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KZN Transport inspects damaged roads and houses

Location: News

KZN Transport inspects damaged roads and houses

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, has kick-started a wide inspection of roads and houses destroyed due to the persistent downpours in the province.

The province has been experiencing prolonged rainfall, since the beginning of the new year, which has damaged roads and houses in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal.  

Duma said the department has received a number of calls, including pictures, and videos from communities that are isolated and battling to access schools, hospitals, and socio-economic centres.

“Prolonged rainfall has caused so much havoc throughout the corners of the province. Bridges have been eroded, especially in deep rural areas, making it difficult for communities to access schools, clinics, and other socio-economic centres,” Duma said.

Duma said the rainfall has also affected the construction of new projects and worsened the condition of roads that are being repaired.

“Equally, as we move communities to new houses, a long list of residents without houses is increasing, following the destruction of their houses,” Duma said.

Duma said the department has offered to be on the side of the affected communities during this period - working with other departments and spheres of government.

The province-wide inspection kicked off in KwaMakhutha, KwaNgcolosi and Hillcrest, south west of Durban, where Duma observed the rehabilitation and repair of damaged roads in the areas.

Duma, who is working with roving teams from both departments, said the focus is on ensuring that the department accelerates its responses.

“Despite limited resources caused by recurring heavy rainfall and floods, we want to be closer to communities during this period of need," Duma said.

The MEC is scheduled to visit Vryheid, Empangeni and Melmoth in the northern KwaZulu-Natal, and various areas affected by the heavy rainfall in the province. – SAnews.gov.za

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Fri, 01/17/2025 - 13:41

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Strides being made to reposition eThekwini

Location: News

Strides being made to reposition eThekwini

Stakeholders in the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) have been working hard to rebuild eThekwini as well as reposition the city as an investment and tourism attraction.

Since its establishment in April 2024, the Working Group has recorded significant developments in service delivery, business confidence, addressing infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.

According to the Working Group’s progress report, business confidence in the city increased from 38.42% in the first quarter of 2024 to 63.01% in the third quarter of the same year.

To respond to the challenges of the municipality, President Cyril Ramaphosa established the eThekwini Presidential Working Group (PeWG) in April 2024. The Working Group was established to accelerate support from national and provincial government to rebuild the municipality.

The Working Group operates across three spheres of government and includes representatives from the private sector and labour.

While recently on a visit around the coastal city to assess the progress of the work by the Working Group, acting Government Spokesperson and Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Nomonde Mnukwa, noted an improvement in cleanliness and the high visibility of law enforcement in the metro.

With the recent opening of the Durban Beach Café by the eThekwini Municipality, Mnukwa visited the beachfront, which is a tourist attraction.

“As government, we are working together with the private sector. We want to make sure that eThekwini is an area that attracts tourists, given that tourism is a major contributor to the economy and creates jobs for the locals.

“We are pleased with the renewal of the lease for the Southern Sun Hotel Group as it will see the redevelopment of the Elangeni and Maharani hotels for a period of 50 years. The redevelopment will enable the municipality to enhance the beachfront as a key tourism asset,” she said.

The redevelopment entails an estimated capital investment of R1 billion, including the refurbishment of the Elangeni and Maharani hotels, as well as the Garden Court South Beach and The Edward hotels which are also owned by Southern Sun.

In addition, a fund of R5 million will be made available to restore and maintain the Sunken Gardens, a historically significant park owned by the municipality on the beachfront, in front of the hotels.

“These interventions will ensure that eThekwini is a vibrant city,” she said.

The eThekwini Municipality has also appointed a developer for the long-term leasing and redevelopment of the Joe Cool’s building to further enhance the aesthetics of the beachfront.

With crime being one of the challenges that act as a deterrent to holidaymakers and drive away investors, the Metro Police is working with all law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service, Road Traffic Inspectorate, and private security companies, to maintain high visibility at all tourism sites and areas that have been identified as crime hotspots.

The Metro Police procured an additional 146 vehicles last October to bolster the municipality’s crime fighting and prevention efforts.

In addition, last December, 2 699 newly trained Constables graduated and were deployed to stations and units to bolster the South African Police Service (SAPS) crime combatting efforts. 

“The recent recruitment of new police officers and the work being done as part of Operation Shanela are contributing to efforts to keep citizens safe,” Mnukwa said.

Operation Shanela consists of regular stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle check points, high visibility patrols including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects with a focus on murder and rape suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers.

Upgrading dilapidated infrastructure  

During her visit to the city, Mnukwa visited the Durban Textile and Leather Incubator (DTLI), which was previously an unused building by the state. It has now been refurbished.

“The city is reviving a number of dilapidated buildings to ensure that the inner city is fully functional, safe and vibrant,” she said. 

DTLI Executive Director, Dr Poppet Pillay, said the building was very old and needed extensive renovation but it was perfectly located in the city centre close to public transport, making it accessible to Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from anywhere in the province.

“The centre has 12 high-end sewing machines. Entrepreneurs have access to these machines at nominal charge. Seven entrepreneurs were sponsored to participate in the Manufacturing Indaba in July 2023 and 14 entrepreneurs were sponsored to attend the Durban Business Fair in September 2023, thus linking them to the market.

“One of the businesses, Eagle Eye, won the Best Youth SMME award valued at R50 000. Eagle Eye is currently selling branded products at the Edgars store in Gateway Umhlanga. Some of the entrepreneurs are already exporting their clothing brands internationally and one entrepreneur was invited to join the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) programme for leather production,” Pillay said.

Furthermore, two entrepreneurs were sponsored by the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Commerce to attend the Bharath Textile Fair in India, last year April.

“We are so thrilled to see how our entrepreneurs have grown - not only as a business but also in terms of confidence and ability to market themselves,” she said.

The Incubator is the result of a partnership between the Small Enterprise Development Agency - Science and Technology Programme (SEDA STP) and eThekwini Municipality.

The business incubator supports and grows SMMEs within the Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather Sector in eThekwini and surrounding areas by nurturing a business from idea generation to start-up companies through a comprehensive business support programme.

“Besides the normal incubation programme, DTLI has partnered with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Textile Science and Apparel Technology Dept to run a six-week Ideation Programme for their post-grad students,” Pillay said.

It has also collaborated with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA) to run a virtual workshop on Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for 152 SMMEs in the sector.

The incubator has a cohort of 54 SMMEs and provides a range of services that includes technology transfer and access to specialized machines, access to markets, access to funding and financial management, compliance and legal, productivity and business processes. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 13:54

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Ithala retail depositors assured of protection after liquidation

Location: News

Ithala retail depositors assured of protection after liquidation

National Treasury has assured the retail depositors of Ithala SOC Limited that their deposits will be protected by a government guarantee, subject to the conclusion of the necessary technical work.

