MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Johannesburg, February — FAW Trucks South Africa, a key player in the global commercial vehicle manufacturing arena, reflects on a successful 2023 and charts an ambitious course for 2024 with strategic plans to reinforce its market presence and customer support. 1. Impressive 2023 Performance: Leading the Pack At the close of 2023, FAW Trucks SA …
Innovative businesses gain more access to global markets, study finds
Innovation-active South African businesses have more skilled labour and greater access to the global markets compared to non-innovation enterprises, according to results from the latest round of the South African Business Innovation Survey (BIS).
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey revealed that during the 2019 to 2021 period, 62% of South African businesses took scientific, technological, organisational, financial, or commercial steps aimed at realising an innovation.
According to the statement, training emerged as the most common innovation activity for 47% of innovation-active businesses, followed by software and database activities (29%), and marketing initiatives (25%).
Of the employees involved in these innovation activities, only 38 in 100 workers were female and 62 in 100 were African.
In addition, the computer sector had the highest proportions of businesses with innovation activities and innovation.
“There remains significant scope for businesses in South Africa to undertake innovation activities that result in novel innovations, and do so in an inclusive manner.
“In South Africa, where we face multiple challenges, a more innovative business sector can contribute to productivity and business resilience as well as job creation, improved working conditions and quality of life," said the HSRC’s Dr Amy Kahn, who led the BIS.
South Africa’s BIS, covering the period between 2019 and 2021, examined the innovation activities in about 5 500 enterprises — from small to very large, and across a range of industries.
Among these innovation-active enterprises, 37% introduced both product and process innovations, while 23% had only product innovations and another 23% only process innovations.
The remaining 17% of innovation-active businesses either did not have innovations or abandoned their innovation projects by the end of 2021.
Among advanced and emerging technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies were most widely used or developed by 80% of all innovative businesses.
The IoT describes devices with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet or other communications networks.
The survey report, prepared for the Department of Science and Innovation by the HSRC’s Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), provides new evidence for policymakers to foster business innovation and offers new insights for business leaders and industry associations regarding the innovation landscape in South Africa.
“The innovation situation for all South African businesses should concern us, including why firms do or do not innovate,” added CeSTII Research Director, Dr Moses Sithole.
Meanwhile, high costs were a significant barrier to innovation for 27% of all businesses, the survey found, as well as too much competition (25%) and lack of funds (24%).
“Product and process innovations tended toward quality improvements, including enhanced working conditions, product quality, and overall quality of life and well-being, rather than cost-related outcomes,” explained Sithole.
The BIS report also delves into the distinct innovation practices of a wide range of South African businesses.
“The analysis conducted in this round of the Business Innovation Survey takes us significantly closer to understanding the South African business innovation practices that shift the needle. This informs how we should design support for greater business innovation in our country,” said Executive Head of CeSTII, Dr Glenda Kruss.
For example, HSRC said the survey highlighted that businesses without formal innovation processes, such as research and development (R&D), patenting or not collaborating with external entities, were more likely to abandon their innovation projects.
On the other hand, companies with the capability to develop their innovations in-house and more novel product innovations had the highest turnover in 2021.
Also, businesses more connected to global markets and with higher product innovation novelty held greater intellectual property rights.
“A fine-grained understanding of the patterns of innovation exhibited in South African businesses enables us to build the capabilities suited to South Africa’s context and its challenges.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 03/07/2024 - 14:48
Desperate households resort to paying for water from unmarked trucks
President Ramaphosa visits new Mpumalanga hospital
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conducted a site visit and inspection of the newly constructed Middelburg Hospital in Mpumalanga.
“This is most impressive. It’s a modern, state-of-the-art and it’s going to serve the community of about 330 000 people. This is development. This is how we are developing our country from a social and health point of view and we’re doing it cost-effectively as well,” the President said on Thursday.
This was ahead of the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo held at Emalahleni in the province the same day.
“I also appreciated the way there was thorough consultation with various stakeholders in the area to bring in small and medium enterprises, and to bring in communities, who participated in one shape, form or the other in the construction of the hospital,” the President said at the site visit.
He praised the participation of the community in the construction of the hospital and said it has many benefits.
“This is what we should do because in many ways, it also avoids this very bad practice that has emerged of construction mafias. When the community is well-organised and is part of the construction of a facility, everybody feels like they own the facility and they can benefit from a job point of view, and from a supplying point of view.
“I appreciate also the funding model that was used. It was funded from the budget but over a five-year period in various phases, not all at once. To do it over a set period is clearly the way to go,” he said.
President Ramaphosa added that the hospital serves as a precursor for things to come.
“This is going to be a clean, well-run hospital and a really good demonstration of what the NHI [National Health Insurance] is going to be all about. So this is a very good precursor to the NHI.
“Those who have been criticising the NHI [we now]... have... an improved facility and improved infrastructure… this is it. We are ready for the NHI at this site. When the NHI Bill is signed [into law], this is going to be one of the exciting sites for NHI implementation,” he said.
READ | NHI receives in excess of R1 billion allocation
The President will later lead government’s interaction with communities and stakeholders.
Themed ‘Leave No One Behind’, the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province.
The imbizo will get underway at the Sy Mthimunye Stadium in Emalahleni. - SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 03/07/2024 - 13:32
“Our customers attach particular importance to tyres with low rolling resistance for greater range and quiet rolling noise for high driving comfort,” says Manja Greimeier, Head of Original Equipment at Continental Tires. In 2023 Continental supplied tyres to all ten of the world’s highest-volume manufacturers of fully electric vehicles for the first time. In the …
WaterCAN, a leading civil society organisation dedicated to ensuring access to clean and safe water, is alarmed that the authorities are struggling to resolve the dire water supply situation in Johannesburg. “Johannesburg is on the brink of a catastrophic water supply crisis,” says Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of WaterCAN. “Rand Water and Joburg Water’s …
Premier Alan Winde chaired a regular meeting of the Western Cape Government (WCG) Cabinet on Wednesday, 6 March. Ongoing support to municipalities Premier Winde reiterated his ongoing concerns over service delivery challenges impacting residents in numerous municipalities, including Knysna. “Urgency is needed in bringing stability to all struggling municipalities,” he said. He added that it …
Four foreign nationals, South African found guilty of fraud and corruption
Five people, including four foreign nationals and one South African national, have been found guilty of fraud and corruption by the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Tausi Majani Kahwere (25) and John Majani Kahwere (44), who are both Congolese, were convicted on Monday.
Other three accused, Morshed Alam (25), Saiful Islam Sujon (43), both Bangladeshi nationals and Oliver Whendle Hurriparsad (42), a South African national, were found guilty on Tuesday.
Mogale said the convictions follow a lengthy investigation by the National Serious Corruption Investigation, in collaboration with Department of Home Affairs' Counter Corruption in KwaZulu-Natal, which resulted in a lengthy trial until all the accused pleaded guilty.
It is reported that during 2021, a Department of Home Affairs official, Judy Zuma, operating with a foreign national’s syndicate, colluded with South African citizens to assist foreign nationals from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Democratic Republic of Congo to obtain South African passports by using their identity documents and biometrics.
“The foreign nationals fraudulently replaced the owners’ photos with theirs and assumed the names of the South African citizens. The official, Judy Zuma, has since pleaded guilty and convicted on 1 159 counts of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 and contravention of the Identification Act,” Mogale said.
Mogale said the foreign nationals were arrested between 2021 and 2023 as they were boarding flights to different destinations, and already gone through the airport processes.
The suspects were found guilty of all seven charges brought against them, including fraud; corruption: Contravention of Section 3, Act 12 f 2004; Contravention of Section 18 (1) (a) of the Identification Act, Act 68 of 1998; Contravention of Section 49 (7) of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002; Corruption under Section 3, Act 12 of 2004; and Contravention of Section 18 (1) (a) (c) of Identification Act.
Mogale said the Congolese duo will be sentenced on Friday, while the trio will be sentenced on 21 May 2024, and Zuma will be sentenced on 05 April 2024. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 03/07/2024 - 10:51
Dear Editor Today, I visited the Dunoon Library, a world-class facility. The library, which opened its doors five years ago as a joint venture involving local, provincial, and national government, symbolises a commitment to providing high-quality learning resources to vulnerable communities. The Dunoon Library has played a crucial role in fostering a culture of learning …
South Africa requests International Court of Justice to urgently act to prevent famine in Gaza genocide.
South Africa has on 6 March 2024, approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with an urgent application for the provisional measures the court ordered on 26 January 2024, to be strengthened to prevent a catastrophic famine in the Gaza Strip.
The urgent application has been necessitated by widespread starvation in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of at least 15 children in the past week alone, with the actual numbers believed to be much higher. United Nations experts warn that the number of deaths will increase exponentially unless military activities are halted and the blockade is lifted.
South Africa has therefore requested the indication and/or modification of the following provisional measures:
All participants in the conflict must ensure that all fighting and hostilities come to an immediate halt, and that all hostages and detainees are released immediately.
All Parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide must, forthwith, take all measures necessary to comply with all of their obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
All Parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide must, forthwith, refrain from any action, and in particular any armed action or support thereof, which might prejudice the right of the Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts, or any other rights in respect of whatever judgment the Court may render in the case, or which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.
The State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address famine and starvation and the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, by:
(a) immediately suspending its military operations in Gaza
(b) lifting its blockade of Gaza
(c) rescinding all other existing measures and practices that directly or indirectly have the effect of obstructing the access of Palestinians in Gaza to humanitarian assistance and basic services; and
(d) ensuring the provision of adequate and sufficient food, water, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, alongside medical assistance, including medical supplies and support.
The State of Israel shall submit an open report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to all provisional measures ordered by the Court to date, within one month as from the date of this Order.
On 29 December 2023, South Africa approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as a State Party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention'), seeking an order to prevent Israel from committing genocide against the Palestinian people who, along with all other distinct national, racial and ethnical groups, are protected by that Convention.
On 26 January 2024, the Court ruled that South Africa's claim met the standard of plausibility and, on the request of South Africa, ordered Israel inter alia, to take action to prevent and punish genocide, incitement to genocide, and to enable the immediate and effective provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to besieged Gaza.
These ‘Provisional Measures' were issued by the Court to prevent irreparable and irreversible harm to the rights of Palestinians pending the Court's final decision on the case.
Regrettably, Israel has not complied with the Court's binding Order, but has instead escalated its genocidal acts against the Palestinian people. On 15 February 2024, following a letter to the Court from South Africa in response to Israel's threatened assault on Rafah, the Court reminded Israel that “the perilous situation [in Rafah] demands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated” by it on 26 January 2024, which included Israel's obligation to ensure ‘the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip'.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Today, provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, tabled the 2024 Main Budget, in the Provincial Parliament, under the theme of ‘A budget to keep building a Western Cape that works for all’. “Over the 2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), this R255.29 billion budget places the 7.4 million residents of this Province, our …
Government services on hand at Mpumalanga Imbizo
Government is bringing services even closer to the people of Mpumalanga, with departments and entities offering services on the sidelines of the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo held at Emalahleni on Thursday.
Today's imbizo allows President Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders in government to assess progress made and to be briefed on challenges associated with the improvement of service delivery since the President’s previous imbizo held in Carolina in May 2022.
Now, residents in Emalahleni are encouraged to visit the government exhibition show at Sy Mthimunye Stadium where the imbizo is being held.
Exhibitors include the Department of Home Affairs, where residents can apply for and collect ID cards; the Post Office; the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), where residents can make enquiries on grants; the National Youth Development Agency, and the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), where enquiries can be made.
At the exhibition site, NYDA official Tebogo Matsoge said: “Customer services that we have here today [are for] people who have issues with their logins on our online platforms. Anyone who wants to know about business starting or grant funding, we are here. We are more than willing to assist anyone who’s in need because this is our main priority, to boost South Africans who want to start businesses and to kick-start the economy.”
SASSA official Khensani Nxumalo said: “We are here at the imbizo and we are going to be doing Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) R350 grant enquiries. We are doing enquiries on grant payments for those who didn’t receive their payments and we are screening for those who want to do applications.”
The Presidential izimbizo are directed at enabling the successful implementation of the 'One District, One Plan' District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation and evaluation. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 03/07/2024 - 10:53
More than half a million South Africans bought new cars during 2023. This is despite ever-increasing interest and inflation rates, and soaring cost of living, fuel, and car prices. And yet, even with around a million road accidents being reported annually, only 35% of South African motorists have insurance. This means that, if you’re unlucky …
Dear Editor The DA has formally launched urgent contempt of court proceedings against ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula over his failure to comply with an order confirmed by the Constitutional Court to hand over complete records related to the ANC’s national cadre deployment committee dating back to 1 January 2013, when Cyril Ramaphosa became cadre chairman. …
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated CSA T20 competitions, promising an...
RS South Africa (https://Africa.RSdelivers.com/), a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a global provider of product and service solutions for industrial customers, has expanded its RS PRO (https://apo-opa.co/3uZFEzs) electronics engineering range with 1 900 new products across 20 technologies. It offers high-quality electronics components from industrial connectors and passives to the latest test and measurement equipment.
This expansion is specifically curated for professionals engaged in R&D, PCB development, equipment and machinery design, and production line engineering. The electronics engineering range stands as a testament to RS PRO's commitment to providing high-calibre components and precision measuring instruments of the highest quality.
RS PRO stands out as a competitive option between other leading brands. It is synonymous with high-quality products that have undergone rigorous testing and comply with industry standards.
The RS PRO product line boasts an extensive selection of over 80 000 items, boosting its capability to meet any requirement and provide complete solutions. A high inventory availability ensures customers can find everything they need in a simple, efficient, and straightforward way, all under one brand.
The expanded range encompasses the following electronic products: resistors, capacitors, inductors, circuit protection, industrial and AV connectors, fuses, LED indicators, electronic test and measurement, soldering equipment and more.
All products feature the RS PRO Seal of Approval, a guarantee of professional, industrial-grade quality and performance, tested by the brand's team of experienced engineers. RS PRO provides customers with a comprehensive choice of quality solutions, meeting design and compliance specifications at all stages of the product lifecycle.
More information on the expanded RS PRO electronics range is available on the RS website (https://apo-opa.co/4c7HNtQ).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.
PR Contact Person – RS South Africa:
Princess Tlou
Communications & Content Specialist
Africa Exports
Princess.Tlou@rsgroup.com
+27 11 691 9366
Media Contact Person – NGAGE:
Thobile Ndlovu
PR Account Executive
thobile@ngage.co.za
+27 11 867 7763
Further information is available via these links:
Twitter : https://apo-opa.co/3T0ICwS
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3I5UIyE
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3T2j16J
RS Africa Exports: https://apo-opa.co/42GY3gZ
RS South Africa: https://apo-opa.co/48m0si7
DesignSpark: https://apo-opa.co/4bJaCwo
RS Group plc: https://apo-opa.co/49isz2Z
About RS Group:
RS is a trading brand of RS Group plc, providing product and service solutions that help our customers design, build, maintain, repair and operate industrial equipment and operations, safely and sustainably. We stock more than 750,000 industrial and electronic products, sourced from over 2,500 leading suppliers, and provide a wide range of product and service solutions to 1.1 million customers.
We support customers across the product lifecycle, whether via innovation and technical support at the design phase, improving time to market and productivity at the build phase, or reducing purchasing costs and optimising inventory in the maintenance, repair and operation phase. We offer our customers tailored product and service propositions that are essential for the successful operation of their businesses and help them save time and money.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2023 reported revenue of £2,982 million.
Road safety initiative for children launched in Gauteng
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has partnered with Santam on an initiative to reduce the high proportion of children who lose their lives in road-related incidents.
Santam Head of Market Development, Neptal Khoza, said they have identified a need to roll out scholar patrol projects in townships where many children walk or commute to school without adult supervision and often need to cross dangerous, multi-lane roads.
The scholar patrol initiative will be set up in at 10 schools in the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng.
Safety patrollers on duty will be trained effectively, given the appropriate uniform and equipment, including umbrellas and rain ponchos during the rainy season.
Patrollers will also receive certificates of recognition for their participation. The initiative will provide much-needed temporary employment opportunities for the surrounding communities.
Post-matric, unemployed youth will be recruited as patrollers in a bid to contribute towards the government’s objective to provide an avenue for labour absorption and income transfers to poor households in the short- to medium-term.
“The project has the potential to prepare youth for future careers in road safety, traffic police and general law enforcement. This project is one of many initiatives that we will plug into the existing community enhancement structures in achieving our broader goal of building communities that are more resilient. We foresee that learners, as well as their families and communities, will benefit immensely form this service.
“We call on other corporate and private sector entities to join us in partnering with the public sector in ways that can benefit greater society and ultimately provide existing initiatives with the boost they need to reach their full potential,” Khoza said on Wednesday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Status Report on Road Safety of 2023 cites that road traffic injuries remains the leading cause of death for children.
“Pedestrian safety remains the most significant road safety challenge in South Africa. Our records as the RTMC indicate that on average 10.2% of pedestrian fatalities are of the 0 to 14 age brackets. For the past three years, 47% of fatal crashes involved pedestrians, with Gauteng as one of the main contributors to the high pedestrian fatality rate.
“Funding for road safety remains a challenge for the RTMC. There has been continuous effort to engage the private sector for collaboration on the implementation of road safety initiatives. The school intervention by Santam in the road safety programme will go a long way in creating safer communities and save more lives,” said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane.
ChildSafe spokesperson and Executive Director, Zaitoon Rabaney, said they will continue to advocate for the 30 km/h speed restriction around schools, as well as environmental modifications that influence driver behaviour to adhere to slower speeds in school areas.
“Equipping our children and their families with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate roads safely is paramount. Through educational programmes, campaigns and targeted outreach efforts, such as the scholar patrol initiative, we can foster a lasting positive impact on the safety culture on our roads, especially around schools.
“These alarming statistics, however, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive road safety measures, particularly those focused on protecting our most vulnerable road users – children,” Rabaney said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 03/07/2024 - 09:12
As businesses evolve, the demand for efficient office printing solutions has grown exponentially, particularly within bustling office settings. The Olivetti 4023MF A4 copier, exclusive to mfpgroup.co.za, addresses this demand by ensuring seamless copying efficiency suitable for the most dynamic workgroups and the highest printing demands. Engineered to enhance productivity, this device is primed to become an integral component of your office infrastructure. Meet …
The university says its made 530 emergency beds available and has reopened applications to on-campus residences
“We paid more money trying to fix that thing than we paid for buying it,” Bheki Cele tells Parliament
As MotoGP fans worldwide turn their eyes to Qatar for the curtain-raiser of the 2024 season – the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar – one rider in particular will be attracting a great deal of attention as the race weekend gets underway at the Losail International Circuit on Friday 8 March. 19-year-old MotoGP rookie …
6 March 2024 – RX Africa is thrilled to announce that it continues to be a leading premier exhibition organiser after winning eight prestigious ROAR awards, hosted by the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO). The ROAR Awards, now in its 5th edition, was established to acknowledge innovation, excellence and professionalism within the African exhibition …
While the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom is renowned for its Blue Flag beaches and world-class dive sites, the enchanting hinterland is home to incredible natural beauty and adventure. South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) continues to extend these rural tourism offerings with the launch of the KwaNdwalane Adventure Experience on 1 March 2024. …
Boasting the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the province, as well as two world-class dive sites, adventure and extreme tourism offerings, Ugu District remains a top tourism destination. South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) continues to develop these tourism products, expanding the tourism economy which brings with it significant investment opportunities. “Our …