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PRETORIA - The South African Reserve Bank has officially launched two new commemorative circulation coins, celebrating the legacies of Charlotte Maxeke as well as the women of the 1956 Women’s March. The R2 coin featuring Charlotte Maxeke’s profile celebrates her becoming the first black South African woman to obtain a university degree 125 years ago. The design was inspired by the beads she wore in her early years. Addressing the launch, Governor Lesetja Kganyago reflected: “For a black woman at that time, access to higher education was not simply limited; it was almost unimaginable. The barriers before her were legal, social, economic and cultural. That is why her graduation in 1901 … was so extraordinary. It was not only a personal milestone; it was a direct act of defiance against the limits that the authorities and society of her time had placed on black people, and on black women in particular.”   #MilestonesOfFreedom #CharlotteMaxeke #1956WomensMarch #WomenWhoOpe...

  CAPE TOWN -  The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, are calling on every eligible South African to use the final voter registration weekend to register to vote or update their registration details.   With the country entering the final stretch before the 2026 Local Government Elections, the Presiding Officers are urging citizens to take advantage of tomorrow to visit their nearest voting station and ensure they are ready to participate in one of the country's most important democratic processes. This weekend marks the last opportunity for in-person voter registration before the voters' roll closes following the proclamation of the election date.   Voting stations across the country are open from 08:00 to 17:00 throughout the registration weekend. Citizens may also use the Electoral Commission's online voter ...

CAPE TOWN - Parliament has approved the extension of driving license card validity in South Africa, which will increase the time between renewals from 5 to 10 years. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed the approval in a post-Cabinet briefing on 30 July. Cabinet approved the extension of the validity period for license codes A, A1, B and EB, Ntshavheni said. However, this will only apply to light motor vehicles. Heavy, commercial and transport vehicles will adhere to the current renewal cycles of between two and five years, and professional licenses will remain on the two-year cycle.

WESTERN CAPE - President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the Western Cape High Court’s granting today of the President’s urgent application to temporarily interdict and pause Section 89 impeachment proceedings by Parliament. The President asked the court that impeachment proceedings be paused until the court finalises a separate application by the President for a review of an independent panel’s report on an incident at the President’s Phala Phala game farm. According to the Office, President Ramaphosa respects the ruling handed down today, Friday, 24 July 2026.  The President reaffirms his respect of judicial independence and separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution. The President will continue to cooperate with and abide by processes of accountability.  

PRETORIA - The Government of South Africa and the World Bank have signed a US$1.5 billion Development Policy Loan Agreement aimed at supporting South Africa’s efforts to achieve inclusive growth by tackling infrastructure constraints, the primary barrier to job creation. This serves as the fourth development policy loan and continued partnership with the World Bank and marks a significant step towards addressing South Africa’s pressing economic challenges of low growth and high unemployment.  The loan will help South Africa implement necessary interventions and reforms aimed at advancing reforms in the electricity, freight and logistics sectors, and addressing pressing challenges in the water and sanitation sector. The financing forms part of the government’s broader efforts for continued momentum on structural reforms in the energy, logistics and water sectors amongst others, reforms which are the foundation of faster and inclusive growth.  The loan support is anc...