South Africa Vision

The Government of Ireland has invited South Africans interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Ireland to apply for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme to study at Ireland’s world-renowned higher education institutions.

The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa offered to South African students.

The programme is part of the broader Ireland-Africa Fellowship Programme offered by the Government of Ireland.

Through the programme, professional women and men, with leadership potential from South Africa will avail of relevant postgraduate study opportunities in Irish higher education institutions.

“The scholarship broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and supporting the development of women’s leadership capacity, and women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are key priorities.

“In addition, the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme aims to support students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue Master’s level education in Ireland. Graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology in particular are encouraged to apply,” the Ireland Embassy said.

The Embassy said the programme offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded one-year master’s programme at a prestigious higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland.

“The award covers course fees, accommodation, living costs, and flights. Applicants can choose from almost 200 postgraduate programmes especially selected to enhance capacity in line with stated country development goals and the strategy of the relevant Irish Mission.

“On completion of their studies, graduates will have acquired relevant skills and knowledge and be better capacitated and positioned to influence the advancement of national social, economic and development priorities,” the Embassy said.

A full list of eligible courses is available on the website “Directory of Eligible Postgraduate Programmes in Irish Higher Education Institutions”.

Eligibility Criteria for the Kader Asmal Fellowship

To be eligible for a Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2024 applicants must:

• Be a South African citizen.

• Have a minimum of two years relevant work experience.

• Hold an Honours degree from a recognised public university, with an average of at least 75%. It must have been awarded in 2012 or later (within the last 12 years).

• Not in possession of a Master’s degree or higher level qualification.

• Be able to take up fellowship in August/September 2024 academic year.

• Be able to demonstrate leadership abilities and aspirations, as well as commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country.

• Have identified and selected two relevant courses from the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme Directory of Eligible Courses.

• Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for both courses chosen.

• Should not have applied for the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme on more than one previous occasion.

The applications for the 2024-2025 Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme open on 3 July and close on 31 July 2023.

For more information on the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme, please visit https://canoncollins.org/scholarships/kader-asmal-fellowship-programme/.

Source: South African Government News Agency

One of the world’s most influential leaders of all time has proven that great leadership begins with a servant heart. Nelson Mandela’s legacy is characterised by his humility, passion for people, equality and serving.

Not only did Mandela serve the nation as South Africa’s first democratic president but he also played an instrumental role in fostering a spirit of nation building and togetherness.

Madiba encouraged every individual to take responsibility and be the change they want to see. One area we can bring about positive change is through our fight against climate change which is impacting numerous areas of life including food security.

Climate change threatens to reverse the progress we have made towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition. The increased frequency of heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones and wildfires make it difficult for farmers to grow food.

This year’s emphasis for Mandela Day, under the theme “It is in your hands”, focuses on how we can harness our individual strengths and work together as a nation to create a climate-friendly environment as well as address food insecurity.

Your actions this Mandela Day can build the necessary impetus to fight climate change and ensure food security. Together we can change our climate trajectory by adapting a more climate-friendly lifestyle.

We can take practical steps to reduce our carbon footprint and save the earth through simple actions in our own homes. This includes turning off lights and devices not in use, taking shorter showers, avoiding the use of plastic bags and recycling. By recycling we re-use materials which means less energy is required and less pollution is created.

To reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases that damage the environment, we can utilise public transport, a bicycle or car-pool more often. As we transition into a greener environment, we can switch to energy efficient products in our homes and utilise solar power.

Another way to reduce our carbon footprint is through planting trees in our communities which helps reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. This Nelson Mandela Day targets the planting of one million trees, 60 per cent of which are fruit trees.

By planting a tree this Mandela Day, we not only respond to climate change, but also to the challenge of food security. When trees are planted, the soil structure improves, creating an environment for fresh agricultural produce to flourish.

South Africans can play their part in securing our food supply through home or community food gardens. Our country is rich with various indigenous foods and leafy vegetables such as Amaranthus, African nightshades, pumpkin, cabbage and spinach which can be planted and cultivated at home.

Moreover, fresh organic vegetables are a central part of a healthy diet and home grown foods that are free from pesticides play a vital role for our health. Apart from health benefits, a home or community garden can save you money on your monthly grocery bill and minimise food wastage as you use only what you need.

We also encourage citizens, especially those who are in rural farming to consider indigenous food crops such as Dried Cowpea, Wild Medlar, Delele and Morula fruit. These foods offer a good alternative to maize, wheat, rice, potatoes and beans.

If every person plants a small garden in their home it can snowball into communities across the country providing for themselves and meeting their substance needs. Your garden can also provide fresh nutritious produce for those who may not otherwise afford it, and in doing so helps relieve hunger.

These simple actions of every individual can pave the way for food security. By planting trees and lending a helping hand this Mandela day, we can slowly uplift our communities out of poverty and transform our environment.

“It is in your hands” to make a difference and leave a positive impact on the earth. We call on all South Africans to heed to the call to action and make this Mandela Day a fruitful one, as we honour the legacy of Madiba.

Source: Government of South Africa

In 1990, the winds of change were slowly sweeping our nation, and on 11 February 1990 South Africa was abuzz with the news of the release of former President Nelson Mandela.

Having spent most of his adult life behind bars, Nelson Mandela was more myth than a man. He along with others such as OR Tambo were giant figures in our national psyche, but few people had ever seen or interacted with them.

On 11 February 1990 all this changed; with the eyes of the entire world upon us, South Africans waited with baited breath to meet the man behind the legend.

When Nelson Mandela finally emerged from the gates of the then Victor-Verster Prison in Cape Town he greeted the expectant crowd with a salute. The first steps he took as a free man energised the crowd, and the ripples of excitement echoed throughout our nation. With those first few steps, he broke the shackles of hundreds of years of oppression and set our nation on the path to freedom and democracy.

The release of Nelson Mandela signalled a turning point in our country; it set us on a new path and banished the evil apartheid system to the pages of history.

Those of us who lived through this jubilant and hopeful time in our nation would be forgiven for thinking at the time that freedom and democracy would cure all society’s ills. This was of course never going to be the case, and as we have since learned, democracy is a process, not a destination.

Many of the deep-rooted problems that we inherited such as poverty, inequality and unemployment continue to plague us today, and the many sins of the past still shape our shared future. Building a country from the ground up was never going to be easy, pre 1994 South Africa was the pariah of the world and technically bankrupt.

Nelson Mandela and our other leaders in 1994 recognised that to build anew we had to turn our diverse population into a strength. They recognised that we were better together, that we needed each other, and that working together we could begin to envision a new future together.

This process has continued unabated since 1994 and although we have undeniably made massive strides, much still needs to be done. We are therefore lucky to be able to call on the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela to assist us as we strive to move South Africa forward. Throughout his life, he continually emphasised the need for national unity, social cohesion and nation building. This vision allowed us to emerge from the mire of apartheid into a free and democratic nation in 1994.

We should also never forget that our Constitution lays the foundation for an open society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.

Shaping a common and prosperous future therefore lies in our hands. Nelson Mandela famously said on the occasion of his 90th birthday at a concert in Hyde Park, London; “It’s in your hands now”.

This sentiment of all of us taking the lead in shaping the future we want to see is echoed in the annual commemoration of Mandela Month, where we are all called upon to work together for a better and equitable society for all.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Madiba’s passing in December 2013. To commemorate this, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has themed the 10-Year Remembrance call to action “The Legacy Lives on Through You”.

Some might well ask but how can I make a difference, or what can I do to build on a legacy of a person who was clearly extraordinary?

It is true that Madiba did great things and his legacy continues to inspire today. However, throughout his life he simply worked for the benefit of others and to better our nation.

We have that power as individuals and our actions can make massive changes. By living responsibly and indeed taking responsibility for our actions, we can make a difference. One area where we can all contribute is to help in keeping the lights on. Do the right thing and report metals theft and illegal connections, switch off the lights during peak consumption periods, refuse to buy stolen goods. These seemingly small and insignificant actions can make a massive difference, especially when multiplied across communities and our nation.

The same principle of communities and individuals looking out for each other apply in all aspects of life. Let us therefore build on Madiba’s legacy by staying true to our founding ideals of justice, equality and a non-racial South Africa. We have always been stronger when we are united and together we can begin to build a society where all people are given the chance to live their dreams.

By working together, we can find solutions to our growing social and economic challenges. South Africa belongs to all who live in it, and we have no choice but to move forward together to ensure a sustainable and vibrant future for all.

Source: Government of South Africa

A vessel conveying 800,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil has been intercepted by a private security contractor engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The vessel and its crew members were apprehended on July 7, by operatives of Messrs. Tantita Security Services at an offshore location heading to Cameroon.

Mr Garba Muhammad, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPCL., said this in a statement on Monday Abuja..

He said the Vessel, MT TURA II, IMO number: 6620462, was owned by a Nigerian company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311.

Muhammad said that preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil cargo on-board was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore in Ondo State, Nigeria.

“There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo on-board at the time of the arrest.

“Further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last 12 years.

“The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011,’’ he said.

He further said that the details of the arrest and the outcomes of the investigations were escalated to the appropriate government authorities.

This, he said, was to destroy the Vessel to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities.

According to him, destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent.

“The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.

“NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt,’’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Victor Muruako, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) says that many states are yet to implement the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Muruako said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that some states had passed the law, but were yet to set up fiscal responsibility agency.

“Some did not exactly passed the law, they just tried to have it, and even some that passed it just have it on record and are yet to implement the law.

“As we speak about 26 states have adopted the law and are at various stages of implementation.

“For some states, their Governors have not signed the law, some that have signed it into law are yet to set up the agencies, so as we speak it’s s a work in progress,” he said.

He said he domestication of the Fiscal Responsibility Act was necessary to promote prudence in management of resources in states.

“When the need arouse for the Federal Government to bail out states, there was an agreement of two conditions that must be met.

“Part of which is the need for the sub-nationals to engage in reforms; one of the reforms is to pass the fiscal responsibility law, Audit law and Procurement law at their level,” he said.

Muruako commended the Nigerian Governors Forum for creating an enabling platform for peer review at sub-nationals.

He said that the Commission was engaging the Forum to ensure that all states adopt and implement the Fiscal Act.

“The forum has been a veritable forum to assist and they have done a lot to ensure that states engage in reforms,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria