Month: February 2024

Professor Dire Tladi has been sworn in as the first-ever South African judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ held a public sitting on Tuesday morning, where Tladi and three other Excellencies were officially sworn in after being elected by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council on 9 November 2023.

The other new members of the court include Bogdan-Lucian Aurescu from Romania, Sarah Hull Cleveland from the United States and Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo Verduzco from Mexico

During the sitting, the four judges each solemnly declared Article 20 of the Statute of the Court.

The declaration, according to the ICJ, stipulates that members shall, before taking up their duties, make a solemn declaration in open court that they will exercise their powers impartially and conscientiously.

The new members’ nine-year terms of office will begin on the same day.

Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa described Tladi’s election as an outstanding personal achievement that the nation shares
with great pride.

‘We appreciate the confidence expressed by the United Nations in Prof Tladi’s capabilities. He becomes the newest member of a fraternity of South Africans globally who are in positions of service to the international community and making important contributions to the better world we seek to build.

‘We wish Prof Tladi well as he prepares to contribute to the Court and its jurisprudence from the Palace of Peace in The Hague, Netherlands,’ the President said then.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN and one of the six principal bodies of the intergovernmental organisation.

The court’s role is to settle, per international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and specialised agencies.

South Africans have become familiar with the top UN court after the country approached it to garner not only a ceasefire of Israel’s military barrage of Palestine but also to ask the court to find the
Israeli government guilty of committing acts of genocide.

The ICJ found that it was ‘plausible’ that Israel committed acts which violated the Genocide Convention.

The court in The Hague ordered Israel to, amongst others, take all measures within its power ‘to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide’ and to immediately ensure that Palestinians have access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.

The Professor is a leading international law scholar whose accomplishments span different areas of the field, including academic, government service, diplomatic and practice.

On his appointment as a judge of the ICJ, he was the University of Pretoria professor of international law and Future Africa’s Research Chair in Global Equity in Africa.

Speaking to the university last year, he said he was experiencing a mix of different emotions.

‘I am filled with mixed emotions – excitement, elation and a touch of nervousness. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude because so many people played
a role in this journey.

‘The entire experience has been humbling, especially navigating through the challenges of an intense campaign, and juggling various responsibilities over the past few months. The announcement and the tense process have undoubtedly taken a toll, but I’m absolutely ecstatic and profoundly humbled by the experience,’ the Professor added.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Presidency has released a five-year review publication that documents the strides made in South Africa’s recovery and reconstruction since 2019, delving into the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Sixth Administration, specifically targeting the pressing challenges confronting the nation.

‘Leave No One Behind 2024 – A Five-Year Review’, which was released on Tuesday, outlines in summary form the progress made in growing the economy and jobs; fighting corruption; tackling poverty; developing human capital; providing quality health care for all; fighting crime, violence and instability; making communities safer, and investing in infrastructure.

From the outset, the sixth administration has worked to address the immediate challenges facing South Africans and put in place the foundations for sustainable, inclusive growth and job creation into the future.

‘Progress in South Africa’s recovery and rebuilding since 2019 has been documented in a new Presidency publication on the impact of the Sixth Ad
ministration’s focus on addressing the immediate challenges facing South Africa and putting in place the foundations for better lives and sustainable growth into the future.

‘The publication is an exercise in accountability and draws attention to the collective efforts of government and social partners to improve conditions in the country under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa,’ Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement.

The information resource can be accessed on www.stateofthenation.gov.za and http://bit.ly/4blAA93.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has announced the adjustment of fuel prices for February 2024, which shows a hike in both petrol and diesel prices.

The price adjustments will come into effect from Wednesday, 7 February 2023.

Consumers will now pay 75c more for a litre of unleaded petrol of both grades (93 and 95), while the wholesale price of diesel will go up by between 70c and 73c.

The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will be increased by 53c a litre and the maximum retail price for LP gas is going up by 37c per kg.

Reasons given for the country’s adjusted prices include international and local factors.

‘International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs, for example, shipping costs,’ the department explained.

The main reasons for the fuel price adjustments, according to the department, are due to the cost of the average Brent Crude oil, which increas
ed from US $ 77.35 to US $ 82.03 in the past month.

The department also stated that the higher oil prices are attributed to the impact of the geopolitical risk or attacks on oil cargoes in the Middle East, particularly the Red Sea.

‘This has caused an increase in shipping rates as ships are rerouted from the Middle East to Europe, using the longer and more expensive route around Africa since they cannot import from Russia.’

In addition, the cold weather has also affected production in the United States, which has recently been part of the output used to offset the production cuts by a larger group of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+).

‘This resulted in more than expected inventory draws.’

Meanwhile, the average international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased in line with the higher crude oil prices, while the rand/US dollar exchange rate played a role.

‘The cumulative slate balance on petrol and diesel at the end of December 2023 had a posit
ive balance of R1.1 million.

‘Therefore, there will be no slate levy implemented in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 7th of February 2024.’

Source: South African Government News Agency

Parliament has introduced a set of new joint rules designed to regulate proceedings during the joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and which prohibit disruptions.

Addressing a media briefing on preparations to host SONA 2024, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the new joint rules are aimed at maintaining order, decorum in the Chamber, and promoting civility among members.

‘These rules, set to be implemented for the first time during this State of the Nation Address, are an essential step in ensuring that the proceedings, including the SONA, and the opening of Parliament are conducted with the respect and seriousness they deserve.

‘In terms of the new rules, no member is allowed to interrupt the President while delivering the State of the Nation Address. Similarly, interruptions are prohibited during the President’s speech at the opening of Parliament. Additionally these rules stipulate that no other business may be considered during a join
t sitting other than the specific business for which the joint sitting is convened.

‘These measures are critical in ensuring that these important national events are conducted in an orderly and respectful manner, reflecting the dignity of Parliament and the importance of these addresses in setting the nation’s legislative and development agenda,’ she said on Tuesday in Cape Town.

Scheduled to take place on 8 February at 7pm at Cape Town City Hall, this will be the last SONA for the sixth administration.

The event will take place under the theme: ‘Following up on our commitments: making your future work better’.

SONA is a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament – the National Assembly and the NCOP – presided over jointly by the Speaker and the Chairperson of the NCOP. It brings together the three arms of the state under one roof.

Convened by the President as per the Constitution, SONA serves to update the nation on government commitments and to outline the government’s programme of action for the ne
w financial year.

‘The President’s speech is the sole agenda item. Following this, Members of Parliament will engage in a two-day joint debate on the address, with the President’s reply scheduled for the subsequent day.

‘As of February 1, Cape Town City Hall has been designated as the parliamentary precinct, in accordance with Section 2 of the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act,’ she said.

SONA will be broadcast live on radio and TV and streamed live on Parliament’s website, the DStv channel (408), and YouTube channel.

‘The Cape Town City Hall will also host the two-day debate on the President’s address, featuring a joint sitting of the Houses, and the President’s reply to the debate.

‘Additionally, it will be the venue for the Minister of Finance’s Budget Speech, scheduled a few days later. All attendees, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and invited guests, will be attending physically,’ Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Approximately 490 Members of Parliament and
representatives of the South African Local Government Association will be seated in the chamber.

‘These SONA proceedings will maintain the full ceremonial format of previous years. The activities include a 21-gun salute, an aircraft flypast, a ceremonial guard, the step guard salute, the singing of the national anthem, a full military band, and ceremonial processions involving provincial Speakers, Premiers, the judiciary, the Deputy President, and the President.

‘The President will take a salute on the platform in front of the Madiba statue, located on the City Hall balcony. This position offers an optimal view of the national anthem performance by the South African National Defence Force military band, synchronised with the 21-gun salute and fly-past,’ the Speaker said.

The critical element of public participation of the involvement of the junior guard of honour and eminent persons has been reinstated. The Junior Guard of Honour consists of 100 learners, selected from four schools in the Western Cape.

‘T
he praise singer tasked with ushering the President into the House is Senziwe Hatty Maliba, also known as Nkosatane Nziwe, a 24-year-old young woman from the Nkomazi Municipality in the Mpumalanga province. The choice of language for the Imbongi is determined through a rotational selection process, and SiSwati has been chosen as the language for this occasion,’ Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Electoral Commission (IEC) has called on interested parties to send submissions on the distribution of the 200 regional seats in the National Assembly.

Briefing media on Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said the Commission will consider the submissions and representations, together with voter population data in each region, to determine the spread of the 200 seats.

‘This work is an important precursor to candidate nomination, as it will enable political parties to know how many candidates they may field in each respective region to the national list,’ Mamabolo said.

There are 200 regional seats in the National Assembly and 200 compensatory seats.

The public submissions will close on 20 February 2024. The Gazette can be found on http://tinyurl.com/EAARegulations.

Following public consultation, Mamabolo said the Commission has now determined the quantum of election deposits for political parties and independents, who intend to contest the forthcoming elections.

The determined deposits ar
e as follows:

A political party that contests the compensatory seats in the National Assembly and in all the nine regions will need to deposit an amount of R300 000.

A political party will also need to have R50 000 for each of the provincial legislatures.

A political party that contests the compensatory seats in the National Assembly and in at least one region will deposit R225 000 and R25 000 for each additional region.

Independent candidates will deposit R20 000 for each region they contest and R15 000 for the election of a provincial legislature.

Deposits are refunded to parties and independent representatives that win a seat.

‘The Commission will also imminently publish its determination of the number of seats in each provincial legislature. The determination also follows a period of public consultation and representation by interested parties as well as data related to population in each province,’ Mamabolo said.

Portal to capture signatures now available

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission h
as announced that a portal to capture signatures supporting nominations to contest the 2024 National and Provincial Elections is now available for use by unrepresented political parties and independent candidates.

‘Independent candidates must be supported by 1 000 voters in a region or province in which they stand. Unrepresented parties must be endorsed by the equivalent of 15% of the quota of votes per seat in the previous election for a region or provincial legislature they intend to contest,’ Mamabolo said.

The link for the platform is https://online.elections.org.za/MyIEC

The Commission reminded voters who are still not registered to go online or visit the offices of the Electoral Commission in municipalities to register.

Mamabolo said registration will remain open until proclamation of the election date.

Voters can use the Commission’s SMS line 32810 to check their registration status.

‘Our contact centre on 0800 11 8000 remains available as well as our WhatsApp line 0600 88 000 is also available t
o assist voters,’ Mamabolo said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Electoral Commission says 1.2 million new voters have been added to the voters’ roll since November 2023, as the country prepares for this year’s National and Provincial Elections.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of the final voter registration weekend on Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said the two registration weekends have given the country a growth of 1.2 million citizens on the voters’ roll.

‘Following these two registration drives, the voters’ roll now stands at 27.4 million. Regarding the past registration weekend, over 2 million (2 060 754) citizens interacted with the commission by either visiting the 23 303 voting stations or using the online voter registration portal.

‘The interactions ranged from applying for registration as new voters or updating the registration details in the case of those already registered. Of the 2 million transactions recorded this past weekend, 457 384 or 22% were new entrants on the voters’ roll,’ Mamabolo said.

Of the new registrations, 77% are
young people under the age of 29 entering the voters’ roll for the first time. New registrations for young people stands at 352 524.

Mamabolo said a total of 1 606 370 or 88% voters inspected and updated their registration details, and this is in line with the message that a voter must register and vote in the voting district where they reside, unless they notify the commission of an intention to vote elsewhere.

A total of 1 818 379 applications were also captured at the voting stations, while 240 789 were recorded online.

KZN records highest number registrations

Mamabolo said KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of registrations with 2 510 670 transactions, followed by Gauteng which recorded 452 596, while the Eastern Cape came third with 305 460 transactions recorded.

KwaZulu-Natal also recorded the highest number of young people registered at 103 647 followed by Gauteng at 82 168, and the Eastern Cape at 43 673.

The gender of the new registrations was evenly split with female registrations accou
nting for 233 364, which is 51%, while the male new registrations account for 224 020, which is 49%.

Mamabolo noted that Gauteng remains the province with the biggest voting population at 6.4 million voters, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 5.7 million, then the Eastern Cape at 3.4 million voters.

‘The age category 20-29 at 4.3 million now represents 48% measured against the voting age population. The online registration portal has greater usage in the province of Gauteng at 99 522, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 43 240 and the Western Cape at 33 822.

‘Young persons under the age of 29 account for 47% usage of the online registration portal. Females are more likely to use the online portal more than males do at 58% or 139 313. With two registration weekends under its belt, the commission now turns its focus on ramping up preparations for the National and Provincial Elections 2024,’ Mamabolo said.

Source: South African Government News Agency