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Western Cape Premier Alan Winde visited Paarl to assess emergency interventions implemented by the Drakenstein Municipality to protect essential services during rolling power cuts. It comes as South Africa and its citizens are once again plunged into stage 6 loadshedding. Early in 2023, the Western Cape Government (WCG) released funding of nearly R89 million for …
Dear Editor Today, StatsSA confirmed a rapidly deteriorating economic landscape. This is reflected in the dismal 0.6% growth in our gross domestic product (GDP) over the second quarter of 2023. A direct result of failed ANC policy. In February 2023, the National Treasury estimated a growth rate of 0.9%, a target that, even though low …
Dear Editor The DA will write to the Public Protector’s office to request a second investigation into the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, and the acting director-general (DG) of the Department of Social Development (DSD), Linton Mchunu, after the newest revelations in the media that they breached internal and governmental protocols when entering into …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for the immediate suspension of PetroSA’s interim Board Chairperson, Nkululeko Poya, pending the outcome of investigations into his fitness to hold office. Considering the seriousness of the allegations that he is facing, it is highly irresponsible to let him continue working as the chairperson of the board …
The final event in the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K, is gearing up to be an intensely competitive race with the announcement that Comrades Queen Gerda Steyn and the ever-consistent Neheng Khatala from Lesotho will both be taking to the streets of Johannesburg on National Heritage Day, …
Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff has risen to the No 1 spot in the latest update to the URC Top 100 with forward players dominating the upper end of the ‘pound-for-pound’ rankings. Based upon the Statmaster algorithm that defines a player’s contribution (xP) to his team’s total points per game, Ulster-bound Kitshoff has an overall rating …
Dear Editor “[Less loadshedding]…and…the improvement we are seeing, is not an act of God, but is testament to the fact that this recovery is sustainable, this recovery is enduring. I think that is the message that I want to convey” – Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on 9 July 2023 Two months after he confidently …
The African Rainbow Gold Cup kicks off on Saturday with matches scheduled at 16 club grounds around South Africa, at venues as far afield as Kathu, Saldanha, Hartbeespoort and Uitenhage. The opening round will see 32 clubs play for places in the Round of 16 in the straight knock-out competition. Rustenburg Impala – champions in …
Pretoria, 5 September 2023: Defender is celebrating Rugby World Cup 2023 and the spirit of achieving more with the introduction of a Rugby World Cup 2023 Limited Edition. As worldwide partner, the exclusive set of just 23 unique vehicles have been introduced to the French market, inspiring Defender brand enthusiasts to embrace the impossible with …
Dear Editor The DA commends the City of Cape Town for its proactive approach in implementing cutting-edge safety technology. In a stark contrast to the national Police Department’s empty promises, the City has taken concrete steps by equipping its law enforcement officers with body-worn cameras and in-vehicle cameras featuring Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. …
Dear Editor Ms Busisiwe Mkhwebane has written to President Ramaphosa, informing him of her intention to return to office tomorrow, 5 September, since she holds the (erroneous) view that the section 194 process is finalised. The Courts have previously found that Ms Mkhwebane has a fundamentally flawed grasp of the law and the Constitution on …
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has urged the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to reach an agreement with SuperSport to secure sub-licensing of broadcast rights to the highly anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup. “I am concerned at how millions of South Africans may be unable to watch the Rugby World Cup should …
SA benefits economically from BRICS grouping
Outlining the economic benefits of South Africa's participation in the BRICS grouping, President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Members of Parliament that South Africa’s trade with the bloc has increased by an average of 10% every year over the period 2017 to 2021.
“The total South African trade with other BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] countries reached R830 billion in 2022, which represents an increase of more than 70% from R487 billion in 2017,” the President said on Tuesday in Cape Town.
Participating in a Questions for Oral Reply session in the National Assembly, President Ramaphosa explained that BRICS is an important source of foreign direct investment in key areas such as mining, automotive, transportation, clean energy, financial services and information technology (IT).
These investments and projects lead to significant job creation.
“South Africa has experienced significant benefits through its membership as well as its association with the BRICS grouping of countries. South Africa uses its BRICS membership to improve investment, trade, tourism, as well as capacity building, and it also flows into skills acquisition and technological capabilities that we see this relationship yielding for our country.
“Strengthening economic as well as financial ties between BRICS member countries is one of the key pillars of this cooperation that we have forged with all these countries,” the President said.
In 2020, the countries adopted the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership to increase access to each other’s markets, promote mutual trade and investment, and create a business-friendly environment for investors in all BRICS countries.
“Furthermore, the BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women’s Alliance bring together important commercial networks that promote trade and investment partnerships among BRICS countries. In 2015, BRICS countries launched the New Development Bank to finance and largely support infrastructure and sustainable development projects,” President Ramaphosa said.
To date, the New Development Bank has provided funding to 12 projects in South Africa to the value of over R100 billion.
“Our membership of BRICS makes a valuable contribution to the implementation of our Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. For example, growing the tourism industry is one of the priorities of the Plan. The BRICS countries are becoming increasingly important tourism markets for South Africa.
“In terms of supporting energy security in South Africa, another pillar of our recovery plan, BRICS countries have the expertise and technologies to support energy cooperation. In 2020, BRICS adopted a Road Map for BRICS Energy Cooperation up to 2025 aimed at building a strategic partnership in energy cooperation,” the President said.
On infrastructure investment, which is another pillar of the recovery plan, South Africa will continue to access funding from the New Development Bank for energy, transport and water.
“The inclusion of Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as new members of the group will strengthen beneficial cooperation with South Africa in political, economic and financial matters.
“These countries will enhance economic partnership in key sectors such as oil and energy, telecommunication and information technology, agriculture, textile, logistics, air transportation and tourism and medicine,” the President said.
Last month’s three-day BRICS Summit wrapped up with several successful outcomes, including the expansion of the six aforementioned countries to become full members of BRICS effective from January 2024.
South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS Summit from 22-24 August in Johannesburg. This year’s summit took place under the theme, ‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism’.
The President said South Africa expects that its trade links and investments participation with all the additional countries will increase.
This addition is also expected to contribute to the growth of the country’s tourism industry.
“In economic terms, all these new additional countries are big players and on the horizon are a number of other countries that have indicated their willingness to be part of BRICS and they too will be considered in the next phase.
“We will obviously look at the economic value in terms of participation for all of us as BRICS members. These additional countries will be boosting our Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan and we expect great benefits from all this.
“The benefits for our countries has been very clear right from the beginning. It has led to enhanced activity amongst ourselves and all these countries. Being a BRICS member does contribute a great deal to economic growth as well,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 09/05/2023 - 15:18
Dear Editor The DA has won yet another historic battle in our ongoing lawfare campaign to abolish ANC cadre deployment corruption from the face of South Africa. Today, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed the ANC’s desperate attempt to appeal the earlier ruling of the Johannesburg High Court, which held that the ANC must …
Pullman Cape Town City Centre, the first property under the Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand in South Africa, has found residence in the prestigious Triangle House – an architecturally acclaimed skyscraper standing tall at 104 metres, a vantage point from which guests are treated to awe-inspiring vistas of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and of …
Dear Editor President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attendance of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration as President of Zimbabwe today demonstrates the extent to which the ANC is removed from the plight of the Zimbabwean people under the ZANU-PF’s longstanding autocratic dictatorship, and the ANC’s complete and utter disregard for our own founding principles of freedom and democracy which the …
Dear Editor Parliament continues to drag its feet in tabling the DA’s Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation Of Land Amendment Bill for its first reading in Parliament. Until this is done, the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements cannot deliberate on the Bill which continues to have a severe impact for illegal land …
Dear Editor Despite a convergence of ideas from the Democratic Alliance (DA), civil society and more recently the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB), on the need to review the fuel price methodology to make fuel more affordable to consumers, the ANC government has stubbornly refused to take urgent policy steps towards fuel price rationalization in …
Cipla Medpro South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Cipla South Africa”) to acquire Actor Pharma (Pty) Ltd. Strengthens its over-the-counter product portfolio South Africa, 5 September 2023 Cipla South Africa, a 100% owned subsidiary of Cipla Limited (BSE: 500087; NSE: CIPLA EQ; hereafter referred to as “Cipla”) signed a binding term sheet with Actor Holdings (Pty) Limited …
“Every toilet has a crack,” says J.E Malepe Secondary learner Samkelo Mthethwa
On International Charity Day on September 5, Algoa FM reflects on more than three decades of dedicated community service. For 35 years, Algoa FM has made a profound impact on the lives of people residing within its broadcast footprint through numerous fund-raising drives. Algoa FM’s broadcast footprint extends from the Garden Route to the Wild …
Over 11 000 public servants undergo lifestyle audits
President Cyril Ramaphosa says over 11 000 public servants in national government have undergone lifestyle audits, as at March 2023.
The President announced this when he appeared before Members of the National Assembly to reply to questions during a hybrid plenary sitting held this afternoon.
Responding to a question by Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, who had asked whether the lifestyle audits on Members of the Executive have been concluded yet, President Ramaphosa said lifestyle audits of public servants have been compulsory since 2021.
He said the lifestyle audit process for Members of the Executive is spearheaded by the Office of the Director-General in the Presidency and the Secretary of Cabinet.
“The process was institutionally initiated towards the end of 2022. Earlier this year, I sent letters to the Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers requesting their written consent to the process to ensure that the information is obtained in a legitimate and legal manner.
“I received the same letter signed by the Director-General and Secretary of Cabinet. The Members of the Executive, including myself, have submitted consent forms for the nationally-driven process of lifestyle audits,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa noted the implementation of the lifestyle audits has been delayed by the change of the service provider. He said the implementation of the project is anticipated to be concluded by the end of this financial year.
While welcoming the decision of the lifestyle audit, Member of the National Assembly for the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said the issue with the lifestyle audit is with capacity and that it should be run parallel with the 2014 Cabinet decision that all executives in SOEs [State-owned enterprises] and SCM [Supply Chain Management] practitioners must be vetted.
The President acknowledged that the process of vetting is lengthy, with some people leaving the public service without being vetted.
He said different ways of speeding it up are being looked into.
“I am one of those who sees the delays in vetting people being quite detrimental to our public service because we need to know much earlier the standing of those that we employ, whether they are able to execute their task with the integrity that we require of them,” the President said.
The President said that the Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security Agency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, is attending to the matter.
The President dispelled the notion that only public servants are being subjected to lifestyle audits, reiterating that Members of Executive are also being subjected to lifestyle audit.
“When we subject them to lifestyle audits, we have to go through a process and they are quite intrusive and get into private details of the members’ lives… We have to implement proper processes so that we arrive at the type of conclusion that we would like to see.” – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 09/05/2023 - 15:29
When it comes to digital marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a term that businesses can’t afford to ignore. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of SEO has never been more apparent. However, one question that often arises is, “How much does SEO cost?” This question becomes even more pertinent when we …
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has resolved to give the departments of Water and Sanitation and of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) 14 days to respond and find solutions to the water shortages in Rustenburg in the North West and Warrenton in the Northern Cape. The committee today received two petitions on water shortages in these two areas and agreed that while the committee is dealing with them, there is a need for a broader discussion on solutions to water shortages in many areas in the country.
“Petitions are an important tool to ensure oversight and the committee will use these petitions to seeks answers from all spheres of government that are constitutionally mandated to provide quality water to the people of South Africa. We will thus send the petitions to the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to get answers for the residents of those areas,” said Mr Robert Mashego, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee highlighted that there remains a concerning gap within the water value chain, with some stakeholders such as municipalities failing to deliver on their mandate. The decision to include the Department of Cooperative Governance in solving water shortages is to ensure that there is joint accountability and that all stakeholders contribute, as per their mandate, to resolve this challenge. Also, the committee highlighted that the District Development Model, which seeks to integrate planning and delivery of services, should be exploited by all spheres of government to ensure collaboration in the delivery of quality services.
In addressing the petitions directly, the committee highlighted that the responses to be submitted to the committee must include how grants, such as the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, have been spent in those areas to address inadequate infrastructure, maintenance of existing infrastructure and availability of bulk services. This information will assist the committee to assess where the problems lie and to find lasting solutions to the challenges raised.
The committee remains of the view that the availability of water is a critical enabler in overcoming many socio-economic challenges. “The lack of water is negatively impacting the ability of citizens to reach their full potential. Also, quality water is necessary to unlock economic activities in many areas that are struggling under the pressure of poverty and unemployment,” Mr Mashego emphasised.
Meanwhile, the committee has committed to the petitioners that it intends getting answers to their plight before the end of the sixth parliamentary term. “We have heard you and will work towards finding you the necessary answers,” Mr Mashego concluded.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.