SA Post Office to become more relevant in 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa signs Post Office Amendment Bill into law, expanding the entity's mandate

December 28, 2024

Tamlyn Cramer 1 minute read

Government entities encouraged to make use of Post Office infrastructure in delivery of services Photo: Supplied

The mandate of the South African Post Office (SAPO) has expanded to become more sustainable and more relevant to consumers’ needs.

This is according to the Presidency after President Cyril Ramaphosa last week signed the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill into law.

According to the Presidency, the expansion will ensure the Post Office will be empowered to not only provide basic postal services to the public, but also other, value-added services to expand its income-generating streams.

ALSO READ: President authorises full implementation of BELA Act

“The new law enables the Post Office to serve as a hub for government services and other agency services, and as a digital hub for businesses and communities,” said Ramaphosa in a statement.

“The Post Office will also be able to serve as a logistics partner to other e-commerce providers – including small enterprises and informal traders – and any future business that the State-owned company may develop to serve users and consumers.

“The Post Office is now empowered to continuously adjust its business model in line with the technological and industry developments in the provision of postal services and other services, and to enhance the provision of Universal Services Obligation, including the roll-out of service points and the use of third-party infrastructure.”

The statement further says the new law aims to encourage government institutions at all levels – local, provincial and national – to use Post Office infrastructure in the delivery of their services, and to set aside certain services to be provided by the Post Office.

“This aims to eliminate the company’s over-reliance on government funding and ensure efficient utilisation of post offices.

“The new law also addresses governance matters such as the size of the South African Post Office board, the functions for the board to deal with creditors, and skills requirements for board membership,” concluded Ramaphosa.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: