Category: General

The Management of the University of Calabar (UniCal) has debunked claims of any increase in school charges.

The clarification made in a statement by office of the institution’s Registrar, Mr Gabriel Egbe, on Saturday came on the heels of a report online that the university had increased its charges.

Egbe referred to the news as untrue and a calculated attempt to cause disarray in the school.

“The report on some news platforms about increment in charges by the institution is false, misleading and malicious.

“It is a deliberate ploy by detractors to cause chaos in the reputable institution.

“Members of the public, as conveyed by the statement are enjoined to disregard the report as it did not emanate from the university,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Women’s Month is not only a platform to commemorate the heroic contributions of women in South Africa’s liberation struggle but also serves as a mechanism to assess progress made to date.

“Our government focuses its attention on the rights of women and to assess how far we have come as a nation on the journey towards women empowerment and gender equality,” said Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nomasonto Motaung.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the Marketing, Advertising and Communications (MAC) Charter B-BBEE Council Women’s Day event held in Sandton on Friday.

She said that government continues to pursue programmes, policies and activities that seek to create a better Africa and a better world.

“Government believes that democracy has registered significant progress in restoring the dignity of women through various measures introduced by government, and this has contributed towards the empowerment of women, including availing more opportunities and access to services for women.”

Government is painfully aware that the struggle for women emancipation is far from over.

“Women still bear a disproportionate burden of the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Poverty and unemployment in South Africa continue to paint and portray a black female face,” she said.

“We are proud to be a country that is renowned as a multi-ethnic society. At the same time, we must all work together to end inequalities, poverty and social fragmentation.”

In 2022, working with the private sector, government appointed and launched the Marketing, Advertising and Communication Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter Council.

“We have 14 women in the council and many of whom, are chairpersons and deputies of committees.

“… there is an opportunity to learn from experienced members to impart knowledge and experiences, since the advertising sector is largely youthful.

“The assumption is that these young people, who are mainly women, derive invaluable experience from knowledge that will come from the sector.

“We are here to grow South Africa together and particularly, to grow our media, advertising and communication sector because this is a stream that shapes and is shaped by our national identity, cultures and ambitions.”

Economic growth

The Deputy Minister said South Africa through the MAC Charter Council must focus all its attention on economic growth and the key problems affecting the South African economy.

“One area of interest to us as government and to South Africans at large is that of advertising. It is an open secret that advertising is an integral part of everyday life and continues to be an important influence on people’s behaviour and attitudes, and on-demand creation in the consumer economy.”

Social cohesion

Meanwhile, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Acting Director-General, Nomonde Mnukwa, said social cohesion, nation building and promoting national identity are all high on the list of South Africa’s priorities.

“The pillars to eradicate poverty, unemployment and inequality are based on our quest to achieve a socially cohesive nation,” she told those attending the event.

She added that job creation, reducing unemployment and inequalities are key economic and social challenges facing South Africa.

“This is clearly articulated by the National Development Plan (NDP) vision of a more unified South Africa in which the life experiences of South Africans will progressively undermine and cut across the divisions of race, gender, disability, space and class.

Madoda Dhlamini, Municipal Development Director at JCDecaux, said challenges facing society cannot be addressed in silos.

“[The] empowerment of women must be accelerated, the time is now, tomorrow is too late,” he said.

The event was attended by representatives from various advertising and communications companies, including final year Journalism students from the Tshwane University of Technology.

The MAC Charter Council, is tasked with monitoring transformation of the sector by facilitating the implementation of the B-BBEE sector code.

In addition, the Council, which has representatives from government, women, youth and organised labour, measure transformation progress made by the MAC sector.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has spoken of the need to educate communities on the recently amended Employment Equity Act.

The Minister was addressing the Chatsworth community and communities from adjacent areas in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister spoke to communities on the recently updated Employment Equity Act (EEA), workplace equity, affirmative action, and related topics. He said that there is still a long way to go towards emancipation, and acknowledged that the pace of transformation of workplaces remains at snail’s pace.

Nxesi noted that the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Report released in June showed that employment equity (EE) in the workplaces is unfolding at a snail pace, with top management still occupied by Whites at 62.9%, followed by Africans at 16.9%.

This, according to CEE is despite the fact that Africans constitute 80% of the national economically active population (EAP), followed by Coloureds at 9.3%, Whites at 8%, and Indians at 2.7%.

He added that the representation of people with disability in the workplaces is an indictment on government.

The Minister also bemoaned the economic sectors that have abandoned their charter commitments to transform, noting that corruption has seemingly taken over and destroyed communities.

“We had to postpone the promulgation of [Employment Equity] EE Regulations to first hear the voices of people. Transformation is painful and not nice,” he said.

The EE Act is interpreted in compliance with the Constitution and in compliance with the international law obligations of the Republic, in particular those contained in the International Labour Organisation Convention, 1958 (No. 111) concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation.

The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO), Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, places an obligation on ILO member countries to elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation and the promotion of equality.

Nxesi emphasised that the Convention prohibits all discrimination exclusion on the basis, including race or colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national or social origin in employment, and requires states to enact legislation that is based on equal opportunities.

“On the other hand, the purpose of the Employment Equity Act is to achieve equity in the workplace by – promoting equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment through the elimination of unfair discrimination and implementing affirmative action measures to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by designated groups, in order to ensure their equitable representation in all occupational categories and levels in the workforce.

“In the advancement of elimination of unfair discrimination, the EE Act places the responsibility on the employer to take steps to promote equal opportunity in the workplace by eliminating unfair discrimination in any employment policy or practice,” Nxesi explained.

In the prohibition of unfair discrimination, the Act prescribes that no person may unfairly discriminate, directly or indirectly, against an employee, in any employment policy or practice, on one or more grounds.

These include race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language and birth.

The next EE workshop will be held in Cape Town in the Western Cape on 13 September 2023.

The EE workshops target employers or heads of organisations, academics, assigned senior managers, consultative forum members, human resource practitioners, trade unions, employees and other interested stakeholders.

EE reporting season opens

Meanwhile, the department has announced that 2023 EE reporting season opens on 1 September 2023 for both manual and online reporting.

“In terms of reporting timeframes, the manual reporting will close on 2 October 2023 and the online reporting closes on 15 January 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has reflected on the strides the Department has made during the 2022/23 financial year.

Tabling of the 2022/23 annual report, the MEC said the Department has been bestowed with the most improved Department in the Province on Audit Outcomes for the year under review.

“Our fleet management entity g-Fleet was also recognised for improvements in audit outcomes, while our Gautrain Management Agency maintained its clean audit outcome. All this is the testament to our clear strategy and efforts by our officials to transform this department into a capable arm of the state that is fit to deliver services to the people of our province efficiently and without wastage,” Diale-Tlabela said on Thursday.

In the Department’s pursuit of economic revival, it embarked on significant infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of key roads such as P39/1 and P156/3.

These endeavours have not only contributed to economic resurgence but have also ignited the flames of job creation and community empowerment.

“We recognised the pressing need to address unemployment head-on, a consequence of the pandemic’s impact. To this end, we harnessed the power of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), launching initiatives like the COVID-19 Transport Cadet Programme and the Departmental Internship Programme. Through these efforts, we have not only provided employment opportunities but have also nurtured skill development, particularly among our youth, women, and persons with disabilities,” the MEC said.

She affirmed that safety has remained paramount in the Department’s endeavours.

“The establishment of impound facilities, the introduction of the Public Transport Arbitration Office, and the implementation of a new Vehicle Number Plate System showcase our resolute commitment to combating crime and ensuring the well-being of all who utilize our transportation systems.

“I am immensely proud to highlight that despite challenges such as cash flow issues, community stoppages, and disruptions from external factors like load shedding, our Department has demonstrated strategic acumen, fostering engagements with stakeholders and forming partnerships within our communities. These interventions have enabled us to navigate these challenges effectively and emerge stronger,” the MEC said.

She said through efficient revenue collection, tariff reviews, and collaborative efforts with stakeholders, the department has achieved financial resilience and this has allowed the Department to maintain a robust revenue contribution to the provincial government.

