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The Lesotho Highlands Water Project harnesses the water resources of the Lesotho highlands through the construction of a series of dams and tunnels for the mutual benefit of Lesotho and South Africa, supplying water to the Gauteng region of South Africa and hydropower to Lesotho.

South Africa’s water crisis poses a pressing challenge, affecting communities, businesses, and agriculture. However, innovative solutions are emerging across the country that offer hope for a more sustainable and water-secure future. From cutting-edge technology to improved governance and community-driven efforts, there are many pathways forward that can alleviate the pressures on South Africa’s water resources.

Renowned South African medical researcher Professor Glenda Gray has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving public health and combating infectious diseases. From carrying out research in mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS to sourcing Covid-19 vaccination for healthcare workers on the frontline of the pandemic, and now in her latest role as the Chair of the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP), Prof Gray has put her passion for medicine and people to work in saving lives.

As global leaders meet for the G20 Summit, the business sector will also have a chance to engage with world leaders through the parallel Business 20 (B20) structure. The B20 serves as the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community. Established in 2010, the B20 is one of the most influential G20 Engagement Groups, bringing together business leaders from G20 member countries and beyond.

Understanding Your Credit Score By Jessie Taylor More and more South African consumers are accessing credit, according to the National Credit Regulator (NCR). The NCR highlights that the number of consumers with credit agreements has grown, particularly in the first...

The South African government – led by the Presidency, cabinet’s economic cluster and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) – is the host of this year’s G20 summit to take place in November, and comprehensive programmes of meetings of working groups have already begun.

Zane Dangor is at the forefront of South Africa’s G20 presidency, leading critical negotiations and shaping global discussions on economic development, inclusivity, and sustainability. As the country’s G20 Sherpa, he plays a crucial role in ensuring that South Africa’s priorities are effectively represented on the world stage.

Since US President Donald Trump commented about his “imaginary” land grabs in South Africa, some among us have started pushing a misleading narrative that agriculture is under pressure and has been failing for a while. The inept municipalities, poor road infrastructure, stock theft, and port inefficiencies all contribute to this narrative of failure and despair. Stories of the failings of land reform farms also add to this sentiment of regression in agricultural progress. But this narrative is far from the reality of the South African farming sector. Regardless of how experts feel about the state’s capacity and the government’s policy stance since the dawn of democracy, the one undeniable fact is that the sector has grown tremendously – and indeed, not failing.

Following the 2025 SONA, the State of the Province Addresses were delivered by the respective provincial Premiers of South Africa.

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has outlined a bold and strategic plan to drive the province’s economic revitalisation and social development. During her 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA), the Premier emphasised two key priorities: economic recovery through infrastructure investment and social transformation via education and healthcare improvements.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) ushered in a new era of leadership on 25 November 2024, as Professor Mosa Moshabela was officially installed as the institution’s 11th Vice-Chancellor (VC). Professor Moshabela’s appointment marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career as a public health expert, clinician-scientist, and academic leader. His journey from an aspiring medical student to a globally recognised leader in research and innovation is a story of resilience, excellence, and unwavering commitment to societal transformation.

February 3-6 2025 saw the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) hosting the 31st annual Investing in African Mining Indaba. The Indaba is the same age as our democracy and has developed into a platform with a key focus on networking, discussions and investment opportunities in African mining projects. For the first time, the Mining Indaba featured representatives from mining communities who participated in key sessions, providing their perspectives on main event themes. This reflected the conference’s commitment to collaboration with those directly affected by mining activities.

In his letter to the nation, penned on 10 February, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa focused on foreign diplomacy, with particular reference to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. President Ramaphosa has just returned from a Heads of State summit in Tanzania which brought together the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to consider the deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC and to find a sustainable political solution.

As South Africa celebrates 70 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter, President Cyril Ramaphosa has given his State of the Nation Address. His government will use the upcoming year to focus on driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) concluded its 2024 Annual Symposium under the theme, “Innovate, Integrate, Accelerate: A Universal Health Coverage Commitment.” The Symposium brought together thought leaders from healthcare, policy, and technology sectors, all united in their mission to address the barriers to healthcare access and accelerate South Africa’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Trusts are a popular way for South Africans to protect their assets for their loved ones. Many people opt for a trust as a form of estate planning to ensure their beneficiaries get the most value from their estate.

Several projects have been rolled out to support the Western Cape Government’s efforts to become the first province without load shedding. In support of that goal, the provincial government has implemented numerous initiatives to increase the energy resilience of government facilities and small businesses. Hundreds of healthcare facilities, schools, and businesses have been supported by interventions such as solar power, with around a third of the country’s Small-Scale Embedded Generation projects based in the Western Cape.

The National Youth Service Programme (NYSP) is a government initiative aimed at engaging South African youth in community service activities to strengthen service delivery, promote nation-building, foster social cohesion and to assist the youth to acquire occupational skills necessary to access sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The National Youth Policy 2020-2030 (NYP 2030) is cross-sectoral and aimed at effecting positive youth development outcomes for young people at local, provincial, and national levels in South Africa. It has been developed by the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities in collaboration with multiple stakeholders; the Policy’s intention is to redress the injustices of the past and deal decisively with the new challenges the youth are facing.

Youth Day is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the sacrifices of a brave collective of over 20 000 students, who stood up for freedom during the 1976 Soweto uprising. There are various ways to commemorate this historic event – from street festivals, to visiting a local museum, music events and art exhibitions. Here are some suggestions:

The agricultural sector has an ambitious and unifying vision through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) launched in May 2022. Indeed, the AAMP is imperfect, and some aspects were contested during its drafting stages. This is expected given the breadth of social partners involved in crafting it. Still, most social partners, such as the business community, government, and labour, agreed that the AAMP offers a framework to grow the agriculture and agro-processing sector, build competitiveness, attract more investment, improve inclusion, and create jobs.

In a progressive workplace, parental leave is a crucial factor which supports the welfare of families and employees. Shared parental leave is gradually gaining recognition across Africa, however many countries still lack paid paternity leave. The global average according to the World Economic Forum stands at 21 days compared to 191 days for maternity leave. According to the Top Employers Institute, parental leave refers to time allocated to parents to take care of their new infant or newly adopted child, for the purpose of parents balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

South Africa launched its trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) with the first shipment dispatched at the start of the year. This follows the publication in the Government Gazette of the terms under which South Africa will participate in the new free trade agreement.

Free State is the latest province to benefit from a government programme that will look to create thousands of employment opportunities. Through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) is set up to provide training that will upskill youth for employment and entrepreneurship.

Dealing With Wills Within The South African Legal System By Naledi Mokoena When it comes to wills, the South African legal system is comprehensive and adheres to applicable laws - therefore seeking appropriate legal advice to make and execute wills is a prerequisite,...