Pretoria – The National Treasury has taken a bold step forward with the launch of the MzansiXchange pilot, a groundbreaking data exchange system designed to break down barriers between government departments and drive smarter decisions. Led by Director-General Dr Duncan Pieterse, this initiative tackles long-standing issues like scattered data, isolated systems, and poor connections that have held back effective policymaking and service delivery.
Speaking at the pilot’s launch on 9 October 2025, Pieterse highlighted how MzansiXchange will enable real-time checks and evidence-based planning without creating a big central storage hub. This move comes as part of a wider push under Operation Vulindlela Phase II to build a digital foundation for inclusive growth, following the approval of South Africa’s Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of Government earlier this year.
Dr Duncan Pieterse – Director-General at National Treasury of South Africa
Panel Discussion lead by Tanya Cohen with Shabeer Khan, Mandla Ngcobo, Waseem Carrim and Akanyang (Fanie) Sethokga
Livhuwani Tommy Makhode – Director General at Department of Home Affairs
Dr Ayanda Hlatshwayo – Acting Chief Data Analytics Officer and lead of the initiative
With South Africa’s economy needing a boost, this system promises to save time and money by letting departments share information safely while keeping control of their own data. The one-year pilot will put it to the test in everyday use, paving the way for a full rollout that could change how government works for the better. As Pieterse put it, “These challenges have constrained our ability to make evidence-based decisions, deliver integrated services, allocate resources efficiently, and build public trust in government systems. MzansiXchange addresses these gaps by enabling secure, structured, and coordinated data sharing across government.”