South Africa Vision

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents in a series of coordinated operations.

This follows multiple joint compliance operations conducted over the weekend across various areas, which yielded significant results.

A comprehensive joint compliance operation including Metro Police, the South African Police Service (SAPS), various municipal departments, and Immigration Services, was executed.

This led to the issuing of fines for the shops operating illegally, resulting in their closure; the issuing of fines for illegal dumping; the confiscation of 203 male enhancement tablets and 203 skin lightening creams valued at R10 650 and the issuing of 24 traffic fines.

A liquor compliance operation was also conducted in the Humewood/Central area with the participation of Metro Police, SAPS, Immigration Services, and Traffic and Licensing departments. The operation resulted in the arrest of six undocumented foreign national
and two arrests for drunken driving.

Operation Shanela was also conducted in the Humewood/Central area with the involvement of the SAPS, Metro Police, and Traffic and Licensing, leading to five arrests for drunken driving.

A liquor compliance operation was also conducted in Walmer, involving SAPS and Immigration Services. The operation resulted in the arrests of twelve undocumented foreign nationals, and one arrest for drunken driving.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Gary Van Niekerk said the operations underscored the municipality’s intensified efforts and steadfast commitment to maintaining law and order.

Van Niekerk said collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies and municipal departments have been pivotal in achieving these successes.

The Mayor also encouraged the community to continue supporting such initiatives to create a safer environment for all.

“Our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our residents is unwavering. These operations highlight the dedication an
d hard work of our law enforcement agencies and municipal departments. Together, we are making Nelson Mandela Bay a safer place for everyone,” Van Niekerk said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Since the gazetting of nine Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) at a Capex value of R300 billion, the Green Hydrogen National Programme (GHNP) has attracted projects with the Capex value of over R800 billion with about 20% of the total investments at the bankable feasibility stage.

This is according to Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister, Sihle Zikalala, who was speaking at the Green Hydrogen Devac conference in Sandton, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The gazetting of the SIPs was done by Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) which is an entity of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in 2022.

According to Zikalala, most of these projects are at different stages of development ranging from prefeasibility to execution.

These projects include the Isondo Precious Metals (IPM) in Johannesburg which entails a fuel cell and electrolyser component manufacturing facility in Gauteng, the Prieska Energy Cluster Green Ammonia Production facility in the Northern Cape, Boegoes Bay Green Hydrogen Port
Rail and Infrastructure Project driven by the Northern Cape provincial government.

Other projects include the Hive Green Ammonia export project in the Eastern Cape, Arcelor Mittal South Africa (AMSA) Saldanha Green Steel Project in the Western Cape and the Sasolburg 60MW H2 production in Gauteng.

Zikalala said South Africa only needed one percent of the country’s land area to support green hydrogen economy initiatives, creating jobs and improving the economy. He said this was unusable land for agriculture and human settlements.

The Deputy Minster said ISA acted as one of the government enablers for the South African green hydrogen opportunity.

He said that by gazetting the GHNP as a SIP, ISA enabled projects to be placed on an expedited path to development with prescribed and shortened timeframes for various project approvals and authorisations.

‘The seventh administration has identified three priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and
building a capable, ethical and developmental state,” said the Deputy Minister.

He called on green hydrogen players to work with government in the creation of jobs in the green hydrogen economy.

‘We look up to you to take a lead in facilitating green hydrogen manufacturing capability in a manner that localises the production of upstream and downstream value-added products. Working together, South Africa can realise its potential to produce six to 13 million tons of green hydrogen and derivatives per year by 2050.

‘We reiterate that South Africa as a green hydrogen investment destination still offers substantial additional investment opportunities including green shipping, green fertiliser production, electrolyser manufacturing, pipeline development, green field port developments’, said Zikalala.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A Mamelodi-based detergents company is determined to take full advantage of the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme and export their products to international markets.

This was said by the Founder and Managing Director of TOSH Detergents, Lufuno Rasoesoe.

She was speaking during the recent alumni event of the programme that was hosted by South Africa and Germany in Sandton.

According to Rasoesoe, participating in the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme has been of significant benefit to her Gauteng company.

In April, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Change signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation to formalise a programme to train and mentor emerging exporters from South Africa to access the German market.

‘Through the business-to-business meetings and visits to various manufacturing plants in Germany, I gained valuable insights into how we can improve our own manufacturing plant.

‘The expos
ure to advanced processes and operational standards inspired the factory plans that we are currently developing, as well as the implementation of more efficient standard operating systems. This experience has given us a clearer vision of how to elevate our production capabilities and meet global standards,’ Rasoesoe said.

She explained that after participating in the programme, her company was invited to participate in the Africa Start-up Connect Week in Berlin, Germany.

At that event, she met entrepreneurs from across the African continent and was exposed to a wealth of export opportunities within the continent.

‘This has broadened my network and opened doors for potential collaborations and expansion into various African markets, bringing us closer to our goal of growing TOSH Detergents’ presence internationally.”

She added that her participation in the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme and the Rand Show Exhibition, both with the assistance of the dtic has impacted positively on her business
.

‘Both experiences were incredibly valuable for my business. The Rand Show Exhibition provided us with great exposure to a wider audience, allowing us to showcase our products and build new connections.

‘The Partnering in Business with Germany Programme offered insights into international markets, manufacturing best practices, and potential export opportunities.

‘These experiences have been instrumental in growing our brand and expanding our market reach,’ Rasoesoe said.

TOSH Detergents was formed in March 2021 as a business initiative aimed at addressing the need for affordable, high-quality cleaning products in South Africa.

The company was inspired by the desire to create a sustainable business that could provide essential household products while also empowering local communities.

‘TOSH Detergents does not only fill a gap in the market, but also promotes job creation and economic development, particularly in the previously disadvantaged areas,’ she said.

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ment under the spotlight

The company currently employs 15 people, nine in the production area, and six as merchandisers and sales agents.

TOSH Detergents products can be found at Shoprite, Checkers, Makro Online, Takealot, Zulzi and distributors in various provinces.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Bola Tinubu says the Federal Government will support the government and people of Borno following the floods that have ravaged parts of the state.

The President, who was received in Maiduguri on Monday by Gov. Babagana Zulum, expressed sadness over the massive losses caused by the flooding.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the floods have so far claimed about 37 lives, displaced about a million people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

‘I am here to sympathise with you. I heard the report, my Vice President gave details to me personally. I was going directly to America but I had to call off the trip to be with you.

‘I thank you very much for your leadership and your various prayers. This is one disaster that we must pay attention to, we will help Borno State,’ Tinubu told the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanemi, when he visited his palace.

He also acknowledged the commitment of Gov. Zulum in tackling the challenges brought by the flood.

‘We as a government
pledge that we will help you with the rehabilitation of the affected areas and rescue the victims.

‘It is our problem not just your problem, we must share in each other’s pains.

‘May Allah help us stop the tragedy; the situation that we find ourselves in, the environmental problem and climate change,’ the President said.

The Shehu of Borno thanked the President for visiting the state to sympathise with the people over the unfortunate incident.

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‘We are grateful for your concern and may Almighty Allah reward you. We are grateful to the VP Kashim Shettima, as well as our governor Prof. Umara Zulum.

‘My request to you is to find the root cause of this flooding to address it appropriately so as to avoid future occurrence as 80 per cent of the city have been affected by this disaster,’ El-Kanemi said.

He said since Maiduguri was established sometime in 1907, it had never witnessed a disaster of such magnitude, even though there wa
s a similar incident in 1994.

Governor Zulum also thanked Tinubu for visiting the state purposely to express his sympathy over the flood disaster that completely disrupted socio-economic activities in the state.

‘It has gone beyond the disruption of socio-economic activities, but has claimed the lives of 37 people, with 1 million displaced in Maiduguri.

‘I was told you came this morning and you decided to proceed straight to Maiduguri to commiserate with the people of Maiduguri.

‘Your Excellency this shows your sense of humanity and the degree of fraternity you have with the people of Nigeria. We remain eternally grateful to you,’ Zulum said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Journalists in Akwa Ibom are set to hold a maiden media stakeholders summit in the state on Sept. 20.

Entitled ‘The State of the Media in Akwa Ibom: The Way Forward,’ the one day summit would hold at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Uyo, beginning from 10 a.m.

The Secretary of the Summit, Mr Kufre Etuk, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja.

Etuk, who is also the Editor, The Crest Newspaper, said that the summit would bring together reporters, editors, and publishers in the state for a stocktaking.

He said that the event would be co-chaired by a former Chairman of the NUJ and Publisher of Straightnews Newspaper, Israel Umoh, and the Regional Editor of South-South/South-East Premium Times, Mr Cletus Ukpong.

Etuk said that goodwill messages would be delivered at the summit by the Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Mr Amos Etuk, and the Chancellor of Conference of Online Publishers, Akwa Ibom (COOPA), Mr Utitofon Ukpong.

He added that a former Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel
of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom, Dr Idongesit Ashameri, would speak on ‘Media Practice in Akwa Ibom: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’.

He also said that the Publisher of MediaPost International, Mr Idorenyin Aquaisua, would speak on ‘The Challenges of Media Industry in Akwa Ibom,’ .

‘An award-winning journalist, Mr Ekemini Simon, of the Mail Newspaper, would speak on ‘Opportunities for Media Sustainability in Akwa Ibom.

‘Otuekong Isong, Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), an internationally recognised human rights and pro-democracy organisation, will examine press freedom in Akwa Ibom.

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‘Also Mr Ukpong, the Regional Editor of Premium Times, will speak on Ethical and Responsible Journalism in the state,’ he said.

Etuk, however, said that the summit, which would have two sessions: ‘a pre-summit session with media relations managers and a stakeholders’ business session’, is strictly by invitation.

S
ource: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Monday said the Federal Government would create a disaster relief fund to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters.

The President made the announcement when he visited Borno to sympathise with the government and people over the flooding in some parts of the state occasioned by Alau Dam.

He said the fund was expedient as the climate had become more unpredictable and many places in the country were vulnerable to its vagaries.

He said the Federal Government would collaborate with the private sector to establish the fund.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly would collaborate with the Executive to establish the Fund.

Tinubu also visited the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanem palace, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and drove through the areas affected by the disaster.

‘After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp,
I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.

‘There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.

‘If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,’ he said.

The President thanked Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Gov. of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi Governor , Ahmed Ododo, who supported Borno.

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President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military involved in evacuation of the victims and international organisations working in the state for their efforts.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria