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Payretailers Expands Further Into Africa, Boosting Financial Inclusion Across Eight Additional Key Markets

Location: Business
PayRetailers

Expansion includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria; Leveraging success in Latin America to provide underbanked populations in Africa with efficient payment functions. 

PayRetailers, the leading payment processor for Latin America, has today announced further expansion into Africa. With coverage now across 12 countries, the company offers a unified simple payment solution that will be a game changer for cross-border online merchants looking at Africa as their next move for strategic growth.

PayRetailers offer a simple, user-friendly, and scalable experience to businesses looking to grow their regional operations and give them access to major local payment methods like MPESA, Airtel, and MTN. The further expansion includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria, having recently launched in Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania three months ago.

This expansion effort further solidifies PayRetailers' ability to unlock new growth opportunities for their clients, giving them easy access to additional emerging markets. For existing clients, in fact, this process requires zero integration efforts, as it is all handled via the same API.

With many populations across Africa being underbanked, PayRetailers accelerates financial inclusion across the region by supporting businesses with their growth journey. The market is increasingly mobile and connected, with global businesses seeking to tap into the strong growth opportunities across Africa.

The expansion marks a significant milestone in PayRetailers' ambitious growth plans, with further expansion planned into more African countries as well as Europe. Leveraging its extensive experience in Latin America, the company is well equipped to address the unique needs of African consumers and businesses.

Jonathan Vintner, Global Head of Sales at PayRetailers, said:

“Expanding into eight new markets marks a significant milestone for PayRetailers as we continue our mission to bring tailored payment solutions to diverse regions. Africa is a vibrant and varied continent, with payment preferences that differ from region to region. For example, our launch in Kenya enables merchants to access M-Pesa, the country's leading mobile money provider, while in South Africa, we're offering a blend of card and cash solutions to meet local demands. All of this is seamlessly integrated into our existing API, allowing merchants to access the top payment methods across Latin America and now Africa through a single connection—with more countries on the horizon”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PayRetailers.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Issie Rees-Davies
Account Manager
Lansons
payretailers@lansons.com
07712447161

About PayRetailers: 
Founded in 2017, PayRetailers is a global payment processing solution for secure and efficient transactions in Latin America and Africa. The company is a trusted partner for businesses seeking customized payment solutions. With a flexible platform supported by a direct API and commercial agreements, PayRetailers provides access to 300+ local payment methods, adapting rapidly to market demands. Its own technological architecture is highly flexible and scalable, allowing rapid innovation to meet the demands of constantly evolving markets. For more information about PayRetailers, visit www.PayRetailers.com

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South Africa commits support for South Sudan

Location: News

South Africa commits support for South Sudan

South Africa will continue to support the Republic of South Sudan in its efforts for peace, democracy and development.

This according to a statement by the Presidency on Wednesday.

The statement follows an announcement by the government of South Sudan regarding the extension of its transitional period for a further two years.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the statement by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan extending the country's transitional period by another two years. This effectively postpones the national elections initially due to take place on 22 December 2024.

“According to the announcement, the postponement is intended to provide time and space for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement to the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan [R-ARCSS],” the Presidency said.

The statement said President Ramaphosa “commends the Parties to the R-ARCSS for arriving at the decision by consensus, which bodes well for the implementation of the remainder of the provisions of the R-ARCSS”.

“To this end, President Ramaphosa calls on South Sudanese Parties and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity [RTGoNU] to spare no effort in implementing the outstanding provisions of the R-ARCSS and to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that has existed since September 2018,” the Presidency said.

“President Ramaphosa further calls on the RTGoNU to allocate the necessary resources for the effective functioning of statutory institutions mandated to deliver free and fair elections,” the statement read.

The President also called on the East African bloc, the East African Community (EAC) and the international community to “continue to support the Government and people of South Sudan in their search for lasting peace and democracy”.

“For its part, South Africa will continue to support South Sudan to realise the ideals for peace, democracy and development,” the Presidency concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:37

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Meet SA’s new petroleum company

Location: News

Meet SA’s new petroleum company

A policy statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa has today resulted in the formation of a new state-owned petroleum company, the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC).

The SANPC has been formed following the merger of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) subsidiaries, iGas, PetroSA and the Strategic Fuel Fund.

The SANPC is poised to become a leading player in the country's energy sector ensuring energy security, driving new technologies, developing and enabling essential infrastructure, fostering strategic partnerships and propelling social and economic development.

It is also expected to oversee strategic planning, coordination and governance of the country's petroleum resources, contributing to the country's development and economic growth. 

The company has been granted approval to start operating in terms of the s51(g) (h) of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999.

The formation of the state-owned company follows President Ramaphosa’s February 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein he announced government’s intention to repurpose and “rationalize” state-owned enterprises to support growth and development in South Africa.

Under this national directive, on 10 June 2020, Cabinet approved the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) request to merge the three subsidiaries of the Central Energy Fund (CEF); namely the South African Gas Development Company SOC Limited (iGas), PetroSA and Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF).

“The rationalization of these subsidiaries into one single SA National Petroleum Company is on the basis that each company be efficiently structured so as not to transfer operational inefficiencies and going concern issues into the new entity.

“Out of the three merging entities, only iGas and SFF are financially viable to be merged into the new entity subject to key legal requirements. However, following a rigorous assessment of the PetroSA business, the only financially viable division to be merged into the new company is Trading and the Ghana asset,” the new petroleum company said in a statement on Wednesday.

It added that the remainder of the business that does not form part of the SANPC will form part of legacy assets requiring further work to be done before they could be transferred into the SANPC.

“In the interim, the SANPC will be incorporated as a subsidiary of [the] CEF Group of Companies until the National Petroleum Bill is promulgated into law. For the SANPC to kick start its operations, it would use the Lease and Assign model wherein certain assets of the merging entities will be leased to the new company, the SANPC.”

READ | Closing date for draft SA Petroleum Company Bill public comments extended

The proposed Lease and Assignment model provides the opportunity to strategically select what is leased and assigned to the SANPC by ring-fencing or isolating PetroSA’s legacy assets such as decommissioning liability and current operating challenges of the Gas to Liquid Refinery.

“This approach will improve the financial risk profile for SANPC to secure funding as well as provide a legally sound solution to deal with the constraints associated with the non-profit status of [the] SFF. At the same time, work has begun to attend to the legacy assets which include the re-instatement of the Gas -To- Liquids (GTL) Refinery and the decommissioning liability methodology and provisioning.

“Once all the matters relating to these legacy assets are resolved, they would be ready for transfer to the SANPC.”

The company said that the Lease and Assignment transaction is deemed necessary and the most effective approach for the merger.

“With the combined strengths of the three subsidiaries, a solid financial position, and robust stakeholder support, the SANPC is well-positioned to leverage these benefits and seize the R95 billion market opportunity.

"The SANPC would be poised to become a leading player in South Africa's energy sector, ensuring energy security, driving new technologies, developing, and enabling essential infrastructure, fostering strategic partnerships, and propelling social and economic development,” said the company. - SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:28

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Nestlé BarOne jumpstarts Mzansi’s dreams with ‘The Next One’ competition

Location: MyPR

Popular chocolate brand uplifts the next generation of game-changers through mentorship and monetary investments Johannesburg – Nestlé BarOne, one of South Africa’s favorite chocolate brands, is on a mission to empower the everyday hustler by kickstarting their ambitions, big or small, through a R25 0000 cash investment and mentorship from experienced industry leaders. Through Nestlé …

Read moreNestlé BarOne jumpstarts Mzansi’s dreams with ‘The Next One’ competition

Buy Qadasi Tickets and Help Sa’s Most Successful Female Surfer Get to the Masters World Champs!

Location: MyPR

There are limited tickets available for the unmissable Heather Clark fundraiser featuring live music by Qadasi and Maqhinga on Saturday, 21 September at Waves in Umzumbe. Starting at 4pm for the Sharks v Lions rugby match, there will be food and coffee stalls on site, as well as ‘pap & sous’ on sale in celebration …

Read moreBuy Qadasi Tickets and Help Sa’s Most Successful Female Surfer Get to the Masters World Champs!

Red Ribbon Communications Drives Remarkable Growth for Edtech Company Zaio

Location: MyPR

Cape Town, September 2024—In a testament to the power of strategic public relations in the EdTech sector, Red Ribbon Communications, a leading South African PR agency, has successfully elevated the profile of Zaio, an online coding school, through a targeted six-month media outreach campaign. The collaboration between Red Ribbon Communications and Zaio has yielded exceptional …

Read moreRed Ribbon Communications Drives Remarkable Growth for Edtech Company Zaio

Red Ribbon Communications Drive FICA Compliance Awareness for FinTech Company DocFox

Location: MyPR

In a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of FICA compliance, leading South African PR agency Red Ribbon Communications collaborated with DocFox, a pioneer in B2B tech solutions, to shed light on the critical importance of accountability in the financial sector. The placement of South Africa on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) …

Read moreRed Ribbon Communications Drive FICA Compliance Awareness for FinTech Company DocFox

Mpumalanga records highest HIV prevalence rate 

Location: News

Mpumalanga records highest HIV prevalence rate 

Compared to other provinces, Mpumalanga had the highest HIV prevalence at 17.4% in 2022, which translates to an estimated 890 000 people, living with HIV (PLHIV) in the province.

The key findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for Mpumalanga were released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on Tuesday.

According to the overall principal investigator of the study, the HSRC’s Professor Khangelani Zuma, the survey showed that, in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was 7.8% among youth aged 15 to 24 overall, and 1.5-fold higher among males (9.8%) than females (6.3%) in this age group.

Among adults aged 25 to 49, HIV prevalence was 26.4% overall, and 1.6-fold higher among females (31.9%) than males (19.9%). 

By locality, HIV prevalence was higher among those residing in rural formal or farms (21.1%) and rural informal areas (18.4%) and lower in urban areas (15.5%).

“A concerning state is that HIV prevalence peaked at 40.8% among those 45 to 49 years in 2022 compared to 39% in 2017 among those 35 to 39 years, suggesting a possibility of continued new infections. 

“There was a notable downward shift in the epidemic curve in 2022 among respondents 15 to 44 years,” Zuma noted.

The data presented are for three priority districts in Mpumalanga, namely Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts. 

In 2022, HIV prevalence among all ages was highest in Gert Sibande (20.5%) and Ehlanzeni (16%) and lowest in Nkangala (13.1%).

Antiretroviral treatment 

Meanwhile, according to the data, antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in Mpumalanga increased to 81.8% in 2022, from 65.4% in 2017. 

This translates to an estimated 630 000 people living with HIV in the province receiving ART in 2022.

In 2022, ART use among all people living with HIV in the province was 56.4% among adolescents and youth 15 to 24 years and 83.9% among those 25 to 49 years. 

Among females, ART coverage was substantially lower among those aged 15 to 24 (58.6%) than those aged 25 to 49 (85.2%).

ART coverage among males from 25 to 49 years was 81.6%, while it was 54.8% for male youth aged 15 to 24. 

The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African national HIV and AIDS, STI and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting.

Knowledge of HIV status

Zuma expressed concern that people living with HIV aged 25 to 49 accounted for most people living with HIV in Mpumalanga who were unaware of their HIV status (62.3%), aware but not on ART (63.5%), and on ART but not virally suppressed (63.4%). 

However, adolescents and youth aged between 15 to 24 contributed disproportionally to gaps in treatment, accounting for just 9.4% of all people living with HIV. 

In this age group, 16.9% knew their HIV status, 16.7% knew their HIV status but were not on ART, and 13.7% of those on ART were not on viral load suppression (VLS). 

People residing in urban areas accounted for the most people living with HIV overall. 

Key drivers

Regarding the key drivers of the HIV pandemic, Zuma noted that Mpumalanga had the lowest prevalence of sexual debut among provinces. 

The proportion of adolescents and youth aged 15 who reported having sex before the age of 15 years decreased from 13.3% in 2017 to 5.4% in 2022.

However, sexual debut before the age of 15 among adolescents and youth aged between 15 and 24 in 2022 was higher among males (6.1%) than females (4.8%). 

The survey revealed that in the province, 5.1% of people aged 15 and older reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022 compared to 7.9% in 2017. 

The proportion of people aged 15 years and older who reported having multiple sexual partners was almost three-fold (7.4%) higher in males than among females (2.7%) and was higher among those aged between 15 and 24 (6.2%) compared to other age groups. 

Regarding condom use, the survey revealed that 46.1% reported using a condom with the most recent sexual partner in 2022 compared to 46.3% in 2017. 

Condom use was substantially lower among those residing in rural formal or farm dwellings (26.0%) compared to those living in urban areas (50.1%). 

Meanwhile, a higher proportion (32.4%) also reported that they never used a condom with their most recent sexual partner. 

“Only 11% reported that they used condoms almost every time … Nearly 50% of youth reported using a condom sometimes or never using a condom.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Tue, 09/17/2024 - 13:31

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Red Ribbon Communications Elevates Brand Recognition in the Renewable Energy Sector

Location: MyPR

Red Ribbon Communications, a leading PR agency specialising in tech PR and sustainability, has achieved a significant milestone through its successful collaboration with Rubicon, a leading South African sustainable technology provider. The strategic partnership has not only solidified Red Ribbon’s position as an expert in providing PR services to renewable energy solutions but has also …

Read moreRed Ribbon Communications Elevates Brand Recognition in the Renewable Energy Sector

South Africa Makes Strides in Bid to Contain Mpox

Location: News
World Health Organization (WHO) - South Africa

As the wider African region experiences an upsurge in mpox cases, South Africa's multi-pronged efforts to bring the outbreak under control are bearing fruit. On 14 August 2024, World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern and subsequently issued a set of temporary recommendations to scale up the emergency response.

South Africa had previously reported five unlinked mpox cases in 2022. Having confirmed zero cases in 2023, the country has experienced a resurgence of the infectious disease in recent months, reporting 25 laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths between 8 May and 6 September 2024. These cases have been reported in Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, with local transmission suggested for 24 cases and one imported case. 

However, there has been a significant change in the epidemiological data in recent weeks, with just one new case and no deaths reported since 2 August 2024, compared to 12 cases and three deaths in June, so far, the peak of the current outbreak. 

“With the support of partners including WHO, we have made significant progress in our efforts to contain mpox in the country,” says Foster Mohale, spokesperson for South Africa's National Department of Health. “But we must not become complacent because viruses mutate from time to time. The recent detection of a new mpox case in Western Cape should be a strong reminder that we must all remain extremely vigilant.”

To coordinate its response to the outbreak, the National Department of Health formed an mpox Incident Management Team comprised of experts from national and provincial levels and partners including WHO. In June, with WHO support, health authorities conducted two remote webinars on clinical management of mpox cases, training over 500 health workers and public health professionals. 
The department has also activated provincial response teams to implement priority interventions in hotspots, deployed rapid response teams to support community surveillance and case management, and intensified targeted public awareness campaigns. 

In addition to providing technical support and guidelines on mpox treatment to help ensure standardized patient care, WHO has donated 35 treatment courses of tecovirimat, an antiviral that is used to treat severe mpox cases in conjunction with symptomatic and supportive care. The Organization is supporting efforts to stockpile an additional 30 treatment courses of the medication for rapid deployment should further cases arise. 

South Africa is one of 14 countries in the African region that will be financially supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and WHO from September 2024 until February 2025 to draw up and roll out plans, including vaccination strategies, to continue its fight against mpox. The Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa will see an estimated US$ 45.5 of a US$ 600-million total budget allocated to South Africa, most of which will be spent on the logistics of rolling out vaccines.  

“WHO remains committed to supporting health authorities in containing the mpox outbreak through coordinated efforts in treatment, surveillance, and public awareness,” says Dr Fabian Ndenzako, acting WHO Representative in South Africa. “I am pleased to see mpox control efforts targeting health workers, community members and key risk populations to prevent further transmission and manage this public health issue effectively.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Africa.

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Home Affairs needs to embrace automation, digital transformation

Location: News

Home Affairs needs to embrace automation, digital transformation

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says automation and digital transformation is necessary to turn Home Affairs into a department that supercharges economic growth, delivers dignified civic services and secures national security.

“The inefficiency and corruption that has maligned this department can all be traced back to the fact that it still has manual and paper-based processes,” Schreiber said.

Speaking at the RMB Morgan Stanley Investor Conference, Schreiber said Home Affairs sits at the heart of national security apparatus and has much work to do to restore internal security after decades of neglect and institutional vandalism.

He said securing immigration and civics systems through automation and digital transformation will deliver an immediate boost to confidence in South Africa’s ability to re-establish law and order.

“But the role of Home Affairs as an economic enabler goes well beyond the realm of national security. In total, it is in the domain of Home Affairs that we have the potential to triple or even quadruple this country’s annual economic output.

“We can do all of this with very little additional demands on the fiscus, which is already overstretched. To achieve this economic impact, we must address both regulation and administration as a matter of urgency,” the Minister said.

Schreiber said South Africa’s new remote working visa was a game changer.

“My message to remote workers all around the world is simple: there is just no place like South Africa. And with our new user-friendly remote working visa, there has never been a better time to come and spend your hard-earned salary in a beautiful country whose best days are yet to come.

“Even more exciting than the remote working visa, is the new points-based work visa. The points-based work visa is going to revolutionise the South African economy.

“Gone will be the days when highly skilled workers had no pathway to help build this country if their skills happened to not be included in an arbitrary critical skills list,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Edwin
Tue, 09/17/2024 - 10:32

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Gelant on Course to Make History as Kipngetich Returns for Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K

Location: MyPR

Following the best season of his career, which included his first sub-28-minute 10km at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in May and a third Olympic appearance in August, Elroy Gelant now has his sights set on making history at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day, Tuesday, 24 …

Read moreGelant on Course to Make History as Kipngetich Returns for Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K

Members of South African Parliament Sworn in as Pan-African Parliament (Pap) Members

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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Members of Parliament, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli, Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and Mr Vuyani Pambo were today sworn in as members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).

The four members were appointed by both Houses of Parliament to serve as members of the continental legislative body. They were sworn in this morning during the sitting of the Pan-African Parliament Committees and other PAP organs currently underway in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The PAP is a legislative organ of the African Union (AU) as set out by the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty). It provides a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent, including matters pertaining to respect for human rights, the consolidation of democratic institutions and the culture of democracy, as well as the promotion of good governance and the rule of law.

The PAP also promotes, among other things, the coordination and harmonisation of policies, measures, programmes, and activities of the Regional Economic Communities and the parliamentary fora on the continent.

During today's plenary session, the Members received presentations on various topics affecting the continent's development, such as peace and security, climate change, and the poor implementation of Agenda 2063.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Minister congratulates 33 field ranger graduates

Location: News

Minister congratulates 33 field ranger graduates

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the 33 newly-graduated field rangers of the Kruger National Park (KNP). 

The graduates completed a rigorous training regimen and were inaugurated as field rangers at a ceremony in Skukuza, earlier this month.

The Minister commended the dedication and resilience of the new recruits.

"I am proud of the commitment and determination each of these individuals has shown throughout their intense six-week training programme. These new field rangers will provide critical support to our conservation efforts, safeguarding one of South Africa's most treasured natural heritages and playing a vital role in preserving our biodiversity for future generations," the Minister said on Tuesday.

The rigorous pre-selection and selection process, which took place in July 2024, demanded both physical endurance and mental fortitude from the trainees. 

The graduates will now join the ranger corps across various sections of the KNP, contributing to law enforcement and biodiversity conservation efforts in the park.

"Our field rangers are at the frontline of the fight against poaching and environmental crime. Their work ensures the integrity of our protected areas, and I trust that their contributions will strengthen our collective efforts to protect South Africa’s wildlife," George said.

The Minister also extended his gratitude to South African National Parks (SANParks) for their continued leadership in conservation and their commitment to maintaining the highest standards in ranger training. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Tue, 09/17/2024 - 10:08

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Ending the Silence: Understanding and Preventing Suicide in South Africa

Location: MyPR

Cape Town, September, 17, 2024: September is World Suicide Prevention Month, a time to talk about a challenging topic that many avoid. In South Africa, it’s estimated that one person dies by suicide every hour. This heartbreaking statistic affects families, friends, and entire communities nationwide. The Seriousness of Suicide in South Africa South Africa has one …

Read moreEnding the Silence: Understanding and Preventing Suicide in South Africa

SA congratulates Algeria on successful Presidential Election

Location: News

SA congratulates Algeria on successful Presidential Election

South Africa has extended warm congratulations to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on his re-election as President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. 

The presidential election, held on 07 September 2024, was a significant milestone for Algeria.

The South African government has also commended the efforts of the Algerian National Independent Electoral Authority and other national stakeholders for their role in ensuring the elections were conducted in a conducive and peaceful environment.

The successful execution of the electoral process is seen as a testament to Algeria's dedication to upholding democratic principles, not only within its borders but across the African continent.

South Africa and Algeria share a common history forged during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. 

Following the advent of South Africa’s democracy in 1994, the two countries intensified the bilateral cooperation which has been elevated to the Bi-National Commission co-chaired by the two Presidents.

“The South African Government reiterates its commitment to continue working in solidarity with the Government and people of Algeria to strengthen bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries, to build strong people-to-people ties, and collaborate in the consolidation of the African Agenda,” the Presidency said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

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Mon, 09/16/2024 - 14:59

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SA students to study scarce skills in China

Location: News

SA students to study scarce skills in China

In a bid to address the skills mismatch, the Department of Higher Education and Training will send a number of local students to China to study scarce and critical skills of the future.

The department will send around 100 students to China next year.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane made the announcement during a media briefing held in Pretoria on Monday.

This announcement followed the Minister’s return from China, as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation to the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, held in Beijing, China.

READ | China looks to elevate relations with African countries

Nkabane noted that South Africa has a long-standing cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in various areas of higher education and training, which continues to grow and support South Africa’s knowledge and skills development.

“Our engagement during this visit aligns with South Africa’s strategic goals regarding technological advancement and international collaboration in education,” Nkabane said.

WATCH | Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane  briefs the media

 
The Minister, joined by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, held a joint media briefing to provide feedback on a four-day Ministerial Stakeholder engagement programme, which started on Thursday and concluded on Sunday.

Nkabane had an extensive consultation with stakeholders in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector on Thursday to solicit inputs and proposals to policy positions on matters that affect the PSET system. 

 NSFAS participated in the stakeholder engagement meetings where student formations, universities, and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges posed robust engagements and shared with the department, insights on how best they can turn around the institution.

The Minister also consulted extensively with PSET institutional governance structures, including the South African Union of Students (SAUS), South African Further Education and Training Student Association (SAFETSA), South African Public Colleges Organisation (SACPO), and Universities South Africa (USAF).

2025 NSFAS online applications

“It was due to these critical consultations that we have had to postpone the launch of the 2025 NSFAS online application launch, which is a significant concern for students nationwide. Another reason for postponing the launch of the 2025 NSFAS online application process was to allow NSFAS to do a dry run of the online application system to stakeholders,” the Minister explained.

Nkabane said the feedback received has already informed critical system changes to simplify the online application process making it accessible to all.

The stakeholder engagements also helped enrich the department’s understanding of matters, including addressing NSFAS inefficiencies, challenges confronting NSFAS, the student funding model and its interface with the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), safety and security of Vice Chancellors and students which remains a concern among others.

Having received a presentation during the stakeholder consultations, and having noted the comments received from stakeholders, Nkabane said she is now confident that NSFAS is ready to kickstart the 2025 online application process- effectively on Friday, 20 September 2024.

“I am therefore inviting all students who are siting for their matriculation this year to take this opportunity and apply for either the NSFAS bursary or loan. This invitation is also extended to learners from grade 9, 10, and 11, who would like to enter the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector,” Nkabane said.

NSFAS is expected to brief the media on the opening of the 2025 online application process on Friday, where detailed information on the process will be shared.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the department intends increasing the intake of the college system by one million enrolments in community colleges and 2.5 million in public and private TVET colleges by 2030.

“In relation to our universities, we will continue to diversify them based on their strengths and the needs of the communities in which they are located by targeting 1.6 million enrolments by 2030. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 09/16/2024 - 15:15

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President Ramaphosa Extends Congratulations On Algerian Elections

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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South Africa congratulates President Tebboune and the people of Algeria on the outcome of the Presidential Election.

South Africa extends congratulations to His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on his successful re-election as President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, following the conclusion of the Presidential Election held on 07 September 2024.  

The Algerian National Independent Electoral Authority and all national stakeholders are also congratulated for their collective efforts in ensuring a conducive environment in which the elections were conducted.

The success of the elections is an expression of Algeria's commitment to advancing democracy not only in Algeria but on the African Continent.

South Africa and Algeria share a common history forged during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. 

Following the advent of South Africa's democracy in 1994, the two countries intensified the bilateral cooperation which has been elevated to the Bi-National Commission co-chaired by the two Presidents.

The South African Government reiterates its commitment to continue working in solidarity with the Government and people of Algeria to strengthen bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries, to build strong people-to-people ties, and collaborate in the consolidation of the African Agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Read morePresident Ramaphosa Extends Congratulations On Algerian Elections

Collaboration key to addressing illegal snaring of wildlife

Location: News

Collaboration key to addressing illegal snaring of wildlife

Collaboration and partnerships are key in addressing the negative impacts from the illegal snaring of wildlife.

This was among the takeaways from the inaugural two-day national Snare Mitigation Symposium in Pretoria, which was attended by leading experts in wildlife crime, government officials and representatives of numerous stakeholders across the sector to examine the multi-faceted aspects of the snaring crisis.

The meeting of 140 delegates delved into the impacts, drivers and solutions to this increasing threat to wildlife and the economy. 

This is according to a joint statement issued on Monday by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks).

The statements said snaring is motivated by complex socio-economic and cultural drivers.

The symposium explored snaring from a myriad of angles and viewpoints. 

“Information gained through the symposium highlighted that animals are snared largely for personal or commercial use and is occurring at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes. 

“Sadly, many species including leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat,” said the statement.

A key takeaway from the symposium is that there is a need for less ‘fortress’ mentality and more community and sustainable use interaction among stakeholders towards achieving positive outcomes for this threat to wildlife. 

“Communities living with wildlife, and those linked to snaring, need to form an integral part of the solutions being proposed, and to be undertaken, to address snaring.

“No solution will be credible without the involvement of the relevant community voices in co-development of solutions.  Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, the people living in the affected areas. Technological advances were showcased at the symposium to improve snare detection and data collection,” the statement said on Monday.

Among the key decisions adopted as outcomes of the symposium included further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem and creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity, but also on the economy and well-being of communities. 

“Looking to the future, greater teamwork and communication between State, private sector and civil society will be cultivated to find sustainable long-term solutions for both people and wildlife,” the statement said. - SAnews.gov.za
 

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Mon, 09/16/2024 - 15:28

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