Day: March 6, 2024

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has announced that all grades of fuel will increase by at least R1 from today.

The following are the increases have been announced:

Petrol (93 ULP and LRP): R1.21 increase.

Petrol (95 ULP and LRP): R1.21 increase.

Diesel (0.05% sulphur): R1.05 increase.

Diesel (0.005% sulphur): R1.18 increase.

Illuminating paraffin (wholesale): 64 cents increase.

Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin: 85 cents increase.

Maximum LP Gas retail price: 41 cents increase

The increases mean that a litre of 95, which used to cost R23.24 in Gauteng, now costs R24.45 a litre.

The DMRE said a number of factors influenced the increases, including:

The average Brent Crude oil price increased from 82.03 US Dollars (USD) to 82.50 USD during the period under review.

The average international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased in line with the higher crude oil prices.

The Rand depreciated slightly on average, against
the US Dollar from 18.77 to 19.20 Rand per USD during the period under review. This led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin.

The DMRE Minister, Gwede Mantashe with the concurrence Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana approved an increase from 0.1 c/l to 1.0 c/l in the IP Tracer Dye Levy that is applicable to Diesel with effect from the 6 March 2024. This increase is temporary until the 5th of March 2025.

‘South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by 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,’ the department explained.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead government’s interaction with communities and stakeholders in the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga during the District Development Model Presidential Imbizo on Thursday.

“Themed ‘Leave No One Behind’, the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province,’ said the Presidency in a statement on Tuesday.

The imbizo, which will get underway at 11 am, will take place at the Sy Mthimunye Stadium in Emalahleni.

The imbizo is directed at enabling the successful implementation of the ‘One District, One Plan’ District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation and evaluation.

Earlier in the week, Cooperat
ive Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng urged communities in Mpumalanga to participate in the imbizo.

READ | Mpumalanga communities invited to attend imbizo

‘As a constitutional democracy grounded in meaningful public participation and accountability, continuous engagement with communities is important. Therefore, the imbizo reaffirms the role of communities in shaping their development initiatives,’ Nkadimeng said on Monday.

The visit to Emalahleni will allow the President and other leaders in government to assess progress made and to be briefed on challenges associated with the improvement of service delivery since the President’s previous engagement with communities.

The imbizo highlights the successful implementation of the DDM, and the significance of collaboration with key stakeholders including traditional leaders, businesses and civil society.

The DDM Presidential Imbizo forms part of a holistic government service delivery and monitoring programme, using an integrated, d
istrict-based approach to address community needs.

It serves as an important platform for transparent and constructive exchanges between communities and government.

READ | Nkangala residents called to attend Presidential Imbizo

Since inception in March 2022, izimbizo have empowered millions of South Africans to directly engage with the President, contributing to policy discussions and acknowledging government efforts to better serve the people.

Government’s commitment to serving the people and enhancing their well-being necessitates ongoing dialogue and collaboration. Through izimbizo, community input informs government priorities, facilitating accelerated public service delivery.

Community engagements through the DDM Presidential Imbizo also enhances visibility, understanding, empowerment, fostering stronger relationships between government and the public.

Feedback from these engagements informs decision-making processes and showcases the impact of community contributions.

Preceding Thursday’s imbizo
will be a series of build-up outreach activities led by Ministers, MECs, mayors across the Nkangala District Municipality and throughout the Mpumalanga province.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Government has welcomed the release of the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures by Statistics South Africa, which show a slight growth of 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

‘This growth is particularly encouraging as it surpasses pre-pandemic levels. This indicates a resilient economy showing signs of recovery, and bettering previous strength,’ Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Wednesday.

In the fourth quarter, real GDP reached R1 158 billion, marking continuous improvement from the pre-COVID-19 level of R1 150 billion, although still below the peak recorded in the third quarter of 2022.

READ | GDP increases by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023

‘The increase, though slight, signifies continued progress in the country’s economic recovery. It signifies the resilience of our economy and the positive impact of government interventions. We are particularly pleased to see the transport, storage and communication industries leading the growth.

‘This modest uptick in GDP is testa
ment to the concerted efforts of various sectors and stakeholders in navigating the complexities that were posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other domestic and global challenges,’ Ntshavheni said.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said the modest growth signifies a positive turning point.

‘Government remains committed to implementing policies that foster a conducive environment for further economic expansion, and to continue to invest in infrastructure development, support small businesses, and create an environment that attracts investment. Working together, we can build a stronger and more inclusive South African economy for all,’ GCIS said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Gauteng Department of Employment and Labour says creating employment and the management thereof has been a mixture of success and challenges in the province.

The department was presenting its provincial overview in terms of service delivery and the job creation mandate to the Employment Standard (ES) Board.

The ES Board is in the province to engage directly with the Department of Employment and Labour’s management in Gauteng, the Sheltered Employment Enterprises (SEE) and Employment Solutions. The visit started on Tuesday and will conclude today.

Deputy Director: Public Employment Services in Gauteng, Vusi Mazibuko, told the meeting that the department has created more opportunities, including from foreign countries such as Ireland, which has hired some of the job seekers in the Employment Services System of South Africa (ESSA) database.

Daniel Kgwele, the Deputy Director: Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS), told the board that there seems to be a stubborn gap in terms of labour absorption and l
abour participation affecting the 25 to 44-year-old age group. He suggested that public employment policies and strategy be employed to narrow the gap.

He told the meeting that the department’s efforts to present opportunities to different communities has at times been hampered by community leaders who want to dictate to the department who to employ.

‘They stop us from recruiting in their areas and at times chase us away,” he said.

According to the Chief Director: Public Employment Services, Esther Tloane, more countries are showing an interest in importing South African work seekers.

‘We are currently busy with the National Labour Migration Policy, which will deal with the movement of human resources in and out of the country,” she said.

According to the Deputy Director of Labour Centre Operations: Germiston, Shereen Ceaser, one of the centre’s challenges is employers who do not comply with their Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions.

ES Board Chairperson, Thembinkosi Josopu, told the gathering tha
t they will give their observations and contributions, followed by their recommendation to the Minister.

The ES Board will today visit Employment Solutions, an organisation for people with disabilities and later on conclude their tour at the Sheltered Employment Services in Silverton, Pretoria.

Source: South African Government News Agency