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The OBSSA sounds the alarm over digital wallet fraud: Modern consumers have become used to a plethora of easy pay options when transacting. One doesn’t think twice about using their phone or smartwatch to pay for their morning coffee after a workout session at the gym. Contactless payments (such as tapping your card or using …
Dear Editor The DA is deeply concerned about the sharp rise in farm murders in South Africa and the dangerous rhetoric inciting violence against a particular group in society. The ANC’s failure to address the inflammatory statements and farm attacks shows a lack of leadership in protecting citizens. The DA urgently calls for the establishment …
Residents say the contractor stopped cleaning over two months ago because of a dispute with the City
Cathay Pacific welcomes South Africans back onboard as direct flights to Hong Kong resume The airline returns to South Africa with three flights per week, connecting the country with Hong Kong and beyond Cathay Pacific’s much-awaited direct flight between South Africa and Hong Kong is officially back following a three-year hiatus, with the first resumed …
As the Chief Operating Officer for Comcorp South Africa, a leading software innovator and authentication technology specialists, Shanaaz Trethewey is an inspiration, not only for her leadership and organisational capabilities but also her role as a woman in the tech space. She is passionate about the role businesses play to service society through technology especially …
Team headed by Cape Town researcher makes exciting discovery during a biodiversity survey of this little-studied country
Hundreds of workers marched in Pretoria saying the CWP has failed in its goal to alleviate poverty
President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi a speedy recovery.
Prince Buthelezi has been unwell and is hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
President Ramaphosa has communicated with the Buthelezi family, who have briefed him about Prince Buthelezi's health condition.
The President has expressed his well wishes and conveyed that his heartfelt prayers are with Prince Buthelezi and the family.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
The municipality has asked the SA Human Rights Commission to intervene a second time
SIU appoints top legal eye as Chief Legal Counsel
Former SABC Group Executive for Legal Governance and Regulatory, Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara, has been appointed as the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) Chief Legal Counsel.
The unit said Vanara’s appointment is in line with strengthening its “implementing business process improvements that are result driven”.
“The strategy places emphasis on the positive impact of the SIU work, improving turnaround time of investigations, reaching expected legal outcomes, and ensuring the implementation of SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management,” the SIU said.
Vanara has legal expertise spanning over two decades, including his work at the public broadcaster.
“He has also worked at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa as Acting Registrar of Members’ Interest, Chief Director: Legal Advisor and has occupied other legal positions. He holds a B. Proc through Vista University, LLB and LLM through the University of the Free State.
“The SIU looks forward to Advocate Vanara leading our legal team and strengthening our Civil Litigation Division to achieve even greater milestones,” the unit said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 08/02/2023 - 08:43
Newly released data shows that several major South African brands are meeting targets when it comes to collecting and recycling the plastic packaging in which their products are sold, and keeping it out of the environment. The audited data was released on June 8 by the country’s longest-standing producer responsibility organisation (PRO), PETCO. It represents …
ABB invests over R10m to complete additional technology transfer
ABB's Longmeadow campus in Modderfontein, Johannesburg, has invested just over R10 million to complete its additional technology transfer and strengthen the local manufacturing of its UniGear ZS1 medium voltage switchgear facility.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
The product was previously fully imported from the Czech Republic, or other countries when needed. This investment will now mean that 60-70% of the technology will now be manufactured locally.
“South Africa Switchgear Market size is projected to register growth. The increasing number of investments for sustainable power generation coupled with growing population is expected to drive the growth of the market,” said Yunus Hoosen, Head Invest SA of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
“This illustrates both the importance of the domestic sector to multinationals and the strategic location of South Africa to a rapidly growing African consumer market,” he said.
The Distribution Solutions factory now employs around 120 people, ten of whom employed due to this investment.
There is also a plan to increase these numbers by employing additional permanent engineers, contractors, and graduates through its graduate programme in which over 70 graduates currently participate.
ABB has further started the process of increasing the localization of its Compact Secondary Substations (CSS), which is due for completion by October 2023.
“Utilities are increasingly looking to implement smart solutions to solve complex energy challenges. The creation of job opportunities for local engineers and contractors demonstrates our long term commitment as a partner of Government,” said Egon Worthmann, MV Primary AIS Switchgear Manager for ABB Electrification’s Distribution Solutions division.
Built in 2009, ABB South Africa headquarters demonstrates the company’s early adoption of more sustainable manufacturing approaches, with the site boasting a 760kWp array of rooftop solar panels, which generate enough solar energy to cover around 30% of the site’s annual energy consumption of 2400MwH.
The Distribution Solutions factory serves customers in South Africa and other sub-Saharan countries.
"The ABB investment further signifies that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination across all sectors including the Advanced Manufacturing sector," Hoosen said.
"InvestSA remains ready and committed to assist foreign and domestic investors in realizing their investment in South Africa with localisation being a key component of economic reconstruction and recovery," he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 08/02/2023 - 14:49
Despite the Western Cape Government subsidising holiday security at 436 schools over the June/July holidays, our schools have unfortunately once again been targeted by criminals during this period.
Incidents of burglary and vandalism were reported by 38 schools during the holidays, mainly concentrated in the metro education districts. Thankfully only one of the incidents was considered major.
Items stolen or damaged ranged from water piping to windows, cables to computers, fencing to fire safety equipment, stationery to security gates, and numerous other items. The cost of replacing and repairing these is still being calculated, and will divert funding away from the essential task of educating our learners.
While the number of schools reporting incidents is a decrease from the 42 schools affected in the same holiday period in 2022, the number of incidents remains unacceptably high, and negatively affects our children's education.
Recently, the theft of water pipes at Crystal High School resulted in a large portion of the school being flooded, forcing the school to close temporarily. An entire group of learners had their teaching and learning time disrupted, despite us being able to accommodate them at another school while the water was drained.
At a time when we are providing extra classes to get our children #BackOnTrack, we simply cannot afford to have normal teaching and learning time disrupted by criminals targeting school property.
Someone, somewhere, knows who the perpetrators of these crimes are.
Someone, somewhere, will be offered the goods stolen from our schools.
We appeal to the public to report any details about these crimes, not matter how small, to the South African Police Services (SAPS) immediately, so we can shut down the criminal economy that is preying on our schools.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Education Department, South Africa.
[Durban – 02 August 2023] Corovoca Primary School, in Avoca, was a lucky winner of R30 000 cash in the Bata Toughees “It’s your time to shine” competition. The school had old, rusted and broken fencing along the main corridor, which posed a danger to the 800 pupils on site. “When I saw the competition, …
Methane gas identified as cause of Joburg CBD explosion
An investigation has found that methane gas was the cause of the deadly Lillian Ngoyi Street (formerly known as Bree Street) explosion that rocked the Johannesburg city centre last month.
This was revealed by City of Johannesburg City Manager, Floyd Brink, during a media briefing on Wednesday.
The explosion killed one person, injured several others, caused infrastructure damage and disrupted services in the area.
“Methane is lighter than air so usually methane…will go up. It travelled up all along the service tunnel from an unknown source to the crest of the tunnel near the Von Brandis Street. There were always questions around why did we not see any fire…if you look at the low explosive level, there’s a threshold of between 5 and 15%. If it’s between 5 to 15% it will be an explosion, anything above 15% will then create a fire.
“This one was between the threshold of between 5 to 15%, therefore it was an explosion. As we flew…our drones into those tunnels, we could not pick up any indication of black scorch from a fire,” he said.
Brink added that the investigation ruled out several other suspected causes – including that the explosion was caused by a gas leakage, illegal mining underground or negligence.
The city manager said repair work to rehabilitate and reconstruct the area is currently estimated to stand at more than R100 million.
“Our rough estimate at this point currently sits around R178 million and that is based on work that has been done but it’s based on preliminary designs. We will indicate…as we are moving closer with detailed designs. That amount may increase based on the designs that we will have.
“That is preliminary to look at what it will cost us for the road, what it will cost us for any other infrastructure damages and also to reconstruct that particular tunnel,” Brink said.
He revealed that following the explosion, the City of Johannesburg spent close to R4 million on “professional experts, services, the cordoning off of the site, technology that we’ve used and the provision of temporary relief”.
Brink said the city has learnt several lessons following the explosion with plans coming to avoid future reoccurrence.
“The tunnel designs will be upgraded based on current international codes for tunnels to reduce the risk of severity for these types of explosions. We will also introduce continuous gas detection, alarms, sensors and monitors for all staff working in the tunnels.
“As we move forward to reconstruct and to upgrade these particular areas, we would need to upgrade to ensure that we use technology. Our tunnels designs will be based on international relevant standards… that focusses specifically on tunnels and explosion prevention with accidental combustible gas release in tunnels and/or cavities,” he said.
Brink emphasised that the work to secure the tunnel will not only be concentrated on Lillian Ngoyi Street but other projects will also commence at other streets in the area to “look at gas detection and any other issues”. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 08/02/2023 - 15:15
It’s waterblommetjie season in the Western Cape and pickers can be spotted harvesting this locally indigenous flower that grows in shallow ponds between June and September. The waterblommetjie (Aponogeton distachyos) is one of South Africa’s most famous edible plants with a long history of use by the indigenous Khoikhoi, both medicinally and as a nutritious …
The Western Cape Cabinet today agreed to proceed with applying to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to have a provincial disaster declared due to damages suffered from the severe weather which affected the province from 14 to 19 June 2023.
Cabinet was presented with a consolidated damage report compiled by the Department of Local Government, Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said today.
After taking into account insured damages, damages not associated with the flooding, and the ability to reprioritise funding within existing budgets, unfunded damages have been calculated to be R703.3million, according to the cabinet report.
“The declaration of a provincial disaster by the NDMC will allow us to approach the National Government for funding support, as the scope of damages are beyond the ability of the provincial fiscus, “Minister Bredell said.
Unfunded agricultural damage of R500million is the largest amount, and of great concern to the province. The Department of Agriculture has reprioritised R18.6million to assist the sector. Commenting on the WC Cabinet's decision to request the NDMC to declare a Provincial Disaster Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer said: “During my oversight visits to parts of the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, I gained first-hand knowledge of the devasting impact the floods had on our rural communities. The damage to agriculture irrigation, fencing, orchards, vineyards, crops as well as the damage caused by the removal of sediment upstream and which was later deposited downstream in the rivers and riparian zone was extensive. The decision to approach the national government is therefore welcomed.”
Unfunded damages to provincial infrastructure have been calculated to be R18.8million. The Department of Infrastructure has reprioritised R4.6million from its appropriated budget for the 2023/24 financial year to address immediate repairs to critical infrastructure. Minister Tertius Simmers emphasized the importance of requesting the classification of a provincial state of disaster. “The aftermath of the devastation of the floods still lingers and is there for all to see. Although we were able to reconnect our towns and reopen parts of our roads within days of the floods, the declaration of a state of disaster will assist in accelerating the economic recovery. The restoration of infrastructure will enable a seamless movement of goods and services to market as well as enable the commute of residents. As a province that exports more than 50% of the country's agriculture products, we must ensure that our infrastructure enables the sector to operate optimally. This will further ensure that the stature of the infrastructure is preserved and help mitigate future erosion.”
Unfunded damages to municipal infrastructure, after reprioritised budgets were taken into consideration was calculated to be R21.5million. This includes damages of R4.4million in Overstrand, R1.4million in Theewaterskloof, R350 000 in Swartland, R8million in Cederberg, R435 000 in Drakenstein, R5.6million in Stellenbosch and R1.4million in the City of Cape Town.
Minister Bredell said although the province should be grateful that our dams are full due to the heavy and widespread rain this winter, the flood damages should also be seen in the context of climate change and the understanding that future flooding and droughts will be of a more intense nature. “When we rebuild from this disaster, we need to ensure our planning and design is with our eyes on the future. Well maintained ecosystems, such as catchments and river courses that are clear of alien vegetation allows for better water retention, less erosion, and free flowing rivers that prevents expensive damage to infrastructure or possible loss of life.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, South Africa.
Ruth Ntlokotse wants court to declare her expulsion unlawful
When the 2023 Netball World Cup wraps, the focus will shift to the World Indoor Netball Association (WINA) Action Netball Tri-Series World Cup in Brisbane Australia from 12 to 19 August with eight teams representing the SA Indoor Netball Federation. A total of 100 players was selected during the inter-provincial tournament in March 2023 to …
Centurion – Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) closed off Mandela month at the Edutak Pre-primary Training Centre in Pretoria last weekend. More than a 120 Volkswagen employees and their loved ones volunteered to create a conducive training and learning environment for early childhood development educators. They were joined by Edutak staff and early learning development …
Employers rallied to hire people with disabilities
The chairperson of the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE), Tabea Kabinde, has lamented the slow pace of transformation in the workplace for designated groups, especially for people with disabilities.
Kabinde was addressing the Employment Equity roadshow in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Conducted under the theme, ‘Real transformation makes business sense’, the Employment Equity roadshows by the Department of Employment and Labour, in collaboration with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), create awareness on the recently promulgated EE amendments, sector targets and regulations.
The workshops further aim to deal with the impact of EE in the labour market by sharing the results of the 23rd CEE Annual Report.
“Out of 27 532 reports received, covering a total of 7 215 960 employees, only 1.2% are persons with disabilities. We are now stretching it to only 2% as a proposed target. Please do not overlook people with disabilities,” Kabinde said.
The chairperson told the gathering that while there are employers who are transforming their workplaces in terms of hiring people with disabilities, very few go beyond the 1.2%. She said there must be a demonstrable commitment to employ those with disabilities.
Kabinde said anyone can have disabilities due to an accident or illness and “this does not mean the end”.
On the issue of sector targets, the CEE chairperson told the meeting that a lot of noise in the media is created by misunderstandings.
“When we start fighting, we forget that we are talking about the Economically Active Population (EAP). The EAP focuses only on people who are working, looking for work and are employable,” she said.
She told the workshop that it cannot be that a group with a small EAP continues to occupy top management level posts, whereas racial groups with a higher percentage of the EAP occupy a small fraction of top management posts.
Part of the session was also spent on a demonstration of the online EE system with the incorporated amendments to reporting on the system and how certificates of compliance will be generated.
There was also a presentation of the CCMA’s case law related to EE, professionally done by a Commissioner from the CCMA.
The national series workshops/roadshows started on 18 July and will conclude on 29 August 2023. The remaining August workshops are as follows:
Gauteng
• Johannesburg (2 August 2023)
Mpumalanga
• Witbank (Emalahleni) - (15 August 2023)
• Nelspruit (Mbombela) – (16 August 2023)
Western Cape
• George (15 August 2023)
• Cape Town (16 August 2023)
Eastern Cape
• Gqeberha (22 August 2023)
• East London (23 August 2023)
• Mthatha (24 August 2023)
Free State
• Welkom (22 August 2023)
• Bloemfontein (23 August 2023)
KwaZulu-Natal
• Durban (29 August 2023)
The EE workshops are targeted at employers or heads of organisations, academics, senior managers, consultative forum members, human resource practitioners, trade unions, employees and other interested stakeholders. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 08/02/2023 - 09:28
Get ready for the highly anticipated ninth edition of the Hollywood Foundation iQhawe Week, a prestigious development rugby tournament set to take place from 2 to 5 October 2023. Set for Jeppe High School in Gauteng, this week-long extravaganza brings together U15 boys and girls from across the country to showcase their raw talent. Organised …
Dear Editor This week, to the great excitement of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Electricity Minister, Dr Ramokgopa and the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) released the Electricity Action Plan report for the past 13 months. The EAP, launched in July 2022 was to be the roadmap to end loadshedding as quickly as possible with additional planned …
The over-rate penalties for the five Tests of the England-Australia series have been confirmed as per the revised provisions of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel that relate to minimum over-rate offences. As per the revised provisions of the Code, players are fined five per cent of their match fee …