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Energy Law involves the regulation of, and transactions within, the energy sector from its procurement to its generation and distribution, and includes the ancillary commercial and financing-related agreements required for the smooth operation of the process. Who is the regulator of the energy industry in South Africa In South Africa, the regulation of the electricity …
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NSFAS improves data exchange processes
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is improving its data exchange processes with institutions to ensure seamless data integration and the registration of students onto its new direct payment systems.
Giving an update on the disbursements for October, NSFAS said it has successfully disbursed allowances to 143 423 beneficiaries at Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, with a total amount of R681 051 078.
The scheme reiterated that it continues to review all its processes, operations and its disbursement model.
“Tuition and allowances disbursement for university students were initiated on 25 October. However, there was a delay in payments of allowances at some universities which did not finalise their university reconciliation, which is very critical information to ensure that NSFAS disburses allowances correctly to the institutions for tuition and living allowances to students.
“This is an important measure to ensure that NSFAS accounts for each and every disbursement it makes to properly account for using public money. It is also important to note that NSFAS is working with all institutions to improve its data management systems to ensure that allowances are paid on time to all beneficiaries,” it said.
To date, the total tuition disbursements to all universities amounts to R1 602 289 873, and the scheme is currently engaged in the process of doing mop up payments for universities where there were exceptions.
Appeal process
On the appeal process, the scheme said this process is almost at the final stage for university students who submitted their appeals.
However, the scheme noted that the appeals process is a continuous process for TVET beneficiaries, because of the alignment of their academic year which differs from the universities’ academic year.
A total of 1.3 million students are currently funded for the 2023 academic year, following an unprecedented surge in the number of applications received.
“The entity has been working tirelessly to ensure that it improves on its processes for applications and ensuring quick turnaround times on funding decisions,” NSFAS said.
Crisis
Meanwhile, the scheme has refuted the South Africa Union of Students (SAUS) allegations that it is in a crisis.
“The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is not in a crisis; it is however an organisation which is in a process of realignment and modernisation to meet the demands of the more than one million students that it is currently serving.
“Since it’s established by government in 1999, NSFAS provided financial assistance to deserving beneficiaries who qualify for post school education and training. As a scheme, NSFAS represents one of the most progressive efforts by the government to systematically break the legacies of inter-generational social inequality in access to and outcomes of, post school education and training.”
Since 1991, NSFAS funding has grown from disbursing R21.4 million to almost R50 billon to fund children of the working class and the poor seeking to further their studies in public universities and TVET colleges. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 11/13/2023 - 11:40
The Springboks have won the Rugby World Cup for a historic fourth time, breaking the world record as the team to win the most World Cup tournaments ever. Following the teamâs victory tour around the country, Nielsen Sports SA TV viewership insights note another victory for the national team â and rugby in general â …
KZN positions to become a technological hub
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is accelerating efforts to roll out broadband across the province in order to ensure universal connectivity, and position the province as a technological hub.
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Speaking at the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Summit, currently underway at the Durban Exhibition Centre, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said as part of KwaZulu-Natal Digital Transformation Strategy, the province aims to deliver a citizen-centric plan which guides the leap to a digitally transformed society.Â
âOur strategy is awake to the reality that the province is currently only 27% connected and we have identified the need to accelerate the connectivity of the entire province. Among others, our Digital Transformation Strategy will aid government-to-government interaction across spheres, government-to-citizen interaction, and government-to-business interaction,â Dube-Ncube said.
Held from 09-10 November 2023, the summit brings together digital experts, including stakeholders and representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss and demonstrate the role of technology in improving operations, processes and service delivery for the benefit of the communities in KwaZulu-Natal.
The summit, which is hosted jointly with Vodacom Business and provincial government, is a unique platform for ICT experts, private sector and government leaders to engage and explore cutting-edge technology solutions designed to transform the business landscape.
Themed âMoving KZN Towards a Smart Provinceâ, the summit focuses on turning KwaZulu-Natal into a smart and technology connected province, which leaves no one behind.
Dube-Ncube highlighted that the province is hard at work, and currently rolling out Wi-Fi hotspots and Digi-centres in townships and rural centres, including libraries, schools, health youth zones, and community service centres.Â
Work done by the Office of the Premier includes the roll-out of a series of 4IR activations to install Wi-Fi hotspots that will enable schools and citizens to access internet as well as the training of 3 875 youth in four activated districts covering 16 areas.Â
âDigital hubs were installed at the schools to enable the learners to have access to equipment [and] teachers were also trained in data science to include in their schoolâs curriculum, to ensure the learners will be trained on areas of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
âAll 164 provincial libraries have Wi-Fi connectivity and all hospitals and clinics are connected,â Dube-Ncube said.Â
The Premier emphasised the importance of building broadband infrastructure together with the private sector to improve the status of connectivity in the province.
âPartnerships between private and public sector are central and mutually beneficial. We welcome and appreciate the role that the private sector is playing in supporting our vision of positioning KwaZulu-Natal as a Smart Province,â Dube-Ncube said.
Vodacom Business has been working with the government on several connectivity solutions to help the province achieve its universal connectivity targets.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transport is in discussions with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to investigate the implementation of an online registration system, which will be piloted in the uMgungundlovu and eThekwini Districts.
The provincial Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has to date, spent almost R8.6 million in rolling out digital centres across the province. â SAnews.gov.za
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GabiK
Fri, 11/10/2023 - 10:54
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Two innovative products of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) won prizes at the fifth annual GEO SDG Awards, which recognize institutions, organizations and countries that are applying geospatial and Earth observation techniques and innovations towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
FAO won the SDG Custodian Agency Prize for the pathbreaking WaPOR portal, which monitors land and water productivity by remote sensing, and also shared the prize for Statistical-Geospatial Integration for its work with the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics in developing a rapid method of monitoring land cover and ecosystems, key components of SDG 15.
The prizes were organized by Earth Observations for the Sustainable Development Goals (EO4SDG Initiative under the auspices of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) at an award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa. The jury comprised a set of experts from different countries and sectors whose selection criteria were the overall impact, quality and soundness of the Earth observation endeavours and their potential for replication and upscaling.
GEO is a partnership of more than 100 national governments and even more participating organizations, representing researchers, data providers and businesses, that advocates for the use of coordinated, comprehensive and sustained geospatial monitoring to support decisions and actions that benefit mankind. GEO coordinates a “system of systems” that includes more than 400 million open-data resources from an array of providers including NASA and the European Space Agency as week as commercial actors.
“We are delighted at the impact and recognition of our innovative geospatial efforts and committed to intensifying this area of activity,” said Lifeng Li, Director of FAO's Land and Water Division.
The winners
WaPOR, formally “Water Productivity through Open access of Remotely sensed derived data”, offers open access to a near real-time database that uses satellite data to monitor agricultural water productivity at various scales.
Rolled out in 2017, it has recently been expanded to encompass the entire globe, and its granularity deepened to the point of measuring evapotranspiration rates on land surfaces as small as 20 meters. These traits help assess exactly when and how much waters crops need, allowing farmers to boost their water-use efficiency and contribute to SDG6.4.1, of which FAO is the custodial agency.
The GEO Award for Statistical-Geospatial Integration was given to the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and FAO Lesotho for developing a way rapidly to compute the Mountain Green Cover Index at the national level.
The solution uses EOSTAT data disaggregated by elevation zones using Sentinel-2 land cover data. It has proven a game changer, filling pertinent data and gaps, offering significant cost savings on field survey activities, and allowing Lesotho to update its figures for reporting on SDG 15.4.2, which had been stalled for almost a decade.
The approach has also integrated data to identify hotspots of vegetation degradation, monitor the impact of land restoration projects and assess the impact of climate change on ecosystems around the country, further increasing Lesotho's national capacity to produce reliable SDG indicators as well as monitor ecosystem health and landscape trends.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
SARS receives 7 million personal income tax returns
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has received seven million non-provisional returns from compliant taxpayers, who have fulfilled their legal obligations by filing their personal income tax (PIT) returns by the end of the Filing Season.
SARS has received a total of seven million returns from non-provisional taxpayers, compared to six million last year.
SARS said 88% of returns were processed online via the eFiling and MobiApp platforms; 93% of returns were processed in five seconds; 79% of refunds were processed in 72 hours, and more than R29 billion has already been paid in refunds.
SARS has also thanked taxpayers who made outstanding payments that were due.
“SARS Auto-Assessment is also gaining traction with four million taxpayers receiving assessments already calculated in the current year, up from three million the previous year.
“The rapid development of data science, algorithms, machine learning and the various third-party data sources has enabled SARS to provide taxpayers with a smooth and seamless service experience.
“While these digital platforms have been used to give the best service to compliant taxpayers, it has also allowed SARS to identify categories of non-compliant taxpayers,” SARS said on Tuesday.
SARS has seen an increase in the levels of compliance; however, it remains concerned about non-compliant taxpayers who have not submitted a return as required.
SARS has identified the following in relation to non-compliant taxpayers:
“Non-compliant taxpayers are reminded that they do face legal consequences for failing to register, file a return and/or make payments where applicable.
“These taxpayers are urged to regularise their tax matters as a matter of urgency and are encouraged to approach the Voluntary Disclosure (VDP) unit before SARS contacts them.
“If such a taxpayer’s VDP application reaches SARS after SARS has contacted them, the VDP option falls away and their applications will not be accepted. SARS is willing and ready to assist taxpayers who want to be compliant. Where taxpayers wilfully and intentionally ignore their legal obligations, SARS will act sternly,” SARS said.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter expressed his appreciation to compliant taxpayers who have discharged their legal obligations.
“Some taxpayers are intentionally non-compliant by making false declarations to SARS or plainly ignoring their legal obligations. Those who engage in such conduct must know that what they are doing is in fact not only a civil offence, but also a criminal offence, which will be met with the proportionate response. The courts have confirmed that SARS is acting lawfully by confronting non-compliance,” Kieswetter said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 09:27
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Correctional Services has 12 months to revise the current policy
South Africans play a greater role in becoming scam victims than they care to admit The South African fraud landscape is becoming increasingly risky as fraudsters and scammers look to target individuals with highly sophisticated scams in an environment where it is becoming increasingly difficult for lawmakers and authorities to bring these criminals to justice. …
“We want people to have a say in decisions that affect their lives, and you are in that equation, contributing to ensure that we advance the agenda and amplify the voices of citizens on the continent,” Afrobarometer (https://www.Afrobarometer.org/) CEO Joseph Asunka told participants in the network's summer school on Monday in Pretoria, South Africa.
“The contributions that you make to publications will be helpful in making sure that we take our data and analysis to new audiences, driven by new actors like yourselves,” Asunka added in his video message.
The summer school is Afrobarometer's flagship capacity building event, aimed at equipping African scholars with solid skills in research design, survey methodology, and the use of social statistics as part of a broader effort to strengthen research capacity on the continent.
Over the next three weeks, Afrobarometer will be hosting the free training programme in collaboration with the University of Pretoria's Future Africa, a pan-African research institute pioneering approaches to research and innovation on the continent and beyond. At the end of the summer school, participants are expected to produce a research paper.
Describing the summer school, Capacity Building Manager Thomas Isbell said, “One of the core objectives of Afrobarometer is to strengthen capacity for survey research, analysis, and communication on the African continent. In a world that is increasingly dependent on credible data, these skills are needed more than ever to ensure that this work continues to be for Africans and by Africans.”
The 18 participants – 50% women – represent 11 countries: Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This year's summer school marked the introduction of an online component to allow participants to build their research skills and understanding of Afrobarometer prior to arriving on campus.
“You are the pioneers of this new model, and I hope that you will set a good example and a good bar for future iterations of the programme,” Asunka said.
Reflecting on the importance of summer school, Adivhaho Florence Ramaite, research officer at the Institute for Security Studies and a 2023 summer school participant, noted, “Afrobarometer aims to be the voice of the people. As researchers, it's crucial we grasp and effectively communicate these findings to policy makers, policy advocates, and NGOs for the promotion of the well-being of Africans.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.
For more information, please contact:
Asafika Mpako
Afrobarometer communications coordinator for Southern Africa
Email: ampako@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +27 83979 8299
Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org
Follow us on:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3jYM2la
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Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org
Follow our releases on #VoicesAfrica.
About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of more than 370,000+ interviews in 42 countries, representing the views of 75% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent's data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website (https://www.Afrobarometer.org) and may be analysed free of charge using AB's online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.info/3lVrwlT).
About Future Africa at the University of Pretoria:
The University of Pretoria established the Future Africa initiative as a platform to develop leadership in transdisciplinary research in Africa. Future Africa is a hub for African and global research networks to address the challenges that hamper transformation toward a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future in Africa.
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Real estate choices have a material impact on achieving ESG goals, particularly climate change reduction, according to leading provider of corporate real estate services in Africa, Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL. With buildings known to have one of the highest impacts on carbon emissions, the real estate industry plays a pivotal role in addressing compliance, …
MetPac-SA, a global leader in metal packaging solutions, is thrilled to announce the remarkable success of its fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place recently. This virtual event was attended by key stakeholders, board members and partners, marking a significant milestone in the association’s journey towards sustainability and excellence. The AGM served as a …
SA recalls diplomats in Israel for consultation
Cabinet has decided to recall all South African diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultation.
“Cabinet is disappointed by the refusal of the Israeli government to respect international law and its continued undermining of the United Nations resolutions for the implementation of a ceasefire with impunity,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Monday.
Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria, Ntshavheni said the humanitarian corridors for the people of Palestine remain closed, with dire consequences for children, women and innocent civilians.
“The genocidal airstrikes by the government of Israel on the people of Palestine continue, with a rising death toll that includes women and children.
“In the last two days, the world has sat helplessly and watched as intensifying airstrikes on Gaza and the West Bank have destroyed schools, health facilities, ambulances and civilian infrastructure, and supposedly safe roads travelling to the South of Gaza,” the Minister said.
"For these, the Cabinet has decided to recall all South African diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultation."
According to the latest data, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said at least 9 227 Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October.
Meanwhile, more than 1 400 Israelis, including settlers and soldiers, have been killed in Israel.
Cabinet also noted with disquiet the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli’s ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotsercovsky, against South Africans, the leadership of South Africa both in and outside government, including civil society, who are speaking against the holocaust being committed by the Israeli government against Palestinians.
“The disparaging remarks of Ambassador Belotsercovsky are contrasted by the statements of two former Israeli ambassadors to South Africa (Illan Baruch and Dr. Alon Liel), who have been consistent in describing the actions of their government against Palestinians as apartheid.
“The disparaging remarks against those speaking up against the atrocities and the country’s leaders make Ambassador Belotsercovsky's position more and more untenable.
“As such, Cabinet has directed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to convey the South African government displeasure with the ambassador formally through diplomatic channels,” the Minister said.
Minister Ntshavheni was briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 November. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:37
SA calls on Israel to protect civilians and fast-track repatriation as tension flares
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has once again called on Israel to adhere to its obligations under international law and protect civilians as required under the Geneva Conventions and under International Humanitarian Law.
This comes after reports from Al Jazeera suggested that Israel may delay the repatriation of nationals from countries such as South Africa, Brazil and Ireland due to these countries having called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“According to reports from the ground in Gaza, Israel is reportedly choosing countries that it considers ‘friendly’ to allow their nationals to leave first.
“Those countries such as South Africa, which Israel considers ‘unfriendly’ and which have taken a strong stance on the ongoing onslaught are being pushed to the bottom of the list. At the current slow pace at which the Israelis are approving foreign nationals, the turn for South Africans could be after 20 days," DIRCO said in a statement.
The department said it believes that it is not only foreign nationals who must be allowed to freely exit the Gaza Strip in a timely manner.
According to the latest data, the department said at least 9 227 Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October.
Meanwhile, more than 1 400 Israelis, including settlers and soldiers, have been killed in Israel.
“Over the past few days, a school, a hospital, an ambulance, and civilians on roads travelling South have been bombed.
“The bombing of the ambulance at the gate of Al-Shifa Hospital on Friday killed 15 people, injuring 16 others,” the department said.
It said the targeted air strikes on civilians fleeing South killed 14 Palestinian civilians, among them children.
“These are serious breaches of international humanitarian law and are war crimes. These actions again illustrate the need for an immediate ceasefire, as overwhelmingly voted for by members of the United Nations General Assembly.”
Meanwhile, the department said ongoing threats by Israel to bomb the Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals, where thousands of displaced civilians are sheltering, must be condemned by the international community.
“South Africa invested resources, together with its IBSA partners, India and Brazil, to build a state-of-the-art cardiothoracic unit at Al-Quds Hospital over six years ago, as Israel at the time was preventing Gazans from leaving to get medical treatment in the West Bank. Threats to bomb the hospital put this investment at risk, but more importantly, countless human lives,” DIRCO said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 11/06/2023 - 10:20
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President Ramaphosa calls for substantial lengthening of AGOA
An extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for a longer period of time can act as an instrument to entice investors to pour more resources into the African continent.
“We would like you to look at the extension or renewal of AGOA for a sufficiently lengthy period for it to act as an incentive for investors to build new factories on the African continent.
“As we were going around talking to a number of product producers, the recurring message and word I heard is ‘we can do more…if this opportunity is extended and we can build more capacity if we have certainty that yes, the period of extension will be longer’.
“Shorter periods of extension impede investment ambitions and we therefore want to see a much lengthier period of extension. The United States and Africa… are going to be here for a long time. We are here for the long haul so let us make AGOA a long haul opportunity for all of us,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening of the AGOA Forum, currently underway at Nasrec in Johannesburg.
The President reflected on the successes that have been made under AGOA for African countries.
“When excluding exports of crude oil under AGOA, the data show that the programme has substantially improved the export competitiveness of certain African products, especially textiles and apparel.
“Apparel exports from Lesotho, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Madagascar and Kenya have not only led to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs but these countries have become reliable producers for American consumers.
“Other parts of manufacturing have also seen success under AGOA. South Africa’s auto exports to the United States under AGOA have contributed to job creation in South Africa and in the auto supply chain within neighbouring countries.
“We value the relationship with the United States, the world’s largest national market, and a country with which we have relationships that go well beyond trade. The African Growth and Opportunity Act – or AGOA – has served as the cornerstone of the US-Africa commercial relationship for more than two decades,” President Ramaphosa said.
Africa on the rise
President Ramaphosa told the forum that trading has been in the DNA of Africans for thousands of years – predating colonial oppression.
“From earlier times, our forebears were already trading not only within Africa but with the rest of the world. They traded right across the continent… but they also traded with the world. Trading is part of our DNA; it is in our blood and it is this trading that we want to modernise and we look for partners to support us in this development as we modernise our trading practices and relations,” he said.
As the continent continues to modernise its trading, it is moving away from being a supplier of raw materials to a producer of ready-made consumer products.
“Africa is an important source of critical raw materials but we do not want to be defined by simply being the producers of commodities. The great industrial opportunity lies instead in the transformation of the rocks that we mine and the metal that we produce into the sophisticated industrial and consumer goods that societies across the world need.
“Gone should be the days when Africa is just seen as a source of rock, soil and dust being exported out of our continent. We now want to produce the products that are finished or near finished, which are utilised in other parts of the world. We want to earn full value for our products,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said he remains concerned about the negative effects that trade restrictions on products like steel, aluminium or citrus fruit have on AGOA utilisation rates.
“We hope that the discussions at this forum will help lay the basis for these to be addressed in future.”
The President said more targeted efforts to promote greater levels of investment can help to unlock AGOA’s opportunities.
The purpose of the forum is to discuss ways to expand trade and investment relations between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa, and the implementation of AGOA, including encouraging joint ventures between small and large businesses. - SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 11/03/2023 - 13:07
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The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org) today announced the five teams (https://apo-opa.info/3tXVKZw) advancing to the Finalist Round of the Milken–Motsepe Prize in Green Energy. Each finalist team will receive $70,000 to further develop and test their designs in a live field test demonstration in South Africa next year.
The finalist teams are:
“Access to electricity can advance industrialization across Africa and improve the standards of living for many marginalized communities,” said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. “These finalists are building innovative solutions to deliver on the promise of a sustainable future, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. We will be delighted to welcome them to South Africa for the live demonstrations next year.”
An independent panel of expert judges determined the five teams continuing to the Finalist Round based on a rigorous evaluation of real-world data.
Judges will continue to evaluate competing teams' abilities to meet the challenge of generating 60kWh of electricity in a 24-hour period by:
“These finalists have once again proven the value of the innovation competition model in driving breakthroughs,” said Emily Musil Church, PhD, senior director at the Milken Institute. “The Semifinalist Round pushed these teams to stretch their limits and build solutions that are scalable and life-changing for millions.”
To date, the competition has awarded US$750,000 to entrepreneurs testing bold ideas to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity in Africa.
In May 2024, the judges will award a US$1 million Grand Prize. A runner-up prize of US$250,000 will also be awarded. In total, the Milken–Motsepe Prize in Green Energy will award over US$2 million in prizes and additional benefits.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.
Media Contact:
Chad Clinton
+1 (202) 262-1067
cclinton@milkeninstitute.org
About the Milken Institute:
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, 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 www.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 marginalized 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.