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Achievements and challenges: President reflects on sixth administration
Achievements and challenges: President reflects on sixth administration
As the term of the sixth administration draws to a close, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reflected on the achievements and challenges faced by government during this five year period.
South Africans are expected head to the polls in the National and Provincial Elections this week to elect leaders for the seventh administration.
In an address to the nation on Sunday, the President said that at the start of his term in office in 2019, South Africa “stood at a turning point”.
“We had endured a decade of corruption and state capture, of weak economic growth and the erosion of our public institutions. Today, we have put that era behind us. We have placed South Africa on a new trajectory of recovery and laid a strong foundation for future growth.
“We have taken significant steps to reform our economy by implementing a number of reforms that affect various sectors of the economy. In tackling crime and corruption, we have introduced a number of initiatives and measures to reposition our criminal justice system.
“We have faced many challenges along the way, which have tested our resilience and our resolve. Yet, in each instance, we have confronted these challenges together. We have remained united. We have worked in partnership and in solidarity,” the President said.
State Capture and corruption
President Ramaphosa said that the nation brought state capture to an end.
“We dislodged the criminal networks that had stolen billions from our people, that had eroded our public institutions and that had undermined the rule of law. Together, we worked to rebuild our law enforcement agencies, our security services, our state-owned companies and a number of other public bodies.
“Through the work of institutions like the NPA’s [National Prosecuting Authority] Investigating Directorate, the Hawks and the SIU, several state capture and corruption cases have been brought to court and billions of Rands in stolen funds have been recovered,” he said.
To further strengthen the work of the NPA, President Ramaphosa has now signed into law the establishment of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate against Corruption as a permanent entity.
“There is still much that we need to do to end corruption. However, as a country, we have sent a clear message to the corrupt that they can no longer expect to get away with their crimes with impunity and without consequence,” President Ramaphosa said.
COVID-19 pandemic
The President remarked that the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept across the world and pushed economies to their limits, was one of the defining moments of the last five years.
More than 100 000 South Africans died during the pandemic with some two million jobs lost.
“We introduced a massive package of social and economic support to protect vulnerable businesses, workers and households from the destructive effects of the pandemic. More than 5.7 million workers received wage support through the special UIF scheme.
“Through the introduction of the special SRD [Social Relief of Distress] grant, we provided relief to more than 11 million unemployed people at the height of the pandemic.
“Working together, we succeeded in administering more than 39 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. Even during the worst moments of the pandemic, we endured and we overcame. This is how we are as South Africans. We confront even the greatest of challenges with determination and courage,” the President said.
Rebuilding the economy
President Ramaphosa said rebuilding the economy following the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic has been characterised by South Africans coming together “in social partnerships to drive investment, to build infrastructure and to remove the obstacles to inclusive growth”.
He highlighted that as a result, the economy has now returned to levels seen before the pandemic and “we have recovered the jobs lost to the pandemic”.
“Together, we supported Eskom’s efforts to improve the performance of its power stations. We enabled investment in new electricity generation capacity on a scale that is unprecedented in our history.
“Working with financial institutions, development agencies, business and professional associations, we revitalised investment in infrastructure. The value of projects currently in construction is over R230 billion, including energy, water infrastructure and rural roads projects.
“Together, we mobilised more than R1.5 trillion in new investment commitments. This has led to the opening of new factories, mines, data centres and production lines.
“Working with private sector partners, we established the Youth Employment Service, which has created over 144 000 work experiences for young people. We have worked across government and with NGOs to implement the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has created more than 1.9 million work and livelihood opportunities for unemployed South Africans,” he said.
Into the future
The President emphasised that the sixth administration and all of the work it has done is a springboard for building a better future.
“The last five years have been a time of rebuilding and recovery. It has been about working together not only to meet the challenges of the moment, but to put in place firm foundations for a better future.
“As this sixth administration draws to a close, and as we prepare for the seventh administration, let us build on the progress that we have made. At this moment in our path to renewal, we cannot afford to turn back. There is more work to be done,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 19:50
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President Ramaphosa wishes IEC well ahead of elections
President Ramaphosa wishes IEC well ahead of elections
President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) well ahead of the National and Provincial Elections due to be held this week.
Special votes are to be administered on Monday and Tuesday with the general elections to be held on Wednesday.
Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast on Sunday evening, the President applauded the commission for its work in the run up to the elections.
“As a country, we have once again witnessed the capabilities of the IEC – in the successful voter registration weekends, in the registration of parties and candidates, in the preparation of ballot papers, in the organisation of overseas voting, and in the diligent application of our electoral laws.
“We convey our thanks and best wishes to the IEC commissioners, to the IEC staff and to the thousands of election workers as they deliver on this most important responsibility in the coming days,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President remarked that the defining feature of South Africa’s elections since the dawn of democracy in 1994 “has been their integrity…made possible not only by the work and conduct of the IEC, but also by the presence of party agents and independent observers”.
“The involvement of party agents gives people confidence that there is effective oversight of all aspects of the electoral process.
“Through the presence of local and international observers we are able to satisfy ourselves that our elections conform not only to our own laws, but also to internationally-accepted standards of freeness and fairness.
“We thank all the party agents and the election observers for the work they are doing, and reiterate that they must be allowed to do their work without any hindrance,” he said.
WATCH I President Ramaphosa’s address
President Ramaphosa emphasised the history attached to the right for all eligible South Africans to make their mark.
This right was hard won by liberation heroes and anti-apartheid activists who fought for South Africa’s democracy against a brutal apartheid state.
“This will be the seventh time that South Africans of all races, from all walks of life, from all corners of our country, will go to vote for national and provincial government. We will once again assert the fundamental principle, articulated in the Freedom Charter, that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people. In the days to come, we will be doing much more than exercising our Constitutional right to vote,” said the President.
He said citizens will be determining the direction that the country takes.
“I call upon all South Africans to go cast their votes. We are a diverse people, but a united nation. Let us be united in our commitment to our democracy,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 19:10
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IEC ready to administer special votes
IEC ready to administer special votes
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has declared that it is ready to administer the special votes expected to be cast tomorrow and Tuesday, ahead of Election Day on Wednesday.
Special votes for those South Africans out of country have already been cast.
Domestic special votes are for those who are either infirm or have impaired mobility who will be visited by the IEC at their or home or place of confinement and also for those who wish to cast their vote early as they may not be able to access their voting station on general Election Day on 29 May 2024.
At a media briefing on Sunday, IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Sheburi, said more than 1.6 million South Africans have been approved to vote during the special votes.
Some 624 593 voters are expected be visited by IEC staff with the rest expected to visit their voting stations.
“We are encouraged by the number of special votes received which indicates the enthusiasm with which the South African population has for these elections,” he said.
Special votes will be administered in the presence of representatives of contestants and observers where those are available. However, people are only allowed into homes at the direction of the homeowner.
“Voters…are reminded to have their identity documents handy in order to confirm their participation in these elections. After a voter casts their ballot, they will be handed two envelopes. They insert their marked ballots into an unmarked envelope, which in turn is inserted into a bigger envelope which has the details of the voter.
“The purpose of the envelopes is to ensure that we can verify that only persons who have been approved to vote by special vote have voted but also to ensure the secrecy of the vote by delinking the vote from the voter,” he said.
WATCH I IEC briefs media on readiness for special votes
For those who will be going to voting stations, those stations will be open between 9am and 5pm with only those approved for special votes allowed to make their mark.
Following the two days of special voting, the ballots still within in their double envelopes, will be transported for safe storage until 29 May 2024 where they will be verified and reintroduced for counting.
Persons with disabilities
Sheburi said the commission has prepared for persons with disabilities to “vote in conditions of relative dignity and without disclosing their choice to anyone”.
“Working together with the South African National Council for the Blind [SANCB], we have developed a voting aid, the Universal Ballot Template for persons who can read braille they can be able to vote without disclosing their choice of candidate or party.
“For those with unsteady hand, they will be able to use the Universal Ballot Template to also make their mark without disclosing their choice or relying on companions for assistance.
“We call on South Africans to come out in numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote. We further continue our call to citizens, media members, and political party leaders to set a good example and foster an electoral environment based on trust, integrity, and respect for all,” Sheburi said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 16:15
291 views
Vulture Protection, Wind Farms and Biodiversity in the Eastern Cape: The Complex Interplay
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South Africa welcomes ICJ ruling on Israel action in Rafah
South Africa welcomes ICJ ruling on Israel action in Rafah
South Africa has welcomed the order handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday by 13 votes to 2, ordering Israel to immediately halt its military operation.
According to the Presidency, the court ordered Israel to halt any other actions in Rafah “which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”.
“The court further ordered Israel to maintain open the Rafah crossing for unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance and to take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip of any commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission or other investigative body mandated by competent organs of the United Nations to investigate allegations of genocide.
“In terms of the court order, Israel has to submit a report to the court on all measures taken to give effect to this order within one month,” said the Presidency in a statement.
Earlier this month, South Africa had approached the ICJ seeking an order – according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) – “for the protection of the Palestinian people in Gaza from grave and irreparable violations of their rights under the Genocide Convention, as a result of Israel’s ongoing military assault on Rafah”.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliatory bombardment on Palestine – particularly in Gaza.
By 24 May at least Palestinians had been killed and at least 80 000 injured, 1.7 million have been displaced, often multiple times, with 900 000 displaced in the last two weeks alone.
The Presidency said Palestinians continue to die of starvation, many of them children, and hundreds of thousands are at imminent threat of death because a deliberate decision has been taken by Israel to starve Palestinians by denying them food.
“The court, whose powers are tied to the provisions of the Genocide Convention and cannot be exercised against ‘mere’ war crimes or human rights violations, has done what it considers it can do to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people in Gaza as a group and their protection from further harm.
“South Africa remains concerned that the United Nations Security Council has so far not succeeded in stopping the human suffering,” said the Presidency.
President Ramaphosa said South Africa called on all State Parties to observe the prescripts of international law, which obliged them to reconsider their relations with Israel following the court findings.
“Under international law, Israel is obliged to implement the court’s order, as well as the previous orders of 26 January (as reaffirmed by the court on 16 February) and 28 March. Similarly under international law, the prohibition on genocide is a peremptory norm from which no derogation is permitted, for any reason whatsoever.”
Furthermore, the President expressed South Africa’s “grave concern” for relief efforts unable to reach Gaza.
“We are gravely concerned that Israel has restricted necessary levels of aid from entering Gaza and has systematically targeted aid and aid infrastructure within Gaza.
“This case is thus focused on the ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who are now facing their seventh month of suffering through collective punishment for something for which they have no individual responsibility,” President Ramaphosa said.
Meanwhile, Director General DIRCO, Zane Dangor said South Africa welcomed the “ground breaking” court ruling which he added is a “de facto calling for a ceasefire” in the area.
“This order is ground breaking as it is the first time that explicit mention is made for Israel to halt its military action in any area of Gaza, this time specifically in Rafah. While legally the court cannot use the term ceasefire…this is de facto calling for a ceasefire. It is ordering the major party in this conflict to end its belligerent action against the people of Palestine.
“This is a ground breaking decision by the court. The court has also ordered Israel to ensure that it allows access to investigators appointed by competent orders of the UN [United Nations] to investigate actions that would be tantamount to genocide in the whole of Gaza.
“This is important because it allows for independent researchers to go into areas that journalists have been prohibited from, in fact journalists have been killed. It allows those of us engaging in the legal action to have independent verified UN experts doing a lot of the investigations.
“We hope that the UN Security Council takes note of this. We will be approaching the UN Security Council with this order so that they can effect this part of it,” Dangor said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 12:43
310 views
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Authorities ready to protect citizens’ right to vote during elections
Authorities ready to protect citizens' right to vote during elections
Law enforcement agencies are “in charge and in control” as the country heads to the polls this week, says police Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili.
Mosikili said this when she addressed the media on the readiness of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) ahead of the National and Provincial Elections to be held on 29 May 2024.
Special votes are expected to be administered by the Electoral Commission (IEC) on Monday and Tuesday, followed by the general elections on Wednesday.
“To all voters, go out there having full confidence that the NatJOINTS’ plan is on track to protect your rights and our democracy. We are in charge, we are in control. As law enforcement agencies, we will ensure your safety throughout this period,” she said.
The Lieutenant General acknowledged that the task of ensuring a safe election period was challenging but assured citizens that past experience will augur well for this week.
“The task at hand is immense but through past experiences of ensuring safe and secure elections, we are confident that we are ready for this next phase. The road to a safe, secure and peaceful election requires the commitment and effort from all stakeholders, including our communities.
“We are grateful that thus far our communities and South Africans from all walks of life have continued to display responsible conduct and behaviour.
“A reminder to all political parties that political campaigning ends midnight on 28 May 2024, should it continue beyond this period, this would be a transgression and contravention of the Electoral Act,” she said.
Fake news
Mosikili warned citizens, particularly those who use social media, not to engage in the spreading of misinformation and fake news.
“You are all urged to verify facts first before sharing any information which often leads to unnecessary confusion and panic.
“We will not tolerate any incitement of violence on any platform. Our intelligence communities and cybercrime units are closely monitoring online users. We are warned not to step out of line,” she said.
Mosikili reminded police officials to protect the elections within the confines of the law.
“It is more boots on the ground. Our law enforcement agencies are out there deployed to ensure that everyone who will be exercising their democratic right does so in a peaceful, safe and secure environment.
“We once more want to remind our law enforcement agencies to continue to apply fundamental policing principles guided by the Constitution and our laws,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 14:22
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Top local triathletes set to compete in the Oceans 8 Charity Swim 1 Mile event
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IEC dismisses vote rigging allegations, condemns threats to officials
IEC dismisses vote rigging allegations, condemns threats to officials
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has dismissed allegations of vote rigging made against its offices in KwaZulu-Natal and has condemned threats made against its officials.
This comes days before the National and Provincial Elections are due to be held on 29 May, with special votes expected to be administered on Monday and Tuesday.
On allegations of vote rigging, the commission noted “with great concern” videos circulating related to the allegations at its storage sites in Chesterville and Hammersdale in the province.
“We wish to clarify that the videos depict our planned logistical arrangements and storage of election materials as we prepare for the first day of special voting on 27 May 2024. These are legitimate and authorised arrangements for the distribution of ballot papers and other bulk material.
“The planned security measures were that the trucks distributing ballot papers are escorted by SAPS to the local storage site. These storage sites will then be guarded on a 24-hours basis. This arrangement would ensure that the storage sites are protected against unauthorised entry, burglary, and tempering with election materials and ensure detailed control and recording of all items in storage,” the commission said in a statement.
It further warned that no members of political parties will be allowed entry into any storage facility.
“No party will be allowed to gain entry into the warehouse premises of the commission. We instruct the leadership of MK party to immediately leave the warehouse as the commission urgently needs to finalise the distribution of election material,” the statement read.
Threats to commission officials
The IEC said that in the same province, an official was “was woken at home in the middle of the night about bulk material stored at the Baptist Church voting station in Chesterville”.
“Bulk material is voting booths, voting station signage/banners and new unfolded ballot boxes. This bulk electoral material was taken to Cato Manor police station in eThekwini, in KwaZulu Natal.
“It is part of the logistical plan for the commission to deliver bulk material to voting stations ahead of Election Day. This is meant to ensure that voting stations open on time as only security material such as ballot papers will be delivered on the day of voting,” the commission said.
Furthermore, it strongly condemned any threats towards its staff members.
“No party nor its representatives have authority to gain access to private homes of electoral staff. Worse still no party nor its representatives may take control of election material without being authorised.
“We want to assure the public that additional measures have been implemented to secure these various storage sites across the country. We confirm that the commission has possession of all election materials shown in these videos.
“This electoral material is being prepared for distribution to voting stations in time for the special votes tomorrow, 27 May 2024.
“The commission is contemplating measures against the party and the individuals involved as such obstruction to election activities should not be tolerated. This conduct violates the Code of Conduct and other electoral prescripts,” the IEC said.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation this evening at 6pm. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 13:01
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The Power of Podcasting – Why You Should Turn Your Passion into a Podcasting Business
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Voters urged to familiarise themselves with three ballot papers
Voters urged to familiarise themselves with three ballot papers
As South Africa holds its seventh democratic elections this week, voters will for the first time receive three ballot papers instead of two ballots.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged voters to carefully review and mark each of these three ballot papers before depositing them into the ballot box.
“Our appeal to voters is to remember that they can only put one mark on each ballot, more than one mark will result in a spoiled vote and not counted.
“The Universal Ballot Template (UBT), whose dimensions are benchmarked against the longest ballot paper will be available in all voting stations. The UBT can be used by blind and partially sighted people, low-vision users, people who are dyslexic, and people with motor and neuron conditions which do not allow for a steady hand,” IEC Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sy Mamabolo said.
South Africans will go to the polls on 29 May 2024 to vote for leaders in government for the seventh administration.
The 27.79 million registered voters will receive three ballot papers to elect candidates to represent them in the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures.
The use of the three ballots follows the amendment of the Electoral Act, which was signed into law in April 2023.
“This amendment revised the electoral system to allow independent candidates to contest in the regional (province-to-national) tier of the National Assembly and the Provincial Legislatures.
“Although the phenomenon of three ballots will be familiar to voters in various local municipalities, it will be new to voters in metropolitan areas and for the first time in general elections for national and provinces,” Mamabolo said.
WATCH I Three ballots explained
The three ballot papers are as follows:
- The national ballot: This ballot will consist of a list of political parties vying for seats for 200 seats in the National Assembly. This ballot will be used to vote for political parties. There are currently 52 parties who will be on this ballot and the configuration will be a dual column.
- The regional or province-to-national ballots: This will have political parties and independent candidates contesting for the seats reserved for each province in the National Assembly. Voters will use this ballot to elect a political party or an independent candidate to represent them in the National Assembly. The number of contestants range from 30 to 44 on regional ballots. The configuration of this ballot is single column.
- The provincial ballots: This ballot is unique to each province and includes parties and independent candidates competing for seats in each respective provincial legislature. This ballot will allow voters to choose either a political party or an independent candidate to represent them in provincial legislatures. The number of contestants range from 24 to 45 on the provincial legislatures ballots.
The commission said the design of the ballot papers will be underpinned by the following identifiers:
- Full registered name of the party
- The photograph of the registered party leader
- Registered abbreviated name of the party
- The registered emblem or symbol of the party
In respect of independent candidates, the ballot papers will have:
- The name of the independent
- The photograph bearing the face of the independent
- The word “INDEPENDENT”
There are a total of 400 contested seats in the National Assembly. The proportional representation compensatory 200 seats will be contested by political parties only and there is a dedicated ballot paper for this tier of the National Assembly.
“The remaining regional or province-to-national 200 seats will be contested by independent candidates and political parties. This tier of the National Assembly will also have a dedicated ballot paper. This means that National Assembly elections will be based on two ballot papers (national ballot and the newly introduced regional or province-to-national ballot).
“Therefore, in respect of the elections of the National Assembly voters may elect a preferred party on the national ballot and elect another preferred party or independent on the regional ballot. However, in respect of provincial elections, voters will elect a preferred party or independent candidate on a single provincial ballot,” the CEO said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 05/24/2024 - 14:23
311 views
Vote where you are registered
Vote where you are registered
Millions of South Africans are expected to cast their ballots in the 7th National and Provincial Elections on Election Day on Wednesday.
The Electoral Commission (IEC), which has successfully completed overseas voting, will from Monday start to service South Africans who have qualified for special votes. Special votes will take place on 27 and 28 May, from 9am to 5pm.
Election Day, which has been declared a public holiday, will take place on 29 May.
The Electoral Commission has reminded South Africans to cast their ballots to vote where they are registered.
“The commission takes this opportunity to remind voters that they can only vote at voting districts where they are registered. The only voters who may vote outside their voting districts on 29 May are those who have notified the commission, within the period 15 March to 17 May 2024 as stipulated in the Election Timetable, that they would be away from their designated districts and wished to change their voting location.
“According to Section 24 (a) of the Electoral Amendment Act, a voter may vote outside of the voting district where registered but needs to notify the Electoral Commission before Voting Day during the period specified in the Election Timetable,” said the commission in a statement.
Voters voting in the province where they are registered will receive three ballot papers - the national, regional and provincial ballot papers. However, if they vote outside their registered province, they will only be eligible to vote in the national ballot paper.
Voting on Election Day will take place from 7am until 9pm. The commission assured citizens that no eligible voter will be turned away and that every voter in a queue by 9pm will be assisted.
“The Electoral Commission reiterates the call on all voters to check where they are registered to vote, and to bring their identity documents with when voting.”
Voters can check their registration details and confirm the location of their correct voting stations ahead of Election Day by using the following channels:
- www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/Voter-Information
- SMSing their ID number to 32810
- 0800 11 8000
- WhatsApp ‘Hi’ to 0600 88 0000
Voters who successfully applied to vote at another voting station must take the added step of checking their voting location at https://registertovote.elections.org.za/voter/section-24a/notitication/status or on the confirmation notification, as this information will not appear on their registration status.
“We encourage all 27.7 million registered voters to come out in their numbers and cast their ballots in these historic elections in the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s electoral democracy. Exercising your vote is your right and your civic duty,” said the IEC. - SAnews.gov.za
Janine
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 09:57
63 views
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Event Info: The Laughter Continues
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South Africans will be safe during and after the elections
South Africans will be safe during and after the elections
Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, has launched the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Coordination Centre - days ahead of the country's National and Provincial General Elections.
“The NATJOINTS Coordination Centre (NCC) is born from past experiences learnt, when government formulated a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic… as government we soon realised the importance of reconfiguring the way we would deal with the challenges of the deadly virus, as a collective. The NCC underpins the ‘whole of government’ approach to the country’s security,” said the Minister, speaking at the official opening of the NCC, based at the country’s largest training college of the South African Police Service, situated west of Pretoria.
He said the opening of the NCC also came just days before the country prepares for the National and Provincial Elections, on 29 May 2024.
“So while the timing of the opening may be opportune, establishing a nerve centre of such magnitude, to house the National Joint Operational Intelligence Structures, has been a long time coming.”
The centre serves as a central point of contact for the coordination of information.
“It is here where the reporting of incidents and swift, prompt and coordinated response to any and every eventuality within the mandate of NATJOINTS will unfold.
“We are told that this building that houses the NCC has been renovated and repurposed to meet all needs and purposes. This process has taken four months,” Cele said.
Cele said meetings of the NATJOINTS and the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Directors General as well as the Priority Committees and work streams established by the NATJOINTS will take place in the NCC.
“The building layout not only accommodates the National Joint Operational Centre (NATJOC) but also facilities to accommodate one or more Mission Area Joint Operational Centres, known as MAJOC,” he said.
He said the centre has been fitted with the necessary equipment and machinery as well as technology advancements to ensure all agencies work seamlessly “with agility and in unison against any and every threat that may face the country”.
“The facility is fitted with state-of-the-art data network and communication systems as well as audio visual and advanced technical capabilities. Basically, at all times this facility will ensure that optimal situational awareness is never compromised.
“Such is critical for strategic, operational and tactical decision making and command direction of intelligence structures,” the Minister said.
The NCC will serve as the epicentre for the planning of all major events across the country, including the upcoming elections as well as the Presidential inauguration.
“Once fully operational, including for the coming election operations, the NCC will accommodate representatives from 39 government departments, agencies, state-owned enterprises and private sector stakeholders within the NATJOC,” he said.
Post-elections, the NCC will continue to be utilised on a 24/7 and 365 basis as the main centre for NATJOINTS inter-departmental and inter-governmental activities and operations.
“This will benefit citizens of this country who can be assured that the NATJOINTS remains committed to service and protects law-abiding citizens and all those who live within our borders,” the minister said.
Attending the event, was Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Defence Minister Thandi Modise, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu as well as senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 05/24/2024 - 12:03
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Pleasant weather conditions during elections week
Pleasant weather conditions during elections week
With South Africans going to the polls next week, weather conditions are expected to be sunny and cool over most parts of the country while many of the northern provinces can expect sunny and warm conditions.
“It is undoubtedly good news that no severe or extreme weather is anticipated in the lead up to, and including, Voting Day. It is also very encouraging that daytime weather conditions will remain pleasantly cool over the southern half of the country, while the northern provinces will be warm, but not particularly hot,” the South African Weather Service (SAWS) said on Thursday.
South Africans will be exercising their democratic right to vote next week Wednesday, 29 May 2024.
“The persistence of such mild, settled weather conditions is somewhat unusual for this time of year but will no doubt be welcomed by election officials as well as the public.
“Weather conditions in the period from Monday, 27 May to Wednesday, 29 May are likely to remain predominantly free of rain and clouds. Rainfall, if any, is expected to be light and very localised in nature,” the weather service said.
On Monday, 27 May 2024, the country could see a few light showers along the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, while some early morning fog and drizzle patches can be expected along the eastern escarpment areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo on Tuesday, 28 May 2024.
“At this stage, Voting Day is expected to remain dry and rain-free. A cold front will indeed be moving closer to the Western Cape on Voting Day, however, current numeric weather prediction models (NWP) indicate that rainfall associated with the arrival of the cold front will only occur after Wednesday,” SAWS said.
The weather service has recommended that voters and election officials be cognisant of the outlook for predominantly sunny conditions for large parts of the country next week.
“Wide-brimmed hats, sunblock and sunglasses are therefore recommended, especially if voting queues result in voters standing in direct sunshine for extended periods. Moreover, it is a good idea to remember to drink water regularly, in order to avoid dehydration.
“It is also important to bear in mind that infants, small children as well as the elderly and infirm are highly prone to dehydration, especially when the weather is sunny, dry and warm, as will be the case on voting day, 29 May 2024,” SAWS said.
Next week’s weather in summary:
- Predicted weather conditions for Monday: Sunny and cool conditions are expected, but it will be warm in places over the northern areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, with isolated showers over the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Predicted weather conditions for Tuesday: Fine and cool conditions are expected, but it will be warm in places over the northern areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape. There is a 30% chance of drizzle and showers expected along the escarpment of north-eastern areas.
- Predicted weather conditions for Wednesday: Warm in places over the northern areas of Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape, otherwise sunny and cool. It will be windy and gusty over the western interior, especially from mid-morning onwards. Blowing dust could locally reduce visibility over these areas and could also result in minor disruption and discomfort for voters at voting stations.
SAWS said it will continue to monitor any further weather developments and will issue subsequent warnings if any need arises. – SAnews.gov.za
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Fri, 05/24/2024 - 12:31
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