SA News

SA: Government improving lives in rural areas

April 4, 2017

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By:– SAnews.gov.za

Mbizana – President Jacob Zuma says government is making strides in improving the lives of people especially those in the rural areas.

“We have committed ourselves to developing our rural areas. We want all our rural areas to have economic activities so that our people can have jobs and also be able to make a living from the land and from small businesses in rural areas,” the President said on Friday.

He was speaking at the official launch of the Mbizana Rural Enterprise Development (RED) Hub, an OR Tambo Centenary Project at Dyifani village, in Mbizana, in the Eastern Cape.

A total of R53.5 million has been invested in establishing and operating the Mbizana RED Hub.

President Zuma said there is a need to stimulate growth through agriculture.

“It cannot be that we must all go to the cities to earn a living,” he said.

President Zuma said he is pleased with the creation of the RED Hub as one of government’s efforts to stimulate growth through agriculture and agro-processing.

“This development will alleviate poverty and address low levels of development in the District. We are aware that agriculture is the third highest contributor to the Alfred Nzo District’s economy,” he said.

He said there is an urgent need for major new private sector investments to create jobs and improve livelihoods in the area.

“Our people must make a living from the land, and must also not go hungry when they can produce food from the land. We are thus happy with the partnerships between the local municipality and other stakeholders to embark on massive grain production with the aim of addressing high level of poverty in the area,” the President said.

According to President Zuma, the government has spent R100 million on the Ilima/Letsema national conditional grant projects aimed at eradicating poverty and stimulating the economy.

To date, the total amount invested by government in the RED Hubs over the past three years is R190 million.

“We urge the whole of government to support local farmers by increasing public procurement of agricultural products from our own primary producers,” he said.

President Zuma called on the national government to support the farmers to ensure that they grow and move from being subsistence farmers to commercial farmers.

The locals gave the RED HUB project a thumbs-up, saying it is going to create jobs for the locals.

“I am happy with the project since it is in my area and it is going to reduce the high rate of unemployment in the area,” said Xolelwa Majoni, a local resident.

“The project is not only about food, as the locals we are also going to learn a lot about agriculture,” she said.

Echoing the similar sentiments was Japhter Tsolo, also a local resident, who told SAnews that he is now able to provide for his family.

“I am employed at the project processing mealie mealie and packaging for the market,” he said.

The Mbizana RED Hub is one of the four RED hubs in the Eastern Cape, implemented by the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR)’s agency, the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) and covers six wards which constitute 14 villages in the Mbizana local municipality, Alfred Nzo District Municipality.

The RED Hub will service the villages with a strong focus on value addition of grain as well as Hub primary production, mechanisation and establishment of a trading centre for farmers to assist cooperatives in growing the local rural economy to create jobs and sustainable livelihoods.

The funds for the initiative have been provided to ECRDA by the Eastern Cape Provincial treasury and ECRDA is implementing the initiative.

The Mbizana RED Hub planted 986 ha in 2014/15 crop production season at 13 primary cooperatives.

The total white maize yield that was bagged was 317 tons and 226.5 tons was sold to Mqanduli RED Hub.

In 2015/16 crop production season, there were only 488.1 ha planted land with white maize. This was attributed to the dry and hot drought conditions that affected the entire country. In 2016/17 crop production season, there is approximately 1459 ha planted land with white maize.

Among others, who attendant the launch was Agriculture Deputy Minister Bheki Cele, the Eastern Cape Premier, Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and senior government officials.

SAnews.gov.za

SA to promote Special Economic Zones in China 

Pretoria - South Africa will embark on a roadshow in China to attract investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies oversaw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the Bank of China on Monday.

Speaking following the signing ceremony in Johannesburg, Minister Davies said the move would bear immediate results when the roadshow to promote SEZs kicks off in May.
Through the MoU on strategic cooperation, the dti and the Bank of China have agreed to cooperate on issues of investment promotion and facilitation, trade promotion and projects support.

The bank will also mobilise international and domestic resources to promote investments for South Africa in its capacity as a commercial bank.

“I am pleased that there are already plans to move speedily in implementing the MoU, as there are arrangements in place for the Special Economic Zones investment roadshow that will take place in China in early May. 

“The main purpose of the roadshow is to promote our SEZs in China and showcase the opportunities that are available there, with the view of attracting more investment in the SEZs,” said Minister Davies.

Minister Davies said China was not only South Africa’s largest trading partner but it has also emerged in recent years as a significant investor in both infrastructure and industrial projects in South Africa.

“China’s investments in South Africa are important particular to the dti as they boost the department’s efforts to industrialise the country. Financial institutions like the Bank of China play a very critical role in the facilitation investment projects in the country.

“We are optimistic that the MoU will strengthen cooperation between SA and China in a number of areas, including trade missions, joint marketing activities, investment and industrial finance,” said the Minister.

The MoU was signed by the Director-General of the dti, Lionel October, and the General Manager of the Financial Solutions Department at the Bank of China, Ren Li.

SEZs are geographically designated areas of a country set aside for specifically targeted economic activities, supported through special arrangements (that may include laws) and systems that are often different from those that apply in the rest of the country.

The dti’s 2014/15 - 2016/17 Industrial Policy Action Plan identifies SEZs as key contributors to economic development. They are growth engines towards government's strategic objectives of industrialisation, regional development and employment creation. – 

SAnews.gov.za

The Presidency

President Zuma appoints members to the Judicial Service Commission

3 April 2017

 

President Jacob Zuma has in terms of section 178 (1)(J) read with section 178(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and after consulting with the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly, appointed three persons as members of the Judicial Service Commission.

The following members have been appointed:

Advocate Thandi Norman SC

Advocate Thabani Masuku

Mr Sifiso Msomi.

The Judicial Service Commission was established in terms of section 178 of the Constitution and consists of 23 members. In terms of section 178 (5) of the Constitution, the JSC is entitled to advise the national government on any matters relating to the Judiciary or the administration of justice.

President Zuma has congratulated the new members of the JSC and wishes them all of the best in the execution of their responsibilities. 

The Presidency

The Presidency

Employment of SANDF members in fulfilment of the international obligations

3 April 2017

President Jacob Zuma has, in terms of section 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, extended the employment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the Southern African Development Community (SADC) maritime security, in the Mozambique channel.

Two Hundred (200) members of the SANDF were employed to monitor and deter piracy activities along the Southern African Coast of the Indian Ocean. They will continue monitoring and deterring piracy activities along the Southern African Coast of the Indian Ocean.

The employment has been extended for the period 01 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.


The Presidency
 

News24

Zuma does not need to consult before reshuffling his cabinet - Mbete

2017-04-02 22:14

 

Amanda Khoza and Sisa Canca News24

Baleka Mbete

Johannesburg – National assembly speaker, Baleka Mbete, on Sunday said President Jacob Zuma does not need to consult anyone if he wants to reshuffle his cabinet.

“There is no ANC process that requires the president to come and have a conference with us about reshuffles…it’s not like there is a rule that obliges him to come and have a discussion about his thinking.

“The president called me on Thursday and told me what was going to be announced, but not the detail,” Mbete said earlier on Sunday.

She was briefing the media after cutting short her work visit to Bangladesh to address requests she received to urgently convene a sitting to process yet another proposal for a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.

"The Court was, among others, asked to compel Parliament to urgently schedule a motion of no confidence in the president. No finding was made against the speaker in respect of the relief sought by the official opposition." She was referring to President Jacob Zuma's much anticipated cabinet reshuffle which saw the axing of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas.

Mbete said she would begin a process of consultation contemplated in the rules, in consideration of the request submitted.

On the process, Mbete said the constitution clearly stipulated what should happen.

“The constitution in section 102:2 says that the president and the rest of the cabinet will have to resign.  And in section 86, the constitution provides that when there is a vacancy in the office of the president, the Chief Justice must set the date and time for the election of a new president and that must happen within 30 days.

“A secret ballot is not part of what we do. It’s not provided in the rules. So we simply just don’t do secret ballots, until one day maybe there is enough pressure from the MPs themselves and the rules are changed, then we will do that. When the rule allows that, but right now, we have no basis for secret ballot,” when asked about the voting process. 

Present

On the reshuffle she said she was present on Monday where a bilateral meeting took place with the SACP.

“The president actually did brief that meeting about concerns relating to the treasury and the actual issues relating to the trip abroad. I was there when that briefing was first given by the president.

“He shared with us not just the specific report from intelligence relating to that actual visit, but some historic background. That I appreciated. We were all happy that he took (us) into (his) confidence.”

On members of the top six who had openly criticised Zuma, she said, “The fact that there have been differences expressed is not something for us to be surprised about because we allow people in the ANC to differ and express their differences, although we normally have it done such that it’s not everybody having a free for all, it’s not every leader for themselves.

“We have always prevailed on our cadres that what is expected is that the one with the specific responsibility to speak on behalf of the organisation, should do that. The one thing we’ve learnt in the past is that our people always express disquiet and unhappiness about us differing in public.”

She said now that people had aired their unhappiness in public, “we will now come back together and bring together our voice so we can address the public in a manner that will reassure them.”

“The fact that we can’t satisfy everybody all the time is a different matter.”

She said she appreciated the fact that the Zuma “took us into (his) confidence on a range of matters in the experience of his work with these particular ministers… I will talk when I have been favoured myself, having participated together with the leaders of the ANC that would be in the constitutional structures that would meet tomorrow. Then I can have a basis on which I can have a better understanding of details, and what is going on because I can’t comment on things that happened in my absence.

No question of agreeing

“Yes, members of the top six have shared views about what was going on including what happened that we’re all speaking like that.  When I have a full appreciation of that, maybe I will comment.

“We have a way and we have agreed to do things. We have a culture, we have meetings. We are brutally frank when we are in those meetings, but there are things... just don’t do but I will express myself in the ANC meeting,” she said. 

On the intelligence report, she said “The president talked about it.  We did not see it, we did not discuss it. So there was no question of agreeing or not agreeing on it.  Or approving or not approving of it.  It was part of a package of issues that the president touched on as a background.

“I’m saying we appreciated the fact that he took us into (his) confidence as a head of state who deals with a range of issues that are very complex.  Many of which no head of state ever discusses with anybody.

“There is no ANC process that requires the president to come and have a conference with us about reshuffles.  We don’t do that by the always comes to the officials [sic] but it’s not like there is a rule that obliges him to come and have a discussion about his thinking,” said Mbete.

 

Soccer Laduma

Legend Reveals Barker’s Secret To Bafana Success

Edward Motale Explains Why Clive Barker Succeeded With Bafana

By Soccer Laduma - Sep 12, 2016 08:38 AM

2

39

  

Former Bafana Bafana defender, Edward Motale, has revealed how Clive Barker managed to achieve success when in charge of the national team.

Barker was in charge of the national team between 1994 and 1997, cementing his place in history when Bafana claimed their first and only Africa Cup of Nations title in 1996 and Motale has revealed the secret to his former mentor’s success.

“What Clive Barker got right as Bafana coach was that he selected players that were on form; those who were consistent that were playing every day, week in and week out, those who were putting in the effort. It was either that you were doing so locally or internationally,” he explained to Soccer Laduma.

The 50-year-old pointed to examples such as Cape Town City coach, Eric Tinkler and the late Shoes Moshoeu to prove his point.

“You can look at (Eric) Tinkler, he was playing every game overseas, Shoes (Moshoeu) was playing every game in Turkey. And, on this side, we were consistently playing every game,” he added. “But there were players that were just on form like Brendan Augustine who was playing for Bush Bucks and was scoring every game. He was on form then and then we used the likes of the late Sizwe (Motaung) who was also on form. So those were the elements that he used, that’s where we had a nice combination.”

New programme to make learning fun

> Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

Evidence shows that a play-based approach to learning allows children to better understand mathematical and language concepts.

This further allows them to be creative, solution-oriented learners who are prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.

Implemented by the Department of Basic Education in partnership with UNICEF, the LEGO Foundation and Cotlands Learning Around You is an innovative online training, accredited with the South African Council of Educators (SACE).

The programme will equip 150,000 professionals to effectively implement play-based learning based on the National Curriculum Framework.

The initial testing phase has been completed and the programme went live some days ago.

The Council for Education Ministers (CEM) launched this free P.L.A.Y. online in-service training programme, with the aim to provide in-service training to 42,000 early childhood development practitioners, 23,000 Grade R educators and 85,000 Grade 1 to 3 educators over the next two years.

Highlighting the involvement of government, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the foundations laid in the early learning and the foundation phase through play, will have an impact on the schooling careers of children up to matric and beyond.

Play is learning in the early years, and the starting point for future engineers, doctors, teachers, amongst others.

“This model of in-service training that we are launching today has all the potential to be a game changer in the manner in which the we can shape a large part of in-service training programme to reach all educators – even in the most remote areas,” said Dr Mamiki Maboya, Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring at the Department of Basic Education.

The programme requires an online registration that can be done through any mobile device or computer, which is then followed by a five hour face-to-face orientation session.

These will be conducted throughout the country, utilising, amongst others, the Department of Basic Education’s Teacher Development Centres as resources.

This will be followed by online training that will include theory, practice and assessment.

Upon completion, the trainees will receive a certificate that will earn them Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) points from SACE thus linking it to formal recognition and professional development.