South Africa

The past three years have been challenging for South Africa's livestock and poultry industry because of the spread of animal diseases. Throughout this period, we have had various cases of foot and mouth (FMD) disease in cattle, African swine fever in pigs, and avian influenza in poultry. While animal disease outbreaks are not unique to South Africa and indeed common across the world, South Africa's challenges have intensified in the recent past.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the release of the preliminary results of the general elections in Mozambique by the National Electoral Commission (CNE).

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the passing of former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has been an enormous loss not only for his family, but the country and the democratic movement.

The Department of Basic Education says it is concerned at the increasing reports of food poisoning involving children of school-going age.

The Department of Home Affairs is proud to announce that it has issued the first-ever South African marriage certificates officially recognising the “type of marriage” of “Muslim.”

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, will participate in the 36th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 36) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Bangkok, Thailand.

“If effectively supported during their adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads and political leaders,” says Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.

The Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), will on Monday officially launch the Social Security Review Volume 2 publication in Cape Town under the theme: “Social Security in the time of COVID-19”.

The Acting Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Jane Thupana, on Friday received a situational report on operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will next week launch an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) listening tour in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has urged the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) to prioritise the safety of passengers over expedience this upcoming peak season.

The Department of Agriculture has announced that the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, which occurred during 2021-2022, has been successfully resolved in the North West, Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

While South Africa has made strides towards gender equality, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, says much work remains to be done to fully integrate women into all sectors of society.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has unveiled the Transport Safety Lab at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to enhance road safety policies and products on the continent.

In Kwa-Ndebele in Mpumalanga, beautician Precious Mabotja is making a mark with her business, Prexxy Beauty Academy and Spa.