Day: March 4, 2024

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande has condemned the killing of a University of Johannesburg (UJ) student in Braamfontein, last week Thursday.

The student was killed in a crossfire while travelling from the university to their residence in the Johannesburg central business district (CBD).

Nzimande has also raised his concern about the well-being of another student, who was also shot in the same incident, and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The Minister sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased student and wished the injured student a speedy recovery.

As part of the initial response, the department said, Nzimande will contact the head of the affected academic institution, with the view to ensure that the affected students and their families are given the necessary support.

‘Further to this, the Minister will also contact the Minister of Police to assess this disturbing incident and jointly implement the necessary measures to avoid a
repeat of this dastardly act.

‘The Minister condemns this cruel act of lawlessness and believes that as a country, we must not tolerate what seems to be a growing culture of impunity on the part of criminal elements and a blatant disregard for human life,’ the department said in a statement.

Nzimande is expected to visit the families of the victims on Monday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba on Monday travelled to Angola for his first bilateral visit since taking office on 04 February 2024, where he is expected to hold talks with his counterpart, João Lourenço, in Luanda.

Mbumba, who marked one month in office, said his visit was about upholding the custom in the region of new elected heads of state reporting to their counterparts.

Prior to his departure from Eros Airport, the president told the media that he was also going to thank President Lourenço for his solidarity throughout the period of mourning and the funeral of former President Hage Geingob.

‘In terms of tradition, if you’re the head of state and new in the office, you must report yourself to others. First, I am going to Angola; next time, I am going to another country. So there is nothing particularly special. It is only that you are duty-bound to perform these things to honour the SADC tradition and honour the friendship we have enjoyed so far with our neighbours,’ he said.

‘And for the
Angolans, to have their president here [for the funeral], sleeping two nights and being among the last to leave with the president of Botswana. We have to thank them in their own territories, not while they are here,’ Mbumba said of his one-day visit to Luanda.

He said Angola was among the countries that donated equipment for the funeral, including vehicles. ‘You’ve seen their planes in the air,’ said Mbumba, referring to the Angolan fighter pilots who participated in the flypast on 25 February 2024, the day of Geingob’s funeral at Heroes’ Acre.

Detailing the president’s bilateral visit to Angola, presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari told Nampa that Angola and Namibia are important bilateral partners.

He noted that the robust people-to-people interactions, strong trading, and peaceful shared borders are indicators of the long-standing ties between the two southern African countries.

‘And there are issues in the bilateral relationship that President Mbumba would like to take up with his counterpart, P
resident Lourenço, that include the question of grazing along the common borders,’ he said.

Hengari added that the matter was also discussed by former deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Angolan External Relations Minister Tete Antonio.

During their meeting at Helao Nafidi on 12 January 2024, the Angolan government agreed to allow Namibian farmers to graze in the neighbouring Angolan territory.

‘But I also need to emphasise that shortly before the passing of President Geingob, Namibia and Angola were discussing a date to hold a bi-national commission. Unfortunately, that has been overtaken by the events. So these are issues that President Mbumba would like to discuss with President Lourenço,’ Hengari said.

‘There are other issues in our bilateral relations with President Mbumba to learn from Angola as an old oil economy, with Namibia just discovering oil, so there are synergies and commonalities in our relations with Angola.’

President Mbumba is accompanied, among others, by the Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga, and Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana says the province is hard at work to lessen the burden of unemployment.

In his State of the Province Address on Friday, Dukwana said unemployment fell from 38.5% in the third quarter of 2023 to 37% in the fourth quarter.

‘Our Expanded Public Works Programme and the Presidential Employment Stimulus is a demonstration of our efforts to ignite economic growth,’ he said.

Dukwana said since 2019, the province has created 282 907 work opportunities against a five-year target of 260 000 work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

‘The Presidential Employment Stimulus enabled us to benefit from the creation of 87 357 job opportunities, supporting 24 733 livelihoods and retaining 1 680 jobs in the period between April to December 2023.

‘These statistics include the 6 964 Education Assistants and 8 285 General School Assistants in the Department of Education. At the core of this education programme is the placement of unemployed youth in schools.

‘This
further illustrates how we give practical effect to our commitment to address youth unemployment. We must strengthen the coordination and maximise our participation in this programme,’ Dukwana said.

He said a strong agricultural sector is key for food security, job creation, poverty alleviation and rural development.

‘Work is underway to position the Free State as the champion of the agricultural green revolution in the country. A total of 4 543 producers were trained, and 249 students graduated from the Glen Agricultural College.

‘We facilitated 19 023 export certificates, 29 419 hectares of land was rehabilitated and 987 hectares was cultivated using conservation practices. This will preserve the environment and increase production of organic products.

‘Work is underway to avail provincial and municipal land for youth, women, people with disabilities and military veterans for farming purposes. We will increase investment to support the commercialisation of black farmers, investment in agro-logistics inf
rastructure and open new markets,’ he said.

Dukwana said the province is hard at work to position the Free State as the country’s central energy logistics, distribution and beneficiation hub.

‘The province has immense opportunities in natural gas, solar, coal, ethanol, wind, uranium, hydropower and hydrogen to power the future of our country,’ he said.

30 Years of democracy

Dukwana said with 2024 marking 30 years of freedom and democracy, there is much to take note of.

‘It is a year that builds a bridge between our tragic past, encouraging present and a brighter future… With the birth of democracy, the stage was set to carve a path anchored firmly on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights,’ Dukwana said.

The Premier said central to the democratic transformation process is improving the living conditions of South Africans and fostering shared economic growth.

‘Driven by the relentless desire for a better life for all, we have over the past 30 years, invested time, resources and
commitment in fighting the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

‘The courage of our people continues to be rewarded. Their hopes and dreams continue to be the spark that impels us to even greater heights. Signs are everywhere that the Free State is a province on the move, confident in our actions and optimistic in our future trajectory.

‘We are making the most of our potential, harnessing our development efforts and leaving no one behind in a Social Compact with our people,’ Dukwana said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

ROSH PINAH: Two men aged 39 and 49 years are expected to appear in the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday after they were allegedly found in possession of Cannabis worth over N.dollars 300 000.

According to a crime report issued on Sunday by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol)’s, crime investigations coordinator for ||Kharas region, Deputy Commissioner, Nikodemus Mbango on Sunday, the suspects were arrested on Friday around 02h00 at the southern town.

‘An intelligence led operation pertaining to drugs was conducted by Ariamsvlei and Karasburg police officers and about 1km outside Karasburg, the vehicle in which the suspects were travelling was stopped. However, the driver tried to drive off, but police managed to stop them from fleeing,’ he said.

One of the suspects allegedly jumped out of the vehicle in attempt to flee, throwing a big parcel out of the vehicle in the process. The parcel was found to contain 7 815 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N.dollars 309 750.

The men each face
one count of dealing in illicit drugs.

In a separate incident, a 23-year-old man is expected to appear in the same court on Monday after he was allegedly found in possession of 1990 grams of Cannabis worth N.dollars 99 500.

The deputy commissioner said the man was arrested on Friday morning around 10h00 at his residence at Ariamslvei.

In another incident, NamPol at Karasburg are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a 25-year-old man was hit and killed by a vehicle some nine kilometers outside the southern town.

The deceased has been identified as Roberto Petrus Kooper, who’s next of kin have been informed of his death.

Kooper was allegedly struck by the vehicle at around 03h30 on the Karasburg/Grnau road. The driver of the vehicle, who faces a charge of culpable homicide once located, allegedly fled the scene after the incident.

Meanwhile, a 90-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at Noordoewer on Saturday, after his body was found hanging from the roof of his room with
a black belt around his neck at around 09h00 on Saturday.

The incident happened at the Paaiekamp residential area at the border town and no foul play is suspected.

In a separate incident at Lderitz a teenage boy who was being held in custody allegedly attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in a cell. According to Mbango, the incident occurred at around 17h00 on Saturday, however, police officers on duty discovered him hanging from a blanket strap and cut him down while still conscious.

Mbango further said the boy was taken to the Lderitz hospital for observation, while a social worker has referred his case to a to a psychologist.

Last week the teenager escaped from custody and was rearrested on Friday.

Police investigations in all matters continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The year 2024 coincides with several historic milestones in the nation’s fight for fundamental human rights and freedoms, says Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa.

‘South Africans from all walks of life will be participating in the seventh National Elections since the dawn of democracy and the country, in April, will be celebrating 30 years of democracy in South Africa,’ the Minister said on Monday in Pretoria.

He was addressing the launch of Human Rights Month, which is taking place under the theme: ‘Three Decades of Respect For and Promotion of Human Rights.’

Human Rights Month is observed to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy.

‘Overall, Human Rights Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to uphold and protect human rights for all individuals worldwide. It encourages reflection, action, and solidarity in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

‘From 1994 to date, South Africa underwent a radical tran
sition from the oppressive apartheid regime, with its system founded on parliamentary sovereignty, to a constitutional democracy committed to the creation of a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights,’ the Minister said.

Outlining the programme for Human Rights Month, he said the commemoration of the National Human Rights Day is planned for 21 March 2024 at the George Thabe Stadium, in Sharpeville.

‘The hosting of the event in Sharpeville symbolises government’s commitment to honour sacrifices made by those who fought and died for our liberation in Sharpeville and other townships across the land. It makes sense that we take the commemoration of the day to the place where it originated.

‘On 21 March, the national Human Rights Day is commemorated to honour the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 where peaceful protestors marched against discriminatory pass laws and were fatally shot by police. The Sharpeville massacre stands as a potent symbol of the brutal realities of apart
heid.

‘Sharpeville’s historical significance extended beyond its national borders, receiving global attention, which culminated in the United Nations (UN) Security Council passing a resolution condemning the killings and calling for the South African government to abandon its policy of apartheid and the UN General Assembly declaring apartheid as a violation of the UN Charter,’ the Minister said.

Six years after the massacre, the UN declared March 21 to be the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

‘The Sharpeville massacre galvanised the anti-apartheid movement both within South Africa and internationally. It energized resistance efforts and led to increased solidarity among activists and organizations working towards the dismantling of apartheid.

‘The massacre served as a catalyst for global awareness of the oppressive nature of apartheid and prompted increased international pressure on the South African government. Over the following decades, the anti-apartheid movement gained m
omentum, ultimately contributing to the dismantling of apartheid in the early 1990s.’

Activities

The Minister called on all South Africans to participate in the activities planned for Human Rights Month.

‘This year’s National Human Rights Day will be preceded by an International National Human Rights Conference, bringing together key stakeholders from across the globe as well as other government departments, to assess progress on the advancement of human rights since 1994.

‘The Conference will be hosted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development from the 18th to 20th of March 2024 and is premised on the department’s core mandate to uphold and administer the Constitution, deepening constitutional democracy, and promoting the values of human dignity, equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms,’ the Minister said.

Through this Conference, South Africa will conduct critical assessment of its state of human rights almost three decades into its constitutional democracy.

‘There
will be other activations across the country, amongst others, the Social Cohesion Dialogue to be hosted by the Eastern Cape province in Gqeberha on the 20th of March.

‘Panellists in this programme include leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to building bridges across diverse communities. Amongst them will be Dr Brigalia Bam, former Chairperson of IEC and Dr Bonisile John Kani and Ms Rochelle de Kock from [the] Herald Newspaper,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has handed over 455 bicycles to pupils in Mpumalanga to use for travelling to school.

Learners that benefitted from the national Shova Kalula or Ride Easy Bicycle Programme include those in Sindawonye and Kwakwari Primary, as well as Mgudlwa, Mkhephuli, Mbedlwana, Sozilani and Hlomanani Secondary Schools in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

‘We hope that these means will help in them to get to and from school quicker, and that it will inspire them to pursue their educational dreams,’ Chikunga said on Monday.

The national Shova Kalula or Ride Easy Bicycle Programme was initiated as a pilot project in 2001 with the purpose of promoting and maximising the use of bicycles as a low-cost mobility solution to poor communities, particularly in the rural areas.

‘The Shova Kalula Programme is part of the broader learner transport programme, focusing on learners who walk less than 5 kilometre (km) and walk more than 3 km to schools. Other learners on the learner transport
programme are being ferried through buses and taxis through contracts that are managed by the provinces,’ the Minister said.

In addition, all provinces are implementing the National Learner Transport Policy though the National Learner Transport Programme.

‘There are 900 946 learners in 5 635 schools that required learner transport to access their schools in 2023/2024 financial year. These learners have been identified by the provincial Departments of Education, which are responsible for the selection of learners to benefit from the subsidised learner transport service, in line with the National Learner Transport Policy and provincial policies,’ Chikunga said.

The National Learner Transport policy recognies the deep challenges of learners who walk long distances to school, which has an adverse impact on their school attendance and performance.

‘In order to deal with these mobility challenges, government has been implementing the National Learner Transport Policy to provide learners who live more than 5km [
from school] with transport to school,’ the Minister said.

Moloto Road

While in Mpumalanga, the Minister also conducted a site inspection of the bridge under construction along the R573 Moloto Road in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

‘Work on the project is progressing steadily across all the three provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) team is working tirelessly to make the road safer for road users. In Mpumalanga, Work Package 2 is currently ongoing, and it is 75% complete.

‘The anticipated completion date of construction for this phase is June 2024. In Limpopo, Work Package A2 is currently underway, and it is 95% complete. The anticipated completion date of construction is February 2024. In Gauteng, SANRAL is on the verge of appointing a contractor to start with works on this section of the project in 2024,’ the Minister said.

SANRAL has invested R4.5billion in this project over five years.

‘About 12 500 jobs are expected to be cr
eated throughout the project duration. In line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy, the inclusion of youth- and women-owned businesses will be prioritised.

‘Furthermore, the roads agency has launched a programme to empower Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), headed by people with disabilities, to form part of the construction of Moloto Road.

‘Nearly R130 million has also been earmarked to train prospective contractors from designated groups, to get them to the point where they are able to submit compliant, competitive and profitable tenders for such projects,’ Chikunga said.

SANRAL has introduced several additional safety interventions on the R573 to minimise crashes, paying particular attention to pedestrian safety.

‘So far, we have worked on the Moloto Road in Mpumalanga and Limpopo and we hope to begin work in Gauteng this year. The spend to date is R559 million on upgrading of national road R573, Section 2, Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, Mpumalanga; and R362.8 million on upgrading of nat
ional road R573, Section 3, from Slovo to Siyabuswa, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency