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The 2025 SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees will be held in the town of Nqweba after a new venue became available. Earlier it was announced that the Kirkwood Wildsfees would be moving to the Mayogi Bomas on the R75 from the Kirkwood High School grounds due to restrictions on the sale of liquor imposed by the Eastern… Read More »
President convenes Cabinet Lekgotla
President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened a Cabinet Lekgotla with leaders from all spheres of government - to review government’s progress on priorities, assess challenges and set the agenda for the seventh administration.
Addressing members of the media on the agenda of the two-day meeting, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said government was finalising the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024/2029.
The plan proposes three strategic priorities, which include inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, as well as building a capable, ethical and developmental State.
“We are focusing on the practical actions that we need to take to make good on the promises that we have made and set practical timeframes so that we can realise the priorities of the MTDP.
“We also received a scene-setting report from National Treasury on the economic outlook and the global outlook -- trends that will inform government planning.
“We are looking at what we want to achieve in terms of reforms on global institutions, in particular the security system of the United Nations and global funding institutions,” the Minister said on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Cabinet Lekgotla.
Other areas of focus include funding Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and the “missing middle”, in reference to students whose household income is too high to qualify for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding, yet too low to afford tertiary education without financial assistance.
The Cabinet Lekgotla is taking place on 29 and 30 January 2025 at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, in Pretoria.
The outcomes of the meeting will shape government’s policies and programmes that will be announced by the President during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Thursday, 6 February 2025, at 19:00.
With the seventh administration being under the Government of National Unity (GNU), which comprises 10 political parties from across the spectrum, Ntshavheni emphasised that the meeting will prioritise the interests of the country.
“We are meeting as the GNU and we are not bringing party political interests. We are going to negotiate and discuss as members of Cabinet and representatives of provinces, which are represented by Premiers.
“We work for the best benefit of our country and not the best benefit of our parties. The engagements are on the level of us being members of the national executive,” Ntshavheni said.
South Africa’s term for the Group of Twenty (G20) presidency also features on the meeting’s agenda.
“As we are preparing to host the G20, we will receive a report on the logistics and the content on government goals for the summit,” the Minister said.
South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” .
South Africa's G20 Presidency is the fourth consecutive emerging market Presidency, and it is also the first African Presidency, followed by the admission of the African Union (AU) as the second permanent African member.
The G20 was established to tackle pressing global economic and financial issues. Together, G20 members account for around 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade.
The G20 comprises 19 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States, and two regional bodies, namely the European Union and the African Union.
The grouping plays a critical role in influencing global policy making and fostering global economic stability. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 01/29/2025 - 18:23
Cabinet Lekgotla to take place this week
The Cabinet Lekgotla will take place on 29 and 30 January 2025 at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, in Pretoria.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will convene the meeting which is expected to be attended by the leadership structures representing all spheres of government.
The outcomes of the meeting will chart a way forward for the year to be announced by the President during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
This year’s SONA will be held on Thursday, 6 February 2025 at 19:00.
President Ramaphosa has requested the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, to convene a Joint Sitting of Parliament on this date.
During this sitting, to be held at the Cape Town City Hall, the President will deliver the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the seventh democratic Parliament.
“President Ramaphosa calls this joint sitting in accordance with Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution and Rule 13(1)(a) of the Joint Rules of Parliament. The Constitution states that the President is responsible for summoning the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces or Parliament, to an extraordinary sitting to conduct special business.
“During SONA, the President highlights achievements, flags challenges, and outlines interventions for the coming financial year.
“This address marks the official start of the parliamentary programme and sets out the government's key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead,” Parliament said in a statement.
SONA 2025 will be broadcast live on Parliament TV on DSTV Channel 408 and on Parliament's YouTube Channel. - SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 01/26/2025 - 12:27
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has updated road users on the ongoing road upgrade project on the R336. This project extends from the Bezuidenhout River, approximately 13km from Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) to the intersection of the R336 and R335 near Addo. The upgrade is expected to continue until November 2025. Covering… Read More »
But jobs are scarce in this small Cederberg mission town
It’s Heritage Month and in celebration of South Africa’s rich diversity of cultures and traditions, First Loyalty Plus – SA’s premier All-Round Rewards Programme – has created a fun quiz, designed to help you uncover your perfect South African heritage experience. “South Africa is a multi-faceted land with a storied past,” says Samantha Pillay, Director …
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will, in his capacity as Acting President, lead the signing by multiple stakeholders of the Second Presidential Health Compact at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, at 12h30 today, Thursday, 22 August 2024.
President Ramaphosa has appointed Deputy President Mashatile as Acting President, based on medical advice that President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in good spirits otherwise, allow an eye infection to clear.
Immediately after the Health Compact signing, Acting President Mashatile will receive Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission and Ambassadors-Designate of 11 countries.
The incoming members of the Diplomatic Corps have been nominated by their respective governments to serve as official representatives to South Africa.
The presentation of credentials to the Acting President will take place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House on the Bryntirion Estate at 14h00.
Representatives of the following countries will be welcomed to South Africa by Acting President Mashatile:
The Republic of Nicaragua; the Republic of Guinea; the Republic of Peru; the People's Republic of China; the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; the Holy See; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the Republic of Gabon; the Republic of Finland; the Republic of Senegal, and the Republic of Ghana.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
All eyes on SA's First Citizen
Many South Africans are expected to be glued to their screens this evening, 18 July 2024, as they eagerly wait to hear from President Cyril Ramaphosa, when he delivers the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) at 7pm.
As South Africa struggles with rising fuel and food prices, youth unemployment, crime and corruption, amongst others, many citizens are seeking hope and will be looking to President Ramaphosa’s speech for much-needed optimism as he leads the country under the Government of National Unity (GNU) banner.
President Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term last month at the first sitting of the National Assembly since the highly contested elections of 29 May.
He received 283 votes, while the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, received 44 votes for the top job.
The Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, has described the OPA ceremony as a historic event and said that the opening of Parliament reaffirms the government’s commitment to constitutional democracy.
“It serves as a powerful symbol for our nation’s ability to overcome adversity and continue the important work of governance,” Didiza said at a media briefing on Thursday to outline Parliament's state of readiness for the big event today, expected to showcase all the colourful and elegantly put together ceremonial aspects, befitting the Opening of Parliament.
Key areas
Speaking to SAnews, University of South Africa (Unisa) political analyst, Professor Dirk Kotze, said he expected the President's speech to focus on the economy.
“The issues he emphasised in the past will continue; the economic recovery plan, I suspect will still be the basis of his focus and [the] employment matter - how to create employment.”
Kotze also believes that the President will address infrastructure matters, foreign investments, and issues regarding electricity and water.
“I think the matter that is an overarching issue is how to deal with the fiscal issue and how there’s a reduction of the budgets in all of the different departments and how to try to improve the fiscal situation as a whole,” he told SAnews.
According to Kotze, the President’s speech usually covers almost all the departments, and that people can expect the same from the OPA.
He will also reaffirm the government's commitment to the fundamental principles of multilateralism, non-partisanship, and democracy, said the analyst.
“He should also create an environment which will make the GNU attractive for South Africans and the international community. I don’t know how exactly he’s going to do it, but he will have to build trust in the new government.”
Kotze also suspects that President Ramaphosa will address the GNU, discussing what they have already agreed upon, how it should function, and how Cabinet should operate.
“I think that will be the important part of the speech,” he explained.
The road to OPA
The Opening of Parliament signifies the formal start of the parliamentary year and is usually marked by grandeur, ceremony, and glamorous fashion that sparks conversation.
However, it is more than just that; but a significant ceremony where the Head of State outlines the government’s agenda, priorities, and policies during a joint sitting of the newly constituted two Houses of Parliament to deliver the OPA of the seventh administration.
The OPA occurs once every five years, following the Provincial and National Elections. It outlines the new administration’s plans and the official opening of the new five-year term of Parliament.
The President presided over the first Cabinet lekgotla of the administration at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria over the weekend, where Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Premiers gathered to discuss the government’s agenda.
The OPA will also provide an opportunity to hear the direction government is taking under the GNU.
According to Parliament, the address serves as a unifying force for the whole nation to collaborate and continue the progress made by past governments.
“It draws us in a common front to find ways to address the challenges we face and improve the lives of people.”
Mandela Day
This year’s opening of Parliament coincides with the United Nations-declared Nelson Mandela International Day.
July 18 marks the birthday of the founding President of a democratic South Africa and is a global celebration. It is a day for personal and collective actions for good that honour the leader’s life and legacy.
The Presidency has since called on citizens and communities to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact on communities globally.
The OPA will take place at the Cape Town City Hall.
South Africans can tune into their favourite television or radio station to be part of this national milestone.
Proceedings will also be covered via government and Parliament social media accounts. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 07/17/2024 - 14:57
First GNU Cabinet Lekgotla kicks off in Tshwane
President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the first Cabinet Lekgotla of the Government of National Unity (GNU) at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Tshwane this weekend.
The lekgotla is expected to set out the programme of action government will undertake during the seventh administration.
Attending the lekgotla are, among others, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Ministers and provincial Premiers.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of the all-important meeting, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the programme of action is guided by the priorities set out in the GNU’s Statement of Intent.
“That will allow us to then go back and consolidate what you know as the Medium Term Strategic Framework. Now we are calling it the Medium Term Development Plan.
“The set of actions are being guided by the priorities agreed by the parties to the GNU. In those nine priorities there is going to be a number of presentations that will say how we agree on this. And we are guided, as another filter, by the National Development Plan (NDP),” she said.
The priorities, in short, include:
• Economic growth, job creation and transformation
• Creating a more just society
• Stabilising local government,
• Investing in people through education, skills development and healthcare
• Building state capacity
• Strengthening law enforcement agencies
• Strengthening the effectiveness of Parliament
• Strengthening social cohesion, nation-building and democratic participation, and undertaking common programmes against racism, sexism, tribalism and other forms of intolerance
• Foreign policy based on human rights, constitutionalism, the national interest, solidarity and peaceful resolution of conflicts
“[Some of the priorities] focus on economic growth, inclusive growth and job creation. We are looking at what we should do to unlock the economy to grow so that it can create jobs for the people of South Africa.
“We are focusing on what are the areas of reforms that will unlock the economy, the issues around water, electricity and energy. We’re dealing with the issues around job creation, what the economic growth trajectory look like.
“To do that we need a partnership with business. We need also a capable, ethical and developmental state to have that capacity,” she said.
The Minister explained that the lekgotla will further be guided by “evidence-based planning and action”.
“The Statistician General [Risenga Maluleke] is going to present in terms of the indicators that we are looking at and what that means in terms of the government programme.
“We’ve tabled the budget of Statistics SA to say we are starting to work on the indicators of how … to support the implementation of the District Development Model to be evidence based…and to strengthen our research capabilities to make sure that we move with speed to achieve the goals of the NDP,” she said.
Ntshavheni clarified that following the lekgotla, Cabinet – which includes Ministers and the President – will adopt the programme of action.
“It has to be adopted by Cabinet. Cabinet is the governing authority of South Africa so it will adopt it and [then] clusters will go and work on their priorities and initiatives. From there departments go and work.
“The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, during that period, will continue to work and make sure that there’s alignment across [departments] and everyone knows what they want to do.
“We are going to implement government priorities collectively because there’s no ‘DA minister’, there’s no ‘ANC minister’, there is only a ‘minister of government’.
“We are consolidating so that we have a single view and a single programme of action that is agreed to by all and that cascades to provinces,” she said.
President Ramaphosa will communicate the outcomes of the lekgotla during the opening of Parliament on 18 July. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sat, 07/13/2024 - 13:07
Perfect warm winter weather greeted the thousands of festinos who flocked to the 21st annual SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees over the weekend of June 28 to June 30. Attendance was six percent up year-on-year to over 42 000 people through the gates, with consistent growth from 2022. The biggest attendance increase was 45 percent on the… Read More »
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a road upgrade project is in currently progress on the R336 between Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) and Addo. Phase 1 of the work takes place from km 16.75 to km 30.5 and includes resealing 1.75 km of the existing road between km 15… Read More »
The Kirkwood Accommodation Scramble is on around this time every year. I see many notes from festival goers desperately seeking accommodation. This must be music to the ears of many establishments that are in the surrounds. BUT – Not many people wil be able to afford these offerings: Top 7 Exclusive Addo Accommodation Choices If… Read More »
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) will not take the gazetted name change of Kirkwood to Nqweba lying down and will be interacting with our local communities to ensure that as many objections as possible are submitted to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. The name change follows the approval by the Minister of… Read More »
Here is a list of accommodation options available in Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood), South Africa: Kronenhoff Guesthouse Sleeps 36 in 18 rooms. Kronenhoff Guest House is set in the picturesque Sundays River Valley bordering the Addo National Elephant Park. The magnificent Cape Dutch home, luscious gardens, spacious and luxurious air-conditioned rooms, first class A la Carte… Read More »
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba in South Africa, Kronenhoff Guesthouse stands as a beacon of tranquility and comfort for travelers seeking a serene escape. This quaint guesthouse exudes an old-world charm while offering modern amenities, making it a popular choice for visitors exploring the scenic wonders of the region. History of Kronenhoff Guesthouse… Read More »
Welcome to Lemon3Lodge, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the captivating Sunday River Valley, now known as Nqweba. This tranquil retreat offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. In this article, we will delve into the history of… Read More »
Nestled in the heart of Kirkwood (now named Nqweba) Eastern Cape, Broadlands Country House, is a charming and historic destination that offers a unique experience for travelers seeking tranquility, natural beauty, and a touch of colonial elegance. This article will delve into the rich history of Broadlands Country House, as well as highlight the plethora… Read More »
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, lies the enchanting Kuzuko Lodge. This tranquil retreat offers a unique blend of luxury, wildlife, and breathtaking natural beauty. With its rich history and proximity to the renowned Addo Elephant National Park, Kuzuko Lodge is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers… Read More »
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, the Ndlovu Addo River Lodge offers a serene and enchanting getaway for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. With its rich history and proximity to the renowned Addo Elephant National Park, this lodge is the perfect destination for those seeking a unique and unforgettable… Read More »
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba (Kirkwood), Eastern Cape, the Upper Room Guesthouse offers a tranquil retreat for travelers seeking comfort and relaxation. With its comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and convenient location, this guesthouse is the perfect base for exploring the rich history and exciting attractions of Kirkwood and its surrounding areas, including the renowned… Read More »
Nestled in the picturesque town of Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, lies Osberg Safaris, a haven of adventure and tranquility. This article explores the rich history of Osberg Safaris and highlights the exciting things to do in and around Kirkwood and Addo. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, wildlife lover, or simply seeking a peaceful getaway,… Read More »
Deputy President to address House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to participate and deliver a keynote address at a dialogue convened by the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
The Deputy President in his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on matters of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, will address the session which will be held on Tuesday at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Pretoria.
“It is expected that during the dialogue, representatives will discuss the work of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team which was established to address pertinent issues raised by the institution of traditional leadership such as the transfer of land, rural development, tackling substance abuse, the fight against gender-based violence and femicide,” said the Presidency on Sunday.
The dialogue is a follow-up session to the address by President Ramaphosa during the official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in February 2024.
“The dialogue marks the last engagement with the sixth administration. Additionally, the dialogue presents an opportunity to take stock of the progress of the Institution, to celebrate some of the milestones achieved thus far, to reflect, to account and to chart the way forward.”
During his keynote address, the Deputy President will highlight the significance of the partnership between the house and government in working together to address the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 04/14/2024 - 14:49