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Mashatile to address closing session of 9th South African TB conference

Source: Government of South Africa

Mashatile to address closing session of 9th South African TB conference

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will on Thursday address the closing session of the 9th South African TB Conference taking place at Birchwood Hotel & O.R Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng.

The conference will started on 8 June, and will conclude on Thursday, 11 June.

The conference is being held under the theme: ” Vuka, Let’s Unite Towards a TB-Free World!”.

It serves as a national platform for government, academia, civil society, development partners, healthcare professionals, researchers and communities to reflect on progress made in the fight against TB and to identify measures required to accelerate South Africa’s response to the epidemic.

“The elimination of TB remains a national priority. Government, together with civil society, development partners, research institutions, communities and the private sector, continues to strengthen efforts to end TB as a public health threat and address its impact on vulnerable communities, economic productivity and the health system,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The Deputy President’s address will reaffirm government’s commitment to ending TB, acknowledge the progress achieved to date, and call for renewed partnerships to address persistent challenges, including TB mortality, TB/HIV co-infection, drug-resistant TB and the socio-economic impact of the disease on households and communities. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa calls for accelerated implementation of disability rights convention

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa calls for accelerated implementation of disability rights convention

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called on States Parties to accelerate the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and ensure the meaningful participation of organisations representing persons with disabilities.

Delivering South Africa’s country statement at the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19) to the CRPD, currently underway at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Chikunga reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing disability rights and promoting the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

The Minister highlighted South Africa’s longstanding commitment to the Convention, noting that the country played a role in drafting the CRPD and its Optional Protocol in 2002 before signing and ratifying both instruments in 2007.

She said South Africa’s efforts to domesticate the Convention culminated in the adoption of the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015. The policy framework is built on nine pillars aimed at advancing disability inclusion. It includes among others, the removal of barriers to access and participation, support of sustainable integrated community life, and the reduction of economic vulnerability.

Chikunga emphasised that disability inclusion is a constitutional imperative in South Africa and should be embedded across all areas of governance and development.

“For South Africa, disability inclusion is a constitutional imperative. It is at the heart of the supreme law of the land, and our view is that disability inclusion should be at the centre of everything we do,” Chikunga said.

The Minister outlined several recent initiatives undertaken by the South African government to strengthen disability inclusion, and these include the development of a Disability-Inclusive Service Delivery Monitoring Tool, the Disability Inequality Index, and a Climate Change Impact and Disability Research Initiative.

She also highlighted Disability Rights Awareness Month (held annually between 3 November and 3 December) and the elevation of disability inclusion as a key focus area during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

With strengthened enforcement mechanisms, Chikunga said government is making progress towards achieving a target of 5% employment equity for persons with disabilities in the public service and ensuring that 7% of public procurement opportunities are disability-inclusive by 2026.

“We are part of the implementation of disability-inclusive climate change, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response, in line with Article 11 of the CRPD, the Sendai Framework, and the Paris Agreement.”

Chikunga underscored the importance of digital accessibility, assistive technologies, artificial intelligence and accessible public information systems in advancing inclusion.

As part of South Africa’s G20 legacy initiatives, Chikunga said government is in the process of developing a Disability Inclusion Nerve Centre of Excellence, which is expected to enhance the country’s ability to plan effectively, allocate resources equitably, and monitor progress with accountability and transparency.

“Our disability inclusion measures will remain rooted in the principles of equality for all, the full enjoyment of rights, alertness to intersecting layers of discrimination, and the imperative of social and economic protection,” she said.

Held from 9 to 11 June 2026, under the theme: “CRPD at 20: Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world”, COSP19 provides a critical platform for advancing solutions.

Discussions are focussing on preventing exploitation, violence and abuse; strengthening care and support systems that promote autonomy and resilience; and enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership, and political participation.

As the world marks 20 years of the CRPD, COSP19 is a moment to celebrate progress, strengthen commitments and shape a more inclusive future for persons with disabilities. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Science Advisors Call for Stronger Cross-Border Preparedness as Ebola Response Intensifies

Source: APO

Experts advising the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) (www.AfricaCDC.org) have called for stronger cross-border preparedness in Africa to reduce the risk of imported cases from the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The recommendations were made at a meeting of leading African infectious diseases experts, who are members of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), an independent advisory body to the Africa CDC Director General, held on 3 June 2026.

The ECG recommended that African Union Member States, especially the 11 countries at the highest risk, use an Africa CDC preparedness checklist being developed to assess their readiness for potential imported cases. The checklist covers border screening, isolation capacity, diagnostic capabilities and the ability to implement public health measures and manage suspected cases.

The advisory body opposed travel bans, saying evidence indicates that these have little, if any, benefit. The ECG advised that African Union Member States strengthen risk communication and community engagement to address fear, myths and misconceptions, and to encourage the dissemination of information about their preparations and readiness.

“Being prepared will reduce the risk of the virus spreading locally in the event of an imported case. Preparedness builds confidence in the local response and reduces community anxiety and concern that often follows the discovery of an imported case of Ebola disease”, said Professor Salim Abdool Karim, chairperson of the ECG.

In his Opening Address at the ECG meeting, Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya highlighted the need for continued vigilance, solidarity and coordinated action. He expressed concern over travel and border restrictions imposed within and outside Africa, warning that measures not based on scientific evidence risk undermining response efforts, disrupting trade and movement, and discouraging transparency and timely reporting.

As of 9 June 2026, 645 confirmed cases, 114 deaths and 23 recoveries have been reported across the DRC and Uganda. The DRC accounts for 626 confirmed cases and 112 deaths, with Ituri province remaining the epicentre of the outbreak. Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases and two deaths, with no new cases or deaths reported in the previous 24 hours.

ECG members welcomed improvements in laboratory diagnosis, contact tracing, and infection prevention and control measures, but expressed concern that transmission is still occurring among healthcare workers, frontline workers and funeral participants.

In their recommendations on travel bans and border closures, the ECG noted that available evidence suggests they offer limited public health benefit and may be counterproductive to outbreak control. Instead, Member States were encouraged to keep borders open while strengthening screening at points of entry and implementing evidence-based public health measures.

ECG members also identified priority areas in the DRC, including strengthening diagnostic capacity in Ituri province, improving compliance with isolation, expanding infection prevention and control measures for healthcare workers, enhancing contact tracing and surveillance, and ensuring safe access for medical teams in insecure areas.

The advisory body strongly supported the development of a diagnostic laboratory in Ituri and highlighted the urgent need for Bundibugyo-specific rapid diagnostic tests to improve timely laboratory confirmation in affected and high-risk countries. It also supported the deployment of several hundred community workers to strengthen contact tracing.

Members commended efforts underway, with the support of WHO and Africa CDC, to accelerate the research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for Bundibugyo Ebola, and called for sustained investment to support field-based clinical trials in Africa.

The ECG unanimously recommended that the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak remain classified as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), citing the evolving epidemic in the DRC and Uganda, the continuing risk of geographic spread, and the need to sustain preparedness across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Notes to Editors:
The Emergency Consultative Group (ECG) is Africa CDC’s expert body that provides technical advice during public health emergencies.

A Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) is Africa CDC’s highest public health alert, usually declared on the ECG’s recommendation when a health threat requires a coordinated continental response.

Blanket border restrictions are not supported by Africa CDC, which recommends targeted, risk-based public health measures such as strengthened surveillance, screening at points of entry and cross-border coordination to contain outbreaks while minimising unnecessary disruption.

The Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) is a severe form of Ebola spread through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for BVD, making early detection, isolation and rapid response essential to controlling outbreaks.

Media Contacts:
Africa CDC
Directorate of Communication & Public Information  
Communications@africacdc.org 
KolyS@africacdc.org

About Africa CDC:
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: www.AfricaCDC.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4xlIERU), X (https://apo-opa.co/43tkIi1), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/49Uop3Y), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3RZAtuD).

Media files

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Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027 to Host In-Country Value Forum on Youth, Women in Energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Workforce Development

Source: APO

The upcoming Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027 – taking place on January 23–25 in Tripoli – will host a dedicated In-Country Value Forum, featuring strategic sessions on human capital (including women and youth in the energy sector), AI-driven workforce transformation and education to drive Libya’s expanding energy sector.

The forum – set for January 24 – comes as Libya accelerates its upstream and downstream expansion agenda under the National Oil Corporation and Ministry of Oil and Gas, with output targets approaching 2 million barrels per day by 2030. Supported by international operators including TotalEnergies, Repsol, Eni, and OMV, LEES is positioned as a deal-making platform for investment, capacity building and digital transformation.

The session Youth in Energy – Next-Gen Strategic Human Capital Development, will focus on Libya’s expanding youth integration strategy. The state is mobilizing over 7,000 graduates across 50 cities through structured pipelines tied to exploration and production sharing agreements, with mandatory local hiring and training quotas embedded into new licensing rounds.

At LEES 2027, policymakers and operators will be positioned to assess how initiatives such as the Energy JEEL program are reshaping workforce entry points. With over 900 youth ambassadors already deployed, the framework connects technical institutes, field operators and policymakers, aligning human capital deployment with production hubs such as El Sharara and Mabruk.

The Digital Skills and AI: Modernizing the Local Energy Workforce session will examine the rapid digitization of Libya’s oil and gas operations. AI-enabled drilling systems deployed with SLB have already demonstrated autonomous reservoir navigation and doubled drilling rates in early 2026 pilot operations.

Discussions will also cover expanding digital infrastructure in remote basins, where telecom providers and service firms are addressing connectivity gaps. Platforms introduced under the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2025–2030) are enabling predictive maintenance, real-time telemetry and automated production optimization across brownfield assets.

Meanwhile, the Energy Academy: From Classroom to Career session will focus on education-to-employment pipelines linking universities, vocational institutes and operators. Programs co-developed with international agencies including UNDP and GIZ are modernizing technical subsea curricula across petroleum institutes and regional training hubs.

The framework is designed to reduce youth unemployment while supplying a skilled workforce for both hydrocarbons and renewables. With Libya targeting a 20% renewable energy mix by 2035, graduates are being trained across solar PV systems, carbon accounting and grid integration, ensuring mobility across conventional and transition energy sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Media files

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NCC announces recall of 18 Hino trucks 

Source: Government of South Africa

NCC announces recall of 18 Hino trucks 

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) on Wednesday  announced the recall of certain Hino 700 Series trucks.

This follows a notification by Toyota South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd.

“The recalled units were sold nationally through authorised Toyota dealerships between 10 September 2024 and 10 December 2024. This recall applies to 18 Hino 700 Series model,” said the NCC.

According to the supplier, the fuel pump housing has an inappropriate surface treatment process done during production. Cracks may develop when repeated high load is applied to the supply pump resulting in a fuel leak.

“Consumers who own the affected Hino 700 Series are urged to visit their nearest authorised Toyota dealership to arrange for an inspection and repair.

“A new fuel pump will be fitted to the affected trucks. All inspection and corrective work relating to this recall will be carried out at no cost to the consumer,” said the Commission.

The NCC is an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Questions and queries relating to this recall may be directed to: ProductRecall@thencc.org.za. –SAnews.gov.za 

 

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KZN backs National Treasury drive to eliminate ghost employees

Source: Government of South Africa

KZN backs National Treasury drive to eliminate ghost employees

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury says it is ready to support the implementation of the nationwide initiative aimed at verifying all government employees and investigating allegations of ghost workers and payroll irregularities in the public service, as per National Treasury Instruction No. 4 of 2026/27.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers said the initiative is a critical step towards strengthening financial governance and advancing a capable and ethical State.

“This initiative reinforces accountability, improves the integrity of employee data, and ensures that public funds are used responsibly. It directly supports government’s commitment to building a capable and ethical State, whilst reducing the ever-growing salary bill in the country,” Rodgers said in a statement on Wednesday.

The National Treasury instruction introduces a structured verification process for all payroll recipients as part of broader efforts to eliminate ghost employees and improve the credibility of the public service payroll system.

Rodgers said the exercise is intended to help address longstanding allegations of ghost employees within the public service, while also generating credible evidence to support action against any identified wrongdoing.

The verification process will require affected employees to confirm their identity and employment details through an online platform, using a unique QR code provided on their payslips. The platform will open on 15 June 2026 and remain accessible for two months.

During this period, government departments are expected to assist employees who may require support to complete the verification process.

“Following this phase, identified anomalies will be subjected to further physical verification by departments,” Rodgers said.

He said KZN Treasury stands ready to support all provincial departments to ensure full compliance with the verification process.

Rodgers urged public servants to participate fully, stressing that the exercise is a standard administrative process aimed at improving the accuracy of employee records and should not be interpreted as an assumption of wrongdoing.

“The reform will strengthen oversight, promote clean governance, and ensure that resources are directed towards service delivery priorities.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Deputy President to engage Limpopo traditional leaders 

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy President to engage Limpopo traditional leaders 

As part of government’s commitment to strengthen traditional leadership, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will engage Traditional Leaders in Polokwane on Friday.

“The engagement forms part of Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthen the institution of Traditional Leadership and fostering collaboration between government and traditional communities,” said the Presidency ahead of the visit.

The Presidency said discussions at the Limpopo gathering will focus on government support to traditional institutions, social challenges confronting communities, the interface between traditional leadership and local and provincial government, among others.

Local economic development and employment opportunities, as well as progress made in accelerating the land reform programme will also come under the spotlight.

Deputy President Mashatile chairs the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Traditional Leadership, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to address matters raised by traditional and Khoi-San leaders and to strengthen cooperation between government and traditional institutions. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Government continues drive for energy security

Source: Government of South Africa

Government continues drive for energy security

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has outlined government’s comprehensive plan to fortify South Africa’s energy security, while driving the transition toward sustainable energy.

The Minister delivered the keynote address at the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa Annual Imbizo, which kicked off at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Minister warned that geopolitical tensions – first between Russia and Ukraine, and now in the Middle East – are a stark reminder that South Africa’s energy security “cannot be taken for granted”.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has once again reminded us that energy security cannot be taken for granted. Events occurring thousands of kilometres away continue to affect fuel prices, supply chains, investment decisions, and economic stability across the globe.

“South Africa has not been immune to these developments. The disruption of global energy supply chains has contributed to increased volatility in international fuel markets and placed pressure on fuel-importing countries, including our own,” Mantashe said.

Despite this, he added, South Africa has “maintained fuel supply stability” through close cooperation between government and the petroleum sector.

“I would, therefore, like to thank the industry for working with government to ensure that fuel supplies remain sufficient to meet domestic demand. This collaboration demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together towards a common objective.

“However… we remain troubled by incidents where some operators increased fuel prices ahead of official price adjustments. While these actions were limited to a minority of participants, they undermined public confidence and tarnished the reputation of the broader industry.

“Compliance with regulatory requirements is not optional. It is fundamental to maintaining public trust and ensuring a level playing field for all participants,” Mantashe emphasised.

Petroleum stocks

To build long-term, sustainable resilience against external shocks, the department has finalised the draft Strategic Petroleum Stocks Policy, which will be put before Cabinet for consideration.

The policy came about after the department commissioned a comprehensive study on the country’s strategic petroleum stocks in 2024, which identified areas for attention, including the need to strengthen stockholding arrangements and increase domestic refining capacity.

“The policy proposes a mixed stockholding model, under which the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), will maintain strategic reserves equivalent to 60 days of net imports in both crude oil and refined products.

“This represents a major step towards strengthening South Africa’s resilience against future supply disruptions,” Mantashe said.

This step is complemented by a firm push to unlock domestic upstream potential with the implementation of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRDA).

“Whereas the publication of the regulations took longer than originally anticipated, we are pleased to report that the extensive stakeholder submissions have been fully considered, and that the regulations are now ready for publication and implementation.

