MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Suzuki Auto South Africa has broken through the 50 000 barrier for the first time in its history. The brand this week received its final sales figures for the financial year from April 2023 to March 2024. It shows that 51 969 new Suzuki models were sold in the 12-month period, setting a new all-time …
Jaguar TCS Racing leads the Teams’ World Championship with 100 points, with drivers Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans second and sixth respectively in the drivers’ standings. Sheldon van der Linde will drive in Friday’s FPO, his third rookie test for the team. The inaugural Misano E-Prix starts at 14:03 local time (BST +1 hours) on …
The state of water resources in South Africa due to mining operations has raised significant concerns regarding the enforcement of regulations and the support for communities affected by these activities. “As a result, the path to clean drinking water as a human right is even further away for many South Africans,” says Dr Ferrial Adam, …
Malawi's economy suffers from a lack of investment and high trade costs due to poor logistics and infrastructure; Clearing goods at the Malawi-Dedza border post with Mozambique previously took an average of three days; One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) reduce border waiting times and the cost of cross-border transactions.
The Dedza border post, situated between Malawi and Mozambique, is a busy place. On average, more than 80 trucks are cleared daily, carrying shop merchandise from South Africa to Malawi including fertilizers for Malawi's agriculture sector.
For the past few years, before the construction of the new One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) facility, it took about 24 to 36 hours to clear a truck carrying items such as wheat, fertilizers, groceries, and raw materials for Malawi's manufacturing industry. Drivers and clearing agents had to dash from one office to another between the two countries to clear the goods. Malawian traders traveling to and from South Africa through the Dedza–Mozambique border had difficulty locating the appropriate offices to present the required paperwork. In addition, the lack of parking facilities meant that the road leading to the border post was always congested, as trucks scrambled for space to park while waiting to be cleared.
Establishing One-Stop Border Posts
In 2015, the Government of Malawi embarked on an ambitious program to construct border posts in Dedza and Mwanza (both bordering Mozambique) and Songwe (bordering Tanzania), set up OSBPs with these neighboring countries, and establish the National Single Window (NSW). The NSW is an electronic platform system connecting international trade and transport stakeholders to fulfill all imports, exports, and transit border control procedures. World Bank support of $91.7 million was provided through the Southern Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project. The objective was to reduce the cost of cross-border transactions by supporting the modernization, simplification, and harmonization of the trade and transit procedures and policies.
The Dedza One-Stop Border Post, which was completed in 2023, boasts two examination bays for goods, parking spots for 100 freight trucks, and a modern passenger terminal.
“We now take less than half a day to process all the paperwork to clear the goods that we have carried, which is far less than the minimum of three days that we used to spend here,” says Flatella Makwakwa, a truck driver who has been using the Dedza border for more than three years. He also acknowledges the benefits of the new system when it comes to facilitating the passing of trucks and making life more comfortable for the users.
The new office infrastructure has made the process of clearing goods easier for the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), various other border officers, and users. The OSBP concept requires border officers from adjacent countries to be hosted in the same building. “It now feels good to go to work as the environment looks spacious and comfortable and we are looking forward to hosting our Mozambique counterparts very soon,” says Lucy Chikhawo, the MRA Station Manager for the Dedza border post which hosts more than a hundred government officers—including those from the Malawi Bureau of Standards, Immigration, Police, Agriculture and Health.
Traders also have access to better sanitation facilities as they wait for their goods to be cleared.
“From the feedback we have received so far about the Dedza OSBP, we feel encouraged to support the government in fast-tracking the completion of the other two border posts at Mwanza and Songwe in Karonga. Our main goal is to support initiatives that reduce time to clear passengers and goods, as any impediments are costly to the economy of the country,” says Chikondi Nsusa, Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank Malawi Country Office, who is also the Task Team Leader for the project.
Improving Malawi's Trade, Logistics, and Infrastructure
The latest Malawi Country Economic Memorandum report highlights that Malawi's economy suffers from a lack of investment and high trade costs. Key reasons include poor logistics and infrastructure, compounded by being a small and landlocked country, as well as other non-tariff barriers at the borders.
According to the document, “the presence of non-tariff barriers at the border and in neighboring transit countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia add to the costs of trade for Malawian exporters and importers and there is lack of coordination between Malawi and its neighbors to address this issue that likely reduces both the number of firms exporting and the total value of exported goods.” In this context, establishing more OSBPs is a big step in the right direction.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
Unleash limitless adventures from your couch thanks to LG’s perfect, compact sound system. The living room is more than just a space for relaxation—it is the heart of home entertainment. Imagine being whisked away from the comfort of your sofa to the electric atmosphere of a live concert in Sydney or the thrilling energy of …
DIRCO dismisses reports on tense relationship between SA and EU
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has denied allegations of strained relations between South Africa and the European Union (EU).
This follows certain media reports that alleged that South Africa did not respond to the EU’s requests for a high-level summit, leading to speculation about tensions between the two sides.
There were also allegations that South Africa reportedly ignored the request for an EU summit for a year.
However, DIRCO and the delegation of the EU to South Africa said they “regret the misrepresentation” made by the media outlets.
“We would like to reject the claim made by these media outlets that the Republic of South Africa has not responded to several requests by the European Union to hold a bilateral South Africa-European Union Summit during 2023,” the statement read.
On the contrary, the department said South Africa and the EU have maintained a regular exchange throughout 2023 to prepare for their bilateral summit.
This includes a Ministerial Forum in South Africa in January 2023, bilateral contacts at the Heads of State level, and ministerial visits to both Pretoria and Brussels.
The department believes that those contacts have been intensified and strengthened since the beginning of 2024 through a Bilateral Meeting between Minister Naledi Pandor and High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles on the margins of the G20 Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brazil.
According to the department, the relations have also been reinforced by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes’s visit to Brussels to participate in the Indo-Pacific Forum and the visit of EU Ambassadors from the Political and Security Committee to Pretoria.
The Director-General of the DIRCO, Zane Dangor, hosted the Bilateral Political and Security Dialogue Forum and the Human Rights Dialogue, along with his counterparts from the European Union (EU) in Pretoria.
He also participated in the Minister’s meeting with EU Ambassadors in Cape Town.
The department said that it was in this context that they reject the claim made by the media outlets that the delays to the summit are sending a negative signal about future relations between the EU and South Africa.
“The above-mentioned regular high-level visits and engagements illustrate the strength, depth and wide-range scope of the strategic partnership between the European Union and South Africa.
“Against this backdrop of partnership and dialogue, and in a decisive year for democracy and multilateralism across the world, South Africa and the European Union continue to work closely together and, as part of it, to identify a suitable date for their bilateral summit,” the department explained.
Ambassador of the EU to South Africa, Sandra Kramer, also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to dismiss the allegations.
“This is false and misleading indeed. South Africa and the EU are working closely towards holding a summit. A quick check-in with me or @Zwandid [Zane Dangor] would have confirmed that for you,” she added. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 10:31
It’s more than a trend…non-alcoholic pairings are becoming de rigueur in fine dining restaurants around the world. Chefs and sommeliers from FYN, Pier, The Living Room at Summerhill Estate, and Salsify talk about their experience of non-alcoholic pairings in a South African restaurant context. Fine dining and fine wines have been the preferred pairing since …
A member of a criminal syndicate explains how they operate
President Ramaphosa, President Masisi to visit bus accident site in Limpopo
President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Botswana counterpart, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, will on Thursday visit the site of a bus accident in Limpopo that claimed the lives of 45 people.
A bus travelling from Molepolole in Botswana to Moria in Limpopo, to celebrate Easter, plunged off the bridge along the Mmamatlakala Pass on 28 March 2024.
The tragic crash claimed 45 Botswana Easter pilgrims, with an eight-year-old being the sole survivor.
According to the Presidency, the Heads of State and Government will commence the visit in Limpopo with a closed briefing by officials in Mokopane before visiting the accident scene along the R518.
“President Ramaphosa conveyed condolences on behalf of the government of South Africa to Botswana following the tragic accident of a bus transporting Easter pilgrims to Moria,” the statement read.
The closed session briefing by expert officials will take place in Mokopane at 10:30am, followed by a bus accident site visit by the two Presidents at Mmamatlakale Bridge in the afternoon. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 14:24
“Although the extreme weather is over, the public are asked to please be aware of potentially dangerous conditions in large parts of the province,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said today.
During the Joint Operations Meeting hosted by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) it was highlighted that many secondary roads and low-level river crossings are still flooded. The following road safety aspects were highlighted for the public:
Rock falls and mudslides will remain a real danger for the next week or more, and the public are asked to remain vigilant in this regard.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde inspected the Bot River at the N2 earlier today which was washed away during heavy rainfall last year. He also visited the Buffelsjag River bridge near Swellendam which was overflowing as a result of the heavy rainfall. “I was relieved to see that the N2 at Bot River withstood the recent heavy rainfall. I appeal to the public to please exercise extreme caution on our roads following the severe weather.”
Premier Alan Winde said that the focus now shifts to humanitarian work, such as identifying people who lost their shelter and access to basic amenities during the storm. “Through the coordination of our Department of Social Development, we are working closely with the NGO sector, local municipalities, as well as national departments to ensure that affected people receive shelter and food.”
Municipalities will now start with damage assessments with the support of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and relevant government departments. Once compiled, the PDMC will approach the National Disaster Management Centre for a disaster classification, which is the first step in applying for additional funding to repair damages.
In the Rarden Route, it was reported that most estuaries are subsiding from the very high levels reported yesterday. Gamkaskloof is still flooded, with reports of a total of 12 people possibly needing evacuation. The Gamkapoort dam, which reached a highpoint of 154% late last night, has already dropped to 146% early this morning. There will be focus today on evaluating the conditions of the Matjiesvlei and Huysrivier area, also with the possibility of some people being cut off from main access routes.
According to the South African Weather Services no additional weather warnings are being issued, although light rain during the day, and possible showers later in the afternoon will persist over parts of the Southern Cape today.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
1 000 permanent officials appointed for the Correctional Services
The Department of Correctional Services’ National Commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, has approved the permanent appointment of 1 003 learners as correctional officials for the 2024/25 financial year.
According to the department, the move is a demonstration of government’s foremost priority of creating opportunities for young people and supporting them to access work opportunities.
This means the youngsters, who took part in the 12-month Correctional Services Learnership NQF Level 4 programme in 2022 and were subsequently hired as auxiliary support officials on a contractual basis, have now been offered permanent positions starting from 1 April 2024.
The learnership programme also includes practical training at correctional centres.
As per the statement, 466 correctional officials were appointed in the Western Cape, 214 in KwaZulu-Natal, 107 in the Eastern Cape, 75 each in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West, 69 in both Free State and the Northern Cape, 64 in Gauteng and eight at head office.
Thobakgale believes the appointments will strengthen security at correctional facilities.
“These appointments will go a long way to strengthen security in correctional centres and ensure more boots on the ground. This serves as a direct response to contributing to a just, peaceful and safer South Africa through effective and humane incarceration, and the rehabilitation and social reintegration of inmates,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 15:38
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) won its case against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to ensure more voting stations abroad in 2024. This comes as the Electoral Court confirmed that the decision taken by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) not to allow voting overseas at consulates headed by honorary consuls should be set aside. …
“The Inseta board should now initiate an investigation into this sector education and training authority,” says OUTA. This week, the Insurance Sectoral Education and Training Authority (Inseta) was rocked by another high court judgment on 8 April, which dismissed its application for leave to appeal a January 2024 court order to reinstate the accreditation of …
uMhlathuze Municipality called to improve security measures
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, has advised the uMhlathuze Local Municipality Executive Council to implement stringent measures to improve security and control firearm access within the municipality's premises.
The MEC’s call follows an incident where two bodyguards responsible for the Mayor and City Manager of uMhlathuze Municipality in Richards Bay died during a shooting at the municipal office two weeks ago.
According to reports, the shooting took place at the municipal office, where the two bodyguards were scheduled to attend a meeting in the office of Deputy City Manager for Community Services, Mathews Oliphant.
Sithole-Moloi convened a meeting with uMhlathuze Municipality’s Executive Council on Tuesday to discuss the recent developments.
During the meeting, uMhlathuze Municipality Mayor, Xolani Ngwezi, and his team provided the MEC with updates on security measures and other necessary steps that have been taken to ensure officials’ safety, and the public within the municipality’s premises.
Sithole-Moloi described the incident as unprecedented and condemned it in the strongest possible terms.
Sithole-Moloi also raised concerns about the state of security within the council and advised the council to implement stringent security measures.
"As the KZN CoGTA, we would like to assure the residents of uMhlathuze Municipality that we are investigating the matter, and stringent measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of councillors, staff, and the community," Sithole-Moloi said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 12:53
E-toll payments soon a thing of the past
By the end of this week, Gauteng road users will no longer be charged for the use of the e-toll network.
This comes after Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga published in the Government Gazette a notice concerning the withdrawal of the toll declaration of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), popularly known as e- tolls.
“This declaration will be effective on 11 April 2024 at 23h59, which means that from 12 April 2024, road users will no longer be charged for the use of the e-toll network.
“It is important to note that, while these roads are no longer going to be tolled, the benefits of improved roads remain and that the gantries that have been installed for use on this scheme will continue to be used for other functions, such as fighting crime,” Chikunga said on Wednesday in Centurion.
The Minister explained that the obligation to pay e-toll remains until midnight on 11 April 2024.
“Road users will not be required to do anything when e-tolling is cancelled. Importantly, ‘current valid accounts’ can still be used for payments at toll plazas and other value-added services (i.e. parking). This is critical for the ongoing, long-term benefit of interoperability.
“The tag beeps will stop after midnight on 11 April 2024. The gantry lights and cameras will remain on for road safety purposes. The e-toll website will be updated with respect to the cancellation, including Mobility/Tag account functionality for services, i.e. interoperability and parking, etc.
“The e-toll stores will remain open as the tag can still be used for interoperability, account queries and other potential transport related services that will be determined in due course. The e-toll branding will be removed in phases,” the Minister said.
E-toll invoices will be rolled up until the last day and issued up until this period.
Due to potential delays in the postal system, invoices will still be received some time after 12 April 2024. However, no transactions post-midnight on 11 April 2024 will appear on the invoice or statement.
Although, the system of e-tolling was implemented after some consultation had taken place, it aggravated a lot of the public and concerned Cabinet.
“It is a concern that led to the formation of a three-member committee – made up of the Minister of Transport, Minister of Finance and Gauteng Premier – charged by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2019 to find a solution to the impasse.
“Between myself, as Minister of Transport, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, we finally reached agreement towards the end of March on how to conclusively deal with the debt resulting from e-tolls.
“…As a result, we were able to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to formalise alternative funding solutions for the GFIP debt repayment and deal with the backlog of maintenance and rehabilitation costs.
“We agreed that the MoA would also regulate the financial and funding contribution towards the SANRAL liability in compliance with the policy objectives and institutional framework for road infrastructure management in South Africa,” the Minister said.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has resolved its long outstanding application for increased borrowing limits from Treasury.
This will allow the Agency to approach the market to unlock funding from the private sector to fund its existing pipeline of capital expenditure projects.
“We hope that the resolution of the GFIP funding and the resultant withdrawal of e-tolls will give Gauteng motorists and South Africans in general certainty after a long period of uncertainty.
“We understand that the resolution of this issue might have taken longer than some people wanted, but it involved complex negotiations, which were handled in a mature and professional manner by all concerned,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 11:16
Only one public borehole is working for 11 villages in Nthabalala
30 years of freedom belongs to all of us - Kodwa
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa says the achievement of 30 years of freedom in South Africa belongs to each and every South African.
The Minister was speaking during the National Dialogue on 30 Years of Democracy held at Freedom Park on Tuesday evening.
The celebration commemorates the eclipsing of the separatist agenda driven by the apartheid government and the ushering in of democracy and unity in the country.
Kodwa said democracy does not belong to any government or political party, but the entire population.
“Thirty years must be a celebration not of government, not of a governing party but of all South Africans because it is… South Africans who brought about this freedom. A South African who is in the villages, who is in town, who is in urban areas must feel part of the 30 years and must be given a voice,” he said.
The Minister said the dialogue is the beginning of a series of debates that will be held in the country to stimulate conversation around not only democracy but what defines a nation.
“One notion that we must always remind ourselves… is the notion of a nation. It’s only in our Constitution of 1996, which calls upon us to build a nation of all South Africans and the idea of a nation had never existed before.
“There are significant moments that define a nation, from a Sports, Arts and Culture perspective… we have seen what our national teams have done recently. We must celebrate significant moments that define us as a nation; one of which is the national flag.
“We are united around the flag. We are united around the national anthem. These are the important milestones that define this notion of a nation,” he said.
Turning to the upcoming National and Provincial Elections, the Minister emphasised the importance of the right to vote and the responsibility it bears.
“A right to vote is not just enough. It’s important that you must understand the manifesto of a party because… any party and leader that wins any election must give expression to the Constitution.
“Failure to give expression to the Constitution will result in issues… [of] people protesting, people just electing leaders on the basis of emotions, people electing leaders on the basis of populism and rhetoric. But it’s important that people must elect leaders who give expression to the Constitution…which states 'building a non-racial South Africa, which is united and all peoples belong to it'.
“People deciding not to vote must never be an option because an option to vote is a right that was denied for many years. I call upon all South Africans to exercise their right to vote and elect people that will give expression to the will and aspirations of the community,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 11:05
EAST LONDON: Tazmin Brits showcased her batting prowess with her second career hundred for the Proteas Women as the first ICC...
Municipality fined R150m for contravening water and environmental laws
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has welcomed the heavy fine imposed on Govan Mbeki Local Municipality for polluting water resources and contravening environmental legislation.
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga province was fined R150 million for five counts relating to contravening the National Environmental Waste Management Act and National Water Act.
The Bethal Regional Court in Secunda found the municipality guilty of causing significant pollution to the environment, interfering with waterworks, pollution of water resources, an act that detrimentally affects a water course, and failure to comply with compliance notices.
This comes after a series of intervention measures undertaken by the department against the municipality since 2019, in line with the Constitution and the Intergovernmental Framework.
Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, said in December 2019 and March 2020, the department issued the municipality with directives to make representations addressing the risk assessment, intervention and potential rehabilitation plan, and to implement all the recommendations in respect of the underlying problem in their area of jurisdiction.
However, the municipality failed to respond and adhere to the conditions of the directives issued to them within the stipulated timeframes.
“In November 2020, the municipality compiled an assessment report and intervention plan with an approved budget for the commencement of a rehabilitation project in the area, however, no rehabilitation was implemented,” Phillips said.
Phillips commended the enforcement team, saying the judgement has asserted the department’s role as a regulator of the water and sanitation sector.
“It has been our resolve to take all transgressors of the National Water Act to task and send a strong message that if people and institutions do not comply, we will not hesitate to act, without fear or favour. We want to strengthen our role as a regulator of the sector in line with all the prescripts,” Phillips said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 09:56
Dear Editor While thirteen days with no loadshedding is very much a welcome development, the sad reality is that there are many communities across the country that have been left in the dark because transformers in those communities are either not working or are not being replaced fast enough after they have been vandalised or …
Call for public comments on money laundering regulations
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has invited public comments and written submissions on draft amendments to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Control Regulations.
“The draft amendments aim to strengthen South Africa’s system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing by enhancing the reporting of the conveyance of cash or bearer negotiable instruments into or out of the Republic,” National Treasury said on Tuesday.
The invitation for comments was published on 8 April 2024 via Gazette Notice 50450 no 4712.
The draft amendments are in terms of section 77(5)(a) of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001 (Act No. 38 of 2001 – ‘the FIC Act’).
“The draft amendments are proposed to be made in terms of section 77(1) of the FIC Act, read with section 30 of the FIC Act, to the Money Laundering and Terror Financing Control Regulations.
“Section 30 of the FIC Act provides for a requirement to report the conveyance of cash or bearer negotiable instruments into or out of the Republic to the FIC,” National Treasury said.
The objective of section 30 of the FIC Act is to ensure that information relating to the cross-border movement of cash and bearer negotiable instruments is made available to the FIC.
The FIC currently receives reports on cross-border electronic funds transfers (section 31 of the FIC Act).
In addition, the FIC receives reports on large cash transactions (section 28 of the FIC Act), suspicious or unusual transactions (section 29 of the FIC Act) and property that is linked to persons or entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions (section 28A of the FIC Act).
“The proposed draft amendments are aimed at strengthening the country’s financial system and improve its resilience against abuse by money launderers and terrorist financiers. It is critical to the effectiveness of the FIC’s operational capabilities that the information it receives concerning cross border financial flows be expanded to include cross-border movement of cash and bearer negotiable instruments.
“This is envisaged to strengthen the FIC’s ability to detect possible suspicious or unusual activity and to disseminate the relevant information to investigating and prosecuting authorities. Section 30 of the FIC Act empowers the Minister to prescribe a threshold amount that will trigger reporting under this section.
“The Minister sets this amount through regulations that will support the implementation of reporting under section 30 of the FIC Act. The Minister proposes that the threshold for reporting under section 30 of the FIC Act be set at R24 999.99,” National Treasury said.
This means that persons who convey R25 000 or more into or out of the Republic will be required to report this under section 30 of the FIC Act.
Section 30 of the FIC Act also empowers the Minister to prescribe the information that must be included in a report on the conveyance of cash or bearer negotiable instruments.
“This information must be sufficient to provide the FIC with the necessary transparency and traceability information concerning the cross-border movements of cash and bearer negotiable instruments.
“A report under section 30 of the FIC Act must be made to a person who is authorised by the Minister to receive such a report. The Minister, after consulting with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), has determined that reports under section 30 can be integrated in reporting under the Customs and Excise Act of 1964,” National Treasury said.
To this end, the Minister intends to authorise Customs Officers to receive reports on the conveyance of cash or bearer negotiable instruments, either physically at ports of entry and exit, or electronically through the traveller declarations system that SARS has developed for this purpose.
The proposed Regulations:
(a) prescribe a threshold amount that will trigger reporting under section 30 of the Act;
(b) prescribe the information that must be included in a report on the conveyance of cash or bearer
negotiable instruments; and
(c) specify the person who is authorised by the Minister to receive a report under section 30 of the Act.
A copy of the Regulations and the Explanatory Memorandum are available on the National Treasury website: www.treasury.gov.za.
Written comments and submissions may be submitted to: Commentdraftlegislation@treasury.gov.za no later than 19 April 2024. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 09:34
To support the government's efforts in strengthening the nation's English skills for education and migration, Pearson (https://MiddleEast.Pearson.com), (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, successfully hosted a series of events across South Africa, emphasizing the value of English proficiency for study and work abroad opportunities.
Engaging with over 3000 individuals in pivotal locations such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the University of the Witwatersrand, the events showcased the Pearson Test of English (PTE) highlighting the vital role of English in both higher education and professional spheres, particularly for those aiming to migrate to English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This effort gains particular significance in South Africa, where English, amidst its eleven official languages, emerges as the preferred medium (https://apo-opa.co/3TR0klF) of instruction.
Ipek Aydin, Director – PTE, MEA & Turkey at Pearson, said, “PTE's expansion in South Africa underscores our commitment to enhancing global education and migration opportunities for students in the country. Our recent efforts demonstrate Pearson's dedication to making these opportunities more accessible and recognized across South Africa, empowering students and professionals to pursue their international aspirations.”
PTE is a computer-based, AI-powered English proficiency test designed by Pearson for those who wish to study, work or migrate abroad. The exam leverages leading automated scoring technology to assess speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in a single, two-hour assessment, ensuring accuracy and impartiality in results. With a result turnaround of just two days, it offers candidates the fastest, fairest, and most flexible way of proving their English language proficiency.
PTE is recognised by over 3300 institutions globally and can be taken across Pearson's existing network at more than 445 PTE centres in 117 countries. The UK, Australian, and New Zealand governments recognise PTE Academic for all visa applications, while universities across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, and the USA also accept it, making it widely acknowledged for educational and immigration purposes.
For more information on PTE, visit https://www.PearsonPTE.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pearson.
About Pearson:
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at www.Pearsonplc.com.
NH Collection Sandton to be launched in Africa’s richest square mile Johannesburg, 9 April 2024: Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator and investor with more than 540 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and the Americas, is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic …
In a bid to address the pressing challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses in South Africa, DPD ZA, one of the country’s leading couriers, has forged an exciting partnership with the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC). The move aims to provide vital support to this crucial segment of the economy, which plays a significant …