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In recent years, ‘value’ has become a buzzword in banking circles across the globe and many banks are searching for innovative ways to deliver meaningful value to their clients. Against this backdrop, Nedbank Premium Banking is setting a new standard by prioritising accessible value and promoting positive money management behaviour to empower clients to achieve …
RS South Africa (www.Africa.RSdelivers.com), a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a global provider of product and service solutions, has formed a strategic partnership with Sharps Electrical (http://apo-opa.co/3VtNc8b), a leading electrical wholesaler and contractor in Botswana. This collaboration marks a significant stride towards fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the Sub-Saharan African region.
Signed on 1 April, the partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to deliver superior products and services to customers in the region. Prosper Shoniwa, Exports Business Development & Operational Manager at RS, highlights the importance of this collaboration: “This partnership is crucial for RS as it strengthens our presence in the Botswana market.”
He adds: “It aligns with our strategic goal of expanding in key regions to drive growth across Sub-Saharan Africa. By collaborating with Sharps Electrical, known for its reliability and consistency, we can ensure our products are more accessible to the market and offer robust aftersales support. We believe Sharps Electrical is the ideal partner to help us achieve our growth objectives.”
With over fifty years of operational excellence in Botswana, Sharps Electrical provides invaluable local market insights and proficiency. Jose Xavier, Operations Director at Sharps Electrical, expresses his excitement about the partnership: "Our aim is to diversify our product portfolio in conjunction with RS to advance our shared objective of expanding our market presence in Botswana. Together, we can introduce innovative products and foster collaborative efforts to deliver impactful supply and service solutions to our customers.”
The partnership will focus on selling and supporting the comprehensive product range that RS currently offers. This includes electrical components, tools, and advanced engineering solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of the Botswana market. Sharps Electrical will serve as the in-country point of contact for RS, ensuring customers have direct access to technical support and customer care.
By combining the strengths and expertise of both companies, the partnership aims to enhance the customer experience in Botswana. The collaboration will enable the provision of a wider range of high-quality products tailored to meet customer needs. Furthermore, investments in training and development initiatives will empower staff to deliver exceptional customer service, thereby nurturing local partnerships and enhancing logistical efficiency.
Shoniwa adds that the partnership is a significant step in RS' overall growth and expansion strategy. “It not only enhances our presence and operational capabilities in Africa but also presents significant advantages for Sharps Electrical.
“By establishing a local partnership in Botswana, RS aims to engage with customers more intimately, offering tailored support and fostering enduring relationships. This strategic move not only expands our geographical footprint but also ensures enhanced service delivery, crucial components of RS' strategy for sustainable growth and market penetration in new regions," concludes Shoniwa.
To learn more, visit the RS South Africa website.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.
PR Contact Person - RS South Africa:
Princess Tlou
Communications & Content Specialist
RS South Africa
Princess.Tlou@rsgroup.com
+27 11 691 9366
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Thobile Ndlovu
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thobile@ngage.co.za
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RS
RS is a trading brand of RS Group plc, providing product and service solutions that help our customers design, build, maintain, repair, and operate industrial equipment and operations, safely and sustainably. We stock more than 750,000 industrial and electronic products, sourced from over 2,500 leading suppliers, and provide a wide range of product and service solutions to 1.1 million customers.
We support customers across the product lifecycle, whether via innovation and technical support at the design phase, improving time to market and productivity at the build phase, or reducing purchasing costs and optimising inventory in the maintenance, repair, and operation phase. We offer our customers tailored product and service propositions that are essential for the successful operation of their businesses and help them save time and money.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2023 reported revenue of £2,982 million.
RS South Africa: http://apo-opa.co/3VthqIs
RS Africa Exports: http://apo-opa.co/3VtNbkD
DesignSpark: http://apo-opa.co/4bLhPeW
RS Group plc: http://apo-opa.co/4bIfGkj
Introduction Effective haul road management is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and safety of mining and construction operations. Poorly managed haul roads can lead to increased operational costs, vehicle damage, and safety hazards. This blog explores the best practices for haul road management to ensure smooth and safe operations. Importance of Haul Road Management …
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, the film production industry is continuously seeking innovative ways to captivate audiences through creative services. One such innovation that has gained significant traction is the use of animated videos. This blog explores the role of animated videos in the film production industry, the advantages they offer, and how video production …
Parents of children with disabilities protested in May, demanding that government do more to help their children
200 women were marching to call for a ban of pesticides
Revised norms and standards for water tariffs
The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced the revised Norms and Standards for tariff setting that provides framework on water tariffs for service providers.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu approved the gazetting of the revised Norms and Standards for tariff setting, introducing a multi-year tariff for all water users, to enable users to plan for longer term to ensure affordability and timeous payment for the water usage.
