The minister outlined, among other things, how the government plans to respond to growing internal and external threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa remains a stable country. however it faces a number of potential threats to its national security and interests,\u201d the report said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategy stressed that readiness not only at a government level but across society, is essencial to umitigate risks that can easily evolve into major national security threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most urgent dangers identified is economic hardship, worsened by the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global fallout from the war in Ukraine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategy warned that poor economic growth risks fuelling social instability between 2024 and 2028, driven by unemployment, poverty, inequality, and failing service delivery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report argued that these hardships are compounding frustrations among citizens, particularly in vulnerable communities, and eroding trust in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social instability mainly due to social hardship driven by unemployment, poverty, inequality, poor service delivery, and shrinking black middle class are among the critical concerns cited in the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other concerns included poor governance, crime, and a trust deficit between the government and the public , as well as general lawlessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Political instability is also expected to rise. The strategy pointed to ongoing turmoil at the local government level, fuelled by unstable coalitions, corruption, and increasing levels of political violence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cyber threats are also expected to grow significantly, including cyber terrorism, fraud, espionage, and the disruption of government services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCyber risks will underpin many of the other risks we face,\u201d the NSS warned, noting that increased digitalisation of the state will make South Africa more vulnerable to cyberattacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The repor said these risks will likely impact on South Africa\u2019s national security and need to be planned for and mitigated through government programmes and whole of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flare-ups <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Protest-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nExternal threats are also a concern, particularly the growing risk of being drawn into regional conflicts, such as in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough it is unlikely that there will be a direct military threat to South Africa, there is a greater possibility of international military crises drawing in the country,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that these threats are complicated by the growing use of hybrid tactics such as economic coercion, disinformation, and terrorism, which blur the lines between civil unrest and military conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disease and climate change are also flagged. The NSS noted that future pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related disasters such as floods and severe weather could cause widespread disruption to infrastructure, essential services, and the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa\u2019s vulnerability will be increased by our large population and open society,\u201d it adds.This warning comes at a time when real-world tensions are already escalating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In KwaZulu-Natal, police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi recently made explosive claims of corruption involving senior political and police figures and ties to an international drug syndicate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These claims, and the public fallout they sparked, have raised the worries of renewed unrest<\/a> in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlthough the provincial government has downplayed the likelihood of violence, it has acknowledged the risk and put contingency plans in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are alert to the risk of unrest,\u201d said provincial spokesperson Bongani Gina, adding that authorities are working to avoid a repeat of the devastating July 2021 riots, which left more than 350 people dead and caused an estimated R50 billion in damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nExternal threats are also a concern, particularly the growing risk of being drawn into regional conflicts, such as in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough it is unlikely that there will be a direct military threat to South Africa, there is a greater possibility of international military crises drawing in the country,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that these threats are complicated by the growing use of hybrid tactics such as economic coercion, disinformation, and terrorism, which blur the lines between civil unrest and military conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disease and climate change are also flagged. The NSS noted that future pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related disasters such as floods and severe weather could cause widespread disruption to infrastructure, essential services, and the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa\u2019s vulnerability will be increased by our large population and open society,\u201d it adds.This warning comes at a time when real-world tensions are already escalating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In KwaZulu-Natal, police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi recently made explosive claims of corruption involving senior political and police figures and ties to an international drug syndicate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These claims, and the public fallout they sparked, have raised the worries of renewed unrest<\/a> in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the provincial government has downplayed the likelihood of violence, it has acknowledged the risk and put contingency plans in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are alert to the risk of unrest,\u201d said provincial spokesperson Bongani Gina, adding that authorities are working to avoid a repeat of the devastating July 2021 riots, which left more than 350 people dead and caused an estimated R50 billion in damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n