Written by Irene Naidoo

President Jacob Zuma has welcomed the progress made in the health and education sectors but called for more to be done to fight violence against women, create jobs and speed up land redistribution.

Delivering the 2013 State of the Nation Address, President Jacob Zuma said he was pleased with the 2012 matric pass rate, growth of early childhood education programmes and the adult education programme, Kha Ri Gude, which reached more than 2.2 million people between 2008 and 2011.

While the President welcomed the improvement in the Annual National Assessment results each year, he urged more action to improve mathematics, science and technology results.

He said that to improve these results, the Department of Basic Education would establish a national task team to make sure the Mathematics, Science and Technology Strategy succeeds.

“We urge the private sector to partner government through establishing, adopting or sponsoring maths and science academies or Saturday schools.”

Reporting on progress in health, the President said the National Health Insurance Fund would be created by next year and the Department of Health would speed up and and intensify progress in the pilot districts. From next month, the first group of approximately 600 private medical practitioners will be contracted to provide medical services at 533 clinics within villages and townships in 10 of the pilot districts. President Zuma welcomed studies that reported a dramatic increase in life expectancy from an average baseline of 56 years in 2009 to 60 years in 2011.

“Increased life expectancy is a key to the country’s development. People are returning to work, they are being productive, economically and socially. The family structure is increasingly stable and parents live longer and are able to take care of their children.” President Zuma also expressed concern about the “alarming increase” in lifestyle diseases.

The country needed to combat and lower the levels of smoking, harmful effects of alcohol, poor diets and obesity, he noted.

Turning to job creation, the President said jobs would be created for millions of South Africans over the coming years.

“The National Development Plan outlines interventions that can put the economy on a better footing. The target for job creation is set at 11 million by 2030.”

There would be discussions with business, labour and other social partners in an effort to deal with the problems that need to be addressed so that the economy can grow and create these jobs, he added.

President Zuma also spoke out against rape and violence against women, saying strong action would be taken to tackle these crimes.

He directed law enforcement agencies to treat these cases with the utmost urgency and importance.

“The brutality and cruelty meted out to defenceless women is unacceptable and has no place in our country,” the President stressed.

He called for unity from different sectors to help fight the scourge and urged the coordinating structure of the National Council on Gender Based Violence to make the campaign aimed at fighting violence against women an everyday campaign.

On land redistribution, President Zuma said government would now pursue the ‘just and equitable’ principle for compensation, as set out in the Constitution instead of the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle, which forces the state to pay more for land than the actual value.

There were also proposed amendments to the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 to provide for the re-opening of the lodging of restitution claims by people who missed the deadline of 31 December 1998.

“Also to be explored, are exceptions to the June 1913 cut-off date to accommodate claims by the descendants of the Khoi and San as well as heritage sites and historical landmarks,” he said.

For more details on the State of the Nation Address see our special supplement.

Written by Samona Murugan

Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has declared 2013 as the “Year of the Artisan”.

This comes as attempts are being made to address the huge shortage of artisans in the country.

Artisans are workers who use their hands to make things or are skilled in a particular trade such as craftsmen, carpenters, mechanics and boilermakers.

“South Africa needs more artisans as part of the national strategy to deal with the shortage of critical skills,” said Minister Nzimande at the launch held at the Ekurhuleni West Further Education and Training College’s Tembisa Campus recently.

President Jacob Zuma said in his 2012 State of the Nation Address that the massive investment in infrastructure must produce more than just power stations, railway lines, dams and roads - it must also industrialise the country, generate skills and boost much needed job creation.

Heeding the call for infrastructure development government allocated R1 trillion to the Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs). The SIPs will ensure the building of roads, schools, universities, harbours, power stations and other social and economic infrastructure.

Minister Nzimande stressed that in order to successfully deliver on the SIPs, which are already underway, the country needed artisans. The growth of industry also required a significant number of qualified and competent artisans, he added.

The Department of Higher Education and Training has come up with various interventions to address the shortage of skills in the country. One of those interventions was the National Artisan Development Conference held in July last year.

The Year of the Artisan will kick off with a delegation, led by Higher Education Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana, visiting all nine provinces to promote artisanry as a career option for the youth.

The visits aim to raise awareness about professionalising artisanry by assessing and recognising the skills of existing artisans through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. They will also highlight opportunities that are available for the youth and unemployed adults to develop skills as artisans.

It is hoped that the programme will have a great impact on the country’s ability to develop the skills required by the labour market.

“In declaring 2013 as the Year of the Artisan, we appeal to our critical stakeholders to work with us in putting into sharp focus the need for the production of artisans as part of the national strategy to deal with the shortage of critical skills in South Africa. We have also invested billions into the development of our FET Colleges. Our goal is to develop them into institutions of choice, so that we will not have to import skills from other countries to deliver on our SIPs,” said Minister Nzimande.

Written by Albert Pule

Infrastructure

Government is banking on its massive infrastructure development drive to create new jobs, stimulate economic growth, strengthen the delivery of basic services and support the integration of African economies.

In 2012, government announced a number of major infrastructure projects to address the major challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality facing the country.

“We are going to launch a huge campaign of building the infrastructure nationwide. This will boost the level of economy and create job opportunities,” President Jacob Zuma said at the time.

The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) was also established, bringing together ministers, premiers and mayors from all the metropolitan cities. The PICC is the centralised point at which all infrastructure development is handled.

The PICC developed 18 Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) as part of the infrastructure development drive, with each SIP comprising specific infrastructure components and programmes. They cover a range of economic and social infrastructure initiatives in all nine provinces, with emphasis on poorer provinces. The SIPs include the building of schools, integrated public transport systems, construction of dams and pipelines, and the upgrading of freeways, ports, rail networks and power stations.

Electricity generation

In 2007 the country was gripped by huge blackouts, with power outages wreaking havoc across the country. The blackouts were caused by the increasing demand in electricity. Rapid economic growth led to higher demand and there was not enough supply.

To deal with the challenge of load shedding, government sought to accelerate new electricity generation capacity and is building new power stations.

Medupi Power Station in Lephalale, Limpopo, is a new dry-cooled, coal-fired power station built by Eskom. When completed, the power station will have six boilers each powering an 800MW turbine, producing 4 800MW of power. It is expected to become the largest dry-cooled, coal-fired power station in the world.

Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga is the second coal-fired power station being built as part of government’s infrastructure expansion programme. The completion of the station is scheduled for 2017.

The R121 billion third station, Ingula, is being built on the border of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. The pumped-storage scheme project connects two dams by underground waterways and is made up of 10.5km of underground tunnels.

Public transport

A few years ago, most commuters going to work had to deal with cramped buses, taxis or trains in major metros. In recent years things have improved with the introduction of new, sleek trains and buses as part of government’s infrastructure rollout plan.The Department of Transport is set to spend R2.3 billion on the country’s bus system. Money is also being channelled into the South African National Roads Agency Limited (R430 million), the South African Rail and Commuter Corporation (R1 316 million) and the Cross Border Road Transport Agency (R1 million).

More improvements are on the cards as government plans to upgrade public transport systems, focusing on the 12 largest urban centres and all the metros in the country.

The City of Johannesburg has taken the lead by implementing its rapid bus system called Rea Vaya. It was introduced to provide safe, affordable and reliable public transport and has also created more than 7 000 jobs since it was initiated in 2009.

“Every day 40 000 passengers are transported safely, affordably and reliably. There has been significant skills transfer to construction workers, bus drivers and also to 400 station staff including ambassadors, marshals and cashiers,” says the City of Johannesburg’s Lisa Seftel.

Tshwane, meanwhile, has started construction of the Tshwane Integrated Transport System. The R2.6 billion system will comprise three depots and 51 stations on an 80 km route. The system is expected to be operational 2015. The City of Cape Town has already rolled out its rapid bus system called MyCiTi. The buses run through several routes via the Table View area, as well as one route to the airport and the civic centre. Construction of additional routes are already underway.

Upgrading of ports

As part of the bigger infrastructure drive, government has invested more than R33 billion over the next seven years on upgrading and expanding of the country’s ports.

The R33 billion expansion fund will form part of Transnet’s R300 billion expenditure on port and rail projects until 2018/19. Last year President Jacob Zuma launched the two ports in Port Elizabeth and Durban.

The new Port of Ngqura, in Port Elizabeth, is the deepest container terminal in sub-Saharan Africa and will accommodate the new generation of giant container ships that regularly visit the country.

For the past 12 years, Transnet has been building the port, which forms part of the Coega Industrial Development Zone. In the next seven years, government plans to spend R21 billion on infrastructure at the Dube Trade Port in KwaZulu-Natal.

The port will be part of the KwaZulu-Natal-Free State-Gauteng corridor and will also assist the country export goods into the southern African region.

The construction phase of both the King Shaka International Airport and the port created 20 000 jobs.

Eliminating ageing school infrastructure

For a long time South Africa has been criticised for its ageing school infrastructure, especially in the Eastern Cape. Schoolchildren were learning under trees and in mud schools, compromising the quality of education they received.

To respond to the need for proper school infrastructure, government has taken steps to implement the National School Build Programme aimed at eliminating mud schools by 2015.

Under the programme, the Department of Basic Education has committed R1 billion for the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery (ASIDI) for the 2011/12 financial year. The department plans to get rid of 50 mud schools, electrify 164, supply water to 188 and deliver sanitation infrastructure to 354 during this period.

According to the Eastern Cape Education Department, there were 939 mud schools in the Eastern Cape in 2003/04. This was whittled down to 436 schools by 2008/09, and to 395 schools by the start of the ASIDI programme, which identified the need for just over 3 000 classrooms.

Last year President Jacob Zuma and Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga handed over brand-new schools to villages at Libode and Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.

The National School Build Programme is not confined to the Eastern Cape but priority was given to that province due to the large number of inappropriate schools there.

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

South Africa has been praised globally for the strides it has made in dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Recently UNAIDS - the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS – executive director Michel Sidibé congratulated President Jacob Zuma and the country for its successes in fi HIV/AIDS.

“President Zuma has completely changed the face of the epidemic through his leadership. South Africa has managed to put 1.9 million people on treatment, more than 15 mil- lion people have tested for HIV and the price of medicine has dropped by more than 53 per cent. South Africa is on the way to eliminate mother-to-child transmission by 2015. President Zuma's leadership is a model for others,” said Sidibé.

In response, President Zuma said the country had moved from the difficult times of the past to a success story in a short space of time.

He said there was a decrease in the rate of new infections from 1.4 per cent to 0.8 per cent in the 15 to 24 age group.

But government has not always been popular for its handling of HIV/AIDS and has come a long way from the 2000 – 2004 period, when its relations with AIDS activists were strained.

From 1994 to 2004, government’s HIV/AIDS policy promoted prevention and treatment but messages tended to emphasise the importance of a healthy lifestyle as a way of dealing with the epidemic. Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment was, for the most part, scarce at public facilities.

The turning point came in 2005 when government said it would provide ARV treatment in the public sector and then developed policy to achieve this.

The decisive moment came in 2009, when President Zuma announced in his World Aids Day speech that with effect from April 2010:

• All children under the age of one would get treatment if they tested positive and ARV treatment would not depend on the CD4 count.
• All patients with both tuberculosis (TB) and HIV would get ARV treatment if their CD4 count was 350 or less.
• All pregnant HIV-positive women with a CD4 count of 350, less than 200 or with symptoms, regardless of their CD4 count, would have access to treatment.
• All other HIV-positive pregnant women not falling into this category were to be put on treatment at fourteen weeks of pregnancy to protect the baby. In the past treatment only started during the last term of pregnancy.

Providing ARV treatment

With that announcement and subsequent actions, the country took a huge step towards achieving the target of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals for 2015.

These include reducing the sexual transmission of HIV and new HIV infections, eliminating new HIV infections in children, providing ARV treatment to 15 million people and reducing TB-related AIDS deaths by 50 per cent.

According to the Department of Health’s progress report on the implementation plan for 2009 to 2014, a total of 1.9 million people were receiving ARVs by 2012.

In the 2009 the Department of Health un- veiled the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign, which was to be the cornerstone of the prevention and early entry into ARVs.

With HCT campaign, it became the health sector’s responsibility to offer HIV testing and counselling to every one who makes use of health services.

Previously the Voluntary Testing and Counselling campaign encouraged citizens to test voluntarily.

The department’s progress report also notes that in the past only 2 million people on aver- age would accept voluntary HIV counselling and undergo HIV testing every year.

The HCT campaign reached a total of 15 mil- lion people between April 2010 and June 2011. As of December 2012, 20.2 million people had been tested.

Male circumcision

By encouraging leaders in all spheres of society to test, the campaign also aimed to reduce the stigma associated with HIV.

As part of the campaign, government also offered male circumcision and some 619 000 males took up the offer.

The HCT campaign also treats HIV and TB under one umbrella, with the TB cure rate in South Africa passing the 70 per cent mark for the first time in 2010/11, reaching 71.1 per cent. It has since increased to 73.1 per cent in 2011/12.

The number of HIV patients screened for TB has significantly improved and currently nearly all HIV patients are screened for TB.

These achievements resulted from a combination of interventions such as the use of new Genexpert technology, which improved the TB testing and was introduced in 2011.

The progress report shows that from March 2011 to February 2012, South Africa conducted almost 300 000 Genexpert tests.

The report also indicates that the rate of infection of mother-to-child transmission has dropped from eight per cent in 2008 to 3.5 per cent in 2010 and 2.7 percent in 2011.

There was more good news recently, when department announced the introduction of a single dose of the triple combination of tenofovir, entricitabine and efavirenz for people on ARV treatment, expected to start from April this year.

The new drug will enable people living with HIV to take only one pill a day, instead of three, to maintain their health.

Employment news

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

Gone are the days when South Africans were forced to travel long distances to get health services.

People in most parts of the country now have easy access to clinics and hospitals, thanks to efforts by the Department of Health to build new health facilities and upgrade existing ones.

The overhaul of the health system started in 1994, when the first democratic administration of then President Nelson Mandela launched the Clinic Upgrading and Building Plan.

The Department of Health’s Primary Health Care Progress Report for the year 2000 indicated that by 1999, 506 new clinics had been built and 252 existing clinics received major upgrades such as the building of new maternity sections. In addition, 2 298 clinics received new equipment or had minor upgrades.

Addressing the National Consultative Health Forum in 2008, former Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said since 1994, government had built or upgraded more than 1 600 clinics.

The department had also established 52 health district management teams and district health plans, she said.

By 2008, government did away with fees for patients at clinics, making primary healthcare freely available.

All these developments meant that people no longer had to travel to access health care but could use nearby clinics and health centres as their first entry to the health system before being referred to hospitals.

The building of health infrastructure is part of the efforts to upgrade the South African health system by improving primary health care (PHC). Some of the focus areas of PHC are the building of clinics and hospitals, man- aging diseases and ensuring there are enough health professionals.

An audit commissioned by the Department of Health in 2011 put the number of health facilities in the country at 4 210, but highlighted the need to improve the level of care at public health facilities.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has intensified the focus on PHC and introduced three streams - district specialists, school based health programme and municipal ward based PHC agents.

District specialists include a principal obstetrician, principal paediatrician, principal family physician, advanced midwife and senior primary care nurse.

These specialists train interns, community service doctors and medical officers. They are the link between the prevention and management and cure of diseases.

As of November 2012, 163 district specialists were appointed to the 46 districts in the country.

School health teams visited 1 610 poor schools between July and September 2012. They offered services to patients with eye- care, dental and hearing problems, and immunised learners.

To improve PHC, 10 000 primary health care workers were trained and assigned to municipal wards in the country.

In each ward there is a team comprising a professional nurse and six community health care workers.

All these efforts are improving South Africans’ access to health care, taking these much needed services to their doorsteps.

Written by Samona Murugan

Providing quality education to all South Africans has always been the democratic government’s ultimate goal and for the past 18 years, it has delivered.

To boost its efforts, in 2009 government decided to split the National Department of Education into the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training.

Basic Education deals with all schools and the adult literacy programmes.

Despite challenges since its inception Basic Education, through its projects and initiatives, strives to educate and uplift young and adult learners from disadvantaged communities throughout the country.

“Our vision is of a South Africa in which all our people have access to lifelong learning, as well as education and training, which will, in turn, contribute towards improving the quality of life and building a peaceful, prosperous and democratic South Africa,” says Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, explaining the role of her department.

To achieve this vision, the department has launched many new projects over the years, recording a number of successes.

Tackling illiteracy one learner at a time

Illiteracy has been one of the major problems hindering more than half of South Africa’s population. To help eliminate illiteracy, the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign began in April 2008.

The aim of the campaign is to halve illiteracy by 2015 and to teach 4.7 million South Africans to read and write in one of the 11 official languages.

It teaches adult learners to read, write and calculate in their mother tongue and also teaches them spoken English.

In the campaign’s first year 357 195 learners were enrolled while that figure increase to 613 643 in 2009. In 2010, 610 000 learners enrolled and 658 000 in 2011.

Last year 665 246 learners enrolled, meaning the campaign reached more than 2.9 million by 2012.

The specifically designed campaign material uses themes and life-skills such as health, gender, the environment and civic education to teach learners. This material has been adapted for use in Braille, the 11 official languages, and by the deaf.

The project relies on community participation to help with the recruitment of teachers and learners, selecting venues for classes and monitoring.

By using the services of volunteers, the campaign also creates job opportunities. Over the past few years, the campaign has paid out R750 million to more than 70 000 volunteers.

The aim is make the lessons easily accessible so classes are held at times and places that are convenient to the learners.

They take place in homes, churches, mosques, schools, prisons and community centres. Learners do not pay for the classes, which makes it possible for the poorest members of the community to attend. All learners need to do is attend classes regularly throughout year.

School nutrition

Children learn best when they are not hungry or suffering from a nutrient deficient diet. Yet thousands of children in South Africa still arrive at school each day on an empty stomach, which compromises their ability to learn and achieve good results.

It was with this in mind that former president Nelson Mandela called for a primary school nutrition programme to be introduced in 1994.

The School Nutrition Programme was started by the Department of Education in 1996.

It was later taken over by Basic Education and has become a huge success.

The programme aims to improve learning through school feeding programmes, promote and support food production, as well as improve food security in school communities and strengthen nutrition education in schools and communities.

The programme helps schools start their own food and vegetable gardens and then use those fresh vegetables and herbs to make meals for learners.

Over the years it has helped improved learner concentration levels, meaning learners are more alert during lessons.

Schools in disadvantaged communities have also started their own nutrition programmes and food gardens to ensure that no child in the community goes to school hungry.

The programme has progressed over the years. Some of the new developments includes menu changes such as daily hot, cooked meals instead of a cold meals, school feeding programmes that target all learners in a school instead of targeting just the poorest learners, and an expansion to secondary schools since 2009.

More than seven million learners in 20 943 primary and secondary schools throughout the country are benefiting from this programme.

The success of the programme is as a result of cooperation between Basic Education, provincial departments, district offices and other partners.

School Health Programme

Another major achievement for Basic Education is the development of an Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), which makes comprehensive health services available to learners at schools free of charge.

Launched by the Presidency in 2012, the programme is a joint partnership between the Departments of Basic Education and Health.

The ISHP offers services related to eyesight, hearing, oral hygiene, immunising and de-worming foundation and intermediate phase learners, treatment of minor conditions, counselling on sexual health issues, drug and alcohol use and abuse.

These services have been available all learners from 2012 and more than a million learners have undergone the health screenings.

Volunteer educators

Kha Ri Gude is looking for voluntary educators to join the campaign. More than 38 500 voluntary educators are currently being recruited. They will be trained during April and May. If you have matriculated, are under 35 years old and unemployed, you can become a volunteer educator.

 

Written by Samona Murugan

Higher education in South Africa is more inclusive and better resourced than it was two decades ago.

Billions of rands have been invested in the sector to ensure that students have access to the best facilities and the necessary financial backing to qualify in their chosen fields of study.

The important role that teachers play in the education system has not been overlooked either, with the Department of Higher Education and Training setting aside substantial funding to develop their skills.

Back in the 1990s, institutions of higher learning were divided along ethnic lines.

The terms historically disadvantaged universities and historically advantaged universities were used to distinguish institutions. Fast forward 20 years and the country’s institutions of higher learning reflect South Africa’s unique rainbow nation.

Former advantaged universities have become more integrated. In 1993, the 10 historically advantaged institutions were predominantly white but by 2011, black African students made 50 per cent of those enrolled in programmes at these universities.

Today, South Africa has 23 public universities with 175 campuses located across the country, with 937 455 students enrolled.

There are also 3 000 Adult Basic Education and Training centres with 229 000 students.

There are 21 Skills Education Training Authorities, which are funded to the tune of R10 billion.

The department also decided to merge various higher education institutions.

This process began in 2000 and since these mergers the number of students accessing higher education and training institutions has increased from 495 356 in 1994 to 938 201 in 2011.

An even greater accomplishment is the fact that female students now outnumber their male counterparts. In 2000, female students comprised 46 per cent student enrolments, but by 2011 this number had increased to 58 per cent.

Further Education and Training colleges

South Africa’s 50 public Further Education and Training (FET) colleges were created after former technical colleges, colleges of education and training centres merged.

Smaller colleges were combined with stronger institutions to develop FET colleges that would reach more students and offer a wider range of programmes.

FET colleges have become the first choice of many young people as the programmes they offer directly respond to the priority skills demands of the South African economy. They also offer theory and practical learning.

To create these powerful institutions of learning, government introduced a R1.9 billion recapitalisation scheme in 2006.

Naledi Pandor, who was the Minister of Education at the time, said the recapitalisation would fast track the Department of Education’s efforts, since 1995, to improve the FET sector. Since the establishment of FET colleges, enrolment at these institutions has steadily grown. In 2000, there were 153 technical colleges with 271 900 learners.

In 2011, these colleges enrolled just over 400 000 students and by the end of 2012 over 650 000 students had been enrolled in FET colleges.

The increased enrolments were as a result of the bursaries offered to FET college students by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

These bursaries increased from R312 million in 2009 to R1.7 billion in 2012. By 2014, the department will be providing bursaries to poor students at FET colleges to the value of R1.9 billion.

Funding for these institutions has also increased substantially from R3.1 billion in 2009 to 5.2 billion in 2014.

Financial Aid Scheme

With a large number of youth unable to focus on their education due to a lack of funding, government created the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The scheme gives funding to academically deserving and financially needy students.

Since 2008, allocation to university and FET colleges through NSFAS has increased from R2.3 billion to R7 billion in 2012. The scheme gave 991 759 beneficiaries R25 billion in loans and bursaries between 1991 and 2011.

NSFAS targets out-of-school youth and adults, irrespective of the standard passed, and aims to expand post-school education and training opportunities to all deserving South Africans.

Teacher education

While in the past teachers relied on the knowledge they acquired at college, today the department has dedicated, stimulating programmes to develop their skills.

It was the Teacher Development Summit of 2009, which called for a new, strengthened, integrated plan to develop the country’s teachers, upgrading their knowledge and skills.

Apart from developing the skills of existing teachers, the department is also focused on grooming new comers to the profession.

Teacher graduates have increased from under 6 000 in 2008 to 10 300 in 2011.

The national bursary scheme for teacher education, known as the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme, and the NSFAS has enabled prospective teachers to continue their training and qualified teachers to further theirs’.

Four new teacher education campuses were also established in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

University accreditation

South Africa faces a huge shortage of chartered accountants with 40 per cent of vacant posts in the financial sector. To tackle this problem, the Department of Higher Education and Training will, over the next four years, inject R84 million into the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape.

The University of Zululand will receive R64 million from the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority through its National Skills Fund.

These investments will be used to get the two universities accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

The accreditation will allow the universities to offer the Bachelor of Commerce Accounting degree and maintain teaching and learning standards that meet the demands of the chartered accountancy profession.

To date the department has invested more than R320 million through the National Skills Fund to improve and grow the accounting profession.

Other universities that have been accredited through a joint partnership between the department and SAICA are the University of Fort Hare and the University Limpopo.

Through these projects students will be able to earn high quality undergraduate degrees with international recognition, while the economy will gain a new breed of chartered accountants who will make a difference in their communities.

Infrastructure

Upgrading infrastructure is essential for the department to deliver on its mandate to create an inclusive post-school system that allows all South Africans to access and succeed in post- school education and training.

For this reason, upgrading infrastructure is a priority for the department and over the years billions have been set aside for this.

Some of the money spent on infrastructure include:

• Upgrading and new construction projects - R1.1 billion to historically disadvantaged universities and campuses.
• Student housing - R1.4 billion to historically disadvantaged universities and R239 million to historically advantaged universities.
• R509 million allocated to engineering to meet the need of scarce skills.
• R662 million allocated to meet the needs of teacher education.
• R123 million to upgrading and creating new infrastructure of disability units.

For more information contact the Department of Higher Education and Training on 0800 872 222.

Written by Siphiwe Nyathi

Retrenchment is no excuse to live in poverty or become a beggar. That’s the philosophy that drove Christopher Zwane to succeed after he was retrenched from a retail company 13 years ago.

Zwane, from Thandukukhanya in Mpumalanga, decided to turn his backyard into a vegetable garden and started growing cabbages, beetroot, carrots, spinach and lettuce.

“After my retrenchment I became part of a group of community members who wanted to start a farming project with the sole aim of owning a big plot on which we wanted to produce a variety of vegetables. That didn’t work out so I had to start a farming project in my own backyard, which turned out to be a success,” said the 60-year-old.

Advice

Offering advice to others who find themselves in a similar situation, Zwane said people should not focus on what they didn’t have but instead try to use what they did.

“I never thought that the little land I have here in my backyard could yield results. I have a contract with the local Spar and the support is encouraging. The Spar has become dependent on the lettuce and spinach I produce here.”

Zwane is part of the Mpumalanga government’s Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP), which not only develops big farms but also supports backyard food gardens as part of efforts to alleviate poverty in rural communities.

“The programme has indeed touched many lives in our community as most families have returned to tilling the land to produce food. I’ve also trained six families in the art of vegetable farming. I always check on their progress and they are developing well,” he said.

Through the CRDP, Zwane receives assistance in the form of insecticides to spray his plants as well as supervision from extension officers who monitor his progress and needs. Zwane’s food garden produces vegetables throughout the year and he applies the crop rotation principle to maintain the soil’s fertility. The farmer was reluctant to disclose his turnover but was optimistic that his business would grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

He attributed his farming success to the sup- port of his family and his love for agriculture. Zwane’s children join him in the garden during the weekends.

“I still cherish the dream of one day owning a farm to increase my productivity and market share and hopefully I will also get involved in poultry farming,” he added.

CRDP extension officer Nellie Makhanya said Zwane was an example of how farming in one’s backyard could bring relief to impoverished families.

“Zwane is such a passionate farmer who is prepared to learn and take farming very seriously. We are hoping this will inspire other community members to go back to farming,” she said.

Written by Thomas Thale

A new chicken abattoir in Reitz, Free State, holds the promise of giving workers a sizable stake in the company in the future.

The Grain Fields Chickens Abattoir is a joint venture between Agribusiness VKB, which owns 76.9 per cent of the business, and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which owns 23.1 per cent.

The IDC, a government agency that is under the supervision of the Economic Development Department, financed the abattoir to the tune of R154 million.

The IDC’s shares in the abattoir will eventually be transferred to a workers’ trust to benefit the employees of Grain Fields Chickens.

Sas Kasselman, the managing director of Grain Fields Chickens, explained that the abattoir buys one-day-old chicks.

Contract growers then grow these chickens for 34 days and the abattoir then slaughters them.

“We are currently slaughtering 65 000 chickens per day, but the eventual capacity of the abattoir will go to 200 000 per day,” Kasselman said.

He added the idea for the abattoir was prompted by the abundance of maize and soya beans produced in the area.

“We produce 500 000 tons of maize 100 000 tons of soya beans in our area annually. Some 60 per cent of chicken feed is maize and 18 per cent is soya,” Kasselman explained.

With the demand for chicken growing, it was decided to open the abattoir since the maize and soya beans needed for broiler feed was easily available.

Soya oil cake and maize are the primary ingredients for broiler feed used by Grain Fields Chickens accredited broiler producers.

The abattoir employs 545 people, contract growers employ about 70 more, the animal feed factory provides work for 35 people, logistics 44 people and the Soya Oil Crush 56.

“In total about 800 new jobs have been created through the three projects, namely the abattoir, the feed mill at Vrede and the Soya Oil Crush at Villiers.”

Kasselman said there were enormous benefits for the province in channelling maize towards broiler production.

“By channelling maize and soya oil cake through broilers, we create a higher local demand, which will stimulate production and further processing the maize and soya oil cake through feed into broilers. This has enabled us to create jobs in rural areas and add the value at source,” he said.

Rian Coetzee, head of agro-industries at the IDC, explained that members of the workers’ trust would be the black workers of Grain Fields Chickens and that they would benefit from the income.

The IDC has been involved with the project since the early stages in 2010.

Coetzee said that the IDC used its own funds for the project and the money had come the Unemployment Insurance Fund and Agro- processing Competitiveness Fund.

Projects like these played a crucial role in rural development of South Africa, he added. Godfrey Mngomezulu, production manager at Grain Fields Chickens and one of the beneficiaries, said he anticipated that the company would pay back the IDC loan in about six years.

Mngomezulu said workers were happy with the arrangement with the IDC.

“People here are happy to have a job. Many used to work seasonally on farms but now they have a stable job.”

He added that the company encouraged workers to improve their lives and that of their children.

“We want them to build a future for their children. We encourage them to take their kids back to school. They should use the money they earn to provide for their families. At work the company provides food,” Mngomezulu explained. Speaking at the launch of the abattoir, MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Free State Mosebenzi Zwane the project was in line with Mohoma Mobung - a mega public and private partnership business concept aimed at uplifting rural communities by increasing agricultural production.

Zwane encouraged Agribusiness VKB to work towards increasing the shareholding of black people in the company.

Written by Albert Pule and Noluthando Mkhize

Eighteen years into democracy, South Africans have more access to the justice system than ever before.

Government has also stepped up efforts to ensure the safety of all the country’s citizens, making safety and security one of its priorities.

Under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, more courts have been built, 143 Bills passed and bodies set up to ensure that justice is upheld.

After visiting courts in 1999, the then Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Penuell Maduna allocated R145 million for the construction of new court buildings.

By 2000, 88 new courtrooms were constructed, mostly in previously disadvantaged rural areas.

The department also improved the functioning of equality courts, small claims court, community courts and the master’s office.

By 2012, 240 small claims courts had been established throughout the country to fast track the resolution of financial disputes.

Small claims courts deal with disputes such as money lent between individuals, claims over property, occupation of property, promissory notes and credit agreements.

According to the department, there are now 35 small claims courts in the Eastern Cape, 33 in the Free State, 26 in Gauteng, 30 in KwaZulu-Natal, 27 in Limpopo, 26 in Mpumalanga, 19 in the Northern Cape, 18 in North West and 26 in the Western Cape.

Claims can be lodged against individuals and companies, but not against the state. Small claims courts hear civil matters involving amounts of not more than R12 000.

Saturday courts

The department’s efforts to increase access to justice were hampered by the long list of cases that needed to be heard in court.

To address the problem of backlogs, in 2001 the department introduced Saturday and additional courts.

Additional courts handled 14 935 cases for the period April 2003 to March 2004 while Saturday courts handled 8 714 cases. Seventy-two courts participated in the project in 2003.

In her 2004/5 budget vote, the former Minister of Justice Brigitte Mabandla, said a total of 75 214 cases were handled by Saturday and additional courts from February 2001 to March 2004. Additional courts were eventually scaled down and Saturday courts are used in exceptional circumstances.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the department was restructured to improve service delivery. As a result of this restructuring, new bodies were established.

These included the National Prosecuting Authority, which was established in 1998, the Office of the Public Protector in 1995, the As- set Forfeiture Unit in 1999, the South African Human Rights Commission in 1996 and the Commission on Gender Equality in 1996.

Public Protector

The Office of the Public Protector was established to investigate complaints from members of the public related to improper conduct in all state affairs.

These complaints include the abuse of state resources, abuse of power, maladministration, corruption and service delivery matters including the failure to provide basic services such as housing, water, social security and quality healthcare.

There are nine provincial offices and 10 regional offices excluding the national office.

The target for the Early Resolution Branch of the Public Protector, which deals urgent matters in which complainants face losing their sources of income or properties as a result of acts or omissions of the state, is to resolve cases within three months.

The Service Delivery, Good Governance and Integrity units, which usually deals with complicated matters that require a fully-fledged investigation, aims to resolve cases within six months.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said that during the 2011/2012 financial year her office finalised 16 763 cases of the 20 626 handled.

Earlier this year, the office recruited 100 trainees aimed at bolstering the investigative capacity due to the demand for services offered by the office.

Comforting rape survivors

Efforts have also been made to ensure that victims of crime are treated with respect.

Government has over years established more Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country. The centres were launched to help victims of sexual and domestic abuse find temporary shelter while lasting solutions are being sought.

The centres offer victims of sexual abuse various services including:

• Comfort from a site coordinator or nurse.
• An explanation of how the medical examination will be conducted and what clothing might be taken for evidence.
• A nurse in the examination room.
• After the medical examination, a bath or shower
• A social worker or nurse to offer counselling.
• A referral letter or appointment for long-term counselling.

Targeting sex crimes

Delivering his 2013 State of the Nation Address, President Jacob Zuma said he had directed law enforcement agencies to treat cases of sexual violence with the utmost urgency and importance.

In 2010, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, were re-established and its staff increased.

President Zuma said the units secured over 363 life sentences, with a conviction rate of 73 per cent for crimes against women above 18 years old and 70 per cent for crimes against children under 18 years of age.

Government is adding other mechanisms to protect women, such as the Protection from Harassment Bill.

While the Domestic Violence Act also pro- vides protection, it only applies to persons who are in a domestic relationship.

Judiciary

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe said government was in talks with the judiciary to prioritise sexual offences cases.

“I am in discussion with the judiciary to en- sure that sexual offences cases are placed on a prioritised roll and that we strengthen the case flow management system to ensure that the chain from investigation to trial stage is water-tight,” the Minister said recently.

The move comes as incidents of rape and violence against women are, according to Minister Radebe, “reaching alarming proportions”.

“We are moving steadfast to combat this barbaric conduct by merciless perpetrators who show no respect to the right of women to enjoy the freedom of their security.

“We have taken a conscious decision to re- establish Sexual Offences Courts to complement the work of the Sexual Offences Unit in the police,” he said.

More police officers

For its part, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has also been hard at work trying to make South Africa a safer place.

In 1994, when South Africa became an internationally accepted democracy, many changes were introduced. One of those changes had a substantial impact on policing and resulted in the birth of SAPS.

Prior to this, there were 10 homeland policing agencies.

Over the years, SAPS has put more police officers on the street to protect citizens.

According to the SAPS website, there were 120 083 sworn in police officers in 1995, 10.5 per cent of which was women.

The service has now increased its work- force to 155 964.

Written by Albert Pule

Every government needs money to perform its duties. From housing to security, health and paying public servants, all these activities require money.

The funds for these are collected from citizens in the form of taxes. It is impossible for any government to run its affairs without taxes.

Money received from tax payers helps to develop infrastructure such as roads and hospitals. It is used the run state-owned entities, provide welfare, security services, care for the environment and international relations.

Taxes also help provide funding for education – making a difference in the lives of young South Africans, as in the case of Modjadji Ramaphelo.

The 21-year-old from Manareng, outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, is the first person in her village to receive a bursary from the Department of Higher Education and Training.

“Everyone in my village talks about me, especially parents who tell their children to be more like me. People there are proud of what I’ve achieved and hope to make them even prouder,” she said.

Ramaphelo was one of the 97 Limpopo students to receive bursaries offered by the department in 2010.

In addition to those from Limpopo, 100 students from North West and 100 from the Eastern Cape were awarded bursaries to help achieve her dreams.

Ramaphelo always wanted to further her studies but like most young people in her village, her dream seemed out of her grasp due to her family’s financial situation. Both her parents rely on part-time jobs to support the family.

“All my life I’ve been dreaming of going to university. I wanted to do something with my life. I’m happy and very fortunate for the opportunity I’ve been given. I want to say thank you to all the tax payers because their taxes have made a huge difference in my life,” she added.

Modjadji is studying journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology and is currently in her third year. She hopes to become a hard-hitting journalist who will tackle serious issues like corruption. For every R10 in tax contributions, more than R2 goes to education, giving millions of South Africans like Modjadji the chance to pursue their dreams.

Written by Samona Murugan

About 1 826 learners in Gauteng will be awarded bursaries esti- mated at R128 million to further their studies at higher education institutions, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced recently.

“Any nation that is serious about the growth and development of its economy ... will understand the value and significance of investing in education,” Mokonyane said at the presentation of the bursaries in Johan- nesburg.

For the 2013 academic year, more than 1 000 new beneficiaries have been awarded bursaries, which includes 459 young women for the new intake.

The bursary scheme was launched in 2008 with 1 500 disadvantaged youth in the province the first to benefit from it.

Since then the scheme has grown year after year, redirecting its efforts to specifically meet the needs of disadvantaged young people coming from no-fee paying schools, said Mokonyane.

The Premier added that by the 2010 academic year, the province was awarding bursaries to the value of R35 000 to each of the deserving students. This figure was meant to cover tuition, accommodation, books and meals.

Over the years, the value of the bursaries has increased and now stands at R50 000 in line with annual university increases.

“Since the inception of the programme, 6 915 beneficiaries have been awarded bursaries to study at institutions of higher learning, FET colleges and enrol in artisan programmes,” Mokonyane added.

Last year, the province achieved an 83.9 per cent matric pass rate with more than 28 000 of those who passed qualifying to study for a Bachelors degree.

“What it means is that there is an increase in the number of youth who require further education. Many of these have no access to resources needed to achieve this,” Mokonyane said.

As a result, an additional 566 students who completed matric in 2012 will benefit from the bursaries.

Written by Samona Murugan

The Thuthuka Bursary Fund is calling on aspiring accountants and chartered accountants (CAs) from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for the bursaries it offers to further their careers.

Established in 2005 by South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the Thuthuka Bursary Fund assists disadvantaged black and coloured students hoping to qualify as CAs.

It’s a unique fund that covers tuition, books, meals, residence fees and accommodation. Students also receive an allowance, as well as experienced mentorship and additional lectures to help them bridge the gap between high school and university before joining the working world.

Students who achieved at least 60 per cent in mathematics (not maths literacy), a good grade average and satisfactory marks in English can apply for the bursaries. Applicants must be either African or coloured, come from a disadvantaged background and attend a university that is accredited by the SAICA.

The closing date for bursary applications is 30 April 2013.

CAs are highly rewarded professionals who are in short supply in South Africa.

There are only 35 000 SAICA members and less than 2 700 of them are black and coloured. According to Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande, the Thuthuka Bursary Fund is an important initiative for the accounting and auditing professions and has the potential to play a broader leadership role in skills development in the country. “Together with many other professions, the profession of chartered accountancy is critical to the economic, social and cultural development of the country,” he said.

It is expected that by the year 2018, there will be 10 000 new CA positions opening up in the financial services sector each year. To help fill these positions, approximately 1 000 Thuthuka students are currently at universities across the country. The first intake saw 26 students qualify as CAs last year.

SAICA’s professional development, transformation and growth senior executive Chantyl Mulder said SAICA was committed to producing more CAs.

“We want to build a brand-new team of responsible leaders who are successful and add value to society. The new generation of leaders should be significant rather than merely successful. They should be leaders who make a meaningful impact on society.”

To help more students get a quality education, government has joined hands with SAICA in a bold campaign to raise R40 million through private sector and individual pledges this year. Through the Department of Higher Education and Training, government has pledged to match every rand raised by the private sector.

The Thuthuka Bursary Fund requires around R40 million to recruit 400 new students each year. By raising the bar to R80 million through government’s pledge, the fund will be able to enrol 800 students.

To further assist students in qualifying, SAICA embarked on a campaign last year to accredit a number of universities, which included the University of Limpopo, the University of Zululand and the Walter Sisulu University.

For students at the University of Limpopo, the SAICA accreditation means that for the fi time, students in the province no longer had to travel to Johannesburg to study accountancy.

University director Professor Cosmo Ambe confirmed that the university enrolled 207 first-year students for the accounting course in 2012 and the average pass rate was 88 per cent. The National Skills Fund (NSF) directly funded the university’s programme with R25 million, through the assistance of the Thuthuka Fund.

The University of Zululand also received an investment of R64 million from government and the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (Bankseta) to ensure that the university receives SAICA accreditation.

“Reaching communities like Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal helped us to pervasively build a case for skills development in the communities that really need empowering. Through this project, 400 learners will gain access to a high-quality undergraduate degree programme with international recognition,” said Bankseta CEO Max Makhubalo.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zululand Professor Fikile Mazibuko said the programme will boost the competence of graduates.

“Our students will now compete with confidence – not only acquiring a world-class qualification but benefiting from mentorship opportunities and contributing to the development of their profession.”

The Walter Sisulu University, through the NSF and the Department of Higher Education and Training, received R84 million for SAICA re-accreditation over the next four years. The project will give 425 previously disadvantaged students access to a world-class undergraduate degree previously unavailable to them.

Walter Sisulu University’s Professor Lourens van Staden said the SAICA accreditation will ensure that students are accepted by other universities without the need for bridging courses. “We need more accountants, particularly black accountants. Nonetheless, we are proud of the fact that 70 per cent of black CAs hail from the Eastern Cape.”

For more information on how to apply for a Thuthuka Bursary contact Nthato Selebi on 011 621 6600 or nthatos@saica.co.za, or visit www.saica.co.za

Written by SAnews

Farmworkers can look forward to extra money in their pockets as of this month, after Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant announced a new minimum wage.

The new minimum wage, from 1 March 2013 to 28 February 2014, has been pegged at R105 per day (up from R69 a day) for employees who work nine hours a day or R11.66 per hour, R525 weekly and R2 274.82 per month, the Minister said.

The new wage determination came after violent strikes by farmworkers in the Western Cape in November last year. Farmworkers were demanding R150 per day as a minimum wage.

The Minister’s announcement follows public hearings that were held across the country, which was attended by farmers, trade unions as well as farmworkers.

Minister Oliphant said 483 employers/ employer organisations attended the public hearing, while 1145 employees/employee organisations also attended and made meaningful inputs.

She said the department would undertake a study to assess the impact of the new wage in the sector.

The Minister urged business and labour in the sector to come together to find ways to improve labour relations.

“It is time to begin working together towards a vision for the farming sector, one in which the sector expands and creates jobs and where there are better relations between farmers, farmworkers and their organisations,” she added.

Meanwhile, the chief director of labour relations at the Department of Labour, Thembinkosi Mkalipi, said the sectoral determination gave the minister powers to regulate the farming industry.

“In this regard, action will be taken against farmers who do not comply with the new sectoral determination,” Mkalipi said.

The Minister has offered struggling farmers an option of a reprieve from the new wage increase.

Mkalipi urged farmers who wanted to take up this option to contact the department.

“This means they will have to show their books and the department will advise them accordingly,” he said.

For more information contact the Department of Labour on 012 309 4000. 

Written by Samona Murugan

Entrepreneurs with ideas that would benefit municipalities were rewarded for their unique projects during the recent Gauteng Innovation Competition.

The annual contest, run by The Innovation Hub, aims to encourage innovative entrepreneurial ideas, spur growth in the Gauteng economy, while also contributing to job creation and reducing poverty.

The Innovation Hub implements initiatives that advance the economic development and growth of the province through innovation. It is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) which is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.

This year the competition focused on issues that are critical to municipalities.

eGov Connect was named as the winner in the mobile category. The application provides a platform for government to connect with citizens, bringing together communication, fault reporting and social media into a unified user experience.

Vela Tsotsi was the runner-up in this category for its crime reporting tool, while Gov + Me took third place for its use of mobile location information to connect citizens with government information specific to their area of residence.

Smokeless Coal won the green category for its combination of waste coal, clay and water to produce a smokeless energy source that burns for longer than conventional coals. SavvyLoo was a runner-up for its low cost, waterless toilet, which is easy-to-assemble and clean, presenting a sustainable alternative to prevent water pollution from waterborne sanitation and pit latrines.

Handy Power Chargers won the third prize in this category for its kinetic chargers, which can be used on laptops, desktops, cellphones, lamps, and radios where there is no grid electricity supply.

The winners will share the R1 million prize - R500 000 for each category.

Each of them will receive a portion of their prize money as a cash award and the balance in seed funding to develop their concept.

The competition received more than 100 entries. An intensive judging process followed, which identified the top 10 submissions in each category.

The competition called for innovations that would address specific focus areas identified by sector and municipality representatives and required innovators to complete a draft business plan indicating their expected market and likely investment requirements.

“The competition is an important mechanism for building a culture of innovation in the province. This is critical for new enterprise development and creating new opportunities for decent employment creation.

“The finalists for this year’s competition represent a new generation of entrepreneurs who will lead the economic transformation of our province and country towards a prosperous and inclusive society,” said Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Nkosiphendule Kolisile.

Acting GGDA CEO Siphiwe Ngwenya commended the finalists on their achievements. “The finalists in each category have responded to specific challenges that affect our society and we expect that these innovations will have a significant impact on service delivery, economic growth and job creation in the future. We congratulate the winners and The Innovation Hub on their success and look forward to seeing these innovations come to market,” he said.

According to The Innovation Hub CEO McLean Sibanda the competition attracted a mix of concepts from individuals and small enterprises across the province.

“The winners will receive significant support to commercialise their innovations, not only in the form of prize money but also through mentorship, intellectual property advice, and linkages to additional funding sources,” he said.

Previous winners of the competition have made significant progress in the development of their innovations and in accessing potential market partners.

A mobile railway information service application developed by Mobility called GoMetro came up tops at year’s competition and has since been adopted by MetroRail in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

State of the Nation Address 2013

About the State of the Nation Address

Every year in February, the President presents the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to a Joint Sitting of Parliament. It is an opportunity for the nation to take stock of the country’s domestic situation and foreign relations, and for the President to share Government’s plan of action for the year ahead.

It is important for people to listen to the President’s Address so that they can be aware of what Government is doing, how they can participate in Government programmes and what they can expect to see happening in the country. The President also uses the opportunity to report on the progress that Government has made since the previous SoNA.

The SoNA takes places at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town and is a day of colour, culture and tradition.

The complete version of President Zuma’s speech is available in all official languages on www.gov.za, or you can contact the following Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) provincial offices to obtain a copy:

Eastern Cape

Union Arcade Building, Union Street, East London Tel:  043 722 2602 / Fax:  043 722 2615

Free State

Sanlam Plaza, East Burger Street, Bloemfontein Tel:  051 448 4504 / 4506 / Fax:  051 430 7032

Gauteng

ABSA Building, 1066 Pritchard Street, Johannesburg Tel:  011 834 3560 / Fax:  011 834 3621

KwaZulu-Natal

Sage Building, 21 Field Street, Durban Tel:  031 301 6787 / 6788 / Fax:  031 305 9431

Limpopo

66 Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane Tel:  015 291 4689 / Fax:  015 295 6982

Mpumalanga

Medcen Building, 14 Henshall Street, Nelspruit Tel: 013 753 2397 / Fax: 013 753 2531 Cell:  072 219 5136

North West

Nicol Centre, cnr Carrington and Martin Streets, Mafikeng Tel:  018 381 7071 / Fax:  018 381 7066

Northern Cape

7 - 9 Curry Street, Kimberley Tel:  053 832 1378 / 1379 / Fax:  053 832 1377

Upington

Tel:  054 332 6206 / Fax:  054 332 6218 / Cell:  082 339 9300

Western Cape

Kismet Centre, Lower Klipfontein Road, Shop No1, Athlone, Cape Town Tel:  021 697 0145 / Fax:  021 696 8424

Parliamentary Office

120 Plein Street, Cape Town Tel:  021 465 3658 / 3659 / 461 8145 Fax:  021 461 1446

State of the Nation Address 2013

What South Africa can expect

Building South Africa

• R860 billion - the amount that Government will have spent on infrastructure between 2009 and the end of March 2013.
• 11 million - the target for job creation by 2030.
• To improve the transportation of iron ore and open up the west coast of the country, rail capacity has been expanded through the delivery of 11 locomotives.
• 7 000 - the number of new fibre-optic cables laid by the private and public sector in 2012. The plan is to achieve 100% broadband internet penetration by 2020.

“As South Africans, we should continue to have one primary goal – to make our country a truly great and prosperous nation.” – President Jacob Zuma, State of the Nation Address, 14 February 2013.

 

Investing in energy

• Some 675 kilometres of electricity transmission lines have been laid to connect fast-growing economic centres and bring power to rural areas.
• R47 billion - the value of contracts signed by Government in the renewable energy programme.
• R800 million - the value of Government’s National Green Fund. Over R400 million worth of investments in green economy projects have already been approved.
• 315 000 - the number of solar water geysers installed since January 2013 to poor households.

Reaching more people

• 200 000 – the number of households that have been connected to the national electricity grid in 2012.
• 12,1 million (85%) – the number of households with access to electricity.
• Nine out of 10 households in South Africa have access to water.
• R126 million – the budget committed by provincial departments for housing for people who earn too much to qualify for RDP units, but too little to get a bank loan. So far, R70 million of this amount has been used.

Boosting education

• 98 – the number of new schools to be built by the end of March 2013. More than 40 are in the Eastern Cape and will replace mud schools.
• Some 11 740 young people have joined the National Rural Youth Services Corps for various training programmes.
• More than 2,2 million people have been reached through the adult education programme, Kha Ri Gude, between 2008 and 2011.

Fighting crime

• Over 363 life sentences – with a conviction rate of 73% for crimes against women above 18 years old and 70% for crimes against children under 18 years of age – were secured by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units in the last financial year.

• 600 – the number of staff at the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) - up from an initial 70. The President has signed 34 declarations since 2009 directing the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption, fraud or maladministration in     various Government departments and State entities.
• By the end of September 2012, criminal investigations had been initiated against 203 accused persons in 67 priority cases under investigation by the SIU. In total, pre-trial proceedings have been initiated against 191 people.             Freezing orders were obtained against 46 people.
• 107 – the number of officials working within the criminal justice system who were convicted in the past financial year.
• R541 million – the value of assets seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit. A total of R61 million of these assets have already been forfeited to the State and will be channelled back into fighting crime and corruption.
• R150 million in additional funding was approved for the work of the Anti-Corruption Task Team last year. The team is made up of the Hawks, the SIU and the National Prosecuting Authority.

Expanding healthcare

• 600 – the number of private medical practitioners who will be contracted to provide medical services at 533 clinics in villages and townships in 10 of the pilot districts of the National Health Insurance (NHI) from April 2013. This will build up to the launch of the NHI Fund next year.

 

State of the Nation Address 2013

The President is elected by the National Assembly and leads Cabinet as the Head of State. The President must uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic, and promote the unity of the nation.

Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma was elected President of the Republic of South Africa on 6 May 2009, and was inaugurated at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 May 2009.

President Zuma was born in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1958 and became an active member of the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe. He was arrested in 1963 and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on Robben Island. He held various positions in the ANC after his release and was elected Deputy Secretary General in 1991. He was the KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council of Economic Affairs and Tourism from 1994. He was elected Deputy President of the ANC in 1997, and served as the Executive Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa from June 1999 to June 2005. He was elected President of the ANC in 2007.

The Deputy President is appointed by the President from among members of the National Assembly and assists the President in executing government functions. The Deputy President is the Leader of Government business in the National Assembly.

Mr Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe was sworn in as Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa on 11 May 2009.

Deputy President Motlanthe was born in Alexandra, Gauteng. He joined Umkhonto we Sizwe and was arrested in 1976 for his activities, and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on Robben Island. He became an active trade unionist after his release as a member of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and was elected General Secretary of NUM in 1992. He was Secretary General of the ANC from 1997 to 2007, and became Deputy President of the ANC in December 2007. During 2008, he served as Minister in The Presidency and as the President of the country from September 2008 to 8 May 2009.

State of the Nation Address 2013

Communities across South Africa were able to view President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on 14 February 2013 at public viewing sites set up by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

GCIS is responsible for communicating Government policies and programmes to the public.

Activities included big-screen public-viewing events on the day of the speech which saw members of communities from Alexandra in Gauteng to Khayelitsha in the Western Cape, watch the address at community centres and halls. A total of 55 public-viewing sites were set up across the country.

Before the SoNA, GCIS also held a variety of build-up and mobilisation activities, ranging from live broadcast taxi rank activations in partnership with community radio stations, to door-to-door activations.

Most of the events were chaired by local political leaders, and this gave people an opportunity to interact with their leaders.

People turned up at the local viewing centres in great numbers. They included students; community members; learners; senior members of municipalities, business and academic communities and rural farming communities.

What people had to say about the SonA and the local viewing areas:

State of the Nation Address 2013

Infrastructure development

Government has started a massive infrastructure programme to develop South Africa. It has spent around R860 billion on various projects between 2009 and March 2013. President Zuma reported on the progress of some of these in the SoNA:

Limpopo

• The Mokolo and Crocodile River Water Augmentation Project: the construction of the first phase has started. The project will provide part of the water required for the Matimba and the Medupi power stations.
• De Hoop Dam: the construction of the bulk water distribution system began in October 2012 to supply water to the Greater Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Capricorn district municipalities.

Mpumalanga

• The Majuba Rail Coal Line: construction will begin soon.

KwaZulu-Natal/Gauteng

• The Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor: Government has committed to improve the movement of goods and economic integration through this project.
• The City Deep inland terminal: substantial work is now underway.
• Pier 2 of the Durban Port: initial work has started in the expansion of the port. Land has also been purchased for the development of a new dug-out port at the old Durban Airport.

Eastern Cape

• Port of Ngqura: the port has officially been opened and construction is underway to develop a major new transhipment hub.
• The Umzimvubu Dam: preparatory work has commenced for the construction to begin next year.
• The upgrading of Mthatha Airport runway and terminal and the construction of the Nkosi Dalibhunga Mandela Legacy Road and Bridge are currently underway.

North West

• Work in the North West will be fast-tracked further in light of the huge backlogs in that province, especially electricity, schools, clinics, roads and water in the next two years.

Western Cape

• Saldanha: to improve the transportation of iron-ore and open up the west coast of the country, rail capacity was expanded through the delivery of 11 locomotives. The first phase of the expansion – to increase iron ore port capacity at Saldanha to 60 million tons per year – was officially completed in September 2012.

Protecting women and children

• The Bill on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment has been approved by Cabinet for public comment. The Bill criminalises practices that negatively affect women and girls. It further legislates the 50/50 policy position  regarding the representation of women in decision-making structures.
• Government has put in place mechanisms to protect women. These include the Protection from Harassment Bill (the Bill also deals with harassment by persons who stalk their victims by means of electronic communications). The   Domestic Violence Act provides protection only to persons who are in a domestic relation-ship.

State intervention in key industries

In the last two years, Government has intervened in key industries that face external and internal threats. Here are a few examples:

• Train and bus production in South Africa were revitalised, largely because of the drive for local procurement. PRASA and Transnet have committed hundreds of billions of rands to improve our commuter and freight train network.
• The clothing, textiles and footwear industry has stabilised after 15 years of steadily falling employment. A clothing support scheme provides broad financial support, saving a number of factories and jobs.
• On broader economic transformation, the revised Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and codes are being finalised.
• Government has several programmes supporting small business. A key project for The Presidency currently is to get Government departments to pay small businesses within 30 days. Departments are required to submit monthly reports on this.
• R3 billion has been allocated for Government’s Jobs Fund, which aims to support employment-creation programmes.

 

State of the Nation Address 2013

A DAY OF COLOUR AND CELEBRATION: a variety of the country’s culture and tradition on show at the event.

The State of the Nation Address (SoNA) is an important occasion when the President addresses the nation in his capacity as Head of State at the opening of Parliament.

It is a colourful and glamourous event that sees members of provincial legislatures, the Diplomatic Corps, eminent South Africans, members of the Judiciary and Parliament, among others, gathering in Cape Town to celebrate the start of a new political year. The event starts with guests proceeding up the red carpet to the National Assembly at Parliament, followed by a 21-gun salute in honour of the President. The President is then led into the National Assembly to address the nation.

In the week following the address, political parties are given an opportunity to debate the President’s Address in Parliament while he is given an opportunity to respond to this debate.

Written by Noluthando Mkhize

Funding from the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) is giving small businesses a much-needed boost and helping with job creation.

The AIDC, an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, has invested millions of rands in small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs).

Sibusiso Buthelezi’s business, Babuthe Automotive Components, is one of them. Buthelezi’s company makes bedliners, which are covers that protect the inside of the new Ford T6 Ranger that is not yet available in South Africa. He explained that a new concept was designed where high-density polyethylene (plastic) material is melted in a vacuum form- ing machine to make the bedliners.

In a month Babuthe Automotive Components manufactures 96 bedliners, which are then exported to countries in Asia and Europe.

Currently the company employs 18 workers, who are on a fixed-term contract, and makes a turnover of R684 183 a month.

In 2010 Buthelezi saw an advertisement, which said that the AIDC was looking for small businesses in the automotive manufacturing sector to develop further.

Ford South Africa had announced that it would be too expensive to build its new T6 Ranger in the country. This meant that the Gauteng economy would have lost R80 billion and 800 000 jobs would be cut.

The Gauteng Provincial Government then stepped in and through the AIDC put up R50 million for the construction of an Incubation Facility that would manufacture parts for the T6 Ranger.

Neeraj Kessery manager at the AIDC’s Incubation Programme Department said an additional R15 million was set aside to train six companies – Buthelezi’s company is one of them - that would manufacture parts for the vehicle.

The companies were given financial assistance and also helped with skills development, and the manufacturing of world-class material. They work out of the Incubation Facility situated at Ford South Africa in Silverton. Buthelezi explained that when he was selected to be part of the programme a specialist company, Vacuform, was working in partnership with him.

“Vacuform is the company that specialises in vacuum forming. We are working together and they are mentoring and transferring skills to my company.”

Kessery said the businesses would be assisted for about five to seven years after which support would be gradually reduced. Eventually the companies would move out of the Incubation Facility.

He added that the aim was to get the bus nesses to be active participants in the automotive sector.

“The cycle will then continue by re-incubating more SMMEs,” Kesser explained.

Buthelezi, who had been working as an industrial engineer for about 10 years for companies such as Nissan, Denel and Mercedes Benz, said it felt good to be contributing to the economy of the country.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me to be part of this programme. This means that the country is moving towards the right direction in addressing economic issues of the past and building sustainable businesses,” he added

Written by *Odas Ngobeni

Community members from Bolobedu, Limpopo are using their newly acquired baking skills to provide for their families.

The group of 12, made up of mostly women, started a community bakery and from the money earned, can now afford the basic necessities for their families.

The project, better known as the Itsoseng Community Bakery, is now registered as a cooperative and operates under the name Relela Bakery Primary Cooperative Limited.

The bakery supplies bread to thousands of com- munity members, spaza shops, day care centres and drop-in centres.

Assistant project coordinator Rosinah Malatjie said the aim of the project was to fight poverty and create job opportunities for community members.

Malatjie said it had been a “long and winding journey” so far.

“We started in November 1996. At the time we were making mango atchar. The challenge was that mangoes are seasonal so we found ourselves at home, idle during the off-season.”

The group then realised that they could not sit about waiting for mangoes.

“We tried to make body lotions but there was little progress there. Then we started a garden project, planting cabbages, beans, tomatoes and spinach. Through our determination, we managed to open a bank account,” she explained.

A few months later group sat down and agreed that it was time to expand – to go big or go home. “In 1997 we started baking bread using a mud oven. Our breakthrough came when the Department of Social Development provided funding of R50 000. This marked the beginning of much improved conditions for us.”

Malatjie said they used the R50 000 for fencing. The department gave them an additional R150 000, which was used to buy a caravan and baking ovens.

In 2001 the group signed a 30-month contract to supply bread to the Gapane Hospital and Duiwelskoof Hospital.

Malatjie added that although they did not see much profit because they were using rented vehicles for delivery, the contract was worth it.

“We were lucky to receive more funding from the department in 2006, which we used to buy extra double-deck ovens and trolleys. We even bought a second-hand bakkie that we are currently using for delivery,” she said.

The Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA), a government institution that provides business development support services to entrepreneurs, offered the group training in business, financial and marketing management, while the Department of Labour provided the baking training.

In 2012, LIBSA trained them in customer care, bookkeeping and pricing. The department also gave them R250 000, which was used for a ceiling and to buy a second delivery van, 200 crates, bread mould and cake mixer.

Malatjie, a mother of five, added that the co- operative planned to expand their supply base. “We are not really making much of a profit now but we are able to provide food for our families and participate in other activities such as stokvels,” she said.

Local ward councillor Rebecca Makhudu said the project was making a huge difference in the community.

“Not only are we guaranteed fresh bread every morning but we also know that these people are committed to fighting poverty and unemployment. Our people are able to buy on account. This is a shining example to our people that if we work together government will meet us halfway,” she added.

* Odas Ngobeni works for GCIS in Limpopo.

For more information on LIBSA contact the agency on 015 287 3000.

Written by *Molatelo Mokumo

Youth matters

The doors of learning have opened a little wider for inmates in Durban thanks to new school premises at the Westville Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

Lessons at the Usethubeni Youth School were previously conducted in four cells, which were divided into eight classrooms.

Since January the school has been operating from a building at the prison and now boasts six classrooms, a computer laboratory and library.

A building that was previously used as the Parole Board’s offices was renovated and turned into the school on the recommendation of KwaZulu-Natal Regional Commissioner of Correctional Services Mnikelwa Nxele.

The National Application Centre, which deals with applications from prospective students to universities and Further Education and Training colleges, donated 500 books to the school’s library.

The National Youth Development Agency donated six plasma screens, which will be used for life orientation, and 10 computers. The inmates attending the school will be introduced to the world of information technology, thanks to the 30 computers donated by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.

In addition, the department will train two educators to manage the library and assign a librarian to set it up.

“Key to rehabilitation is empowering offenders to have skills to function effectively in society on their release but, equally important, is to ensure that offenders are actively involved in productive activity while they serve their sentences,” said the school’s deputy principal Nelly Mkhize.

She added that everyone at school was motivated for the year ahead now that they would be working in an enabling environment and not the prison cells.

At the school’s opening recently, Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said the school had been the torch bearer of formal education in Correctional Services since 2004, boasting an average of a 91.79 per cent matric pass rate to date.

It obtained an 81.3 per cent pass rate in last year’s matric exams.

He noted that the school offered courses in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Level 1 to 4, National Senior Certificate exams, as well as technical education, which includes welding, carpentry, bricklaying and computer science.

This year 45 inmates have enrolled for matric at the school, the highest number of candidates in the school’s history.

Minister Ndebele said Correctional Services had been working with tertiary institutions to upgrade the skills of inmates. “The University of South Africa has, over the years, come on board to assist inmates with career guidance and facilitated the securing of loans. The University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal has also been working with the Department of Correctional Services Durban Management Area, on a drama project for several years,” he explained.

Correctional education is meant to prepare prisoners for success outside of prison and enhance the rehabilitative aspect of prison. Minister Ndebele said his department wanted to turn prisons into learning centres, where offenders read, study and work.

From 1 April 2013, it will be compulsory for every inmate who does not have a qualification equivalent to Grade 9 to complete ABET Level 1 to 4, he added.

Across the country a number of new youth centres at correctional facilities operate as full time schools. These include Emthonjeni Youth, Barberton Youth, Barberton Maximum, St. Albans, Craddock, Leeuwkop, Johannesburg Medium C and Brandvlei.

Correctional Services has 19 textile workshops, 10 steel workshops, 10 wood workshops, six bakeries, one shoe factory, 21 farms and 94 vegetable gardens, which provide development opportunities for offenders.

*Molatelo Mokumo works for the Department of Correctional Services in Pretoria.

Written by Albert Pule

Youth matters

Secondary school learners are being exposed to the careers that await them thanks the screening of movies that profile various jobs.

The movies, which give insight into careers in banking, construction, law, education, tourism, information technology, transport and logistics are currently being shown at Ster Kinekor cinemas across the country.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has invested R450 000 in the project called ‘My future, my career’.

The initiative is a partnership between the Department of Basic Education, Primestars Marketing and Nedbank.

The screenings started in October 2010 and have run annually since then. This year the screenings began on 27 January and will be shown on consecutive Sundays until the end of March. In total sixteen movies will be broadcast over the eight Sunday mornings.

The aim of the project is to provide learners in Grades nine, 10, 11 and 12 with information on the wide range of careers options available to them after completing matric.

The project also encourages young people to choose careers in fields that will address the skills shortage and high unemployment rate in the country. So far, the project has reached more than 150 000 learners from previously disadvantaged schools across the country.

“We are thrilled to be involved in this project again which is aimed at ensuring the youth of South Africa are able to make informed career choices. This will not only ease the transition from school to tertiary and tertiary to work but also ensures that young people can become active contributors to the South African economy,” said the agency’s Chief Executive Officer Steven Ngobeni.

For more information on the project call the NYDA on 011 651 7000.

Written by *Nawhal Kara-Foster

Youth matters

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging a positive mind set among the country’s youth.

The Limitless Youth campaign is a call to action to young people to have a ‘get up and go attitude’ by making use of the programmes and resources offered by the NYDA, private sector, government and civil society.

According to research, one of the major challenges facing the youth of South Africa is hopelessness, rather than a lack of resources or job opportunities. It was with this in mind that the NYDA established the campaign.

It is a creative, youthful, informative way of interacting with young people through initiatives such as edutainment programmes in communities using performances, exhibitions and prizes.

Young people are informed about NYDA products, services, campaigns and programmes in their home language in a fun, relaxed environment.

Limitless Youth TV advertisements encourage the youth not to allow their circumstances to define them or let their past hold them back. Radio and print advertisements also form part of the campaign.

In addition, the annual South African Youth Awards honours the young, extraordinary achievers of the country.

The awards also recognise individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to youth development.

The SA Youth Awards provide a platform to showcase the exceptional work and contribution that young people are making in their communities and to the world. It’s an opportunity to tell the inspiring stories of young people who rise about the odds.

The NYDA also uses other platforms to share the stories of NYDA brand ambassadors, who have made a success of their young lives. This is done to inspire other young people and provide them with role models that they can emulate.

In additional to all of this, the NYDA Limitless Youth TV series is currently airing on SABC 1 every Sunday at 1pm.

Featured stories are compiled from the database of NYDA beneficiaries or focus on the lives of inspirational youngsters from across the country. A book titled Limitless Youth will also be launched in June.

Most importantly, the Limitless Youth initiative is more than just a campaign but rather a set of value systems that the NYDA is trying to teach South Africa’s youth.

*Nawhal Kara-Foster works for the NYDA.

Inspiring youngsters to dream big

I am a rising star from Kimberley in the Northern Cape. I am a song writer, rap- per, motivational speaker, I contribute to Hectic Nine-9 on SABC 2 and in the future I hope to be a whole lot more.

With all that I have been through and as young as I am, I never gave up on my dreams. I’m still striving to achieve my dreams.

What really disturbs me is to see how weak our youth can be. We tend to give up on life when things don't go our way and end up feeling like failures.

In my township many youngsters are wasting their time idling on street corners, robbing people, smoking and teasing others. They are not realising their potential because they have given up on life.

I want to motivate the youth to get up and keep pushing no matter how hard they fall. No matter where they come from, who they are, or what they believe in - they can still be what they want to be.

I want to remind the youth that we are the kings and queens of tomorrow. We are the hope for the future and God has a plan for each and every one of us. If something you want doesn't happen at right away, it does not mean that you don't have the ability to achieve it, it may be because it’s not your time yet! It takes time for good things to happen. I hope I have the power to change the mindset of my peers. In the end I want us all to be winners.

– Belinda Tundaj

We would like to hear from you

If any of the information published in Vuk’uzenzele has helped you in any way to improve your life, we would like to hear from you. Don’t forget to include your telephone or cellphone number and address.

Send your letters to: Vuk’uzenzele, Private Bag x745, Pretoria, 0001.

E-mail: vukuzenzele@gcis.gov.za.

If you don’t want your real name published you may use a different name, but please include your real name and address.

PLEASE NOTE: to win a prize you must include a physical address and a contact telephone number.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vukuzenzele/171911042918437

Written by *Marilyn Williams

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) provides valuable long-term investment options to all South Africans.

Companies have three choices when they want to raise money to grow their business - to borrow from a bank, issue bonds or issue shares.

The key advantage of issuing shares is that the company doesn’t need to pay back the capital amount or make interest payments. Funds received from the selling of shares are used by the business to expand and for finance projects, etc. If you own a share, you own part of the company. You are called a shareholder. As a shareholder, you can receive dividends if a company’s board of directors declares that the company has made sufficient profits and that some these profits should be returned to shareholders. A share in the company gives you the right to vote on decisions affecting the company. You can also call a share an equity or stock.

You can purchase shares on the exchange and invest any amount. Note, however, that you can only trade through a stockbroker. Stockbrokers are licensed members of the stock exchange who trade securities on behalf of clients as investors cannot invest directly on the exchange.

They also provide advice on stock exchange investment issues. The fees charged on share transactions include brokerage charges, VAT on brokerage charges, securities transfer tax and settlement fees. Transaction costs also include an Investor Protection Levy.

Advantages of investing in the JSE

Shares have shown the highest returns in the long term, outstripping other assets such as bank deposits and property. Investing in shares gives you a good chance of beating inflation. South Africa’s inflation target is between three and six per cent.

To make a profit the return on investment should, therefore, be greater than six per cent. Research indicates that the return on shares on the JSE has in most cases exceeded this percentage for the last hundred years. The value of shares would, in the long-term, often increase. Generally you would sell shares for more money than you paid for them. Some companies pay a portion of their net profits (return) to shareholders – this is called a dividend. When you buy shares of different companies, you are diversifying (getting a variety) your collection of shares and also limiting your risk of losing money.

Other advantages include:

• The inflation rate is higher than the interest rate paid by commercial banks but lower than equity price appreciation.
• You are protected from the eyes of the public. People won’t know your worth unless you tell them. In other investments, people can easily look at the assets of the business or your property (real estate) and come up with approximate worth.
• The rate of growth is far beyond the bank interest rate.
• Dividends - this is a cash reward given to shareholders as part of the profit made by the company at the end of each financial year. It is declared at the annual general meeting of the company. The larger the units of your shareholding, the more money you receive at the end of each financial year. There are companies that have a yearly dividend policy. Your financial adviser should be able to tell you some of them.

Disadvantages of investing in shares

The benefits of investing in shares are many but there are few pitfalls to avoid.

These include:

• Crash in share prices. For one reason or other, sometimes share prices drop a lot. A discerning investor should know what to do at any point in time.
• You may lose out if the company you have invested in goes into liquidation. You must be vigilant to watch over your investment if you consider it important to you.
• Fraudulent stock brokers. Some stockbrokers are unfaithful to their clients. They may collect your money when there is perceived information that the shares of a particular company is a good one and instead of making the transactions in your name, they may divert the money for their selfish interest or use it to make their own investments. You must be careful when selecting your stockbroker.

For more information on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange go to www.jse.co.za

*Marilyn Williams is a registered debt counsellor. Contact her on 0861 777 293.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has to date re-registered 11 million social grant recipients on the new SASSA biometric payment card system. Those South Africans who have not yet registered or received temporary SASSA payment cards, have until 31 March 2013 to re-register.

Below is some information to help you re-register:

Where do I re-register for a SASSA card?

At a re-registration site closest to you. Phone 0800 601 011, 0800 600 160 or 012 400 2322 for more information.

What documents do I need to re-register?

• Your original 13 digit green bar coded identity document.
• The original birth certificate of the child/children.
• Letter of award from SASSA (if you are in possession of 7777 ID number).

What should I do if I am sick, frail, bedridden or a senior citizen and cannot get to the site?

You must contact the toll free numbers - 0800 601 011, 0800 600 160 or 012 400 2322 – to request a home visit.

How do I access my social grant with the new SASSA payment card?

Your social grant can be accessed at any cash pay point, at participating payment vendors like Boxer, Pick n Pay, Spar, Checkers and Shoprite free of charge. If you choose to use your card at the ATM, you will be charged normal bank charges.

What should I do if I lost my SASSA payment card?

You will be required to pay R20 for a replacement card, which you can get at your local SASSA office.

What should I do if my SASSA card gets damaged?

Visit your nearest SASSA office for a replacement card free of charge.

What is a pin code?

It is the four digit number that you will chose when you first receive your SASSA payment card. Your pin must be kept a secret.

What happens if I use the wrong pin?

If you have forgotten your pin and entered the wrong pin three times at an ATM, the card is retained by the ATM. If you use the incorrect pin at participating payment vendors such as Boxer, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Spar, the money will not be paid over and your card will be locked.

What must I do if I have forgotten my pin code?

Go to your local SASSA office for your pin code to be reset free of charge.

Can I retain my old bank account?

Yes, you will be required to call the toll free number every month for your social grant to be transferred from the SASSA card to your personal bank account.

How do I deposit money into my SASSA card?

You are able to deposit funds into your SASSA bank account in one of three ways:

1. Using the Easypay bill payment system

An Easypay bill payment reference number is printed at the back of each SASSA card. Bank card beneficiaries can go to any outlet which supports Easypay bill payments (for example Shoprite, Checkers, Boxer, Pick n Pay) and pay funds into their bank accounts by providing this Easypay reference number. It will take approximately 48 hours for the funds to be transferred into the account.

2. Electronic funds transfer (EFT)

You can also make use of internet banking) from a third party bank account using the bank account number and branch code you provided when you enrolled. The funds will be available in your account by the next day.

3. Third party bank transfer

You can do an over-the-counter transfer at a third par bank by filling out a transfer slip to move funds from an account at that bank to the bank account number and branch code you provided when you registered.

The funds will be available in your account by the next day. This is the most expensive way to deposit funds into your account as the third party bank levies bank charges for making such transfers.

Can I use the new social grant card at any ATM?

You can withdraw your social grant from any ATM in the national payment system provided you have set a pin on the SASSA payment card during the re-registration process. Fees are charged for ATM transactions.

What happens to my money of I do not withdraw it every month?

If you do not withdraw your money for three consecutive months the grant is automatically cancelled.

Written by*Lieutenant-Colonel Erica Holtzhausen

Female employees of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who went beyond the call of duty to make a difference in their communities have been rewarded for their good deeds.

The inspirational women were hon oured at the SAPS Women’s Prestige Awards, which took place in Mpumalanga recently.

Of the 10 finalists, it was Sergeant Njengabo Olga Masethla from Gauteng who made the biggest impression and walked away as the overall winner.

Masethla, a social crime prevention coordinator at the Germiston Police Station, has been described as an innovative, versatile workaholic who fights poverty and social crime through a number of community projects.

She joined SAPS nine years ago and since then has been working with communities on a number of successful projects.

Masethla has even managed to get private companies and government departments involved in her projects.

Some of these include raising funds and securing new premises for a day care centre at an informal settlement in Germiston.

She adopted the Ekurhuleni Primary School, providing learners with school uniforms and helping them deal with social the problems they face.

Masethla has also set up a Granny’s Club, which through aerobics and craft projects, is helping improve the lives of the elderly.

Another of her projects, the Tshedza Candle and Beadwork Project, is helping tackle unemployment and poverty alleviation, while the book club she set up at a school in the Dukathole informal settlement keeps children off the streets and away from gangsters. Masethla was also instrumental in establishing the Women’s Network at the Germiston Police Station, launching a domestic workers’ project and food projects in informal settlements.

And when a fire gutted the Dukathole informal settlement in June 2012, Masethla came to the aid of the fire victims.

The 2012 Prestige Awards was not the first time Masethla was recognised for her community work.

She became the first South African police- woman to receive the Community Police Service Award at the Annual International Association of Women Police Conference in Newfoundland, Canada in September 2012. This prestigious award is presented annually to an officer who distinguishes herself in superior accomplishments by developing, designing, implementing and participating in community programmes.

In 2011 Masethla received Gauteng’s Best Policewoman Award and she was also second runner-up in the Prestige Awards that year.

As overall winner in 2012, her prizes included a laptop, trophy, bursary and R 35 000.

Since 2006 the Prestige Awards has been held annually to acknowledge SAPS women employees who go beyond the call of duty to contribute to social transformation in their communities.

The 10 fi one from each province and head office, were all chosen because of the outstanding work that they had done – over and above their policing duties – to uplift disadvantaged members of the community. Their initiatives included adopting schools, fighting drug abuse, feeding projects for orphanages and old age homes, as well as raising funds to give destitute senior citizens a seaside holiday.

Colonel Anette Lombard from SAPS head office was the first runner-up and received R 20 000.

The second runner-up, Lieutenant Colonel Muriel Nokulunga Novandla, from KwaZulu-Natal, received R15 000.

Each of the other finalists received R10 000. At the awards National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega thanked the 10 heroines in blue for doing their work diligently and still putting in extra hours to assist their communities.

She also encouraged other women at SAPS to take part in community related activities.

* Lieutenant-Colonel Erica Holtzhausen works for SAPS

Written by Bathandwa Mbola

International relations

President Jacob Zuma has called on world leaders to invest in infrastructure projects in South Africa and other African countries to boost the long-term economic growth of the continent.

President Zuma was speaking at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

More than 2 500 leaders in business, government, academia and civic life attended the five-day forum.

Accompanied by several ministers and industry specialists, the President also used the WEF to promote South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), which seeks to significantly reduce the country’s triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality by 2030.

The NDP also aims to ensure that all South Africans have access to quality services such as education and health, and that the country plays a leading role in continental development, economic integration and human rights. Infrastructure development, President Zuma told the forum, was the flagship project of the NDP, given its capacity to create jobs while changing the landscape of the country. “Domestically, there are roads, dams, power stations, schools, hospitals and more that are being built or refurbished. All these provide enormous opportunities for the business sector.”

He told delegates that South Africa was stable, friendly, resilient and able to solve its problems.

“We are presenting a South Africa that is open for business and which is open to provide entry into the African continent, a fast growing region which is proving many Afro-pessimists wrong.”

Under the theme ‘Resilient Dynamism’, the meeting saw discussions on how the international community can return to a good economic path, create higher employment opportunities and tackle the challenges within the international financial system.

Africa’s dynamism was highlighted with participants indicating that the continent has now become the world’s second fastest growing economy.

The lack of progress on women’s rights, corruption and freedom of the press in the Arab world since the Arab Spring uprisings also came into focus.

Participants also discussed the two-year civil war in Syria. With no resolution in sight, the conflict is creating a growing humanitarian crisis, with human suffering on a massive scale. This, delegates felt, was placing an unsustain- able burden on neighbouring countries that have to take in fleeing refugees.

The forum also saw South African-born Hollywood star Charlize Theron being recognised for her humanitarian work by being awarded a WEF Crystal Award.

Awarded each year, the Crystal Award honours artists who have used their art to improve the state of the world.

Theron was recognised for her outreach project, which finances programmes designed to prevent HIV among young Africans and South Africans in particular.

The project includes providing mobile health services to secondary schools in the rural uMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal.

The district is one of the poorest regions of the country, with only 6.6 per cent of the population employed and nearly 83 per cent of households living below the poverty level. President Zuma met with Theron on the side-lines of the WEF where she briefed him on her project.

“We wish her success in every venture she undertakes. I assured her that South Africans love her and wish her all the best,” said the President.

Last year the award went to another South African, Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Theron proved to be the star of the WEF opening, with a heartfelt plea for funds in the fight against HIV/ AIDS. Her message to the forum was that progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS must be maintained by adequate funding.

The next forum, which will be the 44th, takes place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from 22 to 26 January 2014.

Written by Bathandwa Mbola

International relations

African leaders have agreed to respond decisively to the conflicts ravaging the continent at the 20th African Union (AU) Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently.

The summit brought together 36 heads of state under the theme: ‘Pan-African- ism and the African Renaissance, a call for greater integration among states and a celebration of the continent’s rapid economic growth’.

The most urgent item on the agenda was the political crisis in Mali, where rebels took over parts of the country in early 2012. Further political turmoil later in the year and an offensive by the Islamic militants lead to the Malian government requesting other countries to intervene.

African leaders welcomed the deployment of some 2 500 special forces from France and nearly 2 000 African soldiers to battle Islamic militants in an effort to stabilise the country.

The leaders agreed to contribute R708.8 million, nearly 10 per cent of the total budget required to fund the peacekeeping mission in Mali.

Participating countries also promised to contribute a total of R4 billion, with further pledges of technical assistance, training and energy needs.

For its part, South Africa pledged the R88.4 million.

Despite their unity when it came to issues related to Mali, AU leaders were unable to make similar breakthroughs regarding problems between Sudan and South Sudan and in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Chairperson of the AU Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said the AU must do more to address conflict situations in Somalia, Guinea-Bissau, eastern DRC, Central African Republic, Darfur, Comoros, Sudan, South Sudan, Madagascar, Western Sahara and more recently, Mali and the Sahel.

“While we are proud of the progress made in expanding and consolidating peace and security on the continent, we also acknowledge that a lot is still desired to resolve ongoing, renewed and new conflicts in some African countries,” she stressed.

Dlamini Zuma said the AU would oppose all unconstitutional change of governments on the continent.

“We must enhance our capacity to defend democratically-elected governments and their territorial integrity, we need to accelerate the operationalisation of the  African  Standby Force for quick response capacity,” she said.

The summit also highlighted the continent’s economic progress.

Dlamini Zuma said she saw a brighter future for the continent based on the achievements made in the past decade.

She cited economic growth surpassing 10 per cent annually in some countries as an indication that the continent was indeed on a growth trajectory.

The discovery of new wealth, like oil and gas, would also help the continent generate new revenue.

During the summit, South Africa received the African Leaders Malaria Alliance Award for its progress in combating malaria. President Jacob Zuma said South Africa plans to eliminate the spread of malaria within its borders by 2018.

He also promised that South Africa would do everything in its power to prevent the deaths of mothers and children during childbirth at the high level meeting of the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA).

“South Africa is committed to doing every- thing we can to decrease maternal and child mortality and to improve the lives of women and children, both in our country and on the continent,” he said.

The CARMMA aims to reduce the number of women who die as a result of childbearing, during pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery or termination of pregnancy.

Part of South Africa’s interventions, President Zuma said, would include strengthening family planning, especially among teenagers who contribute up to 36 per cent of maternal deaths even though they make up only eight per cent of the total number of pregnancies.

Other interventions include eliminating mother to child HIV transmission, strengthening maternity services by deploying dedicated obstetric ambulances to  transport  women in labour to the nearest appropriate health facility, training doctors and nurses working in maternity units on essential steps in managing child birth emergencies, training more midwives and advanced midwives and expanding immunisation coverage.

The 20th AU Summit coincided with several anniversaries and milestones.

It was the 50th since the founding of its forerunner, the Organisation of African Unity. It was also the first to be presided over by the AU Commission’s new chair – South Africa’s former Home Affairs Minister Dlamini Zuma, making it the first time a woman presided as chairperson over the gathering of Africa’s predominantly male heads of state.

Written by Albert Pule

Sport

South Africa was awarded the hosting rights of the 2013 Afcon after Libya pulled out because of internal strife. Libya will host the 2017 edition after its neighbour, Morocco, hosts the event in 2015.

The tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief of communications Sipho Sithole said factors such as security, accommodation, transportation and ticket sales had exceeded expectations.

“The overall ticket sales were 857 473 which was way above the 500 000 target,” he pointed out.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) agreed that it was a successful Afcon.

“We are tremendously happy with the outcome. We had certain expectations and the LOC exceeded those expectations,” said CAF secretary-general Hicham El Amrani.

He added the CAF was pleased with the infrastructure, such as stadium and roads, in the country, as well as the support that the tournament received from government. The three-week tournament concluded at a packed National Stadium in Johannesburg with Nigeria defeating their west African neighbours, Burkina Faso, 1-0 in the final attended by an estimated 85 000 soccer fans.

President of the South African Football Association Kirsten Nematandani said South Africa had set a benchmark for other countries that will host future tournaments.

“In terms of the size and behaviour of the crowds, standard of play, organisation and general atmosphere, the tournament has set a benchmark for future Afcon tournaments. The atmosphere at the final was electric and being beamed across the globe, it again demonstrated Mzansi’s ability to host major tournaments,” he pointed out.

Nematandani said despite Bafana Bafana being knocked out in the quarterfinals, South Africans continued to support the tournament.

“As a nation, we did a great job in creating a hosting environment that made all of Africa feel welcome,” he added.

Cabinet was also impressed with the hosting of the tournament and commended the Ministry of Sport and Recreation South Africa and LOC for leading a “successful and historic” Afcon.

“Cabinet has confirmed that the tournament demonstrated South Africa’s ability to organise world-class events beyond expectation,” it said. Cabinet also praised all South Africans for the “good spirit in which they hosted the teams and visitors from across the continent”.