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Condolences for black business visionary, Dr Sam Motsuenyane

Location: News

Condolences for black business visionary, Dr Sam Motsuenyane

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to revered black business pioneer, Dr Sam Motsuenyane, who has died at the age of 97.

Motsuenyane was the co-founder of the pivotal National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) and played a leading role in the establishment of African Bank – both at the height of apartheid.

“The passing of Dr Sam Motsuenyane 60 years after the establishment of NAFCOC is a profound reminder of the breadth, durability and longevity of his vision and passion for self-reliance and development.

“The remarkable sweep of his life as an entrepreneur, leader of organised business, parliamentarian and diplomat among other roles embodied our resilient national character and values of ubuntu.

“His philosophy of self-sufficiency is today entrenched in the constitutional right each of us enjoys to freely choose our trade, occupation or profession and in the socio-economic rights that our constitution safeguards,” the President said in a statement on Tuesday.

The businessman was a Member of Parliament and served as South Africa’s first ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He was also an Esteemed Member of the National Order of the Baobab (Gold) in recognition of his significant personal achievements

The President passed his condolences and those of government to Motsuenyane’s family, friends and associates.

“Dr Motsuenyane’s passing on the eve of the 2024 National Orders Ceremony [to be held on Tuesday] causes us to recall the honour bestowed on him in 2002 as the nation paid tribute to an outstanding patriot and source of inspiration for our then fledgling democracy.

“May his soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Tue, 04/30/2024 - 09:22

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Democracy restored the dignity of South Africans

Location: News

Democracy restored the dignity of South Africans

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the advent of democracy in South Africa 30 years ago allowed all South Africans to reclaim their dignity.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter on Monday.

On Saturday, 27 April, South Africa celebrated 30 years of democracy when millions of South Africans – most voting for the first time – cast their vote in 1994 to remove the racist apartheid government from power.

This as the President led the 2024 Freedom Day national celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday.

“At times of difficulty in the life of our nation, some have found themselves tempted to question whether life has really been better under democracy. For all who experienced apartheid, there can be no doubt that democracy has restored the dignity of every South African,” the President said in the newsletter.

He called apartheid and its “bureaucratic pettiness” a “national humiliation”.

“[27 April 1994] was the day on which the country turned its back on apartheid. Beyond the great wrong that was apartheid, it was a system designed to deny people their dignity.

“This national humiliation and degradation ranged from bureaucratic pettiness like whites-only benches, restaurants and beaches, to the brute force that saw families torn apart and forcibly moved from their houses and land. People were tortured, imprisoned, exiled and killed. The so-called solution of ‘separate development’ resulted in nothing but underdevelopment for the country’s majority,” he explained.

Children of democracy

President Ramaphosa expressed joy at how people born after 1994 exude confidence “secure in the knowledge that their dignity is both respected and protected”.

“Democracy’s children are self-assured about their human rights, in their citizenship, of their role and place in society, and of their own potential.

“During apartheid, Bantu education was served up to the country’s black majority as a reminder that there was no place for them ‘above the level of certain forms of labour’. In South Africa today, equal access to quality education has enabled black children to become CEOs of companies, professors, engineers, and fighter pilots.

“Young South Africans, our nation’s future, are making their mark in the workplace, in arts, culture and music, in academia, in the high-growth tech and IT sectors, and in serving their communities,” he said.

The President said a great sense of gratitude engulfs him when observing those South Africans born post-1994.

“I am grateful that they will never have to endure the humility and indignity of previous generations, of being forced to sit on separate park benches, dispossessed of their land, denied opportunities for advancement and of being pariahs in the land of their birth,” he said.

Moving forward

Reflecting on the journey to rebuilding the nation, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that “we are not as far as we had hoped to be”.

He added that while government has done much to unravel apartheid’s legacy, many local and global challenges have hampered progress.

“In recent years, as we sought to recover from more than a decade of low growth and the era of state capture, our progress was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the loss of more than 100 000 lives in our country and caused the greatest contraction of our economy in decades.

“The public unrest in July 2021 and the catastrophic floods in parts of the country the following year led to further loss of life and destruction of property and infrastructure.

“While these events severely hampered our collective efforts to rebuild the country, they also showed the resilience of the South African people. Despite these great difficulties, we have persevered with the task of reform and recovery, to grow an inclusive economy and create jobs,” he said.

The President said government remains committed to resolving the challenges that the country faces.

“We have continued to work together to overcome the crises of unemployment, poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. These challenges impact on the lives of millions of people and undermine the dignity that we have worked throughout our democracy to restore.

“And yet we maintain our resolve to move forward with optimism. We have come a long, long way. And we are determined to go further to achieve the free, just and equal South Africa for which millions voted on Freedom Day 30 years ago,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

NeoB
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 09:17

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NCOP approves Climate Change Bill

Location: News

NCOP approves Climate Change Bill

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the approval of the Climate Change Bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

“Climate change is here, and we have relatively little time to respond. The Bill empowers us to respond at the necessary scale and speed, building on the considerable amount of work we have already done,” the Minister said on Monday.

The objectives of the Climate Change Bill are, among others, to enable the development of an effective climate change response and a long-term just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society for South Africa in the context of sustainable development.

“The NCOP’s approval of the Climate Change Bill is a landmark in our response to climate change.

"Since 2011, when we outlined South Africa’s response to climate change in our National Climate Change Response White Paper, we have been putting in place the instruments for an integrated response. Now, this Bill will integrate all of these components into a robust legal framework, and mainstream climate action across government,” Creecy said.

The Minister said the Bill will provide the much-needed legal framework to regulate activities that contribute to climate change, ensure an effective response in all spheres of government and by the society at large, ensure a just transition, and maximize the opportunities afforded to the economy by the global shift to a green economy.

The Bill sets out to ensure that the climate actions are facilitated and coordinated across spheres of government.

“It establishes Provincial Forums on Climate Change and Municipal Forums on Climate Change, which will be integrated into current institutions and planning processes. It provides for the development of provincial and municipal climate change needs and response assessments, and corresponding climate change response implementation plans.

“The Bill places the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) on a formal footing as an independent organ of state to provide advisory on matters of just transition. The PCC will continue to be headed by the President, which sends a strong signal of South Africa’s commitment to addressing the complex challenges of responding to climate change and the urgency with which this needs to be achieved,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said.

It further provides clear frameworks for mitigation, adaptation and a mechanism to support and finance the country’s climate change response.

“On mitigation, the Bill provides for a just transition away from our current carbon-intensive energy system and towards a decarbonized economy and society, while meeting our critical development challenges.

"To achieve this, the Bill formalises our Greenhouse Gas Inventory to strengthen the evidence base for further climate action, and our current reporting processes.

“The Bill also provides for the development of a long-term national greenhouse gas emissions trajectory and its review from time to time, and establishes a clear legal basis for allocating sectoral emissions targets to relevant sectors, and carbon budgets to large emitters,” the department said.

On adaptation, the Bill provides for the establishment of national adaptation objectives, the development of climate scenarios to assess vulnerabilities, and a National Adaptation Strategy and Plan to manage adaptation in a clear and coordinated manner.

“The Bill provides the mechanisms to support and finance the climate change response, providing guidance and a governance framework to promote planning and implementation by national, provincial and local government.

"This will provide much-needed support to expedite our climate change response, thus climate-proofing our society and economy,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 14:37

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Presidency ‘rejects’ narrative on BHP, Anglo American proposed deal

Location: News

Presidency 'rejects' narrative on BHP, Anglo American proposed deal

The Presidency has moved to dismiss media speculation and reports that BHP Billiton’s proposed takeover of Anglo American, excluding South African assets, is a sign of reluctance to invest in the country.

This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya who was briefing the media in Pretoria on Monday.

Anglo American mines diamonds, Platinum Group Metals (PGM) and iron ore in South Africa.

“Some analysts and sections of the media have sought to portray this market activity as a vote of no confidence on South Africa. The Presidency rejects the notion that a commercial approach by BHP Billiton equals to a hostile environment for investors,” he said.

Magwenya said the issues cited in media that impact doing business in South Africa are being resolved “with the participation and partnership of business”.

“In June 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa along with members of his Cabinet and senior business leaders agreed to establish a partnership to reverse the economic downturn and rebuild confidence in the country’s trajectory.

“Three priorities were identified as undermining investor and societal confidence, namely: load shedding, the challenges in the freight logistics sector as well as crime and corruption.”

Magwenya said the collaborative government-business partnership has resulted in many initiatives including the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC).

“The [JICC] was established to drive collaborative efforts to tackle the most serious forms of crime and corruption and support government’s efforts to remove South Africa off the FATF [Financial Action Task Force] greylist. The [JICC] is an example of government’s commitment to work with social partners to foster a safer and a more ethical South Africa,” he said.

He told the media that government’s own efforts to rebuild the credibility of critical law enforcement has resulted in, among others, appointing new leadership in the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the State Security Agency (SSA) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

This has resulted in significant progress in the fight against corruption and crime including:

  • The recruitment of 20 000 more police officers and an additional 4 000 public order policing members.
  • Establishing of 20 specialised SAPS economic infrastructure task teams to tackle illegal mining, construction site extortion, cable theft and vandalism to infrastructure. They had, by November 2023, made at least 7000 arrests.
  • Since 2019, the NPA recorded an average conviction rate of some 91% in high courts, 82% in regional courts and 95% in district courts.
  • At least 34 state capture and corruption matters have been taken to court by the NPA Investigating Directorate involving 203 accused and 65 entities.
  • Since 2019, the NPA has secured the conviction of more than 500 government officials and nearly 800 people in the private sector on corruption related offences.
  • The corruption busting Special Investigating Unit has recovered some R8.6 billion of stolen funds from corrupt individuals.
  • The NPA Asset Forfeiture Unit has obtained freezing orders worth some R14 billion related to State Capture with some R5.4 billion returned to state coffers.

“While much still needs to be achieved to turn the tide around completely, the significant steps taken to rebuild credible institutions have begun to bear fruit and set the stage for further progress. President Ramaphosa will continue leading a multi-stakeholder effort to accelerate existing government interventions to address the scourge of crime and the impact on the economy.

“This partnership should reassure both local and foreign investors that considerable resources and expertise are being leveraged in government and in the private sector to curtail crime, continue improving the functionality of our ports and enable an investor and societal environment that fosters inclusive economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

Investment appetite

Magwenya pointed towards the success of the SA Investment Conference which, over five years, reached R1.5 trillion in investment pledges as an indicator of investment appetite in South Africa.

“President Ramaphosa also finds it satisfying that both domestic and international investors continue to demonstrate confidence towards South Africa through their continued investments as evidenced in the last few years and in exceeding the investment targets set at the beginning of the term. President Ramaphosa is confident that the rebuilt capacity of the state remains firm and focused on responding to crime and corruption.

“The Presidency would implore the investor community to note the optimism expressed by the business community in various publications and platform on the progress achieved across the three focal areas. This should reassure investors that momentum is building and will be maintained to reduce crime and corruption, continue improving energy supply and resolve logistic backlogs,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

NeoB
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:00

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Launch of the 2024 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards

Location: News

Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government
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On 26 April 2024, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) announced the launch of the 2024 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA). This esteemed event celebrates the invaluable contributions made by agri workers to the sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector in the Western Cape.

We are pleased to announce that Shoprite will once again partner with the department as the main sponsor of the competition, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the agricultural community.

The WCPAA features eleven categories in which agri workers will compete at the regional level across 15 different regions. Last year, over 1067 agri workers participated, and we anticipate an even greater turnout this year. Regional winners will advance to the provincial level, competing for the prestigious title of Western Cape Agri Worker of the Year. The overall winner will be revealed at a gala ceremony in November 2024.

This initiative, previously known as the Farm Worker of the Year competition, has been a cornerstone project for the department since its inception in 2002. Originally launched in the Hex Valley region with 36 participants, it has since expanded to encompass agri workers across the entire province.

Shoprite's continued sponsorship of the project, totalling R400 000 in gift vouchers for regional and provincial winners, demonstrates their unwavering support for this vital initiative. The WCPAA has become the leading social upliftment project of the Department, impacting the lives of agri workers and their families positively.

An independent evaluation conducted in 2015 underscored the significant impact of the competition, highlighting its role in enhancing the lives of participants and fostering positive perceptions of agri workers within their communities.

To date, over 16,000 agri workers in the Western Cape have participated in the competition, showcasing their knowledge and skills across various categories. The regional competitions cover 16 regions, providing a platform for workers to demonstrate their expertise and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.

Agri workers remain a priority for the WCDoA and their unhinging support amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in ensuring that the sector continued to grow, deeming them as “essential workers”. The WCPAA serves as an opportunity to honor and recognize these essential workers, every single day, for their dedication and resilience to the sunrise sector.

The WCDoA looks forward to hosting the 2024 WCPAA and celebrating the dedication and achievements of agri workers in our province.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.

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President Ramaphosa’s diary for the upcoming weeks

Location: News

President Ramaphosa's diary for the upcoming weeks

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend several events over the coming week.

This as the Presidency on Monday released the first citizen’s list of of public events, starting from Tuesday, 30 April to 9 May 2024.

National Orders

As Grand Patron of the National Orders, the President will on Tuesday, 30 April 2024, bestow the 2024 National Orders Awards on distinguished citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

The National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

The President will bestow on deserving recipients the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

Black Business Council Summit Dinner

The President is expected to deliver the keynote address at the annual Black Business Council (BBC) Summit Dinner to be held at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The BBC is convened under the theme “30 Years of Democracy – lessons learned and plans for the next 30 Years."

The BBC is the over-arching confederation that represents black professionals, business associations and chambers.

The objective of the BBC is to lobby government on policy related matters and to play an advocacy role where policies are in place in order to accelerate the participation of black business in the mainstream economy.

Unveiling of Home Affairs trucks in Limpopo

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Tuesday, 7 May 2024, officially unveil 100 additional Home Affairs mobile trucks that will assist the Department of Home Affairs improvement its services reach to especially remote areas.

The unveiling of these mobile trucks in Mokopane, is made possible by the department’s approved Hybrid Access Model to ensure an expansion of services in areas where the department’s footprint is limited.

The approach is to increase the fleet by 100 every financial year until they reach 1000 from the current fleet of 120.

30 Years Review Report

On 8 May 2024, the President will attend the launch of the 30 Years of Democracy Review Report in Pretoria.

The report to be handed over to the President by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will reflect on the political, social, and economic journey of transformation of South Africa since 1994, the advent of democracy, in order to derive lessons and make recommendations for the country’s development agenda.

The report will also provide critical evidence for the development of the new Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2024 – 2029, which serves as a five-year plan of government towards the implementation of the National Development Plan Vision 2030.

Presidential Imbizo

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 9 May 2024, lead government’s interaction - in the form of a District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo - with communities and stakeholders within the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality in the Northern Cape province.

Themed "Leave No One Behind, the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province.

The Imbizo is directed at enabling successful implementation of the “One District, One Plan” District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Preceding the Imbizo, there will be a series of build-up outreach activities led by Ministers, MECs and Mayors in parts of John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality and across the Northern Cape. - SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:09

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SA heads to the polls in a month’s time

Location: News

SA heads to the polls in a month's time

With one month to go, the Electoral Commission (IEC) is in the final stretch of preparations for the seventh democratic elections, which are believed to be the most contested in the history of the country.

South Africans will go to the polls on 29 May 2024 to the elect the leadership for the seventh administration out of the 70 political parties and 11 independent candidates that were published by the IEC as final contestants in these elections.  

In total, there are over 14 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures.

“The finalisation of the list of candidates contesting seats in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE2024) means that the Commission can now go ahead with the printing of ballot papers for the elections. The 27.79 million registered voters will receive three ballot papers to elect candidates to represent them in the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures.

“In consort with the provisions of the election timetable, the Electoral Commission has also published the list of addresses of the 23 292 voting stations that will be used in these elections. The route for mobile voting stations has also been published,” the IEC said recently.

The highest number of voting stations will be in Kwazulu-Natal (4 974), then the Eastern Cape (4 868) and Limpopo (3 216). All voting stations are now contracted with lease agreements concluded with landlords or owners.

A list of the voting stations can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

Special votes

For those who would like to apply for special votes, for the purposes of home visits and voting station visits, there is still time to do so as the deadline for applications is on 3 May 2024.

“Home visits are intended for those voters who are unable to travel to voting stations whilst special votes at voting stations are for everyone who is unable to be at the voting station on Election Day. Special voting will be conducted on the two days preceding Election Day, on 27 and 28 May 2024,” the IEC said.

Special votes may be accessed using one of the following modalities:

  • Using the secured online application form found at www.elections.org.za.
  • By SMSing your identity number to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS) for voting station visit only.
  • By visiting your local IEC office and submitting an Appendix 1B form for a voting station special vote.
  • By visiting your local IEC office and submitting an Appendix 1A form for a home visit special vote. Forms can also be hand-delivered, but someone else can deliver a form on behalf of a voter.

Special votes will also be administered at South Africa’s diplomatic missions abroad to service 58 000 registered voters. These voters will be provided for at the diplomatic missions of the Republic.

Security plan

Government has, meanwhile, assured citizens that the elections will be conducted in a safe and secure environment.

“As the government, we want to issue a stern warning to anyone with intentions to disrupt the elections that law enforcement officers will deal with them decisively and will put them behind bars. We want to assure the public of the readiness of the JCPS [Justice, Crime Prevention and Security] Cluster to execute its mandate of protecting the public, our country’s strategic installations and infrastructure during the election period. We will do everything in our power to protect all those who want to exercise their Constitutional right to vote,” Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said.

Government also urged members of the public to report any crime related to elections to their nearest police station or IEC offices.

“A protocol has been established between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South African Police Service (SAPS) Detectives and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prioritise all election-related crimes.

“Prosecutors stand ready to prosecute offences such as electoral fraud and corruption, removing or defacing political party and campaign posters, interfering with the duties of the electoral officials as well as forcing anyone to vote,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 11:36

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Government activities for the week 29 April – 03 May 2024

Location: News

Government activities for the week 29 April – 03 May 2024

On Monday, 29 April, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will hand over a media laboratory to Naledi Primary School in Ottosdal, Ngaka Molema Modiri District, in the North West province.

On Monday, 29 April, Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, together with the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters, will announce a new cannabis investor at the Coega SEZ.

From Monday, 29 April, to Tuesday, 30 April, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, will visit the uThukela District to inspect water infrastructure in the area and engage community members on water and sanitation issues.

On Tuesday, 30 April, the NYDA, APRM and PAP will host the Democracy and Development Intergenerational Dialogue at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand.

Also on Tuesday, 30 April, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, officially launches the DHET Community Colleges Infrastructure Programme at the site of the W&RSETA's second Skills Development Centre in Reitz in the Free State.

Janine
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 10:35

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Security plan in place for upcoming elections

Location: News

Security plan in place for upcoming elections

With just 30 days left until South Africans head to the polls, government has assured citizens that the seventh National and Provincial Elections will be conducted in a safe and secure environment.

“As the government, we want to issue a stern warning to anyone with intentions to disrupt the elections that the law enforcement officers will deal with them decisively and will put them behind bars,” Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said on Sunday in Pretoria.

Addressing a media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the Minister emphasised that no one has a right to intimidate and prevent others from exercising their Constitutional right to vote for a party of his or her choice.

“We want to assure the public of the readiness of the JCPS Cluster to execute its mandate of protecting the public, our country’s strategic installations and infrastructure during the election period. We will do everything in our power to protect all those who want to exercise their Constitutional right to vote,” the Minister said.

The 2024 General Elections are believed to be the most contested in the history of this country. Overall, 70 political parties are contesting the elections, 11 independent candidates, and the national contestants are 52.

In total, there are over 14, 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures.

“Our approach as the JCPS Cluster is to ensure coordinated and intelligence-led planning and operations pre-, during, and postelections where multi-departmental teams work together to ensure that all South Africans exercise their Constitutional rights without fear of intimidation or violence.

“This coordination is managed by National and Provincial JOINTS [ Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] structures of the JCPS Cluster and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Inter-departmental Priority Committees were established in 2023 at both the National and Provincial levels to safety and security planning.

“Our law enforcement agencies have led in developing the national security plan which has been approved by the Ministers of the JCPS Cluster. NATJOINTS [National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] has done a thorough threat and crime pattern analysis to inform the development of a security plan and they want to ensure that nothing is left to chance,” the Minister said.

Fit-for purpose

Based on the threat and crime pattern analysis, NATJOINTS has recommended a fit-for-purpose deployment plan that will deal with any potential threats of crime and violence in and around voting stations and national and provincial results centres.

“We have also put measures in place to protect all public facilities that will be used for voting, national key points and other essential infrastructure that might be targeted by criminal elements. In addition, the Criminal Matters Amendment Act of 2015 states that any person who tampers with or damages essential infrastructure is guilty of a criminal offence and he/she can be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years if found guilty

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) Ministry and SAPS management have conducted several oversite roadshows in all provinces where they met with the station commanders of all police stations and district commissioners to assess the SAPS state of readiness and preparedness to ensure safety and security.

“The management of SAPS and Ministry are satisfied with the level of readiness of all the provinces and districts to provide policing services pre-, during and post-the elections,” Modise said.

The elections will be policed within the relevant prescripts and laws and police officers will enforce the law accordingly.

“We want to reiterate that the security plan will be constantly reviewed as the situation changes and we will adapt as required. As the JCPS Cluster leadership, we want to send a clear message to the public that no incitement to violence, lawlessness, destruction of infrastructure, or barricading of roads will be tolerated. Anyone who participates in any form of criminal activity will be dealt with.

“We therefore reiterate to all South Africans that political rights for citizens are guaranteed and should not be violated. The JCPS will ensure that all the rights enshrined in the Constitution are not violated,” she said.

Among these rights are the rights to freedom, security, and protection from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.

“Although the Constitution allows all citizens to participate in protests, pickets and present petitions, those who participate in these activities must do so peacefully and not violate the rights of those who do not want to participate. Anyone who is found to have contravened these critical provisions of the Constitution during this period will be met with the full authority of the state,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 11:18

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Call for comments on draft Gas Master Plan

Location: News

Call for comments on draft Gas Master Plan

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe has called on the public to contribute to the development of the policy document on the draft Gas Master Plan (GMP2024).

“The draft GMP2024 is a policy instrument that seeks to ensure security of gas supply by diversifying supply options from both local and international markets. It outlines the role of natural gas in the context of [the] energy mix and provides policy direction to the industry in South Africa,” the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said on Friday.

The draft GMP2024 was published for public comments in the government Gazette No: 50569 of 26 April 2024.

“The plan considers the complete gas topology ranging from demand, supply, importation, infrastructure, and distribution networks. It recognises the critical role of natural gas in the country’s economy, and anticipates the infrastructure required for the delivery of gas at a point of consumption based on a least-cost model,” the department said.

Members of the public, stakeholders and industry experts are invited to contribute to the development of the policy document by submitting inputs and/or comments on the draft Gas Master Plan by no later than 15 June 2024.

The draft GMP2024 document is accessible on:

https://www.energy.gov.za/files/policies/Gas-Master-Plan2024-for-public-comment.pdf

Written comments may be addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy either by post at Private Bag X 59, Arcadia, 0007; by hand at Travenna Campus, 71 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria,0002; or by email: GMP.Comments@dmre.gov.za

-SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 12:16

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Public urged to report crimes related to elections

Location: News

Public urged to report crimes related to elections

Government has urged members of the public to report any crime related to elections to their nearest police station or Electoral Commission (IEC) offices.

“A protocol has been established between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South African Police Service (SAPS) Detectives and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prioritise all election-related crimes,” Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said on Sunday in Pretoria.

Addressing a media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the Minister said prosecutors stand ready to prosecute offences such as electoral fraud and corruption, removing or defacing political party and campaign posters, interfering with the duties of the electoral officials as well as forcing anyone to vote.

“Individuals who use social media and electronic platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm to others will be charged. When an individual creates a video or share a post to the public and where the post contains words, speech or conduct that may encourage others to commit public violence, the aforementioned post will make one guilty of the offence of inciting public violence and police will not hesitate to track the person down and hold you accountable,” Modise said.

The Minister appealed to political and community leaders to exercise caution when speaking on public platforms.

“Do not make inflammatory or threatening statements as you will be breaking the law and may also encourage others to carry out criminal activities.

“We urge the public to exercise caution before sharing the information with others. Ensure that you double-check the accuracy of the information and be aware of the unintended consequences of your actions. Members of the public should report any inflammatory statements to law enforcement agencies,” the Minister said at the briefing held in Pretoria.

She warned the public against sharing false, unverified information, rumours, or threats online or in person as that can have serious consequences.

It can incite violence, confuse voters, and undermine the democratic process.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has activated provincial disaster management teams to identify risks and put mitigation measures in place for any disasters that may occur pre, during and post the elections.

“The NDMC is working closely with the South African Weather Service to monitor the situation, early warning messages will be issued when necessary. On the day of the elections, these teams will be deployed for 24 hours to monitor the situation,” the Minister said.

Collection of Identity Documents

To assist voters with the process of application for new Identity Documents and Temporary Identity Certificates and the collection of these documents, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has opened its offices from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays from 06 April to 25 May 2024.

“In addition, Home Affairs will open its offices on voting day. Mobile offices are also scheduled to be opened in remote areas to assist with the application and collection processes. The department will engage with councillors and other community leaders to decide on the dates, times and venues of the operation of mobile offices.

“Citizens can also use the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), which is available on the DHA website to book appointments to collect their Smart ID Cards and Green barcoded ID books. We encourage clients who have applied for identification documents and have received their SMS notifications, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents.”

Modise encourage all eligible voters to go out in their numbers to the different voting stations on 29 May 2024 to cast their votes.

The 2024 General Elections are believed to be the most contested in the history of this country.

“Overall, 70 political parties are contesting these elections, 11 independent candidates, and the national contestants are 52. In total, there are over 14, 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures. Ensuring the safety and security of all voters and officials are of paramount importance,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 11:49

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Special Provincial Official Funeral for Dr Pheko

Location: News

Special Provincial Official Funeral for Dr Pheko

Liberation struggle veteran and former Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) President, Dr Ernest “Motsoko” Pheko will be honoured with a Special Provincial Official Funeral.

Dr Pheko passed away on 19 April at the age of 93.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated the funeral of Dr Motsoko Pheko as a Special Provincial Official Funeral. The designation of the funeral follows a request from Premier Panyaza Lesufi to the President,” said the Gauteng provincial government in a statement on Friday.

The provincial government said that Pheko had dedicated his life to fighting for a liberated South Africa.

“We will remember this son of the soil as a true Pan African to the end of his life. His teachings through his writings will continue to inspire us to move forward in improving the lives of all South Africans,” said Premier Lesufi.

Following the dawn of democracy Pheko served as a Member of Parliament for ten years and served in different portfolio committees, including Foreign Affairs and Safety and Security. He also served as the PAC representative to the United Nations.

Dr Pheko was a renowned lawyer, author of 45 books, theologian, academic and historian.

“He documented his political party history very well including what happened at Robben Island during the Apartheid regime,” said the provincial government adding that the Pheko family will communicate all memorial and funeral details.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of liberation struggle veteran. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 11:13

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Minister Lamola reflects of 30 years of freedom

Location: News

Minister Lamola reflects of 30 years of freedom

A then 10-year-old Ronald Lamola watched with joy as his parents went to cast their votes in South Africa’s first democratic elections in April 1994.

“I also saw on the television long queues of people ushering in our new freedom when they were voting,” Lamola said on Saturday.

Fast-forward to today and Lamola is South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.

The Minister’s comments come as hundreds of people gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to celebrate the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic dispensation following the country’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the National Freedom Day celebrations at the Union Buildings under the theme “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth.”

Reflecting on growing up in apartheid South Africa which oppressed the majority of its population at the time, the Minister said as a young boy who grew up on a farm in Komatipoort in the then Eastern Transvaal which today is known as Mpumalanga province, he could not attend the same schools as the white children on the farm.

“We could not play or … have the same dreams of being engineers, astronauts or being lawyers. Today, I stand before you as an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) graduate of the University of Venda who was funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Our country’s biggest breakout of generational poverty.

"I speak with conviction when I say I am a Tintswalo. Every household in this country has a Tintswalo. Freedom made the dreams of many black kids like myself possible to be whoever we wanted to be. [Whether it be] engineers, astronauts, etc which was not possible under apartheid,” the Minister said.

First referred to by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February, Tintswalo is a child born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. Tintswalo grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

As a child who went to university in a democratic South Africa, the Minister completed his studies with the assistance of the NSFAS which provides financial aid to South African students using funds provided mainly by the government.

“Freedom made it possible for many black kids like me to be whoever we wanted to be… The sky is the limit. Freedom came through the blood and sweat of our struggle heroes. On this day 30 years ago, a new dawn was ushered in through the first democratic elections. Some of the freedoms that we take for granted today were reserved for only white people before 1994," the Minister explained.

Nation building

He said nation building was at the core of the vision and a central piece to the democratisation of South Africa.

"This was reaffirmed by our 1996 Constitution, which is the supreme law of our country that affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality, and freedom.

“It placed on the state the obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights that are enshrined within our Bill of Rights. We moved from parliamentary sovereignty to a constitutional democracy.

“We now have the freedom to love whoever we want to love. We now have the freedom to go wherever we want to go. We now have the freedom to study whatever we want to study and we now have the freedom of trade.”

He said these freedoms came at a “sacrifice”.

“As a country, we have a responsibility to continue to fight against injustice anywhere in the world.”

While the country had previously been under 300 years of colonial rule, government has laid a solid foundation to build a better life for all.

With South Africa due to hold its seventh democratic elections on 29 May 2024, Lamola has encouraged citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote.

“In our country, our appreciation for freedom has seen growth in our electoral participation and uncensored voices…space for civil society has been maintained and should be commended as progress.”

“[However,] we must ensure [to exercise our right to freedom of speech] with responsibility. We should ensure that the polls that are coming now are credible, non-partisan and aimed at enhancing our democracy.

“Democratic participation should therefore be embraced and enforced by all citizens, we must all go and vote on 29 May to build on our transformatory journey and to build on our freedom.”

This year's Freedom Month celebrations hold special significance as they also coincide with the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the South African Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

"With this freedom, the 1996 constitution envisaged a country that is sovereign, a democratic state that is guided by principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law, democracy and accountability, separation of powers and checks and balances [as well as] cooperative governance," the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Sat, 04/27/2024 - 14:49

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Reflecting on 30 years of democratic gains

Location: News

Reflecting on 30 years of democratic gains

While South Africa’s democracy is young, the significant strides made by government to improve the the lives of its people since 1994, cannot be denied.

Marking the historic milestone of reaching 30 years of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans should not let detractors, whether they are abroad or in the country to diminish what government has achieved in 1994 and in the years that have followed.

“Over the course of three centuries, the dignity of the black inhabitants of this land had been deliberately and cruelly denied, first by colonialism and then by apartheid. Millions of black South Africans – African, coloured and Indian – were at the mercy of laws and practices that were enforced to serve the interests of a white minority.

“Their land was taken, their labour was exploited, their prospects were stunted,” the President said on Saturday in Pretoria.

On 27 April 1994, South Africa changed forever as millions of people went to the polls to cast their vote in the first democratic elections.

“Exactly thirty years ago on this day, freedom’s bell rang across our great land. On that day, as we cast our votes for the first time, a great heaviness lifted from our shoulders. Our shackles had been cast off. The weight of centuries of oppression was no longer holding us down,” the President said at the commemoration of Freedom Day held at the Union Buildings.

Today, thirty years later, the people of South Africa gathered as a united people of all races at the same Union Buildings that once symbolised pain and oppression.

“The progress that has been made in a relatively short period of thirty years is something of which we can and should all be proud. We have established a society founded on the rule of law and the premise of equality before the law.

“We have built democratic institutions and have rid our statute books of racist and sexist apartheid laws. As the democratic state, we have worked to restore the dignity of all the South African people, particularly the dispossessed, the marginalised and the vulnerable,” the President said.

To achieve this, government has sought to implement policies and programmes that advance equality and human dignity in areas like economic empowerment, education, health care, social support, and the provision of basic services.

Addressing challenges

“Although there have been setbacks, although we have faced challenges both beyond our borders and at home, our economy has tripled in size since 1994. While unemployment still remains our greatest and most pressing challenge, the number of South Africans in employment increased from eight million in 1994 to over 16.7 million now.

“Through affirmative action, broad-based black economic empowerment, worker share ownership programmes and progressive labour laws, we have brought about transformative change in South Africa’s boardrooms, in workplaces and on the shop floor,” the first citizen said.

In South Africa today, more than half a million workers are part-owners of the companies they work for. This is about one in every 20 workers in the formal private sector.

“The proportion of black people in senior management position in both government and business has increased many times over. Today, our social development system benefits all, providing vital support to the poor and vulnerable, women and children.

“The democratic state has, through its health care programmes, brought down child mortality, improved life expectancy and made important strides towards overcoming the HIV/Aids pandemic. Working together, we have opened the doors of learning and culture.

“We have invested in improving and building new schools, colleges and two new universities. We have vastly increased the number of matriculants, graduates and young skilled people. Although we have much further to go, we have worked to ensure that poverty is no barrier to a decent education,” the President said.

Government has also introduced no-fee schools and the school feeding programme. In addition, it has expanded funding to students from poor and working class families and are now focused on early childhood development.

Equality

“In South Africa today, our Bill of Rights is the foundation for a society rooted in equality regardless of race, gender, sex or sexual orientation. Women in South Africa today enjoy full equality before the law.

“As a society, we have made significant advances in giving effect to the rights of women. We have worked together to ensure that women are empowered in the home, in communities, in society and in the economy. [Women] have fought for equal representation in positions of responsibility in the state, in academia, in business, in sport, in culture,” the President said.

Close to half of the Members of Parliament, judges and magistrates are women. More than 60 % of public servants are women.

“In South Africa today, girls learn alongside boys in our primary and secondary schools and receive equal education. South Africa is a beacon of hope for the protections it affords to the LGBTQI+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex] community. Although we have much further to go, we have worked to overcome prejudice throughout society.

“We have sought to affirm the rights and improve the circumstances of persons with disabilities. We are still working to remove the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from realising their full potential and living lives of comfort, security and material well-being,” he said.

Progress

Since the advent of democracy, government has pursued land reform, distributing millions of hectares of land to those who had been forcibly dispossessed and providing security of tenure to many others who had lived on the land for generations.

“We have built houses, clinics, hospitals, roads and bridges. We have brought electricity, water and sanitation into millions of homes.

“All those who cast their vote for a better South Africa in 1994 laid the foundation for a democracy that enhanced South Africa’s standing in the international community and opened up opportunities for engagement and cooperation,” the President said.

As a democratic country, the new South Africa was able to build alliances, negotiate trade agreements and participate in international organisations to advance the interests of its people.

Various sectors of society attended the celebrations including musicians Yvonne Chaka Chaka, PJ Powers as well as Ministers and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi joined the President in dancing to the tunes of Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo who entertained the crowd at the festivities. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Sat, 04/27/2024 - 13:24

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Freedom Day

Location: News

Freedom Day

By Nomonde Mnukwa

The South Africa we embrace today, where individuals are allowed to move freely, speak without fear and associate with whomever they want, would not be possible without the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom. This year, as we commemorate 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy on the 27th of April, we will reflect on our journey thus far and our progress in advancing our democracy.

Our struggle to be free was brought about by many unsung heroes and heroines who were instrumental in the fight against apartheid and its unjust pass laws and discriminatory systems, such as Bantu education. Many in the liberation struggle were imprisoned, and some even lost their lives whilst in the pursuit of a nation that would be free from the shackles of oppression.

Today we have broken the barriers that once divided us and celebrate living in a nation where we are indeed free and have the freedom to choose, participate, be heard and be counted as citizens in a democracy. Our freedom holds even greater significance as we prepare to cast our votes for our nation’s seventh democratic elections.

Freedom Day serves as a reminder of our country’s very first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994. The historic first free and fair election of 1994 resulted in Nelson Mandela becoming the first black president and he declared that “to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”.

The democratic values of equality, freedom and human dignity is the foundation upon which the South African constitution has been built and this year we commemorate the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the constitution as the supreme law of our country.

The South African constitution has not only been instrumental in protecting our constitutional rights but has also played a vital role in forging a new national identity that protects our rich cultural heritage and diversity. It has also been influential in allowing for the redress of past imbalances.

Transformation through laws, such as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action, Preferential Procurement, and plans such as the Reconstruction and Development Plan, were government’s initial attempts to reduce socio-economic disparities.

Over the years, there have been significant improvements to citizens’ lives as much work has been done to advance basic services.

From 1994 to date, approximately 12 million households have electricity, which is seven million more households than in 1994. Approximately 93 percent of South Africans now have access to potable water compared to 62 percent in 1994. Eighty percent of households now have access to decent sanitation compared to 50 percent in 1994.

The number of citizens in employment have increased substantially from eight million in 1994 to over 16.7 million in 2024. We have also prioritised providing social assistance through grants that support over 18 million poor and vulnerable South Africans. 

Our social assistance programme is at the heart of government’s poverty alleviation programme and central to restoring the dignity of our people. Through it, we continue to improve the living conditions of poor, vulnerable and underprivileged South Africans.

However, despite these achievements much work still remains in ensuring that we eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 as envisioned through the National Development Plan.

It is now up to every one of us to continue the journey started in 1994. Together we can inspire hope for a better tomorrow and build a better nation for everyone.

*Nomonde Mnukwa is Acting Director-General of the GCIS

Neo
Sat, 04/27/2024 - 09:17

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