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As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change, businesses are finding new ways to mitigating them. This includes many supply chain operators that are looking to optimise their operations and make environmentally conscious choices. AI and innovation play a significant role in driving sustainability initiatives for any organisation courageous enough to …
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, the Ndlovu Addo River Lodge offers a serene and enchanting getaway for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. With its rich history and proximity to the renowned Addo Elephant National Park, this lodge is the perfect destination for those seeking a unique and unforgettable… Read More »
Pretoria, South Africa – In today’s fast-paced world, where hours are spent hunched over desks, staring at screens, and contorted into awkward positions, it’s no wonder that back and shoulder pain have become endemic. The Chiropractors, with their years of experience and commitment to holistic wellness, are stepping forward to address this pressing issue. “Has …
Those who act with impunity will be brought to book
“Impunity is no longer a given”.
These are the fighting words of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi.
She, alongside the National Prosecuting Authority’s executive committee, was addressing a media roundtable on Wednesday.
READ | NPA 'a long way down the road' on its vital rebuild
“The one big difference between what was the position five years ago and what’s the position now… is that impunity is no longer a given and the Steinhoff matter shows that. Even though it might take long. Even though the arm of the law might be long, it catches up.
“Those that are involved in corrupt activities know – even though there might not be a knock on the door yet – it will come and that in itself is mental incarceration,” she said.
The NDPP said the NPA has been hard at work to bring cases to court against high profile individuals, including former Ministers, Premiers, a former President and “some of the most powerful CEOs and CFOs across the country both in the private sector as well as public”.
“In the last five years, we have almost 700 government officials that have been convicted of corruption in the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit [SCCU] space. In 2023 and 2024, the SCCU achieved 329 convictions in serious and complex commercial crime cases, resulting in a conviction rate of 88.7%.
“The SCCU has enrolled four cases relating to 16 recommendations in the Zondo Commission reports… and several other matters will be ready for enrolment in the coming months.
“The ID [Investigating Directorate] has declared 103 investigations. They’ve enrolled 37 cases involving 208 accused persons as of January 2024."
WATCH |
Batohi said South Africans need to understand that getting to the judgment stage is a lengthy process led by the judiciary.
“Even when we do bring cases to court, then you have Stalingrad tactics that start. Very often we hear: 'But you don’t have people in orange overalls'.
“But it needs to be understood that once we enrol a case, it needs to move swiftly through the system so that we get to the end where you can say that a decision has been rendered by the judiciary.
“That process in court is led by the judiciary. We’ve been engaging with the Chief Justice [Raymond Zondo] and various Judge Presidents to see how we could actually fast track cases through the court system,” Batohi said.
The NDPP vowed that despite challenges, the NPA will continue to prosecute without fear or favour.
“I have every confidence that… if we could achieve what we have done with very little, that the days are certainly numbered in terms of those who will be before the courts,” Batohi said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 14:58
Boschendal has revealed its newly-transformed and redesigned Werf Food Garden, a further showcase of the historic farm’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its focus on farm-to-table dining. The Werf Food Garden is designed to sustainably enhance Boschendal’s sourcing capacity and ensure fresher, more flavourful produce for the seasonal menus on offer. Everything in the redesigned …
“Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” Will Provide Top African Startup Companies in the Sports and Creative Industries with Funding and Mentorship Across Event Management and Ticketing, Youth Development, AI and Digital Marketing; ALX to Operate Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator and Oversee Selection Process; Startups Can Apply to Participate at TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com.
In support of President Biden's Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative and building on the U.S. Department of Commerce-wide Africa strategy, NBA Africa today announced the launch of “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” a startup accelerator based on the continent focused on early-stage African startup companies.
Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will support Africa's tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital that will help drive growth in the sports and creative industries.
Operated by ALX Ventures, a leading technology incubator that provides the continent's tech leaders with access to the skills and tools to launch and scale their startups, Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator is open to early-stage startups in Africa that develop solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing in the sports and creative industries. Startups can apply to participate at TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com through Friday, May 31, after which the submissions will be narrowed down to the top 10.
The 10 selected startups will then be paired with mentors comprised of NBA Africa and ALX leadership, and other corporate stakeholders, who will provide guidance to the companies with a focus on product development, business growth and go-to-market strategy. In September, NBA Africa will hold a Demo Day in New York City that will coincide with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Participating companies will pitch their products to a panel comprised of top industry leaders from the U.S., Africa, and around the world. The panel will then determine the four winning companies, which will be awarded financial support, mentorship, and the opportunity to work with NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) on their current and future initiatives on the continent.
The announcement was made today by NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, who was joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong at the American Chamber of Commerce's Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
“We are thrilled to launch an accelerator program based on the continent and focused on early-stage African startups,” said Akamanzi. “This groundbreaking new initiative reflects our commitment to expanding the African sports ecosystem, and these incredible companies will be at the forefront of shaping the future of sport on the continent.”
Additional information about Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will be announced at a later date.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
Photo: https://apo-opa.co/4daIrqQ (U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong and NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi at the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator launch) (Credit: NBA Africa)
Video: https://apo-opa.co/3UtDGBg (Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator)
Contact:
Pawel Weszka
NBA Africa Communications
pweszka@nba.com
+27 10 0072666
About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. NBA Africa conducts the league's business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The NBA has a long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010. The league's efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more.
NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that tipped off its fourth season in March 2024. Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
IEC opens accreditation for all Results Operation Centres
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced that it has officially opened applications for accreditation at all Results Operations Centres (ROCs) on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.
According to the IEC, a central accreditation system will be used for the national and nine provincial ROCs for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE).
Accreditation for all the ROCs is compulsory and must be done online at https://evolve.eventoptions.co.za/register/iecmedia2024 by selecting all the venues you will be attending.
The national ROC will be at Gallagher Convention Centre, 19 Richards Drive, Midrand, Johannesburg.
To qualify for accreditation, you will have to provide a headshot photograph, a valid media or press card, or a signed letter from your station manager or editor on an original letterhead requesting accreditation.
Applicants are required to indicate on their application at which venue they will be collecting their accreditation.
If collecting in person, you will be required to show proof of identification.
VIEW | Click here for our 2024 Elections Special Feature
However, if you will be picking up the accreditation on behalf of others, you will be required to show proof of identification and a letter of authorisation from a manager or editor with their names and ID or passport numbers.
Members of the media are requested to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety rules and regulations at all times within the facilities.
Meanwhile, media personnel are further requested to comply with the security rules and protocols while at the ROC facility.
The IEC said it reserves the right to withdraw the accreditation and card of any individual who fails to comply with the rules and regulations.
According to the IEC, journalists do not need accreditation to cover the elections at voting stations.
However, they will will need a media or a press card, or a letter from their station manager or editor on an original letterhead confirming employment and the ID or passport number.
Access to a voting station is with the approval of the Presiding Officer of the particular voting station.
The deadline to apply for accreditation at provincial and national ROCs will close on 10 May 2024, while the collection of accreditation cards will take place from 20 May 2024.
If you need assistance to register online or want to know whether your card is ready for collection, send an email to iec@eventoptions.co.za.
For queries on the requirements for accreditation, email to iec@eventoptions.co.za. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 15:03
As the most consistent performer in the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, Precious Mashele is eagerly anticipating his second event of the 2024 series: the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 12 May 2024. Fresh from his bronze medal win in the 5000m event at the ASA Senior Track & Field …
The Namaqualand Wild Flower phenomenon is a breathtaking natural display that occurs annually in the Namaqualand region of South Africa. This extraordinary event showcases a vibrant carpet of colorful wildflowers, transforming the arid landscape into a mesmerizing tapestry of beauty. In this article, we will delve into the details of this phenomenon, including where and […]
The Junior Springboks wrapped up their preparations for the forthcoming Under-20 Rugby Championship with a training session against the Golden Lions Under-21 squad in Sandton on Tuesday and will fly out to Australia on an early evening flight on Wednesday. The inaugural U20 Rugby Championship takes place from 2 May to 12 May and will …
Chikunga extends well wishes to aspiring traffic officers
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has conveyed her well wishes to trainee officers, who will be embarking on the final selection process to train as traffic officers.
These officers are part of the national recruitment drive undertaken by the Road Traffic Management Corporation to reduce unemployment and create job opportunities for the youth, women and persons with disabilities
“We anticipate enrolling 600 trainee traffic officers to officially commence training on 1 June 2024. It is pleasing to note that about 40% of traffic officer recruits who are due to start training this year are females. Traffic law enforcement has historically been the domain of men,” the Minister said on Wednesday.
These trainees will enroll on a three-year traffic officer’s curriculum at a National Qualification Framework (NQF) level six, which is an equivalent of a national diploma. The NQF level six qualification was introduced in 2019 and the first cohort of 257 traffic officers trained on this curriculum graduated in 2023.
Addressing the trainee officers in Pretoria, the Minister explained that the training comprises compulsory knowledge modules (which is theory), practical modules, and work experience modules. Crime prevention forms an integral part of the training.
“This new qualification will go a long way towards the professionalisation of the road traffic law enforcement sector, ensuring respect, integrity, discipline, ethics and regaining public respect, as well as improving the ability of officers to enforce the law and reduce road traffic crashes.
“Traffic law enforcement training in our country has undergone a fundamental change to ensure that we produce well equipped officers who are able to effectively contribute to efforts to deal with the scourge of lawlessness which leads to the high number of crashes and fatalities on the roads.
“Poor ethical conduct has severely tainted the reputation of traffic law enforcement among road users, and the public in general. This also contributes largely to the lawlessness on the roads as many road users believe they can get away with transgressions through bribery and corruption,” Chikunga said.
She said she is certain that the recruitment process has been rigorous enough to uphold high ethical standards.
“All recruits, without exception, have undergone a pre-selection vetting process to check criminal records, verification of qualifications and checking biographical history to determine suitability for selection into the training programme.
“All the candidates will have to undergo medical assessment and only those who pass the assessment will be enrolled. After completing the course and on appointment as traffic officers, they must again be vetted in their first year of operation as officers and this must be repeated every five years to ensure that they remain on the straight and narrow. This is the only way to restore dignity and respect to our officers,” the Minister said.
The event took place at the newly upgraded Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training Academy, which is set to serve as a Centre of Excellence in traffic training in South Africa, once construction of the second phase and third phase are completed.
“The accepted cohort of recruits will be the first ones to undertake training in these awe-inspiring premises when they officially open their doors in the next few weeks.
“Since 2019, training of our traffic officers was taking place at rented facilities while this 21st century academy was under construction. We commend the RTMC for their visionary insight in construction of these facilities as the outstanding home for traffic officer training in the country,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:15
Cereal production prospects in Southern Africa have taken a sharp turn for the worse since last February, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned today (Monday/Tuesday).
The foreseen shortfall in production, especially for maize, is expected to intensify households' food insecurity, push up domestic prices and spur a surge in import needs across the subregion, according to a new assessment from FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System. White maize accounts for almost 20 percent of calories consumed in the subregion.
The disappointing forecast comes after “widespread and substantial rainfall deficits in February, exacerbated by record high temperatures, a particularly damaging combination for crops,” the report said, noting that there are scant hopes of a recovery before the harvest period commences in May.
Acute food insecurity in southern Africa, estimated at 16 million people in the first three months of 2024, could deteriorate in late 2024, FAO warned.
Food prices, already rising at annual rates above 10 percent, are likely to rise further and, based on current projections, South Africa and Zambia, typically maize exporters, will not be able to cover the supply shortfall, and Zambia has started importing maize to meet the shortfall.
This combination of reduced harvests and rising food prices is particularly harmful for agricultural households and restoration of production,, as farm incomes are set to be squeezed while more resources will be needed to purchase food, said Jonathan Pound, economist at FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System.
Plan ahead for shift to La Niña
This observed pattern is typical of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the region, FAO noted.
Current forecasts however point a high likelihood of a transition to a La Niña phase later in the year, with more beneficial precipitation patterns.
That makes it “imperative” to scale up resilience-bolstering measures enabling farmers to prepare adequately for the next agricultural season starting in September 2024, FAO said.
The governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have already declared drought emergencies. Teaming up with the NASA Harvest programme, FAO geospatial observations suggest that key cereal crops will suffer adverse impacts in parts of Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique expected to see a notable jump in import needs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Dylan Sage will return to the Springbok Sevens team for the first time in four years and Siviwe Soyizwapi for the first time this season when the Blitzboks contest next weekend’s HSBC SVNS tournament in Singapore. The inclusion of the two stalwarts amongst five changes made to the squad that finished sixth in Hong Kong …
When the snake rescue team from Crocworld Conservation Centre headed out to Amandawe on the KZN South Coast, they thought they would be relocating a harmless Spotted Bush Snake – not Africa’s deadliest snake! Busani Mthiyane, Animal Curator at Crocworld Conservation Centre, said they received a call from a family indicating that a ‘huge, green …
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is pleased to announce Pakistan legend, Sana Mir, as ambassador for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, supported by Dream11. Sana, who represented her country in 226 internationals – 137 as captain – will be keeping a close eye on the 10 participating teams and their players in the …
New Zealand batter Mark Chapman and Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi have made notable gains in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings after their Player of the Match performances in the ongoing five-match series which is level 1-1 after three matches. Left-handed Chapman’s unbeaten 87 off 42 balls in the third match has lifted …
There will be a very special father and son reunion in the Vodacom URC this weekend as John and Taine Plumtree find themselves in opposing camps. If things had worked out differently, they could have been together at the Hollywoodbets Sharks as coach John was keen to bring his boy over to Durban from New …
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today revealed the regional winners in the 2023 edition of the ICC Development Awards, highlighting the remarkable success stories to have taken place in emerging cricket nations during the 2023 calendar year. The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the world-leading initiatives and innovative programmes delivered …
OUTA has filed complaints against the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) and the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) over those entities’ refusal to provide OUTA with information requested on contracts with two businesses linked to questionable activities. The information was requested in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). …
The following speech was delivered this evening by the Leader of the Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen, during the party’s Rescue South Africa Tour in Mangaung, Free State: Ladies and gentlemen, It is wonderful to be back in the City of Roses today, where the ANC has been a thorn in the side of residents for …
NPA 'a long way down the road' on its vital rebuild
National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, has stated that despite unrelenting pressure and the devastation of State capture, the turnaround of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been remarkable.
Batohi was speaking during a media roundtable on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) priorities and strategic initiatives held at the entity’s headquarters in Pretoria.
Batohi – who was appointed as NDPP in 2019 – said the rebuild of what was then a “fractured” organisation, truly began when a full leadership was appointed.
“In March of 2021 we had, finally, the full leadership in place. We could really start properly, as a full leadership team, thinking about this rebuilding process. What we have achieved in that just over three years, is nothing short of remarkable.
“The NPA now is a well run constitutional entity. We have a solid strategy. There are many incredible strategic initiatives… that put the NPA firmly on track to deliver to the people of this country,” she said.
Reflecting on her tenure so far at the entity, Batohi said she came in believing that State capture cases in particular would have moved faster.
“When I came back from the International Criminal Court [where I was a senior legal advisor to the Prosecutor], I had a sense of the challenge and I thought, 'how difficult is it going to be to get one really big corruption case that’s going to swing sentiment around very quickly'?. I was really quite wrong about that.
“In so far as State capture related cases… I thought we would have been further down the line. For everything else in the NPA, I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved and how far we’ve come since the new leadership came in,” she said.
Stated objectives
Batohi looked back on some of the objectives that she set when she took office, including:
“It’s not been easy. We’ve been, in the past five years, really hard at work under a lot of pressure. The pressure… in the past five years, has been unrelenting, mainly with regard to State capture. But in the middle of all of this, we’ve been doing incredible work to turn this ship around.
“We’ve stabilised the leadership of the NPA. [The NPA executive]… are the people of the highest standards of integrity, who will do only what the Constitution and the rule of law demands. We have increased staff capacity and capability. We’ve partnered with civil society and the private sector to secure specialist skills that we need in certain very high profile and complex corruption related matters.
“We’ve established the office of ethics and accountability in the NPA. We’ve developed a very forward looking organised crime strategy. We have really focused a lot on building the NPA into a strong entity once more. We’ve come a long way to do that,” she said.
Batohi said since the objectives were set out in 2019, the global landscape has changed dramatically with “deeply troubling” geopolitical tensions, outbreak of conflict and a world impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are working in an environment where… it’s a complex political environment. We have a country where we have load shedding, the poorest and most vulnerable are without basic amenities. We have a country that is wracked by the highest levels of various types of crimes.
“It is in this context… that, as the NPA and as a country, we can’t give up hope. We have to… keep fighting the good fight. And that we have to, as the NPA, being a vital Constitutional entity that’ll contribute to the rebuilding of this country… [we have to] keep fighting the best we can and [the best] we know,” Batohi said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:57
Noordhoek road link in Cape Town to go ahead
When mines want to keep their operations secure, it’s crucial to carefully assess each operation’s specific needs before partnering with a provider of security control room solutions. Security control rooms play a pivotal role in the mining industry, serving as the nerve centre for monitoring operations, ensuring safety, and safeguarding valuable assets. These control rooms …
*Prof Mias de Klerk is the Director of the Centre for Responsible Leadership Studies (Africa), at Stellenbosch Business School. This year we celebrate 30 years of democracy, the freedom for all citizens as equals and the end of a despotic government in which only some were free. However, through the years it appears that there …