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Empowering women entrepreneurs: A dynamic business event in Cape Town, featuring top female leaders and invaluable networking opportunities. Founders Foundation, in partnership with Outsourced CFO, will be hosting their much-anticipated annual Women In Business event, set to take place on 29 August 2024. This empowering gathering will be held in the vibrant and picturesque city of Cape …
Sticker campaign launched in Kariega
The streets of the Jacaranda City are guaranteed to sparkle as residents, event organizers, sponsors, and partners join forces for a fun and rewarding “City Clean Up” on Saturday, 24 August 2024 starting at the Absa Lilian Ngoyi Branch at 08:30, just one day before the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. “The City …
Appeal to the new Minister of Labour to fix the problems with the fund
UIF commissioner to host employer breakfast session in Queenstown
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is calling on employers in the Eastern Cape to attend an Employer Breakfast session that is set to take place in Queenstown next week.
The session which will be held at Aloe Grove Guest Farm, will be hosted by the fund’s Commisssioner, Teboho Maruping.
Employers from all sectors, including commercial business owners and operators of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Komani (Queenstown) as well as the broader Eastern Cape Province are invited to attend the session on Monday, 19 August 2024.
“At the occasion, Commissioner Maruping will among other things, engage with employers about the importance of compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act and discuss how new developments within the UIF will impact on employers and employees,” the department said in a statement.
Subject matter experts from the UIF will be in attendance to assist employers on the spot with any challenges they may be facing in relation to the fund.
Building up to the breakfast session a full basket of Department of Employment and Labour services will be offered to communities, including assistance with UIF claims, Compensation Fund claims, enquiries resolution, registration of work seekers on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) database as well as provision of information on the National Minimum Wage and other basic conditions of employment.
Build up activities will be offered this week, beginning on Wednesday at the Municipality Hall (Convent) in Cala, from 9 am until 3 pm. On Thursday, these activities will take place at Cofimvaba Town Hall in Cofimvaba, and they will conclude on Friday at Cacadu Town Hall in Cacadu. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:24
Hundreds of houses stand empty with no roofs
Emergency housing team dispatched to assist collapsed dam victims
Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has dispatched an emergency housing team to urgently assist displaced families whose homes were flooded when the walls of a dam collapsed in the Swartland Municipality in the Western Cape.
Kubayi said the ongoing assessment will inform what interventions required for all the affected households.
The Minister highlighted there are four categories of interventions provided by the department and these include restoration, relocation, rebuilding and repairs.
“We have directed the team to ensure that the affected households are assisted with emergency accommodation, particularly the vulnerable groups. It is unfortunate that we now have to deal with this incident, while we are still reeling from another recent disaster that left people homeless,” Kubayi said.
Kubayi said the families whose homes were affected by last week's disaster in Riverlands are being provided shelter at Riverlands Community Bakery Centre and Riverlands Church.
READ | Emergency spillway under construction to avoid further Riverlands disaster
“The team from human settlements has compiled a list of approximately 100 displaced people, who have expressed their reluctance to be moved to safer temporary accommodation, citing a need to take care of their livestock,” Kubayi said.
The Minister said the National Home Builders' Registration Council (NHBRC), which forms part of the disaster team, is currently on site will assess the structural integrity of damaged properties as soon as the water subsides.
The department commended NGOs that are already on the ground to assist victims.
Transparency in allocating houses
Meanwhile, Kubayi has reiterated the importance of transparency in allocating houses and delivering other housing programmes within the human settlements sector.
During her engagement with listeners on the Power FM breakfast show last week, Kubayi confirmed that the department is fully committed to dealing with any allegations of fraud and corruption, mainly in the allocation of fully subsidised houses, also known as Breaking New Ground (BNG).
“We are rectifying and reconfiguring our human settlements delivery system. Digitising the beneficiary list system is our main priority because it will radically improve our operations as a department.
“We have been entrusted with over R31 billion during this financial to respond to the housing needs of our people. Every cent must be accounted for and effectively used to restore the dignity of the poor and the vulnerable among us,” Kubayi said.
Kubayi was on Power FM as a special host of the breakfast show, as the country commemorates Women’s Month.
The Minister used the opportunity to invite listeners to give her tips to improve the delivery of sustainable human settlements.
Listeners raised several issues, including government's response to land invasions by capacitating municipalities to effectively deal with this challenge; conducting an audit to determine if BNG houses have been given to the rightful owners, and attending to blocked projects.
Kubayi also interviewed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, on justice for women and the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, on the scourge of teenage pregnancy. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 08/12/2024 - 12:26
The Chairpersons of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Mr Nocks Seabi, has welcomed the swift intervention by the Minister of Human Settlements to assist the Swartland Municipality following the collapse of the three dam walls in the area.
“The swift response by the Minster to dispatch an emergency housing team to urgently intervene and assist displaced families whose homes were flooded following the collapse of the Riverlands Dam is testament to a caring government that responds to current challenges,” Mr Seabi said. Mr Seabi also emphasised that the current challenge represents an opportunity for greater collaboration between government departments to ensure that people are settled in areas that are not prone to risks and are below the flood line.
The Chairperson also highlighted the need for integrated planning in the development of human settlement areas, especially the use of the District Development Model, which centralises coordination of services.
Mr Seabi also urged the department and the municipality to urgently deliver building materials when promised to ensure that people do not wait for a long time without adequate shelter. The Chairperson has also urged the National Home Builders' Registration Council to urgently conclude assessments of structural integrity of damaged properties to enable the start of the rebuilding process.
“In a disaster like this one, no effort must be spared to ensure that people have the necessary shelter, especially because it is winter period and inclement weather can expose people to further hardship. It is also necessary that all government departments contribute and deliver services to ensure that life can continue despite the disaster,” Mr Seabi concluded.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Money Smart Week to commence on 26 August
South Africa’s 2024 Money Smart Week SA (MSWSA) is expected to kick off on 26 August and run until 1 September.
This is according to Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who addressed a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.
She said the week will feature “various consumer-focused financial education programmes and initiatives”.
“MSWSA is an initiative of the National Consumer Financial Education Committee (NCFEC) to motivate, empower and educate South Africans and contribute to a more financially literate citizenry. Activities during the campaign will include free workshops, presentations, mall activations, exhibitions and webinars,” she said.
In July, the National Treasury called for organisations and individuals to be part of MSWSA.
READ | Call to participate in Money Smart Week
“The key objective of the MSWSA is to provide a national collaborative platform and mobilise a wide range of stakeholders to motivate, empower and educate South Africans and contribute to a more financially literate citizenry.
“Participation in MSWSA is open to any organisation or individual, including academic institutions, government departments, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, community groups, companies, Non-Governmental Organisations and Public Benefit Organisations.
“Interested participants are invited to organise their own financial education initiatives and events to host during the week-long campaign,” National Treasury said in a statement.
The online registration process is open for participants to submit a participation application form by no later than 16 August 2024. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 08/08/2024 - 12:22
New shopping centre and filling station planned for the precinct Recent sales at 1 300-hectare Renishaw Coastal Precinct have set off a chain reaction of development that will benefit local businesses, surrounding communities and outside investors, further igniting the economic reawakening of the KZN Mid-South Coast. On the morning of Wednesday, 7 August 2024, stakeholders …
They also oppose the City’s plans to burn waste in incinerators, saying it threatens the livelihoods of thousands of waste collectors
Transnet forging ahead with reforms
Transnet says it is making “considerable progress” in the implementation of reforms in accordance with the Freight Logistics Roadmap and the Guarantee Framework Conditions issued to Transnet by National Treasury.
The reforms include the reform of Transnet’s rail business, corporatisation of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the disposal of the company’s non-core assets.
Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips, said: “These initiatives are a demonstration of Transnet’s commitment to the structural reforms in response to the changes in policy and regulations. In some cases, these changes entail entry of third parties in the rail and port networks, which is a necessary step to stimulate competition and address long-standing challenges such as underinvestment.”
Rail reform
Transnet said the rail reform process is on track.
This includes what the company calls the “vertical separation of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) into a Rail Operating Company and an Infrastructure Manager”.
“Since the publication of the draft railway Network Statement in March 2024, Transnet actively participated in a consultation process facilitated by the Interim Rail Economic Regulatory Capacity (IRERC). This was in preparation of the finalisation of the final Network Statement to open train slots for third party train operator access.
“Following extensive consultations to align with key stakeholders, the Interim Infrastructure Manager has made the input to the IRERC, and Transnet looks forward to the publication of the final network statement and proposed tariff methodology to open slots for third party access by 30 September 2024,” Transnet said.
According to Transnet, the Rail Operating Company and Infrastructure Manager operating models, and organisational designs are expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2025.
Non-core assets and TNPA
The corporatisation of the TNPA is expected to culminate in the establishment of the National Ports Authority, which will be wholly owned by Transnet.
Work is underway to complete the Memorandum of Incorporation and the Registration of the National Ports Authority.
“The reform will enhance TNPA’s regulatory oversight on terminal operators across its port network. The corporatisation will establish TNPA as a financially autonomous entity capable of generating its own revenue, attract increased investments to improve the efficiency and positioning of SA ports to enhance competitive maritime trade and create appropriate partnerships.
“It will also, through its independence, enhance terminal licence oversight and align with international standards and regulations governing port authorities and ensure compliance with South African maritime and port regulations,” Transnet explained.
Furthermore, the company said its disposal of non-core assets is also progressing well.
“The disposals will generate cash and reduce holding costs. The Transnet Board of Directors has approved a plan for the disposal of the non-core assets. Transnet will finalise the full list of non-core assets for disposal in the current financial year,” the entity said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 07/30/2024 - 09:47
Eastern Cape police lauded for tracing CIT suspects
The provincial head of the police in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, has welcomed efforts by the Interim Cash-In-Transit (CIT) task team of the Hawks and the provincial Tactical Response Team (TRT) in locating cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects on Monday.
The suspects were located within hours after the incident occurred.
It is alleged that on Monday around 06:00, an SBV armoured vehicle (AV) from East London, enroute to Stutterheim, was ambushed on the N6 near Macleantown by a number of suspects in a fleet of vehicles.
“It is further alleged that during the incident, three guards were injured as the AV landed on its side during the attack. An SBV escort vehicle was also allegedly shot at and a backup to the scene was called,” the police said in a statement.
The suspects allegedly fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money and abandoned three vehicles from their fleet, which were later circulated and discovered to have been reported stolen in other provinces. Explosives were also recovered on the scene.
“A few hours later, information was received which led the team to Kom location in a homestead of Keiskammahoek.
“The team was received with a hail of bullets from the assailants in the suspicious homestead and the police were forced to retaliate with the same force which ended with five of the assailants fatally wounded,” the police said.
Cash in original money bags,3xAK 47 riffles, 1x R1 riffle, 4 x R5 riffles,17 magazines with a large number of live rounds of ammunition were recovered and seized in the household.
A 58 year old suspect who happened to be the owner of the homestead was arrested and will appear in King William’s Town Magistrate’s court soon.
A follow up investigation ensued which led to the arrest of three suspects driving in a suspicious Porsche vehicle with GP registration between Queenstown and Cradock.
A quick roadblock was set up by Gqeberha Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks jointly with Cradock SAPS K9 (Dog Unit), Cradock Visible Police (Vispol), Cradock Public Order Police (POP) and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) members outside Tarkastad where the suspicious vehicle failed to stop.
The chase ensued and conventional methods were used to bring it to a halt.
Three suspects aged between 44 and 48 were arrested. Cash in stacks of R100 and R200 notes in original cash bags, four burner cellphones and a Porsche Cayenne vehicle were seized during the arrest. On circulation the Porsche was found to be reported stolen in Gauteng.
The three suspects will make their first court appearance before Cradock Magistrate’s court on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 07/30/2024 - 14:45
Gauteng launches e-Panic app
The Gauteng Provincial Government has officially launched its e-Panic app (Gauteng e-Panic) as part of the province’s commitment to prioritise the safety and security of citizens and communities.
The panic button has been created to fight against crime and the persistent issues of domestic violence in Gauteng.
It is a free to use service and, according to the provincial government, the response team is fully equipped to assist residents in their time of need.
The Gauteng MEC of e-Government, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, has encouraged all residents to use this free resource.
"The Gauteng Panic Button is a testament to the progress made by the provincial government to create a safer environment for everyone in the province. By downloading and using this app, you can protect yourself and your loved ones in times of emergency,” Dhlamini said.
The Panic Button initiative offers both a physical device and an electronic version that is available as an app.
The Gauteng Panic Button app, is available for download on Android and iOS platforms, providing a convenient and accessible way for all residents to stay safe.
"The Gauteng Panic Button is not just a tool; it's a lifeline. It is an initiative by the Gauteng Provincial Government to ensure that all our residents are safe at all times," Dhlamini said.
Download and register for the app:
Edwin
Mon, 07/29/2024 - 13:37
Call to participate in Money Smart Week
National Treasury, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the National Consumer Financial Education Committee (NCFEC) has called on organisations and individuals to participate in the Money Smart Week South Africa (MSWSA) 2024 campaign.
The 2024 edition of MSWSA will run from 26 August to 1 September 2024, featuring various consumer-focused financial education programmes and initiatives.
“The key objective of the MSWSA is to provide a national collaborative platform and mobilise a wide range of stakeholders to motivate, empower and educate South Africans and contribute to a more financially literate citizenry,” the National Treasury said on Monday.
MSWSA is an initiative of the NCFEC and was first launched in 2018.
Over the past six years it has reached a multitude of South Africans through mainstream media, community radio, exhibitions, television, social media, and face-to-face workshops.
Additionally, the initiative has witnessed an increase in stakeholder participation from 48 participants in 2018 to 78 participants in 2023.
“Participation in MSWSA is open to any organisation or individual, including academic institutions, government departments, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, community groups, companies, non-governmental organisations and public benefit organisations.
“Activities during this campaign will include free workshops, presentations, mall activations, exhibitions, and webinars. Interested participants are invited to organise their own financial education initiatives and events to host during the week-long campaign,” National Treasury said.
The online registration process is open for participants to submit a participation application form, by no later than 16 August 2024. -SAews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 07/29/2024 - 13:56
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are the ‘nature reserves’ of the sea, conserving marine biodiversity to protect threatened species and ocean health. South Africa is home to some 41 MPAs which play a vital role in ocean conservation, although currently only 5% of the country’s ocean space is protected by these vital areas. In celebration of …
August is swiftly approaching, bringing with it Joburg’s most anticipated talks series, Future Talks, which takes place from August 1 to 4, 2024, at the Sandton Convention Centre. Here, inspiration and innovation will converge, with the Future Talks series set to ignite critical discussions and inspire groundbreaking solutions. The Future Talks stage will feature a …
Government continues to assist those affected by Western Cape floods
Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says government has been hard at work to relocate the families affected by the devastating floods in the Western Cape this week.
Thousands of people in the province have been rendered homeless after flooding destroyed their homes.
“We’ve been able to relocate families into a building that, as government, we have leased for 30 days while we are finding a solution in terms of the informal settlement because they have submerged, whether the rain will come down and we move them back or we have to find an alternative land where we relocate them,” she said.
The Minister added, however, that finding suitable land was proving elusive.
“The challenge in the City of Cape Town is land availability and the requirements we have to follow in terms of our processes of approvals for land use.
“So currently those that were affected in terms of their buildings, formal structures, the assessment has been done by the [National Home Builders Registration Council]. We have received the first report. We are hoping that by Monday, we would have that intervention as fixing those houses by our service providers that we have been able to appoint.
“The materials for the informal settlements are starting to be delivered,” Kubayi said.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape provincial government said it has given the green light for some households in Newton in the Drakenstein Municipality to return home.
This after 900 households in the area were evacuated when it was established that a dam wall in the area was at risk of failure due to the severe flooding.
“Working in consultation with the Department of Water and Sanitation and a dam engineering specialist, Drakenstein Municipality’s Engineering Services Department performed another onsite inspection this morning of the farm dam above Newton and confirmed that the risk of dam wall failure has been mitigated.
“This decision was taken in light of the fact that the water level of 150 000-cubic-meter dam in the Bo-Dal area dropped slightly since last night, as well as the lighter rainfall predicted for today.
“According to the authorities, the dam should be able to handle the flow of water that is expected to reach it today.
“The municipality will keep on monitoring the dam closely and notify residents immediately should the situation change,” the Western Cape government said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 07/14/2024 - 13:54
Government intervenes to assist families amid Cape Town heavy rains
At least 500 households, whose homes were destroyed by heavy rains in Cape Town, are being temporarily relocated to safer accommodations, as gale-force winds and heavy rains persist.
This comes after Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, visited the affected areas on Thursday.
Kubayi and Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala led a Human Settlements delegation to assess progress of interventions for families in desperate need of shelter in the unrelenting cold and wet weather.
The Ministerial delegation visited various disaster-stricken areas in Khayelitsha, including Nkandla, Zami Mpilo, Kuyasa and Victoria Mxenge in the Western Cape.
Scores of people have been left temporarily homeless due to water-logged homes across the province as wet weather and flooding continues.
Kubayi said the department’s immediate intervention is to relocate families to be accommodated at the Western Cape School of Governance, where the department will enter into a lease agreement of 30 days.
Kubayi said the department must identify land in two weeks, adding that she has spoken to all the affected families, and they have agreed to move.
“Our concern is mainly that with a level 8 warning, it means the rain will continue and we do not want these communities to continue in this dire state where their shelters are submerged under water.
“We are moving them to a safe place at least for 30 days while we look at alternative land parcels where they can be permanently relocated to build a new life away from flood plains,” Kubayi said.
The Minister noted that the relocation for the community is not only in one ward but will expand to more areas currently in danger or Category C informal settlements [immediate relocation].
The Minister said the City of Town alone has over 800 informal settlements in danger zones, emphasising a need for a more proactive approach when dealing with disasters.
“We need to put preventative measures in place, and this work is ongoing. Moreover, I have instructed MECs in all nine provinces to also identify more of these Category-C informal settlements so that work can continue to mitigate imminent disasters,” Kubayi said.
As part of disaster intervention and mitigation measures, the department also provides the Informal Settlement Upgrading grant to provinces and municipalities. This entails the upgrading of informal settlements in-situ (developing the area where an informal settlement is located) by providing bulk infrastructure like storm water drainage to avert flooding.
Kubayi also underscored the need to put in place bulk infrastructure to mitigate against a situation where people are locked in water, noting that some areas they visited have no proper stormwater drainage system to absorb water during heavy rains.
The Minister also emphasised that the response to disasters requires all the affected government departments play their part in ensuring that the victims are attended to.
“This is because beyond the provision of shelter for the victims, there are other needs such as transport, protection of property (which in some cases gets stolen), food and other necessities,” she said.
Kubayi further acknowledged efforts by NGOs, including the Gift of the Givers, who continuously work with government during emergencies.
She assured that the teams will continue with work onsite throughout the weekend, assessing the structural integrity of damaged formal structures.
“The team from Human Settlements Emergency Housing, which includes the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), has been on the ground since the disaster to provide the necessary support to those who have lost their informal structures in Monwabisi, New Monwabisi Park, and Kuyasa informal settlements, as well as to assess the damage caused to permanent structures,” Kubayi said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 11:36
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Residents of Sikiti informal settlement fear they’ll be forgotten if they agree to move to serviced sites nearby
The new ladies’ Gumboot perfectly combines fashion with functionality, making it a staple for the all-year wardrobe. Cape Town, ~ Veldskoen Shoes ventured into new territory when they launched their latest product; The Veldskoen Gumboot on Friday. The ladies gumboot is designed to meet the demands of both urban and rural lifestyles. This is a …
In the build-up to the 4th annual Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day celebration on 1 August 2024, some of the younger MPA community have shared their unique insights into the world of conservation. In addition to the vital contribution MPAs play in marine life protection, they also serve to create economic opportunities for local citizens, …
Gauteng online learner registration process to start on Thursday
The Gauteng Department of Education says online registration for the 2025 academic year for Grade 1 and Grade 8 admissions will begin on Thursday, 11 July 2024, at 8am and end on Monday, 12 August 2024, at midnight.
The department has stressed that as long as parents apply online and on time, their children are assured to be placed at a school in time for the 2025 academic year.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona appealed to parents to apply on time.
He said parents are allowed to choose a minimum of three schools and a maximum of five schools.
Placements for pupils will begin on 16 September.
Mabona said parents who have no access to internet services must use any of the department’s 80 centres across the province, and they will not be charged a fee.
The spokesperson said the online process has improved and is user-friendly.
“Our system has improved and we can assure parents that problems experienced in the past will not happen again,” Mabona said.
In the past, the system had experienced challenges and would remain offline due to high volumesof applications received.
Required documents for online applications
- SA parent ID or passport and child’s birth certificate or passport.
- Refugee permit.
- Asylum seeker permit.
- Permanent residence permit.
- Study permit.
- Proof of home address.
- Proof of work address.
- Latest Grade 7 school report (Grade 8 applicants only).
- Clinic card/immunisation report (Grade 1 applicants only). – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 07/10/2024 - 09:39