Phumzile Mahlangu

An effective transport system is vital to our way of life and South Africa is fortunate enough to have modern transport infrastructure. Many people rely on the effectiveness of our transportation to access services such as healthcare, education, going to work and other opportunities. Government is therefore committed to improve the country’s infrastructure and to provide the citizens of this country with safe and accessible public transport.

A single act of service holds the power to transform lives, offering hope and dignity to those who need it most. For underprivileged communities, these acts are not just gestures of kindness, they are lifelines that open doors to opportunity, resilience, and a better future.

Providing essential services like identity documents, water, sanitation, electricity, and health services has a direct impact on improving lives, raising living standards, fostering community development, and enhancing citizen satisfaction.

A critical period for development in a child’s life is from birth to five years of age. During this period a foundation is laid for physical, cognitive, emotional and social growth, so that children can learn and thrive. It is therefore crucial that we continue to speed up the rollout of enrolment of children in pre-schools, particularly in underserviced communities to ensure that we build a foundation for their future.

A word of appreciation and recognition often goes a long way, as are occasions that cause us to pause and reflect. The yearly commemoration of International Women’s Day is one such occasion.

Marked every year on 8 March 2025, International Women’s Day allows the world to celebrate the remarkable women who inspire us and help shape our communities, workplaces and nation. This day is dedicated to advancing women worldwide.

Beyond policy and laws, we must act collectively to ensure that we overcome systemic discrimination and inequality levelled against people leaving with disability in our society. We must do more to create an inclusive society that accommodates people with impediments and move from the notion of disability being a welfare or charity issue to a rights-based model.

Breathing is a natural process that few people give a second thought towards. The clean fresh air that we often take for granted is made possible by trees, which convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. They are nature’s miracle and our defence against pollution, which is often present in our cities.

The launch of the Lufhereng Social Housing Project in Soweto last year gave effect to the promise of the Freedom Charter on housing. The Charter, which was drafted in 1955, states that “all people shall have the right to live where they choose, be decently housed, and to bring up their families in comfort and security”.

Wednesday, 29 May 2024 marks the country’s seventh democratic election. To ensure that South Africans have sufficient time to make their way to the polls to have their vote counted President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special public holiday.

It is time for us to give credence to the hopes and aspirations of our founding fathers for Africa to unite and to use its resources for the benefit of her people. The AfCFTA is a high ambition trade agreement, which aims to progressively bring together all 55 member states of the African Union, covering a market of more than 1.3 billion people.