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FIFA Secretary General receives Choiseul Grand Prix award in Casablanca
Fatma Samoura honoured in recognition of her achievements as Secretary General; Progress in women's football and development schemes central themes of speech; Vows to continue work against discrimination after stepping down at the end of the year.
Fatma Samoura has received the Choiseul Grand Prix award at a ceremony in Casablanca, Morocco, in recognition of her achievements during more than seven years as FIFA Secretary General.
Appointed in 2016 and the first female, African and Muslim Secretary General in over a century of FIFA history, Ms Samoura has since worked tirelessly alongside President Gianni Infantino to rehabilitate FIFA's image and increase transparency.
She has also been a staunch advocate for women's football, and her tenure has seen a major increase in the number of girls and women playing the game as FIFA work towards the goal of 60 million female players in organised football by 2026.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Samoura highlighted the success of the expanded FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, which saw nearly two million fans attend matches in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and noted the significant impact the tournament would have not only on the women's game, but also society.
“As my journey with FIFA draws to a close, I have had some time to look back on the last seven-and-a-half years and see just how far we have come. FIFA itself has changed significantly. When I stepped into the role in June 2016, it was basically a toxic brand due to all the corruption scandals. So along with President Infantino, I had to take a leading role in cleaning up the organisation, inside and out. Today FIFA is a more accountable, better governed and more transparent organisation that puts football in the center of its activities, and I am hugely proud to have contributed in some small way to creating that.” said Ms Samoura at the event organised by Institut Choiseul, an independent, non-partisan and non-profit thinktank focused on finding solutions to economic challenges in Africa.
Ms Samoura has also contributed to changing the face of FIFA. Since the founding of the Women's Football (https://apo-opa.co/3G7NOrE) Division in 2016, the FIFA Council (https://apo-opa.co/46kZotR) now features seven female members, including one FIFA Vice-President, while over 40 percent of FIFA employees are female.
But she has also been a driving force behind development schemes such as the FIFA Football for Schools programme (www.FootballForSchools.FIFA.com), this week attending the launch in Ethiopia (https://apo-opa.co/46qshVE) as the East African nation became the 102nd of FIFA's 211 Member Associations (MAs) to join the initiative, which aims to give children around the world skills for life as well as football.
She also highlighted the benefits of the Talent Development Scheme (https://apo-opa.co/46j6ZsT), which provides the most promising young players a pathway to fully exploit their potential, and the FIFA Forward programme (https://apo-opa.co/49VJNUX), which funds MAs' football-related development projects and has seen a seven-fold increase in support since 2016.
The FIFA Talent Development Scheme (https://apo-opa.co/47DbFuR) helps raise the standards of national-team football around the world for both men and women. The scheme supports MAs in making the most of the talent available to them with FIFA approved a funding allocation of USD 200 million. FIFA's ambition is that by 2026, all MAs will have at least one high-performance centre of excellence for players between the ages of 12 and 16.
Ms Samoura was also a driving force behind FIFA's partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) (https://apo-opa.co/3MRbDaG). The partnership has seen projects to mitigate Covid 19 effects, projects on mental health co-financed with the GIZ (the German Development Cooperation) (https://apo-opa.co/3sEkaXQ), and the Championnes programme. The Championnes programme is an important project that promotes leadership among girls and promotes gender equality in Africa through football.
The most recent co-financed FIFA/AFD initiative (https://apo-opa.co/3sEinC4) – with Play International and Diambars as implementation agencies – is an inclusive football academy programme launched in Djibouti, Malawi and Mauritania.
The benefits of these programmes in Africa can already been seen in recent FIFA tournaments including the FIFA Women's World Cup™️ which saw an increase to four African teams qualify for the finals, with a record three of them – Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa – reaching the knockout rounds. African nations have also impressed in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™️, currently being held in Indonesia. Three out of the four CAF nations – Morocco, Mali and Senegal – have qualified for the knockout rounds with Morrocco finishing top of their group.
The Football Unites the World campaign, and the wide range of social issues given greater visibility at the FIFA World Cup last year in Qatar and this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, such as gender equality and education for all, have all been causes close to Ms Samoura's heart during her time in office. She said she intends to keep promoting those issues when she steps down as FIFA Secretary General at the end of the year.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIFA.
Download more images: https://apo-opa.co/3SMBEvO
Contact for African media:
AfricanMedia@fifa.org
Global teacher and education workers labour federation meets in Joburg
Global teacher and education workers labour federation meets in Joburg
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday address the opening of the Education International 10th Africa Regional (EIRAF) Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Education International is a global teacher and education workers labour federation with more than 32 million members.
Education International affiliates in South Africa are the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa, the National Teachers’ Union, the Professional Educators Union and the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie.
Hosted by South African Education International member organisations, the conference is themed "Standing Together for Resilient Education Systems in Times of Crisis”.
The Presidency said the conference takes place between Sunday, 19 November 2023, and Thursday, 23 November 2023.
In line with the principle of rotation, the regional conference is being held in Southern Africa with sub-themes: “Guaranteeing Quality Public Education for All During and Beyond Crises” as well as “Rebuilding our Profession and our Education Systems”.
The conference seeks to formulate strategies for equitable, inclusive, and high-quality public education; addressing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, conflict, and climate change.
“Taking place every four years, EIRAF serves as a platform for reports, policy adoption, and future program approval in accordance with its Constitution. It offers member organisations a vital opportunity for substantive discussions on trade unions, education, the future of education, and other critical regional issues,” said the Presidency.
Conference delegates include representatives from global unions and partner organisations.
Discussions during the conference will focus on crucial topics such as making Early Childhood Education for All a reality in Africa, creating safe and healthy schools and education institutions, evidence-based social and policy dialogue, and defending and promoting academic freedom and professional autonomy in Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
Janine
Sun, 11/19/2023 - 11:42
141 views
International Relations Committee Chairperson holds successful bilateral with Swedish ambassador
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has held a successful engagement with the Swedish Ambassador, Mr Håkan Juholt, as part of strengthening relations between South Africa and Sweden.
The meeting was held at the behest of the Swedish Ambassador, who was accompanied by other Swedish ambassadors responsible for Angola (HE Ambassador Lennart Killander Larsson), the Democratic Republic of Congo (HE Ambassador Henric Råsbrandt), Mozambique (HE Ambassador Mette Sunnergren), Zambia (HE Ambassador Johan Hallenborg) and Zimbabwe (HE Ambassador Per Lindgärde).
During the engagement, Mr Mahumapelo welcomed the ambassadors and praised Sweden for supporting the struggle for democracy in South Africa during the Apartheid period. He also noted the various ways in which Sweden continues to work with South Africa. In addition, he described the role South Africa plays in the Southern African Development Community region and the importance South Africa places on regional cooperation on the African continent.
Ambassador Juholt highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between South Africa and Sweden and emphasised the extent to which the bilateral relationship between the two countries has grown since South Africa attained democracy in 1994. The ambassador also noted that South Africa and Sweden enjoy a bi-national commission in addition to various bilateral agreements, which he hopes will expand in the future.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Mahumapelo noted that as part of its oversight, the portfolio committee scrutinises the activities of the African Renaissance Fund (ARF), an entity that falls under the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. He then described the work of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and noted that the portfolio committee needs to look more closely at SIDA, given that the ARF will eventually be transformed into the South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Balance Required to Ensure Sustainability of Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund
The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has called on current South African National Defence Force members to reconsider their resistance to the increase in their contributions to ensure that the Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund (RFMCF) remains viable and sustainable. The committee is concerned that the sustained low contribution model will have dire consequences for members when they retire. The envisioned balance will ensure quality medical services upon retirement.
“While the committee acknowledges that the RFMCF is a private entity, it is important to ensure the viability of the fund because it ensures the wellbeing of members after retirement. The welfare of our members, active or retired, is important,” said Mr Cyril Xaba, the co-Chairperson of the committee.
While the committee welcomed the fund's improved financial management and governance, it emphasised that its funding model should be reconsidered in the light of the cost of healthcare, which is above inflation in most cases.
The committee also highlighted the consequences of weaknesses within the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), which directly impacts on the fund's viability and which has resulted in the increased use of the private sector. A functional SAMHS should be providing quality healthcare to all its members, both active and retired. “We have been emphatic about the need to resolve challenges facing the SAMHS to ensure that it is enabled to provide adequate support to all members and also save the fiscus excessively high private medical costs,” said Mr Mamagase Nchabeleng, the co-Chairperson of the committee.
Meanwhile, the committee unanimously supported the President's decision to deploy 3 300 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to combat crime and maintain and preserve law and order under Operation Prosper. The SANDF deployment is part of the security cluster's efforts to address the prevailing high level of brazen organised crime and illicit mining.
While the committee supports the deployment, it is concerned that the unfunded mandate will have an impact on the Department of Defence's baseline budget, especially in light of further budget cuts. Despite this, the committee acknowledged that illegal mining is a serious challenge and requires the active participation of all to defeat it.
The committee further highlighted that the SANDF deployment is a short-term solution and that broader solutions must be developed to deal with this crime.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Police Committee Welcomes Drop in Some Crimes but Urges Police to Intensify Crime Fighting Efforts
The Portfolio Committee on Police has welcomed the second quarter crime statistics showing a reduction in various crimes, including murder, sexual offences and carjacking.
The committee on Friday received a presentation on crime statistics for the last quarter (July to September) from the Ministry of Police and Senior Management of the South African Police Service. Compared to the same period in the last financial year, the statistics, among others, show that there has been a 0.8% drop in murders and reductions of 1.5% in sexual offences, 2.3% in carjacking, and 7.3% in robberies at non-residential premises.
The committee notes that while in some cases the reduction is minimal, continued efforts will lead to sustained reduction. The committee also called on the police to continue efforts aimed at rooting out perpetrators of these crimes.
Despite these decreases, the committee raised concern over the sharp increase in attempted murder, showing an increase of 12.3% and assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm that has recorded an increase of 1 046 cases in the quarter under review.
The committee further highlighted concerns over the increase in cash-in-transit robberies, which has recorded eight more incidents compared to the same period in the last financial year. The committee has called for collaboration with cash-in-transit companies to devise strategies to curb these incidents. Although the committee appreciated SAPS' efforts in dealing with this, it emphasised the need for enhanced intelligence-led policing to deal with this crime.
Meanwhile, the committee remains concerned by rape incidents reported in educational institutions and has called for collaboration between SAPS and the management of these institutions to protect women and children. The committee has also called for enhanced partnerships with taxi associations and e-hailing services companies to address the emerging trend of rape while using these services.
The committee has resolved that it will be important to engage with provincial SAPS Commissioners and station level commanders to assess strategies being implemented to address crime. This, according to the committee, will enable members to have a granular understanding of challenges and areas of best practice.
The committee reiterated its call for community-wide collaboration in the fight against crime. “The trust deficit between the community and SAPS must be urgently addressed to ensure that communities act as the eyes and ears of the SAPS and criminality can be reported speedily,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the committee Chairperson.
Notwithstanding the need for community collaboration, the committee has condemned those resorting to mob justice as it creates more problems and expressed concern over the 428 murders, 63 attempted murders and 369 assaults with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm relating to mob justice that have been recorded.
The murder of police officers also remains a concern for the committee. The statistics show that 35 police officers were killed in the quarter under review and the committee has called for improved strategies to bring an end to this.
The committee will schedule a session where it intends to engage further on these crime statistics and broaden engagement to include provincial and station-level management of hotspot areas.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Policing strategies guide to reduced crime: Cele
Policing strategies lead to reduced crime: Cele
Police Minister Bheki Cele says the combination of operational policing strategies and interventions has attributed to the decline in crime statistics recorded in the country.
Cele made the remarks at the release of the Crime Stats Quarter 2 of 2023/2024, which showed that South Africa has, for the second consecutive quarter, seen a decrease in the murder rate, with a 3.1% decline recorded between May and July, and a 0.8% drop in the number of people killed between July and September 2023.
The report also noted a decrease in crimes that instill fear amongst people in the country, including trio crimes (hijackings, business and property robberies).
Cele said the drop in the murder rate is reflective of the SAPS’s continued efforts to combat crime through decisive police action and robust community involvement.
“Over and above ongoing policing operations, we know this administration has gone to lengths in capacitating critical units of the police service in order to keep communities safer. This includes the overhauling and strengthening of the management of the Crime Intelligence division, drastically improving the crime detection capabilities of the police.
“Crime Intelligence capacity has also been strengthened at the top 30 crime heavy police stations. The Intelligence officers have also been supplied with adequate resources, including vehicles and other tools of trade to gather intelligence,” Cele said.
The Minister said the South African Police Service (SAPS) units responsible for the investigation of organised crimes have also been bolstered at both provincial and national levels to infiltrate criminal syndicates.
"The recruitment drive of thousands more police officers under Project 10 000 to boost police numbers at stations in all provinces continues to gain momentum. The decrease in murder figures shows that the targeting of crimes in hotspots must be maintained and further strengthened,” Cele said.
Cele noted that through the intensified national policing approach to prevent and combat crime during the high-density Operation Shanela, the department is starting to break even and seeing decreases in certain crime categories.
According to the statistics, Operation Shanela, which is in its sixth month running has resulted in the arrest of over 226 000 suspects, including some of the most wanted and dangerous criminals.
Cele said the tracking and tracing of wanted suspects has also been prioritised in conjunction with everyday policing at station level.
Despite the overall drop in the country’s murder rate, the report showed that between July and September this year, 6 945 people were murdered in South Africa, including 881 women and 293 children.
Thirty-five police officers were also killed on and off duty in the same period, as well as 19 law enforcement officers attached to national, provincial and local government, and private security.
Cele said the majority of people killed in South Africa are murdered during arguments, misunderstandings and provocations that usually take place at social settings.
“Arguments, vigilantism and robbery remain the top three causative factors for murder in the majority of the provinces. Firearms, knives and sharp instruments are likely to be used as murder weapons.
“Firearms alone claimed the lives of 3 106 victims. Police have, between July to September 2023, removed 2 175 firearms off the streets through police operations,” Cele said.
Cele said these statistics give police a sober analysis of the effectiveness of policing efforts to keep South Africans and their properties safe.
“These numbers are also used to redirect resources to where they are needed most in order to better respond to the common enemy of crime. This redirection of resources is clearly demonstrated through the decline in certain crime categories in the top four crime heavy provinces, namely KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.
“These provinces have collectively reduced many of their contact crimes, including trio crimes, robberies, sexual assault and assault during this reporting period. What is clear and should never be ignored is that the crime figures should and must serve as a call of action for government, business, NGOs, civil society and communities to come on board in the fight against crime,” Cele said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 11/17/2023 - 13:45
376 views
What Can Depart Wrong If You Pick the Wrong Courier
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UKM Foods – Excellence in Food Manufacturing
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Government upgrades community health centre that rehabilitates accident survivors
Government upgrades community health centre that rehabilitates accident survivors
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has upgraded units within the Alexandra Community Health Centre that deals with emergency and rehabilitation services for road accident victims.
Addressing the handover event of the state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre in Gauteng, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said the renovated rehabilitation centre and the emergency unit is expected to restore the dignity of citizens, and aims to bridge the inequality gap in the quality of service and standard of institutions built for public health care.
The major structural refurbishments include renovations and provision of medical equipment for both facilities.
“The upgrade of these facilities will enable the realisation of a shared value, where the RAF, the Clinic and beneficiaries will derive benefits. It is well established that the victim’s chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within a short period after a severe injury, this is popularly known as the Golden Hour rule,” the Minister said on Friday in Johannesburg.
The Accident and Emergency Centre is a 24-hour facility that caters mainly emergency medical care.
“Statistics show that admission of pedestrians are consistently higher than driver and passenger admissions in all four quarters, indicating that pedestrian accidents are more frequent or result in more severe injuries in the community.
“A total of 1 742 patients were attended and treated in the Masakhane Clinic Accident and Emergency Centre during the 2022 -2023 from April 2022 to March 2023.
“These statistics emphasize the importance of road safety measures and awareness campaigns, especially in the periods when accidents are more prevalent. Ensuring that drivers and pedestrians are well-informed about road safety can help reduce the number of accidents,” Chikunga said.
The RAF will assist survivors on their journey of recovery, assisting them to re- imagine and rebuild their lives in society
“The experience of being involved in an accident leaves many emotionally, physically and financially vulnerable. It is at this time that the Road Accident Fund (RAF) holds their hands along the journey of recovery. In addition, such a mandate of rehabilitation cannot be possible without the partnership of the RAF and the health center.
“Hence, the RAF took it upon themselves to include as part of their strategic goals to assist the renovations of units within health care clinics that deals with emergency and rehabilitation services,” Chikunga said.
She said the project was implemented in partnership with the South African Medical & Education Foundation, a local NGO that undertakes high impact community development projects.
The sole aim is improving healthcare and educational facilities in poverty-stricken communities.
“The RAF in partnership with the implementing NGO employed a community and local resource-based approach. As a result, RAF transferred skills and created about 35 temporary jobs as all workforce was sourced locally through organized community structures.
“Of these 35 people employed in this project, 15 are skilled, 20 unskilled and eight are women. More than 70% of supplies was sourced locally and empowered nine local SMME’s from across Greater Alexandra Local Municipality.
“The RAF was intentional in ensuring that the community of Alexandra was directly involved and participated fully by taking ownership of this development initiative,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 11/17/2023 - 14:54
108 views
Stakeholders say transformative industrialisation is critical for Africa’s sustainable development
Some stakeholders have reiterated the need for transformative industrialisation, saying it is critical for sustainable development on the continent.
They have been speaking at a special event, "Leveraging on strategic foresight for an agile, robust, and forward-looking sustainable industrial development in Africa", on Thursday at the African Economic Conference (AEC) in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fiona Tregenna a Professor at the University of Johannesburg, and Chair of the Industrial Development National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, delivered a paper on Transformative Industrialisation for Africa (TIFA) and links with strategic foresight. She highlighted some of the challenges that have hindered industrialisation on the continent.
According to Tregenna, achieving the Africa we want is not business as usual, otherwise we will not get the transformative change to give us the Africa we want.
She added: "A strategic and systemic approach is critical for a sustainable Africa. We are not looking at interventions that will yield today, but long-term investments."
Mr Ibrahima Sall, former Minister of Planning in Senegal, said engagement with various relevant stakeholders was required for sustainable industrial development in Africa.
"We need a flexible, agile, high-impact industrialisation that is robust. Even in the professor's introduction, it is clear that there are some industrial processes, and we need to keep the strength going. We know how to implement industrial policies, no policy cannot be selective. Otherwise, we will be sprinkling without impacting or wasting capital. So, there must be a selective national champion. How do we build with major stakeholders? What matters most is to look at selectivity and information and inform the states to understand that policies are not made on the ground. The engagement of states is key, and they must pay attention to the industrial sector," Sall said.
He added that selective criteria are critical. The vertical policy of African nations entails focusing on processing raw materials. And we have horizontal and selective, which involve all actions: sustainability, infrastructure, human capital, and technology. With this, states do not need to be flexible but focus on sustainability.
Speaking on Malawi's strategy, Thomas Munthali, Director General at the country's National Planning Commission, said that knowing that the effects of climate change were gradually destroying the country, it embarked on climate-resilient infrastructure and appreciated the future of industrialisation.
Munthali urged countries on the continent to venture more into digitisation, engage the private sector to catalyse investments, experiment, and learn from successful nations. He said, "We should be learning from nations. We should try and fail, but never fail to try."
For her part, Hauwa Ibrahim of the Nasarawa State University in Nigeria, said Africa stood at the crossroads of opportunities and challenges.
Ibrahim added that, "While we know there are no perfect policies, those with rooted outcomes stand the test of time. There is a need for research and development on the continent to ensure a sustainable Africa. The demographic population is vital and should be considered because we have many young people and what they are learning now should matter to us. We need to recognise the role of technology and ensure it is applied at all levels. We cannot take out the role of education in defining technology because we do not want to industrialise and have to invest elsewhere, away from the continent, in certain labour forces. Therefore, while we invest in technology, we must also invest in the education of young people."
Earlier, Karima Ben Soltane, the Director of the United Nations African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), ECA, while moderating the session, said the theme was focused on what African countries needed to enact their policies, implement the SDGs, and make strategic investments, among others.
"What are the key drivers of change in the workforce landscape? We are cognizant that tomorrow's jobs do not exist today. And we need to ensure ways of bringing up initiatives and effectively preparing governments, individuals, institutions, and industries for these changes,” Ben Soltane added.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
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Initiative seeks to combat alien species
Initiative seeks to combat alien species
Government has launched a five-year programme worth R2.67 billion to implement the Working for Water Programme, which aims to eradicate invasive alien plants in communities.
Addressing the launch of the Gauteng Working for Water Environmental Programme in Heidelberg, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy said over the next five years the department aims to create 38 839 work opportunities every year primarily in rural communities.
"Biological invasions by alien plants is a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services, water resources and sustainable livelihoods. Invasive species exacerbate floods, droughts and wildfires, and have negative impacts for the forestry and agriculture sectors.
“In short, biological invasions will exacerbate the effects of context of climate change and the extreme weather events associated with global warming. It is for this reason our department is happy today to announce this five-year programme to combat alien species and the damage they do to our land, wetlands and rivers,” Creecy said on Friday.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) 2019 Report on Biological Invasions details the impact of invasive species on South Africa’s biodiversity and economy.
Invasive trees use 3-5% of South Africa’s runoff water every year, which is a significant loss for a water-scarce country.
"Many species of invasive plants are also less drought-resistant than indigenous ones and pose a greater fire risk. By displacing indigenous species and creating single species plantations, alien invasive also undermine our country’s rich biodiversity, which in turn negatively impacts our tourism potential.
“Invasive species also interfere in natural processes that can help mitigate the effects of natural disasters through the provision of ecosystem services, examples being the role estuaries, wetlands and indigenous forests play during natural disasters such as cyclones and floods.
“Thus, by clearing waterways and managing the spread of invasive species we are restoring natural habitats and simultaneously restoring ecosystem services that will assist us in the fight against the effects of climate change,” the Minister said.
To ensure sustainable clearing of alien species on a regular basis as well as sustained public employment, the department has made its contracting over a longer five-year period, as opposed to short-term contracts in the previous cycle.
For local small enterprises in rural communities, this also offers a reliable revenue that can assist the enterprises to invest their businesses to ensure future opportunities.
“This means that the Working for Water Programme is growing and is advancing the inclusion of previously disadvantaged enterprises to participate more meaningfully in the value chain of clearing invasive alien species. In this way the Working for Water Programme advances transformation and prioritises the inclusive economy policies of government,” the Minister said.
The department has committed R2.67 billion to clear hectares while creating 194 195 work opportunities over a five-year period.
“Today marks the launch of the Gauteng Working for Water Programme to the value of R152 million to implement projects across the five Gauteng municipalities namely, the City of Tshwane, City of Joburg, West Rand, Sedibeng, and the City of Ekurhuleni.
“In Gauteng, the Working for Water Programme will clear 74 781 hectares over a period of five years, starting from 2023/2024. During this five year period, we are aiming to create 13 615 work opportunities through the EPWP model,” the Minister said.
The department also collaborates with the South African National Parks (SANParks) to implement the Working for Water Programme.
SANParks has been allocated R 947 710 million to create 90 710 work opportunities through clearing 431 237 hectares over a five year period. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 11/17/2023 - 11:19
107 views
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SA can expected heat waves this summer
SA can expected heat waves this summer
South Africa can expect warmer than normal conditions, with a high chance of the occurrence of heat waves over the interior during the summer season of 2023-2024.
“Temperature wise, the likelihood for warmer than normal conditions is high, with the highest chance over the interior regions of South Africa. From this prediction, it can be inferred that there is a high chance of the occurrence of heat waves over the interior,” South African Weather Service (SAWS) Lead Scientist: Long Range Prediction, Dr Christien Engelbrecht, said on Thursday in Pretoria.
He said South Africa will be affected by the El Niño during the summer season of 2023-2024.
“El Niño events are typically warmer and drier over southern Africa during the summer months. However, current seasonal predictions indicate uncertainty for the typical drier conditions over the north-eastern parts of the country where the current prediction indicates low probabilities for above-normal rainfall.
“Over the remaining parts of the country below-normal rainfall is predicted. Current predictions of the El Niño event indicate that it can become a strong event during the mid-summer months,” Engelbrecht said.
As SAWS continuously monitors the development of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Engelbrecht advised the public to follow the monthly updates of the seasonal prediction as the El Niño event can still manifest its influence and change the outlook of the rainfall prediction to become more in favour of below-normal rainfall.
“It is also strongly advised to follow regular updates of the short-term weather forecasts as well as the observed climatic conditions,” he said.
Following Monday’s severe thunderstorm in parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga, SAWS explained that it was not an unusual event that can only be attributed to climate change.
Monday’s thunderstorm unleashed a hailstorm in the City of Johannesburg in Gauteng and a tornado in the Lekwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga.
In the Johannesburg area, Midrand was the hardest-hit, with damages that included shattered windshields of motor vehicles and broken windows of residences.
“Isolated incidents cannot be directly attributed to climate change. An increased probability of ‘normal’ severe weather events is most likely to be the result of climate change. However, this does not mean that specific severe weather events can solely be attributed to climate change. Specifically, the storm in question occurred due to a range of factors favourable for its development,” SAWS Senior Manager: Disaster Risk Management, Tshepho Ngobeni said.
On Monday morning, SAWS issued a Yellow Level 2 impact-based warning, or a high likelihood of minor impacts, for severe thunderstorms for districts and metropolitan municipal areas such as Govan Mbeki District in Mpumalanga and the City of Johannesburg. – SAnews.gov.za
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Thu, 11/16/2023 - 14:08
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