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It’s time to lace up your boots and hit the trails on National Take a Hike Day. National Take a Hike Day is coming up on the 17th of November, and it’s all about celebrating the joy of hiking and all the benefits it offers. Hiking not only gets our hearts pumping and our muscles …
Every family has at least one recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. It’s that one dish that always makes an appearance at family celebrations, with a secret ingredient known only to the inner circle! But the big question is – are family recipes sacred or can they be tweaked? “Family recipes …
South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are doing the most to combat climate change in the Middle East and Africa, according to a new report that compares government and business sustainability policies, investment and actions.
Download document: (https://apo-opa.co/49FTzKm)
The Middle East and Africa Environmental Sustainability Scorecard (https://apo-opa.co/49Bcfeq), released Thursday, is ta detailed examination of country performance in environmental sustainability outcomes, government policies, and corporate practices in the two regions.
The report concludes that the 17 countries covered “are relative ‘late comers' to global sustainable development but at the same time represent regions that are rapidly stepping-up their sustainability strategies, programs and investments.”
The report was commissioned by Agility (www.Agility.com), a global supply chain services company based in Kuwait. It was compiled by Horizon Group (www.Horizon-Group.ch), a Geneva-based firm that specializes in research and analysis for governments, international organizations, and leading businesses worldwide.
South Africa is among the leaders in four of six pillar categories. It is 2nd in Sustainable Energy & Transport; 5th in Energy Transition; 2nd in Environmental Ecosystems; and 2nd in Circularity. Among African countries, South Africa is 3rd in Green Investment & Technology behind Morocco and Egypt.
Among the factors driving South Africa's performance: a national Biofuel Industrial Strategy; formal code of corporate governance; ESG reporting requirements and transparency and accountability standards for companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange; a World Bank energy transition partnership to decommission a coal-fired power plant and replace the power supply with renewable energy and batteries; and steps to protect habitat and cut pollution.
Egypt ranks 3rd overall in the scorecard. It is 5th in Green Investment & Technology; 7th in Sustainable Infrastructure & Transport; 5th in Governance & Reporting; 3rd in Environmental Ecosystems; and 1st in Circularity, which measures resource use and waste management.
A food security and African displacement launched by Egypt contributed to its ranking, along with its participation in a Qatar-led carbon credit program.
Other top performers in Africa: Morocco is 3rd in Green Investment & Technology and 3rd in Governance & Reporting; Rwanda and Kenya are 5th and 6th in Sustainable Infrastructure & Transport.
African countries dominate the energy transition, mainly on the strength of their green transport and energy conservation efforts. Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Morocco are Nos. 1 through 11 in Energy Transition.The scorecard uses 48 performance and progress indicators to compare countries. The indicators include data, regulatory frameworks, policy assessments, incentives and corporate practices across six pillar areas: green investment and technology; sustainable infrastructure and transport; governance and reporting; energy transition; environmental ecosystems; and circularity. To capture corporate practices and progress, Horizon surveyed 647 business executives in the 17 countries.
Overall, 1 through 17, here's how the countries rank: South Africa, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Morocco, Qatar, Tanzania, Nigeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Cote d'Ivoire, Oman, Mozambique.
Key Findings
• Business isn't paying attention to COP. Eighty-two percent of African businesses and 49% of Middle East businesses are not aware of the UN-led COP process that nations are using to push and measure efforts to tackle climate change. Few companies use COP to set their sustainability targets.
• Climate change is hurting businesses. Ninety-seven percent of companies say their business has been affected by climate change, and 49% say climate change has caused “severe damage” or has a “significant and growing” impact on them.
• Governments are leading as businesses play catch up. When it comes to climate action, governments are outpacing the private sector in both the Middle East and Africa.
• No one size fits all. Different countries have different sustainability priorities based on income, economic strengths, energy dependency, and other factors. High-income, energy-producing Gulf countries generally invest more in sustainable infrastructure and ecosystems. African economies perform best in energy conservation and consumption.
• Green investment is expensive. High- and middle-income countries are investing the most: Qatar, UAE, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
• Africa is focused on green transport. African countries topped the scorecard in the move to non-fossil fuels for transport. Hydrocarbon producing Gulf countries are focused more on green buildings. For Gulf countries, the transition to cleaner energy is complicated by energy-intensive national priorities: the desire to boost manufacturing and the need for desalinated water.
• Waste management, consumption are tied to wealth. High-income countries are doing more to manage waste sustainably. Poorer ones do more to constrain consumption. Overall Egypt, South Africa, Bahrain and UAE perform best in “circularity” – cutting waste, encouraging recycling and sustainable production, and lowering consumption.
Agility was recently named the No. 3 Middle East “Sustainability Leader” for Transport & Logistics by Forbes Middle East. Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan said the company's strategy and investment decisions are increasingly shaped by the urgency of the climate fight.
“As a supply chain operator and investor in the Middle East and Africa, we want to know what governments and businesses are prioritizing, and where they're putting resources in the climate change battle,” Sultan said. “We want to know who we can partner with in green infrastructure and transport, alternative fuels, and supply chain services that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance.”
Horizon, which compiled the scorecard report for Agility, said its intent was to look “beyond the selective characteristics of the Middle East being fossil fuel-dependent with high greenhouse gas emissions per capita, and African countries being low emitters of greenhouse gases but taking relatively little action on the environment.”
The scorecard report comes on the eve of COP28, the UN-led global climate change conference convening from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. Its findings amplify those in a World Economic Forum (WEF) report (https://apo-opa.co/3MKvh8d), issued in October, on decarbonization and energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa.
The WEF report concluded that “MENA countries trail behind comparable regions in terms of their sustainability progress. While local governments have pledged in the past 24 months to bring 60% of MENA's emissions under the net zero ambition, businesses overall have yet to follow suit and bridge the gap with comparable global markets –12% have set up a net zero target and 6% have established a roadmap to reach net zero.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Agility.
Media contact:
Sabrina Mundy
Man Bites Dog
teamagility@manbitesdog.com
+44 1273 716 820
For more information about Agility, visit:
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About Agility:
Agility (www.Agility.com) is a global leader in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation with 45,000+ employees across six continents. A multi-business operator and investor, Agility specializes in growing and scaling operating businesses. Agility's companies include the world's largest aviation services company (Menzies Aviation); a global fuel logistics business (Tristar); a leading logistics parks developer and operator across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (Agility Logistics Parks); and a commercial real-estate company developing a mega-mall in the UAE (UPAC). Other Agility companies offer customs digitization services, remote-site infrastructure services, defense and government services, and ecommerce-enablement and digital logistics. Agility invests in supply chain innovation, sustainability, and resilience, and has minority holdings in a growing portfolio of listed and non-listed companies.
Balwin Properties, a prominent JSE-listed residential property developer in South Africa, has made significant strides in offering a range of sustainable and modern living solutions. Here’s an overview of their recent developments, innovative trade-in program, and sustainability initiatives: Current Developments Balwin Properties offers a range of apartments for sale across various locations in South Africa, …
Tourism, Google sign collaborative agreement
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has signed an agreement with global tech giant, Google, aimed at promoting South Africa as a prime tourist destination and to provide training and support to the sector in digital training.
The Minister and Dr Alistair Mokoena, Country Director for Google South Africa, signed the agreement in Cape Town on Monday.
This partnership is in line with de Lille’s mission to grow tourism to its full potential, unlock the power of technology in the sector and increase arrivals to South Africa to support economic growth and job creation.
“In an era of digital transformation, collaboration between technology giants and government entities has the potential to reshape industries and enhance public services. As stated in the Tourism Sector Green Paper, there is a ‘lack of support mechanisms for the (tourism) sector, particularly SMMEs, to adapt to a digital future and other technological advancements.
“This visionary partnership between Google and the Ministry of Tourism, focuses on non-monetary exchanges to leverage each parties’ strengths for mutual benefits,” de Lille said.
Google intends to provide support to the Ministry to achieve its mandate through providing access to its initiatives and programmes in South Africa that are beneficial to the sector.
Mokoena said they were excited to partner with the Department of Tourism and to sign the letter of intent which aims to position South Africa as a great tourist destination.
“As a company that prides itself in organising the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful, we look forward to rolling out various programmes in conjunction with the department, to fast track digital transformation in the sector, helping with digital skills and showcasing South African tourism through our Google Arts & Culture platform,” Mokoena said.
According to the department, the primary goal of this collaboration is to harness Google's technological expertise to support the Ministry of Tourism's efforts in promoting South Africa as a prime tourist destination.
The department said no monetary exchange will take place as a result of the agreement.
The areas of collaboration include:
Collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism, Google can provide insights into global travel trends. This information can guide the Department of Tourism and South African Tourism’s strategies for targeting specific markets and tailoring experiences to visitor expectations.
Specific studies to investigate the impact of digital platforms and online content are to be undertaken by Google and shared at no cost to the Ministry or Department.
Google offers skills training programmes including the Google Hustle Academy and master classes. These digital skills initiatives will be extended to offer training programs for individuals and businesses within the Ministry ecosystem.
This would equip local entrepreneurs with the digital skills needed to market their offerings online, potentially attracting a wider audience of travellers.
Tourism start-ups can be supported by Google programmes such as the Startup Accelerator and the Black Founders Fund.
The training will also include Google Ads training on the fundamentals of Google Ads. To date, more than 2 773 South African SMMES have previously benefited from these support programmes offered by Google.
Google can showcase South African tourism sites and unique cultural heritage to the world through the Google Arts and Culture Portal.
The two will also collaborate in creating a tourism thought leadership seminar through presenting commissioned research results on the opportunity and impact of online content and digital platforms in the tourism sector.
A co-hosted thought leadership seminar will focus on the digital opportunities for accelerating economic growth in the tourism sector.
The aims of the seminar will be to facilitate knowledge sharing and understanding of the digital opportunity in accelerating economic growth and upskilling governments and tourism promotion agencies with global best practices on how to use digital platforms.
“By tapping into Google's technology through digital skills training and the sharing of insights, South Africa's industry, notably SMMEs, can be present their offerings in innovative ways, engaging potential tourists, and inspiring them to explore the country,” Minister de Lille said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 11/13/2023 - 14:00
In an era where sustainable energy solutions are gaining increasing importance, the Shoto 5.12kWh Lithium-ion Battery emerges as a beacon of innovation and eco-friendliness. This powerful energy storage solution, designed by the reputable brand Shoto, is set to transform the way we harness and store electricity. Let’s delve into the details that make this battery …
Eskom's Hex Battery Energy Storage System is a step in the right direction
Projects like Eskomâs Hex Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Worcester in the Western Cap can assist the country in ending load shedding.
This is according to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan who said these kinds of projects create hope that sooner rather than later, South Africa is going to overcome the challenge of load shedding.Â
Minister Gordhan was delivering remarks at the launch of Eskomâs Battery Energy Storage System at the Hex substation in the Breede Valley Municipality.
The project â which was launched on Thursday - is a first in Africa.Â
âIf we do more of these kinds of projects in other parts of the country, which is what Eskom intends to do, we will see the end of load shedding pretty soon. Today, after a few hiccups, you see in live form, the launch of this BESS project right in front of us. It is a great achievement for Eskom and the country.Â
âEskom is demonstrating that it can have a sense of urgency, it can have an important quality that we all need in South Africa and elsewhere â which is the ability to innovate and create new ways of doing things. And not just think about them, but concretely deliver them. That is the key,â the Minister said.Â
BESS is a giant step in the right direction to support the Just Energy Transition (JET) programme for boosting green energy as a renewable alternative source. As renewable energy begins to grow, so does the demand for the installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems.
The Hex battery storage project is the first part of Eskomâs Battery Energy Storage System rollout scheduled for construction in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Easter Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Through these kinds of projects, the Minister said, the country will grow economically and be able to create more jobs.Â
âWe are going to get more investments, not just in the Western Cape but the whole country. Our younger people can look toward to a much better life than those of us that have lived through the last few decades.
âSo, this is an opportunity to demonstrate to our own people and citizens, and the globe, that South Africans are innovative, and can deliver world class solutions like the one that we actually see today,â he said.Â
The Minister emphasised that it is important that focus is placed on what is best for the country, and what is best for the people of the country, and not for the few individuals who want to become rich as a result of these projects.Â
Quoting the recent Census results, Gordhan said that there are 62 million people who must be beneficiaries of these sorts of projects and of the work that is being done.Â
The Minister reiterated governmentâs aim which is to have enough electricity or energy security in this country.
âSo, there must be a reserve, just like you have in a savings account for a day when you need some cash. In the same way, you need an energy savings account because you donât know when you are going to need extra energy.Â
âRight now, we have a shortage. We need to get to a point where we have a surplus. And we need to continue keeping that surplus. And Eskom as an institution is going to play a crucial part in developing that surplus through the investment of the private sector in renewables and other forms of energy,â the Minister said.Â
He explained that the 120 battery banks cost a fair amount of money - R830 million - and during the construction 255 residents of the greater Worcester area were employed.Â
He said they must take the experience and the lessons that will be learnt from this project and use it elsewhere, to make whatever changes that are necessary to have more successful projects in the remaining provinces.Â
Minister Gordhan extended his gratitude to the funders. He said that without the concessional funding that they have for Eskom from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the New Development Bank, they would not have been able to prosecute this project.
He also thanked Hyosung Heavy Industries, who supplied the batteries. The Minister further thanked Eskom for thinking about this idea and for researching the idea. - SAnews.gov.za
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DikelediM
Fri, 11/10/2023 - 10:40
The extensive health benefits of Green Tea have been enjoyed by cultures across the globe since the 8th Century, and it appears this herbal beverage is now tackling modern illnesses. Researchers have found that Green Tea may help in the fight against Covid-19 as the tea inactivates the virus. Scientists from the Kyoto Prefectural University …
Home Affairs extends hours ahead of Voter Registration Weekend
To ensure that citizens are able to collect their IDs and passports ahead of the upcoming Voter Registration Weekend, Home Affairs offices will open this coming Saturday, 11 November 2023.
“The service to be rendered on 11 November 2023 is exclusively the collection of smart ID cards and passports,” said the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on Thursday.
Home Affairs offices will be open from 8am until 1 pm. This as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)’s Voter Registration Weekend will be held from 18-19 November 2023.
To register to vote, you need a South African identity document – either a green barcoded ID book, an ID smartcard, or a valid temporary ID certificate.
According to the commission, all South African citizens aged 16 years or older can register to vote, but to vote you need to be 18 years or older.
In addition, to ease pressure on its clients, Home Affairs has introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows. This will help in reducing queues.
Clients can now book collection appointments before visiting the offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) which is available on the DHA website – www.dha.gov.za through this link: https://services.dha.gov.za/#/authenticate/identity.
The department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins and will be assisted to collect their IDs and passports.
ID services will also be available at all Home Affairs offices during the Voter Registration Weekend of 18 and 19 November 2023.
In this regard, operating hours at Home Affairs offices will be aligned with those of the IEC in order to assist voters who need to collect the IDs they have applied for or to apply for Temporary Identification Certificates.
With these documents, eligible voters will be able to register for the 2024 national and provincial elections. Temporary Identification Certificates are issued on the spot.
“We would like to urge all our clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience on Saturday 11 November 2023 or on the weekend of 18-19 November 2023,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 11:58
For the fifth annual edition of the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, a renowned panel of six local and international judges will bring a strong global perspective to the evaluation process. This will be the second year that this same panel will be judging the awards. “We are confident that this dynamic panel, with wide-ranging and …
Two innovative products of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) won prizes at the fifth annual GEO SDG Awards, which recognize institutions, organizations and countries that are applying geospatial and Earth observation techniques and innovations towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
FAO won the SDG Custodian Agency Prize for the pathbreaking WaPOR portal, which monitors land and water productivity by remote sensing, and also shared the prize for Statistical-Geospatial Integration for its work with the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics in developing a rapid method of monitoring land cover and ecosystems, key components of SDG 15.
The prizes were organized by Earth Observations for the Sustainable Development Goals (EO4SDG Initiative under the auspices of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) at an award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa. The jury comprised a set of experts from different countries and sectors whose selection criteria were the overall impact, quality and soundness of the Earth observation endeavours and their potential for replication and upscaling.
GEO is a partnership of more than 100 national governments and even more participating organizations, representing researchers, data providers and businesses, that advocates for the use of coordinated, comprehensive and sustained geospatial monitoring to support decisions and actions that benefit mankind. GEO coordinates a “system of systems” that includes more than 400 million open-data resources from an array of providers including NASA and the European Space Agency as week as commercial actors.
“We are delighted at the impact and recognition of our innovative geospatial efforts and committed to intensifying this area of activity,” said Lifeng Li, Director of FAO's Land and Water Division.
The winners
WaPOR, formally “Water Productivity through Open access of Remotely sensed derived data”, offers open access to a near real-time database that uses satellite data to monitor agricultural water productivity at various scales.
Rolled out in 2017, it has recently been expanded to encompass the entire globe, and its granularity deepened to the point of measuring evapotranspiration rates on land surfaces as small as 20 meters. These traits help assess exactly when and how much waters crops need, allowing farmers to boost their water-use efficiency and contribute to SDG6.4.1, of which FAO is the custodial agency.
The GEO Award for Statistical-Geospatial Integration was given to the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and FAO Lesotho for developing a way rapidly to compute the Mountain Green Cover Index at the national level.
The solution uses EOSTAT data disaggregated by elevation zones using Sentinel-2 land cover data. It has proven a game changer, filling pertinent data and gaps, offering significant cost savings on field survey activities, and allowing Lesotho to update its figures for reporting on SDG 15.4.2, which had been stalled for almost a decade.
The approach has also integrated data to identify hotspots of vegetation degradation, monitor the impact of land restoration projects and assess the impact of climate change on ecosystems around the country, further increasing Lesotho's national capacity to produce reliable SDG indicators as well as monitor ecosystem health and landscape trends.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
In an era marked by a global “trust deficit disorder” as commented by the Secretary General of the United Nations, a collaboration between VUKA Group and The Global Trust Project stands out as a necessary and timely endeavour. Together, they will work with leaders, organisations, governments and societies to foster a shared understanding of, and …
Real estate choices have a material impact on achieving ESG goals, particularly climate change reduction, according to leading provider of corporate real estate services in Africa, Cushman & Wakefield | BROLL. With buildings known to have one of the highest impacts on carbon emissions, the real estate industry plays a pivotal role in addressing compliance, …
In a ground-breaking development, and as part of the ongoing commitment of the Western Cape Government to bolster and ensure a strong climate-resilient future for the province, the Western Cape Departments of Agriculture and of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, yesterday, 7 November 2023, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the School for Climate Studies of Stellenbosch University.
The School for Climate Studies, which was launched in 2021, creates a transdisciplinary capacity to combine the climate-related knowledge systems of its faculties, the public sector's climate policies and initiatives, the private sector's climate redress and innovation capacities and the social impact mission of the university in both academic and applied ways – all in support of the just transition to a climate-resilient society and a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
According to Ministers Ivan Meyer and Anton Bredell, co-leaders of Climate Change governance in the Western Cape, the signing of this agreement is testimony to the Western Cape government's drive towards climate change resilience.
Minister Meyer said, “Climate change modelling shows that annual temperatures are rising, and the number of colder days will decrease. Droughts, floods and heat waves will become more regular, and these trends highlight the need for a coordinated response from government, tertiary institutions, private sector and the whole of society to mitigate the impact of climate change.”
“The MOA underscores the value of partnerships and collaboration to advance the Western Cape as a leading province in job creation, economic development and capacity building across disciplines. Guided by the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and the SmartAgri plan an effective response to climate change amidst global and local disaster events is now urgent,” continued Minister Meyer.
Minister Bredell highlights that the MOA will provide an enabling platform to pursue local and international research and capacity-building opportunities (including joint projects) to build the climate change knowledge base in the Western Cape.
Minister Bredell commented, “Climate change projections for the Western Cape suggest a likelihood of more frequent and more intense extreme weather events which threatens food security and economic growth in South Africa and the Western Cape. The MOA will enable the exchange of scientific and institutional expertise within the partnership and with global partners to drive a more rapid transition towards climate change adaptation and mitigation and a climate-resilient province”.
At the signing ceremony, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, SU said: “The signing of this MOA highlights the important role of the university in the continuous development of the province. Research conducted by the School for Climate Studies will be pivotal in the development and application of climate-related solutions and technologies that address issues on the broader social agenda, which include job creation, skills training, poverty alleviation and inclusivity.”
“The Western Cape Government is looking at climate change's impact on its three strategic priorities, namely, jobs, safety, dignity and well-being. By doing so, we are mainstreaming climate change in the business of the Western Cape Government. The goal is a green, low-carbon and climate-resilient province by 2050”, concluded Minister Meyer.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Department of the Premier.
Register to vote
All eligible voters are encouraged to go to and check their voter registration status when the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) holds its first voter registration weekend.
The registration weekend will be held on 18 and 19 November 2023 ahead of the General Elections next year.
Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said: “Cabinet is calling on all eligible voters to register to vote in the 2024 General Elections at your nearest voting stations.”
The Minister said online voter registration has already commenced, with citizens urged to make use of the online facility to register or update their details.
“South Africans, who have applied for their IDs, are encouraged to visit their local Home Affairs office to collect them. There are more than 500 000 smart ID cards still to be collected at Home Affairs offices across the country,” she said.
The IEC has said that some 22 300 voting stations will be open to the public during the voter registration weekend.
The commission explained that only South African citizens 18 years and older can vote.
“To register, you need a South African identity document – either a green barcoded ID book, a smart ID card, or a valid temporary ID certificate. To register, you must also provide an address or description of where you live, so that the IEC can place you in the correct ward and voting district. No proof of address is needed.
“If you don’t have an ID, please apply for one at Home Affairs as soon as possible. In addition to their normal working hours, Home Affairs offices will be open on 18 and 19 November, from 8am to 5pm, to coincide with the voter registration weekend.
“In the 2024 Elections, you must register at the voting station for the voting district where you live, and vote where you are registered,” the commission said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:23
MTBPS a 'frank assessment' - Cabinet
Cabinet has welcomed the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana last week.
“The 2023 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement… provided a frank assessment of the current economic climate and demonstrated government’s firm hold on our nation’s finances amid tough revenue constraints.
“The decisions in the MTBPS improve our fiscal framework; stimulate economic growth, while balancing our social commitments that support the vulnerable in our nation. The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan has contributed to many green shoots in our economy,” said Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who briefed the media on Monday.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has called on parents and guardians to continue supporting matric learners, who enter the second week of their final examinations this week.
The learners are expected to be examined in subjects including mathematics, physical sciences, a wide range of languages and economics.
Ntshavheni said: “Cabinet welcomed the smooth start to the 2023 National Senior Certificate (matric) exams, which commenced on 30 October 2023. Parents and guardians are encouraged to continue to support learners during this critical period.
“Cabinet also sends its well wishes to all the learners who will be sitting for their year-end exams.” – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:32
The French multinational company wants to drill for oil and gas along the South African coastline near Cape Town, the West Coast and the Garden Route
US forges ahead to build stronger relations with Africa under AGOA
Amid challenging global economic circumstances, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai believes there is an opportunity to shape a stronger, new and forward-looking vision for United States-Africa trade, where more segments of society are brought in.
"[A vision] where, as President [Joe] Biden would say, ‘the benefits are realised from the bottom up and the middle out,” Tai told delegates on Friday.
In the words of Tai, the United States remains a committed partner as Africa continues this journey.
Tai was speaking at the three-day African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum currently underway at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
“As President Biden said at the US-Africa Leaders' Summit last December, ‘the United States is all in on Africa’.”
African Continental Free Trade Area
Tai, who is the principal trade advisor and spokesperson on United States trade policy, announced that her country backs the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) under the US-AfCFTA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation for Trade and Investment.
This comes after the AfCFTA Secretary General, Wamkele Mene, and Tai signed the MoU during the summit.
“We created four Technical Working Groups, and the US government is providing approximately $160 million to support the negotiation and implementation of the AfCFTA,” Tai said.
This includes support from the United States Agency for International Development, the US Department of Agriculture, and Prosper Africa.
“The United States is here to build and enhance our relationships so that more Africans can enjoy the benefits of economic growth, to empower workers and their communities, and to build fair and equitable societies, not just for today, but for years to come,” Tai said.
She has since called on all stakeholders to work together to further unlock the potential of the partnership to pursue sustainable and equitable growth, especially for women, youth and the African diaspora.
The representative said she was looking to talk about improving utilisation rates, exploring additional trade tools to complement the AGOA relationship, implementing the AfCFTA, and better use of the multilateral trading system for the benefit of underserved groups.
“All of you in this room play such an important part in fully realising this vision. No one government can get there alone, and that is the power of this forum. A committed and thoughtful community with a common goal of strengthening our US-African trade and investment relationship.”
Tai described AGOA as a vehicle for workers and businesses across Africa.
“This is important, as all of us continue our economic recovery from the COVID pandemic.”
She also shifted her focus to challenges following the pandemic that battered economies, climate crisis, growing inequality and economic insecurity.
“But there have also been positive developments,” Tai said.
The green shoots, she said include trading under the AfCFTA since January 2021 and African Union joining G20 in September this year.
Tai cited the African Development Bank’s report that stated that five of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies are projected to be in Africa.
She singled out South Africa, which is ranked one of the largest AGOA users, with the country being the top exporter in 2022, with $3.6 billion in exports.
“South Africa is leading the continent on other aspects as well, including through its clear commitment to human rights.”
She noted that the total goods imported into the United States under AGOA was about $10 billion in 2022, a significant increase compared to $6.8 billion in 2021.
Meanwhile, the non-petroleum imports – major sources of new investment and jobs in Africa, went up to $5.7 billion in 2022, from $5 billion in 2021.
“The programme has fostered economic growth and development on the continent to increase investment and to create new jobs and opportunities,” Tai said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 11/03/2023 - 14:27
Boks to receive warm KZN welcome during victory tour
The people of KwaZulu-Natal are brimming with pride and anticipation as they prepare to welcome the Springboks for their victory tour on Saturday.
The Bokke, as they are affectionately known, made history by becoming the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times and only the second to defend the title.
The victory tour is a gesture of appreciation for the millions of South Africans, who unwaveringly supported the team throughout the Rugby World Cup tournament.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and eThekwini Municipality have invited rugby enthusiasts and residents to join them in celebrating the momentous occasion, and to paint the streets of Durban green and gold during the Durban leg of the Webb Ellis Trophy tour.
“The Springboks will be received by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, in true Durban style.
“The celebratory procession will commence at approximately 9am in uMhlanga, proceed through KwaMashu before winding its way towards the picturesque Durban beachfront before culminating at the City Hall balcony, where the coveted Webb Ellis Cup will be proudly displayed,” the provincial government said.
In light of the festivities, the residents and motorists have been urged to exercise patience, as temporary road closures will be in effect from 8:30am to 2pm along the parade route. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 11/03/2023 - 11:42
Young farmer gets a shot in the arm from government
When he started farming vegetables in 2021, Sihle Maseko only had one hectare of land to grow his produce, but his hard work and determination to be successful has resulted in the creation of jobs for others.
Armed with a Diploma in Agricultural Science, the 29-year-old farmer from Keiskammahoek in the Eastern Cape produces a variety of vegetables, including cabbages, butternut and green mealies on 15 hectares of land.
The 15 hectares of land include five hectares, which is owed by his family and a 10-year lease from the community.
With 10 people employed on the farm, Maseko’s market has extended to other District Municipalities, including Chris Hani and OR Tambo.
Maseko has also managed to establish regular buyers in Middledrift, Alice, Keiskammahoek, East London, Peddie and other areas in the Amathole District.
Thanks to the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) support, Maseko will now be able to produce more and expand his business.
On Thursday, DRDAR MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters handed over a tractor and its implements to Maseko which will help him to grow and become a commercial farmer.
“I want to be able to create more jobs for my community and inspire more youth to join this sector. The youth should realise that they can make a good living out of this sector,” Maseko said.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Pieters said, government aims to ensure there are black commercial farmers, who through the support provided, are able to improve their businesses to make more profit, and be able to create jobs.
“We don’t want farmers that are always emerging and waiting for handouts from government. Agriculture is a business and it should not be practiced leisurely, especially with the investment from government - we want to see returns. Government cannot afford to be always pumping money to farmers that are not growing, you need to graduate," Pieters said.
The MEC also urged the youth to follow in Maseko’s footsteps.
“We are here today to assist a young farmer to produce more and excel in farming. If Sihle can do it what prevents other young people to get up and do something for themselves?” she said.
At the event, the MEC also handed over cropping inputs that included maize seeds and fertiliser to Keiskammahek community projects. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 11/03/2023 - 11:17
Rugby World Cup win demonstrates power of transformation
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) win has demonstrated the power of transformation.
“The Springboks are a potent symbol of just how far we have come as a people. That is why you have been so warmly embraced by South Africans of all races as their own,” President Ramaphosa said.
This was the fourth victory by the Springboks for the championship. All four championships have taken place during South Africa’s democratic years.
The President reflected on when former Boks captain Francois Pienaar and President Nelson Mandela lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at Ellis Park Stadium on 24 June 1995.
“Our democracy was just over one year old. South Africa had just been readmitted to World Rugby three years earlier. There was only one black player on the team, the legendary Chester Williams. It was a monumental, historic and deeply symbolic occasion. This win is also monumental,” he said.
The Springboks won the 2023 RWC against New Zealand at the finals in Paris, France, on Saturday, 28 October 2023.
Welcoming the Rugby World Cup champions at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, the President was joined by scores of Springbok supporters across different age groups and races, who filled the streets and cheered for the team.
They were in high spirits, proudly wearing their Springbok jerseys as they celebrated and chanted the names of their favourite players.
A large media contingent was also present to capture the Webb Ellis Cup parade, which kicked off in Pretoria. The world champions are embarking on a four-day Trophy Tour to major regional population centres from Thursday, with the next stop being in Johannesburg and Soweto, concluding at FNB Stadium.
“Never in the history of the Rugby World Cup has any team lifted the trophy on four occasions. Until now. In doing so, you have lifted the spirits of an entire nation and filled us with pride.
“You have united the South African people. The words 'Amabokobo', 'Go Bokke' are being shouted from the rooftops by black and white, young and old, urban and rural dwellers, in all our national languages. Over the past eight weeks, this country has been a sea of green and gold.
“People who haven’t even followed rugby before or been interested in the game are now talking with confidence about scrums, rucks, drop kicks and tries,” the President said.
He said the performance of the Springboks in this year’s Rugby World Cup has captured people’s imagination and energised them in a way not seen in a long time.
“It has reminded us that even amidst our many challenges, there is always room for optimism and hope. I have said before that we do not make light of the challenges our country faces. We certainly do not imagine that a sporting victory can or will wish them away.
“Your journey to victory in France on Saturday night was as much about our journey towards nationhood as it was about sporting excellence. It was as much about the power of transformation,” said the President.
He said Amabokoboko are testament to the power of a dream.
“Every young boy and girl in this country today – whether they are black, white, Indian or coloured – now knows they don’t have to be content with dreaming of becoming like you. They know they can be you,” the President said.
The Springbok rugby team tour will continue in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expressed gratitude to South Africans for supporting the team during the tournament.
“We, as a team, chose to dedicate this World Cup to you because you are the reason we are where we are today. Your resilient spirit, how hard you work and the things that you go through to be where you are in life.
“Your support kept us going. We are very diverse and we wanted to show that diversity is our strength in South Africa. We need to use our diversity. It is a powerful force that many countries do not have and that we can use.
“When we work together regardless of our backgrounds, we put South Africa first and work for South Africa. That is what we did. We did it by playing rugby,” Kolisi said.
South African Rugby Union (SARU) President Mark Alexander said the team’s victory is a testament of the unwavering support and boundless passion of the millions of South Africans who supported the team.
“Your Tik Toks, YouTube and Facebook posts celebrating the victories played a role in motivating our team as they fought brilliantly on the field. Our team has achieved a historic fourth Rugby World Cup, an epic accomplishment that could not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our players, led by the coaching team,” Alexander said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 11/02/2023 - 11:56
The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org) today announced the five teams (https://apo-opa.info/3tXVKZw) advancing to the Finalist Round of the Milken–Motsepe Prize in Green Energy. Each finalist team will receive $70,000 to further develop and test their designs in a live field test demonstration in South Africa next year.
The finalist teams are:
“Access to electricity can advance industrialization across Africa and improve the standards of living for many marginalized communities,” said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. “These finalists are building innovative solutions to deliver on the promise of a sustainable future, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. We will be delighted to welcome them to South Africa for the live demonstrations next year.”
An independent panel of expert judges determined the five teams continuing to the Finalist Round based on a rigorous evaluation of real-world data.
Judges will continue to evaluate competing teams' abilities to meet the challenge of generating 60kWh of electricity in a 24-hour period by:
“These finalists have once again proven the value of the innovation competition model in driving breakthroughs,” said Emily Musil Church, PhD, senior director at the Milken Institute. “The Semifinalist Round pushed these teams to stretch their limits and build solutions that are scalable and life-changing for millions.”
To date, the competition has awarded US$750,000 to entrepreneurs testing bold ideas to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity in Africa.
In May 2024, the judges will award a US$1 million Grand Prize. A runner-up prize of US$250,000 will also be awarded. In total, the Milken–Motsepe Prize in Green Energy will award over US$2 million in prizes and additional benefits.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.
Media Contact:
Chad Clinton
+1 (202) 262-1067
cclinton@milkeninstitute.org
About the Milken Institute:
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit www.MilkenInstitute.org
About the Motsepe Foundation:
The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute towards eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed, and marginalized people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Patrice Motsepe and Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife committed to give half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond.
Funds allocated for future disasters
To cater for the growing pressures imposed by climate change on infrastructure, especially at the local level, government has created a resource pool to specifically respond to future disasters.
“In this regard, R372 million has been added to the Municipal Disaster Response Grant, while R1.2 billion has been added to the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant, to cover the repair and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by flooding in February and March 2023,” Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday in Parliament.
Tabling the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), the Minister said mitigating the environmental risks posed by climate change must go hand-in-hand with addressing the financial and economic risks posed by climate change.
“The National Treasury is making progress towards developing a disaster risk financing strategy, which will among others, enhance existing risk financing instruments. Despite a robust legal framework, gaps exist in financing and implementation, including overreliance on budget reallocations.
“The National Treasury is analysing fiscal vulnerability and implementing policy reform to improve disaster resilience, reduce risks and ensure resources are efficiently allocated. The strategy adopts a risk-layering approach, incorporating multiple financing instruments based on the incidence and severity of shocks,” the Minister said.
It aims to strengthen governance, improve data quality and build financial and fiscal sustainability. The draft is expected to be ready during 2024/25.
Separately, the National Treasury has initiated the design and piloting of a climate budget tagging system to incorporate climate considerations into public financial management processes.
“The first phase of the project, from October 2020 to October 2022, involved consulting on the design of this system, conducting workshops to raise awareness, reviewing international experience and piloting the system in eight sites across the three spheres of government.
“The next phase is expected to conclude in December 2023. It will involve refining the climate budget tagging framework for additional testing and formal rollout, consulting stakeholders, revising guidance materials and setting up governance arrangements,” the Minister said.
Water management
Over the years, government has observed the impact of poor water management leading to polluted water sources and limited access to clean water for its citizens.
“To address this challenge, the government is making changes to conditional grants, starting with the urban settlement development grant, the integrated urban development grant, and the municipal infrastructure grant.
“These changes include the reconfiguring of grants and revising the grant conditions to align them with the Green Drop, Blue Drop, and No Drop assessments relaunched by the President as part of efforts to ramp up the performance of water service authorities,” the Minister said.
In addition, National Treasury will be working with local governments and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to develop new funding models, so that municipalities can continue to earn revenue through the transition to more self-generation of electricity by firms and households. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 11/01/2023 - 14:14
The “energy trilemma” of delivering lower carbon energy that is affordable and secure is an issue facing all businesses and policymakers in the energy space. We believe that the world’s leading energy companies meaningfully want to achieve all three priorities. In January 2023, the New York Times reported that 2022 was the fifth-hottest year on …