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A Critical Assessment of the QCTO’s readiness to implement Occupational Certificate Programmes With the expiration date of SETA-accredited learnerships looming at the end of June this year, companies are at a critical juncture for their Skills Development. From that point forward, organisations will only be able to register their learners for the QCTO’s occupational certificates. …
SA sends first shipment under AfCFTA agreement
The implementation of the preferential trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has become a reality with South Africa sending its first shipment of products to other countries trading under the agreement.
South Africa is the first among the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member states, which consists of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland, to practically realise the AfCFTA Agreement.
“For South Africa, as with many other African countries, the start of preferential trade will create great opportunities for growth and development. Not only will it benefit our country’s producers, but it will also see a huge increase in traffic through our ports, our airports and our land-based border posts.
“The products made in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Free State, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape will flow through these ports to markets beyond our borders,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday in Durban.
Officiating the launch of South Africa's first shipment and preferential trading under the AfCFTA, the President said the levels of intra-African trade have been growing in recent years, but remain small by global standards.
Intra-Africa exports are reported to stand at around 16% of Africa’s total exports, compared to 55% in Asia, 49% in North America and 63% in the European Union.
“African countries trade with the rest of the world but we have limited trade among ourselves. The reason for this is clear: we are principally exporters of raw materials, selling rocks and black liquid to the world, instead of harnessing our oil and the minerals to industrialise our continent. We need to change this.
“We have a unique opportunity to lift millions of people out of poverty by empowering women and young people to change the continent’s business environment. That is why, as the South African government, we are focused on implementing our Freight Logistics Roadmap to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the country’s rail lines and ports,” the President said.
He said government is working closely with industry to fix Transnet’s rail and port operations in the immediate term and to ensure greater investment in infrastructure into the future.
“Over the last few years, our trade ministers have been finalising rules of origin of what constitutes an African product. They have done well to finalise 92% of the products that nations trade with each other. We need them to be even bolder in further rules of origin. The products that we trade among ourselves must truly be ‘Made in Africa’.
"The modalities for trade in goods has moved faster than for services. We therefore need to put more effort into building African champions in finance, retail and telecommunications, and in expanding tourism between African countries. That is the only way in which our economies will grow faster and sustainably,” President Ramaphosa said.
The African Continental Free Trade Area creates the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries, and has the potential to bring transformative change and tremendous opportunities to African economies and businesses.
The President said the implementation of the agreement will accelerate the development of regional and local value chains, offering investors access to a population of 1.7 billion people with a fast-growing continental gross domestic product (GDP).
“Industrial development is core to Africa’s integration. It builds Africa’s productive capacities, adds greater value to our products and diversifies trade beyond the traditional commodities. We have already seen the potential of greater cross-border collaboration.
“South African automotive companies source leather car seats from a factory in Lesotho employing close to a thousand workers and wiring harnesses from Botswana at two plants employing several thousand workers,” Ramaphosa said.
They source copper wire from Zambia, rubber from Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana and Cameroon, and steering wheel components from Tunisia.
“These are installed in cars that are then exported from South Africa to other parts of the world. These inputs alone accounted for more than $200 million worth of products traded among African countries and the scope to do more is available to us.
“But it requires bold rules of origin. For every one percent of extra African content, there is an opportunity for a factory or mine based on the continent to supply the products. And as the world moves to green industrialisation, Africa is well positioned to use our critical minerals to leverage industrialisation on the continent,” the President said.
He said the opportunities are vast, with prospects in food and beverages, in cars and trucks, in clothing and textiles.
“We have the capacity to produce more of our own pharmaceutical products and medical equipment. Investment can flow to the production of chemicals, machinery and equipment, household goods and many, many more.
“Beyond the industrialisation of which I have spoken, this continental market can help us promote agricultural development and food security. Through our work, we can ensure that young people and women-owned firms are active in export markets,” the President said.
He said the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade will help ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area contributes to inclusive growth and development. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 01/31/2024 - 13:15
CAPE TOWN, 30 January 2024: The Africa Union (AU) “Scaling Up Green Investments to Address Climate Change” roundtable taking place at Africa’s Green Economy Summit in Cape Town next month offers AU member states and high-level stakeholders the opportunity to explore the potential of green investments and funding instruments to combat climate change on the …
National Assembly Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula today stressed how crucial effective and qualitative oversight is in ensuring that the people of South Africa receive the quality services they deserve.
“If it is to be effective and impact making, oversight will have to be about more than just reporting, but creating systems that allow collaboration and joint monitoring to ensure delivery and results,” she said.
The Speaker made the opening remarks at the two-day South African Legislative Sector (SALS) Oversight Summit currently underway in Cape Town.
Among the attendees at the summit that is being held under the theme "Striving for Oversight that Ensures a Better Life for All South Africans," are Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament and provincial legislatures, Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, who delivered the keynote address, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, heads of Chapter 9 instructions as well as local and international diplomats.
The Speaker described the summit as a milestone for a maturing democracy and true evidence of the commitment to strengthen the capacity of government to serve people better. She said that despite varying mandates of state organs, impactful oversight can be achieved through collaboration.
The Speaker said, although the summit is organised by the legislative sector, it is a platform to bring the three arms of the state and spheres of government under one roof, as qualitative oversight that ensures service delivery to citizens requires contribution and involvement of all sectors.
“Qualitative oversight is important for all our work as it guarantees accountability to our people – ensuring greater public confidence, not only in the legislatures, but in the state as a whole”, said the Speaker.
Delivering his keynote address, the Deputy President called on the sector to maintain the commitment to a better life made to the citizens of South Africa. He described oversight as one of the powerful tools at the disposal of the legislative sector to ensure that our democracy is not void of accountability to the citizens.
As the Leader of Government Business, Deputy President Mashatile said he has ensured that there is constant monitoring of responses to parliamentary questions by the executive and that by the end of 2023, there was only one question that had lapsed.
He emphasised that the lapsing of even one question is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated as the legislative sector strives to strengthen accountability.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo shared message of support and commended the legislative sector for organising such an important platform for reflection.
Chief Justice Zondo said Parliament and provincial legislatures are important and trusted with a responsibility to make laws that must improve the quality of life of all citizens and the economy. He called on the delegates to ensure that they effectively execute their responsibility without fear, while holding members of the executive accountable.
This year's summit is aimed at assessing the legislative sector's effectiveness in upholding constitutional mandates, including oversight, public engagement, and law-making. It will explore transformative approaches and strategies to enhance sector oversight and foster knowledge-sharing and an exchange of ideas on effective oversight practices with regional, continental, and international counterparts.
The Speakers Forum, comprising the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, and the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of all nine provincial legislatures, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the country's legislative sector.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
New initiative set to create job opportunities for seafarers
Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing maritime employment opportunities for South African seafarers.
“This program is not just about creating job opportunities; it is about nurturing a skilled workforce that will competently navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern maritime world,” Chikunga said on Tuesday in Cape Town.
The Minister said the Seafarer Employment and Development Programme (SEDP) will be launched in the first quarter of the new financial year.
It will provide training, mentorship, and job placement assistance to qualifying Seafarers and will serve as an international collaborative maritime research centre to address the ever-evolving needs of the maritime industry.
“This programme will play a crucial role in bolstering the employability of our seafarers and providing our seafarers with the necessary skills and expertise to excel globally. It is an initiative that underlines our commitment to not only foster growth within the maritime sector, but also contribute significantly to our national economy,” Chikunga said.
In February, the Department of Transport will be convening with industry stakeholders to discuss the workings of the SEDP.
“This gathering will be an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue, share insights, and collaboratively shape a programme that is robust, sustainable, and aligned with the industry's evolving needs,” the Minister said.
She made these remarks during the handover of the SA Agulhas, a former research vessel, which served as a critical asset in maritime education, training, and polar research.
“I am happy to confirm that with this handover, we have a firm commitment from our German Counterparts and JS Maritime represented by Captain Stefan Bulow, who will be the new owners that our aspirations for seafarer employment creation will be realised.
“The handover of the SA Agulhas is thus a strategic move on our part, ensuring that this historic vessel continues to contribute significantly under new stewardship while aligning with our national interests.”
She said the handover marked not just a transition of ownership but symbolises government’s enduring commitment to maritime excellence and innovation driven by strategic partnerships.
“As we turn this page, we are not merely looking back at her glorious past but are firmly focused on the future she heralds – a future where South Africa continues to assert its presence on the global maritime stage.
“When I got a briefing from SAMSA [South African Maritime Safety Authority] on the intended future use for the vessel, and upon learning that the vessel will continue as a platform to further the research agenda that informs the future of our planet, I was made proud once more about my association with the SA Aghulus,” the Minister said. –SAnews.go.za
nosihle
Tue, 01/30/2024 - 15:17
Mashatile calls on citizens, corporates to financially support matrics who want to study further
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on citizens, the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to join forces with government to offer financial help to youngsters who wish to further their studies.
The Deputy President was speaking on Tuesday at the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust Annual Bursary Awards in San Kopano, Alexandra, Johannesburg.
He also congratulated the Matric Class of 2023 for achieving a national pass rate of 82.9%, which is the highest in the history of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
“The dedication to your studies is truly commendable and is the reason we have gathered here to acknowledge your accomplishments. In general, the matric pass rate of 2023 is a good story for our country to tell, as it shows how the education system has transformed over the past 30 years.
“Once upon a time, it was difficult for a black child to achieve a Bachelor’s pass and have the opportunity to apply at any institution of higher learning.”
However, according to the Deputy President, due to the measures put in place by government over the years, more black children from underprivileged communities are studying at higher learning institutions.
“Government is implementing measures to enhance access to education, especially in communities that are most vulnerable and structurally marginalised,” Mashatile told the attendees.
Government, he said, is also making headway with the implementation of the three-stream curriculum model, which marks a significant change in emphasis towards more vocational and technical education.
He also spoke about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which provides financial support to eligible students from low-income households to cover tuition fees, accommodation and study materials.
“While these government initiatives are instrumental for transformation, we still urge communities, the corporate sector, and NGOs to collaborate with government in offering financial aid and other kinds of developmental support to deserving students.
“As a community, we must never deter from achieving our goal of nurturing our youth so that they can be leaders and the change-makers of tomorrow,” he said.
The Deputy President paid homage to his late friend and comrade, Vincent Tshabalala, a founder of the Alexandra Youth Congress (AYCO) and member of the ANC’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe. Tshabalala died in a battle with the apartheid police in Alexandra in 1985.
Today, hundreds of learners from the five Alexandra high schools have been awarded bursaries and some of those who have completed their studies are now chartered accountants, engineers, IT specialists, lawyers, lecturers and auditors.
“The trust appreciates the role that communities play in developing the youth. I believe that community-based development organisations can make a difference in more meaningful ways than the government or the private sector,” said Mashatile.
He encouraged the community to embrace the opportunities for local organisations to collaborate and form partnerships that will contribute to the overall wellbeing of the youth.
These community-led initiatives, he said, include efforts to strengthen and advance early childhood development, adult education and skills training.
Mashatile pleaded with the community to collaborate on the development and improvement of schools, libraries, and other educational facilities to establish a favourable atmosphere for learning.
“If we all work together to improve our community, we will be able to address the high rates of crime, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and other social ills that are eating away at the youth.
“As active community members, we have a responsibility to safeguard and lead our youth toward a path of greater success.”
The Deputy President also congratulated the learners who received awards for their outstanding performance. “We also pledge our support and guidance to these young people. We want you to know that we will be here for you throughout your academic journey.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 01/30/2024 - 15:33
South Africa will continue to stand with the vulnerable: Mashatile
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has vowed that South Africa will continue to stand for the vulnerable and marginalised, and fight for a just world.
This comes after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered Israel to, amongst others, take all measures within its power "to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide" and to immediately ensure that Palestinians have access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.
South Africa had approached the ICJ to garner not only a ceasefire of Israel’s military barrage of Palestine but also to ask the court to find the Israeli government guilty of committing acts of genocide. The ICJ found that it was “plausible” that Israel committed acts which violate the Genocide Convention.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has this week said that as a signatory to the Genocide Convention, the South African government bears a responsibility to prevent acts of genocide wherever they occur.
As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy this year, the country’s second-in-command said not only has government made significant strides in transforming South Africa but it has also left a significant mark globally by “unapologetically” choosing to stand on the side of justice.
“We are a nation that will always stand for the vulnerable and marginalised, and fight for a just world. We call upon the rest of the world to join us in this important fight for justice, equality, and peace,” Mashatile said.
The Deputy President was speaking at the South Africa Legislative Sector International Oversight Summit at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.
The two-day summit provides the sector with an opportunity to reflect on the gains made in strengthening democracy, while discussing how it can optimise its role as a guardian of democracy by improving the legislative arm of the State.
“This theme is relevant in that it reminds us of the strategic role that legislatures play in transforming society and championing the interests of all South Africans towards a better life for all,” said Mashatile.
Legislation
He told delegates that 30 years of democracy is a demonstration that it is possible to have a people-centred government that considers citizens as critical role players in policy and law-making processes.
“It is, therefore, important that through this summit, we maintain the commitments we have to these principles that underpin our democratic government and legislative sector. Parliaments must continue to be people-centred institutions that bring the voices of the people to governance.”
He cited accountability, good ethics, integrity, and transparency as critical factors for a guiding framework to strengthen the legislature’s role toward improving the lives of all South Africans.
“Without these principles, the sustainable human development agenda will not find its truest expression.”
The Deputy President also touched on effective oversight, which he believes is crucial to ensure that these principles are upheld and that institutions serve the needs of the people to realise a better life for all.
“The fundamental test of democracy lies in Parliament’s ability to maintain Executive accountability through continuous oversight. The litmus test of an active citizenry in a democracy is the extent to which Parliament can hold the government accountable to the people.”
He identified corruption, abuse of State power, and maladministration as critical deficiencies that undermine governance, institutions and processes, which leads to the erosion of public trust.
“In this regard, Chapter 9 of the Constitution mandates the creation of institutions designed to protect and support democracy.”
To demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to good governance, Mashatile cited the State Capture Commission.
“Regarding the latest report received, Parliament is currently working on proper mechanisms to address the issues raised by the report of the State Capture Commission. The Presiding Officers of Parliament have already referred certain matters requiring direct action by Parliament to parliamentary structures for processing.”
READ | Implementation of State Capture Commission recommendations continues
Elections
Meanwhile, the Deputy President commended the nation for playing an essential role in safeguarding democracy by securing free and fair elections during the last six administrations.
“Today, we are just a few months away from the National General Elections, which will mark the transition from the sixth to the seventh Parliament.
“As government, we want to assure Parliament and the international community that we have confidence in our Electoral Commission (IEC), and we strongly believe that the IEC will deliver free and fair elections in 2024 and beyond as it has done so before.”
The IEC is set to hold a voter registration drive this weekend. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 01/30/2024 - 15:39
Winde thanks roleplayers battling wildfires around the Cape Winelands
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde visited a mobile disaster management incident command centre near Wolseley on Monday after wildfires erupted in the Cape Winelands district and surrounding areas.
The fires have been raging for over a week, with high temperatures and strong winds fuelling the flames.
Affected areas include Hangklip, Buffeljags Bay, Karwyderskraal and Grabouw.
According to the Premier’s Office, fire teams in the Breede Valley and Witzenberg areas were given a slight reprieve on Sunday evening as temperatures dipped and winds subsided.
“But that was unfortunately short-lived. Winds picked up again compounding the already difficult situation.”
Despite the thousands of hectares of land that have burned, the Premier said he was relieved there has been no loss of life.
However, he said he remained very concerned about the situation generally.
“Fires are volatile and unpredictable. Coupled with the hot, windy weather, these fires have stretched our emergency teams to their limit. But I have all the confidence in our entire disaster management network to eventually bring the blaze under control, with officials in the public and private sectors working together around the clock to protect lives and infrastructure.
“Our disaster management staff have gone from floods to fires and I know the significant toll that it takes on our dedicated staff and all the volunteers who always step up,” Winde said.
Winde has described as "heroes" a group of firefighters who had come off the line for a break, having worked throughout Sunday evening.
“You make us all very proud,” he told the firefighters.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), there have been more than 4 000 fires across the Western Cape this summer, of which the vast majority have been recorded in Cape Town.
The Premier urged the public in fire-affected regions to heed the advice of officials and be vigilant.
“There can be no doubt that climate change is a major factor. That is why the Western Cape government is taking this crisis extremely seriously by planning accordingly for the future and by building up the resilience of our province. We are doing all we can to enable the private sector to pivot to renewable energy to help mitigate the climate crisis,” he stressed.
City of Cape Town's Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, announced this morning that the fire line in Hangklip was completely extinguished.
“All our firefighters are safe and accounted for. There are no injuries and no damages to any of our vehicles or equipment,” Smith explained. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 01/30/2024 - 12:00
Limpopo eight in court for fraud
Eight alleged fraudsters appeared in the Makhado Magistrate Court on Monday.
Between June and September 2019, the accused allegedly used fraudulent bank statements and Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) letters to apply for personal loans at a cash loans business in Makhado.
“After the applications were processed and approved, the applicants were paid over R250 000. The management of the cash loan business discovered the shenanigans and reported the matter to the Makhado police,” said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
The case of fraud was subsequently opened and transferred to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probing.
The Hawks’ investigations established that the accused were recruited by an outstanding suspect believed to be the mastermind.
After the case was thoroughly investigated in consultation with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) - warrants to arrest the suspects were applied for and authorised.
The accused are: Loba Mathonsi (52), Shogole Ramaisile (48), Johanna Ramodike (40), Winnie Molala (39), Raesibe Masopogo (38), Merriam Kekana (54), Oniky Morema (39) and Refiloe Ramokolo (28)
Between 28 and 29 January 2024, the accused were successfully traced and arrested in different areas around Lebowakgomo.
The accused were brought before the court and remanded in custody until Monday, 05 February 2024 for bail application.
The Hawks are still searching for the outstanding suspects, including the suspected mastermind. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 01/30/2024 - 09:42
The ANC MP was sanctioned by Parliament for state capture breaches while she was Minister of Transport
At least two people died and three shacks were destroyed in a taxi accident on Old Faure Road near Mfuleni on Friday
SAHRC releases July 2021 unrest report
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has released its report into the July 2021 unrest that unfolded in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), during which some 350 people lost their lives.
The violence and destruction also caused damage to infrastructure and businesses costing South Africa’s economy some R50 billion, with a further two million jobs being lost or affected.
Speaking at the release of the report, SAHRC Commissioner Philile Ntuli said the commission found that myriad factors contributed to the outbreak of destruction and violence during the riots.
“The violence and destruction were symptomatic of unresolved systemic conditions, including post-COVID-19 economic recovery, high unemployment, lawlessness, discrimination, socio-economic divides, and issues within the security sector.
“The Commission concluded that organised groups and individuals opportunistically exploited these conditions to attempt to usurp the rule of law,” Ntuli said.
The Commission’s work focused on four issues namely:
The SAHRC made a series of findings on and recommendations for each issue - including on the South African Police Service and the country’s intelligence services.
The full report can be obtained at https://www.sahrc.org.za/home/21/files/JULY%20UNREST%20REPORT%20FINAL_29%20JAN%202024.pdf.
Ntuli described the unrest as a well-orchestrated and a “violent culmination of deep-rooted political and social challenges” that South Africa had been facing.
“The unrest was largely attributed to typologies of organisation and orchestration of public discord, crime and protest.
“Evidence indicated that the acts during the unrest were well-orchestrated, including the blocking of the N3, destruction of factories and warehouses, attack on government communication facilities, and bombing and theft of ATMs. These events were interconnected and required significant resources.
“Two types of actors were identified during the unrest: primary actors, who led and executed widespread destruction, and secondary actors, who participated in theft. The timing of the events coincided with the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma, leading to a perception that the two were related,” Ntuli said.
Ntuli said while evidence suggests that the unrest was well orchestrated, the Commission “did not receive clear evidence identifying specific groups or individuals as primary actors, while… the common purpose or intention behind the unrest remained unclear”.
In her concluding remarks, Ntuli said the July 2021 unrest must be a “marker and a lesson” as South Africa continues its journey “from our colonial past”.
“Building a united, inclusive, safe and prosperous South Africa requires confronting the past, acknowledging present challenges, and working together for positive change. The unrest was a wake-up call, nudging us all to the reality of the fragility of the peace and security that some enjoy.
“It was a reminder that the process of democracy and constitutionalism has to benefit all, if it is to be sustained. It was a confrontation with the reality that the Bill of Rights must be realised for all, and particularly for those of whom the same rights were deprived by the colonial and apartheid governments,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 01/29/2024 - 13:23
Government activities for the week 29 January to 2 February 2024
On Monday, 29 January, the National School of Government is hosting a webinar on artificial intelligence (AI) from 11:00 to 13:00.
On Tuesday, 30 January, is the opening ceremony of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers (COM) responsible for Trade.
On Tuesday, 30 January, Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Pinky Kenana will conduct a frontline monitoring and Back to School Campaign at Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane under the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
On Wednesday, 31 January, is South Africa’s launch of the preferential trade ceremony and the closing ceremony of the Council of Ministers.
Also on Wednesday, 31 January, President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Presidential Welisizwe Bridges hand over in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Makhotso Sotyu, will lead the hand over ceremonies of the Kei Mouth and Qoloha plantations, followed by the Wilo and Ntlangaza plantations in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, 31 January.
On Wednesday, 31 January, The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will host a series of public engagement sessions to unpack the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2023) that has been published for public comment.
Janine
Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:17
President to officiate launch of SA’s first shipment under AfCFTA
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday officiate the launch of South Africa's first shipment and preferential trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The launch ceremony will take place at the Port of Durban and occurs on the margins of the 13th AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting to be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 30 - 31 January 2024.
South Africa is the first among the four Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries to practically realise the AfCFTA agreement.
The 37th African Union Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government will, at its annual convention next month, take stock of the progress made thus far in the implementation of the AfCFTA.
The successful implementation of the AfCFTA is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productive capacity, acceleration of growth, increased investment, increased employment opportunities and incomes and most importantly, broaden economic inclusion both in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
It provides South African exporters with new market access opportunities to key markets in the African continent and can unlock growth.
President Ramaphosa will be joined by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene. Other dignitaries will include the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, who will witness the first shipment of Proudly South African products exported to the continent.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said the launch ceremony will be a historic step and an instrumental tool in generating meaningful trade on the African continent through the shipment of made-in-South Africa products.
“The main message being sent to Africa and the rest of the world through this event is to illustrate that companies can trade under the AfCFTA procedures to expand their markets within a legally binding framework,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 01/29/2024 - 10:59
Following a recrewing effort, the hospital ship, Africa Mercy®, has now departed from the Port of East London for service within the nation of Madagascar for the next ten months.
During the eight-month refit in Durban's Dormac Shipyard, the ship underwent extensive repairs and maintenance to prolong and improve the vessel's service life and quality of medical services.
Highlights of the Africa Mercy's® refurbishment included an information technology (IT) upgrade enhancing the ship's operating theatre functionality and performance by enabling seamless coordination between the Africa Mercy® and Mercy Ships' latest hospital ship, the Global Mercy™, currently serving the nation of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Upgrades will support the provision of essential training for local doctors, fostering the development of in-country healthcare professionals. Additional improvements included the modernization of the galley, upgrades to the elevator system, and remodeling of several cabin spaces, enabling the ship's community to better serve those in need of surgical care.
Brenda van Straten, Director, Mercy Ships, South Africa, says: “The refit was part of a broader five-year initiative to ensure that the Africa Mercy® can continue the provision of life-changing surgeries and training over the next decade. In parallel with the Ship's refurbishment, Mercy Ships conducted eight Safer Anesthetics from Education (SAFE) courses in South Africa this past year, impacting 236 health professionals in the region.”
The courses in South Africa focused on rural and state hospitals where junior doctors were in vital need of practical approaches to managing their patients. A total of 58 South African anesthetists partnered with Mercy Ships to provide the training.
The ship's service in Madagascar is part of a five-year investment in Education, Training, and Advocacy efforts in combination with a surgical schedule, including maxillofacial and ENT, general, pediatric specialized general, pediatric orthopedic, reconstructive plastics, ophthalmic, women's health, as well as dental care.
“Madagascar faces a shortage of surgical support from both local and international partners, especially in the most vulnerable areas. We appreciate Mercy Ships' approach to reaching underserved communities. As we open 28 district hospitals, each requiring at least two surgeons, we look forward to collaborating with Mercy Ships to strengthen our surgical capacity,” shared Dr. Lethicia Lydia Yasmine, secretary general for the Ministry of Health, Madagascar.
A 2016 study found that only 20% of the population can access surgical services within two hours, and up to 95% of the population would face financial ruin if they required surgery. With approximately 20 physicians for every 100,000 people, surgical treatment feels out of reach for many.
The ten-month field service will be the fourth visit since 1996, with the most recent in 2015-2016. Over these three previous field services, Mercy Ships worked with the government and the Ministry of Health to provide 6,425 surgical procedures and over 52,000 dental procedures. In addition to providing life-changing surgical and dental care, Mercy Ships has a historic focus on education having trained a total of 2,019 healthcare professionals in Madagascar to date.
Mercy Ships still has open volunteer roles for project directors, a clinical training coordinator, informatics specialists, as well as ward nurses, IT professionals, cooks, teachers, plumbers, and electricians. For more information visit www.MercyShips.co.za
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.
Hi-res photos and general Mercy Ships B-Roll video footage are available upon request.
For more information contact:
Brenda van Straten
Director, South Africa
Mercy Ships
Email: info.zaf@mercyships.org
Website: www.MercyShips.co.za
About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.
Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world's two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit MercyShips.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.
The global economy is expanding, providing an opportunity for Black-owned businesses to succeed. Various mechanisms have been adopted to facilitate access to the necessary capital required by these businesses to align with the dynamic growth of various economic sectors.
Global Black Impact Summit
The Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) 2024 – scheduled for February 27 in Dubai – plays a pivotal role in assisting Black-owned businesses to secure capital. Organized by the Black Impact Foundation, a Dutch-based global organization empowering the Black Community and advocating for inclusivity on the global stage, GBIS 2024 will take place under the theme “Black Excellence: Unleashing the Unexplored Potential for Global Unity.” The movement serves as a premier platform for Black-owned businesses, startups, and projects to engage with potential global investors, fostering discussions and facilitating the signing of investment deals. Through a series of panel discussions, investment-focused exclusive networking sessions, and project exhibitions, GBIS 2024 will shed light on best practices and showcase diverse financial platforms dedicated to empowering Black-owned businesses.
Online Crowdfunding Platforms
Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe have become instrumental for Black-owned projects to showcase their innovative business ideas and garner support from a diverse audience. Beyond serving as a funding source, these platforms act as a means to validate market interest in the products or services offered by Black entrepreneurs. Research conducted by the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership reveals a significant evolution in funding dynamics for Black-owned businesses on Kickstarter. Businesses leveraging online crowdfunding platforms are now nearly four times more successful in securing funding.
Venture Capital Firms
Driven by a push to ensure inclusivity and gender diversity across the globe, venture capital firms have increased focus on funding Black-owned businesses. In the U.S. alone, venture capital directed to Black businesses reached record high in 2020 and continues to increase with firms such as Balmer Group – owned by Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO – releasing $400 million in investment to support Black entrepreneurs in 2022. Across Europe, platforms like the UK's Black Seed Ventures are reshaping capital access for Black-owned businesses. Since its inception in 2021, the seed fund has secured over £5 million in funding to support 30 Black-led startups within the healthcare, deeptech, and artificial intelligence sectors by 2026. Google's Startups Black Founders Fund allocated $100 million in 2022 to support the Black startup community across Africa, Europe, Brazil, and the U.S., building on the $30 million already directed towards this community since 2020.
Minority-Owned Business Grants
Grants offered by government agencies, non-profit organizations and various corporations to empower minority entrepreneurs have evolved into not only a crucial source of financial assistance for Black-owned businesses but also a significant financial catalyst, propelling the expansion of economies. South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) in collaboration with other government agencies such as the Industrial Development Corporation and the National Empowerment Fund, allocated R32 billion in grants to nearly 800 Black industrialists between 2016 and 2020. These investments have fostered socioeconomic development and shaped job creation with up to 120,000 jobs created and preserved. As the DTIC amplifies investments in Black-owned businesses to reduce reliance on imports by 2026, government grants emerge as a significant opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to access capital.
Banks
Banks play a pivotal role in empowering Black-owned businesses by facilitating access to capital. In the UK, Lloyds Bank has collaborated with the Black Business Network and FounderVine to offer financial support in the form of loans and grants to Black entrepreneurs. Additionally, in the U.S., online banking platform Guava is providing specialized services to enable Black-owned businesses to secure essential capital.
Register here (www.GlobalBlackImpact.com) for GBIS 2024 and gain first-hand insight into the various strategies to secure capital for your business.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Apart from going into a branch, calling a bank feels more human for digital-shy consumers. For many, it is the first port of call for making account changes or moving large sums of money. But how safe is voice banking really, and what are the chances of someone using generative AI to fake a consumer's voice and steal their available funds? As incidents of banking fraud grow exponentially and become increasingly sophisticated, it is time to question whether voice banking is a safe option for consumers.
Impersonation attacks continue to increase
Impersonation is one of the predominant methods fraudsters use to rob consumers. Using identifying information such as personal details or AI-generated voice, criminals can access consumer bank accounts with impunity. According to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), impersonation attacks increased by 264% (https://apo-opa.co/3vRJHy3) for the first five months of 2022 compared to 2021.
Gur Geva, founder of iiDENTIfii, explains why. “The technology required to impersonate an individual has become cheaper, easier to use and more accessible. This means that it is simpler than ever before for a criminal to assume one aspect of a person's identity.”
How voice impersonation works
Voice recognition systems in banking rely on a person saying something aloud, such as a unique catchphrase or password. This is vulnerable to exploitation because synthetic AI-generated voice technology has evolved to such an extent that it is indistinguishable from real voices. According to MIT (https://apo-opa.co/3vQzDW2) and Google (https://apo-opa.co/481DexW), generative AI voice cloning tools only need a minute of voice data–which is often scraped from social media–to create a result that is almost indistinguishable from the original.
The potential of this technology is vast. Microsoft, for example, has recently piloted an AI tool that, with a short sample of a person's voice, can generate audio in a wide range of different languages. While this has not been released for public use, it illustrates how much voice as a medium can be manipulated.
The appeal of voice recognition in banking
Voice recognition has a multitude of benefits. It is accessible to a diverse range of consumers, who only need a phone line to perform banking tasks. Voice recognition programs can often pick up a voiceprint much faster than a person can type, which streamlines and reduces friction in the banking process for consumers without needing to enter complex passwords.
“Historically, voice biometrics has been seen as an intimate and infallible part of a person's identity. For that reason, many businesses and financial institutions used it as a part of their identity verification toolbox,” says Geva.
Audio recognition technology has been an attractive security solution for financial services companies across the globe, with voice-based accounting enabling customers to deliver account instructions via verbal commands. Voice biometrics offers real-time authentication, which replaces the need for security questions or even PINs. One of the UK's biggest banks, for example, integrated Siri to facilitate mobile banking payments without the need to open or log into the banking app. An Abu Dhabi based bank introduces a biometric voice and voice-based authentication platform for e-commerce which uses biometric sensors built into a standard smartphone.
“As voice-cloning becomes a viable threat, financial institutions need to be aware of the possibility of widespread fraud in voice-based interfaces. For example, a scammer could clone a consumer's voice and transact on their behalf,” says Geva.
Do South African banks need to do away with voice authentication altogether?
Not necessarily. Thankfully, banks do not rely on a single form of authentication when performing a transaction. As the threat of cyber fraud grows, a rising number of local banks are investing in cutting-edge, multi-layered biometric authentication protocols.
Geva adds, “Our experience in mitigating fraud and our research into rising AI-enabled cybercrime trends has led us to believe that voice authentication can be made safer if it is bolstered by additional remote digital verification methods. We recommend to banking clients that they adopt multimodel identity verification, especially for sensitive transactions.”
In conclusion, voice biometrics in banking still serves several customers, particularly those who may need access to smartphone apps or in-person banking. While fraud risks abound, voice cloning is less of a threat to the public as it is difficult to roll out at scale as criminals would need to have access to substantial personal information for each target. AI voice cloning technology may be cheaper and more accurate, but, if banks employ up-to-date, enterprise-grade biometric authentication processes, they will be better protected.
Geva concludes, “While identity theft is growing in scale and sophistication, the tools we have at our disposal to prevent fraud are intelligent, scalable and up to the challenge. At iiDENTIFii, we believe that face biometrics remains the strongest form of biometrics, as the face can be matched against a government issued, trusted ID document, whereas a voice cannot. This approach is trusted by our clients, which include five of South Africa's leading banks.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iiDENTIFii.
About iiDENTIFii:
iiDENTIFii is an award-winning face authentication and identity verification platform that distinguishes itself through its use of 3D and 4D Liveness® detection. Purpose-built for enterprises across Africa and the Middle East, iiDENTIFii enables frictionless, scalable customer onboarding in seconds from anywhere and on any device. Founded in 2018, iiDENTIFii has become a proven key partner in multiple tier 1 African banks. The technology plugs seamlessly into existing infrastructures, including mobile and web-based platforms. www.iiDENTIFii.com
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With the 2024 school year in full swing, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is doing its part in ensuring the well-being and dignity of girls across the province through its Sanitary Dignity Project.
In partnership with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), DSD has delivered more than 3.432 million packs of sanitary pads to learners across the province since the inception of the project in 2019/2020.
A breakdown of the distribution figures over recent years, shows that in:
The Department intends to distribute a further 8 734 boxes or 419 323 packets during the last quarter of the current financial year.
Since 2020/21, DSD has increased the number of beneficiaries from 94 817 learners at 220 schools, to 130 396 learners at 365 schools during 2023/2024. These include farm schools, special needs schools, and DSD-funded child and youth care centres.
Just this week, Provincial Minister of Social Development Sharna Fernandez's office visited Dorothea Special School in Stellenbosch, for children with disabilities, to deliver sanitary dignity packs.
“The donation will definitely make a difference in our girls' personal hygiene as most of our learners are dependent on SASSA grants and parents struggle to afford to buy them toiletries. I also try to give the girls a packet each month, but we are lucky to have donors supporting us,” says Sister Linda Carelse, Dorothea Special School Nurse.
“Girls from impoverished communities already face immense societal and economic challenges, and those with special needs are in an even more vulnerable position. We cannot let a natural bodily function like menstruation be another barrier to their learning. We can all do our part. I call on citizens who can and the private sector to play their role in assisting schools in disadvantaged areas to level the playing field for all girls,” says Provincial Minister Fernandez.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.