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5 Reasons Why SMEs Should Consider Joining a Business Accelerator In the fast-changing world of entrepreneurship, small businesses often hit roadblocks that slow down their growth and success. From tight budgets and limited expertise to encountering barriers in accessing lucrative market opportunities; the struggle for small business owners is real. But, there’s a game-changer for …
The field deepens as the darling of South African road running, Gerda Steyn, confirms her entry into the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K that will take place in the Jacaranda City on Sunday 27 August 2023. After a record-breaking year in which she shattered her own Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon record (becoming the …
It is all systems go for the start of the 15th BRICS Summit
By Michael Currin
It is Women’s Month and Government is delighted to be hosting an important group of leading emerging markets and developing countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa for the 15th edition of the BRICS Summit. Together BRICS has around 42% of the world's population, 27% of global GDP and around 20% of international trade.
It is our third time hosting this important event as a country and South Africa is privileged to be the chair of BRICS this year.
Our theme is "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism." This theme reflects our vision of BRICS providing global leadership in addressing the needs and concerns of the majority of the world, namely beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and inclusion of the global South in multilateral systems.
This theme also reflects our belief in the benefits a partnership with Africa can bring to BRICS, with our partners eager to explore opportunities to support, and benefit from, operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Since January 2023, we have held a large number of meetings across all three pillars of cooperation, namely:
1. Political and security,
2. Economic and financial; and
3. Social and people-to-people cooperation.
GCIS has supported various Ministerial meetings held to precede BRICS across all provinces. Our Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni hosted a Friends of BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting with her BRICS Security counterparts, in Sandton, on 24 July 2023.
The Friends of BRICS is a combination of countries who have expressed an interest in joining BRICS, those who chair prominent institutions of the Global South and those invited as per the Chair’s prerogative and henceforth invited as per the consensus reached between the host and fellow BRICS members. The Friends of BRICS countries who attended this meeting are Belarus, Burundi, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Various other meetings took place headed by various Ministers such as the BRICS Foreign Ministers, the BRICS Civil Forum, BRICS Ministers of Communication, the BRICS Youth Forum, the BRICS Urbanisation, BRICS Ministers of Health, and BRICS Ministers of Science and Innovation have all concluded their meetings.
Cabinet has encouraged BRICS meetings to be held in different towns and cities so that our guests have a wide range of experience of our beautiful country. It is also important that the tangible economic benefits of hosting our BRICS partners are experienced in a variety of communities.
All these activities build up to the XVth BRICS Summit which will provide an opportunity for BRICS Leaders to reflect on all the elements of BRICS cooperation. The XVth BRICS Summit will also provide an opportunity to amplify the voices of our friends in Africa and the global South with the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogues.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the XVth BRICS Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg and we are running a countdown to hype the upcoming activities of the Summit. South Africa Chairs BRICS in a dynamic global environment where the eyes of the world are on us.
Leading up to the Summit, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the BRICS Business Council will be hosting a content-rich BRICS Business Programme from 19 to 23 August which seeks to foster economic growth, promote collaboration, attract investment, and showcase opportunities within South Africa, Africa and BRICS countries.
All the BRICS Business Councils are bringing large business delegations to South Africa. As an outcome of South Africa's Chairing of BRICS in 2013, the BRICS Business Council celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2023 and we look forward to the celebrations as well as the outcomes of the review of the work of the Council in its first ten years.
The BRICS Summit programme
The first event on the BRICS Leaders' programme is the BRICS Business Forum Leaders Dialogue on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 August. The Leaders will get a report on the outcomes of the deliberations during the BRICS Business Forum and will deliver statements reflecting on BRICS economic relations.
Following the Business Forum, the Leaders move to a quieter venue for the BRICS Leaders Retreat. This is a signature event of South Africa as BRICS Chair. Leaders meet in a comfortable setting in a private venue for an unscripted discussion of contemporary issues of importance. There is no set agenda and Leaders can initiate a discussion on issues of choice such as BRICS membership expansion, reform of global governance, or use of local currencies.
On 23 August, the XVth BRICS Summit continues with a closed plenary followed by an open plenary session.
The BRICS Leaders will deliver national statements which will be followed by reports by the President of the New Development Bank, the South African Chair of the BRICS Business Council and the South African Chair of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance.
It is befitting during Women’s month to re-emphasise my focus on the BRICS Women's Business (WBA) Alliance. This will be the first in-person engagement with BRICS Leaders as it was established in 2020 under the Chairship of Russia during the height of the pandemic. This Alliance aims to empower and advance women entrepreneurs in BRICS to create a vibrant network in partnership with others that facilitates knowledge-sharing, skills development, and business opportunities for women across diverse sectors and industries.
Their flagship meeting is the BRICS-Africa WBA Trade Conference to be held in Durban from 20 to 21 August which brings together over 500 women-owned businesses, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, from BRICS and Africa. The conference will include the first in-person joint meeting of BRICS WBA national chapters and develop recommendations to be presented to BRICS Leaders at the Summit.
Following the reports from the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, the Summit is expected to adopt the eGoli Declaration as the main outcome document of the 2023 BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
South Africa is also pleased to welcome the first meeting of Ministers responsible for Women Affairs as an important step in mainstreaming women's issues across all areas of BRICS cooperation.
This is also a concrete step forward in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. As a partnership, BRICS operates on the principles of openness, solidarity, mutual respect and understanding as well as mutually beneficial cooperation that is seen to deliver tangible benefits.
The XVth BRICS Summit is the venue and occasion for the voices of BRICS, Africa and the global South to converge and be heard. We meet to reflect on the status of cooperation, to consider regional and global developments and to assess the status of global governance reform.
The Summit is not the final event of South Africa as Chair of BRICS. We continue our programme of mutually beneficial cooperation until the end of 2023.
We look forward to further meetings including the Ministers for Disaster Management, Ministers of Tourism, possible Ministers of Transport meeting, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the Foreign Policy Dialogue, Young Diplomats and the first workshop on incident management later in the year. We particularly look forward to the return of the BRICS Games in October.
We are confident that we will leave 2023 having strengthened the BRICS partnership and having delivered benefits to the people of South Africa, BRICS, Africa and the global South.
Government calls on South Africans to continue to extend the warmest of South African welcomes to the many official delegates, businesspeople, media and civil society who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the world shortly for the Summit.
*Michael Currin is the Deputy Director-General of Intergovernmental Coordination and Stakeholder Management (ICSM) at Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
Janine
Tue, 08/15/2023 - 09:39
Following the success of its 7-year long-standing partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal based non-profit, Thanda, Beiersdorf has further committed a funding donation to address the critical long-term aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic. With this commitment, Beiersdorf lives up to its sustainability agenda CARE BEYOND SKIN, which seeks to enhance inclusivity within society and achieve sustainable advancements …
The Upper Highway Baby Home (UHBH), a beacon of hope and care for abandoned and vulnerable infants, has been recognised as the Best Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) in Durban at the prestigious Best of Durban Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition celebrates the home’s unwavering commitment to providing a loving and nurturing environment for orphaned and abandoned …
The European Commission has provided EUR 100 000 (R 2,082,061.93) in emergency humanitarian funding to assist the most vulnerable families affected by the fire that broke out in July 2023, in the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban, KwaZulu Natal.
Around 1,213 families (2,357 people in total) were affected by the fire and more than 1,101 households destroyed. There were two fatalities. Food, non-food items including school uniforms and WASH supplies, and mental health support are urgently needed.
The EU funds will support the South Africa Red Cross Society (SARCS) meet basic needs by providing food and non-food items, WASH (hygiene packs and sanitary towels) and shelter support (smoke alarms, kitchen kits etc). SARCS staff and volunteers will be trained in fire awareness, to help raise awareness in the community.
The project will run for three months, until the end of October 2023, and is expected to reach all the people affected by the fire.
This funding is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of South Africa.
Jeep® and Opel are expanding their presence in KwaZulu Natal, joining the Midbay Motors dealership in Richard’s Bay. The well-established facility already exists as a Peugeot and Citroën dealer, the expansion forming part of Stellantis’ dealer network strategy to make these exciting brands more accessible to customers in KZN. Midbay Motors is a successful dealer …
The streets of Johannesburg and Durban resembled a ‘sea of pink’ on Wednesday 09 August 2023 with runners and walkers coming out in their masses to participate in the iconic Totalsports Women’s Race, South Africa’s largest Women’s Day celebration. Irvette Van Zyl was the athlete to beat in Johannesburg, while Cacisile Sosibo showed the ladies …
Homeowners say the eThekwini municipality’s 2023/2024 budget does not take into account the inclusive needs of ratepayers.
Women have fought for their rightful place in society
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Director General, Advocate Mikateko Joyce Maluleke, says democracy has ensured that women occupy their rightful position in society.
“Sometimes when there are women in a leadership position, some will attribute it to affirmative action and women empowerment. No! Women fought to be where they are. It was not just given to them,” Maluleke said on Tuesday in Cape Town.
Addressing young women at Transnet’s Cape Town Harbour, Maluleke said women fought for the struggle of emancipation.
“Women have been involved in the struggle for freedom since 1912. In 1956, women marched to the Union Buildings. They were brilliant.
“People do not usually talk about the strategy that women engaged in order to go to the Union Buildings. They could have been arrested before they could get far but because they worked as domestic workers, they had their bosses’ children on their backs and walked to the Union Buildings,” Maluleke said.
South Africa commemorates Women’s Day annually on 9 August to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women.
Women’s Month is a tribute not only to the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956, but also a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in the country
This year’s Women’s Month takes place under the theme, ‘Accelerating Socio-Economic Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment’.
This theme highlights the need to ensure that all women have access to participate equally in all areas of human endeavour.
As part of Women’s Day build-up activities, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), hosted an outreach programme with women in logistics at the Cape Town Harbour in the Western Cape.
Established in 2000, TNPA operates container terminals in Durban, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
With the many challenges that women face in society, women occupying leadership positions at Transnet encouraged the young women from various schools across the country to work hard in school and believe in themselves.
Spreading their wings
Transnet Specialist Planning and Development Manager, Zanele Dywibaba, is a qualified town planner. Dywibaba has described the port space as a “dynamic” one that has given her room to thrive.
“The introduction into the port space was something new but I have realised that it’s a dynamic space. I started at Transnet in 2016.
“I have found there is a balance between men and women who occupy leadership positions because the organisation ensures that it meets its Employment Equity targets. They also prioritise women being in the operational space, which historically was male dominated.
“Women are taken seriously at Transnet. We can offer capability than what traditionally women were not seen to be able to handle.”
As someone who grew up in a home where she was raised by her mother, this experience demonstrated to Dywibaba that women are strong and capable of doing anything.
“My mother raised five children single-handedly as a domestic worker. That is where I got my strength. My siblings and I have all gone to tertiary because my mother used to encourage us to follow our dreams.
“She would tell us to dream big and not be discouraged that she is a domestic worker. She made us believe that we would occupy big spaces. Your circumstances do not determine who you become,” Dywibaba said.
Transnet Academy Head, Captain Theresa Williams, narrated her life journey, which begins with her being born in a caravan to parents who did not have an education.
“My mother taught me how to sew clothes at the age of 12 and I was selling them at the flea market and the train station.
“Transnet advertised a bursary and I applied. My bursary covered my university fees. It did not cover my travel so I continued while I was studying to sell clothes so that I have money for toiletries.
“I didn’t allow my birth [circumstances] to define my future. I grabbed the opportunities I was given and I did not waste them. I continuously studied,” Williams said.
She is a marine pilot and is capable of captaining vessels.
“I am one year short in my studies to captain a vessel of any size in the world. I am still studying. Whatever you are going through, everyone has a story. Live a life of no excuses,” Williams said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 08/08/2023 - 16:45
Introduction South Africa, known for its diverse culture and stunning landscapes, has a property market as varied as its scenery. From bustling city centres to serene coastal towns, the country offers a wide range of residential and commercial properties. However, affordability remains a key concern for many potential homeowners and investors. This article aims to …
Introducing Loadit: The ‘Uber’ of Goods Transportation in South Africa Johannesburg, August 07 2023 – Imagine a world where transporting goods is as easy as hailing a taxi on your smartphone. Welcome to the reality of Loadit, South Africa’s premier goods transportation service operating in the vibrant cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban. …
The inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K is set to see some incredible racing on Sunday 27 August 2023 as the next generation of athletes, Nicholas Seoposengwe and Kabelo Seboko, both running in the colours of Boxer Athletics Club, enter the fray. Nicholas proved that he should not be underestimated when he claimed victory …
Starbucks National Barista Championship 2023: Bloemfontein’s Thapelo Reigns Supreme On July 20-21, Starbucks South Africa held its annual National Barista Championship at Starbucks Paarden Eiland, Cape Town. This year’s competition took a thrilling twist, as 7 Starbucks District Champions competed against each other, representing various corners of South Africa, including the bustling cityscape of Johannesburg, …
A strong contingent of female elite athletes will commemorate National Women’s Day on Wednesday 09 August 2023 by participating in South Africa’s largest Women’s Day celebration, the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban in support of PinkDrive. Somerset West based athlete Kyla Jacobs will make her Totalsports Women’s Race debut in Cape …
The Durban Chemicals Cluster (DCC) Accelerator is now in its sixth year and is proud to announce the launch of its next Business Accelerator. Applications from high-potential, Black-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the local chemicals sector are all welcome and will be accepted until 30 September 2023. The DCC Accelerator is a transformative …
Stillwater Sports, in partnership with Boxer Superstores and Coca-Cola, is excited to launch the Boxer Super Run, a world class 5km road run that is set to captivate entrants, young and old, social, and elite, in the scenic city of Durban on Sunday 15 October 2023. “We’re excited to launch the Boxer Super Run, a …
Phaahla calls on BRICS to not let guard down against COVID-19
While the world is no longer living in a COVID-19 pandemic crisis mode, Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has warned BRICS leaders that they cannot afford to let their guard down.
“This virus will still unfortunately continue to cause havoc in our population and in our economy,” he cautioned on Friday.
“We just need to make sure that we are tracking the virus because it will continue to evolve and pose risk in our societies.”
However, he said he was hopeful that the leaders now have the tools and the political will in place to ensure that future waves do not result in more severe diseases and deaths.
Phaahla, together with Health Ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, and China were speaking at the adoption of the declaration of the 13th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting.
Today marked the last day of BRICS health events currently underway at the Durban International Convention Centre in the run-up to the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2023.
The 13th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting was taking place under the ‘Bridging the Gap on Sustainable Health on the Road to Universal Health Coverage 2023’ theme.
The Minister said the bloc partnership has a significant role to play in surveillance, preparedness, and developing health mechanisms to confront pandemics.
Universal health coverage (UHC)
He said over the last decade, the BRICS countries have committed to substantial health-system reforms designed to improve equity in service use, quality, and financial protection, with the ultimate goal of achieving UHC.
Last month, the National Assembly passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill paving the way for universal healthcare, bringing it a step closer to being signed into law and being rolled out.
“This is one of the most revolutionary bills ever passed by the National Assembly since the dawn of our democracy in 1994,” he told delegates.
UHC, he said is undoubtedly the cornerstone to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, on good health and well-being.
“We have an opportunity to make our voices heard as BRICS countries building on our hard negotiated and agreed goals towards universal health agenda.”
He believes that the BRICS nations are a force to be reckoned with, as they carry a great number of the world's population of underprivileged societies.
“So we should leverage our involvement in the G20 to push the global health agenda and related areas for ensuring global health security.”
He also acknowledged that there is still a lot to be done to ensure access and equity to safe and essential medical products for people, especially in developing countries.
Vaccines
Phaahla also touched on the equitable distribution of vaccines and expeditious vaccination, to fill the immunisation gap globally.
“We should, therefore, remain focused on discussions on the importance of the World Trade Organisation on relevant intellectual property waiver proposals, as well as capacity building and strengthening local production of vaccines and other health tools, especially in developing countries,” he stressed, adding that mNRA hubs should be supported.
Phaahla said the leaders have also agreed that they should jointly take proactive and effective measures to prevent and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission of infectious diseases and contribute to improving global health.
Public health emergencies
This year, he said they also added a BRICS Network of Public Health Emergency Centres (PHEOC), serving as nerve centres for preparation and response to public health emergencies.
“This is especially critical as we reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic response and aim to build back better for future outbreaks and pandemics.
“The effective coordination and improved control of outbreaks as evidenced by shorter times from detection to response that a functional PHEOC is valuable in the prompt containment of infectious disease outbreaks in all countries.”
He said the medicines regulatory authorities were also ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation.
He said this was a significant step towards realising the objective to work together in the field of medical products regulation.
This, according to Phaahla, will also enable the nations to share regulatory experience and best practices.
It will also enable them to exchange experts for capacity building as well as facilitate the regulatory landscape to promote research and development and adaptation through technology transfer of innovative medical products.
These include drugs, vaccines, medical technologies, and anti-microbial resistance. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 08/04/2023 - 12:19
This comes as two brothers are set to be sentenced in August
KWAZULU-NATAL – Today, police at Port Shepstone responded to a shooting incident at the Port Shepstone taxi rank. It is alleged that unknown gunmen approached a taxi and opened fire on the occupants. Four of the occupants died as a result of the shooting, whilst a further four were transported to hospital with gunshot wounds. …
KwaDukuza Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal has agreed to include over 300 households from the settlement in a new housing project
But the eThekwini Municipality says its still busy verifying beneficiaries
The DO MORE FOUNDATION, in collaboration with over 800 employees from 20 RCL FOODS sites nationwide, have joined forces to create upcycled toys for approximately 12,500 children in under-resourced communities. This initiative called “Built to Play” aligns in particular with the climate aspect of the official theme of Mandela Day 2023, “Climate, Food, and Solidarity.” …
Dear Editor The DA is pleased with Transnet’s partnership with International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) to develop and manage the Durban Container Terminal. It aligns with our policy stance of opening up the SOE sector to private sector investment. Transnet must expedite private sector investment in other ports to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. The …