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Masterpiece Music Pty Ltd artist Cycko EC is set to make a triumphant return to the music scene with his highly anticipated new release, “T R O O T S EP”! After a brief hiatus, Cycko aka Nyanakahili from Eastern Cape is ready to unleash his unique sound once again, blending his signature Mdantsane Kasi …
Members of Parliament criticise the agency for R316-million in overpayments
Nuclear build will follow the science - Ramokgopa
The South African government will pursue a new nuclear build that is led by scientific evidence.
This is according to the Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who addressed the Nuclear Seminar hosted by the Ministry on Thursday.
“We are going to be evidence led in terms of our policy choices. The beauty about evidence and science is that it removes emotion. It’s important that those who can bring the political dimension, bring it to the fore [and] marry it with the science and we find solutions.
“We have a duty to ensure that as many people as possible or those who have an interest must understand what the science [of nuclear] is so that we are able to dispel these myths [about nuclear], we are able to undermine and push back against those who have no clue about the conversation we are having today,” he said.
Ramokgopa insisted that the withdrawal of the ministerial determination for government’s planned procurement of at least 2 500MW was to protect the process from legal challenges.
“We made the point that we have nothing to hide. So if there are complexities or the process of the 2 500MW build programme is compromised…we have a duty to pull it back, to clean it so that you don’t conflate the science and the process.
“Then on the basis of the science we’ll be able to make a compelling story to the South African people. [We want to] clean the process, make it as democratic as possible. Those who have objections, raise those objections on the basis of the science because the process would have allowed you an opportunity to do exactly that,” he said.
The Minister noted that the global move towards the use of nuclear energy is a “return to realism”.
“We will converge on the science that this is the path that must be pursued for us to be able to achieve energy security to ensure that we are able to green the sources of energy generation.
“Nucelar is part of the energy mix…it’s part of the future. It’s indispensable to the resolution of an attainment of energy sovereignty in this country. We will answer the question of at what scale, what pace that will not undermine the issues of affordability and not compromise the fiscus. I am more than confident that nuclear has got a place, has a got a role,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 12:30
Expert panel to advise on new nuclear build
An expert panel is expected to be convened to advise Energy and Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on government’s planned procurement of some 2 500MW of nuclear energy to the grid.
The Minister revealed this during a media briefing on the sidelines of the Nuclear Seminar held in Gauteng on Thursday.
“We’re putting together an expert team that will advise me in relation to the pace and scale that we can afford. Once we answer that question then we will be able to articulate on the public consultation process, what the timelines are and then simultaneously we’ll begin to work out a procurement framework.
“It is the procurement framework that we will then take to Cabinet to seek an in principle approval of the framework. The actual execution of that procurement will be discharged through an avenue that we will announce,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that as it takes care of its people, government has a right to choose which sources of energy it taps into.
“As a country we reserve the right to determine what are those technologies and fuel sources that we are going to use. That is a sovereign right. We do accept that in the energy complex that are opposed to this or that technology.
“To the extent that we can justify and illustrate that it’s in the interest of the sovereign, we will pursue that,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that the department is open to having frank conversations about the sources of energy powering the country.
“The conversations are democratic, they are open. We are going to discuss all technologies, all fuel sources because all of them are needed to help us…on the energy side. But also to ensure that we achieve conditions of energy sovereignty and also we pursue other peaceful uses outside of powering the South African economy.
“Nothing is off the table as far as this Ministry is concerned. We are going to discuss everything and pursue these opportunities that we have identified in the interest of the country,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 15:19
SA must keep pace with international nuclear players
Eskom Group Chief Executive (GCE) Dan Marokane says South Africa should “move with pace” to keep up with the global move towards new nuclear build.
Marokane was addressing stakeholders at the Nuclear Seminar held by the Ministry of Energy and Electricity on Thursday.
“We are for nuclear. We understand that the energy mix is an important component of us achieving our strategic objectives as a country. This is not a discussion about either or. We’ve always argued that it is about the use of [energy] technologies to be complimentary.
“We are looking forward to participating in the process that will be led by the Minister [of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa] to show that we can get to a point of making decisions very quickly. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We have fallen behind and we have an opportunity to catch up and we need to move with pace,” he said.
READ | Nuclear build will follow the science - Ramokgopa
Marokane emphasised that it is very important that government has a clear stance on the use of nuclear energy in the country’s ambitions to lower carbon emissions.
“What I would like to appreciate is the very clear government perspective on the strategy of nuclear and where it sits on the energy mix and its importance for us marching towards net zero targets.
“We exist within the global community and clearly there’ve been movements within the world…the world around has reawakened to the reality that [nuclear] is essentially an important component of baseload power generation going forward and us reducing emissions going forward.
“We have heard about the ambitions for nuclear on the continent, Egypt being quite advanced in this area. It would be sad of us to be overtaken having had so many years of operation…both from a perspective of skills and technical contribution to the continent and opportunities,” he said.
The GCE highlighted that the economic spinoffs from using nuclear energy are “quite huge”.
“For us as a country that is emerging out of the history that it has, the social inequalities that it has, this is an element that is going to contribute meaningfully for us. Our presence in the Western Cape has contributed immensely to the economic activities in the value chain.
“We have experienced quite tremendous positive spin offs from a green stability point of view with the Koeberg [Nuclear Power Station] units that are contributing…into the system. We have just…[installed] new steam generators so that we can have a life extension for the next 20 years.
“We will continue to look at the opportunities for exploiting this for even longer,” Marokane said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 14:33
Sector master plans critical to investment, boosting exports, creating jobs
By Edwin Tshivhidzo
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has consistently emphasised the need to accelerate the implementation of the sector master plans as one of the key priorities of the seventh administration.
Since his appointment two months ago, the Minister has reiterated the critical role of the master plans in increasing investment, boosting exports, creating jobs, promoting localisation and facilitating transformation.
One of the interventions initiated by partnerships in the Retail–Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Master Plan, where more than 20 000 jobs have been created as a result of its roll-out, is the redesigned Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Growth Programme (CTFLGP), which was launched in 2022.
Import substitution, creation of new jobs, transformation and competitiveness improvement are the main objectives of the programme.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme that is being implemented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) through the Industrial Development Corporation, is R and L Apparel. It is a woman-owned company based in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.
The company received financial support for the purchase of equipment and machinery, as well as for initial working capital, in order to grow their Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) manufacturing capacity.
Managing Director of R and L Apparel, Solis Benjie Dolores, said the support from government has enabled the company to increase its production, improve product quality, create jobs and extend its clientele, which now includes The Foschini Group, which they supply through Celtico, one of the CMT suppliers in the Newcastle clothing industry.
“The funding assisted us greatly in creating additional jobs. We had only 17 workers when we applied for the programme. As of August 2024, we were able to reach a staff complement of 103 employees, 98 of whom are women. As a matter of fact, we are looking forward to achieving the additional 150 jobs that we have committed to,” Dolores said.
“The CTFLGP is a great initiative. The programme opened new doors for our company's growth. Without the funding, we might have just stayed on 17 workers, because our machinery and working capital were very limited.
“Before we received the funding, we were running a hand-to-mouth operation that was kept going only by the dedication and endeavours of our team. Now the company is on a positive growth trajectory,” she said.
Dolores said the company is planning to acquire automated machinery to expand its production capacity based on the market demands, as local retailers are increasingly embracing Proudly South African products.
“We are happy to contribute in import substitution, growing the economy, and more importantly, creating jobs for the local people, both skilled and unskilled, assisting them to earn a decent living,” she said.
Managing Director of Argento, Joudalle Govender, also bears testimony to the positive impact of the CTFLGP on her company, which is based in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal.
The company manufactures apparel and corporate clothing for a major retailer and numerous corporate clients.
“We used the funding for operational expenses and to re-tool the factory with new machinery. The funding allowed us to create 45 new jobs. 100 people are currently employed in our company, 80 of whom are women.
"Our profit margins increased and we had a rapid growth in production due to the extra capacity,” Govender said.
She said the company is planning to expand its product lines, adopting sustainable practices, improving its manufacturing efficiency and exploring new markets.
“Our future plans include expanding our current building and creating 100 more jobs. We are also looking into exporting our local garments and creating more awareness on local manufacturing with South Africa,” Govender said.
She emphasises the importance of the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Masterplan in promoting sustainability and innovation within the industry, which she said is crucial in adapting to the changing market demands and consumer preferences.
“I love the fact that the plan focuses on several key objectives, such as job creation and increasing local production. Argento is a local champion because we produce our own local fabric in the rural area of Isithebe.
“My favourite part is that the plan enhances competitiveness in the global market, by fostering collaboration between government, labour, and industry stakeholders. That is important for our economy,” said Govender.
The stories of two companies that operate in the clothing and textile sector undoubtedly illustrate the critical importance of the master plans, and the positive impact of the collaboration between government, business and labour on the South African economy.
According to the Director of Clothing and Leather at the dtic, Dr Jaywant Irkhede, more than R1.87 billion had been approved for 154 businesses employing almost 24 000 people and R1.41 billion was disbursed by July this year. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 11:03
12 September 2024, Johannesburg: Telkom is excited to announce a new discount promotion on Telkom Fibre, offering significant savings on selected products for a period of three months. The promotion commenced on August 1, 2024, and will run through October 31, 2024. During this promotional period, new customers who sign up for a 12-month contract …
Amaphela taxis take on the Mondlo Taxi Association
Nuclear energy still a 'critical component' of SA energy mix
There is global affirmation that nuclear energy has a part to play in responding to the question of climate change.
This is according to Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity Samantha Graham-Maré who was speaking during the Nuclear Seminar hosted by the department in Tshwane on Thursday.
“There is global acceptance of nuclear energy as an integral part of the solution to mitigate the impact of climate change. We therefore need to work together to ensure that nuclear energy becomes an important part of the Just Energy Transition.
“It is clear that nuclear is a critical component of South Africa’s energy mix – offering a low carbon, reliable source of energy that can contribute significantly to the country’s energy security and climate goals, she said.
Graham-Maré said South Africa remains committed to fulfilling the objectives of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, while refining the IRP 2023.
“[The IRP] sets out a requirement of 2 500MW of nuclear power to ensure the stability of South Africa’s power grid. In turn, driving the reindustrialisation of our economy and the promise of economic growth that leads to job creation,” she said.
The Deputy Minister added that although new nuclear build is urgent for ensuring energy stability, the Ministry will not compromise on “public participation, adherence of statutory regulatory requirements and openness and transparency in decision making, procurement and the implementation of our new nuclear build”.
In that regard, the Ministerial determination for the procurement of the nuclear energy was withdrawn last month.
She said the negative perceptions around nuclear energy must be changed.
“Nuclear still carries somewhat of a stigma. Much of this is ignorance perpetuated by [a view of] government shrouded in secrecy manned by scientists in hazmat suits and the fear generated through the cold war era of the total destruction of the planet as a result of a nuclear war. It is up to all of us to change these perceptions.
“This summit is the first leg of that process. Given South Africa’s expertise and commitment to nuclear energy over the years, this summit is a key engagement with the nuclear industry in SA that we hope will become a regular feature of our agenda,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 10:37
SARS receives R4.1bn tax directives applied for in two pot system
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has received tax directives worth R4.1 billion in applications for the savings withdrawals in the two pot system.
SARS said it has received a total 161,607 tax directive applications. This includes the directives which have been cancelled.
A total of 159 853 relates to Savings Withdrawal Benefits, which is 98.9% of the total number of applications received from 1 -10 September 2024, which means SARS received an average of 17,964 tax directive applications a day.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said contributions made to a pension or retirement fund were not taxed at the time of payment to the fund but deferred to the time the person retires and then taxed at a reduced rate.
However, when an individual withdraws now, they will be taxed at their marginal tax rate.
“Applications for tax directives are submitted to SARS by the fund administrator via eFiling. The directive indicates to the fund how much tax should be withheld by the fund on behalf of SARS before payout.
“Taxpayers who owe SARS money must realise that this tax debt will be added to the tax on withdrawal from the savings benefit. But if there are payment arrangements in place to settle the debt with SARS, this debt will be deducted as per agreement between SARS and the Taxpayer. A tax debt that has been deferred will also not be deducted,” the Commissioner said on Wednesday.
He indicated that the turn-around time for SARS to complete directive applications, without any human intervention, is no more than 24 hours.
The channels used by taxpayers to get more information from SARS about the new system include the SARS Online Query System on the SARS website and the SARS WhatsApp channel – 0800 11 7277 where taxpayers can do simulated tax calculations on their two pot withdrawals.
“Applicants give three reasons why they want to make a withdrawal from the new system: a transfer due to divorce, a transfer to a retirement fund and a withdrawal by the taxpayer. As the situation is changing daily, SARS will provide periodic updates on the numbers of withdrawals,” SARS said.
READ | Pension fund members required to be registered for tax to withdraw savings
-SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 09:28
Minister Buthelezi pledges to revitalise public service amid eroded trust and challenges
At a juncture when public trust in government institutions is tattered and pessimism is perverse, Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, has the unenviable task of reversing the tide.
It is one that he does not consider insurmountable, mammoth as it is.
This much was apparent during an interview with Public Sector Manager (PSM) magazine at his Batho Pele House office in Pretoria.
September, celebrated as Public Service Month in South Africa, was a focal point of the discussion.
During the interview the Minister outlined his vision for the revitalisation of the Public Service, emphasising the need for the restoration of professionalism and ethical standards that have deteriorated in recent years.
With that said, he is adamant that the 30 days of September should not be used to admonish public servants, but rather to celebrate their efforts.
“We are not going to use Public Service Month to highlight the wrongs that are happening within departments, it is not about that... We must not create a perception ourselves that suggests that everything is rotten in the Public Service,” said the Minister.
He stated that the annual event will instead be dedicated to honour those who have taken a conscious decision to serve in the public sector even when more lucrative opportunities were in the offering in the private sector.
“They chose not to go that route... they chose a route that is serving their people. That is what we are going to do,” he said, adding that the period will also be used to ignite enthusiasm among public servants and revive commitment to service.
“Most of us when we take office, [whether] as a police [officer] or a nurse, there is an oath that you take which commits you to whatever work you are going to do. So, as we go, all those seem to fade into the background because of a number of challenges,” he reiterated.
He said that Public Service Month should serve as a reminder of the valuable contributions public servants make to the country and encourage them to persist in their efforts, even when faced with challenging circumstances.
Not shying away from endemic challenges that continue to plague the sector, the Minister said it was important to address these issues if meaningful progress was to be made.
Professionalising the Public Service
In February 2024, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) released Volume 1 of the Directive on Human Resources Management and Development for Public Service Professionalisation. The initiative is designed to enhance the efficacy, integrity and accountability of the Public Service.
This is in line with the government's efforts to combat corruption in the country, including within the Public Service.
For Minister Buthelezi, the conversation starts with a question that has weighed heavily on many South Africans: “How did the country’s public service, once lauded for its professionalism and integrity, lose its way?”
For him, the answer is rooted in a gradual yet troubling shift in the relationship between politicians and public servants.
“The Public Service was professional,” the Minister recalls, with a mixture of pride and concern. “But somewhere along the way, we, as politicians, started to politicise public servants. Now, there is this call for professionalisation, as if the Public Service was never professional. I dispute that notion.”
For him, the decline in standards is not a reflection of a systemic failure, but rather the result of external pressures that have distracted public servants.
“Public servants were professional, they were ethical and had a keen interest to serve. That is why most of us when we were growing up, we aspired to be public servants,” he asserted.
His responsibility and that of the DPSA, he added, is to try and depoliticise the Public Service.
“That means we are not introducing something new but we are removing something that I consider alien, we are asking public servants to go back to their core values,” he said.
Rebuilding public trust
The Minister believes that the effective utilisation of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the National School of Government (NSG) will go a long way in restoring the diminished trust in the Public Service.
While the PSC coordinates government’s efforts to eradicate corruption and maladministration in the State and develops and improves policy on ethics for the Public Service, the latter is tasked with ensuring that all public servants participate and complete education, training and development initiatives.
“The NSG comes to play a particular role when it comes to training public servants in a number of things, which includes ethics, among others. That is one initiative that the department has undertaken to make make sure that we professionalise the Public Service and bring back the public trust. If people are led by leaders who are unethical, who are not committed to the cause and leaders who neglect their duty and do not take serving people as a calling, that is a problem,” he said.
Lifestyle audits
Turning his attention to accomplishing an ethical public service, he is adamant that lifestyle audits are not the holy grail.
“All that I want to see happening is that, as we try to deal with corruption through lifestyle audits, people should be encouraged to do the right thing without there being someone following them. We must also try to develop a culture within the public service that repels such elements and only attract people who are interested in serving.”
Innovation
The Minister said in his first two months in the role, he has been impressed by the innovation demonstrated by public servants.
“Public servants are coming up with new ways of how government can do things better and become efficient.”
However, he stressed that innovation should not leave behind the majority of the population.
Wage bill
In recent years, the general public has raised concerns on the country’s perceived “ballooning” public service wage bill. The Minister is , however, not convinced that this perception is accurate.
“I do not believe that the wage bill is ‘ballooning’. We must be very honest in analysing the status quo. You have almost 1.3 million public servants serving a population of over 60 million. You go to the police, and they will tell you [that] they should have one police officer serving a certain number of people, but that is not happening,” explained the Minister.
The genesis of the problem, for him, is the country’s stunted economic growth of recent years. However, he acknowledged that there are challenges within the system that need to be addressed.
“That (slow economic growth) should not be equated to the problem of the wage bill, because it is not. If the economy was growing as much as it should have, and if our population increase was not increasing in a manner that is not aligned with our economic growth, we would not be where we are,” he explained.
He noted that the public sector is not bursting at the seams with excess staff, instead the limited human resources are mostly being overstretched.
Suspensions
Another challenge within the Public Service is the issue of long-standing unresolved suspensions. This problem is widespread, yet there are no specific statistics available on the exact number of cases.
These include the number of staff members spending excessive time on suspension as well as deadwood in some departments.
“We are told that some of them are not even in the country; some have been on suspension for over a thousand days; some have gone on to study and obtain degrees; some are owning businesses elsewhere. There is a serious problem in relation to that.”
He mentioned that the DPSA is working on a report to determine the exact number of suspended staff members in an effort to finalise the investigations.
The Minister stated that he aimed to leave a legacy of public servants returning to basics, where the principles of Batho Pele are not merely displayed on the walls of government departments but are actively practiced.
“You will know that there is Batho Pele because of your personal experience with every public servant. I would like to leave behind public servants that keep keeping on, no matter what.”
This article first appeared in Public Sector Manager (PSM) Magazine
Janine
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 09:23
As South Africa steps into Heritage Month and embraces the vibrant energy of spring, Yassir, a globally recognized on-demand grocery delivery service, is thrilled to celebrate these occasions bhese occasions by highlighting its commitment to convenience, affordability, and long operating hours”. To mark these celebrations, Yassir is offering an exclusive deal: new customers can enjoy …
Johannesburg, South Africa – Hyde Park Corner is excited to announce the opening of Fringe’s fifth solo exhibition in Johannesburg, titled Stress Narcotika, running from 12 September to 13 October 2024 at Scapegoat Gallery. Hyde Park Corner, renowned as a premier destination for art lovers, continues to build on its reputation as the go-to location …
Residents of Limpopo’s Barok Ba Nkwana and Atok villages demand government speak to the mine on their behalf
Westlake Shopping Centre Reopens with New Shops, More Convenience Cape Town, [11 September 2024] – Situated in the heart of Cape Town’s vibrant Westlake community, the newly revamped Westlake Shopping Centre is ready to welcome shoppers from the southern suburbs and beyond. Visitors will delight in several upgrades designed to bring more convenience to their …
NBA Africa (www.NBA.com) today announced the 10 startup companies from seven African countries that have been selected to pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at a Demo Day at the NBA headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Sept. 25 as part of “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator (http://apo-opa.co/47lTICe),” which the league launched in April 2024 to support Africa's technology ecosystem and the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
The panel will then determine the four winning companies that will be awarded financial support and mentorship, including an opportunity to participate in workshops and development programs facilitated by NBA Africa or its partners. Below are the 10 startups that will compete for the four prize-winning spots.
“We have been inspired by the level of talent and creativity from all of the applicants, and we congratulate the 10 deserving finalists who will showcase their innovative solutions at Demo Day later this month,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi. “NBA Africa is committed to supporting the continued growth of startups on the continent, including the four prize-winners whose innovative solutions will further elevate the sport and creative industries in Africa for years to come.”
Operated by ALX Ventures, “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” was open to early-stage startups in Africa that develop solutions in event management and ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing. The initiative will support Africa's tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital that will help drive growth in the sports and creative industries.
The four prize-winning startups will be announced at Demo Day.
Video (http://apo-opa.co/4d2bY4w): Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator Reveals 10 Finalists for Demo Day
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
Contact:
Pawel Weszka
NBA Africa Communications
pweszka@nba.com
+27 10 0072666
About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. NBA Africa conducts the league's business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The league's efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more.
NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that concluded its fourth season in June 2024. Fans can follow @ NBA_Africa and @ theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube
President Ramaphosa hosts dinner with leaders of GNU
President Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening host an engagement over dinner with all the political leaders of parties that are signatory to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the purpose of the dinner is to provide an opportunity for a review on the functioning of the GNU thus far and to discuss in detail the formulation of a dispute resolution mechanism.
Magwenya was addressing a media briefing on Wednesday as well as updating the public on President Ramaphosa’s programme, and addressing topical issues of interest.
The dinner is taking place as the President is set to sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, which aims to strengthen governance within South Africa's education sector.
In light of recent public statements relating to President Ramaphosa’s decision to sign into law the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, Magwenya said it was necessary to restate the President’s constitutional responsibilities in this regard.
Quoting Section 79(1) of the Constitution he said: “The President must either assent to and sign a Bill passed in terms of this Chapter or, if the President has reservations about the constitutionality of the Bill, refer it back to the National Assembly for reconsideration.”
“The President is not entirely surprised that there's a dispute. The President anticipates there will be many other disputes in the course of the term. However, he expects that there is maturity, that there is ongoing commitment to the country such that we find ways of resolving these disputes without having to threaten the stability and the sustainability of this GNU.
“So that is important to underscore and as I've mentioned. Tonight, there will be an engagement over dinner with all leaders of parties who are signatory to the GNU, and they'll all have an opportunity to express their concerns, but more constructively, to look at the way forward, to look at how these issues of disputes are resolved,” Magwenya said.
According to the Constitutional Court case in Doctors for Life International v Speaker, Magwenya highlighted that the President cannot refuse to sign the Bill for political reasons.
The only ground upon which the President can refuse to sign the Bill is constitutional reservations.
The Presidential spokesperson said President Ramaphosa remains satisfied with the work of the GNU and this evening is an opportunity for all party leaders to provide their own assessments and give feedback to the President.
Leaders will also be able to raise any issues of concern.
“The President is also enthused with the level of dedication and commitment that has been demonstrated by members of his national executive, as well as the level of collaboration that Ministers from different parties have applied in resolving challenges facing the government and the country,” he said.
Magwenya highlighted one example of such collaboration, which is the partnership between Minister John Steenhuisen and Minister Ronald Lamola in securing the new trade dispensation with China on South African beef.
He said the President believes this dispensation will transform the South African beef industry and will create more participation opportunities for small scale black farmers.
Threats made to the stability of GNU
Magwenya said it was disturbing that whenever there is a dispute, one will hear threats being made to the stability of the GNU.
“It is disturbing because such threats are not only directed to the president, they are directed to the stability of the country. There are threats directed to South Africans.
“The GNU must remain stable, must remain united, as it is called the GNU for the benefit of the country. It is not there for the benefit of any individual political leader. It has been formulated for the benefit of all South Africans,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:37
President Ramaphosa to attend BMW 'start of production' event
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend the start of production event for BMW’s new generation X3 plug in hybrid model vehicle.
This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
During the South Africa Investment Conference last year, the company announced that it will pour in some R4.2 billion in investment to equip its Rosslyn Plant in Tshwane, Gauteng to build the next generation vehicle.
“The President is pleased that this vehicle will be exclusively built here in South Africa at the BMW Plant here in Rosslyn for the rest of the world.
“The President noted with appreciation BMW’s long history in South Africa and its footprint that has grown significantly over time. BMW’s investment in its Plant in Rosslyn dates back five decades,” Magwenya said at a media briefing on Wednesday.
The event is set to be held on 11 October.
READ | BMW to invest R4.2 billion into its Tshwane plant
The spokesperson highlighted that some 95 000 direct and indirect jobs have been created by the company’s activities in the country.
READ | President sets R2 trillion investment target
“BMW’s investment supports the South African government’s industrial and economic policy objectives of ensuring job creation, increased industrial output and export income, transformation, and the future sustainability.
“BMW Group announced a R4.2 billion investment in its plant operations in Rosslyn during the President’s Investment Conference held on 13 April 2023 as a demonstration of that commitment to South Africa and its people. This investment is now complete, and the President will be pleased to see the BMW state-of-the-art plant during this Start of Production Event,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:10
Peace and safety are key to growing tourism sector
With the country commemorating Tourism Month in September, peace and safety have been highlighted as catalysts to grow the tourism sector, says Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Deputy Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe.
At an event to celebrate Tourism Month which is commemorated annually in September, Lobishe called on all stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring peace and safety.
Tourism Month promotes domestic travel, showcasing the country's diverse tourism offerings, and to highlight the sector's significant contribution to the South African economy.
This year’s Tourism Month is celebrated under the theme: "Tourism and Peace-30 years of connecting people and cultures”.
Lobishe said the metro’s focus area for this year is not only tourism safety but also diversification of tourism products to bring about memorable experiences for tourists.
"We have a past where there was no peace and safety was only for a few. Some people were not allowed to travel freely and be tourists in their own country.
“In recognising our past and embracing our future, we need to work collaboratively to create a conducive environment for the world to come to our city and celebrate with us,” Lobishe said.
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To deliver a memorable Tourism Month, Lobishe said the metro has mobilised critical stakeholders in the areas of business, and these include safety and security such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), private security, the tourism industry like the Eastern Cape Tourism Board, and relevant government entities and local based tourism practitioners.
Lobishe said the municipality prides itself as the best in delivering cultural experiences, “an element that sets the metro apart from its competitors.”
She highlighted another positive addition to the metro tourism offerings, the booming cruise industry. Last year, the metro received 36 cruise vessels with a 45 80 0 combined number of passengers, with an estimated economic impact of R77 million.
This year, the metro expects a slight increase of 40 cruise vessels.
“We also want to improve on the number of days these cruise vessels spend in our metro so that more jobs can be created. It then becomes important that we improve on our offerings,” Lobishe said.
Tourism ambassadors
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture Shuling Lindoor said that as part of the metro’s efforts to improve on tourism safety, the directorate has hired more tourism ambassadors to work with the security cluster.
"Our primary focus is safety. We have put resources to complement the Tourism Month Safety Plan that is already in place, led by SAPS and the metro police. For tourists to have a memorable experience, safety is paramount,” Lindoor said.
Events
Meanwhile, as part of this year’s Tourism Month celebrations, the metro will host a National Cruise liner workshop to build relations and engage tourism operators on some of the metro’s unique tourism offerings.
The workshop will be held from 26-27 September and the Green Flag Trials - an offering that seeks to promote sustainable tourism - will be held on 28 September at the Van Stadens Reserve.
“Nelson Mandela Bay tourism offering would not be complete without good traditional food and heritage. Kasi Food Festival will give tourists that special experience that will also offer a good platform for township tourism to benefit.
“This event will be held in Zwide Township on 28-29 September 2024. The month will be closed on a high note at the Mendi Arts Centre through an interactive of the story of New Brighton,” the municipality said.
In between the planned major events and programmes, the metro will be partnering with different entities to deliver an exciting Tourism Month, and these include Tourism Awards, Premier Soccer League games and cultural events. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 10:26
UIF announces extended operating hours
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has announced that selected service points will be open on Saturdays to render services to clients and employers during the month of September.
“A decision to extend operating hours at UIF service points and to ramp up capacity was taken in anticipation of increased demand for real-time services, after the Pretoria High Court at the end of August 2024 issued an interim interdict preventing a service provider from implementing a new contract for support and maintenance services to the uFiling platform,” the Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement.
uFiling is an online platform used by clients and employers to apply for UIF benefits or to register companies with the UIF, declare employees and pay over contributions to the Fund.
The platform is not connected to the main UIF system used to adjudicate and process claims.
“Due to the uFiling platform not having any support or maintenance at this time, its services was suspended. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has since the suspension of uFiling processed more than 181 000 claims at service points around the country, totalling a pay out of R419 607 185,” the department said.
Extended operating hours will be rendered from 07:30 until 16:00 at UIF service points within labour centres during September month as follows:
• In Gqeberha, East London and Qonce in the Eastern Cape province.
• At the Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay labour centres in KwaZulu-Natal.
• At the Emalahleni, Secunda, Middleburg, Malelane and Mbombela labour centres in Mpumalanga province.
• At Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp, Vryburg, Christiana, Brits, Taung and Rustenburg labour centre in the North West province.
• Cape Town, Paarl, Mitchells Plain and Bellville in the Western Cape.
Registration of employers
New employer registrations can be done through BizPortal, available on https://www.bizportal.gov.za/services.aspx.
The department has urged its clients to note that BizPortal is only for employer registration and will not be able to register employees. Employee registration can be undertaken at a nearby labour centre.
Registration can also be done by downloading UI.8 and UI.19 forms from www.labour.gov.za and submitting the completed forms to e-mail address newui8registrations@labour.gov.za.
Declaration of employees
Employers with electronic payroll systems may declare their employees by sending live payroll files to e-mail address Declarations@labour.gov.za or by visiting a nearby labour centre for services.
In case of a manual declarations an employer can download a UI.19 form from www.labour.gov.za and submit a completed form via email to uif.declarations@labour.gov.za.
Regarding contributions, the department said an employer pays contributions to the UIF before the 7th day of each month. Where the 7th day is not a “business day” such as a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, payments must be made on or before the last business day.
“UIF contributions are made up of 2% of an employee’s salary. 1% is deducted from the salary of an employee and 1% contributed by the employer.
“Employers who are registered for tax purposes and/or the Skills Development Levy (SDL), must pay their contributions directly to the South African Revenue Services (SARS),” the department said.
Employers can also pay contributions using bank details provided on the Department of Employment and Labour website www.labour.gov.za and use their UIF reference number as the reference for payment.
“Through queue management, monitoring of operations and staff repurposing the UIF has been able to adequately handle claim volumes around the country. The Fund is confident that by extending working hours it will be able to maintain the status quo whilst developing alternative online solutions for clients and employers,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 09:51
Nando’s brings a fresh dose of humour and deliciousness to screens across South Africa with its latest television ad, showcasing the country’s unique ability to embrace life’s challenges with a smile. Known for its cheeky advertising and mouth-watering flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, Nando’s continues to capture the essence of South African culture with its new campaign. …
Textile industry remains a priority for government
Due to their labour-absorbing character, the textile, clothing, footwear, leather and general goods sectors remain priority sectors for government.
These sectors have always been supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), with an objective to sustain and grow employment, grow output, and enhance their competitiveness.
This is according to the Director of Leather and Footwear at the dtic, Dr Jaywant Irkhede, who was delivering a keynote address at the opening of the AllFashion Sourcing Exhibition held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
A group of manufacturers supported by the dtic are showcasing their proudly South African products at the exhibition.
READ | SA manufacturers to showcase products at the AllFashion Exhibition in Cape Town
The department’s support of the local manufacturers to show off their wares at the exhibition is part of a continuous support to the industry to boost sustainable job creation and to increase exports of locally manufactured products.
The show which kicked off on Tuesday, also offers the dtic an ideal opportunity to engage with a select audience of textile, clothing, footwear, leather and fashion orientated exhibitors and visitors.
Irkhede highlighted the manufacturing sector’s tenacity, resilience and the know-how that enabled the sector to withstand various internal and external economic shocks.
One of the measures that government introduced in order to mitigate the negative impact of the external shocks on the clothing and textile industry was the introduction of two trade remedies, namely the imposition of import quota on clothing imports from January 2006 to December 2008 and an increase in tariffs from 40% to the World Trade Organisation bound rate of 45% on a number of clothing product lines.
These remedies provided some relief.
“The dtic also developed Customised Sector Programmes for Clothing and Textile and Footwear and Leather sectors in consultation with the industry for stabilisation and development of the CTFL (clothing, textile, footwear and leather) sectors. A suite of measures that were introduced as part of the sector programmes contributed immensely in stabilising the sectors and improving their competitiveness,” Irkhede explained.
He said the department was currently in the process of implementing the Retail–Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Masterplan (R-CTFL Masterplan 2030).
“The R-CTFL Masterplan is aimed at encouraging structural changes in the value chain to grow the domestic market, increase purchases from domestic suppliers, access and grow export markets and enhance value chain competitiveness.
“Its vision is to develop a competitive, sustainable and dynamic R-CTFL value chain that provides its customers with compelling products and that is invested in growing employment and advancing inclusion and transformation,” he explained.
The masterplan is aimed to grow employment to 330 000 R-CTFL jobs through growing local retail sales to R250 billion, to expand local retail procurement of local CTFL products from 45% to 65%, equalling an increase from R32 billion to R 66 billion in ten years, and to improve competitiveness, technology, skills and transformation.
Irkhede added that to support the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, the dtic announced a Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather Growth Programme in 2022.
R2.28 billion was allocated and 154 entities were supported and these employ almost 24 000 people.
“The programme is well-subscribed, indicating the demand for capital to achieve growth, import substitution, new jobs and transformation,” said Irkhede. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 09:53
President Ramaphosa to sign the BELA Bill
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, which aims to strengthen governance within South Africa's education sector.
The President will publicly sign the Bill during a ceremony to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
“The BELA Bill amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the original legislation.
“The amendments are a response to court judgments that protect and give effect to the Bill of Rights,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The Bill seeks, among other things, to make Grade R the new compulsory school starting age, to provide penalties for parents and guardians who do not ensure that their children are in school, and to confirm that corporal punishment is no longer allowed in schools, with penalties for those found guilty of such offences. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 09/11/2024 - 10:16
Ketamine can be life-saving or lethal The anaesthetic drug ketamine can bring life-saving hope for people suffering treatment-resistant major depression or at severe risk of suicide, but unsupervised use or excessive dosages hold addictive and even lethal risks. This is the warning sounded by the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) against the “recreational” or …