Category: Reportage

Source: South Africa News Agency

Government has congratulated its golden girl Caster Semenya for breaking the South African 1 000m record that stood for 35 years.

Semenya broke Ilze Wicksell’s record last Friday on 9 March 2018 at a blitzing speed of two minutes and 35 seconds.

The record set in 1993 was obliterated by Semenya by almost two seconds at the Athletix Grand Prix meeting held at Tuks in Pretoria.

Just four days after her track victory, Semenya scooped another accolade, this time in the field of academia when she graduated on Tuesday.

“Cabinet also commends Semenya for fulfilling her long-held goal to get a university degree, when she completed her Diploma in Sports Science at the North West University in Potchefstroom,” said Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane at a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

Meanwhile, government has applauded Ntsiki Biyela for flying the South African flag high for being the first black woman winemaker who launched her own brand, Aslina Wines.

With a degree in viticulture from Stellenbosch University plus 13 years working experience, 12000 bottles of Biyela’s wines are set to retail in the USA, Germany, Taiwan, and Ghana in 2018. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Cabinet has approved three bills for submission into Parliament.

These include the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill of 2018, iKamva National e-Skills Institute Bill, 2018 as well as Hydrographic Bill of 2018.

Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes 

The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill of 2018 has been approved by Cabinet for submission into Parliament.

The bill aims to create the offences of hate crimes and hate speech and to put in place measures to prevent and combat these offences.

It intends to address violence against persons on the basis of prejudice. It will also give effect to South Africa’s’ obligations in terms of international human rights instruments.

iKamva National e-Skills Institute Bill 

Cabinet also approved for the iKamva National e-Skills Institute Bill, 2018 (iNeSI Bill) to be submitted to Parliament.

The Bill provides for the establishment of iNeSI, as a legal entity with its own legislation to address e-skills (digital skills) capacity challenges in the country.

Briefing the media following a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane on Thursday noted that capacity development of e-Skills is seen as of the priority areas of government in building an inclusive economy, and to establish a capable and developmental state.

“The institute (iNeSI) will act as a national catalytic collaborator and change agent, for the development of digital skills and organisational capacity in the country,” Minister Mokonyane said.

Hydrographic Bill 

Cabinet has further approved for the introduction of the Hydrographic Bill of 2018 into Parliament.

The bill seeks to recognise and grant legislative status to the Office of the Hydrographer, which has been in existence in the Department of Defence (South African Navy), since the inception of hydrographic services in South Africa.

The bill will enable the Hydrographer of the South African Navy to be recognised as the National Hydrographer.

It will also ensure that the provision of hydrographic services is formalised and enacted into law.

“This is in line with the International Maritime Organisation and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which is an international maritime treaty which sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Cabinet has reaffirmed its committed to the diversification and transformation of the financial sector, says Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

This follows the announcement by the South African Reserve Bank that it had placed VBS Mutual Bank under curatorship.

“The appointed curatorship will support the VBS Mutual Bank to restore its liquidity challenges and serve the interests of the public and VBS depositors,” Minister Mokonyane said.

She was addressing the media in Cape Town on Thursday on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting that was held on Wednesday.

Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Procurement Programme

Cabinet has noted the case filed in the High Court by two non-governmental organisations regarding government’s decision to sign the power purchase agreements with 27 Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The matter will be concluded by the High Court on 27 March 2018.

“In the spirit of constitutionalism and the rule of law, the signing has been postponed. Cabinet affirms the commitment to resolve the matters around these programmes,” Minister Mokonyane said.

The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme will ensure that consumers in the country have access to cost-efficient and clean energy, and will bring much-needed investment in South Africa.

These projects are expected to provide 61 600 full time jobs, 95% of which are for South African citizens, specifically youth. 

Cabinet has reiterated its commitment to a solid public-private partnership as the country pursues its energy transition objectives of the future and a better life for all.

“This is needed to bring much-needed policy and regulatory certainty, and maintain South Africa’s position as an energy investment destination of choice,” Minister Mokonyane said.

SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment

Cabinet has approved that the Agreement Amending Annex 1 (Co-operation on Investment) of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Finance and Investment (FIP) be tabled in Parliament for ratification.

“The purpose of the FIP is to harmonise financial and investment policies of Members States, so that they are consistent with the objectives of SADC.

“This will ensure that any changes to financial and investment policies in one Member State does not necessitate undesirable adjustments in other Member States,” she said.

The aim of the amendments are to preserve the right of governments to regulate in the public interest and to balance the rights and obligations of investors and governments.

Nelson Mandela Rules

In an effort to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, Cabinet approved the tabling of the revised and renamed United Nations (UN) Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners – the “Nelson Mandela Rules” – in Parliament.

“The renaming of the Standard Minimum Rules to ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ honours the legacy of our former President, who spent 27 years in prison.

“There has also been a worldwide extension of the Nelson Mandela International Day scope, observed by UN Member States on 18 July, to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, raise awareness about prisoners being a part of society and value the work of prison staff as a social service,” Minister Mokonyane said.

The rules will assist South Africa to speed up the transformation towards a people’s developmental correctional system that is consistent with various international principles and guidelines. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Cabinet has thanked those South Africans who heeded the call to register to vote or to update their address details during last weekend’s voter registration drive.

“This is a milestone in preparation for the sixth national and provincial elections expected to take place in 2019,” said Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane at a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

A total of 2 767 139 citizens visited voting stations at the weekend.

Of the 2.76 million plus voters who visited their voting stations, over 1.3 million re-registered in their current voting district. More than 800 000 changed their registration to a new voting district and almost 500 000 were voters registering for the first time.

Cabinet noted that 82% of the new voters were under the age of 30 and approximately 54% were women.

Gauteng saw the most new registrations at 23.69%, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 18.78% and Limpopo with 17.03%.

The province with the highest level of overall registrations was the Eastern Cape at 87%, followed by the Free State at just over 82% and KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Northern Cape at 79%. 

Despite the most new registrations, Gauteng’s overall registration sat at 67.3%.

“The IEC reported that the voter’s roll now stands at 26 250 939 voters, which roughly equates to 75% of the eligible voting population based on Statistics South Africa voting age population estimates,” said Minister Mokonyane.

Cabinet said it was encouraged that the 300 000 citizens who visited voting stations were among the almost 2.8 million voters for whom the IEC did not have an address going into the weekend.

“An up-to-date and accurate voter’s roll affirms the credibility of the voter’s roll and strengthens our democracy by ensuring free, fair and credible elections,” said the Minister.

South Africans who were not able to visit their local voting station at the weekend have been urged to visit their local IEC office to verify and complete their addresses.

“Alternatively, the IEC’s online facility at www.elections.org.za/MyIEC and the app remains available 24 hours a day for registered voters to check and update their address details,” said Minister Mokonyane. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Cabinet has welcomed the adopted motion to amend the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.

Government has since 1994 worked hard to reverse the legacy of land dispossession under colonialism and apartheid.

Working within the law, government has done much to ensure the continued productivity of the land, while speeding up the process of redress for those affected by land dispossessions.

Briefing the media following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said the matter has been referred to the Constitutional Review Committee, which must report back to Parliament by 30 August 2018.

“The recommendations to the National Assembly will be informed by a series of public hearings followed by committee meetings. Cabinet calls on all stakeholders to make their input during this process of engagement, which will guide the solutions to take our country forward. As a caring and people-centred government, all stakeholders will be engaged during this process,” Minister Mokonyane said on Thursday. 

Cabinet further urged communities to desist from illegal land invasions, adding that South Africa is a law-abiding and peace-loving country with adequate mechanisms of dealing with issues, including the land issue.

“South Africa remains open for business, and investments in agriculture and farming are welcome. It is in South Africa’s interests to have commercial farmers, and this process can ensure we have even greater numbers of successful commercial farmers,” Minister Mokonyane said.

Wildlife Economy Project 

Meanwhile, Cabinet has welcomed the launch of the Nofingxana community’s Double Drift Wildlife Economy Project by Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa.

Launched last Wednesday at Double Drift Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape, the initiative enables access to start-up game or wild animals, which in itself fosters the ownership of game in the hands of communities, particularly the previously disadvantaged.

It further advances the interface between communities and protected areas, which in turn contributes to promoting sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism, job creation and protection of natural and cultural heritage.

The launch also included the handing over of the title deed to the Likhaya Lethu Communal Property Association (CPA) on behalf of Rural Development and Land Reform Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The Double Drift Community were dispossessed of their residential and grazing rights by the 1913 Land Act.  In 1994, the community lodged a land claim which was settled in 2012, resulting in Likhaya Lethu CPA being established.

The Likhaya Lethu CPA consist of 1 500 Double Drift Community members, who received R6 million from the Department of Environmental Affairs to develop a Wildlife Economic business venture in the farm Naudeshoek (1400 hectares). The transaction was processed through the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Five micro-distributors have been given the tools to take their businesses to soaring new heights.

The businesses received bakkies, stock and cash safes as part of the Department of Small Business Development-Nestlé Micro-Distributor Programme.

“A total of R250 000 has been invested per SMME that has been approved as a micro-distributor. [About] R150 000 is earmarked for the purchase of the vehicle, while the balance will to go to storage, safes and stock,” the department said.

The Department of Small Business Development has partnered with Nestlé South Africa in an Enterprise Development Programme to grow small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

It is expected that 34 more micro-distributors will benefit over the next few months and at least 200 will have benefited by 2020. All beneficiaries of the programme are operating in townships and rural areas.

On Wednesday, the department and Nestlé handed over the resources to the five beneficiaries in Johannesburg.

Beneficiary Wendy Masiza, who distributes Nestlé products to spaza shops in the East Rand, expressed her gratitude for the initiative.

“The bakkie will provide reliable transport for me, as the car that I was using was giving me problems. This will also help me to grow my business by giving me the ability to provide to more spaza shops,” Masiza said.

Nestlé chairman Remy Ejel said the programme is focusing on rural areas and townships, as unemployment is a challenge in those areas.

“You are not only making a difference in your lives but you are also making a difference in the lives of the people that will be working with you in the future while you are growing.

“Nestlé [is] delivering on its purpose to enhance the quality of life but at the same time… Through the hard work you do, you will be able to grow and employ more people,” Ejel said.

He said when the public sector and private sector work together, they can make difference and build a better future.

“Today is one of the most beautiful days because there’s so much passion… impacting individuals, [who in turn] will make a difference… This is how together we can create an economy that is more inclusive, that is more robust and can grow,” Ejel said.

Department of Small Business Development Acting Deputy Director-General Lindokuhle Mkhumane encouraged the entrepreneurs to be successful in their business endeavours so that the department can fund more SMMEs.

“We expect SMMEs to create about 60-70% of the jobs in South Africa. Out of the 11 million jobs that must be created by 2030, about 90% of those must come from SMMEs.

“Please don’t hire someone that you cannot fire. Make sure that hire someone you can fire when they don’t deliver because we are dependent on you,” Mkhumane said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Cabinet has announced that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi will bolster his department’s efforts to combat the Listeriosis outbreak by meeting with the South African Nursing Council on Thursday.

Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane made the announcement at a media briefing on the outcome of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

The food-borne disease, which was first identified in June 2017, has claimed 180 lives and to date 940 Listeriosis cases have been reported in the country.

“Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of those who lost their lives after contracting Listeriosis, and wishes those who are recuperating a speedy recovery,” said Minister Mokonyane on behalf of government.

Efforts by the Department of Health, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the World Health Organisation to stop the listeria bacteria from spreading have been hailed by Cabinet.

“The positive progress made in identifying and isolating the source of the deadly Listeriosis outbreak and subsequent recall of food products from three Enterprise and Rainbow meat processing plants where the bacteria was found was a defining moment to stop the outbreak,” said Minister Mokonyane.

Listeriosis is a serious and preventable illness that can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

People who are most at risk to the disease are pregnant women, very young infants, elderly persons and people with a weakened immune system.

Minister Mokonyane on behalf of government urged those who show symptoms of fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhoea to visit their medical practitioner or local clinic immediately.

Cabinet has reiterated the Health Department’s call for the public to ensure that they adhere to the five food safety rules which are:

• Wash hands with soap and water before handling food, and after using a bathroom;
• Cook food thoroughly and do not eat half-cooked food as the Listeria bacteria will die when food is well cooked;
• Do not handle raw and cooked food together;
• Keep food at appropriate temperatures; and
• Make sure that all milk products are pasteurised or at least parboiled and wash non-cooked food with clean running water before ingestion or at least with pre-boiled water.

“Those with any uncertainty related to Listeriosis may contact the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on 011 386 6400,” said Minister Mokonyane. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to launch an initiative to help young people find jobs and empower them to run their own businesses.

“The initiative, in collaboration with the private sector, aims to empower one million young people over the next five years to become economically active, either as a member of the workforce or running their own businesses or finding their passion for further study,” Minister of Communications Nomvula Mokonyane said on Thursday.

Minister Mokonyane, who addressed the media in Cape Town on the outcomes of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, said the launch of the pilot Youth Employment Services (YES) initiative will be held at the Riversands hub in Diepsloot on Tuesday, 27 March.

Following the growth in the economy in 2017, Cabinet has called on all sectors of society to build on the positive momentum and work with government to translate its plans into concrete action to sustain economic growth and create jobs.

“The growth figures signal that the economy is on an upward trajectory, with National Treasury expecting the economy to expand by 1.5% this year and accelerate to 2.1% in 2020,” Minister Mokonyane said.

Cabinet has welcomed the 1.3% growth in the economy in 2017. This is an increase from 0.3% in 2016.

“The performance of the economy under difficult conditions bodes well for the country’s future economic prospects,” she said.

Thuma Mina

Cabinet has encouraged all South Africans, in the spirit of “Thuma Mina” (meaning ‘send me’), to play their part by sharing their positive stories to build the country’s reputation and grow its investment appeal.

Earlier this month, Brand South Africa launched the digital campaign called “CEOs Know”, which is aimed at promoting South Africa as an investment destination. The campaign was launched in collaboration with Business Leadership South Africa.

“This builds on our world-class infrastructure through InvestSA One-Stop Shop, research and development capabilities, innovation and an established manufacturing base to support investors. New growth areas have also been opened in the oceans economy, renewable energy, the green economy and shale gas exploration,” Minister Mokonyane said.

The campaign features CEOs from multinational corporations based in South Africa, sharing their insights on continued investment in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

The executive says government remains committed to providing social assistance to the vulnerable and that grants will be paid come 1 April.

Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane on Thursday said Cabinet received a briefing on Wednesday on the state of readiness by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to carry out the hybrid model in the payment of social grants to beneficiaries on 1 April.

“This is in line with the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) judgement that ordered the extension of the current contract with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) up until 31 March 2018,” Minister Mokonyane said during a post Cabinet media briefing held in Cape Town Thursday.

Minister Mokonyane emphasised that the current SASSA cards remain valid until December 2018, adding that “the process of changing the beneficiary cards will be done in a seamless manner that will not disrupt the payment of grants“.

Visit your nearest post office 

Cabinet called on beneficiaries, who do not have bank accounts, to visit their nearest South African Police Office branch to open their accounts.

“Cabinet has instructed SASSA together with GCIS, to do everything possible to inform all the beneficiaries of any possible changes that may take place in the process of transition from CPS to the new hybrid model.  

“Cabinet remains committed to ensuring government adheres to the ConCourt judgement. SASSA offices will be opened and ready to process the new applicants,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet urges all members of the public, especially beneficiaries, to contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 or visit the nearest SASSA office for more information. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South Africa News Agency

Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom says millions of South Africans and international tourists continue to visit and travel around South Africa, despite the current water crisis.

“We appreciate the responsiveness and respect shown by our visitors in helping us deal with one of the worst droughts experienced in our country,” Minister Hanekom said.

He said the continued innovation in water-wise initiatives has been remarkable, with new and progressive solutions introduced on an ongoing basis.  

Minister Hanekom welcomed the announcement by the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize that the worst drought-affected areas would have access to national disaster funds and other forms of assistance. 

Minister Hanekom congratulated all South Africans and both local and international travellers on achieving what is being hailed as a global first in terms of the extent to which water consumption is reduced during a drought. 

The additional funds will allow these efforts to continue in all affected parts of the country, particularly in Cape Town. 

Awareness has changed consumer behaviour to respect the reality that South Africa is a water-scarce country and that water should never be wasted. 

“We are delighted that tourists and travellers to South Africa continue to be part of the solution by embracing new and innovative water-wise tourism practices. 

“Congratulations to our tourism agencies, the travel trade as well as our tourists and communities at large for rising to the challenge.

“More importantly, I encourage all tourists, both local and international, to enjoy the experiences our beautiful South Africa has to offer, in a way that embraces ‘Travel, Enjoy and Respect’, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) message to all,” Minister Hanekom said. – SAnews.gov.za