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CAPE TOWN, 30 January 2024: Africa’s Green Economy Summit, taking place from 21-23 February 2024 in Cape Town, not only features the continent’s major sustainability thought leaders, but also provides a springboard for companies operating in the green sector to sell themselves to investors. The event brings together key African stakeholders – including investors, project …
When it comes to experiencing the rich history, culture, and resilience of South Africa, Soweto (short for South Western Townships) stands out as a must-visit destination. Located just outside Johannesburg, Soweto has a profound historical significance that makes it a captivating place to explore. In this blog, we’ll take you on a journey through the …
They also want a unified bargaining forum
Nhlakanipho Mkhize, a distinguished 33-year-old academic originally from Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg, and now residing in Springs, east of Johannesburg, embodies the belief that education is the key to unlocking boundless opportunities. Now, he’s embarked on a mission close to his heart: to pay forward the transformative power of education to his cousin, Busiswa Kuzwayo, aged …
Johannesburg, 2024 – Despite the recent matric results boasting a 40.9 percent Bachelor’s pass rate, a sense of disappointment, disillusionment, and desperation is sweeping over the class of 2023 as a cruel enigma looms. Inclusion, accessibility, and affordability is bottlenecking the potential of South Africa’s (SA) youth, stifling the aspirations of countless young minds and …
Minister concerned about high number of vehicle crashes
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has expressed concern at the high level of vehicle crashes and fatalities that have occurred in the country recently.
"In recent past weeks, there were some equally gruesome accidents that robbed our country of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, families and young children who had a potential to grow up and make a meaningful contribution to develop our country,” Chikunga said on Friday in the Free State.
She made these remarks during her visit to Riebeckstad High School where six pupils died and more than 40 others were injured when the driver of a bus lost control and the vehicle overturned on 06 February 2024 between Senekal and Welkom.
“This is an unacceptable behaviour and conduct. It is unacceptable because we know that road crashes are preventable and they are avoidable. Every driver knows that we all have responsibilities, not to drive vehicles with faulty brakes, worn tyres and that are unroadworthy.
“Each year, the lives of South Africans are cut short because of road traffic crashes. Moreover, thousands of people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many becoming disabled as a result of injuries suffered during road crash incidents.
“While we have intensified efforts to communicate road safety messages through different mediums, it is unfortunate that road users' attitude and behaviour towards obeying the rules of the road remain main factors significantly contributing to fatalities on the road, and as such this calls for more education targeted at behavioural change,” the Minister said.
Chikunga noted that human error was not a contributing factor in the crash as the nuts on the left rear wheels were not tightly secured resulting in the wheels coming off and causing the crash.
“The bus driver would not have been aware of this problem as this was a mechanical error that the mechanics who worked on the bus previously, should have identified before the bus left the workshop.
"I call on the police and everyone involved in the investigation to finalise their investigation sooner to enable families to find closure.
“On behalf of the government of South Africa, and particularly the transport family, we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the learners who died. To those that are recuperating in hospitals and at home, we wish them a speedy recovery,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 14:17
President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Friday, 09 February 2024, tee up at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand.
The Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC) was inaugurated in 1999 to give an opportunity for the sitting President of the Republic to raise funds for the charity of his/her own choice.
The initiative, coordinated by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, is a joint effort with the private sector to partake in developmental initiatives to empower society.
The Challenge raises funds for developmental charities and creates an opportunity for networking among decision-makers within the private sector and entities from the three spheres of government on the day following the President's State of the Nation Address.
This year the Challenge again raises funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
The Foundation's partner entity, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, will use the funds to construct ablution facilities at schools in support of the Department of Basic Education's SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union.
On Friday evening, the President will express his appreciation to the event's sponsors and partners at a prize-giving dinner where players will be recognised as well.
Details of the Golf Challenge are as follows:
Date: Friday, 09 February 2024
Time: 09h00
Venue: Atlantic Beach Golf Club, Melkbosstrand, Cape Town
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
In a bid to raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning teed off at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC).
The PGC was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, following the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday night.
According to the Presidency, the funds will be used by the foundation’s partner, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, to construct ablution facilities as part of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
“The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union,” the Presidency said.
Load shedding
Answering questions from the media on load shedding on the side lines of the golf challenge, President Ramaphosa said government cannot give an exact date on when the rolling power outages will stop.
“It is a constant problem for South Africans. We know that and everybody feels it. And it’s not comfortable at all. In fact, it does sometimes evoke a lot of anger. But as I’ve said, we do have the resilience as South Africans to keep on ensuring that we do hope for a better time. And a better time is coming.
“The issue of the ending of load shedding is a moot one. Everybody wants to know…when is it ending. When you give them a date and there’s load shedding thereafter, they say you were lying and you make empty, false promises. So we are not going to do that because this is a process.
“Through the National Electricity Crisis Committee, everything is put in place. All the pillars are put in place to finally address load shedding. It would be wonderful and ideal to give a date but processes like these that are engineering based…you cannot really put a date to,” he said.
SARS
Responding to questions on the extension of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) boss, Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s tenure, President Ramaphosa batted away any suggestions of a crisis at the revenue collector’s office.
He explained that with Kieswetter’s term coming to an end, measures need to be put in place to facilitate a “proper transition”.
“So there’s no crisis. Nobody should be in any form of angst because the process is being handled very, very properly. And I’m happy to have a Commissioner of Revenue like him who is very cooperative; who is committed to his work; who is diligent and who has revived SARS from the grips of state capture.
“So when I was talking about revamping our institutions last night [at the State of the Nation Address], I highlighted that SARS is one of those. It is back to its old, efficient self having been taken into the depths of state capture for a while.
“We have reclaimed it and I’m rather glad that it is one of those institutions that is serving the people of South Africa well,” President Ramaphosa said.
Earlier this week, the President agreed to extend the Commissioner’s tenure beyond the end of his term at the revenue collector.
The Commissioner’s contract of employment was set to end on 30 April, where after a new Commissioner would be appointed.
In March 2019, President Ramaphosa appointed Kieswetter, in terms of Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act, for a five-year term that started on 1 May 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 13:07
Afroteq Advisory, a division of the AFMS Group, is an integrated multidisciplinary consulting firm offering project management, advisory and training services to the built environment sector. We are proud to announce the appointment of Seipati Leboko as the Business Unit Head of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment in Gauteng. Seipati is a seasoned SHEQ Manager …
State of the Nation Address in numbers
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday.
Below is the SONA in numbers:
Social Assistance
Unemployment and Job Creation
Crime and Corruption
Energy
Economy and Investment
Road Infrastructure
Land
Labour
Matric
Poverty Alleviation
Health
Housing, Water and Telecommunications
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
Janine
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:53
Government determined to tackle pressing issue of youth unemployment
As the country marks 30 years of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated government's commitment to tackling the pressing issue of youth unemployment.
Delivering the final State of the Nation Address (SONA) for the sixth administration, President Ramaphosa emphasised that government is determined to take immediate action in providing employment opportunities for young individuals, underscoring the urgency of addressing this crucial challenge.
“For despite the remarkable achievements of the last 30 years, many of democracy’s children still face great challenges. Millions of young people aged 15 to 24 years are currently not in employment, education or training.
“There are many who have a matric, a diploma or a degree who cannot find a job, or do not have the means to start a business. While economic growth is essential to reduce unemployment, we cannot wait to provide the work that many of democracy’s children need,” the President said.
Despite the challenges, the President highlighted that government has taken steps to address the youth unemployment crisis.
Three years ago, building on the success of the Expanded Public Works Programme, government launched the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) as part of government’s response to the pandemic, but its success in enabling employment creation continues to benefit many.
Through this programme, the sixth administration has created more than 1.7 million work and livelihood opportunities.
Through the stimulus, more than 1 million school assistants were placed in 23 000 schools, providing participants with valuable work experience while improving learning outcomes.
Through the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), government has established SAYouth.mobi as a zero-rated platform for unemployed young people to access opportunities for learning and earning.
Over 4.3 million young people are now engaged on the network and 1.6 million have so far secured opportunities.
The President added that working together with the National Youth Development Agency, they have set up a number of initiatives to provide opportunities for young people including the National Youth Service and the Youth Employment Service.
“These programmes matter because work matters to people. The NYDA has played a key role in assisting a number of young people to start their own businesses. Having a job does not only provide an income, it is fundamental to people’s sense of self-worth, dignity, hope, purpose and inclusion.
“From the depths of deprivation and inequality, we have worked over 30 years to ensure that all South Africans have an equal chance to prosper.
“It is not enough to recognise the injustices of the past; we need to correct them. We have introduced laws and undertaken programmes to enable black South Africans and women to advance in the workplace, to become owners and managers, to acquire land and build up assets,” the President said.
The President further highlighted that the proportion of jobs in executive management held by black people increased almost five-fold between 1996 and 2016. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:12
Government to extend and improve R350 grant for the unemployed
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that government will extend and improve the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant as the next step towards income support for the unemployed.
Delivering the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) for the sixth administration at the Cape Town City Hall, the President said government introduced the special grant during the pandemic, which currently reaches some 9 million unemployed people every month.
“We have seen the benefits of this grant and will extend it and improve it as the next step towards income support for the unemployed.
“These grants and subsidies do much more than give people what they need to live. They are an investment in the future.
“Social assistance has been shown to increase school enrolment and attendance, lower drop-out rates, and improve the pass rate,” the President said.
Prioritising ECDs and early grade reading initiatives
Turning to basic education, President Ramaphosa said that government will over the next five years prioritise expanding access to early childhood development and enhancing early grade reading initiatives.
The President highlighted that significant progress is already underway with improving early grade reading demonstrating the administration's commitment to this area.
Last year, the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) showed that 81% of Grade 4 pupils in South Africa can’t read for meaning.
“Over the next five years, we will focus our attention on expanding access to early childhood development and improving early grade reading, where we are already beginning to see progress.
“Moving early childhood development to the Department of Basic Education was one of the most important decisions as we were now able to devote more resources to early childhood development and ensure that through cooperative governance, various departments of government get involved in early childhood development augmented by the Department of Basic education,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa reflected that one of the worst injustices of apartheid was the manner in which education was used as a tool to perpetuate inequality.
Over the last 30 years, he said, the democratic government has sought to use education as a tool to create equality.
“Our basic education outcomes are steadily improving across a range of measures. The latest matric pass rate, at 82.9%, is the highest ever. And with each new year, learners from no-fee schools are accounting for more and more of the bachelor passes achieved. At the same time, fewer learners are dropping out of school.
“We have increased funding for poor and working-class students in universities and TVET significantly over the past five years,” he said.
Tackling poverty
Regarding efforts to tackle poverty, President Ramaphosa said government’s policies and programmes have, over the course of 30 years, lifted millions of people out of dire poverty.
“Today, fewer South Africans go hungry and fewer live in poverty. In 1993, South Africa faced a significant poverty challenge, with 71.1 percent of its population living in poverty.
“However, under the democratic government, there has been a consistent decline in these numbers. By 2010, the poverty rate had dropped to 60.9 percent, and it continued to decrease, reaching 55.5 percent in 2020, as reported by the World Bank. This progress has been made possible by extensive support to those in society who need it most,” he said.
Five years ago, government introduced a further measure to tackle poverty by introducing the National Minimum Wage as envisaged in the Freedom Charter.
President Ramaphosa said the decision by key role players, being business and labour and communities, to introduce the minimum wage immediately raised the wages of over 6 million workers. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:58
Tintswalo, a child of democracy
As the country marks 30 years of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to outline how government has impacted the lives of ordinary people over the past three decades.
Painting a picture of a child born in 1994, the President told a story of Tintswalo who grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
“The story of the first 30 years of our democracy can be best told through the life of a child called Tintswalo born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. She grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen.
“Tintswalo, and many others born at the same time as her, were beneficiaries of the first policies of the democratic state to provide free health care for pregnant women and children under the age of six. Tintswalo’s formative years were spent in a house provided by the state, one of millions of houses built to shelter the poor,” President Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
He described her upbringing as being in a household provided with basic water and electricity, in a house where her parents were likely to have lived without electricity before 1994.
“Tintswalo was enrolled in a school in which her parents did not have to pay school fees, and each school day she received a nutritious meal as part of a programme that today supports nine million learners from poor families.
“The democratic state provided a child support grant to meet her basic needs. This grant, together with other forms of social assistance, continues to be a lifeline for more than 26 million South Africans every month.
“With this support, Tintswalo – democracy’s child – was able to complete high school. Through the assistance of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Tintswalo attended one of our Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and obtained a qualification,” the President said.
When Tintswalo entered the world of work, she was able to progress and thrive with the support of the state’s employment equity and black economic empowerment policies.
“With the income she earned, she was able to save, to start a family, to move into a better house, and to live a better life. This is the story of millions of people who have been born since the dawn of our democracy,” President Ramaphosa said.
Lifting millions out of poverty
Delivering the last SONA for the sixth administration at the Cape Town City Hall, the President said government’s policies and programmes have lifted millions out of dire poverty.
“Today, fewer South Africans go hungry and fewer live in poverty. In 1993, South Africa faced a significant poverty challenge, with 71.1 percent of its population living in poverty. However, under the democratic government, there has been a consistent decline in these numbers.
“By 2010, the poverty rate had dropped to 60.9 percent, and it continued to decrease, reaching 55.5 percent in 2020, as reported by the World Bank. This progress has been made possible by extensive support to those in society who need it most,” the President said.
Five years ago, government introduced a further measure to tackle poverty by introducing the National Minimum Wage as envisaged in the Freedom Charter.
“The decision by key role players, being business and labour and communities, to introduce the minimum wage immediately raised the wages of over 6 million workers,” the President said.
He said today, nearly nine out of every ten households live in a formal dwelling.
“One of the most visible, impactful and meaningful achievements in the first three decades of freedom has been in providing homes to the people. Today, nearly nine out of every ten households live in a formal dwelling.
“Where there were once shacks and mud houses, there are now homes of brick and mortar. These are homes with water to drink and to wash with, homes with electricity for lighting and cooking.
“At the end of apartheid, only 6 out of 10 people had access to clean drinking water. Today, that figure has increased to nearly 9 out of 10 South Africans,” the President said.
South Africans living longer than ever before
“Life expectancy has increased from 54 years in 2003 to 65 years in 2023. Maternal and infant deaths have declined dramatically. We have built more hospitals and clinics, especially in poor areas, providing better quality care to more South Africans.
“Today, 95% of persons diagnosed with HIV know their status, 79% of those receive antiretroviral treatment, and 93% of those are virally suppressed. New HIV infections among young people have declined significantly,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 20:55
MEC saddened by death of Grade 1 Gauteng learner
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed devastation at the death of a Grade 1 girl learner who passed away after allegedly consuming biscuits from a local spaza shop.
In an incident that took place on Tuesday, it is alleged that the learner from Mandlethu Primary School in Tsakane, Brakpan, began experiencing health complications in class just before break at 11am and started vomiting a few minutes later.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the learner’s parents were contacted immediately to come to the school, while emergency services were also alerted to provide the necessary medical assistance.
“Unfortunately, the learner was certified dead by paramedics upon arrival. According to information at our disposal, the parents confirmed that the child had consumed biscuits which were bought from a local spaza shop owned by foreign nationals,” the GDE said.
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding this incident, while the department’s Psycho-Social Support Unit has been deployed to provide trauma support and counselling to all affected individuals.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident.
“We plead with parents to be vigilant concerning the edible goods that their children consume. We call upon law enforcement agencies and municipalities to be more stringent on compliance matters related to spaza shop products. Indeed, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and the school community at large,” MEC Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 09:34
Joint media release by Premier Alan Winde and Mireille Wenger, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities; National budget process causing budget cuts to health, education, social services and more.
The impact of the nationally imposed budget cuts on healthcare provision, as outlined in an open letter signed by hundreds of health workers, academics, doctors, professors and clinicians this week, is simply devastating.
The excellent work done day in and day out by the vital people who are integral to the lives of millions of South Africans in the face of significant challenges, does not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated. These dedicated public servants are at the very heart of the frontline services relied upon by our residents, especially the most vulnerable in our society.
The implications of the nationally imposed cuts go beyond health care services and have hit education and social development services - and every other provincial department. This is exactly what the Western Cape Government warned of and which it is now fighting to stop and reverse.
“The mission of the Western Cape Government is to do all we can, using all available levers, to cushion these blows. However, the hard truth is that the quantum of the budget cuts is now so large that it will be almost impossible to fully mitigate the loss of funding from the national purse” said Premier Alan Winde.
“The fact is that these budget cuts are beyond the control of the provinces because we rely almost entirely on funding from the nationally collected tax revenue. This is then allocated to each of the nine provinces by the National Treasury through the Provincial Equitable Share (PES), to fund the core constitutional mandates of providing, amongst others, health care, education and social development services,” added provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger.
In the Western Cape, the PES accounts for approximately 75% of the budget while Conditional Grants amount to approximately 18% of the total budget. These sources, determined by national government, therefore make up the vast majority (93%) of the budget in the Western Cape.
As things stand, a total of R6.7 billion has been reduced from the Western Cape's PES over the 2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) over the next three financial years as part of nationally imposed fiscal consolidation. This amounts to more than the total combined budgets of the provincial Departments of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Economic Development and Tourism, and Cultural Affairs and Sport.
Currently, the Department of Health and Wellness receives 37% of the total Western Cape Provincial budget.
“Over and above these devastating reductions, provinces have not been fully compensated by national government for the 2023 public sector wage agreement, that was centrally negotiated without consultation, and unilaterally imposed on provinces” added provincial Minister Wenger.
Only Health and Education received partial funding of the wage agreement of which Health received 70% and Education received 64.5% of what is required, while all other departments/services have had to absorb the full cost of the wage agreement. In total the funding shortfall of the wage agreement amounts to R1.1 billion for the 2022/23 financial year and recurs over the MTEF.
“The impact of these budget cuts will have a direct impact on critical service delivery in the Western Cape and we are doing all we can to protect these services” said provincial Minister Wenger.
Premier Winde went on to emphasise that “This is why, in November last year, we formally declared an intergovernmental dispute (IGD) with the national government, to fight for the residents of this province, particularly the most vulnerable who rely heavily on these services. Our residents must get their fair share of funding. As much as we are fighting for our vulnerable residents, we are also fighting for our public servants like our health professionals so that they can focus on their critical work. As we head into the next phase of the IGD with the mediations upcoming, we will not back down.”
Minister Wenger confirmed that “There are also other serious concerns regarding the PES. As it stands, the latest census data has not been incorporated into the PES calculations. The result of which is that while the Western Cape is the third largest province in South Africa by population, we only get the fifth largest budget allocation.”
“This government is fighting for our residents to protect our frontline services, our children, those who depend on the public health system, and the most vulnerable in our society” concluded provincial Minister Wenger.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education expressed its shock and sadness at the death yesterday of six learners from Riebeeckstad in the Free State.
Committee Chairperson Ms Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said the committee is heartbroken following the news that six girls passed away in a horrific bus accident while being transported from a sports event. “This is such a tragedy; six young lives ripped away. We mourn with the parents, families, school community and all those affected by this accident.”
According to reports, the accident took place on the R70 near Ventersburg yesterday as learners from Riebeeckstad High School were travelling from an all-girls sports event in Moolmanshoek. The same reports indicated that 28 other learners suffered minor injuries, one had severe injuries and another six pupils were treated for moderate injuries. “We wish those injured and those recovering in hospital a speedy recovery,” said Ms Mbinqo-Gigaba.
“The committee is saddened by the event. This comes a few weeks after schools began the 2024 academic year and shortly on the heels of the country celebrating the Class of 2023's excellent pass rate. It is truly sad for the province and South Africa that we have been robbed of these young learners, who are the future of our country.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
President Ramaphosa expected to announce Election Day within 15 days
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the date for the 2024 national elections within 15 days of the State of the Nation Address, which is to be delivered tomorrow evening.
“We look forward to the President delivering the State of the Nation Address tomorrow at 7pm. It it will be the administration’s seventh - in a year which marks 30 years since Parliament ushered in the democratic dispensation,” Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Addressing the media at the Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town earlier today, Magwenya urged all South Africans to follow tomorrow’s address as it deals with the state of the nation, not only the state of one segment or some segments of the nation.
“We are united in the progress we have made and united in the work we need to do to address the challenges we face,” he said.
Magwenya said the President was recovering well from the flu and would be up to the task of delivering his address.
“Last night we were with him going through the draft [speech] until very late. By then he had improved significantly,” Magwenya said.
On Friday, the President will be up at dawn to warm up for the annual Presidential Golf Challenge.
“The Presidential Golf Challenge is coordinated by the Minister of Public Service and Administration and will raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
“The Foundation’s partner entity, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, will use the funds to construct ablution facilities at schools in support of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education,” Magwenya said.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at our schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country,” Magwenya said.
The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe from Mangaung in the Free State.
“Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union and we hope he doesn’t put too much pressure on the President on the first tee,” Magwenya said.
On Friday evening, the President will express his appreciation to the event’s sponsors and partners at a prizegiving dinner where players will be recognised.
This year’s SONA holds special significance as it is not only the end of term, but also the address ahead of South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy.
This is an opportunity to reflect on how far the nation has come and recommit to working together to build the country envisioned at the start of democracy.
The State of the Nation Address sets out government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead.
During the address, the President will highlight achievements, flag challenges and outline interventions to unlock the country’s development.
The address marks the official start of the Parliamentary programme. It will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly and the President’s reply to the debate. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 14:17
Taking stock of the sixth administration
Thursday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the last one to be made by the sixth administration.
The President - in his capacity as Head of State and government - will deliver the annual SONA at 7pm, before a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Just as individuals usually make a list of their goals at the start of each year, and the steps they need to take to attain them, the SONA similarly sets out government’s key policy objectives as well as deliverables for the year ahead.
The President is expected to reflect on the gains made and the areas that still need attention since the last SONA.
However, having been inaugurated as President on 25 May 2019, President Ramaphosa is also likely to look back on the term of his administration.
According to the Presidency, this administration “took office with a mandate to grow the economy, create employment and reduce poverty.” It was also tasked with putting an end to corruption as well as “restoring the integrity and capability of public institutions.”
Government has over the years made progress in improving the lives of those within the borders of South Africa.
Advancements have been made in the key priorities of growing the economy and job creation, building better lives, making communities safer and fighting crime.
Over the years, irrespective of the administration at the helm, an inclusive economy in which all South Africans can partake in, has and continues to be a top issue for government.
Fixing the economy and load shedding
In order to grow the economy, reliable energy supply is essential and energy security is cited in the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). In July 2022, government launched the Energy Action Plan (EAP). The EAP is a set of steps to be taken to address load shedding.
Government has amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to remove the licencing requirement for generation projects to accelerate private investment.
By September 2023, more than 100 projects were at various stages of development, representing over 10 000 megawatts of new generation capacity and over R200 billion in private sector investment.
Other steps taken to reform the electricity sector include the tabling of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill in Parliament.
In addition, progress continues to be made towards the unbundling of Eskom, with the newly established National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) obtaining its operating, trading, and import and export licences from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in September 2023, allowing the company to operate independently from the power utility. This as government works to separate Eskom into the Generation, Distribution and Transmission entities. Last month, Eskom announced the appointment of the National Transmission Company of South Africa board.
This is one of the most important pillars of Eskom’s legal separation which will “create a level playing field to enable competition in electricity generation, as a key step towards energy security,” noted the 'Leave No One Behind 2024 – A Five-Year Review', document released by the Presidency earlier this week.
The sixth administration also oversaw the appointment of Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, in March last year as part of efforts to address power cuts and to expedite government’s work to ensure the full implementation of the EAP.
At a recent media briefing on the implementation of the plan, Ramokgopa said that work continues to address partial load losses – that is, when Eskom’s generating units do not produce the full capacity, they were intended to.
In November 2023, South Africa received the first consignment of 450 gasoline generators donated by the People’s Republic of China. The donation formed part of the Technical Assistance Programme that was entered into in August 2023 during China’s Head of State Visit to South Africa.
Jobs and investment
The ERRP was government’s response to the severe health, social and economic effects of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced in 2020, the plan was founded on engagements among social partners, including government, labour, business and community-based organisations.
October 2023 marked three years since government embarked on the plan, which outlined the actions to rebuild the economy and create jobs in the wake of the pandemic.
The government has put in place the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). Through the initiative announced in 2020, at least 135 000 earning opportunities were secured by young people.
On Tuesday, the President held a presidential youth engagement in Cape Town reflecting on the three years since the initiation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and PYEI.
According to the Presidency, the PES and PYEI programmes have “collectively generated over 1.8 million job opportunities and provided livelihood support, predominantly benefiting young individuals”.
The sixth administration also oversaw the successful raising of the R1.2 trillion worth of investments over five years that President Ramaphosa announced in 2018.
Held annually over the past five years, the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) surpassed the initial R1.2 trillion target to reach R1.51 trillion in investment pledges. To date, there are concrete results of how the pledges made at the conference are changing lives and creating employment.
The review document notes that of the commitments made, over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.
Having made pledges continually at the SAIC, Procter &Gamble in November 2023 launched a state-of-the-art production line of Pampers Premium Care which the President attended in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni.
Another company which pledged R135 million at last year’s SAIC is also making good on its commitment.
In October 2023, energy company, Ener-G-Africa, launched an energy-efficient cook stove manufacturing line in Paarl, and expanded its solar panel production line from 15MW to 500MW capacity.
The company pledged R135 million in the production of small solar PV panels and solar cooking appliances at their women-led production facility in Cape Town.
AfCFTA
President Ramaphosa also oversaw the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as Chairperson of the African Union, which is currently the largest free trade area in the world. The AfCFTA which entered into force in May 2019, is expected to boost trade and economic growth on the continent.
Trading under the AfCFTA regime commenced January 2021 and last month South Africa practically realised the AfCFTA agreement. This as the President officiated the launch of the first export shipment of goods produced by South African companies destined for other African countries from KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban port.
Better lives and education
On building better lives, the current administration introduced the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for the first time in the country’s history, guaranteeing a minimum floor below which no worker may be paid with the coming into effect of the minimum wage on 1 January 2019.
The President had announced its coming into effect in December 2018.
Back in 2019, the minimum wage was set at R20 an hour and has increased over the years. Currently standing at R25,42 the minimum wage will increase to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked with effect from 1 March 2024.
Click here for more on the “National minimum wage increases”.
To ensure healthcare for all, Parliament passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill last year after it was introduced in 2019. The Bill aims to provide free health care at the point of care for all South Africans. In preparation for the NHI, Health Patient Registration Systems have been installed in over 3 200 facilities.
Meanwhile, social grants for people most affected by COVID-19 were expanded, including the Special Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, which reached around 11 million unemployed people.
On the education front, no-fee schools which government introduced in 2007 have continued to ensure that children get access to schooling. To date, the number of learners that are not required to pay school fees increased from 71% to 75% in 2021.
In addition, the latest matric pass rate, at 82.9%, is the highest ever, up from 78% ten years ago. Learners from no-fee paying schools accounted for more than 65% of the total bachelor passes obtained. The percentage of learners who completed 12 years of education rose from 45% in 2008 to 62% in 2022.
Safer communities
The sixth administration has increased the number of police officers including the recruitment of 20 000 police trainees and an additional 4 000 public order policing members in 2022 and 2023.
In addition, 20 specialised South African Police Service Economic Infrastructure Task Teams have been established to work with business, private security and state-owned enterprises to tackle illegal mining, construction site extortion, cable theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure.
The review noted that by November 2023, the teams had made over 4 000 arrests for damage of critical infrastructure, 70 arrests for extortion at construction sites and over 3 000 arrests for illegal mining, and confiscated significant quantities of copper cable, rail tracks and other metals.
Government also launched the Border Management Authority as the third armed force to manage and secure the country’s borders, providing a vital link in government’s efforts to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On tackling gender-based violence and femicide(GBV), he National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence was developed, together with civil society, as a society-wide response to this national emergency. Around R21 billion has been dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has achieved an average conviction rate of 94% in femicide prosecutions and 75% in sexual offences prosecutions since 2019.
In addition, the GBVF Response Fund 1 was launched, which raised R200 million from the private sector for community-based organisations combating GBV. In the first year of the Fund’s operation, 53 community-based organisations were funded, reaching 280 000 participants.
Fighting corruption
The NPA Investigating Directorate was established to prosecute state capture and other significant corruption cases.
To date, the Investigating Directorate has taken 34 state capture and corruption cases to court, involving 203 accused persons and 65 accused entities. The NPA has also secured the conviction of over 500 government officials and nearly 800 in the private sector on offences related to corruption since 2019.
In addition, a SIU Special Tribunal was appointed to expedite civil claims against corrupt individuals and the recovery of stolen funds. Since its establishment, it has recovered over R8.6 billion.
As the country prepares for its 30 years of freedom celebration, the sixth administration has certainly done its bit in a challenging environment. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 15:11
Mashatile calls for more to be done to transform mining industry
Deputy President Paul Mashatile believes that although the Mining Charter has achieved some success in reforming the mining industry, more still needs to be done.
“The 30 years of our nation’s democracy should compel us to become even more proactive about the issue of economic transformation in this industry and country.”
The Deputy President delivered a keynote address at the South African Youth Economic Council (SAYEC) Business Dialogue during the Mining Indaba in Cape Town.
“The transformation of this sector is important because it forms a vital part of our country's development trajectory, driving infrastructure development, which includes the construction of roads, railways, and power plants, and positively impacting the economy.
“Our country's rich natural resources provide a comparative advantage in processing, manufacturing, and beneficiation through mining value chains,” he told attendees on Tuesday.
The Deputy President said while the economic growth of the sector is important, its transformation is equally important, to the extent that it is inclusive of women, youth, and other marginalised groups in society.
“The subject of diversity and inclusion in the mining sector should be at the top of our agenda. We must ask ourselves, ‘How can we ensure equitable sharing of social and economic benefits in the mining sector?’”
He took the time to call on young people to explore opportunities that will make them a key part of this sector, integrating it with manufacturing and technology.
“As a youth, you should identify your role in the value chain and position yourselves in a way that empowers you and benefits the mining sector globally.”
The Deputy President is of the view that the economic viability of the mining sector relies on developing strategies for expanding the industry through mineral beneficiation and improving the economic and social contribution of the sector.
“This presents an opportunity for youth inclusion in the value chains associated with the mining sector.”
Deputy President Mashatile cited President Cyril Ramaphosa who opened the indaba and told guests that mining has a key role to play in building the economy of tomorrow.
“You are the future of this country, and you need to take advantage of the valuable resources and huge business opportunities in the mining industry,” President Ramaphosa said at the opening of the indaba on Monday.
In addition to diamonds and gold, the Deputy President said the country also contains reserves of iron ore, platinum, manganese, chromium, copper, uranium, silver, beryllium and titanium.
“We must capitalise on the increased demand for these raw materials to build our nation's economy and attract more investors.”
Transformation and skills development
As South Africa marks 30 years of democracy this year, the Deputy President acknowledged that the country's mining industry has undergone significant transformation.
For almost 150 years, mining has been a crucial part of South Africa's economy, contributing around 7.5% to the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounting for about 60% of the country's exports by value.
Referring to the latest survey undertaken by the Minerals Council of South Africa, he said it found that 32 member companies reviewed, largely complied with the five key transformation elements of the 2010 Mining Charter.
These elements included ownership, employment equity, procurement, human resources development, and mine community development.
“It is worth noting that the surveyed companies achieved a weighted average of 39.2% ownership equity by historically disadvantaged South Africans, which exceeds the Charter's 26% target.”
In addition, he emphasised the significance of skills development for the youth that are not in employment, education and training between the ages of 15 and 24 in efforts to address unemployment.
The Deputy President challenged the mining industry to provide skills-development opportunities that will lead to much-needed employment opportunities.
“It is time for us, as government and private sector, to invest more than ordinary resources in the development of our youth. We must allow them to voice their concerns, and their proposed solutions must be valued and integrated into the broader strategy for economic growth.”
He noted government’s commitment to including the youth in its sustainable development strategy.
“Our mining policies are more than paperwork; rather, they are strategic frameworks that direct us towards mining operations that are responsible, sustainable, and socially inclusive.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 10:17
President Ramaphosa engages youth ahead of SONA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has held a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) engagement with young people at the Belhar Sports Complex in Cape Town.
The engagement was aimed at taking stock – together with the youth – of the past three years since the commencement of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI).
The two programmes have created more than 1.7 million job opportunities and provided livelihood support, predominantly benefiting young people.
At the engagement on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa told the youth that the sixth administration has, since it took office, made a decision to “focus on young people" because of the youth unemployment challenge that South Africa faces.
"We are going to craft many programmes and as many as we can. We did so because we wanted to give young people an opportunity to start off with their lives.
“Sitting here, I am rather pleased that we’ve set up this Youth Employment Service,where we’ve said to the private sector: take young people and give them a life chance opportunity by getting them to learn on the job. But we went further and we set up the PYEI, which has opened up enormous opportunities,” he said.
Reflecting on the past 30 years of democracy and how the lives of young people are impacted by this, the President said that since the end of apartheid, government has opened the doors of learning for all school going children, and assisted more than a million older youth in attaining higher education.
“When apartheid ended, we decided that we are going to open the doors of learning for young people to go into learning institutions by their millions and having done so, we opened up no-fee schools… We decided that we are going to feed young people at school. We have the biggest feeding programme on the whole continent, feeding nine million children everyday for five days of the week.
“We focused on higher education, [where]... today NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme] supports 1.2 million young people. I know of no country on the African continent that does so,” he said.
President Ramaphosa noted that by putting more youth through higher education, more effort needs to be put into creating jobs for those who graduate.
“This is what led to the conceptualisation of all these [employment] programmes. We rely on the private sector to create jobs but they are not creating jobs fast enough so government had to step in to create those job opportunities.
“The vision is to make sure that we prepare the future of South Africa through educating, through skilling and then creating job opportunities for these young people,” he said.
The President assured the youth that government will not stop in its efforts to ensure that the youth are skilled and employed.
“We never had those opportunities but the democratic government has made sure that we open all these opportunities and they are there for you to take…and to make a good start in your own lives.
“But we are going to massify. I want to see millions of young people becoming involved in various opportunities and getting into jobs. Our commitment to you, as young people, is irrevocable, it is permanent, it is there committed like no other,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 02/06/2024 - 19:18
The Eastern Cape has increased its scholar transport budget to accommodate a shortfall of 12,000 learners
Security company says it had to terminate the contract because health department has not paid
Zulu encourages students to reach for their dreams
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has encouraged the new cohort of students at the Cape Town Society for the Blind to use the year-long course to learn, grow and provide for their families.
“Nothing must stop you from achieving your dreams. Take the skills you learn and use it to improve your lives. This programme offered [by] the Cape Town Society for the Blind is a great opportunity and I want to urge you to give it your best,“ Zulu said.
The Minister was speaking during the first day of build-up activities leading to the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Zulu is conducting a two-day outreach programme focusing on teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, youth, women and persons with disabilities in and around the City of Cape Town.
The Cape Town Society for the Blind is a non-profit organisation (NPO) registered with the Department of Social Development, and funded by its agency, the National Development Agency (NDA).
The NPO assists persons who struggle with their eyesight by equipping them with skills so that they may reclaim and live positive lives and make a positive impact in society. The NPO provides Low Vision Assessment and Treatment Clinic services.
According to the department, the organisation used more than R558 000 from the NDA to purchase equipment for the Low Vision Clinic and their Braille programme as well as on staff training courses.
The visually impaired and those with low and reduced vision have applauded the work, and support they receive from the Cape Town Society for the Blind.
Roeshda Panday, who works as a receptionist at the Low Vision Clinic said that her life changed dramatically after she lost her vision in 2020 after struggling with headaches.
She was later diagnosed with a brain tumour which affected her optic nerve.
“As a single mother, it was difficult to adjust to my new life but survival mode kicked in, so I started reading up on blindness and discovered this society which gave support to people like me. It was here, at Low Vision Clinic, that I found a community of people who gave me support and care as I learned how to live with my condition,” Panday said.
The 52-year-old excelled in the courses offered at the clinic and was then offered an internship to work at the clinic.
She added that it was at the organisation that: “I found my joy by helping those who walked through the clinic doors. We can all learn so much from each other.”
She also learned a lot more from the optometrist at the clinic who taught her about the anatomy of the eye. She advised the new class to grab every opportunity offered by the Cape Town Society for the Blind.
Another beneficiary at the organisation, Sergil January, said that he became blind in 2006 after he was shot in the head. However, he refused to have his confidence taken away by the loss of his eyesight.
In 2009, he joined the Cape Town Society for the Blind where he completed a computer course. Two years down the line, which was in 2021, he took up the position of an awareness officer within the organisation.
January’s work includes conducting outreach programmes at schools and even participating in radio and television interviews on a regular basis to educate communities and persons who need help.
“I am responsible for creating awareness and advocacy for this amazing organisation that continues to change lives and, in the process, I have grown so much and can confidently say that this is my space, and these are my people,” January said adding that being blind
should not stop people from achieving their dreams.
Minister Zulu also visited another organisation, the Sozo Foundation, a local NPO in the Cape Flats which was funded by the NDA. The organisation renders youth development programmes, focusing on young people who are not in education, employment, or training.
This NPO achieves this by creating pathways to skills development and youth-led enterprises to address high rates of school dropout, gangsterism and youth unemployment in the area.
Today, Minister Zulu will continue with pre-SoNA outreach activities by hosting a dialogue with boys and girls on teenage pregnancy at Ihlumelo Junior Secondary School in Mbekweni, Paarl. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 02/06/2024 - 08:58
Breast health is a vital aspect of overall well-being for women. One crucial tool in the arsenal of preventative measures is the mammogram. In this guide, we’ll delve into the significance of mammograms, understanding how they work, who should get them, and how they contribute to early breast cancer detection. Understanding Mammograms: Mammograms are specialized X-ray exams …