Children in the Eastern Cape are not being fed enough at school
Some schools are not getting even the minimum funding from the National School Nutrition Programme
Eastern Cape
Communities urged to be cautious as inclement weather still expected
Communities urged to be cautious as inclement weather still expected
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, has urged communities across the country to be extra cautious as the potential for further inclement and windy weather conditions remains high.
According to the department, the Minister is concerned about the prevailing adverse weather conditions characterised by wildfires and heavy rains affecting most provinces.
“The Minister urges communities across the country to be extra cautious as the potential for further inclement and windy weather conditions remains high,” the statement read.
Nkadimeng has directed respective disaster management centres to activate relief and response measures to ensure the preservation of life through their rescue and recovery efforts.
The Western and Eastern Cape have thus far experienced major flooding, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and property.
“Sadly, several communities have been displaced and some roads are inaccessible, which is detrimentally affecting lives and livelihoods.”
The department said it has noted the high alert early warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), particularly for the Western and Eastern Cape.
Some of the worst-hit areas include the City of Cape Town, Garden Route, Central Karoo District; West Coast District, Theewaterskloof, Gugulethu, Sarah Baartman and Nelson Mandela.
“Based on the reports and the weather forecast for the next couple of days as predicted by the SAWS, communities must be extra vigilant, especially in coastal areas.”
Warnings have also been extended for some parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga for 27 September 2023.
“The heavy rains are accompanied by strong winds which can lead to high tide, with the ocean's waters creeping up the shore, thus endangering lives.”
To this effect, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) is working collaboratively with Disaster Management Teams from across the three spheres of government and other teams to provide assistance where required.
“Minister calls on all social sectors and partners to mobilise aid and resources to respond adequately to the needs of affected communities.”
As more rain is still expected, the Minister calls on communities to observe the following safety measures:
- Be extra vigilant and exercise caution, especially in flood-prone areas.
- Follow regular updates and warning messages from the SAWS.
- Work with relevant authorities and follow safety tips.
- Those residing in low-lying areas must take extra care during storms, as sudden floods might affect them.
- Monitor the rising water levels and evacuate the areas to a safer place in case or water level rises.
- Be cautious of power lines that might be lying on the roads and debris on the roads.
- Cross through flooded roads or bridges or low-lying bridges, streams and rivers – use other safer routes.
- Try not to walk, swim or drive in swift-flowing water. Even if the water is 15 cm deep, it can sweep you off your feet.
- Motorists are urged to drive and park in safer areas.
- The public should contact their municipal disaster management centres or the nearest police station or call the national emergency numbers (112, 10177 or 107) when faced with threats.
- Sensitise children about the dangers of floods.
- Keep important documents in a water-resistant container.
- Keep your cellphone near you and have emergency numbers at hand.
- Be vigilant at night as it is harder to recognise potentially deadly road hazards.
- Beware of possible water contamination due to raw sewage or other dangerous substances. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 09/27/2023 - 10:51
203 views
Public Relations Student and Industry Matchmaking Event
Connecting tomorrow’s PR professionals with today’s industry leaders The future of Public Relations (PR) in the Eastern Cape is getting brighter. The Department of Media and Communication will host an event on Friday, September 29 at the Nelson Mandela University’s Indoor Sport Centre, aimed to connect PR students with established industry professionals. Nelson Mandela University’s …
Private sector needed to step in on transmission expansion
Private sector needed to step in on transmission expansion
Eskom’s transmission expansion and strengthening will require a “considerable amount of resources” that will require government and the private sector to work together.
This is according to Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, when he was briefing media on the progress of the Energy Action Plan.
“We are looking to tap into the liquidity that is available from the private sector to allow us an opportunity to expand the grid so that we are able to accommodate the renewable energy solutions that have been rolled out in the country, and a number of them have not been connected to the grid as a result of the constraint on the transmission side.
“The transmission expansion and strengthening exercise will require a considerable amount of resources and we know that the Eskom balance sheet is constrained and we know that the sovereign matrix has deteriorated, so it’s important that we explore opportunities for the country to tap into the liquidity that is sitting with the private sector,” the Minister said on Tuesday.
He said government is “doing everything possible” to engage the private sector on what will attract more investment in transmission.
“We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes that have been committed on the generation side, where we kicked the can down the road and we just thought that the private sector on its own will come into the space and resolve the issues of generation capacity constraints.
“What we know is that the State must be a very active participant in that space and that’s why we are doing everything possible to create those conditions. For us to create those conditions, it is necessary upfront, to have an appreciation and understanding from the private sector what are some of those… conditionalities that in their own view will make it possible for them to be able to finance,” he said.
Maintenance of power stations
Turning to planned maintenance of power stations, Minister Ramokgopa said Eskom will continue to carry this out on generating units.
“We will continue relentlessly with our efforts to ensure that planned maintenance gets to be executed. The intention is to make sure that everything possible is done to address the issues around the possibility of these units failing, going into the future.
“Therefore, planned maintenance is something that receives our attention and we are going to be diligent in ensuring that we are able to execute planned maintenance so that we are able to derive the benefit going into the future…” he said.
On Eskom’s Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF], progress was recorded from the week 18 – 22 September.
“[The UCLF] averaged about 13 751MW and… we are now beginning to be consistently below 15 000MW.
“We are striving to go even below 13 000MW to ensure that we have as many megawatts available because once we reduce the [UCLF], those megawatts get to be added to the available capacity and they are also able to defray the intensity of planned maintenance.
“That’s why there’s no reason, as a result of this exercise of reducing the [UCLF], for us to further intensify load shedding to levels that are unacceptable. Of course, load shedding by definition is unacceptable,” he said.
Load shedding
The Minister also reflected on the lower stages of load shedding over the long weekend and the uptick in load shedding stages announced by Eskom on Monday.
“It came back yesterday on account of a number of reasons, including the challenges that we are experiencing in the Western Cape as a result of the weather conditions there. Palmiet [power station] was a big casualty of those conditions and we were unable to exploit Palmiet, our pump station there.
“On account of the inclement weather in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape and our desire to make sure that we are able to support the efforts of the… emergency people to address and respond to the challenges that are associated with the… storms that have been experienced there, a decision was taken by Eskom to say that those areas, because of the difficulties that they are experiencing, will be exempt from load shedding and then the rest of the country will carry the load,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 09/26/2023 - 15:06
150 views
Police record successes in dealing with criminal syndicates
Police record successes in dealing with criminal syndicates
Police Minister Bheki Cele says the police are pushing back against crime in the country, and flushing out ruthless and greedy organised criminal syndicates.
“The work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has, through intelligence-led operations and weekly high density operations, resulted in the arrest of thousands of criminals, especially dangerous and hardened criminals,” Cele said at a briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The Minister outlined some of the successes achieved by the police in dealing with crime in the country.
He said assets worth millions of rands have been recovered and firearms have been removed off the streets.
“These covert operations have also resulted in multiple deaths of suspects who violently resisted arrest,” Cele said.
Cele said some of the meticulously conducted take-downs should renew hope in the country, that the men and women in blue are gaining ground against crime and continue to flush out criminality in both affluent and impoverished areas of society.
“South Africans on various platforms have welcomed the bolstered and decisive policing efforts by the SAPS, who are going toe-to-toe with criminals.
“But in the same breath, we are also aware that the SAPS triumph over crime is a bitter pill to swallow by some,” the minister said.
Cele said crime intelligence information remains central in the take-down of armed and ruthless gangs.
Cele said in the past week alone, police have registered a number of successes, including the latest take down of cash-in-transit heist suspects in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, where four suspects were killed and three suspects arrested.
“We would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the working relationship with the Hoedspruit Farmwatchers, who worked closely with the SAPS in taking down this syndicate.
“Among those arrested was a most wanted suspect, a Mozambican national, linked to the murder of a police officer, a spate of car hijackings, house and business robberies and fraud cases. Police seized one pistol, a rifle and some of the stolen money,” the Minister said.
Provincial overview
Among the successes achieved by the police include, in Gauteng, a multidisciplinary team led by the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, rescued an 18-year-old Wits University student from a kidnapping syndicate last Wednesday.
The syndicate had been targeting the LGBTQI+ community through a popular dating app. Police have broken the back of this particular kidnapping syndicate, which has so far been linked to over 50 kidnappings, where ransom demands were being made.
In KwaZulu-Natal, following a shooting incident which resulted in the fatal shooting of five men at a parking lot in a shopping centre in Richards Bay on the 19th September 2023, police - 24 hours later - acted on information and traced two suspects to an upmarket estate in Ballito, where a shootout ensued.
The pair were shot and killed during a take-down operation, which involved specialised units of the SAPS, including the National Intervention Unit (NIU).
One of the suspects was on the police’s wanted list and being investigated in a number of cases. One suspect is being sought by the police.
In the Eastern Cape, police arrested a gang that had robbed a store of R1 million worth of jewellery.
Just hours later, police followed up on information and tracked down and arrested all 10 suspects, following a crime intelligence-driven operation. All the stolen jewellery was recovered, as well as four firearms. The syndicate is linked to numerous other similar heists across the country.
In Carolina, Mpumalanga, the illicit mining task team shutdown an illegally operated coal mine and seized mining equipment worth over R60 million, as well as coal worth R12 million.
A mine manager was arrested and a manhunt is underway for the mine owner.
In Khutsong, Gauteng province, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) - under Operation Gillette - arrested nine suspects for illegal mining and they attached, through a preservation order, 58 properties (51 vehicles, including luxury vehicles and seven houses) to the value of over R17 million. They will be appearing in court on 29 September 2023.
In the Northern Cape, 867 illegal miners were arrested during an intelligence driven operation in the Namakwa region on Tuesday, 19 September 2023. The area, which is a hotspot for illegal mining activities, is being closely monitored, and police are working closely with other relevant departments to combat illegal mining activities. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 09/26/2023 - 12:21
129 views
Education Minister promised libraries for all schools by 29 November – but there’s no chance that deadline will be met
Three quarters of public schools still don’t have libraries, in spite of a 2013 promise
Stellantis Invests ZAR 3 Billion in South Africa, Establishing State-of-the-Art Automotive Plant in Coega
Stellantis (www.Stellantis.com) MEA COO Cherfan and SA Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition Patel shake hands on a new manufacturing plant in South Africa; Rapid progress has been made since the MOU signing in March 2023 with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic); this bold initiative reinforces Stellantis MEA Region's Dare Forward 2030 ambition to sell one million vehicles by 2030 with 70% regional production autonomy.
Stellantis has confirmed its intention to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega in South Africa with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). Minister Ebrahim Patel, senior officials from the IDC and Mr. Samir Cherfan, Stellantis Middle East and Africa Chief Operating Officer met at the Parliament Buildings in Cape Town to agree on investment in the South African motor industry.
“It is a wonderful day for all South Africans when a global company of Stellantis' proportions decides to expand its manufacturing footprint in South Africa, to assemble completely knocked down units,” said Mr. Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. “South Africa currently has the capacity to produce close to 700 000 vehicles annually. This will add considerable additional capacity, just as we prepare to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area. The country remains a great investment destination and this commitment from Stellantis to invest in our local motor industry highlights the success of our manufacturing sector policy, its capability and potential. We look forward to welcoming Stellantis to South Africa and sharing in the detailed plan for employment and investment”.
“We are delighted with the speed at which we are progressing on this project, thanks to the commitment of Minister Patel and the great collaboration with IDC, CDC and dtic teams,” commented Samir Cherfan-Chief Operating Officer Stellantis Middle East and Africa. “This project reflects our focus and trust in South Africa as one of the most important markets in Africa & Middle East. It is also the execution of our Dare Forward 2030 Strategy to reach over 22% Market Share in the region by 2030 with 70% regional localization of our sales leading to over 1 million units produced. We believe in South Africa and we intend to develop industrially and commercially bringing value to our customers”.
The manufacturing plant will be built in the South African Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Coega situated near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The greenfield manufacturing project is planned to complete by the end of 2025. The first launch planned early 2026 is a 1 T pick-up truck with volumes expected to reach up to 50,000 completely knocked down (CKD's) units annually including export, in line with the industry masterplan, known as the Automotive Production Development Program (APDP). The plant will be predisposed in terms of space and painting to go up to 90K units / year.
Direct employment to support the first capacity step is expected at 1000 jobs. Stellantis will be massively investing in over 500 000 hours in training and skills to develop and support the local teams to the level of global standards. We are targeting a localization rate over 30%.
“The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is enthralled for Stellantis to have chosen the proposed site in Coega for their Southern African manufacturing operations. Joining other major manufacturers in the area makes the Coega region the primary automotive hub in the country. The investment in the plant, employment, training and skills transfer will certainly benefit the region tremendously. “This is a much needed and welcomed economic boost for the Eastern Cape Province with an anticipated economy wide impact on the province's GDP of R 664 million. Household income is anticipated to increase to R558.4 million within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and R577.4 million for the entire Province. Most importantly, an anticipated 1800 jobs will be created in the Metro and around 2 097 for the EC Province,” said Khwezi Tiya, CEO the CDC.
Stellantis continues to work closely with the IDC in developing a viable joint venture (JV) partnership that will be evaluated by appropriate credit committees. “Stellantis' success with similar manufacturing plants around the world is well-known and our planned JV with Stellantis to build another greenfield plant in South Africa is progressing well. The investment is in line with IDC's intent to drive investment that supports the development of the regional automobile value chain,” said Mr. TP Nchocho, CEO of the IDC.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Stellantis.
For more information, contact:
Tshepo RAMODIBE
+27 269 3106
TshepoR@idc.co.za
Deidre Du PLESSIS
+27 10 252 5000
deidre.duplessis@stellantis.com
communications@stellantis.com
www.Stellantis.com
Social Media:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/48ueEXZ
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3Pcrv8c
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.info/3PGD2OG
YouTube: https://apo-opa.info/3EDsBF6
About Stellantis:
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider. Its storied and iconic brands embody the passion of their visionary founders and today's customers in their innovative products and services, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Powered by our diversity, we lead the way the world moves – aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.Stellantis.com.
Tuskers Announce Division 1 Arrival In Style
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SA offers a treasure trove of experiences
SA offers a treasure trove of experiences
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says South Africa offers a treasure trove of experiences suitable for all types of travellers - whether you are a local looking to explore your own country without straining your budget or an international adventurer seeking new memories.
“We’ve got you covered! We are committed to highlighting the less-visited provinces and regions of our country. As we all welcome the peak tourism summer season, we must showcase the unexplored beauty and hidden treasures that await discovery,” the Minister said at the launch of the 2023 Summer Campaign in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday.
De Lille said all the provinces have the “most amazing hidden gems” and that government is on a mission to highlight these hidden gems and showcase them to all of South Africa and the world.
She said tourism brings immense benefits to host communities and that these benefits must be felt in even the most remote of areas.
“We couldn’t have chosen a better province to do this than the province so rich in history and unparalleled beauty,” De Lille said.
De Lille said with over 800 kilometres of awe-inspiring coastline, the Eastern Cape province boasts some of the country’s most stunning beaches.
“Its landscapes are adorned with jaw-dropping rock formations and its ecosystems teem with a magnificent diversity of flora and fauna.
“What sets the Eastern Cape apart is its unique offering of the ‘Big 7’ – a thrilling roster that includes lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, Southern Right whales and Great White sharks.
“We all know the province, the home province of Tata Nelson Mandela, but it is equally known for its warm and welcoming people, who extend generous hospitality to all.
“In most successful tourism destinations worldwide, the domestic market serves as the bedrock of the tourism industry,” De Lille said.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel faced severe restrictions due to global travel bans, the tourism sector leaned heavily on domestic tourism to sustain itself.
The Minister thanked local travellers who nonetheless explored the country when conditions permitted.
