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Premier calls for community-led climate action in KwaZulu-Natal

Source: Government of South Africa

Premier calls for community-led climate action in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for climate change interventions to be driven and owned by communities.

Ntuli made the call while presiding over the KwaZulu-Natal Climate Change and Sustainable Development Council at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre on Friday, 3 July 2026.

The council brought together Members of the Executive Council, mayors, traditional leaders, academics, climate change experts and senior government officials to deliberate on practical interventions aimed at strengthening the province’s response to climate change and advancing sustainable development.

Delivering the opening address, the Premier noted that international experience has shown that sustainable climate interventions are most effective when society actively participates in their implementation.

“When a climate change solution is owned by society, the results are evident and impactful,” Ntuli said.

He said KwaZulu-Natal must continue to build a coordinated, inclusive and resilient response to climate change, particularly as municipalities, communities and vulnerable sectors face the growing impact of extreme weather events, environmental degradation and pressure on natural resources.

The council discussed several strategic priorities, including the implementation of the provincial Climate Change Resilience Action Plan, climate change funding sources for municipalities, and proposals aimed at strengthening the province’s climate change response.

Ntuli also called on members of the council to pay particular attention to the role of municipal bylaws in addressing climate change, saying local government remains central to ensuring that climate resilience measures are translated into practical action within communities.

He urged all stakeholders to work together in developing sustainable solutions that respond to the province’s unique environmental and socio-economic challenges, while supporting the broader objective of building a resilient, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive KwaZulu-Natal.

The Climate Change and Sustainable Development Council forms part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships, improve coordination across spheres of government and ensure that climate change and sustainable development remain at the centre of KwaZulu-Natal’s long-term development agenda. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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La réforme du secteur amont en Angola sert de modèle au marché émergent des hydrocarbures en Afrique du Sud

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


L’Afrique du Sud est entrée dans une phase critique du développement de son secteur amont. Avec la mise en place d’une nouvelle législation pétrolière, la création d’une compagnie pétrolière nationale et la levée du moratoire sur le gaz de schiste du Karoo, le pays a franchi des étapes importantes pour libérer son potentiel pétrolier et gazier. La question clé est désormais de savoir si l’Afrique du Sud sera capable de transformer cette dynamique politique en investissements, et l’expérience de réforme de l’Angola fournit une feuille de route concrète pour y parvenir.

Dans Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround and Transformation in Angola, NJ Ayuk, président exécutif de la Chambre africaine de l’énergie, montre comment des réformes coordonnées sur les plans juridique, fiscal et structurel ont inversé des années de déclin de la production dans le pays. Les deux pays évoluent dans des contextes différents : l’Angola a réformé un secteur de production déjà mature, tandis que l’Afrique du Sud s’efforce d’en mettre un en place. Il existe toutefois une leçon transposable concernant l’enchaînement des mesures et l’engagement institutionnel qui ont rendu les réformes angolaises efficaces.

L’Angola a donné la priorité aux réformes structurelles
Lorsque le président João Lourenço est entré en fonction en 2017, son administration a mené un examen du secteur d’une durée de 30 jours qui a débouché sur des changements réglementaires durables. L’Agence nationale du pétrole, du gaz et des biocarburants (ANPG), nouvellement créée, a pris en charge la régulation en amont, une fonction qui relevait auparavant de la compagnie pétrolière d’État Sonangol, parallèlement à son portefeuille commercial. Cette évolution a coïncidé avec la création d’un régulateur dédié à l’aval, l’Instituto Regulador dos Derivados do Petróleos, renforçant ainsi la gouvernance sur l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur des hydrocarbures.

Sur le plan politique, la loi de 2018 sur le gaz naturel a doté l’Angola de son premier cadre autonome pour l’exploration et la commercialisation du gaz, portant sur des réserves estimées à 11 trillions de pieds cubes. Le régime d’offre permanente, introduit en 2021, a permis de mettre des zones à disposition pour négociation de manière continue plutôt que par le biais d’appels d’offres périodiques, ce qui a abouti à l’attribution de 27 blocs. Par la suite, la loi sur la production incrémentale est entrée en vigueur en novembre 2024 ; elle vise à récupérer environ 500 millions de barils à partir d’actifs matures tout en prolongeant leur durée de vie productive de près de 20 ans.

Ces réformes ont rapidement porté leurs fruits. Les investissements directs étrangers ont augmenté de 2,59 milliards de dollars la même année où l’Angola est passé de la 167e à la 146e place de l’indice de perception de la corruption de Transparency International. La production d’hydrocarbures se maintient désormais au-dessus d’un million de barils par jour, tandis que les 70 milliards de dollars d’investissements prévus en amont témoignent d’une confiance internationale croissante dans les opportunités pétrolières et gazières de l’Angola.

« Les réformes réglementaires de l’Angola démontrent que la volonté politique, associée à des cadres fiscaux et juridiques clairs, peut transformer un secteur en amont en l’espace d’un seul cycle politique. Ces réformes offrent des enseignements essentiels à des pays tels que l’Afrique du Sud, qui a l’opportunité d’être un précurseur dans la mise en place d’un environnement réglementaire solide », déclare M. Ayuk.

La fenêtre réglementaire sud-africaine est ouverte
L’Afrique du Sud a commencé à s’engager dans une voie similaire. La loi sur le développement des ressources pétrolières en amont (UPRDA) a été promulguée fin 2024, consolidant l’octroi des licences en amont et instaurant une participation obligatoire de 20 % pour l’État. La Société nationale pétrolière sud-africaine (SANPC) a été lancée en mai 2025, fusionnant PetroSA, iGas et le Fonds stratégique pour les carburants. En octobre 2025, le gouvernement a levé un moratoire de 13 ans sur l’exploration du gaz de schiste dans le bassin du Karoo, dont les ressources en schiste sont estimées à près de 300 billions de pieds cubes.

Le défi pour l’Afrique du Sud réside dans la mise en œuvre. Des litiges environnementaux ont bloqué ou retardé l’exploration offshore menée par TotalEnergies et Shell depuis 2022.

En août 2025, la Haute Cour du Cap-Occidental a annulé l’autorisation environnementale pour les blocs 5/6/7 au large de la côte sud-ouest. Les gisements de gaz à condensats de Brulpadda et Luiperd, dans le bassin d’Outeniqua – dont une analyse de FTI Consulting estime qu’ils pourraient contribuer jusqu’à 25 milliards de rands par an à la balance des paiements –, restent inexploités.

L’expérience de l’Angola suggère que la réforme législative à elle seule ne suffit pas à générer des investissements. La trajectoire des investissements en amont du pays a dépendu de la rapidité et de la cohérence avec lesquelles ces réformes ont été mises en œuvre – depuis le lancement opérationnel de l’ANPG jusqu’à l’attribution progressive des blocs dans le cadre du régime d’offre permanente.

Avec l’UPRDA, la SANPC et la levée du moratoire sur le Karoo, l’Afrique du Sud a mis en place son propre cadre législatif. Sa capacité à maintenir ce rythme de mise en œuvre déterminera si la vague actuelle d’intérêt pour l’exploration dans les bassins offshore d’Afrique australe s’étendra enfin au sud de la frontière namibienne.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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A Reforma do Setor a Montante de Angola Oferece um Modelo para o Mercado Emergente de Hidrocarbonetos da África do Sul

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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A África do Sul entrou numa fase crítica do desenvolvimento do seu setor a montante. Com a nova legislação petrolífera em vigor, a criação de uma empresa petrolífera nacional e o levantamento da moratória sobre o gás de xisto do Karoo, o país deu passos importantes no sentido de desbloquear o seu potencial em petróleo e gás. A questão fundamental agora é se a África do Sul conseguirá traduzir este impulso político em investimento, e a experiência de reforma de Angola fornece um roteiro prático para o fazer.

