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Tequila is stealing the spotlight from whisky in the spirits market, with its phenomenal rise in the USA now making waves in South Africa. Don Julio, the titan of top-tier tequila is inviting its South African tequila lovers to raise a toast to the exclusive community that is: The Don’s Table. Johannesburg, October 2023 – …
Investment pledge creates 3000 jobs
The roll out of the investment of R500 million pledged by SA Taxi at the fifth South African Investment Conference hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg in April this year is gaining momentum and has already created more than 3 000 jobs.
The investment was announced as one of the pledges worth billions of rands that contributed to bringing the total value of investment pledges over a five-year investment mobilisation period to R1.51 trillion, thereby exceeding the initial target of R1.2 trillion set by President Ramaphosa.
Chief Government and Industry Officer at SA Taxi Holdings, Matsidikanye Moswane, said more than R350 million of the funding that was provided by the developmental credit provider, Transflow, has already been spent.
“The investment is being used to enable financial inclusion by extending developmental credit to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that may otherwise not have access to credit from traditional financiers,” Moswane said.
“By providing debt funding through Transflow, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is empowering under-serviced and emerging SMEs to build their businesses, which in turn creates further direct and indirect employment opportunities. To date this has helped create 1 620 direct jobs and 2 700 indirect jobs,” he said.
Moswane said the SA Taxi, whose headquarters are based in Midrand, Gauteng, but has a national customer base, finances entrepreneurs who operate minibus taxis that may not otherwise have access to credit from traditional banks, contributing to job creation, and enabling and improving the safety of public transport in South Africa.
“SA Taxi is an independently owned commercial business. It is the first financial service provider to focus solely on the taxi industry. We make a vital contribution to a market sector that has a stimulating effect on the national economy at many different levels.
“Each taxi creates 1.8 new jobs related to the industry. We focus exclusively on building entrepreneurs through the medium of the taxi industry which comprises an estimated 250 000 taxis that are on the roads in South Africa,” Moswane said.
He said SA Taxi has to source the money it lends to its clients from foreign and domestic direct investment. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 10/04/2023 - 10:09
South Africa’s whisky aficionados have a reason to celebrate as the world-renowned Scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker, unveils its latest masterpiece – Johnnie Walker Elusive Umami. The limited edition offering will be available in South Africa from October 2023 for discerning palates. This collectible release is a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and …
Infrastructure development in Africa key to success of smart mobility - Mashatile
Africa should accelerate investment in critical infrastructure and digital solutions for smart mobility to succeed on the continent, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
“For example, investment [must be made] towards building charging stations for electric vehicles, expanding broadband connectivity, and developing intelligent transportation systems.
“Governments, private sector organisations and international partners must, therefore, come together to invest in the necessary infrastructure.”
The Deputy President was delivering a keynote address at the Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) Conference Gala Dinner at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
SMA, he believes, is another opportunity to collaborate to build a better and smarter transport system that will assist in growing the economy, create jobs and improve people’s quality of life.
Smart mobility involves creating connected and integrated transport systems, which offer flexibility and efficiency, cutting across all modes of transport.
The country’s second-in-command said governments should develop clear guidelines and regulations to ensure a safe and reliable transportation system.
These, he said, include regulations on data privacy, cybersecurity, and standards for electric vehicles.
“We must make it our responsibility to establish a harmonised approach to smarter mobility across Africa.”
In South Africa, the Deputy President said smarter mobility has been embraced to align with ongoing worldwide discussions regarding the trajectory of mobility and climate change.
Meanwhile, government is pushing ahead with a National Transport Master Plan (NATMAP) 2050 strategy to establish a safe, affordable, dependable, and efficient means of transporting people and products.
“We understand that we cannot discuss the transport sector's transformation without addressing the exclusion of our youth, particularly girls and women, who continue to face devastating and discouraging unemployment and the risk of poverty and violence in our society.”
Urban planning
In light of the accelerated urbanisation expected over the next few years, Mashatile told attendees that governments and cities must prioritise urban planning policies that are responsive to changes.
“There is no doubt that the need for the transportation of both people and goods will always exist and is, in most aspects, one of the few ways in which economic development occurs.”
According to Deputy President Mashatile Africa must seize the opportunities presented by technology to enhance the efficacy and sustainability of our transport systems.
“This is because major cities, such as Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, face significant challenges in heavy congestion, overcrowded public transport systems, poor traffic management, and overall inefficient public transportation systems.”
