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In a hyper-connected world where ‘blue ticking’ is a serious no-no, red notification signs activate some compulsive finger twitching, and the ping of an email hitting your inbox compels you to drop everything and click “open”, it’s no wonder that for the large part, highly successful leaders are worn out! In observing success, it seems …
2 000 new waste management job opportunities in Mbombela
The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Makhotso Sotyu, has launched the Cleaning and Greening Programme for the City of Mbombela with 2 000 new job opportunities in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
Delivering the keynote address on Thursday, the Deputy Minister explained how the programme tackles poverty and unemployment while ensuring that the environment is clean and protected.
According to the department, illegal dumping and littering are some of the most common problems in South Africa that affect all municipalities, irrespective of the size and extent of the area.
The prevalence of these ineffective waste management practices is being witnessed in many parts of the country.
This trend, the department said, unfortunately, affects the well-being of communities.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa asked all of us as government leaders to come up with programmes to create jobs for our people, especially post the COVID-19 pandemic. As a department, we have responded to the President’s call with this initiative to create jobs while contributing to a cleaner environment,” said the Deputy Minister.
Last year, Minister Barbara Creecy launched the national Municipal Cleaning and Greening Programme (MCGP), which is being implemented across the nine provinces.
The City of Mbombela is one of the 14 prioritised municipalities for the expansion of the MCGP.
The expansion will increase waste management across the participating municipalities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The EPWP is a medium-to long-term government-funded programme that promotes the use of labour-intensive methods to create work opportunities for poor and unemployed South Africans.
Workers in each municipality will enable more waste management capacity while addressing service delivery, skills development, unemployment, and creating cleaner towns.
The programme prioritises employment, emphasising empowering women, youth, and people with disabilities.
“This programme will essentially see community members working with the government to clean their communities while earning a monthly stipend. The programme will allow you, the participants, to put food on the table, to provide for yourselves and your families while carrying out the important task of keeping our communities clean,” she told the participants. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 01/12/2024 - 09:27
SA remains committed to creating a conducive environment for business
South Africa remains open for business and dedicated to creating a conducive environment for it to strive, says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
The Minister made the remarks on Thursday during an engagement with members of the media ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
“We remain steadfast in carrying out structural reforms to support and accelerate economic recovery. As government, we remain resolved to deal with the energy and logistics challenges that are adversely impacting our economy,” he told the media.
This year’s meeting, which will take place from 15 to 19 January 2024, will focus on rebuilding trust.
“It is quite apt, considering the complexity associated with the domestic and transnational headwinds we are facing.”
He explained that the theme will link four interconnected thematic priorities.
These include achieving security and cooperation in a fractured world; creating growth and jobs for a new era; artificial intelligence; and a long-term strategy for climate, nature and energy.
According to Godongwana, South Africa remains the gateway to Africa and has called on international investors to invest in Africa and South Africa.
Meanwhile, he is of the view that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides further opportunities for South African businesses to expand and grow their business and for international businesses to partner with local companies to increase their presence in Africa.
“Many of you have been attending the annual meeting for many years now, and I’m sure you will agree with me that these issues are ones that current and potential investors in our country and continent are interested in.”
The Minister also took the opportunity to thank the private sector for being a willing partner of government, in addressing the challenges the country faces towards unlocking economic growth.
In addition, he said marketing the country during WEF Davos is another great opportunity for collaboration.
Structural reforms
Meanwhile, Godongwana said fiscal consolidation is needed to tackle soaring debt levels, while monetary policy should stay the course to bring inflation to target.
“Structural reforms remain crucial to revive medium-term growth prospects amid constrained policy space. The green transition, increasing resilience to climate shocks, and improving food security for millions of people require strengthened multilateral frameworks and adherence to rules-based platforms for international cooperation.”
He is also of the view that access to competitive international development finance, for developing countries, is imperative to ensure a successful green transition.
