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Namibia, SA to explore business opportunities

Location: News

Namibia, SA to explore business opportunities

Namibia and South Africa’s business executives will be exploring opportunities to increase trade and investment flows between the two countries at the Namibia-South African Business Forum and Exhibition on Friday.

The Business Forum and Exhibition, which will be held at the Windhoek Country Club, will focus on strategic priority sectors agreed to by both countries, namely, agriculture and agro-processing, automotive, clothing and textile, and green hydrogen, including exploring opportunities to strengthen cross-border value chains along with the integration of the requisite infrastructure and logistics supply chains.

The Forum will be held under the theme: “Forging a New Era of Mutually Beneficial and Reciprocal Trade and Investment Relations”.

The event will be hosted by Namibia’s Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade on the margins of the 3rd Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), which is co-chaired by Namibian President Hage G. Geingob and President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and the Namibian Minister of Industrialisation, Lucia Lipumbu, are expected to address the business forum.

The programme of the forum will include presentations on opportunities available to strengthen value chain linkages between the two countries, exhibitions, business-to-business meetings, and breakaway sessions for in-depth discussions on value chains in agriculture, automotive, green hydrogen, and clothing and textile sectors.

The business forum will provide businesspeople from the two countries a platform to exchange concrete ideas on the new opportunities that can be explored with the assistance of both governments to increase trade.

It is anticipated that a joint Namibia–South Africa business forum will be created and institutionalised to become a major platform that further enhances and solidifies trade, industrial and investment linkages between the two countries. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 10:08

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Read moreNamibia, SA to explore business opportunities

Hollywood Foundation Contributes R10 Million to Refurbish KZN Children’s Hospital for Adolescent Mental Health Ward on World Mental Health Day

Location: MyPR

In honour of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2023, the Hollywood Foundation is thrilled to announce its substantial contribution of R10 million towards the renovation of the KwaZulu-Natal Children’s Hospital. This remarkable contribution will be dedicated to the creation of a state-of-the-art 15-bed Mental Health ward, catering specifically to adolescent girls with neurological …

Read moreHollywood Foundation Contributes R10 Million to Refurbish KZN Children’s Hospital for Adolescent Mental Health Ward on World Mental Health Day

Setting the stage for the next phase of the EPWP

Location: News

Setting the stage for the next phase of the EPWP

Government’s flagship job creation programme, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), is set for a major shake-up in the months ahead. 

The programme will be contributing to building better community infrastructure, empowering participants with training and skills to enter the job market and becoming entrepreneurs as part of their exit strategies.

This was announced by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala at the EPWP Phase 5 Indaba in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The announcement comes as government is reviewing the performance of the Expanded Public Works Programme and preparing for Phase 5, which will see over five million job opportunities being created. 

The programme, currently in Phase 4, has delivered over four million job opportunities.

The EPWP Phase 5 Indaba is taking take stock of the current phase, which comes to an end in March next year.

Phase 4 learnings are being unpacked and new innovative ideas are being thrashed out for Phase 5 to accelerate the creation of job opportunities that have a long lasting impact on the unemployment of South African youth.

Zikalala said the repositioning and rebranding of the EPWP will be focused on delivering services and changing the lives of communities.

Zikalala said it should move beyond quantity to quality, high impact and be sustainable to the beneficiaries.

The programme will be massified to create more job opportunities while attempting to solve the country’s key challenges such as:

- Road maintenance (pothole patching, brick paving and ensuring pothole free road networks).

- Cleaning of neighbourhoods and waste management.

- Energy (retrofitting of government buildings and solar installations).

- Fixing lifts and plumbing.

“EPWP Phase 5 should be more than just combatting unemployment. It is about rewriting the story of our youth from one of despair to one of hope, from stagnation to growth and from dependency to self-reliance.

“Our core focus should gravitate towards not just creating employment opportunities, but crafting pathways of continuous growth, learning and empowerment. Our goal goes beyond employment generation. It is about nurturing a skilled, self-reliant populace that contributes constructively to our nation’s socio-economic fabric,” Zikalala said.

The Minister said one of the many strategies that will be used to escalate the EPWP’s national effort will be to re-open the government workshops.

The revitalisation of the existing workshops will be a cornerstone of empowering and absorbing some of the graduates from the National Youth Service (NYS) from the EPWP. The workshops will be the crucibles of innovation, skills development and practical exposure.

“By integrating NYS graduates into these workshops, we aim to foster a culture of continuous learning and hands-on experience, ensuring our youth are not just employable but are drivers of innovation and change,” the Minister said.

The Minister quoted a number of global public employment programmes whose lessons will be used extensively to craft programmes that will enhance the livelihoods security of people involved in EPWP programmes.

These programmes include India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Act that guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household, whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

Rwanda’s Umuganda cleaning programme was also cited by the Minister. The programme is a public cleaning programme that contributes to income support while keeping public places clean and hygienic.

The EPWP will be escalated to encompass priority projects like road maintenance, energy, waste recycling and cleaning of government buildings as arenas of innovation, skills development and environmental stewardship.

It will have a strong emphasis on training, enterprise development and ensuring a transformational journey for participants. The exit pathways will ensure that the journey of participants leads to future employability, self-employment, and cooperatives or enterprises that can employ more people.

“Our vision of creating exit pathways is centred on ensuring that as participants transition out of the programme, they are not stepping back into the abyss of poverty and uncertainty, but are striding confidently into avenues of self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship and meaningful employment,” Zikalala said.

The Minister said the EPWP programme will be characterised by the Khawuleza Model, where service delivery is accelerated and meaningful interventions are unleashed to ameliorate the living conditions of the vulnerable poor. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 14:41

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Read moreSetting the stage for the next phase of the EPWP

Agriculture Committee Concludes Public Hearings on Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Bill in Parliament

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development concluded the last leg of nationwide public hearings on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Bill in Parliament yesterday.

The committee facilitated the final hearings to give stakeholders and individuals who had expressed their wish to clarify their written submissions an opportunity to do so. Stakeholders taking up this opportunity included the Minerals Council South Africa, Agri SA, the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, the Agricultural Business Chamber, the Black Agricultural Commodities Federation, Inyanda National Land Movement and the Rural Women's Assembly (RWA) of South Africa.

The Mineral Council of South Africa, a voluntary membership founded in 1889 representing mining companies producing about 90% of South Africa's mineral production, submitted that it vehemently opposes mining through restrictions and imposing additional authorisations for mining on agricultural land. The council pointed out that the Bill obliges municipalities to designate all land as agricultural land, except land specifically excluded under the Bill. The committee was told that this approach is flawed, as it appears to intrude on the municipal competence with respect to municipal planning.

The council further stated that the Bill does not recognise the crucial role mining plays in job creation, export earnings and infrastructure development. In addition, the absence of exemption for mining and of defined processes for how competing mining interests will be accommodated leaves the mining industry at mercy of the Minister of Agriculture.

The Inyanda National Land Movement and the RWA, which includes black smallholder crop and livestock owners in several of provinces, including the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, Limpopo and the Free State, welcomed that the PDAL Bill recognises, “it is in the national interest to preserve and promote the sustainable development of agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products for the primary purpose of sustaining and enhancing human life for the benefit of present and future generations.”

However, they had some concerns that they hope the committee will consider when taking the Bill forward. One concern is the requirement that smallholder and “emerging” producers have “adequate buffer to cater for risks related to climate variability”, which they say is exclusionary and ignores the reality of black producers, who continue to be allocated less productive land, as the best agricultural land was taken by colonial settlers.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, thanked all the stakeholders who took the time to present their views to the committee. He said their inputs will be considered when the committee finalises its report for submission in the National Assembly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Read moreAgriculture Committee Concludes Public Hearings on Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Bill in Parliament

PNA and Breadline Africa Give Early Childhood Development a Boost

Location: MyPR

PNA, South Africa’s top retailer of stationery, art supplies, and educational books, has partnered with Breadline Africa, a well-known non-profit organisation, to enhance Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in vulnerable communities across South Africa. Together, they aim to invest in the country’s young children and promote education. Their joint efforts have raised over R1.5 million, …

Read morePNA and Breadline Africa Give Early Childhood Development a Boost

DWS consults stakeholders on water strategies

Location: News

DWS consults stakeholders on water strategies

Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, will on Thursday join Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) executive leaders and Standard Bank, in a workshop to engage on the implementation of the third National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS-3).

The department said the workshop will also be attended by representatives from different stakeholders in the water sector, who will interrogate detailed actions that are required to ensure financial sustainability of the water sector, as per the strategic objectives in NWRS-3.

The NWRS-3 is a legal instrument for implementing or operationalising the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) and is also crucial for proper management of the nation’s water resources across all sectors towards achieving national government’s development objectives.

The department noted that South Africa faces many and varied water security challenges, which include deficient water infrastructure maintenance, inadequacy of funds for investment, recurrent droughts, inequitable access to water and sanitation, and a lack of skilled human capacity, especially at municipal level. 

To address these challenges, the department said it continuously monitors the sector and develops responsive and proactive strategies to ensure sustainable water management.

“Through its National Water Resource Strategy, which is reviewed every five years to guide water resources management in the country, the department provides the foundation for financial sustainability on the entire water and sanitation value chain,” the department said.

The workshop will be held under the theme: “Ensuring financial sustainability of the water sector”. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 10/11/2023 - 08:37

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Read moreDWS consults stakeholders on water strategies

Umdoko Internet launches a modern event management platform

Location: MyPR

Johannesburg, October 10, 2023— Umdoko Internet is gearing up for a momentous milestone as it prepares to introduce a minimum valuable product (MVP) of Amusema, an event management platform set to make its debut this weekend. The company is embarking on a pioneering mission to transform the landscape of event planning and execution with cutting-edge …

Read moreUmdoko Internet launches a modern event management platform

Local government called to drive tourism investment

Location: News

Local government called to drive tourism investment

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Siboniso Duma, has challenged local government to drive tourism through investment in socio-economic infrastructure.

“Our view is that local government is where tourism happens, and this is why local government is best placed to create a memorable experience for tourists,” Duma said.

Duma was speaking at the Provincial Tourism and Investment Committee (PTIC) meeting, held at Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre on Tuesday.

The PTIC, which includes representatives of KZN metropolitan, district and local municipalities; CEOs of public entities and private sector organisations, seeks to deliberate on radical industry transformation matters.

The meeting aimed to assess progress in relation to investments in socio-economic infrastructure in various municipalities across the province.

In his opening remarks, Duma said local government aims to ensure that KZN is amongst the top tourist destinations.

“Each one of us here has a special role to play in making this a reality-in one way or another, we have a direct impact on the future of tourism," Duma said.

Duma said the province is lobbying and bidding to host the national and international events, as part of the stimulation of tourism. 

“We hosted, successfully, the MTN 8 Finals over the weekend. We will be hosting the South African Music Awards around 17 to 18 November at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. 

“KZN will be put firmly on the map as we host the jewel of the creative industry. We will be doing destination marketing and activations in various parts of the province,” Duma said. 

To achieve this, he said all municipalities must play a role and maximise the considerable job creating potential of the tourism sector.

“The tourism sector is a national priority sector with enormous potential to promote economic development, thus requiring of municipalities to promote it and support it. We must pride ourselves on a responsible, sustainable and transforming sector,” the MEC said. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

GabiK
Tue, 10/10/2023 - 15:22

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Read moreLocal government called to drive tourism investment

Zikalala outlines vision to advance EPWP outcomes

Location: News

Zikalala outlines vision to advance EPWP outcomes

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has called for the restructuring of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to make it more responsive to the country’s development needs.

The Minister was addressing the two-day EPWP Phase 5 Indaba in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Zikalala emphasised that youth unemployment is still the most pressing issue across the globe, and was worsened by the devastation emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The South African youth is disproportionately affected, constituting a huge portion of the unemployed youth that feels left out,” Zikalala said.

In the same vein, the Minister said the challenges that have compromised the EPWP must be dealt with.

“…The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure cannot afford to relegate its mandate to be limited to merely reporting on targets than being actively involved itself in creating job opportunities,” Zikalala said.

The Minister said ultimately, the EPWP must lead to enhanced future employability, self-employment, and cooperatives or enterprises that can employ more people.

“Our goal goes beyond employment generation. It is about nurturing a skilled, self-reliant populace that contributes constructively to our nation’s socio-economic fabric.  

“By integrating NYS [National Youth Service] graduates into these workshops, we aim to foster a culture of continuous learning and hands-on experience, ensuring our youth are not just employable, but are drivers of innovation and change.

“Our initiative to absorb some of the NYS graduates from the EPWP into the DPWI workshops is thus a cornerstone of this vision,” Zikalala said.

Breaking unemployment barriers

The Minister said some young adults, now in their 40s, have never had the opportunity to work.

“Youth unemployment is still the most pressing issue across the globe, and this was worsened by the devastation emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 32.6% in South Africa.

“Last month, the United Nations joined many others to describe our unemployment picture as a ticking time bomb,” the Minister said.

He said the country’s fiscal standing must be used as a “call to arms” for fostering a culture of effective coordination across all spheres of government.

“It is also an invitation to collectively devise funding mechanisms that are not just effective, but sustainable.”

EPWP of the Future

According to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the two-day indaba will be an interactive session aimed at the reconceptualisation and redesigning of the EPWP of the Future.

The indaba has brought together a host of stakeholders from all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to brainstorm on the formulation of the EPWP Phase 5 business plan, which will be presented to Cabinet before the end of the year.

Last year, the DPWI developed the EPWP Policy and it was approved by Cabinet on 31 August 2022 for public consultation.

The EPWP is one of government’s strategies to alleviate poverty through the creation of work opportunities using labour-intensive methods.

It is implemented in four sectors, namely: infrastructure, social, environment and culture, and non-State. All spheres of government and State-owned entities are expected to implement the programme. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 10/10/2023 - 13:26

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Read moreZikalala outlines vision to advance EPWP outcomes

Understanding UPS Power Supply: Your Backup Power Solution

Location: MyPR

In today’s digitally connected world, a sudden power outage can disrupt our lives and work. Whether it’s at home or in the office, losing access to electricity, even momentarily, can lead to data loss, equipment damage, and productivity setbacks. This is where Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems come to the rescue. In this article, we’ll …

Read moreUnderstanding UPS Power Supply: Your Backup Power Solution

Public Works to host EPWP Indaba

Location: News

Public Works to host EPWP Indaba

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala and his deputy Bernice Swarts will on Tuesday host the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Indaba in Pretoria.

The two-day indaba will be an interactive session aimed at the 'reconceptualisation' and 'redesigning' of the ‘EPWP of the Future’.

The indaba will also reflect on the EPWP Phase 4 and plan ahead for Phase 5 of the programme.

“The EPWP Indaba will bring together a host of stakeholders from all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to brainstorm on the formulation of the EPWP Phase 5 business plan, which will be presented to Cabinet before the end of the year,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.

Last year, the DPWI developed the EPWP Policy, which was approved by Cabinet on 31 August 2022 for public consultation.

The EPWP is one of the government’s strategies to alleviate poverty through the creation of work opportunities using labour-intensive methods.

It is implemented in four sectors namely: infrastructure, social, environment and culture, and non-State.

All spheres of government and State-owned entities are expected to implement the programme.

EPWP participants (beneficiaries) work on different projects such as the Community Work Programme (CWP), Early Childhood Development, Home Community Based Care, Extra School Support, Working on Fire, Working for Water and roads maintenance projects, among others.

The development and gazetting of the EPWP policy follows years of extensive engagements by DPWI and various stakeholders who are participating in the implementation of the EPWP.

The purpose of the EPWP Policy is to refocus the Public Employment Programme agenda of government, with policy positions and programmes of action that are clearly defined, implementable and enforceable. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Mon, 10/09/2023 - 09:56

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Read morePublic Works to host EPWP Indaba

Borehole drilling underway in eThekwini

Location: News

Borehole drilling underway in eThekwini

As part of interventions to resolve water challenges, the eThekwini Municipality has started the drilling of boreholes in several wards, particularly in the rural parts of the city.

This follows the recent launch of the borehole project that will see 20 boreholes drilled in areas affected by irregular supply of water. 

Launched by eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, the project will ensure that residents have access to clean, safe water as an interim measure, while longer term solutions are sought.

“In areas where there is inadequate water infrastructure, the municipality has reprioritised funding for the drilling of boreholes. We are pleased to report that teams have already started drilling boreholes,” Kaunda said.

Kaunda said the wards where the projects have started include Ward 3 in Umzinyathi, Ward 105 in Mfume, Ward 59 in oGunjini, and Ward 108 in the eNyoni and Mkhumbane areas. 

Giving an update on the restoration of water supply in uMhlanga, Durban North and surrounding areas, Kaunda said as a proactive and preventative measure, the municipal teams will be installing pressure gauges at strategic points on the bulk aqueduct pipeline. 

“They will link this up with our telemetry system where we monitor the reservoir levels. We have also approached the South African Police Service to speed up the investigation on the criminal case of sabotage the municipality has opened,” Kaunda said.

The Mayor also reported that the sanitation technical teams continue to work around the clock to ensure all beaches are open during the festive season and beyond. 

Kaunda said there is a collaborative effort between the scientific services and the mechanical and wastewater network departments to clearly identify the sources for any identified coastal pollution. 

“It is important for the public to know that the pollution of beaches is caused by a combination of factors including pump failure, load shedding, vandalism or poor network infrastructure.

“Therefore, the streamlining of our processes has resulted in us being able to prioritise and track non-functioning infrastructure on a daily basis to ensure repairs are effected promptly,” Kaunda said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 10/09/2023 - 10:21

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Read moreBorehole drilling underway in eThekwini

Smart Solutions for Tackling Load Shedding

Location: MyPR

Load shedding is a common challenge faced by many regions, causing disruptions in daily life and impacting productivity. Whether it’s due to an overloaded power grid, extreme weather conditions, or inadequate infrastructure, the effects of load shedding can be frustrating and costly. However, in today’s technology-driven world, there are smart solutions available to help individuals …

Read moreSmart Solutions for Tackling Load Shedding

Load Shedding Strategies: Keeping the Lights On

Location: MyPR

In the face of persistent load shedding, individuals and communities around the world are seeking innovative strategies to maintain a consistent power supply. Load shedding, the controlled shutdown of electricity, often due to high demand or infrastructure limitations, can disrupt daily life and have a significant impact on various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial.  …

Read moreLoad Shedding Strategies: Keeping the Lights On

AfricaIgnite Hosts the African Leg of the Start-up World Cup at Africa Tech Festival

Location: News
Africa Tech Festival

Wait for it…AfricaIgnite, formerly AHUB, Africa Tech Festival's (https://tmt.knect365.com/Africa-Tech-Festival/) flagship event for the African continent's start-ups and innovators, has been announced as the host for the African leg of the globally prestigious Start-Up World Cup 2023, and 10 African start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch for a spot at the grand finale to be held in San Francisco, USA on 1 December 2023.

USD1 million up for grabs – The AfricaIgnite Start-up Pitch showcase will take place at Africa Tech Festival in November in Cape Town, South Africa.  To enter, African early-stage start-ups and scale-ups with seed fundings of up to $15million will need to apply (https://apo-opa.info/3PGV3Lz) by 15 October.  The finalists, to be unveiled on 30 October, will then need to make their way to Cape Town and pitch in front of hundreds of investors and tech leaders on 16 November.

The winner of Africa Tech Festival's pitch competition will then be invited to compete in the grand finale of the Startup World Cup, to be held in San Francisco on 1 December, for that impressive 1 million US dollar investment, in front of industry greats such as ABC's Shark Tank Barbara Corcoran, Sundeep Jain, Chief Product Officer at Uber, Daniel Sturman CTO at Roblox and more.

Since launching in 2016, the festival's start-up platform has been committed to supporting the growth of Africa's nascent entrepreneurs and innovators.  The interest in the offering has grown significantly to the point where AfricaIgnite has now taken on a life-force of its own. 

James Williams, Director, Events | Connecting Africa | Informa Tech: “Africa's bright and forward-thinking minds need a platform to network, get inspired, and co-build a stronger tech start-Up investment ecosystem, which is exactly what AfricaIgnite offers. As Africa Tech Festival, we are excited to be partnering with The Startup World Cup to offer our African colleagues the opportunity they deserve to present their businesses on a global stage. This is a very exciting partnership, and the first, we hope, of many as the continent's innovation sector gathers momentum.”

Investment by the numbers

In 2022, Africa was the only region where start-up investment grew with around USD4.8 billion put into around 1,000 businesses.  That said though, this sum still only represents a paltry 1.2% of all start-up funding raised globally.  However, this is predicted to change quite rapidly in the years ahead as the continent's entrepreneur, start-up and SMME ecosystem fully embraces the digital revolution and connectivity, whilst Africans create the solutions to many of their own, and the world's challenges.

In the 2021 – 2022 period, 37% of investment was channelled to the FinTech space, but its dominance is now being challenged by innovation and new business ideas that solve Africa's energy and waste difficulties.  Other sectors that are attracting interest also include the likes of the telecoms, media and entertainment space, logistics and transport, retail, agriculture, and food, as well as the growing proliferation of deep tech.

“We are very happy to partner up with AfricaTech Festival for the Startup World Cup South Africa Regional and are delighted by the quality and enthusiasm of the start-ups who are competing,” said Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, who created the Startup World Cup competition in 2016. “Each year we have been able to reach more entrepreneurs in more cities around the world and, in turn, connect more innovation ecosystems to Silicon Valley and the rest of the world.

“We hope this partnership creates new valuable opportunities for the competing start-ups from Africa.”

In good company

Africa Tech Festival also holds its own when it comes to the investor community, with databases of several thousand investors and venture capitalists predominantly spanning Africa and the United States, as well as a strong community of founders, entrepreneurs, and start-ups. 

Aside from the exciting early-stage start-up Pitch Showcase, AfricaIgnite in 2023 is looking to up the ante with a curation of content that is exciting, informative, and definitely going to take participants places.  The AfricaIgnite space located in the AfricaTech Hall will be a centre of activity with an offering of excellent networking and matchmaking between founders and investors, a start-up marketplace and demo area (no pitching required), along with a host of dedicated workshops and masterclasses presented by top professionals.

Delegates, start-ups, and those considering taking a leap of faith into the new world of business, can explore content that covers useful topics such as what to expect from year one as a founder – what to do, get good at and what to ignore; the power of collaboration in building a global company; perfecting the next “X”-tech for future generations; founding, funding and running your start-up in economically challenging times; concept to company – demystifying the entrepreneurial process plus a raft of funding talks and presentations, as well as the all-important insight into exit planning 101!

Never has the time been more right to head to Cape Town 13 – 16 November to be part of the action at Africa Tech Festival, the world's largest and most influential Africa-focused technology, telecoms, and media gathering.  In 2023, expect big things to happen in this space. 

For more information, please see website here: Africa Tech Festival 2023 - The Home of AfricaCom & AfricaTech (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu)

To apply for the pitch competition, please click here: Africa Tech Festival 2023 – pitch competition (https://apo-opa.info/3PGV3Lz)

View all ticket options for Africa Tech Festival, including start-up passes, here (https://apo-opa.info/3Q04o2r)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

For media enquiries, interviews and/or images please contact: 
Kaz Henderson 
kaz@networxpr.co.za or call on +27 (0) 82 339 1199. 

(Please note that all requests are adjudicated and there may be some delay before you hear back from us).

Social Media Handles:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3LIdCxG
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3EZ7RYB
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.info/3EcywR6

About Startup World Cup:
Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition with the goal of bridging start-up ecosystems worldwide. The competition gives start-up companies from all over the world a chance to win a US $1,000,000 prize in the form of an investment. This year, there will be 50+ regional events across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, leading up to the Grand Finale in San Francisco in September. Startup World Cup is organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based global venture capital firm.

About Africa Tech Festival 2023:
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech and AfricaIgnite is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series.  A vibrant celebration of Africa's diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 12000 delegates.

Key themes for 2023 continue to explore the creation and sustainability of a connected Africa and the impact this can have for the people of the continent but also the commercial prospects for local and global businesses and governments.  Topics will include Telcos of Tomorrow, Connecting the Next Billion, Digital Infrastructure Investment, Sustainability & Climate Resilience, ICT Policy and Regulation, Fintech & MFS, Broadcast Media & Entertainment, Pioneer Tech, the Future of Work and Talent and Skills Development. Africa Tech Festival also incorporates and the Africa Tech Festival Awards, an exclusive ceremony celebrating Africa's tech pioneers and held at the luxury 5-star The Bay Hotel, as well as the LeadersIn Africa Summit, an exclusive, VIP-only feature offering high-level presentations and roundtable discussions to Africa's tech elite.

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Read moreAfricaIgnite Hosts the African Leg of the Start-up World Cup at Africa Tech Festival

Specialised audit skills needed for climate transition

Location: MyPR

Specialised audit skills needed for climate transition Experienced accountants and auditors will be central to new sustainable business strategies as organisations look to meet net-zero targets With governments around the world looking to restructure their economies in response to a looming climate crisis, it is no longer enough for businesses to just donate to environmental …

Read moreSpecialised audit skills needed for climate transition

KZN speeds up pothole repairs

Location: News

KZN speeds up pothole repairs

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has unveiled 55 new trucks, which will be used to improve the turnaround time in addressing pothole patching in the province.

The procurement of the trucks, which were unveiled at the launch of the 2023 October Transport Month campaign, is part of the commitment made by the Premier in her State of the Province Address, where she committed government to improving the provincial road network conditions.

The trucks -- fitted with the latest pothole patching technology -- will be distributed to all Department of Transport District Offices, in a “fast and effective operation”.

The trucks will comprise a team of nine people, who will be responsible for routine and safety maintenance, including pothole patching, blacktop patching, drain cleaning and verge maintenance, among other duties.

Unveiling the trucks, Dube-Ncube emphasised that the transport sector is the heartbeat of the province’s economy, and crucial in the stimulation of socio-economic development of the nation.

She said during October Transport Month, the province will advance road safety initiatives and highlight several economic empowerment initiatives.

“Under the Department of Transport, over the coming months, the province will ensure that employment intensive road maintenance programmes are increased to provide employment opportunities for more women and the vulnerable in our province. The Zibambele Maintenance Programme will create 41 000 job opportunities,” Dube-Ncube said.

This year’s October Transport Month Campaign is being rolled out under the theme: ‘Siyakha – We are building better infrastructure to grow South Africa together!’.

During this month, the Department of Transport and its entities will showcase transport infrastructure services in aviation, maritime, public transport and roads. 

This month will also be used to further advance the country’s road safety initiatives, while creating awareness of the economic benefits of the sector. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Fri, 10/06/2023 - 10:31

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Read moreKZN speeds up pothole repairs

SADC – GMI signs agreement to promote sustainable water resources management

Location: News

SADC – GMI signs agreement to promote sustainable water resources management

The Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) and Southern African Development Community – Groundwater Management Institute (SADC – GMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster the promotion of equitable and reasonable utilisation of water resources of the Incomati and Maputo Basin. 

The agreement also seeks to ensure efficient management and sustainable development of the resources. 

The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 10th SADC River Basin Organisations (RBO) and Shared Watercourse Institutions (SWI) workshop, held at Joachim Chissano Conference Centre in Maputo on 2 - 4 October 2023. 

The workshop aimed to facilitate the exchange of ideas that will enhance effective transboundary water resources planning, development, and management in the region, while ensuring environmental sustainability and resilience in order to improve regional water security, and ultimately reduce poverty through regional integration, economic productivity and industrialisation. 

Through the signed MoU, the two parties have agreed on the following areas of cooperation, amongst others:
•    Engage in academic research on the Incomati and Maputo Basins on items of mutual interest, particularly on groundwater related issues.
•    Share any information that improves the knowledge base on transboundary aquifers in the Incomati and Maputo Basins.
•    Design and undertake joint excursions and projects within the two basins.
•    Explore funding opportunities from various cooperating partners and funders to implement joint activities within the basin. 

INMACOM is an entity established by the Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of Mozambique, and Republic of South Africa through the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission Establishment Agreement entered into in November 2021.

This is an instrument used to guide the Riparian States in contributing to regional cooperation with regard to the utilisation and development of common water resources. 

The main responsibility of the Commission is to, amongst others, encourage cooperation between the parties to ensure the development, protection and sustainable utilisation of the water resources shared by the Member States.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has welcomed the new development, saying the combined effort by the Member States, through South Africa’s Water and Sanitation, Department of Water Resources in Eswatini and Mozambique’s Department of Water and Natural Resources, could also contribute positively towards “peace, stability and prosperity of the Southern African region”.

“SADC-GMI, is established as the regional Centre of Excellence in promoting equitable and sustainable groundwater management and providing solutions to groundwater challenges across the SADC region for improved livelihoods and socio-economic development. This also forms part of SADC agenda of regional integration and poverty eradication. 

“Furthermore, SADC-GMI mandate is to create an enabling policy, legal and regulatory environment, capacity development, advancing research, supporting groundwater infrastructure development, and create an enabling dialogue and accessibility of groundwater information in the SADC region,” the department said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 10/06/2023 - 09:48

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Read moreSADC – GMI signs agreement to promote sustainable water resources management

Work underway to recover Germiston to Joburg rail line

Location: News

Work underway to recover Germiston to Joburg rail line

The Gauteng Infrastructure team is working on recovering the Germiston to Johannesburg rail line following the collapse of a footbridge, said the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

Two pedestrians were reported to be injured when the steel footbridge collapsed on Wednesday. They were taken to a nearby hospital.

“This work follows the removal of parts of the bridge and debris from the perway/main tracks. The remaining parts of the bridge and debris will be removed today,” the agency said on Thursday.

The team started the recovery work on Wednesday evening, working into the early hours of Thursday morning.

PRASA said it is pleased with the progress made in recovering the infrastructure so it can resume services, which is expected within the next 24-48 hours.

An investigation into what led to the collapse is underway. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Thu, 10/05/2023 - 13:00

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Read moreWork underway to recover Germiston to Joburg rail line

Mop up operations continue across Western Cape

Location: News

Mop up operations continue across Western Cape

The Western Cape Provincial Government says it has been working around the clock to re-open roads and assist communities that have been badly affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding.

Giving an update on mop up operations, Head of the Department of Infrastructure, Jacqueline Gooch, said while the province has been working around the clock to re-open the roads along with their partners, some mop up operations are taking some time to complete due to the extent of the damage.

“While main routes and alternatives to main routes are prioritised, at times, despite being a high priority, we have to wait for the flood water to subside. This is in the case where a road remains under water or where landslips have occurred. For example, both Clarence Drive and Franschhoek Pass have significant landslips, and repair work cannot commence until the slips have stabilised,” Gooch said.

Gooch explained that when prioritising the road repairs, the provincial government considers the main routes and alternatives to main routes; access to communities that have been cut off completely for humanitarian relief, food and emergency services; and roads which are of economic importance, such as those needed for movement of goods/exports, among other things.

On the estimated total cost of storm damage, Gooch said the costs for repairs cannot be confirmed at this stage, until all inspections and assessments of damage have been carried out. 

“It is likely to be a considerable amount, when taking into account for example among other costs the number of bridges and roads that have been completely washed away,” she said.

Gooch urged residents to pay attention to road closure signs, as they are in place for their safety.

With saturated ground, she said, water causes expansion in certain cases and when an area dries, it contracts again. 

“While much has been done in terms of mop-up operations and responding to communities’ needs, we are still in the process of our disaster response and will be for some time. As we further inspect the road network, we are discovering additional damage to infrastructure,” Gooch said.  
 
Meanwhile, the provincial government has appealed to citizens who assist displaced families with donations in the form of blankets, water, dry and non-perishable food, baby food and toiletries.

Citizens who are able to donate towards relief efforts are requested to drop off any donations at the following offices of the SA Red Cross Society:
 
•    Wynberg: 21 Broad Road, Wynberg
•    Greyton: 11 Pointers Way, Heuwelkroon, Greyton
•    Hermanus: 2A Aberdeen Street, Hermanus
•    Knysna: 25 Trotter Street, Knysna
 
The province has expressed its appreciation to all officials, including teams on the ground and partners, for hard work thus far and the work currently underway. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Thu, 10/05/2023 - 15:10

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Read moreMop up operations continue across Western Cape