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President congratulates Springbok Women team

Location: News

President congratulates Springbok Women team

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the Springbok Women national rugby team on winning the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and advancing to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

“Well done to our Springbok Women for adding another trophy to our national trophy cabinet,” the President said on Tuesday.

The Springbok Women beat Madagascar 46-17 at home in Antananarivo at the weekend to retain their African championship.

This victory qualifies Africa’s top team for next year’s Rugby World Cup and the WXV 2 tournament, which South Africa will host in September 2024.

Organised by World Rugby, this tournament will see South Africa compete against the national teams of Scotland, Italy, the United States, Japan and Samoa in the second tier of this three-tier international competition.

“Alongside the Springboks and Banyana Banyana, our Springbok Women make us proud on the field of play and showcase the strides we have made in the development of the women of our nation during our 30 years of freedom. Congratulations once more to the team on the field, the technical staff and SA Rugby,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Tue, 05/14/2024 - 09:47

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MEC Anton Bredell on appointment of Ombali Sebola’s as Knysna Municipal Manager

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: Western Cape, Department of Local Government
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Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said the judgement declaring the appointment of Ombali Sebola as Knysna's Municipal Manager null and void should be seen as a strong warning message to councils that do not respect the relevant legal frameworks when making appointments in municipalities.

“This judgement is another victory for the rule of law and strengthens and confirms our interpretation of legislation that governs municipal appointments. It is unfortunate that we sometimes have to communicate through the courts to a council, but we also understand the dire consequences of having unqualified and unsuited individuals in critical positions in a municipality. We will remain firm on the minimum requirements and procedural requirements as set out in law, and councils should reacquaint themselves with these before embarking on recruitment to avoid the steps that we have had to take on this matter.”

“It cannot be that it takes more than a year of legal wrangling to set aside an appointment that was patently illegal right from the start. While we were fighting in court, Knysna has been paralysed by a lack of basic service delivery and we have had to work with officials who are more focussed on retaining their positions than on what they have been appointed to do, which is to serve the residents of Knysna,” Minister Bredell said.

On 22 March 2023 Minister Bredell sought, by way of an urgent application, to declare the decision taken by the Knysna Municipal Council on 25 January 2023 to appoint Ombali Phineas Sebola as its Municipal Manager, null and void, and in further orders, in the event of opposition, an order of costs.

In its correspondence to the Executive Mayor on 23 February 2023, Minister Bredell alerted the Executive Mayor, that the appointment of Mr Sebola was made in contravention of the provisions of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 and the Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers, as published in Government Gazette No. 37245 of 17 January 2014.

Minister Bredell requested the municipality to terminate the appointment, failing which he would take appropriate steps to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Systems Act and the Appointment Regulations. No such steps were forthcoming from the Municipality, leading to the Minister to institute legal proceedings declaring that the appointment is null and void and seeking that it be set aside.

The Court in its ruling expressly held that critical required information was not placed before the Municipal Council at the time when it made its decision to appoint Mr Sebola. In this respect, there was a failure to provide Council with the Curriculum Vitae of the appointee, nor was the weighted scores allocated to the candidates during the assessment of their competency tabled before Council. In addition, it was apparent that Council did not have before it information related to the candidates leading competencies and core competencies. 

The Court further held that the applicant's application was devoid of his academic qualifications, contactable references, registration with a professional body, full details of dismissal for misconduct and details of any disciplinary actions pending, instituted, or finalized against the candidate, which is specifically required in terms of the applicable Regulations.

According to the Court, “it is …. clear that the process of appointment was riddled by one or more procedural flaw and that certain documents which were supposed to have been before the Council were not, prior to the final appointment decision being made.” As a result, it was evident that the Municipal Council did not comply with the Municipal Systems Act and the applicable Regulations regulating the appointment process.

Minister Bredell said the length of time and legal costs to reach this point is unsustainable, and better consequence management is needed to deal with such cases.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Western Cape, Department of Local Government.

Read moreMEC Anton Bredell on appointment of Ombali Sebola’s as Knysna Municipal Manager

SA unemployment rate increases

Location: News

SA unemployment rate increases

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) indicates that the number of unemployed persons increased by 330 000 to 8.2 million during the first quarter of 2024.

According to Stats SA, the official unemployment rate stands at 32.9 %, an increase of 0.8 of a percentage point in first quarter of 2024 (Q1: 2024) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 (Q4: 2023).

The results of the QLFS also indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 22 000 to 16.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Additionally, the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 214 000 to 13.1 million, while discouraged work-seekers decreased by 1 000 in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This resulted in a net decrease of 215 000 in the not economically active population.

“The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0.8 of a percentage point from 32.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024. The unemployment rate according to the expanded definition also increased by 0.8 of a percentage point to 41.9% in Q1: 2024 compared to Q4: 2023,” Stats SA said on Tuesday.

Formal sector employment increased by 56 000 in Q1: 2024, while informal sector employment decreased by 100 000 over the same period.

“The industries that contributed to the net employment increase include trade (up by 109 000), manufacturing (up by 99 000), private households (up by 44 000), transport (up by 39 000), agriculture (21 000) and mining (9 000). Employment losses were recorded in community and social services (122 000), construction (106 000), finance (50 000) and utilities (17 000),” Stats SA said.

Provinces that recorded increases in employment were KwaZulu-Natal (35 000), Gauteng (26 000) and Northern Cape (4 000) when compared to the previous quarter Q4:2023 and Q1:2024.

Those that recorded decreases in employment were Western Cape (17 000), followed by North West (13 000), Mpumalanga (8 000), Eastern Cape (4 000) and Limpopo (3 000), while Free State remained unchanged.

“The youth (15 to 34 years) remain vulnerable in the labour market; the first quarter of 2024 results show that the total number of unemployed youth increased by 236 000 to 4.9 million while there was a decrease of 7 000 in the number of employed youth to 5,9 million. This resulted in an increase in the youth unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points from 44.3% in Q4: 2023 to 45.5% in Q1: 2024,” Stats SA said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Tue, 05/14/2024 - 12:39

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President Mourns Passing of Mrs. Nomgcibelo Jocelyn Motsuenyane

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has learned with sadness of the passing of Mrs Nomgcibelo Jocelyn Motsuenyane following her loss of her husband of 70 years, Dr Sam Motsuenyane.

The President offers his deep condolences to the Motsuenyane family as they prepare for Ma Motsuenyane's funeral tomorrow, 15 May 2024.

The President said: “As South Africans, we stand by the Motsuenyanes in your moment of compounded loss.

“Sam and Jocelyn Motsuenyane are icons of their generation whose belief in education and entrepreneurship as keys to self-realisation and reliance sustained communities and contributed to the inclusive economy we continue to build today.

“May they rest together in peace at the end of a life of service and upliftment and a union they shared for 70 years.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Read morePresident Mourns Passing of Mrs. Nomgcibelo Jocelyn Motsuenyane

BCX Alibaba Cloud Academy and Arovy University join forces to empower African students for the digital economy!

Location: MyPR

BCX Alibaba Cloud Academy and Arovy University have joined forces in a strategic partnership aimed at empowering students to cultivate essential skills for the expanding digital economy in Africa. The basis of this initiative is the Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme, a pioneering effort to embed digital excellence within academic institutions globally. Arovy University, situated …

Read moreBCX Alibaba Cloud Academy and Arovy University join forces to empower African students for the digital economy!

All systems go for elections

Location: News

All systems go for elections

The Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, says it's all systems go for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

South Africans will go to the polls on Wednesday, 29 May, to elect the leadership of the seventh administration out of the 70 political parties and 11 independent candidates that were published by the IEC as final contestants in these elections.  

In total, there are over 14 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures. There are 27.79 million registered voters.

Moreover, out-of-country voting is scheduled to take place in 111 foreign missions on Friday, 17 May and Saturday, 18 May 2024. More than 78 000 South African citizens living in other countries will cast their vote on 17, 18 and 19 May 2024.

“In these elections, voters will receive three ballot papers: the national compensatory ballot for political parties, provincial and regional for parties and independent candidates,” Mamabolo said on Tuesday.

WATCH | Three ballots explained

 

Addressing media in Pretoria on the state of readiness for the General Elections, Mamabolo reminded voters to make only one mark against a party or candidate of their choice.

“One ballot, one mark,” he said.

Mamabolo said lease agreements for 23 303 permanent voting stations have been signed and concluded.

“Of these, 62% are schools, 9.7% are places of worship and the balance of 28% include all other categories, such as community halls and other municipal facilities.”

Mamabolo said the IEC is in the final stages of training 202 500 voting officials, who will discharge the responsibility of administering the electoral process in the voting stations.

“The addition of a new category of staff to assist the presiding officer with the counting effort is another significant step towards improving the quality of counting.”

According to Mamabolo, three such staff will be appointed for each voting station and for each sub-station where a voting centre is being operated.

“To this end, a total of 191 185 staff have been appointed,” he said.

WATCH | Full IEC briefing 

 

Results Operations Centre

As part of final preparations, Mamabolo said the Commission will launch the national Results Operations Centre (ROC) on Wednesday, 22 May 2024.

“The national ROC will be based at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. It will house Commission members, as well as representatives of key service providers such as Eskom and Parliament, representatives of contestants running in the national elections, domestic and international observer missions, and media organisations.

“The Commission is pleased to share that a record 160 organisations, with 5 000 observers domestically and from around the world, will be observing South Africa’s 2024 General Elections,” Mamabolo said.

Mamabolo explained that about 15 of the observer organisations are international and include the African Union, the Carter Centre’s Democracy Program, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

Making voting easier

With regards to measures put in place for people with disabilities, Mamabolo said the Commission has implemented measures to make the voting process more accessible to all South Africans, regardless of physical abilities.

“Voting officials will assist voters who require assistance on voting day. Working with the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), we have developed a voting aid, the Universal Ballot Template (UBT), to increase the chances of them confidently and confidentially exercising their right to vote,” Mamabolo said.

Mamabolo has also reminded the voters to vote where they are registered.

“It is therefore appropriate that, ahead of the elections, we remind voters of the general rule in elections that a person votes at a voting station where they have registered. The only exception to the general rule is that a voter may vote outside of their registered voting district only after notifying the Commission.

“Notifications in this regard will close this Friday, 17 May. As of today, approximately 199 092 notifications had been approved,” Mamabolo said.

The Commission also called on registered voters to check their voting station ahead of election day.

According to the Commission, a number of channels are available to assist voters with checking their registration, including:

  • SMS your ID number to 32810.
  • Use the voting station finder application on the IEC website.
  • Contact help centre on 080011800.
  • Download the IEC APP from the Appstore.

“We call on South Africans both abroad and here at home to come out in numbers and excise their democratic rights.

“We further continue our call to citizens, media members and political party leaders to set a good example and foster an electoral environment based on trust, integrity, and respect for all.

“The Electoral Commission, for its part, commits to declaring an election outcome based on South African voters' choices,” Mamabolo said.

Mamabolo said the counting of votes will take place at each voting station in the presence of political party agents and observers.

“There will be a result slip at the conclusion of the count which will be displayed at that voting station. All interested are allowed to capture a photo of that official result of that voting station, with their gadgets,” Mamabolo said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Tue, 05/14/2024 - 13:29

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30 years of democracy: The electrification of South African households

Location: News

30 years of democracy: The electrification of South African households

Despite a myriad of challenges – both present and past – along the way, the South African government through Eskom and municipalities has made great strides towards achieving universal access to electricity in the country.

This came out during a roundtable on the electrification programme since 1994 hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

According to the Eskom website, in 1987, fewer than 13 million people had access to electricity with the vast majority of that access servicing white households – leaving other population groups reeling in the dark.

At the dawn of democracy in 1994, Parliament endorsed a plan to create universal access to electricity – defined at some 97% due to population growth and challenges related to the formalisation of informal settlements.

This charged government’s wholesale plan to electrify homes. Now, access to electricity in South Africa today is at least 94% according to Statistics South Africa.

Director Project Monitoring and Intergovernmental Relations at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Lufuno Madzhie, said the electrification programme has thus far, been a success.

“[During 1994 to 1998] Eskom and municipalities only electrified 2.5 million households. In 2001, then government decided this [electrification] programme needs to reside within the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy [DMRE]. Through us as the department, working with different stakeholders, we have achieved a lot with regard to this electrification programme.

“Through this programme, the department has achieved a huge milestone. Currently, we have electrified over 8.3 million households,” he said.

Eskom’s Pozisa Njezula emphasised how access to electricity improves the welfare of households and explained how Eskom contributes to facilitating access for hard-to-reach rural areas.

“[It allows for the] improving on safety where we no longer have to use candles and paraffin stoves. It improves on convenience where we no longer have to collect wood to cook and also, in terms of improving on education where kids can study at night.

“With…us now pushing towards universal access, the challenge that we are now faced with is that we now have to reach the far-flung areas. The far corners in all the rural areas. With the support from the DMRE, as Eskom we have started and embarked on the rolling out of micro grids for those far-flung areas where you may not be able to get grid electricity because of losses as well as the amount of money that you would have to spend to get to those areas.

“The [micro grid] is just a container, it has solar panels, it has got batteries and then you’ve got the reticulation network. When you get to a certain area, you electrify it off grid and those people benefit,” she said.

Challenges and solutions

Njezula bemoaned that although the electrification programme is going full steam ahead, the power utility faces serious and dangerous challenges when going into communities.

“We are not immune as Eskom to the crime [and] extortion in our project sites. In South Africa, with almost all the projects that are being undertaken, there’s reports of these extortions and these demands for certain amounts of money, for protection fees and so forth.

“That delays the progress in our projects, and it really puts the lives of our employees as well as our contractors in danger. In some instances, we have to leave site, we need to be escorted, we need protection,” she said.

Head of energy and electricity distribution at the South African Local Government Association, Nhlanhla Ngidi, described South Africa’s electrification plan as a “moving target”.

“In terms of access itself, at 94%, I think it’s very important that people understand because this is a moving target. In a year’s time, you could find this being below 94% and it’s because of all these challenges…people moving towards where the economy is more active.

“Municipalities have done quite well but with the capacity challenges we have, we still need municipalities to be assisted and government needs to put in place agencies that can come in and be catalysts in terms of the implementation of the programme,” he said.

Energy expert, Chris Yelland, agreed that access to electricity has improved but warned that affordability remains a blockage to some households.

“[There] are some technology developments that require that we look at these distant rural customers. The first thing of course is renewable energy. The price of renewable energy…has come down dramatically over the last ten years. This is now opening the doors to renewable energy for remote households that never existed ten years ago.

“There’s a lot to celebrate in electrification [but] there’s a lot to do about affordability. We are not there yet. We need to understand where we come from, where we are and where we’re going and for that we need data…so that we know where we are and where we’re going” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Tue, 05/14/2024 - 14:06

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Navigating Economic Challenges with Precision: Insights from Cloud Accounting Expert Damian Baker

Location: MyPR

In light of the ongoing economic challenges faced by South African consumers, including the cost of living crisis, persistent inflation, and high interest rates, Damian Baker, Head of Cloud Accounting at financial consultancy firm Outsourced CFO, shares vital strategies for navigating these turbulent times. With the South African Reserve Bank maintaining a cautious stance on …

Read moreNavigating Economic Challenges with Precision: Insights from Cloud Accounting Expert Damian Baker

New Tenant Survey finds that financial barriers are the primary reason people rent

Location: MyPR

The majority of people who rent residential accommodation do so for financial reasons with nearly half admitting they can’t afford to buy a property, according to credit bureau TPN’s latest Tenant Survey. The annual Tenant Survey Report provides the property sector, including property owners and managers, with insights into tenants’ needs, wants, aspirations, and challenges, …

Read moreNew Tenant Survey finds that financial barriers are the primary reason people rent

Park Lines BMX Tournament rolls into Gold Reef City for the 2024 BMX Freestyle South African Champs. 

Location: MyPR

Park Lines BMX Tournament rolls into Gold Reef City for the 2024 BMX Freestyle South African Champs.  Johannesburg, South Africa, 9 May 2024 – A new style of ride, the Park Lines BMX Tournament – official 2024 South African BMX Freestyle Championships, is coming to the iconic Gold Reef City Theme Park on 2 June. It is …

Read morePark Lines BMX Tournament rolls into Gold Reef City for the 2024 BMX Freestyle South African Champs. 

President Ramaphosa to sign NHI Bill into law

Location: News

President Ramaphosa to sign NHI Bill into law

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to sign the National Health Insurance Bill (NHI) into law on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. 

According to the Presidency, the move will transform South Africa’s healthcare system and ensure universal coverage for health services.

Through this, the country will overcome critical socio-economic imbalances and inequities of the past.

The NHI Bill, passed by the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) last year, will provide free healthcare at the point of care for all South Africans, whether in public or private health facilities.

The Bill currently only requires President Ramaphosa’s signature for enactment.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February, President Ramaphosa said the State was working tirelessly to improve healthcare quality and access equality, despite the country’s health system significantly impacting people’s lives.

During the debate on President Ramaphosa’s SONA, Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, announced that the NHI will be implemented in two remaining phases from 2024 to 2026, while between 2026 and 2028 government will focus on establishing the Board and CEO and several key committees of the NHI Fund. 

“We are confident that the innovative funding of infrastructure as stated by the President will also contribute to health facilities,” he told Parliament at the time. 

In the meantime, the Minister said his department was strengthening key delivery areas. These include the healthcare benefits design, digital health systems, and risk identification and fraud prevention.

The signing ceremony will take place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria at 2pm. 

Phaahla will conduct a question-and-answer session with the media immediately after the ceremony. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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Tue, 05/14/2024 - 10:15

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National reforms can boost economy by R426bn & create thousands of jobs

Location: News

Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government
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The South African economy can be significantly boosted, and the growth of start-ups and the private sector – through businesses big and small – that create vital jobs, catalysed through two regulatory reforms: lifting exchange controls on the offshore transfer of intellectual property and introducing tax incentives for investors in start-ups.

“Our research shows that changes to the Exchange Control Regulations relating to the offshore transfer of intellectual property and offshore movement of money could create a net benefit to the South Africa economy of R426 billion over the next five years. In addition, SARS could collect a net increase of R315 billion in tax revenue over the same period. These reforms would not compromise attempts to comply with the Financial Action Task Force standards,” Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, explained.

She continued, “Similarly, improving tax incentives for investors to encourage early-stage start-up enterprises could result in R927 million in total investment raised by the country's venture capital industry over the next five years. This would result in an additional 79 start-ups, creating 1 840 jobs with total after-tax salaries generated amounting to R890 million.”

These reforms will also allow South Africa to remain competitive against other global destinations, including competitors on the African continent like Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt.

In 2023, the South African Start-up Act Movement conducted a survey of 52 start-up founders who had moved part or all of their business offshore. Of the respondents, 42 (81%) reported that they had moved their businesses offshore to raise capital from international investors whose main concern was South Africa's exchange controls.  Views from start-ups consulted all confirmed that investors are increasingly refusing to invest in South African-domiciled companies due to restrictions on the offshore movement of IP.

The WCG is determined to make it as easy as possible for the private sector to do business and create jobs in the province.

This objective lies at the very core of the WCG's bold new economic action plan, ‘Growth For Jobs' or G4J, which aims to enable a R1 trillion jobs-rich and inclusive economy, that is growing between 4% and 6% in real terms by 2035.

“The introduction of these reforms is a no-brainer. With current anaemic GDP growth rates, it is our responsibility as government to explore and introduce measures that boost growth so that we can help enable the creation of jobs in South Africa. Our comprehensive proposals, that we have shared with Minister Godongwana, the South African Reserve Bank and the South African Revenue Service, offer a relatively easy path towards achieving rapid growth and expansion in the start-ups sector, aiding South Africa's economic recovery in the short and long term” Minister Wenger concluded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.

Read moreNational reforms can boost economy by R426bn & create thousands of jobs

South Africa Extends Condolences to the People of Afghanistan

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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The South African Government has learnt with sadness of devastating floods in northern Afghanistan that have claimed more than 300 lives.

The Government and the people of South Africa stand in solidarity with those affected by this tragedy and laud the emergency rescue and medical personnel in their tireless rescue efforts.

South Africa extends heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan following these flash floods and offers our deepest sympathy to those families who lost their loved ones as well as their homes. 

The thoughts of the South African people are with the people of Afghanistan. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Read moreSouth Africa Extends Condolences to the People of Afghanistan

Patel to preside over launch of MEDTECH

Location: News

Patel to preside over launch of MEDTECH

Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Minister Ebrahim Patel is today presiding over the launch of the Medical Technology (MEDTECH) Master Plan by industry stakeholders at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in Sandton.

The MEDTECH Master Plan aims to provide guidance for the public and private sectors to dedicate resources and time in strengthening the sector in order to place it on a growth trajectory.

This process will involve developing agreements on areas for intervention, collaboration, and commitments for ongoing development and investment.

One of the objectives of the plan is to grow a competitive medical technology industry over the next three years, with special focus on the development of small to medium enterprises that will eventually supply domestic and international markets. 

The MEDTECH industry in South Africa has been identified as a potentially important contributor to economic growth and employment, whilst simultaneously enabling an improvement in health provision and quality of life for the South African population.

The industry is diverse, using various materials to produce a variety of products such as metals (titanium-based implants), chemicals (disinfectants), textiles (bandages and dressings), plastics (catheters, IV administration sets), wood (tongue depressors) and chemicals/minerals/plants that go into the manufacture of wound products.

The industry gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as South African manufacturers tooled up to meet the growing need for medical devices.

South Africa is one of the largest MEDTECH markets across Africa and the Middle East, estimated at R21 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to R29.6 billion by 2025. – SAnews.gov.za 

Edwin
Mon, 05/13/2024 - 10:30

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Tailored Waterproofing Solutions for the Industrial Sector: Ensuring Lasting Protection

Location: MyPR

Gauteng, South Africa – TT Waterproofing, a trusted leader in the roofing and waterproofing industry, announces its commitment to providing tailored solutions for the unique challenges faced by industrial clients. With over 9 years of experience serving the Gauteng region and beyond, TT Waterproofing continues to uphold its reputation for excellence and reliability. Industrial facilities …

Read moreTailored Waterproofing Solutions for the Industrial Sector: Ensuring Lasting Protection

When Conversations and Creativity Collide: SA Podcast & Music Festival to Unleash Media Powerhouses

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Get ready for an electrifying celebration at the SA Podcast & Music Festival, where industry titans in podcasting and music are set to converge under one dynamic roof. Hosted during South Africa’s vibrant Youth Month on June 14th and 15th, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for aspiring and established podcasters alike. The festival lineup …

Read moreWhen Conversations and Creativity Collide: SA Podcast & Music Festival to Unleash Media Powerhouses

Redefining Healthcare

Location: MyPR

First Care Solutions launches a first-of-its-kind healthcare platform built for patients, doctors, and businesses. Johannesburg, South Africa: First Care Solutions today announced CareFirst, an innovative digital healthcare platform, a bouquet of technology solutions that is revolutionising the way medical care is delivered. CareFirst Virtual Healthcare aims to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers …

Read moreRedefining Healthcare

SA records a case of monkeypox disease

Location: News

SA records a case of monkeypox disease

The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, is urging the public to be vigilant as the country has reported a laboratory-confirmed case of monkeypox disease, also known as Mpox.

The case involves a 35-year-old male, who resides in the Gauteng province and tested positive on 9 May 2024.

The case was first tested by Lancet Laboratory, which was later confirmed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and immediately notified the department. 

According to the department, Mpox is a rare viral infectious disease in humans caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). 

Although the virus is not highly transmissible from person to person, it has increased in global public health significance and can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. 

According to the department, most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

The preliminary investigation and case findings report show that the patient has no recent travel history to countries experiencing an outbreak of the disease. 

“Both the National and Gauteng Departments of Health have been actively involved and are managing the situation as per protocol and national guidelines. Contact tracing [is] continuing [to identify] any additional linked cases of Mpox in South Africa.” 

Since 2023, there has been an ongoing Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) primarily due to a distinct MPXV clade I. 

The clade I, the department said, is characterised by its high virulence and has a higher fatality rate than the global outbreak-associated clade II. 

“Additionally, transmission of MPXV clade I is mostly observed among heterosexual individuals through sexual transmission, particularly among female sex workers.” 

Meanwhile, a new variant of the MPXV, named “clade 1b”, emerged during epidemiological week 16 of 2024 from 14 to 20 April 2024 in Kamituga, a mining enclave within the DRC. 

“This variant exhibits heightened transmissibility, mainly through sexual contact, raising concerns about its potential to cause a pandemic.”

Mpox presents with an acute illness characterised by fever and general flu-like symptoms, followed by the eruption of a blister-like rash on the skin.

The disease is rarely fatal and cases typically resolve within two to four weeks. Most cases do not require hospital treatment.

According to the department, prevention of infection hinges on the isolation of cases until fully recovered. 

The risk to the general population is considered low, given the low transmissibility of the virus. 

The last reported cases of Mpox in South Africa were in August 2022.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends increasing vigilance for cases with contact tracing and monitoring of laboratory-confirmed cases. 

“Isolation of confirmed cases allows for the prevention of transmission and interruption of the cycle of transmission. Circulation of the MPXV in humans may be eliminated through this classic containment approach. Mass vaccination against the MPXV is not currently recommended.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Mon, 05/13/2024 - 15:52

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