Month: February 2024

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has undertaken to resolve the water supply challenges in the City of eThekwini by 15 February 2024.

Mchunu made the commitment during a meeting held with the residents of Verulam, Tongaat and Phoenix on Sunday, following a number of protests by the communities over constant water supply challenges.

Mchunu, accompanied by uMngeni-uThukela Water Board Chairperson, Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo, and eThekwini Speaker, Thabani Nyawose, met with stakeholders, including Verulam Water Crisis Committee representatives, where the residents urged the department to intervene and resolve the constant water supply challenges.

The residents also urged the eThekwini Municipality to implement a proper billing system, and urgently address water leak repairs.

Addressing residents, Mchunu emphasised that water is a basic human need and a Constitutional right.

‘Some institutions, including schools and hospitals like Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, have been without water. This is an
occurrence that should not be allowed, and one that should be addressed with great urgency,’ Mchunu said.

Mchunu also condemned the incident happened at a recent community protest, where some residents sustained injuries and some got arrested.

‘eThekwini is a Water Services Authority and is responsible to ensure that water reaches citizens. We apologise for the occurrences, and as the national Department of Water and Sanitation, we cannot absolve ourselves, as doing so would be a dereliction of duty. Instead, we are engaging and working together with officials from the city,’ Mchunu said.

The Minister highlighted uMkhomazi Water Project as one of the projects that will see an increase in water supply and ensure water security in the Umngeni Water Supply System. The system supplies eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, iLembe, Ugu, Harry Gwala District Municipalities and Msunduzi Local Municipality.

The Minister said overtime, raw water in Umngeni and other sources has reduced and measures need to be implemented to co
unter this.

‘We have been in intense discussions with eThekwini and as of 31 January this year, a resolution was passed by the Council, which will enable the uMkhomazi Dam Project to proceed, thereby guaranteeing water supply and sustainable raw water supply,’ the Minister said.

He said he will be meeting with the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and uMngeni-uThukela Water on 8 February 2024 to discuss a way forward on the project.

‘The Head of Water in the city, Mr Msweli and uMngeni-uThukela Water Acting Chief Operating Officer will be on the ground, hard at work. Our Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, will convene meetings every two weeks to monitor progress and I am inviting the Verulam Water Crisis Committee to form part of these meetings.

‘The given date for all these challenges to be resolved is the 15th of February. No efforts will be spared in resolving these water supply challenges. Work will be carried out – day and night if we must – in order to meet this deadline and provide people with
water,’ Mchunu said.

He assured residents that the department will come back after 15 February 2024 to account for the undertaking made.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Employment and Labour has warned work seekers not to pay for employment opportunities.

The department has noted with concern a number of scams that keep popping up periodically, where unemployed people are promised jobs at a fee.

The latest scam is one that uses the department’s name for promises of so-called admin worker jobs, where scammers request unsuspecting members of the public to pay a refundable fee of R250 at PEP stores for background checks.

‘Work seekers are advised not to deposit any fees and share their contact and personal information, thus compromising their security.

‘No person may charge a fee to any work seeker for providing employment services to that work seeker. This is according to the Employment Services (ES) Act.

‘The Employment Services Act further states that a private employment agency must not deduct any amount from the remuneration of an employee or require or permit an employee to pay any amount in respect of placing that employee with an employer,’ the d
epartment said.

The department further highlighted that an unemployment rate of 31.9% has presented a fertile ground for scammers to dupe the public with promises of job offers in return for a fee.

The Department of Employment and Labour, through the Public Employment Services (PES) branch, as a custodian of Employment Services Act, must provide the following public employment services free of charge to members of the public in a manner that is open and accessible:

matching work seekers with available work opportunities;

registering work seekers;

registering job vacancies and other work opportunities;

facilitating the placing of work seekers with employers or in other work opportunities;

advising work seekers on access to education and training;

advising workers on access to social security benefits;

providing specialised services to assist vulnerable work seekers;

facilitating the exchange of information among labour market participants, including employers, workers and work seekers, privat
e employment agencies, Sector Education and Training Authorities and training providers;

facilitating the employment of foreign nationals in a manner that is consistent with the object of this Act and the Immigration Act; and

generally, performing any other function in terms of employment law or prescribed in terms of this Act.

‘As soon as you’re asked to pay anything towards recruitment and related employment services know that this is likely to be a scam. If someone or an organisation requests you to pay fees, report them at Department of Employment and Labour,’ the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to hold a Presidential Youth Engagement at the Belhar Sports Centre in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The engagement forms part of the National Youth Development Agency’s reflection on the three years since the initiation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI).

‘During this engagement, young people will have access to a Training Hub, facilitating interactions with trainers, mentors and peers who have benefited from the intervention.

“Additionally, an Opportunities Hub will showcase stakeholder offerings to aid the youth in transitioning from learning to earning, while a Partners Hub will spotlight contributions from all partners of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention.

‘This multifaceted event is designed to emphasise the importance of youth development programmes and the PYEI. The goal of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is to create a dynamic platform that not only showcases existing youth pr
ogrammes and opportunities but also fosters direct engagement with young beneficiaries and stakeholders.

‘This dialogue aims to ensure continuous support and improvement in youth development initiatives,’ the Presidency said.

According to the Presidency, the PES and PYEI programmes have ‘collectively generated over 1.8 million job opportunities and provided livelihood support, predominantly benefiting young individuals’.

‘As the sixth administration nears its conclusion and in anticipation of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2024, this event serves as a crucial moment to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of partners and beneficiaries, who have significantly contributed to the nation’s progress.

‘The focus extends beyond mere recognition; it also aims to initiate a call to action for the upcoming phase of the programme,’ the Presidency said.

The engagement is expected to commence at 2pm.

Source: South African Government News Agency

OPUWO: Golden Bees Football Club defeated Outjo Football Academy (OFA) in the North West Stream First Division rivalry on Saturday at the Etoshapoort Stadium, coming from behind in a 2-1 thriller.

Golden Bees FC will revel in their triumph and claim bragging rights throughout Outjo. The results will relieve their strain after a poor start, earning them 10 points and propelling them to seventh place on the log standings.

After seven games, Golden Bees now have three wins, two draws, and two losses, while OFA has two wins, and five losses, and is ranked ninth with six points.

Other weekend games saw log leaders KK Palace FC maintain their strong start to the season by defeating African Motto by two unanswered goals, while Eleven Warriors were held to a one-all draw at home by Touch and Go FC.

Oshikuku Young Stars took use of their home advantage to defeat Ongwediva City FC by a single goal, while Khuse Lions FC, who are still battling to find their feet, suffered another defeat at home when Onambula United
scored a single goal to send them to the bottom of the log.

Elsewhere, in Oshakati at the Uukwangula Stadium, Young Chiefs FC were denied an opportunity to ascend to the third spot on the log after losing 2-1 to Golden Bigs FC who en route recorded their second win after seven games.

After seven games, KK Palace lead the log with 19 points from six wins and one draw, followed by Eleven Warriors with 17 points from five wins and two draws, making the top two the only undrafted teams thus far.

Onambula United is third on the log with four wins, one draw, and two defeats, totalling 13 points after seven games. Former Namibia Premier League rival Young Chiefs FC who won three games, lost one, and drew three, is fourth with 12 points, sharing the same statistics with fifth-placed Ongwediva City.

Outjo-based Golden Bees is in sixth place with 11 points after three wins, two draws, and two defeats, followed by Oshikuku Young Stars who have 10 points after three wins, one draw, and two losses. Golden Bigs who won
two of their seven games and lost four, are ranked eighth with seven points, followed by OFA in ninth with six points after winning one and losing five games.

Touch and Go FC, African Motto, and Khuse Lions are at the bottom of the log, ranked 10th, 11th, and 12th respectively.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Western Cape Education Department has encouraged all learners, who want to register for the Second Chance Matric Support Programme, to do so before the closing date of 9 February 2024.

The programme is aimed at those who have not met the requirements to pass the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or the extended Senior Certificate (SC) examinations.

The programme is also open to those who want to improve their results.

‘This is a wonderful opportunity to obtain one’s NSC and it should not be missed. The content is fresh in the candidates’ minds, so it would be beneficial to register to write sooner, rather than having to wait a whole year. Every candidate that did not pass should continue doing whatever they can to complete Grade 12,’ Western Cape Education spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said.

Hammond said approximately 30% of the candidates in the Western Cape who did not pass required one more subject to pass, and about 20% needed two subjects.

In order to prepare for these examinations, Hammond said
candidates can take advantage of various matric resources on the department’s website: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/matric-support, and these includes study guides, video tutorials and examination papers and memos.

Hammond said the programme in the province also offers private candidates who are registered to write the May/June examinations free tutoring classes.

The tutoring classes will cover subjects, including Afrikaans First Additional Language; Agricultural Sciences; Business Studies; Economics; English First Additional Language; Geography; History; Life Sciences; Mathematics; Mathematical Literacy, and Physical Sciences

Hammond noted that Second Chance Matric Support Centres have been established in selected areas in the province and all tuitions are offered for free.

Registration to enter the programme has started. Information on registration and tutoring venues can be found at: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/second-chance-matric-programme.

Registration forms can be found on the W
CED website: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/national-senior-certificate-nsc-exams

The programme is expected to start at the beginning of March 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi arrived in Windhoek on Monday morning to pay a courtesy visit to President Nangolo Mbumba, following the passing of President Hage Geingob on Sunday.

Masisi visited State House before proceeding to Geingob’s residence at Casa Rosa, a few kilometres outside Windhoek to express condolences to the former First Lady Monica Geingos.

Mbumba told Masisi that Namibia will continue its brotherly relationship with Botswana.

‘We are truly honoured that Botswana’s President is the first President to visit us during this very difficult time,’ Mbumba said.

He was sworn in as President on Sunday afternoon. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Vice President. Prior to Geingob’s passing, Mbumba was the Vice President of Namibia.

Masisi has since applauded Namibia for a smooth transition of political power.

‘I wanted to come yesterday but I thought to give you space and time, to see you through organising and filling
this big gap in the Namibian house. I am very proud of what Namibia did, you are a true example,’ he said.

Masisi left for Botswana Monday afternoon.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency