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As South Africa joins the world in commemorating Nelson Mandela Month this July, government has called on citizens to contribute to turning the tide against food insecurity and climate change in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in a statement, described former President Nelson Mandela as a leader who abhorred injustice. 

“He is largely known for the personal sacrifices that he and fellow freedom fighters made towards the attainment of democracy in South Africa. 

“Even outside of prison, Mandela continued the fight against injustice, especially poverty, through various means, including mobilising local and international friends to support fundraising efforts for food insecurity and education, among others,” the statement read. 

According to government, Mandela viewed anti-poverty efforts as the protection of human rights.

“He once said, ‘Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life’.

“As such, South Africans will do well to honour him by emulating these ideals not only during Mandela Month but make them part of their daily lives.”

As he was affectionately known, the Father of the Nation was born on 18 July 1918. 

The year 2023 marks his 105th birthday. 

The 18th of July is now known as International Nelson Mandela Day, and it is dedicated to acts of service by both local and international citizens who greatly admired and respected what he stood for.

The South African government has since dedicated July to the commemoration of Mandela, thus naming it Mandela Month. 

This year’s commemoration takes place under the theme, 'It is in your hands'. 

Mandela made the declaration, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it” during his July 2007 speech delivered at the 46664 AIDS benefit concerts held in his honour by local and foreign musicians between 2003 and 2008.

During this month, government will host several events led by Ministers, Premiers, Deputy Ministers, Directors-General and public servants in all provinces.

These events include the planting of trees and the donation of blankets, clothes and food. 

The programmes will also support communities by starting food gardens. 

Acting government spokesperson, Nomonde Mnukwa, said there is no doubt that South Africa is already experiencing the effects of climate change.  

“The devastating floods of April 2022 and recent ones have worsened our food insecurity challenge, as many farmers could not produce. 

“Due to food shortages, the floods did not only push prices higher, they also left many in dire poverty and without shelter. Consequently, in the true Madiba spirit, as we commemorate Mandela Month and Mandela Day, we urge you to look around your neighbourhood and identify those that may need your help and do something to better their lives,” Mnukwa said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has encouraged employees to use the various online tools and measures it has introduced to help curb snaking queues at labour centres across the country. 

According to UIF Director of Compliance, Malesela Makgamatho, the online tools include the uFiling system, which allows employees to submit claims, check their status and submit enquiries from the comfort of their homes. The system can be accessed on https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/ .

Makgamatho was addressing members of organised labour on Monday at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane during the UIF Commissioner’s Breakfast session.

The session was held in conjunction with provincial Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) members and affiliates in Limpopo.

The UIF is an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour.

The session was aimed at educating organised labour about UIF processes, criteria, benefits and general activities, with the view of improving customer experience of clients and stakeholders.

“For more convenience, the department has also introduced a free USSD service to make it easier for clients to check their UIF status. The USSD service only requires an active mobile number. This is especially beneficial for those who do not have direct internet access,” Makgamatho said.

 
To check your UIF status using the USSD platform, clients are encouraged to simply dial *134*843# on any mobile phone. This will open up a menu with several options to choose from, including claims and payment status, employee registration, payment continuation and general enquiries.

 
UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping said the department has also introduced UIF mobile buses that move around provinces to assist clients in deep rural areas who are unable to visit labour centres in their nearest towns.

 
“Additionally, we have installed free Wi-Fi at all our labour centres so that clients can utilise the online system with ease when visiting our offices. Furthermore, 3 000 marshals and 3 000 officials have also been appointed to assist clients with online applications,” the Commissioner said. 

He said the idea behind the online system is to give total control to the applicant so that they can take charge of every step of their application. 

“The online system will help us to deal with the issue of incorrect documents, fraud and help applicants to keep their documents safe once they have submitted online. We want to take a different approach on how we work as a Fund. With the technology we have developed, we want to eventually eliminate visits to our offices entirely. We are in the process to improve these systems,” he said.

 
The commissioner said the department will in due course also introduce an employer driven process where the employer or even organised labour can be responsible to apply on behalf of the employees.

 
He explained that the intention for this engagement is for the department to work differently and see how best systems can be put in place to improve service delivery. – SAnews.gov.za

The Government of Ireland has invited South Africans interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Ireland to apply for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme to study at Ireland’s world-renowned higher education institutions.

The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa offered to South African students. 

The programme is part of the broader Ireland-Africa Fellowship Programme offered by the Government of Ireland.

Through the programme, professional women and men, with leadership potential from South Africa will avail of relevant postgraduate study opportunities in Irish higher education institutions.

“The scholarship broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and supporting the development of women’s leadership capacity, and women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are key priorities.
  
“In addition, the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme aims to support students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue Master’s level education in Ireland. Graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology in particular are encouraged to apply,” the Ireland Embassy said.

The Embassy said the programme offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded one-year master’s programme at a prestigious higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. 

“The award covers course fees, accommodation, living costs, and flights. Applicants can choose from almost 200 postgraduate programmes especially selected to enhance capacity in line with stated country development goals and the strategy of the relevant Irish Mission.

“On completion of their studies, graduates will have acquired relevant skills and knowledge and be better capacitated and positioned to influence the advancement of national social, economic and development priorities,” the Embassy said. 

A full list of eligible courses is available on the website “Directory of Eligible Postgraduate Programmes in Irish Higher Education Institutions”.

Eligibility Criteria for the Kader Asmal Fellowship

To be eligible for a Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2024 applicants must:
•    Be a South African citizen.
•    Have a minimum of two years relevant work experience.
•    Hold an Honours degree from a recognised public university, with an average of at least 75%. It must have been awarded in 2012 or later (within the last 12 years).
•    Not in possession of a Master’s degree or higher level qualification.
•    Be able to take up fellowship in August/September 2024 academic year.
•    Be able to demonstrate leadership abilities and aspirations, as well as commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country.
•    Have identified and selected two relevant courses from the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme Directory of Eligible Courses.
•    Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for both courses chosen.
•    Should not have applied for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme on more than one previous occasion.

The applications for the 2024-2025 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme open on 3 July and close on 31 July 2023.

For more information on the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme, please visit https://canoncollins.org/scholarships/kader-asmal-fellowship-programme/. - SAnews.gov.za
 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Wednesday deliver the keynote address at the official launch of the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation at the Freedom Park National Heritage Site in Pretoria. 

The foundation, according to the Deputy President’s Office, was established in honour of the late liberation struggle icon, accomplished public servant and veteran communicator, Ronald “Ronnie” Mamoepa.

The commemoration event will be held under the theme, 'Recommitting the legacy of Ronnie Mamoepa through social activism'. 

The event will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Wall of Names, which is inscribed with the names of heroes and heroines who died fighting for humanity and freedom. 

Mamoepa’s last job at the time of his passing in 2017 was then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson. 

The Presidency said this was a role he fulfilled and executed with distinction, humility, dedication and honour.  

The late spokesperson has been described as a consummate professional characterised by integrity, intelligence, humour, kindness, and loyalty. 

The Presidency said he was a dedicated servant of the people who earned his stripes in the youth movement, Parliament and various national departments.

“This griot of communications also served five years of his youth in incarceration in Robben Island.”

The launch of the foundation, the Presidency said, is aimed at highlighting, preserving and promoting the positive legacy of Mamoepa. 

It will also lead community-based initiatives, focusing on addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the country such as poverty, inequality and unemployment.  

The event will be attended by representatives of the Mamoepa family, friends and colleagues, including leaders of the governing party and other political formations, businesses and faith-based organisations.  

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, as well as senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za