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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.

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

A Celebration of Waterblommetjies

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

The annual Waterblommetjie Festival returns on Saturday 7 September. Windmeul Kelder and Rhebokskloof Estate outside Paarl will host a fun-filled day of festivities suitable for the whole family. The waterblommetjie (also known as Cape Pond Weed, Water Hawthorne, Vleikos, Aponogeton distachyos (Aponogetonaceae) is an indigenous delicacy that is only found in the Boland area of …

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President Ramaphosa assigns responsibilities for certain SOEs

Location: News

President Ramaphosa assigns responsibilities for certain SOEs

Line function Ministers will now bear shareholder responsibility for certain State-owned enterprises (SOEs) that previously fell under the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed proclamations transferring 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

  • South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (Safcol): Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

  • South African Airways: Minister of Transport

  • South African Express: Minister of Transport

  • Transnet: Minister of Transport

Furthermore, the Presidency said in a statement, 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”.

President Ramaphosa has also signed a proclamation appointing Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, as the executive authority of the DPE.

“[The department] 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,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 08/26/2024 - 11:44

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Lives will improve in Ekurhuleni, vows government

Location: News

Lives will improve in Ekurhuleni, vows government

Government is committed to improving the lives of residents of the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality through interventions including “expanded support for small businesses and intensified efforts to spare communities from crime”.

Other interventions will be in security of tenure for people living and working on farms, and much needed repairs to major roadways that serve as economic arteries to the municipality.

On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa led a District Development Model Presidential Imbizo in the municipality.

READ | Strong municipalities needed to grow economy

The Presidential Imbizo was a platform for communities to interact and share their challenges with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.

“During this interaction, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and other leaders outlined efforts address these matters and to improve economic prospects more broadly in the district,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement.

Water and electricity

After the community expressed their challenges, particularly those related to water, Xhakaza assured them that the city’s Water and Sanitation Department was working tirelessly to deliver services.

A new water pump station is in the pipeline for the area.

“The department has been allocated R590 million in 2024/25 for key projects including R30 million for a new 30Ml reservoir in Germiston; R15 million for the construction of a new sewer pipeline at Pomona and R10 million for a new water pipeline in Nigel.

“To mitigate the challenge the city power cuts and load reduction the City has undertaken to install backup generators at 21 water supply infrastructure sites such as reservoirs and pump stations. Some sites where the backup generators installed include Sunward Park, Tsakane and Germiston reservoirs,” the statement read.

Housing and employment

During the Imbizo, it was revealed that land claims totalling some R53 million are being fast tracked while housing is also getting attention.

It was revealed that the city, the provincial and national governments have partnered to under mega hosing projects which are at “various stages of pre-planning and construction”.

“The City has provided hundreds of serviced sites or stands that feature permanent infrastructure such as water, electricity and sanitation and are ready for top structures for integrated human settlements, and the development of transport services.

“Ekurhuleni is implementing a range of housing projects and related infrastructure totalling just under half a billion rand at Brakpan Old Location, Esselen Park, John Dube, Helderwyk, Birchleigh, Leeuwpoort, Daggafontein and Palm Ridge.

“Other actions under way and in the pipeline in the district include public employment projects such as the Vala Zonke pothole repair initiative; the opening in the coming weeks of a shared facility that will bring together small businesses under one roof; the revival of dormant industrial parks, and the provision of solar panels to needy residents in an initiative that has the potential to create 30 000 jobs,” the GCIS said.

Pre-Imbizo

Ahead of the Imbizo, leaders from all three spheres of government embarked on oversight visits to Ekurhuleni.

“Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy paid an oversight visit to the rehabilitation work construction crews are performing on 14km of the R21 freeway. 

“Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontsho presented title deeds to land tenure beneficiaries who now have security on land bought by government at a cost of R12 million,” the GCIS said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 12:42

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Tshwane to host weather early warning system workshop

Location: News

Tshwane to host weather early warning system workshop

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts, is expected to address the opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) to be held in Tshwane from Monday.

The agenda of three-day workshop will include: 

  • The review of the current state of Early Warning Systems in South Africa and the evaluation of the progress in implementing the four pillars of EW4All. 

  • The exploration of the linkages and alignment among ongoing and upcoming initiatives and the consolidation of key stakeholder commitments to strengthen early warning services.

  • The establishment of a national coordination mechanism / affirmation of existing national coordination mechanism to guide efforts to scale-up early warning programming across the four pillars and linking national and local engagement.

  • The identification of gaps in national Early Warning Systems, with respect to the minimum core capabilities checklist tool provided by the EW4All initiative.

  • The provision of initial inputs towards a multi-year, multi-stakeholder, focused and actionable EW4All National Roadmap, around which all actors can marshal resources, technical assistance, and long-term support.

“The workshop, which will be hosted by the South African Weather Service, comes as South Africa continues to rank among the Southern African countries that are vulnerable to hazardous weather events including severe floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, storms, and heat waves.

“Among the participants at the workshop will be the SAWS; the National Disaster Management Centre; the Departments of Water and Sanitation and Communication and Digital Technologies; the Council for Geoscience; the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa; and provincial, district and local government representatives.

“Also participating in the programme will be the UN and international organisations active in Early Warning Systems; civil society organizations, including Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) active in early warning services, climate and disaster risk information; and the private sector, including the mobile network operators and the insurance industry,” the department said.

The DFFE said the EW4All is a United Nations initiative, which seeks to “ensure that everyone on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027”.

It rests on the pillars of Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management, Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis and Forecasting, Warning Dissemination and Communication and Preparedness and Response Capabilities.

“According to the UN, Early Warning Systems have helped decrease the number of deaths and have reduced losses and damages resulting from hazardous weather, water or climate events. However, major gaps still exist, especially in small island developing states and least developed countries,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 13:05

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Water and Sanitation sector delegation heads to Sweden for conference

Location: News

Water and Sanitation sector delegation heads to Sweden for conference

The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, is expected to lead a delegation to Sweden for the World Water Week conference, which kicks off today.

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the conference is expected to be held under the theme: “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future”, and is “centred on water cooperation for peace and security”.

“Deputy Minister Mahlobo will participate in panel discussions with his counterparts from across the globe and deliberate on topics focused on unlocking the financing ecosystem for water security, innovative financing for transboundary water cooperation and Africa investment in infrastructure for socio-economic benefits, amongst others. 

“He will further outline how the South African water sector has enhanced cooperation in times of water scarcity and detail efforts employed in all spheres of government to avert severe water challenges in water-stressed communities,” the department said.

Part of the delegation will be a pair of 15-year-old twin sisters, who won the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition in June this year.

“The duo will present their water education and awareness app named 'Drop-Drop', which is aimed at enhancing education around the importance of prudent water use in communities.

“The World Water Week conference is hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and is an inclusive meeting place to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and accelerate water action,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Sun, 08/25/2024 - 11:29

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Strong municipalities needed to grow economy

Location: News

Strong municipalities needed to grow economy

Efficient and strong municipalities are key to ensuring that South Africa’s economy grows and jobs are created, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The President addressed the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Friday.

The Presidential Imbizo is a platform for communities to interact with government leaders from all three spheres of government on service delivery challenges, and for the executive to respond to the community on what they are doing to resolve those issues.

WATCH | 

“We have said as the Government of National Unity, our key priority is to grow the economy, and to create jobs and fight poverty. But to do this, we need strong municipalities. It is municipalities that are the engine room of development because they provide the services to our people but they also are economic engine rooms.

“We want our municipalities to work efficiently. To our councillors, we should not be continuously hearing that our people don’t even know their councillors. That must come to an end. Councillors have been elected to serve the people and they must show themselves in the community. They must hold meetings with our communities. We must not wait for an Imbizo to come and listen to our people raising their concerns,” the President said.

Turning to the City of Ekurhuleni municipality, President Ramaphosa said it is one of South Africa’s most important hubs.

“The Ekurhuleni Municipality is well positioned as an economic driver of job creation.  Ekurhuleni is a major transportation hub. But apart from that… it is the manufacturing capital of our country. Ekurhuleni plays a very important role in the life of our province, and in the life of our country and our economy.

“It is home to Africa’s largest and busiest airport… OR Tambo International Airport. It’s also a major centre for freight corridors in our country. This makes the metro a substantial economic player because manufacturing is one of the key contributors to the GDP,” he said.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged, however, that service delivery in the area must be improved. He assured the community gathered at the imbizo that government has heard their cries.

“We want to improve the services that are delivered to our people. We know that service delivery is one of the key challenges and particularly water and electricity.

“We are going to be giving more focus on water…building new reservoirs, increasing our bulk water delivery. We are also going to be focusing on housing. Housing shortage is one of challenges many of our people face and we will address that,” he said.

Another area of concern raised by community members is crime and the President said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is focusing “on how we can deal with extortion, the construction mafia and gender based violence”.

“Those men who play football with the women of our country must stop and we are going to be focusing on that. Gender based violence is a pandemic and our people are working in a very focused manner on that,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 17:03

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Minister calls for urgent meeting to tackle construction mafia challenge 

Location: News

Minister calls for urgent meeting to tackle construction mafia challenge 

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, and KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer, have announced plans for an urgent meeting to develop a decisive response to the construction mafia challenge across the country.

In a statement, Minister Macpherson said they have jointly agreed that an urgent meeting with all the respective MECs in all provinces and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster should be held in KwaZulu-Natal. 
The decision follows a meeting between Macpherson and Meyer, during which Meyer presented a report detailing the resurgence of construction mafia activities in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Shortly after I was appointed as Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I vowed to deal decisively with the construction mafia and to restore the rule of law at construction sites across the country.

“During a recent oversight visit to the uMkhomazi water project, I learnt how an altercation with the construction mafia led to the death of three people and the assault of another. This is simply unacceptable. We will never be able to attract additional infrastructure investment, and turn the country into a construction site, while this lawlessness continues,” Macpherson said.

The Minister stated that this is why it is imperative to host the meeting with Public Works MECs across the country and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster to develop a comprehensive plan to turn the tide against the construction mafia “to not only attract additional infrastructure investment but protect the lives of our people.” 

Beyond addressing the construction mafia, the Minister and MEC Meyer discussed the potential reform of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure it benefits recipients and contributes to job creation.

They also explored how national and provincial governments can collaborate to expand infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal.

“KwaZulu-Natal is a province of such immense potential, and I therefore look forward to working closely with the MEC to unlock economic growth and job creation in the province,” he said. 

The Minister added that he will be meeting with MECs in other provinces and mayors in the week ahead to see how they can work together to improve the lives of our people. 

“It is only through working together towards a common vision that we can unlock South Africa’s potential. Let’s Build South Africa,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:55

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Tsakane community hopeful Imbizo will bring change

Location: News

Tsakane community hopeful Imbizo will bring change

From water challenges to seeking better opportunities at making a living, residents of Tsakane, in the East Rand of Gauteng, on Friday gathered to make sure their voices get counted among those heard by the country's First Citizen. 

As the first Presidential Imbizo of the 7th Administration got underway earlier, many community members told SAnews they were hopeful government will bring change to their communities.

Sylas Mazibuko, from Duduza, said he wants President Ramaphosa to ensure that there is water in Duduza and more job opportunities are created.

“We are struggling with water and to make matters worse, there is a high unemployment rate in our area. I just want the President to hear our concerns and intervene,” Mazibuko said.

Mazibuko said government must also deal with the crime rate.

“Crime is getting out of control. We are even afraid of starting our own businesses because of crime. Criminals are targeting businesses in the township. We no longer walk freely in our streets,” Mazibuko said.

Echoing the same sentiments was Willy Nkanyane, who said they are experiencing water shortages in Tsakane.

“We don’t have water. We walk long distances to get water and we spend most of the times without electricity,” Nkanyane said.

Nkanyane’s wish is for their concerns to be attended to, and for more job opportunities.

Grace Mabale, from KwaThema, also wants to see reduced crime rates

"We are even afraid to send our children to the shops because of these criminals. I also want [government] to provide us with proper houses,” Mabale said.

The issues of water, electricity, houses and unemployment were shared by many at the Imbizo.

Some of the commitments of the new administration include further entrenching accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.

The Presidential District Development Model (DDM) Izimbizo are a priority for the seventh administration, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has identified local government as a priority focus area of the Government of National Unity.

The DDM aims to improve the coherence and impact of government service delivery with focus on 44 Districts and 8 Metros around the country as development spaces that can be used as centres of service delivery and economic development, including job creation.

Under the DDM, all three spheres of government coordinate and integrate development plans and budgets and mobilise the capacity and resources of government and civil society, including business, labour and community, in pursuit of inclusive growth and job creation. 

President Ramaphosa is accompanied at the Imbizo by ministers, deputy ministers and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za 

Edwin
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 13:32

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Gauteng municipalities to launch online indigent register

Location: News

Gauteng municipalities to launch online indigent register

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that an e-indigent register – which will assist to register those who are in need and qualify for free government services – will be launched in municipalities in the province.

He was speaking at the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo that is being led by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Tsakani Stadium in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

“There are many people who are unemployed, but they can’t get the benefits of free electricity and water because they are not properly registered so that they can be [classified as] indigent. We have now agreed with all executive mayors in our last lekgotla, we are introducing an e-register from October,” he said on Friday.

The Premier said the register will link up with all of government’s databases and retail stores.

“This is so that whoever is employed, whoever that is hiding their employment, must not benefit for free benefits that are due to our people. In Ekurhuleni in particular…they have introduced a new threshold which does not exclude those who are getting social grants and does not exclude those who are unemployed. 

“What it means is that if you are poor and we have registered you, we have checked the database, you will receive all free services without being asked who you are in all municipalities in our province,” he said.

READ | District Development Model ensures government works as a team 

Lesufi also announced that the provincial government has committed to bringing free WiFi connections to at least 26 townships in Gauteng.

“We are bringing something so important, especially to young people in our province. We have identified 26 townships…to make the townships access reliable, dependable free WiFi, so that all our people are in a position to connect.

“Children of the poor have a right to do their homework at home using free WiFi so they can access these services. The future is no longer about water and electricity only. The future is about data so that those who are unemployed can send their CVs utilising free WiFi,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 13:24

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Majodina to visit Gauteng water projects

Location: News

Majodina to visit Gauteng water projects

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, joined by Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo, will this weekend conduct an oversight visit to water projects in areas that are experiencing challenges due to inadequate infrastructure.

The visit to Hammanskraal and Emfuleni, from 24 – 25 August, forms part of ongoing efforts by the ministry to ensure acceleration of water and sanitation projects, especially in areas experiencing water challenges.

Hammanskraal has been experiencing water quality challenges. The department, through its entity Magalies Water, intervened and initiated the Klipdrift Package Plant to treat 50 megalitres per day, which go to the Temba Water Treatment Works.

Magalies Water is also upgrading the Klipdrift Water Treatment Works from 42 to 92 megalitres per day, while work is being done to refurbish the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works.

Majodina will visit the Klipdrift Package Plant on 24 August to get a progress report on its construction and when it will start operating.

This will be followed by a site visit to the Babelegi Reservoir, as well as the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“The following day [25 August], Majodina will assess the state of water and sanitation in Emfuleni Local Municipality and visit the Leeuikuil Waste Water Treatment Works, and have an engagement with Rand Water on their intervention work in the area,” the department said.

The inspections come as the Department of Water and Sanitation, through its entities, Magalies Water and Rand Water, alongside the City of Tshwane and Emfuleni Local Municipality, are working collaboratively to effectively address water challenges that are affecting these areas. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:14

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District Development Model ensures government works as a team

Location: News

District Development Model ensures government works as a team

The District Development Model (DDM) is a demonstration of the three spheres of government's focus on resolving service delivery challenges facing communities in South Africa, says Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.

The Minister was speaking to SAnews on the sidelines of the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo, currently underway at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni in Gauteng. It is the first Presidential Imbizo of the seventh administration.

“The District Development Model is a system where at a district level, you work as a team. In most cases, districts are formed by a number of municipalities and in almost most districts, municipalities face similar problems.

“For instance, in Ekurhuleni, the major problem is water, followed by crime. But water is the major one. 

"Now, the District Development Model says if you have a common problem cutting across [the board], bring all spheres of government to work together, and develop one plan to deal with that problem.

"If the problems are two or three but cutting across municipalities, come together, have one plan, pool all resources together, focus on the problem you have [and] you can solve the problems one by one,” Hlabisa said.

A platform for the people

The Presidential Imbizo is where leaders from all three spheres of government interact with residents on service delivery challenges, which communities have brought to government’s attention, as well as plans for the development of this district.

Hlabisa explained government’s position on the hosting of the DDM Imbizos, saying it presents a platform for South Africans to have their voices heard.

“The advantage of hosting an event of this magnitude, you will have the President of the country, who many people have never got an opportunity to engage with. You will have all Ministers... the Premier, the Mayor and all representatives in government, face-to-face with the people.

“There is nothing as important as meeting your government face-to-face. [It's] not just greeting and going, but conveying your challenges and engaging them. You might get an answer on the spot because when these problems are being raised during the Imbizo, Ministers will respond according to their departments.

“That is an opportunity people will rarely get. The DDM Presidential Imbizo brings the government to the people where they are,” Hlabisa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 12:16

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R25 million to provide sanitation for Nelson Mandela Bay communities

Location: News

R25 million to provide sanitation for Nelson Mandela Bay communities

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has committed R25 million over three years to provide dignified sanitation solutions for communities across the metro.

MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering, Khanya Ngqisha, said for the past decade, the municipality has experienced the mushrooming of illegal informal settlements across the metro.

“These settlements have exerted pressure on the already strained system, with communities demanding sanitation, water, and electricity. These demands come on top of the already existing backlog of the bucket system,” Ngqisha said.

Ngqisha said in 2015, the municipality had 32 000 bucket toilets and through focused interventions dating back to 2019, the number has since been reduced to 6 100 buckets.

Ngqisha said for the next three years, the metro plans to eradicate the remaining buckets entirely, ensuring that every resident has access to dignified sanitation.

To facilitate this goal, cluster service providers have been appointed to construct various sanitation typologies, including communal ablution blocks and single toilet units.

“This initiative is designed not only to improve health and hygiene but also to enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. As part of the rollout, contractors have been introduced to local councillors and community members [with] some contractors already on site, actively working.

“As a critical element of this project, the directorate is also conducting community engagement sessions to ensure that contractors understand the unique needs of the areas they serve before they start with construction,” Ngqisha said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 09:32

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Support for Riverlands displaced families continues

Location: News

Support for Riverlands displaced families continues

Cabinet says support for displaced families, whose homes were flooded when the walls of a dam collapsed in the Swartland Municipality in the Western Cape, continues.

This comes after the collapse of the retention walls of the Riverlands Dam on 8 August 2024.

At a media briefing on Thursday, following Cabinet's meeting on Wednesday, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said water levels have now receded enough for residents, who were earlier evacuated, to return to their homes.

“However, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and the two available community centres remain open for residents who prefer not to return home immediately,” Ntshavheni said.

READ | Emergency work on the fourth Riverlands dam 

Cabinet commended the urgent intervention by the Department of Human Settlements to assist displaced families.

Last week, Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi dispatched an emergency housing team to urgently assist displaced families whose homes were flooded when the walls of a dam collapsed.

Kubayi said the ongoing assessment will inform what interventions were required for all the affected households.

The Minister highlighted there are four categories of interventions provided by the department and these include restoration, relocation, rebuilding and repairs.

Meanwhile, as the country’s rainy season approaches in the northern part of the country, Cabinet has called on municipalities to ensure storm-water drains are cleaned and free from blockages, to ensure the smooth flow of water when it rains. – SAnews.gov.za 

GabiK
Thu, 08/22/2024 - 13:29

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Collaborative Effort Leads to the Safe Return of Crocworld’s Harris Hawk, With 2 Arrests Made

Location: MyPR

There is cause for celebration as a collaborative effort of concerned citizens and police resulted in the safe return of a Harris Hawk that was stolen from Crocworld Conservation Centre on 25 July. Two suspects were arrested for the break-in and theft which included a breeding pair of Jackal Buzzards and a chick, one of …

Read moreCollaborative Effort Leads to the Safe Return of Crocworld’s Harris Hawk, With 2 Arrests Made

KZN twin sisters gearing up to fly SA flag high in Sweden

Location: News

KZN twin sisters gearing up to fly SA flag high in Sweden

Fifteen-year-old twins from KwaDabeka, outside Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal, are gearing up to fly the South African flag high in the upcoming Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition, set to take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday.

The sisters, Sandisiwe and Sanelisiwe Nhlozi, won the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition in June this year.

The competition is spearheaded by the Department of Water and Sanitation and challenges secondary and high school learners to identity a water problem in their community and come up with innovative and technology-based solutions to address the challenge.

The duo, who are currently in Grade 10 at Buhlebemfundo Secondary School, will present their aptly named “Drop-Drop” water education and awareness app that is aimed at enhancing education around the importance of prudent water use in communities.

The enthusiastic twin sisters have not only set their eyes on winning during the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition, but plan to further refine their project and see it through its implementation in South Africa.

“Of course, we want to win, but if it happens that we do not win, we hope to see “Drop-Drop” being developed further and implemented in communities where it is needed the most,” the pair said.

The Nhlozi sisters have high hopes for their lives and expressed that through the comprehensive bursaries awarded by the Department of Water and Sanitation after winning the SAYWP competition.

The learners plan to pursue their studies in Civil Engineering after completing their matric, with the hope of working in the water sector and contributing solutions to address water challenges in the country. 

“When we won the SAYWP competition, we were so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Although we did not think that we would win, because of the tough competition with our counterparts from other provinces, it was through teamwork and dedication that we were crowned winners,” Sandisiwe said.

The twin sisters and best friends expressed their excitement about travelling together for the first time outside of the country for the opportunity to represent South Africa on a global stage.

“Being provided with this opportunity to represent South Africa is an incredible honour and privilege. We feel proud, excited, and nervous, but we find comfort in each other and in knowing that learners at our school and even those we competed with are supporting us,” Sanelisiwe said.

The department has wished the duo well and said it is committed to working together with the Department of Basic Education to help raise awareness about water education, and to attract and get young minds to develop an interest in the sector.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize is a competition for learners aged between 15 to 20 years who have developed research projects that can help solve major water challenges.

The competition attracts tens of thousands of entries from approximately 35 countries. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Wed, 08/21/2024 - 14:12

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Read moreKZN twin sisters gearing up to fly SA flag high in Sweden

No Need to evacuate Riverlands residents

Location: News

No Need to evacuate Riverlands residents

The Department of Water and Sanitation has assured residents of Riverlands in the Swartlands Local Municipality that the situation has normalised requiring no need for evacuation.

The department said water started flowing quicker than expected on Saturday through the spillway created to minimize the risk of failure of the fourth dam that was on the verge of failure. 

This follows the failure of three farm dams, located in Riverlands, 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 mobilised its personnel located in the Clanwilliam Dam project to open up the spillway on the fourth dam further and allow the water level in the dam to drop by at least 1 m per day."

On Tuesday morning water started flowing quicker than expected.

"As a result there was understandably concern from community members. The department would like to assure community members that the fourth dam is almost empty and water levels in the river should begin to subside. Should there be any further heavy rainfall, the dam would not store water to threaten the stability of the partially failed wall,” the department said in a statement. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Wed, 08/21/2024 - 10:07

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Read moreNo Need to evacuate Riverlands residents

Enhancing Local Government Service Delivery in the South African Context

Location: MyPR

By Dr Daniel Govender (Academic Head- School of Law and Administration at Regent Business School) Local government in South Africa suffers from challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of resources, and widespread corruption, which together often hinder local government’s ability to meet the dire needs of the community effectively. Regent Business School’s Academic Head of …

Read moreEnhancing Local Government Service Delivery in the South African Context