The Sub-Committee of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and the Select Committee on Health and Social Services on the Filling of Vacancies for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will today start the week-long process of interviewing shortlisted candidates to fill vacancies on the NYDA Board.
The NYDA Board has seven vacancies, after the term of previous board members expired in May 2020.
The filling of board members’ positions is done in accordance with the NYDA Act 54 of 2008.
The sub-committee shortlisted 40 candidates that will be interviewed.
Details for the Interviews:
Date: Tuesday, 22 June 2021
Time: 8h30 – 20h30
Venue: Committee Room E249, Second Floor, National Assembly Building
Parliamentary committees are open to the media and the public. Journalists wishing to cover these meetings (including receiving links to virtual meetings) should send their cellphone numbers to Mlindi Mpindi at [email protected](link sends e-mail) for inclusion in the Parliamentary Communications Services WhatsApp Group, where such information is shared. Journalists must send these requests using their official email addresses (no private emails).
Members of the public may follow sittings live on Parliament TV (DStv Channel 408), via live stream on Parliament YouTube channel and Twitter page on the links below. You may subscribe to the Parliament YouTube channel to receive instant notification of live feeds.
NORTHERN CAPE – A 57-year-old Avril Christopher Wentzel, a former Colonel of the South African Police Service (SAPS) pleaded guilty at Kimberley Regional Court today on nineteen counts of fraud.
Wentzel who worked at the Provincial Detective in Kimberly for the SAPS in Northern Cape submitted several fraudulent travel claims in 2014. He misused his state benefit of the Middle Management Service (MMS) scheme when he received an undue payment of approximately R47 000.00.
His abuse of the subsistence and Travel allowance was uncovered in 2015 which prompted an in-depth probe by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team into the fraudulent claims.
On completion of the investigation, Wentzel was served with summons in October 2019 to appear at Kimberley Regional Court.
He pleaded guilty on nineteen counts of fraud which culminated to his conviction. He was subsequently sentenced to a fine of R30 000 or 12 months imprisonment. Furthermore, an additional five years imprisonment, suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of fraud during the period of suspension was imposed on him.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya welcomed the conviction and sentence. “I would like to commend the investigation team that conducted this investigation without fear, favour or prejudice. It is unfortunate that a senior official who is a commissioned officer that has been bestowed on him by the State President, has succumbed to the temptation of looting the public purse. May the honest serving members appreciate that crime does not pay and that those who betray their oath of office by committing crime will never go unpunished”, said Lieutenant General Lebeya.
A Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe has found that the North West Department of Education incurred more than R6.5 million in over expenditure when procuring thousands of cloth face masks.
In a statement, the SIU said ordinarily all competitive bids above R500 000 awarded by government entities must be awarded by a bid adjudication committee (BAC) in terms of National Treasury regulations.
The BAC considers the recommendations of the Bid Evaluation Committee and, depending on the delegated powers, make a final award or a recommendation to the accounting officer to make a final award.
During its investigation, the SIU found that the department established an informal committee to manage the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) outside the committee as provided for in terms of Treasury regulations.
“That committee may have committed financial misconduct as it failed to ensure that the supply chain management governing public procurement process was fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective,” said the SIU on Tuesday.
The investigation further shows that two requests for quotations (RFQ) were issued by the committee on behalf of the department for the supply and delivery of 50 000 masks per RFQ. In the first RFQ, three service providers were appointed to the value of R3.7 million.
“With the second RFQ, five service providers were appointed to the value of R5 512 million. However, the department used the two RFQs to procure 400 000 masks, 300 000 more than what was initially requested.
“The irregularity has resulted in the department having to pay more than R9.2 million for masks instead of R2.5 million. The regulated price for the face cloth mask by the National Treasury is R25.”
The SIU investigation has also revealed that one service provider was appointed despite submitting a quotation after the cut off time.
Furthermore, the committee requested that one of the service providers reduce their quotation so that it be below the threshold set by National Treasury.
“This is the second irregularity relating to PPE procurement that the SIU has uncovered in the North West Department of Education.”
The SIU has commenced with the civil litigation process to declare the contract invalid and unlawful, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the North West provincial government.
In line with SIU Act of 1996, the SIU has made a disciplinary referral against members of the informal procurement committee for flouting supply chain management processes and for exposing the department to over expenditure of more than R6.5 million in the appointment of service providers.
Rotterdam, The Netherlands, June 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
Summary:
Centrient Pharmaceuticals has started production at its newly built statins API manufacturing unit in Toansa, India.
With this expansion the company is doubling its production capacity of Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin, meeting the increased demand for its high-quality uniquely produced statins.
Centrient Pharmaceuticals’ statins are one of the most sustainably produced in the industry by eliminating harmful solvents, generating less waste, and a reduced carbon footprint of 32% as compared to traditional manufacturers.
Using backward integrated manufacturing methods, and dedicated production facilities, Centrient Pharmaceuticals is able to offer its customers security of supply.
Centrient Pharmaceuticals (“Centrient”), the global leader in sustainable antibiotics, next-generation statins and anti-fungals, announced today to have started production at its new statins manufacturing unit. With the building of its second dedicated unit on the Toansa site in India now completed, the company will double its statins production capacity. This will enable Centrient to meet growing demand for its sustainably manufactured Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
Statins are currently the most prescribed drug class globally for the treatment of high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases and are among the top-selling drugs worldwide. The markets for Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin in particular, has shown steady growth in the past years, as a result of the continued global prevalence of high cholesterol issues, replacement of older generation statins, and genericization of the market.
Starting almost a decade ago, Centrient has grown today into one of the leading statin API suppliers worldwide, servicing large pharma companies around the globe.
Next to high-quality features like long shelf life and large batch sizes, the company offers security of supply to customers through its dedicated statins production facility and backward integration. Being backward integrated, Centrient is independent from external imports of starting materials. Its enzymatic route of synthesis and patented technology minimise the use of harmful solvents, generate less waste, and reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 32% as compared to traditional manufacturers.
The news of the facility expansion follows major milestones on statins that the company reached in the past years. In 2012, under the name of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals, it was the first pharmaceutical manufacturer worldwide to offer generic Atorvastatin APIs under a Certificate of Suitability to the Monograph of the European Pharmacopoeia (CEP). Since 2014, it has produced the unique Atorvastatin APIs in its state-of-the-art facility in Toansa, India for third-party customers.
In addition, the company was one of the first three companies worldwide that started to offer generic Rosuvastatin APIs under CEP in 2016. Two years later, the first generic Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin finished dosage forms were launched in Western Europe.
“With the doubling of our production capacity, we demonstrate our commitment to maintain our leadership position in line with our strategy and to continue supporting our customers’ business growth. Guided by our brand promise of Quality, Reliability, and Sustainability, Centrient’s Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin offer superior performance in all three areas to the benefit of our customers and the environment.”, says Frans Vlaar, Chief Commercial Officer at Centrient.
Ground breaking of the new manufacturing unit started at the end of 2019 and commercial supplies from the new unit will start in mid-2021. With the new manufacturing line being operational and doubling the production capacity, Centrient will be even better positioned to secure supply, meeting the growing demand from customers and helping to improve the lives of patients who are in need of these medicine.
“We are extremely proud that we have been able to complete this project in a timely way given the challenges of executing such a complex project in the midst of the COVID pandemic,” says Jim McPherson, Chief Quality & Technical Operations Officer. “It reinforces our absolute commitment to meet the expectations of our customers as a partner of choice – delivering reliable and secure supply using leading sustainable technologies. The facility incorporates design features that allow further improvements in GMP and energy utilization, and enable greater automation for improved process control.”
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About Centrient Pharmaceuticals
Centrient Pharmaceuticals is the leading manufacturer of beta-lactam antibiotics, and a provider of next generation statins and antifungals. We produce and sell intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms.
We stand proudly at the centre of modern healthcare, as a maker of essential and life-saving medicines. With our commitment to Quality, Reliability and Sustainability at the heart of everything we do, our over 2200 employees work continuously to meet our customers’ needs. We work towards a sustainable future by actively participating in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Founded 150 years ago as the ‘Nederlandsche Gist- en Spiritusfabriek’, our company was known as Gist Brocades and more recently DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Rotterdam (Netherlands), we have production facilities and sales offices in China, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Egypt, the United States and Mexico. Centrient Pharmaceuticals is wholly owned by Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm.
For more information please visit www.centrient.com or contact Centrient Pharmaceuticals Corporate Communications, Alice Beijersbergen, Director Branding & Communications. E-Mail: alice.beijersbergen@centrient.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to Centrient Pharmaceuticals’ future financial performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of Centrient and information currently available to the company. Centrient cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. Centrient has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is governing.
SHANGHAI, June 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (the “Company” or “JinkoSolar”) (NYSE: JKS), one the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers, today announced to deliver 1.2MWh of energy storage system to West Africa. JinkoSolar’s experience in solar, storage, complex multi-application systems resulted in offering a new solution in African market: integrating batteries, Power Conditioning System (PCS), DC modular, switch cabinets, with EMS software. This all-in-one, fully integrated modular and compact solution minimizes complexity of deployment activities, and delivers the lowest lifecycle costs.
JinkoSolar’s DC coupled battery storage system can meet project requirements of varying scale and is suitable for various environmental conditions, making it an ideal solution for grid ancillary services and C&I applications while ensuring reliability and safety. The potential advantage of this DC coupled solution Includes improved system efficiency, lower balance of plant costs, and clipped solar recapture. With storage attached to the solar system, the batteries can be charged with excess solar generation when the PV reaches its peak and would otherwise begin clipping. The stored energy can be introduced into the grid at the appropriate time, maximizing the value of the system’s generation. The flexibility and broad capabilities of the EMS software enable effective and efficient control and management over the entire system, compatible with solar, wind, grid, and diesel engines.
“For us, this is a milestone project of delivering ESS system to Africa. It is one of our initial storage projects globally on this scale using DC-coupling. Africa is a very promising market for energy storage due to relatively poor state grid infrastructure and high electricity price, there is a strong potential to replace peaker gas or cola fired plants in Africa with cleaner alternatives like solar made dispatchable using batteries,” said Gener Miao, CMO of Jinkosolar.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has recommitted the department to resolving the water issues in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.
Mahlobo and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Deputy Minister responsible for Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela, led a delegation of Free State provincial leadership on a follow-up oversight visit to the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State.
The visit follows last month’s visit by Deputy President David Mabuza, which was characterised by high-level engagements with role players across the three spheres of government and representatives of Maluti-a-Phofung community structures.
Mahlobo said despite ongoing challenges with water provision in the municipality, there are a number of water infrastructure projects that are being implemented by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“The main idea is to improve the supply of water to Maluti-a-Phofung. We have invested so much with these projects and we need to tell a story to people on what has been done and what is on-going, to improve their lives,” Mahlobo said.
Currently, three water supply schemes supply the community of Maluti-aPhofung, these include Metsi Matsho Scheme which supplies 2 950 Megalitres per year, Fika Patso Dam which supplies 23 500 Megalitres per year, and Wilge River Scheme which supplies 3 504 Megalitres per year.
“Potable water is being distributed to consumers from 69 reservoirs at these different schemes all across the local municipality. The Department of Water and Sanitation has also implemented Maluti-a-Phofung Water Supply Project which commenced in 2008, and was divided into four different phases,” the Deputy Minister said.
Among the critical projects include an upgrading of Sterkfontein Dam Water Treatment Works from 10 to 20 Megalitres per day, which is estimated to be completed in April 2022.
Another project, the drilling of QwaQwa boreholes (stages 1 and 2), which was completed in October 2020.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the Sterkfontein Dam Water Treatment Works as the most critical component in resolving the bulk water supply challenges of Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.
Fika Patso Dam vulnerable to drought
As things stand, Mahlobo said Fika Patso supplies close to 80% of the water to Maluti-a-Phofung, yet it is the most vulnerable to drought as was evident from the previous drought that started in 2014.
“If that system fails, the whole of QwaQwa is negatively impacted,” Mahlobo warned.
He noted that mainly, there is a challenge of water infrastructure from the four water supply schemes which do not interlink.
“Once the four schemes are interconnected, there will be augmentation of water from one scheme to another. About 100 to 228 households of Maluti-a-Phofung residents will benefit from interconnecting the schemes,” Mahlobo said.
The project is estimated to be completed in December 2024.
Engineers called to contribute to country’s development agenda
Meanwhile, delivering a recent virtual keynote address during a breakfast seminar hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu called on engineers to contribute to the development agenda of the country.
Themed “The role of local engineers in the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan Execution”, Sisulu said today’s global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic require engineering minds that would offer ground-breaking solutions, aimed at accelerating economic recovery.
“The country needs engineers that will take a lead in realising our vision of new human settlements that provide housing and comfort to our people, engineers that will help change the spatial orientation of apartheid cities and towns,” Sisulu said.
She implored NSBE members to shy away from corruption, not sign off poorly constructed infrastructure projects, and not bow to pressure to compromise technically sound decisions.
NSBE President Mdu Mlaba said the society have noted with interest the drive by Human Settlements to procure some of the properties from the State Owned Entities, including Eskom and Transnet.
“Our engineers and project managers are ready to partner with the government to convert these buildings into decent and affordable for people living in the cities,” Mlaba said.
