Written by Chris Bathembu

As South Africa marks another Transport Month the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, has highlighted an affordable, safe and reliable public transport system as a key focus area for the country.

In an interview with Vuk’uzenzele recently, Minister Peters said government was beginning to turn the corner to ensure that the transport sector meets the growth demands of South Africa’s economy.  

The Department of Transport is beefing up its policies and hopes that increased investments in transport infrastructure will set South Africa up as a transport hub for southern Africa.

Given the role that the transport sector plays in the economy, Peters said it’s important that government invests heavily in the sector so that it can attract the skills of young people.

“We are working with a number of universities including the University of Johannesburg to ensure that students studying in the transport field can be the ambassadors of the transport sector.”

“We have also sent more than 30 young people to do postgraduate studies at the World Maritime University in Sweden. We are also sending some to Japan so that we can make sure that we are able to bring in those skills,” said Peters.  

Maritime refers to sailing by sea or doing business by sea.

South Africa has the largest maritime industry on the continent and more than 95 per cent of the country's exports are done by sea. Our eight commercial ports are the channels for trade between South Africa and its southern African partners and hubs for traffic to and from Europe, Asia, the Americas and the east and west coasts of Africa.

Peters said South Africa’s universities would play an important role in supplying the critical skills the industry demands to grow the economy and create jobs. 

Ageing rail industry

Government is investing more than R53 billion in a facility that will enable South Africa to produce its own trains. The country’s rolling stock is more than 50-years-old and Peters says this is not acceptable.

“We need to be able to make it possible to revitalise our rail system. We also want to make sure that we don’t export the resources that we have. We will be building our own academy where we will train artisans, technicians and train drivers,” Peters said.

More than 600 trains will be bought and 580 of them will be built in South Africa. The other 20 will be imported from Brazil.

Some have cautioned that the developments at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) may be a challenge for government’s efforts to beef up the rail sector, following the Public Protector’s findings against the parastatal.

Peters said although she is worried about the developments at PRASA, the organisation is working to resolve the problems.

“PRASA employs over 18 000 people and the majority of them are competent and committed to delivering services to our people. This is what we need to focus on.”

SANRAL to continue to improve road network 

According to the Minister the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) will continue to work hard to improve the country’s road network. While the Department of Transport is responsible for overall policy, SANRAL is responsible for road-building and maintenance nationally. Around 19 per cent of the national roads are toll roads, most of which are maintained by SANRAL. The multi-billion Rand freeway improvement scheme that was introduced in Gauteng in 2007 has significantly eased congestion on the province’s roads.

Although there were challenges with the introduction of e-tolls to pay for the project’s costs, Minister Peters said since the introduction of the revised fee plan communities in Gauteng have accepted e-tolls and were beginning to pay.

Women in transport

While there is a high number of women participating in the transport sector, Peters doesn’t believe the impact of women in the sector is being felt.

“We need to ask ourselves what we are doing as a department, what we are doing as entities of the department to help women in transport. One of the things I say to women is that if the President can go and get a woman as the Minister of Transport we can go and get these women who are entrepreneurs in the transport sector.

“We are going to put in all the CEOs performance agreements a target to achieve women empowerment, we are going to do this for the Director-General as well as Deputy Director-General.” 

Peters said the department would continue to use Transport Month to highlight issues of road safety, job creation and the role of women in transport.

“Our goal is to get everyone to understand that transport is not supposed to be a killer, transport is supposed to be an enabler and facilitator.” 

Heavy fines to be issued

In an effort to keep the country’s roads safe the Department of Transport will start checking the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles, buses, taxis and scholar transport. Officials will issue fines of R50 000 for heavy vehicles and R15 000 for light vehicles.

Mobile roadworthiness testing equipment will also be deployed to all provinces and in rural areas to reduce the number of vehicles on the road that are not roadworthy.

Written by Chris Bathembu

Cynthia Ncapayi of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, was shocked when her water bill showed that she owed more than R70 000. Ncapayi is a single mother who earns less than R200 000 a year. She knew that her two children could not have raked in a bill that high considering that she doesn’t even own a geyser, shower or a bath tub. 

Upon investigation, it was discovered that Ncapayi was a victim of water leaks that have become a problem in many South African townships. Many of her neighbours have reported huge water bills in recent months and these were linked to leaking water pipes and broken taps. 

Every year, South Africa loses about R7 billion due to water leaks and such losses cost the country. This is water that could be used by millions of households who do not have access to basic services such as water and sanitation.

But a new water saving programme approved by Cabinet is expected to save the country millions of litres of water that go to wastage.  President Jacob Zuma launched the War on Leaks programme in Port Elizabeth recently and this will see 15 000 artisans, water agents and plumbers fixing leaking taps and pipes in their respective communities as part of promoting water conservation.

The programme is expected to run over a five-year period and 15 000 unemployed youth will be trained within three disciplines, namely water agents, artisans and plumbers. This is to ensure that South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Sector will be equipped with a competent number of skills and capacity to minimise water losses in the country.

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has already appointed Rand Water to implement the War on Leaks project.

“In his State of the Nation Address, the President raised concern about the annual more than R7 billion worth of water that the country loses due to aged infrastructure to a leaking tap. We also have unaccounted water that can’t be quantified. He then called on the department to come with interventions,” Minister Mokonyane said.

“The War on Leaks Programme will not only save us water but will provide thousands of young South Africans with sustainable job opportunities in the form of artisans, plumbers and water brigades that will work within municipalities that have been identified,” she said.

The training will be done in phases with phase one expected to recruit about 3 000 young people followed by 5 000 during phase two learners and 7 000 learners will be trained during phase three in 2017/18 financial year.

Speaking in Port Elizabeth, where the programme was officially launched, President Zuma said the water brigades will do repairs, retrofitting and replacements. They will be placed in municipalities across the country.

“Our key message to you is that we must save water. Water is not unlimited. If we do not look after it, we will lose it. We all see water leaking all over the streets and in our homes through dripping taps and pipes.

“These losses also occur in various forms such as underground infrastructure, faulty and poorly maintained equipment and ageing infrastructure,” the President said.

Municipalities are also already working on big projects of refurbishing the infrastructure especially the leaking pipes. The War on Leaks project will boost what the Department of Water and Sanitation as well as municipalities are busy with, to rebuild the broken pipes and other infrastructure, he said.

Government has set aside about R680 million in the current financial year.

Minister Mokonyane said 27 district municipalities in the country were in a dire state in terms of water capacity.

“Working together with the water boards, we will train youngsters, give them accreditation through SETAs and they will be attached to our different water boards, that will help us with capacity,” she said.

She added that many young people will also be placed in district municipalities where interventions are needed.

Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Danny Jordan said the Nelson Mandela Metro, which includes Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch municipalities, was a water scarce region.

“We have a very serious challenge, it is for this reason that we took a decision to invest more to secure water as a key resource for this metro. We are very happy that the President is here to launch this war,” Jordan said.

“In our area as a metro, we must address the question of water leaks. The many high bills people have for water are not as result of their use of water but the inability of the municipality to tackle water leaks,” he said.

Every year government loses billions of rands because of water leaks and although a programme has been launched to deal with this, it is up to all of us to save ever drop of water.

Saving water is important for the environment. It helps the country deal with water shortages and it can save you money. Vuk’uzenzele brings you some useful tips on how you can save water.

Ways to save water at home

• Turn the tap off between washing your face, brushing your teeth or shaving
• If you prefer to bath, don't fill up the bath tub.
• Taking a bath can use between 80 and 150 litres of water per bath.
• Kettles should not be filled to the brim but with just enough water for your needs. This will reduce your electricity bill too.
• Don't over-fill containers like cooking pots, as this may result in using more energy to heat the water.
• Fix a leaking toilet otherwise it can waste up to 100 000 litres of water in one year.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other waste in the trash rather than the toilet. Every time you flush the toilet, 12 litres of water is used.
• Use "grey water" - used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources - to flush your toilet.

• 

  Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. If you have to use a hose, use a sprayer that can be turned off in-between spraying the car.

• Farmers must ensure that they keep toxic insecticides away from water sources and streams.
• Do not to use the river or river bank as a toilet.
• If you see someone polluting water call the Blue Scorpions on 0800 200 200.
  

  

  Ways to save water in the garden

• Always water your plants during the early morning hours or in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. Between 10:00 and 15:00 one can lose up to 90 per cent of water to evaporation.
• Every time you boil an egg, save the cooled water for your houseplants. They'll benefit from the nutrients released from the shell.
• Water gardens less frequently, but water well. Using a garden hose could use as much as 30 litres of water per minute.
• Roof water can also be profitably stored in tanks, for watering gardens.

Source: Department of Water Affairs

It could be a cellphone charger, a kettle or a stove that is left powerless when the lights go out.

Or it could be life-saving medical equipment.

Cable thieves don’t care.

Neither do they give residents notice in advance when they decide to dig into the earth and rip out cables that bring the comfort of electricity or the convenience of telecommunications to communities.

Cable thieves do not discriminate between rich and poor, urban or rural. They are
ruthless breakers of the law whose only mission is making money from the discomfort of others.

In the process, they destroy valuable infrastructure that brings critical services to residents and businesses; infrastructure that supports our economy and the millions of jobs attached to public infrastructure and the activities of business in the private sector.

We cannot allow the cable-theft syndicate chiefs or the runners who risk their lives and imprisonment by doing the dirty work, often under cover of darkness, to hold our economy or our communities to ransom.

Just recently, I briefed the nation on exciting developments in the development of our country’s infrastructure.

Around the time we launched Unit 6 of Medupi power station in Limpopo, the R2 billion Kouga wind-farm in the Eastern Cape was officially opened. This project will provide renewable energy that can power as many as 50 000 houses.

Government is speeding up the refurbishment of hospitals and schools, and we have an initiative to establish what we call Ideal Clinics all over the country, to provide the best possible service and facilities to millions of South Africans who are cared for by the public health sector.

However, as we create such infrastructure and services, cable and metal thieves see this as an opportunity to make money through the sale of the valuable materials that are used as we build new facilities.

Our concern as South Africans should be that these criminals are not just stealing cable and metal which they often sell for less than the market value of these materials.

Our concern should be that they are stealing a better life from under our noses.

Every square metre (or kilogram) of infrastructure we install anywhere in our country – whether by government or the private sector – exists to improve the quality of life or the efficiency of our economy.

We therefore cannot let syndicates and their foot soldiers get away with the disruption and vandalism they cause.

Our nation’s determination to deal with this problem is reflected in the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill that is currently being processed in Parliament, and on which public comment will soon be invited.

This Bill seeks to put an end to the economic losses the country is suffering at the hands of cable and metal gangs. Parliament’s Portfolio committee on Justice and Correctional recently heard evidence that in April this year, the cost of replacing metal stolen only from Eskom, Telkom and Transnet amounted to R13,6 million, compared to R12,5 million in April last year.

When public enterprises such as Eskom and Transnet replace stolen metal, it is in fact taxpayers who are taking money out of their pockets to make good after the criminal damage.

The Bill therefore creates a new offence relating to the tampering with or damaging or destruction of essential infrastructure. Some of the sectors covered by the Bill include public sector infrastructure in energy, transport, communications and water and sanitation.

The draft law makes provision for minimum sentences to be imposed for crimes relating to infrastructure, and it takes away the right of police or prosecutors to grant bail to suspected offenders. Bail can only be granted by a court.

While the proposed law is designed to set back the cause of crime, we must as South Africans work together to prevent such crimes from taking place in the first place.

Cable and metal thieves are not alien to our communities. They live and walk among us. They come from our families and neighbourhoods, and so we know who they are and with whom they are cutting their dastardly deals.

Given that these criminals do not spare the communities in which they live, it is necessary for all citizens to keep their open for suspicious individuals or behaviour and to pass on information to our police, municipalities and service providers that can help us arrest these vandals and thieves.

There should be no hiding place for anyone who robs us of a better life that is being created by that vast army of South Africans who dig trenches all over our country each day to install the elements of a better life that all of us can enjoy. Speak up and report crimes against our infrastructure.

 

Albert Pule

An increased number of tourists travelling to South Africa, higher life expectancy and more children attending childhood development facilities. These are some of the highlights that the country experienced between 1994 and 2014.

This is according to the 2014 Development Indicators Report, which was released by the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, recently. 

The 2014 National Development Indicators are an initiative by the government’s Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation to track progress made in various areas of development, using data ranging from 1994 to 2014.

There are 86 indicators, which are grouped into 10 themes, ranging from the health of the economy, growth and transformation.

The data is sourced from various government administrative data sets, national official statistics and research by local and international institutions.

The indicators are used to measure progress and help government to track, using quantitative measures, the effectiveness of its policies and interventions towards achieving the national goals in the areas of development outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030.

 

New ministers announced

The new Cabinet Minister, Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, was sworn in recently after President Jacob Zuma named him as the new Minister of Mineral Resources. Minister Zwane takes over the portfolio from Advocate Ngoako Ramathlodi, who is now the new Minister of Public Service and Administration.

Minister Ramathlodi takes over the Ministry that left vacant after the death of the former Minister Collins Chabane in March 2015. Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa had been acting as Minister of Public Service and Administration since March this year.

Minister Zwane previously served as MEC in the portfolios of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the Free State Provincial Government.

He became involved in politics in the early 1980s as a member of the Thembelihle Youth Congress and is one of the founding members of the first ANC  branch in Roadside, where he taught at a farm school. Minister Zwane has been the regional chairperson of the Thabo Mofutsanyana ANC region since 2006.

He obtained his secondary teacher’s diploma from the South African Teachers College in Pretoria and also has a Certificate in Executive Leadership Municipal Development from the University of Pretoria.

Minister Ramathlodi has been a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC since 1991.

He obtained a Bachelor of Jurisprudence from the National University of Lesotho in 1984 and a Bachelor of Law from the NUL in 1986. In 1988, he obtained a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe and was admitted to the Bar of Lesotho as an advocate in 1997. In 2009, he was admitted to the Bar of South Africa and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree by the University of Limpopo.


From May 1994 to 22 April 2004, he was Premier of Limpopo for two full terms. He was the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services from 1 November 2010 to 25 May 2014.

Written by Amukelani Chauke

Crime stats

Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko said the national crime statistics show businesses, communities and police need to work together to curb crime in the country.  The minister was speaking during the release of the national crime statistics to the Members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee recently. The minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu and National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega.

He said contact crimes had decreased by 17.6 per cent over the last ten years, and that there had been an increase of 0.9 per cent in contact crimes over the 2014/15 financial year.

“The trends for the past 10 and five years have shown a decrease whilst in the year under review there has been an increase in certain categories of crime… in essence, the issue of contact crimes is a social phenomenon and is a matter that needs to be dealt with at a multi-disciplinary level across society.”

Deputy Minister Sotyu said fighting crimes against women and children remains a priority for the government.

She said there had been a 51.2 per cent decrease in overall crimes against women over the past year.

“In this regard I can safely say that we have a good story to tell as various efforts that we make towards reducing these crimes are beginning to pay dividends.

 

“…I can highlight the continued decrease in overall crimes against children as the total number of reported charges further decreased by 51.31 per cent when compared to 2013/14.”

Minister Nhleko said overall, contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault, common robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances had gone up by 0.9 per cent – from 611 574 charges recorded in in 2013/14 to 616 973 charges in 2014/15.

Murder increased by 4.6 per cent across South Africa, with 17 805 murder charges being lodged across all police stations compared to 17 023 charges during the 2013/ 14 financial year.

In other sub-categories of crime:

• Property-related crimes like residential burglary, car theft and stock theft have decreased by 0.8 per cent.
• Crimes detected as a result of police action – like illegal possession of firearms, drug-related crime and drunken driving – had gone up by 1.9 per cent.
• Other serious crimes like shoplifting and all theft went down by 2.2 per cent.
• Other sub-categories of aggravated robbery like carjacking, cash in transit and bank robberies went up by 6.9 per cent.

Police performance commended

The Minister said 83.4 per cent of the serious crimes that were reported by members of the community led to the arrests and charging of 1 795 947 people, of which 4 808 were arrested by the elite crime fighting unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

He said 1 043 life sentences were imposed on 739 suspects, while 686 police were arrested for various types of crimes in 2014/15.

Police recovered 36 186 vehicles that were reported lost or stolen.

“Police detected crime has increased by 16.6 per cent in the reporting period which resulted in 350 579 arrests,” the Minister said.

Reporting a crime

If you are a victim of crime you can report a crime free of charge and all the necessary documentation will be completed by a police official.

A case docket will be opened and the crime will be investigated.

If police officials attend the crime scene, they will get a statement from you and witnesses if possible. The police official will register the case in the SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS) at the police station. The complainant will receive a CAS number via SMS or telephonically that needs to be kept as reference for future enquiries regarding the criminal case.

If you visit the local police station to report a crime, you will be attended to in the Community Service Centre by a police official. The police official will first interview you and then take a statement from you. The reported crime will be registered in the CAS. You will be given a CAS number, which must be used for all enquiries regarding the reported criminal case.

The completed case docket is allocated to a police detective who will carry out the investigation. All enquiries can be directed to the detective.

The detective in charge of the particular case will complete the investigation and present the docket to the relevant court for prosecution. The detective will keep you informed of any progress including when to attend the court hearings.

(Source: SAPS)

 

 

DIRECTOR: SECTORAL INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT, REF: 2015/34

Chief Directorate: Auxiliary Services
Package: R 864 177 per annum

This inclusive remuneration package consists of a basic salary, the states’ contribution to the Government Employees Pension Fund and a flexible portion that may be structured i.t.o. the applicable rules.

Centre: HSRC Building, Pretoria

Requirements:  An appropriate three year Bachelors Degree/ National Diploma in the Built environment field (NQF level 7) and Advanced Project Management PLUS a minimum of 5 years’ of experience at a middle/senior managerial level in managing projects. Knowledge of i) relevant public service legislation; ii) the project management discipline and life cycle (Project Management Body of Knowledge, PRINCE2); iii) project management techniques and tools; iv) System Development Life Cycle; and v) Construction industry.

Competencies: Financial performance monitoring and evaluation skills. Strategic capability and leadership skills. Programme and project management skills. Financial management skills. Policy analysis and development skills. Communication (verbal and written) skills. Service delivery innovation. Problem-solving skills. People management and empowerment skills. Client orientation and customer focus skills. Stakeholder management skills. Presentation and facilitation skills. Planning and coordination skills. Time Management skills. Risk management skills. Contract management skills. Conflict management skills. Capacity building skills. Analytical skills. Quality management skills. Computer literate.

Attributes: Good interpersonal relations. Ability to work under pressure. Ability to work in a team and independently. Adaptability. Compliant. Independent thinker. Cost consciousness. Honesty and Integrity.

Duties: Design project management tools and methodologies, processes and standards. Manage and approve the feasibility assessment report studies. Develop prioritisation model for determination of capital projects. Provide technical direction towards the design and finalisation of appropriate construction procurement and contracting strategies for the maintenance of DSD facilities. Conduct generic management functions.

Enquiries:  Mr O Ramachela, Tel: (012) 312 7666

Note: A curriculum vitae with a detailed description of duties, the names of two referees, certified copies of qualifications and identity document must accompany your signed application for employment (Z83). All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated.  Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency based assessments).  The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. The successful candidate will sign an annual performance agreement, complete a financial disclosure form and also be required to undergo a security clearance. If the candidate is applying for an OSD post, certificates of service must be attached to the CV. No faxed or e-mailed applications will be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Failure to submit the requested documents will result in your application not being considered. Personnel suitability checks will be conducted on short listed candidates and the appointment is subject to positive outcomes of the checks. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. “The Department of Social Development supports persons with disabilities”.

It is our intention to promote representivity (race, gender and disability) in the Public Service through the filling of this post and candidates whose transfer / promotion/ appointment will promote representivity will receive preference.

Applications: The Director General, Department of Social Development, Private Bag X901, Pretoria, 0001, Physical Address: HSRC Building, 134 Pretorius Street

For attention:  Ms E de Waal

Closing date:     23 October 2015

DIRECTOR: KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (NDT33/2015)

Package: R864 177 per annum (All-inclusive remuneration package consisting of a basic salary, the State’s contribution to the Government Employees Pension Fund and a flexible portion that may be structured according to personal needs within a framework).

Centre: Pretoria

Requirements:  A SAQA recognised B-degree (NQF7) in Knowledge / Information Management or relevant field plus extensive experience in the Knowledge / Information Management field, A minimum of five-years’ experience at a middle/senior managerial level ; Working knowledge of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act 36 of 2005) as well as on the latest developments in the knowledge and information field, such as the Social Media; Working knowledge of GIS, web technology, mobile technology, database development and management, etc; Experience in the management of human resources, financial resources, projects and programmes; Good communication skills (verbal and written); Good interpersonal, co-ordination and stakeholder liaison skills; An understanding of the Tourism sector in South Africa and globally is essential; Knowledge of the policy environment within which  tourism operates; Client orientated; Candidates are expected to familiarise themselves with the Public Service environment

Duties: Provide overall strategic management and leadership to the Directorate: Knowledge and Information Management; Develop and implement strategies and/or systems for tourism sector knowledge identification, capturing, processing and dissemination. Implement the National Visitors Information Centres Framework (NVIF); Implement and maintain the National Tourism Information Gateway (NTIG); Provide Geographical Information Systems Services; Provide Library and Information Services.

Enquiries:  Ms S Ngidi, Tel (012) 444 6326

DIRECTOR: INTEGRATED POLICY AND SECTOR PLANNING, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION (NDT34/2015)

Package: R864 177 per annum (All-inclusive remuneration package consisting of a basic salary, the State’s contribution to the Government Employees Pension Fund and a flexible portion that may be structured according to personal needs within a framework)

Centre: Pretoria

Requirements:  A SAQA recognised B-degree (NQF7) plus extensive relevant experience. A minimum of five-years’ experience at a middle/senior managerial level. Working knowledge of the sector as well as the co-ordination. Extensive research experience. A valid driver’s licence. Knowledge required: Strategic planning; Policy development and analysis; Coordinating multiple stakeholders; Finance and budgeting; Planning and management; Project management; Knowledge of National Tourism Sector strategy; Spatial and developmental planning; Tourism value chain; Cooperative governance mechanism. Skills required: Managerial and leadership; Extensive writing ; Organising; Presentation skills; Project management; Conflict management and resolution; Analytical thinking; Networking; Negotiation; Stakeholder consultation; Computer literacy and communicating skills at all levels.

Duties: The successful candidate will be required to perform the following functions: Provide overall strategic and leadership of the Directorate. Ensure the planning and development of policies and strategies and their integration into sectoral and departmental plans. Initiate and guide tourism sector planning processes. Advance effective, efficient Intergovernmental and Interdepartmental coordination and integration services. Manage the Directorate Human and Financial Resources..

Enquiries:  Ms S Ngidi, Tel (012) 444 6326

Note: All shortlisted candidates for the above positions will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, whilst selected interviewed candidates will be subjected to a 2-days competency assessment that will test generic managerial competencies. Appointment will be subject to the signing of a performance agreement, employment contract and annual financial disclosures. Applications received, may be used to fill other similar post within six months of the closing date

In order to be considered, applications must be submitted on a fully completed signed Z83 form, accompanied by all required certified copies of qualifications, Identity Document, proof of citizenship/permanent residence if not an RSA citizen and a comprehensive CV (including three contactable references). It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). All instructions on the application form and this advert must be adhered to. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the candidate being disqualified. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make an appointment. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine the suitability of a person for employment.

The Department of Tourism is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. It is our intention to promote representivity (race, gender and disability) in the Department through the filling of these posts.

Applications: Applications, quoting the relevant reference number must be forwarded for the attention of Mr E Masindi to Department of Tourism, Private Bag X424, Pretoria, 0001 or hand deliver at Tourism House, 17 Trevenna Road, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001

Closing date: 19 October 2015 at 16:30 (E mailed, faxed and late applications will not be considered)

Before you apply: All costs associated with an application will be borne by the applicant. The Department of Correctional Services is an equal opportunity employer. The Department will take into consideration the objectives of Section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) and the Employment Equity Act, 1999 (Act 55 of 1998) in filling of these vacancies. It is our intention to promote representivity in respect of race, gender and disability through the filling of these positions. In support of this strategy, applicants need to indicate race, gender and disability status on the application form/CV. Applicants who have retired from the Public Service with a specific determination that they cannot be re-appointed or have been declared medically unfit will not be considered.

Please take note that correspondence will only be conducted with the shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months of the closing date of the advertisement, please accept that your application is unsuccessful.

Applicants must note that further checks will be conducted once they are shortlisted and that their appointment is subject to positive outcomes on these checks, which include security clearance, security vetting, qualification verification, and criminal records verification. Appointment to some of these posts will be provisional, pending the issue of a security clearance. If you cannot get a security clearance, your appointment will be reconsidered/possibly terminated. Finger prints may be taken on the day of interviews.

The Department of Correctional Services reserves the right not to fill any of these advertised posts.

Closing date: 30 October 2015 @15:45

Applications: Applications must be submitted on form Z83 (Pulbic Service application form), obtainable from any Public Service Department, and must be completed in full. Applications must be accompanied by a CV, certified copies of qualifications and ID not older than 3 months. Where an advertisement states that a valid driver's licence is required, then please submit a certified copy of your licence. Please send a separate and complete application for each post you apply for, stating the correct reference for each position you are interested in. Faxed and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Candidates must comply with the minimum appointment requirements.

CV's should be aligned to reflect one's degree of compliance with the above-mentioned requirements and responsibilties. Applications must reach DCS before the closing date and time. It is the sole responsibility of an applicant to ensure that their application reaches DCS before the stipulated closing date and time.

NB: Indicate the reference number and position you are applying for on your application form (Z83) and post your complete application to the address as indicated below:

National Head Office
Postal address: Post advertisement, Department of Correctional Services, Private Bag X136, Pretoria, 0001.
Contact persons: Ms C Moerane 012 305 8589, Ms LM Motaung 012 307 2505, Mrs MT Lekota
Physical address: 124 WR Nkomo Street, Poyntons Building, Cnr WF Nkomo and Sophie de Bruyn Street, Pretoria, 0001 (previous cnr Church and Schubart Street)

NB: Applications for these posts must please be forwarded to Department of Correctional Services National Head Office as indicated above.

Appointments under the Correctional Services Act

Deputy Commissioner: Area Commissioner Gauteng Region: Kgosi Mampuru Management Area

Reference: DCS/09/01

Salary: R1 061 271 all-inclusive package

Requirements: Recognised Degree/National Diploma or equivalent qualification. 6 - 10 year senior management experience. Valid driver's licence. Computer literate.

Competencies and attributes: Strategic capability and leadership. Communication skills, Policy development, Project and programme management, Transformation management, Change management, Problem solving and Analysis, decision making, Integrity and honesty, Good work ethics, Confidentiality, Client orientation and Customer focus, interpersonal relations, Time management, Understanding of Public Service Policy and legislative framework, Service delivery, Integrity and honesty, People management and empowerment.

Responsibilties: Management of corrections and security by providing operational and staff support at the correctional centres. Management of development and care, ensuring effective medical care, hygienic standards, social work services, psychological services, education and training, spiritual care, agriculture and production workshop. Management of community corrections ensuring effective monitoring services, programs and community liaison. Ensure adherence to policies of the DCS within the management area. Develop an operational framework that allows for the monitoring, evaluation and addressing of the quality of services provided by internal and external providers to offenders. Promote community awareness and involvement in correctional matters by most affected communities. Manage human resources, finance and assets.

Director: Area Coordinator Corporate Services: Johannesburg Management Area

Reference: DCS/09/02

Salary: R879 738 all-inclusive package

Requirements: Recognised three (3) year Degree/National Diploma in Human Resource Management or equivalent qualification with 6 - 10 years' experience in comparable middle management environment. Computer literacy. A valid driver's licence.

Competencies and attributes: Strategic capability and leadership, Change management, Project and programme management, Policy development, Transformation management, Client orientation and Customer focus, Communication, Problem solving and analysis, Decision making, Service delivery innovation, Conflict management, Integrity and honesty, Confidentiality, People management and empowerment, Good interpersonal relations, Assertiveness, Ability to network, Diplomacy and tactful, Resilient, Influence and impact, Understanding of Public Service Policy and legislative framework.

Responsibilties: Effective coordination of human resources policies and procedures on the management area level. Facilitate compliance with relevant and applicable legislation. Ensure continuous collaboration and partnership with leadership team within the management area. Maintain sound union / management relations. Monitor industrial relations and provide appropriate advice to line and operations management to promote sound relations environment. Coordinate and monitor implementation of the integrated employee health and wellness programme and manage workforce representation in line with the employment equity plan and accelerate the empowerment of women and people with disabilities to achieve substantive equality. Manage human resources, finance and assets.

Director: Area Commissioner: Amathole Eastern Cape

Reference: DCS/09/03

Salary: R879 738 all-inclusive package

Requirements: Recognised Degree/National Diploma or equivalent qualification. 6 - 10 year middle management experience. Computer literate.

Competencies and attributes: Strategic capability and leadership, Communication skills, Policy development, Project and programme management, Transformation management, Change management, Problem solving and analysis, Decision making, Integrity and honesty, Good work ethics, Confidentiality, Client orientation and Customer focus, Interpersonal relations, Time management, Understanding of Public Service Policy and legislative framework, Service delivery, People management and empowerment.

Responsibilties: Management of corrections and security by providing operational and staff supoort at the correctional centres. Management of development and care, ensuring effective medical care, hygienic standards, social work services, psychological services, education and training, spiritual care, agriculture and production workshop. Management of community corrections ensuring effective monitoring services, programs and community liaison. Ensure adherence to policies of the DCS within the management area. Develop an operational framework that allows for the monitoring, evaluation and addressing of the quality of services provide by internal and external providers to offenders. Promote community awareness and involvement in correctional matters by most affected communities. Manage human resources, finance and assets.

Director: Regional Head: Human Resources Regional Commissioner: Eastern Cape

Reference: DCS/09/04

Salary: R879 738 all-inclusive package

Requirements: Recognised Degree/National Diploma in n Human Resource Management or equivalent qualification. 6 - 10 years middle management experience in corporate services or similar environment. Computer literate. Valid driver's licence.

Competencies and attributes: Strategic capability and leadership, Communication skills (verbal and written), Financial management, Transformation management, Policy development, Project and programme management, Change management, Facilitation, Change management, Problem solving and decision making, Time management, Understanding of Public Service Policy and legislative framework, Service delivery and innovation, Client orientation and Customer focus, Honesty and integrity, Coaching and mentoring, Good work ethics, Confidentiality, Interpersonal relations, People management and empowerment, Ability to work long hours, Diplomacy and tactful, Influence and impact, Accountability, Willingness to travel.

Responsibilties: Ensure human resource development in the region. Manage the employment equity in the region. Manage and facilitate the strategic planning in the region. Manage employee relations and personnel discipline in the region. Manage the employee health and welness and the Occupational health and safety in the region. Oversee the management of litigation cases in the region. Management of human resources, finances and assets.

National Prosecuting Service

Post: Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions

Salary: R1 090 131 per annum (total cost package) (SMS level 14)

Centre: DDPP Bisho (Recruit 2015/289)

Post: Regional Court Control Prosecutor

Salary: R657 924 per annum (total cost package) to R1 075 359 per annum (total cost package) (Level SU-3)

Centre: CPP East London (Mdantsane) (Recruit 2015/290)

Post: Head Control Prosecutor 2

Salary: R392 739 per annum (excluding benefits) to R926 586 per annum (total cost package) (Level SU-1 to SU-2)

Centre: CPP East London (King William's Town) (Recruit 2015/291)

Administration: Financial Management

Post: Assistant Director: Asset Management

Salary: R289 761 per annum (excluding benefits) (Level 9)

Centre: Pretoria (Head Office) (Recruit 2015/292)

Administration: Information Systems Management

Post: Assistant Director: Library

Salary: R289 761 per annum (excluding benefits) (Level 9)

Centre: Pretoria (Head Office) (Recruit 2015/293)

Closing date: 19 October 2015

Note: For full view of vacancy specifications, applicants may visit the NPA's website at www.npa.gov.za click on the Careers@NPA and ensure that you follow the correct link to the positions.

For your application to be accepted: Applications must be submitted on a Z83, obtainable from any Public Service department or on www.npa.gov.za which must be fully completed as per the instructions on the form, signed and dated. If the Z83 is not completed as prescribed your application will not be accepted. CVs without a Z83 will not be accepted. Handwritten Z83 must be comptled in BLOCK LETTERS.

Only copies of certified required qualifications, identity document and other listed documents as per the advert, must be included with your application.

Each post has a different recruitment number and it must be completed on the application form. Applications without the correct or without a recruit number will not be processed. Should you apply for more than one post, a separate application for each post must be submitted. Applications with multiple posts and recruitment numbers will not be accepted.

The NPA is an equal opportunity employer. People with disabilities will be given preference and encouraged to apply. In the filling of vacancies, the objectives of Section 195(1)(i) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and in particular the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998) and the NPA Employment Equity Strategy 2016, will take highest preference in selection of suitable candidates.

All applications must reach the NPA on/or before the closing date. No late applications will be accepted/processed. The NPA cannot be held responsible for server delays. Applicant’s attention is drawn to the fact that the NPA uses an Electronic Response Handling System in terms of e-mailed applications. Please DO NOT contact the NPA directly after you have e-mailed your applications to enquire if your application(s) have been received. If you have not received an acknowledgement of receipt within one week after the closing date then you can contact the NPA. The NPA reserves the right not to fill any particular position. If you do not hear from us within (3) three months from the closing date of the advert, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Successful candidates will be subjected to a security clearance of at least confidential. Appointment to this position will be provisional, pending the issue of security clearance. Fingerprints will be taken on the day of the interview. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency based assessments (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency based assessments). The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools.

All applications must be submitted to the relevant Recruitment Response E-mail or fax as stated.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is responsible for the management of the DST-NRF Internship Programme in which unemployed Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) graduates and postgraduates (including those in Social Sciences and Humanities) are offered an opportunity to acquire practical work experience through mentoring and exposure to a research environment. This opportunity is also offered to those unemployed graduates and postgraduates who are interested in research management; research support and administration at public higher education institutions and research agencies through a partnership with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA). Applications are invited from candidates who are interested in acquiring work experience in the areas of specialisation or disciplines in the stated provinces:

Province: Eastern Cape

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Extension; Agriculture; Analytical Chemistry; Animal Production; Anthropology; Artificial Intelligence; Biochemistry; Biology; Biostatistics; Botany; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Communication & Media Studies ; Computer Multimedia Systems; Computer Programming; Construction & Building; Development studies; Earth Science; Ecology; Ecology & Environmental Science; Economic Sciences; Electrical Engineering; Energy; Engineering; Entomology; Epidemiology; Fisheries; Food Sciences & Technology; Fresh Water Biology & Limnology; Health; Health Promotion & Disease Prevention; Health Systems Research; Industrial Psychology & Sociology; Information & Computer Sciences; Information & Library Sciences; Information Systems; Information Systems & Technologies; Inorganic chemistry; Languages & Literature; Marine Biology; Material Science & Technologies; Mechanical Engineering; Microbiology; Molecular & Cell Biology; Natural Sciences; Organic Chemistry; Pharmacology; Philosophy; Physics; Physiology; Plant Production; Political Sciences; Public Management & Administration; Research Management, Research Support & Administration; Social Work; Sociology; Soil & Water Sciences; Sports Science; Statistics; Zoology

 

Province: Free State

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agriculture; Agriculture Economics; Analytical Chemistry; Anthropology; Agrometereology; Biochemistry; Bio-engineering; Biophysics; Biotechnology; Botany; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Communication & Media Studies; Cultural Studies; Development Studies; Ecology; Education; Electrical Engineering; Engineering; Food Sciences & Technology; Forest Science; Genetics; Geohydrology; Geology; Hematology; Health Systems Research; Horticulture; Human Geography; Information & Library Science; Information Systems & Technologies; Inorganic Chemistry; Languages & Literature; Linguistics; Management; Mechanical Engineering; Microbiology; Molecular & Cell Biology; Organic Chemistry; Physical Geography; Plant Production; Polymer Science; Psychology; Research Management, Research Support & Administration; Science Education; Sociology; Soil & Water Sciences; Space & Earth Science; Statistics; Town & Regional Planning; Virology

 

Province: Gauteng

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agricultural Management; Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture; Agrometeorology; Analytical Chemistry; Anatomical Sciences; Animal Production; Anthropology; Applied Mathematics; Archaeology; Agricultural Economics; Atomic Molecular Nuclear Physics; Biochemistry; Bio-engineering; Biological Sciences; Biology; Biostatistics; Biotechnology; Botany; Chemical Engineering; Chemical Sciences; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Communication; Communication & Media Studies; Communication Technologies; Computer Multimedia Systems; Computer Programming; Computer Science; Computer Software; Dental Sciences; Developmental Studies; Ecology & Environmental Science; Education; Electrical Engineering; Electronic Engineering; Endocrinology; Engineering; Entomology; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Health; Environmental Studies; Environmental Engineering; Epidemiology; Fine arts; Fisheries; Food Sciences & Technology; Forensic sciences; Forest Science; Fresh Water Biology & Limnology; Game Ranching & Farming; Genetics; Geographic Information Science; Geology; Geophysics; Hematology; Health Economics; Health Promotion & Disease Prevention; Historical Studies; Home Economics; Horticulture; Human Physiology; Humanities; Immunology; Industrial Biotechnology; Industrial Engineering; Industrial Psychology; Information Systems & Technologies; Information & Computer Technology; Information & Library Science; Information Management; Information Systems; Information Technology; Innovation & Technology Transfer; Inorganic Chemistry; International Relations; IT Graphic Design; Languages & Literature; Management; Manufacturing & Process Techniques; Material Sciences & Technologies; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Technologies; Medical Virology; Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Microbiology; Molecular & Cell Biology; Morphology; Natural Science; Neuroscience; Nursing Science; Nutrition; Operations Research; Organic Chemistry; Paleontology; Pharmacology; Physical Geography; Physics; Physiology; Plant Biotechnology; Plant Production; Political Sciences ; Polymer Science; Process Engineering; Psychology; Public health; Public Management & Administration; Quality Management; R & D Psychology; Remote Sensing; Research Management; Rural Development; Science Journalism; Social Science; Social Work; Sociology; Soil & Water Sciences; Space & Earth Science; Sports Medicine; Statistics; Statistics and probability; Theatre; Theology; Town & Regional Planning; Veterinary Microbiology; Veterinary Science; Virology; Zoology

 

Province: KwaZulu-Natal

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture; Agrometeorology; Analytical chemistry; Animal Production; Applied Mathematics; Archaeology; Architecture; Agriculture ; Astronomy; Atmospheric Science & Meteorology; Biochemistry; Bio-Engineering; Biology; Biostatistics; Biotechnology; Botany; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Communication & Media Studies ; Communication Technologies; Computer Hardware; Computer Multimedia Systems; Computer Programming; Computer Science; Computer software; Cultural Studies; Design Studies; Ecology & Environmental Science; Education; Electrical Engineering; Environmental Studies; Environmental Health; Fisheries; Food Science & Technology; Forest Science; Genetics; Geochemistry; Health; Health Promotion & Disease Prevention; Health Systems Research; Horticulture; Human Geography; Hydrology; Immunology; Industrial Biotechnology; Industrial Design; Information & Computer Technologies; Information Systems & Technologies; Information Technology; Knowledge Management (Records Administration); Library Sciences; Management; Marine Biology; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Microbiology ; Medical Virology; Microbiology; Molecular & Cell Biology; Musicology; Operations Research; Organic Chemistry; Pharmacology; Photography; Physical Chemistry; Physical Geography; Physiology; Plant Production; Psychology; Public Health; Public Management & Administration; R & D Sociology; Research Management, Research Support & Administration; Science & Technology; Science Education ; Social Science; Sociology; Soil & Water Sciences; Space & Earth Science; Sports Science; Statistics; Statistics & Probability; Veterinary Science; Wood Science ; Zoology

 

Province: Limpopo

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Applied Mathematics; Archaeology; Atomic, Molecular & Nuclear Physics; Biochemistry; Biological sciences; Biology; Botany; Chemical Engineering; Chemical Pathology; Chemical Sciences; Chemistry; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Construction & Building; Development Studies; Dietetics; Ecology & Environmental Science; Electronic Engineering; Environmental Health; Environmental Studies; Fisheries; Food Sciences & Technology; Forest science; Fresh Water Biology & limnology; Geology; Hematology; Health Promotion; Horticulture ; Human Geography; Hydrology; Industrial Biotechnology; Information & Computer Science; Information & Library Science; Information Management; Information Systems & Technology; Information Technology; Management; Material Sciences & Technologies; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Microbiology; Molecular & Cell Biology; Morphology; Natural Science; Nursing Science; Nutrition ; Nutrition & Metabolism; Organic Chemistry; Physical Geography; Physics; Physiology; Plant Biotechnology; Plant Production; Psychology; Public Health; R & D; Psychology; Research Management, Research Support & Administration; Rural Development; Soil & Water  Sciences; Sports Science; Statistics; Statistics & Probability; Sustainable Development; Town & Regional Planning; Toxicology; Zoology

 

Province: Mpumalanga

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agriculture; Food Sciences & Technology

 

Province: Northern Cape

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Botany; Ecology & Environmental Science

 

Province: North West

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agriculture; Analytical Chemistry; Atomic, Molecular & Nuclear Physics; Biochemistry; Biology; Biostatistics; Chemical Engineering; Chemical Sciences; Chemistry; Dietetics; Education; Epidemiology; Food Sciences & Technology; Forensic Sciences; Genetics; Health Informatics; Health Promotion & Disease Prevention; Health Systems Research; Information & Computer Technologies; Information & Library Science; Mathematics; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Nuclear Medicine & Organ Imaging; Nursing Science; Nutrition & Metabolism; Physics; Plant Production; Psychology; Public Health; Research Management, Research Support & Administration; Social Work ; Soil & Water Sciences; Sports & Recreational Arts; Sports Medicine; Sports Science; Veterinary Science

 

Province: Western Cape

Areas of specialisation/disciplines (Choose 1 discipline per province up to a maximum of 3 in order of preference): Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture; Agricultural Economics; Analytical Chemistry; Anthropology; Applied Mathematics; Archaeology; Atmospheric Science & Meteorology; Atomic, Molecular & Nuclear Physics; Automotive Engineering; Biochemistry; Bio-engineering; Biological Sciences; Biology; Biomedical Technology; Biophysics; Biostatistics; Biotechnology; Botany; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Communication & Media Studies; Communication Technologies; Computer Programming; Computer Science; Computer Software; Dental Sciences; Design Studies; Development Studies; Ecology; Ecology & Environmental Science; Education ; Electrical Engineering; Energy; Engineering Management; Entomology; Environmental Studies; Epidemiology ; Fisheries; Food sciences & Technology; Forensic Sciences; Fresh Water Biology & Limnology; Genetics; Geochemistry; Geographic Information Science; Geology; Geospace Physics; Health Informatics; Health promotion &  Disease Prevention; Health Systems Research; Health Technology; Health Economics; Horticulture; Human Geography; Human Movement science; Hydrology; Immunology; Industrial Design; Industrial Engineering; Industrial Psychology & Sociology; Infectious Diseases; Information  & Computer Technologies; Information & Library Science; Information Management; Information Systems & Technologies; Information Technology; Information Systems; Inorganic Chemistry; International Law; Management; Marine Biology; Science & Technologies; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Biotechnology; Medical Technologies; Microbiology; Molecular and Cell Biology; Neuroscience; Nursing Science; Nutrition; Oceanography; Organic Chemistry; Organic Sciences; Paleontology; Particle & Plasma Physics; Physical Geography ; Physical Chemistry; Physics ; Physiology; Political Sciences & Public Policy; Polymer science; Psychology; Public Management & Administration; R & D Psychology; Rehabilitation Medicine; Remote Sensing; Research Management, Research Support & Administration; Science Education; Social Science; Social Work; Sociology; Soil & Water Sciences; Space & Earth Science; Sports & Recreational Arts; Sports Medicine; Sports Science; Statistics; Statistics & Probability; Sustainable Development; Theoretical & Condensed Matter; Physics; Veterinary Science; Zoology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifcations: Only university graduates with Bachelors, Honours, BTech, MTech or Master’s degrees may apply. People holding a National Diploma, DTech and PhD need not apply.

Remuneration: Interns will receive a monthly salary ranging between R6 070 and R8 050 per month - depending on the level of qualification.

Who is eligible to apply? Unemployed South African university graduates and post-graduates in the Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET), Research and Development fields are eligible. Non-South Africans are not eligible for this internship. Applicants should not be older than 35 years old at the time of submission of an application. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Placement is at various institutions: Successful applicants will be placed at various institutions throughout the country and should thus apply for a position available in the province where they would like to be placed. The NRF does not pay relocation costs to an appointed candidate (s) who has to relocate to another province.

Duration: The internship programme is offered for a period of 12 months. Successful applicants will be required to sign an internship contract for the duration of the internship period.

How to apply? All applications must be submitted electronically on the NRF Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za, register and then log in. Please also attach certified copies of qualifications, academic records and the South African Identity Document. Please note that you may only apply for a maximum of 3 disciplines in order of preference across all provinces.

Enquiries: For technical online enquiries, please contact the Support Desk (Mondays to Fridays from 08h00 to16h30) on: Tel: (012) 481-4202 or E-mail: supportdesk@nrf.ac.za For programme related queries contact Sello Raseruthe: (012) 481-4388 or sello.raseruthe@nrf.ac.za and Monwabisi Mfihlo: (012) 481-4023 or monwabisi.mfihlo@nrf.ac.za

Closing date: 02 November 2015

NB: Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Correspondence will be limited to short listed candidates only. If no correspondence has been received within 4 months after the closing date, applicants should consider their applications unsuccessful. Successful applicants will start their internship on 1 April 2016.

The mission of the Department of Science and Technology is to provide leadership, an enabling environment, and resources for science, technology and innovation in support of South Africa's development. To assist us in achieving this, we wish to appoint dynamic individuals in the following positions:

Chief Financial Officer

Salary: R1 042 500 per annum (all inclusive package)

Requirements: Honours or postgraduate degree in finance (NQF7); Six to 10 years' relevant working experience in the field of financial management; Sound knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act, budget processes, National Treasury Regulations and Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act; Strategic leadership and human resource management skills.

Duties: Provide leadership in financial management, supply chain management and financial accounting; Provide strategic leadership in the allocation of resources in the organisation

Reference: DST20906

Enquiries: Mr Johan Jansen van Rensburg, Tel 012 843 6701

Director: Office of the Deputy Director-General Technology Innovation

Salary: R864 177 per annum (all inclusive package)

Requirements: Honours degree or Btech in Business Management/Public Administration; Masters degree will be an added advantage; Minimum of six to ten years' relevant work experience in a similar executive environment; Extensive knowledge of government financial systems (including budgeting, expenditure and control); business planning processes and project management; administration and management of project teams; and matrix organisational structure management; Excellent communication, negotiation, coordination and team-dynamic management skills.

Duties: Support the Deputy Director-General in the efficient and effective management and coordination of the Programme through the provision of management support with regard to finances, planning, human resources and administration processes; Manage internal Programme-related liaison; Develop and manage all administrative processes in the Office of the Deputy Director-General; Monitor adherence to DST policies in procurement and employment practices; Manage quality assurance of all documentation and submissions; Attend to all queries directed to the Office of the Deputy Director-General; Manage human resources and coordinate the development of performance agreements for the Programme; Coordinate personal development plans for staff in the Programme; Manage the programme structure; Monitor and implement decisions taken by Opco, Exco and Ministerial Management Meetings; Manage the finances of the Programme; Coordinate and manage MTEF budget processes; Facilitate and manage the strategic planning and business planning processes within the Programme; Develop a planning and reporting calendar for the Programme in line with departmental events; Ensure compliance and control.

Reference: DST20909

Enquiries: Mr Johan Jansen van Rensburg, Tel 012 843 6701

Director: Research Development

Salary: R864 177 per annum (all inclusive package)

Requirements: Honours degree or Btech in science or social sciences and humanities; Masters degree will be an added advantage; Minimum of seven years working experience in  research (at least four years) and management (at least three years); Knowledge of the national science and higher education system, and of relevant government policies and strategic imperatives; Demonstrate established networks in the relevant institutions; Experience of quantitative and qualitative research; Development of strategic frameworks, project management, people management, financial management, verbal and written communication skills, high level of computer literacy; The incumbernt must have ability to work under pressure, demonstrate ability and experience in working both autonomously and collaboratively with relevant stakehodlers, creative and take initiative.

Duties: Develop and implement programmes in consultation with other divisions in the Department and with DST entities; Develop strategic documents; Evaluate and monitor policies, strategies, frameworks and programmes; Manage external partnerships strategically; Provide strategic leadership with the directorate; Ensure effective utilisation of the directorate's resources according to the PFMA; Provide leadership role in managing directorate and provide empowerment opportunities.

Reference: DST 20910

Enquiries: Ms Dolly Masuku, Tel 012 843 6692

The closing date is 16 October 2015.

The Department of Science and Technology is an affirmative action employer and coloured, white females and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for these posts.

Applications must be accompanied by a signed Z83 form and up-to-date curriculum vitae (including three contactable referees), as well as recently certified copies of all qualifications and the applicant's identity document.

To apply, go to www.dst.gov.za and click on Jobs. Select the relevant position and upload your CV. Any question about the application process may be directed to help@jonti.co.za or 0861 113 460. You can also post your Z83, CV and application letter to the Chief Director: Human Resources, Private Bag X894, Pretoria, 0001, or hand-deliver them to the Department at Building 52, CSIR Campus, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria.

Note: Confirmation of permanent appointment will be subject to the applicant passing a security check and confirmation of the applicant's qualfications. It is the responsibility of applicants to have any foreign qualifications verified by the South African Qualifications Authority. The Department will respond only to shortlisted candidates, who will be interviewed on a date and at a time specified by the Department. The Department reserves the right not to appoint anyone to the above posts, and to withdraw them, readvertise them or fill tehm by way of transfer or deployment if this is considered int he interests of service delivery.

All candidates for Senior Management Service (SMS) positions will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics for which will be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in complaince with the DPSA directive on the implementation of competency-based assessment, and using the mandated DPSA SMS competency-assessment tools).

The Department of Transport is committed to youth skills development by providing graduates with opportunities to gain workplace experience to complement their studies.

Applications are invited for the fifty three (53) internships positions to promising graduates between the ages of 18 and 35. The internship programme will run for a period of twelve (12) months. The positions are based in Pretoria. The Department will pay a monthly stipend according to qualifications ranging from R4600.00

Requirements: Applications must have a Diploma/Degree in any one of the fields specified below:

Applications: Department of Transport, Private Bag X193, Pretoria, 0001 of hand deliver at the Forum Building, Cnr Struben and Bosman Street, Pretoria for attention Recruitment Unit, Room 4034.  Employees are reminded to quote the relevant reference numbers/post number when applying for these posts.

Placement area: Office of the Director-General: Administration
Qualifications required: Political Science/Public Management & Governance/ Business Administration
Reference no: DOT/HRD/01
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Office of the Director-General: Internal Audit
Qualifications required: Internal Auditing
Reference no: DOT/HRD/02
Number of interns required: 2

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Organisational Development
Qualifications required: Management Services/Work Study
Reference no: DOT/HRD/03
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Employee Health & Wellness
Qualifications required: Humanities/Social Science/ Behavioural Science
Reference no: DOT/HRD/04
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Change Management
Qualifications required: Industrial/Organisational Psychology/Organisational Development
Reference no: DOT/HRD/05
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Gender, Disability, Youth & Children
Qualifications required: Humanities/Social Science and Behavioural Science
Reference no: DOT/HRD/06
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Human Resource Development (Internal & External/Sectoral)
Qualifications required: Human Resources Management /Human Resources Development
Reference no: DOT/HRD/07
Number of interns required: 2

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Performance Management & Development
Qualifications required: Human Resources Management /Human Resources Development/ Public Administration
Reference no: DOT/HRD/08
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Human Resource Management and Administration
Qualifications required: Human Resource Management/Management
Reference no: DOT/HRD/09
Number of interns required: 2

Placement area: Human Resource Management and Development - Labour Relations
Qualifications required: LLB Degree/ Labour Relations
Reference no: DOT/HRD/10
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Corporate Services - Travel Services
Qualifications required: Information Management /Administration/Public Administration.
Reference no: DOT/HRD/11
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Corporate Services - Office Services
Qualifications required: Administration/ Public Management/ Information Management
Reference no: DOT/HRD/12
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: International relations
Qualifications required: Political Science/International Relations/International Law
Reference no: DOT/HRD/13
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Chief Financial Officer - Supply Chain Management
Qualifications required: Procurement / Logistical Management/ Supply Chain Management
Reference no: DOT/HRD/14
Number of interns required: 3

Placement area: Chief Financial Officer - Internal Control & Compliance
Qualifications required: Finance/ Auditing
Reference no: DOT/HRD/15
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Road Regulations
Qualifications required: BProc/LLB
Reference no: DOT/HRD/16
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Road Disaster Management & Environment
Qualifications required: Disaster Management/ Environmental Management /Environmental Engineering/GIS & Computer Literacy
Reference no: DOT/HRD/17
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Road Transport  Research & Policy/ Road Infrastructure Standards
Qualifications required: Civil Engineering/ Transport Economics/ Transport Management
Reference no: DOT/HRD/18
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Road Infrastructure & Industry Development
Qualifications required: Civil Engineering/ Transport Engineering/Transport  Planning Studies
Reference no: DOT/HRD/19
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - NMT Integration, Design Standards & Guidelines
Qualifications required: Development studies/ Transport Planning
Reference no: DOT/HRD/20
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Non- Motorised Transport & Industry Development
Qualifications required: Transport Economics/ Development Studies
Reference no: DOT/HRD/21
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Rural Roads Management
Qualifications required: Transport Management with Project Management/ Development Studies/ Monitoring & Evaluation
Reference no: DOT/HRD/22
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Road Transport - Non- Motorised Transport & Industry Development
Qualifications required: Transport Management/ Transport Planning
Reference no: DOT/HRD/23
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Maritime transport - Maritime Policy Development/ Maritime Legislation
Qualifications required: LLB Degree/ Public Policy/ Maritime Law
Reference no: DOT/HRD/24
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Maritime transport - Maritime Security
Qualifications required: Security Management/ Risk Management
Reference no: DOT/HRD/25
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Maritime transport - Maritime Safety
Qualifications required: Safety Management/Maritime Studies
Reference no: DOT/HRD/26
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Maritime transport - Maritime Industry Development
Qualifications required: Transport Economics/Maritime Studies
Reference no: DOT/HRD/27
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Maritime transport - Maritime Environment
Qualifications required: Environmental Management
Reference no: DOT/HRD/28
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Civil aviation - Civil Aviation Public Entity Oversight
Qualifications required: Transport Management/ Transport Economics/ Economics
Reference no: DOT/HRD/29
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Civil aviation - Multilateral Affairs: International/ Multilateral Affairs: Africa
Qualifications required: International Relations
Reference no: DOT/HRD/30
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Civil aviation - Aviation Safety/Aviation Security
Qualifications required: Transport Management/ Transport Economics/ Any Transport related
Reference no: DOT/HRD/31
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Civil aviation - Aviation Enforcement
Qualifications required: Transport Management/ Transport Economics/ Any Transport related
Reference no: DOT/HRD/32
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Civil aviation - Aviation Environment & Climate Change
Qualifications required: Transport Management/ Environmental Studies/ Any Transport related
Reference no: DOT/HRD/33
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Public transport - Rural & Scholar Transport Implementation
Qualifications required: Transport Management with Project Management as a Module
Reference no: DOT/HRD/34
Number of interns required: 2

Placement area: Rail transport - Rail Policy & Strategy Development
Qualifications required: Transport Economics/ Post Graduate Qualification in Public Policy /Rail Engineering
Reference no: DOT/HRD/35
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Rail transport - Rail Economic Regulations
Qualifications required: Transport Economics
Reference no: DOT/HRD/36
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Modelling & Macro Economics Analysis
Qualifications required: Transport Economics/ Econometrics/ Economics
Reference no: DOT/HRD/37
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Master Planning Implementation & Review
Qualifications required: Transport Planning/ Civil Engineering/ Civil Engineering/ Town / Town Planning/ related qualification in transport and spatial field
Reference no: DOT/HRD/38
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Macro Planning Statutory Instruments & Policy Coordination
Qualifications required: B. Proc/LLB/LLM/ Legal Drafting skills will serve as an added advantage
Reference no: DOT/HRD/39
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Environmental Coordination
Qualifications required: Environmental studies/ Natural Sciences/ Earth Sciences
Reference no: DOT/HRD/40
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Regional Corridors
Qualifications required: Economics/Transport Economics/ Development Studies
Reference no: DOT/HRD/41
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Monitoring & Evaluation
Qualifications required: Transport Economics/Policy Studies/ Monitoring & Evaluation
Reference no: DOT/HRD/42
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Integrated Transport Planning - Research
Qualifications required: Post graduate qualification in Transport Management/ Public Administration/ and any other related senior degree
Reference no: DOT/HRD/44
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Transport Information Systems - Business Systems
Qualifications required: Information Technology (Software Development/Web Development
Reference no: DOT/HRD/44
Number of interns required: 1

Placement area: Transport Information Systems - ICT Infrastructure
Qualifications required: Information  Technology
Reference no: DOT/HRD/45
Number of interns required: 2

Closing date: 30 October 2015

Note : Applications must be accompanied by form Z83, obtainable from any Public Service Department, (or obtainable at ) and a recent updated comprehensive CV (previous experience must be comprehensively detailed, i.e. positions held and dates), as well as certified copies of all qualifications and ID document.  Failure to submit the requested documents/information will result in your application not being considered.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA).  The Department reserves the right not to fill the posts. The successful candidates must be willing to sign an oath of secrecy with the Department.  Applicants will be expected to be available for selection interviews and assessments at a time, date and place as determined by the Department.  All appointments are subject to the verification of educational qualifications, previous experience, citizenship, reference checks and security vetting.

Please note:  Correspondence will only be entered into with short-listed candidates.

Written by Thandeka Ngobese

Youth matters

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and Umgeni Local Municipality have partnered in a R1.7 million Youth Build Infrastructure Development programme to address youth unemployment in the municipality. 

Through the partnership, 100 unemployed youth have been trained in construction and will participate in the building of a local school in the area. With their new technical skills they have been empowered to generate an income for themselves and their families.

One of the Youth Build Infrastructure Development Programme beneficiaries Anele Nxele (23) said that being part of the programme was a dream come true for her.

“I completed school in 2012 and have not been doing anything since. That’s why I joined the NYDA programme. I just want to get a job, but my real dream is to own a construction company,” said Nxele.

NYDA Executive Chairperson Yershen Pillay said addressing youth unemployment in South Africa has always been on the list of the NYDA’s list of priorities. It is also among the long-term goals that government has outlined in the National Development Plan Vision 2030. 

“Through this programme 100 young people were trained as carpenters, plumbers and electricians and will participate in delivering a brand new school to their community,” said Pillay.

The training identified for the project is an accredited construction skills programme at NQF level 3 and is in the bricklaying and plastering trades. The programme is part of the building and civil engineering qualification approved by the Construction SETA.

“The NYDA Youth Build Programme is a practical example of how best to address the challenge of youth unemployment in an integrated and holistic way. It is an innovative programme that integrates academic achievement, work experience, social action, leadership development and personal transformation in a single project. As you build you are equally trained and skilled for future progress as productive, contributing citizens of society,” said Pillay.

Umgeni Local Municipality Mayor Mbali Myeni said the programme would help the municipality with its efforts to curb unemployment among the youth.

“I encourage the youth to take an opportunity like this with both hands as it’s going to change their lives,” she said.

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

Youth matters

Thato Kgatlhanye is one of those young people who believes in doing business with a purpose.

She owns Rethaka, which is a company that produces solar powered school bags known as Repurpose Schoolbags for children living in homes that do not have electricity.

“I am a social entrepreneur, I am money and business-driven, and I am empathetic towards people.”

Rethaka, comes from the Sotho word ‘Re dithaka’ and means we are all on a equal level. 

Kgatlhanye, 22, comes Mogwase, just outside Sun City in the North West.

She started her business with a group of friends in 2011 after completing matric while pursuing the ideas of becoming entrepreneurs.

“We had no idea what we wanted to do with the business, we just registered it. All we wanted to do was to be involved in business. We left it at that and went to university. We were 18 years at the time.”

During her university years she said she was given an assignment of creating a bag from a plastic bag.

“I thought how do I push the idea and make it more than just a school bag. I knew that children lived in homes without electricity and I wanted to come up with something to change this.”

Kgatlhanye, who holds a degree in brand management from Vega School of Brand Leadership, said this sparked the idea to create a solar powered school bag.

To raise start-up funding for the business, Kgatlhanye entered the South African Breweries Foundation Innovation Award and got a business grant of R300 000.

“We also got the Anazish Prize and where given about $15 000.

The late Minister of Public Service Collins Chabane also honoured the company with a special ministerial award last year he gave us R15 000. He heard about us but I do not know how.”

The Anzisha Prize seeks to award young entrepreneurs who have developed and implemented innovative solutions to social challenges or started successful businesses within their communities in Africa.

Creating a solar powered school bag

A child receives a package, which consists of a solar panel, lamp, and the school bag made from recycled plastic.

Kgatlhanye explained that all the bags are made from plastic bags. Once the manufacturing of every school bag has been completed there is a small solar panel inserted at the back of the bag.

“So as the child is walking to school the solar panel is being charged. When they get home, they take the panel out and insert it into a desk lamp integrating the two. The lamp has a switch that the child presses and the lamp lights-up generating electricity from the solar panel.”

Rethaka outsources the solar panels since Kgatlhanye does not have the skills to manufacture her own solar panels but it is something she said the company was working on as it grows. 

“It’s very exciting to be part of the circular economy.”

“We use waste and we are part of the few companies in Africa leading the circular economy finding ways to close the loop and turning waste into worth, which is a different way of thinking and a different way of doing business.”

“A previous business model would have been to get a raw material and produce something but we are taking waste and turning it into something valuable.”

Rethaka's giving partners

Kgatlhanye said her company is not a non-profitable organisation but she sees it as social entrepreneurship.

When it comes to selling the school bags, which cost R250 per bag, she approaches sponsorship from companies, which she has termed giving partners.

“We don’t sell the bags to school. We sell them to corporates or individuals. We don’t call them clients we have termed them giving partners. They purchase on behalf of the children.”

“Our giving partners are the ones that do the donating. A company would do it as part of their corporate social investment programme. Other companies buy conference bags and for every conference bag that they buy they also buy a school bag for a child.”

“We don’t donate the bags we just make them and get our giving partners to buy and hand them over to schools.”

On average Rethaka makes about 30 bags a day manufactured by a staff that consists of 15 permanent employees in production and three people who handle the day to day running of the business and three casual workers who collect the plastic bags at land refill sites.

“We work as a team and I have good people that work for me. Even though I am younger than almost all of them but they are good people to work with and we leave our ages at the door.”

Rethaka reaching across Africa

She said her company had received positive feedback and were now distributing to other countries on the African continent such as Namibia and Mozambique.

“The bag has been received well because children who were using a plastic bag or carried their books underneath their arm now have a school bag. The school bag is also water proof which means their books don’t get wet when it rains.”

“For a child that has never had a school bag getting this type of bag is a big deal.

It goes a long way in giving a child dignity and knowing that when they get home they will be able to do their homework.” 

“Our bag is meeting basic and necessary key things that children need. Another thing is that on every bag there are two reflector strips so that the children are visible to motorists if they walk in the dark.” 

Plans for the future

She said as part of her company’s plans for the future she was in the process of developing luxury bags.

“We want to go commercial creating this luxury bags and exporting overseas. For every bag that is brought we will donate a repurpose school bag to a school child.”

Kgatlhanye said any young person could contribute to creating jobs and starting business just like she did.

“It takes hard work and someone to dream to a goal that is actionable. Dream in detail know what you want. You become intentional about yourself.”

“Don’t forget to develop a product that will make lives of people easier. My product is gifting with a purpose it’s lighter on the environment, it creates jobs and changing a child’s life.”

Written by Albert Pule

For the next two years a group of 25 young designers will learn the art of jewellery making and experience how some of the best designers in Italy and Switzerland go about their work.

They are part of a design programme initiated by the National Skills Fund (NSF) in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Mining Qualification Authority (MQA) and the IL Tari Academy in Italy.

“The programme  provides opportunities to study at one of the most renowned academies specialising in jewellery design,” said the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training,  Mduduzi Manana.

 “The objective of the project is to increase the talent and skills of South African youth in mineral beneficiation by learning from one of the leading markets.

“IL Tari Design School, a jewellery manufacturing school in Italy, manufactures goods which are mainly exported abroad.”

Mineral beneficiation has become one of the major drivers in advancing the empowerment of historically disadvantaged communities in South Africa. It also helps with developing new entrepreneurs in large and small mining industries.

Beneficiation, or value-added processing, involves the transformation of a primary material (produced by mining and extraction processes) to a finished product, which has a higher export sales value.

The process involves, among others, craft jewellery, metal fabrication and ceramic pottery.

The students were chosen from across all nine provinces and some were taken from the technical vocational and training colleges.

Chief Executive Officer of the Mining Qualification Authority Sam Seepei said choosing the students from over 100 applications was not an easy job.

“We had to go for the best and it was a rigorous exercise. The interviews were very difficult but we believe we’ve got the cream of the crop.”

Among the designers is Gravelle Abrahams from Worcester, in the Western Cape. The 32-year-old had to quit his job to join the programme, a decision he said he doesn’t regret.

“I’ve always wanted to study further and improve my skills and when I heard about this programme I made a lot of calls until I found the correct information.

“It was not an easy road but because I knew what I wanted, I kept persevering and believed that one day the opportunity would come. It now has and I’m off to Italy,” said an excited Abrahams.

Abrahams will also be sent to Switzerland to learn how to make watches.

“I’ve always been fascinated by big watches and now I’ve got an opportunity to study their movements with the best watchmakers in the world. I’m really honoured and grateful to the department and the MQA.”

Abrahams will be joined by Koketso Mohlala from Soshanguve, north of Pretoria. Mohlala said her love of design started at an early age.

“I’ve always been a creative person and I remember my teachers encouraging me to study something in design and arts but I wanted to do something unique. I thought of fashion design and I realised many people are doing it so I chose jewellery design and manufacturing.”

In 2017, when they arrive back in South Africa, the designers will get help from the MQA to start new businesses, create jobs and help the country to speed up and make a success of the beneficiation process.

This is the first group that the DHET is sending to Italy and Switzerland and, based on their performance, department could send another group next year.

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

Learners who did not perform well in the June and September trial exams will now be allowed to complete their Grade 12 over a period of two years.

“Learners will be offered the option to only focus on the subjects they are ready to write this year and focus on the remaining subjects in 2016 to ensure that they get the support and content knowledge required to allow them to attain a matric certificate,” the Council for Education Ministers (CEM) said in a statement.

This was a decision taken by the CEM, which is made up of the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister Mohamed Enver Surty and the nine MECs of Education from the provinces.

MECs of Education from all the provinces have committed to engaging with these learners as well as their parents to inform them of this decision. Parents and learners will be advised based on the performance of learners in the trial examinations on the best way forward.

Learners can choose indigenous languages in 2016

From next year schools will be required to include indigenous languages in their curriculum from Grade 1 across the board. 

This means that schools that previously only offered English and Afrikaans will now have to offer an African language from
Grade 1 and continue incrementally year-on-year.

“This is an exciting and important development as far as languages are concerned,” Minister Motshekga said.

She encouraged all South African authors, poets and universities to continue to create literature in South African local languages.

The Minister said Mandarin has also been added to the list of the other 15 additional foreign language options.

“This forms part of a country to country agreement, like those we have with other countries.

“To reiterate, Mandarin is now available to schools that wish to offer it at an optional third language level. It will have no impact on our current compulsory curriculum in which it is mandatory to take two South African languages.”

All systems go for Grade 12 final exams

The council also announced that with the start of the 2015 National Senior Certificate examination looming, it was all systems go to ensure the smooth administration for the exams.

“Examination papers have been set and have been sent to provinces. Provinces have appointed markers and all processes are going ahead as planned.

“This year there is a very large number of Grade 12 learners writing the examinations. The total number of registered candidates are 801 688 with 674 232 of those being full-time candidates and 127 456 part time candidates.”

The Department of Basic Education has printed over 10 million question papers that are ready to be distributed to almost 7 000 examination centres.

“We will have 65 000 invigilators and 35 000 markers in 118 marking centres around the country.”

Making South Africa a reading nation

The council also indicated that they were on a mission to make South Africa a reading nation with its 1 000 school libraries campaign launched this year during Mandela Day.

“One thousand libraries, reading corners or container libraries will be built or refurbished every year to ensure that by 2019 every school has access to adequate reading material, especially to encourage recreational reading.”

Research shows that learners who read for pleasure are on average one and a half grades ahead of their peers who do not read.

“Our mission to make South Africa a reading nation will go a long way to address many of the challenges in the sector and we need all South Africans to come on board. We need to give books as gifts, we need to read to our children and get them to read to us. This cannot be done in schools alone we need to read in our homes as well.”

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

Top of the agenda for the Department of Social Development is to deepen social assistance and extend social security, which will make a difference in fighting poverty and inequality.

Social grants have always been an important part of the department’s social assistance programme and that’s why 16 million people receive social grants. October marks Social Development Month, a time when government highlights its programmes aimed at fighting poverty and building a caring society for a better life.

Speaking to Vuk’uzenzele newspaper recently, the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, said that the number of South Africans benefitting from grants increased from 2.5 million in 1993 to more than 16 million last year. “Government has also made it possible for older people, who care for their grandchildren or children, to receive foster care grants,” said Minister Dlamini.

Fighting fraud and corruption within SASSA

Minister Dlamini said department’s fraud prevention strategy is making headway in fighting fraud and corruption at the South African State Security Agency (SASSA). “It is pleasing to note that our fraud prevention strategy, which we have rigorously employed over the past few years, is having the desired impact.” “Between April 2013 and March 2014 about 3 571 cases were captured on the Fraud Case Management System. At the end of January 2015 only over a thousand cases were captured.” According to Minister Dlamini, the decline shows that her department is winning the fight against fraud and corruption. “Since 2010, 261 officials have been suspended, five were dismissed, five convicted of fraud and 12 resigned before disciplinary hearings.” In 2012, the department started a process of re-registering grant beneficiaries to root out ‘ghost’ beneficiaries and ensure that grants are paid out to deserving South Africans. She said at the end of the re-registration process over 300 000 fraudulent payments, which included duplicated grants, were cancelled.

Isibindi assisting vulnerable children

With South Africa having over two million orphans the department is constantly looking at better ways to care for them. The department has over 130 000 children on the orphaned and vulnerable children register. The children are beneficiaries of services rendered through the Isibindi model, which is a social development initiative that seeks to provide child and your care services. “The department trains child and youth care workers who in return provide direct support to orphaned and vulnerable children in their homes, through life skills programmes.” The model was adopted in response to the high number of orphaned and vulnerable children in communities around South Africa. Minister Dlamini said over 2 000 children, youth and people living with disabilities have also received services through this model.

Investing in social workers

To meet the 55 000 social service practitioner target as set out by the National Development Plan, the department has rolled out a scholarship programme that funds students who want to study social work at universities.
Currently South Africa has about 19 500 social work practitioners, with the estimated ratio of social workers to the population at 1:5000 countrywide. The department’s scholarship programme has ensured that over 8 000 young people  are now in the field of social work. More than 3 500 of them have been absorbed into the public service and the department is working with all provinces to ensure further opportunities.

Fighting substance abuse

Government has developed and implemented the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, to tackle substance abuse. “Cabinet has also established the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Combating Substance Abuse, led by the Department of Social Development, to advance policy interventions on these matters,” the Minister said.

She added that government had further established the Central Drug Authority and reviewed the National Drug Master Plan 2013-2017 to respond to the supply, demand and harm caused by drugs and substances.  
“We have rolled out community-based programmes to create awareness and promote prevention programmes targeting all communities, especially the youth. “Government has also established seven public treatment centres, three in the Western Cape, one in Gauteng, one in Mpumalanga and two in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Minister Dlamini and added that the department has put aside funds to construct six more public treatment centres to ensure that each province has at least one. The new centres will be established in the Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Free State and Eastern Cape provinces.

A special unit has been established to ensure that suppliers who do business with government are paid within 30 days, provided a legitimate invoice has been submitted.

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radede, said the unit is located within his department and is working with National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration.
Minister Radebe was updating the media on the progress and challenges pertaining to the 14 priorities of government recently.

“A comparative analysis of national departments between 2013 and 2014 showed that there has been improvement in the average number of invoices paid within 30 days,” he said.
However, delays in payment were still a challenge with significant negative impact on small business, growing the economy and employment creation.

Presidential Hotline

Meanwhile, he said 94 percent of complaints and queries received from the Presidential Hotline have been recorded as resolved. The hotline has received 207 000 complaints and queries of which 35 percent are general queries and 65 percent of the complaints are about services. “The nature of the complaints that we receive mainly involve labour relations and employment, land and housing, local government, basic services and utilities, as well as crime and justice,” Minister Radebe said.

The Presidential Hotline provides a platform for people to lodge queries and complaints about the quality of services they receive from government.
“To date we have surveyed 23 000 people and the results suggest that on average 70 percent of people rate the service as good to fair and 30 percent rate it as poor,” he said.

A bursary from the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has meant the realisation of a dream for young engineer Gideon Machete.

Now that he has graduated, he has been given a boost to his career on a safe journey ahead. Machete is one of 11 at SANRAL’s Centre of Excellence design academy this year, the second since its inception in January 2014. SANRAL bursary graduates from around the country benefit from the centre’s formal in-house programme, which was established to facilitate and advance their careers by providing experience on real projects. Next year SANRAL plans for an intake of 27 candidates, based on the number of its expected graduating bursary holders.

SANRAL Southern Region (SR) Regional Manager Mbulelo Peterson said the structured training programme added substantial value to the parastatal’s commitment to the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), to which SANRAL is an accredited commissioning and undertaking provider. ECSA’s primary role is the regulation of the engineering profession and registration of qualifying professionals.

Graduates at the Centre of Excellence have successfully attained BSc Civil Engineering degrees with the complete support of SANRAL’s bursary scheme.  It is a four-year course, but that is not where it ends for these hard working graduates. SANRAL’s programme facilitates work that will build up the experiences, competencies and proficiencies they need in order to qualify for ECSA’s stringent professional standards.

Graduates remain at the design academy, which is housed in SANRAL SR’s offices in Newton Park, for 12 to 18 months, depending on their previous field experience. After completing the programme, they proceed to construction sites or to gain further experience in SANRAL projects around the country. “Ideally, they should complete four years’ training after their studies. They need to be able to prove that they can operate in the field as professional engineers,” said Kelly.

“The first gate then is ECSA registration and doors will then open for them, depending on employment opportunities available at SANRAL at the time. Our programme is aimed at getting their responsibilities and competencies right.”
Originally from Moleketla Village in Tzaneen, Machete is a SANRAL head office bursary recipient. He studied at the University of Pretoria.

“I matriculated in 2005 but could not afford to pay for my studies. I spent the most part of 2006 working as a painter in Tzaneen to earn a living, so I am very grateful to SANRAL for making this possible. Education is important to me because it opens doors and opportunities,” the young engineer said.

The training at SANRAL includes geometric design, traffic analysis and capacity, materials investigation and utilisation, pavement evaluations and more. Some of the hands-on engineering projects Machete is currently working on are the upgrade of the R75 road from Jansenville to Graaff-Reinet, which is being designed by the academy, and the maintenance of provincial gravel roads in the Eastern Cape.

For more information call: 041 398 3216

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

Waiting up to six hours to see a doctor or collect medication is a thing of the past for patients visiting the Standerton Hospital in Mpumalanga.

This comes after the provincial Department of Health, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and healthcare solutions company BroadReach, built a wellness centre worth R7 million. “Things have really improved. Patients used to wait for about six hours to see the doctor or collect their medication at the pharmacy. Currently, patients wait only an hour or less,” said Wellness Centre Operations Manager Elsabe Nienaber.

The Wellness Centre is situated inside the Standerton Hospital. In the past, patients would visit the hospital’s out-patient section for assistance. “The outpatient section was extremely overloaded with patients and as health workers we tried our best to provide the service, but the demand was just too high. “With the opening of the Wellness Centre we have a doctor dedicated to us who sees patients and prescribes medicines. We also have a pharmacy dedicated to the Wellness Centre, where patients can collect their medication after consultation with the doctor,” said Nienaber.

The Wellness Centre provides primary healthcare services, such as HIV testing, family planning, immunisation for children and more. The centre also administers antiretrovirals to HIV positive patients and supplies medication to those with tuberculosis, diabetes and hypertension. Between 130 and 150 people visit the centre daily for medical treatment and to learn how to live a health life.

The centre consists of a patient waiting area, with seating for up to 80 patients; administration and patient record area; four consulting rooms; doctor’s consulting rooms, with a separate sputum collection point for improved infection control and a boardroom.

For more information on the services offered at the Wellness Centre call: 017 719 9604

Written by Edwin Tshivhidzo

The Department of Health has made it easier for young people to make informed decisions about their health.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi recently launched B-Wise, a mobisite that provides young South Africans with the information, tools and support they need to live healthier lives. The site will give young people an opportunity to access health information on various topics, such as sexual, reproductive and mental health, substance abuse and other social issues. In May, Minister Motsoaledi announced that his department would be launching the mobisite and called for entries from young people to give it a name.

Tshepo Mofokeng, 22, from Qwaqwa in the Free State, proposed the name B-Wise, which won the competition. Minister Motsoaledi handed over the prize, an iPad, to him. When asked how he came up with the name, he said he had five different names and then asked people for their views. “For me it was not just about the name, it was about helping the youth, especially those with addiction problems. I felt I should play a role in helping them,” he said.
“I felt I should come up with something that young people cannot forget easily.”

Speaking during the launch, Minister Motsoaledi said his department was determined to communicate with young people. “We want to ensure that our young people make informed decisions to develop their bodies and minds,” the Minister said. The youth can access the site by visiting https://b-wise.mobi/english and can read factual information, view real stories from other young people and participate in polls.

During the allocated live chat hours, users will be able to chat with a range of experts such as psychologists, nutritionists and general practitioners. Young people are also able to use the mobisite to communicate directly with the Minister about problems they face on a daily basis. B-Wise is available in English and isiZulu and will have more South African languages added in future. The site is managed by the Department of Health and is accessed via an internet-enabled mobile phone. Users have to register on the site. Thandeka Maponya, 19, from Soshanguve Block TT said the mobisite would put her in touch with information about health issues. “I will also use the site to communicate with other young people about healthy lifestyles and we can advise each other on problems we are encountering,” she said. The mobisite targets people between the ages of 10-14, 15-19 and 20-24.

Connecting pregnant women with MomConnect

The number of pregnant women using MomConnect, an app that provides information and advice on pregnancy and serves as a channel to notify the department about poor service, has increased since its launch last year.
Minister Motsoaledi said about 50 000 women had used MomConnect and appealed to the department to provide them with additional information about pregnancy and breastfeeding. The app enables users to leave complaints or compliments.

How women can connect to momconnect

Dial *134 *550# or reply to any SMS sent by MomConnect.

You will then receive an SMS response from the helpdesk.

HIV Clinical Guidelines App for health professionals

The Department of Health also partnered with Metropolitan Health to launch the Metropolitan Health HIV Clinical Guidelines App, as part of a national campaign to scale up HIV treatment. The HIV Clinical Guide App serves as a comprehensive HIV treatment guideline for all levels of healthcare professionals. The app is expected to be rolled out to healthcare professionals across the country, with an emphasis on rural areas.

How to access the app

The free app can be accessed in the Google Play Store and downloaded to your android-enabled mobile phone (download costs apply). Search for HIV clinical guideline: Metropolitan Health.

Heart conditions, such as heart disease, are a growing problem not only in South Africa, but around the world.

What is heart disease?

Your heart is a muscle that gets energy from blood carrying oxygen and nutrients. Having a constant supply of blood keeps your heart working properly. Most people think of heart disease as one condition. But heart disease is a group of conditions affecting the structure and functions of the heart and has many root causes.

In most cases heart conditions are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, including a lack of exercise and a poor diet. Dr Guni Goolab, the principal officer of the Government Employees’ Medical Scheme said that South Africans of all income groups tend to exercise less and eat more junk food than they did 20 years ago.

“Many people overeat fatty foods and become obese. Others smoke and drink too much alcohol. This has all had negative implications for the health of the nation.”

Symptoms of heart disease

The symptoms for heart disease and heart attacks are not the same for men and women.

For men the symptoms are:

• Difficulty catching your breath after, for example, walking up a flight of stairs
• Discomfort or squeezing in your chest that last for 30 minutes to a few hours
• Unexplained pain in your upper torso, neck, and jaw

For women the symptoms are:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Source: www.heart.org

How to prevent heart disease

Heart disease is preventable and manageable. Your best defense is controlling the risk factors that could lead to coronary artery disease.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition, there are treatments to help you manage your illness. Consider these heart-healthy steps:

• Do not smoke
• Be physically active
• Know and control your blood pressure
• Eat a healthy diet that is lower in fat, especially saturated and trans fat
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• Manage your diabetes
• Limit alcohol use
• Reduce stress
• Visit your doctor/clinic regularly and follow your doctor’s advice.

Source: Heart&Stroke Foundation

Written by Thandeka Ngobese

Angelina Masuku, 41, from KwaHlabisa, north of KwaZulu-Natal, is a living example that hard work and dedication are key ingredients in making dreams come true.

Without any formal education Masuku is using a skill she learnt at a young age to make laundry baskets, chairs, wall hangings, jewellery boxes centre tables and big baskets. The products are exported to Atlanta in the United States of America and to Disneyland.

She also trains unemployed women and youth to help them to provide for their families. Masuku told Vuk’uzenzele that her father passed on while she was in Grade 10. Her mother could not afford to pay for her schooling and she was forced to drop out of school. She stayed with her aunt who taught her how to make baskets using bamboo tree, not knowing that one day her products would be in demand worldwide.

“I also taught my four young sisters and my children the skill that my aunt taught me. We supplied the craft company Ilala with weaves from Hluhluwe. In 2006 I approached the African Art Centre in Durban. They really liked our work and we started supplying to them as well.  African Art Centre opened doors for me and helped me enter the Craft Council Competition. I won the first and second prize for the work I submitted and walked away with R50 000,” she said.

Other doors then opened for her and she started getting invitations from Germany, Italy and other countries to showcase her work.  In 2008 she approached the Small Business Development Agency to help her open a company. She is now supplying the South African Lifestyle Hub in Atlanta and Disneyland with over 200 baskets a month.

