Day: September 12, 2024

There is global affirmation that nuclear energy has a part to play in responding to the question of climate change.

This is according to Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity Samantha Graham-Maré who was speaking during the Nuclear Seminar hosted by the department in Tshwane on Thursday.

‘There is global acceptance of nuclear energy as an integral part of the solution to mitigate the impact of climate change. We therefore need to work together to ensure that nuclear energy becomes an important part of the Just Energy Transition.

‘It is clear that nuclear is a critical component of South Africa’s energy mix – offering a low carbon, reliable source of energy that can contribute significantly to the country’s energy security and climate goals, she said.

Graham-Maré said South Africa remains committed to fulfilling the objectives of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, while refining the IRP 2023.

‘[The IRP] sets out a requirement of 2 500MW of nuclear power to ensure the stability of South Africa’s
power grid. In turn, driving the reindustrialisation of our economy and the promise of economic growth that leads to job creation,’ she said.

The Deputy Minister added that although new nuclear build is urgent for ensuring energy stability, the Ministry will not compromise on ‘public participation, adherence of statutory regulatory requirements and openness and transparency in decision making, procurement and the implementation of our new nuclear build’.

In that regard, the Ministerial determination for the procurement of the nuclear energy was withdrawn last month.

She said the negative perceptions around nuclear energy must be changed.

‘Nuclear still carries somewhat of a stigma. Much of this is ignorance perpetuated by [a view of] government shrouded in secrecy manned by scientists in hazmat suits and the fear generated through the cold war era of the total destruction of the planet as a result of a nuclear war. It is up to all of us to change these perceptions.

‘This summit is the first leg of that p
rocess. Given South Africa’s expertise and commitment to nuclear energy over the years, this summit is a key engagement with the nuclear industry in SA that we hope will become a regular feature of our agenda,’ she said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe will today address a social sector workshop aimed at expediting the implementation of a sector strategy towards employing more social service professionals.

The strategy is a collective commitment to building a social service workforce that is responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities.

‘As the demand for social services continues to rise amidst the growing burden of social ills such as unemployment, widening inequality gap, crime, teenage pregnancy, substance use disorders and gender-based valence, the employment of social service professionals is emerging as a pressing issue across South Africa,’ the Department of Social Development said.

The National Development Plan projects that South Africa requires 55 000 social service professionals by 2030 to meet the growing demand for social services.

Currently, government employs 23 561 social service professionals, comprising social workers, auxiliary social workers, child and youth care worker
s and community development practitioners, who render essential social services to individuals, families and communities.

The Department of Social Development is the main employer, with 18 948 while 4 613 are employed by other sector departments such as health, education, correctional services and justice.

‘At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic the social services professional workforce were in the frontlines of the national response of saving lives and livelihoods.

‘Against this background, the Department of Social Development led the development of sector strategy for the employment of social services professionals as part of increasing the human resource capacity of government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to proactively respond to complex social issues facing South Africa,’ the department said.

The sector strategy was approved by Cabinet in February this year and outlines how the increasing demand for social services will be met through among others, the recruitment and reten
tion of unemployed social work graduates.

The two-day workshop is being held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) Mayor, Gary van Niekerk has emphasised the need to advance understanding of climate change to mitigate the challenges the country faces, including floods and drought.

‘Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a stark reality that we face, with daily struggles such as floods and droughts that threatens the livelihoods of millions as agriculture is affected by this.

‘We must advance our understanding of climate change in agriculture to ensure that we mitigate these challenges. Together we can build a resilient and prosperous future for South Africa,’ Van Niekerk said.

The mayor made these remarks at the 61st Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) Conference that was held at Boardwalk Convention Centre in Gqeberha.

Held under the theme ‘Agricultural Economics Research for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change in Southern Africa’, the three-day annual conference concluded on Wednesday.

The conference which got underway on Monday, was a
imed at promoting training and research which will encourage advancements in agricultural economics research and education, among others.

The conference showcased cutting-edge research work on mitigation and adaptation to climate change, with a special focus on Southern Africa, as well as research on other topics of vital interest to agricultural economists, farmers, and relevant policymakers in the region.

Van Niekerk added that hosting the AEASA conference lines up with Eastern Cape metro’s broader goals to promote sustainable economic development as well as showcasing the metro’s business tourism infrastructure.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Rosemary Nokuzola Capa, Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe, as well as NMBM Deputy Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe and Council Speaker, Eugene Johnson attended the third and final day of the conference.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has consistently emphasised the need to accelerate the implementation of the sector master plans as one of the key priorities of the seventh administration.

Since his appointment two months ago, the Minister has reiterated the critical role of the master plans in increasing investment, boosting exports, creating jobs, promoting localisation and facilitating transformation.

One of the interventions initiated by partnerships in the Retail-Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Master Plan, where more than 20 000 jobs have been created as a result of its roll-out, is the redesigned Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Growth Programme (CTFLGP), which was launched in 2022.

Import substitution, creation of new jobs, transformation and competitiveness improvement are the main objectives of the programme.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme that is being implemented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) through the Industrial Development
Corporation, is R and L Apparel. It is a woman-owned company based in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

The company received financial support for the purchase of equipment and machinery, as well as for initial working capital, in order to grow their Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) manufacturing capacity.

Managing Director of R and L Apparel, Solis Benjie Dolores, said the support from government has enabled the company to increase its production, improve product quality, create jobs and extend its clientele, which now includes The Foschini Group, which they supply through Celtico, one of the CMT suppliers in the Newcastle clothing industry.

‘The funding assisted us greatly in creating additional jobs. We had only 17 workers when we applied for the programme. As of August 2024, we were able to reach a staff complement of 103 employees, 98 of whom are women. As a matter of fact, we are looking forward to achieving the additional 150 jobs that we have committed to,’ Dolores said.

‘The CTFLGP is a great initiative. The progra
mme opened new doors for our company’s growth. Without the funding, we might have just stayed on 17 workers, because our machinery and working capital were very limited.

‘Before we received the funding, we were running a hand-to-mouth operation that was kept going only by the dedication and endeavours of our team. Now the company is on a positive growth trajectory,’ she said.

Dolores said the company is planning to acquire automated machinery to expand its production capacity based on the market demands, as local retailers are increasingly embracing Proudly South African products.

‘We are happy to contribute in import substitution, growing the economy, and more importantly, creating jobs for the local people, both skilled and unskilled, assisting them to earn a decent living,’ she said.

Managing Director of Argento, Joudalle Govender, also bears testimony to the positive impact of the CTFLGP on her company, which is based in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal.

The company manufactures apparel and corporate clothing
for a major retailer and numerous corporate clients.

‘We used the funding for operational expenses and to re-tool the factory with new machinery. The funding allowed us to create 45 new jobs. 100 people are currently employed in our company, 80 of whom are women.

“Our profit margins increased and we had a rapid growth in production due to the extra capacity,’ Govender said.

She said the company is planning to expand its product lines, adopting sustainable practices, improving its manufacturing efficiency and exploring new markets.

‘Our future plans include expanding our current building and creating 100 more jobs. We are also looking into exporting our local garments and creating more awareness on local manufacturing with South Africa,’ Govender said.

She emphasises the importance of the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Masterplan in promoting sustainability and innovation within the industry, which she said is crucial in adapting to the changing market demands and consumer prefere
nces.

‘I love the fact that the plan focuses on several key objectives, such as job creation and increasing local production. Argento is a local champion because we produce our own local fabric in the rural area of Isithebe.

‘My favourite part is that the plan enhances competitiveness in the global market, by fostering collaboration between government, labour, and industry stakeholders. That is important for our economy,’ said Govender.

The stories of two companies that operate in the clothing and textile sector undoubtedly illustrate the critical importance of the master plans, and the positive impact of the collaboration between government, business and labour on the South African economy.

According to the Director of Clothing and Leather at the dtic, Dr Jaywant Irkhede, more than R1.87 billion had been approved for 154 businesses employing almost 24 000 people and R1.41 billion was disbursed by July this year.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African government will pursue a new nuclear build that is led by scientific evidence.

This is according to the Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who addressed the Nuclear Seminar hosted by the Ministry on Thursday.

‘We are going to be evidence led in terms of our policy choices. The beauty about evidence and science is that it removes emotion. It’s important that those who can bring the political dimension, bring it to the fore [and] marry it with the science and we find solutions.

‘We have a duty to ensure that as many people as possible or those who have an interest must understand what the science [of nuclear] is so that we are able to dispel these myths [about nuclear], we are able to undermine and push back against those who have no clue about the conversation we are having today,’ he said.

Ramokgopa insisted that the withdrawal of the ministerial determination for government’s planned procurement of at least 2 500MW was to protect the process from legal challe
nges.

‘We made the point that we have nothing to hide. So if there are complexities or the process of the 2 500MW build programme is compromised…we have a duty to pull it back, to clean it so that you don’t conflate the science and the process.

‘Then on the basis of the science we’ll be able to make a compelling story to the South African people. [We want to] clean the process, make it as democratic as possible. Those who have objections, raise those objections on the basis of the science because the process would have allowed you an opportunity to do exactly that,’ he said.

The Minister noted that the global move towards the use of nuclear energy is a ‘return to realism’.

‘We will converge on the science that this is the path that must be pursued for us to be able to achieve energy security to ensure that we are able to green the sources of energy generation.

‘Nucelar is part of the energy mix…it’s part of the future. It’s indispensable to the resolution of an attainment of energy sovereignty in this co
untry. We will answer the question of at what scale, what pace that will not undermine the issues of affordability and not compromise the fiscus. I am more than confident that nuclear has got a place, has a got a role,’ Ramokgopa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that Najwa Petersen, who was said to have orchestrated the murder of her husband and music legend Taliep Petersen, has been granted parole.

According to the department, Petersen appeared before the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) on Wednesday where her parole placement date has been set for 27 November 2024.

‘This decision was made in accordance with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act, which requires that the minimum sentence period be served before parole consideration.

‘The victims were involved in the parole hearing process and have been informed of the CSPB’s decision,’ the department explained.

According to reports, she was found guilty of hiring two hitmen to kill her husband. The judge described her actions as ‘callous’ during her 2008 trial.

The now 63-year-old Petersen began serving a 28-year sentence in 2009 for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

‘She has participated in various rehabilitatio
n programmes and will now be enrolled in pre-release programmes to prepare her for reintegration into society.’

In a statement, the department explained that Petersen will serve the remainder of her sentence under the community corrections system, monitored according to parole conditions.

According to the department, normal parole conditions will apply.

‘For example, she is not allowed to leave her magisterial district without informing her parole officer. She is also not allowed to conduct media interviews. Critical to highlight, there is going to be a continuity of restorative justice processes involving the victims of crime with the help of professionals,’ the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency