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Draft regulations to help regulate the registering of traditional health practitioners
The publication of the draft regulations to help regulate the registering of traditional health practitioners (THPs) has been welcomed.
“Since our appointment by former Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla on 13 April 2023, our priority task was to see the implementation of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 2007(Act No. 22 of 2007) realised,” the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (ITHPCSA) said in a statement.
The draft regulations published on 21 June 2024 in a Government Gazette outlines the processes which traditional health practitioners should follow in registering with the Council.
They provide the details of who qualifies to register with the Council, categories covered by the Act, registration forms, and the fees to be paid by THPs when registering with the interim council.
“It is our goal and commitment that at the proclamation of this draft regulations, all systems for registration of THPs will begin, ushering a new dawn for the recognition and professionalisation of the traditional health practice.”
The review of the draft Traditional Medicine Regulation 2015 was among the tasks the council addressed, which was submitted to the Minister for publication for public comment.
“We invite all interested persons and stakeholders within and outside the sector to submit any substantiated comments or representations on the proposed draft regulations. We also intend to provide contact consultations in all provinces to stakeholders within the sector to provide clarity where there are confusions.”
This consultation will, according to the Council, be scheduled within the months stipulated in the Gazette to offer people an opportunity to submit their comments.
The ITHPCSA was established to regulate THPs the same way other health practitioners are regulated by Councils such as the Nursing Council of South Africa (NCSA), the Pharmacy Council of South Africa (PCSA) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
“The interim Council is looking forward to constructive discussions with stakeholders and inputs from the public at large.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 07/07/2024 - 11:23
School of Government to host webinar on GNU
The National School of Government (NSG) will host an important webinar on the new South African government system, a Government of National Unity (GNU) as well as coalition arrangements.
Monday’s webinar will focus on making coalitions and GNU work and the role of professional bureaucracies.
“The webinar will provide a platform to discuss the likely impact of the GNU on the public administration and governance system, with lessons from countries abroad that have gone through power-sharing arrangements as well as in the country’s local government system where coalitions have also been in existence for a few years,” the NSG explained.
The session will include local and overseas experts who will share their insights and experiences on the impact of coalition arrangements on public sector institutions.
The speakers include former Advisor to Coalition Governments in Ireland Fergus Finlay as well as Jan Cornillie, Former Chief of Cabinet for various Belgian Ministers.
The attendees will also hear from Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management Administration Director-General, Nthabiseng Tlhomola, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission Professor Somadoda Fikeni and many more.
Announcing his new Cabinet last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the establishment of the GNU in its current form was unprecedented in the history of the country’s democracy.
The President said: “We have had to consider how to form the new government in a manner that advances the national interest, that gives due consideration to the outcome of the election and that makes use of the respective capabilities within each of the parties”.
The President added that all the political parties who were members of the GNU had committed to respecting the Constitution, promoting accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making as well as the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.
The NSG has introduced a series of webinars and seminars over the past few years to exchange knowledge and promote a culture of continuous learning within the public sector.
These sessions aim to ensure that public officials can benefit from the latest thinking from the global content and local levels’ experiences.
Each session is addressed by a senior expert on the topic of focus and is generally attended by senior leaders from across the public sector both elected leaders and appointed officials.
President Ramaphosa and a range of Ministers have also previously participated in a webinar arranged by the school.
The webinar will take place virtually on Monday from 9 am to 1 pm.
Click on this link to register https://thensg-gov-za.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GvBAX8j5RRO-EQ1d7YfkOA#/registration. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Sun, 07/07/2024 - 13:02
NHLS apologises for blood result delays
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has announced that while all its laboratories are operational following a cyber-attack, the issuing of test results to clinicians remains an issue.
“Under normal circumstances, the laboratory reports are automatically generated and sent to clinicians or made available on WebView, this incident has disabled that functionality. However, all urgent results are communicated telephonically to requesting clinicians,” the NHLS said in a statement on Wednesday
The NHLS announced late last month that it was hit by a cyber-attack, which compromised its systems and infrastructure.
READ | National Health Laboratory Service hit by cyber attack
In the meantime, the State-owned diagnostic pathology service provider said it was still implementing alternative plans and steps to maintain business continuity.
The NHLS has since distributed a critical test list to all health facilities.
“This is done to limit the volume of test requests, allowing laboratories to cope with the workload. However, this does not imply that routine tests will not be performed.”
In addition, the service provider had to come up with ways of making tuberculosis (TB) and HIV viral load historical test results available to clinicians.
“More tests, prioritising those on the critical test list, will be made available. In addition, we are in the process of developing an electronic registration system for registering new samples and providing test results electronically. Access to laboratory results will be the same as the historical TB and HIV viral test results.”
According to the NHLS, its current focus is to bring all its systems back online by the estimated mid-July to ensure end-user access remains.
“The NHLS is handling this challenge with extreme urgency to ensure the timely and secure recovery of all affected operations.”
Meanwhile, the organisation has since opened a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and informed all the relevant regulatory bodies about the breach.
“The NHLS views this attack in a serious light with significant worry and is treating the situation with great urgency. The breach has endangered the safety and well-being of millions of public health patients.”
The Board and its leadership team have apologised for the inconvenience caused by this occurrence and assured the public that the organisation is taking all necessary steps to resolve the situation.
“Despite the incident, the NHLS remains fully committed to providing high-quality diagnostic services to the public. The NHLS appreciates all stakeholders’ patience and the support we continue to receive during this difficult time.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 07/04/2024 - 11:43
ReSURGEnce Durban conference to present new markets for local businesses
EThekwini Municipality City Manager, Musa Mbhele, says the 2024 reSURGEnce Durban Conference is an opportunity for new markets to be opened up to local businesses.
Mbhele’s remarks come ahead of the biggest global investment conference expected to hit the city’s shores - the reSURGEnce Durban Conference, which is taking place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 17 to 21 July 2024.
The conference, which is hosted by eThekwini Municipality, in collaboration with partners from the United States of America (USA), will see a large number of USA delegates, including captains of industry, businesses, investors, financers, decision makers, and high-profile leaders, who are expected to descend on the city next month.
Held under the theme ‘Moving the needle forward towards economic emancipation’, the event, will present platforms where entrepreneurs will gain access to capital and investment opportunities.
Mbhele said the five-day investment conference will take place in the form of trade shows, empowerment conferences, taking hosted delegations on site visits to local key developments, networking and pitching sessions, youth entrepreneurship, and a music concert to showcase local talent to an international audience.
“This is part of the city’s efforts and plan of action to boost trade and investment in Durban. This could unlock new markets, clientele base and collaborations which could result in massive business growth,” Mbhele said.
Mbhele has invited interested local businesses to register and showcase their businesses to an international investment delegation. The exhibitor registration closes on 30 June 2024.
Exhibition registration fees are as follows:
• Small, medium, and micro enterprises: R500
• Non-profit organisations: R1 000
• Non-governmental organisations: R1 000
• Tertiary institutions: R2 000
• Government departments: R5 000
• Government agencies: R5 000
• Corporates: R5 000
To register for the reSURGEnce Durban Conference and for more information visit www.resurganceconference.org. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 06/26/2024 - 12:28
The Ombudsman for Long-term Insurance (OLTI) and the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance (OSTI) have published their last joint annual report for 2023, as they have now been incorporated into the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO). From 1 March 2024, the NFO, an industry ombud scheme, commenced operations with the merger of four separate …
SASSA, departments to offer services to Elandshoek community
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Mpumalanga and other key government stakeholders will provide services to the Elandshoek community, located on the outskirts of the N4 in Mbombela, today.
According to SASSA, the Integrated Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) aims to bring services closer to people and ensure that communities have full access to SASSA social grant services.
The Departments of Home Affairs, Health and Social Development and the local municipality will be joining SASSA in their outreach programme.
“The agency identified this area because it is an informal settlement and transport is costly for clients. This community travels 77 kilometres to reach the SASSA Nelspruit service office.
“The majority of the Elandshoek community depend on social grants and many are foreigners from Mozambique and Eswatini, some are naturalised citizens and make a living through seasonal employment at the agricultural farms,” the agency explained.
SASSA will be educating the public to empower them about social grant information.
“Access and equal opportunity are essential human rights, enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.”
The agency will render several services including grant application, Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) COVID-19 grant enquiries and change of payment method.
In addition, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), South African Police Service (SAPS), and the banking institutions will be also servicing the community.
For more information contact the toll-free number during working hours on 0800 60 10 11 or send a WhatsApp message to 082 046 8553. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 06/21/2024 - 10:32
The marathon and half marathon events, renowned for taking participants deep into the forest and offering breathtaking views of the estuary and Knysna Heads, takes place on the 22nd of June this year. Tickets are already sold out for the experience of the magic of Knysna Forest Marathon, the 39th running of the Garden Route …
Soccer enthusiasts of all ages and genders are invited to participate in an exhilarating 5-aside soccer tournament at Kwena Square Shopping Centre. The event, set to take place on June 30, 2024, promises a day of fun, competition, and community spirit. Teams will compete for their share of R5000 in prizes, with opportunities to showcase …
South African countries performed well on their financial inclusion, between 2011 and 2021. Progress is partly attributed to rapid adoption of digital financial services including mobile money, according to financial experts at a webinar on the African Financial Sector Southern Africa.
Organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in partnership with West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the webinar is part of a Series themed, Regional Dialogues on the African Financial Sector - regional profile.
The aim of the regional profiles is to provide detailed information on the countries' financial sectors, documenting recent trends, progress, challenges, and opportunities for a deeper financial sector.
In her opening remarks Eunice Kamwendo, ECA's Director of the Subregional Office for Southern Africa noted the potential for growth, innovation and sustainable investments in the financial sector in Southern Africa.
“Southern African region's financial sector faces financial challenges that include liquidity issues, debt distress, limited access to financial services, high levels of informality and regulatory constraints; Despite these challenges, it is important to prioritize the development of the financial sector to create stability, mobilize domestic resources and foster a stable environment for investment,” said Ms. Kamwendo.
Presenting a report on the demographic economic landscape of the Southern African region, Andrew Bamugye, Senior investment manager SME, Trade and Development Bank said the banking sector in Southern Africa has remained solvent with adequate capital; banking liquidity remained sufficient, with most banks seeing profitability between 2021 and 2023.
“The challenge in the banking industry in the region is the strong interconnection between the banking system and non – banking financial institutions and foreign markets, which leads to the risk of contagion,” said Mr. Bamugye.
He proposed that governments should increase fiscal space by expanding government revenues through diversification of the tax base and simplification of tax systems to reduce the exposure of banks to sovereign risks.
Punki Modise, Chief strategy and sustainability officer, ABSA Bank highlighted the varying levels of debt to GDP ratios across African countries and noted that some countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt have adopted unsustainable debt strategies. She also emphasized the importance of project preparation and bankability in the private sector.
“Authorities should enhance competition in the banking systems through the promotion of new players especially those that help to improve financial inclusion,” she said.
In addition, she said banks operating in Africa need to have a more end-to-end approach to risk management, considering bankability at all stages.
On capital markets most countries in the Southern African region have a low market capitalization. The Johannesburg stock exchange, which is the leading stock exchange in Africa has a market capitalization of $1022.8 trillion representing 133% of GDP in 2023, against 51.9% of Mauritius and 18.6% of Namibia.
A lack of liquidity characterizes the bulk of the South African stock market and the breadth of the stock market in the region remains limited.
Furthermore, a small, listed number of companies and corporate bonds tend to dominate the fixed income market while the proportion of government bonds in the normal value is much higher.
“A deeper pool of insurers is required for the acceleration of green bonds growth in the region especially among corporate borrowers,” said Mr. Bamugye.
According to the experts attending the meeting, the pension fund penetration remains low in most Southern African countries. However, the high pension penetration rate in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana were the result of good investment returns on the funds, based on a diversified investment strategy coupled with a strong asset allocation process,
Bernard Yen, Actuary and managing director Aon Solutions Ltd, Mauritius highlighted the challenge of encouraging people in the formal sector to save and discussed the importance of structural changes to increase participation in pension funds.
He suggested that structural changes such as tax incentives and simplified registration processes could drive participation. He also emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach to increase pension fund participation in the region.
“Countries should explore ways to increase participation of informal sector workers in multi-employer pension funds,” he added.
On the question of tapping into southern African SMEs, participants noted that the majority are financially constrained and face a lack of skills in corporate governance, financial management and often contend with high collateral requirements.
Mr. Bamugye noted the need to help SMEs develop bankable business plans and called for streamlining government support programs towards them.
He emphasized the importance of blended finance structures to address the challenges faced by SMEs in the region including the need for risk capital and conditionality and use of unfunded guarantees to unlock local liquidity.
He acknowledged the obstacle of bank credit access in the region particularly for SMEs and encouraged innovative and creative solutions to promote financial inclusion advising that countries should continue to explore innovative instruments and blended approaches to solve SME credit access problems.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
World-class surfski paddlers are heading to Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast this Sunday (9 June 2024) to compete in the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge doubles race – paddling power couple Hank and Pippa McGregor among them. This epic contest forms part of the second annual Ocean Festival, running from 6 to 9 June 2024, …
City of Tshwane, Water and Sanitation sign agreement to address water issues
The City of Tshwane has set the wheels in motion towards formalising partnerships that will contribute towards addressing the city’s water and sanitation related challenges.
The National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is among the strategic partners which the city has approached not only to be involved as a regulator, but to also collaborate on various issues and leveraging the department’s technical and financial resources to jointly address the metropolitan municipality’s other challenges, including the Hennops River pollution, Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works and inadequate human resources.
The City of Tshwane and the department have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on various strategic areas including infrastructure planning and development, water resource planning and infrastructure solutions, and capacity building for the municipal officials.
The agreement was signed on Monday by Tshwane City Manager, Johann Mettler and Deputy Director-General for Water and Sanitation Services, Dr Risimati Mathye, at the city’s headquarters in Tshwane House.
The parties said discussions are at an advanced stage to finalise a flagship engineering candidacy development programme, which will see the secondment of candidate engineers to the City of Tshwane, as well as professional engineers who will be contracted to the city for a three-year period.
A team of engineers has undergone training under the department.
In addition, the Department of Water and Sanitation will offer free mentorship through its database of mentors to the candidate engineers to assist them to obtain their professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
Once implemented successfully, the programme will assist the city in complying with the new ECSA Identification of Engineering Work Regulations.
Mathye said collaboration between the two entities is significant, particularly on the Water and Sanitation side, to fulfil its role as a regulator of the water and sanitation sector.
“Addressing our major water challenges requires a collaborative effort between the city and key water stakeholders and the DWS is one of those key players.
“We have been facing significant water challenges which have been affecting some of our residents for a longer period [and] some of these challenges can be linked to ageing infrastructure and maintenance challenges at some of our Water Treatment Plants.
“We are pleased by the will and zeal that has been shown by the city in ensuring collaborative efforts and allow us to work together in different spheres of government to ensure efficient services to the residents of Tshwane. It has always been our intention to work with local government across to capacitate them where we can, to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6, to realise clean water and decent sanitation provision to communities,” Mathye said.
Other key areas of collaboration that the MoU will focus on include:
• Water resource planning and infrastructure solutions in line with the city’s Climate Action Plan.
• Infrastructure planning and development.
• Collaboration on water and sanitation-related programmes.
• Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation.
• Training and capacity building including secondment of staff between the parties.
• Education and awareness campaigns.
• Knowledge-sharing.
• Benchmarking of programmes like Green Drop, Blue Drop, No Drop.
• Joint enforcement programmes for water pollution prevention.
• Exploration of alternative water and sanitation technologies with DWS and its entities.
• Key bulk infrastructure in line with the Metropolitan Spatial Development Framework and Regionalised Spatial Development Framework.
• Any other additional area that the parties may agree to collaborate on in future.
The signed MoU reinforces the ideal of the Intergovernmental Relations Act, Act No. 13 of 2005 which implores a concerted effort by government in all spheres to work together and to integrate as far as possible their actions in the provision of services, the alleviation of poverty and the development of society. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 06/10/2024 - 12:41
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, dispels the common myths around blood donation and encourages more people to partake in this vital act of kindness. Every year on 12 June, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness of the importance of blood and blood product donations. “Worldwide, the need …
Clinix Foundation was approved for R11-million in funding in just three weeks
No traces of toxic compound found in Benylin paediatric cough syrup
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) says it has found no traces of diethylene glycol in the Benylin paediatric cough syrup.
This comes after SAHPRA recalled two batches of the cough syrup in April after the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) raised concerns about the medicine containing high levels of diethylene glycol.
Ethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.
The effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury that may lead to death.
“The recall was implemented as a precaution to protect lives, while SAHPRA investigated the reported high levels of diethylene glycol,” the local drug watchdog explained.
As the national regulatory authority for health products, SAHPRA may recall health products as a crucial measure to address safety concerns and quality issues in the interest of public health.
“As part of the investigation of the reported high levels of diethylene glycol, SAHPRA tested samples of the two affected batches of Benylin paediatric syrup through an independent laboratory and a method developed by the World Health Organisation for testing products for the presence of diethylene glycol. The tests did not find traces of diethylene glycol in the recalled batches.
“This indicates that units of batches 329303 and 329304, that were stored at the required temperature, would not contain unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol,” the statement read.
The watchdog also indicated that there was no record of any adverse drug reactions relating to diethylene glycol for the two recalled batches in South Africa or anywhere else where they were exported in Africa.
SAHPRA said it was mandated to regulate and apply due diligence to health products to ensure that products in circulation in South Africa and those exported from SAHPRA-licensed manufacturers are safe for public consumption.
It said it applies this due diligence throughout the product lifecycle, from registration through to post-market monitoring.
“SAHPRA will continue to closely monitor medical products that have the potential of containing unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol. And we will continue to address safety concerns or quality issues so that the health of the public is protected,” said SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.
SAHPRA is tasked with regulating – monitoring, evaluating, investigating, inspecting and registering – all health products.
This includes clinical trials, complementary medicines, medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) and overseeing radiation control in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 06/05/2024 - 15:05
200 women were marching to call for a ban of pesticides
Government welcomes conclusion of elections
Government has welcomed the successful conclusion of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, which ushers in the seventh democratic administration in the 30 years of South Africa’s freedom and democracy.
“These elections stand as testament to our vibrant and dynamic constitutional democracy and affirms our faith and confidence in our open democratic processes,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Monday.
Government thanked the 16 248 027 citizens who exercised their Constitutional right as well as civic duty to cast their ballots with “admirable patience, tolerance and enthusiasm”.
According to the Electoral Commission (IEC), the voter turnout for these elections was at 58.58%.
“This marks a watershed feat in the journey of our inclusive and participatory democracy as espoused by the Electoral Amendment Act 1 of 2023.
“The completion of this rigorous electoral process that comprised multiple milestones, from voter registration to actual voting and ultimately the vote counting as well as official announcement of the outcome of the election by the Electoral Commission of South Africa signals a formal end to the elections.
“The ‘snaking’ queues that characterised Voting Day across the length and breadth of our beloved country were demonstrative of a proud nation and a responsible citizenry, reminiscent of our first democratic elections,” GCIS said.
Government also congratulated the IEC for once again concluding a peaceful, free and fair election.
“The IEC is applauded for its transparency throughout the counting, verification, capturing and auditing process, which alleviated transgressions in the election outcomes.
“For the first time, South Africans had multiple options at the ballot with 70 political parties contesting the elections, 11 independent candidates and 52 national contestants. In total, there were over 14 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures,” GCIS said.
Since the dispensation of freedom and democracy in 1994, South Africa has now held seven successive free and fair democratic elections.
“We welcome the declaration by various domestic and international observers affirming the 2024 elections as free and fair which serves as a vote of confidence in the integrity as well as credibility of the country’s electoral processes.
“The elections were encouragingly competitive and contested in a remarkable spirit of political maturity and tolerance. Government congratulates all political parties and wishes them well in their upcoming term of public office.
“Government acknowledges the valuable contributions of citizens, community leaders, election officials, volunteers and various government departments who played a pivotal part in the successful conclusion of the elections. We also commend our law enforcement agencies who worked diligently to ensure that these elections took place in a peaceful, nonviolent, and safe environment,” GCIS said.
It appealed to citizens to respect the authority of the IEC and all empowering provisions to execute its mandate.
“The elections results have been officially declared free and fair. We move forward to ensure a peaceful and stable South Africa. Any attempt to undermine the authority of the State and South Africa’s constitutional order will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly,” GCIS said.
GCIS Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa said the elections were another milestone for South Africa as the country celebrates 30 years of freedom and democracy.
“This reinforces our dedication to adhering to democratic electoral processes. Government extends its appreciation to all stakeholders who made it possible for the country to conduct elections in a secure environment,” Mnukwa said.
The public has been urged to refrain from sharing information in any form of pictures, audios or videos that perpetuate misinformation and disinformation or seek to incite any form of violence.
“Our law enforcement agencies continue to be deployed across the country to ensure that peace and safety prevails post the elections.
“The Chief Justice has already gazetted the rules for the first sitting of the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and Provincial Legislatures, of which the date should be confirmed within 14 days after the elections results are declared.
“When the first sitting of Parliament takes place, the Chief Justice first presides over the process of electing the Office Bearers of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces,” GCIS said.
Government reiterated its dedication to continue providing services to its citizens while awaiting the finalisation of the smooth Parliamentary transition. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 06/03/2024 - 09:25
Glitches and slow queues need to be seen in light of IEC’s budget cuts
SAHRC gives 2024 elections the thumbs up
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has endorsed the 2024 National and Provincial Elections as having been free and fair.
“The South African Human Rights Commission endorses the 2024 National General Elections as free and fair,” the commission said on Sunday.
The commission’s comments come as the Electoral Commission (IEC) is set to announce the results of the elections this evening at 6pm. South Africans went to the polls in the seventh national elections on Wednesday, 29 May.
The SAHRC observed the elections from 27- 29 May 2024.
During this period, the commission observed 161 voting stations and gathered 98 reflections from human rights officials and champions, resulting in a significant national footprint across 259 voting stations.
Reflections
“Our preliminary observations revealed that operationally, 83% of voting stations observed opened on time, and 98% of ballot boxes were assembled in the presence of party agents and observers, although some party agents arrived late.”
In its preliminary reflections, the commission said that 95% of stations had all essential materials, including ballot papers and pens.
It said that most voters took more than 30 minutes to complete their voting process; 16% took two hours or longer, 46% took 30-90 minutes, and 38% took less than 10 minutes.
“We observed that 70% of voting stations experienced connectivity issues. In terms of accessibility, 83% of people with disabilities were able to vote independently, though only 40 stations scored a 10/10 for accessibility.
“Furthermore, 87% of polling stations had measures in place for the elderly, pregnant persons, and other special categories. Security incidents were minimal; no significant issues were observed and minor issues such as inebriated voters, raised tempers, or party agent interference were promptly addressed by SAPS [South African Police Service].”
The SAHRC added that it was aware that the elections “do not occur without minor glitches”.
“Some voting centres experienced slow-moving queues extending into the early hours of the following day, and some voters were turned away, unable to exercise their democratic right due to administrative challenges of registration.
“In some areas voters could not cast their vote due to strike. The Electoral Commission also reported a missing ballot box in Umhlathuze Ward 14, KwaZulu-Natal, which fortunately had already been counted.”
“Our preliminary concerns include the adverse impact of the three-ballot process on turnaround time, the lack of understanding and proper implementation of the Section 24A process, and the lack of uniformity in certain processes, with some stations using one ballot box for mixed votes and others using three separate boxes.”
It further added that accessibility for people with disabilities remains a challenge, privacy in voting booths was a concern, and connectivity issues required officials to alternate between online and manual systems.
“Overall, the Commission observed that the elections proceeded smoothly, without major concerns. The minor challenges monitored do not impact the overall declaration of the elections as free and fair. The SAHRC is further committed to producing a comprehensive final report that reflects the full extent of its observations during the 2024 general elections.”
READ | SA elections were held under “peaceful” conditions – African Union Mission
READ | SADC electoral mission gives Elections 2024 seal of approval
The commission expressed gratitude to South Africans who participated in large numbers to exercise their democratic right to vote.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the civil and political rights of all participants are upheld throughout the electoral process,” it said. - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 06/02/2024 - 16:17
SADC electoral mission gives Elections 2024 seal of approval
The Southern African Development Community Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) has described the pre-election and voting phases of South Africa’s National and Provincial Elections as having being held in an “orderly, peaceful and free atmosphere”.
South Africa’s elections were held by the Electoral Commission (IEC) on Wednesday, 29 May.
In a preliminary statement, Former Zambian Vice President and SEOM Head, Enock Kavindele, said some 84 observers were deployed to all nine provinces and they engaged with stakeholders from all parts of society on the elections.
“The mission observed that the country was calm and peaceful in the pre-election, election-day, and the immediate post-election period. I must emphasise that this was a very conducive environment for the elections, where only a few isolated incidences of political violence were reported.
“It was the concern of stakeholders that the incidences prevented special voting and final election campaign events in the areas. Apart from these isolated incidences, our observers deployed across the country witnessed numerous peaceful, well planned, and highly attended political rallies,” he said.
He noted that the South African Police Service (SAPS) “maintained its vigilance and preserved peace” during the election period with “more resources to high-risk areas to address eventualities”.
Best practice and recommendations
The mission praised the IEC for its best practices on the following:
Kavindele said that while the mission to the South African elections has not expired yet, it has made some recommendations.
These include:
“In conclusion, the SEOM observed that the pre-election and voting phases of the 2024 National and Provincial Assembly Elections were professionally organised, and conducted in an orderly, peaceful and free atmosphere, which enabled the voters to express their democratic will and those who sought office to campaign freely.
“The Mission commends the people of South Africa for the political maturity, spirit of tolerance and calm that generally prevailed during this electoral period. In the event of any electoral disputes, the Mission appeals to all contestants to channel their concerns through established legal procedures and processes,” Kavindele said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 13:29
A stellar lineup of top athletes will guarantee an exciting finish on Saturday at the 10th edition of the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon, which also has ASA Championship status, at Pollock Beach on June 1. The event, organised by Eastern Province Athletics in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, saw a thrilling finish last …
Protesters burn tyres, block roads, stone cars and set a bus alight. The car in which independent candidate Zackie Achmat was driving was shot at.
No repeat of last November’s disruption of registration process
By iiDENTIFii (https://iiDENTIFii.com/) CEO and co-founder Gur Geva.
When it comes to accessing essential services, such as national medical care, grants and the ability to vote in elections to shape national policy, a valid identity document is critical.
In South Africa, undocumented citizens are restricted in their ability to collect social grants or go to a hospital. Even those with valid IDs spend hours in queues owing to inefficient and protracted identification processes.
Faster, digitised services would have a transformative impact on the level of financial inclusion of the country's citizens. iProov's report (https://apo-opa.co/3VfYD37), "Unlocking financial inclusion with digital identity and biometric verification," emphasises that digital identity programmes open essential pathways for the unbanked and disenfranchised to access financial and welfare services and, in the case of governments, offer a reduced administrative burden and increased economic growth.
In theory, the positive impact is evident, but how can South Africa with its infrastructural challenges and high levels of inequality put this verification system into practice?
The challenge
An estimated 500 million (https://apo-opa.co/4aFwdEf) people in Africa are living without any form of valid legal identification. In response to this crisis, the African Union Commission is working on an initiative (https://apo-opa.co/3KmsnVP) to develop an interoperability framework for digital identity. The need for this is clear.
In South Africa, for example, lengthy identification processes see citizens queueing for up to three hours to renew a driver's license. Many people (https://apo-opa.co/452hke4) leave their homes in the dark and queue from dawn for their social security grants only to be turned away when the queue is cut because of system failures.
In an address to Parliament (https://apo-opa.co/3wU9pCU), Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa, states that the main reason for the long queues lies in the State Information Technology (SITA) system often being down. The DHA relies on SITA for connectivity, especially in rural villages. Branch Appointment System (BAPS) kiosks that facilitate the live capture of IDs and passports have been set up to bridge this gap. While these efforts are useful, digital identity could transform these processes, whittling down lengthy queues by authenticating identity in a matter of seconds.
In fact, South Africa is pursuing digital identity in some form, through the form of a Smart ID card that stores face and fingerprint biometrics. However, this pioneering initiative is being held back by a restrictive, lengthy onboarding process. Smart ID cards can only be issued from a selection of offices with a ‘live capture system' as well as through certain banks that use the system in-house. This is not enough to implement secure digital identity at scale.
Reframing the identity conversation
Many of South Africa's challenges stem from systemic inequality. This inequality in access across gender, location and education lines has real implications for identity management (https://apo-opa.co/3KmsnVP). For this reason, the conversation needs to shift from identity being an administrative tool to identity being an essential human right (https://apo-opa.co/3KmsnVP).
Whether a person is applying for legal employment, registering at an address, setting up a phone contract, or opening a bank account, a proven identity that can be authenticated is an essential part of the process. Widespread, effective digital identification benefits citizens and generates significant economic value for governments and financial institutions as well.
As a result, a growing number of governments are teaming up with organizations worldwide to develop digital identity programmes that are not only convenient, but open up essential pathways for previously disadvantaged or marginalized individuals to help them access financial and welfare services.
Ground-breaking identity verification in practice
iProov and iDENTIFii have seen the positive impact of Dynamic Liveness Technology in delivering fast, secure and effortless passive face biometric authentication. In addition to being a strong digital alternative to historic forms of identity verification, its anti-spoofing technology is also effective in detecting and protecting against future cyber threats. The U.S. Federal Government lists iProov as a Synthetic Identity Fraud Mitigation Provider and government clients include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the UK Home Office, the Australian Tax Office, and GovTech Singapore.
The UK Home Office EU Settlement Scheme, a digital application process for EEA nationals living in the UK post-Brexit, is a powerful example of the impact of digital identity on public services. The scheme was developed by iProov, WorldReach Software, and InnoValor, and provides a simple, secure, and usable solution for applicants to apply for settlement status online. The app includes key features such as remote identity documentation checking using NFC or OCR, and biometric identity authentication via iProov's Dynamic Liveness technology. The app has been extremely successful, with over 4.2 million applications completed, high levels of identity assurance, and an average satisfaction rating of 4.1 stars.
How open are citizens to digital identity?
The Digital Transformation Strategy (https://apo-opa.co/3KmsnVP) for Africa (2020-2030) highlights both the potential social and economic implications of digital IDs for Africans, noting that digital IDs not only support social development, but also enable meaningful participation in productive processes to generate economic growth, spur innovation, and support entrepreneurship. Besides being viewed as an enabler for realising all these policy objectives, digital IDs are seen as critical for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Digital identity programmes can bridge the identity gap by being accessible through even basic smartphones, thus eliminating barriers such as cost and complex application processes that often require travel. A case in point is the European Union Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW) a decentralised, interoperable digital tool that aims to provide all 447 million EU citizens with the ability to easily store and exchange identity documents and credentials securely, while having full control over their data. Using identity verification will see important public and private services, such as online government services, online banking, remote prescriptions, and SIM registration become significantly more accessible.
The importance of inclusive and safe digital identity
For South Africans to truly embrace and reap the rewards of digital identity, accessibility and security are two critical factors government and other essential service providers must consider.
Adopting accessible verification models maximises inclusivity of digital identity programmes. Traditional remote verification methods, such as video calls or passwords, lack user convenience and may exclude individuals with language barriers or disabilities. By contrast, biometric face verification uses a front-facing camera and does not rely on the end user's technical abilities.
Security is also key as these initiatives must provide the maximum number of people with digital identities and financial access, while consistently mitigating the risks of cybersecurity threats. As with any technology that enables access to a broad range of secured data and financial services, there is a risk of digital identities being compromised for fraud, money laundering, or other illicit activities.
With generative AI contributing towards the sophistication of tools such as deepfakes, this risk is higher and the crime is easier to perpetrate than ever before. Liveness confirms that the person verifying their identity exists and is a live human being with the right to access the online account or service. It also assures that it is a real person and not a photo or mask or other presentation attack. It does not protect against scalable digital attacks like deepfake where synthetic images can be injected into device sensors.
Successful digital identity schemes, such as Estonia's, yield economic benefits for the government and businesses, and demonstrate the positive impact of such initiatives. Similarly, as the European Union's (EU) initiative progresses, other nations can learn valuable lessons from them and adopt strategies that foster a society characterised by enhanced inclusivity and economic prosperity.
Looking forward
While the local government is still rolling out digital identity, the financial services industry in South Africa has been an early adopter. Not only has it proven the ability of digital identity to be more efficient and safer, but it has also shown that it is possible to use biometrics at scale.
Several of iiDENTIFii's South African banking clients have been able to address downtime issues by using subsequent authentication. iiDENTIFii has prioritised this based on the understanding that an authentication process that keeps customers secure and engaged, is a successful one. For this reason, its platform is able to process individuals by storing their reference templates and enabling subsequent authentication. If financial institutions and the government collaborate in digitising government systems, it could make true financial inclusion and accessible digital identity at scale a reality, in a way that reaches all South Africans.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iiDENTIFii.
About iiDENTIFii:
iiDENTIFii (https://iiDENTIFii.com/) is an award-winning face authentication and identity verification platform that distinguishes itself through its use of 3D and 4D Liveness® detection. Purpose-built for enterprises across Africa and the Middle East, iiDENTIFii enables frictionless, scalable customer onboarding in seconds from anywhere and on any device. Founded in 2018, iiDENTIFii has become a proven key partner in multiple tier 1 African banks. The technology plugs seamlessly into existing infrastructures, including mobile and web-based platforms.