The Bulletin News

Growing public interest in injectable weight-loss medicines, including semaglutide products, has highlighted the importance of patient awareness, appropriate medical oversight and the use of medicines supplied through the formal regulatory framework.

Recent regulatory concerns in South Africa have drawn attention to the potential risks associated with unregistered or improperly supplied GLP-1/GIP injectable products, particularly where patients may not have clarity on a product’s origin, quality controls or appropriate use.

The issue is broader than any single supplier or product. For patients, the key consideration is whether a medicine has been reviewed by the appropriate authorities and is prescribed, dispensed and monitored through recognised healthcare channels.

Growing demand and patient awareness

The growing demand for these treatments has also created confusion for some consumers, particularly when products are promoted online or through wellness channels as easier or lower-cost alternatives to registered medicines.

Few medicines have generated as much public interest in recent years as semaglutide. Originally developed to help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, it has also gained attention for its role in weight management. While demand continues to grow, there are currently no registered generic semaglutide products on the South African market.

This landscape is expected to change soon. Many pharmaceutical companies are expected to enter the market in due course, which should further expand patient access to registered, quality-assured medicines. For patients, the most important step is to speak to their healthcare professional about an appropriate SAHPRA-registered treatment option, rather than relying on unverified products or informal channels.

Safety concerns

While semaglutide itself has been extensively studied and approved for specific medical uses, experts say the real concern lies in where the product comes from, whether it has been properly assessed by regulators, and how it is being used. Like all medicines, semaglutide can have side effects and should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. However, medicines that have not been properly reviewed by regulators, or that are taken without appropriate clinical oversight, may expose patients to additional and potentially serious risks.

This is according to Cindi Benjamin, Pharmacovigilance and Compliance Pharmacist at Pharma Dynamics – a leading pharmaceutical company within the pharmacovigilance sector.

The distinction, Benjamin explains, is not between a medicine that is completely without risk and one that is unsafe, but between products that have undergone formal regulatory review and those supplied outside established quality, safety and monitoring systems.

“Patients may assume that all products marketed as semaglutide are equivalent, but that is simply not the case. A SAHPRA-approved medicine has undergone extensive evaluation for quality and efficacy. With unregistered products, there may be uncertainty around ingredients, sterility, potency, storage conditions and dose accuracy. These are particularly important considerations for injectable medicines.”

Before a semaglutide medicine can be approved by SAHPRA, manufacturers must submit evidence relating to quality and efficacy. This includes information on the active ingredient, manufacturing process and manufacturing site, quality controls, stability, labelling, dosing and clinical data. For injectable medicines, sterility, purity, dose consistency and cold-chain integrity are also carefully assessed.

International regulators have similarly cautioned patients and healthcare professionals about the risks associated with compounded or unregistered semaglutide products, including concerns around dosing accuracy and appropriate clinical oversight.

Clear dosing instructions, appropriate packaging and healthcare professional guidance are important safeguards, particularly for injectable medicines where incorrect administration may increase the risk of adverse effects.

Approved products are manufactured to defined specifications and supplied with standardised dosing information. Products supplied outside formal regulatory and quality systems may not offer the same level of assurance around consistency, storage, traceability or safe use.

What patients should look out for

Benjamin says consumers should be cautious about products promoted through social media, online sellers or unauthorised distributors.

“Patients may be attracted by lower prices or easier access, but they should first confirm that the product has undergone formal assessment for quality and efficacy, and that it can be appropriately traced and monitored should a safety concern arise.”

Advice for consumers:

·       Only use semaglutide that is prescribed and dispensed through a healthcare professional

·       Confirm with your pharmacist that the product is SAHPRA-registered

·       Avoid products sold via social media or unverified online platforms

As interest in semaglutide and other weight-loss medicines continues to grow, patients are encouraged to prioritise quality over convenience, seek guidance from a doctor or pharmacist, and verify that any medicine they use has been supplied through appropriate, regulated healthcare channels.

The National Treasury has announced that it will temporarily withhold the July 2026 equitable share transfers to a number of municipalities to enforce compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and to address persistent Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE). The measure is described as corrective, not punitive, and transfers will resume once required conditions are met and proof is submitted.

Reasons and context

• Withholding is authorised by section 216(2) of the Constitution read with section 38 of the MFMA.
• The Treasury says the action follows continued non‑compliance despite guidance, engagements and training.
• Concerned issues include unfunded budgets, failure to process UIFWE through Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs), weak consequence management, late payments to Eskom, water boards and third parties, and threats to financial sustainability of suppliers and statutory bodies.
• Persistent weaknesses in municipal financial management such as UIFWE, irregular and unauthorised expenditure and deteriorating budget credibility underpin the Treasury’s decision.

Key figures

• R24.12 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure since 2021/22.
• R145.21 billion irregular expenditure since 2021/22 (R40.14 billion in 2024/25).
• R118.13 billion unauthorised expenditure since 2021/22 (54% non‑cash items).
• 116 municipalities (45%) adopted unfunded budgets in 2024/25.
• By 2024/25 year‑end municipalities owed R3.40 billion to Eskom and R1.21 billion to water boards.
• 48 municipalities (20%) had third‑party deductions overdue by more than one month.

Municipalities affected (listed by province)

• Eastern Cape: Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Makana, Sundays River Valley, Inxuba Yethemba, Port St Johns.
• Free State: Mangaung, Letsemeng, Kopanong, Mohokare, Xhariep District, Masilonyana, Tokologo, Matjhabeng, Nala, Dihlabeng, Nketoana, Maluti‑a‑Phofung, Phumelela, Mantsopa, Ngwathe, Mafube.
• Gauteng: City of Johannesburg, Emfuleni, Lesedi, Sedibeng District, Merafong City, Rand West City.
• KwaZulu‑Natal: iMpendle, uMzinyathi District, Newcastle, eMadlangeni, Amajuba District, AbaQulusi, uMkhanyakude District.
• Limpopo: Mopani District, Musina, Thabazimbi, Modimolle‑Mookgopong, Fetakgomo Tubatse.
• Mpumalanga: Victor Khanye, Emakhazeni, Nkomazi.
• Northern Cape: Kamiesberg, Khâi‑Ma, Ubuntu, Umsobomvu, Emthanjeni, Renosterberg, Thembelihle, Siyathemba, !Kai !Garib, Magareng, Phokwane.
• North West: Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Tswaing, Mafikeng, Ditsobotla, Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Naledi, Mamusa, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, City of Matlosana, Maquassi Hills, JB Marks.
• Western Cape: Theewaterskloof, Laingsburg, Beaufort West.

What municipalities must do

• Municipalities were given written notice and an opportunity to provide reasons not to withhold funds.
• Transfers will be reinstated once municipalities meet the Treasury’s conditions and submit proper proof.
• The Treasury will continue working with municipalities and provincial treasuries to strengthen financial management.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced the activation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) in 62 municipalities across South Africa, beginning this week.

In a series of gazettes released by the Presidency, through the Department of Transport, the commencement of both the AARTO Act and the AARTO Amendment Act has been proclaimed. The initial gazette outlines the activation of sections 17, 18, 19, 19A, 19B, 20, 23, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, and 35 of the AARTO Act in 60 municipalities, detailing the framework for issuing infringement notices, penalties, and other regulatory measures essential for the system’s operation. Notably, section 24, which pertains to the points demerit system, will be introduced at a later date.

This rollout encompasses major metropolitan areas such as Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, City of Ekurhuleni, Durban and Govan Mbeki Municipality, while Johannesburg and Tshwane will not participate at this stage, as they have had the AARTO system operational for several years.

The second gazette announces the full implementation of the AARTO Amendment Act, excluding section 2(g), across all 62 municipalities, including the previously mentioned cities. The system will also roll out in Govan Mbeki Municipality

This launch signifies the beginning of phase 2 in the overhaul of national driving laws, originally slated for December 2025. The complete system is targeted for implementation by September 1, 2026, at which time the driving demerit system will operate nationwide.

The Transport Department had delayed the rollout in November 2025 due to readiness assessments revealing challenges with municipal integration, including the need for finalized law enforcement personnel and the alignment of various municipal law enforcement systems. This postponement effectively pushed back the rollout by six months.

A critical feature of the AARTO system is the new driving demerit system, for which a specific launch date has yet to be announced.

Phase 1 focused on establishing the necessary AARTO infrastructure and service centers. Phase 2 will commence on July 1, 2026, targeting 62 municipalities, down from the previously planned 69. Phase 3 is anticipated to begin in the third quarter of 2026, expanding the system to 151 municipalities, and Phase 4, which will introduce the demerit system, is expected to roll out sometime in 2027.

After years of starts, stops and revisions, South Africa is moving nearer to enacting far-reaching controls on tobacco and e‑cigarette products. On Thursday the Portfolio Committee on Health voted that the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is “desirable,” clearing a major procedural hurdle and setting the stage for detailed amendment and debate.

What the bill would do The draft legislation proposes one of the most comprehensive overhauls of tobacco and vaping regulation in South Africa’s recent history. Key measures include:

• A ban on indoor smoking and vaping in public spaces.
• Mandatory plain packaging for tobacco products with large graphic health warnings.
• The removal of retail product displays.
• A blanket prohibition on advertising, sponsorships and promotion of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery products.
• Tighter restrictions on sales — including limits on vending-machine sales and prohibitions in certain private venues where children or non‑smokers are present.
• Treating vaping and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) under the same regulatory framework as combustible cigarettes.

The bill also proposes criminal and civil penalties for non‑compliance, including fines and potential custodial sentences, though exact penalty scales remain subject to amendment.

Public consultation and committee process The committee’s endorsement follows an intensive public consultation process restarted after the 2024 national elections and concluded at the end of 2025. The committee held hearings in 27 municipalities across all nine provinces, attracting nearly 7,900 attendees, about 1,113 oral submissions and roughly 40,000 written submissions — making it one of the most widely consulted health bills in recent memory.

Committee members voted in favour of the bill’s desirability but were explicit that support is conditional on substantive amendments. A principal area of contention raised repeatedly during consultations is whether the law should continue to regulate combustible tobacco products and non‑combustible nicotine products (such as many vaping devices) identically.

“It has become unmistakable, through the scientific submission and through our own deliberations as a committee, that not all tobacco and nicotine products carry the same risk,” the committee said in its statement. The Department of Health, in responses to public comments published in March 2026, similarly accepted differentiating product risk as a guiding principle.

Next steps With the desirability motion passed, the bill will move into clause‑by‑clause deliberations in the Portfolio Committee on Health. During that stage, Members of Parliament will consider specific amendments — including provisions that seek to differentiate regulation by product risk and address other stakeholder concerns raised during consultations.

Once clause-by-clause scrutiny is completed and the committee finalises its report, the bill will be tabled for debate in the National Assembly. Only after parliamentary approval, and subsequent assent by the President, would the law come into force — a process that could still take many months.

Implications If adopted largely as currently drafted, the bill would significantly tighten the regulatory environment for tobacco retailers, manufacturers and the growing vaping market in South Africa, aligning the country with stricter global tobacco control trends. Public health advocates have welcomed the move as likely to reduce tobacco-related harm, while some industry and consumer groups have argued for differentiated treatment of lower‑risk products and for measured transitional arrangements.

The Bulletin News will continue to follow developments as the bill enters clause-by-clause scrutiny and moves toward National Assembly debate.

The steady progress reflected in the 2024/25 Municipal Audit Outcomes released by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) this morning (24 June 2026) provides a stable foundation upon which the incoming the 7th Administration of local government can build.

This is the view of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) following the release of the consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes by the AGSA.

Welcoming the report, the association commended the work of the AGSA in its ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance within local government.

“The sector is not yet where we want it to be in so far as municipal audit outcomes are concerned, however, we do take note of what the AGSA calls ‘positive shoots’ that are emerging and the tailored recommendations and insights the report provides on areas of intervention,” commented SALGA President Bheke Stofile.

Notable improvements

In reviewing the 6th administration’s term, SALGA observes several notable improvements attributable to sustained reforms and collaborative efforts by stakeholders. There has been a marked reduction in disclaimers of audit opinion – the most adverse audit outcome – from 29 municipalities in 2020/21 to just 8 in 2024/25. The next term of local government should strive towards the complete eradication of disclaimers.

Furthermore, compliance with financial reporting deadlines has improved dramatically: over 98% of municipalities submitted their annual financial statements on time in 2024/25 and for the first time ever, all 257 municipalities produced annual performance reports. This demonstrates that the sustained focus on improving sound financial management and governance over the term is yielding encouraging results.

SALGA’s Municipal Audit Support Programme (MASP) has been a key contributor to these gains.  Since 2021/22 SALGA financial year, the MASP has progressively expanded from supporting just 3 municipalities to 18 municipalities and 2 municipal entities by 2025/26 SALGA financial year.

Confidential

Participating municipalities in the MASP have shown measurable improvements, reducing their audit findings by up to 47% and achieving improved audit outcomes in at least five municipalities, with no MASP-supported municipality suffering a regression in its audit status over the five-year term. This tangible progress underscores how targeted support and capacity-building interventions are effectively strengthening municipal financial oversight.

Building on Success

SALGA celebrates the beacon municipalities that have sustained clean audits year after year since 2016/17, including Midvaal Local Municipality (Gauteng) and Cape Winelands, Overstrand, Witzenberg, and Cape Agulhas all in the Western Cape.

These consistently well-performing municipalities serve as benchmarks of excellence in governance and financial management, offering valuable lessons that should be replicated across the country.

Key drivers of positive audit outcomes SALGA agrees with AGSA’s findings that the key drivers of positive audit outcomes are stable and capable leadership, strong accountability, and adequate capacity in critical positions. All councillors and officials should take note that filling posts with skilled, ethical professionals and enforcing effective oversight (by mayors and speakers) are vital steps to sustain and expand these gains.

Addressing weaknesses

Despite the positive trends, SALGA remains deeply concerned that 39% of municipalities still received audit outcomes below the unqualified audit standard. This ongoing underperformance highlights persistent shortcomings in areas such as financial health, governance, and compliance with legislation.

It is particularly concerning that even some major metropolitan municipalities regressed in 2024/25, slipping from previously positive audit outcomes to lower ratings due to issues like supply chain management failures, financial sustainability challenges, and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

These setbacks reinforce the urgent need for strengthened accountability and rigorous consequence management. The poor quality of financial statements in struggling municipalities, along with repeated non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), must be decisively addressed without delay.

Zero tolerance to financial misconduct

SALGA reiterates its call for zero tolerance toward the persistent lack of consequences for financial misconduct. By the end of the 2025/26 financial year, all municipalities must take concrete action to recover mismanaged funds and ensure every instance of irregular, unauthorised, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure is met with appropriate sanctions in line with the law.

Confidential

Tackling Financial Health Risks and Structural Challenges SALGA is also acutely aware that underlying financial risks must be mitigated if the gains in audit outcomes are to be sustained. Municipal consumer debt has swelled to over R484 billion as of 31 March 2026, severely undermining municipalities’ ability to pay for essential services like electricity and water.

SALGA urges strict enforcement of credit control policies and implores residents, businesses, and government departments to settle outstanding municipal bills so that municipalities can remain financially viable. Moreover, the structural funding gap in local government remains a concern: municipalities are expected to deliver nearly 46% of government services but receive only 9.1% of national revenue.

Addressing this fiscal imbalance, along with unfunded mandates and payment arrears by other spheres of government, is essential to empower municipalities to fulfil their obligations to communities.

Reform agenda and Outlook for the 7th Administration

As we near the end of the current local government term, SALGA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to work with municipalities overcome challenges confronting the local government sector and build on recent progress.

In partnership with the AGSA and other stakeholders, SALGA will continue to strengthen leadership, governance, financial management and oversight through its programmes, such as MASP, thereby ensuring that the foundations laid in this term carry into the seventh administration.

SALGA will engage even more actively with municipalities to bolster institutional capacity – leveraging experienced former leaders to enhance council oversight – and to entrench a culture of accountability and consequence management across local government. By expanding and refining support initiatives SALGA aims to contribute significantly to increase the number of municipalities attaining clean audits in the coming term.

As a key pillar of its outlook for the 7th administration, SALGA is putting political leadership capacity-building front and centre. The Association working with the National School of Government and other institutions has put together an Integrated Councillor Induction Programme (ICIP).

The training intervention will be rolled out immediately after the 2026 local government elections to orient and upskill newly elected and returning councillors across the country, instilling sound governance practices, ethical leadership, effective oversight and financial accountability from the outset.

The ICIP features a blended learning approach and unified curriculum, combining interactive in-person orientation with digital learning tools, as well as targeted leadership development modules (including portfolio-based training and skills audits), to strengthen the governance and oversight capabilities of new council members.

Through this proactive investment in councillor development, SALGA aims to ensure that the seventh term of local government begins with a higher level of competency and institutional Confidential readiness than ever before, laying the groundwork for sustained improvements in clean governance and effective service delivery.

“By equipping the incoming cohort of councillors with essential knowledge and skills, SALGA aims to directly address the leadership and oversight gaps that have contributed to past governance shortcomings and ensure that municipalities begin the next term with a solid foundation for improved accountability and performance,” points out Stofile.

SALGA extends its appreciation to all municipalities that submitted their Annual Financial Statements on time and notes with encouragement the overall stability in the audit results, with 157 municipalities (62%) achieving unqualified or clean audits. These municipalities collectively manage around R361 billion, roughly 58% of the local government budget, indicating that the majority of public funds are handled with a commendable degree of accountability.

SALGA remains optimistic that the collective actions of all stakeholders have set a strong trajectory of improvement. With sustained political will and support, the forthcoming generation of local councils can deliver even stronger financial governance and better services for communities, cementing public trust in local government.

Sasol has completed critical repairs to key bulk water supply valves in Secunda, addressing persistent leakages that impacted reliable water delivery to residents and surrounding businesses.

Sasol had initiated an Emergency Water Relief Project in response to a request from the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM), to carry out repairs to the Graceland Casino and Golden Village water valves. The Graceland valve regulates the main water pipeline to Secunda, Trichardt households as well as Sasol Mining operations and Esperanza. To address the threat to water security, repairs were undertaken on three 600mm gate valves across two bulk water supply lines

Access to quality water supply is central to improved wellbeing and the quality of life for communities, and this latest intervention is a continuation of several water infrastructure projects which have been rolled out by Sasol across GMM over the years. In 2023, Sasol in partnership with Thungela, handed over an upgraded Leandra bulk sewerage infrastructure to GMM, in what was a significate collaboration between private entities and the municipality. In the same year, the community of Bethal benefitted from Sasol-led project of water pipes across the town, in an effort to curb water wastage due to
leaks.

Also in 2023, schools around GMM, including Mzinoni Secondary School and Laerskool
Marietjie van Niekerk in Bethal, have taken ownership of water tanks provided by Sasol.

Elsewhere in Mpumalanga province, Thfolinhlanhla Primary School in Hazyview benefitted from a refurbishment of its borehole by Sasol. In another initiative to support local communities, a study to assess water-related challenges across communities in Nkomazi and Chief Albert Luthuli municipality was conducted in 2023, with the aim of providing assistance to residents impacted by a drought. In this current financial year, Sasol has delivered 15 water tanks to schools in Dipaliseng Local Municipality as well as 15 more to schools in GMM.

By helping the municipality to address infrastructure challenges, Sasol reinforces its position as a trusted partner in community development projects

On a crisp Friday evening, June 5, Sasol Highveld Photography Club members gathered at the Sasol Recreation Club in Secunda for their June club meeting and monthly competition. The turnout was excellent—members entered their best work and the room buzzed with anticipation as entries were arranged and the guest judge prepared to begin.

Leon Drotsky presided as guest judge, bringing a rigorous eye and uncompromising standards to the judging table. His critiques were precise and frank: every merit and deduction came with clear reasoning, and it was obvious that any accolade had been hard won. Under his strict but constructive guidance, members left with a deeper appreciation of composition, exposure and storytelling.

The evening was also a night of recognition and advancement. Several members earned promotions to higher categories in acknowledgement of their sustained excellence: Yolandi Geyser moved up from 2-Star to 3-Star, Edmund Hattingh advanced from 3-Star to 4-Star (Senior), and Leon Pelser climbed from Senior Master Gold to Senior Master Platinum. The room erupted in applause as each name was announced—milestones that reflect dedication, growth, and consistent high-quality work.

Club members also celebrated successes beyond the meeting: congratulations were extended to those with recent wins at PSSA and for the acceptances their images received in various salons. It was an encouraging reminder that the club’s talent is being recognized regionally and nationally.

The June meeting closed on a high note—members energized by useful feedback, inspired by their peers’ achievements, and already planning their next projects. With steady mentorship, exacting critique, and rising standards, Sasol Highveld Photography Club continues to foster photographers who push their craft to new levels.

The Best Senior Photographer for June is Leon Pelser with “Nite time stock taking”

The Best Junior Photographer for June is Ina Annandale with “Basking in Gold”

The Best Set Subject Photographer for June is Sussa Pelser with “Time To Make A Move”

Here are a selection of the Gold and Certificate of Merit winners

Category: Set Subject

Category: Nature – Birds Only

Category: Scapes

Category: Monochrome

Category: Nature

Category: Pictorial

Category: Photojournalism

On Thursday, 8 June 2026, Sasol reinforced its commitment to improving education infrastructure by handing over desks and chairs to two schools in Bethal, namely Laerskool Marietjie van Niekerk and Mzinoni Secondary School. The initiative forms part of Sasol’s ongoing Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, which continues to deliver meaningful and sustainable support aimed at enhancing teaching and learning environments in local communities. Laerskool Marietjie van Niekerk and Mzinoni Secondary School each received 150 combined desks and chairs. Both school had previously received two water tanks from Sasol.

During the current financial year, Sasol, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Education, has committed to supporting 27 schools with 1,850 desks and chairs across the Govan Mbeki and Lekwa Local Municipalities. To minimise the impact of persistent water supply challenges that adversely affect the hygiene, health and wellbeing of learners and educators, 15 schools within targeted circuits of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality and a further 15 schools in the Dipaleseng Local Municipality have been identified to receive water tanks. This initiative aims to support safe, healthy and conducive learning environments.

The handover of desks and chairs to the Bethal schools coincided with Youth Month, a period that underscores the importance of initiatives focused on youth development, empowerment and long-term growth.

Over the years, Sasol has supported schools in communities neighbouring its operations with critical learning resources and infrastructure improvements. To date, learners in various regions across Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal have received stationery, hygiene packs and school uniforms through Sasol’s education support programmes.

“At Sasol, we believe that access to quality education begins with creating a safe and enabling environment for learners and educators. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering communities through sustainable development initiatives that support long-term educational outcomes,” said Dr Sarel Booyens, Head RSA CSI Programme Execution.

Sasol remains committed to empowering learners and contributing to sustainable community development.

Visit https://sasolfoundation.com to learn more about Sasol’s impactful interventions in education.

On Thursday, 11 June 2026, Sasol through the Bridge to Work (BtW) programme hosted a Farmers’ Day in Secunda.  The event was focused on equipping smallholder farmers with the latest trends, linkages to markets, buyers and financiers that are critical to transforming their business into sustainable operations.

Through knowledge sharing sessions, supplier demonstrations, and direct engagement operators across the farming value chain, Farmers’ Day provided a solution-oriented platform that is geared to supporting the next generation of commercial farmers.

Emerging farmers attending the event included former Bridge to Work trainees who have established enterprises in poultry, livestock and crop farming. Delivered through Iphepe programme, the Bridge to Work farming stream empowers local community members with the skills and training needed to establish sustainable, income-generating agricultural enterprises.

“Farmers’ Day reflects our commitment to the empowerment of our local communities. Empowering them with knowledge and linking them to strategic partnerships needed to transform their farming operations into viable and sustainable businesses. Our Bridge to Work programme has created a diverse pool of farmers who are well equipped with the necessary skills to make a meaningful impact in this strategic sector of the economy,” said Gao Mothoagae, Vice President: Corporate Social Investment and Sasol Foundation.

Hosted during Youth Month, Farmers’ Day is another demonstration of Sasol’s commitment to empowering communities, particularly the youth with skills that enable them to actively participate in the economy and contribute to job creation.

To date, the Iphepe programme has trained at least 311 farmers across Mpumalanga, the Free State, and Ekandustria, with Mpumalanga hosting the largest concentration of active farmers. The programme is targeted primarily at unemployed youth including women.

Some of the exhibiting partners that took part in the event included the Land Bank, Potatoes SA, TWK Agri, Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, Agricultural Development Agency, Rainbow Chicken, Pannar, Farmers Weekly, Agrisure, and Epol. Visit https://society.sasol.com/bridge-to-work/ to learn more about the programme.