Month: August 2023

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BRICS Summit to boost Gauteng economy

The Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) has lauded the upcoming BRICS Summit as a significant opportunity to create jobs and boost tourism revenue for the province.

The BRICS Summit brings together governments and their leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“There is no doubt that many sectors will be positively impacted from accommodation, transportation, food, security, logistics and hospitality establishments, with the majority of them already fully booked. We are excited by the prospects of our visitors and delegates immersing themselves in our food and culinary experiences,” the GTA said.

According to the GTA, this year’s summit brings together Heads of State and from the BRICS countries, ministers, government officials and support staff, as well as “at least 25 other countries represented by their Presidents and ministers”.

“Recent reports have also indicated that more than 40 countries have expressed their interest in joining BRICS, so we can expect many more representatives from countries in the global South to make their way to Johannesburg. Add to this the various observers, business leaders, analysts and civil organisations and members of the media, both local and international, makes up the impressive numbers.

“All these people will be sleeping in the province, eating at the various venues and establishments, buying local products, interacting with our communities, and immersing themselves in our culture and way of life. These are the direct ripple effects of tourism and a growing visitor economy. It is more than just a conference or meeting room. It is social currency in action,” the GTA said.

The authority highlighted that the business, tourism, trade and investment activities expected to take place over the duration of the summit will bring business to the business tourism orientated wing of the sector.

“The formal sessions of this important gathering are expected to be spread across the major economic and business event nodes of the city region with Sandton City, Gallagher Convention Centre, Birchwood and Montecasino, amongst others, playing host.

“This bodes well for the visitor economy and business events sector in the province, as these types of high-profile events generate the much needed jobs and tourism revenue into the economy,” the GTA said.

The authority emphasised that the summit will bring in much needed impetus to the province’s economic recovery efforts for the present and the future.

“The summit comes at a time when the country has shown an impressive 46.5% rise in foreign tourist arrivals when comparing June 2023 to the same period last year, as reported by Statistics SA. A quick glance at these numbers also shows that business travellers tend to stay longer and spend more, with African travellers leading the pack.

“It is for this reason that the GTA, who is the key driver of tourism business growth initiatives in the province, is pulling out all the stops to ensure that this period showcases the best of Gauteng’s attractions to global and local visitors alike.

“For the GTA and many businesses in the province that rely on tourism activities and increased visitors into the province, the summit is not only about the BRICS delegates who will be here, but also potentially future visits from repeat visitors once they have tasted the unique attractions that Gauteng has to offer,” the authority said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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BRICS Ministers sign declaration on agriculture

Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, has welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration of the 13th Meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Ministers of Agriculture.

The Declaration outlines areas of collaboration, cooperation and agreement on various interventions among BRICS member countries on agriculture.

These include reducing the impact of climate change on agriculture and food production; ensuring access to food for the most vulnerable; agriculture trade and investment; enhancing agricultural technology cooperation and innovation, and strengthening exchange of agricultural information.

“On climate change, the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture called for the provision of means of implementation for developing countries to enable them to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on food security by enhancing the adaptive capacity and resilience of people, food, and agriculture production systems.

“They further resolved to advocate for joined efforts among BRICS member countries to address climate change impacts on agriculture. The Ministers also support the adoption of agricultural best practices that align with internationally agreed goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development said on Monday.

The Ministers noted that the challenges to achieve food security and nutrition are multi-sectoral and multidimensional. They emphasized the need for a collaborative approach among the BRICS countries in ensuring access to food for all.

In addition, they acknowledged the significance of food and nutrition security programmes, including food safety nets to reduce hunger and malnutrition among women, youth, children, older people, and persons with disabilities.

The declaration was signed last week at the conclusion of a four-day gathering of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture in Mookgopong in Limpopo, South Africa.

Over the gathering (8 – 12 August), delegates from BRICS deliberated on various challenges under the theme, ‘Strengthening collaboration towards sustainable agricultural production and increasing productivity’.

On agriculture and rural development, the Ministers committed to accelerate existing national agriculture and rural development programmes and initiatives, with a focus on revitalising rural economies, and attracting public and private investment, while fostering skills development.

“The Ministers also support the reform of the global agricultural trade system through measures that support developing economies.

“Furthermore, the Ministers encouraged policies enhancing open, free and fair agricultural trade, and encouraged the removal of unjustified trade restrictions,” the department said.

The full declaration can be accessed on the DALRRD website: www.dalrrd.gov.za.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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MEC David Maynier appeals to parents to send children back to school

We must get our children back to school

We stood firm during the SANTACO-WC minibus taxi strike and refused to close all schools in the Western Cape.

We did so not only to ensure schools focused on teaching and learning, but also to provide places of safety and supply meals to hungry children.

We would like to thank all the principals, teachers and staff who went the extra mile to support learners at our schools during the minibus taxi strike.

Despite schools remaining open, the strike wiped out a full week of teaching and learning with 852 000 learners and 17 700 staff members absent at the peak, with schools in poor communities being hardest hit.

We know this has been a challenging time, but now that the taxi strike has been called off, we must get our children back to school, and so we appeal to parents: please work with us and ensure that your children go back to school.

We simply cannot afford to lose one more day of teaching and learning at our schools in the Western Cape.

Media Enquiries:

Kerry Mauchline

Spokesperson

E-mail: [email protected]

Source: Government of South Africa

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MEC Thabo Meeko on illegal and forced entry at DESTEA building

MEC Thabo Meeko is outraged after five males covering their faces with buffs forced their entry into DESTEA head offices around 18h30 on Sunday, 13 August during load shedding stage. Five armed assailants held DESTEA security officers on duty at gunpoint and asked them not to call anyone. One security officer tried to confront them and was pointed at with a pistol.

