Category: Government Opinion Pieces

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, marking the first official visit by a Ukrainian Head of State to South Africa.

This engagement follows President Ramaphosa’s visit to Ukraine in June 2023, as part of the African Peace Initiative, which also saw African leaders meeting with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to table a 10-point peace proposal.

Alongside leaders from six other African nations, President Ramaphosa emphasised Africa’s call for negotiation, respect for sovereignty, and an urgent end to the conflict which continues to impact global and African economies.

“The visits provide South Africa and Ukraine with an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, agriculture and education. It will also explore areas of cooperation with the objective to support efforts to bring lasting peace,” the Presidency said.

The official visit will commence with a welcome ceremony where President Ramaphosa will receive President Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings. They will proceed to a closed session to hold official talks.

Later in the day, President Ramaphosa and President Zelenskyy will address a media briefing.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is set to launch a Skills Development Programme, aimed at empowering victims of crime, parolees and probationers.

The initiative will provide inmates with market-related skills and vocational training, aiming to facilitate their rehabilitation and social reintegration.

The programme to be unveiled on Thursday, is being rolled out in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training College, in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The department said the initiative, funded by the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, will provide 100 selected participants from the greater Johannesburg area, with accredited trade-related training.

“The programme is designed not only to enhance employability, but also to foster entrepreneurial opportunities among its beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will undergo six months of training under the programme.

“[Participants] will be equipped with practical skills in trades such as, pumbling, welding, electrical work, bricklaying, air conditioning and refrigeration. Upon completion, participants will receive trade certificates, boosting their prospects for meaningful employment or self-employment,” the department said.

Correctional Services National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, will deliver a keynote address at the launch, and engage with members of the business community on the critical need to support the reintegration of parolees and probationers.

This may see businesses open their doors to employ those that have been in conflict with the law and those that have suffered as a result of criminal activities, the department noted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished South Africans a happy and safe Easter.

He said, however, that a safe Easter period depends on citizens conducting themselves with tolerance, patience and respect for everyone with whom they come into contact.

In a statement on Thursday, President Ramaphosa offered his best wishes for the Easter break to South Africa’s diverse Christian denominations as well as compatriots for whom this will purely be a period of rest and social connection.

“Easter is a special period for devoted Christians to celebrate their faith and the triumph of life over death, and it is an opportunity for South Africans of all backgrounds enjoy rest and reconnection with family and friends.”

President Ramaphosa urges citizens to take care of themselves and others on the roads and in social situations.

“As we move around our beautiful country, let us reduce speed, buckle up, rest up and leave our phones alone while we’re driving. Let’s make sure vehicles are well maintained and that we avoid the need to rush by leaving home or our workplaces early enough.

“This will allow us be patient with other road users and to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes. This should also be a period of care and peace in our homes and communities.

“May this be a time of celebration and rejuvenation for the year ahead,” said the President.

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has encouraged road users to be responsible on the roads this Easter weekend, while highlighting the significant costs that road accidents have on government spending and society.

In the 2023-2024 financial year, the RAF settled claims to the value of R45.6 billion

The amount included R47 million for funeral claims, R21.6 billion for loss of earnings, R12.7 billion for general damages, R2.6 billion for loss of support and R1.7 billion for medical compensation.

“The RAF pleads with South African road users to make this Easter fatality free by using the roads responsibly. Road fatalities and trauma result in devastating emotional, social and economic costs to the victims, their families and the country.

“This calls for an immediate change of attitude by all road users. Easter 2024 recorded the highest Easter weekend fatalities since 2019 with 335 deaths. This was a sharp increase from 252 deaths in 2023,” RAF said on Wednesday.

Human error, vehicle failure, and environmental factors all significantly contributed to the 1 325 fatalities recorded from 2019 to 2024 Easter weekend car crashes.

Major human factor contributors were speeding, jaywalking, and hit-and-run.

Vehicle related factors that resulted in the highest accidents were tyre bursts, brake failures, and smooth tyres. Environmental factors such as poor visibility, sharp bends, stray animals, and road surface defects also jeopardise peoples’ road safety and require caution.

RAF Chief Executive Officer Collins Letsoalo said: “Reckless driving, pedestrian negligence, and poor vehicle maintenance remain major contributors to road crashes. These are all factors that we can do something about as individual road users.

“Arrivals at unintended destinations should never happen. We encourage all road users to pledge to themselves or whoever is precious to them to drive responsibly and make this Easter weekend fatality free.”

In the first quarter of 2025, the RAF participated in a road safety awareness campaign through partnerships with radio stations, soccer events, school activations, scholar patrol uniform distribution, cyclist safety awareness, Defensive Driver Workshops, spraying of livestock with reflective sprays, adult assisted crossing for learners, and removing vegetation from sidewalks in areas with high accidents.

In the event of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, the RAF can be reached on 087 820 1 111 from Monday to Friday, 07h45 to 16h00.

Claimants may also contact the RAF’s Contact Centre on the WhatsApp number 071 605 4707, via SMS on 44930, or by email on contactcentre@raf.co.za.

In addition, the RAF is reachable through its offices countrywide, details of which are available on its website on www.raf.co.za.

Law enforcement authorities will be out in their numbers this Easter Weekend to ensure that motorists drive safely and comply with traffic regulations.

Major corridors are expected to reach peak levels as travellers embark on various religious and holiday destinations, from Friday, 18 April to Monday, 21 April 2025.

“We are ready for the high volumes of traffic that we will experience throughout the country over the Easter Weekend. We encourage drivers to behave more responsibly on the roads and to ensure that the human factor is removed in road accidents.

“Driver and pedestrian behaviour is responsible for 87% of road accidents and fatalities in our country. And so, reducing road fatalities and accidents is the responsibility of each one of us,” Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said.

The Department of Transport has identified the most critical routes across the country requiring additional resources and more focused monitoring over this period.

These include, among others, the following:
•    The N4 Nelspruit
•    Mankweng (R71)
•    Libode on the N2, Mthatha’s R61
•    Parys (Free State), R54
•    Harrismith and the N3
•    KwaDukuza, N2 in KwaZulu-Natal
•    N4 Middleburg in Mpumalanga
•    Nongoma, R66 in KwaZulu-Natal

The National Traffic Police, South African Police Services provincial traffic departments, Cross Border Road Traffic Agency, Border Management Agency, the Metros and local authorities will work together to patrol routes leading to Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

High visibility will also be maintained in Gauteng.

Last month, government launched the 2025 Easter Season Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign, which started on 20 March and runs until 2 May 2025, under the theme: “It begins with Me.”

“The campaign is aimed at reducing road fatalities during the high-traffic holiday period through integrated law enforcement and public education,” Creecy said.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has welcomed the Department of Water and Sanitation’s decision to allocate an additional R317 million in water infrastructure grants to municipalities across the province.

The additional funding, provided through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), is designed to assist municipalities with water authority status in expanding access to water services.

The additional allocation under the WSIG includes:

•     Ugu District Municipality – R15 million
•     Newcastle Local Municipality – R15 million
•    Amajuba District Municipality – R15 million
•    Zululand District Municipality – R55.434 million

In addition, the Zululand District Municipality has been allocated a further R217. 247 million under the RBIG.

Buthelezi said the additional funding allocated to these municipalities, based on their effective utilisation of previous allocations, demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding water access, particularly in rural communities.

“The total additional grant allocation to the mentioned municipalities amounts to R317 681 000. These funds will go towards augmenting water infrastructure projects to ensure that water supply reaches all communities of KwaZulu-Natal,” Buthelezi said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, as his Special Envoy to the United States.

In his new role, Jonas will serve as the official representative of the President and the government of South Africa.

“In this capacity, Mr Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. He will lead negotiations, foster strategic partnerships and engage with US government officials and private-sector leaders to promote our nation’s interests,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement on Monday.

The Head of State described Jonas as an eminent South African leader, who served as one of four Presidential Investment Envoys that he appointed in 2018 to facilitate investment into South Africa.

“As a former Deputy Finance Minister of South Africa, Mr Jonas brings extensive governmental experience to his new diplomatic role. Concurrently, he holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group, a role he will maintain alongside his responsibilities as my Special Envoy,” the President said.

In addition, the President believes that this appointment underscores his distinguished career and continued commitment to advancing South Africa’s national and economic interests.

“For decades, South Africa and the United States of America have maintained a historical and strategic relationship. In the interest of our country, our region and the rest of our continent, I remain committed to rebuilding and maintaining this relationship for more decades based on mutual respect, recognition of each other’s sovereignty and benefit for our respective peoples,” he added.

Meanwhile, a delegation of senior officials, led by South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Sherpa and the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Zane Dangor, recently met with United States officials to clarify the country’s expropriation and equity laws.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with their counterparts in Washington, including senior officials at the White House and the State Department, to address key bilateral priorities.

The days of sexual predators roaming the streets should be a thing of the past, says Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong.

The Deputy Minister said this during his visit to the family of a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped in Ipelegeng Township, Schweizer Reneke in the North West.

“We are encouraged that despite the matter being reported in December 2024, an arrest has finally been affected. The days of sexual predators roaming on our streets should be a thing of the past,” the Deputy Minster said.

The Deputy Minister also expressed concerns on the failure of the police to act swiftly in a case that constitutes a direct violation of the rights of the child while also describing the alleged incident as barbaric and diabolical.

He is expected to engage Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on his concerns and observations made during engagements with law enforcement agencies.

The Deputy Minister will also engage the Minister of Social Development on psychosocial support for the alleged victim and her family.

Morolong was accompanied by the Provincial leadership of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) represented by the Provincial Chairperson and Provincial Secretary, Tshepo Khoza and Mogomotsi Mosheshe respectively.

The Deputy Minister and SANCO leadership also visited the local Ipelegeng police station.

Government has officially opened applications for the highly anticipated R500 million support fund aimed at increasing the participation of South African owned Spaza Shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector.

Addressing the launch of the Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF), Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said the fund will transform the spaza shop landscape by creating jobs, alleviating poverty, promoting economic inclusion and empowerment as well as stimulating local economic growth.

The fund provides for funding of up to R300 000 per shop through a combination of grants and low-interest loans.

It allocates funding specifically for initial stock purchases, infrastructure improvements, business development tools, and Point of Sale (POS) system adoption.

Through the fund, shop owners will be provided with assistance in meeting hygiene and regulatory standards to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality products.

“We are committed to ensuring that every spaza shop that benefits from this fund also gains access to the necessary health and safety training and resources. This holistic approach will help create workplaces that are not only economically vibrant but also secure and sustainable for the future,” the Minister said on Tuesday in Soweto.

He indicated that studies show that small businesses account for a significant portion of job creation in South Africa.

“By equipping spaza shop owners with financial support, infrastructure upgrades, and essential business training, we are setting the stage for sustainable job creation. This means more opportunities for local talent and a reduction in poverty levels, as spaza shops expand their roles as community hubs.

“Every spaza shop supported by this fund is an engine for local growth. When these businesses thrive, they create ripple effects that boost surrounding sectors—be it suppliers, service providers, or local artisans.

“This fund is a catalyst for economic dynamism, injecting energy and resources where they are most needed. It is an investment in our people, our neighbourhoods, and ultimately, the entire South African economy,” he explained.

The fund will be jointly administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA).

“We want a South Africa where economic opportunities are available to all, where the informal becomes formal, and where the entrepreneurial spirit of our townships becomes a driving force for national transformation.

“With this fund, we are taking a concrete step to formalise and empower the informal sector. By supporting spaza shops, we are enabling entrepreneurs, often women and young people, to participate fully in the economic process.
“These small businesses generate employment, drive local commerce, and channel much-needed income into communities that have long been underserved,” Tau said.

In order to access the funding, applicants need to apply to the NEF and SEDFA through the prescribed application process outlined on the relevant institution’s website.

The following website can be used to apply for funding:

Spaza Shop Support Fund – www.spazashopfund.co.za
NEF – www.nefcorp.co.za
SEDFA – https://systems.sefa.org.za/SMMEPortal/

The contact details for the Spaza Shop Support Fund Call Centre are 01 1 305 8080 or via email: Spazafund@nefcorp.co.za

Contact details for the NEF Call Centre are 0861 843633, SEDFA Call Centre 012 748 9600 or an email can be sent to helpline@sefa.org.za.

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has unveiled a revitalisation plan for transforming derelict and unsafe inner-city buildings.

According the CoJ, the plan aims to turn those buildings into “secure, functional spaces for businesses and families”.

“As part of this initiative, the City will rehabilitate buildings that have been declared uninhabitable by the courts, with the objective of leasing them to stimulate urban renewal, attract investment, drive economic growth, and create employment opportunities.

“The revitalisation strategy…is spearheaded by the Strategic Projects Unit. It represents a coordinated, long-term approach to reclaiming the inner city, backed by cross-departmental collaboration, clear governance, and active private sector engagement,” the CoJ said.

Buildings that have been identified for the project include:

• M.O.T.H Building – Declared unsafe; the City has been instructed to relocate occupants to temporary emergency accommodation.
• Vannin Building – Declared unsafe; evacuation and relocation in progress.
• CASA MIA – Declared unfit for habitation; occupants to be relocated.
• Delvers Building – Declared unsafe; scheduled for demolition on 20 September 2024; occupants have been evacuated.
• Remington Building – Successfully redeveloped following a court-ordered evacuation on 15 September 2023.
• Wimbledon Building (Wolmarans Street) – Declared unsafe; relocation underway.
• Big Busty Building (45 Edith Cavell Street) & Florence House (65 King George Street) – Court orders served; relocation in progress.

“To support affected residents, temporary accommodation has been secured at locations including Fleurhof, South Hills, 106 Claim Street, and Regents House, with over 600 housing units ready or nearing completion,” the CoJ said.

Working together

The City is also identifying property it owns to sell to private investors while also exploring private-public partnerships.

MMC for Economic Development, Nomoya Mnisi, called on property owners to work with the city.

“Johannesburg’s inner city holds immense potential, but many buildings have been neglected or underutilised for years. As property owners, you are key partners in reclaiming, revitalising, and reimagining our city.

“Through the Joburg Property Company, the City is committed to working with investors and property owners – not against them – to unlock value and drive economic and social development,” Mnisi said.

She highlighted that the city is seized with reclaiming highjacked buildings.

“As a City, we are actively identifying and reclaiming hijacked buildings, but we also acknowledge the critical role of the private sector. Urban renewal is a shared responsibility, and through collaboration, we can restore Johannesburg’s inner city to its former glory,” Mnisi concluded.