Day: May 15, 2024

The Border Management Authority (BMA) will on Thursday host a pass out parade for 400 new recruits who have completed their training at the South African Police Training College in Pretoria West.

The Junior Border Guards are to be deployed at the various ports of entry throughout the country.

They will be officially assigned as law enforcement officers with the responsibility to arrest and deport illegal migrants across all ports of entry.

‘This important event comes during South Africa’s 30 years of democracy following years of struggle to curb illegal movement at ports of entry and along the borderline. In the backdrop of an ever-challenging border environment, these border guards are expected to stand firm, protecting the country’s borders with vigilance and valour,’ said the BMA in a statement.

It said being a border guard in South Africa requires one to ‘have unwavering dedication to the nation, displaying commitment by being patriotic and having an indomitable spirit of rejecting negative persuasion
‘.

‘Our nation’s borders are complex and therefore require discipline and courage to carry out the border management mandate. In other settings, daily you are faced with illegal migrants attempting to enter the country or smuggle illegal goods in or out of South Africa,’ the BMA said.

Commissioner of Border Management Authority, Dr Michael Masiapato, said: ‘On the day, the nation will witness the culmination of the physical and mental training, with displays expected to be done on the ground during the event.

‘We will celebrate not only their achievements but also reaffirm our steadfast support to the border guards. They are to be officially adorned not just as defenders of borders; they are the guardians of our freedom, the sentinels of our sovereignty.’

More than 100 border management response vehicles will also be displayed at the passing out parade.

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched the Border Management Authority in Musina last year

At the time, he said the authority will provide a sust
ainable solution to the structural challenges of border security, control and coordination.

The Border Management Authority is now the third armed service in South Africa after the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Electoral Commission (IEC) has outlined the process for voting outside the country, allaying the fears of those who are unfamiliar with the procedures for voting in an overseas setting.

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said Friday will mark yet another milestone in the elections timetable – the first day of voting in the National and Provincial Elections 2024 – when citizens abroad can vote.

‘South African citizens living in other countries will cast the first ballots on 17 May 2024. Nine countries will cast ballots on Friday while the rest of the 102 will cast ballots on Saturday, 18 May 2024,’ Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said at a media briefing held in Pretoria.

‘Given the high numbers of expected voters in London at 24 194, this station will operate on both the 18 and 19 May 2024,’ he said.

Read: All systems go for elections

Mamabolo said the international segment of the voters roll for out-of-country voters has 56 698 voters, but the total number of people expecte
d to vote is 76 580.

‘This comes after the approval of 20 886 VEC10 notifications from voters who informed the Chief Electoral Officer of their intention to vote outside of the country due to temporary absence,’ he said.

The commissioner said the IEC was ready to ensure that voting goes smoothly in 111 foreign missions around the world.

‘All missions have already received the election materials, which include ballot papers, voting booths, ballot boxes, envelopes and a voter list.’

Voting stations will be open from 07:00am to 19:00pm, allowing 76 580 voters to exercise their right to vote in South Africa’s 2024 National Elections.

‘On both voting days abroad, the Electoral Commission will keep extended hours to assist voters with any enquiries,’ he said.

SA citizens voting out-of-country in the 2024 National Election can only vote on one day at their mission:

– Missions with a work week from Sunday-Thursday vote on Friday, 17 May, from 7am to 7pm. The following countries are determined to vote on this F
riday: Algiers, Amman, Cairo, Damascus, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Ramallah, Riyad and Teheran.

– Missions with a work week from Monday-Friday vote on Saturday, 18 May, from 7am to 7pm.

Two days of special votes have been determined for the UK based on the number of voters who will vote at that mission.

Source: South African Government News Agency

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has welcomed delegates participating in the Africa’s Travel Indaba, which is currently underway at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in eThekwini.

Taking place from 13 – 16 May 2024, Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for the country’s vast array of African leisure tourism products.

Welcoming the delegates at the official opening of Africa’s Travel Indaba on Tuesday, Dube-Ncube said the trade show provides the ideal platform for African tourism exhibitors to showcase their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners.

‘It is the most formidable platform on the continent for you to meet face-to-face with the most influential buyers in the world, and to gain access to Africa’s excellence and its endless possibilities. These are the business opportunities and quali
ty connections that will shape Africa’s tomorrow,’ Dube-Ncube said.

READ | KZN tourism entrepreneurs set to showcase province’s rich culture at Indaba

The Premier noted that this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba takes place at a time when South Africa is celebrating 30 years since the dawn of democracy, which ushered in a new era and assured our standing in the family of other nations.

‘This milestone makes all of us gush with pride as South Africans when we consider the journey that we have travelled in moulding the country of our dreams. Today, we speak of a tourism industry that can hold its own at a global level because of our country’s achievements,’ Dube-Ncube said.

IMAGES | 2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba

2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba. 2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba. 2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba.

As the tourism industry shows green shoots globally, she said one of the key sub-sectors the province wants to aggressively focus on is Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE).

MICE make up a big part of
global business travel since every industry has regular events of some kind. The main goal is always to bring professionals together, foster connections, promote new ideas, and push growth. 

‘As a province, we will be at the forefront of ensuring that KwaZulu-Natal gets the lion’s share of the tourism market. As we all know, one of the biggest trends in the tourism environment is the blending of leisure tourism and business, known as ‘Bleisure Travel’ [blending of business and leisure travel].

‘We would like to thank all of you for your continued support of Africa’s Travel Indaba. Indeed, Africa has limitless possibilities, and we must seize the opportunity to ensure that Africa’s time is now,’ Dube-Ncube said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Makhotso Sotyu has handed over the management of the Mabama plantation to the beneficiary communities of Mashamba Traditional Council in Limpopo.

The handover of the 71.92 hectares plantation aims to empower communities living around the plantations, enabling them to manage the asset effectively and participate meaningfully in the forestry economy.

Addressing the handover ceremony on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister said the transfer of the management of this plantation will go a long way to improve the livelihoods of communities within Mashamba Traditional Council.

The plantation, with predominantly eucalyptus, plays a vital role in sustainable forestry management and is essential for the transformation agenda that is emphasised in the Commercial Forestry Sector Masterplan.

‘The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment takes cognisance of the fact that these plantations are not necessarily in a condition that is ideal for timber p
roduction purposes and require a lot of work and resources to turn them around.

‘I would like to make a commitment on behalf of the department that we will provide the community with the necessary support that is required to make these plantations productive in future.

‘It must be noted that these plantations are categorised as woodlots, and the department will work with the affected communities to develop a plan that will ensure the management of these resources in a sustainable manner going forward,’ she said.

The department has committed to undertaking initiatives such as site species matching to determine the ideal species that can grow well in this area, provision of technical and advisory support services and training of beneficiaries to empower them with knowledge and skills of sustainable forest management.

‘Furthermore, the department can provide seedlings that will be needed to re-establish the plantations. These commitments are further outlined in the post settlement support package that is in
the process of being finalised by the department.

‘Where feasible, we will also try to link communities with strategic partners who will then assist with additional expertise and resources to recapitalise the plantations. The success of this project depends on the commitment of the communities in ensuring that the land is kept under forestry production,’ Sotyu said.

Should a need arise for multiple land use, the department has finalised the piloting of such systems like Agroforestry, which can be employed for such a purpose without reducing the area under forestry.

Best practice guidelines are being developed in this regard for both land users and practitioners. The department has been leading a process to develop the Commercial Forestry Sector Masterplan.

‘The masterplan is essentially the growth, investment and transformation plan for the sector.

‘The plan was approved for implementation during November 2022. Part of the deliverables of the masterplan is the transfer of plantation resources such that g
overnment focuses on policy and regulation, as well as creating an enabling environment for the sector to thrive,’ the Deputy Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Managing Director of Oilserv Engineering Limited, Mr Nnanna Anyanwu, has reiterated the company’s resolve to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s transition to cleaner fuel.

Anyanwu said this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists on the sideline of the inauguration of the Assa Gas Process Treatment Facility in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the ANOH-OB3 CTMS gas pipeline and ANOH gas processing plant in Assa, Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State.

Tinubu also inaugurated the expansion of the AHL gas processing plant 2 gas project in Kwale in Delta.

The projects were inaugurated virtually by the President with the theme ‘Gas to Prosperity’.

Anyanwu, leading Oilserv as the contractor of the ANOH PTF – OB3 CTMS gas project, said the company was focused and proud to be associated with the country’s transition to cleaner fuel.

He said that their duty which ensured the success of the gas project entailed the Engineering, Procuremen
t, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) of the 36′ x 23.3km gas export pipeline and Pigging facilities (Launcher and Receiver).

Anyanwu said the project they are handling would facilitate the transportation of natural gas from the NGC manifold at Assa to OB3 CTMS.

According to the CEO, the completion of Assa Process Treatment Facility to OB3 CTMS works and the 36’x 23.3km pipeline has significantly demonstrated Oilserv’s dedication to meeting project timelines, schedule, safety, quality and excellence.

‘The project will turn around the Nigerian economy. We have increased our ability to deliver on infrastructure; we have the skills but most importantly, we have improved our competitiveness globally.

‘So by the time you think about this pipeline, how it will unlock gas potential, contribute to Nigeria’s decade of gas and ensure that Nigeria can transit to cleaner fuel, ultimately, you will see that it is progressive for the nation,’ he said.

The traditional ruler of Assa Autonomous Commun
ity in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo, HRH Eze Emmanuel Assor, described the project as an economic boost to the area and the nation.

Assor said that it would add value to the economy of the country.

‘It is a thing of joy that we have this. It will create job opportunities for our people and we pray that they will give us that concessional treatment as people from this area who have donated a lot.

*Our people are predominantly farmers who have now lost their farmland to the establishment of this project.

‘We are hopeful that it will help in the development of this area as we are sure that other investors will come to invest in the area due to the commencement of this gas project.

‘We appreciate NNPC Ltd.’s decision to site the project here, our people are happy but we expect NNPC Ltd. to reciprocate because it is not easy to make this kind of sacrifice.

‘We expect them to give us very serious development, infrastructure and amenities; we will appreciate that,’ he said.

Oilserv Limited is an Oil and Gas EPCI
C (Pipeline and Facilities) Company, incorporated in 1992 and commenced business in 1995 with a mission to provide EPCIC, Fabrication, Upgrade, Repairs and Maintenance of oil installations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ms. Samuela Isopi, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS on Wednesday, identified global partnership as an ingredient for successful peace-building and the fight against terrorism.

The envoy expressed the thoughts in Abuja, at the Road to Schuman Security and Defence Forum 2024, organised by the EU, in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The event had the theme, ‘Reducing Vulnerabilities Through Partnerships- a Stakeholders’ Engagement” on regional defence and security perspectives.

Isopi said, ‘We live in a single security theatre, where crises and conflicts travel at the speed of light and what emerges locally becomes global with far-reaching effects.’

She quoted Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative Vice President (HRVP) as saying at one time that ‘No country or institution, acting alone, can address challenges such as the weakening of multilateralism.

‘The return of power in pol
itics across the world, the renewed assertiveness of authoritarian regimes, and the mix of conventional and hybrid threats that we are facing ‘

The envoy added that ” this is why the EU has launched the Schuman forum and invited under the leadership of the EU HRVP, Josep Borrell and the 27 member states, and over 60 partner countries and international organisations in Brussels from May 28 to May 29.

‘The Schuman forum will have three objectives which are to listen to our partners on peace, security, and defence issues.

‘To jointly assess the threats and challenges we face, and to explore ways for deeper cooperation,” she said.

See also EU calls for more action against human rights abuses

According to her, the EU is Africa’s leading partner in peace and security.

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, said the forum was organised to engender effective partnership in the changing security dynamics.

Ribadu who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordin
ator for NCT, said ‘the event is noting the crucial situation of our country, Nigeria, with the multi-faceted security challenges confronting it.

‘ Therefore, the employment of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches toward enhancing national responses to these emergent security threats in the country.

‘This becomes a critical objective which we must pursue to enhance national development, not only in the country but the ECOWAS sub-region as a whole.

‘The scourge of terrorism is a menace which affects Nigeria and other countries around the globe,” he said.

Speaking also at the same event, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, represented by Dr Ibrahim Kanami, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described terrorism as a global challenge to national security.

He added that the collaboration with the EU and Nigeria would surmount the security threats such as Boko Haram and its likes in the near future.

Badaru also said that the world is a global village and this is a time for the worl
d to come together to address the scourge.

‘But now, Nigeria is faced with these security challenges with different issues surrounding the causes of the rising challenges. But our dream and desire is for Africa to be a united force as the EU bloc,” he said.

He emphasised that job creation can create lasting peace and is key to curbing most of the security challenges faced in Africa.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria