Month: April 2024

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani, has requested that President Nangolo Mbumba declare a State of Emergency on account of drought.

In an open letter to Mbumba seen by Nampa on Wednesday, Venaani said the declaration would help mobilise resources, accelerate assistance and draw international attention, all of which the country direly needs to tackle this looming disaster.

‘I impress upon you to heed the call of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry to declare drought a national emergency, as empowered by Chapter 4, Article 26 of the Constitution. Mr. president, the importance of this matter cannot be stated enough. The government ought to learn from historical disasters and devise strategies to better deal with calamities of this nature,’ read the letter.

He said the recent announcement by NamWater indicating that the three key dams in Windhoek are only filled to 18.7 per cent combined capacity serves as a dire warning, hinting at the perils that lie ahead, adding that the
relentless El Niño climatic phenomenon exacerbates this already precarious situation, causing severe rainfall shortages.

Venaani said the adverse effects of climate change have brought the nation to an alarming state, where the imminent threat of meteorological calamity overshadows daily existence, citing that the severe rainfall shortages indicate not merely a seasonal irregularity, but a dreadful specter of climate changes, a matter that deserves undivided attention and swift action.

‘Our farmers, the backbone of our economy, could bear the brunt of this impending disaster without timely and requisite assistance. We must remember, Mr. president, that the nature of our challenge is not merely environmental, it is human. The livelihoods at stake are the ones of our brothers and sisters, the very fabric of our society. Therefore, it is our moral duty to ensure their welfare, in the face of adversity,’ said Venaani.

He also called on the president to devise a crop subsidy for farmers that have cultivated mor
e than one hectare of land through insurance institutions such as NASRIA, as this particular category of farmers is usually left without any assistance.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to establish an independent investigation into the alleged blockage of tributaries that lead to the Middle Letaba Dam in Limpopo, which has resulted in low water levels in the dam.

This follows Mchunu’s visit to the Oliphant Catchment Area, where Middle Letaba Dam is located.

The Minister and his Deputies, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala, conducted a site inspection at the streams and tributaries along some of the biggest farms at Mooketsi on Wednesday before interacting with the concerned farmers and community members, who have been negatively affected by the alleged blockages.

READ | Twenty-four Giyani villages expected to have running water by June

Middle Letaba Dam is fed from the Middle Letaba, Koedoes and Brandboontjies rivers in the Middle Letaba sub-catchment within the Olifant Catchment Area. Its primary objective is to supply raw water to domestic users and for irrigation purposes.

The dam is a source for Middle Letaba, Mapuve and Giyani Wat
er Treatment Works, through a 60km canal. It supplies 82% of water to agriculture, with industry and mining using 3% and 6% respectively, while 8% of water is for domestic use.

However, due to the low levels of the dam (currently at about 2.8%), the department said the water treatment works cannot yield raw water according to their designed capacities, resulting in restricted water supply to communities.

Mchunu said the department has received complaints from the concerned local farmers and community members, and it has conducted investigations into the claims.

He said the department has also implemented interventions that include developing groundwater to maximise the available source from the dam, and the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to Nsami Dam to augment water in the Nsami system in Giyani.

Mchunu said the investigation will pave the way to solving the allegations of blockages of streams and illegal dams, and finally bring closure to the matter, ensuring fair distribution of water in the area.

‘
There have been complaints on these illegal blockages which cause water supply challenges in the area, and we have therefore resolved to set up an independent investigation into the matter, and its recommendations will give way to the resolution of the matter.

‘We understand that this is an urgent matter, and we will give our full attention to ensure that there is justice and fairness for everyone in the area,’ Mchunu said.

The Minister also visited Tzaneen Dam, where the R550 million wall raising project is currently underway.

He commended progress made on the project, which commenced last year and is currently at 25% completion.

The raising of the Tzaneen Dam wall by three metres will result in increased storage capacity, providing much-needed additional water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use in the north-east of Limpopo.

Mchunu and his deputies will on Thursday and Friday conduct an oversight inspection of bulk water infrastructure projects that are currently underway in Lebowakgomo and
Burgersfort in Limpopo.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the 2024 Freedom Day national celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria this weekend.

‘This commemoration calls on all South Africans to honour our past, celebrate our achievements, and collectively build a future where everyone enjoys equal rights,’ the Presidency said on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s celebrations.

This year’s Freedom Day marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic dispensation and commemorates the nation’s first democratic election on 27 April 1994.

Celebrated Under the theme: ’30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth,’ this year’s Freedom Month celebrations hold special significance as they also coincide with the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the South African Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

‘Reflecting on the strides made over the past three decades, we honour the sacrifices of those who fought tirelessly for a democratic, equal, and discrimination-free nation. The Freedom Day event will unite all spheres
of government and stakeholders and partners from all sectors of society in celebrating our democratic journey,’ the Presidency said.

VIEW | Read our Special Feature on the 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy

The observance of this historic milestone comes as preparations are being finalised for the 2024 National and Provincial elections taking place on Wednesday, May 29.

‘Freedom Day and Freedom Month seek to deepen understanding of South Africa’s history and development, foster dialogue on our constitutional journey, and mobilise the public and private sectors towards addressing pressing challenges.

‘Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa, Premier of Gauteng Province Panyaza Lesufi, and Members of the Executive Council, along with mayors and senior government officials, will join President Ramaphosa on this momentous occasion,’ the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said it was forging ahead with supporting the national Department of Health to eliminate locally acquired malaria in South Africa through several activities.

According to the NICD, Africa bears more than 90% of the global malaria burden, with one child dying every minute from malaria – a preventable and treatable disease.

Each year on April 25, the NICD joins the global community in recognising World Malaria Day.

This year’s theme will focus on ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’.

The NICD said that in South Africa, cases of malaria are associated either with local transmission of the malaria parasite in areas of the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, or exposure to malaria parasites in travellers to other endemic regions returning to South Africa.

According to a report on malaria case trends based on notifications captured through the Notifiable Medical Conditions Surveillance System (NMC-SS) from Septe
mber 2022 to August 2023, the majority of malaria cases in South Africa came from the malaria-endemic province of Limpopo.

Data reveals that 5 813 cases were recorded of which 2 845 were logged in Limpopo.

Meanwhile, Gauteng reported the second-highest number of cases, all of which were associated with imported malaria.

In contrast, the national public health institute said KwaZulu-Natal reported the lowest number of infections sitting at 424 among the endemic provinces.

‘In KwaZulu-Natal, nearly all of the cases reported were imported cases, supporting claims that the province is edging closer to halting local transmission of malaria,’ the NICD explained.

As per the NICD, peaks in malaria notifications typically follow periods of increased national and international travel to malaria-endemic regions.

Data also shows that economically active young males, especially those aged between 20 and 39 years, appeared to be the most at risk population group, a trend observed in other low transmission areas.

‘Th
ese findings emphasise the importance of targeting young males with messaging during major holidays and strengthening malaria test-and-treat activities along shared international borders.’

The NICD’s Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases supports the National Department of Health in eradicating locally acquired malaria through several activities.

These include contributing to malaria surveillance for accurate monitoring of the occurrence of malaria in South Africa and providing technical support to provincial malaria control programmes.

The centre monitors insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes, screens for antimalarial drug and diagnostic resistance, teaches and trains on various aspects of malaria, and supports improved quality control for laboratory testing for malaria.

The team also leads innovative research, including investigating novel ways to control malaria mosquitoes and assessing the impact of environmental pollutants on malaria mosquitoes lifecycles and their ability to tra
nsmit malaria parasites.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and further information on malaria prevention is available on the NICD website www.nicd.ac.za.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, will hand over the new Ikageng Light Industrial Park in the JB Marks Local Municipality in Potchefstroom, North West, on Friday.

North West Acting Premier Nono Maloyi and JB Marks Local Municipality Executive Mayor Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele will join the Minister.

According to the department, the project handover symbolises the District Development Model (DDM) in action, where all spheres of government work together for the delivery of services and uplifting communities.

‘The handover will also form part of the North West government-led Thuntsha Lerole accelerated service delivery programme, which is being rolled out to mobilise communities to be part of the solution in addressing service delivery challenges confronting the province,’ the department said in a statement.

The department said the scope of work undertaken by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), an entity of the Department of Cooperative Governance, d
isplays a comprehensive approach to community development.

This includes the refurbishment of existing facilities to establish six separate automobile workshops, the demolition of dilapidated structures, and the construction of modern workshops for artisans.

The project, totalling R53 696 250, also included the creation of office spaces to accommodate various occupants, including government and non-profit organisations, and establishing retail workshops catering to local artisans such as hair salons.

With the installation of essential amenities like ablution facilities and external infrastructure such as water, sewer, roads, landscaping, and security systems, the industrial park promises to ensure local economic development, stimulate township-based light industrialisation and create employment streams.

READ | Industrial parks to transform economy

The project, the department said, has created 19 jobs offering opportunities for women, men, and youth alike.

In addition, a small and medium-sized enterprise
(SMME) has benefitted from the initiative, contributing to the growth and sustainability of local businesses.

The industrial park will also provide working space for business owners renting the space and provide various services from automotive mechanics, panel beaters, carpenters, upholsterers, welders to hair salons for community members.

Following the project handover, Nkadimeng will join the Acting Premier at the Thuntsha Lerole community engagement session.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery has paid an unannounced visit to the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court following reports of alleged service delivery issues at the court.

According to the department, challenges at the court include ‘infrastructural concerns, such as certain non-functioning air conditioners, improved lighting and water supply on the upper floors’.

These are to be followed up with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

‘As is the case, with all Magistrates Courts, our department will continue to monitor the delivery of justice services being offered at the courts, as well as continuing to attend to issues such as the maintenance of infrastructure and the provision of staff.

‘With regards to the number of active court hours, these are continuously being monitored and our department continues to work with all other role-players in the justice system, such as the Magistracy, the National Prosecuting Authority, Legal Aid SA and private legal practitio
ners, to ensure that our courts run smoothly and efficiently,’ Jeffery said.

The Deputy Minister visited the court on Tuesday.

The department explained that a large part of the court is under construction since it was ravaged by fire in 2010 which made the building uninhabitable.

‘With regards to the construction, a restoration project was registered to bring the building back to its original state and construction commenced in 2015.

However, hazardous black mould and asbestos was detected in certain areas of the building and the Department of Labour issued a Prohibition Notice to vacate the site. Construction work recommenced in 2017, but the contractor’s appointment was later terminated due to poor performance.

‘A replacement tender was advertised in 2020 and a new contractor was appointed in 2023. The anticipated completion date is May 2025 and the anticipated handover is August 2025,’ the department explained.

The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the restoration will be at an advanced stage
in the next year.

‘We are confident that by this time next year the restoration and refurbishment of the court will be far advanced and, once completed, the new court will greatly enhance the further delivery of services to the public,’ said Deputy Minister Jeffery.

Source: South African Government News Agency