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Conference to reflect on 30 years of democracy

Location: News

Conference to reflect on 30 years of democracy

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the National School of Government (NSG) are co-hosting a seminal conference this week, to reflect on the state of South Africa, 30 years into its democracy. 

The conference will focus on three decades of democracy in South Africa and will zoom into social, economic and global transformation. This as South Africans of all races went to the polls for the first time in April 1994, ushering in a new democratic dispensation.

The event got under way on Thursday and is organised in association with The Presidency, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), and the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA). 

The conference will feature key panelists from the public service, academia, and civil society, fostering a national discourse through research and dynamic social dialogue. 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on the second day of the conference on Friday. 

The gathering aims to assess the country’s democratic achievements and ongoing challenges, encouraging an inclusive discussion on the future trajectory of South Africa. 

While significant strides have been made in dismantling the legacy of apartheid and establishing a participatory democratic system, the institutions said the country continues to grapple with challenges. 

These include declining voter participation, inequality, widespread poverty, high unemployment, water insecurity, an energy crisis, corruption, and the mounting threat of climate change. 

“Addressing these complex issues demands a concerted effort from all sectors of society – government, civil society, and business,” the co-hosts said in a statement. 

Attendees will be encouraged to consider the interconnectedness of social, political, cultural, and economic dimensions that shape the lived experiences of individuals in South Africa’s diverse society. 

UJ Faculty of Humanities’ Professor Kamilla Naidoo emphasised the importance of this conference. 

“This conference represents a critical opportunity to reflect on South Africa’s journey over the past three decades. While the introduction of free tertiary education in South Africa through various initiatives such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme marks a bold stride towards equity and opportunity, the conference will also address broader issues such as inequality, unemployment, and climate change,” Naidoo said. 

By examining these interconnected challenges, the professor spoke of fostering a dialogue that will contribute to the refinement of existing policies and the creation of new strategies for a more inclusive and prosperous future.

The Principal of the NSG, Professor Busani Ngcaweni, said as the country commemorates three decades of democracy, it is an opportune time to reflect on the path travelled, acknowledge the hurdles that lie ahead, and reaffirm the collective commitment to building a nation that embodies the core values of equality, justice, and shared prosperity. 

He pointed out: “Thirty years is an important milestone in the life of any living being, institution, or democracy. Looking at South Africa and its democracy using the metaphor of a child that grows from zero to thirty years we will be able to explain the best and challenges of what the country has gone through as anyone who grows up between the age of zero to thirty”. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

Gabisile
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 11:14

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Solar geyser rollout benefits Woodyglen residents

Location: News

Solar geyser rollout benefits Woodyglen residents

The Woodyglen community in Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal will now enjoy cost savings and reduced energy consumption as the area goes green following the installation of new solar geysers in their households.

In a move towards embracing green energy, the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal has completed the installation of solar geysers in 700 homes in Woodyglen.

The project aims to significantly reduce electricity consumption and costs for residents.

Ward 6 councillor, Bless Majola, commended the project’s completion and announced plans for expansion of the project into other areas of the ward.

Majola said the municipality has ensured the transfer of skills during the installation process.

“Young people from the community have been trained to install and maintain the geysers, creating around 30 temporary jobs. We expect to employ more young people as the project progresses,” Majola said.

Project Manager of Gemmed Services, Lungelo Ngcobo, emphasised the geysers’ durability, with a lifespan of up to 15 years and a one-year warranty.

“Our work adheres to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy standards. Beyond installation, we prioritise skills transfer to empower the community for future maintenance needs,” Ngcobo said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:04

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How South Africa’s vehicle retail landscape is adapting to change

Location: MyPR

South Africa’s choice of motor vehicle segment and body shape is changing – perhaps permanently – and, as a struggling market adapts to new realities, brand favourites face challenges too. South Africa’s motor retail industry landscape over the past 15 years has been affected by slow economic growth, poor infrastructure, political uncertainty and a series …

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Unlocking The Potential Of Ai And Machine Learning For South African Companies

Location: MyPR

SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, explores the value of artificial intelligence and machine learning for South African companies. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are not just buzzwords; they are transformative technologies reshaping industries …

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Africa Data Centres announces additional 6MW capacity now live in Cape Town

Location: News
Africa Data Centres

Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com), a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, has announced it is expanding its CPT1 facility in Cape Town.

This expansion shows the data centre giant adding three new state-of-the-art halls in new areas on the campus and adds another 6MW of IT load, effectively doubling its current capacity. The new expansion was implemented with support from the United States through an up to $300 million loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to Africa Data Centres.

According to Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava, “This expansion by Africa Data Centres is in response to the increasing demand for co-location capacity in South Africa. Not only is Cape Town the second largest economy in South Africa, but it is also the de facto software and technology hub in Southern Africa.”

The company is seeing tremendous growth in the data centre market in South Africa generally, as both national and international cloud and IT service providers seek to expand their footprints in the region.

In terms of size, the expansion adds 1000 racks of white space or the space available for customers to lease, although the physical site is significantly larger than that. It is made up of two more colocation data halls and one hyperscale hall.

The additional halls are built in the cutting-edge modular design pioneered by Africa Data Centres, which enables rapid scalability and a modern design that allows the facility to be populated as and when required to suit the needs of the customer.

Pemhiwa says this would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of ICT, Western Cape Provincial Government and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development. “I would like to acknowledge their ongoing support, as we expand our data centre facilities in South Africa.”

The new halls feature the same cutting-edge security standards and focus on the elements that matter most to clients, including scalability, flexibility, and energy efficiency, to bring world-class, affordable solutions to all its clients in the area. This data centre is highly flexible and designed to accommodate different and evolving customer demands.

Additionally, this data centre boasts hybrid cooling technology capable of handling both air cooling and liquid cooling. Despite its versatility, no compromises were made on efficiency. It is one of the most efficient and sustainable data centres ever built in South Africa. It is powered by renewable energy, boasts a Water Usage Effectiveness of 0 due to no water consumption for the IT infrastructure, and has an impressive Power Usage Effectiveness rating as well.

The Africa Data Centres' CPT1 facility is at the forefront of pioneering the use of wheeled solar power in the market. This innovation is enabled through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in March last year with Distributed Power Africa, part of the Cassava Technologies group. Africa Data Centres is the first company to successfully implement this groundbreaking technology in Africa, marking it the continent's first project of its kind.

“The introduction of wheeled solar power at the CPT1 facility offers significant benefits to our' customers, providing a truly sustainable data centre solution. As the demand for data continues to skyrocket across Africa, a continent where power supply is often intermittent, the need for reliable, cost-effective, and green power has never been more critical,” said Finhai Munzara, Interim CEO of Africa Data Centres.

By harnessing renewable energy, he says the CPT1 facility not only ensures consistent power supply but also supports sustainable operations, helping customers achieve their environmental goals. “Our state-of-the-art facility reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources, setting a new standard for sustainability in the data centre industry.”

Munzara adds that Cape Town is an excellent location for colocation facilities as it is a stone's throw away from all the submarine cable landing stations. In addition, the Cape Town facility houses the Cape Town Internet Exchange (CINX), which makes multi-region peering more accessible, efficient, and easy to manage. This also facilitates direct connections between networks, enabling data to flow more efficiently and reducing latency, giving our users a faster, more responsive online experience.

In ending, Munzara says the expansion increases the capacity of the company's data centres in South Africa and it is an integral part of its investment plans to deliver several additional data facilities across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Data Centres.

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About Africa Data Centres: 
Africa Data Centres owns and operates Africa's largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities. Bringing international experts to the pan-African market, Africa Data Centres is a trusted partner for rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections across Africa. Strategically located in South, East and West Africa our world-class data centre facilities provide a home for all business-critical data for Africa's small, medium and large enterprises and global hyper scale customers. https://www.AfricaDataCentres.com/

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Department works to secure water for all

Location: News

Department works to secure water for all

The Ministry and Department of Water and Sanitation, under the new administration, has committed to continue to ensure the implementation of all water projects without delay, and improved water and sanitation services.

Giving an update on the progress made in the water projects, which were previously delayed, Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisani Mavasa said in order to ensure water security,  government is focusing on investing in additional national water resource infrastructure. This includes building awareness of the need to use water sparingly, and improving municipal water and sanitation services.

Mavasa acknowledged that in the past, water projects have been subjected to unacceptable delays.

However, good progress has since been made in recent years in unblocking and accelerating the delayed projects.

She highlighted that there are currently 14 major national water resource infrastructure projects valued at more than R100 billion, which are in different stages of implementation around the country.

Among the projects which have been unblocked, include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase Two, uMkhomazi Water Project and the raising of the wall of the Hazelmere Dam in KwaZulu Natal, construction of Ntabelanga Dam on the uMzimvubu River in the Eastern Cape.

This also includes the raising of the Clanwilliam Dam wall in Western Cape, the Giyani Water Supply Project in Limpopo, and the Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Project in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“In addition to unblocking and accelerating these projects, Parliament recently passed the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency Bill, which will result in the establishment of an agency with a balance sheet which will enable substantially more funds to be raised for investment in national water resource infrastructure,” Mavasa said.

Water supply disruptions

Mavasa noted an increase in water supply disruptions in Gauteng and in eThekwini, which has resulted in hardship for residents.

According to the department, the demand for water in both areas is largely due to population growth.

The growth in demand was anticipated by planners, and new national water resource infrastructure projects were planned to meet it, unfortunately, the start of the projects was delayed.

“The new Polihali Dam and associated infrastructure, which is part of Phase Two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, was due to be completed in 2019 to enable additional water to be supplied to the Integrated Vaal River System, which in turn is the main source of water for Gauteng. 

“This project was unblocked, and the main contracts were all awarded in October 2022 and construction is now fully underway and is due to be completed by 2028.

“Similarly, the start of the uMkhomazi project to supply additional water to eThekwini and surrounding municipalities was delayed by nine years, due to concerns about its affordability in terms of the tariffs that would have to be charged to the residents of eThekwini. The affordability problem was resolved in 2023 with the approval by National Treasury of an application by DWS, with the support of the Presidential Infrastructure Fund, for a blended finance solution for the funding of the project which made the tariff more affordable,” she explained.

Among the solutions reached included a 25% interest-free loan and a 25% grant from the national fiscus, and this enabled the eThekwini Municipal Council to approve the water supply agreement on 31 January 2024.

The department has now started to raise the finance for the project and to commence with implementation. Work on the design of the dam and tunnel for the uMkhomazi project has started.

The department also noted the delays in a project to raise the Hazelmere Dam wall to further increase water supply to eThekwini Municipality and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal, which started in 2011. This was due to contractual disputes between the department and the main contractor.

“The contract with the main contractor was terminated in 2018, resulting in a halt to the project. This was resolved in 2021, and the project was completed in 2023.”

Ntabelanga and Clanwilliam Dam upgrades

The department further noted that the construction of Ntabelanga Dam on a tributary of the uMzimvubu River in the Eastern Cape, which was planned to provide additional water for domestic and irrigation use was delayed because the department was unable to successfully motivate for a budget to be allocated to the project.

“The department resolved this blockage in 2023, by reconfiguring the project to reduce its cost while still providing the same benefits. The reconfiguration involved adopting a brown fields approach to water services infrastructure rather than the previous green fields (upgrading existing bulk water supply infrastructure rather than build new infrastructure).

“The reconfiguration of the project resulted in a decrease in the cost of the project from R18 billion to R8 billion, and National Treasury then agreed to fund the reconfigured project from the fiscus. As a result, site preparations and the process to obtain the license to construct the dam are currently underway and construction of the dam wall will commence by October 2024.”

A project to raise the wall of the Clanwilliam Dam in the Western Cape, resulting in a tripling of the volume of water than can be stored in the dam, was also started in 2013, but the implementation of the project was delayed due to budget constraints and several changes in construction approach.

As a result, by 2023 the project was only 10% complete. The delays have since been addressed, and the project is now fully funded and major construction work is currently underway.

Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply project

The major Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply project to increase water supply to Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Mpumalanga and the Moutse-East area under the Sekhukhune District Municipality in Limpopo, has since been unblocked with construction having begun in 2022.

The project was originally planned to commence in 2019 but was delayed because of funding constraints and poor planning by the department.

The construction of a new bulk pipeline from Loskop Dam in Mpumalanga to Thembisile Hani Local Municipality and associated infrastructure is also underway.

Giyani Water Supply project

The Giyani Water Supply Project, which has been delayed for many years, and been the subject of investigations by the Special Investigations Unit, has since been unblocked and accelerated over the last two years.

Mavasa highlighted that the main bulk pipeline from Nandoni Dam to Nsami Dam near Giyani was completed last year, and projects are currently underway to refurbish and increase the capacity of the Giyani Water Treatment Works and to install bulk reticulation lines, bulk reservoirs, service reservoirs and reticulation to households.

“Water has started to flow to households in nine of villages in Giyani and we will strive to ensure a further 15 villages receive water by the end of August this year, and that a further 31 villages receive water within the next two years.”

Water Services Amendment Bill

In addition to assisting municipalities to improve their water and sanitation infrastructure, the department has proposed amendments to the Water Services Act, to address the poor municipal performance illustrated by the results of the Blue, Green and no Drop reports which were issued in December 2023.

“The Water Services Amendment Bill will be submitted to Cabinet shortly for approval for it to be tabled in Parliament.”

Improvement in issuing of water use licence

Meanwhile, the department’s turnaround plan for the issuing of water use licences has seen an improvement in performance from 35% of applications being processed within 90 days to 70% being processed within 90 days.

“In addition, the backlog of more than a thousand applications has been largely eradicated, with no more than 100 applications which have taken longer than 90 days to process,” Mavasa said.

The department has committed that further improvement towards the President’s 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) target of processing all applications within 90 days, will be achieved during this financial year. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 10:53

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SA committed to addressing climate change

Location: News

SA committed to addressing climate change

The signing of the Climate Change Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa into law, demonstrates South Africa’s commitment to address and respond to the global phenomenon that involves long term shifts in temperatures and general weather patterns. 

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has welcomed the new law which sets out a national climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation actions, which also constitutes South Africa’s fair contribution to the global climate change response.

“The President’s signing of the climate Change Bill into law marks a significant milestone in our nation's commitment to addressing climate change. This legislation provides a comprehensive framework for climate action across all our society and economy. We are now poised to move forward with its implementation,” George said on Wednesday. 

The law also sets out to enhance South Africa’s ability and capacity over time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting opportunities for new job opportunities in the emerging green economy.

The Act will strengthen coordination between national sector departments and provide policy setting and decision-making to enable South Africa to meet the commitments of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. 

“Through the Act, we aim to show leadership and we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure its equitable and ambitious implementation,” the Minister said.

Some of the key provisions of the Act include:

• Mitigation: Establishing a national greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trajectory, requiring several Ministers to develop and implement measures to address climate change through sectoral emission targets, and mandating major emitting companies to comply with mandatory carbon budgets.

• Adaptation: Involving cooperation with provincial and local governments and communities to address climate adaptation challenges.

The Act, in addition to establishing new processes and institutional arrangements, formalises and integrates existing measures to address both mitigation and adaptation. 

It also provides a “coordinated and integrated response by the economy and society to climate change and its impacts in accordance with the principles of cooperative governance,” in line with South Africa’s 2011 National Climate Change Response Policy.

The Minister has commended the role played by all South Africans in the formulation of the Act. 

“As we implement the Act, we welcome the active engagement of citizens, workers and businesses, to move to low-emissions and climate resilient development,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 11:08

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Keeping the Madiba Magic alive

Location: News

Keeping the Madiba Magic alive

by More Matshediso

A women-led community development project is keeping the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela alive by educating children, and providing entrepreneurship and employability skills to women, youth and persons living with disabilities in the North West. 

Tshwaraganang Barolong Project (TBP) is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that was established in 2001 in Motsitlane section near Madibogo village. 

The organisation’s chairperson Mapule Lebakaeng said the organisation initially specialised in equipping women with knitting, sewing and upholstery skills to help fight against unemployment and poverty.

“I was inspired to gather a group of women in my village to start the organisation more than 20 years ago. I had just returned from working in Johannesburg then, and I wanted to share my skills with other women and reduce unemployment and poverty in our village,” she said. 

Years later, the organisation started to offer early childhood development (ECD) services to five wards in the rural Ratlou Local Municipality, thanks to the support from the National Development Agency (NDA). 

In 2015, the NDA identified TBP as an implementing source for its early childhood development (ECD) campaign. It funded the organisation with  R914 000 to buy a fully resourced truck that travels to rural areas within the local municipality without access to ECD services.  

“Our mobile truck travels to five wards within the municipal area on a daily basis, to offer two hours of learning sessions to children between the ages of one and five years old. The plan is to prepare them for formal schooling and to perform in the learning environment,” explained Lebakaeng. 

For the ECD programme, Lebakaeng said the organisation works in partnership with traditional leaders to identify families that need the educational services. About 360 children are currently benefitting from the programme. 

“We target 40 children a day and we provide learning sessions for two hours, including nutritious meals because most of our learners come from impoverished families,” she said. 

Education, a tool to end poverty

Lebakaeng reminded citizens that Tata Nelson Mandela saw education as a tool that could end poverty, inequality and unemployment in society. 

“I encourage women to start ECD centres, especially in rural areas and informal settlements because every child has a right to education and they should not be denied opportunities based on their circumstances,” she pleaded. 

Lebakaeng said the organisation currently has six permanent members but it continues to empower unemployed women, youth and persons with disabilities with clothing manufacturing skills and to start their own ECD centres. 

“Since inception to date, more than 500 community members have acquired various skills from our project. Some of them benefitted from skills that enabled them to start their own businesses while many young people were able to find employment after working with us on the project,” she explained.

She added that a few years after establishing the project, TBP ventured into manufacturing uniforms for a variety of local clients including schools, churches and stockvels because local women had acquired the necessary skills. 

“Among other things, we make and sell jerseys and traditional wear, and we offer embroidery services as well. We also produce fruit juice and cleaning products,” she said. 

The organisation has so far received funding and support from various government departments and State-owned- entities.

In 2003, the then Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) built the NPO a new nine-room structure including a kitchen, sewing room, knitting room, store room, chemical room and two toilets.

In 2006, the NDA funded the organisation with R833 380 to buy industrial sewing machinery, a delivery bakkie, two overlocking machines, an embroidery machine, a fridge, and the raw materials needed for sewing, cleaning and knitting.

In the same year, the then Department of Employment and Labour and the NDA provided the women with various training programmes including networking, book-keeping, financial, project and conflict management, as well as how to bid for tenders to supply their clients with uniforms.

In April 2021, the project successfully applied for another grant worth R396 502.70 from the NDA to expand their sewing and material production, and procured four additional sewing, knitting and overlocker machines, an embroidery machine, raw chemical products and renovation of the existing operational premises.

For more information about the NDA visit www.nda.org.za Visit  www.labour.gov.za if you need information about the Department of Employment and Labour.

*This story first appeared in Vukuzenzele

Janine
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:09

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Shining a light into entrepreneurship

Location: News

Shining a light into entrepreneurship

by Sinovuyo Mfiki

Meet Makatu Tshi-vhula, a young entrepreneur who went from working at a candle manufacturing factory to owning one.

The 26-year-old from Soweto is the founder of The Light Candles, a company he started in February 2020. Their catalogue ranges from regular household to fancy scented candles. His candles are popular among churches, traditional healers and event organisers.

After working for a candle-making company for five months, he used his newly found skills and knowledge to manufacture and distribute candles to his community and courier to other provinces.

He said he was determined to start his own candle-making business after working at the factory and acquiring the skill.

However, he concedes that the journey has not been smooth-sailing, having had to overcome numerous challenges. Chief among these were funding and access to markets through distribution channels.

“Currently it has been four years since I started the business, and it is growing stronger by the month. There are now more people who know about The Light Candles. I get over a mountain, and a new mountain appears, so I have been taking it one day at a time and it has been going quite well,” Tshivhula said.

What sets The Light Candles apart in the market is that they can makes up to thirty different colours. “Moreover, The Light Candles products last up to twelve hours whilst other brands last between six and seven hours," continued Tshivhula.

“From the idea of candle production, you need to have an idea of the type of candles you want to make, and you must look at what type of mould you want to have." There are diverse types of moulds, such as the human body figure, a car, cake, and moulds of a heart.

Furthermore, different shapes and sizes of moulds can be fragranced.  

The process of moulding a candle includes melting solid wax and pouring it into a mould of your preference while it is still hot.

“After a few hours you have a fully functioning candle,” he explained.

With South Africa celebrating Youth Month in June, Tshivhula said there should be a spotlight on young entrepreneurs for their businesses to be given exposure.

“Young people play a huge role in the economy... We might not be making a lot of money, but it is a step in the right direction,” he concluded.

For more information about The Light Candles, contact Makatu Tshivhula on 079 320 4106 or email him on makatutshivhula@gmail.com. You can also visit The Light Candles page on Facebook. You can also follow @lightcandlesza on Instagram.

*This story first appeared in Vukuzenzele

 

Janine
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:18

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National Small Enterprise Amendment Act touted as gamechanger

Location: News

National Small Enterprise Amendment Act touted as gamechanger

The signing into law of the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to revolutionise the small business ecosystem.

“We are confident that the National Small Enterprise Act, as amended, will turn the tide in favour of small enterprises, by levelling the playing fields and enabling the provision of more integrated and effective financial and non-financial support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and co-operatives,” Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said on Tuesday.

The Act establishes the Office of the Enterprise Ombuds Service, redefines and simplifies the term “small enterprises” and empowers the Minister to declare certain trading practices in relation to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as unfair trading practices.

This streamlines the support services that government provides to MSMEs to broaden their participation in the economy in line with government’s commitment towards placing MSMEs at the centre of the reconstruction and recovery of the economy.

The new Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) will drive economic transformation and inclusive growth in the economy through ensuring the provision of customised financial and non-financial support for MSMEs and cooperatives to enable them to play a strategic role in the value chains of various sectors of the economy.

“The Act also provides for the establishment of the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Services which will serve as an impartial mediator in the disputes, especially for small enterprises, thereby avoiding costly litigation processes.

“The lack of effective and affordable access to a justice mechanism for small enterprises has been a matter of grave concern to all in the small enterprise eco-system. Business-to-business disputes and the late and nonpayment of legitimate invoices remain a significant reality in the lives of small enterprises and cooperatives, with very real implications for their growth and sustainability,” the Minister said.

MSMEs will now avoid the litigation route, which is wearisome and costly, and use the alternative dispute resolution mechanism of the Ombud. 

“The determinations by the Ombud will be mandatory and binding. The provision will still be made within the act for review specifically on the grounds of illegality, procedural unfairness; or irrationality, thus still protecting the constitutional rights of all persons involved,” she said.

Unfair Trading Practices

The Act also enables the Minister to declare certain trading practices in relation to small enterprises as unfair trading practices on recommendation of the Ombud.

“It sets the parameters and procedures in terms of which the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, may declare certain practices in relation to small enterprises to be prohibited unfair trading practices.

“The unfair trading practices relate to exclusionary compliance requirements for small enterprises, retrospective changes to contracts, ambiguous contracts, sudden and unjustified termination of a commercial relationship or termination without reasonable notice to MSMEs and Cooperatives,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 14:16

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South Africa welcomes the declaration of unity between the various Palestinian groups

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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South Africa welcomes the declaration of unity between various Palestinian groups and their stated intention to constitute an interim national unity reconciliation government. Palestinian unity has the capacity to bring Palestinians closer to achieving the core objectives of the Palestinian cause: self-determination, freedom, justice, peace and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and prosperous Palestinian state.

Our own struggle for a free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united, undivided and prosperous South Africa instructs unity as the foundation of our collective strength, resilience and achievement.

It is through unity and solidarity that the Palestinian people can effectively confront the challenges of occupation and oppression, and work towards the realisation of their national aspirations. The declaration issued signals a commitment to overcome past divisions and advance towards a shared vision and future.

South Africa commends the various Palestinian groups, their leaders and representatives who have chosen the path of dialogue, national reconciliation and common action in pursuit of the undoubtedly just Palestinian cause.

South Africa further remains committed to the two-state solution and a free Palestine. As we express our continued solidarity and unwavering support, we look forward to the positive impact that Palestinian unity and national reconciliation will bring, fostering hope and driving meaningful change. Let this be the dawn of a new era where the collective aspirations for freedom, justice and self-determination of the Palestinian people are fully realised.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

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KZN Transport and SANTACO to meet over route disputes

Location: News

KZN Transport and SANTACO to meet over route disputes

The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department is expected to hold a meeting with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and law enforcement officials to discuss and find lasting solutions to the ongoing disputes over taxi routes.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

This comes after illegal taxi operators blocked a road in Mayiwane, Ulundi, on Monday morning, and the  blockaded the R34 in Empangeni Mill, on Tuesday morning.

The road in Empangeni was later re-opened following intervention by law enforcement agencies and the department.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, commended the consistent and bold leadership displayed by SANTACO regarding the management of a dispute over the Nkonjeni route and illegal taxi operations in the region.

The MEC has received a briefing from the Head of the Department, Siboniso Mbhele, and the team regarding the disputes over the taxi routes, dating back to over two years.

“The department’s interventions and enforcement of the law will be intensified to ensure stability,” Duma said, while also emphasising that the meeting will not only ensure that a long-lasting solution is reached, but will also mark the beginning of a new chapter for the benefit of local commuters who rely on public transport.

The MEC also commended law enforcement agencies and municipalities that are working closely with the department to ensure compliance with the laws and the by-laws.

“The safety of commuters and the public at large is our priority. In particular, as a department, we have a responsibility to protect the businesses of honest taxi operators from illegal taxi operators and other criminals who use the taxi industry to achieve their objectives.

“Having assumed my new responsibilities in the department, we will have standing meetings with SANTACO. This is an important stakeholder, as it represents more than 246 associations and 16 regions.”

He added that SANTACO is responsible for the socio-economic well-being of the province.

“Across South Africa, statistics show that the number of people using taxi services each day is more than 15 million, with an annual turnover of more than R40 billion. In addition, taxi operators spend more than R15 billion on fuel and more than R10 billion on vehicles, [and] spend more than R150 million buying tyres annually.” SAnews.gov.za
 
 
 

GabiK
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:54

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Read moreKZN Transport and SANTACO to meet over route disputes

Ayashisa ama-tekkie for growing Sneaker Cleanic

Location: News

Ayashisa ama-tekkie for growing Sneaker Cleanic

In South Africa the word tekkie is generally used to describe sneakers, but Lesego Gumede’s Sneaker Cleanic business has ignited a flame of hope for a better future to his employees who wash sneakers on a daily basis.

