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US enlists 'Amerikaners' group in refugee scheme for white South Africans

A group called Amerikaners, set up by white South Africans hoping to take up US President Donald Trump's offer of resettlement, has been enlisted by his administration to help identify suitable applicants for the controversial programme.

Trump established the refugee programme in February for "Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination", referring to an ethnic group descended mostly from Dutch settlers.

According to a statement posted on the website of the US embassy in South Africa on Monday, the Amerikaners group is now a "designated Department of State referral partner" for the programme.

The group will gather information from potential applicants to assess whether their case is eligible for referral, and refer cases to the State Department for access to the US Refugee Admissions Program, the statement said.

South Africa's government strongly opposes the programme, saying allegations of discrimination are unfounded and that members of the white minority it targets - the most economically privileged group in South Africa - do not meet the definition of refugees.

The US administration has discussed bringing some 30 000 white South Africans to the country in the coming year, which would require it to greatly ramp up the programme. As of early August, less than 100 had arrived.

Amerikaners is led by Sam Busa, a 60-year-old South African woman of British descent, who established the group in response to Trump's executive order.

One of the group's first moves was to gather signatures for a memorandum addressed to Trump, formally accepting his offer and making a case for their resettlement. The document, posted on Amerikaners' website, lists their community's values as being "Christian, conservative, and English-speaking", and says they are not seeking charity, but a chance to "serve America".

Busa declined a request for comment.

A State Department spokesperson said they did not comment on specific implementing partners, adding in a written response that "we are grateful for the many South African citizens who have expressed their support for this refugee program".

South Africa's GDP grew 0.8% in the second quarter

South Africa's GDP increased by 0.8% in the second quarter, following an increase of 0.1% in the first quarter of the year, Statistics South Africa has reported.

The manufacturing industry increased by 1.8%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point to GDP growth, with seven of the ten manufacturing divisions having reported positive growth rates. The largest positive contributions were reported for the petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division.

The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 1.7%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for retail trade, motor trade, accommodation and food and beverages.

The mining and quarrying industry increased by 3.7%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. The largest positive contributors were platinum group metals, gold and chromium ore.

The transport, storage and communication industry, however, decreased by 0.8%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Decreased economic activities were reported for land transport and transport support services.

The construction industry also decreased, by 0.3%, with decreases reported for residential buildings and non-residential buildings.

'Global trade must work for all of us', Ramaphosa tells Brics meeting

Speaking to his Brics counterparts on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted persisting trade imbalances, where developing economies remain locked in the lower end of global value chains, and he urged the redoubling of efforts to ensure that trade supports development.

In his address during the Extraordinary Brics leaders meeting, Ramaphosa said, "Global trade must work for all of us".

He urged the Brics countries to help strengthen the multilateral system, and advance reforms to modernise multilateral development bank mandates and to better reflect the voices and priorities of developing economies.

He stated that the progress and economic dynamism of emerging economies is being undermined by disruption and chaos.

"New shocks to global trade patterns, international financing and critical minerals flows, along with the intensification of problems created by sovereign debt overhang and imbalanced tax regimes, are creating uncertainties for policymakers, consumers and companies," he said.

He noted that unilateral tariff actions are contributing to what he said was an "increasingly protectionist environment", which he believes is a danger for the countries in the Global South. "The uncertainty of the new trading regime has already negatively affected employment levels in my own country, South Africa, and is an obstacle to our economic growth," he told Brics leaders.

He gave South Africa's support for Brics initiatives that improve the resilience of the member countries and those of the Global South and also strengthen the global multilateral system.

"Our focus is on strengthening and collaboratively diversifying our trade and investment partnerships with Africa, Asia, the Gulf, the Americas and Europe. South Africa's response is rooted in the promise of an African continent on the rise, a continent that is rich in talent, innovation, in resources and untapped potential," said Ramaphosa.

South Africa's vision, he added, is for Africa to drive global trade, and pointed to South Africa's collaboration with other African countries to consolidate the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Ramaphosa was firm that South Africa supports that the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations must be preserved until all member States are able to reach their developmental goals.

While the WTO has tried to enforce fair trade, Ramaphosa noted the imbalances.

He further pointed to threats to humanity, such as an increase in armed conflicts, fractious geopolitical tensions, environmental disasters, trade wars and continued underdevelopment.

He said this underscored the importance of continuing to strengthen the work of the entire United Nations system and the full implementation of membership-led mandates.

"This is where Brics countries should play a critical role in strengthening the multilateral system. The challenges humanity faces today underscores the urgency of reform of the United Nations to ensure that it is inclusive, representative and fit for purpose," he stated.

Ramaphosa said the Brics countries need to reflect on their role in shaping global growth, addressing global poverty and championing multilateralism.

"We should use our growing voice to advance a global order that improves the lives of all the world's people and safeguards the planet for future generations. Let us shape a new paradigm of multilateral cooperation anchored in equity, sustainability and development, but also anchored in peace," he added.

Ramaphosa notes progress in tackling corruption, urges collaboration for prevention

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday highlighted government success in efforts to deal with corruption but said there must be equal energy in fighting public and private sector corruption.

In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa pointed out that last week, the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (Nacac) handed over its final report at the conclusion of its three-year term.

The Council was set up in 2022 to guide the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and to strengthen the State's anti-corruption architecture.

The Nacac report makes recommendations on the strengthening and coordination of law enforcement agencies, enhanced coordination mechanisms among the different law enforcement agencies, the use of AI to prevent corruption and the establishment of an anti-corruption data sharing framework.

These recommendations will be reviewed by the relevant government institutions for tabling and deliberation in Cabinet.

Ramaphosa said the work of Nacac shows that fighting corruption is a complex, multi-faceted and protracted task.

"…this fight requires the dismantling systems of patronage that have become entrenched over many years. It requires strengthening State capacity to handle complex cases and closing regulatory loopholes that have enabled corruption to flourish," he explained.

Last week the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, and the Special Investigating Unit briefed Parliament on investigations into the South African Post Office, Postbank and the South African Social Security Agency, financial irregularities at water entities, an allegedly corrupt fuel tender, and graft at several municipalities.

"This year has seen a few arrests linked to alleged corruption in Eskom, the South African Police Service, Transnet and in municipalities. While allegations of corruption within these important institutions are deeply disturbing, it is encouraging that they have been detected and that criminal action is being taken," Ramaphosa said.

In July the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Working Group on Bribery noted South Africa's progress in detecting and investigating foreign bribery cases and credited individual government and law-enforcement officials for working in a multi-agency approach, which it says has contributed to the progress.

South Africa is also making progress in removing itself from the Financial Action Task Force grey-list.

By June, South Africa had completed all 22 action plan items to combat money-laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Ramaphosa noted that much of this work took place behind the scenes.

"While there is a justifiable public expectation that there should be more convictions - including of those implicated in State capture - fighting corruption extends way beyond putting culprits in the dock," he said.

He stressed the need for transparent, accountable and ethical private and public institutions to stop corruption.

Solidarity launches defamation case against Ntshavheni, Ramaphosa

Trade union Solidarity is taking Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni to court over alleged defamation, after she claimed that Solidarity and its sister organisation AfriForum led misinformation campaigns against South Africa.

The union launched a defamation case against Ntshavheni, with President Cyril Ramaphosa being the second respondent in the case.

Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann said Ntshavheni's statements were made following the Solidarity Movement's visit to the US, after President Donald Trump issued an executive order regarding South Africa, which stated that the South African government "has taken aggressive positions towards the United States and its allies" and "egregious actions" on land reform and racial relations.

Hermann said Ntshavheni and government did not provide any evidence of the so-called misinformation, explaining that the Solidarity Movement intervened for South Africa after the government had caused a "diplomatic crisis" with its most important trading partner.

Ntshavheni said that law enforcement agencies were investigating the possibility of a violation of laws.

"The Minister in the Presidency should know better. We can no longer allow senior figures in government to get away with false statements and defamation. They think they can say and do whatever they want without consequences. They want to shift the blame.

"They create a false master narrative that, if repeated enough, eventually becomes the 'truth' in people's minds. They then hide behind this falsehood to cover up their part in the diplomatic crisis with the USA. Solidarity has decided to go to court to bring an end to this false master narrative of misinformation," Hermann stated.

Hermann reiterated Solidarity's long-held stance that the African National Congress (ANC) was responsible for the backlash from the US, which resulted in tariff increases imposed on South Africa.

"… it had nothing to do with Solidarity. Solidarity's major focus during the US tour was the preservation of the AGOA trade agreement," Hermann explained.

He said the organisation took a stand for its members and South Africans.

"It is our members and ordinary people who are going to lose their jobs. Our documentation focused largely on that, and while it may have exposed uncomfortable truths about the ANC, it was certainly not untrue," said Hermann.

He repeated that the diplomatic tension between South Africa and the US was solely the responsibility of the ANC.

"Accusing institutions such as Solidarity and AfriForum of misinformation and even treason is false and defamatory," he added.

In its court documents, Solidarity said it would to donate any damages paid to it to Solidarity Helping Hand to help people in need.

Mashatile addresses Nedlac summit, proposing National Dialogue will be crucial in addressing country's challenges

Deputy President Paul Mashatile said on Friday that although the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) has played a central role in shaping policies to improve the socioeconomic advancement of South Africa, there is still a huge responsibility to address the persistent challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Delivering the keynote address at Nedlac's thirtieth Annual Summit, held virtually in Johannesburg, Mashatile spotlighted the controversial National Dialogue as crucial for addressing the challenges facing South Africans.

Last month, the Government of National Unity held its first sitting of the National Dialogue agenda-setting National Convention in Pretoria, which Mashatile hailed as a success.

Billed as a popular opinion canvassing and grassroots agenda-setting opportunity, seven prominent legacy foundations withdrew from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team in the lead-up to that National Convention event, while Solidarity Movement and its affiliates also withdrew, attributing the decision to their belief that the National Dialogue process had been "hijacked" by the African National Congress.

Some opposition parties also opted not to participate.

In his keynote Mashatile quoted former President Nelson Mandela's address during Nedlac's fourth Annual Summit, where he said job creation was the country's main challenge.

"Our democratic gains will remain fragile and our freedom shallow, if they do not bring real improvements in the lives of our people, especially the poor. All of us do recognise that job-creation is critical to the alleviation of poverty," Mandela said.

Twenty-six years after that address, South Africa was still grappling with the same challenges, with Mashatile noting the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2025.

South Africa's unemployment rate worsened by 0.3 of a percentage point to 33.2% in the second quarter, compared with the unemployment rate of 32.9% reported for the first quarter of the year.

Last month, Statistics South Africa reported that there had been an increase of 19 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.8-million, while there was an increase of 140 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.4-million in the second quarter. This represented in an increase of 159 000 in the labour force during the same period.

"This situation will further be aggravated by the implementation of 30% tariffs on South African exports to the US. The increase in US tariffs will continue to threaten the already unstable jobs in agriculture, the automotive industry, manufacturing, and the mining sector, with a potential of wiping out thousands of jobs and livelihoods," Mashatile explained.

LEGISLATION

Meanwhile, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth announced that the Nedlac Bill 2025, which seeks to repeal the Nedlac Act of 1994, will go to Cabinet for approval, on Wednesday, to publish for public engagement.

She said this was a "great milestone", underscoring that Nedlac had achieved successes amid challenges: from shaping labour law reforms to strengthening dispute resolution and incorporating community representation into national dialogues.

Meth highlighted that equality must extend beyond intent to measurable results.

In April, the Department of Employment and Labour published the Employment Equity Regulations, prescribing five-year equity plans with sector-specific numerical targets, including a 3% disability employment goal.

These are binding on designated employers from September 1.

She explained that these measures were not without debate, noting the Democratic Alliance and a few others launched a legal challenge, citing potential constitutional concerns and impact on investment.

"…yet, the policy is a bold step toward dismantling the enduring racial and gender disparities that remain entrenched. Th...

Defence Dept postpones naval exercise with Russia, China amid clash with G20 activities

The Department of Defence said on Friday that its joint naval exercise with Russia and China will be postponed this year, owing to the upcoming G20 activities planned under South Africa's Presidency for November.

The department explained that the military exercises take place between BRICS countries every two years and that this year's drill, hosted by China, takes place during the G20 Leader's Summit in November.

The department said it was liaising with its Chinese counterparts for a postponement of the military exercise.

"This is to ensure that the exercises do not impact on the logistical, security and other arrangements associated with South Africa's G20 Presidency. South Africa's participation in military exercises of this nature with various countries is part of the furtherance of sound multilateral and bilateral relations. As it has in the past, South Africa continues to hold joint military exercises with a broad range of countries," it explained.

ANC to reject Stan Mathabatha's decision to step aside

The African National Congress (ANC), guided by its quest for renewal, unity and accountability, has decided to reject its Limpopo provincial chairperson Stan Mathabatha's decision to step aside from his role.

Mathabatha voluntary stepped aside as the ANC Limpopo chairperson, and in a letter addressed to the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) he cited misconduct in the party, and the erosion of ANC values and processes relating to conferences in the Vhembe and Waterberg regions.

