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The team standings, by Pool, after 1 October 2023. South African supporters will walk with a spring in their step today after reading that South Africa – on 15 – has the highest points in the tournament thus far. Not far behind are: Ireland (14), Wales (14), England (14) and hosts France (13). Pool A: …
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi praised the team’s effort and physicality against Tonga on Sunday night in their final Rugby World Cup pool match in Marseille – steering them to a 49-18 victory – and doing all they could to remain in the running to defend their title. The Springboks currently lead …
Jabaar Mohamed shines at SAFTAs
‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ TV talk show host, Jabaar Mohamed, could hardly believe it when he received news of his SAFTA nomination.
“When I got the email that I had been nominated, I was like, ‘for real? Me Jabaar, a Deaf person in the SAFTAs? Many in our society still see and treat our deafness and disability as a limit,” Mohamed told SAnews a day after being honoured with the Outstanding Person With Disability Contributor Award at the 2023 edition of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) held in Midrand, Gauteng.
The SAFTAs honour and celebrate excellence, quality and innovation in South African cinema and television.
Mohamed, the Provincial Director of DeafSA Western Cape, was nominated for the award by Cape Town TV, the station that airs ‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ (previously called the ‘Disability Show’. He has been with the channel since 2018. During COVID-19, in July 2020, the show’s name was changed to ‘Accessibility With Jabaar’.
Mohamed said in all his time doing the show, he never thought he would one day be at the SAFTAs. He ventured into the TV show because he felt marginalised because of his disability.
“Imagine feeling marginalised because of a disability that you are living with. As unfair as this sounds, it is the reality for many South Africans trying to access opportunities in an environment that doesn’t cater for their special needs.
“People with disabilities constantly have to prove their capabilities to an often prejudiced and ignorant world, leaving many of them feeling that they can’t reach their full potential.
“‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ is a talk show that confronts misconceptions about ‘disabilities and the disadvantaged’ community through informative and engaging conversations so that the broader public can see the benefits of having an inclusive society,” Mohamed said.
‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ plays a role in changing the narrative of people with disabilities by highlighting powerful universal stories that make for uplifting content.
“The show plays the role of informing members of the community about opportunities and tips on not only coping with a disability but flourishing with it.
“Guests come into the studio to discuss issues pertaining to disabilities, which also features documentary inserts, where the show gets out into the field to interact with the disability community and uncover the issues that they confront in their daily lives,” Mohamed said.
Opening up views
Mohamed said ‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ is about being open minded, and educating audiences to avoid the word "shame".
“I have been doing this from 2018 and will continue for life, where my aim is to break the barriers and open more doors... as well to train other people to be producer or TV presenter one day,” he said.
Currently, Mohamed is working as a member of the Deaf Education Task Team for the Western Cape Education Department with the DeafSA expert team, and on a committee for the Provincial Department of Health.
He is also an ambassador for the Universal Accessibility Hub. He serves on many events as Motivational Speaker, Master of Ceremonies (MC) and Guest Speaker.
Mohamed completed his BCom Public Management degree, without the South African Sign Language Interpreter (SASLI), at University of the Western Cape. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 12:10
President Ramaphosa to host SA’s Special Olympics team
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday host South Africa’s national team, who excelled at the Special Olympics World Games in Germany in June 2023.
Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every person is welcomed, regardless of ability or disability.
The team brought home a total of 49 medals from Berlin - 22 gold, 20 silver and seven bronze.
The interaction with Team South Africa at the Union Buildings is part of President Ramaphosa’s ongoing commitment to encourage and celebrate excellence among South Africa’s sports women and men, and the President’s recognition of the role of sport in unifying the nation and forging social cohesion. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 12:18
Electricity generation improving with return of Kusile units
Due to the return to service of Kusile Unit 3, the sustained improved generation performance and the lower than anticipated demand for electricity, load shedding will be suspended until 16:00 on Monday, when Stage 2 load shedding will be implemented.
Power parastatal, Eskom, on Sunday, said should any significant changes occur, it will communicate.
Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said at a briefing on Sunday that significant progress has been made with regard to electricity generation. Kusile Unit 3 returned to service ahead of schedule, with Ramokgopa saying South Africa was "starting to turn the corner" in terms of electricity provision.
The three units at the Kusile plant were discontinued in October 2022 for maintenance purposes. This strained the national grid and affected Eskom's generating capacity.
Speaking at his weekly media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Ramokgopa said they had to discontinue the units to address safety concerns.
“It’s been almost a year that these units have not been operating. Essentially, the South African economy and the grid were losing about 2 400 megawatts of generating capacity… and that contributed to a significant amount of strain that has been experienced on the grid,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa said Kusile Unit 3 now currently generates 550MW, and that it will take a considerable amount of time to restore normality, with the other units expected to return on-stream in due course.
“I am really excited to say that we will be returning the other units, with 2 400 megawatts,” Ramokgopa said.
This is eventually expected to be bumped up to 3 200MW when Unit 5 is brought back on-stream.
Ramokgopa said he is confident about the work that is currently being done.
Government continues to implement the country’s Energy Action Plan in earnest, with the long-term goal of securing continuous, credible energy supply.
To respond to the severe impact of load shedding on households, small businesses and the economy as a whole, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a range of measures in July 2022 to improve the performance of existing power stations, and add new generation capacity as quickly as possible. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 15:40
Mashatile to address Smarter Mobility Africa conference
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Monday deliver the keynote address at the Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) Conference Gala Dinner, to be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The SMA Conference, now in its fifth year, is scheduled to take place during October Transport Month and Africa Mobility Month from 1 - 4 October 2023.
Held under the theme, ‘Sakhile - Growing Gauteng Together through Smart Mobility’, the SMA conference drives forward the message that integrated smarter mobility is key to growing the economy and creating good jobs, increasing equality, protecting the environment and improving public health.
The event will bring together industry experts and policy makers from across the world and cities from across Africa, and provide a platform for innovators to showcase their solutions and ideas to organisations searching for mobility solutions.
It will also discuss and advance the latest trends and innovations in mobility as well as the role that transport plays in achieving 2030 goals, and Gauteng Provinces' dedication to advancing the ease of movement of people and goods.
A wide range of themes to integrate mobility including Micro mobility, Public Transport, New Energy Vehicles & Battery Technology, Mobility as a Service, and Smarter Fleets will also be discussed at the conference.
The Deputy President will be joined by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 16:03
On Sunday, 01 October 2023 the streets of the Mother City were immersed in a sea of pink as runners and walkers from all walks of life toed the line at the much-anticipated Totalsports Women’s Race in support of PinkDrive and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What made the day even more special this year was …
Funda Mzantsi marks 13 years of championing literacy
Funda Mzantsi Championship -- a collaboration between the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) and George Local Municipality -- is turning 13, with this milestone set to be commemorated from 2 - 6 October in George, Western Cape.
Funda Mzantsi is a prestigious championship that celebrates literacy and fosters a love for reading. For the past 12 years, Funda Mzantsi has been an exciting and educational experience for readers and spectators alike.
A total of 299 inmates, representing all nine provinces, will once again face-off with book clubs from universities, public schools and the community.
Participants are assessed in four categories: impromptu reading, debating, spelling bee and book reviewing.
Imizila Yegazi, Indodana yoNongo, Umandisa, Small Things, Om op eiers te dans, Tshedza tsho tovhowa and Ngaka Mosadi mooka are some of the books prescribed for this year’s championship.
What makes Funda Mzantsi Championship unique is its feature of a direct interplay between book clubs from diverse backgrounds.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the culture of reading and eradicating illiteracy in South Africa. The involvement of the NLSA ensures that there is harmonisation and proper coordination with other programmes sharing a similar objective.
The programme further equips inmates with the best possible opportunity for a second chance in life, the ability to make better choices and be more discerning citizens.
“It is through reading that we acquire knowledge, learn about different cultures, explore scientific discoveries, and understand the wisdom of the ages. Whether it is reading textbooks for academic excellence or diving into literature to cultivate empathy and creativity, reading is the bridge to a brighter future,” the Department of Correctional Services said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 12:29
Johannesburg ,01 October 2023 — In the vibrant tapestry of Nigeria’s music landscape, a new star is on the rise, and their names are Dj Wizhard and 2CODE. With a unique blend of cultural influences and a fresh sound, the team is poised to captivate audiences around the globe. Hailing from Ondo and Edo States, …
Yesterday, 30 September 2023, Premier Alan Winde visited the Breede Valley to see for himself the scale of the damage caused by the recent storm and flooding. The region is among several areas devastated by the adverse weather. “Our first priority has always been the safety of all residents. We are now intensifying our humanitarian …
Wales Head coach Ioan Cunningham has selected the 30 players for the Wales Women’s senior squad for the historic inaugural WXV1 tournament in New Zealand. Wales are ranked six in the world rankings and qualified for the WXV1 competition for the six best teams in the world, including World Cup winners, the Black Ferns, Grand …
Ga-Mothibi clinic brings services to N West community
The opening of the community health centre in Ba-Ga Mothibi, North West, is a reaffirmation of the right to human dignity and basic services, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Mashatile on Friday officiated the opening of the Ba-Ga Mothibi Community Health Centre.
“The Ba-Ga Mothibi Community Health Centre stands amongst the best in our country, and I would even dare to say, on the African continent.
