angolan gas economy. Additional discussions will examine oil trade and the impacts of geopolitics, financing solutions for independents, fuel supply security and refining and the economics of local content success.

Technical Track

Running alongside the Strategic Track, the Technical Track will feature a series of presentations and discussions addressing critical operational and technical challenges across Angola’s oil and gas sector. This track will focus on practical solutions and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.

Topics will include M&A trends and asset transactions, accelerating AI adoption in oil and gas operations, building the next generation workforce and developing decommissioning frameworks for ageing assets. By focusing on operational efficiency, technology deployment and workforce development, the Technical Track will provide valuable insights for companies looking to optimize performance and extend the life of Angola’s producing assets while preparing for the next generation of projects.

Roundtables Track

A strategic feature at AOG, the Roundtables Track will introduce a more interactive discussion format focused on some of the industry’s most complex and strategic issues. These sessions will bring together small groups of stakeholders for targeted discussions on ensuring global compliance, Angola’s licensing landscape, partnerships and the future of upstream development.

Additional topics will include resolving the dollar/kwanza conundrum, the role of local financial institutions in the oil and gas sector and strategies to strengthen collaboration between international investors and local companies. The introduction of the Roundtables Track reflects growing demand for more focused, solution-driven discussions that move beyond traditional conference formats and toward practical problem-solving and partnership building.

Additional Features: Pre-Conference

In addition to the main conference program, AOG 2026 will include a dedicated pre-conference agenda on September 8, setting the tone ahead of the main conference discussions. Pre-conference sessions will cover subsurface imaging and structural analysis, Angola’s fiscals in a global context and strategies for strengthening Angolan institutions.

Several industry-led workshops will also take place, with companies offering insights into the technologies, solutions and tools that are transforming Angola’s oil and gas sector. These sessions are designed to provide practical knowledge sharing while highlighting the role of technology and innovation in improving efficiency and supporting new project development.

With an expanded multi-track program and the introduction of the Roundtables Track, AOG 2026 continues to evolve into a platform designed to drive investment, strengthen partnerships and support the next phase of Angola’s oil and gas growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Opening remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the meeting between the National Executive and the Free State Provincial Executive Council

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, 
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa,
Premier of the Free State, Ms. MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
MECs,
Executive Mayors,
Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning and thank you for availing yourselves for today’s engagement. 

Allow me to begin by commending Premier Letsoha-Mathae and the provincial leadership on the ambitious, future-facing and outcomes-oriented State of the Province address last month.

I was particularly struck by the attention to detail given to the initiatives planned for the year ahead, particularly around youth job creation, vocational training for young people, support for the agricultural sector, township economy revitalization and others. 

This is what the District Development Model we initiated in 2019 is all about – namely the finer, granular details of not just what is being done to localize development, but also the ‘how ‘and the ‘when.’

Timeous implementation is the yardstick by which we are measured, and also by which we will be judged.

We look forward to the presentation from the Premier on the priorities, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Free State.

We also wish to congratulate the Free State for achieving an 89,33 per cent pass rate in the 2025 matriculation examinations, the second highest in the country. 

Naturally this came as something of a damper because the province had been on a six-year streak with the highest pass rate. Nonetheless this is a fine achievement, and we certainly look forward to the province reclaiming the first place crown next year.

This is the eighth engagement between the National Executive and provincial leadership, with the first having commenced in late 2024. We will be meeting with the leadership of all nine provinces in due course. 

The purpose of this engagement is to see how we can work smarter and in a more integrated manner to drive inclusive growth and job creation; to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living; and build a capable, ethical and developmental state. 

Achieving our collective strategic goals necessitates that we deepen cooperation between the different spheres of government as mandated by our Constitution.

With the State of the Nation address having given the line of march, as it were, we are here to offer our support, and also our counsel.

Being agile and responsive is a hallmark of the capable, ethical and developmental state we are striving to build, and we are also here to listen.

Having members of the National Executive here today offers you an opportunity to raise the urgencies requiring their attention directly.

