MIL Africa Engine

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, July 4, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, July 4, 2025

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister Leon Schreiber has outlined the key achievements recorded in the Department of Home Affairs at Thursday’s Budget Vote presentation.

“It has been a year of remarkable progress for the Home Affairs ecosystem. I am here to confidently report to the House that the progress we have made over the last 12 months, by working as one team with one dream, has exceeded the expectations of cynics and optimists alike,” Schreiber said.

The department has cleared a backlog of over 306 000 visa applications dating back more than a decade.

“We produced and delivered just under 3.6 million Smart IDs, surpassing the previous annual record by nearly half a million. 

“We deployed advanced drone and body camera technology at the border for the first time, leading to an increase of up to 215% in the detection and prevention of attempted illegal border crossings.

“We launched Operation New Broom as part of intensified operations to restore the rule of law, leading to over 46 000 deportations — the highest figure in more than five years and more than countries like France and Germany combined,” the Minister said.

Schreiber said the department launched the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme to boost tourism from the major source markets of China and India where South Africa has underperformed for years.

“We enabled over 1.4 million naturalised citizens and permanent residents to obtain secure Smart IDs for the first time. We activated the Immigration Advisory Board for the first time in a decade by appointing a diverse group of seasoned experts to help shape better policies,” Schreiber said.

Schreiber said the department dismissed 37 crooked officials and launched the dedicated Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum that brings together law enforcement, the Special Investigating Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure corrupt officials and fraudsters are put behind bars.  

“Our anti-corruption work has led to the conviction of eight offenders, with sentences ranging from four to 18 years in prison.

“We built a working prototype of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system that will digitalise the visa processes from beginning to end, eliminating corruption and inefficiency,” the Minister said.

Schreiber said the reforms that his department will deliver in the next 12 months will begin to redefine the quality of services that South Africans expect from their government.

“The endpoint of these reforms is to enable both South Africans and legitimate visitors to apply and obtain enabling documents online, including in digital format, from the comfort of their own homes,” Schreiber said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa’s port landlord, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), has berthed one of the largest container vessels in the world, MSC Nicola Mastro, on her maiden voyage at its deepwater Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape this morning. 

With capacity of 24 116 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), 299 metres in width and 61 metres in beam, the historical berthing of this vessel demonstrates TNPA’s marine capabilities and fit-for-purpose port infrastructure designed to accommodate new-generation vessels. 

This achievement solidifies TNPA’s status as a significant player in the global maritime industry.

The successful berthing of MSC Nicola Mastro was made possible by a four-tug operation. These tugboats (tugs) have a bollard-pull of 60 to 70 tonnes, fully capable to handle larger vessels efficiently. 

This special operation necessitated the ports authority to increase the number of tugs required for safe navigation in the port, from the standard two-tug operation to four. Tugboats are critical marine assets that enable the safe manoeuvring of vessels during pilotage operations. 

“The arrival of this vessel on our shores brings to the fore the critical role SA ports should uphold in responding to the needs of the current global trade ecosystem. Our ability to dock one of the world’s largest container ships has the potential to transform shipping patterns. It positions the Port of Ngqura as the key container transhipment hub, within the global and Saharan Africa markets,” said Acting TNPA Chief Executive, Phyllis Difeto.

The Port of Ngqura features depths ranging from 16 -18 meters and boasts deepwater berths, making it a major attraction for container traffic and transhipment opportunities.

Nicola Mastro surpasses the size of previous vessels that have docked at the Port of Ngqura, which were limited to 366 meters in length. Her on-time berthing was skilfully managed by a marine crew of approximately 24 members, led by Marine Pilot Olwethu Mtsewu-Sisilana, alongside the marine crew in tug services, pilotage and berthing. Mtsewu-Sisilana is one of TNPA’s Marine Pilots with an open licence, allowing her to handle any size of vessel docking and sailing at the port. 

Originally from Qanda village of eXesi in the rural Eastern Cape, Mtsewu-Sisilana began her maritime career in 2008 through a Transnet bursary and has recorded a major milestone in her career through this docking. 

TNPA is gearing towards receiving more vessel call-ins of this calibre. The vessel is scheduled to depart on 5 July 2025, following the completion of the cargo operation at the container terminal.

TNPA is responsible for the safe, effective and efficient economic functioning of the national ports system, which it manages in a landlord capacity. 

It provides port infrastructure and marine services at the eight commercial seaports in South Africa — Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Ngqura. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

Tourism Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu has engaged with communities in the Northern Cape on the G20 Tourism Priorities and their potential to advance tourism growth and sustainability.

The Tourism G20 Community Outreach in the Northern Cape was the first in a number of planned events that will bring the G20 agenda closer to tourism communities in the country. 

In the quest for global sustainable development, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of balancing the need for economic growth with social inclusion to meet present and future needs.

“Bringing the G20 agenda closer to our communities is critical to enable us to chart a path for inclusive global sustainable development. The G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) has been hard at work, meeting with senior officials, authorities and experts to recommend decisions in line with the agenda and priorities identified by the G20 Presidency,” Sotyu said.

These recommendations will play a critical part in the overall goal of addressing the global socioeconomic challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“It is therefore imperative that we engage the communities we serve to align our proposed recommendations with their present and future needs,” Sotyu said.

The Northern Cape province is South Africa’s largest province and the most sparsely populated. Renowned for its red dunes and black-maned lions, the province is a popular tourism destination, and a haven for nature and adventure enthusiasts who enjoy exploring its diverse attractions within its national parks. 

The province’s rich Khoi-San heritage is evident in ancient rock art sites scattered across the region. Its natural wonders, historical landmarks or the warm hospitality of its people makes the Northern Cape a must-see destination for all visitors.

The Tourism G20 Community Outreach was held in partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism. 

The community engagement featured presentations on skills and empowerment programmes and tourism incentive initiatives from the Department of Tourism. 

Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from the local communities were afforded an opportunity to showcase and sell their crafts and products at the event.

The communities in the Northern Cape were introduced to the four G20 Tourism Priorities that will inform the 2025 G20 Action Plan on Tourism Development, namely:

• A People-Centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation to enhance Travel and Tourism Start-Ups and SMMEs;

• Tourism Financing and Investment to Enhance Equality and Promote Sustainable Development;

• Air Connectivity for Seamless Travel, and

• Enhanced Resilience for Inclusive, Sustainable Tourism Development.

The G20 Tourism Priorities facilitated robust discussion with the community on the need for greater consultation and collaboration between government and communities. 

Frequent and continuous engagement will serve to better align the socio-economic needs of tourism communities to domestic and international developmental policies.

Echoing the community’s sentiments, Sotyu affirmed government’s national development plans that reinforce increased partnerships with communities to build sustainable societies. 

“Frequent and continuous engagement with our communities will enable us to work towards a people-centred, progressive, and solution-driven policies that find solutions to our domestic and global challenges, whilst accelerating global cooperation and multilateralism.

“The G20 provides a significant opportunity for our provinces, cities and communities to work together to promote our culture, heritage, tourism and industrial and commercial advances.

“I also encourage our communities to actively participate in the empowerment programmes that are offered by the three spheres of our government and help us build a nation that works for all,” Sotyu said. – SAnews.gov.za