The new Norms and Standards also provide clarity on the tariffs for water borne sanitation.
The amended Norms and Standards gazetted on 27 May 2024, under section 10 of the Water Services Act, will come into effect on 01 April 2026.
The department said the revised document on tariff setting which were last promulgated in April 2002, provides a framework within which water services tariffs should be set by bulk water providers, including non-water boards to a water services authority, water tariffs by water services authority and sanitation tariffs water services authority.
The new Norms and Standards are also a framework to fund the service delivery expectations, technical Norms and Standards under Section 9 of the Water Services Act.
“The objectives of the revised Norms and Standards for tariff setting are to ensure that tariffs are transparent, predictable and consistent for sustainability of service provision. This is to make certain that consumers receive fair and affordable services, whilst encouraging accountability amongst service providers, enhancing consumer trust and confidence. In addition, this also encourages better water services provision to consumers.
“The new Norms and Standards make provision for multi-year tariff determination to ensure predictability of different types of tariffs, such as drought tariffs, seasonal tariffs and a penalty tariff for water conservation and demand management. Furthermore, they also strengthen the determination of the sanitation tariff and detail the disclosure requirements,” the department said.
The department noted that the revision of the Norms and Standards for tariff setting was necessitated by the developments within the public sector which impacted the water and sanitation services sector, including the promulgation of the Local Government, Municipal Finance Management Act, No.56 of 2003, Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Act, No.12 of 2007 and the Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000.
The department said it plans to roll-out the Norms and Standards to stakeholders from October 2024 until March 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:19
Fresh from winning his second national title in four weeks, Elroy Gelant has confirmed that he will line up at the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday 7 July 2024. Lining up on a course that produced the SA All-Comers Record of 27:16 set by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei in 2018, Gelant knows …
Research into Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation receives $92m
The National Research Foundation (NRF) has welcomed the announcement of a $92 million investment into the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.
The Canada Research Coordinating Committee, which leads this global joint initiative that funds interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral research on key risks of climate change, announced in Ottawa, Canada, on Monday, 3 June 2024.
The Canada Research Coordinating Committee is part of a consortium of research funders with which the NRF is working under the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.
The other research funders are from Brazil, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“In its role as a participating research funder in the initiative, the NRF funds four South African research projects,” the NRF explained.
Two other local projects under the initiative are funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), which supports world-leading interdisciplinary, international, high-risk/high-reward, transformative and rapid-response Canadian-led research.
The local research projects are part of the international joint initiative’s 32 international interdisciplinary research projects, involving 424 researchers from 45 countries.
These three-year projects focus on the design and implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies for vulnerable groups.
These groups are currently the most impacted by climate change effects, due to their physical and socio-economic vulnerability.
The research funders contributed a total of more than $30 million in additional funds to the research projects.
NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, said the financial boost to the International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation comes at an opportune time.
“Research projects under the initiative are starting to take shape. These include those that are funded by the NRF, which has made significant investments in the initiative. The funding will propel these research projects to greater heights.”
In addition to the investment, the Canada Research Coordinating Committee also announced the NFRF Exploration Competition grantees.
Each year, the NFRF Exploration Competition supports research that brings various disciplines together in new ways and from bold, innovative perspectives.
Exploration grants support research with a range of impacts — economic, scientific, artistic, cultural, social, technological, environmental or health-related.
This year, $33 million was awarded to 133 research projects that focus on topics such as the exploration of the outer reaches of Earth’s atmosphere and the cosmos from a high-arctic perspective, transforming artificial intelligence (AI) software concepts into smart mechanical systems, and using liquid biopsies to better detect breast cancer.
The International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation requires that projects address at least two of the eight representative key risks identified in the sixth assessment report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The report highlights the unprecedented changes in the climate that are being observed in every region, affecting all ecosystems and societies, and that will continue to intensify with further warming. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 14:53
Understanding Hexing Prepaid Electricity Meters Tamper Procedures With three items of information you can successfully tamper reset your Hexing Meter Which of the 560 Prepaid Meter Service Suppliers is Yours? How can I find my prepaid meter number? Quick Link: Straton Prepaid will assist you online here: https://straton.co.za/pre-paid/tamper-code-reset-for-hexing-private-prepaid-meters/ OR follow the instructions further below to …
The 200-year-old Eastern Cape press is in a shambles, but there is a plan
SACCI welcomes outcome of the 2024 elections
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has welcomed the outcome of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections held last week.
SACCI said the outcome of the vote reflects the will of the people.
“We congratulate South Africans who filed in the long queues to make their voices heard and did so in an orderly and peaceful manner. Our democracy is indeed a vibrant one with free political contestation and multi-party contestation,” SACCI said in a statement.
It also commended the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which, despite challenges, continues to execute its mandate with credibility.
SACCI said it is looking forward to working with the new administration.
“Given the lack of an outright majority party to lead South Africa, we call on all the political parties to prioritise the interests of the people of South Africa first in putting together a coalition that will take the country forward. Foremost should be the alleviation of high levels of unemployment, building a meritocracy and sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and ridding the state and the private sector of corruption.
“Political stability and policy certainty are the fundamental hallmarks that will drive business and investor sentiment. Political parties have an opportunity to unite South Africa for the better development of the republic and the continent,” SACCI said.
It added that there are a number of successful developed countries that are run by coalition governments from whom “we can learn in managing the instability problems, inherent in coalitions”. - SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 11:36
Health sector comes together to track progress in confronting TB
As part of ongoing efforts to reduce new Tuberculosis (TB) infections and deaths, the country is hosting the 8th SA TB Conference in Durban.
The gathering is an opportunity to track progress towards achieving the 2025 targets set at the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting and the 2030 target to end the epidemic in line with the pragmatic End TB Strategy by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The conference, said the Department of Health, is being held at the International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal from Tuesday to Friday. The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, is expected to deliver a keynote address to officially open the conference on Tuesday at 3pm.
Globally, TB is still a leading cause of death from a single infectious agent and one of the greatest public health threats in South Africa.
South Africa remains one of the 30 high-burden TB countries contributing to 87% of the estimated incident cases worldwide.
“It claims approximately 54 000 lives annually or around 148 lives daily in South Africa,” the department said.
However, government believes it has made strides to ensure that all people with TB have equitable access to high-quality diagnosis, treatment, care and preventive therapy.
“Data shows that 56% of TB patients experience catastrophic costs as per a recent WHO survey. These include a rollout of shorter regimens with better drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant TB, and the notable launch of the bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid-levofloxacin (BPaL-L) programme.”
Other innovative interventions include the introduction of targeted universal TB testing regardless of symptoms among high-risk groups, the introduction of SMS notifications for reporting test results, and the use of artificial intelligence such as digital chest X-rays in TB screening and diagnosis.
The four-day biannual conference is expected to “re-energise the TB community” through in-person interactions between local and international stakeholders consisting of policymakers, academics, researchers, government officials, and members of civil society organisations.
The conference is being held under the theme: “Accelerating progress to end TB”, which serves as a call for all sectors of society to join hands to prevent avoidable deaths from a preventable and curable disease.
The meeting will consist of insightful sessions designed to cover diverse aspects of the disease and control discussions.
These include the TB vaccine, infections in mines, insights and innovations towards ending TB, stigma measurement among people, care services and treatment response in children with presumptive pulmonary TB over six months.
The panellists will also look at the results of community-based TB services targeting migrant workers in the South of Mozambique.
The department in collaboration with stakeholders in the sector including the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) is currently implementing the national TB Recovery Plan, which aims to reverse the losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim is to accelerate efforts towards attaining the National Strategic Plan, UN High-Level Meeting, Sustainable Development Goals and End TB targets will be strengthened. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 10:05
In the quest to create the perfect bathroom, functionality and style go hand in hand. Whether you’re remodelling an existing bathroom or designing a new one, choosing the right elements can make all the difference. Today, we’ll explore three essential features that can elevate your bathroom experience: bathroom vanities and storage units, mirror cabinets, and …
In recent years, the event management industry has experienced a significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on incorporating advanced technologies and creative solutions to enhance the attendee experience. One notable trend is the increasing collaboration between event planners and animation studios in South Africa. This blog explores how animation is revolutionising the event management landscape, …
The fight against fraud is constantly evolving. Experian’s recent fraud research shows that 71% of the fraud leaders in our survey are struggling to keep up with the rapidly evolving fraud threat. But as new technology creates opportunities for fraudsters, so too does it enable better fraud prevention. This balance between fraud attacks and prevention …
Introduction Johannesburg, with its dynamic market and logistical demands, poses unique challenges for warehouse storage. Businesses must navigate these challenges to ensure efficiency and profitability. This blog examines the key hurdles in warehouse storage in Johannesburg and offers practical solutions for overcoming them. Space Constraints and High Costs In a bustling city like Johannesburg, …
Social media and other forms of technology are a great way to reach large numbers of people. But technology has an equally—or perhaps more—important role in helping people access help or knowledge that is hard to come by in the real world. That’s particularly true for women and girls, who continue to find it hard …
Shell still has one more shot at seismic exploration authorisation
The organizers of the Totalsports Women’s Race proudly welcome NIVEA, a global skincare and personal care brand, as the official skincare partner for one of South Africa’s most iconic women’s celebrations. “We are thrilled to partner with NIVEA as the official skincare sponsor for the Totalsports Women’s Race in 2024,” says Nikki Crous, Head of …
Plans underway for establishment of the seventh democratic Parliament
Following the successful 2024 National and Provincial Elections held last week Wednesday, plans for the establishment of the country’s seventh democratic Parliament now get into full swing.
Explaining the next step after the elections concluded, Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said Parliament is fully prepared, and all the necessary arrangements have been made for establishing the new National Assembly.
“Comprehensive plans are in place to ensure a seamless transition, including onboarding new Members of Parliament,” Mothapo said in a statement.
Mothapo noted that in democratic countries such as South Africa, Parliament plays a crucial role in making legislation and holding the government to account.
“Under a proportional representation electoral system, Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent the people of the country and act as their voice. Parliament, therefore, is accountable to the people of South Africa,” Mothapo said.
Mothapo explained that every five years, the people of South Africa have the opportunity to cast their votes for a new Parliament, and each new five-year term of Parliament is numbered.
This has happened in the elections of 1994, where people voted for the first democratic Parliament. The second Parliament followed the General Elections in 1999, with the third Parliament in 2004, the fourth in 2009, with the fifth Parliament in 2014 and the sixth in 2019.
On Wednesday, 29 May, South Africans cast their votes in the country’s seventh democratic election to determine which political parties and, for the first time, independent candidates, will represent them in Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures.
Mothapo said as the legislative authority of the democratic republic, the National Assembly must ensure a government by the people by choosing a President, providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, passing legislation, and exercising oversight over the executive’s actions.
He said the National Assembly may be constituted with no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 members.
“The National Assembly is elected for a five-year term according to Section 49 of the Constitution. When the term expires or the Assembly is dissolved, the President must call an election within 90 days.
“Although the term of this Assembly expired on 21 May, it continued to function until the day before the first day of the elections, which was midnight on 28 May.
"Currently, there is no National Assembly, and the process to establish the new House has commenced,” Mothapo explained.
Handling of election results
The election results must be declared within seven days after an election, in terms of Section 57 of the Electoral Act. Following this, members of the National Assembly are designated by the Independent Electoral Commission, and the Commission then hands these lists to the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, who then hands them over to Parliament.
First sitting of the National Assembly
The first sitting of the National Assembly must occur no more than 14 days after election results are declared, and the Chief Justice of the Republic, Raymond Zondo, will determine and gazette the date for this sitting.
Mothapo explained that before members of the National Assembly perform their functions in the Assembly, they must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience of the Constitution, under Schedule 2 to the Constitution.
“After the swearing in of members, the Chief Justice presides over the election of the Speaker of the National Assembly, who must, in turn, preside over the election of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
"The President of the Republic is the last to be elected by the House because the Assembly must be duly constituted first to exercise its power to elect the President. The Chief Justice presides over the election of the President,” Mothapo said.
Rules for the first sittings gazetted
Mothapo said the Office of the Chief Justice has officially gazetted the rules for the first sittings of the National Assembly.
The rules, as approved by Chief Justice Zondo on 27 May 2024, outline the procedures for the election of key parliamentary and provincial officials, including the President, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chairperson and Deputy Chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces.
Election of the President
Mothapo said the election of the President, who is chosen among the members of the Assembly, is conducted by the Chief Justice of the Republic and when elected President, a person ceases to be a member of the National Assembly.
“Within five days, he or she must assume office by swearing or affirming faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the Constitution at an inauguration ceremony,” he explained.
Term of the President and Executive
The term of the President, along with the members of the Executive, only ends when the new President is sworn into office by the Chief Justice of the Republic.
“This is usually during the inauguration ceremony after the National Assembly has elected the President. This is intended to ensure there is no gap in the country's administration between the election and the assumption of office by the incoming President.”
Opening of Parliament Address
Once the President has assumed office, Mothapo said he or she must appoint the Cabinet, and the President, in conjunction with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, determines a date for the Opening of Parliament Address.
According to the new joint rules of Parliament, the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) is now distinct from the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“The State of the Nation Address is held annually in February to outline the government's plans and priorities for the year and report on the state of the nation. The Opening of Parliament Address, on the other hand, occurs once every five years, after elections, to announce the new administration's plans and to mark the beginning of the new five-year parliamentary term.
“The Opening of Parliament is more than a ceremonial occasion – it is a platform where the government’s vision and priorities are presented, setting the tone for the legislative and administrative actions that will follow. It also symbolises the functioning of the new Parliament, reflecting the continuity and stability of governance,” Mothapo said.
Orientation of new MPs
Mothapo said the newly elected MPs are inducted and oriented through a structured orientation programme, which includes briefings on parliamentary procedures, ethical guidelines, legislative responsibilities, and administrative processes.
“The orientation also often involves training sessions on effective communication, law-making, and constituency management, ensuring that new MPs are well-prepared to fulfil their roles effectively,” he said.
Venue for the first sitting
Mothapo said the first sitting and onboarding venue has been secured at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
He said Parliament will, in due course, provide the comprehensive process that will be followed in establishing the National Council of Provinces of the seventh democratic Parliament. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 06/03/2024 - 11:27
Entries now open for the 2024 Championship Boerewors competition Shoprite and Checkers invite all chefs, cooks and boerewors aficionados to enter their finest recipes into the 32nd annual Championship Boerewors competition before entries close on 21 June 2024. Participants will stand a chance to compete for the coveted title of South Africa’s Boerewors Champion, and …
Springbok Women's Sevens head coach Renfred Dazel said they will have to take their HSBC SVNS relegation on the chin, regroup and give their season a fitting finish at their first appearance at the Olympic Games later this year.
The South Africans lost their status as a core team after Spain beat them in Madrid on Sunday, and the Bok Women's Sevens will now have to qualify for the World Rugby Challenger Series again via the continental route.
“We will take a week or so off to clear our heads and then start our Olympic preparations in all earnest,” said Dazel.
“As bad it is for us losing our core status, as exciting it is to go and compete as part of Team South Africa at the Paris Olympics and we need to make the most of that special moment.”
With regards to the 2024 season, Dazel feels that the inconsistency during the series came back to haunt them on Sunday, when they had to beat Spain to retain their status as core team.
“Look, we can try and find excuses like the lack of a pre-season for the squad going into the series or the availability of some players, but that is not going to solve our problem of having to qualify again,” said Dazel.
“This is not the first time we lost our status and I know how despondent everyone is feeling. Thanks to SA Rugby's support of the sevens programme, we can remain competitive and qualify to play in the Challenger Series by winning the Africa Cup Sevens in September. So, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Dazel said the next cycle will involve finding new players to join the fray as well as creating opportunities to play sevens rugby: “We need to find the next group of young players who can take the system forward and that is an exciting prospect.
“We will also need to sit down and look at our personnel for the Africa Cup and start preparing for that with enough time in hand. It was disappointing to lose like this today, especially as we lost our way in the second half again. That dogged us all season and cost us dearly today.”
Against Spain, the South Africans clearly felt the pressure of the knock-out phase of the final tournament of the season and conceded four tries without firing any real shots.
Spain, spurred on by a lively home crowd, scored two tries on each side of the halftime break, a clear indication of their dominance in this game. They were on the attack from the outset and although the Bok Women defended well, the host team hit gaps and after four minutes, Juana Stella scored their first try.
South Africa got their hands on the ball, but more mistakes followed and a try by Paula Requena after hooter saw Spain finish the first half with a 10-0 lead.
Requena's second try, 90 seconds into the second half, all but sealed the deal for the Spanish, and although South Africa had a few more opportunities, they were let down by their handling, with too many knock-ons costing them dearly.
Beatriz Dominguez then put the final nail in the South African coffin with a break-out try from their own 22, to ensure Spain play on the world series again next season, even though they finished one spot lower than the Bok Women in 2024.
South Africa won three out of five times against Spain during the 2024 season, but looked nothing like the team that started the tournament with two dominant performances on Friday, and failed to gain ascendency in any area of play.
Their defence was frantic, they conceded numerous penalties at the breakdown and hardly worked themselves into attacking positions, and when they did, handling errors came at a huge cost.
Spain played with much more composure, passion, and direction in the most important match of the season for both teams.
Scorers:
South Africa 0
Spain 22 (10) – Tries: Juana Stella, Paula Requena (2), Beatriz Dominguez. Conversion: Stella.
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.
Note to editors: Audio notes of Renfred Dazel can be downloaded here (https://apo-opa.co/3X311vh).
SA’s democracy is "strong, robust" - President Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the 16 million citizens, who cast their vote in the National and Provincial Elections, are proof that South Africa’s democracy is “strong and robust”.
The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter on Monday.
South Africans headed to the polls last week to elect new government leadership for the seventh administration in the country’s most competitive elections since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
“This election has been declared free and fair. It took place peacefully and without serious incidents of intimidation or violence. This is a credit to the Electoral Commission, to the political parties and their leadership, and above all, to the South African people.
“By discharging this important civic duty, South Africans have done more than exercise their right to vote. They have shown that they continue to hold our democratic order and our Constitution in high regard. This successful poll shows that our democracy is strong, that it is robust and that it endures,” President Ramaphosa said.
READ | Government welcomes conclusion of elections
Constitutional order
In this year’s vote, no party won an outright majority in the National Assembly.
This, President Ramaphosa said, presents a “new phase in our democratic journey” in which “political parties will have to strive in earnest to find common ground as we work to rebuild our country”.
“Although every political party carries a mandate based on the commitments they made to the electorate, all parties share an overarching mandate to build a country that is inclusive, united and prosperous.
“This moment in our country calls for responsible leadership and constructive engagement. There can be no place for threats of violence or instability,” he said.
The President called on South Africans to fight for and protect the country’s constitutional order – South Africa’s supreme law.
“This constitutional order is anchored in the rule of law, supported by institutions for advancing democracy, such as the Independent Electoral Commission, and upheld by an independent judiciary.
“South Africans must stand firm against any attempts to undermine the constitutional order we have worked so hard to build, and for which so many struggled and sacrificed.
“Whatever challenges we may face as political events unfold, they should be dealt with in a spirit of cooperation and in accordance with the prescripts of our Constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
READ | 2024 election results a victory for democracy
The President added that all South Africans should take pride in “our own contribution towards giving meaning to the values and principles of our constitutional democracy”.
“As we work as political parties to find each other across the divide in the coming weeks and months, let us demonstrate both in our actions and our utterances that we hold the Constitution and the rule of law to be paramount. Let us remember that whatever authority, whatever power, we are entrusted with must be exercised to advance the interests of the South African people.
“Now more than ever, we need to put our differences aside and work together for the common good,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 06/03/2024 - 09:59