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6 March 2024 – RX Africa is thrilled to announce that it continues to be a leading premier exhibition organiser after winning eight prestigious ROAR awards, hosted by the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO). The ROAR Awards, now in its 5th edition, was established to acknowledge innovation, excellence and professionalism within the African exhibition …
While the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom is renowned for its Blue Flag beaches and world-class dive sites, the enchanting hinterland is home to incredible natural beauty and adventure. South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) continues to extend these rural tourism offerings with the launch of the KwaNdwalane Adventure Experience on 1 March 2024. …
Boasting the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the province, as well as two world-class dive sites, adventure and extreme tourism offerings, Ugu District remains a top tourism destination. South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) continues to develop these tourism products, expanding the tourism economy which brings with it significant investment opportunities. “Our …
President Ramaphosa to interact with Mpumalanga communities
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead government’s interaction with communities and stakeholders in the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga during the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo on Thursday.
"Themed ‘Leave No One Behind’, the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province,” said the Presidency in a statement on Tuesday.
The imbizo, which will get underway at 11 am, will take place at the Sy Mthimunye Stadium in Emalahleni.
The imbizo is directed at enabling the successful implementation of the 'One District, One Plan' District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation and evaluation.
Earlier in the week, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng urged communities in Mpumalanga to participate in the imbizo.
READ | Mpumalanga communities invited to attend imbizo
“As a constitutional democracy grounded in meaningful public participation and accountability, continuous engagement with communities is important. Therefore, the imbizo reaffirms the role of communities in shaping their development initiatives,” Nkadimeng said on Monday.
The visit to Emalahleni will allow the President and other leaders in government to assess progress made and to be briefed on challenges associated with the improvement of service delivery since the President’s previous engagement with communities.
The imbizo highlights the successful implementation of the DDM, and the significance of collaboration with key stakeholders including traditional leaders, businesses and civil society.
The DDM Presidential Imbizo forms part of a holistic government service delivery and monitoring programme, using an integrated, district-based approach to address community needs.
It serves as an important platform for transparent and constructive exchanges between communities and government.
READ | Nkangala residents called to attend Presidential Imbizo
Since inception in March 2022, izimbizo have empowered millions of South Africans to directly engage with the President, contributing to policy discussions and acknowledging government efforts to better serve the people.
Government's commitment to serving the people and enhancing their well-being necessitates ongoing dialogue and collaboration. Through izimbizo, community input informs government priorities, facilitating accelerated public service delivery.
Community engagements through the DDM Presidential Imbizo also enhances visibility, understanding, empowerment, fostering stronger relationships between government and the public.
Feedback from these engagements informs decision-making processes and showcases the impact of community contributions.
Preceding Thursday's imbizo will be a series of build-up outreach activities led by Ministers, MECs, mayors across the Nkangala District Municipality and throughout the Mpumalanga province. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 09:26
There’s a reason a person in their 40s doesn’t have the same amount of energy as they did in their 20s, or why they can’t eat like they did as a teenager. Bodies constantly change with age, and with each new phase of life, there are changing requirements for the body to maintain optimum health. …
For more information on Quick Capital and how Zapper is empowering South African businesses, follow this link: https://www.zapper.com/quick-capital/
Government welcomes slight GDP growth
Government has welcomed the release of the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures by Statistics South Africa, which show a slight growth of 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“This growth is particularly encouraging as it surpasses pre-pandemic levels. This indicates a resilient economy showing signs of recovery, and bettering previous strength,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Wednesday.
In the fourth quarter, real GDP reached R1 158 billion, marking continuous improvement from the pre-COVID-19 level of R1 150 billion, although still below the peak recorded in the third quarter of 2022.
READ | GDP increases by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023
“The increase, though slight, signifies continued progress in the country’s economic recovery. It signifies the resilience of our economy and the positive impact of government interventions. We are particularly pleased to see the transport, storage and communication industries leading the growth.
“This modest uptick in GDP is testament to the concerted efforts of various sectors and stakeholders in navigating the complexities that were posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other domestic and global challenges,” Ntshavheni said.
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said the modest growth signifies a positive turning point.
“Government remains committed to implementing policies that foster a conducive environment for further economic expansion, and to continue to invest in infrastructure development, support small businesses, and create an environment that attracts investment. Working together, we can build a stronger and more inclusive South African economy for all,” GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 09:59
Defining machine-created content Machine or AI-generated content refers to any work or output produced by artificial intelligence (AI) systems rather than by human creators. This type of content can encompass a wide range of forms, including but not limited to text, images, music, and more. AI systems generate this content by processing large datasets, learning …
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) are often the most effective way for companies to transform their businesses, whether through acquiring or divesting of businesses or subsidiaries, acquiring technology or supply chains, investing in new product lines, or entering or exiting markets. What are the three types of acquisitions? 1. Horizontal Acquisition: This involves a company acquiring …
Accomplishments and hurdles along the job creation journey
The Gauteng Department of Employment and Labour says creating employment and the management thereof has been a mixture of success and challenges in the province.
The department was presenting its provincial overview in terms of service delivery and the job creation mandate to the Employment Standard (ES) Board.
The ES Board is in the province to engage directly with the Department of Employment and Labour's management in Gauteng, the Sheltered Employment Enterprises (SEE) and Employment Solutions. The visit started on Tuesday and will conclude today.
Deputy Director: Public Employment Services in Gauteng, Vusi Mazibuko, told the meeting that the department has created more opportunities, including from foreign countries such as Ireland, which has hired some of the job seekers in the Employment Services System of South Africa (ESSA) database.
Daniel Kgwele, the Deputy Director: Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS), told the board that there seems to be a stubborn gap in terms of labour absorption and labour participation affecting the 25 to 44-year-old age group. He suggested that public employment policies and strategy be employed to narrow the gap.
He told the meeting that the department's efforts to present opportunities to different communities has at times been hampered by community leaders who want to dictate to the department who to employ.
“They stop us from recruiting in their areas and at times chase us away," he said.
According to the Chief Director: Public Employment Services, Esther Tloane, more countries are showing an interest in importing South African work seekers.
“We are currently busy with the National Labour Migration Policy, which will deal with the movement of human resources in and out of the country," she said.
According to the Deputy Director of Labour Centre Operations: Germiston, Shereen Ceaser, one of the centre's challenges is employers who do not comply with their Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions.
ES Board Chairperson, Thembinkosi Josopu, told the gathering that they will give their observations and contributions, followed by their recommendation to the Minister.
The ES Board will today visit Employment Solutions, an organisation for people with disabilities and later on conclude their tour at the Sheltered Employment Services in Silverton, Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 10:00
Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander, said: At 01h33, Tuesday, 5 March, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were activated following a request to medically evacuate an 18 year old male from a cruise ship heading towards Richards Bay. The vessel was due to arrive off-shore of Richards Bay at 02h30. It appears that the …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted an application to the Free State High Court, seeking judicial intervention to enforce the interdict to prevent land grabs in Lourierpark. The DA has instructed its legal representatives to approach the High Court to: Force the Metro to do what it set out to do with the …
>World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Officials for three women’s internationals in March as well as some amendments to the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and Pacific Four Series appointments. World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Officials for three women’s internationals in March as well as some amendments to the Guinness Women’s Six Nations …
SIU, SCOPA sign memorandum of understanding
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the relationship between the two entities.
In a joint statement, the two said the MoU will create greater cohesion in relation to “investigating and reporting on matters pertaining to irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure of public funds”.
“More importantly, however, the signing of the MoU assists in the formal referral of certain pressing matters from SCOPA to the SIU, as the SIU does not identify specific matters to investigate.
“Matters referred by SCOPA to the SIU for investigation or for the motivation for a proclamation include the Eskom intelligence report and the National Skills Fund. SCOPA believes that the SIU will continue to prioritise these matters, even after the dissolution of the sixth Parliament. In fact, the SIU will ensure that in its handover report to SCOPA in the seventh Parliament, these matters are flagged for consideration,” the statement said.
The statement reflected on the work carried out by the two institutions during the sixth administration.
“SCOPA has been receiving updates from the SIU on maladministration, malpractice and corruption uncovered during its investigations at state institutions. It has noted the specific concerns raised with respect to the high levels of corruption, maladministration, malpractice lack of consequence management, and delays in prosecutions, all resulting in the failure of the state to recover monies owed to it.
“During the sixth Parliament, the SIU has consistently briefed SCOPA on its investigations, including state capture matters and the lack of consequence management in state institutions in implementing the SIU’s referrals.
“SCOPA intervened by requesting the Presidency to devise a mechanism to ensure that all SIU referrals are implemented. This led to the Presidency establishing a monitoring and tracking tool that ensures every referral from the SIU is implemented for disciplinary action intervention. This has resulted in Eskom and Transnet restricting suppliers implicated in SIU investigations on their own suppliers databases,” the statement said.
The two parties resolved to continue working closely together in areas of mutual interest.
“Both parties acknowledge the importance of consultation, mutual support and cooperation on aspects such as disclosure of information, reporting and mutual cooperation and assistance to ensure effective financial oversight and accountability of state institutions, thereby combatting maladministration, malpractice and corruption of state resources, money and assets,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:28
The Limpopo Mirror is published in Louis Trichardt, a town in the north of South Africa’s Limpopo province. This week the Competition Commission is probing how online news is affected by AI chatbots, search and advertising technology. The outcome of the hearings is important for the future of news reporting in South Africa. In this …
Special votes: all you need to know
With the General Elections coming up on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has detailed how the electorate can apply for special votes.
A special vote allows a registered voter, who can't vote at their voting station on Election Day, to apply to vote on a predetermined day before Election Day.
To qualify for a special vote, you must be unable to visit your local voting station on voting day because you are pregnant, infirm or have another disability that prevents you from visiting a voting station on Election Day.
You may also be eligible for a special vote if for other reasons, such as work.
Special votes can either be cast at home (where IEC officials visit you at your residence) or at a voting station.
Special votes and home visits for this year's general elections will take place on 27 and 28 May. The IEC says the closing date to apply for special votes is 3 May.
How to apply
To begin the online application for a special vote, visit the IEC website on https://www.elections.org.za/. Then navigate to the “Voters” tab and under the tab, click on “Apply for a special vote” in the middle column.
You can apply if you:
To check that you're registered and to find out where you're registered, you can:
By law, you can apply for a special vote if you:
How to apply for a special vote at your voting station
If you can’t vote at your voting station on Election Day, you can apply to cast a special vote at your voting station on the predetermined date only, as per the election timetable, in one of the following ways:
Make an appointment at your local IEC office
If you can’t apply for a special vote online, you can do it in person at your local IEC office. If you want to apply for a special vote at your home, you can send a relative or spouse to apply on your behalf.
You first need to make an appointment. You can do that by calling your local IEC office.
After you have made an appointment, you can visit your local IEC office during the operating hours of Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
A the local IEC office, you will need to present the MEC 35 form. You can download the form online or you can request this form at the IEC office.
How to check special vote application status
After you’ve submitted your special vote application, you can review the status of your application online via SMS or by calling the IEC call centre.
Check special vote application status online
Visit the IECs website. On the home page, click the “I want to” Tab and then click “Check the status of special vote application”.
From there, you will be directed to the special vote status check. You will need to select the election you’re applying for and enter your ID number.
You will then be redirected to a page that will display the status of your special vote application.
Check special vote application status via IEC
You can also call the IEC call centre on 0800 11 8000 and follow the prompts to get information about your special vote application status. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 13:51
The African Polystyrene Industry Alliance (APIA), a pioneering non-profit industry body, is thrilled to announce its official launch event scheduled for Thursday, 29 February 2024, at the Plastics SA office in Midrand. The event will mark a significant milestone in the polystyrene industry’s journey towards sustainability, circular economy practices, and responsible production. As an industry …
Umalusi awards accreditation certificates
Umalusi has awarded accreditation certificates to 54 successful institutions at an Accreditation Forum and Certificate Award Ceremony in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The event was organised to award accreditation certificates to 54 institutions (50 independent schools and four private colleges) that met Umalusi’s accreditation criteria to offer qualifications that are registered on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-framework (GFETQSF).
The ceremony was attended in a hybrid mode by approximately 700 delegates from the 50 independent schools, four private colleges and Umalusi officials.
“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to every institution represented here today for your commitment to excellence and your passion for quality education. May you continue to uphold the standards even after having been awarded your accreditation certificate,” Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, said.
The breakdown of the 50 independent schools that were awarded accreditation certificates to offer the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is as follows:
• 10 are to offer Grades 1 - 7.
• Six are to offer Grades 1 - 9.
• 22 are to offer Grades 1 - 12.
• One is to offer Grades 4 - 12.
• Nine are to offer Grades 8 - 12.
• Two are to offer Grades 10-12.
The four accredited private colleges were:
• One is to offer NC(V) Levels 2-4 (Information Technology and Computer Sciences).
• Two are to offer N1-N3 Engineering Studies.
• One is to offer GETC: ABET at NQF Level 1.
Making reference to the question of what it means to teach, Umalusi Council Chairperson, Professor Yunus Ballim, challenged participants to engage meaningfully with the question: “If information is so ubiquitously available to our students, what case do we make as teachers to expect the students to come to class every day?”
The full names, accreditation numbers, and addresses of the institutions accredited in 2024 are listed in the official newsletter of Umalusi, Makoya. A full list of all Umalusi-accredited institutions is accessible on the website Accredited Private Education Institutions (umalusi-online.org.za).
The public are urged to verify the accreditation status of institutions to avoid falling prey to bogus institutions. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 14:29
ACCRA: As the excitement builds for the first-ever Women’s T20 Cricket competition at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana...
In the realm of home entertainment, few things rival the immersive experience of a high-quality audio system. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking pristine sound quality or a casual listener looking to enhance your home ambiance, investing in the right audio setup can transform your living space into a sonic haven. In this blog, we’ll delve …
Dear Editor The Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) this week released a report into the Material Irregularities (MIs) in Local Government. This addressed amongst others, the non-compliance with or contravention of legislation, fraud and theft resulting in a material financial loss, and the misuse or loss of a material public resource for the 2021/22 …
Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named the Wales XV to face France at Principality Stadium in the fourth round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations on Sunday 10 March (KO 3pm live on BBC and S4C). Captain Dafydd Jenkins is named at blind-side flanker with Will Rowlands making his first start of the …
Mashatile to deliver keynote address at HRDC retreat
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to attend and chair the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) retreat in Johannesburg on Friday.
Chaired by the Deputy President, the HRDC is an apex national, multi-sectoral advisory body established to create a collective response to the national challenge of human resource development in the country.
The council’s term, which was established in 2010, ends on 31 March 2024.
“Over the years, the council has created a platform for social partners to deliberate on the country’s skills and human capital development to address bottlenecks in the human resource development value chain,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.
Guided by the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa (HRD-SA) 2010-2030, the council’s retreat is aimed at reflecting on and evaluating its work in terms of the progress made so far.
It will also zoom in on underlying challenges faced by the country, which serve as an impediment to achieving the council’s mandate, lessons learned and interrogating the need to change or restructure the council.
The retreat will also look into key future focus areas to be attained in the remainder of the current term and beyond.
“The Deputy President’s attendance is in line with his delegated responsibilities as the Chairperson of the HRDC, and he will therefore deliver welcoming remarks and chair the council retreat,” the Presidency explained.
During his welcoming remarks, the Deputy President will highlight the significance of the HRDC as it seeks to contribute towards addressing some of the socio-economic problems faced by South Africa, such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment through the development and nurturing of skills that are relevant to the country’s needs. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 14:30
Collaboration between government and business bearing fruit
The partnership between government and business is yielding positive outcomes, such as decreased load shedding, enhanced efficiency in rail and ports, and a decline in security incidents affecting energy and logistics infrastructure.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who convened a meeting with members of Cabinet and senior business leaders on Tuesday on the partnership between government and business to address key challenges in energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption.
The objective of the partnership is to achieve more rapid economic growth and generate a significant increase in sustainable employment by urgently delivering on priority interventions in each of the three focal areas.
“We are beginning to see the tangible results of this collaboration in reduced load shedding, improved performance of our rail network and ports, and a reduction in security incidents targeting energy and logistics infrastructure.
“We are confident that we are turning the corner on our most urgent challenges, and are absolutely committed to building on this partnership as we work to grow the economy,” President Ramaphosa said in a joint statement between Government and Business.
Adrian Gore, co-convenor of the business delegation, said they have achieved real progress over the last nine months, and the partnership is gaining excellent traction.
“The private sector has contributed more than R170 million of support directly into this partnership, and has mobilised over 350 technical experts. We need to capitalise on the momentum and urgently implement the necessary reforms. This will help to improve societal and investor confidence in South Africa’s potential, and mobilize much needed investment to grow the economy inclusively,” Gore said.
As part of the support provided by business, the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF) was established to procure and donate resources to support the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. To date, the fund has raised approximately R100m, with R25m already having been drawn down to fund expertise to support the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM).
The joint statement said business is looking to scale this model to support the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) and the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC).
The meeting discussed the progress made over the last three months, as well as key priorities to accelerate progress in the next period.
Key updates since November 2023:
• Energy: Load shedding is roughly 61% less than the same period last year (80% less for stages 4 and above), and is starting to decouple from Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF), demonstrating the positive impact of alternative energy sources including rooftop solar.
• Transport and logistics: A 45% reduction in vessels anchored outside the Port of Durban and a 36% reduction in the waiting time to anchor for container vessels has been achieved. Capable executive leadership has been appointed in Transnet to ensure stability and focused delivery.
• Crime and corruption: Collaboration between Transnet and business, including the provision of security on the rail network, has resulted in a 65% reduction in criminal incidents on the Northern Corridor which is key to reducing the cancellation of trains.
Energy
The work underway within the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) and the implementation of the Energy Action Plan is starting to bear fruit.
“Load shedding is down by 61% compared to the same period last year, with the return of units at Kusile power station as well as new generation capacity from rooftop solar and private sector investment having a positive impact.
“Reform of the energy sector is progressing, with an independent board appointed for the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) and preparations underway for the new entity to commence trading,” the statement read.
On the downside, however, Eskom plant performance remains unreliable with an unacceptably high level of unplanned outages. Under the leadership of its new Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, Eskom is working to ensure full delivery on its recovery plan.
The joint statement highlighted that Eskom and business are finalising a Mutual Cooperation Agreement to establish a sustainable framework through which to deploy additional independent skilled experts to support Eskom in this regard.
“The aim for 2024 is to increase generation capacity from multiple sources by up to 11.5 GW, which will enable a significant reduction in the severity of load shedding by the end of the year.
“This includes improved plant performance as a result of Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan, additional private investment in rooftop solar and utility-scale projects as a result of policy and regulatory reforms, and projects from previous bid windows connecting to the grid,” the statement said.
Initiatives are also underway to unlock increased grid capacity, successfully conclude Bid Window 7 and open further bid windows for gas-to-power and battery storage will contribute to additional generation capacity in the medium term.
Finally, government is working to accelerate reforms in the energy sector, including the promulgation of the ERA Bill, the establishment of the NTCSA, the finalisation of a national wheeling framework, and the development of financing mechanisms for transmission infrastructure.
Transport and logistics
Government and business emphasised that challenges in the logistics system are receiving urgent attention, with the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) focused on stabilising and improving rail, port and road operations.
Business is supporting a number of the NLCC workstreams with technical, security and operational expertise.
“Green shoots include a 45% reduction in vessels anchored outside the Port of Durban and a 36% reduction in the waiting time to anchor for container vessels. A major success has been the provision of security by business on the rail network on an interim basis, which has resulted in a 65% reduction in criminal incidents on the Northern Corridor, reducing the number of trains cancelled. Work is currently underway to ramp up the deployment of SAPS resources to secure network infrastructure in the longer term,” the statement said.
It further highlighted that progress was achieved with the approval of the Freight Logistics Roadmap (FLRM) and the Private Sector Participation Framework, which together outline clear actions and timeframes to ensure a more efficient logistics network that encourages private investment and competition in operations.
Implementation of the roadmap is now underway, with key milestones included in conditions attached to the R47 billion guarantee recently extended to Transnet.
“Despite this progress, continued poor operational performance and inefficiency costs the economy R1 billion per day, with recent announcements of retrenchments in the mining industry illustrating the urgency of reform in the logistics sector.
“Transnet is focused on improving performance through clearly defined and agreed measures such as rebuilding internal capacity, implementing operational excellence centres for strategic corridors, and drawing on private sector technical resources.
"The recent appointment of permanent executive leadership at Transnet will assist with the necessary focus and delivery mindset, and the urgent implementation of the Transnet Recovery Plan,” the statement said.
Crime and corruption
Steady progress has also been made in the crime and corruption focal area, including the establishment of the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption.
The private sector is continuing its support to strengthen law enforcement through providing business information and resources to assist with the fight against infrastructure crime.
The statement said support has also been provided to modernise the 10111 helpline, with a pilot project initiated at the main call centre in Midrand.
“Passing the NPA Amendment Bill within the current Parliament will strengthen the independence and investigating capacity of the NPA and will enable the establishment of additional infrastructure to support the Investigating Directorate as a permanent entity, including a dedicated Forensics Laboratory.
“A key focus is to secure South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, with the aim of achieving this by June 2025,” the statement said.
Next steps
The next meeting will be held in May to assess progress on the three focal areas.
Government and business reaffirmed their commitment to communicating regularly on progress, and identifying areas where further work is required.
“We are finalising our targets for the end of 2024, and aligning on the critical paths to achieve these. These plans will be communicated publicly, and reported on regularly. This will build confidence in the process and will enforce accountability. As partners, we are absolutely focused on delivery,” Chair of the B4SA Steering Committee, Martin Kingston said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:43