Chikunga condemns Lusikisiki mass shooting

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has condemned the heinous acts of crime that have resulted in the death of 18 family members in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.

A total of 18 people were killed in a gruesome mass shooting over the weekend in Ngobozana village.

Reacting to the incident,...

Submissions sought on reform of the electoral system

The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel has extended its call for submissions from the public and organisations (including political parties or prospective independent candidates) on the reform of the electoral system for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures to 31 October 2024.

Section 23 of the Electoral Amendment...

Reflections on SA’s 12th official language

There’s an old adage that states that the pen is mightier than the sword and the passage of time is proving this to be true.

President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted the South African Sign Language as the country’s 12th official language at a ceremony held at the Union Buildings in July 2023.

And yes, while there’s still a long way to travel to...

GNU working to build an inclusive economy

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reiterated government’s commitment to building an inclusive economy in South Africa and has assured Londoners that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is working around the clock to make this a reality. 

The country’s second-in-command was speaking on Monday at the Bloomberg roundtable discussion in...

Government activities for the week 30 September – 4 October

On Monday, 30 September, Deputy President Paul Mashatile is in the United Kingdom for the second leg of his working visit. The purpose of the visit is to improve trade and investment relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The visit will conclude on Friday, 4 October.

On Monday, 30 September, Minister of...

Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel undergoes maintenance

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and her counterpart from the Kingdom of Lesotho, Minister Mohlomi Moleko, have expressed optimism on the state of readiness for the two countries to carry out the six-month maintenance closure of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnel. “Given the temporary halt in...

Government registers 217 Fire Protection Associations to deal with veld fires

In an attempt to be proactive in managing uncontrolled fires, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has to date registered 217 Fire Protection Associations (FPAs).“The department is empowered by the National Veld and Forest Fires Act, 1998 (NVFFA) to prevent and combat veld,...

Northern Cape records second-lowest HIV prevalence rate in SA

The Northern Cape had the second-lowest HIV prevalence at 8.9% in 2022, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) said on Monday. 

This means an estimated 120 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the province, which is 21 000 more PLHIV compared to 2017.

The information is based on the HSRC’s key findings of the...

Nominations open for boards of PIC, Sasria and Land Bank

National Treasury has called for nominations of candidates to serve on the boards of directors of the Public Investment Corporation, Sasria and the Land and Agricultural Development Bank.

Qualifications and/or experience required to serve are as follows:

Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited: leadership, strategy,...

Condolences for Lusikisiki mass shooting victims’ families

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the families of the 18 people tragically killed in a mass shooting over the weekend in Ngobozana village, in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape.

The President has also extended his sympathies to the survivors of the two separate attacks, which took place on the same...

Renewable energy programme to be accelerated

South Africa is determined to be “ultra aggressive” in onboarding renewable energy sources.

This is according to Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

The Minister was speaking on Monday during the Ministerial Renewable Energy Seminar held in Midrand, under the theme: “Advancing Renewable Energy: A Comprehensive...

Mashatile kicks off working visit to the UK

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in London, United Kingdom, for the second leg of his working visit scheduled to take place today and wrap up on Friday, 4 October 2024. 

According to the Presidency, the purpose of the visit is to improve trade and investment relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom. 

This visit...

SASSA reminds citizens of October payment dates for social grants

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has reminded social grant beneficiaries of the payment dates for its various social grants for the month of October.

The older person’s grants will be paid from Wednesday this week, while disability grant beneficiaries will be paid on Thursday. 

“There is no need to...

Petrol, diesel prices to decrease from Wednesday

There will be further relief at the pumps starting from Wednesday, 2 October, when the prices of all grades of petrol and diesel are set to decrease.

Illuminating paraffin is also expected to decrease, with the only price rise coming in the cost of LP Gas.

The fuel price adjustments were announced by the Department of Mineral and...

Weather service warns of light snow conditions

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of disruptive snowfall which is expected over the Cape Winelands, Cederberg, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Central and Little Karoo mountains of the Western Cape as well as the southern high ground of Namakwa District on Monday.

The closure of the following mountain passes is likely: Swartberg,...

SA’s G20 Presidency to prioritise Africa and Global South

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced in his weekly newsletter that when South Africa takes over the G20 Presidency later this year, it will focus on the priorities of Africa and the Global South.

South Africa will assume the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to November 2025, approximately five years before the deadline...

SA condemns ‘targeted’ assassinations, recent bombing of Lebanon

The South African government has expressed its “profound concern” regarding the recent escalation of extrajudicial killings in the Middle East, most notably the tragic assassination of Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders in Lebanon. 

This follows a series of widespread and indiscriminate attacks on communication and...

Phase 2 of Government and Business partnership to be launched

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to launch Phase 2 of the Business and Government partnership on Tuesday.

The launch will be held at the Industrial Development Corporation in Johannesburg.

READ | Deepening government, business partnership critical for SA

“The partnership was established over a year ago with the...

SA, Ireland eye improved trade

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, has committed to addressing the decline in trade between South Africa and Ireland and unlocking opportunities for future growth.

Whitfield said this during his address at the South Africa-Ireland Trade and Investment Round Table, which took place on the sidelines of a working visit...

Home Affairs announces a new five-year strategic vision

In the week marking 100 days in office for the Government of National Unity (GNU), Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has announced a new five-year strategic vision to turn Home Affairs into a digital-first department during the 2024-2029 term of office.

This new approach, dubbed Home Affairs @ home, envisions an...

South African woman arrested for drug trafficking at OR Tambo

A 21-year-old South African woman has been arrested for drug trafficking at the OR Tambo International (ORTIA) Airport.

This is the 11th drug mule to be arrested at the airport in a period of two months.

“The drug mule was profiled and intercepted as she was arriving on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday...