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Spheres of government called to enhance service delivery

Location: News

Spheres of government called to enhance service delivery

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called on all spheres of government to fast-track service delivery to communities to realise a better life for all.

Mahlobo made the call during the District Development Model (DDM) Social Compact Imbizo, held at the Phuthadithjaba Multi-Purpose Centre in the Free State on Friday.

He cited the recently released South African National Census statistics as a clear indicator that the population of the country is increasing, therefore efforts need to be doubled to meet the increasing needs of communities.

“Statistics South Africa says we have provided more than 90% of the population with water. While we can say we have made strides in this regard, we know that we have not reached everyone as we should and we need to reach out to them as well, because it is our mandate and it is their constitutional right to be supplied with water,” Mahlobo said.

As a solution, the department is assisting municipalities to build new infrastructure, refurbish and upgrade the existing ones, to meet the demand for water, while reducing water loses because of aging infrastructure. 

Through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) programme, the department funds municipalities for water infrastructure. 

“In Maluti-A-Phofung, we have intervened when there were water challenges through our RBIG programme and allocated R176 million in the 2022/2023 financial and R154 million this financial year for water projects. 

“Further to this, through our WSIG programme, we have allocated R127 million from 2022/2023 until 2024/2025 for drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe, Mokgolokweng sewer pumpstations and Mokgolokweng bulk and sewer networks,” Mahlobo said.

The Deputy Minister noted that for the first time the communities of Maluti-A-Phofung have finally received water from Sterkfontein Dam which, he said, was “something that seemed like a pipe dream”.

He added that the communities in the area will benefit from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project once it is completed.

Among the work in progress for intervention in Maluti-A-Phofung area, includes the following projects:

•    Upgrading of Sterkfontein Water Treatment Works
•    Refurbishment and Upgrading of the Fika Patso Water Purification Plant
•    Upgrading of the Intabazwe Rising Main
•    Bulk water supply to Tshiamo and Makgolokweng
•    Upgrading of the supply to Phuthaditjhaba and CBD area
•    Refurbishment of the Elands Waste Water Treatment Work
•    Upgrading of the Kestell Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Refurbishment of the Makwane Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Refurbishment of the Moeding Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Upgrading of the Phuthaditjhaba Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Upgrading of the Tshiame Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Upgrading of the Wilge Waste Water Treatment Works
•    Drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe
•    Improving water revenue and reducing non-revenue water

An allocation for infrastructure development has also been made for this financial year to municipalities under Thabo Mofutsanyana District, including R100 million for Setsoto, R83 million for Nketoana and R60 million for Dihlabeng. 

The imbizo, which was attended by Deputy Ministers in the Presidency, DDM Champion in the district Nomasonto Motaung and Pinky Kekana, Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, and Thabo Mofutsanyaba District Executive Mayor Connie Msibi, among others, also discussed the development of a social compact through the DDM approach and how to make a social compact towards improving service delivery in communities. 

The imbizo also reviewed the progress of the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Social Compact, reviewed partnerships and devised means to strengthen them. 

It further looked at water and sanitation services in the area, as drivers of socio-economic development. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 11/13/2023 - 09:56

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Mahlobo calls for fast-tracked service delivery for communities

Location: News

Mahlobo calls for fast-tracked service delivery for communities

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo says the recently released South African National Census statistics must be used as a guide to speed up the provision of services to meet the increasing needs of communities.

Mahlobo was speaking during the District Development Model (DDM) Social Compact Imbizo held at the Multi-Purpose Centre in Phuthaditjhaba in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality on Friday.

The Deputy Minister joined his counterparts from the Presidency, Pinky Kekana and Nomasonto Motaung (a DDM champion in the district); Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, and Thabo Mofutsanyaba District Executive Mayor Connie Msibi amongst other dignitaries from the provincial and local government in the Free State.

“Statistics South Africa says we have provided more than 90% of the population with water. While we can say we have made strides in this regard, we know that we have not reached everyone as we should and we need to reach out to them as well, because it is our mandate and it is their constitutional right to be supplied with water,” Mahlobo said, adding that this was “envisioned by the founders of the country’s democracy”.

To help to make this happen, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is assisting municipalities to build new infrastructure, refurbish and upgrade the existing ones to meet the demand for water, while reducing water loses because of ageing infrastructure.

The department, through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) programme, provides funds to municipalities for water infrastructure.

“In Maluti-A-Phofung, we have intervened when there were water challenges through our RBIG programme and allocated R176 million in the 2022/23 financial year and R154 million this financial year for water projects.

“Further to this, through our WSIG programme, we have allocated R127 million from 2022/23 until 2024/25 for drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe, Mokgolokweng sewer pump stations and Mokgolokweng bulk and sewer networks,” Mahlobo said.

He announced that for the first time, the communities of Maluti-A-Phofung finally receive water from Sterkfontein Dam, something that seemed like a “pipe dream”.

The communities in the area will benefit from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project once it is completed.

Outlining the ongoing work in intervening in Maluti-A-Phofung, Mahlobo highlighted the following projects:

•            Upgrading of Sterkfontein Water Treatment Works.

•            Refurbishment and Upgrading of the Fika Patso Water Purification Plant.

•            Upgrading of the Intabazwe Rising Main.

•            Bulk water supply to Tshiamo & Makgolokweng.

•            Upgrading of the supply to Phuthaditjhaba & CBD area.

•            Refurbishment of the Elands Waste Water Treatment Work.

•            Upgrading of the Kestell Waste Water Treatment Works.

•            Refurbishment of the Makwane Waste Water Treatment Works.

•            Refurbishment of the Moeding Waste Water Treatment Works.

•            Upgrading of the Phuthaditjhaba Waste Water Treatment Works.

•            Upgrading of the Tshiame Waste Water Treatment Works.

•            Upgrading of the Wilge Waste Water Treatment Works.

•            Drilling of boreholes in Intabazwe.

•            Improving water revenue and reducing non-revenue water.

In addition, Mahlobo said allocations for infrastructure development have been made this financial year to municipalities under Thabo Mofutsanyana, such as Setsoto (R100 million), Nketoana (R83 million) and Dihlabeng (R60 million).

The imbizo discussed the “Development of a Social Compact through the DDM Approach”, and how to make a social compact to improve service delivery in communities.

The imbizo also zoomed into the Thabo Mofutsanyane District’s Social Compact progress, reviewed partnerships and devised means to strengthen them.

Furthermore, the imbizo looked at water and sanitation services in the area, as drivers of socio-economic development. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 11/12/2023 - 10:42

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Read moreMahlobo calls for fast-tracked service delivery for communities

SA Navy starts process of replacing SAS Drakensberg vessel

Location: News

SA Navy starts process of replacing SAS Drakensberg vessel

The South African Navy says it will soon start a project to replace its combat support vessel, SAS Drakensberg, which is nearly 40 years old and has not been to sea for quite some time.

This is according to SA Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, who was speaking during the naming and acceptance ceremony of the second new multi-purpose inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV), SAS King Shaka Zulu, at Naval Base Durban.

Lobese said the SA Navy used to operate a number of different vessel types, namely submarines, offshore patrol vessels, frigates, a combat support vessel, a hydrographic survey vessel, anti-mine warfare vessels (mine hunters), deep diving support and torpedo recovery vessels.

The submarines and frigates were replaced during the Arms Deal about 20 years ago, whilst a new Hydrographic Survey Vessel is currently being built by Sandock Austral Shipyards in Durban.

The three new MMIPVs will take over the mine hunting, deep diving support and torpedo recovery roles of previous vessels and some patrol duties.

“The SA Navy is currently in the process to containerise the anti-mine warfare capability through Project Motso, so that it can be placed on these vessels.

“This capability is absolutely vital because even a threat of a sea mine can close a port like Durban for weeks on end. This will have devastating consequences for our economy. It requires specialised equipment and highly trained personnel, and is a vital capability for any Navy to have,” Lobese said.

According to Lobese, the SAS Drakensberg will be replaced with a new vessel, and this project will start soon.

“If we take our maritime security seriously, and if we want to protect our maritime economy, we need at least another 12 ships, of which six must be the larger offshore patrol vessels.

“I am absolutely convinced of the fact that over a 30-year period, the investment in these ships and the overall benefit to our economy in preventing theft of our marine resources, as well as criminality on our oceans, makes the procurement of an additional 12 vessels a very logical and rational choice,” Lobese said.

In addition to being used as a replenishment ship, SAS Drakensberg has also been used to patrol for pirates in the Mozambique Channel as part of Operation Copper. In April 2012, she helped European warships catch seven Somali pirates in the Channel.

SAS Drakensberg was launched in April 1986 by Sandock Austral and commissioned into service in November the following year.

She has a full load displacement of 12 500 tons and a length of 147 metres. She can carry 5 500 tons of fuel, 750 tons of ammunition and dry stores, and 210 tons of fresh water. In addition, 50 000 litres of fresh water can be made every day. Two Oryx helicopters, two landing craft and two RHIBs can be accommodated on board as well.

The Drakensberg is the largest ship built in South Africa to date and is reportedly the first naval vessel to be completely designed in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 11/12/2023 - 11:13

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Read moreSA Navy starts process of replacing SAS Drakensberg vessel

SA Navy starts a process to replace SAS Drakensberg vessel

Location: News

SA Navy starts a process to replace SAS Drakensberg vessel

The South African Navy says it will soon start a project to replace its combat support vessel, SAS Drakensberg, which is nearly 40 years old and has not been to sea for quite some time.

This is according to SA Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, who was speaking during the naming and acceptance ceremony of the second new multi-purpose inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV), SAS King Shaka Zulu, at Naval Base Durban.

Lobese said the SA Navy used to operate a number of different vessel types, namely submarines, offshore patrol vessels, frigates, a combat support vessel, a hydrographic survey vessel, anti-mine warfare vessels (mine hunters), deep diving support and torpedo recovery vessels.

The submarines and frigates were replaced during the Arms Deal about 20 years ago, whilst a new Hydrographic Survey Vessel is currently being built by Sandock Austral Shipyards in Durban.

The three new MMIPVs will take over the mine hunting, deep diving support and torpedo recovery roles of previous vessels and some patrol duties.

“The SA Navy is currently in the process to containerise the anti-mine warfare capability through Project Motso, so that it can be placed on these vessels.

“This capability is absolutely vital because even a threat of a sea mine can close a port like Durban for weeks on end. This will have devastating consequences for our economy. It requires specialised equipment and highly trained personnel, and is a vital capability for any Navy to have,” Lobese said.

According to Lobese, the SAS Drakensberg will be replaced with a new vessel, and this project will start soon.

“If we take our maritime security seriously, and if we want to protect our maritime economy, we need at least another 12 ships, of which six must be the larger offshore patrol vessels.

“I am absolutely convinced of the fact that over a 30-year period, the investment in these ships and the overall benefit to our economy in preventing theft of our marine resources, as well as criminality on our oceans, makes the procurement of an additional 12 vessels a very logical and rational choice,” Lobese said.

In addition to being used as a replenishment ship, SAS Drakensberg has also been used to patrol for pirates in the Mozambique Channel as part of Operation Copper. In April 2012, she helped European warships catch seven Somali pirates in the Channel.

SAS Drakensberg was launched in April 1986 by Sandock Austral and commissioned into service in November the following year.

She has a full load displacement of 12 500 tons and a length of 147 metres. She can carry 5 500 tons of fuel, 750 tons of ammunition and dry stores, and 210 tons of fresh water. In addition, 50 000 litres of fresh water can be made every day. Two Oryx helicopters, two landing craft and two RHIBs can be accommodated on board as well.

The Drakensberg is the largest ship built in South Africa to date and is reportedly the first naval vessel to be completely designed in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Sun, 11/12/2023 - 11:13

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Government launches project to eliminate litter

Location: News

Government launches project to eliminate litter

Government has unveiled an initiative aimed at clearing the 7 251 illegal dumping hotspots in communities across the country – a project which has created more than 37 000 work opportunities.

The Municipal Cleaning and Greening initiative will be implemented in 14 prioritised municipalities across the nine provinces through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) mass employment In-House Model, which allows it to implement and manage projects using its own staff.

“The impact of the 37 049 EPWP participants is visible across the country since their work includes daily cleaning streets, clearing illegal dumping sites, cleaning coastal areas and the revitalization of parks,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy said on Friday.

She made these remarks during the launch of the department’s mass employment programme to augment the Cleaning and Greening initiative in Motherwell, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM), Gqeberha.

As of 30 September this year, 1 299 or 19 percent of the sites have been cleared.

“Illegal dumping poses a health hazard to communities and undermines community morale and good governance. From an environmental perspective, illegal dumping poses serious risks to livestock, wetlands, rivers and marine and coastal areas.

“As the world moves to find more effective ways to combat plastic pollution, our government is taking more significant steps to improve municipal waste collection, ensure landfill compliance and promote waste recycling,” Creecy said.

The initiative is targeted at cleaning up illegal dump sites in provincial capitals including the City of Cape Town, Sol Plaatjie, Mafikeng, Msunduzi, Polokwane, City of Joburg, City of Ekurhuleni, City of Tshwane, Mogale City, Sedibeng, Mbombela and Mangaung.

In some instances, the cleaning and greening projects have rehabilitated wetlands which are important not only for spiritual or economic reasons but for their ecosystem services as well.

“Here in Nelson Mandela Bay we have identified 512 sites that require cleaning and today we show you some of the 41 sites where we have already begun our work.

“We assisted the municipality to find the budget to purchase a specialised fleet for waste collection; ensured additional refuse collection in to the un-serviced poor areas; supported improvements to waste disposal facilities and worked with the municipality to clear 41 illegal dumping hot spots,” the Minister said.

The greater clean-up programme across the Eastern Cape is creating a total of 8 000 work opportunities.

Municipalities that are part of this programme include Buffalo City Metro and municipalities that fall under Alfred Nzo, OR Tambo, Amatole, Chris Hani, Sarah Baartman and Joe Qabi District Municipalities.

“The Municipal Cleaning and Greening programme is a partnership with provinces and municipalities who assist in recruiting our public works participants and also provide protective clothing, and cleaning materials while we provide the stipend to all participants,” the Minister said.

To ensure sustainability of the programme, the cleaning and greening initiative includes planting trees in the rehabilitated dumping sites.

“We are planting both indigenous trees, in line with the water scarcity of the country, and the fruit trees to contribute towards food security. Communities are responsible for maintaining the trees within their households.

“This initiative is supported by assisting communities to understand the environmental and food security role of trees. A total of 225 000 trees will be planted by government throughout the country during this financial year, with 3000 committed for the Nelson Mandel Bay.”

As total of 2000 trees have been planted and the remaining 1000 will be planted over the next few months.

“The department fully acknowledges that part of the solution to the problem is to change societal attitudes and behaviour and to mobilise the public to begin taking charge and responsibility for keeping their neighbourhoods clean. However, we must also acknowledge that where municipalities have inadequate household waste collection the problem of dumping increases,” the Minister said.

Since the initiation of this programme, the department has processed applications for the specialised waste management vehicles from over 100 municipalities across the country.

In the last two years, government has spent over R164 million to buy 44 waste collection vehicles and 21 landfill management waste vehicles for 58 municipalities. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Fri, 11/10/2023 - 11:29

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SASOP Speaks Out Against Mental Health Trauma Experienced In The Middle East

Location: MyPR

The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) appeals to global leaders to put an end to the violence and facilitate humanitarian aid for the people of the Middle East. The situation in the Middle East has evolved into a severe humanitarian crisis. The ceaseless cycle of violence, destruction, and loss of life is taking a …

Read moreSASOP Speaks Out Against Mental Health Trauma Experienced In The Middle East

SA a apt area for investment, says Zikalala

Location: News

SA a good place for investment, says Zikalala

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Sihle Zikalala, has assured investors that South Africa has put in place systems, structures and policies that are investor-friendly and is easing ways of doing business.

“As South Africa, we are a story of economic growth, hope and resilience to investors and social partners,” he told investors.

The Minister is on an official working visit in the United Kingdom, where he and a delegation are on a mission to promote South Africa as a preferred infrastructure investment destination. 

“We are open for business and we guarantee your return on investments in a country that is continuously eliminating red tape, has economic stability, improving the ease of doing business and where the rule of law is jealously guarded by our democratic institutions and our courts,” Zikalala said in his address to over 500 global investors in London.

The Minister presented to investors a plethora of infrastructure investment opportunities in areas such as energy, water, transport and digital infrastructure.

He assured investors that President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the charge for a corruption-free government which honours agreements and contracts with investors.

“The investor environment is one characterised by a commitment to ethics and running a corruption-free administration. An ethical state is essential to assuring investors that their investment is safe from abuse. In addition, we are very clear about the rules of engagement with no other hidden agendas.

“Despite our recent challenges which we are working hard to overcome, such as load-shedding, our economy remains resilient and has enhanced reforms, especially on financing large infrastructure projects where we have opened up space for public –private partnerships.  We are mobilising private sector financing and skills to work with the government of South Africa to fast track delivery and improve contract and project management,” he said.

Policies

At Wednesday’s session, the Minister faced gruelling questions around some of the country’s transformation policies such as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), localisation and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which some perceive to be too bureaucratic and impacts on investor confidence.

The Minister responded by saying that the policies are critical in redressing South Africa’s economic disparities induced by the pain of its history which left many languishing on the fringes of the economy. 

“The South African government is creating a new economic landscape and architecture which is premised on economic inclusion of most of the population.

“Our quest to address the socio-economic imbalances of the past should be no threat to investors but should be part of building a united and democratic South Africa that benefits all its citizens.

“This is a consensus that we have built as a country what we want to be non-racial, non-sexist and democratic with a prosperous population,” said the Minister.

Meanwhile, investors expressed excitement about the vast opportunities available in infrastructure investments.

The Minister invited the investors to visit South Africa and share the country’s major investment platforms such as the Presidential Infrastructure Investment Summit 2024 and the South Africa Construction Week and conference to be announced soon.

He believes the Global Africa Trade Conference is a lucrative opportunity to rebuild South Africa’s economy in the wake of a disruptive pandemic of COVID-19. 

Zikalala is confident that the new frontiers of economic partnerships have been cemented. The Minister will be in the UK until Friday. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 08:57

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Read moreSA a apt area for investment, says Zikalala

Strides being made to claw back against effects of State Capture

Location: News

Strides being made to claw back against effects of State Capture

While the remnants of State Capture continue to impact government and state coffers, progress is being made to bring those responsible to book.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who was addressing the ongoing National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s (NACAC) National Dialogue in Gauteng.

President Ramaphosa highlighted that among the billions of Rands that have been retrieved from corrupt elements, at least nine separate court cases, involving 47 individuals and 21 companies, have been brought to court.

“Freezing orders amounting to R14 billion have been authorised by the Asset Forfeiture Unit and a total of R5.4 billion has been recovered and returned to the state. Government departments, municipalities and professional bodies are taking disciplinary action against individuals identified by the [State Capture] Commission.

“The South African Revenue Service has collected R4.9 billion in unpaid taxes as a result of evidence brought before the State Capture Commission. While there is a long road ahead, the fight against corruption is gaining momentum,” the President said.

He highlighted that over the last five years, significant resources have been invested to “rebuild the law enforcement agencies and other bodies that were devastated by state capture”.

“We appointed new leadership with the track record, integrity and capability to tackle crime and corruption. We are now in the process of developing legislation that will insulate the appointment and removal processes for key positions shown to be vulnerable to state capture.

“In 2018, we established the NPA Investigating Directorate to focus on state capture and other serious crimes. We established the Special Tribunal to enable the Special Investigating Unit to fast track the recovery of public funds.

“In November 2020, Cabinet adopted the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, whose six strategic pillars anchor the deliberations of this National Dialogue,” he said.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged that corruption has a significant impact not only on state coffers but in the belief that citizens have in government.

“All South Africans suffer…when goods, services and resources meant for public benefit are misappropriated, mismanaged and stolen and when that happens, it is the poor who suffer most.

“Corruption carries a huge opportunity cost…it imposes a huge burden on the lives of our people. Economic growth is stifled and businesses suffer. Development stalls and institutions across the board – both in the public sector and in the private sector – also fail.

“Corruption has wounded our democracy in a number of ways and has also shaken people’s faith in our institutions. If corruption is not curbed, arrested or stopped, the greatest damage will not be in the funds stolen…or the jobs lost. It will be in damaging our democracy,” he said.

Reflecting further on South Africa’s democracy – which will turn 30 years old in 2024 – President Ramaphosa said next year, both progress and failings will be acknowledged.

“We will…reflect on how far we have come as a country in improving the lives of our people…the quality of their lives and also…in entrenching a culture of democracy and human rights.

“We will reflect on the progressive policies that have enabled millions of our people to be lifted out of absolute poverty and that have provided…basic necessities which they didn’t have…such as housing, electricity, water and other basic services.

“We will also, at the same time, acknowledge where we have not achieved enough, where the expectations and aspirations of our people have not been met. As we consider the great achievements of our democracy, we must be forthright about one of the great weaknesses where we have fallen short and that is with regard to corruption,” the President said.

The President emphasised that the fight against corruption and crime should be taken up by all of society.

“When it comes to criminality, we have 95 000 police in our country [and] we are adding [more]. Between last year and this year we are going to be adding up to 30 000 even next year. But those police will never be in every household, they will never be in every street, they will never be in every locale.

“In the end, the fight against criminality is also a societal one. Quite often…as communities, we know the people that get involved in criminality…and we don’t speak out. It is up to us as well to speak out, to make sure that we root out criminality working together with the police where we become the eyes and the ears of our people as a whole.

“Similarly when it comes to corruption, it is our duty all of us. It is a societal challenge and I hope this summit is going to come up with a lot of strategies and measures that we need to take to push back on corruption and end corruption in South Africa,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Thu, 11/09/2023 - 09:46

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Read moreStrides being made to claw back against effects of State Capture

My prepaid meter has stopped working and won’t accept any tokens? 7 Easy Troubleshooting Steps

Location: MyPR

One of the worst feelings is when your prepaid meter stops working and won’t accept any tokens. Here are a few steps you can take to address the issue: Check the meter display: Make sure that there are no error messages or any other indications of a problem on the meter display. If you see …

Read moreMy prepaid meter has stopped working and won’t accept any tokens? 7 Easy Troubleshooting Steps

Two awards recognize Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) innovative use of geospatial technologies

Location: News

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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Two innovative products of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) won prizes at the fifth annual GEO SDG Awards, which recognize institutions, organizations and countries that are applying geospatial and Earth observation techniques and innovations towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO won the SDG Custodian Agency Prize for the pathbreaking WaPOR portal, which monitors land and water productivity by remote sensing, and also shared the prize for Statistical-Geospatial Integration for its work with the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics in developing a rapid method of monitoring land cover and ecosystems, key components of SDG 15.

The prizes were organized by Earth Observations for the Sustainable Development Goals (EO4SDG Initiative under the auspices of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) at an award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa. The jury comprised a set of experts from different countries and sectors whose selection criteria were the overall impact, quality and soundness of the Earth observation endeavours and their potential for replication and upscaling.

GEO is a partnership of more than 100 national governments and even more participating organizations, representing researchers, data providers and businesses, that advocates for the use of coordinated, comprehensive and sustained geospatial monitoring to support decisions and actions that benefit mankind. GEO coordinates a “system of systems” that includes more than 400 million open-data resources from an array of providers including NASA and the European Space Agency as week as commercial actors.

“We are delighted at the impact and recognition of our innovative geospatial efforts and committed to intensifying this area of activity,” said Lifeng Li, Director of FAO's Land and Water Division.

The winners

WaPOR, formally “Water Productivity through Open access of Remotely sensed derived data”, offers open access to a near real-time database that uses satellite data to monitor agricultural water productivity at various scales.

Rolled out in 2017, it has recently been expanded to encompass the entire globe, and its granularity deepened to the point of measuring evapotranspiration rates on land surfaces as small as 20 meters. These traits help assess exactly when and how much waters crops need, allowing farmers to boost their water-use efficiency and contribute to SDG6.4.1, of which FAO is the custodial agency.

The GEO Award for Statistical-Geospatial Integration was given to the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics and FAO Lesotho for developing a way rapidly to compute the Mountain Green Cover Index at the national level.

The solution uses EOSTAT data disaggregated by elevation zones using Sentinel-2 land cover data. It has proven a game changer, filling pertinent data and gaps, offering significant cost savings on field survey activities, and allowing Lesotho to update its figures for reporting on SDG 15.4.2, which had been stalled for almost a decade.

The approach has also integrated data to identify hotspots of vegetation degradation, monitor the impact of land restoration projects and assess the impact of climate change on ecosystems around the country, further increasing Lesotho's national capacity to produce reliable SDG indicators as well as monitor ecosystem health and landscape trends.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Read moreTwo awards recognize Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) innovative use of geospatial technologies

Mchunu congratulates Rand Water on its Fitch rating

Location: News

Mchunu congratulates Rand Water on its Fitch rating

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has lauded Fitch Ratings affirmation of Rand Water's National Long-Term rating at 'AA+ (zaf), with a Stable Outlook.

Rand Water is an entity of the Department of Water and Sanitation that provides bulk water supply services to more than 16 million people in Gauteng and parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West provinces of South Africa.

The Fitch Ratings released a statement on 6 November 2023, detailing the key rating drivers, further stating the elements that would result in a Negative Outlook rating, which include "...if significant water losses (within municipalities water distribution network) contributes to lower profitability and increasing municipality arrears".

In his congratulatory message, Mchunu said the department is proud of Rand Water’s rating by Fitch, which reaffirms that the entity has a long-term positive and stable outlook. 

Mchunu said Rand Water is one of the best performing entities, and its 120 years of existence is a testament to its excellence.

He said there is a lot that goes into the sustainability of any organisation, amongst others, the dedication of its leaders and members, good governance, transparency, liquidity and an overall focus on the organisation’s mandate. 

While acknowledging there is still a lot of work to be done, the Minister said this "cannot take away the fact that the organisation has continued to perform in a stellar manner”.

“I would like to urge Rand Water to keep it up! One of the many things that we can commend Rand Water on is its ability to be forward-thinking, whether be it in terms of actual water supply or the maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure – Rand Water has continued to ensure that it keeps its eye on the mandate which it is tasked to carry out,” Mchunu said. 

He said the ministry and the department continue to pledge their support to Rand Water as they continue to be in service of the citizens of the country. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 15:44

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September floods declared a national disaster

Location: News

September floods declared a national disaster

The Western Cape Provincial Government has welcomed the decision to declare the floods that took place in September as a national disaster.

In a notice published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Centre declared the floods as a National Disaster for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. 

“We are pleased with this declaration, as it now enables all three spheres of government to work together to fund and repair the damage left in the wake of the unprecedented rains experienced over the Heritage Day long weekend in September,” Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, said.

Bredell said the disaster classification makes it possible for the provincial government to approach the National Disaster Management Centre for relief funds to support the work needed to recover and repair damages suffered to public infrastructure, including buildings, roads, bridges, and water networks.

The MEC said the damage assessments for the September floods are estimated at R441 million for provincial infrastructure, and a further R154 million for municipal damages. 

“We will now request the National Disaster Management Centre to approach National Treasury with these numbers [but] there is no certainty on how much or when we will receive any support from the national government. The provincial government will reprioritise existing budgets and continue with our own recovery efforts as best we can,” Bredell said.

According to the latest figures from provincial Infrastructure Department, 22 roads remain closed as repairs are prioritised for roads that connect communities and vital for economic activity. 

In the aftermath of the floods, both the N1 and N2 highway, including more than 150 other roads, were closed.

The Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Department has so far received 238 applications to do emergency repairs in rivers and streams that under normal conditions would require lengthy environmental approvals. 

“The department has already finalised 196 of these applications making use of Section 30A of the National Environmental Management Act, which allows for verbal approval in an emergency to carry out listed or specified activities to prevent or contain further damages to affected areas,” Bredell said. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

GabiK
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 10:07

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Celebrating our teachers

Location: News

Celebrating our teachers

By Nomonde Mnukwa

Most of us have stories about a teacher or teachers who have had a great influence in our lives. These teachers not only taught us in class but were instrumental in instilling good values and became our mentors and counsellors. Throughout our history, teachers have taken the lead in inspiring generations of students to be the best they can be and have contributed to building an informed society.

The hard work and important role played by teachers should be celebrated throughout the year and not only in October when we commemorate National Teachers’ Month. Currently thousands of learners are busy writing the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, under the watchful eye of teachers, who have helped to prepare them for the final leg of their school career, and who continue to play a crucial part in government’s effort to reverse the legacy of apartheid education we inherited in 1994.

It is no secret that the apartheid government denied both black teachers and learners quality education and provided them with limited resources. Hendrik Verwoerd who was the architect of apartheid wanted black people to be made "hewers of wood and drawers of water" irrespective of their abilities and aspirations. The policies of the apartheid government affected not only learners but the quality of teachers as well.

As government, we are encouraged that we have since 1994 made progress in addressing the educational inequalities we inherited. We have successfully merged the racially separate education departments and ensured that both learners and teachers are provided with necessary resources to adequately prepare for the future.

We are encouraged that over 800 000, mostly full-time pupils in 2023, have registered for the NSC exams. The increase in the number of candidates did not happen by chance but as a result of years of planning and hard work by committed teachers who want nothing but the best for their learners. 

Government salutes teachers who continue to go the extra mile and contribute in improving the quality of education in the country. We also wish the Class of 2023 well over the next few weeks and into the future.

Teachers are our greatest assets and as government we will continue to recognise them for their outstanding work. For instance, in October this year, we held the National Teaching Awards in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria where teachers received awards for their excellence and they represented the diverse nature of schools across the country in a variety of categories.

These included though not limited to, Excellence in Grade R Teaching, Excellence in Primary School Teaching, Excellence in Secondary School Teaching, Excellence in Secondary School Leadership as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Deputy President Paul Mashatile highlighted the important role teachers play in developing a society. “Educators play a critical role in building the foundations upon which every society exists.” He added: “The task of a teacher is manifold – not only are you imparting knowledge, but you are also shaping characters, instilling values, and crafting the future leaders of our country.”

The awards took place after the release of the country’s ten-year review on the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP is our collective plan to build a prosperous South Africa as envisioned in the Constitution.

The review shows that South Africa has made notable progress in improving access to education and redressing the injustices of apartheid. We have expanded support for Early Childhood Development Centres, provided ICT equipment and connectivity that will prepare learners for the 4th Industrial Revolution and daily meals to over 9 million learners through the National School Nutrition Programme. This has resulted in close to 100 per cent attendance by children until at least the age of 15.   

We have also exceeded the NDP target of 190 000 Bachelor level passes set for 2024. In 2021,  256 031 (36,4 per cent) learners obtained a Bachelor level pass. This achievement is thanks to hard working teachers who go above and beyond in their work and give their time without question.

Although the quality of education has improved when compared with other middle-income countries, the review reveals that we need to redouble our efforts in order to compete with the best in the world.

As government, we have given priority to some of the shortcomings highlighted in the review to ensure that we live up to our commitment to improve the lives of people through education. We are moving with speed to provide school infrastructure and ensure appropriate sanitation across the country.

Since 2018, 2 871 schools have been provided with sanitation facilities through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education programme, known as SAFE programme while 15,000 appropriate toilets were also constructed at 1,047 schools through the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative – ASIDI. About 511 schools are at various stages of implementation and DBE plans to provide these with sanitation facilities by end of the 2023/24 financial year.

We appeal to learners to look after infrastructure in their schools and to refrain from destroying, vandalising or burning schools. The destruction of educational infrastructure disadvantages our children and undermines the country’s effort to provide quality education.

We all have the collective responsibility to honour the legacy of teachers who ensure that every child is educated irrespective of background or circumstances.

*Mnukwa is the Acting Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) 

Matona
Tue, 11/07/2023 - 15:39

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Western Cape September floods receive National Disaster classification

Location: News

Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, South Africa
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The National Disaster Management Centre in its latest Circular declared the September floods as a National Disaster for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. “We are pleased with this declaration, as it now enables all three spheres of government to work together to fund and repair the damage left in the wake of the unprecedented rains experienced over the Heritage Day Long Weekend in September,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said in response.

Minister Bredell said the disaster classification makes it possible for the provincial government to approach the National Disaster Management Centre for relief funds to support the work needed to recover and repair damages suffered to public infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, and water networks.

The damage assessments for the September floods are calculated at R441 million for provincial infrastructure and a further R154million for municipal damages. “We will now request the National Disaster Management Centre to approach National Treasury with these numbers. There is no certainty on how much or when we will receive any support from the national government. The provincial government will reprioritise existing budgets and continue with our own recovery efforts as best we can,” Minister Bredell said.

According to the latest figures from the provincial Department of Infrastructure, only 22 roads remain closed as repairs are prioritised for roads that connect communities and roads that are vital for economic activity. In the aftermath of the floods, both the N1 and N2 were closed, together with more than 150 other roads.

The Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has so far received 238 applications to do emergency repairs in rivers and streams that under normal conditions would require lengthy environmental approvals. The department has already finalised 196 of these applications making use of Section 30A of the National Environmental Management Act, which allows for verbal approval in an emergency to carry out listed or specified activities to prevent or contain further damages to affected areas.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, South Africa.

Read moreWestern Cape September floods receive National Disaster classification

Cabinet notes progress in addressing Vaal water, sanitation woes

Location: News

Cabinet notes progress in addressing Vaal water, sanitation woes

Cabinet has noted interventions by government in addressing water and sanitation infrastructure challenges, which had resulted in the collapse of the Vaal waste water system.

Cabinet made the remarks after the recent Presidential Oversight Visit to Emfuleni Municipality.

The oversight visit was a follow-up on engagements with the community during the District Development Model (DDM) visit to Emfuleni in 2022, where issues of poor infrastructure maintenance by municipalities were identified.

Addressing media during post Cabinet briefing on Monday, Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said work has been undertaken to improve water supply, including proper functioning of the waste water infrastructure, thus “eliminating the problem of the sewer effluent running on the streets and people’s yards". 

“Progress noted during the visit includes improvements in critical bulk pipelines and water pump stations, resurfacing and resealing of roads, and a massive rollout of streetlights to improve lighting and safety,” Ntshavheni said.

Progress in infrastructure development and maintenance 

Cabinet also commended progress being made with infrastructure development and maintenance, which has seen the completion of 36 rural bridges under the Welisizwe Rural Bridges programme, and the construction of 20 projects in human settlements, roads and water, which are currently underway. 

The Welisizwe bridges project is a government initiative aimed at addressing the backlog of bridges in rural and disadvantaged communities. 

The bridges will improve community access to health facilities, schools and economic amenities.

The project involves the Public Works and Infrastructure Department, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and provincial Transport Departments.

Speaking at the recent launch of the project, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala said an amount of R1.1 billion will be spent per year in the Eastern Cape - which is the pilot for Welisizwe Bridges; KwaZulu-Natal; Free State; Mpumalanga; Limpopo and the North West.

The programme targets rural provinces where there is a backlog in the construction of bridges and a threat to life during rainy seasons. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 11/06/2023 - 15:27

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Read moreCabinet notes progress in addressing Vaal water, sanitation woes

Ai Expo Africa 2023 – Drone and Ai Technology creating safer and sustainable Technology

Location: MyPR

The integration of Drone and AI technologies has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping industries and fostering a future marked by enhanced safety measures and sustainable practices. This synergistic alliance offers a myriad of applications across diverse sectors, contributing to a technologically advanced and environmentally conscious landscape. One notable area where this collaboration excels is …

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