“Following the Prudential Authority's application for provisional liquidation of Ithala SOC Limited, we understand that depositors may be concerned about the safety of their funds,” National Treasury said on Friday.

The Prudential Authority has filed for the provisional liquidation of Ithala SOC Limited in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. This decision aims to protect approximately 257 000 depositors, with the appointed liquidator utilising insolvency laws to recover and distribute funds.

Ithala, which operated under a temporary exemption from the Banks Act, failed to meet the conditions required to obtain a banking licence. The exemption, granted by the Minister of Finance, lapsed in December 2023, leaving Ithala unable to continue deposit-taking activities legally. 

Treasury said the technical work to be done includes providing a government guarantee to one or more banking institutions to ensure the accounts of depositors can be migrated timeously and funds can be made available.

“We are working closely with the Prudential Authority to ensure an orderly process that protects depositors' interests.

“While depositors will need to urgently make alternative banking arrangements, they can be assured that we will endeavour to secure their funds as far as is possible.

“National Treasury will provide further details about the process for accessing guaranteed funds following the court's decision on the liquidation application,” National Treasury said. - SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 09:32

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Lamola to hear challenges facing South Sudan’s transitional government

Location: News

Lamola to hear challenges facing South Sudan's transitional government

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has arrived in Juba, South Sudan, to lead a South African government delegation to address the challenges facing the East African country’s transitional government in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

According to the department, the visit is important, following the decision by the parties involved in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), to extend the mandate of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU), until February 2027. 

The Ministers and the African Union Commission (AUC) will also gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges in implementing the R-ARCSS and assess the support required to ensure that it is implemented.

The African Union High-Level Ad hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5) comprises South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda. 

The C5 has been following developments related to the implementation of the R-ARCSS since its signing in 2018, to end the 2013-2018 South Sudanese civil war. 

“During the visit, the Ministers will meet leaders of the government of South Sudan, as well as representatives of regional and international organisations,” the department said. 

The meeting will include several key figures, including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramadan Mohammad Abdallah, and Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), General Charles Tai Gituai. 

Other leaders expected to be present, include Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, and representatives from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Monitoring and Verification Mechanism for South Sudan.

During the talks, Rwanda will be represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier JP Nduhungirehe, and Algeria’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Selma Mansouri. 

“Chad and Nigeria will be represented by their Permanent Representatives in Addis Ababa. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, will represent the AU.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Fri, 01/17/2025 - 11:10

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Law enforcement commended for major abalone bust

Location: News

Law enforcement commended for major abalone bust

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has welcomed the confiscation of over 250 kilograms of abalone in the City of Cape Town.

The City of Cape Town’s Special Operations Unit, Law Enforcement, and the Internal Investigations Unit, successfully intercepted a major poaching operation on Thursday.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the entire team who contributed in any way to the successful operation in Hout Bay.  Thanks to their swift and coordinated efforts, supported by the cutting-edge capabilities of the City’s Eye in the Sky, they managed to successfully stop the  abalone poaching operation. 

“The integration of technology with on-the-ground responses allowed them to track and apprehend suspects in real-time, leading to the confiscation of abalone, a valuable resource that would have otherwise been stolen from our natural environment. This bust represents the kind of proactive, intelligent policing that is crucial in the fight against poaching and other forms of organised crime,” the Minister said on Friday.

George said the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect, who is now in custody at Hout Bay Police Station, highlights government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the city’s natural resources and ensuring the safety and well-being of communities.

“We are also grateful to the officers who, despite facing unwarranted hostility from some members of the community, remained focused on their mission. Such acts of bravery and professionalism exemplify the standard of service we expect from our law enforcement teams.

“This operation, though successful, serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by illegal poaching in our coastal region. I hope this success will deter others from engaging in the illegal exploitation of our resources and will encourage all Cape Town residents to stand together in support of law enforcement efforts aimed at protecting their city,” George said. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 11:11

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Community work contracts extended for participants aged 55 and older

Location: News

Community work contracts extended for participants aged 55 and older

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has announced the extension of Community Work Programme (CWP) contracts for participants aged 55 and older. 

This decision follows a bilateral meeting between Hlabisa and the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, regarding the contracts for CWP participants.

According to the department, the meeting was essential in addressing the critical challenge of significant budget cuts to the CWP. 

“These cuts adversely impact participant payments and risk unauthorised expenditure by the Department of Cooperative Governance. It is imperative that we take decisive action to protect the programme’s integrity and ensure that participants receive the support they deserve,” said Hlabisa. 

The department announced in August last year its decision to end the participation of CWP workers who also receive old age grants, aiming to redirect resources to those who rely solely on the programme for their livelihood.

The department stated that the decision followed a thorough verification process conducted in collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

SAnews reported last year that the final stipend was set to be paid on 25 September 2024.

However, government has since decided to extend the contracts of CWP participants aged 55 years and older until the end of March 2025, while exploring viable and sustainable solutions.

Hlabisa reiterated government’s commitment to safeguarding the programme’s gains.

The programme is a transformative public employment initiative that responds directly to social security by providing temporary employment safety nets. 

The department explained that it was founded on the principle of graduating participants from poverty to sustenance through skilling and community development.

“We are currently engaged in constructive consultations and will provide regular updates as the department works closely with all relevant stakeholders. We aim to address this issue thoughtfully, ensuring a careful balance between financial responsibility and social accountability,” said the Minister. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 09:54

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Government-Business Partnership reaffirms commitment to economic growth

Location: News

Government-Business Partnership reaffirms commitment to economic growth

The Government-Business Partnership has set an ambitious agenda for 2025, reaffirming its commitment to driving reforms, economic growth, and job creation. 

On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with ministers and senior business leaders to solidify the partnership’s pledge to significantly grow South Africa's economy.

For 2025, the focus is on accelerating crucial reforms, operational improvements, and key interventions in energy, transport and logistics, crime and corruption, and youth employment. 

Building on the achievements of Phase 1 of the partnership, including the significant reduction in load shedding, the partners highlighted other milestones such as the promulgation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act (ERA) and the release of the Transnet Network Statement in December, as critical steps in driving economic transformation.

The successful full implementation of these interventions, alongside ongoing reforms through Operation Vulindlela, has the potential to lift Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth above 3%, which is vital to addressing unemployment. 

South Africa needs to attract the substantial investment needed to help drive more robust and inclusive economic growth. However, the partners acknowledged the need for accelerated efforts to deliver on their ambitious plans.

The partnership is underpinned by principles of exceptional governance, clear role delineation between government and business, and a results-driven approach. 

As the host of the G20 summit, and the B20, South Africa aims to showcase this partnership as a model for successful public-private collaboration. It serves as a case study for leveraging business expertise and resources to advance government policy in areas requiring transformative reforms to boost economic growth.

Looking ahead, the partnership aims to craft a more optimistic narrative for "SA Inc," attract substantial investments, and drive inclusive economic growth and job creation. 

The partners emphasised the importance of seizing this moment to achieve meaningful progress and deliver tangible outcomes for the nation.

“As we begin what promises to be a momentous year, there is much progress to build on. We know that to achieve a goal of 3% economic growth will require an extraordinary effort, not just from this partnership but from all stakeholders and all South Africans. 

“This means we have to remain focused and purpose-driven and accelerate implementation. Together we are moving ever closer to the promise of a thriving and inclusive economy that meets the needs of all our people,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Fri, 01/17/2025 - 09:35

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WEF meeting a ‘golden opportunity’ for South Africa

Location: News

WEF meeting a 'golden opportunity' for South Africa

This year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting to be held in Davos, Switzerland, will be significant for South Africa, particularly as the country takes its spot at the forum bearing the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20).

This is according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who addressed the pre-WEF breakfast session held in Sandton on Thursday.

The WEF annual meeting will be held from 20 January, with several Ministers, civil society and business leaders from South Africa expected to attend.

“This year’s WEF is particularly significant for South Africa. For the first time in many years, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, will lead the South African delegation. This presents a golden opportunity to not only strengthen South Africa’s visibility on the world stage, but to also profile our G20 Presidency. 

“Under the theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, our G20 Presidency reflects the essence of South Africa’s vision for global leadership,” Godongwana said.

The Minister told the breakfast session – which was attended by Ministers, high ranking government officials and business leaders – that Team South Africa will be presenting a united front at the WEF meeting.

“The WEF Annual Meeting brings together a wide array of key global stakeholders. These audiences are keen to understand the opportunities and challenges facing South Africa.

“It is essential that we align our key messages to showcase our country’s strengths, address misconceptions and advance our collective priorities. By presenting a unified message, we can enhance South Africa’s standing and influence in the global community,” he said.

The local environment

Godongwana acknowledged that the South African economy still faces challenges. However, he emphasised that there are reasons for optimism.

“The third quarter contraction, combined with the slight downward revision of the second quarter GDP, resulted in modest growth of 0.4% over the first three quarters of 2024. This was below the projections included in the 2024 MTBPS [Medium Term Budget Policy Statement] macroeconomic forecast. 

“However, we remain cautiously optimistic. There are significant upside risks to growth in the final quarter, including faster-than-anticipated easing of inflationary pressures, improved electricity reliability, and the stimulus effect of the withdrawals of the two-pot retirement system. While the road ahead is challenging, these positive indicators provide a foundation for stronger growth in 2025 and beyond,” he said.

The 2025 WEF annual meeting will be the first for the seventh administration and the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Godongwana said since its formation last year, the GNU has “demonstrated its potential to unite the nation and foster progress”.

“This era of governance has allowed for meaningful discussions on accelerating structural reforms. 

“The positive reception from both the markets and the public has created a conducive environment for the GNU to deliver on its commitments and build an investment friendly environment,” he said.

Returning to his earlier point, the Minister reiterated the importance of “collaboration between business and government, as we prepare to present South Africa’s story on the global stage”.

“As we prepare to represent South Africa in Davos, let us remember the strength that lies in collaboration. 

“Together, government and business can drive the messages that matter most, which are those of resilience, opportunity, and shared prosperity,” Godongwana concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Thu, 01/16/2025 - 12:20

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Team South Africa heads into WEF with ‘confidence’

Location: News

Team South Africa heads into WEF with 'confidence'

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau says engagements at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting are a platform for South Africa to show that it is addressing the challenges facing the economy and the country.

The Minister was speaking during a media briefing following the pre-WEF Annual Meeting breakfast session held on Thursday.

The annual meeting will be held from Monday next week and is expected to conclude on Friday.

“I think that there is great prospect for us to ensure that we present the South African story for what it is, not what we hope it is, but what it is.

“And it doesn't suggest that…there aren’t difficulties in the country. We say we’re confronting the difficulties. We’re working on resolving the issues growing the economy and addressing our challenges,” Tau said.

The Minister said the importance of attending the WEF meeting cannot be underestimated in the face of South Africa’s ambitions to prop itself up as an investment destination of choice.

“If you look at the individual diaries of the individuals that would be there, it is quite extensive the number of people and influential business and government leaders that would be engaging. [This is] both in terms of our collective engagements with people at Davos, the different platforms that we would be engaging on, but also, in terms of the one-on-one sessions that have been scheduled for individual ministers, CEOs, Chairpersons, leaders of parastatals and so on.

“If you were to quantify the value of the engagements, I think it's quite extensive because the people that you would be engaging with that would be looking at you as a potential investment destination…or increasing their investments in the country.
“Those would be one on one sessions that are quite invaluable,” he explained.

Team South Africa

The delegation representing South Africa at the annual meeting is expected to be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa who will be joined by several Ministers and civil society and business leaders.

Speaking at the pre-WEF briefing, leaders in the South African business sector expressed support for Team South Africa heading into the annual meeting.

Standard Bank Chairperson Nonkululeko Nyembezi said the breakfast session with government emphasised the importance of “the alignment between government and business”.

“We …stress the fact that it’s not just for government to put across messaging about the country. The business community has got a singular responsibility in this regard because we’re talking to our business counterparts, talking the language they understand, telling them how we see our country evolving in our continent over the future.

“The economy is visibly growing and accelerating in that part. Clearly the electricity issue is a foundational element of that, but there are others that we can point to that show that we are getting on top of the issues.

“[But] we’ve got to keep it real. We haven’t solved every single problem, we still have unemployment that is unacceptably high etc, and those things we can be quite balanced about. footing this time around But I think Team South Africa is striding on far firmer,” Nyembezi said.

Discovery CEO, Adrian Gore, said South Africa’s showing at the WEF meeting will be “different”.

“I think from a business perspective, I think there is an unequivocal feeling that this year is different. The country…hopefully at a point of inflection. There are tremendous challenges that remain.

“But…I think ironically the theme of WEF is collaboration and, if anything, our country is illustrating that both in the GNU [and] certainly in the business-government partnership that is a fundamentally powerful construct.

“It’s…become a very well governed structure of cadence and uniqueness and is delivering very, very well to the country. So, there are a number of attributes we feel very confident about going into WEF,” Gore said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Thu, 01/16/2025 - 14:01

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eThekwini invests millions to upgrade infrastructure

Location: News

eThekwini invests millions to upgrade infrastructure

Just like many cities in South Africa, eThekwini is experiencing urban decay due to migration for economic opportunities, property abandonment, service delivery and crime.

These conditions were exacerbated, in part, by the catastrophic floods in 2022 that destroyed critical infrastructure, including roads, communication and electrical systems.

To respond to the challenges of the municipality, President Cyril Ramaphosa established the eThekwini Presidential Working Group (PeWG) in April 2024.

The Working Group was established to accelerate support from national and provincial government to rebuild the municipality.

Since its establishment, the Working Group has provided support and fast-tracked efforts by the eThekwini municipality to improve service delivery, improve business confidence, and reposition eThekwini as an investment and tourism attraction.

The Working Group operates across three spheres of government and includes representatives from the private sector and labour.

Developing the informal economy

Last November, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality announced plans to develop the informal economy sector by upgrading the infrastructure used by traders.

These projects include the R10 million upgrade of the Dalton Art and Craft Market, R15 million upgrade for the Mansel Road Market, R2.5 million upgrade for the Tongaat Trader Market, R4 million upgrade for the KwaMaKhutha Business Hive (Ward 94) and the R4.3 million upgrade for the Klaarwater Business Hive (Ward 17).

Traders at the Mansel Road Market were visited by Small Business Development Minister Stella-Ndabeni-Abrahams last year.

“The Minister handed over about 100 sewing machines, equipment for those running food handling facilities such as freezers, pots, gas stoves, and microwaves.

“This doesn’t happen anywhere on the continent where the government freely provides equipment to informal traders. This shows us that our government is taking care of us,” Chairman for Mansel Road Market Traders Mboneni Qwabe told SAnews during a visit to the site recently.

eThekwini Municipality Senior Manager for the Informal Economy, Michael Hlangu, said the Mansel Road Market was a hive of activity during weekends with customers coming from all over South Africa and other countries on the continent.
The retail market offers among others clothing, food stalls, traditional drums, bedding, and traditional attire.
About 180 traders operating at the market are expected to benefit from the refurbishment of the facility, which includes a new building with new ablution facilities, electricity, water and a parking area.

“We have 184 container traders. Some of the containers are dilapidated. We are planning to convert the containers into brick and mortar. We have appointed contractors for the project and the traders will be relocated this month to a new location so the construction of the project can commence.

“During the construction phase it is anticipated that about 100 people will benefit from job opportunities. All traders that are operating in this facility have been registered with the municipality.

“The majority of them have business licences and they renew them on an annual basis. The rental for the food section [is] R664 per month and they sign a lease agreement with the municipality. We regularly conduct training on health and safety to ensure that the vendors comply with the regulations and by-laws,” Hlangu explained.

The municipality is responsible for maintaining the facility, which includes providing security, cleaning services and electricity.

Making a difference

Qwabe said the municipality hosts business summits each year and updates traders on the work being done to uplift the informal economy.

“There is a lot of work that has been done to improve the operations of the traders. When this place was opened in 1996, there were no containers. People were selling from their cars under the carport, and this was changed to containers, but the containers have deteriorated over the years.

“The municipality has come to assist the traders as they are now building a new structure for us. We have seen the plan and it’s good. We will be able to attract tourists with the new building,” he said.

Qwabe further explained that Mansel Road Market is a hub for traditional attire.

“It’s unfortunate that tourists don’t visit this area. I don’t think that when they return to their home countries, they have enough to show that they were in South Africa.

“We are the Zulu kingdom and in the Zulu kingdom there are items that showcase the Zulu culture, and you will find them here. We have unique items that you won’t find anywhere else. We would like the market to be a tourist attraction,” Qwabe said. -SAnews.gov.za

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Thu, 01/16/2025 - 12:05

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Transforming eThekwini into a safer city

Location: News

Transforming eThekwini into a safer city

The city of eThekwini is famous for its year round warm weather; its pristine beaches; its rich Zulu heritage and its friendly people.

These attractions make the coastal city an ideal place for investors to do business in Durban.

However, in recent years, the economic powerhouse of KwaZulu-Natal has lost some of its appeal due to among other things, contamination at its beaches, a decline in tourism, water supply challenges, an increase in crime, dilapidated infrastructure and challenges with maintaining cleanliness.

To return the city to its former glory, President Cyril Ramaphosa established the eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) in April 2024.

The PeWG is a multi-stakeholder mechanism crafted to address critical service delivery, infrastructure and socio-economic challenges within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality with the goal of positioning the city as an investment and tourism hub.

It operates across three spheres of government and includes representatives from the private sector and labour.

With crime being one of the challenges that act as a deterrent to holidaymakers and drive away investors in the city, the South African Police Service (SAPS) working together with the city, has increased crime combating operations and deployed more boots on the ground to ensure visibility. 

In the lead up to the festive season, between 1 October and 15 November 2024, over 31 491 law enforcement officers from SAPS and 1538 metro police officers were deployed in eThekwini to enhance community safety through high-density operations. These operations are ongoing and continued throughout the festive season.

Speaking exclusively to SAnews about law enforcement operations in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said the collaboration with the Metro Police and other law enforcement agencies was producing great results.

“As the SAPS, working together with the Metro Police and other law enforcement agencies, we have been able to push back on crime. We have been able to increase patrols, intelligence collection and crime combating operations. 

“We have also been able to create an environment that enables business to operate. Our mission is to create a conducive environment for business to operate and function so that our citizens can get employment," Mkhwanazi said.

According to the progress report by the Working Group, business confidence in 2024 increased by 24.59%. In the first quarter, business confidence stood at 38.42% and increased to 63.01% in the third quarter.

“We must appreciate the intervention from national government through the Working Group. With the collaborative efforts of working with other government departments that are driving tourism and the security cluster, we have seen an increase in the recruitment of metro police officers that joined the service to ensure that we have more officers on the ground.

“As the SAPS, we have also received new Constables that were recruited and deployed in this area to ensure visibility on the ground. We are deploying strategically in key areas that are a hotspot for crime, and we have been able to reduce criminal activities in those areas,” he said.

As a result, residents can enjoy going for a jog at the beach front as early as 4am in the morning, as law enforcement operations are being implemented around the clock.

“We have maximum visibility by using blue light patrols which enables people to see our presence when the sun goes down. Anyone witnessing crime can easily reach out to law enforcement officials.

“We have increased the foot patrols to ensure that we can reach places that we would ordinarily not see when we are driving in the vehicles. We have procured motorbikes and deployed bicycles in the beachfront as well as in the city.

“We are confident with the operations that we are running in the city. We are seeing an increase in tourists visiting the city and business confidence. We are also partnering with the private sector’s security companies that are looking after business establishments in the city,” Mkhwanazi said.

Last November, the city announced that it was transferring its Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) to the Metro Police Unit and Fire and Emergency Unit for management to enhance crime fighting and public safety while ensuring coordinated efforts to respond effectively to disasters.

The transfer included the Emergency Mobilising and Communication Centre (EMACC) and the technical services functions, which are being transferred to the Information Management Unit under the Office of the City Manager.

