new

19 November 2023

Learning from Israel’s past Gaza Strip invasions

Location: News

“A political resolution that addresses the roots of the conflict is the only way to defend Israel’s borders and citizens” writes a former Israeli soldier

19 November 2023

Small business can stimulate economic growth, job creation

Location: News

Small business can stimulate economic growth, job creation

Focusing on Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and cooperatives can trigger growth, create jobs and build a more inclusive economy, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“As a country, we need to get behind our entrepreneurs and SMMEs and strengthen the eco-system that supports them,” the President said.

The country’s first citizen was speaking on Friday night at the 2nd National Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards in Johannesburg.

The President told delegates the ceremony was pressing given the current volatile global times.

“Our prospects for a faster and more sustained recovery after COVID-19 have been set back amidst continued supply chain disruptions, high inflation and depressed market demand.

“Governments are under pressure to stimulate the economy and to provide more social relief, but with reduced fiscal resources.”

This is the reason he is of the view that SMMEs can stimulate growth and job creation.

He told guests he was encouraged by the work being done by the Department of Small Business Development since the launch of the third iteration of the country’s SMME strategy almost a year ago.

The National Small Enterprise Development Strategic Framework aims to use resources within the broader eco-system to build practical partnerships that enable entrepreneurship and SMME growth.

Government is establishing a new one-stop small enterprise agency that will bring together the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and the Co-operatives Banks Development Agency (CBDA).

The strategic framework calls for concrete partnerships and actions in four areas. These include tackling the red tape and regulatory burdens that frustrate SMMEs.

“The Department of Small Business Development is also streamlining business licensing processes, with the Businesses Licensing Amendment Bill soon to be gazetted.

“But there is much more to be done. We know some of the frustrations which tech start-ups in particular have with foreign exchange controls that impede inward flows of venture capital, and affect the local registration of intellectual property.”

The other areas of focus entail addressing market concentration and enabling market access, especially for SMMEs owned by women, youth and other underserved communities; access to finance and entrepreneurship support.

“If we get this right, we can change the country’s fortunes.”

The current administration, he said, has set a target of establishing new 100 small enterprise incubators. To date, the state has established 110 with another 11 under development.

“It is encouraging that the number of people engaged in entrepreneurial activity has significantly increased.”

Citing the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, he said the working-age population involved in business start-ups in South Africa increased from 6.5% in 2001 to 17.5% in 2021.

“This clearly reaffirms what our National Development Plan envisioned, the creation of 11 million jobs by 2030 with nine million of these coming from small enterprises.

“We just need to scale up our interventions to create a conducive environment for SMMEs, and onboard other eco-system partners, especially the private sector, to play their part.”

He told the entrepreneurs in the room that citizens depended on their innovation and entrepreneurship to create the opportunities that would enable them to get the much-needed jobs.

“Congratulations to the winners and the runners-up. You have gone through a rigorous selection process and thoroughly deserve to be here. It is your dynamism and drive that will revitalise our economy and improve our global competitiveness.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Sun, 11/19/2023 - 10:25

98 views

17 November 2023

What Can Depart Wrong If You Pick the Wrong Courier

Location: MyPR

Ever wondered what could go wrong if you choose the wrong courier in South Africa You’re about to find out. From delayed deliveries to lost goods, poor customer service and hidden costs, it’s a minefield. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. This guide will help you understand the potential pitfalls and how to avoid …

17 November 2023

UKM Foods – Excellence in Food Manufacturing

Location: MyPR

Johannesburg, South Africa – UKM Foods, a leader in the South African food manufacturing sector, is proudly announcing its continued commitment to culinary excellence and innovation. Nestled in the bustling heart of Sandton, Johannesburg, UKM Foods has become synonymous with quality, offering a diverse array of food products that include powdered juices, coffee creamer, full …

17 November 2023

KZN South Coast coffee now stocked at vida e caffè across KZN

Location: MyPR

The South African coffee industry is fast finding its place in the global market with demand expected to rise from 10 million to 12 million tonnes worldwide by 2032. One coffee collective, with members from the KZN South Coast, is rising to meet that demand, and a partnership with vida e caffè will see Redberry …

17 November 2023

How to: Easy steps to register to vote online

Location: News

How to: Easy steps to register to vote online

As voter registrations get underway in earnest ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, the Independent Electoral Commission has made it easier than ever to register to vote using their website.

The IEC’s website is a one-stop voter information portal.

Voters can use this portal to register to vote, view or update their current voter address, find their voting station, request a special vote, or simply browse for important information such as upcoming election dates in their ward.

You can register to vote by following these easy steps:

Get your SA ID card/book ready and go to the link registertovote.elections.org.za.
Enter your personal information: ID number, name and surname, and mobile number. The Chief Electoral Officer must compile and maintain a national common voters' roll. The personal information required is for purposes of achieving this legal requirement and will not be used for any other purpose as required by the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013.
A one-time pin (OTP) will be sent to your cellphone number. Insert the pin and click on “confirm pin”.
Capture your home address. You can type your address and select from the list or enter your address and click the search button.
Review and acknowledge your information in the voter registration summary. This page will also tell you your ward and voting district.
Tick the declaration box and then click on ID verification.
Take a photo or upload a scan of your SA ID and click on continue.
Your voter registration application has been submitted successfully. The IEC will verify the application and will notify you once it has been processed. You will receive an sms notification.

To submit an application to register to vote, you must meet the following requirements:

be a South Africa citizen;
be at least 16 years (you can only vote from age 18).

What you need to upload when using online voter registration:

green barcoded ID book
smart ID card,
temporary ID certificate (TIC)

You are only registered to vote once you have received a receipt via SMS or email, or have confirmed that you are registered.

Since the Commission launched the online registration portal in July 2021, a total of 1.1 million registration transactions have been recorded.

The portal has experienced a hive of activity this year with 52% of all transactions being recorded in the eleven months of the year. New registrations amount to 40.6% of total online registration activity. Women are the majority users of the online portal at 56%. Young persons under the age of 29 indicate a strong usage level at 49.6%.

Voter registration weekend

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs will be extending its operating hours for the voter registration weekend on 18 and 19 November 2023, to provide ID services and related support to eligible voters.

Operating hours will be aligned with those of the IEC, starting from 08:00 to 17:00, and the main service to be offered is ID collection and application.

Temporary Identification Certificates will be issued on the spot to those who have lost or misplaced their IDs.

Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo has called on all adult South Africans to seize the moment by registering as voters this coming weekend.

“Only those who are on the voters’ roll can have a say in the electoral outcomes next year,” Mamabolo said at a briefing on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za

Masondo told the session that additional VAT zero rating is not “the best instrument to address the problem of high cost of living”.

“Government has already VAT zero rated a number of basic foods. This includes the zero rating of illuminating paraffin and other items which was introduced in April 2001. Studies subsequently showed that suppliers did not pass on the benefit of the VAT relief to the consumers as it was intended. So it doesn’t follow that zero rating will lead to lower prices.

“The tax revenue that is lost from zero rated food items mostly flows to higher income households because this category…purchase more of the products that are zero rated. In fact, many analysts have demonstrated that in absolute mandatory terms, middle and higher income households benefit more from the zero rating than lower income or poor households,” he said.

Currently, VAT constitutes 26%, on average, of gross tax revenue in South Africa. That revenue is redistributed to the poor through various government programmes including social grants.

Masondo says a reduction in this revenue would have an impact on those who benefit from state driven programmes.

“Products that are zero rated are well targeted. Further zero rating will lead to VAT revenue loss which could be directed to the already existing pro-poor government programmes. Targeted cash transfer to the poor is better and more redistributive as opposed to VAT which benefits mostly high income households.

“In 2019/2020 fiscal year, R31 billion VAT revenue was forgone due to zero rated items. So we think that further zero rating will lead to the decline of revenue which could be used to support the poor,” Masondo said.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that although zero rating some items is well intended and necessary, “a social transfer system of assisting the poor through targeted expenditure interventions is much more desirable and better”.

“Recognising that zero rating is not the best instrument, government has instead implemented a number of policies to directly benefit lower income households through the expenditure side. Education and health budgets are progressive and extensive grant system of old age grants, the child support grant and the disability grant provide cash to households who are most in need.

“The Social Relief of Distress grant…is another new mechanism that government has used to provide this relief. This is a better approach than zero rating where so much of the benefit goes to higher earners and where companies may not even pass on the benefit to the consumers,” he said.

Masondo doubled down on his position – thrashing out other targeted interventions to assist cash strapped South Africans.

These include:

The implementation of the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy last year which benefitted consumers to the tune of some R10.5 billion
Added to that, the general fuel levy has not increased in the past two budgets
The introduction of the Road Accident Fund levy for food manufacturers – which allows these manufacturers to apply for tax reduction which could reduce costs of food manufacturing
Implementing reforms in the economy to bring prices of energy and rail and ports ccsts down which could increase growth and ultimately lead to the creation of more jobs

“This shows that government has been active in finding solutions to try and combat high prices without resorting to further zero rating,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 11/16/2023 - 14:59

92 views

16 November 2023

Mchunu affirms traditional leadership role in Mzimvubu Water Project

Location: News

Mchunu affirms traditional leadership role in Mzimvubu Water Project

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has assured the traditional leadership in the Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities that they will be fully involved in the implementation of the multibillion Mzimvubu Water Project.

Following years of delay due to a deadlock about funding, the project has since been reconfigured to make it more affordable, with the cost been reduced from R18 billion to R8 billion.

During a recent meeting with district municipalities’ mayors and traditional leaders, Mchunu reported that the Ntabelanga Dam project, which is one of the Mzimvubu Water Project components, has since commenced its implementation in the Ntabelanga mountains, along the Tsitsa River, Tsolo, in the cross boundary of Elundini and Mhlontlo Local Municipalities in the Joe Gqabi District.

Stage one of the dam component, which includes the construction of access roads to the dam wall site, is currently sitting at over 90%, while pegging of the dam wall site, identification and pegging of land and households that will be affected by the dam impoundment, is underway.

“Other components of the Ntabelanga project include construction of a water treatment plant, primary and secondary reservoirs, and bulk pipelines for treatment, transfer and storage of potable water to enable the water services authorities to reticulate to communities earmarked to benefit from the project.

“Meanwhile, the overall Mzimvubu water project will look at the existing water supply schemes within the Mzimvubu Catchment Area, in order to optimise and harness them to benefit the communities in the three districts,” Mchunu said.

The Minister said the resuscitation of the multibillion Mzimvubu project confirms that people in rural areas also have constitutional human rights, which include the right to have access to clean, potable water for their basic needs, like the rest of the citizens who reside in urban areas.

“Through this project, we as the national, together with the provincial government and the responsible districts as water services authorities as well as relevant municipalities, should make sure that there are no more hindrances to the progress of this project to its completion. Like many other projects that have been unlocked, what is happening on this site is a beginning of a new era and makes us happy,” Mchunu said.

To ensure transparency and prevent unnecessary disruptions and delays to the project implementation, Mchunu said all relevant stakeholder representatives are going to form part of the Political Steering Committee.

The Minister and Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, will establish and co-chair the committee. The members of the steering committee will include both Water and Sanitation Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, two representatives from the provincial executive cabinet, three mayors of the affected districts and two local municipalities, representatives from the Kingdom, and affected traditional councils.

The Minister said the Technical Task Team, led by the department’s Acting Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure Management, Leonardo Manus, will be formed and include the Public Liaison Committee (PLC) members and community representatives.

“The task team will deal with the technical implementation of the project including issues of relocation and compensation of households that will be affected by the dam impoundment. The task team will be expected to provide an update on the progress of the project and will report to the Steering Committee on regular basis,” the Minister explained.

Mchunu noted that with the structures setting up, the department is going to correct all the errors made previously, and will ensure that all the issues raised in the meeting receive necessary audience to ensure the continuation of the project implementation without unnecessary disruptions.

“Ultimately, the communities in the districts will receive the much needed clean, drinking water through proper infrastructure,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 11/16/2023 - 10:52

109 views

16 November 2023

South Africa and UAE are Sustainability Leaders

Location: News

South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are doing the most to combat climate change in the Middle East and Africa, according to a new report that compares government and business sustainability policies, investment and actions.

Download document: (https://apo-opa.co/49FTzKm)

The Middle East and Africa Environmental Sustainability Scorecard (https://apo-opa.co/49Bcfeq), released Thursday, is ta detailed examination of country performance in environmental sustainability outcomes, government policies, and corporate practices in the two regions.

The report concludes that the 17 countries covered “are relative ‘late comers' to global sustainable development but at the same time represent regions that are rapidly stepping-up their sustainability strategies, programs and investments.”

The report was commissioned by Agility (www.Agility.com), a global supply chain services company based in Kuwait. It was compiled by Horizon Group (www.Horizon-Group.ch), a Geneva-based firm that specializes in research and analysis for governments, international organizations, and leading businesses worldwide.

South Africa is among the leaders in four of six pillar categories. It is 2nd in Sustainable Energy & Transport; 5th in Energy Transition; 2nd in Environmental Ecosystems; and 2nd in Circularity. Among African countries, South Africa is 3rd in Green Investment & Technology behind Morocco and Egypt.

Among the factors driving South Africa's performance: a national Biofuel Industrial Strategy; formal code of corporate governance; ESG reporting requirements and transparency and accountability standards for companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange; a World Bank energy transition partnership to decommission a coal-fired power plant and replace the power supply with renewable energy and batteries; and steps to protect habitat and cut pollution.

Egypt ranks 3rd overall in the scorecard. It is 5th in Green Investment & Technology; 7th in Sustainable Infrastructure & Transport; 5th in Governance & Reporting; 3rd in Environmental Ecosystems; and 1st in Circularity, which measures resource use and waste management.

A food security and African displacement launched by Egypt contributed to its ranking, along with its participation in a Qatar-led carbon credit program.

Other top performers in Africa: Morocco is 3rd in Green Investment & Technology and 3rd in Governance & Reporting; Rwanda and Kenya are 5th and 6th in Sustainable Infrastructure & Transport.

African countries dominate the energy transition, mainly on the strength of their green transport and energy conservation efforts. Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Morocco are Nos. 1 through 11 in Energy Transition.The scorecard uses 48 performance and progress indicators to compare countries. The indicators include data, regulatory frameworks, policy assessments, incentives and corporate practices across six pillar areas: green investment and technology; sustainable infrastructure and transport; governance and reporting; energy transition; environmental ecosystems; and circularity. To capture corporate practices and progress, Horizon surveyed 647 business executives in the 17 countries.

Overall, 1 through 17, here's how the countries rank: South Africa, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Morocco, Qatar, Tanzania, Nigeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Cote d'Ivoire, Oman, Mozambique.

Key Findings

• Business isn't paying attention to COP. Eighty-two percent of African businesses and 49% of Middle East businesses are not aware of the UN-led COP process that nations are using to push and measure efforts to tackle climate change. Few companies use COP to set their sustainability targets.

• Climate change is hurting businesses. Ninety-seven percent of companies say their business has been affected by climate change, and 49% say climate change has caused “severe damage” or has a “significant and growing” impact on them.

• Governments are leading as businesses play catch up. When it comes to climate action, governments are outpacing the private sector in both the Middle East and Africa.

• No one size fits all. Different countries have different sustainability priorities based on income, economic strengths, energy dependency, and other factors. High-income, energy-producing Gulf countries generally invest more in sustainable infrastructure and ecosystems. African economies perform best in energy conservation and consumption.

• Green investment is expensive. High- and middle-income countries are investing the most: Qatar, UAE, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

• Africa is focused on green transport. African countries topped the scorecard in the move to non-fossil fuels for transport. Hydrocarbon producing Gulf countries are focused more on green buildings. For Gulf countries, the transition to cleaner energy is complicated by energy-intensive national priorities: the desire to boost manufacturing and the need for desalinated water.

• Waste management, consumption are tied to wealth. High-income countries are doing more to manage waste sustainably. Poorer ones do more to constrain consumption. Overall Egypt, South Africa, Bahrain and UAE perform best in “circularity” – cutting waste, encouraging recycling and sustainable production, and lowering consumption.

Agility was recently named the No. 3 Middle East “Sustainability Leader” for Transport & Logistics by Forbes Middle East. Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan said the company's strategy and investment decisions are increasingly shaped by the urgency of the climate fight.

“As a supply chain operator and investor in the Middle East and Africa, we want to know what governments and businesses are prioritizing, and where they're putting resources in the climate change battle,” Sultan said. “We want to know who we can partner with in green infrastructure and transport, alternative fuels, and supply chain services that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance.”

Horizon, which compiled the scorecard report for Agility, said its intent was to look “beyond the selective characteristics of the Middle East being fossil fuel-dependent with high greenhouse gas emissions per capita, and African countries being low emitters of greenhouse gases but taking relatively little action on the environment.”

The scorecard report comes on the eve of COP28, the UN-led global climate change conference convening from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. Its findings amplify those in a World Economic Forum (WEF) report (https://apo-opa.co/3MKvh8d), issued in October, on decarbonization and energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa.

The WEF report concluded that “MENA countries trail behind comparable regions in terms of their sustainability progress. While local governments have pledged in the past 24 months to bring 60% of MENA's emissions under the net zero ambition, businesses overall have yet to follow suit and bridge the gap with comparable global markets –12% have set up a net zero target and 6% have established a roadmap to reach net zero.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Agility.

Media contact:
Sabrina Mundy
Man Bites Dog
teamagility@manbitesdog.com
+44 1273 716 820

For more information about Agility, visit:
Website: www.Agility.com
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/40Ki6Kj
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/49GTqqq
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3MNqYJr

About Agility:
Agility (www.Agility.com) is a global leader in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation with 45,000+ employees across six continents. A multi-business operator and investor, Agility specializes in growing and scaling operating businesses. Agility's companies include the world's largest aviation services company (Menzies Aviation); a global fuel logistics business (Tristar); a leading logistics parks developer and operator across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (Agility Logistics Parks); and a commercial real-estate company developing a mega-mall in the UAE (UPAC). Other Agility companies offer customs digitization services, remote-site infrastructure services, defense and government services, and ecommerce-enablement and digital logistics. Agility invests in supply chain innovation, sustainability, and resilience, and has minority holdings in a growing portfolio of listed and non-listed companies.

Media files

Download logo

16 November 2023

Call for a national early childhood feeding scheme

Location: News

There is no government nutrition programme for children before they enter formal schooling

16 November 2023

Balwins Green Edge: Sustainable Homes and Trade-In Program

Location: MyPR

Balwin Properties, a prominent JSE-listed residential property developer in South Africa, has made significant strides in offering a range of sustainable and modern living solutions. Here’s an overview of their recent developments, innovative trade-in program, and sustainability initiatives: Current Developments Balwin Properties offers a range of apartments for sale across various locations in South Africa, …

15 November 2023

Eskom lays out on transmission expansion

Location: News

Eskom lays out on transmission expansion

Eskom Managing Director of Transmission, Segomoco Scheppers, says the power utility is working hard to expand transmission lines and unlock future generation capacity for the power grid “as fast as possible”.

He was addressing the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) Implementation Forum held at the Eskom Academy of Learning on Wednesday.

Previously, the power utility said it needed to augment the transmission network by approximately 14 200km by 2032 to ensure energy security in the country.

“[There] are currently 46 expansion projects in execution, of which 26 will deliver 1 632km of transmission lines, 11 290MVA and enable over 15 000MW of generation capacity. Of these 26 projects, 50% will deliver 890km of transmission lines, 3 290MVA of transformer capacity and enable the safe and reliable operation of over 10 000MW of new generation.

“This includes specifically Medupi and Kusile [power stations] as well as the Garob 267MW project connecting at Kronos substation in the Northern Cape. The other 50%... are in different phases of procurement and will deliver 435km and 8 000MVA, enabling 4 975MW of new generation capacity, mainly in the Northern and Western Cape,” he said.

Scheppers assured the forum that Eskom is “very focused on ensuring that we expand the grid as fast as possible, while safely managing the power system”.

Into the future

Looking into the future of Eskom transmission, Scheppers said Eskom has approved “the execution of R26 billion in capital investment” for transmission, with two priority programmes already in the pipeline to “accelerate the delivery of the transmission infrastructure”.

“These programmes entail, firstly, the development of 25 projects in existing substations… which will unlock 13 000MW of new generation in the next five years; secondly, 22 expedited transmission projects that will unlock 24 000MW of grid connection capacity by 2033.

“We are developing these 47 projects, which have the potential to unlock 37 000MW of grid connection capacity between 2025 and 2033. These projects are at different stages of implementation in terms of design, procurement and construction,” he said.

Scheppers called on all stakeholders to support the power utility in its plans.

“I cannot overemphasise the fact that the successful roll out of our plans will require continued support from all key stakeholders, including relevant authorities unlocking bottlenecks, as well as the market in terms of construction, contractors, suppliers and consultants.

“We are very grateful for the various NECOM [National Energy Crisis Committee] initiatives, which are proving very effective in addressing some of our historical challenges,” he said.

National Transmission Company SA

Scheppers gave the forum an update on the legal separation of Eskom into the Generation, Distribution and Transmission entities.

According to Scheppers, the separation of transmission entity – dubbed the National Transmission Company South Africa SOC Ltd (NTCSA) – is fully underway.

“We are in the process of getting final approval from the Minister of Public Enterprises for the independent board of directors for this new company. A binding merger agreement has already been signed with suspensive conditions to be fulfilled… in order to transfer the current transmission business into the new subsidiary.

“Following the fulfilment of the suspensive conditions, NTCSA will then be operationalised and employees transferred to the new company on the same conditions of service and without disrupting their years of service. We are busy with the lender engagements that are required for us to obtain consent, and these are already at an advanced stage,” he said.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has already approved licences for operating the transmission system, trading in electricity, and for import and export.

“The final licences and associated conditions are being finalised and in fact, we expect that we’ll be in possession of these licences before the end of this month,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 11/15/2023 - 11:41

535 views