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Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
Presidential Golf Challenge underway for charity
In a bid to raise funds for the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, President Cyril Ramaphosa this morning teed off at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC).
The PGC was held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, following the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday night.
According to the Presidency, the funds will be used by the foundation’s partner, the Adopt-A-School Foundation, to construct ablution facilities as part of the Department of Basic Education’s SAFE Initiative, which stands for Sanitation Appropriate for Education.
“This is an important investment in the dignity of learners and staff at schools and a contribution to social infrastructure in the country.
“The President is honoured that his playing partner this year is 14-year-old Botshepehi Phakoe of Mangaung in the Free State. Botshepehi is one of the best young players in the Free State Junior Union,” the Presidency said.
Load shedding
Answering questions from the media on load shedding on the side lines of the golf challenge, President Ramaphosa said government cannot give an exact date on when the rolling power outages will stop.
“It is a constant problem for South Africans. We know that and everybody feels it. And it’s not comfortable at all. In fact, it does sometimes evoke a lot of anger. But as I’ve said, we do have the resilience as South Africans to keep on ensuring that we do hope for a better time. And a better time is coming.
“The issue of the ending of load shedding is a moot one. Everybody wants to know…when is it ending. When you give them a date and there’s load shedding thereafter, they say you were lying and you make empty, false promises. So we are not going to do that because this is a process.
“Through the National Electricity Crisis Committee, everything is put in place. All the pillars are put in place to finally address load shedding. It would be wonderful and ideal to give a date but processes like these that are engineering based…you cannot really put a date to,” he said.
SARS
Responding to questions on the extension of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) boss, Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s tenure, President Ramaphosa batted away any suggestions of a crisis at the revenue collector’s office.
He explained that with Kieswetter’s term coming to an end, measures need to be put in place to facilitate a “proper transition”.
“So there’s no crisis. Nobody should be in any form of angst because the process is being handled very, very properly. And I’m happy to have a Commissioner of Revenue like him who is very cooperative; who is committed to his work; who is diligent and who has revived SARS from the grips of state capture.
“So when I was talking about revamping our institutions last night [at the State of the Nation Address], I highlighted that SARS is one of those. It is back to its old, efficient self having been taken into the depths of state capture for a while.
“We have reclaimed it and I’m rather glad that it is one of those institutions that is serving the people of South Africa well,” President Ramaphosa said.
Earlier this week, the President agreed to extend the Commissioner’s tenure beyond the end of his term at the revenue collector.
The Commissioner’s contract of employment was set to end on 30 April, where after a new Commissioner would be appointed.
In March 2019, President Ramaphosa appointed Kieswetter, in terms of Section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act, for a five-year term that started on 1 May 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 13:07
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Afroteq Advisory Appoints Seipati Leboko As Business Unit Head Of Occupational Health, Safety And Environment
Afroteq Advisory, a division of the AFMS Group, is an integrated multidisciplinary consulting firm offering project management, advisory and training services to the built environment sector. We are proud to announce the appointment of Seipati Leboko as the Business Unit Head of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment in Gauteng. Seipati is a seasoned SHEQ Manager …
Government supports call for men to commit to halt GBVF
Government supports call for men to commit to end GBVF
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government supports the call for a pledge that men in South Africa are invited to take to demonstrate their personal commitment to ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“Our ultimate goal is to end gender-based violence altogether by mobilising all of society,” President Ramaphosa said during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night.
Highlighting government’s efforts and achievements to end the scourge, which he described as the second pandemic in the country, the Head of State said together with civil society, government developed the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on gender-based violence as a society-wide response to this pandemic.
“Around R21 billion was dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.
“New laws were introduced to strengthen the response of the criminal justice system gender based violence and provide better support to survivors of such violence,” the President said.
The NSP on GBVF is driven by six pillars, including:
• Extensive legal reform;
• Support for survivors through the provision of evidence toolkits at police stations;
• Psychology and social services;
• The establishment of the GBVF Response Fund which commits both government and the private sector to fund the fight against GBVF;
• Support for Thuthuzela and Khuseleka Care centres, which provide vital services for GBV survivors; and
• The economic empowerment of women.
The President said women are also in the process of developing their own pledge.
As the country celebrates 30 years of freedom, the President noted that government has safeguarded and promoted the basic rights in the Constitution and these include freedom of speech, association, and belief.
“We have defended media freedom and the independence of the judiciary. We have protected and advanced the rights of members of the LGBTQI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex] community, and continue to combat all forms of prejudice and intolerance,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa further reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue to build an inclusive economy, focusing on the empowerment of black and women South Africans, advancing workers’ rights, intensifying land reform, and pursuing a just energy transition that leaves no one behind.
“We will continue to strengthen our law enforcement institutions, tackle gender-based violence and fight corruption to make South Africa a safe place for all. We will continue to strengthen local government, professionalise the public service and ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
“We will continue to position our economy to grow and compete in a fast-changing world, to support small businesses, to give young people economic opportunities and to provide social protection to the vulnerable,” President Ramaphosa said.
This year’s SONA, which was the last one for the sixth administration, was held under the theme: “Following up on our commitments: Making your future work better”. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 11:53
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Historic Win Fueling Proteas Women Ahead Of Final ODI Against Aussies
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State of the Nation Address in numbers
State of the Nation Address in numbers
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday.
Below is the SONA in numbers:
Social Assistance
- More than 26 million – South Africans who continue to receive social assistance every month provided by the democratic state.
- Some 9 million – unemployed people receiving the Special Social Relief of Distress Grant every month.
Unemployment and Job Creation
- Two million – people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
- 15 to 24 – the ages of millions of young people who were not in employment, education or training, by 8 February 2024.
- More than 1.7 million – work and livelihood opportunities created through the Expanded Public Works Programme.
- More than 1 million – school assistants placed in 23 000 schools through the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
- 23 000 – schools where more than one million school assistants have been placed through the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
- From 8 million to over 16.7 million – the increase in the number of South Africans in employment since 1994 until 2024.
- Over 4.3 million – young people engaged on SAYouth.mobi, a zero-rated platform for unemployed young people to access opportunities for learning and earning.
- 1.6 million – young people who have secured opportunities through the SAYouth.mobi, a zero-rated platform for unemployed young people to access opportunities for learning and earning.
Crime and Corruption
- More than 200 – accused persons being prosecuted by the National Prosecuting Authority.
- R14 billion – value of freezing orders granted to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for state capture-related cases.
- Around R8.6 billion – value of corrupt proceeds that have been returned to the State.
- R4.8 billion – unpaid taxes collected by the South African Revenue Service.
- R64 billion – value of civil litigation instituted by the Special Investigating Unit.
- 5 000 – extra police officers deployed to Public Order Policing.
- Over 285 000 – arrests made by the South African Police Service since May 2023 through Operation Shanela.
- 20 000 – police officers recruited over the last two years.
- 10 000 – police officers to be recruited in the year to come.
- Over 100 000 – people stopped by the new Border Management Authority from entering South Africa illegally.
Energy
- More than 2 500 – megawatts of solar and wind power connected to the grid.
- More than 120 – new private energy projects in development.
- More than 14 000 – kilometres of new transmission lines to be built over the coming years to accommodate renewable energy.
- Around R170 billion to almost R240 billion – increases in the value of financing pledges for the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan in the past year.
Economy and Investment
- More than 60 – ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban in mid-November 2023.
- 12 – ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban at the end of January 2024.
- R1.5 trillion – value of new investment commitments raised through five South Africa Investment Conferences.
- R500 billion – value of new investment commitments raised through five South Africa Investment Conferences that have already flowed into the economy.
- Approximately 39% – black ownership of mining by 2024, compared with 2% in 2004.
Road Infrastructure
- Nearly 25 000 – kilometres of roads being managed by the South African National Roads Agency Limited.
- More than 1 200 – projects to the value of R120 billion awarded by the South African National Roads Agency Limited in the past five years.
- R120 billion – the value of more than 1 200 projects awarded by the South African National Roads Agency Limited in the past five years.
Land
- 25% – farmland owned by black South Africans through redistribution.
- 30% – target of farmland to be owned by black South Africans through redistribution by 2030.
Labour
- Around 1 000 – black industrialists supported with funding and other forms of support in the last five years.
- More than 90 000 – workers employed by black-owned firms which contribute many billions of rands to the South African economy.
- About 200 000 – workers who obtained ownership of shares in the companies in which they work.
- Over half a million – status of worker ownership in companies in the South African economy.
- Over 6 million – workers whose wages were raised by the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.
Matric
- 82.9% – latest matric pass rate; the highest ever.
Poverty Alleviation
- 71.1% – South African population living in poverty in 1993.
- 60.9% – the drop in the poverty rate by 2010.
- 55.5% – the drop in the poverty rate by 2020.
Health
- More than 100 000 – South Africans who lost their lives to COVID-19.
- 54 years – life expectancy in 2003.
- 65 years – life expectancy in 2023.
- 95% – persons diagnosed with HIV who know their status.
- 79% – persons who receive antiretroviral treatment out of the 95% diagnosed with HIV who know their status.
- 93% – persons virally suppressed out of the 95% diagnosed with HIV who know their status.
Housing, Water and Telecommunications
- Nearly nine out of every 10 – households living in a formal dwelling.
- Only 6 out of 10 – people who had access to clean drinking water at the end of apartheid.
- 9 out of 10 – South Africans with access to clean drinking water by 2024.
- 79% – households with access to the internet in 2022.
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
- Around R21 billion – money dedicated over the medium term to implement the six pillars of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, including the economic empowerment of women.
Janine
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:53
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Investment in infrastructure gains momentum
Investment in infrastructure gains momentum
President Cyril Ramaphosa says investment in infrastructure is gaining momentum, and new and innovative funding mechanisms will be used to increase the construction of infrastructure.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, President Ramaphosa said to deal with severe inefficiencies in the freight logistics system, government is taking action to improve the country’s ports and rail network and restore them to world-class standards.
“We have set out a clear roadmap to stabilise the performance of Transnet and reform our logistics system. Working closely with business and labour, we have established dedicated teams to turn around five strategic corridors that transport goods for export purposes.
“The number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban – which has experienced severe congestion in recent months – has reduced from more than 60 ships in mid-November to just 12 ships at the end of January,” Ramaphosa said.
The President also noted that Transnet has appointed an international terminal operator to help expand and improve its largest terminal at the Port of Durban, and government is overhauling the freight rail system by allowing private rail operators to access the rail network.
“With the current conflict in the Middle East affecting shipping traffic through the Suez Canal, South Africa is well positioned to offer bunkering services for ships that will be rerouted via our shores.
Broadband and investment
“We completed the auction of broadband spectrum after more than a decade of delays, resulting in new investment, lower data costs and improved network reach and quality. These reforms have a profound impact in a society in which access to the internet has risen dramatically over the last decade,” the President told a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.
He also noted that less than half of all households had internet access in 2011, compared to 79% of households in 2022.
“Just this week, we published new regulations to reform our visa system, which will make it easier to attract the skills that our economy needs and create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We raised R1.5 trillion in new investment commitments through five South Africa Investment Conferences, of which over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.”
Bulk water projects
The President further announced that several bulk water projects are under construction across the country to improve water supply to millions of residents in villages, towns, and cities.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to enhance water resource management by initiating infrastructure projects to secure water supply and diversifying water sources to reduce dependence on surface water.”
The President highlighted some of the water infrastructure projects, which are in progress or completed, and these include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Umzimvubu, Hazelmere Dam, uMkhomazi Water Project, Clanwilliam Dam, Tzaneen Dam, Loskop, Mandlakazi, pipeline from Jozini Dam, Giyani and the pipeline from Nandoni Dam.
Included among these are also Pilanesberg Water, Vaal Gamagara and the pipeline from the Vaal River to Hothazel.
“In the Eastern Cape, the Msikaba and Mtentu bridges are beginning to rise over the landscape and will be among the highest in Africa once complete. The steel used for part of the project is fabricated in Mpumalanga, and the iron ore comes from the Northern Cape,” he said.
He also noted that in the past five years, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), which manages nearly 25 000 km of roads, has awarded more than 1 200 projects to the value of R120 billion.
“In November last year, Cabinet approved a framework for high-speed rail, focusing initially on the Johannesburg to Durban corridor,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:06
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Durban builds boreholes to relieve water crisis
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Somebody give me a pen! – President
Somebody give me a pen! - President
“The Bill has arrived at my desk. I’m going through the Bill. I’m looking for a pen!" - said President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night, eliciting much laughter from a packed Joint Sitting of Parliament.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) President Ramaphosa announced that government will gradually implement the long-awaited National Health Insurance (NHI).
President Ramaphosa was speaking during a televised speech at the Cape Town City Hall.
The NHI Bill, which was passed by both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) last year, will provide free healthcare at the point of care for all South Africans, whether in public or private health facilities.
“We plan to incrementally implement the NHI, dealing with issues like health system financing, the health workforce, medical products, vaccines and technologies, and health information systems.”
The Bill now only requires President Ramaphosa’s signature for enactment.
President Ramaphosa said the State is working tirelessly to improve both healthcare quality and access equality, despite the country’s health system having a significant impact on people’s lives.
In addition, he said South Africans are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy has increased from 54 in 2003 to 65 years in 2023.
“The World Health Organisation [Director-General] says it is a phenomenal development,” he said.
Meanwhile, the country’s maternal and infant deaths have declined dramatically.
“We have built more hospitals and clinics, especially in poor areas, providing better quality care to more South Africans.”
He touched on the Limpopo Academic Hospital in Polokwane, which is currently under construction.
The hospital promises to be a state-of-the-art establishment and will be one of the five flagship academic health institutions around the country.
Equipped with advanced medical technology, the hospital will offer cutting-edge diagnostic procedures and innovative treatments.
“I had anecdotally a good representation of how our healthcare system has been improving. When the ANC held its birthday anniversary there was an accident where five people passed away and scores were injured and were taken to hospitals in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. I went to see some of them and when they were asked: ‘Don’t you want to be moved to private hospitals?”… Many of them said: ‘No, we’re well looked after here’.”
He also cited the sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey results, which found that 95% of people diagnosed with HIV know their status, 79% of those receive antiretroviral treatment, and 93% of those are virally suppressed.
“New HIV infections among young people have declined significantly.”
The President’s speech touched on the state of South Africa and reflected on a wide range of political, economic and social matters.
The address will be followed by a two-day debate by Members of Parliament and the President will thereafter reply to issues raised in the debates. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:28
447 views
Government strengthens crime fighting measures
Government strengthens crime fighting measures
Government has strengthened the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS) through the recruitment of 20 000 police officers over the last two years, and another 10 000 in the year to come.
This as part of the country’s achievements highlighted by President Cyril Ramaphosa, delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, in a year the country marks 30 years of democracy.
President Ramaphosa was firm that South Africans deserve to be safe and to feel safe, to walk freely and without fear in their neighbourhoods and public spaces.
The President highlighted that during this administration, government has focused on equipping the law enforcement agencies, which had been systematically weakened, to do their work effectively.
“An extra 5 000 police officers have been deployed to Public Order Policing. The SAPS has launched Operation Shanela as a new approach to target crime hotspots, which resulted in over 285 000 arrests since May last year.
“The Economic Infrastructure Task Teams that are operational in all provinces have had important successes in combatting cable theft, damage to critical infrastructure and illegal mining,” the President said.
Through close collaboration with the private sector, South Africa has seen a reduction in security incidents on the rail network.
“We launched the new Border Management Authority last year to improve the security of our borders and have already stopped over 100 000 people who tried to enter our country illegally.
“Together with civil society, we developed the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence, as a society wide response to this pandemic. Around R21 billion was dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.”
The President also noted other achievements, including the introduction of new laws to strengthen the response of the criminal justice system to gender-based violence, as well as the provision of better support to survivors of such violence.
He emphasised that the government’s ultimate goal is to end gender-based violence altogether by mobilising all of society.
“As part of this, we support the call for a pledge that men in South Africa are invited to take to demonstrate their personal commitment to ending this scourge. Women are also in the process of developing their own pledge.
“We still have a long way to go to build safer communities, prevent violent crime, and protect our infrastructure. But there is no doubt that a professional, well-trained, and properly resourced police force, working closely with communities, will make our country a safer place,” the President said.– SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:43
383 views
Steps taken by government to deal with state capture
Steps taken by government to deal with state capture
President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined the gains that government has made in dealing with state capture and rooting out corruption.
“One of the overriding challenges this administration had to deal with when it took office was state capture and corruption. Our first priority was to put a decisive stop to state capture, to dismantle the criminal networks within the state and to ensure that perpetrators faced justice,” President Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall, President Ramaphosa said government had appointed capable people with integrity to head law enforcement agencies, government departments, security services and state companies.
These appointments were often done through independent and transparent processes.
“The credibility and efficiency of a number of institutions like the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have been restored and their performance improved. We set up the Investigating Directorate as a specialised and multidisciplinary unit within the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate corruption and other serious crimes.
“Great progress has been made in bringing those responsible for state capture to justice. More than 200 accused persons are being prosecuted. More are under investigation. Stolen funds are being recovered.
“Freezing orders of R14 billion have been granted to the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for state capture-related cases, and around R8.6 billion in corrupt proceeds have been returned to the state,” the President said.
SARS has collected R4.8 billion in unpaid taxes as a result of evidence presented at the State Capture Commission, while the Special Investigating Unit has instituted civil litigation to the value of R64 billion.
“We have taken steps, including through new legislation, to strengthen our ability to prevent money laundering and fraud and secure our removal from the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force.
“With the assistance of business, we have set up a digital forensic capability to support the NPA Investigating Directorate, which in due course will be expanded to support law enforcement more broadly.
“Legislation is currently before Parliament to establish the Investigating Directorate as a permanent entity with full investigating powers. But there is much more work to be done to eradicate corruption completely,” he said.
Based on the recommendations of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, government is determined to introduce further measures to strengthen anti-corruption agencies, protect whistle-blowers, regulate lobbying and prevent the undue influence of public representatives in procurement.
“We will not stop until every person responsible for corruption is held to account. We will not stop until all stolen money has been recovered. We will not stop until corruption is history.
“The real tragedy of state capture was that it diverted attention and resources away from what government should have been doing, which is to grow our economy and create jobs,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:44
370 views
President calls for two-State solution to conclude Israel’s war on Gaza
President calls for two-State solution to end Israel's war on Gaza
President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again used his public platform to reiterate his call for a two-State solution between Israel and Palestine and condemn the killing of civilians.
“Guided by the fundamental principle of human rights and freedom, we have taken up the
Palestinian cause to prevent further deaths and destruction in Gaza,” President Ramaphosa said during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night.
The country’s first citizen also took the time to welcome the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians.
South Africa approached the top UN court last year to request to order Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza, and also to ask the court to find the Israeli government guilty of committing acts of genocide.
The ICJ ruling delivered last month found that it was “plausible” that Israel committed acts which violated the Genocide Convention.
The ruling issued by the ICJ ordered six provisional measures, including for Israel to refrain from acts under the Genocide Convention, prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to genocide, and take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
“We condemn the killing of civilians on all sides and call on all parties involved in the conflict to commit to a peace process that will deliver a two-state solution.
“Today, every South African can hold their heads high, confident that we have assumed our rightful place on the world stage,” President Ramaphosa said.
The Head of State said South Africa remains committed to playing a constructive role on the continent and around the globe for the realisation of a better Africa and world.
“We will continue to play an important role in silencing the guns throughout our continent.”
During his televised address, he said government's involvement in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through the Africa Peace Initiative is progressing with various parties.
“We engage in these peace efforts because we believe that even the most intractable conflicts can be brought to an end through negotiations.”
In addition, he said the country will continue to use its foreign policy to pursue developmental goals.
“During our leadership of BRICS last year, we witnessed a new chapter for the BRICS family of countries.”
President Ramaphosa labelled the expansion of the group from five to 10 members as an opportunity for trade and a strengthening of political and diplomatic ties between countries in the global South.
“We will build on the progress we have made in establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will transform South Africa’s economy and that of the continent by creating new jobs and increasing economic participation.”
The President also vowed that the country will place Africa’s development at the top of the agenda when South Africa hosts the G20 in 2025.
“The achievements over the last three decades are a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership to address our most pressing challenges.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 22:24
518 views
uMngeni protesters block road after municipality refuses to fix their power
Residents were in the dark for four days before taking to the streets
Government to extend and improve R350 grant for the unemployed
Government to extend and improve R350 grant for the unemployed
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that government will extend and improve the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant as the next step towards income support for the unemployed.
Delivering the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) for the sixth administration at the Cape Town City Hall, the President said government introduced the special grant during the pandemic, which currently reaches some 9 million unemployed people every month.
“We have seen the benefits of this grant and will extend it and improve it as the next step towards income support for the unemployed.
“These grants and subsidies do much more than give people what they need to live. They are an investment in the future.
“Social assistance has been shown to increase school enrolment and attendance, lower drop-out rates, and improve the pass rate,” the President said.
Prioritising ECDs and early grade reading initiatives
Turning to basic education, President Ramaphosa said that government will over the next five years prioritise expanding access to early childhood development and enhancing early grade reading initiatives.
The President highlighted that significant progress is already underway with improving early grade reading demonstrating the administration's commitment to this area.
Last year, the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) showed that 81% of Grade 4 pupils in South Africa can’t read for meaning.
“Over the next five years, we will focus our attention on expanding access to early childhood development and improving early grade reading, where we are already beginning to see progress.
“Moving early childhood development to the Department of Basic Education was one of the most important decisions as we were now able to devote more resources to early childhood development and ensure that through cooperative governance, various departments of government get involved in early childhood development augmented by the Department of Basic education,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa reflected that one of the worst injustices of apartheid was the manner in which education was used as a tool to perpetuate inequality.
Over the last 30 years, he said, the democratic government has sought to use education as a tool to create equality.
“Our basic education outcomes are steadily improving across a range of measures. The latest matric pass rate, at 82.9%, is the highest ever. And with each new year, learners from no-fee schools are accounting for more and more of the bachelor passes achieved. At the same time, fewer learners are dropping out of school.
“We have increased funding for poor and working-class students in universities and TVET significantly over the past five years,” he said.
Tackling poverty
Regarding efforts to tackle poverty, President Ramaphosa said government’s policies and programmes have, over the course of 30 years, lifted millions of people out of dire poverty.
“Today, fewer South Africans go hungry and fewer live in poverty. In 1993, South Africa faced a significant poverty challenge, with 71.1 percent of its population living in poverty.
“However, under the democratic government, there has been a consistent decline in these numbers. By 2010, the poverty rate had dropped to 60.9 percent, and it continued to decrease, reaching 55.5 percent in 2020, as reported by the World Bank. This progress has been made possible by extensive support to those in society who need it most,” he said.
Five years ago, government introduced a further measure to tackle poverty by introducing the National Minimum Wage as envisaged in the Freedom Charter.
President Ramaphosa said the decision by key role players, being business and labour and communities, to introduce the minimum wage immediately raised the wages of over 6 million workers. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 21:58
165 views
Tintswalo, a child of democracy
Tintswalo, a child of democracy
As the country marks 30 years of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to outline how government has impacted the lives of ordinary people over the past three decades.
Painting a picture of a child born in 1994, the President told a story of Tintswalo who grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
“The story of the first 30 years of our democracy can be best told through the life of a child called Tintswalo born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. She grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen.
“Tintswalo, and many others born at the same time as her, were beneficiaries of the first policies of the democratic state to provide free health care for pregnant women and children under the age of six. Tintswalo’s formative years were spent in a house provided by the state, one of millions of houses built to shelter the poor,” President Ramaphosa said on Thursday.
He described her upbringing as being in a household provided with basic water and electricity, in a house where her parents were likely to have lived without electricity before 1994.
“Tintswalo was enrolled in a school in which her parents did not have to pay school fees, and each school day she received a nutritious meal as part of a programme that today supports nine million learners from poor families.
“The democratic state provided a child support grant to meet her basic needs. This grant, together with other forms of social assistance, continues to be a lifeline for more than 26 million South Africans every month.
“With this support, Tintswalo – democracy’s child – was able to complete high school. Through the assistance of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Tintswalo attended one of our Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and obtained a qualification,” the President said.
When Tintswalo entered the world of work, she was able to progress and thrive with the support of the state’s employment equity and black economic empowerment policies.
“With the income she earned, she was able to save, to start a family, to move into a better house, and to live a better life. This is the story of millions of people who have been born since the dawn of our democracy,” President Ramaphosa said.
Lifting millions out of poverty
Delivering the last SONA for the sixth administration at the Cape Town City Hall, the President said government’s policies and programmes have lifted millions out of dire poverty.
“Today, fewer South Africans go hungry and fewer live in poverty. In 1993, South Africa faced a significant poverty challenge, with 71.1 percent of its population living in poverty. However, under the democratic government, there has been a consistent decline in these numbers.
“By 2010, the poverty rate had dropped to 60.9 percent, and it continued to decrease, reaching 55.5 percent in 2020, as reported by the World Bank. This progress has been made possible by extensive support to those in society who need it most,” the President said.
Five years ago, government introduced a further measure to tackle poverty by introducing the National Minimum Wage as envisaged in the Freedom Charter.
“The decision by key role players, being business and labour and communities, to introduce the minimum wage immediately raised the wages of over 6 million workers,” the President said.
He said today, nearly nine out of every ten households live in a formal dwelling.
“One of the most visible, impactful and meaningful achievements in the first three decades of freedom has been in providing homes to the people. Today, nearly nine out of every ten households live in a formal dwelling.
“Where there were once shacks and mud houses, there are now homes of brick and mortar. These are homes with water to drink and to wash with, homes with electricity for lighting and cooking.
“At the end of apartheid, only 6 out of 10 people had access to clean drinking water. Today, that figure has increased to nearly 9 out of 10 South Africans,” the President said.
South Africans living longer than ever before
“Life expectancy has increased from 54 years in 2003 to 65 years in 2023. Maternal and infant deaths have declined dramatically. We have built more hospitals and clinics, especially in poor areas, providing better quality care to more South Africans.
“Today, 95% of persons diagnosed with HIV know their status, 79% of those receive antiretroviral treatment, and 93% of those are virally suppressed. New HIV infections among young people have declined significantly,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 02/08/2024 - 20:55
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Celebrate Fancy In The Bay This Valentine’s Day!
This Valentine’s Day, Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay is your one-stop destination for all things love and celebration. Whether you’re in search of the perfect last-minute gift, planning a romantic breakfast, or thinking about a cozy lunch or dinner over the weekend, we’ve got you covered. Our vibrant market is bursting with options to …
5 ways you can share the admire with furry friends in need this Valentine’s Day
February is the month of love, and this month it’s the homeless animals that need a lot of love! Scottburgh-based NPO, 4 Paws and a Tale Rescue has been inundated with animals in need of food, shelter, and medication, with many pet owners simply unable to keep up with the rising cost of living. To …
Biggi and Ster-Kinekor are bringing popping moments to South African homes
Watching a movie on the big screen is not the full experience if you aren’t munching on a bag of freshly popped popcorn. Taking this a step outside the cinema, leading cinema exhibitor Ster-Kinekor has partnered with Biggi Brands to announce a popping new collaboration. Biggi, who has been supplying all Ster-Kinekor’s cinemas with top-quality …
African Companies are Capable of Organising Mining Indaba and Promote an Africa-First Energy Transition
The African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org) vehemently rejects the notion and mindset that Africans are somehow unqualified to lead and host significant events like Investing in African Mining Indaba on their own land. It is unacceptable to have the future of Africa's energy defined and driven by entities that visit the continent sporadically and lack a genuine understanding of its complexities.
We cannot allow crucial decisions about Africa's energy future to be dictated by those who fail to prioritise the continent's silent majority—600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa living in the dark and 900 million lacking access to clean cooking fuels. The voices of these individuals must guide African energy decisions, and their needs should take precedence in shaping the continent's energy landscape.
“The idea that Africans are somehow incapable of managing their own affairs, is tiring. It's time we take full charge of our own destiny, while doing so in collaboration with likeminded partners.” Stated Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy of Namibia.
The suggestion that Africans must rely on a small UK outfit, the Hyve Group, to organise events like Mining Indaba is insulting and patronising. This mindset epitomises the same attitude that African oil- and gas-producing states encounter in their energy transition – being excluded from the decision-making table and having their transition defined for them.
“This kind of decision-making, this suggestion that Africans are somehow unqualified to run Mining indaba or a mining investment event, and we have to beg a small UK outfit ( Hyve Group ) full of latte liberators with their fancy ideas about African energy to do it for, epitomizes the same kind of mindset that African oil- and gas-producing states have been encountering when it comes to their energy transition. They are defining the transition for you without you being on the table. They are defining and driving the agenda. You not on the table. You are on the menu”, Stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
This insulting and patronising mindset extends to environmental groups and Western countries that pressure African leaders into energy transition decisions that may not be in Africa's best interests. The African Energy Chamber strongly opposes such external influences and emphasises the importance of a just, Africa-first energy transition. Let Africa make its own choices and define its own timeline.
"It's the same insulting, patronising mindset that has led environmental groups and Western countries to suggest they know what's best for Africa as they pressure our leaders into energy transition decisions that aren't in Africa's best interests. It's the same mindset that, in part, inspired me to do this work that I think is of critical importance for a just, Africa-first energy transition." Concluded Ayuk,
In addition to the lack of Black executives in the leadership of Hyve Group is troubling. In 2024 you can't having an organisation defining the narrative for the children in Senegal, Nigeria, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa without any black executives in the leadership team. The absence of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and local content compliance further underscores a disregard for inclusive economic participation and empowerment must be a serious concern.
The energy industry's progress, characterised by true representation and inclusion, can serve as a catalyst for the next generation of leaders, the youth. It's about ensuring that every African child, from Namibia to Congo to Cameroon, can see themselves as leaders in the energy sector, breaking barriers and shaping a future that reflects their diversity and potential. The time has come for the youth to be the driving force behind a new narrative, where Africa's energy decisions are made with them, for them, and by them.
The African Energy Chamber is committed to emphasising the importance of sending a positive message to every African child. True progress in the energy sector should translate into tangible opportunities for the youth, guiding them towards a future where they actively contribute to and benefit from Africa's sustainable energy development.
In light of these sentiments, the African Energy Chamber underscores the urgency of empowering Africans to take charge of events like Investing in African Mining Indaba and other critical discussions about the continent's energy future. It is time for Africa to be at the forefront of its own narrative, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interests of its people and guided by the voices that matter the most.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Industry and Competition Committee Approves World Trade Organisation (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Ratification
The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition yesterday approved the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) agreement on the ratification of fisheries subsidies.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition briefed the committee on the ratification of the agreement and sought the committee's approval to ratify the completed first phase of the agreement, as recommended by Cabinet.
Committee Chairperson Ms Judy Hermans said that implementing the agreement will contribute to a better world by reducing pressure on global fish stocks. In addition, the ratification will allow South Africa to meet the United Nation's sustainable development goal of prohibiting and eliminating certain forms of fisheries subsidies, including those that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Such fishing costs Africa over $2.3 billion in economic losses every year, according to estimates from the African Union Commission.
The meeting also heard that the agreement contributes to environmental sustainability provisions in the South African government's National Development Plan, in particular, sustaining South Africa's marine ecosystem. Furthermore, the sustainable management of global fisheries and fish stocks is in South Africa's interests, in particular, the interests of communities dependent on this resource for their livelihood.
According to the presentation, the first phase of the agreement was adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference, which was held in Geneva in June 2022. It sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful fishing subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks. The agreement recognises and provides for special and differential treatment to address the needs of developing and least-developed countries, albeit in the form of transitional periods.
The agreement also establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help signatory countries implement the obligations. It further prohibits support for IUU fishing and bans support for fishing overfished stocks, as well as subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.
The committee heard that negotiations on the more contentious issues relating to overfishing and overcapacity will continue in the second phase. This phase of negotiations will focus on delivering a comprehensive agreement at the 13th Ministerial Conference, which will continue this month in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Such recommendations will cover additional provisions that will address overcapacity and overfishing and are necessary to comply with the mandate of the United Nations SDG 14.6.
The committee also heard that the completed first phase of the agreement is a tool for better fisheries management that will strengthen South African and global sustainable fisheries management systems through transparency requirements. It will also provide a way to improve data collection on the stock status of vulnerable fisheries and on related subsidies.
Vulnerable groups, such as coastal communities and small-scale fishers, who rely heavily on fish as a protein source, will also benefit, as the ratification of the first phase of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement provides a basis to contribute towards the livelihoods of such communities.
The agreement also contains a dispute settlement provision that will apply generally to disputes under the agreement. As such and for the first time, the agreement brings fisheries management issues within the scope of the WTO's dispute settlement process.
Ms Hermans said the committee considered the agreement, adopted the draft report on the agreement, and recommended that the National Assembly approves the agreement.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Kick off the weekend in style with Boschendal’s novel Friday night offerings
Boschendal is evolving Friday night plans with the introduction of a range of new laid-back experiences designed for the perfect start to the weekend. From farm-fresh sharing snack boxes to enjoy on the lawn to jumping castles for the kids, bars and extended Farm Shop and restaurant hours, there is something for everyone to enjoy. …
Taking stock of the sixth administration
Taking stock of the sixth administration
Thursday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the last one to be made by the sixth administration.
The President - in his capacity as Head of State and government - will deliver the annual SONA at 7pm, before a joint sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Just as individuals usually make a list of their goals at the start of each year, and the steps they need to take to attain them, the SONA similarly sets out government’s key policy objectives as well as deliverables for the year ahead.
The President is expected to reflect on the gains made and the areas that still need attention since the last SONA.
However, having been inaugurated as President on 25 May 2019, President Ramaphosa is also likely to look back on the term of his administration.
According to the Presidency, this administration “took office with a mandate to grow the economy, create employment and reduce poverty.” It was also tasked with putting an end to corruption as well as “restoring the integrity and capability of public institutions.”
Government has over the years made progress in improving the lives of those within the borders of South Africa.
Advancements have been made in the key priorities of growing the economy and job creation, building better lives, making communities safer and fighting crime.
Over the years, irrespective of the administration at the helm, an inclusive economy in which all South Africans can partake in, has and continues to be a top issue for government.
Fixing the economy and load shedding
In order to grow the economy, reliable energy supply is essential and energy security is cited in the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). In July 2022, government launched the Energy Action Plan (EAP). The EAP is a set of steps to be taken to address load shedding.
Government has amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to remove the licencing requirement for generation projects to accelerate private investment.
By September 2023, more than 100 projects were at various stages of development, representing over 10 000 megawatts of new generation capacity and over R200 billion in private sector investment.
Other steps taken to reform the electricity sector include the tabling of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill in Parliament.
In addition, progress continues to be made towards the unbundling of Eskom, with the newly established National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) obtaining its operating, trading, and import and export licences from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in September 2023, allowing the company to operate independently from the power utility. This as government works to separate Eskom into the Generation, Distribution and Transmission entities. Last month, Eskom announced the appointment of the National Transmission Company of South Africa board.
This is one of the most important pillars of Eskom’s legal separation which will “create a level playing field to enable competition in electricity generation, as a key step towards energy security,” noted the 'Leave No One Behind 2024 – A Five-Year Review', document released by the Presidency earlier this week.
The sixth administration also oversaw the appointment of Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, in March last year as part of efforts to address power cuts and to expedite government’s work to ensure the full implementation of the EAP.
At a recent media briefing on the implementation of the plan, Ramokgopa said that work continues to address partial load losses – that is, when Eskom’s generating units do not produce the full capacity, they were intended to.
In November 2023, South Africa received the first consignment of 450 gasoline generators donated by the People’s Republic of China. The donation formed part of the Technical Assistance Programme that was entered into in August 2023 during China’s Head of State Visit to South Africa.
Jobs and investment
The ERRP was government’s response to the severe health, social and economic effects of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced in 2020, the plan was founded on engagements among social partners, including government, labour, business and community-based organisations.
October 2023 marked three years since government embarked on the plan, which outlined the actions to rebuild the economy and create jobs in the wake of the pandemic.
The government has put in place the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). Through the initiative announced in 2020, at least 135 000 earning opportunities were secured by young people.
On Tuesday, the President held a presidential youth engagement in Cape Town reflecting on the three years since the initiation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and PYEI.
According to the Presidency, the PES and PYEI programmes have “collectively generated over 1.8 million job opportunities and provided livelihood support, predominantly benefiting young individuals”.
The sixth administration also oversaw the successful raising of the R1.2 trillion worth of investments over five years that President Ramaphosa announced in 2018.
Held annually over the past five years, the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) surpassed the initial R1.2 trillion target to reach R1.51 trillion in investment pledges. To date, there are concrete results of how the pledges made at the conference are changing lives and creating employment.
The review document notes that of the commitments made, over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.
Having made pledges continually at the SAIC, Procter &Gamble in November 2023 launched a state-of-the-art production line of Pampers Premium Care which the President attended in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni.
Another company which pledged R135 million at last year’s SAIC is also making good on its commitment.
In October 2023, energy company, Ener-G-Africa, launched an energy-efficient cook stove manufacturing line in Paarl, and expanded its solar panel production line from 15MW to 500MW capacity.
The company pledged R135 million in the production of small solar PV panels and solar cooking appliances at their women-led production facility in Cape Town.
AfCFTA
President Ramaphosa also oversaw the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as Chairperson of the African Union, which is currently the largest free trade area in the world. The AfCFTA which entered into force in May 2019, is expected to boost trade and economic growth on the continent.
Trading under the AfCFTA regime commenced January 2021 and last month South Africa practically realised the AfCFTA agreement. This as the President officiated the launch of the first export shipment of goods produced by South African companies destined for other African countries from KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban port.
Better lives and education
On building better lives, the current administration introduced the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for the first time in the country’s history, guaranteeing a minimum floor below which no worker may be paid with the coming into effect of the minimum wage on 1 January 2019.
The President had announced its coming into effect in December 2018.
Back in 2019, the minimum wage was set at R20 an hour and has increased over the years. Currently standing at R25,42 the minimum wage will increase to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked with effect from 1 March 2024.
Click here for more on the “National minimum wage increases”.
To ensure healthcare for all, Parliament passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill last year after it was introduced in 2019. The Bill aims to provide free health care at the point of care for all South Africans. In preparation for the NHI, Health Patient Registration Systems have been installed in over 3 200 facilities.
Meanwhile, social grants for people most affected by COVID-19 were expanded, including the Special Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant, which reached around 11 million unemployed people.
On the education front, no-fee schools which government introduced in 2007 have continued to ensure that children get access to schooling. To date, the number of learners that are not required to pay school fees increased from 71% to 75% in 2021.
In addition, the latest matric pass rate, at 82.9%, is the highest ever, up from 78% ten years ago. Learners from no-fee paying schools accounted for more than 65% of the total bachelor passes obtained. The percentage of learners who completed 12 years of education rose from 45% in 2008 to 62% in 2022.
Safer communities
The sixth administration has increased the number of police officers including the recruitment of 20 000 police trainees and an additional 4 000 public order policing members in 2022 and 2023.
In addition, 20 specialised South African Police Service Economic Infrastructure Task Teams have been established to work with business, private security and state-owned enterprises to tackle illegal mining, construction site extortion, cable theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure.
The review noted that by November 2023, the teams had made over 4 000 arrests for damage of critical infrastructure, 70 arrests for extortion at construction sites and over 3 000 arrests for illegal mining, and confiscated significant quantities of copper cable, rail tracks and other metals.
Government also launched the Border Management Authority as the third armed force to manage and secure the country’s borders, providing a vital link in government’s efforts to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On tackling gender-based violence and femicide(GBV), he National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence was developed, together with civil society, as a society-wide response to this national emergency. Around R21 billion has been dedicated over the medium term to the implementation of the six pillars of the plan, including the economic empowerment of women.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has achieved an average conviction rate of 94% in femicide prosecutions and 75% in sexual offences prosecutions since 2019.
In addition, the GBVF Response Fund 1 was launched, which raised R200 million from the private sector for community-based organisations combating GBV. In the first year of the Fund’s operation, 53 community-based organisations were funded, reaching 280 000 participants.
Fighting corruption
The NPA Investigating Directorate was established to prosecute state capture and other significant corruption cases.
To date, the Investigating Directorate has taken 34 state capture and corruption cases to court, involving 203 accused persons and 65 accused entities. The NPA has also secured the conviction of over 500 government officials and nearly 800 in the private sector on offences related to corruption since 2019.
In addition, a SIU Special Tribunal was appointed to expedite civil claims against corrupt individuals and the recovery of stolen funds. Since its establishment, it has recovered over R8.6 billion.
As the country prepares for its 30 years of freedom celebration, the sixth administration has certainly done its bit in a challenging environment. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Wed, 02/07/2024 - 15:11
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