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Wine lovers, mark your calendars! On the 9th of March 2024, from 12 pm to 4 pm, Cape Town’s favourite weekend market, Bay Harbour Market, brings you The Secret Vine Wine Tasting 2024 – a wine tasting experience not to be missed! For just R100 per person, indulge in a world of exquisite wines from …
The use of large amounts of recycled rubber crumb for the manufacture of road surfaces and related products is propelling South Africa towards a circular economy. Waste products are usefully used to address key infrastructure needs, says Dr Mehran Zarrebini, CEO of Hammarsdale-based radial truck tyre recycler, Mathe Group The company recycles approximately 1 000 …
Thrilling tussle expected between Andre Bezuidenhout and Franco Scribante, along with a brace of other serious challengers, for Classic Car Friday glory Exceptional line-up of cars across the nine classes, from thoroughbred single-seaters to legendary tin-tops, ranging from 1926 to 1994 14th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place in Knysna from 2 to 5 […]
The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition has launched its sixth annual continent-wide search for 10 exceptional entrepreneurs who are striving to make a positive impact in their local communities. The application form can be accessed for free on ABH's official website (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/) starting today.
Since its inception in 2019, ABH has spotlighted and supported some of Africa's brightest entrepreneurial minds. The ABH top 10 finalists (Heroes) over the last five years:
In 2023, ABH published a five-year impact report that details the impact ABH Heroes have had. The full report can be accessed here: https://apo-opa.co/3T4mErL
As ABH enters its sixth year, it is calling on entrepreneurs across Africa to pitch on the biggest entrepreneurial stage in the continent. ABH encourages applicants from all 54 countries, from all business sectors, of all ages and genders, to submit their applications in English or French. Along with invaluable benefits such as training, exposure and networking opportunities, the top 10 finalists will also compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant money.
“Over the past five years, we've had the privilege of witnessing the incredible growth of our Heroes. Many of our Heroes have leveraged the grant funds to expand their geographic footprint, hire talent, grow their operations and invest in new products and services. It's been heart-warming to see our Heroes collaborate with each other and to tap into the ABH network of judges and experts. We are motivated to continue to play our part in supporting the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are calling on all eligible African entrepreneurs who are creating positive impact to join us in this journey!” says Zahra Baitie, Head of Partnerships & Programs, Africa's Business Heroes.
To date, nearly 100,000 entrepreneurs have participated in the ABH Prize Competition. Last year's winners were chosen from 27,267 applicants from sectors spanning agriculture, education and training, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The competition cumulated in the Grand Finale, where the top 10 finalists mounted Africa's largest augmented reality-powered stage to present their businesses to a panel of esteemed judges.
Dr. Ikpeme Neto, CEO and Founder of Wellahealth Technologies, ABH 2023 First Prize Winner says: “Participating in the ABH Prize Competition has been a transformative experience for Wellahealth Technologies, profoundly impacting our journey as a startup. ABH not only provided us with financial assistance but also offered unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurship training, networking, and exposure. I urge fellow entrepreneurs across Africa to seize this extraordinary opportunity to enjoy a wealth of benefits that can catalyze growth and success for your ventures.”
WellaHealth (www.WellaHealth.com) provides affordable healthcare plans that start at less than a dollar a month to cover care common conditions delivered via pharmacies and remote doctors. The company serves over 300,000 individuals and is aiming to reach one million within 18 months and expand to 10 million within the next five years, extending its services in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
ABH constantly explores effective ways to help the participating entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. As with previous years, the journey to this year's Grand Finale will also include access to a community of business leaders, innovators, industry experts and investors as well as multi-disciplinary boot camps and training sessions.
To better facilitate the engagement with entrepreneurs and facilitate applications, this year ABH will organize a series of roadshows in multiple countries, including Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. These events will be conducted in collaboration with local entrepreneur organizations and ABH community members. Participants will gain valuable insights into the ABH initiative as well as enhance their chances of success in the competition. Further details regarding the roadshows and information sessions will be disseminated via ABH's official social media channels and newsletters.
Applications for ABH 2024 are open from now until May 19, 2024. The top 50 finalists will be announced in July, followed by the announcement of the top 10 in September. The final winners will be unveiled at the Grand Finale in November.
To apply, and for more information about ABH 2024, please visit ABH's website (https://apo-opa.co/3uUYEPD) and follow ABH on Twitter (@africa_heroes), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3KZTXKa), TikTok (https://apo-opa.co/48DjD7o) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3YDG5bH).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).
Press Contact:
Africa's Business Heroes Press Room
abh.press@list.alibaba-inc.com
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
English: Tracy Walakira
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com
French / Arabic: Malika Bouayad
malika.bouayad@apo-opa.com
About Africa's Business Heroes:
The Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy. It aims to support, inspire and enable the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a brighter future for the continent, by offering grant funding, training programs and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over 10 years, each year the ABH Prize Competition features 10 entrepreneur finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.
2nd March 2024 – The vibrant city of Cape Town played host to an electrifying spectacle of athleticism and adrenaline as contestants from around the globe converged for the Converse Ult.X at Battery Park in the famous V&A Waterfront. The event saw the world’s top freestyle BMX riders and South Africa’s best park skateboarders battling …
New Sage Copilot: Driving Efficiency & Growth for SMBs and Accountants with Generative AI Sage Copilot will lead SMBs and Accountants into the generative AI era by automating routine tasks, offering key insights for growth, and enabling better decision making and enhanced productivity. South Africa (March 2024) – Sage (FTSE: SGE), the leader in accounting, …
This was just hours after workers at the Telkom Towers office were evacuated after it was declared unfit for human use
128 Mpumalanga schools introduce coding, robotics
The Mpumalanga provincial government has introduced coding and robotics in 128 schools, as part of its pilot programme.
“That pilot is progressing well and 128 schools, from Grade R to 3 and Grade 7, are currently doing coding and robotics,” Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane said on Friday when delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
Since 2022, in its quest to improve learner performance, the provincial government is providing all Grade 12 learners and teachers in Quantile 1 to 3 schools with tablets and laptops respectively.
These devices, the Premier said, are loaded with e-content and will be provided this year with an offline application to enable access to learning even outside the four walls of the classroom without data or connectivity.
“This government continues to strengthen e-learning in our schools. This year, the province will introduce the smart schools concept in eight schools where both teachers and learners will utilise technological devices and thus making the schools paperless," Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
She said the land for the construction of the proposed School for the Deaf and Blind has been secured at Emalahleni Municipality.
“Once the school is completed, the 250 deaf learners currently studying at Bukhosibetfu Full Service School and the 200 in other special schools will be relocated to the new school."
Job creation
By the end of January 2024, a total of 63 478 jobs were created through the 21 identified programmes, including the Siyatentela Road Maintenance Programme, Government Nutrition Programme, School Handymen and Tourism Safety Monitors, to name a few.
“Since 2021 and through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, we have trained and created a total of 65 296 job opportunities for unemployed youth in different schools.
“Since its inception in 2019, the Premier’s Youth Development Fund has disbursed R258 million to fund 182 youth-owned enterprises. The funded beneficiaries have created more than 630 jobs in agriculture, mining, manufacturing as well as film and production,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
Growing tourism
As part of ongoing efforts to attract tourism to Mpumalanga, the provincial government has upgraded tourism facilities in four nature reserves with accommodation facilities.
These include Songimvelo-Kromdraai Camp, Andover, SS Skhosana and Manyeleti.
“Phase 2 of fence installations is in progress in order to minimise human wildlife conflict in Songimvelo, Mthethomusha and Mdala reserves. It’s important for us to implement these projects efficiently, economically and effectively in order to increase the number visitors to our province.
"We are pleased with the intention to support the provincial efforts in this regard, expressed from the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development,” the Premier said.
As of 1 April 2024, FlySaFair introduced new routes between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and Cape Town
“This adds further impetus to the gains we made when Eurowings, a German airline, chose Mpumalanga as its destination of choice more than a year ago. This is further supported by the Stats SA Tourism and migration report released in January 2024, which placed Mpumalanga at the second spot in international tourist arrivals.
“As early as February 2024, we entered into a strategic partnership with Aspinall Foundation to elevate the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve to a Big Five Game Reserve. We have also concluded a collaboration with Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation to fight poaching in Manyeleti. This collaboration includes establishing new pickets, maintenance of fence and the training of field rangers,” the Premier said.
Transport
The provincial government plans to build a state-of-the-art interchange along the railway line from the city centre leading to Pine Ridge, Klarinet, Siyanqoba and Verena.
“This interchange will improve safety and ease traffic flow in that area. The planning and design process has been completed. The construction of the interchange will commence in the 2024/25 financial,” the Premier said.
During the current administration, government will complete projects including the rehabilitation of sections P8/1 (R36) between Mashishing and Bambi Phase 3; D2950 Mananga to River Crossing; Coal Haul P36/1 Delmas to N12 and the upgrading of D481 Mooiplaas and Ekulindeni; D4407 Hluvukani – Orpen Road near Welverdied.
Caring for the vulnerable
Since the beginning of the sixth administration, government has placed 542 children in foster care.
The Premier also touched on social ills.
"Substance abuse has become endemic, negatively impacting on the lives of the substance abusers and their close families. We opened our doors and our hearts to more than 1 942 substance abusers who needed our help.
“We have completed the construction of the Swartfontein and the Nkangala treatment centres. In the days ahead, we will officially handover the Nkangala treatment centre.
“In the current administration, 7 409 Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) have been supported to implement programmes that are impact driven and aid our efforts to create a Mpumalanga anchored on morals and social cohesion,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 03/01/2024 - 12:54
New Eskom chief executive assumes duties
Dan Marokane officially assumes his role as Eskom Group Chief Executive today.
In a statement on Friday, the Eskom Board expressed confidence in Marokane’s abilities, as well as in the leadership and staff of Eskom, emphasising their collective commitment to turning the organisation around.
“We expect Morokane and his leadership team to accomplish at least two critical tasks. Firstly, they must address the current business challenges. Load shedding must become a thing of the past. Secondly, they need to reposition and restructure Eskom to enable growth and sustainability,” said Eskom Board chairman Mteto Nyati.
As Marokane takes the helm, the Eskom Board has asked him to prioritise several key areas in the first 100 days and these are:
These first 100 days are crucial for helping him gain the necessary insights about Eskom and the industry.
Eskom said the new Group Chief Executive should be in a position to engage with the media at the end of this critical period.
“Morokane has the full support of the Eskom Board. Eskom employees are excited to welcome him back into the organisation. We invite all South Africans to rally behind him as he steers Eskom toward stability, reliability, and sustainability,” said Nyati.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced the appointment of Marokane in December 2023.
READ | Marokane re-joins Eskom as new chief executive
According to the Department of Public Enterprises, Marokane is a qualified Chemical Engineer, who has a MBA and is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience.
At the time of the announcement of his appointment, Marokane was expected to join the power utility no later than 31 March 2024.
Marokane was a senior manager at Eskom from 2010 to 2015, holding various senior positions, including Head of Group Capital. - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Fri, 03/01/2024 - 09:11
KZN plans to recruit 1000 social crime prevention volunteers
In a bid to further strengthen the fight against crime in KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial government plans to recruit 1000 social crime prevention volunteers who will be deployed throughout the province.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, made the announcement when she was delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.
Highlighting some of the provincial government’s initiatives aimed at fighting crime in communities, Dube-Ncube said police capacity has over the past four years been augmented by new members with a total of over 4 000 new police officers received in the past two years.
Dube-Ncube also announced that the Department of Community Safety and Liaison will in the 2024/25 financial year establish a Community Safety Intervention Unit (CSIU) which will work with other law enforcement agencies as a force multiplier, proactively and reactively fighting crime in communities.
“The SAPS has also announced significant improvements in the allocation of resources with more vehicles and trainee Constables being made available in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The Department of Community Safety and Liaison has bought 60 safety patrol cars that will be used by the Community Safety Committees and Community Police Forums to complement the work of the police,” Dube-Ncube said.
Specialised team to tackle cross border crime
On cross border crime, Dube-Ncube said the province is pursuing diplomatic channels to ensure that South Africans’ properties that are illegally stuck in sister countries are returned to their rightful owners.
“In this regard, we met with the Mozambican High Commissioner to South Africa last year to discuss this matter. We have installed jersey barriers at exit points to make it difficult for stolen vehicles to cross into Mozambique,” Dube-Ncube said.
The provincial government is working closely with the SAPS’ Specialised KZN Stabilising Team to address issues of criminality in and around the Manguzi area.
She said the interventions have resulted in the arrest of several highly sought criminals, and who are currently facing justice.
“When we visited there late last year with Police Minister Bheki Cele this special team had arrested 103 suspects [and] four had been convicted. Fifty-six dockets were in court, 193 motor vehicles had been identified or which 63 had been handed back to the owners,” the Premier said, adding that 42 cases were also under investigation,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/29/2024 - 15:05
Themed around ‘Enriching your curriculum', the Schools Now! 2024 conference equipped educators and decision-makers with the tools, insights and actionable strategies necessary to enhance the educational experience for students worldwide; Education experts from around the world presented innovations and case studies in leadership, well-being and safeguarding approaches and the integration of technology in digital learning.
The conference focused on empowering subject experts within the school community to drive curriculum development and delivery; The conference delved into how educators can navigate the rise of AI and where it intersects with Africa's digital divide.
Due to technological advances and the advent of AI, Sub-Saharan Africa's education sector is undergoing rapid transformation. Educators must adapt to these new ways of working to foster important skills such as critical thinking.
While this offers opportunity, challenges also arise, such as the digital divide – a pressing issue in Africa – and the need for more comprehensive teacher training. Collaboration between stakeholders is essential to ensure equitable access to education.
With a view to enabling enhanced learning outcomes in schools, British Council's Schools Now! 2024 was held over three days in Cape Town, South Africa from 27-29 February 2024. The conference was attended by over 1000 school leaders both onsite and virtually, and served as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing best practices and insights in international education.
The themes included digital learning, leadership, well-being, and safeguarding, adding to a rich internationalised and contextualised curriculum. Through a series of engaging keynote sessions, immersive workshops, and panel discussions, delegates explored innovative teaching approaches, curriculum enrichment strategies, and the integration of technology in education.
Martin Lowder, Head of Global Exams Services, The British Council, shared, ‘The spirit of Schools Now! is to establish global connections within the educational community, exploring insights and innovations in international education. By addressing emerging themes, we aim to empower educators to navigate the complexities of the shifting education landscape and drive positive outcomes for students.'
British Council Sub Saharan Africa, Regional Exams Director, Keshav Sreedharan, said: ‘British Council's Schools Now 2024 conference was organised in Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time since its inception. Against the backdrop of Africa's potential, particularly with its dynamic and driven young population, this conference holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities and pathways for schools adopting the UK curriculum. The vibrancy of Cape Town will ignite conversations and initiatives that will shape the future of education in Sub-Saharan Africa.'
The opening keynote session by Victoria Pendry, CEO of the Curriculum Foundation, aimed at empowering schools to develop, monitor, and evaluate an enriched curriculum. She highlighted that, ‘In a rapidly changing world, if learners are to develop resilience, creativity and the essential skills of collaboration, the curriculum must be ambitious and enriched with local and global narratives that excite imaginations and inspire curiosity.'
Her presentation explored the interconnected nature of digital learning, leadership, well-being, and safeguarding as a foundation for quality and equitable education. She summarised how ‘a curriculum that is rich in respect for the past, eager to consider preferred futures and committed to exploring different perspectives, will drive positive outcomes beyond the classroom'.
Other distinguished speakers included, Dr Funke Baffour-Awuah, Head of Well-being Division and Child Protection Lead, Al Rayan International School, Ghana, Kathleen O'Hare, British Council Education Consultant, Pamela O`Brien, Deputy Head and Jo Parkes, Deputy Head Academic from British Council School in Madrid, and adding to a rich and diverse perspective.
Tatiana Popa, Deputy Academic Director, Heritage International School, Moldova, an ISC International Education Influencer of 2023, delivered a session for virtual delegates, on ‘Digital learning', focussing on the use of AI in schools and how this will impact all areas of work, educational tools, teaching practice and much more.
An expert panel on ‘AI in Education' comprising of Kudzayi Tarisayi, Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, Reham Ali, Director of Middle and High School Education, Nermine Ismail International Schools, Egypt and Jo Parkes discussed valuable tips into how schools can ensure students are prepared for future needs dictated through the use of AI. It was eye-opening to see nearly 90% of conference delegates voice AI as a friend, not foe, signalling widespread optimism towards AI's potential benefits.
