Today, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, addressed a powerful gathering of women leaders at the Women in Green Hydrogen (WiGH) Breakfast during the 2025 Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town.

The breakfast event, themed "Investing in a regional just energy transition: a focus on green hydrogen", brought together leading women representatives from government, academia, business and civil society to reflect on women's role in driving Africa's green hydrogen future.

WiGH is a global initiative committed to promoting gender diversity in the hydrogen economy. Through events like this, WiGH continues to provide strategic platforms for knowledge sharing, mentorship and collaboration among women advancing clean energy across Africa.

The event marked the launch of the Green Hydrogen Mentorship Platform, a collaborative initiative developed in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA).

It aims to connect experienced professionals and emerging talent to support inclusive growth within the green hydrogen sector and build a pipeline for inclusive talent. It has already garnered international interest since its announcement at the World Hydrogen Summit in Germany.

The platform was one of the deliverables of South Africa's Chairship of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy in 2023, represented by the DSTI.

In her address, Deputy Minister Gina emphasised the importance of inclusive participation and intentional investment in women across the energy value chain, stating that fundamental transformation depends on inclusive, deliberate implementation.

She singled out Ms Meta Mhlarhi and Ms Makole Mupita, female co-founders of Mahlako A Phahla Investments, whose company yesterday officially secured funding approval from Germany's KfW Development Bank and the Industrial Development Corporation for the Prieska Power Reserve project to produce green ammonia and hydrogen.

South Africa's progress in establishing a policy framework for the green hydrogen economy through instruments such as the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy, and the Just Transition Framework was highlighted. However, the Deputy Minister noted that policies must translate into action that dismantles structural barriers facing women in the energy and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors.

Ms Gina called on participants to commit to mentorship and collaboration, stressing that women's underrepresentation in STEM and energy leadership must not be repeated in the green hydrogen transition. Currently, women comprise only 23% of STEM professionals in South Africa, with fewer than 17% holding leadership roles.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Ms Mimmy Gondwe, said the platform was a strategic lever for change and meaningful inclusion, especially for African women and children who might not have direct access to knowledge and expertise in their local spaces.

The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Ms Samantha Graham-Maré, said that South Africa must avoid the mistake of failing to adequately integrate gender and youth perspectives into the mainstream of green hydrogen.

Also attending the event were Ms Lerato Mataboge, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the AU Commission, Ms Mpho Mookapele, the CEO of EWSETA, and Ms Bongiwe Moni, Director of External Capacity Building and Internships at the Human Sciences Research Council. Their presence underscored the depth of leadership and commitment to gender equity within the green hydrogen sector.

Issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

For more information, contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750.

Gauteng municipal ward councillors have welcomed the Gauteng Turnaround Strategy to improve service delivery in Gauteng municipalities.

Ward councillors from all 11 municipalities in the Gauteng City Region have expressed strong support for the Gauteng Turnaround Strategy, committing to enhanced collaboration across the three spheres of government. This united approach aims to improve service delivery and uplift the lives of residents across the province.

The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) successfully hosted a Ward Councillor Imbizo on Tuesday, 10 December 2024.

This critical platform addressed pressing service delivery challenges, including water and energy security, while exploring strategies to combat crime and prepare for the 2026 local government elections.

Acting Premier, Lebogang Maile said the Imbizo held following the Local Government Summit held earlier this year acknowledged the underlying factors that are impacting negatively on municipalities such as, institutional stability, financial viability and sustainable local development and spatial restricting and climate change.

He acknowledged that there are underlying factors that impact service delivery such as municipal governance and stability and made a commitment to support municipalities as mandated by the constitution.

"National and local government will support municipalities in terms of section 154 of the constitution aimed at strengthening the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs," said Maile.

Key updates were also provided on strategic programmes aligned with Section 154 of the Constitution. These include the outcomes of the Local Government Turnaround Summit, efforts to strengthen food safety and by-law enforcement, and strategies for managing water security and energy demands.

The discussions also focused on the Emergency Energy Response Plan, which aims to enhance energy stability in the province, and preparations for the upcoming local government elections.

MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, stressed the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges. He remarked, "this interaction provides a critical platform for integrated planning and empowers councillors to execute their constitutional mandate effectively. The challenges facing our municipalities require a united approach, leveraging on each other's strengths to deliver better outcomes for our people."

During the Imbizo, councillors were briefed on election-related matters, including the formula for determining the number of councillors as stipulated in Section 20 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (as amended), as well as updates on ward delimitation and the Municipal Capacity Assessments for district and local municipalities.

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.

Free State Health MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi admits that staff in his department have failed to ensure that the infrastructure at health facilities is well maintained.

Mahlatsi says the recent closure of clinics and state morgues in the province by inspectors from the Department of Labour and Employment is evidence of the neglect.

“I personally understand the labour inspectors who are closing down facilities. I have ordered internal inspections of all facilities so we know what we should do. It’s disappointing that people fail to get services because facilities have been closed due to unsafe conditions,” he says.

This week, Mahlatsi embarked on inspections of his own in Allinridge, in the north-west of the Free State, where he found a clinic closed by the labour and employment department following safety concerns.

Mahlatsi adds that it is embarrassing to have a clinic closed since April, causing service breakdown in the farming and mining community.