Basetsana

In honor of the Father of the Nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow deliver the keynote address at the national commemoration of the United Nations-endorsed Nelson Mandela International Day in the Eastern Cape. 

The President will also preside over the unveiling of two statues at the Nelson Mandela Museum, Bhunga Building in Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu. 

“A statue honouring the Father of the Nation will be unveiled at the Bhunga Building in Mthatha before the President delivers the keynote address and presides over a second unveiling at the Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, Eastern Cape.

“The two monuments serve as a tribute to Nelson Mandela's enduring impact on South Africa and the world, and commemorate the 67 years he dedicated to the fight against apartheid and racism,” the Presidency said in a statement. 

Since the United Nations’ proclamation of Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009, the Nelson Mandela Museum has observed the global Nelson Mandela International Day as a strategic opportunity to promote President Mandela's values and foster his legacy. 

The museum aims to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need, and this day serves as a powerful platform to achieve that objective.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, accompanied by the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute, will lead the Nelson Mandela International Day activities taking place in Soweto. 

This year’s Mandela Day will be observed under the theme ‘Climate, Food and Solidarity’ - urging all to action in response to the impact of climate change, addressing the challenges of poverty and inequality.

In this regard, the Deputy President and delegation will take part in planting 12 additional vegetable beds at the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto, with the aim of encouraging the learners to start and maintain vegetable gardens at their schools and homes. 
 
This is also part of the food security initiatives aimed at contributing to the overall National School Nutrition Program.

While in Soweto, Deputy President Mashatile together with representatives of the National Youth Development Agency, Clinic Health Group and the Gauteng Provincial Government will hand over gifts to learners at both the Morris Isaacson and Matseke High Schools.
 
The Deputy President will then visit and hand over gifts to the elderly at the Soweto Home for the Aged which accommodates needy and destitute elderly people with full boarding and lodging facilities, frail care and other services.

As part of honoring and paying homage to freedom fighters, the Deputy President will be laying wreaths at Tsietsi Mashinini’s statue in Jabavu, the Nelson Mandela House in Vilakazi Street, as well as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Orlando West.

The Deputy President will be supported by Gauteng Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Parks Tau, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale Tlabela, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Morakane Mosupyoe, Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane, Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlophe and senior government officials. 
 
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of the late liberation struggle veteran and international icon, President Nelson Mandela. 
 
This important day also serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Tata’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities. – SAnews.gov.za

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has urged Deputy President Paul Mashatile to help facilitate long-term planning across government departments if the country is to meet its developmental goals and improve service delivery. 

“This was one of three issues tabled for discussion. The other two were social cohesion and the District Development Model (DDM),” the NPC said on Thursday. 

The NPC was engaging Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, on the National Development Plan (NDP) and State Capacity. 

The gathering also charted a way forward in implementing the NDP 2030 Vision.

The NPC is a diverse and independent planning body, comprising experts in various fields, appointed by the President to advise on the country’s long-term development as contained in the NDP Vision 2030. 

Its role is to monitor, review and assess progress in achieving the NDP.

The meeting, organised by the state capacity and active citizenry workstream focused on the functioning of the state, building the leadership required by a capable and developmental state at all levels.

It also zoomed into the role of an active citizenry, institutional planning, social cohesion and nation-building. 

The Deputy President was also brought up to speed on the institutionalisation of planning through the draft National Development Planning Framework (NDPF) Bill, social cohesion and nation-building, and DDM. 

NDPF Bill

The draft NDPF Bill aims to embed and institutionalise a coherent planning system across government and inclusive of the broader citizenry.”

The commission believes that only such an integrated approach to planning can lead to better service delivery and the advancement of the development goals of NDP. 

“The draft Bill centralises the NDP in the long-term planning processes of both the state and government.”

It also envisages the NPC, as well as the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) as key, permanent and formal planning instruments. 

“The NPC appealed to the Deputy President, in his capacity as the Leader of Government Business, to put the weight of his office in support of the speedy passage of the NDPF Bill through Parliament.”

Social cohesion 

On social cohesion and nation-building, the NDP envisions that by 2030 South Africa will have made significant progress towards achieving social cohesion. 

“Amongst others, social cohesion should be demonstrated through reduced inequalities, greater integration of living spaces between citizen groups, enhanced inter-group interactions and greater employment. 

“The NPC is of the view that the country has not made sufficient progress towards the attainment of these noble goals.”

The NPC proposed that social cohesion be elevated to the highest priorities of government and included among the Presidency's functions.

DDM

NPC has described the DDM as a relatively new operational model to improve coordination and collaboration among different spheres of government and stakeholders at a district level to accelerate development and service delivery. 

“The NPC appealed to the Deputy President, who is allocated the DDM as part of his portfolio, to accelerate the suggested initiatives to strengthen intergovernmental relations, build capacity through merit-based appointments, and separate the political-administrative interface at all levels of government.”

Meanwhile, NPD Deputy Chairperson, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, was adamant that there is still hope despite persistent levels of inequality and apartheid spatial arrangements that are still visible.  

“That hope resides in implementing the NDP,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Mashatile expressed his full support for the NPC’s work and its efforts to re-centre the NDP as the vision for the country. 

“I believe in long-term planning. You have a friend in long-term planning now,” said the Deputy President, adding that he was committed to assisting with the issues raised by the NPC and assured the NPC of ongoing engagement. – SAnews.gov.za

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says skills for the Changing World is crucial for Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) to remain on the path for sustainable economic growth. 

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a unique opportunity for Africa and BRICS to explore further areas of cooperation in terms of skills development,” Nzimande said.

Addressing the 10th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education, currently underway in Mpumalanga, Nzimande argued that the AfCFTA is going to be a game changer on how BRICS Member States conduct trade with the African continent.

Held under the theme “Responsive and Relevant Education and Training in the Current Global Context”, the BRICS education engagement, forms part of the build-up to the 15th BRICS Summit scheduled to take place from 22-24 August 2023 in Johannesburg.

Nzimande said South Africa has put forward eight thematic areas to be discussed during this year’s meeting of Ministers of Education.

These include climate change, entrepreneurship development, skills for the changing world, mutual recognition of qualifications, out-of-school youth, labour market intelligence, early childhood development and university global ranking.

Nzimande urged the Member States to make concrete proposals on how the BRICS education system can assist to contribute meaningfully in all the thematic areas. 

In the area of mutual recognition of qualifications, the Minister highlighted that since the adoption of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education, BRICS Member States need to discuss possible cooperation aimed at accelerating ratification by countries and its prompt implementation. 

Nzimande also challenged BRICS countries to put systems in place to encourage mobility of students and education experts and academics. 

He said South Africa is at an advanced stage in terms of concluding relevant constitutional obligations to accede to the Global Convention. 

The Global Convention establishes universal principles for fair, transparent and non-discriminatory recognition of higher education qualifications and qualifications giving access to higher education and offering avenues for further study and employment. 

With provisions on non-traditional learning modes, the Global Convention also facilitates the recognition of qualifications, prior learning and study periods earned remotely. In addition, it promotes the recognition of refugees’ qualifications, even in cases where documentary evidence is lacking.

“We must continue to encourage BRICS academics to research relevant topics within BRICS including the implications of the proposed BRICS currency and the role of the New Development Bank of BRICS. It is the research community of BRICS that is going to assist to elaborate this issue better,” Nzimande said.

In recognition of the theme for the 15th BRICS Summit “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism” Nzimande said the Department of Higher Education and Training has decided to invite Namibia as a guest of the 10th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education.

He noted that South Africa cannot prosper in isolation leaving the entire African continent behind, especially the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. 

“This is also the premise of our country’s foreign policy in relation to the consolidation of the African agenda.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on businesses and other bodies to support rural economic development by hiring graduates and assisting them to start their own businesses. 

“We can only overcome the challenge of youth unemployment if we work together. Let us build better, stronger and safer rural communities. Let us leave no one behind,” he said. 

The President was speaking on Wednesday at the Duttonar Military Base in Nigel, where he officiated the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Pass-out Parade. 

President Ramaphosa, along with the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, handed over awards to outstanding participants of the 2023 National Rural Youth Service Corps.

 
The young people graduating have completed training in critical skills development programmes such as Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Construction and Engineering, Energy and Water, Education and Training, Health, Safety and Security, Information Technology and Media, Mining and Quarrying and Transport, Storage and Communication.

They were recruited from various districts and municipalities across the nine provinces through an open and transparent process. 

President Ramaphosa said that through NARYSEC, government has been working to change the high rate of unemployment amongst rural youth and lack of developmental opportunities in their areas.

 
Through this initiative, he said, government is affirming that rural youth have the same potential and energy as young people who live in cities and metros.

“There are less factories, industries and businesses in rural areas. As a result, there is less economic activity than in metros and urban areas. Access to tertiary education in rural areas, though it is improving, is still limited. 

“As a result, young people in search of opportunity are migrating away from rural areas to the cities. This affects development in rural areas. Through NARYSEC, we have been working to change this,” the President said. 

He said government aims to continue to scale up the NARYSEC programme, which has existed since 2010, so it reaches more unemployed rural youth.

By feeding into the District Development Model DDM), the President said NARYSEC graduates can contribute to making rural areas centres of economic activity. 

He said they can contribute to making rural areas sources of job creation, self-employment and entrepreneurship, and models of excellence when it comes to the delivery of services.

“There is a reason you are called the National Rural Youth Service Corps. We see you as a division, much like in an army, that is acting and working together towards achieving a common objective -- national reconstruction,” he said. 

The young people received practical skills in various economic sectors in which President Ramaphosa wants to see more youth participation.

Importantly, the President said, the training has included community and leadership development and civic education.

“Youth must be at the forefront of bringing development to rural communities. It is our responsibility to provide them with the knowledge, skills and experience that will enable them to play their part in bettering their communities.

“You have been given the tools. Now it is up to you to use them to better your own lives and to bring about change in your communities. Use what you have learned to work with government and other social partners to alleviate poverty, unemployment, inequality and underdevelopment,” the President said.

 
The President told the graduates that they are the main players in building the nation. 

“It is you, the young people, who are the builders of our nation. It is you who possess the talents, the energies and the enthusiasm that will take us forward.

“Throughout our journey to democracy, it was young people at the forefront of progress and change. That is why our focus as government is on empowering young people,” he said. 

He reiterated that government’s focus is on providing young people with the skills they need to look for and get work, or to start their own businesses.

“Our vision is for this to be aligned with the District Development Model and the One Plan for each of the country’s districts.

"When we say we must leave no-one behind, we mean that every young person in this country must be given a fair opportunity, regardless of where they live, where they went to school or how little they have,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Former Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads, and Public Works, John Block, has appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in relation to the R51 million fraud case against him and two other accused.

The co-accused are the department’s former HOD, Patience Mercia Mokhali, engineering company Babereki Consulting Engineers CC and the company’s director Tshegolekae Motaung.

The case relates to the construction of the new Kimberley Mental Hospital.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the three face charges of fraud, money laundering, corruption and contravention of the Engineering Professions Act.

“It is alleged that in 2003, Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender as a structural and civil engineer, as well as a project manager within the mental health hospital construction project.

“The accused, as the political head, and the former HOD [Mokhali], appointed Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, whose director is Tshegolekae Motaung, even though the company did not meet the requirements. The actual amount involved is approximately R51 million,” Senokoatsane said.

Block appeared in the court virtually on Tuesday, as he is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence at the Upington Correctional Services facility for other charges, including corruption.

“During their appearance, Block, through his legal representative, informed the court that he will be applying for bail. The bail application was set for the date of 1 August 2023. The case was remanded to 10 August 2023 for further investigation,” Senokoatsane said. – SAnews.gov.za

Department of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced a new board of directors for state freight rail, port and pipeline company, Transnet.

