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JAC Motors South Africa has partnered with WesBank, a division of First Rand Bank Limited, to offer financial products to boost the brand’s expansion in Southern Africa. Established in South Africa in 2017, the company has experienced steady growth in its dealer network and customer base throughout Southern Africa in the past six years. Its …
As inflation and interest rates continue their upward trajectory, causing concern among households and businesses, Fred Razak, Chief Trading Strategist at the online trading platform CMTrading, provides insight into the factors contributing to these increases and offers his perspective on what the future may hold. An Uncertain Future “In recent times, we’ve witnessed the Core …
Apple Music’s Rap Life Radio, presented by Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Ebro Darden will feature South African superstar, chart-topping rapper and business man Cassper Nyovest on this week’s episode. Ebro and Africa Now Radio host, Nandi Madida, chat about his latest single “018” feat. Maglera Doe Boy which is available to stream …
Science must be at the centre of water policy formulations
Policymakers in the water sector have been urged to put science at the centre of their policy formulations to ensure informed decisions are made that will propel the country to greater heights.
The appeal was made by Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo, who was speaking at the opening of the 50th Congress of International Association of Hydrogeologists, currently underway in Cape Town.
The congress, taking place from 19 to 22 September 2023, brings together speakers from several institutions across the globe and groundwater experts who are engaging on alternative water sources, particularly surface water and underground water governance and charting a way forward on water security.
In his address, Mahlobo warned that a country that does not invest in science will perish and emphasised that South Africa needs to improve on this aspect.
“As scientists and engineers gathered here, you need to make your mark and direct future policy positions of the water sector, particularly the use of groundwater as an alternate measure that will ensure universal access.
“We need you to guide us and take us to task to come up with policies that will get us into finding lasting and sustainable solutions to the water challenges around the globe,” Mahlobo said.
Challenging the delegates, Mahlobo said the weeklong convergence should not be just a talk shop, but come up with solutions that will benefit generations to come.
Mahlobo reflected on South Africa’s progress in meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all.
He said the country has attained a lot in redressing the dignity of people who were previously unserved, while acknowledging that a lot still needs to be done.
The country has achieved almost 90% of its target of ensuring access to water, and the Deputy Minister emphasised that access to water should have meaningful impact in terms of economic benefits to the country, food security, social and environmental benefits, among other things.
Mahlobo admitted that the country still has enormous challenges, including assurance to water supply which has declined due to a number of factors.
“Communities can go for days on end without water supply, and this is caused by our neglect of operation and maintenance of our infrastructure. Because we have not invested in operations and maintenance, we are experiencing a lot of water losses in our system which is between 30% to 45%.
“The other challenge is the lack of investment in our infrastructure that matches the population growth and migration from other countries and people moving from rural to urban areas,” he pointed out.
Work is underway to ensure more funds are sourced from the private sector and other private partners to build more infrastructure across the nine provinces.
In addition, the department is addressing the issue of skills shortages that has hindered the efficiency of the water sector to ensure that all systems function optimally, and communities have reliable and uninterrupted water supply.
The Deputy Minister called on the department, as a regulator of the sector, to bite more and take to task all the mining companies that are degrading the quality of groundwater.
The International Association of Hydrogeologists is a scientific and educational charitable organisation of more than 4 000 scientists, engineers, water managers and other professionals working in the fields of groundwater resource planning, management and protection. It was founded in 1956. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/20/2023 - 11:42
To restore calm to the area, authorities agreed to temporarily allow taxis to park near Ocean Mall
Join us on a journey through flavour and time as we celebrate an iconic cocktail – the Negroni! The negroni is a cocktail that has surpassed trends and time for over a century, dating all the way back to the early 20th century Florence. It was born at the hands of Count Camillo Negroni when, …
Calling all Rising Stars! Boxer Super Run Event Organisers have introduced an exciting Schools Challenge that is guaranteed to spark exhilarating racing while offering a staggering R20 000.00 PUMA Voucher to the school with the largest learner turnout on Sunday 15 October 2023. “The Schools Challenge will add even more excitement to an already entertaining …
Holding those accountable for financial misconduct imperative for public trust
With South Africa’s public finances being under strain, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has emphasised the importance of holding individuals and entities accountable for financial misconduct, as it is vital for public trust.
