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Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, explores 10 tips on how to deal with burnout at work. “Burnout at work is a common phenomenon with South Africa particularly known for its workaholic mentality,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “High demands, tight deadlines, and long hours – all while juggling family …
30 years of democracy: The electrification of South African households
Despite a myriad of challenges – both present and past – along the way, the South African government through Eskom and municipalities has made great strides towards achieving universal access to electricity in the country.
This came out during a roundtable on the electrification programme since 1994 hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
According to the Eskom website, in 1987, fewer than 13 million people had access to electricity with the vast majority of that access servicing white households – leaving other population groups reeling in the dark.
At the dawn of democracy in 1994, Parliament endorsed a plan to create universal access to electricity – defined at some 97% due to population growth and challenges related to the formalisation of informal settlements.
This charged government’s wholesale plan to electrify homes. Now, access to electricity in South Africa today is at least 94% according to Statistics South Africa.
Director Project Monitoring and Intergovernmental Relations at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Lufuno Madzhie, said the electrification programme has thus far, been a success.
“[During 1994 to 1998] Eskom and municipalities only electrified 2.5 million households. In 2001, then government decided this [electrification] programme needs to reside within the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy [DMRE]. Through us as the department, working with different stakeholders, we have achieved a lot with regard to this electrification programme.
“Through this programme, the department has achieved a huge milestone. Currently, we have electrified over 8.3 million households,” he said.
Eskom’s Pozisa Njezula emphasised how access to electricity improves the welfare of households and explained how Eskom contributes to facilitating access for hard-to-reach rural areas.
“[It allows for the] improving on safety where we no longer have to use candles and paraffin stoves. It improves on convenience where we no longer have to collect wood to cook and also, in terms of improving on education where kids can study at night.
“With…us now pushing towards universal access, the challenge that we are now faced with is that we now have to reach the far-flung areas. The far corners in all the rural areas. With the support from the DMRE, as Eskom we have started and embarked on the rolling out of micro grids for those far-flung areas where you may not be able to get grid electricity because of losses as well as the amount of money that you would have to spend to get to those areas.
“The [micro grid] is just a container, it has solar panels, it has got batteries and then you’ve got the reticulation network. When you get to a certain area, you electrify it off grid and those people benefit,” she said.
Challenges and solutions
Njezula bemoaned that although the electrification programme is going full steam ahead, the power utility faces serious and dangerous challenges when going into communities.
“We are not immune as Eskom to the crime [and] extortion in our project sites. In South Africa, with almost all the projects that are being undertaken, there’s reports of these extortions and these demands for certain amounts of money, for protection fees and so forth.
“That delays the progress in our projects, and it really puts the lives of our employees as well as our contractors in danger. In some instances, we have to leave site, we need to be escorted, we need protection,” she said.
Head of energy and electricity distribution at the South African Local Government Association, Nhlanhla Ngidi, described South Africa’s electrification plan as a “moving target”.
“In terms of access itself, at 94%, I think it’s very important that people understand because this is a moving target. In a year’s time, you could find this being below 94% and it’s because of all these challenges…people moving towards where the economy is more active.
“Municipalities have done quite well but with the capacity challenges we have, we still need municipalities to be assisted and government needs to put in place agencies that can come in and be catalysts in terms of the implementation of the programme,” he said.
Energy expert, Chris Yelland, agreed that access to electricity has improved but warned that affordability remains a blockage to some households.
“[There] are some technology developments that require that we look at these distant rural customers. The first thing of course is renewable energy. The price of renewable energy…has come down dramatically over the last ten years. This is now opening the doors to renewable energy for remote households that never existed ten years ago.
“There’s a lot to celebrate in electrification [but] there’s a lot to do about affordability. We are not there yet. We need to understand where we come from, where we are and where we’re going and for that we need data…so that we know where we are and where we’re going” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 05/14/2024 - 14:06
Albert Mpazayabo hopes his thesis on integration of refugees in South Africa will be taken seriously by the authorities
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, explores whether giving up alcohol can improve fertility. “The question of whether giving up alcohol can improve fertility is a topic of growing interest among individuals and couples hoping to conceive,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “While numerous factors influence fertility, lifestyle choices can …
There are risks in using a private company to pay the grants
Calls for “academic boycott of apartheid Israel”
AI is revolutionizing the way the accounting industry works. It is elevating human performance by taking on the burden of repetitive but required tasks, and by accelerating analysis. But accounting is based on trust. So, companies must be totally sure that AI works accurately before they can use it to its full potential. Even the …
CTFL Masterplan has had a positive impact on local industry
More than 20 000 jobs have been created in the past five years since the clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) industry’s masterplan was launched.
This was reported to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel by stakeholders at a meeting in Cape Town on Thursday.
Major retailers have sourced 371 million more units of clothing items from local manufacturers over the same period, a 51% increase on the baseline of units bought locally. The volume of clothing imported from China has dropped in major clothing categories, and the value of the clothing imported increased, showing success in the fight against under-invoicing.
According to a statement by the department, these figures were released at a meeting at the Prestige Clothing factory, owned and operated by South African retailer, TFG, as part of a report back to CEOs of large retailers and manufacturers, as well as leaders from labour and government.
“Over this period, we've been able to take an industry which had been decimated by imports and low investment, and stabilise it through the collaboration and partnership which the masterplan has provided,” Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel said at a media briefing after the meeting.
“These efforts have built a platform which has led, in just a short time, to increased local procurement; increased manufacturing employment; and better administration of imports at the country’s ports of entry,” Patel said.
The masterplan was developed with the consensus of stakeholders in the sector and included undertakings in place by retailers to increase their procurement of locally manufactured CTFL products.
In return, manufacturers in the sector committed to increasing investment in productive capacity and technology, while building manufacturing ecosystems to advance transformation and inclusion, and advance worker empowerment.
Workers in the sector committed to efforts to strengthen the industry and promote the Buy South African campaign in communities.
Government meanwhile committed to an upgrade of customs enforcement to stem illegal imports, a competitiveness enhancement incentive program and implementation of appropriate CTFL tariffs and rebates.
“The decrease in imported volumes, accompanied by increasing declared values is great news for the industry and jobs. It means that we are making progress to levels where imported clothing and footwear are being declared at their fair prices.
“The industry has faced systematic import fraud through under-invoicing of garments and their illegal import. This has the effect of unfairly pricing imports below their market value and depriving the fiscus of revenue for healthcare, education and crime-prevention.
“The support of the South African Revenue Service has been important and valuable,” the Minister said.
The department has provided R2.5 billion to the industry through the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear, and Leather Growth Program (CTFLGP) to improve its competitiveness and productivity.
In addition, R4.4 billion in loan capital has been provided by the Industrial Development Corporation to help increase productivity and meet increasing local demand.
“The last five years of collaboration and partnership have been immensely successful. The industry was on its knees, with many suggesting it was in terminal decline. However, since the masterplan was implemented, we’ve seen an increase in investment, and today the industry is revitalised, employing more people than it did when we started this journey,” said the CEO of TFG, Anthony Thunstrom, at the same media briefing.
“Investment and training have meant that we can manufacture as efficiently in South Africa as anywhere else in the world. We generate our best profitability on South African-made products. Local manufacturing has had a real positive impact on the performance of our business,” he said.
Herman Pillay, CEO of the TCI Apparel Group, said: “We’ve seen a huge improvement in manufacturing since 2019. We’ve seen the establishment of new companies, many of them black-owned. We’ve had good support from the retailers, but at the same time, we see increasing opportunities as we improve these channels of collaboration.
“The collaboration we’ve seen under the Masterplan in the CTFL sector is a real case study of what can be achieved when stakeholders come together.”
Speaking on behalf of workers, Susan Khumalo, President of the Southern African Clothing and Textiles Workers Union (SACTWU), said: “The masterplan came at an important time, after years of significant challenges for the industry. With the inception of masterplan, we have seen positive change in the industry. It’s only been five years, and we hope with the way forward to can see more growth and more jobs for workers.”
“One of the things we should not neglect is the power of social dialogue. The masterplan has provided a platform where problems can be collectively solved through the energy and creativity of all stakeholders, ultimately to grow employment and manufacturing output,” said Etienne Vlok, union researcher.
Ashley Benjamin, General Secretary of the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers (NULAW), said: “We are seeing a number of success stories in the footwear manufacturing industry. A number of companies are now producing high-end leather footwear for the export market, including the United States.”
Minister Patel emphasised that the industry in 1994 is vastly different from that of today.
“The CTFL industry was very inwardly focused and relied heavily on high tariffs and very low wages. Immediately following the introduction of democracy in South Africa, we were faced with two compounding challenges, namely the reduction of tariffs agreed to by the previous regime before the end of apartheid, and the impact of China entering the global market. Many countries around the world lost their clothing industries.
“In the past 15 years, while there were significant job losses, South Africa managed to hang on to part of its industry.
“By 2009, the industry made its first attempt at a restructuring, with new trade measures and a competitiveness programme that followed, and with a better collaborative response, which was finally formalised with the signing of the masterplan in 2019.
“Looking forward, we have identified a number of things we can do to take advantage of the emerging opportunities which the masterplan brings. We need to consolidate and deepen the partnership, and improve the collaboration across the value chain from textiles to garment manufacture to retailers and workers.
First, we need to strengthen footwear production in South Africa. Second, we want to identify additional products for localization in clothing. Third, there needs to be greater visibility of South African-made products in retail stores and to address the challenge of certain non-South African online platforms that uses tariff loopholes.
“Finally, there is an opportunity to tell the transformation storyline better. We have a large number of black industrialists operating in the space,” he said.
Michael Lawrence, Executive Director of the National Clothing Retail Federation (NCRF) said: “The masterplan is also being used as a platform for sustainability and the greening of the industry. The masterplan is not just solving the problems of yesterday, but addressing the problems of tomorrow as well.”
The CTFL sector now employs more than 500 000 South Africans, including 250 000 manufacturing jobs and more than 280 000 retail jobs. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 05/03/2024 - 09:58
Cape Town, South Africa – Comic-Con Cape Town kicked off in style with an electrifying media dinner that brought together gamers, influencers, and media personalities, including actor Siv Ngesi, musician Chad Saaiman, and Stormers Rugby player Kuyenzeka Xaba, amongst others courtesy of the event’s ultimate gaming snack Doritos. The second Comic Con Cape Town officially …
In an effort to assess South Africa’s global reputation in various key areas, Brand South Africa conducted extensive research on the perceptions that other countries have on South Africa. A total of 17 countries were surveyed with over 9800 respondents and focused on brand audiences related to tourism, investment, talent, exports and general reputation. On …
Kinola Pather, the newly-appointed CEO of bespoke employee rewards, loyalty and incentive programme company Randgo, is driven by a profound mission: to empower consumers, members, and employees to live beyond their paycheques through tailored incentive and loyalty rewards programmes. Pather brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to accomplishing this mission. Her ability to …
Minister Lamola reflects of 30 years of freedom
A then 10-year-old Ronald Lamola watched with joy as his parents went to cast their votes in South Africa’s first democratic elections in April 1994.
“I also saw on the television long queues of people ushering in our new freedom when they were voting,” Lamola said on Saturday.
Fast-forward to today and Lamola is South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.
The Minister’s comments come as hundreds of people gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to celebrate the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic dispensation following the country’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994.
President Cyril Ramaphosa led the National Freedom Day celebrations at the Union Buildings under the theme “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth.”
Reflecting on growing up in apartheid South Africa which oppressed the majority of its population at the time, the Minister said as a young boy who grew up on a farm in Komatipoort in the then Eastern Transvaal which today is known as Mpumalanga province, he could not attend the same schools as the white children on the farm.
“We could not play or … have the same dreams of being engineers, astronauts or being lawyers. Today, I stand before you as an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) graduate of the University of Venda who was funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Our country’s biggest breakout of generational poverty.
"I speak with conviction when I say I am a Tintswalo. Every household in this country has a Tintswalo. Freedom made the dreams of many black kids like myself possible to be whoever we wanted to be. [Whether it be] engineers, astronauts, etc which was not possible under apartheid,” the Minister said.
