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The Foundation L’Oréal, in partnership with UNESCO, is excited to announce the sixth edition of the Women in Science Young Talent Search in South Africa. This initiative calls for outstanding female researchers under the age of 40 from diverse scientific fields—including Formal Sciences, Life Sciences, Environmental sciences, Physical sciences, Engineering and Technological sciences.to apply. The …
Cape Town Comic Con is an exciting event that brings together fans of comics, movies, TV shows, and gaming. It is a celebration of pop culture, where attendees can immerse themselves in a world of fantasy and creativity. In this article, we will provide you with all the details about the Cape Town Comic Con […]
SA reacts to discovery of mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Gaza
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has reacted to the recent discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 202 Palestinian civilians at Nasser Hospital in Gaza.
“South Africa is appalled by the recent grim discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 202 Palestinian civilians at Nasser Hospital in Gaza," the department said in a statement.
This follows the reported discovery of mass graves at Al-Shifa Hospital on Sunday, 21 April 2024.
According to reports, Palestinian officials claim they exhumed over 200 bodies at Nasser, some with their hands tied.
“These grim findings call for immediate and comprehensive investigations to ensure justice and accountability,” the department’s statement read.
The department is of the view that Israel continues to disregard the rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and United Nations (UN) resolutions amid the unrelenting bombardment of Gaza.
South Africa approached the ICJ in March, which granted the country's urgent request for further provisional measures to prevent Israel from causing irreparable harm to the rights invoked by South Africa under the 1948 Genocide Convention in respect of the ongoing siege of Gaza.
“The court was unambiguous when it agreed with South Africa’s assertion that the situation in Gaza had deteriorated significantly since the court’s order of 26 January 2024 as a result of Israel’s failure and responsibility to comply with the court’s rulings,” the statement read.
The department said it concurs with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, who has aptly stated that Israel’s war in Gaza has from the start been a “war on the right to health” and has “obliterated” the Palestinian territory’s health system.
“The lack of accountability by Israel is increasingly clear,” the department added.
DIRCO further agreed with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese.
Albanese recently highlighted that the continuation of Israel’s impunity and exceptionalism is no longer viable, especially in light of the binding UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“In this respect, we call on the international community to act to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure accountability for the victims and their families," Albanese said.
Meanwhile, the department said it noted that the evidence of mass killings of civilians points to the perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
These include murder and extermination, and genocide, as defined in Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as well as violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, as well as Customary International Humanitarian Law.
The department also cited International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and non-combatants, underlining the need to protect human life during times of war.
“The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine. We, therefore, call on the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC to urgently lead a thorough and impartial investigation into a matter that complies with international legal standards, to establish the facts and to bring those responsible to justice.
“It is the collective duty of the international community to ensure that atrocities of this nature are duly prosecuted in terms of the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:19
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – April 19, 2024: Independent, global communications agency, Leagas Delaney Group South Africa (LDSA), continues to build on its successes in Johannesburg, with the opening of a new office in Cape Town. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the agency as it continues to solidify its presence on the continent. …
The South African Research Chair in Science Communication (SciCom) is pleased to announce that applications for the third iteration of the FicSci creative writing intensive workshop are now open. The workshop is set to take place from 9-12 July 2024 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and aims to explore the intersection of scientific innovation and creative …
Nzimande commends SETAs role in facilitating skills development
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has commended the crucial role played by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in the country’s skills development.
“As the Department of Higher Education and Training, we are proud to state that while we provide the overall strategic and policy direction, our SETAs continue to play a crucial role in implementing and facilitating skills development within their respective sectors,” Nzimande said.
Speaking at the SETA Skills Summit currently underway in Boksburg, Gauteng, Nzimande said through their sector-specific focus and experts, SETAs contribute significantly to addressing skills gaps, skills mismatches, promoting employment and enhancing productivity within their respective industries.
“Our SETAs also play a crucial role in aligning training and development efforts with the needs of employers and the labour market, thus ensuring the development of a skilled and capable workforce that can become a catalyst for economic growth and development.
“The policy context for the work that is done by our various SETAs derives from such critical policy instruments as our country’s Master Skills Plan, the White Paper for Post School Education and Training, the National Skills Development Plan, and the National Development Plan 2030,” Nzimande said.
The Minister reiterated that the policy instruments are not only critical for enabling the country to articulate and implement a coherent human resource development plan, but it also ensures that "we embrace a skills development approach that is collaborative and sustainable, as opposed to a piecemeal and competition-driven approach”.
Held under the theme, “Together, Skilling the Nation", the two-day summit aims to provide an opportunity for the sector to reflect on its execution of the mandate of skills development.
Nzimande said the collaborative approach is important, considering the unacceptably high number of unemployed young people in the country, and the urgent challenge of people who are 'Not in any formal Education, Employment, or Training (NEET)'.
“It is estimated that more than 3.3 million young people in our country between the ages of 15-24 are not in employment, education, and training and unemployed. This is something that must concern all of us.
“It is therefore understood that a collaborative approach will ensure a coordinated and targeted approach to skills planning, funding, quality assurance, and monitoring, resulting in a skilled and competitive workforce that contributes to economic growth and social development,” Nzimande said.
The Minister also encouraged SETAs to focus on high impact areas, including infrastructure development for the provision of service delivery; significant reduction in unemployment including graduates; sustainable entrepreneurship and cooperatives which promote elf employment; and fundamental rural development.
He also urged them to focus on digitisation and the advancement of technological infrastructure and development to benefit the country, and effective and efficient shared services on information and communications technology. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:08
But Industrial Development Corporation funding for the project in KwaZulu-Natal is coming to an end
Following an evening of elegance, glamour, and empowerment, L’Oréal Paris proudly announces the successful debut of its local Walk Your Worth fashion show at SA Fashion Week, held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Mall of Africa. The event showcased some of the most influential women across various industries, including renowned personalities such as Bonang …
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Cape Town, a jewel in South Africa’s crown, is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. Choosing the perfect spot to watch the day end in the Mother City can be quite a task – each location offers a unique blend of natural beauty and charm. Whether you’re marvelling at the sun setting behind mountains or enjoying …
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba (Kirkwood), Eastern Cape, the Upper Room Guesthouse offers a tranquil retreat for travelers seeking comfort and relaxation. With its comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and convenient location, this guesthouse is the perfect base for exploring the rich history and exciting attractions of Kirkwood and its surrounding areas, including the renowned… Read More »
Tongaat residents struggle to afford to get to work since trains to Durban stopped operating four years ago
About 100 pensioners, supported by the Khulumani Support Group, picketed outside Parliament on Tuesday
Minister celebrates recovery of rail corridors with train trip from Fish Hoek to Cape Town station
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Government urges South Africans to vote in the upcoming general elections
Government is calling on South Africans to exercise their right to vote in the National and Provincial Elections on Wednesday, 29 May 2024. This year, millions of South Africans will once again have the opportunity to cast their votes in the seventh democratic elections, which mark 30 years after the first democratic elections in 1994.
In a recent interview with SAnews, the Acting Director-General (ADG) of the Government Communication and Information System, Nomonde Mnukwa, encouraged all eligible South Africans to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections.
“Citizens must vote not only in the upcoming general elections but also in all future elections. It is a right that South Africa achieved under extremely difficult and trying circumstances,” she said.
Section 19(3) of the Bill of Rights, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, states that “every adult citizen has the right to vote in elections for any legislative body established in terms of the Constitution and do so in secret”.
This year, South Africa also commemorates the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution as the supreme law of the country.
Mnukwa pointed out that “the rights of South Africans are protected under the constitutional democracy which promotes inclusivity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism, national unity, social cohesion, justice and diversity.”
“The majority of South Africans were denied the right to vote during the apartheid era. Many people fought for our freedom and democracy. Some people died while others were imprisoned,” the ADG stated.
“As South Africans, we must not take our democracy for granted because it did not come naturally. It came from the shedding of blood and tears.”
Youth and democracy
According to her, the majority of young people who were born after democracy did not experience the hardships of apartheid, and she believes it is important that they understand what democracy is all about.
“If the youth take their generation’s role as future leaders seriously, they must vote in large numbers. Youth, as future leaders, must vote to preserve and strengthen our democracy.”
The ADG said when people vote in large numbers, the country’s democracy grows because citizens decide who should be in power. “As voters we also have the power to determine who should represent us. Elections are part of the formal democratic processes that allow citizens’ voices to be heard,” she said.
She expressed concern that if a considerable number of people do not vote in large numbers during the elections, democracy in this country may collapse.
“Democracy is one thing that keeps South Africa together. We want to strengthen it as much as possible so that we can build a better country and a prosperous future,” Mnukwa said.
Voters’ roll
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reported that over 27.79 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections, the highest number since the dawn of democracy in South Africa.
“Since the voters’ roll was compiled for the first time ahead of the 1999 National and Provincial Elections, it has shown steady growth of over 35% and contains the highest number of registered voters, recording an increase of 9.6 million voters since the 1999 general elections,” the IEC said in a statement.
It stated that the highlight of the certified voters’ roll is the increase in the rate of representation by persons aged 18 to 39, who account for 42% or 11.7 million voters on the voters’ roll.
The long-standing trend of there being more females on the voters’ roll continues. Of the 27.79 million voters, 15 million are females.
“The introduction of the online self-service voter registration modality has contributed to the increased rate of registration by younger voters in the country as well as by citizens who are resident outside of the Republic,” the IEC stated. – SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Tue, 04/23/2024 - 10:04
Chris Green, Managing Partner, Hogan Lovells SA M&A activity in South Africa declined sharply in 2023 relative to the two preceding years, in line with global trends. The factors driving this included, amongst others, global economic headwinds particularly high inflation and high interest rates, the well-documented geopolitical uncertainty in Europe and the Middle East, ongoing …
Pandor reiterates stance on Israel
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, says South Africa cannot have "normal relations" with Israel, as long as it is committing war crimes and genocide against Palestinians, removing them from their land, and is unwilling to negotiate a viable peace plan without preconditions.
“South Africa cannot be a party to Israel’s actions that would see the promise of Palestinian Statehood reduced to balkanised entities, devoid of true sovereignty, without territorial contiguity and with no economic viability,” Pandor said on Monday while delivering a lecture at the Rio Branco Institute in Brasilia, Brazil.
The South African government, according to Pandor, has consistently expressed its concern at the plight of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially in light of the acts meeting the threshold of genocide.
READ | SA welcomes resolution on human rights situation in occupied Palestinian territory
Pandor said the “question of Palestine”, as it is known in the United Nations (UN), is the longest unresolved human rights challenge on the UN’s agenda.
“It is primarily a question about the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. This is a right that, according to international law, gives Palestinians the right to resist the illegal occupation of their land.”
She said South Africa concurs with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s remarks that opposition to a two-State solution was “unacceptable".
The Minister believes that the Palestinian people are part of an existing sovereign State and have a claim to their independent sovereignty based on their right to self-determination.
“The fact of colonisation creates this right – they have been conquered and subjected to the jurisdiction of a foreign State without their consent and are living under occupation by a foreign and oppressive occupier.
"This is the form of self-determination that is most widely accepted and which most clearly provides the right to one’s independent State,” she explained.
Pandor said it was now more than 74 years since the UN General Assembly approved Resolution 181 (II) recognising the partitioning of Palestine and proposed establishing two independent States, which were supposed to coexist in peace and harmony.
“Despite the length of time and efforts brought to bear, the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State is yet to become a reality.
“The most serious violation of human rights has involved the denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. This is a right enshrined in the UN Charter,” she stressed.
Pandor raised concerns about the political solution, which is "not yet in sight".
“The relentless military operations by Israel and its genocidal acts have aggravated the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“The extreme nature of the crisis in Gaza must not eclipse the fact that the West Bank and East Jerusalem are in turmoil. Since the 1993 Oslo Accords, the number of illegal Israeli settlers occupying Palestinian land has increased from 269 200 at that time to 700 000 today.”
Meanwhile, the number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails has almost doubled to over 7 000, including 200 women and children as young as 12 years old.
According to the Minister, the conflict has seen the killing of over 33 000 Palestinians since October 2023.
The ongoing bombardment of Gaza by Israel has resulted in more civilian casualties, almost half of which are children, the Minister told her audience.
She also raised an alarm about the threat of famine, which is imminent with disastrous consequences.
“Those engaged in active warfare must be reminded that the targeting of civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists and UN personnel, destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure is illegal under international law.”
Pandor is of the view that South Africa made a compelling case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In January this year, the ICJ ruled that Israel’s actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal and indicated provisional measures on that basis.
READ | SA stands by decision to file lawsuit against Israel
She also took a swipe at the veto power wielded by individual States, which she said she believes cannot be permitted to thwart international justice in light of the ever-worsening situation in Gaza.
South Africa, Pandor said, is gravely concerned about the unprecedented imminent military offensive against Rafah, which she said would result in further large-scale killing, harm and destruction.
“South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and remains committed to seeing an end to the occupation of Palestine and calls for concrete action concerning ending the Apartheid system in Israel and Palestine.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 04/23/2024 - 10:38
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, hosted the State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr Diego Martínez Belío, on 23 April 2024. Deputy Minister Botes and State Secretary Martínez Belío co-chaired the 15th Session of the South Africa-Spain Bilateral Consultations. South Africa's bilateral relations with Spain are managed through the Bilateral Consultations, which meets annually at the Deputy Minister level.
The Official Visit to South Africa enhanced the already strong relations between South Africa and Spain. This visit highlighted the existing cooperation between the two countries and reviewed the progress and implementation of existing agreements.
The meeting deepened engagement and discussions in the areas of mutual interest to both countries, particularly in trade and investment, education, science and innovation, climate change and renewable energy, as well as human rights, migration and women, peace and security.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Spain grew by 9.7% from $3.1 billion in 2022 to $3.4 billion in 2023. In 2023, Spain was South Africa's 18th trading partner globally and fifth largest trading partner in the EU. During the same period, South Africa was Spain's second largest export destination and seventh largest source of imports on the African continent. South Africa's exports to Spain grew by 12.8% from $1.41 billion in 2022, to $1.77 billion in 2023.
Over the past ten years, there has been steady investment in South Africa by Spanish companies. The bulk of the investment is in the renewable energy sector. South African companies have also looked to Spain as an investment destination in the Real Estate sector. More than 150 Spanish companies have invested in South Africa creating over 20,000 jobs, largely in the following sectors: Infrastructure Development, Renewable Energy, Financial Services, Tourism, Textiles, IT & Software, Metals, and Mining.
Spain also remains a strategic European tourism market for South Africa. There has been a slight recovery in terms of tourist arrivals from Spain for the periods 2022 and 2023. Tourist arrivals increased by a total of 8 716 between the above-mentioned years, from 23 304 in 2023 to 32 020 in 2024. This is a positive indication of inbound travel slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels as far as this market is concerned.
The recent various high-level engagements between South Africa and Spain symbolise the commitment by both countries to promote a better and more equitable world to benefit the people of both countries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
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Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, lies Osberg Safaris, a haven of adventure and tranquility. This article explores the rich history of Osberg Safaris and highlights the exciting things to do in and around Kirkwood and Addo. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, wildlife lover, or simply seeking a peaceful getaway,… Read More »
Greater Evaton water safe for consumption, says Rand Water
Rand Water has assured residents that the contamination which affected the quality of drinking water in the Greater Evaton area has been resolved and tap water is now safe for consumption.
The water contamination affected the quality of drinking water in Palm Springs, Zone 7 Sebokeng, Beverly Hills, Sonder Water, Graceland, Lakeside Zone 3, Zone 6, Small Farms, and Evaton North and West in Emfuleni Local Municipality.
In a joint statement, Rand Water and the Emfuleni Local Municipality said an investigation into the water contamination was launched following complaints from the communities on 28 and 30 March 2024, respectively.
The team was led by experts from the municipality and Rand Water and included engineers, scientists and operational specialists who focused their investigation on identifying the root cause of the contamination.
The investigation revealed that the contamination was due to leaking sewerage pipes which seeped into the drinking water pipes.
“Both the sewerage and drinking water pipes were replaced, and the drinking water pipes were disinfected to remove all traces of the contamination. Once the water pipes were flushed, drinking water in the affected areas was taken for testing and analysis at Rand Water ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
“On 17 April 2024, the scientists at Rand Water laboratory achieved the third consecutive microbiological results confirming the preliminary results which revealed that the water quality has been restored to the acceptable South African National Standard (SANS) 241 standards for drinking water,” Rand Water said.
SANS 241 is a drinking water specification that states the minimum requirements for potable water to be considered safe for human consumption.
Rand Water noted that during the process of fixing pipes and water testing, roaming water tankers were distributed to ensure that affected communities have access to clean water.
These water tanker services will be withdrawn from areas in Greater Evaton.
“Rand Water as the bulk water services provider and the ELM as the Water Services Authority wish to assure communities that both institutions continue to be committed to providing quality drinking water that complies with all the requirements of SANS 241 standards,” the entity said.
Arrest suspects commended
Meanwhile, Rand Water has commended the arrest of suspects in connection with the murder of Rand Water Executive, Teboho Joala and his personal protector, Sifiso Shange during a back-to-school event held at Zakariyya Park on 29 January 2024.
The three suspects were arrested last week and appeared at the Lenasia Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on Monday.
The accused are facing two counts of premeditated murder and three counts of attempted murder charges.
The case was postponed to 29 April 2024 for bail application.
“Rand Water commends the swift action taken by the South African Police Service in investigating the matter and welcomes the arrest of individuals suspected of this brutal act which resulted with the loss of lives of our executive and his personal protector.
“Rand Water is still mourning the loss of Teboho Joala and Sifiso Shange and will continue to observe the proceedings and developments in this case, hoping that the perpetrators will be prosecuted successfully,” the entity said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 04/23/2024 - 11:13
As the world continues to shrink and opportunities abound across borders, more individuals and families are embarking on the journey of emigration to start a new chapter in their lives. However, amidst the excitement of a fresh beginning, the process of relocation can quickly become overwhelming without proper planning and foresight. Ian Pettey, Managing Director …
While some people enjoy relaxing by the seaside or splashing in the waves on holiday, others prefer to keep their feet on terra firma, exploring nature reserves, farmlands, or golfing greens. Of course, there are also those who like the best of both worlds, and they’ll find exactly what they’re looking for on the KZN …