SA News

31 August 2023

KZN entrepreneurs challenged to manufacture their effect in mainstream economy

Location: News

KZN entrepreneurs challenged to make their mark in mainstream economy

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina, has urged entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal to grow their enterprises in order to make their mark in the country’s mainstream economy, and contribute in creating more jobs.

Gina was speaking during the eThekwini Business Seminar, which strategically targeted at Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) that conduct business in Durban and surrounding areas.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (KZN EDTEA) and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, hosted the seminar, aimed at providing insight and information on funding opportunities available within dtic agencies and KZN EDTEA.

The event was presented in an interactive format, designed to equip local entrepreneurs with the essential tools and knowledge required to evolve their businesses and make them thrive in today’s fiercely competitive business landscape.

Delivering a keynote address, Gina highlighted that the business seminar went beyond the mere distribution of information on funding.

“This exercise is aimed at facilitating the growth and expansion of local businesses, and to enable them to establish a significant presence in the mainstream business arena. It is also to emphasise the critical role of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, and I am excited to declare that the time is ripe for these enterprises to assert their presence and make their mark in the mainstream business landscape,” Gina said.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted that the success of the seminar underscored the commitment of the dtic and KZN EDTEA to driving economic transformation and promoting sustainable business development.

By empowering local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources they need, she said, both organisations are working to accelerate the growth of the business ecosystem in the region.

The seminar, which brought together a diverse array of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry stakeholders, fostering networking and collaboration, featured engaging panel discussions, including interactive workshops, and insightful presentations by industry experts and government officials.

The participants also had the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the available funding options, as well as the necessary strategies to propel their businesses to new heights.

The exchange of ideas and experiences further enriched the seminar’s impact, creating an atmosphere of collective growth.

Gina said, the seminar was a valuable opportunity for small businesses to learn about the latest trends and best practices in business.

“I am confident that the knowledge and skills gained will help you grow your businesses and become more competitive. I would like to encourage you all to go out and dominate the business space. You have the potential to succeed, and I am here to support you every step of the way,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 13:05

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31 August 2023

COVID-19 Taxi Relief Fund disbursement extended

Location: News

COVID-19 Taxi Relief Fund disbursement extended

Cabinet has approved the extension period for the payment of the Taxi Relief Fund for another 12 months.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, explained during a Post Cabinet briefing that the fund was established to assist minibus taxis, cabs and e-hailing drivers who experienced a financial knock during the COVID-19 hard lockdowns, in line with stipulated criteria.

“The extension will provide the Department of Transport sufficient time to assist the many taxi operators who are yet to receive the relief funds,” the Minister said on Thursday.

To date, she said 88 580 taxi operators have been assisted.

Ntshavheni was briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Tourism

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the publication of the Green Paper on the Development of Tourism in South Africa for public comment.

“The policy seeks to develop and promote tourism in South Africa, and address barriers to tourism growth.”

The policy will promote rural and peri-urban tourism by encouraging the profiling and visibility of rural products.

“Policy proposals also focus on tourism governance and cooperation, safety and security management, transformation, and embracing technology, amongst others.”

Members of the public have 90 days to make comments on the policy and the Green Paper is available on www.tourism.gov.za.

National Policy on Theatre and Dance

In addition, the Executive said it also approved the National Policy on Theatre and Dance.

“The policy seeks to address the historically institutionalised inequalities and disparities, which follow racial and economic access lines in theatre and dance.

“The policy aims to set a vision and practical policies, strategies, implementation mechanisms and time frames that will result in a sustainable and vibrant theatre and dance sector in all nine provinces, with South African dance and theatre makers representing the country with pride continentally and globally.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 11:30

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31 August 2023

Cabinet notes continued improvement in electricity availability

Location: News

Cabinet notes continued improvement in electricity availability

The Cabinet continues to receive an update on the electricity situation in the country and notes reports of the continued improvement in electricity availability.

This is according to the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who was briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

“Although the last few days had recorded an increase in the load shedding stages to Stage 4, the situation has since improved with the return of units to generation and Eskom continues to taper down the load shedding stages,” Ntshavheni said on Thursday.

The state-owned power entity announced this morning that load shedding would jump to Stage 4 as more generating units failed last night.

Minister Ntshavheni also spoke about the communities that have no electricity due to power outages and not load shedding.

These power outages, the Minister said, are caused by system overload due to illegal connections, theft or vandalism of sub-stations and transformers, and vandalism of distribution lines.

The affected communities include parts of Soweto, Tembisa, KwaThema, Komane, Taung and Ditsobotla.

Ntshavheni announced that the Ministers of Electricity and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs have since commenced with a programme to engage with the affected communities to agree on measures to replace damaged infrastructure.

However, the Minister said this would be linked with the prohibition of illegal connections, community partnerships in the protection of electricity infrastructure, and payment for electricity services.

“South Africa’s agreement with the Chinese companies, on recently signed agreements, will play a significant role in introducing electricity infrastructure with self-preservation capability.”

Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill

In addition, Ntshavheni said the Executive has also been briefed about the “unconstitutional” draft Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill.

The Bill creates a framework for the province to fully assert its existing constitutional and legislative powers and to get more powers delegated from the national government.

“The Draft Bill violates the provisions of Schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution that set out powers and functions including concurrent powers of both the provincial and national executives.”

“Cabinet has noted that this draft Bill is an attempt to revert to the Democratic Party’s, forerunner to the Democratic Alliance preferred federal approach that seeks to undermine a united and inclusive South Africa,” the Minister explained.

In addition, she said the Draft Bill ignores the exclusion from access to services of the large Black communities of Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Langa, the Cape Flats, Delft, and Central Line, among others.

“Cabinet has mandated the Ministers of Justice and CoGTA to enter into discussions with the Western Cape provincial government in line with the relevant dispute resolution mechanisms as provided for in section 146 of the Constitution and the applicable intergovernmental framework.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 11:05

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31 August 2023

Joburg inner city building fire claims at least 73 lives

Location: News

Joburg inner city building fire claims at least 73 lives

The death toll from a fire which engulfed a five story building in the Johannesburg inner city in the early hours of Thursday morning has risen to 73, with some 43 people injured.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

Addressing the media outside the building, City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, described how residents inside the building battled to escape the blaze.

“There are burnt bodies beyond recognition, I have never seen that sight before. Seventy three of them have been confirmed to be dead. One of the things that was an issue was that inside the building, it looks as if there was a gate which was closed so they could not go out. The main reason here that there’s a high death toll is that there are a lot of partitions and gates [inside the building].

“They said people were screaming and wanted to get out but they couldn’t. Many burnt bodies were found actually [stuck] at that gate. On the bottom floor, they had an informal settlement sort of. There were a lot of people who had built using highly flammable material,” he said.

The MMC said officials from the city’s disaster management have been dispatched to begin relief efforts.

“On our side, we’ve got the team which is coming in. The disaster [team] is here. We are going to give them the matrasses and all of that. The housing [department] is here as well meaning that we are going to get them alternative accommodation at this point in time.

“It is very traumatic. I have never seen bodies like that – burnt beyond recognition. There were also kids that were there. There’s a 12 month old kid that got burnt. It’s a very sad scene,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 09:44

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30 August 2023

SA to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day

Location: News

SA to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day

Social Development Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu in partnership with the Central Drug Authority (CDA) and the South African Network for People Who Use Drugs will on Thursday join the global community in commemorating International Overdose Awareness Day.

Observed under the theme: “Recognizing those people who go unseen”, the commemorations will be held at the JB Marks Rehabilitation centre in Potchefstroom in the North West province on Thursday.

International Overdose Awareness day seeks to raise awareness around the silent killer that is overdose and the stigma that surrounds overdose fatalities, and that overdose deaths are preventable.

The observance of the day is part of the department’s implementation of the National Drug Master Plan 2019-2024, which is the country’s blueprint to combat the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse that has exponentially risen to epidemic proportion.

According to Harm Reduction International “overdose is a risk when using many psychoactive drugs, but is much common for some drugs such as opioids. It is especially common for people who use a combination of substances and those who inject drugs”.

Naloxone is known to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose by helping breathing return to normal, and return a person to consciousness but is sadly underused.

From 1 September 2023, for nine consecutive days across all nine provinces, the Deputy Minister will be educating South Africans about the dangers of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD).

FASD is a leading source of non-genetic developmental and intellectual disability globally and is usually associated with primary and secondary disabilities. South Africa has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to have the highest reported prevalence of FASD in the world. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 09:56

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30 August 2023

SA records more than 4 million tourist arrivals

Location: News

SA records more than 4 million tourist arrivals

South Africa’s tourism sector continues to show strong recovery with the first half of 2023 recording more than four million tourist arrivals.

“Our arrival numbers for 2023 are looking good, demonstrating that South Africa is still a favourable tourist destination and we are eager to welcome more tourists as we head into the busy summer season,” said Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.

She said the arrivals demonstrate that South Africa is still a favourable tourist destination.

“South Africa’s tourism sector continues to exhibit strong recovery with the first half of 2023 recording more than 4 million tourist arrivals, according to the latest data from Statistics South Africa [Stats SA]. This is a significant increase from the 2, 3 million tourist arrivals between January and June 2022.

The total number of tourist arrivals to South Africa between January and June 2023 showed a sizable 78.2% surge in the first half of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022.

The Minister on Tuesday held the second National Tourism Safety Forum meeting in Cape Town with various stakeholders in the tourism sector.

De Lille said South Africa receives millions of tourists per year, and the vast majority of visitors return home without any issues and a memorable experience of the country.

The Africa region continues to bring the largest share of tourist arrivals to South Africa with more than three million arrivals from the rest of the African continent in the first six months of 2023.

“This is a testament to the marketing efforts that we have implemented to attract tourists from this region. Africa remains a key source market for us, and we are committed to collaborating as a tourism sector to make sure we welcome visitors from this region and that we cater for their needs and preferences.

Beyond the African continent, South Africa has welcomed more visitors from other regions too. The Asia region almost doubled its figures with a 99.5% growth compared to 2022.

“This year, Europe, the largest source of visitors outside Africa, also experienced solid growth of 66.8.1%, when compared to the same period in 2022. These robust figures showcase South Africa’s charm and attractiveness as well as the work that we are doing in marketing South Africa as a tourist destination of choice.”

North America, Central & South America, and the Middle East also demonstrated strong growth trends with rates of 70.6%, 74.4%, and 75.8% respectively.

“These robust figures showcase South Africa’s charm and attractiveness as well as the work that we are doing in marketing South Africa as a tourist destination of choice.”

Meanwhile, the department is gearing up for the summer season and will be launching the Summer Campaign in two weeks’ time in the Eastern Cape.

Safety

She said the previous meeting of the forum held in May saw all representatives agreed on clear actions to address tourism safety.

”While the latest statistics from StatsSA reveal an upward trend in tourist arrivals, issues of safety are an obstacle in converting would-be tourists to visit our country. As I said after the previous National Tourism Safety Forum meeting, crime is a matter which affects tourism in many parts of the world.”

This was echoed by several tourism ministers from all over the world.

“South Africa is no different and across the world, countries are grappling with these issues with instability and wars in some countries. While it is the mandate of the SAPS to keep our citizens and visitors safe, we all have a role to play.”

She said progress was made since the last meeting.

In a bid to ensure the safety of tourists in the country, the Department of Tourism will be deploying tourism monitors to all provinces at top tourist attractions and national parks.

The key responsibilities of the appointed tourism monitors include patrolling within the identified attractions and site/ areas, raising tourism awareness and provide information to tourists and report any crime incidents to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other relevant enforcement agencies.

The monitors will be deployed towards the end of October or early November 2023, in time for the summer tourist season.

The department has reviewed the training curriculum for tourism monitors with the departmental budget at R174.5 million, to train more than 2 200 tourism monitors across the country for this financial year.

The key responsibilities of the appointed Tourism Monitors include patrolling within the identified attractions and site/ areas, raising tourism awareness and provide information to tourists and report any crime incidents to SAPS and other relevant enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, an update from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on the C-More tracking device and how best this technology can be incorporated into the Secura app that has been set up by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, was received.

“Through the use of technology, we are enhancing the tourist experience by offering technology and tourism monitors that assist tourists in various attractions as well as on-demand requests through an app.”

She said the app is now up and running and the operations centre will be launched in Sandton on Thursday.

“The Secura App is already being used by tourists and aims to enhance the visitor experience and assist in many ways including roadside assistance and directing those who are lost,” said the Minister. –SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:11

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30 August 2023

High Court sets aside multi-million Rand prisons renovation contract

Location: News

High Court sets aside multi-million Rand prisons renovation contract

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a High Court judgment setting aside the decision of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to appoint a company for project management and assessment services related to the renovation of certain prisons during 2014.

According to the SIU, the department appointed Masetlaoka Scott Wilson to:

Act as a project manager for the renovation of three prisons and replacement of other facilities, at a project management fee amounting to approximately R144 505 417.76.
Conduct assessments in terms of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 19 of 2007) in respect of 221 prisons to the value of approximately R464 100 000.00.

“In January 2014 and in order to avoid returning unspent money of approximately R812 million to the National Treasury shortly before the end of the relevant financial year, DCS took a decision to participate in a contract between MSW, a project management consortium, and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

“The High Court found that the relevant decision(s) and resulting agreement(s)/contract(s) was/were inconsistent with the Constitution, as it was not fair, transparent, equitable, competitive, and cost effective, and therefore unlawful.

“The SIU welcomes the order of the High Court as it demonstrates the continued implementation of its investigation outcomes and consequence management, and efforts to recover financial losses suffered by the State due to negligence or corruption,” the SIU said.

The corruption busting unit said the decision of “what would constitute just, and equitable relief was referred by the High Court for trial”. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:13

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30 August 2023

Mashatile holds fruitful discussion with South Sudan counterpart

Location: News

Mashatile holds fruitful discussion with South Sudan counterpart

Deputy President Paul Mashatile said he had a fruitful discussion on Tuesday with South Sudan’s First Vice President and leader of South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition, Dr Riek Machar.

“I just completed a very fruitful discussion with Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, where we discussed a number of important issues that will allow South Sudan to move forward in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS),” he said.

Machar received Deputy President Mashatile and his accompanying delegation yesterday.

The Deputy President is in South Sudan on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, as a Special Envoy to track the implementation of R-ARCSS and to assist in resolving the challenges that may hinder free and fair elections at the end of the transitional period.

The Deputy President noted some of the concerns raised by the Vice President, among others, the issues of refugees and the country’s permanent Constitution.

“We’ve agreed that we will look into the issues that they have raised. But a commitment to move forward to complete the peace process and have the election is agreed to… The Vice President is committed to ensuring that we achieve this within the timeframes that have been agreed upon, which is February 2025 to have the election.”

However, according to South Africa’s second-in-command, there is a need for the country to assist South Sudan in resolving some of those challenges.

“I will be meeting with the President to further discuss the issues. But, I’m very confident that with the kind of discussions we had, we will be able to resolve most of the issues and able to complete the peace process and have a successful and free and fair elections within the timeframe.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, Puok Both Baluang, said the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the progress and challenges facing the implementation of the revitalised agreement.

The leaders also touched on strengthening economic cooperation between the two sisterly countries.

“Dr Machar expressed that the meeting was a significant opportunity for both countries to enhance their friendship.

“He noted that South Sudan and South Africa share common values and principles, and he looks forward to the two nations’ relationship and collaboration growing.”

Baluang said Vice President Machar also briefed the visiting delegation on the progress and challenges of the R-ARCSS and the prerequisites for conducting free, fair and credible elections in South Sudan.

“He also assured them of his commitment to continue working for the full implementation of the agreement.”

The task of the Special Envoy is to help the parties to the Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan with the implementation of the R-ARCSS.

The power-sharing agreement was signed between the warring parties in August 2018 in a bid to end the five-year civil war.

The Deputy President of South Africa expressed gratitude and admiration on behalf of himself and his delegation for the warm welcome they received in South Sudan and for the cordial ties that exist between the two nations. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:51

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30 August 2023

Minister calls for rethinking of stereotypes towards a gender-equal society

Location: News

Minister calls for rethinking of stereotypes towards a gender-equal society

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says the rethinking of stereotypes and norms, and reshaping of the relationships between women and men, is a step in the right path towards a gender-equal society.

“Conventionally, issues about gender equality have often mainly been placed in the public arena by women. However, it is difficult to reform social structures towards equality without a broad social consensus and ownership between men and women,” Nzimande said on Tuesday.

Nzimande emphasised that men and boys must become active and positive advocates for gender equality, to rectify the discrepancy in power relations.

He said, with an increasing awareness of men and boys as a necessary part of the solution, there is an urgent need to chart a clear road ahead for their involvement as change agents for gender equality.

Nzimande made the remarks during Transforming MENtalities Summit, aimed at engaging men and boys to address the root causes of violence against women.

The Transforming MENtalities Summit is based on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Transforming MENtalities initiative, launched in 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean, to promote positive redefinitions of norms of masculinity and meaningful engagement of men and boys, alongside women and girls, in the global pursuit for gender equality.

The initiative was later spread to a number of other countries.

The objectives of Transforming MENtalities in South Africa are informed by UNESCO’s global initiative, which includes gathering context-nuanced and feminist evidence and building knowledge to inform gender-transformative policymaking; countering and uprooting harmful gender norms to promote positive and healthy alternatives with the support of role models; and strengthening the structures to engage men and boys as accountable allies for gender equality alongside women and people of diverse gender identities.

As “Transforming 'MEN'talities” postulates, Nzimande said, a holistic approach is essential in facilitating women’s empowerment, and ultimately the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objective of leaving no one behind.

Nzimande said, through engagement at the summit, the delegates have another opportunity to come up with sustained methods to engage and empower men and boys on existing societal norms of masculinities and challenge negative gender stereotypes and behaviours.

The Minister emphasised that Transforming MENtalities is about transforming the way men and boys build relations with women and girls, the liberation of men and boys from anachronistic and dominant positionalities.

“It is about men and boys unlearning reactionary habits and embracing emancipatory values, norms, roles and practices in the multiplicity of relationships they enjoy with women and girls. This relational perspective is important as it requires men and boys to an active part in co-creating new ways of relating to women and girls in private and public, domestic and professional, economic, social and political life.

“It means constructive and respectful dialogue, willingness to be vulnerable and open to embracing a new pathway, an ability to listen, learn and unlearn in multiple relational settings with women and girls. MENtalities is therefore a campaign to establish the cocreational responsibilities of men and boys in the struggle for gender equality,” Nzimamde said.

He also argued that the term MENtalities should not be an idealistic perspective of gender transformation that is, the notion that a “mere appeal to changing the mentality of men and boys will, by itself, liberate women from gender inequality and oppression”.

“This would be naïve. It is for this reason that we cannot delink this campaign from the wider struggles aimed at transforming the structural relations of power that define and reproduce gender inequality in society and economy.

“My view is that one can only provide a proper explanation of the roots of the psychosocial oppression of women and girls in the unequal distribution of economic and political power in society, and specifically, the capitalist economy – women are structurally located at the bottom of the economy – if measured by pay, investment income, land, fixed property,” the Minister said.

"Unless we root out the structural inequalities of capitalist gender exploitation and oppression, we will not provide the material bases upon which gender power relations can be reset in society at large and provide a foundation for the psycho-social and cultural emancipation of women and by definition men and boys in society."

He said the campaign to transforming the MENtalities of men and boys must also be fought in conjunction with the struggles to radically alter the structural position of women especially Black working-class women in the economy. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:49

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30 August 2023

Progress made in fighting GBV in higher learning institutions

Location: News

Progress made in fighting GBV in higher learning institutions

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says good progress has been made to implement sustainable and impactful measures to address the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in higher learning institutions.

The country’s Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector is home to more than 2.5 million youth with 51% being females.

According to the Minister, 10% of all reported rape cases originate from young women in the higher education sector and only one in ten women report a rape case.

“My Department of Higher Education and Training through Higher Health, has done so much over the past few years to implement sustainable and impactful systems, controls, infrastructure, and safety nets to address the scourge of GBV within the PSET sector.”

The Minister was speaking during the inaugural Transforming MENtalities Summit, which is aimed at engaging men and boys to address the root causes of violence against women.

He said that since launching the GBV Policy Framework in 2020, Higher Health has been putting systems, controls, capacity in institutions to respond to GBV issues.

Higher Health developed a Technical Task team which various PSET stakeholders as well as technical experts who are together developing a multi-sectoral response to issues of GBV in the PSET system.

“In 2021, the Task Team released procedural guidelines on how to respond to cases of GBV on campus; protocol on rape; and protocol on code of ethics. As part of our Women’s Month celebration this month, the Task Team released the Protocol on Campus Safety and Security Minimum Standards; the Protocol on Safety in Private Accommodation, the Protocol on Safety in Residences; and Protocol on Staff-Student Relationships,” he said in his address on Tuesday.

“Higher Health is currently working with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in developing Protocols on Statement of Complaint, whistleblowing and other legislature requirements for our system.”

The Minister said that Higher Health is continuing to implement various programmes and support structures for students and frontline staff at institutions of higher learning. Programmes are offered on 420 campuses across South Africa including urban and rural areas.

Civic and Health Education Skills Programme

Another important achievement in addressing GBV in PSET institutions, include the launch of an online National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 Civic and Health Education Skills Programme in July 2023, which is first of its kind in the Global South.

The programme will cover modules that include gender-based violence, and will be offered in all 12 South African languages.

The Minister said the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will be one of the institutions that will be playing a pivotal role in the sector’s efforts to deepen the fight against GBV.

He said the HSRC will forge a nexus of academics and researchers from South African public universities and various organisations to harness the power of collective insights, rallying men and boys as “staunch allies in our campaign to reduce violence, bolster human rights, and realise gender parity.”

The council will conduct studies that will pinpoint communities at risk. These studies will examine intricate layers of perception, aspiration, and change across KwaZulu Natal, the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Limpopo. These provinces bears the brunt of reported rape cases.

“Our journey will not be solitary. It will be a collective effort of research networks, embracing institutions such as Nelson Mandela University, University of the Western Cape, University of Venda, and [the] University of KwaZulu-Natal,” Nzimande explained.

He said, the PSET institutions will also be engaged, through seminars and workshops in order to have inclusivity and impact, and the sector’s outreach programme will sensitise young minds to gender issues.

The Transforming MENtalities Summit is based on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Transforming MENtalities initiative, launched in 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and later spread to a number of other countries. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:42

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30 August 2023

Women urged to be agents of change

Location: News

Women urged to be agents of change

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has urged women in leadership positions to become agents of change in the struggle for women emancipation.

Addressing the Evolution of Women in Leadership Conference at Durban, Dube-Ncube cautioned that it is easy for women to assume that their liberation will come from others, other than themselves.

“Those who are oppressed need not accept a diminished sense of self. This must not be the case with our fight for socio-economic emancipation as women. The evolution of women in leadership is less about celebrating how far we have come, but more about how we re-adjust the lenses of our struggle, such that we usher in a new world,” Dube-Ncube said.

Attended by more than 200 women leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers, the main point of the conference was the effect of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and its impact in hampering impactful change in society.

The Premier highlighted a number of interventions that government has implemented to fight the scourge of GBV, these include, amongst others, the Light-Up Inanda Campaign where eThekwini Metro is working together with Mnambithi Group in Public-Private Partnership providing solar-powered streetlights in Inanda Township, which has been identified as the number one GBV spot in the country.

“The Office of the Premier recently secured funding from private sector partners to build the initial foundation of the GBVF App with a panic button. Making the system fully operational requires effective ward- based GBVF Rapid Response Teams integrated to War Rooms.

“The GBVF App will be linked to members of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide Rapid Response Teams which include war room, members of the Executive Committee (EXCO), traditional leadership, and SAPS,” the Premier highlighted.

The Premier also challenged women to be their own liberators and to understand that the change they want to see is not so that they can be like men, but to usher in a new world characterised by peace, equality, justice and prosperity.

She also urged women in leadership positions to lift more women so that the occupation of leadership positions should be seen less as an exception, but “more as a norm”. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 13:02

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30 August 2023

SA commemorates African Traditional Medicine Week

Location: News

SA commemorates African Traditional Medicine Week

South Africa is joining forces with the rest of the continent to commemorate African Traditional Medicine Week.

From 26 to 31 August, Africa recognises the role of traditional medicine on the continent in providing accessible and affordable healthcare and its contribution to the development of healthcare globally.

This year’s commemoration takes place under the "The Contribution of Traditional Medicine to Holistic Health and Well-being for All" theme.

Traditional medicine, the department said, is a holistic discipline involving the use of indigenous herbalism combined with aspects of African spirituality.

About 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs.

“In some cases, traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent.

“Thus, the significant contribution of traditional medicine as a major provider of healthcare services in Africa cannot be underestimated.”

According to the statement, traditional medicines have been used in many countries on the continent and globally over many centuries.

“Today, these medicines still represent an important part of healthcare in some countries.

“More than 100 countries have regulations for herbal medicines, but practices of traditional medicine vary greatly from country to country and from region to region, as they are influenced by factors such as culture, history, personal attitudes, and philosophy.”

The department hosted the first Traditional Medicine Summit in February this year to create a platform for stakeholders in the sector to meet and engage with the department to come up with recommendations aimed at advancing and formalising the sector.

“The summit was also meant to improve relations between the department and traditional health practitioners’ formations and other stakeholders.”

As part of the summit resolutions, Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, appointed an interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council to coordinate the activities of traditional health practitioners.

Meanwhile, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is currently developing guidelines for the registration of traditional medicine products.

The department believes that the regulations will contribute towards the industrialisation of traditional medicine products, which is an integral part of the value chain.

“The department is mandated to implement legislation pertaining to its sphere of work and the Traditional Health Practitioners Act is an example of such legislation,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:22

171 views

30 August 2023

SAPS’s Operation Shanela nets 1614 suspects

Location: News

SAPS’s Operation Shanela nets 1614 suspects

The South African Police Service's (SAPS) Operation Shanela has yielded success as 1614 suspects were arrested for serious, violent and other crimes.

This successful intelligence-driven, high-density patrols and actions, which was conducted from 21 August 2023 to 27 August 2023, was aimed to disrupt criminal activities before and during the weekend which usually threatens the safety of communities within the province.

Of the total arrests (1614), the breakdown includes the following:

- 38 wanted suspects;

- 12 arrests for murder and 20 for attempted murder;

- 86 arrests were made for property related crime such as burglaries and thefts;

- 195 arrest for assaults with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm;

- 290 for common assaults; and

- 314 arrests were affected for an array of other crimes.

Seizures from the same operation include the following:

- 33 firearms;

- 746 rounds of ammunition from different calibres;

- 321 dagga and 11 099 mandrax tablets;

- 1,355 litres of liquor;

- 29.8kg of copper cable; and

- 85 dangerous weapons.

The high density integrated operations comprised various units such as Vispol, Detectives, Crime Intelligence, AGU, POP, Law Enforcement, other specialised units, K9, private security companies and neighbourhood watch structures.

Operations targeted illegal liquor outlets, suspected drug outlets and compliance inspections carried out at licensed liquor outlets.

All the arrested suspects are expected to make their court appearances in different courts once they have been charged. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:27

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30 August 2023

Blended finance fund to assist farmers abate energy challenges

Location: News

Blended finance fund to assist farmers alleviate energy challenges

The ongoing load shedding in South Africa has become a serious constraint on growth and profitability for various sectors, including agriculture.

In addressing the negative impact on the productivity and profitability of farm operations brought about by the load shedding crisis, the Land Bank and Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), have launched a blended finance fund, which is geared towards financing alternative energy solutions with a focus on energy intensive agricultural activities which include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems and on-farm cold chain related activities.

The Agro Energy Fund aims to support all South African citizens, producers in the agricultural sector, including smallholder, medium scale, large scale and mega commercial producers.

The launch of the Agro Energy Fund follows the successful launch of the Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) in October 2022 through the partnership between Land Bank and DALRRD, where the bank, in collaboration with the department launched the R2 billion BFS.

Speaking at the launch held in Pretoria on Tuesday, DALRRD Minister Thoko Didiza emphasised that the purpose of the Agro Energy Fund is to incentivise farmers to invest in alternative energy sources, and will run parallel to other existing financial instruments that are designed to support farmers with production, farmer infrastructure and market, amongst others.

Didiza explained that the applications for the fund will be directed to the Land Bank and will be subjected to approval guidelines of the bank.

“The funding will be deployed through a blended finance structure which is a combination of a loan and grant. DALRRD will contribute a grant portion to a total value of R500 million which will be matched with a loan portion to a total value of R710 million from Land Bank.

“This will effectively create a R1.21 billion fund size. The fund will be available in the market until the allocated funds are completely drawn down,” Didiza explained.

The Minister added that the priority will be on supporting dairy farming, piggeries, poultry, all irrigated commodities and on-farm processing.

“In deploying funding to producers, the Bank will also rollout its Green Finance product offering with a focus on financing solar panels, biogas and biomass plants which will result in the installation and commissioning of energy efficiency projects across the country which will partially offset electricity usage from the grid.

“The fund will enable the bank to contribute to building resilience against energy shocks in the sector which have negatively impacted productivity and profitability in farm operations. The food security and rural development remain key priorities in the agricultural sector,” the Minister said.

Land Bank Board Chairperson, Thabi Nkosi, expressed the bank’s appreciation to be in partnership with the department for the implementation of the Agro Energy Fund, and also commended the department’s allocation of the R500 million grant.

“The fund aims to support all South African producers - from smallholder farmers to large commercial producers - in a manner that ensures a balanced allocation of funds across various farming cohorts, according to need,” Nkosi said.

Nkosi explained that the smallholder producers will be eligible for up to 70% total finance amount, with the grant portion capped at R500 000 per applicant, while medium scale producers will be eligible for up to 50% of the total financed amount, with the grant portion capped at R1 million per applicant.

“Large producers will be eligible for a grant of up to 30% of the total financed amount, with the grant portion capped at R1.5 million per applicant. On this basis, the fund is expected to support over 500 farmers across the country,” Nkosi said.

While acknowledging that the fund may not reach all of South Africa’s farmers, Nkosi said, this initiative, with specific focus on renewable energy solutions, will catalyse the agricultural sector’s adoption of more sustainable farming practice.

The applications to the Agro-Energy Fund are now open, and the details about the fund, product offering, and how clients can contact and apply for funding support from the Land Bank can be found on www.landbank.co.za or www.dalrrd.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:06

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30 August 2023

President Ramaphosa meets with SOE chairpersons and CEOs

Location: News

President Ramaphosa meets with SOE chairpersons and CEOs

Implementing reforms will serve to enhance the ability of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) not only to adapt to industry developments but also to serve South Africans into the future.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who met with chairpersons and chief executives of SOEs on Tuesday.

“It is quite clear that the success of our economic recovery relies on the effective functioning of state-owned entities. We are implementing reforms to ensure that SOEs are able to adapt to new economic conditions, including rapid developments in technology, their respective operating environments and changing global trends, and to serve the country well into the future,” President Ramaphosa said.

In a statement, the Presidency said the meeting sought to “discuss the implementation of measures to stabilise their financial and operational performance and harness their economic potential”.

“Government has, since 2018, embarked on a process of reform to address the legacy of state capture in SOEs, including through the appointment of capable leadership, the recovery of stolen assets and the pursuit of those responsible for perpetrating acts of corruption.

“In addition, as part of Operation Vulindlela, fundamental reforms are being implemented in the energy, logistics and water sectors to address structural challenges and reposition SOEs for the future.

“President Ramaphosa called on the management and boards of SOEs to accelerate this reform agenda and fulfil their developmental mandate. He emphasised the importance of SOEs, as strategic national assets, in driving inclusive growth, investing in infrastructure, and creating jobs. President Ramaphosa will continue to prioritise the turnaround of South Africa’s SOEs in order to drive economic growth and transformation,” the statement read.

Also at the meeting, the Presidential State Owned Enterprises Council tabled a report while the National Treasury presented an update on its review of the procurement system of SOEs.

“Since its establishment, the Council has undertaken in-depth analyses at 21 SOEs to inform its recommendations. It has proposed changes to the governance framework and shareholder ownership model to enhance oversight, separate the ownership, policy and regulatory functions of the state, and leverage the combined balance sheet of SOEs.

“In addition, the National Treasury provided an update on its review of the procurement system to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture while enabling SOEs to operate in an efficient and competitive manner. Legislative and regulatory reforms are underway to strike an effective balance between preventing corruption and abuse and allowing innovation, agility and responsiveness in procurement,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 09:38

65 views

29 August 2023

Deputy President Mashatile arrives in South Sudan

Location: News

Deputy President Mashatile arrives in South Sudan

Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrived in Juba on Monday to assess the latest developments in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

According to a statement released yesterday, the visit aims to also strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Deputy President Mashatile’s visit is an opportunity to continue engaging parties to the R-ARCSS as well as reaffirm South Africa’s support to the full implementation of all outstanding provisions of the R-ARCSS,” the statement read.

He, according to this Office, will further call for a strengthened commitment by all international partners and friends of South Sudan to support the process.

This includes directly resourcing some of the critical mechanisms of the roadmap towards a peaceful and democratic end to the transitional period, and humanitarian assistance.

Vice President of South Sudan, James Wani Igga, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor, and the South African Ambassador to South Sudan Mahlodi Muofhe received the Deputy President.

In May this year, the Deputy President said South Africa would continue to support peace missions in South Sudan.

He explained that the mandate of the Special Envoy to South Sudan differs from that of South Africa’s Ambassador.

“The latter deals with normal bilateral relations between the two countries. The Special Envoy on the other hand is tasked with assisting in the search for durable peace in South Sudan.”

The immediate task of the Special Envoy, he said, is to help the parties to the Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan with the implementation of the R-ARCSS.

The power-sharing agreement was signed between the warring parties in August 2018 in a bid to end the five-year civil war.

“The work of the Special Envoy contributes to the effort to silence the guns.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 09:08

624 views

29 August 2023

Tourism Minister to give update on tourism safety measures

Location: News

Tourism Minister to give update on tourism safety measures

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and representatives of the private sector will this afternoon give an update on tourism safety measures.

This as the Minister will convene the second National Tourism Safety Forum which includes all Tourism MECs, the South African Police, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Departments of Tourism and Transport, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and the South African Tourism Services Association.

It will also include the Airports Company South Africa, Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), the South African Township and Village Tourism Organisation (SATOVITO) and other tourism sector bodies.

The previous National Tourism Safety Forum meeting held in May saw all representatives agreeing on clear actions to address tourism safety.

Earlier this year, Minister de Lille said safety is one of the major issues affecting growth in the tourism sector.

“Tourism is not only an economic activity but an essential vehicle that promotes a mutual understanding between a tourist and host community. Tourism is recognised for its immense potential and its significant contribution to the economy.

“Safety is one of the major issues affecting the tourism sector and as partners, government and the private sector agreed tourism safety is a priority that we need to address collectively so that we can grow the sector and remove any obstacles standing in the way of that objective,” Minister de Lille said at the time. -SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 09:19

627 views

29 August 2023

Industry involvement needed in TVET curriculum review process

Location: News

Industry involvement needed in TVET curriculum review process

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has underscored the need for additional industry involvement in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college curriculum review process.

“What is also critical is the need for more substantial industry involvement in the TVET curriculum review process to enhance responsiveness to industry needs and requirements,” the Minister said.

He was addressing the TVET Curriculum Transformation and Innovation Summit, currently underway at Vodaworld Dome in Midrand.

Nzimande said the (TVET) college curriculum reform has the potential to contribute in various ways to improving the employability, productivity and success rates of college graduates.

“In order for us to be successful in bringing these changes, there is also a need for change in the management strategies to prepare for current and future TVET curriculum challenges. Furthermore, we need to develop leadership programmes to help leaders within the TVET sector to bring about the necessary curriculum change,” Nzimande said on Monday.

Highlighting some of the progress made in building a sustainable TVET sector, Nzimande said South Africa is producing on average 20 000 qualified artisans per year.

“Ours is to ensure that the number increases significantly to meet our National Development Plan (NDP) target to produce 30 000 qualified artisans per year by 2030.”

Nzimande also highlighted that the number of Centres for Specialisation has been expanded to 34 at 27 TVET colleges, to enhance workplace linked training of artisans and related occupations.

A further investment of R68 million has also been allocated in 16 colleges, who now have 33 trade test centres.

“These trade test centres have trade tested over 600 apprentices of which over 500 have qualified as artisans. Currently 26 of our colleges are engaged in entrepreneurial training through our entrepreneurship hubs.”

The department is hard at work to ensure that all the colleges are involved in some form of entrepreneurship training and also plans to, through the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), introduce innovation hubs in TVET colleges.

The Minister said, the department has to date, opened up 14 954 TVET placement opportunities to the value of R726 million. It has also committed to achieving a target of 20 000 placements of TVET graduates in work placements, as per President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment at this year’s State of the Nation Address.

Establishment of 4IR centres

The importance of responsiveness of TVET colleges to 21st century conditions, both locally and globally was also emphasised and various initiatives are underway to achieve this. These include the establishment of seven Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) centres.

“These centres, with the support of stakeholders such as the ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority), aim to scale up digital skills among students and staff.

“Leveraging the potential of the digital economy to reduce youth unemployment is a priority, and we are grateful to our partners such as HUAWEI, Cisco, GIZ, IYF, and others for their contributions to our digital skilling mission,” Nzimande said.

The Minister also expresses his appreciation to the department’s partners, including the Allan and Gill Gray Foundation, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) for their support in assisting the department to produce young entrepreneurs.

“The Vhembe TVET College in Limpopo has reported producing three millionaires through this development initiative,” he said.

The three-day summit which started on Monday, is being held under the theme: “TVET curriculum transformation: a key to unlock skills development for the modern economy”.

The summit brings together various role players in the TVET sector under one roof to engage and take to higher levels the curriculum transformation and innovation challenges of the TVET sector. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 12:35

456 views

29 August 2023

Nzimande calls for BRICS commitment implementation

Location: News

Nzimande calls for BRICS commitment implementation

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says he would like to see implementation of the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance Charter.

Nzimande said the recent and highly successful BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit held in South Africa last week, placed the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system at the centre of skills development co-operation by members states.

Addressing the TVET Curriculum Transformation and Innovation Summit, currently underway at Vodaworld Dome in Midrand, Nzimande noted that BRICS had committed to strengthen collaboration in TVET amongst BRICS Member States through the hosting of a seminar to provide an overview of the TVET education systems and foster closer collaboration.

“BRICS emphasise that the TVET programmes and projects should be coordinated by relevant BRICS senior TVET officials and focal points assigned by their respective Ministries. This places TVET education at the centre of the developmental agenda of governments, supporting initiatives and interventions to revive and enhance the economy.

“As a result, TVET curriculum transformation is a crucial step towards unlocking skills development for the modern economy. As industries evolve and technology advances at an unprecedented rate, it becomes essential for TVET institutions to adapt their curricula to meet the changing needs of the job market,” Nzimande said.

The Minister argued that the traditional approach to TVET education, which focused solely on providing students with specific trade skills, is no longer sufficient in today's dynamic and globalised economy.

Therefore, he said, to bridge the skills gap and equip individuals with the competencies required for the modern workforce, a comprehensive curriculum transformation is necessary.

“This transformation involves a shift from a narrow focus on technical skills to 21st century skills which advocates for a broader emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and adaptability.

“By integrating these 21st century skills into TVET curricula, students will be better prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern economy, where job roles are constantly evolving, and cross-disciplinary expertise is highly valued,” Nzimande said.

He said the inclusion of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics in TVET curricula, will further equip students with the necessary digital skills.

Having regular curriculum reviews of TVET programs and qualifications aligned with the current needs of industry and society, was among the resolutions taken at the TVET Imbizo held in 2017.

Nzimande emphasised that the focus is on updating the content of current programs, by introducing modern delivery methods, integrating digital skills, and rationalizing outdated programs that no longer serve their intended purposes.

“In line with this objective, over 70 subjects in the NATED (National Accredited Technical Education Diploma) Report 191 programs have been reviewed since 2018. Additionally, in January this year, we introduced a new NCV (National Certificate Vocational) program in IT (Information Technology) and Computer Science focusing on Programming and Robotics.

“Ten of our TVET colleges are currently offering this program and more of our colleges are planning to offer this program from 2024. As a department, we are collaborating with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) in reconstructing curricula for Engineering Studies to align with the rapidly changing industry needs and professional standards,” Nzimande highlighted.

He added that the prioritised fields currently undergoing reconstruction, include Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

The Minister also announced that the NATED N1 to N3 programs will be phased out from January 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 13:22

562 views

29 August 2023

Boys and men key in fighting GBVF

Location: News

Boys and men key in fighting GBVF

South Africa’s men and boys are a crucial part of combatting the scourge of violence against women and girls.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said this in his address at the Presidential Young Men and Boys Indaba on Tuesday.

“As young men, you may be tired of being told you are a problem. You want your dignity respected and upheld. You want your good qualities to be recognised. We are here to tell you that we see you as not the problem, but as the solution. It is in your hands to bring about a new generation of South African men,” the President said.

At the session held at Maponya Mall in Soweto, learners who took part in the indaba were given a chance to ask the President questions which led to a fruitful engagement.

“From what I have heard today, I am more confident than ever that the boys and men of this country are an essential part of our struggle to end all forms of violence against women in our society.

“Your views, thoughts and ideas have enriched our understanding of the challenges young men face and how you are taking responsibility for yourselves and your society,” the President said.

In his address, the President said that “because it is men who are responsible for this scourge [violence against women and girls], men need to be part of bringing it to an end”.

“This young men’s dialogue is very important. To end gender-based violence, we must focus on prevention. We must stop this violence before it even happens.”

The President emphasised that there must be an open and honest conversation about what contributes to violence against women and girls.

Toxic masculinity

He strongly advised boys and men to talk about patriarchal attitudes and practices. Men were also urged to challenge toxic masculinity, which is the idea that being a man means one must dominate and demean women.

The conversation must include the influence of culture and media depictions of men and women.

Raising good men

“What about the Boys?” brings together government, the private sector, academia, civil society, the media and other stakeholders in a collaboration towards raising a nation of good men.

“What About The Boys?” is a gender-based violence and femicide(GBVF) prevention initiative to raise a nation of good men and is an outcome of a 2022 social compact, led by youth organisations and stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

“We have just seen the video and listened to the voices of participants, and it is clear that this programme continues to be well-received and has had a positive impact.

“We are correct to ask the question, “What about the Boys?”, because young men and boys must not be left behind.”

In addition, he emphasised that boys must be part of the journey towards a South Africa free of gender-based violence. They must be encouraged and supported to be change-makers in society.

He told the indaba that it is not easy to be a boy or a man in today’s era.

He highlighted that men and boys face a lot of pressure in in their peer groups, their families, in relationships, with friends, at school and places of higher learning and in society as a whole.

In South Africa today he said, young black men are most vulnerable to violence.

“As young men, you are vulnerable too. You also experience depression, loneliness, and frustration. These can sometimes manifest in aggressive behaviour, especially towards women and girls, problematic relationships, and violence. We must talk.”

He said the new generation of men are respectful, masculine in a positive way and sensitive.

“They would never think of a woman as less than a man. They would never think about raising their hand against a woman.”

Safe spaces

The first citizen said the dialogue was convened because government recognises that it must engage men and boys separately from women and girls.

This as government wants to create more safe and open spaces where boys can talk about their feelings, share with each other and collaborate on strategies that help them advance through different stages of their lives.

He emphasised that the focus of the programme is to reimagine and reinvent masculinities in sensitive, kind, respectful, accountable, expressive and nurturing ways.

“It is about working with young men and boys through theatres of learning to influence how they view themselves and the kinds of men that they grow into.

“As government, civil society, business and social partners we are committed to supporting you in your journey to becoming better men,” he said.

The President extended his gratitude to the Department of Basic Education, Primestars, SterKinekor and all the partners of the programme for taking the initiative to design such a positive and uplifting programme, and for their commitment to being part of change. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 14:29

237 views

29 August 2023

Correctional Services warns of fake purchase orders

Location: News

Correctional Services warns of fake purchase orders

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has warned all suppliers within the departmental database linked to the Central Supplier Database of fraudulent purchasing orders.

“One of the ways in which the scammers operate is by means of requesting an upfront payment or seeking quotations for various goods from potential service providers.

“At times, they send a fictitious request for quotation (RFQ) from what would seem to be a Correctional Services email address, use a fake RFQ form with a logo and contact details of the contact person,” the statement read.

The requests, the department said, are usually “urgent” and the whole process is concluded within a short period.

“The department distances itself from this practice and advises all suppliers not to render services telephonically, without having the original purchasing order.

“No upfront payments are to be requested. Rather confirm the legitimacy of purchasing orders with the department’s supply chain unit, prior to processing and purchasing goods,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 13:32

171 views

29 August 2023

CSIR appoints industry advisory panel to assist steer digital transformation

Location: News

CSIR appoints industry advisory panel to help steer digital transformation

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced the appointment of an industry advisory panel in the digital transformation space.

“This signifies the organisation’s efforts to align with industry-specific priorities in the quest to achieve digitalisation for greater societal and industrial impact.

“Utilising its robust science, engineering and technology capabilities, the organisation seeks to establish a balance between scientific and industrial development,” the organisation said on Monday.

Meanwhile, CSIR believes that a greater understanding of industry needs is vital to achieving these strategic objectives.

The Executive Cluster Manager of CSIR NextGen Enterprises and Institutions, Dr Lulama Wakaba, explained the purpose of the industry advisory panel, which is to provide advice on strategic issues to the cluster’s leadership and researchers in the digitalisation domain.

“It is guided by the CSIR’s mandate of contributing to improving the quality of life of the people of South Africa through directed multidisciplinary research and technological innovation. All clusters of the CSIR have important contributions to make to this mandate,” Wakaba added.

He also noted that the panel members bring a wealth of experience, which will be invaluable in gaining insight into market operations.

The panel comprises 12 members and Mamello Selamolela, who has been appointed Chairperson to lead the team.

The other members include Bronwyn Williams, Nomso Kana, Dawood Patel, Paul Mashegoane, Envir Fraser, Wakaba, Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa and Anne Gabathuse.

Group Executive for CSIR Smart Society, Dr Sandile Malinga, said he was looking forward to innovative insights and approaches based on the panel’s extensive experience and exposure.

“The newly established industry advisory panel not only strengthens the CSIR’s commitment to achieving strategic objectives but also underscores its dedication towards fostering industrial development and digital transformation within government, public institutions and the industry at large.”

The panel’s view, according to CSIR, is that the cluster’s impact ought to reflect the important pillars of society understanding the core of national societal needs and ensuring that the response harnesses digitalisation for the benefit of South Africa.

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa.

CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 09:33

433 views

29 August 2023

Economic reforms to create growth, jobs

Location: News

Economic reforms to create growth, jobs

Through economic reforms implemented through Operation Vulindlela, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth.

In his weekly newsletter, the President noted the release of a progress report, which highlights a number of key milestones that have been reached during the past quarter.

“Since Operation Vulindlela was established, we have built significant momentum in economic reforms to create growth and jobs.

“Through these reforms we are steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth. By restructuring our network, industries like energy, telecommunications, ports and rail, we are opening the space for investment and a renewal of our nation’s infrastructure,” the President said.

The President highlighted that the first of the reform milestones was the digital migration process which government implemented by switching off analogue transmission for all frequencies above 694 MHz on 31 July 2023.

“This marks a significant step in migration from analogue to digital signal. This means that radio frequencies that were being used for television broadcasting can now be used for mobile telecommunications, which will make network communications more accessible and increase the speed and reduce the cost of data. The implementation of this reform will bring new investment in the telecommunications sector,” he said.

President Ramaphosa told citizens that work is underway to implement necessary reforms in the logistics sector to address the challenges that have held back the growth of South African exports.

He highlighted that the lack of investment and the increased cost of doing business have added to the many challenges that need to be addressed.

Another key milestone was reached with the selection of an international terminal operator to partner with Transnet at the Durban Pier 2 container terminal. This terminal handles close to half of South Africa’s port traffic.

“This partnership will increase investment for upgrading equipment and expanding terminal capacity. A key aspect of this partnership is that port infrastructure will remain state-owned and all jobs will be protected,” he said.

The President further highlighted that two critical pieces of legislation were tabled in Parliament this month, that will advance economic reform.

The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will support the restructuring of Eskom into three separate companies owned and controlled by Eskom Holdings, including an independent grid operator.

“Through this bill we will introduce competition in electricity generation, enabling a number of independent generators, alongside Eskom, to produce electricity to meet our country’s demand. This reform will fundamentally transform, modernise and improve South Africa’s energy sector to ensure energy security into the future.

“Meanwhile, the reforms we have implemented through the Energy Action Plan have unlocked new investment in renewable energy sources, both to end load shedding and to use our unique wind and solar resources to power economic growth,” he said.

One of key reforms that government has prioritised is in the water sector. Government has introduced the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to establish a dedicated national water agency to design, plan and finance water resource infrastructure.

This agency will enable significantly greater investment in bulk water infrastructure to guarantee water security in the years and decades to come, while creating jobs and unlocking new agricultural potential.

“We are implementing a range of other reforms to unlock economic growth, from creating an enabling regulatory environment for hemp and cannabis production to eradicating the backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing,” he said.

Despite difficult global conditions, the President said investors continue to see value in the South African economy and the benefit of the reform agenda government is pursuing.

He added that he is pleased that the BRICS Business Forum held last week was attended by 1 500 investors and business people from all five member countries.

The President said the Summit was able to showcase the potential of South Africa and the African continent as the next frontiers of productivity and growth.

“Many of the participants remarked on the enormous potential of our economic reform agenda to drive growth in the green economy, the digital economy and other key sectors.

“In all of the work that we do, our ultimate goal is the same: to build an inclusive, fast-growing and dynamic economy and thereby create a better life for all South Africans,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 09:57

330 views

29 August 2023

KZN government unveils Nongoma multimillion rand projects

Location: News

KZN government unveils Nongoma multimillion rand projects

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has assured the residents of Nongoma that the provincial government remains committed to facilitate the speedy delivery of water, roads and houses, and to completing some unexpected project delays in the area.

Dube-Ncube was speaking during the province’s Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) Cabinet Day, held recently, where the province’s MECs addressed various service delivery concerns and unveiled projects throughout the Nongoma Local Municipality.

Dube-Ncube said the OSS gives the leaders an opportunity to listen without mediation, to the voices and concerns of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

The Premier unveiled the Bhuqwini Rural Housing Project, which will deliver 300 houses in Ward 17. The R49.4 million project will also see the employment of at least 60 people and 20 being trained as National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 2 builders.

Unveiling the project, Dube-Ncube said they have introduced the contractor to build houses and urge the community to take care of the project and to make sure that the houses are not vandalised.

“When we deliver houses as the Government of KwaZulu-Natal, we are implementing the Freedom Charter which says there shall be houses, security and comfort for all,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier also undertook to facilitate the repair and maintenance of Royal Palaces some of which are said to have fallen into disrepair due to lack of regular attention.

“We value the institution of traditional leadership as the glue that holds our communities together as the custodian of our customs and traditions. The Palaces are an important part of our history and we will ensure that for years to come, this heritage is protected for generations to come,” the Premier said.

Various MECs and senior government officials also visited other projects and centres to deliver dignified services to the community.

Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC and Government Business leader, Siboniso Duma, visited the R19 million Maphophoma Milling, which is owned by a co-operative and funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The MEC committed the provincial government support for the co-operative to access more land and to increase their maize production.

He said, the provincial state agencies, including Agri-Development Agency, ITHALA and the KZN Growth Fund, will also ensure access to funding for the co-operative.

Duma also visited the pedestrian bridges that are currently being constructed by Transport and Defence Departments.

Finance MEC, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, visited the Casukile Primary Co-operative run by a group of women who manufacture toilet papers. Nkonyeni committed the provincial government to fund the co-operative members’ training on business skills, branding of their products and sourcing new markets for their products.

Nkonyeni also encouraged the Nongoma Local Municipality to buy locally manufactured goods in order to grow the local economy.

Over 20 speed points were donated to Ward 19 businesswomen, in a bid to encourage them to grow their businesses and create more jobs for the locals.

Sport, Arts and Culture MEC, who is also Zululand Cabinet OSS Champion, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, visited the Buxedene Clinic where the toilets are not in good working order and have no computers, forcing personnel to capture data manually.

Mahlaba announced that Road D1880 which runs from Bhekumthetho to Ncemaneni will undergo an upgrade to install blacktop, and that the contract has already been advertised with an award expected to be finalised soon.

In addition to the housing shortage, Nongoma faces other challenges, including water, taxi-related killings, revenge murders, unemployment, teenage pregnancy and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which Provincial Cabinet promised to urgently attend to.

The Premier said the departments, working with local government will soon return to the Nongoma Local Municipality, in order to follow up on all the challenges identified during the OSS engagement. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 10:39

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