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According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), released by Statistics South Africa today, the Western Cape is now just 0.4% away from unemployment falling below 20% in the province, with unemployment sitting at 20.3% in quarter four of 2023. The publication also shows that unemployment in the Western Cape is down, on the official …
Court says judgment should be delivered within three weeks
With rising electricity costs and the growing urgency to embrace renewable energy, solar geyser systems are becoming increasingly popular. One option gaining traction in South Africa is the APEX SGS, a Cape Town-made system aiming to simplify access to solar water heating. But before you take the plunge, let’s weigh the pros and cons to …
Celebrating its second anniversary in the friendly city on Sunday 07 April 2024, all entrants of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will have the exciting chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle valued from R279 000. “We are thrilled to announce that every participant in the Absa RUN YOUR …
Relocation options unsatisfactory for many of the occupiers
But it’s four years late, says activist
Ward councillor says the move is urgently needed in order to fix sewage pipes affecting the whole area
Stillwater Sports, the team behind South Africa’s acclaimed road running series, is thrilled to reveal that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00 in 2024. Transforming the landscape of road running since its inception in 2015, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series comprises five mass participation …
Government activities for the week 19 to 23 February 2024
On Tuesday, 20 February, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and MEC Reagan Allen hand over drones to district mayors at the Huguenot Community Hall, Paarl, Western Cape. It is World Day of Social Justice 2024. Statistics South Africa releases the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results for the fourth quarter of 2023.
On Wednesday, 21 February, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana tables the Budget Speech in Parliament. It is International Tourist Guide Day 2024. It is International Mother Language Day 2024.
On Thursday, 22 February, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana will deliver a keynote address at a post-Budget Speech Analysis event hosted by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) in partnership with the Sunday Times in Cape Town. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the annual address to the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders.
Janine
Mon, 02/19/2024 - 13:42
Kyle Burns, NSRI Gordons Bay duty coxswain, said: At 14h22, Sunday, 18 March, NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at a beach next to Gordons Bay Main Beach (next to the Gordons Bay Naval Base). NSRI Gordons Bay crew responded to the NSRI Gordons Bay station …
The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers made it two out of two against the Emirates Lions and Hollywoodbets Sharks respectively in entertaining Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies in what marked their second outings against one another in as many rounds. Adding to the atmosphere at the matches, the DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks celebrated their …
The Lemons 9hr Race is set to make history in Cape Town as Africa’s largest motorsport event holds its inaugural mother city event, the Mischief Garage 9hr. Building on the success of its predecessor, the 9 & 24hr race in Johannesburg. With an impressive 76 entries to the 24hr race in Johannesburg, the Lemons series …
The underspending can be attributed to the Increase in the housing subsidy quantum. Even though this increase was widely welcomed, it was only approved at the end of March 2023 and a breakdown of the increased quantum was only provided in August 2023. This caused a delay of 5 months as we had to recalculate …
Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simonstown operations controller, said: At 12h01, Saturday, 17 February, NSRI Simonstown duty crew were alerted to eyewitness reports of a child washed into the harbour, by a wave, at Kalk Bay harbour. NSRI Simonstown duty crew responded to our NSRI Simonstown station 10 rescue base to prepare to launch rescue craft while …
President to attend opening of National House of Traditional Leaders
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the annual official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) in the National Council of Provinces chamber in Cape Town.
The event will take place in accordance with Section 33 (1) (b) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act 3 of 2019), and will mark the official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
Distinguished guests are expected to attend the event on Thursday, 22 February 2024. They include Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, and MECs responsible for Traditional Affairs, Kings and EXCO Members of Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders.
Additional guests include the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), Royal Leaders of South Africa (Rolesa), Business Sector, Religious Sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Representatives from Southern African Development Community (SADC) Countries, the National Khoi-San Council, as well as Chapter 9 Institutions. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 02/18/2024 - 12:28
Most of Cape Town’s sewage treatment works are failing, including the city’s largest one which releases effluent straight into the sea
Budget has been brought back under control, says Dr Keith Cloete
Even those who slept at the offices are not sure to be served
PRASA says it can now recover infrastructure and restore train services
President Ramaphosa hails democracy's role in uplifting youth
President Cyril Ramaphosa says individuals born after the advent of democracy embody the essence of Tintswalo, as they have gone on to record commendable achievements in their lives and careers.
The President was responding to this week’s two-day debate on his State of the Nation Address (SONA) by Members of Parliament. The SONA was delivered a week ago in Cape Town.
A number of young people, who have benefited from government over the last 30 years, were present in the National Assembly to listen to the President’s response to the debate.
READ | Tintswalo, a child of democracy
“Today I am really honoured to have a number of Tinstwalos who have come to join us. Among these young people are aeronautical engineers, pilots, civil engineers, police officers, doctors, and a naval captain. They are qualified in a number of ways, all of whom have pursued their careers with the support of government departments and entities.
In his State of the Nation Address last week, President Ramaphosa introduced South Africa to Tintswalo, a child of democracy.
He said that for millions of South Africans, Tintswalo's story resonated deeply with their own, which prompted young people to post images online of themselves in their graduation gowns or at their workplaces, saying "#IamTintswalo".
“There are countless stories of young people who were born into abject poverty, but are now engineers, doctors, teachers, managers, tourism guides and operators, and entrepreneurs, thanks to the support and opportunities provided to them under democracy.
“They have spoken not only of how democracy has improved their lives, but of their gratitude to those who fought and strived to achieve that democracy. Many have paid tribute to their parents and grandparents – and to all the generations that came before – for the struggle and sacrifice that brought down apartheid and ushered in a new era of freedom,” he said.
Responding to those who greeted Tintswalo’s story with derision, the President said that these were people who sought to diminish the achievements of democracy.
"To them, it doesn’t matter that nine out of 10 households are now living in a formal dwelling, or that a similar number has access to clean drinking water and electricity.
“To them, it doesn’t matter that more South African adults have completed matric or earned a degree, or that more learners from poor communities are achieving Bachelor passes. It doesn’t matter to these people that South Africans now have a higher life expectancy or that maternal and child health have improved dramatically.
“It doesn’t matter to them that millions of people have been lifted out of poverty through the provision of houses, land, social grants, free basic services, expanded access to health care and education and the introduction of a national minimum wage.
"All of these great achievements of human development do not matter to them, because Tintswalo doesn’t matter to them. They are prepared to dismiss all of this progress because it does not serve their narrative of a failed nation. It does not serve their political aspirations. It does not serve their narrow interests."
The President said the journey to a brighter future continues. “We have travelled far and we have achieved much, but we have much further to go. We are clear about the progress that we have made, the challenges that we face, and the actions that we must now take,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 02/16/2024 - 10:03
By Mitchan Adams, founder of Venture Builder, Aions Creative Technology In South Africa, there are more than two million small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs), which represent more than 98% of formal business, and employ 50-60% of our labour force and contribute 34% towards GDP. But – South Africa has the world’s highest failure rate …
Vincent Ntsolo, from Soweto, was just 18 when he was recruited
Citizens urged to reflect on 30 years of freedom
As South Africa marks 30 Years of Freedom, citizens have been urged to remember how far government has come in improving the lives of South Africans and undoing the damaging legacy of apartheid.
“As we mark 30 Years of Freedom, we must not exercise our reflections and recollections without remembering exactly where we’ve come from or without acknowledging what has confronted us as a society in our journey to here,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said in Cape Town.
Addressing a joint debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Wednesday, the Minister said despite the global economic meltdown of 2007 and 2008 as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, government has continued to provide economic opportunities for citizens.
“Tintswalo or the Black Diamonds as they are generally referred to or the national breadwinners as they called themselves during the COVID19 vaccination period, continue to lead the installation of digital connectivity in deep-rural KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces. They work as young black and women engineers at our power stations,” the Minister said.
She said government has also provided opportunities for young people to work side by side to create a sovereign launch capability that has allowed the country to take satellite technologies into space and they are the bedrock of the more than 10 000 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that are suppliers to the National School Nutrition Programme.
The Minister said that young people are the engineers and contractors behind the more than 750 000 km road network from 525 000 km in 1995.
“Yes, some of the provincial and municipal roads have potholes but we are intervening. Currently South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has taken over 2 600 km of roads transferred from provinces so we can use its road construction and maintenance capacity to deliver better roads and with more under consideration,” she said.
She added that in the past five-years, SANRAL has executed projects to the value of R120 billion, which translated to just under 45 000 job opportunities and the participation of almost 6500 black owned SMMEs.
“Just this January, SANRAL announced another R28 billion injection into the industry with the implementation of over 70 projects. SANRAL’s work to improve the country’s road network is complemented by Operation Valazonke aimed at closing potholes on municipal roads across all municipalities. We are aware that some municipalities are progressing faster than others,” Ntshavheni said.
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa
The Minister affirmed that work is underway to rebuild the network industries to ensure it services the country more effectively.
“Despite the teething challenges, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has restored operations on 26 out of 40 commuter rail corridors following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the criminality that vandalised our rail infrastructure.
“Of these restored service lines, 19 of them are operated with the new trains. PRASA has received 184 new trains that have been built in Nigel, Ekurhuleni. In addition, 276 Metrorail coaches have been upgraded or refurbished, 97 train stations have been refurbished, and 29 cooperatives are responsible for cleaning and basic maintenance of these stations.
“Through the capital spend, PRASA created more than 46 000 job opportunities. Even Transnet is starting to register a turn-around at its operations with the arrival of critical equipment, irrespective of the weather – those containers can be loaded and offloaded at the harbour.”
Promoting public employment
She noted that eight consecutive Quarterly Labour Force surveys have indicated an improvement in the unemployment situation in the country – with 16.7 million people in employment by the end of the third quarter of 2023 – the first to surpass the pre-COVID-19 employment levels.
“Although six million youth are now in employment, the challenge of youth unemployment like the world over remains. It is for that reason that President [Cyril] Ramaphosa led the establishment of initiatives like the Youth Employment Service (YES) in partnership with private-sector partners.
“YES has created over 130 000 work experiences for young people to date. Over 1.7 million work and livelihood opportunities for unemployed South Africans have been created through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which prioritised predominantly youth and women.”
Key achievements in the stimulus include:
“The SA Youth Mobi platform was launched, which provides pathways for young people to employment, learning and youth enterprise. To date, over 4.8 million young people have registered on the platform and more than one million have been placed in earning opportunities.
“The National Youth Service has been revitalised, offering young people opportunities to undertake work that builds the community and provides them with skills, self-confidence and work experience. Over 47 000 participants were placed in the first phase of the National Youth Service,” the Minister said.
She said all these achievements have been made possible by South Africans who consider it their duty to be part of transforming the country and undoing the damaging legacy of apartheid.
“The work done during the sixth administration and 30 years under the democratic dispensation is to ensure we leave no-one behind, despite the hand this President’s tenure was dealt,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/15/2024 - 09:12
Parliament prepares to host National Budget Speech
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will outline all the financial, economic, and social commitments that government will prioritise in its planned expenditure during the National Budget Speech next week.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and outlined national government's plans to tackle the country's energy crisis and other socio-economic challenges.
“The Budget Speech, among others, aims to balance economic growth and support for the vulnerable in our society, despite limited resources. Godongwana will provide a detailed plan for 2024 spending, including proposals for revenue collection to help fund government’s planned interventions and commitments.
"He will also introduce the Appropriation Bill and table the Division of Revenue Bill, which Parliament will process in the following months,” Parliament said on Wednesday.
The Minister will present the budget allocation for 2024 to Parliament on Wednesday, 21 February at 2pm at Cape Town City Hall.
“Godongwana’s 2024 Budget Speech will be broadcast live on Parliament’s DSTV Channel 408, livestreamed on Parliament’s website and social media platforms, including Parliament’s YouTube Channel. Parliament will also provide live feeds to interested broadcasters upon request,” Parliament said.
Parliamentary sittings are open to the media and the public.
Members of the public can follow parliamentary sittings live on Parliament TV (DSTV Channel 408), through a live stream on Parliament’s website, Parliament’s YouTube channel, and X (Twitter) page on the links below:
– SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/15/2024 - 09:32