Basetsana

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, says investing in resilient infrastructure is crucial amid an array of challenges that global cities are currently facing. 

“Our cities must have reliable and sustainable water supply, sanitation, energy, transportation and communication systems.”

By adopting innovative technologies and embracing nature-based solutions, Nkadimeng believes that the adaptability of infrastructure can be strengthened to tackle climate change and other disruptive forces.

The Minister was speaking at the BRICS Urbanisation Forum in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The forum, which is currently underway, is taking place under the ‘Advancing urban resilience for sustainable cities and towns for future generations’ theme. 

The upcoming BRICS Summit is preceded by several events and activities taking place in the host country.

Therefore, the forum provides a platform for governments, organisations, experts and scholars from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to engage with some of the issues expected to arise at the summit. 

Nkadimeng also acknowledged that big cities bear the brunt of numerous challenges. These include climate change, social vulnerabilities, and natural disasters placing immense strain on infrastructure, resources and communities.

“It is imperative that we recognise the urgency of these challenges and work together to build resilient environment that can withstand and recover from the shocks, stresses, and risks we all face.   

She also emphasised the importance of effective governance and policy frameworks, which are vital in advancing urban resilience.

Meanwhile, she said the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) plays an important role in strengthening national priorities towards sustainable development and building urban resilience.

“By localising the SDGs, we align global aspirations with local realities, ensuring that our efforts are targeted and impactful.”

Nkadimeng is of the view that this requires inclusive planning processes that engage communities, civil society organisations and the private sector. 

Citing China as an example, she said the country has “sponge cities”, integrating green infrastructure to absorb and manage stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding.

“Brazil has been focusing on favela upgrading programs in cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, improving infrastructure and social services in informal settlements to enhance resilience.”

Russia, she said, has embraced green building practices, while India has prioritised climate-resilient housing and urban greening initiatives in various cities.

“Lastly, South Africa has been upgrading informal settlements and integrating renewable energy sources in its urban development plans.

“These examples demonstrate the diverse approaches and innovative practices employed by BRICS countries to enhance urban resilience.”

These, according to Nkadimeng, also showcase the importance of context-specific solutions, driven by effective governance and policies that align with national priorities and the localisation of the SDGs. 

“However, our work does not end here. As we navigate the complexities of building urban resilience, let us acknowledge the advent of urban data intelligence.”

She said there is also a need for strategic use of data to become of utmost importance. 

“This allows for targeted investments in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and capacity-building programmes. 

“Therefore, we must embrace data-driven approaches, invest in data collection systems and build analytical capacities.”

By harnessing the power of data, she said it can monitor the effectiveness of resilience measures, make informed decisions and optimise resource allocation.

COGTA Deputy Minister, Parks Tau, said urbanisation is at greatest momentum within the BRICS bloc.  

This means increasing pressure on urban areas to provide critical access to infrastructure, economic and housing opportunities. 

“Developing urban areas sustainability, inclusively, equitably and productively is the challenge for all conference attendees and we look forward to being inspired by shared innovations between us as collaborators and partners.”

In South Africa, Tau said he has witnessed extensive urbanisation, with close to 70% of the population living in cities and towns.

“In the historic context of apartheid, which denied access to urban life for the majority of South Africans, innovations to deliver substantive infrastructure, affordable housing, access to services and economic opportunities have been critical in the work of spatial transformation,” Tau said. 

Meanwhile, Nkadimeng said the journey towards urban resilience requires unwavering commitment and collective action. – SAnews.gov.za

Trade, Industry and Competition Acting Director-General, Malebo Thompson, says the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to accelerate growth and increase investment in Africa.

“AfCFTA brings us a step closer to realising the historic vision of an integrated market in Africa.

“The coordination of efforts, and inclusion of AfCFTA across all of government and relevant stakeholders will ensure that AfCFTA opportunities benefit the South African private sector,” Thompson said.

Taking part in a masterclass organised by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and the National School of Government on Tuesday on the implementation of the AfCFTA, Thompson said trade integration and liberation should be accompanied by programmes to support African industrialisation and regional value chains.

Thompson said dtic has embarked on provincial outreach programmes and awareness workshops in collaboration with provincial governments.

“The dtic is also developing an AfCFTA implementation plan, including the establishment of a national implementation committee and a targeted strategy for the implementation of AfCFTA,” she said.

Prudence Sebahizi, the Director for Institutional Matters and Programmes Coordination at the AfCFTA Secretariat, said the AfCFTA create a single continental market with free movement of goods, services and investments.

