Public Relations

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Wednesday deliver the keynote address at the official launch of the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation at the Freedom Park National Heritage Site in Pretoria. 

The foundation, according to the Deputy President’s Office, was established in honour of the late liberation struggle icon, accomplished public servant and veteran communicator, Ronald “Ronnie” Mamoepa.

The commemoration event will be held under the theme, 'Recommitting the legacy of Ronnie Mamoepa through social activism'. 

The event will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Wall of Names, which is inscribed with the names of heroes and heroines who died fighting for humanity and freedom. 

Mamoepa’s last job at the time of his passing in 2017 was then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson. 

The Presidency said this was a role he fulfilled and executed with distinction, humility, dedication and honour.  

The late spokesperson has been described as a consummate professional characterised by integrity, intelligence, humour, kindness, and loyalty. 

The Presidency said he was a dedicated servant of the people who earned his stripes in the youth movement, Parliament and various national departments.

“This griot of communications also served five years of his youth in incarceration in Robben Island.”

The launch of the foundation, the Presidency said, is aimed at highlighting, preserving and promoting the positive legacy of Mamoepa. 

It will also lead community-based initiatives, focusing on addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the country such as poverty, inequality and unemployment.  

The event will be attended by representatives of the Mamoepa family, friends and colleagues, including leaders of the governing party and other political formations, businesses and faith-based organisations.  

Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, as well as senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Take Note IT, a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, has launched the Cyber Excellence Academy, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). 

The academy, which is also supported by the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICTSETA) aims to revolutionise the cybersecurity landscape by empowering people with advanced skills and knowledge to combat evolving digital threats.

The Cyber Excellence Academy is an intensive training programme designed to equip participants with industry-leading expertise in cybersecurity. 

“By fostering a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, strategies and best practices, the academy aims to produce a new generation of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals, who can proactively safeguard organisations against ever-evolving cyber threats,” the CSIR said in a statement. 

The collaboration with the esteemed CSIR ensures that the programme aligns with cutting-edge research and development in the field of cybersecurity. 

The CSIR said its extensive experience and expertise in cybersecurity, coupled with Take Note IT’s track record, create a unique and powerful synergy to provide participants with an unparalleled learning experience.

Speaking on the collaboration, CSIR Information and Cybersecurity Manager, Dr Jabu Mtsweni, said this initiative is focusing on the youth, females and the unemployed from the matric level. 

“This we do because we have learned that many of those with matric or higher certificates struggle to either go to varsity or enter the job market, despite the great potential that they have. As such, this programme, in line with the CSIR’s strategic objectives and values, aims to contribute towards skills development and on-the-job training, in collaboration with industry,” he explained. 

Meanwhile, MICTSETA has been identified as a key organisation that is driving skills development and training initiatives in the media, information and communication technology sectors. 

The collaboration ensures that the academy’s programmes adhere to industry standards and address the specific needs of the rapidly evolving cybersecurity industry.

“This academy will play a pivotal role in training the new generation of cyber youth, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the digital world,” said the CEO of Take Note IT, Mamela Luthuli. 

“By investing in talent development, the company not only ensures its future growth but also fosters employment prospects for individuals seeking careers in the cybersecurity field.” 

It offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of cybersecurity domains, including, but not limited to, network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, risk management and incident response. 

Participants will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge tools and technologies, and world-class instructors who are industry practitioners with deep expertise in their respective domains. – SAnews.gov.za
 

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says it has initiated a remedial process where students, who are found to have been funded based on incorrect information, are immediately defunded.

NSFAS said this is done to avoid wrongful and illegal allocation of funds to students, who fall outside the prescription of the entity’s policies. 

“The prescriptions of our policies and the law will be implemented firmly and vigorously to avoid a repeat of the more than R5 billion that was allocated incorrectly to students since 2016,” NSFAS said.

The NSFAS decision is in response to the Auditor-General’s findings and a Special Investigation Unit (SIU) investigation, which revealed that more than R5 billion was paid to the students who did not qualify for bursaries.

The SIU draft presentation was presented to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).

The lead investigator told the committee that 76 institutions, including 40 044 students, did not qualify for bursaries from 2018 to 2021.

