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Major General convicted for corruption

Location: News

Major General convicted for corruption

The Kimberley Regional Court on Monday convicted Major General (retired), Advocate Thuto Gaogakwe Phefo (62), for contravention of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act brought against him in August 2017.

It was reported that the complainant, a former employee of the South African Police Service (SAPS) had applied for a Brigadier post and was shortlisted. 

Further allegations were that during assessment, she was approached by the accused, who gave her a document containing what he said would be expected in the interviews. 

The complainant said upon opening the document she realised that it was a case study.  She further indicated that the accused solicited R70 000 for the document. 

The complainant allegedly paid the accused R48 000.  An enquiry was opened on 2 August 2017, which resulted in an entrapment operation being conducted. 

The accused was arrested on 13 August 2017 after demanding and receiving the balance of R22 000. The accused was released on a R4 000 bail and has appeared 48 times in court until his conviction.

In the meantime, the complainant was dismissed from the police and the senior manager in question was acquitted in the departmental case. He took an early retirement on 31 March 2020.

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lt Gen (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya, has lauded the perseverance and dedication of the investigation and prosecution team in ensuring that the accused is convicted after many delays.

The case has been postponed to18 October 2024 for sentencing. After conviction, bail was not extended and the convict is remanded in custody. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 10:46

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Read moreMajor General convicted for corruption

Empowering Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs: Transformative Workshop Coming to Pretoria

Location: MyPR

Pretoria, South Africa – Aiming to equip job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive market, a highly anticipated workshop is set to take place on the 18th and 19th of October 2024 at 24 Skipper Avenue, Akasia, Pretoria North. Organized by Noble Wealth Creation Group, this event …

Read moreEmpowering Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs: Transformative Workshop Coming to Pretoria

Majodina receives preliminary report into Riverlands dam failure

Location: News

Majodina receives preliminary report into Riverlands dam failure

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has received a preliminary report into what led to the failure of three dams located in Riverlands farm in the Swartland Local Municipality.

Majodina granted departmental engineers time to conduct diligent and adequate investigation into what led to the failure of three farm dams located in Riverlands in the Western Cape.

This follows the failure of three farm dams that breached, resulting in flooding that caused severe property and infrastructure damage to the affected area, leading to hundreds of people being provided with humanitarian assistance.

The department said the preliminary report into what led to the failure of the dams has been finalised and handed over to the Minister on Monday, following a two-week investigation.

“Upon studying the report, Minister Majodina will make public the findings thereof in due course,” the department said.

Majodina has commended the team of engineers, led by the Head of Specialist Unit: Dam Safety, Wally Ramokopa, for swift action to avert further disaster in the area, and investigating the cause of the failure of the dams.

READ | Support for Riverlands displaced families continues

While the Department of Water and Sanitation does not own the failed dams, it exercises a regulatory function over all the dams in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 10:59

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Beyond Borders: What Powers SA’s Next Wave of Export Success

Location: MyPR

In the post-pandemic world, South Africa’s business landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, particularly in the realm of international exports. Reshaped consumer behaviour opened new avenues for South African businesses to reach global markets, and many South African brands are embracing international shipping as a critical component of their growth strategy. Central to this success …

Read moreBeyond Borders: What Powers SA’s Next Wave of Export Success

The sky’s not the limit for SAPS pilot

Location: News

The sky's not the limit for SAPS pilot

Meet Lieutenant Colonel Kgothatso Khunou, the first African female chief helicopter pilot attached to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Airwing in the Free State, and one of 17 female pilots nationwide.

Khunou is certainly living up to her first name, Kgothatso, which means ‘courage,’ loosely translated from Setswana. 

During the month of August, SAPS continues to celebrate its women in blue by celebrating those who are not only game changers in their respective fields, but who also break barriers in male dominated environments.

Khunou hails from Rustenburg and she fondly describes her humble upbringing as a "village girl". Her career in aviation found her and not the other way around, she insists. As a teenager, Khunou kindled a dream of following a career in science. 

In 2010, the Royal Bafokeng Administration offered Khunou a scholarship to obtain a commercial pilot licence, just shortly after she obtained a National Diploma in Biotechnology. Having a fear of flying, Khunou courageously jumped at the opportunity to overcome this fear. 

This ultimately led her to join the SAPS in 2014 as a junior pilot at the rank of warrant officer. 

As a helicopter pilot, Khunou’s duties include operational flights by providing aerial support as requested from ground units, stock theft and stolen vehicle searches as well as assisting with search and rescue operations. 

Khunou is currently deployed to Operation Vala Umgodi which continues to register commendable progress in dealing decisively with those involved in illicit mining activities across the country. 

She played a pivotal role in a recent women-led Vala Umgodi operation in celebration of Women’s Month. 

On 1 August 2024, the team arrested 178 illicit miners and recovered over 400 pendukas and various other illicit mining equipment during that particular operation in Benoni.

"When you set goals, always tell yourself that the sky is not even the limit. I was once afraid of flying, but now I serve my country fearlessly as an SAPS helicopter pilot," said Khunou.

With a bird’s eye view, Lieutenant Colonel Khunou continues to serve the people of South Africa with dignity, honour and pride. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 09:20

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Read moreThe sky’s not the limit for SAPS pilot

Foot Traffic Introduces Innovative Solutions for HR Management and GPS Tracking

Location: MyPR

Foot Traffic, a leader in pedestrian traffic data analysis, is proud to announce the expansion of its service offerings to include advanced solutions for HR management and GPS tracking. These enhancements are designed to streamline management tasks and optimize operational efficiency for businesses across various sectors. Foot Traffic has built a reputation for transforming raw …

Read moreFoot Traffic Introduces Innovative Solutions for HR Management and GPS Tracking

Limpopo examiner held for fraud and corruption

Location: News

Limpopo examiner held for fraud and corruption

A Limpopo examiner has been arrested at the Lebowakgomo Licensing Centre for allegedly assisting four learner licence applicants get learners licenses without them being tested. 

Three of the four applicants are foreign nationals who cannot read, write or speak English.

“The examiner was caught red handed assisting the applicants in the classroom during an exam. Upon further investigations and questioning, the applicants confessed to paying a fee of R3 000 each to the examiner,” the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Tuesday.

The examiner was arrested by the RTMC’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU).

All suspects have been detained at the Lebowakgomo Police Station and are due to appear in court. Investigations continue with more arrests expected. 

Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected acts of fraud, corruption, or malfeasance to ntacu@rtmc.co.za or via WhatsApp at 083 293 7989. -SAnews.gov.za
 

nosihle
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 09:30

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Read moreLimpopo examiner held for fraud and corruption

Tributes for former Vice-Chancellor of UWC Prof Brian O’Connell

Location: News

Tributes for former Vice-Chancellor of UWC Prof Brian O’Connell

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has expressed great shock and sadness at the passing of the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Professor Brian O’Connell.

O’Connell passed away on Sunday at the age of 77.

The Minister has remembered O’Connell as an “illustrious” educationist and higher education leader who played a seminal role in basic and higher education following the advent of democracy in South Africa. 

“The roots of his passion for social justice, equality and freedom must have been planted during his experiences as a student activist at UWC in the mid-1960s and resonated throughout his extraordinary life,” Nzimande said. 

In higher education, the department said O’Connell led the university from 2001 until 2014, a period marked by difficult challenges of financial distress and the “merger” process. 

However, under his leadership, the department believes UWC faced up to both challenges with great skill.

The late Professor has also been recognised for guiding UWC through difficult times, transforming it into one of the few historically Black universities in South Africa to successfully overcome its history of marginalisation and stagnation.

“At the core of his transformational leadership role was his stunning success in deliberately positioning UWC to become one of South Africa’s leading teaching and research universities. 

“He worked tirelessly to mobilise resources from both South Africa and abroad to finance an ambitious Science Building project at a time of decline in fiscal support for infrastructure at universities.”

For his achievements in education, O’Connell was awarded the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Lifetime Achievement Award in September 2017.

Nzimande further noted that “Professor O’Connell was without doubt a visionary and charismatic figure in higher education with an unwavering commitment to an agenda promoting progressive education as a public good, and for equality and social justice”.

According to the UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, O’Connell took the helm at a time when the university was facing the aftermath of staff retrenchments, financial vulnerability, the significant loss of academic leadership, evolving enrolment trends, and a despondent campus community.

“In his inaugural address in 2002, O’Connell argued that a university hardly deserves the name if it does not provide a space to grow in hope, to create and share knowledge, and to inform the agency.

“Through this approach, he emphasised the strength of using UWC’s distinctive academic role to rebuild the institution as an inspirational community of hope, to be a premier site of knowledge production, and to draw on the agency of its people to use and produce knowledge as agents of change,” Pretorius recalled.

Under O’Connell’s leadership, the university cemented trusted relationships with several universities internationally.

“These networks served as a strong catalytic force which laid the foundation for new partnerships and alliances.”

He mentioned that O’Connell’s legacy is one of passionate conviction, intellectual clarity and engaged leadership. 

“As we mourn the loss of a great man, we also celebrate his extraordinary life and the lasting impact he has had on our university and our society,” Pretorius added.

Among the many honorary doctorates Professor received, he was also bestowed the title Commander of the Order of Leopold II from the Belgian government for his contribution to the global tertiary institution sector.

“Professor O’Connell will be remembered in different ways by individuals he touched, but I have no doubt they will all remember his humility – from picking up litter on campus when he was the Rector, to setting an example for the campus community, or the simple gesture of remembering staff member’s names – even, at times, their families. 

“He was warm, affable and always dignified in immensely pressurised and challenging situations.” 

Both Nzimande and Pretorius extended their heartfelt condolences to the O’Connell family including his wife Judith and children, Amanda-Leigh and Bryan. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Tue, 08/27/2024 - 09:39

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Addressing Debt Challenges in State-Owned Enterprises

Location: News

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
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In a concerted effort to tackle the growing challenges of State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) debt in Africa, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) hosted a high-level workshop in Pretoria from 21 to 23 August 2024. The event brought together finance policymakers, industry experts, and international organizations to share best practices and develop strategic solutions for effective SOE debt management across the continent.

The workshop brought together officials from the Ministries of Finance of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia, along with representatives from UNDP, the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development, and major state-owned entities. The focus was on enhancing governance frameworks, improving financial oversight, and exploring privatization options.

Participants discussed the critical role of SOEs in driving national development, acknowledging that while these entities have the potential to bolster economic growth and address market deficiencies, they also pose significant risks to government finances. The workshop highlighted that poorly managed SOEs can lead to severe financial burdens, potentially destabilizing national budgets and contributing to the deterioration of sovereign credit ratings.

“In many African countries, SOEs play a vital socio-economic role. This workshop comes at a critical time for Africa's development, with both SOE and government finances under pressure amid cascading crises and multiple shocks,” said Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of the Macroeconomics, Finance, and Governance Division (MFGD) at ECA, in her opening remarks.

Ms Schwidrowski noted that “critical public services tend to deteriorate alongside SOEs' financial difficulties, leading to a downward spiral of weakened service delivery and growth.” That is why ECA organized this capacity-building workshop “to develop practical solutions and options for Africa,” she added.

The discussions also underscored the importance of corporate governance, risk management, and internal oversight as drivers of reform. Participants shared successful approaches to SOE debt management and identified key barriers, including challenges related to mandate delivery and the intricate links between sovereign and SOE credit ratings.

Lee Everts, Chief of the Macroeconomic Analysis Section in MFGD, emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to address the rising SOE debt. “Financial restructuring, governance and operational improvements, and in some cases, privatization or asset sales, are essential steps to mitigate the risks posed by SOE debt,” she said.

The workshop, organized by ECA's Macroeconomics, Finance, and Governance Division in collaboration with its Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa, is part of a broader series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening public debt management across Africa. ECA remains committed to supporting African nations in implementing innovative and robust solutions to the persistent challenges posed by SOE debt and related government liabilities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Read moreAddressing Debt Challenges in State-Owned Enterprises

The Versatility of Shipping Containers

Location: MyPR

Shipping containers have evolved far beyond their original use for transporting goods across the world. Today, these sturdy and versatile structures are being repurposed for a wide range of applications, from storage solutions to innovative architectural projects. This article delves into the many uses of shipping containers, the availability of shipping containers for sale, and …

Read moreThe Versatility of Shipping Containers

Don’t Throw Your Lead Acid Trolley Inverter Away – Here Is a Solution

Location: MyPR

Need to replace the Lead Acid Batteries in your old inverter? Then the Hubble S100A Lithion Ion Battery is just for you. We know of many people who bought ‘Eskom in a Box’ to tide them over during loadshedding. Most of those trolley inverters contained Lead Acid Batteries – replacing them has become an expensive …

Read moreDon’t Throw Your Lead Acid Trolley Inverter Away – Here Is a Solution

Suspect arrested for kidnapping and robbery

Location: News

Suspect arrested for kidnapping and robbery

A 49-year-old woman is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday in connection to a case of robbery and kidnapping.

A task team led by Captain David Ramasoala and Captain Kelaotswe Lebodi found the wanted suspect, Mamokete Jeminah Koloti, at her hiding place in Lourierpark, near Bloemfontein, during the early hours of Sunday.

A warrant of arrest had been issued for Koloti, who was on the run after a case of kidnapping and robbery was opened at Kagisanong police station in the Free State.

According to the report made to the police, the suspect and other male accomplices arrived at the 50-year-old victim's residence in Chief Moroka Crescent on Thursday, 20 June 2024, where they kidnapped him and robbed him of his belongings. 

They then took him to an unknown location in Bloemspruit Phase 6, where they extorted money from his accounts.

The District Commissioner of Mangaung Metro, Major-General Arthur Peter Adams, advised the public not to publicise their financial gains such as pension payout, Road Accident Fund claims or lottery wins, as it renders them vulnerable criminal targets. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 10:16

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Workshop raises awareness on importance of environmental conservation

Location: News

Workshop raises awareness on importance of environmental conservation

The Department of Water and Sanitation has held a workshop to raise awareness about the impact of human activities on water resources and the environment.

The 6th Citizen Science awareness workshop was held recently in Gauteng’s Tembisa, in partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and Nature Speaks.

Citizen Science is a powerful tool that harnesses the knowledge and participation of local communities in scientific research and environmental monitoring.

The session was held with an intention to educate and engage local traditional healers on the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable water resource management.

Among the key objectives of the workshop was to provide traditional healers with training on how to identify sources of pollution in their local areas [as] they often perform rituals and ceremonies in natural spaces, including rivers, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of pollution and environmental degradation.

Citizen Science national coordinator, Noloyiso Mbiza, highlighted the significance of the workshop in empowering traditional healers to better understand and protect their natural surroundings.

“By involving traditional healers, who often interact closely with natural ecosystems, the workshop aimed to raise awareness about the impact of human activities on water resources and the environment,” Mbiza said.

Mbiza, who is also a traditional healer, emphasised the role of traditional healers as custodians of traditional knowledge and practices, and the importance of integrating this knowledge with modern environmental conservation efforts.

“We also provide them with the tools to investigate pollution in their catchment areas, so they can understand where the pollutants are coming from. This is important because it directly affects them, given that they spend about 95% of their time in the affected environment.

“By equipping traditional healers with the skills to recognise and address environmental threats, the workshop aimed to promote sustainable practices that minimise harm to water resources and ecosystems,” Mbiza said.

She added that the collaborative efforts underscore the importance of partnerships in promoting environmental sustainability and community engagement.

By bringing together government agencies, research institutions, and local community organisations, the workshop facilitated dialogue, knowledge exchange, and capacity building among traditional healers and environmental stakeholders.

In addition, traditional healers, who attended the workshop, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and engage with government and environmental organisations.

They also highlighted the importance of inclusive and community-driven approaches to environmental awareness and conservation.

Building on the success of the 6th Citizen Science awareness workshop, the next workshop will be held in Tembisa on 30 August 2024, and will be open to all members of the local community, including residents interested in learning more about citizen science, environmental conservation, and sustainable water management practices. -  SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 10:17

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Interventions to make housing affordable

Location: News

Interventions to make housing affordable

Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says the department is forging ahead to implement several interventions to redress the unaffordability of houses for the missing middle.

Announcing government plans and developments in the human settlements sector at a media briefing held in Pretoria on Monday, Kubayi said the department has recognised that the gap market or missing middle continues to face challenges in accessing adequate affordable housing.

“These are the households earning between R3 501 and R22 000 per month, who neither qualify for mortgage finance nor fully subsidised houses,” Kubayi said.

WATCH | Minister Kubayi briefs media 

Kubayi said the interventions include First Home Finance, social housing and the Rapid Land Release Programme to encourage people to build for themselves.

Government will also develop a policy to encourage employers to provide housing to their employees and housing access for government employees through the Government Employees Housing Scheme. Government will also strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to collaboratively deliver housing solutions.

Progress 

The Minister highlighted that since April 2023, First Home Finance (FHF) has been providing grants for non-mortgage products, and the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) has seen a significant increase in applications from individuals who want government assistance to buy their first properties through FHF.

“Since April 2024, the NHFC has approved about 1 151 of the non-mortgage subsidies at a value close to R160 million. The majority of these are from KwaZulu-Natal (283), Gauteng (160) and Limpopo (263),” Kubayi said.

Kubayi added that the NHFC action plan has identified potential partners who can partner with the corporation as subsidy origination and distribution channels to support the non-mortgage housing programme. This has also been warmly welcomed by traditional authorities, mainly in the Free State, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal.
She said the department will soon launch its first rural First Home Finance housing project at Inanda, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Partnerships

“Over the next five years, the NHFC will also intensify its working relationships with traditional leaders to increase the delivery of affordable housing in rural areas. Another category of partners in the action plan is of building merchants and employers keen on assisting their employees to access adequate housing.

“The recently unveiled strategic partnership between the NHFC with Cashbuild and Capitec for the Zakhelikhaya initiative is a great step towards strengthening partnerships with this category. Cashbuild formulated this programme so that its staff and clients could build their own homes using the First Home Finance grant and a purpose loan from Capitec,” Kubayi highlighted.

By partnering with NHFC, the minister said the programme has been widened to include the broader Cashbuild clientele that qualifies for the subsidy.

She explained that the NHFC and Cashbuild will collaborate in assisting Zakhelikhaya customers to apply for and access First Home Finance subsidies.

“Capitec has partnered with Cashbuild to provide purpose loans to the Zakhelikhaya Project, meaning that the grant will get to its intended beneficiaries a lot quicker than has been the case with just the mortgage products.
“The partnership will also facilitate payment of subsidies to assist Zakhelikhaya clients to buy material and be assisted to build their homes.”

Transfer of old government property

The Minister and Members of the Executive Council (MINMEC) responsible for Human Settlements took a decision earlier this year, to have the old government housing stock to be given back to municipalities or to the people who have been staying there for a long time, by 31 March 2025.

Kubayi said people who have been occupying these houses for more than 20 years will be given the preference to take ownership.

She said all provinces have commenced their work to ensure that they meet the deadline of 31 March 2025.

“All provinces have met municipalities to agree on the transfer of properties to beneficiaries and devolution of vacant land to municipalities. Provinces will continue to engage individual beneficiaries to conclude transfer processes, and we will be monitoring the progress,” Kubayi said.

Once completed,  the transfer will economically empower beneficiaries who mostly fall within the gap market. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 15:02

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Read moreInterventions to make housing affordable

Exploring Wendy Houses: A Versatile Solution for Extra Space

Location: MyPR

Wendy houses have become a popular choice for many homeowners seeking additional space without the need for extensive renovations or costly construction projects. These versatile structures offer a wide range of uses, from extra storage to a comfortable living space, making them an ideal solution for various needs. In this article, we will explore the …

Read moreExploring Wendy Houses: A Versatile Solution for Extra Space

SA-China State Visit to focus on strengthening economic relations

Location: News

SA-China State Visit to focus on strengthening economic relations

With China being South Africa’s largest trading partner, the upcoming State Visit to the People’s Republic of China by President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to fortify the economic relationship between the two countries.

In 2023, South Africa’s bilateral trade reached $34 billion, with exports totalling $12 billion and imports at $22 billion. 

“China’s substantial contribution to our investment drive has made it the largest source of foreign direct investment for South Africa. We anticipate concluding several important agreements during this State Visit, including a Framework Agreement on Development Cooperation, addressing the trade balance, and expanding market access,” spokesperson for the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Chrispin Phiri, said on Monday in Pretoria.

WATCH | 

Phiri said these agreements will strengthen South Africa’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China and elevate regional and multilateral cooperation to support global peace and security.

The President will travel of China from 2 - 5 September 2024 to further strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries.

“This visit is a testament to the robust relations between our two nations, built on mutual respect and benefit. It follows President Xi Jinping’s fourth State Visit to South Africa, further strengthening our ties.

“The primary focus of this visit will be to fortify our economic relationship. South Africa’s largest trading partner, China, has played a pivotal role in our economy. 

“Our relations with China are central to realising our developmental agenda and efforts to implement the National Development Plan. This visit provides an opportunity to review progress on existing trade and cooperation, and to expedite and finalise new areas of collaboration,” he said.

While in China, the President will lead the South African delegation to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing from 4 to 5 September 2024.

The Summit, themed, 'Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future', will further South Africa’s cooperation under the Belt-and-Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative (“Three Initiatives”).

SA-Japan developments

Meanwhile, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola successfully concluded his working visit to Japan, which coincided with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting on 24-25 August 2024 in Tokyo.

Launched in 1993, TICAD is the first international developmental partnership with Africa. It advocates for Africa’s development agenda and strengthens economic cooperation between Africa and Japan.

The Minister led South Africa’s delegation at the Ministerial Meeting, held under the theme, ‘Realising a Sustainable Future'.

The Government of Japan convened this significant gathering in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (UNOSAA), the World Bank, and the African Union (AU) Commission.

“The Minister’s visit to Japan coincided with Toyota’s announcement of a strategic investment of R 1.2 billion in the South African automotive industry and our first consignment of avocados to Japan. This marks a significant moment for our agricultural sector in the East Asia market.  

“These important economic developments will go a long way to drive faster industrialisation, job creation, and transformation implementation. The Minister reiterated that South Africa enjoys a significant relationship with Japan, underpinned by a fair economic partnership that contributes significantly to our nation’s economic development and people-to-people relations,” Phiri said. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 15:07

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Eskom anticipates ‘load shedding free summer’ 

Location: News

Eskom anticipates 'load shedding free summer' 

Eskom anticipates that South Africa will experience a “load shedding free summer” if it manages to keep unplanned losses at power stations below 13 000MW.

This is according to the power utility’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Dan Marokane who briefed the media on the state of Eskom and Summer Plan on Monday.

“Our view is that if we keep the unplanned losses below 13 000MW, we should have a load shedding free summer. At worst, we anticipate that in the event that unplanned losses reaches up to 15 500MW, we will at most experience Stage 2 [load shedding].

“The performance over the last four months has consistently hovered around unplanned losses of 12 000MW. Our power station managers and our teams are very alive to that, their focus is on controlling unplanned losses and should we stay below 13 000MW, we should have a comfortable summer,” Marokane explained.

WATCH | Eskom media briefing 

 

The GCEO added that over the coming months, more generation capacity is expected to come online from power stations.

“That 2500MW [of added capacity] will add significant margins to our reserves and once we have that, together with the sustained performance that we are seeing, we should get into a conversation sooner in the New Year, by March, as to when we can essentially indicate that from our perspective, load shedding at the chronic level that it was, is now behind us,” Marokane said.

He noted the dramatically improved generation performance but warned that the level of performance must be sustained throughout the entire business.

“There’s been a structural shift in the performance of our coal fleet. That structural shift is evidenced in the reduction of unplanned outages…and from the performance of 152 days without load shedding. 

“In contrast to where we were last December sends a signal that something, fundamentally, has shifted and it is all on the back of the generation recovery plan.

“The performance…has been above expectation and it is beefed by the interventions we have executed from a generation recovery plan. This performance needs to be institutionalised so that our ways of working as a business do not go back to where we were,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 15:17

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Urology Hospital Tackles Myths and Prioritises Women’s Urological Health at Wellness Day

Location: MyPR

Gender dynamics and South African societal roles can hinder women’s healthcare as one-in-three women suffer from urinary incontinence, and one-in-four have pelvic floor disorders, conditions often overlooked, leaving many to suffer in silence. Additionally, CANSA reports breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers as the top three cancers affecting women. “At Urology Hospital we aim to dispel …

Read moreUrology Hospital Tackles Myths and Prioritises Women’s Urological Health at Wellness Day

Benefits of just energy transition must be shared equally

Location: News

Benefits of just energy transition must be shared equally

As South Africa transitions towards a low carbon economy, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, says the benefits of energy renewable projects should be shared equitably with communities.

Addressing the National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) in Pretoria, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of addressing potential job losses in the coal sector. 

South Africa’s plans for the just energy transition will focus on the transition of the energy sector, as it navigates the shift away from coal towards cleaner sources of energy.

“It is essential that we approach this transition with humanity, providing support, training, and creating new opportunities within the renewable energy sector. A holistic approach is required, one that embraces clear and comprehensive national renewable energy policies sets defined targets and provides a roadmap for the transition.

“Community participation and ownership in renewable energy projects must be a cornerstone of this policy, ensuring that the benefits of this transition are shared equitably,” Singh said on Monday.

While necessary, he said the just energy transition does come with its set of challenges. 

“Acknowledging our current economic growth's stagnation, the reliance on coal for energy, and the coal industry's role as a significant employment sector, we understand the complexities involved.

“Moreover, the challenge of making renewable energy technologies affordable and accessible cannot be overlooked. We need innovative financing mechanisms to ensure that clean energy solutions are within reach for all South Africans, especially those in low-income communities.

“As we chart our course forward, it is clear that no single solution can address the multifaceted challenges we face,” the Deputy Minister said.

He said for South Africa to truly succeed, it needs more than just policies and roadmaps.

“…We need action and commitment from every sector of our society. From all spheres of government to the private sector, from civil society to every citizen, we must unite in our efforts towards a sustainable future. Now is the time for us to harness the incredible potential of renewable energy, to innovate, to build, and to grow together.

“Therefore, our call to action as a responsible, interdependent, and interrelated government is not just to listen but to participate actively in this transition. Let us collaborate, innovate, and implement the solutions that will power our nation forward. 

“Let us build a future that aligns with our environmental, economic, and social imperatives. A future where sustainable energy drives our progress, where no one is left behind, and where we stand as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of global challenges,” Singh said.

He stressed that local government is at the coal face of the country’s efforts, as this is where policy legislation and regulation turn into action. 

“We must be focusing on a back-to-basics approach, getting the basics right with respect to our daily deliverables. More than half of the battle will be won if every local sphere of government gets the basics right. Innovation and consistently good service delivery are what will carry the day,” the Deputy Minister said.

He said electricity is the backbone of progress, an enabler that unlocks industrial growth, drives the economy, and promotes inclusivity. 

“Yet, the sustainability of our progress hinges on our ability to shift towards clean energy. The spectres of poverty, inequality and unemployment cannot be exorcised without robust GDP [gross domestic product] growth, which in turn demands a stable and sufficient energy supply. 

“However, our journey is compounded by the environmental cost of our past reliance on coal. This has left us with a legacy of environmental degradation and health issues, making our commitment to transitioning to renewable energy sources crucial for our environment and the well-being of our communities,” Singh said. - SAnews.gov.za
 

nosihle
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 14:30

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Cape Town human settlements call centre expanded to improve response time

Location: News

Cape Town human settlements call centre expanded to improve response time

The City of Cape Town Human Settlements Directorate’s call centre has increased its staffing to significantly reduce waiting times, improve response and assisting times, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.

Member of Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, said the call centre agents within Human Settlements typically deal with approximately 30 000 enquiries per year, and the newly appointed call centre agents will significantly strengthen the service offering.

The call centre assists residents with housing needs database information and applications; public housing rental assistance; title deeds (including historic title deeds) and housing opportunities; public housing maintenance and repair enquiries; as well as other housing-related enquiries, including emergencies.

Pophaim said the expansion of the call centre will help the directorate to meet the needs of many more residents and assist in providing a greater level of service.

“The team of experts are able to assist residents with public housing rental enquiries, rental relief, housing opportunity applications and registering on the city’s housing needs database for affordable housing across the city.

“We are excited about welcoming the new members to our team. Our teams are playing a critical role in ensuring vulnerable residents receive the assistance and information they need, and we look forward to helping many more residents,” Pophaim said.

Pophaim encouraged residents to contact the call centre on 021 444 0333. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 10:59

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South Africa: President Ramaphosa Assigns Responsibilities for Certain State-Owned Enterprises

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has assigned shareholder responsibility for each of the state-owned enterprises that previously fell under the Department of Public Enterprises to the respective line-function Ministries.

President Ramaphosa has signed proclamations which, in terms of Section 97 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, transfer the administration, powers and functions entrusted by the specified legislation as follows:
-    Alexkor: Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources
-    Denel: Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
-    Eskom: Minister of Electricity and Energy
-    Safcol: Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
-    South African Airways: Minister of Transport
-    South African Express: Minister of Transport
-    Transnet: Minister of Transport

In addition, certain sections of the Overvaal Resorts Limited Act of 1993 and Overvaal Resorts Limited Act Repeal Act of 2019 are vested with the Minister of Water and Sanitation.

The President has signed a proclamation appointing the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation as the executive authority of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), which will continue to exist and operate until the human and financial resources are transferred appropriately. This appointment empowers the Minister to exercise with respect to DPE all relevant powers and functions under the Public Service Act of 1994 and the Public Finance Management Act of 1999. 

The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has also been assigned the responsibility to finalise the National State Enterprise Bill, which will set out the exercise of shareholder responsibility for respective SOEs which will be transferred in a phased manner into the envisaged national enterprise holding company.

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

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