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Pandor calls for urgent action to protect oceans, livelihoods
Pandor calls for urgent action to protect oceans, livelihoods
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has called on world leaders to urgently take action to protect the oceans and people who depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
Pandor was speaking on Wednesday at the 23rd Council of Ministers (COM) meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held in Sri Lanka.
The IORA’s priorities, according to Pandor, are in recognition of the fact that 40% of the world’s population lives near coastal areas.
More than three billion people use the oceans for their livelihood, while 80% of world trade is achieved using the seas, the Minister said.
“The oceans, seas and coastal areas contribute to food security and poverty eradication.
“And yet, the oceans are under severe threat by human activities, where economic profits are at the expense of environmental degradation.”
Pandor highlighted acidification, pollution, ocean warming, eutrophication and fishery collapse as some of the issues facing the marine ecosystem.
“These threats are detrimental to the planet and are long-term repercussions that demand urgent action to protect the oceans and the people who depend on them.
“The Indian Ocean region, therefore, should remain our own peaceful zone from which we can enhance opportunities in trade and further develop our nations by advancing the protection that our oceans so dearly deserve.”
The Minister believes that the gatherings have succeeded in developing clear concepts around the IORA Development Initiative (IDI).
“I am also pleased that the High-Level Strategic Dialogue meeting, which was co-chaired by South Africa and the Secretariat, was a resounding success.”
The meeting, she said, reflected on the status quo and a vision of how the IORA should proceed.
“Several discussions were held on, amongst others, the achievements and challenges of the IORA’s first 25 years and what that meant for the IORA’s future work and the implementation of the IORA’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”
Pandor is of the view that these issues are significant and will continue to help strengthen the association that is becoming increasingly important on the global stage.
“IORA member States and dialogue partners made it clear that they desire collaboration, regional cooperation, freedom of navigation, consensus building actions, partnerships, shared prosperity, rules-based norms in the Indo-Pacific and not disunity, hostility, divergence and increased military presences.”
South Africa, according to Pandor, looks forward to the completion of the zero-base document which she believes should be adopted and followed by implementation at the earliest opportunity.
“The document will provide a vision of future activities of the IORA and the role our various regions could play.”
In addition, Pandor announced that the IORA Business Forum’s South African Chapter has developed a concept note on the creation of an IORA Business Forum Digital Portal.
“This portal will connect us, reduce transactional costs, while creating a trading platform and make it easy to trade in our region and beyond.
“Working jointly at creating a region of peace means we can achieve operational optimisation within the region and achieve energy efficient technology acquisition – this would be a conducive environment that could ensure the continued sustainable development of the IORA region,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 09:25
556 views
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Finding the Perfect Apartment for Sale in South Africa
South Africa, with its diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cities, has always been a sought-after destination for both tourists and potential homeowners. The real estate market here offers a plethora of options, from luxurious villas to cozy apartments. If you’re in the market for an apartment for sale in South Africa, check here you’re …
Call to use data from Census 2022 to improve lives
Call to use data from Census 2022 to improve lives
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on government departments, policy makers, researchers, civil society organisations and international organisations to use the information from Census 2022 to collectively strive to improve people’s lives.
“Census 2022 has told us where we are making progress, but it has also laid bare the challenges that remain. It will be an invaluable tool in meeting those challenges. We now have the information we need to ensure that as we build this country, we leave no one behind,” the President said
He made these remarks during the hand over of the Census 2022 national results by Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The population and housing census was conducted in February 2022 and provides comprehensive data on population size, demographic trends, and other service delivery related information.
According to the results, South Africa’s population has increased from 51.7 million in 2011 to more than 62 million in 2022, which is a growth rate of 1.8% in the intercensal period.
“The data contained in a census is one of the most crucial planning, monitoring and evaluation tools for governments. It informs the planning, budgeting and policymaking work of government at the most fundamental level.
“We have long said that one of our priorities in building a capable, ethical, developmental state is to ensure that policy making is evidence driven. Policy making that is not informed by accurate data can result in inefficiency in the allocation of resources, under-estimation of the needs of citizens, poorly planned programmes and poor financial management. Unless we are able to see the bigger picture, we are unable to forecast,” the President said.
He said Census 2022 gives South Africa the information it need to implement government’s programme of action in a targeted, evidence-driven manner.
“We encouraged by the progress in the report presented by the Statistician-General. We note, for example, that the number of people older than 20 with no education has significantly decreased, where the number of people who now have grade 12 has more than doubled since 1996.
“It is significant also that a large proportion of our children are now in early childhood development centres. We still have work to do to ensure all eligible children attend ECD centres. The presentation shows that people’s housing circumstances have improved, with almost 90 percent of South Africans now staying in formal housing,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said despite the present challenges of load shedding, South Africans should be encouraged by the almost universal access to electricity supply.
“The results that have been presented here today underscore the urgency with which we must work towards meeting the aspirations of the National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
The President said this is the fourth census undertaken since the advent of democracy in 1994, and, as such, it contributes to a vast body of knowledge that describes the state and the progress of the nation.
Census 2022 was the fourth population and housing count in post-apartheid South Africa, with the first conducted in 1996, with subsequent censuses being conducted in 2001 and 2011.
This is South Africa’s first-ever digital census, compiled from data collected from everyone within the borders of the country. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 09:48
445 views
Stay Prepared with Backup Lights: Illuminating Your Path During Emergencies
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Namibia, SA to explore business opportunities
Namibia, SA to explore business opportunities
Namibia and South Africa’s business executives will be exploring opportunities to increase trade and investment flows between the two countries at the Namibia-South African Business Forum and Exhibition on Friday.
The Business Forum and Exhibition, which will be held at the Windhoek Country Club, will focus on strategic priority sectors agreed to by both countries, namely, agriculture and agro-processing, automotive, clothing and textile, and green hydrogen, including exploring opportunities to strengthen cross-border value chains along with the integration of the requisite infrastructure and logistics supply chains.
The Forum will be held under the theme: “Forging a New Era of Mutually Beneficial and Reciprocal Trade and Investment Relations”.
The event will be hosted by Namibia’s Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade on the margins of the 3rd Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), which is co-chaired by Namibian President Hage G. Geingob and President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and the Namibian Minister of Industrialisation, Lucia Lipumbu, are expected to address the business forum.
The programme of the forum will include presentations on opportunities available to strengthen value chain linkages between the two countries, exhibitions, business-to-business meetings, and breakaway sessions for in-depth discussions on value chains in agriculture, automotive, green hydrogen, and clothing and textile sectors.
The business forum will provide businesspeople from the two countries a platform to exchange concrete ideas on the new opportunities that can be explored with the assistance of both governments to increase trade.
It is anticipated that a joint Namibia–South Africa business forum will be created and institutionalised to become a major platform that further enhances and solidifies trade, industrial and investment linkages between the two countries. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:08
615 views
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Students encouraged to use Higher Health crisis helpline
Students encouraged to use Higher Health crisis helpline
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has encouraged South African students to use the HIGHER HEALTH 24-hour crisis helpline, which addresses the mental health needs of students and staff in the higher education community.
Nzimande made the call as the department joined the world in marking World Mental Health Day on Tuesday under the theme, ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.
The HIGHER HEALTH 24-hour crisis helpline can be accessed via a toll-free line on 0800 006 333.
In response to mental health within the Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector, Nzimande said in the past two years, HIGHER HEALTH, the Higher Education and Training Department’s health and wellness agency, managed 53 619 reported mental health cases by students.
Nzimande said through HIGHER HEALTH Mental Health Prevention, the department provided mental health support to 321 004 students from January 2021 to June 2023, aimed towards fighting the stigma and taboos around mental health.
“HIGHER HEALTH is also working with students from the LGBTQ+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more] community, survivors of GBV [gender-based violence] and general student and staff, and supports them with their health and psycho-social needs.
“HIGHER HEALTH is equipped with mobile clinics, nurses, community health and wellness practitioners, psychologists and peer educators, to provide support to students, and arm them with knowledge to build their resilience against the scourge of mental health,” Nzimande said.
The HIGHER HEALTH Psychosocial Support Counselling Unit equipped with experienced psychologists and counsellors also supported 23 450 students through therapies and mental health treatment, from January 2021 to June 2023.
Through HIGHER HEALTH, in July 2023, Nzimande launched the National Civic Education and Health Skills Programme’s co-curriculum designed to address a number of personal and social challenges facing youth within the PSET sector.
The online programme covers six modules, including one Mental Health module. The co-curriculum is offered in all 12 official languages which includes the sign language.
Raising awareness
Meanwhile, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) said it continues to work with all relevant stakeholders to maximise awareness on mental disorders as a disability.
This includes health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in primary, secondary and tertiary care.
“The right to health must be informed by our human rights approach which calls for, among others, investment in community-based care, rehabilitation and prevention,” the department said.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the department, together with SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) and other government departments, will on 17 October 2023 co-host a webinar to discuss mental health issues. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:10
388 views
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The Comprehensive Guide to Spill Kits
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Manhunt launched for escaped inmates
Manhunt launched for escaped inmates
The Department of Correctional Services together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a manhunt for two escaped inmates in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the department, the two were based at the Nkandla and Vryheid Correctional facilities in that province.
“The escapees are 34-year-old Siyabonga Sikhakhane, serving 16 years imprisonment of which 8 years is suspended for housebreaking and theft. He has been incarcerated at the Nkandla Correctional Centre since 23 March 2022.
“The second escapee is 29-year-old Siphamandla Gift Simelane, serving two years for similar offences of housebreaking and theft. He was admitted at the Vryheid Correctional Centre on 03 October 2023.
“The Emergency Support Team of Correctional Services is working together with the South African Police Service in an effort to rearrest the two. The circumstances under which the two inmates escaped are being investigated as they were both out with the spans (work teams],” the department said.
The department has urged the public to report any sighting of the two to the police. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:15
379 views
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Setting the stage for the next phase of the EPWP
Setting the stage for the next phase of the EPWP
Government’s flagship job creation programme, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), is set for a major shake-up in the months ahead.
The programme will be contributing to building better community infrastructure, empowering participants with training and skills to enter the job market and becoming entrepreneurs as part of their exit strategies.
This was announced by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala at the EPWP Phase 5 Indaba in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The announcement comes as government is reviewing the performance of the Expanded Public Works Programme and preparing for Phase 5, which will see over five million job opportunities being created.
The programme, currently in Phase 4, has delivered over four million job opportunities.
The EPWP Phase 5 Indaba is taking take stock of the current phase, which comes to an end in March next year.
Phase 4 learnings are being unpacked and new innovative ideas are being thrashed out for Phase 5 to accelerate the creation of job opportunities that have a long lasting impact on the unemployment of South African youth.
Zikalala said the repositioning and rebranding of the EPWP will be focused on delivering services and changing the lives of communities.
Zikalala said it should move beyond quantity to quality, high impact and be sustainable to the beneficiaries.
The programme will be massified to create more job opportunities while attempting to solve the country’s key challenges such as:
- Road maintenance (pothole patching, brick paving and ensuring pothole free road networks).
- Cleaning of neighbourhoods and waste management.
- Energy (retrofitting of government buildings and solar installations).
- Fixing lifts and plumbing.
“EPWP Phase 5 should be more than just combatting unemployment. It is about rewriting the story of our youth from one of despair to one of hope, from stagnation to growth and from dependency to self-reliance.
“Our core focus should gravitate towards not just creating employment opportunities, but crafting pathways of continuous growth, learning and empowerment. Our goal goes beyond employment generation. It is about nurturing a skilled, self-reliant populace that contributes constructively to our nation’s socio-economic fabric,” Zikalala said.
The Minister said one of the many strategies that will be used to escalate the EPWP’s national effort will be to re-open the government workshops.
The revitalisation of the existing workshops will be a cornerstone of empowering and absorbing some of the graduates from the National Youth Service (NYS) from the EPWP. The workshops will be the crucibles of innovation, skills development and practical exposure.
“By integrating NYS graduates into these workshops, we aim to foster a culture of continuous learning and hands-on experience, ensuring our youth are not just employable but are drivers of innovation and change,” the Minister said.
The Minister quoted a number of global public employment programmes whose lessons will be used extensively to craft programmes that will enhance the livelihoods security of people involved in EPWP programmes.
These programmes include India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Act that guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household, whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Rwanda’s Umuganda cleaning programme was also cited by the Minister. The programme is a public cleaning programme that contributes to income support while keeping public places clean and hygienic.
The EPWP will be escalated to encompass priority projects like road maintenance, energy, waste recycling and cleaning of government buildings as arenas of innovation, skills development and environmental stewardship.
It will have a strong emphasis on training, enterprise development and ensuring a transformational journey for participants. The exit pathways will ensure that the journey of participants leads to future employability, self-employment, and cooperatives or enterprises that can employ more people.
“Our vision of creating exit pathways is centred on ensuring that as participants transition out of the programme, they are not stepping back into the abyss of poverty and uncertainty, but are striding confidently into avenues of self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship and meaningful employment,” Zikalala said.
The Minister said the EPWP programme will be characterised by the Khawuleza Model, where service delivery is accelerated and meaningful interventions are unleashed to ameliorate the living conditions of the vulnerable poor. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 14:41
178 views
Value Forklifts: Elevating Material Handling Excellence
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Former municipal manager in court for ‘unlawful sale’ of municipal land
Former municipal manager in court for 'unlawful sale' of municipal land
Former municipal manager of the Mahikeng Local Municipality, Henry Smit, has appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on charges related to the unlawful sale of municipal land to the value of R144 million.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Smit is facing charges of fraud, theft, Contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), four of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act (PRECCA), two of Corruption, money laundering and Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PMFA).
He was arrested on Tuesday and granted R150 000 bail.
The NPA said Smit allegedly sold the municipal land in 2007 to a company “without council approval and further ignoring the competitive bidding process”.
“The said company only paid R5 million as a deposit to purchase the land. Investigations reveal that the company went into liquidation in December 2011 without paying the municipality the outstanding debt. The assets of this company were subsequently sold to another company for an amount of R16 million at an auction.
“In April 2012, the new owners of the land changed their company name, and between 2013 and 2015 they sold and transferred portions of the land to five other companies and a trust account.
“Investigations by the Hawks revealed that directors and shareholders of these companies had links to the company that was liquidated and they acted in common interest in illegally making gains from the municipal land that was acquired irregularly,” the NPA said.
Also, it is alleged that the company bought the land at auction and went on to enter into an “unlawful agreement with the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA), to build 2400 units at the value of over R301 million”.
“An amount of R54 million was allegedly authorised by the North West Department of Human Settle for the start of the project. This contract, however, failed to materialise, as it was not budgeted for by SHRA.
“Investigations also revealed that an amount of over R550 000 was paid as gratification to one suspect and it was further traced to a purchase of a house to the accused’s daughter,” the NPA said.
The case has been postponed to December and more arrests are expected. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:34
348 views
Plastics SA To Spearhead Groundbreaking Kaizen™ Project In South Africa
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