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South Africa has successfully achieved its budgeted foreign currency funding requirement for the 2026/27 fiscal year, National Treasury has said.

“The foreign funding programme, amounting to approximately US$3.2 billion, has been fully funded through concessional financing secured from development finance institutions and multilateral development banks,” Treasury said in a statement.

In Wednesday’s statement, Treasury said no additional foreign currency funding will be raised during the remainder of the 2026/27 fiscal year.

“Accordingly, no further Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for foreign currency funding will be issued for the balance of the current fiscal year. The funding process is expected to resume in the 2027/28 fiscal year, subject to government funding requirements, market conditions and the approved borrowing strategy.”

It added that in line with the government’s foreign funding strategy, concessional financing remains the preferred source of foreign currency funding where available and appropriate, given its favourable pricing, longer maturities, grace periods and overall contribution to prudent debt management.

“National Treasury remains committed to prudent debt and risk management and will continue to engage market participants and provide updates as necessary,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Free State Department of Health is expanding access to minimally invasive cardiac care for children with the opening of the Paediatric Cardiology Catheterisation Laboratory at Universitas Academic Hospital.

The digitally enabled state‑of‑the‑art facility will serve children from the Free State and neighbouring provinces.

“This milestone shows our commitment to quality care through digitisation and advanced health technology – bringing safer, faster, closer-to-home services for our children,” provincial Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi said.

The lab boasts diagnostic speed, procedural safety and continuity of care, while strengthening specialist training in the province.

Other digital and technological interventions aimed at boosting the province’s healthcare system include:

• Digitisation at scale: HMS² (Health Management System 2) is an integrated, in-house Electronic Medical Records System. It is now live in 19 of 33 hospitals; EMR rollout improving documentation, handovers and data-driven decisions. 
• Imaging modernisation: Province-wide replacement of obsolete radiology equipment and PACS (R100 million) for faster, secure imaging.
• UAH paediatric cath lab: Opened 9 June 2026 (R33 million) to deliver high-precision, minimally invasive cardiac interventions for children.
• Adult cardiac and image-guided care: Commissioning adult catheterisation labs (R51 million) and interventional radiology (R28 million) this year.
• Advanced imaging: New MRI for Pelonomi (R28 million) and a cutting-edge PET-CT at UAH strengthening oncology diagnostics.
• Surgical innovation: Versius Surgical Robotic System at UAH enabling precise, minimally invasive surgery.
• Newborn care: PEA POD technology supporting early detection and management needs in neonates.
• Maternal care: New Pelonomi maternity ward equipped with R60 million in advanced theatre technology.

The Impact derived from these health technologies include:

• Faster diagnosis and treatment, fewer complications and shorter stays.
• Digitised records and modern PACS improve traceability and reduce medico-legal risk.
• Expanded local capacity reduces patient travel and waiting times. – SAnews.gov.za

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The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is pressing ahead with multi-billion-rand water infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening water security, stabilising supply and improving service delivery across the city.

The Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which includes a storage dam, a water abstraction point and a water treatment plant, has entered Phase 2 at a price tag of R11 billion.

“Upon completion, the project will produce 100 megalitres of water per day. Of this amount, 75 megalitres will be supplied to eThekwini Municipality. This volume will be sufficient to supply all areas in the south, from Isipingo to uMkhomazi. 

“The water currently being supplied to these areas will then be redirected to the central, northern and outer western regions to further stabilise supply,” eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba said on Thursday during a media roundtable outlining the progress of the eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba.

Phase 1 focused on raw water components, including the Ngwadini and Goodenough systems, while Phase 2 will deliver potable water infrastructure.

This infrastructure features a 100 ML/day water treatment facility, gravity pipelines and expanded reservoir capacity.

The Mayor said significant strides have been made with the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. 

“Last week, we introduced the contractor who will commence with the second phase of the Water Treatment Works. Although the project was delayed by legal processes, Umgeni-uThukela Water has committed to ensuring that, by the end of next year, we will begin receiving water from this scheme,” he said.

The Presidential eThekwini Working Group is driving infrastructure projects, demonstrating the effectiveness of its work in coordinating and accelerating interventions to address key developmental, infrastructure, economic, and service delivery challenges within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The Working Group also seeks to strengthen collaboration between national, provincial and local government, while ensuring improved communication and stakeholder engagement on progress made.

