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Minister Parks Tau appeared on a virtual platform before Parliament’s trade and industry portfolio committee on Tuesday. He has come under pressure from the committee to dismiss National Lotteries Commission (NLC) board and the NLC commissioner. Tau made it clear he would not act hastily. The Auditor-General presented its findings on Department of Trade and …
Bathrooms have evolved from purely functional spaces to personal sanctuaries, and in South Africa, smart toilets are leading this transformation. Offering a blend of modern convenience, advanced hygiene, and water efficiency, smart toilets are fast becoming a must-have in South African homes. What Are Smart Toilets? Smart toilets are a revolution in bathroom technology. These …
Showtime Management and How Now Brown Cow Productions are proud to present the South African premiere production of the Tony Award-Winning (Best Musical) DEAR EVAN HANSEN, featuring a superb South African cast, at Artscape, Cape Town from 12 February to 9 March 2025 and then at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg from 15 March to 13 April […]
In the News Today: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has his full complement of players after Luke le Roux joined the camp in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Tuesday. The South African senior men’s national team host Congo Brazzaville at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday, 11 October 2024 (7pm), and then they …
For every limited-edition Ndebele-patterned bucket of Plascon paint sold through Mica, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) to provide medical care for South African children in need. So far, R300 000 has been donated to NMCH through the campaign, with the amount due to rise as paint sales …
09 October 2024, Johannesburg – Everything is ready and set for the opening of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection’s (MISTRA) upcoming international conference, titled: Thucydides Trap or Orderly Multipolar World? Challenges and Opportunities for Africa. The event is being hosted in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China …
India powered to an 82-run victory over Sri Lanka to bolster their ambitions of an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final spot. Smriti Mandhana (50) and Shafali Verma (43) set the tone, amassing 98 for the first wicket and despite falling in consecutive balls, a thunderous 52 from Harmanpreet Kaur carried India to 172 …
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, a global leader in the automotive industry, today marks twenty years of success, innovation and growth in the South African automotive industry. This milestone was celebrated with a drive from Gauteng, where Mahindra has its headquarters, to Sun City in the Northwest Province. The drive, and the evening’s celebration event highlighted …
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has warned the public to be cautious when conducting financial services business with a person(s) on Telegram purporting to be from the three authorised financial services providers (FSPs). The three FSPs, Discovery Insure Limited (Discovery) (FSP:43064); Sanlam iTrade, an online division of Sanlam Private Wealth (Pty) Ltd (Sanlam) (FSP:37473); …
In the News Today: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that midfielders Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams have been withdrawn from the squad for different reasons. Mbatha and Adams will be replaced by Bathusi Aubaas and Sinoxolo Kwayiba. Both players were initially named in the 23-man squad for the clash due to take place …
Limpopo school has been going strong for nearly 20 years
In the News Today: Joe Root went past Alastair Cook as England’s highest Test run-scorer with an unconquered hundred against Pakistan, anchoring his team to 492-3 in the first Test in Multan on Wednesday. The 33-year-old overhauled Cook’s aggregate of 12,472 runs and became the fifth-highest scorer of all time after he drove seamer Aamer …
In the News Today: A former FNB employee, who was found guilty of fraud, has been sentenced to an effective 15 years behind bars. Bantu Ntutwana, 36, was sentenced in the Gqeberha Regional Court alongside his co-accused 45-year-old Lunga Sinyaza. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape said in addition to 15 years …
Pretoria: 08 October 2024 Seafarers’ safety and welfare, right along with tight protection of the oceans environment have come under close focus in South Africa in October – a month dedicated annually to transport safety – all in the wake of several vessels incidents this year and during some of which both life and property … Continue reading Seafarers safety and marine environmental protection under focus on ‘Transport Month’ in South Africa.
Many families in Matikwe north of Durban were left out when pipes were installed
On 26 September, South Africa witnessed the ousting of Cilliers Brink, the Democratic Alliance mayor of Tshwane. This turn of events is more than just a shift in local government, it raises profound concerns about the stability of the broader political landscape and the fragile Government of National Unity.
The post GNU ON THE BRINK? THE FRAGILITY OF SOUTH AFRICA’S POLITICAL UNITY appeared first on FW de Klerk Foundation.
Limpopo police on a manhunt for two alleged rapists
The Burgersfort Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit has intensified a manhunt for two unknown male suspects who allegedly raped an elderly woman in the Mecklenburg policing area on Monday morning at about 01:00.
It is alleged that the 71-year-old victim was asleep at her residence at Ga-Mashishi village, inside a consultation room, when she heard someone knocking on the window asking for her assistance. The victim is a practising traditional healer.
She then told him that it was late but the suspect forcefully opened the door and entered the house, accompanied by an unknown male.
The duo threatened to kill the elderly woman and dragged her to another room inside the yard and repeatedly raped her. One suspect is said to have left his accomplice with the victim.
The suspect seemingly fell asleep and the victim managed to escape from the room to seek assistance from her neighbours.
The perpetrators managed to flee the scene to evade arrest and the victim was later taken to a local hospital for medical examination.
The Provincial Police Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned the incident and ordered the police to make use of the available resources to search for the suspects and bring them to book.
Anyone with information that can assist with the investigations is urged to contact the Investigating Officer, Constable Mildred Mabotsa, on 083 491 6337. Alternatively, they can call the crime stop number, 08600 10111, or their nearest police station or visit the MySAPSApp. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:22
In the News Today: WAIT for it… The comprehensive fifth annual East Meets West Bridal Fair is returning to Durban’s Pavilion Shopping Centre from Friday, October 25, until Sunday, October 27. Say ‘I do’ to all that the fair has to offer. What’s mindblowing is that it is held throughout the centre, and it boasts …
Rezoning application to move people living next to the Central Line has taken more than a year
DPWI Minister reflects on 100 days in office
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has reflected on the work done in his department since coming into office 100 days ago.
The Minister’s focus has been on building a firm foundation in order to turn the country into a construction site and use public assets for public good.
Macpherson was appointed Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure on 3 July 2024.
Measures the Minister has implemented over the past three months include:
The Minister said while a lot of progress has been made to bring stability to the department, these efforts need to be accelerated to turn the country into a construction site and use public assets for public good in order to grow the economy and create jobs.
“South Africans urgently need to start seeing the fruits of our interventions. I applaud the government officials and stakeholders in both the public and private sector, who have worked tirelessly with me over the past three months. There is truly a new energy within the department to deliver on our mandate.
“In the weeks and months ahead, we need to expedite our efforts to ensure that we get shovels into the ground, so that communities across the country can see the fruits of our work in practice.
“In the weeks and months to come, there will continue to be difficult decisions we have to make, but the choices we make today will be to our advantage in the future,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/09/2024 - 11:00
North West Provincial Government records improved audit outcomes
The North West Provincial Government says it is on a promising trajectory concerning its audit outcomes compared to previous financial years.
According to the provincial government, this was revealed by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGA), Tsakani Maluleke, in a meeting with North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi held in Klerksdorp, in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, recently.
“The 2023/24 audit cycle, which ended on 31 March 2024, indicates that nine departments received unqualified audit outcomes, with two receiving clean audits.
“Only one department received a qualified audit opinion, with reduced qualification paragraphs,” a statement from the provincial government read.
Mokgosi is of the view that these outcomes signify a turning point on the province’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law, accountability, transparency and responsiveness.
READ | North West Premier welcomes improved audit outcomes
He maintained that only a well-run government, which prioritises good governance practices has the potential to unlock various investment opportunities for the province.
“We will not be able to lure investments and address challenges of unemployment if we don’t focus our energies on ensuring that we prioritise clean governance,” said Mokgosi.
With the North West extended unemployment rate hovering at around 55%, as per the Labour Survey Report of the Second Quarter, the Premier believes that part of addressing the scourge of joblessness is a functional government that can respond to the needs of the people.
“The audit outcomes serve as a glimmer of hope that we are on the correct developmental trajectory to address challenges confronting the province and create various socio-economic opportunities for our people,” Mokgosi said.
He said the progress that has been made gives credence to the work that has been carried out in rooting out challenges that led to the implementation of Section 100 of the Constitution by the national government a few years ago.
In terms of Section 100 of the Constitution, national intervention in a provincial administration may take place when a province cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the Constitution.
In 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the national government to invoke Section 100 in the North West. The intervention was subsequently withdrawn in March 2022.
Mokgosi has extended his gratitude to the oversight role played by the Provincial Legislature, led by Speaker Desbo Mohono, who facilitated the discussion; the Chief Whip of the majority party, Motlalepula Rosho, and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Smuts Matshe.
According to the Premier’s Office, the team made valuable contributions to how the province can improve on the concerns raised by the AG. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 10/09/2024 - 11:08
Department announces gazetting of Remote Work Visitor Visa
The Department of Home Affairs has announced the gazetting of the highly anticipated Remote Work Visitor Visa as well as the new points-based system for work visas.
In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) collective mandate in this area through his call to “overhaul the visa regime to attract skills and investment and grow the tourism sector”.
Just three months later, the Department of Home Affairs says it has delivered on this mandate through a set of worldclass reforms.
“The gazetting of all required elements for the Remote Work Visitor Visa and the new Points-Based System for Work Visas amounts to the single most progressive and pro-jobs regulatory reform South Africa has seen in decades,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
He said the department’s meticulous attention to detail to ensure that these reforms are fit-for purpose and market-friendly has resulted in two products that begin to reposition South Africa as a world-class destination for investment and tourism to create thousands of new jobs for South Africans.
“Importantly, the new points-based system also introduces a transparent framework to adjudicate visas in order to tackle corruption,” he said.
According to the department, the Remote Work Visa “enables highly paid individuals who are employed abroad and thus do not compete with local workers, to spend their valuable foreign currency right here in South Africa, pay Value-Added Tax into the South African fiscus, eat at South African restaurants and buy South African goods and services from South African producers”.
The new Points-Based System for Work Visas combats corruption and inefficiency by cutting red tape and introducing a transparent points scale to objectively determine who qualifies for a Critical Skills or General Work Visa.
Additionally, for General Work Visa applications submitted outside of the Trusted Employer Scheme, a newly introduced threshold of R650 796 in gross annual income – which amounts to double the median income in the formal sector – will better protect existing jobs at the lower end of the market while injecting skills at the top.
Independent research commissioned by the Reserve Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute shows that growing the number of high-end skills as a share of the total South African population by just 0.02%, can boost annual economic growth by up to 1.2%.
The same research projects that an enhanced visa regime can create seven new jobs for every additional skilled worker attracted into the economy.
“By harnessing the power of market-based regulatory reform to cut red tape and enhance transparency, Home Affairs is fighting corruption in our immigration system while delivering on the GNU’s apex priority to grow the economy and create thousands of new jobs for the people of South Africa.
“I want to thank the Presidency and Operation Vulindlela for their valuable support and I look forward to continue working together to roll out further reforms that combat corruption and create jobs,” Schreiber said.
As an interim measure, while the department lays the foundation for digital transformation to shift exclusively to online application and adjudication, applicants for the Remote Work Visa as well as for the Critical Skills Visa and General Work Visa under the new Points-Based System, can continue to submit applications through the relevant service providers and South African missions abroad.
The relevant documents can be accessed at dha.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/09/2024 - 12:11
In the News Today: Four pupils from Redcliffe Primary School on Redcliffe Drive, Verulam, were injured after being struck by a vehicle driven by an allegedly intoxicated man on Wednesday afternoon. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the driver attempted to flee on foot following the crash. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers were alerted …
The 10th African Women Writers’ Symposium (AWWS) takes place on 20 October and 26 October, in Soweto and Newtown (Johannesburg) respectively. This two-day programme, which we trust will inspire hope in these dark days in the world, includes workshops, talks, debates, and discussion on literature in our troubled world. Sunday 20 October 2024 at Soweto …