Day: September 28, 2023

The South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) will confer the prestigious Public Service Award to Phumla Williams and Nelisiwe Magubane for their outstanding contributions to public service in South Africa.

The award ceremony is set to take place on 28 September 2023 at the Birchwood Hotel, Ekurhuleni, during SAAPAM’s 22nd annual conference.

Phumla Williams, the former Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), has been recognised for her exceptional leadership and dedication in promoting effective communication between government and citizens.

She holds a degree in Public Administration and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA), both from the University of South Africa.

Her additional qualifications include a certificate in public sector finance from the University of Stellenbosch.

Prior to being appointed Deputy CEO in 2009, Williams served as Director: Finance and later as Chief Financial Officer of GCIS between 1998 and 2009.

After eight years as the acting Director-General of the GCIS, Williams took over as Director-General in May 2020 after having acted in the position since 2012.

With over two decades of experience in public service, Williams has played a crucial role in enhancing transparency, ethical leadership, accountability and citizen engagement within the government.

Nelisiwe Magubane, former Director-General of the Department of Energy, will also be honoured posthumously with the Public Service Award.

Magubane, an Electrical Engineer, began her professional career at Eskom, after completing a BSc Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current) at the University of Natal in the early 1990s.

After a stint in the private sector as a consulting Electrical Engineer, she initially joined the Department of Minerals and Energy in 2000, as the Chief Director responsible for the restructuring of the electricity sector, planning and implementation of the electrification programme.

Magubane was later appointed as a Deputy Director-General responsible for the development of the policies that govern electricity, nuclear and clean energy, before her appointment as Director-General of energy in December 2009.

She oversaw the publication of the country’s inaugural Integrated Resource Plan and was also a central figure in the implementation of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which was launched in 2011, and was later held up to be one of the most successful renewables auction programmes globally.

During her tenure, Magubane spearheaded initiatives aimed at ensuring energy security and sustainability in South Africa.

Her innovative policies have significantly contributed to the country’s transition towards cleaner and more renewable sources of energy.

“We are proud to recognise both Phumla Williams and the late Nelisiwe Magubane for their remarkable achievements in public service. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and their significant contributions have made a lasting impact on our nation,” said SAAPAM Executive Director, Dr John Molepo, announcing the recipients of the esteemed award.

The Public Service Award is given annually by SAAPAM to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary performance and leadership qualities in advancing public administration practices in South Africa.

It serves as a recognition of their dedication towards improving governance and providing quality services to citizens.

“As South Africa continues its journey towards sustainable development and inclusive governance, the contributions of public servants like Williams and Magubane serve as an inspiration for others to follow. Their exemplary dedication and innovative approaches set a high standard for public service in the country,” Molepo said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Whether young or old, unemployment is a thorn in the flesh of many South Africans, writes Neo Semono.

Whether in our families or within our circle of friends, many of us know someone who is without a job. The situation is so dire that we may even know more than one individual who does not have a job, and it is not due to the lack of trying nor to the lack of qualifications.

Those who are unemployed want to wake up in the morning to go and make an honest living for themselves and their loved ones. Through their work, they also want to make a difference in the country that they live in.

Recent data has shown that the country’s joblessness rate has come down slightly. Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) has shown that the unemployment rate decreased from 32.9% in the first quarter to 32.6% in the second quarter of 2023.

Granted, the figure is marginal – but 154 000 new jobs were created in the second quarter, taking the number of employed persons to 16.3 million – a flicker of hope for those who may have given up on finding work.

Finding a job is hard and is further exacerbated by the costs that job seekers may not be able to cover. In the quest to find jobs, money is borrowed to visit internet cafes to search and apply for work, to printout CVs and to drop off said applications at prospective employer’s offices.

Having altered the CV more times than one can remember, and filing out more online applications and Z83 forms, hope and confidence take a knock when one does not get that invitation to a job interview.

While that hope is sometimes on shaky ground, South Africans don’t quit. Instead, they make a plan, even if it means taking on any job to make ends meet. Some go on to start innovative businesses that change their local landscapes while also giving jobs and training to others in their respective communities.

This speaks to the innate resilience of the people of this country in that individuals not only deviate from their original life plan, but that they also give work opportunities to others who may not have had the opportunity to put a foot in the door of larger establishments minus the required skills.

While one will always find fault with government, it cannot resolve the unemployment challenge on its own. And while it should have done better in tackling it, it is doing something about it.

This includes the employment of people with disabilities. Through the Presidential Working Group on Disability, government is working on increasing funding for disability-related programmes and services. This includes funding for the education, training and employment of people with disabilities.

Well aware of the unemployment problem particularly around the youth, government has put in place the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). Through the initiative announced in 2020, at least 135 000 earning opportunities were secured by young people.

The Department of Employment and Labour–which has labour offices across the country– offers tips on how to find a job and how to fill out the Z83 form. It also has career counsellors to assist job seekers in preparing for interviews and other career related services for free.

Mobile employment centres are also available to assist work seekers to sign up for the Employment Services System of South Africa (ESSA) which is a platform where work seekers are matched with available job opportunities for free.

Other government initiatives to get particularly young people into work include the Gauteng government’s Nasi Ispan (“Here is work”) mass recruitment programme that aims to get thousands of young people into state jobs.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) which has been in existence for close to two decades continues to make a difference in people’s lives. It provides an important avenue for labour-absorption and income to poor households in the short to medium-term.

The implementation of government plans is also making an impact with the Poultry Masterplan which contributed to the creation of 750 jobs at a Rainbow Chicken facility.

The adoption of the masterplan saw government implement several measures to safeguard the local industry including placing anti-dumping duties on imported poultry.

This is the same Rainbow Chicken which in 2017 closed its operations in Hammarsdale and retrenched over a thousand workers.

The adoption of the plan was also coupled with increased investment and measures to transform the industry has led to success with the company reopening and investing R220 million.

Government is not just talking the talk; it is also putting in the work for its people who have a never say die attitude. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cabinet has widely welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York, USA.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africa championed the voice of the African continent and the global South in the United Nations and broader multilateral system.

“The President emphasised the need for developing countries to participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic world order,” Ntshavheni said.

She was addressing the media during a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday.

With regard to the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action, President Ramaphosa called on partners from wealthy countries to meet their climate financial commitments to tackle global warming in developing countries.

Ntshavheni said South Africa remains committed to addressing climate change and has positioned itself as a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable industrialisation.

South Africa also advocated for the resolution of conflicts grounded by the UN Charter’s principle of respect for the territorial integrity of every country, which promotes meaningful dialogue.

“Furthermore, the reform of the UN Security Council will enable the body to respond more effectively to current geopolitical realities,” she said.

In his capacity as the AU Champion, President Ramaphosa addressed the Advancing Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Summit.

On the sidelines of UNGA, President Ramaphosa led a government delegation which undertook several bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening strategic political, diplomatic and trade ties.

President Ramaphosa met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss progress on the African Peace Initiative undertaken in June, which includes prisoner exchange and return of children taken from Ukraine.

In advancing bilateral relations, the President met with the President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria; President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, and President Emmerson Mnagangwa of Zimbabwe.

“Another highlight was the US-SA Trade and Investment Business Roundtable, which preceded the 20th US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, (AGOA Forum) which will be in Johannesburg from 2 to 4 November 2023.

“The Forum supports growth through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that covers 54 countries and 1.4 billion people.

“The forum will also feature the ‘Made in Africa Exhibition’ that will showcase regional value chains on the continent,” Ntshavheni said.

Cabinet emphasised that collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Aspen – forged on the margins of UNGA – will significantly enhance access to insulin treatment not just in South Africa, but also across the continent.

The collaboration aims to supply over 16 million doses in 2024, which will be up scaled by 2026.

“The production of insulin will utilise Aspen’s facilities in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, including infrastructure used for COVID-19 vaccine manufacture.

“Production on the African continent will reduce the growing pharmaceutical trade deficit in both SA and the continent, where currently Africa imports 99 percent of its vaccines and around 80 percent of its pharmaceutical requirements,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cabinet has commended the return to service of Kusile Power Station’s Unit 4 from planned maintenance, bringing back 800 megawatts to the country’s power grid.

“This milestone is central to generating capacity for the national grid in addressing the frequency of load shedding,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said at a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

Cabinet was further encouraged with the progress to return Units 1, 2 and 3 at Kusile ahead of schedule in October and the end of November 2023.

Cabinet has also welcomed Eskom’s stable rating by Moody’s Investors Service, which will improve its credit worthiness.

The ratings agency upgraded the power utility’s rating from positive to stable, following the utility’s Debt Relief Act passed in July.

“This rating will enable Eskom to plan ahead in implementing planned maintenance on its generation fleet,” Ntshavheni said.

Cabinet has further commended the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s granting of trading and import/export licence applications to the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA).

The NTCSA is wholly owned by Eskom, as the State-owned company is being restructured into the generation, transmission and distribution subsidiaries.

The NTCSA applied for a trading licence in order to be able to buy and sell electricity from power stations and independent power producers.

“This paves the way for procurement of power from across the region,” the Minister said.

Water challenges

On water security, Ntshavheni said water authorities and local government are addressing water challenges affecting a number of areas across the country.

The Minister noted that major water losses in Gauteng fall in the areas of the cities’ responsibilities, including Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and the City of Johannesburg.

She also warned that water losses experienced on the side of the cities is higher and this is due to the non-repair of damaged water infrastructure and leaking pipes, which are left unattended.

“The Minister of Water and Sanitation and Rand Water have been intervening to ensure how to manage water shortages,” Ntshavheni said.

The Minister also reminded citizens that their actions are crucial to ensuring a sustainable and equitable water supply.

“We must all play our part to save every drop by not watering lawns or filling swimming pools with drinking water. Wash your car using a bucket, take a two-minute shower instead of a bath, fix all water leaks in your house and report leaking water pipes to your local municipality,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cabinet has called on communities to be on high alert for further weather warnings, which could bring more devastation in several parts of the country.

This follows extreme weather conditions, which have wreaked havoc in the Western Cape, causing extensive flooding and damage to infrastructure. Last week, strong winds hit parts of Tshwane and Centurion, damaging some infrastructure and cars.

“Cabinet has expressed condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the extreme weather conditions that have hit several parts of the country, particularly the rain and storms in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and fires in Gauteng.

“Government is working with emergency services and disaster management for rescue operations and to provide support.

“The extensive damage to infrastructure requires us to demonstrate our sense of Ubuntu to assist those who have lost their homes and possessions, and who are in desperate need of food, water and shelter,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said at a post Cabinet briefing on Thursday.

Cabinet said the country’s exposure to extreme weather patterns underscores the impact climate change is having on daily life, and the need for sustained action to decarbonise the economy, while pursuing sustainable development. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cabinet has reiterated that illegal mining and actions by South Africans to harbour illegal migrants in these acts of criminality will continue to face the full might of the law.

“Such actions have a direct negative impact on our economy. In our sustained fight against crime, Cabinet appreciates all who are working tirelessly with law enforcement agencies.

“This commitment by South Africans and other patriots, who are reporting illegal acts, strengthens our justice and crime prevention system, ensuring that together, we can make our country safe,” Cabinet said.

This as the fight against crime intensifies, with mining equipment worth R60 million and coal worth R12 million were seized at an illegal coalmine in Carolina, Mpumalanga. Additionally, a mine manager, who could not produce a mining permit, was arrested.

The multi-disciplinary operation on illegal mining and immigration in the Northern Cape also led to the arrest of 867 people, many from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.

Meanwhile, cooperation between the South African Police Service and Eskom security resulted in the arrest of a coal driver and two weighbridge clerks for alleged fraud and theft of coal at Eskom. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency