MKP NATIONAL OFFICIALS OF UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY REGARDING PRONOUNCEMENTS BY THE MK INSTITUTE

MKP NATIONAL OFFICIALS OF UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY REGARDING PRONOUNCEMENTS BY THE MK INSTITUTE  

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO 

The National Officials of uMkhonto weSizwe Party, led by the President and Commander General, His Excellency Cde Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, met today, Monday 18th of May 2026, to reflect on various matters affecting the organisation internally and externally. 

The National Officials reflected on the media statement issued by the MK Institute on the 16th of May 2026, where certain pronouncements were made regarding the leadership architecture of the MK Party, and also purported changes to the current Constitutional leadership dispensation in the party. More specifically, the announcement by the MK Institute implied that the MK Institute will assume full responsibility for the political management and administration of the organisation. 

The media statement also made reference to the role of various National Officials, and purported the MK Institute to be having powers to change the role of National Officials. Overall, the MK Institute has suggested that all leadership structures of the party are now being subjected to and report to the Institute. 

While the National Officials acknowledge that the media statement was read in the presence of the President and other National Officials of uMkhonto weSizwe Party on the 16th May 2026, the President and National Officials were not fully aware of the entirety of the statement until the statement was made public, and in particular the propositions dealing with the party’s leadership architecture. The National Officials therefore hereby declare proposition of changing party’s leadership structure by the MK Institute issued on the 16th of May 2026 null and void. 

The media statement does not reflect the views and decisions of the national leadership of uMkhonto weSizwe Party. Members of The Institute have accepted guidance of National Officials, that the statement was necessarily beyond the powers of the entity and unconstitutional. The national leadership of uMkhonto weSizwe Party has decided to integrate the Institute into the broader organisational policy-making machinery reporting to the Secretary General. The National Officials further take this opportunity to announce the immediate appointment of a new National Spokesperson for uMkhonto weSizwe Party who is an academic and former news editor Cde Sifiso Mahlangu. Cde Sifiso Mahlangu is a highly experienced journalist and renowned media personality, and brings invaluable technical and professional insights to the party. 

The national leadership of uMkhonto weSizwe Party urges the media fraternity, general public and members of uMkhonto weSizwe Party to provide Cde Sifiso Mahlangu with the usual and necessary support. 

The National Officials also take this opportunity to thank Cde Nhlamulo Ndhlela, who held the fort as the inaugural National Spokesperson of the party, as he steps down from the role of Spokesperson both in the party and in parliament with immediate effect. His contribution in building uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s media and public footprint is highly appreciated.  

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) and Botswana-South Africa Business Forum

6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) and Botswana-South Africa Business Forum

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

Deputy Minister Alexandra Abrahams attend 6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) and Botswana-South Africa Business Forum

Deputy Minister Abrahams to attend the 6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) and Botswana-South Africa Business Forum

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Alexandra Abrahams, will attend the 6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission and deliver remarks at the Botswana–South Africa Business Forum in Gaborone from 20-21 May 2026.

The Botswana-South Africa Business Forum will be held on the margins of the 6th session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission. The BNC serves as an important platform for strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and Botswana by creating a conducive environment for cooperation.

During the previous BNC session, the two countries agreed to deepen collaboration in key sectors, including agriculture, transport, infrastructure, water, mining, energy, science and technology, finance, tourism, as well as trade and investment.

According to Abrahams, the Botswana-South Africa BNC will enable the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to advance and assess the implementation of Economic Cluster commitments made during the previous BNC. The deliberations of the BNC are expected to support stronger bilateral trade and investment ties between South Africa and Botswana.

“The implementation plan for the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Industrial Cooperation, will be considered. The MoU is focused on addressing market access barriers, enhancing customs cooperation, and fostering partnerships that support investment in Southern African Customs Union (SACU) value chains,” states Abrahams.

“The 6th BNC session specifically provides an opportunity to address market access challenges, particularly the trade restrictions affecting key sectors. Through this strengthened coordination, to the two countries are further able to address emerging issues whilst ensuring the inclusive implementation of commitments made during the previous–Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission,” says Abrahams.

“A total of 30 South African companies invested in Botswana between January 2003 and March 2026. These investments span various sectors, including financial services, minerals, business services, communications, hospitality and tourism, consumer products, software and information technology services, building materials, business machinery and equipment, food and beverages, among others,” adds Abrahams.

Abrahams says that South Africa and Botswana's investment relations underscore the importance of strategic collaboration, in addressing the economic challenges and enhancing trade and investment.

South Africa is Botswana’s 2nd trading partner, accounting for approximately 15% of Botswana’s total exports. South Africa exported R73.6 billion worth of goods in 2025. South Africa, on the other hand, is Botswana’s main trading partner accounting for 60% of Botswana’s total imports. South Africa imported a total value of an estimated R7.6 billion in 2025.

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

MUNICIPALITIES TO IN-SOURCE WATER TANKER SERVICES

MUNICIPALITIES TO IN-SOURCE WATER TANKER SERVICES

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

MEC MAMABOLO CALLS ON MUNICIPALITIES TO IN-SOURCE WATER TANKER SERVICES 

Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, has raised concern over the escalating costs incurred by municipalities for the temporary supply of water through outsourced water tanker services. 

This follows revelations by Mamabolo that some municipalities have spent as much as R264 million over a three-year period on water tanker services. While water tankering remains critical in ensuring water security, particularly in areas experiencing water shortages and within informal settlements, he has urged municipalities to increase investment in procuring and maintaining their own water tanker fleets. “We are encouraged by the investments some municipalities are already making towards procuring their own portable water tankers. 

While this is a welcome development, we believe more resources must be directed towards expanding these capacities, as outsourced tanker services continue to drive significant expenditure,” said Mamabolo. Gauteng CoGTA continues to engage municipalities to monitor service delivery challenges and ensure appropriate corrective measures are implemented to stabilise water supply across the province. 

Through the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, the provincial government is working closely with local and national spheres of government to advance coordinated, province-wide interventions aimed at strengthening municipalities, improving governance, and enhancing service delivery outcomes. 

On Sunday, 24 May 2026, the province, together with all 11 municipalities, will provide the public with updates on progress made across various areas, including governance, financial management, infrastructure development, and ongoing efforts to improve service delivery across the province. 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

MISLEADING STATEMENTS ON THE INTEGRITY 2024 NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS

MISLEADING STATEMENTS ON THE INTEGRITY 2024 NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS 

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

Electoral Commission concerned about misleading statements on the integrity of NPE 2024 results 

The Electoral Commission notes with concern sustained, yet inaccurate, statements regarding the management and integrity of the results of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections. The Electoral Commission is particularly concerned by the persistent false statements by political party leaders, which have the potential to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the impending elections of municipal councils. 

The latest of these statements appears in the podcast featuring the President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in which he alleges that the Electoral Commission swapped votes at his voting station (Mponegele Primary School) in Polokwane, Limpopo. Allegedly, his party votes were attributed to the African National Congress (ANC). 

This is not correct. Results slips in the hands of the Commission indicate that the Mponegele Primary School vote count is the same as those captured on the Commission’s Results System.  The Commission wishes to indicate that South Africa’s result collation process is robust and predicated on transparency, extensive safeguards, and checks and balances which are designed to protect the integrity of the election results. 

The Commission is acutely aware that result slips which are completed at voting stations represent the ultimate record of the political will of the voters within voting districts. Hence, the inherent checks and balances institutionalised in the result collation process.  

Some of the safeguards inherent in the results collation process include the following elements: 

• Counting of the votes at the voting station in front of party agents and observers 

• Compiling a result slip at the voting station and having that countersigned by party agents  

• Capturing the results into the system built for that purpose using a double-blind capture process 

 • Procuring services of the independent audit industry to audit the correctness of the captured results against result slips 

• Independent auditing of the functional modalities of the result system

• Affording political parties the opportunity to audit the result system 

• Making voting station results available to political parties and the media through dedicated facilities at Results Operating Centres

• Permitting parties to photograph and broadcast the results slips as soon as they are completed.

As part of the normal consultation with electoral stakeholders, senior officials of the Electoral Commission already have a scheduled meeting with the EFF leadership on 21 May 2026. 

The meeting requested by the party will be used to brief the party on election readiness matters and deal with any issues that the party may wish to raise relating to the electoral process.  

The Electoral Commission remains open to constructive engagement with all political parties through Political Liaison Committees (PLCs) on matters concerning the integrity, credibility and strengthening of South Africa’s electoral democracy. 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

Science, Technology and Innovation announces R10.4 Billion Budget for 2026/27 Financial Year

Science, Technology and Innovation announces R10.4 Billion Budget for 2026/27 Financial Year

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

The Minister and Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande and Dr Nomalungelo Gina, today announced a R10.4 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, showing continued investment in priority areas of science, technology, and innovation in South Africa.  

 Investment in cutting-edge research technologies, high-level skills development, research infrastructure, and innovation that advances economic growth, social development, and South Africa’s global competitiveness are among some of the priority areas for the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Guided by the Decadal Plan 2022 – 2032 and the Department’s institutional mantra to place STI at the centre of government, education, industry, and society, the budget priority plans reflected the Department’s commitment to building a transformed, inclusive, and responsive national system of innovation.

 Addressing Parliament on Friday, 15 May, Minister Nzimande said that with the world facing one of the most unpredictable and precarious moments in human history, the future depends on the country’s willingness to use innovation to advance justice, equality, and peace.  

For this reason, the Minister said the allocation would be used in the next three years to expand the scale and impact of the Department’s work.

This includes intensifying efforts to raise gross expenditure on research and development to 1.5% of GDP, accelerating the transformation and expansion of STI human resources and research workforce, and strengthening the coordination and direction across the NSI through, among others, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on STI and the Presidential Plenary for STI.

The Department will also maintain support for key science projects, such as the Square Kilometre Array, and strengthen pandemic preparedness capacity. Strategic innovation compacts with STI-intensive state departments and private sector partners will also be forged, as well as upgrading critical science infrastructure and developing critical high-end skills, including through the Presidential PhD Programme.

The Minister said the Department would also be mobilising more funding and resources to expand the impact of key programmes such as artificial intelligence, energy security, space, vaccine manufacturing, and indigenous knowledge systems.

There will also be continued efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships, especially across Africa and the Global South, and increase public awareness about the contribution of our public science system to human development through a stronger public engagement and communication campaign.

Among the progress made last year in the implementation of the Decadal Plan 2022-20232, with KfW, a German bank, 19 infrastructure projects were approved to strengthen South Africa’s vaccine development, testing, manufacturing, and regulation.

“We also allocated R14.9 million to strengthen bio-surveillance, ease livestock export restrictions linked to foot-and-mouth disease, and support the Biosecurity Hub at the University of Pretoria,” said the Minister.

On boosting innovation in manufacturing, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research launched a Hot Isostatic Press facility in Tshwane to strengthen local manufacturing, improve metal component performance, and reduce reliance on offshore processing.

Deputy Minister Gina said the government was clear that without significantly stronger industry investment in innovation, South Africa will not be able to compete at the pace required by a rapidly changing global economy.  

“We are therefore intensifying our engagement with business leadership to unlock greater investment in science, technology and innovation for the country. To drive this forward, we are establishing dedicated working groups and workstreams with major national corporations to build impactful, long-term industry partnerships,” said Dr Gina.

A key highlight of the work on indigenous knowledge systems was the graduation of 96 students with bachelor’s degrees in IKS from North-West University. The Department has funded this programme since 2013, and student enrolment has grown steadily over the years.

Another highlight was the establishment of 13 Living Labs, nine Centres for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and mLabs in four provinces.  

These facilities provide a physical space and innovation infrastructure for innovators to ideate and progress their prototype solutions to market through the offering of structured innovation support, training, and a combination of technical and innovation skills training.

The Deputy Minister said the DSTI was determined to change the face of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professional pipeline in South Africa.  

“The profile of our professional pipeline is overwhelmingly white, male, and urban. Women and rural people are underrepresented. Transformation of the STI in its class composition, gender, and race is fundamental to our agenda,” said Dr Gina.

She said the budget vote demonstrated the Department’s shift from the old Department that paid more attention to the sciences and research.  

“While these areas remain important, DSTI is making a strategic focus on innovation and technologies in strengthening the system of national innovation. We are making headway in this mandate; we will leave no one behind,” said the Deputy Minister.

The Budget Vote followed a public engagement programme hosted by the Department and its entities at Iziko Museum. Attended by local and international stakeholders in the National System of Innovation, including school learners and university students, it showcased a number of exhibitions and a public lecture on Artificial Intelligence delivered by Professor of Computer Science, Vukosi Marivate.

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople