Month: July 2024

A liver performs over 500 vital functions every single day to keep us alive, that is the reason that the World Health Organisation (WHO) believes testing, treating and preventing viral hepatitis is so important.

On Sunday, the globe commemorated World Hepatitis Day and the WHO called on all governments to prioritise testing, treatment and vaccination to realise a hepatitis-free world by 2030.

The Department of Health said viral hepatitis is a preventable and manageable disease, which remains a silent and neglected cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver often caused by a virus. Viral hepatitis means there is a specific virus causing your liver to swell or become larger than normal.

World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to educate the public about the disease and encourage people, health professionals, communities and governments to drive awareness and action to eliminate viral hepatitis.

‘Viral hepatitis is responsible for an enormous health bu
rden, mostly due to chronic hepatitis B and C infection,’ the department explained.

According to the 2024 WHO Global Hepatitis Report, in 2022, an estimated 304 million people were living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C globally.

The department said viral hepatitis is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with about 1.3 million deaths recorded annually around the world, including over 2 000 deaths recorded in South Africa.

This burden is further compounded by the lack of screening, access to care and treatment, inadequate disease surveillance, and human and financial resources.

Meanwhile, the department stated that people living with underlying conditions such as HIV are at a higher risk due to coinfection, which further exacerbates the burden of liver disease.

South Africa is a signatory to the WHO’s global hepatitis strategy endorsed by other Member States, which aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030.

The prevention of this infectious
disease includes both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as vaccines, practising safer sex, good hygiene, avoid sharing needles, toothbrushes and razors.

The department is also advising people to avoid drinking water from known potentially unsafe sources and cooking food well to help prevent the spread of the disease.

While viral hepatitis is typically asymptomatic, the department said some signs may include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-coloured urine and jaundice.

‘In some cases, the virus can also cause a chronic liver infection or liver cancer, putting patients at a higher risk of death, unless they get treatment.’

The department has since developed National Guidelines for the Management of Viral Hepatitis as part of efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality in the country.

People, especially those experiencing any of the hepatitis symptoms, are urged to go for screening and testing for early diagnosis and treatment depending on
the type of hepatitis.

In addition, those at higher risk of serious health complications if they contract hepatitis B and/or C need the vaccine, including all newborns and previously unvaccinated children and adolescents, people with more than one sex partner, key populations, and those infected with HIV and/or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Source: South African Government News Agency

On Monday, 29 July, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the Minister of Electricity and Energy, will hold a regular media briefing to update the public on energy and electricity related issues at the GCIS in Pretoria.

On Tuesday, 30 July, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, will lead the ‘Home Affairs Services on Wheels’ outreach in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

On Wednesday, 31 July, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will host a media briefing on the 2024 Women’s Month campaign.

On Thursday, 01 August, is the start of World Breastfeeding Week, which takes place from 1 to 7 August.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has commended the signing into law of the Companies Amendment Act by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa signed into law amendments to the Companies Act of 2008 on Friday, which promote the ease of doing business and impose greater corporate transparency on the earnings gap between the highest and lowest paid persons in a company.

The Companies Amendment Bill and Companies Second Amendment Bill, which were referred to the President for assent, jointly constitute initiatives by government to make the conduct of business less burdensome. They also tighten the pursuit of delinquent directors or prescribed officers for wrongdoing, including State capture, and addresses disparities in earnings.

The Companies Amendment Act, as signed by the President, streamlines company law to be clear, user-friendly and less burdensome on the conduct of business. This reform is important for the efficient and effective conduct of the domestic economy, as well as the
attraction of foreign investment.

The Act is also aimed at achieving equity between directors and senior management on the one hand, and shareholders and workers on the other hand.

According to Meth, this law has a direct linkage to the Employment Equity Amendment Act, 2022, particularly section 27, which refers to the statement of income differentials required from designated employers.

Meth said the requirement of disclosure by companies of the average and median total remuneration of all employees, the remuneration gap between the total remuneration of the top 5% highest paid employees, and the total remuneration of the bottom 5% lowest paid employees of the company, will go a long way in exposing existing inequalities in employment.

‘As a result, the work done by the Department of Employment and Labour to transform the labour market will be strengthened, as the two pieces of law are complementing each other and will ensure more transparency from the employers.

‘Through our departmental inspectorate,
we will promote, strengthen and enforce compliance of our labour laws, as we strive for a labour market that is conducive to economic growth,’ Meth said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Water and Sanitation Youth Indaba has thrust into the spotlight the inclusion of young professionals in research and innovation to improve the water sector.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, in conjunction with its entity in Limpopo, Lepelle Northern Water, hosted the Indaba under the theme: ‘Actively embracing the socio-economic gains of our democracy’ last week.

Addressing the young professionals, Lepelle Northern Board Chairperson, Dr Nndweleni Mphephu, emphasised the significance of the youth’s active participation in research and innovation in the sector.

‘As many might be aware of the challenges facing the water sector, which are increasingly being exacerbated by the impact of climate change, I urge you all to invest your brilliant young and sharp minds into research and to find long lasting solutions that could steer the sector to new heights,’ Mphephu said.

The Department’s Chief Director responsible for Intergovernmental Relations, Sector Transformation and Provincial Governanc
e, Petunia Ramunenyiwa emphasised the department’s commitment to the inclusion of young professionals, as a means to finding innovative solutions to address challenges faced by the sector.

‘This Indaba is one of the programmes of the Department of Water and Sanitation that is very close to my heart, and it is by no means just a talk shop but a platform for engagement and exchange of knowledge and technical expertise that will improve the sector’s governance and transformation,’ Ramunenyiwa said.

The indaba undertook discussions that provided opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise aimed at improving the sector’s governance and transformation.

These included discussions on understanding national water and sanitation issues and government priorities, providing youth with information, opportunities, and technical resources available within the sector, as well as encouraging community involvement in the sector and establishing partnerships with the private sector, civil society and
other stakeholders, among others.

To give a first-hand account of the operations of water testing and water treatment, the department and Lepelle Northern Water led a guided tour of the Ebenezer Water Treatment Plant, which mainly treats water abstracted from Ebenezer Dam and supplies to Polokwane Local Municipality and surrounding areas.

An excursion was also undertaken to the University of Limpopo’s water laboratory to explore the analytical methods used to conduct water quality analysis.

The laboratory is among the country’s best and most advanced technologies, which use methods, including inductively coupled plasma to analyse heavy metals in water samples.

The National Water and Sanitation Youth Indaba was attended by more than 400 participants in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector from various backgrounds, including unemployed individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, young professionals and civil society organisations.

The four-day Indaba was held in Polokwane, in Limpopo from 22-25 J
uly 2024.

Among the issues discussed were the department’s youth strategy with a special focus on innovations and entrepreneurship, challenges and opportunities in South Africa’s water and sanitation sector, South Africa’s water issues in the global context, as well as education and career opportunities within the sector.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Gauteng Provincial Government has officially launched its e-Panic app (Gauteng e-Panic) as part of the province’s commitment to prioritise the safety and security of citizens and communities.

The panic button has been created to fight against crime and the persistent issues of domestic violence in Gauteng.

It is a free to use service and, according to the provincial government, the response team is fully equipped to assist residents in their time of need.

The Gauteng MEC of e-Government, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, has encouraged all residents to use this free resource.

“The Gauteng Panic Button is a testament to the progress made by the provincial government to create a safer environment for everyone in the province. By downloading and using this app, you can protect yourself and your loved ones in times of emergency,’ Dhlamini said.

The Panic Button initiative offers both a physical device and an electronic version that is available as an app.

The Gauteng Panic Button app, is available for download on An
droid and iOS platforms, providing a convenient and accessible way for all residents to stay safe.

“The Gauteng Panic Button is not just a tool; it’s a lifeline. It is an initiative by the Gauteng Provincial Government to ensure that all our residents are safe at all times,” Dhlamini said.

Download and register for the app:

Go to Google Play or the App Store. Search for “Gauteng Panic Button’. Look for the blue icon labeled “Crime Prevention Panic Button Gauteng’.

Press Install: Download the app to your device.

Open the App: Once installed, open the app to start the registration process.

Enter your phone number: Provide your phone number and press “Submit’. You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS.

Enter the OTP: Input the OTP and press “Submit’.

Complete your profile: Enter your name, surname, phone number, and email (email is optional). Accept the terms and conditions to complete your registration.

Source: South African Government News Agency

In further efforts to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), the Department of Agriculture has declared a Disease Management Area (DMA), which includes part of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

This follows the department’s concerns over the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities, where cattle on 26 farms have tested positive for the disease.

The department said the cattle on the positive farms have been vaccinated to decrease the viral load and to control the severity of the clinical signs seen in especially dairy cattle.

The positive farms were also placed under quarantine, with strict movement control.

‘Requests were received to preventatively vaccinate dairy cattle on farms that have not been confirmed as being FMD positive but were at high risk of infection. Permission was given to preventatively vaccinate cattle on 29 farms.

‘Animals on a further seven farms were vaccinated after veterinary officials reported suspect clin
ical signs. In total, 84 655 animals were vaccinated on 62 farms,’ the department said.

The department said the boundaries of the DMA will be detailed in the related July 2024 Government Gazette Notice.

The department explained that the DMA, which was declared on Friday, will make it possible to control the movements of animals out of, into and within the affected area.

‘The main aim of the DMA is to prevent outward spread of the outbreaks, to areas not previously affected. In addition, the DMA aims to decrease further spread of the disease within the affected area, as this will decrease the viral load and infection pressure of the area.

‘No cloven-hoofed animals, animal products derived from cloven-hoofed animals or genetic material of cloven-hoofed animals may be moved from, to or within the Disease Management Areas of the Eastern Cape Province except under authority of a State veterinary permit contemplated in Regulation 20 (1) of the Regulations and in compliance with the conditions of such permit,’
the department said.

In addition to the control measures of the Eastern Cape Province DMA, the department said the July 2024 Gazette Notice also stipulates that cloven hoofed livestock may only be moved if accompanied by a health declaration from the owner of the animals, attesting to their health at the time of moving.

‘All cattle, [including] sheep and goats newly brought onto a farm must be kept separated from the resident herds for at least 28 days. This has been a requirement by law since October 2022, but the importance of this is again emphasised,’ the department said.

The department has strongly recommended to all livestock farmers in the whole country to limit animal movement as far as possible.

‘Cloven-hoofed animals should not be moved unless it is necessary to allow for an opportunity to find and quarantine further undetected and affected properties to prevent any further spread of the disease.

‘The significance of the incubation period for FMD cannot be overemphasised. This is the period wh
en animals appear to be healthy, in the early stages of infection (incubation period) where they are shedding virus without showing clinical signs of disease yet,’ the department said.

Farmers are again urged to observe biosecurity on their farms and to protect their own herds from becoming infected with disease. Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act imposes a legal duty on any owner or manager of animals to take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected with any disease and to prevent the spread of any disease from their animals or land to other animals or other properties.

Source: South African Government News Agency