“Without swift and fitting consequences, we risk eroding public trust in our capacity to manage public funds effectively, with less and less funding available to deliver much-needed services to our people,” Godongwana said on Wednesday.
Virtually addressing the 3rd Public Finance Management Conference, the Minister said rigorous and independent audit practices play a pivotal role in unearthing corruption and financial mismanagement, providing invaluable insights and recommendations for the judicious utilisation of public funds.
“Our public finances are currently in a difficult position, one that is increasing in complexity and uncertainty. The short-term risks to the local and global economy that we predicted in the February Budget have now materialised.
“Government has collected much lower-than-expected tax revenue. At the same time, tighter financial conditions have made it difficult to borrow more and at affordable rates.
“Continued load shedding, the poor performance of our logistics sectors, and the lasting damage done by State capture to our institutions, have made the difficult fiscal situation even more challenging,” the Minister said.
He noted that these and other factors have put tremendous strain on the financial resources available to address the country’s most urgent service delivery priorities.
“Furthermore, ethical sourcing of goods and services through public procurement stands as an unassailable priority. Non-compliance with ethical standards in procurement can have far-reaching consequences, compromising the integrity of our financial processes,” Godongwana said.
He said being innovative, adaptive, agile and solutions-driven during these volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) times is important.
“It is important to note that we have faced similar challenges in the past and managed to make the necessary policy decisions and trade-offs to navigate the storm.
“The path forward is not devoid of challenges; however, we are not powerless. With innovation, adaptability, and a resolute commitment to ethical financial management, we can surmount these obstacles and forge a luminous future for South Africa.
“We must leverage technology, collaborate across sectors, and put our citizens at the centre of our decisions. Together, we hold the power to rekindle public trust, to advance good governance, and to fortify our nation's public financial management,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 09/20/2023 - 11:43
In a commitment to transparency and effective communication, Productivity SA, which is established in terms of Section 31 of the Employment Services Act, No. 4 of 2014, as a juristic person, would like to shed light on its recent achievements. In this statement, we focus on the remarkable achievements and contributions that Productivity SA, as …
Comments from South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber after the Boks’ team announcement on Tuesday for their Pool B match against Ireland at Stade de France on Saturday 23 September with kick off at 9:00 pm. Jacques Nienaber, head coach On whether a 7-1 split of forwards and backs on the bench indicates a more …
The way the Springbok Women – and especially their pack of forwards – rallied when under severe pressure made their hard-fought victory over the San Clemente Rhinos very rewarding. That is the view of Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September after they beat the Rhinos by 22-17 in difficult conditions in Cape Town on Tuesday …
Everything you need to know about France v Namibia at Stade de Marseille, on Thursday, 21 September. France coach Fabien Galthié is not taking any risks with this match, making 12 changes to the side that struggled to get the better of a spirited Uruguay last Thursday. He’s selected a strong 23 for this match, …
Portugal’s Vincent Pinto attended an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing for an offence contrary to Law 9.11 (“Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others…”) as a result of a review by the Foul Play Review Official in Portugal’s Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool C match against Wales on 16 September. The …
Portugal’s Rafael Simões attended an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing after he was cited for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) in Portugal’s Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool C match against Wales on 16 September. The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Jean-Noël Couraud (France), joined by former international player Leon …
WESTERN CAPE: 08h02: WILDERNESS: NSRI Wilderness reported that during the early hours of the morning at least 4 NSRI pink rescue buoys and their poles had been swept away by a peak Spring high tide surge also causing some damage to wooden step ways, sand dune erosion along the Wilderness shoreline that was being assessed …
Dear Editor In a nearly unprecedented show of political consensus, opposition parties present in Parliament today united in favour of the DA’s End Cadre Deployment Bill. The ANC was the only major party that voted against the Bill. As a result, the DA’s Bill was rejected by a razor-thin margin of only two votes. Were …
World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the third round of Rugby World Cup 2023 matches in France. Permutation highlights: The number one ranking is on the line in the Pool B encounter between Ireland and South Africa in Saint-Denis on Saturday. South Africa will end Ireland’s 14-month reign at the top if they …
Pretoria September 20 2023 – Greentree Health proudly introduces its state-of-the-art Subacute and Rehabilitation facility, dedicated to helping patients achieve their highest level of independence in the shortest time possible. For those requiring continued care post-hospitalization, Greentree Subacute and Rehabilitation stands as a beacon of hope. The facility boasts a top-tier environment, complemented by a …
There’s a gardener in everyone, and a garden waiting to take root in every space this spring. Gardeners everywhere are returning to sow and plant, but what to do if you don’t have a large soil-and-lawn garden but feel the spirit of the season stirring in your heart? Gardening has never really gone out of …
Dear Editor The DA’s Shadow Minister for Public Service and Administration, Dr. Leon Schreiber MP, delivered the following speech during the Second Reading of the Public Administration Laws General Amendment Bill in Parliament this afternoon. Honourable Speaker, Over the past term, this Parliament has repeatedly been presented with evidence of the devastating consequences of cadre …
SANTACO, Labour meet to ensure compliance in taxi industry
The Department of Employment and Labour, through its offices across the country, will delegate officials to help the taxi industry to fast track the process of compliance with labour legislation through their respective cooperatives.
This comes after a recently held meeting between the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) with both the Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi and Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi.
The department on Wednesday said the meeting was converged to discuss the taxi industry’s efforts to ensure that it complies with all the relevant labour legislation that regulates the industry.
“The organisation’s leadership alluded that the harshest lesson they drew from the COVID-19 pandemic was when the majority of their employees couldn’t claim the available monetary benefits due to their industry’s non-compliance.
“Whilst the organisation is overseeing a bigger industry formalisation project, the Department of Employment and Labour has committed to support and empower the taxi industry to fast track compliance with all the related labour legislation,” the department said.
The department explained that the urgency of the collaboration is backed by the taxi industry’s current contravention of existing legislation, which is unprecedented. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 09/20/2023 - 11:49
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business. Whether you’re a local shop in Johannesburg or an international corporation, search engine optimisation (SEO) can significantly impact your visibility and customer reach. If you’re looking to improve your website’s performance, click here for top SEO solutions. Why is SEO Important? …
In the bustling economic hub of Johannesburg, standing out in the digital landscape is no small feat. With countless businesses vying for the top spot on search engine results pages (SERPs), you need a robust strategy to ensure your brand doesn’t get lost in the noise. That’s where SEO comes into play. If you’re looking …
Power restored at Pyramid substation
The City of Tshwane has reported that power has been restored this morning at the Rooiwal power station, which caught fire during last night’s storms.
The Pyramid substation caught fire after being struck by lightning last night.
The fire then spread into the high-tension yard. Emergency services were quick to respond and managed to extinguish the fire.
The temporary Pyramid substation ,built next to the Rooiwal power station, caught fire, burning the transformer, including the container, and then the fire spread into the high tension yard.
The storm caused massive destruction to households in Hammanskraal and the surrounding areas.
“Power has been restored at the Rooiwal power station, but the rest of the customers, including the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant and the farming communities supplied from the substation are still out.
“Temporary investigations indicate that the cause of the fire emanated from lightning. Technicians are currently investigating and assessing the full scale of the damage. An update will be provided during the course of the day,” the City said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 09/20/2023 - 10:16