“Together, the Act and its regulations will establish a dedicated regulatory framework for the upstream petroleum sector, which is distinct from mining, thereby creating a more appropriate and investment friendly environment for oil and gas development,” the Minister said.

Furthermore, South Africa can no longer afford to remain a passive buyer in global energy markets and must look inward by accelerating local gas and oil exploration.

“The geopolitical disruptions we continue to witness have exposed the risks associated with excessive dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

“If we are serious about improving our energy security, reducing our vulnerability to external shocks, and strengthening our economic sovereignty, then we must accelerate exploration and development of our own oil and gas resources.

“South Africa cannot indefinitely remain a price taker in global energy markets. We must position ourselves to become producers, where commercially viable resources exist,” Mantashe insisted.

Alternative sources

Turning to South Africa’s energy transition, Mantashe told the conference that the country is intent on a transition that does not abandon one energy source for another.

Related to this, the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 sets out the country’s ambitions to build a “diversified and resilient energy mix that supports economic growth, industrial development, energy security, and environmental sustainability”.

The Minister noted that while conventional fuels will continue to play a role in South Africa’s economy, biofuels remain a major, largely untapped economic and energy resource.

“Within this context, biofuels represent an important opportunity. The development of a sustainable biofuels industry has the potential to support agricultural development, create employment opportunities in rural communities, stimulate new investment, and contribute meaningfully to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We have engaged with the Minister of Agriculture [John Steenhuisen], who has expressed strong support for the biofuels programme. This gives us confidence about the availability of feedstock required to support the industry’s growth,” Mantashe said.

Furthermore, regulations on pricing have also been released.

“The publication of the regulated biofuels price last year marked an important milestone in providing regulatory certainty and creating conditions conducive for investment.

“We now look to the industry to partner with government in developing this strategic sector and ensuring its long-term success,” the Minister said.

Moreover, Mantashe said LP Gas is a viable alternative as global tensions wreak havoc on prices on paraffin.

“The recent pressure on paraffin prices should also encourage us to accelerate the growth of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas market. LPG offers households a cleaner, more efficient, and often more affordable alternative for cooking and heating.

“Our mission is to ensure that every South African household has access to LPG as a viable energy option.

“Achieving this objective will require coordinated investment in infrastructure, storage, distribution networks, and market development. Industry participation will be crucial,” the Minister noted.

He called on the industry to work with government to ensure the future of South Africa’s energy security.

“Let us use this imbizo to identify practical solutions, strengthen partnerships, unlock investment, and build a petroleum sector that is secure, competitive, transformed, and capable of supporting South Africa’s developmental objectives.

“Working together as government and industry, we can ensure that the future of energy mobility is not something we merely react to, but something we actively shape,” Mantashe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa’s jobs crisis: what 10 years of tax data tells us

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Justin Visagie, Associate Professor at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand

It’s time South Africa faced up to an honest question: what if the formal economy can’t deliver the jobs that are needed?

I am an economist who has been working closely with South Africa’s administrative tax data over the past five years – arguably the best way to track progress in the formal sector.

The sobering reality is that the country has gone backwards. And young people are bearing the brunt of the deterioration. The scale of the jobs crisis is now so large that even decades of strong economic growth won’t be enough to eliminate it.

Looking at the last 10 years (2013/14 to 2023/24 tax years) of formal sector jobs data, as reported in the Spatial Tax Panel – a database constructed from employer-employee tax returns – South Africa managed to create only about 130,000 net new full-time equivalent work opportunities per year. This rate of job creation works out at just under 1% growth per annum – which isn’t enough to keep pace with the country’s growing population.

The official statistics from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey confirm this. The number of unemployed job seekers in South Africa has risen from about 8 million to almost 12 million between 2014 and 2024. The reported number of formal sector jobs is also around 12 million.

What is perhaps more alarming is that even if formal sector employment were to grow at 3% per annum, it would still take more than 50 years to substantially reduce unemployment.

The crisis of unemployment youth is deepening

The problem is not only the pace of job creation, it is also who is being left behind. The next cohort of young job seekers is faring worse than ever, according to the latest tax data.

Figure 1 shows how formal employment has shifted across age cohorts in cities, compared with the pre-COVID baseline. It’s drawn from our recent report on the performance and economic outlook for South African cities.

Figure 1: Percentage change in employment by age group across all metropolitan municipalities

Andrew Nell (2026) Chapter 9 ‘The Impact of Covid-19 on Employment in South African Cities’; Cities Economic Outlook 2026; Spatial Economic Activity Data South Africa

The main message is that the pandemic had a dividing effect on labour market outcomes across younger and older workers.

Workers aged above 35 years were surprisingly resilient to the shock. Numbers fell only slightly. They soon reached – and even surpassed – their pre-pandemic levels.

It was younger age groups – either aged 15-25 or 25-35 years – that faced the worst of the layoffs. The 15-25 cohort contracted by 5% and the 25-35 cohort by 15%.

Neither of the younger age cohorts showed much sign of recovery. Job numbers levelled off much lower.

Job creation has apparently shifted even further away from young people. This trend isn’t unique to the tax data; a number of other studies confirm it.

The limits of standard economic tools

What do mainstream economic theory and related empirical work have to say about addressing this crisis?

The economist’s toolbox is powerful when it comes to tweaking incentives, prices and market functioning around an existing equilibrium. The rise in data availability and computational power has also made analysis more precise and useful.

But South Africa’s unemployment crisis is not that kind of problem. It doesn’t need just a small adjustment.

When the required changes are large, the assumptions underpinning the models become less reliable. Attempting to move the dial on unemployment at the scale South Africa requires pushes us into guesswork.

South Africa is facing the prospect of multiple generations with little chance of finding employment. This calls for more than just policy tinkering.

The constraints of standard economic reasoning are illustrated in the debate around minimum wages and the costs of labour. In its simplest form, economic theory suggests that unemployment should all but disappear if you could be flexible about setting wages. Problem solved.

The trouble is that empirical evidence about this is mixed. The employment tax incentive and sectoral minimum wage laws, intended to encourage hiring, showed little effect on employment.

What if South Africa’s market can’t clear out surplus labour even at half the current wage level?

This is further complicated by spatial constraints. For many poorer people, high transport costs mean they can’t get to work even when low-wage jobs are available.

Policy choices

There are other options.

The informal economy is receiving growing policy attention. While I do not want to romanticise the precariousness of many micro and small enterprises, there is reason to believe that this sector could generate far more employment in the future.

According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the informal economy already employs more workers than formal manufacturing.

Another advantage of expanding informal sector employment is that it is often well matched to marginalised communities and places, including township economies, women, and black-owned enterprises.

Yet despite this potential, South Africa still does not have a coherent strategy for supporting small and informal businesses at scale.

Another widely discussed option is some form of basic income grant.

The appeal of this option is that the public sector already has the administrative capacity to do it. It has the blueprint in the Social Relief of Distress grant.

The main constraint is fiscal cost and the associated risks to public finances.

A further set of ideas relates to large-scale infrastructure-led stimulus. This might be complemented by a minimum employment guarantee, such as expanded community works or public employment programmes.

It is likely that the answer lies in some combination of these approaches.

Yet the fundamental challenge across all of them is the financial cost required to scale them to a point where they can make a meaningful difference. Would global financial markets punish South Africa for expanded public spending, or worse, would it destabilise the broader economy?

I am sympathetic to the difficult balancing act faced by the National Treasury.

Taking some strategic bets

Does South Africa still need the formal sector to create millions of jobs?

Without a doubt. But formal employment can’t double in size overnight.

It is difficult to accept a future in which millions of South Africans who are willing and able to work go hungry while the country waits for the formal sector to grow.

It is time to take some bold and strategic bets.

This article was originally published by Econ3x3 under the headline, What if the formal economy can’t deliver the jobs we need?

