🎓 Virtual Event: 6th Annual Emerging & Established African Researcher Training Academy The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, University of Zululand, and Sol Plaatje University, invites aspiring and seasoned scholars to the 6th Annual Emerging & Established African Researcher Training Academy. 📍 This free, virtual academy offers a comprehensive approach to the research process — covering the full research lifecycle and exploring a broad range of thematic and learning areas designed to build research excellence across the continent. Whether you're an early-career academic or an established researcher looking to sharpen your skills, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to engage with leading institutions and peers from across Africa. Register here: https://events.hsrc.ac.za/event.php?id=51Q=

Event Spotlight: Launch of South Africa’s Newly Reconstituted Fire Brigade Board The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, will officially launch the newly reconstituted Fire Brigade Board (FBB) on Friday, 1 August 2025, in the City of uMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal. The Fire Brigade Board, established under the Fire Brigade Services Act of 1987, plays a key advisory role in shaping South Africa’s fire services. Following a thorough institutional and policy review by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), the board has been refreshed to reflect modern principles of inclusivity and good governance — aligning closely with the Fire Services 2030 Roadmap and South Africa’s broader disaster risk reduction goals. Key Objectives of the Launch: ✅ Public introduction of the newly reconstituted Fire Brigade Board ✅ Affirming the board’s national advisory and coordinating role ✅ Highlighting the government’s vision for a modernised, integrated fire services sector ✅ Driving intergovernmental collaboration for service transformation ✅ Showcasing uMhlathuze as a local excellence hub for fire service delivery

On Friday, 1 August 2025, the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Patricia de Lille, and Deputy Minister Ms. Maggie Sotyu will lead a G20 Tourism community outreach initiative in the Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga.

In celebration of Psycho-Social Disability Awareness Month, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is set to launch a range of locally developed assistive technologies aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities across South Africa. The launch will be officiated by Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina and will take place on:

🌈 Upcoming Webinar: The Politics of LGBTQI+ Data – Who Gets Counted and Who Counts? Join the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) for a compelling virtual conversation on the complexities, gaps, and potential of LGBTQI+ data collection in South Africa. This webinar brings together leading researchers and activists to unpack the power dynamics and implications of how data on LGBTQI+ lives is collected, represented, and used — and whose experiences are made visible in the process. ✨ Panel Highlights Include: Dr. Melanie Judge – Queer feminist scholar & UNDP Policy Advisor on LGBTI inclusion Sarita – Director of Under the Rainbow, gender justice advocate Sthembiso Pollen Mkhize – Human Geography PhD researcher, University of Bristol Prof. Anthony Brown – Educator and inclusion researcher, UNISA Cameron Lawrence – Research psychologist, Gender DynamiX This important dialogue is supported by The Other Foundation and forms part of a broader research initiative into public attitudes toward LGBTQI+ communities in South Africa. Zoom Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/pxRzRzXEQWe2cp83Dnh82Q

South Africa will host a pivotal dialogue on the future of mining governance in Africa on Wednesday, 6 August 2025. Organized by the Chatham House Africa Programme in partnership with UNDP, this high-level event—titled “Securing Africa’s Future: Advancing Transparent and Just Mining Governance for Development”—will bring together government leaders, civil society, and private sector voices to explore strategies for sustainable and equitable mining across the continent. With many African nations re-evaluating mining codes, renegotiating contracts, and launching critical minerals strategies, this forum will highlight how transparent regulation and shared value creation can unlock long-term development gains. The event aims to spark practical insights into how mining governance can align with national priorities while ensuring investor confidence and community benefit.