Day: March 21, 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended black industrialists who have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the country’s economy and society.

‘Your resilience, innovation and vision inspire us all to reach greater heights and build a brighter future for generations to come,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Addressing the Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference and awards ceremony at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa called on all black industrialist companies to unite in their commitment to building a more inclusive, dynamic and prosperous economy that where every entrepreneur, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.

The awards acknowledged the contributions by black industrialists to the economy while reflecting on progress made in advancing redress and transforming a skewed racialised economy.

A total of R261 billion has been committed for procurement from black industrialists companies over a period of five years.

‘As we continue to suppo
rt, invest and collaborate, we will unlock even greater potential and prosperity for our nation,’ President Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.

He said through technology adoption, market diversification and strategic partnerships, black industrialists are positioning themselves as leaders in their respective industries and ambassadors of African excellence worldwide.

‘As we celebrate the achievements of black industrialists, we must look to the future. Our businesses must not only thrive locally but also compete on the global stage.

‘My challenge to the 239 black industrialists who will benefit from these procurement commitments is to return to this stage at the 3rd Black Industrialists Conference, not as beneficiaries of procurement but as drivers of investment in the next generation of black entrepreneurs.

‘These commitments will help to accelerate the re-industrialisation of our economy,’ President Ramaphosa said.

The R27 billion committed to agriculture and agro-processing will bring more black farmers int
o the formal economy, readying them for the export opportunities that lie abroad.

‘The R79 billion that has been committed for procurement in the retail sector will see more local products – made by black industrialists – in the hands of South African consumers.

‘The R52 billion in procurement commitments in infrastructure will see more black-owned and -managed businesses contributing to the expansion and improvement of our ports, energy infrastructure and logistics networks.

‘We are now at the point where black industrialists can be the capital that can fund and support growth in the next generation,’ the President said.

President Ramaphosa said the black businesses are a cornerstone of the country’s economy.

‘They are creating jobs, exporting goods, earning foreign exchange and helping to lift communities out of poverty.

‘We know that the playing field for black business in South Africa is still not level. Yet there has been significant progress over the 30 years of freedom,’ President Ramaphosa said.

The Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference also featured exhibitions that showcases proudly South African products manufactured by black industrialists and an awards ceremony that recognised and reward industrialists who have contributed significantly to industrialisation, job creation, poverty alleviation, innovation and transformation efforts.

The Black Industrialists and Exporters conference took place on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE Act).

The objective of the black industrialists programme is to increase participation of black South Africans in the ownership and control of productive enterprises in key sectors and the entire value chain of the country’s economy.

More than 600 firms supported by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition showed a turnover of about R80 billion during the 2023/24 financial year, illustrating the tangible results of drawing more black entrepreneurs into the industrial economy.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, will on Friday hand over books donated by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) to Mosikare Secondary School in Mahikeng, in the North West province.

The hand over will take place during South African Library Week (SALW) which is commemorated from 18 to 25 March 2024 under the theme ‘Libraries Foster Social Cohesion’.

‘In response to a national call to improve literacy levels in South Africa, which start with improving reading capabilities, GCIS which has a constitutional mandate to provide information to citizens has donated books from its library to Mosikare Secondary school which has recently been renovated and includes a library,’ the GCIS said in a statement.

The hand over of books will highlight the vital role of libraries in bringing people together , fostering connections and promoting unity through exchange of ideas and lifelong learning through literacy development.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, for his re-election to the position of President of the Russian Federation.

President Putin won a landslide re-election victory on Sunday, taking 87% of the vote.

In a statement, President Ramaphosa recalled the commitment of South Africa and the Russian Federation to mutual cooperation at the multilateral level, including the two countries’ common membership of the United Nations, the G20, BRICS and other multilateral bodies.

‘President Ramaphosa concluded by indicating South Africa’s strong belief in the maintenance of international peace and security and that South Africa will continue to engage both the Russian Federation and Republic of Ukraine in search of lasting peace between the two neighbouring countries,’ the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

As the country commemorates Human Rights Day, the Department of Social Development will use the day to promote the rights of older persons through dialogue and sporting activities in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

The active ageing programme will be held on Thursday in collaboration with the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF), under the theme: ‘Leaving No One Behind during the Decade of Healthy Ageing’.

The programme seeks to improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of older persons by instilling dignity, peer social integration, as well as promotion of senior citizens’ voices and the creation of awareness concerning their ability to express themselves through dialogue, music, sport, and recreational activities.

The active ageing programme will unfold through an interactive dialogue where older persons will have the opportunity to participate in a democratic manner by independently expressing themselves on how they would like to be treated by authorities and society.

Among other topics, they will
reflect on the role of traditional leadership in the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons, family care and support.

Older persons will also participate in various sporting activities including soccer and athletics which are an essential component of active ageing programme.

All government departments, tasked with the implementation of the Older Persons Act will be part of the proceedings

‘In choosing to concentrate on the human rights of older persons, the department is trying to encourage the country to respect the human rights of older persons as enshrined in the Constitution.

‘The active ageing programme is a platform to inform older persons about their rights; establish cooperation with government so that older persons’ rights, concerns, needs are identified, voiced, and addressed,’ the department said in a statement.

According to the 2022 Census report, the country’s older persons population was estimated at 5.6 million. The report shows an increase in the number of older persons
across all provinces, with highest number of the older population being in Gauteng at 1.4 million and KwaZulu-Natal at 940 000.

‘This is an indication that South Africa is becoming an ageing society which is not immune from the burden of disease that can cause disability due to an increase in old age-related chronic diseases.

‘In a few decades, the loss of health and life worldwide will be greater from non-communicable or chronic diseases, such as, cardiovascular disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes among others,’ the department said.

The department highlighted that in South Africa older persons are faced with numerous challenges including, gender-based violence and femicide. They are often deprived from enjoying their old age as they are often forced to take care of orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has called on South Africans to observe International Down Syndrome Awareness Day which is concurrent with the commemoration of Human Rights Day.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics, or health.

According to the Down Syndrome South Africa (DSSA) organisation, down syndrome affects about 1 in 500 births in South Africa. This means that approximately 1 in every 600 children is born with down syndrome, which is a high incidence rate.

‘The Observation of International Down Syndrome Awareness Day on the 21st of March 2024 is concurrent with the commemoration of Human Rights Day.

‘Government calls on South Africans to observe the day in line with the call made by the Bill of Rights that says: ‘The right to life
is the most basic, the most fundamental, the most primordial and supreme right which human beings are entitled to have and without which the protection of all other human rights becomes either meaningless or less effective’,’ Minister Dlamini Zuma said.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa protects persons with disabilities from discrimination. The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act also prohibits unfair discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Protecting and promoting the human rights of persons with disabilities is an underlying principle in all the Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Notably, Article 4 unambiguously commits States Parties to ensure and promote the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind, based on disability, and to protect all persons against violation of their human rights.

‘There are still many
misconceptions about down syndrome and those who have it. Observing the day will dispel some of the common myths about down syndrome, including one that says children with down syndrome are born to older parents. We call on stakeholders and roleplayers to work together and bring about an attitudinal shift that will provide clarity to some of the myths.

‘Persons with disabilities have the right to equal opportunities in all areas of life and have the right to be protected from exploitation and abusive or degrading treatment. They have the right to reasonable accommodation and environmental accessibility in the workplace. They have the right to live in a barrier-free environment and participate in community life,’ Dlamini Zuma said.

Source: South African Government News Agency