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The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), through the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), is conducting Project OWETHU, a humanitarian community outreach programme in Limpopo.

In a statement on Monday, the department explained that Project OWETHU is a Department of Defence supported initiative aimed at providing integrated healthcare, social and youth development services to impoverished and rural communities.  

“The programme will deliver general healthcare services, social and youth development support, as well as oral health and ophthalmology services with a specific focus on cataract surgeries to assist in reducing the surgical backlog at Elim District Hospital, George Masebe District Hospital and FH Odendaal District Hospital,” the department said. 

In addition, the programme will render mental health services, ancillary health services, various sporting activities and conduct an awareness drive on drug and substance abuse. 

These interventions are intended to promote psychological well-being, encourage healthy lifestyle choices and strengthen preventative healthcare within the participating communities. 

The programme will be rolled out across the following districts and venues: 

• Sekhukhune District (Mashoanyaneng Village) from 26 Jan to 30 Jan 2026. 
• Waterberg District (Ga-Matlou) from 02 to 06 Feb 2026. 
• Vhembe District (Basani Village) from 09 to 13 Feb 2026. 

Project OWETHU will culminate in an official launch on 17 February 2026 at the Collins Chabane Local Municipality Community Hall. 

The department added that multidisciplinary teams from SAMHS in collaboration with provincial government departments will render health services, social welfare support and youth empowerment programmes throughout the rollout period. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Eastern Cape Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe will launch a R19.5 million provincial irrigation schemes revival programme aimed at strengthening food security and driving agricultural economic growth.

The programme will support vegetable, grain and fodder production, as well as the provision of equipment and machinery, covering a total of 1 528 hectares of land across the province.

The investment forms part of commitments outlined in the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture’s 2025/26 policy speech to revive irrigation schemes as a catalyst for agricultural development.

In its efforts to curb food insecurity, the MEC said the department has prioritised the revitalisation of irrigation schemes during the seventh term of government to position agriculture as a key economic growth frontier.

She said the revival programme is set to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, provide reliable income for landowners participating in irrigation schemes, stimulate local economies and boost livelihoods in rural communities.

“This revitalisation programme will ensure food security, strengthen farmer support and strengthen partnerships between government, private sector and communities,” Kontsiwe said.

Of the total investment, the Amathole District will see 613 hectares developed at a cost of R5 million, while Chris Hani District will develop 700 hectares through an investment of R6 million. The OR Tambo District will develop 215 hectares, supported by R3.5 million.

R5m allocated for production commercialisation

In addition, the department’s implementing agency, the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA), has been allocated R5 million to support the commercialisation of production.

This includes organising markets, introducing new production technologies, providing technical support and facilitating access to production finance.

The MEC noted that funding criteria is not limited and that districts will be allowed to make their own determinations where infrastructure repairs or other specific needs arise.

According to the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey, the Eastern Cape has the highest proportion of households with access to land at 67%, while only 37% of that land is currently under productive use.

Kontsiwe said the revitalisation of irrigation schemes presents a significant opportunity to unlock this potential and expand productive land use across the province.

“Agriculture is a major employer of semi-skilled workers, and investment in this sector can greatly contribute to reducing unemployment and food insecurity. Irrigation schemes are seen as a vehicle that can significantly contribute to an increase in agricultural productivity in the province,” she said.

She highlighted the Zanyokhwe Irrigation Scheme, which spans six villages and covers 635 hectares, with 412 hectares under irrigation. The scheme supports 87 landowners organised into seven primary co-operatives and one secondary co-operative.

The launch, to be held on Tuesday at the Zanyokhwe Irrigation Scheme in Middledrift, will include the introduction of the newly appointed board, a potato harvest demonstration and the welcoming of graduate interns placed at the scheme by the department to gain practical farming and business experience.

The MEC is also expected to hand over vegetable production inputs, irrigation pipes, fodder production inputs and tractor implements to beneficiaries. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has called on transport operators to act responsibly, work with the department in good faith, and take immediate steps to regularise their operations.

“The department is willing to work with scholar transport operators who genuinely want to regularise their operations. However, compliance with the law is not optional. Scholar transport is a safety-critical service, and the safety and dignity of our learners remain non-negotiable,” MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said.

According to the National Land Traffic Act 5 (2009, section 54 and 62), a public transport operator must be in possession of a valid operating licence, allowing him/her to convey commuters for a fee on the country’s roads.

