MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe Launches provincial R19,5m Irrigation Schemes Revival Programme

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MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe Launches provincial R19,5m Irrigation Schemes Revival Programme

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

CLICK HERE : KASIBC_AUDIO

In line with commitment outlined on the policy speech for 2025/26 financial year to revive irrigation schemes across the Eastern Cape, Department of Agriculture (DoA) MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe will lead the provincial launch of the revitalization of irrigation schemes on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at Zanyokhwe, Amahlathi Local Municipality under Amathole District.

The R19,5 million investment into the irrigation schemes revival programme is aimed to support vegetable, grain and fodder production and equipment and machinery provision covering 1 528 hectares of land.

In its endeavour to curb food insecurity, the Eastern Cape department of Agriculture has prioritised revitalisation irrigation schemes during the 7th term government to ensure agriculture become an economic frontier of growth.

The revival of the schemes is set to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, provide reliable income for landowners in schemes, improve local economy and boost livelihoods in rural communities.

This revitalisation programme will ensure food security and farmer support and strengthened partnerships between government, private sector, and communities.

At least 613 ha with an investment of R5 million will be developed in Amathole district while Chris Hani will develop 700 ha from an investment of R6 million with OR Tambo developing 215 ha worth R3,5 million.

Furthermore, DoA implementing agency the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) has been allocated R5 million to support with commercialization of the production, organize market, bring new production technologies, provide technical support and production finance facilities.

The funding criteria is not limited, in instances, where there are needs infrastructure repairs, districts will make their own determination.

According to the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey the province has the highest number of households that have access to land at 67%, while only 37% of that is put into productive use. The revitalisation of irrigation schemes presents an opportunity to unlock this potential and increase productive land use.

Agriculture is the major employer of people that are semi-skilled and investment in this sector can greatly contribute to reducing unemployment and food insecurity. Irrigations schemes are seen as vehicle that can significantly contribute to increase in agricultural productivity in the province.

The Zanyokhwe Irrigation Scheme spans across 6 villages and covers 635 hectares of land, of which 412 hectares are irrigated. The scheme supports 87 landowners organised into seven primary co-operatives and one secondary cooperative.

During the launch, the MEC will be engaged in a number of activities that include acknowledgement of the new Board, potato harvest demonstration and welcoming of graduate interns placed by DoA at the scheme to gain experience business skills and practical farming.

She will also handover vegetable production inputs, irrigation pipes, fodder production inputs and tractor implements.

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Mpumalanga Education refutes allegations relating to procurement of E-Learning Devices

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Mpumalanga Education refutes allegations relating to procurement of E-Learning Devices

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

CLICK HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Mpumalanga Department of Education notes with concern the article published by City Press and News24 regarding the procurement of laptops and tablets for learners.

The Department wishes to place the correct facts on record and dispel misleading allegations of wastage and irregular procurement.

The Ubuhlebuzile E-Learning Programme was introduced in 2022 as a well thought and phased intervention to enhance teaching and learning throughout the Province.

In 2022, the Department procured 64 000 tablets for Grade 12 learners under a three-year contract valued at R224 million, including a three-year warranty. The procurement was conducted through a SITA contract, with Bongani Rainmaker Limited (BRL) appointed as the supplier, in full compliance with applicable government procurement prescripts.

In 2025, the Department replaced the 2022 devices with 60 000 Packard Bell tablets valued at R232 million, inclusive of a three-year warranty.

These tablets were successfully distributed to Grade 12 learners in quintile 1 to 3 schools in 2025, and the Department is not aware of any verified reports of non-functionality.

The Department attributes the improved Grade 12 performance partly to the effective utilisation of e-learning and teaching devices.

The significant improvement from 79% in 2023 to 86. 55% in 2025 is also linked to the maturing of the e-learning programme introduced in 2022.

The allegation that the Packard Bell tablets constitute wastage is completely untrue and misplaced.

As part of the Department’s e-learning strategy, the 2025 Grade 12 tablets have been retrieved, formatted, and reloaded with updated content.

These devices will be re-issued to the 2026 Grade 12 cohort, ensuring cost efficiency and sustainability.

The Department has further placed an order for 70 000 Windows-based tablet notebooks to be issued to Grade 10 learners in 2026.

The cost of these devices is R330 million, not R600 million as alleged by the City Press.

The strategy is to issue content loaded devices to Grade 10 learners who will retain them through to Grade 12, thereby reducing future costs related to retrieval, redistribution, and logistics.Content to these devices will henceforth be updated remotely, further improving efficiency.

The procurement was facilitated through BRL, in terms of a contract that allows BRL to source devices based on Department-approved specifications, manage procurement, load educational content, and oversee distribution to schools.

The Department funds the programme through a dedicated e-learning allocation, supplemented by the Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) budget, as the devices form an integral part of e-learning delivery.

For the 2025/26 financial year, the e-learning budget amounted to R717 million to cover both grade 10 and 12 learners and is allocated as follows:

R312 million for Grade 12 tablets, including e-content and distribution,

R126 million for the Edukite subject application, supplied via micro-SD cards under a separate contract,

The remaining R279 million, augmented by the LTSM budget, contributed to the procurement of 70 000 Grade 10 devices, with a total project value of R393 million, inclusive of devices, e-content, and distribution

The Department reiterates that all procurement processes were lawful, strategic, and aligned to improving learner outcomes.

Claims of wastage, inflated costs, or non-functional devices are factually incorrect and misleading.

The Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the effective use of technology to advance quality education for all learners through out the Province.

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Parliament holds State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall, 12 Feb 2026

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Parliament holds State of the Nation Address at Cape Town City Hall, 12 Feb 2026

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

CLICK HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The 7th Parliament will be holding the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 12 February at the Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, at the Grand Parade, where President Nelson Mandela first appeared on 11 February 1990 before the people of South Africa after 27 years in prison.

The SONA is a constitutional event called by the President of the Republic in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution. It is a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament and one of the rare occasions that bring together the three arms of the state under one roof. To ensure that the majority of South Africans listen to this important Address, it is scheduled to take place in the evening at 19:00, when the majority of South Africans are at home.

The Address provides the President with an opportunity to speak to the nation on the general state of South Africa, reflecting on a wide range of political, economic and social matters within domestic and global contexts. It is also an opportunity for him to account to the nation on the work of government and to set out the government’s programme of action for the year.

Traditionally, the President makes key government announcements during this important sitting. During the week following the Address, a debate is held on it over two days. Thereafter, on the third day, the President is given an opportunity to reply to and close the debate.

The President delivers the Address before Parliament because it is Parliament that is charged with ensuring that the work flowing from the Address is implemented. Most importantly, SONA is delivered in Parliament because the priorities announced in it have budgetary implications demanding robust parliamentary oversight. This is one of Parliament’s core constitutional responsibilities.

Parliament may accept, reject or amend the budgets allocated to government departments to ensure that these align with national priorities, as outlined in the President’s Address. Parliament may also withhold the budgets of departments whose annual performance plans are not in line with these priorities.

The SONA is different from the occasion of the Opening of Parliament Address, which takes place only at the start of a new five-year term of Parliament, immediately after national general elections. This opening address is also held at Parliament in a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

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Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele on collaboration with CSIR to advance digital transformation

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Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele on collaboration with CSIR to advance digital transformation

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Mondli Gungubele (MP), today concluded a successful engagement with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), aimed at strengthening strategic collaboration in support of South Africa’s digital transformation agenda.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to engage with CSIR leadership and researchers on the organisation’s current and emerging capabilities in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), broadband connectivity, digital infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing.

Deputy Minister Gungubele emphasised the importance of closer collaboration between government and science institutions to accelerate innovation and ensure that technological advancements translate into tangible socio-economic benefits for all South Africans.

“CSIR remains a critical strategic partner in our efforts to build a digitally inclusive society. Through deliberate collaboration, we can harness local innovation to drive industrial growth, improve service delivery, and enhance the quality of life of our people,” said Deputy Minister Gungubele.

The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of DCDT, working together with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation through CSIR, to align research and development with national priorities, particularly those focused on digital inclusion, sustainable development, and the creation of a high-capacity state.

Discussions further explored opportunities to leverage CSIR’s research and innovation to support broadband expansion, smart infrastructure development, and the adoption of emerging digital technologies across government and industry.

The visit marks a significant step towards strengthening interdepartmental synergy and ensuring that science and technology play a central role in South Africa’s digital future

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Hand over of fully equipped computer laboratory to Umdlamfe Secondary School

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Hand over of fully equipped computer laboratory to Umdlamfe Secondary School

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza today, 22 January 2026, handed over a fully equipped computer laboratory to Umdlamfe Secondary School in Esikhawini, Richards Bay, in partnership with global technology brand HONOR South Africa. The handover of the high-tech computer lab forms part of government’s Back-To-School Programme.

HONOR South Africa, which delivered the laptops, partnered with the Department of Home Affairs to establish the laboratory to support digital literacy and skills development at the school. The presence of the laboratory will ensure that learners are trained to become active participants in the artificial intelligence sphere while bridging the digital divide, particularly in previously disadvantaged communities.

Speaking during the handover, Deputy Minister Nzuza hailed the unveiling of the laboratory as a positive step in the right direction, saying access to digital learning was a pivotal cog in the development of learners in the 21st century and will go a long way in ensuring a digitally equipped South Africa. Government, he explained, recognised the development of digital skills as a key element in the advancement of South Africa’s digital economy. This was underscored by the establishment of the Presidential Commission on the 4IR (PC4IR) by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 with a mandate to provide leadership for society to understand, navigate and assume agency over what will be the fundamentally altered future.

Said the Deputy Minister: “The world has gravitated towards the 4th Industrial Revolution and this demands of us to be technologically savvy to be able to meet the challenges of this new and exciting phenomenon. The establishment of this computer laboratory demonstrates a commitment on our part to prioritise digital learning to put South Africa in a better position to seize opportunities and manage the challenges of rapid advances in the technological realm.

“We are excited that this facility will play an integral part in the learners’ academic improvement while preparing them to fully embrace the digital world through access to digital resources. This will, in future, enable them to navigate the digital economy, apply for jobs online, and explore various work opportunities.”

The CEO of HONOR South Africa, Mr Fred Zhou, said the partnership with the Department of Home Affairs represented a cornerstone of digital literacy and infrastructure missions.

“We are proud to partner with the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza, and the government of South Africa to invest in young minds and future skills. We hope the learners will use this opportunity to learn, explore and dream big,” he said.

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GAUTENG RAMPS UP SMART LICENSING CENTRES TO BRING SERVICES CLOSER TO COMMUNITIES

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GAUTENG RAMPS UP SMART LICENSING CENTRES TO BRING SERVICES CLOSER TO COMMUNITIES

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is accelerating the roll-out of Smart Driver Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) across the province, bringing efficient, ethical and modern licensing services directly to communities while supporting the Department's road safety objectives.

Currently operational Smart DLTCs include Atteridgeville, Denlyn, Maponya Mall, Centurion, Protea Glen and Midrand, with the Umphakathi Smart DLTC set to open soon, further expanding access to quality licensing services in townships and underserved areas.

These cutting-edge facilities have redefined the licensing experience, providing unparalleled efficiency and convenience while significantly improving turnaround times for licence renewals and other services.

The Smart DLTCs are fully integrated into the eNaTIS administration system and are designed as hubs of licensing services, offering a comprehensive range of solutions, including vehicle license renewals, driving license applications, renewals and more.

MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, said the rollout forms part of the Provincial Government's “Smart Mobility Plan” under Growing Gauteng Together 2030 and supports broader road safety objectives.

“We are expanding Smart Licensing Centres to ensure services are closer to communities. These centres offer online, cashless services, with licence renewals taking approximately 10 minutes. But this is about more than convenience; it’s about road safety too. When licensing is accessible and corruption-free, more people get properly licensed instead of driving illegally or obtaining fake licences. Road safety starts with proper licensing,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.

KEY FEATURES:

• Saturday Operations: Smart DLTCs operate Monday to Saturday, allowing working residents to access services at their convenience.

• 10-Minute Service: Using smart enrolment technology and cashless systems, licence renewals are processed in approximately 10 minutes.

• Corruption-Free: Appointment-only operations eliminate the need for runners. Law enforcement officials manage the centres, ensuring transparency and integrity.

• Supporting Road Safety: By making licensing accessible and eliminating corruption, the centres ensure drivers are properly tested and legally licensed (competent drivers), supporting the Department’s “E Thoma Ka Wena” (It Starts With You) road safety campaign.

• Job Creation: The centres have created employment for young people from local communities, with the majority being women.

The extension of Smart DLTCs into townships, informal settlements and hostels ensures quality services are available where people live, reducing the need for long journeys to distant licensing offices.

“These centres reduce backlogs, expand capacity, and respond effectively to the province's renewal service demands. They also relieve congestion at traditional licensing offices, improving the system for everyone,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.

For locations and booking information, follow GPDRT official platforms.

#GrowingGautengTogether #SmartLicensingCentres #RoadSafety #EthomaKaWena

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Water and Sanitation on Grootdraai Dam Water Levels

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Water and Sanitation on Grootdraai Dam Water Levels

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS 

ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : KASIBC_AUDIO

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) latest State of Reservoirs report issued earlier this week shows that Grootdraai Dam in the Integrated Vaal River System (Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga) remains stable at 101.9%.

The report reflects improved dam levels across the district, with most dams above full capacity. Westoe Dam is the only dam below 100%, but it increased from 82.3% to 83.4%. Other dams above full capacity also recorded gains, including Jericho from 100.3% to 100.8%, Morgenstond Dam from 100.4% to 100.5%, Nooitgedacht Dam from 99.0% to 101.9% and Vygeboom Dam from 100.4% to 102.2%. Heyshope Dam also remains steady at 100.8%.

At provincial level, Mpumalanga’s average storage increased from 100.9% to 101.5%, while both Water Management Areas (WMA) recorded improvements. The Limpopo–Olifants WMA rose from 94.9% to 99.3% and the Inkomati–Usuthu WMA increased from 100.5% to 101.5%. Water levels also rose in all three districts of Mpumalanga, with Ehlanzeni increasing from 102.8% to 104.0%, Gert Sibande from 100.0% to 100.4% and Nkangala from 100.7% to 101.0%.

With dams and rivers overflowing in several areas, the Department urges the public to exercise extreme caution around water bodies and to avoid crossing or approaching overflowing dams, rivers and streams as these conditions pose a serious risk to life and property.

The Department further appeals to communities to avoid building or settling on floodlines, as this heightens vulnerability to flooding, and to refrain from dumping waste into rivers and streams, as this pollutes water resources, obstructs natural water flow and contributes to flooding.

Despite current wet conditions, South Africa remains a water-scarce country. Water conservation, responsible use and safe rainwater harvesting remain critical to ensuring sustainable and reliable water supply for current and future generations.

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