Day: October 12, 2022

Deputy President, David Mabuza, has urged older people who have a lot of knowledge and other “living human treasures” to share their wisdom with the next generation by writing and speaking about culture to help keep it alive.

“The older generation should be able to impart their knowledge to the younger generation, and the younger generation should be open and willing to learn to preserve our culture and tradition for future generations,” said Mabuza.

The country’s second in charge was addressing traditional and Khoi-San leaders in Khathu, the Northern Cape on Wednesday.

Through these engagements, traditional and Khoi-San leaders have had the opportunity to make proposals to government on how to confront the challenges currently facing the nation and how they will contribute to making South Africa a better place for all.

The Deputy President hailed Ouma Katrina Esau, the only remaining fluent San language speaker of N|uu, which is considered the original language of southern Africa.

“If she did not take drastic steps, we could have lost the N|uu language,” he said.

The President was speaking in his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team established to respond to issues raised by traditional and Khoi-San leaders.

“Katrina is working hard to save the language of her childhood from dying out. She authored the first children’s book published in the N|uu language.”

He has encouraged everyone to follow the 88-year-old’s example in protecting the country’s diverse heritage.

“Our tradition and heritage are our wealth, and we need to harness this cultural wealth by preserving it.”

He also told delegates that it was the leaders’ responsibility to identify, unlock and nurture areas of the economy that hold the promise of creating opportunities for the people to earn a living while preserving the country’s rich heritage.

“Your leadership as traditional and Khoi-San leaders is also crucial to the building of a cohesive, united, and successful society that is democratic in form and free of racism and sexism in all aspects,” he said, adding that the nation needs this to go forward.

Social ills

He also pleaded with leaders to urgently deal with the challenges of crime, teenage pregnancies and alcohol and drug abuse. “We must find practical ways to divert children from drugs and alcohol.”

Meanwhile, he said communities should be provided with skills, jobs, and extra-mural activities.

“We need to work together to solve problems like unemployment, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, inequality, poverty, and not having enough land for farming and industry.”

Mabuza said leaders needed to protect and defend children, youth, and women who are vulnerable to violence and drug and substance abuse.

Infrastructure

“Moreover, we must address the marginalisation of those in rural and communal areas so they can access opportunities that are the fruit of freedom and democracy, as well as advancements in science and technology.”

He said government has plans to invest in the infrastructure networks of rural areas so that people can have access to necessities such as clean water and sanitation, electricity, and roads that connect them to places of employment, educational institutions, and healthcare centres.

“During our visits to engage with Traditional and Khoi-San leaders in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape as part of policy in action, we have been encouraged by the sheer determination by all to overcome our prevailing challenges.” 

Source: South African Government News Agency

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says he is devastated by a fatal scholar transport hijacking that took place yesterday outside Faranani Primary School in Protea Glen.

The hijacking claimed the life of a parent from the school.

According to the Gauteng Education Department, a group of unknown suspects attempted to hijack a scholar transport vehicle that was fetching learners from the school in the afternoon at approximately 14:00.

It is alleged that one of the suspects shot a male parent from the school, who was trying to intervene and prevent the hijacking. Unfortunately, the parent passed away from fatal gunshot wounds.

The incident took place in front of the school’s main gate, in full view of learners and staff members. Police are Investigating circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the brave parent who lost his life in an attempt to prevent this criminal act. As the Department, we have committed to dispatching our Psychosocial Team to the school to provide necessary counselling and support to all those who witnessed the incident unfold, and others who may be traumatized by it,” MEC Chiloane said.

MEC Chiloane visited the school today.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula has affirmed South Africa’s commitment to decarbonising those economic sectors that are currently reliant on fossil fuel for energy in an effort to mitigate against the impact of climate change.

“We have private enterprises, research institutions and ports in our country, that are hard at work in a quest to develop low or zero carbon fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia, green technologies for ships and port infrastructure,” Mbalula said on Wednesday in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Addressing delegates at the World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE), the Minister emphasised that decarbonising should be done on the basis that there is just transition, which considers the socio-economic factors of the country and her people.

This year’s World Maritime Day Parallel Event is taking place under the theme: “New technologies for greener shipping,” which calls for the global family of nations to take action on decarbonisation of shipping and ports through the use of zero or low carbon technologies, fuels and infrastructure.

The ultimate goal is to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission across the globe for sustainable development

Shipping contributes less than 3% of global emissions. However, if there are no mitigation measures taken, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships is projected to increase to 250% by 2050 because of future demand of cargo that will be carried by international ships.

“We believe that the abundance of renewable energy potential can accelerate the development of greener technologies and alternative fuels in order to meet the demand of supplying bunker to ships at our ports.

“To meet these demands, South Africa will have to accelerate her investments on research and innovation for the development of alternative fuels, technology and infrastructure,” Mbalula said.

The Minister said as countries embark on the development of the regulatory framework for the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, greener technology becomes central in providing new solutions and opportunities for the improvement of energy and technical efficiencies for sustainable shipping.

“To be able to decarbonise shipping as envisaged in the greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy, the spirit of co-operation among all stakeholders must be a golden thread that enables us to remove barriers that may impede investments and transfer of greener technologies while ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said.

The maritime event is an opportunity for the international community to make concrete contributions and collaborate on innovative and mitigation strategies geared towards addressing the impact of maritime transport on climate change.

Taking advantage of opportunities in maritime sector

The Minister said South Africa is resolute in its efforts to grow a seafaring nation where young men and women are able to take advantage of the country’s vast maritime resources for their livelihoods and careers.

“Seafaring is an international occupation and seafarers produced by South Africa are able to work on international shipping and they are highly sought after.

“Producing seafarers for international employment will no doubt contribute in the reduction of youth unemployment in our country,” the Minister said.

Mbalula said coastal shipping occupies the centre stage of South Africa’s developmental efforts, not only to aggressively enhance the oceans economy, but also to create jobs.

“This will be realised by creating a captive market for South Africans where regulation will determine what categories of cargo should only be moved by sea. Our national policy recognises that South Africa’s economy is intrinsically linked with other regional and continental economies.

“Thus, South Africa will leverage on regional and continental enabling structures and instruments to implement progressive initiatives particularly coastal shipping as an important enabler in unlocking the potential of the oceans to the region,” the Minister said. 

Source: South African Government News Agency

Parliaments of the world need to establish strong, effective, responsive policies, structures and mechanisms in parliaments, including within political parties, to avert and protect women Members of Parliament from physical and psychological attacks.

The call was made by National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Deputy Chairperson, Sylvia Lucas, during a panel debate on ‘Gender Sensitive Parliaments: Parliaments Free from Sexism, Harassment and Violence against Women’ – facilitated by the Forum of Women Parliamentarian of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The panel discussion followed the official opening of the 145th IPU Assembly by President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. The IPU Assembly is currently underway in Kigali, Rwanda.

Addressing the panel, Lucas said the legal instruments and mechanisms should cover all spheres and nodes of society where women become victims of abuse, including households and all social media platforms.

She made reference to the IPU studies undertaken in 2016 and 2021 on sexism, harassment, and violence against women parliamentarians, which demonstrated fairly graphically the pervasive nature of patriarchy, which continued to undermine women’s meaningful participation in all spheres of society.

“The rules of our parliaments must be accordingly strengthened, in order to make provision for the inclusion of gender sensitive rules, to govern all parliamentary proceedings, stipulating harsh sanctions against perpetrators.

“We must also urgently review our parliamentary immunity rules, to ensure that our rules do not afford MPs immunity from prosecution for sexual harassment, violence against women and related matters,” Lucas said

Lucas also called for a women-friendly mechanism for reporting and lodging complaints against all forms of violence in parliaments covering activities within political parties.

She said the downfall of most systems is the absence of meaningful consequences management for those found to have violated policies and regulations.

“We have to ensure strict enforcement of zero-tolerance policies, criminalizing all forms of violence against women in our political parties. We must stand firm in our resolve to address all forms of aggression because they are intended to impede our full participation and contribution to political and social life.

“The consequence of not dealing decisively with this scourge will “inadvertently hinder implementation progress on the 2030 Development Agenda, which is aimed at creating an equal and empowered sustainable world,” Lucas said.

Call for gender-responsive approach to migration

Dr Annellie Lotriet, from the South African Parliamentary delegation, called for “a right-based, gender-responsive approach to migration”, as migration has an opportunity for many women and girls to fulfil their full potential, mostly running away from deeply entrenched gender inequalities, including sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), as well as lack of access to resources in their respective nations.

Lotriet said women bear the brunt of violence, discrimination, and other human rights violations meted against them at various stages of the migration process.

She called for gender-responsive migration policies and presented South Africa’s proposals, which include “expressing deep concern at the reports of grave abuses and violence committed against migrant women and girls”.

South Africa also proposed and urged governments of the world to develop, enforce and strengthen effective gender-sensitive measures to combat and eliminate all forms of trafficking in women and girls, including sexual and economic exploitation, as part of a holistic anti-trafficking strategy that integrates a human rights perspective.

The South African delegation attended a series of engagements on Wednesday, including the Governing Council, various standing committees, as well as the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP).

The IPU’s 145th Assembly is scheduled to receive numerous reports, including the Task Force briefing on the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who is leading the South African delegation, is part of the IPU-appointed task force, which conducted bilateral engagements with representatives of parliaments of both countries as part of its meditation efforts.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Police investigations into a series of arson cases in and around Johannesburg culminated with an arrest on Tuesday evening.

The Serious and Violent Crime (SVC) unit in Gauteng, at about 6pm, arrested Johannesburg’s most wanted suspected arsonist linked to a murder, burglary residential and 25 counts of arson committed in Johannesburg northern suburbs in the past two years.

Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, said the arrest came after the team operationalised information received from National Crime Intelligence, and mobilised SAPS Johannesburg K9, CAP Security and Fidelity Specialized Services for back-up.

“At about 6pm, the suspect was located walking on foot in Emmarentia and he was apprehended.

“It is reported that during the incidents, the suspect will break in at affluent houses and after stealing property, he would then set the houses alight. In one of the incidents, an elderly man lost his life due to smoke inhalation, as he was in the house when it was set alight.”

Gauteng SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, addressing citizens, expressed appreciation for tip-offs police received following the publishing of the wanted suspect’s photo early in September.

“Thank you to those that took the time to call in and share valuable information that has now led to this arrest. It goes to show that with the community on our side, we can do more to fight crime,” said Mawela, who went on to commend the team that effected the arrest for a job well done.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates Court on Thursday. 

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Presidency has received the amended version of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture Report, which incorporates corrections made by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who chaired the Commission. 

“The release follows the granting of permission by the Pretoria High Court on the 4th of October 2022, to allow Chief Justice Zondo to make corrections to the final volume of the report which was submitted to the Presidency in June 2022,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

Chief Justice Zondo applied for the right to make the corrections in August, saying nobody would be prejudiced by them and they would be in the public interest.

The amended reported is available and can be downloaded from the Presidency’s website: www.thepresidency.gov.za.

Source: South African Government News Agency