Child Miners Risk Death in Zambia’s Copper Pits
Police rescued 38 children from Sensele Mine in July
Registration
Gqeberha Truck Drivers on Strike for Higher Wages
Most drivers employed by the Kalahari AutoForce in Markman say they get paid about R16,400 but they want R20,060 per month
Crèches Battle Complicated Registration Process
More than half of Cape Town’s Early Childhood Development centres are unregistered
No Progress With Tshwane Housing Projects
The Tshwane Metro’s housing crisis worsened exponentially over the past quarter as no progress was made with construction or infrastructure development in any of the Metro’s 53 housing projects. A report from the Department of Human Settlements reveals that millions have been allocated to housing and infrastructure, yet no houses have been built, no land […]
The post No progress with housing projects in Tshwane Metro appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
How Lottery Looters Hijacked a GBV Organisation
R18-million, awarded to the Make Me Movement, was stolen
Khayelitsha Residents Take over Sassa Meeting to Voice Grievances
“What solutions is the minister bringing?” Residents unimpressed by promised visit by Social Development Minister
Home Affairs Has Left a Quarter of a Million People Waiting Years for Birth Certificates
The Children’s Institute has taken government to court over its late birth registration backlog
VF+ Submits PAIA Application Concerning Tshwane Property Valuation Roll
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) submitted a PAIA application to the Tshwane Metro to obtain documents to assess the fairness and legality of the Metro’s property valuation roll for 2025-2029. Transparency and accountability are essential to ensure that the valuation process was lawful, fair and accessible to the public. The PAIA application requests information […]
The post VF Plus submits PAIA application concerning Tshwane property valuation roll appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Postbank Has Yet to Apply for a Banking Licence
Why Postbank made everyone change to a Black card, and then suddenly did a U-turn
Setback for Casual Workers as Court Rules Forum Is Not a Union
But Simunye Workers Forum can still amend its constitution and reapply for registration
Free Livestream to Celebrate Africa’s Innovation and Leadership
Africa.com (www.Africa.com) opens free registration for the Africa in Motion livestream event, a vibrant celebration of African-led progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On June 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM WAT, watch the event from anywhere in the world to experience real-time stories of innovation in health, gender equality, and economic opportunity, showcasing Africa's bold leadership.
Themed “The Future of Progress: Africa in Motion,” this dynamic event, will take place in Lagos, and feature a curated program of panel discussions, storytelling, and musical performances curated by Nigerian hip-hop pioneer MI Abaga. With Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the charismatic host of Big Brother Naija and Rubbin' Minds, leading the evening. Africa.com will connect a digital audience via livestream, amplifying impact from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and beyond.
Event Highlights:
- Inspiring Voices: Engage with Africa's change-makers, including:
- Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, CEO of Healthtracka, revolutionizing women's health with tools like the State of Women's Health Report – Nigeria and Lola AI chatbot.
- Lehlé Baldé, Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 media leader, whose global storytelling for the Gates Foundation and BBC champions African excellence.
- Folly Bah Thibault, Al Jazeera English presenter and founder of ‘Elle ira à l'école' Fondation Kesso Bah, advocating for girls' education in Guinea.
- Eniola Mafe-Abaga, Global Advocacy Director at Bridges to Prosperity, connecting 3.2 million people to services through rural infrastructure.
- MI Abaga, whose music curation and TASCK agency are reshaping Africa's creative landscape, bringing a vibrant pulse to the event.
- African Solutions: Discover local innovations, from health tech breakthroughs to policy solutions, driving sustainable progress despite global challenges.
- Free Livestream Access: Register for free to watch the 75-minute program and join with a Pan-African community.
Why It Matters: Africa's dynamic youth and innovation ecosystems are leading global progress, yet funding gaps persist. Africa in Motion spotlights how community-rooted solutions deliver lasting impact, proving Africa is shaping the future. This free livestream invites everyone to witness and join the movement.
How to Register: Sign up for free at africa.com (http://apo-opa.co/4kabI8j) to watch the livestream in real time from anywhere. Follow #AfricaInMotion on social media for updates. Don't miss this chance to connect with Africa's vibrant spirit!
“Africa in Motion showcases the continent's unstoppable momentum, and we're pleased to offer free livestream registration so anyone, anywhere, can join us in real time,” said Teresa Clarke, Chair & CEO of Africa.com. “This is your opportunity to witness the ideas and leaders shaping Africa's future.”
Registration URL: https://apo-opa.co/4kabI8j
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa.com.
Media Contact:
Tobi Oguntola
Email: tobi.oguntola@africa.com
About Africa.com:
Africa.com is a digital media company celebrating Africa's stories, culture, and innovation. With an authentic, vibrant, and unifying voice, we inspire and inform audiences about the continent's limitless potential.
Africa’s Energy Future: Now!
Powering AI data centres, accelerating large-scale solar projects and leading the global energy transition are just three of the critical topics up for debate at next month's Africa Energy Forum (aef), kicking off for the first time in Cape Town, South Africa, 17–20 June 2025. Forum sponsor Sun Africa returns for the third consecutive year, a testament to its sustained commitment to powering Africa's clean energy future.
For a full programme and to join the debate, visit: https://apo-opa.co/4k7ngcj
Under the theme of ‘Africa United', and featuring hundreds of ministers, policymakers and executives from nations across the continent, the aef will spotlight the continent's expanding ambition and the urgent drive to reshape its own energy future.
With South Africa now chairing the G20, the continent will gain a pivotal voice in global decision-making, making aef 2025 the launchpad for a bold message to the world: Africa knows what it needs, and it's ready to lead.
This year's aef will welcome a significant number of new companies participating for the first time, expanding the community of innovators and investors at the event. It will also host delegations from 33 countries, comprising head of state, ministers, regulators, and other public sector leaders from across the continent.
Confirmed speakers include the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, South Africa's Minister of Electricity & Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Nigeria's Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and Noureddine Yassaa, Algeria's Secretary of State for Renewable Energies.
The high-level line-up also features the current Senegalese candidate for the Presidency of the African Development Bank, Amadou Hott, plus senior ministers and policy makers from Liberia, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Madagascar.
This year's aef will focus on how the private sector can help move from ambition to implementation on Mission 300, connecting power to 300 million people by 2030. And, as demand surges from commercial and industrial sectors, the aef will also unpack the infrastructure, investment, and regulatory models needed to keep pace.
Grounded in Ubuntu, the African philosophy of shared humanity, the event will call for a global energy transition that is cooperative, equitable, and Africa-led.
“Something urgent has to be achieved as we simply cannot have another 10 woeful years of investment into projects. No more [time] can pass with one side saying we “we need guarantees” and the other side saying, “we can't afford guarantees.” Time is THE DETERMINING FACTOR holding energy access back and this needs to change. Now is the time for Africa to unite behind common goals and common infrastructure!” Simon Gosling, Managing Director, EnergyNet
“The future of African power infrastructure starts with Sun Africa, and the conversation about Africa's energy future continues at the Africa Energy Forum. We are proud to be the Forum Sponsor of an event that will unite visionaries and unite people from across the continent.” – Adam Cortese, CEO, Sun Africa.
Bringing together community and sport, the 2025 edition of eaf also features the Africa Challenge Cup, a special evening of football at Cape Town's iconic DHL Stadium. Four teams will face off in friendly matches under the floodlights, offering a chance for delegates, partners, and peers to connect in a spirited, relaxed setting alongside friends and family.
The Youth Energy Summit (YES!), held in parallel with aef, is expected to welcome more than 4,000 participants, making it one of the largest gatherings focused on youth engagement in the African energy sector. Many companies are supporting the initiative not just as sponsors, but as active partners in youth participation across the continent. These include the DBSA, Nedbank, Pele Green Energy, Seriti Green, Siemens Energy, Genesis, and others from the energy and mining sectors.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd..
Notes:
The main sponsors at this year's aef include Sun Africa, AKSA, Red Rocket, Globeleq, Nedbank and the World Bank. See https://apo-opa.co/3ZrUw5E
Lead sponsors at this year's aef include the Africa Development Bank, AMEA Power, the British International Investment, BCG, EDF, Engie, the European Investment Bank, GE Vernova, Infinity Power, Standard Bank, Synergy Consulting and TotalEnergies. See https://apo-opa.co/3ZrUw5E
For media inquiries and registration please email :
Poliana Sperandio: poliana@energynet.co.ke
Sylvia Gaita: sylvia.gaita@apo-opa.com
About the Africa Energy Forum (aef):
The Africa Energy Forum (aef) is taking place in the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa, 17-20 June 2025.
The event is the continent's leading platform for energy sector stakeholders to collaborate, invest, and accelerate progress. In its 27th year, the aef brings together governments, developers, investors, and innovators to drive real-world solutions in energy access and sustainability.
Seven people arrested for Clarens ATM bombing
Seven people arrested for Clarens ATM bombing
Police have arrested seven suspects in connection with an ATM bombing that happened in Clarens in the Free State earlier this week.
The seven individuals, aged between 24 and 36, were arrested on Saturday in Ficksburg after the South African Police Service (SAPS) spotted a Toyota Fortuner parked near an ATM at about 1am.
“Two males were seen tampering with the ATM. Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects attempted to flee the scene. A vehicle pursuit ensued, culminating in the successful apprehension of the Fortuner’s five occupants, including one woman,” the SAPS said in a statement.
All suspects are foreign nationals. Four of them have been confirmed as undocumented immigrants.
The suspects were wanted for allegedly bombing an ATM located at a petrol station in Clarens on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, four suspects were seen near an ATM located at a petrol station in Clarens. Moments later, an explosion occurred, followed by gunfire. Upon receiving the alert, members of the Clarence SAPS responded swiftly.
“Preliminary investigations confirmed that explosives had been used to destroy the ATM and an undisclosed sum of money was stolen.
“Initial reports pointed to four suspects travelling in a blue Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration plates. This vital information was immediately circulated and a coordinated manhunt was launched,” SAPS said.
The blue Toyota Fortuner has been seized as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
“The suspects will appear in the Clarens and Ficksburg Magistrate’s Courts in due course. The provincial Serious, Violent and Murder Unit has taken over the investigation, focusing on charges of business robbery and other possible related offenses. Further inquiries are ongoing to determine any links to additional criminal activities,” the police said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 05/18/2025 - 11:13
62 views
Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation Announce Winner
The Milken Institute (https://apo-opa.co/452va1L) and the Motsepe Foundation are proud to announce the winner of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, a $2 million innovation award designed to reward companies working to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets. The winner was announced at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.
Verto (https://apo-opa.co/4d7WePf), based in the United Kingdom, won the $1 million Grand Prize for its business-to-business cross-border payments platform, which enables businesses in emerging markets to send and receive payments, eliminating intermediary fees, supporting 49 currencies, and settling transactions quickly.
FinTech is the third prize awarded as part of the Milken–Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, a series of competitive multimillion-dollar global competitions and awards designed to incentivize and reward bold, innovative solutions to address pressing economic and environmental challenges in Africa.
A Rigorous Award Cycle: From Application to Award
Launched in May 2024, the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech attracted more than 3,000 entrepreneurs from 126 countries across six continents. A total of 400 teams applied, with just 10 being selected as semifinalists.
Each team underwent a comprehensive judging process that evaluated five key criteria: affordability and accessibility, ethical and responsible practices, scalability in other markets, the use of cutting-edge technology, and the potential to promote equitable access to financial services.
In December 2024, 10 semifinalists pitched their innovations to investors at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. From this group, an expert panel of judges selected three finalists—Chumz, Oze, and Verto—to advance to the final stage of the innovation award at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference.
“Across the African continent, technology and innovation are disrupting traditional finance and banking approaches. Investment in this space is profitable and, more importantly, necessary for financial inclusion," said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. "My heartfelt congratulations to the winners and all the finalists for demonstrating feasible and impactful solutions that will drive economic activity and shared prosperity in the global South, while influencing the financial sector all over the world."
Since its launch in 2021, the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has awarded over $6 million in funding to more than 50 innovators worldwide. Participating teams have raised nearly 10 times the Grand Prize in additional outside investments, reaching and impacting over 530,000 community members.
The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program offers free, curated resources and online events not only to award winners but also to nearly 9,000 global entrepreneurs.
New Prize in AI and Manufacturing
The fourth Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize, which focuses on AI and manufacturing, launched at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference. The new $2 million award is designed to recognize established companies driving innovation in Africa's manufacturing sector. Focused on advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence, the prize rewards technological breakthroughs that create long-term economic resilience in the supply chain in Africa.
Registration is open until July 31, 2025.
With $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize, “AI and Manufacturing” seeks companies that accelerate technological advancements, create jobs, and improve access to essential goods and services for communities across Africa. The award represents an opportunity to support companies leading the next wave of transformative change in manufacturing.
“We have witnessed our prize programs bring forward some of the most visionary thinkers across sectors, from agriculture to financial technology. Now we're excited to see what bold entrepreneurs are doing for the manufacturing sector to harness the power of AI and other advanced technologies to improve the supply chain in Africa,” said Emily Musil, PhD, managing director of environmental and social innovation at the Milken Institute. “Prizes like this have the power to reveal new and better ways to operate in the digital age and shape how we can do better for people and the planet in the new future we are building.”
For more information about the winners and the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program, visit https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.
Additional Video Link:
Opening Video: https://apo-opa.co/3GJgJpr
Finalist Video 1 - Chumz: https://apo-opa.co/436rMk6
Finalist Video 2 - Oze: https://apo-opa.co/4md7NsO
Finalist Video 3 - Verto: https://apo-opa.co/3Z9lVZT
Contact:
Paul Guequierre
Email: pguequierre@milkeninstitute.org
Phone: 202-249-6942
ABOUT THE MILKEN INSTITUTE:
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what's pressing now and what's coming next. For more information, visit www.MilkenInstitute.org.
ABOUT THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION:
The Motsepe Foundation was founded in 1999 by Dr. Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe. The goal of the Motsepe Foundation is to contribute toward eradicating poverty and to sustainably improve the living conditions and standards of living of poor, unemployed, and marginalized people in South Africa, Africa, and the world. In January 2013, Dr. Motsepe and Dr. Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, which was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr. Motsepe and his wife committed to give half of their wealth to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during their lifetime and beyond.
AWIEF Announces Theme for 2025 Conference
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) has announced the theme for its prestigious annual conference taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa, from 30 to 31 October 2025.
As a leading pan-African organisation driving women's entrepreneurship and innovation, AWIEF continues to provide a powerful platform to promote inclusive economic growth and gender equity across the continent.
AWIEF2025 is the 11th edition of the annual conference, a highly anticipated two-day event, an international platform and gathering of a wide range of stakeholders from the African and global entrepreneurship ecosystem, to engage in impactful dialogue and work together on bold, gender-inclusive and forward-thinking solutions for a thriving business landscape for women in Africa.
The conference theme this year is “Breaking the Barriers: Now More Than Ever”.
Despite notable progress in women's empowerment, today, we are witnessing not just a stagnation but, alarmingly, an active backlash against gender equality and women's rights. This regression threatens to reverse hard-won gains and underscores the need for urgent, collective action.
The theme of AWIEF2025 is both a call to action and a statement of urgency. It reflects the growing recognition that, in a world marked by political instability, economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and persistent inequality, we cannot afford to remain complacent. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently emphasized, “We are witnessing an aggressive backlash against gender equality – threatening hard-won progress… We must push back against this pushback.”
In the lead-up to 2030, "Now more than ever," we must renew our commitment to gender equity and ensure that no woman is left behind in Africa's development journey.
Following the resounding success of AWIEF2024, which brought together over 1,000 attendees from over 50 countries, including 42 African nations, the upcoming AWIEF2025 promises even greater impact and engagement.
AWIEF2025 will once again convene a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, investors, policymakers, development institutions, academia, media, and civil society to foster collaboration, drive transformative change, and scale women-led innovation and enterprise.
Delegate registration is now open.
Exhibition stand bookings are also open, offering a prime opportunity for businesses, startups, and organisations to showcase their products, services, solutions, and innovations to a pan-African and global audience.
Join AWIEF in Cape Town and be part of Africa's most empowering platform for advancing women in business and innovation.
Visit www.AWIEForum.org to register and to secure your place. Contact: info@awieforum.org
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
Systematic failures responsible George building collapse
Systematic failures responsible George building collapse
An independent forensic investigation into the building collapse in George, in the Western Cape, has revealed systemic failures at multiple levels.
The report cites widespread non-compliance with regulatory standards and mismanagement by both the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and project personnel as key causes of the incident.
The findings, presented by Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane during a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday, revealed a series of procedural and structural failures, including irregular project enrolment, inspection lapses, poor material quality, and violations of occupational health and safety (OHS) protocols.
The NHBRC initiated the investigation after the Neo Victoria project collapsed on 6 May 2024, killing 34 people and injuring many others. Several survivors are still recovering.
Homebuilder certification and grading process
The investigation uncovered serious irregularities in the registration process of the construction company. The firm misrepresented its capabilities and failed to disclose that it intended to construct a multi-storey building.
“This omission breached NHBRC’s policies, which require transparency regarding a home builder's intended project scope in technical capacity. By bypassing this rigorous process, a company in question compromised its registration and certification of the project,” Simelane said.
Enrolment certification irregularities
The enrolment process demonstrated significant non-compliance with the NHBRC's enrolment procedures, resulting in critical regulatory breaches and unauthorised approvals.
“The enrolment forms were processed on 11 July 2023 even though the construction start date was scheduled for 19 June 2023. Again, the official did not verify that a homebuilder was registered to construct despite the building plans showing that this was indeed a multistorey enrolment.
“Thus, a contractor was allowed to proceed with the construction of a multi-storey building without the proper enrolment. Even more disturbing was the unlawful use of other official’s credentials to enrol the first phase of the project. This demonstrated the breakdown in the NHBRC’s internal control system,” the Minister highlighted.
Deficient inspection model
The NHBRC inspections failed to meet internal protocols, and these included one inspection, which was conducted eight days after enrolment, exceeding the five-day window period, in line with the NHBRC’s inspection protocol.
“More worrying was that the inspection reports included units which were yet to be constructed.” the Minister noted.
Occupational health and safety adherence
The report revealed multiple OHS breaches, including unresolved safety concerns, the resignation of a safety consultant, and the complete absence of OHS enforcement protocols in NHBRC’s procedures.
Inspectors were not empowered to enforce safety compliance, leaving serious safety violations unaddressed. The investigation also revealed that several personnel performing critical tasks lacked qualifications in engineering or quantity surveying.
Significant shortcomings were found in the evaluation of the appointed technical manager, whose credentials were not adequately reassessed.
According to the report, this played a major role in the technical missteps observed during the construction.
The geotechnical report provided did not include crucial information, such as trial pit locations, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test results, and geological maps. This information is essential for foundation design and site preparation.
Additionally, George Municipality approved the building plans after construction had already begun.
Recommendations
To prevent future incidents, the report issued comprehensive recommendations for reform within the NHBRC and the broader construction oversight framework.
These include clearly specifying the type of buildings a homebuilder is certified to construct on NHBRC registration certificates; establishing a peer review team to independently assess high-risk projects such as multi-storey buildings; conducting a comprehensive competency skills audit of inspectors and develops a thorough due diligence process to evaluate all information submitted during the registration phase.
“The report went further to recommend that technical managers be full-time onsite during critical stages of construction, that inspection be conducted within five days and that NHBRC staff must not be allowed to use another staff member’s login credentials.
“The outcome of the investigation has also made recommendations that implicated officials be held accountable for their actions.
“The charges that will be levelled against them include dereliction of duty, misconduct, negligence, dishonesty, and misrepresentation in official inspection reports. We will continue to monitor that this is done by following due process,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 04/10/2025 - 11:29
52 views
Government empowers spaza shops
Government empowers spaza shops
With the launch of the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF), government is ready to assist entrepreneurs who want to establish startups, expand their businesses, and gain essential business skills to improve the performance of their enterprises.
This is according to the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni.
With the recent drive to have spaza shops registered, government has received 87 407 applications and of these, a total 53% is from South African-owned spaza shops.
“Our commitment with this fund is to support those who heeded the President’s call to register their spaza shops. As the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), we can help you when you have an idea and want to start a business.
“We have incubators that help new and startup businesses. We can help you from being an informal trader to a formal trader, to start a spaza shop and to own a wholesale or an entire distribution channel. We will be working with you to help you to turn things around,” said Ndabeni.
The support fund was launched on Tuesday in Soweto to support South African-owned township community convenience shops, including spaza shops, to increase their participation in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector.
READ | Government launches R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund
Jointly administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA), the fund provides critical financial and non-financial support to township businesses, including community convenience stores and spaza shops.
The fund provides various types of support, including the initial purchase of stock via delivery channel partners, upgrading of building infrastructure, systems, refrigeration, shelving and security, as well as training programmes, which includes point of sale devices, business skills, digital literacy, credit health, food safety and business compliance.
“The fund will address economy of scale disadvantages by linking spaza shops to buying groups for aggregation and bulk purchasing; building business capacity through training and support to improve shop operations; and enhancing market competitiveness to help spaza shops compete with larger retailers," the Minister said.
The fund will be rolled out nationally to impact spaza shops across all major townships, as well as rural areas.
The Minister said government endeavours to work with entrepreneurs to localise supply chain opportunities for township and rural enterprises.
This will ensure that spaza shops do not procure imported products or simply use the platforms of large companies.
“To achieve this, we will utilise other instruments like the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme, Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programmes (TREP), the Informal and Micro Enterprise Development Programme (IMEDP), Asset Assist, and our Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility.
“These programmes in turn have the potential to attract municipalities, the private sector, business and informal trader associations, and other stakeholders to work together in contributing their facilities, expertise and resources in support of new localised supply chains and distribution networks for spaza shops.
“Logistics management partners will offer logistics management services, including warehousing and delivery solutions. They will ensure that products are stored safely and delivered efficiently, reducing transportation costs, and improving the overall supply chain efficiency for spaza shops,” the Minister said.
DSBD Connect
The department has recruited 52 Business Regulation Officers across all districts and metros to support business registration using the DSBD Connect system.
DSBD Connect is a platform which will be used to collaborate or put together small business to collaborate and/or work together on a particular project.
This can be businesses within the same industries or different industries but need each other for specific skills or qualifications.
The platform will put together small businesses within the same geographical area, interests, and skills.
“Despite their importance, spaza shops face several challenges, including access to capital, security concerns, and competition from formal retailers, like larger retail stores and supermarkets which are encroaching on their markets.
"South African-owned spaza shops also face intense competition from foreign-operated spaza shops, who use more organised supply chains to gain competitiveness.
“Therefore, I want to encourage you to collaborate and establish cooperatives so that you can leverage resources, knowledge, and work together on projects, sharing best practices,” Ndabeni said.
Access to funding
To access the funding, applicants need to apply to the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA) through the prescribed application process outlined on the relevant institution's website.
The following website can be used to apply for funding:
Spaza Shop Support Fund - www.spazashopfund.co.za
NEF - www.nefcorp.co.za
SEDFA - https://systems.sefa.org.za/SMMEPortal/
The contact details for the Spaza Shop Support Fund call centre are 01 1 305 8080 or via email: Spazafund@nefcorp.co.za.
Contact details for the NEF call centre are 0861 843633, SEDFA call centre 012 748 9600 or an email can be sent to helpline@sefa.org.za. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 04/09/2025 - 10:27
162 views
Still No Compensation for Victims of George Building Collapse
Dysfunction at the Compensation Commission mean some victims may never receive payment
Thousands March to Call for Justice for Raped Child
Still no arrests after seven-year-old raped in Eastern Cape in October
BFSI Security Summit 2025 to Address Rising Cybersecurity Threats in Africa’s Financial Sector
The BFSI Security Summit 2025 is set to take place on May 7, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Gautrain, Sandton, Johannesburg, bringing together leading cybersecurity experts, IT decision-makers, and industry pioneers to tackle the growing cyber risks facing Africa's banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector.
Cybersecurity remains a top concern for financial institutions in Africa. In 2024, the Bank of Uganda fell victim (apo-opa.co/3QWE6h6) to an offshore hacking group known as “Waste,” resulting in the theft of approximately $16.8 million. Additionally, ZB Financial Holdings in Zimbabwe experienced a ransomware attack (apo-opa.co/4jaBBUi) in July 2024, leading to significant data leaks affecting customer and operational information. More recently, in South Africa, Standard Bank confirmed that it experienced a data breach (apo-opa.co/3YaVJ0q) that involved limited personal and financial information. These incidents underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity strategies within the BFSI sector.
Why Attend?
The BFSI Security Summit is the premier platform for CISOs, CIOs, IT directors, and cybersecurity leaders to explore the latest strategies and technologies to secure Africa's financial landscape. Key topics on the agenda include:
- Ransomware and Data Breaches: Strengthening cybersecurity resilience in banking and insurance.
- Securing Emerging Tech: Mitigating risks in AI, blockchain, and cloud adoption.
- Data Privacy and Compliance: Navigating Africa's evolving regulatory landscape.
- Incident Response in BFSI: Best practices in breach management and risk mitigation.
“Cybercrime is evolving at an alarming rate, and financial institutions in Africa are prime targets. The BFSI Security Summit will provide a crucial platform for industry leaders to collaborate, share insights, and implement strategies to safeguard their organizations,” says Abe Wakama, CEO of IT News Africa.
Who Should Sponsor & Exhibit?
The summit offers a unique opportunity for cybersecurity solution providers, fintech innovators, and IT security firms to showcase their expertise and connect with key decision-makers. Sponsors will benefit from high-impact brand visibility, lead generation, and networking with top BFSI executives.
How to Get Involved
- To attend: Register here: BFSI Security Summit Registration (apo-opa.co/3FIK7M6)
- To sponsor or exhibit: Download the sponsorship brochure: Sponsorship Opportunities (apo-opa.co/4cc9jqr)
To speak at the event: Apply here: Become a Speaker (apo-opa.co/4j8Q6b8)
For media inquiries, sponsorship, or speaking opportunities, contact events@itnewsafrica.com.
Join us in shaping the future of BFSI cybersecurity in Africa!
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of IT News Africa.
Media Contacts:
Abe Wakama
0120125801
events@itnewsafrica.com
Fed up With Promises of Housing: Langa Residents March to Cape Town Civic Centre
Some of the protesters still live in apartheid era hostels
Toxic Stakeholder Relations at CUT Collapses Higher Education Oversight
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has suspended planned discussions with the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein due to a breakdown in trust among senior management, unions, the Institutional Forum (IF) and the Student Representative Council (SRC). The decision follows an oversight visit that exposed severe governance failures, administrative disfunction and a campus environment that is not conducive to teaching and learning
CUT stakeholders unanimously decried the state of the institution during the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education's oversight visit. The IF, organised labour and the SRC said the CUT has serious administrative and governance issues, which is affecting staff morale and creating an environment that is not conducive to teaching and learning. University stakeholders also told the committee that the CUT registration process left much to be desired – many students could have been admitted but lost the opportunity due to the failure of IT systems.
Some of the allegations levelled against university leaders was that that the university has a serious shortage of academic staff members and the academic programmes is being run by part-time lecturers. In one faculty, for example, there are more part-time lecturers than full-time academic staff. The committee further said it is discouraging to note that CUT does not have an officially recognised SRC despite the fact that elections were held in August last year.
The committee Chairperson, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said that although the committee has postponed immediate engagement with CUT, it plans to revisit the university's challenges in the committee's programme next term. “We will schedule a dedicated hearing to dissect the root causes of this distrust. CUT's leadership must account for why stakeholder relations have deteriorated to this extent and how they intend to rebuild academic and operational stability,” added Mr Letsie.
Members of the committee were deeply concerned that the CUT did not have a recognised SRC. The committee cautioned against a growing practice in the sector where senior management in post-school education used the institution's resources to go after workers and students in the courts.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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