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- Ex-cape Town Mayco Member Malusi Booi Arrestedby GuestWhat the papers are saying about the arrest of Malusi Booi: Former City of Cape Town human settlements mayoral committee member Malusi Booi, who was fired in 2023 after his official office was raided during… Read more: Ex-cape Town Mayco Member Malusi Booi Arrested
- Gift of the Givers founder highlights importance of a coordinated disaster management strategyby GuestThe need for the metro to have a coordinated disaster management strategy to mitigate risks that could impact businesses and residents took centre stage yesterday when Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman delivered a talk on best practices for disaster management and the work needed for Nelson Mandela Bay to be disaster ready. […]
- Growth Partners Visit Coega for Knowledge Sharing and Best Practicesby GuestOn Thursday, 5 September, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) welcomed top Executives from Tabono for a tour of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gqeberha. The tour aimed to showcase the Coega SEZ’s world-class infrastructure, logistical capabilities, development and operational advancements, seaport integration and transshipment. Tabono is actively exploring opportunities in Africa’s mining, energy, […]
- Buy Qadasi Tickets and Help Sa’s Most Successful Female Surfer Get to the Masters World Champs!by GuestThere are limited tickets available for the unmissable Heather Clark fundraiser featuring live music by Qadasi and Maqhinga on Saturday, 21 September at Waves in Umzumbe. Starting at 4pm for the Sharks v Lions rugby match, there will be food and coffee stalls on site, as well as ‘pap & sous’ on sale in celebration …
- The Future is in Plant(s)by GuestAs part of its ongoing commitment to educating our future leaders about sustainability and preserving our local biodiversity, ISUZU MOTORS South Africa (ISUZU), in collaboration with Giving Them Wings Foundation, marked Arbor Week by creating two gardens in two primary schools, planting 600 indigenous plants and 200 spekboom. This initiative, which benefits 1,095 learners at […]
- Crocworld Team Rescues Massive Southern African Pythonby GuestThe team from Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh once again came to assist local residents after a 3.8m Southern African Python was spotted at Renishaw farm on the KZN South Coast. Crocworld’s Animal Curator Busani Mthiyane received the call from farm workers in the area who had noted the ‘very large snake’ on site. He …
- SA launches R300 million facility for recycling plasticby GuestSA launches R300 million facility for recycling plasticnosihle Tue, 09/17/2024 – 09:49
A new PET (polyethylene terephthalate) processing facility, which can accommodate more plastic waste and is the first-of-its-kind technology for Africa, will come on stream in 2025.
This was announced on the sidelines of the International Solid Waste Association’s (ISWA) annual conference where South Africa’s efforts to build a circular economy for post-consumer packaging was thrust into the spotlight.
The ISWA’s annual conference saw the country’s most experienced producer responsibility organisation, Petco, and recycling partner, Extrupet, giving a site tour of the new PET processing facility.
The facility, which houses the new R300 million project, will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling capability to the Western Cape for the first time.
The facility will add an extra 15 000 tonnes per annum of food-grade recycled PET (rPET recycled polyethylene terephthalate) output capacity.
Extrupet Joint Managing Director Chandru Wadhwani said 64% of South Africa’s PET plastic bottles were currently collected for recycling.
“With this increased capacity, we will be able to accommodate more plastic waste and strengthen South Africa’s position as a circular economy leader in Africa and the world,” Wadhwani said on Monday in Cape Town.
Stimulating demand
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said the facility adds value to the country’s efforts to increase the collection and recycling rates for packaging materials, including PET.
“We view the facility as an opportunity to stimulate a demand for more PET materials and a supply of these by waste pickers and waste small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), thus creating stable markets for PET.
“The facility needs to be fed and the collection system needs to be improved in order to meet the demand of this facility.
“Waste pickers are an important contributor to the supply of the input material of plastic waste and we look forward to seeing the implementation of the waste picker service fee in order to continue to enable these waste pickers to do their work effectively and efficiently,” Swarts said.
Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz said the additional capacity would assist in closing the loop for PET, which is the most widely recycled plastic polymer that can be turned into another food- grade product.
“So, this increase in capacity takes us another tangible step towards that circular economy, in which a bottle becomes a bottle over and over again and keeps that material in circulation at its highest possible value,” Scholtz said.
This year’s ISWA conference is taking place under the theme: “Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future”.
As the host country, South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development with a focus on building a circular economy and the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations that require producers to take responsibility for their packaging waste throughout its life cycle.
Partnership
Scholtz said, as a Producer Responsibility Organisation, Petco worked with government to contribute to policy development and the implementation of EPR legislation and helped its members to meet their legislated targets for collection, recycling and the inclusion of recycled content in their packaging, which increased year on year.
She said the key to success lay in building a sustainable value chain that could survive the economic peaks and troughs, by balancing collection with recycling capacity and stimulating.
“It doesn’t just happen overnight; it has been a journey. Petco and Extrupet have been working together for more than 20 years to build a solid foundation.
“Petco’s commitment of ongoing support to our 10 contracted recycling partners, like Extrupet, gives them the confidence to invest in the new equipment and infrastructure that is needed to recycle increasing tonnages of recyclable packaging.
“The support also enables recyclers to increase the gate price at which they purchase recyclable packaging, which stimulates collection on the ground by increasing the street value of this packaging and growing the local market for it, thereby making it easier for waste pickers to sell their collected packaging and earn an income from it,” Scholtz said.
She said a strong relationship with government, especially the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, was equally important for the country to benefit as a whole.
“Having implementable regulations, strong compliance, and effective enforcement is vital. We partner with all tiers of government to support sustainable waste management and diversion initiatives, and work towards meeting sustainable development and circular economy goals.”
Climate Change Bill
She said that the opening of the new plant also aligned with government’s climate change goals, as outlined in the newly signed Climate Change Bill.
The bill sets out to enhance South Africa’s ability to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting new job opportunities in the emerging green economy.
Wadhwani said Extrupet had established its first bottle-to-food-grade line in Johannesburg in 2009, with the second following in 2014.
“The third arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And the fact that this is now the fourth line in what’s, in essence, a 15-year horizon is just so gratifying for us,” Wadhwani said. – SAnews.gov.za
594 views - Green Taxes to Enable Climate Justice on the Agenda at Global Conferenceby GuestThe use of environmental taxes to stimulate action to combat climate change and drive a just transition to cleaner energy that “leaves no-one behind” comes under the spotlight at the Global Conference on Environmental Taxation (GCET) held for the first time in Africa and hosted by Stellenbosch Business School from 18-20 September. With the European …
- Rowntree Looking To Go One Step Furtherby AlanAsk Munster Rugby coach Graham Rowntree what he is aiming for in the BKT URC this time around and he delivers a swift response. “I would like to go a week further than last season,… Read more: Rowntree Looking To Go One Step Further
- Evaluating the Financial Gap in Business Performance and Identifying Areas for Improvementby GuestThis scenario is any business owner’s nightmare. Things just aren’t going as well as they should and cash is in short supply, but you and your team are struggling to find out exactly where the issues are. You need a financial gap analysis, and fast! A financial gap analysis aims to identify discrepancies or gaps …
- Springboks Make 10 Changes for Los Pumas Showdownby AlanSpringbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to his starting team for their penultimate Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero on Saturday. Salmaan Moerat (lock) leads a new-look… Read more: Springboks Make 10 Changes for Los Pumas Showdown
- Former NHLS CEO ordered to pay R22 million for loss incurredby GuestFormer NHLS CEO ordered to pay R22 million for loss incurredGabisile Tue, 09/17/2024 – 12:27
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) says it welcomes the judgment against its former CEO, Joyce Mogale, and her co-applicant, the estate of the late former Chief Financial Officer, Sikhumbuzo Zulu, who died before the court proceedings started.
This is after the Labour Court dismissed an unfair dismissal claim against the former officials and ordered Mogale to pay R22 million to the NHLS for losses it incurred because of her conduct.
“The judgment is a victory for governance and recoups losses which the NHLS has suffered as a result of the conduct of its most senior employees,” the NHLS said in a statement.
According to the entity, Judge Connie Prinsloo of the Labour Court found the pair’s dismissal to be fair.
“She used these words to describe their conduct, ‘displayed severe negligence and incompetence … dismally failed to carry out explicit Board resolutions and … blatantly disregarded the limitations contained in the delegation of authority’.”
In her ruling delivered on Friday, 13 September 2024, the Judge stated that the pair had breached the lawful, reasonable, and fair instructions of their employer.
She also mentioned that they failed to exercise due diligence and care, and referred to Mogale’s conduct as “astonishing”.
“Judge Prinsloo further stated that Mogale was unable to acknowledge her role in creating her misery – she was constantly shifting the blame, even onto the media.”
According to the NHLS, the Board became aware of irregularities in 2017, and Mogale and Zulu were subsequently suspended and dismissed in 2019 after a disciplinary hearing.
The dismissal of Mogale and Zulu, affirmed by Judge Prinsloo, were based on three separate irregular commercial contracts at the NHLS.
These include the Afrirent vehicle leasing irregularity, in which the former CEO approved a contract for R72 million without a Board and way above the limit of her authority.
She increased the contract even further to R79 million without any due process.
“She signed a Service Level Agreement with an unwarranted penalty clause which ballooned the cost even further. The Afrirent irregularities led to a judgement that Mogale must pay back R22 million to the NHLS,” the entity explained.
In the Blue Future contract information technology (IT) equipment irregularity, the NHLS Board authorised a procurement of R25 million.
However, Mogale, without a competitive tender, summarily procured R83 million and mostly for goods that had nothing to do with the tender.
In the DV8 wide area network irregularity, the NHLS stated that a R63.5 million addendum was signed to the contract without going through the tendering process and without specifying the goods to be purchased, leaving room for potential malfeasance.
“In sum, Judge Prinsloo found that Mogale’s conduct violated the Public Finance Management Act, the NHLS Supply Chain Management Policy and her contract of employment,” the entity explained.
The Chairperson of the Board, Prof Eric Buch, said that at the time of their suspension, the NHLS debt to its suppliers exceeded R800 million, which surpassed its cash balance.
Since then, Buch said, a diligent effort has steadily turned the NHLS around.
The organisation stated that it now has significant reserves, and its staff have received reasonable annual increases, while annual tariff increases have remained below 5%.
“This judgement is salient as it provides further evidence of the probity and diligence of the Board and its efforts to hold those responsible to account, however long it takes,” Buch added.
Meanwhile, Mogale, former Head of Supply Chain Management Graham Motsepe, Manager of Contracts and Tender Compliance Mthunzi Mthimkulu, Legal Manager Sibusiso Mthenjane and the owner of Blue Future Kapai Pierre Petersen are all on trial in the specialised commercial crimes court in Palm Ridge.
Petersen has already been found guilty of fraud in his tender submission to the NHLS and is awaiting sentencing.
Buch said he was still optimistic that those responsible will also be charged on the Afrirent and DV8 matters. – SAnews.gov.za
389 views - Red Ribbon Communications Drives Remarkable Growth for Edtech Company Zaioby GuestCape Town, September 2024—In a testament to the power of strategic public relations in the EdTech sector, Red Ribbon Communications, a leading South African PR agency, has successfully elevated the profile of Zaio, an online coding school, through a targeted six-month media outreach campaign. The collaboration between Red Ribbon Communications and Zaio has yielded exceptional …
- Cato Ridge Agripark revamp unlocks potentialby GuestCato Ridge Agripark revamp unlocks potentialGabiK Tue, 09/17/2024 – 13:03
The eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee has given the green light to reprioritise over R2 million to fund the refurbishment of chicken houses at the Cato Ridge AgriPark, near Hammarsdale.
The KwaZulu-Natal municipality bought the Cato Ridge Chicken Farm, as part of government’s efforts to fight the scourge of job losses and unemployment.
This forms part of the City’s Agribusiness Masterplan implementation, adopted by the Council in 2020.
The 10-year strategic plan seeks to unlock new investment in the agribusiness value-chain of no less than R1 billion.
In her presentation to the committee, Agri-Business Senior Manager for Business Development and Production, Nkululeko Hlongwane said an assessment indicated the need to improve the production capacity and efficiency of the existing chicken production houses.
She said this will ensure that each production unit can accommodate 25 000 broiler flock per cycle.
“This improvement will facilitate the Cato Ridge AgriPark Incubator Farm to realise its commercial potential by yielding a minimum of 250 000 broiler chickens per cycle being produced in the farm. This translates to an estimated income of R102 million per annum that could be generated by the farm,” Hlongwane said.
The Cato Ridge AgriPark Incubator broiler chicken production has unlocked commercial economic opportunities for local Agricultural Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (agriSMMEs) to participate in the commercial production of broiler chicken and the meat value chain.
There are seven businesses occupying Cato Ridge chicken houses which have created about 17 long-term jobs.
Economic Development and Planning Committee Chairperson, Thembo Ntuli, noted that the committee’s key objective is to facilitate inclusive economic development and job creation.
Refurbishment of Chatsworth ablution facilitiesMeanwhile, the ablution refurbishment project has created 23 job opportunities for the community residing in the Bottlebrush Informal Settlement, Chatsworth.
As part of expediting service delivery in the city, the municipality’s Area Based Management Unit, working with the Water and Sanitation Unit, have recently refurbished the ablutions which were experiencing blockages, resulting in overflowing in informal settlements.
The project included the rehabilitation of 500 collapsed and dilapidated toilets.
Proportional Representative Councillor, Buyisiwe Gumede commended the eThekwini Municipality officials for the project which she said will have a positive impact on residents’ lives.
“We are pleased that the project has started. There are other pressing needs in the community, including the shortage of housing and water and electricity supply,” Gumede said.
Ward 71 resident, Sphamandla Msomi, also commended the city for addressing the issue of ablution facilities in the area. – SAnews.gov.za
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- Mpumalanga records highest HIV prevalence rate by GuestMpumalanga records highest HIV prevalence rateGabisile Tue, 09/17/2024 – 13:31
Compared to other provinces, Mpumalanga had the highest HIV prevalence at 17.4% in 2022, which translates to an estimated 890 000 people, living with HIV (PLHIV) in the province.
The key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for Mpumalanga were released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on Tuesday.
According to the overall principal investigator of the study, the HSRC’s Professor Khangelani Zuma, the survey showed that, in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was 7.8% among youth aged 15 to 24 overall, and 1.5-fold higher among males (9.8%) than females (6.3%) in this age group.
Among adults aged 25 to 49, HIV prevalence was 26.4% overall, and 1.6-fold higher among females (31.9%) than males (19.9%).
By locality, HIV prevalence was higher among those residing in rural formal or farms (21.1%) and rural informal areas (18.4%) and lower in urban areas (15.5%).
“A concerning state is that HIV prevalence peaked at 40.8% among those 45 to 49 years in 2022 compared to 39% in 2017 among those 35 to 39 years, suggesting a possibility of continued new infections.“There was a notable downward shift in the epidemic curve in 2022 among respondents 15 to 44 years,” Zuma noted.
The data presented are for three priority districts in Mpumalanga, namely Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts.
In 2022, HIV prevalence among all ages was highest in Gert Sibande (20.5%) and Ehlanzeni (16%) and lowest in Nkangala (13.1%).
Antiretroviral treatment
Meanwhile, according to the data, antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in Mpumalanga increased to 81.8% in 2022, from 65.4% in 2017.
This translates to an estimated 630 000 people living with HIV in the province receiving ART in 2022.In 2022, ART use among all people living with HIV in the province was 56.4% among adolescents and youth 15 to 24 years and 83.9% among those 25 to 49 years.
Among females, ART coverage was substantially lower among those aged 15 to 24 (58.6%) than those aged 25 to 49 (85.2%).
ART coverage among males from 25 to 49 years was 81.6%, while it was 54.8% for male youth aged 15 to 24.
The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African national HIV and AIDS, STI and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting.
Knowledge of HIV status
Zuma expressed concern that people living with HIV aged 25 to 49 accounted for most people living with HIV in Mpumalanga who were unaware of their HIV status (62.3%), aware but not on ART (63.5%), and on ART but not virally suppressed (63.4%).
However, adolescents and youth aged between 15 to 24 contributed disproportionally to gaps in treatment, accounting for just 9.4% of all people living with HIV.
In this age group, 16.9% knew their HIV status, 16.7% knew their HIV status but were not on ART, and 13.7% of those on ART were not on viral load suppression (VLS).
People residing in urban areas accounted for the most people living with HIV overall.
Key drivers
Regarding the key drivers of the HIV pandemic, Zuma noted that Mpumalanga had the lowest prevalence of sexual debut among provinces.
The proportion of adolescents and youth aged 15 who reported having sex before the age of 15 years decreased from 13.3% in 2017 to 5.4% in 2022.
However, sexual debut before the age of 15 among adolescents and youth aged between 15 and 24 in 2022 was higher among males (6.1%) than females (4.8%).
The survey revealed that in the province, 5.1% of people aged 15 and older reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022 compared to 7.9% in 2017.
The proportion of people aged 15 years and older who reported having multiple sexual partners was almost three-fold (7.4%) higher in males than among females (2.7%) and was higher among those aged between 15 and 24 (6.2%) compared to other age groups.
Regarding condom use, the survey revealed that 46.1% reported using a condom with the most recent sexual partner in 2022 compared to 46.3% in 2017.
Condom use was substantially lower among those residing in rural formal or farm dwellings (26.0%) compared to those living in urban areas (50.1%).
Meanwhile, a higher proportion (32.4%) also reported that they never used a condom with their most recent sexual partner.
“Only 11% reported that they used condoms almost every time … Nearly 50% of youth reported using a condom sometimes or never using a condom.” – SAnews.gov.za
155 views - Red Ribbon Communications Elevates Brand Recognition in the Renewable Energy Sectorby GuestRed Ribbon Communications, a leading PR agency specialising in tech PR and sustainability, has achieved a significant milestone through its successful collaboration with Rubicon, a leading South African sustainable technology provider. The strategic partnership has not only solidified Red Ribbon’s position as an expert in providing PR services to renewable energy solutions but has also …
- Get your will drafted for free this National Wills Weekby GuestGet your will drafted for free this National Wills WeekDikelediM Tue, 09/17/2024 – 13:30
Members of the public are being urged to take advantage of the opportunity to have their wills drafted for free during National Wills Week.
Civilians will be able to get a basic will drawn up free of charge during National Wills Week, which started on 16 September and will continue until 20 September 2024.
The week is organised annually by the Law Society of South Africa, and it provides an opportunity for all participating law firms to offer free basic will drafting services.
The attorneys participating in the initiative will not amend or redraft existing wills but will focus on drafting new basic wills for the public.
“Among other things, making a will assists in ensuring that your assets are disposed of in accordance with your wishes after your death. If a person dies without leaving a valid will, their assets will be distributed according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act.
“The provisions of the Intestate Succession Act are fair, however, if you die without leaving a will, your assets may not be left to the person of your choice. It can take a long time to have an executor appointed and there can be extra and unnecessary costs,” government said.
For more information, members of the public can visit: https://www.lssa.org.za/our-initiatives/advocacy/national-wills-week/
– SAnews.gov.za82 views
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