Following receipt of Mathabatha's letter, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula convened a meeting with Mathabatha to discuss the issues he raised, ahead of a meeting at Luthuli House attended by the party's NEC members deployed to Limpopo.

In a statement on Friday, the ANC said the meeting with the NEC members resolved to reject Mathabatha's intention to step aside and refer the matter back to the province to address the issues he raised.

The party said the outcome of that resolution will be shared with national officials at another meeting.

"The ANC emphasises that this process is guided by the principles of organisational renewal, unity, and accountability. With all regional conferences in Limpopo now successfully concluded, the province is expected to focus on accelerating service delivery and responding to the needs of the people," it said.

It further acknowledged its recent by-election victory in Limpopo, in ward 34 of Fetakgomo Tubatse local municipality, and attributed this win to voter confidence in the ANC.

"The ANC reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the bond of trust between the movement and the communities we serve, and to ensuring that the confidence expressed through the ballot continues to translate into tangible improvements in people's lives," the party said.

Parly Saps committee denies Shadrack Sibiya will appear next week, as it finalises witness list

Parliament's ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption, political interference and malfeasance in the South African Police Service (Saps) clarified on Thursday that no final decision has been made regarding the list of witnesses to appear before the committee, after National Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya announced that he will appear before the committee next week.

The Committee investigating the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said it had only approached potential witnesses to check availability and ensure they have access to legal counsel if needed.

Committee chairperson Molapi Lekganyane said the decision on the witness list will be made collectively by the full committee.

Last month, the committee announced that Mkhwanazi would be the first person to appear before it, since his public statements prompted the formation of the committee.

"While Lieutenant-General Sibiya's expressed willingness to testify is appreciated, his public comments are premature," said Lekganyane.

Lekganyane reaffirmed the committee's commitment to begin hearings but stressed the importance of finalising all foundational and procedural preparations.

A meeting will be held on Friday to finalise these arrangements.

Meanwhile, ActionSA expressed outrage that members of the Ad Hoc Committee learnt through media reports that witnesses had been "improperly" called to appear before the Committee.

The party said it rejected any attempt by the chairperson to independently engage with witnesses and arrange appearances without prior deliberation by the committee.

"… we believe this is procedurally defective, ultra vires the adopted Terms of Reference, and inconsistent with the principles underpinning the Committee's mandate as defined therein," said ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James.

She reiterated ActionSA's objection to a committee chairperson belonging to the same political party as those implicated in the allegations.

"Our concern has always been that this creates a fertile environment for abuse, where chairs steamroll committees and undermine their mandate of oversight. What has unfolded today confirms the dangers we warned against and cannot be condoned," she highlighted.

ANC claims renewal project is succeeding with by-election wins in E Cape, Limpopo

The African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday celebrated its by-election victories in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, saying the outcome of the elections "unequivocally reaffirms" that the party is the "dependable choice" for voters.

The ANC won Ward 4 in the Emalahleni sub-region, under the Chris Hani district municipality in the Eastern Cape and Ward 34 in the Fetakgomo Tubatse sub-region, of the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the outcomes of the by-elections were "indisputable and firm" that the ANC is stable, united and effective in delivering results.

"Our renewal project is succeeding, and the ANC remains the stable force that the people can count on. With every ward retained and every mandate renewed, the ANC recommits to intensifying service delivery, strengthening local government, and ensuring that the people's needs are always placed first," she stated.

The results, she added, contradict claims of a decline in voter support for the party, which she says is a narrative that is "pushed by naysayers and hostile forces, including their opinion polls".

Last month, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said the ANC rejected what it termed "manipulative opinion polls", after an internal Democratic Alliance (DA) poll said the ANC's electoral support had fallen below 30% ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Mbalula dismissed the poll and others, claiming that many were funded by "neo-liberal think tanks and DA-aligned interests" that sought to show ANC support in decline.

Bhengu-Motsiri said the by-election victories were a "powerful prelude" to the ANC's upcoming special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which will focus on local government and the roll call of councillors.

"At this critical gathering, we will redefine the ANC agenda for service delivery, sharpen our interventions, and accelerate the pace of development in line with our renewal mandate," she explained.

The party thanked voters in the Emalahleni and Fetakgomo Tubatse communities, as well as ANC volunteers and activists.

"Your loyalty, commitment, and participation are a testament to the fact that the ANC is not just trusted but passionately loved by the people as their movement for liberation and transformation," she said.

The party congratulated Thembinkosi Klaas and Mahlatse Mathipa on their election victories.

"… always prioritise the needs of the people above all else," the party advised.