South Africa

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has welcomed the Public Protector’s report highlighting systemic and longstanding inefficiencies at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) said the issues identified in the report are not new and formed part of longstanding governance, administrative and operational challenges at the scheme that had been a matter of concern to the Minister.

The SA Agulhas II has arrived safely at Marion Island with researchers ready to reactivate the base, following the evacuation of the previous team earlier this year.

The establishment of an independent, state-owned Transmission System Operator (TSO) is central to government’s efforts to secure a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supply for all South Africans.

South Africa will use the upcoming 2026 BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting in India to strengthen sport cooperation and identify practical areas of collaboration that advance the shared priorities of BRICS partners

South Africa and Finland have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in education and skills development following a high-level ministerial engagement during the Finnish Minister of Education, Anders Adlercreutz’s, official visit to South Africa.

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has made significant progress in its ongoing efforts to control Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province, with more than 1.3 million animals vaccinated since the launch of the mass vaccination campaign in March 2026.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has extended the notice period for the retrenchment of employees at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to allow the Ministerial Task Team more time to explore alternatives.

Minister Buti Manamela has requested a team from the Department of Higher Education and Training’s University Education Branch to work with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to facilitate urgent engagement between the university’s management, council and student leadership.

Government has welcomed the cooling of consumer inflation for the first time in five months, with Statistics South Africa reporting a decline to 4,3% in July from 5,0% in June.

Government and the pharmaceutical sector have committed to working together to resolve challenges facing the sector.