“I am honoured to be part of today’s important gathering in celebrating another milestone in the improvement of service delivery to our people through the official opening of this centre,” said Mashatile.
The launch of the clinic is in line with the Thutsa Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme in Sekhing Village, in the greater Taung Local Municipality in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
Mashatile commended the North West provincial government for their commitment to focus on job creation and accelerated service delivery, under the umbrella of the Thuntsa Lerole Intervention.
He explained that the Thuntsa Lerole Intervention is aligned with the District Development Model (DDM), which is designed to address problems with service delivery by allowing all spheres of government, from local municipalities to national government, to work together in a more effective and coordinated way.
“The DDM enables all spheres of government to better plan, budget and implement projects and programmes. Communities will undoubtedly benefit from more integrated service delivery as a result of this commitment and collaborations directed by the DDM.
“The backlog in housing delivery remains a challenging issue for the government. Education has always been our top priority for the government. We pledged to improve the quality of education, and achieve universal access and equal opportunities for all,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile said healthcare has been a critical focus for government.
“The promise to provide accessible and quality healthcare to all South Africans led to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.
“The aim was to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, would have access to quality healthcare services.
“However, the introduction of the NHI [National Health Insurance] has been slow, and the healthcare system still grapples with issues such as overburdened public hospitals, a shortage of medical staff, and unequal access to quality care,” the Deputy President said.
Mashatile said accelerated service delivery, like the Thuntsha Lerole Programme, is not a luxury but a necessity.
“It is a human right, as enshrined in our Constitution. It is the key to unlocking the full potential of our communities and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 13:22
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda to attend a three-day Meeting of the African Union's Executive Council, from 1 October to 3 October 2023.
The Ministers responsible for Finance and Planning of the African Union member states will also attend the meeting.
Among key issues the meeting will deliberate upon is the evaluation of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) of Agenda 2063 and the development of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan.
The Retreat will comprise five (5) panel discussions which will discuss five (5) thematic areas, chaired by the representatives of the five (5) regions of the African Union.
The thematic areas are as follows:
Minister Pandor as the representative of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will moderate the panel 2 discussion, dealing with the financing of Agenda 2063 and its Flagship Projects.
The outcomes of the Retreat will feed into the wider AU process currently underway of presenting a draft Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want (2024-2034), which will be tabled for the consideration and endorsement by the African Heads of State and Government at the AU Summit in February 2024.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
F State college agrees to pay back NSFAS money
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has signed an Acknowledgement of Debt (AoD) agreement with Motheo Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college in the Free State.
This relates to the SIU's National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) investigation.
The institution has agreed to pay R38 686 477.10 back to NSFAS. The monies paid by Motheo TVET College are unallocated funds from 2017 to 2022.
The unallocated funds are monies that were meant for students, who qualified for funding but either changed institutions or deregistered. The funds stayed in the institution's possession for a year and were supposed to return to NSFAS at the end of the period.
Motheo TVET College has agreed to a monthly instalment of R855 679.91 over a period of 60 months. This is the first AoD the SIU has signed with an institution of higher learning since the inception of the investigation.
The SIU has encouraged other institutions of higher learning to come forward and pay back unallocated funds due to NSFAS. The SIU has so far recovered over R421.3 million from institutions of higher learning.
The SIU's preliminary investigation has revealed that more than R5 billion NSFAS money was possibly allocated to students who did not qualify to be funded.
The SIU is, in terms of Proclamation R88 of 2022, authorised to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NSFAS, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State through corruption and negligence.
The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 12:35
Discovery Vitality is excited to announce that its popular Vitality Run Series is extending to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Discovery Vitality has partnered with Rafi’s Appliances and Mattresses to bring the National Vitality Series to our region this October. The Rafi’s BayRun will be hosted by 32Gi and Achilles Athletics clubs on Saturday, 21 …
Cape Town / 1 October 2023 : – In a world where marketing is often seen as a mundane endeavor, Pulling Rabbits is here to change the game. Founded in 2023 amid the vibrant creative and cultural AI explosion in this innovative startup is anything but ordinary. Pulling Rabbits isn’t your typical marketing agency; it’s …
Mark your calendars for a day that promises to warm your heart, bring a smile to your face and inspire a deeper appreciation for the unsung heroes of the animal welfare world. On October 8th, the Bryanston Organic Market will be the place to be as it hosts the second annual Rescue Expo, organised by …
Dear Editor The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, lied when he made false and misleading claims that over 200 individuals – who were alleged to be part of the construction mafia, have been arrested to date. The South Africa Police Service (SAPS) has failed to corroborate his claims, leaving the DA with …
With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 looming on the horizon, another opportunity presents itself for the stars of the cricketing world to etch their names into the history books. Ten venues across India will provide the stage for existing records to potentially be broken – here is a look back at the current …
Dear Editor The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, should immediately rescind the deployment of Nonkululeko Dlamini as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Telkom. It is a disgrace that, a few hours after she jumped the ship before she could be fired as Transnet CFO, Telkom did not waste time in …
Mitchell Starc took a brilliant hat-trick as Australia’s bowlers flexed their muscles against the Netherlands on another rain-interrupted day of warm-up matches for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The match in Thiruvananthapuram was reduced to just 23 overs per side because of consistent afternoon rain but Starc was worth the wait as he …
I. Introduction Explanation of the Importance of a Good Web Designer In the digital age, a well-crafted website is indispensable for conveying the essence and values of a business or personal brand. A proficient web designer not only provides aesthetic appeal to your online presence but also ensures optimal user experience, functionality, and alignment with …
W Cape calls for caution on the roads
The MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, has called for holidaymakers to plan their travels carefully as several roads remain closed following the floods.
“It is the start of the school holidays in the Western Cape, and we are asking people to consider their plans for traveling very carefully, as several roads are still closed, have only limited lane access, or stop-go arrangements in place,” Bredell said at a briefing on Friday.
Bredell said currently, there is a stop-go arrangement on the N1 in De Doorns, which will be in place for at least three months. The N2 is closed outside Botriver; the R43 is closed in the direction towards Villiersdorp; Hemel and Aarde Road is closed towards Hermanus, and the R321 is closed from Molteno in the direction of Villiersdorp.
Updates on road closures can be viewed at: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/latest-road-closures.
“Hermanus suffered extensive damages to water supply infrastructure during the floods, and emergency services are currently supplying water with trucks and tankers for the entire community.
“If you are planning to visit, please be considerate to water trucks on the road. Please bring water along for your own needs, and it would be much appreciated if you could also bring a few litres extra for someone in the affected community,” Bredell said.
The City of Cape Town has updated its numbers of communities in need. Bredell said 21 011 people and 6 906 structures have been confirmed as impacted. Assessments are still outstanding for Covid Settlement, LA Burundi, and Strongyard in Mfuleni.
The MEC said relief efforts continue to reach rural communities still cut off due to roads being washed away.
“We are concerned about farm worker families, especially in the Breede River Municipality, and are doing everything in our power to connect and support everybody in need.”
Bredell said the severe storm has kept 16 Western Cape schools closed, down from 39 closed on Tuesday and 21 closed on Wednesday. We are pleased that the recovery effort is proceeding quickly, allowing schools to reopen successfully.
“Our officials are working with schools to ensure that all can reopen as soon as possible, and we encourage parents to keep in contact with their school for updates regarding closures.
“We thank the emergency services, our government and NGO partners, and our schools for the assistance they are rendering to our teachers, learners, and parents as we recover from this devastating storm,” said David Maynier, the Western Cape MEC for Education.
Bredell thanked Eskom for working 24/7 to rectify faults and repair damaged infrastructure caused by the severe weather.
“We know there are still problems in the system, but we were assured by Eskom that they are working as fast as possible under difficult conditions to address these outstanding problems,” Bredell said.
Local disaster centres
To stay up to date with events in your immediate area, Bredell gave out the following contact details:
Cape Winelands: 021-886-9244 / 021-8874446
Eden District: 044 805 5071
Central Karoo: 023 449 8000
West Coast: 022 433 8700
Overberg: 028 4251690
City of Cape Town: 107 landline or 021 480 7700 and 080 911 4357 (City of Cape Town Disaster Management Centre).
NGOs, including the SA Red Cross Society, Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief, and Mustadafin are providing support in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Overberg District Municipality, Breede Valley Municipality, Drakenstein, and towns in the Langeberg Municipality, such as Ashton and McGregor.
This includes support extended to agri-workers and their families:
Donation drop-off points
Donations required include blankets, water, dry and non-perishable food, baby food, toiletries and dignity packs.
If you would like to drop off donations, please feel free to contact the following SA Red Cross Society offices:
1.Wynberg Provincial Office
21 Broad Road, Wynberg
021 7975360 / 0609037473
2. Greyton
11 Pointers Weg, Heuwelkroon, Greyton
028 254 9378 / 0761335777
Charanine Cupido
3. Hermanus Office
2A Aberdeen Street,
Hermanus
072 609 8655
Angela Heslop
4. Knysna Office
25 Trotter Street, Knysna
044 382 1244
Tania Cole
- SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Sat, 09/30/2023 - 15:13
Dear Editor The DA takes note of the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla’s media briefing yesterday and the dark picture he painted of the Department of Health’s finances. Between the R8 billion needed to cover the 7.5% salary increases, infrastructure grants that need to be redistributed to address loadshedding and water shortages, the many …