Month: February 2024

To deal with severe inefficiencies in the country’s freight logistics system, government is taking action to improve the ports and rail network in a bid to restore them to world-class standards.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said government has set out a clear roadmap to stabilise the performance of Transnet and reform the logistics system.

‘Working closely with business and labour, we have established dedicated teams to turn around five strategic corridors that transport goods for export purposes.

‘The number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban – which has experienced severe congestion in recent months – has reduced from more than 60 ships in mid-November to just 12 ships at the end of January,’ Ramaphosa said.

Transnet has appointed an international terminal operator to help expand and improve its largest terminal at the Port of Durban.

‘And we are overhauling the freight rail system by allowing private rail operators to access the
rail network. With the current conflict in the Middle East affecting shipping traffic through the Suez Canal, South Africa is well positioned to offer bunkering services for ships that will be rerouted via our shores,’ the President said.

He made these remarks during the last SONA for the sixth administration in the Cape Town City Hall.

Source: South African Government News Agency

South Africans can look forward to a ‘unique’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening, as the important event is being held against the backdrop of the country preparing to commemorate 30 years of democracy.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, who was addressing the media in Cape Town on Wednesday.

SONA will be held at the Cape Town City Hall from 7pm.

‘This [SONA] is different and unique in so many ways. It is important that it is allowed its own expression and that South Africans can take out of it the celebratory element. We are marking 30 years of our democratic dispensation. It is also the last SONA under the sixth administration.

‘And so what you will have is a reflection of the past 30 years, coupled with an account of the work of the sixth administration over the last five years. It is important you allow those key elements to be expressed as much as possible without adding other issues,’ he said.

Magwenya explained that the delivery of SONA is a
Constitutional imperative.

‘There is a Constitutionally mandated democratic tradition for the President to open Parliament. So it’s not just about the State of the Nation Address; it’s the opening of Parliament. This is something that has been part and parcel of our democratic dispensation since 1994.

‘We urge all South Africans to follow the address as it deals with the state of the nation; not the state of only one segment or some segments of the nation. It is the state of all of the nation,’ he said.

Having their say

This year’s SONA will be held under the theme: ‘Following up on our commitments: Making your future work better’ and on the streets of South Africa, citizens expressed their views on what they believe the President should take stock of.

Mosito Moshatane from Kliprivier said: ‘I hope the President will address the issue of human settlements. I think people are living in places that aren’t good because they are desperate [for housing]. The queues are too long for them to be waiting’.

Nicar
do Nell from Upington said: ‘This year I think it’s very important for us… to listen to the SONA because I think it will give us hope and direction.’

Prudence Faku said: ‘It is important that the President addresses the issues that we have, so that we know what the plans are going forward; what the problems are and how we can tackle those issues.’

Local is lekker

During a media briefing held by Parliament’s Presiding Officers this week, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the holding of SONA has a greater impact beyond the walls of the Cape Town City Hall.

She said Parliament, together with Proudly South African, have come together to encourage guests and Members of Parliament to walk down the red carpet in garments produced by local designers.

‘The campaign aims to increase appreciation and visibility for local designers and their creations, and to provide momentum for the growth of the fashion business. This initiative goes beyond mere fashion appreciation; it seeks to connect consum
ers with the rich stories, culture, and creativity inherent in South African fashion, thereby fostering a sense of pride in local craftsmanship.

“This partnership has far-reaching implications for the country’s economy and the fashion industry. Encouraging public representatives and guests to don local designs sends a powerful message of support for local business, which is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and addressing issues of inequality and poverty.

‘This collaboration between Parliament and Proudly South African is not only a celebration of South African talent but also a step towards sustainable development, economic empowerment, and a more responsible fashion industry,’ she said.

The local economy is also expected to receive a boost.

‘SONA significantly boosts the local economy by attracting increased tourism, media presence, and business activities to the city.

‘This influx of visitors and heightened economic activity during the SONA period contributes to job creation and increased rev
enue for local businesses, including hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors,’ she said.

The Speaker encouraged South Africans to have their say on SONA.

‘We encourage all South Africans to actively participate in SONA by tuning in and expressing their views across the various communication platforms provided by Parliament, government and mainstream media,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.

SONA will be broadcast live on Parliament TV, mainstream broadcasters, and streaming services, ensuring comprehensive access and engagement for everyone across the nation.

“Let us come together as a nation to witness, discuss and reflect on the state of our nation, as we continue to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient South Africa,’ Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa says investment in infrastructure is gaining momentum, and new and innovative funding mechanisms will be used to increase the construction of infrastructure.

Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, President Ramaphosa said to deal with severe inefficiencies in the freight logistics system, government is taking action to improve the country’s ports and rail network and restore them to world-class standards.

‘We have set out a clear roadmap to stabilise the performance of Transnet and reform our logistics system. Working closely with business and labour, we have established dedicated teams to turn around five strategic corridors that transport goods for export purposes.

‘The number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban – which has experienced severe congestion in recent months – has reduced from more than 60 ships in mid-November to just 12 ships at the end of January,’ Ramaphosa said.

The President also noted that Transnet has appointed an
international terminal operator to help expand and improve its largest terminal at the Port of Durban, and government is overhauling the freight rail system by allowing private rail operators to access the rail network.

‘With the current conflict in the Middle East affecting shipping traffic through the Suez Canal, South Africa is well positioned to offer bunkering services for ships that will be rerouted via our shores.

Broadband and investment

‘We completed the auction of broadband spectrum after more than a decade of delays, resulting in new investment, lower data costs and improved network reach and quality. These reforms have a profound impact in a society in which access to the internet has risen dramatically over the last decade,’ the President told a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.

He also noted that less than half of all households had internet access in 2011, compared to 79% of households in 2022.

‘Just this week, we published new regulations to reform
our visa system, which will make it easier to attract the skills that our economy needs and create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.

‘We raised R1.5 trillion in new investment commitments through five South Africa Investment Conferences, of which over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.’

Bulk water projects

The President further announced that several bulk water projects are under construction across the country to improve water supply to millions of residents in villages, towns, and cities.

‘The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to enhance water resource management by initiating infrastructure projects to secure water supply and diversifying water sources to reduce dependence on surface water.’

The President highlighted some of the water infrastructure projects, which are in progress or completed, and these include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Umzimvubu, Hazelmere Dam, uMkhomazi Water Project, Clanwilliam Dam, Tzaneen Dam, Loskop, Mandlakazi, pipeline f
rom Jozini Dam, Giyani and the pipeline from Nandoni Dam.

Included among these are also Pilanesberg Water, Vaal Gamagara and the pipeline from the Vaal River to Hothazel.

‘In the Eastern Cape, the Msikaba and Mtentu bridges are beginning to rise over the landscape and will be among the highest in Africa once complete. The steel used for part of the project is fabricated in Mpumalanga, and the iron ore comes from the Northern Cape,’ he said.

He also noted that in the past five years, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), which manages nearly 25 000 km of roads, has awarded more than 1 200 projects to the value of R120 billion.

‘In November last year, Cabinet approved a framework for high-speed rail, focusing initially on the Johannesburg to Durban corridor,’ the President said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

South Africans can look forward to a ‘unique’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening, as the important event is being held against the backdrop of the country preparing to commemorate 30 years of democracy.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, who was addressing the media in Cape Town on Wednesday.

SONA will be held at the Cape Town City Hall from 7pm.

‘This [SONA] is different and unique in so many ways. It is important that it is allowed its own expression and that South Africans can take out of it the celebratory element. We are marking 30 years of our democratic dispensation. It is also the last SONA under the sixth administration.

‘And so what you will have is a reflection of the past 30 years, coupled with an account of the work of the sixth administration over the last five years. It is important you allow those key elements to be expressed as much as possible without adding other issues,’ he said.

Magwenya explained that the delivery of SONA is a
Constitutional imperative.

‘There is a Constitutionally mandated democratic tradition for the President to open Parliament. So it’s not just about the State of the Nation Address; it’s the opening of Parliament. This is something that has been part and parcel of our democratic dispensation since 1994.

‘We urge all South Africans to follow the address as it deals with the state of the nation; not the state of only one segment or some segments of the nation. It is the state of all of the nation,’ he said.

Having their say

This year’s SONA will be held under the theme: ‘Following up on our commitments: Making your future work better’ and on the streets of South Africa, citizens expressed their views on what they believe the President should take stock of.

Mosito Moshatane from Kliprivier said: ‘I hope the President will address the issue of human settlements. I think people are living in places that aren’t good because they are desperate [for housing]. The queues are too long for them to be waiting’.

Nicar
do Nell from Upington said: ‘This year I think it’s very important for us… to listen to the SONA because I think it will give us hope and direction.’

Prudence Faku said: ‘It is important that the President addresses the issues that we have, so that we know what the plans are going forward; what the problems are and how we can tackle those issues.’

Local is lekker

During a media briefing held by Parliament’s Presiding Officers this week, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the holding of SONA has a greater impact beyond the walls of the Cape Town City Hall.

She said Parliament, together with Proudly South African, have come together to encourage guests and Members of Parliament to walk down the red carpet in garments produced by local designers.

‘The campaign aims to increase appreciation and visibility for local designers and their creations, and to provide momentum for the growth of the fashion business. This initiative goes beyond mere fashion appreciation; it seeks to connect consum
ers with the rich stories, culture, and creativity inherent in South African fashion, thereby fostering a sense of pride in local craftsmanship.

“This partnership has far-reaching implications for the country’s economy and the fashion industry. Encouraging public representatives and guests to don local designs sends a powerful message of support for local business, which is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and addressing issues of inequality and poverty.

‘This collaboration between Parliament and Proudly South African is not only a celebration of South African talent but also a step towards sustainable development, economic empowerment, and a more responsible fashion industry,’ she said.

The local economy is also expected to receive a boost.

‘SONA significantly boosts the local economy by attracting increased tourism, media presence, and business activities to the city.

‘This influx of visitors and heightened economic activity during the SONA period contributes to job creation and increased rev
enue for local businesses, including hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors,’ she said.

The Speaker encouraged South Africans to have their say on SONA.

‘We encourage all South Africans to actively participate in SONA by tuning in and expressing their views across the various communication platforms provided by Parliament, government and mainstream media,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.

SONA will be broadcast live on Parliament TV, mainstream broadcasters, and streaming services, ensuring comprehensive access and engagement for everyone across the nation.

“Let us come together as a nation to witness, discuss and reflect on the state of our nation, as we continue to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient South Africa,’ Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

OPUWO: After the postponement last weekend due to the death of President Hage Geingob, the Kunene Second Division Football League season kicks off on Saturday.

The Kunene Second Division Football League, under the auspices of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), is scheduled to kick off this weekend as confirmed by the league’s administrator Bolla Nangombe on Thursday.

Nangombe confirmed the league’s opening season matches, stating that all stadiums have been inspected and are ready to go.

‘The wait is finally over! We finally present to you the opening fixtures for this weekend. With only four days to go, we are super excited and cannot wait to bring super top-class football to you… the air is filled with anticipation and the thrill of the competition,’ he said.

The 2023-24 Premier League season will begin across the region on Saturday when newly promoted Okarindi Komutai FC travels to Outjo to take on Sixty Eleven FC at the Etoshapoort Sports Field.

!Ugab FC will make their league debut against la
st season’s runners-up Kunene NamPol FC at Etoshapoort, while Khaibasen FC will face Pubs FC.

Young Eagles FC from Okaukuejo will put their strength to the test at home against the youthful Khorixas Football Academy (KFA) squad.

With newly promoted teams and significant names on the move, league favourite Robber Chanties FC, who went shopping to bolster their squad, will meet Etosha United at Khorixas’ iconic Herbert Conradie Stadium.

Following that game, Orlando Gariseb FC will face Green Dangers.

The second round of league fixtures will feature newcomers !Ugab FC against Opuwo rural club Okarindi Komutati in a game that will test the two teams’ strengths after last season’s playoff encounters, with Okarindi winning in the final at Outjo.

Kunene NamPol, who are also reported to have signed new players from Opuwo, will face Sixty Eleven on Sunday at the Etoshapoort field.

KFA will travel from Okaukuejo to Outjo to face Khaibasen FC, while Young Eagles FC will await Pubs in Okaukuejo.

Orlando Gariseb wi
ll face Etosha United in the second round, while Robber Chanties will host Green Dangers at Herbert Conradie Stadium in Khorixas for the weekend’s final game.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Government is expected to establish a Climate Change Response Fund to address the devastating effects of the phenomenon on vulnerable areas in South Africa.

Over the past few years, parts of South Africa have been ravaged by floods – particularly in KwaZulu-Natal – as well as fires in other parts of the country and drought.

‘This will bring together all spheres of government and the private sector in a collaborative effort to build our resilience and respond to the impacts of climate change,’ President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

This as the President delivered the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the sixth administration before a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces at the Cape Town City Hall.

President Ramaphosa explained that furthermore, through reforms, government is positioning the economy for ‘future growth in a world shaped by climate change and a revolution in green technologies’.

‘In the last three years, our country has seen an increase in ex
treme weather events, often with disastrous consequences. This is why we are implementing a just energy transition, not only to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, but to create growth and jobs for our own people.

‘We will undertake this transition at a pace, scale and cost that our country can afford and in a manner that ensures energy security.

‘With our abundance of solar, wind and mineral resources, we are going to create thousands of jobs in renewable energy, green hydrogen, green steel, electric vehicles and other green products.’

Electric vehicle manufacturing

The President highlighted that green hydrogen and electric vehicle manufacturing are receiving particular attention.

‘We are going to set up a Special Economic Zone in the Boegoebaai port to drive investment in green energy. There is a great deal of interest from the private sector to participate in the boom that will be generated from green hydrogen energy projects.

‘We have decided to support electric vehicle manufacturing i
n South Africa to grow our automotive sector, which provides good jobs to thousands of workers. We have decided to give special focus to regions like Mpumalanga to enable the creation of new industries, new economic opportunities, and sustainable jobs.

‘And in the past year, we have increased the financing pledges for our Just Energy Transition Investment Plan from around R170 billion to almost R240 billion,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

KATIMA MULILO: Zambezi Region Governor, Lawrence Sampofu has hailed Namibia’s late President, Dr Hage Geingob, as a people’s person, a good manager and leader.

‘We have lost a man, a visionary leader, a leader who made sure that as he used to say, no one is left out. He was a people’s man, a man who had people’s problems at heart, so that all of us we move in one direction. We have lost a man and a father, who made sure that everybody does not go to bed hungry. So we have lost a giant in the struggle of economic achievement,’ Sampofu maintained.

Geingob who died at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek on Sunday around midnight where he was receiving medical treatment after returning from the United States was described as one of the first pillars of the Swapo leaders from the 1960s to date.

Sampofu maintained that when Swapo was being formed, Geingob represented Swapo in the United States of America (USA) as head of students there, and 1976 Geingob was appointed as the Director of the United Natio
ns Institute for Namibia in Lusaka, Zambia. He noted that the late Head of State was a leader who paved the way for Namibia’s independence, one who organised and mobilised the Namibian masses, to join the liberations struggles to attain Namibia’s independence.

‘After the 1989 elections, he chaired the Constituent Assembly to write the first Constitution that we have today. A very important Constitution which is rated as one of the best in the world,’ Sampofu stated.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency