MIL Africa Engine

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has launched BrainSAT Satellite Services and Thuraya satellite phones as part of efforts to expand digital connectivity to citizens in rural and remote communities.

Speaking at the launch and unveiling of the next-generation Thuraya satellite phone in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, the Deputy President said the technologies would help bridge the divide between isolation and opportunity for people in rural villages, townships and remote communities.

“We want a young boy in a rural village, who once had to walk kilometres just to borrow textbooks from a distant school library, to now have full access to digital connectivity. From his home, he should be able to log into online learning platforms, attend virtual classes, and connect with mentors across the world,” the Deputy President.

He emphasised that reliable broadband and satellite connectivity are not merely technological advances but instruments of inclusion.

“This is the foundation of a resilient digital economy. It equips farmers with real-time weather and market intelligence, enables small businesses to compete in the digital marketplace, and provides young people with access to the skills and opportunities that will define the jobs of the future.

“Digital transformation is no longer a choice, it is an economic imperative. Around the world, it is driving investment, accelerating innovation, creating sustainable employment and improving the delivery of public services. 

“Satellite communications are equally strategic, extending connectivity to underserved communities, strengthening national resilience, and ensuring that no South African is left behind,” Deputy President Mashatile said.

The launch follows the Deputy President’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April 2024, where he engaged various companies providing satellite technology.

One of the key outcomes of these engagements was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Space42 and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. Space42 is partnering with BrainSAT South Africa to implement the MOU.

BrainSAT South Africa provides integrated satellite communication solutions to government, business and industry, including secure voice, broadband and data connectivity services across various sectors.

Through its strategic partnership with Space42, a leading global SpaceTech company, BrainSAT South Africa uses advanced satellite infrastructure and technologies to extend satellite communication services across South Africa and the continent.

“We want to ensure connection availability across South Africa’s most connectivity-dependent sectors such as energy, mining, maritime, and humanitarian operations. Satellite connectivity is essential for maintaining operational continuity and safety in extreme conditions. 

“Collaborations with Government and Private Entities will ensure that critical sectors stay connected, thus advancing technological innovations while also protecting the essential lifelines of the economy and society,” the Deputy President said.

The Deputy President said connectivity alone is not enough, adding that it must benefit everyone as a key engine of upward mobility in the digital age.

He called on BrainSAT and Thuraya to invest deeply in training programmes, apprenticeships and skills development initiatives.

“If we equip our youth with the expertise to design, maintain, and innovate within this sector, we secure South Africa’s digital future while empowering a generation to lead in the knowledge economy.

“Our partnership must therefore be more about capacity-building, job creation, and nurturing talent so that our youth stand at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation,” he said.

The Deputy President further emphasised government’s commitment to improving access to public services for millions of South Africans.

“To achieve this, we have implemented the Roadmap for Digital Transformation in Government, aimed at simplifying access to essential services, including grants, ID applications, payment collections, and school registrations.

“The roadmap outlines a strategy for modernising service delivery through investments in shared systems, improved coordination, and the elimination of access barriers,” the Deputy President said.

The launch of Thuraya satellite phones and BrainSAT Satellite Services is expected to support the government’s digital transformation roadmap by providing resilient infrastructure for modern and accessible public services.

“This technological foundation is designed to bridge the digital divide, enhance resilience, and empower citizens, allowing them to access government services with dignity and ease.

“Furthermore, the Government views connectivity through the lens of the South Africa Connect programme, which aims to provide universal broadband access to all schools, health facilities, and Government institutions,” Deputy President Mashatile said.

The initiative seeks to create an integrated “network of networks” to ensure that connectivity meets the cost and quality requirements of citizens, businesses and the public sector.

The SA Connect initiative is aimed at improving connectivity in remote areas of South Africa through a satellite-based communications network, complementing broadband services and helping to address the digital divide. –SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that South Africa and the wider African continent have broken the cycle of playing “digital catch-up” and are firmly in the driving seat of a technological revolution that will catalyse jobs and modernise public services.

The President was speaking at the first Google Cloud Summit held on the African continent at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday.

“The regional Google Cloud Summits are the premier technology and enterprise events for showcasing the latest innovations in cloud computing, AI [artificial intelligence] and digital transformation. This event affirms Africa’s position as a core growth region for the global cloud ecosystem.

“This is so because Africa is no longer simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere. We are becoming a place where new digital solutions are imagined, tested and scaled,” President Ramaphosa noted.

He highlighted that Africa has an opportunity to be at the cutting edge of industrialisation.

“For far too long, Africa has had to play digital catch-up with the world’s leading and most industrialised economies. We are now presented with a unique opportunity to be in the driving seat of our own industrialisation and growth.

“Technology will unlock entirely new industries, improve the competitiveness of existing firms and create opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs who today face barriers to entering the formal economy,” the President stated.

He welcomed Google’s latest investment in South Africa’s, which will be announced at the Summit – describing them as a significant vote of confidence in the country’s economic trajectory and structural reforms.

“They will catalyse job creation, support the growth of small and medium enterprises, and, above all, enhance our global competitiveness.

“Cloud and AI are reshaping the global landscape at a pace unprecedented in human history. As South Africa, we stand ready to harness these shifts to transform our economy and society,” he said.

A fitting match

The President described South Africa as the continent’s “digital investment powerhouse and Africa’s largest cloud market” and hosts approximately 70 percent of the continent’s hyperscale data centre capacity.

Additionally, Cape Town was recently ranked as the third-highest startup ecosystem on the continent.

“South Africa and Google are a perfect match. South Africa combines world-class financial markets, sophisticated legal institutions, deep engineering capability, globally respected universities and a growing innovation ecosystem.

“These are precisely the ingredients required for a thriving AI economy,” the President noted.

Furthermore, the push towards digitisation aligns with government’s ongoing economic turnaround strategy.

“A critical part of the structural reforms being coordinated through Operation Vulindlela is the creation of a comprehensive digital public infrastructure for South Africa that will serve as the backbone of our modern economy.

“Secure, interoperable digital systems will support digitalisation across the public and private sectors, foster financial inclusion and scale up the delivery of public services.

“A key strategic priority of our government is inclusive growth and job creation, and we have been clear on the role a robust digital infrastructure must play in achieving this goal. We are greatly encouraged that Google shares this view,” he said.

The President praised Google’s commitment for being a “steadfast partner in Africa’s development journey” and added that the continent and South Africa have ambitions that go deeper.

“Our ambition is not simply to expand and host data centres. Our ambition is to build companies. To produce researchers. To commercialise African ideas. To create intellectual property that competes globally, 

“Ours is the generation called upon to build the digital infrastructure that will power the African century. Let future generations say that when the opportunity came, Africa chose ambition over hesitation, innovation over imitation and partnership over isolation.

“Together we will ensure that the technologies shaping tomorrow are developed in ways that advance human dignity, expand opportunity and improve the lives of all our people,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has increased the sardine Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for areas west of Cape Agulhas by 6 000 tonnes, adjusting the overall limit from 30 500 tonnes to 36 500 tonnes.

According to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, the decision will protect more than 5 000 livelihoods.

“I am very pleased that we have saved more than a thousand jobs, whilst also ensuring the protection of our natural resources. Creating jobs and growing our economy does not stand in opposition to the protection of our environment, which was again evident in reaching this decision,” the Minister said on Tuesday.

The increase comprises 3 000 tonnes supported by revised survey timing corrections, and a further 3 000 tonnes made available through the conversion of existing sardine Total Allowable Bycatches (TABs).

The decision follows several requests from stakeholders in the commercial Small Pelagic sector, who raised concerns about a shortage of sardine for processing in areas west of Cape Agulhas.

This resulted in socio-economic hardship, with several right holders having already harvested their local sardine TAC allocations and being forced to scale down operations.

These circumstances consequently placed more than one thousand jobs at risk.

The Minister therefore instructed the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group (SWG) to investigate whether additional sardine TAC could be made available for areas west of Cape Agulhas in the short term to help alleviate these impacts.

Following its deliberations, the SWG reached a decision on Monday, 29 June 2026.

The determination of the TAC is governed by the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998).

The department said it will continue to monitor the status of the resource through its established scientific assessment and stakeholder engagement processes.

“Any future adjustments to management of our small pelagic stock will be considered strictly within the framework of the applicable scientific advice, sustainable resource management and legislative requirements,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Authorities in the Eastern Cape have arrested 208 suspects during coordinated law enforcement operations conducted while residents participated in demonstrations against illegal immigration.

The operations form part of ongoing efforts to prevent and combat crime, maintain stability and ensure the safety and security of all residents.

“While the security situation remains stable, deployed law enforcement officers will remain on high alert, closely monitoring developments across the province. Security agencies stand ready to respond swiftly and decisively to any incidents that may threaten public safety or disrupt public order,” Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said on Tuesday.

The provincial government acknowledged the concerns raised by communities regarding undocumented immigrants.

“While the provincial government acknowledges the concerns raised by communities regarding undocumented immigrants, it reiterates that the enforcement of immigration laws remains the responsibility of the relevant State authorities.

“The provincial government strongly condemns acts of vigilantism, intimidation, discrimination, criminality or violence against any individual or community, and urges residents to allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their responsibilities within the confines of the law.”

Mabuyane encouraged members of the public to report suspected criminal activity or immigration-related offences through the appropriate law enforcement channels and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

The Eastern Cape provincial government commended law enforcement agencies across the province for their coordinated and professional response during the demonstrations.

Mabuyane said the successful management of the protests reflects the strength of coordinated planning and cooperation between all spheres of government and law enforcement agencies.

“I wish to commend all law enforcement agencies for their vigilance, professionalism and restraint in ensuring that the protests remained peaceful. We also appreciate the cooperation shown by communities and protest organisers who exercised their constitutional rights responsibly.

“Government remains committed to working with all stakeholders to address concerns relating to illegal immigration through lawful, coordinated and constitutionally compliant interventions,” the Premier said.

The Eastern Cape provincial government reaffirmed that it would continue monitoring developments through established security structures and remains committed to safeguarding the lives, property and wellbeing of all residents. – SAnews.gov.za

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