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President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a determination to increase salaries of all public office bearers by three percent, with effect from effect from 01 April 2022. 

This determination follows recommendations made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers (the Commission) on the annual salary for all public office bearers, submitted to the President on 17 April 2023.

The Commission recommended 3.8% salary increment for all public office bearers including members of the Independent Constitutional Institutions, Judges, Magistrates and Traditional Leaders for the financial year 2022/2023. 

Having considered the Commission's recommendations and serious economic challenges facing the country, the President has decided that the salaries of all public office bearers be increased by three percent. 

The President has in accordance  to relevant statutory requirements submitted the notice to Parliament for approval before publication in as far as it relates to salaries of judges and magistrates.

The President wishes to thank the Independent Commission for its recommendations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

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The Presidency has noted the report of the Acting Public Protector, Adv Kholeka Gcaleka, which absolves the President of alleged abuse of power or breaches of the Executive Ethics Code in relation to an incident of theft at his privately owned Phala Phala game farm in 2020.

The President has always maintained that he was not party to any wrong doing or violation of his oath of office. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

Digital technologies and connectivity hold the key to unlocking the true potential of Africa's young people. By opening up new opportunities for African youth to learn and for teachers to connect with students in the most remote and rural communities, these resources play an integral role in improving African education systems. But only if the right support mechanisms and policies are in place.

This is one of the key points highlighted in new research by Vodacom Group, Vodafone and Safaricom, launched in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The research paper, entitled “How digital technologies can transform education in sub-Saharan Africa” unpacks the current state of education across the continent. It showcases how digital technologies and connectivity, combined with the necessary regulatory frameworks and support from governments as well as industry stakeholders, can be leveraged to mitigate barriers to education across the continent.

The research report outlines that there has been a sharp increase in access to education across Africa in the last 50 – 60 years but, unfortunately, an increase in access doesn't necessarily translate into a rise in the quality of education being delivered. When coupled with affordable and reliable connectivity, digital tools and technologies offer a cost-effective and scalable solution to this problem by making it possible for young people to connect with highly-skilled educators who can help them translate educational content into valuable knowledge.

“We have witnessed this first-hand via our ecosystem of education projects and initiatives, which seek to provide access to quality educational assets, support remote learning and seek to enhance the overall educational experience for teachers and learners in some of Africa's most under-resourced communities,” says Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group.

“Our Vodacom e-School programme in South Africa is a prime example of this”, he adds. The initiative promotes digital education by providing free access to quality education for Primary and High School students (Grade R to 12). This includes access to digital learning materials (like interactive textbooks, multimedia content and assessments), other educational resources and support services. The platform is available on mobile and desktop devices, free of charge, for all Vodacom customers.

“Access to quality education is critical to combatting intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality. Nelson Mandela always stressed how important education is, not only for self-actualisation and individual transformation, but also in shifting the trajectory of society towards equity, justice and a shared dignity,” says Professor Verne Harris, Acting CEO for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

While there is no doubt that these digital innovations have the potential to totally transform African education, there are a number of barriers to digital access that prevent African youth from making the most of them. For Professor Jonathan Jansen, an internationally renowned education expert and one of the authors of the research paper, these stumbling blocks include everything from lack of reliable electricity, limited technical support and lackluster Internet access to language barriers, political instability and restrictive social norms. But with the right policies, infrastructure and investments in place, digitalisation can provide new opportunities for Africa's young people to enjoy a more equitable, sustainable and connected future, he says.

“Each of these hurdles can be overcome through the right partnerships, interventions and ecosystems. Importantly, addressing these obstacles demands political buy-in and support from governments to ensure that the mechanisms put in place are appropriate in that they meet African learners and educators where they are,” continues Professor Jansen.

In action, this means developing and implementing regulations that support digital education, building strategic partnerships and investing in digital infrastructure. In addition to this, African governments have to be enablers of small-scale digital education projects and must make a concerted effort to transform teacher training to meet the demands of digital learning.

There is no doubt that the challenge that lies ahead is an arduous one, confirms Joosub. “It is critical that we take the time to understand Africa's economic, social and political environment so that we can bring together the right stakeholders – from those at the top in government the students in classrooms in the most remote corners of our continent – to come up with solutions. In doing so, we can unite to fix the problems we face as a collective so that we can ensure that our young people are equipped with everything they need to add value to their communities and can properly participate in the digital economy.”

Click here (https://apo-opa.info/3JE8J7U) to read the full Africa.connected Digital Literacy paper.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Group.

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The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has been committed to improving public health surveillance data to enable better disease management and response strategies. In January 2023, two pioneering features on the Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMC) Reporting App were introduced. These features are designed to enhance surveillance data quality and provide a seamless user experience.

Epidemiological Classification of NMCs by NICD Centre

The first innovative feature, the Epidemiological (Epi) Classification, is a web-based function that revolutionises case classification. NICD centres are now empowered to classify notified cases based on predefined case definitions available on the NMC Reporting App. This classification allows for identifying and excluding cases that do not meet the specified criteria, addressing any erroneous captures made by NMC App users. By ensuring accurate and reliable data, the Epi Classification assists the NMC team in quantifying the true burden of diseases, offering valuable insights for improved disease management strategies.

Hospital Surveillance Form for Category 1 NMCs

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of hospitalisation data in understanding disease epidemiology and assessing the effectiveness of public health interventions. Drawing from this experience, the NICD has introduced a comprehensive Hospital Surveillance Form within the existing Notifiable Medical Conditions surveillance system. This new form collects essential information on risk factors associated with illness for hospitalised patients diagnosed with any category 1 NMC. Factors such as race, comorbidities, body mass index, and previous hospital admissions are recorded for hospitalised, transferred, and discharged patients. Expanding data collection to encompass hospitalisation details, this feature strengthens the overall notifiable medical disease system, allowing for better response capabilities and informed policymaking, particularly in the face of future pandemics.

The implementation of these new features holds immense potential for advancing public health surveillance. The Epi Classification feature promises the accuracy and reliability of reported data, enabling authorities to make evidence-based decisions and allocate resources more efficiently. Simultaneously, the Hospital Surveillance Form provides a more comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics and associated risk factors, paving the way for targeted interventions and informed policy development. These advancements strengthen the overall public health infrastructure, effectively ensuring readiness to combat future health challenges.

Click here to view the exciting features.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa (NICD).