MyPR

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government will host a series of high-level engagements as a precursor to the 15th BRICS Summit that will take place in August.

Led by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the engagements will kick off with the BRICS Gender Dividend Debate to be hosted by the City of Durban at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on Friday, 14 July 2023. 

The debate will be led by prominent female political leaders, including government officials, and economists from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and African nations. 

Dube-Ncube said the objective of the debate is to explore the political economy of gender in a multipolar world, framing “Tomorrow’s multipolar world, through a gender lens” for Women by Women in BRICS and African nations. 

She said the main topics of discussion will include the impact of the evolving BRICS and African political and economic landscape on transforming industries to become gender-neutral and inclusive. 

“The debate will also focus on identifying revolutionary decisions, investments, and measures of success that BRICS leaders need to deploy to promote gender equity and equality, fostering inclusive and prosperous BRICS and African economies.

“Furthermore, the debate will emphasise converting promises and hopes into practical solutions and framing resolutions, to advance the BRICS needle on gender equality by 2030, contributing to the Johannesburg XV BRICS Summit Declaration,” said the Premier.

The event will be followed by the 9th BRICS Youth Summit and the Meeting of Ministers responsible for Youth Affairs, to be hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) which will be held from 18-21 July 2023.

The BRICS Youth Summit is a platform for dialogue for delegates from member states, striving for the promotion of peace, security, development in a multi-polar inter-dependent and increasingly complex, globalizing world. 

Held under the theme “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism” the objectives of the summit are to bring together youth participants, affording them an opportunity to share ideas and work on a concrete Action Plan for co-operation in economic, humanitarian, mass media and the science sphere.

NYDA spokesperson, Bongekile Skosana, said this year, South Africa as the Chair of BRICS will direct the summit to focus mainly on discussions that aim to encourage young leaders amongst BRICS nations to actively participate in addressing significant global challenges, economic, social issues, and contribute to the developmental agenda.

“It further focuses to establish constructive engagements on issues relating to youth empowerment, the advancement of youth development and in creating a conducive environment where youth will devise a path to a brighter and better future,” Skosana said.

The BRICS Urbanisation Forum taking place from 26-27 July 2023, will also bring together various stakeholders from the BRICS countries, including BRICS Ministerial delegations, representatives from local governments, policymakers, and other stakeholders to place key issues of urbanisation on their agenda for action. 

The Forum will highlight how to build productive and sustainable urban economies and livelihood survival strategies in urban environments as well as creating inclusive urban spaces.

The last edition of the forum was hosted online under the presidency of China in 2022.

BRICS-AFRICA Women Business Alliance

The events will conclude with BRICS-AFRICA Women Business Alliance (BRICS WBA) Trade Conference, taking place on 20-21 August 2023.

The BRICS WBA Trade Conference is a unique event that brings together 500 women-owned businesses, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises from 18 different countries, namely South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Zambia, DRC, Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Lesotho.

The conference is set to be a ground-breaking event, featuring several highlights, including the first ever physical meeting of BRICS WBA national chapters, the launch of the Agrowex e-commerce platform, and the unveiling of the BRICS Center for Labour Mobility and Education Services, “Work and Study”.

BRICS Summit

South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 22 - 24 August 2023.

The Summit will take place under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan says Komati Power Station not only represents a practical example of how South Africa will conduct its Just Energy Transition but also provides a glimpse into Eskom’s future.

The power station, which was decommissioned in October last year, is the first coal fired power station in Eskom’s fleet to transition to a renewable energy hub.

“Whilst there’s a section that will say we have shutdown the power station. In fact, we are bringing it down so that it can rise again. It’s not a complete shutdown. We are not breaking anything. We are repurposing and preparing it for a different kind of future and it’s a future that the world itself…is preparing for.

“Komati is South Africa’s reality. It’s where South Africa’s Just Energy Transition is going to be tested and prepared for. Komati is the place where…the tyre hits the road,” he said.

Eskom envisions that within the next few years, the Komati site will feed some 370MW of solar, wind and battery storage power to the grid.

Gordhan said this and the Just Energy Transition presents “huge opportunities” for South Africa and emphasised that through this transition, no one will be left behind.

“The ‘just’ in the Just Energy Transition is absolutely crucial. Not only for saying how do we ensure that our communities cope with the changes that are going to take place at Komati but also in the course of changing the nature of the relationship between Komati and the communities around Komati.

“Can we find new ways of economic inclusivity? Can we find new ways of economic empowerment? Can we find new ways of creating a whole lot of new entrepreneurs in this area [This] is so that it can become real economic activity as opposed to dependence on one power station.

“In that way we reduce the levels of unemployment; we increase the levels of entrepreneurship in South Africa and people learn to become part of the new world,” he said.

Turning to the question of the employment of people who previously worked at the plant, Gordhan highlighted that these workers have either been relocated to other plants or are being re-skilled to do other jobs.

“There are both a number of ideas but also the beginnings of new programmes which will address the issue of jobs, the issue of training and people development and learning how to deal with new forms of technology that we have to inevitably deal with,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved generation licences for five preferred bidders of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

The five preferred bidders were approved for the department’s Bid Window 6 at the regulator’s 29 June meeting.

 “The five preferred bidders applied for generation licences in accordance with section 7 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No.4 of 2006), which requires that no person may operate a generation facility without a licence issued by the Energy Regulator.

“NERSA analysed the applications and determined that they meet all the licensing requirements. No objections to the applications were received,” the Energy Regulator said on Friday.

The preffered bidders are: Doornhoek PV (Pty) Ltd; Boitumelo Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd; Kutlwano Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd; URSA Energy (RF) (Pty) Ltd and Antlia Energy (RF) (Pty) Ltd.

The sixth round of the REIPPPP Bid Window 6 is the second bid window to be procured in response to the Second Ministerial Determination.

The Bid Window called for new generation capacity of 4 200MW, made up of 3200 MW wind energy resources and 1000 MW Solar Photovoltaic energy resources.

The detailed Decision and Reasons for the Decision documents regarding the above decisions will be available on the NERSA website (www.nersa.org.za)  in due course. -SAnews.gov.za

 

 

While economic growth remains subdued, Cabinet says South Africa’s resilient economy continues to create jobs, though not at the preferred pace.

The Cabinet on Thursday reflected on the latest quarterly employment statistics released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

Stats SA announced last week that the total employment in the country dropped by 21 000 in the first quarter of 2023, bringing the level of employment to almost 10 million. 

The survey showed that 97 000 jobs were lost between March 2022 and March 2023.

The hardest hit sectors include business services, trade, transport and construction.

However, according to Cabinet, interventions such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme are helping to turn the tide. 

In addition, it said it was encouraged that by March 2023, more than 1.2 million people had directly benefited from the programme since its inception in 2020. 

“So far, about 800 000 short-term jobs, mostly for young people, have been created in the critical areas of education, early childhood development and community safety.”

The programme, the Cabinet added, has also ensured that many vulnerable South Africans participate in meaningful work and receive a stable income. 

“It has helped ease the economic hardships of thousands of families,” read a Cabinet statement issued on Thursday.

Illegal mining 

According to the statement, Cabinet was concerned about illegal mining and that government was taking measures to end it through the National Coordination and Strategic Management Team (NCSMT).

The NCSMT seeks to coordinate government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and the trafficking of precious metals.

“Illegal mining and trafficking of precious metals are harming our economy, and have a negative impact on the safety and health of surrounding communities.”

Community protests

Meanwhile, Cabinet reiterated that violence is not a solution to community problems and called on citizens to use existing channels to address their concerns. 

Cabinet announced that a Ministerial Task Team has been deployed to Diepsloot in Gauteng to work with community leaders to address their issues of concern. 

“Cabinet called on the community of Diepsloot and other areas to work with government, local councillors and the police to resolve issues such as crime.” – SAnews.gov.za

 

With the Netball World Cup activations getting underway this weekend, the City of Cape Town has encouraged residents to use the opportunity to see the Netball World Cup trophy up close and personal.

 “We have some exciting fun activities lined up at these activations and you can take pictures with the trophy before the start of the tournament. We encourage Capetonians to take the chance to go to their closest trophy activation and enjoy the spirit of the Netball World Cup,” the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said on Thursday.