To demonstrate the department’s commitment to strengthening regulation and improving service delivery to operators, over 1 000 operating licence application forms have been issued to aspiring scholar transport operators and clear information is provided on the list of requirements.

In an effort to engage government on their concerns regarding challenges around the issuing of scholar transport operating licences, more than 500 scholar transport operators gathered at the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s Head Office at 45 Commissioner Street in Johannesburg, on Monday.

The engagement underscored the urgency of resolving long-standing licensing issues that have hindered many operators from formalising and sustaining their operations within the sector.

The MEC acknowledged the legitimacy of concerns raised and further highlighted gaps in information regarding the application process and required documents.

“As a provincial government, we will not condone disruptions, shutdowns or intimidation aimed at forcing the department to overlook issues related to non-compliance.

“In many cases, resistance to compliance arises because vehicles or documentation do not meet the required standards. The law will be enforced without fear or favour.

“If you cannot meet the minimum legal requirements to safely transport learners, you have no business operating in this space. Our learner’s lives are not negotiable,” Diale-Tlabela said.

The department has reiterated that no operator may provide scholar transport services unlawfully, as enforcement operations will continue intensifying across the province to ensure compliance and safeguard learners and other road users.

Guardians, parents and community members are urged to report any reckless driving or unsafe scholar transport vehicles to the Gauteng Traffic Inspectorate on 0800 428 8364. 

Required documentation for Scholar Transport Operating Licence applications are as follows:

• Copy of the contract (for purposes of contracted services)

• Certified copy of South African Identity Document 

• Certified copy of a valid driver’s licence/PrDP

• Valid police clearance certificate

• Certified copy of vehicle registration (CoR)

• Certified copy of roadworthy certificate (CoF)

• Original tax compliance status (SARS)

• Proof of residential address

• Recommendation letter from a school with original signature and school stamp 

• List of learners with parents/guardian contact details

• Proof of insurance, including insurance indemnity cover

• Route description

• Should a CK/business be used, attach ID copies of directors and all documents must reflect the CK details (such as SARS documentation)

• Any additional documentation as prescribed by the department.

Applications must be submitted, in person, to the Gauteng Transport Operating Licensing Administrative Boards offices during working hours: 

• Tshwane TOLAB – 230 Lilian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central

• Johannesburg TOLAB – 45 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, JHB 

• Ekurhuleni TOLAB – 1 Hardach Street, Germiston, Ekurhuleni

• West Rand TOLAB – Kagiso Drive and Mmusi Street, Kagiso

• Sedibeng TOLAB – 45 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg 

The department said R600 is charged per application. – SAnews.gov.za

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed the establishment of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), saying its composition brings together a broad and diverse range of expertise from the veterinary and para-veterinary professions, academia, regulatory practice and law.

The Minister formally constituted the council in accordance with the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982). The term of office of the newly-constituted council will run from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2029.

Steenhuisen said the depth and diversity of skills represented on the council would strengthen its ability to fulfil its statutory mandate in the interests of animal health, veterinary public health, food safety and professional integrity.

“I am confident that this council is fit for purpose and its composition reflects a careful balance between professional experience, technical expertise, and independent oversight. This breadth of perspectives will enhance the quality of decision making and support the council in carrying out its responsibilities effectively and responsibly,” the Minister said.

He emphasised that the constitution of the new council followed a careful and considered process, undertaken in line with his statutory responsibilities and oversight role.

While a range of views and representations were received from across the sector during this period, Steenhuisen said he independently considered the recommendations before him and was guided at all times by the requirements of the legislation and the long-term interests of both the professions and the public.

“My responsibility is not to simply endorse recommendations, but to ensure that appointments are made on the basis of merit, balance and suitability,” the Minister said.

He further reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that future appointment processes are conducted in strict accordance with the Act, including that all nomination and selection processes are properly constituted as prescribed.

The council has been constituted as follows:

Ministerial designees:

• Officer of the Department of Agriculture (veterinarian): Dr Motsisi-Mehlape;
• Veterinarians or veterinary specialists designated from elected members: Dr R Mulder, Dr B Lourens, and Dr JA Fraser;
• Person with knowledge of law: Advocate R Maruma;
• Veterinarians or veterinary specialists designated from nominations: Dr NP Moswa-Kato, Dr L Kgatswetswe, Dr J van Deemter, and Dr N Mnisi;
• Non-veterinarian designated from nominations: Professor S Willows-Munro; and
• University-nominated veterinarian (University of Pretoria): Professor V Naidoo.

