26 May 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation received a briefing from the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on the National State Enterprises (NSE) Bill. The committee said NSE Bill aims to centralize the management of state-owned companies’ shareholdings under a holding company, the State Asset Management SOC Limited, to improve operational efficiency, governance and alignment with the state’s developmental objectives.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Teliswa Mgweba, welcomed the presentation by NEDLAC and said it will deepen the committee’s understanding of the Bill’s broader policy and developmental institution. Mgweba said she was also hopeful that the NSE Bill will significantly transform the governance, ownership and the architecture of state-owned companies.
“The legislation will also strengthen the oversight mechanism, accountability and performance monitoring to promote a transparent and inclusive legislative process.
“The committee will invite different other stakeholders to make submissions on the Bill as part of the extensive consultation process and public participation,” she said.
Picture: Some of candidates sitting for NSC examinations/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
26 May 2025- The North West Department of Education MEC, Viola Motsumi, wishes all the best to the National Senior Certificate and Senior Certificate candidates who are currently writing their final examinations, which commenced on 12 May 2025, and will conclude on 25 June 2025.
Motsumi said this year, there are 22 014 candidates, a decrease from 27 010 in 2024.
She further said the examinations are being written in 73 Senior Certificate and 403 National Senior Certificate centres across the province. Motsumi added that the number of candidates has decreased by 4997 compared to last year.
“Printing, packing, packaging and storage of question papers has been 70% completed and stored securely. Distribution of the Question papers will be done daily at least two hours before the commencement of the examination.
“The May/June 2025 examination is prepared for those candidates who wish to improve their previous results. Second Chance Matric programme candidates and other previous Senior Certificate candidates, who are above the age of 21 and could not attain their matric,” she said.
Motsumi said marking guidelines will be released daily after the papers are written. She said the marking process will be conducted from 30 June to 10 July 2025, at the identified venues in the province under strict security protocol.
“Markers will be trained fully by the Chief Markers and Internal Moderators before marking could commence. External moderation will be conducted by both DBE and UMALUSI to quality assure the marking of the candidates’ scripts.
“We attribute the decrease in the number of candidates to the performance of last year. On behalf of the department, I wish all candidates the best of luck for their examinations,” said Motsumi.
She said they are pleased to see a significant decrease in the number of candidates, which they attribute to the high pass rate achieved by the Class of 2024. Motsumi said many learners performed exceptionally well, resulting in fewer candidates needing to rewrite.
“I encourage all registered candidates aiming to improve their results to use this opportunity to write their examinations. Unlike in previous years, where some candidates did not show up for their papers, I urge our candidates to commit to writing all their examination papers.
“This will ultimately enable them to pursue their dreams of furthering their studies at tertiary institutions and beyond. Candidates who wrote these examinations will receive their results from 8 August 2025, at the district offices for Senior Certificate and schools, where they were registered for National Senior Certificate,” she said.
Motsumi said candidates who have registered for the examination are encouraged to arrive on time for the examinations and avoid irregular conduct during examinations.
Picture: North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
25 May 2025- In line with Chapter 6, Section 131(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, has appointed the North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi as the acting Premier effective from 24 May 2025 to 8 June 2025. Mokgosi said as acting Premier, Mosenogi will execute all responsibilities entrusted to her in line with the provisions of the constitution.
25 May 2025- Cyril Ramaphosa has officially betrayed the people of South Africa. He stood before Donald Trump, the president of the United States, and bowed. He chose the side of white monopoly capital. He spat on the graves of our liberation heroes.
He denounced our victory songs that carried us through the darkest days of apartheid. He turned his back on the struggle and chose to serve those who benefit from our oppression.
How can an African leader go and kneel before Trump with no evidence of genocide in this country? He did not defend our sovereignty.
He made us look like beggars in the eyes of the world. He made us look like we have no backbone, no pride, no history.
He betrayed the spirit of Biko, Sobukwe, Chris Hani and every freedom fighter who bled for this land. Let’s be clear.
The capitalist system does not solve problems. It creates them.
Then the same capitalists return in suits and say they have the solution. That’s how white monopoly capital operates.
That’s what Johann Rupert does. He creates a crisis then raises his hand and says, “I can fix it,” and fools call him a saviour.
He is not. He is the problem. He is the symbol of economic apartheid. He has captured the state and owns the president.
Africans do not need Donald Trump. We do not need Elon Musk. We do not need Rupert. We need economic justice. We need dignity. We need land. Elon Musk insulted South Africa before.
Now, he wants to skip our laws and operate Starlink without following BEE requirements. We say no. He must follow the law like everyone else. No exceptions. No favours. No billionaires above the constitution.
And now Trump dares to call for the arrest of the Commander in Chief, Julius Malema on 21 May 2025. This is how the USA starts its campaigns of assassination.
It begins with propaganda, then false charges, then bullets. We have seen it before. They killed Lumumba, Sankara, Gaddafi. And now they want to come for Malema.
We say Hands off Malema. We will protect our own. If Ramaphosa truly cared about bilateral relations, why didn’t he speak out about the police brutality in America?
Why didn’t he confront them about the murder of black people by their police? He remained silent because he was not there for the people. He was there for business, for billionaires.
For those who feast while our people starve. He went there not as a president of the people, but as a servant of imperialism. He has surrendered our dignity, our sovereignty, and our future.
Cyril Ramaphosa is not the people. He is not the constitution. He is not Parliament. He is not the revolution. We the people are the voice of this country.
Donald Trump or no Donald Trump
Elon Musk or no Elon Musk
Johann Rupert or no Johann Rupert
The land will be expropriated without compensation
(Note: The Guardian Newspaper does not agree nor disagree with content raised in this article. The content in this article remains of the author and it does not represent The Guardian Newspaper and its associates.)
25 May 2025- The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the North West said it is outraged by the News24 report confirming that 36% of staff in the North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi’s office is not qualified for the positions they occupied. The party said this shocking figure is only the tip of the iceberg — because the truth is, Mokgosi himself is not qualified to lead this province.
According to MKP provincial convenor, Alfred Motsi, Mokgosi has never emerged through any proper political or organizational processes within the ANC — not at branch level, not at regional level. Motsi said Mokgosi is a political unknown, who was elevated to power purely because of his allegiance to a faction led by ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi.
“Mokgosi is nothing more than a puppet of Maloyi, installed to protect factional interests, not to serve the people of this province. This is a betrayal of democracy, governance and public trust.
“We demand a public explanation from Mokgosi on his own qualifications and political background. A full independent audit of all staff appointments in the Office of the Premier. Immediate removal of all unqualified personnel,” he said.
Motsi further said they also demand a clear commitment to merit-based, transparent appointments free from factional influence. He added that, the North West deserves competent, ethical and experienced leadership.
“What we have now is a state-captured provincial government run by factional interests and deployed puppets, who cannot deliver services, cannot govern and do not respect the people.
“MKP is rising to break this cycle of corruption, cadre deployment and incompetence. We are building a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” said Motsi.
However, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has refuted reports that only 36% of his staff is qualified. Mokgosi said all 44 senior managers qualify and met all the requirements for the positions they currently hold at the time of their appointments.
“Following engagements with the Public Service Commission (PSC), it was established that certain information in relation to the suitability of some managers was not captured correctly when a survey on senior management qualifications was conducted.
“The Office of the Premier can confirm that qualifications relating to all senior managers have been authenticated, and they all meet the minimum entry requirements into the Senior Management Service,” he said.
Mokgosi said an updated report in relation to this matter will be shared with the Public Service Commission (PSC). He said that he is committed to the professionalisation of the Public Service, as well as ethical leadership, which encapsulates accountability and transparency.
25 May 2025 – The Chairpersons of the Constitutional Review Committee have reminded the public of the looming deadline for written public submissions on the annual review of South Africa’s Constitution in accordance with section 45(1)(c) of the Constitution. Committee Chairpersons, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach and Mtikeni Patrick Sibande said that, at the beginning of May, the committee made the call for public participation, which is a crucial element of the committee’s mandate.
Breytenbach said: “In addition to the written submissions, submitters should also indicate if they are interested in making oral presentations to the committee. Submissions should reach the committee by no later than 31 May 2025.
“Thus far, the committee has received over 200 submissions and urges to public to exercise their democratic right to participate in the work of Parliament.”
Sibande shared the same sentiments. He said enquiries and written submissions can be addressed to Adv P Gwebu, Committee Section, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000, email pgwebu@parliament.gov.za, tel. 021 403 8257 or cell 083 709 8395.
Picture: Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi
By REGINALD KANYANE
25 May 2025- The Congress of the People (COPE) said it unequivocally condemns the alleged disgraceful decision by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, to tamper with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) legislation, a complete betrayal of South Africa’s transformation agenda. COPE said this is not policy reform, but a legislative betrayal.
COPE’s acting national treasurer, Teboho Loate said what Malatsi is doing is that he is opening the backdoor for billionaire Elon Musk and his Starlink enterprise to enter South Africa without adhering to the legislation imperative of 30% black ownership. Loate said to be clear, this is not empowerment.
“It is cowardice. Once again, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government has bowed before the altar of white capital, foreign interests and right-wing propaganda.
“The same embarrassing delegation that paraded itself at the White House, a group of golfers and disconnected elites has returned not with dignity, but with a legislative sell-out disguised as the so-called Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), spitting in the face of South Africa’s long and painful transformation journey,” he said.
Loate further said Malatsi wants to tell South Africans that this amendment will attract multinational investment. He added that, but what he truly means is, “Let us bend our rules so foreign billionaires can bypass our people and our policies.”
“The BBBEE legislation is not optional and non-negotiable. If a multinational wants to do business here, it should be a given that foreign investors doing business in South Africa must ensure that they empower historically disadvantaged South Africans.
“That means ownership, which means real participation. This has nothing to do with innovation or connectivity. It has everything to do with giving in to the influence of Elon Musk, a known right-wing tech billionaire, who has shown open disdain for our democracy and our people,” he said.
Loate said Musk has shamelessly pushed false, racist narratives of “white genocide” and aligned himself with organisations and ideologies hostile to South Africa’s transformation. He said they should not pretend this betrayal is coincidental.
“The timing of this gazette, immediately after a suspicious, self-serving trip to the US, is not by chance. Following high-profile meetings with Donald Trump, Ramaphosa’s administration now appears to be facilitating Elon Musk’s entry into South Africa, a country he has controversially accused of targeting white people for genocide.
“We must ask ourselves questions around Starlink, given the character of its owner. Is Starlink simply a tech venture, or is it a surveillance operation disguised as a satellite dish?” he asked.
Loate said why would the country allow someone with clear political interests and ties to extremist ideologies to establish this kind of infrastructure in South Africa, without firm guarantees for the sovereignty, the data and the people? He said they should not stand by while a sitting minister spits on the principles of economic justice to appease US billionaires.
“South Africa is not for sale. Our laws are not bargaining chips. Our dignity will not be traded for satellites. We call on all South Africans to reject this betrayal.
“We must defend the principles of empowerment, equality and justice, not only in word, but in action,” said Loate.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has moved to correct what he describes as a longstanding misrepresentation in the reporting of farm murders in South Africa, stating that Black victims have historically included the majority of the affected.
“The history of farm murders in the country has always been distorted and reported in an unbalanced way; the truth is that farm murders have always included African people in more numbers,” Mchunu said.
Mchunu made the remarks, when he was presenting the fourth quarter crime statistics of the previous financial year (1 January 2025 – 31 March 2025) in Pretoria, on Friday.
The report showed a notable decrease in farm attacks, with six incidents recorded in the fourth quarter, compared to 12 in the previous quarter.
The victims included two farm owners, two farm employees, one farm manager, and one farm dweller.
