MIL Africa Engine

Source: South Africa News Agency

By Parks Tau 

In 1994, South Africa inherited an economy that was structurally designed to exclude the vast majority of South Africans. Apartheid’s distorted policies had created a dual economy: one of wealth and privilege and another of poverty and exclusion.

This calculated economic strategy, structured along racial lines, created white-owned mines, farms, and factories while many black South Africans languished on the fringes of the economy in an underdeveloped informal sector.

Their meaningful participation in our nation’s wealth was further eroded by discriminatory laws that restricted Black South Africans from owning land, accessing quality education, and entering skilled professions.

These economic distortions which were implemented over hundreds of years continue to plague our nation today as we grapple with one of the highest levels of economic inequality in the world, worsened by alarmingly high unemployment, especially among Black youth.

The country’s Gini coefficient of 0.63 shows that our nation’s income remains unevenly distributed, with the top 10 percent of the population holding more than 85 percent of household wealth. This persistent disparity undermines the development of an inclusive economy where all citizens participate and benefit.

The transformation we seek is about positive change and is the only logical path to long-term growth and the reduction of inequality. In deracialising ownership across our economy, we open more opportunities for black people, in particular women and the youth.

While the Constitution guides our work in creating a society with equal opportunities, we require a deliberate removal of structural obstacles to draw more people into the economy and mechanisms that advance our constitutional commitment to economic redress and transformation.

In this regard, government plans to introduce the Transformation Fund to help level the economic playing field for emerging Black businesses, particularly those in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism who struggle to secure funding due to stringent lending requirements.

The fund will provide financial support, infrastructure and capacity-building to Black-owned businesses – in particular Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, women and youth entrepreneurs, and people living with disabilities – who are often locked out of meaningful economic participation due to their lack of access to capital.

In fostering greater access to capital, business owners can invest in equipment, hire skilled staff, expand into new markets and ultimately quicken the pace of transformation in South Africa’s economy. It is also expected to stimulate meaningful economic activities across all regions of our country.

A similar transformation initiative took place in South Korea, whose government actively worked with companies in the country to address market failures. Local businesses known as Chaebol were guaranteed loans from the banking sector, backed by the government. In the late 1980s, this led to rapid industrialisation with Chaebol businesses dominating the industrial sector in manufacturing, trading and heavy industries

There was also great success in Malaysia’s empowerment initiative, demonstrating what can be achieved through transformation. The country in 1970 found itself in a similar position we face today and began to transform its society and economy through economic empowerment. Its empowerment plan, the National Economic Policy, assisted with the redistribution of the country’s wealth to the indigenous Malays known as Bumiputeras. Today Malaysia is among the richest countries in Southeast Asia by GDP per capita.  

The Transformation Fund we are proposing will operate through a transparent application process, where qualifying businesses as well as partnerships, can apply for funding based on the project’s potential for social impact, sustainability, and alignment with national development goals.

The fund will be anchored in contributions already made to the Enterprise Supplier Development and Equity Equivalent Investment Programme as part of our nation’s B-BBEE policy.  While no additional contributions are required over and above those made under our B-BBEE commitments, the voluntary co-funding by government and business of our transformation efforts can quicken the change we want in our economy.

In supporting the Transformation Fund, both the public and private sectors stand to benefit from the investment in future suppliers, customers, and innovators who will, in turn build resilience and relevance in a fast-changing society.

In advancing the establishment of the fund, it is proposed that the fund will be managed by a dedicated governance structure to ensure transparency. A Special Purpose Vehicle will be established to ensure accountability to an Oversight Committee and a board that possesses the required skills and capacity.

The fund’s draft concept document was released for public comment on 19 March 2025 and the comment period concluded on 28 May 2025. South Africans are encouraged to continue to actively engage on the fund, and more details can be found on the website www.dtic.gov.za.

Government plans to have the fund operational by the end of the year and capacitated with R100 billion. Once operational, it will assist in helping to bring real change in our economy and the lives of people. Let us turn transformation from a concept into practice as we make a real difference in others’ lives and create a fairer society.

*Parks Tau is the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Source: South Africa News Agency

Government’s Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign is providing much-needed clarity while also encouraging business owners to do things by the book.

“Before today, I didn’t know where to start or which documents were truly necessary. This workshop answered questions I’ve had for years. Now, I understand what compliance actually means and how to meet those expectations,” spaza shop owner Matshidiso Mooki said.

Mooki was among those who attended the session held at the City Hall in the Vereeniging Central Business District in Gauteng on Friday.

She said the campaign brought clarity.

“I am determined to ensure that I comply with all the regulations so that I can qualify for support through the Spaza Shop Support Fund,” she said of the session.

The campaign offered spaza shop owners and township-based convenience store operators critical information on how to apply for both financial and non-financial support under the R500-million fund that was launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams in April.

For Matome Tshabalala, the information received at the session was a game changer. He started his shop after the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I’ve always operated informally, but now I want to do things the right way. What stood out for me was the emphasis on record-keeping and understanding zoning laws. I also appreciated the introduction to stock management and bookkeeping,” he said.

The campaign, which aims to formalise and support township-based enterprises, brought together local spaza shop owners, government officials and business development stakeholders.

READ | Government’s Spaza Shop campaign goes to Sedibeng

Compliance 

Participants at the session heard about the importance of compliance requirements for spaza shop permit applications. 

Matshepo Madumbo, the Assistant Manager of Local Economic Development and Tourism at Emfuleni Local Municipality, emphasised the importance of adhering to municipal regulations when applying for permits.

“Many residential areas are not zoned for commercial activity. For a spaza shop to operate legally, the property owner must apply for a rezoning certificate. Without that, the business cannot be recognised as compliant.

“I cannot stress the importance of submitting a stamped building plan, an occupancy certificate, certified identity document, a proof of address no older than three months, and registration documents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) along with a valid tax clearance certificate,” she said. 

Madumbo noted that failure to comply with these requirements often leads to unnecessary delays and missed opportunities for funding and supplier networks.

“The Spaza Shop Support Campaign continues to rollout across provinces, ensuring that township entrepreneurs are not only included in the broader economic framework but are also equipped to thrive within it. 

“By focusing on compliance, formalisation, and access to resources, the campaign is helping to level the playing field for small business owners in underserved communities,” said the  Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.  – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has announced that a total of 95 bodies have been recovered across various districts, following the recent floods, including the bodies of two teenage males discovered yesterday afternoon.

This as the search and recovery efforts continue.

“Out of the recovered bodies, 86 have been identified and have been collected by their families and processes are underway for the identification of the remaining bodies,” the provincial government said in a statement on Monday.

The provincial government said it was coordinating the provision of burial support for the victims of the disaster. This includes the storage of the bodies, burial services and transportation of the remains to the area identified by the families for burial. 

“The provision of this support has been made possible through support from AVBOB and government is also engaging with other funeral parlours with a view to mobilise support in line with the needs of the family.

“Government has provided support to 26 deceased persons that were buried from Thursday to this weekend,” the provincial government said. 

In addition to the burial services, government has provided the following support to the bereaved families:

• The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has extended the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, and this includes the provision of financial support towards funeral preparations.

• Grocery hampers donated by Interlink Express.

• The Department of Education has provided financial support of R5000 per deceased learners.

• Various local municipalities are assisting with grave preparation where required.

• Home Affairs emergency and mobile services for bereaved and displaced families.

• The Department of Home Affairs has deployed three mobile offices each in Butterworth and Mthatha. 

“Through this intervention, 311 in Mthatha and 145 in Butterworth affected individuals are being assisted to replace their birth certificates and IDs that were lost as a result of the disaster. All six mobile offices will remain on site this week to continue to provide support to the survivors as they rebuild their lives,” the statement said.

Search and recovery efforts 

The integrated search and recovery teams have been assisted by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members who continue to work tirelessly to locate and recover any remaining bodies.

From Monday, the search and recovery teams will be joined by a team from the North West Provincial Government, increasing the number of teams to four.

The provincial government has welcomed the support of government institutions and non-governmental organisations who have been part of rescue and recovery efforts, including the provision of humanitarian support.

Eastern Cape Acting Premier, Mlungisi Mvoko, has acknowledged the role played by ordinary citizens in continuously cooperating with authorities and providing the necessary assistance during this challenging time.

“The provincial government is committed to speeding up efforts of ensuring that affected communities are supported to rebuild their lives,” the provincial government said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton Mckenzie, has called for nominations for independent, suitably qualified persons with knowledge of anti-doping in sport for appointment as board members of the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport (SAIDS).

Nominees should be in possession of a relevant degree or equivalent qualifications and more than five years of professional experience in any of the following fields: law, sports medicine, sport management, sport science or law enforcement.

Nominees should also demonstrate knowledge of corporate governance and familiarity with the King IV and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA); understand policy implementation; familiarity with anti-doping issues and trends; strong ethical values and principles and professional respect and recognition by peers in their occupational field.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has encouraged applications from women, youth, and persons with disabilities in line with the government’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.

“The term of office for the Board is for a period of five years, commencing from the date of appointment in 2025 until 2030. The remuneration will be made in accordance with Treasury guidelines for public entities,” the department said on Monday.

Anyone wishing to nominate persons to serve as members of South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport should submit the following:

• A letter containing full names, address and telephone numbers of the nominee, giving reasons for nomination;
• Recently updated Curriculum Vitae of the nominee, including three contactable references;
• A brief statement signed by the nominee explaining his/her suitability for appointment.
• Copies of qualifications and ID document.

Nominations are to reach the Acting Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture by closing date of 6 July 2025 via e-mail to: BoardNominations.SAIDS@dsac.gov.za.

No nomination will be considered unless all the above are included. Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates.

If you have not been contacted withing three months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

Enquiries can be directed to Mr Kgaogelo Phasha on 066 301 4653 or via email at Kgaogelop@dsac.gov.za.

Further information can be obtained from the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport’s website www.drugfreesport.org.za. – SAnews.gov.za