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Multi-skills development centre to benefit KwaSwayimane community

Location: News

Multi-skills development centre to benefit KwaSwayimane community

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has officially launched a multi-skills development centre to benefit the community of KwaSwayimane in KwaZulu-Natal.

The centre is an initiative of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) in response to requests submitted to the Minister by Inkosi SN Gcumisa of the Gcumisa Tribal Authority and uMshwathi Local Municipality Mayor, Mandla Zondi.

They had requested the Higher Education and Training Department to build a campus of the uMgungundlovu Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, or a multi-skills development centre in KwaSwayimane village.

Informed by a needs analysis, Nzimande launched a variety of SETA training interventions with a total value of R30 694 700. 

Given the importance of agriculture in KwaSwayimane, AgriSETA is the lead SETA of this skills development initiative.

AgriSETA has contributed R5 000 000 towards the skills development of 800 learners in crop production, livestock farming, and has provided accreditation to the three skills centres identified in uMshwathi.

Other investments include:

  • R1 830 000 contributed by Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) SETA towards a learnership and skills programme for sewing, cabinet making and furniture making;
  • R2 916 000 from the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICTSETA) contribution towards learnerships and skills programmes in digital training, mobile device repair and technical support training;
  • R12 788 700 contribution from the Construction Education & Training Authority (CETA) towards artisan development and learnerships in bricklaying, carpentry, welding and electrical, and
  • FOODBEV SETA contribution of R3 350 000 towards a skills programme in baking.

A total of R2 275 000 contributed by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) will go towards skills programmes in digital skills, while R2 535 000, contributed by the Wholesale and Retail (W&R) SETA, will go towards digital skills programmes and SMME support.

Speaking at an event held at Ndlebezembuzi Hall in KwaSwayimane, Nzimande said the SETA skills development intervention will be piloted in the kwaSwayimane community, and the initial phase rollout will benefit over 2 000 community members, mostly young people who are currently not in employment, education nor training (NEET).

“This contribution by our SETAs is their collective commitment to addressing unemployment, poverty, inequality and to improving the quality of life in the community of KwaSwayimane. The contribution also symbolises the commitment of government to changing the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly our rural areas. 

“We are particularly excited to be making this contribution in this community. As a department, we believe that we need to make sustainable investments in our rural areas, with the view of making them economically viable,” Nzimande said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 05/21/2024 - 13:08

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Read moreMulti-skills development centre to benefit KwaSwayimane community

Government activities for the week 20 – 24 May 2024

Location: News

Government activities for the week 20 - 24 May 2024

On Tuesday, 21 May, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will visit the Thornveld farm (portion 1 of farm Welgewagd 233 KB) located in Dwaalboom farming area near Thabazimbi, Waterberg District.

On Wednesday, 22 May, the GCIS in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Brand South Africa invite members of the media to participate in a virtual panel discussion on tourism opportunities in the SADC region during Africa Month.

Also on Wednesday, the Electoral Commission officially launches the National Results Operation Centre (ROC) ahead of the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

On Thursday, 23 May, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will be hosting a roundtable discussion on Perspectives on the 30 Year Review Report and the road ahead.

From Thursday, 23 May, to Friday, 24 May, the Department of Employment and Labour will be hosting a joint interdepartmental Jobs Fair in the Limpopo province.

Janine
Mon, 05/20/2024 - 10:20

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Read moreGovernment activities for the week 20 – 24 May 2024

SA unemployment rate increases

Location: News

SA unemployment rate increases

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) indicates that the number of unemployed persons increased by 330 000 to 8.2 million during the first quarter of 2024.

According to Stats SA, the official unemployment rate stands at 32.9 %, an increase of 0.8 of a percentage point in first quarter of 2024 (Q1: 2024) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 (Q4: 2023).

The results of the QLFS also indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 22 000 to 16.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Additionally, the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 214 000 to 13.1 million, while discouraged work-seekers decreased by 1 000 in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This resulted in a net decrease of 215 000 in the not economically active population.

“The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0.8 of a percentage point from 32.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024. The unemployment rate according to the expanded definition also increased by 0.8 of a percentage point to 41.9% in Q1: 2024 compared to Q4: 2023,” Stats SA said on Tuesday.

Formal sector employment increased by 56 000 in Q1: 2024, while informal sector employment decreased by 100 000 over the same period.

“The industries that contributed to the net employment increase include trade (up by 109 000), manufacturing (up by 99 000), private households (up by 44 000), transport (up by 39 000), agriculture (21 000) and mining (9 000). Employment losses were recorded in community and social services (122 000), construction (106 000), finance (50 000) and utilities (17 000),” Stats SA said.

Provinces that recorded increases in employment were KwaZulu-Natal (35 000), Gauteng (26 000) and Northern Cape (4 000) when compared to the previous quarter Q4:2023 and Q1:2024.

Those that recorded decreases in employment were Western Cape (17 000), followed by North West (13 000), Mpumalanga (8 000), Eastern Cape (4 000) and Limpopo (3 000), while Free State remained unchanged.

“The youth (15 to 34 years) remain vulnerable in the labour market; the first quarter of 2024 results show that the total number of unemployed youth increased by 236 000 to 4.9 million while there was a decrease of 7 000 in the number of employed youth to 5,9 million. This resulted in an increase in the youth unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points from 44.3% in Q4: 2023 to 45.5% in Q1: 2024,” Stats SA said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Tue, 05/14/2024 - 12:39

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Read moreSA unemployment rate increases

Labour dept institutes strict controls for service providers

Location: News

Labour dept institutes strict controls for service providers

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned service providers linked to the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) that they will not be paid without their performance being checked.

“The department expects delivery, compliance with contractual obligations, professionalism, quality work, measurable outputs and impactful interventions from you,” said Nxesi while delivering his keynote address at the Labour Activation Programme launch in Kimberley, Northern Cape, on Friday.

Nxesi said the department has employed systems and processes to monitor the performance of LAP service providers. 

This comes after eight LAP service providers accepted and signed a pledge to provide training to 23 070 young people in the Northern Cape.

The training, with a budget of R558 million, will focus on sectors including agriculture, construction, hospitality, security, energy, call centres, and new venture creations. 

Nxesi said the department has also been focusing on reconfiguring, along with its entities, to strengthen and improve effectiveness. 

“We are currently implementing the recommendations of an independent review of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund, focusing on strengthening service delivery and innovation, and developing effective and efficient business processes and systems.

“This includes an established project management office to monitor projects, enforce contracts and evaluate outcomes,” Nxesi said.

After the LAP launch, Nxesi visited a Jobs/Careers Fair -- also hosted by the department -- at Galeshewe Stadium. 

The event was attended by scores of work seekers from nearby communities. 

IMAGES | Jobs Fair @Galeshewe Stadium

Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape. Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape. Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape.

Nxesi advised job seekers to use their mobile phones to register on the department’s Employment Services of South Africa database, and to apply for LAP opportunities when they are advertised. 

The Minister also advised job seekers to be aware of unscrupulous and bogus employers advertising fake opportunities.

He also urged them to report unscrupulous recruitment agencies, who charge job seekers a fee for employment opportunities, to the department and the South African Police Service. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Sun, 05/12/2024 - 08:28

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Read moreLabour dept institutes strict controls for service providers

The Critical Role of Plant and Machinery Valuations Across Diverse Industries

Location: MyPR

Introduction   Plant and machinery valuations are pivotal in providing businesses across various sectors with accurate and actionable financial insights. These valuations help organisations assess the value of their physical assets, supporting strategic decision-making concerning investment, asset management, and compliance with financial and tax regulations. From agriculture to technology, the application of precise valuation techniques …

Read moreThe Critical Role of Plant and Machinery Valuations Across Diverse Industries

President to engage Northern Cape residents on various issues

Location: News

President to engage Northern Cape residents on various issues

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today lead government’s interaction - in the form of a District Development Model Presidential Imbizo - with communities and stakeholders within the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality in the Northern Cape.

Themed "Leave No One Behind", the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province.

The official programme is expected to get underway at 11am at the Batlharos Sports Ground.

According to the Presidency, the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality is a rural district municipality which comprises three local municipalities - Ga- Segonyana, Joe Morolong and Gamagara.

“Mining, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture and forestry are key economic drivers in the district,” the office said in a statement.

The imbizo is directed at enabling successful implementation of the “One District, One Plan” District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation, and evaluation.

In March, residents of Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga, had the opportunity to engage the President on the pressing matter of service delivery, among other issues.

Read I Communities have their say at Imbizo

There have been various build-up outreach activities led by all three spheres of government in parts of the district municipality and across the Northern Cape.

Ahead of the community engagement, President Ramaphosa will meet with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive of the House of Traditional and Khoi-san Leaders. – SAnews.gov.za

Janine
Thu, 05/09/2024 - 10:01

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Read morePresident to engage Northern Cape residents on various issues

Looking past the elections: A more courageous role for big business in delivering the promises of the Constitution

Location: MyPR

Professor Brian Ganson is Head of the Centre on Conflict & Collaboration at Stellenbosch Business School, a hub for research and reflection on the private sector, conflict, and human security. We already know that whatever new governments emerge at local, provincial, and national levels due to voting on 29 May, they will face overwhelming challenges …

Read moreLooking past the elections: A more courageous role for big business in delivering the promises of the Constitution

Programme to bridge gap between research, public policymaking

Location: News

Programme to bridge gap between research, public policymaking

In a move aimed to enhance collaboration between academia and government, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) have launched the pilot phase of its DSI-NRF Policy Placement Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme. 

This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between research and public policymaking, thus addressing societal challenges through evidence-based approaches. 

NRF Business Advancement Group Executive, Dr Thandi Mgwebi, said the pilot phase will focus on postdoctoral research fellows and emerging researchers at a postdoctoral level to provide them with a unique opportunity to work within government departments. 

“Through close collaboration with key government stakeholders, fellows will engage in policy processes and activities aligned with the thematic areas outlined in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan 2022-2032.

“These areas include energy, social sciences, agriculture, climate change adaptation and mitigation, health, and other relevant fields,” Mgwebi said. 

The pilot phase has seen the appointment of 14 postdoctoral fellows who have been assigned to strategic divisions within the DSI and NRF. 

“The DSI fellows will be placed at the Technology Innovation and Research Development and Support divisions, while the NRF fellows will be spread across Business Advancement, Research Analysis and Advice, Knowledge Advancement and Support divisions, as well as Research Chairs and Centres of Excellence,” Mgwebi said. 

The fellows will support the human capital development and social grand challenges (HCD and SGCs) five policy focus areas including research impact; internationalisation and partnerships; technology and innovations; and open science.

The fellowship programme is expected to be scaled-up over the next few years, with an open call for postdoctoral researchers to apply for the programme in 2025 and beyond. 

The role of research

Mgwebi also noted that in today's complex world, the role of research in shaping public policy cannot be overstated.

She said the DSI-NRF Policy Placement Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme recognises this imperative and seeks to empower outstanding researchers and academics to contribute directly to government institutions. 

“This will allow the academics to play a pivotal role in informing policy-making processes. The NRF and DSI are committed to driving national development through research initiatives that have a tangible impact on society.

"Through the creation of opportunities for collaboration between academia and government, we aim to enhance the capacity of researchers in public policymaking, while at the same time ensure that investments towards research culminates into impactful policies,” Mgwebi said.

DSI Research Development and Support Deputy Director-General, Imraan Patel said the programme fills two especially important gaps, one in which they have PhD graduates who have a lot of insight and ways of thinking that can be used by the policy environment effectively, but which cannot be extracted.

“The other in the policy environment where we have the need for deep insight into what is happening, what does the available evidence tells us, etc. This postdoctoral policy fellowship brings together those two needs into what I think is going to be an exciting and innovative programme,” Patel said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Tue, 05/07/2024 - 11:48

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Township agriculture programme launched to address food insecurity

Location: News

Township agriculture programme launched to address food insecurity

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity and uplifting township communities, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has launched a programme aimed at equipping residents with the knowledge and resources necessary to cultivate healthy and nutritious crops in their neighbourhoods.

The Township Agriculture Programme aims to maximise food production in small spaces, promote a healthy ecosystem and increase biodiversity in urban areas. 

Speaking at the event held at KwaMashu in the north of Durban on Tuesday, Dube-Ncube highlighted the programme’s dual purpose of combating hunger and fostering economic growth within township settings.

“With an innovative approach, the Township Agriculture Programme seeks to harness the untapped potential of urban spaces, promoting sustainable agricultural practices to maximise food production. 

“Beyond merely providing sustenance, the initiative aims to cultivate a sense of community pride and self-sufficiency, empowering residents to take control of their food sources and contribute to the local economy,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier said township agriculture is a catalyst for social and economic empowerment, with a particular emphasis on supporting marginalised groups. 

The program also aims to provide opportunities for women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and child-headed households to actively participate in agricultural activities, thereby promoting inclusivity and resilience within township communities.

To facilitate the implementation of township agricultural projects, government has allocated R6 million in funding, signalling its dedication to supporting grassroots initiatives. 

“Plans are already underway to expand the Township Agriculture Programme to encompass major townships across KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring widespread access to resources and opportunities for all residents,” Dube-Ncube said.

Rabies Awareness Campaign

During the launch, Dube-Ncube also led a Rabies Awareness Campaign, which saw the vaccination of pets against rabies.

The campaign emphasises responsible pet ownership to prevent unnecessary human deaths. 

Since January 2023, the province has recorded 233 cases of rabies and seven human deaths. 

“In total 17 people have died of rabies with the majority of the deaths occurring in eThekwini,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier urged community members to bring their pets for vaccination and inspection, emphasising the critical role of responsible pet ownership in safeguarding public health. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 05/01/2024 - 11:12

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Read moreTownship agriculture programme launched to address food insecurity

Deputy President Mashatile applauds efforts to keep the lights on

Location: News

Deputy President Mashatile applauds efforts to keep the lights on

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has applauded the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s leadership in striving to find solutions to power cuts and increasing energy availability.

“It is commendable that we have had four consecutive weeks without power interruptions. We equally commend the Eskom team as led by Mr Dan Morakane in this regard,” he said on Tuesday.  

Deputy President Mashatile made the comments this morning at a dialogue on the role of leadership in fostering economic growth. The session was hosted by the African United Business Confederation (AUBC) in Sandton.

He emphasised that government will ensure that all power stations have the right leaders who will drive the appropriate discipline within those operations. 

“While some think that this is an electioneering strategy, I want to reassure you that this reality is just evidence of improvements in the entity’s operations.”

Last week, Ramokgopa and Eskom leadership attributed the lack of load shedding for over 34 days to sustained available generation capacity and sufficient emergency reserves.

Energy Action Plan

Meanwhile, the Deputy President told delegates that government’s strategy to improve Eskom’s performance has been the implementation of a concerted and deliberate Energy Action Plan (EAP). 

The State, he stressed, remains committed to implementing the EAP’s key interventions. 

These include fixing Eskom, improving the availability of existing supplies, enabling and accelerating private investment in generation capacity, and unleashing businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar energy. 

“Furthermore, we are ensuring that all power stations have the right leaders who will drive the appropriate discipline within those operations.” 

The Deputy President welcomed the changes made over the past 18 months in Eskom’s leadership, saying he believed that with the right skills, talent and experience, South Africa will soon achieve an energy-secure future. 

“We are similarly committed to implementing all necessary steps to maintain the security of our infrastructure, as it is crucial to attaining long-term economic and social goals.” 

Infrastructure Investment Plan

He reminded delegates that in 2020, Cabinet adopted the Infrastructure Investment Plan, which was a demonstration of government’s commitment to infrastructure development. 

The plan includes projects from government, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the private sector in six sectors. These comprise energy, water and sanitation, transport, digital infrastructure, human settlements, as well as agriculture and agro-processing. 

“We are certain that these ambitious projects will boost the economy and reduce unemployment.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Tue, 04/30/2024 - 12:52

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Read moreDeputy President Mashatile applauds efforts to keep the lights on

Launch of the 2024 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards

Location: News

Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government
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On 26 April 2024, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) announced the launch of the 2024 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA). This esteemed event celebrates the invaluable contributions made by agri workers to the sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector in the Western Cape.

We are pleased to announce that Shoprite will once again partner with the department as the main sponsor of the competition, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the agricultural community.

The WCPAA features eleven categories in which agri workers will compete at the regional level across 15 different regions. Last year, over 1067 agri workers participated, and we anticipate an even greater turnout this year. Regional winners will advance to the provincial level, competing for the prestigious title of Western Cape Agri Worker of the Year. The overall winner will be revealed at a gala ceremony in November 2024.

This initiative, previously known as the Farm Worker of the Year competition, has been a cornerstone project for the department since its inception in 2002. Originally launched in the Hex Valley region with 36 participants, it has since expanded to encompass agri workers across the entire province.

Shoprite's continued sponsorship of the project, totalling R400 000 in gift vouchers for regional and provincial winners, demonstrates their unwavering support for this vital initiative. The WCPAA has become the leading social upliftment project of the Department, impacting the lives of agri workers and their families positively.

An independent evaluation conducted in 2015 underscored the significant impact of the competition, highlighting its role in enhancing the lives of participants and fostering positive perceptions of agri workers within their communities.

To date, over 16,000 agri workers in the Western Cape have participated in the competition, showcasing their knowledge and skills across various categories. The regional competitions cover 16 regions, providing a platform for workers to demonstrate their expertise and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.

Agri workers remain a priority for the WCDoA and their unhinging support amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in ensuring that the sector continued to grow, deeming them as “essential workers”. The WCPAA serves as an opportunity to honor and recognize these essential workers, every single day, for their dedication and resilience to the sunrise sector.

The WCDoA looks forward to hosting the 2024 WCPAA and celebrating the dedication and achievements of agri workers in our province.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.

Read moreLaunch of the 2024 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards

Probe into tributary blockages to Middle Letaba Dam

Location: News

Probe into tributary blockages to Middle Letaba Dam

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to establish an independent investigation into the alleged blockage of tributaries that lead to the Middle Letaba Dam in Limpopo, which has resulted in low water levels in the dam.

This follows Mchunu’s visit to the Oliphant Catchment Area, where Middle Letaba Dam is located.

The Minister and his Deputies, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, conducted a site inspection at the streams and tributaries along some of the biggest farms at Mooketsi on Wednesday before interacting with the concerned farmers and community members, who have been negatively affected by the alleged blockages.

READ | Twenty-four Giyani villages expected to have running water by June

Middle Letaba Dam is fed from the Middle Letaba, Koedoes and Brandboontjies rivers in the Middle Letaba sub-catchment within the Olifant Catchment Area. Its primary objective is to supply raw water to domestic users and for irrigation purposes. 

The dam is a source for Middle Letaba, Mapuve and Giyani Water Treatment Works, through a 60km canal. It supplies 82% of water to agriculture, with industry and mining using 3% and 6% respectively, while 8% of water is for domestic use. 

However, due to the low levels of the dam (currently at about 2.8%), the department said the water treatment works cannot yield raw water according to their designed capacities, resulting in restricted water supply to communities.

Mchunu said the department has received complaints from the concerned local farmers and community members, and it has conducted investigations into the claims. 

He said the department has also implemented interventions that include developing groundwater to maximise the available source from the dam, and the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to Nsami Dam to augment water in the Nsami system in Giyani.

Mchunu said the investigation will pave the way to solving the allegations of blockages of streams and illegal dams, and finally bring closure to the matter, ensuring fair distribution of water in the area. 

“There have been complaints on these illegal blockages which cause water supply challenges in the area, and we have therefore resolved to set up an independent investigation into the matter, and its recommendations will give way to the resolution of the matter. 

“We understand that this is an urgent matter, and we will give our full attention to ensure that there is justice and fairness for everyone in the area,” Mchunu said. 

The Minister also visited Tzaneen Dam, where the R550 million wall raising project is currently underway. 

He commended progress made on the project, which commenced last year and is currently at 25% completion. 

The raising of the Tzaneen Dam wall by three metres will result in increased storage capacity, providing much-needed additional water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use in the north-east of Limpopo. 

Mchunu and his deputies will on Thursday and Friday conduct an oversight inspection of bulk water infrastructure projects that are currently underway in Lebowakgomo and Burgersfort in Limpopo. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Thu, 04/25/2024 - 09:39

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FAO warns of maize shortfall across Southern Africa

Location: News

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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Cereal production prospects in Southern Africa have taken a sharp turn for the worse since last February, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned today (Monday/Tuesday).

The foreseen shortfall in production, especially for maize, is expected to intensify households' food insecurity, push up domestic prices and spur a surge in import needs across the subregion, according to a new assessment from FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System. White maize accounts for almost 20 percent of calories consumed in the subregion.

The disappointing forecast comes after “widespread and substantial rainfall deficits in February, exacerbated by record high temperatures, a particularly damaging combination for crops,” the report said, noting that there are scant hopes of a recovery before the harvest period commences in May.

Acute food insecurity in southern Africa, estimated at 16 million people in the first three months of 2024, could deteriorate in late 2024, FAO warned.

Food prices, already rising at annual rates above 10 percent, are likely to rise further and, based on current projections, South Africa and Zambia, typically maize exporters, will not be able to cover the supply shortfall, and Zambia has started importing maize to meet the shortfall.

This combination of reduced harvests and rising food prices is particularly harmful for agricultural households and restoration of production,, as farm incomes are set to be squeezed while more resources will be needed to purchase food, said Jonathan Pound, economist at FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System.

Plan ahead for shift to La Niña

This observed pattern is typical of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the region, FAO noted.

Current forecasts however point a high likelihood of a transition to a La Niña phase later in the year, with more beneficial precipitation patterns.

That makes it “imperative” to scale up resilience-bolstering measures enabling  farmers to prepare adequately for the next agricultural season starting in September 2024, FAO said.

The governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have already declared drought emergencies. Teaming up with the NASA Harvest programme, FAO geospatial observations suggest that key cereal crops will suffer adverse impacts in parts of Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique expected to see a notable jump in import needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Read moreFAO warns of maize shortfall across Southern Africa

Minister Pandor co-chairs the VII Session of the South Africa-Brazil Joint Commission

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Pandor, will co-chair the VII Session of the South Africa-Brazil Joint Commission (JC) on 23 April 2024 in Brasilia, Brazil, with her counterpart, Minister Mauro Vieira, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

On 13 December 2003, South Africa and Brazil signed an agreement to establish a Joint Commission. A Declaration on Strategic Partnership and an Action Plan was signed in 2010.

The Joint Commission serves as a mechanism to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the Action Plan in several areas such as agriculture; defence; economic and commercial relations; environment; health; higher education and technical cooperation; justice and correctional services; minerals and energy; science, technology, and communications; sports, arts, and culture.

The Joint Commission is composed of 10 sectoral Working Groups (WG).

A Senior Officials Meeting was held on 10 April 2024 to review the work done by the working groups in preparation for the JC.

South Africa shares a common history and cultural heritage with Brazil's over 100 million population of African descent (African Diaspora), the second largest African Diaspora in the Americas region.

Brazil will host the Sixth Region Diaspora Conference in the state of Bahia on 20-22 May 2024 as one of the preparatory meetings for the Ninth Pan African Conference that will be held in Togo in October 2024.

South Africa and Brazil as member countries of the Global South, actively advance the developmental agenda of the South through, amongst others, the UN, IBSA, BRICS, G20, WTO, and International Financial Institutions.

Brazil is currently holding the IBSA Chair, G20 Presidency and in 2025 will chair the BRICS Plus as well as COP30. On 1 December 2023, South Africa became a member of the G20 Troika, with India and Brazil and will assume the Presidency of G20 in 2025

Brazil is South Africa's largest trading partner in Latin America and is the second largest trading partner in the Americas after the USA. South Africa is Brazil's second largest export partner in Africa.

The resumption of LATAM Airlines' and SAA's direct flights between Sao Paulo and Johannesburg in 2023 has opened opportunities to scale up tourism, trade, and people-to-people relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Read moreMinister Pandor co-chairs the VII Session of the South Africa-Brazil Joint Commission

Dignity for those in need: Gauteng launches mobile shower facilities for homeless people

Location: News

Dignity for those in need: Gauteng launches mobile shower facilities for homeless people

The Gauteng Department of Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has unveiled mobile shower services for homeless people in the province.

MEC Mbali Hlophe said the services are aimed at restoring dignity for people who find themselves homeless in the province.

“It’s about giving them warm food and a shower. It’s also about ensuring that our social workers have access to them and they are able to direct them to the broader services that we have. That’s about family reunification, which is really an ideal one because we want to make sure that we are able to unify families.

“But where we can’t, we are able to place them within our shelters where they are provided with skills to make sure that they are able to take care of themselves and to be sustainably out of the streets,” Hlophe said.

According to the department, the mobile shower service is in line with “Pillar 1 of the Gauteng City Region Strategy on Street Adult Homelessness, which is advocacy, awareness, and prevention of crisis and early intervention”.

“The service, which will go out to locations daily, will provide access to bathrooms, ablution facilities, laundry services and linking the homeless with other services such as access to shelters and social work interventions,” the department said in a statement.

The mobile wash services will go to areas where homeless people can be found.

“The wash trailer and office will be towed by a vehicle to the identified homeless hot spots. The proposed locations for the service are parks, open areas, under bridges, and on streets where the homeless community sometimes reside.

“The mobile services have separated showers and ablution facilities and an office. The wash trailer, which is 6m long, with an estimated weight of 2 800 kilograms, has three showers and three toilets, and the estimated office weight is 1 800kg,” the department said.

According to the department, the launch is “an expansion to an already existing package of assistance to the homeless” in the province.

This includes homeless shelters in regions; provision of daily meals for the homeless; social work services; link to skills development; substance abuse rehabilitation, and family reunification.

New lease on life

At shelters, homeless people are afforded an opportunity to learn skills, including basic computer skills, construction skills, including brick laying and agricultural skills.

A resident at a homeless shelter, Michael Rasebokoa, said the opportunities he gained at the shelter have given him the restart he needed.

Rasebokoa holds a Business Administration qualification but found himself homeless when he lost the job he had.

However, through a non-profit organisation at the shelter, he was linked to a new job opportunity.

“I am grateful for the opportunities that the Gauteng Department of Social Development has afforded me.

“The NPOs that are funded by the department has made it possible for me to secure a job. I am currently working as a Financial Advisor in Sandton,” Rasebokoa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Tue, 04/23/2024 - 10:35

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Read moreDignity for those in need: Gauteng launches mobile shower facilities for homeless people

Pandor welcomes Egypt into family of BRICS nations

Location: News

Pandor welcomes Egypt into family of BRICS nations

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has welcomed Egypt into the family of BRICS nations.

“This development further enhances the role the South plays in global matters,” she said on Friday. 

The BRICS grouping of major emerging economies – Brazil, India, China, South Africa and Russia –  has admitted four new members. These include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. 

Pandor was speaking in Pretoria where she was co-chairing the 10th Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) with her counterpart, Egypt Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry.

Meanwhile, Pandor said South Africa and Egypt need to exponentially increase trade and investment. 

“In this regard, partnerships between our private sectors and Sstate-owned entities are crucial. This also entails the need to formally establish and launch a Business Council,” she said. 

The Minister announced on Friday that a decision on the Business Council has been taken and once operational, this structure will go a long way in coordinating and galvanising trade and investment opportunities. 

She also asked her counterpart to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which will facilitate easier trade.

“As an important blueprint and contributor to integration, the AfCFTA lessens the barriers towards trade, promotes preferential trade and provides an enabling framework, which will be mutually beneficial to both our two countries and the continent in general.”

She stated that long bonds of friendship, solidarity and collaboration underpin their relationship. 

Pandor also paid tribute to Egypt for supporting the country’s anti-apartheid movement, which eventually led to the demise of the old order and the creation of a democratic and free South Africa.

Pandor believes that the depth and impact of the bilateral relationship is very important. “The Cape to Cairo nexus should not only be one of our guiding lights but should highlight the importance of regional integration.” 

JCC

Meanwhile, Pandor said the framework provided by the JCC entails that the constituent committees cover a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation. 

These include trade and investment, agriculture and agro-processing, infrastructure development, water resources management, health, financial services, tourism, transport, information technology, communications, women and people with disabilities, judicial matters, sport, arts and culture, people-to-people links and consular issues. 

She also announced that several Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be concluded during the session. 

Conflict 

She highlighted several conflicts and wars that have erupted and called on the international community to be vigilant and redouble its efforts to promote peace, stability and development. 

“The United Nations, our premier guarantor of global order as enshrined in its charter, and the regional organisations should remain seized and be decisive in addressing these matters.” 

However, Pandor said the world was witnessing an attack on the global system of multilateralism and its institutions of governance.

“The world is seeing the rise of unilateralism and impunity that threatens to erode the very foundations of multilateralism, international law and the creation of a just and equitable world.”

South Africa, she said, is deeply concerned about the unfolding tragedy that has befallen the people of Palestine. 

“The catastrophe that is happening before our eyes in the Gaza Strip, with the destruction carried out by the occupying state of Israel, and the humanitarian disaster therein, is a collective blemish on the moral conscience of the world.” 

She also spoke about the unresolved plight of the Saharawi people. 

“Silencing the Guns on our continent is a pressing challenge that the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities should continue to address.” 

She reiterated South Africa’s position, which views dialogue, mediation and negotiations as vital for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. 

“In this regard, it is important not to further delay the reforms needed to transform the United Nations, particularly the United Nations Security Council, and for it to reflect the realities of today. In this endeavour, although North-South collaboration remains important, the Global South should remain united in ensuring that its voice is resoundingly clear.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 04/19/2024 - 15:32

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Read morePandor welcomes Egypt into family of BRICS nations

Programme to assist KZN small-scale farmers to become sustainable commercial businesses

Location: News

Programme to assist KZN small-scale farmers to become sustainable commercial businesses

KwaZulu-Natal small-scale farmers have been afforded an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic, integrated programme, which will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube led the provincial launch of the Integrated Agricultural Development Programme, where a total of 1 128 tractors, worth R17 million, and other implements were allocated for the small-scale farmers.

During the launch in Richmond on Thursday, Dube-Ncube, together with Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) MEC, Super Zuma, also handed over ownership certificates to community projects.

Dube-Ncube said through this initiative, the provincial government aims to strengthen the ability of farming groups to maintain, take responsibility and care for their assets.

She said additional mentorship and mechanisation training will be provided to community projects that are experiencing challenges in their farming activities to ensure self-sufficiency.

“Sustainable mechanisation is critical in the development of value chains and food systems, and through this programme, we are ensuring that even our small-scale farmers are given an opportunity to be competitive. 

“They will be able to sufficiently cultivate land, be more efficient, effective and environmentally friendly in their operations,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier also emphasised that food security is a priority for the province, and the provincial government remains committed to opening the market for provincial farmers, through government’s Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (IRASET) Programme. 

She said the provincial government wants the farmers to be game changers of the market, as per the commitment made during the State of the Province Address to assist farmers to meet demands of the province. 

“We want them to supply major markets locally and eventually service cross borders markets and we are ready to assist them to meet any criteria. Today we have officially handed over a cheque and equipment to SyaJay Agricultural Services, a project we are most proud of.

“SyaJay Agricultural Services (Pty) Ltd, is a 100% Black-owned business and the two beneficiaries are graduates of the Owen Sithole College of Agriculture. The project was approved for a total funding of R5.6 million from the Agricultural Development Agency (ADA) and 10 hydroponic tunnels, a cooling and irrigation systems have been completed. A mobile pack house will be ready at the end of May,” Dube-Ncube said.

Sya Ngcobo, one of the beneficiaries, said over and above becoming a sustainable business that is making profit, their vision is to create an information hub. 

Ngcobo said they partly want to function as a demonstration site, where small-holder farmers would sharpen their skills and gain crucial sectorial knowledge.

“In many instances, you find that some farmers struggle once they have penetrated the market. Even though they may have good quality produce, vegetables do not sell because of incorrect packaging. 

“We want to teach our farmers and give them an opportunity to come and see how it is done from the work we will be doing,” Ngcobo said.

Dube-Ncube said the items will at a later stage be distributed to all the districts when champion MECs roll out the programme. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 04/19/2024 - 12:20

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Read moreProgramme to assist KZN small-scale farmers to become sustainable commercial businesses