September is a significant month in South Africa, marked by commemorations that celebrate our identity, heritage, service and national development. This edition highlights Tourism Month, Heritage Month, Public Service Month and Deaf Awareness Month, each of which reminds us of the diversity, resilience and spirit of our nation.
South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation because it is home to people from diverse cultures, races and religions. We pride ourselves for having united people with deep political differences to build an inclusive society that works for everyone, regardless of their background or race.
Training public servants to do their jobs effectively and serve the people efficiently is critical. Law now directs that some training programmes should be compulsory to achieve this goal, writes Dino Poonsamy.
“An unjust law is no law at all,” this is a famous maxim attributed to St. Augustine; one of the most influential philosophers in history. It was also repeated by a well-known civil rights movement leader and activist Martin Luther King Jr who even took it further to say people have a moral responsibility to non-violently disobey unjust laws as they go against human dignity and fairness.
As the 2026 Women’s Month draws to a close, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) celebrates the spirit of unity, collaboration and collective action among women across South Africa. In this spirit, the DFFE partnered with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to commemorate Women’s Month under the theme: “Imbokodo: 70 Years of Women’s Power from Resistance to Transformation.”
Climate change is often discussed in terms of rising temperatures, droughts, floods and extreme weather. Yet one of the world's most powerful climate regulators lies largely out of sight, quietly performing an indispensable service every day.
One of the greatest challenges in scientific capacity development is not delivering programmes but measuring their long-term impact. Annual reports rightly celebrate the number of workshops delivered, early-career researchers trained, countries represented and certificates awarded. These metrics demonstrate that programmes reached their intended audiences and achieved their planned activities. However, they reveal little about whether those investments ultimately produce sustained scientific leadership.
Earlier in the year, the African Union declared 2026 the Year of “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” In doing so, the continent elevated water and sanitation from basic service-delivery concerns to matters of strategic political priority.
Building an inclusive economy that creates jobs, expands business opportunities and improves the lives of all South Africans remains a central priority of the Seventh Administration. Government is pursuing a range of policies and programmes to accelerate economic growth, attract investment and unlock greater opportunities for businesses. Among these is Operation Vulindlela, a programme focused on removing barriers to economic growth and improving the performance of key sectors of the economy.
It is a sad reflection of our society that almost everyone knows or has heard of a woman who has experienced abuse, gender-based violence or femicide (GBVF). Sometimes we convince ourselves that such abuse occurs in the dark underbelly of society, or that it is far removed from our daily lives. Yet women are often harmed by people they know and trust – a husband, partner, superior, colleague, fellow church member, teacher or acquaintance.
South Africa’s ability to achieve sustained growth, create jobs and improve lives depends on infrastructure that works. Roads, rail, ports, water systems, energy networks and digital connectivity are not just public assets. They move goods, keep communities supplied, connect small businesses to markets and give households confidence that essential services will be available when needed.
For many South Africans, managing money has become a daily balancing act. Rising living costs, household debt, limited disposable income and unexpected expenses can place significant pressure on families and make it increasingly difficult to plan for the future. The scale of household debt pressures in South Africa is a particular cause for concern.
South Africa’s pursuit of sporting excellence is about more than winning medals, lifting trophies or achieving victories on the global stage. It is about building a nation that believes in its potential, invests in its people and creates opportunities for every South African to excel. As we mark Mandela Month, we are reminded of Nelson Mandela’s belief that sport has the unique ability to inspire, unite and bring people together across social, cultural and economic differences.
For generations, spaza shops have been an integral part of South Africa’s township and rural communities, reflecting the resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and determination of ordinary people to create economic opportunities despite challenging circumstances.
South Africa's democracy was forged through the courage, sacrifice and unwavering determination of those who believed in the ideals of freedom, equality and human dignity. The road to freedom was neither easy nor without immense pain. It demanded extraordinary resilience from generations who endured injustice, oppression and personal hardship in pursuit of a democratic South Africa where all people could enjoy equal rights and opportunities. The democratic gains achieved over the past three decades were hard-won and remain a shared national responsibility.
South Africa has built a world-class higher education system that has become a strategic national asset. Our universities are not only recognised among the best globally; they are centres of excellence that drive innovation, strengthen the economy, develop highly skilled graduates and contribute to global knowledge creation.
The fight to safeguard public resources cannot be won only through arrests and prosecutions alone. While accountability for wrongdoing remains essential, the most effective strategy is one that prevents misconduct before public funds are misused and public trust eroded.
South Africa is a nation of innovation, where scientific curiosity, research and technological advancement continue to shape solutions for some of society’s greatest challenges. Our scientists, researchers and innovators are contributing to global progress using science and technology to improve the lives of people in our country.
By Dr. Fateh Boutbig, President of the Pan-African Parliament
South Africa's investment story is increasingly moving beyond pledges and conference commitments. It is taking shape on factory floors, industrial parks and manufacturing hubs, where production lines are being modernised, facilities expanded, workers retained and upskilled, and businesses positioned for long-term growth and global competitiveness.
