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The Presidency has confirmed that President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will not attend the 15th Summit of BRICS - however, the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov,” the Presidency said on Wednesday. 

President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The President’s most recent consultation in this regard took place on Tuesday night at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng.

President Ramaphosa confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the historic 15th Summit of the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

This will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. 

“President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe,” the Presidency said. 

The Presidency added that a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued in due course. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of a dramatic drop in temperature, with snow in places for the southern half of the country this week.

The weather service said a cut-off low is expected to develop over the southern interior of South Africa, resulting in a sudden and widespread lowering of maximum temperatures, especially over the Cape as early as Wednesday.

“Apart from the impact of widespread, bitterly cold and showery conditions setting in over the Cape provinces, the South Africa Weather Service (SAWS) expects snowfall to occur over the higher mountains of the Cape provinces tomorrow, spreading to include the Drakensberg Mountain peaks of Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

“As the cut-off low develops further and intensifies during the week, cold weather, accompanied by overcast, rainy conditions, can be expected to set in over parts of the Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga,” SAWS said.

This weather will persist during Friday, when heavier falls can be expected over the western and central parts of the above-mentioned provinces.

“Persistent rainfall is therefore likely to lead to localised flooding and minor disruptions of road traffic. Moreover, there is also the possibility of a few thunderstorms developing, some of which may become severe.

“Large amounts of small hail as well as strong, gusty surface winds may also contribute to icy roads and hazardous driving conditions. Motorists encountering such conditions are advised to reduce speed and to observe safe following distances in traffic,” the weather service said.

By Saturday, much of the rainfall will be in the process of shifting to the eastern and northeastern provinces. The majority of the inclement weather is expected to clear by Sunday.

The public and small stock farmers have been advised that the very cold, wet and windy conditions may pose a risk to livestock, vulnerable crops and plants. The public is also warned to keep warm during these cold conditions.  

“A Yellow level 2 warning has been issued for possible disruptive snow over the mountains of Eastern Cape, valid for 19 to 20 July 2023. Accumulation of snowfall is expected to particularly affect the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality (LM).

“Graaff Reinet is expected to be significantly affected as well as the Chris Hani District Municipality. Similarly, the mountain pass in the Barkly East area will be affected from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.

“The other areas that will be affected are the Raymond Mhlaba LM, Elundini LM and Matatiele LM.  This weather system is also expected to be accompanied by strong waves and winds along the south-western and southern coast of the Western Cape,” SAWS said.

Consequently, a Yellow level 2 warning for waves leading to difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels and personal water craft has been issued for the coastline between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay on Tuesday 18 July through to Wednesday 19 July 2023. 

The public is urged and encouraged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television, radio as well as social media platforms. Updated information in this regard will regularly be available at www.weathersa.co.za as well as via the SA Weather Service Twitter account @SAWeatherService. – SAnews.gov.za

Young people from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and Africa have been challenged to use their voices to demand action from the leaders.

The call was made by Acting KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomagugu Simelane, during her address at the BRICS Youth Summit, currently underway in Durban.

Simelane challenged young people to seize the moment and be part of the debates about their own future.

She said young people have a unique perspective to offer on the challenges and opportunities of our time, noting that they are the ones who will inherit the world tomorrow. 

“It is said that we do not inherit the Earth, but we merely borrow it from future generations. This therefore places a major responsibility on us all, to rise to take our respective places in the sphere of infinite possibilities… but to do that, conscious of those who are yet to come and the world they’ll be borrowing from future generations,” Simelane said.

Simelane also urged the youth to use the summit to discuss, debate and share brilliant ideas for the better, safer, more prosperous, but “sustainable future of our country, our continent and the world.”

“Let us work together to build a BRICS that is inclusive, prosperous and sustainable. This is a timely and important topic, as we face the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and inequality.

“You are the ones who will inherit this planet; and you are the ones who will have to live with the consequences of our actions. You have a responsibility that you will lend those who will come after you, a planet that is not only viable, but also conducive to further growth and development,” the Acting Premier said.

She added that the KwaZulu-Natal Government believes in the importance of creating a culture that values the contributions of young people, by listening to their ideas, respecting their opinions and giving them the opportunity to lead.

“We certainly believe that when young people are empowered, they can make a real difference in the world. They can help to solve problems, create change, and build a better future for everyone.”

Held from 18-20 July 2023, the BRICS Youth Summit aims to bring together youth participants and afford them an opportunity to share ideas and work on a concrete Action Plan for co-operation in economic, humanitarian, mass media and the science sphere. 

The summit will focus on discussions that aim to encourage young leaders amongst BRICS nations to actively participate in addressing the most significant global challenges, as well as economic and social issues and contribute to the developmental agenda.  

It also aims to establish constructive engagements on issues relating to youth empowerment, the advancement of youth development and in creating a conducive environment where youth will devise a path to a brighter and better future. – SAnews.gov.za

It was a joyous occasion as Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, and other government officials turned the first sod to mark the birth of the groundbreaking new Limpopo Central Academic Hospital in Polokwane.

The barren land, situated a stone’s throw away from the Peter Mokaba Stadium, will soon be turned into the state-of-the-art hospital, which is one of the five flagship academic hospitals around the country. 

Equipped with advanced medical technology, the Minister said the hospital will offer cutting-edge diagnostic procedures and innovative treatments. 

The project, which was launched during this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day, has been a long time coming since the initial planning of the hospital started in the 2008/09 financial year. 

However, Phaahla said he was pleased when a Master Plan, which was approved by National Treasury in 2022 was finally approved for the 488-beds hospital. 

“This day of laying the foundation for the construction of the Limpopo Central Academic Hospital is a culmination of the work of many years by many people, some of whom are here while others are not.”

The Minister announced that the health facility in association with the health science faculty of the University of Limpopo will make a significant contribution to health education and research.

“The establishment of a specialist hospital in this province will bolster the health sciences education and training, creating more opportunities for future generations to pursue careers in health sciences. 

“The university’s health sciences faculty which houses the medical school, must start concrete plans to attract specialists and super-specialists to train doctors and other health professionals.”

He is of the view that the establishment will reduce Limpopo’s dependence on Gauteng for specialised medical care.

Meanwhile, as a teaching institution, it will also provide valuable educational opportunities for health sciences students ranging from medical students to nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and more. 

The hospital will also offer emergency health services, critical care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ancillary services. 

“This will not be an ivory tower, but part of a network based on the foundation of primary healthcare.”

Meanwhile, he said the success of the execution is going to depend on cooperation by all the role-players. 

The department has assigned the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) appointed as an implementing agent, working with technical professionals of Sakhiwo, and Enza construction company. 

“This team is under very strict instructions which were given by President [Cyril] Ramaphosa. He said to me that this must not be another Eskom-like Medupi, where you budget so much and you end up spending three or four times more. I assured the President that all those shenanigans will not happen here.”

Minister Phaahla called on the service providers to deliver a quality product, on time and within budget.

“As a result, their mandate is to complete and hand over the keys by Christmas of 2026 to whoever will be the Premier or Minister and when they hand the keys, it must be like the [impressions we saw on the screen].”

At various stages of construction, the department expects to produce about 2 000 jobs and about 2 000 more, once it is fully operational. 

However, he cautioned that not everyone will get a job or contract while the hospital is under construction.

“Above all, thousands of lives will be saved every year,” he stressed. 

Phaahla thanked the Limpopo government for their cooperation and assistance and former Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi who started the process and laid the foundation for this hospital to be built. 

“I am confident that if we embrace the spirit of President Mandela; of doing everything for the most vulnerable we can disappoint the naysayers. 

“This Limpopo Central Hospital will be one of the pillars to deliver the National Health Insurance. In Madiba’s memory, let us deliver the Limpopo Central Hospital.” – SAnews.gov.za