South Africa Vision

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to South Africa’s women, saying that they have played their part in building the country.

‘We salute their resilience and their dignity,’ he said on Friday.

Addressing the Women’s Day celebration at the Dennis Nel Stadium in Pofadder, Northern Cape, President Ramaphosa said each year on Women’s Day, government commemorates the historic march of more than 20 000 women to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. The women were protesting against the pass laws of the apartheid era.

‘Today, as we celebrate 30 years of freedom and democracy, we should take stock. We should reflect on how far we have come, and we should deliberate on the challenges that stand in the way of the emancipation of South Africa’s women.’

President Ramaphosa said to move forward as a country, the nation must understand its past.

‘South Africa remains a highly unequal country. Poverty still has the face of a black woman. Black women are more likely to be unemployed, to be poor and to be unskille
d.

‘Apartheid broke up families. Men were recruited as migrant labourers, leaving women and children behind to fend for themselves. Young girls were brought up for marriage. They did not go to school. They were confined to the home.

‘Over 30 years, through the struggles of women, we have done much to improve the status and circumstance of South African women. We have built on the struggles of many decades.’

Rights and freedoms

The President said that women now have the right to vote.

‘They have the right to equal work for equal pay. They have the right to equality before the law. We have made great progress in providing for the protection of mother and child. As the Women’s Charter demands, we have worked to provide proper homes for all. But much is still to be done.

‘Women in South Africa enjoy rights and freedoms under our Constitution. They benefit from progressive legislation. Women today are significantly represented in Parliament, in government and in the judiciary.

‘Women in South Africa enjoy t
he right to quality healthcare, including reproductive health care. Millions of South African women are supported every month with social grants to enable them to care for their families and support their children,’ the President said.

The President also added that South Africa has one of the highest rates of female literacy ‘in our region.’

‘There is parity between girls and boys in primary school enrolment. Female learners achieve more bachelors passes. Young women make up the majority of students in higher education institutions.’

Improving the lives of women

President Ramaphosa said that government has prioritised women and youth in its public employment programmes. This, as around 66% of participants in the Presidential Employment Stimulus are women.

‘Yet, we still have much further to go. As the Government of National Unity, we are united across the political spectrum by our common commitment to improve the lives of South African women.

‘To grow our economy and accelerate development, women mus
t take their rightful place as active participants in the economy. Women must be business owners, producers, employers and employees.’

To support this effort, in 2021 government launched the Women’s Economic Assembly.

The Assembly aims to secure procurement opportunities for women-owned businesses in different industries.

Through the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme approximately 8000 women have been trained to establish and manage businesses.

‘With funding from government and development finance institutions, we are increasing the support provided to women-owned enterprises,’ said President Ramaphosa.

Government is also working to ensure that more women can own land, especially in rural areas.

This is so that they can farm and have assets they can use to build and grow businesses.

Source : South African Government News Agency

As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing programme for greater women empowerment, emancipation and development, and continues to fight all forms of violence against women.

‘Parliament will continue to enhance its oversight to ensure the effective implementation of legislation and policies to promote and protect the constitutionally enshrined rights of women in society,’ Parliament’s Presiding Officers, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, said in a joint statement.

The Presiding Officers made these remarks ahead Women’s Day, which was celebrated under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development”.

This year’s commemoration of Women’s Day marked 68 years to the day since 20 000 women of diverse backgrounds from across South Africa marched on the Union Buildings to protest against the extension of pass laws to women.

The women presented a petition against the carrying of passes by women.

The Presiding Officers reflected on the country’s progress over the last 30 years of democracy towards greater gender equity and inclusivity. Parliament has passed laws that have significantly improved the lives of women.

‘These legislative efforts have focused on promoting gender equality, protecting women’s rights, and ensuring their participation in all aspects of society, from the workplace to the political arena.

‘Parliament has also reinforced its commitment to combating gender-based violence by passing laws designed to enhance protection for victims and ensure justice for survivors. These advancements mark significant strides towards a more just and equitable society.

‘The democratic dividend has been felt by many, as our women have become makers of history as leaders in government, Parliament and legislatures, the judiciary, and the private sector. Notably, among them is Justice Mandisa Maya, the first woman appointed as Chi
ef Justice in the country. We welcome and applaud this historic milestone,’ the Presiding Officers said.

READ | Cabinet congratulates Justice Maya on her appointment as Chief Justice

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the 1954 Women’s Charter by the founding conference of the Federation of South African Women (FSAW).

The Charter called for, among other things, the enfranchisement of men and women of all races; equal opportunities in employment; equal pay for equal work; equal rights concerning property, marriage and children; and the removal of all laws and customs that denied women such equality.

While the Presiding Officers reflected on the progress made in uplifting women over the last 30 years, they also acknowledged the challenges that persist.

‘In celebrating these milestones and advances made in the pursuit of women’s emancipation during the last 30 years of our democracy, we remain conscious that much more needs to be done to achieve a non-sexist, non-racial, democratic
and prosperous South Africa.

‘We must do more, be more vigilant, and guard against the scourge threatening the gains of progress made for our women. This responsibility is a shared one for government, Parliament and every South African,’ the Presiding Officers said.

Source : South African Government News Agency

Three working groups have been established to improve cooperation between the Department of Agriculture, provincial authorities and industry stakeholders on the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

The department said the situation appears to be improving, as the rate of new FMD cases has begun to decline, with the last clinical case reported in mid-July.

‘At present, cattle on 30 farms have tested positive for the disease. These farms have been placed under quarantine, and vaccination efforts are underway to control the spread of infection and reduce the severity of clinical symptoms.

‘Additionally, pre-emptive vaccination has been carried out on a further 37 farms identified as high risk due to their proximity to infected areas. This measure aims to create a buffer zone around the affected farms to further limit the spread of the disease,’ the department said.

In total, over 92 000 cattle and nearly 600 sheep across 67 farms hav
e been vaccinated.

These efforts are a critical part of the department’s strategy to manage and eventually eradicate the disease.

To prevent the further spread of FMD, the Department of Agriculture declared a Disease Management Area (DMA) on 19 July 2024.

‘This DMA encompasses parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities and will facilitate the regulation of animal movements into, out of, and within the affected regions. The primary objectives of the DMA are to prevent the spread of the disease to unaffected areas and to reduce viral load and infection pressure within the current outbreak zone.

‘The Director of Animal Health has signed and published the movement protocol for the DMA. The protocol is available on the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) websites. Copies can also be requested from AgriEC,’ the department said.

Biosecurity and Disease Transmission

The department has noted misleading c
laims suggesting that FMD is transmitted by birds and rodents, which undermines the importance of biosecurity measures.

‘While theoretical transmission via such vectors exists, it is highly unlikely to contribute significantly to the current outbreak. Effective biosecurity — focused on preventing direct and indirect contact of susceptible animals and rigorous cleaning and disinfection practices — remains the most reliable method for preventing the introduction and spread of FMD on farms,’ the departments said.

The department has reminded livestock owners that health declarations are required for the movement of susceptible animals, regardless of the purpose.

‘New arrivals of cattle, sheep, and goats must be isolated from resident herds for at least 28 days. This is in addition to urging livestock owners to only source animals from herds with a known health status. This practice, mandated by law since October 2022, is crucial for maintaining herd health and preventing disease spread,’ the department sai
d.

Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act requires animal owners and managers to take all reasonable steps to prevent disease infection and its spread.

FMD is classified as a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), and specific control measures, such as isolation and movement restrictions, are being enforced by Veterinary Services.

‘Farmers are reminded that it is a legal obligation to report any suspicious clinical symptoms, such as salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions, to the local State Veterinarian immediately. Affected animals must not be moved.

‘The department strongly advises livestock farmers nationwide to limit animal movements to the greatest extent possible. Movement of cloven-hoofed animals should be restricted to essential cases only, allowing time to identify and quarantine potentially affected properties,’ the department said.

Source : South African Government News Agency

Women’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women across the various sectors of society, says Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli.

‘Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on the strides we have made towards gender equality. It is also a time to acknowledge the challenges that persist. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of women across various sectors, including mining, which has historically been male dominated,’ said the Deputy Minister.

Mhlauli was speaking at the Sishen Women in Mining Women’s Day Indaba held at Sishen Mine in Kathu, Northern Cape.

In her address on Thursday, she said women have been an integral part of the mining industry, contributing significantly to its growth and development.

‘Despite facing numerous barriers, they have proven that with equal opportunities, women can excel and lead in any field.

‘Today, we honour you as trailblazers and reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where women can thrive. The journey for
women in mining has not been easy. They face challenges such as gender discrimination, unequal pay, limited career advancement opportunities, lack of supportive policies and a gender sensitive work environment,’ she explained.

She added that these barriers not only ‘hinder our professional growth but also impact the overall productivity and innovation within the sector’.

While a lot of progress has been made, more still needs to be done.

‘The democratic constitution removed legal barriers that were designed to stop women from participating in the economy, and mining in particular such as the South African Minerals Act of 1991 prohibited women from working underground.

“Since then, new regulations, policies and guidelines governing the sector have actively encouraged the employment of women in the mining industry under the democratic government. It must however be noted that too few women are still in the mining sector as women only account for just over 12% in the sector,’ the Deputy Minister said.

She c
alled for the increased participation of women in the economy and mining while also adding that the South African government has been steadfast in its efforts to promote gender equality.

‘Through the Mining Charter we have worked to transform the mining industry by promoting equitable access to the sector and increasing the representation of historically disadvantaged South Africans, including women. To unlock further potential of women in mining we need to unlock growth in the sector.

‘South Africa has an exceptional endowment of metals and minerals. The world’s largest reserves of platinum group metals and manganese and the second and third largest reserves of chrome and gold respectively are in South Africa.’

Mining is essential for the South African economy, contributing about 6.2% of gross domestic product in 2023 down from 7.3% in 2022.

‘Mining still constitutes a significant share, around 60% of total merchandise exports. In addition, South African miner’s employs around 458 000 individuals, which
is an important contributor towards overall employment,’ she said.

Source : South African Government News Agency

Team South Africa has shown commendable fortitude at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games, having participated in five sporting codes on Saturday.

The team started with five medals but javelin thrower Jo-Ane van Dyk upped it to six with a brilliant effort of 63.93m.

READ | Jo-Ane van Dyk earns Team SA’s sixth medal at Olympics

‘Also in finals action at a packed Stade de France on Saturday night were high jumper Brian Raats and the men’s 4x400m relay squad.

‘The men’s marathon saw Elroy Galant and Stephen Mokoka take to the Paris roads and hills. Galant finished a fine 11th overall, in 2hr 9min 7sec, while Mokoka crossed the line in 27th position, dipping under 2:11 by one second,’ the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) said.

Canoeist Hamish Lovemore won his 1000m B-Final, which placed him 9th overall to end his Games on a high.

‘Wrestler Nicholas de Lange was always going to be up against it in terms of his draw, and lost his match, while golfers Ashleigh Buhai and Paula Reto wr
apped up four days at Le National Golf.

‘China, with 38 golds, the United States (with 37), Australia (18), Japan (17) and France (15) took the lead in the medal standings. Team SA are 40th with one gold (Tatjana Smith), three silvers (Smith, men’s 4x100m and Van Dyk) and two bronzes (men’s Sevens rugby and Alan Hatherly),’ SASCOC said.

Athletics

Men’s marathon: Elroy Galant finished 11th in 2hr 9min 7sec, some 2min 41sec behind the gold medallist, Tamarat Tola. The Ethiopian set an Olympic record in winning in 2:06:26. Stephen Mokoka was 27th, with a time of 2:10:59.

Men’s high jump, final: Brian Raats finished 12th with an opening height of 2.17m.

Women’s javelin, final: SILVER! Jo-Ane van Dyk threw a distance of 63.93m to take second. position.

Men’s 4x400m, final: Team SA finished 5th behind the United States in a national record 2:58.12.

Canoeing

Men’s kayak single 1000m semi-finals: Hamish Lovemore finished 8th in 3:38.39 and qualified for the B-final.

Men’s kayak single 1000m B-Final: L
ovemore won his race in 3:27.94, which would have placed him fourth in the A-final, and he took 9th place overall.

Cycling

Men’s keiren, first round heats: Jean Spies finished 6th in his heat and advanced to the repechage.

Men’s keiren, repechage: Jean Spies finished 5th in his heat and didn’t progress to the quarter-finals.

Golf women’s individual, final round

T13th 285 Ashleigh Buhai 68, 73, 74, 70 (3-under).

T44th 299 Paula Reto 78, 73, 76, 72 (11-over).

Source : South African Government News Agency

South African athlete Jo-Ane van Dyk has earned Team South Africa’s sixth medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.

Van Dyk won a silver medal during the women’s javelin on Saturday at the Stade de France, Paris, on Saturday night.

‘At a packed Stade de France on the final night of track and field action at these Games, she produced a third effort of 63.93m, which highlighted the form she’d shown all week, and moved her up into the silver medal, behind Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi, who had opened with a winning 65.80m.

‘It was an emotional evening all round, because Van Dyk is coached by Terseus Liebenberg, who also guided Viljoen to the silver medal at Rio 2016,’ the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) said.

Van Dyk had attended her first Olympics in Tokyo, and there she was eliminated in qualifying with a best of 57.69m.

‘Here, she is three years older, three years wiser and a different athlete entering the prime of her career. The South African’s first throw of 59.72m had been
below par by her standards. She upped it by exactly two metres to 61.72m, which still wasn’t enough to get into medal contention on a stacked leaderboard.

‘However, her third throw was another two metres further and that 63.93m was to be 25cm better than bronze medallist Nikola Ogrodnikova, and 53cm better than the fourth-placed finisher, Sara Kolak,’ SASCOC said.

Meanwhile, high jumper Brian Raats couldn’t better his first jump, where he cleared 2.17m, and ended up in 12th place, with the gold going to New Zealand’s Hamiush Kerr with 2.36m.

‘Team SA’s men’s 4x400m took to the track having been reinstated into the final after the referee intervened on Friday following interference and a tumble in their heat. Gardeo Isaacs, in lane one, took the opening, which he covered in 45.67sec, leaving Zakhiti Nene at the back of a nine-country field.

‘However, Nene again scorched around the track and has been Team SA’s best 400m athlete at these Games. He made up four places with a lap of 43.81. Lythe Pillay kept t
he momentum with a 43.97 run and at the changeover, South Africa were still fifth. And that’s where they stayed as Antonie Nortje finished off with a 44.67.

“With the United States winning gold in an Olympic record 2:54.43, South Africa’s quartet set a national record 2:58.12,’ SASCOC said.

Source : South African Government News Agency