According to the Minister, in the first half of 2023, South Africans took 18.8 million domestic overnight trips up 23.4% when compared to the first half of 2022. Overnight spend was also up by 21.2% to reach R52.2 billion.
South Africans spent 65.7 million nights away from home and this was up 24.4% when compared to the first half of 2022.
De Lille said they want to use the Summer Campaign to further foster a culture of travel among South Africans.
“We understand that for this to be effective, ensuring affordability of travel should be at the forefront of our efforts.
“We are well aware that consumers are grappling with the challenges of a high cost of living. Consumers are facing an overall rise in the cost of living, driven by escalating fuel prices and interest rate hikes among others,” the Minister said.
De Lille said to respond to the high cost of living, said the tourism industry continues to explore creative ways in which to make travel more affordable.
From January to July 2023, a total of 4.8 million international tourists arrived in South Africa, signifying a remarkable 70.6% surge compared to the same period in 2022.
During Africa’s Travel Indaba in May this year, a significant milestone was reached when various stakeholders, including industry representatives and operators, came together to endorse the inclusivity pledge. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 09/19/2023 - 14:50
185 views
Maketa Set For SA Emerging One-Day Cup Birth
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Call for a review of National Strategic Position on GBVF
Call for a review of National Strategic Plan on GBVF
South African children have reiterated a call for the review of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF).
The call was made during consultations with children on Pillar 7 of the NSP on GBVF, held simultaneously in Limpopo, the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
The Department of Social Development has been on the road consulting children on the NSP-GBVF - the country’s blueprint document to combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
This follows a call by children during the Presidential GBVF Summit held last year, that the document should have Pillar 7, which will specifically look at violence against children.
During the summit, the children expressed their dissatisfaction about adults speaking on their behalf.
The NSP-GBVF currently has six pillars namely:
• Accountability, coordination and leadership;
• Prevention and Rebuilding;
• Justice, Safety and Protection;
• Response, Care Support and healing;
• Economic Power; and
• Research and Information.
During consultations, the children noted that the document is not child friendly, and does not include children and men.
The children believe that the “gender” in gender-based violence indirectly means women, and not children and boys.
They challenged the drafters to look into the document and count how many times children are mentioned.
“Maybe instead of a pillar, there should be a strategic document on how to deal with violence against children, seeing that adults have already drafted their own,” 17-year-old Rebecca Smith said.
The children also raised concern on the document being written only in English, noting that they do not think that their communities even know what “gender-based violence” is.
“The seventh pillar must all be about us - the children,” said Mondli Mncandi.
Patience Sibande (17) said she had to continue consulting her dictionary because of the difficulty in terminology and language used.
“We don’t understand it, and it excludes us as children from the rural areas,” she said.
The children also pointed out that while the drafters of the document may think that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA) community is mentioned, the document glosses over their issues and it does not understand [what] children who are of a different sexuality go through.
“The document is sound but lacks inclusivity in the sense that it only mentions the LGBTQIA community towards the end, the document should include them throughout,” said 16-year-old Northern Cape Child Ambassador Shareez James.
The department started the consultations last week with the children from Gauteng and the Western Cape.
“The consultative sessions seek to ensure that children have an opportunity to express their views on the NSP-GBVF and how their issues can find expression in the document. The Children’s Act encourages the right for children to participate in all matters affecting them,” the department said.
The consultations will continue in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga on 23 September 2023.
Upon the conclusion of the consultations, the inputs from children will be submitted to the national steering committee responsible for the NSP-GBVF so that a decision can be made on whether to include Pillar 7, as asked by the children. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 09/17/2023 - 10:10
145 views
Minister calls for improvement in scheme that identifies talent in sports
Minister calls for improvement in system that identifies talent in sports
While efforts have been made to transform the sports fraternity, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has called for the development of a framework for the early identification and development of sporting talent.
“We still preside over a divided and ill-defined sports system characterised by fissures of our past. We have no universal access to facilities,” the Minister said on Thursday in Johannesburg.
Addressing the School Sport Indaba, he said by identifying talent early in school, the youth can have the needed support, mentorship, and resources to make it as a professional sportsman or sportswoman.
“This implies the government and other stakeholders making budget available to support identified initiatives. When looking internationally, it is common to see sports stars in their teenage years making their mark in the upper echelons of world sport,” Kodwa said.
According to the EPG 2018 report, the School Sport competition system is currently indicating that there are three streams from which talent is identified and competition is staged.
The Minister said this system is currently not integrated and has some challenges.
“The system shows that there is a government-run school sport system, then there is one model where former Model C schools and private schools compete, this is where most athletes are identified, and then there is a system which the Federations use to stage the tournaments and select national athletes.
“The athletes competing in the Government-run school sport system, come from more 23 000 public schools, majority of which are previously disadvantaged with poor or no sport facilities in place.
“These are the athletes whose system of competition is poorly organized and do not have proper coaching support. The second group are athletes, from the former Model-C schools, including private schools which are properly resourced, with world-class sport facilities and proper coaching support,” the Minister said.
The last group are athletes competing in Federations-staged tournaments, most of whom must have means to attend these events with the majority being from the former Model C schools.
Upon successful competition, these athletes are awarded the National colours and may be eligible for selection into academies and underage national teams.
“Dare I say, we as all stakeholders have failed learners and young people at school and out of school, and we need a theory of change? We need to clearly spell out how School Sport is supposed to work, why it will work, and the conditions required for its successful implementation,” the Minister said.
He said the School Sport Indaba is government’s intervention to revitalise school sport in South Africa.
The Minister noted the need for investment in the development of local expertise, through running of sports academies from foundation phase as well as the establishment of bilateral agreements with other governments for the creation of development opportunities for studies in the different sporting fields like Sports Science.
Kodwa also called for the creation of internship opportunities for graduates in schools and sports clubs.
“The National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) contends that provision and maintenance of facilities forms the foundation of the entire sport and recreation system, therefore if facilities backlogs are not addressed it will be difficult to achieve transformation, sport development and increased participation objectives in sport.
“This situation or reality, therefore, requires all stakeholders to put all hands-on-deck for the future of sport in our country. Only when we all collaborate, will we be able to develop athletes that can successfully compete internationally, and reach our goal of being a winning nation!
“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has already undertaken to address the challenge of talent identification by building multipurpose sports courts and outdoor gyms in rural and township communities, which have historically lacked these facilities,” the Minister said.
As part of the legacy projects of the Netball World Cup, multipurpose courts have been built in several communities around the country, including in Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal.
Work is also being done to build netball courts in Cala Secondary School and Mchewula High School in Cala, Eastern Cape.
“There is much being done and much more to do in the country. As I have said, Government cannot do it alone. I would like to applaud all the commercial and community partners that support the work of Government to develop sport at grassroots level,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 09/15/2023 - 08:54
663 views
SA economy demonstrates resilience through multiple gains
SA economy demonstrates resilience through multiple gains
Despite the prevailing difficult global economic conditions, South Africa’s economy continues to demonstrate its resilience, with multiple gains being achieved towards the country’s economy, investment and trade.
These include the 0.6% expansion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2023, a R5 billion investment pledge by auto component manufacturers, job creation at the Rainbow Chickens facility in Hammarsdale and an investment by Stellantis to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility.
“Cabinet is pleased with the resilience of the South African economy as shown by South Africa’s GDP second quarter data, as released by StatsSA. This is despite the prevailing difficult global economic conditions and the persistence of the electricity situation in the country,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.
According to Stats SA, six industries on the supply side of the economy grew in the second quarter, with manufacturing and finance driving much of the upward momentum.
“The manufacturing industry increased by 2.2% in the second quarter, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point to GDP growth. The continued improvements in manufacturing data indicates improvements in the production capacity, which in turn contributes to an increase in total manufacturing employment.
“The petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division made the largest contribution to the increase in the second quarter. The basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division also made a significant contribution to the growth in this industry,” the Minister said.
The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 0.7% in the second quarter, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point to GDP growth while the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 4.2%, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point to GDP growth.
The personal services industry increased by 0.7% in the second quarter, contributing 0.1% of a percentage point to GDP growth.
The Minister made these remarks during a media briefing in Pretoria on the outcomes a Cabinet meeting that was held on Wednesday.
Cabinet had at the meeting also welcomed a pledge for an investment worth approximately R5 billion by auto component manufacturers made at the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) show recently.
“These pledges by companies operating in South Africa show the confidence of the industry in the South African market and the opportunities to localise the production of components, providing auto assemblers with a more resilient supply base.
“Shortly after the announcement, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition officially opened the Benteler plant extension in the Eastern Cape, producing components for local car assemblers. The expansion of production is estimated to replace imports worth R1 billion and the workforce grew to 743 workers,” Ntshavheni said.
Gains in poultry sector
Cabinet said the recent job creation for 750 people at the Rainbow Chickens facility in Hammarsdale demonstrates the success of the implementation of the Poultry Masterplan.
“During 2017, Rainbow Chickens had retrenched more than 1 000 workers and closed operations. After adoption of the masterplan, government implemented a variety of measures to safeguard the local poultry industry including placing anti-dumping duties on poultry imported from producers in five countries.
“This, together with increased investment and measures to transform the industry and bring more black-owned firms into the market, has seen real successes,” Ntshavheni said.
Rainbow Chickens has since re-opened and invested R220 million.
In addition, the overall employment within the poultry industry has been reported to have increased by 2 780 jobs and more than R2 billion in fresh investment has been implemented.
Meanwhile, Cabinet welcomed the confirmation by Stellantis of its intention to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega, South Africa. The greenfield manufacturing project is planned to be completed by the end of 2025.
“The first launch, planned for early 2026, is for a 1 T pick-up truck, with volumes expected to reach up to 50 000 annually, including for export, in line with the industry masterplan, known as the Automotive Production Development Program (APDP).
“Direct employment to support the first capacity step is expected at 1 000 jobs. Stellantis will be massively investing in over 500 000 hours in training and skills to develop and support the local teams to the level of global standards. We are targeting a localisation rate over 30%,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 09/14/2023 - 11:19
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Renowned SA botanist Dr Elsa Pooley shares worthy spring and summer garden tips ahead of El Niño
Many are keen to create vibrant gardens with the arrival of spring, but the start of the El Niño weather cycle and the anticipated hot, dry weather need to be considered when choosing plants. Renowned South African botanist, landscaper, and author of best-selling field guides on wildflowers and trees, Dr Elsa Pooley, has shared her …
Coming together starts with ‘hello’ this Heritage Month
South Africa is a diverse country made up of vibrant, multicultural communities. This cultural richness is evident in the many languages, dialects, phrases, and expressions that make South Africa so unique. The recent addition of South African Sign Language to the country’s 11 existing official languages creates even more opportunities to connect. To celebrate the …
Adcock Ingram and Food & Trees for Africa Join Forces to Launch “Greening the Path” Initiative in the Eastern Cape
14 September 2023 – The Eastern Cape, renowned for its rich biodiversity and natural beauty, has long been home to hundreds of bird and tree species. However, the region has faced significant challenges due to pastoral activities, habitat destruction, deforestation, and overgrazing, resulting in the loss of many valuable species. Recent research indicates that half …
ASA Cross Country Championships
Athletics SA, EP Athletics and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will be hosting the ASA Cross Country Championships this Saturday, 16 September, at the Nelson Mandela University Sport fields. The best of South Africa’s Cross Country runners, ranging in age from 8 years to over 80 years, and covering distances from 2km to 10km, will …
Silicosis: 68-year-old mineworker gets compensation payout months before he dies
Q(h)ubeka Trust winds up after paying out R420-million in compensation following court settlement with employers
Durban vendors say they pay their fees but the municipality ignores them
Lights at the Berea bus rank where they trade have been broken for five years
Langa Used To Be A “Place Of Ubuntu” Says 82-Year-Old Resident
Langa centenary: former beauty queen Nomsa Banjatwa remembers a township abuzz with social events