Former PRASA board members should be declared delinquent, says SCOPA chair
Irregular and possibly corrupt security contracts led to the widespread destruction of South Africa’s rail network
South Africa
Quick Facts: Rip Curl GromSearch and Rip Curl Cup Port Alfred
Quick Facts: Rip Curl GromSearch and Rip Curl Cup Port Alfred presented by The Royal St Andrews Hotel and supported by Sea Harvest, are two of the anchor events of the Port Alfred Easter Festival, along with the Bands At The Beach Music Fest. These events will occur in Port Alfred over Easter, 29 March …
Mpumalanga pensioners furious that SASSA paypoint closed
Tribal authority promises to take up the issue
SA welcomes adoption of the UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire
SA welcomes adoption of the UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire
South Africa has expressed its support for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
This comes after the adoption of Resolution 2728 (2024) by the UNSC on Monday, which demands an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip for the duration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks.
While the United States abstained from the vote, the 14 other council members all voted in favour to none against the Security Council ceasefire resolution.
“South Africa is pleased that the Security Council has, at long last, demanded an immediate and lasting ceasefire for the month of Ramadan and the resolution must also propose that this ceasefire should lead to a lasting sustainable ceasefire,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor.
“It is now the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that there is compliance with the resolution, which is binding on the parties,” said the Minister in a statement on Monday.
Pandor said South Africa remains concerned that in the over five months since the conflict began, thousands have lost their lives, including over 13 000 children.
READ | SA stands by decision to file lawsuit against Israel
Resolution 2728 also notes an “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip”.
“It is, therefore, vital that the parties comply with the Security Council,” the Minister added.
The Council also demanded the “lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law, as well as Resolution 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023)”.
Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, tweeted: “The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.”
Guterres also called for the fight in Gaza to end now.
“The hostages must be released now. And we must not lose sight of the big picture. A lasting end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only come through a two-State solution.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 09:20
615 views
Investing in the future of farming
Agriculture in South Africa is growing. The primary agricultural sector has increased by an average of 7.5% per year since 2008, outpacing the total economy, which grew by 6.6% on average per year over the same period. Despite its relatively small share of the total GDP, primary agriculture is a significant provider of employment, and …
Call for inclusivity in efforts to grow biodiversity economy
Call for inclusivity in efforts to grow biodiversity economy
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that previously disadvantaged individuals and communities must be at the centre of efforts to fully harness the benefits of the biodiversity economy.
“We must put rural communities at the centre of every decision making process, and ensure we are empowering and equipping them for the new opportunities in the biodiversity sector,” President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday in Boksburg.
Addressing the Inaugural Biodiversity Economy and Investment Indaba, the President called on industry, finance institutions, philanthropies, civil society and traditional leaders, healers and practitioners to collectively embrace government’s vision for a transformed biodiversity economy.
“For us to fully harness the benefits of the biodiversity economy, we have to understand its scope and breadth. Work is underway to develop Natural Capital Accounting for the biodiversity sector.
“This is being done through a partnership between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Statistics South Africa and the South African National Biodiversity Institute. This initiative will ensure that the contribution of the biodiversity sector, including its entire value chain, is formally recognised.”
He said today, sustainable use of biodiversity is a pillar of rural economies across South Africa, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Beneficiation
“Sustainable biodiversity use also contributes to urban economies. For example, traditional medicine markets exist in nearly every major urban centre in South Africa.
“The trade in indigenous medicine plants is a multi-million-rand industry that supports jobs and livelihoods across the value chain. As a country, we have been firm that communities must benefit in a tangible manner when plant and animal species are harvested for commercial gain,” the President said.
He mentioned that Rooibos as a product is popular not just in South Africa but around the world.
“Four years ago, the first industry-wide benefits sharing agreement was launched between the South African Rooibos Industry and the Khoi and San Councils.
“This agreement has to date distributed a total amount of R28 million to the two councils in recognition of the communities’ indigenous knowledge of the Rooibos species.”
There must be tangible beneficiation in communities when indigenous plant species are harvested for commercial benefit, whether it is for medicine, cosmetics or other purposes.
“Sustainable mass cultivation of indigenous plant species must support the creation of businesses, factories and value chains that allow for end products to be exported to the rest of the continent and abroad.
“This mass cultivation can also assist land restoration and rehabilitation, as well as carbon sequestration, which is important in the context of climate change. To ensure a more holistic approach to access and benefit sharing, we are developing nurseries for the production of indigenous species, so these can be cultivated for medicinal and cosmetic purposes,” Ramaphosa said.
There are already a number of commercially successful game meat production facilities in several parts of the country.
“For many decades, fishing was the preserve of commercial enterprises only. This is something we are working hard to change. In January this year, we allocated 15-year fishing rights to the small-scale fishing sector in the four coastal provinces. We must build on this,” said the President.
Job creation
“Job creation must be at the centre of our efforts. As with our mineral resources, we cannot simply be mere exporters of raw materials so that jobs and industries can be created elsewhere. Jobs and opportunities must remain here, in South Africa, in our communities. This is what the revised Biodiversity Economy Strategy aims to address,” the President said.
He said when it comes to animal species, beneficiation must result in the establishment of community-run businesses, be they lodges or game meat butcheries and production facilities.
“We have a Game Meat Strategy that is focused on scaling economic enterprises for communities and previously disadvantaged individuals and providing land use patterns that are compatible with conservation.
“It aims to synergise our economic and conservation objectives by emphasising that a successful biodiversity economy must be linked to the restoration of ecosystems. It broadens the existing terrestrial goals and adds marine, coastal, estuarine and freshwater opportunities,” the President said.
Transformation
This strategy places the transformation of the biodiversity sector at the centre of efforts to fully harness the benefits of the biodiversity economy.
“Rural communities, disadvantaged individuals and traditional leaders must be part of devising new approaches to investment in community-owned land for biodiversity-based enterprises.
“The work to conserve and restore our biodiversity takes place as the world is experiencing the increasingly destructive effects of climate change. African countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of a rapidly changing climate. They have to adapt and build resilience within the context of historically low levels of development and severely limited capacity,” the President said.
The Climate Change Bill, which is currently before the National Council of Provinces, seeks to enable a just transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient society.
“This just transition must contribute toward the creation of decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty. A just transition puts people at the centre of decision making, especially those most affected by the transition, by empowering and equipping them for new opportunities of the future,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 13:08
329 views
Step up your streaming experience: Watch these 5 releases on the best Smart TV
This Easter break, enhance your television viewing experience with breathtaking 4K visuals, vibrant colours, and immersive sound. After a tiring day at work, there is nothing quite like settling in with your favourite snacks and hitting play. For true relaxation, immersing yourself in a new season of your beloved series or a highly recommended movie …
Totalsports Women’s Race expands into a month-long celebration in August 2024
South Africa’s largest Women’s Day celebration, the Totalsports Women’s Race, will triple the excitement in 2024 with the iconic event being celebrated in three major cities on three separate dates in the month of August. The festivities will begin in Durban on Sunday, August 4th, followed by Cape Town on Friday, August 9th, before culminating …
Pay your customs tax!
Pay your customs tax!
Taxpayers have been reminded to settle their tax and customs payments as well as their tax and customs debt to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) by or on Thursday this week.
“Tax payments can be made via a bank, electronic funds transfer (EFT), via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp Customs payments can also be made at any SARS customs office.
“It is important that taxpayers and traders perform the payment transaction during business hours to authorise their banking institutions to release the payment to SARS - a required step if the payment is made via eFiling and the MobiApp.
“Balance amount enquiries may be made by requesting a statement of account on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp or by SMS to SARS on 47277,” the revenue service said in a statement.
Employment statistics
Meanwhile, Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Employment Statistics shows a decrease in total employment during the last quarter of 2023.
Despite this, year-on-year December 2022 to December 2023, total employment has increased.
“[According] to the report total employment decreased by 194 000 or -1.8% quarter-on-quarter, from 10 899 000 in September 2023 to 10 705 000 in December 2023. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services -214 000 or -6.8%, construction -19 000 or -3.1%, business services -12 000 or -0.5%, manufacturing -7 000 or -0.5%, and mining -1 000 or -0.2%. However, there were increases in the following industries: trade 56 000 or 2.4%, transport 2 000 or 0.4% and electricity 1 000 or 1.6%.
“Total employment increased by 98 000 or 0.9% year-on-year between December 2022 and December 2023,” the institution said.
Fulltime employment showed an increase of some 12 000 jobs between December 2022 and December 2023 while part-time employment increased by 86 000 during the same period.
On a quarter to quarter basis, however, downturns were experienced.
“Full-time employment decreased by 5 000 or -0.1% quarter-on-quarter, from 9 498 000 in September 2023 to 9 493 000 in December 2023. This was due to decreases in the following industries: construction -13 000 or -2.4%, manufacturing -12 000 or -1.0%, community services -11 000 or -0.5%, business services -3 000 or -0.1%, and mining -1 000 or -0.2%. However, there were increases in the following industries: trade 31 000 or 1.5%, transport 3 000 or 0.7%, and electricity 1 000 or 1.6%.
“Part-time employment decreased by 189 000 or -13.5% quarter-on-quarter, from 1 401 000 in September 2023 to 1 212 000 in December 2023. This was due to decreases in the following industries: community services -203 000 or -27.2%, business services -9 000 or -3.8%, construction -6 000 or -7.8%, transport -1 000 or 5.3%. Electricity industry reported no change. However, there were increases in the following industries: trade 25 000 or 10.4%, and manufacturing 5 000 or 6%,” Stats SA said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 14:23
302 views
President Ramaphosa welcomes adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza
President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the adoption of Resolution 2728 (2024) by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 25 March 2024, which demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
President Ramaphosa said," We must seize the opportunity presented by this Security Council Resolution to create a firm foundation for a permanent ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations. We need to stop the carnage and begin walking a path to peace".
The President called on the United Nations Security Council to ensure that there is compliance with the resolution, which is binding on the parties.
South Africa remains concerned that in over five months, since the escalation the conflict, thousands have lost their lives, including over 13 000 children.
As Resolution 2728 notes, there is an “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and to reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip”.
It is therefore vital that the parties comply with the Security Council, “demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law, as well as Resolution 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023)”.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Moving house? Don’t forget to move your insurance
According to Just Property, 295,989 residential properties changed hands in South Africa during 2023. If you include the old owners moving out and the new owners moving in, that’s 591,978 households that were potentially uninsured for at least a portion of their move. King Price Insurance’s partner of client experience Wynand van Vuuren says that …
President welcomes UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire
President welcomes UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire
President Cyril Ramaphosa is the latest world leader to back the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decision which demands an “immediate ceasefire” between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.
This follows the UNSC’s adoption of Resolution 2728 (2024) on Monday, which demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the duration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, ending in two weeks.
The United States abstained from the vote, with the 14 other council members all voting in favour to none against the Security Council ceasefire resolution.
“We must seize the opportunity presented by this Security Council resolution to create a firm foundation for a permanent ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations. We need to stop the carnage and begin walking a path to peace,” said President Ramaphosa in a statement.
READ | SA welcomes adoption of the UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire
The recent passing of this resolution marks the first of its kind in the nearly six-month-long war.
Resolution 2728 also notes an “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and to reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip”.
The Council also demands lifting all barriers to providing humanitarian assistance in line with international humanitarian law, as well as Resolution 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023).
The first citizen has since called on the UNSC to ensure compliance with the resolution binding on the parties.
Meanwhile, he said South Africa remains concerned that in over five months since the escalation of the conflict, thousands have lost their lives, including over 13 000 children.
As per a Reuters article, at least 32 333 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory military campaign in Gaza, with thousands more feared buried under rubble.
“It is, therefore, vital that the parties comply with the Security Council,” the President added. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 03/26/2024 - 13:12
83 views
CSA Announces Proteas Men And Women’s Contracted Squad For 2024/25
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today announced the Proteas Men and Women’s contracted squad for the 2024/25 season, starting...
Egypt and the Big 5 Dominate Hotel Development in Africa
When it comes to hotel development across Africa in 2024, just five words tell the story, “Egypt and the Big 5”. In this context, “the Big 5” does not refer to Africa's major wildlife attractions, (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) but to the global hotel chains – Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott International and Radisson Hotel Group. This year's African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline report, widely acknowledged as the industry's most authoritative source, documenting and analysing the number of hotels being planned and built across the continent, reports a market share of 28% for Egypt and 71% for the Big 5 global chains.
The survey, conducted by Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, in association with the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), is based on responses from 47 global and regional (African) hotel chains, reporting on a pipeline of hotel development activity totalling around 92,000 rooms in 524 hotels, in 41 of Africa's 54 countries.
Significant trends to emerge in the past year include strong growth, over 9%, in both North and sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in very large hotels (the average size of the largest 10 hotels is 770 rooms, up from 723 rooms in 2023) and a rapid growth in resorts, up by 32% on 2023. In this respect, Zanzibar has performed particularly strongly. There, the pipeline has grown from seven resorts with 983 rooms in 2023 to 14 resorts and 2,048 rooms in 2024, a sure sign of confidence in these beautiful Indian Ocean islands.
The extent to which Egypt dominates the African hotel development pipeline each year, with almost 26,250 rooms in 109 hotels, is quite remarkable. The country's pipeline, up by 19 hotels and about 5,200 rooms in 2023, is larger than the next four countries put together. It has well over three times the number of rooms as second-placed Nigeria, which has 7,622 rooms in 50 hotels. Third-placed Morocco has 7,169 rooms in 52 hotels and Ethiopia, in fourth place, has 5,128 rooms spread across 31 properties.
There has been an extremely strong increase in the number of resort projects in the pipeline, growing from 24% of the total in 2023 to 30% in 2024. In addition, around half of the rooms in hotels and resorts that opened last year were in resorts. Both Boa Vista (Cape Verde) and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) score highly because of the very large average size of the resorts there. The largest hotel in the entire pipeline is a Rixos resort being planned in Sharm El Sheikh, with over 1,800 rooms.
The Big 5 global chains – Marriott International, Hilton, Accor, Radisson Hotel Group and IHG Hotels & Resorts – account for 66% of hotels and 71% of rooms in the entire African pipeline.
Marriott International, the world's largest hotel chain, remains in the lead for the third consecutive year, in a seemingly unassailable position as number one, with almost twice the number of pipeline hotels and rooms as second placed Hilton, and it has the largest number of rooms added in the year.
Looking back at previous years, there used to be a neck and neck race between Accor and Marriott International but, for the second year running, Accor's pipeline has actually decreased, from a high of about 20,250 rooms in 2022 to 13,375 rooms today. Executives say that they are focused on having a “clean and achievable pipeline, rather than numbers for numbers sake”.
Accor's quote highlights a key issue in tracking hotel development in Africa, which is differentiating between hotel projects that are proposed from those that are under construction and from those that have been completed. Typically, the length of time between signing and opening is between four and five years. However, the report identifies 35 projects in the pipeline that are 10 or more years old, including one hotel that was signed 16 years ago.
When it comes to hotels under construction, Marriott International leads the way, with 138 hotels (15,011 rooms) currently being built. It is followed by Hilton (72 hotels, 5,955 rooms), Radisson Hotel Group (35 hotels, 5,748 rooms) and Accor (70 hotels, 3,346 rooms). TUI Hotels & Resorts has charged into the rankings in fifth place with 12 hotels (2,208 rooms) under construction.
As well as looking at deals, which may or may not materialise, W Hospitality Group also looked at who was opening hotels in Africa in 2023, and where. Of the total 29 chain hotels and resorts that opened in Africa in 2023, the split was 10 in North Africa and 19 in sub-Saharan Africa. Of those 19 openings, 11 were in East Africa, including six new hotels and resorts in Tanzania, which had the most openings of any African country. It is clear evidence of the attractiveness of both the mainland and Zanzibar to investors and operators.
Accor came out top of the list for openings last year, and it also tops the number of hotels and rooms opened over the past five years (2019-2023), with 34 hotels opening, comprising around 5,500 rooms.
In terms of “actualisation”, 2023 was an exceptionally slow year. However, that is likely to be offset by a strong 2024, during which the top 10 chains expect to open 139 hotels with 19,122 rooms.
Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W Hospitality Group, said: "Our report contains very positive data, with the pipeline expanding by more than 9 per cent in 2023. This is the largest increase since 2018 and, according to data produced by CoStar/STR, is one of the highest increases globally, surpassed only by the Americas. We look not just at signed deals and their status, but also at the historical actualisation of these deals. This year, we've placed greater emphasis than we have in the past on the actualisation, because if the deals don't become operating businesses, generating profits for the owners and paying fees to the hotel chains, no one's objectives are being met, are they?"
“We're looking forward to some 139 hotels and resorts opening in Africa in 2024, with expectations of a far greater actualisation rate than in recent years, as Africa strives to achieve its fair share of the global hotel industry”.
When one considers existing hotels, as well as hotels in the development pipeline, the continent's current king of the jungle is Accor, with 165 hotels, containing 29,041 rooms, open and trading. Marriott International is in second place, 25,451 rooms in 143 hotels, Hilton is third, 12,525 rooms in 47 hotels and Radisson Hotel Group is close behind with 12,179 rooms in 61 properties. However, if Marriott International delivers all the rooms in its pipeline, it is on course to overtake Accor and become pack leader, with 51,816 rooms in operation.
Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench, which organises the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), concluded: “The report reveals some very positive trends, including strong growth in new hotel projects, the emergence of high-quality white label hotel operators and governments successfully attracting investment into their tourism industries. All this bodes well for deal-making discussions at AHIF.”
An update to the pipeline development survey, along with in-depth insights, will be presented by Trevor Ward at AHIF, which takes place at the Mövenpick Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia, from 25th – 27th June 2024.
The event is the most influential gathering of hospitality executives in Africa, connecting business leaders and fuelling investment in tourism projects, infrastructure, and hotel development across the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF).
Media contact:
For further information and high-resolution images, please contact:
David Tarsh
+44 (0) 20 7602 5262 / +44 (0) 7770 816 070
Email: David@Tarsh.com
About W Hospitality Group:
The W Hospitality Group, a member of Hotel Partners Africa, specialises in the provision of advisory services to the hotel, tourism and leisure industries, providing a full range of services to clients who have investments in the sector, or who are looking to enter them through development, acquisition or other means. In sub-Saharan Africa W Hospitality Group is regarded as the market leader due to the market and financial expertise of its staff, its worldwide knowledge, and its commitment to its clients. In Africa, W Hospitality Group has to date worked in 40 countries on the continent, from its Lagos and Addis Ababa offices.
About the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF):
AHIF is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers. It is organised by The Bench (www.TheBench.com), which has a long track record of delivering multiple premium hotel investment conferences and forums across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bench's mission is enabling prosperity by facilitating growth, networking, and thought leadership in the hospitality industry worldwide.
Sponsors of AHIF are Host Sponsor: Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB); Host Partner: Kasada Capital Management; Platinum Sponsors: ClubMed, Radisson Hotel Group; Gold Sponsors: Accor, Aleph Hospitality, BWH Hotels, CHIC, CityBlue, hansgrohe, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Knight Frank, Kofisit, LEVA, Marriott International. Millennium Hotels and Resorts; Silver Sponsors: Gondwana Collection, HVS, STR, TIME Hotels, TV5Monde; Tuck Shop Sponsor: Profica; Bar Sponsor: Zia Travel Atelier; Exhibitor: MultiChoice Namibia; Networking Sponsor: Talinda; Official Carriers: Discover Airlines, FlyNamibia, South Africa Airways.
Fund launched to empower young tech entrepreneurs
Fund launched to empower young tech entrepreneurs
A transformative fund to empower innovators and tech entrepreneurs from higher education institutions was officially launched by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday.
The Higher Education Innovation Fund is aimed at students aspiring to become innovators and tech entrepreneurs emerging from Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and universities.
“This will be done through programmes that support general entrepreneurship, ideation, and design thinking,” said Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, speaking at the launch in Pretoria.
He informed the audience that the stakeholders aim to fill the gaps in the current set of tools and programmes available to support innovation and technology entrepreneurship nationwide.
“This will be done through, among others, supporting business model development, validation and development of tech-entrepreneurship, support commercialisation, market access and IP [intellectual property] protection, and supporting scale-up and investor readiness.”
According to Nzimande, there is a need for a well-coordinated, integrated and responsive innovation-entrepreneurship ecosystem to support student innovators and tech-entrepreneurship in higher education.
The parties are also looking at sufficiently funding an innovation-entrepreneurship ecosystem and for all partners to back the “ecosystem”.
In addition, the fund also aims to train and up-skill student tech entrepreneurs, who are capable of developing and commercialising competitive innovative products, and to support the establishment and management of sustainable tech-enterprises.
Unemployment
The department said the fund represents a beacon of hope in addressing youth unemployment, inequality, and poverty by fostering the growth of the knowledge economy.
While South Africa grapples with youth unemployment, Nzimande noted a concerning trend of increasing unemployment among graduates, as reported by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
He highlighted a few challenges that characterise innovation and entrepreneurship in the post-school education and training (PSET) sector, including poor coordination across the ecosystem, a weak culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, and a lack of support and networks at institutions of higher learning.
He raised concern about students’ limited exposure to entrepreneurial opportunities, mentoring and coaching, and a small number of innovation leaders in TVET colleges.
Another stumbling block, he added, was the lack of early seed funding and incentives.
“These challenges are more acute in TVET colleges and historically disadvantaged universities,” Nzimande said.
Background
The fund’s establishment process began with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Nzimande's department and UNDP in 2021.
The Higher Education Innovation Fund is provided by the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), which according to Nzimande, acknowledges the challenge of high youth unemployment in the country.
“Further to this, our Decadal Plan commits my department to transformation and inclusion of the marginalised, in terms of demographic, institutional and geographical transformation of the National System of Innovation.
“This is why innovation for inclusion is a theme that runs across all chapters of our Decadal Plan and overlaps with many of the Policy Intents of the White Paper on STI,” the Minister explained.
Nzimande’s department and the UNDP are the lead partners, while the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) recently joined as a co-funder and potential implementer of some programmes and looking for more donors.
“Equally important, in a couple of months, two calls for proposals will be publicised for interested parties with suitable programmes and expertise to apply," said the Minister.
Nzimande said they were looking to grow the Higher Education Innovation Fund to R1 billion.
He also used his platform to invite private sector companies and other funding institutions to come on board and help achieve this objective.
“The Higher Education Innovation Fund is a first for our PSET system and country. Also, this fund has great potential to become a game changer in terms of the production of student innovators and tech entrepreneurs and by extension, helping us to address the interconnected challenges of skills development and youth unemployment.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:56
605 views
Beating a thousand drums for Palestine
This year’s Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival focused on the war in Gaza
Philippine Embassy Deepens Linkages with Diplomatic Academy of South Africa
Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Noralyn Jubaira Baja met with Ambassador Andre Groenewald, Director of the Diplomatic Training and Research Development Institute of the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO-DTRDI).
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss and exchange views on how to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on diplomatic training and research which was signed between DIRCO-DTRDI and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Philippines on 23 February 2023.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to explore cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as middle power diplomacy, blue economy, and artificial intelligence under the framework of the MOU.
First Secretary and Consul Maurice A. Tiempo accompanied Ambassador Baja during the meeting.
Ambassador Groenewald previously served as South Africa's top envoy to Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and Moldova from 2019 to 2023. As a career diplomat, he has served at various offices in DIRCO. This is not his first time to be assigned at DTRDI and he has played a key role in strengthening DIRCO's training arm to capacitate diplomats not only from South Africa, but also from other African countries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
DPD: Trusted to deliver 8.4 million parcels per day, globally.
When it comes to parcel delivery, few names resonate on a global scale quite like DPD. The company’s reach, credibility, and the esteemed network it belongs to are nothing short of phenomenal. In this article, we delve into the vast expanse of DPD and its associated companies around the world, unveiling a picture of unmatched …
SA-US relationship built on mutual respect and cooperation
SA-US relationship built on mutual respect and cooperation
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that the relationship between South Africa and the United States has recently received a great deal of attention due to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In his weekly newsletter, the President assured citizens that strengthening ties between the two countries was among the important issues discussed by the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, during her working visit to Washington last week, where she met with United States officials.
“The topic also featured prominently in a meeting that I had in Cape Town last month with a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress,” he wrote in his weekly letter.
He also touched on the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, which seeks to review the bilateral relationship between the two nations amid geopolitical differences that was discussed last week in the US House of Representatives’ committee.
The discussion, President Ramaphosa wrote, provides an opportunity to clarify South Africa’s positions and to correct misperceptions about the Republic's foreign policy.
“An important starting point for that discussion is that since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa has sought, through its foreign policy, to promote peace, security and development on the African continent and across the world.”
Consistent with history, he said South Africa has taken a non-aligned position in its international relations.
“We have deliberately avoided aligning our country with any of the major powers or blocs. Rather, we have sought to forge cordial relations with all countries. While we have taken a non-aligned position, we continue to pursue positions that are in keeping with the UN [United Nations] Charter.”
He emphasised that South Africa has aimed to promote an inclusive and representative global order, strengthen multilateralism, and resolve conflicts through dialogue.
“It is in pursuit of this approach that South Africa has worked to strengthen relations with countries around the world, including the US.
“Our relationship with the US is characterised by mutual respect and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue even on issues where we may differ.”
Shifting his focus to subjects such as the docking of a Russian ship in Simonstown in late 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the current conflict in Gaza, President Ramaphosa said the South African and United States governments have been able to share views in a frank and open manner.
“We have encouraged greater understanding and cooperation between ourselves as South Africa, the United States and many other countries on matters of mutual interest.”
Gaza
On the conflict in Gaza, the President acknowledged that this area has been “contentious”.
“One of the areas of contention on which there has been much commentary, as well as much misinformation, is the position that South Africa has taken on the conflict in Gaza.”
This follows a case that South Africa brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where the country argued that the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza violate international law and actions prohibited under the Genocide Convention, to which South Africa, Israel and many other countries are signatories.
“We have always supported the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians to self-determination and statehood, and of the state of Israel to peace and security.”
In the same breath, he said South Africa has condemned the “atrocities” committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians on 7 October last year and called for the release of hostages.
“We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the urgent provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and meaningful negotiations towards a lasting solution.
“These are positions that are increasingly being taken up by more and more countries around the world. The suggestion that the position we have taken on the conflict could lead to a deterioration of our relations with the United States is therefore unfounded,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said South Africa has strong economic, political and social ties with the United States and over the last three decades, the two nations continue to have a mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship.
HIV
He also expressed his gratitude to America for supporting South Africa in its fight against HIV and AIDS.
“The PEPFAR [US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief] programme has contributed significantly – and continues to contribute – to the remarkable progress we have made to deal with AIDS.”
Investment
On investments, President Ramaphosa said South Africa is home to more than 600 American companies and that the United States is the second largest destination for South African exports.
He also highlighted the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants qualifying African countries duty-free access to the United States market for their exports.
He said the recent AGOA forum held in Sandton last year confirmed its value to Africa’s industrialisation and integration and the diversification of its economies.
President Ramaphosa also welcomed the United States participation in the Just Energy Transition partnership alongside a growing number of other countries.
“There is great potential to further develop our relationship with the United States and to find ways to work together for a more peaceful, stable and just world.
“South Africa will continue to seek firm and friendly relations with countries around the world in pursuit of a better world,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 14:04
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Cabinet to sign anti-GBVF pledge on Wednesday
Cabinet to sign anti-GBVF pledge on Wednesday
Cabinet is expected to sign an anti-gender based violence and femicide (GBVF) pledge this week, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
The pledge signing is expected to be held at the Women’s Memorial at the Union Buildings on Wednesday.
The pledge was initiated by the President during the State of the Nation Address earlier this year.
“President Ramaphosa, Deputy President Mashatile and male Ministers will append their signatures to a symbolic, large-format version of the pledge. Male Deputy Ministers have also been invited to express their commitment in this way.
“Soon after members of the national executive sign the pledge, the document will be posted online to allow men across the country to add their names as signatories. The pledge will progressively be made available in other formats to men all around the country,” the Presidency said in a statement.
According to the statement, the pledge forms part of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, which aims to mobilise “all of society” against the scourge.
“Jointly developed by government and civil society following the historic 2018 Presidential Summit on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, the National Strategic Plan on GBVF was adopted in 2020 as a society-wide programme to end gender-based violence and femicide.
“The plan aims to provide a multi-sectoral, coherent strategic policy and plan to strengthen a coordinated national response to the crisis of gender-based violence and femicide by government and the country as a whole.
“The 10-year national strategy on GBVF seeks to address the needs and challenges faced by all, especially women across age, sexual orientation, sexual and gender identities; and specific groups such as elderly women, women who live with disability, migrant women and trans women, affected and impacted by the gender-based violence scourge in South Africa,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:34
99 views
Results from Rowing SA – RMB National Rowing Squad Makes a Splash at Memorial Paolo D Aloja Regatta in Italy
Piediluco, Italy – March 24, 2024 – The RMB National Rowing Squad showcased their prowess on the international stage at the Memorial Paolo D Aloja Regatta in Piediluco, Italy, marking an impressive start to the season and setting a promising tone for the upcoming challenges. With eyes set on the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in …
President Ramaphosa to address 12th Proudly SA localisation dinner
President Ramaphosa to address 12th Proudly SA localisation dinner
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday deliver a keynote address at the Localisation Dinner at the conclusion of the 12th Annual Buy Local Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng.
Hosted by Proudly South African, the Buy Local Summit serves as a platform for a diverse array of locally made products, ranging from small to medium-sized businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, and government entities to larger corporations to engage with consumers and buyers.
The event emphasises the role of public procurement in driving economic growth by promoting local content, and encourages corporate South Africa to prioritise locally manufactured goods and services.
Building on the success of the inaugural Localisation Dinner held in March 2023, Proudly South African continues to champion the localisation agenda.
This year's dinner will honour companies that have demonstrated commitment to increasing local procurement within their supply chains, aligning with the President's call to bolster local industries.
The Localisation Dinner will also serve as an occasion to generate new pledges and commitments from the private sector and business leaders in attendance. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 03/25/2024 - 10:16
112 views
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