Appointees nominated and/or elected:

• Veterinarians elected by their peers: Professor JP Schoeman, Dr P van der Merwe, and Dr J Basch;
• Animal Health Technician: T Serebolo;
• Laboratory Animal Technologist: B Mogodi;
• Veterinary Technologist: LS Mokami;
• Veterinary Nurse: Sister E Bornman;
• Veterinary Physiotherapist: J Hager; and
• South African Veterinary Association nominee: Dr L de Bruyn.

Steenhuisen expressed confidence that the council will execute its duties without fear or favour, and with the independence, integrity and professionalism required of a statutory regulator entrusted with safeguarding professional standards of the veterinary and para-veterinary professions.

“The establishment of this council marks an important step in restoring stability, credibility and effective governance within the veterinary regulatory environment,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister acknowledged the patience shown by practitioners and stakeholders during the period leading up to the reconstitution of the council and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that statutory bodies within the agriculture sector function effectively, transparently and in the public interest.

The induction and inaugural meeting of the new council is scheduled for February 2026, enabling it to commence its work without delay and address outstanding matters inherited from the previous term in accordance with its statutory mandate. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Assessments and monitoring of the Senteeko Dam is ongoing with pressure on the dam wall slightly reduced, following the construction of an emergency spillway last week, to release excess water.

The Senteeko Dam, officially registered as My Own Dam and commonly known as Senteeko Dam, is at high risk of failure, following recent heavy rainfall in the region.

While interventions are underway, including the emergency spillway and sandbags placed to prevent overtopping, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has warned that it is too early to declare the dam safe.

Head of the Specialist Unit: Dam Safety at the department, Wally Ramokopa, said significant risks remain despite the progress made so far.

Ramokopa joined a team of engineers and the Approved Professional Person (APP) on Monday to continue the ongoing assessment and monitoring of the dam, which is located near Barberton in Mpumalanga. 

An Approved Professional Person is an engineer registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and specifically approved by the Minister of Water and Sanitation.

Speaking to SAnews at the dam site, Ramokopa said water levels have dropped slightly since excavation began, but the department remains concerned.

“As you can see, the interventions are still ongoing. Excavation equipment has been brought to the site so that we can try to reduce the water level as much as possible, but at this stage it has only dropped a little bit.

“The capacity is still high, [and] the volume of water that is still flowing could have significant impacts. We are not happy yet, and we are not going to declare this dam safe because we have seen downstream underneath the material continuing to fall due to instability,” he said.

Ramokopa said a second spillway would be opened this week. 

Engineers are currently widening it before excavating deeper to allow more water to be released in a controlled manner.

“We want to control the speed of the release because if water flows out too quickly, it might cause damage. That is why engineers are on site to guide the operators on how and when to do it. If we leave this to a person who does not have the necessary knowledge, we may trigger a failure unintentionally,” he told SAnews.

Evacuation measures

Ramokopa sought to allay fears among neighbouring communities, emphasising that only residents within the floodplain, especially the farming communities, may need to evacuate.

“We don’t have densely populated communities downstream. There are no townships, towns, or villages directly in the flood path. We are fortunate in that regard. People in Barberton should not panic, as they are far from the floodplain.

“Most people who would know when this dam is spilling are people who are using this water for irrigation purposes,” he said.

He said communities in Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini would not be affected, noting that the nearest international border along the flood path is more than 160km downstream.

“There is no reason for neighbouring countries to be alarmed at all.”

Responsibility for the dam

Ramokopa said the dam owner remains responsible for it’s maintenance and repairs.

“This is a privately owned dam. It does not belong to government. However, any work carried out must be authorised by the Department of Water and Sanitation because we issue licences for dam construction and repairs.

“If repairs are required, the Appointed Professional Person [employed by the dam owner] knows they need to design the work properly and submit the plans to the department for approval. Even if there would be any repair work conducted, it would not be done without our knowledge, [and] if that happens, that would be unlawful,” he explained.

Ramokopa said a WhatsApp group has been established to facilitate communication between the department, engineers, and the dam owners.

“For now, our priority is to ensure that we avoid failure and protect lives. We also need to engage with downstream land users about long-term stability, because the situation cannot be left as it is. If they do, we risk further flooding, this year or next year. Something has to happen, but for now, our focus is on ensuring that we do not lose lives in the event,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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