An Inside Look at the T20 Challenge Captains Day 2024/25
JOHANNESBURG: The 2024/25 T20 Challenge is set to kick off on Friday, 27 September, with the defending champions, DP World...
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It’s a dangerous job, but we have to do it, says neighbourhood crime fighter
The City of Cape Town Neighbourhood Watch Support Programme has just expanded its training programme
One-third of diabetes patients at risk of vision loss: World Retina Day–24 September
In South Africa, nearly one in nine adults are affected by diabetes impacting around 4.4 million people between the ages of 20 and 79. Globally diabetes is the fourth leading cause of blindness and the most common cause of vision loss among working-age South Africans. According to the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA) approximately …
School’s Out – And the Big Screen Is Filled With Fabulous Things
It’s ‘me time’ for kids as schools close for the third term holidays – and that means movie time! Ster-Kinekor’s cinema screens will be home to robots, transformers and animals of all shapes and sizes including a panda bear, who promise non-stop, big screen entertainment to keep the holiday boredom far away. With films showing …
Eviction Looms For 3,000 Shackdwellers In Tshwane
Residents of Mahlangu informal settlement face an uncertain future
FW De Klerk Foundation Launches Constitutional Rights And Constitutional Advocacy Programmes
The FW de Klerk Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its Constitutional Rights and Constitutional Advocacy Programmes. These two separate programmes will aim to better achieve the Foundation’s goal of making South Africa’s constitutional democracy a reality for all citizens.
The post FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION LAUNCHES CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMMES appeared first on FW de Klerk Foundation.
Grannies Battle Water Shortage In Kariega
Toilets are dirty and washing piles up after a month without running water
Western Cape NCOP Delegation Impressed by Delivery of Affordable Social Housing in Cape Town
The Western Cape's permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) expressed satisfaction and commended the efficient implementation of social housing projects to residents by the Western Cape Provincial Government's Department of Infrastructure and the City of Cape Town.
The delegation said some of the social housing projects are a great example of effective intergovernmental collaboration and public-private partnerships which provide decent and dignified accommodation.
While briefing the delegation on, the City of Cape Town reported that ten affordable social housing projects, totaling 4 849 residential units, have been completed between 2017 and 2024. According to the City, six more land parcels have been awarded as part of the land release program for affordable mixed social housing, out of which 4 268 housing opportunities are expected to be completed by 2028.
The delegation heard that more land parcels are at planning and release stage and are expected to provide approximately 20 000 housing opportunities in future.
The delegation conducted site visits to three of the recently completed social housing projects on Wednesday. It was impressed by the Conradie Better Living Model Exemplar Project in Pinelands which has 1004 affordable rental units ranging from R740 a month for a bachelor unit. It was built on the land belonging to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and has more tenants living in the vast precinct than the total population of Pinelands.
The delegation also commended the Maitland Mews development which boasts 204 social housing units developed to curb the City's dire need for centrally located social housing residences. At a total development cost of R95 953 055, monthly rental ranges from R650 for a bachelor to at least R4 900 for a two-bedroom unit.
Other features include nine business training units which are also used as meeting venues, play areas for children, and 24-hour security with biometrics fingerprint access and CCTV cameras.
The delegates also braved the rain and inclement weather on their third site visit of the day. They inspected the Goodwood Station Social Housing Project which began tenanting its 1055 units in December 2023 and August 2024 respectively. Water and bulk services are fully subsidized, and tenants also benefit from the indigent electricity subsidy.
The delegation and SALGA representatives quizzed the City on what seem like stringent and exclusionary letting procedures, and recommended a more inclusionary approach to benefit more people. The City currently has 410 000 applicants on its waiting list of indigent people needing social housing.
The leader of the delegation, Mr Rikus Badenhorst, said other municipalities could benchmark the City's delivery model in managing strategic intergovernmental cooperation and private-public partnerships that enable development.
Meanwhile the department cautioned that lack of funding, cross-subsidy and political support may hamper the delivery of similar projects that are currently at planning phase. The department indicated that similar projects are currently underway in Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, Worcester, Stellenbosch and in other areas across the province.
The City recommended exploring alternative funding mechanism for affordable housing beyond government subsidies which may not be sustainable in future. The City also suggested the devolution of the Consolidated Capital Grant funding to municipalities for localized administration.
Mr. Badenhorst said the delegation will consolidate all recommendations and report back to the NCOP at the end of the oversight programme. The delegates will reconvene at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament Chamber this morning to turn their focus towards the province's disaster management systems.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Gauteng NCOP Delegation Recommends Criminal Action Against Errant Project Developers Contractors
The NCOP Gauteng delegation conducted a successful oversight visit to unfinished and abandoned human settlements, health, education, and road projects in the West Rand and Sedibeng regions on Wednesday.
The visit is part of the week-long NCOP Provincial Week Programme, held under the theme “Confronting the Challenges Facing the Timely Delivery of Viable Public Infrastructure to Communities.”
The Provincial Week Programme aims to provide permanent delegates to the NCOP and their counterparts from the Gauteng Provincial Legislature with an opportunity to conduct oversight visits to various community development structures, including incomplete road projects, housing projects and other delayed or abandoned public infrastructure projects in the province. These oversight sessions involve officials and managers from affected districts and provincial and national government departments.
Among the abandoned projects visited by the delegation yesterday was the Montrose Mega Project in Randfontein. The project started in 2017 and is expected to yield 13 792 mixed typologies upon completion.
Briefing the delegation on the challenges, interventions and way forward, the provincial Department of Human Settlements said the project had faced various challenges, such as non-performance by the developer, as he failed to resume site in January 2024. The developer also failed to disclose a liquidation order issued by the court against him in 2023 in favour of contractors. The delegation was informed that the developer failed to pay the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), which he appointed as his service providers. The abandoned project is now facing a serious problem of vandalism of the units.
As part of the interventions, the department reported that it sought a legal opinion on the options available to act against the developer and a notice of termination was issued. The delegation was told that three criminal cases had been opened for the vandalism of the infrastructure, and some of the perpetrators had been brought to justice.
The department further reported that, as part of the way forward, they are appointing a security company to protect the remaining infrastructure and will commence negotiations with the land owner on acquiring the land.
The delegation also visited the Rus-Ter-Vaal Secondary School. The project was initiated in 2016 and set for construction in 2018. A contractor was appointed and initiated the construction process but abandoned the site without completing the project.
The delegation was told that the project remains abandoned as of August 2024. The department is set to appoint a contractor and hand over the site to the contractor by the end of September.
The MEC for Education committed to providing regular feedback to the NCOP on this delayed project and ensured that the contractors' contract would be terminated where there were unjustifiable delays.
The NCOP Gauteng delegation also conducted oversight at Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging. Construction of the hospital started in 2021, with an original completion date of August 2022. The appointed contractor could not finish the project, and their contract was terminated.
The delegation was very concerned about the state of the Kopanong Hospital, which is in decay. The abandoned, incomplete wards were meant to accommodate emergency patients during COVID-19, but the contractor failed to finish the job.
The delegation also visited the R82 Old Johannesburg Road in Walkerville. The Initial consultant was terminated due to poor performance. A new consulting engineer was appointed on 23 August 2024. The delegation was informed that the project is scheduled to recommence the first week of October 2024. The contractor is mobilising to return to the site at the beginning of September 2024.
Some of the challenges facing the project include the encroachment of 10 households on the site—intervention to relocate the residents is being sought.
The delegation further visited the Bekkerdal Care of the Age Centre, New Simunye High School in Westonaria, and the Lethabong Mega Project in Sebokeng. The delegation applauded the Lethabong Mega Project, as it was the only site progressing well among all the visited projects.
The delegation, led by Ms Jane Mananiso, NCOP Gauteng Provincial Whip, recommended that criminal cases be opened against developers who are at fault for any of the projects' issues.
Highlighting the importance of accountability and transparency, Ms Mananiso said public representatives must ensure that every rand spent on infrastructure development translates into tangible benefits for the people. “The NCOP's oversight provides an invaluable mechanism for ensuring accountability and transparency, and I have no doubt that your engagements with us this week will help strengthen the systems that underpin effective governance,” she said.
The delegation is today, Thursday, 19 September, conducting oversight visits to projects around the Ekurhuleni and Tshwane regions. The projects include:
- - Bakerton Library in Springs
- - Barcelona Primary in Daveyton
- - Semphato Junior Secondary School in Soshanguve
- - Transoranje LSEN - Pretoria
- - Women Living Monument in Pretoria
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Rising Debt In Sub-Saharan Africa Costing Lives
The report details how this debt crisis is jeopardising progress aimed at ending AIDS in Sub-Saharan African countries, which account for a significant majority of people living with HIV globally – 25.9 million people of the nearly 40 million total.
If debt payments and stifled budgets are unaddressed in the next three to five years, countries will be “under-resourced to fund their HIV responses,” according to the UN agency's report.
Further data reveals that “the region's success in having reduced new HIV infections by 56 per cent since 2010 will not be sustained if fiscal space is constrained.”
Paying back sovereign debt now exceeds half of government revenue in Angola, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.
UNAIDS said that even after debt relief measures, Zambia will still be handing over two-thirds of its budget for debt servicing between 2024 and 2026.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said that “public debt needs to be urgently reduced and domestic resource mobilisation strengthened to enable the fiscal space to fully fund the global HIV response and end AIDS.”
Debt servicing
Ms. Byanyima noted that global health security is put at risk when countries are unable to meet healthcare needs due to debt payments.
This has been evident in Western and Central Africa as there has been a noticeable decline in HIV response spending since 2017.
A news release based on the report reveals that Western and Central Africa will need to mobilise $4.18 billion to fully fund the HIV response in 2024. “This will climb to $7.9 billion by 2030 unless efforts are scaled up today to stop new HIV infections.”
It was noted that $20.8 billion was allocated for the HIV response in 2022 in low and middle-income countries through different donations, but it was not enough to effectively finance the HIV response.
To fully respond to HIV needs in 2024, Eastern and Southern Africa needs $12 billion, which will escalate to $17 billion by 2030 unless new HIV infections decline.
Necessary measures
The UNAIDS report says sub-Saharan African countries need to strengthen their tax systems and see an increase in financial donations to garner more domestic resources to effectively respond to their “pandemics.”
UNAIDS chief, Ms. Byanyima said, “World leaders cannot let a resource crunch derail global progress to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”
Youth activists heading to New York
The UNAIDS chief said that young people are playing an active role in driving the progress made in the HIV response.
UNAIDS has partnered with two social media influencers living with HIV from Kenya and South Africa to attend the Summit of the Future and the UN General Assembly meetings in New York to urge leaders to invest in health systems and services that will support young people living with HIV.
Jerop Limo, the young Kenyan HIV activist, said, “I want leaders to leave New York knowing that we are not beneficiaries, we are equal rights holders.”
“We want meaningful and ethical engagement of adolescents and young people in all spaces of the AIDS response,” she continued.
South African advocate, Ibanomonde Ngema, said the meetings will not be enough to end AIDS – solutions need to be involved.
Young people living with HIV play a critical role in the fight against AIDS in communities.
Include us in the conversation
“The world can only benefit when young people are included in the global HIV response,” Ms. Ngema said. “No conversation about HIV should take place without us, from policy to practice in communities.”
As young people living with HIV also face stigma and discrimination, including from doctors, they will be lobbying world leaders at the General Assembly to “uphold the human rights of young people as key to ending AIDS as a public health threat.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
PRASA Corruption Investigations Get Pushback From MK Party MPs
The Special Investigating Unit presented its findings to Parliament on Wednesday
Police Committee Questions Appointment of Major General Mbotho as Divisional Commissioner
The Portfolio Committee on Police has requested the Minister of Police, National Commissioner of Police and the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to outline the rationale for appointing Major General Patrick Mbotho as Divisional Commissioner: National Priority Offences in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The committee has learned that the SAPS has made the appointment despite major integrity and reputational concerns.
“The fight against crime requires police officers of high integrity that are beyond reproach,” said Mr Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the committee. “The fact that Major General Mbotho has had various allegations of impropriety against him might have a negative impact on the perception of the SAPS' willingness to fight crime,” Mr Cameron said.
While the committee acknowledged that these allegations had not been proven in any formal or legal process, the mere fact that the allegations of impropriety exist and that no formal investigation was undertaken to disprove the claims will feed the perception that the SAPS are protecting their own. “The trust deficit between the SAPS and the community will continue to widen if officers facing such worrying allegations are promoted. The police management must reconsider the appointment to safeguard the integrity of the service,” Mr Cameron urged.
Some of the allegations against Major General Mbotho is that he posted various explicit and adult content to a Detectives Commander WhatsApp group using his official cell phone. The committee found it concerning that this allegedly happened while Major General Mbotho headed the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. This unit's primary mandate is the protection of women and children. “That transgression alone should have led to his dismissal from the SAPS, especially because of the unacceptably high gender-based violence in the country. That he was only transferred to North West DPCI was grossly irregular and reeks of SAPS protecting their own,” Mr Cameron said.
There were also allegations that Major General Mbotho had meetings with individuals currently suspected of gang activity and extortion in the Western Cape. The Chairperson said with the country currently experiencing increased cases of extortion, it is unfathomable that an individual with such worrying allegations was promoted. There are also other allegations that Major General Mbotho was involved in interfering in criminal investigations and defeating the ends of justice. “It is on this basis that the appointment seems highly irrational and threatens the reputation and integrity of the SAPS in the eyes of the public,” Mr Cameron said.
As a result, the Chairperson has written a letter to the Minister of Police to, amongst others, clarify who the other applicants for the post were, who the members of the recruitment panel were, the performance of Major General Mbotho in the North West province compared to other provinces, if the allegations against him were considered during the recruitment process, and if the Major General has the requisite security clearance as required by the position. The committee has given the Minister until September 27 to respond.
“What is important to the Portfolio Committee is the appointment of capable, ethical and credible officers that will enhance the fight against crime. Appointments must send a clear message that SAPS is serious about upholding the integrity of the service,” Mr Cameron said.
The committee also requested that the appointment be reviewed and an inquiry be launched.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Golden Walk Shopping Centre Celebrates Heritage Day by Joining the Upside
In celebration of Heritage Day, Golden Walk Shopping Centre is proud to present a refreshing campaign that embodies the true spirit of South Africa in a unique and meaningful way. This year, we explore a question that resonates with so many of us: “Where do most people find the inspiration and the motivation to rise …
Sammy Marks Square Celebrates Heritage Day by Joining the Upside
In celebration of Heritage Day, Sammy Marks Square is excited to launch a fresh campaign that captures the essence of South Africa’s vibrant spirit in a unique and inspiring way. This year, we’ve focused on a question that truly resonates with everyone: “Where do most people find the inspiration and motivation to rise above everyday …
The Boulders Shopping Centre Celebrates Heritage Day by Joining the Upside
In celebration of Heritage Day, The Boulders Shopping Centre is excited to launch a fresh campaign that captures the essence of South Africa’s vibrant spirit in a unique and inspiring way. This year, we’ve focused on a question that truly resonates with everyone: “Where do most people find the inspiration and motivation to rise above …
Basic Education ready for 2024 matric examinations
Basic Education ready for 2024 matric examinations
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) says all systems are in place for it to administer the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations for the Class of 2024.
The department briefed the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education this week on a preliminary report regarding the state of readiness for this year’s Grade 12 final examinations.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule and Director-General Mathanzima Mweli led the departmental delegation to Parliament.
The examinations are set to run from 21 October to 27 November 2024, and marking will commence immediately thereafter.
“There are 55 053 markers appointed, who will be stationed at 188 marking centres. The results will be released to candidates on 16 January 2025. The Minister will announce the results on 15 January 2024,” the department said.
Delivering opening remarks, Gwarube said the DBE had done a lot of work to prepare both the candidates and the system for this year’s examination. She said this was a pivotal moment for the learners, who are in their last weeks in the basic education system.
In terms of system readiness, the Chief Director for National Assessment and Public Examinations, Dr Rufus Poliah, reported that there were 732 448 full-time candidates enrolled for NSC examinations this year, which is 8 400 more than in 2023.
“KwaZulu-Natal has the largest Grade 12 population with 172 213 candidates, while Gauteng contributes the second largest number with 136 620. Eastern Cape has 103 975 and Limpopo has 94 236. Mpumalanga has 68 455 and the Western Cape has registered 64 552 candidates. The North West has 41 480, while the Free State has 37 737 and the Northern Cape has 13 180 registered candidates this year.
“There are 136 195 part-time candidates registered to sit for various subjects this year. The examinations will take place in 6 909 centres across the nine provinces,” the department said.
Poliah said a total of 162 question papers for the 2024 October/November examinations have been approved by Umalusi and are ready for handover to provinces for printing.
The Class of 2024 is the seventh cohort that will sit for South African Sign Language (SASL) Home Language (HL) examinations in November 2024. Twenty- three schools in nine provinces have 210 candidates registered for SASL HL, compared to 134 candidates in 2023.
In terms of learner readiness, the Deputy Director-General for Curriculum, Dr Barney Mthembu, highlighted several factors that need to be taken into account regarding the current cohort of Grade 12 learners.
“Firstly, the Class of 2024 was in Grade R in 2012, the year of implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in foundation phase. Secondly, they entered Grade 8 in 2020 at the height of COVID-19, which means their transition from primary to secondary school was seriously disrupted.
“Thirdly, their Grade 9 year (2021), which is crucial for subject selection in Grade 10, was also disrupted due to COVID-19,” Mthembu said.
He said learners experienced social distancing, which limited group work between teachers and group assessment activities. Rotational attendance affected coverage of the curriculum and created content gaps. At the height of COVID-19, teacher absenteeism affected teacher curriculum coverage negatively for this cohort.
In spite of these disruptions, the department said this cohort started to benefit from the Learning Recovery Programme at primary school.
“Strategies and interventions aimed at addressing the academic setbacks of COVID-19 were introduced. In Grade 10 (2022), the system was beginning to recover from the COVID-19 restrictions, which led to a return of the majority of learners to school.
“This saved this cohort from rotational attendance and loss of teaching and learning time. It also helped them to complete the Grade 10 Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs). In Grade 11 (2023) this cohort had an advantage of the removal of social distancing and other related restrictions. This helped it to cover the Grade 11 Annual Teaching Plans,” the department said.
This year, in Grade 12, they are benefiting from a wealth of resources that were developed to assist the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 with learning and studying. These include previous diagnostic reports, question papers and study material.
Mweli has visited 162 study camps in different parts of the country throughout the year to support the Grade 12 learners.
The department further highlighted that the Class of 2024 has also benefited from being taught by teachers who have improved subject results in 2022 and 2023, making them motivated to improve performance in 2024.
The Class of 2024 reached Grade 12 when schools had mastered the skill of using the diagnostic reports of the previous years for examination preparation. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 09/19/2024 - 10:23
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Stoneridge Centre Celebrates Heritage Day by Joining the Upside
In celebration of Heritage Day, Stoneridge Centre is excited to launch a fresh campaign that captures the essence of South Africa’s vibrant spirit in a unique and inspiring way. This year, we’ve focused on a question that truly resonates with everyone: “Where do most people find the inspiration and motivation to rise above everyday challenges …
Lamola concludes successful working visit to the US
Lamola concludes successful working visit to the US
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has successfully concluded his productive weeklong working visit to Washington D.C. in the United States of America (USA).
During his visit, he met with important stakeholders, such as the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, the Congressional Black Caucus, the US Chamber of Commerce, and various bipartisan think tanks.
Lamola emphasised the importance of the dynamic and evolving relationship between South Africa and the United States.
“He expressed optimism about the potential for continued frank engagements on geopolitical matters based on mutual respect and identified areas for cooperation.
“Moving forward, efforts to sustain important engagements regularly in a structured system will be explored at a high political level,” a statement from the Department of the International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) read.
READ | Lamola embarks on a working visit to the United States
According to the department, the Minister highlighted the mutually beneficial nature of bilateral trade relations, with an emphasis on how moving forward, these relations can support South Africa’s goals of achieving rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, job creation, poverty alleviation and a just society.
South Africa enjoys strategic relations with the USA and has strong political, economic, and social ties.
According to the department, bilateral cooperation with the United States covers various issues aligned with South Africa’s domestic priorities and the National Development Plan (NDP).
America is also the leading source of foreign direct investment, a market for value-added exports and agri-products, technology transfer, development assistance, investment finance, skills development, and tourism for South Africa.
The department believes that these investments make a significant contribution to supporting government efforts to reduce poverty, unemployment and inequality. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 09/19/2024 - 15:15
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Mall of the South Celebrates Heritage Day by Joining the Upside
In celebration of Heritage Day, Mall Of The South is excited to launch a fresh campaign that captures the essence of South Africa’s vibrant spirit in a unique and inspiring way. This year, we’ve focused on a question that truly resonates with everyone: “Where do most people find the inspiration and motivation to rise above …
Repo rate drops for the first time since 2020
Repo rate drops for the first time since 2020
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 8%.
The cut – the first one since 2020 – moves the prime lending rate to 11.50%.
The cut was announced by Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago following a meeting of the bank’s MPC.
“In discussing the stance, MPC members considered an unchanged stance, a 25-basis point cut, and a 50-basis point cut. The MPC ultimately reached consensus on 25 basis points, agreeing that a less restrictive stance was consistent with sustainably lower inflation over the medium term.
“The forecast sees rates moving towards neutral next year, stabilising slightly above 7%. As before, the rate path from the Quarterly Projection Model remains a broad policy guide, changing from meeting to meeting. Decisions of the MPC will continue to be data dependent, and sensitive to the balance of risks to the outlook,” Kganyago said on Thursday.
The cut comes on the heels of an announcement by Statistics South Africa that inflation has once again dipped to 4.4% – the lowest it has been since April 2021.
Kganyago said the bank forecasts that this will be sustained.
“Moving to inflation, headline eased to 4.4% in August, a three-year low, and close to the middle of our target range. Our forecast suggests this progress will be sustained, with inflation contained below the 4.5% midpoint of our range through to the end of the forecast horizon, in 2026.
“In the near term, we continue to see a dip in headline inflation, supported by the stronger exchange rate and lower oil prices. The implied starting point of the rand is R18.04 to the US dollar, an appreciation of nearly 2% relative to our July assumption.
"This contributes to fuel price deflation, which helps keep headline below 4% through the first half of next year. As usual, we will look through this near-term supply shock, focusing on the medium-term outlook,” Kganyago explained.
The Governor warned that it is crucial for South Africa to sustain the momentum of reforms, “given a potentially adverse external environment”.
“This entails both structural reforms to support growth capacity, and macroeconomic efforts to rebuild fiscal and monetary buffers.
“The MPC’s main contribution is to deliver low and stable inflation, with well-anchored inflation expectations.
“We also recommend additional measures that would improve economic conditions. These include reaching a prudent public debt level, further repairing and strengthening network industries, lowering administered price inflation, and keeping real wage growth in line with productivity gains,” Kganyago concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 09/19/2024 - 15:30
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Things to Do with Your Kids This Holiday Period: A Week of Fun and Learning
As the September/October school holidays approach, parents everywhere are gearing up for the ultimate challenge—keeping their kids off screens and fully engaged in fun and learning. Whether your child is a budding athlete, a little adventurer, or a mini artist, we’ve got you covered with activities that promise to make this holiday one for the …
Pravin Gordhan: “a humble servant of the people”
Pravin Gordhan: “a humble servant of the people”
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday lauded the late former Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan as a "humble servant of the people".
The President highlighted Gordhan’s immense contribution to South Africa’s freedom and democracy.
Delivering the eulogy at Gordhan’s Special Official Funeral, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in eThekwini, the President celebrated Gordhan’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the upliftment of the poor.
“Today we bid farewell to a humble servant of the people. For all his achievements, despite his immense contribution to this country, Pravin was at all times a humble human being and activist.”
This as the Gordhan family, leaders from various sectors, and fellow South Africans gathered to honour the life of Gordhan who passed away in the early hours of Friday, 13 September. He passed away at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
READ | Details of Special Official Funeral for Gordhan announced
The late former Minister was also affectionately known as “PG”.
“It was his humility as a person and as a leader that made him great. It was his unwavering belief that a political activist must serve no other cause than the cause of freedom that made PG exceptional.
“It is that which makes great all true servant leaders. Leaders who accept the responsibility to lead with humility, commitment and courage. They are leaders who also submit themselves to being led.