Em Petróleo Bruto: Poder, Reviravolta e Transformação em Angola, NJ Ayuk, presidente executivo da Câmara Africana de Energia, documenta como reformas coordenadas nos domínios jurídico, fiscal e estrutural reverteram anos de declínio da produção no país. Os dois países operam em contextos diferentes: Angola reformou um setor de produção maduro, enquanto a África do Sul está a trabalhar para criar um. Existe, no entanto, uma lição transferível no que diz respeito à sequência de medidas e ao compromisso institucional que tornaram as reformas de Angola eficazes.

Angola deu prioridade à reforma estrutural
Quando o Presidente João Lourenço assumiu o cargo em 2017, a sua administração realizou uma revisão do setor com a duração de 30 dias que conduziu a uma mudança regulatória sustentada. A recém-criada Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG) assumiu a regulação do setor a montante, uma função anteriormente desempenhada pela empresa petrolífera estatal Sonangol, a par da sua carteira comercial. Isto coincidiu com a criação de um regulador específico para o setor a jusante, o Instituto Regulador dos Derivados do Petróleo, reforçando a governação em toda a cadeia de valor dos hidrocarbonetos.

No plano político, a Lei do Gás Natural de 2018 dotou Angola do seu primeiro quadro autónomo para a exploração e comercialização de gás, abrangendo reservas estimadas em 11 triliões de pés cúbicos. O Regime de Oferta Permanente, introduzido em 2021, abriu áreas para negociação de forma contínua, em vez de através de rodadas de licitação periódicas, resultando na adjudicação de 27 blocos. Na sequência disso, a Lei da Produção Incremental entrou em vigor em novembro de 2024 e tem como objetivo a recuperação de cerca de 500 milhões de barris a partir de ativos maduros, prolongando simultaneamente a sua vida útil em até 20 anos.

Estas reformas produziram rapidamente resultados sólidos. O investimento direto estrangeiro aumentou 2,59 mil milhões de dólares no mesmo ano em que Angola subiu da 167.ª para a 146.ª posição no Índice de Perceção da Corrupção da Transparência Internacional. A produção de hidrocarbonetos mantém-se agora acima de um milhão de barris por dia, enquanto os 70 mil milhões de dólares em investimentos planeados no setor a montante sinalizam uma crescente confiança internacional nas oportunidades de petróleo e gás de Angola.

«As reformas regulatórias de Angola demonstram que a vontade política, aliada a quadros fiscais e jurídicos claros, pode transformar um setor a montante no espaço de um único ciclo político. Estas reformas oferecem lições fundamentais para países como a África do Sul, que tem a oportunidade de ser pioneira no estabelecimento de um ambiente regulatório sólido», afirma Ayuk.

A janela regulatória da África do Sul está aberta
A África do Sul começou a avançar numa direção semelhante. A Lei de Desenvolvimento dos Recursos Petrolíferos a Montante (UPRDA) foi promulgada no final de 2024, consolidando o licenciamento a montante e estabelecendo uma participação obrigatória de 20% para o Estado. A Companhia Nacional de Petróleo da África do Sul (SANPC) foi lançada em maio de 2025, resultante da fusão da PetroSA, da iGas e do Fundo Estratégico de Combustíveis. Em outubro de 2025, o governo levantou uma moratória de 13 anos sobre a exploração de gás de xisto na Bacia do Karoo — que se estima conter até 300 triliões de pés cúbicos de recursos de xisto.

O desafio para a África do Sul é a implementação. Litígios ambientais têm bloqueado ou atrasado a exploração offshore pela TotalEnergies e pela Shell desde 2022.

Em agosto de 2025, o Tribunal Superior do Cabo Ocidental revogou a autorização ambiental para o Bloco 5/6/7 ao largo da costa sudoeste. As descobertas de gás condensado de Brulpadda e Luiperd na Bacia de Outeniqua, que, segundo uma análise da FTI Consulting, poderiam contribuir com até 25 mil milhões de rands por ano para a balança de pagamentos, continuam por explorar.

A experiência de Angola sugere que a reforma legislativa, por si só, não produz resultados em termos de investimento. A trajetória de investimento no setor a montante do país decorreu da rapidez e consistência com que essas reformas foram aplicadas — desde o arranque operacional da ANPG até à adjudicação contínua de blocos ao abrigo do Regime de Oferta Permanente.

Com a UPRDA, a SANPC e o levantamento da moratória do Karoo, a África do Sul estabeleceu as suas próprias bases legislativas. A capacidade de acompanhar esse ritmo de execução determinará se a atual onda de interesse na exploração das bacias offshore da África Austral se estenderá finalmente para sul da fronteira com a Namíbia.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para African Energy Chamber.

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How LG’s ‘Make Life Good’ turned an orphanage’s two-plate stove into a full kitchen – and other 24-hour makeovers

Source: APO – Report:

For years, a Johannesburg school’s soccer coach did the entire team’s laundry himself. Several evenings a week he and the teachers carried the kit home, washed and dried it, and brought it back so the squad had something clean to train in. Their changing room was a bare space with one toilet, a broken mirror and nowhere to store a thing. There was no shortage of talent or commitment – the surroundings just held it all back.

Until very recently, this was the reality at Kensington Secondary School. With the help of LG Electronics South Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4eQr5B2), the achiever who chose to fix it was Williams Okpara, the Nigerian goalkeeper who spent more than a decade guarding Orlando Pirates’ posts and still holds the club’s appearance record. His episode opens Make Life Good, LG’s six-part reality series made in partnership with MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, and hosted by Jessica Nkosi. It has aired on Mzansi Magic every Thursday at 19:00 since 11 June, with repeats on Saturdays at 14:00 and Sundays at 09:30.

The premise is rare for reality television. No prizes or eliminations, no scandals or tempers boiling over. Instead, six change-makers – or as they are affectionately known by LG as ‘Achievers’ – each return to a cause they already back, and the build teams get 24 hours to remake a space that shapes the people who use it. What connects them is geography as much as generosity: the Achievers come from across the continent, from South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, yet every organisation they chose sits in a South African community close to their hearts and in need of support.

In Lanseria, that community is a safe home and orphanage for babies and young children called LIV Lanseria, backed by Saray Khumalo, the South African mountaineer who became the first Black African woman to summit Everest. Her makeover turned a room with a single two-plate stove into a fully-fledged, working kitchen. A 900 L fridge now holds food for the whole home. A dishwasher returns the hours volunteers used to lose at the sink. A microwave warms a bottle evenly, without the cold spots that catch out a tired caregiver. The appliances follow the problem, which is the guiding principle in bringing together the Achievers, LG and Multichoice to make a difference by using their specialities.

The pattern holds at a skills programme for unemployed men, where a small projector gave way to a 100-inch smart display that now runs learning demonstrations and its written theory side by side, as well as an energy-efficient air conditioner that keeps a packed training room usable through the afternoon. In a country that plans its weeks around the unpredictable availability of service delivery, that efficiency is what lets a stretched organisation keep the equipment running once the cameras leave.

“Life’s Good is our slogan, but this series asks us to prove it where life isn’t always easy or fair,” says Pennileigh Naidu, Head of Corporate Marketing and PR at LG Electronics South Africa. She frames it as a deliberate move away from product-led marketing. “We didn’t want to talk about impact, we wanted to show it. For every organisation, we started with the operational problem they live with daily, then chose the technology that removes it.” Her measure of success, she emphasises, is the hours a caregiver gets back and the dignity a working kitchen restores.

That is the shift worth a marketer’s or a technologist’s attention. Corporate social investment has tended to sit off to the side of the business, a cheque written and a photograph taken. Make Life Good folds the impact into the brand and invites the harder question of whether the fridge is still working, and still useful, a year from now. Naidu calls it shared value rather than charity, the point where commercial capability and social relevance stop competing for the same budget.

The series reaches viewers in Kenya and Nigeria too, and sits within LG’s wider regional storytelling, gathered in its newsroom feature “Beyond the Product”. This season, though, the work was South African, room-by-room and need-by-need.

The crews have now packed up, and the Achievers have started their work on making changes with more communities. What stays behind in a Lanseria kitchen and a Kensington changing room is quieter and more durable: kit dried overnight, meals prepped faster, an afternoon lesson a full class can finally see. None of it will trend, but all of it will still be working when the next intake of children arrives.

Make Life Good – the Achievers and their causes

Williams Okpara (Nigeria) – Kensington Secondary School soccer programme, Johannesburg

  • Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper who holds the club’s appearance record and was part of the 1995 CAF Champions League-winning team, and is now Pirates’ team manager.
  • Products: 13Kg Front Loader with AI DD™ & Steam+™ in Black Finish (https://apo-opa.co/4wpZzSf); 10kg A+++ Dual Inverter Heat Pump Dryer in Black Finish (https://apo-opa.co/3QEJSrj); LG XBOOM Stage 301 by will.i.am Bluetooth Speaker (http://apo-opa.co/4aG3IsW).

Saray Khumalo (South Africa) – LIV Lanseria children’s home, Lanseria

  • The first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest and to ski to the South Pole, and founder of the Summits With a Purpose foundation, which raises funds to build libraries in disadvantaged schools.
  • Products: 900L InstaView™ Door-in-Door French Door Fridge with UVnano™ in Black Finish (https://apo-opa.co/3SKr5eF); 42L NeoChef™ Grill Microwave Oven in Stainless Finish (https://apo-opa.co/4f4TweN); 14 Place QuadWash™ Dishwasher with TrueSteam™ in Stainless Finish (https://apo-opa.co/4f4Twvj).

Adze Ugah (Nigeria) – Bold Men Skills Program / BBM Foundation

  • Nigerian-born, Johannesburg-based filmmaker, one of the directors of Shaka iLembe, whose feature Sierra’s Gold won Best South African Feature Film at the 2024 Durban International Film Festival.
  • Products: 100 inch LG QNED evo AI QNED86 MiniLED 4K 120Hz Smart TV (https://apo-opa.co/4bt52j0); 9.1.5 ch LG Home Cinema Soundbar with Surround Sound and Rear Speakers S95TR (https://apo-opa.co/4wmHX9H); [Wifi] 24k BTU DualCool+ Inverter (https://apo-opa.co/4wt1WDP).

Esther Munyi (Kenya) – Botshabelo Babies Home, Midrand

  • Kenyan data and analytics leader, founder of Charmed by Data and former Group Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Sasfin.
  • Products: 900L InstaView™ Door-in-Door French Door Fridge with UVnano™ in Black Finish (https://apo-opa.co/3SKr5eF); 42L NeoChef™ Grill Microwave Oven in Stainless Finish (https://apo-opa.co/4f4TweN); 13Kg Front Loader with AI DD™ & Steam+™ in Black Finish (https://apo-opa.co/4wpZzSf).

Thandi Mavata (South Africa) – The House Group, Johannesburg

  • South African entrepreneur, author and women’s-empowerment advocate, and founder of the Doek on Fleek movement.
  • Products: 77 inch LG OLED evo AI G5 4K 165Hz Smart TV (https://apo-opa.co/4eUHWTq); [Wifi] 24k BTU DualCool+ Inverter (https://apo-opa.co/4wt1WDP) air conditioner; 3x LG UltraFine 27″ QHD IPS Monitor with USB-C (https://apo-opa.co/4buggnp).

Perpetual Kendi (Kenya) – Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation, Tembisa

  • Kenyan Pan-African entrepreneur and communications strategist, founder and CEO of Addleston PR and of the Laute Luxury Wines brand.
  • Products: 65 inch LG QNED evo AI QNED86 MiniLED 4K 120Hz Smart TV (https://apo-opa.co/3QYRg0v); LG MR11 2300W, 4.2Ch AV Receiver System (https://apo-opa.co/4brSdW9).

– on behalf of LG Electronics.

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Angola’s Upstream Reform Offers a Blueprint for South Africa’s Emerging Hydrocarbon Market

Source: APO – Report:

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South Africa has entered a critical phase in its upstream development. With new petroleum legislation in place, a national petroleum company established and the Karoo shale gas moratorium lifted, the country has taken important steps toward unlocking its oil and gas potential. The key question now is whether South Africa can translate policy momentum into investment, and Angola’s reform experience provides a practical roadmap for doing so.

In Crude Oil: Power, Turnaround and Transformation in Angola, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, documents how coordinated legal, fiscal and structural reform reversed years of production decline in the country. The two countries operate in different contexts: Angola reformed a mature producing sector while South Africa is working to establish one. There is, however, a transferable lesson in the sequencing and institutional commitment that made Angola’s reforms effective.

Angola Prioritized Structural Reform
When President João Lourenço took office in 2017, his administration conducted a 30-day sector review that led to sustained regulatory change. The newly-established National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) took over upstream regulation, a function previously housed within state oil company Sonangol alongside its commercial portfolio. This coincided with the creation of a dedicated downstream regulator, Instituto Regulador dos Derivados do Petróleos, strengthening governance across the entire hydrocarbon value chain.

On a policy front, the 2018 Natural Gas Law gave Angola its first standalone framework for gas exploration and commercialization across an estimated 11 trillion cubic feet of reserves. The Permanent Offer Regime, introduced in 2021, opened acreage for negotiation on a rolling basis rather than through periodic bid rounds, resulting in 27 block awards. Following that, the Incremental Production Law came into effect in November 2024 and targets recovery of an estimated 500 million barrels from mature assets while extending their productive life by as much as 20 years.

These reforms quickly yielded strong results. Foreign direct investment rose by $2.59 billion in the same year Angola improved from 167th to 146th on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Hydrocarbon production has now been sustained above one million barrels per day, while $70 billion in planned upstream investments signal rising international confidence in Angola’s oil and gas opportunities.

“Angola’s regulatory reforms demonstrate that political will, matched with clear fiscal and legal frameworks, can transform an upstream sector within a single policy cycle. These reforms offer critical lessons for countries such as South Africa, which has the opportunity to be a first-mover in establishing a strong regulatory environment,” states Ayuk.

South Africa’s Regulatory Window is Open
South Africa has begun moving in a similar direction. The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRDA) was enacted in late 2024, consolidating upstream licensing and establishing a 20% mandatory carried interest for the state. The South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) launched in May 2025, merging PetroSA, iGas and the Strategic Fuel Fund. In October 2025, the government lifted a 13-year moratorium on shale gas exploration in the Karoo Basin – estimated to contain up to 300 trillion cubic feet of shale resources.  

The challenge for South Africa is implementation. Environmental litigation has blocked or delayed offshore exploration by TotalEnergies and Shell since 2022. In August 2025, the Western Cape High Court rescinded the environmental authorization for Block 5/6/7 off the southwest coast. The Brulpadda and Luiperd gas-condensate discoveries in the Outeniqua Basin, which an FTI Consulting analysis estimates could contribute up to R25 billion per year to the balance of payments, remain undeveloped.

Angola’s experience suggests that legislative reform alone does not produce investment outcomes. The country’s upstream investment trajectory followed from how quickly and consistently those reforms were applied – from the ANPG’s operational launch through to the rolling award of blocks under the Permanent Offer Regime.

With the UPRDA, the SANPC and the Karoo moratorium lift, South Africa has put its own legislative foundation in place. Whether it can match that pace of execution will determine if the current wave of exploration interest in southern Africa’s offshore basins finally extends south of the Namibian border.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Deputy Governor Joins African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 as Zimbabwe Seeks to Optimize Mining Capital Flows

Source: APO – Report:

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Dr. Innocent Matshe, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), has been confirmed as a speaker at African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s Most Influential Mining Conference, taking place from 14–16 October 2026 in Cape Town. His participation comes as African central banks assume an increasingly important role in financing mining projects, supporting mineral value addition and creating investment-friendly monetary frameworks to attract private capital.

Dr. Matshe will participate in the Central Bank Governors, Finance and Investor Roundtable, where policymakers, financial institutions and investors will explore strategies to mobilize the capital needed to unlock Africa’s estimated $8.5 trillion in untapped mineral wealth. The session will examine innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships and monetary policies that can accelerate investment across the continent’s mining sector.

