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Two SAB plants secure R5.8 billion upgrades

Location: News

Two SAB plants get R5.8 billion upgrades

The R5.8 billion investment commitment made by South African Breweries (SAB) has been utilised to increase capacity at two of its plants. 

The company said the investment – which was announced at the South African Investment Conference 2023 earlier in the year - was for civil works and new equipment to allow for increased local production for new product innovations.

Two of SAB’s plants were identified for these capacity upgrades - Prospecton Brewery in Durban and Ibhayi Brewery in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

The South African Investment Conference was launched in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa to boost economic activity that had been in decline for over a decade in Africa's most advanced but struggling economy.

This year, President Ramaphosa set a new target to mobilise approximately R2 trillion in new investments over another five-year period which begins next year.

SAB employs around 5 700 employees and collaborates with nearly 3 739 suppliers, supporting around 250 000 jobs in the beer value chain.

In addition, the company sources high-quality ingredients from local farmers, ensuring that 94% of their beer production is locally sourced.

Chief Executive Officer of SAB, Richard Rivett-Carnac, said SAB is committed to being a driver of economic growth by building a sustainable business that develops, empowers, and invests in the communities in which it operates.

"We are dedicated to sustainable investments and economic growth. Our investments over time have contributed billions of rand to the South African Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which, alongside the investment commitments pledged at the 2023 South African Investment Conference 2023, have provided a significant boost to an economy sorely in need of stimulus,” Rivett-Carnac said. 

“In terms of job creation, the investment into the Prospecton Brewery has created approximately 25 000 additional jobs throughout the value chain, whilst the Ibhayi Brewery investment has created a further 14 000 jobs throughout the beer value chain across South Africa,” he said.

He said the estimated 39 000 jobs created through these investments were across a variety of sectors. These include agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, construction and innovation among others in the value chain. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Thu, 11/23/2023 - 13:00

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Enoch Mgijima Municipality works to honour Eskom debt arrangement

Location: News

Enoch Mgijima Municipality works to honour Eskom debt arrangement

Eskom has commended the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s efforts to honour its National Treasury Municipal Debt Relief Programme obligations.

The municipality, which is located in the Eastern Cape, is one of more than 60 municipalities that have applied for the debt relief arrangement, which is aimed at assisting the ailing municipalities to pay their electricity bills.

“After a long history of indebtedness, protracted court cases, and power interruption, Eskom is pleased with Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s current account payment.

“Through this monthly payment, Eskom believes that the municipality is demonstrating its commitment to the National Treasury Debt Relief Programme, which will enable the municipality’s Eskom debt to be written off over a three-year period,” Eskom said in a statement on Thursday.

By August this year, municipal Eskom debt had snowballed to an estimated R63 billion and the power utility said this is contributing to the financial health challenges it faces.

“Arrear municipal debt remains a significant challenge for Eskom due to continued escalation to unsustainable levels. This poses serious risks to Eskom’s long-term financial sustainability. It also contributes significantly to the liquidity challenges currently facing Eskom,” Eskom said.

Enoch Mgijima municipal manager, Ayakha Ntengenyane, said the municipality is committed to paying and maintaining its Eskom bulk current account.

“Since we are implementing the Financial Recovery Plan, we expect revenue to increase and this will enable the municipality to improve its performance. We are also cracking down on illegal electricity connections, which are a hindrance to reliable power supply. We are also working hard to generate adequate funding to sustain operations,” Ntengenyane said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 11/23/2023 - 10:16

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SA Connect project forges ahead

Location: News

SA Connect project forges ahead

The government-driven SA Connect broadband connectivity project is going full steam ahead, with a report on Phase two of the project considered by Cabinet.

This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who was addressing the media on the outcomes of the recently held Cabinet meeting.

“On progress with Phase 2 of the project, Cabinet was pleased that 1 000 households were connected with broadband and that 1 000 community Wi-Fi hotspots are planned to be installed by December 2023.

“In addition, the project has rolled out infrastructure for internet connectivity that allows households to access internet at cheaper rates. For R249 per month, a subscribing household has unlimited access to robust internet, with cheaper data costs as low as R5 for one gig per day,” she said.

Ntshavheni explained that the SA Connect project aims to “to bridge the digital divide by connecting households and government institutions and provide Wi-Fi access to communities across the country”.

“It is estimated that the project will also contribute to economic participation through provision of 4 505 semi-skilled and 169 skilled employment opportunities, and will support over 75 small to medium-sized companies.

“In addition, high demand spectrum will be provided to more than 18 000 schools, 943 libraries, 5 731 health facilities and 8 241 Tribal authorities over the next months through the social obligations to telecommunications companies.

“It is anticipated that the project will deliver connectivity to more than five million households and 32 000 community Wi-Fi hotspots across the country over the next 36 months,” Ntshavheni said.

On broadcasting digital migration, Ntshavheni said Cabinet noted the progress made in migrating from analogue to digital.

“As of 23 July 2023, all 123 analogue transmitters above 694 MHz were switched off in the remaining four provinces namely; the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng. This will free up the spectrum needed for mobile broadband, and other information and communications technology related needs. 

“Cabinet was briefed that the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies had determined December 2024 as the final date for switch off of all analogue broadcasting services, and that progress is on to meet the set target date,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 11/20/2023 - 13:47

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Government support programmes there to assist struggling families

Location: News

Government support programmes there to assist struggling families

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has urged members of the public to make use of government programmes aimed at assisting families in need of food.

She was speaking during the Post-Ccabinet media briefing on Monday.

This in the wake of a report released by the South African Human Rights Commission, which found that children in the Eastern Cape are dying of hunger.

“Cabinet noted with concern the reported deaths of children due to malnutrition, as reported by the Human Rights Commission.

“Cabinet wishes to remind members of the community about government support programmes such as the child support grant, which is aimed at assisting families to meet the basic needs of children. This is in addition to the comprehensive Social Assistance Programme, through which government provides healthy meals to vulnerable households through the School Nutrition Programme and Community Nutrition and Development Centres,” Ntshavheni said.

On the deadly scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, Ntshavheni said Cabinet condemned “in the strongest terms” the stabbing of a female Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) student at the hands of her husband.

“Cabinet calls on society to work together with government to eliminate gender-based violence, whilst law enforcement agencies continue to bring perpetrators of such callous acts to justice,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 11/20/2023 - 13:27

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EC police commended for the arrest of robbery suspects

Location: News

EC police commended for the arrest of robbery suspects

Eastern Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has commended the efforts of a dedicated police task team who over the weekend found and arrested five robbery suspects linked to a series of cases committed in the Joe Gqabi District.

This as once the threat of house/business robberies were identified, the Acting District Commissioner of Joe Gqabi district, Brigadier Asogran Naidoo established a task team to hunt down the suspects involved.

On Saturday night and on Sunday night, the task team in Sterkspruit followed up on information received of Lesotho nationals at a house at Makhetheng who had robbed a house/shop at Thaba Lesoba (Cathberg).

The information was operationalised and as the team swooped in on them, they found five men entering the house carrying bags. Three of the five men were found to be armed with firearms. They were arrested.

On searching the bags, groceries and tobacco were found.  Members also found other groceries hidden under the bed, inside cupboards and in the wardrobes.

The suspects aged between 23 and 37 are expected to be charged for various crimes, including illegal possession of firearms, possession of suspected stolen property, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of dagga.

Another suspect, linked to this group was arrested on Monday, 13 November 2023, after a shootout with a security guard during a business robbery in Sterkspruit.

The suspects are wanted on a number of cases for house/business robberies, murder and attempted murder in Palmietfontein and Sterkspruit.

Detectives are busy probing other cases where they may also possibly link these suspects.  Meanwhile, the three firearms confiscated will be sent to ballistics for analysis.

Lieutenant General Mene on Sunday commended the task team for their unwavering commitment to public safety.

“Through their meticulous investigation, excellent informer network and collaboration, the team worked swiftly and tirelessly to arrest these suspects. Not only have these suspects been arrested, three firearms and suspected stolen goods were also confiscated.

“This achievement underscores our commitment to ensuring that the reign of criminals are halted while making sure that our communities are safe,” said Mene. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:45

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Policing strategies guide to reduced crime: Cele

Location: News

Policing strategies lead to reduced crime: Cele

Police Minister Bheki Cele says the combination of operational policing strategies and interventions has attributed to the decline in crime statistics recorded in the country.

Cele made the remarks at the release of the Crime Stats Quarter 2 of 2023/2024, which showed that South Africa has, for the second consecutive quarter, seen a decrease in the murder rate, with a 3.1% decline recorded between May and July, and a 0.8% drop in the number of people killed between July and September 2023.

The report also noted a decrease in crimes that instill fear amongst people in the country, including trio crimes (hijackings, business and property robberies).

Cele said the drop in the murder rate is reflective of the SAPS’s continued efforts to combat crime through decisive police action and robust community involvement.

“Over and above ongoing policing operations, we know this administration has gone to lengths in capacitating critical units of the police service in order to keep communities safer. This includes the overhauling and strengthening of the management of the Crime Intelligence division, drastically improving the crime detection capabilities of the police.

“Crime Intelligence capacity has also been strengthened at the top 30 crime heavy police stations. The Intelligence officers have also been supplied with adequate resources, including vehicles and other tools of trade to gather intelligence,” Cele said.

The Minister said the South African Police Service (SAPS) units responsible for the investigation of organised crimes have also been bolstered at both provincial and national levels to infiltrate criminal syndicates.

"The recruitment drive of thousands more police officers under Project 10 000 to boost police numbers at stations in all provinces continues to gain momentum. The decrease in murder figures shows that the targeting of crimes in hotspots must be maintained and further strengthened,” Cele said.

Cele noted that through the intensified national policing approach to prevent and combat crime during the high-density Operation Shanela, the department is starting to break even and seeing decreases in certain crime categories.

According to the statistics, Operation Shanela, which is in its sixth month running has resulted in the arrest of over 226 000 suspects, including some of the most wanted and dangerous criminals. 

Cele said the tracking and tracing of wanted suspects has also been prioritised in conjunction with everyday policing at station level.

Despite the overall drop in the country’s murder rate, the report showed that between July and September this year, 6 945 people were murdered in South Africa, including 881 women and 293 children.

Thirty-five police officers were also killed on and off duty in the same period, as well as 19 law enforcement officers attached to national, provincial and local government, and private security.

Cele said the majority of people killed in South Africa are murdered during arguments, misunderstandings and provocations that usually take place at social settings.

“Arguments, vigilantism and robbery remain the top three causative factors for murder in the majority of the provinces. Firearms, knives and sharp instruments are likely to be used as murder weapons. 

“Firearms alone claimed the lives of 3 106 victims. Police have, between July to September 2023, removed 2 175 firearms off the streets through police operations,” Cele said.

Cele said these statistics give police a sober analysis of the effectiveness of policing efforts to keep South Africans and their properties safe. 

“These numbers are also used to redirect resources to where they are needed most in order to better respond to the common enemy of crime. This redirection of resources is clearly demonstrated through the decline in certain crime categories in the top four crime heavy provinces, namely KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

“These provinces have collectively reduced many of their contact crimes, including trio crimes, robberies, sexual assault and assault during this reporting period. What is clear and should never be ignored is that the crime figures should and must serve as a call of action for government, business, NGOs, civil society and communities to come on board in the fight against crime,” Cele said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Fri, 11/17/2023 - 13:45

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SAWS warns of severe thunderstorms

Location: News

SAWS warns of severe thunderstorms

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms resulting in strong, damaging winds and possible large amounts of small hail.

This is expected to cause damage to infrastructure, flooding, damaging winds over the North West, Gauteng, north eastern parts of the Northern Cape, Free State and south western KwaZulu-Natal.

“This warning remains valid until 11pm tonight. In addition, a Yellow Level 1 warning for severe thunderstorms was issued with damaging winds and hail expected over the northern and eastern parts of the Eastern Cape.

“On Friday and Saturday, we expect showers and thundershowers over the central interior extending to the east,” SAWS Senior Manager: Disaster Risk Management, Tshepho Ngobeni.

He was addressing a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.

“South Africa, like many other countries across the globe, is prone to hazardous weather events. These include heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, droughts, floods, storms and wildfires. Consequently, the need for the people of South Africa to be WeatherSMART cannot be stressed enough.”

He said a WeatherSMART person is safe, more informed, alert, resilient, and has timely access to relevant information and services where matters of weather and climate are concerned. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Thu, 11/16/2023 - 14:40

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Mchunu affirms traditional leadership role in Mzimvubu Water Project

Location: News

Mchunu affirms traditional leadership role in Mzimvubu Water Project

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has assured the traditional leadership in the Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities that they will be fully involved in the implementation of the multibillion Mzimvubu Water Project.

Following years of delay due to a deadlock about funding, the project has since been reconfigured to make it more affordable, with the cost been reduced from R18 billion to R8 billion. 

During a recent meeting with district municipalities’ mayors and traditional leaders, Mchunu reported that the Ntabelanga Dam project, which is one of the Mzimvubu Water Project components, has since commenced its implementation in the Ntabelanga mountains, along the Tsitsa River, Tsolo, in the cross boundary of Elundini and Mhlontlo Local Municipalities in the Joe Gqabi District. 

Stage one of the dam component, which includes the construction of access roads to the dam wall site, is currently sitting at over 90%, while pegging of the dam wall site, identification and pegging of land and households that will be affected by the dam impoundment, is underway. 

“Other components of the Ntabelanga project include construction of a water treatment plant, primary and secondary reservoirs, and bulk pipelines for treatment, transfer and storage of potable water to enable the water services authorities to reticulate to communities earmarked to benefit from the project.

“Meanwhile, the overall Mzimvubu water project will look at the existing water supply schemes within the Mzimvubu Catchment Area, in order to optimise and harness them to benefit the communities in the three districts,” Mchunu said.

The Minister said the resuscitation of the multibillion Mzimvubu project confirms that people in rural areas also have constitutional human rights, which include the right to have access to clean, potable water for their basic needs, like the rest of the citizens who reside in urban areas.

“Through this project, we as the national, together with the provincial government and the responsible districts as water services authorities as well as relevant municipalities, should make sure that there are no more hindrances to the progress of this project to its completion. Like many other projects that have been unlocked, what is happening on this site is a beginning of a new era and makes us happy,” Mchunu said. 

To ensure transparency and prevent unnecessary disruptions and delays to the project implementation, Mchunu said all relevant stakeholder representatives are going to form part of the Political Steering Committee.

The Minister and Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, will establish and co-chair the committee. The members of the steering committee will include both Water and Sanitation Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, two representatives from the provincial executive cabinet, three mayors of the affected districts and two local municipalities, representatives from the Kingdom, and affected traditional councils.

The Minister said the Technical Task Team, led by the department’s Acting Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure Management, Leonardo Manus, will be formed and include the Public Liaison Committee (PLC) members and community representatives. 

“The task team will deal with the technical implementation of the project including issues of relocation and compensation of households that will be affected by the dam impoundment. The task team will be expected to provide an update on the progress of the project and will report to the Steering Committee on regular basis,” the Minister explained.

Mchunu noted that with the structures setting up, the department is going to correct all the errors made previously, and will ensure that all the issues raised in the meeting receive necessary audience to ensure the continuation of the project implementation without unnecessary disruptions.

“Ultimately, the communities in the districts will receive the much needed clean, drinking water through proper infrastructure,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 11/16/2023 - 10:52

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62 small-scale fishing co-operatives obtain fishing rights in W Cape

Location: News

62 small-scale fishing co-operatives get fishing rights in W Cape

Government has allocated 15-year fishing rights to 62 small-scale fishing cooperatives, with a total membership of 3 850 declared fishers, in the Western Cape.

This marks the final province where these rights have been granted for the first time in South Africa's history.

“This achievement signifies the end of the interim relief era and the formal inclusion of Western Cape fishing communities, whose livelihoods have been intertwined with fishing for centuries. Historically, these communities faced systematic exclusion due to past injustices, hindering their participation in fishing operations.

“From today, the fishing cooperatives will promote employment and economic development in fishing communities, as well as support food security, and decriminalise traditional fishing.

"The department is [aware] that much more needs to be done to support the sector's growth and development, and we are very committed to this process,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, said on Wednesday.

She made these remarks during a virtual media briefing on the finalisation of the appeals on the verification of small-scale process and the allocation of small-scale fishing rights in the Western Cape.

In the lead-up to fishing rights allocation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) worked with community-based organisations and fishing communities to register cooperatives and  identify suitable species and fishing areas to be used by the cooperatives.

The department has also commenced with providing two-day training workshops aimed at registering cooperatives as community-based legal entities earmarked for the allocation of small-scale fishing rights.

The Minister said the department is still in the process of developing a sustainable and financially viable basket of species for the small-scale sector.

Some of the species that have been granted to date include commercial traditional line-fish species, West Coast Rock Lobster, Seaweed, bait species, abalone aquaculture ranching sites, net-fish species, white mussels, oysters and hake handline.

A few years ago, the DFFE conducted a survey to understand the challenges facing small-scale fishers in the Western Cape. This survey revealed a lack of access to markets, suitable infrastructure, and access to the broader fishing value chains.

“Consequently, the department developed a support strategy, which includes formalised agreements with the Department of Small Business Development and with one of the maritime academies.  

"Many other partners, such as the National Development Agency, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) have committed their support to the small-scale fishing co-operatives of the Western Cape,” the Minister said.

The DFFE will appoint 62 mentors so each cooperative will have dedicated direct support for the next three years.

Before 2014, the fishing rights framework only acknowledged access rights in the recreational, commercial and subsistence sectors, thus marginalising many local fishing communities.

During this time, small-scale fishers were often deemed illegal fishers, as they were not authorised to participate in regulated fishing sectors.   

In 2019, the Marine Living Resources Act was amended to include small-scale fishers and to recognise an individual as a small-scale fisher if that person is “a member of a small-scale fishing community engaged in fishing to meet food and basic livelihood needs, or directly involved in processing or marketing of fish”.

During the period between 2016 to 2019, the DFFE initiated a process to allocate of small-scale fishing rights, nationwide.  Rights were finalised in the Northern Cape in 2018, and in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

In 2019, the department received a total of 8 646 applications from individual applicants seeking to be recognised as small-scale fishers in the Western Cape alone.

Only 29% of the applicants were allocated rights.

In 2020, as a result of several fishing communities submitting complaints against the verification process and its outcomes in the Western Cape, the Minister called for an audit inquiry into the findings of the verification process.

Based on audit findings, the Minister sought an order from the Western Cape High Court to review and set aside the verification process for the Western Cape and to remit the verification process to the department for reconsideration.

Working collaboratively with community-based organisations, the department redesigned a fair process on the verification of small-scale fishers, resulting in over 5 000 applications from 109 fishing communities in the Western Cape.

The Delegated Authority’s final list declared over 84% of applicants successful, a significant improvement from the 2019 process success rate of 29%.

Aggrieved applicants were again entitled to lodge an appeal against the decision taken by the Delegated Authority to refuse their application. The department worked closely with the communities to provide the necessary information, support and guidance to enable appellants to lodge their appeals in an administratively and legally sound manner.

“The department received a total of 461 appeals and I considered each of these appeals on its own merits. In my consideration of these appeals, I followed the principle that all applicants are successful unless they were unable to provide proof that they met all the required criteria as set out in the Small-Scale Regulations.

“I was also mindful of the unique circumstances of fishing communities and that the completion of application forms may have been a challenge for certain individuals. I am satisfied that the process was inclusive, addressed various historical imbalances, and therefore the outcome is fair and correct.

"Four hundred and thirty-one of these appeals were upheld and this translates into a success rate of 93%,” Creecy said.

The launch of the small-scale fisheries sector in the Western Cape coincides with the commencement of the West Coast Rock Lobster fishing season.

For the full “General Published Reasons for Decisions on for the Verification of Small-Scale Fishers in the Western Cape Province” click on this link. https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/legislations/appeals/13nov23gpr_smallscalefisheries_reallocation.pdf. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 11/15/2023 - 10:54

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Health convenes primary health care conference

Location: News

Health convenes primary health care conference

The Department of Health will this week convene the South African Primary Health Care (SAPHC) conference in East London, in the Eastern Cape.  

The conference, which will take place from 15 to 16 November 2023, will reflect on and review the country’s journey towards the ideals of primary health care (PHC) over the last 30 years of democracy. 

According to the department, the platform is also expected to discuss the pivotal role of the PHC in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in South Africa by 2030. 

PHC, the department said, is the most inclusive, equitable, cost-effective and efficient approach accessible to most individuals and families in the community to enhance their physical and mental health, as well as social wellbeing, hence almost 86% of the population depends on PHC in South Africa. 

The two-day conference will be attended by almost 350 delegates representing all nine provinces, stakeholders in the sectors, and representatives from local and international organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

This year’s theme will focus on the role of strong PHC in South Africa’s pursuit of UHC coverage through National Health Insurance (NHI). 

The delegates will also draw lessons from international experiences such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cuba and Mauritius in the implementation of the PHC approach and delivery of services, particularly from countries in the global south with socio-economic conditions that are comparable to South Africa. 

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, will deliver the keynote address. 

There will also be contributions from the Deputy Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, provincial Health MECs and WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti. 

“Primary Health Care plays a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which relates to health to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people of all ages,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 11/14/2023 - 10:06

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EC notes report on child malnutrition

Location: News

EC notes report on child malnutrition

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government says it has noted the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) report on Child Malnutrition and the Right to Food, which calls for closer monitoring and increased interventions to deal with child malnutrition.

The SAHRC’s report, which reflects outcomes of the research conducted in August 2022, revealed that the level of malnutrition remain very high in the province.

Malnutrition of children is mostly associated with poor households, with food security leading to compromised nutritional intake. 

It is also noted that children born to teenage mothers or under circumstances of alcohol and drug abuse and domestic violence are more likely to experience lack of care which affects child feeding practices.

Responding to the report which was released recently, the provincial government noted that since the dawn of democracy it has been implementing various policy interventions and strategies towards addressing the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. 

These include addressing the concerning plight of child malnutrition in areas of the province. 

While acknowledging that the levels of malnutrition remain very high, the provincial government noted a drop in the fatality rate due to severe acute malnutrition from 11.8% in 2017/18 to 7% in the 2022/2023 financial year.
 
This is attributed to inter-sectoral collaboration efforts by other departments including Social Development, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and relevant stakeholders to tackle social determinants of health affecting child malnutrition.

The government emphasised that effective prevention of malnutrition among children requires collective responsibility between government, civil society, private sector, communities, and other appropriate stakeholders.

Highlighting some of the interventions to support the basic health and nutrition rights of all children in under-resourced and vulnerable communities, the provincial government said through the South African Social Services Agency, the Eastern Cape provincial government has provided Child Support Grants (CSG) to millions of deserving children, lifting many out of the poverty line. 

“Government is spending more than R1 billion towards providing the CSG to close to 2 million children that include Care Dependency and Foster Care Grants. Furthermore, there are about 3 950 undocumented children that are benefiting from the CSG in the province. 

“Government is also implementing the School Malnutrition Programme, where children are provided with nutritious meals to enhance their general wellbeing, and also taught to establish and maintain good eating and lifestyle habits,” the provincial government said.

Through the Department of Social Development, the province continues to provide food parcels and regular meals for mothers and infants from the Social Relief of Distress, as well as provision of support, guidance, parenting and feeding skills through the Indlezana Programme.

Mothers have also been equipped with technical skills through income generating projects to generate immediate income to supplement social grants.

In addition, the provincial government has implemented programmes targeted at child-headed homes, as well as children living in the streets through a community-based prevention and early intervention program to enhance efforts of protecting orphaned and vulnerable children.

The Provincial Government has further implemented programmes to address malnutrition in ensuring that mothers and children have access to services that promote the health growth and development of children as well as prevention, early identification, and management of malnutrition. 

“These include growth monitoring and promotion of breastfeeding in all levels of care and communities, prevention of teenage pregnancy, strengthening of nutritional supplementation and nutrition education, as well as education of mothers and caregivers on proper complementary feeding practices. 

“The department of health is also working with partners like United Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Population Fund (UNFPA) to implement various strategies in the community to reduce child morbidity and mortality in the province,” the government said.

It also noted collaboration between the department of Health and Social Development to champion Integrated Mother and Child Development Malnutrition Support Programme in OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo, which has yielded positive results.

The provincial government has committed to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people in the province, through various strategic interventions. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 11/13/2023 - 15:47

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A bid to up productivity in the automotive sector

Location: MyPR

MEDIA INVITE 13 November 2023 RE: A BID TO IMPROVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) with Productivity SA and six other organisations for the implementation of a training programme called the Quality and Productivity Improvement …

Read moreA bid to up productivity in the automotive sector