In addition, he said government will also be tabling matching competitive financing for green transitions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in international financial institutions and key global economic platforms such as the Group of 20 (G20).
“Today provides a platform for a frank discussion to enable government and business to align their message for Davos.
“As government, we value this engagement. This is a testament to the presence of my colleagues. We are encouraged that business holds the same view given the level of representation. We might not agree on all the policy issues. However, it is important that we find common ground and that we speak as one voice in Davos.”
He told the media that Treasury, various government departments and Brand SA, have prepared key messages that the State and business can use as a guide for the country's engagement at WEF.
“I would just like to highlight the following. The common message we are taking to the annual meeting is that South Africa remains open for business and is committed to creating a conducive environment.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 01/11/2024 - 14:40
Sony Corporation Announces Development of Spatial Content Creation System, Equipped with High-Quality XR Head-Mounted Display and Controllers Dedicated to Interaction with 3D Objects Metaverse Technologies and Hardware to Empower 3D Content Creators XR head-mounted display and controllers[i] South Africa, 11 January 2024 – Sony Corporation announced development of an immersive spatial content creation system, which …
More than 40 stalls and containers were demolished and removed from main road in Cacadu
Since 1994, South Africa has emerged as an African economic powerhouse with a healthcare system that was once the envy of the continent. However, the country is facing a significant medical brain drain at a time when there is clear evidence that South African medical professionals possess some of the best skills in the world …
Regain your confidence and drive in 2024 with Holsters well-groomed shoes! While a comfortable chunky sandal or basic trainer might be appreciated for a comfortable commute, the importance of a power shoe for the workplace can’t be overlooked. Shoes from Holster will have you looking stylish and comfortable whether you’re dressing up for a big …
Engen, in collaboration with the Community-Engen Joint Committee, has spread some heart-warming holiday cheer to 30 children residing at the Ocean View Child and Youth Care Centre on the Bluff. Engen’s generous donation of Santa Boxes, brimming with delightful treats and toys, brightened the faces of these vulnerable children aged 6 to 18. The Engen …
Ten post-graduate students who were previously unemployed recently embarked on a remarkable journey from Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, to Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, as part of the SA Harvest entrepreneurial incubator initiative. Supported by Naspers Labs, this programme aims to equip young individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to become self-sufficient agri-food entrepreneurs. These ten students …
Minister hands over outdoor gym in Mpumalanga
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has handed over an outdoor gym and sporting clothes to a community in Mpumalanga.
“Government’s intervention to build outdoor gyms in Royal Great Places is a commitment to develop sport in rural communities. Further to this, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is also building multipurpose sports courts in rural and township communities,” the Minister said on Tuesday.
He said historically, rural communities have lacked these sport and recreational facilities.
“This has meant that there are not enough resources available in these communities for people, and the youth in particular, to exercise and play sport. By focusing on sport development in rural communities, we are inspiring communities to live active lifestyles.
“We are also addressing the issue of youths needing to go to towns and cities to play sport, where there are more resources. By prioritising sport development in rural communities, we are also working to ensure that sport talent is identified in these communities, and that sport talent is given opportunities to flourish. It is in communities such as KwaMhlanga where the next Trevor Nyakane or Caster Semenya will be discovered,” Kodwa said.
He said the outdoor gym, which is located in Royal Great Places, means that communities can exercise in a safe environment, and the gym equipment can be well looked after.
“This year, South Africa celebrates 30 years of freedom. One of the mandates of our government over the past 30 years has been to ensure social transformation in South African society through promoting social cohesion, social integration, and social inclusion.
“Sport plays a critical role in realising this goal. Just as President Nelson Mandela said, sport unifies people in ways little else can. Sport brings hope where there was once despair,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 01/09/2024 - 13:26
SA can still expect loadshedding
Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has reiterated that while Eskom is working hard on improving its generation system, citizens can still expect load shedding.
Providing an outlook on Eskom’s generation capabilities during a media briefing on Tuesday in Pretoria, the Minister explained that the majority of units remain unreliable and this is being addressed through the planned maintenance that Eskom is conducting routinely.
Due to legacy issues including under investment at Eskom and the entity not having sufficiently planned for maintenance, South Africa’s grid is unreliable.
“We will have periods of days of no load shedding and there will be days of load shedding. Eskom has announced its summer outlook and it makes the point that we should not be at more than Stage 4 level of load shedding.
“While demand was low during the week 22- 29 December 2023, Eskom was working to address issues of its fleet and used the opportunity to carry out planned maintenance.
“We have been working during the festive season to ensure that we address issues of the fleet to continue to perform but also readying the fleet to ensure that once there is a ramp up of demand, the units are able to return back to service and remain in service while delivering efficient megawatts (MW),” Ramokgopa said.
The Minister pointed out that Eskom is beginning to decrease its planned maintenance, as they are expecting demand to increase.
While in December 2022 South Africa experienced load shedding, Eskom had three units back last December at Kusile, which ensured that there were periods of no load shedding.
“If you had to look at the work that has been done at Eskom, they have reduced repeat failures. We have additional buffer for instances of a cluster of units failing where you do not have to initiate load shedding or if you do, it is not at intense levels.
“Unit 1 at Kusile experienced significant delays in relation to the timeline to return to service, which was set for June last year but it returned five months later due to outage slips. We are confident that the work that has been done by the generation team has ensured that we will not have a repeat when we want to return unit 2, which is currently out,” he said.
The Minister reminded citizens that Koeberg unit 1 and 2 were extending the license of the only nuclear power station in the country.
“We had to do a significant amount of work to meet the regulatory requirements and compliance so we can get the license extensions… so these units were out. As part of this robust exercise, unit 1 in Koeberg is now on full load. It has passed the full load tests. There is a plethora of tests that need to be run and the test was passed on 30 December.
“Now unit 1 in Koeberg is unleashing the MWs that are required and we hope it will continue to do that for the next 20 years. Another development is the synchronisation of Kusile Power Station’s unit 5.
“That power is intermittent. It is doing a number of tests, and it will go into full commercial operation for an average period of six months so they continue to do the tests but as they continue to do the tests, it does give us MWs,” Ramokgopa said.
“Unit 5 is running at 60% and there are a lot of things that need to be done such as balancing and optimisation tests so that we are sure when the unit is in commercial operation so essentially giving us MWs uninterrupted.”
Integrated Resource Plan
The Minister called on the public to make submissions on the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023 that was issued by Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, for public comment in Government Gazette no 49974 of 04 January 2024.
“I want to urge that your comments are not restricted to public commentary, engagements and with the media. That does not amount to a submission. A submission means you make a written response of ideas of what you think of the IRP and submit it as required.
“As it stands, the IRP represents the views of Cabinet and we want to know what the public thinks. I want to encourage you to make submissions and as and when the DMRE offers an opportunity to make oral representation, I encourage you to do that as well,” Ramokgopa said.
The IRP is an electricity generation plan that seeks to ensure security of electricity supply by balancing supply with demand, while taking into account the environment and total cost of supply.
The purpose of this publication is to solicit public comments on the assumptions, input parameters, scenarios, and observations made. Comments submitted will be considered when drafting the final policy adjusted plan, which will map out the future energy mix for the country. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 01/09/2024 - 12:22
In a move to address challenges faced by African children and their schools posed by power outages and no access to power, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (http://www.EnergyChamber.org) has embarked on a transformative initiative that will see it provide, together with partners, off-grid solutions to thousands of schools across Africa. The program's pilot phase kicked off with the provision of a solar power system to Willow Crescent Secondary School in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg. Qualifying schools and projects must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to sustainable energy solutions and community empowerment.
The African Energy Chamber is a leading energy advocacy group dedicated to addressing energy poverty in Africa by 2030 by encouraging investments in the entire African energy value chain.
The AEC's donation of solar panels stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply for the 1700 students, school, and staff of Willow Crescent Secondary School. This initiative directly addresses the critical need for uninterrupted electricity access during outages, guaranteeing an uninterrupted learning environment for young South African boys and girls.
"We express our deepest gratitude for the invaluable donation of solar panels, as during stage four of load shedding, our school heavily relied on a small generator, costing us between 1000 and 2000 rands in petrol just to power our admin block—an expense the school could not bear," said Olivia Hill, principal of Willow Crescent Secondary School.
Load shedding has become a major issue in South Africa, causing power outages for hours at a time.
Beyond the confines of the school grounds, this project will significantly impact the Eldorado Park community. By providing a dependable power source to a local educational institution, which is at the center of the entire community's wellbeing. This project not only provides a reliable power source for educational activities but also marks a step towards a more resilient and empowered community. The consistent electricity supply will markedly enhance the student's educational experience, creating boundless opportunities for growth, innovation, and a brighter future for the students and the community at large.
"As the African Energy Chamber, we are committed to fostering innovation and sustainable solutions. It is our goal to actively contribute to the development of communities through impactful initiatives. We are particularly committed to promoting sustainable access to power for young boys and girls in education." said Ms. Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, a board member at the African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
news@energychamber.org
5 Green Reasons to Switch to an Automower Most homeowners want a lush, well-manicured lawn. Not only does it add to the beauty and aesthetics of your overall garden, but it also creates a wonderful setting for outdoor activities with the kids or enjoying leisurely outdoor lunches with family and friends. However, the reality is …
Engen, in collaboration with the Community-Engen Joint Committee, has spread heart-warming holiday cheer to 84 children residing at St. Monica’s Children’s Home Child and Youth Care Centre. Engen’s generous donation of Santa Boxes, brimming with delightful treats and toys, brightened the faces of the vulnerable children. The Engen team visited St. Monica’s on 13 December …
Embracing the Power of C-Bus, EcoXpert and Beyond In a world where energy conservation is becoming increasingly important, building management and automation systems have emerged as superheroes, ready to save the day (and the planet!). These systems, like the renowned C-Bus, offer a range of benefits that go beyond mere convenience. They have the power to …
7 Reasons Why You Need BA Systems Building Management/Automation Systems, such as C-Bus, have revolutionized the way buildings are managed and operated. These systems utilize advanced technology to automate various processes and optimize energy consumption. In this article, we will explore the benefits of Building Management/Automation Systems like C-Bus in saving precious energy resources. By …
They come from different countries and regions of the globe and have distinct experiences that have shaped their young lives. But Irfaan, Aiki, Soufiane, Dejana, Maselina, Allán and Aizat all share the same dream: to build a world in which all human beings are equal.
From South Africa to Japan, from Morocco to Serbia, from Samoa to Mexico and Kyrgyzstan, the seven are young human rights educators who work in their communities to inspire young people to take action and promote human rights.
They are the protagonists of a documentary called “Changemakers: stories of young human rights educators,” which was released to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Co-produced by UN Human Rights, Amnesty International and Soka Gakkai International, the film pays tribute to young educators who empower other young people to advocate for equality, respect, and dignity for all.
“Human rights education has the power to bring real change and help us identify solutions to today's challenges which are human rights-based,” said Elena Ippoliti, coordinator of Human Rights Education and Training at UN Human Rights.
“These young champions are an inspiring example of how young people can lead and nurture among their peers a culture of human rights to ensure no one is left behind.”
Empowering young people
Irfaan Mangera grew up in post-apartheid South Africa, an experience that made him aware that the fight to end injustice is not over. While the political system that institutionalized the racial segregation no longer exists, its legacy lives on in the form of racism, classism and social-economic exclusion, he said.
“The triple threat to South Africa's future today is unemployment, poverty and inequality, and these are the results of the huge legacy of apartheid that excluded people,” said Irfaan, a community activist from the township of Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
Irfaan, a member of the Indian South African community, spearheaded the creation of the National Youth Coalition to build a space for young people to fight racism and bring systemic change.
“Human rights education gives us a framework to empower young people to understand their rights and to protect and promote them so we can achieve the goal of equality,” he said.
Aiki Matsukura combats sexual exploitation of children, a taboo subject in Japan. Aiki provides support to survivors of sexual exploitation and raises awareness through campaigns using manga and videos, and through talks at schools and companies.
“When your human rights have been violated you lose the power and the strength you have. My job is to help young people bring that strength and worth back that they already have within them,” said Aiki.
“For me human rights education is to encourage one another, specially to encourage someone to believe in their own potential and worth.”
Liberation of speech
Soufiane Hennani, an activist for gender equality and gender diversity from Rabat, is the creator of a popular youth-oriented podcast called Machi Rojola that challenges unequal gender roles and promotes positive masculinities in Morocco.
Soufiane, a laureate of the Arab Foundation for Freedom and Equality's social change program, said the podcast is a space of liberation of speech, where guests can talk about issues such as diversity, acceptance and human rights.
“You have to create an environment for young people to express themselves because these young people are the adults of tomorrow. Being part of a network of young people who do human rights education that promote human rights is an opportunity and a hope,” he said.
For Dejana Stošić from Belgrade speaking out is also a form of liberation.
Dejana, who works with young women to fight gender-based violence and sexual violence, created in 2021 a twitter hashtag called #NisamPrijavila (#IdidntReport), where she explained why she did not report a case of sexual violence. In just three days, more than 21,000 women across Serbia used the hashtag to tell their stories about the violence they survived but never reported.
“One of the hardest things in life is to be a girl and have a voice because everybody wants to shush you,” said Dejana, co-founder of SOS Girls Corner project, which won a With and for Girls award for best project for girls.
“I encourage girls to believe that they are worthy and capable of doing whatever they want and to stand up and use their voice to change the system we live in and to be equal to everyone.”
Maselina Iuta, an activist for the rights of persons with disabilities, remembers vividly the barriers she faced as a deaf school girl in a rural village in Samoa. That difficult experience, however, helped her find her mission in life.
“Where I was growing up there were no schools with sign language, so I did not understand what my teacher was saying and I fell behind. I don't want future deaf children to go through what I went through,” she said.
Maselina is a founding member of the Deaf Association of Samoa, an organization led by deaf and hearing-impaired persons that advocates for the development of inclusive opportunities, policies and legislation for deaf and hearing-impaired people in Samoa.
“Many people in the deaf community don't know they also have rights to education, to work and to experience respect, so I work to help them understand they do have equal rights,” said Maselina, who is now attending university in Fiji.
Guided by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, she works with local and national stakeholders to address barriers for deaf people.
“Many people in the non-deaf community think that because we don't talk we don't know or we don't feel or we don't have dreams,” she said.
Equality for all
For Allán Sánchez Osorio, an activist for the rights of children and young people in situations of vulnerability, awareness of one's rights has the power to prevent human rights abuses.
“Unfortunately, not many people globally know their rights and that lack of knowledge can lead many to suffer human rights violations,” said Allán, founder of Fundación Efecto Valores, an NGO that promotes human rights education for children without parental care and who live in areas with high rates of violence.
“Human rights education can prevent human rights violations and also point to mechanisms for people to turn to in case of violations.”
From Kyrgyzstan, Aizat Ruslanova implements educational projects for teenagers to promote women's rights to address gender-based violence against women.
Aizat, who is the executive director of the regional youth organisation IDEA Central Asia, said finding the right language to talk about human rights is a challenge. Words like human rights, gender equality or feminism can be perceived negatively in Kyrgyzstan because they are new, she said, so she also uses art to communicate messages about women's rights.
“I am proud to be a human rights educator because we give young people a very cool tool to change their lives and develop their country.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Celebrating SA’s firefighters
South Africa’s deployment of firefighters internationally this year, has yet again proven that our country’s ability for wildfire firefighting is becoming more and more recognised.
“Our multiple deployments to Canada in 2023, is a vote of confidence in our wildfire firefighting capacity and abilities. We must be extremely proud of our deployees who have been selected,” Working on Fire Managing Director Trevor Abrahams told SAnews.
Working on Fire (WoF) has had four deployments of firefighters and management to Canada since June 2023.
Abrahams who was the leader of the first group to head to Canada on 3 June, said 2023 has been Canada’s worst fires season in recorded history. The north American country has had over 6330 fires which have destroyed at least 17 hectares of forest.
Working on Fire is an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) aimed at providing work opportunities to young men and women. It resides under and is funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Asked about the process followed prior to the deployment of teams, Abrahams said firefighters and management within WoF were given an opportunity to apply to be placed provided that they met the minimum criteria.
The criteria that firefighters needed to meet included being in possession of a valid passport; being qualified with a minimum of three-years of firefighting experience, as well as being in possession of a valid yellow card.
A yellow card in South Africa indicates that one has undergone recurrency certification and is fit to be on the fire line and trained in the use of Canadian water pump machines.
All WoF teams were assembled in Mbombela in Mpumalanga at the Kishugu Training Academy, where they underwent a three-day refresher training camp prior to departure.
This year’s deployment was the fifth collaboration between South Africa and Canada in terms of the exchange of personnel. Previous deployments to Canada were in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021.
Memorandum of Understanding and deployment
The deployment of South African wildland firefighters to Canada came in response to a request for assistance from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) in terms of the existing emorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governments of the two countries.
Signed in 2019, the MOU provides for the exchange of wildland fire management resources between the two countries.
Working on Fire has had four deployments totalling 860 firefighters and management to Canada since June and Abrahams whose team returned on 8 July 2023, said South African firefighters received “huge” praise from Canadian wildfire authorities as well as other international firefighters who were deployed in Canada.
Bringing the fiery South African soul to camp
“Our firefighters were lauded for their energy, their strong work ethic and observance of safety measures on the fire line, as well as for the way they have accustomed themselves to the conditions in Canada, where wildland firefighting conditions are different from what they were used to in South Africa.”
He added that the 2023 deployment was the largest ever with 30% of the deployed personnel being women.
The teams were hailed for their commitment and atmosphere they brought to the firefighting camps.
“Their infectious spirit, witnessed through viral videos on social media, ignited international curiosity about these dedicated South Africans who journeyed thousands of kilometres to confront Canada's wildfire challenge.”
He adds that firefighters from the United States, Australia, France, Mexico, South Korea and Portugal among others, joined in the firefighting efforts.
He said the South African firefighters’ dancing and singing prior to going to the fire line and when returning in the afternoons had made them a great hit.
“This rich harmony of our firefighters who come from all over South Africa, with different languages and cultural practices, has also served as an inspiration for many Canadians. Singing and dancing is part of our tradition and even at wildfires in South Africa. Our firefighters are doing this as part of preparing themselves mentally for the day’s work and to show unity and commitment. It serves to uplift them but also importantly, to raise the morale of the communities and land owners where they go to fight wildfires.”
A different terrain
As the second largest country in the world and one of the world’s most forested countries, Canada's “massive fires are quite different from what we are used to fight in South Africa,” Abrahams said.
“In South Africa, wildland fires are typically much smaller than those seen in Canada and without nearly as much fuel, and they're usually fought by firefighters carrying backpacks with 20 liters of water and tankers nearby to resupply them. Fire beaters and rakes are also a common part of the equipment carried by South African firefighters during wildland fires here at home.
“Fuel loads are also quite different as in South Africa our firefighters encounter mostly fynbos, veld, grassland, and vegetation fires, as well as forest fires in commercial plantations, whereas in Canada, it is the forest fires which are the predominant fuel which is burning,” he explained.
In addition, Canada arms its firefighters with more advanced and detailed weather forecasts, and with information on moisture content in vegetation, to predict fire behaviour at any point in time. The Incident commanders also use infrared scans to identify hot spots — technology not routinely used in South Africa.
“Canadian fires also have different features from fires in South Africa, with smoldering peat fires that can burn below ground in the Canada woods. Safety risks are also different in that the shallow plate root system of Canadian arboreal forests results in huge trees toppling over after fires have affected their shallow root system.”
He adds that the Canadian deployments have become routine enough that Working on Fire trains its firefighters in how to operate a particular pump that is a fixture in fighting Canadian fires, but little used back home.
“Our firefighters adjusted to these differences fast, and our crews are divided into smaller teams who work in different areas, and we team experienced firefighters with those new to Canada.
“While South Africa’s wildland fires do not (yet) take on the dimensions of some of the fires experienced in Canada, the experience in being deployed amongst international teams results in learning how to fight mega fires; learning different weather patterns; learning different techniques when dealing with ‘fuel types’ not experienced in South Africa,” he said.
Climate change
Asked about how climate change is affecting the work of firefighters, Abrahams said the Canadian wildfires and the deadly and catastrophic wildfires seen in Maui (Hawaii), Algeria, and Europe and those seen in the North West and Free State provinces are “sounding alarm bells on the growing risks posed by global warming and climate change and warning governments across the world to put in place wildfire risk reduction measures.”
His comments come amidst the recent fires that hit Simon’s Town and the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM).
“With global warming propelling climate change, temperatures will rise over the next couple of decades which will lead to dryer conditions, and this will lead to more frequent fires fuelled by hotter conditions as temperatures rise.
“Meteorologists and weather experts have all concluded that a combination of climate change and the global weather phenomenon El Niño is believed to be contributing to these extreme weather events.”
He added that South Africa has not and will not be spared these impacts of climate change.
“The 2022 catastrophic and unprecedented flooding experienced in KwaZulu Natal has been widely attributed in part to the impact of climate change.
“The 2023 released UN [United Nations] Environment programme (UNEP) study on climate change, ‘Spreading Like Wildfire’ suggests that the increase in extreme wildland fires is likely to grow by 14% by 2030, 30% by 2050 and 50% by the end of the century,” he adds.
“It is our belief that these successful 2023 Canadian deployments will go a long way in ensuring that our firefighters and management are more capable and ready to respond to mega wildfire threats in South Africa.” - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Thu, 12/28/2023 - 11:18
Black women continue to break barriers across diverse industries, paving the way for future leaders with their resilience, intelligence and determination. The upcoming Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS), scheduled for February 27, 2024 in Dubai, is set to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black women, while connecting movers and shakers from across the global Black community.
Black women play a crucial role in transforming industries, leaving an undeniable impact from entertainment to business, science to politics. In Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Liberia's first democratically-elected female president – has garnered international acclaim for empowering women, winning the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize and today advocating for female political participation. Meanwhile, Mozambican social scientist Alice Banze boasts a 25-year career in civil society and government and is the Executive Director of the Gender and Sustainable Development Association. Elected to the National Elections Commission in 2020 with support from the Women's Forum, she exemplifies transformative female leadership in Mozambique.
Many women are rising through the ranks across industries by forging their own paths. One example is Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, the founder and CEO of DLO Energy Resources Group, who leads a Black women-owned renewable energy company that focuses on wind power projects in South Africa. Other figures like Oprah Winfrey, who has built a media empire, and Ursula Burns, the first Black woman to head a Fortune 500 company, show the strength and determination of Black female leaders.
Yet despite their notable accomplishments, Black women in leadership often encounter systemic challenges to representation. In the US, Forbes reports that only 4.4% of Black women hold managerial roles, and merely 1.4% occupy executive-level positions, despite comprising 7.4% of the American population. In contrast, in Africa, women are making significant strides in governance roles. According to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, four African nations—Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa and Senegal—are among the top 15 countries globally for the highest representation of women in parliament. Rwanda leads with an impressive 61.3% of female parliamentarians, yet the sub-Saharan African average stands at 23.6%.
The intersectionality of race and gender amplifies challenges in the workplace for Black women, necessitating targeted efforts to address and mitigate specific barriers to leadership. Initiatives centered on diversity, equity and inclusion are crucial for dismantling these barriers and creating a more equitable playing field. To achieve this, companies and organizations must implement policies that recognize the unique value and perspectives of Black women in their respective industries, fostering a more inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities for success.
Celebrating Black women in leadership requires creating a supportive environment for future leaders through mentorship programs, educational initiatives and networking opportunities. Investing in the next generation of Black female leaders contributes to a more diverse and dynamic future, which the upcoming GBIS 2024 will facilitate by providing a platform for engagement, inspiration and unity.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
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In South Africa’s rapidly evolving e-commerce sector, the crucial role of last-mile delivery is increasingly prominent. As online shopping becomes more prevalent, efficient and reliable delivery services have become pivotal. The strategic alliance between Cotton On, a prominent fashion retailer, and DPD ZA, a leading logistics provider, particularly in handling over one million parcels and mastering the demands of Black …
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Public urged to follow instructions of firefighting authorities in Simon’s Town
The public has been urged to follow instructions from firefighters managing the wildfire in Simon’s Town.
“We have a strong and professional team on the ground, and we request that the public do not panic and work with us.
“Our officials will request residents well in advance if they need to evacuate, and all firefighting decisions being made is with the safety of the public as number one priority,” Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell said on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire has been burning since Tuesday morning and firefighting efforts are currently focused on the flank moving from Castle Rock towards Simon’s Town.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre has availed provincial aerial resources to the Simon’s Town fire. Currently, there are four Huey helicopters and a spotter plane, as well as an Oryx helicopter from the South African Defence Force, deployed.
“Staff from Working on Fire, Volunteer Wildfire Services, NCC Environmental Services, the City of Cape Town and South African National Parks (SANParks) have through Tuesday night worked tirelessly to protect people and property until they could be supported with aerial water bombing again since daybreak today,” the MEC said.
While Simon's Town is being addressed, several wildfires in the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) also need attending to.
Firefighters from CWDM Fire Services, CapeNature, Winelands Fire Protection Association, NCC Environmental Services and aerial resources from Leading Edge has been engaged in active firefighting on several fronts.
The provincial government said a fire is burning through dense and inaccessible vegetation along the Berg River in the vicinity of the Berg River Dam outside Franschhoek.
Efforts are focused on preventing the spread to farms and nearby infrastructure. A fire in Du Toit’s Kloof outside Paarl is currently mostly contained, with ground crews attending to isolated hot spots, monitoring for flareups, and doing general mopping up work.
The Western Cape Provincial Government has budgeted R16 million for the current wildfire season.
“Fires due to natural causes, such as lightning strikes or rockfalls, account for less than 3% of all wildfires. The other 97% is caused either intentionally, 25%, or through negligence, 72%. These statistics show the huge role ordinary citizens can play to protect not only our natural environment, but also our personal safety and infrastructure, from runaway wildfires,” the MEC said.
Bredell asked that people report any sighting of a fire as quickly as possible to the closest authorities.
“Experience over many years has taught us that the faster the initial response, the better our chances are of successfully controlling a fire before it spirals out of control,” he said.
The following numbers can be contacted to report any fire sightings:
-SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 12/21/2023 - 10:59
A Romans Pizza Franchisee has secured a significant court victory against Romans Pizza and its CEO, John Nicolakakis. Last week, Romans Pizza franchisee Basil Kassimatis approached the Johannesburg High Court seeking an urgent interdict after he received a letter from the attorneys of his franchisor asserting that he’d failed to sign franchise agreements and neglected …