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Burnout is real. And it’s not only costing us our mental health and wellbeing, it’s also costing our businesses and economy billions of Rands in lost productivity every year: R235 billion, or 4.2% of GDP, to be precise. One in three South African employees are struggling with burnout, which often results in ‘presenteeism’ – being …
Buying your first car is a big step. It means having the freedom to be where you want when you want. But it’s also a significant financial commitment, so it’s essential to do your homework and make sure that you get the best wheels for your needs. Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King …
Clarins has collaborated with Save the Children South Africa supporting childhood nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Development Centres with a unique Clarins Carousel Pop-Up inside Woolworths Hyde Park Corner. “For 70 years, Clarins has been dedicated to genuine and natural beauty. For Clarins, beauty is meaningless without humanity, generosity, and openness to others. Our …
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have rapidly evolved from their nascent stages into powerful educational tools over the past few decades. As an Academic and the Teaching, Learning & Manager at Regent Business School, Bryson Pather has observed how these immersive technologies revolutionise the way we teach and learn. Initially limited to experimental …
The Black Business Council (BBC) commends President Ramaphosa for his bold and courageous leadership for insisting that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) is not allocated to the control of the Democratic Alliance (DA). The dtic houses all the instruments (e.g. BEE Commission, Competition Commission, IDC, National Empowerment Fund, etc) to implement socio-economic …
Giving youth the tools to develop their skills in future-facing sectors is fundamental to solving the youth unemployment crisis, says the Youth Employment Service (YES). South Africa’s latest unemployment numbers have shown that youth between the ages of 15 and 34 are the most vulnerable within the job market, but YES is seeing the effect …
Rowing South Africa’s Olympic qualified athletes have been training intensively in Tzaneen, preparing for the upcoming Games in Paris. The team, focusing on the men’s pair and women’s single scull, will leave South Africa on 18th July, with the Olympic rowing events set to commence on 27th July. SASCOC has announced the Men’s Pair of …
Many people have an unconscious bias about money, with the result that they find themselves trapped in a scarcity mindset based on the belief that ‘more’ is better. However, numerous studies point to the fact that once our basic needs are met, more money buys diminished incremental returns on life satisfaction. Rather than how much …
“The Black Business Council (BBC) confers Game – Changer and Lifetime Awards to deserving South Africans” according to Kganki Matabane, BBC CEO. The full list of awardees and reasons why they are recognised are listed below: Game – Changer Awards Mr Gregory Nott Greg is presented with a Game – Changer Award for his courageous …
Nate Colby, U18 Winner, © Dean Vincent The Sea Harvest Ethekweni Junior Open took place at Dairy Beach over the weekend of 21-23 June. Conditions were small, the wind was blustery, and the Surfing South Africa event officials did a sterling job of running this competition in at-times challenging conditions. For the surfers, it was …
By Alwyn Pretorius, GM at Infinitus Reporting Solutions No, this is not another rant about AI taking jobs from finance professionals, topical as the subject may be right now. Rather, it’s a commentary on the finance industry at large and the increasingly and crucially central role that financial officers in particular play in businesses. We …
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, delves into the best practices for managing nutrition and hydration during winter workouts. “Winter workouts come with challenges, especially when keeping your body warm and your energy levels up,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “As the mercury drops, our bodies need more fuel to …
By Dr Andrew Hibling, Founder and CEO of EDGE Education Research indicates that the more educated a country’s citizenry is, the higher its GDP per capita and the more prosperous its economy (Bah, 2023). For this reason, it’s crucial for countries to ensure that their efforts in the education sector are effective. In South Africa, …
At the risk of using a ‘groan-able’ pun Straton Electrical says that this list of famous North American Electricians of colour may shock you into reality: There are several notable African American electricians and inventors who made significant contributions to the field: Granville T. Woods (1856 – 1910) was a prolific African American inventor known …
[Johannesburg, SA, 27 June 2024]: Join in on the bellywarming journeys of the Care Bears. They are back with an all-new six-episode special titled ‘’Care Bears: Unlock the Magic”, scheduled to debut on Cartoonito Africa on Monday 1-7 July at 8:30 CAT. It will feature prominent characters like Tenderheart Bear, Wish Bear, Cheer Bear, Grumpy …
Winter brings with it a desire to snuggle up in the comfort of our homes. Fireplaces, gas and electric heaters, electric blankets, and hot water bottles become our trusted companions during these chilly months. And, of course, many of us rely on generators and inverters to keep the heat turned up when the power’s out. …
Why wait for the weekend or a special occasion to indulge in luxury? Treat yourself to a sophisticated start any day of the week at Southern Sun Hyde Park at our Champagne Breakfast With a View. Offering an exquisite morning experience, this decadent breakfast at the Island Bar is perfect for creating unforgettable moments, whether …
Youth Month in South Africa is a time to recognise the immense value and importance of the country’s young people in shaping its future. As we celebrate the youth’s potential and aspirations, it is crucial to recommit to supporting them in achieving their dreams and goals. Savings and investments are key ways for our country’s …
Johannesburg, 27 June 2024: The natural environment is the foundation upon which our societies are built, providing us with essential resources such as clean air, water, and food. It is a source of beauty and inspiration, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance necessary for all life forms to thrive. However, …
In today’s fast-paced world, creating a sanctuary at home where one can relax and enjoy high-quality entertainment is increasingly essential. With a plethora of options available, from TV and audio systems to projectors and car audio, choosing the right equipment can be overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate through the various products to enhance …
Creating the perfect home theatre setup is an art form that balances technology, aesthetics, and personal preferences. Whether you’re a film enthusiast or a casual viewer, the right equipment can transform your living space into a cinematic paradise. We’ll explore the essential components you need for an immersive home theatre experience, using state-of-the-art technology and …
Trade shows are a significant opportunity for businesses to showcase their products, network with potential clients, and solidify their brand presence. Success at these events hinges on the quality of your display materials. Investing in high-quality display materials not only attracts attention but also conveys professionalism and trustworthiness. Let’s explore the essential components for a …
We are delighted to find individuals and organisations who truly understand the benefits of using QR Codes to trigger many customer experiences, from loading websites to executing payments between consumer and merchant. Zapper has been doing the latter since its inception in 2013, and its popularity rose significantly in the early years when the novelty …
SA requests establishment of two panels at WTO
South Africa has this week requested the establishment of two panels at a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This was to examine what, in South Africa’s view, are unscientific and discriminatory measures placed on citrus imported from South Africa by the European Union (EU).
These steps were taken to address the EU’s regulations on two separate plant health issues: Citrus Black Spot (CBS) and False Codling Moth (FCM).
The regulations are being challenged by the South African government to protect the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people in the local citrus industry.
Currently, South African citrus growers are spending billions of rands per year to comply with CBS and FCM measures that the industry considers unscientific and unnecessarily restrictive as South Africa already has an effective world-class risk management system that ensures safe citrus exports.
Emerging citrus growers are especially hit hard by the EU measures.
The request to establish the two panels is a significant development. This is the first time that South Africa progresses a dispute at the WTO beyond the panel state of the established DSB process.
On 15 April 2024, South Africa requested consultations with the EU on the CBS matter, which initiated a process that has ended without any results.
On FCM, South Africa initiated consultations in July of 2022, with no satisfactory conclusion as well. A panel will now also be formed on the FCM matter.
While the EU did not at this time accept South Africa’s request for the two panels, the set DSB procedure is that the requested adjudication panels will be established at its next meeting in July 2024. A DSB panel report can usually be expected after nine months.
The Government's representatives reiterated the legal basis of their complaints at the WTO headquarters in Geneva this week. These included the following arguments:
• The measures are not based on scientific principles and are maintained without sufficient scientific evidence.
• The measures are applied in a manner that is not in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, of which the EU is a signatory.
• The EU fails to apply the measures in a uniform, impartial and reasonable manner.
• The measures are more trade-restrictive than required to achieve protection, and there are reasonably available alternatives which are technically and economically feasible, that would achieve protection in a significantly less trade-restrictive manner.
The SA Government has the support of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA).
"Last year, we exported 36% of all our citrus to the EU. That shows what an important market it is for our growers. It is the very foundation of citrus profitability in SA.
“Should the EU continue with the implementation of these measures, or intensify them in any way, the profitability of hundreds of growers will be negatively affected and the industry will suffer severe revenue and job losses.
“But this is also potentially good news for the European consumer. Their orange prices last summer were at an all-time high. However, if their supply is unfettered, consumers will benefit," said Justin Chadwick, the CEO of the CGA.
"The citrus industry supports 140 000 jobs at farm level alone," explained Mooketsa Ramasodi, the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
"The government is acting to safeguard these livelihoods and the central role the citrus industry plays in so many of our rural communities," Ramasodi said.
The Acting Director-General of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Malebo Mabitje-Thompson, further clarified government's actions at the WTO: "The EU's measures on CBS and FCM are not justified, proportionate or appropriate. It must be understood, however, that the WTO process is not confrontational or aggressive. The goal is scientific truth and fairness.
“We are making use of the WTO mechanisms available to us to find an amicable solution."
The South African citrus industry is currently entering its peak export season, with oranges heading to the ports.
It is estimated that South Africa will export a total of 170 million 15kg cartons this year. The exceptional quality of local citrus has made it sought-after internationally. South Africa is the world's second largest exporter of citrus. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 06/26/2024 - 14:28