mpumalangalatest news & developments
Women are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and economic exclusion. Photo: David Harrison/M&G

Presidential Climate Commission outlines people-centred just transition for 2026–2030

Commissioners emphasise a people-centred just transition, focusing on rural communities, workers and climate-resilient economic planning

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy

Transport Minister Creecy reports 18% drop in Easter road fatalities

Easter road fatalities fall from 356 to 291 thanks to intensified enforcement and 321 roadblocks nationwide

Ramaphosa raises SA investment target to R3 trillion as Sasol pledges R60bn

Ramaphosa has raised South Africa’s investment target to R3 trillion after nearly R890 billion in pledges at this year’s investment conference, with Sasol’s R60 billion commitment emerging as one of the biggest – and a sign of business confidence tied to policy certainty

Intervention: Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, left, and his deputy Zuko Godlimpi believe a sustainable solution can be found to
prevent Tongaat Hulett from being liquidated, thus preventing a devastating ripple effect across the economy. Photos: Supplied

Tau leads drive to save Tongaat Hulett

The government says the ailing company is a crucial player in South Africa’s sugar value chain and its demise would have ‘far-reaching and devastating consequences’ for the sector

On precarious: The sight of dwellings built on a floodplain and thereby placing communities at high risk to life has become commonplace, as evinced by this scene in Nkomazi,
Mpumalanga. Photo: GCIS

Climate disasters: Time to return to basics

It is critical that municipalities prioritise the routine maintenance and upgrading of stormwater systems, bridges, roads and essential services

Bitter impact: Tongaat Hulett’s liquidation will have a devastating ripple effect throughout not just KwaZulu-Natal but the entire country too,
filtering right down to the consumer. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Tongaat Hulett collapse looms

Vision, the lead secured lender to the troubled sugar giant, said it was committed to saving the company and jobs despite the business rescue process failing

Komati Power Station decommissioned after serving for 60 years. The shutdown took place on 31 October 2022. The power plant will be converted into a renewable generation site powered with 150MW of solar, 70MW of wind and 150MW of storage batteries.

UPDATED: Komati illustrates the human cost of South Africa’s energy transition

What should have been a model for climate action has become a cautionary tale of what happens when communities are excluded from decisions that reshape their lives

Country to emulate: For South African businesses seeking
proven, scalable digital solutions, Lithuania offers not just a
case study but a credible and relevant partner.

Women at helm of energy value chain

Four EU embassies in SA are supporting rural schools through education initiatives, advancing digital solutions for business growth and promoting clean energy and climate-smart horticulture to drive jobs, skills development and resilient local food systems

A new climate-smart horticulture centre at Eskom’s Grootvlei power station, backed by the Netherlands, is testing how South Africa’s energy transition can deliver jobs, food security and skills

From coal to crops: Grootvlei’s climate-smart horticulture centre takes root

A new climate-smart horticulture centre at Eskom’s Grootvlei power station, backed by the Netherlands, is testing how South Africa’s energy transition can deliver jobs, food security and skills

Wastewater: An overflowing drain flowing in a town in Mpumalanga. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mpumalanga municipality slapped with record R650m penalty for years of raw sewage spills

In a landmark ruling, the Emalahleni local municipality was ordered to fund major repairs after pleading guilty to persistent sewage pollution that contaminated rivers feeding the Olifants system

South Africa, the world’s seventh-largest coal producer, faces a climate challenge that has largely flown under the radar: methane emissions from coal mines.  (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

New study exposes massive undercount of methane leaks from South Africa’s coal mines

A new University of Cape Town study reveals that methane emissions from coal mines may be seven to 14 times higher than official estimates. Experts say capturing this potent greenhouse gas could cut climate pollution, improve mine safety and create jobs in coal regions like Mpumalanga

DA leader John Steenhuisen.
(Delwyn Verasamy/ M&G)

Steenhuisen confirms 274 foot-and-mouth disease cases in five provinces

Officials said South Africa’s phytosanitary and biosecurity requirements are world class and the department is awaiting bilateral trade agreements to be resolved to begin exports of beef

Igshaan Adams, Gebedswolke (2025). ©
Igshaan Adams.

Structures of the forgotten: An installation of song, soil and spirit

A haunting meditation on land, memory and rain, Dinokana invites us to rebuild from what was lost

Movement: The My Body My Space Public Arts Festival will be on from 10 to 15 March in Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga.

Diary: My body My Space, Grieve, That’s How You Survive in Johannesburg and Cape Town,  Andile Yenana fundraiser

Your essential dose of art and culture

Challenge: EFF leader Julius Malema is facing opposition. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)

Rebellion is brewing in the EFF

Discontent grows as supporters of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi claim his leadership is crucial for the party

Nick and Nichole Nyalungu, winners of the Mpumalanga Green Innovation Challenge. Photo courtesy Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism

Mining’s mess is just energy transition’s opportunity

Rehabilitating mines presents an opportunity for environmental restoration and economic empowerment in the energy transition

Former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Willies Mchunu to head MK party’s provincial leadership

The former public protector has been appointed the Mpumalanga convenor, and the former KwaZulu-Natal premier is heading the party in that province

Ramaphosa said the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan has attracted about R250 billion in international pledges for large-scale manufacturing, infrastructure and skills development.

Municipalities in SA’s energy heartland, Mpumalanga, have financial problems implementing the energy transition

South Africa has received pledges of about $11.6 billion for its just energy transition. Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism asked the treasury how much will be given to Mpumalanga and what is being done about indebted municipalities to ensure they get the funds for the transition

UMP’s Closing Ceremony for the 10-Year Celebrations

The university has over the last decade achieved in a number of areas that are of strategic importance for its development

South Africa’s largest corporate polluters have worked persistently over the past two decades, in public and in private, to derail an effective climate policy response by the government, according to non-profit shareholder activism organisation Just Share.

Legal battle to stop deadly air

The key theme in the air quality case heard in the supreme court of appeal this week focused on holding government and polluters to account