The new board will include nine new appointments as well as two re-appointments who are expected to serve for a three year term.

“As the Government’s shareholder representative, it gives me great pleasure to announce these new appointments as they will ensure strategic alignment in Transnet’s pursuit of its mandate as a key lever and driver of our economic engine, development and transformation.

“These appointments will put Transnet on a firm strategic path that provides critical expertise, experience and acumen for Transnet to optimally and strategically execute on its roadmap, business plan, improve governance and optimise performance,” Gordhan said.

The new appointments are:

• Andile Sangqu is the new chairperson of the board. Sanqu is the former Vice President of the Minerals Council South Africa and former Executive Head for Anglo American.
• Lebogang Letsoalo is a global supply chain coach and CEO of Sincpoint.
• Martin Debel is an Executive Director at Experion Global with in-depth knowledge of the maritime industry due to proven working experience in various sectors and educational background.
• Dipak Patel joined the South African Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) in June 2021 as Head: Climate Finance and Innovation.
• Busisa Jiya is the CEO of Association for Savings and Investment SA (Asisa), with experience in savings, Asset Management, Collective Investment Schemes, Retirement Funds, Banking, and Insurance.
• Mosadiwamaretlwe Pearl Zambane is a legal consultant with a strong Legal background backed by strong risk management experience.
• Boitumelo Sedupane is an Executive Committee member, with extensive experience in Human Resource leadership spanning six mining operations.
• Refilwe Buthelezi is the current President of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• Elias Monage has extensive experience in the labour movement for over 20 years as the National Collective Bargaining Negotiator for the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA), the second biggest affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
• Returning to the board is former board chairperson Dr Popo Molefe.
• National Security Advisor to the President, Dr Sydney Mufamadi also returns to the board.

The Transnet Board will now have 13 directors comprising  11 Non-Executive Directors and two Executive Directors, being the GCE and GCFO. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape, along with other stakeholders, has held a summit to look at ways to bolster rural safety.

The two-day summit, held in Mthatha last week, concentrated on efforts to eradicate stock theft, while at the same time, ensuring the safety of rural communities.

Several stakeholders converged at the Walter Sisulu University (Zamukulungisa Campus) in Mthatha to reflect on the challenges that are encountered by different sectors within the rural communities. During deliberations, a task team was set up to concentrate solely on rural safety.

"We managed to identify issues that our rural communities are facing, and now what we need is to implement workable solutions on the ground level in order to protect rural and farming communities," said a member of the Rural Safety Priority Task Force from the Office of the Minister of Police, Petrus Sitho.

In her keynote address at the summit, Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said the work of the police must be strengthened by community partnerships.

“The SAPS as an organisation cannot go it alone. If we want to achieve the salient objectives of the National Rural Safety Strategy and other relevant legal frameworks, we need to stop working in silos. All we need is a multi-agency collaboration to gain strength that will enable us to defeat our common enemy," she said.

Following the recent spike in farm attacks, Agri SA and the police joined forces to crack down on crime. They announced an enhanced implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy to not only protect farmers and workers, but also curb stock theft.

In a joint statement, Agri SA and the police expressed their commitment to work together, and to mobilise other agricultural unions and other role players in ensuring an enhanced implementation to co-create a crime-free farming environment. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Eskom has implemented Stage 4 load shedding immediately following increased demand and lowered generation capacity.

The higher stage will be implemented until 5am on Tuesday morning.

This will be followed by Stage 2 until 2pm with Stage 4 implemented thereafter.

The pattern will then continue until further notice.

“Over the past 24 hours a generating unit each at Duvha, Hendrina, Kendal, Kriel, Matimba and Medupi power stations were all returned to service.

“In the same period, a generating unit each at Arnot and Tutuka power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns. The delay in returning to service two generating units at Tutuka Power Station is contributing to current capacity constraints. Eskom teams are working around the clock to return the generating units to service,” Eskom said in a statement.

Breakdowns have contributed to at least 14 252MW being offline with a further 4118MW out due to planned maintenance.

Eskom called on South Africans to use electricity sparingly particularly during peak hours.

“We appeal to members of the public to reduce demand and we would like to thank those South Africans who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 5pm to 9pm, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of load shedding,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

Rand Water has reminded Johannesburg Water customers of the 58-hour planned water shutdown to be undertaken from Tuesday night to Friday morning.

The utility said the maintenance project forms part of Rand Water’s maintenance strategy that focuses on proactive refurbishment and upgrading of its infrastructure to ensure future sustainability.

“Rand Water will implement a planned maintenance to tie-in two valves between the A19 and B14 Pipelines. The planned maintenance will be undertaken to replace multiple valves at the Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant, Eikenhof Booster Pumping Station and Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant,” Rand Water said in a statement.

During the shutdown, all direct feeds from Rand Water will be affected, impacting the Roodepoort, Central and Soweto areas.

The following Johannesburg Water infrastructure, including reservoirs, towers and direct feeds will be impacted:

Roodepoort/Randburg areas
•    Boschkop reservoir
•    Randpark Ridge reservoir
•    Cosmo City reservoir
•    Constantia tower and pump station
•    Helderkruin Tower
•    Helderkruin reservoir
•    Corriemoor reservoir
•    Fairland reservoir
•    Waterval tower
•    Quellerina tower
•    Florida North tower and pump station
•    Horison/ Finch tower
•    Honeydew reservoir
•    Honeydew tower
•    Olivedale reservoir
•    Blairgowrie reservoir
•    Linden 1 reservoir
•    Linden 1 tower
•    Linden 2 reservoir
•    Kensington B reservoir
•    Kensington B tower

Central
•    Aeroton reservoir
•    Aeroton tower
•    Berea reservoir
•    Parktown 1 and 2 reservoir
•    Brixton reservoir
•    Brixton tower
•    Crosby reservoir
•    Hurstihill 1 and 2 reservoirs
•    Northcliff reservoir
•    Northcliff tower
•    Crown Gardens reservoir
•    Crown Gardens towers
•    Foresthill tower
•    Hector Norris pump station
•    Yeoville 1, 2 and 3 reservoirs.

Ennerdale
•    Orange Farm reservoir
•    Ennerdale 1, 2 and 3 reservoirs
•    Lawley reservoir.

Southdale
•    Eagles Nest reservoir
•    Kibler Park reservoir
•    Alan Manor reservoir
•    Glenvista reservoir.

Soweto areas
•    Chiawelo reservoir
•    Jabulani tower
•    Zondi reservoir
•    Zondi tower
•    Bramfischer reservoir 1
•    Doornkop reservoir
•    Naturena reservoir
•    Meadowlands 1 and 2 reservoirs
•    Orlando East reservoir
•    Diepkloof reservoir
•    Power Park 1 and 2 reservoirs
•    Jabulani reservoir

Rand Water said some residents within the Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM), Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) and the Rand West Local Municipality (RWLM) will experience intermittent water supply during the implementation of the project.

“In terms of the communication protocol, Rand Water has formally informed the affected municipal customers by issuing a 21-day advance notification to allow the entities to plan and execute appropriate contingency plans. 

“We apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused by the implementation of this maintenance project. However, planned maintenance on Rand Water’s infrastructure is necessary to ensure future sustainable supply of water to our customers.”

The entity said the last part of the project will be work on electrical boards at Lethabo Pumping Station.

Johannesburg Water said water supply in the affected areas at Daleside Booster Station will be reduced by 50% for a period of eight hours. At Zwartkopjes Booster Station, it will be reduced by 40% for a period of 24 hours, and by 24% Eikenhof Booster Station for a period of 58 hours.

Roaming water tankers will be provided to the affected areas and alternative water supply will be arranged at hospitals, clinics, schools, municipal offices, police stations, and shopping centres.

"It is estimated that full recovery of the systems may take approximately five days or longer after the supply has been fully restored,” Johannesburg Water said.

The shutdown will take place from 7pm on Tuesday, 11 July until 5am on Friday, 14 July 2023. – SAnews.gov.za