Sneaker Cleanic is a shoe-cleaning business that started as a casual conversation between colleagues.

“I realised that my [former] boss’s sneakers were clean when I was still working at a major clothing store. I questioned her about who cleaned them, and she told me that she paid someone R50 per pair to clean them. This made me decide to resign from my job and invest R2500 to launch Sneaker Cleanic,” he said.

What some may have considered a chore turned into a pot of gold for the 28-year-old who is determined to break new ground in the sneaker-cleaning business.

“All I saw was a hot business, ayashisa ama-tekkie,’’ he chuckled.

Shisa is an isiZulu word which loosely means something hot.

Gumede started the business in 2021 and now has two branches in Mabopane and Mamelodi, in Pretoria Gauteng.

With its steady growth, the business has created seven jobs. It has also received assistance from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) in the form of marketing and product testing.

Gumede said to move the business forward, he decided to create his brand of sneaker cleaning products which are used at Sneaker Cleanic.

“Our Sneaker Cleanic journey is turning out better than I imagined. Two of our core values are customer service and quality work delivered on time.”

He added that his customers appreciated the Sneaker Cleanic staff who can clean shoes without damaging them.

“Another value that we have is accountability. Customers know that if mistakes occur on their shoes, we can certainly fix them.”

Despite the success of Gumede’s business, he too has been met with challenges along his journey.

“Some of our major challenges include financial assistance and mentoring. There is also a stigma associated with the sneaker-cleaning industry that it is not a sustainable business,” he said.

While complex challenges remain in this relatively new industry, Gumede’s dream remains simple.

“[My dream] is for the business to outlive me.”

Gumede is determined to succeed and create jobs for his community.

Find more information on Sneaker Cleanic or to use their services visit @Sneaker_Cleanic on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Reach them via WhatsApp/phone on 068 299 5933.

Small business owners who are interested in receiving assistance from Seda should vist their local Seda office, contact 0860 103 703, logon to www.seda.org.za or send an email to info@seda.org.za.

*This story first appeared in Vukuzenzele

Janine
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:22

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Read moreAyashisa ama-tekkie for growing Sneaker Cleanic

New law on climate change response welcomed

Location: News

New law on climate change response welcomed

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has welcomed the signing of the Climate Change Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa, into law.

“We welcome this ground-breaking legislation, which not only clearly sets out the functions of the PCC but outlines the role that provinces and municipalities will play in mitigation efforts, to ensure the realisation of the vision for effective climate change response and just transition to a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy and society,” PCC Commissioner and Executive Director, Dr Crispian Olver, said on Tuesday.

The Climate Change Act sets out the legal mandate for countrywide climate change response, to enable the alignment of South Africa’s climate change response policy and actions, including mitigation and adaptation actions, which also constitutes South Africa’s country fair contribution to the global climate change response. 

READ | SA’s response to climate change outlined in new law

While a few state departments and other government agencies have just transition outcomes explicitly outlined in their annual performance plans, the Act now clearly instructs every organ of state to review and if necessary, revise, amend, coordinate and harmonise their policies and measures, programmes and decisions in order to ensure that the risks of climate change impacts and associated vulnerabilities are taken into consideration.

Olver said the Climate Change Act is South Africa’s first comprehensive legislation to encourage the development of an effective climate change response.

“To enable the development of an effective climate change response and a long-term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society for South Africa in the context of sustainable development.

“Undoubtedly, any successful climate action effort will require alignment of major social-economic, environmental and governance policies. We are entering a new phase of climate action and we believe the Climate Change Act, will foster institutional coherence and enhance climate change adaptation governance across the national, provincial and local layers of government,” Olver said.

The Commission will contribute to strengthen its relations with government,  particularly the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) as well as the National Treasury in giving life to the Act and ensuring that a smooth evolution to a public entity. It will also strengthen the work of the commission and improve its partnership with stakeholders and other role-players. –SAnews.gov.za
 
 

nosihle
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 09:12

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Read moreNew law on climate change response welcomed