South Africa Vision

The eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee has given the green light to reprioritise over R2 million to fund the refurbishment of chicken houses at the Cato Ridge AgriPark, near Hammarsdale.

The KwaZulu-Natal municipality bought the Cato Ridge Chicken Farm, as part of government’s efforts to fight the scourge of job losses and unemployment.

This forms part of the City’s Agribusiness Masterplan implementation, adopted by the Council in 2020.

The 10-year strategic plan seeks to unlock new investment in the agribusiness value-chain of no less than R1 billion.

In her presentation to the committee, Agri-Business Senior Manager for Business Development and Production, Nkululeko Hlongwane said an assessment indicated the need to improve the production capacity and efficiency of the existing chicken production houses.

She said this will ensure that each production unit can accommodate 25 000 broiler flock per cycle.

‘This improvement will facilitate the Cato Ridge AgriPark Incubat
or Farm to realise its commercial potential by yielding a minimum of 250 000 broiler chickens per cycle being produced in the farm. This translates to an estimated income of R102 million per annum that could be generated by the farm,’ Hlongwane said.

The Cato Ridge AgriPark Incubator broiler chicken production has unlocked commercial economic opportunities for local Agricultural Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (agriSMMEs) to participate in the commercial production of broiler chicken and the meat value chain.

There are seven businesses occupying Cato Ridge chicken houses which have created about 17 long-term jobs.

Economic Development and Planning Committee Chairperson, Thembo Ntuli, noted that the committee’s key objective is to facilitate inclusive economic development and job creation.

Refurbishment of Chatsworth ablution facilities

Meanwhile, the ablution refurbishment project has created 23 job opportunities for the community residing in the Bottlebrush Informal Settlement, Chatsworth.

As part
of expediting service delivery in the city, the municipality’s Area Based Management Unit, working with the Water and Sanitation Unit, have recently refurbished the ablutions which were experiencing blockages, resulting in overflowing in informal settlements.

The project included the rehabilitation of 500 collapsed and dilapidated toilets.

Proportional Representative Councillor, Buyisiwe Gumede commended the eThekwini Municipality officials for the project which she said will have a positive impact on residents’ lives.

‘We are pleased that the project has started. There are other pressing needs in the community, including the shortage of housing and water and electricity supply,’ Gumede said.

Ward 71 resident, Sphamandla Msomi, also commended the city for addressing the issue of ablution facilities in the area.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) says it welcomes the judgment against its former CEO, Joyce Mogale, and her co-applicant, the estate of the late former Chief Financial Officer, Sikhumbuzo Zulu, who died before the court proceedings started.

This is after the Labour Court dismissed an unfair dismissal claim against the former officials and ordered Mogale to pay R22 million to the NHLS for losses it incurred because of her conduct.

‘The judgment is a victory for governance and recoups losses which the NHLS has suffered as a result of the conduct of its most senior employees,’ the NHLS said in a statement.

According to the entity, Judge Connie Prinsloo of the Labour Court found the pair’s dismissal to be fair.

‘She used these words to describe their conduct, ‘displayed severe negligence and incompetence … dismally failed to carry out explicit Board resolutions and … blatantly disregarded the limitations contained in the delegation of authority’.’

In her ruling delivered on Friday, 13 Septembe
r 2024, the Judge stated that the pair had breached the lawful, reasonable, and fair instructions of their employer.

She also mentioned that they failed to exercise due diligence and care, and referred to Mogale’s conduct as ‘astonishing’.

‘Judge Prinsloo further stated that Mogale was unable to acknowledge her role in creating her misery – she was constantly shifting the blame, even onto the media.’

According to the NHLS, the Board became aware of irregularities in 2017, and Mogale and Zulu were subsequently suspended and dismissed in 2019 after a disciplinary hearing.

The dismissal of Mogale and Zulu, affirmed by Judge Prinsloo, were based on three separate irregular commercial contracts at the NHLS.

These include the Afrirent vehicle leasing irregularity, in which the former CEO approved a contract for R72 million without a Board and way above the limit of her authority.

She increased the contract even further to R79 million without any due process.

‘She signed a Service Level Agreement with an unwa
rranted penalty clause which ballooned the cost even further. The Afrirent irregularities led to a judgement that Mogale must pay back R22 million to the NHLS,’ the entity explained.

In the Blue Future contract information technology (IT) equipment irregularity, the NHLS Board authorised a procurement of R25 million.

However, Mogale, without a competitive tender, summarily procured R83 million and mostly for goods that had nothing to do with the tender.

In the DV8 wide area network irregularity, the NHLS stated that a R63.5 million addendum was signed to the contract without going through the tendering process and without specifying the goods to be purchased, leaving room for potential malfeasance.

‘In sum, Judge Prinsloo found that Mogale’s conduct violated the Public Finance Management Act, the NHLS Supply Chain Management Policy and her contract of employment,’ the entity explained.

The Chairperson of the Board, Prof Eric Buch, said that at the time of their suspension, the NHLS debt to its suppliers
exceeded R800 million, which surpassed its cash balance.

Since then, Buch said, a diligent effort has steadily turned the NHLS around.

The organisation stated that it now has significant reserves, and its staff have received reasonable annual increases, while annual tariff increases have remained below 5%.

‘This judgement is salient as it provides further evidence of the probity and diligence of the Board and its efforts to hold those responsible to account, however long it takes,’ Buch added.

Meanwhile, Mogale, former Head of Supply Chain Management Graham Motsepe, Manager of Contracts and Tender Compliance Mthunzi Mthimkulu, Legal Manager Sibusiso Mthenjane and the owner of Blue Future Kapai Pierre Petersen are all on trial in the specialised commercial crimes court in Palm Ridge.

Petersen has already been found guilty of fraud in his tender submission to the NHLS and is awaiting sentencing.

Buch said he was still optimistic that those responsible will also be charged on the Afrirent and DV8 matters.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A new PET (polyethylene terephthalate) processing facility, which can accommodate more plastic waste and is the first-of-its-kind technology for Africa, will come on stream in 2025.

This was announced on the sidelines of the International Solid Waste Association’s (ISWA) annual conference where South Africa’s efforts to build a circular economy for post-consumer packaging was thrust into the spotlight.

The ISWA’s annual conference saw the country’s most experienced producer responsibility organisation, Petco, and recycling partner, Extrupet, giving a site tour of the new PET processing facility.

The facility, which houses the new R300 million project, will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling capability to the Western Cape for the first time.

The facility will add an extra 15 000 tonnes per annum of food-grade recycled PET (rPET recycled polyethylene terephthalate) output capacity.

Extrupet Joint Managing Director Chandru Wadhwani said 64% of South Africa’s PET plastic bottles were currently collected f
or recycling.

‘With this increased capacity, we will be able to accommodate more plastic waste and strengthen South Africa’s position as a circular economy leader in Africa and the world,’ Wadhwani said on Monday in Cape Town.

Stimulating demand

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said the facility adds value to the country’s efforts to increase the collection and recycling rates for packaging materials, including PET.

‘We view the facility as an opportunity to stimulate a demand for more PET materials and a supply of these by waste pickers and waste small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), thus creating stable markets for PET.

‘The facility needs to be fed and the collection system needs to be improved in order to meet the demand of this facility.

‘Waste pickers are an important contributor to the supply of the input material of plastic waste and we look forward to seeing the implementation of the waste picker service fee in order to continue to enable these w
aste pickers to do their work effectively and efficiently,” Swarts said.

Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz said the additional capacity would assist in closing the loop for PET, which is the most widely recycled plastic polymer that can be turned into another food- grade product.

‘So, this increase in capacity takes us another tangible step towards that circular economy, in which a bottle becomes a bottle over and over again and keeps that material in circulation at its highest possible value,’ Scholtz said.

This year’s ISWA conference is taking place under the theme: ‘Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future’.

As the host country, South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development with a focus on building a circular economy and the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations that require producers to take responsibility for their packaging waste throughout its life cycle.

Partnership

Scholtz said, as a Producer Responsibility Organisation, Petco worked with
government to contribute to policy development and the implementation of EPR legislation and helped its members to meet their legislated targets for collection, recycling and the inclusion of recycled content in their packaging, which increased year on year.

She said the key to success lay in building a sustainable value chain that could survive the economic peaks and troughs, by balancing collection with recycling capacity and stimulating.

‘It doesn’t just happen overnight; it has been a journey. Petco and Extrupet have been working together for more than 20 years to build a solid foundation.

‘Petco’s commitment of ongoing support to our 10 contracted recycling partners, like Extrupet, gives them the confidence to invest in the new equipment and infrastructure that is needed to recycle increasing tonnages of recyclable packaging.

‘The support also enables recyclers to increase the gate price at which they purchase recyclable packaging, which stimulates collection on the ground by increasing the street va
lue of this packaging and growing the local market for it, thereby making it easier for waste pickers to sell their collected packaging and earn an income from it,’ Scholtz said.

She said a strong relationship with government, especially the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, was equally important for the country to benefit as a whole.

‘Having implementable regulations, strong compliance, and effective enforcement is vital. We partner with all tiers of government to support sustainable waste management and diversion initiatives, and work towards meeting sustainable development and circular economy goals.’

Climate Change Bill

She said that the opening of the new plant also aligned with government’s climate change goals, as outlined in the newly signed Climate Change Bill.

The bill sets out to enhance South Africa’s ability to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting new job opportunities in the emerging green econom
y.

Wadhwani said Extrupet had established its first bottle-to-food-grade line in Johannesburg in 2009, with the second following in 2014.

‘The third arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And the fact that this is now the fourth line in what’s, in essence, a 15-year horizon is just so gratifying for us,’ Wadhwani said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The rapid increase in diabetes, particularly affecting women, is a cause for concern, says Deputy Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla.

‘When looking at gender-specific causes of death, diabetes mellitus is the leading underlying cause of female deaths at 8.2% which increased from 7.7% in 2018. The rate at which diabetes is growing in our country is concerning,’ he said on Monday.

Phaahla was speaking during a roundtable discussion on the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI), a collaboration between national research funding agencies in Canada, China, India, South Africa and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He took the time to outline government’s plans to address the burden of the emerging non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pandemic, otherwise known as lifestyle diseases.

Diabetes was the second leading underlying cause of death in 2020, accounting for 6.6% of all deaths. COVID-19, first detected that year, became the leading cause of death.

‘Non-communicable diseases not only reduce life expectan
cy but also have a profound economic impact, straining both individuals and our healthcare system.

‘We must recognise the gravity of this burden which is deeply interconnected with factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, smoking and social and commercial determinants of health,’ he told delegates.

The Deputy Minister told the attendees that the department’s primary focus is prevention and it has implemented campaigns aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles.

In addition, he said early detection of NCDs is key to effective management.

The department has rolled out community-based screening campaigns through community health workers (CHWs) and traditional health practitioners (THPs) targeting the early detection of hypertension and diabetes.

‘Our focus is not limited to the detection of diseases but also includes education on risk factors and lifestyle modifications that can prevent the progression of these conditions.’

According to the Deputy Minister, the department recently
entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with parkrun South Africa to encourage communities to walk, jog or run on weekends.

However, at the heart of the NCDs response is strengthening the country’s primary healthcare (PHC) services.

‘PHC facilities across the country are being equipped to manage and monitor patients with chronic conditions effectively. The department is working to ensure that treatment for NCDs is both accessible and affordable.’

He mentioned regulatory interventions such as the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, implemented to reduce premature death from NCDs.

There are also regulations relating to trans-fats in foodstuffs which prohibit the sale, manufacture and importation of oils and fats, including continuous phase emulsions, either alone or as part of processed foods.

There are regulations concerning food for infants and young children, as well as the reduction of sodium in certain food items to help lower salt intake to less than 5g per day.

‘Excessive salt intake is asso
ciated with hypertension which is the second leading cause of death in South Africa and hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.’

Phaahla believes the battle against lifestyle diseases is far from over. However, with the right interventions and a collective effort from all sectors of society, he is of the view that it can reduce the burden in the country.

‘The findings of Statistics South Africa survey that deaths due to major non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic lower respiratory diseases in South Africa increased over 20 years, should be a concern for all of us.’

Source: South African Government News Agency

Fourteen traffic officials, including traffic officers and a driving school operator, have been arrested on charges of fraud and corruption relating to the irregular issuing of driver’s licenses and solicitation gratification.

‘The investigations started in 2021 where it is alleged that driving school owners in Sabie colluded with departmental officials in issuing learners’ licenses and drivers’ licenses to applicants without following normal processes of conducting routine tests and assisting applicants to write learners licenses,’ the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Monday.

Drivers’ licenses were allegedly issued to applicants without being tested after paying exorbitant amount of cash.

The suspects aged between 34 and 59 years were arrested in a joint operation by the Road Traffic Management’s Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and Police Crime Intelligence in Mpumalanga.

‘A male and female examiner of licences, together with a driv
ing school operator, were arrested at [the] Sabie driving licence testing centre (DLTC) while four examiners of driving licences were nabbed at Lydenberg DLTC, including two examiners in Graskop DLTC.

‘The arrests followed extensive investigations involving the RTMC Anti-Corruption Unit, the Hawks, and Crime Intelligence. The suspects are expected to face charges of fraud, corruption and contravention of the National Road Traffic Act,’ the RTMC said.

Meanwhile, four traffic officers in Verena were also arrested for soliciting bribes from motorists who broke the rules of the road, in excessive speed and other related road traffic offences.

They were arrested as part of Operation ‘Kwanele’ in Mpumalanga to clean up fraud and corruption at the DLTCs.

‘Members of the public who obtain licences through corrupt means pose a danger to other motorists. Members of the public are encouraged to desist from these corrupt activities. Law enforcement officials will not rest until corrupt elements are eroded from the sy
stem,’ said the RTMC.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says automation and digital transformation is necessary to turn Home Affairs into a department that supercharges economic growth, delivers dignified civic services and secures national security.

‘The inefficiency and corruption that has maligned this department can all be traced back to the fact that it still has manual and paper-based processes,’ Schreiber said.

Speaking at the RMB Morgan Stanley Investor Conference, Schreiber said Home Affairs sits at the heart of national security apparatus and has much work to do to restore internal security after decades of neglect and institutional vandalism.

He said securing immigration and civics systems through automation and digital transformation will deliver an immediate boost to confidence in South Africa’s ability to re-establish law and order.

‘But the role of Home Affairs as an economic enabler goes well beyond the realm of national security. In total, it is in the domain of Home Affairs that we have the potential to t
riple or even quadruple this country’s annual economic output.

‘We can do all of this with very little additional demands on the fiscus, which is already overstretched. To achieve this economic impact, we must address both regulation and administration as a matter of urgency,’ the Minister said.

Schreiber said South Africa’s new remote working visa was a game changer.

‘My message to remote workers all around the world is simple: there is just no place like South Africa. And with our new user-friendly remote working visa, there has never been a better time to come and spend your hard-earned salary in a beautiful country whose best days are yet to come.

‘Even more exciting than the remote working visa, is the new points-based work visa. The points-based work visa is going to revolutionise the South African economy.

‘Gone will be the days when highly skilled workers had no pathway to help build this country if their skills happened to not be included in an arbitrary critical skills list,’ the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency