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1 December 2023

Lesotho, Zimbabwe exemption permits extended

Location: News

Lesotho, Zimbabwe exemption permits extended

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has announced that he has issued directives to extend the validity of the exemption permits in respect of Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals to 31 December 2024.

“I call upon all the affected Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals to make use of the window of opportunity to apply for new exemption permits through VFS Global,” Motsoaledi said.

Addressing media in Pretoria on Friday, Motsoaledi said both Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals will be entitled to apply for new exemption permits.

He said a holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business in South Africa.

“A holder of the exemption permit, due to expire on 31 December 2023 or such extended period of validity, will be entitled to apply for a new exemption permit. A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to sojourn in the Republic of South Africa during the validity of the exemption permit,” Motsoaledi said.

Motsoaledi explained that new exemption permits to be issued will expire on 29 November 2025 and that a holder of the exemption permit will not be entitled to apply for permanent residence in terms of sections 25, 26 and 27 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 or any other provisions in any other law, irrespective of the period of stay in South Africa.

“A holder of the exemption permit will be allowed freedom of movement between Lesotho and South Africa or any other country. A holder of the exemption permit cannot change his or her status in the Republic of South Africa, as contemplated in section 10 (6) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, during the validity of the permit issued.

“When a holder of the exemption due to expire on 31 December 2023 or such extended period applies for a new exemption permit, he or she must disclose and/or register all the minor children born and staying in South Africa,” Motsoaledi said.

Zimbabwe permit

The Minister said affected Zimbabwean nationals will be entitled to apply for new exemption permits under the following terms and conditions:

“A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business in South Africa.

“A holder of the exemption permit due to expire on 31 December 2023 or June 2024 and such extended period of validity will be entitled to apply for a new exemption permit.

“A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to sojourn in the Republic of South Africa during the validity of the exemption permit and that the exemption permits to be issued will expire on 29 November 2025.

“A holder of the exemption permit will not be entitled to apply for permanent residence in terms of sections 25, 26 and 27 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 or any other provisions in any other law, irrespective of the period of stay in the Republic of South Africa,” the Minister said.

Motsoaledi explained that a holder of the exemption permit cannot change his or her status in the Republic of South Africa, as contemplated in section 10 (6) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 during the validity of the permit issued.

“When a holder of the exemption due to expire on 31 December 2023 or 28 June 2024 or such extended period applies for a new exemption permit, he or she must disclose and/or register all the minor children born and staying in the Republic of South Africa.

Motsoaledi has granted exemptions to approximately 54 653 Lesotho nationals for a period of two years and approximately 178 000 Zimbabwean nationals.

Motsoaledi said a dedicated team will be set up to deal with the applications for new exemption permits.

“VFS Global has also been instructed to fast-track the application process for new exemption permits,” the Minister said.

The first Zimbabwean special dispensation started in 2009 and was called the Dispensation for Zimbabwe Permit. It provided for the documentation of qualifying Zimbabweans for a five-year period. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 12/01/2023 - 14:06

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1 December 2023

Multilateralism key to dealing with climate change

Location: News

Multilateralism key to dealing with climate change

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged global leaders to continue working together in efforts to tackle climate change as unilateralism can have detrimental result on developing economies.

“Multilateralism must remain central to global climate action. Unilateral, coercive and trade-distorting measures, such as carbon adjustment measures are detrimental to developing economies,” the President said on Friday.

President Ramaphosa was addressing the high-level segment for the Heads of State and Government during the United Nations climate-focused Conference of Parties (COP28), which is currently underway in Dubai.

Leading South Africa’s participation at the conference, he emphasised the importance of access to finance, skills transfer and technology as tools to help developing economy countries build climate resilience.

“African countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of a rapidly changing climate, and have to adapt and build resilience within the context of historically low levels of development and a severely limited capacity.

“Innovative financing instruments, such as special drawing rights are needed to ensure that funding does not increase the debt burden of countries that are already struggling to service their debt.

“There can be no substitute for new predictable at scale and appropriate public finance to help developing economy countries build climate resilience. Climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies should be regarded as a global public good,” the President said.

He said nations need to support the right of each country to determine its own developmental trajectory, and provide the necessary space to bring it to fruition.

“As South Africa, we applaud the landmark decision of COP28 to operationalise the new fund on Loss and Damage, and welcome the pledges that have already been made.

“If this Fund is to effectively support those countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, we need to mobilise funding on a far greater scale.

“We must launch the work programme on national and international just transitions that involve all in society and encompass all areas of the economy,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said decisions that will be made at COP28 need to be guided by science, equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

“Climate action is key to South Africa’s sustainable development agenda. The South African government has just approved the Implementation Plan for the country’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan.

“This plan focuses on areas critical to a just transition, including investment in electricity infrastructure, new energy vehicles, green hydrogen, skills development, municipal electricity distribution, and interventions directed at communities most affected by the energy transition.

“South Africa has a successful renewable energy power producers programme that plays a key role in supporting our decarbonisation efforts. There are also promising developments underway in our country to harness the potential of green hydrogen, and to beneficiate critical minerals and rare earths in support of development and driving the green transition,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Fri, 12/01/2023 - 15:04

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1 December 2023

Mashatile rallies communities to be involved in HIV interventions

Location: News

Mashatile rallies communities to be involved in HIV interventions

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on communities to actively participate in interventions to combat stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations affecting people living and affected by HIV/AIDS.

“History demonstrates that when communities unite, any challenge can be overcome. Our combined strengths can help us achieve the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as public health threats,” he said on Friday.

The Deputy President was speaking at the official commemoration of World AIDS Day as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). The event was held in Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal.

He described the 1 December as an opportunity to strengthen unity to fight against HIV, support those living with HIV, and remember those who succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses.

“Our combined strengths can help us achieve the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as public health threats.”

The Deputy President believes active civil society has also led to significant progress in the prevention, treatment, care, support, and outreach for the vulnerable.

“An additional area that necessitates strong oversight from civil society is the pervasive problem of gender-based violence and femicide, the correlation of which is universally recognised with HIV.”

However, he said he was encouraged by the Takuwani Riime Men’s Movement for its commitment to establish the men’s community parliaments in every village, township, suburb, and community in South Africa.

“This movement seeks to mobilise men and boys to stand up and be counted in the country’s efforts against mental health in men, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), new HIV infections, and toxic masculinity, and for men to be drivers of the positive socialisation of the boy child.”

He also rallied communities to hold hands with government to eradicate patriarchy, economic inequality, insensitive social norms, and harmful cultural practices.

Gender-based violence, according the Deputy President, was detrimental to the state’s efforts towards the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals and National Development Plan.

Survey

He also touched on the recently published sixth South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behavioural Survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

The research found that 7.8 million people are living with HIV in South Africa, a decrease from 14% in 2017 to 12.7% in 2022.

“While the results clearly show that the prevalence of HIV is declining, there are some worrying patterns regarding the age group between 25 and 49 years.”

Meanwhile, among females, HIV prevalence was highest in ages 35 to 39 years at 34.2% compared to 27.1% in males aged 45 to 49 years.

The country’s second-in-command also raised concerns about the increased incidence of HIV infection among girls between 15 to 19 years old.

“It is an indication that older men engage in unprotected sexual activities with girls and young women. We must take extraordinary measures as a society to protect kids against immoral predators. We must ensure that children have a safe environment to discuss the issues influencing their sexual conduct and the pressures they are under.

“We must stand with them and educate them about their rights and sexual health,” he stressed.

Government is also worried about the lack of access to treatment by HIV-positive children, young people, and men.

The survey indicated that among those aged 15 and older living with HIV in South Africa in 2022, 90% were aware of their status, 91% of those aware of their status were on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 94% of those on ART were virally suppressed.

He told the community the state’s primary objective as a government is to integrate all facets of an individual’s healthcare into a unified system, ensuring that everyone consistently gets quality medical care.

“Another game-changer in our progressive treatment literacy efforts is the integration of the undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) concept into our policy framework.”

This means that if a person takes their treatment consistently without fail, they will achieve ongoing viral suppression until the level of the virus drops to below 50 copies per millilitre.

“However, we advocate for safe sex since being undetectable will not prevent you from passing on a sexually transmitted infection to your partner or having an unplanned pregnancy.”

Stigma

Shifting his focus on stigma and prejudice, he said this can be as traumatic as the illness itself.

This, he said, could lead to partner or family rejection, social marginalisation, school expulsion, denial of medical services, a lack of care and support, and violence.

“We encourage our community leaders to engage our communities in order to alter societal attitudes and customs, some of which are influenced by our upbringing.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 12/01/2023 - 15:24

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1 December 2023

Apple Music announces Maya Amolo as the Latest Up Next Artist from East Africa

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Apple Music today announced Kenyan R&B-soul singer-songwriter Maya Amolo is the latest artist to be featured in its new Up Next artist development program in East Africa. “I’m really excited to be Up Next with Apple Music,” she tells Apple Music. “The scene is buzzing here in Nairobi so I’m always grateful when I have …

1 December 2023

Mashatile launches SA Chapter of the Global Alliance to Conclude AIDS in Kids by 2030

Location: News

Mashatile launches SA Chapter of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030

Deputy President Paul Mashatile officially launched the South African Chapter of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030, led by his wife, Humile Mashatile.

“We are concerned with HIV treatment gaps in children. Children living with HIV aged 15 years and below are left behind in the global HIV response when compared to the general population,” he said.

The country’s second-in-command was speaking at the official commemoration of World AIDS Day as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) at the Mandeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

He described the 1 December as an opportunity to strengthen unity to fight against HIV, support those living with HIV, and remember those who succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses.

Globally, he said only 52% of children who are living with HIV are on lifesaving treatment, compared to 76% of the adult population.

According to the Deputy President, this results in children accounting for 15% of AIDS-related deaths on an annual basis despite that 4% of people living with HIV are children.

Meanwhile, he said stigma, discrimination, punitive laws and policies, violence, and gender inequalities in Eastern and Southern Africa remain some of the barriers that hinder access to treatment, care, and support for women, girls, and children.

“Unfortunately, South Africa has the largest population of children living with HIV in the world, and as of June 2023, our treatment coverage for children is alarmingly low, coming in at 67%.”

He said the data raises concerns and emphasises the urgent need for increased efforts and resources to guarantee that every child who is HIV-positive receives the care and treatment they require.

In response to this challenge, government is working with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), by coordinating United Nations (UN) agencies including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The other partners include the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, together with civil society, in establishing the Global Alliance to end AIDS in Children by 2030.

“The proclamation was first made at the 24th International AIDS Conference in Canada in 2022. South Africa was among the first 12 countries to join this alliance. As the South African government, we are determined to fulfil our commitment to end AIDS in children,” he stressed.

This, according to the President, could be achieved by strengthening case finding among HIV-exposed infants and children and scaling up the initial HIV regimen to pregnant and breastfeeding women as per the revised clinical guidelines.

Meanwhile, government aims to also boost regular retesting of pregnant and breastfeeding women, increasing access to social protection programmes and addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), sexual assault, and abuse of infants, children, adolescents, and women.

Government will also work around the clock to scale up advocacy for the enforcement of laws and the administration of justice.

“Collectively, we should strive to ensure universal access to treatment, eliminate mother-to-child transmission, and confront prevailing prejudice and discrimination to foster a society that accepts and supports all individuals living with HIV, including our children.

“Together, we have the power to end the epidemic of HIV and AIDS,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 12/01/2023 - 15:44

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1 December 2023

Heatwave conditions wreck records

Location: News

Heatwave conditions break records

Following the heatwave conditions that prevailed for a number of days in most parts of the country, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) says November records were broken in both the maximum and minimum temperature measurements.

Heatwave conditions prevailed from 19 November 2023 in most parts of the country, with isolated areas having extremely hot conditions for several days in a row.

“Hot conditions reached their peak on 27 November 2023, when extremely hot conditions were experienced in large parts of the country. Preliminary data indicates new temperature records for November over the Northern Cape, Free State and North West provinces.

“More than 10 stations recorded the highest temperature records on the 27th, with the Automatic Weather Station at Augrabies Falls recording the highest maximum temperature of 46.7°C, breaking its previous record of 46.2°C (2019-11-28).

“It must be noted that the highest maximum temperature record for Augrabies Falls remains at 48.6°C, measured on 2016-01-05, and the 46.7°C is the new record for the month of November,” SAWS said on Thursday.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in an El Niño state and according to the latest predictions is expected to persist through most of the summer months.

ENSO’s typical impact on Southern Africa is in favour of generally drier and warmer conditions during the spring and summer months from October to March.

“However, current global forecasts indicate a great deal of uncertainty for the typical drier conditions that South Africa experiences during typical El Niño seasons, over the eastern parts of the country. Weather extremes will continue to occur from time to time during the summer season as much as drier conditions are expected.

“Caution is advised at this point, as the El Niño effect might still manifest its influence in the next few months and change the outlook of the rainfall forecast for mid- and late summer. Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal countrywide for the forecast period,” SAWS said.

The weather service will continue to monitor the weather and climate conditions and provide updates on any future assessments that may provide more clarity on the current expectations for the coming season.

Furthermore, the public is urged and encouraged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio.

Updated information in this regard will regularly be available at www.weathersa.co.za as well as via the SA Weather Service X account. @SAWeatherService. –SAnews.gov.za

“The progress made by Transnet in clearing most of the backlog at the Cape Town Container Terminal, with only one vessel at anchorage, is encouraging. Transnet remains committed to working with all role-players to address the challenges within the logistics sector,” the Minister said on Thursday.

Last week, Transnet said it was implementing a number of urgent interventions to address the backlogs at the Port of Durban and to ease the congestion at Richards Bay.

At the time, Transnet said the backlog was being caused by factors including inclement weather conditions and equipment availability.

Transnet Board Chairperson, Andile Sangqu, said: “The problem of port congestion is a complex one and it is something that was due to happen at some point, as a result of many years of underinvestment in equipment and its maintenance.

“We are working on a number of measures to turn the situation around. We need to caution that this is going to take some time as the lead times for some of the equipment is anything from 12 to 18 months. The team is working around the clock to procure this important equipment, to ensure our port facilities are in line with global best practice”.

Infrastructure development

Meanwhile, Cabinet has welcomed progress that is being achieved in the development and revitalisation of infrastructure for social development.

“In this regard, Cabinet is pleased by the opening of Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. The hospital, which was opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will service the growing healthcare needs of the approximately 1.5 million residents of Inanda, Ntuzuma and Kwa-Mashu, and communities in adjacent areas,” Ntshavheni said.

In addition, Cabinet has also welcomed the opening of the uMgungundlovu Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college (Msinga campus) in KwaZulu-Natal by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande.

The TVET college campus that was built at a cost of R143.5 million offers training in areas such as Farming Management and Mechatronics, amongst others.

“This campus is part of government’s commitment to ensure that there is at least one TVET college per district, and more than one in districts with a larger geographic spread. It is part of government’s continued and intentional investment to improve access to post-matric education, as part of equipping the nation for the future,” Cabinet said. - SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 11/30/2023 - 15:43

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30 November 2023

11th Annual Mistra Lecture To Unpack Potential And Pitfalls Of AI

Location: MyPR

South Africa, 29 November 2023 – The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, is set to host the 11th annual Mapungubwe Lecture on Wednesday, 06 December 2023. The annual lecture is the institute’s flagship event and has been happening annually since 2012. A highlight on the academic and …

30 November 2023

Cabinet reaffirms BRICS’ call to terminate Israel-Palestine war

Location: News

Cabinet reaffirms BRICS' call to end Israel-Palestine war

Cabinet has reaffirmed the call made by the BRICS nations for a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

This is according to the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who addressed media on Thursday on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Ntshavheni said Cabinet has also called for an end to the “deplorable” killings of civilians and indiscriminate attacks that also target civilian infrastructure.

Meanwhile, she said the Executive welcomed the convening by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Chair of the BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa] group of nations, of an Extraordinary Joint Meeting on the Middle East Situation, which was also joined by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres.

“As a prominent voice of the Global South, the outcome from the extraordinary meeting bolsters the international call for solidarity, tolerance and dialogue for the people of Palestine and Israel.

“The BRICS leaders unanimously called for accountability in the conflict, which claimed the lives of thousands of people and left many displaced,” she told the media.

The BRICS leaders expressed concerns about the latest escalation of violence since the 7 October 2023 attack and the grave deterioration of the situation in the region, in particular the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel.

Cabinet, Ntshavheni said, was hopeful that the exchange of hostages and the temporary pause in the hostilities for humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza would provide an opportunity to negotiate a comprehensive ceasefire and a more permanent solution to the plight of Palestinians and the security concerns of the people of Israel.

According to reports, more than 15 000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, while the death toll in Israel stands at about 1 200. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 11/30/2023 - 16:00

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30 November 2023

President heads to Dubai for UNFCCC’S COP28

Location: News

President heads to Dubai for UNFCCC’S COP28

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week lead South Africa’s delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai.

The President will lead the delegation on 1 and 2 December 2023, however, in total the conference runs from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

“Following the President’s participation this week, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, will stay on and lead the country’s participation for the remainder of the conference until 12 December 2023.

“South Africa’s delegation to the conference will include government and business representatives in recognition of the value of partnerships in dealing with the challenge of climate change and sustainable development,” the Presidency said.

The 18th COP Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP18) and the fourth COP Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) sessions will be convened on the sidelines of the COP28.

The conference will witness the first Global Stocktake (GST), which will provide a comprehensive assessment of progress made since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015.

This will help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need to be implemented to bridge the gaps in progress.

The purpose of the stocktake is to help parties prepare their next nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement to raise ambition and accelerate climate action, as well as to enhance international cooperation.

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa will next Thursday lead government’s interaction with the Matjhabeng Local Municipality during the second leg of the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo in the Free State.

The Matjhabeng municipal economy is mainly anchored on the mining of gold and uranium and is the hub of the Free State goldfields.

The Presidential Imbizo will take place at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Welkom, within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.

Under the theme “Leave no one Behind”, the President will be continuing on the last visit undertaken on 9 April 2022 in Bloemfontein at the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

The Lejweleputswa DDM Presidential Imbizo follows on the commitments the Free State Provincial Government made to tackle service delivery challenges during the 2022 Imbizo which was held in Bloemfontein.

Thus, this Imbizo will also take stock of the progress made since the last Presidential Imbizo in the province. During the 2022 engagement, 42 community members representing the seven regions of the Mangaung Metro voiced their concerns to the President.

The towns represented in this discussion included Van Stadensrus, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein. Representatives of people with disabilities were also able to raise their concerns.

“As an interactive platform, the DDM Presidential Imbizo allows communities to engage and interact face-to-face with the President, Ministers and the provincial and local leadership face-to-face,” the Presidency said.

The DDM also aims to intensify the delivery of services, promote social cohesion and advance the developmental state agenda, in line with the National Development Plan; and Growth and Development Strategies of the province.

President Ramaphosa will further, on 12 December 2023, host the Inaugural Science, Technology and Innovation Presidential Plenary that will bring together leaders in government, industry, academia and civil society.

“Discussions will focus on progress of the National System of Innovation (NSI) and challenges in this sector, and will explore ways for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and skills development to impact positively on the South African economy,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

Location: MyPR

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