Team SA Women’s Success Motivates Men’s Squad Ahead Of African Games
ACCRA: The Team South Africa Men’s squad has arrived in Ghana as they seek to emulate the women’s team in qualifying...
SA must join forces to create youth employment, says Mashatile
SA must join forces to create youth employment, says Mashatile
Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasised the need to strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships to increase opportunities for youth empowerment and participation in the labour market.
“Together, we can contribute to national efforts to create employment and get South Africans working,” he said on Tuesday.
Deputy President Mashatile was speaking at the National Council of Provinces during a question and answer session.
In 2020, he said Cabinet approved the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2030, which is a cross-sectoral policy intended to redress the injustices of the past and deal decisively with new challenges affecting the youth.
To reduce youth unemployment, the Deputy President said the Minister of Finance set aside R7.4 billion for the Presidential Employment Initiative for the 2024/25 financial year.
“Thus far, the Presidential Employment Initiative has assisted over 1.7 million people through a combination of job creation, job retention and income and skills support interventions," Mashatile said.
He also touched on the South African Employment Services System, which serves over seven million job seekers, and provides nationwide platforms for youth to register for employment, match with employment opportunities, and receive placement counselling.
Through public-private partnerships, government supports various internships, learnerships, and apprenticeship programmes across various government departments to provide experiential learning and facilitate entry into the labour market for young people.
By supporting the growth of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), he stated that government is playing a critical role in addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis.
“Government is also implementing the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act to promote SMMEs that are key to job creation, and economic growth,” he added.
Agricultural land
Shifting his focus to agricultural land, he said government is accelerating land redistribution through a variety of instruments, such as land restitution and expropriation of land, to boost agricultural output.
In 2023, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure announced that 221 land parcels measuring 148 796 hectares have been released to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development for transfer to the approved land claimants.
“Approximately 1 576 hectares of land is earmarked to be released before the end of this financial year,” he announced.
In addition, he said 125 land parcels, measuring 25 549 hectares of agricultural land were released to support subsistence farming and food security.
“This is in keeping with what we have been doing over the last 30 years,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the government is transferring State agricultural land, through Financial Assistance Land (FALA) properties, where there has been compliance with the rent-to-buy agreements.
On top of that, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, he said, is developing criteria for category 3 and commercial farmers as part of the rollout plan for the release of state land.
“Category 3 includes medium to large-scale commercial farmers who have already been, or intend to farm commercially at various scales, but are disadvantaged by location, size of land, and other resource constraints limiting their growth,” the Deputy President explained.
As per the country’s second-in-command, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure holds national State-owned land. It receives requests from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development for releasing land to settle claims for restitution and agricultural purposes as part of the land reform programme.
“As a government, we will prioritise providing extension and technical support to ensure that we distribute properties that are productive and contribute to South Africa’s food security,” Mashatile said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 11:27
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South Africa participates in UN commission on status of women
South Africa participates in UN commission on status of women
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, is leading the South African delegation at the 68th Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), currently underway at the UN headquarters in New York.
Taking place from 11 - 22 March, the largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment is instrumental in promoting women’s rights and shaping global standards on gender equality and women empowerment.
The CSW68 takes place under the theme, 'Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective'.
“During the commission, South Africa will demonstrate its commitment to addressing poverty, inequality, unemployment and social exclusion based on gender, race, disability or geolocation, using the country’s Constitution as the cornerstone for human rights and equality, which are clearly articulated in the legislative framework,” the department said in a statement.
Reducing poverty and inequality has been an overriding concern of South Africa’s development since the advent of democracy in 1994, as articulated in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to the present National Development Plan Vision 2030 (NDP).
South Africa remains committed to addressing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening our institutions so that all women and girls are empowered and enjoy their human rights, as stipulated in the country’s Constitution, which is the Bill of Rights.
The country is also committed to financing women and girls’ empowerment and achieving gender equality.
On Tuesday, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu addressed the Commission during the high-level
Ministerial Roundtable on the theme, 'Mobilising Financing for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls: Strategies to End Women’s and Girls’ Poverty'.
The discussions aimed to mobilise financing for gender equality and empower all women and girls, with a particular emphasis on policies and strategies to end poverty among women and girls. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 13:26
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Minister of Executive Council (MEC) Ivan Meyer welcomes new agricultural graduate interns
On Tuesday, 11 March 2024, the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, and the Head of Department, Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, welcomed 120 unemployed agricultural graduates as interns to the Department's Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). During the two-year internship graduates will be placed with farmers and sector stakeholders who will act as mentors and host employers.
The agricultural graduate intern programme will offer youth experience through work-integrated learning and support the establishment of youth-owned or managed enterprises, youth entrepreneurs, and other activities. This will encourage the active participation of youth in the agricultural sector to bridge the gap of ageing producers and reduce unemployment and poverty.
Minister Meyer said, “This programme places unemployed graduates with agriculture-related qualifications on farms and at enterprises within the agricultural value chain to acquire relevant on-the-job entrepreneurial and business skills to enable them to establish and manage their own enterprises.”
Minister Meyer and Dr Mogale urged the graduate interns to embrace the values of the Western Cape Government - care, competence, accountability, integrity, innovation, and responsiveness.
Dr Sebopetsa commented, “You have joined an important sector of our economy. The Western Cape agriculture sector is responsible for 55% of South Africa's primary agricultural exports. It is also the country's most important contributor to food security. As the next cohort of producers and entrepreneurs in the sector, we hope to expose you to the values and the practices that you need to be successful.”
Minister Meyer highlighted that the agricultural graduate intern programme allowed participants to unlock their potential within a thriving sector of the economy.
“Unleash your capability within this flourishing sector. Agriculture and agri-processing contribute 11% to the GDP of the Western Cape. By the end of 2022, statistics highlighted that the agriculture sector employed 227 893 workers in the Western Cape, and the agri-processing sector employed 236 002 workers.
Combined, the sector contributed 426,417 jobs in the Western Cape. This means that the agriculture sector employed 17% of the total number of people employed in the Western Cape.”
The key placement components of the agricultural graduate intern programme are:
- Livestock rearing and poultry production;
- Horticulture/crop production;
- Aquaculture production;
- Viticulture;
- Agro-processing;
- Agricultural Extension; and
- Agricultural Economics
Minister Meyer said: “Education, Training and Research, and Farmer Support are two of my ministerial priorities. These are underpinned by the Western Cape Government's Growth for Jobs Strategy. Agriculture is a key sector of the Jobs for Growth Strategy.”
“Ultimately, we want to improve the employability of agricultural graduates through on-the-job experience at major agricultural host farms and entrepreneurial entities while at the same time, offering our producers additional support. Importantly, this programme is working to reduce unemployment and equipping our youth to become employers themselves,” concluded the Minister.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.
Eastern Cape College Classes Disrupted By Student Protests
No teaching at Ikhala College campuses due to demonstrations over NSFAS allowances
Committee Adopts National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill and Will Recommend Adoption by National Assembly
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has adopted the B-list version and committee report of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill, which brings to an end the committee's consideration of the Bill. Having adopted the Bill and a report, the committee will recommend that the National Assembly adopts the Bill.
The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Bill seeks to ensure a sustainable, equitable and reliable supply of water from national water resources infrastructure while meeting constitutional obligations, including the national and regional social and economic objectives of national policy. The Bill also seeks to address the current fragmentation of asset management and revenue collection functions for national water resource infrastructure. Currently, functions between the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, the Water Trading Entity and the department's infrastructure branch are fragmented.
As part of the process, the committee received 120 public submissions, with oral submissions received from the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the National Treasury and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
Some of the concerns raised during the public hearings included that there was no socio-economic impact assessment (SEIAS) on the Bill. The Department of Water and Sanitation has now confirmed that the Presidency approved the final SEIAS in June 2023, and the National Treasury has independently reviewed and assessed a business case for the NWRIA.
The portfolio committee proposed and adopted numerous amendments relating to the following clauses: 1, 3, 7, 9, 17, 34 and 35. Of critical importance to the committee was strengthening parliamentary oversight over the agency and critical amendments were made to ensure the submission of annual corporate plans and quarterly reports to Parliament, emphasising the role of the parliamentary committee in reviewing and engaging with these.
The Chairperson thanked Members of Parliament, departmental officials including legal officers, the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor and Parliament's legal unit for their help in enabling the committee to reach this point.
Meanwhile, the committee adopted its legacy report and is satisfied with the work it has undertaken in the sixth term of Parliament. This work includes the reintroduction of the Blue, Green and No-Drop reports, which were published following the committee's strong recommendations. Nonetheless, the committee remains cognisant of the enormous challenges facing the sector generally and emphasised that there should be more focus on service delivery in the seventh Parliament. This focus should emphasise strengthening the framework for intergovernmental relations to ensure that the provision of water and sanitation improves.
Furthermore, the committee highlighted the need to continue monitoring consequence management within the water value chain to ensure that individuals and companies found to have transgressed laws and regulations are held accountable. The committee remains of the view that the eradication of corruption is critical in achieving the mandate of water and sanitation provision to the people.
The committee has also highlighted the need to focus on monitoring the implementation of water and sanitation projects to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
University of Pretoria settles R400 million NSFAS unallocated funds
University of Pretoria settles R400 million NSFAS unallocated funds
The University of Pretoria (UP) has fully paid the R400 million that is due to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in unallocated funds.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Investigating Unit said the money paid by the university was in unallocated funds from 2016 to 2021.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said the money was paid in four instalments of R100 000 into the SIU’s Trust account, bringing the total recoveries to R 937 926 351 received from institutions of higher learning, since the investigating unit’s NSFAS investigation launched in September 2022.
Kganyago said the unallocated funds are monies for students who qualified for funding but either changed institutions or deregistered.
The funds stay in the possession of the institution for a year.
“The unallocated funds are due to poor control systems and a lack of reconciliation processes by the NSFAS and were not collected from institutions of higher learning. When approached by the SIU, the institutions cooperated, which led to a quick recovery process,” Kganyago explained.
Kganyago said the SIU has so far recovered the funds from institutions of higher learning, including the West Coast College which has repaid R5 057 679; NorthLink College R33 369 404.97; Walter Sisulu University R 19 900 174; Nkangala TVET College R342 672.50 and the University of Johannesburg R311 892 088.94, among others.
Kganyago said the SIU has also signed an acknowledgement of the debt agreement of R38 707 884.10 with Motheo TVET College in the Free State, as well as debt agreement of R10 997 855.50 with parents and students who did not meet the NSFAS funding criteria.
According to the SIU investigation, NSFAS failed to design and implement controls to ensure there is an annual reconciliation between the funds disbursed to the institutions and the allocation of those funds to the students.
The control weaknesses have led to overpayments and underpayments of funds to the different institutions over the period 2017 to date.
Kganyago said the NSFAS has recently appointed a service provider to assist them in performing the reconciliation via a process called “close-out reporting” which is ongoing.
The SIU has also found that Celbux – the e-wallet/voucher payment system- had many “dormant” accounts lying active on the Celbux system dating back to 2018 amounting to an estimated value of R320 million.
Celbux is a financial technology provider that facilitates the disbursement of money, on behalf of customers to anyone with a cell phone in a digital form.
On NSFAS-funded accommodation, the SIU discovered that details of the accommodation, including physical addresses and details of the landlord or owner of the accommodation were not captured on the NSFAS system. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 11:31
102 views
Mastering the Art of Exterior Waterproofing: TT Waterproofing Shares Best Practices
As a seasoned business owner with over 9 years of experience in delivering top-notch roofing and waterproofing solutions, I understand the significance of fortifying your property against the elements. Your property’s first line of defense is its exterior, and mastering the art of exterior waterproofing is paramount to ensure long-lasting protection. In this article, we’ll …
SA stands by decision to file lawsuit against Israel
SA stands by decision to file lawsuit against Israel
South Africa has no regrets about becoming the first country to file a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to end its “deadly and relentless genocidal bombardment” of Gaza.
This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile who attended a question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
Speaking in Parliament, Deputy President Mashatile said the United Nations estimates that more than 30 000 Palestinians, including over 10 000 children, have been killed.
“Over 70 000 have been injured while 10 000 are missing under rubble. This brings the number of civilian casualties to about 110 000, amounting to roughly 5% of Gaza's 2.3 million population. We will not condone genocide,” he told Members of Parliament.
Last year, South Africa led a case against Israel at the ICJ in The Hague, under the Genocide Convention, for acts committed by Israel in the context of its attacks on Gaza on 7 October 2023.
This is after members of the Hamas military and political organisation massacred at least 1 200 people and abducted 240 others during surprise attacks on its territory.
In January 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel to, among others, take all measures within its power “to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide” and to immediately ensure that Palestinians have access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.
While South Africa had called for the suspension of Israeli military operations in Gaza, the court did not grant this provisional measure.
READ | President calls for an end to Palestinian suffering
“Similarly, I must reiterate South Africa’s condemnation of Hamas for the indiscriminate and wanton violence meted against Israeli civilians,” the country’s second-in-command added.
“We are mindful that not every citizen supports our government’s decision to refer the Gaza bombardment to the ICJ.
“We are also aware that some, here at home and abroad, started by opposing our position. However, they have revised their view, taking into consideration the number of deaths and sheer scale of human suffering.”
READ | SA requests ICJ to act to prevent famine in Gaza
In addition, he acknowledged those who support Israel for ideological reasons, including religious.
“They will never be swayed no matter the facts and however persuasive the argument. There are, frankly speaking, some whose idea of human pain is informed by the pigmentation of the perpetrator and the victim.
“Others do not so much as care about anything that happens beyond our borders and would rather that we become an insular society even as the world shrinks into a village.”
However, he vowed that government would continue to engage every sector of society, especially on matters contentious.
On the other hand, he said South Africa was committed to the promotion of social cohesion, which he believes does not mean the absence of difference, but the promotion of consensus and evolution of a practical programme of action for progressive social change.
“It is in the context of Ubuntu and the building of a better Africa and the world that we remain committed to promoting the Bill of Rights, which enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.”
Meanwhile, he said the country would continue to pledge solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle to end all acts of the apartheid system by the Israeli government, and the genocide emanating from that evil system and support their collective right to self-determination.
“As President Nelson Mandela emphasised: ‘Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians’,” he concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 08:56
366 views
The Top Five Alternative “Padkos” Treats For Easter Road Trip
Travels over the school holidays and Easter weekend bring the promise of adventure and exploration. As you hit the open road, the anticipation builds, and the journey becomes just as important as the destination. One key element that can make (or break!) a road trip is the selection of snacks. After all, what’s a road …
Speaker Calls on World Parliaments to Accelerate Gender Mainstreaming in Government Programmes
National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula implored representatives of world parliaments to use their influence to defend democracy and promote gender mainstreaming, particularly in economic development.
Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula was addressing a moderated debate during a parliamentary event that was organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), under the theme, “Gender-sensitive parliaments: Advancing gender equality to end poverty”.
The two-week-long 68th Session (CSW68) that concludes on 22 March provides an important platform for bringing a parliamentary perspective into its discussions on women.
During the debate, the Speaker said parliaments represent the hopes and aspirations of citizens, the majority of whom, based on global statistics, are women. “It is in this context that the empowerment of women and girls must find expression in our democracies and continue to grow and mature”, she said.
Ms Mapisa-Nqakula stressed that legislatures have power and influence at their disposal. She urged them to use their authority to foster equality by encouraging governments to embrace gender-sensitive budgeting. She said parliaments are midwives that facilitate the birth of governments after they are elected by citizens, the majority of whom are women.
“With centuries of patriarchy and women exclusion, as well as discrimination, changing the status quo would require much more than what we have been doing,” she said.
The Speaker called on women parliamentarians attending the CSW68 Session to use their majority to vote against budgets that are not sympathetic to the plight of women until governments start listening.
She commended the progress made through equitable representation of women in parliaments and governments in Africa. However, she decried that these performance outputs are yet to produce the desired impact in many areas of development, particularly poverty reduction.
Parliaments have a civic and constitutional duty to use its oversight and accountability mandate to reverse years of exclusion of women. Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula said if world parliaments fulfil their responsibility as agents of social change diligently, parliaments could undo or reverse historical inequities. Parliaments can help build truly just and developmental societies where women and girls enjoy a life free of poverty and related social ills, she said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Service delivery ‘war room’ working to resolve water and electricity disruptions
Service delivery 'war room' working to resolve water and electricity disruptions
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government is implementing rapid response interventions to resolve water and electricity disruptions in various municipalities across the country.
The Deputy President was speaking during his question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
Through the Service Delivery War Room, the Deputy President said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has developed some improvement plans to implement rapid response interventions.
These, he said, include the establishment of the Results Management Office and the introduction of reforms in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to fund repairs, refurbishment and renewal of infrastructure.
The war room is looking into the continued deployment of technical professionals through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).
The Deputy President told Members of Parliament that part of the Results Management Office’s responsibility is to assist municipalities in advancing demand-side management measures and providing alternate energy supplies.
“These initiatives are aimed at reducing the impact of load shedding and its effect on substations and transformers,” he said.
Last week, the Deputy President, together with the Deputy Ministers of CoGTA and Water and Sanitation, visited Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape to find solutions to some of the challenges the municipality is facing.
“We are happy to report that with the support of MISA, the pump station that had been vandalised in the Hornlee area has been repaired, and water supply has been restored to the community.
“As this government, we are committed to working within the inter-governmental relations framework to ensure that we assist municipalities in delivering services to our people,” he said.
MISA continues to engage the private sector to fund bulk water infrastructure projects. Mashatile cited Sishen Mine in the Northern Cape and the Anglo Platinum Mine in Limpopo as some examples of private sector projects.
“These private sector entities have stepped up to fund wastewater treatment works upgrades in the Northern Cape and Limpopo,” he said.
In addition, Eskom has initiated the Active Partnering Programme, which provides technical support to municipalities through targeted interventions based on their needs. This is also aimed at strengthening the capacity to address the high failure rate of mini substations and transformers.
The Deputy President said Parliament is currently processing the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill to establish the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a State-owned company, and a major public entity.
“The agency will enable South Africa to expand our bulk water infrastructure and improve the management of existing water assets to ensure water security over the next decade,” he explained.
Mashatile said government will continue to work tirelessly to assist municipalities to meet their constitutional obligation to provide reliable water and sanitation services to all South African citizens. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:36
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CSA Appoints Chief Medical Officer
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today announced the appointment of Dr. Hashendra Ramjee as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)....
Indwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela
Indwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, says the establishment of the Indwe 4IR Lab positions the Ekurhuleni East TVET College as a transformative hub for communities.
Manamela made the remarks during the launch of the Indwe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lab at the Ekurhuleni East TVET College’s Artisan and Skills Development Centre on Tuesday.
The state-of-the-art lab is set to provide staff and students at the TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) college with cutting-edge skills pertinent to 4IR.
The establishment of the Indwe 4IR Lab is a direct result of a collaborative private-public partnership involving the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA), Festo Didactic and the Ekurhuleni East TVET College.
Festo Didactic offers state-of-the-art learning concepts for technical basic and further training.The company’s customers include vocational colleges, universities, research centres, educational institutes and industrial companies all over the world.
The strategic alliance aims to introduce comprehensive 4IR educational programmes that will significantly boost the employability and productivity of the workforce, as well as enhance the capacity-building efforts for staff at TVET colleges.
Speaking at the launch, Manamela said the launch of the lab must be viewed as part of government’s strategic goals such as developing the relevant skills to help address the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges, but also “help steer our economy from being resource driven to one that is more knowledge driven.”
Manamela said the advent of the 4IR has rendered some skills and jobs obsolete, which will require the country to reimagine the content of what is taught at universities and TVET colleges, as well as their role in society.
“The other priority that our embrace of the 4IR must help us to address is the issue of youth unemployment and in particular, the disturbing phenomenon where over two million of our young people, are not in any form of employment, education, or training, what is commonly referred to as the NEET problem.
“As a country, we can’t hope to sustain our key national goals of skills development, education, and employment, if an important section of our population-our young people-are not in any form of schooling or training. This is a huge risk that threatens to undo much of the progress we have made thus far in education and skills development,” Manamela explained.
The Deputy Minister said the launch of the Indwe 4IR Lab also forms part the department’s programme to equip TVET colleges with 4IR related capacity.
“The Indwe 4IR Lab is also envisioned as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, offering opportunities for young people to engage with cutting-edge technologies. It also imagined to be a space where young people can acquire skills in exciting areas such as robotics, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and advanced wireless technologies.
“These skills are no longer optional but essential for success and prosperity in the digital age. There is therefore no doubt the establishment of Indwe 4IR Lab also positions the Ekurhuleni East TVET College as a transformative hub for the communities of Ekurhuleni,” he said.
Equipping young people
Manamela also encouraged the TVET college to reach out to the surrounding community and open its doors for the youth and young adults to access the cutting-edge technologies that can equip them with the knowledge and skills to get out of the debilitating grip of poverty and unemployment.
“As the Department of Higher Education, we remain steadfast in our support for visionary initiatives such as the Indwe 4IR Lab and this is because we value the role of our TVET colleges in equipping our young people with the skills, not only to pursue relevant careers, but also for them to be able to earn a living from what they are taught,” Manamela said.
The introduction of 4IR programmes to TVET colleges initiative started at Maluti TVET College in the Free State, with Ekurhuleni East TVET College being the second beneficiary.
The department said the initiative will be rolled out to additional TVETs nationwide, including Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga; Lovedale Eastern Cape; Majuba in KwaZulu-Natal; Northern Cape Urban; South West Gauteng; Waterberg in Limpopo; West Coast in the Western Cape; and Taletso in North West Province. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 15:35
81 views
SA company signs dubious deal over debt collections in Lesotho
Award of lucrative tender for collecting outstanding student debt being probed by authorities
The ‘Legitimising’ of Bitcoin – You could have turned $30 into R40 Million over 14 years
Bitcoin has been around for ages – since 9 January 2009 – and, in internet years, that is a very long time. Early adopters used to bring their miners to work and plug them into their computer workstations USB ports to take advantage of the ’employer electricity and broadband’. As the market matured the miners …
Women’s hostel two-week blackout blamed on strike in eThekwini
Five women from Thokoza Hostel were arrested on Tuesday after protesting to get the electricity restored
Mystery surrounds Gauteng government’s multi-million rand adjudication panels
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SA, Ghana explore ways to expand trade and investment
SA, Ghana explore ways to expand trade and investment
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the significance of expanding trade and investment between South Africa and Ghana, highlighting the need to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation beyond the existing areas covered by the Bi-National Commission (BNC).
He was delivering opening remarks at the second session of the South Africa-Ghana BNC held at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's OR Tambo Building in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“In addition to the many areas of cooperation that the BNC covers, it is important that we explore how best both countries can increase trade and investment among ourselves.
“The purpose of the Business Forum that will take place on the margins of this BNC is to expand trade and investment between our two countries.
“Ghana is host to several South African companies. Our companies are keen to expand their investments in Ghana and look to us to work together to improve the business environment. We invite investors from Ghana to look at opportunities in our country,” the President said.
The President further emphasised that collaboration between the two countries' private sectors and State-owned entities is particularly important.
He told his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that bidding for procurement contracts in each other’s countries, instead of sourcing from outside the continent, would be desirable and commercially viable.
The President highlighted that South African companies, including several in the banking sector, have expressed interest in exploring opportunities in line with Ghana’s investment plans.
“There is also scope for collaboration in infrastructure between our two economies, particularly in the building of dry ports, railway networks, airports and hospital facilities. There are also opportunities to be explored in the pre-chemicals sector.
“As we are both coastal countries, maritime shipping and the related economy holds potential for us and opportunities should be explored further in this regard. We need to work together to reverse the decline in trade between our countries over the past four years,” he said.
President Ramaphosa highlighted that the introduction of preferential trading within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a significant development, poised to substantially reshape trade dynamics across the continent.
“On the 31st of January 2024, South Africa sent its first shipment to Ghana and other countries under the AfCFTA Agreement. This is an important first step.
“For many African countries, the start of preferential trade will create great opportunities for growth and development,” he said.
Agreements between SA and Ghana
The BNC between South Africa and Ghana was inaugurated when President Nana Akufo-Addo hosted President Ramaphosa in Accra in 2020.
There are 24 agreements and memoranda of understanding between South Africa and Ghana covering various areas of economic, technical, scientific, social and cultural cooperation.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that they must accelerate the implementation of these agreements and finalise discussions on additional agreements.
He pointed out that one of the recent highlights in bilateral relations was the signing of the reciprocal visa exemption for ordinary passport holders for a period of 90 days per annum, which entered into force on the 1st of November 2023.
“This has resulted in a considerable increase of travellers between our two countries, contributing not only to tourism but towards enhancing business-to-business links, educational and scientific exchanges, and people-to-people ties,” he said.
Peace and security
As the two Heads of State meet at a time when the state of peace and security is fragile across the globe, President Ramaphosa emphasised that they redouble their efforts to 'Silence the Guns in Africa'.
He said they need to capacitate the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to do more in pursuit of peace and stability.
“Internal strife, conflicts and wars, compounded by terrorism and violent extremism, are a major obstacle to peace, security and stability. They threaten to constrain our developmental efforts and our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The situations in Sudan, Somalia, Libya and the Sahel, among others, are of grave concern, as are the armed hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the extremist insurrection in northern Mozambique,” he said.
Elections in Africa
President Ramaphosa further highlighted that this will be an important year for democracy in Africa, with 19 African countries – including South Africa and Ghana – holding presidential or national elections in 2024.
He emphasised that these elections are important for the quality of governance and the strength of democracy on the continent.
“We must, however, be concerned that in several parts of the continent, unconstitutional changes of government, particularly through military coups, are on the rise.
“Global developments, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, continue to threaten food and energy security in Africa,” he said.
The President said African nations, with their own bitter experiences of colonial occupation, are extremely concerned by the terrible events in Palestine and the suffering unleashed on the people of Gaza.
“On our own continent, the matter of Western Sahara remains unresolved. As we pursue our own developmental goals, we stand in solidarity with all who continue to suffer the effects of occupation and dispossession,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 13:42
981 views
SA-Ghana strengthen relations
SA-Ghana strengthen relations
President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Akufo-Addo, have reaffirmed the importance of the continued nurturing of the existing historic relations and bonds of friendship between the two countries.
The two heads of state emphasised that these relations are based on mutual partnership and solidarity which date back to the struggle against apartheid and colonialism.
President Akufo-Addo is in South Africa on a Working Visit at the invitation of President Ramaphosa, to co-chair the 2nd Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries.
Tuesday’s BNC, which was held at the Department of International Relations offices in Pretoria, was preceded by the Ministerial Meeting on Monday,11 March 2024. Meanwhile, a senior officials meeting was held on Friday, 08 March 2024.
In a joint communique, the two Heads of State expressed appreciation regarding the broadening and sustained entrenchment of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors.
They renewed their commitment to work closely to further enhance strategic cooperation and partnership for mutual benefit.
“In this context, the Heads of State noted with satisfaction that 46 decisions were taken during the BNC and directed respective Ministers to ensure full implementation of these decisions. Furthermore, the Heads of State directed respective Ministers to finalise modalities for enhanced cooperation on Cross Easy and Cross Border related matters,” read the communique.
The Heads of State further acknowledged the existence of 24 legal instruments which were signed since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries as the additional five Agreements and/or Memorandums of Understanding which were signed during this session.
Silencing the guns
The Heads of State, however, underscored that the current number of legal instruments is not a true reflection of the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, and urged the respective Ministers to leverage the existing potential to deepen cooperation.
On continental issues, the Heads of State took note of the ongoing peace and security challenges in some parts of the African continent and underscored the need to redouble efforts to realise the African Union Agenda 2063 aspiration to “Silence the Guns”.
Trade
“The Heads of State also underscored the need for a common approach in the operationalisation of the decisions of the African Union related to the implementation of Agenda 2063 in general and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement [AfCTA] to bolster intra-Africa trade, in particular.
“In this regard, the Heads of State expressed satisfaction that South Africa-Ghana Business Forum, which was held on the margins of the BNC, places the two countries at the cusp of increased bilateral trade and enhanced contribution to intra-Africa trade as envisaged by the AfCTA Agreement,” noted the communique.
Furthermore, the Heads of State commended the first shipment of South African exports to Ghana in January 2024 in a ceremony which was witnessed by President Ramaphosa.
READ | SA sends first shipment under AfCFTA agreement
International developments
The Heads of State further exchanged views on international developments, particularly the ongoing carnage in the Palestinian territories as a result of the ongoing Israel and Hamas war.
“The two Heads of State called for an immediate cease fire and the opening of space for medical supplies and related humanitarian assistance for the needy and the destitute.
“Similarly, the Heads of State agreed to intensify support for the cause of Western Sahara for self-determination, freedom, and justice.”
The two Heads of State further renewed their call for a responsive international system of governance through a reformed United Nations Security Council, respect for and promotion of universal human rights in a just and equitable world.
At the end of the Second Session of the BNC, President Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to President Ramaphosa for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation since their arrival in Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za
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Tue, 03/12/2024 - 14:00
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South Africa: National Assembly Passes the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill
The National Assembly (NA) today, during its hybrid plenary, passed the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill.
The Bill seeks to amend the Political Party Funding Act of 2018. Among its key objectives is to align various pieces of legislation with the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023, which enables independent candidates to contest elections for seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.
The Bill further seeks to regulate the private and public funding of independent candidates and independent representatives.
Additionally, the Bill provides for the inclusion of independent representatives who may receive funds from the Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF). The fund aims to raise and distribute donated funds from the private sector to represented political parties. Administered by the IEC, the MPDF will now include independent candidates.
The Bill prevents the Electoral Commission from accepting donations for the MPDF if there is reason to believe it is the proceeds of crime. The Commission can also suspend the payment of money to a represented political party, independent political party, or independent representative if it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the represented political party or independent representative has failed to comply with the Act.
According to the Bill, a political party, independent representative, or independent candidate must disclose all donations they received to the Commission. A juristic person or entity that donates to a political party, independent representative or independent candidate above the threshold prescribed must disclose this to the Commission.
The Bill also makes it an offence – punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both – where donations are made to gain political influence and favour. It makes it an offence to donate to a political party, a member of a political party, an independent candidate, or an independent representative in the expectation that the party, member, representative or candidate concerned will influence the awarding of a tender, licence, approval, consent or permission, or the relaxation of a condition or restriction, the provision states.
The National Assembly passed the Bill with 240 votes to 90.
The Bill will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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