Day: September 11, 2024

Tsumeb: Tsumeb Municipality spokesperson , Stella Imalwa – Nangolo has urged residents of the town to stop stealing and vandalising municipal property and also to report any suspicious activity . Imalwa – Nangolo said this in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday following the alleged theft of 30 orange road safety cones worth N . dollars 6 897 . 75 , which belonged to the municipality . She said the cones were stolen on three different occasions this year while put in various streets of Tsumeb as a legal requirement to ensure public safety . “ These cones are critical for ensuring road safety and supporting street maintenance efforts as well as alerting the public about roadworks or potential hazards ,” said Imalwa – Nangolo . She said their removal not only disrupts essential municipal operations but also poses a serious risk to the safety of motorists and pedestrians which could lead to serious road accidents and fatalities . Imalwa – Nangolo also warned driving school owners to refrain from buying or being
involved in the illegal activities around safety cones . “ We strongly urge all members of the public to refrain from illegal activities and if any person is found in possession of these cones , he or she will be prosecuted ,” she said . The spokesperson further raised concern over the theft and vandalism of road signs , water grip propellers , electric cables , copper wires , steel water covers , and street lamps this year . She said it is very costly to replace the lost items even though the municipality has managed to recover some items from the local scrap yards . “ People steal and go and sell some of these items to the scrapyard while the cones are being sold to the guys at driving schools ,” Imalwa – Nangolo said.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Windhoek: Approximately five to six families in Namibia receive a diagnosis of childhood cancer every week , Cancer Association of Namibia ( CAN ) Chief Executive Officer Rolf Hansen has said . In Namibia , the most common childhood cancers include soft tissue sarcomas , as well as cancers of the eye , brain , and blood , Hansen said in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday on the observation of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September . He explained that , unlike adult cancers , childhood cancers typically cannot be prevented or detected through standard screening methods . “ Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can affect any part of the body . It begins with genetic change in single cells that then grows into a mass ( or tumour ) that invades other parts of the body and causes harm and death if left untreated . Unlike cancer in adults , the vast majority of childhood cancers do not have a known cause ,” he said . Hansen noted that efforts to prevent cancer in children focus primarily on reducing fut
ure risks of cancer in adulthood . Chronic infections such as HIV , Epstein – Barr virus , and malaria are known risk factors for childhood cancer and are particularly relevant in lower and middle – income countries . Vaccinations and early treatment of these infections can reduce the risk of cancer . Genetic factors contribute to approximately 10 per cent of childhood cancer cases , he said . “ In lower and middle – income countries , avoidable deaths from childhood cancer often result from issues such as lack of diagnosis , misdiagnosis , delays in treatment , and obstacles in accessing care . Additionally , abandonment of treatment , toxicity , and relapse contribute to the high mortality rate ,” Hansen stated . He urged Namibians to support the efforts of CAN this September through the CHICA ( Children fighting cancer ) Programme , and the Paediatric Oncology Ward of the Ministry of Health and Social Services at the Windhoek Central Hospital.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

China’s major stock indices recorded mixed performances in the morning session Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.92 percent to 2,718.85 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index went up 0.24 percent to 8,093.25 points at midday. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Infrastructure is the foundation on which South Africa’s future is constructed, says Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister, Sihle Zikalala.

‘In order for our country to realise economic success, and the improved quality of life for all citizens, we must pay attention to the issues of infrastructure planning, execution and investment,’ Zikalala said.

Addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) this week, Zikalala said there is consensus that the bedrock and cornerstone of any country’s competitiveness, prosperity and social well-being is infrastructure.

‘Infrastructure development transcends mere construction, it builds bridges that connect people to markets, opportunities and each other,’ Zikalala said, adding that connectivity is the lifeline of business, fuelling the flow of goods, services and ideas that drive innovation and growth.

He also emphasised the role of infrastructure in facilitating market access.

‘For black industrialists in rural and township areas, robust infrastructur
e means broader market reach, integration into global value chains, and enhanced competitiveness. By enhancing connectivity, ensuring reliable access to electricity, and bridging the digital divide, we set the foundation upon which the engines of our industries can thrive.

‘Targeted infrastructure development in rural areas and townships, marked by apartheid’s legacy, have a potential to ignite a renaissance of industrial and entrepreneurial activity.’

Addressing imbalances of the past

The Deputy Minister said that since the dawn of democracy, South Africa has worked towards redressing the imbalances of the past and forging a pathway towards economic empowerment for all its people.

‘The strides we have made are commendable. Through targeted initiatives and steadfast policy interventions, we have witnessed the burgeoning of black entrepreneurship and industrialism across sectors, from manufacturing and agribusiness to technology and renewable energy.

‘These pioneers are reshaping our economy, driving inno
vation, creating jobs, and opening new markets. However, our journey is far from complete. We confront challenges such as barriers to access, financing constraints, stalled projects, crime, and gaps in infrastructure that can hinder even the most promising ventures.’

Delivering on projects

Zikalala said in South Africa, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is also the custodian of the state’s immovable assets, responsible for the construction, refurbishment and maintenance of public assets from which all government services are rendered.

The immovable asset portfolio under the custodianship of the DPWI comprises approximately 30 000 land parcels on which some 90 000 facilities are located.

‘Through Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), we have a special purpose vehicle that leads infrastructure investment, assists with technical support to project sponsors to plan better, prepare and package their proposals such that they attract funding and generally within the public sector space to pro
gressively build the capacity and capability to develop credible infrastructure project pipelines,’ Zikalala said.

Zikalala said the seventh administration is introducing and fostering new approaches to get projects finished on time, within budget and to expected quality and performance according to specifications.

Source: South African Government News Agency

South Africa is set to submit its Memorial to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 2024, presenting evidence to support its claim that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine.

The Memorial will outline facts and arguments as part of a broader legal effort to hold Israel accountable under international law.

‘This case will continue until the court makes a finding. While the case is in progress, we hope that Israel will abide by the court’s provisional orders issued to date,’ the Presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.

The legal action is part of a growing global initiative aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East.

Several countries, including Nicaragua, Palestine, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have aligned themselves with South Africa’s case against Israel.

READ | Cabinet welcomes ICJ advisory on Occupied Palestinian Territories

South Africa approached the ICJ in December last year, under the Genocide Convention, for alleged attacks committed by Israel in Gaza.

In
its application, South Africa pleaded with the court to indicate provisional measures to ‘protect against further severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention’.

The country also requested the ICJ to ensure Israel does not engage in genocide.

In February this year, the United Nations (UN) top court ordered Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and do more to help Palestinian civilians, as Israel continues to wage war against Hamas militants.

In a landmark judgment, the ICJ determined that it was ‘plausible’ that Israel has committed acts that violate the Genocide Convention.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is expected to host the Nuclear Seminar in Tshwane on Thursday.

‘The seminar aims to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future prospects of nuclear energy in South Africa through open, objective and scientifically informed discussions and research endeavours.

‘Discussions will focus on surfacing key challenges, facts and opportunities on nuclear energy and technology to gather insights and recommendations for policy refinement and implementation through robust dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, including government, industry, academia, civil society and key players,’ the department said in a statement.

On the sidelines of the first Cabinet Lekgotla of the seventh administration earlier this year, Minister Ramokgopa emphasised the long-term need for nuclear energy.

‘In the long term, we need to ensure that we anchor the baseload and nuclear is an important part of that intervention. We are working on t
he framework for procurement because we don’t want to discredit the process through a procurement process that is not transparent.

‘We will do it at the scale and speed that we can afford as a country,’ he said.

Last month, the Ministerial determination for the procurement of some 2 500MW of nuclear energy was withdrawn however, according to Ramokgopa, it remains firmly part of South Africa’s energy mix.

‘Nuclear is part of the future but it’s important that as we go out…the procurement process must be able to stand the test of time. In this instance, it’s the ability to be able to subject itself to scrutiny,’ Ramokgopa said at the time.

Source: South African Government News Agency