Month: February 2024

South Africa’s new draft work visa regulations are a milestone for the country’s efforts to attract investment and promote job creation.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who addressed the nation through his weekly newsletter on Monday.

Last week, the Department of Home Affairs released the draft second amendment of the Immigration Regulations for public comment. The draft regulations deal with remote work and critical skills visas.

‘The publication of the new draft regulations are part of our ongoing drive to reform the country’s visa system, making it easier to attract the skills our economy’s needs and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. An efficient, agile, responsive visa regime is key to attracting business investment and boosting economic growth.

‘International experience shows that employees with critical skills contribute to improved productivity, enhanced innovation, and improving the competitiveness of the firms they work for,’ President Ramaphosa said.

He explained that th
e new remote working visa is a response to ‘the rapidly evolving world of work, where increasing numbers of skilled workers…are attracted by the lifestyle benefits of working from a remote location’.

‘It also caters to so-called digital nomads, who are able to work virtually from any location in the world. A remote worker who wants to work in South Africa while being employed by a foreign company will be able to receive such a visa.

‘The draft regulations propose the introduction of a points system for critical skills visas that will take into account factors such as age, qualifications, language skills, work experience and having an offer of employment, amongst others,’ the President said.

Attracting the right skills

President Ramaphosa explained that although South Africa has invested in producing the skills needed for the digital economy, more is needed.

‘To succeed in an ever-changing global economy, our country needs far more people with the right skills. This is so that our economy can be competiti
ve, grow and create employment. As a country, we have invested much in producing these skills, from significantly expanding access to higher education, introducing digital programmes in TVET colleges and a shift to a new pay-for-performance approach to skills development.

‘However, it will take some time before we will be able to produce enough skilled people to enable our country to grow rapidly.’

He added that attracting these skills to South Africa will be important as the country is ‘fast becoming an increasingly attractive destination for industries like business process outsourcing and customer experience’.

‘Last year, for example, a leading international strategic advisory firm ranked South Africa second as the most favoured offshore customer experience delivery destination globally. Since 2016, government has invested more than R3 billion towards supporting the growth and expansion of business process outsourcing and is targeting the creation of approximately 500 000 jobs in the sector by 2030.

‘I
n line with our ongoing efforts to attract higher levels of investment and promote job creation, the new work visa regulations are a milestone. They are part of high-impact structural reforms we are undertaking to improve the business operating environment.

‘They send a clear signal to business that we are committed to attracting skills that meet the demands of a modern, inclusive and growing economy,’ he concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Police in the Northern Cape have arrested 173 suspects for an array of crimes through Operation Shanela.

The suspects were nabbed for crimes including illicit dealing in liquor, dealing in drugs, robberies, murder, attempted murder, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, assault common and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Undocumented persons were also part of those arrested during the weekly police operations.

The operations were conducted from Thursday until Sunday, and included stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), roadblocks, high visibility patrols, foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets, tuck shops, businesses, second hand goods dealers, scrap yards, visits to formal and informal businesses and farms and awareness campaigns.

Numerous vehicle check points and roadblocks were conducted in all five districts of the province, during which 1 601 vehicles and 2 499 persons were stopped and searched. Shopping malls an
d complexes as well as taxi ranks were patrolled to increase visibility in the hot spot areas.

Detectives traced and arrested 119 daily wanted suspects for failing to attend court appearances

During the operations, thousands of litres of alcoholic beverages, cash, drugs such as crystal meth (tik), dagga and dagga plants were seized.

As part of the Safer Schools Programme, South African Police Service (SAPS) members visited schools, and addressed learners and educators on safety issues.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, accompanied by the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, visited a rural school on Thursday in the Mothibistad policing precinct, where they handed over school shoes and goodie bags to the learners.

Otola thanked all SAPS members and external role players, including community policing forum structures, for their relentless efforts to fight crime.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has extended the deadline for comments on the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2023) to 23 March 2024.

‘The IRP is an electricity generation plan that seeks to ensure security of electricity supply by balancing supply with demand, while taking into account the environment and total cost of supply.

‘The purpose of this publication is to solicit public comments on the assumptions, input parameters, scenarios, and observations made. Comments submitted will be considered in drafting the final policy adjusted plan which will map out the future energy mix for the country,’ the department said.

The DMRE explained that the draft IRP 2023 focuses on two time periods up to 2050.

‘The draft IRP 2023 is based on a scientific process that considers several scenarios and latest developments in the country’s electricity industry. It considers two-time horizons, the first being the period up to 2030 focusing on addressing prevailing generation capacity constraints
and system requirements to close the supply gap.

‘Horizon two covers the period from 2031 to 2050 and focuses on long-term electricity generation planning with pathways to achieve a resilient Net Zero electricity sector by 2050,’ the department said.

A copy of the draft IRP and relevant documents are accessible on https://www.energy.gov.za/files/irp_frame.html.

Comments can be submitted online at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bDWXlV5Askqncn7nJnEGjdSCoIqfOslGi6lIYefKLn5UMjg2TjQ1WElTVURZTDhCN0szU0lUSjg2Wi4u or email [email protected].

Source: South African Government News Agency

The official launch of South Africa’s first shipment and preferential trading under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) on 31 January 2024, at the Port of Durban goes beyond a feather in the cap for trade and economic growth. It signals the unyielding African spirit which has prevailed against the injustices that plagued our continent, including colonialism and apartheid.

Our liberation from these wrongs took the strength of all African nations and together we proved that we could overcome insurmountable obstacles to create a brighter future for the continent.

Despite the devastation over centuries, we have redefined Africa as a continental force and transformed our nation states to be independent. We have preserved our unique African heritage and identities, and capitalised on our strengths as we develop our nations.

The African Union (AU) serves as the mantra for the development of African nations. Formerly known as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the unified vision for a bette
r future for all Africans began on 25 May 1963, when leaders of African countries joined forces to form the OAU, to advance democracy and African development.

Founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and dignity, it strived to end the legacy of suffering, political instability and injustice for all Africans.

‘We all want a united Africa, united not only in our concept of what unity connotes, but united in our common desire to move forward together in dealing with all the problems that can best be solved only on a continental basis’. These were the sentiments of Kwame Nkrumah, first prime minister of Ghana and Pan African Leader who contributed to the formation of the OAU.

To prioritise the acceleration of African economic growth through increased cooperation and integration of African states, the OAU was relaunched as the African Union (AU) during 2002.

Since its formation, the AU has sought to protect the independence of African states and ensure their development, playing a critical role
in steering the continent through the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19.

While we have much to celebrate as a continent, we remain cognisant that much still needs to be done to better Africa. This includes finding amicable solutions to conflicts that continue to plague certain parts of the continent.

Commitment to political dialogue with a view to sustainable peace and stability is a critical lever in solving the challenges in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, Mali and the Sahel, Somalia, Sudan and Western Sahara.

Together we can harness our collective energies and resources ensure to take our continent closer to the ultimate vision of being free of poverty and conflict. The AU’s flagship project of Agenda 2063, is a roadmap to our development over the next 50 years. This project prioritises African goals, including; equality, intra-regional trade, infrastructure and technology development.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is in line with Agenda 2063, which is aimed at deepening Afric
an economic integration.

Strong partnerships among African nations for inclusive socio-economic development is key to advancing the African Agenda. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) also presents opportunities for massive financial growth in Africa.

The AFCFTA is the world’s largest trade area which holds the potential to boost intra-African trade by over 50 percent and inject approximately $450 billion worth of investments into the African economy to help uplift 50 to 100 million people out of poverty by 2035.

By harnessing the strengths of all 55 nations on the continent, we will recover, become stronger and ensure African nations take their rightful place in the world. According to the African Development Bank, Africa’s economies remain resilient and Africa’s GDP is expected to stabilise in 2023-2024.

South Africa remains committed to Africa’s advancement and as the most industrialised economy on the continent we are actively working to facilitating intra-Africa trade through exports, en
hancing skills development, foreign direct investment and international cooperation.

A thriving African economy requires developed infrastructure to facilitate trade globally. South Africa is working to improve its rail and port efficiencies to drive economic growth and enable further economic opportunities across the continent.

We are also closely working with international organisations to grow investment, industrialisation and innovation across Africa. Our future is intrinsically linked to the continent, and we are aware that Africa’s growth will spur-on our own growth and bolster us to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Let us all come together and play an active role in advancing Africa. Let us go beyond the dedicated Africa Month (May) to claiming the 21st century as the era for Africa’s revival and renewal!

Source: South African Government News Agency

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has called on eligible stakeholders, parents, teachers, non-teaching staff, learners in high schools, and community members to participate and have their say in the upcoming 2024 School Governing Body (SGB) Elections.

Motshekga was speaking during the launch of the 2024 School Governing Body (SGB) Elections Campaign in Pretoria on Monday.

The actual SGB elections will be held from 1 – 31 March 2024 in all ordinary public schools. By law, the department is required to conduct elections for SGBs every three years.

‘As we launch this campaign, I call upon each of you, parents, teachers, learners, and community members to join us in this crucial endeavour.

‘Engage with the process, educate yourselves and others and most importantly, exercise your right to vote. Your involvement is not just a contribution but a testament to your commitment to the future of our nation’s children.

‘My call to action today is simple yet powerful: get involved. Whether you choose to stand
for election or cast your vote, your contribution holds immense significance. It will not only impact the lives of our children but also shape the future of our nation,’ Motshekga said.

She said that research has consistently shown that schools with active SGBs excel across various metrics, including academic performance, learner wellbeing, and community engagement.

She said the correlation between engaged SGBs and school success is undeniable. Schools with high SGB participation report an average 20% higher pass rate than those with lower engagement.

Additionally, the Minister said that incidents of vandalism and truancy decrease significantly in schools with active governing bodies.

‘These are not just numbers; they are compelling evidence of the power of active participation. Our vision is for every school to harness this potential, translating active governance into tangible outcomes for our children.

‘Therefore, our campaign, ‘Empower, Engage, Educate’, aims to catalyse a shift. With a multifaceted
strategy leveraging both digital and traditional media, we intend to reach every corner of our society. From rural townships to bustling urban centres, our message is clear: your voice shapes the future,’ she said.

Sharing information

Motshekga told the media briefing that the campaign will provide comprehensive resources on the roles and significance of SGBs, the election process, and how every individual can contribute.

Workshops, informational pamphlets, and an interactive website will serve as conduits for this essential knowledge.

Motshekga said there will be a dialogue to foster understanding. The campaign will initiate conversations across communities, creating platforms for questions, discussions and sharing ideas.

The Minister said these dialogues will bridge gaps, dispel myths and build a shared vision for schools.

She said this is a moment that not only reflects the department’s commitment to democratic values but also underscores the collective responsibility towards the future of basic educ
ation in South Africa.

Building stronger schools

By law, School Governing Bodies are the backbone of school communities. They ensure schools are not merely institutions of learning but beacons of hope, character, and community spirit.

‘Their impact is profound and far-reaching, with roles encompassing financial management, policy formulation, and staff appointment.

‘In the coming months, we embark on a collective journey to shape the future of our education system, brick by democratic brick.

‘As we approach these elections, we are reminded of the significance of active participation. The vibrancy of our democracy is mirrored in the engagement of our school communities,’ Motshekga said.

The Minister further acknowledged the stark reality of past participation rates, which have not matched the department’s aspirations.

Despite the undeniable importance of SGBs, she said the turnout has lingered at around the 40% mark. ‘This is not just a missed opportunity; it’s a call to action.’

The Minister emphasise
d that SGBs serve as a vital link, fostering understanding and collaboration between schools and the communities they serve.

‘As we celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2023, weathering turbulent waters yet emerging with hope, their success speaks volumes.

‘In KwaZulu-Natal, where we witnessed a remarkable improvement in results, the unwavering support of SGBs played a pivotal role. This is a testament to the immense power of active and engaged school communities,’ the Minister said.

Motshekga emphasised that the upcoming elections carry immense weight because they represent not just an exercise in democracy but an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to join hands and contribute to improving schools.

‘With this responsibility comes a clarion call: it’s time to raise our voices and shape the education we envision for our children. Transparency and inclusivity are our guiding principles to ensure every voice is heard.

‘The Department of Basic Education stands firmly committed to
conducting these elections with unwavering integrity,’ she said.

Throughout this month, the Department of Basic Education will share detailed information on the electoral process, nomination procedures, and critical dates.

The department is committed to ensuring that these elections are a model of democracy and accountability.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A cornerstone of our democracy over the past 30 years has been the participation of citizens in key policies and decisions that our country embarks on. This is in line with the country’s founding principle of building a participatory democracy and listening to the views of our citizens.

This approach is a Constitutional imperative that states that “people’s needs must be responded to, and the public must be encouraged to participate in policy-making’. It mandates all spheres of government to ensure that South Africans have a say in the way they are governed.

The involvement of citizens through public participation allows them to meaningfully influence the decisions that affect their lives. It also ensures greater co-operation, collaboration and the building of partnerships to improve the lives of people.

Government once again calls on citizens to make their voice heard on the future of our country’s energy supply by engaging with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2023) that was released in January this yea
r for public comment.

The Department of Minerals and Energy published the draft IRP 2023 which maps out the future energy mix for the country so that it can solicit public comments on the various assumptions, scenarios and observations made in the plan.

Through their submissions, citizens will have a direct say in how the country addresses the current energy challenges. Submissions must be made on or before 23 February 2024 to the Director-General of the Department of Minerals and Energy.

Our nation’s Integrated Resource Plan is a living document that is continuously revised and updated as necessitated by changing circumstances. It was first promulgated in March 2011 and the last review of the IRP was done in 2019.

The 2023 update estimates South Africa’s long-term electricity demand and charts how this demand for energy can be met. It takes into account costs and our climate change commitments in meeting our country’s demand for electricity.

Through the plan we aim to balance energy generation with dema
nd, while also factoring in the environment and total cost of supply. The draft IRP 2023 is based on a scientific process that considers several scenarios and latest developments in the country’s electricity industry.

The updated plan sets out two-time horizons that includes interventions that will help us in the short-term up to 2030, and the energy mix the country will pursue to securing our long term energy supply until 2050.

In the period up to 2030, the plan focuses on addressing prevailing generation constraints and system requirements to close the energy supply gap. On the other hand, the period from 2031 to 2050 focuses on long-term electricity generation to achieve a resilient Net Zero electricity sector by 2050.

While the draft IRP 2023 acknowledges that there will be intermittent load shedding until 2028, it proposes bold interventions to stabilise the grid and over time increase energy generation through gas, wind, photovoltaic solar, and battery storage.

The most significant change relates to
the allocation for new gas-to-power, which has been increased from the 3 000 MW outlined in the IRP 2019 to 7 220 MW. It raises our installed base of gas and diesel generation to 11 050 MW in 2030, up from the 6 380 MW assumed in the current plan.

Over the longer-term, a power system energy mix that takes into account energy security, decarbonisation and low cost of energy is proposed. The plan notes that while renewable energy technology will help the country meet its decarbonisation goals, it remains costly and does not provide security of supply.

Power generation such as nuclear, renewables, clean coal and gas that can be immediately active when needed has been singled out to provide security of supply and assist our decarbonisation. Furthermore, our energy system will require a massive new build programme and scaling up of our transmission network between 2031 and 2050.

The energy plan shows government is committed to addressing our energy challenge and build a better tomorrow. We cannot however do it
alone and need citizens to play their part by engaging with the country’s energy plan.

In doing so every citizen can partner with us on changing our energy situation. Our nation has always been at its strongest when we work together as citizens and communities to effect change.

Source: South African Government News Agency