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The Runified City 50km is set to take place on 25 February along the scenic beachfront of Gqeberha and local athletes will be looking to shine in a race which will be broadcast live through SuperSport on the day. “I am thrilled that our Runified City 50km is ranked by the International Ultrarunners Association as …
National minimum wage increases
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has announced a new National Minimum Wage (NMW) determination which will go up from R25,42 to R27,58 for each ordinary hour worked.
In a statement on Saturday, the Department of Employment and Labour said the new NMW will come into effect from 1 March 2024.
“The National Minimum Wage determination also includes the vulnerable sectors of farm workers and the domestic workers – whom since 2022 were aligned with the NMW rates.
“However, the workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R15,16 per hour [up] from R13,97. Workers who have concluded learnership agreements contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998, are entitled to the allowances as determined in the latest government schedule,” the department said.
The schedule of learnerships, sectoral determinations of Contract Cleaning, Wholesale and Retail sector employees will be published on the department’s website – www.labour.gov.za
The Act applies to all workers and their employers except members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency, and the South African Secret Service.
The act does not apply to a volunteer, who is a person who performs work for another person and who does not receive or is not entitled to receive, any remuneration for his or her service.
The NMW is the minimum amount of pay that an employer is legally required to remunerate employees for work done. The amount does not include payment of allowances (such as transport, tools, food or accommodation) payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses and gifts among others.
The National Minimum Wage is the floor level below which no employee should be paid. The NMW first came into implementation in 2019 at a minimum of R20 per hour. The NMW is enforced by law and violations are subject to fines. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Sun, 02/04/2024 - 11:36
Good start to second voter registration weekend
The Electoral Commission has announced that 304 221 voters have visited voting stations in the initial hours of the first day of the second voter registration weekend.
This was ahead of the country’s 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
Of these, 55 019 were persons who were registering for the first time.
“The Electoral Commission is pleased to report that the second registration weekend for the imminent 2024 National and Provincial Elections got off to a good start.
“This early turnout not only sets a positive tone for the registration period but also serves as a testament that citizens remain engaged with affairs of their country,” the IEC said on Saturday.
The IEC said that within five hours of the registration process getting underway across the network of 23,303 voting stations nationwide, over 99% of stations were operational within minutes of the commencement time of 8 am.
This as the Commission is holding the second voter registration weekend on 3 and 4 February 2024 in preparation for the general elections of the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures. The first voter registration weekend was held from 18 - 19 November 2023.
The Electoral Commission extended its sincere appreciation to the 68,718 electoral officers for their duty to the country as well as the citizens for their enthusiastic participation.
“Whether you are a first-time participant or a seasoned voter, we encourage all South Africans to seize this historic moment by registering and casting their votes in the forthcoming elections.
“Today alone, the online voter registration portal recorded over 20 325 (7 234 new) voter registration transactions. We urge voters who may have had a less than pleasant experience using the online platform, to try again. The online portal remains available 24 hours a day until the day the elections are proclaimed,” the IEC said.
The weekend’s important registration activity comes on the back of two major achievements by the Commission which are:
Meanwhile, for those in need of assistance with identity documents, the Department of Home Affairs offices are open this weekend, facilitating the collection and issuance of necessary documents for registration purposes.
The Commission extended profound gratitude to the department for the exceptional support it is rendering.
“It is important to reiterate that our collective goal, as a nation, is to ensure that every one of the eligible voters in South Africa is registered to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections. It is, therefore, apposite that we remind voters of the general rule in elections.
“That is, a person votes at a voting station where they are registered. The only exception to the general rule is that a voter may vote outside of the voting district of registration upon notification to the Commission by a date to be regulated by the Election Timetable,” the IEC said.
The Commission has further encouraged all eligible voters to seize the remaining hours of the registration weekend to actively participate in shaping the future of our nation, whether online or at registration stations. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Sun, 02/04/2024 - 08:53
Western Cape government revising its plan and budget
The freeze was recommended by National Treasury among other austerity measures
The Khayelitsha Community Trust plans to build a private hospital displacing informal settlement formed during Covid
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the declaration of De Berg Nature Reserve as South Africa's 30th Ramsar site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
“The conservation and restoration of wetlands is crucial to achieving many of our national and global sustainable development goals. Estuaries, marshes and vleis, rivers and lakes, and the biodiversity that they preserve, matter for our health, food supply, tourism, and jobs. Wetlands are vital for humans, ecosystems and our climate, providing essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, including flood control and water purification,” said Minister Creecy.
“Through the Working for Wetlands Programme, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has invested over R1.4 billion in the rehabilitation of 1,873 wetlands and created 43,662 jobs. The Working for Wetlands Programme, which commenced in the year 2000, is being implemented in all 9 provinces of South Africa by a dedicated team of experts working closely with communities,” added Minister Creecy.
De Berg Nature Reserve is located along the headwaters of the Dwars River in the highest part of Mpumalanga approximately, 20 kilometres north of the town of Dullstroom, and lies adjacent to the Verloren Valei Ramsar Site. At an elevation of just over 2300 meters above sea level, the Ramsar site contains the highest altitude wetlands in Mpumalanga, consisting of numerous valley bottom, seep wetlands and mountain streams and represents some of the most pristine and habitat diverse watercourses in the South African grassland biome.
The Ramsar site, which is a biodiversity hotspot, not only supports numerous pristine headwater wetlands but also supports numerous threatened, critically endangered, and vulnerable species of plants and animals. The site falls within the Lydenburg and Sekhukhune centres of plant endemism and has a total of 878 indigenous plant species, which includes 30 plant species that are threatened and near threatened and includes a new species of Bulbine, (B decastroi) which can be found in the valleys of the Reserve.
This site also has 18 species of frogs, 71 reptile species, 432 bird species and a 120 mammal species, including Vandam's girdled lizard (Smaug vandami), various crane species such as blue crane and grey-crowned crane and mountain reedbuck. Many of these species are also rare and vulnerable species and include flocks of up to 30 of the vulnerable Southern Bald Ibis which roosts on the cliffs above Ibis Falls, one of 10 iconic waterfalls which can be found at the site.
Although wetlands cover less than 3% of South Africa's land area, they offer diverse benefits that enrich human well-being. Wetlands are increasingly regarded in South Africa as socio-ecological systems as opposed to only ecological systems. Many of our wetlands are in urban areas and are often the last remaining open areas for recreational use by the public.
“The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) – an entity of DFFE - is also actively contributing to wetland conservation through its comprehensive approach to mapping and understanding this critical ecological infrastructure, emphasizing that informed action today can make a significant difference for the future of wetlands, human well-being and biodiversity. Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) are crucial to South Africa's water security, and various SANBI projects provide insight into land use and protection levels in these strategically important national assets,” said Minister Creecy.
“Through the development of partnerships to monitor, protect and rehabilitate wetlands, by ensuring our wetlands are kept free of litter and invasive alien plant species and by ensuring that we follow best practices to ensure that wetlands are sustainably used for their services we show our appreciation for and acknowledge the value of wetlands and ensure that they remain in place to provide future generations with the same services,” added Minister Creecy.
The designation of De Berg Nature Reserve as South Africa's 30th Ramsar Site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance coincides with World Wetlands Day (2 February) which is commemorated under the theme “wetlands and human wellbeing”.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.
De Berg Nature Reserve declared 30th Ramsar site
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the declaration of De Berg Nature Reserve as South Africa’s 30th Ramsar site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
The Ramsar Convention encourages the designation of sites containing representative, rare or unique wetlands, or wetlands that are important for conserving biological diversity.
“The conservation and restoration of wetlands is crucial to achieving many of our national and global sustainable development goals. Estuaries, marshes and vleis, rivers and lakes, and the biodiversity that they preserve matter for our health, food supply, tourism and jobs.
“Wetlands are vital for humans, ecosystems and our climate, providing essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, including flood control and water purification,” Creecy said on Friday.
Through the Working for Wetlands Programme, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has invested over R1.4 billion in the rehabilitation of 1 873 wetlands and created 43 662 jobs.
The programme commenced in the year 2000 and is being implemented in all nine provinces of South Africa by a dedicated team of experts working closely with communities.
De Berg Nature Reserve is located along the headwaters of the Dwars River in the highest part of Mpumalanga approximately, 20 kilometres north of the town of Dullstroom, and lies adjacent to the Verloren Valei Ramsar Site.
At an elevation of just over 2 300 metres above sea level, the Ramsar site contains the highest altitude wetlands in Mpumalanga, consisting of numerous valley bottom, seep wetlands and mountain streams, and represents some of the most pristine and habitat diverse watercourses in the South African grassland biome.
“The Ramsar site, which is a biodiversity hotspot, not only supports numerous pristine headwater wetlands but also supports numerous threatened, critically endangered, and vulnerable species of plants and animals.
“The site falls within the Lydenburg and Sekhukhune centres of plant endemism, and has a total of 878 indigenous plant species, which includes 30 plant species that are threatened and near threatened, and includes a new species of Bulbine, (B decastroi) which can be found in the valleys of the reserve.
“This site also has 18 species of frogs, 71 reptile species, 432 bird species and a 120 mammal species, including Vandam's girdled lizard (Smaug vandami), various crane species such as blue crane and grey-crowned crane and mountain reedbuck,” the department said.
Many of these species are also rare and vulnerable species. They include flocks of up to 30 of the vulnerable Southern Bald Ibis, which roosts on the cliffs above Ibis Falls, one of 10 iconic waterfalls that can be found at the site.
Although wetlands cover less than 3% of South Africa’s land area, they offer diverse benefits that enrich human well-being.
The department said Wetlands are increasingly regarded in South Africa as socio-ecological systems as opposed to only ecological systems.
Many of the country’s wetlands are in urban areas and are often the last remaining open areas for recreational use by the public.
“The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) – an entity of DFFE - is also actively contributing to wetland conservation through its comprehensive approach to mapping and understanding this critical ecological infrastructure, emphasizing that informed action today can make a significant difference for the future of wetlands, human well-being and biodiversity.
“Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) are crucial to South Africa’s water security, and various SANBI projects provide insight into land use and protection levels in these strategically important national assets,” Creecy said.
The designation of De Berg Nature Reserve as South Africa’s 30th Ramsar Site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance coincides with World Wetlands Day (2 February) which is commemorated under the theme “wetlands and human wellbeing”.
Once designated, these sites are added to the Convention's List of Wetlands of International Importance and become known as Ramsar sites. In designating a wetland as a Ramsar site, countries agree to establish and oversee a management framework aimed at conserving the wetland and ensuring its wise use.
“Through the development of partnerships to monitor, protect and rehabilitate wetlands, by ensuring our wetlands are kept free of litter and invasive alien plant species and by ensuring that we follow best practices to ensure that wetlands are sustainably used for their services we show our appreciation for and acknowledge the value of wetlands and ensure that they remain in place to provide future generations with the same services,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Fri, 02/02/2024 - 09:50
Sumitomo Rubber SA (SRSA), manufacturer and distributor of the iconic Dunlop tyre brand, is rolling out an AI-powered inventory management platform, with the support of software development firm Slimstock, in a move set to transform its supply chain capabilities to enhance operations, reduce waste and optimise planning. The new technology platform rollout comes soon after …
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The 2023 SA matric class and higher education-graduates face a challenging job market and the reality of joining over 3.3 million past graduates struggling to find employment. Amid soaring unemployment rates, which are one of the highest on the continent and globe, and facing economic challenges, the youth’s confidence in our nation is plummeting. In …
In the world of landscaping, brushcutters and trimmers are generally seen as essential tools for maintaining lawns and managing vegetation. However, beyond their practical applications, these tools can also be used as artistic instruments, offering several creative possibilities in outdoor spaces. This is according to Wynand Lombaard, Product & Pricing Specialist at Husqvarna South Africa. …
Because financial technology (fintech) is relatively new and has developed faster than legislative processes, and because the nuances of blockchain applications are varied, Fintech and Crypto Law covers a broad range of regulations, many of which were formulated before its existence. As such, it covers laws and regulations in the fields of financial services, ITC, …
Port Shepstone Civic Centre under Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality was a hive of activity on Tuesday, 30 January 2024 as local SMEs attended the Investor Workshop on the new Ugu District One Stop Shop. Hosted by South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) in partnership with Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), the workshop showcased investment …
New houses for Ekurhuleni senior citizens
The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, along with Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana and Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Lebohang Maile, have distributed houses to first time homeowners in Clayville in Tembisa.
In a statement released by the office of the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, the project in Clayville will see just under 500 houses handed over to new owners in the future.
According to the statement, five houses were handed over to senior citizens with the oldest recipient being 91 years old.
“This is the best day of my life. At my age I was even beginning to think that I would die without having had to own a proper house,” said one of the beneficiaries, Christina Ndou.
The leadership later moved to Palm Ridge in Katlehong where 100 title deeds were handed over giving first time homeowners security of tenure.
Minister Kubayi expressed delight at the rate at which the government was delivering houses around the country.
“We have been crisscrossing the country inspecting and handing out houses, and yes the progress is quite impressive,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ngodwana said that it was ‘very progressive’ that all three spheres of government work together to provide a better life for the people of the Republic. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/01/2024 - 15:11
The road to the playoffs intensifies with only one spot remaining Thursday, 01 February 2024: With only one Betway SA20...
NSFAS financial aid application deadline extended
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board has extended the deadline for applications for student financial aid to 15 February 2023.
The decision was taken during a meeting between the NSFAS board and the South African Union of Students (SAUS).
The NSFAS board, led by Acting Board Chairperson Professor Laurens Van Staden, met with the South African Union of Students (SAUS) Executive, led by President Yandisa Ndzoyiya, to discuss NSFAS’s state of readiness for the beginning of the academic year, where the parties agreed on the extension of the 2024 bursary application period.
The meeting also agreed that the NSFAS Loan Scheme will be opened on 2 February 2024 and close on 15 February 2024.
The new Comprehensive Student Funding Model aims to support students including those currently not supported by NSFAS bursary and funding policy.
This category includes students who come from families who have a total income of more than R350 000, but not more than R600 000 per annum.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the parties agreed that students who have already applied for the NSFAS bursary scheme need not submit a new application for the student loan scheme.
“All students who did not meet the bursary scheme eligibility criteria, however, meet the loan scheme eligibility criteria, will be automatically offered a loan for their consideration,” the statement said.
Prospective loan scheme applicants can apply through an online application form, where they create a profile, apply, and submit the application.
The application form can be accessed on the NSFAS website on www.nsfas.org.za.
In order to qualify for the loan, students should meet the following criteria:
• Students whose annual household income is between R350 000-R600 000;
• TVET and university (public) students;
• Undergraduate or postgraduate students;
• 70% Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes (which
may be adjusted to include commercial programmes that are in demand in the labour
market or entrepreneurial programmes);
• 30% Social Sciences programmes; and
• Students willing to sign a loan agreement.
NSFAS reminded all applicants for both the bursary scheme and the loan scheme to submit a consent form to verify relevant information from third parties.
“The information is required to verify the employment status and income level of the parents, guardians, or spouses of the applicant. It is mandatory for applicants to download and upload a completed Consent form on the NSFAS website, portal, or mobile app,” Van Staden said.
1 745 applications received
Meanwhile, NSFAS has received 1 745 226 applications, as of 30 January 2024.
The scheme said of the 1 745 226 applications, 940 682 are provisionally funded, 269 915 are awaiting evaluations, while 48 643 have been withdrawn by the student; 232 559 are in in progress, and 136 531 applications on the not-started status, as applicants only created profiles and did not submit applications.
“NSFAS has rejected 102 201 applications;1 093 appeals have been lodged so far,” Van Staden said.
The meeting agreed that funding decisions will continue to be communicated, as and when applications are processed, and that the application portal will continue to be updated upon confirmation of the funding decision.
Institutions have been encouraged to continuously check the updates on the NSFAS applications portal on funding decisions, which will also cover allowance types that students have qualified for.
“NSFAS will upon making the funding decisions commence with the appeals process in order to ensure that appeals decisions are communicated to students and the institutions on time.” – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 02/01/2024 - 15:34
Watch out! In 2024, scammers have some new tricks up their sleeve, such as deepfake impersonation. That is why fostering a zero-trust mindset can help to keep yourself safe from these scams.
Imagine receiving a voice note from your CEO instructing you to transfer money to a bank account. You follow the instructions without realising that the voice note is a deepfake. And just like that, you have fallen for a scam. Deepfakes make use of AI technologies to create new – but fake – images, videos, and/or audio material from existing material, “Artificial intelligence (AI) technology makes it easier for fraudsters to create these convincing fake messages from people you know and trust,” explains Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA. “It enables scammers to generate video and audio that is so convincing, many believe it is real.”
Fraudsters also use AI-generated voice notes or videos to impersonate a family member, such as a grandchild, who claims to be in distress and in need of money. This is called a grandparent scam. “People get scammed that way because their emotions are triggered by hearing an authentic sounding voice clip of their loved one and want to help,” comments Collard.
Another fraudulent application of deepfakes is to impersonate politicians to spread confusion or disinformation. “This is definitely something to watch out for in 2024 as it's an election year,” says Collard.
Investment scams can appear as trustworthy financial organisations promising incredible returns. “However, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” says Collard. She advises being cautious in such situations. Scammers often combine cryptocurrency scams with romance scams as well.
Another scam to be wary of in 2024 involves fake loans that offer low-interest rates but never actually materialise. Instead, victims are required to pay upfront fees or provide their personal information. “With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, scammers may tempt many individuals to apply for these loans to make ends meet, be very careful of any offers that sound too good to be true.”
By using fake profiles on dating sites or social media, scammers build trust with their victims and then exploit this emotional connection to trick them into sending them money. “Even though family members might repeatedly warn the victim, they often continue with the romantic deception because once on the hook, psychologically it is very difficult for the victim's brains to admit that they have been conned,” explains Collard.
Identity theft involves stealing personal information to commit fraud. Scammers do this via phishing emails or phone calls, as with banking scams. “Social media profile theft involves hackers hijacking your social media accounts to reach out to your contacts, pretending to be you, spreading malicious software, scams or asking for money,” says Collard.
After a humanitarian crisis, like a flood, charity scams frequently emerge. “These scams play on your emotions and ask you to give money to a worthy cause, but in reality, they are fake charities,” explains Collard. Red flags to watch out for are unusual payment methods, such as EFT, instead of secure payment platforms. “Always make sure that charities are registered before you donate and that you interact with the legitimate NGO or charity before transferring any money,” she advises.
Posing as IT technicians, these scammers try to convince you that there's something wrong with your computer and offer to fix it. They then seize control of your computer and steal your personal information or hack into your bank account. “These scams prey on people's fears,” says Collard. “They throw people into a state of panic in which they're not thinking logically.” She recommends hanging up right away and directly contacting your IT support centre.
Are you in the market for a pure-bred puppy? Beware! International crime syndicates operating in South Africa offer purportedly discounted pooches. According to Collard, many individuals have suffered significant financial losses not only for the non-existent dog but also for the transportation expenses. She advises buyers to be wary if they encounter a wide variety of dogs for sale on a website or if they are immediately offered a puppy. “Breeders do not operate like Takealot. There are usually waiting lists; it takes time for a puppy to become available,” she says. “If you're offered a second dog at a 30% discount, it's highly likely you're being scammed.”
The general advice for any of the scams listed above is to slow down and take a breath before reacting to anything, particularly if it's emotionally triggering content.
As the boundaries between our physical and virtual worlds continue to blur, a zero trust mindset encourages us to pause, think, and evaluate the content we are interacting with, thereby empowering us to make conscious and more rational decisions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.
Interview with Zando’s CEO on Navigating The Future of Online Shopping in South Africa Cape Town (South Africa): 22 January 2024: Zando.co.za, the leading e-commerce platform in South Africa, announces focus for 2024 under the leadership of newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Morgane Imbert. Zando was established in 2012 and has grown to become one …
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