AGP Executive Report

El Niño & heat risk: The SA Weather Service warns 2027 could be the hottest year on record as a very strong El Niño strengthens, with below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures likely across much of the country. Water stress in the Eastern Cape: Makhanda’s dams may be full, but reporting flags fragile water security as hotter, drier conditions could return. Severe weather alerts: SAWS issues warnings for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds across provinces, including an Orange Level 5 risk for parts of the Northern Cape. Clean air & e-waste drive: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment leads International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies with a Tshwane community dialogue and e-waste collection campaign. Eskom correction: Eskom says Daily Investor materially misreported FY2026 diesel spending, clarifying actual open-cycle gas turbine costs and improved reliability. Wildlife & climate link: Penguin researchers urge decisive conservation action, warning that climate change is reshaping ocean health and penguin habitats. Recycling & circular economy: Car exports hinge on SA’s old-car recycling rules, while a Cape Town initiative pushes for baboon-proof bins to cut wildlife conflict.

Severe Weather Watch: SAWS issued multiple storm warnings, including Orange Level 5 for severe thunderstorms and flooding risk in parts of the Northern Cape, plus Level 4 alerts for damaging winds and lightning in KZN—disaster teams are on standby and residents are urged to avoid low-lying areas and unsafe travel. Metro Services & Waste: Germany and France pledged €300m (R5.6bn) in concessional loans to help fix electricity, water, sanitation and waste management across eight metros under the Metro Trading Services Reform programme. Cape Town Wildlife Conflict: Cape Peninsula baboon management ramps up with the rollout of 2,200 lockable baboon-proof bins and plans for a new northern boundary fence to keep animals in habitat. Water Rights Debate: Ele Jan Saaf will push the idea of rivers having legal rights at a “Smart Waters Beyond Borders” symposium in Derry, arguing for citizens and rivers to have a voice in water negotiations. Green Industry & Jobs: Limpopo’s Ecovado started operating a new avocado oil plant, using Alfa Laval tech and supporting small farmers with seedlings to grow local supply for export. Mining Skills Gap: SAIMM warns South Africa’s mining problem is shifting from “skills shortage” to a broader capability conversion challenge as experienced staff retire. Research Spotlight: The 2026 NRF Awards celebrated sustainability-focused science and innovation, recognising researchers across disciplines.

Energy Skills & Jobs: SANPC and CHIETA are setting up a three-year artisan development programme at the Saldanha Industrial Development Zone in the Western Cape, with the first intake of 22 artisans and a dual training model combining West Coast College theory with on-site practical work. Fuel Security Policy: The Draft Strategic Petroleum Stocks Policy 2026 is drawing scrutiny from FIASA, which warns that shifting part of the 60+21 days stock burden onto private companies could strain working capital, storage capacity and supply chain management. Coastal Development: The Granger Bay reclamation project at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is on track for Parliamentary approval in 2027, with construction targeted for late 2027 if approvals land. Steel Shortage Fixes: SAISC is pushing case-by-case import tariff waiver adjudications to ease structural steel shortages, citing gaps in locally rolled profiles, lead times, and compliance/traceability requirements. Renewables Milestone: TotalEnergies’ Hydra hybrid project in Northern Cape—216MW solar PV plus 500MWh battery storage—has been commissioned, positioning it as Africa’s largest hybrid under the programme’s framework. Waste-to-Energy Solar: Veolia’s Dolphin Coast landfill solar plant in KwaDukuza has been completed, designed to withstand corrosive conditions near the ocean and hazardous waste gases. Weather Watch: Strong winds and a cold front are battering parts of Cape Town, with further damaging conditions expected across the Western Cape. Wildlife Trade: South Africa’s CITES trophy quotas for elephant, black rhino and leopard for 2026–2027 have been published, with critics questioning the transparency of the reasoning behind the numbers. Illegal Wildlife Trafficking: A Botswana man was arrested at Groblersbrug after allegedly crossing into South Africa with a live pangolin, highlighting growing regional trafficking routes.

Climate & Weather Watch: South Africa is bracing for a potentially record-breaking 2027 as El Niño strengthens, with SA Weather Service warnings pointing to hotter, drier conditions and erratic rainfall that could drive heatwaves and drought impacts. Biodiversity & Oceans: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment adopted Seabirds II (2026–2030), aiming for “zero impact” on seabird sustainability by cutting bycatch across major South African fisheries and tailoring mitigation to risk. Conservation Tech: Connected Conservation Foundation trainees used thermal drones and other protected-area tools in Limpopo, highlighting how tech is helping protect wildlife and reduce poaching risks. Energy & Water Services: National Treasury secured a €300m (R5.6bn) concessional loan from Germany and France to improve electricity, water, sanitation and solid waste management in eight metros ahead of local elections. Renewables in Schools: Eskom handed over rooftop solar to Pholela Special School in KZN to cut power costs and boost reliable learning support for special needs learners. Wildlife Discovery: Scientists identified a newly named gentoo penguin species on the remote Kerguelen Islands, warning climate change could threaten isolated island populations. Road Safety: Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says amendments are being prepared to move toward a zero alcohol blood limit for drivers, after thousands were arrested for drunk driving and road deaths remain high.

Marine Health Watch: Scientists warn of an unusual rabies outbreak in the Benguela Current ecosystem, now spotted among seals along Namibia’s coast, with officials urging people not to touch or approach sick or dead animals. Coastal Food Safety: Eastern Cape coastal communities are told not to collect, eat or feed dead sardines after reports of mass die-offs, with Pilchard Herpesvirus flagged as a leading suspect while canned sardines remain safe. Illegal Mining & Water Risks: An aerial look at Rustenburg–Brits highlights illegal chrome-washing operations and a deadly collapse, raising alarm over state failures and mismatches in reported water-use licences. Energy Transition Finance: Yellow Door Energy and Nedbank CIB secured financial close on the 49MW Lion Thorn Solar Park, expected to generate about 115GWh and cut carbon emissions. Smart Power Security: Pole-top enclosures are being used to protect smart prepaid metering infrastructure and reduce theft/tampering as South Africa modernises networks. El Niño Pressure on Farming: SAWS and agriculture warn El Niño could bring hotter, drier conditions, threatening crops, livestock and water supplies. Weather Alerts: Severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds and rough seas are forecast as a cut-off low moves in. Wildlife Conservation: Aquarium news notes baby African penguins hatching, while broader climate and fishing pressures continue to endanger the species.

Climate & Weather Watch: South Africa braces for a very strong El Niño, with the Department of Agriculture warning farmers of below-normal rainfall and high temperatures that could mean crop failures, livestock deaths, pests and disease spread, and water restrictions—urging climate-smart agriculture and soil-moisture conservation. Heat Risk: SAWS says the 2026/27 event could become the strongest in living memory, with hotter, drier conditions likely into summer and beyond. Storm Alert: A cut-off low is set to bring cold, wet, windy weather and possible severe thunderstorms to parts of the country this weekend, with risks of flooding, damaging winds, lightning and hail. Wildlife & Biodiversity: Police in North West arrested two suspects after a social media advert led to the recovery of a live Southern African python, with charges linked to protected wildlife laws. Conservation Legacy: Animal rights activist Steve Smit (“Monkey Man”) has died at 70 after decades rescuing and rehabilitating vervet monkeys. Water & Infrastructure: Nelson Mandela Bay needs nearly R1bn to tackle water losses and ageing pipes, while Joburg’s public pool crisis points to long-running neglect. Mining & Environment: Kazera’s subsidiary Whale Head Minerals received approval for a Northern Cape heavy mineral sands mining right, with commercial production targeted for early 2027.

Arbor Month Launch: Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts will kick off Arbor Month 2026 in eMafini Village, Nyandeni (Eastern Cape) on 3 September, part of the push to plant, protect and conserve trees and support climate resilience. Biodiversity Evidence Push: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will host the 2026 Biodiversity Research and Evidence Indaba in Boksburg (2–4 September), aiming to bridge science, policy and society and update national biodiversity plans. Penguin Crisis in Algoa Bay: Dead and dying sardines along the Eastern Cape coast are raising alarm for endangered African penguins; officials say tests are underway and urge residents not to pick or eat dead fish. Water Losses in Nelson Mandela Bay: The metro says it needs about R426m to fix leaks and a further R495m for pipe replacements as water losses reach up to 60%, with sewage spills also threatening beaches and waterways. Weather Watch: SAWS forecasts hot, unsettled conditions with showers and thunderstorms in parts of the country, plus warnings for disruptive rain and damaging winds in some regions. Spekboom Restoration Under Scrutiny: A global carbon-market push to scale spekboom restoration is drawing attention, with reports suggesting early planting outcomes may be “bumpy” and survival rates will decide whether carbon claims land.

Energy & Industry: Nersa approved Sasol Gas’s maximum gas prices for 2027–2028 (with quarterly adjustments and a 10% safeguard), while Sasol posted a 17% profit jump to R60.7bn as Secunda and Natref output and refining margins improved. Power Reliability: Eskom’s R30.3bn profit rebound came with a warning that municipal debt and electricity theft still threaten sustainability, with non-technical losses costing about R6bn. Food & Health: A Hungry for Change feature shows how food insecurity is playing out on plates across South Africa, and NICD warns rotavirus cases are rising in Pretoria, stressing dehydration risks. Water & Pollution: Knysna Estuary faces a health scare after E. coli levels hit up to 51 times the safe limit, linked to wastewater treatment failures. Climate & Weather: SAWS issued Yellow Level 4 warnings for disruptive rain, damaging winds and rough seas as a cut-off low approaches. Urban Nature-Based Solutions: Johannesburg says it completed a Jukskei river cleanup and restoration project—planting trees, removing waste and installing monitoring to boost climate resilience. Governance & Oversight: Parliament is set to scrutinise GEMS after the suspension of its principal officer amid contribution disputes.

Severe Weather Watch: SAWS warns a cut-off low could bring severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, damaging winds and dangerous seas, with Yellow Level 4 disruption risks for the Overberg and Garden Route and further storm threats shifting eastwards over the weekend. Energy & Water Security: Eskom’s turnaround is real, but municipal debt is now a structural threat to financial sustainability, with arrears rising to about R119.9bn by June—while data-centre demand is already pushing a two-tier grid access problem. Pollution & Mining Safety: New aerial images show aftermath of the August 13 tailings storage failure at Semancor Dikwena Chrome Mine, raising questions about site management and warning signs before the breach. Sustainable Infrastructure Finance: The New Development Bank and South Africa signed two loans for a Limpopo Central Hospital and the Magalies Bulk Water Supply Scheme, backing resilient health and water delivery. Food & Climate Risk: Grain SA urges cheaper, more accessible crop insurance as dry conditions threaten wheat in the Swartland, with rainfall far below averages. Governance & Skills Data: DHET admits it lacks a longitudinal system to link specific degrees to employment outcomes, limiting the state’s ability to pinpoint which qualifications drive high graduate unemployment.

Air Pollution & Health: A new study links Sasol’s Secunda coal-to-fuels plant to about 1,000 pollution-related deaths a year, adding fresh pressure for tougher emissions rules. Energy Reform: President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed Eskom restructuring plans, backing a fully independent Transmission System Operator (TSO) to secure affordable, reliable power. Fuel Prices: Motorists face another jump at the pumps from 2 September, with petrol up about R1.34/l and diesel up as much as R3.15/l. Climate & Food Security: South Africa is watching El Niño’s wider food-security risks beyond local maize, even as it’s not a direct repeat of Europe’s extreme heat. Extreme Weather Watch: September’s 25–29 window recalls the 1987 Natal floods, while forecasters stress no confirmed repeat is expected. Water & Industry: Regulators halted tailings deposition at Samancor’s Dikwena after the Inyoni facility collapse released toxic slurry, triggering investigations and water sampling. Biodiversity & Wildlife Crime: Botswana-linked pangolin smuggling continues to surface at the Limpopo border, with live pangolins seized. Circular Plastics: Plastics SA reports recycling rose 3% in 2025 to 485,000 tons, with recycled content in new products climbing to 22%. Data Centres & Water: A Data Centre Summit flags cooling and water pressures as AI and digital infrastructure expand across Africa.

Xenophobia at AU level: President Bola Tinubu has formally reported recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa to the African Union, urging urgent collective action and asking the AU to place the matter on the agenda of its January 2027 summit. Biodiversity under threat online: A new study warns that online marketplaces and social media are increasingly used to traffic wildlife, putting more species at risk as sellers exploit weak enforcement and anonymity. Cold-chain push: Industry leaders will meet in Johannesburg for the GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference (2–3 September) to strengthen temperature-controlled logistics and coordinate a stronger voice for the sector. Water and power standoff: Johannesburg’s Society for the Blind says it still faces a disputed R31.5m municipal arrears bill despite billing errors being wiped, leaving the sanctuary short of basic services. Weather watch: SAWS expects fine, cool-to-warm conditions for most provinces on Monday, with scattered showers in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape. Wildlife crime at airports: Parliament-linked reporting flags major international airports as priority organised-crime targets, citing recent high-value drug seizures.

Municipal Governance: South Africa’s Coalitions Bill is moving to stabilise hung councils and protect service delivery, after years of mayors being voted out repeatedly in places like Johannesburg—following a Denmark study tour. Local Accountability: New councillors elected in November will not face mandatory lifestyle audits because the regulations are only expected to be finalised by the 2028/29 financial year, raising fresh governance concerns. Water & Equality: A new focus on SA’s water crisis argues the real issue isn’t only scarcity, but fair access—questioning whether “equal” water allocations are equitable for households, farmers and the environment. Wildlife Protection: Two Thai men were linked to a suspected parrot-egg smuggling syndicate at OR Tambo, with hundreds of eggs seized across separate attempts. Conservation Access: SANParks’ Mahala Week offers free entry to national parks from 7–13 September (with Kruger and Mapungubwe free only 7–11 September, booking required). Women in Conservation: SANParks highlights women leading conservation across parks and marine protected areas. Disaster Climate Link: Nepal’s floods and a glacier-triggered mudslide on the China border underline climate-warming risks, with hundreds dead and thousands missing. Energy & Policy: Eskom’s Koeberg Unit 1 was taken offline after a turbine trip, with nuclear safety assurances reiterated.

Wildlife crime: A Botswana man was arrested at the Groblersbrug Border Post after allegedly crossing into South Africa with a live pangolin, facing charges for possession of a specially protected wild animal and immigration contraventions. Climate risk: Namibia is forecast to see below-normal rainfall across much of 2026/27, with generally above-normal temperatures—an early warning for drought pressure across the region that includes parts of South Africa. Energy & safety: Eskom took Koeberg Unit 1 offline after a turbine trip, saying the shutdown was safe, nuclear protection systems worked as designed, and there’s no threat to nuclear safety or the wider grid. Local governance & accountability: The Makana Business and Residents Association set out 2026/27 priorities including infrastructure, safety, community projects and strategic litigation to push the municipality to act. Disaster & resilience: Nepal’s flash floods continue to leave hundreds missing, including South Africans reported missing near the Nepal-Tibet border, as families seek closer access to search efforts. Conservation innovation: New Englanders are increasing their diet of invasive green crabs to reduce ecological damage by turning a harmful species into a marketable food.

Climate Outlook: Southern Africa is bracing for a very strong El Niño, with forecasts pointing to drier-than-normal rainfall for much of the region from October 2026 to March 2027, alongside above-normal temperatures in many areas—raising heat, fire and water-stress risks. Weather Watch: Cape Town is set for a cloudy, cool Saturday with light rain and showers into the evening, while other provinces face strong winds and dangerous coastal conditions. Water & Farming: Research from South Africa’s Eastern Cape warns that water access alone won’t fix inequality in commercial farming, as high costs and power imbalances keep many black farmers dependent on white partners. Pollution & Industry: A new analysis flags Sasol’s Secunda plant as a major emissions and pollution pressure point, questioning whether decarbonisation plans will deliver real process change. Right-to-Repair: South Africa’s Competition Commission is targeting electronics repair restrictions, warning that limits on parts, repair info and tools could raise costs and block small businesses. Biodiversity & Care: Cape of Good Hope SPCA responded to a community animal-welfare documentary, treating and vaccinating 40 Cape Town animals. Infrastructure Finance: South Africa secured $405m from the New Development Bank for Limpopo’s central hospital and the Magalies bulk water scheme.

Nuclear & Power Reliability: Eskom took Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 offline early Thursday after a turbine trip, saying protections worked as designed and there was no risk to staff, the public or the environment; Unit 2 remains offline for planned maintenance and is expected back in September. Marine Life & Pollution Watch: Eskom previously reduced Koeberg output to 50% on Aug 21 due to seawater intake challenges linked to a sardine influx, and the latest turbine trip follows that ongoing strain on cooling systems. Climate Policy at Sea: Governments head back to London for IMO Net-Zero talks on shipping, with countries divided over how to price emissions and tighten fuel-intensity rules. Biodiversity & Research Continuity: South Africa’s Marion Island research base was handed over to the M83 team after a major reactivation, with hundreds of tonnes of cargo and polar diesel transferred to keep polar science running. Weather & Risk: SAWS warned of damaging winds and waves along parts of the coast, with yellow-level disruption risks for small harbours and high-sided vehicles. Local Environment Action: A Brackenham invasive alien plants clearing hackathon focused on restoring an urban degraded green belt and setting up maintenance to protect biodiversity.

Climate Disaster: Nepal–Tibet flash floods and landslides have killed at least 359 people, with about 1,300 still missing as rescue teams struggle with swollen rivers and stormy conditions; reports also flag foreign nationals among the unaccounted. Nuclear & Power Security: Eskom is investigating a turbine trip that took Koeberg unit 1 offline, while sardine die-offs and seawater intake challenges continue to test grid stability. Renewables for Industry: Voltalia commissioned a 148 MW solar plant at Bolobedu in Limpopo to supply about 300 GWh a year to Richards Bay Minerals, cutting emissions and easing pressure on Eskom. Green Finance: National Treasury is preparing for South Africa’s first sovereign green bond this fiscal year or next, targeting climate transition and infrastructure projects. Weather & Fire Risk: SAWS issued Yellow Level 2 warnings for damaging winds and rough seas, alongside extremely high fire danger conditions in parts of the country. Biodiversity & Food Safety: Authorities say canned sardines remain safe after pilchard herpesvirus was detected in wild populations, with the virus not known to affect humans. Local Environment Governance: Cape Town and other municipalities face ongoing pressure over water reliability and pollution controls as the season turns.