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By Dr Shahiem Patel – Dean of Regent Business School The future is becoming increasingly difficult to think about, let alone plan for. The vital need for education systems in South Africa to improve and meet the pressing needs of society and our economy only compound this difficulty. The rate at which technology is developing …
POTCHEFSTROOM: A sensational 37-ball 83 by Steve Stolk powered South Africa Under-19 into the Super Sixes stages of the ICC U19...
Minister congratulates boxer Jackson Chauke
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has congratulated South African boxer Jackson Chauke for winning the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight title.
Chauke defeated British boxer Quaise Khademi to become the latest world titleholder.
“I congratulate Chauke for his excellent and inspirational achievement. He has raised the country’s flag sky high. Chauke is an inspiration not only to South African boxers but to all athletes for his dedication and commitment to the sport. These qualities have driven Chauke to the IBO flyweight title at 38 years of age,” Kodwa said.
The Minister said he was an experienced fighter who won a silver medal in the men’s flyweight boxing event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.
Chauke has had a stellar career which has culminated in his IBO flyweight title victory.
“I once again express my desire to see South African boxing being revived and to return to the heights it has scaled before. May Chauke’s success and recent presence of South African boxers competing on the sport’s global stages further invigorate South African boxing,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 01/29/2024 - 09:32
Apart from going into a branch, calling a bank feels more human for digital-shy consumers. For many, it is the first port of call for making account changes or moving large sums of money. But how safe is voice banking really, and what are the chances of someone using generative AI to fake a consumer's voice and steal their available funds? As incidents of banking fraud grow exponentially and become increasingly sophisticated, it is time to question whether voice banking is a safe option for consumers.
Impersonation attacks continue to increase
Impersonation is one of the predominant methods fraudsters use to rob consumers. Using identifying information such as personal details or AI-generated voice, criminals can access consumer bank accounts with impunity. According to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), impersonation attacks increased by 264% (https://apo-opa.co/3vRJHy3) for the first five months of 2022 compared to 2021.
Gur Geva, founder of iiDENTIfii, explains why. “The technology required to impersonate an individual has become cheaper, easier to use and more accessible. This means that it is simpler than ever before for a criminal to assume one aspect of a person's identity.”
How voice impersonation works
Voice recognition systems in banking rely on a person saying something aloud, such as a unique catchphrase or password. This is vulnerable to exploitation because synthetic AI-generated voice technology has evolved to such an extent that it is indistinguishable from real voices. According to MIT (https://apo-opa.co/3vQzDW2) and Google (https://apo-opa.co/481DexW), generative AI voice cloning tools only need a minute of voice data–which is often scraped from social media–to create a result that is almost indistinguishable from the original.
The potential of this technology is vast. Microsoft, for example, has recently piloted an AI tool that, with a short sample of a person's voice, can generate audio in a wide range of different languages. While this has not been released for public use, it illustrates how much voice as a medium can be manipulated.
The appeal of voice recognition in banking
Voice recognition has a multitude of benefits. It is accessible to a diverse range of consumers, who only need a phone line to perform banking tasks. Voice recognition programs can often pick up a voiceprint much faster than a person can type, which streamlines and reduces friction in the banking process for consumers without needing to enter complex passwords.
“Historically, voice biometrics has been seen as an intimate and infallible part of a person's identity. For that reason, many businesses and financial institutions used it as a part of their identity verification toolbox,” says Geva.
Audio recognition technology has been an attractive security solution for financial services companies across the globe, with voice-based accounting enabling customers to deliver account instructions via verbal commands. Voice biometrics offers real-time authentication, which replaces the need for security questions or even PINs. One of the UK's biggest banks, for example, integrated Siri to facilitate mobile banking payments without the need to open or log into the banking app. An Abu Dhabi based bank introduces a biometric voice and voice-based authentication platform for e-commerce which uses biometric sensors built into a standard smartphone.
“As voice-cloning becomes a viable threat, financial institutions need to be aware of the possibility of widespread fraud in voice-based interfaces. For example, a scammer could clone a consumer's voice and transact on their behalf,” says Geva.
Do South African banks need to do away with voice authentication altogether?
Not necessarily. Thankfully, banks do not rely on a single form of authentication when performing a transaction. As the threat of cyber fraud grows, a rising number of local banks are investing in cutting-edge, multi-layered biometric authentication protocols.
Geva adds, “Our experience in mitigating fraud and our research into rising AI-enabled cybercrime trends has led us to believe that voice authentication can be made safer if it is bolstered by additional remote digital verification methods. We recommend to banking clients that they adopt multimodel identity verification, especially for sensitive transactions.”
In conclusion, voice biometrics in banking still serves several customers, particularly those who may need access to smartphone apps or in-person banking. While fraud risks abound, voice cloning is less of a threat to the public as it is difficult to roll out at scale as criminals would need to have access to substantial personal information for each target. AI voice cloning technology may be cheaper and more accurate, but, if banks employ up-to-date, enterprise-grade biometric authentication processes, they will be better protected.
Geva concludes, “While identity theft is growing in scale and sophistication, the tools we have at our disposal to prevent fraud are intelligent, scalable and up to the challenge. At iiDENTIFii, we believe that face biometrics remains the strongest form of biometrics, as the face can be matched against a government issued, trusted ID document, whereas a voice cannot. This approach is trusted by our clients, which include five of South Africa's leading banks.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iiDENTIFii.
About iiDENTIFii:
iiDENTIFii is an award-winning face authentication and identity verification platform that distinguishes itself through its use of 3D and 4D Liveness® detection. Purpose-built for enterprises across Africa and the Middle East, iiDENTIFii enables frictionless, scalable customer onboarding in seconds from anywhere and on any device. Founded in 2018, iiDENTIFii has become a proven key partner in multiple tier 1 African banks. The technology plugs seamlessly into existing infrastructures, including mobile and web-based platforms. www.iiDENTIFii.com
Committee to Protect Journalists has recorded 83 deaths since 7 October but is investigating many other unconfirmed deaths of reporters
Electoral Commission ready to register inmates at correctional centres
In preparation for inmates’ voter registration this week, the Electoral Commission (IEC) and Department of Correctional Services have urged families of inmates to deliver identity documents (ID) to correctional centres.
The inmates’ voter registration week is scheduled for 30 January to 1 February 2024, ahead of the national and provincial elections.
The IEC said it acknowledged that many offenders do not keep ID documents in their possession and it is for this reason family members are requested to make the necessary arrangements by delivering any of the following forms of identification: green-barcoded ID, smartcard ID or temporary identification certificate (TIC) to correctional facilities.
“The commission has been informed that due to the transfer factor for inmates, correctional centres will also be accepting IDs for inmates serving sentences in distant towns or provinces. These identity documents will be transferred to the relevant facilities where inmates are incarcerated,” the statement read.
The Department of Correctional Services has indicated that it will put all necessary measures in place to ensure that IDs are kept safe.
“The South African Constitution states that every eligible adult citizen has the right to vote. Placement in a correctional facility does not abrogate this right exercised by inmates without exception since the general elections in 1999. However, a green barcode ID, a smart card ID, or TIC is a necessity for one to register as a voter,” the IEC said.
Eligible inmates will be permitted to apply for voter registration scheduled for 30 January to 1 February 2024 against the voting district where their home address falls.
“The Electoral Commission urges all eligible inmates to participate in the upcoming 2024 national and provincial elections by updating their voter registration details or registering as voters.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 01/28/2024 - 07:35
Over 5 million travellers processed over festive season, says Agency
The Border Management Authority (BMA) announced on Sunday that it processed over five million travellers through South African borders over the festive period.
“The 2023/2024 festive season was a remarkable time where a noticeable increase in the movement of persons and goods entering and exiting the Republic of South Africa was experienced,” said Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Mike Masiapato.
He said between 6 December 2023 and 18 January 2024, the agency lawfully processed 5 096 288 travellers across 71 ports of entry.
The latest data shows a one million increase in travellers compared to 2022/2023.
“However, this number of travellers is still one million less than the pre-COVID-19 average numbers of about six million travellers.”
Of the 5 096 288 travellers, 216 594 used private vehicles, 21 502 mini-bus taxis, 6 443 buses and 55 765 trucks through the movement control system.
In total, more than 13 050 aircraft were processed at international airports and approximately 709 vessels at seaports.
About 407 vessels underwent crew changes using the off-port limit mechanism in the maritime environment.
According to the data, OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) served the largest number of travellers, which was around 993 759.
The Lebombo land port of entry to Mozambique came second with 755 066 visitors, followed by the Beitbridge land port of entry to Zimbabwe with 745 563 travellers.
Compared to the 2022/2023 festive period, ORTIA, Lebombo, and Beitbridge recorded an increase in traveller volume of 22%, 24%, and 25%, respectively.
“As you may recall, we increased our human resource capacity and the operating hours in some selected ports of entry which do not operate on a 24-hour basis.”
The BMA mandate is to facilitate and manage the legitimate movement of people and goods across 71 ports of entry of which 52 are land, 10 are international airports and nine are seaports.
Their work covers areas of immigration, port health, environmental and agricultural biosecurity, including access control and general law enforcement at the ports of entry and border law enforcement areas.
“Although our primary job as the BMA is to facilitate the legitimate movement of people, we also have to deal with individuals who attempt to illegitimately move through our ports of entry and the border law enforcement areas.”
He told the media that the agency detected about 15 924 individuals who were attempting to enter South Africa without requisite documentation.
“In this instance, after intercepting them, we took their fingerprints, declared them undesirable and banned them from re-entering South Africa for five years and kept the record in the Biometric Movement Control System and got them deported,” he explained.
The majority of interceptions occurred at the Lebombo land port of entry with 6 808, followed by 1 891 at the Beitbridge land port of entry.
Meanwhile, 6,455 travellers were denied entry into South Africa for being undesirable, including those who committed crimes in other countries and appeared on the Interpol red list.
In addition, about 4 626 travellers were refused entry for being for having invalid passports, fraudulent visas or failing to produce valid yellow fever certificates.
This means 27 005 people were deported while attempting to enter South Africa illegally.
During this period, the agency also observed an increased detection rate of the undesirables due to the utilisation of the Biometric Movement Control Systems (BMCS).
The Commissioner raised his concern at public transporting companies that continue to transport illegal migrants.
During this period, the BMA imposed about 98 administrative fines to various conveyancers especially bus companies to the value of R3 540 000 for transporting illegal migrants at the cost of R15 000 per person.
At the same time, they collected about R9.8 million in outstanding fines from about 25 bus companies.
“In this regard, they have committed to ensuring that valid passports would be required from all travellers when procuring cross border tickets and for entering into the bus on travel day.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 01/28/2024 - 12:19
Over R6 million pledged for children of slain police officers
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has observed this year’s National Police Day by raising funds for the children of police officers who died in the line of duty.
“On National Police Day, the SAPS remembers the sacrifices that our men and women in blue have made and continue to make as they provide safety for all who live in South Africa,” the police statement read.
Cabinet approved 27 January as National Police Day in 2005.
The latest data shows that the SAPS lost 140 police officers in the last four years. These, according to the police, are men and women in blue who died in the line of duty, serving and protecting all people living in South Africa.
“The majority of them were breadwinners in their families.”
On Thursday, 25 January 2024, more than 100 golf players from various corporate companies across the country came together to pledge and raise funds for the South African Police Education Trust Fund (SAPSET).
According to SAPS, R6.6 million rand was raised and will go towards the educational needs of the children.
SAPSET currently funds children from Grade RR to the tertiary level.
To date, the fund has assisted 1 078 children, of which 54 have graduated and 146 of them have passed matric and have a National Senior Certificate (NSC).
The management of the SAPS, led by Police Minister General Bheki Cele, expressed gratitude to all the sponsors and donors for their support.
“These funds go a long way in making a meaningful difference in the lives of these children left behind. The least we can do is to ensure these children don’t carry the extra burden of stressing about school fees, books, and school uniforms knowing their educational needs have been taken care of.
“We hope more corporates and the overall business fraternity will in future come on board to support this cause,” said Cele.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, thanked all the men and women in blue for risking their lives daily to keep all people in South Africa safe.
“On this day, we pay gratitude to you, our men and women in blue, who work tirelessly to hunt down dangerous criminals, remove illegal and unlicensed firearms, remove drugs off our streets and work hard to ensure successful convictions in court for perpetrators of crime.”
He encouraged the police members to continue to work hard to rid the country of criminality.
“We urge communities to embrace our police officers and work together with them to stop the killing of our own. From January 2023 to date, 33 police officers were killed on duty and today we are laying a Constable to rest who was run over by a truck while assisting at an accident scene in KwaZulu-Natal. These killings have to stop, and they can only stop if communities take a stand against them,” Masemola added.
SAPSSET is managed by a board of trustees under the leadership of Vuyani Jarana whose responsibility it is to ensure they source and raise funds to keep children in school. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 01/28/2024 - 07:39
Vultures disabled by powerline collisions are taken care of and given a place to breed
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Many of the evictees slept outside with their belongings, saying they have nowhere else to go
Gauteng Health commends police's swift response in hijacked State vehicle case
The Gauteng Department of Health has commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) for its swift response following a State vehicle hijacking incident in Mamelodi.
The incident took place on Wednesday morning when the Ward-Based Primary Healthcare Outreach Team (WBPHCOT) from the Stanza Bopape Community Health Centre was conducting regular household visits at Section 14 in Mamelodi. It is then when the State vehicle was hijacked at gunpoint.
According to the department, the officials were approached by two perpetrators who hijacked the State vehicle and robbed them of their belongings, including cell phones and cash.
Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the attack happened at a time when the department was strengthening its outreach programme to communities in townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH), which is meant to improve access to health services to previously disadvantaged areas.
“To push back on attacks on healthcare workers requires a collective effort where communities work closely with law enforcement agencies, given that the attacks are taking place in the very communities where we are trying to expand services to,” Modiba said.
Modiba said the police managed to recover the white VW Polo sedan, which had already been fitted with fake number plates at Extension 11 in Mamelodi, later in the day.
“The department has since opened a case of robbery and theft at Mamelodi East Police Station. Counselling has been arranged for the affected staff members.”
The department has also strongly condemned the attacks on staff and called on society to take a stand against such crimes, warning this has a dire impact on sustaining health services in communities. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 01/26/2024 - 13:09
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Tyson Properties founder and CEO, Chris Tyson, has welcomed this week’s announcement by the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee that the repo rate will remain unchanged at 8.25%. Although the repo rate remains at a 14-year-high dating back to May 2023, Tyson is optimistic that this signals a period of greater stability for …
SA citizens in foreign countries urged to register to vote
Over 18 469 South African citizens living in 101 countries around the world have started registering to vote using the Electoral Commission’s newly launched online registration portal system.
“The Electoral Commission has enabled an online registration facility for the first time to allow South Africans outside the country to easily register for the 2024 National Elections,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Electoral Commission Sy Mamabolo said.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, Mamabolo said the commission hoped that the introduction of an online registration system will attract citizens from abroad.
Citizens living abroad must register as voters either online or in person at their nearest South African mission. South African high commissions, embassies and consulates will be open during working hours.
“Eligible voters are encouraged to check with their nearest mission on the registration dates and times. Registration requires a South African identity document as well as a South African passport.
“A special two-day voter registration event for South African citizens abroad will take place between 26 and 28 January 2024, depending on the configuration of weekend days.
“In countries where Friday and Saturday are weekends, the two special days designated will be Friday 26 January, and Saturday 27 January 2024,” Mamabolo said.
The countries with the most people registering online include the United Kingdom (5938), the Netherlands (1844), Germany (746), the United States (821), Ireland (675), United Arab Emirates (1068), China (515), Australia (588), New Zealand (314), Cuba (293), Portugal (284) and Belgium (280).
In the African continent, South Africans have begun to register in 28 countries, including Mauritius (316), Lesotho (224) Namibia (148), Botswana (170), Zambia (96), Zimbabwe (77), Kenya (73), Ghana (45) and Tanzania (40).
A full list of South Africa’s missions is available on the website of DIRCO at https://www.dirco.gov.za/webmissions/index.html.
The commission advised South Africans who are already registered to vote – either on the national or international segment of the voters’ roll - to check their registration status and to update their voters’ roll address if they intend to vote abroad in the 2024 National Elections.
Mamabolo said the commission has put in place all necessary measures to ensure that no one is left behind and that all citizens vote in the 2024 National Election.
“The upcoming 2024 National Elections offer an important opportunity for all South Africans to have their voices heard, regardless of geographic location,” he said.
The commission pleaded with businesses and organisations around the world to encourage their South African employees to register during this registration weekend. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 01/26/2024 - 09:03
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Yesterday, 25 January, the Premier of North West, Kaobitsa Bushy Maape paid a courtesy visit to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa in Thailand, H.E. Mr. Darkey Ephraim Africa. Premier Maape is in Thailand for medical assessment. Despite his tight medical programme, the Premier made time to visit the South African Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand to explore opportunities for the Province.
During their meeting, both Premier Maape and Ambassador Africa discussed a wide rage of issues, more specifically the economic challenges of the North West Province and its impact on the youth. They agreed on the need to identify trade and investment opportunities in Thailand for the North West Province. They further agreed on the need to invite investors from Thailand in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure automotive, renewable energy and tourism.
On his part, Ambassador Africa acknowledged Premier Maape's desire to mobilise trade and investment for his Province. He requested the South African Embassy to invite various agencies such as North West Development Corporation, the North West Housing Corporation and other business people to Thailand to further explore opportunities in trade and investment following his engagement with Ambassador Africa. The Ambassador and the Political Counsellor, Mrs. Thobeka Dlamini assured the Premier that the Embassy will invite the Province at the appropriate time for engagement. Premier Maape accompanied by the Ambassador, also met Mr. Ravi Puri, a prominent businessman in real estate and hospitality to explore other opportunities in real estate. The Premier will depart Bangkok after completion of his medical engagement.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of North West Office of the Premier, Republic of South Africa.
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor today regarding the conflict in Gaza, including the need to protect civilian lives, ensure sustained humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and work towards lasting regional peace that ensures Israel's security and advances the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The Secretary reaffirmed support for Israel's right to ensure the terrorist attacks of October 7 can never be repeated. Secretary Blinken and Minister Pandor also reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-South Africa partnership and cooperation on shared priorities, including health, trade, and energy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy & Consulates in South Africa.
Victim has left work out of fear
Call for balance in investments for road and rail infrastructure
With South Africa deepening its efforts towards shifting freight from road to rail, the Department of Transport (DOT) Freight Logistics Specialist, Mihlali Gqada, says there needs to be a balance in investments that are made in rail and road infrastructure.
Addressing the colloquium on the Freight Road to Rail Migration Plan (FRRMP), Gqada said the amount of rail infrastructure investment pales in comparison to road.
According to National Treasury and the Minister of Transport’s Budget Vote Speech (2023/24), the allocation for roads (transfers and subsidies) is R42.4 billion, and for 2024/25, the estimate is R42.4 billion. This figure excludes the equitable share grant that provinces and municipalities get for infrastructure development.
“Rail infrastructure investment is limited to the allocation for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) from the DOT (+/-R7 billion), whilst freight rail relies on Transnet investment and competes with Ports and Pipelines. It is therefore imperative that a balance in investment be fostered so that the shift can be realised.
“Historically, public sector investment has largely been skewed towards road infrastructure investments, and going forward, there is a need to leverage a wide range of public and private investment tools to finance the construction and operation of rail freight infrastructure.
“The national freight transportation system requires investment to maintain performance at high levels, upon which the country's economic growth depends,” Gqada said on Thursday in Pretoria.
She said private sector and private investments must find expression in the railway sector.
“These investments must be in the form of infrastructure and operations as Transnet would not be in a position to meet all the investment required to get the railways competitive and responsive to the country's growth needs and demand.
“Historically the public and private sectors have collaborated clearly, and both played divided roles in relation to freight transport whereby the public sector has built, owned, and operated transport infrastructure on behalf of government, predominantly railways and highways. Furthermore, the private sector has used that infrastructure to conduct freight operations.
“This division of roles provides opportunities for government to leverage private sector efficiencies and expertise in the construction and operation of freight infrastructure,” Gqada said.
She said South Africa holds immense potential to become the gateway to the African market, boasting a well-developed network of ports and a robust logistics infrastructure.
“The country's transportation system offers several advantages compared to other African nations. Despite its potential, South Africa's freight transport system faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for freight movement, especially on rail. These challenges stem from operational and infrastructure deficiencies in the road, rail and port sectors, which hinder the competitiveness of the South African economy,” Gqada said.
She said poor rail performance has rendered the country unable to fully participate in the recent commodity boom.
As the country tries to deal with the lack of investment in rail, Gqada said it must not stop investment in road infrastructure, as this is currently the backbone of South Africa's trade success.
“We, however, need to be cautious of the role that the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is being given by several provinces to manage their road network as this may overburden SANRAL.
“This gradual migration of provincial networks onto the portfolio of SANRAL must be managed very well and must not undermine the effectiveness of SANRAL in infrastructure development and maintenance,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 13:30
Health dept receives multimillion-rand equipment from German Development Bank
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has welcomed the multimillion-rand donation of mobile health clinics from the German Development Bank (KfW) in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Minister said the donation supports efforts by the South African government to strengthen the public health system.
“Today is one of the most exciting days for the National Department of Health and the provincial departments as we formally acknowledge the support we received from the German government, through the German Development Bank and the DG Murray Trust.
“The governments of Germany and South Africa have enjoyed a very fruitful relationship across several departments for a while now,” he said on Thursday.
Phaahla was speaking at the official hand over of the equipment at the Town Hill Hospital.
The Minister was joined by the German Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, leaders from local government and DG Murray Trust.
The donated assets, valued at R500 million, include specialised vaccine fridges, vaccine carriers, temperature monitoring devices, notebooks, tablets and mobile health clinics.
Phaahla said the 46 mobile clinics have contributed to changing people’s lives and that they have reached 1.9 million individuals with direct interpersonal interactions.
“I will work with the MECs to sustain and maintain these assets when the funding ends in September this year.”
Phaahla said the mobile units operate in four provinces including Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and are operated by professional nurses, communicators and local mobilisers supported by the #KeReady youthful doctors.
“These units are serving as the bedrock of our campaign to get closer to the youth community and highlight the challenges that face youth life,” said the Minister.
“We consider the Ambassador and his team as friends; friends who did not abandon us at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but stayed with us and provided support for specific vulnerable communities in the informal settlements.
“We thank you for the precise, strategic and tailored programmes you brought into our primary healthcare ecosystem,” he said.
He told the attendees that today’s gathering was not just a celebration but an occasion to showcase the countries’ bilateral relationship and to demonstrate that their relationship was beneficial to both nations.
“Our vision and objectives for the health sector have been expressed in many documents and on many other platforms.”
The Universal Health Access through the National Health Insurance (NHI), he said, was a vision South Africa strives towards, working with the private sector.
“We are committed to this vision and the outcomes we envisage despite the huge setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He noted German’s specific targeted programmes, which are evidence-based and believes that will have an impact.
The focus includes children who are reached through the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, young people in hard-to-reach areas, community-led social mobilisation campaigns, strong monitoring and evaluation systems and cost-effective approaches.
“Ambassador, we recognise that you give our people a hand to uplift them out of poverty, instead of once-off hand-outs which are not sustainable," said Phaahla.
He acknowledged the German government for its support during the COVID-19 response.
Phaahla expressed his gratitude for German’s forward-thinking approach, which he described as “precise and impactful”.
“We will scale it up as we move forward and apply lessons learned to our programmes.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 14:13
The whole of Khayelitsha is affected by a blocked sewer line, says City of Cape Town
Township and village tourism have a lot to offer
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says township and village tourism have much to offer in terms of boosting the economy.
“I firmly believe that township and village tourism has so much to offer and so much untapped potential and we must place more focus on this area to showcase our hidden gems and the true magic of our villages and townships,” de Lille said.
Addressing the inaugural Township and Village Tourism Expo hosted by the SA Township and Village Tourism Organisation (SATOVITO) at the Cradle of Humankind, in Morapeng on Thursday, de Lille said the expo aims to shine a light on tourism products in villages and townships where people from disadvantaged backgrounds are breaking through barriers to take their claim in the tourism sector.
“I have found only warm, kind and committed people in tourism in every part of this country and I look forward to exploring even more hidden gems this year and pushing harder with all partners to take the entire tourism sector to the next level,” De Lille said.
De Lille commended the organisers of expo for their objective to foster strong community engagement by involving local residents, community leaders, and stakeholders in the planning and execution of the expo.
“Promoting township and village tourism is an integral part of diversifying our tourism offerings so that we can grow the economy, the sector and the number of jobs created by this sector.
“I am therefore pleased that the South African National Convention Bureau has provided financial support to this expo and that SA Tourism has also supported it through marketing it at global events such as World Travel Market London.
“I have often said that we must place more on emphasising township and village tourism, especially in the annual Sho’t Left campaign and later today there will be workshop on this annual campaign by SA Tourism,” the Minister said.
De Lille said her department wanted to help the organisers to achieve their vision to develop townships and villages into smart residential and business hubs that foster job creation, social cohesion and market indigenous tourism experiences.
“We are your partner to transform the tourism industry and expand the value chain to be more inclusive and attract tourism investment to townships and villages.
“We need to showcase our culture, history, indigenous cultures and people to visitors from all over the world because I am certain that those are the experiences that will leave them with memories they will treasure forever and stories that will captivate them for years to come.
“We need to do better at marketing our history and cultures and show more people places like what is known as “Nobel Street” where we showcase Vilikazi Street in Soweto as being the homes of two Nobel Peace Laureates, our dear Tata Madiba and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,” de Lille said.
De Lille said history has helped transform the area around Vilikazi Street into a thriving business community but there are many more spaces and places like these all over South Africa which can be showcased.
The Tourism Incentive Programme is a package of support programmes aimed at stimulating the growth, development and transformation of the South African Tourism sector.
“Through these incentives, the department aims to transform and achieve accelerated growth in the tourism sector. This in turn contributes to the achievement of the department’s objectives to stimulate enterprise growth, job creation, revenue growth and an enhanced visitor experience,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 01/25/2024 - 12:49