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DP Mashatile makes his mark

Location: News

DP Mashatile makes his mark

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has cast his vote at the St Johannes Church in Kelvin, Johannesburg.

After casting his vote, the Deputy President called on all South Africans to exercise their right to make a mark.

“All I want to do is call on all South Africans to go out and exercise their right to vote. It’s a right that we all fought hard for as South Africans. [With] 30 years of democracy, we still remain a very strong democratic country and our votes will ensure that we sustain that,” he said.

Mashatile commended South Africans for observing peaceful elections thus far.

“I’m quite happy that in most parts of the country, the elections are proceeding peacefully and…we do hope that at the end of the voting process, everything would have gone well and South Africans would have exercised their rights,” Mashatile said.

Citizens doing their part

This year’s elections have seen a high number of young people registering to have their voices heard.

Some 78% of all new voter registrations were by people aged between 16 and 29.

First time voter, 27-year-old Keke Rahlao said she wants to see an improvement in the lives of South Africans.

“I went to vote because I want to see a change in the country. I want the living conditions and employment conditions to be different for the upcoming generations. I also want living conditions to be better for our mothers and fathers.

“I went to vote because I want to see a change in governance,” she said.

Another first time vote, Thuto Bodumelo, 27, said voting was an observation of his civic duty.

“As a citizen, I feel like it’s important to vote. It’s a constitutional right and it is my constitutional duty to exercise it. I feel like as someone who is clamouring for change, my vote would go a long way to improving governance and service delivery. So I just want to make that little change,” he said.

Voting stations close at 9pm, with vote counting expected to start shortly thereafter. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 05/29/2024 - 18:32

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IEC dismisses vote rigging allegations, condemns threats to officials

Location: News

IEC dismisses vote rigging allegations, condemns threats to officials

The Electoral Commission (IEC) has dismissed allegations of vote rigging made against its offices in KwaZulu-Natal and has condemned threats made against its officials.

This comes days before the National and Provincial Elections are due to be held on 29 May, with special votes expected to be administered on Monday and Tuesday.

On allegations of vote rigging, the commission noted “with great concern” videos circulating related to the allegations at its storage sites in Chesterville and Hammersdale in the province.

“We wish to clarify that the videos depict our planned logistical arrangements and storage of election materials as we prepare for the first day of special voting on 27 May 2024. These are legitimate and authorised arrangements for the distribution of ballot papers and other bulk material.

“The planned security measures were that the trucks distributing ballot papers are escorted by SAPS to the local storage site. These storage sites will then be guarded on a 24-hours basis. This arrangement would ensure that the storage sites are protected against unauthorised entry, burglary, and tempering with election materials and ensure detailed control and recording of all items in storage,” the commission said in a statement.

It further warned that no members of political parties will be allowed entry into any storage facility.

“No party will be allowed to gain entry into the warehouse premises of the commission. We instruct the leadership of MK party to immediately leave the warehouse as the commission urgently needs to finalise the distribution of election material,” the statement read.

Threats to commission officials

The IEC said that in the same province, an official was “was woken at home in the middle of the night about bulk material stored at the Baptist Church voting station in Chesterville”.

“Bulk material is voting booths, voting station signage/banners and new unfolded ballot boxes. This bulk electoral material was taken to Cato Manor police station in eThekwini, in KwaZulu Natal.

“It is part of the logistical plan for the commission to deliver bulk material to voting stations ahead of Election Day. This is meant to ensure that voting stations open on time as only security material such as ballot papers will be delivered on the day of voting,” the commission said.

Furthermore, it strongly condemned any threats towards its staff members.

“No party nor its representatives have authority to gain access to private homes of electoral staff. Worse still no party nor its representatives may take control of election material without being authorised.

“We want to assure the public that additional measures have been implemented to secure these various storage sites across the country. We confirm that the commission has possession of all election materials shown in these videos.

“This electoral material is being prepared for distribution to voting stations in time for the special votes tomorrow, 27 May 2024.

“The commission is contemplating measures against the party and the individuals involved as such obstruction to election activities should not be tolerated. This conduct violates the Code of Conduct and other electoral prescripts,” the IEC said.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation this evening at 6pm. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Sun, 05/26/2024 - 13:01

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Trailblazer and legal icon, retired Justice Yvonne Mokgoro laid to rest

Location: News

Trailblazer and legal icon, retired Justice Yvonne Mokgoro laid to rest

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the late retired Justice of the Constitutional Court, Yvonne Mokgoro, as “a champion of human rights, an outstanding jurist and an icon of gender justice”.

The President was delivering the eulogy at Mogkoro’s Special Official Funeral Category 1 held at the Bryanston Catholic Church in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Mokgoro died earlier this month following an illustrious legal career which included her appointment as South Africa’s first black female justice of the Constitutional Court in 1994 – a position she held for some 15 years.

“We gather here today to lay to rest a great South African, a champion of human rights, an outstanding jurist and an icon of gender justice.

“Through her life and through her work, Imbokodo Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was a pioneer. In so many respects, her legacy is a tribute to resilience, to principled activism and to steadfastness, no matter how great the obstacle or how difficult the climb,” he said.

Mokgoro’s appointment to the Constitutional Court in democratic South Africa was born out of dedication to the legal service over many years.

She was inspired to join the fraternity by Pan Africanist Congress leader, lawyer and anti-apartheid activist, Robert Sobukwe, who represented her following arrest due to her protesting against ill treatment of young black men by the Apartheid era police in the 1970s.

“Reaching that pinnacle was not a simple progression. It did not come easy. It was the culmination of many years of hard work.

“Her appointment to the Constitutional Court was the product of many years of both formal and self-study to better herself and to advance in her chosen profession. It was the fulfilment of a dream in which she never lost faith, even while working in a host of different jobs, as a nursing assistant, a retail salesperson and as a clerk.

“It was a progression from a successful career as a legal academic when she produced ground-breaking research on customary law. This all at a time when our jurisprudence and case law around this subject were still evolving. It was an achievement that followed decades of building a rigorous and demanding career,” President Ramaphosa said.

According to the President, Mokgoro’s life as a black woman and living under apartheid and then democracy is a reflection of the lives of many black women in South Africa.

“The life of Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was the life of untold numbers of black women in this country under apartheid, who bore the triple burden of race, class and gender. She sought to carve a path for herself at a time when the odds were stacked heavily against women, and against black women in particular.

“And yet she went forth with courage, with determination, and with the humility that was her trademark. It is because she understood these struggles so keenly, because she had experienced them first-hand, that Justice Mokgoro was such a passionate and ardent advocate for gender justice,” he said.

Champion for social justice

This, according to the President, triggered the “humanism and commitment to social justice” that she brought to the bench and even after she retired.

This was reflected in her work in South Africa and abroad.

“Between 2016 and 2020, Justice Mokgoro chaired the [United Nations] Internal Justice Council, which is tasked with ensuring independence, professionalism and accountability in the administration of the justice system of the UN.

“In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in the United States in 2020, which gave birth to the global Black Lives Matter movement, the UN Human Rights Council set up an Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law-Enforcement. Justice Mokgoro was appointed as its first chair.

“As South Africa we are immensely proud that our jurists are held in such high regard internationally on matters of human rights, racial discrimination and gender justice,” President Ramaphosa said.

Turning to Mokgoro’s family, the President said South Africans “we share in your sorrow”.

“May you be comforted by the knowledge that Justice Mokgoro’s life and works continue to inspire and to guide.

“May we all have her courage. May we all have her resilience. May we all, in reflecting on her legacy, be reminded of our duty to help build a South Africa of true equality, of freedom and of human rights,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Thu, 05/23/2024 - 13:39

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MDDA partners with media for elections training

Location: News

MDDA partners with media for elections training

In preparation for the 2024 National Elections, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has collaborated with the Electoral Commission (IEC) for the past year to implement a training programme for the community media sector to improve their coverage of the elections.

Through this partnership, the sector has been taken through the legislative amendments (Electoral Act), the Electoral Code of Conduct, prohibited conduct and applicable penalties, and free and fair elections.   

“For the first time since the first democratic elections in 1994, voters will have a wider range of options in terms of the individuals or political parties they want to elect for the National and Provincial Elections.

“As a result of amendments to legislation governing elections, voters will only be able to vote anywhere after notifying the IEC of the intent to such. Failing such notification, voters will only vote where they are registered,” the MDDA said on Monday.

Furthermore, voters will be faced with three ballots instead of the two as was done in previous elections. Independents may now contest National and Provincial Elections.

“Elections are a critical part of democracy. They give power to voters to choose their leaders and hold them answerable for their performance and level of service in office. Further, elections enable people through voting the opportunity to express their views on current issues as well as their frustrations towards leaders who may be failing them.

“However, to vote efficiently and choose a party or leadership that will enable the fulfilment of an equitable society, voters need to know where candidates and parties stand on public policy issues,” MDDA Chief Executive Officer Shoeshoe Qhu said.

With only three weeks left until Elections Day, the Agency is hosting its final leg of the elections capacity-building programme.

They will be conducting elections readiness sessions starting on 17th of May with an online session focusing on IEC legislative amendments and announcements, followed by a roundtable discussion on the 20th May 2024 unpacking the importance of safety on election day, the role of the church in politics and the impact of political party messaging.

The series of events will end with a full day workshop on focusing on fact checking, verification and the impact of generative AI on journalistic content training session on 22 May 2024.

The elections will take place on Wednesday, 29 May 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle
Mon, 05/13/2024 - 10:46

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Winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy Announced During Opening Session of Milken Institute Global Conference

Location: Business
The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program

Prize program awards Aftrak the $1 million Grand Prize to advance green energy in Africa; OMNIVAT awarded runner-up prize of $250,000; The organisations also launch a new FinTech Award in the next installation of the Prize program; winners will be selected in May 2025.

The Milken Institute (https://apo-opa.co/44yU0nF) and the Motsepe Foundation today announced the winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy, a $2 million innovation competition to reward entrepreneurs working to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable off-grid electricity in Africa. The winners were announced at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.

Aftrak (https://apo-opa.co/4bKg4OT), an initiative based out of the UK and Malawi, was awarded the $1 million Grand Prize for its easily assembled solar microgrid and custom-designed tractors, which have tripled agricultural yield, increased farmer incomes, and provided electricity to remote communities. The runner-up award of $250,000 was presented to South Africa-based OMNIVAT (www.OMNIVAT.Tech) for its containerized electricity generation and storage system, which provides clean water, clean energy, and Wi-Fi enriched by virtual reality support for remote communities.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy is the second in the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a series of multiyear, multimillion-dollar global innovation competitions and awards aimed at advancing technological progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first competition in this program, the Milken–Motsepe Prize in AgriTech, was launched in 2021, and focused on addressing the goals of no poverty and achieving zero hunger. 

Rigorous Judging Process

After launching in November 2022, hundreds of entrepreneurs from 79 countries on six continents registered to compete for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy, and 160 of those submitted technological design and business models. In June 2023, an independent panel of expert judges carefully selected 20 semi-finalists to receive $20,000 to develop and test their innovations.

Each of the teams underwent a rigorous, independent judging process, which assessed their innovation's potential to deliver 60 kilowatt hours of off-grid electricity in a 24-hour period using only sustainable sources. Five teams were then chosen to advance to the Finalist Round. Each team received an additional $70,000 and showcased their innovations in a live demonstration in partnership with Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

“Meeting the teams and witnessing their work and determination to solve one of the biggest challenges facing Africa was truly inspiring,” said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. “We congratulate the Green Energy winners and all the finalists. Your innovations show such promise, and we will be watching with pride as you bring your technologies to market.”

The third Milken-Motsepe Prize, focused on FinTech, launched at the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference. The prize will award companies that demonstrate the use of cutting-edge technologies to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech offers $2 million in prizes, with a $1 million Grand Prize for the winning company. Registration is open until August 6.

The transformative potential of FinTech lies in its capacity to empower individuals to start and grow a business, even in the most remote communities. By lowering transaction costs, streamlining processes, and expanding access to capital and financial services, FinTech can enable aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech is designed to leverage the potential of FinTech solutions to break down barriers to financial inclusion and contribute to the achievement of key SDGs, including alleviating poverty (SDG 1), promoting human well-being (SDGs 3 and 4), achieving gender equality (SDG 5), and fostering viable economic opportunities for young people (SDGs 8 and 9).

Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Impact

“The impact of Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prizes goes well beyond the financial awards,” said Dr. Emily Musil Church, senior director, environmental and social innovation at the Milken Institute. “This is a global community of entrepreneurs who believe in imagining and building a better, more abundant, and sustainable world. Our role is to identify and support these bold entrepreneurs and to help accelerate their success.”

The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program is a program of MI Philanthropy (https://apo-opa.co/3JSwhFM), which aims to influence the deployment of philanthropic capital to create a better world. MI Philanthropy's work includes the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC), which has, to date, influenced more than $2 billion in medical research funding. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.

For more information about the winners and the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, visit https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/.

Notes to Editors:
For further information or to request interviews with the winners, please send requests or queries to the media contact below.

Media Contact: 
Ima Peter 
+27 11 268 6388
ima.peter@razorpr.co.za

About the Milken Institute:  
The Milken Institute is a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit https://MilkenInstitute.org. 

About the Motsepe Foundation: 
The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute towards eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed and marginalised people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Patrice Motsepe and Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife committed to give half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond. 

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The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program
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IEC invites citizens to pray for peaceful elections

Location: News

IEC invites citizens to pray for peaceful elections

The Electoral Commission (IEC) will today participate in a National Day of Prayer ahead of the 29 May 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

Organised by the South African Council of Churches (SACC), the IEC has called on citizens to join the prayer service that will take place on Sunday, 5 May 2024, at Grace Bible Church in Soweto, Johannesburg. 

The commission said the event is part of the ongoing partnership with different sectors of society to ensure a successful Election Day.

“The service calls for a powerful moment of unity and prayer as we seek divine guidance for peaceful and safe elections,” the SACC said. 

SACC Acting General-Secretary, Reverend Mzwandile Molo, said told the SABC that the council has committed to working hard to make sure the country’s elections are done peacefully and in a non-intimidatory manner since 1994.

“So, if there’s anybody who incites violence, that person needs all of us to ask them to refrain from that because the scars of violence that is caused by politics are too deep and they have not healed right now. We all want to make sure that we do not remind ourselves of the violence of the past,” said Molo. 

The SACC is an association of affiliated Christian churches and organisations that come together in action for social justice.

As an instrument and servant of its members, the council said it was committed to expressing, through proclamation and programmes, the united witness of the church in South Africa, especially in matters of national debate.

“Let’s come together as one nation in prayer,” the SACC added.

For citizens who cannot be there physically, the service will be streamed live on the SACC Facebook page from 2pm or they can tune in to Radio Pulpit or Radiokansel. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:35

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