Deputy Minister of Small Business Develop-ment Elizabeth Thabethe officially opened a permanent South African showroom in Atlanta in 2013, to help promote locally manufactured products and to facilitate access to markets for many unknown artists and emerging entrepreneurs. The partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, under the stewardship of Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, saw local crafters accessing comprehensive support that ensures that they get the support they need to gain access to international markets.

Masuku said that in Atlanta orders are placed via a catalogue sent to interested customers and that she has 25 women assisting her. “As soon as I get paid I give them their money for the baskets they have supplied. I am now working on a deal in the United Kingdom. I will need more hands to help me deliver that order as soon as it goes ahead,” she said.

Masuku said that she makes baskets using bamboo, which she paints with natural products. “I believe that by making our products as natural as possible we get more clients,” she said.

Masuku’s advice for other entrepreneurs is simple. “Never be afraid to start a business. Education shouldn’t be a barrier. I don't have a formal education but I can go overseas and make business deals. Do not be afraid to ask for advice, it will empower you,” she said.

Masuku said those who are interested in skills to make baskets can email her at angelina.masuku@gmail.com or call 072 109 9329.

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

There is a growing number of South African youth finding solutions to address the social ills they face daily.

One is Luthando Msomi, 23, from Umlazi in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Msomi has come up with the idea of portable cookware, which is an alternative to the open fire system and does not use gas or electricity.

The cookware makes use of firewood only to retain the cooking flame and ensures that it’s retained securely. “I realised that people living in informal settlements make use of the open fire system, which is unsafe. During winter there are incidents of shacks burning down which, in some cases, is caused by the open fire system.”

“I wanted to find a solution for African problems. I thought perhaps I could develop a stove. This is how my concept was born.” With South Africa experiencing energy challenges, Msomi said it’s up to all South Africans, and the youth in particular, to find solutions. Her portable cooking concept is an alternative during load shedding. The cookware was adapted from an existing concept, however, the difference is that it does not use gas. “Other models similar to the cookware are high tech. I wanted to look at a simpler concept that would work for South Africans.”

The idea to invent the stove came about in 2013, under Msomi’s business Iziko enterprises. “The stove is made from a five litre paint can, with a steel chamber welded into it. We put wood into the paint can to start a fire. The fire and the smoke move upwards, making it safer because the fire is contained in the can. The pot sits on top of the can.” Msomi, who is a communications officer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Corporate Relations Division and a former student at the institution, says she received a lot of help from departments within the university to create the stove.

“I consulted with students from the engineering and other departments within UKZN who helped develop the cookware into an actual product.” Once the cookware was developed Msomi started selling the product at R120 each.
“This was done at the early stages of developing the cookware. I wanted to test the market to see if people would buy it. It was received very well. We went to chain stores as well to check if they would consider having our product on their shelves and we received positive feedback.” Msomi is also the winner of Ithala Banks’s 2014/15 Inkunzi Isematholeni Youth in Business Competition. Ithala Bank is an entity of the provincial government.

“I was shocked that I won the competition. When starting the business I never looked at profits. It was about the fact that we had a problem and how fix it. Now I am learning about its profitability, which is really exciting.” She said she was still developing the cookware, investigating whether the stove had any health hazards and trying to get her product approved by the South African Bureau of Standards.

Thuli Galelekile, the divisional manager of communications and marketing at Ithala Bank, said Msomi would be assisted with a feasibility study, business plan development and funding the business idea. “The Inkunzi Isematholeni Youth in Business Competition is an initiative which we believe can kick-start entrepreneurship among young people. It is a project that has begun to address innovative business thinking among the unemployed youth in terms of its focus on new concepts in green economies.”

Msomi said her plans for the future include venturing into social and profitable entrepreneurship on a full-time basis. “Right now I am trying to accumulate capital and find a business mentor. Energy saving is at the forefront for South Africa. It’s important to save energy and find solutions in energy methods in green economies,” she added.

Safety First

As the country looks to other alternatives for cooking or keeping their homes warm to save energy, Vuk’uzenzele brings you some tips to keep safe when using paraffin and/or gas.
When using paraffin:

• Always handle paraffin with extreme care, as it is poisonous and can burn your skin even if unlit.
• Never leave a paraffin appliance unattended. It only takes a second for a gust of wind, pet or child to knock over a light or stove.
• Make sure paraffin appliances are on a flat, firm surface.
• Do not put a cloth under a paraffin appliance. A child or pet could pull the trailing end and the cloth will then burn, fuelling the fire.
• Always have a bucket of sand nearby when using a paraffin appliance. Water will not extinguish a paraffin fire and can make matters worse by spreading the flames.

 

Written by Albert Pule

President Jacob Zuma recently addressed diplomats, ambassadors and South African-based high commissioners and members of the media on South Africa’s foreign policy.

In the interests of building a better Africa and world, the President touched on different issues, including the promotion of human rights and democracy; justice and international law, in the conduct of relations between nations; the promotion of the African Agenda in world affairs; and economic development, through regional and international cooperation in an interdependent world.

Striving for peace in africa

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will continue to represent South Africa to help South Sudan find peace. For the past few years South Sudan has been involved in conflict, which has resulted in the massive displacement of people and led to a humanitarian crisis. President Jacob Zuma said that South Africa would continue to send Ramaphosa to work with all affected parties to find solutions.

“We note and commend the peace efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and commend all parties for signing the Compromise Agreement,” said Zuma. The agreement provides the basis for transitional authority and is an important beginning towards resolving conflict. “We therefore call on all parties to honour and respect the agreement so the country can move forward,” he said.

President Zuma also said that the ongoing conflicts in other African countries were a concern to South Africa, as they bring instability to many parts of the continent. “We condemn, in the strongest terms, the various terrorist acts committed by groups in Somalia, Kenya, north eastern Nigeria, Mali, the larger Sahel and north Africa.”

South Africa will, through the AU Peace and Security Council, help the affected regions. “With regards to Burundi, we urge the east Africa community, through mediator Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, to continue with political dialogue to find a lasting solution.”

The signing of the Malian Peace and Reconciliation Agreement is a step in the right direction to finding lasting peace between the warring factions on Mali. “We reiterate our support for the signing of the Malian Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in May this year by the Malian Government, the Algiers Platform Movement and some groups of the Coordination Movement of the Azawad.”

South Africa stands ready to help the people of Libya in reconstructing and developing their country. President Zuma said that the country is willing to help with its experience in reconciliation and the constitution-making process.

 

Written by Albert Pule

South Africa, in partnership with its neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, will use innovative ways to find a solution to the problem of illegal immigration. “We have been working hard with SADC sister countries to find solutions to this international challenge.”

Early this year South Africa was confronted with the challenges of migration and attacks on foreign nationals. “This situation demands innovative solutions. We are partnering with SADC neighbours to ensure the proactive facilitation of designated community crossing points,” said President Zuma.

The South African and Botswana governments will work together to launch a designated community crossing point that will help to make movements across the two countries easy. “We will launch the project soon in a Tshidilamolomo, a village situated on the border between South Africa and Botswana,” said President Zuma.   

In an effort to deal with the challenge of illegal immigration, President Zuma said the countries talk about the challenge through the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. “Joint immigration inspections are regularly held at selected ports of entry, by officials from respective partner countries.” South Africa chairs the SADC Organ on Public Safety and Security Sub Committee that is aimed at promoting the free movement of persons.

President Zuma said that the organ is discussing protocols relating to a SADC UNIVISA and plans to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking. He added that the country has experienced a mixed flow of migration, by people who are genuinely asylum seekers and those who leave their countries of origin to seek better opportunities.

The SADC region faces many challenges, including that borders separate families. “In some instances the borderline does not effectively act as a barrier to these communities, particularly those that conduct normal day-to-day activities such as schooling, trade and medical care as they will keep coming each day.”

Written by Albert Pule

Sport, arts and culture

We have done it again. Following the successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa was announced as the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games is an international sporting event involving athletes from 71 nations and territories connected with the Commonwealth. It takes place every four years. 

The games, which will take place for the first time on African soil in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is expected to have a massive impact on the economy of the city and the country at large.

“Durban will make use of the FIFA 2010 World Cup infrastructure to host the event which is expected to deliver up to R20 billion to the economy, translating into an additional R11 billion gross domestic product growth,” said Cabinet in a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

Among the sporting codes are sevens rugby, athletics, swimming, badminton, netball, table tennis, bowls, shooting, squash and beach volleyball, all played at different venues.

Apart from boosting the economy of the city, the games are also expected to promote sport amongst the youth, help with nation building and uplifting  lives, transforming communities and promoting social cohesion as envisaged in the National Development Plan (NDP) by
getting our people to share social spaces.

The games are also expected to promote Brand South Africa for economic development and will impact on industries such as tourism and speed-up the rate of development and the execution of intended development plans in the country.

“The people of South Africa will benefit enormously. New, improved, world-class sports facilities can be used as part of the sustainable sports development programmes that aim to improve the lives of underprivileged children and adults.

“By hosting the games public infrastructure development will be fast-tracked, improving local facilities in general.”

With at least 80 per cent of the sports activities happening within a 2.5 km radius, the city’s vision is to develop Moses Mabhida Stadium as a mega, multi-sport events precinct, positioning it as a premier sports tourism destination.

For more information on the Common wealth Games visit: www.durban-2022.com.

Written by *Terence Khala

Sport, arts and culture

Over 4 000 cricket players and 170 coaches stand to benefit from a national agreement geared to improve the development of cricket in schools signed by the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Sports and Recreation (SRSA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

The agreement will see the practical implementation of CSA’s development initiatives by linking school cricket to Regional Performance Centres and Hubs (RPC&Hubs).

The RPC&Hubs programme is part of CSA’s development structure and is designed to ensure that budding cricketers, especially those from disadvantaged areas, have access to facilities, quality coaching and life skills programmes.

The three parties will work together to develop and support 58 cricket hubs, which will foster the development of young players through cluster leagues which feed into the School Sports Programme.

The learners will be drawn from hub schools, where cricket is currently not played, and focus schools, which have existing cricket facilities but the sport has been overtaken by more popular sporting codes. The final level of support will be provided to what CSA describes as traditional schools, where cricket is strongly represented.

Deputy Director-General for Social Mobilisation and Support Services at the DBE Dr Granville Whittle said the agreement represents the culmination of months of work by the three organisations.

“Sport has clear benefits for young people and it has been shown to have positive effects on their academic performance. It also helps develop young people as citizens.

“Through this initiative we will also be looking to encourage more young people to participate in sports and we want to create a model that can be translated across sporting codes,” he said.

The department also aims to develop teachers as coaches.

CSA General Manager Corrie van Zyl said that the programme also aims to ensure that young players, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, are afforded the opportunity and support to enable them to play the game at the highest level.

CSA has provided an initial investment of R20 million for the establishment of the  hub system and Van Zyl considers this a worthwhile investment into developing a pipeline for talented youngsters to enter the Proteas’ system.

The emphasis on quality was echoed by CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat. “South Africa is considered amongst the top cricket nations in the world, we are serious contenders and want to keep it that way,” he said.

*Terence Khala works for the Department of Basic Education.

Written by Albert Pule

Orlando Pirates progressed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup final after a 4-3 win over Egypt’s Al Ahly in their second leg tie at the Suez Stadium in Egypt, early this month.

The 4-3 victory saw Pirates advance with a 5-3 aggregate score, after their 1-0 victory in the first leg on 26 September at Orlando Stadium.

Goals from Kermit Erasmus, Thamsanqa Gabuza, Thabo Matlaba and Thabo Rakhale ensured a victory for Orlando Pirates and the nation.

Pirates went into the encounter needing only a draw to advance to the final but they were forced into action after the hosts took the lead.

In six previous meetings between the two clubs, Pirates have won three, drawn two, and lost only one game. Two of the wins were in Egypt, Al Ahly’s home country.

Pirates will face Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel in a two-legged tie to be played in November.

Etoile du Sahel won the competition in 2006 while Pirates will be playing in the final of the competition for the first time.

The Buccaneers will be seeking a third piece of silverware from CAF competitions. The team won the 1995 Champions Cup (now CAF Champions League) and the CAF Super League the following year.