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Government interventions to curb Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) have reached communal farmers in Magagula Heights in the East Rand, Gauteng.

On Saturday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, spearheaded continuing efforts to roll out the FMD vaccine campaign.

Ramokgopa said the rollout of vaccination in Magagula Heights was significant in the work being done to curb the disease, which is a highly contagious viral illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals.

“This particular site, Magagula Heights, is a site of communal farming. It is the location where we had our first (FMD) outbreak in Gauteng in April 2025. It’s important we are able to return here to assist communal farmers, who are farming in the area… There is important information sharing that we are able to do on site today, which is important in helping us to curb FMD in the province.”

The vaccination campaign is part of government’s robust, multi-pronged strategy to protect the national livestock herd and ensure food security. 

Steenhuisen said the advice, suggestions and feedback emanating from Gauteng province has been very helpful in the development of the national response to FMD.

“We aim to vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December and reduce the outbreaks by 70%. This new strategy will put South Africa onto the path of becoming a ‘FMD-free with vaccination country’, which will mean that we can start to open up international markets for South African red meat products, which have been closed… 

“We can only do this mass vaccination process in partnership with the provinces, the private sector, private veterinarians and animal health technicians. We’re all helping to ensure we vaccinate as many animals as quickly as possible, so we can reach the targets we have set ourselves.”

The Minister said Biogénesis Bagó, a FMD vaccine from Argentina, was used in the Magagula Heights vaccination drive. 

“We’re using the Biogénesis Bagó vaccine today… and it’s a powerful vaccine that has had good results around KwaZulu-Natal and other areas. It’s part of the batch of one million vaccines that arrived last week. We have another one and a half one million [vaccines] coming in from a company called Dollvet. It’s… being prepared for distribution to the provinces.”

Vaccine funding and distribution

Steenhuisen used the opportunity to set the record straight about vaccine payments, warning against misinformation circulating in the sector.

“The State has budgeted for the payment of vaccines and those payments are processed according to the PFMA [Public Finance Management Act] and I can assure the country and suppliers that we have the money, and we will pay for the vaccines and ensure we have a steady flow of vaccines,” Steenhuisen said.

He clarified that it would not be in the interest of the country to not pay for vaccines, as that would cut off their supply.

“In doing so, we have to follow the prescripts of the PFMA and the guidance from the Auditor-General to ensure that this takes place.” 

Steenhuisen assured farmers that their cattle are safe and that they will remain theirs, despite them being vaccinated.

“I can confirm that we have taken delivery of the Dollvet vaccine. It will be delivered this week into the field.”

The Department of Agriculture said: “This successful importation of Dollvet FMD vaccines from Turkey, facilitated by Dunevax Biotech as the authorised agent, highlights government’s decisive partnership with the private sector to secure a reliable pipeline of high-potency vaccines in South Africa’s fight against FMD.”

The vaccines will be distributed as follows: Eastern Cape will receive 152 000 vaccines, Free State 195 000, Gauteng 213 000, KwaZulu-Natal 560 000, Mpumalanga 95 000, North West 50 000, Northern Cape 35 000, Limpopo 25 000 and the Western Cape 100 000. – SAnews.gov.za

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Police at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) have seized drugs with an estimated street value of R2.8 million.

“During routine day-to-day operations, police made the first discovery of crystal meth worth R2.2 million at a cargo warehouse on Wednesday. The meth was destined for the Philippines from South Africa,” the police said in a statement. 

The second drug bust was made at another cargo warehouse, where eight large boxes containing dagga worth R672 000 was discovered on Thursday. 

“The dagga was shipped from Morocco and was destined for South Africa. The drugs have been seized and investigations are underway to track down the traffickers of these drugs,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is leading South Africa’s delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, which runs from 9 – 20 March 2026.

The global gathering arrives at a pivotal moment in the fight for gender equality, as nations reflect on progress made in promoting the rights of women and girls, while confronting persistent structural barriers that hinder access to justice, economic opportunities, safety and equal participation in society.

“South Africa’s involvement will reaffirm the country’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable legal systems, abolishing discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and dismantling structural barriers that prevent women and girls from fully realising their constitutional rights,” the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities said in a statement.

The South African delegation will highlight the country’s alignment with international frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 16 on access to justice and strong institutions.

The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women will bring together global leaders, policymakers and advocates working to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

This year’s priority theme, ‘Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls’, emphasises the urgent need for inclusive and equitable legal systems that eliminate discriminatory laws and dismantle structural barriers.

The review theme revisits commitments to women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence against women, reaffirming their central role in achieving sustainable gender equality.

Participation in the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women provides an important platform to share lived experiences, innovative practices and policy recommendations, contributing to the global dialogue on advancing justice, equality and empowerment for women and girls in all their diversity. – SAnews.gov.za

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As South Africa joins the global community in observing International Women’s Day today, government has called on citizens to take an active role in dismantling the attitudes and behaviours that enable violence against women and children.

The call comes as the country marks the day under the theme: ‘Give to Gain’, while also commemorating the historic 1956 Women’s March – a defining moment that took place 70 years ago.

On that day, more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the oppressive pass laws that restricted the freedom of movement of black South Africans.

Led by courageous activists including Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, the women marched in peaceful defiance against the apartheid regime.

In a powerful act of protest, they stood in silence for 30 minutes before singing the now iconic struggle song ,“Wathint’ abafazi, Wathint’ imbokodo” (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock).

Their actions sent a powerful message that women would not accept injustice and firmly established the critical role women played in the struggle for freedom, equality and human dignity.

A legacy that demands action

The 1956 march marked a defining moment in South Africa’s history. It challenged both racial oppression and restrictive social norms, demonstrating that women’s contributions extend far beyond the household to every sphere of society.

The bravery and determination of these women laid a strong foundation for the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality for future generations.

Yet decades later, women continue to face a serious and persistent threat.

“Today, women face a different but equally serious challenge in the form of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF),” said Acting Government Spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa.

According to the 2022 National Gender-Based Violence Study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council, more than 35% of South African women aged 18 and older have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with most cases involving an intimate partner.

The study provides important baseline data to guide interventions aimed at addressing GBVF, as envisaged in the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

“Government has recognised GBVF as a national crisis that requires a collective and coordinated response from all sectors of society. Ending this scourge demands the active participation of communities, civil society, government, faith-based organisations, business, labour and citizens,” Mnukwa said.

Everyone has a role to play

This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, calls on all South Africans to actively confront the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence against women and children to persist.

This includes reporting abuse, supporting victims and refusing to remain silent in the face of injustice.

Government emphasised that ensuring the safety and dignity of women and children is a shared responsibility.

“As we commemorate International Women’s Day and honour the legacy of the women of 1956, government calls on all South Africans to work together to build a society that is free from GBVF, and where the rights, safety and empowerment of women are fully realised,” Mnukwa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid a deeply emotional tribute to civil rights leader, Reverend Dr. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr, describing him as a man whose voice carried hope across continents, and whose unwavering solidarity helped sustain South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.

The President was speaking at Rev. Jackson’s homegoing celebration (funeral) on Saturday, which was held in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America. Rev. Jackson passed away on 17 February 2026 at the age of 84.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa was not only joining the world in mourning the global figure, but was also “claiming him as one of their own”.

“The people of South Africa are with you today as you lay to rest a great man and celebrate a remarkable life that altered the moral direction of a nation and inspired the conscience of the world.

“We are here to join you as you say farewell to a man who carried the message of hope from the streets of Chicago to the streets of Johannesburg,” President Ramaphosa said.

He acknowledged that Rev. Jackson’s bond with South Africa was forged not by birthplace but by his commitment to justice and his decision to stand with oppressed people during the darkest years of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa said Rev. Jackson helped to transform the anti-apartheid struggle into a truly global movement. In November 1985, Rev. Jackson marched in London alongside then African National Congress (ANC) President Oliver Tambo and anti-apartheid campaigner Trevor Huddleston in one of the largest demonstrations ever held against apartheid.

More than 150 000 people took part, demanding sanctions against the South African government and the release of Nelson Mandela.

Rev. Jackson, President Ramaphosa said, also used his influence in diplomatic circles to lobby world leaders. He personally urged Pope John Paul II to visit South Africa to encourage change. He also pressed Mikhail Gorbachev to sever Soviet ties with Pretoria, and confronted British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over her reluctance to impose sanctions.

A “brother in the struggle”

President Ramaphosa told mourners that belonging is not defined by geography, but by the causes a person chooses to champion.

“You may ask: how can a son of South Carolina belong to the people of Soweto?” he said.

“Belonging is not determined by the soil on which you were born. Belonging is determined by the soil on which you choose to join the fight against an evil racist and oppressive system.”

During the decades when apartheid silenced many South African voices, Jackson chose to speak out.

“When our cause was ignored and many would look away, he stood firm in solidarity with us. He looked at a people he had never met and said: their pain is my pain. Their chains are my chains. Their struggle for freedom is my struggle.”

For this reason, President Ramaphosa said, South Africans remember Jackson not as a distant ally but as “a brother in the struggle for justice and freedom.”

Standing with South Africa

President Ramaphosa recalled Rev. Jackson’s first visit to South Africa in 1979, shortly after the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.

During that visit, Rev. Jackson drew huge crowds in Soweto and famously declared: “This land is changing hands.”

At a time when the administration of Ronald Reagan pursued a policy of “constructive engagement” with the apartheid government, Rev. Jackson advocated openly for strong sanctions and international pressure.

He placed South Africa at the centre of American political debate during his presidential campaign, urging voters to recognise apartheid as a moral issue.

Jackson also led protests in the United States and was arrested outside the South African Embassy in Washington in 1985 along with his sons, Jesse Jr. and Jonathan.

As police detained them, they sang “We Shall Overcome”, a song that had become a powerful anthem of both the American civil rights movement and South Africa’s struggle.

President Ramaphosa reminded the world that justice in the United States and justice in South Africa were connected struggles.

“His voice refused to be silenced when silence would have been easier. That voice preached a message of hope from the streets of Chicago to the dusty streets of Soweto, that justice was not a privilege for the few but a birthright for all.”

The President also noted the inspiration Jackson provided to political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela, who spent decades behind bars on Robben Island.

Inspired by African pride

President Ramaphosa drew a connection between Rev. Jackson’s activism and the vision expressed more than a century ago by Pixley ka Isaka Seme, one of the founders of the ANC.

While studying at Columbia University in 1906, Seme spoke about African pride and the coming liberation of the continent.

President Ramaphosa said that spirit of dignity and hope was embodied in Rev. Jackson’s life and work. “This is what Jesse Jackson meant to South Africa and Africa, hence we stand here today and say he also belongs to us.”

Witnessing freedom

When Mandela finally walked free in 1990 after 27 years in prison, Rev. Jackson was present in Cape Town to witness the historic moment.

President Ramaphosa said Jackson described the atmosphere as a “release of glee and joy”, as millions celebrated the birth of a new era.

Rev. Jackson also attended Mandela’s inauguration as South Africa’s first democratically elected President in 1994.

Even after apartheid ended, Jackson continued to visit South Africa, long after many other international supporters had turned their attention elsewhere.

“He kept coming back,” President Ramaphosa said, praising Rev. Jackson’s enduring commitment.

Inspiring generations

President Ramaphosa said Rev. Jackson’s life demonstrated that the fight for justice stretches across generations. He described it as a relay in which the torch of freedom passes from one courageous leader to another.

He said the dream of equality was first carried by Martin Luther King Jr., who inspired the world with his vision of justice. Rev. Jackson, President Ramaphosa said, carried that dream forward by keeping hope alive in the hearts of those fighting injustice.

President Ramaphosa said that torch now remains “in the hands of those who must continue the struggle for dignity and equality”.

Gratitude from South Africa

The President also addressed Rev. Jackson’s family, including his wife Jacqueline and their children, thanking them for sharing him with South Africa and the world.

“You gave us your husband. Your father. Your patriarch. You shared him across an ocean, across continents, across marches and prison gates and inauguration days.”

He said Rev. Jackson’s advocacy meant that when South Africans faced violence and repression during apartheid, someone in America was standing with them.

A memorable legacy 

In recognition of his contribution to the struggle for freedom, South Africa awarded Rev. Jackson the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver in 2013.

President Ramaphosa said no honour or decoration could fully capture what Jackson had given the country.

“What he gave to us cannot be framed and hung on a wall. It lives in our Constitution. It lives in our freedom. It lives in the hearts of our people.”

The President called for Rev. Jackson’s legacy to continue to inspire South Africans to defend justice around the world.

Keeping hope alive

President Ramaphosa urged people to honour Rev. Jackson’s memory by living the values he championed: justice, equality, dignity and service to others.

“We honour him by showing up when others look away from injustice. We honour him by pledging solidarity and supporting the just struggle of others.”

On behalf of the nation’s 62 million citizens, the President expressed deep gratitude for Jackson’s lifelong commitment to South Africa’s freedom.

“Go well, Reverend. Go well, Mkhulu. The people of the rainbow nation that you helped to build salute you. Amandla. Power to the people.” – SAnews.gov.za

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