Month: April 2024

Marking the historic milestone of South Africa celebrating 30 years of democracy, government has highlighted how the South Africa of 1994 is significantly different to the South Africa of 2024, while also emphasising that it is a better place to live in.

Addressing the launch of Freedom Month, which coincides with the celebration 30 Years of Democracy in the country, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said since 1994, the economy has grown significantly and government has improved the educational prospects for previously disadvantaged communities. It has also supported infrastructure development programmes and social welfare initiatives.

‘In 30 years, we have achieved what few dared to dream. We know there are more hills to climb because South Africans aspire for a better future and a prosperous South Africa. The South Africa of today is not only built by government but also built by the private sector, labour and civil society.

“The South Africa of today… is where the size of the economy ha
s more than tripled since 1996, where the collection of revenue from our tax collectors moved from R143 billion in 1996 to over R2.1 trillion last year,’ Ntshavheni said on Tuesday.

The Minister said the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has played an invaluable role in supporting access to higher education.

‘South Africa today is a South Africa where Mam Mkhize’s children can go to a university or a tertiary institution paid for by government, without needing to apply to a Minister for permission to access a university because they were previously excluded to attend universities. South Africa today is where a young child from Soweto can dream to be a pilot or a robotics mechanic.

‘The South Africa of today is where children who go to school receive three meals at school because there is a school feeding scheme, which ensures that no child goes to bed hungry,’ the Minister said.

Through various initiatives like the National School Nutrition Programme, Early Childhood Development, the SAFE schools sani
tation programme and the Second Chance programme for matriculants, government is working to ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed right to quality education for all is achieved.

‘The South Africa of today is where the women of Bizana in the Eastern Cape know that tomorrow they will be able to trade their goods internationally because they have been supported as Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

‘The South Africa that we celebrate embraces not only all in our diversity – but acknowledges the challenges that confront us, which we together as government, business, civil society and our international partners work together to confront on a daily basis,’ the Minister said.

This year marks 30 years since millions of South Africans cast their ballot in the first democratic election of 1994 for the first time in their lives.

The 30-year celebration in the country will be premised on celebrating the gains, achievements, and the milestone of 30 years of democratic rule as well as living in a free a
nd democratic society.

Annually, the month of April is designated as Freedom Month in South Africa.

‘As we mark these celebrations, which are going to be a yearlong celebration, we are going to be telling stories of the people of South Africa and the narrative of what government has done since 1994.

‘We invite all South Africans to join in the national celebration of our 30 years. Let it be a celebration of all of us; a celebration of what we are still to achieve as we work in partnership to grow our country,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday in Abuja canvassed for continuous investment in research, innovation and technology to tackle Climate change in the country.

Oyetola, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola, made the call in his opening address at a ‘Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on National Blue Economy Strategy.’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organized by the African Union for Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) with funding from the Kingdom of Norway.

According to Oyetola, investments in research, innovation, and technology can unlock new solutions for ocean conservation, resource efficiency, and climate resilience, paving the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

The minister said over-exploitation of marine resources, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change threaten the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems.

‘To address the challenges requires concerted effo
rts to promote responsible resource management, mitigate environmental impacts, and build resilience to climate change.

‘This will help to build the potential to drive inclusive growth, create employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty, particularly in coastal and island communities.

‘When we choose to harness the vast potential of our oceans sustainably, we can unlock new sources of economic value, such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, renewable energy, and

biotechnology,’ he said.

Speaking, Mr Babatunde Sule, the Director of Maritime Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, said that climate change ought to be tackled collectively.

Sule said that priority ought to be placed on preventing calamities and disasters to reduce lost of lives on the marine environments.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Government has made significant strides in addressing socio-economic inequalities through social welfare programmes in housing, healthcare, education and social services.

‘Over the past few decades, the South African government has taken significant steps to address historical injustices and strive towards achieving social cohesion and socio-economic empowerment for all its citizens,’ said Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday.

The Deputy President was delivering a special public lecture on the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy at the invitation of the University of Johannesburg’s School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, in partnership with the College of Business and Economics.

He also touched on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policies, which he believes have promoted economic transformation and ensured the marginalised become part of the mainstream economy.

To demonstrate government’s commitment to building an inclusive and growing economy, he said t
he state has raised R1.5 trillion in new investment commitments, of which over R500 billion has already flowed into the economy.

‘We have made further strides in addressing load shedding, ensuring energy security, enhancing logistics systems, and improving ports and rail networks.’

In addition, the country’s second-in-command said government was on track to accelerate land redistribution. Black South Africans, he said, now own around 25% of farmland, while the state supported 1 000 industrialists in Black-owned firms.

However, despite these achievements, challenges remain in achieving a more inclusive and equitable society.

‘The triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality, as well as corruption, continue to pose obstacles to the nation’s progress. In addressing these challenges, we are conscious that, as government, we must strengthen social compacts by working together with all sectors of society.’

Achievements

Deputy President Mashatile highlighted the achievements that have been made o
ver the past 30 years.

These, according to the Deputy President, include investment in transport infrastructure such as the Gautrain, the Freeway Improvement Project and Bus Rapid Transport, the agricultural sector, the financial services sector as well as a thriving automotive sector.

He said infrastructure investment was key to the country’s growth and told guests that projects worth about R21.4 billion have been completed.

‘I would like to see more young people and women-led businesses being involved in these projects because young people are the future of our country and women carry the hardest burden of communities.’

The Deputy President also took the time to acknowledge some of the challenges that the youth in the country face. ‘Hence, over the years, we have been investing in initiatives for the development of our youth and our future.’

Water and sanitation

In addition, he said government has decided to move with speed to professionalise the public sector.

‘I would like to assure you and the peo
ple of our country that, as the government, we are committed to the delivery of quality services to our people.’

This includes dealing with increased water and sanitation issues, as well as the energy availability factor.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the Deputy President to lead a task team on the water crisis in the country, and one of the urgent priorities is to fix the ageing infrastructure.

‘We have already started this work. Just this evening, we are meeting as the Water Task Team; on Friday we will be visiting eThekwini as well as other regions later on to engage with the province as to how best we can resolve the eminent water challenge.’

Since the announcement of the Water Task Team’s establishment, his office has received numerous requests from individuals seeking to assist and collaborate with the government.

He said the Department of Water and Sanitation has already allocated R10.1 billion to municipalities through the regional bulk infrastructure grant, R4.6 billion through the water s
ervices infrastructure grant, and R1.4 billion through the municipal recovery disaster grant to address water challenges.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Mr Marco Fernandes, Research Fellow, Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Brazil, has called for more innovations and production of Electronic Vehicles (EVs) to advance Chinese technology.

Fernandes made this submission on Tuesday at an international symposium organised by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY).

He spoke against backdrop of the West’s use of its media to often malign China.

‘One of the things I have been reading and following recently is the fact that European countries and the U.S. are afraid of competition with Chinese EVs, because they are better and cheaper.

‘The buzzword now is overcapacity.”

He said that China was accused of overproducing some goods mainly new EVs and renewable energy equipment and facing low domestic demand.

Fernandes said it was also alleged that China was used such approach to seek more foreign markets to sell its products at low prices.

‘Is it true the prices of Chinese EVs are only low because the state subsi
dises these companies, harming the market mechanism to beat the competition in global market?

‘This accusation is based on half-truths; yes, the Chinese state subsidises many of its companies; so do the U.S., Europe and many other countries around the world.

‘It is part of the game of global competition; also innovation and high-productivity helps to lower prices of Chinese products.”

The research fellow said with high-quality craftsmanship, innovative designs, and competitive pricing, companies like BYD, NIO, Xpeng, Hongqi, and Lynk and Co were winning patronage in many countries.

‘Today, China’s auto exports have surged, reaching record high of 4.91 million vehicles in 2023, as the country’s automakers expanded their presence overseas.

‘The massive growth was propelled by a surge in the exports of New Energy Vehicles (NEV), which soared 77.6 percent to more than 1.2 million units in the past year.

‘The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) predicts China’s NEV sales will reach 11.5 mil
lion in 2024, while total auto exports are expected to hit 5.5 million units.

‘While the collective West deems China’s ‘overcapacity’ a threat, it can be an opportunity for the Global South.”

He revealed that after substantial Chinese investments in infrastructure through BRI, recent developments indicated higher level of cooperation between China and developing countries, saying Mexico and Brazil also received Chinese NEV factories.

‘Numerous partnerships between Chinese state-owned and private companies with Global South countries have been established and most are related to local processing of high-demand minerals or production of electric vehicles.

‘There are high expectations that regional initiatives like the BRI, expanded BRICS-10, and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation can leverage to strengthen this process, even though they face opposition from Western powers.

‘We need to deepen this kind of cooperation,’ Fernandes said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Nneka Isaac-Moses, Managing Director, Goge Africa, a culture and tourism promotion brand, has commended Pelumi Nubi, the 28-year-old travel content creator who successfully embarked on a solo drive from London to Lagos in 68 days.

Isaac-Moses, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, said Nubi’s journey was a testament to the resilience, courage, and tenacity that define the Nigerian spirit.

NAN reports that Nubi departed London on Jan. 31 and arrived in Nigeria through the Seme border on Sunday, April 7.

Nubi was treated to a heroic welcome upon arrival by the Lagos State Government, and on Monday, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented her a branded car and named her a tourism ambassador of the state.

Issac-Moses said Nubi’s incredible feat highlighted the endless possibilities available to individuals who dare to dream big and push the boundaries of what is considered possible.

‘I am absolutely thrilled and inspired by the remarkable achievement of Pelumi Nubi. Driving al
l the way from London to Lagos? Wow!

‘Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a clear vision, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve the seemingly impossible.

‘I commend her extraordinary journey and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors. May her story continue to inspire others to reach for the stars and embrace the limitless possibilities that lie before us,’ she said.

The culture promoter noted that Nubi’s accomplishment should serve as a source of motivation and empowerment for many young Nigerians, especially women.

‘This should encourage them to break free from limitations, explore new horizons, and pursue their goals with unwavering dedication,’ she said.

Also, Adebayo Olowo-Ake, a consultant of Public and Humanitarian Diplomacy, said that Nubi encapsulates the patriotism of the younger generation who passionately identify with their Nigerian nationality and flaunt it proudly.

‘I think she’s quite adventurous, but quite bold given the secur
ity problems we’re experiencing in West Africa and of course in Nigeria as well.

‘Driving through difficult terrain in these circumstances is quite bold and commendable.

‘I think that by this trip, she has contributed to re-positioning Nigerian tourism potential in the consciousness of the travelling public worldwide,’ Olowo-Ake said.

Nollywood filmmaker, Funke Akindele, via her Instagram page celebrated and congratulated Nubi.

She said: ‘This is huge!!! Congratulations on this milestone as the first woman to solo drive from London to Lagos.

‘This road trip has been 68 days of strength and determination. This is indeed exceptional and I celebrate your resilience #superwoman.’

NAN reports that Nubi’s road manifest from UK took her through France and Spain into Africa through Morocco.

The manifest indicates that she went across Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia ,Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally to Lagos, Nigeria.

So
urce: News Agency of Nigeria

Morocco, Rwanda, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda have indicated interest to attend the forthcoming maiden edition of the Africa Travel Market.s

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event will be organised by the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA).

Mrs Susan Akporiaye, National President of NANTA, disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

She said that the Africa Travel Market would create a veritable platform to promote intra-Africa trade and open up Nigeria for tourism.

According to her, the event is part of activities for the association’s 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will hold from April 23 to April 27 in Lagos.

‘To give a remarkable vent to our futuristic dream for our members and to Nigerians, we will be unveiling an Intra Africa Tourism Trade Exhibition during the AGM.

‘We consider it an ambitious and legacy project that we can sustainably grow as a window to connect Africa and Nigeria with the world.

‘This AGM is birthing a trav
el show for Africa travel market, we have Magical Kenya, Indaba in South Africa but Nigeria does not have such.

So, we are trying to ensure we create an Africa travel market for Nigeria.

‘Going forward, the hosting of the travel market will be done every two years,’ she said.

Akporiaye, who is currently serving the association in her second term said that in the course of the AGM, the association would hold its elections for new set of executives to take over.

Akporiaye said she had successfully delivered on her four-point agenda, based on training and professionalism; unifying NANTA; diversification in business and maintaining a financially bouyant association.

Commenting on her most scary moment as the President, Akporiaye said, ‘The COVID-19 pandemic era was my most scary moment, with job losses and our members not sure of what else to do.

‘Today, we stand to be counted because we pulled our strength and knowledge together. We survived because we believed in quality leadership and encouraged it.

‘NA
NTA under my watch, we broke ceilings, trained our members, and opened doors of opportunities.

‘We innovated Africa to Africa Tourism initiative, stormed Johannesburg University with the support of South Africa Tourism, and left a message.

‘Twice, NANTA headlined Nigeria’s participation at the World Travel Market, London, a huge sacrifice to which our members thronged out in their numbers to identify.

Also, Mrs Adelola Adewole, NANTA’s Publicity Secretary, noted that the 48th AGM would be a purposeful event.

Adewole said that the theme of the AGM is ‘ Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potentials: Travel and Tourism as Catalyst for Intra Africa Business Investment and Trade’.

‘April 23 is arrival day, for 24, we will have a familiarisation tour to Badagry along with our foreign visitors, this is a way to open up Lagos to the world.

‘For April 25, we will have three keynote speakers who will be enlightening members on diverse topics and on April 26, we will have a town hall meeting as an association, the electi
on and a gala night while April 27 is the departure.

‘The gala night is tagged ‘Eko for Show’ and over N21 million has been budgeted for it.

This is to showcase Lagos state as a preferred tourist destination,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria