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Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) reiterates the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, “utter condemnation of the abhorrent attacks by Hamas and others against Israeli towns and villages in the Gaza periphery.” While recognising Israel’s legitimate and immediate security concerns, and the right of sovereign states to self-defence, we echo Guterres’ call for all …
Dear Editor The DA welcomes the confirmation that Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, has finally acceded to the DA’s repeated calls for South Africans born abroad and Naturalised Citizens to be able to receive Smart IDs. Home Affairs Director General (DG) Tommy Makhode confirmed to the DA In a parliamentary portfolio meeting yesterday that …
Ford South Africa is approaching its 100th anniversary in November this year – a remarkable achievement complemented by a long list of major milestones, records, and awards. To celebrate the Centenary Ford we have several exciting events and activities planned. The video below is the first #OurFordStory – which highlights Ford’s century-long journey in South …
Dear Editor The DA notes that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has spared South Africa from the consequences of not complying with its updated anti-doping code – for now. WADA confirmed receiving formal notification from the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, disputing the allegations of non-compliance. However, the DA finds it deeply concerning that it …
The Multi-Party Charter (consisting of DA, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, ISANCO, UIM and SNP) has welcomed the initiative taken by the conveners of #Convergence4SA, to gather a broad range of civil society organizations around one table to explore ways of cooperating and coordinating their efforts to mobilise voters to register and vote for change in …
Fans can pre-register to access the best seats ahead of public sales opening on 2 November Wednesday, 11...
Nkandla Correctional Centre fugitive rearrested
An inmate of the Nkandla Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal who escaped from custody has been rearrested.
This after the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and the SA Police Service launched a manhunt for the inmate – Siyabonga Sikhakhane – as well as another fugitive yesterday afternoon.
On the rearrest, DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, said: “This is good progress and we remain determined to find Siphamandla Gift Simelane who remains at large”.
According to the department Sikhakhane is expected to appear in court and will be transferred to another facility.
“The Department of Correctional Services remains relentless in its mission to apprehend those that escape from correctional centres. Escaping from lawful custody is a criminal offence and those aiding such acts shall be spared no mercy,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 11:25
The organisation argues the state has a statutory and constitutional duty to devolve rail to the City of Cape Town
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Advocate Ncumisa Mayosi to the Board as Independent Non-Executive...
The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development concluded the last leg of nationwide public hearings on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Bill in Parliament yesterday.
The committee facilitated the final hearings to give stakeholders and individuals who had expressed their wish to clarify their written submissions an opportunity to do so. Stakeholders taking up this opportunity included the Minerals Council South Africa, Agri SA, the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, the Agricultural Business Chamber, the Black Agricultural Commodities Federation, Inyanda National Land Movement and the Rural Women's Assembly (RWA) of South Africa.
The Mineral Council of South Africa, a voluntary membership founded in 1889 representing mining companies producing about 90% of South Africa's mineral production, submitted that it vehemently opposes mining through restrictions and imposing additional authorisations for mining on agricultural land. The council pointed out that the Bill obliges municipalities to designate all land as agricultural land, except land specifically excluded under the Bill. The committee was told that this approach is flawed, as it appears to intrude on the municipal competence with respect to municipal planning.
The council further stated that the Bill does not recognise the crucial role mining plays in job creation, export earnings and infrastructure development. In addition, the absence of exemption for mining and of defined processes for how competing mining interests will be accommodated leaves the mining industry at mercy of the Minister of Agriculture.
The Inyanda National Land Movement and the RWA, which includes black smallholder crop and livestock owners in several of provinces, including the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, Limpopo and the Free State, welcomed that the PDAL Bill recognises, “it is in the national interest to preserve and promote the sustainable development of agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products for the primary purpose of sustaining and enhancing human life for the benefit of present and future generations.”
However, they had some concerns that they hope the committee will consider when taking the Bill forward. One concern is the requirement that smallholder and “emerging” producers have “adequate buffer to cater for risks related to climate variability”, which they say is exclusionary and ignores the reality of black producers, who continue to be allocated less productive land, as the best agricultural land was taken by colonial settlers.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, thanked all the stakeholders who took the time to present their views to the committee. He said their inputs will be considered when the committee finalises its report for submission in the National Assembly.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
President Ramaphosa to appear in the NCOP
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to field questions related to, among other things, women empowerment and youth unemployment when he appears in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday.
According to the Presidency, President Ramaphosa will outline government’s approach to these and other matters during the Questions for Oral Reply session in the NCOP.
“The President will also outline government’s progress in institutionalising gender mainstreaming across departments, provinces and districts for gender equality through responsive planning, budgeting and reporting.
“He will also address progress in advancing the economic empowerment of women, especially in townships and rural areas.
“On youth unemployment, the President will set out government's initiatives and collaboration in developing a comprehensive youth employment and economic empowerment strategy,” the Presidency said.
President Ramaphosa will also answer questions related to other key developments in the country.
“Among questions put to the President are the outcomes of the recent XV BRICS 2023 Summit and action against construction mafia. The President will discuss the outcome of the 2023 BRICS Summit and South Africa's plans to use the outcomes to advance Agenda 2063.
“Regarding the government's commitment to global climate change mitigation efforts, the President will elaborate on the balance between ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply and contributing to climate goals,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 11:35
Good news stories don’t come along every day. And with two of South Africa’s biggest problems being food security and sustainability, the work that Siyazisiza Trust is doing in this area inspired Tourvest to become involved. With Tourvest’s mission being to create sustainable income and ensure food security within some of the poorest rural communities …
Dear Editor The 7-day ultimatum that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, gave the DA to withdraw and apologise for calling him out on his lies about 200 construction mafia arrests has come and gone. While the DA refused to apologise and stood by its statement, Zikalala has not only failed to …
Mashatile to attend Tshivhase Day Celebration in Limpopo
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will visit Limpopo over the weekend to deliver a keynote address at the Tshivhase Day Celebration.
The Deputy President will be attending the event in his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on matters of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
The event will take place on Saturday, 14 October 2023 at the Prince Thikhathali Stadium in Tshikombani, Venda.
This year’s event will focus on and celebrate the life of Chief Frans Rasimphi Tshivhase’s contribution to the struggle for a free, just and democratic South Africa.
According to Chief Tshivhase’s profile on the Presidency website, he was born in 1900 in Mukumbani in the former Transvaal.
He took over the chieftaincy of the Tshivhase people in April 1930 after the death of his father two months earlier.
“At a time when the Land Act, which sought to dispossess black South Africans of their land, was being implemented across the country, Chief Tshivhase was resolute in his opposition to the expropriation of the land of his subjects and strident in his defence of the rights of his people.”
Throughout his life, the Presidency said he refused to have his people impoverished and waged a monumental struggle in defence of the inheritance of his people.
“Realising that the serious and difficult challenges faced by his mostly rural constituents required a political response, he was among the first traditional leaders of the period to forge strong organisational links with more urban political organisations such as the South African Communist Party, of which he was a member,” the profile reads.
Despite opposition from the apartheid government, Chief Tshivhase continued to defy the authorities by mobilising the local inhabitants against the government.
"He was forcibly removed yet again in 1952, this time to even more distant Ermelo in the eastern part of the former Transvaal, where he was reputedly slow-poisoned.”
He died at Mills Hospital in Johannesburg. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 11:05
PNA, South Africa’s top retailer of stationery, art supplies, and educational books, has partnered with Breadline Africa, a well-known non-profit organisation, to enhance Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in vulnerable communities across South Africa. Together, they aim to invest in the country’s young children and promote education. Their joint efforts have raised over R1.5 million, …
DWS consults stakeholders on water strategies
Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, will on Thursday join Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) executive leaders and Standard Bank, in a workshop to engage on the implementation of the third National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS-3).
The department said the workshop will also be attended by representatives from different stakeholders in the water sector, who will interrogate detailed actions that are required to ensure financial sustainability of the water sector, as per the strategic objectives in NWRS-3.
The NWRS-3 is a legal instrument for implementing or operationalising the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) and is also crucial for proper management of the nation’s water resources across all sectors towards achieving national government’s development objectives.
The department noted that South Africa faces many and varied water security challenges, which include deficient water infrastructure maintenance, inadequacy of funds for investment, recurrent droughts, inequitable access to water and sanitation, and a lack of skilled human capacity, especially at municipal level.
To address these challenges, the department said it continuously monitors the sector and develops responsive and proactive strategies to ensure sustainable water management.
“Through its National Water Resource Strategy, which is reviewed every five years to guide water resources management in the country, the department provides the foundation for financial sustainability on the entire water and sanitation value chain,” the department said.
The workshop will be held under the theme: “Ensuring financial sustainability of the water sector”. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 08:37
Three Directors of the 12-member Eastern Province Cricket Board have been removed through a unanimous board decision on the basis of the findings of two inquiries headed by retired judges. They are Mr Rafiek Potgieter, Mrs Dai Tai Marais and Mr Leon Miggels. This follows a finding by Judge B M Ngoepe on behalf of …
The Thabo Bester Story is on sale today
In the realm of outdoor lighting, solar garden lights have taken center stage, revolutionizing the way we brighten our outdoor spaces. These innovative lighting solutions harness the power of the sun to provide eco-friendly, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing illumination for gardens, patios, pathways, and more. In this comprehensive guide, we will shed light on solar …
Johannesburg, October 10, 2023— Umdoko Internet is gearing up for a momentous milestone as it prepares to introduce a minimum valuable product (MVP) of Amusema, an event management platform set to make its debut this weekend. The company is embarking on a pioneering mission to transform the landscape of event planning and execution with cutting-edge …
In today’s fast-paced world, staying connected and powered up on the go is essential. Whether you’re a business professional in need of your smartphone throughout the day or an adventure enthusiast capturing every moment on your action camera, a reliable power source is a must. That’s where Romoss, a leading name in the world of …
The third leg of the Fortress Running Series took place at Sterkspruit Plaza in Sterkspruit on Sunday 8 October. Senqu Local Municipality Mayor Councillor Velile Victor Stokhwe paired Fortress Retail for investing in the local community. Stokhwe was speaking after witnessing the successful Fortress Running Series race in Sterkspruit in which saw over 300 runners …
Cape Town , South Africa, October 10, 2023 – Mentoring PeaceBuilders South Africa NPC, an affiliate of the PeaceJam Foundation³, is proud to announce its 7th Annual PeaceJam South Africa Youth Leadership Conference with the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Tawakkol Karman¹. The conference will take place on October 13-15, 2023 with a Power of …
“When people see you on stage it’s not like: ‘Aw that’s so cute!’ But they see the actual performance. And then [you] steal the show.”