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News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Dear Editor As South Africa grapples with unprecedented power cuts that have stunted economic progress, news has emerged that our Government is negotiating another potential $1 billion (approximately R19 billion) loan with the World Bank to reform our beleaguered energy sector. The proposed World Bank loan to South Africa will fuel patronage, not progress. The …
A substantial group of Tygerberg MTB Club members is eagerly awaiting SA’s MTB Party of the year, the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience, that is set to showcase the sport of mountain biking against the backdrop of Stellenbosch’s legendary trails on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November 2023. “The Savanna Origin of Trails MTB …
“We are not here because we want to be here. We are here because we need homes.”
A Road Accident Fund (RAF) claim for damages is likely to be available to you if you’ve been injured in a road accident that was not your fault. These could cover your past and future medical expenses, loss of income associated with the injury, and compensation for pain and suffering. Non-pecuniary damages or general damages …
Government activities for the week, 16 to 20 October 2023
Government has scheduled the following briefings/activities for the week: 16 to 20 October 2023.
From Monday, 16 – Tuesday, 17 October, the Ministry in The Presidency for Electricity hosts the second iteration of the South Africa Green Hydrogen Summit (SAGHS). The summit will on Monday be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
On Monday, 16 October, the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Bernice Swarts, will lead the signing of the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Development Model (DDM) “One Plan” document in the North West province.
From Monday, 16 October – Wednesday, 18 October, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, will conduct a three-day visit in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West. The Minister will undertake various activities, including engagements with farmers and communal property associations on challenges facing them in the agricultural sector and the Barolong Boo Modiboa Community.
On Tuesday, 17 October, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with the South African Federation for Mental Health, will host a webinar to commemorate National Mental Healthcare Awareness Month.
On Tuesday, 17 October, the Minister for Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, will host the Pitch for Funding Competition in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
On Friday, 20 October, the North West province will host the second leg of the Presidential Imbizo in J.B. Marks Local Municipality in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.
Matona
Mon, 10/16/2023 - 11:51
In a world dominated by electronic devices and technology, the need for a constant and reliable power source has never been more evident. Power outages, surges, and fluctuations can wreak havoc on your electronic equipment, causing data loss, hardware damage, and disruption to your daily life. To safeguard your critical devices and maintain productivity, investing …
Teacher supply and demand by 2030: Securing SA’s future
South African teachers aren’t operating on survival mode since the public sector has solved the teacher shortages, writes Angie Motshekga.
As South Africa marks Teachers' Month, coinciding with last week's ceremony honouring the best in our teaching cohort, it's imperative to recognise the vital role teachers play in moulding our nation's future. The public sector's successful resolution of teacher shortages means our educators are no longer merely on “survival mode” even though resource constraints remain. Their impact, frequently extending beyond the classroom, is immeasurable. The significance of the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme in bolstering South Africa's teaching profession is commendable. Here in black and white are facts and figures about teachers in SA today.
Since its inception, the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme has facilitated the training and integration of new teachers into our educational system. From 2007, marking the year when bursars completed their studies and became eligible for placement in 2008, up to the most recent data for 2023, a cumulative total of 52 099 teachers have successfully completed their training through the Funza Lushaka programme.
This underscores its success in supporting teachers and rejuvenating the nation’s educational system with well-trained professionals.
The impact of Funza Lushaka on teacher placement: A decade in review
As we delve deeper into the data related to the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, another significant aspect comes to the fore – the successful placement of these trained educators within our educational system. This ensures that our investment in human capital translates into tangible benefits for our learners and the broader education sector.
From 2013 to 31 August 2023, spanning a decade and seven months, we have witnessed impressive placement rates across our Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).
Eastern Cape: Out of 6 608 trained teachers, 4 869 have been successfully placed, representing a placement rate of 74%. However, 1 739 remain unplaced.
Free State: Here, we see a higher placement percentage. Of the 3 092 educators, 2 752 have found positions, marking an 89% placement rate, leaving only 340 unplaced.
Gauteng: This province has seen the training of 9 423 teachers, with 8 002 of them (or 85%) being effectively integrated into schools. However, 1 421 are still seeking placement.
KwaZulu-Natal: With 9 012 trained educators, 6 908 have been placed (77%), while 2 104 await placement.
Limpopo: This province boasts one of the highest placement rates at 94%. Of 4 623 educators, 4 347 have been placed, leaving a mere 276 unplaced.
Mpumalanga: Here, 4 006 teachers were trained, and 3161 (or 79%) have been placed, leaving 845 awaiting placement.
North West: An impressive 96% placement rate is observed here. Of the 2 543 educators, 2 436 have found their roles in the education system, with only 107 still unplaced.
Northern Cape: Another province with an excellent placement rate of 96%. Of 1 166 educators, 1 115 have been effectively placed, and 51 remain unplaced.
Western Cape: From 6 867 educators, 5,127 have been successfully placed, making the rate 75%. However, 1 740 educators are still seeking placement.
Of the 47 340 educators trained over the past decade and seven months, 38 717 have been effectively placed within our educational system, representing an overall placement rate of 82%. While this achievement is worth celebrating, the data also underscores the need to address the 8 623 educators awaiting placement.
In other words, since 2013, 38 717 out of 47 340 Funza Lushaka graduates have found placement in schools, representing approximately 81.78% of these graduates. This translates to an average placement of about 4 300 graduates per annum. To put this into perspective, Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme graduates placed in schools account for 20-25% of all graduates absorbed into the public education system each year. This figure is a testament to the programme’s significant contribution to rejuvenating the teaching profession.
The financial magnitude of investing in tomorrow’s teachers
However, a programme of this magnitude comes with substantial financial commitment. Between 2007 and 2022, the cumulative financial outlay for the scheme across all participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) amounts to a staggering R13 115 645 580.95.
These figures highlight the vast number of future educators being nurtured through the programme and the immense financial commitment to ensuring their readiness to shape the next generation. It’s essential to view this not merely as an expenditure but as a significant investment in the future of South Africa’s basic education system.
Investing in today’s educators for a brighter tomorrow
In 2023 alone, across all HEIs, some 10864 students have been funded to pursue their dreams of becoming educators. This comes at the cost of the fiscus of R1 164 539 332.47. This figure showcases a substantial investment into nurturing teaching professionals who will go on to play an integral role in our basic education system.
It’s worth noting that behind each bursary is an aspiring educator, a beacon of hope equipped to inspire our nation’s youth. This investment signifies belief in the transformative power of education and those who deliver it.
Teacher supply and demand by 2030
The cepartment’s research indicates two major factors: the ageing teaching workforce, which necessitates a new influx of educators, and a surge in learner numbers due to population growth. Given the current learner-educator ratio (LER) of 29.8:1, we employ around 405 000 educators in the public sector. However, by 2030, to maintain this LER, we’d require about 428 000 educators. Failing to meet this could result in the LER spiking to 31.6:1, signifying larger class sizes and potentially diminishing the quality of education. The challenge is further compounded when considering that funding plays a significant role in our ability to recruit and maintain these educators.
But here’s the silver lining: there’s already a surplus. Every year, while 31,000 fresh teacher graduates step out, only 18 000 to 20 000 are absorbed into the public sector, creating a significant reservoir.
However, quantity alone isn’t the solution. As the curriculum evolves with the Three Streams Model focusing on technical vocational and technical occupational streams, the quality and specialisation of training become paramount. Our bursary schemes must pivot, possibly minimising the general academic stream and emphasising the new curricular needs.
*Angie Motshekga is the Basic Education Minister in South Africa.
Matona
Mon, 10/16/2023 - 09:59
When the lights go out and the screens turn off, it’s easy to forget just how much we rely on electricity in our daily lives. From keeping our homes lit and comfortable to powering the essential devices we use for work and play, the need for a reliable backup power solution has never been more …
Alongside Oventures and the South African Orienteering Federation, Treverton is hosting an Orienteering Competition in November, open to adults and students. Please register with the link below and invite all your friends to join! How the Score Event works We give you a detailed 1:10,000 map of the entire Treverton campus, including the nature reserve. …
Two-way passengers through the Cape Town International Airport’s (CTIA) international terminal remained strong between January and August 2023, reaching more than 1.7 million passengers in the year to date, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 107% and growing by 64% compared to January and August 2022. Two-way passengers through George Airport reached 511 919 between January and …
Dear Editor As South Africa faces an increasingly shrinking economy and the continued loss of jobs, the government should be using tourism as an “easy win” to change this trajectory. The Tourism White Paper process is an opportunity to meet this exact objective. Instead, true to ANC style, control and outdated ideology is what is …
JOHANNESBURG: Dafabet Warriors continued their winning streak in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) 1 Day Cup after thumping AET Tuskers by...
By Thabo Molekoa, Chairman & Managing Director, Siemens Energy Southern Africa (https://www.Siemens-Energy.com/)
Fostering an environment that promotes a culture of learning, exploration, and technological excellence among the youth, is the key to a more sustainable future.
From 3 – 6 October 2023, the 43rd instalment of Eskom Expo for Young Scientists was held at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Johannesburg. Each year the Expo finds the top young innovators and scientists across South Africa and Internationally, bringing these students together to compete against, and engage with, like-minded individuals on a platform that promotes innovation and scientific excellence. This year the Expo hosted 330 young scientists from 35 regions across South Africa, alongside 20 international students from 10 countries including Mexico, Namibia, Mozambique, and Turkey.
The Expo plays a pivotal role in promoting and sustaining the youth's interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Innovation (STEMI) subjects. It provides budding scientists with the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their problem-solving skills, innovative capabilities, and creative thinking to solve some of the world's biggest challenges. We saw students demonstrate power generation through an electrolysis system using lead pencils and water; we saw them improve the energy generation capacity of solar panels by using mirrors to direct sunrays throughout the day; as well as to identify how we can generate electricity by using the gas released from biodegradable substances. Platforms such as this also gives corporate organizations and educational institutions the opportunity to support the growth of STEMI subject skillsets and training, by providing the youth with the necessary tools to pursue scientific and engineering careers.
Siemens Energy was proud to participate as one of the main sponsors of this initiative. We sponsored students from Namibia and Mozambique to travel to South Africa and showcase their inventions. We also sponsored laptops to nine rural and underprivileged schools across the country, with two young scientists each receiving full bursaries to study engineering at a university of their choice.
The Expo was an insightful and inspiring event that demonstrated the impressive capabilities of today's young scientists. It allowed the students to showcase their knowledge and skill, in a fun, exciting, and supportive environment.
As global economies rush to enable a shift in energy systems; we need to encourage innovation, knowledge, and continuous revolution in training and education to facilitate progress. Involving the youth in challenges like these, provides the next generation of energy professionals with opportunities to learn and lead in the energy transition.
Siemens Energy recognizes the role of the youth in tackling this problem, our Just Energy Transition Hackathon, held last year is another example of how Siemens Energy is assisting in exposing the youth to a passion for STEMI subjects and energy in an engaging and rewarding format.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Siemens Energy Southern Africa.
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Pretoria, 16 October 2023 – The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) hosted its highly anticipated annual award ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievements in mathematics education. The event, held at Emperor’s Palace in Ekurhuleni this past weekend, brought together educators, students, and industry leaders in a commendable display of dedication to advancing mathematics in South Africa. One …
Boxer Athletics Club athletes Precious Mashele and Glenrose Xaba showcased their remarkable speed at the inaugural Boxer Super Run in Durban on Sunday 15 October 2023, becoming the fastest South Africans to complete a 5km run on home soil with their astonishing finishing times of 13:44 and 16:03, respectively. According to Mashele, every time that …
South Africa, Namibia highlight areas of partnership
South Africa and Namibia have reached agreements in more than 150 areas which will deepen relations between the two Southern African countries.
This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the South Africa-Namibia Business Forum held in Namibia.
“Our Ministers of International Relations tabled a report at the Bi-National Commission where they reported on up to 159 areas of agreement that they have worked on in the past few days. This process started after His Excellency Hage Geingob visited South Africa on a state visit earlier this year.
“This business forum was presaged by those agreements that they have been working on for all this time. To have had up to 150-something areas agreement is a truly outstanding feat…that is a result of real good hard work,” he said.
The President said the two countries can use the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to position themselves as an industrialising hub for the continent with a focus on increased trade between the two countries and with the rest of the continent.
The agreements presented encouraged the two governments to deepen or broaden cooperation in four specific areas including in:
On Green Hydrogen, the President said: “South Africa is in the process of considering and finalising a Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy. Namibia too is implementing its green hydrogen strategy. We can either go it alone as South Africa and Namibia or we can position this part of the west coast of the African continent as a key green hydrogen region.”
Turning to cross border value chains, President Ramaphosa said the two countries together have “the key elements of success”.
“We have raw materials, ranging from critical minerals to agricultural raw materials. We have technology, capital, an increasingly skilled and educated workforce and infrastructure. A number of value chains can be identified.
“One of these relate to our use of critical minerals to ensure that manufacturing takes place on the African continent,” he said.
President Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s favourability as an investment destination and called on Namibian businesses to do business in the country and called on South African companies to do the same.
“I want to invite Namibian businesses who want to expand their operations to set up businesses in our country. Similarly, South African companies can work with the government of Namibia and local business partners to set up operations here.
“In order to boost investment, we agreed earlier today to request our Ministers of Trade and Industry to work towards establishing a financing facility for industrial and productive development projects,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said business forums like the one held on Friday are an example of platforms that must be created to strengthen “dialogue and stimulate joint ventures” in the private sectors of both countries.
“Namibian businesses must see benefits from the involvement of South African firms in Namibia, and vice versa.
“I wish to welcome two key decisions we made at the Binational Commission today. They are, firstly, to deepen cooperation to attract private sector investment in agreed areas of cooperation.
“Secondly, to establish a South Africa-Namibia Business Council to serve as a public-private sector platform for coordinated and concerted actions,” President Ramaphosa said. - SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 10/15/2023 - 12:53
Gordhan thanks Molefe for his service
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has thanked Popo Molefe for his contribution to Transnet, following his resignation from the state-owned freight and logistics company’s board.
He resigned from the board after serving for five years.
He was appointed as board chairperson in 2018 but was replaced by Andile Sangqu in July this year.
Molefe’s resignation comes barely two weeks after the announcement of the resignations of Group Chief Executive (GCE) Portia Derby and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Nonkululeko Dlamini from the company.
“Mr Molefe and his board of directors have been at the forefront of our unrelenting push to reclaim Transnet from vested interests and state capture. We wish him well in his future endeavours and thank him for heeding the call to serve our country,” Gordhan said.
The department in its statement said Molefe’s resignation is due to personal reasons.
“The stepping down of Mr Molefe…must not be misconstrued or interpreted as being in any way related to the recent developments at the company,” the department said.
Meanwhile, Transnet has developed a turnaround plan for the company and expects to submit this to the department this coming week.
“The turnaround plan outlines operational and financial initiatives which must be implemented in the next six, twelve and eighteen months to stabilise the business and position the company for growth.
“The turnaround plan is predicated on several detailed goals to reform and strengthen the operational state of the freight rail division in particular, and with priorities of key elements, specifically the rail corridors that service key sectors of the economy,” Transnet said.
According to Transnet, the plan is premised on principles which include:
“The board has prioritised the filling of the three executive positions in the business, with the recruitment process having commenced this past week. The recruitment process is being prioritised for urgent finalisation, given the criticality of these positions to the organisation, and the lead role the incumbents will play in execution of the turnaround plan.
“The board also continues to work closely and collaboratively with stakeholders, including the National Logistics Crisis Committee,” Transnet said.
Transnet will meet with government this week to finalise the plan.
“[The] representative of the board will meet next week with the Shareholder Ministry as well as the Ministry of Finance to discuss the operational and financial details of the business turnaround plan, including areas which require immediate Government support.
“Once approved by the Shareholder and funding commitment is secured, the plan will be discussed with key stakeholders such as organised labour, employees, customers and lenders,” Transnet said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 10/15/2023 - 11:56
Dear Editor The DA is calling on Police Minister Bheki Cele to urgently address the shocking revelation by National Police Commissioner, Gen. Fanie Masemola of SAPS losing 8400 since 2016. Six years ago, the detective manpower stood at approximately 26 000 and today, the figure has been reduced to around 17 600. The SAPS has …
Dear Editor The DA has filed a complaint with the Public Protector against the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure for breaching the Executive Ethics Code following a deliberate disinformation campaign in which he sought to mislead the public through false claims that 200 construction mafia related arrests have been made to date. He has …
Dear Editor On Tuesday last week, the DA exposed how – in the past 5 years, the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, has triggered an unprecedented governance chaos at Executive and Board levels in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), as most entities were either operating with interim Boards, acting CEOs, or with no Executive heads at …