While the South African Police Service (SAPS) does not categorise crime statistics by race, Mchunu addressed the racial aspect in response to recent claims of a “White genocide” in the country.
“The two farm owners that were murdered during the fourth quarter were African and not White. Further to that, the two farm employees and one farm manager were also African – it is the one farm dweller that was White.
“Last quarter, we reported that a total of 12 farm murders had been reported, with one farm owner having been murdered. Notable progress has been made in respect of investigations into these cases, and a number of arrests have been made,” Mchunu said.
Mchunu reiterated the SAPS’s commitment to prioritising all types of crimes with urgency; as well as to conduct thorough investigations to ensure that justice is ultimately served.
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to the National Rural Safety Strategy, which aims to create a safe and secure environment in rural areas.
“We have appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee multiple times to account for our efforts. The National Rural Safety Strategy is designed to create a safe and secure environment in rural areas, and we are committed to fully implementing it.
“As from this year, when we release the first quarter results, we will include a number of other categories of crime in the country, to show a fuller picture. For an example, killings in rural and urban areas, instead of just on commercial farms, but for now, our statistics are based on commercial farms,” the Minister said.
No land grabbing in the country
Mchunu also sought to dispel misconceptions about so-called “land grabbing” in South Africa.
While confirming that land invasions do occur, he rejected the notion that they reflect government policy.
“Land invasions are not government policy but are by and large acts of desperation for land by African people who find themselves landless and in need to settle. It is sporadic and it remains unlawful, hence the cases and investigations thereof,” he explained.
Mchunu stressed that the policy of expropriation without compensation is a lawful and systematic effort to resolve the issue of landlessness.
“My colleague in the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, [Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso], has expressed concern about the misuse of the term ‘land grab’ and will provide further clarification next week,” Mchunu said. – SAnews.gov.za
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has declared the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) as open for business and ready for investors.
The Minister was delivering remarks at the official launch of SANPC in Johannesburg, on Friday.
The new state-owned enterprise (SOE) is an amalgamation of PetroSA, the South African Gas Development Company (iGas) and the Strategic Fuel Fund Association.
It is aimed at enhancing South Africa’s energy security, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and ensuring more effective management of the country’s petroleum assets.
“The real issue is ensuring energy security in the country. In the wake of evolving global trends, including the push to shift away from fossil fuel usage, the SANPC is expected to operate in an increasingly volatile, unpredictable and polarised world.
“The local refining capacity is also quite critical. Reviving PetroSA is important, SAPREF is important and therefore, if there are people who want to partner with us…we are open for business, we are open for partnerships and we are open for people who want to invest,” he said.
The Minister highlighted that the demand for fossil fuels is expected to grow, despite the “shift in demand towards cleaner sources of energy production”.
“To this end, the SANPC is expected to oversee strategic planning, coordination, and governance of the country’s petroleum resources, and thereby contribute to the country’s sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
“For the entity to generate revenue for self-sustainability and sufficiency, it must take advantage of the strategic partnerships and national capabilities in the energy industry to champion energy supply and investment in associated infrastructure,” he said.
The Minister emphasised the need for good governance and leadership at the SOE.
“To enable the entity to deliver on its mandate, we had to ensure good governance, and in so doing, reduce both the operational and financial risks; hence, we swiftly appointed the board of directors, an interim CEO, as well as the non-executive directors in April last year.
“Since then, tremendous work has been done in winding down the outstanding matters and getting governance arrangements going.
“For the entity to succeed, it must have a strong leadership with vision, common objectives, and the ability to develop managerial capacity. It is equally important for all employees to foster a new culture and a sense of community that encourages collaboration and teamwork, as well as transparent and honest communication.
“A task at hand for all of us is to ensure that the entity remains financially sustainable and independent in order to fulfil its developmental mandate,” Mantashe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
During President Ramaphosa’s recent working visit to the USA on the invitation of President Trump, AfriForum had definitely wished for a different treatment of our President or at the least a different outcome of the meeting. However, wishes are not horse or else beggars will be riding.
