South Africa Vision

La directrice du bureau de santé de l’Agence des Etats-Unis pour le développement international (USAID), Akua Kwateng Addo, a exprimé la fierté des Etats-Unis d’avoir soutenu la Côte d’Ivoire dans le renforcement de la surveillance, du suivi et de l’évaluation du paludisme à tous les niveaux de la pyramide sanitaire, comme stipulé dans le plan stratégique national 2021-2025 du Programme national de lutte contre l’épidémie. Mme Kwateng s’est exprimée mercredi 12 avril 2023, lors de la cérémonie de clôture du Projet PMI Measure Malaria visant à renforcer les capacités du Programme national de lutte contre le paludisme à la gestion des données et de routine de la maladie ainsi qu’à la surveillance et au suivi/évaluation du programme. Elle a rassuré que l’USAID reste engagée à contribuer au bien-être des populations de Côte d’Ivoire, à relever les défis qui nécessitent une attention continue et à tout mettre en œuvre pour garantir la durabilité et la continuité des acquis. « Nous devons continuer à investir dans le renforcement du système sanitaire, dans l’amélioration de la qualité des données de santé, dans l’utilisation des nouvelles technologies et dans la promotion d’une approche fondée sur les données pour la prise de décision en matière de santé », a déclaré la directrice santé de l’USAID. Le directeur des opérations du projet PMI Measure Malaria, Scott Mckeown, a relevé que des activités intenses et multivariées ont été menées pour renforcer la capacité notamment la formation, le coaching, le mentoring et la supervision conjointe. Avec à la clé, une implication dès le début d’un pool de diverses personnes au niveau central et décentralisé. Tout ceci a permis d’enregistrer de nombreuses retombées telles que le progrès vers une pérennisation à travers les cours nationaux en surveillance et suivi/évaluation, partage et communication inclusive regroupant tous les intervenants concernés par la production et l’utilisation des données sur le paludisme pour une meilleure compréhension de la situation épidémiologique et une meilleure exploitation des données pour la prise de décision. Le directeur de cabinet, Aka Charles Koffi, représentant le ministre de la Santé, de l’Hygiène publique et de la Couverture maladie universelle, a remercié l’équipe pays du PMI Measure Malaria pour son appui qui permet d’enregistrer une masse critique de personnes qualifiées dans le domaine du suivi et évaluation. Les innovations en matière de la qualité de données ont permis de doter le pays de stratégies et d’outils adaptées pour un meilleur suivi et évaluation des interventions en matière de paludisme, a-t-il reconnu.

Source: Agence Ivoirienne de Presse

Le président du Sénat de Côte d’Ivoire, Jeannot Ahoussou-Kouadio, a annoncé jeudi 13 avril 2023 à Yamoussoukro, que l’institution va renforcer les capacités de ses membres dans l’accomplissement de la mission de contrôle de l’action publique. Lors de son adresse, unique point inscrit à l’ordre du jour de la rentrée solennelle de la session ordinaire 2023, le président a indiqué que le Sénat qui envisage d’effectuer des visites des grands chantiers de l’Etat et des infrastructures publiques pour toucher du doigt les progrès sociaux et économiques réalisés ces dernières années en vue du développement harmonieux du pays, devra poursuivre le renforcement de ses capacités pour mieux apprécier ces progrès. A cet effet, le Sénat entend au cours de la nouvelle session, procéder à la modification de son Règlement intérieur pour le rendre plus conforme aux nouvelles exigences du travail parlementaire, « notamment à travers une meilleure définition des modalités de mise en œuvre de la mission d’évaluation des politiques publiques dévolue au Parlement par l’article 93 de la Constitution ». Ahoussou-Kouadio a donné d’autres grandes orientations pour cette nouvelle année législative, la dernière de la première législature du Sénat.

Source: Agence Ivoirienne de Presse

Propelled by the success of the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) held annually in the country over the past five years, President Cyril Ramaphosa has set a R2 trillion target for South Africa to achieve over the next five years.

Attended by delegates from varying industries in South Africa and across the world at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, the afternoon session of the conference saw investments announced in the digital economy, manufacturing sector and the Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

These are expected to pave the way for job creation and economic growth.

“Today’s pledges cover 21 district municipalities across the country. A number of these investments aren’t only bringing much-needed economic activity to these localities; they are also supporting our overall national development goals,” President Ramaphosa said.

During the afternoon session of SAIC, the President said South Africa had reached R1.51 trillion in pledges, overshooting the initial R1.2 trillion target by 26 percent.

The following pledges were made in the digital economy during the afternoon session of the conference:

Equinix pledged R3.8 billion to developing new data centres in South Africa.

Teraco made their fourth announcement this year, investing a further R2 billion to expand their data centre capacity and developing renewable energy projects to supply their data centres in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Cassava Technologies is investing R4.5 billion towards adding 20 Megawatts to their data centre in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Scensos pledged R80 million in a call centre in the Western Cape.

Moov, a fintech start up, is investing R284 million in connecting mobility entrepreneurs to the right hailing e-logistics and e-delivery market place.

SA Taxi is investing R500 million to providing financing to underserved and developing small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs).

Rain is investing R4 billion in the further rollout of 5G infrastructure across South Africa.

Telkom made their fourth announcement by investing R5.97 billion in Information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure development across South Africa.

Topping their R50 billion pledge at the inaugural 2018 investment conference, Vodacom committed to invest R60 billion in ICT infrastructure.

Investments in the manufacturing sector are as follows:

Alpha Manufacturing is investing R2 billion in recycling, packaging and manufacturing facilities in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

At a Glass packaging committed to investing R1.9 billion in a glass production facility in Gauteng.

Impact pledged to invest R2.5 billion across their paper and plastic production facilities in a number of provinces.

A company from Denmark invested R133 million in the manufacturing environmentally sustainable building insulation from recycled waste in Gauteng.

Pavati Plastics is investing R125 million in expanding their facility to produce specialised recyclable packaging material in Gauteng.

Defy pledged for the third time by investing R288 million in their white goods manufacturing facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Madinda Utilities is investing R600 million in hardware manufacturing for the electronics industry in Gauteng.

INTECH from South Korea is investing R70 million in electric cable manufacturing in Gauteng.

Triple Five Trucking Solutions is investing R118 million in the production of cabling for the renewable energy industry.

Actom is investing R100 million in expanding capacity for products for the renewable energy sector.

SGB-Smit Power Matla is investing R500 million in rebuilding their transformer factory in Gauteng.

Mohlalefi is investing R120 million to produce safety equipment for the mining industry at their facility in Gauteng.

Prism Group is investing R93 million in auto motive component in manufacturing.

BMW is investing R4.2 billion in plant expansion for the manufacturing of new BMW models.

Special Economic Zones

Three companies have committed to investing in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in KwaZulu-Natal:

Alusouth is investing R373 million in an aluminum rod plant.

Bote Industries is investing R220 million in the production of rubber hoses.

South East Bulk operations is investing R452 million in a logistics hub.

Four companies are investing in the Coega Development Zone:

Coega steels is investing R160 million in an automated rowing mill.

Newlyn Group is investing R4 billion in a manganese storing facility.

Kict Energy is investing R500 million in the production of smart LPG cylinders.

MEC Commercial Trailers is investing R340 million in the assembly of heavy duty trailers.

Western Cape, Atlantis SEZ investments:

Iconic Gases is investing R20 million in acetylene production facility.

Moduler Electric Assemblies is investing R7.5 million in the assembly of electrical components.

Dube Trade Port Investments:

Futurelife Food Manufacturing is investing R75 million.

Siyakha Flexibles and Labels investing R100 million in the production of flexible packaging for the FMCG sector.

YOA Holdings is investing R155 million in the expansion of their fibre optic manufacturing facility.

Tshwane Automotive SEZ:

Schenellecke Logistics is investing R89 million in the production of exhaust systems for Ford.

Shosholoza Cements is investing R493 million in a compact cement grinding plant.

Fetakgomo Tubatse SEZ:

Shodawn is investing R40 million in foundry for steel casting.

Vaal River SEZ:

Mitochondria Energy is investing R4.3 billion.

The Industrial Development Corporation is investing R11 billion.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has lauded the functioning judicial system which makes South Africa fertile ground for investment.

The Minister was speaking during a panel discussion on Investing in South Africa at the fifth South Africa Investment Conference on Thursday.

