Butterworth families evicted by chiefs in 2011 are still waiting for promised houses
People of Bhungeni were moved to make way for a mall which has still not been built
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Padel Rackets: Choosing the Best for Your Game
Introduction Padel is a rapidly growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Choosing the right padel racket is essential for performance. This blog explores the different types of padel rackets and how to select the best one for your style of play. Types of Padel Rackets Padel rackets vary in shape and material: …
Warm up this winter with Tetley’s decadent new Chai Lattes
The delicious taste of spicy chai has been enjoyed for thousands of years, with its roots established in the fabric of Indian tea culture. Chai, which is actually the Hindi word for tea, has more recently become a popular choice in many countries, with the traditional Chai being reimagined in various ways. One of the …
Democratic dispensation necessitated a complete overhaul of state bureaucracy
Democratic dispensation necessitated a complete overhaul of state bureaucracy
Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya says the transition from apartheid to a democratic dispensation necessitated a complete overhaul of the state bureaucracy.
“Though tailored to the South African context, South Africa’s public administration reforms – notwithstanding their debatable strengths and weaknesses – followed international trends, from Traditional Public Administration (TPA) through to variants of New Public Management (NPM),” Gxoyiya said.
Speaking in Pretoria earlier today, Gxoyiya said governments worldwide continuously reform to promote efficient public administration that is responsive to people’s needs and the countries’ social, economic and technical challenges.
“Similarly, there is recognition that reforms vary from country to country, and in the case of South Africa, the transition from apartheid to a democratic dispensation necessitated a complete overhaul of the state bureaucracy,” Gxoyiya said.
He said the need for reflection on the historical and current factors that have shaped public service administration as it is known today became unavoidable at the tail end of 30 years of democratic governance in South Africa.
“The PSC has consistently argued that the realisation of the fundamental rights in the Constitution and the peremptory adherence to the Constitutional Values and Principles (CVPs) are central to public administration reform.
“Simply put, one way of evaluating the public administration reforms in South Africa is to examine the public services provided and citizen’s perception of their efficacy,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 07/08/2024 - 15:21
138 views
Records tumble as Gelant and Njoki win Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
South African long distance sensation Elroy Gelant put on a tactical masterclass on his way to setting a new lifetime best time of 27: 47 to win the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday 7 July. “It’s great to get my first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series win. It took a lot …
City of Cape Town buys occupied Marikana land seven years after landmark ruling
Last week Eskom disconnected over 300 illegal connections in the settlement. Hours later people connected them again.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Basketball Without Borders Africa Camp to Return to South Africa for 20th Edition
The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today announced that the 20th edition of Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa will be held at the American International School of Johannesburg from Saturday, Aug. 3 – Tuesday, Aug. 6, marking the 16th time that the NBA and FIBA's global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in South Africa. BWB Africa camps have also been held in Dakar, Senegal (2010 and 2019), Luanda, Angola (2016) and Cairo, Egypt (2022).
BWB Africa 2024 will bring together 30 boys and 30 girls from more than 20 African countries to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their peers from across the continent. The campers and coaches, who will be announced prior to the camp, will also take part in life-skills, leadership development and NBA Cares programming.
“Bringing Basketball Without Borders back to South Africa for its milestone 20th edition reflects the incredible momentum we're seeing for basketball in the country,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi. “We look forward to welcoming some of the most talented boys and girls from across the continent for four days of high-level basketball training, competition, and leadership development that will have a lasting impact on their on-court and personal journeys.”
“Basketball Without Borders continues to be a real lever for basketball on the continent,” said FIBA Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bilé. “As part of our ongoing collaboration with the NBA in Africa, which also includes the Basketball Africa League (BAL), BWB continues to elevate our sport and provide invaluable opportunities and experiences for African youth and coaches, both on-and-off the court. I would like to extend my thanks to NBA Africa and wish all the participants a rewarding and successful camp.”
BWB Africa 2024 will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp.
Forty-one former BWB campers were among the record 125 international players (https://apo-opa.co/3LfzKib) on opening-night rosters for the 2023-24 NBA season, including 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), who became the first former BWB camper to be named NBA MVP, and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012). In total, 13 former BWB Africa campers have been drafted into the NBA since the first BWB Africa camp in 2003, including Ulrich Chomche (Cameroon), who was selected 57th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2024 NBA Draft last month. Sixty-three former BWB Africa campers have also been featured on BAL team rosters over the league's first four seasons.
BWB has reached more than 4,400 participants from 142 countries and territories since 2001, with 127 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA. The NBA and FIBA have staged 75 BWB camps in 50 cities across 33 countries on six continents.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
Contact:
Pawel Weszka
NBA Africa Communications
pweszka@nba.com
+27 10 007 2666
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.
Visitors rock out at Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona
Crowds headed to Salt Rock Main Beach for two days of the best in South African music at the Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona on 4 and 5 July. Night one of the free-to-attend concert started with the winner of the Battle of the DJs, organised by KwaDukuza Municipality, taking to the decks.Thisset …
Spectacle as a Visual Effect
This concept was written about in depth by Jae Hyung Ryu in his work “Effects and Reality: a Cultural History of Visual Effects”. I have been interested in this idea for a while and was glad to find his work on the topic. This is my view on the topic, inspired by his work. I …
Treverton pupils excel at dancing
There have been two dance exam sessions for the Treverton pupils of Joanne Warren Dance Studio so far this year. The first one was in March and the second one was at the beginning of June. Various AIDT Modern and Tap exams were entered and some excellent results were achieved. Special mention is made of …
Gauteng social development department wants to buy a building but doesn’t know what for
Up to R70-million budgeted for building in central Pretoria
Mindful Eating: Nourish Your Body, Free Your Mind, And Stop Calorie Counting
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, explores how mindful eating can transform your life and how you can start practising it today. “The Balanced Homebody emphasises that eating is an essential form of self-care, and with a mindful approach, we can better nourish our bodies, stop obsessing over calories, and build a …
Cartoon Network Africa Partners With E-Waste Recycling Authority To Tackle Growing E-Waste Challenge In South Africa
Cartoon Network Africa, the leading kids’ TV channel in South Africa, is partnering with the local E-Waste Recycling Authority (ERA) as part of its Climate Champions initiative. The collaboration aims to educate and empower children about the increasing challenge of electronic waste. As a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), ERA is dedicated to improving e-waste …
South Africa: President Ramaphosa and UK Prime Minister Commit to Deepening Ties
President Cyril Ramaphosa and newly elected British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have expressed their shared commitment to deepening relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom in several areas of cooperation, including the just energy transition.
Prime Minister Starmer placed a call with President Ramaphosa this morning, Sunday, 7 July 2024, to express his interest in working closely with South Africa as part of executing the strong mandate given to the Labour Party in the general election on Thursday, 4 July 2024.
President Ramaphosa congratulated Prime Minister Starmer on his electoral victory and said the Statement of Intent framing South Africa's Government of National Unity incorporated many objectives shared by the two new administrations.
The two leaders viewed today's discussion as a continuation of the deliberations in which they engaged in November 2022 when President Ramaphosa visited London on the first State Visit hosted by His Majesty King Charles III. Sir Keir Starmer was at that time the leader of the opposition Labour Party.
President Ramaphosa described the bilateral relationship as a special bond and said South Africa wished to see greater alignment with the UK at the national and multilateral level, with South Africa's Presidency of the G20 in 2025 providing one such opportunity.
President Ramaphosa foresees closer cooperation with UK in the political, social, people-to-people, diplomatic, trade and investment and climate change domains.
The Prime Minister agreed that the G20 would be a platform for advancing shared interests in climate change, economic growth and the eradication of inequality.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Starmer commit to deepen ties
President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Starmer commit to deepen ties
President Cyril Ramaphosa and newly elected British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have expressed their shared commitment to deepening relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK).
This as Prime Minister Starmer placed a call with President Ramaphosa on Sunday morning.
Starmer assumed the position on Friday, 5 July 2024.
According to the Presidency, the two leaders have expressed their commitment to deepen relations in areas including the just energy transition.
In the call, the Prime Minister expressed his interest in “working closely with South Africa as part of executing the strong mandate given to the Labour Party in the general election on Thursday, 4 July 2024.”
President Ramaphosa congratulated Prime Minister Starmer on his electoral victory and said the Statement of Intent framing South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) incorporated many objectives shared by the two new administrations.
READ | President Ramaphosa congratulates new UK Prime Minister
The two leaders viewed today’s discussion as a continuation of the deliberations in which they engaged in November 2022 when President Ramaphosa visited London on the first State Visit hosted by His Majesty King Charles III.
Sir Keir Starmer was at that time the leader of the opposition Labour Party.
“President Ramaphosa described the bilateral relationship as a special bond and said South Africa wished to see greater alignment with the UK at the national and multilateral level, with South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 in 2025 providing one such opportunity.
"President Ramaphosa foresees closer cooperation with [the] UK in the political, social, people-to-people, diplomatic, trade and investment and climate change domains,” said the Presidency.
The Prime Minister agreed that the G20 would be a platform for advancing shared interests in climate change, economic growth and the eradication of inequality.- SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 07/07/2024 - 14:05
207 views
Springboks make SA proud
Springboks make SA proud
The Springboks claimed victory against Ireland in a thrilling test match on Saturday.
The Boks beat Ireland 27-20 at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) winning team scored in the first three minutes of the evening game with a try by Kurt-Lee Arendse.
“The Boks held a 13-8 lead at the break and apart from a dominating opening 30 minutes, it was not the smoothest win ever, but a seven-point margin over the second ranked team in the world is not something to sniff at,” said SA Rugby.
The second half of the match that saw South Africa beat Ireland for the first time since 2016 was a tense affair.
“Overall, the goal was achieved but it was far from a perfect performance,” said Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
Bok captain Siya Kolisi said he was pleased with the result but cautioned that the series remained very much alive.
“Of course, this game was very important for us. We haven’t beaten them since 2016, so it was special for our confidence. But the job is not done yet. We want to win the series and we know they are going to come back harder,” said Kolisi.
“After that stellar opening performance by KB Motsilanyane, I knew we had this one in the bag #GoBokke #StongerTogether,” said new Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie in a social media post on X, previously known as Twitter.
This as the singer led the singing of the national anthem backed by the crowd gathered at the stadium.
“We are a winning nation,” the Minister said in a follow-up post.
The second test between the Springboks and Ireland is set to take place at Hollywoodbets Kings Park stadium in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 07/07/2024 - 10:59
91 views
Understanding Distribution Boards
When delving into the intricacies of modern electrical systems, one cannot overlook the critical role of distribution boards. These components are fundamental to ensuring the safe and efficient distribution of electrical power within buildings. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding distribution boards, their types, and the importance of choosing a reliable switchboard …
President Ramaphosa Congratulates New UK Prime Minister
President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his appointment to the position of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Starmer assumed the position on 05 July 2024, following the general elections held on 04 July 2024.
President Ramaphosa said he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Starmer to enhance the strong, historic relations between South Africa and the UK.
South Africa and the UK are strategic partners with a broad and vibrant relationship, led by a commitment to liberal values, democracy and the rule of law.
The UK is one of South Africa's largest bilateral trading and investment partners and remains South Africa's number one source of long-haul tourism in the world.
South Africa and the UK collaborate in various multilateral fora to advance shared ideals and objectives.
In 2022, President Ramaphosa was the first Head of State to undertake a State Visit to the UK following an invitation from His Majesty, King Charles III.
The State Visit was an important and momentous occasion to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
President Ramaphosa said he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Starmer to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and to address current global political and security challenges.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Johannesburg Heritage Foundation joins call for library to be reopened
The Louisa Prince Library in Ennerdale has been closed since 2021
Mpox patients receive clean bill of health
Mpox patients receive clean bill of health
The Department of Health has announced that 15 people who had Mpox have received a clean bill of health, while five remain hospitalised due to severe health complications.
The complications, the department explained, are compounded by either unmanaged or recently diagnosed underlying conditions such as HIV.
“Only one case was re-admitted for further medical attention,” the department said in a statement.
The department believes that the 15 cases are a testimony that the infectious disease is treatable if diagnosed early for effective treatment.
“This is the reason people are urged to seek healthcare once they experience Mpox-like symptoms or come into direct contact with someone who tested positive.”
The department, working with various stakeholders, continues with efforts to curb the spread and transmission of Mpox in the country.
On Thursday, the department announced four additional Mpox cases that were reported in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.
The additional cases have pushed the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox in South Africa to 20 since the outbreak in May 2024.
All the 20 cases involve men, with 10 recorded in Gauteng, nine in KwaZulu-Natal and one from Western Cape.
READ | Mpox cases rise to 20 with infections expected to increase
Meanwhile, the death toll has remained at three since the outbreak.
The common symptoms of Mpox include a rash which may last for two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.
“The rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet and so on,” the department explained. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 07/05/2024 - 10:42
487 views
Medical Billing Software in South Africa
The healthcare industry is continuously evolving, with advancements in technology playing a pivotal role in enhancing patient care and streamlining administrative processes. In South Africa, the adoption of medical billing software and practice management systems is transforming the way medical practices operate. This article explores the benefits and features of these systems, focusing on how …
Why Personalised Tutoring in Modern Education is Important
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the demand for personalised learning experiences has never been higher. There has been a rise in the tutoring company sector for academic learners. Traditional classroom settings often fail to meet the individual needs of students, leading to gaps in understanding and academic performance. This is where the role of …
MoU to empower public servants
MoU to empower public servants
The National School of Government (NSG) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce a new three-year postgraduate Diploma in Public Affairs and African Governance for public servants in Africa.
In partnership with the African Management Development Institute Network (AMDIN), and supported by the European Union, the NSG developed the curriculum and content of the postgraduate programme in African Governance.
According to the National School of Government, the intent of the programme is to strengthen governance on the African continent and to professionalise public servants of partner countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, Principal of the National School of Government, Professor Busani Nqcaweni, said he is delighted at the partnership between the NSG and the Tshwane University of Technology.
“We felt we needed to partner with an institution that can share our ideas,” Prof Nqcaweni said.
Prof Nqcaweni explained that the postgraduate Diploma is for African public servants.
“This qualification is the first on the continent and we trust that TUT will be able to deliver the programme,” he said, adding that the signing of the MoU did not come easy for TUT - having been nominated from 26 universities.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at enhancing interaction among African public servants beyond formal high-level meetings which will bring together cohorts of students from across the continent encouraging a trans disciplinary approach to governance challenges.
Prof Mashupye Herbet Maserumule, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the Tshwane University of Technology, said the relationship between the two institutions was long overdue.
“We are the most affordable and accessible university in South Africa and we attract more than 1000 foreign students,” he said, adding that the institution wants to be ready for the changing world of work.
“We are looking forward to this interesting relationship and partnership, and we as the institution have an obligation to share knowledge and education,” he said.
Professionalising the public service
The target audience for the course is public servants across the African continent but it will also be offered to the general public.
Participants will be expected to spend at least a week at a public service institution in another country in an exchange programme.
The partnership between NSG and TUT is expected to significantly contribute to the professionalisation of the public service across Africa, enhancing governance and aligning with the continent's developmental goals.
The new programme seeks to bridge the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate education opportunities in member countries and to offer a regionally recognised qualification.
The conceptualisation and design of this programme is aligned to the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 to implement developmental programmes and to realise the aspiration for good governance in Africa.
Mandate
The NSG came into existence through a proclamation by the President which was gazetted on 21 October 2013, replacing the then Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy (PALAMA).
The NSG is mandated with the responsibility of ensuring that public servants comply with the provisions of established legislation, regulations and systems, and can exercise proper discretion and innovation in solving routine and complex delivery problems.
The NSG is furthermore expected to ensure service delivery impact by supporting institutional performance.
The work of the NSG has also been enhanced by the decision of government to make building a capable, ethical and developmental state the number one priority among the seven priorities outlined in the 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).
The NSG offers training in the three spheres of government to all levels - from the cadet and foundation phase to middle and senior management as well as executive management. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 07/05/2024 - 11:48
396 views
New Power Bill Could Be a Game-Changer for SA
The SOLA Group sees great promise in the new TSO bill, but says that South Africans must hold government to its promises. Says Jonathan Skeen, director of SOLA, “As a provider of clean and innovative energy projects for close to two decades, we’ve often fought against the tide of prevailing energy policy or industry norms. …