President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the BELA Act into law, introducing reforms aimed at strengthening school governance, improving accountability, incorporating Grade R into the formal education system, and ensuring more equitable admission and language policies in schools. These measures are intended to support improvements in the quality and accessibility of basic education.

Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act Signed into Law

Improve the quality of basic education and increase post-school training opportunities for NEET youth

Government classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster to strengthen the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. The measure enables faster resource allocation for survivor services, expands access to shelters, safe spaces and psychosocial support, strengthens monitoring and oversight, and supports the continued rollout of victim support services, including specialised GBV desks at SAPS stations, a GBVF Information Centre, improved case management, and a 24-hour protection order service.

Government classifies GBVF as a national disaster to strengthen implementation of the National Strategic Plan

Continue to implement the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, and expand victim support services, like the ThuthuzelaCentres and GBV desks in police stations.

The Department of Water and Sanitation announced the completion of maintenance work on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) water transfer and delivery tunnels. The six-month shutdown, implemented jointly with the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), included extensive repairs and technical maintenance on tunnel infrastructure. The process of refilling the tunnels has commenced, restoring water flow from Lesotho through the tunnel system into South Africa, supporting bulk water supply to the Free State and Gauteng provinces.

Completion of Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel Maintenance and Restoration of Water Flow

Continue with institutional reforms in the water sector to enable greater investment in bulk water infrastructure and better regulation of water services across the country.

The Presidency reported that 452,302 individuals benefitted from food and nutrition programmes, demonstrating progress in increasing access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations. These interventions help reduce poverty and strengthen household livelihoods by addressing food insecurity and improving wellbeing.

452,302 Individuals Benefitted from Government Food and Nutrition Programmes

Reduce poverty and improve livelihoods

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities was allocated R2.2 billion for the 2026/27 financial year to advance the economic empowerment and inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities. Of this amount, R1.8 billion was allocated to the National Youth Development Agency to expand programmes focused on youth entrepreneurship, employment pathways, skills development and paid service opportunities. Additional allocations include R241 million for departmental operations, R111 million for the Commission for Gender Equality, and R46.5 million for the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. These resources will support policy implementation, legislation, advocacy, monitoring, evaluation, research, coordination and partnerships across government and society.

Government Allocates R2.2 Billion to Advance Economic Inclusion of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Establish economic transformation and equitable inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities for a just society

National Treasury allocated R292.8 billion to social grants in the 2026/27 financial year, supporting 26.5 million beneficiaries. The budget increased old age, disability and care dependency grants to R2,400, raised the child support grant to R580, and continued the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. These measures expand and strengthen income support for vulnerable households and improve the coverage of social protection.

Government Allocates R292.8 Billion to Social Grants and Increases Support to 26.5 Million Beneficiaries

Improve coverage of social protection

The South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act 34 of 2024 came into effect on 7 February 2025. The Act formally establishes the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a state-owned company and major public entity, sets out its governance and financial arrangements, and provides for the transfer of national water resources infrastructure and the integration of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority.

South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act comes into effect, formally establishing the agency as a state-owned company and major public entity

Establish a National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA)

The Department of Higher Education and Training signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Takealot Group to provide Work Integrated Learning, expand bursary support, align curricula with industry needs, and promote entrepreneurship through e-commerce platforms. The partnership also involves SETAs and establishes a steering committee to oversee implementation.

DHET and Takealot Group sign national skills development partnership to expand training and employment opportunities for youth

Strengthen partnerships with private sector in the Post-school Education and Training (PSET) sector

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies launched the Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme to help municipalities expand broadband infrastructure and improve digital capabilities. The initiative also supports digital skills development and prioritises training for women, youth, and other marginalised groups to advance digital inclusion and economic participation.

Launch Broadband and Digital Skills Programme for Municipalities

Invest in digital identity and payments, expand access to affordable broadband, and increase training for young people in digital skills

Cabinet approved a year-long, whole-of-government and whole-of-society programme to commemorate the 30th anniversary of South Africa&rsquo;s Constitution. Through the Milestones of Freedom Campaign, government is implementing public dialogues, civic education initiatives, youth engagements and community-based activities to deepen constitutional awareness, promote the rule of law and strengthen social cohesion.

Cabinet adopts year-long national civic education campaign to mark 30 years of the Constitution

Implement a National Civic Education Campaign on the Constitution

The Sanitary Dignity Programme has been implemented across all nine provinces, providing free menstrual products to approximately 4 million girl learners in Quintile 1&ndash;3, farm, and special schools during the 2025&ndash;2026 period.&nbsp;

Expansion of Sanitary Dignity Programme to Quintile 1–3 Schools (2025–2026)

Expand access to free sanitary dignity products for girls in Quintile 1-3 schools by 30%

The government introduced a Practice Note aligned with Circular 19 of 2026, which provides clear and enforceable measures aimed at progressively increasing the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector to 7% by 2030. The directive establishes binding targets for public sector institutions to improve the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment programmes and strengthens compliance mechanisms to ensure implementation.

