On 25 March 2026 South Africa’s Cabinet approved the National AI Policy for public comment, with a consultation window running until 10 June 2026 managed by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). Government indicated it intends to finalise the National AI Policy in 2026 with full implementation expected in 2027 or 2028. The policy frames AI-related education, research and skills training around STEAM curricula, public education campaigns and community AI centres. It complements the existing National AI Policy Framework (filed separately). The consultation stage signals the beginning of a binding national framework but does not yet create enforceable obligations on employers, schools or public bodies.
Who it affects: South African businesses, universities, TVET colleges, Community Education and Training colleges, civil-society organisations submitting comments; DCDT as policy owner; Cabinet sub-committees overseeing implementation.
What is notably missing: The draft is consultative — no statutory duties apply during the comment window. Enforcement, funding envelope, sanctions for non-compliance, and interaction with sectoral regulators (POPIA, Information Regulator, CIPC) are described at a high level without legal text. The promised community AI centres lack a budget line or geographic plan. No dedicated literacy mandate for the basic-education system is attached to the policy stage.