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.

Cape Town – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament, Sihle Lonzi, has demanded an urgent and comprehensive probe into the R145 million paid by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to four private intermediary companies allegedly contracted to manage payments between NSFAS and student accommodation providers.

In a scathing letter addressed to NSFAS Acting CEO Waseem Carrim, Lonzi described the payments as “wasteful, irregular, and potentially fraudulent”, warning that every rand lost to unaccountable intermediaries is “a rand taken away from a struggling student.”

The letter, which has surfaced amid growing national outrage over student funding delays, requests full disclosure from NSFAS regarding the legal status, contractual scope, and financial services compliance of the companies involved.

“Given that NSFAS spends over R14 billion annually on student accommodation, a figure that will undoubtedly grow, it is outrageous that hundreds of millions—if not billions—of rands could be diverted to a handful of companies without ethical and transparent processes or regulatory oversight,” wrote Lonzi.

R145 Million Paid for “Processing Payments”
The controversy stems from NSFASs 2024 disbursement of R2.9 billion to private student accommodation providers. According to Carrims own admission before Parliaments Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on 7 May 2025, four intermediary companies were allowed to charge a 5% commission on all processed transactions. This amounted to R145 million in fees paid simply for facilitating payments.

Lonzi said this figure was unconscionable, particularly given NSFASs ongoing challenges, including:
• Unresolved student appeals,
• Massive disbursement delays,
• And a growing number of defunded and excluded students.

Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy is a recently identified heart condition that impairs the breakdown of triglycerides in heart cells, ultimately leading to heart failure. Researchers are actively exploring effective treatment options for this condition.


A recent study investigated the effects of tricaprin, a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) found in coconut oil and dairy products, on individuals with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy. Participants who received tricaprin supplementation experienced significant cardiac benefits compared to those who did not. These benefits included improved fat metabolism, sustained heart failure recovery, enhanced left ventricular function, and increased long-term survival rates.


The findings highlight the potential of tricaprin as a promising intervention for improving heart failure outcomes in individuals with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy. Experts continue to explore the most effective treatments for emerging heart conditions.

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.