Six Weeks and UIF Online System Still Down
COSATU has called on the labour minister to intervene
new
Government working with communities to find suitable land for housing
Government working with communities to find suitable land for housing
The Department of Human Settlements intends to partner with traditional leaders to identify disaster-resilient areas suitable for human settlements development, using geo-mapping.
Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi made the announcement at meeting held with Members of Executive Councils (MINMEC) responsible for Human Settlements across the country on Thursday.
Kubayi said the collaborative initiative with traditional leaders aims to enable traditional leaders to identify safe land parcels for settlement purposes and avoid disaster-prone areas in vulnerable provinces.
She said the department intends to pilot this approach in rural KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces, paving the way for proactive disaster mitigation and sustainable human settlements.
“By leveraging geo-mapping technology, the department aims to inform decision makers to make better land allocation decisions, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities. We cannot be chasing after or reacting to disasters.
“We must be proactive and put measures in place to mitigate future disasters. Climate change is upon us, and we should be better prepared and be able to respond accordingly,” Kubayi said.
The Minister convened the meeting with the MECs, focusing on the 2024/2025 human settlements priorities.
This was the second meeting in the seventh administration included the Mayors and Members of Mayoral Committees (MMCs) for Human Settlements in metropolitan municipalities and representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to tackle key critical areas.
These include prioritising vulnerable groups in housing allocation, the Title Deeds Restoration Programme, housing for military veterans, emergency housing, and an update on the Human Settlements White Paper.
The meeting discussed the finalisation of the White Paper and MINMEC was informed that extensive consultations have been undertaken to ensure that all sectors of the community took part in shaping the new policy.
Approved by Cabinet in 2023 for public consultation, the draft White Paper seeks to address the prevailing gaps and inconsistencies in the housing and human settlements sector by responding comprehensively to contemporary sector reforms.
The meeting heard that sectors including NGOs, civil society, labour, academics, developers and contractors, and identified government departments were consulted.
The draft White Paper will be presented to Cabinet for approval, and once approved, a nationwide awareness campaign will be launched to educate the public on the policy's key points through various media channels.
The Minister also underscored the importance of building integrated communities including rural areas, saying human settlements should be where people are, feel safe and have access to economic opportunities and social amenities.
“Accordingly, the government has availed resources to build social amenities in rural areas including community halls and other facilities to encourage development within the communities,” the Minister explained.
Assisting those affected by disasters
On emergency response to people affected by disasters, MINMEC welcomed a briefing on the Emergency Housing Framework developed to ensure immediate response to people affected by disasters.
MINMEC stressed the need to clarify roles and responsibilities since the national department has assumed responsibility.
The meeting adopted a proposal outlining disaster response protocols, dividing responsibilities between the National Department of Human Settlements, provinces, and metros based on disaster severity.
“Significant and severe disasters, affecting 51 to 100 or more households, will be jointly responded to by the National Department and provinces/metropolitan areas, while minimal and minor disasters, impacting 1 to 50 households, will be addressed by provinces working with metros,” Kubayi said.
In response to disasters, the Emergency Housing Guidelines provide four key interventions, and these include restoration, rebuilding, relocation, and repairs.
MINMEC emphasised the need to address historic disasters that occurred from 2019 to April 2024, which have affected numerous households, with estimated damages totalling R1 billion. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 10/04/2024 - 10:58
177 views
Minister Responds to Attack on the Lottery
And NLC Board Chairperson Barney Pityana explains why the Lottery returned R300-million to Treasury
The Fate of the GNU Will Depend on What It Does to Fix Collapsing Municipalities
The Government of National Unity offers an opportunity to take practical steps
Inmates ready for upcoming National Senior Certificate exams
Inmates ready for upcoming National Senior Certificate exams
Matriculants from Correctional Services schools are fully prepared for the upcoming National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, set to run from 21 October to 27 November 2024.
A total of 173 inmates will sit for these exams, marking an important step in their pursuit of a Senior Certificate.
In a statement, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) said it was pleased with the level of preparedness, as inmates have completed the academic syllabus on time and have undergone various assessments throughout the year.
Educators from the department's 18 schools remain optimistic, having made significant efforts to ensure that all candidates are thoroughly prepared.
Additionally, the department ensured that all required textbooks and stationery were delivered to schools timeously.
Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale has praised the educators for their dedication and hard work in preparing the inmates for this important milestone.
“Education not only empowers offenders with knowledge but also offers them a path to a new life. It remains our commitment to provide growth and development opportunities for every inmate, as we believe in the power of education to transform lives,” he said.
Formal education plays a crucial role in rehabilitating offenders while they are in correctional centres.
In collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, DCS has consistently produced strong academic results, often exceeding the national pass rate.
In 2023, DCS schools achieved an impressive 93% overall pass rate, with nine schools attaining a 100% pass rate.
READ | Correctional Services class of 2023 achieves 93.2% pass rate
The department attributed the results to the conducive learning environment it fosters within correctional centres, as well as its commitment to providing offenders with education and skills that will help them reintegrate into society after their release.
The department has also embraced technological advancements in education. In 2024, the Intelsat Telematics System was introduced at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, offering both inmates and educators access to valuable study materials.
The department is proud to maintain an incident-free record for NSC examinations, reflecting the professionalism and dedication of the officials, as well as the strict adherence to exam protocols set by the Department of Basic Education.
“We encourage all matriculants in our schools to seize this opportunity as part of their personal development journey,” Thobakgale concluded.
READ | Countdown to final exams for Class of 2024
– SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 10/03/2024 - 09:56
131 views
Citrusdal Farmers Devastated by Two Years of Floods
But they are determined to start over and revive their vegetable gardens yet again
Housing Activists Welcome City’s Intention to Develop Mowbray Golf Course
For years Reclaim the City and Ndifuna Ukwazi have been calling for leased golf courses to rather be used for social housing
Galebekwe Tlhapi appointed new North West MEC of Arts and Culture
Galebekwe Tlhapi appointed new North West MEC of Arts and Culture
North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has announced the appointment of Galebekwe Virginia Tlhapi as the new MEC of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation.
The appointment follows the resignation of Collen Maine.
The Premier cited Section 132 (2) of the Constitution, which allows the Premier to effect changes in the composition of the Provincial Executive Council (PEC).
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank Honourable Maine for his contribution during his tenure as MEC.”
The Premier has since congratulated the new MEC, who officially assumed her responsibility with effect from Tuesday, 1 October 2024.
Tlhapi, who served as an Economic Development MEC in the previous administration, was sworn in by the Provincial Acting Judge President Hanry Peterson at Mahikeng High Court on Tuesday.
According to reports, Tlhapi’s appointment is aimed at closing the gender parity deficit in the province.
Maine was voted out as MEC in September this year to make way for a female member in the Executive Council of the North West.
“This after the ANC [African National Congress] National Executive Committee instructed its North West and Mpumalanga structures to appoint more women as MECs because the provinces were led by male Premiers,” the City Press reported.
Maine has since been redeployed to the position of Deputy Speaker in the provincial legislature. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 10/02/2024 - 13:11
256 views
Smart solutions secures PRASA infrastructure
Smart solutions secures PRASA infrastructure
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has employed a number of smart solutions to secure their infrastructure with a goal of returning to their pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 600 million annual passengers.
Addressing the Smart Mobility Africa Summit in Johannesburg, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said in order to make sure that no further theft or vandalism occurs on their lines, PRASA has employed a variety of digital solutions to protect its infrastructure as well as its passengers.
“PRASA and Huawei have partnered to employ an intelligent e-guarding perimeter system which uses artificial intelligence to alert a central control centre when there are security breaches or incidents occurring within the system.
“This includes a seismic activity tracker which monitors any digging that occurs within the perimeter of rail depots. This means that any attempts at cable theft or similar infrastructure damage is dealt with proactively rather than reactively,” the Minister said.
Thirty-one of PRASA’s 40 priority lines have re-entered into service after a period of theft and vandalism, with re-signalling of these lines an ongoing project.
“The re-signalling of these lines is a critical undertaking as it ensures the location, the availability and reliability of train services,” Creecy said.
“The use of new technologies in our economy cannot only be limited to mass infrastructure projects and macroeconomic policy. Smart systems need to be used in terms of service delivery to improve the lives of our citizens.
“This can be done in a variety of ways, whether in terms of e-permitting and licensing for transport operators, fully digitising driver’s license testing and vehicle registration, automating and digitising truck weighbridges, and using real-time monitoring of our roads network to avoid congestion and road accidents.
“New technologies can also be used to enhance the security of our communities through CCTV surveillance of our public areas and the use of drone technology to effectively monitor our borders, ensuring the safety of travellers and stopping cross-border illicit trade,” said Creecy.
Smart technology can also be used for integrated transport and logistics planning.
“Transnet has embraced smart systems through a number of measures and aims to harness this technology to further streamline logistics processes.
“Last year, the entity relaunched its integrated Port Management System (IPMS) as part of its digital transformation strategy. The IPMS is a digital vessel management system which allows real-time access to operational information in order to help manage and track freight within the Transnet system. IPMS users are able to make online service requests and see booking slots, in order to avoid over-booking,” the Minister said.
She emphasised the importance of taking advantage of the new technologies and processes available in order to maximise opportunities for economic growth and adequately meet government’s priorities. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 10/02/2024 - 14:33
406 views
SMEs critical to economic growth
SMEs critical to economic growth
The role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in driving economic diversity and fostering innovation to boost competitiveness is critical.
This is according to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Andrew Whitfield, who was speaking during a panel discussion at the London Stock Exchange on the role of small businesses in the economy.
Whitfield is currently in the United Kingdom, accompanying Deputy President Paul Mashatile on a mission to promote South Africa as a leading investment destination.
This high-level delegation aims to strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom, showcasing South Africa's vast investment potential while identifying new trade opportunities for local businesses.
In his address, Whitfield highlighted the broad range of support mechanisms available to South African SMEs through the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic).
"At the dtic, we have developed several industrial levers, including competition policy and export marketing assistance, to ensure that SMEs have the tools to expand and trade globally.
“We are also deeply engaged in conversations around digital transformation, enabling marginalised SMEs, particularly in sectors like agro-processing to access global value chains and participate on digital platforms,” he said.
Whitfield emphasised that supporting SMEs through digital platforms was crucial for ensuring that they can compete not only regionally but also globally.
He stressed the importance of reducing market access barriers for sectors like agriculture, which remains a vital area of growth for SMEs and enhancing collaboration between the private and public sectors to create a conducive trading environment.
He addressed the broader role of SMEs in South Africa’s industrial policy, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that enable them to participate in high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, technology and agro-processing.
"The export potential for South African SMEs is enormous, and we are committed to scaling them up to ensure they are integrated into both regional and global value chains. Through our policies, we aim to create an ecosystem that supports rapid and inclusive growth.
“This is essential for job creation and for ensuring that SMEs can contribute meaningfully to the industrialisation of our economy," he added.
Furthermore, Whitfield touched on the need for removing red tape and bureaucratic barriers that hinder SME growth, stressing the importance of regulatory reform as part of South Africa’s economic recovery strategy.
As the delegation continues its engagements in the UK, Whitfield emphasised that partnerships between government and private sector entities, particularly in sectors like agriculture and technology, would be pivotal in unlocking future opportunities.
"We have had promising discussions around agricultural products and solutions for SME growth, and we’re committed to ensuring that companies investing in South Africa make deliberate efforts to partner with small and medium-sized enterprises.
“We believe that such partnerships, coupled with digital transformation, will play a major role in positioning SMEs to thrive in global markets," he said.
Whitfield reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that will attract investments and spur growth across various sectors of the economy. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/02/2024 - 14:45
297 views
Hollywoodbets Pro Series Contracted Squads Announced
JOHANNESBURG: As the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s Professional Domestic League enters its second professional season, it proudly steps forward under...
UK investors encouraged to establish their business operations in SA
UK investors encouraged to establish their business operations in SA
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has encouraged United Kingdom businesspeople to establish their presence in South Africa to penetrate the rest of the African market.
“South Africa is often referred to as a gateway to the African market and offers several economic opportunities.
“I officially encourage UK businesses to visit our lovely country for business objectives as well as tourists to appreciate the beauty of our country,” the Deputy President told the JP Morgan-hosted event attendees in London.
The country’s second-in-command is in the United Kingdom for the second leg of his working visit to improve trade and investment relations between the two nations and woo investors.
The Deputy President said he was confident that the visit would forge new partnerships and unlock new opportunities for collaboration between the United Kingdom and South Africa.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous future for our nations and contribute to the economic prosperity of our regions.”
He stressed the importance of collaboration which, he believes, is the key to unlocking new opportunities, mitigating risks, and delivering better outcomes for all stakeholders involved in the financial sector.
“As we look around us, we see how interconnected and interdependent the global financial ecosystem has become.
“No longer can any single entity, whether it be a bank, a fintech company, a regulatory body, or a government, hope to address the complex challenges we face on its own,” he added.
He told the attendees that the South African government believes in the power of collaboration.
“By working together with our industry partners, regulators, and stakeholders, we have been able to drive positive change, innovate our products and services, and create value for our customers.”
However, he acknowledged that the State has a significant amount of work ahead.
The Deputy President urged all stakeholders to commit to a more collaborative approach in tackling the pressing issues facing the financial sector such as enhancing cybersecurity measures, promoting financial inclusion, or developing sustainable investment strategies. “We must be willing to share knowledge, resources, and expertise to achieve our common goals.”
He reminded the attendees that collaboration is not just about working together but about leveraging collective strengths, embracing diversity of thought and building trust, and transparency.
“By fostering a culture of collaboration, we can drive positive impact, foster innovation, and create a more resilient and inclusive financial sector for all.”
The Deputy President stressed that the global economy is rapidly evolving and that adapting and innovating are crucial to seizing these opportunities more than ever before.
He took the opportunity to tell potential investors that South Africa was committed to creating an enabling business environment that attracts investment, spurs economic development, and creates much-needed job opportunities.
“We understand the significance of collaboration with countries like UK, which share our values and aspirations for a better future.”
As a country, he said government was pushing ahead with enhancing exports of valuable goods and services to the United Kingdom.
“It is admirable that the two countries already trade in food and beverages. However, I must admit that the global pandemic has hindered our trade partnership, leading to only modest progress.
“We must identify measures to expedite international trade and investment. I firmly believe that we have the potential to significantly boost the volume and value of various products, including those produced.”
Meanwhile, he pointed out that there were “real signs” of early-stage entrepreneurial growth in the country and that there was already a lot of awareness of the potential partnerships and benefits to both countries.
“Already, there are large numbers of foreign companies setting up service operations in South Africa. We're hoping to see more UK companies in our country,” he added.
He encouraged foreign companies to invest in South Africa and benefit from the free movement of goods, services, and people from South Africa to other parts of Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 10/02/2024 - 15:25
0 views
Reeza Hendricks Tops the Billing at Betway SA20 Season 3 Auction
New intake of exciting Rookie players drafted 1 October 2024: Betway SA20 has been raised to the next level for...
After 22 Years, Almost Half of Labour Tenant Land Claims Are Unresolved
Law guarantees land ownership to labour tenants who were given access to land in exchange for labour during apartheid
One Teacher, No Toilets
Learners at Gcina Senior Primary in KwaGcina, Cofimvaba relieve themselves on an open field during the school day
Access to Information: Public Institutions Are Flouting the Law
Only 20% of municipalities met their obligations to report to the Information Regulator
Official Inaugural Board Meeting of the SADC Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre
In a joint effort with the SADC Secretariat, AU-IBAR is strengthening Regional Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Systems for the Conservation and Protection of Aquatic Biodiversity and Environmental Management in the SADC region. Through the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity Project, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, support was provided for the first meeting of the SADC MCSCC Board of Directors in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting, including a preparatory session, was held from 23-27 September 2024.
Established in April 2023, the Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (RMCSCC) is quickly becoming renowned for its vital role in promoting regional collaboration and advancement in the battle against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fisheries (IUU). While meeting, the Board's focus was on incorporating an annual work plan to guide the center's activities. Improving efficiency, encouraging innovation, and synchronising activities across diverse locations are the goals of this consolidation.
The meeting also addressed various subjects, including the introduction of new members, the ratification of the inaugural meeting's record, the report from the MCSCC Secretariat/IPMU, and discussions on reporting requirements. Governance issues, such as the draft governance manual, remuneration, and the draft TORs for the BoD, were also covered. Additionally, the draft Annual Work Plan and Budget, position descriptions, salary structure, and organisational structure were discussed, including commitments from the Chairperson of the MCSCC and partners to provide future support.
The consolidated work plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors, has a strong emphasis on the use of innovative technologies to address Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) challenges in the region. Some of the key highlights of the workplan included an emphasis on the importance of improved collaboration frameworks among member states in order to share best practices and achieve collective development and impact. In addition, through customised seminars, training programs, and knowledge exchange platforms, capacity development continues to be a top priority. The strategy encompasses robust resource mobilisation initiatives, such as partnerships with private sector entities, international organisations, and local administrations. Furthermore, the workplan points to the RMCSCC employing a comprehensive communications strategy to increase awareness of its mission and activities throughout the region. This strategy includes partnerships with local media, regional and international outreach programs, and social media to guarantee widespread recognition and support.
The development of a unified and strategic work plan that aligns member states towards common objectives and best practices is one of the key outcomes of the Board's meeting. Additionally, the meeting served as a forum for stakeholders and directors to offer feedback and enhance operational policy documents. It facilitated the exchange of information among stakeholders to improve the mobilisation of resources for the MCSCC, thereby bolstering its leadership in regional cooperation and development in the fight against IUU fishing. Overall, partnerships were established to facilitate synergies in Monitoring Control and Surveillance initiatives throughout the SADC region.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
Weather Service warns of severe weather conditions
Weather Service warns of severe weather conditions
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has encouraged the public to remain vigilant as the upcoming months of October and November could be affected by heatwaves, severe storms and the possibility of damaging winds.
Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday in Pretoria, SAWS Senior Manager: Disaster Risk Management, Rudzani Malala, said the highveld region, which encompasses the northern Free State, Gauteng and the eastern highveld of Mpumalanga, is well known to be associated with severe storms and the possibility of damaging winds.
“Moreover, given the expectation of a relatively hot summer over much of the country, communities should also be mindful of the likelihood of sustained spells of hot, dry weather, as well as the possibility of heatwaves. During such events, the aged, infirm, as well as infants and toddlers are particularly susceptible to dehydration.
“The SAWS therefore strongly recommends that everyone take care to stay hydrated and to support and assist the elderly and small children at such times. It is an unfortunate but well-documented reality that heatwaves often lead to numerous fatalities, if no mitigative steps are taken,” Malala said.
He explained that South Africa experiences varying weather conditions in different seasons, due to its unique geographical location and set up.
“The two distinct oceans surrounding the country, i.e. the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, play a significant role that influences the typical weather conditions that we experience from season to season.
“The uniqueness of South Africa is such that at one end of the country, the public may experience extreme cold temperatures, whilst at the other end, communities may experience hot temperatures,” Malala said.
During the recent onset of this year’s 2024 spring, many South Africans experienced very hot conditions, with some parts experiencing heatwave conditions. However, the onset of a cold frontal system and a cut-off low system changed everything,” he said.
Snow events
Malala said the extremely cold conditions and snow event of 19 - 22 September 2024, that wreaked havoc on roads between the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape were accurately predicted by the Weather Service.
SAWS also issued a preemptive media release on the event of the past weekend, which warned of a drop in temperature and light snow conditions.
At the time, SAWS noted that the system was significantly different from the previous snow event, hence its impact was not as significant as the snow event of 19 – 22 September 2024.
“Snow in later winter and early spring is not unusual or rare at all. In fact, the more intense, extreme snow systems tend to affect southern Africa in very late winter, especially over the eastern provinces. We have even had snow in Johannesburg as late as October 2011.
“Snow is a phenomenon not restricted to winter months. On rare occasions (three times in the past century), snow has occurred on New Year’s Day in KwaZulu-Natal's Drakensburg [region],” Malala said.
In the study of Stander et al. 2016, snow events over South Africa during the period of 1981 to 2011 were investigated.
“In this study, 60 significant snow events were identified, with strong seasonality in the frequency of occurrence of these snow events. These events occurred from March (just more than 5%), through to October (less than 5%).
“The months of June and July had the highest frequency of significant snow events (25% and about 35% respectively), whilst August accounts for just less than 20% and September just less than 15% of significant snow events,” SAWS Lead Scientist, Dr Christien Engelbrecht, said.
From the historical view of the frequency of occurrence of significant snowfall events, Engelbrecht said it can be seen that snowfall in the month of September is not rare.
“[The] 19 - 21 September 2008 heavy snowfall necessitated roads to be closed in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Significant snow events have occurred in the month of October, although not frequently,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 10/01/2024 - 12:19
6429 views
The Men Behind the Attack on the Lottery
Three MPs and a former beneficiary spearhead criticism of the new board and management
Entry Applications Open for 15th Edition of Simola Hillclimb
Simola Hillclimb is South Africa’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event 15th edition of SA’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event takes place in Knysna from 1 to 4 May 2025 Competitor applications open on 1 October 2024 at simolahillclimb.com, closing date is 31 January 2025 The annual Simola Hillclimb, widely regarded as South Africa’s […]
Proteas Women Enjoy a Taste of Home and Take Over the Dunes of Dubai
DUBAI: The Proteas Women, currently in Dubai preparing for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, were treated to two unforgettable...
Be a Part of the T20 Thrills This Season
JOHANNESBURG: A bigger and better Division 1 CSA T20 Challenge gets underway on Friday, 27 September with tons in store...
New Plan for Cape Town Inner-City Housing
City centre should accommodate up to 50,000 people by 2040
Creecy Under Fire From Penguin Conservation Groups
And new environment minister George has also been criticised