He has since called for more imaginative mobility solutions that can leverage technology to optimise routes, reduce traffic congestion, and use data to provide real-time information to commuters.
The Deputy President believes that this could transportation networks’ overall efficiency and reliability and will go a long way towards the development aspirations and efforts.
“In addition, smart mobility solutions can have a significantly positive impact on the environment.”
By transitioning to electric vehicles and adopting clean energy sources, he said the continent can reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
New energy vehicles
The State, according to the Deputy President, remains committed to supporting and investing in the expansion and development of new and existing manufacturing plants to support the production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) components and grow employment in the automotive sector.
Investing in the NEV, he said, also contributes to the decarbonisation of road transport.
African trade
Shifting his focus to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Deputy President Mashatile said the continent should address the inconsistent and inefficient goods and logistics services that have long impeded intra-African trade and commerce.
“In addition, through this agreement, we will address the high customs delay times, lack of paved roadways on which goods can be conveyed, and more significant loss of goods due to limited cold chains compared to other global regions.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:07
Govt considers vaccination to contain the spread of avian influenza
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is looking at the possibility of a vaccination to contain the spread and impact of avian influenza.
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, met with the retailers on Monday to discuss the impact of avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’, in South Africa.
This follows a meeting held with the South African Poultry Association last Friday and engagements that have been taking place between government officials and the industry.
During the meeting, Didiza briefed retailers on the containment measures that have been taken to limit the spread of the disease, as well as possible solutions to manage such outbreaks in the short and the medium-term, including vaccinations.
“It was evident from [Monday’s] engagement that the main challenge is primarily on the egg production side, where there are supply constraints in some regions of the country. In response to this challenge, the Minister is focusing on measures to improve the availability of egg supply to consumers and simultaneously putting measures to contain the spread of the disease.
“Moreover, the Minister is embarking on the efficiency improvement in issuing import permits for egg products to ensure sufficient supplies for consumers. In addition, the Minister is looking at the possibility of vaccination and currently reviewing applications by various suppliers,” the department said in a statement.
On the broiler side, Didiza and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel, are assessing some trade instruments to ease the supply of chicken meat.
According to the statement issued by the department last week, as of 21 September 2023, a total of 50 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7 outbreaks and 10 HPAI H5 outbreaks have been reported in the country, with 37 HPAI H7 cases confirmed in Gauteng.
The number of chickens that have died is 107 705, while the reported number of chickens that were culled is 1 318 521.
“Based on these reported figures, there has been a total loss of 1 426 226 chickens,” the department said.
The reported number of chickens that have died of HPAI H5 is 98 249, while the reported number of chickens that were culled is 1 156 283, bringing the total loss of 1 254 532 chickens. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:11
October 3, 2023: Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Samara Karoo Reserve, near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape’s Great Karoo region and home to the Big Five, over 60 mammal species and 225 bird species, was recognised in the Top 15 Resorts in South Africa. The Readers’ Choice …
With the warmer weather finally gracing us with its presence, who says you have to put away your denims? G-Star RAW has debuted their new Kairori 3D slim jeans just in time for all your Spring festivities. The inspiration Revered motocross racer Tony Cairoli is the muse behind the collection’s name – with his career …
President honours SA Special Olympics Team
President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the outstanding performance of South Africa’s national team, which excelled at this year’s Special Olympics World Games.
Competing against 7 000 athletes from over 180 countries at the Special Olympics World Games in Germany in June 2023, the national team returned with 22 gold, 20 silver and seven bronze medals.
Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every person is welcome, regardless of ability or disability.
“Our success in the Special Olympics shows what happens when government and civil society – represented here by Special Olympics South Africa – work together to ensure that we leave no one behind.
“South Africa is honoured to be one of the first countries to support the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion, which reflects our commitment to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of our society,” the President said on Tuesday.
Having hosted a number of national teams at the Union Buildings as part of government’s celebration for outstanding achievements by athletes in various sporting codes, the President expressed pride in Team South Africa’s performance.
“We are proud that Team South Africa flew the flag for social inclusion and the advancement of human rights, which are a hallmark of the nation we have built during nearly 30 years of freedom.
“Team South Africa are heroes we can look up to and be inspired by in athletic arenas and in every walk of life in our country. May our commitment to inclusion as a nation shine as brightly as the achievements of our Special Olympics Team,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said the team’s dedication, perseverance and unwavering commitment to their sport has not only brought glory to the nation but it has also shattered the barriers that once confined them.
The team is being led by Chairperson of Special Olympics South Africa, Dr Mathews Phosa, who was recently honoured at the 19th Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference in Addis Ababa.
“With such a hard-working and distinguished captain at the helm of Special Olympics South Africa we can only expect even greater things from Team South Africa,” the President said.
Phosa spoke about the importance of the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability.
“Our athletes want to be heard and they demand inclusion, respect and equal opportunities. They declare that they are here to show the world their talents and abilities. They deserve nothing else but our unwavering support,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 13:06
Family Caregiving calls on government to prioritise community-based care services
Johannesburg , 03 October 2023 : Fraud during the home buying process is a serious and growing problem in South Africa, especially in the digital age where scammers can easily impersonate legitimate sellers, agents, or conveyancers and intercept communication to divert funds to their own accounts. South Africa is now reportedly the “second most targeted …
Kubayi calls for partnerships to increase affordable housing stock
Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has urged the private sector to continue to work in partnership with government to increase affordable housing stock in the major metropolitan and secondary cities.
This is so as to prevent a repeat of recent disasters.
Kubayi made the call as South Africa joined the global community in celebrating World Habitat Day on Monday.
The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of habitats, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
This year's World Habitat Day was commemorated under the theme: “Resilient Urban Economies. Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery.”
Kubayi noted that the metropolitan and intermediary cities have, according to recent figures, experienced rapid urbanisation than major metropolitan cities and therefore putting pressure on infrastructure and the provision of sustainable human settlements.
She reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the upgrading of informal settlements, which was one of the resolutions adopted at the 2023 UN-Habitat Assembly held in June, to “Accelerating the Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2023”.
“Sustainable human settlements affect every aspect of people’s lives and communities’ development.
“Creating and managing better places to live, not only addresses economic opportunities, poverty and inequality but also fosters inclusion through provision of dignity, access to basic services and transport and creating improved living environments that foster food security, education, health, gender equality, resilience, and the protection of vulnerable groups,” Kubayi said.
The UN-Habitat Assembly adopted numerous critical resolutions to change the trajectory for the achievement of sustainable human settlements and adequate housing, in the context of rapid urbanisation and climate change.
One of the resolutions identifies key actions to be undertaken globally to accelerate the transformation of informal settlements, as a vital entry point and catalyst for sustainable development by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
The Minister highlighted that during 2023/2024 financial year, over R4 billion has been allocated towards the upgrading of informal settlements.
“Additionally, over R7 billion Urban Settlements Development Grant (USGD) has been allocated to Metropolitan Municipalities to increase housing stock and deliver basic services of the cities’ residents,” Kubayi said.
Commenting on the recent fire at Cemetery View in Pretoria East, Tshwane that affected over 2 000 households, the Minister said the location of the informal settlements is an indication that people want to live closer to places of work.
However, she underlined that government initiatives working with the private sector are meant for qualifying beneficiaries.
Title Deeds Friday Campaign
Meanwhile, Kubayi has announced that the department will during the month of October, launch a Title Deeds Friday Campaign, aimed at mobilising the beneficiaries of fully subsidised houses to collect their title deeds at municipality offices.
The campaign, which was part of the outcomes of a recent meeting held between the Minister and MECs responsible for Human Settlements in provinces, will also see the MECs and councillors setting aside part of their Fridays to dispatching and encouraging beneficiaries to collect their title deeds.
“We must never be in a position where we unnecessarily keep people’s title deeds in our buildings. Our aim is to have cleared over 30 000 title deeds currently at our disposal by February 2024,” Kubayi said.
The Title Deeds Friday Campaign is expected to be launched with communities of MAWIGA (Mabopane, Winterveld and Ga-Rankuwa), north of Tshwane in Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 10/03/2023 - 08:56
Unmatched Asia: Top destinations for South Africans to visit in 2023: South Africans in need of a break or holiday should look no further than alluring Asia, offering striking scenery, a smorgasbord of unique culinary experiences, and some of the most wonderful travel experiences. South Africans may be spoiled for choice when it comes to …
Introduction Property valuation plays a crucial role in the real estate industry. It is the process of determining the economic value of a real estate property. Whether you’re buying a new home, selling an investment property, or even insuring your property, a proper valuation can help you make informed decisions and ensure you’re getting the …
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Services recently launched its innovative Export Certificate Office System (ECOS). The launch coincided with the Western Cape's inaugural Veterinary Week, which focused on state veterinary services' role in the agriculture sector. One such role is export facilitation.
Dr Vincent Henwood, Western Cape Department Head of the Veterinary Export Certification Office, explained that ECOS is an online electronic system which seeks to ensure compliance in South Africa's food and animal products industry.
Dr Henwood said, “The platform provides permit templates aligned with importing countries' import permits, streamlining the export process, and ensuring compliance with international standards. ECOS enables tracking of products, including animal-derived ones, back to their source farms, thus ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain.”
Speaking at the launch, the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, welcomed ECOS as an innovative platform which focused on improving the Western Cape Government's services to our customers.
Minister Meyer said, “ECOS provides the customer with a 24-hour export facilitation service which reduces the export certificate application process from days to minutes. The Western Cape currently exports 55% of South Africa's primary agricultural products. ECOS will also assist in increasing these exports to at least 60%. Exports contribute to foreign exchange earnings and a 5% increase in exports will lead to approximately 22 000 new jobs in the sector.”
“Due to the location and history of South Africa, we have an extremely diverse set of products, factories, and processes. We also have a complex food and export legislative system with different authorities (6 religious, state, and authorised signatories). This creates the possibility for synergies between authorities as they are often working on similar products and in the same locations,” continued Minister Meyer.
“In light of our endemic diseases, our rich diversity of wildlife, and our animal health system we need to have a systems approach to disease (human and animal) risk mitigation and international trade in animal products. Due to the many role-players communication and coordination is key. This is challenging in a resource-constrained environment. ECOS can help to coordinate communication and increase cooperation at food processing establishments between authorities,” added Minister Meyer.
Heidi Fourie from La Montanara (Pty) Ltd, a cheese factory in Ashton, has already been using the ECOS.
Heidi Fourie said,” As a small dairy business we do not have time to struggle to complete the significant paperwork that accompanies an export certificate application. The wait often negatively impacts product shelf life and quality. ECOS has changed this. While uploading my company's profile onto the ECOS platform was initially time-consuming, it now takes approximately five minutes to get an export certificate approved.”
Minister Meyer remarked: “We appreciate the feedback from our clients in the Western Cape, which has been invaluable in refining ECOS. Their feedback and support are crucial as we work together to revolutionize compliance, traceability, and export control in South Africa's food and animal products industry.”
Commenting on the future of ECOS, Minister Meyer said that with the support of the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, ECOS should and could be rolled out nationally.
Minister Meyer said, “This will create a comprehensive system that ensures the traceability and compliance of all relevant products on a national scale. It will also greatly enhance the smooth movement of products and reduce the administrative burden and access to veterinary certification to rural producers.”
This year's Veterinary Week ended with a visit to the Department's Veterinary Export Certification Office in Milnerton and the Spar, one of the Veterinary Export Certification Office's biggest clients, Western Cape Distribution Centre in Philippi.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
The families are refusing the leave, saying life on the farm is all they’ve ever known
Practical partnerships forged for growth and jobs – President Ramaphosa
In his weekly newsletter to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is forging practical partnerships for growth and job creation.
The President highlighted that he recently met with business leaders and the leadership of the country’s four labour federations respectively, where they agreed to work more closely to address the immediate challenges that confront South Africa’s economy.
“These efforts are important because an economy that is growing slowly cannot create enough jobs. It can also not generate enough revenue for government to fully implement the programmes needed to improve people’s lives.
“The fact that the country’s debt service costs are the fastest growing budget item means that spending on education, health, social protection and infrastructure come under even greater pressure.
“We are acting with increased focus and effort to remove the most immediate constraints on growth and doing so together with our social partners,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said that the economy is now larger than it was before the pandemic and the two million jobs that were lost have largely been recovered.
Yet, he said, the combination of global economic instability and the effects of the electricity crisis have meant that the economy continues to grow too slowly and is unable to create jobs at the pace needed.
While government has done much to implement the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which was launched in October 2020, the President said that they have always maintained that the success of its efforts would depend on greater partnership across society.
“Our collaboration with business, for example, has moved far beyond discussions. Since June this year, government has been working closely with Business for South Africa on critical actions to address the key challenges of energy, logistics, and crime and corruption,” he said.
The President highlighted that last week’s meeting confirmed that good traction has been achieved in these areas, most notably in the work being done by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) to end load shedding and achieve energy security.
He further highlighted that a good example of the work being done is the mobilisation by business of additional capacity and skills to support the recovery of Eskom’s power plants.
This includes the deployment of technical support teams to five power stations, Kendal, Kriel, Majuba, Matla and Tutuka, and experts to help speed up the repair of units at Kusile power station that were damaged in November last year. This weekend, he said, Kusile unit 3 was returned to service two months earlier than planned.
“Full implementation of the plan to improve the performance of Eskom’s existing power stations, add new generation capacity and reform the energy sector is expected to result in over 12 000 megawatts of generation capacity being recovered or added to the system by the end of 2024,” the President said.
Turning to the freight rail network, President Ramaphosa said work is underway to improve the operational performance of the bulk freight rail network and port system through the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC).
“Corridor recovery teams have been established for five strategic rail corridors, comprising Transnet executives, industry representatives and independent experts. They are working to urgently increase the volume of freight traffic on our rail lines,” he said.
Through this collaboration, the President said, business is working with government to build capacity within the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks, along with the modernisation of the 10111 emergency response centre and collaboration between industry and the South African Police Service to address crimes targeting infrastructure.
The President said that this work is being made possible by the willingness and determination of all social partners to collaborate on practical actions that make a measurable difference in the performance of the economy.
“While these partnerships may take different forms and may be at different stages of advancement, both business and labour have shown their commitment to work with government to address these challenges.
“It is this kind of cooperation in action, even more so than negotiated agreements, that gives meaning to the concept of a social compact that is based on achievable outcomes.
“Yet, while we have together identified key milestones and timeframes, the success of all these efforts will ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives of the South African people,” the President said.
From the progress that has been made to date, President Ramaphosa said he is certain that “this is a task at which we will together succeed”. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:21
RAPT Creative, the agency that opened its doors with three employees just months before the global Covid-19 lockdowns yet emerged from the pandemic years having added international brands like Sol, Miller, Fox, Strongbow, Ballentine’s and Windhoek to its stable and over 100 people to its staff complement, has proven its mettle – again. This achievement, …
Defy’s solar-operated appliances a game changer for the environment
The Defy manufacturing plant, the country's largest home appliance producer, on Monday declared its commitment to environmental progress.
The announcement was made during Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel’s visit to a plant situated in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.
During his visit, Patel was hosted by Defy Appliances CEO Mustafa Soylu, management, staff and NUMSA shop stewards.
A major announcement was made regarding South Africa's advancement towards green technology and sustainability. The Ladysmith plant will initiate the production of fridges and freezers capable of operating entirely on solar energy, marking a substantial step in promoting eco-friendly alternatives in the appliance industry.
Soylu said the pioneering initiative marks a monumental step in the production of environmentally friendly appliances, positioning South Africa as a leader in the fight against climate change.
The innovative products, anticipated to be available for retail by January 2024, is set to empower families to adopt a fully green approach to their food cooling units at home.
Patel expressed his support for this remarkable advancement.
“Climate change necessitates a comprehensive transformation of the technologies utilized both at home and within the industry. South Africa is actively ensuring the production of future technologies and meeting the demand for lower-emission consumer products,” he said.
Patel highlighted the significant progress from Defy’s previous hybrid units that required partial access to grid energy.
The new units, designed to operate exclusively on solar energy, will be equipped with an attached battery system, enhancing their efficiency and eco-friendliness.
“I am delighted that Defy is focusing on making these fridges and freezers affordable, enabling a broader consumer base to transition to green appliances,” Patel said.
Defy Appliances continues to make substantial contributions to the local economy, employing over 2 000 workers in South Africa and producing 1.5 million appliances locally.
The range includes fridges, freezers, stoves, ovens, dryers and top-loading washing machines. With two factories located in Jacobs in eThekwini and Ezakheni in the Ladysmith area, Defy stands as a significant player in the local manufacturing sector.
In addition to bolstering local production, Defy exports products to 35 other African countries said Soylu, reinforcing South Africa’s position as the continent’s largest producer of home appliances.
Today’s announcement and Patel’s visit underscore the commitment of both the South African government and industry leaders like Defy appliances to prioritize sustainable and green technologies.
This initiative not only contributes to the global effort to mitigate climate change but also signifies the nation’s dedication to innovation, economic growth, and the welfare of its citizens. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 13:03
With the release of the highly esteemed 2023 Tim Atkin Report, a definitive benchmark in the world of South African wines, the Bellingham team is thrilled to unveil their long list of worthy awards and accolades. The Bellingham Founders Series achieved an impressive, 94-point score for the 2020 Pod Red Blend and 93 Points for …
Catch Taylor Swift’s’ The Eras Tour’ in Ster-Kinekor’s IMAX and select cinemas nationally from 13 October… Get ready Swifties, TayTay is coming to South Africa… well, her new Eras Tour concert film is, and it will be releasing in Ster-Kinekor’s immersive IMAX and luxurious Cine Prestige cinemas on 13 October, to coincide with the release …
Mountain biking enthusiasts are invited to join the organisers of the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience at a fun Training Ride #1 that will take place at the Bloemendal Trail Park in Durbanville on Saturday 07 October 2023 starting with coffee at 07:00. “We are thrilled to offer local mountain biking enthusiasts a sneak …
History was made on Sunday, when the South African senior men’s team finished on the podium at the World Half Marathon Championships. Thabang Mosiako (6th), Stephen Mokoka (11th), Elroy Gelant (13th) and Precious Mashele (19th) claimed the bronze medal behind Kenya and Ethiopia at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Latvia. Mosiako’s exceptional performance …
Office of the Tax Ombud celebrates 10 years of excellence
Having stood the test of time as a capable organisation with a proven track record in helping to resolve taxpayers' complaints against the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
"We are encouraged by the average 98% implementation by SARS of our nonbinding recommendations. Also worth noting is that, on average, 80% of complaints received by the OTO in the past decade were resolved in favour of taxpayers, and only 20% were in favour of SARS,” Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa said on Sunday.
She attributed the success of the OTO to its dedicated employees, the support of stakeholders, including Finance Ministers, the National Treasury and SARS, and recognised controlling bodies in the tax sphere.
Established on 1 October 2013, the OTO has been credited with improving the country's tax administration system and promoting and championing taxpayer rights.
“We have made a significant contribution towards promoting a healthy balance between taxpayer rights and obligations on the one hand, and SARS powers and duties on the other. We champion the promotion and protection of taxpayer rights through our ongoing ‘Making Taxpayers' Rights Matter’ educational campaign, which takes our services to the doorsteps of communities nationwide. We reiterate the call for taxpayers to utilise the free and impartial services provided by the OTO to those with complaints against SARS,” Mputa said.
The OTO has published the country's first-ever Compilation of Taxpayers' Rights, Entitlements and Obligations to promote its mandate.
This document's main aim is to highlight taxpayers' rights and obligations, as contained in various laws, including the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and the Tax Administration Act, 2011, and be used as a reference tool to guide taxpayers towards the information needed.
"One of our priorities in the next decade is to promote awareness about the OTO and take our services to the four corners of our country. We will continue to benchmark ourselves and, wherever we can, to share our expertise with other government institutions – in South Africa and beyond," Mputa said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 09:33
Stakeholders to engage on railway safety practices at conference
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will this week take centre stage at the International Rail Safety Council (IRSC) conference through the presentation of several papers on railway safety, with a key priority on the revitalisation of passenger rail in the country.
The IRSC, a forum of railway safety practitioners and professionals, is renowned for its global reach and in-depth exchange of ideas and experiences for improving rail safety globally.
“We are confident that this conference will inspire all to double their efforts in making railways safety a top priority,” PRASA Group CEO Hishaam Emeran said on Sunday.
PRASA has assumed the mantle of the main sponsor of the IRSC 2023 Annual Conference, taking place at Century City, Cape Town, from 01 – 06 October 2023, under the theme “Reshaping railways in an uncertain world.”
PRASA has expressed excitement to be collaborating with the council this year and are proud that the conference is back in South Africa.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to railway safety. Safer railways make it possible for operators to maintain this mode of transport as one of the safest and most affordable,” Emeran said.
PRASA, through its Asiphephe campaign, commits to a culture of safety across its rail network and operations.
“By sponsoring this conference, we seek to contribute to raising awareness about the importance of railway safety not only within our industry but also among the wider public. The ability to engage with industry leaders and professionals, and forge new partnerships at the event, is a positive step for PRASA as we rebuild and revitalize the passenger rail network,” the agency said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 10/02/2023 - 09:19