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Antonio Filosa today takes up the role as Chief Executive Officer of Stellantis N.V. and announces his new Stellantis Leadership Team, effective immediately, drawing on the deep bench of industry expertise from Stellantis’ teams around the world. “It is my great privilege to take the lead of Stellantis, a global company with deep regional roots,” …
The Valke registered their second successive victory in the Carling Currie Cup First Division when they defeated the Leopards 50-24 in in Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon, meaning that, after two rounds, the East Randers are the only unbeaten side left in the competition. On Friday, Border lost their home clash 33-29 to the Phangela …
Dear Editor Reports today reveal that disaster management authorities formally requested South African Air Force (SAAF) assistance for flood relief in the Eastern Cape, but no help was forthcoming until yesterday – more than a week after the floods began. According to African Defence Review Director Darren Olivier, the request was made fairly early, but …
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) strongly objected to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro’s (NMBM) draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year due to its excessive tariff increases that will place residents under further financial strain. The proposed tariff hikes include:• 5% for assessment rates• 5,5% for water and sanitation• 6% for refuse removal• 12,8% […]
The post Freedom Front Plus rejects NMBM’s exorbitant tariff hikes appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries has called on the provincial Department of Education in the Eastern Cape to proactively determine infrastructure damage and the number of learners affected by the weekend floods.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Makhi Feni, said the floods happened just when mid-year exams were in full swing and children should be allowed access once schools have been thoroughly cleaned.
The committee sends its heartfelt condolences to families and friends of the deceased. “It hurts to realise that no circuit or district decision was made with regards to closure of schools on Monday when warning of two cold fronts across the country had been issued by SA Weather Service. This calls for proper and proactive leadership from circuit level right up to the province.”
The provincial government revised the number of the deceased due to floods to be around 49. A number of young learners were affected when their school transport was swept away by the floods.
Mr Feni said the Department of Education must attend to school infrastructure and the cleaning of affected schools. “Parents should be bold and refuse with their children when these kinds of warnings are issued. We want empowered parents who are aware of their surroundings and the debates around such matters as the climate change and its impact. But young children cannot make these decisions.”
Mr Feni said if children writing exams were from the impacted schools they should be provided with all the support they need, including catching up of the lost day. “But before children are allowed back in schools those should be allowed only once the schools had been thoroughly cleaned and are conducive to learning.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Still no arrests after mob displaces hundreds of immigrant families
Former PRASA regional manager and Cape Town businessman won’t be back in the dock for more than a month
The news that Goodyear South Africa is closing its manufacturing plant in Uitenhage/Kariega comes as a severe blow to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) and the local economy. More than a thousand workers and their families face an uncertain future. This is a Metro where unemployment already stands at a staggering 33% and the […]
The post Over a thousand families face losing income as NMBM decays under ANC coalition appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Immigration officers arrest more than 100 Zimbabweans seeking shelter after xenophobic attacks
Hundreds of evacuated Zimbabweans are staying in a church hall
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has asked the acting City Manager of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM), Mr Ted Pillay, to immediately address the illegal electricity connections in Kragga Kamma Road. This street, which runs through various residential neighbourhoods in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), is a hotspot for illegal electricity connections. These connections form […]
The post NMBM should address illegal electricity connections in Kragga Kamma Road appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
The stage is set for a new look and new experiences at the 22nd annual SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees. Taking place in a new venue from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29, it will feature around 29 hours of live performances by national and local artists, expos, working dog and horse demonstration and more, according …
Considered one of South Africa’s best and most prolific playwrights, Athol Fugard’s body of work was shaped by Apartheid into a form of protest; highlighting its brutal impact through memorable characters and atmospheric stories. In memory of this South African theatre giant, who passed away in March this year, the National Arts Festival in collaboration …
The winners of the biggest online tournaments hosted by Tangible Africa in the past five years were announced recently. A total of 1 700 participants from 209 schools competed against each other to see who would finish the Juicy Gems coding game in the fastest time. A total of 20 500 scores were submitted to Tangible …
Looking for a Prepaid Electricity Meter Installer in Gqeberha Straton Electrical INSTALLS. Straton Prepaid supplies prepaid meters all over South Africa BUT only physically installs through Straton Electrical or Straton Plumbing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area (Gqeberha – formerly Port Elizabeth, Kariega – formerly Uitenhage and Despatch). This list given below is as […]
Looking for a Prepaid Electricity Meter Installer in Kariega Straton Electrical INSTALLS. Straton Prepaid supplies prepaid meters all over South Africa BUT only physically installs through Straton Electrical or Straton Plumbing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area (Gqeberha – formerly Port Elizabeth, Kariega – formerly Uitenhage and Despatch). This list given below is as […]
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Ms Jane Mananiso, welcomed the long-term sentence, of eight life terms, for convicted rapist Mr Moses Gqesha.
Mr Gqesha's charges included kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, theft, and multiple counts of rape to a gender-based violence activist, Ms Andisiwe Andy Kawa on 9 December 2010, at King's Beach in Summerstrand, Gqeberha. Mr Gqesha was arrested in 2020 for an unrelated incident and forensic evidence taken from Ms Kawa in 2010 linked him to the rape.
“Firstly, we want to applaud the South African Police Services for safeguarding the forensic evidence taken from Ms Kawa in 2010, that linked the rapist later to these heinous crimes. It was because of this act that this criminal will not face years behind bars and pay for his crimes,” said Ms Mananiso.
“Furthermore, we want to commend the National Prosecuting Authority for a successful prosecution especially because the accused denied the charges even after he was linked with forensic evidence. This is truly commendable.
“In a country that experienced high rates of gender-based violence and femicide, this is a victory for those thousands of women either still struggling for justice and those who fear speaking up against perpetrators. This is a sign that the wheels of justice do indeed turn,” emphasized Ms Mananiso.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Dear Editor Across the Eastern Cape, sports facilities intended to uplift our youth and nurture future stars are falling into ruin. This is the result of ongoing neglect by the ANC-led provincial government. Recently, I addressed the Eastern Cape Legislature and asked the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC), Sibulele Ngongo, whether her …
An ECD centre is a complex small business. Owning one comes with sleepless nights worrying about finances, staff issues, business growth and sustainability. There is the added stress of trying to provide 5-star education to learners despite many challenges like limited space, few resources and untrained teachers. ECD owners are usually women with a love …
Big Win for EP On Friday in East London, Eastern Province secured their third victory of the season with a 41-15 victory over Border Bulldogs at Police Park. The visitors dominated the first opening spell and established halftime lead of 17-3. The Bulldogs struggled to break through the EP defence, managing only a penalty goal …
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirms that the recent dispute with the Warriors regarding administrative compliance has been amicably resolved through...
Volkswagen Motorsport is upping the ante once again by bringing seven-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson to compete at 15th Simola Hillclimb in 2023 title-winning all-electric WRX Polo RX1e Five-time Modified Saloon Car winner and current record-holder Franco Scribante will resume ongoing battle of the Nissan R35 GT-Rs with Reghard Roets Formidable line-up of other […]
Eastern Cape government reaffirms commitment to combat GBVF
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) across the province.
This follows recent incidents, including the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl at Bergview College in Matatiele, and the recent judgment in the Timothy Omotoso case, in which the accused was found not guilty.
Televangelist Omotoso was acquitted in the Gqeberha High Court on 32 serious charges, including allegations of rape, racketeering, human trafficking, and other crimes.
These events have left many survivors and citizens feeling disheartened.
In response to the GBVF incidents, particularly the case in Matatiele, the Ministry of Police has deployed urgent and coordinated interventions. These include intensified law enforcement efforts and the deployment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit to assist with the investigations.
The Department of Social Development has also stepped in to provide psychosocial support to the victim and her family.
In a statement issued on Monday, the provincial government said Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane had reached out to the family to offer reassurance and reaffirm government’s commitment to pursuing justice.
National support was also extended, with the Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta visiting the family to provide encouragement.
The provincial government said communities across South Africa, and the Eastern Cape in particular, have long been grappling the devastating impact of GBV, a persistent scourge that continues to disproportionately affect women and children.
It noted that the recent incidents serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of young girls and boys, and the ongoing threat of violence that shadows many lives.
Mabuyane underscored the severity of the situation, saying that the provincial government recognises the gravity of these crimes and views the interventions as essential to “our broader efforts to protect vulnerable groups and ensure that justice is served”.
Mabuyane urged victims and their families not to suffer in silence, calling on anyone who has experienced or witnessed GBVF to report these crimes to law enforcement.
“We understand the courage it takes to come forward [and] we are here to walk that difficult journey with you. Government has systems in place to provide both psychosocial support and legal assistance to survivors,” the Premier said.
Mabuyane called on communities not to lose faith in the justice system, adding that “the fight against GBVF cannot be won overnight, nor can it be won without public participation”.
While acknowledging the frustration that arises when justice is delayed or denied, Mabuyane emphasised the importance of continued engagement with the justice system.
“We must continue to push for accountability, protection, and justice.”
The Premier reaffirmed the provincial government’s resolute commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
He also reiterated that the Eastern Cape Provincial Government will continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and community structures to ensure that "no victim is left behind and no perpetrator escapes accountability".
“In the face of heinous crimes, it is understandable that public trust in the justice system may be shaken. Justice may sometimes appear slow, and outcomes not always satisfactory, but now more than ever, it is vital that communities remain engaged.
“Cooperation, information-sharing, and support for victims are essential to bringing perpetrators to book. Losing faith risks creating a culture of impunity. The Eastern Cape sends a clear message: Gender-based violence will not be tolerated,” Mabuyane said.
The provincial government remains steadfast in its commitment to working with all stakeholders to create safer, more inclusive and just communities across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 04/07/2025 - 14:28
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SA advocates for linguistic equity in AI at G20
South Africa has called on the Group of Twenty (G20) members to support initiatives that develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) in low-resource languages and share data and tools to make this possible.
Addressing the Meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group Task Force on AI, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, said there were over 7 000 languages spoken in the world, yet most AI models and digital content is trained on a tiny fraction of these – predominantly English and a handful of others.
“We know that AI is only as good as the data and algorithms it is built on and currently, both of these have serious gaps. One glaring gap is the linguistic and cultural diversity deficit in AI systems.
“This linguistic inequity is not just a cultural loss; it’s a practical barrier that threatens to exclude billions from the AI-driven digital economy,” the Minister said on Monday in Gqeberha.
He emphasised that AI must not only be looked at from a technology perspective, but from the standpoint of social impact.
“We must investigate how AI can help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. How can it improve healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance? Beyond language, ethical AI governance requires addressing issues of bias, transparency, and accountability.
“We have seen instances of AI algorithms that exhibit racial or gender bias in hiring, lending, or policing. These are systemic harms we have to root out. During our Task Force discussions, we must consider how G20 nations can share best practices on AI governance, including regulatory approaches and standards to ensure AI safety and trustworthiness,” Malatsi said.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency has set inclusion and equity at the heart of the digital agenda.
The G20 Presidency will focus on four key pillars that include bridging the digital divide with meaningful connectivity; building inclusive digital public infrastructure; nurturing innovation ecosystems for local development and championing ethical AI that respects diverse languages, cultures, and values.
“We cannot allow a new form of digital inequality to take hold in our world. We need to unite our efforts, North and South, public and private, to invest in connectivity for all. This means mobilising financing for digital infrastructure, sharing innovations to lower costs, and collaborating on policies to make internet access affordable for the poorest,” the Minister said.
The International Telecommunication Union indicates that roughly 2.9 billion people still don’t have internet access at all.
“While most of these individuals live within range of mobile broadband networks, they remain offline due to multiple factors ranging from high data costs, lack of affordable smart devices and limited digital skills. Infrastructure alone is no longer enough; the real barriers are economic, educational, and linguistic.
“And they demand our immediate collective attention. The socio-economic benefits of closing the digital divide are enormous. We cannot allow a new form of digital inequality to take hold in our world,” he said.
According to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), bringing the currently offline population onto the internet could add $3.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with 90% of the benefits flowing to developing countries.
“We propose that G20 members share strategies on supporting start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – from startup financing initiatives to innovation hubs and tech parks, from simplifying regulatory burdens to providing mentorship networks.
“Let us commit to growing the digital innovation ecosystem in all our countries. As we discuss policy frameworks, we must also consider the idea of an innovation fund or facility to support digital entrepreneurship in underserved regions, an idea that has been floated with the notion of a possible global fund for AI and digital innovation.
“If we want a truly global digital economy, we must ensure that innovation knows no borders – that brilliant ideas from Africa, Asia, or Latin America can find the resources and support to grow,” Malatsi said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 04/07/2025 - 14:42
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