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President condemns the killing of traditional leaders

Location: News

President condemns the killing of traditional leaders

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned in the strongest terms the rise in the killing of traditional leaders, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The President delivered the keynote address at the annual official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chamber in Cape Town on Thursday. 

“Our law enforcement agencies are hard at work to ensure that those responsible are brought to book. On behalf of government, I wish to pass our deepest condolences to all families for the loss of their loved ones and to you for the loss of your colleagues. 

“May their souls and those of other traditional leaders who passed on since the last opening of the House continue to rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Last year, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube condemned the killings calling them an attack on the State as they threaten to destabilise an institution critical to the stability and order of society. 

In a meeting with the South African Police Service in January 2022, it emerged that the police were investigating 51 murder cases going back to 2012, and at the time 30 people had been arrested, while 18 cases were still pending in court. 

“As government we remain committed to working with the institution of traditional leadership in pursuit of progress and development. We did so extremely successfully during the COVID-19 pandemic, during recent floods, and in a number of other areas.”

He said they were working together to combat gender-based violence, a scourge that is tearing communities apart. 

“I have just returned from the annual Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, where we participated in a high-level event on promoting positive masculinity across our continent.

“We need to be doing more in our communities to bring men into this effort, and focus on prevention and awareness raising,” the President said. 

Personally, he said he has been engaging with young men through peer dialogues where they are able to not only speak openly about what masculinity and manhood means to them, but also commit themselves to playing their part to end gender-based violence.

The President called on male traditional leaders to be part of this effort and to start their own men’s dialogues. 

“The influence and stature you bring to bear can and does make a difference, given the role that cultural norms and practices often play in perpetuating violence against women and girls,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa pointed out that drug abuse is another serious challenge in communities.

He said it was encouraging to note that the House was supporting the work of the Central Drug Authority. “I urge you as this House to encourage provinces and local Houses to establish relationships with community organisations to fight the scourge of drugs together,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Thu, 02/22/2024 - 14:01

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Excessive trust in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes users vulnerable, survey finds

Location: News
KnowBe4

The survey, which spanned 1,300 respondents in ten African and Middle Eastern countries, revealed that 63% of users are open to sharing their personal information, while an impressive 83% expressed confidence in the accuracy and reliability of these AI tools. “While the results clearly show that generative AI tools are widely used, they also highlight the need for increased user training and awareness regarding the potential risks associated with this powerful new technology,” says Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA (https://www.KnowBe4.com).

Upon its introduction in late 2022, ChatGPT revolutionised the way people work. The highly adept chatbot, known for its natural and impeccable English, swiftly won over critics. Business teams discovered they could create marketing campaigns in a matter of minutes instead of hours, and effortlessly generate content in various forms, such as text and images. However, some argue that the world has embraced generative AI too hastily.

“The adoption of genAI offers tremendous opportunities for African users and organisations but we also need to consider the associated risks,” says Collard. “Our survey - which runs across users owning smartphones in 10 African countries -  indicates that all respondents are using generative AI in their personal and professional lives, with many using it on a daily or weekly basis.” The primary purposes for using generative AI are research, information gathering, email composition, creative content generation, and document drafting. Respondents highlighted several benefits of using generative AI, including time-saving, assistance with complex tasks, increased productivity, and enhanced creativity.

“Despite the hype about job losses and various industries being negatively affected by generative AI, 80% of respondents didn't feel that it threatened their job security, although 57% believed it has the potential to replace human creativity,” says Collard. “What is interesting in the findings is the disconnect between what people think and the reality, particularly when it comes to cybersecurity.”

Too willing to share sensitive data

The survey, carried out across South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, revealed that almost two-thirds of users are at ease sharing their personal information with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. The comfort level in sharing sensitive data varied across countries. For example, in South Africa, only 54% of users were comfortable sharing their personal information with generative AI tools, while in the UAE it was 67%, and in Nigeria, it was 75%.

According to the survey, 83% of users feel confident about the accuracy and reliability of generative AI, showing an excessive level of trust. Collard comments that it is important to encourage critical thinking and be aware of our psychological biases that make us blindly trust content that is synthetically generated. “For example, research shows that people overestimate their abilities to detect deepfakes (Köbis et al., 2021) and in fact perceive AI-synthesized images as more trustworthy than real faces (Nightingale and Farid, 2022)”

Another concerning finding is the lack of comprehensive policies in organisations to address the challenges associated with generative AI. Almost half of the respondents (46%) reported having no generative AI policy at work, and 8% stated that they were prohibited from using it. “Employees are already using generative AI, so attempting to ban it is futile. Instead, it is crucial to establish policies that protect both organisations and their employees, ensuring responsible and safe usage,” asserts Collard.

Deepfakes - one of the most concerning uses of AI

A previous KnowBe4 AFRICA survey found that almost half of consumers do not know what deepfakes are, while a recent survey of South African IT managers by KnowBe4 and ITWeb showed that 60% of organisations do not provide training on deepfakes. “Scammers can trick people into believing that their loved ones are being held hostage by using fake voice and video messages created with this technology,” explains Collard. Because they are so convincing, many people are falling for these scams, including organisations which stand to lose both money and their sensitive data. With  elections coming up in South Africa, the US and many other countries, the World Economic Forum has ranked disinformation as one of the top risks for this year. Previous research has shown deepfakes as one of the most worrying uses of AI (https://apo-opa.co/49Co9o9), particularly when used for political manipulation.

“A zero-trust mindset needs to be cultivated to help people overcome the threats of malicious use of generative AI,” concludes Collard. “Companies should provide more training and implement comprehensive policies to help their employees navigate this exciting and daunting new technology.”

To read the full report on generative AI usage in Africa and the Middle East, click here (https://apo-opa.co/4bW7b5E).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

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Pandor calls on the G20 to help resolve global tensions

Location: News

Pandor calls on the G20 to help resolve global tensions

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has challenged G20 nations to address ongoing global tensions, which have been fueled by a variety of developments in recent years.

Pandor drew attention to a few pressing issues including the increasing debt load faced by poor and middle-income countries, inequality, and neglect in certain parts of the world like Palestine.

She highlighted the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the recent Israel-Gaza war, and related violations of international law and United Nations (UN) guidelines.

The Minister also mentioned that there are several issues, such as trade tensions between major economies, economic decline due to COVID-19, and continuing terrorism and extremism.

“All these have placed the world in a more precarious context and as G20 we must attempt to craft implementable responses,” she said. 

Pandor was speaking at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brazil on Wednesday.

She believes that the G20 leaders are most suitable to tackle the challenge of providing effective solutions to issues that are leading to conflict, division, insecurity, and growing inequality.

“The world is watching to see whether the most powerful can initiate a reversal of our slide to disaster,” the Minister stressed. 

G20, which is also known as the Group of 20, is a forum for international economic cooperation and plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

“The G20 was conceived to draw together governments that would work together in strategic cooperation to create a platform or global practice that would assist developing countries to overcome poverty inequality and insecurity. 

“Our governments acknowledged that changing the material conditions of the poorest was and remains fundamental to maintaining the relevance of G20,” she explained. 

She said it was encouraging that following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group renewed its focus on development compared to the past.

Meanwhile, according to Pandor, if developing countries were to achieve greater progress with the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), funding would be needed from the multilateral development banks (MDB). 

According to the United Nations Development Programme, SDGs, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

“Greater financing and development support could be secured through active support to arrest illicit financial flows from and between African countries given the impact on development illicit finances fuel corruption undermine the rule of law and the stability of markets, yet little has been done to address them,” said the Minister.

The MDBs offer financial and technical assistance to developing countries to improve economic management and reduce poverty.

She told delegates that the multidimensional and transnational nature of illicit financial flows also requires concerted international action. 

“G20 could do much to strengthen its important role in acting on this drain of developing countries resources,” she added. 

The Minister also called for an urgent need to reform international institutions to make them more able to address development challenges. 

She highlighted the Breton Woods Institutions, which she said had been more responsive to development needs. 

However, she said much more has to change to enhance and safeguard these changes.

“The international tension we see today requires balanced and fair approaches to global challenges, respect for diversity of opinion and belief and acceptance that global bodies are most successful when they act in the interests of all equally,” she added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 02/22/2024 - 09:38

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What is Genophobia and how can Herbal Remedies help?

Location: MyPR

Genophobia, or the overwhelming fear of sexual intimacy, is more than just discomfort. It is a phobia that provokes panic, dread, and even physical symptoms like nausea, signifying a disruption in normal interpersonal connections. Known also as erotophobia or coitophobia, this condition extends to related phobias such as nosophobia and gymnophobia, reflecting its deep-seated impact. But …

Read moreWhat is Genophobia and how can Herbal Remedies help?

Government to introduce global minimum corporate tax

Location: News

Government to introduce global minimum corporate tax

Over the next few years, government plans to implement a global minimum corporate tax to limit the negative effects of tax competition. 

“Multinational corporations with annual revenue exceeding €750 million will be subject to an effective tax rate of at least 15%, regardless of where their profits are generated. The proposed reform is expected to yield an additional R8 billion in corporate tax revenue in 2026/27,” Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday in Parliament.

Delivering the 2024 National Budget Speech, Godongwana encouraged interested parties to provide comments on the draft Global Minimum Tax Bill published today. 

The draft Global Minimum Tax Bill aims to limit the race to the bottom of effective corporate tax rates for large multinationals, with countries competing to attract income by offering low tax rates and tax incentives.

“Implementing the minimum tax in South Africa will bolster the corporate tax base. South Africa helped develop tax rules to address base erosion and tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy as a member of the Steering Group of the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] /G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting.

“These rules are designed to limit the channels that multinationals use to shift profits from high- to low-tax countries. The 2023 Budget Review outlined the two pillars of this framework, which were endorsed by more than 135 countries in 2021. The first focuses on the digital economy and the coherent tax treatment of multinationals,” the 2024 Budget Review said.

The framework will be implemented through a multilateral convention to ensure that the biggest and most profitable multinationals reallocate part of their profit to all countries where they sell their products and provide their services.

“The second pillar introduces the global minimum tax. It ensures that any multinational with annual revenue exceeding €750 million will be subject to an effective tax rate of at least 15 %, regardless of where its profits are located. Government proposes to introduce two measures to effect this change – an income inclusion rule and a domestic minimum top up tax – for qualifying multinationals from 1 January 2024.

“The income inclusion rule will enable South Africa to apply a top-up tax on profits reported by qualifying South African multinationals operating in other countries with effective tax rates below 15%.

“The domestic minimum top-up tax will enable SARS [South African Revenue Service] to collect a top-up tax for qualifying multinationals paying an effective tax rate of less than 15 % in South Africa,” National Treasury said.

The Explanatory Memorandum and Draft Global Minimum Tax Bill will contain more details on these proposals as well as a request for public input.

Broadening the tax base

“Our long-term tax policy strategy remains focused on broadening the tax base while improving tax compliance and administrative efficiency. Visible progress has been made in rebuilding and modernising the South African Revenue Service. 

“The tax authority has expanded the tax register, improved debt collections and reduced fraudulent refunds and trade valuations. This has led to improvements in revenue collection,” the Minister said.

To address the high levels of illicit tobacco, SARS is deploying CCTV and related technologies at licensed tobacco manufacturers.

“Investigations and prosecutions have resulted in R10 billion in additional assessments from the key players in the illicit gold and tobacco industry, of which over R4 billion from key players in the illicit gold and tobacco industry. 

“These and other efforts have assisted with the improvement in revenue. Our bigger challenge, as I have stated earlier, is that our pie is not growing fast enough and this limits our ability to generate sufficient revenues to distribute among our priority areas,” Godongwana said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:08

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Hope is on the horizon despite South Africa’s economic challenges

Location: MyPR

Hope is on the horizon despite South Africa’s economic challenges The nation’s eyes and ears will be focused on Cape Town today as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presents the 2024 National Budget. It is no secret that South Africa faces a challenging economic climate where austerity is the phrase most commonly used during the Budget. …

Read moreHope is on the horizon despite South Africa’s economic challenges

Tee off 2024 with the right balance of work and play on KZN’s ‘Golf Coast’

Location: MyPR

Golf remains one of the world’s most popular sports, and a key strategy for business networking and engagement. The KZN South Coast, known colloquially as ‘The Golf Coast’, is home to 11 different courses with a backdrop of ocean views, coastal forests, and sunny skies. This quality MICE destination, with top accommodation, conferencing, and teambuilding …

Read moreTee off 2024 with the right balance of work and play on KZN’s ‘Golf Coast’

Accessing accurate public information

Location: News

Accessing accurate public information

By Zanele Mngadi

Through social media apps, websites, and other digital tools, the internet gives us a lot of ways to connect with each other. This makes information easy to find.

However, the ease with which we get information online makes it hard to determine how true it is. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of this challenge because knowledge spread very quickly through our phones and social media sites.

During this dark time, scary fake news spread very quickly, making it harder for people to get the right information and stay safe, which was bad for their health and made them less likely to trust others.

In order to fight fake news, the South African government set up many ways for people to easily get true and accurate information. This included the SA Coronavirus website, social media accounts, and regular updates for the whole country.

Lessons from the pandemic

Because of the pandemic, government learned that giving people easy access to reliable information gave them the tools they needed to make smart choices about how to protect their health.

Building on the success of spreading information widely during COVID-19, government has adopted a multi-media approach that uses all forms of media to give South Africans more power by giving them accurate information about problems facing the country, the government's solutions, and programmes meant to bring about change.

Government just recently set up two WhatsApp channels, governmentza and the PresidencyZA, that people can follow to get regular updates on things that affect everyone, like chances for legal education and work.

This adds to government’s social media platform GovernmentZA, which lets people get true information right away and talk to the government directly. People should follow these social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube, as well as government websites like https://www.gov.za, https://www.gcis.gov.za/, and https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/, to get accurate news about issues that affect the whole country.

The GCIS also has its own in-house news agency, SAnews (https://www.sanews.gov.za/) which provides regular news updates on matters of public concern, at no cost.  In addition the GCIS launched a podcast, Vuk Talks to give people more access to information about government programmes. It’s on YouTube and Spotify.

Our online presence adapts to the changing needs of our citizens, but we also make sure that people who don’t have access to the internet can still get information.

The government tries to get accurate and reliable news to millions of people in rural areas and townships. Over the years Vuk’uzenzele newspaper has touched the lives of many people. It also brought the government to closer to the people through Izimbizo and partnerships with local community radio stations.  From April 2024 on, the newspaper will only be available online, but its articles will still be useful to everyone in South Africa.  We have also partnered with SABC 2 on the 13-part series Citizens Connect in an attempt to educate more citizens.

The value of accurate information

All of these online platforms let people to easily get reliable information directly from the government about their lives, our country, and the world we live in. Reliable information is essential to make democracy work. The opposite is equally true: inaccurate information, often a result of fake news, can be dangerous to democracy, especially during big national events such as elections.

As the seventh national and provincial elections get closer, people are being warned to be careful of fake news online, especially since new technologies make it hard to tell the difference between fact and fiction.

With the rise of deep fake content, fake content can seem credible. Dishonest people use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make fake videos, pictures, and audio recordings of other people. Public figures, such as our political leaders, are often the targets of these attacks.

Be vigilant at all times

Government urges every citizen to be wary of falling victim to fake news. Pay close attention to face features and lip movements that don’t match up on videos because that can be a sign of deep fake content. If in doubt, verify the information you receive via trustworthy information sources (such as government platforms). That’s how you can learn the truth  and make smart decisions about your future.

If you use social media and websites as sources of information, make sure that they are real. It’s easy to miss fake accounts or profiles because their names sound a lot like real ones. So, double-check the writing of the profiles and websites you follow.

Every South African needs to make sure that the news they spread comes from reliable sources. Let’s all stay alert all times to avoid being duped by fake news. Let’s all play our part to make our democracy strong. Let’s fight disinformation.

*Zanele Mngadi is Chief Director: Products and Platforms at the GCIS

 

Janine
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 10:38

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Bodies of soldiers who died in the DRC return home

Location: News

Bodies of soldiers who died in the DRC return home

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will on Wednesday repatriate and officially hand over the mortal remains of Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono to their families.

Bobe and Semono were killed and three of their colleagues injured in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday last week after a mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African contingency military bases. 

The soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) deployed to support and assist government of the second-largest country in Africa to restore peace, security and stability.

According to the SANDF, the remains will be officially handed over during a military procession ceremony at Waterkloof Air Force Base today. 

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, is expected to form part of the officials attending the handing over ceremony. 

Modise, along with the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla, the Acting Secretary for Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have since expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 09:39

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WC pig owners urged to heighten biosecurity to contain swine fever

Location: News

WC pig owners urged to heighten biosecurity to contain swine fever

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has urged pig farmers to heighten biosecurity measures following laboratory results confirming African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs of small farmers on the outskirts of Groeneweide Park, George.

ASF is a virus that affects pigs and there is no vaccination or treatment currently available for the prevention of the disease.

The department said the new outbreak confirmed recently is the fourth outbreak of disease in the Garden Route area since 2022. 

“Previously, there had been outbreaks in KwaNonqaba and Mossel Bay in 2022 and 2023, which were both resolved; and an outbreak in Thembalethu in 2022, which remains a concern. It is estimated that about 45 pigs have died thus far, with about 250 pigs remaining in the area,” department spokesperson Daniel Johnson said. 

Johnson said the area has been placed under quarantine, and community members have been urged to not remove any pigs or pig products from the area to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Johnson has also emphasised that ASF virus is specific to pigs and does not affect humans or other species of animals. 

“The public needs to know that pigs slaughtered at abattoirs have undergone meat inspection. Pork products found in supermarkets are safe for human consumption,” Johnson said.

Critical measures to minimise the spread of ASF 

•    All carcasses should be disposed of safely.
•    Pigs should be confined to prevent roaming and potentially picking up and spreading the disease.
•    Hands, shoes, clothing and equipment should be sanitised before and after being in contact with a pig. 
•    Any meat products should be thoroughly cooked before being fed to pigs. 
•    Farmers should confirm that any purchased pigs are bought from known ASF-free herds.

Usually, the first signs of an ASF outbreak are the sudden death of pigs, and in some cases, other symptoms can include breathing difficulties, redness of the skin, especially underneath the pig and on the ears, hind leg weakness and loss of appetite. 

“Occasionally, the pig may also have blood in their faeces and their vomit. Should these signs be seen, please contact your closest State Veterinary Office at https://www.elsenburg.com/veterinary-services/animal-health-and-disease,” Johnson said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 02/20/2024 - 13:21

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North West govt commits to completion of infrastructure projects

Location: News

North West govt commits to completion of infrastructure projects

Acting North West Premier Nono Maloyi has committed to meeting with the contractor responsible for the construction of Nelson Mandela Drive, which is a crucial node for the economy of the province.

Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday, Maloyi apologised for the delayed refurbishment and maintenance of the road. Nelson Mandela Drive has been described as the busiest road in Mahikeng and an economic transport arterial road, which carries large volumes of traffic, especially during peak hours. 

“We acknowledge and apologise for the delays in the construction of Nelson Mandela
Drive in Mahikeng. This has impacted negatively on businesses along the road and the public who use the road daily,” Maloyi said. 

However, according to Maloyi, there has been progress on the road, as 3.2 kilometres have already been completed, with 450 metres nearing completion.

“After this address, I will be visiting the project to meet with the contractor to emphasise the commitment to complete the project,” Maloyi promised. 

Meanwhile, he said the rehabilitation and widening of the Phelindaba to Pecanwood Road is progressing well and is due for completion in December 2026.

In addition, the Hartbeesfontein to Ottosdal Road is envisioned to be completed ahead of schedule in June this year.

As part of addressing road infrastructure backlogs, Maloyi told the provincial legislature that 12 roads have been transferred to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) for construction.

This includes portions of roads on the N18 from Mahikeng to Vryburg and the R30 that will cover Klerksdorp to Ventersdorp, as well as Orkney.

The Acting Premier explained that the remainder of these projects will be spread across Bojanala-Platinum, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts.

Potholes

Maloyi said over 320 kilometres of potholes across the province will be resealed, creating 429 job opportunities.

“Municipalities such as Matlosana and JB Marks are to insource road maintenance and pothole patching on an ongoing basis, as a municipal function undertaken by municipal employees.” 

He explained that this initiative will be emulated in other municipalities across the province.

In addition, work on the Lichtenburg to Koster and Derby to Magaliesburg will commence in the new financial year.

“We have terminated and appointed a new contractor to start working on the Majakaneng to Sun City Road," Maloyi said. 

Load shedding

Maloyi acknowledged that the provision of electricity has increased significantly from 58.1% in 1996 to over 94.7% to date.

Shifting his focus to power cuts, he acknowledged the devastating impact of load shedding on their provincial economy and households.

As a result, he said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) is coordinating efforts to assist municipalities to implement renewable and alternative energy sources.

To help put an end to load shedding, the province has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese National Import and Export Corporation.

The agreement aims to construct gas to electricity power stations worth R16 billion in the City of Matlosana and Moses Kotane Local Municipality, respectively.

The first phase of this project, he said, will see Matlosana producing 198 megawatts of electricity. 

Construction is earmarked for a maximum of 90 days per 100 megawatts.

The Chinese Import and Export Corporation, in addition to their project investment, has committed to investing further resources to assist in eradicating mud houses in the province by building 500 houses every year for the duration of this MoU.

This project is expected to create a minimum of over 10 000 jobs.

Improving governance in municipalities 

The Acting Premier said the provincial government is continuing to provide dedicated support to all municipalities to improve financial management through the implementation and monitoring of Financial Recovery Plans (FRPs).

This is after the province has finally exited the section 100 intervention phase, with the full restoration of all executive functions of provincial departments after it was placed under administration in 2018. 

Maloyi said the Executive Council has approved the appointment and deployment of Provincial Executive Representatives (PERs) to implement financial recovery plans for identified municipalities, under the joint coordination of the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

In addition, he said the provincial government has rolled out skills and qualification audits in all municipalities, with 5 487 employees already being audited. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 02/20/2024 - 13:36

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Community development practitioners to be recognised

Location: News

Community development practitioners to be recognised

Community Development Practitioners who remain vital in changing the living conditions of poor and vulnerable communities will be honoured in a graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

“Rural and township communities depend largely on community development programmes and services to better their lives,” the Department of Social Development said in a statement. 

The Department of Social Development will host the ceremony in collaboration with the Health and Welfare Sector Education Training Authority (HWSETA), in Worcester, Western Cape.

The ceremony is a partnership between the department and other stakeholders, including, the South African Council for Social Service Professionals that is in the process of professionalising Community Development Practice.
 
Other stakeholders that are part of this the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) include the HWSETA, Education Training Development Practice Sector Education Training Authority (ETDPSETA), and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) such as University of Western Cape, University of Free State, and the University of Johannesburg. 

The department said the primary purpose is to recognise Community Development Practitioners who passed their Community Development Practice at NQF Level 5 at institutions of higher learning.

“Given high levels of unemployment in the country which affects many South Africans, especially, the youth, the graduation will not only serve as a recognition ceremony, but also assist graduates to apply for work opportunities and advance their career development through the acquired certificates,” the department said. 

To date, 555 Community Development Practitioners have graduated across the country, and the last cohort of 26 graduates will be from the Western Cape. - SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Tue, 02/20/2024 - 14:04

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Continent’s green future in focus as Africa’s Green Economy Summit approaches

Location: MyPR

CAPE TOWN, 19 February 2024: Thought leaders, policy makers and investors with an interest in Africa’s green economy transition are gathering in Cape Town ahead of this week’s Africa’s Green Economy Summit, taking place in the city from 21-23 February 2024. The summit, now in its second year, is centred around connecting the global investment …

Read moreContinent’s green future in focus as Africa’s Green Economy Summit approaches

SAPS beefs up highway patrols

Location: News

SAPS beefs up highway patrols

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has ordered the maximum mobilisation of resources along Gauteng highways and other strategic locations during peak hour traffic.

This is after a video and voice note emerged on various platforms depicting suspects allegedly robbing motorists.

“The SAPS has also bolstered the deployment of the Highway Patrol, SAPS Airwing and Gauteng Flying Squad units to monitor and conduct regular patrols along the identified routes,” said the SAPS in a statement on Tuesday.

By Tuesday afternoon, no cases had been reported yet and the SAPS encouraged anyone that has fallen victim to this alleged crime to call the Johannesburg Central Police Station Commander on 0823325016 for better coordination and prompt dispatching of resources.

“Engagements with the JMPD [ Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department] and other law enforcement agencies are ongoing in an effort to curb further incidents.

“SAPS tracking teams are on the ground searching for these suspects,” said the police.  – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Tue, 02/20/2024 - 14:59

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Health dismisses viral clip

Location: News

Health dismisses viral clip

The Department of Health has hit back at a misleading voice note making the rounds on social media platforms claiming that people who vaccinated against COVID-19 are dying due to the vaccine. 

The voice note, which is also circulating on WhatsApp, promotes the use of an unregistered over-the-counter product called Nature’s Choice Activated Charcoal as a solution to “prevent” such deaths. 

As per the department, there have been no deaths reported that are causally linked to COVID-19 vaccines, except for the three cases that the department had reported early last year.

Members of the public are being urged to ignore any erroneous social media content.

“The voice note has the potential to cause significant confusion, anger, and anxiety, especially amongst those who lost their loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are now claiming lives,” the statement read. 

The public has since been urged to ignore this recording and distance itself from the use of Nature’s Choice Activated Charcoal to prevent death from the COVID-19 jab. 

This product, according to the department, is not registered with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), which establishes and regulates the safety, efficacy and quality of all medicines distributed in the country.

The department explained that activated charcoal is used after alcohol binges and the ingestion of poison, while some people drink it to relieve flatulence.

Meanwhile, if a person is on treatment, activated charcoal may bind to the active ingredient, reducing the medication's effectiveness.

“Abuse of activated charcoal may also interfere with absorption of nutrients in the diet. The department advises the public to use any over-the-counter and unscheduled health products with caution, and on advice of a registered health professional.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Tue, 02/20/2024 - 09:31

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AU launches 50-year blueprint for Africa’s socio-economic development

Location: News

AU launches 50-year blueprint for Africa’s socio-economic development

African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government have launched the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the AU’s Agenda 2063: “The Africa we want”.

Agenda 2063 serves as a 50-year blueprint for Africa’s socio-economic development and integration.

It was adopted by the AU Member States at the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) this weekend, after extensive consultations across the continent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa concluded his participation at the summit on Sunday.

“A key flagship project of Agenda 2063 in which South Africa is playing a leading role is the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (the AfCFTA), that serves as a milestone development in the evolution of the AU,” said the Presidency.

The AU Assembly met under the theme: “Educate an Africa fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”.

The assembly also discussed the status of peace and security on the continent and the Report of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).

“The discussion took place against the backdrop of great concern regarding the state of peace and security in Africa. The ongoing and concerning trend of unconstitutional changes of government that have occurred in West Africa as well as the ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan and Mozambique,” said the Presidency.

President Ramaphosa presented a report on the continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of readiness against future health threats, in his capacity as the Champion of the AU’s COVID-19 response.

As the pandemic is waning on the continent, said the Presidency, South Africa intends to work with the AU Commission and the Africa Centre for Disease Control towards expanding the role of the President to include all other health pandemics that are affecting the continent.

President Ramaphosa said: “Although the Africa CDC has classified COVID-19 as no longer a public health emergency of international concern, it remains an ever-evolving endemic virus. Furthermore, the effects of the pandemic continue to reverberate across our continent and beyond. 

“The COVID-19 crisis was an opportunity for us as Africa to bolster our manufacturing sector. We were able to draw in an impressive USD 1.1 billion in financial and technical investments, in addition to the USD 1 billion advanced market commitment from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.”

The President praised the concerted efforts and collaboration demonstrated by the continent during the COVID-19 pandemic. He further urged the gathered leaders to continue improving the levels of alertness of their countries against future pandemics.

“Despite these successes, we are still at the delicate juncture of recovery. There is the threat of future pandemics. Our rapid and precise interventions have averted further crises, and for this, we must continue to sharpen our vigilance.

“The adoption of a strong Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (CAP PPPR) is non-negotiable. It will define our roadmap to safeguarding our people, with a keen focus on critical issues,” he said.

Addressing the summit leaders on positive masculinity and the need to support the development of the AU Convention on Violence against Women and Girls, the President expressed his gratitude for the effort of Champions on Positive Masculinity and all Member States that have been part of the continental movement.

The President called on the assembly to forge a strong and enduring commitment to protect and uplift those who have suffered from violence against women and girls.

“We must now launch the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Campaign, championing continent-wide consultations and ensuring that the journey to developing this critical instrument is shared by citizens across our vast continent.

“Developing the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is more than a political act. It is a moral imperative to redefine our societies, to confront the legacies of colonialism, patriarchy and racism, and to champion equality, freedom and self-determination for every African.

“As President of South Africa, I hereby commit to support the development and timely adoption of a comprehensive convention that is backed by resources and institutional mechanisms to ensure its efficacy,” said President Ramaphosa.

On the margins of the AU Summit, President Ramaphosa held several bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Mon, 02/19/2024 - 10:32

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Read moreAU launches 50-year blueprint for Africa’s socio-economic development