Author: svadmin

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has welcomed back home the remaining group of South Africans who were evacuated from conflict-stricken Sudan.

Speaking at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, the Minister expressed delight at the return of the citizens.

“We thought that it is important that the people of South Africa see that all the nationals of South Africa that had indicated that they wish to return home are back home. We just want South Africa to be assured because all of us have been waiting for you to come back. We’re absolutely happy that able to return home safely,” said the Minister.

This as South African citizens were stranded in Sudan after the unrest began two weeks ago. The South African government worked closely with neighbouring countries as well as South African NGO, Gift of the Givers to ensure the safe return of citizens.

A total 53 individuals arrived on a flight back to South Africa earlier today.

Yesterday, 10 South Africans returned home.

She said a lot of organisation went into bringing home the country’s citizens.

“We had a joint committee that worked on evacuations,” she said of the committee made up of various government departments

A total 51 South Africans returned home from Sudan on Sunday. In addition to the 51 citizens, a Lesotho national and a Zimbabwean national were on board the flight bringing the number of those evacuated from Sudan to 53.

“We are really happy that you’re back home,” said the Minister who was flanked by fellow Cabinet Ministers. The Minister was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister, Dr, Aaron Motsoaledi and Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise.

However, the Minister said that she is concerned about the people of Sudan amid the ongoing conflict.

“We as government hope that we can play some role in bringing peace back to Sudan, because I don’t think we should dessert the people of Sudan. It is in South Africa’s policy that we must try wherever we can on our continent to silence the guns.

“We are unhappy when we see people suffering and so we will try to make every effort to really engage with the current conflict party in Sudan to persuade them to lay down arms to persuade them to work for peace,” she said. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has unveiled the newly built SJ Skenjana Secondary School in Idutywa, Eastern Cape.

The construction of the 23-classroom school with capacity to accommodate 1612 leaners, was funded by Sibanye Stillwaters as part of its Social and Labour Plan (SLP) and created 85 jobs for local communities.

The company’s SLP seeks to meaningfully contribute to the socio-economic development of communities around its operations.

In terms of the provisions of the Minerals and Petroleum Development Act (MPRDA) of 2002, mining rights holders are required to contribute towards the socio-economic development of communities in which they operate and labour-sending areas.

Speaking at the school unveiling ceremony on Friday, Minister Mantashe urged mining companies to pull their resources together to build impactful projects to achieve social cohesion.

“Working together, we will accelerate the construction of more facilities such as schools, hospitals, and paved roads, for the benefit of all South Africans,” he said.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said that although Sibanye Stillwater has no mining operation in the Eastern Cape, the province is a major labour-sending area and majority of the company’s workers are sourced from the province.

“We are starting a new era of hope wherein the people of this area can meaningfully benefit from the natural resources that our country is endowed with. Even though this is not a mining area, the benefits accrue to you because of the blood, sweat and skills of those mineworkers at the Beatrix, Driefontein and Kloof operations who come from this area,” Mantashe said.

SJ Skenjane Secondary School is one of the best performing schools in the Amathole District, despite its shortcomings such as a lack of amenities and dilapidated classrooms that were once part of a church hostel.

With new and better infrastructure comprising of an administration block, a hall, media library, computer lab, and a science laboratory built in line with the Norms and Standards of the Department of Basic Education, the department said that the school is expected to perform better than the previous academic years.

The school which is worth R65 million, was received by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr. Reginah Mhaule on behalf of the basic education sector.

Minister Mantashe and Deputy Minister Mhaule both expressed confidence that the school will continue to perform exceptionally given the quality of the infrastructure aimed at advancing learning and teaching. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Government has warned the public against fake compensation fund agents inviting former mine workers to be assisted with compensation fund applications.

In a statement on Saturday, Government noted with concern a misleading digital poster circulating on social media platforms bearing the face of Prophet Moporo, inviting all former mine workers and their families to be assisted with compensation fund applications, and also inform those who have applied of their application status.

“The government distances itself from this event planned scheduled for 01 May 2023 at Maluti TVET College. We consider this as a scam by conmen who want to take advantage of, and enrich themselves out the plight of former mineworkers (and their dependants) who might have contracted TB, Silicosis and other occupational lung diseases while working in the mines between March 1965 and December 2019, and those who were not paid their pension or provident funds,” said the Departments of Health, Employment and Labour as well as Mineral Resources and Energy in a joint statement.

National government has delegated the responsibility of coordinating the countrywide ex-Mineworkers Compensation Programme to the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo; the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Boitumelo Moloi; and the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.

This is in partnership with various stakeholders including the Southern African Miners Association (SAMA), Minerals Council South Africa, Tshiamiso Trust and the mining companies.

The programme is part of government’s efforts to track, trace and pay the former mine workers or their dependants who qualify for compensation funds, class action settlement funds and pension / provident funds.

The Deputy Ministers have been leading this programme to several communities around the country, starting with KwaZulu-Natal, followed by the Eastern Cape.

Government said that the public will be informed well on time of the dates, times and venues for the next provincial visits, together with required documents to bring along.

In Saturday’s statement, government emphasised that no individual or organisation has been outsourced to carry out this mandate on behalf of the government.

“Thus, people are warned to ignore anyone claiming to be representing the government, or never pay any fee to be assisted to lodge a claim, because the lodgement process is free of charge.”

For information about the Ex-miners Compensation Fund Programme, members of the public can call the Call Centre on 080 1000 240/ 010 500 6186/ Send a Please Call Me to 072 557 8077. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), has mobilised all its resources including key stakeholders to ensure that measures are in place to prevent and combat any forms of lawlessness in the wake of protest action by truck drivers.

This as it has been reported that truck drivers were on embarking on strike action on Sunday.

“The NATJOINTS and respective Provjoints have been meeting daily to monitor the situation and associated risks.

“With this said, multi-disciplinary joint law enforcement operations are underway and law enforcement officers have been deployed and are on high alert to heighten police visibility to prevent and combat any form of criminality.

“Private security companies through the SAPS [South African Police Service] E2 project (eyes and ears) have also pledged their support in working together to combat criminality,” it said in a statement.

NATJOINTS has assured the nation that no lawlessness in the form of barricading of roads, torching of trucks and looting of goods from those operating will be tolerated.

It further called on those partaking in the protest to do so peacefully and respect those who do not wish to partake in the strike.

“To this end, those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law are warned that law enforcement officers will not hesitate to respond accordingly within the ambit of the law.

“The NATJOINTS also assures members of the public that the enforcement of the law will be applied within relevant prescripts to ensure people’s freedom of movement is not prohibited and that stability prevails throughout the country,” it said.–SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency