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
Education
Basic Education Committee Concludes Deliberations on BELA Bill
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will recommend to the National Assembly to adopt the name of Ms Janet Love to fill a vacancy in the Electoral Commission. The vacancy arose as a result of the expiry of the term of office of the Commissioner at the end of April 2023.
The recommendation is in line with Section 6 (2) (d) of the Electoral Commission Act and follows a process led by the Chief Justice as set out in Section 6 (3) of the Act. The report by the Chief Justice indicated that as per the Act the vacancy was advertised, and the panel was not satisfied with the calibre of candidates that applied. Following the re advertisement of the vacancy 70 applications were received and of those the panel interviewed 12 candidates. The Panel then recommended eight candidates to the committee.
“Following consideration of the interview transcripts, the curriculum vitae of all recommended candidates, the committee felt that Ms Love has the right skills and institutional experience required to guide the Electoral Commission of South Africa especially now when the country will for the first-time vote for independent candidates in the Provincial and National Elections. The committee will recommend that the National Assembly adopts the name of Ms Love to serve as Commissioner of the IEC,” said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee.
Meanwhile, the committee has considered and adopted a report on the determination of remuneration of the Members of the Electoral Commission for the 2022/23 financial year as determined by the President as per Section 7 (2) of the Electoral Act. The committee concurred with the President that a retrospective salary increase of 3% be implemented for the Chairperson and other full-time Commissioners.
The committee also received an update on the roll-out of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and has urged the Department of Home Affairs to resolve the impasse with the service provider regarding levied penalties implemented by the department on missed deadlines. The committee remains of the view that all service providers must also be kept accountable for delayed projects. The committee welcomes the assurance that the project tests are underway, and that the department is working with the service provider to ensure stability of the system. ABIS is a modern IT system based on commodity hardware designed to be run as a critical service without interruptions. It promises many possibilities in identity management while speaking to the type of Home Affairs of the future.
Furthermore, the committee welcomes the implementation of consequence management against 6 individuals identified to be in the wrong with regard to the contract. While the committee acknowledges that the internal disciplinary processes are sometimes lengthy, the it has urged for the speedy conclusion of the process to ensure that people are held accountable.
The committee has recommitted to focused oversight on the programme to ensure that all clients of the department benefit from the system.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Friends of Henry can rest assured this crocodile is still rocking at Crocworld!
Many of the globe’s biggest names have fallen victim to the celebrity death hoax. Russell Crowe, Morgan Freeman, Sir Paul McCartney, and even South Africa’s beloved Sixto Rodrigues were all reported as dead – long before their time. And now, Crocworld Conservation Centre’s cherished Henry the Nile crocodile can be named among them, but the …
Over 140 000 Grade 1 and 8 learners placed for 2024 in Gauteng
Over 140 000 Grade 1 and 8 learners placed for 2024 in Gauteng
The Gauteng Department of Education has so far placed 81 033 Grade 1 learners and 65 726 Grade 8 learners for the 2024 academic year.
This is according to the Gauteng Department of Education's latest online admissions placement progress report released on 10 September 2023.
The 2024 online admissions placement period began on 4 September 2023 and continues until all learners are placed.
“At the end of the first week (4 September 2023 to 7 September 2023) of Grade 1 and Grade 8 placement, the department can report that the placement process ran smoothly.
“While the department is proud to acknowledge that as at 7 September 2023, a total of 141 036 (46.09%) applicants have accepted placement offers, it remains concerning that 71 775 parents have not responded to placement offers,” the GDE said.
The department said the placement progress is significantly slowed by parents who are not accepting placement offers, as the spaces are reserved for seven days, while no offers can be released to other applicants from the same school.
Parents are reminded that there are two options to select after offers are issued, which are “accept placement offers as final”, or “accept placement offers while awaiting additional offers within seven school days”.
“Applicants with offers not accepted within seven schools will be auto-placed at the school with a placement offer closest to the parent’s home address after the seventh day,” the department said.
Parents are reminded that applicants are ranked for placement according to the regulated admissions criteria in the following order up to the capacity of each school:
• Home address within school feeder zone closest to the school.
• Siblings in Grade 1 – 7 or 8 – 11 only.
• Previous school in feeder zone of the school applied to.
The department said when all applicants in the above categories are placed, placement offers will be released to applicants in the following categories in the order outlined below, up to the capacity of each school with available space:
• Work address within school feeder zone.
• Home address within 30km.
• Home address beyond 30km.
Parents with incomplete applications (no documents or no valid proof of residence) will be able to select a school with available space from 11 December 2023.
Parents are further urged to check their cell phones for placement offers or login to their profiles on www.gdeadmissions.gov.za to view and accept placement offers.
Parents with placement offers, who have no access to the internet to accept placement offers, are encouraged to visit schools, districts or the head office to be assisted to accept offers, or call the department on 0800 000 789 for assistance.
“Applicants with complete applications and no placement offers are advised to remain calm, as offers are issued daily until all applicants with complete applications are placed. Parents are urged to view the placement offer calmly and carefully to ensure that no mistakes are made.
“Parents and guardians who applied for 2024 Online Admissions are urged to be patient if they have not yet received placement offers. The placement process is currently in progress and will continue until every learner is successfully placed,” the department said.
To check your application status, applicants can visit www.gdeadmissions.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 09/12/2023 - 10:07
340 views
Date set for Finance Minister’s MTBP statement
Date set for Finance Minister's MTBP statement
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to deliver the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on November 1.
“The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement sets government policy goals and priorities, forecasts the macro-economy trajectory, and projects the fiscal framework over the next three years by outlining spending and revenue estimates, among others,” National Treasury said on Monday.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Public Financial Management (PFM) conference is expected to be held from 20 - 22 September.
The conference will be held under the theme: ‘Innovative and Ethical Public Finance Management in Challenging Times’.
According to National Treasury, the key objectives of the conference include:
- Building a culture of accountability in specific PFM sectors.
- Creating a platform for PFM officials to update their knowledge and awareness of the latest trends and developments in the financial management space.
- Identifying new and improved practices and workable solutions that could assist PFM officials in performing their work smarter.
- Profiling National Treasury, and its units, as important resources in achieving and sustaining PFM excellence.
- Showcasing available PFM resources and training, and how to access them.
- Highlighting good practice.
- Building communities of practice.
“The 2023 PFM conference will serve as a platform to create awareness of some of the latest PFM reforms led by National Treasury. The conference aims to cover the nine PFM disciplines, which include, among others, Financial Accounting, Revenue Management, Expenditure Management, Supply Chain Management, and Budgeting.
“The conference will target all spheres of government. Delegates will include Chief Financial Officers, Provincial Accountant-Generals, heads of PFM disciplines, and other relevant stakeholders responsible for overseeing the implementation of the financial disciplines. In addition, development partners, members of the higher education section and relevant professional bodies,” Treasury said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 09/11/2023 - 13:16
232 views
Winner of Miss Earth South Africa 2023 announced at Southern Sun Sandton
Sandton, Johannesburg – Southern Sun Sandton was abuzz with excitement on the evening of Saturday, 9 September as it played host to the prestigious Miss Earth South Africa 2023 winner’s announcement gala dinner. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, the event saw finalists from across the nation coming together, alongside esteemed judges, Zizo Tshwete, JJ …
Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities calls an conclude to stigmatisation and discrimination of people with albinism
September is South Africa's National Albinism Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to Persons with albinism, to highlight their pride, challenges and finding solutions. During this month all endeavors should be channeled towards the provision of information on albinism to create awareness and education of the disability.
Albinism is a rare genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair or eyes and occurs in all racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. People with albinism continue to face an uphill struggle to attain a life with dignity and equality and to fight against injustice and discrimination. The declaration of 13 June by the General Assembly in 2015 as International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) highlights the critical need for the world to recognise the plight of persons with albinism.
We have the opportunity to pause, reflect and remember that not all persons are treated equally, and that many persons with albinism continue to suffer human rights abuses and violations, often invisibly and in silence. People with albinism continue to face multiple forms of discrimination because it's still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the National Albinism Task Force will host an Albinism Community Outreach programme and webinar for youth with Albinism to engage on pressing issues faced by youth and persons with albinism in the country and persons with albinism broadly. This month will be celebrated under the theme "Inclusion is
Strength," which builds from last year's theme of "United in making our voice heard."
It aims to ensure the inclusion of the voices of persons with albinism in all sectors of life. It emphasises the importance of inclusion of a diversity of groups from both within and outside the albinism community.
The 2023 albinism month theme will also highlight the importance and benefits of:
- Including a broad spectrum of persons with albinism in albinism-related discussions, including youth, women, children, older persons, LGBTQ+ and persons with albinism of all races and ethnic backgrounds;
- Collaborating and embracing albinism within the disability movement, and in other sectors where decisions affect persons with albinism; and
- Seeking synergies with human rights groups and other groups from outside the albinism movement
This will help people to understand Persons with albinism and the challenges they face. People must understand that Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition which occurs worldwide regardless of ethnicity or gender.
People with albinism are entitled to civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights recognized in the Bill of Rights and our Constitution in South Africa. The DWYPD calls upon people in communities and workplaces both in the public and private sectors to organise Albinism Awareness Month activities these include, organised talks about albinism, fun days, picnics, charity walks and fun runs.
South Africa has a White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which is a call to action for the government, civil society and the private sector to work together to ensure the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities is achieved. this includes Persons with albinism.
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are particularly relevant; both guarantee protection against discrimination. Equality and non-discrimination are essential human rights principles for people with albinism, owing to their vision impairment and their needs regarding preventive measures to address their vulnerability to skin cancer.
A clarion call was made to all South Africans to treat persons with albinism with care, love, respect and dignity, and try and assist and support them wherever possible.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
SA welcomes efforts to accelerate pace of SDGs
SA welcomes efforts to accelerate progress of SDGs
South Africa has welcomed the Indian Presidency’s efforts to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The achievement of the SDGs must remain at the centre of international financing discussions to ensure that finance is mobilised in sufficient quantities and of suitable quality to support development in low- and middle-income countries,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership.
They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
In his statement on the Working Session II: One Family, G20 Leaders’ Summit that took palace in New Delhi, India, the President applauded the Indian Presidency’s focus on women’s empowerment as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“South Africa has embarked on a journey of ensuring the empowerment of women. The education of girls must be prioritised. We must act to end gender-based violence and enable women to enter the mainstream of economic activity,” President Ramaphosa said.
He emphasised the importance of committing to strengthening the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and support ongoing engagement on how this proposed architecture will be funded.
“Our experience of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic sends a clear message that global health security is paramount. There is need to develop robust global one health surveillance systems that promote effective collaboration at national, regional and global level.
“We urgently need a coordination mechanism that supports the sharing of information and resources, research, outbreak investigation and response,” he said.
He noted that countries continue to face an unsteady global economic recovery.
“As policy makers, we therefore need to be flexible and respond quickly and appropriately to risk. Multilateral cooperation is critical to addressing food and energy insecurity. As African countries, we support a discussion on policy options to address the effects of volatility in food and energy markets.
“As G20 nations, we must drive the transformation of economies and societies in pursuit of mutual prosperity, inclusive growth and a shared future,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 09/10/2023 - 09:06
251 views
Economic recovery measures improve economy
Economic recovery measures improve economy
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has attributed the growth in gross domestic product (GDP) to the economic recovery measures that were implemented by government to support the economy.
Stats SA reported that the country's GDP grew by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2023 while it grew by of 0.4% in the first quarter.
These measures include financial support for distressed businesses, infrastructure investment, and job creation initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) across all nine provinces.
“Between April and June this year, at least 135 000 earning opportunities were secured by young people through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative’s National Pathway Management Network.
“Some 108 061 of these were accessed through the SA Youth platform, with 27 088 opportunities scored through the Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) website. We are adamant that if PYEI can receive more funding, it will reach more young people,” Mashatile said on Saturday in Johannesburg.
Addressing the Forty Under 40 South Africa Awards Ceremony, he called on young people to take up the opportunities available in digital sectors and others to combat the high youth unemployment rate.
“Our government believes that entrepreneurship is part of the remedy for the massive youth unemployment. In partnership with the private sector, we have launched several youth business funding opportunities to help youth start and maintain their businesses. This includes the Youth Challenge Fund (YCF), the Youth Pipeline Development Programme, and the Youth Technology Innovation Fund (YTIF).
“While these measures have helped stabilise the economy, we must remain vigilant and adaptable to emerging challenges. Moreover, we have also gained some pace by implementing the structural reforms for the reconstruction and recovery plan, Operation Vulindlela,” Mashatile said.
Since Operation Vulindlela was launched in October 2020 as part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, government has implemented 35 priority structural reforms identified for their impact on economic growth and job creation.
“We have made progress in energy, our logistics network, digital communications, and the reform of the visa regime to enable businesses to attract the skills they need to grow. Eleven reforms have been completed, while 14 are on track or progressing well.
“Regarding the energy challenge that has remained a top priority in our country, we have amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to remove the licencing requirement for generation projects of any size,” the Deputy President said.
More than 100 projects are at various stages of development, representing over 10 000 megawatts of new generation capacity and over R200 billion in private sector investment.
“Additionally, three projects from the risk mitigation programme have been constructed, with five projects expected to reach financial closure this quarter.
“We approved the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill in March, which has been tabled in Parliament. This Bill will establish a competitive electricity market, enabling multiple generators to compete on a level playing field. These are essential to ramping up energy generation in the short and medium term,” the Deputy President said.
He said government’s efforts in investing in young people means redirecting efforts and resources in a number of critical areas, including the skills revolution and education, providing quality health care, investments in new technologies as part of 4IR and artificial intelligence as well as investments in infrastructure for ease of business and movement of goods allows entrepreneurs to flourish.
“Investing in youth participation is not just a trendy concept but a necessity for our collective future. It goes beyond just financial resources. It requires a mind-set shift and a collective commitment to nurturing talent and empowering individuals,” Mashatile said.
Taking advantage of opportunities on the continent
The Deputy President urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“In this regard, South Africa is a significant member of this trade revolution that will shape the continent's future by stimulating innovation and value-chain growth and boosting industrialisation and job creation across industries. The AfCFTA has 54 signatories, making it the largest free trade area in terms of the number of member states, second only to the World Trade Organisation.
“As part of Agenda 2063, we must dismantle the barriers that hinder youth participation in the economy. We need to break free from the cycle of generational exclusion and embrace an intergenerational approach where the knowledge and experience of our elders are combined with the fresh ideas and perspectives of today's youth,” he said.
Mashatile said unlocking the demographic dividend will spark a wave of growth and progress that will benefit the youth and the entire continent.
“We need greater collaboration among governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to achieve this,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 09/10/2023 - 10:05
207 views
SA celebrates women in science, technology, innovation
SA celebrates women in science, technology, innovation
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says the South African Women in Science (SAWISA) Awards 2023 are premium awards to celebrate women who are contributing immensely to the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector.
“The industrial revolutions are epochs in our social and economic history that are based on disruptions in innovations and technological developments, leading to advanced forms of production and service delivery,” Nzimande said.
Speaking at the SAWISA Awards 2023 event held in Durban on Friday, Nzimande said patriarchal attitudes, systematic barriers and certain practices and norms have defined women out of the research, scientific and technological developments that are engines of the industrial revolutions.
“We therefore have seen successive industrial revolutions having effects of disrupting or changing the lives of societies and economies,” Nzimande said.
Nzimande said with each industrial revolution, whole industries were adjusted or disrupted, new ones were created, and existing occupations and job families went through fundamental changes, with far reaching consequences for societies.
“Our (2019) White Paper on STI engages with the pivotal changes brought by the modern technology in promoting inclusivity, transformation, the development of human capabilities, knowledge expansion and innovation in ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are enjoyed by all South Africans.
“The measures aimed at greater gender inclusion in our recently approved STI Decadal Plan (2022-2032), our ten-year plan, include the STI Transformation Framework, and the STI Gender Strategy that is aligned to the government-wide gender responsive planning and budgeting framework,” the Minister said.
This year’s glittering awards were attended by among others, members of Parliament, students and international guests.
SAWISA is an annual countrywide event profiling distinguished women researchers and scientists, as well as younger women who are emerging as excellent researchers.
The awards also provide registered Masters and PhD students with fellowships to support their studies, in areas ranging from indigenous knowledge systems to astronomy.
Harnessing technological change and innovation
University of Witwatersrand Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini, congratulated the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation for introducing the awards 20 years ago.
“Harnessing technological change and innovation, starts with ensuring access in the remote areas of our country, it’s about ensuring affordability by the most vulnerable, providing quality education with digital access in all our schools especially the township and rural schools, addressing inherent biases and social-cultural norms that are a hindrances to women and girls’ access,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini said the gender digital divide that still exists, especially for black rural women, has to be addressed.
“Women are under-represented in the ICT jobs, men are four times more likely than women to be ICT specialists,” she said.
Running since 2003, SAWISA also awards registered Masters and PhD students.
The theme for this year’s awards was, “Harnessing technological change and innovation to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls”.
Award categories
In honour of the late climate-change activist and science champion, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) called the fellowships the DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships.
Mcunu was the founder of Black Women in Science (BWIS).
The late Mcunu facilitated developmental training for more than 400 postgraduate students in business and entrepreneurship skills, research skills, scientific writing, project leadership, science communication and research career preparation.
During her life-time, Mcunu achieved numerous accolades, including being named a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, receiving an honorary awards at the KZN Young Achievers Awards in the Science Research and Entrepreneurship catergory and winning the Gagasi FM Shero Award in the Science and Technology catergory.
In the catergory of DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships: Masters’ Awards, the finalists were Nyleti Precious Mabaso from Stellenbosch University, Modjadi Rebecca Letsoalo from the University of Venda and Gizelle Roque van Niekerk from the University of Pretoria.
In the catergory of DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships: Doctoral Awards, the finalists were Munira Hoosain, University of Cape Town, Alletta Nortjie, Stellenbosch University, Boitumelo Makgabutlane, University of the Witwatersrand, Thendo Gertie Makhado, University of Venda, Bambesiwe Mbesi May, University of South Africa, Carlo Dodd, Nelson Mandela University, Lusani Mamushiane, University of Cape Town, Bettie Sebati, University of Johannesburg and Nicole Richardson from the University of Cape Town.
Other categories include awards for Distinguished Young Women Researchers and Distinguished Woman Researchers. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sat, 09/09/2023 - 10:36
62 views
SA observes Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
SA observes Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
The Department of Health in collaboration with various local and international stakeholders will spend the month of September creating awareness of the impact of cancer in children and their families around the country.
According to the department, it has collaborated with the likes of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure children with childhood cancer in the country are diagnosed early for successful treatment.
September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Childhood cancer is one of the leading causes of disease-related death past infancy in children and adolescents, the department said in a statement.
“Several barriers impede the early diagnosis and referral of the child with cancer to treatment centres. Myths and surrounding the cause of childhood cancer is a major barrier to families seeking medical care timeously.”
Meanwhile, the department has noted a lack of knowledge and fear of the unknown as drivers of the myths, fallacies and stigmas surrounding childhood cancer resulting in missed diagnoses or presentation with advanced disease, which negatively affects outcomes.
“We must educate our communities and primary healthcare workers that children do get cancer, can be treated, and cured.”
In high-income countries with 20% of the world’s children with cancer, the department said survival rates are more than 80% while the situation is different in low- and middle-income countries where survival is as low as 20% to 30%.
“Fortunately, children with cancer in South Africa have much better outcomes of between 55 to 60%.”
According to the Chair of the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology Oncology, Professor Gita Naidu, South Africa aligns with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (WHO-GICC).
The WHO-GICC aims to increase the survival of children and adolescents with cancer globally.
“We need to focus on early diagnosis, referral to specialised treatment centres, ensure access to diagnostics and therapeutics, and emphasise quality of life, supportive, long-term follow-up, and palliative care.”
The WHO-GICC, established in 2018, brings together stakeholders from around the world and across sectors with the joint goal of increasing the survival rate of children with cancer globally to at least 60% by 2030.
CureAll, a strategic and practical approach that involves centres of excellence and care with a sufficient and competent workforce to increase capacity to deliver services, guides the initiative.
The approach also focuses on universal health coverage that ensures access to essential medicines, diagnostics, and technologies.
It also looks at research and innovation that generate evidence-based solutions for local contexts and the empowerment of patients, families, and communities through education, awareness, and advocacy.
CHOC CEO, Hedley Lewis, calls on South Africans to unite and work together to achieve the WHO’s target to ensure at least 60% survival in low- and middle-income countries and to reduce suffering of all children with cancer by 2030 worldwide.
The Medical Officer responsible for non-communicable diseases at the WHO, Dr Kibachio Joseph Mwangi, reckons that the current partnership with the WHO-GICC can lead to improved outcomes for children with cancer by focusing on a prompt, correct diagnosis followed by evidence-based therapy.
The department stresses the importance of the St Siluan warning signs of childhood cancer, which can be accessed at https://choc.org.za/childhood-cancer-early-warning-signs/. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 09/08/2023 - 09:31
482 views
Awards to honour accomplished, inspiring South Africans under 40
Awards to honour accomplished, inspiring South Africans under 40
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Saturday, 9 September 2023, attend and deliver the keynote address at the Forty under 40 SA Awards, taking place at Houghton Hotel, Gauteng.
The Forty under 40 SA Awards celebrate and honour the nation’s most influential, accomplished, and inspiring South Africans under 40, across various sectors.
This year more than 350 nominations were received and the final 40 of these will be hailed as the most influential for their achievements in their respective areas.
The awards are hosted by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, together with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), in partnership with Xodus Communications.
The awards will be preceded by the Champion Summit, which is an interactive gathering that aims to empower and equip young leaders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to drive positive change in their communities.
“The summit promises to bring inspiring interactions, engaging workshops, and panel discussions, which will foster an environment for the exchange of ideas and personal development,” the Deputy President’s Office said.
During his address, Deputy President Mashatile will highlight how government has placed the education and training of young people at the top of its agenda as one of the most crucial enabling factors for economic emancipation. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 09/08/2023 - 10:22
109 views
Afrika Tikkun Celebrates International Literacy Day, Empowering Young Minds Through Books
Afrika Tikkun is proud to join the global community in celebrating International Literacy Day on Friday, 08 September 2023. This annual observance is a testament to Afrika Tikkun’s unwavering dedication to providing quality education and literacy programmes to underserved communities in South Africa. International Literacy Day, established by UNESCO, serves as a reminder of the …
Parliament grills NSFAS over student funding failures
The scheme has had more than 170,000 appeals from students about allowance payments
Arsene Wenger: I had a chance to create a legacy for developing talented children
The FIFA (www.FIFA.com) Talent Coach programme sits under the umbrella of FIFA's Talent Development Scheme; Twenty-five member associations will benefit from a Talent Coach working with them for two years; Wenger: “We want to develop children, to ultimately make football globally more competitive.”
One afternoon last week at the Home of FIFA, a group of U-14 players were gathered in a huddle. In their midst, an ‘over-age' player could be spotted, linking arms with players less than half his height. FIFA's Chief of Global Head of Development, Arsène Wenger.
Players from FC Zurich's junior teams were supporting the final preparations of FIFA's latest Technical Development programme to be launched, which will see Talent Coaches spend two years each, working together with twenty-five of FIFA's member associations (MAs).
The FIFA Talent Coach Programme is another important pillar under the umbrella of the Talent Development Scheme, following a six-month pilot involving seven countries (Kyrgyz Republic, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Benin, South Africa, Fiji, and Finland).
“We want to develop elite players in countries where there is potential for further development. There are many children in the world who don't get the chance to develop their talent, and the quality of our work can change this,” explained Wenger.
Observing the different coaching sessions taking place, Wenger's engagement was clear. From passing on a tip to one of the coaches, to sharing his philosophy on the game. It felt pertinent to ask: what lies behind his motivation?
“Arsenal is known for giving players a chance but I knew that was not the case everywhere. One of my worries was always to give people who deserve it, a chance in life.
“When I joined FIFA, we analysed football around the world, and realised that the main deficit in football is education, in many, many countries. Look at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™. It shows you how quickly women's football has developed at the top level, and what is possible.
“If you love football, you don't just love it at the elite male level. After my competitive career, I had a chance to create a legacy for developing talented children. This doesn't make headlines, but that's not important. What is important is that we are efficient. That we help develop children between the ages of 12-16, to ultimately make football globally more competitive.”
In December 2022, the FIFA Council approved a funding allocation of USD 200 million (https://apo-opa.info/3sNcfXR) to cover the 2023-2026 operational lifecycle of this ground-breaking initiative, and in March 2023, the Council also approved a set of regulations laying out the principles and distribution of funding and the process of approval, as well as the rights and obligations of member associations.
Participating member associations may apply for funding under one or more of the annual bespoke FIFA talent programmes to support specific projects related to their strategic long-term development plan.
Patricia Gonzalez, FIFA's Team Lead of the Talent Coaches programme, is one of the Talent Coach programme leads and admitted that on paper, the key objectives of the Talent Coach programme look simple.
1. To put the best young players with the best in each country
2. Increase the contact time
3. Improve the processes of planning, talent identification and coach education
“By having a dedicated coach on the ground, working in partnership with our MAs, we believe together we can enhance the high-performance environment in each country and give more talent a chance,” said Gonzalez.
“Over the last three years, FIFA conducted a ‘ecosystem analysis' to understand the challenges and strengths of more than 200 MAs, supporting each MA to shape a long-term talent development strategy. It's clear that nations competing for, or winning trophies are offering more and more meaningful contact time to players. This creates a big competitive advantage.”
The main focus of the Talent Development Scheme will be to invest in academies. The objective is that every member association has at least one academy or centre of excellence to develop the most talented players by 2026.
“The majority of Talent Coaches will work in countries where the programme can have more of an impact,” Gonzalez explained. “This player age group – 12-15 – is where a player' brain has a very high plasticity. It's a crucial stage for their development, if they hope to become professional players of the future.”
The Talent Coaches must have a minimum A Licence and relevant prior experience e.g., having previously worked with youth national teams or at academies in a talent development role. Equally important are cultural and personality traits; the selected Talent Coaches in the words of Gonzalez are ‘people who can develop others by coaching, by mentoring. Who care about making other people better.'
“Player Development is very complex, and we need the Talent Coaches to put the process above themselves and their ego. You are the coach and the architect of the environment but cannot influence everything. So, they need to possess ‘soft skills' too,” she expanded.
Ulf Schott, FIFA Head of High Performance Programme concurred, whilst underlining the importance of an additional quality.
“We want these Talent Coaches to be role models,” he said. “Through the ecosystem analysis, it was clear that many MAs don't have enough systems to find their most talented players, so this is the first step. Once you find the players, you can bring them together.
"By having that role model, it will create a ‘ripple effect.' We don't want the Talent Coaches organising admin. We want them on the pitch, showing what high-performance means, inspiring other coaches. We want them to show a dedication to elite football.”
Only a small percentage of talented youngsters will go on to have a professional career. Yet as Schott underlined, in many countries, that possibility is not even currently an option.
“Through this programme, we want to give talented players the chance to live their dream. It's clear not everyone will be able to do that, but the aim is to give everyone a pathway. This will look completely different all over the world. What we really want, is to have a shift in the way of thinking when talking about high performance.
“We are talking about 5-7 training sessions a week for the most talented players, whilst ensuring a holistic approach to the education as a player, and as a person. Fundamentally, this is about players who are dedicated to high performance football.”
The majority of the 25 MAs will be focused on developing boys and girls, though some have requested to specialise. Bhutan for example, are planning a female-only academy.
“We want to work with MAs who are ‘ready, willing and able'," said Gonzalez in conclusion. "MAs who have a Technical Department, youth national teams, domestic minimum playing opportunities and basic Coach Education in place. If you don't have these things in place, you are not ‘willing' and will not be ‘able' to bridge that gap to the top.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIFA.
Contact for African media:
AfricanMedia@fifa.org
Mireille Wenger on critical skills shortages to boost business and job formation
The Department of Higher Education and Training's (DHET) Labour Market Intelligence unit has recently released a survey to identify occupations in high demand, occupational shortages, and skills gaps in South Africa, and at a provincial level.
Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said: “in almost every interaction I have with business, big and small, the topic of the broken visa regime in the country comes up as a factor holding back their growth. The fact is that the current visa regime is a significant deterrent to investment and the expansion of existing businesses, costing jobs and economic growth right at a time when we can ill-afford to lose either.” said Minister Wenger.
To facilitate foreign investment, companies need to be able to easily access South Africa. Individuals who apply for critical skills visas typically help develop new sectors or to expand existing ones, contribute to increasing the complexity of the economy by bringing in skills that are not currently available, and help new industries through skills development in South Africa. This is why the investment and critical skills visas are key enablers of economic growth and job creation.
Responding to the release of this survey, provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger said: “I very much welcome the release of this vital survey. I strongly encourage businesses across the province, in all sectors, to participate so that we can gain a much better understanding of where the gaps are and therefore, what we can do it address them. Importantly, this will help us attract individuals with the right critical skills, so that they can contribute to our economic growth project.”
The DHET's survey on occupations in high demand, hard-to-fill vacancies and skills gaps can be found here(link is external).
To go even further, and in conjunction with the DHET survey, the Western Cape Government's Tech and Innovation team within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism has compiled a companion survey for businesses to gather information on their experience with, awareness of, and intention to use the Scarce Skills Work Visa.
“The insights gathered from this survey will be instrumental in crafting a provincial list of high-demand occupations which will play a significant role in shaping the post-school education and training sector, and subsequently the critical skills list. This will go a long way to assist the Western Cape Government to ramp up our lobbying efforts to address this key constraint on the growth of the private sector. Again, I encourage our Western Cape businesses to participate in our survey, which can be accessed here - https://forms.office.com/r/vN4JVMJy3e(link is external)” continued Minister Wenger
The fact is that we must urgently address the significant inefficiencies in the visa regime because they are holding back economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape and South Africa. We stand ready to assist in any way possible to keep and expand the businesses we have and attract the investment we need to create more jobs for the residents of the province. By participating in both the surveys, you can make a positive contribution to helping us unblock this significant constraint on the growth of both our economy and job creation” concluded Minister Wenger.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities, South Africa.
Government must maximise spend on education – Nzimande
Government must maximise spend on education - Nzimande
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande says as government continues to spend a large share of its national budget on education, the challenge is to maximise the impact of this progressive investment.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of the National Plan for Post-School Education and Training (NPPSET) in Durban on Thursday.
He said the NPPSET showcases government’s continuous effort towards achieving an improved, transformed, expanded, responsive and articulated Post-School Education and Training.
“Our department of Higher Education and Training has the single largest number of entities of all the national government departments, with over 110,” Nzimande said.
South Africa’s PSET sector is one of the biggest in Africa with highly developed institutions that feature in the global arena of international education, training, research, technology development and innovation.
“We also have the single largest research infrastructure and systems on the African continent. Our National Plan for Post-School Education and Training is a roadmap for implementing the vision of the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.
“It is framed within the broader goals and priorities of the National Development Plan (NDP), which foregrounds the national efforts to address the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality, and poverty. It is an overarching instrument and a blueprint for guiding planning in our PSET sector.
“It aligns and integrates the work that is already underway and provides a policy framework for major transformative changes government wants to bring about across the PSET system and its nexus with society and the economy,” the minister said.
Nzimande explained that the National Plan for Post School Education and Training has six goals which are the drivers for the system.
“We are bringing together institutions and traditions that have different histories and investments and propose ways of making them work together towards common goals.
“We are consolidating and building on those aspects of the system that are working well whilst also streamlining a wide range of policies, plans, and strategies currently in existence that impact on the system without reducing its diversity,” Nzimande said.
Nzimande said his department has developed an articulation Policy for the Post-School Education and Training System of South Africa in 2017.
“The policy was established to create an enabling environment to ensure that articulation occurs within and between NQF sub-frameworks, institutions work together to develop learning and work pathways and support to students as they follow their individual learning and work pathways,” the Minister said.
Nzimande added that his department conducted a comprehensive evaluation study on the implementation of the National Qualification Framework Act on how articulation was implemented by both TVET colleges and universities.
“The baseline study was also conducted to determine how articulation was practiced within and between higher education institutions. The study has identified a number of challenges in how articulation works across the entire PSET system.
“The major challenge still remains to optimise articulation pathways between universities, TVET colleges and CET colleges and without cul-de-sacs in the system. We must also fund and properly resource articulation,” Nzimande said.
The NPPSET sets out a roadmap for implementing the vision of the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.
Having already been approved by the Minister, the NPPSET is being implemented by the department and may be viewed in conjunction with its enablers and or by-products which are the development of the Master Skills Plan, Student Funding Model, inclusive of the ‘missing middle’ and the implementation of the Labour Market Intelligence programme.
This launch provides an opportunity for the department to bring on board all stakeholders that are key in the broader implementation of the plan thereby ensuring effective implementation geared towards the realisation of the envisaged goals of the National Development Plan and other relevant policies to 2030 and beyond. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 09/07/2023 - 14:36
37 views
RIP Amy Thornton
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep condolences at the passing of veteran activist and Esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli Ms Amy Thornton.
The President's thoughts are with the family, friends and comrades of the late activist who was born in Cape Town in 1932.
She was honoured in 2016 with the National Order of Luthuli for her excellent contribution and unflinching commitment to the struggle for liberation and equality for all South Africans, and her commendable bravery in the face of an oppressive regime.
As a 16-year-old, Amy Thornton worked with the then Communist Party of South Africa to campaign against the National Party in the 1948 election which resulted in the legislated enforcement of apartheid.
In 1950 she joined the Modern Youth Society (MYS), a progressive youth movement involving mainly university students. Through MYS, Ms Thornton was involved in night school literacy classes for African workers in the Cape Town docks.
When the Congress of Democrats (COD) was formed in 1952, she was appointed secretary of the Joint Congress Committee (involving the COD, the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Indian Congress and the Coloured Peoples' Congress).
She represented the MYS as part of the South African delegation to the World Federation of Democratic Youth, held in Bucharest, Romania in 1953.
In the same year she was recruited to join the underground SACP. She was active in pamphleteering against the Group Areas Act and the Bantu Education Act. She was also involved in study classes in informal settlements around Cape Town (Blouvlei and Elsies River).
In 1955 Thornton was a delegate from Cape Town to the Congress of the People. However, she was part of the delegation that was stopped by the police in Beaufort West and detained over the weekend, so she was unable to make it to Kliptown.
From the start of the Treason Trial in 1956 she served on the Treason Trial Support Committee. She did voluntary work for the Guardian newspaper (and its successors, as each successive title was banned in turn). She did research for the publication and managed the editorial work.
In 1959 she was banned for the first time initially for two years, but this was extended several times. She eventually served 14 years under banning orders, and lost her job as a nursery school teacher.
In 1976 she began to work part-time for the Food and Canning Workers' Union.
In 1981, she was a founding member and deputy chairperson of the United Women's Organisation, which later became one of the key organisations in the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
In 1983 she was appointed as a patron of the UDF and was among those detained during the two states of emergency.
Ms Thornton was also a member of the Cape Town ANC regional leadership and served on the National Coordinating Committee for the Return of Exiles between 1990 and 1993.
President Ramaphosa said: “Amy Thornton lived a life of principled resistance, bravery and perseverance so that we could live in freedom today.
“She was one of many white South Africans who sustained the non-racial character of the liberation struggle.
“Her contribution and the risks she took on also disproved the often stated claim that white South Africans didn't know what was unfolding in the country or that they had no agency to change policy or conditions in the country.
“Amy Thornton served our nation with great courage and tireless energy. May her soul now rest in peace.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
President Ramaphosa mourns the passing of Amy Thornton
President Ramaphosa mourns the passing of Amy Thornton
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep condolences at the passing of veteran activist and esteemed member of the Order of Luthuli, Amy Thornton.
The President, in a statement, said his thoughts are with the family, friends and comrades of the late activist who was born in Cape Town in 1932.
Thornton was honoured in 2016 with the National Order of Luthuli for her excellent contribution and unflinching commitment to the struggle for liberation and equality for all South Africans and her commendable bravery in the face of an oppressive regime.
As a 16-year-old, Amy Thornton worked with the then Communist Party of South Africa to campaign against the National Party in the 1948 election which resulted in the legislated enforcement of apartheid.
In 1950, she joined the Modern Youth Society (MYS), a progressive youth movement involving mainly university students. Through MYS, Thornton was involved in night school literacy classes for African workers in the Cape Town docks.
When the Congress of Democrats (COD) was formed in 1952, she was appointed secretary of the Joint Congress Committee (involving the COD, the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Indian Congress and the Coloured Peoples’ Congress).
She represented the MYS as part of the South African delegation to the World Federation of Democratic Youth, held in Bucharest, Romania in 1953.
In the same year, she was recruited to join the underground SACP. She was active in pamphleteering against the Group Areas Act and the Bantu Education Act. She was also involved in study classes in informal settlements around Cape Town (Blouvlei and Elsies River).
In 1955, Thornton was a delegate from Cape Town to the Congress of the People. However, she was part of the delegation that was stopped by the police in Beaufort West and detained over the weekend, so she was unable to make it to Kliptown.
From the start of the Treason Trial in 1956, she served on the Treason Trial Support Committee. She did voluntary work for the Guardian newspaper (and its successors, as each successive title was banned in turn). She did research for the publication and managed the editorial work.
In 1959 she was banned for the first time initially for two years, but this was extended several times. She eventually served 14 years under banning orders and lost her job as a nursery school teacher.
In 1976 she began to work part-time for the Food and Canning Workers’ Union.
In 1981, she was a founding member and deputy chairperson of the United Women’s Organisation, which later became one of the key organisations in the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
In 1983 she was appointed as a patron of the UDF and was among those detained during the two states of emergency.
Thornton was also a member of the Cape Town ANC regional leadership and served on the National Coordinating Committee for the Return of Exiles between 1990 and 1993.
“Amy Thornton lived a life of principled resistance, bravery and perseverance so that we could live in freedom today. She was one of many white South Africans who sustained the non-racial character of the liberation struggle,” President Ramaphosa said.
“Her contribution and the risks she took on also disproved the often stated claim that white South Africans didn’t know what was unfolding in the country or that they had no agency to change policy or conditions in the country.
“Amy Thornton served our nation with great courage and tireless energy. May her soul now rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 09/07/2023 - 12:03
223 views
International Month for Deaf People
International Month for Deaf People
By GCIS Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa
In September 1951, hundreds of people from around the world met in Rome, Italy to discuss challenges faced by people with disabilities, and in particular deaf people. They demanded equal opportunities for deaf people around the world and full inclusion in communities.
They established the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) to champion the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This year marks 72 years since the first World Deaf Congress was held where the WFD was established. In commemoration of this milestone, September is observed as the International Month for Deaf People to promote awareness of the rights of deaf persons around the world.
The month is also used to bring to the fore challenges faced by deaf people. It aims to promote understanding of the deaf community and encourage people to take steps to be more inclusive and celebrate diversity. This includes learning sign language so that we can communicate with the deaf community.
South Africa joins the international community in commemorating this important month and honours the contributions of deaf people in the development of our country. This year’s commemoration comes less than two months since President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the South African Sign Language Bill, which recognises the South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language.
The signing into law was a historic moment and an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. It promotes inclusivity and substantive equality as well as prevents unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability, as enshrined in the Constitution.
This milestone also builds on the achievements we have made since 1994 to ensure that the Deaf community’s equal rights are realised as enshrined in our Constitution. In 2007 for instance, South Africa signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in 2013 Cabinet adopted the country’s first report to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In 2012, the Department of Basic Education commissioned a curriculum management team to compile a sign language curriculum and just over two years later offered a standardised SASL curriculum to Deaf learners up to matric level. In addition, in 2022 South Africa developed the first bilingual South African Sign Language Dictionary which is available as an App on smartphones to provide a standardised SASL lexical terminology.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the South African Sign Language Bill into law, President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed the importance of the official recognition of this language. He said: “Having sign language recognised as an official language will address access to education, economic and other social opportunities as well as public participation. People with hearing impairments will be able to also access more services, public information and a host other opportunities.”
The law will not only promote and protect the rights of sign language users but will facilitate the provision of sign language interpreters and education in sign language.
The signing into law of sign language as an official language will also have a positive impact on the social and economic development of the deaf community, as well as on their access to information and services.
This official recognition follows an intensive and extensive public consultation process, which is in line with the country’s founding democratic principle to take into account people’s opinions and their input towards building a better life for all.
By signing this Bill into law, South Africa becomes the 41st country in the world and the 4th in Africa that has recognised sign language as an official language.
It also means that national government institutions will need to review their language policies to include SASL as an official language. All government departments are now obliged to make provisions for South African Sign Language interpreters as well as train civil servants, particularly front-line workers on basic SASL.
While the language has long been part of curriculum in our schools, preparations are underway to ensure it is available as a second additional language. This will mean that learning and taking the language as an additional language is not restricted for learners with special needs.
We call on all South Africans to learn our new 12th official language. By doing so we can create an inclusive society that creates space for everyone to thrive and enjoy the gains of our democracy.
*Nomonde Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
Janine
Thu, 09/07/2023 - 11:41
98 views
This is what we can execute to conclude the reading crisis
As the November 2023 deadline looms, 70% of public schools still don’t have libraries
Food & Trees for Africa is in pursuit of South Africa’s best school food garden
6 September 2023 – In an era when the health of people and our planet demands immediate attention, the EduPlant Programme emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a fresh perspective on education that intertwines learning with sustainability. After 28 years and the creation of thousands of school food gardens across the country, the EduPlant …
SAPPMA Launches Educational Campaign Aimed At Senior University Students And Future Industry Leaders
The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) has begun conducting a series of educational lectures at selected universities and professional associations as part of their ongoing initiative to promote knowledge and awareness about plastic pipes within the academic community. The campaign, aimed primarily at 3rd and 4th year engineering students, already witnessed engaging sessions …
Learners’ complaints ignored at crumbling Tsakane school
“Every toilet has a crack,” says J.E Malepe Secondary learner Samkelo Mthethwa