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Today, The Sharks unveiled Hollywoodbets as their new title sponsor. This is the next exciting chapter in a formidable partnership that started in 2019, which sees the Purple Team now acquire title sponsorship, in addition to stadium naming rights of the iconic Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Commenting on this exciting announcement, The Sharks’ CEO, Dr Eduard …
Dear Editor The NLC paid R24.7 million to Sunday World to counter corruption exposes by journalist Raymond Joseph. DA will urge Arena Holdings to investigate Mr. Sefara’s actions during his editorship. DA demands investigation into alleged misuse of state resources and adherence to competitive bidding protocols at the NLC. In response to parliamentary questions posed …
Many South African property owners find themselves questioning how they can make the most of their assets. One strategy that is emerging as a viable option for a diverse set of property owners is the idea of rezoning. This involves changing the designated use of a property as defined by local ordinances from one category …
Eastern Cape, 03 August 2023: Construction works to upgrade the N2 section from KwaBhaca to Ngcweleni River have begun, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced. The project, which follows the existing N2, starts in KwaBhaca and ends at the Ngcweleni River Bridge near EmaXesibeni. The R1.2 billion project affects the …
Victory over matter
By Neo Semono
Women’s Month got off to a thrilling start - thanks to the endeavours of South African women on the sporting terrain demonstrating that women can do anything they set their minds to.
Anxiety ruled supreme for those watching the midweek game between Banyana Banyana and Italy after which ululations were undoubtedly the order of the day.
While Banyana Banyana were crowned champions of the Women’s African Cup of Nations last year, this time around they were facing a team ranked 16th on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking and that was no easy feat.
While that may sound bias, life has not been easy for many women in South Africa and indeed for many others around the world.
The national senior women’s team didn’t just show up for the clash, but they made history in their nail biting finish.
While ululations in true South African style continue, reflecting on the fixture shows that the match served as a conduit of the country’s hopes and aspirations at a time when the country is tackling many a challenge.
Post the match, many young girls that have been playing soccer on imperfect pitches to pass the time are likely contemplating taking up the sport professionally, despite challenges.
The euphoria we find ourselves in as a result of their win, highlights the fact that with determination, nothing is impossible.
Three-days into Women’s Month, Banyana Banyana, made history becoming the first senior South African football team to qualify for the knockout round of the World Cup underway in New Zealand and Australia.
They however are not the only women making the nation proud.
The SPAR Proteas team drew with New Zealand in a spirited game in the Netball World Cup that South Africa is hosting in the Western Cape.
With additional pressure of the world cup being hosted on African soil for the first time, the Proteas gave it their all, drawing with the defending champions. While there are other matches still to go, the ladies are flying the South African flag high.
This is in addition to the feat of Tatjana Schoenmaker on her 200m breaststroke victory. The win has made her the first South African woman to win gold at the World Aquatics Championships.
Sport indeed has the power to unite a nation enmeshed in the very real daily challenges of unemployment, gender-based violence and poverty, among others.
Across communities, office parks and indeed the international community, women in sport are the talk of the town.
Just as there are challenges in other sectors of our society, sport has not been spared with gender disparity in relation to income still to be adequately addressed.
In taking cognisance of the challenges of women sport, Cabinet recently approved the gazetting of the draft Policy on Women in Sport for public comment.
The policy outlines a set of measures that will promote and support women in sport and ensure programmes are in place to address gender disparities in sporting codes and structures.
It also addresses barriers to entry by women in sport such as a lack of funding, sponsorship and inadequate remuneration. The proposed policy intends to promote increased active participation of women in sport and leadership roles such as coaching and officiating.
Women in sport are proving that despite the uphill challenges, the human spirit is resilient and does triumph over adversity. They are living proof. While much has been done to advance the interests of women, much more remains to be done to support them in many other areas of society.
Win or lose, we all should be proud of their accomplishments. The women who marched to the Union Buildings 67 years ago would certainly be.- SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Thu, 08/03/2023 - 15:03
To celebrate Women’s Day, Ride KTM Durban is proud to invite ladies who love motorbikes to join them for a special outride event on Wednesday, 09 August 2023. Join local legend Keryn Ehlers as the Ride KTM Durban teams heads to The Barrel pub and restaurant on Main Road, Shaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, and enjoy …
Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, is calling for nominations for experienced and skilled persons to serve on the Western Cape Consumer Affairs Tribunal, whose purpose is to protect the rights of consumers by acting as an adjudication body in disputes between consumers and businesses. Minister Wenger, said, “Ultimately, consumer protection helps to ensure …
Suzuki Auto has just passed a major sales milestone in South Africa. The Japanese maker of compact passenger vehicles, SUVs and commercial vehicles handed the keys to their 200 000th buyer in July and ended the month with sales of 4 361 units. This means that the total sales for Suzuki now stand at 201 …
Dear Editor The Department of Correctional Services has delayed announcing a timeline for Zuma’s return to prison, causing anxiety and raising doubts about the strength of the nation’s judicial system. The DA demands that Zuma immediately returns to Estcourt Correctional Centre to serve the remainder of his 15-month sentence. We will take further action if …
Dear Editor The DA calls on the Public Protector to prioritise their investigation into the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) direct payment contracts and subsequent defunding of students. Students at higher learning institutions all over the country have started protesting the direct payment failures that have led to multitudes facing defunding, evictions and hunger. …
Dried Fruit South Africa is promoting the health and convenience benefits of dried fruit to the country’s runners, hikers, swimmers, walkers and mountain climbers. It is the first element of a multi-pronged marketing campaign designed to inform and educate outdoor enthusiasts, health-conscious professionals, moms, and school-going children about the benefits of snacking on South African …
SUN CITY, North West Province – August 02, 2023 – SAP Global Innovation Evangelist Timo Elliott had delegates of the African SAP User Group’s (AFSUG) SAPHILA 2023 conference, taking place at Sun City, North West Province, on 10 and 11 July 2023, on the edge of their seats. With 30 years of experience, Elliott spoke …
Pandor to host her New Zealand counterpart in Cape Town
The International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, will host her counterpart in New Zealand, Nanaia Mahuta, on Friday, 5 August, in Cape Town.
“It is expected that the two Ministers will discuss bilateral relations between South Africa and New Zealand, as well as the situation in Africa, Ukraine-Russia, women empowerment, science, technology, nuclear disarmament, and United Nations Security Council reform,” the statement read.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994, the department said South Africa and New Zealand have signed nine agreements.
Additionally, the two Ministers will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on bilateral cooperation.
New Zealand’s ties with South Africa range from trade and tourism, agriculture, disarmament, fisheries, environment, indigenous and human rights issues as well as sports.
The media are invited to cover opening remarks by Ministers Pandor and Mahuta at the Westin Cape Town at 8:00. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 08/03/2023 - 12:36
On July 28, on the margins of the second Russia-Africa summit, a meeting of the expert panel of antimonopoly agencies "Combating Anticompetitive Practices of Large Transnational Corporations, Suppressing Cross-border Cartels and International Cooperation" was held. The panel participants, including heads of antitrust agencies of African countries, discussed a number of important topics related to antitrust regulation. Key issues included the challenge of regulating global digital monopolies, the role of antitrust in ensuring global food and human security, and equitable participation of all countries in the global economy and access to technology transfer tools.
In his foreword Alexey Ivanov, Director of BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre highlighted that "Antitrust law originally originated under conditions of uncertainty. In post-war Europe, in Russia during the transition to a market economy, in China with the beginning of the policy of reform and opening up, in South Africa after the fall of the apartheid regime and in Brazil with the end of the dictatorship, the adoption of antitrust laws helped the economic system to reach a new level of development. Now, in the context of global uncertainty, the question of the role of antitrust law arises again. Modern global monopolies can only be countered by the same global antitrust initiatives, which can only be realized in the interstate format, which is currently represented by BRICS+, to which the new members from African countries are also gravitating."
The initiative to establish a Commission on Competition and Consumer Welfare in Africa was further developed. It is the second attempt for regulators from Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Gambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Zambia and the Commission (COMESA), which includes 21 other African countries, to agree to proceed with the establishment of a working group for cooperation. The working group will focus on the sectors of e-commerce, aggregation services (online travel agencies and online classifieds), matchmaking services (search services and social platforms - Google and Meta, as well as e-call and delivery services such as Uber and Glovo), digital advertising (search and social media), fintech and cybersecurity.
“To date, we have been working in a coordinated manner to harmonize antitrust regulation through bilateral, regional and international cooperation among 29 African states. Normally, it takes decades from the negotiation of agreements to the adoption of laws and the formation of regulatory institutions to control competition in the market, but we have managed to achieve significant results in just a few years. Today, it is important to continue developing this area, given the global nature of the challenges and the need to further deepen cooperation between competition authorities”, - Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner, Competition Commission of the Republic of South Africa has stated.
Another hot topic of discussion was the merger deal between Bunge and Viterra, an agribusiness giants with a strong presence in the markets of Brazil, South Africa and Egypt. The merger of the two companies may lead to imbalances in the international food market, including due to the establishment, if the deal is approved, of control over logistics in this area by the new player. This case made even more urgent the problem of developing infrastructure to detect and monitor cross-border cartel activity, which threatens not only direct economic costs, but also social and humanitarian risks.
“Bunge and Viterra, Bayer and Mansanta. We know what steps should be taken to consider such transactions that do not contradict the antitrust laws of different jurisdictions. But there are certain obstacles on our way to control the cross-border cartels. Their emergence threatens to significantly disrupt the normal operation of international trade. Cases of cross-border cartels and cartel collusions are difficult to both detect and investigate. This is due to the inconsistency and lack of universal norms on anti-corruption actions. One of the important principles of control over cross-border cartels should be the principle of extraterritoriality, allowing claims to be brought against the entire business structure of the offending company, not only against legal entities in a particular country. This will require a higher level of cooperation and trust between the antitrust services of individual countries,” – said Mahmoud Momtaz, Chairman of the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).
"Today, market power is determined by control over big data. That is, companies are accumulating information, and a network effect is occurring. And today antitrust regulators can no longer ignore these facts and should actively conduct coordinated work in relation to global digital monopolies, including more active application of the network effect criterion," - Ivanov added.
According to the expert panel discussion participants, one of the main problems of antitrust compliance control, as well as tools for investigations in this area, is the lack of technology and cooperation based on data exchange. Often such data can be sensitive to the domestic interests of individual countries. Exchanges between members of the global antitrust network can therefore only take place if there is trust. The development of joint initiatives and platforms for meeting and discussing such issues face-to-face should therefore lay the foundations for overcoming this problem.
At this point, the UN's support for African and Russian antitrust initiatives has been an important factor. Teresa Moreira - Head, Competition and Consumer Policy Unit, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated that UNCTAD supports initiatives at the regional and international levels that can further strengthen anti-competitive enforcement tools.
Ms. Moreira made a special mention of Russia's role in this process. "The foundations of mechanisms and tools for cross-border cartel control and, more broadly, for compliance with international competition law of UNCTAD's Section "F" were laid back in the 1980s, but for a long time remained recommendatory. Only recently, thanks to the proactive actions of the Russian antimonopoly authorities and the BRICS International Centre, it has been possible to re-launch this discussion and work on transferring these recommendations into the sphere of mandatory norms".
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre.
Media contact:
brics.competitioncenter@gmail.com
About BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre:
The BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre was established in 2018 by the BRICS competition authorities. The Centre's work is aimed at collecting and analyzing information from competition authorities, identifying best practices, but primarily at preparing recommendations and developing approaches to competition policy that reflect the interests of the development of the BRICS economies. The key mission of the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre is to advance the development agenda and strengthen the role of competition regulation in overcoming imbalances in the global economy. The Centre brings together leading BRICS universities and independent researchers who are actively involved in the Centre's main research projects: on global food chains and on new approaches to antitrust regulation of the digital economy.
BRICS agriculture meeting to promote sustainable production
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, will next week host the 13th BRICS Ministers of Agriculture meeting aimed at increasing cooperation among its member countries to promote sustainable and fair growth.
BRICS is the grouping of the world’s leading emerging market economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The 13th BRICS Ministers of Agriculture meeting will take place from 8-12 August 2023 at Mookgophong, Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality in the Waterberg District, Limpopo,
Held under the theme, 'Strengthening collaborations towards sustainable agricultural production and increasing productivity', the meeting will seek to pursue issues of common interest relating to food security, climate change, rural development, economic challenges, poverty, and population growth.
The department said the BRICS mechanism aims to promote development cooperation, security, peace, and establishment of a more equitable economic world.
“The overall aim of BRICS agriculture cooperation is to improve access to food and increase comprehensive food production. The event will showcase rural development and climate change programmes,” the department said.
The meeting is hosted ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 August 2023.
Last week, the department hosted the BRICS Road Show 2023 in Bloemfontein, Free State, which aimed to encourage debates, discussions, and conversations about the challenges confronting all provinces as an investment destination today and economies of scale.
The show also aimed to highlight programmes for economic development and sustainable job creation initiatives for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs); increase initiatives on rural development and climate smart technologies; expand market access/trade agreements; conclude on protocols; and to increase training opportunities to post graduate students. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 08/03/2023 - 12:38
In a world increasingly plagued by pressing societal issues and environmental concerns, conscious individuals and companies are re-evaluating our roles and responsibilities, seeking ways to positively impact a better future. Post-COVID, this sentiment has only grown stronger, with a heightened awareness of the need to address sustainability, social well-being, and the welfare of our children …
Plan launched to deal with problem, which is partly driven by food insecurity
Titilayo Oyinsan The dynamic host of Women’s Wealth, supported by CMTrading, comments: “Inequality and limited financial literacy affect millions of women around the world. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 65% of women have an account with a financial institution, when compared with 72% of men. Yet, a new study undertaken by the IMF …
Chikunga speaks out on Cape Town taxi-related violence
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has noted with deep concern the recent incidents of violence in Cape Town related to law enforcement officials impounding taxis due to various infringements.
In a statement on Thursday, the Minister strongly condemned any form of violence from all parties involved in dealing with this impasse.
The Minister said she recognises the vital role that the taxi industry plays in providing essential transportation services to the public. She acknowledges the challenges faced by operators and drivers.
"However, resorting to violence and acts of aggression not only undermines the rule of law but also jeopardises the safety and well-being of passengers, law enforcement officials and innocent bystanders. It is crucial that all parties involved in this matter prioritise peaceful and constructive dialogue to resolve the issues at hand,” Chikunga said.
The Minister urged all stakeholders to work together and find common ground, without resorting to violence, in order to speedily address the challenges faced in the taxi industry.
She said government is committed to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the taxi industry.
The Minister called on all relevant stakeholders, including taxi associations, law enforcement agencies and government officials, to engage in open and transparent discussions to address grievances, improve regulations, and ensure the safe and efficient transportation of passengers.
She said she understands the frustrations and concerns of the affected parties, and encouraged them to express their grievances through peaceful means and established channels.
Chikunga urged all parties to explore mediation and negotiation processes to resolve conflicts and reach mutually beneficial agreements.
Furthermore, she called on the taxi industry to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations governing their operations.
“Adherence to these regulations not only promotes safety but also demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and accountability. All stakeholders must work together to foster an environment where the rights and responsibilities of both operators and passengers are upheld.
“I appeal to taxi associations, law enforcement agencies and all relevant parties to prioritise the well-being of the public and work towards finding a resolution that respects the rule of law. All parties must act responsibly and in the best interests of the passengers and the broader community,” the Minister said.
She assured the nation that she remains committed to ensuring a safe and reliable public transport system.
“All South Africans must play their part in fostering a culture of peace, respect and adherence to the law. By working together, we can overcome the challenges faced by the taxi industry and create an environment that benefits all stakeholders,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 08/03/2023 - 10:44
African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) Vice President Solomon Quaynor has concluded a tour of Export Trade Group (ETG)'s southern Africa operations, signalling the potential for stronger partnership with the agribusiness giant to boost livelihoods on the continent.
Mr Quaynor, responsible for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, and four others from the Bank, visited ETG's operations in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe last week, where they saw first-hand the impact of the firm's diverse agribusiness value chains and trade, supported by massive human capital and assets, including large warehouses and industrial machinery.
The Bank's team included Richard Ofori-Mante, Acting Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development; Damian Ihedioha, Division Manager for Agribusiness; Bleming Nekati, Chief Trade Finance Officer; and Patrick Mabuza, Principal Research Economist. They were joined by ETG's Joint CEO, Birju Patel and the Group Chief Treasury Officer, Paul Van Spaendonk.
Quaynor described the trip as “a development banker's dream”. “This has been a deeply insightful trip to Export Trading Group's integrated agro-industrialization operations in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. With a presence in over 30 countries, this glimpse into ETG's operations was a development banker's dream,” he said.
During the four-day trip, the Bank team visited ETG's fertilizer terminal, an inland container depot, fertilizer processing and blending plants, soya vegetable oil refineries, giant warehouses, some of which were filled with tonnes of grains, collection depots, plastic and candle factories, cashew processing plant and a textile factory.
Quaynor's team also interacted with farmer groups, including several women, agribusiness cooperatives and employees of ETG. The meetings provided useful insight into the scale and diversity of the company's activities in Southern Africa. Quaynor also used the opportunity to affirm the African Development Bank's commitment to help boost food production in Africa and foster inclusive development by investing in proven agri-businesses such as ETG.
He noted that the company's operations in Africa go beyond economic growth. “They strive to industrialise Africa, develop smallholder farmers, empower women, create jobs, engage with communities, achieve sustainability and develop value chains,” Quaynor said.
The Vice President said he was impressed with the Group's versatility in managing its diverse portfolio successfully amid persistent local and global headwinds. He noted that they are an innovative agro-industrialist, agro-infrastructure and financially hedged global company with core operations in Africa.
“We believe that ETG is a viable company that is committed to building a brighter future for Africans with gender equality, livelihood opportunities, self-sufficiency, community well-being, environmental stewardship, and collaboration from the pillars of inclusive and sustainable development in Africa. We are proud to be strategic partners with ETG on this remarkable growth story,” Quaynor said.
ETG, a global conglomerate with operations across multiple sectors, is present in 48 countries across five regions, including 30 African countries, where it runs more than 90 industrial plants and around 350 gigantic warehouses. It has a diverse portfolio spanning agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, agro-food processing, energy, minerals and supply chain optimisation.
The company has generated massive employment, including for youth and women. South Africa and Zambia are key countries for both origination and destination, with West Africa forming a key source of cocoa, sesame, and cashew and East Africa a key origin for pulses, sesame, coffee and edible nuts.
ETG CEO Patel underscored the impact of the partnership with the African Development Bank over the last eight years and stressed the Group's commitment to continue working together to improve livelihoods across Africa, “It is always exciting to cultivate partnerships with like-minded organisations that share our unwavering passion for the continent and its people”.
“Our steadfast dedication to enhancing livelihoods through facilitation of trade and market linkages, infrastructure development, agricultural support encompassing yield-enhancing inputs, agronomy services, and sustainable farming practices training, as well as strategic social investments, remains resolute and unyielding. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the African Development Bank and creating a positive impact for all our stakeholders.”
The Bank and ETG recently signed a $150 million trade and agri-finance package. It comprises a $60 million facility to enhance the company's export functions, a $60 million agriculture value-chain programme to boost production by offering top-notch farming tools and expert guidance to farmers in 10 targeted African nations, and a $30 million co-financing from the Africa Growing Together Fund. Disbursement will be concluded before the end of August 2023.
In 2016, the Bank provided a $100 million corporate loan with a seven-year tenor to finance ETG's capital expenditure investment programme covering fertiliser facilities, processing plants, and multi-commodity warehouses across Africa. This was followed by an additional $100 million Soft Commodity Finance Facility to support the firm's short-term import and export working capital.
These facilities supported ETG's operations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, creating over 6,710 jobs (including 1,290 for women) and significantly contributing to tax revenues across the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact:
Kwasi Kpodo
Communication and External Relations
w.kpodo@afdb.org
Technical contact:
Bleming Nekati
Financial Sector Development
b.nekati@afdb.org
The political parties exploring a multi-party agreement (DA, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, UIM and SNP) are pleased to announce that Professor William Gumede has agreed to chair the National Convention that will sit on 16 and 17 August 2023 at Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park. Professor Gumede is an independent chairperson of the process and …
The truth about melanoma and skin cancer in South Africa Sun, cells and skin cancer In South Africa, sun-filled days and plenty of outdoor activities are part of our lifestyle. But, with it comes the added risk of skin cancer. When our skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it can damage our …
Bridge Taxi Finance (“Bridge Taxi”), a Mokoro Holdings subsidiary, is a development company offering finance and support products to the minibus taxi industry in South Africa. This includes strategic investments and associations in various industries supporting the developmental finance chain, from taxi finance to logistics, credit solution services, supply of parts, and vehicle servicing.
South Africa's taxi industry plays a vital role in the country's economy, accounting for over 70% of all public transport trips, and is the most widely used form of public transport in Africa. The EUR 10 million facility from Triodos Investment Managers is an introduction and a part of a strong pipeline of international development finance and impact investors looking to join hands in financing Bridge Taxi Finance. The recent funding is part of the Common Terms Agreement (CTA) structure created for international impact investors to standardize and simplify security sharing among like-minded investors.
Bridge Taxi's clients, the drivers, are entrepreneurs running/ owning a taxi business. The company is currently financing over 4 700 entrepreneurs. Over 15 million South Africans make use of minibus taxis to get to and from work every day. Bridge Taxi finances financially excluded individuals and provides them with an opportunity to own income-generating assets, enabling them to contribute positively to the economy. With an estimated 250 000-280 000 minibus taxis operating in the country's formal routes, there is a significant monthly supply gap of minibus taxis. Bridge Taxi is addressing this supply gap by importing new, safer vehicles, which meet EURO IV and V emissions standards. These new vehicles imported are replacing the old fleet which has higher carbon emissions and is dangerous to public safety and the environment. Bridge Taxi has plans to offer electric vehicles in the coming years, and feasibility studies have already commenced. Bridge Taxi is majority owned by the founders who have more than 20 years of experience in development finance.
The transaction is the first introduction of a simplified and seamless investment structure for international impact investors into the inclusive finance sector in South Africa. Verdant Capital is continuing to work with Bridge Taxi Finance as its sole advisor to bring in longer-term international capital.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Verdant Capital.
Media enquiries:
Verdant Capital:
Liezel van Greunen,
T: +27 10 140 3700
E: liezel.vangreunen@verdant-cap.com
About Verdant Capital:
Verdant Capital is an investment manager and investment bank specialising in the private capital markets and operating on a pan-African basis. Verdant Capital is the manager of the Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund. www.Verdant-Cap.com
Artificial intelligence, future skills needed to develop BRICS countries
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, says a sharp focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning and future skills is needed to enhance the objectives of the Young Scientist Forum (YSF).
“Further to this, we also believe that consideration must be given to the human and social sciences.
“We believe that all these areas of focus are critical for the development of all BRICS countries and essential for their resilience and the long-term psychological well-being of their respective populations,” the Deputy Minister said on Wednesday.
Manamela was speaking in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, where he was delivering the closing remarks at the BRICS YSF.
The three-day event is a platform where participants zoom into transforming skills development for the future, climate change and environmental sustainability, and the future of society.
Organised by the Department of Science and Innovation’s entities, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the forum also hosted the Young Innovators Prize from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to reward innovations with societal benefit.
Fifty South African scientists under the age of 40 were among 200 Master’s and PhD students discussing themes aligned with South Africa’s societal challenges.
“The BRICS Young Scientist Forum has become an important platform for critical reflection by young scientists, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs on some of the most urgent challenges of our time.
“As South Africa, we are particularly pleased that this year’s BRICS forum upheld the tradition of focusing on such critical global issues as climate change, environmental sustainability, the future of education, mindset, and skillset, and the future of society,” Manamela said.
Another issue he believes deserves attention is the creation of strong YSF engagements with current and past cohorts.
The Deputy Minister also proposed the establishment of an alumni forum of YSF participants from BRICS countries.
He said he was also pleased that the five installments of the BRICS Young Innovator Prize have been held successfully.
“This prize has become an important stage for young people in BRICS countries to showcase their innovation talents and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with peers.”
The winners, he said, will be announced and awarded at a dinner by Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande.
The winner will walk away with US $25 000 (R463 926), while the second prize is $15 000 (R278 356) and the third prize is $10 000 (R 185 571).
“To enhance the prestige of this prize, it is important that we continually improve the resourcing of this initiative in support of innovation improvement in the BRICS countries,” Manamela said.
He is also of the view that there is a need to increase the scope and thematic areas to resonate with the economic development of the BRICS countries and identify thematic areas that support developmental growth, especially the alleviation of poverty.
Manamela thanked the TIA and ASSAf for the sterling work of organising this year’s forum and innovation prize.
“Our gratitude also goes to the representatives of the various BRICS countries and our various esteemed guest speakers, who enriched our understanding of a number of critical issues that face our various countries and humanity today.
“It is our hope that the outcome of the 8th YSF BRICS Forum and the ideas presented by our young innovators will enhance the resolve of BRICS countries to improve the quality of life of the people in the global south.”
The YSF precedes the 2023 BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministerial Meeting, which takes place on Friday, 4 August, under the theme ‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism’.
The BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting is part of a series of activities leading up to South Africa's hosting of the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2023. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 08/03/2023 - 09:59