First referred to by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February, Tintswalo is a child born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. Tintswalo grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
As a child who went to university in a democratic South Africa, the Minister completed his studies with the assistance of the NSFAS which provides financial aid to South African students using funds provided mainly by the government.
“Freedom made it possible for many black kids like me to be whoever we wanted to be… The sky is the limit. Freedom came through the blood and sweat of our struggle heroes. On this day 30 years ago, a new dawn was ushered in through the first democratic elections. Some of the freedoms that we take for granted today were reserved for only white people before 1994," the Minister explained.
Nation building
He said nation building was at the core of the vision and a central piece to the democratisation of South Africa.
"This was reaffirmed by our 1996 Constitution, which is the supreme law of our country that affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality, and freedom.
“It placed on the state the obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights that are enshrined within our Bill of Rights. We moved from parliamentary sovereignty to a constitutional democracy.
“We now have the freedom to love whoever we want to love. We now have the freedom to go wherever we want to go. We now have the freedom to study whatever we want to study and we now have the freedom of trade.”
He said these freedoms came at a “sacrifice”.
“As a country, we have a responsibility to continue to fight against injustice anywhere in the world.”
While the country had previously been under 300 years of colonial rule, government has laid a solid foundation to build a better life for all.
With South Africa due to hold its seventh democratic elections on 29 May 2024, Lamola has encouraged citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote.
“In our country, our appreciation for freedom has seen growth in our electoral participation and uncensored voices…space for civil society has been maintained and should be commended as progress.”
“[However,] we must ensure [to exercise our right to freedom of speech] with responsibility. We should ensure that the polls that are coming now are credible, non-partisan and aimed at enhancing our democracy.
“Democratic participation should therefore be embraced and enforced by all citizens, we must all go and vote on 29 May to build on our transformatory journey and to build on our freedom.”
This year's Freedom Month celebrations hold special significance as they also coincide with the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the South African Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
"With this freedom, the 1996 constitution envisaged a country that is sovereign, a democratic state that is guided by principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law, democracy and accountability, separation of powers and checks and balances [as well as] cooperative governance," the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sat, 04/27/2024 - 14:49
JOHANNESBURG – April 2024: Africa’s children continue to have their voices heard in impactful policy-making forums across the continent with the launch of the second annual Africa Children’s Summit (ACS), set to take place between 9 and 12 August 2024. Facilitated by The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF), the ACS will be organised, hosted, and …
Noordhoek road link in Cape Town to go ahead
With a mission to be a sustainable leader in the development and production of high-quality healthier alternative oils, Southern Oil (SOILL) continues to champion the benefits of canola oil as the go-to choice for consumers. “We are proud to promote canola oil as a cooking oil alternative for the health-conscious consumer” says Morne Botes, Commercial …
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To support the government's efforts in strengthening the nation's English skills for education and migration, Pearson (https://MiddleEast.Pearson.com), (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, successfully hosted a series of events across South Africa, emphasizing the value of English proficiency for study and work abroad opportunities.
Engaging with over 3000 individuals in pivotal locations such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the University of the Witwatersrand, the events showcased the Pearson Test of English (PTE) highlighting the vital role of English in both higher education and professional spheres, particularly for those aiming to migrate to English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This effort gains particular significance in South Africa, where English, amidst its eleven official languages, emerges as the preferred medium (https://apo-opa.co/3TR0klF) of instruction.
Ipek Aydin, Director – PTE, MEA & Turkey at Pearson, said, “PTE's expansion in South Africa underscores our commitment to enhancing global education and migration opportunities for students in the country. Our recent efforts demonstrate Pearson's dedication to making these opportunities more accessible and recognized across South Africa, empowering students and professionals to pursue their international aspirations.”
PTE is a computer-based, AI-powered English proficiency test designed by Pearson for those who wish to study, work or migrate abroad. The exam leverages leading automated scoring technology to assess speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in a single, two-hour assessment, ensuring accuracy and impartiality in results. With a result turnaround of just two days, it offers candidates the fastest, fairest, and most flexible way of proving their English language proficiency.
PTE is recognised by over 3300 institutions globally and can be taken across Pearson's existing network at more than 445 PTE centres in 117 countries. The UK, Australian, and New Zealand governments recognise PTE Academic for all visa applications, while universities across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, and the USA also accept it, making it widely acknowledged for educational and immigration purposes.
For more information on PTE, visit https://www.PearsonPTE.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pearson.
About Pearson:
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at www.Pearsonplc.com.
International messages of support on launch of Freedom Month
Several international nations have joined a chorus of voices in commemorating and congratulating South Africa as the country celebrates 30 years of freedom this year.
The launch of Freedom Month was held at Freedom Park on Tuesday morning in Pretoria with much fanfare, including the unveiling of the 30 Years of Freedom logo.
Delivering her message of support during the programme, High Commissioner of Zambia to South Africa, Mazuba Bernadine Monze, encouraged South Africans to remember and speak of the historical ties that the two countries share.
During the fight for liberation, Zambia was a sanctuary for safety for anti-apartheid freedom fighters, including Oliver Tambo and former President Thabo Mbeki.
“This celebration is truly Zambia’s celebration. I bring a message that is succinct and clear to the peoples of South Africa [that] across the Limpopo lies a land that has and will continue to stand firm in solidarity and brotherhood, and that land is called Zambia. To those of you who know the story, share it. Tell it to the generations and even those that are yet to come about our deep historical ties that bind us together as countries.
“The role of Zambia in South Africa’s liberation struggle… during the dark period of apartheid in South Africa, emerged as a beacon of hope and a steadfast supporter of the liberation struggle. Please allow me to congratulate [South Africa] on this auspicious occasion and wish… the people of this great nation a happy 30th anniversary of your freedom,” Monze said.
Ambassador Enrique Orta González of Cuba praised South Africa as a “symbol of solidarity and the struggle justice” for the downtrodden peoples of the world.
The nation of Cuba contributed to the fight against apartheid by offering training, medical care and study for struggle heroes in the 1960s.
“Today, on the eve of the 30 years of democracy in this beautiful country, we can affirm that South Africa has become a symbol of solidarity and struggle for justice. We are glad to see today an apartheid free, independent, sovereign South Africa in solidarity with the people fighting for the just causes of the world – supporting Palestine, Western Sahara, Venezuela and Cuba.
“Three decades after the defeat of apartheid, South Africa has risen as an example of the global South on how a society can leave hate and discrimination behind in order to be a better country, in order to become a true symbol of reconciliation, and give voice to those who stay in silence for many years.
“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the South African government and people on the 30th anniversary of democracy. On behalf of the government and people of Cuba, our sincerest wish is for prosperity, well being and happiness for our dear sister, the Republic of South Africa,” González said.
The High Commissioner of Lesotho, Ntsime Jafeta, noted that South Africa “defied all odds” by achieving democracy in the face of the brutal apartheid regime.
“On behalf of the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho… I wish to extend our sincere greetings and best wishes as you celebrate Freedom Month. We note with great joy and satisfaction the fact that this year’s commemoration coincides with the Lesotho bicentennial celebration to mark 200 years since the formation of the Basotho nation by King Moshoeshoe I in 1824.
“Despite your vulnerability and pressure from the apartheid regime, you defied all odds. You stood firmly on the side of freedom, peace and democracy. Let us… celebrate the gains brought by the struggles of our forebears, and ensure that sweat and blood nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of peace, democracy and justice to make the world a better place,” Jafeta said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 04/09/2024 - 13:55
The Court has not delivered a single judgment this year
Introduction Neuromarketing is an innovative field that blends the insights of neuroscience with the strategies of marketing to unveil the subconscious preferences of consumers. It’s a pivotal tool in the marketing landscape, offering a deeper understanding of how consumers react to marketing stimuli beyond their conscious awareness. By delving into the neural activities that drive …
Makhanda and the Eastern Cape in Peril: Indalo Exposes the Hidden Socio-Economic Impact of Albany Wind Farm [Makhanda], [08 April 2024] — Today, the Indalo Association unveils critical revelations surrounding the proposed Albany Wind Farm, emphasising the profound threat it poses to the socio-economic fabric of Makhanda and the Eastern Cape. In a focused exposé, …