WINDHOEK: The City of Windhoek has urged the public to discard various peanut butter products due to suspected aflatoxin contamination.

The City in a statement noted that consumers should avoid Dischem’s Lifestyle 400g and 800g Smooth and Crunchy peanut butter, Wazoogles Superfoods peanut butter (all sizes), Pick ‘n Pay’s No Name 1kg smooth peanut butter, and Eden All-Natural peanut butter, which have been identified as high-risk products.

Consumers are advised to dispose the identified products or return it to the store where it was purchased.

It further said proactive measures have been taken to remove these products from all shops in Windhoek.

Aflatoxin exposure can cause acute symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and convulsions. Chronic exposure can lead to serious complications.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has released Volume 1 of the Directive on Human Resources Management and Development for Public Service Professionalisation.

This is a fulfilment of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s long standing commitment to bolster the public service in response to the State Capture Report.

DPSA Director-General, Yoliswa Makhasi, said: ‘We are confident that this directive will play a crucial role in shaping a professional and efficient public service that meets the needs and expectations of South Africans.’

According to the DPSA, the issuance of the directive is a milestone marking ‘a step towards enhancing the efficacy, integrity, and accountability of the public service’.

‘The directive, amongst others, provides guidance to the public service in how to roll out the implementation of the Professionalisation Framework as part of major reforms to improve productivity and efficiencies, especially considering the financial limitations that if not addressed may affect
the accessibility of quality public services.

‘An emphasis is placed in the pursuit of strategic practices in human resources management and development, including in recruitment and selection, performance management, ethics, integrity, and leadership and innovation. The directive transforms the public service into a continuous learning and professional development environment,’ the department said.

The directive can be accessed at https://www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/documents/hrmd/2024/Circular_no_6_of_2024_21_02_2024.pdf.

The DPSA said the directive also seeks to address youth development and employment by:

Waiving the requirement for experience for entry level posts on salary level 1-6 where there is no supervisory responsibilities attached to the posts.

Clarifying that all posts advertised in the public service should include an email facility to make provision for the submission of applications via emails.

Enabling departments to confirm qualifications through verified academic records from higher educa
tion institutions where applicants have not been granted possession of their certificates due to student debt still owed.

‘This is in line with the President’s SONA commitment to remove barriers to entry into the job market faced by the youth.

‘Through the Minister for the Public Service and Administration [Thulas Nxesi] approved directive, departments will be able to fulfil the Constitutional imperative of addressing the injustices of the past, whilst promoting the realisation of socio-economic rights of South Africans,’ the department said.

The directive is expected to take effect on 1 April.

Source: South African Government News Agency