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It’s important for me to believe in the product I am selling before I can work on a deal. The rest will then fall into place. When you understand the value of the product or service for the customer and take the time to listen closely to that person’s needs, you can bring the relevant …
The recent Automechanika Buyers and Visitors Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Roadshows in Zimbabwe and Zambia, under the theme “Forging the African Connection”, have set the stage for what promises to be the most important gathering for the region’s automotive professionals later this year. Building on Past Success Following the highly successful Automechanika roadshows in Gaborone, Botswana …
The Portfolio Committee on Health has received briefings from the Lesedi Black Business Forum (LBBF) and the World Vapers Alliance (WVA) on the Tobacco and Electronic Delivery System Control Bill.
The LBBF supported the objectives of the Bill but called for a balance between public health and economic considerations. It said it has interacted with the Department of Health, via an online workshop organised by the department in 2020 but the LBBF is disappointed that the issues it raised in that workshop are not reflected in the final draft Bill submitted to Parliament.
On regulation, it said it supports efforts to reduce smoking in South Africa. Mr Lobi of the LBBF said a smarter, more practical approach is required to achieve the Bill's goal while avoiding harm to communities and businesses in the process. He urged the government to focus more on stopping the out-of-control illicit tobacco trade, which harms young people and the poor the most.
The LBBF said the government should work on preventing young people from smoking by using behavioural and educational programmes, as was done in the past with HIV/Aids awareness campaigns, for instance. These programmes are key to finding a lasting solution to reducing smoking.
Mr Lobi said: “We have a problem with the criminalisation of smokers. Treating smokers as criminals is unfair and ineffective, and we encourage a more supportive approach to help them quit.”
The LBBF emphasised that in their local municipality, tobacco manufacturing is an anchor industry but it is being jeopardised by the Bill, should it be adopted as it is. Mr Lobi added: “Beyond specific Lesedi consideration, the Bill fails to account for the commercial interests of small traders that dot the South African landscape due to lack of employment opportunities.”
The WVA is concerned that the Bill equates vaping with smoking. Provisions such as flavour bans, advertising restrictions, plain packaging and public use bans exacerbate the situation. Overregulation may drive consumers back to smoking or the illicit market. Notably, WVA said the Bill fails to acknowledge vaping as a tool for harm reduction. The WVA in its briefing submitted evidence from Sweden, demonstrating a remarkable 55% decline in smoking rates over the past decade.
Committee chairperson Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said inputs made during the public engagement process will be taken into consideration and applied when the committee starts its deliberation on the Bill after consultations with the public are completed.
The objective of the Bill is to strengthen public health protection measures, align South African tobacco control law with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and repeal the Tobacco Control Act of 1993 and its amendments.
Key provisions in the Bill include the introduction of 100 percent smoke-free indoor public places and certain outdoor areas; a ban on the sale of cigarettes through vending machines; the implementation of plain packaging with graphic health warnings; a ban on the display of products at points of sale; and the regulation and control of electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The FAME Shorts Film Festival returns to Cape Town this September with a powerful platform dedicated to short-form storytelling from across the African continent and diaspora. Running from 4 to 6 September at the iconic Labia Theatre, this year’s programme showcases 31 short films, exploring themes of defiance, belonging, intimacy, and disruption under the banners: …
Dubai, known for its skyscrapers, opulence and luxury, can also be great fun for budget-conscious travellers. In the first quarter of 2025, the city attracted more than 8 million international travellers, recording a 7% increase in visitors compared to 2024. From affordable accommodation and free activities to smart shopping and dining options, there are numerous …
16 July 2025 – Wits University Football legend and now Wits honorary doctorate recipient calls on capped Witsies to get involved in nation building. Motaung, a successful businessperson, soccer administrator and philanthropist, delivered a speech that struck a chord with graduates from the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management. He delivered his address after Wits …
Dear Editor I note with grave concern the Sowetan Newspaper story: “Report Links DA MP to Anti-SA Narrative”. On the 16th of July 2025, I was asked for comment on an unspecified report by Sowetan journalist, Jeanette Chabalala, who noted that serious allegations had been made against me in regards to the DA’s visit to …
(Budget debate on Gauteng Department of Community Safety) The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) requested Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to appoint a Member of the Legislature as the MEC for Community Safety. Lesufi currently holds both offices, which is not ideal given Gauteng’s high crime rate. Both roles require significant strategic attention, stakeholder engagement and […]
The post Gauteng Premier should separate roles of premier and MEC for Community Safety appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Game park owners and environmentalists say turbines will spoil scenic landscapes, damage tourism and threaten endangered birds
According to the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (‘the ERA’), the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is vested with the statutory authority to formulate rules governing the electricity supply industry. This legislative mandate enables NERSA to promulgate rules addressing a broad spectrum of matters, including, but not limited to, tariff determination, network charges and …
South Africa’s vital wetlands are degrading faster than investment in their rehabilitation. As a result, they are facing catastrophic decline. This follows a global trend of wetland decline, a key finding in the new Global Wetland Outlook. ‘South Africa’s wetlands are in critical decline,” Dr Farai Terrerai, director of biodiversity assessments at the South African …
The DA can reveal that confirmation received yesterday from the South African Police Service affirms that our criminal charges against former-Minister Senzo Mcunu are now under investigation. A senior Lieutenant Colonel has been assigned as investigating officer in the criminal matter against Mchunu, marking the seriousness with which the SAPS are treating the case of …
JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe as the interim Minister of Police until the end of the month. Mantashe steps in to replace Senzo Mchunu, who’s been placed on leave of absence. At the beginning of August, Firoz Cachalia will step in as the acting Police Minister. …
Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the government has put measures in place to mitigate against any threat of a coup in SA. Image: GCIS Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Tuesday revealed that the government is aware of a potential risk of a coup – as sporadic protests in support of KZN …
Programme Director;Mr Liu Jun, President of ICBC Bank;Ministers and Deputy Ministers;Esteemed representatives of Standard Bank, Sinosteel, China Communication Construction Company and Chery; Ladies and gentlemen, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success,” is a renowned quote that has always served as a source of motivation for me. The …
The Digital Law Company has filed an application to hold Meta Platforms in contempt of court for failing to provide data on individuals posting explicit content of South African school children on WhatsApp. Should Meta continue to fail to comply with an order to release the alleged perpetrators’ data, the law firm asked the court …
The used car market is experiencing a drop in sales as consumers shift back towards new models. This reversal in motorist buying habits is largely thanks to the influx of affordable imports from countries like India and China, which are able to cost-effectively compete with pre-owned cars. This is according to TransUnion’s latest Q1 2025 …
There will be one public holiday in the term, with Heritage Day falling on Wednesday, 24 September. Find out more… After a three-week break, schools are set to reopen next Tuesday, with students expected to return. According to the Department of Basic Education, the third term will commence on 22 July 2025. The term will …
TRANSFER NEWS: Springbok Women forward Micke Günter has become the latest player to head to the United Kingdom. ADVERTISEMENT The hooker has signed a deal with Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2025/26 season. The 26-year-old joins the English club from Pretoria’s Bulls Daisies, having also represented the Sharks in her native South Africa. An experienced …
The man who played a massive role in securing South Africa’s first ever World Cup triumph, celebrates a birthday today. Joel Stransky turned 58 and will forever be known for how he calmly slotted the match-winning drop goal in the 1995 World Cup final against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, to give South Africa …
In a powerful blend of music, dance and drama, “Esokuqala” delves into the pressing spiritual conflict within modern South Africa. “This is a dilemma which many of us battle with,” says renowned musical theatre writer, director and choreographer Lucky Cele. “As a generation of young adults living pretty much completely in the city, with all …
While headlines often focus on the rising costs of ransomware, the hidden toll may be even more damaging: the pressure placed on the people responsible for stopping these attacks. Sophos’s latest State of Ransomware in South Africa 2025 report reveals that beyond the data breaches and financial losses, ransomware is reshaping how cybersecurity teams operate …
US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s vaccine stance is completely at odds with the global public health community and reams of vaccine science, ignoring years of research that have found vaccines are safe and effective, and which have saved an estimated 154m lives – mostly under five – over the past 50 years. Public health experts say …
New study finds that people in 12 African countries don’t fully accept that extreme weather disasters are caused by climate change. More public awareness is needed.