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Below you will find the Top 25 Articles as read on MyZA so far this month: Decoding The UK49S Lottery Strategies And Tips For Success My Prepaid Meter Has Stopped Working And Won’t Accept Any Tokens – What Now How To Win Huge With The Uk49S Lottery Strategies And Tips Engagement Farming – The Dark …
Six suspects killed in gun battle with KZN police
Six suspects were shot and fatally wounded and five firearms were recovered during two separate shootouts with KwaZulu-Natal police on Thursday.
KZN police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said four men, who were suspected to be behind a string of cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies in the province, were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Camperdown, in the Umgungundlovu District Municipality, in the early hours of Thursday.
“A team comprising police officers from various units, including the Hawks, gathered intelligence regarding the whereabouts of the suspects and when police announced their arrival at the identified house, they were greeted with a hail of bullets from the suspects.
“The police officers returned fire and during the shootout, four suspects sustained fatal gunshot wounds. Three firearms were found in the possession of the suspects,” Naicker said.
In another incident, police officers, who are members of the National Intervention Unit, operationalised intelligence cornered two suspects who were sought for intimidation, extortion, and other violent crimes.
Naicker said when police pounced on the suspects at their hideout at the Klaarwater Hostel in Mariannhill, the suspects opened fire at the police officers.
Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded in the shootout, and two firearms were found in the possession of the suspects.
Naicker warned that police in KwaZulu-Natal remain committed to enforcing and upholding the law by preventing, combatting, and investigating crime.
“Suspects who challenge the authority of the state by shooting at police officers will be met with the force proportional to their actions,” Naicker said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 05/16/2024 - 11:42
L’Oréal Professionnel Launches Ground-breaking Absolut Repair Molecular Haircare Line to Repair Damage Hair L’Oréal Professionnel, a global leader in professional haircare, is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary Absolut Repair Molecular haircare line in South Africa. This innovative range is the first of its kind for the brand, designed to repair damage by …
Let’s shine a light on the incredible fundraising efforts by the NSRI Station 6 in Gqeberha. These everyday heroes work tirelessly to keep our shores safe, and they need our support to continue their vital work saving those in peril on the sea. One of the highlights of their fundraising activities are their the annual […]
Introduction In an era where digital threats are becoming more sophisticated, it’s imperative for businesses to fortify their defences with robust cybersecurity solutions. DataGr8 emerges as a beacon in the tumultuous seas of cyber threats, offering advanced software designed to shield businesses from malicious attacks and data breaches. This post delves into DataGr8’s suite of …
Eastern Cape small-scale fishermen get a shot in the arm
Small-scale fishermen in the Eastern Cape got a shot in the arm when Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters, handed over much-needed fishing gear and equipment to help improve their fishing.
The handover comes after the 2023/24 financial year, when the department injected a R1.7 million investment to kick-start support to small-scale fishing cooperatives along the province’s coastline as part of driving agricultural development programmes.
The fishing equipment was handed over to the fishing cooperative members from Lusikisiki, Port St Johns and Xolobeni during an event held at Madakeni Village, on Wednesday.
The equipment was handed over to the fishing enterprises, including small-scale fishing permit holders, who received their fishing permits, as part of government’s deliberate effort to ensure that they have proper equipment and gear for fishing. This is part of ensuring that the communities benefit from the marine resources near them.
The equipment includes fishing rods, wet suits, fishing nets, blades, sucking pumps, safety boots, head lamps, life jackets and masks with snorkels.
Pieters said the handing over the equipment forms part of the department’s ongoing investment in coastal communities aimed at helping coastal communities with fishing permits to improve their fishing and increase income from fishing.
Pieters said while the province has 75 fishing cooperatives with fishing rights, most of them are unable to harvest the marine resources due to inadequate infrastructure, fishing gear and equipment.
She said the support will benefit five cooperatives, with 195 fishers in the OR Tambo, Amathole, and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities.
“As the custodians of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform programmes in the province, the department prioritises supporting previously disadvantaged communities and individuals with appropriate fishing gear and equipment to improve their livelihoods,” Pieters said.
Pieters reiterated that the department seeks to enable subsistence and black fishing cooperatives to derive optimum economic benefit out of their agricultural activities. - SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 05/16/2024 - 09:49
Cyspera®, a leading skincare brand specialising in pigmentation disorders, is thrilled to announce its impressive success in renowned beauty awards worldwide. The brand’s dedication to addressing diverse skin concerns has been honoured with three prestigious awards: the NewBeauty 2024 Award in the US for Best Cysteamine Treatment and two recognitions at the Daily Vanity Beauty …
Millennials love adventure and exploration and have been dubbed the ‘Wanderlust Generation’. Based on recent research, travel has emerged as one of the top aspirations of this generation, revealing they travel more than any other age group. Rather than traditional investments such as buying a home, millennials value holidays more, which also helps to achieve …
Pact to provide access for small fishers to public works facilities
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on the preferential access for small scale fisheries co-operatives to public works facilities.
The MOA between the two departments will cover areas such as small fishing harbours, forestry villages, expanded public works as well as government offices and facilities.
“This MOA will enable us to solve a long-standing problem of access for small scale fishers to public works facilities in small harbours. This will include facilitating small scale co-operatives to enter into longer term leases of up to 10 years for public works buildings,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy said on Wednesday.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala said this preferential access will enable co-operatives to invest in developing freezing, storage and processing facilities in small harbours.
The MOA and related implementation plans are expected to be completed in the second quarter of the financial year. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 05/16/2024 - 08:55
Johannesburg, 16 May 2024: The Black Business Council (BBC) applauds the ESKOM Board ably led by Chairman Mteto Nyati, Management lead by GCEO Dan Marokane, Group Generation led by Bheki Nxumalo as Group Executive and all employees on improving the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) to 70.78%, “a milestone last achieved nearly three (3) years ago. This …
On April 24-26, 2024, at the invitation and organization of BAIC South Africa, representatives of BAIC South Africa dealer network partners ventured to bustling Beijing, the capital of China. They successfully visited the headquarter of BAIC Group along with BAIC Off road Vehicles Company as well as BAIC New Energy Company. They also partook in …
Swanson, a renowned international brand specialising in premium vitamins, supplements, and natural health products, is thrilled to announce its official launch in South Africa. With over 50 years of experience delivering high-quality supplements and natural health solutions globally, Swanson is set to empower individuals across South Africa with its trusted range of products now available …
The municipality agreed to pay service providers by next week
“We used to have ticket books, but they were stolen” says a traffic officer in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape
KZN welcomes delegates to Africa’s Travel Indaba
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has welcomed delegates participating in the Africa's Travel Indaba, which is currently underway at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in eThekwini.
Taking place from 13 - 16 May 2024, Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for the country’s vast array of African leisure tourism products.
Welcoming the delegates at the official opening of Africa's Travel Indaba on Tuesday, Dube-Ncube said the trade show provides the ideal platform for African tourism exhibitors to showcase their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners.
“It is the most formidable platform on the continent for you to meet face-to-face with the most influential buyers in the world, and to gain access to Africa’s excellence and its endless possibilities. These are the business opportunities and quality connections that will shape Africa’s tomorrow,” Dube-Ncube said.
READ | KZN tourism entrepreneurs set to showcase province’s rich culture at Indaba
The Premier noted that this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba takes place at a time when South Africa is celebrating 30 years since the dawn of democracy, which ushered in a new era and assured our standing in the family of other nations.
“This milestone makes all of us gush with pride as South Africans when we consider the journey that we have travelled in moulding the country of our dreams. Today, we speak of a tourism industry that can hold its own at a global level because of our country's achievements,” Dube-Ncube said.
IMAGES | 2024 Africa's Travel Indaba
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As the tourism industry shows green shoots globally, she said one of the key sub-sectors the province wants to aggressively focus on is Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE).
MICE make up a big part of global business travel since every industry has regular events of some kind. The main goal is always to bring professionals together, foster connections, promote new ideas, and push growth.
“As a province, we will be at the forefront of ensuring that KwaZulu-Natal gets the lion’s share of the tourism market. As we all know, one of the biggest trends in the tourism environment is the blending of leisure tourism and business, known as 'Bleisure Travel' [blending of business and leisure travel].
“We would like to thank all of you for your continued support of Africa’s Travel Indaba. Indeed, Africa has limitless possibilities, and we must seize the opportunity to ensure that Africa’s time is now,” Dube-Ncube said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 05/15/2024 - 13:28
IEC ready for voting outside the country
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has outlined the process for voting outside the country, allaying the fears of those who are unfamiliar with the procedures for voting in an overseas setting.
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said Friday will mark yet another milestone in the elections timetable - the first day of voting in the National and Provincial Elections 2024 – when citizens abroad can vote.
“South African citizens living in other countries will cast the first ballots on 17 May 2024. Nine countries will cast ballots on Friday while the rest of the 102 will cast ballots on Saturday, 18 May 2024,” Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said at a media briefing held in Pretoria.
“Given the high numbers of expected voters in London at 24 194, this station will operate on both the 18 and 19 May 2024,” he said.
Read: All systems go for elections
Mamabolo said the international segment of the voters roll for out-of-country voters has 56 698 voters, but the total number of people expected to vote is 76 580.
“This comes after the approval of 20 886 VEC10 notifications from voters who informed the Chief Electoral Officer of their intention to vote outside of the country due to temporary absence,” he said.
The commissioner said the IEC was ready to ensure that voting goes smoothly in 111 foreign missions around the world.
“All missions have already received the election materials, which include ballot papers, voting booths, ballot boxes, envelopes and a voter list.”
Voting stations will be open from 07:00am to 19:00pm, allowing 76 580 voters to exercise their right to vote in South Africa’s 2024 National Elections.
“On both voting days abroad, the Electoral Commission will keep extended hours to assist voters with any enquiries,” he said.
WATCH | Full IEC briefing
SA citizens voting out-of-country in the 2024 National Election can only vote on one day at their mission:
- Missions with a work week from Sunday–Thursday vote on Friday, 17 May, from 7am to 7pm. The following countries are determined to vote on this Friday: Algiers, Amman, Cairo, Damascus, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Ramallah, Riyad and Teheran.
- Missions with a work week from Monday–Friday vote on Saturday, 18 May, from 7am to 7pm.
Two days of special votes have been determined for the UK based on the number of voters who will vote at that mission. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 05/15/2024 - 13:32
Chikunga reflects on state of road safety
South Africa has seen an escalation in the number of road traffic casualties since 1994 due to the rise in the vehicle population, which has presented a plethora of road safety related challenges.
Addressing the launch of the United Nations Global Campaign for Road Safety, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga attributed the increase of the vehicle population to access to bank loans and the ability to purchase vehicles.
“Such an increase has presented a plethora of road safety related challenges, from human factors, environmental factors, engineering and technical factors, law enforcement, as well as education and awareness factors.
“From 1994 - 1995, the vehicle population increased by one million, from 5.5 to 6.5 million. Calculating from a period between 1994 and 2022, we moved from 5.5 million to an almost 13 million (12 964 430) vehicle population,” the Minister said on Wednesday in Johannesburg.
According to statistics, 87% of road fatalities in the country can be attributed to road user behaviour.
“Research has shown that our employed youth are the ones who carry the heaviest burden of road crashes, injuries, and fatalities in our country. Statistics also show that pedestrian fatalities are highest segment of victims in the country and young economically active people between the ages of 25 and 39 constitute the majority of those who die on the roads,” Chikunga said.
In an effort to address numbers of road traffic casualties, government has developed a multifaceted approach to regulate and ultimately reduce the fatalities on the roads.
“We introduced legislative amendments to enhance preventive measures, for instance we introduced blood alcohol content limits; speed limits especially in urban areas and around schools. We also established mandatory the seat belt regulations and child restraints use.
“We examined a range of sentencing options for traffic violations, including licence suspensions under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) demerit points system, and – for specific grades of offences – community service sentences and/or mandatory licence re-testing. We put in place, advance technical norms and standards for road infrastructure and vehicles,” the Minister said.
In addition, government approved the 2016 - 2030 National Road Safety Strategy, with intermediate and long-term actions to ensure vehicle fitness, driver safety, pedestrian safety, community participation in issues of road safety.
The National Department of Transport has convened a series of national road safety policy consultative workshops and a Road Safety Summits to foster open and critical dialogue between government, industry, civil society and academia.
Recently, South Africa conducted a detailed analysis of road crash patterns in the county over the past five years (2018 - 2022).
“The analysis has shown that although we are making steady progress in reducing fatalities, we need to fast-track progress by intelligently deploying our law enforcement, conducting safety education communication campaigns at identified hotspots and at times when crashes are likely to happen,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 05/15/2024 - 13:33
Hundreds come to central Durban to hand over memo to Premier’s office
President Ramaphosa signs NHI Bill into law
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in providing equal access to healthcare services and addressing inequalities.
This, as he signed the NHI Bill into law on Wednesday.
“[The Bill] is also about efficiency and quality. The provision of healthcare in this country is currently fragmented, unsustainable and unacceptable,” President Ramaphosa said, adding that he finally "found his pen" to sign the long-awaited Bill.
READ | Somebody give me a pen! - President
At its core, the country’s leader stated that health insurance is a commitment to eliminating the longstanding, severe disparities in healthcare access.
“The NHI is an important instrument to tackle poverty. The rising cost of health care makes families poorer. By contrast, healthcare provided through the NHI frees up resources in poor families for other essential needs.”
He believes that the NHI will make healthcare in the country more affordable.
“The way healthcare services will be paid for is meant to contain comprehensive healthcare costs and to ensure the available resources are more efficiently used.”
President Ramaphosa described the public signing of the NHI Bill into law as a pivotal moment and a milestone in South Africa’s ongoing quest for a more just society.
WATCH | President Cyril Ramaphosa signs into law the National Health Insurance Bill
The President said the public sector serves most of the population but faces budget constraints. In contrast, he said the private sector serves a fraction of society at a far higher cost without a proportional improvement in health outcomes.
He believes that tackling the imbalance requires a radical “reimagining” of resource allocation.
Meanwhile, he said the challenge in implementing the NHI lies not in the lack of funds, but in the misallocation of resources that currently favours the private health sector at the expense of public health needs.
He is of the view that the NHI Bill presents an innovative approach to funding universal healthcare based on social solidarity.
This, he said, proposes a comprehensive strategy that combines various financial resources, including both additional funding and reallocating funds already in the health system.
Special Report | National Health Insurance: All you need to know
The Head of State strongly believes that financial hurdles facing the NHI can be navigated with careful planning, strategic resource allocation and a steadfast commitment to achieving equity.
He also explained that the NHI Fund will procure services from public and private service providers to ensure all South Africans have access to quality healthcare.
In addition, he said that health insurance ensures that both the public and private sectors complement and reinforce each other.
“The effective implementation of the NHI depends on the collective will of the South African people. We all need to embrace a future where healthcare is a shared national treasure, reflective of the dignity and value we accord to every South African life.”
According to President Ramaphosa, government has already begun implementing a national quality improvement plan in public and private healthcare facilities, and is now seeing improvement.
“Even in areas where we never thought [we would] see improvement, we see improvement of health facilities, even in our townships, where old people go to get critical medication.”
In addition, he said government would now establish the systems and put in place the necessary governance structures to implement the NHI, based on the primary healthcare approach.
The President has urged people not to fear, as the NHI will be implemented gradually rather than as "an overnight event".
“The NHI is an opportunity to make a break with the inequality and inefficiency that has long characterised our approach to the health of the South African people. Let us work together, in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity, to make the NHI work.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 05/15/2024 - 16:46
Sandton, Johannesburg – 9 May 2024: The prestigious @Sandton Hotel celebrates a remarkable milestone – two years of leadership marked by innovation, resilience, and exceptional hospitality. In the wake of a global pandemic, General Manager, Anthony Batistich, spearheaded the hotel’s journey, steering it towards unparalleled success in the heart of Sandton. Two years ago, Anthony …
A limited docuseries that uncovers a doomed expedition through the Amazon led by a charismatic guide with unclear motives, Expedition from Hell: The Lost Tapes premieres on Wednesday, 22 May at 20:00 CAT on Discovery Africa. The series unfolds a stranger-than-fiction story of Mickey Grosman, a former special forces demolitions expert who took a group …
President Ramaphosa delivers inaugural Elijah Barayi memorial lecture
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the legacy of unionists and anti-apartheid struggle heroes like Elijah Barayi can be found in the labour-related laws enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.
The President was delivering the inaugural memorial lecture for Barayi held at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus on Wednesday.
Barayi was a revered trade union leader and freedom fighter during the apartheid era and was one of the founding leaders of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
He became first President of the Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) at its launch in 1985 and was an activist in the Mass Democratic Movement since the 1950s.
His life was lived fighting for the freedom of South Africans and fair labour practises until his passing months before South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
“Thirty years into democracy, we have several progressive labour and social protection laws, including the right to strike. And it was the labour movement as led by Barayi which insisted that the most fundamental right that workers should have should be collective bargaining, the right to strike, the right to have a safe working place.
“So for them to be enshrined in the Constitution is something that we need to pay tribute to Elijah Barayi and the leadership of Cosatu and various other worker organisations at the time. And it is in honour of Elijah Barayi that today we have these rights enshrined in our Constitution.
“We have the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act to protect and advance workers’ rights. We have laws to safeguard the health and safety of workers and a Compensation Fund to support workers who are injured or sick. These achievements form part of the legacy of Elijah Barayi. They need to be protected and advanced,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that these “hard-won rights” and many others must not be rolled back.
“There are some in our country who are calling for hard-won rights … like collective bargaining, to be curtailed and for the minimum wage to be scrapped. Trade unions need to be stronger to make sure that that never happens in South Africa because it will be a total reversal of what workers have achieved and what Elijah Barayi struggled for,” he said.
The future of work
President Ramaphosa reflected that “technological advances and globalisation” are changing the labour landscape and added that in order to keep up, innovation and entrepreneurship will be crucial and this “while safeguarding workers' rights and promoting social dialogue”.
“We need to invest in technology, infrastructure and education to enable sustainable and inclusive economic growth and job creation. At the same time, we must strive to democratise the governance of work.
“In South Africa, this means strengthening and adapting labour laws, institutions and regulatory frameworks to protect workers’ rights, promote fair competition and ensure social justice.
“We need to build a more inclusive and resilient labour market that will support a just transition, greater digitalisation and other drivers of change,” he said.
The President acknowledged that although policies implemented since the dawn of democracy have “lifted millions out of poverty and despair and improved their material condition”, many other South Africans are still living difficult and challenging lives.
“As long as the divisions in our society persist, as long as some people lead lives of quality and dignity whilst others suffer at the margins of the economy, our mission remains unfulfilled. We owe it to the memory of Elijah Barayi, to the South African people and to the generations to follow that we continue to work to overcome this inequality.
“Let us honour the memory of giants like Elijah Barayi by renewing our commitment to building a better, stronger South Africa.
“As we draw inspiration from the life and times of the man we honour here today, let us deepen our resolve to advance freedom and social justice everywhere – leaving no-one behind,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 05/15/2024 - 14:00
Africa’s two leading providers in the shared workspace industry, KOFISI and Workshop17, have announced a strategic partnership to provide a wider range of services and locations across Africa. The demand for shared workspace continues to grow faster in Africa than the rest of the world – fueled by the growth in the working age population …