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The real estate industry in South Africa is vast and diverse, with various professionals playing crucial roles in ensuring the market functions smoothly. One such professional is the property valuer. But what exactly does a property valuer do, and how does one become one? Let’s delve into these questions. What is a property valuer? …
Dear Editor This week, Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, told Parliament in no uncertain terms that he will refuse to obey their decision and apologise to activist Ian Cameron, for telling him to “shut up”, before having him forcibly removed from a community meeting. The actions of the Minister are nothing more than that of …
The third edition of the Street Lines Skate Tournament, presented by LW Mag and Dragon Energy Drink in association with Dickies, Garmin and GoPro, took place at the legendary Thrashers Skatepark in Pretoria over the weekend (Saturday 30 September). Olympians Boipelo Awuah (Kimberley) and Brandon Valjalo (Johannesburg) took top honours in the Women’s and Men’s …
But payments seem to be going more smoothly, at least in some places
At a Genadendal farm, nearly 500 chickens drowned, and over 50 pigs are missing
Family Caregiving calls on government to prioritise community-based care services
Traditional leaders say the land is used for Xhosa initiation rituals
The Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers kicked off the week with a visit to some of the severely damaged roads infrastructure sites on behalf of the Western Cape Government. He began the visits at the R43/ R44 interchange in Hermanus, in the Overstrand Municipality. The Executive Mayor of Overstrand Dr. Annelie Rabie accompanied the …
On Saturday new giant murals were unveiled in the historic suburb
Introduction Property valuation plays a crucial role in the real estate industry. It is the process of determining the economic value of a real estate property. Whether you’re buying a new home, selling an investment property, or even insuring your property, a proper valuation can help you make informed decisions and ensure you’re getting the …
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Services recently launched its innovative Export Certificate Office System (ECOS). The launch coincided with the Western Cape's inaugural Veterinary Week, which focused on state veterinary services' role in the agriculture sector. One such role is export facilitation.
Dr Vincent Henwood, Western Cape Department Head of the Veterinary Export Certification Office, explained that ECOS is an online electronic system which seeks to ensure compliance in South Africa's food and animal products industry.
Dr Henwood said, “The platform provides permit templates aligned with importing countries' import permits, streamlining the export process, and ensuring compliance with international standards. ECOS enables tracking of products, including animal-derived ones, back to their source farms, thus ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain.”
Speaking at the launch, the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, welcomed ECOS as an innovative platform which focused on improving the Western Cape Government's services to our customers.
Minister Meyer said, “ECOS provides the customer with a 24-hour export facilitation service which reduces the export certificate application process from days to minutes. The Western Cape currently exports 55% of South Africa's primary agricultural products. ECOS will also assist in increasing these exports to at least 60%. Exports contribute to foreign exchange earnings and a 5% increase in exports will lead to approximately 22 000 new jobs in the sector.”
“Due to the location and history of South Africa, we have an extremely diverse set of products, factories, and processes. We also have a complex food and export legislative system with different authorities (6 religious, state, and authorised signatories). This creates the possibility for synergies between authorities as they are often working on similar products and in the same locations,” continued Minister Meyer.
“In light of our endemic diseases, our rich diversity of wildlife, and our animal health system we need to have a systems approach to disease (human and animal) risk mitigation and international trade in animal products. Due to the many role-players communication and coordination is key. This is challenging in a resource-constrained environment. ECOS can help to coordinate communication and increase cooperation at food processing establishments between authorities,” added Minister Meyer.
Heidi Fourie from La Montanara (Pty) Ltd, a cheese factory in Ashton, has already been using the ECOS.
Heidi Fourie said,” As a small dairy business we do not have time to struggle to complete the significant paperwork that accompanies an export certificate application. The wait often negatively impacts product shelf life and quality. ECOS has changed this. While uploading my company's profile onto the ECOS platform was initially time-consuming, it now takes approximately five minutes to get an export certificate approved.”
Minister Meyer remarked: “We appreciate the feedback from our clients in the Western Cape, which has been invaluable in refining ECOS. Their feedback and support are crucial as we work together to revolutionize compliance, traceability, and export control in South Africa's food and animal products industry.”
Commenting on the future of ECOS, Minister Meyer said that with the support of the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, ECOS should and could be rolled out nationally.
Minister Meyer said, “This will create a comprehensive system that ensures the traceability and compliance of all relevant products on a national scale. It will also greatly enhance the smooth movement of products and reduce the administrative burden and access to veterinary certification to rural producers.”
This year's Veterinary Week ended with a visit to the Department's Veterinary Export Certification Office in Milnerton and the Spar, one of the Veterinary Export Certification Office's biggest clients, Western Cape Distribution Centre in Philippi.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
Book your tickets now to dazzle in your best 70s disco outfit and dance in the aisles to some of this iconic group’s global hits. The ultimate ABBA party is about to hit Ster-Kinekor cinemas, for two days only on 08 and 10 October. Have the time of your life when ABBA: The Movie dances …
The Springbok Women are keen to eliminate mistakes from their matches in recent weeks when they face Samoa in their final warm-up Test before the start of WXV in Hermanus on Saturday. The Bok Women played matches against the Mastercard Golden Lions Women, Kenya, the San Clemente Rhinos and the Barbarians over the last couple …
Police Deputy Minister sends condolences to slain officer's family
The Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale has sent his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of his close protector, Warrant Officer Lindela Mraqisa.
Mraqisa is among the five people that were shot and killed on Saturday evening in Gugulethu.
The member was attached to the Western Cape’s Protection and Security Service (PSS) Division and served as a close protector to Mathale since 2019.
Police have since mobilised maximum resources to trace and apprehend those behind the attack and killing of four men and a woman.
Mathale has described the late member as dedicated, humble and hardworking.
“The number of police officers killed on and off duty remains a concern for the leadership of the SAPS. We need the whole of society and government to fight this scourge.
“Mraqisa was a soft spoken, dedicated and focused police officer who was always punctual and professional in his conduct. We hope police will find and bring to book those responsible for his death. My condolences go to his family,” he said.
Police Minister General Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola will lead a delegation of senior police officers to Cape Town today where they will interact with the investigating team and also visit the bereaved family.
They will thereafter proceed to the family of another off-duty member who was found killed in Mfuleni on Sunday morning.
The 29-year-old policewoman was attached to the Samora Machel Police Station. The circumstances surrounding her death are a subject of a police investigation. One suspect has been arrested in connection with her death.
The SAPS appeals to members of the public to assist with information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of mass shooting behind bars. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:49
Fewer than half of South Africans with drug or alcohol problems access treatment
GQEBERHA: Mike Wilson, NSRI Gqeberha coxswain, said:bOn Friday, 29 September, NSRI Gqeberha STATION 6 were activated to patient evacuate a 31 year old Ukrainian seaman from a motor vessel bulk carrier off-shore in Algoa Bay. The patient was suffering a medical complaint. NSRI Gqeberha duty crew, aboard the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 6 Alpha, rendezvoused …
Stakeholders to engage on railway safety practices at conference
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will this week take centre stage at the International Rail Safety Council (IRSC) conference through the presentation of several papers on railway safety, with a key priority on the revitalisation of passenger rail in the country.
The IRSC, a forum of railway safety practitioners and professionals, is renowned for its global reach and in-depth exchange of ideas and experiences for improving rail safety globally.
“We are confident that this conference will inspire all to double their efforts in making railways safety a top priority,” PRASA Group CEO Hishaam Emeran said on Sunday.
PRASA has assumed the mantle of the main sponsor of the IRSC 2023 Annual Conference, taking place at Century City, Cape Town, from 01 – 06 October 2023, under the theme “Reshaping railways in an uncertain world.”
PRASA has expressed excitement to be collaborating with the council this year and are proud that the conference is back in South Africa.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to railway safety. Safer railways make it possible for operators to maintain this mode of transport as one of the safest and most affordable,” Emeran said.
PRASA, through its Asiphephe campaign, commits to a culture of safety across its rail network and operations.
“By sponsoring this conference, we seek to contribute to raising awareness about the importance of railway safety not only within our industry but also among the wider public. The ability to engage with industry leaders and professionals, and forge new partnerships at the event, is a positive step for PRASA as we rebuild and revitalize the passenger rail network,” the agency said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 09:19
POTCHEFSTROOM: North West Dragons’ Meeka-eel Prince scored a sublime 166 off 140 which included 15 fours and 6 maximums to ensure...
Jabaar Mohamed shines at SAFTAs
‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ TV talk show host, Jabaar Mohamed, could hardly believe it when he received news of his SAFTA nomination.
“When I got the email that I had been nominated, I was like, ‘for real? Me Jabaar, a Deaf person in the SAFTAs? Many in our society still see and treat our deafness and disability as a limit,” Mohamed told SAnews a day after being honoured with the Outstanding Person With Disability Contributor Award at the 2023 edition of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) held in Midrand, Gauteng.
The SAFTAs honour and celebrate excellence, quality and innovation in South African cinema and television.
Mohamed, the Provincial Director of DeafSA Western Cape, was nominated for the award by Cape Town TV, the station that airs ‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ (previously called the ‘Disability Show’. He has been with the channel since 2018. During COVID-19, in July 2020, the show’s name was changed to ‘Accessibility With Jabaar’.
Mohamed said in all his time doing the show, he never thought he would one day be at the SAFTAs. He ventured into the TV show because he felt marginalised because of his disability.
“Imagine feeling marginalised because of a disability that you are living with. As unfair as this sounds, it is the reality for many South Africans trying to access opportunities in an environment that doesn’t cater for their special needs.
“People with disabilities constantly have to prove their capabilities to an often prejudiced and ignorant world, leaving many of them feeling that they can’t reach their full potential.
“‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ is a talk show that confronts misconceptions about ‘disabilities and the disadvantaged’ community through informative and engaging conversations so that the broader public can see the benefits of having an inclusive society,” Mohamed said.
‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ plays a role in changing the narrative of people with disabilities by highlighting powerful universal stories that make for uplifting content.
“The show plays the role of informing members of the community about opportunities and tips on not only coping with a disability but flourishing with it.
“Guests come into the studio to discuss issues pertaining to disabilities, which also features documentary inserts, where the show gets out into the field to interact with the disability community and uncover the issues that they confront in their daily lives,” Mohamed said.
Opening up views
Mohamed said ‘Accessibility With Jabaar’ is about being open minded, and educating audiences to avoid the word "shame".
“I have been doing this from 2018 and will continue for life, where my aim is to break the barriers and open more doors... as well to train other people to be producer or TV presenter one day,” he said.
Currently, Mohamed is working as a member of the Deaf Education Task Team for the Western Cape Education Department with the DeafSA expert team, and on a committee for the Provincial Department of Health.
He is also an ambassador for the Universal Accessibility Hub. He serves on many events as Motivational Speaker, Master of Ceremonies (MC) and Guest Speaker.
Mohamed completed his BCom Public Management degree, without the South African Sign Language Interpreter (SASLI), at University of the Western Cape. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 10/01/2023 - 12:10
On Sunday, 01 October 2023 the streets of the Mother City were immersed in a sea of pink as runners and walkers from all walks of life toed the line at the much-anticipated Totalsports Women’s Race in support of PinkDrive and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What made the day even more special this year was …
Yesterday, 30 September 2023, Premier Alan Winde visited the Breede Valley to see for himself the scale of the damage caused by the recent storm and flooding. The region is among several areas devastated by the adverse weather. “Our first priority has always been the safety of all residents. We are now intensifying our humanitarian …
Cape Town / 1 October 2023 : – In a world where marketing is often seen as a mundane endeavor, Pulling Rabbits is here to change the game. Founded in 2023 amid the vibrant creative and cultural AI explosion in this innovative startup is anything but ordinary. Pulling Rabbits isn’t your typical marketing agency; it’s …
W Cape calls for caution on the roads
The MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, has called for holidaymakers to plan their travels carefully as several roads remain closed following the floods.
“It is the start of the school holidays in the Western Cape, and we are asking people to consider their plans for traveling very carefully, as several roads are still closed, have only limited lane access, or stop-go arrangements in place,” Bredell said at a briefing on Friday.
Bredell said currently, there is a stop-go arrangement on the N1 in De Doorns, which will be in place for at least three months. The N2 is closed outside Botriver; the R43 is closed in the direction towards Villiersdorp; Hemel and Aarde Road is closed towards Hermanus, and the R321 is closed from Molteno in the direction of Villiersdorp.
Updates on road closures can be viewed at: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/latest-road-closures.
“Hermanus suffered extensive damages to water supply infrastructure during the floods, and emergency services are currently supplying water with trucks and tankers for the entire community.
“If you are planning to visit, please be considerate to water trucks on the road. Please bring water along for your own needs, and it would be much appreciated if you could also bring a few litres extra for someone in the affected community,” Bredell said.
The City of Cape Town has updated its numbers of communities in need. Bredell said 21 011 people and 6 906 structures have been confirmed as impacted. Assessments are still outstanding for Covid Settlement, LA Burundi, and Strongyard in Mfuleni.
The MEC said relief efforts continue to reach rural communities still cut off due to roads being washed away.
“We are concerned about farm worker families, especially in the Breede River Municipality, and are doing everything in our power to connect and support everybody in need.”
Bredell said the severe storm has kept 16 Western Cape schools closed, down from 39 closed on Tuesday and 21 closed on Wednesday. We are pleased that the recovery effort is proceeding quickly, allowing schools to reopen successfully.
“Our officials are working with schools to ensure that all can reopen as soon as possible, and we encourage parents to keep in contact with their school for updates regarding closures.
“We thank the emergency services, our government and NGO partners, and our schools for the assistance they are rendering to our teachers, learners, and parents as we recover from this devastating storm,” said David Maynier, the Western Cape MEC for Education.
Bredell thanked Eskom for working 24/7 to rectify faults and repair damaged infrastructure caused by the severe weather.
“We know there are still problems in the system, but we were assured by Eskom that they are working as fast as possible under difficult conditions to address these outstanding problems,” Bredell said.
Local disaster centres
To stay up to date with events in your immediate area, Bredell gave out the following contact details:
Cape Winelands: 021-886-9244 / 021-8874446
Eden District: 044 805 5071
Central Karoo: 023 449 8000
West Coast: 022 433 8700
Overberg: 028 4251690
City of Cape Town: 107 landline or 021 480 7700 and 080 911 4357 (City of Cape Town Disaster Management Centre).
NGOs, including the SA Red Cross Society, Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief, and Mustadafin are providing support in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Overberg District Municipality, Breede Valley Municipality, Drakenstein, and towns in the Langeberg Municipality, such as Ashton and McGregor.
This includes support extended to agri-workers and their families:
Donation drop-off points
Donations required include blankets, water, dry and non-perishable food, baby food, toiletries and dignity packs.
If you would like to drop off donations, please feel free to contact the following SA Red Cross Society offices:
1.Wynberg Provincial Office
21 Broad Road, Wynberg
021 7975360 / 0609037473
2. Greyton
11 Pointers Weg, Heuwelkroon, Greyton
028 254 9378 / 0761335777
Charanine Cupido
3. Hermanus Office
2A Aberdeen Street,
Hermanus
072 609 8655
Angela Heslop
4. Knysna Office
25 Trotter Street, Knysna
044 382 1244
Tania Cole
- SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Sat, 09/30/2023 - 15:13
Nineteen players with Rugby World Cup experience have been included in the Springbok Women squad for WXV 2 named by interim head coach Louis Koen on Friday for the inaugural World Rugby showpiece tournament, to be played in the Western Cape next month. South Africa will face Scotland, Italy and Samoa in an intercontinental festival …