“The objective of AfCFTA is to promote and attain sustainable and inclusive development, gender equality and structural transformation of [member States],” Sebahizi said.

The AfCFTA, Sebahizi said, will promote industrial development and regional value chain development, agricultural development and food security.

“The objective of the AfCFTA agreement is to create a single continental market for goods and services,” Sebahizi said.

The AfCFTA presents South Africa and Africa as a whole with unparalleled benefits and opportunities.

The AfCFTA seeks to establish a large, single continental market, encompassing a population of approximately 1.3 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately US $3.4 trillion.

According to World Bank projections, by implementing the trade agreement, Africans will have an opportunity to lift 100 million people out of poverty, 60 million Africans out of abject poverty and the rest out of moderate poverty.

The AfCFTA agreement was mediated by the African Union (AU) and signed by 44 out of 55 member States in 2018.

The agreement seeks to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-Africa trade. In particular, it is to advance trade in value-added production across all service sectors of the African economy.

The AfCFTA will contribute to establishing regional value chains in Africa, enabling investment and job creation.

The practical implementation of the AfCFTA has the potential to foster industrialisation, job creation and investment, thus enhancing the competitiveness of Africa in the medium to long term. – SAnews.gov.za

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government says preparations for the repatriation of the mortal remains of a medical student, who passed away in the Philippines, are at an advanced stage.

Snegugu Ntobeko Myeni from Utrecht, who was a final-year medical student in the Philippines, passed away at the airport on 10 July 2023, as she was about to board a plane back to South Africa.

After hearing about the family’s plight through a video recording where her mother, Lindiwe Myeni, made an emotional plea for assistance, the provincial government intervened and committed to provide support and assistance to repatriate Myeni’s mortal remains.
 
The provincial government said it has been working with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ambassador of South Africa to the Philippines to expedite repatriation efforts.

“The initial expected date of the arrival of Snegugu’s mortal remains in the country was Saturday, 22 July 2023. However, we are still awaiting a final letter from the attending doctor in the Philippines to finalise the repatriation of Snegugu’s mortal remains. 

“We expect that the medical processes will be concluded soon. We encourage the Myeni family to take comfort in the knowledge that the greater part of the work has already been done by the provincial government to ensure that Snegugu’s remains are brought home to her loved ones in a dignified manner,” the provincial government said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

One hundred and sixty-one suspects have been arrested in the Northern Cape under the South African Police Service's Operation Shanela.

The arrests were executed between last Monday and Sunday, 23 July. 

The arrests were made during stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints, cordon and searches, high visibility patrols, compliance inspections at liquor outlets, tracing operations by detectives, visits to businesses and second-hand goods dealers.

Teams across the Northern Cape conducted numerous operations, which included 11 roadblocks and 36 vehicle control Points (VCPs), during  which 1 981 vehicles and 4 365 persons were searched, with fines being issued for contravention of the law.

These actions were also enhanced by 1 206 high visibility blue light and 1 972 foot patrols throughout the Northern Cape.

In total, 3 109 compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, shebeens, taverns, liquor outlets, firearm dealers, farms and informal businesses.

On Monday, 17 July, the police followed up on information and found a substantial amount of copper cable stashed next to a power station in Peter Mokaba Street in Kagisho in Galeshewe, while another male was also arrested with copper worth R1 000 in the Kimberley CBD.

Colesburg SAPS members confiscated a large amount of diesel concealed in containers in a Toyota bakkie and the vehicle owner could not account for the goods.

Police in Hopetown also confiscated a substantial amount of tik, mandrax and dagga, while another team seized a large amount of dagga in Galeshewe.

SAPS all over the province made routine visits at ATMs, business premises, national key points, post offices and tuckshops.

Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola, said SAPS members and external stakeholders will continue with the high density crime prevention operations. – SAnews.gov.za

North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi, said he was saddened by the passing of two former SABC journalists serving his community.  

According to Maloyi’s Office, seasoned radio journalist, Bobby Serame, 53, passed away after an illness on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old videographer, Moleboheng Khaeane, lost her life due to an accident on the same day. 

“Bobby Serame worked for the SABC as a radio journalist for over two decades before joining Mahikeng FM last year.”

According to the acting Premier, Khaeane was also one of the few female video journalists in the province.

“She worked for the SABC News - North West region for three years before joining SABC News Free State region.”

Maloyi has described both Serame and Khaeane as critical members of the media who informed the people of the North West about several government programmes and initiatives to address various socio-economic challenges confronting the province.

“Members of the media are critical government stakeholders and without them, we cannot reach and share information regarding government services to our people. 

“Both Serame and Khaeane contributed immensely to empowering our people with information that can better their lives. May their souls find eternal rest. My condolences to their families, friends and colleagues,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the National Press Club (NPC) said it was mourning the passing of four journalists, under different circumstances.

This includes Khaeane, Serame, veteran KwaZulu-Natal photographer, Bongani Mbatha and respected entertainment journalist, Welcome Skhosana.

“Every democracy relies on the media – as the fourth estate – to ensure its citizenry is informed of developments that affect their lives and when we lose colleagues like we did this week, it hurts our democracy like it did their families and friends,” said National Press Club Chairperson, Antoinette Slabbert.

Independent Newspapers’ Mbatha was shot and killed at his house, outside Durban on Tuesday. Entertainment writer and former Daily Sun and City Press journalist, Welcome Skhosana, passed away on Wednesday, 19 July 2023. 

“The National Press Club dips its flag in honouring these media workers and agents for democracy and the plurality of voices in the media landscape of our country. 

“The club sends its heartfelt condolences to their families, colleagues and friends during this hour of pain and need.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called upon students and staff members in higher learning institutions, to consider the value proposition that HIGHER HEALTH’s co-curriculum is bringing to the development of the country.

Nzimande made the call when he was unveiling the National Civic Education and Health Skills Programme at the Tshwane North TVET College Mamelodi Campus on Thursday.

The National Civic Education and Health Skills Programme will, for the first time, see young people participating in the programme, have a recognised certificate affirming their readiness to play a role in improving their communities and building the nation.

Nzimande noted that it is the first time that a civic education skills programme has attained a nationally recognised accreditation in South Africa and Africa in general.

This was through a collaboration effort between the department’s entities, including HIGHER HEALTH, Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), and the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, that led to the development of the accredited co-curriculum. 

Nzimande explained that the curriculum, to be accredited at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, will be available for all students and staff registered in all Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector. Students do not need to be at NQF Level 4 for them to enrol for the course.

The modules to be offered in co-curriculum will include, Civic Education; Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Gender Equality and Diversity, Transforming MENtalities; Mental Health; Disability; Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); Alcohol and Substance; and Abuse and Building Resilience.

The co-curriculum, which will be offered in all 12 official languages, including Sign Language, is different from any other, because it is based on the interactive participatory pedagogy, centred on the approach of “EACH ONE! TEACH TEN” (Teach at least ten people in your lifetime). 

“The co-curriculum will include top 10 soft skills required by employers, which include active, empathic listening and counselling; civic responsibility; conflict resolution; creativity; decision making; digital literacy; presentation skills; public speaking; teamwork; organisational and leadership skills; as well as time-management.

“It is this kind of innovation, and the social transformation that comes with it that will contribute to the overall process of building good citizenship in our country. This unique co-curriculum will instil the values of respect and compassion for one another, community building, volunteerism and unshakeable commitment to advancing social causes,” Nzimande said. 

Building strong democratic institutions

The Minister also highlighted that one of the greatest benefits of this civic education co-curriculum is to contribute towards voter education amongst the youth.

With South Africa’s youth accounting for more than 20.6 million of the population, Nzimande said, increasing their civic involvement and political participation is crucial to building an inclusive society and strong democratic institutions.

“For South Africa’s political system to be representative, all parts of society must be included. When young people are disenfranchised or disengaged from political processes, a significant portion of the population has little or no voice or influence in decisions that affect them.

“This is amongst the reasons that this co-curriculum has been designed to tackle a wide range of health, mental and social challenges facing our youth today,” Nzimande said. 

He added that through the curriculum, issues of GBV within the PSET sector, will be able to be addressed, and the module that deals with issues around gender issues, will be aimed at transforming MENtalities, by raising awareness about the role of men in changing their own attitudes and ending GBV.

“Our module on mental health will be an appropriate response to the reality that one in five young South Africans in higher education suffer from moderate to severe mental health issues, according to the World Health Organisation.

“Soon, we will be including to our curriculum, issues of climate change. This module will be included to address the dire need to counter the disastrous impact of climate change such as floods, fire and famine that devastate regions hit by unprecedented adverse weather patterns,” Nzimande said. – SAnews.gov.za