The new Minister of Home Affairs is Leon Schreiber, who was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 30 June 2024. The position includes responsibility for immigration, refugee and asylum policy, for the civil registry, and for the issuing of identity documents and passports. A member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), he is the first member of his party to serve as the Minister of Home Affairs.[1]. He previously served as the Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration from May 2019 to June 2024 as part of the shadow cabinet.

Will the new Minister extend the travel directive and push the new Digital Nomad Visa?

Many foreigners in South Africa have been anxious as the latest travel directive was expiring, allowing those waiting on visa results to leave without a travel ban. Should they leave before 30 June or stay put and trust in the new government? During the inter-regnum phase following the elections, no action or communication was provided. As of 1 July, bans will be issued, but there are indications of an extension coming.

The new Digital Nomad Visa also needs action. Although signed into law, it still requires updated forms and training for South African missions abroad.

The new Minister of Home Affairs, set to be sworn in on 2 July, should have an eye on both issues. A young (35 years old) and outspoken member of the (former opposition) Democratic Alliance (DA), he should be more business-friendly than his predecessor. His task will be building trust and authority in a department fraught with challenges and led by officials closely aligned with the ANC. We wish him thick skin and diplomatic wisdom.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, conduct an oversight visit to Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) Facility, a one-stop-shop medical imaging facility dedicated to Cancer and TB drug development and imaging-based clinical research, housed at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.

This is a world class facility that showcases a successful partnership between Department of Health, Department of Science and Innovation, and the University of Pretoria with significant support from the private sector.

President Ramaphosa will also visit cardias cathetherization laboratory, which is part of the radiology department. The visit will highlight South Africa’s commitment to scientific innovation, equitable access to healthcare, and integrated infrastructure investment.

President will be accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers including Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi; Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

Details of the visit are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Time: 10h00

Venue: Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Corner Steve Biko Road and Malan Street, Pretoria

Due to space limitations, the visit will be restricted to the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), which will disseminate the materials to all media post the visit

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

At a United Nations Security Council emergency session in New York on 6 January 2026, South Africa took a strong diplomatic stance on international security, condemning the recent unilateral military action by the United States against Venezuela and urging the global body to uphold the principles of peace, sovereignty and the UN Charter. Speaking on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Passmoor articulated Pretoria's deep concern that such military intervention undermines the bedrock of international law and threatens global stability. In his address to the 15-member council, Passmoor stressed that sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence are core tenets of the United Nations framework, which prohibits the use of force except in narrowly defined circumstances. He emphasised that allegations of criminality or internal governance issues do not justify cross-border military action without lawful backing and warned that permitting such actions to go unchecked could erode confidence in the rules-based international order that protects smaller and developing states. South Africa's statement reflected a broader call for restraint, respect for international norms and peaceful conflict resolution, urging the Security Council to lead in addressing the crisis through constructive diplomacy. The government reiterated its belief that sustainable peace is grounded in dialogue and cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to the UN's mission of international peace and security.

Bank Limited. This agreement encompasses the acquisition of Eskom Finance Company SOC Limiteds (EFC) staff home loan portfolio, along with related assets and Eskoms stake in Nqaba Finance 1 (RF) Limited.
This landmark transaction, first announced in December last year, via the Stock Exchange News Service (SENS), marks a significant milestone for both entities involved.

The signing of the sale agreements does not only complete a critical step in Eskoms strategy to streamline its operations but also aligns with the directives set forth by the National Treasury.

The Treasury has mandated that Eskom dispose of non-core assets as a condition of its debt relief programme, reinforcing the financial utility of this transaction.

Calib Cassim, Eskoms Chief Financial Officer, expressed optimism regarding the deal: “Finalising the sale agreements marks a significant step in Eskoms journey to streamline operations and focus on its core mandate.

"This transaction not only supports our strategic goals but also fulfils one of the conditions set by the National Treasury under the debt relief programme, which requires the disposal of non-core assets.

With the use of sophisticated drones, the Border Management Authority (BMA) in collaboration with the SAPS and SANDF, successfully intercepted more than 1,000 undocumented migrants attempting to enter South Africa illegally and confiscated illicit goods over the Easter period, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato told Eyewitness News after the long weekend.

“Without drones, this work becomes very expensive and ineffective. We would be patrolling blindly, not knowing if we would encounter people,” Masiapato said during a media briefing at Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zimbabwe and the busiest the busiest border crossing into South Africa.

The BMA, a single integrated authority mandated to secure and manage South African borders, officially deployed the drones during the busy Easter period after a successful pilot project over the 2024/2025 festive season. The pilot project resulted in a 215% increase in the successful prevention of illegal border crossings during the period.

The drone roll-out as part of the Easter Operational Programme, was done in collaboration with the DHA. The department, in its capacity as the custodian of South African citizens’ identities, plays a crucial role in the BMA’s operations, especially in areas like immigration and border security.

Dr Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs, said at the launch of the BMA’s Easter Operational Plan earlier in April 2025 the new devices is concrete proof of the fruits that follow when DHA commits itself to using technology in smarter and more effective ways.

He said the cutting-edge new drone and body worn camera technology, which feeds to the BMA Operational Centre, is a revolutionary development in border control, helping to prevent illegal crossings and corruption.

According to the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA) the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor is one of Africa’s busiest. The most common route from Zimbabwe to South Africa leads from Zimbabwe’s southern Matabeleland region through Beitbridge.

SIHMA says smugglers often exploit migrants, charging exorbitant fees ranging from $100 to $300 for an illegal crossing, often with no guarantee of the migrants’ safety.

‘Eyes in the Sky’

The Minister described the drones as among the most advanced in the country, calling them the BMA’s “eyes in the sky” for day and night surveillance.

The drones can launch in 15 seconds, reach a speed of 43 km/h, has thermal visual detection, long range zoom capabilities enabling the drone to see almost 2 km into the distance, are capable of operating under all weather conditions, and the advanced camera can detect and record movement. It also boasts autonomous pathfinding, meaning it can navigate its own environment despite obstacles. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used to programme the devices to, for instance, look for a certain kind of vehicle or group of people.

“We can now do surveillance we were not able to do before, even if we had more human resources. This is how digital technology helps us tackle our challenges,” Schreiber said.

Unwavering commitment to digital transformation

This is yet another step in the DHA’s digital transformation journey.

In the past few months, the department upgraded its digital verification system which it believes will dramatically reduce waiting times whenever a client needs to verify their identity with the department to obtain a social grant or open a bank account.

The DHA also launched of a dedicated eRecruitment platform and instituted a new rule to deliver the outcomes of visa waiver applications digitally via email to applicants.

Next week, South Africa will host the second meeting of the Group of 20 Health Working Group (G20 HWG) at the Capital Zimbali Resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal. The three-day event, commencing on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, will center around the theme “Accelerating Health Equity, Solidarity, and Universal Coverage.”


The meeting will feature various side events, facilitating bilateral and multilateral discussions on key health issues, including strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring equitable access to health services. Topics of discussion will include financial protection for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and sustaining health financing amid global economic challenges.


Delegates will also focus on investment strategies to advance UHC, narrowing health equity gaps to address non-communicable diseases, and responding to global health financing concerns. Additionally, a co-sponsored event dedicated to eliminating cervical cancer will take place alongside the main meeting.


Attendees will include representatives from G20 member states, invited nations, and international organizations. The G20 comprises 19 countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States—along with two regional entities, the European Union and the African Union.


Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, will deliver the keynote address at the opening session on 26 March 2025. He will be joined by Deputy Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, and KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane.

​On December 14, 2024, the Paterson Park Multipurpose Centre was abuzz with excitement of the grand finale of the Arts Alive Clash of the Regions Performing Arts Talent Showcase. The highly anticipated event hosted by the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in collaboration with City of Joburg, brought together talented performers from various Joburg regions, showcasing the rich cultural diversity and artistic excellence of the communities.

The showcase featured an impressive lineup of acts, including music, dance and theatre performances. The audience was left astonished by the sheer talent display as each region presented its unique flavour and flair.

The event was a testament to the power of arts and culture in bringing people together and fostering community spirit, and has undoubtedly become a highlight of the arts and culture developmental calendar in Joburg.

Below are the performers who topped the list in their respective categories.

Hip-Hop

1. Bheki Bila

2. Karabo Mellowood

3. Thuso Kekana

Kwaito/Amapiano

1. Musa Zunguze

2. Kabelo Molefe

3. Luthando Pupu

Dance

1. Gomora Future Stars

2. The Blaq Spider

3. Inkunzi Ezimdaka

Congratulations to the winners and well done to all the finalists, we look ahead to future editions of this remarkable event which continues to shine as a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural pride for our communities.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, is proud to announce the rollout of game-changing new Home Affairs service centres abroad that will deliver dignity to South Africans living overseas – who have often waited 12 to 18 months just to obtain a new passport. Through the opening of these new service centres, access is being expanded and turnaround times have been cut to just five weeks.

Minister Schreiber launched the first two service centres in Australia this week, in Sydney and Melbourne, with another set to open in Perth by the end of September. Two centres also went live this week in Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand. This is in addition to the service centre in London, UK, which is already operational.

Over the coming months, the Department of Home Affairs will open additional service centres in the United Arab Emirates and China, followed by France, Germany and The Netherlands later this year, and North America in the new year. Further announcements will follow in due course when these service centres open their doors.

