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South Africa’s largest Women’s Day celebration, the Totalsports Women’s Race, will triple the excitement in 2024 with the iconic event being celebrated in three major cities on three separate dates in the month of August. The festivities will begin in Durban on Sunday, August 4th, followed by Cape Town on Friday, August 9th, before culminating …
The following speech was delivered today by the Leader of the Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen during an address to the Cape Town Press Club: Ladies and gentlemen, It is an honour to be back at the Cape Town Press Club. The last time I spoke at the august institution, was at the end of 2020. …
For the First time in South Africa! One of the world’s most celebrated illusionists, Rob Lake will be in Cape Town with his internationally acclaimed show, “The Magic of Rob Lake” at Grand Arena, GrandWest on Saturday, 5 October and Sunday, 6 October 2024. Thereafter the show moves to Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg from Wednesday, 9 …
The leadership structure at Western Province Rugby has been refreshed with the appointment of Johan le Roux as Chief Executive Officer and John Dobson as Director of Rugby. Following the conclusion of the recent equity deal, which saw the Red Disa Consortium secure a controlling shareholding last week, there has been swift and decisive action …
Higher Education deregisters four private institutions
The Department of Higher Education and Training has cancelled the registration of four Educor institutions after failing to submit proof of their financial viability to the department.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, announced the deregistration of City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd, Icesa City Campus (Pty) Ltd and Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd during a media briefing held in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Nzimande said the four private institutions failed to comply with the requirements of the 2016 Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions and the applicable sections of the Higher Education Act.
The new regulations outline the application process, requirements for registration, responsibility of an institution and the appeals procedure that must be followed by individuals or entities that wish to register a private higher education institution.
Further to this, the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) is responsible for the accreditation of higher education programmes.
Nzimande said the Educor institutions failed to submit their annual financial statements and tax clearance certificates for the 2021 and 2022 years as proof of their financial viability.
According to the Minister, the four institutions were required to lodge an appeal with him on or before 26 September 2023.
“They then requested an extension to 28 February 2024, and are now seeking a further extension. In addition to failing to submit evidence of their financial viability to the department, the four Educor brands can be deemed as dysfunctional and this is mainly measured against the daily complaints and grievances received from students, most of which remain unresolved,” Nzimande said.
The complaints include poor quality of teaching and learning; lack of proper administrative support; poorly qualified staff; corruption and bribery; lack of response for requests for refunds and lack of professionalism.
The students also complained about exploitation of poor students; non-payment of staff salaries; and under-payment of staff salaries.
“These complaints extend to the other brands such as INTEC College (Pty) Ltd and Damelin Correspondence College (Pty) Ltd, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The QCTO has not been able to restore stability within these two institutions and students continue to be exploited.
“These complaints also extend to the offering of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) accredited programmes. The SETAs have not been able to restore stability with the Educor institutions and students continue to be exploited,” Nzimande said.
He said the Higher Education Quality Committee has withdrawn the accreditation of some programmes for City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd and Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd.
The Minister also accused the institutions of misrepresenting student enrolment, by submitting incorrect information, which claimed to have 50 000 learners in the system.
The 2022 annual reports indicated a total of 13 096 students enrolled; City Varsity with 540, Damelin with 4 012, Icesa with 145, and Lyceum with 8 399 enrolled students.
Nzimande announced that some of the institutions’ sites have closed suddenly after failing to pay the rent, staff salaries and/or the municipality.
These institutions include City Varsity (Pty) Ltd at Braamfontein, which closed because staff withdrew their services for non-payment of salaries and students were left stranded; and Damelin (Pty) Ltd sites at Braamfontein, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, East London, which were closed suddenly as they were in arrears with the municipality and rental, leaving students stranded.
The only site of Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd was closed due to an eviction order by the landlord for failure to pay the rent.
“On 08 January 2024, our Directorate: Registration of Private Colleges wrote to these four Educor institutions and requested them to respond to a list of allegations of corruption against them. To date, they have not responded,” Nzimande said.
As a way forward, Nzimande said Educor will be given a period in which to phase out pipeline students and Educor would have to reimburse students where it is due.
“The latest numbers of enrolled students as per the 2022 annual report is 13 096, not 50 000, as Educor claims; one challenge for students is the transfer of credits considering the RPL [Recognition of Prior Learning] and Credit Accumulation Transfer policy; and another challenge could be students repeating some modules or paying extra fees,” Nzimande said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 14:53
The Western Cape Police Ombudsman’s (WCPO) report into matters the office are investigating, indicate that between April to December 2023, it finalised 265 (86.32%) of the 307 cases. There are currently thirty (30) cases that are being investigated, eight (8) still need to be allocated, while four (4) are to be finalised. The outstanding matters …
Today, Premier Alan Winde delivered his budget vote speech for the Department of the Premier. Below is a summary of his address: It is my privilege to table the Department of the Premier’s 2024 budget, a critical component of our government’s collective efforts to keep building a province where all our residents can thrive in …
Veteran South African distance runner Elroy Gelant has set his sights on running a maiden sub-28-minute clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 7 April 2024. “My goal for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will be to run a sub-28. I’m looking forward to it. All of my training …
In an extensive search and rescue operation involving multiple resources, reaching in excess of 80 nautical miles South East of Cape Point, the DFFE Fisheries Patrol vessel Ellen Khuzwayo located and recovered the 6 missing fishermen deep sea off Cape Point. They are reportedly all in good health and not injured. At this stage we …
Increased deployments at the country's borders this Easter weekend
More Border Management Authority (BMA) resources are going to be deployed and operating times will be increased at the country’s ports of entry in anticipation of an increase in movements during the Easter long weekend.
“The BMA is compelled to properly plan and execute a deliberate plan in order to ensure smooth and secure border operations during this period,” BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said on Monday.
Briefing the media in Pretoria, Masiapato said there was a critical need for the authority to increase its deployment of resources in anticipation of increased movements at the borders, as this presents unique challenges.
“As a reminder to all the stakeholders, the BMA is mandated to facilitate and manage the legitimate movements of persons and goods across all our 52 land ports of entry, 10 international airports and nine seaports,” he said.
The facilitation of movement at the ports of entry is done across five key functional areas of immigration, port health, environmental and agricultural biosecurity, including access control and general law enforcement at the ports of entry and border law enforcement areas.
“During these facilitations, the BMA officials have to secure the ports environment against threats of illegal migration, smuggling, as well as trafficking of persons and goods.
“With this in mind, we have formulated comprehensive strategies and an operational plan to ensure that our deployments are responsive and ensure efficient port operations, with the requisite capability to deal with any security threats and/or risks, which may arise during the upcoming Easter period,” he said.
The Easter operational plan is supported by various law enforcement structure,s such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African Revenue Service (SARS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Cross Border Road Transport Agency and various traffic authorities.
“Since our establishment, the BMA has intensified its working relationship with the Immigration Inspectorate, which has the mandate to identify illegal migrants who are already in the country and ensure their processing for deportation to their respective countries,” Masiapato said.
He said in this Easter period, they anticipate about one million people moving through the country’s ports.
“The numbers for this year’s Easter period could escalate further as members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), one of our biggest churches in the region, is opening for the annual Easter pilgrimage to Moria for the first time since COVID-19.”
Masiapato said the BMA has engaged their counterparts in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini and Botswana, and they have agreed to extending operating hours at certain critical ports, which do not usually operate on a 24-hours basis.
The chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee on Border Management, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has approved the request to extend operating hours for selected ports.
Statistics for the 2023 Easter period showed that ports of entry, which facilitated the majority of the people were Beitbridge to Zimbabwe, Lebombo to Mozambique, Groblers Bridge to Botswana, Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg to Lesotho, OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Oshoek to Eswatini, Kopfontein to Botswana and Caledonspoort to Lesotho. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 14:47
SA-US relationship built on mutual respect and cooperation
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that the relationship between South Africa and the United States has recently received a great deal of attention due to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In his weekly newsletter, the President assured citizens that strengthening ties between the two countries was among the important issues discussed by the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, during her working visit to Washington last week, where she met with United States officials.
“The topic also featured prominently in a meeting that I had in Cape Town last month with a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress,” he wrote in his weekly letter.
He also touched on the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, which seeks to review the bilateral relationship between the two nations amid geopolitical differences that was discussed last week in the US House of Representatives’ committee.
The discussion, President Ramaphosa wrote, provides an opportunity to clarify South Africa’s positions and to correct misperceptions about the Republic's foreign policy.
“An important starting point for that discussion is that since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa has sought, through its foreign policy, to promote peace, security and development on the African continent and across the world.”
Consistent with history, he said South Africa has taken a non-aligned position in its international relations.
“We have deliberately avoided aligning our country with any of the major powers or blocs. Rather, we have sought to forge cordial relations with all countries. While we have taken a non-aligned position, we continue to pursue positions that are in keeping with the UN [United Nations] Charter.”
He emphasised that South Africa has aimed to promote an inclusive and representative global order, strengthen multilateralism, and resolve conflicts through dialogue.
“It is in pursuit of this approach that South Africa has worked to strengthen relations with countries around the world, including the US.
“Our relationship with the US is characterised by mutual respect and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue even on issues where we may differ.”
Shifting his focus to subjects such as the docking of a Russian ship in Simonstown in late 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the current conflict in Gaza, President Ramaphosa said the South African and United States governments have been able to share views in a frank and open manner.
“We have encouraged greater understanding and cooperation between ourselves as South Africa, the United States and many other countries on matters of mutual interest.”
Gaza
On the conflict in Gaza, the President acknowledged that this area has been “contentious”.
“One of the areas of contention on which there has been much commentary, as well as much misinformation, is the position that South Africa has taken on the conflict in Gaza.”
This follows a case that South Africa brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where the country argued that the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza violate international law and actions prohibited under the Genocide Convention, to which South Africa, Israel and many other countries are signatories.
“We have always supported the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians to self-determination and statehood, and of the state of Israel to peace and security.”
In the same breath, he said South Africa has condemned the “atrocities” committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians on 7 October last year and called for the release of hostages.
“We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the urgent provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and meaningful negotiations towards a lasting solution.
“These are positions that are increasingly being taken up by more and more countries around the world. The suggestion that the position we have taken on the conflict could lead to a deterioration of our relations with the United States is therefore unfounded,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said South Africa has strong economic, political and social ties with the United States and over the last three decades, the two nations continue to have a mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship.
HIV
He also expressed his gratitude to America for supporting South Africa in its fight against HIV and AIDS.
“The PEPFAR [US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief] programme has contributed significantly – and continues to contribute – to the remarkable progress we have made to deal with AIDS.”
Investment
On investments, President Ramaphosa said South Africa is home to more than 600 American companies and that the United States is the second largest destination for South African exports.
He also highlighted the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants qualifying African countries duty-free access to the United States market for their exports.
He said the recent AGOA forum held in Sandton last year confirmed its value to Africa’s industrialisation and integration and the diversification of its economies.
President Ramaphosa also welcomed the United States participation in the Just Energy Transition partnership alongside a growing number of other countries.
“There is great potential to further develop our relationship with the United States and to find ways to work together for a more peaceful, stable and just world.
“South Africa will continue to seek firm and friendly relations with countries around the world in pursuit of a better world,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 14:04
A teacher at Vergenoegd Primary in Delft, Cape Town, says they discovered that the bursar office missed payments from August 2023
An extensive search operation is ongoing for 6 adult male fishermen, believed to be from Hout Bay and from Hawston, who remain overdue and missing at sea onboard a grey Ballistic 7.8 meter RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) name “Berta Fishing Experience”. The NSRI are appealing to the maritime community to be on the lookout …
March comes as US admits Palestinians are facing “acute food insecurity”
25 cyclists from the Nedbank Sports Trust Cycling Development Programme completed the 109 km CTCT, which is far more than an epic challenge for cyclists. For them, it’s about changing lives in communities beset by gangsterism, crime, violence, and teenage pregnancies. ‘The pride on their faces at the end of the race was the greatest …
Premier Alan Winde undertook a community outreach programme in Caledon to mark Human Rights Day. Safety is a fundamental right enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution and so the Premier visited the Caledon Fire Station to express his gratitude to firefighters who often risk their lives and personal safety to help others. He stated, “It is …
SCOPA hears of the substantial obstacles blocking the reopening of Cape Town’s Central Line
Employment programmes make a difference
The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) have made a difference in the lives of the 1.7 million people reached through the two programmes.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was addressing the National Assembly during the Questions for Oral Reply session held in the house on Tuesday.
“Between October 2020 and December 2023, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created work and livelihood opportunities for over 1.7 million people. Of the participants in the various programmes, 65% are women and 85% are young people.
“The Presidential Employment Stimulus and the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention have made a real difference in the lives of millions of young people,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said although the PES has “built an institutional architecture that is able to scale rapidly”, fiscal constraints have slowed its ability to expand although it has been expanded to March next year.
“The focus in the coming year is therefore on taking the quality of outcomes to the next level, focusing on enhancing the work experience for participants as well as on the quality of the social value they create for communities.
“This includes skills development – both ‘soft’ skills derived from work experience as well as more formal skills development,” he said.
The PYEI initiative was announced in 2020, and in February 2024, the President held a presidential youth engagement in Cape Town reflecting on the three years since the initiation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and PYEI.
Honing in further on skills development on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa highlighted that government driven programmes such as the Social Employment Fund and the Basic Education Employment Initiative also serve the same skills development objective in different ways.
“The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention’s approach to skills development focuses on demand-led skilling, which is about increasing the relevance and delivery of interventions that address current skills gaps and emerging needs.
“To take forward this work, the Department of Higher Education and Training, with the support of the Presidency, has established demand-led skilling workstreams in priority growth sectors. This is to ensure that skilling interventions respond to demand and encourage inclusive hiring for young people and marginalised communities.
“The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, in partnership with the National Skills Fund, has also launched [the] Jobs Boost, a R300 million outcomes fund that will fund implementing organisations to skill 4 500 marginalised young people and place them in sustainable, quality job[s],” he said.
President Ramaphosa said the work done through these initiatives has “established a firm foundation for these initiatives to make an even greater contribution to addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality in our country”. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 03/20/2024 - 09:26
On the enchanting evening of 19 March 2024, the opulence of South African luxury hospitality took centre stage as the winners of the inaugural Jonsson Workwear Luxe Travel Awards were unveiled. Amidst the splendid ambiance of SIBA the Restaurant in Cape Town, 100 luminaries from the world of luxury hospitality congregated to celebrate the pinnacle …
The WC Government today launched their latest domestic tourism campaign, powered by Wesgro, the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) trade, investment, and tourism promotion agency. The ‘With Love from the Locals’ campaign features some of the province’s iconic local personalities to entice fellow South Africans to explore all parts of the Western Cape. “Our domestic market …
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 20 March 2024 – Cape Town’s skyline is reaching new heights as The Rubik, a dazzling luxury apartment complex in the heart of the CBD, has reached the peak of its vertical ascent. With 27 levels of premium living and commercial spaces, The Rubik’s modern glass exterior promises residents and businesses …
OUTA-PMG-OpenUp parliamentary event On 19 March 2024, a diverse assembly of stakeholders convened in Cape Town around the theme “Setting the Scene: Stakeholders Convene on Parliamentary Matters”, including members of civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, current and potential future Members of Parliament, and other parliamentary officials. This one-day event, hosted by the Organisation Undoing Tax …
Discover romantic date night packages, great value family escapes, unforgettable dining experiences, or the perfect place for after-work drinks with Southern Sun’s selection of specials and packages. Try something new, explore our country’s hidden gems, and enjoy the best Mzansi has to offer. Cape Town Carnival: The Year’s Biggest Street Party Local is Lekker, step …
The Red Disa Consortium has this week concluded its equity deal to secure a controlling shareholding in WP Professional Rugby (Pty) Ltd. Following a majority vote in favour of the deal by the clubs that constitute the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) General Council in August and approval by the South African Competition Commission …