As Zimbabwe  targets gold production of 55 metric tons in 2026 – up from 50.6 metric tons in 2025 and 38.6 metric tons in 2024 – the RBZ has expanded its support for the sector through its reserve-building gold purchase program. The initiative provides financing to mining companies while advancing the formalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) sector. To address foreign currency constraints, the central bank also pays ASGM producers – who account for more than 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold production – directly in foreign currency, enabling miners to purchase equipment, improve productivity and sustain operational growth.

Dr. Matshe will also speak during the Unlocking Refining Investment panel, where industry leaders will discuss financing strategies to accelerate investment in mineral processing and downstream beneficiation projects across Africa. His participation aligns with Zimbabwe’s efforts to strengthen domestic mineral value addition and attract investment into processing infrastructure.

The government is targeting approximately $1 billion in lithium processing investments ahead of its planned January 2027 ban on lithium concentrate exports, a policy designed to encourage in-country beneficiation and increase export value. At the same time, Zimbabwe is expanding its gold refining capacity through the approval of a new refinery in Bulawayo, supporting the country’s ambition to process a greater share of its mineral production domestically.

At AMW 2026, Dr. Matshe is expected to outline how the Reserve Bank’s monetary policies, foreign exchange reforms and financing initiatives are supporting mining sector expansion while creating a more attractive investment environment across Zimbabwe’s mining value chain, from exploration and production to refining and mineral processing.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Central Energy Fund welcomes appointment of Dr Mokoka as GCEO 

Source: Government of South Africa

Central Energy Fund welcomes appointment of Dr Mokoka as GCEO 

The Board of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) Group has welcomed the appointment of Dr Tshepo Mokoka as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the CEF Group of Companies.

“Dr Mokoka assumes the role following his successful tenure as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer after the departure of Dr Poolo. During this period, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic foresight and a steadfast commitment to ensuring continuity, organisational stability and the effective execution of the Group’s mandate,” the CEF said in a statement.

A highly respected and accomplished professional, Dr Mokoka holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics and brings extensive executive leadership experience, sound governance expertise and a deep understanding of South Africa’s energy landscape. 

The board said Mokoka’s appointment marks an important milestone as the CEF Group continues to strengthen its position as a strategic state-owned energy company dedicated to advancing national energy security and economic development.

His leadership is expected to further advance the Group’s purpose of “Securing Energy Solutions to Power South Africa”, while positioning the CEF Group to respond effectively to the country’s evolving energy needs through innovation, operational excellence and strategic partnerships.

“The Board has every confidence in Dr Mokoka’s ability to lead the CEF Group into its next phase of growth and transformation. His proven leadership, strategic insight and commitment to public service make him well suited to steer the organisation as we continue delivering on our mandate of ensuring security of energy supply and driving national development. We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him every success,” CEF Group Chairperson Ayanda Noah said.

Noah also called on all employees across the CEF Group and its subsidiaries to rally behind the new Group CEO.

“The success of the CEF Group depends on the collective efforts of every employee. I encourage all colleagues across the Group to support Dr Mokoka as he assumes this important responsibility. Together, we will continue building a resilient, innovative and high-performing organisation that delivers lasting value for South Africa,” she said.- SAnews.gov.za 
 

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Blue light pair to appear in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court

Source: Government of South Africa

Blue light pair to appear in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court

Two men arrested for the illegal fitting and possession of blue lights on a private motor vehicle, are set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

In June, police officers conducting a roadblock stopped a vehicle fitted with blue lights in the Wierdabrug area of Centurion in Pretoria. During questioning, the female driver informed police that the vehicle belonged to her husband. 

Further investigation led to the arrest of the 40-year-old owner of the vehicle on Friday. Police also arrested a 49-year-old Mozambican national on Saturday. The Mozambican national allegedly fitted the blue lights to the vehicle.

“The suspects are expected to face charges relating to the contravention of Regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, which prohibit the unauthorised fitment and use of blue lights on private vehicles,” the South African Police Service said in a statement ahead of Monday’s court appearance. 

“SAPS issues a stern warning to members of the public that fitting or using blue lights without lawful authority is a criminal offence. These regulations are in place to protect the public and to preserve the integrity of law enforcement vehicles.

