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Dear Editor The recently announced fuel price increase by the Department of Energy, way above market expectations, is yet another reminder that the ANC government will not take urgent policy steps that would reduce the price of food with lower fuel prices. The Minister of Energy – Gwede Mantashe and the Minister of Finance – …
Dear Editor Minister Lindiwe Zulu is at the helm of a Department responsible for the welfare of the country’s most vulnerable citizens and she has shown herself to be one of the worst performing Ministers in Cabinet. The following are some of the reasons the DA believes that Social Development Minister Zulu must be fired: …
The tenacious Heineken College Rovers and Naka Bulle fought back from half-time deficits to win their respective semi-finals and qualify for the African Rainbow Community Gold Cup final, which will be staged in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. Northam Rhinos travelled to Durban for their semi-final with a fearsome attacking reputation, having scored 50 or more …
Fuel prices to increase from Wednesday
South Africans will once again have to tighten their belts as the fuel prices are set to increase on Wednesday.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, announced the adjustment of fuel prices for all grades of fuel, illuminating paraffin and gas.
The fuel prices for October 2023 will be adjusted as follows:
• Petrol 93 will increase by R1,08 per litre
• Petrol 95 will increase by R1,14 per litre
• Diesel 0.05% sulphur will increase by R1,96 per litre
• Diesel 0.005% sulphur will go up by R1,93.70 per litre
• Illuminating Paraffin will increase by R1,51 per litre
• The Single Maximum National Retail price for illuminating paraffin will increase by R2,02 per litre
• Maximum retail price for LP Gas will increase by R2,50 per kilogram
Mantashe said the fuel prices scheduled for the different zones will be published on Tuesday, 03 October 2023.
“The department believes that exploration and development of national oil and gas reserves could help moderate the impact of high prices in the long term,” Mantashe said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 12:16
While South Africa’s tourist numbers are powering ahead in anticipation of the local summer, 23 wine stewards have been undergoing intensive training. Their next-level wine service and knowledge education, dubbed Grape to Glass, forms part of the major skills transfer initiative that underpins the 2023 Inter Hotel Challenge, now sponsored by HEINEKEN Beverages. The 23 …
Family Caregiving calls on government to prioritise community-based care services
Get ready for a whirlwind of creativity and fun at the Somerset Mall Craft Carnival x PNA! Date: October 5th – October 7th Time: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM daily Price: R100 per person Venue: Somerset Mall, Edgars Court Ready to unleash your inner artist? Don’t miss out on this art-filled extravaganza… join us at …
City of Ekurhuleni warns residents of snakes
With the weather warming up, the City of Ekurhuleni has warned the public to be on the lookout for snakes.
It is during this period of the year that snakes are on the prowl in search of food.
Snake season starts in the middle of August until late May. This is the period when a number of snakes, harmful and harmless get out of hiding.
Snakes such as the puff adder and rinkhals are extremely dangerous, with the puff adder known to be instinctive, slow in pace and quick to sense danger.
The rinkhals or ring-necked cobra is a fast-moving multi feeder, which is good at faking death. It is easily identified by the two white stripes that are visible across its neck when it spreads its hood.
The city cautioned pet owners to be on high alert and to keep an eye on their pets as they may fall prey to snakes.
“On the same note, while the community is cautioned to be vigilant against the harmful snakes, there are also snakes that are harmless to humans, such as the brown house snake, arora house snake, olive house snake and red-lipped snake that are likely to be found in backyard gardens searching for food like rodents,” the City of Ekurhuleni said in a statement on Monday.
Due to their harmlessness and less defensive nature, these species tend to be easily killed or captured as pets, a practice that is discouraged because it is illegal and punishable if you do not have a legal permit.
When encountering snakes, residents can call the city’s snake catchers: Makhosonke Mabena on 071 833 6549, Sonny Katisa on 073 988 8131, Mapaseka Maleka on 079 180 9231, Lucky Mahlangu on 083 237 7137 and Mbali Masango on 081 043 5354. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:27
Johannesburg , 03 October 2023 : Fraud during the home buying process is a serious and growing problem in South Africa, especially in the digital age where scammers can easily impersonate legitimate sellers, agents, or conveyancers and intercept communication to divert funds to their own accounts. South Africa is now reportedly the “second most targeted …
No glitches expected with October grant payment cycle, says Mpumalanga SASSA
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Mpumalanga has issued a statement assuring social grant beneficiaries of a smooth transaction during the October payment cycle.
This comes after the technical glitches experienced last month, affecting grant recipients across the country.
According to SASSA, the elderly will receive their money on 3 October, those living with disabilities on 4 October, while payment of children grants categories will get theirs from 5 October.
“Social grant beneficiaries have a right to choose a method of payment of their choice, freely. The forms to make a choice are available at the nearest SASSA offices.”
Meanwhile, SASSA staff will be in most South African Post Office (SAPO) outlets and other payment platforms to monitor the payment and aim to assist beneficiaries with enquiries.
“The monitoring will be conducted for the first three payment days and they will assist any beneficiary that may be experiencing system payment-related challenges or non-payment due to failed bank verification and/or pending bank verification.
“In the eventuality of an unexpected non-payment [this] will be escalated to Postbank if related to a system glitch, and be sorted out as quickly as possible,” the agency explained.
Beneficiaries are also reminded to check their contact details to ensure that they are still correct.
For more information, contact the toll-free number on 0800 60 10 11 or 013 754 9428/9363 from 07:30 to 16:00 during weekdays (Monday to Friday).
District contacts are as follows: Ehlanzeni 013 799 7063/65; Bushbuckridge 013 799 7010/11; Gert-Sibande 017 801 1794 and Nkangala 013 285 0648. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:37
The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) has been very vocal in articulating the concerns of the sector in the media and with various influential stakeholders, including Government. The next round of industry negotiations are due in 2024 and SEIFSA is working hard to ensure that these negotiations are not a repeat …
By Marius Wessels, Manager: Professional Services for SYSPRO Africa In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, staying ahead of the competition requires constant adaptation and optimisation. Tempting as it is to stick to the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ credo, one crucial aspect of maintaining a competitive edge lies in regularly updating Enterprise Resource …
At 13h46, Monday, 2 October, NSRI Knysna STATION 12 duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Noetzie Beach, near to Knysna NSRI rescue swimmers, SA Police Services and ER24 ambulance services responded to the scene while the NSRI rescue craft JayTee IV and Katharine were launched. On arrival on the …
Kubayi calls for partnerships to increase affordable housing stock
Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has urged the private sector to continue to work in partnership with government to increase affordable housing stock in the major metropolitan and secondary cities.
This is so as to prevent a repeat of recent disasters.
Kubayi made the call as South Africa joined the global community in celebrating World Habitat Day on Monday.
The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of habitats, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
This year's World Habitat Day was commemorated under the theme: “Resilient Urban Economies. Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery.”
Kubayi noted that the metropolitan and intermediary cities have, according to recent figures, experienced rapid urbanisation than major metropolitan cities and therefore putting pressure on infrastructure and the provision of sustainable human settlements.
She reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the upgrading of informal settlements, which was one of the resolutions adopted at the 2023 UN-Habitat Assembly held in June, to “Accelerating the Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2023”.
“Sustainable human settlements affect every aspect of people’s lives and communities’ development.
“Creating and managing better places to live, not only addresses economic opportunities, poverty and inequality but also fosters inclusion through provision of dignity, access to basic services and transport and creating improved living environments that foster food security, education, health, gender equality, resilience, and the protection of vulnerable groups,” Kubayi said.
The UN-Habitat Assembly adopted numerous critical resolutions to change the trajectory for the achievement of sustainable human settlements and adequate housing, in the context of rapid urbanisation and climate change.
One of the resolutions identifies key actions to be undertaken globally to accelerate the transformation of informal settlements, as a vital entry point and catalyst for sustainable development by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
The Minister highlighted that during 2023/2024 financial year, over R4 billion has been allocated towards the upgrading of informal settlements.
“Additionally, over R7 billion Urban Settlements Development Grant (USGD) has been allocated to Metropolitan Municipalities to increase housing stock and deliver basic services of the cities’ residents,” Kubayi said.
Commenting on the recent fire at Cemetery View in Pretoria East, Tshwane that affected over 2 000 households, the Minister said the location of the informal settlements is an indication that people want to live closer to places of work.
However, she underlined that government initiatives working with the private sector are meant for qualifying beneficiaries.
Title Deeds Friday Campaign
Meanwhile, Kubayi has announced that the department will during the month of October, launch a Title Deeds Friday Campaign, aimed at mobilising the beneficiaries of fully subsidised houses to collect their title deeds at municipality offices.
The campaign, which was part of the outcomes of a recent meeting held between the Minister and MECs responsible for Human Settlements in provinces, will also see the MECs and councillors setting aside part of their Fridays to dispatching and encouraging beneficiaries to collect their title deeds.
“We must never be in a position where we unnecessarily keep people’s title deeds in our buildings. Our aim is to have cleared over 30 000 title deeds currently at our disposal by February 2024,” Kubayi said.
The Title Deeds Friday Campaign is expected to be launched with communities of MAWIGA (Mabopane, Winterveld and Ga-Rankuwa), north of Tshwane in Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 08:56
Unmatched Asia: Top destinations for South Africans to visit in 2023: South Africans in need of a break or holiday should look no further than alluring Asia, offering striking scenery, a smorgasbord of unique culinary experiences, and some of the most wonderful travel experiences. South Africans may be spoiled for choice when it comes to …
Traditional leaders say the land is used for Xhosa initiation rituals
Hair loss is a concern that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether it’s due to genetics, stress, hormonal imbalances, or other factors, the quest for the best hair growth solution is never-ending. With the myriad of products available in the market, how do you determine which one is the best for you? Let’s delve into …
The Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers kicked off the week with a visit to some of the severely damaged roads infrastructure sites on behalf of the Western Cape Government. He began the visits at the R43/ R44 interchange in Hermanus, in the Overstrand Municipality. The Executive Mayor of Overstrand Dr. Annelie Rabie accompanied the …
England and New Zealand ensured they will both head into Thursday’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 opener on a victorious note with warm-up wins in matches interrupted by the weather. Moeen Ali’s 39-ball 56 proved crucial as England overcame Bangladesh by four wickets in Guwahati, the veteran all-rounder striking six sixes to help the …
Johannesburg, South Africa – Today, Sasol, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), and Air Products South Africa (APSA) made history at the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Johannesburg with the presentation of South Africa’s first on-road demonstration of a hydrogen mobility ecosystem. The proof-of-concept used a second-generation Toyota Mirai fuel cell …
With the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final line-ups still uncertain, here are the full pool permutations with one round of matches left to play. With one round of the Rugby World Cup 2023 pool phase left to play, only two teams – Wales and England – are already guaranteed qualification for the quarter-finals. Six places …
“These children grow up in a dirty and dangerous place”
On Saturday new giant murals were unveiled in the historic suburb
Dube-Ncube condemns witchcraft accusations aimed at elderly
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has strongly condemned the phenomenon where senior citizens are accused of witchcraft due to the onset of dementia and related mental conditions.
Dube-Ncube on Sunday commemorated International Day for Senior Citizens at Umkhanyakude District Municipality.
The Premier said she is worried about the increasing number of senior citizens, who are being killed because of claims of witchcraft.
“The onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s causes forgetfulness among the elderly. Unfortunately, this is interpreted as witchcraft by members of the public, who then hurl and inflict abuse on the senior citizens,” Dube-Ncube said.
She said government has created an awareness campaign to educate members of society so that they understand the causes and symptoms of dementia and related mental conditions.
“We are gathered here today to tell our senior citizens that they are more precious than rubies, gold or diamonds. Senior citizens are reservoirs of knowledge, wisdom and history. We cherish their presence in our lives so that we can continue to quench our thirst for knowledge and wisdom,” the Premier said.
Dube-Ncube highlighted the provincial government’s achievements in supporting Small, Medium and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) owned by senior citizens.
“As the provincial government, we have thus far been able to create opportunities for senior citizens to run their own businesses successfully. Here in Umtubatuba, we have Lethusizo Old Age Club, which is managed by senior citizens, and government is funding it,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier also awarded cheques to the value of R1 million to assist senior citizen-owned cooperatives and entities, and showered centenarians with gifts.
She further advised senior citizens to take care of their lives by being active so that they stay healthy, and take their medications regularly and constantly because they still have a big role to play in society.
On the pressing issue of the late South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant payments, Dube-Ncube expressed her sincere regret and assured the senior citizens that she is in constant contact with Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu.
“The late payment of social grants to the elderly is deeply regretted and we assure the senior citizens that such mishaps do not happen again,” Dube-Ncube said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 09:58