Huge Gugulethu housing project dead in the water
Successive failure of construction companies leaves families waiting
2024
UCT strike begins – support staff demand 7.5% increase for 2024
They also want a unified bargaining forum
Hundreds of people from mining communities march in Pretoria
The protest follows a summit hosted by Mining Affected Communities United in Action
EPA Track & Field League 7 at NMU Stadium – Saturday, 10 February 2024
Last weekend, 3 February, saw 312 athletes competing in 400 items in hot and humid conditions at the Westbourne Oval. The Track & Field season opened in September, so this was the sixth competitive League event of the 2023/2024 season but the second event this year. League 6 showcased a number of outstanding athletes who …
Judge Makhubele says she never called Tribunal witnesses liars
Hearings at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal into alleged gross misconduct by the judge will resume on 22 February
Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu to launch ChommY in Manenberg
Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu to launch ChommY in Manenberg
Following the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Social Development Deputy Minister, Dr Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, in partnership with USAID, will on Saturday launch ChommY at the Silverstream Primary School in Manenberg, in the Western Cape.
ChommY is a social and behavioural change programme for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years.
Manenberg is largely a coloured community on the Cape Flats that has been characterised as an area plagued by gang-related violent crimes and drug abuse.
ChommY, a colloquial term for “friend”, seeks to build a positive friendship among children and encourages young boys and girls to motivate one another to minimise risky behaviour and social ills, including, bullying.
“The programme gives children the opportunity to develop a personal plan for their lives and emphasises the importance of support from parents and communities to enable young people to make informed decisions. The programme forms part of a basket of social and behavioural change programmes offered by the Department of Social Development,” the department said in a statement.
Observed under the theme: “Invest in my Future…Protect me Today”, ChommY aims to generate knowledge, develop skills, and empower young people to make informed choices and contribute on reducing high prevalence of HIV infections, substance abuse and prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Bogopane-Zulu will facilitate dialogues with the children as they share their social experiences and solutions.
Bokamoso - the programme’s mascot - will interact with the children as they participate in indigenous games. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:25
413 views
Pietermaritzburg Teen Aims for U.S. Tour with Support from Celebrated Academic Cousin, Nhlakanipho Mkhize
Nhlakanipho Mkhize, a distinguished 33-year-old academic originally from Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg, and now residing in Springs, east of Johannesburg, embodies the belief that education is the key to unlocking boundless opportunities. Now, he’s embarked on a mission close to his heart: to pay forward the transformative power of education to his cousin, Busiswa Kuzwayo, aged …
Minister Zizi Kodwa on Bafana Bafana and Boxing South Africa
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Mr Zizi Kodwa, arrived in South Africa from Cote d'Ivoire to join the Presidential Golf Challenge in Cape Town on Friday, 9 February 2024.
Speaking to Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) on the sidelines of this engagement, Minister Kodwa reflected on Bafana Bafana's performance at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d'Ivoire and provided an update on matters facing Boxing South Africa (BSA).
Reflecting on Bafana Bafana's performance at AFCON, where the national team reached the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in 24 years, the Minister expressed optimism about the team's future.
Minister Kodwa says, “When Bafana Bafana lost to Mali, I said to them that it was a shock, but there are lessons to be learnt and that they will get to the semifinals. Indeed, they got to the semifinals.”
The Minister adds, “What is clear for me now is that after a long time with Bafana Bafana, we now have sufficient building blocks for a national team to prepare for the next World Cup.”
Minister Kodwa once again the emphasised the importance of focusing on sports development at grassroots level.
The Minister says, “We must focus on grassroots to build on. Bafana Bafana have done us proud as a country. All our national sports teams are performing extremely well. Bafana Bafana have come to the party.”
Minister Kodwa also reflected on the urgency of the BSA matter that is currently before the court. The Minister once again highlighted government's focus to stabilise leadership and governance at BSA.
The Minister says, “We are dealing with the issue. It takes time, but we have got to be careful in whatever we do.”
The Minister adds, “In a matter of days, I am considering a number of options, including that in the interim while we are dealing with the issue of the main application of the court ruling, whether we should consider appointing an administrator to do the same work that the Board would have done. We are considering that because we do not want licensees, the boxers, and the sport of boxing to suffer because of the lacuna that is there because the board was interdicted.”
Minister Kodwa also says, “I want to bring boxing to its glory days. Whatever we do, we must make sure that there is clarity on issues of governance, there is clarity on issues of stability of leadership.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.
Silicon Savannah: A solution to bottlenecked universities and shattered dreams
Johannesburg, 2024 – Despite the recent matric results boasting a 40.9 percent Bachelor’s pass rate, a sense of disappointment, disillusionment, and desperation is sweeping over the class of 2023 as a cruel enigma looms. Inclusion, accessibility, and affordability is bottlenecking the potential of South Africa’s (SA) youth, stifling the aspirations of countless young minds and …
Deputy President to attend Ubuntu Awards on Saturday
Deputy President to attend Ubuntu Awards on Saturday
On behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Saturday attend and deliver the keynote address at the annual Ubuntu Awards at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Hosted by the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, the awards recognise South African industry leaders, eminent people and ordinary South African citizens for their distinguished service and contribution to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values across the world.
The event takes place after the opening of Parliament and brings together captains of industry, civil society leaders, members of the Cabinet and eminent persons, in addition to all Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to South Africa.
Past winners have included performance artists, athletes, major South African companies and social upliftment foundations.
Winners from previous years include, among others, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Esther Mahlangu, Black Coffee, the late Hugh Masekela, Trevor Noah, Pretty Yende, Caster Semenya, Wayde van Niekerk, Gift of The Givers and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation.
The Ubuntu Awards were launched in 2015 to celebrate South African citizens who play an active role in projecting a positive image of South Africa internationally through diligent service in their respective fields. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:56
591 views
MEC Mireille Wenger invites citizens to comment on proposed amendments to Immigration Regulations
The Department of Home Affairs has released the draft second amendment of the Immigration Regulations, dealing with two key categories of visas - the remote working and critical skills visa, and ancillary matters for public comment.
This comes after extensive lobbying by the Western Cape Government since 2021 for the introduction of a digital nomad visa and reforms to the visa regime to enable South Africa to attract skilled individuals to South Africa, to help develop and grow the economy.
“To boost tourism, facilitate foreign investment, and allow digital nomads to work in South Africa, while spending their earnings here, we need to make it as easy as possible for them to access South Africa,” said Minister Wenger. “At the same time, it is essential that South Africa can attract and welcome skilled individuals that will contribute to growing the complexity of our economy, facilitate new industries and thereby create new South African jobs” she continued.
“The longer it takes to implement necessary changes to the current disastrous visa regime in South Africa, the more opportunities we miss out on to grow the economy and create jobs. While I welcome the progress signalled by the call for comments by the Department of Home Affairs, time is really of the essence, ” said Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger.
“I strongly encourage all those who wish to see our economy grow and thrive, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, not just in the Western Cape, but across this incredible country, to review the draft second amendments and submit their comments to the Department of Home Affairs, by the deadline of 29 March 2024,” concluded Minister Wenger.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.
Darkfest Update: Friday 9 February 2024
Darkfest Update: Here We Go Get ready for an epic weekend at the Hellsend Dirt Compound, nestled in the scenic Vuurberg Farm, with Saturday the 10th marked as the day of action. The weather forecast is picture-perfect – expect gentle breezes and clear skies, creating an ideal setting for the thrilling event. While one might …
The Earthshot Prize Announces Earthshot Week and Awards in Cape Town this November
The Earthshot Prize will travel to Cape Town, South Africa this November for Earthshot Week 2024, featuring The Prize's annual Awards Ceremony. Across five days of landmark events, The Earthshot Prize will celebrate the groundbreaking work of fifteen global environmental solutions and convene leading innovators, Earthshot Alumni, partners, investors and philanthropists for inspiring conversations and action on catalysing solutions to protect and restore our planet.
The Earthshot Prize is an ambitious global environmental prize which aims to discover and help scale the world's most innovative climate and environmental solutions to protect and restore our planet. The Prize is centered around five ‘Earthshots'; simple but aspirational goals to ensure our communities, oceans and ecosystems can thrive together in harmony for generations to come.
This year, The Earthshot Prize will bring its annual celebration to South Africa for the first time, following events in London in 2021, Boston in 2022 and Singapore in 2023. Over the coming months, a rigorous selection process will unearth fifteen Finalists from around the world, of whom five will be awarded a £1 million (R23 800 000,00) prize to scale their solutions, during the ceremony in Cape Town.
Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize said: “This is the Earthshot Decade, a decade in which we must, by 2030, reduce CO2 emissions by over 40 percent, and protect 30 percent of nature, oceans, and freshwater. The nominations to The Earthshot Prize remind us that human ingenuity, grit and determination can turn the seemingly impossible into the new normal. We're delighted to be working with changemakers and partners across Africa to spotlight the incredible innovation emerging across the continent, to convene courageous conversations about scale and finance, and to partner with young creators and filmmakers to tell the story of changemakers across Africa.”
Nearly 400 nominees for this year's Prize are Africa-based, highlighting the trailblazing creativity and innovation across the continent with the potential to inspire optimism and provide pathways to transformative change around the world. One of The Prize's inspiring 2023 finalists was Cape Town's ABALOBI, a non-profit partnership between fishers and scientists aimed at protecting small-scale fishing communities while arming their customers with better information about the origin of their seafood.
Despite contributing the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of climate change. In 2022 alone, more than 110 million people across Africa were directly affected by weather, climate, and water-related hazards according to the World Meteorological Organization. Yet in the face of these challenges, nearly all African countries have committed to enhancing climate action through reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience.
Earthshot Week will begin with The Prize's annual Awards Ceremony, an evening of extraordinary storytelling and star-studded performances, celebrating the work of the fifteen Earthshot Prize finalists. The ceremony will be followed by Earthshot+, a day of thought-provoking conversations aimed at multiplying the impact of The Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists.
During Earthshot Week, Cape Town will also play host to the annual Earthshot Fellowship Retreat which will kickstart the yearlong Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme. The programme is a key element of the wrap-around support that each cohort of fifteen Finalists receives in addition to the £1 million prize, providing mentorship, resources and technical support, helping to accelerate the growth of each groundbreaking solution. That support includes access to the Prize's robust network of the world's largest businesses, philanthropists, investors and environmental organizations committed to climate action.
The Prize has recently completed its annual nominations process, culminating in nearly 2500 entries submitted from 432 Official Nominators from around the world, doubling the nominations from any previous year. Nearly 400 of the 2024 nominations are headquartered in Africa, three times more than in any previous set of nominations. The fifteen new finalists chosen this year will be emblematic of a growing global movement of innovators, gamechangers and entrepreneurs creating transformative solutions that, if scaled, could accelerate a green, just transition to a net zero world.
The Prize's first three cohorts of 45 Finalists have already driven incredible impact to repair and regenerate our planet with more than 1.5 million people benefiting directly from their solutions. Over 7,000 hectares of land and almost 2.1 million hectares of ocean have been protected or restored, while over 35,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been reduced, avoided or sequestered. The Prize's 2023 Finalists, announced this past autumn, are well on their way to creating similar impact.
The Earthshot Prize is proud to partner with MultiChoice Group to bring Earthshot Week to Africa. As a member of The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance of Partners, the MultiChoice Group is part of a global network of non-profit and international organizations committed to the environment and sustainable development. It is one of the fastest-growing entertainment providers globally, delivering entertainment products and services to more than 22m households across 50 countries on the African continent. In partnership with MultiChoice, The Earthshot Prize will provide a platform to African Youth Creators to spotlight and celebrate African solutions and the people behind them.
Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice Group Chairman, said: “As the leading entertainment company in Africa, we are immensely proud to be the African Broadcast partner for Earthshot Prize at such a monumental time. This marks the first time the prestigious prize comes to our continent.
MultiChoice is well positioned to not only amplify the urgent message of climate change but also to inspire and galvanize innovators, corporate partners, and governments to prioritize sustainable solutions. This partnership signifies our ongoing commitment to fostering a sustainable future for Africa, and we look forward to playing a pivotal role in advancing the goals of The Earthshot Prize.”
The 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalists will be unveiled in September. More details about The Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony and Earthshot Week in Cape Town will be released in due course.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.
Contact:
For The Earthshot Prize:
earthshotprize@fgsglobal.com
For MultiChoice Group:
Litlhare.moteetee@multichoice.co.za
Follow The Earthshot Prize on:
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/48bROCZ
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3SUS1WR
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3ODf8m7
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/42z6WZS
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/42BYg4M
TikTok: https://apo-opa.co/3w8KQBk
About The Earthshot Prize:
Founded by Prince William and incubated in the The Royal Foundation in 2020 for a year before becoming an independent platform/organization, The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental prize and platform designed to discover, accelerate and scale ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's Moonshot, which united millions of people around the goal of reaching the moon, The Earthshot Prize aims to catalyse an Earthshot challenge to urgently encourage and scale innovative solutions that can help put the world firmly on a trajectory towards a stable climate, where communities, oceans and biodiversity thrive in harmony by 2030. The five challenges are: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix Our Climate.
The Prize aims to turn the current pessimism surrounding environmental issues into optimism by championing inspiring leadership and helping to scale incredible cutting-edge solutions. It will discover 50 winners over 10 years with the power to repair the planet. More than an award, The Earthshot Prize works in partnership with a Global Alliance of Partners to support the scaling of the solutions discovered and selected each year.
The Global Alliance Founding Partners are a group of leading global organizations and philanthropists, which act as strategic funding partners to the Prize, including Aga Khan Development Network, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Breakthrough Energy Foundation, Coleman Family Ventures, DP World in partnership with Dubai EXPO 2020, Eleven Eleven Foundation, Holch Povlsen Foundation, Jack Ma Foundation, Law Family Charitable Foundation, Legado Para A Juventude, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Marc and Lynne Benioff, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Rob Walton Foundation, Sandy and Paul Edgerley, Standard Chartered Bank, Temasek Trust and Wyc Grousbeck and Emilia Fazzalari.
Global Alliance Partners are non-profit environment and sustainable development organizations that bring expertise, global reach and serve as nominating organizations each year. For full list see website: Global Alliance - Earthshot Prize.
Global Alliance Members are some of the world's largest and most influential companies and brands that will support The Earthshot Prize, implement ambitious changes within their businesses and accelerate the advancement of the solutions of Prize Finalists and Winners.
They are: Arup, Bloomberg L.P., Deloitte, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hitachi, Ingka Group (IKEA), Microsoft, The Multichoice Group, Natura &Co, Safaricom, Salesforce, Unilever, Vodacom Group and Walmart. For more information about The Earthshot Prize, visit: www.EarthShotPrize.org.
About MultiChoice Group:
MultiChoice Group (MCG), which listed in the Main Board of the JSE on 27 February 2019, is one of the fastest-growing video entertainment providers globally, delivering entertainment products and services more than 22m households across 50 countries on the African continent. Its track record of more than 30 years is reflective of a commitment to provide audiences with only the best local, sport and international content.
MCG's strong partnerships with distributors, installers and telecommunication companies, along with its well-established payment solutions, competitive pricing and choice of viewership packages continue to secure its place in the global market, while also providing solutions unique to the African market. Its direct-to-home (DTH), digital terrestrial television.
(DTT) and over-the-top (OTT) solutions enable the business to stay relevant and aligned to changing consumer habits while capturing new markets. Content is at the very core of the business. MCG aims to deliver quality content anywhere, anytime and on any device through a comprehensive video entertainment offering at different price points. As pioneers in African video entertainment, MCG plays an important role in making information and entertainment easily accessible to Africans.
MCG aims to secure content rights in a manner that is cost-effective and reflective of the diversity of its audiences. Its substantial portfolio includes award-winning local content (a key differentiator in its service offering), a leading sport offering (including production capabilities) and access to international content, which is all shared on the group's platforms: DStv, GOtv, Showmax, M-Net and SuperSport.
MCG has superior technology capability through the security solutions that Irdeto, its technology company, brings to the group. These solutions enable MultiChoice to protect its investment, create new offerings and combat cybercrime. With 50 years' expertise in software security, Irdeto's software security solutions and cyber services protect over 5bn devices and applications for some of the world's best brands.
Reflections on SONA 2024
Reflections on SONA 2024
Cabinet Ministers speaking to SAnews have welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), which he delivered last night at the Cape Town City Hall.
President Ramaphosa used the State of the Nation Address to outline the successes achieved since 1994, the dawn of democracy.
READ | SA counts democratic gains of the last 30 years
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza said the President took the nation through the journey the country has travelled since 1994.
“The President also [outlined] what we are going to do as a country to achieve what could not be achieved [so far] and he outlined the measures to be put in place to strengthen law enforcement agencies,” Didiza said.
Didiza noted the President's reflections on how the lives of ordinary South Africans have changed since 1994.
“The President was very clear on some of the challenges we as a country have experienced as part of the rebuilding [process]. He said we have to look at State institutions to make sure that they are strengthened, and we have to put in place preventative measures by way of putting credible people into positions.
“Since the dawn of democracy, government has created opportunities for the previously disadvantaged people,” the Minister said.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said the President spoke at length about the successes the country has achieved during the 30 years of democracy.
“The President spoke about the things that as a country we could have done better and [urged] us to look into the next 30 years, and look into the weaknesses and do better,” Zulu said.
Zulu commended the President's resolve to end gender-based violence.
In his address, President Ramaphosa said as a society, collective efforts must be intensified to bring gender-based violence and femicide to an end.
“Unless we are able to deal with those issues, it would be very difficult for our country to grow even better,” Zulu said.
Zulu commended the President's approach to social protection, saying it is a need that everybody should understand.
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, welcomed the President's remarks on the health sector.
READ| Somebody give me a pen! - President
“If we could do away with the fragmentation between private and public health services, the future will be even brighter,” he said.
The President in his address said the country’s policies and programmes have, over the course of 30 years, lifted millions of people out of dire poverty.
“Today, fewer South Africans go hungry and fewer live in poverty. In 1993, South Africa faced a significant poverty challenge, with 71.1% of its population living in poverty. However, under the democratic government, there has been a consistent decline in these numbers.
“By 2010, the poverty rate had dropped to 60.9% percent, and it continued to decrease, reaching 55.5% in 2020, as reported by the World Bank,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 11:18
325 views
Cape Town’s ocean-bound sewage options unveiled
City to deal with the 32-million litres of raw sewage it pumps out to sea every day
Minister concerned about high number of vehicle crashes
Minister concerned about high number of vehicle crashes
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has expressed concern at the high level of vehicle crashes and fatalities that have occurred in the country recently.
"In recent past weeks, there were some equally gruesome accidents that robbed our country of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, families and young children who had a potential to grow up and make a meaningful contribution to develop our country,” Chikunga said on Friday in the Free State.
She made these remarks during her visit to Riebeckstad High School where six pupils died and more than 40 others were injured when the driver of a bus lost control and the vehicle overturned on 06 February 2024 between Senekal and Welkom.
“This is an unacceptable behaviour and conduct. It is unacceptable because we know that road crashes are preventable and they are avoidable. Every driver knows that we all have responsibilities, not to drive vehicles with faulty brakes, worn tyres and that are unroadworthy.
“Each year, the lives of South Africans are cut short because of road traffic crashes. Moreover, thousands of people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many becoming disabled as a result of injuries suffered during road crash incidents.
“While we have intensified efforts to communicate road safety messages through different mediums, it is unfortunate that road users' attitude and behaviour towards obeying the rules of the road remain main factors significantly contributing to fatalities on the road, and as such this calls for more education targeted at behavioural change,” the Minister said.
Chikunga noted that human error was not a contributing factor in the crash as the nuts on the left rear wheels were not tightly secured resulting in the wheels coming off and causing the crash.
“The bus driver would not have been aware of this problem as this was a mechanical error that the mechanics who worked on the bus previously, should have identified before the bus left the workshop.
"I call on the police and everyone involved in the investigation to finalise their investigation sooner to enable families to find closure.
“On behalf of the government of South Africa, and particularly the transport family, we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the learners who died. To those that are recuperating in hospitals and at home, we wish them a speedy recovery,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 14:17
111 views
Ramaphosa to participate in annual Presidential Golf Challenge
President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Friday, 09 February 2024, tee up at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand.
The Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC) was inaugurated in 1999 to give an opportunity for the sitting President of the Republic to raise funds for the charity of his/her own choice.
The initiative, coordinated by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, is a joint effort with the private sector to partake in developmental initiatives to empower society.
The Challenge raises funds for developmental charities and creates an opportunity for networking among decision-makers within the private sector and entities from the three spheres of government on the day following the President's State of the Nation Address.
This year the Challenge again raises funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
The Foundation's partner entity, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, will use the funds to construct ablution facilities at schools in support of the Department of Basic Education's SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union.
On Friday evening, the President will express his appreciation to the event's sponsors and partners at a prize-giving dinner where players will be recognised as well.
Details of the Golf Challenge are as follows:
Date: Friday, 09 February 2024
Time: 09h00
Venue: Atlantic Beach Golf Club, Melkbosstrand, Cape Town
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
In a bid to raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning teed off at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC).
The PGC was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, following the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday night.
According to the Presidency, the funds will be used by the foundation’s partner, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, to construct ablution facilities as part of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
“The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union,” the Presidency said.
Load shedding
Answering questions from the media on load shedding on the side lines of the golf challenge, President Ramaphosa said government cannot give an exact date on when the rolling power outages will stop.
“It is a constant problem for South Africans. We know that and everybody feels it. And it’s not comfortable at all. In fact, it does sometimes evoke a lot of anger. But as I’ve said, we do have the resilience as South Africans to keep on ensuring that we do hope for a better time. And a better time is coming.
“The issue of the ending of load shedding is a moot one. Everybody wants to know…when is it ending. When you give them a date and there’s load shedding thereafter, they say you were lying and you make empty, false promises. So we are not going to do that because this is a process.
“Through the National Electricity Crisis Committee, everything is put in place. All the pillars are put in place to finally address load shedding. It would be wonderful and ideal to give a date but processes like these that are engineering based…you cannot really put a date to,” he said.
SARS
Responding to questions on the extension of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) boss, Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s tenure, President Ramaphosa batted away any suggestions of a crisis at the revenue collector’s office.
He explained that with Kieswetter’s term coming to an end, measures need to be put in place to facilitate a “proper transition”.
“So there’s no crisis. Nobody should be in any form of angst because the process is being handled very, very properly. And I’m happy to have a Commissioner of Revenue like him who is very cooperative; who is committed to his work; who is diligent and who has revived SARS from the grips of state capture.
“So when I was talking about revamping our institutions last night [at the State of the Nation Address], I highlighted that SARS is one of those. It is back to its old, efficient self having been taken into the depths of state capture for a while.
“We have reclaimed it and I’m rather glad that it is one of those institutions that is serving the people of South Africa well,” President Ramaphosa said.
Earlier this week, the President agreed to extend the Commissioner’s tenure beyond the end of his term at the revenue collector.
The Commissioner’s contract of employment was set to end on 30 April, where after a new Commissioner would be appointed.
In March 2019, President Ramaphosa appointed Kieswetter, in terms of Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act, for a five-year term that started on 1 May 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 13:07
49 views
Government supports call for men to commit to halt GBVF
Government supports call for men to commit to end GBVF
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government supports the call for a pledge that men in South Africa are invited to take to demonstrate their personal commitment to ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“Our ultimate goal is to end gender-based violence altogether by mobilising all of society,” President Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night.
Highlighting government’s efforts and achievements to end the scourge, which he described as the second pandemic in the country, the Head of State said together with civil society, government developed the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on gender-based violence as a society-wide response to this pandemic.
“Around R21 billion was dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.
“New laws were introduced to strengthen the response of the criminal justice system gender based violence and provide better support to survivors of such violence,” the President said.
The NSP on GBVF is driven by six pillars, including:
• Extensive legal reform;
• Support for survivors through the provision of evidence toolkits at police stations;
• Psychology and social services;
• The establishment of the GBVF Response Fund which commits both government and the private sector to fund the fight against GBVF;
• Support for Thuthuzela and Khuseleka Care centres, which provide vital services for GBV survivors; and
• The economic empowerment of women.
The President said women are also in the process of developing their own pledge.
As the country celebrates 30 years of freedom, the President noted that government has safeguarded and promoted the basic rights in the Constitution and these include freedom of speech, association, and belief.
“We have defended media freedom and the independence of the judiciary. We have protected and advanced the rights of members of the LGBTQI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex] community, and continue to combat all forms of prejudice and intolerance,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa further reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue to build an inclusive economy, focusing on the empowerment of black and women South Africans, advancing workers’ rights, intensifying land reform, and pursuing a just energy transition that leaves no one behind.
“We will continue to strengthen our law enforcement institutions, tackle gender-based violence and fight corruption to make South Africa a safe place for all. We will continue to strengthen local government, professionalise the public service and ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
“We will continue to position our economy to grow and compete in a fast-changing world, to support small businesses, to give young people economic opportunities and to provide social protection to the vulnerable,” President Ramaphosa said.
This year’s SONA, which was the last one for the sixth administration, was held under the theme: “Following up on our commitments: Making your future work better”. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 11:53
83 views
State of the Nation Address in numbers
State of the Nation Address in numbers
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday.
Below is the SONA in numbers:
Social Assistance
- More than 26 million – South Africans who continue to receive social assistance every month provided by the democratic state.
- Some 9 million – unemployed people receiving the Special Social Relief of Distress Grant every month.
Unemployment and Job Creation
- Two million – people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
- 15 to 24 – the ages of millions of young people who were not in employment, education or training, by 8 February 2024.
- More than 1.7 million – work and livelihood opportunities created through the Expanded Public Works Programme.
- More than 1 million – school assistants placed in 23 000 schools through the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
- 23 000 – schools where more than one million school assistants have been placed through the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
- From 8 million to over 16.7 million – the increase in the number of South Africans in employment since 1994 until 2024.
- Over 4.3 million – young people engaged on SAYouth.mobi, a zero-rated platform for unemployed young people to access opportunities for learning and earning.
- 1.6 million – young people who have secured opportunities through the SAYouth.mobi, a zero-rated platform for unemployed young people to access opportunities for learning and earning.
Crime and Corruption
- More than 200 – accused persons being prosecuted by the National Prosecuting Authority.
- R14 billion – value of freezing orders granted to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for state capture-related cases.
- Around R8.6 billion – value of corrupt proceeds that have been returned to the State.
- R4.8 billion – unpaid taxes collected by the South African Revenue Service.
- R64 billion – value of civil litigation instituted by the Special Investigating Unit.
- 5 000 – extra police officers deployed to Public Order Policing.
- Over 285 000 – arrests made by the South African Police Service since May 2023 through Operation Shanela.
- 20 000 – police officers recruited over the last two years.
- 10 000 – police officers to be recruited in the year to come.
- Over 100 000 – people stopped by the new Border Management Authority from entering South Africa illegally.
Energy
- More than 2 500 – megawatts of solar and wind power connected to the grid.
- More than 120 – new private energy projects in development.
- More than 14 000 – kilometres of new transmission lines to be built over the coming years to accommodate renewable energy.
- Around R170 billion to almost R240 billion – increases in the value of financing pledges for the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan in the past year.
Economy and Investment
- More than 60 – ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban in mid-November 2023.
- 12 – ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban at the end of January 2024.
- R1.5 trillion – value of new investment commitments raised through five South Africa Investment Conferences.
- R500 billion – value of new investment commitments raised through five South Africa Investment Conferences that have already flowed into the economy.
- Approximately 39% – black ownership of mining by 2024, compared with 2% in 2004.
Road Infrastructure
- Nearly 25 000 – kilometres of roads being managed by the South African National Roads Agency Limited.
- More than 1 200 – projects to the value of R120 billion awarded by the South African National Roads Agency Limited in the past five years.
- R120 billion – the value of more than 1 200 projects awarded by the South African National Roads Agency Limited in the past five years.
Land
- 25% – farmland owned by black South Africans through redistribution.
- 30% – target of farmland to be owned by black South Africans through redistribution by 2030.
Labour
- Around 1 000 – black industrialists supported with funding and other forms of support in the last five years.
- More than 90 000 – workers employed by black-owned firms which contribute many billions of rands to the South African economy.
- About 200 000 – workers who obtained ownership of shares in the companies in which they work.
- Over half a million – status of worker ownership in companies in the South African economy.
- Over 6 million – workers whose wages were raised by the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.
Matric
- 82.9% – latest matric pass rate; the highest ever.
Poverty Alleviation
- 71.1% – South African population living in poverty in 1993.
- 60.9% – the drop in the poverty rate by 2010.
- 55.5% – the drop in the poverty rate by 2020.
Health
- More than 100 000 – South Africans who lost their lives to COVID-19.
- 54 years – life expectancy in 2003.
- 65 years – life expectancy in 2023.
- 95% – persons diagnosed with HIV who know their status.
- 79% – persons who receive antiretroviral treatment out of the 95% diagnosed with HIV who know their status.
- 93% – persons virally suppressed out of the 95% diagnosed with HIV who know their status.
Housing, Water and Telecommunications
- Nearly nine out of every 10 – households living in a formal dwelling.
- Only 6 out of 10 – people who had access to clean drinking water at the end of apartheid.
- 9 out of 10 – South Africans with access to clean drinking water by 2024.
- 79% – households with access to the internet in 2022.
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
- Around R21 billion – money dedicated over the medium term to implement the six pillars of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, including the economic empowerment of women.
Janine
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:53
100 views
Nearly 100,000 households in Msunduzi have no refuse collection
As illegal dumps mushroom, the municipality is trying to expand rubbish collection services
Investment in infrastructure gains momentum
Investment in infrastructure gains momentum
President Cyril Ramaphosa says investment in infrastructure is gaining momentum, and new and innovative funding mechanisms will be used to increase the construction of infrastructure.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, President Ramaphosa said to deal with severe inefficiencies in the freight logistics system, government is taking action to improve the country’s ports and rail network and restore them to world-class standards.
“We have set out a clear roadmap to stabilise the performance of Transnet and reform our logistics system. Working closely with business and labour, we have established dedicated teams to turn around five strategic corridors that transport goods for export purposes.
“The number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban – which has experienced severe congestion in recent months – has reduced from more than 60 ships in mid-November to just 12 ships at the end of January,” Ramaphosa said.
The President also noted that Transnet has appointed an international terminal operator to help expand and improve its largest terminal at the Port of Durban, and government is overhauling the freight rail system by allowing private rail operators to access the rail network.
“With the current conflict in the Middle East affecting shipping traffic through the Suez Canal, South Africa is well positioned to offer bunkering services for ships that will be rerouted via our shores.
Broadband and investment
“We completed the auction of broadband spectrum after more than a decade of delays, resulting in new investment, lower data costs and improved network reach and quality. These reforms have a profound impact in a society in which access to the internet has risen dramatically over the last decade,” the President told a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.
He also noted that less than half of all households had internet access in 2011, compared to 79% of households in 2022.
“Just this week, we published new regulations to reform our visa system, which will make it easier to attract the skills that our economy needs and create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We raised R1.5 trillion in new investment commitments through five South Africa Investment Conferences, of which over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.”
Bulk water projects
The President further announced that several bulk water projects are under construction across the country to improve water supply to millions of residents in villages, towns, and cities.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to enhance water resource management by initiating infrastructure projects to secure water supply and diversifying water sources to reduce dependence on surface water.”
The President highlighted some of the water infrastructure projects, which are in progress or completed, and these include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Umzimvubu, Hazelmere Dam, uMkhomazi Water Project, Clanwilliam Dam, Tzaneen Dam, Loskop, Mandlakazi, pipeline from Jozini Dam, Giyani and the pipeline from Nandoni Dam.
Included among these are also Pilanesberg Water, Vaal Gamagara and the pipeline from the Vaal River to Hothazel.
“In the Eastern Cape, the Msikaba and Mtentu bridges are beginning to rise over the landscape and will be among the highest in Africa once complete. The steel used for part of the project is fabricated in Mpumalanga, and the iron ore comes from the Northern Cape,” he said.
He also noted that in the past five years, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), which manages nearly 25 000 km of roads, has awarded more than 1 200 projects to the value of R120 billion.
“In November last year, Cabinet approved a framework for high-speed rail, focusing initially on the Johannesburg to Durban corridor,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:06
376 views
Durban builds boreholes to relieve water crisis
“We were hoping that the borehole was going to pump water into our yards. The borehole is too far from my house”
Government determined to tackle pressing issue of youth unemployment
Government determined to tackle pressing issue of youth unemployment
As the country marks 30 years of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated government's commitment to tackling the pressing issue of youth unemployment.
Delivering the final State of the Nation Address (SONA) for the sixth administration, President Ramaphosa emphasised that government is determined to take immediate action in providing employment opportunities for young individuals, underscoring the urgency of addressing this crucial challenge.
“For despite the remarkable achievements of the last 30 years, many of democracy’s children still face great challenges. Millions of young people aged 15 to 24 years are currently not in employment, education or training.
“There are many who have a matric, a diploma or a degree who cannot find a job, or do not have the means to start a business. While economic growth is essential to reduce unemployment, we cannot wait to provide the work that many of democracy’s children need,” the President said.
Despite the challenges, the President highlighted that government has taken steps to address the youth unemployment crisis.
Three years ago, building on the success of the Expanded Public Works Programme, government launched the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) as part of government’s response to the pandemic, but its success in enabling employment creation continues to benefit many.
Through this programme, the sixth administration has created more than 1.7 million work and livelihood opportunities.
Through the stimulus, more than 1 million school assistants were placed in 23 000 schools, providing participants with valuable work experience while improving learning outcomes.
Through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), government has established SAYouth.mobi as a zero-rated platform for unemployed young people to access opportunities for learning and earning.
Over 4.3 million young people are now engaged on the network and 1.6 million have so far secured opportunities.
The President added that working together with the National Youth Development Agency, they have set up a number of initiatives to provide opportunities for young people including the National Youth Service and the Youth Employment Service.
“These programmes matter because work matters to people. The NYDA has played a key role in assisting a number of young people to start their own businesses. Having a job does not only provide an income, it is fundamental to people’s sense of self-worth, dignity, hope, purpose and inclusion.
“From the depths of deprivation and inequality, we have worked over 30 years to ensure that all South Africans have an equal chance to prosper.
“It is not enough to recognise the injustices of the past; we need to correct them. We have introduced laws and undertaken programmes to enable black South Africans and women to advance in the workplace, to become owners and managers, to acquire land and build up assets,” the President said.
The President further highlighted that the proportion of jobs in executive management held by black people increased almost five-fold between 1996 and 2016. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:12
491 views