South Africa

South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency is making significant progress toward a comprehensive Leaders’ Declaration that emphasises sustainable development and addresses pressing global issues. 

This statement was made by South Africa’s G20 Sherpa and Chair, Zane Dangor, who spoke to the media on Friday as the three-day Sherpa meeting concluded.

During a briefing with local and international media, Dangor said the gathering highlighted key developments through a collaborative approach that seeks input from all delegates.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out following his decision to remove Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, from his position.

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a Terminal Operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura for a concession period of 25 years.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has been allocated R9.08 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, accounting for 0.35% of the national appropriation.

South Africa has taken a significant step in fostering inclusive growth by officially ratified the Protocol Women and Youth in Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Government has identified 59 bankable biodiversity projects that are expected to generate at least $450,000 in green finance, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George announced during the department’s budget vote speech in Parliament on Friday.

The Eastern Cape Province has officially been declared a national disaster zone in response to the widespread destruction caused by recent severe weather events.

The Cabinet Office says it has learnt that one of the people appointed to the Board of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has a conflict of interest. 

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Sherpa, Dr Bright Okogu, has challenged African nations to take decisive steps in transforming their economic landscape by creating robust investment environments and processing raw materials domestically.

“Africa needs to take charge of its own destiny,” Okogu said on Friday. 

Traditional development aid, the Sherpa said, is rapidly diminishing, making it imperative for African countries to attract quality investments.

Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has expressed serious concern about a “sustained“ campaign of misinformation and disinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. 

Recently, in what appears to be a deepfake video, SABC news anchor Oliver Dickson is seen to be interviewing Professor Salim Abdool Karim, the Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). 

During the fake interview, Abdool Karim is depicted as making claims that the COVID-19 vaccine is causing harm and resulting in fatalities.