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24 April 2024

NBA Launches Accelerator Focused on Early-Stage African Startups

Location: News

“Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” Will Provide Top African Startup Companies in the Sports and Creative Industries with Funding and Mentorship Across Event Management and Ticketing, Youth Development, AI and Digital Marketing; ALX to Operate Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator and Oversee Selection Process; Startups Can Apply to Participate at TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com.

In support of President Biden's Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative and building on the U.S. Department of Commerce-wide Africa strategy, NBA Africa today announced the launch of “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” a startup accelerator based on the continent focused on early-stage African startup companies.

Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will support Africa's tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital that will help drive growth in the sports and creative industries.

Operated by ALX Ventures, a leading technology incubator that provides the continent's tech leaders with access to the skills and tools to launch and scale their startups, Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator is open to early-stage startups in Africa that develop solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing in the sports and creative industries. Startups can apply to participate at TripleDoubleAccelerator.NBA.com through Friday, May 31, after which the submissions will be narrowed down to the top 10.

The 10 selected startups will then be paired with mentors comprised of NBA Africa and ALX leadership, and other corporate stakeholders, who will provide guidance to the companies with a focus on product development, business growth and go-to-market strategy. In September, NBA Africa will hold a Demo Day in New York City that will coincide with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Participating companies will pitch their products to a panel comprised of top industry leaders from the U.S., Africa, and around the world. The panel will then determine the four winning companies, which will be awarded financial support, mentorship, and the opportunity to work with NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) on their current and future initiatives on the continent.

The announcement was made today by NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, who was joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong at the American Chamber of Commerce's Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

“We are thrilled to launch an accelerator program based on the continent and focused on early-stage African startups,” said Akamanzi. “This groundbreaking new initiative reflects our commitment to expanding the African sports ecosystem, and these incredible companies will be at the forefront of shaping the future of sport on the continent.”

Additional information about Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will be announced at a later date.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Photo: https://apo-opa.co/4daIrqQ (U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong and NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi at the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator launch) (Credit: NBA Africa)

Video: https://apo-opa.co/3UtDGBg (Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator)

Contact:
Pawel Weszka
NBA Africa Communications
pweszka@nba.com
+27 10 0072666

About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. NBA Africa conducts the league's business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The NBA has a long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010. The league's efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more.

NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that tipped off its fourth season in March 2024. Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

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National Basketball Association (NBA)

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24 April 2024

Chikunga extends well wishes to aspiring traffic officers

Location: News

Chikunga extends well wishes to aspiring traffic officers

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has conveyed her well wishes to trainee officers, who will be embarking on the final selection process to train as traffic officers.

These officers are part of the national recruitment drive undertaken by the Road Traffic Management Corporation to reduce unemployment and create job opportunities for the youth, women and persons with disabilities

“We anticipate enrolling 600 trainee traffic officers to officially commence training on 1 June 2024. It is pleasing to note that about 40% of traffic officer recruits who are due to start training this year are females. Traffic law enforcement has historically been the domain of men,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

These trainees will enroll on a three-year traffic officer’s curriculum at a National Qualification Framework (NQF) level six, which is an equivalent of a national diploma. The NQF level six qualification was introduced in 2019 and the first cohort of 257 traffic officers trained on this curriculum graduated in 2023.

Addressing the trainee officers in Pretoria, the Minister explained that the training comprises compulsory knowledge modules (which is theory), practical modules, and work experience modules. Crime prevention forms an integral part of the training.

“This new qualification will go a long way towards the professionalisation of the road traffic law enforcement sector, ensuring respect, integrity, discipline, ethics and regaining public respect, as well as improving the ability of officers to enforce the law and reduce road traffic crashes.

“Traffic law enforcement training in our country has undergone a fundamental change to ensure that we produce well equipped officers who are able to effectively contribute to efforts to deal with the scourge of lawlessness which leads to the high number of crashes and fatalities on the roads.

“Poor ethical conduct has severely tainted the reputation of traffic law enforcement among road users, and the public in general. This also contributes largely to the lawlessness on the roads as many road users believe they can get away with transgressions through bribery and corruption,” Chikunga said.

She said she is certain that the recruitment process has been rigorous enough to uphold high ethical standards.

“All recruits, without exception, have undergone a pre-selection vetting process to check criminal records, verification of qualifications and checking biographical history to determine suitability for selection into the training programme.

“All the candidates will have to undergo medical assessment and only those who pass the assessment will be enrolled. After completing the course and on appointment as traffic officers, they must again be vetted in their first year of operation as officers and this must be repeated every five years to ensure that they remain on the straight and narrow. This is the only way to restore dignity and respect to our officers,” the Minister said.

The event took place at the newly upgraded Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training Academy, which is set to serve as a Centre of Excellence in traffic training in South Africa, once construction of the second phase and third phase are completed.

“The accepted cohort of recruits will be the first ones to undertake training in these awe-inspiring premises when they officially open their doors in the next few weeks.

“Since 2019, training of our traffic officers was taking place at rented facilities while this 21st century academy was under construction. We commend the RTMC for their visionary insight in construction of these facilities as the outstanding home for traffic officer training in the country,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:15

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24 April 2024

FAO warns of maize shortfall across Southern Africa

Location: News

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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Cereal production prospects in Southern Africa have taken a sharp turn for the worse since last February, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned today (Monday/Tuesday).

The foreseen shortfall in production, especially for maize, is expected to intensify households' food insecurity, push up domestic prices and spur a surge in import needs across the subregion, according to a new assessment from FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System. White maize accounts for almost 20 percent of calories consumed in the subregion.

The disappointing forecast comes after “widespread and substantial rainfall deficits in February, exacerbated by record high temperatures, a particularly damaging combination for crops,” the report said, noting that there are scant hopes of a recovery before the harvest period commences in May.

Acute food insecurity in southern Africa, estimated at 16 million people in the first three months of 2024, could deteriorate in late 2024, FAO warned.

Food prices, already rising at annual rates above 10 percent, are likely to rise further and, based on current projections, South Africa and Zambia, typically maize exporters, will not be able to cover the supply shortfall, and Zambia has started importing maize to meet the shortfall.

This combination of reduced harvests and rising food prices is particularly harmful for agricultural households and restoration of production,, as farm incomes are set to be squeezed while more resources will be needed to purchase food, said Jonathan Pound, economist at FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System.

Plan ahead for shift to La Niña

This observed pattern is typical of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the region, FAO noted.

Current forecasts however point a high likelihood of a transition to a La Niña phase later in the year, with more beneficial precipitation patterns.

That makes it “imperative” to scale up resilience-bolstering measures enabling farmers to prepare adequately for the next agricultural season starting in September 2024, FAO said.

The governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have already declared drought emergencies. Teaming up with the NASA Harvest programme, FAO geospatial observations suggest that key cereal crops will suffer adverse impacts in parts of Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique expected to see a notable jump in import needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

24 April 2024

Snakes alive! Crocworld team relocates a couple of surprise Mamba guests

Location: MyPR

When the snake rescue team from Crocworld Conservation Centre headed out to Amandawe on the KZN South Coast, they thought they would be relocating a harmless Spotted Bush Snake – not Africa’s deadliest snake! Busani Mthiyane, Animal Curator at Crocworld Conservation Centre, said they received a call from a family indicating that a ‘huge, green …

24 April 2024

NPA ‘a long way down the road’ on its vital rebuild

Location: News

NPA 'a long way down the road' on its vital rebuild

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, has stated that despite unrelenting pressure and the devastation of State capture, the turnaround of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been remarkable.

Batohi was speaking during a media roundtable on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) priorities and strategic initiatives held at the entity’s headquarters in Pretoria.

Batohi – who was appointed as NDPP in 2019 – said the rebuild of what was then a “fractured” organisation, truly began when a full leadership was appointed.

“In March of 2021 we had, finally, the full leadership in place. We could really start properly, as a full leadership team, thinking about this rebuilding process. What we have achieved in that just over three years, is nothing short of remarkable.

“The NPA now is a well run constitutional entity. We have a solid strategy. There are many incredible strategic initiatives… that put the NPA firmly on track to deliver to the people of this country,” she said.

Reflecting on her tenure so far at the entity, Batohi said she came in believing that State capture cases in particular would have moved faster.

“When I came back from the International Criminal Court [where I was a senior legal advisor to the Prosecutor], I had a sense of the challenge and I thought, 'how difficult is it going to be to get one really big corruption case that’s going to swing sentiment around very quickly'?. I was really quite wrong about that.

“In so far as State capture related cases… I thought we would have been further down the line. For everything else in the NPA, I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved and how far we’ve come since the new leadership came in,” she said.

Stated objectives

Batohi looked back on some of the objectives that she set when she took office, including:

Addressing the leadership crisis of the NPA.
Conducting a review of high profile cases relating to the decision to prosecute or not.
Reviewing the structure of the NPA.
Securing sufficient budget for the NPA and expanding its partnerships.
Managing cases related to State capture.
Creating the Investigative Directorate (ID).
Stakeholder management.
Strengthening staff morale and empowerment.
Instilling the value support of the Independence, Professionalism, Accountability and Credibility pillars.

“It’s not been easy. We’ve been, in the past five years, really hard at work under a lot of pressure. The pressure… in the past five years, has been unrelenting, mainly with regard to State capture. But in the middle of all of this, we’ve been doing incredible work to turn this ship around.

“We’ve stabilised the leadership of the NPA. [The NPA executive]… are the people of the highest standards of integrity, who will do only what the Constitution and the rule of law demands. We have increased staff capacity and capability. We’ve partnered with civil society and the private sector to secure specialist skills that we need in certain very high profile and complex corruption related matters.

“We’ve established the office of ethics and accountability in the NPA. We’ve developed a very forward looking organised crime strategy. We have really focused a lot on building the NPA into a strong entity once more. We’ve come a long way to do that,” she said.

Batohi said since the objectives were set out in 2019, the global landscape has changed dramatically with “deeply troubling” geopolitical tensions, outbreak of conflict and a world impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working in an environment where… it’s a complex political environment. We have a country where we have load shedding, the poorest and most vulnerable are without basic amenities. We have a country that is wracked by the highest levels of various types of crimes.

“It is in this context… that, as the NPA and as a country, we can’t give up hope. We have to… keep fighting the good fight. And that we have to, as the NPA, being a vital Constitutional entity that’ll contribute to the rebuilding of this country… [we have to] keep fighting the best we can and [the best] we know,” Batohi said. – SAnews.gov.za

These efforts are part of PRASA’s Rolling Stock Fleet Renewal Programme which will, among other things, see the manufacturing of new trains. The programme is expected to create approximately 1 500 direct and 8000 indirect jobs over the 10-year period.

“As part of the first phase of the programme, 1 631 direct jobs have been created during the construction phase of the R1 billion factory, and Gibela has now employed over 1 198 full time employees.

“As this government we understand the need to create jobs that will benefit local communities. The workforce comes from local communities such as Duduza, Vosloorus, Katlehong, Kwa-Thema, Tsakane and Alfra-Park have benefitted from this project,” the Minister said.

In addition to the construction jobs, Gibela has employed a total of 1 205 people for both manufacturing and maintenance activities, 37% of those 1 205 come from immediate communities.

“Skills development and knowledge transfer is key for this government. About 20 000 training programmes have been established to enable the transfer of skills and development of employees from top management to unskilled employees.

“In 2019 Gibela Rail in partnership with Small Enterprise Development Agency and City of Ekurhuleni established a multi-sector business incubator, the doors opened in 2020 in the Kwa-Thema Township,” she said.

To date there are 140 Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) that were trained, mentored and coached. A total of 193 SMMEs also accessed Business Development Support.

“Gibela provides bursaries for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, internships, learnerships, apprenticeships, a railway introduction course and other relevant programmes.

“Through these interventions, we are helping to nurture the next generation of skilled and capable individuals who will not only improve their own futures, but also the futures of their families, communities, and our larger society.

“Since the inception of the programme, we have contracted 1 665 bursars and spent over R127 million towards their studies,” Chikunga said.

Not only is government revitalising the railway and manufacturing industry through skills development that will reignite the industry at large, PRASA is also changing the lives of the previously disadvantaged people and the livelihoods of communities.

“Our young people are now trained as artisans, engineering technicians, technologists and designers, just to name a few. The investment made includes R135 million invested in Enterprise and Supplier Development initiatives, developing SMMEs.

“A total of R743 million has been invested in skills development to support inclusion in the rail sector. Over this 10-year period, Gibela has committed to train and develop 19 500 individuals in various skills such as engineers, artisans, technicians, and technologists.

“These were the contractual obligations that Gibela had to undertake as part of this 10-year project,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Tue, 04/23/2024 - 13:08

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23 April 2024

Smoke Customer Intelligence Announces New Leadership Appointment

Location: MyPR

[Johannesburg April 2024] Smoke Customer Intelligence, a leading provider of Customer Experience and Employee Engagement solutions, today announced a restructuring of its operations, resulting in the formation of distinct companies under the umbrella of The Smoke Group. This strategic move aims to streamline operations, enhance focus on core competencies, and drive growth in key market …

23 April 2024

Dignity for those in need: Gauteng launches mobile shower facilities for homeless people

Location: News

Dignity for those in need: Gauteng launches mobile shower facilities for homeless people

The Gauteng Department of Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has unveiled mobile shower services for homeless people in the province.

MEC Mbali Hlophe said the services are aimed at restoring dignity for people who find themselves homeless in the province.

“It’s about giving them warm food and a shower. It’s also about ensuring that our social workers have access to them and they are able to direct them to the broader services that we have. That’s about family reunification, which is really an ideal one because we want to make sure that we are able to unify families.

“But where we can’t, we are able to place them within our shelters where they are provided with skills to make sure that they are able to take care of themselves and to be sustainably out of the streets,” Hlophe said.

According to the department, the mobile shower service is in line with “Pillar 1 of the Gauteng City Region Strategy on Street Adult Homelessness, which is advocacy, awareness, and prevention of crisis and early intervention”.

“The service, which will go out to locations daily, will provide access to bathrooms, ablution facilities, laundry services and linking the homeless with other services such as access to shelters and social work interventions,” the department said in a statement.

The mobile wash services will go to areas where homeless people can be found.

“The wash trailer and office will be towed by a vehicle to the identified homeless hot spots. The proposed locations for the service are parks, open areas, under bridges, and on streets where the homeless community sometimes reside.

“The mobile services have separated showers and ablution facilities and an office. The wash trailer, which is 6m long, with an estimated weight of 2 800 kilograms, has three showers and three toilets, and the estimated office weight is 1 800kg,” the department said.

According to the department, the launch is “an expansion to an already existing package of assistance to the homeless” in the province.

This includes homeless shelters in regions; provision of daily meals for the homeless; social work services; link to skills development; substance abuse rehabilitation, and family reunification.

New lease on life

At shelters, homeless people are afforded an opportunity to learn skills, including basic computer skills, construction skills, including brick laying and agricultural skills.

A resident at a homeless shelter, Michael Rasebokoa, said the opportunities he gained at the shelter have given him the restart he needed.

Rasebokoa holds a Business Administration qualification but found himself homeless when he lost the job he had.

However, through a non-profit organisation at the shelter, he was linked to a new job opportunity.

“I am grateful for the opportunities that the Gauteng Department of Social Development has afforded me.

“The NPOs that are funded by the department has made it possible for me to secure a job. I am currently working as a Financial Advisor in Sandton,” Rasebokoa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Tue, 04/23/2024 - 10:35

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23 April 2024

Cabinet welcomes R3.4bn terminal project

Location: News

Cabinet welcomes R3.4bn terminal project

Cabinet has welcomed the opening of the R3.4 billion Newlyn Park Bayhead Rail Terminal project at the Port of Durban, which consists of 640 000 square metres of warehousing, rail sidings and open storage.

“The new terminal will facilitate the efficient movement of sea, rail and road cargo through the Port of Durban, and help address the recent challenges experienced in the logistics, infrastructure and network industries,” a Cabinet statement said on Monday.

WATCH |

The investment resulted in 4 013 direct construction jobs and the full-time employment of more than 1 000 people, with this number expected to grow as the facility handles more cargo.

“In revitalising our country’s rail network, Cabinet also welcomed the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) successful restoration of five crucial Metrorail services across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

“PRASA effectively brought 31 of its 40 lines back into partial operation and is working on achieving full operational status. The milestone demonstrates government’s commitment to revitalising passenger rail services and providing an efficient public transport option for South Africans,” Cabinet said.

WATCH | Transport Minister briefs on improvements at PRASA |

Cabinet held a special Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday, 10 April 2024.

In a related development, Cabinet welcomed the announcement by the South African National Roads Agency that it would inject over R50 billion into road infrastructure development in the Eastern Cape.

READ | SANRAL invests R2 billion in Eastern Cape road maintenance

This infrastructure investment is geared towards the construction of new facilities, road improvements and strengthening, and special maintenance of the national road network in the province. – SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Mon, 04/22/2024 - 14:59

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22 April 2024

Celebrate 30 years of Freedom!

Location: News

Celebrate 30 years of Freedom!

Cabinet has called on South Africans to participate in the celebrations and commemoration of South Africa’s 30 years of freedom.

Some 30 years ago, South Africa moved from the repressive and segregation based policy of apartheid into a new democratic dispensation – ushering in freedom for millions of South Africans, who were previously oppressed and disadvantaged because of the colour of their skin.

“Cabinet calls on all South Africans and sectors of society to participate in celebrating 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy. South Africans can participate by telling their stories on what it was like to have lived in apartheid South Africa and help us to build on the achievements we have made so far,” a Cabinet statement read on Monday.

Cabinet reflected on the work that has been done to bring a better life for all South Africans, even as challenges persist.

READ | SA's democracy restored the dignity of millions

“We have worked since 1994 to build a society based on unity and togetherness, and while many challenges still remain, conditions have fundamentally improved with each passing day. The great strides we have made since 1994 are reflected in Census 2022 and the 30 Year Review.

“Both paint a picture of a society on the move and which reflects improvements across most indicators. The findings of the Census and the 30 Year Review conclusively demonstrate that our development is not by chance, but rather by design from government programmes since 1994,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, government officially launched the commemoration of 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy, held under the theme: “30 years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth”.

The launch – which has held at Freedom Park Heritage Site – included the unveiling of the official 30 Years of Freedom logo which cabinet called a “symbol that will unify us as we celebrate this significant milestone in the history of our country”.

VIEW | SAnews Special Feature on the 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy

“The launch marked the official commencement of the year-long activities to celebrate the remarkable progress we have made since 1994 in establishing a democratic society based on the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 and the Bill of Rights.

“This momentous occasion is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that remain and find ways to overcome them and move our country forward,” the Cabinet statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Mon, 04/22/2024 - 15:01

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22 April 2024

Cabinet welcomes R500 million investment for upgrade of Tetra Pak facility

Location: News

Cabinet welcomes R500 million investment for upgrade of Tetra Pak facility

Cabinet has welcomed the reopening of the Tetra Pak facility in KwaZulu-Natal by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which attracted an investment of R500 million.

The investment forms part of the Presidential Investment Mobilisation Drive, where government set the ambitious target in 2018 to attract R1.2 trillion investments over five years.

“Last year at the fifth South Africa Investment Conference, which marked end of the first phases of our investment mobilisation cycle, more the R1.5 trillion in investment commitments were raised. These investments translate into new factories, jobs in communities and greater economic activity around our country. Cabinet is confident that our investment drive will reignite economic growth and uplift our economy,” a Cabinet statement said on Monday.

Tetra Pak is a global leader in packaging and processing solutions for the food industry and has had a presence and manufacturing footprint in South Africa since 1963.

WATCH |

The factory was originally built 45 years ago, in 1979. Through this expansion, Tetra Pak will be exporting products to the continent.

VIEW | Click here for more images of the Tetra Pak Manufacturing plant in Durban.

Cabinet held a special Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday, 10 April 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

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Mon, 04/22/2024 - 15:15

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22 April 2024

Four new reports released on Open Internet approaches in Africa

Location: News

European Union External Action
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By looking at case studies in Burundi, Kenya, Senegal and South Africa, the four reports unpack Open Internet connectivity as a promoter of human-centric development. They also shed light on the crucial role of a free, global, reliable, affordable and secure internet in driving social and economic growth in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the African Union's Agenda 2063.

According to the new reports prepared by a team of independent experts contracted by the European Commission “Digital technologies and the Open Internet are two distinct concepts that, if blended into a consistent policy approach, create a digitisation process that maximises the opportunities for social and economic growth.”

The realisation of the Open Internet's potential for locally driven growth requires a holistic approach, separate but intrinsic to the investment in technology and connectivity, that is focused on the deployment of Open Internet digital infrastructure, the development of enabling policy and regulatory environments for Open Internet, investment in Open Internet skills and competences, the creation of an Open Internet economy, and participation in Open Internet governance.

Each of the four reports serve as a roadmap for other countries and regions, for how Open Internet approaches can create an environment that will enable and support digital development, capitalise on its economic potential, while respecting fundamental rights and values.

As part of the EU's policy of promoting an open, free, global, stable and secure internet based on the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance, the reports build on the ideas covered in a previous report on The Open Internet as cornerstone of digitalisation. As the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in her State of the Union 2024 speech: “The internet was born as an instrument for sharing knowledge, opening minds and connecting people. But it has also given rise to serious challenges (…) In response, Europe has become the global pioneer of citizen's rights in the digital world.”

The reports were produced in the framework of “Promotion and Development of the Open Internet in Africa”, a project funded by the EU Global Gateway.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union External Action.

22 April 2024

Government activities for the week 22 – 26 April 2024

Location: News

Government activities for the week 22 – 26 April 2024

On Monday, 22 April, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will officially open a new Home Affairs office at The Pavilion Shopping Centre in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal.

On Tuesday, 23 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the Inaugural Worker Share Ownership Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre.

On Tuesday, 23 April, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu, will launch Community Forestry Agreements in Butterworth, Eastern Cape.

On Wednesday, 24 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa will officiate the 20 Years celebration of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and launch the Phase V of the programme in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape.

On Thursday, 25 April, a Webinar on the National Treasury two-pot system will be held via Zoom at 11am.

On Thursday, 25 April, the International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes, will host his Swedish counterpart for a bilateral meeting.

On Friday, 26 April, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will undertake a working visit to the United States of America. – SAnews.gov.za

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Mon, 04/22/2024 - 14:31

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22 April 2024

South Africa will support efforts to rebuild and consolidate democracy in Africa

Location: News

South Africa will support efforts to rebuild and consolidate democracy in Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is proud of its ongoing support for the efforts of fellow African countries to emerge from conflict to rebuild and consolidate democracy.

The President returned from a working visit to South Sudan last week.

READ | SA supports efforts for consolidating peace in South Sudan

The northeast African country has emerged from the ravages of civil war to become one of the world’s newest independent nations – a feat that President Ramaphosa said is much akin to South Africa’s own journey.

“Much like our own experience as South Africa, the people of South Sudan were faced with the task of constructing a new nation in the midst of conflict and social divisions, all the while contending with a legacy of racial discrimination and oppression.

“The South Sudanese set out to do so in the face of the most extraordinary, challenges. The incoming government of the newly independent country of South Sudan had to build an economy and institutional capacity from the ashes of their sad past,” he said.

WATCH |

The President recalled that when internal conflict broke out in South Sudan, South Africa joined the ranks for peace efforts.

These efforts, in part, resulted in the 2018 signing of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which still holds to date.

“It is admirable that the permanent ceasefire continues to hold and that the parties to the agreement have honoured their commitment to end armed conflict and engender national security by seeking to form a united national defence force through the cantonment and training of former combatants.

“This political and legal framework that is being implemented outlines the aspirations of the people of South Sudan to bring a permanent end to armed conflict, consolidate democracy and determine their collective destiny. Included in the agreement are commitments to adopt a permanent constitution and create unified security services,” President Ramaphosa said.

Upcoming elections

President Ramaphosa emphasised that South Sudan now stands at a “crucial point in its journey towards consolidating democracy” with elections expected to be held this year in that country.

“Parties are hard at work to ensure that the necessary preconditions are in place for the holding of elections that are free, fair and credible,” he said.

The President explained that during the working visit to South Sudan, he met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice-President Riek Machar and other South Sudanese political leaders.

“I also met with representatives of the African Union (AU), monitoring bodies and international development organisations. I was glad to see the progress that has been made in the run-up to the elections, including the establishment of a national elections commission and the registration of political parties.

“What is pleasing is that the South Sudanese are working together to address the outstanding issues on the agreed Roadmap as the country advances towards elections. This proves that the adage, 'African solutions for African problems', is truly at work in South Sudan. The best we can all do is to encourage and support the process,” he said.

The President insisted that the African continent and the international community “owe it to a people, who have suffered so much and for so long, to support South Sudan’s journey towards becoming a fully-fledged democracy”.

“Thirty years since we attained our freedom, we are proud of our ongoing support for the efforts of fellow African countries to emerge from conflict to rebuild and consolidate democracy.

“Despite the ravages of a bitter war, South Sudan was remarkably able to emerge and join the community of nations.

“With the ongoing political and material support of the international community, the United Nations, the AU and other countries supporting the peace process, stability, prosperity and a sustainable peace in South Sudan are well within reach,” President Ramaphosa said.

VIEW | Images from South Sudan working visit [follow link for more images: https://tinyurl.com/43we3539]

President Ramaphosa working visit to Uganda and South Sudan.

President Cyril Ramaphosa in a meeting with Dr Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.

Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation delivers remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the conclusion of the working visit to Juba, South Sudan.

- SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 04/22/2024 - 12:03

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