“This, in turn, strengthens our capacity to continue uplifting our beloved province. The Department of Roads and Transport in Gauteng stands as a beacon of resilience, adaptability, and dedication. Our initiatives have aligned seamlessly with the province’s priorities, resulting in tangible contributions to economic growth, job creation, and public safety.

“Our achievements in infrastructure development, smart mobility solutions, and revenue generation reflect our unyielding commitment to the well-being and prosperity of our citizens,” the MEC said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Families who lost loved ones in the Johannesburg Usindiso Building fire can go and identify their family members at the Diepkloof mortuary from today.

At least 74 people died in the tragic incident when a fire broke out in the building they were living in on Thursday.

“A family member or relative who wishes to identify their loved one should have their original Identity Document (ID), ID of the deceased or birth certificate if the deceased is a child.

“If the deceased is a foreign national, a passport, asylum seeker certificate or a letter from [the] country of origin confirming who the deceased is and to whom the remains should be handed over to is needed. The Diepkloof Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) is located at 2 Collinder Road Berthsam, Diepkloof, Soweto.

“Identification of the deceased bodies at the Diepkloof FPS will take place on Friday. The facility will also open on Saturday and Sunday from 9am and 3pm. Counselling services will be offered to the bereaved families,” the Gauteng Provincial Health Department said in a statement.

Those who died include at least ten people whose gender could not be identified because of the extent of their burns.

In this regard, the department will use other means in an attempt to identify them.

“The Gauteng FPS will use the Digital Fingerprint System to identify unknown bodies who have visible fingerprints. The system uses biometric scanners and third-party access to the databases of Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service and National Credit Bureau to identify deceased bodies.

“Bodies that been burnt beyond recognition and without fingerprints will be identified through DNA process,” the department said.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said: “As soon as we learned of the incident, we immediately activated our emergency protocols to ensure that we respond as speedily as possible to those that needed medical attention. The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services has been on the ground contributing to emergency and rescue efforts as part of the provincial disaster management response.

“We have further deployed counselling and other psycho-social support services to compliment interventions from the City of Joburg and provincial department of Social Development”.

Those family members who are looking to trace loved ones can call the toll-free hotline number on 0800 203 886 or direct line during office hours on 0113553048/0112415707.

“Those enquiring would need to provide their personal details including the name and last name of the family member they are tracing,” the department said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Hage Geingob has extended a message of condolences to the wife, children and the entire family of former ambassador to Nordic countries, Hadino Hishongwa, who died on Friday at the age of 80.

Geingob, in a statement availed by the Presidency, here described the late Hishongwa as a leader who walked the difficult path of a freedom fighter and worked hard for the betterment of the Namibian people after independence.

“Through his exemplary deeds throughout his life, Ambassador Hishongwa personified selfless sacrifice towards the cause of Namibia’s independence. His life was filled with hard work in the pursuit of freedom, including on the diplomatic front where he fought tirelessly for Namibians to emerge victorious in their pursuit of their inalienable right to self-determination and self-rule”, he said.

Geingob further said Hishongwa made stellar contributions to the architecture of the liberation movement, SWAPO, the SWAPO Party Youth League, the work of the Constituent Assembly in 1989 and subsequently that of an independent Namibia, through the various roles he has served in the executive and diplomatic missions.

During this difficult time of bereavement, Namibia mourns a true son of the soil, a hero of the Namibian liberation struggle and one whose commitment to the development of the Namibian people shall not be forgotten by current and future generations, President Geingob added.

“On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, I convey my heartfelt condolences to his wife Esther Litauleni Hishongwa, children and grandchildren.

Ambassador Hishongwa served as the Swapo Chief Representative to Nordic countries, West and East Africa, Swapo Organizer for Returning Exiles, for Youth and Elections and Foreign Secretary of the National Union of Namibian Workers.

He also served in the executive as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, Deputy Minister of Labour and Human Resources Development and has been a member of the National Assembly for 15 years. Following his retirement from public office, Ambassador Hishongwa went on to serve the community as Senior Headman of Omhedi District in the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority until his death.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency