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Dlamini Zuma launches women assembly in KZN

Location: News

Dlamini Zuma launches women assembly in KZN

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Bongi Sithole-Moloi have launched the provincial Women Economic Assembly (WECONA).

WECONA is a catalyst platform for women owned/managed/led businesses/enterprises, anchored on collaboration between government, the private sector and civil society.

It is an ongoing initiative aimed at encouraging women to be economically active with the objective of bringing together the private sector, government and civil society to drive change in the economic landscape.

“Throughout the continent, women entrepreneurs are not just business leaders; they are role models. Through mentorship programs, training workshops, and community initiatives, they are nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring that the legacy of women in business continues to thrive,” Dlamini Zuma said on Thursday in Durban.

The provincial assembly is aligned with the Pillar 5 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide that calls for “the need to create more economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to abuse due to poverty, unemployment and social inequality.”

“Through WECONA, there have been transformational conversations with the industry associations and representatives to establish procurement targets to ensure [that] women-owned businesses have increased levels of participation within business value chains by advocating for the implementation of 40% preferential public procurement for women - owned businesses.

“These dialogues have led to the implementation of game-changing initiatives in several sectors, including the financial industry and automotive sectors,” the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle
Thu, 09/07/2023 - 14:27

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Government must maximise spend on education – Nzimande

Location: News

Government must maximise spend on education - Nzimande

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande says as government continues to spend a large share of its national budget on education, the challenge is to maximise the impact of this progressive investment.

The Minister was speaking at the launch of the National Plan for Post-School Education and Training (NPPSET) in Durban on Thursday.

He said the NPPSET showcases government’s continuous effort towards achieving an improved, transformed, expanded, responsive and articulated Post-School Education and Training.

“Our department of Higher Education and Training has the single largest number of entities of all the national government departments, with over 110,” Nzimande said.

South Africa’s PSET sector is one of the biggest in Africa with highly developed institutions that feature in the global arena of international education, training, research, technology development and innovation.

“We also have the single largest research infrastructure and systems on the African continent. Our National Plan for Post-School Education and Training is a roadmap for implementing the vision of the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.

“It is framed within the broader goals and priorities of the National Development Plan (NDP), which foregrounds the national efforts to address the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality, and poverty. It is an overarching instrument and a blueprint for guiding planning in our PSET sector. 

“It aligns and integrates the work that is already underway and provides a policy framework for major transformative changes government wants to bring about across the PSET system and its nexus with society and the economy,” the minister said.

Nzimande explained that the National Plan for Post School Education and Training has six goals which are the drivers for the system.

“We are bringing together institutions and traditions that have different histories and investments and propose ways of making them work together towards common goals.

“We are consolidating and building on those aspects of the system that are working well whilst also streamlining a wide range of policies, plans, and strategies currently in existence that impact on the system without reducing its diversity,” Nzimande said.

Nzimande said his department has developed an articulation Policy for the Post-School Education and Training System of South Africa in 2017.

“The policy was established to create an enabling environment to ensure that articulation occurs within and between NQF sub-frameworks, institutions work together to develop learning and work pathways and support to students as they follow their individual learning and work pathways,” the Minister said.

Nzimande added that his department conducted a comprehensive evaluation study on the implementation of the National Qualification Framework Act on how articulation was implemented by both TVET colleges and universities.

“The baseline study was also conducted to determine how articulation was practiced within and between higher education institutions. The study has identified a number of challenges in how articulation works across the entire PSET system. 

“The major challenge still remains to optimise articulation pathways between universities, TVET colleges and CET colleges and without cul-de-sacs in the system. We must also fund and properly resource articulation,” Nzimande said.

The NPPSET sets out a roadmap for implementing the vision of the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.

Having already been approved by the Minister, the NPPSET is being implemented by the department and may be viewed in conjunction with its enablers and or by-products which are the development of the Master Skills Plan, Student Funding Model, inclusive of the ‘missing middle’ and the implementation of the Labour Market Intelligence programme.

This launch provides an opportunity for the department to bring on board all stakeholders that are key in the broader implementation of the plan thereby ensuring effective implementation geared towards the realisation of the envisaged goals of the National Development Plan and other relevant policies to 2030 and beyond. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 09/07/2023 - 14:36

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RCL FOODS Young Chefs & Bakers Challenge 2023 Semi-Finalists Announced

Location: MyPR

RCL FOODS, in partnership with SA Chefs Association (SA Chefs), is proud to unveil the exceptional young culinary talents who have earned their place in the regional semi-finals of the RCL FOODS Young Chefs & Young Bakers Challenge 2023. The competition is dedicated to cultivating the careers of the country’s most promising culinary students. Selected …

Read moreRCL FOODS Young Chefs & Bakers Challenge 2023 Semi-Finalists Announced

Cele briefs on KZN political killings

Location: News

Cele briefs on KZN political killings

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Political Killings in KwaZulu-Natal has urged political parties to strengthen their internal mechanisms in order to defuse inter- and intra-tensions and instability, which may escalate and lead to political attacks and killings.

Addressing media on Wednesday following the committee’s meeting in Durban, Police Minister and IMC chairperson, Bheki Cele, said as the country gets closer to the National General Elections next year, efforts are being solidified to boost the work of the IMC, as well as investigations. 

“In enhancing the work of the task team, the IMC has resolved that there will be dedicated courts to speedily prosecute these matters,” Cele said.

The IMC -- which consists of the Ministers of State Security Agency, Defence, Justice and Correctional Services and Police -- remains committed to encouraging political tolerance by individuals and parties, whether before, during or after the election period.

Cele said through the integrated work of the task team, the IMC is committed to arresting those who use violence to settle political scores.

The task team includes the South African Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) - supported by the State Security Agency and Correctional Services, the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, and KZN Community Safety and Liaison MEC.

Progress on cases

Giving the latest developments around the investigation of politically linked violence in KZN, Cele said since 4 July 2018, a total of 321 cases have been investigated.

Cele said the cases under scrutiny by the team include 155 cases of murder; 51 attempted murder, 77 intimidation, 12 cases of conspiracy to commit murder and 26 other ad hoc cases.

“So far, the work of the task team has resulted in the arrest of 348 suspects, who have already been charged on 233 cases. Sixty-two suspects have been convicted, while 155 are going through the court processes. Seventeen arrested suspects have since died during the court processes,” Cele said.

Cele noted that firearms are the most used weapon in the majority of the attacks on councillors, office bearers and municipal officials.

He said the team has recovered 46 firearms from suspects, which are linked through ballistics to multiple political murder cases before the task team.

In a continuous effort to reduce political killings and at same time, reduce the proliferation of firearms within the province of KwaZulu-Natal and country at large, Cele said the task team is also investigating parallel cases that are not related to the task team’s mandate but are linked with politically related cases with similar suspects and ballistic analysis.

He said 85 such cases have so far been registered, and efforts to rid the streets of illegal firearms do not end here.

Over and above these parallel cases, Cele said the team continues to conduct intelligence driven operations, targeting unlicensed firearms, which has resulted in 86 cases being registered in this regard. 

“The task team is conducting intelligence driven operations targeting the possession of unlicensed firearms, which has resulted in 172 cases. Over 250 unlicensed firearms have been taken off the streets through police operations,” the Minister said.

Region stabilisation

Cele said since the implementation of an integrated multi-disciplinary investigation approach, eight of the province's 11 regions have since stabilised.

However, he said, the eThekwini Metropolitan remains an area of concern, and the focus is now on the region to bring much needed stability.

“The IMC is encouraged that interventions are in place to deal with all forms of politically related crimes, proactively and reactively in the eThekwini and in the Zululand District.”

Political killings

The investigations of the political killings revealed that the most affected political parties are the African National Congress (ANC), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and National Freedom Party (NFP), with 52 murder cases of councillors, including 31 councillors from the ANC, 14 from the IFP, and four from the NFP.

“While 52 councillors have been gunned down since 2011 to date, alarmingly 103 officials working within municipalities as political office bearers and officials in political offices were killed.

“Causative factors for these crimes are linked to intra-political conflicts, with a few cases linked to other motives, such as taxi violence, domestic related issues, business competition and traditional leadership competition, as well as family feuds.

“Murder cases that were reported before the 2016 and 2021 Local Government Elections were mainly as a result of fighting over councillors’ positions; where candidate councillors were eliminated.

“The majority of the murder cases reported after the 2016 and 2021 Local Government Elections were associated with infighting within structures and municipalities over positions,” Cele said.

High profile cases

Sentences handed down in high-profile cases include:
•    Mfanafuthi Zulu (notorious hitman): found guilty and sentenced to a total 10 years imprisonment for the murder of ANC Member Bongani Mhlongo. 
•    Kingdom Phoswa (hitman): found guilty and sentenced to a total of 18 years imprisonment for the murder of ANC Ward Councillor Njabulo Dlamini.
•    Bongekile Ngcwaba and Thuthukani Mzolo: found guilty and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each for the murder of ANC Ward Councillor Kheyelethu Mngcwaba.
•    Ntsazane Mthetiswa, Gutshana Zwelandile, Mcobhoti Aphelile and Ntsethe Bonasile (ANC members): found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment (25 years each) for the murder of EFF member Sbusiso Mbhobo.
•    Mxolisi Mzokhona Gcabashe (hitman): found guilty and sentenced to a total of 28 years for the murder of ANC Councillor Minenhle Mkhize.
•    Nkosinathi Mantengu (land grabber): found guilty and sentenced to a total of 36 years imprisonment for the murder of IFP member Philangenkosi Nkundlane and his son Bongani (on three counts).
•    Thanda Chamane (hitman): found guilty and sentenced to a total of 42 years imprisonment for the murder of IFP Councillor Mfazo Nzuza (on three counts).

– SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 09/06/2023 - 14:51

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KZN youth-owned businesses to benefit from R90m fund

Location: News

KZN youth-owned businesses to benefit from R90m fund

Fifty-nine youth-owned businesses are set to benefit from the R90 million KwaZulu-Natal Youth Empowerment Fund.

Announcing the youth businesses approved for funding during a ceremony held in Durban on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the event marks an important milestone in government’s quest to push back the frontiers of the stubbornly high rate of youth unemployment in the province.

She said moment marks the fulfilment of a pledge made during the State of the Province Address earlier this year, which was delivered under the theme, ‘Taking Decisive Action in the time of Renewal and Hope as we Rebuild a Better, Prosperous, and Resilient KwaZulu-Natal’.

The Youth Fund was established by the Office of the Premier in 2018 as part of government’s concerted efforts to crank up youth development and empowerment in the province. 

According to the fund structure, 90% of the fund received by each beneficiary is channelled to buy equipment in order to lower their cost of business, while 10% is for working capital.

Dube-Ncube said during the first phase, R60 million was disbursed to 51 youth-owned businesses. In the current phase, which was opened in July 2021, a total of 4 016 applications were received for funding. 

“Of those applications, 2 854 were disqualified for various compliance and other reasons while 1 162 were processed by the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Fund, an entity of government that is responsible for the disbursement process and management of the Youth Fund.

“A further rigorous evaluation process was undertaken, and 352 applications were shortlisted for the due diligence stage. Ultimately, site visits were conducted, which resulted in the 59 [businesses] that are today the recipients of the funding. The funding ranges from R200 000 to R2 million,” Dube-Ncube explained.

The Premier said youth-owned businesses that benefited from the current window operate in various strategic sectors, including water security, transport and logistics, farming technology, the digital economy, automotive and maritime industries.

“We could not have asked for a better present to mark the close of Women’s Month, as evidenced by the fact that 42% of the approved applicants are women. This is a significant improvement, if we consider that only 15% women applicants had benefitted previously. 

“Our goal, moving forward, is to ensure at least a 50-50 access between men-owned and women-owned businesses,” the Premier said.

The Premier said they are encouraged by the fact that there is adequate geographic spread in terms of the distribution of beneficiaries as they come from across all the districts in the province. 

She said the provincial government is decisively addressing the divide between urban and rural, the poor and affluent. They believe that all people must benefit equally from government’s interventions.

The Premier noted that the fund also approved businesses that are owned and managed by unemployed graduates and youths from professional sectors, including medical, engineering and accounting disciplines.

The Premier also announced that the new window (for R100 million funding) will be opened soon. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 09/06/2023 - 13:04

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Steyn and Khatala in the spotlight at the Absa DASH YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K

Location: MyPR

The final event in the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K, is gearing up to be an intensely competitive race with the announcement that Comrades Queen Gerda Steyn and the ever-consistent Neheng Khatala from Lesotho will both be taking to the streets of Johannesburg on National Heritage Day, …

Read moreSteyn and Khatala in the spotlight at the Absa DASH YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K

Boxer Super Rush boasts an unprecedented Prize Purse of R142K in its debut year!

Location: MyPR

The organisers of the Boxer Super Run are thrilled to reveal an unprecedented R142K prize purse for the inaugural event that is set to create a stir within Durban’s running community on Sunday, 15 October 2023. “We are excited to present a prize purse of R142K for the Elite Race at the first-ever Boxer Super …

Read moreBoxer Super Rush boasts an unprecedented Prize Purse of R142K in its debut year!

New Date announced for Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town 2023!

Location: MyPR

Stillwater Sports, the organiser of the Totalsports Women’s Race, is thrilled to announce that the Cape Town race will take place in 2023, and the exciting new event date is Sunday, 01 October! “We’re thrilled to announce that the Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town will take place in 2023, with the new date being Sunday, …

Read moreNew Date announced for Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town 2023!

Prof Jill Adler receives Lifetime Achiever Award

Location: News

Prof Jill Adler receives Lifetime Achiever Award

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has awarded Witwatersrand University’s Distinguished Professor, Jill Adler, the Lifetime Achiever Award at the 2023 NRF Awards ceremony held on Thursday in Durban.

Introduced to the NRF Awards in 2004, the Lifetime Achiever Award recognises an individual who has demonstrably made extraordinary contributions to the development of science in and for South Africa. 

These contributions, according to the NRF, must be of international standard and impact. The NRF is a government mandated research and science development agency.

Adler expressed her gratitude for the special recognition. 

“This award for me gives recognition to the importance of educational research and educational research that is grounded in the realities of our mathematics classrooms. It gives meaning to the NRF vision for science and service of society,” she said. 

Adler said the NRF has been one of the most important institutions throughout her academic journey. 

The Professor was born and raised in Johannesburg and completed a BSc in Mathematics and Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1972. 

She pursued a teaching Diploma at the University of Cape Town in 1973 before taking up a teaching post at Harold Cressy High School in Cape Town. 

In 1977, she returned to Johannesburg and joined the SACHED Trust, an educational non-government organisation (NGO) concerned with enriching the quality of education of those disadvantaged in apartheid South Africa.

She first taught mathematics to youth who were out of school following the Soweto uprising in 1976. 

“Her work at the NGO over the next 10 years enabled her to further her social justice advocacy, seeking to address the educational inequalities in South Africa by improving mathematics education through the development and evaluation of distance education courses,” the NRF said. 

At the same time, she studied for her Master of Education, graduating cum laude in 1985. 

It was in 1987 that she moved into academia, lecturing in the Department of Professional Studies at the Johannesburg College of Education for two years before moving to Wits University’s Education Department as lecturer, Head of Department and Professor. 

She was also a Chair of Mathematics Education at the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) between 2010 and 2019.

“Prof Adler completed her PhD in 1996 with a thesis that looked at the dynamics of teaching and learning mathematics in multilingual classrooms, specifically examining secondary teachers’ knowledge in this context,” said the NRF.

Her theoretical and practice-based innovations paved the way for new and transformative approaches in mathematics education, addressing two fundamental research problems. 

“The complexities and challenges of teaching and learning mathematics in multilingual classrooms, and the enhancement of professional education for mathematics teachers. The latter came to the fore in the mid-1990s with the demand for ‘upgrading’ the qualifications and teaching quality of secondary mathematics teachers in post-apartheid South Africa.” 

Working alongside a dedicated cohort of students, she spearheaded efforts to position mathematics education as a robust research domain within the university, and more broadly in the country. 

In 2005, Adler led the renowned Marang Centre for Mathematics and Science Education at Wits University. 

The centre quickly gained a reputation for excellence in postgraduate research and development, attracting students from across the African continent.

Between 2010 and 2019, as the DSI-NRF SARChI Research and Development Chair in Mathematics Education at Wits, she directed a large professional development project. 

The programme reached over 200 secondary mathematics teachers and many learners across 80 schools in Gauteng and researching its impact together with a large research team of doctoral and postdoctoral fellows.

She is an Honorary Professor at Oxford University and University College London both in the United Kingdom. 

She has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and four books, co-edited two special journal issues and contributed 50 book chapters, achieving more than 7 000 citations and has published 37 papers that have each been cited at least 37 times.

Over the course of her 45-year career in teaching and academia, she has garnered numerous accolades in recognition of her contributions to education. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 09/01/2023 - 13:30

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Recognising women in science and technology

Location: News

Recognising women in science and technology

By Dimpho Mogale

The South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA), which recognises and rewards excellence by women in science and technology, will take place in September.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) will host a two-day celebration from 8 September in Durban.

Themed, ‘Harnessing technological change and innovation to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls,’ the awards recognises younger women who are starting their careers as researchers and scientists, as well as registered master's and PhD students.

Participants will be awarded in the following categories:

  • Distinguished Woman Researchers: winner receives R90 000, first runner-up: R65 000, second runner-up: R40 000;
     
  • Distinguished Young Woman Researchers: winner receives R80 000, first runner-up: R55 000, second runner-up: R30 000;
     
  • DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowship: six participants will receive R70 000 for a master’s degree and six participants will receive R90 000 for a PhD degree.

The category DSI Fellowships was renamed to DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships in honour of Mcunu’s memory and legacy as a young brilliant scientist and phenomenal woman.

The late Mcunu was one of South Africa's leading young scientists in climate change, a social entrepreneur, and the founder of Black Women in Science (BWIS).  

BWIS has provided developmental training to over 400 postgraduate fellows in business, entrepreneurship and research skills, scientific writing, project leadership, science communication skills and research career preparation.

During her lifetime Mcunu achieved numerous accolades including being named a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, receiving an honorary award at the KZN Young Achievers Awards in the Science Research and Entrepreneurship category, winning the Gagasi FM Shero award in the Science and Technology category and recognised as one of the 40 under-40 African Leaders for Climate Resilience in 2019.

The DSI and 2023 SAWiSA has 26 finalists and one of the finalists selected is Gizelle Roque Van Niekerk from the University of Pretoria, who is a second year MSc student.

In 2022, she attended the 14th Green Chemistry Postgraduate Summer School (GCPSS) in Venice, Italy.

“I am grateful to Pietro Tundo for seeing potential in me as a young scientist by selecting me to attend the in-person event on scholarship.

“The 14th Green Chemistry Summer School was a life-changing experience and instrumental to my future career as a chemist. It was an honour to present my research at such a prestigious international summer school.

“The opportunity reinforced my belief that green chemistry solutions are a fundamental course of action for sustainable development in the Global South,” Van Niekerk said in a statement.

She said it was a privilege to engage with postgraduate students from a broad spectrum of countries and found the talks given by highly influential scientists very inspiring.

Networking with people who share the same common goal encouraged her to fervently continue the ground-taking field of green chemistry. – SAnews.gov.za

seshnee
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 14:14

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Bata SA’s strategic creep to Durban North’s Corporate Hub

Location: MyPR

After five decades at its Pinetown facility, Bata South Africa, a leading footwear manufacturer in South Africa, and a subsidiary of the respected global Bata Group, has relocated its head office to the vibrant corporate hub of La Lucia, situated north of Durban. This strategic move aligns with Bata South Africa’s future growth strategy. Renowned …

Read moreBata SA’s strategic creep to Durban North’s Corporate Hub

KZN entrepreneurs challenged to manufacture their effect in mainstream economy

Location: News

KZN entrepreneurs challenged to make their mark in mainstream economy

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina, has urged entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal to grow their enterprises in order to make their mark in the country’s mainstream economy, and contribute in creating more jobs.

Gina was speaking during the eThekwini Business Seminar, which strategically targeted at Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) that conduct business in Durban and surrounding areas. 

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (KZN EDTEA) and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, hosted the seminar, aimed at providing insight and information on funding opportunities available within dtic agencies and KZN EDTEA.

The event was presented in an interactive format, designed to equip local entrepreneurs with the essential tools and knowledge required to evolve their businesses and make them thrive in today’s fiercely competitive business landscape.

Delivering a keynote address, Gina highlighted that the business seminar went beyond the mere distribution of information on funding.

“This exercise is aimed at facilitating the growth and expansion of local businesses, and to enable them to establish a significant presence in the mainstream business arena. It is also to emphasise the critical role of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, and I am excited to declare that the time is ripe for these enterprises to assert their presence and make their mark in the mainstream business landscape,” Gina said.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted that the success of the seminar underscored the commitment of the dtic and KZN EDTEA to driving economic transformation and promoting sustainable business development.

By empowering local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources they need, she said, both organisations are working to accelerate the growth of the business ecosystem in the region. 

The seminar, which brought together a diverse array of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry stakeholders, fostering networking and collaboration, featured engaging panel discussions, including interactive workshops, and insightful presentations by industry experts and government officials. 

The participants also had the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the available funding options, as well as the necessary strategies to propel their businesses to new heights. 

The exchange of ideas and experiences further enriched the seminar’s impact, creating an atmosphere of collective growth.

Gina said, the seminar was a valuable opportunity for small businesses to learn about the latest trends and best practices in business. 

“I am confident that the knowledge and skills gained will help you grow your businesses and become more competitive. I would like to encourage you all to go out and dominate the business space. You have the potential to succeed, and I am here to support you every step of the way,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 13:05

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Experience It Durbs – Remarkable Rates in Durban and uMhlanga for Amashova Durban Simple

Location: MyPR

Southern Sun is proud to be the official hotel partner to the Amashova Durban Classic, KwaZulu-Natal’s largest and most exciting cycle race which takes place on 22 October 2023. Whether you are riding the race, supporting, or coming to enjoy the vibe, stay with us at our hotels, which are perfectly located metres from the …

Read moreExperience It Durbs – Remarkable Rates in Durban and uMhlanga for Amashova Durban Simple

Women urged to be agents of change

Location: News

Women urged to be agents of change

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has urged women in leadership positions to become agents of change in the struggle for women emancipation.

Addressing the Evolution of Women in Leadership Conference at Durban, Dube-Ncube cautioned that it is easy for women to assume that their liberation will come from others, other than themselves.

“Those who are oppressed need not accept a diminished sense of self. This must not be the case with our fight for socio-economic emancipation as women. The evolution of women in leadership is less about celebrating how far we have come, but more about how we re-adjust the lenses of our struggle, such that we usher in a new world,” Dube-Ncube said.

Attended by more than 200 women leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers, the main point of the conference was the effect of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and its impact in hampering impactful change in society. 

The Premier highlighted a number of interventions that government has implemented to fight the scourge of GBV, these include, amongst others, the Light-Up Inanda Campaign where eThekwini Metro is working together with Mnambithi Group in Public-Private Partnership providing solar-powered streetlights in Inanda Township, which has been identified as the number one GBV spot in the country.

“The Office of the Premier recently secured funding from private sector partners to build the initial foundation of the GBVF App with a panic button. Making the system fully operational requires effective ward- based GBVF Rapid Response Teams integrated to War Rooms. 

“The GBVF App will be linked to members of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide Rapid Response Teams which include war room, members of the Executive Committee (EXCO), traditional leadership, and SAPS,” the Premier highlighted.

The Premier also challenged women to be their own liberators and to understand that the change they want to see is not so that they can be like men, but to usher in a new world characterised by peace, equality, justice and prosperity. 

She also urged women in leadership positions to lift more women so that the occupation of leadership positions should be seen less as an exception, but “more as a norm”. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 13:02

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Juvenile Humpback Dies

Location: News

Ruahn Beattie, NSRI Shelly Beach deputy station commander, said: At 17h54, Tuesday, 29 August, NSRI duty crew were activated following reports of a juvenile Humpback whale appearing to be beaching at St Michaels Beach, Shelly Beach, South Coast KZN (Kwa-Zulu Natal). NSRI rescue swimmers responded and the KZN Marine Animal Stranding Network was alerted. KZN …

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Economic reforms to create growth, jobs

Location: News

Economic reforms to create growth, jobs

Through economic reforms implemented through Operation Vulindlela, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth.

In his weekly newsletter, the President noted the release of a progress report, which highlights a number of key milestones that have been reached during the past quarter.

“Since Operation Vulindlela was established, we have built significant momentum in economic reforms to create growth and jobs.
 
“Through these reforms we are steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth. By restructuring our network, industries like energy, telecommunications, ports and rail, we are opening the space for investment and a renewal of our nation’s infrastructure,” the President said. 

The President highlighted that the first of the reform milestones was the digital migration process which government implemented by switching off analogue transmission for all frequencies above 694 MHz on 31 July 2023. 

“This marks a significant step in migration from analogue to digital signal. This means that radio frequencies that were being used for television broadcasting can now be used for mobile telecommunications, which will make network communications more accessible and increase the speed and reduce the cost of data. The implementation of this reform will bring new investment in the telecommunications sector,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa told citizens that work is underway to implement necessary reforms in the  logistics sector to address the challenges that have held back the growth of South African exports.

He highlighted that the lack of investment and the increased cost of doing business have added to the many challenges that need to be addressed.
 
Another key milestone was reached with the selection of an international terminal operator to partner with Transnet at the Durban Pier 2 container terminal. This terminal handles close to half of South Africa’s port traffic.
 
“This partnership will increase investment for upgrading equipment and expanding terminal capacity. A key aspect of this partnership is that port infrastructure will remain state-owned and all jobs will be protected,” he said. 

The President further highlighted that two critical pieces of legislation were tabled in Parliament this month, that will advance economic reform.
 
The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will support the restructuring of Eskom into three separate companies owned and controlled by Eskom Holdings, including an independent grid operator. 

“Through this bill we will introduce competition in electricity generation, enabling a number of independent generators, alongside Eskom, to produce electricity to meet our country’s demand. This reform will fundamentally transform, modernise and improve South Africa’s energy sector to ensure energy security into the future.
 
“Meanwhile, the reforms we have implemented through the Energy Action Plan have unlocked new investment in renewable energy sources, both to end load shedding and to use our unique wind and solar resources to power economic growth,” he said. 
 
One of key reforms that government has prioritised is in the water sector. Government has introduced the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to establish a dedicated national water agency to design, plan and finance water resource infrastructure.
 
This agency will enable significantly greater investment in bulk water infrastructure to guarantee water security in the years and decades to come, while creating jobs and unlocking new agricultural potential.
 
“We are implementing a range of other reforms to unlock economic growth, from creating an enabling regulatory environment for hemp and cannabis production to eradicating the backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing,” he said. 
 
Despite difficult global conditions, the President said investors continue to see value in the South African economy and the benefit of the reform agenda government is pursuing.
 
He added that he is pleased that the BRICS Business Forum held last week was attended by 1 500 investors and business people from all five member countries. 

The President said the Summit was able to showcase the potential of South Africa and the African continent as the next frontiers of productivity and growth.
 
“Many of the participants remarked on the enormous potential of our economic reform agenda to drive growth in the green economy, the digital economy and other key sectors.
 
“In all of the work that we do, our ultimate goal is the same: to build an inclusive, fast-growing and dynamic economy and thereby create a better life for all South Africans,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 09:57

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The Sharks and SA Harvest unite to combat hunger in Zululand

Location: MyPR

The Sharks Foundation and Hands of Hope initiative has joined hands and hearts with SA Harvest, the national food rescue and hunger relief organisation, for a collaborative campaign to deliver essential food items to the underserved rural area of Zululand, Kwazulu/Natal, marking another milestone in their ongoing fight against food insecurity. Addressing Food Scarcity in …

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Maiden Voyage Ends in Assistance

Location: News

Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay duty coxswain, said: On Thursday, 24 August, at 13h02, NSRI Richard’s Bay duty crew were alerted following a request for assistance from a local sailing vessel, on her maiden voyage and returning towards Richards Bay, with 4 crew onboard, reporting the vessel suffering steering and motor mechanical failure, at the …

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Kabelo Seboko-Mulaudzi, Debash Desta triumphant at inaugural Absa RUSH YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K

Location: MyPR

Kabelo Seboko-Mulaudzi (South Africa) made it two for two in the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series as he claimed line honours at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday 27 August 2023, while Ethiopia’s Debash Desta secured the top spot on the podium in the Women’s Race. Seboko-Mulaudzi and a big …

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