Dr Funke's keynote addressed how to ‘Develop a Well-being Framework for a Thriving School Community through the lens of ‘A Curriculum-Centred Approach.' She stressed on how ‘Integrating wellbeing into the curriculum promotes a thriving school community: By intentionally incorporating wellbeing into the curriculum, schools can create a holistic learning environment that supports the mental, emotional, and physical health of students.'
A series of workshops discussed practical aspects of implementing key learnings through a range of key thematic areas such as, ‘Leadership Synergy: Peer Coaching & Empowering Your Success' and ‘What is an innovative curriculum in an exam focussed school context' to name a few. These workshops provided school leaders with engagement tools in support of enriching the curriculum so that communities are inspired and committed to helping learners to acquire transferable skills such as problem solving and critical thinking, teamwork and communication, particularly in multi-cultural realities.
Jo Parkes' led a workshop on curriculum, reinforcing ‘the importance of reading as a fundamental aspect to an enriched curriculum. Establishing reading as the backbone of the curriculum is enormously effective but sadly often overlooked.'
Another key focus of the conference was safeguarding, recognising the importance of school community wellbeing and safety within the learning environment. Pamela O`Brien, in her workshop on ‘Developing school practices to ensure safeguarding and wellbeing of students' shared, ‘Safeguarding and wellbeing are intertwined. Creating a safe environment is key and includes not only complying with relevant laws and standards but also identifying school practices which promote the wellbeing of children and act as protective factors.'
She shared case studies from the British Council School, Madrid where ‘Policies, systems and procedures have led to consistency and best practice. We can only say a policy, or a system is working if we see it in practice and the entire school community plays their part.'
The conference also provided British Council's Action Research Grants recipients from Partner Schools the opportunity to share valuable findings from their respective research areas. A thought-provoking session by Amira Soliman Awaad, Director of Curriculum and Instruction from Dr. Nermien Ismail International Schools in Egypt showcased how ‘Digitized Blended Learning Methods' such as the ‘Flipped Classroom' and ‘Exit Tickets' save class time and yield real-time intervention data, translating them into needed interventions for struggling students or requirements for increased rigour in the curricula.'
Schools are managing a variety of changes and development, and the British Council supports our Partner Schools to approach new challenges through training, guidance and encouraging collaborative practice. As education continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of learners, the Schools Now! conference plays a crucial role in driving progress and innovation within the sector. By harnessing the collective expertise and passion of school leaders and decision makers, the conference serves as a catalyst for transformative change, ultimately enriching the educational experiences of students worldwide.
By championing safety and well-being, embracing technological advancements, and leadership in schools, and thereby promoting an enriched curriculum, the outcomes of Schools Now! Conference focused on empowering educators to create engaging, student-centred learning environments that prepare learners for success in the 21st century and beyond.
Key takeaways from the event will be available on the Schools Now! website page: https://apo-opa.co/48AabS7
British Council South Africa Country Director, George Barrett, said: ‘British Council Partner Schools programme supports over 40 Partner Schools in South Africa and 785 in Sub Saharan Africa to deliver UK International School Qualifications on behalf of UK awarding bodies. Our educational support enables schools to enhance the learning experience for students, improving educational outcomes and giving young people in the region access to international opportunities.'
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British Council.
For media enquiries, please contact: Susan Amu, Regional Head of Communications at susan.amu@britishcouncil.org.
About Schools Now! 2024:
British Council's Schools Now! is a global conference that fosters educational innovation across our global community of over 2,500 British Council Partner Schools spread across over 40 countries. The conference is aimed at educational professionals who wish to learn more about key areas of international education, share their ideas and experiences, and network with like-minded peers. The conference connects over 300 delegates face to face with a further 2,000 virtual attendees from around the world. The Schools Now! 2024 conference was held at The Westin, Cape Town, on 27-29 February 2024.
For more information visit https://apo-opa.co/48AabS7
About British Council Partner Schools:
A trusted education partner, we help improve the quality of education, supporting learners worldwide to achieve their potential through access to life changing UK education and qualifications.
The British Council supports a global community of over 2500 Partner Schools, to enhance the learning experience, improving educational outcomes. We create global connections within the educational community to support professional pathways for educators, enable enriched learning journeys and prepare students for the future. We support our Partner Schools to deliver globally trusted UK International School Qualifications, in over 40 countries transforming the lives of over 250,000 students every year.
For more information, please visit https://apo-opa.co/49z4XHD
Keep updated by following British Council Partner Schools LinkedIn https://apo-opa.co/4bV9xBC
About the British Council:
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
We uniquely combine the UK's deep expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language, our global presence and relationships in over 100 countries, our unparalleled access to young people and influencers and our creative sparkle.
We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
We work with governments and our partners in the education, English language and cultural sectors, in the UK and globally. Working together we make a bigger difference, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world.
We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.
For more information, please visit: www.BritishCouncil.org. You can also keep in touch with the British Council through https://apo-opa.co/3TiuzmC and https://apo-opa.co/3Tiumzu
As South Africa faces a looming leadership crisis amidst upcoming elections, trust in key institutions has reached unprecedented lows, according to various studies. In response to this alarming trend, there is a growing call for a shift towards responsible leadership to foster economic and social stability. According to the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation’s December …
National Treasury publishes Policy Position Statement on financial ombud system
National Treasury has published its Policy Position Statement titled, 'A Simpler, Stronger Financial Sector Ombud System', which outlines proposed reforms to the ombud system.
The Policy Position Statement follows the publication of a World Bank Diagnostic Study in 2021 titled, 'South Africa - Financial Ombud System Diagnostic'.
“The study provided an independent review of South Africa’s financial ombud system and recommended reforms to enhance consumer protection and encourage good quality outcomes in the financial services sector,” National Treasury said on Thursday.
Prior to the diagnostic study, an earlier discussion document titled, 'A Known and Trusted Ombud System for All (2017)', had proposed initial reforms to the ombud system, which were later included in the Financial Sector Regulation (FSR) Act (Act 9 of 2017), as part of the Twin Peaks financial sector regulatory reform.
National Treasury said the publication of the policy position is a necessary step to communicate and publish its Policy Position Statement and accompanying detailed feedback statement, including an implementation plan.
“This publication also provides a response to consultation comments, and enables ombud schemes and the Ombud Council to work towards implementing a reformed structure,” National Treasury said.
Key elements of the proposed reform that National Treasury supports include:
“Full implementation of the above reforms will require legislative amendments. In the interim, National Treasury notes and welcomes the voluntary amalgamation, in consultation with the Ombud Council, of four of the current industry schemes (Credit, Banking, Long-term Insurance and Short-term Insurance) to form a new, streamlined industry scheme, the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO).
“The NFO is expected to commence operations on 1 March 2024, after recognition by the Ombud Council. This is an important step towards the broader reforms outlined in the policy position and will simplify their implementation,” National Treasury said.
The following documents are available on the website of the National Treasury at www.treasury.gov.za:
- SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/29/2024 - 13:25
Cabinet approves hosting of New Development Bank meeting
Cabinet has considered and approved the hosting of the annual meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) to take place in South Africa in June 2024.
Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said it has been 10 years since Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries signed the Articles of the NDB at the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, marking the establishment of the “first multilateral development institution by emerging and developing countries”.
Briefing media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Ntshavheni said South Africa had so far contributed R25 billion towards the bank’s paid in capital.
“South Africa is looking forward to host the meeting on the NDB and commits to working hand-in-hand with the bank and its member countries to achieve sustainable development and create a better the African continent,” Ntshavheni said.
Social service professionals strategy approved
Cabinet has also approved the Strategy for the Employment of social service professionals (SSPs) strategy, as part of increasing the human resource capacity of government, including non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to proactively respond to social ills that are facing the country.
“The strategy is a collective commitment to building a social service sector that is responsive to the needs of our communities and overcome social ills such as crime, gender-based violence and femicide, teenage pregnancy, bullying, child-headed households, mental health and substance abuse.
“The strategy is also aimed at laying the foundation for a socially inclusive and resilient future and a caring society,” Ntshavheni said.
Comments sought on Green Paper on Comprehensive Social Security
Meanwhile, Cabinet has called on the public to submit comments on the revised Green Paper on Comprehensive Social Security for the country.
This follows Cabinet’s approval of the publication of the revised paper, which aims to introduce a mandatory social security pension system that provides retirement, disability, and death benefits to all workers.
Low income earners would have their contributions subsidised, in line with existing provisions.
“The paper further proposes the harmonisation of the tax treatment of older persons in the tax and social grant system to address the unequal treatment of older persons in the two regimes.
“In addition, the paper also seeks to propose institutional reforms to promote coherence in social security policy making for administrative efficiency, improved service delivery and ensure effective regulation, governance and oversight across all social security arrangements,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/29/2024 - 12:07
KZN continues quest to remain most favoured investment destination
While unemployment figures may cause despair, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, says the rate of investment into the province is a sign that tomorrow will be better than today.
“As KwaZulu-Natal, we faced an uphill battle in ensuring that investor confidence is unwavering, despite challenges with load shedding, the civil unrest, ageing utilities' infrastructure, some of which could not withstand the recent floods. Yet we remain determined to continue in our quest to ensure that investors know that KwaZulu-Natal is and remains the most favoured investment destination in Southern Africa,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier made the remarks when delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.
Dube-Ncube said during the South African Investment Conference (SAIC) held last year, where President Ramaphosa’s target was exceeded by some R306 billion, KwaZulu-Natal’s share included 55 companies in the province, which invested over R300 billion.
Dube-Ncube said some of the investments are located in the province's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Richards Bay and Dube Trade Port, and around the province.
“Targeted business expansion and retention support activities amounted to over R23 billion, resulting in 37 201 jobs being created. Added to this are investments attracted by Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) over the last two decades, amounting to over R60 billion and creating over 95 000 jobs,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier said KwaZulu-Natal is committed to the establishment of new leather and textile Special Economic Zones in the Newcastle and Ladysmith corridor, which are estimated at R600 million.
She said the two new SEZs will add to the two provincial SEZs of Dube Trade Port and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ), and will create 4 500 employment opportunities.
According to the Premier, 35 Black Industrialists have been supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and for grant funding, and they will create approximately 4 000 jobs. She said the target is to support 10 new Black Industrialists in the coming financial year.
“KwaZulu-Natal has 35 small scale fisheries cooperatives comprising 1 000 small scale fishers registered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Government has rolled out training to capacitate these fishers in the variety of Ocean Economy and Maritime technical skills,” the Premier said.
Dube-Ncube also highlighted some government-led projects to create jobs, including the Port of Durban's R1.34 billion investment programme aimed at upgrading port facilities to mainly increase port capacity. This created 1 328 jobs.
The Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (PRASA) has also spent over R900 million in KwaZulu-Natal through its capital programme on investment and infrastructure works.
“This includes projects on rolling stock upgrades, including the Bridge City Development with a new rail network, new access gates and CCTV cameras and stations, and the Dalbridge turnaround facility and general infrastructure station improvement. These were never there prior to this government.
“In 2023, the R2 billion Dr Pixley ka lsaka Seme Regional Hospital was officially opened with 500 beds and a full package of regional services provided. This hospital has changed lives, especially in the Phoenix, lnanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (PINK) area, and created 5 312 jobs during construction,” Dube-Ncube highlighted.
The Premier acknowledged that government alone cannot address the enormous developmental challenges faced by the province.
“In order to accelerate development, we have partnered with the private sector to stimulate our economy. The public and private projects, worth over R129 billion, have created over 339 000 jobs,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/29/2024 - 10:05
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Parliament hears that City issued a contravention notice to rail agency, despite being part of relocation discussions
Transnet expands port to meet industry demands
In its ongoing drive for port expansion and operational performance improvement, the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is repositioning its Western Region ports of Cape Town, Mossel Bay and Saldanha for the provision of world-class port infrastructure to support the regions’ booming shipping demand.
Projects in the pipeline include Phase2B of the Cape Town Container Terminal expansion at the Port of Cape Town.
“As part of the project, TNPA is currently finalising a detailed design of the rail infrastructure upgrade - a key deliverable that will enable the construction phase. The design work will be completed by December 2024. The project scope also includes container stack upgrade as well as a truck staging area and automation.
“The expansion will see a capacity increase from 1 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) to 1.4 million TEU, with an investment value of approximately R1.775 billion. Project commencement is planned for September 2025,” Transnet said on Monday.
TNPA is also reviewing and finalising precinct plans for the Culemborg Intermodal Logistics Precinct Development in the Port of Cape Town, and that will be followed by a request for proposals during the 2024/25 financial year.
“This project will culminate in the development of land parcels near the port to create additional back of port capacity. Key projects at the Port of Saldanha include the extension of the multi-purpose terminal and the development of berth 205, which will cater for rig repairs. The new berth will also provide additional capacity for break bulk operations,” Transnet said.
Meanwhile, strategic initiatives in the Port of Mossel Bay include the construction of the cruise reception facility to enable international cruise vessels to call to the port. The slipway rehabilitation project planned for 2024/25 financial year will increase the port’s slipway and cradle capacity from 200 to 500 tons.
“The execution of these projects is not only a demonstration of our commitment to investing in the creation of addition port capacity, but also critical for the Ports Authority to respond to the need to improve operational performance of the South African ports,” acting TNPA Managing Executive for the Western Region ports, Captain Vernal Jones said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:02
Premier blames Eskom for delays
Many of the families live in brick and mortar homes. But the municipality says these structures are unlawful and wants them to be demolished
Mashatile urges parties to hold back on distasteful social media debates ahead of elections
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged political parties that hold robust debates on social media to uphold ethical standards and refrain from unjust, deceptive or hateful speech, as many African countries head to the polls this year.
“We can run campaigns on social media without being malicious or degrading of both individuals and organisations,” he said on Tuesday.
The Deputy President was delivering a keynote address at the launch of the 'Principles and guidelines for the use of digital and social media in African elections' in Johannesburg.
“The reality is that the political environment during elections is tense and volatile, and we should use social media with responsibility to ensure that the content we share is credible and accurate.”
The new guidelines seek to create awareness among election management bodies (EMBs) on the benefits and threats of digital and social media to the electoral process and integrity.
They are a comprehensive framework for the continental EMBs adopted in Benin during the 11th General Assembly meeting of the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) last year.
The principles cover various areas - from the promotion of freedom of speech, access to information, protecting the rights to privacy and the role of the State, political parties, candidates and media.
For instance, one of the guidelines stipulates that political parties and candidates should ensure that campaigns conducted on digital and social media are transparent and attributed, including the use of paid-for-content and influencers.
The Deputy President has described these principles and guidelines as groundbreaking for Africa, spearheaded by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on behalf of AAEA, as groundbreaking for Africa.
The launch coincides with heightened election activity around the continent, with over 20 African Union Member States, including South Africa, preparing for elections.
This, Mashatile said, provides an opportunity for fine-tuning the regulatory and operational protocols for the use of social media during these elections.
“We will, therefore, continue to uphold the right to free and fair elections in this election and thereafter, as we have done since 1994,” he vowed.
In the fast-paced digital world of today, he said it was important to recognise the important role that social media plays in shaping people's opinions and establishing the narratives propelled during elections.
“As we witness the increasing use of these platforms in political campaigns, it is imperative that we establish clear principles and guidelines to ensure a fair, transparent, and inclusive electoral process,” the Deputy President said.
Youth
He is of the view that social media platforms must be used constructively to inform and disseminate positive messages regarding elections, with a particular focus on the youth of Africa.
The youth, Mashatile said, are gaining significant grip on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
“We should, therefore, use these principles and guidelines to emphasise the importance of promoting online integrity, safeguarding against misinformation and disinformation, protecting privacy and data security, and fostering a level playing field for all candidates and political parties.”
Misinformation
Through adherence to these principles, Mashatile believes that countries will be able to safeguard the values of democracy through free and fair elections, and allow voters to make choices.
“We have a significant obligation to educate our population about the risks associated with disseminating misinformation, particularly concerning elections, since false claims can erode trust in the electoral process and provoke a wave of anti-voters and instability in our countries,” he said.
The Deputy President has described the misinformation and disinformation are a threat to democracy.
“They undermine confidence in our elections, and have the potential to suppress voter turnout.”
The Deputy President also took the time to express his gratitude to the agencies and digital companies for walking this journey with the African EMBs, offering them technical expertise, and building their capacities.
IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya told the delegates that the internet is here to stay and that it should be used for the common good.
“We’re working with those who own social media, authorities and EMBs, and we’re trying to find a way in which we can use social media to help us in the work that we do; and at the same time, to limit the damage it can do when it is abused.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 02/27/2024 - 13:12