This engagement is really opening an additional channel of communication beyond what already exists within the intergovernmental relations framework, like the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC)

Colleagues,

The DDM model acknowledges the direct correlation between delivering on our mandate, and the state of local government.

When local government is effective, capacitated, and professional, service delivery is improved. With effective financial management and strong, accountable leadership in local government, we are responsive to the needs of citizens and enjoy their trust. 

When there are weaknesses or failings at local government, it isn’t just service delivery that suffers, but the trust between government and citizens becomes frayed. 

To put it quite bluntly, across much if not most of the country, local government is in crisis.

As of 2025, 35 of our country’s 257 municipalities were classified as distressed, and approximately 63 per cent were classified as being at risk. 

The number of municipalities across the country being placed under administration is growing, including seven here in the Free State.

We are alive to the realities and to the magnitude of this problem. 

Underfunding, lack of capacity, high debt and struggling revenue generation models are just some of the challenges. At the same time, many municipalities are practically paralysed by poor governance, financial mismanagement and corruption.  

Premier, in your State of the Province address you characterised fixing local government as regaining our pride, and I wholly concur.

In this year’s State of the Nation address I outlined the steps we will be taking to strengthen local government, including reviewing the funding model for municipalities and establishing ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity services.

We will also be undertaking extensive consultations around the updated White Paper on Local Government during the course of this year.

Restoring the fortunes of local government must be at the center of our efforts if we are to attract investment that creates jobs and boosts the provincial economy.

Next week we will be hosting the sixth South Africa Investment Conference in Gauteng, and I will be making the point, as I have done every year, that all our nine provinces are ripe for foreign and domestic investment.

The Free State is uniquely positioned to be at the heart of our country’s economic growth story. 

It is strategically located, making it a natural logistics and distribution hub linking major economic centers.

The province has extensive agricultural capacity, contributes significantly to our nation’s food security, and has a growing agro-processing sector.

Mining is well-established here, with increasing opportunities in manufacturing and beneficiation. The province is also leveraging its natural resources to generate renewable energy and for battery storage.

The Free State’s urban centers that are already administrative hubs are well-positioned to attract investment in professional services, education and sectors.

These endowments and advantages must be leveraged to drive inclusive growth and create jobs. 

With the necessary support, focus and direction, guided by the provincial One Plan developed under the DDM, the Free State’s full potential must be unleashed.

I have said, colleagues, that we are also here to listen: not only to what is not going well, but also to hear from you what is being done well and what lessons can be drawn.

For example, the Free State is leading the way in providing comprehensive agricultural support to emerging farmers and in implementing food security initiatives in vulnerable communities. 

During the last financial year, the province also exceeded its work opportunities targets through the Expanded Public Works Programme, reaching more than 46 000 beneficiaries. 

The Free State also continues to register successes in the provision of health services, notably around HIV/Aids and TB. There has also been notable progress in fighting crime. 

In your State of the Province address, Premier, you indicated that by the end of June 2025, that 93 per cent of Municipal Infrastructure Grants (MIG) had been spent on providing and maintaining public infrastructure. 

Considering the well-known problem of municipalities underspending on conditional grants for municipal infrastructure, this is truly commendable.  
As National Treasury forges ahead with plans to reform the way in which local government is currently being funded, we look forward to hearing more on the  
Free State’s experience with the MIG and other grants.

As you build on the progress made over the past year, be assured of our full support as the National Executive.

This year marks 30 years since our democratic Constitution was signed into law. The Constitution enjoins on us to work together to free the potential of and improve the lives of every citizen, to advance the Bill of Rights.

As much as introspection is necessary and critical, let us at the same time cast our horizons to the future we aspire to. 

Inasmuch as we need drill down what the challenges, obstacles and bottlenecks are, this must be matched by solutions, and timelines for implementing them. This would be time well and effectively spent today.

We are one government, united by One Constitution for One People, and it is in this spirit of cooperation that I would like our deliberations today to proceed. 

So welcome once again and I look forward to our discussions.

I thank you.
 

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Partnerships key to solving South Africa’s water crisis – Mahlobo

Source: Government of South Africa

Partnerships key to solving South Africa’s water crisis – Mahlobo

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has emphasised the critical role of partnerships in addressing South Africa’s water and sanitation challenges.

Mahlobo was speaking at the 2026 Future of Sustainability Conference, held in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.

Held under the theme: “Africa’s Green Horizon: Leading the Global Transition,” the two-day conference brought together sustainability leaders, policymakers, business executives, academics, and industry specialists to address pressing environmental challenges and explore innovative, sustainable business strategies.

Established in 2011 through a partnership between Topco Media and the United Nations for the COP17 climate conference, the conference has evolved into a key platform for exploring pioneering solutions for a sustainable future.

Mahlobo said collaboration between government and the private sector is essential to resolving water supply challenges.

“There is no single institution, municipality, department, company or country that can solve the water challenge alone,” he said.

He warned that ageing infrastructure and outdated technology, combined with population growth, have led to the current water supply challenges experienced in most parts of the country.

“The water challenges confronting South Africa are well known, but their seriousness demands that we name them plainly and confront them honestly.”

He warned that ageing infrastructure and outdated technology, combined with population growth, have exacerbated water shortages across the country.

He cited key issues, including infrastructure deficits, climate variability, rapid urbanisation, the pollution of rivers, and operational weaknesses in some wastewater systems, as well as persistent inequality in access to water, particularly in rural and historically marginalised communities. 

Addressing these challenges he said, demands a coalition of capability at local, national, and global levels.

“Water security requires alignment across government departments, water boards, municipalities, regulators, state entities, research institutions, financiers and the private sector. We must end the old culture of silo governance.

“The era of fragmented mandates, parallel planning without integrated execution, and infrastructure built without adequate maintenance discipline must come to an end,” Mahlobo said.

He also highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making and technology.

“What gets measured gets managed, and what gets managed well gets sustained,” he said, adding that technology is essential for improving accountability and efficiency.

The Deputy Minister further advocated for the diversifying approach to water supply through groundwater development, wastewater reuse and integrated urban water systems to reduce pressure on traditional sources.

Referring to the United Nation’s declaration of 2026 as the Water Year, Mahlobo reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring access to water as a constitutional right.

He urged South Africans to change water habits and adopt a water saving approach to ensure a more sustainable use of water for everyone.

“Communities are not passive beneficiaries… they are co-creators of resilience. When communities are organised, informed and included, they become a force multiplier for sustainability.

“They help protect infrastructure, strengthen accountability, support behavioural change, defend local ecosystems, detect failures earlier and give legitimacy to interventions that might otherwise remain abstract,” Mahlobo said.

In concluding his address, Mahlobo called for urgent action to build a better world for future generations.

“We have less than four years to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, and we are not on track. In your hands lies the duty to create a better world. We will not be doing it for our sake; we are holding it for our children.”. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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Public comments sought on proposed deposits for the 2026/27 Local Government Elections

Source: Government of South Africa

Public comments sought on proposed deposits for the 2026/27 Local Government Elections

The Electoral Commission will today publish a Government Gazette notice inviting political parties, independent candidates and all interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed deposit amount for the 2026/27 Local Government Elections.

By law, registered political parties and independent candidates intending to contest elections must pay deposits. 

The purpose of the deposit is to confirm a contestant’s intention to participate in the election and to create certainty on who the contestants in an election are, the Commission said in a statement.

“Deposits are refundable to contestants who obtain a seat in the applicable Proportional Representation election, or who obtain at least 10% of the valid votes cast in the applicable ward election. If a contestant loses, the deposit is not refundable and is paid into the National Revenue Fund,” the Commission said.

The amount of the deposit to be paid in terms of Section 14(1)(b) of the Act is, in respect of each separate list submitted by a party is:

• R4 700 in an election in a metropolitan municipality.

• R2 800 in an election in a local municipality with wards.

• R1 800 in an election in a local municipality without wards and in an election in a district municipality.

The Electoral Commission intends increasing the deposit as prescribed in Item 11(1) of the Municipal Electoral Regulations as follows:

“(1) The amount of the deposit referred to in section 17(2)(d) of the Act, is R1 800.00 in respect of an independent ward candidate and for a ward candidate nominated by a party who is not contesting the election of the relevant municipal council by way of a party list.

Representations or comment on the proposed election deposits may be emailed to Mr Kgosietsile Tshoke at deposits@elections.org.za or delivered to Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157.

The closing date for the submission of comments is Friday, 8 May 2026.

The Commission emphasised that it had not yet decided on the election deposit amounts for the 2026/27 Local Government Elections. 

It will review feedback and comments before making a final decision. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Husband arrested for drugging, raping his wife then distributing pornographic material

Source: Government of South Africa

Husband arrested for drugging, raping his wife then distributing pornographic material

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested two suspects for possession and distribution of drug-facilitated sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material, following a multi-disciplinary operation in Gauteng. 

The national Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) team received an intelligence report from the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the British High Commission regarding a South African target who was believed to be involved in drug-facilitated sexual assault and somnophilia or “sleep fetish”.

“The 34-year-old husband drugged, raped his wife and distributed pornographic material of him performing sexual acts on her without consent on an exclusive social media channel over a period of five years,” the police said in a statement. 

“The victim appeared sedated and in a state of unconsciousness when these serious sexual offences were committed. Innovative investigative techniques and analysis led a multi-disciplinary team to the location of the suspect who was arrested in Boksburg on Thursday, 26 March 2026,” said the police.

The team comprised investigators from the national and provincial SECI team in Gauteng, supported by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the United States Embassy. 

“Forensic experts at the scene uncovered multiple images and videos relating to drug-facilitated sexual assault as well as child sexual abuse material which were found on the suspect’s electronic devices,” the police said. 

On the same day, further investigation led the team to another suspect in Germiston with a similar modus operandi. 

The two suspects are known to each other. 

Police also seized the 48-year-old suspect’s electronic devices and two unlicensed firearms found in his possession. 

“Both suspects are expected appear before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today on charges that include sexual assault, possession of unlicensed firearm, possession, distribution and manufacturing of child sexual abuse material as well as contravention of Section 16 of the Cyber Crimes Act, namely sharing of intimate images without consent of the victim,” the police said. 

Investigations and forensic analysis of the suspects’ devices remain ongoing. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Legal professionals to discuss Companies Tribunal’s extended jurisdiction

Source: Government of South Africa

Legal professionals to discuss Companies Tribunal’s extended jurisdiction

Legal professionals will on Tuesday convene at the Johannesburg Society of Advocates offices in Sandton for a seminar hosted by the Companies Tribunal aimed at informing stakeholders about its extended jurisdiction, as well as the recent appointment of retired judges.

The seminar will also outline the implications of these developments for corporate governance and dispute resolution in South Africa. 

In terms of the amendments to the Companies Act 71 of 2008, the Tribunal has been granted exclusive jurisdiction to arbitrate certain company disputes. 

This expanded mandate represents a significant development in South Africa’s corporate dispute resolution landscape. 

“The seminar will provide a platform for direct engagement, enabling stakeholders to better understand the Tribunal’s evolving role and mandate,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement.

Furthermore, the appointment of retired judges – Judge Mohammed Navsa, Judge Kathleen Satchwell, Judge Robert Nugent, Judge Boissie Henry Mbha, and Judge Visvanathan Ponnan – to the Tribunal strengthens its institutional credibility. 

“The retired judges bring impartiality and independence, and their extensive experience in legal reasoning and statutory interpretation is expected to enhance the quality of dispute resolution. Their involvement will contribute to increased confidence and trust in the Tribunal’s processes among stakeholders,” the department said.

The Tribunal reaffirms its commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the effective administration of justice in company law matters. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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