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Operation Vulindlela records notable progress

Location: News

Operation Vulindlela records notable progress

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has highlighted the real progress achieved by implementing structural reforms through Operation Vulindlela, which is a joint initiative between the Treasury and the Presidency.

Operation Vulindlela is aimed at stabilising the supply of electricity; creating a competitive and efficient freight logistics system; reducing the cost and improving the quality of digital communication; ensuring a stable, quality supply of water; and reforming the visa regime to facilitate skilled immigration and support tourism.

Since its establishment in 2020, Operation Vulindlela has made real progress in achieving these objectives.

“The energy reforms have created a 22 500 mega-watt pipeline of projects. More than 10 000 mega-watts are formally registered with NERSA [National Energy Regulator of South Africa], which is one of the last steps in the regulatory process. These projects will contribute to reducing power cuts.

“The Freight Logistics Roadmap was approved. The roadmap allows private sector participation and gives third-party access to any operator without discrimination in accordance with the network statement.

“The cost of a 1.5GB data bundle has declined by 51%, allowing individuals and small businesses to access more affordable data,” Godongwana said on Wednesday during his Budget Speech.

He noted that the water-use licenses backlog has been cleared, unlocking billions in investment and freeing projects that had stalled because of the backlog.

The water quality regulatory system was reinstated for the first time since 2014.

“This is the Green Drop, Blue Drop and No Drop certification that enables effective intervention in supporting failing municipalities to provide clean water to citizens. e-Visas for travellers from 34 countries have been introduced to significantly boost tourism. The trusted employer scheme has been established to fast-track visa process for major investors,” the Minister said.

These achievements have eased economic bottlenecks. 

Building on the successes of the initiative, Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela will focus on:

  • Following through on existing reforms in energy, water, logistics and visa systems;
  • Strengthening local government and improving the delivery of basic services;
  • Harnessing digital public infrastructure as a driver of growth and inclusion; and
  • Creating efficient, productive and inclusive cities. - SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Wed, 03/12/2025 - 14:43
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Orange level 6 weather warning for parts of KZN

Location: News

Orange level 6 weather warning for parts of KZN

An orange level 6 weather warning has been issued for parts of KwaZulu-Natal over the next two days due to ongoing disruptive rains in the area.

Forecast models indicate that significant rainfall is expected in the southeastern regions of KwaZulu-Natal from Thursday until Friday. 

The heavy rainfall is expected to result in flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure and mud houses.

According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the affected areas include eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mkhambathini, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, Umuziwabantu, and Umzumbe.

“A cold front is expected to pass through the eastern parts from tomorrow accompanied by ridging high resulting in persistent widespread showers and thundershowers over the southeastern part until Friday evening,” the SAWS warned. 

Meanwhile, the government’s meteorological service stated that the heavy downpours pose a danger to life and could disrupt essential services such as water, electricity, and communication.

“If possible, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles.” 

The SAWS cautioned that if people are trapped in their vehicles during floods, they should abandon the vehicle and climb to higher ground.

Residents in buildings are encouraged to move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level and turn off the electricity at the building’s supply point.

In addition, the rural residents are encouraged to protect or relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground.

Meanwhile, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has welcomed the declaration of a National State of Disaster for KwaZulu-Natal due to severe weather events that have caused damages amounting to R3.1 billion in recent weeks.

This declaration, promulgated in terms of Section 23(1)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, represents a critical intervention to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive response to the devastating consequences of the recent disruptive rainfall, thunderstorms, floods, and powerful winds. 

The widespread destruction also led to the tragic loss of 22 lives across the province. 

“We wish to reassure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the department will work diligently to ensure the efficient coordination of response and recovery efforts. Our unwavering commitment lies in providing support and assistance to all affected communities, and in rebuilding robust and resilient infrastructure,” Buthelezi said over the weekend.

Residents across the province are strongly advised to remain vigilant and adhere to warnings issued by the SAWS, as more rainfall is anticipated. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Wed, 03/12/2025 - 13:49
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Call for collaboration to boost infrastructure investment

Location: News

Call for collaboration to boost infrastructure investment

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the need for strong collaboration between government and business to scale up infrastructure investment and drive South Africa’s economic growth.

Speaking during a Questions for Oral Reply session in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the President highlighted the importance of structural reforms to address key constraints, such as energy supply and inefficiencies in freight and logistics.

“For South Africa to achieve the levels of economic growth it needs, it is essential that government and business work together to scale up investment in infrastructure.

“Government has committed to an ambitious infrastructure build programme. Infrastructure spend by government will encourage and enable greater private sector investment in sectors such as electricity generation, electricity distribution, rail rolling-stock, and water distribution,” the President said. 

However, he stressed the distinction between public and private financial resources, particularly pension funds held by financial institutions. These funds, he noted, belong to workers and are intended for their retirement, making them private assets rather than State resources.

To facilitate infrastructure investment, the President said that government needs to provide these savers with a reasonable return and ensure that these funds are safeguarded.   

In 2022, National Treasury amended Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act to allow for longer-term infrastructure investments by retirement funds. The changes introduced a definition of infrastructure and set a 45% upper limit for pension fund investments in infrastructure projects.

Further regulatory adjustments have been made to facilitate economic development, including separating the investment limits for hedge funds and private equity. The allocation for private equity assets has been increased from 10% to 15%, allowing for greater infrastructure investments.

In the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement of October 2024, the Minister of Finance announced work underway on mechanisms to complement the changes to Regulation 28 through the development of specific investment vehicles to simplify and incentivise institutional investors. 

The President said details on these mechanisms will be published in the upcoming Budget, which is expected to be delivered on Wednesday, 12 March 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Tue, 03/11/2025 - 15:53
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Call for urgent action to tackle water pollution

Location: News

Call for urgent action to tackle water pollution

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo has called on stakeholders to join hands with the department and its entities in addressing water pollution.

This includes collaboration in the removal of invasive aquatic weeds, such as water hyacinth, which have become a significant threat in most of the country’s water resources.

Seitlholo recently conducted a two-day oversight visit at Blesbokspruit Wetlands near Springs, Ekurhuleni, and Jukskei River in Alexandrea, north of Johannesburg.

During the visit last week, Seitlholo inspected wastewater pumpstations at Olifanstfontein Water Care Works, which are managed by the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT). He also inspected Zandspruit Wastewater Treatment Works operated by the City of Johannesburg.

Blesbokspruit Wetlands is a Ramsar site (sites listed on the list of wetlands of international importance) in the Upper Vaal catchment along Blesbokspuit River, and it is one of the major tributaries to the Vaal River in Gauteng.

According to the department, the wetland is hugely infested by the growth of hyacinth, which covers up to approximately 12 kilometres.

Despite its removal by means of manual labour and biological control, led by the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) at Rhodes University, the department said the plant has spread and multiplied, resulting in the destruction of the ecosystem of the wetland.

The CBC uses bugs, Megamelus scutellaris, that feed on the seeds of the plant, eventually killing the plant.

While Seitlholo is resolute to see all the hyacinth at the wetland annihilated, he was conflicted to discover that the dried hyacinth is harvested and is used by an emerging business to make home decoration accessories, baskets, and charcoal briquettes.            

“There is another dynamic that I have been exposed to, and this seems to have created local economic development in Ekurhuleni. However, the sustainability of the business needs to be explored further, and the control of the plant should also be taken into consideration. This is one plant that destroys the ecosystem, and our main priority is to have it removed,” Seitlholo said.

During an inspection at the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir, the Deputy Minister discovered how hyacinth has been controlled through a combination of community action, biological control, and chemical treatments.

The weed constituted about 400 hectares of the dam last year, but the remaining weeds are now standing at 12 hectares.

The oversight inspection continued to Alexandra and Bruma, where Jukskei River is also polluted.

However, the Deputy Minister commended the Alexandra community members who have rehabilitated the river by removing litter and debris.

The initiative has kept the water clean and free from pollution, and has also educated members of the community about the disadvantages of polluting the river.

“Water pollution is a crisis in this country, and it needs to be treated as such. We need this societal approach to tackle this problem, and we wish to see communities and stakeholders joining hands with the department to fight the scourge of water pollution and the eradication of invasive aquatic weeds.

“Society needs to understand that the value chain of water does not start at the water tap, but it rather starts at the rivers or wetlands. Polluted water has a direct impact on the quality of the final product -- potable water. Therefore, we need to take the issues of water pollution seriously because if our rivers are polluted and contaminated, it becomes costly for the entities that treat water in bulk,” Seitlholo said.

As the country commemorates Water Month, Seitlholo urged South Africans to ensure that water sources are protected and safe.

Seitlholo’s oversight also included a visit at East Basin Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Plant, managed by Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), which treats polluted water coming from the oxidation of sulfide minerals exposed to water in abandoned mines within Ekurhuleni.

The minerals cause acidic and potentially toxic water, which significantly impacts water quality and ecosystems in the area.

An oversight inspection at Zandspuit wastewater pump station revealed that the plant malfunctions, and this results in over 30 million litres of raw sewage spillage into Jukskei River, ending up in Hartbeespoort Dam.

Despite the efforts by the City of Johannesburg to restore the pumpstation, the Deputy Minister said the Department of Water and Sanitation, through its Compliance and Enforcement Unit, will continue to monitor the pumpstation, and tackle the issues of failing municipal wastewater infrastructure, including mining industries and irrigation from agriculture, to ensure that they take responsibility through the polluter-pay-principle.

Seitlholo also emphasised that pollution of water resources remains a crisis in the country, with Gauteng as the epicentre of water pollution because it is the economic hub of the country.

He said the department will continue with efforts to stop pollution and get the required quality of water within the water courses. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 03/11/2025 - 11:20
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Health Ombud reveals serious findings at Helen Joseph Hospital

Location: News

Health Ombud reveals serious findings at Helen Joseph Hospital

Inadequate infrastructure, doctors not arriving for duty, food shortages, insufficient security and poor corporate management -- these are some of the serious findings contained in reports compiled by the Office of the Health Ombud and the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC).

In September 2024, viral videos emerged featuring former radio host Thomas “London” Holmes, who was admitted at the hospital. In these videos, Holmes highlighted the alleged neglect and discourteous behaviour he experienced from hospital staff, as well as the overall poor conditions of the hospital.

His complaints ranged from alleged poor care, long waiting times, non-functional electrical plugs, a peeling ceiling, a broken water tap, apparent rudeness from some doctors, a stolen cellphone, a dead patient left in the ward for over four hours before being removed, and infrastructure disrepair.

Health Ombud, Professor Taole Resetselemang Mokoena, briefing media on Monday said that while investigators found the clinical care provided to Holmes to be adequate, the 58-year-old hospital faced several challenges. 

The investigators, supported by the Executive Manager of Complaints Management and Mokoena, uncovered a shortage of clean linen caused by machine breakdowns at the Johannesburg Laundry, as well as widespread acts of vandalism and theft occurring at the hospital.

“There was no proper control of linen inventory, leading to shrinkages and linen shortages at the hospital.

“There were also food shortages due to invoice non-payment. Patients receive food from their families that may be inappropriate for the patient's medical condition, and surplus food may lead to infestations of flies and other pests,” the Health Ombud said.  

The probe also uncovered systemic issues such as poor human resource (HR) management, lack of governance and inadequate infrastructure. 

“The investigation established that there was theft of property, such as toilet equipment. While security guards were posted at all entrances, there was laxity regarding searching people and vehicles entering or leaving the hospital premises,” the Health Ombud said.

OHSC CEO, Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni, said her team also found that the infrastructure was outdated, with poor maintenance and inadequate cleanliness.

The hospital, according to Mndaweni, also faced intermittent water supply due to decaying pipes and infestations, untreated waste and ineffective waste management. 

The OHSC also found that maintenance plans were not followed, with incidents affecting oxygen supply, vacuum systems, and other critical services.

Cleaning equipment, such as vacuum machines, were not serviced for over a year, and waste management practices were poor, with overflowing waste containers.

Mndaweni said the hospital’s leadership instability, with four Acting CEOs since 2019 and a dysfunctional board, exacerbated these problems.

The inspection team recommended immediate action to address these issues and improve hospital governance and accountability.

“The shortage of staff was reported in almost all the departments. This included nurses, mortuary attendants and cleaning staff.” 

The OHSC CEO said it was even difficult to determine the vacancy rate because of poor record keeping.  

“Helen Joseph Hospital doesn’t have a system to monitor renumerated work outside the public service and the management team admitted that they’re struggling with doctors that are not at work when they are supposed to be,” Mndaweni said. 

Recommendations included refurbishing infrastructure, improving HR practices, and strengthening finance and supply chain management. 

The Department of Health was urged to review staffing and leadership.

“All key positions at the hospital must be filled as soon as possible to ensure ongoing quality care and governance,” Mokoena said. 

He also called for the prioritisation of key clinical posts in the neurology and dermatology units to ensure continuity of care within the Internal Medicine Department. 

The Department of Health was recommended to review the establishment to align with the tertiary hospital function, and prioritise the CEO and senior clinical posts.

According to the Health Ombud, the hospital should prioritise infrastructure refurbishment and appoint ongoing maintenance committees.

Mokoena has also called on the Department of Health to develop and strengthen finance and supply chain management, segregate duties, and hire qualified personnel.

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, received the reports and promised his department would address the issue. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 15:57
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Read moreHealth Ombud reveals serious findings at Helen Joseph Hospital

Health Ombud reveals serious findings against Helen Joseph Hospital

Location: News

Health Ombud reveals serious findings against Helen Joseph Hospital

Inadequate infrastructure, doctors not arriving for duty, food shortages, insufficient security and poor corporate management -- these are some of the serious findings contained in reports compiled by the Office of the Health Ombud and the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC).

In September 2024, viral videos emerged featuring former radio host Thomas “London” Holmes, who was admitted at the hospital. In these videos, Holmes highlighted the alleged neglect and discourteous behaviour he experienced from hospital staff, as well as the overall poor conditions of the hospital.

His complaints ranged from alleged poor care, long waiting times, non-functional electrical plugs, a peeling ceiling, a broken water tap, apparent rudeness from some doctors, a stolen cellphone, a dead patient left in the ward for over four hours before being removed, and infrastructure disrepair.

Health Ombud, Professor Taole Resetselemang Mokoena, briefing media on Monday said that while investigators found the clinical care provided to Holmes to be adequate, the 58-year-old hospital faced several challenges. 

The investigators, supported by the Executive Manager of Complaints Management and Mokoena, uncovered a shortage of clean linen caused by machine breakdowns at the Johannesburg Laundry, as well as widespread acts of vandalism and theft occurring at the hospital.

“There was no proper control of linen inventory, leading to shrinkages and linen shortages at the hospital.

“There were also food shortages due to invoice non-payment. Patients receive food from their families that may be inappropriate for the patient's medical condition, and surplus food may lead to infestations of flies and other pests,” the Health Ombud said.  

The probe also uncovered systemic issues such as poor human resource (HR) management, lack of governance and inadequate infrastructure. 

“The investigation established that there was theft of property, such as toilet equipment. While security guards were posted at all entrances, there was laxity regarding searching people and vehicles entering or leaving the hospital premises,” the Health Ombud said.

OHSC CEO, Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni, said her team also found that the infrastructure was outdated, with poor maintenance and inadequate cleanliness.

The hospital, according to Mndaweni, also faced intermittent water supply due to decaying pipes and infestations, untreated waste and ineffective waste management. 

The OHSC also found that maintenance plans were not followed, with incidents affecting oxygen supply, vacuum systems, and other critical services.

Cleaning equipment, such as vacuum machines, were not serviced for over a year, and waste management practices were poor, with overflowing waste containers.

Mndaweni said the hospital’s leadership instability, with four Acting CEOs since 2019 and a dysfunctional board, exacerbated these problems.

The inspection team recommended immediate action to address these issues and improve hospital governance and accountability.

“The shortage of staff was reported in almost all the departments. This included nurses, mortuary attendants and cleaning staff.” 

The OHSC CEO said it was even difficult to determine the vacancy rate because of poor record keeping.  

“Helen Joseph Hospital doesn’t have a system to monitor renumerated work outside the public service and the management team admitted that they’re struggling with doctors that are not at work when they are supposed to be,” Mndaweni said. 

Recommendations included refurbishing infrastructure, improving HR practices, and strengthening finance and supply chain management. 

The Department of Health was urged to review staffing and leadership.

“All key positions at the hospital must be filled as soon as possible to ensure ongoing quality care and governance,” Mokoena said. 

He also called for the prioritisation of key clinical posts in the neurology and dermatology units to ensure continuity of care within the Internal Medicine Department. 

The Department of Health was recommended to review the establishment to align with the tertiary hospital function, and prioritise the CEO and senior clinical posts.

According to the Health Ombud, the hospital should prioritise infrastructure refurbishment and appoint ongoing maintenance committees.

Mokoena has also called on the Department of Health to develop and strengthen finance and supply chain management, segregate duties, and hire qualified personnel.

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, received the reports and promised his department would address the issue. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 15:57
 10 views

Read moreHealth Ombud reveals serious findings against Helen Joseph Hospital

Agriculture is a vital part of our growth story – President

Location: News

Agriculture is a vital part of our growth story – President

President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is in the interest of all South Africans to have a diverse and inclusive agricultural sector that drives economic growth and ensures food security. 

In his weekly newsletter to the nation, he emphasised the need for a farming industry that reflects South Africa’s diversity while sustaining the country's food supply.  

“The farming sector of South Africa is vital to our growth agenda. It has shown resilience in the past and will likely continue along this encouraging and promising path. It will therefore be critical that the sector embraces the onward march of transformation.

“It is in the interests of all South Africans that we have an agricultural sector that is representative and inclusive, that contributes to the growth of our economy and that produces the food our country needs,” the President said. 

The President highlighted that agriculture was one of the most important sectors in the nation’s economy. The goods and services produced across the agricultural value chain underpin the country’s food security and account for a significant portion of South Africa’s exports. 

According to data from the Agbiz, last year South Africa’s agricultural exports reached a record $13.7 billion. These agricultural exports are diverse, with 44% of these products exported to other African countries, 21% to Asia and the Middle East, 19% to the European Union and 6% to the Americas. 

The President reflected that the value and volume of South Africa’s farming sector have more than doubled since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994, reflecting the combined efforts of government and industry to ensure that South African products access as many export markets as possible. 

Beyond the role of expanded export markets, agricultural economists have attributed the sector’s growth to government’s embrace of science, allowing the private sector to register better seed cultivars and genetics to boost productivity.

“The agricultural sector remains ripe for investment because of its recognised growth prospects. In addition, the revenue the state collects from agricultural enables government to provide services that improve the lives of our citizens,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa also noted that the sector is a major source of employment. By the end of 2024, approximately 924 000 people worked directly in agriculture and over 200 000 worked elsewhere in the agriculture value chain.

“The health and growth of our farming sector is vital to supporting small towns and keeping rural South Africa vibrant. Given the critical role of agriculture in our national life, government is working with all stakeholders to ensure the survival, sustainability and growth of this sector,” the President said. 

In collaboration with partners in the industry, the President said government was undertaking growth-enhancing measures such as the sectoral master plans. The Poultry and Sugar Master Plans were the first steps, culminating in the Agriculture and Agro-processing Masterplan that was signed by organised agriculture and other partners in 2022.

The Department of Agriculture has launched a blended finance instrument in collaboration with the Land Bank to help farmers who require capital to continue growing the sector.

As this labour-intensive sector expands, the President said that more work opportunities will be created in the most vulnerable areas of the country, particularly rural areas. This in turn will support their economic rejuvenation.

The President further noted that agriculture, like other sectors, is affected by municipal service delivery challenges, and by the poor state of key infrastructure such as roads, rail and ports. He said this constrains the delivery of agricultural goods to markets.

However, the structural reforms that started during the sixth administration are making progress towards addressing the port and rail challenges. Several road transport and bulk water infrastructure projects are underway that will boost the growth of agriculture.

President Ramaphosa added that achieving sustainable agriculture in South Africa requires addressing challenges related to equity, inclusion, and land ownership in the farming sector.

“We cannot talk about sustainable agriculture in South Africa without addressing issues of equity and inclusion in farming and land ownership. Transformation remains a challenge in agriculture,” he said. 

The President highlighted that in his book, A Country of Two Agricultures, economist Wandile Sihlobo notes that black farmers currently only account for around 10% of the commercial output in South Africa's agriculture.  

“Our growth agenda must therefore have a bias towards the empowerment of black farmers. The inclusion of black farmers in commercial agriculture necessitates that land is made available to them. 

“The ongoing land reform process and release of government land will continue to benefit emerging farmers and ensure that they too add to the growth of South Africa's farming economy.

“This is an effort that requires multi-sectoral collaboration. The Land Bank and other commercial financiers will need to collaborate by providing capital. Organised agriculture can come on board to deploy the necessary training,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 10:27
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Government will move with urgency to restore City of Gold

Location: News

Government will move with urgency to restore City of Gold

President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to assure residents of the City of Johannesburg that government is determined to move with urgency to resolve the service delivery challenges facing the city.

The President was addressing residents during a stakeholder engagement at the Johannesburg City Council Chamber on Friday afternoon.

Earlier in the day and on Thursday, the President together with the National Executive conducted an oversight visit to Gauteng.

“As a resident of Johannesburg, I share the concerns that have been expressed here about the deterioration of services and infrastructure. 

“Over the last two days, members of the National Executive have engaged the leadership of Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg on the challenges they face and the work that is being done to address them. 

“We are committed to ensuring cooperation among the three spheres of government to urgently attend to these challenges. We may well have said so in the past, but the enormity of the challenges and the problems compels us to now say we are going to redouble our efforts,” he said.

The President highlighted some of the challenges facing the city, including deteriorating road infrastructure, the closure of public facilities like the Johannesburg Library and delayed or unfinished infrastructure.

“Through the Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury and the Provincial Government, we are supporting the City of Johannesburg to stabilise its governance and financial affairs. 

“We need to ensure that we unlock service delivery backlogs and begin to address the backlog in infrastructure provision,” President Ramaphosa said.

Rejuvenating the city

Turning to the establishment of the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group announced earlier in the day, President Ramaphosa explained that the group will be made up of not only government bit also stakeholders.

A similar approach has been applied in KwaZulu-Natal with the establishment in 2024 of the eThekwini Presidential Working Group to turnaround the fortunes of Durban and position it as an investment and tourism hub.

“Our learnings in eThekwini make us confident that this is the correct model to address Johannesburg’s many challenges. 

“Over the last month, the Presidency has engaged the City of Johannesburg, the province of Gauteng and some social partners on establishing a Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

“There has been broad support from everyone engaged for an intergovernmental mechanism that will strengthen cooperation and leverage the expertise and resources of all stakeholders in the City of Johannesburg,” he said.

The working group’s first focus will be on governance and financial sustainability.

“We will work to strengthen the internal governance and financial management of the city by restoring institutional capacity. The second focus will be on water and sanitation and the third focus will be on electricity. 

“We will work to stabilise critical infrastructure by improving maintenance, increasing funding and focusing on the whole value chain. 

“The fourth focus will be on public spaces and beautifying the city. Specific interventions will include fixing road infrastructure, restoring street lighting and traffic lights, and enhancing waste collection throughout the city,” President Ramaphosa said.

Focus will also be placed on improving law enforcement and urban security, accelerating housing delivery, launching an inner-city rejuvenation project.

“We have set out a timeframe to achieve all this. It should not be an elongated timeframe. This Working Group will report on a regular basis to the Ministers and myself. 

“We cannot act as if it is business as usual. We must recognise the crisis before us and meet it with the resources, timeframes and accountability measures required,” he said.

The President called on stakeholders to join hands with government to turn the city back to its former glory.

“Government cannot do it alone. The involvement of broader stakeholders in the Working Group will not only hold us collectively accountable to the targets set, but accelerate our efforts. 

“In the coming weeks, my team will be engaging business, labour, civil society and academia regarding their respective roles in the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. 

“Johannesburg is a city of resilience. It is also a place of innovation and…a place of great hope. Let us move forward with determination, unity and a shared commitment to leaving no one behind,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Sat, 03/08/2025 - 11:38
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President Cyril Ramaphosa Concludes Meeting Between the National Executive and the Gauteng Provincial Executive Council

Location: News

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a meeting between the national executive and the Gauteng provincial executive council. The meeting follows three engagements with the provincial governments of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 

President Ramaphosa intends to visit and engage the leadership of all nine provinces. 

The national and provincial executive meetings are aimed at strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation. They are also important for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity.

President Ramaphosa urged the province to accelerate the resolution of recurring problems across Gauteng. Some of these include governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness and unreliable service delivery. This includes broader national challenges—unemployment and poverty. The provision of water across some areas in the province remains a concern. 

The province tabled several strategic areas that require support from the national government. These include disaster preparedness, response and recovery in areas affected by sinkholes. 

The province also requires more support from law enforcement agencies in responding to threats presented by taxi violence, illegal mining and undocumented foreign nationals.

Other strategic areas of national-provincial cooperation that could stimulate economic development in the province include investment in bulk infrastructure, collaboration in enhancing investment in high-tech manufacturing for the green economy, mining services, biotech and digital sectors and the energy generation and transmission eco-system. 

Premier Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the engagement with the national executive and committed to continue working closely with the national government on the priority areas of governance, social and economic development.

The Premier identified the expansion of special economic zones and critical infrastructure refurbishments as vital elements for stimulating economic growth and sustainable service delivery in the province. 

In closing, President Ramaphosa commended the province's focus on the areas of cooperation between the national and provincial governments that will be a catalyst for social and economic growth. 

The President outlined the importance of balancing development ambitions with budgetary realities.

Furthermore, the President encouraged the province to work closely with the private sector in ensuring innovative ways of funding key infrastructure projects, including working with metros in providing incentives to crowd in private sector participation. 

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

Read morePresident Cyril Ramaphosa Concludes Meeting Between the National Executive and the Gauteng Provincial Executive Council

Minister Lamola to Host His Cuban Counterpart for Bilateral Consultations

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will host the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba, HE Mr Bruno Rodriquez Parrilla, on 10 March 2025 for Bilateral Talks in Pretoria.

The Working Visit will provide an opportunity for the two Ministers to strengthen South Africa-Cuba strategic bilateral relations and cooperation programmes.

The Ministers will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Cuba is one of South Africa's strategic partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. The two countries' relations date back well before the 1994 democratic elections, which in great part can be attributed to the remarkable contribution made by Cuba to the liberation of South Africa and the defeat of apartheid and colonialism.

South Africa and Cuba are bound by ties of culture, history, shared struggles, international solidarity and a joint commitment to advance the development agenda of the Global South.

The long-enduring bilateral collaboration between South Africa and Cuba is multifaceted and sustained by a substantial number of bilateral agreements covering a wide range of areas, including health, public works, education and water and sanitation cooperation.

South Africa and Cuba's foreign policies are centred on the peaceful resolution of conflict, multilateralism, the rule of International Law and the centrality of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

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Vaal Dam water levels monitoring continues amid torrential rains

Location: News

Vaal Dam water levels monitoring continues amid torrential rains

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) says it is actively monitoring inflow water levels at Vaal Dam amid torrential rains to ensure full storage capacity and safety of infrastructure.

In a statement on Thursday, department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa, said the necessary precautions are in place, in line with dam safety standards, hydrological monitoring systems to safeguard and maintain the integrity of the water resource infrastructure, as well as reduce flood conditions, while keeping the dam at full capacity.

Mavasa said the Vaal Dam is currently at 98.99% full.

In line with the DWS flood management plan, Mavasa said the department is currently releasing at 61.2 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s), using five valves at the dam, to ensure that there is balance between the inflows and outflows at the dam.

“These releases, while they are meant to ensure that the dam’s capacity stays within the range of 100% - 103% at the current inflow levels, the water flow is insignificant, in that they will not make the river overtop the banks.

“The Vaal Dam has eight valves in total that are used for river releases. On normal day-to-day releases, [it uses two valves ranging from 16.8 mᵌ/s to 17.6 mᵌ/s], in order to keep a natural flow in the river,” Mavasa explained.

Bloemhof Dam, located downstream of the Vaal River catchment, is currently sitting at 100.94%, and has an additional 16% flood absorption capacity.

Due to increased river inflows from the upper catchments and recent rainfall in the Bloemhof catchment area, Mavasa said controlled outflow releases have also been activated at the dam, and water is currently released at 320 mᵌ/s through outlet pipes.

“These releases are meant to facilitate the proper management of water levels and to keep the dam at or below its full supply capacity of 100%,” Mavasa said, adding there are currently no sluice gates open at both dams.

According to hydrological monitoring and forecasting systems, the Vaal Dam may reach 100% in the next few days as torrential rainfall continues in the catchment, and increased releases may be required on both dams should the need arise to safeguard to prevent dam failures and major disasters.

The DWS noted that along the Vaal River and downstream the Vaal Dam, water levels may rise as a result of inflows from Suikerboschrand, Klip and Rietspruit tributaries over the high flow period due to the heavy rains in the catchments of these rivers.

Mavasa said the department follows operating rules and procedures when releasing water from the dams necessitated by floods as a result of heavy rains and will gradually implement the releases in line with the established flood management protocols, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMCs), and affected local municipalities.

Through various platforms, the department will continue to engage, share hydrology reports and updates on a regular basis on the water levels in both dams, with recommendations, in order to send early warnings, and activate evacuation plans in cases of flooding.

The stakeholders include the Disaster Management operations in the affected municipalities, including local police services (the Police Water Wing), farmers and locals upstream and downstream along the Vaal River System.

The heavy rains in most parts of the country have necessitated the DWS to implement dam releases according to its safety protocols in all its major dams to prevent dam failures and major disasters in the country.

As part of the flood management plan, dam safety protocols are activated when dams breach the full capacity mark and overflow to prevent the infrastructure from failing, which may lead to a dam bursting and causing a disaster of great magnitude and also leave the areas it supplies without sources of water. – SAnews.gov.za

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Thu, 03/06/2025 - 13:42
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Lamola to host his Cuban counterpart for bilateral talks

Location: News

Lamola to host his Cuban counterpart for bilateral talks

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola will host his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, for bilateral talks in Pretoria on Monday, 10 March 2025. 

This working visit will provide an opportunity for both Ministers to strengthen the strategic bilateral relations and cooperation programmes between South Africa and Cuba.

“The Ministers will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern,” a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said.

Cuba is one of South Africa’s strategic partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

“The relations date back well before the 1994 democratic elections, which in great part can be attributed to the remarkable contribution made by Cuba to the liberation of South Africa and the defeat of apartheid and colonialism,“ DIRCO said.

The department said South Africa and Cuba are bound by ties of culture, history, shared struggles, international solidarity, and a joint commitment to advance the development agenda of the Global South.

“The long-enduring bilateral collaboration between South Africa and Cuba is multifaceted and sustained by a substantial number of bilateral agreements covering a wide range of areas, including health, public works, education and water and sanitation cooperation.”

South Africa and Cuba’s foreign policies are centred on the peaceful resolution of conflict, multilateralism, the rule of international law, and the centrality of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Ramaphosa kicks off Gauteng oversight visit

Location: News

President Ramaphosa kicks off Gauteng oversight visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the economic success of Gauteng Province is crucial to the overall success of the country.

The President was addressing the Gauteng Provincial Government and the National Executive during an oversight visit to the province, on Thursday.

Gauteng is home to the financial capital of Africa in the form of Johannesburg, while Tshwane is South Africa’s administrative capital, and Ekurhuleni is an industrial and manufacturing hub critical to the country’s supply chains.

“Gauteng’s unique position in the national landscape is both an opportunity and a challenge. While it may be the smallest province in terms of land size, it is a giant in many other respects.

“Gauteng contributes the largest share of any province to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It is the single most critical economic hub in the country, serving as a powerhouse of finance, governance, industry and innovation.

“The economic success of Gauteng is integral to the economic success of South Africa. It is here in Gauteng where our policies, plans and commitments must translate into action,” President Ramaphosa said.

Resolving challenges

During the State of the Province Address (SOPA) last week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi pinpointed 13 challenges the provincial government must address. These include:

  • Water
  • Cable theft and vandalism
  • Non-functional traffic lights
  • Potholes
  • Crime and lawlessness
  • Mushrooming of informal settlements
  • Electricity in particular load shedding and load reduction in our communities
  • Increase in Gender Based Violence and Femicide
  • Drug abuse
  • Service at our hospitals and clinics
  • Lack of schools
  • Failing infrastructure and CBDs
  • Unemployment

During his remarks today, the President expressed consensus with the Premier.

“Premier, we also agree with you that if we do not move with speed to address the critical challenges identified in the State of the Province Address, we risk undermining the progress we have made.

“There are recurring problems across Gauteng. Some of these include governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime and lawlessness, as well as unreliable service delivery. These are the challenges that are also articulated in your G13 list which…if we do not address, we will not have served our people well.

“Our greatest challenges – in Gauteng and across the country – are in the end, unemployment and poverty. These are the challenges we all must face head on,” President Ramaphosa said.

Changing lives

The President also emphasised that the outcomes from the oversight visit must improve the lives of Gauteng citizens.

“What emerges from this meeting must not remain as just plans on paper. The outcomes of this meeting must be transformed into practical, measurable interventions that directly benefit the people of Gauteng.

“Through a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, we will drive sustainable development, improve service delivery and enhance the quality of life for all who call this province home.

“Let us seize this moment with urgency and determination, ensuring that every commitment made here today is followed by decisive action,” he said.

The engagement with the provincial government is the fourth oversight visit, following engagements with the provincial governments of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

“These engagements are crucial in strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, collaboration and consultation. They are important for ensuring better alignment of provincial priorities with the priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

“Cooperative governance is a constitutional principle. It requires that, as different spheres of government, we must cooperate with one another in mutual trust and good faith. We must assist and support each other and coordinate our actions,” he said.

Human Rights Month

President Ramaphosa noted that as the national executive conducts its oversight visit to Gauteng, the country is commemorating Human Rights Month.

He highlighted that Human Rights Month is “particularly relevant in the context of our discussions today”.

“The right to water, sanitation, healthcare, housing and education are fundamental to the well-being of our communities. It is our duty to ensure that these rights are not just enshrined in our Constitution but are actively realised through tangible and impactful service delivery.

“People should not only be aware of their right to these services but should actively experience them in their daily lives. We therefore have to continue to harness the power of collaboration to overcome obstacles and implement sustainable solutions that will uplift our communities.

“Through unity and action, we must create a future where the rights of all South Africans are upheld, and where every citizen can access the quality services they rightfully deserve,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The month of March is a heightened period in South Africa to mark Human Rights Month, commemorated under the 2025 theme, “Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights”. – SAnews.gov.za

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GDP increases by 0.6% in Quarter 4 of 2024

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GDP increases by 0.6% in Quarter 4 of 2024

South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 0.1% in the third quarter of 2024.

This is according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which attributed the growth to, among others, an increase by 17.2% in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry, which contributed 0.4 of a percentage point to the positive GDP growth. 

“This was primarily due to increased economic activities reported for field crops and animal products. The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.1%, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for financial intermediation, real estate activities and other business services,” Stats SA said on Tuesday

The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 1.4%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. 

Increased economic activities were reported for wholesale trade, retail trade and motor trade.

“The transport, storage and communication industry decreased by 1.0%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Decreased economic activities were reported for land transport and transport support services.

“The manufacturing industry decreased by 0.6%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Six of the 10 manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates. The largest negative contributions were reported for the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories, and other transport equipment division,” Stats SA said.

General government services decreased by 0.5%. This was mainly due to decreased employment in national and provincial government and extra-budgetary institutions.

The electricity, gas and water industry decreased by 1.4%. This was largely due to decreases in electricity production and consumption.

The mining and quarrying industry decreased by 0.2%. Decreased economic activities were reported for manganese ore and iron ore.

Expenditure on GDP

As far as the expenditure on real GDP, it increased by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 0.1% in the third quarter of 2024.

“Household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) increased by 1.0%, contributing 0.6 of a percentage point to the total growth. Positive growth rates were reported for semi-durable, durable and non-durable goods,” Stats SA said. 

The main positive contributors to the increase in HFCE were expenditures on clothing and footwear (4.4% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); recreation and culture (2.5% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (1.9% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point); ‘other’ (0.9% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point); health (1.2% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point), and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (1.4% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point).

Stats SA said the negative contributors were expenditures on transport and restaurants and hotels.

“Final consumption expenditure by general government decreased by 0.8%, contributing -0.2 of a percentage point to the total growth. This was mainly driven by decreases in purchases of goods and services and compensation of employees.

“Gross fixed capital formation decreased by 0.7%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point to the total growth. 

"The negative contributors to the decrease were residential buildings (-7.5% and contributing -0.9 of a percentage point), machinery and other equipment (-1.3% and contributing -0.5 of a percentage point) and non-residential buildings (-2.7% and contributing -0.2 of a percentage point),” Stats SA said.

There was a R16.4 billion drawdown of inventories (seasonally adjusted and annualised value).

Large decreases in two industries, namely mining and trade, catering and accommodation, contributed to the inventory drawdown.

“Net exports made a neutral contribution (0.0 percentage points) to expenditure on GDP. Exports of goods and services increased by 2.1%, largely influenced by increased trade in pearls, precious and semiprecious stones and precious metals, and chemical products

“Imports of goods and services increased by 2.0%, largely influenced by increased trade in vehicles and transport equipment excluding large aircraft; vegetable products; and machinery and electrical equipment,” Stats SA said. - SAnews.gov.za

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KwaMagxaki customer care centre reopens after four-year closure

Location: News

KwaMagxaki customer care centre reopens after four-year closure

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s KwaMagxaki customer care centre has officially reopened its doors following a four-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During its non-operational period, the centre suffered significant damage from vandalism, which affected the building structure, including electrical cables and other vital equipment.

This forced ratepayers from KwaMagxaki, KwaDwesi, Veeplas, Zwide, Joe Slovo and KwaDwesi Extension to travel to other areas for assistance with their accounts, assistance with applications and general inquiries.

Speaking at the official re-opening of the centre on Monday, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said the current administration is committed to ensuring efficient service delivery.

"We are happy that the people will no longer have to pay for transport to go pay their rates or inquire about our services, especially the indigent and the elderly. We have brought the service to their doorstep,” Lobishe said.

Lobishe said the metro is making it easier for residents to receive services and pay for them. 

"For us to balance the service we offer and the payment of such service, it is critical that the centres... are where people are. We call upon our people to work with us in protecting this centre against vandals.”

Services to be offered at the centre include 'assistance to the poor (ATTP)' applications, debt repayment arrangements, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) registration, water rebate applications, Estate Late Project (free property transfer for surviving ATTP beneficiaries) and opening of service accounts.

The centre will also assist with property valuation certificates, copies of municipal statements, and account balance enquiries.

Mayoral Committee Member for Budget and Treasury, Khanya Ngqisha, said the directorate is working towards providing a hassle-free service that is cost effective for ratepayers.

"We are excited, as this will serve our residents efficiently. We encourage our people to come and receive the services that have been tailor-made for them,” Ngqisha said. 

One of the residents from KwaMaxgaki, Zoleka Jonas, said she was pleased that the centre has been opened.

"We will no longer spend money to go to town for services. It will just be a walk-in, and your enquiries will be solved. We are grateful to our ward councillor and the mayor for this service,” said Jonas. – SAnews.gov.za

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eThekwini Municipality tackles water challenges

Location: News

eThekwini Municipality tackles water challenges

The eThekwini Municipality will continue to work on various interventions to manage and reduce the increase in water demand that has resulted in the recurring disruption of water supply.

To manage the demand and to build storage, the municipality has implemented rationing in many areas, especially in the Northern and Southern areas. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the municipality noted that demand currently exceeds supply by approximately 100 megalitres a day, resulting in further strain on the system. 

This is due to the current curtailment measures that were implemented by uMngeni-uThukela Water in October last year. 

“To augment the water supply, comprehensive plans have been set in motion in collaboration with the national Department of Water and Sanitation and uMngeni-uThukela Water to construct and commission the uMkhomazi Dam, a pivotal project to augment water supply to the city,” the municipality said. 

The municipality is also actively implementing various medium-term interventions, including infrastructure upgrades, pipeline replacements, and a comprehensive leak detection and repair programme. 

The installation of pressure management valves, dysfunctional meter replacements, the incorporation of technology to enhance meter accuracy, and improvements in billing and debtor management, are also being implemented. 

“Currently, areas in the West of the city are experiencing intermittent supply due to the shutdown of the 53 Pipeline by uMngeni-uThukela Water. This was done to allow the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to relocate approximately 200m of the 53 Pipeline, as part of its N3 upgrade project,” the municipality said.

Durban’s beachfront set for major overhaul

Meanwhile, Durban’s iconic beachfront is set to undergo a major transformation, with a complete facelift and redevelopment of the buildings along the promenade.

Over the past few years, changes have been made to improve the offering to visitors on the beachfront, ensuring that it remains a world-class facility. 

Head of the Real Estate Unit, Thapelo Mmusinyane noted that as tenant leases expire, the municipality follows proper process to invite bids for the development of innovative new spaces and eateries that will elevate the beachfront experience.

This forms an integral part of the City’s Proactive Land Release Strategy, which was adopted in September 2021.

The strategy enables the city to proactively manage surplus land, assisting the city to achieve its developmental objectives, stimulate economic activity and Black economic empowerment, and promoting economic transformation in the property sector. 

Mmusinyane explained that between May 2021 and November 2022, 25 properties were put up for bid, with 10 new leases being awarded to companies 100% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals.

“All 10 awards were made to companies that are 100% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals. On the beachfront in particular, properties that have been affected are Circus, Bike and Bean, and Minitown.”

Mmusinyane added that the historic building in which Joe Cools and other eateries are housed, will be upgraded soon by a developer, who will then sublet the space to suitable tenants. 

He assured the public that a fair, equitable, and transparent process was followed as stipulated in Section 14(5) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). 

“This section mandates that the disposal, including leasing of municipal properties must adhere to principles of fairness, equity, transparency, and competitiveness in line with the City’s Supply Chain Management Policy (Section 111 of the MFMA). 

“Renewing the leases without an open, competitive process would have violated these principles, as well as Section 217(1) of the Constitution, which upholds the same standards for public procurement. Therefore, lease renewals could not be granted without contravening the law,” he explained. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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Tue, 03/04/2025 - 14:47
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