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US president Donald Trump

The AGOA hit will be small on GDP but heavy on jobs

The Trump administration's plan to terminate South Africa's eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act by 2027 threatens key export sectors, employment, and bilateral…

Invitation for public comments on the amendment of the cost recovery rules for independent transmission providers

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa invites stakeholders and the public to review and submit comments on the proposed amendments to the Cost Recovery Rules for…

Imported goods are subject to customs duties and a 15% VAT rate based on their value, which must be paid to Sars. (Oupa Nkosi)

Sars can collect even more if mining gets support, cash businesses are brought into tax net

Former SARS tax chief Jonas Makwakwa outlines how South Africa can significantly boost revenue by revitalising the gold mining sector and bringing the vast cash economy into the…

White paper: Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa launched a revised policy to rectify long-standing institutional weaknesses.

Revised policies aim to rescue collapsing municipalities

The South African government has launched the Revised White Paper on Local Government, introducing differentiated funding models and governance reforms to rescue distressed…

Oil crisis global short

As global oil and diesel shortages persist through 2027, South Africa faces severe economic vulnerability due to depleted fuel reserves, decommissioned refineries, and an…

Do not let AI steal our culture

As South Africa rolls out its National AI Policy Framework, the creative economy must become a key governance priority. Meaningful consent, provenance, and accessible redress are…

Emissions are still climbing. In 2024, global greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.3%, reaching 57.7 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent — a faster rate of growth than in 2023 and more than four times the annual average of the 2010s.

UN warns world will exceed 1.5°C global warming target

A new UN report warns that exceeding 1.5°C of global warming is now unavoidable, but aggressive emissions cuts could curb peak temperatures and reverse warming by the century's…

Securing access to food (Photo Archive)

To end hunger, think beyond the tech

On World Food Day, experts argue that true innovation to end hunger goes beyond new technology. By supporting small-scale agroecological farmers, local procurement, and community…

Tender Invitation

The SACU Secretariat has issued a tender inviting qualified bidders to submit proposals for short-term consultancy services focused on streamlining trade barriers across member…

Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa. Image: Supplied

Civil society challenges Ramokgopa’s 5GW gas procurement plan

Civil society organisations have raised concerns over the South African government's plan to procure 5 000MW of gas power under IRP 2025, warning that side-lining wind and solar…

Upcoming measure: Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber discussing a new platform aimed at helping the department address inefficiencies in the asylum system while strengthening immigration law enforcement. It is expected to be operational by 10 November 2026. Photo: Department of home affairs

The Constitution has the last word – for now

As anti-immigration protests clash with Constitutional Court decisions on asylum seeker rights, South Africa faces a growing dilemma between majority public demand and the…

Climate change is real and affects many South Africans. GDARDE has devised a comprehensive plan to deal with its impacts.

Africa faces ‘failed adaptation’ as climate finance falls billions short

A landmark report by Power Shift Africa warns that Africa faces 'failed adaptation' as the continent receives only $14bn of the nearly $70bn required annually to protect…

Chained by a false promise: Jobseekers can be trapped by fraudulent overseas offers long before they realise the opportunity was a scam. Photo: Pixabay

The dangerous business of online jobs

As fraudulent overseas recruitment leads jobseekers into human trafficking and scam compounds, digital platforms and labour laws must evolve to trace and verify paid employment…

Purse strings: Parks Tau, the minister of trade, industry and competition. Photo: GCIS

R23.4 billion allocated to black industrialists

The Industrial Development Corporation has committed R23.4 billion towards the black industrialists programme for 2025, benefiting 48 entrepreneurs across key manufacturing…

Skills: Qualifications belong to individuals, while the ability to deliver public goods depends on how people work within institutions.

Why qualifications alone cannot build a capable state

While qualifications are essential, true state capability relies on institutional systems, leadership stability, and effective coordination to turn policy ambitions into real…

Systemic pesticide-related abuses include farmworkers exposed to hazardous chemicals without protective gear or training and contamination of rural water sources. (Flickr)

EU pesticide rule changes raise concerns for South Africa

Scientists warn that proposed rollbacks in EU pesticide regulations could have far-reaching effects, weakening international safety standards and impacting South Africa as it…

Urgent action: Even in protected areas, prey depletion and bushmeat snares pose serious risks. Many African countries have set aside significant
protected areas that could support three to four times the current lion population if they were adequately funded and managed. Photo: Supplied

Trophy hunting study finds positive outcomes — but governance matters

A landmark review of over 1,000 studies led by Stellenbosch University reveals that 65% of documented trophy hunting outcomes in Africa are positive for conservation and local…

Global trade needs a more competitive Africa

Reflections from the WTO Public Forum in Geneva highlight the immense potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the critical need for Africa to modernise,…

Development of Lesotho's National Carbon Markets Framework for Article 6 and Voluntary Carbon Markets

The Government of Lesotho, funded by IFAD under the ROLL project, is seeking an individual consultant to develop a National Carbon Markets Legal Framework aligned with Article 6…

Beyond Heritage Day: African Languages Must Carry Our Rights

Heritage Month should go beyond cultural celebration to address institutional language barriers that prevent citizens from fully understanding and accessing their constitutional…