“In the past, these cameras were being controlled by Disaster Management, which was a challenge for law enforcement to utilise and operate them. With the transfer, the police have easy access to the cameras and as a result the response time to crime is shorter.

“Law enforcement can respond with speed because we have police officers monitoring the cameras and guide the members on the ground to respond to criminal activities. These are some of the results that we are seeing due to the work of the Working Group. Technology play a big role in in our crime fighting efforts,” the provincial Police Commissioner said.

Between 1 October and 15 November 2024, operations by SAPS officers and metro police officers saw 1 500 arrests, 150 undocumented persons were arrested, 322 suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms and 58 949 drugs were recovered. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 14:53

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Matrics who didn’t do well urged to pursue post-school training

Location: News

Matrics who didn’t do well urged to pursue post-school training

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Professor Blade Nzimande, has encouraged learners who did not perform well to remain hopeful and explore other options, including various post-school training opportunities, or to consider taking advantage of a second chance to improve their results.

Nzimande made the call as he joined the nation in celebrating the hard work and achievements of the Grade 12 Class of 2024. 

“As Minister responsible for the development and promotion of science, technology, and innovation in South Africa, I fully share the concerns of the Minister of Basic Education that our learners in Grades 5 to 9 significantly underperform in relation to their global counterparts in mathematics and science,” the Minister said in a statement.

Nzimande noted a decline in enrolments in critical subjects, such as physical sciences, mathematics, accounting, and economics, according to data. 

These subjects are essential for a nation’s progress in science, innovation, and economic development.

In the next five years, Nzimande said the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will actively support government efforts to enhance the performance of the schooling system in science and mathematics subjects.

The Minister believes that the nation requires massive and sustained growth in the production of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates, if South Africa is to forge a technology-led future.

“It is for this reason that we, as the DSTI have adopted the mantra, which says: Placing science, technology, and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry and society," Nzimande said.

As part of the department’s contribution to addressing the maths and science-related challenges in the basic education sector, Nzimande said the department will seek to strengthen its existing cooperation with the Department of Basic Education, which is supported by cooperation agreements with the nine provincial departments of education. 

In addition, the department has vowed to also strengthen existing cooperation with the Department of Higher Education, which is the main department in respect of higher education skills development, which includes science skills development. 

“We are currently implementing several extra-curricular and non-formal activities in the basic education sector, whose main objective is to excite learners about maths and science and contribute towards improved learner performance in maths and science. 

"These activities include the flagship science engagement program known as National Science Week (NSW), career guidance, and the distribution of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) career materials at various events, communities, and schools," Nzimande said.

He added that the department believes that the Mathematics Olympiads are extremely important, as they help develop the problem-solving skills of learners. 

In 2023, more than 77 000 learners participated in the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO), a science engagement activity that focuses on high school learners. 

In 2024, more than 84 000 primary school learners participated in the South African Mathematics Challenge. 

“We believe that all our science awareness and engagement interventions are not just critical for enhancing learner performance in maths and science, but also to enable our strategic goal of placing science, technology, and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry, and society.” 

For additional information on accessing careers in science and training materials, please contact the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Deputy Director for Science Promotion, Bersan Lesch at 071 112 6236 or Bersan.Lesch@dsti.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 10:42

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Aspiring traffic officers in Western Cape warned about college scam

Location: News

Aspiring traffic officers in Western Cape warned about college scam

The Western Cape Mobility Department said it is aware of fraudulent activities where individuals are being scammed into paying fees to attend the provincial Gene Louw Traffic Training College.

“The unscrupulous scammers, operating via social media, falsely claim to represent the college and request payments of R150 for registration forms and a further R3 000 for enrolment,” the department’s statement read. 

In late 2024 and early 2025, several individuals arrived at the college, believing they had secured training opportunities, only to discover they had been deceived, according to the provincial department.

A case of fraud has been opened and the department is actively working with law enforcement agencies.

“Gene Louw Traffic Training College emphatically states that no payments are required to secure admission, and it will not communicate through social media platforms on recruitment or training opportunities. Members of the public are urged to be vigilant and recognise that any such request is a scam.”

The department said there are no specific timelines for these advertisements and that prospective applicants should regularly monitor official channels.

Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, said the safety and security of residents extend beyond the road and into the integrity of our institutions. 

“It is deeply concerning that scammers are preying on the hopes and ambitions of those seeking to serve our communities as traffic officers. The department will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our law-abiding residents and maintain the trustworthiness of our recruitment processes. 

“I urge everyone to remain cautious and report suspicious activities immediately,” Sileku explained. 

The Head of the Gene Louw Traffic College, Jacqueline Tweedie, said they were disheartened by these fraudulent activities that exploit the aspirations of prospective traffic officers. 

“This institution is committed to providing transparent and fair training opportunities to all qualified candidates. We remind everyone that admission to the college does not require any form of payment. Please verify all information through official channels to avoid falling victim to these scams,” Tweedie added.

Steps to becoming a Traffic Officer in the Western Cape:

•    Posts for Traffic Officers are officially advertised by the Western Cape Mobility Department in newspapers and on the Western Cape Government website.
•    A Traffic Officer qualification is not a prerequisite when applying for advertised posts.
•     Applications are reviewed, and successful candidates are invited for recruitment processes.
•    Only those who pass the recruitment process are admitted to training for a traffic officer qualification.

What to do if you are approached:

•    Do not make any payments or share personal information with individuals claiming to represent the Traffic Training College via social media or unofficial platforms.
•    Verify information directly through the Western Cape Government website.
•     Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 11:47

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Empowering public service through Open Distance eLearning

Location: News

Empowering public service through Open Distance eLearning

By Fran Greyling

The need for continuous professional development is more important than ever. With the increasing demand for flexible, cost-effective, and scalable learning opportunities, Open Distance eLearning (ODeL) has emerged as a transformative solution. 

One institution leading the charge in this space is the National School of Government (NSG), offering a suite of 20 ODeL courses tailored for public servants. These courses are carefully curated to address the evolving learning and development needs of public sector employees and are expanded annually.

A flexible, cost-effective, and scalable solution

ODeL is a flexible delivery model that ensures learning can be accessed by individuals regardless of location or time constraints. This flexibility is particularly beneficial to officials who often manage busy schedules and numerous responsibilities. Through ODeL, they can engage with course materials at their own pace, on their own terms, without the need for travel or time away from their duties.

Moreover, the scalability of the ODeL model is a significant advantage. By offering online courses, the NSG can reach a large audience, expanding its reach to public officials across various levels of government. 

In addition to its flexibility and scalability, ODeL is a cost-effective learning model. Traditional in-person training programmes can be expensive, not only in terms of course fees but also when accounting for travel, accommodation, and other associated costs. By offering most of its ODeL courses for free, the NSG is making a significant contribution to the development of public sector employees, ensuring that cost does not become a barrier to learning. This commitment to providing free courses aligns with the School’s mission to promote capable and professional public service.

Supporting national goals and professionalisation

The NSG’s ODeL initiative plays a role in implementing the National Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, which is a key aspect of South Africa’s strategy for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of its public service. The framework is structured around several pillars.

Pillar 2 focuses on, among others, reorienting the public service to meet the demands of citizens and government. An online Reorientation course reminds public servants of their obligations and equips them with the tools to navigate everyday challenges.

Pillar 4 is dedicated to ensuring continuous professional development for public sector employees. ODeL is an effective vehicle for achieving this goal. By offering a broad range of courses that focus on critical knowledge, skills, and values, the NSG is facilitating ongoing learning and development for public servants. Our free courses are designed to improve performance in the workplace. The courses include an introduction to core management competencies such as strategic planning, leading change, project management, financial management, and human resource management. Additional courses focus on promoting ethical behaviour and fostering anti-discrimination awareness. The Know and Live Our Constitution course addresses constitutional obligations, providing a foundation for other courses that focus on the responsible and accountable use of government resources. ODeL also supports performance improvement by offering courses that develop practical skills, such as professional writing.

A catalyst for online learning and development

The COVID-19 pandemic, though a challenge for many industries, proved to be a catalyst for the uptake of ODeL. As in-person learning became impractical due to health restrictions, institutions and organisations turned to online learning as a viable alternative. Public servants embraced the flexibility and accessibility offered by ODeL platforms, allowing them to continue their professional development during a time of uncertainty.

Since the onset of the pandemic, more than 250,000 ODeL opportunities have been created for public officials. These opportunities span all spheres of government and across all provinces in the country. This wide-reaching impact highlights the strong demand for accessible learning and development programmes and the success of ODeL in meeting this need. The high levels of participation and completion are strong indicators that ODeL is addressing genuine learning needs. 

Easy access

The process for enrolling in these courses is straightforward. Public servants can easily access the NSG’s website, browse the available courses, register, and begin their learning journey. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, providing officials with just-in-time learning opportunities. 

The ODeL courses currently on offer are the following:

  • Championing Anti-discrimination in the Public Service
  • Ethics for Internal Auditors
  • Ethics in the Public Service
  • Financial Management Delegations of Authority 
  • Generally Recognised Accounting Practice
  • Introduction to Financial Management and Budgeting
  • Introduction to Leading Change
  • Introduction to Policy Formulation and Implementation
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • Introduction to Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Introduction to Strategic Planning and Management
  • Know and Live our Constitution
  • Managing Performance in the Public Service
  • Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts
  • Nyukela (Pre-entry into the Public Service)
  • Operations Management Framework
  • Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and Ill-Health Retirement
  • Public Service Reorientation
  • Writing for Government: Advanced Writing Skills
  • Writing for Government: Basic Writing Skills

Looking ahead

As the world of public service continues to evolve, the role of ODeL in supporting professional growth and development is becoming increasingly important. The future of learning and development is undoubtedly shifting towards online platforms, and initiatives like ODeL offer new opportunities for growth and learning. Public servants across the country now have greater access to flexible and relevant learning opportunities, helping to enhance their skills and contribute to a more effective public service.

More information is available on the NSG website on www.gov.za or email elearning@thensg.gov.za and for bookings contactcentre@thensg.gov.za.

*Dr Fran Greyling is the Chief Director responsible for eLearning at the National School of Government.

Janine
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 08:46

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President Ramaphosa chairs first Presidential Economic Advisory Council meeting

Location: News

President Ramaphosa chairs first Presidential Economic Advisory Council meeting

President Cyril Ramaphosa has chaired the first meeting of the newly appointed Presidential Economic Advisory Council for the seventh administration.

The meeting was held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Tuesday.

“The Presidential Economic Advisory Council will play an important role in providing independent advice as we seek to ensure that our economic policy is informed by sound evidence, by innovation, and by a diversity of views and opinions," the President said.

A statement by the Presidency said the President welcomed members and emphasised the important role the Council plays “as the Government of National Unity looks to reignite economic growth and tackle poverty and inequality”.

“The meeting reaffirmed the necessity of structural transformation and economic reforms to accelerate economic growth and discussed forward-looking policy proposals in areas such as green industrial policy, skills development, and macroeconomic policy,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the statement revealed that discussions also forayed into “the need to position South Africa for growth in a rapidly changing global environment, in which technological advances in artificial intelligence and the imperative of tackling climate change will lead to structural changes in economies”.

Discussions were also held on South Africa’s Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) and the country’s role in “advancing the global economic policy agenda as it assumes the Presidency of the G20”.

“President Ramaphosa has outlined a set of clear and actionable priorities for the G20 Presidency which include mobilising finance to support a just transition, addressing the unsustainable debt burden on developing countries, strengthening disaster resilience and response, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

“The meeting discussed proposals to advance these priorities, building on the progress made on issues such as international taxation, reform of multilateral development banks, and climate finance,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 09:04

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Government congratulates Matric Class of 2024  

Location: News

Government congratulates Matric Class of 2024  

Government has extended its congratulations to the Matric Class of 2024 for their outstanding performance in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. 

With a pass rate of 87.3% - the matriculants have exceeded the 82.9% achieved in 2023, marking an impressive improvement of 4.4%. 

The class of 2024 has worked hard and with determination, reflecting a collective effort from learners, teachers, parents, guardians and caregivers. 

“The 2024 results mark a significant milestone in the history of South Africa’s education system, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of democracy. In 1994, many learners faced various odds, with limited access to quality resources, school infrastructure, teaching and appropriate education curriculum. 

“Today, the Class of 2024 benefits from an education system that is more inclusive, better resourced, has access to warm meals, no fee schools and a world renown curriculum. 

“The journey has not been without its trials; among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling globally, causing significant learning losses and posing unprecedented challenges to learners, educators and families. Yet, the Class of 2024 has emerged stronger, proving that perseverance and collective effort can overcome adversity,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Tuesday.

It said that government has worked hard to create an enabling learning environment which includes, amongst others, the eradication of mud schools, pit latrine toilets and provision of good quality classrooms. 

The Department of Basic Education has set a deadline of 31 March 2025 to eradicate all remaining identified pit latrine toilets in schools across the country. 

“Significant progress has been made in building new schools, refurbishing existing ones, and ensuring that learners have access to a safe and dignified learning environment. In addressing the challenges relating to safety and security of both the learners and the teachers, government is working on plans to combat and reduce crime in the country. 

“As the country celebrates the achievements of the Class of 2024, let us also honour the legacy of transformation in the education sector over the past 30 years. Access to education has expanded significantly, and the pass rate for Matric examinations has steadily improved, reflecting the progress made in teaching, learning and resource allocation. 

“The class of 2024 is encouraged to carry forward the values of resilience, dedication and excellence as they embark on the next chapter of their lives,” the GCIS said. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the matric Class of 2024 for their exceptional achievements, highlighting their dedication and the significant strides made in South Africa's basic education sector. 

President Ramaphosa said the achievements of the Class of 2024 are a proud contribution to and evidence of the nation’s progress during 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy.

“These results reinforce our resolute development of our nation’s most valuable resource - our young people. They also provide proof that we are undoing apartheid’s planned legacy of intergenerational indignity, disadvantage and poverty for the majority of South Africans.

“These results demonstrate the agency, resilience and pride of the youth of our nation in creating a better future for themselves and for all of us,” he said following the announcement of the results on Monday. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 09:19

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Gauteng Legislature embarks on School Readiness Campaign

Location: News

Gauteng Legislature embarks on School Readiness Campaign

Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) are expected to embark on a School Readiness Campaign starting on Wednesday, 15 January.

The campaign – which includes visits to several schools across the province – will continue until mid-February.

“This campaign reflects [the] GPL’s commitment to ensuring that schools across the province are fully equipped to receive learners and provide quality education as the new academic year begins,” the GPL said in a statement.

The oversight campaign will be spearheaded by GPL Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe, Deputy Speaker Nomvuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela, Chairperson of Committees Dalton Adams, Deputy Chairperson of Committees Thulani Kunene and Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee, Moipone Mhlongo.

“Their visits will focus on assessing infrastructure, safety, learning materials, and educator support. By engaging directly with school management teams, educators, and learners, the campaign aims to identify challenges requiring the government’s attention; and promote accountability within the education system.

“The School Readiness Campaign will take the Presiding Officers to primary, secondary, and special schools across all five regions of Gauteng. The visits will include direct engagements with stakeholders to address barriers to effective teaching and learning,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Wed, 01/15/2025 - 09:23

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The Just Energy Transition in Africa: Lessons From South Africa and Senegal

Location: News
African Energy Chamber

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org).

Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) have been introduced in recent years to provide financial support to developing nations as they transition away from fossil fuels. In 2021, during the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), South Africa became the first nation to sign such a deal. Senegal and the International Partners Group (IGP) signed a JETP in June 2023.

I have said before that the best way for Western countries, and the developed world at large, to help Africa transition from fossil fuels is through investment and collaboration, not patronization. This is precisely what the JETP programs seek to do, assist energy emerging economies that are dependent on coal to transition away from fossil fuels while leaving room to address the associated social consequences. That is investment, that is collaboration, and above all, it is respectful of the reality that Africa can move only on its own schedule in this matter. Arbitrarily forbidding us from using our natural resources will only do more harm than good.

So far, South Africa and Senegal are the only African countries to have agreed to a JETP, with South Africa securing a deal for USD8.5 billion, while Senegal secured one for USD2.7 billion. How South Africa and Senegal intend to leverage these deals differ drastically, however, as do their power generation circumstances.

South Africa: Pulled Between Priorities

Coal continues to dominate South Africa's energy portfolio, at over 80% of the country's power generation mix. Due to chronic load shedding and energy shortage issues, the country is now being pulled between two priorities, ensuring energy security and adhering to its decarbonization plans. General power outages have plagued the country since 2008 but intensified in recent years and effectively hamstrung South Africa's economy, which has not surpassed even 1% gross domestic product (GDP) annual growth in the last decade.

The country's aging coal fleet faces significant maintenance issues which led to several of the country's largest coal units being rendered inoperable in 2023. That year also saw the worst load shedding the country has faced yet, more than twice what it experienced in 2022, leading to energy shortages for 335 days out of the year. This load shedding led to a sharp increase in demand for solar panels and batteries, but Eskom (South Africa's power utility) has had to prioritize energy security instead, prolonging its reliance on coal-fired plants and slowing down their decommissioning. To their credit, Eskom has made significant improvements to their coal plants' maintenance and repair thanks to a recovery strategy launched in early 2023, and they have not suffered another load-shedding event since March 26, 2024.

Nevertheless, the decision to prolong their reliance on coal is at odds with South Africa's JETP. It has also directly led to the South African government seeking renegotiation of finance deals tied to its transition to cleaner energy sources, amounting to some USD2.6 billion of the originally agreed to USD8.5 billion.

Above all, right now South Africa requires a solution that will ensure its energy security while also keeping the country on track with its JETP commitments, especially given its peak demand by 2030 is expected to reach 38 gigawatts (GW), a full 6 GW more than its current peak. And even though 13.6 GW of new power plants are expected to come online by 2027, with solar PV accounting for over half and onshore wind accounting for 25% of the new capacity, coal is still expected to meet two-thirds of daily demand. Battery storage assets awarded by South Africa's Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPP) will also contribute to this new capacity. Renewable-based generation in South Africa is also expected to grow from nearly 14.1% currently to nearly 29% by 2030.

I want to be very clear here: South Africa's renewable energy growth is commendable, and Eskom's decision to prioritize energy security via coal when an alternative solution wasn't immediately available was understandable and pragmatic. But the country's renewables are not advancing fast enough to cover for the aging of its coal fleet, and no amount of emergency maintenance campaigns can ensure that similar issues won't lead to a load-shedding crisis again. If unaddressed, it will introduce the risk of shortfalls when the coal fleet is inevitably shut down at its end of life. Gas-to-power is thus the most prudent option for South Africa to prioritize while it continues working to expand its renewable power sources. The flexibility provided by gas-to-power will help meet demand once the coal fleet can no longer provide South Africa's baseload power, leaving it with only its Koeberg nuclear power plant and currently limited solar and hydropower resources to fill in the gap. Not only is natural gas more cost-effective and efficient as a power source than coal, but it is also relatively cheap to retrofit a formerly coal-fired plant with gas turbines, allowing South Africa to both gradually phase out coal while saving money that would otherwise be spent building entirely new infrastructure. All of this will matter a great deal, as South Africa anticipates phasing out coal to require USD99 billion dollars between 2023 and 2027. So far, it has raised half between their JETP deal with the IGP, USD33 billion in private sector investments, and USD10 billion from the public sector. South Africa hopes to fill the gap through both domestic and international private entities in the form of grants, guarantees, and concessional loans.

Fewer Struggles in Senegal

Senegal, meanwhile, looks to be having fewer troubles, being reliant on liquid fuel sources rather than coal. The USD2.7 billion raised through its JETP is expected to attract and mobilize further investments from both the private and public sectors, much the same as South Africa. Senegal, however, will also be receiving technical assistance from its international partners to boost the integration of its renewable energy infrastructure and technology, with a heavy focus on grid stabilization and battery storage. This aligns well with its electrification plans, which aim to achieve 40% of its installed capacity mix provided by renewables by 2030, up considerably from the current 22%.  Senegal has also committed to developing an investment plan within 12 months to identify its needs, opportunities, and allocations to meet its targets.

To that same end, Senegal plans to publish a revised nationally determined contribution (NDC) at COP30, set to take place in late 2025. The current NDC outlines an unconditional target of 235 MW of solar PV, 150 MW of onshore wind, and 314 MW of hydro by 2030. With international assistance, these targets are set to rise to 335 MW of solar PV, 250 MW of onshore wind, 50 MW of bioenergy and 50 MW of solar thermal.

Overall, both South Africa and Senegal stand to benefit significantly from their JETPs, and this is a trend I hope to see continue in the future for African states. There are, of course, growing pains. JETPs are still a nascent program, and the first few deals were signed as political promises first and foremost before the full technical and coordination details could be fully worked out by all sides. The implementation process for South Africa and Senegal has thus been delayed while consultations and negotiations smooth over the logistical details. In addition, JETPs alone will be nowhere near enough to fully cover the financial burden of transitioning African countries away from fossil fuels, and acquiring the private financial investments to bridge the gap may prove difficult for many countries.

This is why it is crucial for African states, and the world at large, to keep a close eye on how things develop in South Africa and Senegal, as their efforts to address these challenges will no doubt set the example for others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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KZN on track towards its 90% target, Premier

Location: News

KZN on track towards its 90% target, Premier

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, has joined in the jubilation as the province proudly secured second position in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.

KwaZulu-Natal achieved an impressive 89.5% pass rate, representing a 3.1% improvement from the previous year, and positions the province as the second-best performing in South Africa, following the Free State.

Ntuli officially announced the 2024 matric results during a prestigious ceremony at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban on Tuesday.

“This is proof that the essential foundation of basic education in KwaZulu-Natal is being laid brick by brick, district by district, school by school, and learner by learner,” Ntuli said.

Ntuli said the provincial government was firmly on track towards its 90% target, and he had “no doubt this performance will be surpassed in 2025”.

Of 161 962 learners who sat for the National Senior Certificate exams in the province, 144 990 learners passed, with 84 000 Bachelor passes, which is the highest in the country, marking a significant improvement from 45.7% in 2023 to 52.2% in 2024.

The province also saw an increase in schools achieving a 100% pass rate, from 246 in 2023 to 321 in 2024.

The district performances also showed an impressive growth, with Umkhanyakude leading nationally at 92.8%, followed by Ugu (91.7%) and Umlazi (89.8%).

Ntuli commended the provincial Education Department and MEC Sipho Hlomuka for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

The Premier acknowledged the invaluable contributions of educators, including school governing bodies and organised labour.

Special recognition was given to top achievers and schools, including special and correctional services centres, which achieved a 100% pass rate.

He encouraged the learners who did not pass to enrol for the Second Chance Matric Programme, to improve their results.

“Success is not measured by how many times you fall, but by how many times you rise. Never give up,” the Premier said.

Ntuli further encouraged learners to embrace the evolving job market and equip themselves with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to remain competitive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

“You are our future in the making. Grab every opportunity with both hands. KwaZulu-Natal is counting on you to make our province a better place for all.”

Hlomuka commended the matriculants’ perseverance, determination, and commitment.

“The matric class of 2024 commenced their high school journey during the peak of COVID-19 and faced unprecedented challenges, including climate impacts. but they triumphed,” Hlomuka said.

Hlomuka commended uMkhanyakude District for leading with an outstanding 92.8%, as well as teachers in the province for their dedication.

"A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated educators, parents, and stakeholders for their unwavering support. The journey towards educational excellence continues, as we empower future leaders for a brighter tomorrow," Hlomuka said. - SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 01/14/2025 - 15:23

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Call for Limpopo residents to remain vigilant amidst Cyclone Dikeledi warning

Location: News

Call for Limpopo residents to remain vigilant amidst Cyclone Dikeledi warning

Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has called on the residents of the province to remain vigilant as Cyclone Dikeledi approaches Mozambique. 

Although current reports indicate that the cyclone poses no immediate threat to South Africa, its proximity to Mozambique may result in potential risks to areas bordering Limpopo.

“The safety of our communities remains our utmost priority. We call upon all residents to stay informed, listen to official messages from our disaster management team, and act promptly in response to their guidance,” the Premier said on Monday.

Dr Ramathuba has assured residents that the province’s disaster management team is on high alert and has commenced proactive planning to respond to any possible impacts of the cyclone. 

The Limpopo government will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates to residents. 

Residents are advised to regularly check official weather updates and alerts, avoid spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic, and ensure safety precautions are in place, particularly in low-lying areas prone to flooding.

The provincial government said it is deeply concerned about the damage caused by heavy rains in recent weeks. 

“Residents are strongly urged to exercise caution and avoid crossing low-lying bridges during heavy rains. Additionally, parents and guardians are advised to ensure that children do not play near rivers or streams, as these areas pose significant dangers during flood conditions. Let us work together to prioritize safety and prevent unnecessary tragedies during this challenging period,” the provincial government said. -SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Tue, 01/14/2025 - 09:18

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President Ramaphosa Commends Matric Class of 2024 on Record Achievements

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa commends the Matric Class of 2024 on multiple unprecedented achievements that bear testimony to learners' personal commitment and advances in the basic education sector.

In 2024, 615 429 learners passed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, surpassing the pass rate at any other time in the country's history.

The national pass rate for the National Senior Certificate increased from 82.9% in 2023 to 87.3% last year.

Nearly half of learners who wrote the NSC examinations received a Bachelor pass, while nearly 320 000 distinctions were achieved.

President Ramaphosa said: “The achievements of the Class of 2024 are a proud contribution to and evidence of our progress as a nation during 30 years of freedom and democracy.

“These results reinforce our resolute development of our nation's most valuable resource, our young people. They also provide proof that we are undoing apartheid's planned legacy of intergenerational indignity, disadvantage and poverty for the majority of South Africans.

“These results demonstrate the agency, resilience and pride of the youth of our nation in creating a better future for themselves and for all of us.

“In the public and private basic education sectors, our learners, teachers and parents or caregivers deserve our appreciation, alongside school governing bodies, partners in the private sector, trade unions and academia.

“The doors of learning have swung wide open and we will celebrate each new generation that passes through these doors successfully.

“As Government and our partners in civil society, we must all work together to ensure that learners such as the Class of 2024 are able to take up as many opportunities as we can create for them to succeed.

“This must include the space and inspiration for young people to set their own course as entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors and other embodiments of creativity and self-reliance.

“The achievements of the Class of 2024 must also sharpen our resolve to attend to challenges affecting the education sector and our economic performance. We are confident the Class of 2024 will itself produce some of the answers to these challenges.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Read morePresident Ramaphosa Commends Matric Class of 2024 on Record Achievements