Let me address a few themes about the visit that do not support attempts by AfriForum to keep themselves relevant.
1. On diplomatic courtesies accorded to President Ramaphosa: I have been part of a few delegations that have accompanied President Ramaphosa to the US. I must indicate, this working visit is one of those where better diplomatic courtesies were accorded to our President. From the reception at the airport and at the White House itself. As I have pointed out during the Post-Cabinet media briefing, President Ramaphosa was a guest of President Trump and the treatment accorded was that of a valued guest.
2. An acknowledgment of South Africa as an important player in geopolitics: President Ramaphosa is the first African Head of State and Government to be invited to the White House in this second term of the Trump administration. It is not only the significance of the invitation that matters, it is the issues the two leaders discussed beyond South Africa’s domestic issues. We should recall that during President Zelensky’s working visit to South Africa, Presidents Ramaphosa and Trump compared notes on their approaches towards ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During the media session at the Oval Office, President Trump took the opportunity to update President Ramaphosa on the progress on his Russia/ Ukraine conflict settlement initiative. To which President Ramaphosa emphasised the role South Africa continues to play in also seeking a negotiated settlement to that conflict.
It must be remembered that during President Zelensky working visit to South Africa, Presidents Ramaphosa and Trump telephonically compared notes on their approaches to ending that war. Furthermore, on this working visit to the White House, President Trump also updated President Ramaphosa on the US efforts to settle the DRC/ Rwanda conflict. In diplomatic terms, this is another acknowledgment that any peace initiatives in Africa cannot exclude South Africa. Equally, President Ramaphosa updated him on the confidence building measures as driven by SADC and the EAC towards a negotiated settlement for peace in the eastern DRC.
3. Decorum of the Engagements: Both at the Oval Office and during the luncheon discussions, the engagements were both cordial and respectful. There were no signs of the impatience the world had witnessed during other recent visits to the White House. Conspicuously, President Trump was not on babysitting duties of his favourite toddlers. I must confess though, that President Trump just loves children and Minister Steenhuisen benefitted a copy of baby John-John’s photo hiding in The Resolute Desk whilst his father President JFK worked in the Oval Office. Even during the media interactions, except for the rowdy media, there was no butting-in from our US counterparts but everyone spoke when invited to do so. Whereas President Ramaphosa was allowed space to make his points without any rude interruptions (I can imagine a big disappointment to the AfriForum).
4. The revealing Q & A with the media: The most significant revelations that President Trump suspected he was being fed a dummy by AfriForum and their ilk that sought to gaslight South Africa came during the Q&A. I will only focus on those questions asked that had to do with South Africa. When one journalist sought to light the fire under South Africa on its ICJ case against Israel, it was President Trump who was very clear that he has no expectations on South Africa as the Court must adjudicate the matter (that noise shut). When asked if he has made up his mind about white genocide in South Africa, he was equally clear that he has not made up his mind but just needs explanations on what has been shared with him regarding those claims (I will come back to this point).
5. On the videos shown: Of course South Africans and the rest of the world know that the videos of Julius Malema and Mr Jacob Zuma chanting historical struggle songs are dated and that the AfriForum supported by the DA lost a court case to ban the sing of the “Kill the Boer” slogan at the Concourt, and as Tshidi Madia put it during her CNN interview – South Africans are conversing about the relevance of such songs except for their historical significance. But most stunning of the lies fed to President Trump is the claim that Malema and Zuma are part of present day government of South Africa. Of course, President Ramaphosa was on hand to explain how the SA Constitution and parliamentary system works. He also emphasised that the Freedom Charter as adopted by the ANC in 1955 envisaged a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, black and white and that these are some of the ideals we continue to be guided by in our governance of the country. Of course, Minister John Steenhuisen was on hand to explain why the DA choose to accept an invitation of the ANC to join the GNU ala carte in a true politician style. The final nails to the AfriForum misinformation were hammered in by Mr Johan Rupert (wealthiest South African outside of Elon Musk) and Ms Zingiswa Losi of COSATU. Mr Rupert supported by police crime statistics and his lived experience confirmed the highest crime area in South Africa is the Cape Flats were the DA governs and not farm murders and also blamed former President Zuma for stopping the deployment of technology by business to fight crime. Ms Losi explained the horrors experienced by women and children in the rural areas of South Africa who are victims of crime. Whereas Ernie Els confirmed the Government-Business Partnership that is focused on addressing challenges confronting South Africa which initiatives must be supported.
When President Ramaphosa wrapped up on this matter, he emphasised what is known and acknowledged by all South Africans that we have a crime challenge that the security cluster must more than double their efforts in addressing for the safety of all South Africans. On the memorial crosses that were beamed, News24 has already factchecked this but the lack of gadgets at that session disabled me to relay the location and context of that memorial crosses to the President as the SSA conveyed to me during the video show. Should the SSA have anticipated that display given that Elon tweeted about it on 14th May, most definitely and it is an area that the SSA must never fail the President on their briefing to him again. On the alleged forensic pathologists clearing a murder scene, all South Africans know the uniform of our forensic pathologists and has no red crosses at the back. Those were images of incidents in Goma in the DRC. The full footage of that video has been relayed to the team in the White House.
6. On the G20: When asked if he will come to South Africa for the G20? President Ramaphosa set the tone of explaining that the G20 as much as the G7 platforms were initiated by the US amongst other countries and SA must handover the G20 Presidency in November 2025 to the US. President Trump was very clear that the G20 like the G7 are important platforms and there can never be a G20 without the US. So should we prepare for President Trump in SA for the G20 in South Africa? Most definitely, at a minimum he has committed to a round of golf with President Ramaphosa and his favourite SA golfers.
7. Do we have The Deal: The final details of the deal will be concluded by our joint teams, however the broad strokes as communicated by Minister Parks Tau at the President’s wrap-up briefing are there:
7.1 Critical Minerals -SA is a crucial supplier of raw materials to many US supply-chains. Both countries will collaborate on investment in critical minerals, recognizing SA’s developed processing capabilities to promote value-added trade. This includes the establishment of a Joint Fund for exploration.
7.2 LNG – SA will import 75 – 100 PJ (petajoules) per annum for 10 years of LNG gas from the US which will unlock approximately $900 million to US1.2 billion in trade per annum and US$9 billion – US$12 billion for ten years based on applicable price. This will be complemented with US investment in gas infrastructure in SA. SA will work with the US to explore areas of cooperation in key technologies, including fracking technology to unlock production of gas in SA. SA and US will negotiate an arrangement to facilitate LNG imports from the US at the appropriate price. This will not replace our current suppliers of gas but complement those supplies.
7.3 A duty-free quota of 40000 vehicles per annum for the autos sector and duty-free access for automotive components sourced from SA for automotive production in the US.
7.4 A duty-free quota of 385 million kg for steel per annum and of 132 million kg of aluminium per annum.
So what difficulties does the SA government foresee? The next round of AGOA negotiations are going to be very tough and unfortunately the biggest losers in South Africa if AGOA is canned or 32 participating African countries get less favourable terms will be white farmers courtesy of AfriForum. The biggest beneficiary of AGOA in South Africa is white farmers. Around that dinner table, President Ramaphosa’s message was not just about South Africa but SACU, SADC and the AfCFTA. As the largest economy in the African continent, we understand that our responsibility is not only to ourselves but our development is intricately linked to the development of our region (SADC) and the entire African continent.
On a lighter note, I learnt more about golf at that dinner table than all the years that I boosted a 15-handicap (no invitation for rounds of golf please). I also witnessed sports diplomacy at play.
But most of all, the reset of relations between South Africa and the United States opens up an opportunity to advance South Africa’s economic development and job creation agenda in a manner that is mutually beneficial with our United States counterparts. Despite the challenges, we are on a firm footing.
*Khumbudzo Ntshavheni is the Member of Parliament, Minister in The Presidency, and Spokesperson of Cabinet
