Water Pollution Fund, enforcing polluters pay principle key to combat water pollution
As South Africa’s water resources continue to be plagued by pollution, Rand Water and Association for Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo has called for the establishment of a National Water Pollution Fund and the enforcement of the polluter pays principle. The degradation of South Africa’s water resources has become one of the most urgent threats to long-term water security, and the latest Green Drop Report should serve as a wake-up call for urgent and decisive action.
TPL welcomes arrest of alleged fuel theft syndicate member
Transnet Pipelines (TPL) has welcomed the arrest of an alleged fuel theft syndicate member linked to multiple cases across Gauteng, North West and the Free State. The arrest, executed on March 30 in Witbank, Mpumalanga, follows a targeted intelligence-led operation under Project Impi, a Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation- (DPCI-) led investigation supported by TPL’s security service provider, Bidvest Protea Coin (BPC).
More renewable power for South Africa’s platinum iron-ore, diamond mines
Diversified mining major Anglo American and EDF have switched on more renewable energy in South Africa through their Envusa joint venture’s rapid back-to-back project execution model. The latest 140 MW Umsobomvu Wind Farm reached commercial operation date just weeks after Mooi Plaats Solar PV’s 240 MW brought 380 MW of the Koruson 2 cluster into commercial operation.
Ramaphosa hands over R40m in symbolic housing cheques to TRC beneficiaries
Housing is not only about shelter, it represents stability, dignity and belonging to a community, President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) housing reparations launch ceremony on Tuesday, where he handed over symbolic cheques, representing R40-million in cumulative assistance being provided to verified beneficiaries. In handing out the once-off cheques, which beneficiaries can use to build a home or improve their existing homes, Ramaphosa said government is marking the implementation of regulations that allow victims of apartheid, identified through the TRC process, to receive housing assistance from the State.
South Sudan's Kiir sacks parliament speaker and deputy
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has sacked the East African nation's speaker and deputy speaker of parliament, according to a decree read out in the parliament on Tuesday. Tulio Odongi Ayahu, chief whip of Kiir's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), announced the decree removing Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and her deputy, Permena Awerial Aluong, from their posts in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
Wits’ African philanthropy, social investment centre celebrates its first decade
Wits Business School’s (WBS’) Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary. WBS, in turn, is the graduate school of business of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), in Johannesburg. “CAPSI represents the kind of African-led, globally relevant scholarship that defines Wits University’s mission,” highlighted Wits vice-chancellor Professor Zeblon Vilakazi. “Over the past decade, it has established itself as a leading centre of excellence, not only on the continent but increasingly in global conversations on philanthropy, development, and social investment.”
Afreximbank sets out $10bn support plan to ease Middle East conflict impact in Africa and Caribbean
The African Export-Import Bank has approved a $10-billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme to help African and Caribbean economies as well as their banks and companies counter the severe economic shocks triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, it said on Tuesday. The support programme is designed to, among other aims,sustain essential imports - including fuel, LNG, food, fertiliser, pharmaceuticals – by providing short-term foreign exchange (FX) and liquidity to support vulnerable member states.
Nigeria's Dangote refinery boosts exports to ease Africa's supply crunch
Nigeria's Dangote refinery, Africa's largest, has increased exports of gasoline and urea to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war, its owner Aliko Dangote said on Monday. Dangote said the refinery, which is operating at its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels a day, had helped cushion the full impact of the crisis both in Nigeria and across the continent.
MKP introduces land expropriation Amendment Bill to extend restitution claims to colonial times
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) will on May 27 officially introduce the Constitution Amendment Bill to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, which would allow restitution claims from as far back as 1652. The Bill seeks to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to explicitly provide for the expropriation of land without compensation for purposes of land reform.
Kenya private sector activity shrinks for first time since August 2025
Kenya's private sector activity contracted in March for the first time since August, partly due to the war in the Middle East, with only the wholesale and retail sectors experiencing expansion, a survey showed on Tuesday. The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 47.7 in March from 50.4 in February, the survey showed. Readings above 50.0 indicate growth in business activity, while those below that signal contraction. It is the first time since August 2025 that the index has gone below 50.
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