South Africa is planning its first increase to strategic oil reserves since the apartheid government stockpiled crude oil. The move is aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security by building additional buffer capacity against potential supply disruptions. According to the reports, the plan fits into a broader set of actions being taken across Africa to reduce the impact of possible oil and fuel supply shocks. While the coverage agrees on the overall direction—raising strategic reserves after a long pause tied to the historical stockpiles—details such as timing, reserve volumes, and procurement approach are not specified in the provided excerpts. The reporting frames the initiative as part of efforts to enhance preparedness and resilience in the face of volatility in global oil markets and potential interruptions to supply chains.