Day: July 8, 2022

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Health sector congratulates 594 medical graduates trained in Cuba

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says the recently graduated South African medical doctors who were trained in Cuba will help address the challenges that continue to plague the country’s healthcare system.

Minister Phaahla said the demand of doctors and other healthcare workers remains a huge issue in South Africa’s healthcare system.

“The system and our conditions as a country requires those trained in the new health associated security paradigm and preventative approach to strengthen the primary health care system,” the Minister said.

He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 594 South African Medical Students graduating from Cuban Universities as part of Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme.

The objective of the programme is to alleviate the shortage of doctors in South Africa, especially in the historically disadvantaged communities and well as to improve human resource capacity and strengthen the healthcare system in the country.

Phaahla presided over the graduation ceremony held at the University of Pretoria’s Mamelodi campus in Pretoria.

He was joined by Health Deputy Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Deputy Minister of Health in the Republic of Cuba, Dr Luis Fernando LF Navarro, Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, Prof BT Maharaj; as well as provincial MECs for Health and representatives from the University of Havana in Cuba.

This group of doctors come from eight different provinces with North West and Kwazulu-Natal having 126 graduates, Gauteng 113, Limpopo 86, Eastern Cape 83, Northern Cape 28, Free State 21, and Mpumalanga 12 graduates.

The Minister highlighted that the prevailing socio-economic conditions and environmental factors requires the health sector to remain vigilant and maintain focus on infectious diseases as they have been shown to be the emerging threats.

Over a number of years, the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration, grew in leaps and bounds, producing the desired medical professionals from which South Africa has benefitted immensely.

Phaahla said the glaring achievements from the collaboration signify the relevance and importance of solidarity among the people and nations of the world, seen many years ago by former President Nelson Mandela and El Comandante Fidel Castro.

“From its inception the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration programme opened opportunities and addressed the need for a new medical training model focusing on preventative and promotive healthcare services rather than the historical dominance of curative health care system.

“The programme opened access to advanced training as medical practitioners for disadvantaged students who would otherwise not be admitted in most of the South African medical schools because of their socio-economic background,” he said.

Phaahla said the collaboration increased the annual intake medical students and output of doctors in the country, which increased the capacity of provincial departments to place medical doctors in public health facilities in rural areas.

The Minister said the programme has also produced a long-lasting South Africa-Cuba universities collaboration in the academic discipline, especially in health, involving sharing of information and exchanges in research.

He added that the quality assurance system implemented in the programme is asserted by the fact that students who completed their studies are accepted into South African university for further supervision and alignment of outcomes.

“When the graduates return home they get integrated into the South African medical schools for quality assurance of their qualifications, after which they get offered places in the internship and community service programmes,” he said.

From 1997 to date, the collaboration has produced 2556 doctors, some of whom have become specialists.

Annually, since 2018, it has been producing more than 600 doctors, a milestone that exceeds South Africa’s local production of medical doctors.

The Minister congratulated the graduates on their life-time achievements and recognised their efforts and appreciation of their positive response to the call to duty.

“As you graduate, we welcome you to join this patriotic and dedicated force that has demonstrated resilience during the height of COVID-19 pandemic, saving lives of our people, but also some losing their own lives – we salute them for their courageous acts,” the Minister said.

Minister Phaahla further expressed his gratitude to the families for having endured the absence of their children as they had to stay in foreign lands acquiring the skills and expertise to contribute to this noble profession and critical service for the country.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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New transformative river management programme aids climate adaptation

A four-year partnership between C40 Finance Facility (CFF) and the eThekwini Municipality has yielded positive results with the development of the Transformative River Management Programme (TRMP) that will mitigate the impact of climate change as witnessed during the April floods.

The TRMP, which was handed over to the municipality on Thursday, is an adaptation programme that builds on a range of river management projects in eThekwini, including the Sihlanzimvelo Community Stream Cleaning Programme.

The TRMP aims to transform more than 7000 kilometres of the city’s rivers and streams over a period of 10 years, as part of building a climate resilient and safe city. The programme has a potential to employ thousands more people as part of the green economy.

According to the municipality, the intention is to expand the programme and others to a broad range of river conditions, ecological infrastructures, land ownership and land use conditions to anchor the green economy, develop the social and economic capital of the city and build partnerships.

The programme will provide a scalable and replicable model for how cities across the world can manage and maintain their waterways while maximising socio-economic benefits.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, said adaptation is critical, especially for cities like Durban who are already vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Kaunda said the city recognises the importance of the natural environment in helping cities to adapt.

To this end, the city has invested significantly in protecting, managing, and restoring important ecosystems through the community ecosystem-based adaptation approach.

“As a result of this approach, vulnerable and poor communities are given access to work opportunities to manage and maintain our ecosystems, providing both an income and ecosystem protection from climate impacts.

“Well managed ecosystems provide over R4 billion worth of services to our city and its residents annually. These waterways are not only responsible for providing water, but they also help regulate the impact of heavy rains and floods if well managed. Putting necessary resources in rivers and catchments must be central to the City’s climate adaptation response,” Kaunda said.

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Ravi Pillay, said the success of the TRMP brings back the climate change agenda to the front burner.

“This is not just something for climate activists but having come through the floods, it should be top of mind for everyone. It is the ideal time to entrench what we need to do to mitigate and change the course of development,” Pillay said. 

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Condolences for slain former Japan Prime Minister

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the people of Japan, following the death of the country’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe passed away following a shooting while he was on the campaign trail in the country.

Abe was Japan’s longest serving prime minister until he left the job in 2020.

“On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, I offer my sincere condolences to Mr Abe’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as the Government and people of Japan as a close and special partner to our nation.

“The violence that claimed Prime Minister Abe’s life is a call on all of us to work for non-violence, peace and tolerance in all parts of the globe,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President reflected that during his term as South Africa’s deputy president, he has “been privileged to have a close association with Prime Minister Abe”.

“I recall my warm and productive interactions with Prime Minister Abe during my August 2015 visit to Japan as where we made significant progress in strengthening our bilateral relations, especially in the economic sphere, as well as South Africa’s cooperation with Japan in addressing issues on the global agenda.

“I reflect similarly on my participation as President of the Republic in the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama in August 2019. Prime Minister Abe convened this platform under the theme “Advancing Africa’s development through Technology, Innovation and People”, which sought to further deepen trade and investment, capacity and skills development, networking and people’s exchange between African nations and Japan,” he said.

Soon after the TICAD, President Ramaphosa and Abe watched on together in Yokohama as the Springbok’s clinched the Rugby World Cup when it was hosted in Japan during the same year.

“I had the pleasure to return to Japan to experience Prime Minister Abe and the government and nation of Japan hosting people from all over the world for the 2019 Rugby World Cup with characteristic efficiency and hospitality.

“For the championship final on Saturday, 2 November 2019, I had the honour of sharing a Yokohama International Stadium stand with Prime Minister Abe as we witnessed the Springboks triumph as world champions. His warm embrace and handshake at the final whistle embodied the relationship between our two countries,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President reiterated his condolences to the people of Japan.

“It is my wish that the people of Japan and South Africa will find solace in the legacy Prime Minister Abe established in Japan, globally and in the depth of relations between our two countries. May his soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agenc

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Treasury on rating action of Fitch ratings

Government’s response to the rating action of Fitch ratings

Government notes Fitch’s decision to affirm South Africa’s long term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB-’ and maintain a stable outlook.

According to Fitch, the affirmation takes into consideration that the government’s debt trajectory is lower than previously anticipated as well as recent improvements in several key credit metrics, including the current account balance. However, the agency anticipates debt stabilisation to remain a challenge.

Government will continue to demonstrate its commitment to fiscal sustainability and enable long-term growth by narrowing the budget deficit and sizable debt. South Africa’s steadfast commitment to restoring the sustainability of public finances is supported by better-than- expected revenue collection in the current fiscal year.

According to the agency, South Africa’s ratings are supported by a favourable debt structure with long maturities and denominated mostly in local currency as well as a credible monetary policy framework.

Source: Government of South Africa

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Media accreditation for the Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference

South Africa to host the inaugural Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference in Sandton on 20 July 2022

South Africa will host the inaugural Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference (BIEC) on 20 July 2022 at the Sandton International Convention Centre.

The Conference aims to reflect on the performance of government’s Black Industrialists programme since its inception. The gathering will further highlight and showcase the importance of the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) towards enhancing economic development and promoting intra-trade on the continent.

More than 800 black industrialist businesses have benefitted from this programme creating new and dynamic enterprises in several critical value chains.

Members of the media are invited to apply for accreditation to cover the Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference. The accreditation deadline is Monday, 11 July at 12:00, Central African Time (CAT).

Please RSVP by sending your details on the attached template to zeenat@gcis.gov.za(link sends e-mail)

Members of the media are also requested to send their broadcast plans, interview requests and highlight their technical requirements for coverage.

Source: Government of South Africa

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Water and Sanitation calls for cleaning of rivers during Mandela Month

DWS calls for cleaning of rivers during Mandela Month

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) calls on all South Africans to actively participate in the annual Clear Rivers campaign spearheaded by the Department in its efforts to have pollution free and healthy water sources.

The Clear Rivers campaign was initiated in 2016 in the spirit of Mandela Month, a call for people to dedicate 67 of their minutes in the spirit of goodwill to clean up rivers, canals, streams, wetland and other water sources. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage active and responsible citizenry across the spectrum where people become participants in promoting pollutions free environment to improve water quality and ensure water security in the country.

This year’s campaign will be held under the theme “South Africa is a water scarce country, clean up and protect water resources.

Departmental Spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau says the Clear Rivers campaign is one of the important campaigns undertaken by the Department and has called on community members, businesses, civil societies, organisations, churches and everyone to join hands with government and clean up all water streams across the country.

“This campaign is close to our heart as the department because it speaks to many issues that affect water quality and water security in the country. The pollution of water sources is dire and this scourge needs everyone involved as government can’t do it alone”, he emphasised.

In addition, Ratau says healthy water sources is paramount in the country as clean and quality water is not just a basic human right alone, but it is also a catalyst to the economic development.

“Communities and livestock particularly stand a better chance of an improved quality of life when our rivers are clean and healthy. Agricultural community, the mining sector, fisheries amongst others benefit a great deal from healthy streams”, he added.

The envisaged outcome of this year’s campaign is to amongst others ensure the following, environmentally conscious communities, pollution free rivers, well informed and educated communities

The Department of Water and Sanitation is continuing to plead with communities to take responsibility in as far as conserving and protecting the rivers is concerned and report pollution of rivers and freshwater ecosystems to the DWS Hotline on 0800 200 200.

Source: Government of South Africa

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Water and Sanitation on national dam levels increase

National water levels experience a marginal increase 

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s national weekly status of dams report published early this week demonstrate a slight improvement in water levels in some parts of the country. This week, the overall storage capacity of the country’s water level sits at 93.4%, a minor increment from last week’s 93.3%, and a notable enhancement from last year’s 85.2%.

Water Supply Systems that have experienced some improvements are; Algoa with dams in Nelson Mandela Bay increasing from 13.4% to 14.5%, Cape Town Water Supply System gaining from 72.5% to 73.8%, Crocodile West improved slightly from 99.6% to 99.9%, Luvuvhu faintly increased from 101.1% to 101.2%,  Orange moved slightly up from 99.2% to 99.5%, and Polokwane expanded from 101.7% to 102.0%.

The following Water Supply Systems have recorded downward movements, Amathole declined from 76.3% to 76.1, %, Bloemfontein decreased from 99.8% to 99.3%, Butterworth dropped from 100.0% to 99.8%, Umgeni experienced a reduction from 100.3% to 100.0% and Integrated Vaal River System has slightly shrunk from 100.7% to 100.6%.

Water Supply Systems that are steady and unmoved week on week are, Crocodile East at 100.3% and Umhlathuze 100.2%.

A total of three (03) out of nine (09) provinces have recorded downward movements in water levels namely, Gauteng slightly dropped from 100.8% to 100.5%, Eastern Cape reduced from 70.2% to 69.8%, and KwaZulu Natal diminished from 90.6% to 90.4%.

On the improvement mode is Western Cape which increased from 59.1% to 60.7%, this is attributed to the ongoing  downpours experienced in the province recently, Free State moved up from 100.8% to 101.0%, Limpopo improved marginally from 88.4% to 88.7%, Northern Cape has risen from 108.2% to 108.8%, and North West also increased from 81.2% to  81.5%.

Mpumalanga is the only province that is still in the same level as last week, sitting at 95.3% capacity. Jericho Dam is sitting at 100.2%, Nooitgedacht Dam which is part of the IVRS supplied by Komati River has declined from 100.9% to 100.4% and Kwena Dam which is part of Crocodile East Water Supply System is unmoved at 100.3%.

KwaZulu-Natal’s Albert Falls Dam which is part of Umgeni Water Supply System declined from 99.5% to 98.9%, Midmar Dam which is also part of Umgeni also decreased moderately from 99.6% last week to 99.0% this week, Woodstock which is supplied by Tugela River and falls under IVRS is unmoved at 101.1%.

Groendal Dam which is part of Algoa Water Supply System in the Eastern Cape is critically low at 21.3% moving further low from last week’s 21.5%, Kouga Dam which is situated in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan currently experiencing water supply challenges sits at a critically low 16.0%, Nahoom Dam which forms part of Amathole Water Supply System has decreased from 96.2% to 94.7% this week.

Thee Waterskloof shot up from 73.9% last week to 75.2%, Berg River increased from 82.2% to 84.1%, on the downward movements in as far as Western Cape is concerned is Kammanassie which is alarmingly low at 5.8%, and Northern Cape’s Karee Dam sits at 27.9%.

Vaal Dam which is part of the IVRS has decreased from 105.1% to 104.8%, Gariep Dam which is part of Orange River Water Supply System has recorded a minor improvement  from 99.4% to 99.5%, Vanderkloof Dam also moved up from 98.8% to 99.6% and Karee Dam in the Northern Cape which was critically low at 9.3% has improved to 17.9%.  

North West’s Hartbeespoort Dam in Crocodile West Water Supply System decreased from 99.4% to 99.2%, Roodekopjes increased from 103.1% to 104.2%. Vaalkop Dam stands at 91.9% and Roodeplat Dam which is the component of Crocodile West supplied by Pienaars River has moved up from 100.5% to 100.6%.

De Hoop Dam which is the biggest dam in Limpopo is steady and unchanged at 100.3%, Flag Boshielo Dam which is part of Polokwane Water Supply System has increased moderately from 102.2% to 102.6%, Nandoni Dam in the far north of Limpopo recorded a minor increase from 101.4% to 101.5% and Middel-Letaba is almost empty at 4.1% capacity.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is persisting to plead with water users to exercise caution when utilising the available water.

Source: Government of South Africa