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Southern Sun Newlands Café, nestled in the heart of Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, has launched its new Winter menu. As the temperatures drop, guests can now indulge in a delightful fusion of flavours that celebrate South African heritage and local ingredients. Nose-to-Tail Cooking and Zulu-Inspired Flair Executive Chef Sihle Dlamini, the creative force behind the …
Graduates are required by law to complete the Internship and Community Service Programme in order to practise
New Catchment Management Agencies to ensure good water governance
In an effort to ensure the involvement of stakeholders in the management of water resources, the Department of Water and Sanitation is expected to launch four Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs).
They will be launched during the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) conference set to take place in Durban this week.
The establishment of the Catchment Management Agencies is in line with the provisions of the National Water Act (NWA) and the National Water Policy for South Africa.
The purpose of Catchment Management Agencies is to enhance decentralised decision-making in managing water resources, in an integrated manner, at a local level.
The department said the CMAs will ensure participative management, good water governance and integrated planning and improving co-operative governance of the country’s water resources, in order to achieve the objectives of the National Water Act, equity, accessibility and government’s commitments to improving service delivery.
“A CMA manages all the water resources in a water management area at the catchment level. This means that a CMA is responsible for the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of all the water resources in that particular water management area (WMA).
“This responsibility requires that all spheres of government, water users and communities in the water management area participate with CMAs as partners,” the department said in a statement.
Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, finalised the appointment of Board Members of the Pongolo–Umzimkhulu and the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agencies, a decision concurred by Cabinet.
The Boards of Pongola-Umzimkhulu and Vaal-Orange CMAs appointments became effective from 1 December 2023.
The department has reconfigured the number of CMAs to six, including Limpopo-Olifants, Vaal-Orange, Pongola-Umzimkulu, Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma, Breede-Olifants and Inkomati-Usuthu.
The boards, as the accounting authority, will operationalise the CMAs including developing the catchment management strategy, effective participation of stakeholders and management of water resources in the water management area.
“In addition, the CMA will be more responsive to water user needs and speedy decision-making around water resources management and create a customer-focused culture for water resources management,” the department explained.
The appointed board members for Pongolo–uMzimkhulu include Dr Thava Kelly (Chairperson), Sibusiso Makhanya (Deputy Chairperson), Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Bhekumuzi Gumbi, Dr Lembi William Mngoma, Snenhlanhla Mngadi, Professor Purshottama Reddy, Mdandla Myeni, and Nokuthula Khanyile.
This CMA is an amalgamation of the previous WMA areas within the KwaZulu-Natal province, such as half of the Pongola-Usuthu WMA, the Thukela WMA, and the Mvoti-Mzimkulu WMA. Interim Chief Executive, Swaswa Ntlhoro, was appointed for the transitional phase.
The appointed board members for the Vaal-Orange CMA, which operates in the Central North-eastern part of South Africa and extends from Ermelo in Mpumalanga to Kuruman in the Northern Cape, include Desmond Solomon Fransman (Chairperson), Tsakane Zwane (Deputy Chairperson), Hubert Thompson, Nontuthuzelo Njeza, Nakana Masoka, Ponatshego Mothibi, Doris Dondur, Dichikane Mashego, and Louis Van Oudtshoom. Interim Chief Executive, Solomon Mathebula, was appointed for the transitional phase.
“The Minister has finalised the appointment of Board members of Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma and awaiting concurrence by Cabinet. Interim Chief Executive, Sibusiso Mjwara, was appointed for the transitional phase. This agency’s footprint covers the majority of the Eastern Cape, and includes portions of KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Northern Cape.
“For the Limpopo-Olifants CMA, the Advisory Committee has concluded their recommendation for the appointment of the Board and is awaiting the vetting of candidates and concurrence by Cabinet,” the department said.
Water Institute of Southern Africa conference
Meanwhile, the three-day Water Institute of Southern Africa conference will take place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, from 12-14 June 2024.
WISA conferences provide a platform to discuss problems and solutions facing the water and related sectors. The conference is used to create mechanisms and collaborations, to ensure an enabling environment to set us on a path of implementation and impact. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 06/10/2024 - 11:57
Call to minimise marine pollution
Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy has urged citizens to play their part in minimising marine pollution by adopting sustainable practices, including reducing littering, participating in beach clean-ups, and recycling materials.
Creecy made the call as South Africa joined the global community in celebrating World Oceans Day (WOD), held under the theme ‘Awaken New Depths.’
Observed on 08 June, the main objective of this year's WOD celebrations was to highlight the vital role of oceans in shaping socio-economic realities and environmental sustainability.
World Oceans Day also falls in June which is observed as Environment Month in South Africa.
“As a maritime nation bordered by three vast oceans — the Atlantic, Indian, and Southern, South Africa recognises the significance of our oceanic territory and the imperative to deepen our understanding and ensure protection of this invaluable ecosystem. Oceans influence weather patterns, support diverse ecosystems, and provide livelihoods for millions of people worldwide, including 40% of South Africa's population residing within 100km of the coastline.
"The theme ‘Awaken New Depths’ encapsulates our commitment to explore and harness the immense potential of our oceans. Through concerted efforts, we aim to enhance our understanding of marine environments and promote sustainable use for the benefit of current and future generations," Creecy said.
With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending 200 nautical miles into the ocean surrounding the mainland and encompassing territories such as the Prince Edward and Marion Islands, South Africa boasts a vast maritime area of 1.5 million square kilometres.
Despite this expansive territory, much of the world's oceans remain unexplored, emphasising the need for increased awareness and conservation efforts.
Creecy said South Africa has in the past few days experienced adverse weather conditions that have led to the destruction of property and loss of life, noting that the origin of this weather phenomena can be traced back to its source, the ocean.
“The heavy rains in the Eastern and Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were due to the air-sea interaction processes. South African scientists and international collaborators are working hard to study these extreme events to understand their frequency and magnitude in future to be able to mitigate against devastating impacts in future.
“By working together, we can unlock the vast potential of our oceans while preserving their ecological integrity for generations to come. As we commemorate World Oceans Day, let us awaken to the depths of our oceans and embrace our role as custodians of these precious resources. - SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 06/09/2024 - 10:20
No response from SAPS on whether the three are still employed or on duty
The strength of democracy
Many will be wondering how South Africa’s seventh democratic government will be constituted following the recent elections that resulted in no political party gaining an outright majority to lead the country for the next five years.
Citizens did their part in exercising their right to vote as pointed out by Section 19 of the Constitution which states that every adult citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections.
The results of the seventh National and Provincial Elections released on Sunday showed that the African National Congress (ANC) garnered 159 seats in the 400-member National Assembly (NA), followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 87 seats and the uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK party) with 58 seats.
This translates to the ANC having received 40.18 % of the votes followed by the DA with 21.81% and the MK with 14.58%.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) garnered 39 seats while the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) got 17 and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) received nine seats.
Other political parties gained the other remaining seats in the House with between six, three, two, and single seats.
The distribution of seats in Parliament is proportional to the number of votes cast for the various parties.
The National Assembly Guide to Procedure 2004, states that the NA “is the House directly elected by the South African electorate” with the Constitution stating that the National Assembly must consist of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 women and men elected as its members.
In August 2023, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Leader of Government Business, convened a National Dialogue on Coalition Governments. The aim of the dialogue was to lay the foundation for a National Framework on Coalition Governments, which would serve as a guide for effectively managing and navigating coalition governments where they become necessary.
The Presidency said at the time that the need for such dialogue was informed by the adverse effects that had been observed in certain coalition arrangements at local government, particularly their impact on service delivery and governance.
But what exactly is a coalition government?
“A coalition government exists when two or more political parties (or independent representatives) combine their votes in a legislature or a council, to elect a government, and to support the decisions it takes. This becomes necessary when no single party has a majority of the seats in the legislature or council,” notes a National Dialogue on Coalition Governments Q and A subsection.
Elections in South Africa result in multiple parties being represented in Parliament, a provincial Legislature or a Municipal Council.
“And the executive leadership (President, Premiers and Mayors) is always elected by that legislature and can be removed by the Legislature. If none of the parties has more than 50% of the seats, a coalition is, therefore, necessary to support the executive. Otherwise, the President, Premier or Mayor is likely to be voted out of power,” the subsection further notes.
Government of national unity
South Africa is no stranger to coalitions having had one after the historic 1994 elections which resulted in a government of national unity (GNU).
In terms of the country’s then interim Constitution, the National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party participated in a government of national unity under President Nelson Mandela.
In 1994, the President was assisted by two Deputy Presidents, a Minister in The Presidency and 16 Ministers in the GNU which represented three political parties. In 1996 one political party exited the GNU, but maintained its official opposition status in the legislatures.
South Africa has also had coalitions at provincial level in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
There have been coalitions in municipalities, ever since the first democratic local government elections in 2000.
The will of the people
Speaking at the Electoral Commission’s Election Results ceremony at the Results Operation Centre in Midrand, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that by going to vote, the people of South Africa have taken responsibility not only for the future of themselves and their families, but for the future of their country.
“Through their votes they have demonstrated, clearly and plainly, that our democracy is strong, it is robust and it endures. Our people have spoken. As the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes,” he said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Parliament is fully prepared, and all the necessary arrangements have been made for establishing the new National Assembly.
“Comprehensive plans are in place to ensure a seamless transition, including onboarding new Members of Parliament,” Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said in a statement.
READ | Plans underway for establishment of the seventh democratic Parliament
With South Africa having regularly held elections since 1994, the 2024 National and Provincial Elections are an affirmation of the strength this democracy. - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Wed, 06/05/2024 - 14:34
Parents of children with disabilities protested in May, demanding that government do more to help their children
At least nine people killed by severe weather affecting almost half the country
Don’t miss the four-part Wild Zambezi series on the big screen; tickets at R50 per episode. The mighty Zambezi River, the fourth largest river in Africa, plays host to an incredible four-part documentary series titled Wild Zambezi. Celebrating Environment Month in June, the docu-series will screen exclusively at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas around the country, with …
Sun sets on 2024 elections
The sun has set on the most arguably contested election in the history of South Africa, with voting, vote counting and the capturing of results completed.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) declared the official results during a ceremony at the national Results Operations Centre on Sunday, attended by, among others, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This paves the way for the seventh administration, which will lead South Africa for the next five years.
South Africans on 29 May voted using three ballots for the first time because of the inclusion of independent candidates on the ballot. These were the National Ballot, National Regional Ballot and the Provincial Legislature Ballot.
No less than 16 million South Africans made their mark, translating into a voter turnout of 58.61%.
The parties which received the most votes and thus garnered seats in the 400-member National Assembly are as follows:
Winners of the National Assembly votes by each region are as follows (percentages as at 7pm on Sunday):
The winners of the provincial legislatures are as follows:
“After carefully considering the extensive measures put in place and acknowledging the provisions of section 57(3) of the Electoral Act 1998, the commission declares the results of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, free and fair,” IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said during the results announcement programme.
The list of elected public representatives was handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ceremony.
On Thursday, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is expected to officially receive the lists of designated Members of Parliament from the IEC in preparation for the first sitting of the National Assembly, which he will preside over. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Sun, 06/02/2024 - 19:30
Call for caution amid expected cold snap
With a drop in temperatures expected in various parts of the country, the City of Tshwane has appealed to residents to stay safe during the cold weather.
“A drop in temperatures over parts of the country, including the City of Tshwane as forecast by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), is noticeable. The possibility of thundershowers with cold and windy conditions is forecast over parts of Gauteng from the afternoon of Sunday, 02 June 2024 extending to Monday, 03 June 2024,” the City’s Emergency Services Department said on Sunday.
The city has called on residents to keep warm but remain safe this winter by observing the following safety precautions:
The city said the safety tips are no exhaustive and encouraged citizens to do everything they possibly can to stay safe.
“The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department will continue to monitor updates by SAWS and issue further notices when required,” it said.
Floods in Eastern Cape
Meanwhile, some parts of the Eastern Cape are flooded, including the Sarah Baartman, Nelson Mandela, Amathole, OR Tambo and Buffalo City municipalities.
Two people have reported died, two are missing and 65 people have been rescued.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams said teams were on site attending flooded roads and houses.
Emergency services have been working throughout the night and are still working and searching to assist people affected by the flooding.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," said MEC Williams.
He said officials in the Provincial Disaster Management Centre was monitoring the situation as the rain weather is expected to continue until Monday.
Drop in temperatures
In a statement on Friday, the SAWS said that following a relatively dry and warmer-than-usual month of May, South Africans can expect the first significant drop in daytime temperatures over the coming days, with showers and thundershowers possible across most parts and even some snow over elevated areas.
The weather service said this was a result of a developing cutoff low-pressure system (the northwards displacement of a low-pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere) over the western and southern parts of the country from Sunday into Monday.
“Cut-off low-pressure systems are commonly associated with widespread rainfall, snowfall, strong to gale-force winds, and rough sea conditions in winter.”
The weather service added that cold temperatures, between 12 and 17°C, are expected across the western and southern parts of the country spreading to the central and eastern parts (including the Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga Highveld, and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal) on Monday.
Very cold temperatures, with a maximum temperatures below 10°C, with mountain snowfalls are possible over the northern high ground of the Eastern Cape, the eastern high ground of the Western Cape, the southern high ground of the Northern Cape, parts of the Drakensberg and in Lesotho on Monday, it said.
The system is expected to weaken and exit over the country's southern coast on Tuesday, with rainfall still expected over parts of the Western and Eastern Cape.
“The remainder of the country will see the return of clear weather conditions, but temperatures will remain cold,” said SAWS, adding that forecasts might change during the course of the weekend. - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 06/02/2024 - 13:43
Vote counting, validation nears completion
South Africa is inching closer to capturing and validating 100% of the votes cast in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
At 12:51pm on Saturday, vote counting, and validation stood at 98,91 % with 23 028 of 23 292 voting districts completed nationally.
this as South Africans went to the polls on Wednesday, 29 May.
According to the Election Commission’s (IEC) Results Dashboard, the ANC is in the lead with 40.29 of the vote followed by the DA at 21.64% and MK Party at 14.70%
In Limpopo, 3 199 of 3 216 voting districts completed. This means that 99.47% of vote counting has been completed. The ANC is in the lead in that province at 74.27% followed by the EFF at 12.92% and the DA at 6.09%.
The North West is at 98.56% with 1 713 of 1 738 voting districts (VDs) completed. In this province the ANC at 58.95% followed by the EFF at 16.51% and DA at 13.02%.
Mpumalanga is at 98.4% with 1 782 of 1 811 VDs completed. The ANC is leading with 51.75% of the vote followed by the MK Party at 17.40% and EFF at 12.70%.
KwaZulu-Natal is at 99.58% complete with 4 953 of 4 974 voting districts completed.
The MK Party is in the lead with 45.93% of the vote followed by the ANC at 17.61% and IFP at 16.26%.
Vote counting and validation in the Free State is complete at 100% with all of the 1 586 of 1 586 VDs completed.
The ANC is in the lead in the province at 52.88% followed by the DA at 21.31% and EFF at 13.09%.
The Eastern Cape is at 98.5% with 4 794 of 4 867 voting districts completed. The ANC has 63.22% of the vote followed by the DA at 13.92% and EFF at 10.08%.
The Western Cape is at 97.68% with 1 534 of 1 572 VDs completed. The DA is leading at 53.23% followed by the ANC at 21.19 and PA at 7.43%.
Counting in the Northern Cape is complete with 730 of 730 VDs completed. The ANC is in the lead with 49.30% of the votes followed by the DA at 21.22% and EFF at 12.89%.
Gauteng is at 94.46% with 2 642 of 2 797 voting districts completed. The ANC is in the lead with 36.31% of the vote followed by the DA at 26.97% and EFF at 12.46%. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 12:57
Voter turnout at 58.57% in 2024 national elections
With more than 98% of votes in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections having being captured and validated, voter turnout for these elections is at over 50%.
The Electoral Commission’s 2024 National and Provincial Elections Results Dashboard placed voter turnout at 58.57 % as at 10:52 am on Saturday.
This as 98.42% of votes or 22 923 of 23 292 voting districts, having been completed.
South Africans voted in the seventh democratic elections on Wednesday, 29 May.
According to the dashboard, Gauteng currently stands with the highest voter turnout at 63.72%. The province had a registered population of 6,541,978 in these elections.
This as registered voters in completed voting districts (VDs) stood at 584,569 and the total votes cast in completed VDs stood at 372,465.
Gauteng was followed by the Northern Cape at 62.49 % and KwaZulu-Natal at 61.81 % to date.
The Western Cape is fourth at 58.09 %.
The other provinces stood as follows as at 10:26 am:
Vote capturing and validation continues.
Voter turnout in the 2019 national elections was at 66.05 %. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sat, 06/01/2024 - 11:20
Results update: ANC leads most provincial votes
With the second day of vote counting in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections still underway, the African National Congress (ANC) is currently taking the lead and continues to secure most of the votes in most provinces, except in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
As at 11:45am on Friday, the leaderboard at the National Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, showed that the ANC was leading the votes in the Eastern Cape with 739 564, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 138 958, and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 109 630.
A total of 67.65% vote capturing and processing had been completed in the Eastern Cape, including 3 293 of 4 868 voting districts completed.
The ANC was also taking a lead in the Free State with 336 267 votes, followed by the DA with 135 814, and EFF at 84 928. A total of 82.79% vote capturing had been completed in that province, including 1 313 of 1 586 voting districts completed.
In Gauteng, the ANC was leading with 663 401, DA 580 761, EFF 253 632, while the new kids on the block, Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party had secured 186 219 votes.
In Limpopo, the ANC had secured 530 882, EFF 91 411, and the DA 45 028. Limpopo had captured 47.57% votes including 1 530 of the 3 216 voting districts completed.
In the North West, a total of 58.295 votes had been captured, including 1 013 of the 1 738 voting districts completed, which showed the ANC leading with 279 283, followed by EFF 80 090, and DA 56 638.
A total of 63.22% votes had been captured in Mpumalanga with 1 145 of the 1 811 voting districts completed. The ANC in Mpumalanga had 344 794 votes followed by MK with 125 646 votes, DA 97 156, and EFF 93 452.
Counting in Northern Cape is almost complete with 99.86% votes captured, including 729 of 730 voting districts completed. The ANC in Northern Cape led with 194 373 votes, while DA had 83 809, and 51 813for the EFF.
In KwaZulu-Natal, which is among the most contested provinces, the MK is taking the lead with 625 363 votes, followed by ANC with 259 867, and Inkatha Freedom party (IFP) with 248 567, and DA with 200 493 votes.
Results continue to be captured and the leaderboard updated.
The IEC is expected to give the progress report on the elections at 4pm.
At a media briefing on Thursday, the Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that vote counting in the National and Provincial Elections 2024 has now been completed, and the process to capture and validate results was underway.
“The process of results compilation entails ensuring accuracy and validation of the results.
This process involves scanning each result slip to create an image of the result, double blind capture of each result slip, and auditing of each result slip by independent auditors. The result system was audited externally and parties had occasion to also audit,” the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said at the briefing. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 05/31/2024 - 12:30
IEC continues vote capturing
The Electoral Commission is pulling all the stops to ensure the finalisation of the capturing and auditing of results for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, and remains on course to complete the process timeously.
Briefing media at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand on Friday, the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, reiterated that counting at all voting stations has been completed, and that the Commission has all the results at its local offices.
“The process underway is to capture results on our system for tallying and seat allocation. So far, a total of 71.76 [percentage of] results have been captured,” Mamabolo explained.
The CEO reminded South Africans that the ballots are counted at the voting stations where they are cast.
WATCH | IEC media briefing
“At all times, this is done in the presence of political party agents, independent candidate agents and observers, who monitor the entire counting and results process.
“The Commission regrets the incident this morning when the leader boards at the results operation centres and our website could not display the results. We wish to emphasise that our system did not crash and no data was compromised.
“The Commission went into the elections with a full IT plan, which includes back-up and recovery, in case it is needed. This situation has not arisen,” Mamabolo said.
READ | IEC's results dashboard restored
Mamabolo said the incident involved the activation of a "necessary control" not to display to leader boards, which is a feature of the result system.
“Result capturing and other result collation activities proceeded without interruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, progress relating to the capturing of the results, per province, is as follows (as at the time of the media briefing at 4pm):
- SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 05/31/2024 - 16:58
South African fishers joined a picket outside the company’s AGM in France last week
Vote counting now concluded
Vote counting in the National and Provincial Elections 2024 has now been completed, and the process to capture and validate results is underway.
This is according to the Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.
Mamabolo was briefing media at the IEC’s National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Thursday afternoon.
“For all intents and purposes, counting procedures have been concluded, with only a few voting stations reported to still be counting at 3pm. The process of results compilation entails ensuring accuracy and validation of the results.
“This process involves scanning each result slip to create an image of the result, double blind capture of each result slip, and auditing of each result slip by independent auditors. The result system was audited externally and parties had occasion to also audit,” Mamabolo said.
WATCH | IEC briefing
Mamabolo said by 4pm on Thursday, results had been concluded for some 22.6% of the voting districts – representing at least 2.3 million votes cast.
The rate of the results captured is as follows:
“A result is considered complete only when a result slip has been scanned into an image, captured onto the results system, audited by independent auditors and has gone through the automated Results System exception parameters,” Mamabolo explained.
Every vote counts
Mamabolo revealed that the last ballot to be cast on Election Day was cast in Tshwane, Gauteng, with the first results coming from the Eastern Cape.
“True to its undertaking, the Commission assisted all voters that were in the queue by 21h00. Just after midnight, the Commission announced the first result. This was in a voting district in the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipality in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
The CEO thanked the millions of South Africans who braved long queues at voting stations and other challenges to make their mark in these elections.
“The Electoral Commission thanks the real heroes of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections. They are South Africans who stood in the queues and electoral staff who worked tirelessly to process the votes.
“The commitment and patience shown by the voters and electoral staff demonstrates their commitment to our electoral democracy,” Mamabolo said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 05/30/2024 - 17:00
2024 Elections: progress made in vote counting
Vote counting is progressing steadily after South Africans took to the polls in the 29 May National and Provincial Elections.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s Results Dashboard, as at 15:41pm on Thursday, with 21.05% of votes having been counted (4 903 of 23 293 voting districts completed), the African National Congress (ANC) leads with 43.39%, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 24.72%, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 8.90% nationally.
There are 27 782 477 registered voters in the country.
Provincial Legislature overview
In terms of vote counting for the Provincial Legislatures, results on the dashboard stand as follows for the leading parties:
Eastern Cape (counting 25.78% complete): ANC – 63.68%; DA – 15.68% and EFF – 9.44%.
Free State (counting 35.69% complete): ANC – 53.36%; DA – 21.37% and EFF – 12.45%.
Gauteng (counting 15.27% complete): ANC – 33.76%; DA – 30.46% and EFF – 11.66%.
KwaZulu-Natal (counting 11.94% complete): uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party) – 43.33%; ANC – 20.47% and Inkatha Freedom Party – 19.45%.
Mpumalanga (counting 23.69% complete): ANC – 50.97%; MK – 17.10% and EFF – 13.16%.
Northern Cape (counting 73.01% complete): ANC – 46.50%; DA – 24.57% and EFF – 10.57%.
Limpopo (counting 13.15% complete): ANC – 70.31%; EFF – 13.19% and DA – 9.14%.
North West (counting 18.01% complete): ANC – 63.27%; EFF – 17.19% and DA – 9.13.
Western Cape (counting 35.69%): DA – 51.72%; ANC – 20.32% and Patriotic Alliance – 10.90%.
Counting continues. – SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Thu, 05/30/2024 - 16:27
Madiba Park families still in limbo five years after protests
There were 6 018 new jobs created countrywide in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Global Business Services (GBS) sectors between October and December 2023 – 39% of which were in KwaZulu-Natal. In July 2023, it was reported that the sector contributed $74 million (around R1.3 billion) to the country’s export revenue. This is clearly …
Election Day: IEC stays the course to ensure right to vote
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has assured voters, who arrive at voting stations before 9pm tonight, that they will be allowed to vote, even if the process stretches beyond the closing time.
Voting stations opened at 7am today for South Africans to cast their votes in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, with special votes (for those who applied for various reasons) and voting abroad already having taken place.
“We are pleased that our efforts are yielding results, with the length of the queues substantially reduced,” said IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo on Wednesday.
Addressing media at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand this evening, Mamabolo said voting stations are experiencing a late surge and are processing a large number of voters in certain areas, particularly the metropolitan areas in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.
“The Commission is pleased that most glitches reported earlier have been overcome, allowing electoral officials to service voters timeously,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo said every citizen who has made an effort to be at a voting station must be allowed to vote.
There are 23 292 voting stations, with over 27.79 million registered voters.
“We urge those who have not voted to use the remaining time to go and make their mark. Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) will remain deployed at the voting stations to ensure the safety of voters.
“The Commission is pleased with the high turnout at many voting stations across the country and thanks voters who have exercised patience in the queues while waiting for their turn to vote,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo explained that once the counting processes have been completed, the Commission will start a process to remove all voting materials, including ballot boxes and used ballots, to storage facilities.
“This process will be handled with the utmost care,” Mamabolo said, urging members of the public to report any irregularities to the authorities.
Mamabolo said to improve the quality of vote counting and the completion of results slips, the Commission has instituted a new category of staff, who will support the presiding officer with the counting effort.
“The recruitment criteria for this staff was slightly different from the rest, as high levels of numeracy are mandatory. Three such staff were appointed for each voting station and each sub-station where we operate a voting centre,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo said according to the Electoral Act, the Commission has seven days within which to announce the results.
“We have always been able to declare and announce the results well within this period and will endeavour to do so with these elections,” he said.
With regard to voting at Correctional Service centres, Mamabolo said voting has been completed at all correctional facilities across the country.
“We remain grateful to the Department of Correctional Services for its ongoing assistance in ensuring that inmates exercise their democratic rights,” Mamabolo said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 05/29/2024 - 19:56
No repeat of last November’s disruption of registration process
Promising to be the biggest Women’s Month celebration yet, the Totalsports Women’s Race proudly continues to empower women while supporting PinkDrive in 2024. The event is set to flood the streets of three major cities in an ocean of pink on Sunday, August 4th in Durban, Friday, August 9th in Cape Town, and Saturday, August …