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Speaker Calls on World Parliaments to Accelerate Gender Mainstreaming in Government Programmes

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula implored representatives of world parliaments to use their influence to defend democracy and promote gender mainstreaming, particularly in economic development.

Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula was addressing a moderated debate during a parliamentary event that was organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), under the theme, “Gender-sensitive parliaments: Advancing gender equality to end poverty”.

The two-week-long 68th Session (CSW68) that concludes on 22 March provides an important platform for bringing a parliamentary perspective into its discussions on women.

During the debate, the Speaker said parliaments represent the hopes and aspirations of citizens, the majority of whom, based on global statistics, are women. “It is in this context that the empowerment of women and girls must find expression in our democracies and continue to grow and mature”, she said.

Ms Mapisa-Nqakula stressed that legislatures have power and influence at their disposal. She urged them to use their authority to foster equality by encouraging governments to embrace gender-sensitive budgeting. She said parliaments are midwives that facilitate the birth of governments after they are elected by citizens, the majority of whom are women.

“With centuries of patriarchy and women exclusion, as well as discrimination, changing the status quo would require much more than what we have been doing,” she said.

The Speaker called on women parliamentarians attending the CSW68 Session to use their majority to vote against budgets that are not sympathetic to the plight of women until governments start listening.

She commended the progress made through equitable representation of women in parliaments and governments in Africa. However, she decried that these performance outputs are yet to produce the desired impact in many areas of development, particularly poverty reduction.

Parliaments have a civic and constitutional duty to use its oversight and accountability mandate to reverse years of exclusion of women. Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula said if world parliaments fulfil their responsibility as agents of social change diligently, parliaments could undo or reverse historical inequities. Parliaments can help build truly just and developmental societies where women and girls enjoy a life free of poverty and related social ills, she said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreSpeaker Calls on World Parliaments to Accelerate Gender Mainstreaming in Government Programmes

Service delivery ‘war room’ working to resolve water and electricity disruptions

Location: News

Service delivery 'war room' working to resolve water and electricity disruptions

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government is implementing rapid response interventions to resolve water and electricity disruptions in various municipalities across the country.

The Deputy President was speaking during his question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.

Through the Service Delivery War Room, the Deputy President said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has developed some improvement plans to implement rapid response interventions. 

These, he said, include the establishment of the Results Management Office and the introduction of reforms in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to fund repairs, refurbishment and renewal of infrastructure.

The war room is looking into the continued deployment of technical professionals through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).

The Deputy President told Members of Parliament that part of the Results Management Office’s responsibility is to assist municipalities in advancing demand-side management measures and providing alternate energy supplies. 

“These initiatives are aimed at reducing the impact of load shedding and its effect on substations and transformers,” he said.

Last week, the Deputy President, together with the Deputy Ministers of CoGTA and Water and Sanitation, visited Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape to find solutions to some of the challenges the municipality is facing.

“We are happy to report that with the support of MISA, the pump station that had been vandalised in the Hornlee area has been repaired, and water supply has been restored to the community. 

“As this government, we are committed to working within the inter-governmental relations framework to ensure that we assist municipalities in delivering services to our people,” he said. 

MISA continues to engage the private sector to fund bulk water infrastructure projects. Mashatile cited Sishen Mine in the Northern Cape and the Anglo Platinum Mine in Limpopo as some examples of private sector projects. 

“These private sector entities have stepped up to fund wastewater treatment works upgrades in the Northern Cape and Limpopo,” he said. 

In addition, Eskom has initiated the Active Partnering Programme, which provides technical support to municipalities through targeted interventions based on their needs. This is also aimed at strengthening the capacity to address the high failure rate of mini substations and transformers.

The Deputy President said Parliament is currently processing the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill to establish the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a State-owned company, and a major public entity. 

“The agency will enable South Africa to expand our bulk water infrastructure and improve the management of existing water assets to ensure water security over the next decade,” he explained. 

Mashatile said government will continue to work tirelessly to assist municipalities to meet their constitutional obligation to provide reliable water and sanitation services to all South African citizens. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:36

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Indwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela

Location: News

Indwe 4IR Lab a hub for communities: Manamela

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, says the establishment of the Indwe 4IR Lab positions the Ekurhuleni East TVET College as a transformative hub for communities. 

Manamela made the remarks during the launch of the Indwe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lab at the Ekurhuleni East TVET College’s Artisan and Skills Development Centre on Tuesday.

The state-of-the-art lab is set to provide staff and students at the TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) college with cutting-edge skills pertinent to 4IR.

The establishment of the Indwe 4IR Lab is a direct result of a collaborative private-public partnership involving the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA), Festo Didactic and the Ekurhuleni East TVET College.

Festo Didactic offers state-of-the-art learning concepts for technical basic and further training.The company’s customers include vocational colleges, universities, research centres, educational institutes and industrial companies all over the world.

The strategic alliance aims to introduce comprehensive 4IR educational programmes that will significantly boost the employability and productivity of the workforce, as well as enhance the capacity-building efforts for staff at TVET colleges.

Speaking at the launch, Manamela said the launch of the lab must be viewed as part of government’s strategic goals such as developing the relevant skills to help address the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges, but also “help steer our economy from being resource driven to one that is more knowledge driven.”

Manamela said the advent of the 4IR has rendered some skills and jobs obsolete, which will require the country to reimagine the content of what is taught at universities and TVET colleges, as well as their role in society.

“The other priority that our embrace of the 4IR must help us to address is the issue of youth unemployment and in particular, the disturbing phenomenon where over two million of our young people, are not in any form of employment, education, or training, what is commonly referred to as the NEET problem.

“As a country, we can’t hope to sustain our key national goals of skills development, education, and employment, if an important section of our population-our young people-are not in any form of schooling or training. This is a huge risk that threatens to undo much of the progress we have made thus far in education and skills development,” Manamela explained.

The Deputy Minister said the launch of the Indwe 4IR Lab also forms part the department’s programme to equip TVET colleges with 4IR related capacity.

“The Indwe 4IR Lab is also envisioned as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, offering opportunities for young people to engage with cutting-edge technologies. It also imagined to be a space where young people can acquire skills in exciting areas such as robotics, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and advanced wireless technologies. 

“These skills are no longer optional but essential for success and prosperity in the digital age. There is therefore no doubt the establishment of Indwe 4IR Lab also positions the Ekurhuleni East TVET College as a transformative hub for the communities of Ekurhuleni,” he said.

Equipping young people

Manamela also encouraged the TVET college to reach out to the surrounding community and open its doors for the youth and young adults to access the cutting-edge technologies that can equip them with the knowledge and skills to get out of the debilitating grip of poverty and unemployment.

“As the Department of Higher Education, we remain steadfast in our support for visionary initiatives such as the Indwe 4IR Lab and this is because we value the role of our TVET colleges in equipping our young people with the skills, not only to pursue relevant careers, but also for them to be able to earn a living from what they are taught,” Manamela said. 

The introduction of 4IR programmes to TVET colleges initiative started at Maluti TVET College in the Free State, with Ekurhuleni East TVET College being the second beneficiary. 

The department said the initiative will be rolled out to additional TVETs nationwide, including Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga; Lovedale Eastern Cape; Majuba in KwaZulu-Natal; Northern Cape Urban; South West Gauteng; Waterberg in Limpopo; West Coast in the Western Cape; and Taletso in North West Province. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 15:35

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The ‘Legitimising’ of Bitcoin – You could have turned $30 into R40 Million over 14 years

Location: MyPR

Bitcoin has been around for ages – since 9 January 2009 – and, in internet years, that is a very long time. Early adopters used to bring their miners to work and plug them into their computer workstations USB ports to take advantage of the ’employer electricity and broadband’. As the market matured the miners …

Read moreThe ‘Legitimising’ of Bitcoin – You could have turned $30 into R40 Million over 14 years

SA, Ghana explore ways to expand trade and investment

Location: News

SA, Ghana explore ways to expand trade and investment

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the significance of expanding trade and investment between South Africa and Ghana, highlighting the need to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation beyond the existing areas covered by the Bi-National Commission (BNC).

He was delivering opening remarks at the second session of the South Africa-Ghana BNC held at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's OR Tambo Building in Pretoria on Tuesday. 

“In addition to the many areas of cooperation that the BNC covers, it is important that we explore how best both countries can increase trade and investment among ourselves.
 
“The purpose of the Business Forum that will take place on the margins of this BNC is to expand trade and investment between our two countries. 

“Ghana is host to several South African companies. Our companies are keen to expand their investments in Ghana and look to us to work together to improve the business environment. We invite investors from Ghana to look at opportunities in our country,” the President said.

The President further emphasised that collaboration between the two countries' private sectors and State-owned entities is particularly important.

He told his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that bidding for procurement contracts in each other’s countries, instead of sourcing from outside the continent, would be desirable and commercially viable.

The President highlighted that South African companies, including several in the banking sector, have expressed interest in exploring opportunities in line with Ghana’s investment plans. 

“There is also scope for collaboration in infrastructure between our two economies, particularly in the building of dry ports, railway networks, airports and hospital facilities. There are also opportunities to be explored in the pre-chemicals sector.

“As we are both coastal countries, maritime shipping and the related economy holds potential for us and opportunities should be explored further in this regard. We need to work together to reverse the decline in trade between our countries over the past four years,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa highlighted that the introduction of preferential trading within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a significant development, poised to substantially reshape trade dynamics across the continent. 

“On the 31st of January 2024, South Africa sent its first shipment to Ghana and other countries under the AfCFTA Agreement. This is an important first step.
 
“For many African countries, the start of preferential trade will create great opportunities for growth and development,” he said.

Agreements between SA and Ghana

The BNC between South Africa and Ghana was inaugurated when President Nana Akufo-Addo hosted President Ramaphosa in Accra in 2020.

There are 24 agreements and memoranda of understanding between South Africa and Ghana covering various areas of economic, technical, scientific, social and cultural cooperation.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that they must accelerate the implementation of these agreements and finalise discussions on additional agreements. 

He pointed out that one of the recent highlights in bilateral relations was the signing of the reciprocal visa exemption for ordinary passport holders for a period of 90 days per annum, which entered into force on the 1st of November 2023. 

“This has resulted in a considerable increase of travellers between our two countries, contributing not only to tourism but towards enhancing business-to-business links, educational and scientific exchanges, and people-to-people ties,” he said. 

Peace and security

As the two Heads of State meet at a time when the state of peace and security is fragile across the globe, President Ramaphosa emphasised that they redouble their efforts to 'Silence the Guns in Africa'. 

He said they need to capacitate the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to do more in pursuit of peace and stability. 

“Internal strife, conflicts and wars, compounded by terrorism and violent extremism, are a major obstacle to peace, security and stability. They threaten to constrain our developmental efforts and our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The situations in Sudan, Somalia, Libya and the Sahel, among others, are of grave concern, as are the armed hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the extremist insurrection in northern Mozambique,” he said. 

Elections in Africa

President Ramaphosa further highlighted that this will be an important year for democracy in Africa, with 19 African countries – including South Africa and Ghana – holding presidential or national elections in 2024.
 
He emphasised that these elections are important for the quality of governance and the strength of democracy on the continent.
 
“We must, however, be concerned that in several parts of the continent, unconstitutional changes of government, particularly through military coups, are on the rise.

“Global developments, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, continue to threaten food and energy security in Africa,” he said.

The President said African nations, with their own bitter experiences of colonial occupation, are extremely concerned by the terrible events in Palestine and the suffering unleashed on the people of Gaza. 

“On our own continent, the matter of Western Sahara remains unresolved. As we pursue our own developmental goals, we stand in solidarity with all who continue to suffer the effects of occupation and dispossession,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 13:42

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Local Government Association, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Calls for Adequate Funding

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has called for more funding to improve the financial sustainability of municipalities. SALGA briefed the Standing Committee on Appropriations on the 2024 Budget and the Division of Revenue as part of the Money Bills and Related Matters Act on Tuesday, 12 March.

SALGA welcomed the increased allocation of R177 billion to local government. However, they argued that this still did not address the broader issue of inadequate funding at the local level. Ms Lerato Phasha, the representative from SALGA, highlighted the struggles many local municipalities face in covering their expenditures due to high levels of unemployment, poverty, and reluctance to pay for services by communities.

According to SALGA, the R484 million in conditional grants allocated for the financial year 2024/25 was inadequate considering the substantial infrastructure backlogs in municipalities. The organisation called for more funding for local government to address the infrastructure backlogs and cover expenditures in the face of high unemployment rates and poverty levels.

The committee, in response, recommended public-private partnerships with local spheres of government. This approach would involve redirecting revenue from companies operating in provinces toward the areas they operate in and in so doing, they contribute to local investment and development.

The committee also suggested that the local government sphere should not solely rely on the national government but should work towards revitalising and mobilising local businesses to attract local investment. By doing this, municipalities can strengthen their revenue streams and ultimately improve the quality of services they provide to communities. The committee told SALGA that a comprehensive strategy would help alleviate the financial burdens of municipalities and enable them to address their infrastructure backlogs more effectively.

Meanwhile, SALGA also welcomed the rollout of smart meters to the tune of R2 billion for its members in the local government sphere. However, SALGA wants all member municipalities to benefit from this rollout without restricting it to defaulting municipalities that fall under the Eskom debt relief package.

According to SALGA, the rollout should not be left to municipalities alone, but there should be end-to-end support until municipalities can run the installation themselves.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreLocal Government Association, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Calls for Adequate Funding

SA, UK explore use of data to boost local economies

Location: News

SA, UK explore use of data to boost local economies

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and National Treasury have invited the United Kingdom’s National Statistics (ONS) to participate in launching a community of practice to explore how local data can be used to support local economies.

The community of practice aims to generate new knowledge and facilitate the exchange of ideas about strengthening the economic performance of South African cities. 

“The purpose is to widen the circle of researchers, policymakers and practitioners interested in the economy of cities by building a vibrant network of enthusiasts and experts,” the HSRC explained in a statement. 

Following the launch of the Spatial Economic Activity Data – South Africa (SEAD-SA) in June 2023, there have been discussions between SEAD-SA and the HSRC’s Policy Action Network (PAN) project about sustaining and expanding the impact of this work among the policy and data community. 

The two-day workshop, which is being held today and tomorrow, has since identified strategic objectives, which will be fleshed out during discussions. 

The group will also discuss and share the best practices to effectively deliver local data insights, including administrative data. 

They will look at alternative methods and techniques to measure local economies, especially where economic shocks are more likely, including the experiences and approach to using private sector data sources. 

The event will also discuss options for training and skills transfer such as an online data masterclass to improve data awareness and literacy among senior leaders, exchange insights to identify user requirements, and deepen and widen the production of local economic data from tax data through the SEAD-SA portal. 

The HSRC said the workshop is the culmination of a lengthy engagement between the South African government, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) based in South Africa and the ONS, which began in 2023 to explore opportunities to share expertise and provide technical assistance to the South African government.

The HSRC will host the workshop with the National Treasury, UK-FCDO, and their partners. These include the South African Revenue Service, the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research, Statistics South Africa, the South African Local Government Association, South African Cities Network, and the University of the Free State. 

The HRSC explained that the SEAD-SA project aims to address the gaps that exist between the local economy of cities and the wider economic geography of the country by leveraging tax and other administrative data sources. 

The data provide the government, business, and civil society with reliable evidence on which to base crucial developmental decisions. 

The Minister of Finance formally launched SEAD-SA and the Spatial Tax Portal last year. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Tue, 03/12/2024 - 10:50

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Public sector pension funds amendments published  

Location: News

Public sector pension funds amendments published  

The National Treasury has published the proposed amendments to various pieces of legislation governing public sector pension funds.

“The amendments provide the necessary legislative amendments required to effectively implement the two-pot retirement system changes in public sector funds,” National Treasury said on Monday.

The proposed amendments relate to the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996 (Proclamation 21 of 1996), Post and Telecommunications-related Matters Act, 1958 (Act 44 of 1958) and Transnet Pension Fund Act, 1990 (Act 62 of 1990).

“The proposed amendments insert certain definitions to provide for the introduction of the savings withdrawal benefit; to provide for the appropriate account of a member’s interest in the savings, retirement, and vested components and to provide for deductions that may be made by the funds.

“These amendments seek to align pension laws across all sectors to ensure that pension funds can amend the fund rules and implement the two-pot retirement system on the effective date of 1 September 2024,” National Treasury said.

The amendments to the public sector pension laws will be proposed for inclusion in the Pension Funds Amendment Bill [B3—2024], which is currently under consideration of the Standing Committee on Finance.

Parliamentary hearings on the Pension Funds Amendment Bill will be held on 12 March 2024, including these public sector pension laws amendments.

The proposed amendments to the public sector laws may be found on the National Treasury website www.treasury.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Mon, 03/11/2024 - 12:06

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PSC study makes recommendations on hybrid work arrangements

Location: News

PSC study makes recommendations on hybrid work arrangements

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has completed a study on the impact of hybrid work arrangements on service delivery in the public service.

PSC Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya says the COVID-19 pandemic forced most organisations, including government, to consider alternative working arrangements in order to limit human and physical interaction.

“This resulted in the introduction of hybrid workspaces and the working from home (WFH) option that was new for most employees, as only a few private companies offered this option pre-COVID-19,” Gxoyiya said at a briefing in Pretoria on Monday.

The study focused on the shutdown period from March 2020 and the subsequent lockdown levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gxoyiya explained that the purpose of the study was to investigate the actual and perceived impact that the introduction of hybrid work and work from home arrangements had on service delivery in the public service in selected departments, with a view to formulate recommendations that could assist the public service to adapt.

He said the study focused on six service delivery departments/institutions in the public service, which are Education, Employment and Labour, Health, South African Social Security Agency, Home Affairs and the South African Police Service.

The report of the study makes the following recommendations:

•           The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) should benchmark with other countries to determine how the hybrid work arrangement was managed during the pandemic and how it is being taken forward as a basis to review relevant legislation, regulations, directives, policies and conditions of service for different categories of occupations and/or employees.

•           The public service, led by the DPSA, National Treasury and the Department of Communications and Digital Services, must take the lead in digitising government operations and prioritising access to tools of trade that will enable the effective implementation of hybrid work arrangements, where feasible.

•           Departments, in collaboration with the National School of Government, should incorporate continuous training programmes on new technologies that are necessary to facilitate remote work arrangements, online collaboration and remote access to centralised systems as well as other emerging innovations for employees to stay abreast of the new developments.

•           National Treasury, in collaboration with departments such as the DPSA and  Public Works and Infrastructure, must conduct a cost-benefit analysis of implementing hybrid work arrangements for selected non-essential service departments in order to identify possible cost-saving measures and possible once-off cost drivers as a basis to generate resources to fund critical areas of need, including the rapid adoption of technology-enabled solutions and provision of other essential services to the public.  

Gxoyiya noted that the findings of the study suggest that existing primary legislation and policies were and are still silent on the practice of working from home or hybrid work arrangements.

“During the lockdown period, the gap had to be addressed through the passing of new regulations, directions and guidelines to enable departments to put measures in place to comply with the COVID-19 regulations whilst still ensuring work continuity.

“The study documents a combination of positive and negative practices/experiences, including notable innovative measures that were put in place by public service departments, as well as the commitment of many employees who put their lives at risk in order to provide services to the public,” Gxoyiya said.

Gxoyiya said there were challenges noted with regard to the implementation of the hybrid work arrangement which included, amongst others, capacity constraints; additional expenses that were not budgeted for; inaccessibility of some service sites when some staff members tested positive for COVID-19; inconsistent practices in granting employees permission to work from home between and within departments, and lack of appropriate tools of trade for some employees.

“Performance was managed differently according to the different departments and in some instances, it varied within the different units in the respective departments,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Mon, 03/11/2024 - 13:16

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Non-payment of invoices has a huge implication for small business

Location: News

Non-payment of invoices has a huge implication for small business

The Public Service Commission (PSC) says the non-payment of suppliers’ invoices has huge implications for small businesses that rely on cash flow for survival.

“Therefore, there is a need for urgent and timeous payment of suppliers given the critical role of procurement in economic development and emancipation,” said Public Service Commission Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya.

At a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, Gxoyiya said the total number of invoices paid after 30 days by national departments amounts to 33 394 to the value of R1 billion, whereas in the first quarter these departments recorded 26 223 invoices to the value of R1.2 billion.

He said by the end of the second quarter, all national departments submitted their 30 days payment reports to the National Treasury as required with an average timeous submission rate of 89%.

“This represents a decline of 2% when compared with the average timeous submission rate of 91% achieved in the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year,” Gxoyiya said.

Goxoyiya said it should be noted that payment after the required 30 days constitutes non-compliance.

“Out of 40 national departments, only 17 departments fully complied with the requirement on timeous payments in Quarter 2, which is an improvement from 15 departments in Quarter 1 of the 2023/24 financial year.

“Although the number of invoices and the value cannot be determined with information at the PSC’s disposal, the departments are encouraged to maintain this performance and pay all legitimate invoices from suppliers within 30 days as required by the Public Finance Management Act and its related prescripts,” Gxoyiya said.

Gxoyiya expressed concern at the remaining 23 departments that were unable to comply with the timeous payments of invoices.

“In terms of the provinces, the total number of invoices paid after 30 days by provincial departments amounted to 48 478 to the rand value of R5.9 billion, whereas these provincial departments recoded 90 935 invoices to the value of R9.9 billion in the first quarter.

“Although these invoices were paid, it should be noted that payment after the prescribed period constitute non-compliance.

“Although Government is under financial austerity measures, invoices for services rendered must be paid and Accounting Officers should apply consequence management where necessary to address these challenges,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

Edwin
Mon, 03/11/2024 - 13:54

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Government, private sector partnership yields positive results

Location: News

Government, private sector partnership yields positive results

Over the last nine months, the partnership between government and business has made significant strides in addressing the electricity supply crisis, the severe challenges in freight rail and port operations, and crime and corruption.

“Since the partnership began, the private sector has contributed more than R170 million of direct support and has mobilised over 350 technical experts. More than 130 CEOs of the country’s leading companies have pledged their support,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday in his weekly newsletter.

The partnership was established in June last year to tackle challenges that were an obstacle to faster growth and job creation.

“Since November 2023, load shedding is 61% lower than the same period a year ago. Among other things, this has been made possible by the return of units at Kusile power station and the impact of new generation capacity from rooftop solar and private sector investment.

“Under the leadership of its new Group CEO, Eskom is finalising an agreement with business to deploy additional independent skilled experts to support Eskom.

“Business is supporting a number of the workstreams of the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), providing technical, security and operational expertise to Transnet’s efforts to improve the performance of ports and freight rail,” the President said.

With all stakeholders working together, Transnet has achieved a 45% reduction in vessels anchored outside the Port of Durban and a 36% reduction in the waiting time to anchor for container vessels.

“A major success has been the provision of security by business on the rail network, which has resulted in a 65% reduction in criminal incidents on the Northern Corridor, reducing the number of trains cancelled. Work is currently underway to ramp up the deployment of South African Police Service (SAPS) resources to secure network infrastructure in the longer term.

 “Steady progress has been made in the crime and corruption focal area. Through the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC), the private sector is providing business information and resources to assist with the fight against infrastructure crime,” the President said.

Support has also been provided to modernise the 10111 helpline, with a pilot project initiated at the main call centre in Midrand, and the establishment with the Hawks of a forensics analysis centre.

“Building on this progress, government and business are now focused on actions that will make a considerable and lasting difference over the course of the next few months.

“Among other things, we are working to increase electricity generation capacity from different sources by up to 10 600 MW, which will enable a significant reduction in the severity of load shedding by the end of this year.

“This includes improved Eskom plant performance, additional private investment in rooftop solar and large-scale power projects, and connecting projects from previous renewable energy bid windows to the grid,” the President said.

Following the recent appointment of permanent executive leadership, Transnet is focused on rebuilding internal capacity and drawing on private sector technical resources to restore the operational performance of strategic rail corridors.

“An important part of the work to tackle crime and corruption will be the passage of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Amendment Bill, which will strengthen the independence and investigating capacity of the NPA.

“It will also enable the establishment of additional infrastructure to support the Investigating Directorate as a permanent entity, including a dedicated forensics laboratory. A key focus of the partnership is to secure South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list by at least June 2025,” Ramaphosa said.

While this partnership between government and business has been focused on specific immediate actions, the President said the broader work to grow the economy and create jobs draws on the contributions and capabilities of all social partners and stakeholders.

“As we work to rebuild our economy, we will strive to deepen these partnerships and to reach out to all South Africans to be involved in these efforts. By broadening the involvement of all social partners in this work, we will continue to build durable social compacts that make a real difference in people’s lives.

“We have long believed that it is only by working together that we can make progress. The partnership between government and business has shown what is possible when we are focused and committed towards the achievement of a common goal,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Mon, 03/11/2024 - 09:34

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Child of SA woman in Senegalese prison comes home

Location: News

Child of SA woman in Senegalese prison comes home

The Department of Social Development has successfully repariated a toddler who was being held in a Dakar prison in Senegal.

The department’s social workers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday with a two-year-old baby who was born in Senegal and has been in the care of the mother who was arrested last year for drug trafficking.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) through its International Social Services (ISS) Directorate notified the Department of Social Development in August 2023 that the biological mother of the child had been arrested last year in February. 

“It is reported that within days of her incarceration, she gave birth to the child. Due to the mother’s incarceration, the child is considered to be in distress since prison is not a conducive environment for the upbringing of the child.” 

The South African government through the DIRCO initiated the process of repatriating the child by first visiting the mother to ascertain her wishes about her child. 

“The mother nominated the grandmother of the child as the guardian in the country while she serves her sentence in Senegal,” said the Department of Social Development (DSD) in a statement.

The National DSD then requested the Eastern Cape provincial department to investigate the circumstances of the nominated foster parent to assess suitability to care for the child.

“The child will be integrated with the mother’s family in the Eastern Cape and the department will continue providing child protection services and provide support to the family.” 

The department said it was obligated by Section 7, subsection (1), (f), (ii), of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 that a child needs to maintain a connection with their family, extended family, culture, or tradition and all decisions must be made in the best interest of the child. 

Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, said the department will always put the best interest of the child first. 

“However, we remain concerned about the issue of drugs and what it can do to children. This unborn baby ended up in distress in a foreign country because the mother was arrested for trafficking drugs. We cannot stress more the importance of young people to make the right decisions about their lives,” the Minister added. 

Since 2015, the department has repatriated 21 children in distress in foreign countries. 

According to the data, seven were repatriated in Zimbabwe; three in Brazil; two each in Malawi, Mozambique, Canada and Tanzania; and one each in Ghana, the United Kingdom, Peru, Mauritius and Senegal. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Sun, 03/10/2024 - 15:18

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Financing Energy Projects: Legal Considerations and Strategies

Location: MyPR

In an era where sustainable energy is not just a preference but a necessity, South Africa stands on the brink of significant energy transitions. This necessitates a robust legal framework and solid financing strategies to effectively navigate the complexities of energy project development. In this article we examine critical legal considerations and strategies pivotal to …

Read moreFinancing Energy Projects: Legal Considerations and Strategies

Govt continues to support women-owned businesses

Location: News

Govt continues to support women-owned businesses

Government continues to provide targeted support for female-owned businesses to promote women’s sustainable participation in the economy, said Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa. 

“The ultimate goal is for women to develop sustainable enterprises that contribute to the country’s gross domestic product, employment, equity and economic transformation to enable women to have equal access to and control over economic resources,” she said. 

The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the 2024 Forbes Woman Africa Awards in Johannesburg on Friday.

She also touched on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s preferential procurement target announced in 2020 to accelerate the empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities in business. 

“This a strategy mapped out by government to allocate 40% of all procurement spend in the public sector towards businesses owned by women,” Ramokgopa explained. 

“South Africa has set the precedence, now we need the rest of the continent to follow and lead in the capacitating of women-owned SMEs (small and medium enterprises).”

GBV

The Minister also used the platform to call on African leaders to take up the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

“Beyond the change-makers in this room, our call for gender equality is more pressing for working class and poor women,” she said. 

Ramokgopa believes that freedom and security remain significant aspects of gender equality. 

Gender equality

The Minister said she was honoured to be joined by women across the world in celebrating International Women’s Day under the ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’ theme. 

This year marks 47 years since the United Nations (UN) officially recognised 8 March to celebrate the significant strides achieved by women and the broader women’s movement. 

“This year is no exception as we amplify our global call for gender equality. We must be bold in our articulation that the empowerment of women requires the necessary financial, political, social, and institutional commitments from all sectors of society,” she stated.  

This, she said, includes development financing, and creating an enabling legislative environment that supports gender equality. 

She told delegates that the continent carries a rich history of women’s contributions to liberation and development such as Charlotte Maxeke, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Wangari Maathai, Graça Machel and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. 

“In 2024, the women of Africa enjoy hard-earned gains. However, more still needs to be done to accelerate the progress in advancing and protecting fundamental human rights. We dare not lower our voices.” 

Women’s rights

Ramokgopa said South Africa has signed and ratified several treaties and instruments aimed at advancing women’s rights in several multilateral fora including the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa of 2003, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. 

“Although the agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment in South Africa is advanced in comparison with many other countries, we remain committed to ensuring that the rest of Africa increases efforts to achieve gender equality.”

Ramokgopa also paid tribute to the women who have been brave in their pursuit of equality by occupying strategic positions across the continent and diaspora. 

She mentioned the likes of 2019 Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi and those who are flying the African flag high including the Grammy-award winner singer and performer Tyla Seethal, Kenyan comedian Elsa Majimbo, local media personality Bonang Matheba and Nigerian award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. 

“As the African continent joins in celebrating South Africa’s 30 years of democracy and freedom, may we never trivialise the hard-earned gains of women under this dispensation.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Sun, 03/10/2024 - 12:53

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Kempsdale Dam wall expansion to ensure reliable water supply

Location: News

Kempsdale Dam wall expansion to ensure reliable water supply

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, is looking forward to the start of construction to raise the Kempsdale Dam Wall from four meters to 7.8 meters in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. 

According to the Minister, the expansion will address the current water shortages and secure future demand for the Greater Kokstad community.

Mchunu further reiterated government’s commitment to fast-track service delivery projects, particularly those meant for the provision of adequate and consistent water supply, as water is one of the essential services and a basic human right.

The Minister was on a working visit in Kokstad, in the Harry Gwala District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday. 

The Executive Mayor of the District, Councillor Zamo Nxumalo joined him in conducting a sod-turning ceremony to signal the handover of the raising of Kempsdale Dam wall to the appointed contractor. 

The delegations included Greater Kokstad Mayor, Councillor Lwanda Madikizela, other local mayors from the district, traditional authorities, and departmental and municipal officials. 

The R160 million project, which is anticipated to take three years to complete, is envisaged to boost raw water capacity in the dam to meet a projected future demand up to 2040. 

The project will also ensure there is an adequate, safe, reliable, and sustainable potable water supply in areas such as Kokstad town, Kokstad C-Max prison, and Shayamoya and Bhongweni areas. 

“The development involves the raising of the existing Kempsdale Dam wall height from four meters to 7.8 meters and the construction of a new pump station downstream of the dam to be treated at the already existing 18 megalitres per day Kokstad Water Treatment Works,” the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS explained. 

The current water demand for Kokstad is 10.35 millilitres per day and is estimated to increase to 14.45 millilitres per day by 2030. 

The project will benefit eight wards within the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality with uninterrupted, adequate and clean water supply upon completion of the collaborative initiative between the DWS, municipalities concerned, farming communities, businesses and residents.  

Speaking at the construction site during the handover, Mchunu and Nxumalo indicated that the Kempsdale Dam wall would ensure there is enough water storage which will be supplied to the communities. 

“What is happening today is a culmination of what the district has been doing with our support. there is going to be quite a substantial increase of the dam wall, it is clear that the water services here in Kokstad are working very well,” Mchunu said.  

The District Mayor echoed the Minister’s sentiments and highlighted that water supply interruptions would now be a thing of the past. 

“The project is aimed at alleviating water challenges in Greater Kokstad Local Municipality for a period of 50 to 100 years, and this will be dependent on the development of the area,” Nxumalo stated.  

The leaders also took the opportunity to engage various stakeholders and the community of Kokstad. 

Mchunu acknowledged there were challenges. However, he reiterated government’s commitment to ensure that basic services such as water and sanitation are provided to the people and made an undertaking that the situation will improve. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Sun, 03/10/2024 - 11:17

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