South Africa Plans for New TB Vaccine and Celebrates Eskom’s Achievements

Pretoria: South Africa is gearing up for the potential registration and introduction of a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine currently in Phase 3 trials, Cabinet announced on Friday. Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stated that this development could play a crucial role in eliminating TB as a public health threat. According to South African Government News Agency, Cabinet has also embraced an agreement with the Serum Institute of India to produce TB vaccines for global distribution. This agreement is anticipated to bolster South Africa's vaccine manufacturing capabilities, stimulate innovation, and contribute to economic growth and job creation. Cabinet has also lauded Eskom for its progress in improving generation performance. The power utility has surpassed a significant milestone in its load reduction eradication programme, achieving load reduction status in seven provinces ahead of its October 2026 target. Approximately 1.2 million customers have had their normal supply conditions restored, reducing the percentage of affected customers to 6.8% of Eskom's customer base. Furthermore, Eskom has reduced its reliance on diesel, with expenditure dropping over 83% year-on-year, reflecting sustained improvements in fleet performance. In another development, Cabinet praised the successful hosting of the 5th Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) in Cape Town. The symposium identified 263 infrastructure projects valued at R1.99 trillion across various stages of development and implementation. Over the past 18 months, 37 projects valued at R69 billion have been completed, supporting economic growth and job creation. The Cabinet has also welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) until 31 December 2028, which maintains preferential access for eligible South African products to the USA market. This extension is expected to support market diversification, increase exports, and deepen trade and investment ties with the USA. Additionally, an agre ement between South Africa and India has been reached to expand treatment options for South African fresh citrus exports, providing producers with greater logistical flexibility. Moreover, South Africa has launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform as part of the digital transformation of the visa and immigration system. By integrating biometric verification and advanced technology, the ETA aims to strengthen border security, improve migration management, and enhance South Africa's competitiveness as a destination for tourism, business, and investment.