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Here are the key steps to identify journalists covering African SMEs: Search the MyPR Website: The MyPR website – https://mypr.co.za – contains a wealth of press releases and news articles related to African SMEs. Scan through the content to identify journalists who have written about this topic. Leverage Journalist Directories: Websites like SquirrelPR – https://www.squirrelpr.com/blog/post/2/how-to-discover-journalists-in-africa …
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SA GDP decreases by 0.1%
SA GDP decreases by 0.1%
The results of the Gross domestic product (GDP) by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) show a decrease of 0.1% in the first quarter of 2024.
“The manufacturing industry decreased by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2024, contributing -0.2 of percentage point to the negative GDP growth. Five of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates in the first quarter,” Stats SA said on Tuesday.
The motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division and the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division made the largest negative contributions to the decrease in the first quarter.
“The mining and quarrying industry decreased by 2.3% in the first quarter, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Decreased economic activities were reported for platinum group metals (PGMs), coal, gold and manganese ore. The construction industry decreased by 3.1% in the first quarter, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point,” Stats SA said.
Decreases were reported for residential buildings and construction works.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 13.5% in the first quarter of 2024, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point.
This was primarily due to increased economic activities reported for horticulture products.
Expenditure on GDP
Meanwhile, expenditure on real GDP decreased by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2024.
“Expenditure on real gross domestic product decreased by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2024, following an increase of 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“Household final consumption expenditure decreased by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2024, contributing -0.2 of a percentage point to the total negative growth. Decreases were reported for durable goods, semi durable goods and services,” Stats SA said.
The main negative contributors to the decrease in Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) were expenditures on clothing and footwear (-7.0 and contributing -0.4 of a percentage point), transport (-1.3% and contributing -0.2 of a percentage point) and the ‘other’ category (-1.3% and contributing -0.2 of a percentage point).
“Final consumption expenditure by general government decreased by 0.3% in the first quarter, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. This was mainly driven by decreases in purchases of goods and services and compensation of employees. Total gross fixed capital formation decreased by 1.8% in the first quarter of 2024, contributing -0.3 of a percentage point.
“The main negative contributors to the decrease were machinery and other equipment (-1.4% and contributing -0.6 of a percentage point), residential buildings (-4.3% and contributing -0.5 of a percentage point) and construction works (-2.5% and contributing -0.4 of a percentage point),” Stats SA said.
There was a R5.5 billion drawdown of inventories in the first quarter of 2024 (seasonally adjusted and annualised value).
Large decreases in three industries, namely manufacturing; mining and quarrying; and personal services, contributed to the inventory drawdown.
“Net exports contributed positively to expenditure on GDP in the first quarter. Exports of goods and services decreased by 2.3%, largely influenced by decreased trade in pearls, precious and semi-precious stones and precious metals; vehicles and transport equipment excluding aircraft; chemical products; base metals and articles of base metals; and mineral products.
“Imports of goods and services decreased by 5.1%, largely influenced by decreased trade in mineral products; vehicles and transport equipment excluding aircraft; and vegetable products,” Stats SA said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 11:59
158 views
Government welcomes ICC arrest warrants application
Government welcomes ICC arrest warrants application
Government has welcomed the decision by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Kahn KC, on the application for arrest warrants that include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The application for arrest warrants is for the Prime Minister, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and three leaders of Hamas – Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh.
This is within the context of the present conflict raging in Gaza.
In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa – which has been a leading proponent for a ceasefire in that conflict – remains committed to “the international rule of law”.
“South Africa is committed to the international rule of law, universal respect for human rights and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation and not war, and the self-determination of all peoples, including the Palestinians.
“We have also consistently held that all participants to the conflict must ensure that fighting and hostilities come to an immediate end, that all hostages must be released immediately, and that Israel immediately withdraws its military forces from Gaza. This is the only way in which the rights of the Palestinian civilian population can be protected and the basis for sustainable peace can be achieved,” President Ramaphosa said.
In a statement on Monday, ICC prosecutor Karim Kahn KC said based on evidence, his office has reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity”:
- Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Statute;
- Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary to article 8(2)(a)(iii), or cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
- Wilful killing contrary to article 8(2)(a)(i), or Murder as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
- Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime contrary to articles 8(2)(b)(i), or 8(2)(e)(i);
- Extermination and/or murder contrary to articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(a), including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity;
- Persecution as a crime against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(h);
- Other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(k).
On the other hand, Kahn said his office has reasonable grounds to believe that Hamas leaders, Sinwar, Al-Masri and Haniyeh “bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity”:
- Extermination as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(b) of the Rome Statute;
- Murder as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(a), and as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
- Taking hostages as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(iii);
- Rape and other acts of sexual violence as crimes against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(g), and also as war crimes pursuant to article 8(2)(e)(vi) in the context of captivity;
- Torture as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(f), and also as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i), in the context of captivity;
- Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(l)(k), in the context of captivity;
- Cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i), in the context of captivity; and
- Outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(ii), in the context of captivity.
The Israeli-Hamas conflict has claimed the lives of more than 34 000 Palestinians including women and children.
Conflict in the region escalated on October 7 last year when a Hamas led attack killed more than 1000 people in Israel.
Recently, South Africa returned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to seek an urgent order from the court for the protection of Palestinian people in Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing military assault on Rafah.
READ | South Africa seeks additional provisional measures in Gaza
The urgent application filed earlier this month follows the escalation of Israel’s assault on Rafah, which poses an extreme risk to humanitarian supplies, basic services into Gaza, the survival of the Palestinian medical system, and the survival of Palestinians in Gaza as a group. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 05/21/2024 - 09:21
609 views
Rainbow flags fill the streets of Nyanga and Gugulethu
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In the world of web stats and performance there is really only one indicator that can tell a PR Professional that their content is receiving love from people. No – it is NOT the number of times that it has been viewed but the LENGTH OF TIME that people spend reading the article. Most articles …
Coal mine accused of making “manifestly scurrilous” allegations against opponents
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All systems go for registered voters to cast ballots abroad
All systems go for registered voters to cast ballots abroad
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it is confident that all systems are in place for the shipment of voting materials to enable South African citizens living abroad to cast their ballots.
The department and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) have met and agreed on the logistics for the dispatching of election materials.
Voting materials will be sent to all 115 South African diplomatic missions using diplomatic airfreight bags.
“A short-term contract for this purpose is in place. The diplomatic bag is protected by diplomatic immunity. DIRCO makes use of diplomatic bags to dispatch official documents and articles to and from South Africa per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963,” the department explained.
According to the IEC, by law, citizens can only vote abroad on the date specified in the election timetable, which is typically 10 days before voting day in the country. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 04/30/2024 - 15:04
486 views
All systems go for registered South African voters to cast ballots abroad
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is confident that all systems are in place for the shipment of voting materials to enable South African citizens living abroad to cast their ballots.
DIRCO and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have met and agreed on logistics for the dispatching of election materials.
Voting materials will be sent to all 115 South African diplomatic missions using diplomatic airfreight bags. The short-term contract for this purpose is in place.
The diplomatic bag is protected by diplomatic immunity.
DIRCO makes use of diplomatic bags to dispatch official documents and articles to and from South Africa in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
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SA reacts to discovery of mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Gaza
SA reacts to discovery of mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Gaza
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has reacted to the recent discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 202 Palestinian civilians at Nasser Hospital in Gaza.
“South Africa is appalled by the recent grim discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 202 Palestinian civilians at Nasser Hospital in Gaza," the department said in a statement.
This follows the reported discovery of mass graves at Al-Shifa Hospital on Sunday, 21 April 2024.
According to reports, Palestinian officials claim they exhumed over 200 bodies at Nasser, some with their hands tied.
“These grim findings call for immediate and comprehensive investigations to ensure justice and accountability,” the department’s statement read.
The department is of the view that Israel continues to disregard the rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and United Nations (UN) resolutions amid the unrelenting bombardment of Gaza.
South Africa approached the ICJ in March, which granted the country's urgent request for further provisional measures to prevent Israel from causing irreparable harm to the rights invoked by South Africa under the 1948 Genocide Convention in respect of the ongoing siege of Gaza.
“The court was unambiguous when it agreed with South Africa’s assertion that the situation in Gaza had deteriorated significantly since the court’s order of 26 January 2024 as a result of Israel’s failure and responsibility to comply with the court’s rulings,” the statement read.
The department said it concurs with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, who has aptly stated that Israel’s war in Gaza has from the start been a “war on the right to health” and has “obliterated” the Palestinian territory’s health system.
“The lack of accountability by Israel is increasingly clear,” the department added.
DIRCO further agreed with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese.
Albanese recently highlighted that the continuation of Israel’s impunity and exceptionalism is no longer viable, especially in light of the binding UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“In this respect, we call on the international community to act to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure accountability for the victims and their families," Albanese said.
Meanwhile, the department said it noted that the evidence of mass killings of civilians points to the perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
These include murder and extermination, and genocide, as defined in Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as well as violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, as well as Customary International Humanitarian Law.
The department also cited International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and non-combatants, underlining the need to protect human life during times of war.
“The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine. We, therefore, call on the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC to urgently lead a thorough and impartial investigation into a matter that complies with international legal standards, to establish the facts and to bring those responsible to justice.
“It is the collective duty of the international community to ensure that atrocities of this nature are duly prosecuted in terms of the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:19
311 views
Even AI has an ‘Editorial’ Bias
We recently asked the Opera Browser’s bolt on AI option, Aria, the following question; “Write an article on the various AI article writing options available?” We were expecting a list of options but instead got back the article below extolling the wonders of Aria and conveniently omitting the names of other AI tools available. Aria …