“These are leaders who speak up when they must, but who also listen to the voices of our people attentively. These are Leaders who are magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. Such leaders are people who stand up for what is right even at great personal cost to themselves,” President Ramaphosa said.
Gordhan’s political journey began at a young age when he became involved with the Natal Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party. His activism, rooted in civic and student politics, saw him rise to the ranks of leadership in both the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
Commitment to justice
The first citizen recalled Gordhan's role in Operation Vula, his subsequent torture and solitary confinement, and his steadfastness in the face of adversity.
The President added that Gordhan's involvement in the United Democratic Front, his leadership during the anti-apartheid struggle, and his critical role in South Africa’s transition to democracy underscored his deep commitment to justice.
“He was one of those rare people who knew the cost of struggle. His activism earned him arrests, beatings and detention. He knew the perils of underground work.
“As an operative of Operation Vula, he was interrogated, tortured and thrown into solitary confinement. Yet, whenever called upon, he stepped forward to serve,” the President said.
Diligence
Gordhan’s impact extended beyond the political arena, most notably during his tenure as Minister of Finance, where he navigated South Africa through challenging economic times.
President Ramaphosa praised Gordhan for his diligent work at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and his contributions to the careful management of public finances, which laid the foundation for the transformation of South Africa’s society.
In his eulogy, the President also reflected on Gordhan’s courage during the turbulent period of state capture, where the former Minister stood firm against corruption and abuse of power.
“During one of the most painful chapters in our democratic history, as the state was being looted by the powerful and connected, he chose to resist. Using all means at his disposal, he worked to thwart the capture of the state
“Drawing on his substantial moral stature, he refused to be silenced. He was prepared to confront those who had once been his comrades, whom he had once looked up to as his leaders, but who had abandoned the cause of the people,” he said.
The President hailed Gordhan’s resilience despite enduring personal attacks.
“As many others looked away, his revolutionary consciousness demanded no less of him than that he speak out. For him, it was no different to when he joined the struggle against apartheid. It was a choice between what was right and what was wrong. It was a choice between standing with the people or standing against the people. There was never any doubt where Pravin Gordhan would stand,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President described Gordhan as a person of "true mettle", whose revolutionary consciousness never wavered. He emphasised that Gordhan’s legacy continues to inspire those striving for a just, free, and equal South Africa.
Collaborative spirit
President Ramaphosa had the privilege of working alongside Gordhan for many years during the struggle against apartheid, at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), the Constitutional Assembly, in the African National Congress and in government.
“I will remember him fondly for his collaborative spirit. I will remember him for his tact, especially when we disagreed. I will remember him standing firm on principle. I will miss his incisive contributions in Cabinet and other meetings. I will miss our many discussions over many hours, and the telephone conversations late into the night.
“I valued his frankness and forthrightness. I respected his opinions. And I appreciate that he always afforded me the same courtesy. He was my comrade and my colleague, but he was also a friend,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 09/19/2024 - 15:38
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Minister Lamola Concludes a Successful Working Visit to Washington D. C., United States of America (USA)
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Ronald Lamola, successfully concluded a productive Working Visit to Washington, D. C. During his visit, he engaged with key stakeholders, including the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, the Congressional Black Caucus, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and various bipartisan think tanks.
Minister Lamola emphasised the importance of the dynamic and evolving relationship between South Africa and the United States. He expressed optimism about the potential for continued frank engagements on geopolitical matters based on mutual respect and identified areas for cooperation. Moving forward, efforts to sustain important engagements regularly in a structured system will be explored at a high political level.
Additionally, Minister Lamola highlighted the mutual beneficial nature of our bilateral trade relations, with emphasis on how moving forward these relations can support South Africa's goals of achieving rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, job creation, poverty alleviation and, ultimately, a just society.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Benmore Centre Celebrates Heritage Day by Joining the Upside
In celebration of Heritage Day, Benmore Centre is thrilled to present an inspiring campaign that reflects the true spirit of South Africa—resilience, optimism, and joy. This year, we’re exploring a thought-provoking question that resonates with many: “Where do most people find the inspiration and motivation to rise above everyday challenges and discover genuine, lasting happiness?” …