While the Department’s ultimate aim is to deliver Home Affairs @ home by making our services available online all around the world, the opening of service centres around the world brings immediate relief to South African citizens living in other countries.

The new service centres abroad will offer:

Application intake and processing for adult and minor passports, both for new passports and renewals, ending the need to travel or wait indefinitely for consular appointments;
Birth registration applications;
A new online appointment booking system that brings predictability, structure, and transparency to planning, while also accommodating walk-ins;
Email support and SMS-based application tracking so that clients are kept informed every step of the way;
Opening hours from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 12:00, and 13:00 to 17:00; and
Most important of all, the services offered will have a five-week turnaround time, compared to the current turnaround time that can take between 12 and 18 months.
The Department is also working to upgrade the eHomeAffairs live capture platform, which will enable these centres to also offer Smart ID services and eliminate the use of paper forms. An announcement will be made in due course once this upgrade is complete.

Minister Schreiber said: “The rollout of these service centres is yet another step on our journey towards delivering Home Affairs @ home. Home Affairs is now closer than ever before for South Africans living abroad. These improvements are not just about better service, they are about delivering dignity to South Africans – wherever they live in the world.”

Minister Schreiber added: “Home Affairs is now delivering for South Africans – including those living abroad – like never before. In just twelve months under the Government of National Unity, Home Affairs is making rapid and sustained progress to resolve long-standing challenges that affect South Africans everywhere.”



Bookings to use the newly-opened facilities in Australia can be made here: https://services.vfsglobal.com/aus/en/zap/attend-centre

Bookings to use the newly-opened facilities in New Zealand can be made here: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nzl/en/zaf/attend-centre



For media enquiries, please contact:

Duwayne Esau – Spokesperson for the Minister, Cell number: 077 606 9702

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month 2025, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) proudly marked a decade of collaboration with the Green Youth Indaba. The milestone was celebrated at the annual Green Youth Career Expo, which drew large numbers to the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Westville Campus on 17 June 2025.

Visionary young leaders, policy architects, grassroots changemakers and private sector partners convened at this year's summit, which was held under the theme "Skills for a Changing World – Embracing Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation."

The expo was followed by high-level engagements at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 19 June 2025, at which Dr Mmboneni Muofhe, the DSTI's Deputy Director-General: Socio-Economic Innovation Partnerships, spoke of "an enduring partnership aimed at empowering young leaders across Africa to thrive in the green economy."

Muofhe spoke of the DSTI's commitment to green innovation and entrepreneurship, referring to the Circular Economy Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund as pivotal tools for youth-driven innovation.

"We are intentionally positioning the youth at the forefront of the circular economy. From smart retail concepts to sustainable construction using recycled materials, innovation is not just a concept – it is already transforming communities," he said.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, echoed Muofhe's sentiments, highlighting the importance of hosting the gathering during Youth Month.

"This indaba is more than an event; it is a platform for transformation – for placing young people at the heart of South Africa's green economy," Minister Nkabane stated.

She outlined government-led initiatives designed to bridge skills gaps and accelerate youth participation in the green transition, including the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk, green hydrogen value chain training programmes, and skills development zones aligned with national decarbonisation goals.

"The green economy is not just about emissions; it is about inclusion, dignity and creating meaningful opportunities for millions of young people ready to rise," she said.

Nkabane further reaffirmed government commitment to an approach that saw young people not merely as beneficiaries of green policy, but as co-creators of the just energy transition.

"This is a generational undertaking. You are not passengers in this transition – you are pilots," said the Minister.

The indaba also showcased inspiring examples of homegrown innovations, including Electri-Coal Technologies, an innovative renewable energy and smart utilities enterprise.

This youth-led green technology startup has grown significantly since its early days. With the support of the DSTI and its entity the Technology Innovation Agency, Mr Mfanelo Ndlela, founder of the start-up, said that his entrepreneurial journey had taken him beyond the borders of South Africa.

"Today, we stand with international memoranda of understanding, commercial agreements and patented technologies," he said.

Ndlela's Smart Water Management System, now integrated with utilities like Umgeni Water, monitors water quality and flow in real time to ensure that national potable standards are met. The system is a testament to how youth innovators are addressing pressing climate and infrastructure challenges.

Among other things, the 10th Green Youth Indaba programme featured entrepreneur empowerment hubs, designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and networks needed to turn green ideas into scalable, sustainable enterprises.

The 10 year celebration also served as a powerful call to action, solidarity and the co-creation of a sustainable, inclusive and economically vibrant South Africa led by those who will inherit the planet.

Issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

For more information, please contact Mr Pontsho Mantlhakga at 072 346 5219 or Pontsho.Mantlhakga@dsti.gov.za.