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Police seize counterfeit goods in Musina
Police seize counterfeit goods in Musina
Counterfeit and illicit goods valued at over R5 million have been seized in a police operation in Musina, Limpopo.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with its crime-fighting partners, conducted an operation that was spearheaded by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, with support from the SAPS Gauteng Drone Team, including the Bloemfontein K9 Unit, South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs, and brand protectors on Sunday.
A roving team comprising SAPS members from specialised units deployed in Limpopo, as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, also participated in the operation.
The team executed a search-and-seizure warrant at a shopping mall in Musina's central business district.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said more than 2 000 counterfeit and illicit items, including sneakers, clothing, cellphone accessories, perfume and consumables, were confiscated during the operation.
She said two Eritrean nationals and one Bangladeshi national, all asylum seekers, were arrested for dealing in counterfeit goods.
The Bangladeshi national faces an additional charge for bribery after attempting to bribe officers at the scene to evade arrest.
“On the same day, the team stopped and searched vehicles in the area, which led them to arrest a suspect for possession of a stolen vehicle. The members also seized dagga and drugs found abandoned in a taxi after the driver and commuters fled the scene on foot,” Van Wyk said in a statement.
Van Wyk noted that while primarily tasked with addressing crimes associated with illicit mining, the members contribute to combating a broader range of criminal activities in the province.
She said SAPS, together with its partners, remains steadfast in its efforts to eliminate the illegal trade of counterfeit and illicit goods, which poses risks to consumers, harm legitimate businesses, and undermine the economy of the country. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 01/14/2025 - 10:38
153 views
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Government considers intervention in Eskom electricity tariff hike application
Government considers intervention in Eskom electricity tariff hike application
Government is preparing to present an intervention regarding Eskom’s proposed tariff hike.
This according to Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who briefed the media on Wednesday.
The power utility has asked the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to approve its multi-year price determination which would mean, for direct Eskom customers, a 36.15% electricity tariff hike for 2025/26, an 11.81% increase in 2026/27 and a 9.10% rise in 2027/28 – sharply bringing into focus electricity affordability and upping the cost of living.
Nersa is currently holding public hearings on Eskom’s application.
“As government, we will be fashioning interventions to ensure that we provide relief. It’s still a process that is underway inside government. Before Nersa makes that determination, we’d have made our submissions.
“I want to say – with a degree of confidence – that we will get to a situation where we don’t realise a 36, 40% tariff increase. It should be something significantly lower than that. [This will be] taking into account the need for the industry to be competitive; the pressures that the households are experiencing,” he said.
The Minister reminded South Africans that the seventh administration has committed to ensuring that “we fight poverty and reduce the cost of living”.
“We know that the cost of utilities – electricity and water – is a big component of the spending of households and in fact, it’s more disproportionate when you get to low income households.
“I want to say to the country that: rest assured, we will be making interventions that will provide significant amount of relief. What that percentage [tariff increase] that will be, Nersa will make that determination,” he said.
Ramokgopa insisted that despite government’s intervention, “we will not undermine the ability of Eskom to continue to operate”.
“Some of the assumptions and basis of the application of Eskom has got some justification.
“[However] we think we can do both…Eskom’s ability to execute on its mandate and on the other side, the need for us to provide some degree of relief to households and industry. I am confident, we can find that,” he said.
The Minister implored South Africans to continue making their voices heard at Nersa’s public hearings on Eskom’s proposed tariff increases.
Public hearings continue as follows:
- 20 November at the ETC Conference Centre, Spondo Street, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
- 21 and 22 November at the Transnet National Ports Authority, N-Shed Passengers Terminal, Quayside Road, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
- 25 November at the Bon Hotel Bloem Plaza, East Burger Street, Bloemfontein, Free State.
- 27 November at the Mbombela Civic Centre, 1 Nel Street, Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
- 29 November at the Jack Botes Hall, 14 Bodenstein Street, Polokwane, Limpopo.
- 2 December at the Protea Hotel, Barend and Margaretha Prinsloo Streets, Klerksdorp, North West.
- 3 and 4 December at the Eskom Academy of Learning, Dale Road, Midrand, Gauteng.
“What is important is that all of us…let’s subject ourselves to the [Nersa hearings]. So that we allow Nersa the opportunity to have the benefit of the mulitiplicity of views,” Ramokgopa said.
Nersa’s decision on Eskom’s application is expected to only be made on 20 December this year. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 11/20/2024 - 12:06
115 views
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dtic to launch the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme
dtic to launch the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme
The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic), in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the University of Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, will launch the Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme (KIPP) on Monday.
This as a fund to drive innovation among early-stage Small Medium Enterprises in the Free State.
The programme was initially launched in June 2024 in Johannesburg and a series of regional launches will be taking place throughout the country.
The objective of the KIPP is to enable early-stage innovative SMEs to penetrate the market with their locally developed innovations resulting in a more competitive economic environment, thereby facilitating economic growth in the South African economy.
According to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Investment and Spacial Industrial Development at the dtic, Yunus Hoosen, the launch seeks to facilitate interactions with potential partners, beneficiaries, and supporters, building relationships that support the fund's objectives.
According to Hoosen, since the establishment of KIIP in 2020, the programme has funded more than 36 projects across various sectors of the economy, with R 148.2 million committed and R113.8 million disbursed to date.
He said the launch will highlight progress for present achievements under KIPP to demonstrate the positive impact of the programme.
“The session is intended to enhance knowledge and increate public gain and clear understanding of KIPP’s objectives and application process.
“The session will be characterised by an interactive stakeholder engagement that is expected to create public awareness and inspire participation and applications from Free State innovative SMEs eligible for funding and support under KIPP,” Hoosen said.
Local entrepreneurs and SME owners, especially those working in the technology and innovation sectors, and industry stakeholders including funders are expected to attend the event.
Potential partners who are interested in promoting economic transformation through innovation and university students and researchers who are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship will also participate in the launch. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:41
4 views
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Government activities for the week 28 October – 01 November 2024
Government activities for the week 28 October – 01 November 2024
On Monday, 28 October, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, will launch an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) listening tour in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
Also on Monday, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhauli to deliver an address at the UNDP Just Energy Transition and youth employment roundtable discussion.
On Tuesday, 29 October, Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, will officially launch the Summer Campaign in Bloemfontein at the De Oude Kraal Country Estate, N1 South Bloemfontein.
Also on Tuesday, the Presidential Climate Commission in conjunction with the Department of Water and Sanitation will host a high-level 3 Sector Climate Adaptation Readiness in South Africa’s Water Value Chain Workshop in Pretoria.
On Wednesday, 30 October, Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana will present the 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (“2024 MTBPS”) to Parliament.
On Thursday, 31 October, no confirmed events.
On Friday, 01 November, no confirmed events.
Neo
Mon, 10/28/2024 - 11:02
71 views
Have a sip of butternut coffee
Have a sip of butternut coffee
By More Matshediso
A Bloemfontein-based entrepreneur, who established a healthy alternative to coffee, is revolutionising the agro-processing industry through her thriving business.
Chantelle de Bruyn (34) is the owner of Buttercup Farmhouse, a business that she registered in 2019 with initial plans to manufacture vegetable spices.
The business is currently selling its signature Cucurbita Latte (vegetable coffee made from butternut) and has plans to expand to produce supplement shakes, snack bars, vegetable ice cream, and a tea range.
She is equipped with product development skills acquired through a food science course she completed through the United States (US) Embassy and Consulates in South Africa.
She also completed the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development Programme at the Johannesburg Business School.
“This skill has been instrumental in creating innovation and ensuring that the taste and health benefits of our products align with what our customers need through the value chain,” she explained.
De Bruyn has also partnered with the University of the Free State, which is assisting her with research and product development for her products.
The business currently employs 11 workers, including four permanent and seven part-time employees. It hopes to create more job opportunities as it expands its product offering.
“Currently, you can buy the products at Food Lovers Market stores in the Western Cape, Centurion in Gauteng, and Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal. Online orders will be available in November,” she said.
She has plans to reach global consumers and said the business has received support from the Free State Provincial Government since its inception and received a R50 000 Grant from the National Development Agency (NYDA) to purchase its first equipment.
The Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has also assisted the business to purchase additional equipment and allowed it to participate in various trade shows.
She added that it also receives support from global investors including interest from the African Women in Trade Group in Germany, who are exploring the opportunity to distribute the products in the United Kingdom and in the US.
Achievements
Buttercup Farmhouse already has a few accolades under its belt. In 2022, it received an award for being the Top Youth Agro Processor from the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
In the same year, De Bruyn was crowned the best agro developer and most innovative business through the Cwena awards.
The business was also the Overall Winner in Business of the Year by Action Coach for 2021/2022.
Buttercup also won a business plan competition with the American Women Academy with its U.S. Agency for International Development and, sponsored by the US Embassy in 2021, won the Standard Bank Top Women Top 5 Award in 2022, and the Most Innovative Business Award through the South African Awards in 2023.
She was also the runner-up in the Forty over 40 Awards in 2022 and won second place in the Seeds of Change competition in 2023.
“We have also gained recognition from the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York in 2023,” she explained.
Farming background
De Bruyn is also a small-scale farmer who specialises in crop production.
“I have always loved farming, and it’s a vital part of my business. I started farming in 2015 when the Agri-Parks were established in the Free State and I served on the executive committee where I represented youth in agriculture.
“Today we grow crops like butternut that are essential to our vegetable coffee production and have partnered with external farmers to help us grow our butternuts, farming allows us to maintain high-quality ingredients for our products,” she explained.
For more information visit www.buttercupfarmhouse.co.za; or the NYDA:www.nyda.gov.za or call 087 158 6345/5738 or email: info@nyda.gov.za.
*This article first appeared in Vuk’uzenzele
Janine
Fri, 10/25/2024 - 10:32
116 views
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Citizens encouraged to participate in National Science Week
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The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has urged South Africans to participate in National Science Week (NSW) activities.
This year’s theme is “Living in a high-tech world: Should we be concerned?” and it aims to inspire young people and involve the public in understanding the importance of science in addressing societal concerns.
The National Science Week activities across South Africa kickstarted on Monday, 30 September, and will wrap up on Saturday, 5 October 2024.
A flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), National Science Week is a platform for schools, universities, research institutions and community organisations to participate in a range of interactive events, exhibitions and seminars countrywide.
The Minister officially opened the annual science engagement initiative in Bloemfontein on Saturday. Almost 1 500 learners attended the launch event at the Central University of Technology, which included a science, technology and innovation (STI) exhibition.
In his opening address at the launch, Nzimande said South Africa needs to foster a culture of using STI in the country to drive economic growth and respond to issues such as sustainable development and social inequality.
He said this year’s theme responds to the highly technology-driven world in which the country finds itself.
Through this theme, he said, “We seek to encourage a culture of critical conversations among ordinary people and especially our youth about the value of science to society”.
According to Nzimande, the country has made commendable progress since 1994 in increasing the numbers of black and women scientists.
“There is, of course, still more work that needs to be done in this regard, but we cannot deny the progress that has been made over the past 30 years.”
The Minister reminded the learners in the audience that they have more opportunities today than their grandparents who grew up during the dark days of apartheid when Black people were told they did not need mathematics and science.
“My message to all the learners here today is that you were born into a democratic order, for which your grandparents fought. Unlike your grandparents, you have available to you many opportunities to develop yourselves.”
The Minister urged the young people to make use of the opportunities that are available to them.
“Most importantly, we expect you to take up the various careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation (STEMI) so that we can produce the critical skills we need to deal with such things as poverty, inequality, pandemics and the impact of climate change.”
The Minister highlighted the stellar achievement of a Grade 10 learner, Munei Netsharotha, from Tshivhase Secondary School in Limpopo, who constructed a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle.
The Minister said Netsharotha’s invention is well aligned with the hydrogen economy, which is one of the department’s priorities.
Other brilliant innovators included mechatronics apprentice, Hlompho Malehodi, who spoke about her career.
Malehodi studied electrical engineering at a technical vocational education and training college and recently won a gold medal in the South African leg of the WorldSkills Competition.
She became the first Black woman in mechatronics to represent South Africa in the international WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.
The public is encouraged to participate in the activities in their communities and to follow the event on social media using the hashtag #NSW2024 for live updates and information and visit https://www.saasta.ac.za/programmes/focus-weeks/national-science-week/. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 10/01/2024 - 12:15
394 views
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