The Netball World Cup 2023 gets under way on 28 July and runs until 6 August 2023 in Cape Town.

“This is the pinnacle of the build up to Africa’s first Netball World Cup and as Cape Town we are truly looking forward to welcoming the world to our city. For now, we are excited to receive the famed trophy as the final destination in its journey across the country,” Smith said.

The Cape Town Trophy Tour will kick off at the Tygervalley Shopping Centre Food Court on Saturday, 8 July 2023.  The activation, which will be led by the Cape Town Netball Federation will be at the shopping centre from 3pm until 5pm.

Visitors at the V&A Waterfront will experience the trophy tour at the amphitheatre on Sunday, 9 July from 11am until 2pm. There will be fun activations, games, the official netball mascot Letsatsi and giveaways.

On Monday 10 July, the trophy will make its way to the Langa Civic Hall in Washington Street for a day of more activities, including an exhibition netball game with local players. The activities will start from 10am until 2pm.

The final stop of the trophy tour will be the Canal Walk Food Court on Tuesday 11 July.

Tickets for some of the games are still available at https://nwc2023.org.za/tickets/

 The City will establish a Fan Park outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre where netball fans can watch matches on a big screen, enjoy live entertainment, play games and enjoy a family environment for the duration of the Netball World Cup. – SAnews.gov.za

 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Congolese businesses to invest in South Africa and for local companies to do the same.

The President labelled the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the beating heart of Africa, with immense importance to the continent’s history. 

“The DRC has an equally important role to play in the future of our continent, with its minerals propelling the new green industrial revolution.

“It is for this reason that we want to see more South African companies investing in the DRC, and likewise to see more Congolese companies investing in the South African economy,” the President said on Thursday. 

The country's First Citizen was speaking in Kinshasa where he kicked off his working visit at the invitation of President Félix Tshisekedi. 

He co-chaired the Heads of State and Government segment of the 12th Session of the DRC–South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).

President Ramaphosa said the BNC between the two countries underscores the importance of their relationship.

He told the delegates that the visit was taking place amid challenges. 

These, according to him, include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising food and fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate change that is negatively impacting economies and communities. 

“And yet even though we face some challenges, we are a continent brimming with potential and opportunity.

“From North Africa to South Africa, from East to West, and here in Central Africa, we are favoured with vast endowments.”

He reminded the officials that the countries have abundant mineral resources and fossil fuel reserves, large arable land, and abundant water supply. 

“We have a diverse terrain that supports all manner of infrastructure development, including renewable energy.

“And yet these vast endowments are not producing favourable economic and developmental outcomes evenly across the continent.”

However, he said they were meeting businesses because both nations see the opportunities. 

“Beyond our natural endowments, we have many other strengths as a continent.” – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences to the families of those affected by the gas cylinder leakage which claimed the lives of at least 17 people in Boksburg.

The incident occurred at the Angelo informal settlement in the area on Wednesday evening.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness at the devastating and tragic loss of innocent lives at the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg. The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost loved ones. 

“President Ramaphosa has described this as a very sad morning. He further urges investigators to get to the bottom of what may have caused this accident to avoid similar disasters in future,” the Presidency said.

Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni Municipality Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana has pledged the municipality’s support to the affected families.

“As the City of Ekurhuleni we would like to send our condolences to all the families of Angelo and all the families that have lost their loved ones. I know this is a difficult time that we are in and it’s a very shocking tragedy. 

“But we hope that God will be with all the people that have suffered a loss. With the community of Angelo and the city, we promise to give all the necessary support that they need,” Ngodwana said. – SAnews.gov.za

Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has given contractors in the Eastern Cape, who are responsible for providing emergency housing, two months to finish the job or face contract termination, at their own cost.

Kubayi gave the directive during an emergency housing engagement with six districts and 24 local municipalities to consolidate response interventions in the Eastern Cape.

The engagement follows numerous disasters where the province and its municipalities committed to rolling out various interventions to assist the disaster victims.

According to reports on work done to help accelerate the implementation of these interventions, there are still families who were affected by various disasters, as far back as 2021, who have not been accommodated in any form of formal shelter.

Reports received by the Minister during a meeting this week revealed that 2 382 households affected between 2021 and 2023 have been assisted with permanent houses, with 2 172 assisted with temporary shelter, leaving 5 766 households with no assistance.

Households that have not been assisted have been forced to find alternative accommodation, including living with friends, families and neighbours. 

Kubayi said the department is going to work around the clock to make sure that it turns the situation around. 

“Having listened to the municipalities, we are all in agreement that we owe our people a speedy resolution of this situation. I will approach National Treasury to assist with funding to speed up these interventions for the province,” Kubayi said.

Kubayi also instructed officials, led by the national office, to consolidate the backlog of households that were victims of disasters in the past five years, and the budget needs. 

She said this will assist in expediting and focusing on building homes for the victims. 

The Minister said the national Department of Human Settlements will lead the verification process of the work ahead to ascertain that funds are properly utilised.

This follows the Minister’s announcement on 1 April 2023 that the national department will take over the responsibility of emergency housing response.  However, provinces and municipalities will still be responsible for interventions in disasters that occurred before the policy change.

The Minister emphasised that moving forward, the department will no longer accommodate people in Temporary Residential Units (TRUs), as “these are not sustainable”.

“As articulated in our Budget Vote, we have decided to embrace innovative alternative building technologies so that our solutions are sustainable and of good quality, with efficiency and cost-effectiveness being the primary drivers of our disaster response. This way, we will know that we have given permanent quality homes,” Kubayi said.

She also urged those at the meeting to always keep in mind that they have a duty to the vulnerable communities who are affected by these disasters.

“We owe it to the people we serve, who only have us as their hope for a better future and we dare not to fail them. There is no time for excuses,” the Minister said. 

Eastern Cape Human Settlements Indaba

Meanwhile, Kubayi will today address the inaugural Eastern Cape Human Settlements Indaba 2023, hosted by MEC Siphokazi Lusithi.

Held at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha from 5 - 7 July 2023, the indaba seeks to create a platform for strategic reflection on the conceptualisation and development of sustainable and integrated human settlements. 

The three-day indaba is held in partnership with Nelson Mandela University under the theme, 'Accelerating the delivery of sustainable integrated human settlements in the Eastern Cape through collaborations and partnerships: Leaving No One and No Place Behind'. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has appealed to all potential and existing blood donors, who are due to donate, to visit blood donation sites amid severe blood stock shortages.

In a statement, the SANBS said the current weather conditions and a higher than usual demand for blood have sent blood stocks plummeting, and it needs to collect 3 500 units of blood a day.

SANBS Senior Manager for Marketing, Communication and Brand, Thandi Mosupye, said with little blood available on hand, this will have a severe impact on the patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions.

“Whenever our blood stocks reach below three days, it places the lives of patients at risk -- the lives of haemorrhaging mothers, newborn babies, accident victims, and thousands of other patients in need of a blood transfusion.

“Each blood donation gives patients a second chance with their loved ones,” Mosupye said.

To become a blood donor, you must:
•    Be between the ages of 16 and 75 years;
•    Weigh 50kg or more;
•    Be in good health;
•    Lead a healthy lifestyle;
•    Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient; and
•    Commit to donating blood regularly.

To find out more about where you can donate blood, visit www.sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31. Connect with SANBS on Twitter (@theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs). – SAnews.gov.za
 

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned job seekers to be vigilant of unscrupulous and bogus employers with fake advertisements of “employment opportunities" on social media.

Nxesi was speaking at the Jobs Fair and employer session held in NASREC, Johannesburg, on Thursday. 

The session intended to discuss labour market issues, including growth prospects with the potential to create jobs, as well as clarify any strategic policy issues that can enhance employment creation.

Nxesi officially launched the Jobs Fair initiative and the Public Employment Services (PES) buses, which aim to create an opportunity for work seekers to meet with prospective employers and other organisations or departments that may assist with their placement in different forms of employment or learning opportunities.

During his keynote address of the launch, the Minister warned job seekers to be vigilant of unscrupulous and bogus employers with fake “employment opportunities" on social media.

Addressing job seekers and employers, Nxesi said other falsified employment opportunities have been advertised under the guise of his name and image, and that of the Department of Employment and Labour. 

“Labour laws forbid agencies from charging work seekers who are looking for employment any fees. Please stop giving these organisations and mafias your parents’ hard-earned cash to buy employment from these crooks. 

“For the common interest of everyone, report unscrupulous agencies that charge you fees to labour inspectors and the police," Nxesi said.

The Minister also encouraged job seekers not to undermine certain job opportunities, saying that taking an entry-level job could lead to the discovery of new talents and skills.

“You will never know what you are good at unless you try. Use our labour centres to talk to employment practitioners and counsellors. Seek out mentors and trusted people that can help you during your job search journey," the Minister said.   

The department also graced the launch of 14 mobile buses for the its Public Employment Services unit to reach out to work seekers across the country.

Nxesi said the mobile buses, funded by the European Union, will be distributed across all provinces of South Africa. 

“We are introducing these vehicles to reach out to our rural and urban communities that find it difficult to access our Employment and Labour Centres. One vehicle is not sufficient at all in each of these provinces. 

“We definitely need more of them to reach out to our young people in recognition that the economic hub of the country, such as Gauteng and other provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga are vast."

The Jobs Fair will continue until Friday with the launch of two Employment Centres in Johannesburg and Germiston. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Cabinet says it welcomes the improvement in Eskom’s energy availability factor, which is now closer to 70%. 

This comes after about 400 megawatts (MW) have been added to the grid and planned maintenance has improved quickly.

The Cabinet statement released on Thursday also noted the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s National Air Quality Officer granting Eskom a postponement to meet minimum emission standards at Kusile Power Station, in Mpumalanga. 

“The postponement will allow Eskom to carry out repairs on the stack that was damaged on 23 October 2022. The power utility will also construct three temporary stacks that are expected to return 2 100 MW of power to the national grid and reduce load-shedding by two levels,” Cabinet explained. 

The Executive has reiterated government’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition (JET) and determination to mitigate the impact of climate change. 

The JET, established in 2020, aims to achieve “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050.

“Cabinet also thanked South Africans who continue to use electricity sparingly, especially during peak times. Our combined energy efforts have helped bring about lower stages of load shedding.”

They further welcomed the commitments made at the New Global Financing Pact Summit held in Paris, France, last month. 

The summit, which President Cyril Ramaphosa attended, aimed to build a new contract between the North and the South to help address issues of climate change, development and debt.

Green hydrogen 

Cabinet further welcomed a joint declaration of intent to establish the South African-German Hydrogen Task Force, signed by Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. 

“The task force will look at how the green hydrogen market will be created and developed, as well as create business-to-business opportunities between the two countries. Green hydrogen is generated by renewable energy and it has significantly lower carbon emissions than traditional hydrogen.”

The state already has plans for a Hydrogen Valley, which is expected to run from Limpopo through Johannesburg to Durban. 

“The valley will establish opportunities for projects that will kick-start hydrogen initiatives in hubs to boost economic growth and job creation.” – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has commended the Provincial Disaster Management teams for their quick response in assisting communities affected by the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.

The floods have caused extensive damage to road infrastructure, electricity supply, sewer systems and houses in the affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, while roads in some parts of the Northern Cape have suffered structural damage.

Cabinet expressed sadness at the loss of lives in KwaZulu-Natal, and sent condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

Cabinet said government and humanitarian organisations continue to provide immediate relief supplies to the affected communities in KwaZulu-Natal, including food parcels, blankets, plastic sheeting and emergency boxes. 

“Eskom and municipal electrical departments have also been activated to restore power to affected areas,” Cabinet said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Residents called to participate in Presidential Imbizo

Meanwhile, Cabinet has called on residents to play an active role in determining the future of their communities by participating in the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo Programme.

The call follows a Presidential Imbizo held in KwaZulu-Natal last week.

President Ramaphosa, joined by leaders from all three spheres of government, undertook the 7th DDM Presidential Imbizo of the sixth administration at the uThukela District Municipality.

Government leaders used the Presidential Imbizo to interact with residents on service delivery challenges and plans for the development of the district.

“All citizens are urged to play a role in the development of their communities by being active citizens. By working together, we can identify issues of concern and unblock impediments to integrated service delivery,” Cabinet said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

South African Communist Party (SACP) General Secretary Solly Mapaila has paid homage to Minister in the Presidency, Dr Essop Goolam Pahad, whom he described as a selfless leader without personal interests.

“You demonstrated this up to your last days. May your undying fighting spirit live on and inspire new generations of our people to continue the struggle until all forms of exploitation and oppression are eradicated in society,” Mapaila said on Thursday.

He made these remarks while honouring Dr Pahad during his funeral at Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg. The struggle stalwart passed away at the age of 84 and was laid to rest in a ceremony in which ceremonial honours were provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“Your intellectual rigour to assess the conditions of the working class of our country, to place the movement that you so led with distinction, to be a selfless servant of the people will never fall down. Dr Pahad was a senior leader of the SACP, a great patriot of our party. A selfless comrade who lived humbly and respected all people but was also a communist intellectual,” he said.

He served in the World Maxis Review, which essentially assessed international development of the socialist struggles and the struggles of the working class towards their emancipation.

“If he was engaging with you and you are not rising to the occasion, he would come across as arrogant because intellectually he will decapitate you. You needed to raise the bar when you engage him on intellectual questions of the revolution. He was not a man to be taken for granted and in that regard, the Communist party will miss him dearly,” Mapaila said.

He expressed gratitude to Dr Pahad’s immense contribution and service to the country.

Minister in the Presidency, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, also paid tribute to her former mentor, describing him as a kind hearted and caring individual.

“The loss of this committed, revolutionary and caring internationalist is very sad but we understand it as the cycle of life,” the Minister said.

She remembered him as a dedicated cadre of the movement who did not miss the opportunity to speak out.

“He also created an environment where everyone could speak up. He was a selfless patriot and he put the country first. That is the lesson we must learn because it is a lesson that seems to elude us.

“We bid farewell to a former secretary the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress, executive committee from 1958 to 1964. We bid farewell to a selfless and daring volunteer that risked everything when producing and distributing pamphlets to mobilise communities behind the then banned African National Congress (ANC),” Dlamini-Zuma said.

She said Dr Pahad was a vibrant student activist of the 1960s at universities such as Wits and other universities abroad.

“We bid farewell to an exile revolutionary who led the ANC and SACP structures in exile. Dr Pahad comes from the golden generation of ANC and Alliance who placed revolutionary ideas at the forefront of building the consensus and ideas that guide us and a guide to ideas.

“He comes from a generation that gave priority to quality and not quantity of membership. Yes, we need quantity but we need quality leadership. We learn from Dr Pahad and his collective that the success of an idea must first depend on its strength and not on the mere number of people who support it,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has, in his capacity as Acting President, declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 as a mark of honour for the late struggle stalwart and former Minister in the Presidency, Dr Essop Goolam Pahad.

Pahad passed away at the age of 84. 

He will be laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg, this afternoon n a ceremony in which ceremonial honours will be provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The Deputy President will deliver the eulogy in his capacity as Acting President. President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently undertaking a State Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Earlier, the President paid tribute to Pahad for serving the nation with pride, principle and pragmatism.

“We mourn the passing of a veteran of our struggle, 65 years after he took his first revolutionary step of becoming a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress.

“Security crackdowns, banning and exile shaped Essop Pahad’s contribution over decades to our struggle and, as Parliamentary Counsellor to President Thabo Mbeki and Minister in the Presidency, to the early design and impact of our democratic state.

“Essop Pahad was a thinker and strategist who brought his understanding of the human condition, injustice and inequality at the national and international level to bear on our transition to democracy and in introducing a democratic, non-aligned and activist South Africa to the global community,” the President said.

He said he served the nation with a charm that that lived comfortably alongside a tongue that could lash severely at the right provocation.

“May his soul rest in peace,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za