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The waves have been quite strong lately, with a good sandbank forming at the corner at Seal Point. Whenever a good sand bank forms, the rip – the current that washes out alongside the rocks – becomes stronger as there is usually more water heading out the rip alongside the bank due to a higher …
At the end of the day anyone that submits a press release to MyPR wants to know that their article can and will be found by people searching for relevant and timeous information. No matter how you spin it, Google Search is still the benchmark when it comes to finding information and a top of …
At the beginning of September National Treasury revealed that South Africa’s budget had moved to a deficit of R143.8 billion for July, the largest since 2004 and wider than the R115.5 billion forecast by economists. This follows a 15 August 2023 Cabinet meeting, when it was noted that the economic growth outlook has worsened significantly …
Our country’s post-consumer recycling rates for beverage bottles are high but they could be higher if South Africans would learn one simple rule – put nothing in the bottle. This is the view of South African National Bottled Water Association CEO, Charlotte Metcalf, who urges those South Africans who will be actively participating in World …
Fires are a constant threat for people living in dilapidated buildings without electricity
Didiza to lead SA delegation to Trade and Investment Summit in Uganda
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, will participate in and lead the second Uganda/South Africa Trade and Investment Summit from 5 - 6 September 2023 in Kampala, Uganda.
The summit aims to encourage interaction and dialogue between various entities in the two countries, which may result in sustainable growth in trade and investment.
“The focus of the event is on the agro-industry to reflect on the importance of agriculture in the Ugandan economy, although not to the exclusion of other sectors,” the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development said.
Trade relations between the two countries have been growing until the recent slowdown as a result COVID-19 pandemic.
The department said while South Africa’s businesses are well established -- with the Forum for South African Business in Uganda (FOSABU) as an anchor to the South African business community in Uganda -- Ugandan businesses have had little success in penetrating the South African market due to the poor quality of products exported from Uganda, inadequate phytosanitary standards and high visa costs.
FOSABU is a business association that was formed in 2015. It comprises South African companies doing business in Uganda and other companies operating in Uganda that have strong linkages to South Africa.
The first edition of the Uganda-South Africa Investment and Trade Summit was held in Pretoria in February 2023, and was addressed by both South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The Presidents agreed to work together to improve the business operating environment between the two countries, including addressing all challenges affecting the private sector.
The second Uganda-South Africa Investment and Trade Summit 2023 will be held under the theme, 'Accelerating Investments and Trade between Uganda and South Africa'. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 11:01
SABC urged to resolve Rugby World Cup broadcast rights matter
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has urged the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to reach an agreement with SuperSport to secure sub-licensing of broadcast rights to the highly anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“I am concerned at how millions of South Africans may be unable to watch the Rugby World Cup should the SABC not be able to broadcast matches in the tournament. My commitment is to give South Africans access to all sports codes,” the Minister said on Monday.
He made these remarks after engaging with Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele and the SABC on the 2023 Rugby World Cup broadcasting rights.
SuperSport had announced a failure to reach an agreement with the SABC on the broadcast rights to the tournament.
The Springboks, who are three-time world champions, will be participating in the 2023 Rugby World Cup taking place in France. The World Cup fixtures run from Friday, 8 September to Saturday, 28 October.
Kodwa urged the SABC to find a solution to the matter, so that the public broadcaster can be able to fulfil its mandate to cover sport of national interest.
“I am hopeful that an agreement will be reached between SABC and SuperSport. Rugby plays a critical role in nation building and social cohesion. It is important that millions of South African can watch the Springboks continuing to lift the nation at the Rugby World Cup," Kodwa said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 12:49
The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe, announces the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from the 6th of September 2023.
South Africa's fuel prices are adjusted on a monthly basis, informed by international and local factors. International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs, e.g. shipping costs.
The main reasons for the fuel price adjustments are due to:
1. Crude oil prices
The average Brent Crude oil price increased from 79.75 US Dollars (USD) to 84.78 USD during the period under review, because of tightening supply resulting from production cuts by Saudi Arabia.
2. International petroleum product prices
The average international product prices of petrol, diesel, illuminating paraffin and LPGas increased during the period under review due to the following factors:
(a) High prices of petrol are as a result of low inventories and refinery outages, which affected the production of blending components used in summer grade petrol making it more expensive to produce.
(b) Diesel and paraffin prices increased because of lower shipments of Russia's Urals crude oil which is rich in middle distillates, as well as rising demand of middle distillates ahead of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere.
(c) LPGas increased because of higher prices of Propane and Butane.
These led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 135.41 c/l, 253.42 c/l and 247.13 c/l, respectively.
3. Rand/US Dollar exchange rate
The Rand depreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 18.28 to 18.67 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. This led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 29.60 c/l, 31.33 c/l and 31.58 c/l, respectively.
4. Implementation of the Slate Levy
The cumulative slate balance on petrol and Diesel at the end of July 2023 had a positive balance of is R1,3 million. Therefore, there is no slate levy applicable in the petrol and diesel price structure for September 2023.
5. Annual Wages Adjustment for the Forecourt Staff
The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy approved a 5.0 c/l increase in the price structures of petrol to accommodate the wage increase for Forecourt employees in line with the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) Agreement.
This increase will be implemented from the 6th of September 2023.
Based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for September 2023 will be adjusted as follows:
The fuel prices schedule for the different zones will be published on Tuesday, the 5th of September 2023.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Mineral Resources and Energy: Republic of South Africa.
Magudumana has “a right to liberty” until convicted, court told
Hawks nab over 600 suspects in 1st quarter
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has during the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year arrested at least 611 suspects who have appeared before various courts across the country.
The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Advocate Godfrey Lebeya, on Monday said during these arrests, the DPCI (also known as the Hawks) seized various exhibits including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth R6 112 768 985.
Addressing media in Pretoria, Lebeya said of the total number of arrests made, 229 accused persons were convicted and sentenced.
“As the DPCI, we would like to present to the public that our members are hard at work in dealing with national priority offences,” Lebeya said.
Of the 229 convicted persons, 16 were sentenced for money laundering.
“Most of the arrests relate to fraud, which accounts for 203 suspects, while money laundering amassed 48 suspects. Seventy-two suspects were equally arrested for narcotics and endangered species. The remaining 288 suspects were arrested for the other 17 types of national priority crimes,” Lebeya said.
The DPCI continues to deal with those who committed crimes related to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, as coordinated at the Fusion Centre, which is housed at the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
According to Lebeya, as at the end of June this year, 190 suspects were secured before various courts. Of these, 64 accused persons were convicted in 49 cases.
“In this brief, I shall only highlight 30 cases which represent 4% of these 840 successes. Of these 30 cases, 19 are for arrest while 11 are for convictions.
“The signing of a new memorandum of understanding between the DPCI and South African Revenue Service (SARS) has bolstered cooperation and collaboration that promotes joint initiatives and effective operational arrangements.
“This important accord boosts the ability of the country’s law enforcement agencies to enhance corruption, contraventions of tax laws, money laundering and other financial crimes.
“Amongst the successes achieved in this quarter is 19 arrests and five convictions for tax administration offences. Over and above, five arrests and a conviction were secured for contravention of the Customs and Exercise Act,” Lebeya said.
Human trafficking
With regard to human trafficking cases, Lebeya said trafficking in persons is modern day slavery and a crime against humanity, and that South Africa has not been spared this twin-pandemic of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
During this reporting period, seven potential victims of trafficking in persons were rescued, while nine suspects were arrested and two life imprisonment sentences secured.
In one case, two females aged 20 and 31 were found at the home of Esther Mwanza (41). They are alleged to have been trafficked from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Africa, where they allegedly endured labour exploitation.
Mwanza was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Klerksdorp. She made a brief appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for trafficking in persons.
The victims were interviewed and subsequently taken to a place of safety, which was provided by the Department of Social Development.
Lebeya said 48 suspects were arrested on drug related charges.
“The majority of these suspects were arrested by the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) within the component Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) of the DPCI. Drugs valued at R3 642 641 782.41 were seized and five drug laboratories in Gauteng, North West and Western Cape were dismantled,” he said.
Lebeya said cash-in-transit heists continue to be a thorn in the economy of the country and that the DPCI, in collaboration with private organisations such as Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa continue to strengthen the fight against these crimes. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 13:06
Tourism, Airbnb sign MoU to grow sector
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between her department and Airbnb to support the continued recovery of the tourism sector and build inclusive tourism in South Africa.
“The MoU will see the Department of Tourism work closely with Airbnb to advance tourism services that are aimed at growing tourism in South Africa and creating more jobs in the sector,” De Lille said.
The MoU seeks to grow collaboration between government and the private sector, as it is “a collective responsibility to grow and enhance tourism sector”.
“As government, if we want to significantly grow tourism and its contribution to the economy and job creation, collaboration with the private sector is vital. We are delighted to be the first African Ministry of Tourism to sign a collaborative MoU with a successful global company such as Airbnb,” she said.
The Minister explained that by leveraging Airbnb's global reach and understanding of the market, the collaboration seeks to create a positive impact on local communities, travellers and the tourism industry as a whole.
“The primary goal of this collaboration is to develop a relationship between the Ministry, entity and Airbnb to harness and drive tourism domestically and internationally.
“As shared in the department’s Green paper, insufficient information is available about the unregulated short-term rental subsector, and this hampers informed policy decision making. Access to the Airbnb data can only assist in informing better decisions,” De Lille said.
As part of the MoU, the parties will have regular engagements to evaluate opportunities for strategic collaboration on driving inclusive tourism and ensuring fair and proportionate regulation of short-term rentals.
Velma Corcoran, Regional Lead: Middle East Africa at Airbnb, said they look forward to working with the Department of Tourism to help build a more inclusive and sustainable tourism economy in South Africa.
Corcoran said the Airbnb platform can help anyone, anywhere, to become a tourism entrepreneur, and that they hope to continue to break down systemic barriers to entry and enable more South Africans to participate in the sector.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the department to develop a clear, proportionate national framework for the regulation of short-term rentals and see huge power in public and private sector collaborations. We also know from our work with the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, that together, we can make a tangible difference and enable more people, in more places, to benefit from tourism,” said Corcoran.
The signing of the MoU is in line with the aims of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, which is key to the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan (TSRP) was adopted by Cabinet in March 2021 to facilitate the recovery of the sector to preserve jobs and livelihoods, facilitate new job opportunities, match demand and supply, and strengthen transformation. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 13:34
Tarsus To Sell Vertiv Infrastructure Portfolio in Sub Saharan Africa, Under New Distribution Agreement Vertiv Boosts Local IT Channel Focus Johannesburg [September 04, 2023] – Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced the appointment of Tarsus Distribution as a distribution partner for Sub Saharan Africa, with the …
Rand Water Station 5 purification plant ensures Gauteng’s water security
Rand Water has been hailed for completing Phase 1 of the 150 megalitres a day (ML/d) Station 5A filtration plant on schedule.
The plant, which is one of Rand Water’s flagship projects, will bring assurance to the sustainability of water supply to the Gauteng province and surroundings.
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, joined by the Emfuleni Mayor Sipho Radebe, Rand Water Board Chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo, and Rand Water Chief Executive Sipho Mosai, have commissioned the first part of the mega water project situated at the Zuikerbotch Water Treatment Works outside Vereeniging in the Vaal.
Mchunu said there is a great need to increase infrastructure and to ensure that operation and maintenance are undertaken to existing infrastructure, and that Rand Water is doing exactly that.
The Minister commended Rand Water in its forward thinking and keeping its eye on its mandate.
“Whether it is in terms of actual water supply or the maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure, Rand Water has continued to ensure that it keeps its eye on the mandate. Those of you doubting our commitment as DWS to infrastructure development, forget it. We're ahead of the curve. It is not a matter of when, but rather where are we today,” Mchunu said.
Rand Water has built the completely new purification plant at the existing Zuikerbosch Plant, referred to as Station 5, in an effort to augment water supply, ensure sustainable water supply, and to meet current and future demands.
The Station 5 plant is divided into two phases (5A and 5B). The completed Phase 1, Station 5A, will produce 150ml/d of potable water, adding to the current available supply by Rand Water to its customers, including Gauteng municipalities, parts of Free State, Mpumalanga and North West provinces, as well as industries.
Upon completion of Phase 2 (Station 5B) at the end of 2024, the plant will add another 450 ML/d, totalling to 600ML/d of water to users.
The purification plant is part of the Rand Water's capital expenditure projects and seeks to bring more capacity to the water utility’s system to ensure water security to the provinces it supplies.
Speaking at the recent ribbon cutting to officially commission Phase 1 of the newly built Section 5A purification plant, Mchunu emphasised the need for new water infrastructure to address current and future demand of water in the province.
He said the commissioning of Station 5A is demonstrative of the department’s seriousness about increasing infrastructure capacity.
Mchunu said while the mandate of the sector was to ensure access to clean drinking water and to manage water resources, “one cannot have access to water without the proper infrastructure”.
Since 2019, the Station 5A project has created 871 job opportunities, providing employment to people with diverse skill levels, ranging from unskilled to semi-skilled, and skilled labourers.
The project has also supported more than 48 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) with small work packages from the core activities of the 26 projects.
Vision 2030 infrastructure build programme
Monyokolo said the project is part of Rand Water’s Vision 2030 Infrastructure Build Programme and that they are well within their timelines and in some instances, they are ahead.
“… This additional 150ML/d Station 5A programme ensures that there is more than enough water for all our customers and therefore consumers.
“As a board, we have a full and comprehensive understanding of the importance of infrastructure upgrading and refurbishment to ensure uninterrupted bulk water supply to our customers. As we celebrate the 120th year anniversary of our existence, we recognise and embrace inherent challenges that we continue to turn into opportunities,” Monyokolo said.
Monyokolo also noted some of the challenges faced by the water utility in the implementation of its CAPEX [capital expenditure] projects, which include population growth in its areas of supply, vandalism of infrastructure, encroachment on servitudes, quality of raw water, and non-payment of invoices by customers.
“The porous municipal water reticulation infrastructure also creates a simulated shortage. We are working hard to assist and collaborate with municipalities through the capable leadership of our Minister to mitigate this challenge.”
In February this year, the water utility launched the 210ML/d Vlakfontein Reservoir in the City of Ekurhuleni. The reservoir is post-tensioned concrete, the biggest in the world and is part of the Mapleton Booster system augmentation programme. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 13:46
Fuel, paraffin and gas prices set to increase
The prices of both grades of petrol and diesel are expected to increase when the September prices come into effect.
The adjusted prices for all fuel types and gas are as follows:
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) said many factors, including the increase in the price of Brent Crude Oil, resulted in the increases.
“High prices of petrol are as a result of low inventories and refinery outages, which affected the production of blending components used in summer grade petrol, making it more expensive to produce.
“Diesel and paraffin prices increased because of lower shipments of Russia’s Urals crude oil, which is rich in middle distillates, as well as rising demand of middle distillates ahead of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. LPGas increased because of higher prices of Propane and Butane.
“These led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 135.41 c/l, 253.42 c/l and 247.13 c/l, respectively,” the department said.
The rand’s depreciation against the dollar also played a role in the increased prices, as well as a DMRE approved 5c per litre increase in the price structure due to “accommodate the wage increase for forecourt employees, in line with the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) Agreement”.
The adjusted prices are expected come into effect on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 13:51
Five “jikeleza” drivers charged with attempted murder
Investment in climate change resilient infrastructure emphasised
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, has called on leaders on the continent to urgently implement measures to improve the resilience of Africa’s infrastructure investments against the impacts of climate change.
“If the impacts of climate change are not taken into account now, there is a considerable risk that the current, and potentially the next generation of infrastructure in Africa will be locked into designs that could be inadequate for the future climate and costly or impossible to modify later,” Creecy said in Nairobi, Kenya.
Addressing the Africa Climate Summit on Monday, Creecy said climate change impacts will be genuinely felt during the life span of the planned and future infrastructure within the coming decade.
“Planning new infrastructure for climate resilience and adapting existing infrastructure to reduce risks should be a priority as there is a high probability that climate change will offset or reduce the economic and developmental benefits of these investments.”
Creecy noted the continued decline in the delivery of public climate finance in real terms for developing nations.
“Developed countries have not met the US$ 100 billion per year mobilization goal by 2020 and have indicated that this goal may potentially be met later this year (2023). The goal of doubling adaptation finance from 2019 levels by 2025 is an undertaking in paper only.
“With an estimated annual infrastructure financing requirement in the range from US$130 - 170 billion according to the African Development Bank, implementing urgent measures to improve the resilience of Africa’s infrastructure investments must become the main occupation for us as decision-makers,” the Minister said.
The Global Commission on Adaptation estimates that climate change will lead to an equivalent of 2% to 4% annual loss in gross domestic product (GDP) on the continent by 2040.
The Stern/Songwe High Level Expert Report, commissioned by the COP27 President, found that while “estimates for future loss and damage are subject to great uncertainty, but recent events suggest they could be as high as US$150–300 billion by 2030 to cope with immediate impacts and for subsequent reconstruction.”
“Various other reports demonstrate the enormous climate change needs of developing countries and how present public climate finance flows are unforthcoming, inadequate and lack in quality. In addition, the current financial architecture features an unfortunate reality where developing countries, those that have least contributed to the climate problem, continue to shoulder climate costs albeit their very limited fiscal space and constrained economies,” the Minister said.
Financing
She said African countries need a new suite of financing instruments, with a set of favourable terms and conditions that are not merely debt generators.
“Local currency lending is an imperative to support climate action in Africa. In this regard, recent efforts by the Green Climate Fund and the New Development Bank offer rays of hope. We need to urgently address the need for liquidity in fiscally constrained African countries.
“We further need to address the form of the finance available to developing countries and, in particular, put in place measures that climate finance does not lead to the increased debt burden of African and other developing countries. Credit enhancement approaches are readily available to the private sector, but the urgent reforms are needed in the public sector.
“We need access to scaled-up new and additional and predictable grant and highly concessional finance, which could be deployed effectively to create enabling environments by beginning to buy down risks and create new asset classes for clean investments that would allow for greater mobilization and leveraging of public and private finance and hence access the illusive and unseen trillions,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 14:36
In the year 2050, the world has successfully reduced carbon emissions, with the contribution of efforts of mining and metal industry players who achieved their targets in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Through project-specific approaches, these companies assessed their carbon footprints, identified emissions hotspots, developed tangible net-zero roadmaps and invest in low-carbon technologies leading to improved …
The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) Prize Competition, a philanthropic program sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, now in its fifth year, has announced this year's top 10 finalists following an intense round of semi-finale business pitches and judging held on September 1 and 2 at Norrsken House in Kigali, Rwanda. These 10 entrepreneurs will compete for their share of the final prize of US$1.5 million in grant funding at the competition's Grand Finale scheduled for November 23 and 24.
The top 10 finalists are (in alphabetical order, by country):
The 2023 ABH top 10 entrepreneurs were selected through multiple stages of interviews and evaluation from 27,267 applications across all 54 African nations. They hail from eight African countries, including Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa. Their start-ups have been drawn from a wide variety of industries, including agriculture, education & training, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and retail.
The 10 finalists will present their businesses on stage to a panel of inspiring businesspeople at this year's Grand Finale, which will take place in conjunction with a summit and will be the biggest in ABH's history in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the competition. Held offline in Kigali, Rwanda on 23 and 24 November and also partially livestreamed to reach audiences across Africa, the Summit and Grand Finale will be a gathering of a diverse group of African entrepreneurial ecosystem players. The action-packed event will comprise exciting sessions including speeches, workshops, an entrepreneurial showcase and a live pitch competition, among other activities. Register here to secure your seat: https://apo-opa.info/3sJzPoa
“ABH remains committed to uncovering, championing and supporting trailblazing African entrepreneurs who are bringing positive change to their communities. As we reach the fifth anniversary of our 10-year commitment to this initiative, we're excited by the expanding and diverse array of talent among our contenders,” said Jason Pau, Executive Director of International Programs at the Jack Ma Foundation. “With November on the horizon, we wish every of the top 10 finalists the best of luck on their journey, and we encourage the public to join our Summit and Grand Finale, as it promises to be truly special.”
“The ABH competition has shown that African entrepreneurship can emerge as a potent force propelling both social upliftment and economic progress. It is a dynamic stage, spotlighting ingenious start-ups that steer toward solutions, tackling challenges with a resonance that's impactful, competitive, sustainable and additive. I believe that entrepreneurs are carriers of HOPE as they can unlock possibilities that can change the world. I look forward to the Grand Finale, where the top 10 finalists will demonstrate their remarkable business acumen on stage,” said Rene Parker, Cofounder and CEO of RLabs, ABH semi-finale judge (2019 – 2023).
Originally launched in 2019, the ABH Prize Competition is Pan-African, inclusive, sector-agnostic and grassroots-oriented. It aims to identify, support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their local communities by working to solve the most pressing problems and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future.
For more information about ABH 2023, please visit: https://apo-opa.info/3qVklx5 and follow ABH on Twitter (https://apo-opa.info/3KY3OQs), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.info/3R1QXQl), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3KZTXKa), Facebook, (https://apo-opa.info/3ylgNE9) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3YDG5bH).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).
Press Contact:
Africa's Business Heroes Press Room:
abh.press@list.alibaba-inc.com
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
English:
Tracy Walakira
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com
French/Arabic:
Malika Bouayad
malika.bouayad@apo-opa.com
About Africa's Business Heroes:
The Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy. It aims to support, inspire and enable the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a brighter future for the continent, by offering grant funding, training programs and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over a 10-year period, each year the ABH Prize Competition and show features 10 entrepreneur finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.
Boasting a fantastic new venue at Root44 and fresh, exciting routes in 2023, the upcoming Fedhealth MTB Challenge promises intense competition specifically in the Marathon (+-60km) Race with a strong contingent of formidable riders, including the likes of Danielle Strydom (Wellington, WC) and Franko van Zyl (Wellington, WC) from Team Imbuko Giant, and Elrika Harmzen …
DPWI takes lead in hijacked buildings investigation
The Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure has been tasked with conducting a government-wide investigation into hijacked buildings in the country’s metros.
This comes after the meeting of an inter-ministerial committee, which is looking into last week’s Marshalltown disaster in which 76 people perished in a fire in a hijacked State building.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala will lead the task of identifying all hijacked buildings in the country, as well as indicate what should be done with all those properties.
As the department responsible for State property management, the department was already in the process of identifying misappropriated State properties within its own asset register.
Out of 29 000 buildings in the department’s asset register throughout the country, the department has embarked on a process to recover some 1 260 properties that have been flagged as being illegally occupied under Operation Bring Back.
This includes:
- Recovery of stolen or illegally transferred properties and hijacked buildings.
- Regularisation of occupancy in properties due to legacy housing policies.
- Further investigation and identification of more properties that are illegally occupied.
The department launched Operation Bring Back to operationalise investigations and recovery of those assets that are illegally occupied or stolen.
The department will intensify the operation in all metros and municipalities throughout the country.
“Each metro or municipality will have to indicate how many properties it has on its asset register, the state of those assets, what they are used for and its current status. Depending on the status of those properties, the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure will recommend what should be done,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.
Among the current decisions of the department’s Operation Bring Back, a nationwide call is to be made for individuals and institutions to avail themselves for amnesty and to regularise their occupation of properties in line with the applicable laws of the country.
These properties could be sold to the individuals concerned, be leased or be used as a rental stocks.
“This intervention by the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure will include a forensic investigation of the asset register and the identification of illegally occupied properties without amnesty and may lead to the institution of criminal prosecutions and/or expropriation of unclaimed properties,” the department said.
The department will, as a matter of urgency, commission multidisciplinary built environment consultants to investigate the structural, civil, building, electrical, mechanical and safety integrity of the identified buildings and make recommendations on how to rejuvenate the CBDs of all metros and municipalities. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 09/04/2023 - 13:56
Cape Town, 4 September 2023 – Dance enthusiasts, art and theatre lovers and anyone looking for a moving experience that can suspend reality and transport them to a world of exceptional creativity transcending time and space, take note of an upcoming performance by South Africa’s leading contemporary dance theatre company. Jazzart Dance Theatre turns 50 …
Cape Town’s most vibrant market, a true haven for all things lekker and lively. Settled within the heart of Hout Bay, the Bay Harbour Market is a hub of diversity and creativity, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe. Strolling through the market, you’re immediately surrounded by a colourful blend of culture and fashion. …
Hosts France have made an injury-enforced change to their squad of 33 set to compete at Rugby World Cup 2023, with Montpellier’s Bastien Chalureau called up to replace Paul Willemse (thigh). The France squad features a blend of 19 forwards and 14 backs with scrum-half Antoine Dupont two appearances away from earning a 50th cap. …
Sir Bill Beaumont, World Rugby Chairman and at the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening conference said: “It was 200 years ago that our sport was born and there can be no better place to celebrate our birthday than here in France. “We know that this nation will be a magnificent host, not just here in …
