Pretoria: Cabinet has welcomed the continuing improvement in Eskom's financial and operational performance for the first six months ending September 2025. This, while highlighting Eskom's sustained financial and operation recovery, as the power utility recorded a R24.3-billion profit after tax for the six months, ending September 2025, which is a 37% increase compared with the same period last year.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni noted during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria that the period saw consistent energy supply, with only four days of load-shedding, while electricity supply reliability stood at 96% in 2024/25, improving to 98% to date. Ntshavheni emphasized that Eskom's solid performance demonstrates the efficacy of its recovery plan initiated under Operation Vulindlela structural reforms programme, highlighting the competence of Eskom's management team, its board, and the focused leadership of the Minister of Electricity and Energy.
Cabinet also acknowledged positive economic growth indicators, as revealed by the 3rd Quarter GDP figures released by Statistics South Africa. The GDP grew by 0.5% in the period July - September 2025, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of expansion. This growth was driven by strong performances in the mining, agriculture, and services sectors, along with contributions from finance, government services, and manufacturing.
The GDP growth was accompanied by a notable increase in employment. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, employment rose by 248,000 jobs, while the number of unemployed people declined by 360,000. The Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, which provides young people with pathways into the economy, has now reached the 200,000 jobs milestone, with over 202,558 young South Africans placed in quality work experiences, supported by more than 1,900 corporate partners. The IMF has also raised South Africa's growth forecast to 1.3% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026, up from earlier projections of 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively.
In addition, Cabinet approved the implementation plan to drive growth and inclusion, based on the priorities of the 7th administration's Medium-Term Development Plan. The plan aims for a coordinated and focused implementation of prioritised economic development interventions, consolidating several development initiatives into a streamlined framework built on three core pillars: economic reforms, public service reforms, and industrial policy reforms. Ntshavheni stated that this focused implementation would give the plan the same impetus as the Structural Reforms programme under Operation Vulindlela.
Furthermore, Cabinet approved the implementation plan for South Africa's Critical Minerals Strategy. This plan details a roadmap to leverage opportunities in mineral wealth arising from the surge in demand for critical minerals, which are increasingly used in digital technology, defence, healthcare, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. The strategy focuses on six pillars: geoscience mapping and exploration, value addition and localisation, research, development and innovation, infrastructure and energy security, financial instruments, and regulatory harmonisation. The implementation of this strategy is expected to significantly contribute to economic growth and job creation.