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Ruahn Beattie, NSRI Shelly Beach deputy station commander, said: At 17h54, Tuesday, 29 August, NSRI duty crew were activated following reports of a juvenile Humpback whale appearing to be beaching at St Michaels Beach, Shelly Beach, South Coast KZN (Kwa-Zulu Natal). NSRI rescue swimmers responded and the KZN Marine Animal Stranding Network was alerted. KZN …
Dear Editor As the DA prepares to contest NERSA’s decision to award Eskom a 31,4% tariff increase over two years, at the North Gauteng High Court on 11 September, it has since emerged that Eskom has submitted a new application to extract an additional R24 billion from overburdened consumers. The DA finds this stealth cost …
Johannesburg, 30 August 2023: OMODA, the new premium, modern vehicle brand, made a resounding impact at this year’s Festival of Motoring, leaving attendees excited and eagerly anticipating what’s next from this innovative powerhouse. As one of the most anticipated events in South Africa’s automotive calendar, The Festival of Motoring, held over the past weekend at …
Dear Editor The Department of Human Settlements have contradicted the Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, by revealing that it has no record of decision for her plan to capture gate communities by enforcing broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) on services procured by community housing schemes. This was revealed in answer to a Promotion of …
Johannesburg, 30 August 2023: Apple’s meteoric rise to prominence is nothing short of exceptional, with its impressive performance in 2022 carrying over to 2023. Fred Razak, Chief Trading Strategist at CMTrading, delves into the factors underpinning this sustained success and the road ahead. A Resilient Position “Apple’s unrivalled streak of non-negative quarters since 2009, spanning …
“When life gives you lemons, buy a freaking jet” - Lesley Ramulifho
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) and mosaic artist Kerry Atherstone from Bit-by-Bit Mosaic have embarked on a vibrant mission to transform Bellville into a cleaner, safer, and more attractive haven for residents to live, work, and play. With great excitement, the GTP announces the completion of the first phase of their groundbreaking mosaic installation project, …
At a recent event, Uber Eats reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of delivery people with two new initiatives. As part of this, Big Boy Fourways, have agreed to provide delivery people with helmets at a 50% discounted rate. “Our relationship with delivery people is of the utmost importance,” says Charles Mhango, Head of Operations, …
SA commemorates African Traditional Medicine Week
South Africa is joining forces with the rest of the continent to commemorate African Traditional Medicine Week.
From 26 to 31 August, Africa recognises the role of traditional medicine on the continent in providing accessible and affordable healthcare and its contribution to the development of healthcare globally.
This year’s commemoration takes place under the "The Contribution of Traditional Medicine to Holistic Health and Well-being for All" theme.
Traditional medicine, the department said, is a holistic discipline involving the use of indigenous herbalism combined with aspects of African spirituality.
About 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs.
“In some cases, traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent.
“Thus, the significant contribution of traditional medicine as a major provider of healthcare services in Africa cannot be underestimated.”
According to the statement, traditional medicines have been used in many countries on the continent and globally over many centuries.
“Today, these medicines still represent an important part of healthcare in some countries.
“More than 100 countries have regulations for herbal medicines, but practices of traditional medicine vary greatly from country to country and from region to region, as they are influenced by factors such as culture, history, personal attitudes, and philosophy.”
The department hosted the first Traditional Medicine Summit in February this year to create a platform for stakeholders in the sector to meet and engage with the department to come up with recommendations aimed at advancing and formalising the sector.
“The summit was also meant to improve relations between the department and traditional health practitioners’ formations and other stakeholders.”
As part of the summit resolutions, Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, appointed an interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council to coordinate the activities of traditional health practitioners.
Meanwhile, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is currently developing guidelines for the registration of traditional medicine products.
The department believes that the regulations will contribute towards the industrialisation of traditional medicine products, which is an integral part of the value chain.
“The department is mandated to implement legislation pertaining to its sphere of work and the Traditional Health Practitioners Act is an example of such legislation,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:22
Saskia Renzi, a Grade 12 Treverton College student (who lives in Balgowan), was part of the KZN U18 Inland team participating in the Regional Tournament in Nelspruit between 11th and 15th July. Her team triumphantly won the Tournament and received Gold. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za for free.
Results from our pianists at the Harrismith Eisteddfod last Tuesday, the 15th of August : Zoë Sinclair: A+ (87%) and an A++ (91%) Maria Outram: 2 A++s (90% and 94%) Abigail Thompson: 2A++s (90% and 96%) Malaika van Tonder: 2A+s (85% and 87%) and an A++ (91% CLICK HERE to submit your press release to …
SAPS’s Operation Shanela nets 1614 suspects
The South African Police Service's (SAPS) Operation Shanela has yielded success as 1614 suspects were arrested for serious, violent and other crimes.
This successful intelligence-driven, high-density patrols and actions, which was conducted from 21 August 2023 to 27 August 2023, was aimed to disrupt criminal activities before and during the weekend which usually threatens the safety of communities within the province.
Of the total arrests (1614), the breakdown includes the following:
- 38 wanted suspects;
- 12 arrests for murder and 20 for attempted murder;
- 86 arrests were made for property related crime such as burglaries and thefts;
- 195 arrest for assaults with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm;
- 290 for common assaults; and
- 314 arrests were affected for an array of other crimes.
Seizures from the same operation include the following:
- 33 firearms;
- 746 rounds of ammunition from different calibres;
- 321 dagga and 11 099 mandrax tablets;
- 1,355 litres of liquor;
- 29.8kg of copper cable; and
- 85 dangerous weapons.
The high density integrated operations comprised various units such as Vispol, Detectives, Crime Intelligence, AGU, POP, Law Enforcement, other specialised units, K9, private security companies and neighbourhood watch structures.
Operations targeted illegal liquor outlets, suspected drug outlets and compliance inspections carried out at licensed liquor outlets.
All the arrested suspects are expected to make their court appearances in different courts once they have been charged. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:27
Chunky footwear is undoubtedly a modern wardrobe essential, from classic white lace-ups to hybrid shoes, lug-bulkier sole shoes are the silhouettes for offsetting smart casual outfits with a bit of streetwear edge. Injecting the latest shoe trends into your wardrobe is a quick way of updating your footwear wardrobe. From the company that brought you …
In a collaborative effort to address pressing community needs, Compass Insure, alongside its specialist partners, have successfully contributed to the Chefs with Compassion #67000litres for Mandela Day Challenge. The collaboration resulted in raising funds to supply a substantial 50,000 litres of clean, bottled water to Chefs with Compassion’s soup kitchens, significantly exceeding the initial target …
On Monday, 28 August, the Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, alongside the Executive Mayor, Dave Swart, and Ward Councillor, Claude Terblanche, officiated the bricklaying event at the Ebenhaeser housing project in Plettenberg Bay. The ceremony celebrated the milestone of the historic project in New Horizons. A community founded in …
Blended finance fund to assist farmers alleviate energy challenges
The ongoing load shedding in South Africa has become a serious constraint on growth and profitability for various sectors, including agriculture.
In addressing the negative impact on the productivity and profitability of farm operations brought about by the load shedding crisis, the Land Bank and Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), have launched a blended finance fund, which is geared towards financing alternative energy solutions with a focus on energy intensive agricultural activities which include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems and on-farm cold chain related activities.
The Agro Energy Fund aims to support all South African citizens, producers in the agricultural sector, including smallholder, medium scale, large scale and mega commercial producers.
The launch of the Agro Energy Fund follows the successful launch of the Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) in October 2022 through the partnership between Land Bank and DALRRD, where the bank, in collaboration with the department launched the R2 billion BFS.
Speaking at the launch held in Pretoria on Tuesday, DALRRD Minister Thoko Didiza emphasised that the purpose of the Agro Energy Fund is to incentivise farmers to invest in alternative energy sources, and will run parallel to other existing financial instruments that are designed to support farmers with production, farmer infrastructure and market, amongst others.
Didiza explained that the applications for the fund will be directed to the Land Bank and will be subjected to approval guidelines of the bank.
“The funding will be deployed through a blended finance structure which is a combination of a loan and grant. DALRRD will contribute a grant portion to a total value of R500 million which will be matched with a loan portion to a total value of R710 million from Land Bank.
“This will effectively create a R1.21 billion fund size. The fund will be available in the market until the allocated funds are completely drawn down,” Didiza explained.
The Minister added that the priority will be on supporting dairy farming, piggeries, poultry, all irrigated commodities and on-farm processing.
“In deploying funding to producers, the Bank will also rollout its Green Finance product offering with a focus on financing solar panels, biogas and biomass plants which will result in the installation and commissioning of energy efficiency projects across the country which will partially offset electricity usage from the grid.
“The fund will enable the bank to contribute to building resilience against energy shocks in the sector which have negatively impacted productivity and profitability in farm operations. The food security and rural development remain key priorities in the agricultural sector,” the Minister said.
Land Bank Board Chairperson, Thabi Nkosi, expressed the bank’s appreciation to be in partnership with the department for the implementation of the Agro Energy Fund, and also commended the department’s allocation of the R500 million grant.
“The fund aims to support all South African producers - from smallholder farmers to large commercial producers - in a manner that ensures a balanced allocation of funds across various farming cohorts, according to need,” Nkosi said.
Nkosi explained that the smallholder producers will be eligible for up to 70% total finance amount, with the grant portion capped at R500 000 per applicant, while medium scale producers will be eligible for up to 50% of the total financed amount, with the grant portion capped at R1 million per applicant.
“Large producers will be eligible for a grant of up to 30% of the total financed amount, with the grant portion capped at R1.5 million per applicant. On this basis, the fund is expected to support over 500 farmers across the country,” Nkosi said.
While acknowledging that the fund may not reach all of South Africa’s farmers, Nkosi said, this initiative, with specific focus on renewable energy solutions, will catalyse the agricultural sector’s adoption of more sustainable farming practice.
The applications to the Agro-Energy Fund are now open, and the details about the fund, product offering, and how clients can contact and apply for funding support from the Land Bank can be found on www.landbank.co.za or www.dalrrd.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:06
Celebrating progress, acknowledging challenges, and advocating for change – By Lara Barlow, HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Director of Empact Group: August in South Africa holds a special significance as it marks Women’s Month, culminating in the celebration of National Women’s Day on the 9 August every year. This annual observance commemorates the historic 1956 …
Somerset Mall is gearing up to host an inspiring event that promises to empower those on a diabetes journey. We are thrilled to announce the launch of the updated edition of the renowned book, The Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Handbook. Co-authors Vickie de Beer and Kath Megaw will guide attendees on how to …
President Ramaphosa meets with SOE chairpersons and CEOs
Implementing reforms will serve to enhance the ability of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) not only to adapt to industry developments but also to serve South Africans into the future.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who met with chairpersons and chief executives of SOEs on Tuesday.
“It is quite clear that the success of our economic recovery relies on the effective functioning of state-owned entities. We are implementing reforms to ensure that SOEs are able to adapt to new economic conditions, including rapid developments in technology, their respective operating environments and changing global trends, and to serve the country well into the future,” President Ramaphosa said.
In a statement, the Presidency said the meeting sought to “discuss the implementation of measures to stabilise their financial and operational performance and harness their economic potential”.
“Government has, since 2018, embarked on a process of reform to address the legacy of state capture in SOEs, including through the appointment of capable leadership, the recovery of stolen assets and the pursuit of those responsible for perpetrating acts of corruption.
“In addition, as part of Operation Vulindlela, fundamental reforms are being implemented in the energy, logistics and water sectors to address structural challenges and reposition SOEs for the future.
“President Ramaphosa called on the management and boards of SOEs to accelerate this reform agenda and fulfil their developmental mandate. He emphasised the importance of SOEs, as strategic national assets, in driving inclusive growth, investing in infrastructure, and creating jobs. President Ramaphosa will continue to prioritise the turnaround of South Africa’s SOEs in order to drive economic growth and transformation,” the statement read.
Also at the meeting, the Presidential State Owned Enterprises Council tabled a report while the National Treasury presented an update on its review of the procurement system of SOEs.
“Since its establishment, the Council has undertaken in-depth analyses at 21 SOEs to inform its recommendations. It has proposed changes to the governance framework and shareholder ownership model to enhance oversight, separate the ownership, policy and regulatory functions of the state, and leverage the combined balance sheet of SOEs.
“In addition, the National Treasury provided an update on its review of the procurement system to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture while enabling SOEs to operate in an efficient and competitive manner. Legislative and regulatory reforms are underway to strike an effective balance between preventing corruption and abuse and allowing innovation, agility and responsiveness in procurement,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 09:38
NGOs could play a vital role as intermediaries
In the dynamic world of digital marketing, generating quality leads is the lifeblood of any successful campaign. As a digital marketer, your ability to generate leads effectively can add massive value to your client’s business. To help you achieve this, Jacqueline van Rooijen, Sales and Marketing Growth Expert shares her four proven strategies to supercharge …
Give your lawn a little TLC now to make it summer-ready, ensuring it stays lush, green, and happy! By prepping it, you’ll boost its resilience against pests, heat, and diseases, ensuring a lush, green garden centrepiece. If you dream of lazing on a lush lawn during the summer, now’s the time to spring into action …
Johannesburg [August 29, 2023] – Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced the local availability in Africa of the Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ 2, a self-contained micro data centre for edge computing applications, including banking and financial institutes, warehousing, education, government, and retail customers. The SmartCabinet™ 2 offers the …
SCOPA chair tells ministers and mayor to get on with it
