CSA T20 Knockout Update: Limpopo Impalas Lead The Pack
JOHANNESBURG: As the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Knockout competition continues to unfold, Limpopo Impalas are the current frontrunners, leading this...
South Africa
Proteas Women Target Strong Start In T20I Series Against Sri Lanka
JOHANNESBURG: Ahead of the commencement of the inbound T20 International (T20I) series between the Proteas Women and Sri Lanka from 27...
Time to take control of your sexual health says Kena Health
Kena Health’s Clinical Care Lead, Dr Chido Siame, says that the Gauteng Department of Health’s announcement report that cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased significantly is concerning. “Rising STIs are a global concern, and it indicates that the health education and management systems are not working as they should, and also that we …
Specific Cloud Platforms For Businesses To Use In South Africa
SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, explores the unique offerings of specific cloud platforms and how businesses can choose the right one. “Chances are, if you’ve navigated the web or used an app recently, you’ve interacted …
Port Alfred Easter Festival presented by Sunshine Coast Tourism – What’s On During The First Few Days.
Port Alfred – Just days before the Port Alfred Easter Festival kicks off, here is an update on what is in store over those first few days. The Port Alfred Easter Festival is presented by Sunshine Coast Port Alfred Tourism. Thursday 28th Surfing: Opening Function There will be an opening function at the Royal St …
Discover the Adventure of a Lifetime Exquisite Kosher Travel in Africa
Embarking on a kosher vacation can be a thrilling adventure, especially when considering the unique experience of kosher safaris in Africa. An exceptional array of kosher travel options cater to the needs of kosher travellers seeking adventure, luxury, and spiritual fulfillment. Whether you’re looking for a kosher summer vacation or a getaway any time of …
Getting a Loan Against Your Car in South Africa
In today’s economic climate, South Africans are increasingly seeking flexible and accessible financial solutions to meet unexpected expenses or to capitalize on immediate opportunities. One such solution that has gained popularity is securing a loan against one’s car. This financial maneuver can be a strategic move for those in need of quick liquidity without the …
Pawn My Car” Solutions in South Africa
In South Africa, where financial flexibility can sometimes mean the difference between seizing an opportunity and missing out, the option to “pawn my car” presents a viable route for securing short-term financing without selling your vehicle. This approach is particularly attractive for those who need immediate cash but wish to retain ownership of their assets. …
Pawn My Car and Still Drive It in South Africa
In the evolving landscape of financial solutions within South Africa, the option to “pawn my car and still drive it” emerges as an innovative and highly sought-after avenue for those in need of immediate cash without the inconvenience of losing their mobility. This unique form of loan allows individuals to leverage the value of their …
Fight against TB gets $94 million boost
Fight against TB gets $94 million boost
South Africa’s ongoing efforts to respond to Tuberculosis (TB) have been strengthened with funding of $94 million for the next five years.
“Just over R4 billion was budgeted in the 2024/2025 [financial year], meeting the projected needs for implementing the National Strategic Plan (NSP). Seventy-one percent of the TB budget is from domestic sources, 21% from Global Fund and 8% from United States government commitments,” Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla said on Sunday in Sedibeng.
The Minister was addressing South Africa’s commemorations for World TB Day, which is being observed under the theme: “Yes! You and I Can End TB”.
“We applaud the announcement by National Department of Health and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of the award of the Accelerate Tuberculosis Elimination and Program Resilience Activity (referred to as ACCELERATE) in the amount of $94 million for the next five years.
“As government, we welcome the generous support from Global Fund and the United States government and appreciate their continued support towards HIV, TB and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) response,” Phaahla said.
In addition, the TB Programme of the National Department of Health has developed a comprehensive TB Recovery Plan dashboard, which is used by provinces and districts to monitor the progress of the TB programme.
The department has also developed an HIV and TB dashboard in the Health Information Centre.
“The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Situation Room is a state-of the-art data consolidation and visualisation hub built at the SANAC offices in Pretoria but can be accessed virtually from anywhere in the world.
“There is an enormous quantity of data that is generated in many parts and entities of South Africa. It exists in silos and that fragmentation is due to the lack of a central data repository and management point.
“This has made monitoring and evaluation of the country’s efforts against HIV, TB and STIs rather difficult. These new data visualisation dashboards have been set up precisely to address that challenge,” the Minister said.
Progress in fight against TB
Although South Africa remains among the TB high burden countries, there has been notable progress in the country’s fight against the disease.
“A steady decline has been noted in the number of people diagnosed with TB each year since 2007 where the figure was 644 000 compared to 280 000 in 2022. TB-related deaths are falling, but at a much slower rate,” the Minister said.
At last year’s commemoration South Africa launched the NSP for HIV, TB and STIs for the period 2023 to 2028 with ambitious targets for TB and the other two epidemics.
“The National Department of Health has further developed a TB Strategic Plan, which lifts our very pertinent actions that must be taken to address the TB specific challenges as we go towards the end date. This TB strategic plan is fully aligned with our NSP for HIV, TB and STIs and it will inform the content of the annual TB Recovery Plans for the period 2023 to 2027.
“The successful implementation of the NSP relies on several critical enablers such as the proper implementation of the National TB Recovery Plan, which is one of the tools we have to mitigate against the impact of COVID-19 on the national TB programme.
“We must scale up the implementation, use, and rapid uptake of new tools and innovations – these include GeneXpert; shorter and oral regimens for drug-resistant TB, as well as routine testing of TB contacts and at-risk populations,” the Minister said.
He said the collective counter-response to TB must focus on strengthening early case detection through targeted testing initiatives, particularly among vulnerable populations like men.
“There has been demonstrable will and desire by this government to use all innovations and technology to confront this challenge. As we all know, South Africa has been and remains the world leader in the introduction of new tools to test TB and to treat TB.
“The introduction of the new World Health Organization (WHO) approved Rapid Diagnostic tests for TB has been done as early as 2010. To date we are looking forward to targeted new generation sequencing.
“The introduction of new and repurposed TB drugs has helped significantly improve the proportion of cured drug resistant (DR-TB) patients. We have rolled out shorter regimens with better drugs for the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis, with the notable launch of the bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid-levofloxacin (BPAL-L) programme in September 2023, that has almost 2,000 patients on a six-month DR-TB regimen,” the Minister said.
South Africa has been part of a vaccine development programme, which is conducted by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
“This gives us hope that indeed, we will end TB, by working with all role players, opinion makers, scientists, academics, politicians, and general population,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 03/24/2024 - 15:12
18 views
Rate of Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, treatment in Africa increasing
About 70% of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the African region are now being diagnosed and treated, marking the highest case-detection rate in the region ever, thanks to concerted efforts by countries to address the threat of the disease.
Although the case detection rate has been on the rise since 2018, the region saw a significant increase between 2020 and 2022, rising from 60% to 70% of cases being detected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2023. There has also been a notable reduction in the region in the number of people with TB who miss diagnosis. An estimated 700 000 people missed diagnosis in 2022, a 10% reduction compared with 2021. To further rally efforts to end the disease through concerted global efforts to advance detection, diagnosis and treatment, World TB Day is being marked this year under the theme “Yes! We can end TB”.
In the African region a range of factors have helped boost TB diagnosis rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries-maintained TB notification services, ensuring that cases were detected and treated. In Nigeria, which has a huge TB burden, case notification nearly tripled over the past five years to 285 000 cases in 2022 from 106 000 cases in 2018. Improvement in the management of HIV infection, a significant driver of TB, has also bolstered TB detection rates in the region.
“More efforts are still needed to reduce the devastating impacts of this disease on families and communities. As WHO we continue working closely with governments to address the barriers to effective response and speed up the momentum to make TB history,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
The region, which accounts of 23% of TB cases and 33% of deaths globally, is making steady progress towards ending the disease. For example, Cabo Verde, Eswatini and South Africa have achieved at least a 50% reduction in TB cases. The WHO End TB Strategy calls for countries to reduce TB deaths by 75% and cases by 50% by 2025 compared with the 2015 levels.
Across the region TB deaths fell by 38% and new cases declined by 23% in 2022 compared with 2015. High-burden TB countries have surpassed the 2025 milestone to lower TB deaths.
Despite the progress, further efforts are needed to meet the 2030 global End TB Strategy targets to cut TB deaths by 90% and cases by 80%. These include increased investments in TB control programmes. In 2022, in the African Region, the Global Plan to End TB 2018-2022 estimated that US$ 3.9 billion were required annually to achieve the targets, but only around US$ 890 million were mobilized for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Domestic funding represented about 46% of total funding for TB (54% from international funding) in 2022.
Limited access to health services, inadequate health infrastructure, insufficient quality of care, inadequate human resources for health and inadequate social protection are also impeding progress to ending TB.
Globally TB continues to claim millions of lives annually. In the African region Africa, TB was the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, with nearly 2.5 million people falling ill and 424 000 lives lost in 2022.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Early-onset cancer risk
JOHANNESBURG, March 22nd, 2024 – There has been a marked increase in early onset cancer, particularly amongst Millennials. Age-risk factors have lowered from an average age of fifty years, two decades ago, to an alarming and emerging group, twenty-five- to twenty-nine-year-olds, where cancer rates have risen faster than other age groups (1). “While the risk …
Unlocking the Secrets of Successful SEO: Understanding Keyword Difficulty
Pretoria, South Africa – In the ever-evolving landscape of online marketing, achieving visibility on search engines remains paramount for businesses aiming to thrive in the digital realm. Click Results, a leading digital marketing firm based in Pretoria, South Africa, unveils the cornerstone of effective SEO strategies: keyword research and understanding keyword difficulty. Keyword research, often …
SPJ Electronics Sets Foot in South Africa, Offering Unbeatable Prices on Home Appliances and Electronics
Levy Business Park Lusaka, 10101, Zambia- SPJ Electronics, a leading global retailer of home appliances and electronic items, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest store in South Africa. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey, bringing its extensive range of products to the South African market at unbeatable …
Minster Creecy’s recent decision will leave African penguins to go extinct, say bird groups
Conservationists mount legal challenge to environment minister’s decision to declare “biologically meaningless” closed fishing areas around breeding islands as part of her penguin conservation strategy
Warriors Make It Five From Five In Gqeberha
GQEBERHA: Matthew Breetzke’s half century coupled with another sensational bowling display by Siya Simetu helped the Dafabet Warriors make it five...
CSA Announce The Return Of Hubs Challenge
JOHANNESBURG: The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Hubs Challenge is set to make a return this month, showcasing young talent emerging from...
Parsons Ton Powers Dolphins To Victory
CENTURION: Bryce Parsons’ century propelled the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to a comfortable 30-run victory via the DLS Method over the Momentum Multiply...
Team SA Bow Out Of African Games With Tightly Contested Defeat To Uganda
ACCRA: Team South Africa suffered a narrow two-wicket loss against Uganda in a low-scoring thriller at the Achimota Cricket Oval on...
SA marks World Water Day
SA marks World Water Day
Today South Africa joins the globe in marking World Water Day which is celebrated annually on 22 March.
South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chairperson, Professor Bongani Ncube has underscored the need to improve access to productive water across South Africa’s disadvantaged communities.
“I’m talking about water for productivity, water for agriculture, [and] water that will take people out of poverty,” Professor Ncube said.
The SARChI was established in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The main goal of the Research Chairs initiative is to strengthen and improve research and innovation capacity of public universities for producing high quality postgraduate students and research and innovation outputs.
Ncube is based at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Centre for Water and Sanitation Research, under the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
She is a Chairperson under the Department of Science and Innovation and the NRF (DSI-NRF) SARChI, established by the Science and Innovation and the National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2006.
Ncube said the country still has issues in these areas because the licensing process has not worked for many communities for a long time.
“The compulsory licensing, validation and verification processes, which were supposed to enable the release of excess water to communities, has not worked very well. The process has improved but we still have many communities that do not have access to productive water.
“At the household level, there are municipalities where access to basic water and sanitation services has become a challenge. That is why you see these water protests in South Africa,” Ncube said.
This year’s World Water Day is observed under the theme, 'Leveraging Water for Peace', which encourages communities and countries to use water as a tool for peace, when cooperating over this precious shared resource.
READ | DWS kick-starts National Water Month
Ncube said South Africa relates to the 2024 global theme at both household and broader community levels because of its historical past, and also in terms of economic advancement, which brings under the spotlight policy shifts required to redress past access patterns.
“South Africa has a very complicated history when it comes to access to resources, including water. The historical access [which] dates back centuries when water access mechanisms favoured the more privileged white communities, remains a challenged,” said Ncube.
After 1994, policies, legislation, and strategies were developed to make water equitably accessible to everyone.
Ncube noted that access to productive water in some communities has improved following the enactment of the National Water Act of 1998, which aims to reform the laws related to water, including redress of past racial and gender discrimination; promotion of equitable access to water; and facilitation of social and economic development.
Draft National Water Amendment Bill
Ncube commended the Draft National Water Amendment Bill, which was published in the Government Gazette for public comment on 17 November 2023.
“One of the intentions of that Bill is to redress the past inequity and to achieve equitable access for all communities. There are efforts that are taking place at the moment. The Bill is being revised to ensure that those water allocation issues that were not addressed by the National Water Act of 1998 are addressed.”
Provision of basic water to households has vastly improved since 1994.
According to Statistics South Africa data, 88.7% of the country’s households had access to water by 2021.
“Climate change and drought add a further layer of complication when it comes to water access. But it is important for government to realise that, while situations like that occur, it is the poor that are the most affected and it is important that measures are put in place in terms of providing access,” Ncube said.– SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 03/22/2024 - 12:48
213 views
KZN Premier inspects SA-Mozambique border
KZN Premier inspects SA-Mozambique border
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has requested the Department of Transport to fast-track the raising of a concrete barrier wall along the South Africa and Mozambique border to curb the theft of vehicles and movement of illicit goods.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, conducted an oversight visit to the border between Mozambique and South Africa in Manguzi, in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, under the auspices of Operation Siyahlola, to assess progress on the construction of jersey barrier walls.
The project, which covers about 25km of the vulnerable border line, was initiated by the KwaZulu-Natal government in 2018 as part of a basket of interventions to fight crime in the area.
The project was mainly conceived to prevent an easy egress for stolen vehicles and livestock and is being implemented in three phases.
Speaking during the site inspection on Thursday, Dube-Ncube noted good progress in the construction of the phase that cuts through Gate 6 - one of the hotspot segments of the border line.
“The concrete slab foundation to conclude this phase has been laid and we are confident that the construction will move quicker. We have directed the Department of Transport to fast track the raising of the walls,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier, who was accompanied by Umkhanyakude District Municipality Mayor, Siphile Mdaka, police and senior government officials, said the provincial government is working with its social partners to break the back of criminal syndicates that terrorise the communities along the borderline.
“As we announced during the State of the Province Address, government is also pursuing diplomatic channels to coordinate strategic efforts to fight cross border crime. We are working closely with the newly established Border Management Authority, the SAPS [South African Police Service] Specialized KZN Stabilising Team, Amakhosi and other crime fighting structures to address issues of criminality in the area.”
Dube-Ncube noted that interventions are already yielding positive results as several high-profile criminals have been arrested and are facing prosecution.
“Already several cars have been found stuck and abandoned, some hanging on the jersey barriers because syndicates could not take them across to Mozambique because of the high border walls,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 03/22/2024 - 10:47
160 views
Dagga worth over R600 000 seized at the border
Dagga worth over R600 000 seized at the border
Members of the South African Police Service’s border policing unit have arrested a 43-year-old truck driver from the Kingdom of Eswatini for allegedly attempting to smuggle dagga into South Africa.
In a statement on Friday, the SAPS said the male suspect was apprehended at the Oshoek Port of Entry in the early hours of Thursday morning.
According to police, at around 00:30am, the suspect was searched by members of the SAPS on the arrivals side of the port of entry.
“It was during this search that the astute members discovered the dagga concealed under a load of timber. As a result, the driver was detained and charged accordingly,” the statement said.
A total of 150kgs of dagga with an estimated street value of R630 840 was seized.
The truck, with number plates from the Kingdom of Eswatini, was confiscated together with the seized dagga for further investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Elukwatini Magistrate's Court today.
Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner of the Police, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has applauded the members for their dedication.
"The continuous arrests and successes witnessed at the borders prove that indeed the members are working with diligence. They are doing an excellent work on daily basis,” General Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 03/22/2024 - 10:20
232 views
We must reject the government’s dirty energy plans
This year’s Integrated Resources Plan is horrifying
Black industrialists part of a broader journey of social, economic transformation
Black industrialists part of a broader journey of social, economic transformation
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government, private sector stakeholders and civil society have come together to create an enabling environment for black industrialists to thrive.
“By working hand in hand, we have been able to dismantle barriers, foster mentorship and provide access to markets, funding and resources essential for business growth and sustainability,” President Ramaphosa said.
Addressing the Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference at the Sandton Convention Center on Wednesday, the President said the journey of black industrialists is part of the broader journey of social and economic transformation in South Africa.
“This is evident in the fact that South Africans are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy has increased from 54 years in 2003 to 65 years in 2023. Maternal and infant deaths have declined dramatically,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa said households that resided in formal dwellings increased sharply from 65 percent in 1996 to more than 88 percent in 2022.
“Access to electricity for lighting has increased from 58 percent of households in 1996 to nearly 95 percent in 2022. The percentage of persons aged 20 years and older who completed secondary education more than doubled from 16 percent in 1996 to more than 37 percent in 2022.
“Our economy has tripled in size since 1994, and while unemployment still remains high, the number of South Africans in employment increased from eight million in 1994 to over 16.7 million now.
“The proportion of jobs in executive management held by black people increased almost five-fold between 1996 and 2016,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa said the progress points to the work the country has undertaken to give effect to the constitutional injunction to promote the achievement of equality.
“And to give effect to the core goals of that legislation, government formally launched the black industrialist programme in 2016,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said the impact of the investment by the black industrialists is clear from more than R100 billion in turnover generated by these businesses each year and by more than 100 000 direct jobs sustained in their factories, mines and farms.
“Over the course of the last five years, we have worked to deepen these efforts. At the start of this administration in 2019, we began to develop master plans in different sectors of the economy, ranging from clothing to sugar, from autos and steel to poultry.
“These masterplans have specific and dedicated sections dealing with the promotion of black industrialists. The black industrialist programme itself has also gone a long way in promoting meaningful participation in the economy by women, youth and persons with disabilities.
“We need to scale up the number of black industrialists that are supported directly by government through various forms of support, including finance, regulatory measures and partnership arrangements through masterplans,” President Ramaphosa said.
He added that the Department of Small Business Development has supported large numbers of micro and small businesses. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/20/2024 - 15:40
588 views