– South Africa’s jobs crisis: what 10 years of tax data tells us
– https://theconversation.com/south-africas-jobs-crisis-what-10-years-of-tax-data-tells-us-282187

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Vaccination: A thread of protection across generations

Source: APO


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Mohamed arrives at Moungali Health Centre in northern Brazzaville carrying his ten-day-old son, Petito, in his arms. On this particular morning, he is the one bringing his child for vaccination.

“His mother needed some rest, so I brought Petito to receive his polio and tuberculosis vaccines. We want him to receive all his vaccines on time,” he says, highlighting the importance his family places on protecting their child at the very beginning of life.
Around him, consultations continue throughout the morning. Vaccination cards are checked, doses prepared and parents guided through the process. Some have come for their child’s first vaccines, while others are seeking advice or catching up on missed doses.

Every working day, families from surrounding neighbourhoods visit the health centre to access vaccination services. Before each session, parents participate in health talks covering different aspects of maternal and child health.

For Gisèle Manguitoukoulou, a nurse working in the vaccination unit, these discussions are a key part of the job. “Our role goes beyond administering vaccines. We listen to parents, reassure them and help them understand why every vaccination appointment matters,” she explains.

Nearby, Elyam gently rocks her nine-month-old son, Cresty, who has just received his yellow fever vaccine. Comforted in his mother’s arms, the baby quickly calms down and begins smiling again. “Cresty usually cries a little after vaccination, but when I hold him, he feels better and starts smiling again. When that happens, I smile too, because I know he is protected against disease,” she says.

Behind these everyday moments lies a strong community-based effort to ensure families have access to life-saving vaccines. In Brazzaville, this work relies on health centres and dedicated frontline health workers who engage with communities every day.
With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) continues its efforts to improve access to vaccination services, strengthen community awareness and ensure better follow-up for both children and adults.
This support includes training health workers, analysing vaccination coverage data and implementing outreach strategies to reach people who have not yet received all recommended doses.

The results are encouraging. In Brazzaville, vaccination coverage increased significantly between January and April 2026. Coverage for the first dose of the measles-rubella vaccine rose from 85% to 94.4%, while coverage for the third dose of oral polio vaccine increased from 82.4% to 92.3%. “Vaccination protects people at every stage of life,” says Dr Angelie Serge Patrick Dzabatou-Babeaux, WHO Immunization Adviser in the Republic of the Congo. “WHO supports vaccination teams through training, monitoring tools and field activities so that children and adults can more easily access these services and benefit from the protection that vaccines provide.”

This commitment to expanding access to essential health services is reflected in health centres across the country, where every vaccination session helps strengthen the relationship between families and health workers.

For Professor Jile Florient Mimiesse, Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, the scenes observed in health facilities illustrate the importance of sustained commitment. “Every vaccination card reviewed, every dose administered and every family counselled contributes to stronger community protection. Our priority is to maintain confidence in vaccines, reduce missed opportunities and ensure that vaccination remains accessible to everyone, from newborns to adults,” he says.

The flow of people seeking vaccination services also highlights the importance of dialogue between health workers and families. Beyond the act of vaccination itself, these interactions provide opportunities to address concerns, review vaccination records and guide individuals according to their vaccination needs.

They also help identify children who have been missed during vaccination drives and support families in continuing care when vaccination cards have been lost.

As the day progresses, vaccination emerges as something that accompanies families through different stages of life. It protects infants, reassures parents and reminds adults of the importance of prevention.

In health centres, this continuity takes a very practical form: adults whose vaccination schedules need to be completed can also receive EPI vaccines free of charge.

Love, a woman in her forties, has just completed her vaccination visit. She proudly holds up her vaccination card, now filled with years of carefully recorded appointments, before placing it back in her bag. On this day, she receives the final dose of a diphtheria and tetanus vaccination series that she began three years ago.

She pauses for a moment, smiles and reflects on what this journey means to her. “Vaccination is not only for children. At every age, it is important to protect yourself. I encourage other adults to do the same and make sure their vaccinations are up to date.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Republic of the Congo.