However, the scheme has acknowledged that it has received complaints from some students, who were defunded incorrectly, and said “if such cases are true, this is regrettable”.

“A process of verifying these complaints will be immediately initiated and if proven otherwise, remedial action will be taken,” NSFAS said.

During a meeting held with the South African Students Congress (SASCO) leadership this past Sunday, and an engagement with the South African Union of Students (SAUS), NSFAS assured students that its board and management remains committed to a student-centred model, in which the main focus is the creation of an environment for students to engage in academic activities without the inconvenience of lack.

“Where we encounter obstacles related to our systems and capacity, all appropriate efforts will be made to achieve improvements.

"Where needed, engagements will continue to be made with the relevant stakeholders and this will be done with the objective of receiving valuable inputs in improving our service to students and in full observance of our policies and the law,” NSFAS said. 

In carrying out these objectives, NSFAS said it will not be influenced by squabbles amongst service providers, or parties that seek to “grandstand” for reasons other than the interests of the students.

“NSFAS will proceed with implementing new policy decisions in a manner that is firm, legal and within the dictates of her policies,” NSFAS said.

Investigation over excessive charges

Meanwhile, NSFAS said an investigation will be conducted following students’ complaints about excessive charges.

Student leadership has also complained about inaccessibility of service providers, lack of clarity on how to access funds, and allegations of funds not reaching their intended beneficiaries.

“Where the allegations are proven true, appropriate action will be taken,” the scheme said.

NSFAS said the service providers will be instructed to increase their physical presence at institutions of higher learning so that they can respond directly to student queries on direct payments.

“There should be an immediate enhancement of explanations on how students can access their funds to avoid delays in the distribution of allowances, and there will be a three-way meeting between student leaders, NSFAS management and the service providers on 11 July to iron out all relevant matters,” NSFAS said. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

All eight police officers that were involved in the N1 assault case have been suspended in terms of the South African Police Service (SAPS) disciplinary regulations, as of Monday, 10 July 2023.

Last week, Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced that the eight members of the South African Police Service have been issued with suspension notices.

The officers were then temporarily removed from their posts pending investigation.

Masemola said no amount of provocation can ever justify or validate what was witnessed in the video clip.

“We generally follow a very stringent process to identify members that should be protecting our principals, so for those members to have conducted themselves in such a manner is quite concerning.

“We pledge to offer our full cooperation to the IPID [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] investigation, at the same time ensuring that our internal processes are not compromised in any manner,” Masemola said.

The police officers involved in the incident are said to be Deputy President Paul Mashatile's protectors. He has condemned the incident in the strongest terms. – SAnews.gov.za

Communications and Digital Technologies Acting Minister, Enoch Godongwana, has welcomed a high court decision to place the South African Post Office (SAPO) under supervision and in business rescue.

The Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa, in its ruling on Monday, said the business rescue proceedings are to commence with immediate effect.

Godongwana further noted the appointment of Anooshkumar Rooplal and Juanito Martin Damons as joint interim business rescue practitioners in respect of the business rescue proceedings subject to approval by the Registrar of Financial Services and ratification by the majority of SAPO’s creditors.

According to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, the decision of the court in support of the application brought by Minister Mondli Gungubele confirms that indeed SAPO is a strategic government asset that provides vital services throughout the country. This is especially in remote areas where SAPO is often the main link between residents and the outside world.

It added that it further uses its countrywide footprint to render such services as the distribution of social grants at its branches, distribution of medication to those in need and various national and international postal services etc.    

The decision will give SAPO the much needed time and space to restructure its affairs under supervision and implement the turnaround plan to fundamentally change its business model into a solvent and viable business with broad revenue streams that leads on modern services.

“The challenge is on SAPO, the department and all stakeholders to live up to the commitments made in the application,” said the acting Minister Godongwana. – SAnews.gov.za

 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape, along with other stakeholders, has held a summit to look at ways to bolster rural safety.

The two-day summit, held in Mthatha last week, concentrated on efforts to eradicate stock theft, while at the same time, ensuring the safety of rural communities.

Several stakeholders converged at the Walter Sisulu University (Zamukulungisa Campus) in Mthatha to reflect on the challenges that are encountered by different sectors within the rural communities. During deliberations, a task team was set up to concentrate solely on rural safety.

"We managed to identify issues that our rural communities are facing, and now what we need is to implement workable solutions on the ground level in order to protect rural and farming communities," said a member of the Rural Safety Priority Task Force from the Office of the Minister of Police, Petrus Sitho.

In her keynote address at the summit, Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said the work of the police must be strengthened by community partnerships.

“The SAPS as an organisation cannot go it alone. If we want to achieve the salient objectives of the National Rural Safety Strategy and other relevant legal frameworks, we need to stop working in silos. All we need is a multi-agency collaboration to gain strength that will enable us to defeat our common enemy," she said.

Following the recent spike in farm attacks, Agri SA and the police joined forces to crack down on crime. They announced an enhanced implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy to not only protect farmers and workers, but also curb stock theft.

In a joint statement, Agri SA and the police expressed their commitment to work together, and to mobilise other agricultural unions and other role players in ensuring an enhanced implementation to co-create a crime-free farming environment. – SAnews.gov.za

 

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) have introduced a contractor to resume the repairs of the M4 Tongaat River bridge in Ballito, which was damaged during the April 2022 floods.

The closure of the bridge impacted negatively on communities and businesses in Zimbali, Ballito, Salt Rock, Shaka’s Head and other locations within the KwaDukuza Local Municipality.

It also affected residences and businesses along the M4 in Westbrook and Tongaat, as they had to take longer routes.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka said the bridge was the main remaining strategic route, with access cut completely.

The M4 Tongaat River Bridge also provides an alternative route to the N2.

“Repairing the bridge will be part of the first phase and will ensure that motorists are able to travel safely. The design for a safer long-term structure will also commence concurrently,” Hlomuka said.

In other projects, including the N2, other sections of the M4 and the R102, Hlomuka said mobility has been restored and there are active sites where work is underway.

Meanwhile, the department said the N3 Toll Route at Van Reenen's Pass has been reopened to traffic after six trucks were torched by a group of gunmen at the weekend.  – SAnews.gov.za

 

eThekwini Municipality has encouraged prepaid electricity customers to get their key change token before the November 2024 deadline.

This follows the updating of prepaid electricity meters, which forms part of the city’s process to roll over its prepaid electricity token system to the new STS 6 format.

STS is the new prepaid electricity token system. The Token Identifier (TID) rollover project kicked off on 1 July 2023.

The municipality said the new key change tokens will ensure that customers who use prepaid electricity will still be able to purchase tokens after the 24 November 2024 deadline when the current format will no longer be useable.

To make this process easier, the city said customers can get the key change token from all third-party vending systems and residents don’t only have to get their key change token from Sizakala Centres. 

The tokens can be obtained when buying electricity from banking apps, supermarkets, and any other electricity prepaid vending systems.

The municipality said since July, customers from areas including Westville, Chiltern Hills, Cowies Hill, Atholl Heights, Dawncrest, Dawncliffe, Beverly Hills, Claire Estate, Palmiet, Rouken Glen, Grayleigh, Erin-Go-Bragth, Westville South, Westville North, and Reservoir Hills have already started receiving key change tokens. 

“Customers from these areas are receiving two sets of key change tokens when purchasing their prepaid electricity. The third token is for recharging electricity. The two sets of tokens need to be entered into the meter before entering a token for recharging electricity.

“From 1 August 2023, all customers in eThekwini will begin to receive key change tokens when purchasing prepaid electricity and customers are urged to ensure that they enter those key change tokens first before entering a token to recharge or load electricity. Failure to do so will result in customers being unable to purchase prepaid electricity,” the municipality explained.

The city has also advised customers to ensure that they redeem all the tokens they have bought previously, before entering the key change token, as “they will not be able to use any previous token once they have loaded the key change token”. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, will this week host the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Education Senior Officials Meeting and the 10th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education in Mpumalanga.

The BRICS education engagements, taking place from 12 - 13 July 2023, are hosted as part of the build-up to the 15th BRICS Summit to be chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2023.

The official meeting will be held under the theme, ‘Responsive and Relevant Education and Training in the Current Global Context’.

The department said at the conclusion of the meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education, the Ministers will adopt a declaration, which makes firm commitments on eight thematic areas that have been identified. 

These areas include climate change, entrepreneurship development, skills, mutual recognition of qualifications, out-of-school youth, labour market intelligence, university global ranking and early childhood development.

The two engagements will be preceded by the BRICS TVET [technical vocational education and training] Institution President Seminar, taking place at Ekurhuleni West TVET College from 11 - 13 July 2023.

“In recognition of this year’s focus on BRICS and Africa, South Africa has invited the Ministers of Education from Mozambique and Namibia as guests of our BRICS education meetings.

“BRICS Ministers of Education will also consider and reflect on the outcomes of the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance and BRICS Network University Seminars,” the department said in a statement.

During the 9th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education, held in May last year, Nzimande reaffirmed the BRICS countries’ commitment to implementing the UN Education 2030 Agenda, promoting education accessibility and equity, and accelerating the development of quality education and training.

They also committed to encourage exchanges among youth from the bloc, strengthening the cultivation of knowledge on sustainable development and providing BRICS contributions for global governance. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reported that five trucks were torched on the N4 highway near Machardodorp in Mpumalanga last night.

The incident took place just before midnight yesterday. Of the five trucks, four were going uphill from Mbombela towards Machardodorp, while the fifth was travelling in the opposite direction, towards Mbombela.

This incident came on the heels of another where six trucks were torched on the Van Reenen's Pass in KwaZulu-Natal, also during the weekend, by a gang of armed men who forced the truck drivers to stop their trucks.

The gang set all six trucks alight causing the road to be closed to traffic. No injuries were reported. Motorists were urged to delay their trips if possible.

Northbound traffic, heading to Johannesburg, was stopped at Tugela Plaza, while southbound traffic, heading to Durban, was stacked at the top of Van Reenen's Pass.

With the Mpumalanga incident, the trucks were burnt and that caused massive destruction and loss for different trucking companies.

According to information received, it is alleged that two vehicles, a light delivery vehicle and a sedan with five occupants stopped the trucks, instructed the drivers to take their personal belongings before setting the trucks on fire.

The exact loss suffered is yet to be determined. The motive behind the mayhem is also unclear at this stage.

Police have since launched an investigation into this incident of malicious damage to properties.

Police call on anyone with information regarding the perpetrators to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP.

All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has strongly condemned the outrageous behaviour of lawlessness displayed in this incident.

"We are a country with laws and we cannot allow our country to be subjected to this kind of criminal behaviour. An example should be made out of the people behind this act,” said Lieutenant General Manamela.

“Besides the great financial loss caused in terms of the damages, other road users were inconvenienced as the road was closed down for hours as police and other role players were busy with investigation and assessment. The perpetrators thereof should be hunted down and be brought to book," Lieutenant General Manamela said. - SAnews.gov.za

 

Eskom has implemented Stage 4 load shedding immediately following increased demand and lowered generation capacity.

The higher stage will be implemented until 5am on Tuesday morning.

This will be followed by Stage 2 until 2pm with Stage 4 implemented thereafter.

The pattern will then continue until further notice.

“Over the past 24 hours a generating unit each at Duvha, Hendrina, Kendal, Kriel, Matimba and Medupi power stations were all returned to service.

“In the same period, a generating unit each at Arnot and Tutuka power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns. The delay in returning to service two generating units at Tutuka Power Station is contributing to current capacity constraints. Eskom teams are working around the clock to return the generating units to service,” Eskom said in a statement.

Breakdowns have contributed to at least 14 252MW being offline with a further 4118MW out due to planned maintenance.

Eskom called on South Africans to use electricity sparingly particularly during peak hours.

“We appeal to members of the public to reduce demand and we would like to thank those South Africans who do heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers and pool pumps from 5pm to 9pm, as this lowers demand and helps in alleviating the pressure on the power system and contributes to lower stages of load shedding,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for incentives to reward those that use cleaner fuels as a measure to reduce air pollution, which affects human health and the environment.  

“Vehicle subsidies may be offered for example towards buyers of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, electric and hydrogen run vehicles. While fare subsidies are known to attract more numbers of commuters from use of private cars,” Chikunga said on Monday in Pretoria.

Addressing the 41st annual Southern African Transport Conference (SATC 2023), she said the contribution of road transport to the Republic of South Africa’s (RSA’s) Greenhouse emissions (GHG) has increased to 95.7% in 2023.

“The road transport is said to be the highest polluter due to its overwhelming impacts. There are almost 13 million vehicle population (12 969 430) on South African roads, 32% (4 158 818) of which are goods vehicle.

“In environmental terms, it is documented that in 2018, the road transport alone was responsible for 91.2% of South Africa’s Green House Gas emissions. Other modes such as aviation, maritime and rail accounted for 5%, 2.2% and 1.6%, respectively,” the Minister said.

The National Department of Transport’s (DoT) is tasked with drafting policy and legislation, which in turn must guide the planning and the building of resilient systems to tackle global transport externalities.

“However, agreeing on policies that will enable internalisation of social costs from GHG emissions globally is no easy task, with differences between the more developed and the less developed countries.

“As government we may have to improve the design of incentives to reward those whose transport production or consumption activities results in positive externalities.

“Taxes or subsidies are here imposed so that private costs absolve society’s full costs and benefits accruing from a transaction. Imposing taxes and subsidies however require lots of data towards establishing the true outcomes,” Chikunga said.

She said subsidies might also be used to influence consumer choices to opt for more environmentally friendly transport mode.

“Policies may be put in place to subsidise capital expenditure, as well as operational expenditure related to public passenger transport. Modal subsidies for public transport buses, railway and taxes may be offered.

“It should be noted that to these ends we have already embarked on a process of developing and implementing a public transport subsidy whose benefits must accrue most importantly to the consumer of public transport,” the Minister said.

These actions are intended to stimulate increased use of less intrusive transport modes, when given subsidies.

In addition, fuel economy standards could be set to capture the mileage travelled per unit of fuel consumed.

She also suggested regulation on emission standards, which may be set to impose a limit on the amount of exhaust that a vehicle happens to be giving off in its tailpipe.

Fuel quality standards may be instituted to limit polluting elements in a fuel type, e.g., lead in gasoline and sulphur in diesel.

The Minister’s call comes as the international community prepares to commemorate Mandela Day, which is calling for focus on dismantling poverty and inequality by acting against climate change and creating resilient food environments.

Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela's values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng Metrorail has advised commuters to seek alternative transport after its service experienced disruption at most of its lines on Monday, due to adverse weather conditions.

“Refunds are facilitated at Metrorail train stations for affected commuters. Metrorail remains committed to operating trains safely. We would like to apologise to commuters for the inconvenience caused,” Gauteng Metrorail said.

The cold weather has a negative impact on the infrastructure and its components (tracks, crossover points, electrical cables, etc.). The overhead wires also experience tension, which results in power instability and failure.

Delays were experienced in the Saulsville to Pretoria line, Centurion to Pretoria, Leralla to Germiston, as well as the Naledi to Johannesburg corridor.

“The Saulsville-Pretoria, Naledi-Johannesburg and Leralla-Germiston train service is currently suspended to allow the technical team to work on the infrastructure. The electricity had to be switched off on both lines in Naledi, Leralla and Saulsville to allow the technical team to commence with repair work of the affected section,” Metrorail said.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) reported that a cold front caused a significant drop in temperatures over Gauteng on Monday.

“The maximum temperatures are expected to reach 13°C in the northern areas of Gauteng, with minimum temperatures recorded to have met criteria for snowy conditions. Snow was observed over areas in the south, such as Soweto, Alberton and Roodepoort.

“Some of the areas that observed snow include the eastern areas of Gauteng, Heidelberg and parts of Vosloorus. Most of the snow that was observed since morning was over Heidelberg. Light snowfall and sleet are still possible over the Highveld and the escarpment of Mpumalanga,” SAWS said. – SAnews.gov.za