Day: September 26, 2024

Economic experts have highlighted the need to explore the frontiers that the Nigerian non-metallic industry presented as part of the country’s economic diversification agenda.

The experts spoke at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Non-Metallic Mineral Products Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had as its theme: ‘Exploring New Frontiers: Maximising the Non-Metallic Industry for Diversification’.

Dr Biodun Adedipe, Chief Consultant, BAA Consult, said that unlocking opportunities in the industry could bring sustainable diversification of the Nigerian economy, especially its external sector, within a short space of five years.

Adedipe stressed the need for Nigeria to diversify its foreign earnings in a way that built resilience into its external sector.

He said that it would help to reduce the country’s vulnerability to external shocks and occasional internal disruptions.

According to him, the
benefits and prospects of the non-metallic industry with 34 minerals in 450 locations included substantial revenue to governments.

He said that it would also boost taxes, job creation, enhanced industrialisation and economic diversification.

He added that other benefits included increased foreign exchange earning, reduced dependence on imports, among others.

The economist, however, said that challenges such as policy inconsistencies, land tenure systems, responsibilities overlap between Federal and State governments, inadequate geoscience data, terrorism and banditry hindered its development.

‘The value in non-metallic mineral products is much more than the hydrocarbons combined!

‘The investment requirements are also not as steep as those for exploration and production of non-metallic minerals.

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‘The recommendations for the sector include strengthened advocacy, intensified local beneficiation, energised strategic partnerships, com
modity exchanges, and government oversight of the entire value chain.

‘Unlocking the opportunities therein can bring sustainable diversification of the Nigerian economy, especially its external sector, within a short space of five years,’ he said.

Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General, MAN, called for insights to uncover the vast opportunities available for the industry to innovate and expand.

This, he said, was necessary especially at this time when diversification is crucial for economic sustainability and global competitiveness.

Ajayi-Kadir said that the event was a prime opportunity to extract actionable strategies and ensure that the sector remained not just relevant but transformative in Nigeria’s broader economic narrative.

He also called for support for the sectoral incoming executives, particularly in forging partnerships to inspire innovation, growth, and a strengthened future for the Non-Metallic Mineral Products Sector.

In his remarks, Mr Afam Ukatu, Chairman, MAN, Non-Metallic Mineral Prod
ucts Sectoral Group, said that the event was an opportunity to chart a bold path forward.

Ukatu said that it would help to inspire innovative approaches toward maximising the vast potential within the non-metallic industry.

He said that innovation, technology, and sustainability were key drivers of growth.

‘As the government shifts focus toward economic diversification, the non-metallic industry is poised to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s future development,’ he said.

Ukatu said that in spite of the various obstacles the industry faced, ranging from infrastructure deficits and regulatory burdens to the threat of substandard imports, it remained resolute.

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The chairman stated that the industry had shown resilience, and with pragmatic solutions, was preparing to compete both locally and across the continent.

‘Our sector is a critical contributor to national development, especially in addressing Nigeria’s housing def
icit, currently estimated at 28 million.

‘This gap presents a significant opportunity for members in the production of essential materials needed to close the housing shortfall.

‘We must align our efforts with national strategies to help overcome this challenge and together, we can drive our sector toward greater achievements and ensure our competitiveness on a global scale,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The South African government has received the remains of 49 liberation fighters who died in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The remains were received at the Waterkloof Airforce Base on an emotional Wednesday evening (25 September 2024) for families of the fallen freedom fighters.

Speaking to SAnews, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, said the handover of the remains was a moment of sombre reflection on the sacrifices it took for South Africa to gain its freedom.

‘The message is of gratitude to…families who have daughters, sons, fathers and mothers who gave the ultimate price for our freedom. We are able to be here because they gave the final sacrifice.

‘It is also for us as a people, to remember where we came from because this didn’t come easy. There are people who died, and we should not be casual about how we use that power because it is a power that came from people who gave their lives,’ Motshekga said.

The Minister added that the repatriation of struggle heroes will continue
as there are more struggle heroes who died outside of the country.

‘The plan is to now do mass repatriations and that’s what has been in the plans for the past two years. But because it takes time, we’ll see if we can do it in gaps of two years. This has been a good lesson in terms of mass repatriations and when we move to other countries…we will have learnt the lessons on how to deal with most of the issues,’ she said.

Families remember their heroes

The remains of freedom fighter Basil February – who died in Zimbabwe – arrived with the cohort.

Speaking to SAnews, his brother Terry said the return of his remains marks the beginning of healing for the family.

‘My mother died 11 years ago and…I would like my mother to have been here. I would have liked for this occasion to have happened 12 or 15 years ago, so that she could have been here. My mother died when she was 92 years old. She asked me to make her a promise that I will bring Basil’s remains home and I said I will. Today is such a historic day for o
ur family.

‘It does not yet bring closure. It will take a little while. This whole process has…opened some old, deep wounds and it will take a while for those wounds to heal.

‘But I can feel that the process has already started. That closure is starting to kick in. I feel a relief and I feel a genuine excitedness because Basil is finally coming home,’ February said.

Onica Mahlangu – whose brother Bennet Sibanyoni died in Zambia nearly 40 years ago – described to SAnews, the peacefulness that her brother’s remains brings as the brutal Apartheid security forces took everything that belonged to him – leaving them with nothing to remember him by.

‘I have mixed emotions. I feel like this is the first time I have been informed of his death. That’s how much it still hurts. Unfortunately, my mother died with a broken heart…crying for her son. She pleaded with us not to stop searching for his remains. I feel happy that government has not forgotten us and has helped us.

‘The repatriation will bring peace to our sp
irits…our family was tortured. We didn’t even have a photo of him because the Apartheid government took everything that belonged to him and left us with nothing that we could look at and remember him by,’ Mahlangu said.

Makabelo Msiza remarked to SAnews that without government, they would not have been able to bring her brother home.

‘I am filled with joy because we finally have my sibling back. I know where I will bury him and even when I miss him, I will now know where to go to visit him at his gravesite. I will bury him near my parents’ graves.

‘President [Cyril] Ramaphosa has done such a big thing for us. I have been on this road [of trying to get the remains] since Mandela was alive. I have knocked on many doors with no help but today, because of President Cyril Ramaphosa, everything has now been resolved and we can bury our loved ones in peace,’ Msiza said.

President Ramaphosa is expected to lead a repatriation and restitution ceremony for the remains at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum i
n Tshwane on Friday.

In a statement on Monday, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said that following the arrival of the remains, government will host the official homecoming ceremony to mark the return of these liberation fighters to the country of their birth.

‘Thereafter, reburial ceremonies will be held in the provinces of their origin, ensuring they are laid to rest with the dignity and respect they deserve,’ said the GCIS.

The Exile Repatriation Programme is guided by the National Policy of Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects of 2021. This policy was adopted as part of South Africa’s broader commitment to ensuring that former liberation fighters who died in exile are returned home and buried with dignity.

The repatriation process is being conducted in close collaboration with regional governments, historical experts, and local communities to guarantee a respectful and well-coordinated return.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Businesses illegally occupying government premises in Mthatha have been given 14 days to apply for legal leases from the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, should they wish to continue with their businesses on the current premises.

This was revealed when Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, together with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Siphokazi Lusithi, issued eviction orders to a number of businesses in the Mthatha CBD as part of Operation Bring Back (OBB), which aims to reclaim hijacked and illegally occupied government properties.

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‘Our aim is not to shut down legally operating businesses, but we want these businesses that are paying rent to criminals, who have stolen government properties, to start paying the rent to the rightful owners of these properties,’ the Deputy Minister said on Wednesday.

Zikalala and Lusithi visited mixed business premises housing offices, driving school, salons, tombst
ones and a hardware store, where they addressed business owners and workers who voiced their fears of losing their businesses.

In the Eastern Cape, there are 82 properties that are currently going through legal channels, including 57 eviction orders.

Of these, 21 have been evaluated and are recommended for execution, with a target of completing 36 evictions by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year.

All eviction actions will strictly adhere to legal standards and respect tenant rights. The two DPWI leaders allayed the fears of the concerned businesses, promising that should they follow the correct legal routes, their businesses would not be out in the cold.

‘As the province, we are undertaking the Operation Bring Back, which aims at bringing back government properties that are illegally occupied. The illegal occupation of government properties both commercial and residential undermines the state’s capacity to generate revenue and maintain our properties, but even more tragically, it victimizes small busi
ness owners who are unaware they are being taken advantage of by these bogus landlords.

‘In response, we have entered into negotiations with these small businesses to regularize their leases, ensuring that they are protected, and that government assets are not exploited for personal gain,’ the MEC said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has called on Mpumalanga residents to use the available water the province has, wisely and sparingly, as dam levels record a marginal decrease from last week’s 86.0% to 85.1% in the current week.

In a statement on Thursday, the department urged residents to fix and report water leaks.

A weekly status of dam levels report issued by the department also shows a decrease in the Water Management Areas (WMA).

The Olifants WMA dropped from 78.0% to 77.0% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropped from 87.5% to 87.0%.

In terms of the districts, Ehlanzeni dropped from 86.5% to 85.4%, Gert Sibande dropped from 83.9% to 83.4%, and Nkangala dropped from 89.1% to 87.7%.

The department noted that there are no improvements recorded in most dams across the province, with only a few dams remaining unchanged and the majority recording declines.

The listed dams which recorded declines in water levels in Ehlanzeni District and the Lowveld include Blyderivierpoort from 79.0% to 76.6%,
Buffelskloof from 66.7% to 63.6%, Witklip from 83.8% to 82.1%, Kwena from 82.1% to 79.9%, Da Gama from 89.6% to 87.8%, Inyaka from 89.9% to 88.7%, and Ohrigstad from 35.0% to 29.9%.

The dams that remained unchanged in the Lowveld include Driekoppies Dam at 92.7%, Longmere at 91.1%, Klipkopjes at 85.4%, and Primkop at 50.8%.

In Gert Sibande District, Grootdraai Dam dropped from 77.1% to 76.0%, Nooitgedacht from 79.8% to 79.2%, Vygeboom from 98.1% to 96.9%, and Westoe from 36.4% to 36.0%.

All the listed dams in the Nkangala District continue to decrease in water volumes with Witbank Dam further dropping from 92.5% to 91.0%, Middelburg Dam from 85.4% to 84.3%, Loskop Dam from 90.2% to 88.5%, and Rhenosterkop Dam from 86.1% to 85.5%.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Gqeberha High Court has sentenced Andile Nyoka (30) to life in prison for the murder of a police officer, armed robbery and kidnapping.

Nyoka was also given an additional 57 years direct imprisonment.

On 3 May 2023, Nyoka was before the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court for another matter, where he approached an on duty police official, Sergeant Mario Nell (40), who was a court orderly at the time.

Subsequently, Nyoka, for no apparent reason, started to fight with Nell and disarmed him of his service pistol. Nyoka shot Nell and he succumbed to the bullet wounds. Nell was declared deceased at the scene. Thereafter, Nyoka fled the scene and hijacked a taxi outside the court in an attempt to escape.

A few minutes later on the same day, he was apprehended inside the taxi by the Motherwell Visible Policing Unit and appeared before court, where he was remanded in custody.

The docket was handed over to the Hawks for a thorough probe.

Nyoka made numerous court appearances until his sentencing by the Gqeberha H
igh Court on 20 September 2024 and has been in custody since his arrest.

The Eastern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, welcomed the sentence and commended the team for the good work.

Source: South African Government News Agency

For decades, the rapid urbanisation and industrial growth experienced by many nations, had come at a high environmental cost. Landfills overflowed, plastic waste contaminated rivers and oceans, and emissions from improper waste disposal intensified the climate crisis.

The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) Congress 2024, themed “Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” signalled a turning point, with the idea that waste could be transformed into wealth resonating deeply.

The congress brought together global experts, policymakers, and business leaders to share cutting-edge practices in waste management and the circular economy. But more importantly, it showcased South Africa’s commitment to turning its waste challenges into economic opportunities.

The government’s introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations and the accent of the Climate Change Bill into an Act marked a significant shift in how the nation approached waste. The EPR Regulations require manufac
turers to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products, from production to post-consumer waste. This policy forces businesses to rethink how they design, produce, and manage products, pushing them toward more sustainable practices.

The Climate Change Act further aligns the nation’s policies with its environmental goals. It ensures that South Africa’s response to climate change, particularly in transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy is supported by robust legislation. This act not only aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes the creation of green jobs and investments in the emerging circular economy.

However, one of the most remarkable aspects of South Africa’s waste management evolution is the active role the private sector plays. While government policies set the framework, it is private companies that help drive real change. Faced with regulatory requirements, businesses are beginning to take ownership of their waste, investing in recycling technologies, sust
ainable product designs, and waste-to-energy initiatives.

The idea that waste could be a resource, rather than a burden, has begun to reshape industries. For instance, South Africa’s plastic manufacturing sector was forced to adapt to new requirements mandating the inclusion of recycled content in products. This sparked a wave of innovation, as companies began developing new methods to incorporate recyclates into their production processes. Similarly, the construction industry began embracing the reuse of demolition waste, reducing its dependence on raw materials and lowering its environmental footprint.

While these changes are promising, the waste crisis is still far from being resolved. This is due to municipalities across South Africa being overwhelmed and lacking the necessary infrastructure to handle the growing volume of waste. Many cities and towns have inadequate waste collection services, let alone the advanced recycling and waste-to-energy facilities needed to close the loop in a circular economy.
Additionally, the waste management sector is in dire need of investment, and the ISWA Congress offered a unique platform for South Africa to engage with international experts and potential investors.

What made the congress particularly significant was its global scope. Waste management has long since ceased being a local problem; it is a global one, particularly in the fight against plastic pollution.

South Africa found itself in the unique position of contributing to international discussions on the issue, especially through its involvement in the development of a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. The country is increasing its recycling capacity for plastic waste, and it supports global efforts to eliminate plastic pollution by regulating product design and prioritizing recyclates.

As South Africa prepares for its G20 presidency in 2025, the outcomes of the ISWA Congress took on even greater importance. The country has an opportunity to set the agenda on sustainability for some of the world
‘s most powerful economies. The government-to-government (G2G) session held during the congress provided a critical forum for sharing best practices with other nations, many of which were facing similar challenges. These exchanges were crucial, as they not only helped shape South Africa’s preparations for the G20 but also fostered greater international cooperation in addressing global waste and sustainability issues.

One of the most pressing priorities for the South African government remained job creation. The waste management sector, particularly through the circular economy, offers a promising avenue for addressing the nation’s high unemployment rate. Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are already benefitting from government and private sector support to enter the waste management space.

Source: South African Government News Agency