MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
After setting a national record of 27:35 when he took second place at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2023, Precious Mashele has confirmed his participation in 2024 when the iconic race returns to the friendly city come Sunday 7 April. As he prepares to qualify for his second consecutive Olympic Games …
In the face of escalating cyber threats targeting public sector entities, IT News Africa (www.ITNewsAfrica.com) is thrilled to announce the upcoming Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit (https://apo-opa.co/3uWOYEh) on April 3, 2024, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Our central theme, "Public-Private Collaboration: Strengthening Cybersecurity through Strategic Partnerships," underscores the critical importance of unity and shared strategies to fortify our defences against relentless cyber adversaries.
The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness in the Public Sector
Recent ransomware attacks on prominent entities like the City of Johannesburg, Transnet, and the Department of Justice underscore the urgency of our collective response. In the spirit of collaboration, our discussions will focus on fostering partnerships, sharing threat intelligence, and developing joint strategies to bolster the overall cybersecurity posture in the public sector.
Why Attend the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit
To ensure the summit's success, an esteemed advisory board has been assembled, featuring distinguished individuals such as Abdul Kader Baba, CIO, Infrastructure South Africa; Jabu (Hugh) Hlatshwayo, CIO, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD, and Dr. Stanley Mpofu, CIO, University of the Witwatersrand.
Become a Sponsor
The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit presents a unique opportunity for cybersecurity vendors and solution providers to connect with a targeted audience of senior IT decision-makers from government departments and State Owned Enterprises. Showcase your cybersecurity expertise, build brand awareness, and generate leads by becoming a sponsor (https://apo-opa.co/4c4slP8).
Register Now
Registration (https://apo-opa.co/48IhcR5) for the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit is now open. Secure your spot at this essential event and join us in exploring the critical role of public-private collaboration in building cyber resilience.
For more information on the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit, please visit the event website at www.PublicSecurity.co.za.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IT News Africa.
For media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
events@itnewsafrica.com
Application to stop Covid vaccine slammed as “manifestly unfair”, fatally defective and dismissed with costs by Pretoria High Court
Coleus Packaging, the metal crown manufacturer in South Africa, is on track to benefit from its deal with Greek company Astir Vitogiannis through the investment in a new PMC 500 crown manufacturing machine. “Previously, we were majority owned by SAB but in mid-2022 Astir Vitogiannis acquired 75% shareholding in Coleus, and left the remaining 25% …
After a challenging Track and Field season, the EPA Championships was a great success this past weekend. The EPA Championships, which form part of the NMB Legacy Project sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, attracted an impressive 330 athletes, aged between 12 to 73, participating in 535 events. “Due to ongoing protests at the …
The vibrant Mother City is gearing up for a series of eight exciting PUMA NITRO™ RUNS leading up to the 9th annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K that is set to coincide with Mother’s Day. These runs are open to all, whether you are part of a running club or just enjoy a …
Wine lovers, mark your calendars! On the 9th of March 2024, from 12 pm to 4 pm, Cape Town’s favourite weekend market, Bay Harbour Market, brings you The Secret Vine Wine Tasting 2024 – a wine tasting experience not to be missed! For just R100 per person, indulge in a world of exquisite wines from …
The South African Photographer of the Year competition is an annual highlight for both amateur and professional photographers, celebrating the stunning diversity and beauty of South African and African wildlife and nature. It’s a unique platform for showcasing exceptional talent and offers participants a chance to gain recognition while contributing to nature conservation. Join us …
Thrilling tussle expected between Andre Bezuidenhout and Franco Scribante, along with a brace of other serious challengers, for Classic Car Friday glory Exceptional line-up of cars across the nine classes, from thoroughbred single-seaters to legendary tin-tops, ranging from 1926 to 1994 14th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place in Knysna from 2 to 5 […]
Port Alfred – The prizes have been announced for the two RIP CURL Tournaments, the Rip Curl GromSearch and the Rip Curl Cup, both presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel. Both events will take place at East Beach in Port Alfred over the Easter Weekend during the Port Alfred Easter Festival. There will be a …
The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition has launched its sixth annual continent-wide search for 10 exceptional entrepreneurs who are striving to make a positive impact in their local communities. The application form can be accessed for free on ABH's official website (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/) starting today.
Since its inception in 2019, ABH has spotlighted and supported some of Africa's brightest entrepreneurial minds. The ABH top 10 finalists (Heroes) over the last five years:
In 2023, ABH published a five-year impact report that details the impact ABH Heroes have had. The full report can be accessed here: https://apo-opa.co/3T4mErL
As ABH enters its sixth year, it is calling on entrepreneurs across Africa to pitch on the biggest entrepreneurial stage in the continent. ABH encourages applicants from all 54 countries, from all business sectors, of all ages and genders, to submit their applications in English or French. Along with invaluable benefits such as training, exposure and networking opportunities, the top 10 finalists will also compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant money.
“Over the past five years, we've had the privilege of witnessing the incredible growth of our Heroes. Many of our Heroes have leveraged the grant funds to expand their geographic footprint, hire talent, grow their operations and invest in new products and services. It's been heart-warming to see our Heroes collaborate with each other and to tap into the ABH network of judges and experts. We are motivated to continue to play our part in supporting the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are calling on all eligible African entrepreneurs who are creating positive impact to join us in this journey!” says Zahra Baitie, Head of Partnerships & Programs, Africa's Business Heroes.
To date, nearly 100,000 entrepreneurs have participated in the ABH Prize Competition. Last year's winners were chosen from 27,267 applicants from sectors spanning agriculture, education and training, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The competition cumulated in the Grand Finale, where the top 10 finalists mounted Africa's largest augmented reality-powered stage to present their businesses to a panel of esteemed judges.
Dr. Ikpeme Neto, CEO and Founder of Wellahealth Technologies, ABH 2023 First Prize Winner says: “Participating in the ABH Prize Competition has been a transformative experience for Wellahealth Technologies, profoundly impacting our journey as a startup. ABH not only provided us with financial assistance but also offered unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurship training, networking, and exposure. I urge fellow entrepreneurs across Africa to seize this extraordinary opportunity to enjoy a wealth of benefits that can catalyze growth and success for your ventures.”
WellaHealth (www.WellaHealth.com) provides affordable healthcare plans that start at less than a dollar a month to cover care common conditions delivered via pharmacies and remote doctors. The company serves over 300,000 individuals and is aiming to reach one million within 18 months and expand to 10 million within the next five years, extending its services in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
ABH constantly explores effective ways to help the participating entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. As with previous years, the journey to this year's Grand Finale will also include access to a community of business leaders, innovators, industry experts and investors as well as multi-disciplinary boot camps and training sessions.
To better facilitate the engagement with entrepreneurs and facilitate applications, this year ABH will organize a series of roadshows in multiple countries, including Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. These events will be conducted in collaboration with local entrepreneur organizations and ABH community members. Participants will gain valuable insights into the ABH initiative as well as enhance their chances of success in the competition. Further details regarding the roadshows and information sessions will be disseminated via ABH's official social media channels and newsletters.
Applications for ABH 2024 are open from now until May 19, 2024. The top 50 finalists will be announced in July, followed by the announcement of the top 10 in September. The final winners will be unveiled at the Grand Finale in November.
To apply, and for more information about ABH 2024, please visit ABH's website (https://apo-opa.co/3uUYEPD) and follow ABH on Twitter (@africa_heroes), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3KZTXKa), TikTok (https://apo-opa.co/48DjD7o) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3YDG5bH).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).
Press Contact:
Africa's Business Heroes Press Room
abh.press@list.alibaba-inc.com
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
English: Tracy Walakira
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com
French / Arabic: Malika Bouayad
malika.bouayad@apo-opa.com
About Africa's Business Heroes:
The Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy. It aims to support, inspire and enable the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a brighter future for the continent, by offering grant funding, training programs and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over 10 years, each year the ABH Prize Competition features 10 entrepreneur finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.
2nd March 2024 – The vibrant city of Cape Town played host to an electrifying spectacle of athleticism and adrenaline as contestants from around the globe converged for the Converse Ult.X at Battery Park in the famous V&A Waterfront. The event saw the world’s top freestyle BMX riders and South Africa’s best park skateboarders battling …
More Holidays, More Experiences, More Magical Moments If your December break left you scrolling through social media, living vicariously through your friends’ posts of fabulous holidays and yearning for those experiences to be yours, it’s time to make a change. Let this be the year you turn those dreams into reality and embrace the year …
“What we got was nothing compared to what we were promised,” says resident
President suspends Deputy Minister Peters
President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters, of his decision to suspend her.
In a statement on Friday, the Presidency said the Deputy Minister has been informed of her suspension in writing.
The decision follows a sanction adopted by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests against the Deputy Minister.
The Committee found that Peters had breached the Code of Ethical Conduct in her former portfolio as Minister of Transport.
Consequently, Peters was sanctioned and suspended for one term.
“The suspension, which will be without pay, became effective on 28 February 2024 and will end on 28 March 2024,” said the Presidency.
In a statement at the end of January 2024, Parliament noted the Western Cape High Court’s dismissal of Peters’s urgent application to stop Parliament from implementing her suspension from her seat in all parliamentary debates, sittings and committee meeting-related functions for one term of the parliamentary programme.
In October 2023, after considering a complaint lodged against her, Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests found that the Deputy Minister had breached the Code of Ethical Conduct in her former portfolio as Minister of Transport.
As a result, she was sanctioned and suspended for one term.
In its statement Parliament said #UniteBehind leader and activist, Zackie Achmat, lodged the complaint with several allegations, including that Peters “was neglectful in her previous portfolio as Minister of Transport by failing to appoint a Group CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)”.
It was also alleged that she used PRASA buses for ANC events during 2014 and 2015 without ensuring payment from the ANC, among others.
“Following deliberations, the ethics committee found that the Member’s failure to appoint a Group CEO breached items 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the code, in that the Member failed to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in her; and discharge her obligations, in terms of the Constitution, to Parliament and the public at large, by placing the public interest above her own interests when she failed to appoint a Group CEO after the PRASA Board had commissioned a recruitment process, which resulted in a financial loss of R1 767 000,” said Parliament in its statement in January.
The committee advised the National Assembly that for each of the three violations identified, Peters should be barred from participating in all parliamentary debates and sessions, as well as from committee meetings and their related activities and operations, for one session of the parliamentary programme.
Additionally, the committee suggested that the suspensions for all three violations occur simultaneously during a single session of the parliamentary programme, as decided by the National Assembly.
In the response to the court matter, Parliament said it appreciated the court's sentiments regarding the importance of allowing Parliament, as an arm of State, to regulate its business without interference from other arms of the state.
“Granting relief to delay the enforcement of this sanction would essentially invalidate a decision taken by a different arm of the State, exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities, especially given its time-sensitive nature, where there is no legal foundation to do so.
“Ms Peters will be placed on suspension commencing tomorrow, 30 January, with the suspension expected to last until 28 March,” said Parliament at the time. - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Fri, 03/01/2024 - 10:15
A Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into National Lottery Commission (NLC) funding for a dodgy circumcision project is back on track. Pretoria Doctor John Marite has failed to get leave to appeal an earlier order dismissing his attempt to interdict the SIU. The SIU alleges that millions received by Marite to implement the circumcision project …
Cabinet confident SA will deliver successful G20 Summit
Cabinet has expressed its confidence in South Africa's ability to host a successful G20 Summit, drawing upon its track record of successfully organising major events such as the BRICS Summit and the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum (AGOA).
This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who addressed a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday in Pretoria.
The Minister told the media that Cabinet received and considered a report on the preparations for South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Summit in 2025 as well as taking over the Presidency.
“This is a momentous event for South Africa as it will be the first country in Africa to host such a gathering; not only unique because of the anticipated numbers but also of the enduring impact it is envisaged to make.
“Cabinet is confident that South Africa will deliver a successful G20 Summit, as it has done with previous major events such as the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa Summit and the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum.
“The G20 Presidency presents South Africa with an opportunity to champion the aspirations of emerging markets,” the Minister said.
As it hosts the G20, Ntshavheni said South Africa’s participation in the forum will continue to be guided by the country’s commitment to advance national interests as well as those of the African continent.
37th African Union (AU) Summit
Cabinet has also expressed appreciation on the progress made at the 37th AU Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 17 and 18 February 2024, which outlined Africa's priorities for 2024 and beyond.
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined other African leaders in discussing key continental priorities including peace and security, climate change, economic development and Africa’s role in the wider global multilateral context.
The summit adopted the Second 10-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, which will see the acceleration of flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, in which South Africa is playing a leading role.
President Ramaphosa also presented a report on the continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of readiness against future health threats, in his capacity as the Champion of the AU’s COVID-19 response.
The summit also emphasised the importance of socio-economic recovery post-COVID-19 and lessons from the pandemic preparedness and response and continental security.
“The President called on African leaders to continue improving the levels of alertness of their countries against future pandemics and urged for the adoption of a strong Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness and Response,” Cabinet said. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/29/2024 - 12:49
In the wake of the annual Budget address delivered by South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, on 21 February, Regent Business School took the helm in fostering an illuminating webinar. This hybrid gathering, spearheaded by the school’s respected Dean, Dr Shahiem Patel (who is also a Non-Executive Director of the Institute of Bankers) alongside …
Over the last two Wednesday evenings, the Treverton Athletics Team has participated in the Aquelle School Series at the PMB Athletics Stadium. The event is the biggest of its kind in KZN, and with more than 18 schools and over 360 athletes involved, it sure allows for great competition and performances. Treverton had some beautiful …
Following the recent announcement of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series’ unprecedented, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00 in 2024, Stillwater Sports, the organisers of South Africa’s acclaimed road running series, have also unveiled an impressive “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” for the 2024 edition of the series. The “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” is …
Port Alfred – With just 30 days before the inaugural Port Alfred Easter Festival, Port Alfred is gearing up for a pivotal long weekend. The Port Alfred Easter Festival will take place over the Easter Weekend, March 29th – April 1st, and will showcase the vibrant sports and culture of the coastal town of Port …
Just a few weeks after captivating the world with its breathtaking gardens and securing the esteemed Overseas Region Winner title in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Partner Garden of the Year Competition, Brahman Hills has opened bookings for an exclusive weekend in these magnificent surroundings. Boasting an enchanting blend of refined experiences, guests seeking an …
Load shedding downgraded to Stage 2 and 3
Eskom has reduced load shedding to Stage 2 during the afternoon with Stage 3 to follow during the evening.
This after the power utility implemented Stage 4 load shedding last Thursday following challenges at power stations.
“Load shedding will be reduced to Stage 2 from 5am on Sunday until 4pm. Thereafter, Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm until 5am on Monday. This is as a result of the anticipated recovery of emergency reserves overnight and the two generating units expected to return to service by Sunday.
“Eskom will provide an update of the outlook for the week ahead on Sunday, or as soon as any significant changes occur,” the power utility said on social media platform, X.
Eskom explained why it had to implement Stage 4 load shedding last week.
“Last Thursday, generation capacity was lost from five generating units at Kendal and a unit at Duvha power stations. This resulted in the need to ramp up load shedding to Stage 4 from 4am until further notice.
“The events that led to the loss of generating capacity at Kendal Power Station units are as follows: Kendal Unit 1 was taken offline on Wednesday at 8pm due to leaking safety valves, which caused the capacity of the demineralised water storage tanks to run low. While recovering the storage water tanks, a contamination incident occurred in the water treatment plant, necessitating the isolation of the plant to investigate the root cause.
“During this period of investigation, the level of auxiliary cooling water, which also uses demineralised water, ran low. This led to capacity loss from four generating units at 2am in the morning,” the power utility said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 02/25/2024 - 08:42