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They were suspended during the term of MEC Mbali Hlophe when the department was in chaos
South African 10km sensation Glenrose Xaba delivered a career-defining performance this morning (Sunday 25 August 2024) at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, blazing through the course in a remarkable 31:51. This marks her third sub-32-minute finish this year, solidifying her status as one of the country’s best elite women of all times. The …
Get ready to groove to the rhythm of spring and indulge in a culinary and shopping adventure like no other at Rosebank Mall’s Spring Street Feast on Saturday, 7 September 2024. From 10h00 to 19h00, the vibrant space adjoining the mall on Bath Avenue will come alive with the sights, sounds, and flavours of this …
Lives will improve in Ekurhuleni, vows government
Government is committed to improving the lives of residents of the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality through interventions including “expanded support for small businesses and intensified efforts to spare communities from crime”.
Other interventions will be in security of tenure for people living and working on farms, and much needed repairs to major roadways that serve as economic arteries to the municipality.
On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa led a District Development Model Presidential Imbizo in the municipality.
READ | Strong municipalities needed to grow economy
The Presidential Imbizo was a platform for communities to interact and share their challenges with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.
“During this interaction, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and other leaders outlined efforts address these matters and to improve economic prospects more broadly in the district,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement.
Water and electricity
After the community expressed their challenges, particularly those related to water, Xhakaza assured them that the city’s Water and Sanitation Department was working tirelessly to deliver services.
A new water pump station is in the pipeline for the area.
“The department has been allocated R590 million in 2024/25 for key projects including R30 million for a new 30Ml reservoir in Germiston; R15 million for the construction of a new sewer pipeline at Pomona and R10 million for a new water pipeline in Nigel.
“To mitigate the challenge the city power cuts and load reduction the City has undertaken to install backup generators at 21 water supply infrastructure sites such as reservoirs and pump stations. Some sites where the backup generators installed include Sunward Park, Tsakane and Germiston reservoirs,” the statement read.
Housing and employment
During the Imbizo, it was revealed that land claims totalling some R53 million are being fast tracked while housing is also getting attention.
It was revealed that the city, the provincial and national governments have partnered to under mega hosing projects which are at “various stages of pre-planning and construction”.
“The City has provided hundreds of serviced sites or stands that feature permanent infrastructure such as water, electricity and sanitation and are ready for top structures for integrated human settlements, and the development of transport services.
“Ekurhuleni is implementing a range of housing projects and related infrastructure totalling just under half a billion rand at Brakpan Old Location, Esselen Park, John Dube, Helderwyk, Birchleigh, Leeuwpoort, Daggafontein and Palm Ridge.
“Other actions under way and in the pipeline in the district include public employment projects such as the Vala Zonke pothole repair initiative; the opening in the coming weeks of a shared facility that will bring together small businesses under one roof; the revival of dormant industrial parks, and the provision of solar panels to needy residents in an initiative that has the potential to create 30 000 jobs,” the GCIS said.
Pre-Imbizo
Ahead of the Imbizo, leaders from all three spheres of government embarked on oversight visits to Ekurhuleni.
“Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy paid an oversight visit to the rehabilitation work construction crews are performing on 14km of the R21 freeway.
“Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontsho presented title deeds to land tenure beneficiaries who now have security on land bought by government at a cost of R12 million,” the GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 12:42
Four perish in Joburg building fire
At least four people have died and three others have been injured in a building fire in the Johannesburg inner city.
The incident occurred in an abandoned building during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Speaking to the SABC at the site of the fire, City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said the abandoned building was found “well alight” when emergency services arrived in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“We started evacuating the residents who were inside the building. While we were conducting our fire fighting operations, there were three people who came out of the building injured… One was critically injured. We can also confirm that… we managed to recover four bodies. Unfortunately, paramedics confirmed them dead on the scene.
“We have activated our disaster management officials who are on site, we have got our colleagues from City Power, who are here to also try and disconnect some of the illegal connections in the building, and also officials from the city to facilitate some relief for the residents,” Mulaudzi said.
By 10am on Sunday morning, fire fighters were damping down the hotspots and conducting a proper sweep of the building.
“So starting from the ground floor up until the last floor… we’re sweeping through the building just to remove any uncertainty of any person who might still be missing. After we have done that, we are going to be handing over the building to the South African Police Service to continue with their own investigations,” Mulaudzi said.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 12:40
Tshwane to host weather early warning system workshop
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts, is expected to address the opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) to be held in Tshwane from Monday.
The agenda of three-day workshop will include:
“The workshop, which will be hosted by the South African Weather Service, comes as South Africa continues to rank among the Southern African countries that are vulnerable to hazardous weather events including severe floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, storms, and heat waves.
“Among the participants at the workshop will be the SAWS; the National Disaster Management Centre; the Departments of Water and Sanitation and Communication and Digital Technologies; the Council for Geoscience; the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa; and provincial, district and local government representatives.
“Also participating in the programme will be the UN and international organisations active in Early Warning Systems; civil society organizations, including Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) active in early warning services, climate and disaster risk information; and the private sector, including the mobile network operators and the insurance industry,” the department said.
The DFFE said the EW4All is a United Nations initiative, which seeks to “ensure that everyone on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027”.
It rests on the pillars of Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management, Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis and Forecasting, Warning Dissemination and Communication and Preparedness and Response Capabilities.
“According to the UN, Early Warning Systems have helped decrease the number of deaths and have reduced losses and damages resulting from hazardous weather, water or climate events. However, major gaps still exist, especially in small island developing states and least developed countries,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 13:05
Water and Sanitation sector delegation heads to Sweden for conference
The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, is expected to lead a delegation to Sweden for the World Water Week conference, which kicks off today.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the conference is expected to be held under the theme: “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future”, and is “centred on water cooperation for peace and security”.
“Deputy Minister Mahlobo will participate in panel discussions with his counterparts from across the globe and deliberate on topics focused on unlocking the financing ecosystem for water security, innovative financing for transboundary water cooperation and Africa investment in infrastructure for socio-economic benefits, amongst others.
“He will further outline how the South African water sector has enhanced cooperation in times of water scarcity and detail efforts employed in all spheres of government to avert severe water challenges in water-stressed communities,” the department said.
Part of the delegation will be a pair of 15-year-old twin sisters, who won the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition in June this year.
“The duo will present their water education and awareness app named 'Drop-Drop', which is aimed at enhancing education around the importance of prudent water use in communities.
“The World Water Week conference is hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and is an inclusive meeting place to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and accelerate water action,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 11:29
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, is in Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. Ahead of the opening ceremony of the TICAD Ministerial meeting, Minister Lamola had a business roundtable discussion with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to further strengthen economic cooperation. Among other matters, the meeting noted two critical economic developments. Following successful diplomatic negotiations, an agreement between the two countries was signed earlier this year, establishing a protocol for the export of South African avocados to Japan. The first consignment arrived in Japan this week, coinciding with Minister Lamola's visit.
This significant milestone marks the beginning of a new market opening for South African avocados in the East. The agreed protocol requires a cold treatment of 2°C for 19 days. South African research has shown that Hass avocados can withstand this treatment, with successful shipments to the UK under the same regime.
South Africa's economic diplomacy efforts continue to yield results in 2024, as evidenced by breakthroughs for our avocado industry, with the opening of new big markets in Japan, China, and India.
Speaking to Toyota Executives attending the JETRO interaction, Minister Lamola acknowledged Toyota's announcement this week of a strategic investment of R 1.2 billion in the South African automotive industry, which is expected to drive faster implementation of industrialisation, job creation, and transformation.
Minister Lamola also had the opportunity to meet with his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms. Yōko Kamikawa. Minister Lamola reiterated that South Africa enjoys a significant relationship with Japan, underpinned by a fair economic partnership that contributes significantly to our nation's economic development and people-to-people relations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Hawks committed to fighting serious crime
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, has assured South Africans that the Hawks, as the directorate is known, are committed to the mandate of "investigating, preventing and combating national priority offences".
Lebeya was speaking during a media briefing to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved during the first quarter of financial year 2024/2025.
“...We note that the fight against national priority offences remains an ongoing challenge that requires sustained commitment and collaboration.
“The DPCI recapitulates its commitment to work diligently to address the evolving threat and bring those who engage in criminality to justice. The DPCI shall at all times continue to enforce the law of the Republic without fear, favour or prejudice.
“At the end of the last financial year, the DPCI was carrying 18 461 cases involving 752 712 charges with the value of R1 026 817 012 597.38. Of these cases, 5 616 involving 11 972 accused [natural persons] were serving before the various courts in the country, while 1 788 were receiving attention by the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] in order to decide on prosecution or otherwise,” he said.
Lebeya noted that the DPCI has made “significant inroads in apprehending individuals… thus ensuring accountability and justice for the victims”.
The arrested suspects are alleged to have been involved in crimes including serious corruption; fraud; money laundering; police killings; cash-in-transit robberies; illegal mining; damage to essential infrastructure and crimes against the State.
“A total number of 673 suspects, representing 637 natural persons and 36 juristic persons, were secured before the various courts in the country. Of these natural persons, 489, which is 77%, are South Africans while 148, which is 23%, are foreign nationals.
“Of the 673 suspects, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation secured 370, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation secured 234, while the Serious Corruption Investigation secured 69 suspects.
“Most of the arrests were effected in Gauteng province with 167; KwaZulu-Natal province with 114; North West province with 92; Mpumalanga province with 57 and Eastern Cape province with 56 suspects,” Lebeya said.
The DPCI head added that not only were arrests made, convictions were secured against some 506 accused.
“Of these convictions, 262 accused persons, inclusive of 12 juristic persons, were sentenced, while the balance of 244 convicts, inclusive of 15 juristic persons, are to be sentenced on dates after the quarter under review. Of the 262 sentenced natural persons, 173 are South Africans while 77 are foreign nationals.
“To ensure that crime does not pay, 77 court orders were granted in relation to the assets associated with crime. These make the total recorded successes on arrests, convictions and attachment of assets to 1256,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 11:12
Medico-legal claims a feeding trough for unscrupulous legal practitioners
Unscrupulous and greedy lawyers and advocates have attempted to swindle billions of rands from the State and embezzled monies from their ill clients through fraudulent and irregular medico-legal claims.
This was revealed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi during a media briefing held on Saturday.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been, through a proclamation, investigating medico-legal claims against the State since 2017, in which allegations of fraudulent claims have been uncovered.
“So far, in the matters completed by the SIU, the sum of [at least] R3 billion has been saved for various Departments of Health. We believe that this amount will increase as the investigations are still ongoing,” Motsoaledi said.
The damning and ongoing investigation by the SIU has revealed that some legal practitioners have been targeting provincial Departments of Health – at times with the help of health practitioners working for the State.
“[The] Department of Health noticed several claims which were completely out of sync and made no sense at all. There were claims that were evidently fraudulent.
“Just as an example, a claim was submitted in which the claimant demanded R70 million for a supposedly botched circumcision by a doctor in a hospital in Limpopo province. On investigation of this claim, it was found out that no such circumcision was ever performed,” Motsoaledi said.
The Minister explained that during the investigation, it was revealed that during 2015, the number of medico-legal claims grew exponentially.
“This explosion happens to have coincided with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) strengthening its systems. It is common cause that RAF had been hollowed out by a multiplicity of claims that brought it to its knees.
“In the aftermath, legal practitioners who used to litigate against RAF seem to have migrated en masse to the health care sector. In response, the Department of Health convened a medico-legal claim summit in 2015,” Motsoaledi said.
In the main, claims against Health institutions were “targeting cerebral palsy, a condition in which babies develop some form of brain damage due to depravation of oxygen during the process of birth”, the Minister said.
Grandparents taking care of children left behind by their parents were also targeted.
“While it is recognised that cerebral palsy is a very debilitating and unfortunate occurrence to come from the health care system, it is a matter of very serious concern that it is abused by legal practitioners, due to sheer greed. The level of abuse was such that the SIU found that some of the claims were made on behalf of patients without their knowledge.
“Elderly people, who are taking care of their grandchildren in the absence of their mothers, were tricked into signing the Power of Attorney to sue, whereas they were told that they were signing SASSA forms for child support grants. This simply means that legal practitioners or their scouts were masquerading as social workers,” the Minister said.
Eating at the trough
The provincial breakdown of medico-legal claims investigations finalised by the SIU is as follows:
Lawyers and advocates who have been found to have been submitting fraudulent claims have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for criminal prosecution and to the Legal Practice Council for violation of the Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners and the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) to consider reimbursing claimants whose funds were embezzled by their legal representatives.
“We wish to take this opportunity to make an offer to lawyers, who might have knowingly submitted claims that are fraudulent, to withdraw them within two weeks and there will be no consequences. Failure to withdraw within two weeks would mean that the offer will have lapsed and the SIU will strike,” Motsoaledi warned. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sat, 08/24/2024 - 11:55
2,000 households short of water in Maluti-a-Phofung, says ward councillor
There has been one attack a week on social workers since the beginning of the year
But taxi association denies the letter is from them
“We are eating less food because we have to pay more for electricity”
Strong municipalities needed to grow economy
Efficient and strong municipalities are key to ensuring that South Africa’s economy grows and jobs are created, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The President addressed the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Friday.
The Presidential Imbizo is a platform for communities to interact with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.
WATCH |
“We have said as the Government of National Unity, our key priority is to grow the economy, and to create jobs and fight poverty. But to do this, we need strong municipalities. It is municipalities that are the engine room of development because they provide the services to our people but they also are economic engine rooms.
“We want our municipalities to work efficiently. To our councillors, we should not be continuously hearing that our people don’t even know their councillors. That must come to an end. Councillors have been elected to serve the people and they must show themselves in the community. They must hold meetings with our communities. We must not wait for an Imbizo to come and listen to our people raising their concerns,” the President said.
Turning to the City of Ekurhuleni municipality, President Ramaphosa said it is one of South Africa’s most important hubs.
“The Ekurhuleni Municipality is well positioned as an economic driver of job creation. Ekurhuleni is a major transportation hub. But apart from that… it is the manufacturing capital of our country. Ekurhuleni plays a very important role in the life of our province, and in the life of our country and our economy.
“It is home to Africa’s largest and busiest airport… OR Tambo International Airport. It’s also a major centre for freight corridors in our country. This makes the metro a substantial economic player because manufacturing is one of the key contributors to the GDP,” he said.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged, however, that service delivery in the area must be improved. He assured the community gathered at the imbizo that government has heard their cries.
“We want to improve the services that are delivered to our people. We know that service delivery is one of the key challenges and particularly water and electricity.
“We are going to be giving more focus on water…building new reservoirs, increasing our bulk water delivery. We are also going to be focusing on housing. Housing shortage is one of challenges many of our people face and we will address that,” he said.
Another area of concern raised by community members is crime and the President said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is focusing “on how we can deal with extortion, the construction mafia and gender based violence”.
“Those men who play football with the women of our country must stop and we are going to be focusing on that. Gender based violence is a pandemic and our people are working in a very focused manner on that,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 17:03
Eskom launches pilot electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Midrand
Eskom has officially launched its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) in Midrand, Gauteng.
“This milestone marks a significant step in Eskom Distribution’s commitment to supporting the growth of the eMobility sector in South Africa and contributing to the country’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions,” the state-owned power utility said.
According to Eskom, the pilot project includes the procurement of 20 EVs ranging from light delivery vehicles to light trucks for operational use.
The pilot project also involves the installation of 10 charging stations at five Eskom sites across the country.
The other sites are Brackenfell in Cape Town, Mkondeni in Pietermaritzburg, Tlhabane Customer Network Centre (CNC) in Rustenburg and Marathon CNC in Mbombela.
These sites will serve as the foundation for Eskom Distribution’s long-term strategy to electrify its entire fleet by 2040.
“We continue to focus on our long-term strategy to deliver a competitive, sustainable, and future-proof Eskom to ensure energy security, growth, and long-term sustainability for the benefit of South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa,” said General Manager in the Office of the Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, Gabriel Kgabo.
By investing in eMobility and the charging infrastructure needed for EVs, Kgabo said Eskom was not only reducing its carbon footprint but also stimulating the local economy and creating new growth opportunities.
Kgabo highlighted Eskom’s support of the government to align South Africa with the global EV ecosystem market.
Key initiatives include the EV White Paper released by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition in December 2023 and the incentives announced by the National Treasury to encourage the local production of EVs from 2026.
Pilot Project Overview
The recently installed charging stations, in collaboration with Gridcars, feature state-of-the-art direct current fast chargers (60kW) and dual alternating current (AC) chargers (22kW). They are optimised for overnight charging of fleet vehicles and daytime workplace charging for employees and visitors.
The power utility believes this initiative will serve as a blueprint for the future rollout of EVs across Eskom’s entire fleet.
“It is one of the levers that will steer the organisation towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will also contribute to stimulating the local EV market.
“The successful launch of this infrastructure is a result of the dedicated efforts of the project team within Eskom. Their work is laying the groundwork for a future where electric vehicles play a central role in South Africa’s transportation landscape.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:00
DURBAN: In preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Proteas Women will convene for a national...
Mister Sweet factory workers in Germiston initially wanted salaries raised to R19,500 per month, but have lowered their demands
Minister calls for urgent meeting to tackle construction mafia challenge
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, and KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer, have announced plans for an urgent meeting to develop a decisive response to the construction mafia challenge across the country.
In a statement, Minister Macpherson said they have jointly agreed that an urgent meeting with all the respective MECs in all provinces and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster should be held in KwaZulu-Natal.
The decision follows a meeting between Macpherson and Meyer, during which Meyer presented a report detailing the resurgence of construction mafia activities in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Shortly after I was appointed as Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I vowed to deal decisively with the construction mafia and to restore the rule of law at construction sites across the country.
“During a recent oversight visit to the uMkhomazi water project, I learnt how an altercation with the construction mafia led to the death of three people and the assault of another. This is simply unacceptable. We will never be able to attract additional infrastructure investment, and turn the country into a construction site, while this lawlessness continues,” Macpherson said.
The Minister stated that this is why it is imperative to host the meeting with Public Works MECs across the country and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster to develop a comprehensive plan to turn the tide against the construction mafia “to not only attract additional infrastructure investment but protect the lives of our people.”
Beyond addressing the construction mafia, the Minister and MEC Meyer discussed the potential reform of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure it benefits recipients and contributes to job creation.
They also explored how national and provincial governments can collaborate to expand infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal.
“KwaZulu-Natal is a province of such immense potential, and I therefore look forward to working closely with the MEC to unlock economic growth and job creation in the province,” he said.
The Minister added that he will be meeting with MECs in other provinces and mayors in the week ahead to see how they can work together to improve the lives of our people.
“It is only through working together towards a common vision that we can unlock South Africa’s potential. Let’s Build South Africa,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:55
Youth is a strategic resource essential for moving the country forward
The youth is a strategic resource and an intellectual reservoir of ideas essential for moving the country forward, says the Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
“Our youthful population represents a blessing with limitless potential—a strategic asset for the current and future well-being of this country and continent,” Chikunga said.
Delivering a keynote address at the South African Youth Economic Council (SAYEC) 3rd annual job imbizo, held at Melrose Arch on Thursday evening, Chikunga argued that while the current socio-economic conditions pose a direct threat to national stability and undermine future prospects, it is not the youth who are a threat to national security.
According to Chikunga, the conditions under which the youth continue to exist, create opportunities for both known and unknown threats to emerge and become institutionalised.
“Without a more purposeful, quantifiable, and deliberate investment in their potential and capabilities, South Africa will not be in a position to reap the benefits of its demographic dividend.
“No country on earth has been able to industrialise or re-industrialise while neglecting the role of youth in the economy. A trained, capable, and industrious youth is the crucial ingredient currently missing in South Africa’s industrialisation puzzle,” Chikunga said.
She emphasised that placing the youth at the centre of re-industrialisation must be accompanied by fundamental changes in the structure, systems and institutions.
This must also be accompanied by fundamental changes in patterns of ownership, management, and control of the wealth producing resources in favour of all South Africans, particularly the marginalised, vulnerable and poor, who are primarily Africans and women.
She said youth participation in the economy should not be reduced to hopping from one internship to another.
To prepare the youth for meaningful participation in South Africa’s era of industrialisation, the Minister stressed the need for a reimagined industrial strategy that is both fit for purpose and responsive to rapidly changing global economic patterns.
“These patterns range from automation and the rise of artificial intelligence in manufacturing to the ongoing geopolitical realignment. Such a strategy should be anchored on robust economic and market intelligence in order to enhance the quality of decision-making in support of our goals of productivity, industrialisation, commercialisation, and beneficiation,” Chikunga said.
Chikunga added that addressing youth unemployment requires targeted, sustainable interventions with clearly articulated exit opportunities.
"High levels of youth unemployment require special programs. The National Youth Service Programme must better educate, develop, train, and empower youth, and enable them to participate in the reconstruction of society,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 11:40
Prof Nkondo remembered as an exceptional intellectual and loving father
An intellectual, revolutionary and patriot, who dedicated his life to building the intelligentsia in South Africa; and also a loving husband, father and grandfather, passionate about education and a community leader.
These are the words used to describe the late Professor Muxe Nkondo, who was laid to rest today after his passing on Sunday morning at the age of 83.
Delivering the Eulogy at the Freedom Park Heritage and Museum in Pretoria, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said Nkondo was a well-known name in local politics, Southern Africa and the continent.
He reminded mourners that Nkondo produced great intellectuals, academics, Ministers and public servants, who are today serving the country with distinction.
“I am equally pleased that we are sending him off [from] a place that he passionately supported and equally loved. It is at this place that we took the decision that we put to rest those who have served our nation with distinction. It is here that we have agreed that we spend quality time with those who have left us,” said Mashatile at the Special Provincial Funeral of renowned academic and social policy specialist, Professor Nkondo.
The funeral service was held at Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum in Pretoria on Friday.
The late academic occupied senior roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of the North and Vice-Chancellor of Venda University.
“It is the wisdom of Prof Nkondo and many that today we do not have an identity crisis and because of them we can proudly say we are Africans, and ours is to build a nation that is a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous society.”
The Deputy President also told mourners that he was also part of the Nkondo family and grew up under the late Curtis Nkondo, who was the Professor’s brother, who served in the African National Congress (ANC).
“By being a member of this family, I also had the opportunity to have Prof Nkondo deliver a speech and bless our union during my wedding celebration,” he recalled.
As a novice in the arts, creative and heritage sector, during his tenure as the Deputy Minister, and later as Minister of Arts and Culture, the Deputy President said he leaned on the wisdom of eminent individuals, including Nkondo.
“As we have gathered here today to lay to rest Professor Muxe Nkondo, I am pleased to have worked closely with this exceptional individual, a defender of human rights and an extraordinary advocate for social cohesion and unity.”
Mashatile called on mourners to persist in combating all manifestations of discrimination, as the Professor “staunchly” advocated during his lifetime.
“We have always known that no political democracy can survive and flourish if the masses of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Hence, attacking poverty and deprivation has remained high on the agenda of... government.”
The Deputy President said Nkondo's legacy should inspire future generations to continue the struggle for a more just and equitable society.
“This is also the objective of the Government of National Unity (GNU). I am confident that Prof Nkondo would have concurred with my assertion that the establishment of GNU is a significant development in our democracy in that it brought different political parties to work together to build the country of our dreams.”
The Deputy President vowed that the ANC-led GNU will succeed in the implementation of the three strategic priorities, including inclusive economic growth and job creation, maintaining and optimising the social wage, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.
“We had hoped to include Professor Nkondo’s insights as we prepare to hold the National Dialogue, which former President [Thabo] Mbeki raised here in Freedom Park and after that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during his inaugural address that indeed, the country would hold a national dialogue.”
The Deputy President said government will not deviate from its mission to enhance and transform the lives of communities in rural and marginalised regions, which Nkondo also lived for.
“I can confidently state that Professor Nkondo has run a good race through his significant contributions to the political and intellectual landscape.”
His wife, Professor Olga Nkondo, also paid tribute to her late husband and said he was a father who loved all his children.
“His happiest moments were the birth of his grandchildren. He appreciated all the conversations with all of you and phone calls he received from all who were away,” she said to her children.
She said the Professor encouraged her to pursue her academic ambitions and supported her.
“You were able to welcome everyone at home, a home of love, a home of care and togetherness. When I asked you how you’re able to welcome everyone to care and share with everyone, you said those were your parent’s teachers.
“You were compassionate, you cared so deeply for your family and everyone. But what I appreciated most about you as a father, was that you never raised your hand to your children. You were a loving father and provided us with a home,” she added of her late husband. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 14:58
Tsakane community hopeful Imbizo will bring change
From water challenges to seeking better opportunities at making a living, residents of Tsakane, in the East Rand of Gauteng, on Friday gathered to make sure their voices get counted among those heard by the country's First Citizen.
As the first Presidential Imbizo of the 7th Administration got underway earlier, many community members told SAnews they were hopeful government will bring change to their communities.
Sylas Mazibuko, from Duduza, said he wants President Ramaphosa to ensure that there is water in Duduza and more job opportunities are created.
“We are struggling with water and to make matters worse, there is a high unemployment rate in our area. I just want the President to hear our concerns and intervene,” Mazibuko said.
Mazibuko said government must also deal with the crime rate.
“Crime is getting out of control. We are even afraid of starting our own businesses because of crime. Criminals are targeting businesses in the township. We no longer walk freely in our streets,” Mazibuko said.
Echoing the same sentiments was Willy Nkanyane, who said they are experiencing water shortages in Tsakane.
“We don’t have water. We walk long distances to get water and we spend most of the times without electricity,” Nkanyane said.
Nkanyane’s wish is for their concerns to be attended to, and for more job opportunities.
Grace Mabale, from KwaThema, also wants to see reduced crime rates
"We are even afraid to send our children to the shops because of these criminals. I also want [government] to provide us with proper houses,” Mabale said.
The issues of water, electricity, houses and unemployment were shared by many at the Imbizo.
Some of the commitments of the new administration include further entrenching accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.
The Presidential District Development Model (DDM) Izimbizo are a priority for the seventh administration, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has identified local government as a priority focus area of the Government of National Unity.
The DDM aims to improve the coherence and impact of government service delivery with focus on 44 Districts and 8 Metros around the country as development spaces that can be used as centres of service delivery and economic development, including job creation.
Under the DDM, all three spheres of government coordinate and integrate development plans and budgets and mobilise the capacity and resources of government and civil society, including business, labour and community, in pursuit of inclusive growth and job creation.
President Ramaphosa is accompanied at the Imbizo by ministers, deputy ministers and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 13:32
Gauteng municipalities to launch online indigent register
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that an e-indigent register – which will assist to register those who are in need and qualify for free government services – will be launched in municipalities in the province.
He was speaking at the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo that is being led by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Tsakani Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
“There are many people who are unemployed, but they can’t get the benefits of free electricity and water because they are not properly registered so that they can be [classified as] indigent. We have now agreed with all executive mayors in our last lekgotla, we are introducing an e-register from October,” he said on Friday.
The Premier said the register will link up with all of government’s databases and retail stores.
“This is so that whoever is employed, whoever that is hiding their employment, must not benefit for free benefits that are due to our people. In Ekurhuleni in particular…they have introduced a new threshold which does not exclude those who are getting social grants and does not exclude those who are unemployed.
“What it means is that if you are poor and we have registered you, we have checked the database, you will receive all free services without being asked who you are in all municipalities in our province,” he said.
READ | District Development Model ensures government works as a team
Lesufi also announced that the provincial government has committed to bringing free WiFi connections to at least 26 townships in Gauteng.
“We are bringing something so important, especially to young people in our province. We have identified 26 townships…to make the townships access reliable, dependable free WiFi, so that all our people are in a position to connect.
“Children of the poor have a right to do their homework at home using free WiFi so they can access these services. The future is no longer about water and electricity only. The future is about data so that those who are unemployed can send their CVs utilising free WiFi,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 13:24