Sinkholes open under Khayelitsha shacks, flooding homes with sewage
The whole of Khayelitsha is affected by a blocked sewer line, says City of Cape Town
News
U19 CWC 2024 Day 6: West Indies, Pakistan And Sri Lanka Notch Up Wins
Sri Lanka thumped Namibia in a low-scoring clash while West Indies and Pakistan added important wins in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024. Jewel Andrew shone yet again as West Indies got off the mark on the points table with an important win over Scotland in Potchefstroom. Coming off a spectacular hundred in …
Win a Fieldbar with Angostura Cocoa and Orange bitters
When it comes to all things in the kitchen and behind the bar, ANGOSTURA® cocoa and orange bitters have your back – from whipping up delectable desserts, to creative cocktails, they never let you down. And they’re not about to start now – with their new summer campaign, you could stand a chance to win …
Daniels to Replace Khumalo
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 has approved Raeeq Daniels as a replacement for Martin Khumalo in the South Africa squad. Bowling all-rounder Daniels was named as a replacement after Khumalo was ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained in South Africa’s opening match against the West …
Pre-entry deadline for aQuellé Midmar Mile extended
Swimmers eager to dive into the challenge of next month’s aQuellé Midmar Mile have been given an extra week to get their pre-entries in. Race Director Wayne Riddin confirmed that the pre-entry deadline has been extended from 25 January to midnight on 31 January. “As the interest and excitement surrounding the aQuellé Midmar Mile continue …
Blitzboks’ Eye Perth Prize
Travelling the world and exploring new destinations with smiles on faces are elements one can attribute to the Springbok Sevens team over many seasons of HSBC SVNS, but as they settled into Perth for yet another new stop in the world series, the real purpose for their trip to West Australia was quickly confirmed by …
Sigma Connected and TDX Group form strategic partnership creating novel jobs
Debt management specialist TDX Group, an Equifax company, has partnered with business outsourcing provider Sigma Connected, drawing on their respective debt insights and collection expertise for an all-in-one recovery solution package for clients. The strategic link-up will see Sigma Connected and TDX Group working closely on white label customer service support for organisations spanning the …
Vodacom URC returns with crucial Gauteng derby
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship will spring back into action this weekend after two weeks of European rugby with a massive local derby between the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions in Pretoria, where a place in the top eight is at stake. It may be the only match of the weekend (and the last of …
ICC Men’s And Women’s Cricketers Of The Year
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today concluded its announcements of ICC Awards 2023 winners by revealing that Australia captain Pat Cummins has won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt has won her second successive Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the …
Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning welcomes relief funding for September floods
Western Cape welcomes R114million relief funding for September floods.
Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning today confirmed that National Treasury has approved an amount of R114million to be released from the Municipal Disaster Response Grant to the Western Cape for damages suffered during the floods of September 2023.
“We appreciate this allocation, and I want to thank all the role players who worked together to do damage assessments, drafted the disaster classification application, and worked together with our colleagues at the National Disaster Management Centre to satisfy all the regulatory requirements to qualify for this disaster relief. It is important and necessary funding to help us deal with the significant impact that the flood had on our province”.
MEC Bredell said that although the province applied for relief of more than R700million, we appreciate the R114million, and will now focus on spending the money wisely in the 5 municipalities identified for relief:
- 24 projects in Theewaterskloof
- 16 projects in Overstrand
- 11 projects in Stellenbosch
- 13 projects in Langeberg
- 6 projects in the City of Cape Town.
MEC Bredell said the intense flooding of 2023, and the current wildfire season which is stretching fire services across the province to the limit, is a wakeup call for all levels of government: “A new mindset is needed for infrastructure development and how we interact with nature. “We cannot repair roads and bridges to be washed away in the next flood. We must design and construct with the future in mind where we should anticipate more extreme weather events.”
The Department of Local Government, together with these municipalities are currently working on dedicated business plans for each of the identified repair projects.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, South Africa.
The Essential Guide to Spill Kits and Absorbents
In the world of industrial safety and environmental protection, the importance of being prepared for spills is crucial. Whether it’s a factory, a laboratory, or a warehouse, having the right response tools is essential for handling unexpected spills efficiently and safely. Among these tools, spill kits and absorbents play a pivotal role. Let’s delve into …
Township and village tourism acquire a lot to offer
Township and village tourism have a lot to offer
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says township and village tourism have much to offer in terms of boosting the economy.
“I firmly believe that township and village tourism has so much to offer and so much untapped potential and we must place more focus on this area to showcase our hidden gems and the true magic of our villages and townships,” de Lille said.
Addressing the inaugural Township and Village Tourism Expo hosted by the SA Township and Village Tourism Organisation (SATOVITO) at the Cradle of Humankind, in Morapeng on Thursday, de Lille said the expo aims to shine a light on tourism products in villages and townships where people from disadvantaged backgrounds are breaking through barriers to take their claim in the tourism sector.
“I have found only warm, kind and committed people in tourism in every part of this country and I look forward to exploring even more hidden gems this year and pushing harder with all partners to take the entire tourism sector to the next level,” De Lille said.
De Lille commended the organisers of expo for their objective to foster strong community engagement by involving local residents, community leaders, and stakeholders in the planning and execution of the expo.
“Promoting township and village tourism is an integral part of diversifying our tourism offerings so that we can grow the economy, the sector and the number of jobs created by this sector.
“I am therefore pleased that the South African National Convention Bureau has provided financial support to this expo and that SA Tourism has also supported it through marketing it at global events such as World Travel Market London.
“I have often said that we must place more on emphasising township and village tourism, especially in the annual Sho’t Left campaign and later today there will be workshop on this annual campaign by SA Tourism,” the Minister said.
De Lille said her department wanted to help the organisers to achieve their vision to develop townships and villages into smart residential and business hubs that foster job creation, social cohesion and market indigenous tourism experiences.
“We are your partner to transform the tourism industry and expand the value chain to be more inclusive and attract tourism investment to townships and villages.
“We need to showcase our culture, history, indigenous cultures and people to visitors from all over the world because I am certain that those are the experiences that will leave them with memories they will treasure forever and stories that will captivate them for years to come.
“We need to do better at marketing our history and cultures and show more people places like what is known as “Nobel Street” where we showcase Vilikazi Street in Soweto as being the homes of two Nobel Peace Laureates, our dear Tata Madiba and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,” de Lille said.
De Lille said history has helped transform the area around Vilikazi Street into a thriving business community but there are many more spaces and places like these all over South Africa which can be showcased.
The Tourism Incentive Programme is a package of support programmes aimed at stimulating the growth, development and transformation of the South African Tourism sector.
“Through these incentives, the department aims to transform and achieve accelerated growth in the tourism sector. This in turn contributes to the achievement of the department’s objectives to stimulate enterprise growth, job creation, revenue growth and an enhanced visitor experience,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 12:49
163 views
Saudi Arabia market presents enormous growth opportunities for SA
Saudi Arabia market presents enormous growth opportunities for SA
The South African - Saudi Arabia Business Council has committed to boosting trade as part of efforts to grow the economies of both countries.
In 2023, South Africa's exports to Saudi Arabia increased to R7.3 billion from R6.6 billion in 2022, while imports from Saudi Arabia decreased to R54.6 billion in 2023 from R73.6 billion in 2022.
The exported goods include agricultural products, motor vehicles, and basic chemicals, whereas the import items mainly consisted of refined petroleum and related products and crude oil.
Speaking at a press briefing in honour of the visiting Saudi business delegation, Co-Chair of the South African–Saudi Arabia Business Council, Stavros Nicolaou, underscored the need to increase trade and investment.
“From my vantage point, the Saudi Arabia market presents enormous growth opportunities for South African companies looking to expand their businesses in the gulf region as shown by local companies that are slowly establishing a presence in that region,” Nicolaou said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Ebrahim Patel have been leading ongoing engagements between South Africa and Saudi Arabia - which have since resulted in local businesses finding a foothold in the vast Saudi Arabia market.
Also speaking at the same media briefing, Dr Hisham Al Amoudi, Vice-Chairman of the Saudi–South Africa Business Council, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to investing in South Africa.
Al Amoudi said the South Africa and Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission and the Business Council was a good platform to further progress and boost inward investments between the two respective countries.
He said Saudi Arabia is committed to increasing investment across various sectors in South Africa.
"We are committed to increasing investments for mutual benefits and supporting South Africa’s economic growth. Our current investments contribute to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product,” Al Amoudi said.
The visit by the Saudi business delegation aims to not only strengthen current trade relations but also to explore opportunities for South African companies to increase market access with products that have high export potential to Saudi Arabia.
These products include motor vehicles for the transport of persons, fruits, mineral resources, chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment.
Additionally, the Saudi delegation seeks to boost investment from Saudi Arabia in sectors beyond South Africa’s renewable energy industry. Currently, Saudi is the largest investor in South Africa's local renewable energy sector and ACWA Power has a leading role in this area.
Overall, it is estimated that Saudi investment into South Africa amounts to $1.62 billion.
The Business Council focuses on five main workstreams - energy and renewable energy, tourism, hospitality and entertainment, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, mining and commodities, and food and agro-processing. These areas aim to utilise investment capital from Saudi Arabia while tapping into the opportunities that South Africa offers in these sectors. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 08:54
357 views
Comments sought on Water Acts amendments
Comments sought on Water Acts amendments
The Department of Water and Sanitation will next week kick-start a series of public consultations on the amendment of the National Water Act and Water Services Act across the country.
The two legislations were published in the Government Gazette on 17 November 2023 and members of the public were invited to submit written comments on the draft amendment bills within 60 days from the date of publication.
The department said the objective of the consultations is to garner comments from the public and stakeholders, which are necessary to bring about legislation that will benefit the current and future generation of the country by ensuring equitable water allocation for all, and optimise access and use of water and sanitation.
“The amendments of the two legislations will strengthen the role of the department as a regulator of the water and sanitation sector, thus, decisively address socio economic challenges facing the country.
“Furthermore, this will ensure that the country’s water resources are managed, protected, used, and conserved, while promoting equity and redressing past imbalances. The redress of past imbalances will ensure that all citizens of the country have access to water,” the department said.
The amendments of the National Water Act are mainly aimed at strengthening the protection and conservation of water resources, including strategic water source areas; ability of the department to consider and decide on water use applications timeously; and the ability of the department to improve equity in water use allocation.
They are also aimed at strengthening the ability of the department to phase out previous water entitlements in order to achieve the targets for water allocation reform and ensure the efficient use of water, and representivity and governance of water user associations.
In amending the Water Services Act, the department aims to enhance the following regulatory objectives:
• Expand on the objects of the Act the regulation for safely managed sanitation;
• Include enforcement and rectification as further object of the Act;
• Provide for the accountability of water services providers in respect of the management, reporting and financial transparency through requirement of operating licence;
• Provide for the issuance of operating licence, content of the licence and Regulations for licence procedure;
• Develop regulations relating to registration of persons who install and operate water service works;
• Provide for the quality of potable or drinking water;
• Provide for the establishment and governance structures of water boards, the appointment of the chief executive officer and employees of water boards;
• Provide for monitoring, enforcement and intervention on poor performance and non-performance of WSPs (Water Safety Plans); and
• Expand on penalties for non-compliance with the Act
The public consultations will start in Upington, Northern Cape on 30 January 2024, followed by the engagements in all other provinces.
For confirmation to attend the Northern Cape consultation can be sent to cloetes@dws.gov.za
The closing date for written submission is on 01 March 2024 and submissions should be sent to Mapula Khuduga at KhudugaM@dws.gov.za or telephone number 012 336 7835.
The Gazette is available on www.gpwonline.co.za. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 10:49
49 views
Pandor leads SA delegation as ICJ is set to deliver ruling on genocide case against Israel
Pandor leads SA delegation as ICJ is set to deliver ruling on genocide case against Israel
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, will lead South Africa’s delegation at The Hague on Friday to hear the judgment on the genocide case against Israel.
This is after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that it will deliver its judgment tomorrow on whether it will grant emergency measures to stop the war in the Gaza Strip.
This comes after South Africa approached the ICJ in December last year, under the Genocide Convention, for alleged attacks committed by Israel on the Gaza Strip.
“On Friday, 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice will deliver its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip,” the ICJ statement read.
In its application, South Africa also pleaded with the court to indicate provisional measures to “protect against further severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention” and “to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide".
Public hearings on South Africa’s request were held on 11 and 12 January 2024.
“South Africa is requesting that the ICJ grant interim injunctions, including that Israel immediately cease its military operations in Gaza, take reasonable measures to prevent the genocide of Palestinians, ensure that the displaced return to their homes and have access to humanitarian assistance,” DIRCO said.
According to the department, the humanitarian assistance includes adequate food, water, fuel, medical and hygiene supplies, shelter and clothing.
The country also wants the top United Nations (UN) court to take the necessary steps to punish those involved in the genocide and preserve the evidence of genocide. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 09:17
308 views
Merit-Based Candidate Selection Process Enters Final Phase
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance’s rigorous and merit-based Candidate Selection process is entering its final phase. This is a process that has lasted more than 9 months and tested an in-depth array of skills and knowledge that any aspirant candidate would need to have to serve under the banner of the DA. The DA is …
Langdon and Hartzenberg Suspended
The Northampton Saints hooker, Curtis Langdon, has been suspended for four weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Munster Rugby at Thomond Park. Langdon was sent off by the referee, Tual Trainini (France), in the 39th minute of the match for making reckless contact to …
Compostable & biodegradable packaging – ‘silver bullets’ or ‘greenwashers’?
Compostable and biodegradable packaging, currently mooted as the ‘silver bullets’ that will end South Africa’s plastic packaging pollution and landfill challenges, may not deserve the ‘green’ image they have been credited with worldwide and locally. This is the opinion of respected recycler, Chandru Wadhwani, Joint Managing Director of Extrupet, one of the largest and most …
PAIA Submitted to obtain record of decision on PetroSA’s controversial gas deal tender award
Dear Editor The DA has today submitted a PAIA application to PetroSA asking that they provide us with a record of decision that informed the awarding of a tender for the rebuilding of critical gas infrastructure to a bidder who did not meet the tender specifications, has no proven financial resources to implement the project …
ICC Award Winners
India’s explosive batter Suryakumar Yadav has won his second successive ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award, with West Indies’ dynamic all-round captain Hayley Matthews claiming the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year as the first set of individual winners of the ICC Awards 2023 were announced on Wednesday. New Zealand all-rounder Rachin …
Vertiv Supports Growing African Telecommunications Industry with Expertise and Solutions
Offerings Tailored for 5G Challenges and Economic Growth – by Jon Abbott, Telecom Strategic Clients Director, EMEA at Vertiv The telecommunications industry across Africa occupies a complex yet active space, with factors such as significant investment in sub-sea connectivity cables, increasing demand for data centres, and the rollout of terrestrial fibre broadband infrastructure gaining increasing …
Verdant Capital advises USPlus on EUR 2 million debt capital raise
Verdant Capital (www.Verdant-Cap.com) is pleased to announce that it has facilitated and advised on the raising of EUR 2 million of debt funding for US Plus Limited (“UsPlus”), an innovative specialist SME financing firm based in South Africa.
The funding increases UsPlus' capacity to finance SMEs in South Africa, thereby contributing to the country's development agenda. The new funding further broadens the institutional funding base of UsPlus following the USD 10 million debt capital raise completed by Verdant Capital in 2022 and building on the Domestic Medium Term Programme registered on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Studies show that SMEs contribute close to 30% of employment in South Africa, but most of these SMEs do not survive beyond 5 years due to a number of causes, of which lack of funding is a leading factor. Most SMEs are self-funded and struggle to access funds at various stages in their operation. The South African government, under its National Development Plan 2030, is looking to SMEs to help achieve its objective of creating 11 million jobs by 2030. Against this backdrop, UsPlus has been operating since 2015, specialising in the provision of tailor-made working capital finance solutions to SMEs through the purchase of transferable instruments such as invoices, purchase orders and contracts issued by or to its SME clients. This convenient and cost-effective solution gives SMEs access to funding to manage working capital and maximise profits. Verdant Capital has acted as an important catalyst for funding SME clients in South Africa and across the African continent.
Since its establishment, UsPlus has deployed over ZAR 3.7 billion (approx. USD 196 million) in working capital to SMEs. Its clients are actively engaged in over 25 industries, including agriculture and film production. UsPlus focuses on social, economic and environmental impact and works with SMEs that contribute to employment in South Africa, the upliftment of black-owned enterprises, women-owned enterprises and rurally located enterprises. Furthermore, the company is guided by the International Finance Cooperation's Exclusion List and does not support businesses which operate within this list. UsPlus' success stems from its highly experienced management team and technology-enabled operations, which 1) help meet customers at their point of need, 2) enhance client service experience, and 3) help manage business risk.
Verdant Capital has a strong funding pipeline for UsPlus which will continue to support the successes of the business.
Verdant Capital was the sole advisor and arranger of UsPlus' International debt capital raise.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Verdant Capital.
Media enquiries:
Verdant Capital:
Liezel van Greunen,
T: +27 10 140 3700
E: liezel.vangreunen@verdant-cap.com
About Verdant Capital:
Verdant Capital is a leading investment manager and investment bank specialising in the private capital markets and operating on a pan-African basis. Verdant Capital is the manager of the Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund. www.Verdant-Cap.com.
Interview: South Africa Captain Juan James and England Captain Ben-McKinney – 23 January U19 World Cup
England beat South Africa by 36 runs (DLS Method) England 137/2 (28.3 overs) v South Africa 230 (49.2 overs) Put in to bat in Potchefstroom, South Africa got off to a flyer, making 71 runs in less than 11 overs before pacer Jack and left-arm spinner Denly struck in back-to-back overs to pull England back …
Micheal and Bailey: Balcony Accident Strengthens Bond Between Rescue Cat and Dog
Newlyweds Amber Jempson, a 24-year-old Administrative Clerk, and her partner Calvin, a 25-year-old skipper from Sunningdale, Cape Town, are devoted fur-parents to Micheal, a rescue cat, and Bailey, their rescue dachshund. The remarkable and unlikely bond between Micheal and Bailey, celebrated on their Instagram page, has captured the hearts of their humble following. However, tragedy …