Implement the points-based system for the skilled work visa
The department officially gazetted regulations introducing a points-based system for work visas, including critical skills work and general work visas in October 2024. Under this system, applicants must score at least 100 points to qualify based on several measurable attributes, including: occupation (maximum points if on critical skills list); job offers; qualifications; work experience; and…
read more >>Clear the backlog of visa applications and reduce processing times
The Department of Home Affairs is clearing the backlog of visa applications, but has not fully completed the process. During the 2025 Sona, President Ramaphosa indicated the department had eradicated 90% of the 300,000 visa backlog. The department also extended concessions until September 2025 to manage remaining delays and reduce processing times effectively.
read more >>Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
The ETA system is a digital pre-boarding permit that allows eligible travellers to enter a country for short visits and tourist purposes. It also helps to screen travellers before they arrive. The ETA is expected to be launched in September 2025. Over time, it is expected to replace paper-based visas by issuing the traveller with…
read more >>Municipal intervention strategy
No or little evidence of action. HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 and merged it into OV2 wider water reforms programme.
read more >>Water Partnerships Office
To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector through standardised programmes, the Water Investment Authority operates as a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate public-private partnerships, manage funding and support municipalities (and water boards) in implementing water and sanitation-related projects. It also aims to address the challenges municipalities face, including a lack of…
read more >>National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Act
To support municipalities to put in place partnerships with the private sector. Also manages several priority programmes including water conservation and demand management, water reuse, wastewater treatment improvement and seawater desalination.
read more >>Raw water usage policy document and implementation
The revised water pricing strategy (Pricing Strategy for Raw Water Use Charges) was published in the Government Gazette in June 2024, following the draft document in 2022. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202406/50852gon4992.pdf
read more >>Permanent pricing strategy for raw water charges
Water pricing strategy finalised. The department is conducting consultations with water users and water management institutions to discuss and prepare for the implementation of the updated water pricing strategy, which is scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2026
read more >>Spectrum auction
Icasa concluded its radio frequency spectrum auction in 2022 after a delay of more than a decade. The auction added R14,4bn to the national fiscus. However, some frequency band is still utilised by analogue broadcasters as the television analogue-digital conversion process is not complete. ICASA aims to free-up this spectrum for other uses as part…
read more >>Analogue switch off
The analogue switch off (ASO) is yet to be finalised as there remain beneficiary households without subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for digital migration. Completion of the process has been continually delayed. The latest delay was due to the Gauteng High Court suspending the deadline following a legal challenge by broadcaster eTV and NGOs (Media Monitoring…
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