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Government needs several systems in place to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI), which is aimed at providing universal health coverage. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is supporting the implementation of the NHI by developing some of the technology required. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, recently hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa at the CSIR. The President toured various facilities and was given information and demonstrations on several aspects of the CSIR’s work. These included the development of systems to support the NHI,…

Government has called on eligible South African spaza shop owners in townships and rural areas who want to improve, expand, and sustain their shops to apply for assistance with the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF). This as government officially opened applications for the fund aimed at increasing the participation of South African owned spaza shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector. READ | Government empowers spaza shops What the support fund seeks to achieve: •    It provides funding, training, business skills development, and technical support to help businesses compete effectively against larger retailers. •    Offers funding of…

The department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, has launched an online platform that allows a proponent intending to submit an application for environmental authorisation to screen their proposed site for any environmental sensitivity. Launched last week by the department’s Minister, Dr Dion George, the platform known as the National Web-Based Environmental Screening Tool, is a geographically based web-enabled application that streamlines environmental approvals, reduces bureaucratic hurdles, and fosters economic growth while protecting the natural heritage. It was gazetted on 5 July 2019 as mandatory for all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)…

A 39-year-old cellphone shop owner is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s next week where he will face charges of being in possession of suspected stolen property, said the South African Police Service (SAPS). This as police officers went to a block of flats in Alexandra Road, Bloemfontein. “Upon arrival, they encountered a 39-year-old foreign national who initially denied them entry to his flat. After persuading the suspect to grant access, officers discovered approximately ten large bags containing various brands of cellphones, tablets, and laptops,” the SAPS in the Free State said on Wednesday. Preliminary investigations indicate that a…

Four advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones and 40 body-worn cameras will be deployed for the first time at the country’s ports of entry over the coming Easter long weekend. The drones are equipped with some of the most advanced night vision cameras in the world, including thermal detection technology. Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the devices are able to recognise and lock onto heat sources, moving people, or vehicles. They can also travel at speeds up to 43 kilometres per hour and are capable of operating in remote rural areas without access to GPS and even underground.…

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala will on Friday have a stakeholder consultation in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, as part of bringing to reality the development of a small harbour in the area. Zikalala will be joined by the Eastern Cape Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Siphokazi Lusithi, Port St Johns local Municipality Mayor, Cebisa Mazuza and the Eastern Cape Chair of the House of Traditional leaders, Mpumalanga Gwadiso. “Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape have been identified for small harbour development, which…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as a “South African success story” as the institution marks 80 years since its establishment. The President was delivering remarks at the institution’s headquarters following a tour of the facility on Tuesday afternoon. “Over many decades, the CSIR has been [at the forefront]… of developing groundbreaking technologies and solutions that have profoundly shaped our country’s scientific and industrial progress. “With the advent of democracy in 1994, the CSIR embarked on a trajectory of aligning itself with the values of our Constitution. The CSIR is a true treasure…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a bold, coordinated, and community-driven approach to crime-fighting, describing policing in South Africa as being at a crossroads that demands urgent reform and collaboration from across all sectors of society. The President was delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Policing Summit held in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday. President Ramaphosa applauded the Ministry of Police for convening what he termed a “critical” gathering, which brings together government, civil society, business, interfaith groups, labour, and communities to reshape the country’s safety and security strategy. “Safeguarding our nation’s safety and security requires that we are proactive, innovative…

The Department of Home Affairs has today dismissed six officials with immediate effect for a range of offences, including fraud and corruption. Another six officials were issued with final written warnings. This brings to 33 the total number of officials dismissed since July 2024, as the department intensifies its clean-up campaign. Eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while the criminal prosecution of another 19 officials is underway. The latest dismissals follow from the recent launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, which has further strengthened coordination between…

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…