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Mercy Ships and South African Society of Anesthesiologists (SASA) Empower Medical Practitioners through Safer Anesthetics From Education (SAFE) Training Courses in South Africa

Location: News
Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.Africa) hosted a three-day training course in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal, to teach medical professionals how to administer safer anesthesia during surgeries. This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to empower medical professionals in Africa through SAFE (safer anesthetics from education) courses. These courses are designed to enhance skills in obstetric and pediatric anesthesia delivery, and critical complications management during surgeries, resulting in improved safety standards and better healthcare outcomes.

The three-day training in Pietermaritzburg forms part of a broader series of eight specialized courses scheduled to take place throughout the country. These training programs are being conducted collaboratively with the South African Department of Health (DoH), the South African Society of Anesthesiologists (SASA), and Mercy Ships. Participants will have the invaluable opportunity to learn from seasoned Mercy Ships anesthetists and SASA instructors, who have a wealth of experience in teaching SAFE courses.

Each of the courses will be conducted over a three-day period and will provide a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience for medical professionals. The curriculum includes a mix of lectures, low-tech simulations, discussions, and roleplay to ensure participants gain practical skills and knowledge. The SAFE approach incorporates Mercy Ships' expertise alongside that of local instructors. These instructors undergo a rigorous “train the trainers” program, preparing them to serve as the in-country faculty of the future.

The courses are rooted in time-tested methods and insights gleaned from SAFE courses developed by the Association of Anesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI), ensuring the highest standards of training and education for medical professionals.

“As Mercy Ships, we are extremely proud to be a part of this transformative journey providing vital training to medical practitioners and contributing to safer anesthesia practices for the benefit of mothers and children. The support of the SASA and DoH officials has been instrumental in making these courses possible, ensuring the growth of medical capabilities and the overall well-being of patients in the region,” says Brenda van Straten, Director of Mercy Ships, South Africa.

Dr Caroline Corbett, President of SASA adds that the collaboration between the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists and Mercy Ships in the delivery of these SAFE courses will have an impact on our communities and our nation well beyond the program delivery itself. “The collective investment and prioritisation of access to and training in safe, quality healthcare for our most vulnerable patients inspires hope and builds towards the sustainability of healthcare resources required for our future. SASA looks forward to many more such initiatives and proudly acknowledges our members who have selflessly contributed their time to enabling these projects through the support of Mercy Ships,” says Dr Corbett. “It is through planting these foundations of education together that we are able to grow stronger, broader healthcare services and delivery.”

“It is a privilege to be part of a team striving towards learning, improving and enhancing skills in Paediatric Anaesthesia. Knowledge changes uncertainty and fear into confident safe practices. Thank you to Mercy Ships, DOH and faculty for your support and commitment to making this course successful,” comments Dr Chantal Rajah, Facilitator of the Pietermaritzburg course.

Over the past two years, Mercy Ships has forged a dynamic partnership with SASA, addressing an urgent need within the country. This collaboration has led to the successful delivery of these courses in South Africa, empowering medical professionals to elevate their skills and bolster patient care.

All the courses are designed to enhance the skills of qualified medical professionals, ensuring safer anesthesia practices for mothers and children. Mercy Ships is fully funding these courses, and participation is offered free of charge to the attendees. Notably, the DoH has generously extended its support to ensure the success of these training programs, demonstrating its dedication to improving medical capabilities and patient safety.

The training in Pietermaritzburg was held from August 18th to 20th at Northdale Hospital. The remaining courses scheduled for this year include September 13th to 15th SAFE Paeds Gqeberha, Livingstone Hospital; September 22nd to 24th SAFE Obs Mbombela, Mpumalanga, and December 1st to 6th SAFE Obs and Paeds, East London.

Of note, Mercy Ships successfully conducted three training courses earlier this year, reflecting its steadfast dedication to nurturing medical excellence. These courses included: February 17th to 19th SAFE Paeds Gqeberha, Livingstone Hospital; February 27th to March 1st SAFE Obs + Training of the Trainers, Bloemfontein Kopano Nokeng; and July 28th to 30th SAFE Obs Limpopo, Polokwane, St Maria's. One of the recent courses took place at Northdale Hospital, KwaZulu Natal, where officials from the DoH, SASA, and Mercy Ships came together to support local medical professionals in their pursuit of excellence.

The ongoing partnership between Mercy Ships, SASA, and the DoH exemplifies a shared commitment to enhance healthcare delivery and improve medical capabilities across South Africa. By empowering medical professionals with specialized training, these organizations collectively strive to make a positive impact on anesthesia care ensuring safer procedures for mothers and children throughout South Africa.

For further information about the upcoming courses or to inquire about participation, please visit Mercy Ships' website https://MercyShips.co.za/. Together, we can make a significant difference, accelerating access to surgical care and surgical education and creating a brighter future for communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

For More Information Contact:
Brenda van Straten
Director, South Africa, Mercy Ships
Email: info.zaf@mercyships.org
Website: www.MercyShips.co.za

Diane Rickard
International Media Relations Manager
Mercy Ships
Email: international.media@mercyships.org
Press page: https://apo-opa.info/44mzxke

About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world's two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anaesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit MercyShips.co.za and follow @MercyShips on social media.

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Read moreMercy Ships and South African Society of Anesthesiologists (SASA) Empower Medical Practitioners through Safer Anesthetics From Education (SAFE) Training Courses in South Africa

Snowsill to retire from pro rugby

Location: Sport

Wales legend Elinor Snowsill has announced her retirement from professional rugby as a player with immediate effect. Snowsill’s Test career has stretched over a decade having made her Wales debut against Sweden at St Helen’s in Swansea in 2009. Her final cap was against Italy in the 36-10 victory in Parma when she played a …

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Young SA Rowers Shine

Location: Sport

South Africa continues to produce world class rowers. With all eyes on the RMB National Squad as they prepare for the Olympic qualifiers in September, the South African flag flew high in France and China as the South African Junior and Student teams competed recently in these countries. 2023 Summer World University Games – Chengdu, …

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Strandfontein surfskier assisted

Location: News

Nicolette Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said: At 10h26, Sunday, 20 August, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were activated following an eye-witness report of a dinghy, suspected to have 2 people onboard, being blown out to sea at Macassar. The sea rescue craft Grand West CSI was launched while an NSRI rescue vehicle and City of …

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President Xi’s visit cements China-South Africa ties in ‘golden era’

Location: News

The State Council Information Office: The People's Republic of China
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Late August in South Africa is famed for its radiant afternoons when the golden African sun bathes the landscape in its warm embrace.

It serves as a perfect backdrop for the blossoming China-South Africa relationship, which, as noted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, "has entered a 'golden era,' enjoying broad prospects and a promising future."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and in a signed article published Monday in South African media as he set off to attend the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg and pay a state visit to South Africa, Xi recalled the "leapfrog development" of bilateral ties from a partnership to a strategic partnership, and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

"It is one of the most vibrant bilateral relations in the developing world," said Xi in the article titled "Sailing the Giant Ship of China-South Africa Friendship and Cooperation Toward Greater Success."

It was not the first time Xi called China-South Africa friendship and cooperation a "giant ship." In 2015, before his state visit to the country, Xi said in a signed article that the bilateral cooperation and friendship "has grown from a small boat to a gigantic vessel."

As the world is facing numerous uncertainties and living through accelerating changes unseen in a century, "that metaphor still holds true," said Sifiso Mahlangu, editor-in-chief of South Africa's leading newspaper, The Star, which published Xi's signed articles this time and in 2015.

"A giant ship is a great metaphor" because it rides the wind and waves and "is against the tide," said Mahlangu. "It is a metaphor that stands and lives up to the pledge of BRICS cooperation."

On Monday, the country was abuzz with anticipation as it prepared to welcome Xi.

"To us South Africans, the visit of President Xi is very important in enhancing and strengthening bilateral relations ... (including) trade relations between the two countries," said African National Congress Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

Data released by China showed that in the first half of the year, bilateral trade reached 28.25 billion U.S. dollars, up 11.7 percent year-on-year.

China has maintained its position as South Africa's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, while South Africa has been China's largest trading partner in Africa for 13 consecutive years.

Calling the bilateral ties "stronger and stronger," Mbalula told Xinhua that South Africa-China relations are formed by "ties of anti-imperialism, multipolarity that we both believe in and strong ties of economic relationship."

It is also in Johannesburg, a South African city known as the City of Gold, that BRICS leaders will meet from Aug. 22 to 24 to discuss issues including deepening BRICS cooperation, giving more voice to the Global South, and the BRICS group's expansion.

Scholars and observers on BRICS told Xinhua that the group has defended multipolarity and multilateralism since its inception and has become a positive, stable, and constructive force in international affairs, making its golden brand increasingly appealing to the Global South.

"In an increasingly polarised world, BRICS is creating an enabling avenue for countries to fashion a more inclusive political and economic order," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan international relations scholar.

For Anil Sooklal, South Africa's BRICS Sherpa, "BRICS has been a catalyst to bring the Global South together."

"It is for the first time in recent geopolitics that you have such a collective and a powerful body representing the voice of the Global South."

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The State Council Information Office: The People's Republic of China.

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Jokowi Visits Afrika for the First Time as President

Location: News

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia
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President Joko Widodo has begun a working visit to four African countries, his first working visit to the continent while serving as president. President Jokowi's working visit will take him to Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. In his first destination in Kenya, President Jokowi met the President of Republic Kenya, William Ruto (20/8).

President Jokowi stated Indonesia and Africa have a long historic relationship because Indonesia was the initiator and host of the Asian African Conference in 1955. Furthermore, Indonesia also had a big role in establishing the Non-Aligned Movement.

"It is this Bandung spirit that I will bring with me on a visit to Africa by strengthening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South countries," said Jokowi.

President Jokowi also conveyed that Kenya and Tanzania opened their embassies in Jakarta last year. It was the commitment of those two countries to keep strengthening cooperation with Indonesia. Meanwhile, Mozambique was the first African country to have a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Indonesia. His visit to South Africa, continued the President, was to fulfil an invitation to attend the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Summit 2023.

"Of course, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit there will be various bilateral meetings with other heads of state," he added.

The President and his entourage are scheduled to arrive in Indonesia on August 25th. Accompanying the President during his statement were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, and Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia.

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Sarah Massey’s Mandela Moment

Location: Sport

We spoke to the Managing Director of the Rugby World Cup 2025 Local Operating Company as the two-year countdown to the tournament got underway with the announcement of host cities and venues. Sarah Massey understands the transformational impact that sport, and particularly rugby, can have. Massey was in the Ellis Park stands 28 years ago …

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England Prepared To Host Biggest Ever Celebration Of Women’s Rugby

Location: Sport

From one exhilarating Women’s World Cup to another, there are exactly two years to go until women’s rugby takes centre stage as England hosts Rugby World Cup 2025. World Rugby and the RFU, with support from the UK Government, have confirmed the host cities, venues and tournament dates that will provide the stage for the …

Read moreEngland Prepared To Host Biggest Ever Celebration Of Women’s Rugby

More key innovations at Rugby World Cup 2023

Location: Sport

World Rugby has confirmed that Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will feature the Foul Play Review Official (Bunker) and shot clock, aimed at supporting match officials in their decision-making, promoting ball-in-flow and enhancing fan experience. Following successful and extensive trials in the Summer Nations Series, World Rugby U20 Championship, The Rugby Championship and Super …

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15th BRICS Summit kicks off

Location: News

15th BRICS Summit kicks off

The anticipation is over and the stage is set. The much vaunted 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Summit kicks off at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg today.

The Summit is held under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism” and is expected to last until Thursday.

The Summit brings together Heads of State and Government from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa with at least 30 other Heads and of State and Government from Africa and all across the world expected to attend.

President Cyril Ramaphosa set the tone for the summit on Sunday evening, saying the BRICS grouping has the ability to “collectively shape global dynamics and acting together, have the potential to drive significant changes in the world economy and international relations”.

“This BRICS Summit is particularly important as it is being held as the world is confronted by fundamental challenges that are bound to determine the course of international events for years to come.

“Our world has become increasingly complex and fractured as it is increasingly polarised into competing camps. Multilateralism is being replaced by the actions of different power blocs, all of which we trade with, invest with, and whose technology we use.

“It is for this reason that South Africa continues to advocate for an open and rules-based global governance, trade, financial and investment system. It must be a system that does not depend on the exercise of power or unilateralism, but by the advancement of the interests of the peoples of the world,” he told the nation.

Road closures, safety and security

Traffic around the Sandton Convention Centre is expected to be disrupted during the week.

Road closures around the venue are as follows:

  • Maude Street: one-way traffic from 5th Street to West Street.
  • West Street: lanes closest to the convention centre will be closed. The lanes furthest away will be open for traffic.
  • Alice Lane: lanes closest to the convention centre will be closed. The lanes furthest away will be open for traffic.
  • 5th Street: lanes closest to the convention centre will be closed. The lanes furthest away will be open for traffic.

On Wednesday, traffic around the Midrand Gallagher Estate will also be affected from about 3pm.

Those road closures are as follows:

  • Gallagher Avenue and Richards Drive
  • Richards Drive traffic circle
  • Johnnic and Lupton Street
  • Johnnic and Pretoria Main Road

Last week, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) moved to assure South Africans and delegates at the Summit that law enforcement officials will be on high alert.

The structure said it had mobilised “maximum resources from all government departments” to ensure the safety of the summit.

“[The] NATJOINTS is ready to ensure that as government prepares to welcome Heads of State, Ministers and leaders from various countries from across the world - that this happens in a safe and secure environment with minimal to no incidents of instability and criminality.

“A priority committee comprised of various government departments across all three spheres, has been meeting regularly with all relevant role-players to ensure a security plan is developed that looks at transport, route, venue, accommodation, traffic control, sea, land and airport border security.

“The safety and security preparations for the Summit are on track, with all critical role players ready to execute their various responsibilities as per their mandate,” the structure said.

The BRICS leaders are expected to deliver their first statements this afternoon. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 08/21/2023 - 15:33

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Absa Race Your City Tshwane 10k

Location: MyPR

Strava community assists Absa raise funds for community upliftment Absa colleagues, customers and community members are encouraged to be an active force for good. Tshwane, 21 August 2023 – Since the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY series started on 2 April in Gqeberha, proudly African bank, Absa, is proud to announce that they have raised …

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Life insurance from Nedbank that understands the woman that you are

Location: MyPR

In today’s rapidly evolving world, women are leading the charge in shaping financial decisions. As trailblazers within their households, workplaces, and businesses, women play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and prosperity. This rings true not only in South Africa but across the globe. Recent statistics have shed light on the true extent of …

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Mergers and Acquisitions: The Benefit of Legal Services in facilitating propitious transactions

Location: MyPR

What is meant by ‘mergers and acquisitions’? The term refers to that category of transactions which come about where one company wants to buy, or make a significant investment in, another company’s business. Whether you are considering selling your business, or whether you are looking to acquire an existing business, the stages through which the …

Read moreMergers and Acquisitions: The Benefit of Legal Services in facilitating propitious transactions

Equity Financing vs. Debt Financing: What’s the Contrast?

Location: MyPR

Financing your business There are many reasons why your business might need external funding –  whether to cover initial expenses such as equipment, inventory, marketing, and hiring employees or for expansion further down the road. This might take the form of opening new locations, introducing new products or services, or investing in research and development. …

Read moreEquity Financing vs. Debt Financing: What’s the Contrast?

The Ultimate Guide to the Disagreement Between Bookkeeping and Accounting

Location: MyPR

What is bookkeeping and what is accounting?   Bookkeeping and accounting are two closely related concepts that both deal with the financial aspects of a business or organisation. While they are related, they have distinct roles and functions. Bookkeeping refers to the systematic process of recording and organising the financial transactions of a business. It …

Read moreThe Ultimate Guide to the Disagreement Between Bookkeeping and Accounting

S’thesha Waya Waya initiative puts food on the table

Location: News

S’thesha Waya Waya initiative puts food on the table

The promise to end unemployment, poverty and inequality in KwaZulu-Natal has been given a boost with the province's revitalised S’thesha Waya Waya initiative.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, handed over contracts to the beneficiaries of the Community Work Program (CWP), as part of government’s S’thesha Waya Waya (meaning working throughout), recently.

The balance of the contracts will be served later to make 17 000 employees in total so far.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony held at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, Dube-Ncube said the programme has changed lives by placing food on tables.

“The workers are all deployed in all municipalities doing road maintenance, cleaning and gardening. About 2000 have already received their signed contracts and their work tools in a symbolic demonstration of the dawning of a new chapter in their lives,” Dube-Ncube said.

Under the Community Work Programme, located in the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the province has pledged to employ 45 000 individuals but the figure has been exceeded with the absorption of 48 000 employees.

Sithole-Moloi said the overarching goal of the province is to eliminate unemployment across all districts and, working with the Department of Labour, all participants will be properly registered and entitled to benefits including the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
 
“We stand committed to delivering on the promises outlined during the presentation of our budget policy early this year. We urge all the beneficiaries to take advantage of training opportunities that will enhance their skills to broaden their prospects for future roles and to use the S’thesha Waya Waya program as reference when applying for other job in future," she said.

eMisebenzi/e-Recruitment Portal

The Premier used the occasion to officially launch the eMisebenzi/e-Recruitment Portal, an online jobs platform that consolidates all provincial government vacant job opportunities, including the state-owned agencies. 

The online platform, which is accessible to the public from any location, has a multitude of job opportunities.

During the launch, over 2 000 permanent jobs from various departments were made available on the platform which is accessed via the www.kznonline.gov.za.
 
The Premier demonstrated how applicants can submit their applications without using their data, and encouraged job seekers to apply for job openings they qualify for through the user-friendly online portal.
 
Since the opening of the portal last week, about 100 000 applications have already been received, with over 2 100 posts deposited during the launch. 

“As we stated during the State of the Province Address and subsequent Budget Votes, job opportunities for young people and mass employment for all has been identified as one of the key priorities of our term [and] government has a critical role to intervene on behalf of the vulnerable especially in times of crisis. 

“Having identified jobs as a priority, the province established a Jobs War Room which has now facilitated over 500 000 job opportunities, especially through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) across sectors in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Through the departmental programmes in the 2022/23 financial year, 89 297 jobs were created, and over 292 248 jobs will be created in the 2023/24 financial year,” Dube-Ncube said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 08/21/2023 - 15:08

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Deadline for Written Submissions on National Health Insurance Bill Extended

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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The Select Committee on Health and Social Services has received requests from stakeholders and individuals for the extension of the closing date for written submissions on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill.

The committee called for written submissions from the public on the Bill at the beginning of August. The call for submissions was placed in a newspaper advert which indicated closing date which was 1 September 2023.

The committee has agreed to extend the deadline as requested by the public and stakeholders. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Zoyisile Njadu said the decision to extend the deadline for the submissions was informed by the appeals that the committee has received from relevant stakeholders who play an important role in the delivery of healthcare services in the country. The new closing date that has been agreed upon is 15 September 2023.

The NHI Bill is currently before the National Council of Provinces for concurrence after it was passed by the National Assembly in June this year.

The purpose of the Bill is to establish and maintain a NHI Fund funded through mandatory prepayment that aims to achieve sustainable and affordable universal access to quality health care services.

The fund will operate on the basis of single purchaser and single payer of health care services, by pooling funds and strategic purchasing of healthcare services and goods from accredited and contracted health care service providers. The NHI envisages a standardized healthcare system, wherein everyone, rich and poor, rural and urban, can receive the same level of quality healthcare.

The NHI is a fund from which the government will buy healthcare services for South Africans from healthcare providers both in the public and private sectors. It is a fund to pay for healthcare, and all of us will contribute to this fund through taxes and special contributions in line with what we can afford. It will ensure that everyone is entitled to free healthcare when they need it, and there will be no fees charged at the facility because the fund will cover the costs of care.

Enquiries, as well as written submissions, can be directed to Ms M Williams, Select Committee on Health and Social Services, e-mail mawilliams@parliament.gov.za

The closing date for submissions is Friday 15 September 2023 at 12h00 Copies of the Bill can be obtained from Ms M Williams on Cell 083 709 8451 or at www.parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Despite Gains In Employment Stats, Employers Face Further Pressure As National Minimum Wage Hikes Loom

Location: MyPR

A youth development agency specialising in corporate transformation by connecting skilled black youths into the workplace calls for labour and political leaders to focus on balancing minimum wage increases with their potential impact on unemployment. This comes as South Africa’s (SA’s) official unemployment rate has decreased by 0,3 of a percentage point compared to the …

Read moreDespite Gains In Employment Stats, Employers Face Further Pressure As National Minimum Wage Hikes Loom

All systems in spot for a safe BRICS Summit

Location: News

All systems in place for a safe BRICS Summit

Police Minister Bheki Cele on Monday instructed law enforcement agencies to make the stay of all visitors, including delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) memorable by protecting them.

“Make the world that is descending here to say, indeed, South Africa is the place to be,” Cele said.

Addressing law enforcement officers deployed at the BRICS Summit at Innesfree Park in Sandton, Cele encouraged the officers to make people feel comfortable; make their trip enjoyable and also make them want to come back to South Africa.

He told the officers that they should not be scared, but be ready to protect people coming to the Summit.

“We are not scared; we are absolutely not scared; nobody should be scared. You are commanded to go and do your best for the country,” he said.

Various law enforcement agencies, which includes the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the Ekhuruleni Metro Police Department, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and security companies are among the law enforcement agencies deployed to ensure the safety of BRICS delegates.

“What is expected of you is to show that every person visiting and every citizen is safe. Approach situations and people here with friendly faces. You are not here just for security, you are ambassadors,” Cele said.

Cele told the officers that they should not hesitate to deal with those who break the law.

“Operation Shanela is bearing positive results. We have arrested many criminals and the operation will continue even after the Summit,” he said.

Cele said since Operation Shanela was launched, the police have arrested 99 754 criminals.

“We have upped our levels; we have upped our game. We have pushed up the capabilities,” he said.

The summit which will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre from tomorrow is expected to be attended by over 40 Heads of State, scores of government representatives, as well as local and international dignitaries.

Last week, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said it is confident that South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit successfully.

“Working closely with all stakeholders, NATJOINTS will thus heighten police visibility in and around the conference centre, with the aim of preventing and combating any form of opportunistic crime, pre-, during and post the summit.

“We have mobilised maximum resources from all government departments involved in the planning of this particular event.

“Together with the various law enforcement agencies, including the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), we are executing and implementing the security plan accordingly, which will include more boots on the ground,” said Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Policing at the time. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

Edwin
Mon, 08/21/2023 - 15:27

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