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13 November 2023

Chikunga receives specialised agency to audit SA’s marine operations

Location: News

Chikunga receives specialised agency to audit SA’s marine operations

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has officially welcomed the International Maritime Organisation audit team who are in the country to conduct a mandatory audit under the IMO’s Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).

Speaking at Monday’s opening meeting in Cape Town, the Minister described the gathering as a milestone as the country forges ahead with upholding international standards and compliance in maritime operations.

The International Maritime Organisation, which South Africa became a member of in 1995, is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for regulating and promoting responsible shipping on a global scale.

South Africa’s participation in the IMO, enables the country to contribute to the development of international maritime policies and standards, mainly related to maritime safety, pollution prevention and the welfare of seafarers.

“South Africa also benefits from IMO initiatives that support capacity building, technical assistance and development in the maritime sector.”

The IMO’s audit scheme has created a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and implemented. It also promotes a safe and secure environment and efficient and sustainable shipping.

During this audit, the Minister said key areas will be scrutinised, ranging from ship safety and security to environmental protection measures.

“South Africa’s focus is on fostering compliance with the international maritime conventions and how it meets those obligations, ensuring that our practices align with global standards set by [the] IMO.”

Legislation

South Africa has since reviewed the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy, while some key pieces of legislation are under review and will soon be enacted.

These include the Merchant Shipping Act, the Marine Pollution Bill and the Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation Bill.

The Minister believes that the legislative process is critical to giving full effect to the convention by accelerating adoption, incorporation into national laws, and development of regulations to mainstream implementation and enforcement of IMO instruments in South African territorial waters.

Audit

The commencement of the IMSAS audit comes after it was postponed due to the aftermath impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The audit will begin with preparatory work by all entities with the mandate on maritime policy, legislation and operations.

“A pre-audit questionnaire and an exercise were completed to collect and verify documents and all that is left is for the auditors to satisfy themselves on the audit requirements and completeness of South Africa's compliance to international rules and standards.”

This will be followed by a preliminary audit outcome report, expected to be submitted at the end of the week-long undertaking.

The team will audit the Department of Transport and its implementing agency and the maritime administration, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA.

They will also assess the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre supported by Telkom on radio communications, Transnet National Ports Authority, the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment, the South African Weather Services and the South African Navy Hydrography Office.

“Together, we can ensure that the outcomes of this audit catalyse positive change as we strive towards excellence,” she said.

The Minister is of the view that compliance is not merely a regulatory obligation.

“It is a commitment to the wellbeing of our oceans, the safety of our seafarers, and the sustainability of maritime trade, crucial to the export-driven economy of South Africa.

“By working together, we strengthen our capacity to address challenges and promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.”

In addition, she said the feedback will assist in the regulatory process of the IMO to help make measurable improvements in the effectiveness of the international regulatory framework for shipping.

“I cannot over-emphasise the importance of this audit, a window of reflection of our work as a maritime nation, quality assurance and continuous standards improvement for safe and secure and environmentally sound South Africa’s plus or minus 3 000 kilometres of diverse coastline.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Mon, 11/13/2023 - 12:43

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13 November 2023

Innaugural Global Cricket Tournament Set For January 2024

Location: Sport

Titans Cricket is excited to announce the launch of the Global Cricket Tournament (GCT) which will take place from 4-6...

13 November 2023

Nzimande commends arrest in university stabbing incident

Location: News

Nzimande commends arrest in university stabbing incident

The arrest of a university student for allegedly stabbing his wife at a private student residence in Belhar, Cape Town, on Saturday, has been commended by Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande.

The 26-year-old woman was a student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), while her alleged attacker, aged 30, is a University of Western Cape (UWC) student.

According to UWC, the suspect and the CPUT student are married.

Nzimande welcomed the swift response of law enforcement agencies in arresting the perpetrator, who according to the video footage in circulation, was merciless and barbaric in committing the crime against his partner.

Nzimande noted that gender-based violence (GBV) is a global pandemic that affected one in three women in their lifetime.

“As many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner, 35% of women worldwide experienced physical and sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence,” Nzimande said.

As part of dealing with gender-based violence in institutions, the Minister launched the Transforming MENtalities initiative, which is a multistakeholder partnership within Post School Education and Training (PSET) with a particular focus on mobilising men to be part of championing a world free of gender biases, stereotypes, violence and discrimination.

Nzimande urged all institutions working with Higher Health, which oversees wellness at higher education institutions, to continue working collectively in implementing programmes towards addressing the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence within the PSET system. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 11/13/2023 - 10:36

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12 November 2023

Pro-Israel protest disrupted in Cape Town

Location: News

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis calls for tolerance, emphasises right to protest and condemns threat against Jewish school

12 November 2023

Biodiversity agreements to be implemented by private rhino, lion owners in Limpopo

Location: News

Biodiversity agreements to be implemented by private rhino, lion owners in Limpopo

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), together with the Sustainable Finance Coalition, has developed Biodiversity Management Agreements (BMAs) to be implemented by three private rhino and lion owners in Limpopo.

The agreements were developed in consultation with the Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA).

The BMAs, which are valid for a period of five years, are linked to the implementation of the Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) for the iconic species.

“These are the first BMAs to be developed and implemented in South Africa. These agreements offer unique biodiversity tax incentives for the landowners in terms of the Income Tax Act (ITA, Act 58 of 1962),” the DFFE said in a statement.

BMAs allow for a person, organisation or organ of State to manage a species or ecosystem through an approved BMP or to implement a part of that BMP, in accordance with National Environmental Management Biodiversity Agreement (NEMBA, Act No. 10 of 2004) and associated regulations.

The DFFE said the catalytic nature of the BMAs and their corresponding tax incentives are examples of South Africa’s innovative and effective conservation, as well as sustainable finance efforts.

In terms of the BMAs, the landowners undertake to carry out certain measures that contribute to the efforts of achieving the objectives for the conservation and management of wild lions and rhino, and undertake to comply with all legal obligations relating to the management of lions and rhino, as appropriate.

The landowners, who concluded the BMAs for the Southern Black Rhino and the African Lion, manage the species in open system protected areas in Limpopo.

The landowners are required to carry out numerous conservation-related measures and be responsible for any costs related to the management of the animals. These costs may be deducted through the associated tax incentive once all tax requirements are met.

The application of this conservation tax deduction is achieved through the Coalition’s Finance Solution Approach, which supports the Global Biodiversity Framework goals and sustainable finance needs.

The owners of the animals will also submit annual reports on progress on the implementation of the BMAs to the Minister.

The BMPs for both the black and white rhino and the African lion are presently being reviewed, which means the BMAs will be modified and updated once these are finalised to ensure alignment.

The implementing agent for the Rhino BMPs is the Rhino Management Group and for the Lion BMP, it is the National Lion Working Group. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 11/12/2023 - 13:16

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12 November 2023

Transport Minister to receive IMO Audit team

Location: News

Transport Minister to receive IMO Audit team

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga will on Monday officially welcome the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Audit Team, who are in South Africa to conduct a Mandatory Audit under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).

This will be followed by a preliminary audit outcome report, expected to be submitted at the end of the week-long undertaking.

The IMO, which South Africa became a member of in 1995, is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating and promoting responsible shipping on a global scale.

South Africa, through the Department of Transport, actively engages with the IMO to ensure the implementation of international maritime regulations and standards within its maritime jurisdiction, specifically with compliance with International Conventions the country is party to.

The Republic undertook a Voluntary IMSAS in 2008. In February 2016, the IMO instituted mandatory audits, and a total of 113 audits have been completed to date with 28 African countries.

South Africa is one of the two African States, Benin being the other, scheduled for audits before end of 2023.

A number of State entities will be audited, including the department’s implementing agency responsible for maritime administration, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 11/12/2023 - 13:31

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11 November 2023

Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé Launches Globally December 1 – Tickets On Sale Now On Ster-Kinekor Website

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ, chronicles the artist’s intention and hard work as creative and producer. The film follows Beyoncé’s process in mastering her craft to execute the 56-performance, 39-city, record-breaking RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR, and opens in movie theatres all over the world beginning December 1 Tickets are available at www.sterkinekor.com and BeyonceFilm.com for the …

10 November 2023

Rugby Africa President Calls for Investment in the Excellence of Africa

Location: Sport

Herbert Mensah, the newly elected President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body for rugby in Africa, participated in a one-to-one fireside chat at the 2023 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) on Thursday, November 10 in Marrakech, Morocco. Championed by the African Development Bank and seven other founding partners (Africa50, Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Trade and Development Bank), the Africa Investment Forum is Africa's investment marketplace to accelerate transactions to close Africa's investment gaps.

Copyright-free video B-roll and images are available for the media to download and can be freely used without requiring authorization: https://apo-opa.co/478tDFH

Watch the video of the entire fireside chat: https://apo-opa.co/3SB1zq5

Founded in 2018, the Africa Investment Forum has mobilized nearly $143 billion in investment interest.

In the discussion, Rugby Africa President encouraged the investment of sport across Africa, emphasizing the importance of investment opportunities emerging from the continent itself.

“With abundant talent and the world's attention, Africa stands at the forefront of the global marketplace,” said Mensah. “It's time to turn this potential into power, investing in ourselves, forging structures that allow our resources to fuel our own growth, breaking free from the cycle of export and import that hinders the realization of our true economic potential.”

He added, “With South Africa emerging triumphant as the World Champions in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the world once again witnessed the vast potential of Africa. To invest in rugby across Africa, is to invest in a continent of 1.3 billion people, utilizing the sport as a catalyst for both economic development and empowerment of the youth.”

The newly elected President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, continues to emphasize the business potential of sport across Africa. Since his election, President Mensah has called for a change of mindset from African governments and international organizations to increase investment in rugby across Africa.

The sports industry in Africa is experiencing rapid growth, with the potential to generate jobs, improve public health, foster social inclusion and drive economic growth. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the industry was valued at $7 billion in 2018 with an expected growth of $12 billion in 2027. Despite the potential, investment across Africa remains limited, with only 1% of startup financing directed towards the sport sector.

The 2023 Africa Investment Forum brought together heads of state, business leaders, decision makers and investors to advance critical investment transactions to closure. Previous attendees include H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and H.E Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. The annual three-day Africa Investment Forum Market Days event will conclude on Friday August 10 under the theme “Unlocking Africa's Value Chain” in Marrakech, Morocco.

Read more information about the Africa Investment Forum: https://www.AfricaInvestmentForum.com/en

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.

Media contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa
rugby@apo-opa.com

About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women's rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.

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10 November 2023

Afreximbank announces $1-billion African Film Fund

Location: News

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) is working on the establishment of a $1-billion African Film Fund to be launched in 2024 to support the continent's film industry, Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, at Afreximbank, announced in Cairo today.

Addressing the opening of the 2023 CANEX Summit held as part of the third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), Mrs. Awani said that the fund would oversee film financing, co-finance with large studios, finance African filmmakers and finance producers and directors of film projects across the continent.

She noted that during CANEX WKND 2022, the Bank had increased the financing it was making available to the creative sector from US$500 million to US$1 billion and that the Bank currently had a pipeline of over US$600 million in film, music, visual arts, fashion, and sports deal.

“The very first film we financed recently premiered at the Toronto Film Festival,” Mrs. Awani said, adding, “The Bank has several in the pipeline from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, which should be on streaming platforms in 2024.”

Acknowledging that the film and audiovisual industries in Africa accounted for US$5 billion of the continent's GDP and employed an estimated five million people, with the potential to create over 20 million jobs and generate US$20 billion in revenues annually, Mrs. Awani noted that the sector faced several challenges, including limited access to financing and copyright infringement due to weak copyright laws, enforcement mechanisms and a lack of awareness.

The sector was also confronted with infrastructure and technology gaps, lack of capacity and shortage of skilled professionals and limited market access and international exposure, as a result of which African creative and cultural products often struggle to gain exposure and access to international markets.

Earlier, Boris Kodjoe, a celebrity actor of Ghanaian descent, highlighted how the creativity of Africans had influenced various aspects of modern life, including music, fashion, art, design, social consciousness, business, sports, film and TV. He said that the exploitation of black creativity by the West had had lasting effects and that, despite admiration of black excellence, Africa still faced branding challenges due to external perception fuelled by the traditional media's depiction of poverty, famine, civil wars and migration on the continent.

Mr. Kodjoe said that the world craved culturally specific global content and that Africa was a key player in meeting that demand. With the continent's young population and high connectivity, studios, networks, promoters and brands were investing in solutions to reach diverse audiences. Films and TV shows with diversity performed better than others by 30 per cent and Afrobeats was taking over global airwaves. By 2030, Africa was projected to produce up to 10 per cent of global creative goods export worth roughly $200 billion or four per cent of Africa's GDP.

Also speaking, H.E. Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission, said that the creative sector in Africa was rapidly growing and making a significant contribution to the inclusive growth and sustainable development of African economies.

“I reaffirm my belief that the African creative industry has huge potential to be a source of employment and revenue to create the Africa we want - revenue from intra-African trade as well as revenue from the rest of the world.”

Ambassador Muchanga urged African nations to convert their vast potential into plans and projects that yield tangible results, stressing the need to also invest in protecting international property rights.

CANEX is an Afreximbank initiative to support Africa and the African Diaspora's creative and cultural industries by providing financing and non-financing instruments to boost growth. The seven-day CANEX Summit is intended to further develop conversations and provide additional business-to-business and business-to-government opportunities. It includes a fashion show featuring a range of bold and exciting designs from across Africa and the Diaspora and a CANEX Music Factory, hosted by renowned South African producer Oskido, which will provide songwriters and beat makers with the opportunity to record their work.

Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme set up by Afreximbank seeks to facilitate the development and growth of the creative and cultural industries in Africa and the diaspora. The programme provides a range of financing and non-financing instruments and interventions aimed at supporting trade and investment in Africa's creative sector.

IATF2023, Africa's largest trade and investment fair opened on 9^th November and will run till 15^th November 2023.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact:
Deborah Ross
Senior PR Account Director
BrandComms
+44 (0) 759 3602 128
âdeborah.ross@brandcommsgroup.com

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About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development.

For more information, please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA. At the end of 2022, Afreximbank's total assets and guarantees stood at over US$31 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$5.2 billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$86 billion between 2016 and 2022. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”).

For more information, please visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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10 November 2023

Research shows how Green Tea is effective in fighting Covid-19 subvariants

Location: MyPR

The extensive health benefits of Green Tea have been enjoyed by cultures across the globe since the 8th Century, and it appears this herbal beverage is now tackling modern illnesses. Researchers have found that Green Tea may help in the fight against Covid-19 as the tea inactivates the virus. Scientists from the Kyoto Prefectural University …

10 November 2023

From South Africa to the world: Reddam House Umhlanga students’ unforgettable journeys

Location: MyPR

It’s a tale of global exploration, academic growth, and unforgettable experiences as seven students from Reddam House Umhlanga, part of the Inspired Education Group, embarked on international adventures that enriched their lives. The Inspired Education Group is a global network of 111 premium independent schools operating in 24 countries across Europe, Asia-Africa, Africa, the Middle …

9 November 2023

SASOP Speaks Out Against Mental Health Trauma Experienced In The Middle East

Location: MyPR

The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) appeals to global leaders to put an end to the violence and facilitate humanitarian aid for the people of the Middle East. The situation in the Middle East has evolved into a severe humanitarian crisis. The ceaseless cycle of violence, destruction, and loss of life is taking a …

9 November 2023

Young Visionary Lesedi Mochadibane Empowers Students with Free, High-Quality Math Resources to Revolutionize Education in South Africa

Location: MyPR

The state of Maths in South Africa is facing significant challenges, with less than 30% of matric students opting for math, and only half of them passing their exams, as reported by Business Tech. In response to this pressing issue, Lesedi Mochadibane, a 23-year-old entrepreneur with nearly 5 years of experience in the edtech space, …

9 November 2023

Patel welcomes Ford’s further investment in SA

Location: News

Patel welcomes Ford’s further investment in SA

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel has welcomed the announcement made by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) regarding the expansion of its production to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the Ford Ranger programme.

The move aligns with the global efforts to decarbonize energy-intensive industries and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"We commend Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa for their commitment to embracing cleaner energy solutions. This initiative not only supports our national efforts to combat climate change but also positions South Africa as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable transportation," the Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

Globally, the automotive sector has undergone significant changes, necessitating the adoption of cleaner technologies.

FMCSA's decision to invest an additional R5.2 billion (US$272 million) at the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, Gauteng, for PHEV production demonstrates dedication to building world-class vehicles while contributing to a greener future.

The department said the implementation of relevant policies and legislation supporting the production and uptake of new electric vehicles (NEVs) is vital in encouraging the transition from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) to clean and energy-efficient alternatives.

FMCSA's commitment to producing PHEVs aligns with the Ford+ global strategy, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey towards sustainable mobility.

Production of the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024, and the vehicles manufactured at the Silverton Assembly Plant will be exported to over 100 markets globally, including the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) member states.

"We look forward to collaborating closely with Ford to establish the PHEV facility at the Silverton plant in Gauteng. This partnership will contribute to the future sustainability of the automotive sector and create a cleaner, greener environment for all," Patel said.

The sector is expected to receive a further boost once the Electric Vehicle White Paper is finalised by South Africa, which is expected during the current financial year. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:28

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9 November 2023

SA Military Ombud Office to host the 11th Annual Symposium

Location: News

SA Military Ombud Office to host the 11th Annual Symposium

The South African Military Ombud Office will gather different stakeholders and role players when they host the 11th Annual Symposium on Friday.

The symposium will be held under the theme: “The role of military ombud institutions in promoting human rights and administrative justice within the military in the African context”.

Military Ombud Lieutenant General (Ret) Vusumuzi Masondo will give a keynote address on the role that the Office plays within the armed forces.

Other speakers on the day will include Dr Moses Khanyile, Director CEMIS, Stellenbosch University; Grace Malera, Ombudsman, Malawi; Advcate Sipho Mantula, Researcher University of South Africa; Steven Ramafoko, Head Legal Services: Independent Police Investigative Directorate; Advocate Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director ACCORD; Major General Eric Mnisi, Adjutant General of Defence Legal Services and Florence Kajuju, Ombudsman Kenya, among others.

Masondo said they had enlisted prominent speakers, ombudspersons and academics who are well conversant with the topics and global events relevant to the symposium.

“The broader objective of this symposium is to discuss the current and future context issues in Africa, the role of our armed forces and how its oversight can be enhanced.

“Furthermore, the discussion will attempt to map out the way forward and explore the possibilities of how the creation of regional and multilateral partnerships can aid in enhancing oversight,” he said.

The Office was created in 2012 with the mandate of investigating complaints by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members and former members regarding their conditions of service.

Part of the mandate is also investigating the complaints from the members of the public regarding the official conduct of the SANDF when they are on duty. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 13:13

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9 November 2023

MultiChoice to air the prestigious Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony on screens across Africa

Location: News

MultiChoice Group
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The MultiChoice Group (www.MultiChoice.com), an official African media broadcast partner for The Earthshot Prize, will once again air the prestigious competition's third annual awards ceremony which was filmed in Singapore on Tuesday 7 November, and reveals the five winners of The Earthshot Prize.

This year, the Awards was hosted by Emmy-award winner Hannah Waddingham, who was joined by Academy award-winning actor and Earthshot Prize council member Cate Blanchett, actor Lana Condor, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, and actor and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha to announce the five winners who will each be awarded £1 million to help scale their solutions and accelerate their positive impact on people, communities, and the planet.

In addition to spotlighting the stories of The Earthshot Prize Finalists and Winners, the broadcast will feature inspirational performances from some of the world's most exciting musical artists, including Bastille, OneRepublic and Singaporean choral society, Voices of Singapore.

ABALOBI was founded in South Africa by Serge Raemaekers and Nico Waldeck as a non-profit partnership between fishers and scientists. Its aim is to protect small-scale fishing communities and nurture their ocean stewardship, while arming their customers with better information about where their seafood comes from.

An ABALOBI app connects fishers with a digital marketplace where they register their catches and log precisely how, when and where the fish originate. For the first time, small-scale fishers have a tool to demonstrate transparently that they are fishing sustainably, and in exchange, they receive a fair price for their catch.

Led by Manja Kargbo, Freetown the Treetown is an ambitious, city-led, “pay-to- grow” scheme to plant, grow and digitally track trees, which aims to restore what has been lost and protect it for future generations.

Through this initiative, city residents are paid to plant and monitor trees and mangroves, which are tracked via an online platform. The initiative is funded with tokens sold on private and carbon markets. The city council also works with locals to raise awareness of the importance of its trees and engage the community in restorative activities.

Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's “Moonshot” challenge that pioneered space travel in the 1960s, The Earthshot Prize is an ambitious global environmental prize which aims to discover and scale the best solutions to help repair our planet within the remainder of this decade.

Every year, The Earthshot Prize will find and reward solutions to five “Earthshot” goals – Protect and Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build A Waste-Free World and Fix Our Climate. These winning solutions will have the greatest impact on the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet and winners and finalists will have access to a global support network to scale their work.

The award ceremony will air on MultiChoice channels across Africa from Monday, 13^th November:

CHANNEL	1^st BROADCAST – 13 Nov	REPEAT BROADCAST
M-Net 101/SADAC	21h00 (CAT)	14 Nov @12h00 (CAT)
M-Net E & W	21h00 (EAT/WAT)	14 Nov @12h00 (EAT/WAT)
1Magic	21h00 (CAT)	19 Nov @23h00 (CAT)
Maisha Magic East	21h00 (EAT)	19 Nov @15h00 (EAT)
One Zed	21h30 (CAT)	18 Nov @17h00 (CAT)
ZTN	21h00 (CAT)	20 Nov @20h00 (CAT)
3KTV	21h00 (CAT)	15 Nov @21h00 (CAT)
Africa Magic Family	21h00 (WAT)	16 Nov @15h00 (WAT)
Mambo Moto	21h00 (EAT)	14 Nov @15h00 (EAT)
Maisha Magic Poa	21h00 (EAT)	19 Nov @18h00 (EAT)
Pearl Magic	21h00 (EAT)	19 Nov @12h00 (EAT)
Akwaaba Abusua	21h00 (GMT)	20 Nov @16h00 (GMT)
NewzRoom Afrika	21h00 (CAT)	18 Nov @17h00 (CAT)
Showmax (All Regions)	14 November 06h00

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

For more information on contact:

MultiChoice Group Contact Details:
Litlhare Moteetee, Senior Manager: Corporate Communications
Tel: +27 72 490 4609
Litlhare.Moteetee@Multichoice.co.za

The Earthshot Prize Contact Details:
Taylor Patterson, Director of Media and Engagement
Taylor.patterson@earthshotprize.org

About MultiChoice Group:
MultiChoice Group (MCG), listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), is a leading provider of entertainment and related consumer services, with an expanding ecosystem, underpinned by scalable technologies, and a track record now spanning almost 40 years. MCG provides video entertainment products and services through its linear and streaming platforms to 23.5m households across 50 countries on the African continent and continues to grow by producing and acquiring the best local, sport and international content and offering tiered subscription packages and aggregated streaming services to its customer base. MCG's superior technology capabilities enables it to continue innovating around distribution, digital and payment solutions and content security to offer the best customer experience across the continent. Reaching up to 100 million individuals on a daily basis, the MultiChoice Group is using its scale and distribution to expand its platform to include sports betting and interactive entertainment, fin-tech services, household services (focused on internet connectivity and emergency response services) and ed-tech. Irdeto, MCG's technology business, provides platform cybersecurity services which protect over 6bn devices and applications globally for some of the world's best media and technology brands, as well as clients in the connected industries sector.

About The Earthshot Prize:
Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020, The Earthshot Prize (www.EarthshotPrize.org) is a global environmental prize to discover, accelerate and scale ground-breaking eco-solutions to repair and regenerate the planet. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy's Moonshot, which united millions of people around the goal of reaching the moon, The Earthshot Prize aims to catalyse an Earthshot challenge to urgently encourage and scale innovative solutions that can help put the world firmly on a trajectory towards a stable climate, where communities, oceans and biodiversity thrive in harmony by 2030. The five challenges are: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-free World; and Fix our Climate.

The Prize aims to turn the current pessimism surrounding environmental issues into optimism but championing inspiring leadership and helping to scale incredible cutting-edge solutions. It will discover 50 winners over 10 years with the power to repair the planet. More than a prize, The Earthshot Prize works in partnership with a Global Alliance of Partners to support the scaling of the solutions discovered and selected each year.

The Global Alliance Founding Partners are a group of leading global organisations and philanthropists which act as strategic funding partners to the Prize, including Aga Khan Development Network, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Breakthrough Energy Foundation, Coleman Family Ventures, DP World in partnership with Dubai EXPO 2020, Eleven Eleven Foundation, Holch Povlsen Foundation, Jack Ma Foundation, Legado Para A Juventude, Marc and Lynne Benioff, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and Rob & Melani Walton Foundation.

Global Alliance Partners are non-profit environment and sustainable development organisations that bring expertise, global reach and serve as nominating organisations each year. For full list see website: Global Alliance - Earthshot Prize (https://apo-opa.info/3QvHM8G).

Global Alliance Members are some of the world's largest and most influential companies and brands who will support The Earthshot Prize, implement ambitious changes within their businesses and accelerate the advancement of the solutions of Prize Finalists and Winners. They are: Arup, Bloomberg L.P., Deloitte, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hitachi, Ingka Group (IKEA), Microsoft, The MultiChoice Group, Natura &Co, Safaricom, Salesforce, Unilever, Vodacom Group, Walmart.

9 November 2023

Phakamisa Sustainability and Innovation Summit advances healthcare resilience in South Africa

Location: News

In a boost to South Africa's healthcare resilience, the first Phakamisa Sustainability and Innovation Summit has paved the way for more effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of high-quality healthcare across the country.

Hosted at the Embassy of Sweden, the first-of-its-kind summit focussed on prevention and early detection, capacity building and health equity, and optimising the use of innovation to build sustainable healthcare systems. The Summit delved into issues of growing concern, including noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, which have increased dramatically in South Africa in recent decades. [1] Pre-eminent speakers came from across the healthcare ecosystem, including Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, as well as representatives from businesses, patient groups, non-governmental organisations, and the United Nations.

To kick off the event, global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca signed a partnership agreement with Rare Diseases South Africa, supporting the creation of a national registry for rare diseases and providing training and help for young patients and caregivers aged 18-30 affected by rare diseases. 1 in 15 South Africans is estimated to be affected by rare diseases, the collective name for more than 7,000 different conditions. The partnership will increase understanding of the burden of rare diseases in South Africa and improve equitable health care for those affected.

In addition, AstraZeneca also announced an expansion of its existing collaboration with Medsol AI Solutions, which deploys state-of-the-art Wi-Fi ultrasound probes to detect lesions at high risk of breast cancer in seconds. The AI (Artificial Intelligence) rapid detection app has already been rolled out in rural Melusi and Daspoort Poli Clinics in Tshwane to help with early disease detection. It will now be expanded to breast cancer screening programs at Tintswalo Breast Health Clinic, Groote Schuur Hospital Breast Clinic and Quadcare Clinic in Alexandra.

Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President, Middle East and Africa, AstraZeneca, stated, "In partnership with the government and other stakeholders, AstraZeneca is working tirelessly to strengthen South Africa's healthcare system by focusing on providing equitable access to care and medicines and exploring innovative technology that can detect disease at an earlier stage, improving patient outcomes. The Phakamisa Sustainability and Innovation Summit provides a platform to collectively explore new ways to prevent emerging threats to health like non-communicable diseases, to diagnose patients earlier and quicker, and to ensure all healthcare practitioners have the skills to deliver top-quality care to patients, no matter who they are or where they live.”

Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Deputy Minister of Health, Republic of South Africa, said, “We are committed to delivering quality healthcare services for all South Africans, and that means working with partners across the public, private and third sector to ensure our health system is sustainable and resilient, able to meet current and future challenges. With non-communicable diseases rising, prevention, early detection, and capacity building are at the forefront of these efforts.”

Kelly Du Plessis, Rare Disease South Africa added, “These agreements are the next step in our mission to create a better tomorrow for the millions of South Africans who have been or will be, diagnosed with a rare disease or congenital disorder in their lifetime. The Phakamisa Sustainability and Innovation Summit is a fitting occasion to announce these partnerships, as improving care for those with rare diseases will help to strengthen our entire health system.”

[1] Republic of South Africa, Department of Statistics: https://apo-opa.co/47kDNCI. (Accessed November 2023)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AstraZeneca.

For media enquiries, please contact mediamea@astrazeneca.com

About Phakamisa:
Phakamisa is AstraZeneca's access to healthcare initiative in South Africa. Now in its 11th year, Phakamisa, which means “upliftment”, brings together different organisations and is helping to reduce the burden of non-communicable disease including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. The programme has reached over 1.63 million people through outreach activities led by community healthcare workers with over 19 700 women identified with breast issues (https://www.MyPhakamisa.com/).

About AstraZeneca:
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit Astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/3QOeunc).

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9 November 2023

SA a apt area for investment, says Zikalala

Location: News

SA a good place for investment, says Zikalala

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Sihle Zikalala, has assured investors that South Africa has put in place systems, structures and policies that are investor-friendly and is easing ways of doing business.

“As South Africa, we are a story of economic growth, hope and resilience to investors and social partners,” he told investors.

The Minister is on an official working visit in the United Kingdom, where he and a delegation are on a mission to promote South Africa as a preferred infrastructure investment destination.

“We are open for business and we guarantee your return on investments in a country that is continuously eliminating red tape, has economic stability, improving the ease of doing business and where the rule of law is jealously guarded by our democratic institutions and our courts,” Zikalala said in his address to over 500 global investors in London.

The Minister presented to investors a plethora of infrastructure investment opportunities in areas such as energy, water, transport and digital infrastructure.

He assured investors that President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the charge for a corruption-free government which honours agreements and contracts with investors.

“The investor environment is one characterised by a commitment to ethics and running a corruption-free administration. An ethical state is essential to assuring investors that their investment is safe from abuse. In addition, we are very clear about the rules of engagement with no other hidden agendas.

“Despite our recent challenges which we are working hard to overcome, such as load-shedding, our economy remains resilient and has enhanced reforms, especially on financing large infrastructure projects where we have opened up space for public –private partnerships. We are mobilising private sector financing and skills to work with the government of South Africa to fast track delivery and improve contract and project management,” he said.

Policies

At Wednesday’s session, the Minister faced gruelling questions around some of the country’s transformation policies such as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), localisation and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which some perceive to be too bureaucratic and impacts on investor confidence.

The Minister responded by saying that the policies are critical in redressing South Africa’s economic disparities induced by the pain of its history which left many languishing on the fringes of the economy.

“The South African government is creating a new economic landscape and architecture which is premised on economic inclusion of most of the population.

“Our quest to address the socio-economic imbalances of the past should be no threat to investors but should be part of building a united and democratic South Africa that benefits all its citizens.

“This is a consensus that we have built as a country what we want to be non-racial, non-sexist and democratic with a prosperous population,” said the Minister.

Meanwhile, investors expressed excitement about the vast opportunities available in infrastructure investments.

The Minister invited the investors to visit South Africa and share the country’s major investment platforms such as the Presidential Infrastructure Investment Summit 2024 and the South Africa Construction Week and conference to be announced soon.

He believes the Global Africa Trade Conference is a lucrative opportunity to rebuild South Africa’s economy in the wake of a disruptive pandemic of COVID-19.

Zikalala is confident that the new frontiers of economic partnerships have been cemented. The Minister will be in the UK until Friday. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 08:57

352 views

9 November 2023

Meet the stellar line up of judges for the 5th edition of the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

For the fifth annual edition of the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, a renowned panel of six local and international judges will bring a strong global perspective to the evaluation process. This will be the second year that this same panel will be judging the awards. “We are confident that this dynamic panel, with wide-ranging and …

8 November 2023

Entering the next generation with Web3 wallet – Binance simplifies financial freedom!

Location: MyPR

Simple, convenient, and secure self-custodial wallet offers everyday users a seamless connection between Web3 and the Binance ecosystem South Africa , November 8, 2023 – Binance, the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to announce the launch of its Web3 Wallet. The product, which was officially unveiled …

8 November 2023

Patel unveils strategy charting the course for SA’s Global Business Services

Location: News

Patel unveils strategy charting the course for SA's Global Business Services

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel on Tuesday unveiled a forward-looking strategy charting the course for South Africa's Global Business Services (GBS) sector.

Patel made the announcement during his opening address at the annual BPESA [Business Process Enabling South Africa] GBS | BPO Conference, which took place in Cape Town.

Patel highlighted the sector's pivotal role in job creation and economic expansion, emphasising the vital partnerships between government, private sector and employees.

He noted the GBS sector's achievements, citing its contributions to job growth, geographic expansion and its impact on the national economy.

Government has invested more than R3 billion since 2016 in the sector, which currently employs more than 31 000 employees in firms receiving national government support, earning significant sums of foreign exchange to the country. The industry has a Sector Masterplan that drives its growth and development.

Patel outlined the next phase of the GBS sector, focusing on expanding operations across provinces and towns, with a strong emphasis on high-value services in services in Information Technology, finance, health, legal and retail.

The sector will need to address the challenges of artificial intelligence in consumer servicing markets. Underlining the importance of language and technical skills, he stressed the need to tap into South Africa's diverse talent pool and the country's robust customer service culture.

He noted a number of strengths in the local economy that international investors pointed to as reasons for choosing SA as a destination for their GBS-centres.

South Africa now services markets in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Australia, China, Mauritius, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France.

The sector was youth-focused, with 90% of employees being young people, and six out of ten employees being women.

“The face of the industry is female and young people, which fits in well with our national priorities,” Patel said.

Addressing the crucial issue of ethical sourcing, Patel acknowledged consumers' growing awareness of social and environmental conditions.

He emphasised the industry's commitment to ethical practices and called for improved social impact and strengthened labour relations and decent working conditions, in line with the principles enshrined in the South African constitution.

"Ethical sourcing presents both a market challenge and a tremendous opportunity. As consumers demand transparency in production conditions, we must showcase our strengths while enhancing their impact in local operations," Patel said.

With a government allocation of R569 million to the GBS sector this financial year, these initiatives mark a significant stride toward ensuring the sector's resilience, competitiveness and positive impact on both the national economy and the workforce. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 14:19

211 views

8 November 2023

Harnessing Trust

Location: MyPR

In an era marked by a global “trust deficit disorder” as commented by the Secretary General of the United Nations, a collaboration between VUKA Group and The Global Trust Project stands out as a necessary and timely endeavour. Together, they will work with leaders, organisations, governments and societies to foster a shared understanding of, and …

8 November 2023

Climate Loss and Damage Fund to be established for developing countries

Location: News

Climate Loss and Damage Fund to be established for developing countries

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy has welcomed the agreement by the Transition Committee of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on the operationalisation of the Climate Loss and Damage Fund.

The purpose of the Fund is to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in response to economic and non-economic loss and damage associated with those harmful effects, including extreme weather events and slow-onset events.

Creecy noted that developing countries, Africa in particular, have borne the brunt of the adverse effects of climate change and have not received the required multilateral support to face the climate challenge, including for addressing loss and damage.

The agreement on the recommendation comes only weeks ahead of the 28th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC in Dubai.

Creecy said the governing instrument of the Loss and Damage Fund presents a clear pathway to operationalising this historic milestone in the multilateral climate negotiations.

The delivery on the Sharm El-Sheik COP27 decision to operationalise a new fund for loss and damage in the context of the scale and increasing severity of loss and damage impacts in the near-term scenario of temperature increase to 1.5 degrees or above.

Loss and damage is generally defined as the impacts of climate change, which are not avoided, by mitigation, adaptation and other measures, such as disaster risk management.

The scope, eligibility and operational elements have been defined in order for the Fund to provide direct support in the form of largely grant-based and non-debt finance to reconstruction and rehabilitation.

This includes addressing relocation, lost livelihoods and non-economic losses after extreme weather and significant slow-onset events.

“The projected economic cost for loss and damage by 2030 alone has been estimated to be between $290 and $580 billion in developing countries alone. By 2050, the economic cost for loss and damage in developing countries is estimated to be between $1 trillion to $1.8 trillion.

“The new Loss and Damage Fund will have a Board, balanced between developed and developing countries and will take its guidance from the parties to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

“The Committee also proposed that the Fund be designated as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the Convention and will allocate resources based on triggers that includes inter alia severity of the impacts on people, communities, infrastructure ecosystem of the climate-related event,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said on Wednesday.

It includes flexibility to address the variation in these impacts across developing countries and time, from cyclones and flooding, to slow onset droughts and land degradation, as well as sea-level rise and glacier retreat.

“The final approval of this agreement at COP28 presents the international community with a critical global solidarity moment to ensure the Fund is capitalised at a scale necessary to respond to the costs and impacts already borne by developing countries,” said Creecy.

The demonstration of solidarity to the vulnerable countries and communities will be assessed by both the scale of resources committed to the Fund.

“South Africa urges the COP28 presidency to launch a process for the initial core capitalisation from developed countries supplemented by financial inputs from a variety of other sources in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. It must also engage with all other relevant actors to support aligning their efforts to leverage the impact of the Fund in addressing loss and damage,” Creecy said.

The Transitional Committee was established at COP27 in Egypt last year with a mandate to present governance documentation to operationalise the Fund in 2023.

The Committee of 24 experts was co-chaired by Outi Honkatukia of Finland and Richard Sherman of South Africa.

The Minister has extended her appreciation to the co-chairs and the Developing Country Committee members for developing a robust and transparent instrument for the Fund. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 12:44

140 views

8 November 2023

South Africans play a greater role in becoming scam victims than they care to admit

Location: MyPR

South Africans play a greater role in becoming scam victims than they care to admit The South African fraud landscape is becoming increasingly risky as fraudsters and scammers look to target individuals with highly sophisticated scams in an environment where it is becoming increasingly difficult for lawmakers and authorities to bring these criminals to justice. …