“The illegal use of blue lights has become a serious concern, as criminal syndicates commonly known as the ‘blue light gang’ have used them to impersonate law enforcement officers and rob, hijack and terrorise unsuspecting motorists,” the police said.

The police warned that anyone found manufacturing, selling, fitting or using unauthorised blue lights will face the full might of the law. 

“SAPS will continue to intensify operations to remove illegal blue lights from South Africa’s roads and ensure that offenders are brought to justice,” the police said.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious vehicles displaying blue lights to the SAPS immediately by calling the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or using the MySAPS app. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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SA to host the 2026 Annual SADC Industrialisation Week

Source: Government of South Africa

SA to host the 2026 Annual SADC Industrialisation Week

The Government of South Africa, in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Business Council and the SADC Secretariat, will host the 2026 Annual SADC Industrialisation Week, later this month.

“The SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW) is a week-long programme that brings together policymakers, business leaders, investors, academia, researchers, development finance institutions from across the SADC region and beyond to advance regional industrial development,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement on Monday.

The Industrialisation Week will be held from 27-31 July 2026 at the Durban International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

SIW is the premier regional platform dedicated to advancing industrialisation, regional integration, investment promotion and economic transformation within the SADC region. 

Hosted under the theme: “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World,” the event will be held as a high-level precursor to the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, and is widely regarded as the largest public-private platform for advancing industrial development in the SADC region. 

“The SIW supports the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015 – 2063) which is anchored on three pillars: industrialisation, competitiveness and regional integration. 

“The Strategy seeks to strengthen regional productive capacities, deepen value addition and beneficiation, and promote the development of competitive regional value chains,” the department said. 

The 2026 edition of the SADC Industrialisation Week will focus on the following strategic priorities: 
•    The development of regional value chains in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and critical minerals beneficiation, the promotion of infrastructure development in energy, transport, logistics, water and ICT.
•    Investment mobilisation and industrial partnerships, and
•    Women and youth empowerment, innovation entrepreneurship and digital transformation

The programme will include policy dialogues, technical sessions, strategic discussions, seminars, workshops and stakeholder engagements focusing on industrialisation, trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, regional value chains and private sector development. 

“The Industrialisation Week will provide a unique opportunity for governments, the private sector, development finance institutions and other stakeholders to engage in practical measures to accelerate industrialisation, address constraints affecting regional value chains and unlock investment opportunities that support sustainable and inclusive economic growth. 

“As Chair of SADC, South Africa remains committed to advancing the regional industrialisation agenda and to strengthening regional cooperation as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, industrial development and shared prosperity across the region,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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Committee welcomes launch of inaugural National Science Month

Source: Government of South Africa

Committee welcomes launch of inaugural National Science Month

The Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation has welcomed the launch of the inaugural National Science Month (NSM), saying the initiative makes science more accessible and meaningful while showing how scientific research contributes to improving lives and addressing real societal challenges.

A flagship programme of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), NSM expands the former National Science Week into a month-long programme aimed at bringing science closer to all South Africans.

The programme aims to increase public understanding of science by popularising science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), promoting public awareness, and encouraging active engagement with science.

It was launched on Saturday at the Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark under the theme: “Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone.”

NSM also seeks to inspire communities, young people, scientists and innovators to collaborate in advancing science-based solutions.

“The committee has consistently encouraged the DSTI and its entities to expand initiatives that promote public awareness and appreciation of science, technology and innovation. It encourages all Members of Parliament and the public to follow, participate in and support the various events planned during NSM,” the committee said.

The committee said it looks forward to receiving a briefing from the DSTI on the outcomes of the month-long programme.

NSM targets a wide range of stakeholders, including the public, learners, educators, students, researchers, industry, tourists, decision-makers, journalists, research institutions and government departments.

The initiative fosters a culture of science and innovation while promoting an inclusive society in which all South Africans can participate in and benefit from science and innovation.

Information on the month-long activities is available via: https://www.saasta.ac.za/national-science-month/

– SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

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