President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the agreements signed between South Africa and Botswana at the conclusion of the sixth session of the Bi-National Commission on Thursday, saying they affirmed that bilateral relations remained strong and laid the basis for effective implementation in the months ahead.

The two countries signed four additional bilateral instruments during the session, held in the Botswana capital, Gaborone, in addition to the 28 agreements already in place.

On Thursday, as the session ended, it was revealed in a joint statement that the two countries had agreed on:

• Memorandum of Agreement on the Joint Management of Water Quality and Aquatic Invasive Species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin;
• Agreement on the Co-ordination of Aeronautical Search and Rescue Services;
• Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Energy; and
• Memorandum of Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Correctional and Prison Services.

Further, according to the joint statement, the two countries committed to improving and resolving consular matters affecting citizens of both countries and enhancing cooperation in migration management, border management and defence and security.

“On diplomatic and political cooperation, the two heads of state acknowledged that they are meeting at a time when the global order is undergoing profound transformation characterised by geopolitical uncertainty and instability and reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism, international cooperation and rues-based world order,” read the statement.

Ramaphosa, in his closing remarks, said the agreements and the report coming out of the deliberations captured the scope of the strategic and fraternal relations between the countries.

“It affirms that our bilateral relations remain strong. It lays the basis for effective implementation in the months ahead. The agreements we are signing today give practical and legal expression to our cooperation.

“In our deliberations, we have identified priority areas to scale up economic partnership between our countries. Levels of bilateral trade and investment must be substantially increased. We must explore more opportunities in agriculture, while working together to resolve some of the challenges we have experienced in this area,” he said.

The challenges in agricultural relations have been linked to Botswana’s previous restrictions on some fresh vegetable imports, introduced as part of efforts to grow the country’s local farming sector and build self-sufficiency.

The measures affected South African exporters and were also reported to have contributed to price pressures in Botswana when local farmers struggled to meet demand.

The president said the two countries were committed to deepening cooperation in other areas, including vaccines.

South Africa has relied on Botswana’s vaccine production capacity, including the Botswana Vaccine Institute, during recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, while also working to strengthen local vaccine production.

“We welcome the commitment by South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council and the Botswana Vaccine Institute to conclude a cooperation partnership in the production of vaccines to fight animal diseases, including food and mouth disease,” he said

On migration, Botswana President Duma Boko expressed concern during the closing session about the different implications for overstaying visitors from both countries.

He pointed out that an overstaying South African visitor to Botswana was fined P10 a day, whereas a Botswana citizen could be barred from entering South Africa for a year if he or she did the same.

Boko appealed for fair treatment, saying the matter needed to be addressed. Ramaphosa agreed and committed to addressing immigration difficulties affecting, among others, students from Botswana and business people from South Africa.

“We should direct our respective Ministers of Home Affairs to develop a sustainable resolution of these matters by September this year. Working together within SADC, South Africa and Botswana will continue to promote regional integration, including through investment in infrastructure and manufacturing,” he said.

The president said both countries should continue to promote social, cultural, educational and scientific ties, and that it was critical for the region to promote peace, stability and security.

He added that South Africa and Botswana should continue to work for a global order based on peace, stability and respect for international law.

Both presidents also rejected rumours that the United States had a military base in Botswana and could attack the Union Buildings from Botswana soil, as tensions between Pretoria and Washington remain strained.

Ramaphosa said the two countries concluded the session inspired by the vision of the forebears of both nations, who laid a firm foundation for a strong relationship forged through struggle, sacrifice and unity.

“The strong bonds of friendship and cooperation are founded on our shared desire to fulfil the promise of a brighter future for our two nations and for our region.

“We once again express our deep appreciation for the warmth and hospitality extended to us during this State Visit and Bi-National Commission,” said Ramaphosa.

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Motsoaledi confirmed that the country’s contact tracing teams are collaborating daily with WHO representatives and the NICD to ensure coordinated surveillance.

“We work with them every day,” he said.

“The contact tracers in South Africa are conducted by the Department of Health, the regional representative of the World Health Organization, as well as the NICD. We’re all working together in this.”

The WHO is currently leading a multi-country response following an outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, which docked in several ports before cases were detected internationally.

South Africa has recorded five cases under investigation, while the WHO is managing three others in different countries.

Two primary cases managed locally were a 69-year-old Dutch woman who collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport and later died, and a British national who remains hospitalised in Johannesburg in stable condition.

