Day: August 7, 2024

With tourism being one of the fastest growing economic sectors, the Department of Tourism is keen not only to increase employment in the sector, but also to increase arrivals by 15 million by 2030.

‘As part of our plan, our target will be to increase arrivals to 15 million by 2030 as stated in the National Development Plan (NDP),’ the Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said on Tuesday.

Addressing the media on the impact of tourism on the economy, De Lille said inclusive economic growth has been placed at the centre of the work of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and at the top of the national agenda.

‘The Department of Tourism is currently working on finalising our five-year plan which will align to the GNU priorities, the National Development Plan, the Tourism Sector Master Plan and the National Tourism Sector Strategy.’

She added that there was an opportunity to design the future of tourism for the next five to 10 years and that it is not going to be business as usual.

‘We have to drive urgenc
y in the implementation in our plans for us to succeed in reaching our targets. These action plans will be implemented together with the private sector inclusive of the whole tourism value chain. I want to recognise and thank all the hard-working people in the tourism sector, both public and private.

‘We have done very well to rebuild the sector after COVID-19 but now we have to do even more and better. I also want to thank you in advance for the work you are going to do,’ the Minister said.

De Lille said to address the first two priorities of the GNU, her department will also work to increase the number of jobs created in the tourism sector by driving greater implementation of programmes which support the private sector to create more jobs.

Three of the priorities of the GNU are to drive inclusive growth and job creation; to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living; and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

‘We will also be working with Operation Vulindlela in the Presidency and
Departments of Home Affairs, Transport and Sport, Arts and Culture to facilitate improvements in the visa regime, grow the number of direct flights to and from South Africa, implement a more seamless tour operator licence process and invest in infrastructure and tourism sites that reflect and showcase our diverse culture and heritage for visitors to enjoy.

‘In terms of the third priority to build a capable, ethical and developmental state, our five year plan and targets will implement programmes for demand-led skills and a greater use of technology such as AI to enhance our tourism offering,’ the Minister said.

Tourism on the rise

De Lille said tourism was a serious business, employing millions and enabling many to own and operate their own businesses.

‘It is a multi-billion Rand economic sector for our country and it is on the rise. As one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful destinations, South Africa offers a variety of experiences, from wildlife safaris and natural scenic wonders to vibrant citie
s and cultural heritage.

‘As a country we have claimed many tourism awards for being a top destination, our cities have claimed awards, our airports have claimed awards and our establishments such as hotels and tourism experiences have clinched many awards,’ De Lille said.

Also speaking at the briefing was Chief Executive Officer of SA Tourism Nombulelo Guliwe who said the next five years work will be impactful.

‘People will see the growth to drive the inclusive growth. In this five years there will be positive growth,’ Guliwe said, adding that people should start talking about the impact of inclusive growth.

Thato Mothopeng from The South African Township and Village Tourism Association (SATOVITO) said there was a need to start discussing how to grow the tourism sector.

‘We need to grow the sector to create more job opportunities for our people,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has faulted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s statement warning security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists.

Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday, said that Atiku’s tweeted message was absurd:.

Atiku had warned security agencies against using lethal force against looters and arsonists who masqueraded as protesters.

He said as a statesman, Atiku’s warning ought to be to the looting mob in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Jigawa states, who hijacked what was advertised by organisers as a peaceful protest.

He said the security forces had remained professional, even-handed, and observed every restraint in the face of extreme provocation by the rioters.

‘We are surprised that Alhaji Atiku is still relying on Section 40 of our constitution (as amended) to justify a protest that is now clearly a riot, a rampage in some parts of the country.

‘Section 45 of the constitution says the right of assembly and the
right of freedom of expression are not absolute.

‘They can be abridged and fettered in the interest of public peace, public safety, law, and order,’ said the Presidential aide.

He said the Service Chiefs reiterated the rights of Nigerians to protest and gather freely.

‘They, however, reinforced their constitutional duty, today, when they said they cannot sit by idly and watch hoodlums destroy the country and its democracy.

‘The Service Chiefs and the officers and men of our security outfits should be commended for their patriotic duty to our country.

‘As a supporter and enabler of the destructive ‘protests,’ Alhaji Atiku certainly wants the sinister protest to continue in spite of the red signals from the streets,’ said Onanuga.

He said a tweet that condoned the destruction of private and public property and investments of citizens was unbecoming of a former vice-president.

He said Atiku ought to have risen above the sentiment he expressed and put the country’s stability ahead of whatever advantages he
hoped to reap from the insurrection on the streets.

‘We encourage Alhaji Atiku to borrow a leaf from opposition figures in United Kingdom, who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in UK.

‘They called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the wanton destruction of public and private assets.

‘Such nationalistic temperament as displayed by opposition figures like Rishi Sunak, the immediate-past Prime Minister of UK is expected of Alhaji Atiku,’ said Onanuga.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Fresh off the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the delivery of the Opening of Parliament Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on several local and international duties this month.

The President’s public programme for the next month was released by Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya during a media briefing on Wednesday.

The President is set to visit Angola for a working visit on Thursday, 8 August.

‘The two heads of state will use the occasion of the working visit to reflect on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, who share very deep historical ties that are rooted in the liberation struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

‘The leaders will also share perspectives on issues of regional mutual interest, including the situation in the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo] and on regional and continental efforts aimed at resolving the conflicts that are plaguing the continent. The President will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relation
s and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola and the Minister of Defense, Angie Motshekga,’ Magwenya said.

Wednesday, 13 August 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to meet with Cabinet members, senior business leaders, and technical experts from government and business to discuss a new era of collaboration for a partnership launched over a year ago to address barriers to growth in South Africa.

Thursday, 15 August 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa, will host a public signing of the Health Compact. The signing of the compact is expected to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, at 1:30 pm.

Saturday, 17th August 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 44th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, hosted the Republic of Zimbabwe. The SADC Summit is responsible for the overall policy direction and control of functions of the Community, ultimately making it the policy-making institution of SADC.

Friday, 23 August 2024

The President will embark
on the District Development model oversight visit and Presidential Imbizo to the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng.

Monday, 26 August 2024

President Ramaphosa will address the JET Municipal Conference. The aim of the conference is to convene key stakeholders within the municipal space to chart the way forward for the effective implementation of the JET Municipal Portfolio set out in the JET Implementation Plan (JET IP) which was approved by Cabinet in November 2023.

Wednesday, 28 August 2024

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Thursday, 29 August

President Cyril Ramaphosa will appear in the National Assembly’s hybrid plenary session to provide oral replies to questions from the NA Members of Parliament at 2pm.

Friday, 30 August

The President will honour the invite from Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. and embark on a working visit to Zimbabwe to attend the official opening of the 114th
edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead a Presidential District Development Model (DDM) Imbizo in Ekurhuleni in Gauteng later this month.

This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya who was briefing the media on Wednesday.

The Presidential Imbizo will be the first to be held by the seventh administration. It is scheduled for Friday, 23 August.

‘The DDM was established to improve coordination and alignment between the different spheres of government. This is an important initiative to improve planning, budgeting and implementation at a local level by bringing all spheres, departments and stakeholders together, towards uplifting our communities.

‘You will recall that the planned District Development Model (DDM) oversight visit during April 2024 to the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, had to be postponed due to challenges faced by the municipality at the time. The President is therefore pleased that the oversight visit to the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
will take place,’ he said.

The President is expected to be accompanied by all members of the National Executive who would already be on the ground leading up to the visit.

A success story

During the media briefing, Magwenya batted away notions that the DDM Izimbizo have not delivered – pointing out that notable successes have been recorded in municipalities like Sedibeng in Gauteng where an imbizo was held in 2022.

This after criticism about the Presidential Izimbizo came to the fore this week.

‘[The] Presidential Imbizo contributed to a clinic becoming fully operational. The clinic, which was built before the COVID-19 lockdown, had become a white elephant and the community in Zone 17, Sebokeng had to travel distances for basic medical care.

‘Through the Presidential imbizo in [August] 2022, an inter-governmental task team comprising of national, provincial, local government and Eskom, identified the gaps for the clinic to become operational. The big issue was that it was not connected to the grid and t
hat there was a stand-off between the different spheres of government about costs.

‘The Presidential Izimbizo unlocked the bottlenecks. Eskom and the various government departments procured the transformer and finances to connect the clinic to the grid. Today, the community is benefiting,’ Magwenya highlighted.

He added that the seventh administration will engage citizens.

‘This seventh administration will continue to engage citizens through the Presidential Imbizo and the second round of the Presidential Izimbizo starts later this month at the Tsakane Stadium in the Ekurhuleni Metro and many more will follow over the next five years,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has intervened in the transfer of the notorious leader of the 28s prison gang, George ‘Geweld’ Thomas, to the Helderstroom Prison in the Western Cape.

This follows an outcry from community leaders due to the high risk Thomas’ presence may pose to communities of the province.

Thomas is serving at least 175 years imprisonment after his conviction in 2015 on more than 50 charges including:

Seven counts of murder

Three counts of attempted murder

Eleven counts of illegally possessing firearms

Ten counts of illegally possessing ammunition

Two counts of racketeering

Three counts of belonging to a criminal gang

Three counts of conspiracy to commit a crime

Ten counts of inciting the commitment of a crime

One count of housebreaking with the intent to commit robbery

Three counts of theft

‘We will work with communities on an ongoing basis to improve the system and maximise the positive change it can bring to vulnerable communities,’ Groenwald said.

T
he department explained in a statement that Thomas has been ‘swiftly redirected’ to an alternative maximum-security facility.

‘The department will also urgently investigate the matter thoroughly to identify the reasons for the prisoner’s irregular movement.

‘Emphasising the need for community engagement, the Minister also today [Tuesday] had a meeting with community representatives part of the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition to engage on concerns and possible interventions to minimise the presence of bad actors in communities ridden with gang-related violence,’ the department concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency