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President congratulates Professor Dire Tladi
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his warm congratulations to Professor Dire Tladi of the University of Pretoria on his election by the United Nations as a judge of the International Court of Justice.
In May 2023, Cabinet endorsed Prof Tladiâs nomination by the South African government, together with South Africaâs membership on the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
President Ramaphosa said that Prof Tladiâs election as a judge of the International Court of Justice is an outstanding personal achievement in which the nation shares with great pride.
âWe appreciate the confidence expressed by the United Nations in Prof Tladiâs capabilities. He becomes the newest member of a fraternity of South Africans globally who are in positions of service to the international community and making important contributions to the better world we seek to build.
âWe wish Prof Tladi well as he prepares to contribute to the Court and its jurisprudence from the Palace of Peace in The Hague, Netherlands,â the President said in a statement on Friday.
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN) and one of the six principal bodies of the UN.
The Courtâs role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies.
The Court comprises of 15 judges who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
Professor Tladi is a leading international law scholar whose accomplishments span different areas of the field, including academic, government service, diplomatic and practice.
He is Professor of International Law at the University of Pretoria and serves as President of the South African Branch of the International Law Association and Executive Member of the International Law Association.
He has served as Chair of the International Law Commission, an organ of the UN generally regarded as a feeder body for the International Court of Justice.
He was previously, a legal adviser of the South African Mission in New York and special adviser to South African Ministers of International Relations. â SAnews.gov.za
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DikelediM
Fri, 11/10/2023 - 09:20
It’s a tale of global exploration, academic growth, and unforgettable experiences as seven students from Reddam House Umhlanga, part of the Inspired Education Group, embarked on international adventures that enriched their lives. The Inspired Education Group is a global network of 111 premium independent schools operating in 24 countries across Europe, Asia-Africa, Africa, the Middle …
Final year university students will be heading into their last proper holiday before they enter the workforce. For those looking to get international experience, an internship teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is the perfect way to combine a passion for travel and teaching, with the added benefit of receiving significant support along the …
More officers to bolster police force to fight crime
Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced on Thursday that government is working around the clock to capacitate the police force which will see the country having 30 000 officers in the coming years as South Africa wages war against crime.Â
The Deputy President was responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday.
âThe [Police] Minister also announced that recruits are being enlisted to increase the capacity of the police in this regard. Ten thousand new trainees have already graduated and over the next financial years, additional trainees will graduate bringing the total number to 30 000 new police officers.âÂ
In addition, 1000 of the newly recruited personnel have been ring-fenced to include the capacity of public order policing (POP) which deals with crowd management issues and threats resulting from that.Â
The POP, he said, had by the end of October 2023 received an additional 4 000 members resulting from the recruitment drive.Â
In addition, as part of efforts to assess the progress government is making in implementing its programmes, the Deputy President said he and President Cyril Ramaphosa have been meeting Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Director-Generals and Heads of Departments.
âIn this regard, the President and I have had the opportunity to meet with the Minister, Deputy Minister and Commissioner of Police to brief us on the departmental plans to fight crime in the Republic of South Africa.â
He told Parliament that the Ministry was implementing Operation Shanela, a comprehensive plan to combat crime throughout the country. âThe plan includes clamping down on illegal mining areas.â
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has established specialised units to work with businesses, private security and state-owned entities (SOEs) to tackle illegal mining, the construction mafia, cable theft and the vandalism of economic infrastructure.
âI have confidence not only in Minister [Bheki] Cele, Deputy Minister [Cassel] Mathale and Commissioner [Fannie] Masemola but in all men and women in blue right to the lowest-ranking police officers who are committed to fighting and defeating crime in our communities.â
In addition, the countryâs second-in-command touched on the recently launched âCombating Crime through Decisive Police Action and Robust Community Involvementâ and the operationalisation of the increased Crime Prevention and Combating Action Plans through Operation Shanela.Â
These programmes, he said, are yielding results in the fight against crime in the country.
âWe will continue to work jointly with the private sector to invest in efforts to combat crime.âÂ
The Deputy President urged communities to continue to be involved in efforts to fight crime.Â
âThey must work with the police and expose the rotten apples within our police stations. Together we will win this fight. Letâs continue to build safer communities.â
Bills
Deputy President Mashatile also spoke about his role as Leader of Government Business.Â
He is responsible for tracking the procession of priority Bills and introducing measures to effectively monitor and improve the quality of legislation submitted by the Executive for approval.
In line with these responsibilities, a dedicated official from his office has been introduced to focus on tracking legislation as introduced by Cabinet.
It also means all Bills are tabled before the Cabinet Committee before being submitted to Cabinet for final approval.Â
âBills that do not meet the required standards are not submitted to Cabinet but sent back to the relevant departments for further work.â
He said he was pleased that that Cabinet approved 42 Bills on the 2023 legislative programme on 29 March 2023.Â
âAs of 26 October, 22 Bills on the 2023 legislative programme have already been introduced to Parliament.â â SAnews.gov.za
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Gabisile
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:43
Yesterday, Thursday 9 November, the provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, visited the Railton housing project in Swellendam. Together with the Executive Mayor, Francois du Rand, they officiated a bricklaying ceremony to signal the commencement of top structure construction. The Railton housing project is earmarked to yield 950 housing units. The project’s sod turn was …
As the Matric Class of 2023 nears the conclusion of their school career, a few of these learners will recognise Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) as a section in Business Studies. However, B-BBEE â and how companies decide to implement their Skills Development initiatives â may be the defining factor that determines some of these …
In the ever-evolving landscape of electrical solutions, one company stands out for its unwavering commitment to delivering excellence. With a wide range of services and products tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients, this company has become a trusted name in the industry. Learn more, letâs delve into the world of their services …
EFF has sent falsified documents to other organisations Just who paid the EFF’s debt to Afriforum? Why would the EFF ‘hide’ a source of funds? After a recent posting by Afriforum of proof of payment by the EFF to Afriforum for legal costs owed by the EFF to Afriforum the Twitter Sleuths were out in …
SA to host men’s conference on positive masculinity
South Africa is to host the 3rd African Union (AU) Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity later this month, which will provide an opportunity to consolidate bold continental efforts that Heads of State and other sectors have taken towards ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG) in Africa.
Convened under the theme: “Consolidating Commitments Towards the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls,” the conference is expected to take place in Johannesburg on 27 and 28 November 2023.
It will provide an important platform to assess progress made by male leadership across respective sectors and to articulate specific priorities to decisively end violence against women and girls on the continent.
Building onto the critical work undertaken in the previous conferences, the 3rd Men’s Conference will deepen the understanding of structural drivers to take firm actions towards addressing them.
A focus on deepening an understanding of structural drivers of violence against women and girls on the continent is four-fold, including:
• It serves to emphasise the importance of harnessing law and policy as instruments to accelerate changes that protect women and girls from violence and uphold their rights to life, security, freedom, dignity and physical and emotional integrity.
• It makes the strategic linkages between the lack of economic and financial inclusion with vulnerability to violence and as a form of structural violence itself.
• It develops an African compendium of evidenced-based interventions to prevent violence against women and girls.
• It provides a framework to deeply explore harmful social norms relating to masculinity and violence that have resulted in the normative character of violence – permissive societies across the continent.
It is envisaged that deepening the interlinkages between violence against women and girls, and the wider development challenges African societies face, drawing on both historic and current factors that shape these expressions, provides a deeper foundation from which Africa itself can craft relevant policy and programming responses.
The African Union High-Level Presidential Response to End Violence Against Women and Girls, was established in 2020 with a view to mobilise political commitment and action at the highest level of the AU leadership and decision-making to prevent and end violence against women and girls in Africa.
The 3rd Men’s Conference is co-hosted by 2023 AU Chairperson, President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros and President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa.
President Ramaphosa was unable to host the first conference during his chairmanship of the AU in 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic.
During his tenure at the helm of the AU, President Ramaphosa highlighted violence against women and girls as a critical challenge impeding development across the continent, and called for the adoption of an AU Convention. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 11:55
Women on Farms Project marched to Parliament on Wednesday
Home Affairs extends hours ahead of Voter Registration Weekend
To ensure that citizens are able to collect their IDs and passports ahead of the upcoming Voter Registration Weekend, Home Affairs offices will open this coming Saturday, 11 November 2023.
“The service to be rendered on 11 November 2023 is exclusively the collection of smart ID cards and passports,” said the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on Thursday.
Home Affairs offices will be open from 8am until 1 pm. This as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)’s Voter Registration Weekend will be held from 18-19 November 2023.
To register to vote, you need a South African identity document – either a green barcoded ID book, an ID smartcard, or a valid temporary ID certificate.
According to the commission, all South African citizens aged 16 years or older can register to vote, but to vote you need to be 18 years or older.
In addition, to ease pressure on its clients, Home Affairs has introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows. This will help in reducing queues.
Clients can now book collection appointments before visiting the offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) which is available on the DHA website – www.dha.gov.za through this link: https://services.dha.gov.za/#/authenticate/identity.
The department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins and will be assisted to collect their IDs and passports.
ID services will also be available at all Home Affairs offices during the Voter Registration Weekend of 18 and 19 November 2023.
In this regard, operating hours at Home Affairs offices will be aligned with those of the IEC in order to assist voters who need to collect the IDs they have applied for or to apply for Temporary Identification Certificates.
With these documents, eligible voters will be able to register for the 2024 national and provincial elections. Temporary Identification Certificates are issued on the spot.
“We would like to urge all our clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience on Saturday 11 November 2023 or on the weekend of 18-19 November 2023,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 11:58
KZN population increases by 21%
The 2022 Census results has showed an increase in the KwaZulu-Natal population by 21%, between 2011 and 2022.
The Census results, presented to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council by Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke, showed that the population in the province increased from 10.2 million in the 2011 Census to 12.4 million in 2022.
The results showed that the eThekwini Municipality continues to record the highest population with 4.2 million followed by the uMgungundlovu District at 1.2 million.
The Census 2022 is the fourth population and housing count in post-apartheid South Africa, following the first count in 1996 and subsequent censuses in 2001 and 2011.
The KwaZulu-Natal province is the third to receive the results following the presentation made by Maluleke to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The results include information at national, provincial, district and municipal level.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the province - with 12 423 907 people - finds itself at number two sandwiched between Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Dube-Ncube said the growth of the province’s population meant that the Provincial Executive Council would have to stretch available resources.
“With more people and no extra financial resources to turn to, we are called upon to use our equitable allocation wisely, efficiently and effectively. We are already feeling the strain of this growth in our numbers on the provision of social security, basic services, jobs and the fight against poverty.
“We are approaching a turning point in the management of dwindling resources which have to address a growing if not steady demand, issues including the negotiated wage hikes, the social wage and even the unpredictability occasioned by climate change,” Dube-Ncube said.
She said knowing that KwaZulu-Natal households have the largest number of female-headed households, which is at 4.4%, meant that government needed to focus its energy and resources in programmes that benefit women.
Nationally, the Census 2022 results showed that the South African population has increased from 51.7 million in 2011 to 62 million in 2022.
Gauteng remained the province with the highest population of 15 million, while the Northern Cape has the smallest population at 1.3 million. About 56% of the country’s population lives in three provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
The results showed that the Western Cape has moved from being the 5th largest province in terms of population size in 1996 to being the 3rd largest in 2022. Black Africans remain the dominant population group (81.4%), followed by Coloureds at 8.2%, Whites at 7.3% and Indians/Asians at 2.7%.
The results also showed a steady decline in the proportion of the White population, from 11% in 1996 to 7.3% in 2022. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 13:41
Diphtheria outbreak at W Cape prison kills inmate
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, announced on Thursday an outbreak of diphtheria disease at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in the Western Cape, which has since claimed one life.
A 19-year-old male inmate presented with diphtheria symptoms on 28 October and was referred to the local hospital for further medical care.
“Throat swabs were collected the same day for culture laboratory testing and the results returned positive five days later on 2 November. Unfortunately, his health condition continued to deteriorate until he regrettably passed away on 5 November,” a statement from the department said.
Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria.
The bacterium usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, causing respiratory and skin infections.
Public health measures have since been undertaken to bring the outbreak under control. These include contact tracing of inmates, correctional services staff, consulting healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.
Meanwhile, more tests were conducted with the 55 identified close contacts as part of the case investigation, of which eight inmates tested positive for this serious infection.
Of these, the department said, two of them presented mild symptoms, while the other six were asymptomatic.
“All patients including the deceased fall within the age group of 18 to 23 years old. Immediate contacts of the patients and the deceased have been put in isolation from the rest of the correctional centre section to prevent further spread of the disease.”
In addition, two staff members displayed symptoms compatible with diphtheria and have received treatment and are still waiting for their laboratory test results.
The Western Cape Department of Health, working with the Department of Correctional Services, has since embarked on a vaccination campaign in the affected section of the correctional centre.
The department said two laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria disease were recorded earlier in the year from an adult in KwaZulu-Natal and a child in the Western Cape.
Diphtheria, according to the department is an uncommon, but vaccine-preventable serious infection. The toxin may lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death.
The bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
The symptoms of diphtheria include sore throat with the formation of a membrane on the tonsil and throat and swollen glands in the front of the neck.
Close contacts of known cases are at increased risk of infection, the department explained.
“Routine diphtheria vaccination is part of the childhood vaccine programme and parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated.”
Healthcare workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion in order to ensure that cases are detected early, while all individuals are reminded of the importance of ensuring that they and their families are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
In South Africa, diphtheria-containing vaccine is offered to all children free of charge in public sector facilities at six, 10 and 14 weeks and 18 months as one component of the hexavalent jab.
“Booster doses are offered at six and 12 years, and to all Grade 5 learners in public schools during the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:05
Service provider withdrew after threats at gunpoint and extortion attempts
Planning an end-of-year getaway is exciting, but for many plant parents the excitement of going away is tinged with worry at the thought of leaving their plants home alone. While some plants can survive a few days without water, a plan must be made for others if you’re planning a longer holiday. Tips for a …
In the realm of addiction treatment and recovery, one establishment has emerged as a beacon of hope and transformation. Offering a wide array of services, activities, and holistic treatments, they are dedicated to not only addressing addiction but also nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Here, we explore what they offer and the diverse range …
Police crackdown nets 13 and seizes firearms
Police have seized 18 firearms and ammunition following a shootout between two alleged security companies in Kagiso.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng said that 13 suspects were also arrested in Wednesday’s incident.
It is reported that, the police members from West Rand District attended to a shooting incident whereby upon arrival they found two groups of what is believed to be security companies affiliated to two different taxi associations shooting at each other.
“When the police approached, the occupants from the armoured vehicle started jumping out and fleeing on foot. Thirteen suspects were cornered and arrested while 13 riffles, four pistols including scores of ammunition and magazines were seized from the scene and one firearm was found hidden at a nearby filling station,” said the SAPS on Thursday.
Two people from one of the groups where injured during the shootout and were taken to hospital.
All seized firearms will be subjected to further investigations and ballistic testing to ascertain if they were not used in the commission of other serious and violent crimes.
The suspects are expected to appear before court soon on charges of attempted murder and the discharging of firearms in a municipal area. Police investigations continue. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:06
The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) appeals to global leaders to put an end to the violence and facilitate humanitarian aid for the people of the Middle East. The situation in the Middle East has evolved into a severe humanitarian crisis. The ceaseless cycle of violence, destruction, and loss of life is taking a …
The state of Maths in South Africa is facing significant challenges, with less than 30% of matric students opting for math, and only half of them passing their exams, as reported by Business Tech. In response to this pressing issue, Lesedi Mochadibane, a 23-year-old entrepreneur with nearly 5 years of experience in the edtech space, …
Patel welcomes Ford’s further investment in SA
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel has welcomed the announcement made by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) regarding the expansion of its production to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the Ford Ranger programme.
The move aligns with the global efforts to decarbonize energy-intensive industries and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"We commend Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa for their commitment to embracing cleaner energy solutions. This initiative not only supports our national efforts to combat climate change but also positions South Africa as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable transportation," the Minister said in a statement on Thursday.
Globally, the automotive sector has undergone significant changes, necessitating the adoption of cleaner technologies.
FMCSA's decision to invest an additional R5.2 billion (US$272 million) at the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, Gauteng, for PHEV production demonstrates dedication to building world-class vehicles while contributing to a greener future.
The department said the implementation of relevant policies and legislation supporting the production and uptake of new electric vehicles (NEVs) is vital in encouraging the transition from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) to clean and energy-efficient alternatives.
FMCSA's commitment to producing PHEVs aligns with the Ford+ global strategy, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey towards sustainable mobility.
Production of the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024, and the vehicles manufactured at the Silverton Assembly Plant will be exported to over 100 markets globally, including the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) member states.
"We look forward to collaborating closely with Ford to establish the PHEV facility at the Silverton plant in Gauteng. This partnership will contribute to the future sustainability of the automotive sector and create a cleaner, greener environment for all," Patel said.
The sector is expected to receive a further boost once the Electric Vehicle White Paper is finalised by South Africa, which is expected during the current financial year. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:28
Opinion piece by Sir Viv Richards: I have been thoroughly enjoying the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and I am highly impressed with some of the performances on show. As a batter, it has been magnificent to see and I’m not sure fans around the world could have asked for anything better. Some of …
Nando’s and Spier Arts Trust presented the work of three South African artists, Colijn Strydom, Vivien Kohler and Nkosinathi Quwe, at the annual 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London. The only international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, this much-anticipated event at Somerset House in central London welcomed the …
SA Military Ombud Office to host the 11th Annual Symposium
The South African Military Ombud Office will gather different stakeholders and role players when they host the 11th Annual Symposium on Friday.
The symposium will be held under the theme: “The role of military ombud institutions in promoting human rights and administrative justice within the military in the African context”.
Military Ombud Lieutenant General (Ret) Vusumuzi Masondo will give a keynote address on the role that the Office plays within the armed forces.
Other speakers on the day will include Dr Moses Khanyile, Director CEMIS, Stellenbosch University; Grace Malera, Ombudsman, Malawi; Advcate Sipho Mantula, Researcher University of South Africa; Steven Ramafoko, Head Legal Services: Independent Police Investigative Directorate; Advocate Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director ACCORD; Major General Eric Mnisi, Adjutant General of Defence Legal Services and Florence Kajuju, Ombudsman Kenya, among others.
Masondo said they had enlisted prominent speakers, ombudspersons and academics who are well conversant with the topics and global events relevant to the symposium.
“The broader objective of this symposium is to discuss the current and future context issues in Africa, the role of our armed forces and how its oversight can be enhanced.
“Furthermore, the discussion will attempt to map out the way forward and explore the possibilities of how the creation of regional and multilateral partnerships can aid in enhancing oversight,” he said.
The Office was created in 2012 with the mandate of investigating complaints by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members and former members regarding their conditions of service.
Part of the mandate is also investigating the complaints from the members of the public regarding the official conduct of the SANDF when they are on duty. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 13:13