The assailants indicated specific office area they were looking for and pointed at a door leading to the supply chain unit, law enforcement, and protected areas. One of the suspects remained behind with the security officers while the other four entered the said offices. After a few minutes, they came back empty-handed and held a short meeting next to the entrance.

The suspects then informed the security officials that they would be back and left the premises. MEC Meeko applauded the swift response by SAPS and the management of the department. Furthermore, MEC Meeko is relieved that none of the employees were hurt during the incident and instructed that affected employees to be released to their respective homes as they were suffering from the shock after the incident.

A case of business burglary and pointing of firearm has been opened. The motive behind this incident is currently not known, but the security personnel of the department is on high alert. DESTEA wellness programme will provide individual trauma therapy to the affected employees. MEC Meeko explained that any plan aimed at distracting the department from executing its mandate in accelerating service delivery will not be tolerated because serving the people of the Free State remains the main priority of the department.

MEC Meeko calls on law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are urgently brought to book.

For media inquiries please contact:

Mojalefa Mphapang

Head of Communications

Cell: 072 274 1734

Source: Government of South Africa

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Employment and Labour briefs media on KwaZulu-Natal Covid-19 TERS funds report, 16 Aug

UIF commissioner hosts media briefing in KwaZulu-Natal to report on covid-19 TERS funds disbursed to workers in the province, related fraud cases and matters affecting clients.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Commissioner, Mr Teboho Maruping, together with officials from the Department of Employment and Labour will brief members of the media at the Royal Hotel in Durban Central, KwaZulu-Natal Province, on Wednesday, 16 August 2023.

The purpose of the briefing is to provide an update on Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Covid-19 TERS) funds disbursed to workers in the province, related fraud cases and arrests, disciplinary cases against implicated government officials, as well as phase two of the “follow the money” project, for which businesses are audited to assess if relief scheme funds were paid over to workers by their employers.

The UIF will also release payment statistics of normal UIF benefits paid out to clients and their beneficiaries in the province during the 2022/2023 financial year.

The briefing will take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Venue: Royal Hotel on 267 Anton Lembede Street in Durban Central.

Time: 09h30

Media enquiries:

Nhlanhla Khumalo

Provincial Communication Officer

Department of Employment and Labour

Cell: 066 488 0265

Source: Government of South Africa

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Nigeria Health Watch says new accountability mechanisms crucial for quality PHC delivery

Niger (Suleja), Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) says innovative community accountability mechanisms is necessary to ensure quality Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery in the country.

Dr Kemisola Agbaoye, Director of Programmes, NHW, said this on Monday in Suleja, Niger, at the Primary Healthcare Nutrition Policy Dialogue.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was organised by NHW.

Its theme is “strengthening primary healthcare demand in Nigeria to improve community access to quality healthcare”.

NHW said that the dialogue aimed to address and strengthen the demand for primary healthcare services in the country.

It said the dialogue would reflect the importance of enhancing the healthcare system’s responsiveness to the needs of the local communities and improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare services.

Agbaoye said Primary Health Care was people’s first point of contact with the health care system and a cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.

She lamented that not all PHCs in the country had the standard requirements to provide quality health care to people, which made PHC accountability essential.

She shed light on the pressing issues that the PHCs were confronting, ultimately jeopardising the delivery of quality healthcare to millions of Nigerians.

She said the country had over 34,000 PHCs, but regrettably, only 20 per cent of them were operational.

“Through National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Federal Government has introduced policies to improve PHCs in the country, to ensure at least one functional PHC per ward in Nigeria.

“Over the years, Nigeria Health Watch has supported the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Governors Forum for improved PHC services for all Nigerians.

“We explore various options such as Policy Dialogue and Community Health Watch, where community members report their experience accessing PHC services,” she explained.

Dr Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana, Executive Director, Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA), called for strengthening community accountability mechanisms for quality primary healthcare in the country.

Dangana who was represented by Dr Inuwa Junaidu, emphasised the importance of community accountability in improving primary healthcare services.

The executive director acknowledged the progress made in PHC indicators but stressed the need for further improvements to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of good health and well-being for all by 2030.

“The address highlighted the role of innovative platforms such as community maternal, perinatal, and child death surveillance review committees in hearing the voices of healthcare workers and stakeholders at the community level,” he said.

He praised the culture of openness to innovations in Niger State and emphasised the importance of empowering and mobilising communities to become active agents of change in demanding quality services and championing healthy lifestyles.

He called for consistent commitment, collaboration and unwavering determination in building a legacy of accessible, equitable and quality primary healthcare in the state.

During a panel discussion on increasing community demand for quality PHC services, Mrs Aisha Ahmed, Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Coordinator, Niger State, said the state was part of the three that the Federal Government used to pilot the implementation of BHCPF in the country.

Ahmed said that since the implementation of BHCPF, the state had seen a lot of improvements in the healthcare facilities, enabling the people of Niger to access quality care.

“Through the BHCPF, Niger State has ensured we have essential drugs and manpower. However, our main challenge is ensuring that skilled workers sent to communities stay and work in those communities,” she said.

She said that one of the key groups the state used to get health information for better quality service was the Ward Development Committees because they represented community voices.

In Niger, it is estimated that one in every 95 women dies during pregnancy and childbirth.

High attrition rates of skilled midwives, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas, have led to midwives shortages, compromising the quality of care provided to pregnant women and newborns.

Based on insights from the “Why Are Women Dying While Giving Birth In Nigeria” report, one of the reasons for maternal deaths is the poor distribution of healthcare workers in the state.

Most health workers prefer to work within the state capital rather than in the rural communities where there is a significant shortage of midwives.

According to retention conducted in February 2023, Niger is committed to ensuring the recruitment of over 500 nurses and midwives through the state’s BHCPF, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and the Expanded Midwives Service Scheme (eMSS).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria