Area Court Manager

Ref No: 16/21/NC

Centre: Magistrate Office Kimberley

Salary: R 733 257.00 – R863 748 per annum.

(All inclusive remuneration package). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: An appropriate three-year Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification (NQF 6); Six (6) years relevant experience of which three (3) years should be at management level; Knowledge and experience of financial management, PFMA, office and district administration will serve as strong recommendation; A valid driver’s license. The following will serve as an added advantage: Experience in the court environment; Post graduate qualification in Public Administration/ Human Resources Management.

Enquiries: Ms S Segopa (053) 802 1300

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: E-mail address: DOJ-05-NC@justice.gov.za
 

Assistant Director: Collective Bargaining and Policy Coordination

Ref No: 21/81/HR

Centre: National Office: Pretoria

Salary: R376 596 – R443 601 per annum.

The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree/equivalent in Human Resource or equivalent qualification at NQF6; 6 years in Human Resource Management of which 3 years’ experience should be as a Human Resources Practitioner.

Enquiries: Ms M Qhamakoane (012) 357 8591

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: E-mail address: DOJ21-81-HR@justice.gov.za

 

Assistant Director: Employee Relations

Ref No: 21/82/HR

Centre: National Office, Pretoria

Salary: R376 596 – R433 601 per annum.

The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree/National Diploma in Labour Relations or equivalent qualification; Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Human Resources; 3 years’ experience in Employee Relations; Knowledge of labour legislation, including transformation guidelines and practical application; A valid driver’s licence.

Enquiries: Mr J Maluleke (012) 315 1090

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: EMAIL ADDRESS: DOJ21-82-HR@justice.gov.za

 

Assistant State Attorney, (LP3-LP4)

Ref No: 21/84/SA

Centre: State Attorney: Johannesburg

Salary: R301 452 – R847 047.

(Salary will be in accordance with OSD determination). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: An LLB or 4 year recognized legal qualification; Admission as an Attorney; At least 2 years appropriate post qualification legal/litigation experience; Right of appearance in the High Court of South Africa; Conveyancing experience will be an added advantage; A valid driver’s licence.

Enquiries: Mr. E. Seerane (012) 315 1780

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: E-mail address: DOJ21-84-SA@justice.gov.za
 

Assistant Director: Provisioning Administration

Ref No: 54/21EC

Centre: Regional Office, East London

Salary: R376 596 – R443 601 per annum.

The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: Three year Bachelor`s degree/ National Diploma in Administration or equivalent relevant qualification (NQF level 6); Three years working experience in Procurement/Asset Management/Supply Chain Management; Three years’ supervisory/management experience; Knowledge of Public Financial Management Act (PFMA); Knowledge of the procurement systems asset management systems, policies and procedures; A valid driver’s license is essential.

Enquiries: Ms. Msimang (043) 702 7000

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: EMAIL ADDRESS: CeWilliams@justice.gov.za.
 

Assistant Master, MR3- MR5 (02 posts)

Ref No: 21/77/MAS: Centre: Master of the High Court: Pretoria (01)

Ref No: 21/80/MAS: Centre: Master of the High Court: Durban (01)

Salary: R257 073 – R912 504 per annum. (Salary will be in accordance with OSD determination).

The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: LLB Degree or four years recognized legal qualification; At least 2 years appropriate post qualification legal experience; Knowledge of the Administration of Estates Act, Compliance Act, Mental Health Act, Insolvency Act, Companies Act, Close Corporations Act, rust Property Control Act and other relevant legislation; Experience in the functional field and services provided by Masters of the High Court.

Enquiries: Mr. S. Maeko (012) 315 1996 & M. rC. Msiza (012) 315 4754

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: E-mail address: DOJ21-77-MAS@justice.gov.za, DOJ21-80-MAS@justice.gov.za

Estate Controller EC1 (06 Posts)

Ref No: 21/73/MAS: Centre: Master of the High Court: Durban (03),

Ref No: 21/74/MAS: Centre: Master of the High Court: Pretoria (02)

Ref No: 21/75/MAS: Centre: Master of the High Court: Polokwane (01)

Salary: R198 411 per annum. (Salary will be in accordance with OSD determination).

The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

Requirements: An LLB degree or recognized four years legal qualification.

Enquiries: Mr. S. Maeko ( (012) 315 1996

Applications: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct your application to: E-mail address: DOJ21-22-MAS@justice.gov.za, DOJ21-25-MAS@justice.gov.za and DOJ21-30-MAS@justice.gov.za.
 

Errata

1. The closing date for all posts advertised in this publication dated 28 February 2021 has been extended to 06 April 2021

2. Kindly note that there are minor changes on the post of Director: Guardian Funds advertised in this publication dated 28 February 2021 in terms of job requirements. Please visit the Department’s website: www.justice.gov.za or www.dpsa.gov.za to view the full job specification.

Closing Date: 19 April 2021

Note: Interested applicants may visit the following website: www.justice.gov.za or www.dpsa.gov.za to view the full job specification of the above positions. Interested applicants must submit their applications for employment to the email address specified to each post. The email must include only completed and signed new Form Z83, obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the internet at www.gov.za, a CV with a font size of 10 and Arial theme font, copy of Identity Document, Senior Certificate and the highest required qualification as well as a driver’s licence where necessary. Attachments must be in a PDF format and limited to 10 megabytes. Emails that do not comply with the above specifications will bounce back without reaching the Department. Original/certified copies must be produced by only shortlisted candidates during the interview date. A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Applications that do not comply with the above mentioned requirements will not be considered. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical and competency assessment. A pre-entry certificate obtained from National School of Government (NSG) is required for all SMS applicants. Candidate will complete a financial disclosure form and also be required to undergo a security clearance. Foreigners or dual citizenship holder must provide the Police Clearance certificate from country of origin. The DOJ&CD is an equal opportunity employer. In the filling of vacant posts the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act No:108 of 1996), the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of the Department will be taken into consideration. Reasonable accommodation shall be applied for People with Disabilities including where driver’s licence is a requirement. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you do not hear from us within 3 months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. The department reserves the right not to fill these positions. Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Target.

Written by Dr Moses Cho

Despite the stereotypical images of starving African populations, the continent in fact has the ability not only to feed itself, but also to be a major player in the global food market. This potential lies in its land, people, waterbodies, knowledge and huge markets. With about 375 million hectares of Africa's land considered suitable for agricultural production, it makes sense that agriculture dominates most African economies.

Currently a large number of countries on the continent rely on agriculture to meet priorities such as eradicating poverty and hunger and to increase intra- Africa trade. However, owing to the low yields from outdated agricultural practices and the effects of climate change, many nations face ongoing food insecurity.

With 20% of the more than 821 million undernourished people in the world living in Africa, it cannot be business as usual if the continent is to feed its projected population of two billion people by 2050.

While challenges exist and are real, there are also many opportunities. As the old adage goes, every cloud has a silver lining. In this case, the emerging technologies of the 4th industrial revolution (4IR) are that silver lining.

4lR pillars such as big data and the Global Positioning System (GPS) can make a significant difference in farming, particularly with information about the location of farms. The thousands of ground sensors and social media platforms also assist with knowledge and data sharing. Big data analytical tools present invaluable opportunities to use data to address agricultural challenges, for example, in deciding which crops to plant, and when.

The benefits of greater connectivity, the Internet of Things and robotics provide us with unique prospects for leapfrogging traditional agricultural practices into a new era of smart agriculture. As the holder of 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, Africa should step up its game and develop homegrown technologies that can respond to the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, both on the continent and globally.

In South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation's 20 I 9White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation has positioned the national system of

innovation to respond to poverty, inequality and unemployment in the country. In simple terms, the White Paper looks at how science, technology and innovation can change people's lives, influence service delivery, modernise the production sector and grow the economy. It has a focus on new technologies and how they can be used to create jobs and wealth, and ultimately take our country to the next level.

The Agriculture Research Council (ARC), the Department of Science and Innovation and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research have already developed numerous technologies and, where appropriate, commercialised them to boost agriculture. One of these technologies, the Agricloud app developed by the ARC, is helping farmers to generate real-time personalised forecasts and warnings, reducing weather and climate-related risks and improving food production in a sustainable manner The app is free and available on Google Store.

Another locally produced technology developed by the ARC,the Viridi Elisa Kit, is a plant health diagnostic tool that assists farmers with the identification of different vegetable diseases, such as the tomato spotted wilt and cucumber mosaic viruses. South Africa has many valuable locally produced technologies on the market, including precision agriculture platforms, soymilk pasteuriser and sweet potato cultivars, to name only a few.

The predicted increase in the youth population presents another opportunity for the agriculture sector. United Nations statistics predict an increase in the number of young people (aged 15 to 24) from 1,2 billion in 2015 to 1,3 billion by 2030. Most of them will be born in developing countries in Africa and Asia, where more than half of the population still live in rural areas. It is expected that young Africans will make up some 42% of the world's youth.

The introduction of 4IR technology in agriculture presents an ideal opportunity to involve youth in the sector, since young people are among the biggest consumers of new technology. The declining interest of youth in the sector is seen as one of the challenges that could hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's 20 l4 "The State of Food and Agriculture" report, youth in rural areas continue to face challenges related to unemployment, underemployment and poverty. The agriculture sector has ample potential to provide income-generating opportunities for them. Attracting young people to the sector will also help to meet the increasing demand for food from a growing global population — projected to reach nine billion by 2050.

The current environment offers governments on the continent a chance to harness new technologies and involve large numbers of the youth to take agriculture in Africa into the digital era. This will not only increase crop yields, but also contribute to economic development, increase competitiveness and attract investment. Moreover, it will ensure food security and the elimination of poverty.

Cho is Research Group Leader for Precision Agriculture at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, an   entity of  the  Department of Science and Innovation

South Africa has been placed on Adjusted Alert Level 2, as government introduces measures to delay the third wave of the virus.

Addressing the nation recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa said after several months of low transmission, the number of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) infections has risen sharply in several parts of the country over the past month.

 “The provinces of Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng have reached the threshold of a third wave of infections.

“It may only be a matter of time before the country as a whole will have entered a third wave,” the President warned.

Health protocols

According to health experts, the rise in new infections is because of an increase in social gatherings where people are not observing health protocols.

These protocols include wearing masks, social distancing, ensuring adequate ventilation and limits on the number of people who attend gatherings.

Other sites of increased transmission are funerals and so-called ‘after tears’ parties, as well as camps and sporting activities at schools.

“Because rates of infection have been low for some time, and because we are all suffering from pandemic fatigue, we have tended to become complacent.

“We have not been as vigilant about wearing our  masks all the time, we have not been avoiding crowded places and we have been socialising more. As a result, infections are surging again,” said President Ramaphosa.

Restrictions

He added that further restrictions are necessary to ensure that health facilities are not overwhelmed and that lives that can be saved are not lost.

“Delaying the spread of the virus is especially important now to allow as many people as possible to be vaccinated before the third wave reaches its peak.”

Adjusted Alert Level 2, which came into effect on 31 May, means that:

• the hours of curfew start at 11pm and end at 4am.
• non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres must close by 10pm. This is to allow employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
• all gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used. This includes religious services, political events, social gatherings, restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places.

Rules to follow

The President stressed that it is still compulsory for every person to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth when in public spaces.

It is a criminal offence not to do so.

The owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses must ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks, and that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place.

“If you test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate at home for a period of 10 days from when you first developed symptoms.

“If you have been in contact with a person who has COVID-19, you must also self-quarantine for a period of 10 days following your exposure, even if you do not show any symptoms,” said President Ramaphosa.

Funerals remain restricted to no more than 100 people and night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.

The third wave

The President said there is no way of knowing how severe the third wave will be or how long it will last.

“According to the scientists that advise government, the severity of this third wave will largely be determined by the amount of contact each of us has with other people.

“This means that each of us needs to think about all the people we come into contact with each day and do everything we can to limit those contacts.”

 When it is unavoidable to be in contact with other people, it is important to observe all the health protocols by wearing a mask, keeping a distance from others and ensuring proper ventilation.

 The President advised South Africans to postpone social engagements, avoid public spaces and to travel only when absolutely necessary.

“Gatherings are the greatest sources of transmission, whether it's weddings, funerals, social parties, religious services, political meetings or simply gatherings of family and friends.

“We must remember that the virus does not move from place to place by itself; it relies on the movement of people. The less we travel, the less the virus is spread.”

Indoor spaces should be avoided, as COVID-19 is spread through the air when a person speaks, coughs or sneezes.

The President called on South Africans to adhere to the restrictions and health protocols to flatten the curve of infections.

 By doing so, the pressure on the hospitals will be reduced and many lives will be saved, he said.

“I ask you to summon your strength, your courage and your tenacity as South Africans to stand together and to hold back this third wave,” the President added.

“We have not been as vigilant about wearing our masks all the time, we have not been avoiding crowded places and we have been socialising more. As a result, infections are surging again.”

Written by Kgaogelo Letsebe

Youth are being given the opportunity to get a recognised coding qualification for free.

Software programming training academy WeThinkCode is providing opportunities for youth to join the digital world.

The academy, which operates campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town, recently opened its Durban campus and is offering KwaZulu-Natal youth 100 places in a free two-year software course which starts in July.

WeThinkCode’s CEO Nyaradzai Samushonga says the academy is open to everyone.

She adds that South Africa has a vast pool of untapped talent with the ability to be trained in technology.

“At the same time, our youth unemployment is among the highest in the world. Our plans are based on the desire to give more South Africans the opportunity to join the digital world and help build the country’s technology skills capability.”

The academy is also committed to ensuring that more women take up opportunities in software programming.

“We aim to increase the number of women programmers on our course each year. Our target is for women to exceed 40% of our 600-strong student contingent,” says Samushonga.

She adds that finding candidates with the right aptitude and attitude is crucial, and the academy uses a new approach to identify youth with the required skills.

“These are individuals that would otherwise be overlooked by traditional selection methods. The academy enjoys a 98% employment rate of graduates, at average annual starting salaries of R240 000 a year. We are refining our selection process to reduce the number of young people who drop out of the programme.”

Those who successfully complete the programme qualify with an NQF Level 5 National Certificate Information Technology (Systems Development).

How to apply

Anyone between the ages of 17 and 35, who is able to study full-time for two years, can apply.

The candidate does not need an education

qualification or coding experience. 

To apply, go to wethinkcode.co.za

Written by Silusapho Nyanda

Bronkhorstspruit Hospital in Gauteng is ready for an increase in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases, with a new 150-bed isolation ward opened at the hospital recently.

The newly-built isolation ward is an extension of Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, and will provide quarantine and isolation services, alleviating the pressure on neighbouring hospitals.

The ward was made possible through the Gauteng Department of Health’s partnership with the BMW Group South Africa.

The R80 million overflow facility consists of a 150-bed COVID-19 ward, furniture and equipment. It is part of the group’s long-term R76 million investment of 800 beds in nine hospitals and four clinics in the region.

The new COVID-19 ward will house those who need medical care and those who cannot isolate at home, says the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Phumzile Nkumane.

She adds that the ward is designed to ensure that all patients have isolated beds, each with their own oxygen tank.

“The ward is really going to be useful in the third wave, as we will be able to admit patients. During the last two waves of the pandemic, positive patients who needed hospitalisation were transferred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Mamelodi Hospital.”

BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen says the opening of the isolation ward was made possible through its partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, the South African Government and the German Government.

“Without their cooperation, continuous collaboration and hard work, we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we have achieved today by making a real difference in the lives of our people.”

BMW has already drawn up plans to convert the COVID-19 ward into a multi-use ward once the pandemic passes.

“We will then be able to partition the ward so that we can use it as a surgery and a maternity and mental health ward,” says Nkumane.

In addition to the isolation ward, BMW Group South Africa also donated eight new intensive care unit beds, 16 paediatric beds and four resuscitation beds to the hospital.

A group of black farmers in Tafelkop in Groblersdal, Limpopo are the proud owners of 189 hectares of land, which they have been farming for the past 25 years.

The 30 farmers received title deeds for the land from President Cyril Ramaphosa after the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure transferred it for land redistribution purposes.

The land is valued at more than R25.5 million, but was handed over to the farmers for free.

“This is indeed a great day for the community of Tafelkop, for the people of Limpopo and for the whole of South Africa.

“Today we are witnessing a community’s dream being fulfilled. It is the vision that this community has spent the past 25 years fighting to see realised,” said the President at the handover ceremony.

The farmers have been successfully farming various agricultural produce on the land since 1996.

They organised themselves in the 1990s to be registered commercial farmers under the banner of the Tafelkop Farmers Association and started to engage government.

In 2000, the then National Department of Agriculture entered into lease agreements with the Tafelkop Farmers Association in terms of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development Programme.

In 2009, the former Limpopo Department of Agriculture recommended to the Department of Public Works that the land be transferred to the farmers.

The deeds were registered in the names of the farmers earlier this year.

The land is currently being used to farm tobacco, cotton and fresh produce.

Thirty-two households are supported by the land and farming activities which provide employment to 128 permanent workers and up to 320 seasonal workers.

Justice for the community

The President said the community had endured many hardships over the years and the “title deeds bring justice to a dispossessed community”.

 “We have not forgotten the dispossession, land theft and forced removals that the people of this community and many communities across the country had to endure.

 “We have not forgotten the harsh legacy of farming here in Limpopo, where farm-dwellers were forced to be labour tenants on their forefathers’ land and not allowed to own land to feed their families or graze their animals.”

 He added that black farmworkers were exploited and abused in what was previously the Northern Transvaal.

“We also recall how the apartheid government supported white farmers with equipment, technical support and access to credit to build their businesses, but black subsistence farmers struggled to survive.”

Transforming the agricultural industry

The President said the transfer of land inspires hope because it shows that with the right support and opportunities, the agricultural industry can be transformed for the benefit of the country.

 “We celebrate our progress, because day by day our Land Reform Programme is gaining momentum.

 “To date, government has redistributed over five million hectares of land, totalling around 5 500 farms, to more than 300 000 beneficiaries.”

 So far, the land restitution process has benefited over two million land claimants and resulted in the transfer of around 2.7 million hectares.

“Land reform isn’t just in the interests of redress, justice and social cohesion. It is also about economic development. Agriculture and the agriculture value chain can and must transform rural economies,” said President Ramaphosa.

Government plans to establish a land and agrarian reform agency to fast-track land reform.

“We are looking at how effective our past policies have been. We are going to address this issue of land reform urgently.”

Addressing past mistakes

The President said government was working hard to correct what went wrong during the apartheid years and since the start of democracy.

 “We do this in tribute to those who lived among us; who resided here.”

Land reform is vital to improving the country’s food security, building an inclusive economy and providing a better future for all South Africans, added the President.

He urged the Tafelkop farmers to use the land wisely and for the benefit of the community.

“For me, today has been the best day in the office; to kick the soil and dust and see your produce.

 “I have no doubt that with the commitment and energy of all involved, this project will continue to thrive,” he said.

Chairperson of the Tafelkop Farmers Association Jerry Sefoloshe thanked government for making it possible for the farmers to become the owners of the land they have worked for decades. 

Written by Sphelele Ngubane

Four farms in the Joe Gqabi District in the Eastern Cape recently received livestock and machinery worth over R35.5 million from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

The farms were selected as pilot projects for the department’s Land Development Support Programme, which is part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Sixty-two black commercial farmers who farm crops and livestock were identified across the country to benefit from the programme. They lease land reform farms from the department.

DALRRD Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha says the support will ensure that the farmers are sustainable and help eradicate poverty in their communities and the country.

The four farms received 308 Bonsmara cattle and 290 Merino sheep. Each farm also received a tractor, trailer, scraper and fire-fighting equipment.

The Deputy Minister commended the work at Wepender Farm, where the Imbumba Cooperative received 105 sheep. He says he is inspired by the youth’s involvement in the agricultural sector.

“By having young people farming, we are building the future of the nation. We should be proud that some of the farmers are young. Gone are the days when we only saw elderly farmers."

Kholisile Yalezo, who leads the Dikela Farm Project at Vaalkop Farm, is one of the beneficiaries.

He received 128 Bonsmara cattle, which will make a major difference to his farm.

Yalezo arrived at the farm in 2014 and says it was hard to operate, but he persevered.

“Now that I have been provided with a quality beef-producing breed, it will be easy to sell my livestock after battling for years. The tears I had have been wiped away,” he says.

Pinkie Mbekwa, the owner of Hillhead Farm in Aliwal North, received 290 cattle.

“I am thankful to the government for what it has done for an independent woman like me. I want all women to see a living example in me – go and ask for help and the officials will assist you,” she says.

In addition to infrastructure, machinery and livestock, the department will also provide the farmers with skills development and market access opportunities. 

For more information, visit www.dalrrd.gov.za

Written by Kgaogelo Letsebe

A South African artist has pencilled part of the latest US Batman comic.  

Butterworth-born visual artist Loyiso Mkize (34) is no stranger to superheroes, having created one himself in the form of Kwezi – the first South African superhero.

But now, Mkize himself is certainly flying high, after working with DC Comics in the United States, where his artwork now features in a Batman comic book series.

The American company commissioned Mkize to draw a character called Batwing, for a Batman comic series called Batman: Urban Legends #4 by Marvel Universe.

According to Mkize, he first caught the attention of DC Comics’ editor Ben Abernathy in 2018.

“I met the editors at the first Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg. They had seen and heard about Kwezi, and when they met me and my team, the relationship started,” he says.

Kwezi, one of Mkize’s most treasured works, is a comic book about a 19-year-old city boy who discovers he has superpowers. Mkize has successfully published 15 issues of Kwezi over the past seven years.

The comic book is enjoying great success.

“It is making waves and we are launching the next collective editions, episode 13 to 15. We also just won the Road to Annecy Pitching Competition at the Cape Town International Animation Festival. It was a big win for us."

Dream come true

Speaking about his new opportunity, Mkize says he wanted to be part of the DC Comics team for as long as he can remember.

“I grew up with Batman and the Bat-family. DC Comics is something a person like me has looked up to. It churns out entertainment, especially the stuff I grew up on, and to be in the same stable is pretty cool.

“As a visual artist, there is only a couple of spaces that mean pivotal things for your career… This is one of them.”

He says the work for the Batman comic book series was done remotely, as the commissioning happened during the Coronavirus Disease restrictions.

“Communication was remote, from conception to the comic’s completion. There was a lot to do and I was working with a much bigger network of teams, which was a challenge. It took me three weeks to draw the character, which is rather standard.”

Mkize is also nurturing a long-standing career in the fine arts, in which he has had five solo and six group exhibitions.

Written by More Matshediso

An inspirational businesswoman has changed her focus from empowering other companies to succeed, to becoming a farmer and ensuring her own success.

If you asked Lusanda Moletsane (42) 15 years ago if she would consider a career in agriculture or farming, her answer would have been a definite ‘no’.

“I mean… I wore black suits and worked in an office at the beginning of my career. I worked for a consulting firm and I had no idea I would be here [farming] today,” she says.

Her business, Khumo Ea Tsebo, is Tiger Brand’s largest black, women-owned aggregator of small white beans.

Aggregators enable small-scale farmers to secure a market for their produce by sourcing a crop – such as beans, in this case – from the farmers to secure the quantities needed by corporates such as Tiger Brands.

Established 16 years ago, Khumo Ea Tsebo used to specialise in implementing turnaround solutions for manufacturing businesses that were not doing well.

In 2007, the business was contracted to turnaround farms, in various parts of the country, that were not doing well.

By 2009, Khumo Ea Tsebo had picked up on the trends and knew that some businesses were not going to make it because the country experienced an economic recession.

The company then shifted its focus to assisting black-owned farms and started bidding for agricultural tenders. 

“We assisted farmers to commercialise their businesses and equipped them with record-keeping skills because, once they supply retailers with their outputs, they need to provide clear records of what went into production – from when they planted seeds to harvest time,” says Moletsane.

Agriculture aggregator programme

Her success story began towards the end of 2020, when Tiger Brands brought Khumo Ea Tsebo onboard its agriculture aggregator programme.

Tiger Brands' agriculture aggregator model is aimed at uplifting small-scale farmers and ensuring economic development.

The company’s large delivery requirements have previously made it difficult for small-scale farmers to be part of its supply chain. The aggregator model is meant to address this challenge.

Black small-scale farmers are aggregated into collectives that are able deliver the capacity and quality Tiger Brands needs.

The company provides the farmers with finance, agrarian and agricultural technical support and development support to ensure their success.

Tiger Brands supported Khumo Ea Tsebo with about R10 million, which included a low-interest loan, technical support funding for inputs, mechanisation, diesel, harvesting and funds to pay labourers.

Partnering for success

Through the deal, Khumo Ea Tsebo has to supply Tiger Brands with small white beans by mid-2021.

For this project, Moletsane’s business is operating from two farming clusters – in Nigel in Sedibeng, and Bronkhorstspruit near Tshwane.

“I have established partnerships with other landowners and farmers to carry out this project successfully. I am very grateful for this opportunity,” she says.

Khumo Ea Tsebo has already created employment for more than 65 people.

Roots in farming

Although she never dreamed of being a farmer and graduated with a degree in social sciences, Moletsane has always loved plants and gardening.

Growing up in the Ezibeleni Township in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, Moletsane helped her mom grow vegetables and flowers.

“My mother grew up in the rural areas, where eating fresh vegetables from the fields was the norm. Even later, when she had her own family, she still loved to plant and keep a vegetable garden. I was the only one of my siblings who would garden with her,” she explains.

Moletsane wants to ensure that her efforts make a meaningful contribution to the businesses, farmers and the country.

“I want my life’s legacy to be all the businesses that we've turned around, all the farmers that we've commercialised, and all the fallow lands that we have made productive.

“When we have 100 000 hectares under our care in five years’ time, then I’m going to say that I am helping to feed the nation.”

Tiger Brands’ Enterprise and Supplier Development Director Litha Kutta says: “A small farmer with a

100-hectare farm or even a 1 000-hectare farm, would never be able to supply a pan-African food manufacturer such as Tiger Brands, if you consider the tonnage required to supply our demand.

“However, through our aggregator programme, we are able to aggregate and empower small farmers with supported access to the formal agricultural market.”

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza and a team from Tiger Brands recently visited Khumo Ea Tsebo to showcase the impact that small agricultural farmers have on food producers’ supply chains.

Written by More Matshediso

Thousands of learners at Idlangemabala Secondary School and Nkomazi High School in Mpumalanga now have access to laptops and the internet, thanks to government’s Digital Skills Outreach Programme.

Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council, handed over cyber laboratories to the two schools recently.

The laboratories are equipped with 60 laptops and internet connectivity. 

The programme, led by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, is part of government’s investment in information and communications technology (ICT) in communities across the country.

Deputy President Mabuza says access to technology is important in facilitating development and tackling inequalities.

“At the same time, significant challenges remain prevalent in ensuring equity for many South Africans as far as access to technology and ICT tools are concerned. 

“This impacts negatively in levelling the playing field for young people to realise their dreams and potential, especially in the emerging world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution that is characterised by artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing,” he adds.

The donations to the school will help address inequalities in terms of internet access, and bridge the gap between schools and homes to ensure continuous learning.

Idlangemabala Secondary School principal Vusi Mkhatshwa says most of his learners touched a laptop for the first time in the new laboratory.

“We have 1 045 learners registered this year. Most of them come from poor family backgrounds.

“Before we received the donation of the cyber laboratory, learners had to visit internet cafés to conduct research for their assignments. Some failed because they could not afford to pay for the internet.”

He is confident that the new laboratory will help improve learners’ results.

“The school is highly appreciative of this donation because our learners will be taught how to use laptops and to do research, for free. We believe this will improve their overall performance,” he says.

The school offers lessons from Grade 8 to 12 and learners will use the new laboratory on a rotational basis.

Written by Silusapho Nyanda

Securing fishing rights has enabled a group of fishermen to boost their income while also ensuring that they fish sustainably.

Forming a fishing cooperative has enabled fishermen in the Northern Cape to not only feed their families, but to also export lobster and trade their fish in bulk.

A group of Port Nolloth fishermen joined forces to create the Okachowa Fishing Cooperative in 2018. At the time, they were only able to sell their catch locally and could not trade in bulk, says one of the cooperative’s members, Morgan Johnson (50).

He explains that the fishermen were not able to secure trade agreements individually, but forming a cooperative made this possible. Okachowa Fishing Cooperative now exports lobster to China, and sells lionfish and kelpfish to local communities.

“We have a trader who orders a ton of fish per week from the cooperative. The members then go out to sea to catch the type of fish ordered. Each member is paid daily for the number of fish they bring in,” says Johnson.

Denver Baron, Director: Working for Fisheries at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, says the small-scale fisheries cooperative system has been recognised as the best method to fairly distribute wealth amongst members and fishermen.

The Okachowa Fishing Cooperative is one of two cooperatives in the province that have been given small-scale fishing rights for 15 years. According to Baron, the two cooperatives have started making profits.

“The cooperative in Port Nolloth activates commercial fishing rights allocated to it, thereby revitalising the local fishing industry. This is one of the priorities of the Namakwa District Development Model,” says Baron.

Johnson adds that fishing rights help to prevent overfishing, as they limit who can fish, which fish they can catch, what time they can fish and for what purpose.

The lionfish and kelpfish also enable the cooperative’s members to feed their families and members of the community.

“The lobster, lionfish and kelpfish earn money for the fishermen, even though the lobster cannot be sold locally. We catch and transport them while still alive, to Cape Town and China. The permit for consumption also allows members to catch lionfish and kelpfish for food.”

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister  Nomalungelo Gina, who visited the cooperative recently, says government is committed to creating more opportunities for residents of Port Nolloth.

“This area has the potential to become a vibrant economic powerhouse of the district and the province in general. The main objective is to change the lives of the people for the better,” she adds. 

Sixty years ago, on 31 May 1961, apartheid South Africa became a republic, cutting its ties with the British Empire.

While a ‘republic’ is generally defined as a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, this was not the case in South Africa.

 The Constitution of the apartheid republic pledged allegiance to God, “who gathered our forebears together from many lands and gave them this as their own”.

It was a Constitution written by and for a racial minority, and it used faith to justify tyranny. It outlined the administration of government, providing that only white people were eligible to vote and serve as public representatives. It contained no Bill of Rights.

The country’s majority was relegated to a footnote towards the end of its 121 provisions, in a section titled ‘Administration of Bantu Affairs, etc.’.

In a televised message, Prime Minister HF Verwoerd said: “We seek the gradual development of each of our groups in a certain direction. Here the solution is openly sought by retaining the white man’s guiding hand.

 “We are very happy to be a united people,” he declared to the world.

 But the reality was that we were not a united people.

 We were inhabitants of a country where one’s rights, prospects and life expectancy was determined by one’s race.

For two decades, the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act of 1961 was the legal impetus for the repression of nearly 90% of the South African population.

 This unhappy anniversary took place in the same month that we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the adoption by the Constitutional Assembly of our new democratic Constitution, which became the birth certificate of a real united nation.

Now we have one law for one nation.

Together, we have chosen for ourselves a system of government that gives true meaning to the concept of a republic.

We have said that in our democratic republic, everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

South Africa today is a country where the administration of justice is vested in independent courts and a judiciary that is subject only to the Constitution. We live in a country where everyone has the right to approach the courts for the fulfilment of their rights.

 We live in a country where communities can stake a legal claim on land they were forcefully moved from, and where individuals or families are protected against arbitrary eviction from their homes.

 We live in a country where everyone is permitted to freely practise their culture and traditions. It is a country where anyone can freely protest in support of social, political and other causes anywhere.

Our constitutional dispensation is premised on accountable government, where the Executive is answerable to the people and where Parliament is representative of the people.

It is a country where the law applies equally to any citizen. We now have a government of the people, for the people and by the people.

When the apartheid regime triumphantly paraded its racist Constitution to the world 60 years ago, it had misplaced confidence that it would endure.

In an unanswered letter to Verwoerd a month before the republic was declared, Nelson Mandela affirmed the liberation movement’s rejection of the forcibly imposed white republic.

He said that no Constitution or form of government decided without the participation of the African people would enjoy moral validity.

Indeed no system that entrenches the systematic denial of people’s rights can be sustained. Though it would be over three decades before the demands of the liberation movement were met, we eventually won our freedom.

 In relegating the apartheid Constitution to the dustbin of history, we committed ourselves to a new Constitution and a new set of values.

 When I addressed the Constitutional Assembly 25 years ago, I said our Constitution must become more than words on a page; it must become a reality in the lives of our people.

Unless we do so, this progressive and revolutionary document will be rendered irrelevant and meaningless.

 We have long decided what kind of society we want to be. It is a society rooted in human dignity, equality, freedom and non-discrimination.

For a quarter of a century we have worked to build such a society. We have made undeniable progress, but we still have many challenges and there is much work still to be done.

 As we mark the anniversary of the adoption of our democratic Constitution, let us remember what a decisive break it was with the system underpinned by racism, exploitation, dispossession and oppression that had come before.

Let us also remember that it is up to us to make the vision contained in our Constitution a reality.

 For it is only by ensuring that all South Africans are able to freely and fully exercise their constitutional rights, that we will truly become a united people.  

Written by SAnews.gov.za and More Matshediso

The young people of today may not be fighting against an oppressive apartheid regime like the youth of 1976, but they are still faced with many challenges.

To commemorate Youth Month, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), together with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, have lined up activities to highlight the plight of the youth.

The events will celebrate the gains made since 1994, take stock of challenges and look ahead to the future.

Youth Month 2021 is being commemorated under the theme: 'The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Growing youth employment for an inclusive and transformed society'.

This year marks 45 years since the student uprisings of 16 June 1976.

Youth unemployment

Speaking at the launch of Youth Month, Minister in The Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane called on all sectors of society to join hands with government to reduce youth unemployment.

“We cannot ignore our youth, if we are to see our society progress.

“Therefore, all of us must play our part in creating an inclusive society that allows engagement, improves the mental health of youth and people with disabilities, and increases access to economic opportunities for the youth,” she said.

The Minister added that government recognises the power and ability of the youth.

“We therefore continue to invest in youth development programmes through agencies such as the NYDA to bring positive changes to the lives of the young people of our country.”

She said the NYDA is well-placed to recognise the challenges faced by the youth and to spot the potential of young people.

“The Presidency, working with the DWYPD, continues to work across government and private and social partners to coordinate and drive an integrated plan to create two million new jobs for young people during the next decade, over and above average job growth.

Entrepreneurial and skills opportunities

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane urged young people to seek entrepreneurial and skills opportunities.

“We believe that with the available opportunities, young people can become job creators and not only jobseekers.”

“We also need women, youth and people with disabilities to explore the possibilities and opportunities that our country has.”

President of the South African National Youth Council Thembinkosi Josopu said the challenges the 1976 youth faced were different to the ones faced by the current generation.

“Today’s youth don’t need petrol bombs, they don’t need stones, but they need knowledge. As young people, we must now invest in knowledge production, in finding solutions to the problems facing our country,” he said.

The 2021 Youth Day celebration will be held at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on 16 June in the form of a Presidential youth dialogue.

During the celebrations, President Cyril Ramaphosa will reflect on the progress made in the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, which was launched during the 2020 State of the Nation Address.

Why we commemorate Youth Month

In 1975, protests started in African schools after a directive from the then Department of Bantu Education that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools.

The issue, however, was not so much the use of Afrikaans, but the whole system of Bantu education which resulted in separate schools and universities, poor facilities, overcrowded classrooms and teachers who were not properly trained.

On 16 June 1976, more than 20 000 pupils from Soweto began a protest march. Due to the clashes with the police, and the violence that followed during the next few weeks, about 700 people, many of them youth, were killed.

16 June was declared Youth Day in 1994, to remember those who died and suffered, and to also celebrate those who carry the students’ legacy and principles of selflessness, determination and devotion.

For more information about the Youth Month activities, visit www.nyda.gov.za

Written by Silusapho Nyanda

As South Africa embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, government is helping companies in the technology sector with the skills they need to flourish.

X Spark ATx, a Centurion-based software and app designing business, is one of the companies that received assistance from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).

The company creates and designs software that other businesses can use in their day-to-day operations.

“The apps enable our clients’ customers to buy products, order services, receive benefits, book appointments, contact them directly and much more,” says X Spark ATx co-founder Khaya Cokoto.

Cokoto and her business partner Sapho Maqhwazima started their company in 2007 at an incubator run by Seda in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

It also offers cabling, video and animation and drone operating services.

She says drones will increasingly become the technology of choice for a number of operations, including surveys.

“We provide qualified, up-to-date pilots with high-powered, high-altitude quad-copters for surveys, aerial footage and event video shoots.”

Seda helped put the company in touch with other players in the sector, which resulted in X Spark ATx relocating to Gauteng to gain access to more clients.

“When we started, we only had one computer, two chairs and R30 000, which I had saved up. Now we have a team of 10 that ranges from designers to developers,” says Cokoto.

The company also received assistance in developing and marketing its UmoyAir free-call advertising system, which enables users to make calls without using airtime.

“UmoyAir is a cross-network, free-call platform, with user and advertiser incentives,” says Cokoto.

She explains that a call can be made by dialling a free USSD code or using the UmoyAir app on smart phones.

“Dial the UmoyAir short code or use the UmoyAir app, listen to the short advertisement, dial the person you wish to speak to and enjoy your free call.”

Cokoto says the company was hit hard by the Coronavirus Disease and would not have survived had Seda not stepped in and advised it how to market its products during the pandemic.

“When companies once again started to need information and communications technology services, we were there to offer our expertise. This saw our company grow,” she adds.

For more information about Seda’s programmes, visit www.seda.org.za

Written by Sphelele Ngubane

The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society (KZNBDS) recently launched the sewing room, a project that offers sewing skills training and employment opportunities to partially sighted, deaf and hard of hearing womeThe project was initiated by KZNBDS President Veetha Sewkuran, who realised that while many women are unemployed, they have sewing skills they can use to generate an income.

“The focus of the project is to empower these women by strengthening their sewing capacity and helping them to find employment,” says Sewkuran.

It also aims to help them contribute to the development of KwaZulu-Natal’s economy.

“We hope they will eventually be able to secure sewing positions in reputable companies and factories. Our wish is to see this project grow and thrive,” says Sewkuran.

