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Ayanda Malinga will make a return to Test rugby for the first time since 2022 after being named on the left wing for the Springbok Women’s opening match of WXV 2 against Japan at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday. Malinga last played Test rugby for her country in August 2022 when she …
Harmanpreet Kaur says that one of her teams expectations is to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024; “It is something we as a team have been striving for, for a while, and lifting the trophy will remain our goal.” There is no shortage of ambition and drive in this team, and we will …
Critical minerals sector key to driving global economic growth
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of the critical minerals sector in driving global economic growth and sustainability.
By leveraging key sectors such as mining, energy, and manufacturing, the President said South Africa is set to improve its business environment and attract much-needed investment.
He was addressing the African Minerals Forum hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and Prosper Africa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), in New York, USA, on Monday.
He highlighted that four months ago, South Africa held national general elections, which ushered in a Government of National Unity, where 10 political parties have come together to coalesce around a common agenda for economic growth and sustainable development.
President Ramaphosa underlined South Africa's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change through the country's Just Energy Transition Plan. This plan aims to guide the shift from coal to renewable energy, while also ensuring equitable economic opportunities for affected communities.
“South Africa's and Africa’s critical minerals sector has a crucial role to play in this regard, and we recognise the importance of collaboration with other countries to develop the potential of our critical minerals sector.
“The US in particular has established expertise in advanced mining technologies, automation and sustainability practices.
“We want to strengthen our ties with US companies and institutions to foster technological advancements, enhance supply chain efficiencies and attract investment into our mining sector,” the President said.
The President also emphasised that South Africa strongly endorses the United Nations Secretary-General’s position paper on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, where he highlights the importance of beneficiation, benefit sharing, local value addition and economic diversification.
“It would not be an understatement to say that the minerals that lie beneath the soil of Africa are powering the green energy revolution. Thirty percent of the world’s proven critical mineral reserves are found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“South Africa has substantial reserves of platinum group metals, manganese, vanadium as well as chromium.
“These resources are fundamental to the development of cutting-edge technologies that drive progress in various sectors. What will be critical is to ensure that this progress does not leave Africa behind,” he said.
The President stressed the need to avoid perpetuating colonial-era exploitation, where African countries primarily export raw minerals. He said that by focusing on beneficiation and domestic processing, African nations could see significant economic growth.
President Ramaphosa highlighted that beneficiation and local processing of critical minerals could increase the continent’s GDP by 12% or more by 2050.
He cited estimates suggesting that African countries could generate USD 24 billion annually in GDP and create 2.3 million jobs by investing in mining beneficiation and domestic processing.
President Ramaphosa highlighted the strides made by SASOL, South Africa’s flagship petrochemical company, in leading green hydrogen technologies research and development.
“As the global automotive industry moves towards Electric Vehicles and New Energy Vehicles, we are leveraging our rich experience with automotive production to get some of the world’s leading automotive manufactures with a footprint in South Africa to produce more their green vehicles in our country,” he said.
Despite improvements in the beneficiation of South Africa’s mineral exports, President Ramaphosa admitted that more needs to be done.
He underscored the country’s commitment to creating a supportive policy framework for the critical minerals sector, focused on streamlining regulations, fostering innovation in mining technologies, building workforce skills, improving transport and logistics infrastructure, and incentivising investment.
South Africa's five-point policy approach aims to create a supportive environment for the critical minerals sector. This includes simplifying regulations, supporting research and development in mining technologies, investing in workforce skills, improving logistics infrastructure, and incentivising domestic and international investment.
“South Africa also has a beneficiation strategy that seeks to translate the benefits of our country’s mineral endowments into a national competitive advantage.
“As the UN Secretary-General’s paper has noted, Critical Energy Transition Minerals can transform economies, create green jobs and foster sustainable local, regional and global development,” he said.
President Ramaphosa further stressed that for the potential of critical minerals to be fully realised, both mineral-producing nations and their end-user countries must embrace inclusivity.
He emphasised the importance of creating decent work opportunities, eradicating exploitative practices such as child and forced labour, and ensuring human rights protections.
Local beneficiation and industrialisation were highlighted as priorities, alongside environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable extraction practices.
The President urged for a long-term focus on inter-generational equity, recognising that critical minerals are vital for solving global challenges like climate change, energy, and food insecurity.
He called on US companies to collaborate in fostering sustainable development.
“By leveraging our respective strengths, pursuing strategic collaborations, and implementing supportive policies, we stand ready to meet the demands of the global market and drive sustainable development.
“I call on US companies and investors to join us on our journey,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 09/24/2024 - 10:07
M-KOPA (https://M-KOPA.com/), a leading emerging market fintech, announced that it has surpassed 5 million customers across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Two million of these customers have come onboard in the past 15 months.
M-KOPA's innovative model makes affordable smartphones embedded with financial services available to ‘Every Day Earners': the wide majority of African adults who earn their income daily but struggle to afford smartphones and typically fail to qualify for conventional financial services. According to the World Bank, 75% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa remain financially excluded. To date, M-KOPA has supported its customer base with more than US $1.5 billion in financing.
Starting with smartphone access, customers gain entry to the digital economy with an affordable daily repayment model, which fits their daily income and cash flow and makes it easier to manage. By leveraging rich payments data and proprietary AI-driven analytics, M-KOPA builds a credit record for each customer which forms the foundation for a long-term financial relationship for lower cost digital loans, affordable data subscriptions and medical insurance.
According to M-KOPA co-founder and CEO, Jesse Moore: “We are thrilled to welcome our 5 millionth customer to M-KOPA this month. The scale of our operations and our positive impact on customers is what keeps us working hard to go even further. We're just getting started; the opportunity for much larger impact and scale is right in front of us.”
M-KOPA also published its 2024 Impact Report this week, in which the company annually releases its progress against key social and environmental impact metrics. As with prior reports, the 2024 survey of M-KOPA customers was undertaken by a third-party company – Dalberg Research.
Key impact highlights from the 2024 report include:
The company is having a major impact in improving digital access in Africa. Nearly 2 million customers are first-time mobile internet users and 40% are women. M-KOPA also built the first and largest smartphone assembly factory in Kenya – which has produced more than 1m phones locally and further reduced the cost of access.
As with prior reports, M-KOPA's board and management use the annual impact report to help shape forward company strategy. Based on this year's findings, M-KOPA is working to further increase its percentage of female customers to 50%, to reduce its carbon footprint by making circularity central to its smartphone supply chain, and to continue pioneering green products like electric motorbikes that contribute to the health and sustainability of the communities where it operates.
M-KOPA's Chief Product Officer Nena Sanderson, notes: “Our product and services build pathways to prosperity for our customers and agents, enabling them to overcome financial setbacks, generate income and progress towards the futures they aspire to. Our impact extends beyond our customers, reaching their families and communities, and contributing to building a more sustainable world.”
Headquartered in London, UK, M-KOPA now creates employment for more than 3,000 staff and 30,000 commission-based sales agents across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The company has been recognised by the Financial Times as one of Africa's Fastest Growing Companies for the past 3 years, and by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Companies globally for the past 2 years.
To read the full report, download it here: M-KOPA Impact Report 2024_Pathways To Progress (http://apo-opa.co/4eguFD2).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of M-KOPA.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Wimbart
mkopa@wimbart.com
About M-KOPA:
M-KOPA is a UK-headquartered emerging market fintech that provides affordable smartphones and digital financial services. With operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, the company has extended over $1.5 billion in credit to more than 5 million customers. Using an innovative financing model based on daily repayments, M-KOPA provides affordable smartphones embedded with financial services that fit with the cash flow of millions of underserved individuals who earn their income on a daily basis.
By leveraging rich payments data and proprietary AI-driven analytics, M-KOPA builds a credit record for each customer which forms the foundation for a long-term financial relationship for digital loans, affordable data subscriptions and insurance.
The company employs over 3,000 staff and 30,000 sales agents across its African markets. M-KOPA has been recognised by the Financial Times as one of Africa's Fastest Growing Companies for the past 3 years, and by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Companies globally for the past 2 years.
South Africa’s Anneke Bosch and Australia left-hander Phoebe Litchfield have made notable gains in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings as they prepare for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to be held in the United Arab Emirates from 3-20 October. Bosch’s scores of 24 and 46 in the last two matches of their …
In the News Today: Police trainee Tristan Chowles, 23, who disappeared from the SAPS Tshwane Training Academy after being discharged from hospital, has been found safe and unharmed but “any gross misconduct by him will be dealt with accordingly”. Chowles was admitted to hospital in Pretoria on September 18 and was discharged the next day. However, …
Heritage sites key tourist destinations - Mashatile
Acting President Paul Mashatile has urged the South Africans to seize the opportunity to highlight heritage sites as key tourist destinations, contributing to socio-economic development, fostering people-to-people connections, and promoting social cohesion.
Mashatile was delivering the keynote address during the Heritage Day commemoration at Meqheleng Stadium, Ficksburg, on Tuesday.
“As we celebrate Heritage Month, which coincides with Tourism Month, we should use this opportunity to showcase to the nation the significance of our heritage sites across the country as tourist destinations of choice that have the potential to contribute to socio-economic development, promote people-to-people relations and enhance social cohesion.
“On this day, we should also celebrate our cultural diversity, our inherited sense of family identity, our traditions, cultural wealth, and artefacts passed down through the generations, particularly since the dawn of democracy,” he said.
The Acting President told South Africans to reflect on 30 years of democracy, which in itself is a milestone that underlines the nation’s diversity and heritage.
He noted that it is also critical that the country recognise and remember the courageous individuals such as JB Marks and Moses Kotane and many others who gave their all for the great gift of our freedom.
The 2024 Heritage Day is celebrated under the theme: "Celebrating the Lives of Our Heroes and Heroines Who Laid Down Their Lives for Our Freedom.
Mashatile said the theme is fitting because it allows the country to honour the lives of those who confronted adversity with unflinching bravery, and stood up against injustice and oppression.
“The commemoration of our heritage is a result of the sacrifices and efforts of those who came before us, fighting against apartheid and championing social justice and human rights.
“It is therefore important that we, as a nation, preserve the memory of those who fought for our freedom. They have dedicated and sacrificed their lives to the defence of our country, as well as the assertion of the values and principles that must be upheld. It is because of their bravery, resilience, and resolute commitment that we have a brighter future for generations to come,” he said.
Mashatile emphasised the importance of honouring struggle heroes and educating future generations about their sacrifices.
As part of this process, and in honour of the freedom fighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Mashatile highlighted that the country will be honouring those who have fallen outside of the borders.
A homecoming ceremony will take place this Friday in which President Ramaphosa will officially receive the repatriated remains from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
As South Africa marks three decades of democracy, the nation reflects on its rich heritage while acknowledging ongoing challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
Acting President also urged citizens to unite and celebrate diversity in the pursuit of a more equal society where opportunities are not dictated by colour, gender, class, or religion.
“To tackle these ongoing challenges, we must unite and celebrate our diversity while striving to create a more equal society where opportunities are not determined by colour, gender, class, or religion.
“This would entail increasing people's skills through access to equal education opportunities, quality health care for all, and provision of basic amenities, as well as facilitating work opportunities and shifting economic ownership patterns,” he said.
Furthermore, Mahsatile said government, interfaith, civil society formations and traditional leaders must work together to eliminate persisting inequalities and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) which is prevalent in our communities. He added that all acts of criminality, and GBVF undermine government efforts to foster the culture of social cohesion and moral regeneration.
“We must not let anybody conceal evil acts of abuse under the guise of one’s belief system and culture. It has to be said that no nation can condone any form of abuse against women, children and those most vulnerable within society, including the LGBTQIA+ community. To demonstrate our commitment to the fight against GBVF, the government has introduced new laws protecting women and children,” he said.
He highlighted that on 24 May 2024, the President signed the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill into law.
This new legislation is a significant step towards protecting women and children from abuse and violence, by way of establishing a council to provide strategic leadership in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
Mashatile called for the confrontation of issues related to heritage resources in public spaces, which continue to pose a challenge in defining a collective cultural identity and building a nation united in its diversity.
“In our country, the impact of apartheid remains visible, and the wounds of past divisions and inequalities remain unresolved. Therefore, we need to continue to build on that which unites us and deal with issues that seek to divide us as a nation.
“It is through understanding and celebrating our shared heritage that we can begin to bridge the gaps that divide us and move forward as a united and inclusive society,” he said.
He added that the reality of the nation’s political climate under the Government of National Unity, also gives an opportunity to collectively re-imagine what the heritage of good governance in South Africa can look like.
“Our ability to look beyond our differences and converge on the shared agenda to bring about inclusive growth, job creation and poverty reduction is one of the examples that the government is showing its commitment to uniting through diversity,” he said.
Mashatile further called on different sectors of society to collaborate with the South African Heritage Resource Agency to develop community abilities and capacities to help identify and protect heritage resources.
“We have to guard and protect our heritage from forms of neglect and threats such as natural disasters, urbanisation, globalisation and developments that pose challenges to the preservation of our most treasured landmarks, artefacts, and traditions.
“All communities from the Free State Province, including Ficksburg, have the responsibility to protect and preserve historical sites like the Old Prison Cells and the General Fick Museum. We must educate young people about the significance of such sites because they are an important part of who we are and where we come from,” he said.
He also called for a renewed commitment to heritage conservation, emphasising its importance not only in preserving the past but also in shaping South Africa's future.
"Our heritage is more than a collection of artefacts; it defines who we are and where we are headed as a nation,” he said.
Mashatile stressed the need to protect both tangible and intangible heritage, highlighting the connections among diverse communities through shared living heritage, including oral histories, belief systems, cultural practices, and indigenous knowledge.
He noted that these elements are foundational to the nation's identity, saying, “Preserving intangible cultural heritage is vital to maintaining our integrity, values, and mutual respect.”
He urged all stakeholders - families, NGOs, traditional and interfaith leaders, educational institutions, businesses, and media to engage in promoting and protecting intangible cultural heritage
Mashatile encouraged pride in native languages and urged South Africans to learn each other's dialects to foster mutual understanding and respect.
The Acting President called on intellectuals and language practitioners, along with organisations like the Pan South African Language Board, to implement programmes aimed at preventing linguistic knowledge extinction, especially among younger generations.
“As South Africa continues to develop, it is crucial to preserve our heritage for generations to come. We must cherish, protect, and celebrate the monuments, sites, and traditions that define our unique identities, ensuring that they are passed on to future generations.
“Most importantly, while we celebrate our rich past and unique culture, we must remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence. May we never forget the price paid for our freedom, and may we always remember the lives of our heroes and heroines who sacrificed everything for our country,” he said.
In closing, Mashatile called for collective action to preserve the nation's legacy and shape a better future for all South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 09/24/2024 - 15:53
Tuesday, 24 September 2024: The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) published Eskom’s Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) 6 revenue application for the period of Eskom’s Financial Years (FY) 2026 to 2028 (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028) on 23 September 2024. NERSA will consult with stakeholders on Eskom’s revenue application, as part of...
Let’s be alive to the impact of climate change – Acting President Mashatile
As South Africa celebrates Heritage Day, Acting President Paul Mashatile emphasised the need to recognise the growing impact of climate change on the nation's well-being and cultural heritage.
Delivering the keynote address during Heritage Day celebrations in Ficksburg, Free State, Mashatile urged citizens to be mindful of how climate change threatens both livelihoods and cultural traditions.
The Acting President expressed his honour in addressing the nation on Heritage Day but noted that celebrations were overshadowed by severe weather affecting parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Free State.
“It is a great honour and privilege to address you at this significant occasion as we celebrate our country’s Heritage Day. Unfortunately, as we were looking forward to this day, some parts of our country, which include Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State, were impacted by severe weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change.
“In celebrating our heritage, we must be alive to the impact of climate change on not only our wellbeing, but also on our culture. Extreme weather conditions such as those witnessed over the past few days affect some of our cultural and heritage sites, therefore undermining our national goals to protect and preserve our culture for generations to come,” he said.
Mashatile expressed empathy for those affected by the recent extreme weather events in parts of South Africa.
“We empathise with those who were affected by the widespread extreme weather. We would also like to commend Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Government Departments for their prompt and robust multi-sectoral response. Additionally, we commend the provinces that were impacted for their prompt activation of their disaster response structures,” the Acting President said.
He said the response teams led by NATJOINTS remain on standby to respond to any eventualities and continue to assist affected communities.
“Even while these teams are committed to helping and saving those in need, we nonetheless ask that our people exercise caution and pay close attention to any warnings issued by the South African Weather Service.
“These meteorological conditions emphasise even more how important it is to increase our investments in technology that may improve weather predictions.
“We can save lives by providing early warnings of storms, heat waves, and disasters. Our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones,” he said.
The Acting President urged the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to explore policy considerations concerning the impact of climate change on the nation’s historical heritage, but also provide direction on how best the country can preserve the national identity in this era of multiple global challenges. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 09/24/2024 - 14:36
The Presiding Officers of Parliament, Ms Thoko Didiza, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, join the country in commemorating Heritage Day.
Today, as a country, we draw inspiration from the words on our National Coat of Arms, !ke e: /xarra //ke, written in the Khoisan language of the /Xam people, meaning diverse people unite. Ours is a diverse nation woven by various cultures, customs, and languages that make us unique. These are constant reminders that our unity, even in our diversity, is our strength as a country.
On this day, the Presiding Officers note that Heritage Day is also a time to remember and take pride in what unites us – our Constitution. Our Bill of Rights, which is a cornerstone of our democracy, states that no person may be discriminated against based on their ethnicity, belief, culture, language, or birth.
In a time when many countries are often divided by culture, ethnicity and language, we have continued to show resilience and embrace our differences as a country. The last 30 years of democracy are also testament to the significant progress in developing our shared heritage as a country.
As the democratic Parliament, we have committed a considerable amount of time to pass laws as redress to the harm caused by the Western and colonial culture, which dismissed Indigenous African heritage as primitive and having no cultural significance.
To transform South Africa's heritage landscape, the democratic government, and the democratic Parliament in particular, focused on developing laws that enabled policy change and created institutions that would address colonialism's effects on social justice and nation-building.
This Heritage Day takes place at a time when significant progress is being made in rebuilding the damaged buildings of our Parliament. This crucial people's project will preserve and promote the nation's diverse heritage while recognising the National Assembly Chamber's historical value in reflecting the country's aesthetic and cultural legacy. The new design incorporates modern engineering while respecting the building's original significance, with features like a raised structure that allows the public to connect with the land beneath.
This project exemplifies the principles of the National Heritage Resources Act, which emphasises that heritage is unique, precious, and central to shaping our cultural identity. The restoration not only safeguards the National Assembly's historical and architectural integrity but also serves as a powerful symbol of unity in diversity. By blending historical value, indigenous knowledge, and modern innovation, the new National Assembly Chamber will continue to affirm South Africa's rich heritage and inspire future generations to uphold the values of democracy and cultural unity.
Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has recognised South Africa's investment in the promotion and preservation of heritage by declaring the Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa and the inscription of sites termed Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites as World Heritage Sites. The addition of these two sites means South Africa is now home to 12 of the 1 223 sites on the World Heritage List.
“Today, let us celebrate our unity in diversity, unique cultures, related artefacts, music, and variety of food. Those who came before us left us with a proud heritage, and our current generation is responsible for celebrating and preserving it. Let us continue strengthening our commitment to preserving our living heritage and work collectively towards a brighter, more inclusive future for South Africa.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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President Ramaphosa urges US business to invest in SA’s growing economy
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on US businesses to deepen their investment ties with South Africa, highlighting the country's renewed focus on economic recovery and structural reform.
Speaking at the SA-US Interactive Business Forum in New York on Monday, the President emphasised the progress made under South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU) and the vast opportunities available to foreign investors.
He said this is a “timely intervention”, referencing his first visit to the US since South Africa's general elections in May, which led to a coalition government of political parties committed to inclusive growth and job creation.
“The advent of the Government of National Unity has renewed investor optimism in the South African economy. The message I bring to US investors today is that this optimism is well-placed.
“South Africa is firmly on the road to recovery, and we invite you to be part of this journey. Investments in South Africa are secure. Our business environment is stable. This is supported policy certainty and regulatory safeguards,” the President said.
He added that South Africa intends to stay the course on the structural economic reform process, on scaling up investment in key infrastructure, and on improving the business operating environment.
The President noted South Africa’s success in attracting investment, revealing that the country had achieved its target of raising R1.2 trillion (approximately USD 63.6 billion) ahead of schedule in 2022.
“We have announced a new target of approximately R2 trillion or approximately USD 100 billion over the next five-year period up to 2028.
“The far-reaching structural reforms we have implemented over the past six years have opened up the country to increased levels of investment that continues to grow,” the President said.
Ramaphosa particularly underscored the potential in the clean energy sector, which has attracted significant investment, supporting South Africa’s commitment to decarbonisation and energy security.
"We are equally committed to a Just Energy Transition that is inclusive, that take our developmental needs into account, and that leaves no community behind.
“We have a supportive and enabling industrial policy that incorporates amongst others expanding the special economic zones, driving export-led growth, and harnessing the potential of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area or AfCFTA. In January 2024 we began preferential trading under the AfCFTA,” he said.
The President emphasised that the Government of National Unity is furthermore committed to prudent monetary and fiscal policy and to strengthening regulatory and legislative frameworks to combat corruption.
The President also highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with US businesses, especially in sectors like advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“South Africa and Africa is ripe for investment in financial services, advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, infrastructure development, mining, science and technology and other sectors. South Africa is also developing the value chains of the future.
“With substantial reserves of critical energy transition minerals, we are positioning ourselves to be at the forefront of the green energy revolution,” he said.
He added that as the country with the world’s largest platinum group metal reserves, South Africa has a competitive advantage when it comes to the production of sustainable energy technologies, including electric vehicles, new energy vehicles and renewable energy components.
President Ramaphosa praised the collaboration between the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), following the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding. He stated that the partnership between the two stock exchanges “promotes cross-border investment and drives economic growth on a global scale.”
The President further highlighted the US as one of South Africa’s most valued trade partners, noting that bilateral trade totalled USD 17.6 billion in 2022.
He also praised the impact of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in fostering trade and creating jobs in sectors like automotive, agriculture, and precious metals.
With Africa's population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, President Ramaphosa painted a bright picture of the continent's economic prospects, noting that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would "drive a wave of industrialisation and create dynamic regional value chains."
“This too presents opportunities for US businesses and investors, and opens up new markets for their goods, products and services.
“Mutually beneficial trade and investment not only unlocks the dynamism and potential of an entire continent. It will also aid Africa’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” the President said.
In closing, President Ramaphosa reassured investors of the stability and security of investments in South Africa.
“South Africa is open for business. Sustainable and inclusive growth spurs development and creates jobs.
“Together, we can forge a path to shared success and progress, leveraging our combined strengths to achieve enduring prosperity for our people,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 09/24/2024 - 11:01
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a sewing workshop at the Women's Shelter within the King's Hope Development Foundation, located in the Olievenhoutbosch neighborhood of Tshwane, South Africa, to empower women through vocational training.
The unused space at the King's Hope Women's Shelter in Olievenhoutbosch, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tshwane, was renovated and equipped with sewing machines by TİKA.
Ten female trainees who successfully completed the first training program at the sewing workshop, established by TİKA to empower women in a region struggling with high unemployment, poverty, rising crime rates and limited access to basic services, received their certificates at a ceremony.
The women who participated in the training at the TİKA-established sewing workshop expressed their gratitude for this life-changing opportunity, noting that the skills they gained boosted their self-confidence and made them feel empowered.
The opening ceremony of the workshop was attended by Türkiye's Ambassador to South Africa, Ayşegül Kandaş; TİKA Program Coordinator, Abdulkadir Abukan; Olievenhoutbosch Municipal Councilor, Obed Mahloko; King's Hope General Director, Portia Tshibalo and community leader, Kgomotso Khalushi.
At the opening ceremony; Türkiye's Ambassador to South Africa, Ayşegül Kandaş emphasized the importance of women's economic empowerment and expressed her pride in the impact of TİKA's projects in South Africa.
TİKA Program Coordinator Abdulkadir Abukan reiterated TİKA's commitment to sustainable development and thanked King's Hope for their cooperation in making the project a success. He stated that TİKA aims to implement initiatives that provide long-term benefits to communities.
Community leader Kgomotso Khalushi highlighted the positive impact of TİKA's work and expressed hope for more future projects aimed at supporting young people in Olievenhoutbosch.
In his speech, Olievenhoutbosch Municipal Councilor Obed Mahloko thanked TİKA for its valuable contributions to the community and emphasized the importance of ongoing support for local development initiatives.
Portia Tshibalo, General Director of King's Hope, emphasized the empowering impact of the project on women in the community and expressed her gratitude to TİKA and the Turkish people for their support.
One of the graduates, Noziwe Banda, shared how the training not only equipped her with sewing skills but also helped her rebuild her life after surviving domestic violence. Banda expressed her confidence in her ability to sew any kind of dress using the skills she acquired.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
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SA Weather Service forecasts warm week followed by light snow
South Africa is set to experience a mix of warm and cool temperatures in the coming days, with a significant drop in temperatures and even light snowfall expected later this month, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
This after the weekend’s freezing temperatures and snowfall in some parts of the country caused havoc on the roads, resulting in one fatality.
READ | Heavy snowfall on N3 claims life of a 39-year-old woman
Forecaster at the South African Weather Service (SAWS) Lehlogonolo Thobela provided an outlook for the week ahead, highlighting warm conditions across much of the country.
“Today we are expecting just warm temperatures over the central parts, ranging between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, that’s on average in the Northern Cape province.
“In Gauteng, the weather will be cooler in the south but warm in the northern areas, with maximum temperatures reaching about 25 degrees in the north and about 24 to 22 degrees over the southern parts,” Thobela said.
The Eastern Cape will experience varied conditions, with cool weather in the northeastern parts but warmer and even hot temperatures in the south.
“It will be quite cool over most parts of the northeastern parts of the Eastern Cape but warm over most of the province and hot over the southern parts,” Thobela explained.
The Western Cape, meanwhile, will see cooler conditions in the west but warmer weather in the east.
“Just warm temperatures are expected across the country,” Thobela said.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, Thobela forecasted hot temperatures in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, with highs of 34 degrees Celsius, and similarly warm to hot conditions in Limpopo.
“It will be warm over most parts of the country, with maximums between 25 and 30 degrees over the central parts,” he noted.
He said that cooler weather will persist in the Western Cape, especially along the west coast, where temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 22 degrees.
The heat is set to continue through the week, especially in Limpopo and the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with hot conditions predicted for the 26th and 27th of September.
“It will be hot over most parts of Limpopo on the 26th and 27th,” Thobela said.
Central regions like the Free State, North West, and Gauteng will remain warm during this period.
However, a significant temperature drop is expected later in the month, starting on the 29th of September.
“It will be cold over the southern parts, and the Western Cape will be very cold, with maximums ranging between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius,” Thobela said.
The Eastern Cape will remain cool, with colder conditions in the central and southwestern parts.
On the 30th of September, cold conditions will spread to KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Free State.
“There is some light snow expected over the highland areas of the Eastern Cape, as well as the southwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the border of Lesotho, between the 30th [of September] and the 1st of October,” Thobela revealed, though he assured that the snowfall would be light.
The cold snap will extend to the escarpment of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal on the 1st of October, with temperatures starting to recover by the 2nd.
South Africans are advised to prepare for fluctuating temperatures and possible snow in high-lying areas over the next week. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 09/24/2024 - 13:09
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