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Accomplishments and hurdles along the job creation journey

Location: News

Accomplishments and hurdles along the job creation journey

The Gauteng Department of Employment and Labour says creating employment and the management thereof has been a mixture of success and challenges in the province.

The department was presenting its provincial overview in terms of service delivery and the job creation mandate to the Employment Standard (ES) Board.

The ES Board is in the province to engage directly with the Department of Employment and Labour's management in Gauteng, the Sheltered Employment Enterprises (SEE) and Employment Solutions. The visit started on Tuesday and will conclude today.

Deputy Director: Public Employment Services in Gauteng, Vusi Mazibuko, told the meeting that the department has created more opportunities, including from foreign countries such as Ireland, which has hired some of the job seekers in the Employment Services System of South Africa (ESSA) database. 

Daniel Kgwele, the Deputy Director: Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS), told the board that there seems to be a stubborn gap in terms of labour absorption and labour participation affecting the 25 to 44-year-old age group. He suggested that public employment policies and strategy be employed to narrow the gap.

He told the meeting that the department's efforts to present opportunities to different communities has at times been hampered by community leaders who want to dictate to the department who to employ.

“They stop us from recruiting in their areas and at times chase us away," he said.

According to the Chief Director: Public Employment Services, Esther Tloane, more countries are showing an interest in importing South African work seekers.

“We are currently busy with the National Labour Migration Policy, which will deal with the movement of human resources in and out of the country," she said. 

According to the Deputy Director of Labour Centre Operations: Germiston, Shereen Ceaser, one of the centre's challenges is employers who do not comply with their Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions.

ES Board Chairperson, Thembinkosi Josopu, told the gathering that they will give their observations and contributions, followed by their recommendation to the Minister. 

The ES Board will today visit Employment Solutions, an organisation for people with disabilities and later on conclude their tour at the Sheltered Employment Services in Silverton, Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 10:00

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Umalusi awards accreditation certificates

Location: News

Umalusi awards accreditation certificates

Umalusi has awarded accreditation certificates to 54 successful institutions at an Accreditation Forum and Certificate Award Ceremony in Pretoria on Wednesday.
 
The event was organised to award accreditation certificates to 54 institutions (50 independent schools and four private colleges) that met Umalusi’s accreditation criteria to offer qualifications that are registered on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-framework (GFETQSF). 

The ceremony was attended in a hybrid mode by approximately 700 delegates from the 50 independent schools, four private colleges and Umalusi officials. 

“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to every institution represented here today for your commitment to excellence and your passion for quality education. May you continue to uphold the standards even after having been awarded your accreditation certificate,” Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, said. 

The breakdown of the 50 independent schools that were awarded accreditation certificates to offer the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is as follows:

•    10 are to offer Grades 1 - 7.
•    Six are to offer Grades 1 - 9.
•    22 are to offer Grades 1 - 12.
•    One is to offer Grades 4 - 12.
•    Nine are to offer Grades 8 - 12.
•    Two are to offer Grades 10-12.

The four accredited private colleges were:

•    One is to offer NC(V) Levels 2-4 (Information Technology and Computer Sciences).
•    Two are to offer N1-N3 Engineering Studies.
•    One is to offer GETC: ABET at NQF Level 1.

Making reference to the question of what it means to teach, Umalusi Council Chairperson, Professor Yunus Ballim, challenged participants to engage meaningfully with the question: “If information is so ubiquitously available to our students, what case do we make as teachers to expect the students to come to class every day?”

The full names, accreditation numbers, and addresses of the institutions accredited in 2024 are listed in the official newsletter of Umalusi, Makoya. A full list of all Umalusi-accredited institutions is accessible on the website Accredited Private Education Institutions (umalusi-online.org.za). 

The public are urged to verify the accreditation status of institutions to avoid falling prey to bogus institutions. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM
Wed, 03/06/2024 - 14:29

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SA ranks number 1 in Africa for safety systems in aviation

Location: News

SA ranks number 1 in Africa for safety systems in aviation

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has rated South Africa’s safety oversight system at 91.11% thereby placing it at number one in Africa and number 18 in the world, alongside Norway.

Addressing a media briefing on the state of the aviation sector on Tuesday, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said the ICAO also did not raise any significant safety and security concerns in both the safety and security audits, which happened within eight months of each other. 

In the past two to three years, South Africa has participated in four key international safety and security audits and assessments by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the United States safety and security regulators namely, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

“I am elated to announce that South Africa performed very well in all these audits and assessments. The US-Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognised South Africa's safety oversight system as meeting ICAO’s safety standards and recommended practices and therefore confirmed that South Africa retains its Category 1 status with the standards of the United States International Oversight Safety Audit (IOSA) Programme. 

“The Transport Security Administration granted South Africa’s cargo security system permanent recognition following an assessment of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).  South Africa still holds the European Union (EU) recognition for the States cargo security system,” Chikunga said in Pretoria.

The Minister said these outcomes do not only validate the quality of South Africa’s global aviation footprint, but it also confirms that South Africa's systems are competing favourably with the best in the world of aviation.

“South Africa is proud of the continued 0% fatal accident rate held in the commercial airlines sector for nearly four decades. Our target is to maintain this record for decades to come. One of the current administration’s strategic targets is to reduce accidents in the general aviation sector by 50%. 

“At the end of the previous 2022/23 financial year, the number of accidents had decreased from 147 to 113 accidents, which translated into a 23% decrease from the 2021/22 period. The fatal accidents decreased from 12 to 9 fatal accidents, translating into a 25% decrease with the number of fatalities decreasing by 29.4%,” the Minister said.

During the 2021/22 period at the height of COVID-19, South Africa recorded a spike in accidents in a non-scheduled private flying space. This has been attributed to pilots being “out of practice” caused by a lack of refresher training during the hard lock down periods of the pandemic.

“As we head towards closing off this 2023/24 financial year, we have recorded 97 accidents to date. While we are projecting these numbers to marginally be lower than the previous reporting period, the number of fatal accidents has increased to 13, which is four more than data from the 2022/23 financial year.

“To curb these accidents which happen in a non-scheduled private flying space, the SACAA has developed and implemented a General Aviation Safety Strategy in consultation with the industry where we are employing reputable safety strategies to attain a reduction in both categories - accidents and fatalities,” she said.

SACAA has been on an automation journey migrating their internal business processes to ensure a paperless entity. 

In the last year, the regulator has launched an eServices portal where operators can submit their certificate renewal applications online and also pay online. 

“In August 2022, the South African National Blood Services was licensed to deliver blood and essential medical samples, using drones in what became a ground-breaking achievement for the country. The value of this initiative is understated, more so when we consider that 32% of South Africans live in rural, and in most cases, hard-to-reach destinations.

“Blood delivery to local clinics that may not be accessible by road transport is now possible and has now been made easier and much faster to access. This is an innovative step in the history of blood transportation. Every second you gain in saving a life is critical,” the Minister said.

International Air Service Licensing

As of 1 February 2024, the regulator is administering the domestic and international air service licensing councils.

“This means that all administrative support will include developing effective systems that will enable the smooth processing of air service license applications and Foreign Operator Permits (FOPs) and includes the issuance and storage of related information thereof.

“The Department of Transport will still be responsible for the budget allocation to the respective Councils for each financial year, and such allocation shall be used towards the activities and functions of the Councils,” the Minister said.

Since this decision took effect from 1 February 2024, SACAA launched an automated system, which is done in a phased approach.

“The first phase, which commenced from 01 February, saw the processing of foreign operators permits through a newly developed system. The next phase, which is currently in progress, is to automate the submission and processing of domestic and international air service licences. In the interim, the SACAA has given clarity to the industry in how the applications for air service licence will be processed until automation is implemented,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

nosihle
Tue, 03/05/2024 - 12:20

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Over 80 000 beds registered on NSFAS portal

Location: News

Over 80 000 beds registered on NSFAS portal

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has recorded a total of 88 705 beds that have been registered on the scheme portal and accredited for both Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and universities.

Briefing media on the student accommodation pilot project in Pretoria on Monday, NSFAS Acting Chairperson, Professor Lourens van Staden, said the Student Accommodation Unit has to date received lists from 28 out of 40 institutions, which were subjected to verification processes, in terms of funding status. 

Van Staden said 10 institutions submitted their lists in batches, while others requested assistance from NSFAS in order for them to submit their lists, with some still engaging NSFAS owing to their contractual obligation.

“To date, out of 40 institutions in the pilot, 30 have placed students in accredited properties. Out of 10 institutions, five supported by the NSFAS team will continue with placements, while three are still in discussion with NSFAS. Two will submit once placements have happened,” van Staden said.

He said the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and University of Mpumalanga will submit their lists when students are placed in accommodation.

Van Staden also reported that NSFAS, in collaboration with institutions, portal providers, and accommodation providers, is onboarding students onto the portal system to ensure that NSFAS-funded students are residing in accredited accommodation.

To date, he said, 18 institutions have onboarded students onto the portal, while the rest are yet to do so or are still onboarding. 

“The NSFAS Board wishes to encourage all institutions that have not been onboarded to do so urgently, as this might impact the on-time rental payments. Equally, landlords are requested to ensure that leases that are generated through the portal are signed by all students in their residences,’ van Staden said.

No arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers

Van Staden also put it on record that the scheme does not have any arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers. 

“Institutions apply different approaches to manage unaccredited accommodation, and it is in the resolve of NSFAS that in the near future, no NSFAS-funded student will be residing in unaccredited accommodation. 

“Where accommodation providers have applied to NSFAS for accreditation, they are encouraged to consult the portal to check their statuses. Students who have been provided with accredited accommodation and are unwilling to utilise those, NSFAS and the institution will allocate transport allowance to those students,” van Staden said. 
  
Warning against corruption and bribery

Meanwhile, van Staden has warned that NSFAS will not tolerate corruption and bribery, and anyone found in the wrong will be reported to the law enforcement agencies.

This follows a report received by NSFAS on the alleged corruption and bribery between accrediting agents and landlords.

“If this is indeed true, we wish to reiterate that this will not be tolerated by the scheme and that should anyone be found in the wrong, NSFAS will report them to law enforcement agencies. Any suspected fraud should be raised through our whistleblowing hotline, Vuvuzela, toll-free number 0860 247 653. SMS 'call back' to 30916. Fax: 086 726 1681,” van Staden said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 03/04/2024 - 15:41

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Read moreOver 80 000 beds registered on NSFAS portal

EPA Track & Field Championships 2024

Location: MyPR

After a challenging Track and Field season, the EPA Championships was a great success this past weekend. The EPA Championships, which form part of the NMB Legacy Project sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, attracted an impressive 330 athletes, aged between 12 to 73, participating in 535 events. “Due to ongoing protests at the …

Read moreEPA Track & Field Championships 2024

Over one million students provisionally funded by NSFAS

Location: News

Over one million students provisionally funded by NSFAS

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received a total of 1 936 330 applications for funding, as of 16 February 2024.

Briefing the media on the registration process and payment of allowances on Monday, NSFAS Acting Chairperson, Professor Lourens Van Staden, said that of the 1 936 330 applications received, 1 244 854 are provisionally funded as of 1 March 2024, with 108 345 registrations received, 59 723 awaiting evaluations, and 94 816 awaiting supporting documents.

Van Staden said a total of 84 225 applications have been withdrawn by students, while 52 038 are in progress, and 136 468 are on the not-started status, as applicants only created profiles and did not submit applications. 

“NSFAS has rejected 243 113 applications and 15 174 appeals have been lodged to date,” Van Staden said at a briefing held at the Government Communication and Information System in Pretoria.

The briefing comes after the applications for funding closed on 15 February 2024.

Van Staden said the scheme is determined to improve its systems, including applications processes, to enable a smooth and seamless application process.

The chairperson said the scheme is also committed to continue working with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to verify the financial eligibility criteria of all the applicants, by ensuring that the consent form is submitted by non-South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) applicants.

He reiterated the call to applicants to submit accurate information when applying, as this assist in reducing the timelines to make funding decisions.  

Through third party verifications, Staden said NSFAS has processed about 23 000 applications per day and has prioritised applicants who have received firm offers of admission from universities, or who were enrolled at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Over 30 000 loan applications received

On the 2024 loan applications, Van Staden said NSFAS has received 30 728 loan applications as of 16 February 2024. 

Van Staden said the scheme has pre-assessed and determined students who pre-qualify for the loan, and communication was sent to the affected students via the student portal, to confirm whether or not they were accepted for NSFAS to process their loan application. 

He stressed that this is specifically for students who had applied for a bursary, but were above the income threshold for the bursary, but within the loan threshold.

“The next step would be for NSFAS to communicate with institutions, to request them to submit admission data for registered students in line with the requirements of the loan of the 70 vs 30 split in STEM [Science, technology, engineering and mathematics] and social sciences respectively. 

“At the completion of this process, we envisage that a total of 31 800 missing middle students will be provided with student loans,” Van Staden explained.
 
The loan applications also closed on 15 February 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 03/04/2024 - 14:27

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Institutions submit registration data to NSFAS

Location: News

Institutions submit registration data to NSFAS

Twenty-nine institutions that have submitted registration data for catch up payment for the 2024 academic year allowances, will be paid by Friday, says the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

The acting Chairperson of the NSFAS, Professor Lourens Van Staden, said following delays in the 2024 academic year, mainly due to registration, the NSFAS board took a decision to request institutions in the interim to operate as a channel to pay the February and March allowances. 

“Communication was therefore sent to all universities notifying them of this decision. We also sent another communication to indicate the 2024 academic year allowances type distribution channel. 

“Financial aid managers were asked to confirm the universities allowances payment commitment dates. For Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, we will be paying through the direct payment channel,” Van Staden said on Monday. 

To support institutions and students, Van Staden said the scheme made two upfront payments to all institutions, including the first upfront payment, which was disbursed on 31 January with the second upfront payment disbursed on 29 February 2024.  

“These upfront payments were made to institutions for them to use the funds to distribute students’ allowances. The majority of institutions committed to paying students from the last week of February 2024,” Van Staden said at a media briefing held in Pretoria.

The first upfront payment was administered to cover the book allowance which was calculated at half of the 2023 academic year cost.

The payment included funds to cover one month of accommodation costs. For medical students, provision was made for two months’ worth of allowances, to assist select institutions that registered medical students whose academic year starts in January.

The second upfront payment includes book allowances, which is calculated for the second half of the 2024 academic year based on the 2023 payments made; accommodation allowances to cover the accommodation allowances for the second month (March) of the 2024 academic year; transport allowances, which is calculated to cover February 2024 allowance.

The NSFAS advanced an upfront payment to both universities and TVET colleges.

For universities, Van Staden said the NSFAS disbursed R2.8 billion in January 2024. 

The chairperson noted that this disbursement does not include the calculation of the tranche payments, which “NSFAS will disburse at the beginning of April 2024.” 

“This upfront payment covers one month of student accommodation and the book allowance. The book allowance is calculated at half of the total cost, whilst the accommodation is calculated as one month of the accommodation cost. 

“For TVET colleges, a total of R580150 950.00 was paid to colleges as tuition upfront in January 2024. An additional R1 billion is earmarked for three months’ worth of allowances to be paid based on registration from the January-March period,” he explained.

He emphasised that all the upfront payments are meant to enable institutions to register all NSFAS-approved students for the 2024 academic year.

“We all know that in February, the university sector commences with its registration. This means that by the time the first payment is made (usually at the beginning of February), the majority of the students have already registered and are already attending classes. 

“This is the reason why the board ensured that the upfront payments are inclusive of the registration period commencing in January for medical students in the university sector.”

He further explained that NSFAS requested institutions to pay allowances for both February and March due to challenges experienced at the beginning of the 2024 academic year, which led to delays in receiving registration data from institutions.

He said institutions were also requested to allow direct payment service providers to conduct the process of onboarding students, whilst they continue with payments.

“The direct payments of allowance for the 2024 academic year will commence in April 2024 and institutions will administer the payment of allowances for only two months (February and March) because the third allowance will be made on the direct payment platform. No exceptions or deviations will be allowed.”

Van Staden has encouraged all other institutions to submit registration data, to enable NSFAS to make a catch-up payment. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 03/04/2024 - 15:12

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Celebrating 30 years of human rights

Location: News

Celebrating 30 years of human rights

The year 2024 coincides with several historic milestones in the nation’s fight for fundamental human rights and freedoms, says Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa.

“South Africans from all walks of life will be participating in the seventh National Elections since the dawn of democracy and the country, in April, will be celebrating 30 years of democracy in South Africa,” the Minister said on Monday in Pretoria.

He was addressing the launch of Human Rights Month, which is taking place under the theme: “Three Decades of Respect For and Promotion of Human Rights.”

Human Rights Month is observed to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy.

“Overall, Human Rights Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to uphold and protect human rights for all individuals worldwide. It encourages reflection, action, and solidarity in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

“From 1994 to date, South Africa underwent a radical transition from the oppressive apartheid regime, with its system founded on parliamentary sovereignty, to a constitutional democracy committed to the creation of a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights,” the Minister said.

Outlining the programme for Human Rights Month, he said the commemoration of the National Human Rights Day is planned for 21 March 2024 at the George Thabe Stadium, in Sharpeville.

“The hosting of the event in Sharpeville symbolises government’s commitment to honour sacrifices made by those who fought and died for our liberation in Sharpeville and other townships across the land.  It makes sense that we take the commemoration of the day to the place where it originated.

“On 21 March, the national Human Rights Day is commemorated to honour the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 where peaceful protestors marched against discriminatory pass laws and were fatally shot by police. The Sharpeville massacre stands as a potent symbol of the brutal realities of apartheid.

“Sharpeville's historical significance extended beyond its national borders, receiving global attention, which culminated in the United Nations (UN) Security Council passing a resolution condemning the killings and calling for the South African government to abandon its policy of apartheid and the UN General Assembly declaring apartheid as a violation of the UN Charter,” the Minister said.

 Six years after the massacre, the UN declared March 21 to be the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“The Sharpeville massacre galvanised the anti-apartheid movement both within South Africa and internationally. It energized resistance efforts and led to increased solidarity among activists and organizations working towards the dismantling of apartheid. 

“The massacre served as a catalyst for global awareness of the oppressive nature of apartheid and prompted increased international pressure on the South African government.  Over the following decades, the anti-apartheid movement gained momentum, ultimately contributing to the dismantling of apartheid in the early 1990s.”

Activities

The Minister called on all South Africans to participate in the activities planned for Human Rights Month.

“This year’s National Human Rights Day will be preceded by an International National Human Rights Conference, bringing together key stakeholders from across the globe as well as other government departments, to assess progress on the advancement of human rights since 1994.

“The Conference will be hosted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development from the 18th to 20th of March 2024 and is premised on the department’s core mandate to uphold and administer the Constitution, deepening constitutional democracy, and promoting the values of human dignity, equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms,” the Minister said.

Through this Conference, South Africa will conduct critical assessment of its state of human rights almost three decades into its constitutional democracy.

“There will be other activations across the country, amongst others, the Social Cohesion Dialogue to be hosted by the Eastern Cape province in Gqeberha on the 20th of March.

“Panellists in this programme include leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to building bridges across diverse communities. Amongst them will be Dr Brigalia Bam, former Chairperson of IEC and Dr Bonisile John Kani and Ms Rochelle de Kock from [the] Herald Newspaper,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Mon, 03/04/2024 - 12:12

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Fourie to Lead Stormers

Location: Sport

Deon Fourie returns as captain of the DHL Stormers for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship North-South encounter with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday. The experienced flank is joined by fellow Springboks Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok in making their return from a resting period for the South African derby, which kicks off at …

Read moreFourie to Lead Stormers

SA, Netherlands recommit to cooperation in water and sanitation sector

Location: News

SA, Netherlands recommit to cooperation in water and sanitation sector

The governments of South Africa and the Netherlands have undertaken to explore more cooperation opportunities in the water and sanitation sector in order to strength the existing relations between the two States.

The two countries made the undertaking when Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu joined by Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, met with the Ambassador of the Netherlands to South Africa, Joanne Doornewaard, in Pretoria this week.

Mchunu and Doornewaard held their first meeting since the Ambassador was posted to South Africa in August 2023. 

A number of issues were discussed at the meeting, including the bilateral agreement on water management between the two countries, as well as other collaboration opportunities in the water and sanitation sector.

Expanding on the existing relations between the two States, Mchunu acknowledged the expertise and contribution offered by the Netherlands in the water and sanitation space, saying that it has a significant impact. 

Mchunu said the visit by His Majesty the King of Netherlands, Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima in South Africa in October last year, as part of the Blue Deal Project, demonstrated the love they have for the people of South Africa.

The Minister outlined some challenges that the country continues to face, including delipidating infrastructure at municipal level, resulting in water losses.

“South Africa remains one of the driest countries in the world, yet we have a high rate of non-venue water at municipal level, losing so much water that we so need. We need lots of work around this matter [through] investing more in our water infrastructure to ensure that we nip this in a bud,” Mchunu said.

He said that South Africa has more challenges in water services than it has with water resources. 

Mchunu, however, maintained there is no water crisis in the country but is experiencing “isolated incidents that do not equate to a crisis".

Phillips said the department and the sector at large are reaping the benefits of some programmes undertaken by the Netherlands government under the Blue Deal Project, particularly in the supply chain management in infrastructure procurement.

“We have had an internationally renowned expert in infrastructure procurement, who has imparted so much knowledge that we are currently implementing to modernise our systems. This is going to make a huge improvement in our service delivery, and we want to take this to our water boards and municipalities to implement as well,” Phillips said.

Doornewaard outlined several projects that they want to undertake in Limpopo and other parts of the country, as part of support to the country’s water challenges and other sectors.

“We just want to lend a helping hand to the country,” Doornewaard said.

South Africa and the Netherlands signed the Blue Deal agreement, which aims to support water management by exchanging knowledge and experience. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 03/01/2024 - 13:30

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Doctor in Lottery circumcision scandal fails to challenge probe

Location: News

A Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into National Lottery Commission (NLC) funding for a dodgy circumcision project is back on track. Pretoria Doctor John Marite has failed to get leave to appeal an earlier order dismissing his attempt to interdict the SIU. The SIU alleges that millions received by Marite to implement the circumcision project …

Read moreDoctor in Lottery circumcision scandal fails to challenge probe

South Africa and Netherlands recommits their cooperation in the water and sanitation sector

Location: News

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South Africa and Netherlands governments have undertaken to forge more cooperation opportunities in the water and sanitation sector in efforts to strength the existing relations between the two states.

This undertaking was made on Tuesday, 27 February 2024 in Pretoria when the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, joined by Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips met with the Ambassador of Netherlands to South Africa, Joanne Doornewaard.

The meeting between Minister Mchunu and Ambassador Doornewaard was the first one since she was posted to South Africa in August 2023. Several issues were discussed, including the bilateral agreement on water management between the two countries as well as other collaboration opportunities in the water and sanitation sector.

Expanding on the existing relations between the two states, Minister Mchunu appreciated Netherlands expertise and the contribution that they are making in the water and sanitation space, saying that it has a significant impact. Acknowledging, the assistance from Netherlands government, he said the visit by the King and Queen of Netherlands to South Africa, as part of the Blue Deal Project, demonstrated the love they have for the people of South Africa.

Minister Mchunu outlined some challenges that the country continues to face includes the delipidating infrastructure at municipal level as well as water losses as a result of that.

“South Africa remains one of the driest countries in the world, yet we have a high rate of non-venue water at municipal level, losing so much water that we so need. We need lots of work around this matter, that is investing more on our water infrastructure, to ensure that we nip this in a bud”, he emphasised.

In addition, Minister Mchunu said that South Africa has more challenges on water services that it has on water resources, saying the dams are full but the ability to take that water to the taps. However, he said, there is no water crisis in the country, what is experienced, are isolated incidences that do not equate to a crisis.

Director General, Dr Phillips said the department and the sector at large is reaping the benefits of some programmes undertaken by the Netherlands government under the Blue Deal project, particularly in the supply chain management in the infrastructure procurement.

“We have had an internationally renowned expert in infrastructure procurement who has imparted so much knowledge that we are currently implementing to modernise our systems. This is going to make a huge improvement in our service delivery, and we want to take this to our water boards and municipalities to implement as well”, he said.

Ambassador Doornewaard outlined several projects that they want to undertake in Limpopo and other parts of the country as part of support to the country's water challenges and other sectors, saying they just want to lend a helping hand to the country.

South Africa and Netherlands signed a Blue Deal agreement which aims to support water management by exchanging knowledge and experiences, assist the national, regional and local organisations and cooperate with key stakeholders. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Read moreSouth Africa and Netherlands recommits their cooperation in the water and sanitation sector

Cabinet confident SA will deliver successful G20 Summit

Location: News

Cabinet confident SA will deliver successful G20 Summit

Cabinet has expressed its confidence in South Africa's ability to host a successful G20 Summit, drawing upon its track record of successfully organising major events such as the BRICS Summit and the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum (AGOA).

This is according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni who addressed a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday in Pretoria.

The Minister told the media that Cabinet received and considered a report on the preparations for South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Summit in 2025 as well as taking over the Presidency. 

“This is a momentous event for South Africa as it will be the first country in Africa to host such a gathering; not only unique because of the anticipated numbers but also of the enduring impact it is envisaged to make. 

“Cabinet is confident that South Africa will deliver a successful G20 Summit, as it has done with previous major events such as the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa Summit and the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum.

“The G20 Presidency presents South Africa with an opportunity to champion the aspirations of emerging markets,” the Minister said. 

As it hosts the G20, Ntshavheni said South Africa’s participation in the forum will continue to be guided by the country’s commitment to advance national interests as well as those of the African continent.

37th African Union (AU) Summit

Cabinet has also expressed appreciation on the progress made at the 37th AU Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 17 and 18 February 2024, which outlined Africa's priorities for 2024 and beyond. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa joined other African leaders in discussing key continental priorities including peace and security, climate change, economic development and Africa’s role in the wider global multilateral context. 

The summit adopted the Second 10-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, which will see the acceleration of flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, in which South Africa is playing a leading role.

President Ramaphosa also presented a report on the continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of readiness against future health threats, in his capacity as the Champion of the AU’s COVID-19 response.

The summit also emphasised the importance of socio-economic recovery post-COVID-19 and lessons from the pandemic preparedness and response and continental security.

“The President called on African leaders to continue improving the levels of alertness of their countries against future pandemics and urged for the adoption of a strong Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness and Response,” Cabinet said. - SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Thu, 02/29/2024 - 12:49

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Read moreCabinet confident SA will deliver successful G20 Summit

Illuminating South Africa’s Literary Horizon: DSAC Publishing Hub Unveils 21 Unique Works

Location: MyPR

In a resounding celebration of South African literature, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association of South Africa (ANFASA) proudly unveil the results of the DSAC Publishing Hub’s 2023/24 Call for Manuscripts. This year’s initiative has seen an overwhelming response, with 21 exceptional manuscripts selected for publication. …

Read moreIlluminating South Africa’s Literary Horizon: DSAC Publishing Hub Unveils 21 Unique Works

Quick Quizz: Which Company has Supported READ for 25 Years?

Location: Business

Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford South Africa, in collaboration with READ Educational Trust (The Rally to Read Projects), have rolled out the second Pretoria-based rally, reinforcing the company’s commitment to educational literacy. As part of the three-year project, Ford Fund provides an annual grant of R1.36-million, benefiting six schools in three different areas surrounding …

Read moreQuick Quizz: Which Company has Supported READ for 25 Years?