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News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Autumn is the perfect time to book a golfing getaway with your golfing buddies or your partner if they enjoy golf. The weather is cooler, and rain is less likely but the fairways remain lush and inviting. Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts, and avid golfer, shares some great tips to …
Visitors can look forward to a day of fun and outdoor adventure as the ‘biggest gathering of pipe bands in the Southern Hemisphere’ – the Highland Gathering – returns to Amanzimtoti’s Hutchison Park on Saturday, 27 April. This annual fundraiser hosted by The Lions Club of Amanzimtoti brings highlands fun to sunny KwaZulu-Natal, with new …
The Rip Curl Cup is an Open Speciality Surfing Event during the Port Alfred Easter Festival. It is presented by The Royal St Andrews Hotel and is supported by Sea Harvest. The Rosehill SUPERSPAR has made a significant contribution to this event by sponsoring the Rosehill SUPERSPAR Expression Session during the Rip Curl Cup. This …
Do you have any plans for the Easter Weekend? Port Alfred is looking good at this stage. Port Alfred—The inaugural Bands At The Beach Music Festival is the highlight of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, which takes place over the Easter Weekend of 29 March—1 April. The Bands At The Beach Music Fest, happening on …
Runners and walkers will get another chance to enjoy the stunning Sapphire Coast with the first-ever Galleria Mall Challenge – organised by Amanzimtoti Athletics Club and supported by Sapphire Coast Tourism – taking place in Amanzimtoti on Sunday, 7 April. This is a great opportunity to spend a weekend enjoying the beautiful beaches and tourist …
In the past few years, Ugu District has attracted a significant number of tourists during the festive season – and according to local establishments, the 2023 figures indicate a similar pattern. This bodes well for the KZN South Coast with the Easter holidays around the corner! “The occupancy rates are a very positive indicator of …
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 …
Pre-trial postponed to 5 June as many of the accused have replaced their lawyers
Golf remains one of the world’s most popular sports, and a key strategy for business networking and engagement. The KZN South Coast, known colloquially as ‘The Golf Coast’, is home to 11 different courses with a backdrop of ocean views, coastal forests, and sunny skies. This quality MICE destination, with top accommodation, conferencing, and teambuilding …
In the few months that the three-legged leopard tortoise has lived at Crocworld Conservation Centre, it has already befriended a fellow ‘tripod’ tortoise who is also being rehabilitated at the Scottburgh centre. To make the latest Crocworld resident really feel part of the family, the team at Crocworld is calling on the public to suggest …
The current property investment trends for retirees show a shift towards coastal living in small towns, with sustainability, natural surroundings, and conservation areas in high demand. The exquisite KZN South Coast, with its nature reserves, highest number of Blue Flag beaches, and world-class dive sites is fast meeting this demand through the establishment of eco-focused …
Gqeberha residents are invited to join eight action-packed PUMA NITRO™ RUNS that will be hosted in the friendly city in the buildup to the second annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K that will take place on Sunday 07 April 2024. “We are thrilled to launch our PUMA NITRO™ RUN campaign in the picturesque city …
As Cupid’s arrow draws nearer, tantalise your taste buds with a culinary journey crafted by some of the most talented chefs across Southern Sun hotels around the country. Elevating romance to new heights, our culinary maestros have meticulously curated a selection of recipes guaranteed to enchant your senses and ignite the flames of love this …
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Mr Zizi Kodwa, arrived in South Africa from Cote d'Ivoire to join the Presidential Golf Challenge in Cape Town on Friday, 9 February 2024.
Speaking to Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) on the sidelines of this engagement, Minister Kodwa reflected on Bafana Bafana's performance at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d'Ivoire and provided an update on matters facing Boxing South Africa (BSA).
Reflecting on Bafana Bafana's performance at AFCON, where the national team reached the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in 24 years, the Minister expressed optimism about the team's future.
Minister Kodwa says, “When Bafana Bafana lost to Mali, I said to them that it was a shock, but there are lessons to be learnt and that they will get to the semifinals. Indeed, they got to the semifinals.”
The Minister adds, “What is clear for me now is that after a long time with Bafana Bafana, we now have sufficient building blocks for a national team to prepare for the next World Cup.”
Minister Kodwa once again the emphasised the importance of focusing on sports development at grassroots level.
The Minister says, “We must focus on grassroots to build on. Bafana Bafana have done us proud as a country. All our national sports teams are performing extremely well. Bafana Bafana have come to the party.”
Minister Kodwa also reflected on the urgency of the BSA matter that is currently before the court. The Minister once again highlighted government's focus to stabilise leadership and governance at BSA.
The Minister says, “We are dealing with the issue. It takes time, but we have got to be careful in whatever we do.”
The Minister adds, “In a matter of days, I am considering a number of options, including that in the interim while we are dealing with the issue of the main application of the court ruling, whether we should consider appointing an administrator to do the same work that the Board would have done. We are considering that because we do not want licensees, the boxers, and the sport of boxing to suffer because of the lacuna that is there because the board was interdicted.”
Minister Kodwa also says, “I want to bring boxing to its glory days. Whatever we do, we must make sure that there is clarity on issues of governance, there is clarity on issues of stability of leadership.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Friday, 09 February 2024, tee up at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand.
The Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC) was inaugurated in 1999 to give an opportunity for the sitting President of the Republic to raise funds for the charity of his/her own choice.
The initiative, coordinated by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, is a joint effort with the private sector to partake in developmental initiatives to empower society.
The Challenge raises funds for developmental charities and creates an opportunity for networking among decision-makers within the private sector and entities from the three spheres of government on the day following the President's State of the Nation Address.
This year the Challenge again raises funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
The Foundation's partner entity, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, will use the funds to construct ablution facilities at schools in support of the Department of Basic Education's SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union.
On Friday evening, the President will express his appreciation to the event's sponsors and partners at a prize-giving dinner where players will be recognised as well.
Details of the Golf Challenge are as follows:
Date: Friday, 09 February 2024
Time: 09h00
Venue: Atlantic Beach Golf Club, Melkbosstrand, Cape Town
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.
Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
In a bid to raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning teed off at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC).
The PGC was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, following the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday night.
According to the Presidency, the funds will be used by the foundation’s partner, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, to construct ablution facilities as part of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
“The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union,” the Presidency said.
Load shedding
Answering questions from the media on load shedding on the side lines of the golf challenge, President Ramaphosa said government cannot give an exact date on when the rolling power outages will stop.
“It is a constant problem for South Africans. We know that and everybody feels it. And it’s not comfortable at all. In fact, it does sometimes evoke a lot of anger. But as I’ve said, we do have the resilience as South Africans to keep on ensuring that we do hope for a better time. And a better time is coming.
“The issue of the ending of load shedding is a moot one. Everybody wants to know…when is it ending. When you give them a date and there’s load shedding thereafter, they say you were lying and you make empty, false promises. So we are not going to do that because this is a process.
“Through the National Electricity Crisis Committee, everything is put in place. All the pillars are put in place to finally address load shedding. It would be wonderful and ideal to give a date but processes like these that are engineering based…you cannot really put a date to,” he said.
SARS
Responding to questions on the extension of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) boss, Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s tenure, President Ramaphosa batted away any suggestions of a crisis at the revenue collector’s office.
He explained that with Kieswetter’s term coming to an end, measures need to be put in place to facilitate a “proper transition”.
“So there’s no crisis. Nobody should be in any form of angst because the process is being handled very, very properly. And I’m happy to have a Commissioner of Revenue like him who is very cooperative; who is committed to his work; who is diligent and who has revived SARS from the grips of state capture.
“So when I was talking about revamping our institutions last night [at the State of the Nation Address], I highlighted that SARS is one of those. It is back to its old, efficient self having been taken into the depths of state capture for a while.
“We have reclaimed it and I’m rather glad that it is one of those institutions that is serving the people of South Africa well,” President Ramaphosa said.
Earlier this week, the President agreed to extend the Commissioner’s tenure beyond the end of his term at the revenue collector.
The Commissioner’s contract of employment was set to end on 30 April, where after a new Commissioner would be appointed.
In March 2019, President Ramaphosa appointed Kieswetter, in terms of Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act, for a five-year term that started on 1 May 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 13:07
The Runified City 50km event which will start and finish at Pollock Beach, Summerstrand on Sunday, 25 February, will be open to all this year and will be an official Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon qualifier. An added incentive for entrants is that there will also be an official 42,2km timing mat which runners will …
President Ramaphosa expected to announce Election Day within 15 days
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the date for the 2024 national elections within 15 days of the State of the Nation Address, which is to be delivered tomorrow evening.
“We look forward to the President delivering the State of the Nation Address tomorrow at 7pm. It it will be the administration’s seventh - in a year which marks 30 years since Parliament ushered in the democratic dispensation,” Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Addressing the media at the Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town earlier today, Magwenya urged all South Africans to follow tomorrow’s address as it deals with the state of the nation, not only the state of one segment or some segments of the nation.
“We are united in the progress we have made and united in the work we need to do to address the challenges we face,” he said.
Magwenya said the President was recovering well from the flu and would be up to the task of delivering his address.
“Last night we were with him going through the draft [speech] until very late. By then he had improved significantly,” Magwenya said.
On Friday, the President will be up at dawn to warm up for the annual Presidential Golf Challenge.
“The Presidential Golf Challenge is coordinated by the Minister of Public Service and Administration and will raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
“The Foundation’s partner entity, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, will use the funds to construct ablution facilities at schools in support of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education,” Magwenya said.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at our schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country,” Magwenya said.
The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe from Mangaung in the Free State.
“Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union and we hope he doesn’t put too much pressure on the President on the first tee,” Magwenya said.
On Friday evening, the President will express his appreciation to the event’s sponsors and partners at a prizegiving dinner where players will be recognised.
This year’s SONA holds special significance as it is not only the end of term, but also the address ahead of South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy.
This is an opportunity to reflect on how far the nation has come and recommit to working together to build the country envisioned at the start of democracy.
The State of the Nation Address sets out government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead.
During the address, the President will highlight achievements, flag challenges and outline interventions to unlock the country’s development.
The address marks the official start of the Parliamentary programme. It will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly and the President’s reply to the debate. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 14:17
The inaugural Port Alfred Easter Festival is approaching quickly, and we wanted everyone to know what is happening in Port Alfred over the Easter weekend. 29 March – 1 April. What: The Port Alfred Easter Festival is Justin Bekker’s brainchild. He is the chairperson of the Sunshine Coast Tourism Board’s Tourism Events Subcommittee. It is …
Embrace the magic of love at Southern Sun hotels this Valentine’s Month. Create unforgettable memories and spoil the one you love with our romantic stay-over packages or selection of indulgent dining offers specially created by our expert chefs for you and your special someone. Selected Southern Sun hotels around the country are offering a variety …
Hi-Tec’s selection of clothing & accessories for Golf & Tennis enthusiasts. At the beginning of the year, thoughts turn to New Year’s resolutions – it’s time to take on a new active sport that will improve one’s health. Every activity has a dress code and the key to achieving this code is in the pieces …
It’s back to business for most of the country but this doesn’t have to be a bad thing! On the KZN South Coast – with 11 golf courses, Blue Flag Beaches, world-class dive sites, and hinterland experiences – getting back to business can be a whole lot of fun. Breakaway from the monotony of routine …
There were no tears as confident five and six-year-olds kicked off Day One of Grade R in what will be their 12-year journey through school. There to wish them well were members of the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS), a partner entity of Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. The Foundation will follow their progress and celebrate their successes while …
Over R6 million pledged for children of slain police officers
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has observed this year’s National Police Day by raising funds for the children of police officers who died in the line of duty.
“On National Police Day, the SAPS remembers the sacrifices that our men and women in blue have made and continue to make as they provide safety for all who live in South Africa,” the police statement read.
Cabinet approved 27 January as National Police Day in 2005.
The latest data shows that the SAPS lost 140 police officers in the last four years. These, according to the police, are men and women in blue who died in the line of duty, serving and protecting all people living in South Africa.
“The majority of them were breadwinners in their families.”
On Thursday, 25 January 2024, more than 100 golf players from various corporate companies across the country came together to pledge and raise funds for the South African Police Education Trust Fund (SAPSET).
According to SAPS, R6.6 million rand was raised and will go towards the educational needs of the children.
SAPSET currently funds children from Grade RR to the tertiary level.
To date, the fund has assisted 1 078 children, of which 54 have graduated and 146 of them have passed matric and have a National Senior Certificate (NSC).
The management of the SAPS, led by Police Minister General Bheki Cele, expressed gratitude to all the sponsors and donors for their support.
“These funds go a long way in making a meaningful difference in the lives of these children left behind. The least we can do is to ensure these children don’t carry the extra burden of stressing about school fees, books, and school uniforms knowing their educational needs have been taken care of.
“We hope more corporates and the overall business fraternity will in future come on board to support this cause,” said Cele.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, thanked all the men and women in blue for risking their lives daily to keep all people in South Africa safe.
“On this day, we pay gratitude to you, our men and women in blue, who work tirelessly to hunt down dangerous criminals, remove illegal and unlicensed firearms, remove drugs off our streets and work hard to ensure successful convictions in court for perpetrators of crime.”
He encouraged the police members to continue to work hard to rid the country of criminality.
“We urge communities to embrace our police officers and work together with them to stop the killing of our own. From January 2023 to date, 33 police officers were killed on duty and today we are laying a Constable to rest who was run over by a truck while assisting at an accident scene in KwaZulu-Natal. These killings have to stop, and they can only stop if communities take a stand against them,” Masemola added.
SAPSSET is managed by a board of trustees under the leadership of Vuyani Jarana whose responsibility it is to ensure they source and raise funds to keep children in school. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 01/28/2024 - 07:39