Day: January 26, 2024

The Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has officially turned the sod, marking the beginning of upgrades on the P122/1 (R57) Road in Irene in the City of Tshwane.

The includes the upgrade of the P122 single carriageway, spanning approximately 9.4km from Olifantsfontein to Solomon Mahlangu Drive.

During the rehabilitation launch on Thursday, Diale-Tlabela said the upgrades that the department is undertaking will not only benefit the people of Gauteng in terms of construction.

‘The project will also assist in transforming the lives of the people who reside in Wards 47, 83, 71, 91, and 65, which are the communities that will be affected by the rehabilitation works,’ she said.

The scope of work in this project involves the reconstruction of the existing road, construction of paved shoulders, upgrading of intersections along the route, and widening the existing cross-section with broader traffic lanes.

“To ensure fairness and inclusivity, we will prioritise the affected municipal
wards when procuring services, giving local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) the chance to actively participate in this transformative initiative.

‘If capable service providers cannot be found within these communities, SMMEs from outside the wards, but within the provincial boundary, will also be considered,’ the MEC said.

The project also saw three Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) from the affected wards being appointed to ensure that the project is delivered within the allocated time and that the voice of the community is heard throughout the delivery stages of the project.

The MEC called on communities to ensure that the works continue uninterrupted and avoid any actions that may impede the speedy delivery of the project.

‘This project will undoubtedly bring about significant changes but it is crucial for all of us to ensure its proper care. In case of grievances against any party involved in the works, we must avoid halting or interrupting the project rollout programme,’ said Diale-Tlabela
.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Over 18 469 South African citizens living in 101 countries around the world have started registering to vote using the Electoral Commission’s newly launched online registration portal system.

‘The Electoral Commission has enabled an online registration facility for the first time to allow South Africans outside the country to easily register for the 2024 National Elections,’ Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Electoral Commission Sy Mamabolo said.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, Mamabolo said the commission hoped that the introduction of an online registration system will attract citizens from abroad.

Citizens living abroad must register as voters either online or in person at their nearest South African mission. South African high commissions, embassies and consulates will be open during working hours.

‘Eligible voters are encouraged to check with their nearest mission on the registration dates and times. Registration requires a South African identity document as well as a South African
passport.

‘A special two-day voter registration event for South African citizens abroad will take place between 26 and 28 January 2024, depending on the configuration of weekend days.

‘In countries where Friday and Saturday are weekends, the two special days designated will be Friday 26 January, and Saturday 27 January 2024,’ Mamabolo said.

The countries with the most people registering online include the United Kingdom (5938), the Netherlands (1844), Germany (746), the United States (821), Ireland (675), United Arab Emirates (1068), China (515), Australia (588), New Zealand (314), Cuba (293), Portugal (284) and Belgium (280).

In the African continent, South Africans have begun to register in 28 countries, including Mauritius (316), Lesotho (224) Namibia (148), Botswana (170), Zambia (96), Zimbabwe (77), Kenya (73), Ghana (45) and Tanzania (40).

A full list of South Africa’s missions is available on the website of DIRCO at https://www.dirco.gov.za/webmissions/index.html.

The commission advised South Afr
icans who are already registered to vote – either on the national or international segment of the voters’ roll – to check their registration status and to update their voters’ roll address if they intend to vote abroad in the 2024 National Elections.

Mamabolo said the commission has put in place all necessary measures to ensure that no one is left behind and that all citizens vote in the 2024 National Election.

‘The upcoming 2024 National Elections offer an important opportunity for all South Africans to have their voices heard, regardless of geographic location,’ he said.

The commission pleaded with businesses and organisations around the world to encourage their South African employees to register during this registration weekend.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Hundreds of vehicles have been impounded and scores of drivers arrested as traffic authorities intensified their national crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles transporting learners to school.

These arrests are part of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) back-to-school campaign, which started when schools re-opened this month. The campaign has so far resulted in 37 548 vehicles stopped and check in 484 law enforcement operations in different provinces.

The provinces with the highest number of vehicles stopped and checked are KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

‘A total of 167 drivers were arrested for, among others, drunken driving, driving while having no driving licence and operating a public transport vehicle in violation of operating permit regulations.

‘The campaign has highlighted that many scholar transport drivers were driving without fastening seatbelts, some do not have professional drivers’ permits, their vehicles were not licensed, while other vehicles had defects such as cracked
windscreens, smooth tyres and faulty brakes.

‘More than 6 240 were given fines for these vehicles, while 965 vehicles were impounded and 291 were suspended from operating,’ the RTMC said on Thursday.

The RTMC has maintained that the safety of children remains priority and law enforcement authorities will remain vigilant throughout the year to deal with non-compliant operators.

However, parents also have a responsibility to ensure that the transport operators they choose are fit for purpose and licensed to transport their children safely to school.

Meanwhile, the RTMC has warned members of the public about a fake traffic officer learnership recruitment circulating on various social media platforms.

‘The RTMC is currently not recruiting any traffic officer learners for the 2024 financial year. When positions become available, the corporation will advertise its traffic officer learnership posts through reputable online platforms, which include our website, mainstream media and our social media platforms.

‘
As a public institution, we do not charge applicants for any employment opportunities within the organisation. Members of the public are warned not to fall prey to any scams doing rounds online.

‘We urge the public to verify the legitimacy of any recruitment drive purported to be from the RTMC by contacting our Human Capital Division on 012 999 5200. Alternatively, visit our website: www.rtmc.co.za,’ the corporation said.

The RTMC said any scams seeking to take advantage of desperate unemployed youth should be reported to law enforcement agencies immediately.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has hailed teachers and guardians as true heroes and heroines and thanked them for encouraging, motivating and guiding learners during the 2023 matric examination.

‘To the bursary awardees, you are the crown in the jewel; and today we sing your praises for demonstrating that paying attention and putting in effort pays,’ Zikalala said on Thursday, during a ceremony to award bursaries to 100 learners from the Class of 2023 who have enrolled to study various built environment courses at universities across the country.

Zikalala congratulated the learners for being worthy recipients of the prestigious bursaries from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

He said the young people who are receiving the bursaries have honoured the sacrifices of the youth of 1976 who protested against an inferior Bantu Education that sought to turn education for the black majority into an instrument of racial subjugation and guarantor for the supply of cheap blac
k labour.

‘The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) plays a critical role in delivering essential services. To do so effectively, it must have a highly skilled and competent workforce.

‘This year is the 10th year that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has been offering these bursaries to address the challenges of the skills pipeline and transformation in the Built Environment.

‘Our university bursary scheme is one of the ways through which as a department, we respond to the country’s occupation skills that are in high demand as gazetted by the Department of Higher Education and Training,’ the Minister said.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Bursary Scheme supports undergraduate study areas like: Construction Project Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Quantity Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Property Studies, Real Estate, Urban Design and Regional Planning, Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Structural, Chemical), Interior D
esign, Actuarial Science, Horticulture, Geographic Information Science (GISc) and Maritime Studies.

The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) has lamented the slow pace of transformation in the built environment which is compounded by the challenge of aging professionals who are leaving the sector.

‘One of our programmes to address these challenges and in contributing to the skills of the future in our sector is the department’s schools programme and the university bursary scheme programme.

‘We are pleased to report that our valued bursary beneficiaries are supported financially throughout their tertiary studies until graduation.

‘Upon completion of studies, bursary holders join the department’s internship programme wherein they gain relevant technical experience for a duration of 24 months in line with their contractual obligation to the department and in accordance to the DPSA regulated internship period,’ Zikalala said.

The estimated budget per student is R177 500. This amount varies based on the in
stitution and study programme. The department has allocated budget of R17 800 000 for the 2024 academic year new intake.

The bursary covers all university costs including tuition fees, accommodation, meals, textbooks, projects, excursions and a monthly allowance.

Source: South African Government News Agency