South Africa’s government says it is aiming to reduce data costs by 60% by 2029 as part of its Medium-Term Development Plan. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi says affordability has become a key priority as government works to expand meaningful internet access across the country.

According to Malatsi, data prices have already declined by between 35% and 40% since 2025. The Department of Communications is also conducting a market study looking at pricing, competition, cost drivers and affordability, which will help guide further interventions in the telecoms sector.

Government has also set a target for 60% of households to be connected by fibre and more than half to have fixed connectivity by 2029. Other plans include connecting 2,000 government and public facilities, expanding public Wi-Fi and zero-rating national government e-services so they can be accessed without using mobile data.

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Several parts of the Helderberg are expected to experience water disruptions this week as the City of Cape Town carries out maintenance and pressure testing. In Strand, parts of Broadlands Road, Lwandle and the Helderberg Industrial area may be without water from 09:00 to 18:00 on Wednesday, 7 October while a new connection is made to an existing 300mm water main.

Further disruptions are expected on Thursday, 8 October, when the City conducts pressure testing in Helderzicht, Lourensia Park, Paardevlei, Victoria Park, Silvertas, Garden Village and Carey Park between 09:00 and 16:00. Some residents may experience low water pressure, while others could temporarily have no water.

The City is also shutting down the Faure Water Treatment Plant from Monday, 5 October to Wednesday, 7 October for maintenance, placing additional strain on Cape Town’s water system. Residents in affected areas are advised to store enough water beforehand in clean, sealed containers and keep taps closed during disruptions.

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Eskom has extended its waiver on registration-related charges for small-scale solar systems indefinitely, removing the previous 30 September 2026 deadline. This means qualifying customers supplied directly by Eskom can continue registering their rooftop solar systems without paying the registration fees that had been due to take effect.

The change applies to customer-owned generation systems of up to 50 kVA connected to Eskom’s distribution network. Eskom has also eased some of its earlier requirements: residential installations no longer need sign-off from an ECSA-registered professional engineer, with a valid Certificate of Compliance from a qualified electrician or electrical contractor now accepted.

Solar owners are still required to register qualifying grid-connected systems, even though the fees have been waived “until further notice”. Importantly, the concession only applies to customers supplied directly by Eskom. Households supplied by municipalities, including many Cape Town residents, need to follow their municipality’s own solar registration requirements and charges.

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