Day: January 9, 2023

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Ekurhuleni exploring legal action following Boksburg blast probe

Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Tania Campbell, says the municipality is exploring legal action against the driver and company of the LP Gas tanker that exploded in Boksburg on Christmas Eve.

The incident occurred when gas cylinders on the tanker exploded when the driver attempted to and was unable to drive through a bridge underpass.

The blast claimed the lives of at least 38 people including healthcare workers who were stationed at a public hospital near the incident.

“The City is exploring its legal options to act against both the company that owns the truck and the driver of the truck. We are of the opinion that there is sufficient evidence to do so. More information in this regard will be communicated in due course.

“Once all investigations are concluded, we will show no fear nor favour in holding those responsible to account,” Campbell said.

The Mayor said she is “pleased” with the status of various municipality-led investigations into the incident.

“Since the day of the explosion, various departments in the city have been working tirelessly to ensure that a thorough and meaningful investigation takes place to ascertain what happened on the day and the way forward.

“I had a meeting with Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs), Chief of Police, various Heads of Departments (HODs) and senior officials to get feedback on what the status is of the investigation. I am pleased with the progress that is being made in this regard and expect a final report to come to the Mayoral Committee this month which will subsequently be presented to Council,” she said.

Campbell reiterated the municipality’s condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

“I want to take this opportunity once again to pass on my sincere condolences to everyone who has suffered as a result of this tragedy and offer my thoughts and prayers to the families who have lost loved ones.

“I also want to thank the outpouring of support from civil society, NGOs, faith-based organizations, unions, residents, and other spheres of government. Without you, our relief efforts would have not been as impactful as they have been,” she said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Second Chance Matric Programme registration closure approaching

Registration for the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme will close on 8 February 2023.

The programme is aimed at those who have not met the requirements to pass the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or the extended Senior Certificate (SC) examinations.

The programme is also open to those who want to improve their results.

In reply to questions regarding the programme in the National Council of Provinces in October last year, Minister Angie Motshekga revealed that at least 400 000 learners have been assisted through the programme to “achieve their subject passes towards their NSC or SC qualification”.

“The programme plays an important role in retaining learners beyond the formal schooling programme. Learners who are disappointed by their failure or poor performance at the end of their schooling career, are able to continue with their studies at their own pace.

“They are able to register for one, two or more subjects, and write the examinations either in May/June or October/November. The face-to-face centres keep learners motivated, as they prepare for their examinations. Learners migrate within provinces, seeking job opportunities and the SCMP allows learners to continue with their studies, irrespective of the province they have relocated to,” she said.

Subjects that learners can register for include:

Accounting

Agricultural Science

Business Studies

Economics

English First Additional Language

Geography

History

Mathematics

Mathematic Literacy

Physical Sciences

Life Sciences

“The programme offers face-to-face support, online support and a wide range of learning support materials. The programme facilitates the development of learning and teaching support materials (LTSMs) that is based on diagnostic reports, so as to ensure that the support materials focus on common areas of poor performance emanating from previous examinations.

“The LTSMs are government-owned, printed and distributed to learners at no cost to the learner,” Motshekga said.

To register for the programme online go to www.eservices.gov.za or visit any Department of Basic Education office with an ID document and statement of results.

Community Education and Training

Those who are older and/or those who have not had the opportunity to complete matric due to various reasons and those who do not qualify for higher education can register at Community Education and Training (CET) colleges across the country.

According to the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation website, the colleges are supported by some 200 community learning centres.

“These colleges…target post-school youth and adults who wish to raise the base for further learning, improve their skills for employability and/or progression to opportunities in the TVET colleges and university education.

“In essence, community education and training…offer(s) programmes that contribute to improving community cohesion and social capital, and responsive to the geographic and sectoral needs and challenges,” the department said.

The colleges offer training and academic learning opportunities, including the General Education and Training Certificate for adults (GETC), courses in computer literacy and applied agriculture.

In his budget speech last year, Minister Blade Nzimande said at least R200 million has been committed to support CET colleges which are critical to closing South Africa’s skills gap.

“In addition to academic skills and occupational programmes already on offer, CET colleges will offer two new accredited programmes which are Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills programmes.

“Nine Hundred CET college lecturers will be trained in accredited training programmes. We will also accredit 35 pilot community learning centres, which will be an addition to the 15 community learning centres accredited in 2021/22,” he said.

More information on CETs can be obtained on the department’s website.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Minister Naledi Pandor host her Türkiysh counterpart, Minister Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu, 10 Jan

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will host her Türkiysh counterpart, Mr Mevlüt Çavusoglu, in Pretoria on Tuesday, 10 January 2023, for Political Consultations.

It is expected that the Türkiysh Minister’s visit will enhance political and economic relations between the two countries and deepen understanding of regional and multilateral issues.

South Africa and Türkiye maintain strategic bilateral political, economic and cultural relations that were established in 1991.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has seen a gradual growth over recent years. During the period April to November 2022, South African exports to Türkiye increased by approximately 18 percent.

Türkiye remains a key investment partner for South Africa and has already invested in several projects with direct capital investment estimated at about R156.80 million over the past decade.

During the Investment Conference hosted in March 2022 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Defy, owned by the Türkiysh based company Arçelik, declared a R317 million pledge towards its goods manufacturing plant in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

In September 2022, Türkiye was the single largest country contributor at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo with 25 companies, doubling the space it had in 2018.

Source: Government of South Africa