“In terms of the story around investing in South Africa, one of the things that I say is we as a society tend to focus on the negative, which we must pay attention to, but there are quite a number of things that make South Africa a good area for investment, which sometimes we don’t talk about.

“We have a judicial system that is functioning. This is important for business because you know when you invest in South Africa, you have somewhere to go to find justice, which in some countries you don’t find,” she said.

Kubayi also lauded the tax regime in the country, which provides a sound framework for business to thrive.

“We see in other countries where companies are asked to pay money, but sometimes they can’t explain it. In South Africa, we can safely say it will not happen because we have laws. So there’s an environment that is conducive for business,” the Minister said.

She acknowledged that the country has challenges around the “construction mafia” – individuals who demand payment for invaded construction sites or a stake in development projects.

This issue, she said, is receiving attention so that there is a holistic, secure environment.

Meanwhile, Anglo American Group CEO, Duncan Wanblad, reiterated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s sentiments that South Africa is “investable” and has untapped potential, despite the economic challenges it faces.

“There are some real tangible action steps that need to be taken, measured in short timeframes and a few quick wins that we need to achieve to be able to change and turn that negative investor sentiment and narrative.

“It was incredibly pleasing to hear what both the Finance Minister and the President said today. The laser-like focus on at least three of the major issues that are crippling the country today and holding it back from achieving its potential is now sort of front and foremost on the agenda.

“This is not just the work of government, the work needs to be effectively done with collaboration with business, which I think stands ready to play their part in driving this turnaround,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Outjo municipality will on Saturday inaugurate its satellite service centre that will provide basic social services to residents of the town’s informal areas.

The municipality’s Strategic Executive Officer for Corporate Services, Bartholomeus !Aibeb in an interview with Nampa on Thursday said the Outjo Legacy Centre, to be officially inaugurated by President Hage Geingob, is situated in the centre of the seven informal settlements.

The centre comprises a municipality satellite office equipped with prepaid water and electricity selling points, a mini police station with holding cells, a library fully resourced with computers and reading materials, a clinic, community hall and ablution facilities.

The construction of the centre commenced in February 2016 under the supervision of the then Outjo mayor, Marius Sheya, !Aibeb said.

The Outjo Legacy Centre will serve over 3 000 inhabitants of the informal areas.

“It will also reduce their costs of travelling to town as many of our residents in the informal settlements of Soweto, Ehangano, Sevende Laan, Camp Four, Camp Five, Camp 60 and Kap en Bou travel a lot to town to access basic services,” he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Government and the private sector must work together to boost investment in research and development.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, said this when he addressed a panel discussion on innovation and investment at the fifth South Africa Investment Conference.

Earlier at the conference, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that government had reached its target of raising some R1.2 trillion in investment pledges between 2018 and 2023.

“The role of government policy is very crucial, but part of government policy must also be to forge partnerships, especially partnerships between government, the private sector and academia in terms of science and innovation.

“I am saying this because I have been looking at this R1.2 trillion and asking myself… how much of that is going into innovation? I have told myself now that the next target with the President… one also needs to be looking at how much of that should be going into research and development and innovation.

“If you ask me, I would say ideally about 1.5% and the reason I’m saying that… is that as South Africa, we are at 0.79% of the GDP that goes into [research and development]. In fact, [that figure is] down than a few years ago and the biggest decline has been in the private sector. I am raising that 1.5% of this investment may not translate into GDP but that would be very significant because our target is that 1.5% of the GDP must be spent on research, development and innovation by 2030,” he said.

Nzimande said government itself has implemented several funding measures to stimulate investment and support innovation.

“We have a tax incentive with a significant rebate for investment done by the private sector into research and development. We have got our Technology Innovation Agency which funds the commercialisation of research that has the potential to translate into intellectual property and new businesses.

“We have the National Innovation Fund which we established in 2021. Also, we leverage international partnerships globally in order to support our science, technology and innovation agenda. At its core, this innovation fund catalyses the creation and sustainable development of the high-tech SME sector as well as de-risking…early stage establishment of businesses,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that innovation is crucial to the development and growth of any country.

“Innovation is indispensable for South Africa’s growth and development ambition. But not only for South Africa but for the whole of the continent. Unfortunately, when we are talking economic growth and development we’re often stymied by this point. No country will modernise, no country will develop without significant investment into innovation,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa