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South African outsourcing firm Sigma Connected has announced its expansion into the United States in a move which hopes to deliver 500 new jobs in Western Cape by 2025. The company, which offers ‘white label’ customer contact centre and debt collection services across the financial services, telecommunications, energy and retail sectors, will deliver its customer …
As Alichia Arries jogged off the field at Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse in May last year following the Springbok Women’s Sevens win over Spain in the HSBC France Sevens, the possibilities were endless. Next up was the Commonwealth Games in England for the DHL Western Province speedster, who had just turned 20 at the time, …
John Dobson is one of the cheeriest, most upbeat figures in the game, so when he cuts a dejected figure you know times are challenging. It was all smiles for much of the DHL Stormers’ first two seasons in the Vodacom URC, with Dobson’s team reaching back-to-back finals. But now they have hit their first …
Dear Editor The DA has today petitioned the Eskom System Operator (ESO), the body responsible for the national code of practice for loadshedding (NRS 048-9), over what appears to be a growing trend by Eskom to issue misleading load-shedding advisories in violation of the NRS 048-9. Industry experts are of the view that, over the …
Dear Editor The DA condemns the collapse of the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC), which has assisted countless GBV victims since 2013. According to reports, the GBVCC in Pretoria is currently not in operation due to a contractual dispute between the Department of Social Development and service provider Brilliant Telecommunication (Brilliantel). But even before this …
Dear Editor Together with the DA’s Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, I have just concluded an extensive aerial oversight of the Durban harbour and surrounding ocean by helicopter to determine the extent of the South African port crisis which threatens to paralyse South Africa’s container terminal operation, halt international goods trade, and …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg’s victory against the now-ex Johannesburg City Manager, Floyd Brink has been upheld by the High Court in Johannesburg. Judge Budlender not only dismissed the leave to appeal, but did so with the costs of two council, paid for by the residents of Johannesburg. In his conclusion, Budlender …
Dear Editor There is currently no greater challenge for small businesses in South Africa than the load-shedding crisis and the ANC’s inability to ensure a sustainable energy supply. It should come as no surprise that over the course of the weekend we once again returned to stage 6 load-shedding. Big businesses and much of the …
In theory at least, a qualification helps a person get a job. But not everyone is cut out for university or college and, very often, tertiary education does not equip a person directly for the workplace. The DEKRA Institute of Learning (IOL) develops people who are not just qualified but employable, according to Chris Mörsner, …
Stage 4 load shedding until Saturday
Eskom has announced that it will implement Stage 4 load shedding from 2pm on Monday until 5am on Saturday morning.
On Sunday, the power utility had said it would implement Stage 3 load shedding in the afternoons followed by Stage 4 only in the evening.
“Due to the increasing demand combined with insufficient generating capacity and the need to manage the emergency reserves, Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented.
“Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load shedding should it be required,” the power utility said in a statement.
By Monday afternoon, unplanned outages at power stations stood at some 15 424MW with a further 6280MW unavailable due to maintenance.
“In the last 24 hours, 500MW of generating capacity was taken offline whilst in the same period 600MW were returned to service. Approximately 1 300MW of generating capacity is anticipated to return to service by Tuesday evening.
“Eskom teams are working tirelessly to ensure that this additional generating units are returned to service as soon as possible,” the statement read.
The public is being urged to reduce electricity usage by switching off pool pumps and geysers between the hours of 5pm and 9pm.
“We would like to thank those who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently from 17:00 to 21:00, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of load shedding,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 14:37
Solar Power Africa launches dynamic programme designed to empower Africa’s Energy Future. Without solar and storage we cannot ensure a sustainable and secure energy system across Africa, that’s the warning from organisers of the forthcoming 3rd annual Solar Power Africa conference. A dynamic programme of insightful and engaging plenaries, keynote speeches and breakaway sessions was …
Concentrix + Webhelp and Blossom continue partnership to fight period poverty and empower women in Gugulethu. Concentrix + Webhelp, a global leader in customer experience (CX) solutions and technology, is taking a stand against period poverty by extending its partnership with Blossom Care Solutions to provide funding for the latest Blossom site, which recently opened …
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Cape Town, in an effort to better protect Indonesian citizens abroad, held a socialization event to around 200 Indonesian citizens in the city (26/11). The activity aimed to increase the awareness of Indonesian citizens on the importance of self-reporting to the Consulate, as well as providing information on the upcoming 2024 General Election in Cape Town and its monitoring efforts.
In his remarks, the Consul General has made clear that the protection of Indonesian citizens is mandated by the 1945 Constitution and Law No. 37/1999 on Foreign Relations. This protection is considered a priority of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, especially considering that Cape Town is one of the Indonesian missions in a region considered unsafe. The Consul General also emphasised the importance of Indonesian citizens exercising their political rights in the 2024 elections for President and Vice President as well as members of the House of Representatives, as a form of participation in determining democratic and quality national leadership.
Meanwhile, the Consul for Protocol and Consular Affairs in his presentation emphasised the importance of Indonesian citizens reporting themselves through the Peduli WNI Portal (peduliwni.kemlu.go.id). By registering Indonesian citizens' information on the portal, it is expected to make it easier for authorities to contact them or their families in their homeland in emergency situations such as war, social conflict, or natural disasters.
Regarding the 2024 General Election, PPLN Cape Town noted a number ship crews who have not been registered in the permanent voter list, and will be followed up immediately. Meanwhile, the General Election Committee in Cape Town emphasised that election monitoring is carried out to create quality elections.
One of the things that emerged during the event was the hope of the crew representatives present to be able to exercise their voting rights online, so that they can vote even though they are at sea. In response, PPLN Cape Town will forward this aspiration to the General Election Commission (KPU) as an effort to facilitate the democratic participation of Indonesian citizens in remote locations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Capetown, The Republic of South Africa.
The much-anticipated rehabilitation of Marine Drive which connects Port Shepstone with Southbroom is underway. Contractors are working tirelessly to ensure the road is open for use from 14 December 2023 to 9 January 2024, when construction will resume again. While this may cause some inconvenience for holidaymakers flocking to the KZN South Coast this festive …
All systems go for KZN vehicle licence numbering system rollout
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is confident with the state of readiness for the rollout of the new vehicle licence numbering system for the province, which will commence on 1 December 2023.
The department said in the new system, the number plates will not depict the towns and demarcation, but will instead have a continuous numbering system, and all registration numbers issued in the province will be depicted as “ZN”.
The department said the changes to the new license numbering system are prompted by the fact that some of the towns have run out of numbers.
“The operationalisation and commencement of the new numbering system also follows a number of consultations with various stakeholders, including the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), and manufactures of blank number plates.
The security features will also assist in the fight against crime.
“The department has tested the ENaTIS (Electronic National Administration Traffic Information System) system and can confirm that the system is now able to activate the new numbering system, supported by RTMC,” the department said.
As part of the process, the department said the final gazette is expected to be published on 30 November 2023.
The gazette has incorporated inputs and views from various stakeholders and the public since the issuing of the first gazette early in November 2023.
The provincial Motor Licensing Bureaus (MLBs) and Road Traffic Information (RTI) will from Tuesday, attend a workshop on changes brought about by the system and its requirements.
The department said registering authorities in the province will also be provided with ongoing support to ensure that the implementation is with limited challenges, if any at all.
“The first phase of the new numbering will cater for the registration of new motor vehicles, re-registration of vehicles to new owners, stolen vehicles that are recovered and re-licenced onto the owner’s name and government vehicles. The first phase will commence from 1 December 2023 to 28 February 2024.
“The second phase will commence on 1 March 2024 catering for all vehicle owners to migrate from the current system to a new system. Throughout the 24-month implementation period, motorists will be given 21 months, starting from 1 March 2024, to voluntary migrate to the new system, after which it will be mandatory,” the department explained. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 10:58
Dear Editor Despite indications from the IEC that the overseas online registration portal would go live over the weekend of 18/19 November, the system launch remains delayed. This follows parliamentary questions this week from DA MP, Adrian Roos, in response to the ongoing registration challenges faced by South Africans abroad. According to IEC officials in …
And some residents expressed joy at living in a brick and mortar home
Government activities for the week 27 November – 01 December 2023
On Monday, 27 November, the Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko will officially open the Alexandra township’s first x-ray centre at 89 Watt Ave, Wynberg, Johannesburg, from 10:00.
From Monday, 27 November, to Tuesday, 28 November, South Africa hosts the 3rd African Union Men’s Conference on positive masculinity in leadership to end violence against women and girls in Pretoria.
On Tuesday, 28 November, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Makhotso Sotyu will launch the Cleaning and Greening In-House District Model Programme in Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in Harrismith, in the Free State.
On Friday, 01 December, South Africans will commemorate World AIDS Day globally.
Janine
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 11:19
Fight against GBVF must continue throughout the year
City of Ekurhuleni Mayor, Sivuyile Ngodwana, has called on all of society to fight back against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) every day of the year.
The mayor was speaking during the local launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign held on Saturday.
Ngodwana said GBVF is a “major societal problem that needs the attention of all of us”.
“We have a problem of GBV, and we cannot just pay attention to this problem only during this time of the year. Every day a woman is abused and therefore this calls for a daily programme of activism against GBV, especially in a country where the justice department deals with no less than 50 000 cases related to GBV and almost 1 000 murder cases a year,” he said.
Ngodwana reflected on the toll that such statistics places on not only victims and survivors but also on the state.
“The high rate of GBV continues to place a heavy burden on the health and criminal justice system, as well as rendering many survivors unable to work or move freely in society, and this cannot be allowed to continue.
“This is not right, because men have a critical role to play in the campaign, both as a victim and also as perpetrator,” he said.
The city works with non-governmental and government departments in the fight against GBVF and also offers social services, including:
Meanwhile, the City of Ekurhuleni is calling on men who work at the municipality to take an active role in rooting out the scourge.
In a statement, the city said its Men’s Forum is “playing a critical role in encouraging male employees to get involved” in the 16 Days campaign.
“The forum’s main objective is to encourage men to understand the different forms of abuse, expose them and speak out against such.
“[It] focuses on diverse programmes like psychosocial support to all affected while motivating men to engage, and inspire each other to be examples of change in their communities. This also includes creating an environment for men to speak up when they too experience abuse,” the statement read.
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is an international United Nations-endorsed initiative that takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
The campaign focuses on raising awareness to the devastating impact that gender-based violence and femicide has on women and children, and the social fabric of society. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 09:45
Accountants must be fit to lead Africa's inclusive sustainable growth and economic recovery ensuring the continent's place in the global arena, says ACCA, (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) (www.ACCAGlobal.com) as it readies for its annual conference held for the first time in South Africa.
Hundreds of accounting professionals from across Africa are expected to gather at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, for the fourth Africa Members Convention (AMC 2023) from December 6-8.
Themed Empowering Finance Professionals for Sustainable Development in Africa the conference will develop earlier conversations on innovative technologies, integrated thinking for sustainable business practice, international sustainability reporting to drive accountability, developing trade competencies towards supporting intra-Africa trade and enabling members develop careers toward building a better world.
“The accountancy profession has a fundamental role to play in the transformation of Africa's economy, as outlined in Africa's Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want - which prioritises inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues, “ said Jamil Ampomah ACCA Director Africa, responsible for implementing ACCA's strategy in the region and managing ACCA's relationships with key African stakeholders – governments, regulators, policy makers, employers, international agencies and regional organisations.
Several African governments have issued policies toward meeting their sustainability commitments underpinned by environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. Their adoption indicates the increasing importance of the sustainability agenda in both the private and public sector in Africa.
The conference will look at sustainability from many angles including financing sustainable development programmes, ethics and professionalism; technology and AI; support of developmental policy, corporate social responsibility and developing accounting career for the future.
The programme line-up brings together senior commercial and government financial professionals, from across the globe, including the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and South Africa's Deputy Auditor General.
Jane Ohadike, Regional Head of Public Affairs for ACCA - Africa, responsible for setting the strategy for public sector and governments across the region said: “Accountancy and finance professionals are important agents of change and we have identified seven priority areas in which accounting professional have a role. There are building resilient economies, developing the talent of tomorrow, driving sustainable business, advancing standards and regulation, transforming the public sector, supporting entrepreneurial growth and strengthening ethics and trust.
“I really want to encourage accounting and financial professionals to attend the 2023 ACCA Conference to share their expertise and thinking while also using this platform to network and make strategic business connections.
Registration is now open and more information can be found online at Africa Members Convention (https://apo-opa.co/47suIsj).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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ACCAGlobal.com
About ACCA:
We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.
Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we've long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 247,000 members and 526,000 future members in 181 countries.
In Africa ACCA supports 18,828 members and 58,432 future members and over 300 Approved Employers across the region. ACCA is present in six of Africa's10 largest economies, with opportunities to influence the profession in the remaining four economies. ACCA is also present remotely in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Rwanda, Namibia, Lesotho, Sudan, Somalia, Southern Sudan, and Eritrea.
Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies.
Guided by our purpose and values, our vision is to develop the accountancy profession the world needs. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we're strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all.
Find out more at: www.ACCAGlobal.com.
November, Johannesburg: A community development organisation is calling for more public-private initiatives to improve basic service delivery that can lift communities out of poverty and restore dignity to the lives of the disenfranchised masses in South Africa (SA). The obligation to restore dignity and ensure equal access to basic services has been one of the …
Eskom receives global credit ratings boost
Eskom has welcomed the decision by global ratings agency S&P Global to upgrade the power utility’s credit rating to ‘B’ from ‘CCC+’ with a stable outlook on the company’s senior secured and senior unsecured debt.
In addition, S&P Global also upgraded Eskom’s South Africa national scale rating to ‘zaBBB/zaA-2’ from ‘zaB/zaB’.
Eskom Acting Group Chief Executive Calib Cassim said: “Eskom welcomes the decision to upgrade the company’s credit rating by S&P Global. We continue to work with key stakeholders, particularly shareholder ministries as we implement our turnaround plan with a focus on key strategic objectives which include operations and financial recovery; people, culture and ethics, and legal separation of the business.”
The credit ratings agency cited government’s R254 billion debt relief package as key in the electricity company’s credit quality.
“In their rationale, the credit rating agency stated that the upgrade is due to their expectation that the South African government’s R254 billion financial support package, as part of the Eskom Debt Relief Act signed into law on 7 July 2023, will cover Eskom’s debt servicing and repayment obligations over the current and coming two financial years resulting in an improvement of the company’s credit quality.
“The stable outlook reflects S&P Global’s view that Eskom’s creditworthiness will continue to benefit from explicit and timely support from the South African Government, facilitating a strengthening of Eskom’s liquidity position and less risk of default as the debt relief agreement is implemented as stipulated,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 11/27/2023 - 10:02
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JOHANNESBURG: The Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) met in Johannesburg yesterday and considered a complaint from the Palestine Solidarity Alliance...