South Africa Roundup for November 11: Ramaphosa Calls for University Partnerships, Smart IDs Reach 753 Bank Branches, 23,667 Chery and Omoda Vehicles Recalled
The South African Government News Agency (SAnews) summarised a round of government developments in its November 11 morning edition: President Cyril Ramaphosa met university vice-chancellors and national science councils at the Union Buildings in Tshwane and called for stronger partnerships between government, universities and research institutions; the Department of Home Affairs announced that Smart ID replacement services have expanded to 753 bank branches; and the National Consumer Commission issued a safety recall covering 23,667 Chery and Omoda vehicles supplied by Chinese automaker Chery's South African operation.
At the engagement, Ramaphosa said no developmental state has succeeded without strong universities and strong public research institutions. South Africa's official unemployment rate stands at 33.7%, close to half of young people looking for work remain unemployed, and more than 23 million South Africans live below the lower-bound poverty line. The government's three overarching priorities are driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
He called for a coordinated skills system linking universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), so young people can move from school to further education and into the workplace, with expanded workplace-based learning. On research, South Africa spends about 0.6% of GDP on research and development, well below its target of 1.5% by 2030, and he called for increased public and private investment so research translates into practical solutions and economic opportunities.
Priority partnership areas include water and energy security, developing South Africa's own super intelligence (SI) capabilities, industrialisation and deriving greater economic and social value from critical minerals. Ramaphosa said South Africa must be a producer, not merely a consumer, of emerging technologies, and stressed that asking universities to serve national development does not mean asking them to surrender institutional autonomy, as academic freedom and freedom of scientific research are important conditions for development.
At Home Affairs, Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the department has delivered on its target of expanding Smart ID replacement services to more than 750 bank branches, more than four months ahead of schedule. The digital partnership with the banking sector was launched on 9 March 2026 with a target of 750 branches by the end of the 2026/27 financial year; eight months later, 753 branches now offer the service.
At the start of the current administration, only 214 Home Affairs offices nationwide could process Smart ID applications. With the 753 bank branches added, the footprint has grown to 967 locations, an increase of over 350% in 246 days, and more than one million South Africans have already used the new service. Citizens can walk into a participating branch of ABSA, Capitec, First National Bank or Standard Bank, where applications are processed through secure biometric technology in about five minutes, with no booking, paperwork or queues. The department said the expansion also supports its roadmap to phase out the fraud-prone green ID book in favour of the more secure Smart ID Card.
On consumer safety, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued a recall affecting 23,667 vehicles in total. It covers 17,508 Chery Tiggo 4 vehicles offered for sale between 17 October 2023 and 27 March 2024, which may have welding irregularities at the rear axle sleeve that could cause the rear axle to dislodge and the rear suspension to collapse; 3,474 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 vehicles manufactured from 20 May 2026 onwards, whose front brake pipe may contact the turbocharger assembly, causing wear and potential brake-fluid leakage; and 2,685 Omoda C5 vehicles made available for sale nationwide between February 2023 and July 2026, whose rear axle sleeve may have welding defects with the same risk.
NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged consumers to heed the recall and reminded suppliers of their obligation to promptly notify the commission of any product recall. The NCC initiated a separate investigation against Chery in October 2026 over allegations that certain vehicles were recalled without informing the NCC, and that investigation is ongoing. Queries on this recall may be directed to the NCC.
On transport, the eThekwini Municipality has begun testing and commissioning GO!Durban Corridor 3 (C3) between Bridge City and Pinetown, which will be the first corridor of the city's Integrated Public Transport Network to become operational. The step follows Council's approval of the GO!Durban Business and Operational Plans on 1 September 2026 and the signing of the C3 Process Agreement with representatives of the minibus taxi and bus industries. During testing, buses will travel the route to test timetables and docking at station platforms, and stations, access control, cashless fare collection and passenger information systems will also be tested. The buses are for testing only and will not carry passengers; the start of passenger services will be announced through the city's official channels. Nelisiwe Zama, Director of the eThekwini Transport Authority, said testing ensures the system is safe and reliable before the first passenger boards.
Separately, the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) will hold its 30th anniversary celebration on Thursday, 12 November, under the theme 'Celebrating Thirty Years, Shaping the Future'. SANAS is the country's only national accreditation body, responsible for accrediting B-BBEE rating agencies, calibration laboratories, certification bodies and chemical and microbiological laboratories, among others, and is an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
(Source: South African Government News Agency)
Source: South African Government News Agency
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：南非总统 Cyril Ramaphosa 在茨瓦内联邦大厦与大学校长及国家科学委员会负责人座谈时发言。照片：南非政府新闻署（SAnews）供图，该署明示媒体可免费使用其图片并注明出处。 / Photo: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking at the engagement with university vice-chancellors and national science councils at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. Photo: SAnews, which states media may use its pictures at no cost provided SAnews is credited.
