Gale rips off roofs in Cape Town suburb
Residents of Wynberg were assessing the damage on Thursday morning
Cape Town
Empact Group celebrates Mandela Day by empowering learners with formulas and illustrations that visually enhance Maths education
Empact Group, a purpose-led, 100% South African-owned company, celebrated Mandela Day by contributing to the enhancement of maths education in partnership with the Maths Centre. As part of their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) efforts, their dedicated teams of staff volunteers visited schools across three regions to inspire and engage young minds through the vibrant world …
The Countdown to the 2024 Totalsports Women’s Race Begins
With just over three weeks until the start of the Totalsports Women’s Race celebrations in Women’s Month (August 4 in Durban, August 9 in Cape Town, and August 17 in Joburg), runners and walkers are reminded to secure their spot at the start line before entries run out. “The Totalsports Women’s Race is a mass …
Transport department, taxi industry to work together this term, says Creecy
Transport department, taxi industry to work together this term, says Creecy
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has committed to working with the taxi industry to ensure that the industry fulfils its role in the transport ecosystem with greater safety.
“Taxis are part of community life, and as per the National Household Travel Survey, now carry eighty 3% of those who use public transport.
“During this term, I pledge to work with the industry to ensure it takes its place in a safer, greener transport ecosystem. We will work together to decrease levels of conflict and violence, which pose a significant risk to the sector and to commuters,” the Minister said when tabling the Budget Vote of the department at Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport in Cape Town on Monday.
Creecy said the department will, in the short-term, continue to assist the industry to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Taxi Relief Fund, created by the department to mitigate the negative financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the taxi industry, has been extended in the past year to provide further support to the industry.
“The Taxi Recapitalisation Strategy continues to deal with the scrapping of unroadworthy vehicles, but also aims to regularise and professionalise the industry by improving safety and incorporating the industry in transport planning processes,” she said.
Climate resilience
The Minister said as the department continues to “stabilise and optimise our existing transport sector”, new risks and opportunities continue to arise.
“Climate change, as we have seen over the last couple of years, poses a significant risk to our built infrastructure in general and our transport infrastructure in particular. Building the climate resilience of our ports, road and rail networks is both a necessity and a new opportunity for investment, growth, economic inclusion and job creation.
“Contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all modes of transport will become a necessity once the new Climate Bill is signed into law. Our transport sector is responsible for approximately one tenth of our country’s CO2 emissions, and we will have to do our bit to achieve the NDP target of net-zero by 2050,” she said.
In this regard, the Minister said, implementing the department’s Green Transport Strategy “will be a priority” in this term.
“In this next decade, transport will also be revolutionised by an acceleration of digital technology. New technologies and new global imperatives will fundamentally alter the skills requirements of those employed in the transport sector, as well as open up new value chains for new forms of economic access, ownership and employment.
“Such innovations include operational automation and real-time tracking of shipments to assist in port management, digital signalling to modernise the management of our railway systems, the use of artificial intelligence in traffic management, and the introduction of self-driven vehicles and drones for delivery.
“The department’s Green Transport Strategy includes investing in green energy infrastructure; promoting the uptake of alternative fuels such as biogas and green hydrogen; extending the rail network to provide alternative public transport, and developing ‘green procurement guidelines’, which will promote low-carbon technologies,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 07/15/2024 - 14:20
302 views
Drunk driving remains a significant threat on Western Cape Roads
Despite severe weather conditions between 8 -14 July, law enforcement officials arrested 76 individuals for drunk driving on Western Cape roads. This July, as we observe Drunk Driver Awareness Month, this statistic highlights the ongoing issue of impaired driving and its potential to cause severe harm to both drivers and other road users. Drunk driving …
Latest science confirms plummeting penguin population
New model forms the basis for an urgent recommendation to change African Penguin’s conservation status from endangered to critically endangered
Government activities for the week 15 – 19 July 2024
Government activities for the week 15 – 19 July 2024
On Monday, 15 July, President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the opening session of the National Treasury Climate Resilience Symposium 2024.
The symposium is being hosted by National Treasury, the Presidential Climate Commission, the World Bank and a range of partner organisations.
On Monday, 15 July, the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, briefs media on the ministry’s priorities in the seventh administration at the GCIS head office in Pretoria.
On Tuesday, 16 July, the Climate Resilience Symposium 2024 – hosted by National Treasury, the Presidential Climate Commission, the World Bank and a range of organisations – continues.
On Tuesday, 16 July, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Infrastructure Africa Business Forum at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
On Wednesday, 17 July, the Climate Resilience Symposium 2024 – hosted by National Treasury, the Presidential Climate Commission, the World Bank and a range of organisations – concludes.
On Thursday, 18 July, President Cyril Ramaphosa will open Parliament in a joint sitting (official Opening of Parliament). 18 July also marks Nelson Mandela International Day in honour of South Africa’s first democratically elected President.
Matona
Mon, 07/15/2024 - 11:26
170 views
Empowering South African Businesses: Neosun Energy’s Solar Solutions Offer Relief Amidst Electricity Price Hikes
With local South Africa branches Global EPC company Neosun Energy (www.Neosun.com) offers affordable solar energy solutions for local businesses to mitigate the impact of rising electricity prices.
According to South African Government reports, starting from July 2024, Johannesburg residents will experience a 12.72% increase in electricity costs under local authority tariff charges. Eskom's direct customers will increase all tariff charges, excluding the affordability subsidy charge, from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025.
This price hike will impact both residential and business customers, adding financial pressure across the board. The main issue is that new tariffs will increase business costs and reduce profit margins, which forces companies to increase prices and pass them onto the consumer. It means higher operational costs, potentially affecting profitability and leading to higher prices for goods and services.
In this challenging environment, Neosun Energy can play a pivotal role in alleviating the burden of increased electricity costs. Providing solar energy solutions, Neosun Energy can help businesses and local enterprises reduce their dependence on traditional, more expensive electricity sources.
“This increase will primarily affect businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as their profitability will significantly decrease due to such a hike. The best solution to avoid this is to transition to solar energy, which locks in rates permanently. With solar generation, rates do not rise; they are fixed for the next 30 years. Solar Energy transferring - is exactly what can help local enterprises gain their independence from constant bill increases, ” emphasized Ilya Likhov, CEO of Neosun Energy.
Investing in solar energy, businesses can lower their operational costs over the long term, enhancing their profitability and competitiveness.
Today Neosun Energy is presented with 2 local branches in South Africa, located in Cape Town and Johannesburg, bringing to the South African market a high level service of a global company with experience in 16 countries around the world, and saving affordable prices for its customers.
"We firmly believe that establishing local Neosun Energy offices will bring us closer to local businesses and commercial enterprises, enabling us to offer affordable solar energy solutions such as solar plants, innovative energy storage systems, and portable Power Hubs." - added Mr. Likhov.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Neosun.
Media Contact:
For requests: info@neosun.com
CEO Neosun Energy
Social Media:
Ilya Likhov - LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/3Y3WoSi
About Neosun Energy:
Neosun Energy (www.Neosun.com) is an international Solar EPC company that provides Commercial Solar PV & Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) with capacity from 200kW to 10MW for Commercial and Industrial projects Worldwide. The company constructs solar power plants and energy storage systems (ESS) on a turn-key basis, covering all stages of construction including design, equipment supply, construction, and commissioning. The company has implemented solar PV projects in 16 countries worldwide.
Junior Boks hurting but will play for pride
The Junior Springboks are hurting after losing to Argentina on Sunday and will give it their all to bounce back in the final match of their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign when they contest seventh place on Friday. The SA U20s lost 34-24 (half-time 10-24) to Argentina in their fifth-place semi-final on a sunny but …
2 Surf-skiers rescued in extreme and challenging weather conditions
Andrew de Kock, NSRI Simonstown duty coxswain, said: At 16h43, Thursday, 11 July, NSRI Simonstown received a call from a concerned resident reporting they were observing what appeared to be a surf-skier in trouble approximately 200 meters off-shore of Froggy Pond, between Simonstown and Millers Point. Our NSRI Simonstown duty crew were activated to respond …
Government continues to assist those affected by Western Cape floods
Government continues to assist those affected by Western Cape floods
Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says government has been hard at work to relocate the families affected by the devastating floods in the Western Cape this week.
Thousands of people in the province have been rendered homeless after flooding destroyed their homes.
“We’ve been able to relocate families into a building that, as government, we have leased for 30 days while we are finding a solution in terms of the informal settlement because they have submerged, whether the rain will come down and we move them back or we have to find an alternative land where we relocate them,” she said.
The Minister added, however, that finding suitable land was proving elusive.
“The challenge in the City of Cape Town is land availability and the requirements we have to follow in terms of our processes of approvals for land use.
“So currently those that were affected in terms of their buildings, formal structures, the assessment has been done by the [National Home Builders Registration Council]. We have received the first report. We are hoping that by Monday, we would have that intervention as fixing those houses by our service providers that we have been able to appoint.
“The materials for the informal settlements are starting to be delivered,” Kubayi said.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape provincial government said it has given the green light for some households in Newton in the Drakenstein Municipality to return home.
This after 900 households in the area were evacuated when it was established that a dam wall in the area was at risk of failure due to the severe flooding.
“Working in consultation with the Department of Water and Sanitation and a dam engineering specialist, Drakenstein Municipality’s Engineering Services Department performed another onsite inspection this morning of the farm dam above Newton and confirmed that the risk of dam wall failure has been mitigated.
“This decision was taken in light of the fact that the water level of 150 000-cubic-meter dam in the Bo-Dal area dropped slightly since last night, as well as the lighter rainfall predicted for today.
“According to the authorities, the dam should be able to handle the flow of water that is expected to reach it today.
“The municipality will keep on monitoring the dam closely and notify residents immediately should the situation change,” the Western Cape government said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 07/14/2024 - 13:54
241 views
Small Business Development Department ‘up to the task’
Small Business Development Department 'up to the task'
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says the department she leads is “up to the task” of unlocking the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in the country.
The Minister said this when she delivered the department’s Budget Vote in Cape Town on Friday.
“One of the main contributing factors to the low [economic] growth is that too many of our citizens are unable to participate in productive economic activities.
“So in addition to championing reforms that will address energy supply constraints, logistics and crime - which are the focus of Operation Vulindlela - we must also direct our energies to reforms that unlock the potential of SMMEs and the cooperative sector.
“This must be the core priority of the seventh administration, and one for which we bear responsibility as the Department of Small Business Development portfolio. [We] want to assure all members and society that even though we are young and still developing, we are up to the tasks that lie before us,” she said.
The department has been allocated a budget of some R2.437 billion.
Priority areas for market access
The Minister said the department is focussing on five areas related to market access and localisation, which have proven to be barriers for SMMEs.
“Firstly, we will support 200 SMMEs through our Small Business Exporter’s Development Programme to participate in ten trade events in the 2024/25 financial year. In this regard, R20 million has been allocated to exploit our AFCFTA, BRICS partnerships and various global trade agreements.
“Second, we will enhance our Market Linkage Programme to ensure placement of SMME products in strategic warehouses of wholesalers and the shelves of retailers. Through our partnership with Proudly SA, we are developing an e-commerce platform that is likely to go live in the second of this financial year.
“Third, we are working with the public sector in order to exploit opportunities which will be presented by the Public Procurement Bill (once signed into law). We are working with corporates through Community of Practice to influence Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes and procurement of products from small enterprises and cooperatives,” she said.
Furthermore, there are plans to “actively building supplier capacity to meet and sustain the market requirements”.
“Here we provide quality improvement, product testing and certification, as well as productivity improvement through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).
“Through the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme (SEMP) at the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) we have allocated an amount of R266.8 million which deepens the black industrialist programme and ensure more participation of small enterprise in the manufacturing sector.
“Fifth, priority is also given to new growth drivers with low barriers to entry. In this financial year (2024/25), we will focus on the energy sector and tech industry – while also implementing our Cannabis Support Programme that will look both at the industrial hemp value chain as well as how to mainstream small indigenous cannabis growers for lucrative markets,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
Financing small businesses and cooperatives
The Minister highlighted that financing “remains one of the key constraints for small businesses and cooperatives”.
In this regard, the department has developed an SMME and Co-operatives Funding Policy to expand access to financing and early stage investment.
“This policy will be a game changer as it also proposes an establishment Fund of Funds, which we are currently designing. The fund will de-risk and leverage investment from the private sector and institutional investors for start-ups amongst other things. We will also prioritise the development of a Startup Policy and legislation as required. This will be done in collaboration with relevant departments.
“We will also continue to build on the work we have already undertaken in the previous administration to invest more in under-served SMMEs and co-operatives.
“In this regard, Sefa disbursed R2 billion funding facilities against a target of R2.18 billion to 80 040 SMMEs and co-operatives which led to 98 378 jobs,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 07/14/2024 - 14:32
95 views
Red tape delays Dunoon housing project
The housing project was first announced to residents in 2018, and construction won’t be starting anytime soon
Masiphumelele leaders ask for help in face of relentless storm
“I can only cook meals for a few people. There are so many more people needing food.”
Government intervenes to assist families amid Cape Town heavy rains
Government intervenes to assist families amid Cape Town heavy rains
At least 500 households, whose homes were destroyed by heavy rains in Cape Town, are being temporarily relocated to safer accommodations, as gale-force winds and heavy rains persist.
This comes after Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, visited the affected areas on Thursday.
Kubayi and Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala led a Human Settlements delegation to assess progress of interventions for families in desperate need of shelter in the unrelenting cold and wet weather.
The Ministerial delegation visited various disaster-stricken areas in Khayelitsha, including Nkandla, Zami Mpilo, Kuyasa and Victoria Mxenge in the Western Cape.
Scores of people have been left temporarily homeless due to water-logged homes across the province as wet weather and flooding continues.
Kubayi said the department’s immediate intervention is to relocate families to be accommodated at the Western Cape School of Governance, where the department will enter into a lease agreement of 30 days.
Kubayi said the department must identify land in two weeks, adding that she has spoken to all the affected families, and they have agreed to move.
“Our concern is mainly that with a level 8 warning, it means the rain will continue and we do not want these communities to continue in this dire state where their shelters are submerged under water.
“We are moving them to a safe place at least for 30 days while we look at alternative land parcels where they can be permanently relocated to build a new life away from flood plains,” Kubayi said.
The Minister noted that the relocation for the community is not only in one ward but will expand to more areas currently in danger or Category C informal settlements [immediate relocation].
The Minister said the City of Town alone has over 800 informal settlements in danger zones, emphasising a need for a more proactive approach when dealing with disasters.
“We need to put preventative measures in place, and this work is ongoing. Moreover, I have instructed MECs in all nine provinces to also identify more of these Category-C informal settlements so that work can continue to mitigate imminent disasters,” Kubayi said.
As part of disaster intervention and mitigation measures, the department also provides the Informal Settlement Upgrading grant to provinces and municipalities. This entails the upgrading of informal settlements in-situ (developing the area where an informal settlement is located) by providing bulk infrastructure like storm water drainage to avert flooding.
Kubayi also underscored the need to put in place bulk infrastructure to mitigate against a situation where people are locked in water, noting that some areas they visited have no proper stormwater drainage system to absorb water during heavy rains.
The Minister also emphasised that the response to disasters requires all the affected government departments play their part in ensuring that the victims are attended to.
“This is because beyond the provision of shelter for the victims, there are other needs such as transport, protection of property (which in some cases gets stolen), food and other necessities,” she said.
Kubayi further acknowledged efforts by NGOs, including the Gift of the Givers, who continuously work with government during emergencies.
She assured that the teams will continue with work onsite throughout the weekend, assessing the structural integrity of damaged formal structures.
“The team from Human Settlements Emergency Housing, which includes the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), has been on the ground since the disaster to provide the necessary support to those who have lost their informal structures in Monwabisi, New Monwabisi Park, and Kuyasa informal settlements, as well as to assess the damage caused to permanent structures,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:36
582 views
Retrenchments in the platinum sector a cause for concern
Retrenchments in the platinum sector a cause for concern
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe says he is concerned about the recent retrenchments in the platinum sector.
“Whilst the mining sector employs 489 000 mineworkers, we have noted with concern the recent retrenchments specifically in the platinum sector. In response to these job losses, we have pulled our social partners together and are in discussions to craft an approach to minimise them,” Mantashe said, delivering the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Budget Vote in Cape Town.
He said significant progress has been made by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) and National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) who have formed partnerships with industry players to improve the state of infrastructure to support mining.
“The department is currently drafting amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act (MPRDA) aimed at ensuring that areas that have been identified as weak and those that have been challenged legally are strengthened against international best practice.
“The amendments will also review the licensing regime to reduce red tape and improve the business environment for investors while keeping in sync with South Africa’s social and economic fabric,” Mantashe said.
He said the amendments are a continuation of the regulatory and policy adjustments initiated during the sixth administration.
“Given South Africa’s endowment with considerable mineral reserves of strategic significance to the global economies, we are convinced that increased exploration will enable the country to meaningfully benefit from its global advantage.
“To enable this the department, guided by the country’s exploration strategy, has in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) established an exploration fund to support emerging and junior miners,” Mantashe said.
Government intends to intensify engagements with several fund managers and the investor community to secure additional financing to sustain the fund into the future.
The department has allocated R72 million to fund artisanal and small-scale miners, including women and youth-owned companies.
Mantashe said the health and safety of mine workers remains at the centre of government’s work.“Owing to our strategic partnership with our social partners we have improved our performance towards the zero harm goal,” he said.
The Minister said this is demonstrable in the decline in mine fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases as evidenced by the 49 fatalities being the lowest on record in 2022.
“Although we had set our sights on beating this record in 2023, the regrettable disaster at the Impala Rustenburg that killed 13 mineworkers and many other fatal incidences contributed to the regression resulting in 53 fatalities reported in 2023.
“We have also noted with great concern the emerging trend of fatalities related to motor accidents and disasters involving illegal miners.
“To this end, the department has entered into an agreement with the industry on the development of minimum standards and guidelines to mitigate against road fatalities, while intensifying the fight against illegal mining,” the Minister said.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the department has been allocated at least R8.84 billion, of which R6.4 billion is earmarked for transfers to public entities, municipalities, and other institutions or implementing agents. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 12:19
477 views
African Players, Coaches, and Referees to Participate in the National Basketball Association (NBA) 2K25 Summer League
Twenty-Five Basketball Coaches from 15 African Countries Selected for NBA 2K25 Summer League; Five Players Who Featured in the 2024 BAL Season (https://BAL.NBA.com/) to Compete in Las Vegas.
Twenty-five basketball coaches from 15 African countries have been selected to participate in the NBA 2K25 Summer League which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 12 -22, 2024. The selected coaches form part of the Africa Coaches Program, which builds on NBA Africa's and Basketball Africa League's (BAL) commitment to building capacity and expertise of coaches from across the continent, improving the quality of the on-court product, and contributing to the continued growth of basketball on the continent. Eight of the coaches represent teams that have participated in the BAL.
Please see below for some of the notable storylines, followed by the full roster of the African coaches, players, and referees who will take part in the Summer League.
African Coaches Program
Building Continuity
- Six teams that took part in the 2024 BAL season will have at least one coach participating – Al Ahly (Egypt), Bangui Sporting Club (Central Africa Republic) City Oilers (Uganda), FUS de Rabat (Morocco), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), and US Monastir (Tunisia).
- Sixteen of the 24 coaches will take part in the Africa Coaches Program for the first time.
- Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu was named 2024 BAL Coach of the Year and led his team to a third-place finish this season. Rivers Hoopers' head coach since 2009, Odaudu coached the team to five Nigerian Premier League titles. Since 2019, Odaudu has been a member of the coaching staff on the Nigerian national team.
- Two coaches – Francois Enyegue (Cameroon; San Antonio Spurs) and Emmanuel Mavomo (Democratic Republic of the Congo; Milwaukee Bucks) – return to the Summer League for a third consecutive year. Last year, they coached with the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz, respectively. Enyegue is currently the head coach of Bangui Sporting Club (Central Africa Republic) and served as head coach of Team Africa & Middle East Girls at the Jr. NBA Global Championship in 2018. Mavomo is NBA G League's Austin Spurs assistant coach and served as an assistant coach of Paris Basketball and BC Espoir Fukash during the 2022 BAL season.
Empowering the Next Generation
- Three players with BAL experience who have decided to take up a career in coaching will be part of this year's program. John Wilkins (Rivers Hoopers), Mohamed Gaddour (US Monastir), and Radouane Slimane (US Monastir) will respectively join the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and Miami Heat.
NBA Academy Africa Well-Represented
- NBA Academy Africa players development coaches Goitsemang Ditsheko (South Africa) and Karim Nesba (Morocco) will coach with the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings respectively. Based at the NBA Academy Africa in Saly, Senegal since 2022, Ditsheko is part of the academy coaching staff who worked with NBA Academy Africa's first NBA draftee, Cameroon's Ulrich Chomche, selected with the number 57 overall by the Memphis Grizzlier and traded to the Toronto Raptors in the 2024 NBA Draft. While enrolled at NBA Academy Africa, Chomche competed in the BAL as part of the BAL Elevate program, representing Rwanda Energy Group Basketball (REGBBC) in 2023 and Cameroon's Forces Armées et Police (FAP) in 2022. Karim Nesba is a former AS Salé and Morocco National Team player. He coached the Uganda City Oilers in the 2024 BAL season and the BAL Select Team at Quai 54 this summer. NBA Academy Africa Alumni Ibou Badji (Senegal) and Babacar Sané (Senegal) will be playing with the Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz respectively. Badji who signed a two-way contract with Portland Trail Blazers last season, played 22 games in the 2023-24 NBA season. Sané former BAL Elevate player has played with the G League Ignite since 2022.
Female Participants
- For the first time, three female coaches will participate in the Africa Coaches Program – Sofia Bey (Morocco; Sacramento Kings), Aliaa Mahmoud Mohamed (Egypt; Washington Wizards), Ruth Bibeyi (Gabon; Los Angeles Lakers). They join the Africa Coaches Program as part of NBA Africa's and the BAL's efforts to provide more opportunities for women in basketball.
- Sofia Bey (Morocco, Sacramento Kings) is the head coach of Wydad Athletic in Morocco. Bey participated 2022 FIBA Africa Regional Youth Camp and was selected for the FIBA Young Coach program in 2015.
- Ruth Bibeyi (Gabon; Los Angeles Lakers) was the head coach of Espoir Basket Club (Gabon) which participated in Road to the BAL 2023. Aliaa Mahmoud (Egypt, Washington Wizards) was the assistant coach of FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2023.
Please see below for the complete list of African coaches participating in the NBA 2K25 Summer League and the NBA teams coaching staff they have joined.
|
First name |
Last name |
Country of origin |
NBA Team |
|
Mohamed Lamine |
Kriedeche |
Algeria |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
Stef |
Pare |
Burkina Faso |
Orlando Magic |
|
Francois |
Enyengue |
Cameroon |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
Victor |
Samnick |
Cameroon |
Denver Nuggets |
|
Pierrot |
Ilunga |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Toronto Raptors |
|
Emmanuel |
Mavomo |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
Ahmed |
Elgarhi |
Egypt |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
Alia |
Mahmoud |
Egypt |
Washington Wizards |
|
Ruth |
Bibeyi |
Gabon |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
Ahmed |
Salam |
Morocco |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
John |
Wilkins |
Morocco |
Phoenix Suns |
|
Sofia |
Bey |
Morocco |
Sacramento Kings |
|
Karim |
Nesba |
Morocco |
Sacramento Kings |
|
Leonel |
Manhique |
Mozambique |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
Ogoh |
Odaudu |
Nigeria |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
Mohamed |
Abdulrahman |
Nigeria |
Utah Jazz |
|
Mugisha Igor |
Keys |
Rwanda |
Boston Celtics |
|
Prosper |
Naci |
Rwanda |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
Matar |
Mbodji |
Senegal |
Chicago Bulls |
|
Goitsemang |
Ditsheko |
South Africa |
Houston Rockets |
|
Akech Wuoi Garang |
Ajak |
South Sudan |
New York Knicks |
|
Bechir |
Hadidane |
Tunisia |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
Mhamed |
Gaddour |
Tunisia |
Los Angeles Clippers |
|
Radouane |
Slimane |
Tunisia |
Miami Heat |
|
Andrew |
Senyondwa |
Uganda |
Trailblazers Portland |
BAL Season 4 Players*
Five players who played in the 2024 BAL season are set to feature in this year's Summer League: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (South Sudan; Sacramento Kings), Samkelo Cele (South Africa; New York Knicks), Obadiah Noel (USA; New York Knicks) Devine Eke (Nigeria, Milwaukee Bucks), and Makhtar Gueye (Senegal; Atlanta Hawks).
- Lual-Acuil Jr. averaged 21.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks during the last BAL season, helping Al Ahly Ly (Libya) to the 2024 BAL Finals. Lual-Acuil Jr. won the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2024 BAL Most Valuable Player and the Dikembe Mutombo Trophy as the Defensive Player of the Year. Lual-Acuil Jr. also emerged as the 2024 BAL Scoring Champion and was named to the 2024 All-BAL First Team and the All-BAL Defensive Team.
- Cele averaged 20.2 points per game and finished second in scoring in the league. He led South Africa's Cape Town Tigers to the semifinals and was named to both the 2024 All-BAL First Team and All-Defensive Team.
- Obadiah averaged 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game with Armée Patriotique Rwandaise basketball (APR; Rwanda) in the Sahara Conference last season.
- Eke registered 16.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers to third place in the last BAL season.
- Gueye represented Burundi's Dynamo Basketball Club in the inaugural Kalahari Conference last season.
- Cele and Gueye were part of the BAL Select team that featured at the 2024 Quai 54 Streetball Tournament, the world's biggest streetball tournament in Paris, France, last month.
*Rosters are subject to change.
Referees with BAL Experience
Five referees who officiated in the 2024 BAL season will also join the program, including Annie Joyce Muchenu (Zimbabwe). Muchenu became a FIBA international referee in September 2008 and was appointed to officiate at the FIBA Women's Champions Cup in Nairobi, Kenya the same year. She has since officiated at major competitions on the African continent including junior and senior tournaments but has also officiated at two All Africa Games (2011 and 2015), three FIBA U-17 World Cups, two FIBA U-19 World Cups, pre-Olympic Qualifiers and the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, and the BAL since the beginning of the competition.
Please see below the complete list of African referees:
|
NAME |
COUNTRY |
|
Oumar Sy |
Mauritania |
|
Yann Davidson |
Madagascar |
|
Annie Joyce Muchenu |
Zimbabwe |
|
Vitalis Gode |
Kenya (Referee Supervisor) |
|
Silver Houngbedji |
Benin |
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Water partnerships office to support funding for municipal infrastructure
Water partnerships office to support funding for municipal infrastructure
The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), has put in place an office to support municipalities in establishing partnerships with the private sector.
This as poor investment in water and sanitation infrastructure by municipalities is one of the biggest challenges in the water sector currently.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Madojina, said this when she tabled the department’s Budget Vote in Cape Town on Friday.
While South Africa is doing well in terms of mobilising private sector finance for investment in national water resource infrastructure, Majodina said it is not doing so well in terms of private sector financing of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure.
“Aging infrastructure, pipe leaks and lack of operation and maintenance, among others, are some of the main causes of high levels of non-revenue water in municipalities. For example, the water partnerships office is currently supporting the eThekwini, Mangaung, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane municipalities to mobilise private sector finance for the replacement of leaking municipal water distribution pipes which result in high levels of non-revenue water,” Majodina said.
She added that other focus areas include private sector investment in municipal water-reuse and desalination projects.
Water resource infrastructure agency
The Minister further announced the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, which will own all the national water resource infrastructure assets and obtain the revenue streams associated with those assets.
This will enable the agency to borrow additional funds on the strength of its balance sheet.
“The establishment of the agency will be one of the major focus areas of the department over the coming year. Parliament passed the National Water Infrastructure Agency Bill before it rose in May this year and we are expecting it to be signed by the President shortly.
“This will involve the transfer of all the national water resource infrastructure assets currently owned by the department to the agency, as well as the staff responsible for the operation and maintenance of the assets,” Majodina said.
The Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) will be merged into the National Water Infrastructure Agency, along with the water trading entity in the department, which is responsible for collecting revenue from the sale of raw or untreated water to the water boards, municipalities and industry.
“A transition plan is in place, and we aim to complete the establishment of the agency by May 2025. During this financial year, the department will be focusing on implementing the major structural changes and staff transfers associated with the establishment of this agency,” the Minister said.
The Minister shared her intentions to ensure that there is continuity of the various reforms and improvements that were initiated by the former Minister Senzo Mchunu. Many of them were mandated by the National Development Plan and the Presidency’s Operation Vulindlela. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 15:04
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Stats SA budget reinforces commitment to country development
Stats SA budget reinforces commitment to country development
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says as government commences with the work of the seventh administration and the next 30 Years of Freedom, it is important to address the challenges that still confront the country with greater performance and momentum.
“We need to continue to support Stats SA and ensure it plays a pivotal role in providing critical socio-economic data that informs decision making across government and business broadly,” Ntshavheni said.
Presenting the Stats SA Budget Vote in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ntshavheni said it is statistical data and information that will give government insight into the nation’s needs and achievements, and will help monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of government policies and programmes.
“Therefore, understanding and managing the data ecosystem is crucial for the country to harness the full potential of data, make informed decisions and adapt to evolving business landscapes,” Ntshavheni said.
Ntshavheni said this will be achieved through collaboration, partnerships and platforms and that Stats SA must continue to lead in the South African data ecosystem to ensure that the data gap is closed.
“Statistical data is indicating that our economy is three times larger and many times more inclusive and diversified than it was 30 years ago. Millions of citizens have been lifted out of poverty and employment has more than doubled.
“Despite this progress, millions remain unemployed, in particular, the youth who are caught in structural unemployment where the qualifications they possess are not relevant for the job market nor self-employment.
“For South Africa to reach its developmental goals as espoused in the National Development Plan (NDP), there is a need to use data and statistical information to not only improve the performance of government, but all of society,” Ntshavheni said.
Ntshavheni said as a government that considers itself to be located within communities and society, it will work with all sectors to secure growth, security and prosperity that all wish to enjoy in a lifetime and into the future.
“Therefore, Stats SA will be one of our key institutional assets on this quest for a better future. This asset, Stats SA, is a jewel in the crown of the capacity of the state and its rigour and integrity is globally respected.
“Stats SA itself has a productive, intergenerational mix of experience and institutional memory alongside the energy and innovation that comes with a cohort of statisticians and other professionals who were born and educated in this democratic dispensation.
“For the richness of Stats SA’s outputs, we are deeply indebted to the millions of South Africans, who trustingly and graciously share their information and time with us so we can have numerical picture of the nation as it goes about living and working,” the minister said.
Ntshavheni said Stats SA’s 2024/25 Work Programme reflects the drive to deliver the statistics that the country needs and can apply to build a better South Africa.
“Stats SA delivered the results of the first digital census to the nation in October 2023. The population census offers us the most comprehensive set of statistical information to the lowest geographic level,” she said.
The Medium‐Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for Stats SA is R2.65 billion for 2024/25, and R2.75 billion and R2.89 billion in the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years, respectively. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 09:52
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Census 2022 results are “incoherent and implausible”
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Full Circle 2024: New heights of creativity and courage
The Creative Circle, an advertising industry NPO has announced the dates for their annual Full Circle events in partnership with Ster Kinekor, official representative of Cannes Lions. Newly elected Chair of the Creative Circle, Carl Willoughby, is looking forward to bringing home the theme of “new heights of creativity and courage” that led the Cannes …