“For the first time in five years, all our bulk water reservoirs remained stable throughout the festive season, with the Durban Heights, Wiggins and Midmar Treatment Works operating at full capacity. 

“This resulted in communities in the north, south and central regions enjoying an uninterrupted water supply, and I am pleased that this trend has continued beyond the festive season,” Xaba said.

This is due to investment in the Northern Aqueduct, as well as the refurbishment and upgrade of the Ntuzuma Pump Station, both of which have significantly stabilised water supply in northern areas.

The R1.2 billion, 24 km bulk pipeline of the Southern Aqueduct Project involves replacing a 70-year-old, 900 mm diameter concrete pipe with a 1 200 mm diameter steel pipe and is expected to stabilise water supply from Durban Central to southern areas.

The system supplies water to approximately 1.2 million people via 33 reservoirs and is one of the city’s most critical bulk water infrastructure projects, aimed at improving the bulk water network, reducing water loss and enhancing water service delivery.

“We are also making excellent progress with the Southern Aqueduct upgrade, with several work packages already completed. We are confident that this R1.2 billion project will be completed by December this year, bringing much-needed relief to the 1.2 million residents living in the south of Durban,” the Mayor said.

Work Package One has been successfully commissioned. This newly commissioned section consists of approximately four kilometres of new steel pipeline, connecting the Westcliff Reservoir, Chatsworth Reservoir 1 and downstream reservoirs in Umlazi.

Work Package Three remains on track for commissioning at the end of May.

Work is progressing on the concrete pipeline on Northbourne Road in Westville. Pipe installation was scheduled to start on 27 May 2026.

Due to the system’s inability to operate at full capacity, after a scheduled shutdown and tie-in works, emergency water rationing was implemented until 27 May 2026.

Delays were experienced in the preparatory phase due to fibre and electrical cables within the construction area. –SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, has praised Bafana Bafana’s relentless effort and attitude to never give up following their 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the FIFA World Cup opening game on Thursday night.

“Our boys showed resilience against all odds. They never folded and kept it going until the end. They battled hard for the badge and the aspirations of millions of South Africans back home. 

“We say to them football is a game of mistakes and chances and against a top 15 ranked team with such overwhelming home support, they were unfortunately at the end of the harsh realities of the game,” the MEC said on Friday.

The MEC had previously joined the nation in wishing Bafana Bafana well in their game.

The match held at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, saw the Mexicans score their first goal in the first eight minutes of the game while their second goal was scored in the second half.  South Africa walked away with two red cards in last night’s game.

“We call on them to hold their heads high, regroup and confront the harsh technical lessons of the match and learn from it. Tactically they faced an uphill battle, however they showed their intentions and readiness to do their best even with two men short,” said Maile.

The MEC further urged the public to pull together and rally behind the team as they navigate the group stage. 

“A single result does not dictate our destiny. We call on the nation to lift our players up, drown out the noise, and show them unconditional love and support. This disappointment should serve as motivation for the next games to stay in the tournament for as long as it is possible,” he said.

In a statement on Thursday night, government commended the men’s team for their “spirited performance” at the World Cup opener.

“While the final score was not what the nation had hoped for, the team represented South Africa with unity, determination, and a sense of pride on the world’s biggest stage,” Acting government spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa said.

READ | Chin up, Bafana Bafana 
The senior men’s team will face Czechia in their next Group A match in Atlanta on Thursday, 18 June 2026. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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While they had a disappointing start in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opening game, government has commended Bafana Bafana following their match against Mexico on Thursday night.

“Government commends Bafana Bafana for their spirited performance in their opening match against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup. While the final score was not what the nation had hoped for, the team represented South Africa with unity, determination, and a sense of pride on the world’s biggest stage,” Acting government spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa said.

This as the national senior men’s team suffered a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

“We encourage the team, coaching staff and support team to remain focussed and confident as they prepare for the remaining matches in the group stage.  Together, we can inspire our team to greater heights; South Africans are urged to rally behind our boys and cheer them on as they carry the hope of the nation,” she said in a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System.

Mnukwa urged South Africans to wear their green and gold on Bafana Fridays and continue to stand united behind the national team throughout their FIFA World Cup journey. 

“South Africa remains proud of Bafana Bafana and believes in their ability to bounce back stronger,” she said.

The senior men’s team will face Czechia in their next match in Atlanta on Thursday, 18 June 2026. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

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