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Globally, eight cases have been reported, six confirmed, and three deaths linked to the cruise cluster. The WHO currently assesses the global public health risk as low.

According to the Minister, health officials have successfully traced passengers from Airlink Flight 4Z132 from Saint Helena to Johannesburg on 25 April 2026, on which the deceased woman travelled.

Of the 82 passengers, more than 50 have been located, including 14 South Africans, ten in Gauteng, and four in the Western Cape.

Motsoaledi said contact tracing extends beyond passengers to include health workers, ambulance staff, and others who may have had close contact.

“We are concerned about contacts, whether it’s from the plane, from the ambulance, health workers, they are all equally contacts,” he explained.

Of the 90 individuals reached, four are in the Western Cape, and 86 are in Gauteng. Only one contact in the Western Cape has developed mild flu-like symptoms and was admitted to hospital for observation.

“Her results were negative when tested for hantavirus,” Motsoaledi said. “She’s still being observed. But as we emphasize, the symptoms are flu-like, and this is winter. Not everybody who shows flu-like symptoms can be attributed to hantavirus.”

The Andes strain is one of 38 known hantavirus strains, and notably the only one capable of human-to-human transmission.

“Indeed, the Andes is the only one out of the 38 known strains that is capable of human-to-human transmission,” Motsoaledi said.

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“All the others have not been found to be like that.”

Despite this, health officials stress that transmission typically requires prolonged, close contact, and there is no evidence of local rodent carriers in South Africa or elsewhere on the continent.

The Department of Health remains on high alert

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South Africa has taken a major step in tackling one of the country’s leading causes of death by launching its first National Diabetes Dashboard, designed to give healthcare workers near-real-time data on patient management.

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Health, National Priority Programmes and the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub, developed the National Diabetes HbA1c Dashboard to strengthen the country’s response to diabetes.

The NHLS said this week that the dashboard marked a significant breakthrough in tackling diabetes, which Stats SA has identified as the country’s leading underlying natural cause of death in 2023.

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The platform integrates expertise from the NHLS Corporate Data Warehouse, National Priority Programmes and the Department of Chemical Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand.

NHLS CEO Professor Koleka Mlisana said the system uses laboratory data from across the country to provide a near real-time view of diabetes control.

“This platform transforms how we use laboratory data from retrospective reporting to real-time action. It equips healthcare workers with the information needed to respond faster and improve patient outcomes,” she said.

According to the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) latest country estimates, South Africa’s adult diabetes prevalence stands at 7.2%, with about 2.3 million adults aged 20 to 79 living with the condition. The IDF estimates that about 1.6 million of these cases are undiagnosed.

Globally, WHO says about 830 million people were living with diabetes in 2022, with more than half of those affected not taking medication for the condition.

The NHLS said the launch comes amid growing calls for urgent and coordinated action, as diabetes is increasingly recognised as a national health crisis.

For the first time, the dashboard offers a near real-time nationwide view of diabetes control, with laboratory data refreshed within 48 hours. This enables healthcare workers to identify high-risk patients earlier and intervene before complications develop.

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Previously, diabetes data was shared through monthly Excel reports, which required manual analysis and often delayed interventions. The new system replaces this with continuously updated data accessible to healthcare practitioners across the country.

“This dashboard represents a significant leap forward in how we use laboratory data to improve patient care. Innovation is central to the NHLS strategy, and this platform demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the health system,” Mlisana said.

The dashboard is also expected to strengthen accountability by allowing health authorities to monitor trends across provinces and target interventions where they are most needed.

The initiative also supports South Africa’s National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2022–2027, which aims for at least 50% of patients on treatment to achieve diabetes control.

“By providing near real-time insights, we are empowering healthcare workers to respond faster, intervene earlier, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients living with diabetes,” Mlisana said.

The dashboard is now accessible to healthcare practitioners nationwide, giving frontline workers the tools needed to deliver faster, more effective care.

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Police said on Saturday the Madlanga Commission Task Team had arrested a 50-year-old senior municipal official at his home in Gauteng on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.

“These arrests emanate from an ongoing investigation into corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD),” SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in a short statement.

The arrested official was not named.

“The Task Team is still searching for other suspects linked to the case,” said Mathe, adding that “no further comment will be provided on the merits of the case at this stage”.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 April, she said.

Eyewitness News reported that police had confirmed the arrested man was suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

eNCA also separately identified him as the official arrested.

Attempts by Inside Politics to reach Mkhwanazi on several known phone numbers to confirm or deny the reports went unanswered.

Attempts to reach Madlanga Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels to confirm or deny the same were also unsuccessful.

Shortly after posting the statement, Mathe issued another short statement, saying:

“[P]lease note that this matter has nothing to do with any IPID investigation and or any evidence led at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Simply put, it has nothing to do with the Killing of Mbense or the blue light case. More details will be provided on Monday.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in January that the Madlanga Commission’s interim report had found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing involving Mkhwanazi and other current and former Ekurhuleni officials.

Those matters were referred for immediate criminal investigation, while a special task team was set up to investigate the individuals identified by the commission.

During his appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee and the commission — both established to probe claims of criminal infiltration of and political interference in the country’s criminal justice system — Mkhwanazi admitted receiving money from attempted murder accused tenderpreneur and alleged underworld figure, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.

He has, among numerous other allegations placed before the committee and the commission, also been accused of ordering the alleged cover-up of the 2022 extra-judicial killing of Emmanuel Mbhense. Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations.

This is a developing story.

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This announcement comes after the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Google South Africa’s headquarters in Johannesburg. 

For the full story, click the link below.

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South Africa topped the team standings at the 8th African Spelling Bee, beating Nigeria into second place and Zimbabwe into third, while KwaZulu-Natal’s Ashton Singh finished runner-up in the junior division of the continental literacy competition.

The result marked another strong continental showing for Team South Africa at a championship that brought together national spellers from across Africa in Zimbabwe this week.

To read the full story, click on the link below:

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South Africa secured a 33-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth T20I in Christchurch on Wednesday, sealing the series 3-2 and ending the tour on a high note.

The result offers a timely lift for the Proteas camp, coming shortly after South Africa’s women suffered defeat in their own T20I outing against New Zealand.  

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South Africa’s innings was given shape by useful contributions through the middle before Connor Esterhuizen turned the match in the closing overs.

Wiaan Mulder made 31 off 29 and Rubin Hermann added 39 off 31 to keep the visitors moving, but South Africa appeared to be heading for a lower total until Esterhuizen changed the tempo.

The right-hander produced a blistering knock, reaching his half-century in 25 deliveries before finishing with a commanding 75 off 33 balls. Alongside Dian Forrester, who made an unbeaten 21 off 13, he helped propel the Proteas to a formidable 187 for 4.

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New Zealand struggled to keep up with the required rate, although Bevon Jacobs hit 36 off 19 balls and James Neesham tried to keep the chase alive. South Africa’s bowlers held their nerve, with Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder and Ottneil Baartman claiming two wickets apiece as the hosts closed on 154 for 8.

Esterhuizen’s explosive innings ultimately proved the difference, capping a well-rounded South African performance and handing the visitors both the match and the series victory.

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South Africa launched their T20 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, thumping Canada by 57 runs in their Group D clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday.

Sent in to bat, the Proteas were clinical from the outset. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram surged to 66 without loss inside the powerplay, laying a solid platform before Markram went on to strike a composed half-century.

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South Africa posted an imposing 213/4, with late contributions from David Miller and Tristan Stubbs accelerating the total.

Canada briefly checked the momentum through Ansh Patel’s three-wicket spell, but the damage had already been done.

Canada’s response never took off. Lungi Ngidi ripped through the top order with a devastating new-ball spell, claiming four wickets to effectively end the contest and earn Player of the Match honours.

Navneet Dhaliwal offered some resistance with a resilient knock, but Canada were restricted to 156/8.

The Proteas now turn their attention to their next Group D fixture against Afghanistan on Wednesday at the same venue, looking to maintain momentum and strengthen their push for a Super Eight berth.

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South Africa is to withdraw its soldiers from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), ending nearly three decades of involvement in UN peacekeeping operations in the country.

The Presidency announced on Sunday that President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally informed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the government’s decision to withdraw South Africa’s contingent from MONUSCO, where the country currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed.

According to the Presidency, the decision was conveyed during a telephone conversation between Ramaphosa and Guterres on 12 January 2026.

“The President indicated that South Africa’s unilateral withdrawal decision from MONUSCO is influenced by the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the South African National Defence Force, following 27 years of South Africa’s support to UN peacekeeping efforts in the DRC,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.

The withdrawal will not be immediate.

South Africa will work closely with the United Nations to finalise timelines and other logistical arrangements, with the process expected to be completed before the end of 2026, the Presidency said.

The Presidency said Guterres welcomed and appreciated South Africa’s decision, signalling continued cooperation between Pretoria and the UN during the withdrawal process.

South Africa is among the top troop contributing countries to MONUSCO, one of the UN’s largest and most complex operations, and has been a long-standing contributor to peacekeeping efforts in the DRC.

MONUSCO traces its roots to the UN mission established in 1999 after the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, known as MONUC, which was later reconfigured and renamed MONUSCO in 2010.

Over the years, the mission’s mandate has expanded to include the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers and human rights defenders, as well as support for the Congolese government’s peace and stabilisation efforts.

South Africa’s involvement in peacekeeping in the DRC has been one of its most significant international military commitments since the advent of democracy.

SANDF troops have played various roles within MONUSCO, including infantry deployment, force protection and support to civilian populations affected by ongoing violence in the eastern parts of the country.

Despite the withdrawal from MONUSCO, the government stressed that South Africa remains committed to peace and stability in the DRC and the broader region.

“The South African government will continue to maintain close bilateral relations with the government of the DRC, as well as provide ongoing support to other multilateral efforts by the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations aimed at bringing lasting peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Magwenya said.

The decision comes amid increasing pressure on the SANDF, which has faced budget constraints, ageing equipment and multiple deployment demands both locally and across the continent.

MONUSCO itself has faced growing criticism within the DRC, with sections of the Congolese population accusing the mission of failing to protect civilians from armed groups, amid a UN-backed process to draw down the mission.

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Our country’s reputation as a premier global tourism destination has been buoyed by a major milestone. Between January and December 2025 approximately 10.5 million tourists visited South Africa, which is the highest number of international arrivals on record.

This surpasses the number of visitors we welcomed before the COVID-19 pandemic and is a vote of confidence in a sector that continues to show great potential for further growth. 
 
Every visitor to our country contributes to our foreign revenue earnings, supports local businesses, bolsters local economies and helps to create and sustain jobs.

It is estimated that tourism currently sustains 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs, with one job created for every 13 international arrivals. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism contributes nearly 9% to our country’s GDP.
 
South Africa’s expanding global tourism footprint, supported by intensive destination marketing and branding, is an important part of our country’s public diplomacy. The more tourists that arrive from a given country, the greater the likelihood of strengthening diplomatic relations with that country. 
 
An increase in international visitors is also a vote of confidence in South Africa’s brand appeal, and in our reputation as a safe, reliable, value for money tourism destination.
 
As government, we are determined to strengthen the regulatory and policy environment to further grow the sector. We are equally committed to deepening collaboration with the private sector, labour and other stakeholders to further bolster the industry. 
 
The Tourism Growth Partnership Plan that was endorsed by Cabinet last year outlines a series of priority initiatives aimed at improving the performance of the sector.
 
They include the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which was successfully piloted during the G20 Summit last year, and is currently being rolled out in key tourism markets.
 
We will also be strengthening the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme launched last year, which streamlines visa processes for groups whose applications are submitted by vetted tour operators.

A significant number of tourists from key markets like India and China are already using group tour operators for a more structured, tailored travel experience.
 
Improving connectivity is also being prioritised. We have seen an increase in direct flight routes to South Africa from key markets such as Australia and France.
 
Tourists must be able to enjoy our country under conditions of safety. The deployment of additional tourism monitors and the establishment of a crime call centre by the private sector will help to further reduce crime directed at tourists.
 
Major tourism infrastructure investments are expected to further boost the sector’s growth.

At last year’s inaugural Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit, eight projects worth R1 billion were launched, signalling renewed investor confidence in our tourism sector. Our strategic destination marketing efforts continue, as does the focus on niche markets such as halal and green tourism to attract diverse visitors. 
 
As government, we are equipping citizens with skills to embrace the burgeoning tourism industry.

For example, the Department of Tourism offers fully funded Mandarin language training for registered freelance and employed tourism guides to enable them to better support tourists from the growing Chinese market. We also continue to support the transformation of the industry through various support programmes.
 
Retaining our reputation as a tourism destination of choice is a society-wide effort, one in which communities have a particularly important role to play.

Every South African should be a tourism ambassador and every community a potential tourist attraction. Our country is rich in natural beauty, history and culture, with much of this potential untapped. 
 
Working together as government, communities and tour operators, we can popularise and attract more tourists to regions and locations that don’t traditionally feature highly as destinations for tourists.
 
Working together as government, industry, communities and civil society we can realise even greater value from this jewel in our nation’s crown.

Cyril Ramaphosa is president of South Africa.

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