Introduction of Practice Note to Increase Employment of Persons with Disabilities in the Public Sector

Expand participation by WYPD in public employment programmes

<div class="ewa-rteLine">In September 2025, the Cabinet approved the Water Services Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Water Services Act to strengthen governance, compliance, and enforcement in the water sector.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>

Amendment of the Water Services Act to Strengthen Intervention in Municipal Water Service Failures

Amend the Water Services Act to empower intervention in municipal water service failures

The Presidential Employment Stimulus for 2026 financial year has allocated a budget of R8.25 billion, contributing to a cumulative expenditure of over R53 billion across previous periods (since the programme launch in October 2020).&nbsp;

Expansion of the Presidential Employment Stimulus and Youth Job Opportunities (2026)

Expand and institutionalise The Presidential Employment Stimulus, the Expanded Public Works Programme and other initiatives under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention so that more and more young people can participate in job opportunities and skills development

Identify areas where poor people are adversely affected by administratively determined prices and fees for public services, and take measures to reduce them

Establish Ministerial Advisory Committees on health technologies and healthcare benefits, and an accreditation framework for health service providers

Prioritise strengthening of the primary healthcare (PHC) sector

Establish mechanisms to engage stakeholders in the phased design, implementation, and oversight of the National Health Insurance

Promote mother tongue-based learning and workbooks at the foundation phase

Build sustainable human settlements and address asset poverty

Address the backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing

Undertake review of demand-side subsidy programmes with recommendations to improve uptake and impact

Review land-use, building, and other regulations to enable low-cost property development

Release public land and buildings for affordable housing and other developments

Upgrade informal settlements with settlements being  proclaimed/formalised as townships

Expand private sector employment of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities

Expand WYPD-owned enterprises through support and improved access to opportunities

Enhance integration of WYPD enterprises in sector value chains

Expand equitable land ownership by WYPD

Increase the feeling of safety for women and children in communities

Invest in local economies in rural areas through enterprise development and cooperatives

Increased access to nutritious food to all vulnerable individuals

Optimise social protection within available fiscal resources and protect the value a of social grants for children, the elderly, persons with disability, and the unemployed

All-of-government and all-of-society measures to reduce teenage pregnancy, with a focus on areas with high prevalence

The Department of Health is reactivating the B-Wise platform by launching a new progressive app designed to provide adolescent and youth-friendly health services (AYFHS) and information.&nbsp;

Health Department launches app dedicated to youth health services

Strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improving training of healthcare personnel and using technology to improve healthcare management.

The R15.3 billion Education Infrastructure Grant will be used by provinces to eliminate pit toilets, expand classrooms, and repair schools. Progress has been made in school infrastructure and safety, with 97% of sanitation projects completed under the SAFE initiative. R10 billion will feed over nine million learners daily, reflecting the constitutional duty and belief in education as a powerful tool for transformation.

Department of Basic Education has allocated R15.3 billion for Education Infrastructure Grant (EIG) to be used by provinces to eliminate pit toilets, expand classrooms and repair schools.

Ensure schools are conducive to education, with enough classrooms, safe and appropriate sanitation facilities, clean water and a daily meal for those who need it

The Department of Health has developed a model for Contracting primary healthcare services under the National Health Insurance (NHI) program.&nbsp;

New model model for Contracting primary healthcare services developed

Ensure that we also reduce the high cost of living through ensuring that everyone in South Africa has equal access to equitable, accessible and affordable quality healthcare.

The Cooperation Agreement aims to enhance collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to address safety and security concerns. It will focus on community-driven initiatives, resource integration, and innovative strategies to combat crime and promote public safety.

Governement through the Minsiter of Police signed Agreement to Comabt crime in Western Cape

Will continue to tackle priority crimes like illegal mining, gang violence, cash-in-transit heists and the construction mafia through specialised police units.

The MoU establishes a collaborative framework between the two departments to implement extracurricular programmes, including school sports programmes throughout the country to enhance access to sports and arts for young people in rural, township, and underprivileged areas.

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture signs MoU with Minister of Basic Education to roll out extra-curricular activities in public schools.

Expand vocational and technical training in schools and post-school institutions, and take a demand-led approach to skills development.

The Bana Pele Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mass Registration Drive has registered and approved 10 000 ECD centres ahead of the December 2025 deadline, said the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

ECD registration drive makes progress

Focus on achieving universal access to early childhood development, which is a prerequisite for improved learning in later years

Ensure that local governments properly implement the indigent policy so that the old, the infirm and the poor are able to get assistance with the payment of basic services

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Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act Signed into Law

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