MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
“We wanted the Buyers’ Guide to be a celebration of the talent and creativity that is so obvious in South Africa,” says Ian Hurwitz, SA Décor and Design publisher and CEO who last week hosted a packed launch of the newly formatted Buyers’ Guide. He adds: “We have many challenges in this country, but our …
Netball World Cup trophy tour to get underway
With the Netball World Cup activations getting underway this weekend, the City of Cape Town has encouraged residents to use the opportunity to see the Netball World Cup trophy up close and personal.
“We have some exciting fun activities lined up at these activations and you can take pictures with the trophy before the start of the tournament. We encourage Capetonians to take the chance to go to their closest trophy activation and enjoy the spirit of the Netball World Cup,” the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said on Thursday.
The Netball World Cup 2023 gets under way on 28 July and runs until 6 August 2023 in Cape Town.
“This is the pinnacle of the build up to Africa’s first Netball World Cup and as Cape Town we are truly looking forward to welcoming the world to our city. For now, we are excited to receive the famed trophy as the final destination in its journey across the country,” Smith said.
The Cape Town Trophy Tour will kick off at the Tygervalley Shopping Centre Food Court on Saturday, 8 July 2023. The activation, which will be led by the Cape Town Netball Federation will be at the shopping centre from 3pm until 5pm.
Visitors at the V&A Waterfront will experience the trophy tour at the amphitheatre on Sunday, 9 July from 11am until 2pm. There will be fun activations, games, the official netball mascot Letsatsi and giveaways.
On Monday 10 July, the trophy will make its way to the Langa Civic Hall in Washington Street for a day of more activities, including an exhibition netball game with local players. The activities will start from 10am until 2pm.
The final stop of the trophy tour will be the Canal Walk Food Court on Tuesday 11 July.
Tickets for some of the games are still available at https://nwc2023.org.za/tickets/
The City will establish a Fan Park outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre where netball fans can watch matches on a big screen, enjoy live entertainment, play games and enjoy a family environment for the duration of the Netball World Cup. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 07/07/2023 - 09:35
With July upon us, a wave of reverence and reflection sweeps across the globe to honour the strong spirit of the late President Nelson Mandela during the annual commemoration of Nelson Mandela Month. This special occasion, observed on July 18th, serves as a poignant reminder of Nelson Mandela's extraordinary contributions to fostering equality, compassion and human rights. It calls upon individuals, communities, organizations and businesses to dedicate their time, skills, and resources to make a positive impact on society, echoing his lifelong commitment to public service. By harnessing the power of unity, Nelson Mandela Month serves as a catalyst for transforming lives, embracing inclusivity and fostering connections that transcend boundaries.
Chairman of Black Impact Foundation (BIF) Clarence Seedorf was honored as one of the few Legacy Champions by Madiba in 2009 to carry on his legacy worldwide. So it's not a surprise that BIF has created a platform like the Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) (www.GlobalBlackImpact.com) , a landmark event that promises to be a unique and transformative experience for individuals celebrating Black excellence and driving positive change. Therefore, commemorating Mandela Month is a natural action to keep promoting the values and objectives of his legacy. The Global Black Impact Summit, created by BIF and organised by Energy Capital & Power (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com), is scheduled to take place on November 30th and December 01st, 2023 – in Dubai offering a dynamic platform for networking, learning and collaboration, with a focus on uniting and connecting the Black community with the aim of strengthening inclusivity, equality, education and entrepreneurship.
The prevailing emphasis of Nelson Mandela Month centres around "67 Minutes for Madiba on Nelson Mandela Day," signifying the symbolic 67 years that Nelson Mandela dedicated to public service, persevering through adversity, and unwaveringly championing the cause of social justice, ultimately culminating in his historic tenure as the inaugural President of the newly birthed South Africa. This day captures the ideals that Nelson Mandela adopted throughout his life—forgiveness, reconciliation and the belief that each individual possesses the power to change the world for the better. By encouraging people to devote just a fraction of their time, 67 minutes, to acts of kindness, Mandela Day urges us to acknowledge our collective responsibility in effectuating meaningful change.
BIF, with its emphasis on uniting and celebrating the Black community, recognizes the impact of Mandela's legacy in inspiring and shining light on individuals worldwide to enhance inclusivity, equality, education and entrepreneurship within the overall community. As the spirit of Madiba is integral part of the Foundation, people can join BIF to unite under a shared purpose and amplify their efforts towards effectuating meaningful change and foster reconciliation and social justice.
By highlighting the shared values of Mandela's Legacy, BIF becomes an ideal platform for engaging in positive dialogues, forging partnerships, and formulating a proactive approach to support Black individuals globally.
One of the fundamental pillars of both GBIS and Mandela Month is education. Recognizing that education plays a pivotal role in unlocking opportunities, both initiatives place a strong emphasis on enhancing educational access and quality.
Acknowledging the profound impact of Mandela, we invite you to unite with us in amplifying Black voices by supporting the Black Impact Foundation and joining GBIS and other BIF initiatives.
To learn more about BIF, please visit www.BlackImpactFoundation.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Dear Editor ICT challenges at the Berlin Embassy have been laid bare by an oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee of International Relations and Cooperation. These challenges have resulted in service officials having to manually issue visas. The DA demands a full explanation from Minister Pandor on the reasons for the ICT challenges that are …
Emfuleni owes Eskom R3.5-billion and must now hand over its electricity business to the power utility, Pretoria High Court orders
As a leader in your organization, it is crucial to embrace the task of continuously fostering growth and development within your teams. This approach holds the key to not only enhancing existing leadership skills but also identifying untapped potential among individuals. By cultivating their capabilities, you pave the way for strong leadership and a pipeline …
President Ramaphosa urges Congolese companies to invest in SA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Congolese businesses to invest in South Africa and for local companies to do the same.
The President labelled the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the beating heart of Africa, with immense importance to the continent’s history.
“The DRC has an equally important role to play in the future of our continent, with its minerals propelling the new green industrial revolution.
“It is for this reason that we want to see more South African companies investing in the DRC, and likewise to see more Congolese companies investing in the South African economy,” the President said on Thursday.
The country's First Citizen was speaking in Kinshasa where he kicked off his working visit at the invitation of President Félix Tshisekedi.
He co-chaired the Heads of State and Government segment of the 12th Session of the DRC–South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).
President Ramaphosa said the BNC between the two countries underscores the importance of their relationship.
He told the delegates that the visit was taking place amid challenges.
These, according to him, include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising food and fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate change that is negatively impacting economies and communities.
“And yet even though we face some challenges, we are a continent brimming with potential and opportunity.
“From North Africa to South Africa, from East to West, and here in Central Africa, we are favoured with vast endowments.”
He reminded the officials that the countries have abundant mineral resources and fossil fuel reserves, large arable land, and abundant water supply.
“We have a diverse terrain that supports all manner of infrastructure development, including renewable energy.
“And yet these vast endowments are not producing favourable economic and developmental outcomes evenly across the continent.”
However, he said they were meeting businesses because both nations see the opportunities.
“Beyond our natural endowments, we have many other strengths as a continent.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 07/07/2023 - 09:41
Throughout history, women have consistently pushed boundaries and left an indelible mark on the world of design. From visionary interior designers to groundbreaking architects, women have defied expectations and shattered glass ceilings. Their passion, skill, and unwavering determination have propelled the local design industry to new heights, inspiring generations to come. Women in design are …
Fun Fact: Did you know that Ox’s Sister plays Rugby and is nicknamed; “Fox”? The Mastercard Golden Lions Women, Cell C Sharks Women, EP Queens and Boland Dames will be in a mad scramble for the fourth spot on the Women’s Premier Division log and a potential semi-final position as the action continues this weekend, …
For several weeks, various traffic signals under the control of the Western Cape Government have not been functional in the Helderberg area. This has unfortunately caused traffic delays, especially during peak traffic hours. The provincial government apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused to motorists travelling in the area. In many instances, these signals have …
Yesterday, DA Federal Leader John Steenhuisen MP, outlined several steps to ensure that the corrupt are held accountable and that the Zondo Commission does not become a R1 billion public relations exercise. Steenhuisen was joined by DA Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Siviwe Gwarube MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration, Dr …
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo where together with President Félix Tshisekedi, co-chaired the Heads of State and Government segment of the 12th session of the DRC –South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).
The BNC which was held today, 06 July 2023, at Palais de la Nation, renewed commitment by both countries to further enhance and nurture the existing bilateral trade and political relations.
The Presidential segment of the BNC was preceded by the Senior Official meeting on 01-03 July 2023 and the Ministerial Sectoral meeting on 04-05 July 2023.
The BNC was conducted through the agreed structure between the two counties, which provides for the establishment of four (04) Sectoral Committees: Political and Governance Sectoral Commission; Defence and Security Sectoral Commission; Economy, Finance and Infrastructure Sectoral Commission and Social and Humanitarian Sectoral Commission.
To this effect, the leaders have acknowledged the existence of thirty-eight (38) Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and welcomed the 81 decisions taken during the Ministerial session of the BNC. President Ramaphosa and his Congolese counterpart directed the relevant Ministers to conclude the review of these legal instruments by the end of October 2023 and accelerate the implementation of all agreements.
These legal instruments cover a wide range of areas including, amongst others, Agriculture, Defence, Trade and Investment, Health, Police, Energy, Public Service and Administration, Cooperative Governance, Transport, Diplomatic Cooperation, Humanitarian Support and Immigration.
The Heads of State and Government also discussed issues of mutual interest and appraised each other on economic, political, and security situations in the Region, particularly in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the outcome of the Quadripartite Summit held on 27 June 2023 in Luanda under the auspices of the African Union.
The leaders also reflected on other global issues of mutual interest where're they iterated their common view that the Russia- Ukraine war requires dialogue and negotiation between the parties, as does the devastating conflict in Sudan. The two Presidents called on the parties in both countries to cease hostilities permanently and to give effect to the AU and UN objectives of silencing guns in pursuit of peace and security across the globe.
The leaders also participated in the Business Forum held on the margins of the BNC session, which explored opportunities for enhanced trade and possible trade and investment between the two counties with a particular focus on four key sectors of Agriculture & Agro-processing, Energy & Infrastructure, Health & Pharmaceuticals and Mining.
On economic cooperation, the Heads of State and Government directed the respective Ministers of Trade to resolve identified impediments with a view to increasing trade and investment between the two countries.
In this regard, the Heads of State and Government noted the strategic importance of the Grand INGA Hydropower Project between South Africa and the DRC to jointly develop the Project with the potential to produce more than 40 000 Mega Watts (MW) of hydropower from the Congo River.
On immigration, the leaders agreed that further consultations will be necessary to finalise all relevant modalities that will result in a mutually favourable visa regime.
President Ramaphosa has extended an invitation to President Tshisekedi to attend the 13th Session of the BNC in South Africa on a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels.
The President was supported by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; State Security; Defence and Military Veterans; Trade, Industry and Competition; Police; Mineral Resources and Energy; Transport; Home Affairs and Social Development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
JOHANNESBURG – Mitsubishi Motors South Africa have bolstered their partnership with the Basadi Automotive Group through the sponsorship of a Mitsubishi Xpander. The keys to the branded Mitsubishi Xpander were handed over to Basadi Automotive Group founder Josephine Malakoane at Mitsubishi Bedfordview. Basadi Automotive Group was established by Josephine Malakoane in 2018 and is 100 …
A stunning maiden ODI century from Bas de Leede fired Netherlands to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with a dramatic four-wicket victory over Scotland. Victory had looked unlikely at various points throughout the match for the Dutch, who knew they had to chase their target of 278 in just 44 overs owing to …
The Blue Bulls claimed a big win over the Golden Lions, while there were further victories for the Griffons and Border on day four of the SA Rugby U18 Craven Week at Outeniqua Park in George on Thursday. Both Gauteng teams showed their attacking intent in the first round of matches staged on Tuesday. The …
Judge rules they are not a flight risk and unlikely to interfere with witnesses
Fire destroys 50 homes, leaving families in the biting cold
Condolences for families affected by gas leak tragedy
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences to the families of those affected by the gas cylinder leakage which claimed the lives of at least 17 people in Boksburg.
The incident occurred at the Angelo informal settlement in the area on Wednesday evening.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness at the devastating and tragic loss of innocent lives at the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg. The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost loved ones.
“President Ramaphosa has described this as a very sad morning. He further urges investigators to get to the bottom of what may have caused this accident to avoid similar disasters in future,” the Presidency said.
Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni Municipality Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana has pledged the municipality’s support to the affected families.
“As the City of Ekurhuleni we would like to send our condolences to all the families of Angelo and all the families that have lost their loved ones. I know this is a difficult time that we are in and it’s a very shocking tragedy.
“But we hope that God will be with all the people that have suffered a loss. With the community of Angelo and the city, we promise to give all the necessary support that they need,” Ngodwana said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 07/06/2023 - 12:27
Kubayi cracks the whip on underperforming emergency housing contractors
Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has given contractors in the Eastern Cape, who are responsible for providing emergency housing, two months to finish the job or face contract termination, at their own cost.
Kubayi gave the directive during an emergency housing engagement with six districts and 24 local municipalities to consolidate response interventions in the Eastern Cape.
The engagement follows numerous disasters where the province and its municipalities committed to rolling out various interventions to assist the disaster victims.
According to reports on work done to help accelerate the implementation of these interventions, there are still families who were affected by various disasters, as far back as 2021, who have not been accommodated in any form of formal shelter.
Reports received by the Minister during a meeting this week revealed that 2 382 households affected between 2021 and 2023 have been assisted with permanent houses, with 2 172 assisted with temporary shelter, leaving 5 766 households with no assistance.
Households that have not been assisted have been forced to find alternative accommodation, including living with friends, families and neighbours.
Kubayi said the department is going to work around the clock to make sure that it turns the situation around.
“Having listened to the municipalities, we are all in agreement that we owe our people a speedy resolution of this situation. I will approach National Treasury to assist with funding to speed up these interventions for the province,” Kubayi said.
Kubayi also instructed officials, led by the national office, to consolidate the backlog of households that were victims of disasters in the past five years, and the budget needs.
She said this will assist in expediting and focusing on building homes for the victims.
The Minister said the national Department of Human Settlements will lead the verification process of the work ahead to ascertain that funds are properly utilised.
This follows the Minister’s announcement on 1 April 2023 that the national department will take over the responsibility of emergency housing response. However, provinces and municipalities will still be responsible for interventions in disasters that occurred before the policy change.
The Minister emphasised that moving forward, the department will no longer accommodate people in Temporary Residential Units (TRUs), as “these are not sustainable”.
“As articulated in our Budget Vote, we have decided to embrace innovative alternative building technologies so that our solutions are sustainable and of good quality, with efficiency and cost-effectiveness being the primary drivers of our disaster response. This way, we will know that we have given permanent quality homes,” Kubayi said.
She also urged those at the meeting to always keep in mind that they have a duty to the vulnerable communities who are affected by these disasters.
“We owe it to the people we serve, who only have us as their hope for a better future and we dare not to fail them. There is no time for excuses,” the Minister said.
Eastern Cape Human Settlements Indaba
Meanwhile, Kubayi will today address the inaugural Eastern Cape Human Settlements Indaba 2023, hosted by MEC Siphokazi Lusithi.
Held at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha from 5 - 7 July 2023, the indaba seeks to create a platform for strategic reflection on the conceptualisation and development of sustainable and integrated human settlements.
The three-day indaba is held in partnership with Nelson Mandela University under the theme, 'Accelerating the delivery of sustainable integrated human settlements in the Eastern Cape through collaborations and partnerships: Leaving No One and No Place Behind'. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 07/06/2023 - 13:04
Union members march in cities across the country on Thursday
SANBS calls for blood donation amid dwindling stocks
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has appealed to all potential and existing blood donors, who are due to donate, to visit blood donation sites amid severe blood stock shortages.
In a statement, the SANBS said the current weather conditions and a higher than usual demand for blood have sent blood stocks plummeting, and it needs to collect 3 500 units of blood a day.
SANBS Senior Manager for Marketing, Communication and Brand, Thandi Mosupye, said with little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.
“Whenever our blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk -- the lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion.
“Each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones,” Mosupye said.
To become a blood donor, you must:
• Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years;
• Weigh 50kg or more;
• Be in good health;
• Lead a healthy lifestyle;
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient; and
• Commit to donating blood regularly.
To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Connect with SANBS on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs). – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 07/06/2023 - 13:39
Job seekers warned against unscrupulous employers
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned job seekers to be vigilant of unscrupulous and bogus employers with fake advertisements of “employment opportunities" on social media.
Nxesi was speaking at the Jobs Fair and employer session held in NASREC, Johannesburg, on Thursday.
The session intended to discuss labour market issues, including growth prospects with the potential to create jobs, as well as clarify any strategic policy issues that can enhance employment creation.
Nxesi officially launched the Jobs Fair initiative and the Public Employment Services (PES) buses, which aim to create an opportunity for work seekers to meet with prospective employers and other organisations or departments that may assist with their placement in different forms of employment or learning opportunities.
During his keynote address of the launch, the Minister warned job seekers to be vigilant of unscrupulous and bogus employers with fake “employment opportunities" on social media.
Addressing job seekers and employers, Nxesi said other falsified employment opportunities have been advertised under the guise of his name and image, and that of the Department of Employment and Labour.
“Labour laws forbid agencies from charging work seekers who are looking for employment any fees. Please stop giving these organisations and mafias your parents’ hard-earned cash to buy employment from these crooks.
“For the common interest of everyone, report unscrupulous agencies that charge you fees to labour inspectors and the police," Nxesi said.
The Minister also encouraged job seekers not to undermine certain job opportunities, saying that taking an entry-level job could lead to the discovery of new talents and skills.
“You will never know what you are good at unless you try. Use our labour centres to talk to employment practitioners and counsellors. Seek out mentors and trusted people that can help you during your job search journey," the Minister said.
The department also graced the launch of 14 mobile buses for the its Public Employment Services unit to reach out to work seekers across the country.
Nxesi said the mobile buses, funded by the European Union, will be distributed across all provinces of South Africa.
“We are introducing these vehicles to reach out to our rural and urban communities that find it difficult to access our Employment and Labour Centres. One vehicle is not sufficient at all in each of these provinces.
“We definitely need more of them to reach out to our young people in recognition that the economic hub of the country, such as Gauteng and other provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga are vast."
The Jobs Fair will continue until Friday with the launch of two Employment Centres in Johannesburg and Germiston. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 07/06/2023 - 15:01
Cabinet welcomes Eskom's improved energy availability factor
Cabinet says it welcomes the improvement in Eskom’s energy availability factor, which is now closer to 70%.
This comes after about 400 megawatts (MW) have been added to the grid and planned maintenance has improved quickly.
The Cabinet statement released on Thursday also noted the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s National Air Quality Officer granting Eskom a postponement to meet minimum emission standards at Kusile Power Station, in Mpumalanga.
“The postponement will allow Eskom to carry out repairs on the stack that was damaged on 23 October 2022. The power utility will also construct three temporary stacks that are expected to return 2 100 MW of power to the national grid and reduce load-shedding by two levels,” Cabinet explained.
The Executive has reiterated government’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition (JET) and determination to mitigate the impact of climate change.
The JET, established in 2020, aims to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050.
“Cabinet also thanked South Africans who continue to use electricity sparingly, especially during peak times. Our combined energy efforts have helped bring about lower stages of load shedding.”
They further welcomed the commitments made at the New Global Financing Pact Summit held in Paris, France, last month.
The summit, which President Cyril Ramaphosa attended, aimed to build a new contract between the North and the South to help address issues of climate change, development and debt.
Green hydrogen
Cabinet further welcomed a joint declaration of intent to establish the South African-German Hydrogen Task Force, signed by Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.
“The task force will look at how the green hydrogen market will be created and developed, as well as create business-to-business opportunities between the two countries. Green hydrogen is generated by renewable energy and it has significantly lower carbon emissions than traditional hydrogen.”
The state already has plans for a Hydrogen Valley, which is expected to run from Limpopo through Johannesburg to Durban.
“The valley will establish opportunities for projects that will kick-start hydrogen initiatives in hubs to boost economic growth and job creation.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 07/06/2023 - 16:12
SAPS says the shooting was not related to a protest by shack dwellers from Taiwan settlement in Khayelitsha