The project’s beneficiaries, who receive a stipend from the Department of Employment and Labour, are already making sleepshirts, pet cushions and covers and face masks.

They are taught sewing skills by qualified and experienced seamstresses.

Sewkuran says the enthusiasm of every person involved in the project has helped to keep it afloat and the marketing team has already earmarked future projects.

The society provides services and opportunities that improve the quality of life of blind, partially sighted, deaf and hard of hearing people. It reaches out to the poor and unemployed in rural areas.

“The greatest challenge is how to improve these individuals’ quality of life… These almost forgotten people are not only deprived, but have disabilities, which leaves them feeling inadequate and incapable. Most of them receive no external assistance,” says Sewkuran.

The society also offers other programmes to its members, including community-based Braille literacy training, community-based rehabilitation, advocacy and sports development, among others.

For more information, contact the KZNBDS at 031 309 4991.

Written by Daniel Bugan

Learners from underprivileged schools in Stellenbosch were equipped with the necessary skills to build their own portable, solar powered USB phone chargers at a recent solar generation workshop presented by Stellenbosch University (SU).

About 20 top maths and science learners from Cloetesville and Kayamandi High Schools attended the workshop.

Hosted by SU’s Department of Business Management, the Faculty of Engineering and its Science, Technology Electronics Programme (SUNSTEP), the workshop formed part of the university’s social impact outreach initiatives.

Learners were also taught how to manufacture solar panels; learnt new skills such as soldering, wiring and cutting; and discovered how solar energy works and the benefits it can bring to a community.

“Learners were able to distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources by the end of the workshop.

“They were so inspired by everything they were taught that they have started to enquire about available courses in information technology and computer science,” says Luyanda Mankayi, a maths teacher at Kayamandi High School.

For Jayden Loggerenberg (17), a Grade 11 learner at Cloetesville High School, the workshop was an eye-opening experience.

“I was surprised that something like this was available to me and that I could participate in it. I’m glad I came to this workshop. I learnt a lot,” he says.

Adolph Neethling, a lecturer at the SU's Department of Business Management, says the workshop came about after learners attending its Young Entrepreneurs Project (YEP) identified a business opportunity for solar energy-driven cell phone chargers.

However, the learners had not yet identified how to access such chargers.

YEP is an annual entrepreneurship programme presented by the department in collaboration with Hogeschool Utrecht, the University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

SUNSTEP, an entity of SU since 1997, provided electronic kits, tools and practical training to learners during the workshop.

Miranda Myburgh, the Executive Director of SUNSTEP, says: “This workshop meets a critical need in our largely theory-based education system, which provides virtually no hands-on learning in disadvantaged schools, and in which many teachers are greatly inexperienced.”

Plans are underway for more workshops to provide learners from other schools with the opportunity to develop these skills.

Interested schools can email Neethling at acn@sun.ac.za

Written by Sphelele Ngubane

More than 500 000 people have directly benefited from the Presidential Employment Stimulus.

The stimulus, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, was designed in response to the severe economic impact of the Coronavirus Disease pandemic.

As part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, the Presidential Employment Stimulus aims to create new employment, provide livelihood support and protect existing jobs in vulnerable sectors.

According to The Presidency’s fourth progress report, 532 180 people benefited from the intervention by the end of March 2021. 

“This includes 422 786 jobs created or retained and

109 394 livelihoods supported,” says The Presidency.

Livelihood support includes production input vouchers for farmers, awards to the creative sector and income support for Early Childhood Development service providers.

A further 161 972 opportunities are still being processed as part of phase one of the stimulus, meaning this phase will benefit 694 52 people.

An additional allocation of R11 billion has been made in the budget for 2021/22 to extend the stimulus to a second phase.

“An intensive process is currently underway to allocate these funds to programmes that will have the greatest impact in creating jobs and supporting livelihoods, including through the continuation of several existing programmes,” adds The Presidency.

An online dashboard has been developed to allow the public to access detailed information on the stimulus and monitor its implementation.

The dashboard will be updated regularly as data is received from various departments.

“The launch of this tool reflects government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the implementation of the stimulus, and the use of technology to enhance its impact,” says The Presidency.

The Presidential Employment Stimulus has provided support to South Africans in all provinces and across all age groups.

It has created work opportunities and helped people earn an income while the labour market recovers.

The online dashboard is available at: www.stateofthenation.gov.za/employment-stimulus-dashboard. – SAnews.gov.za

South African National Parks (SANParks) has launched new products for stokvels and travel clubs that offer special payment terms and discounted rates.

SANParks Tourism Development and Marketing Executive Hapiloe Sello says these groups are being targeted because they comprise different personalities and profiles.

“[These] range from the ordinary grandmother to the high-earning chief executive officers of companies and large corporate and public sector institutions. There are over 800 000 registered stokvels and even more formal and informal travel clubs/groups in South Africa.

“Travel clubs that qualify include groups of people who have special interests, such as hiking or biking, but also groups of friends and large families that enjoy group travel,” she explains.

To qualify for the favourable payment terms, stokvels and travel clubs have to register through the travel trade team at SANParks’ reservations department.

Once registered with SANParks, the group will receive a client code that can be used whenever a booking is made.

The client code will automatically qualify the group for favourable payment terms and special discounts.

“Our new stokvel and travel club product allows a group of 10 or more people to contribute money towards a combined visit to our parks on a future date of their choice,” says Sello.

SANParks is offering a 20% discount at the following destinations:

• Matyholweni Rest Camp in Addo Elephant National Park.
• Agulhas Main Camp in Agulhas National Park.
• Augrabies Falls National Park.
• Bontebok National Park.
• Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow in Garden Route National Park.
• Glen Reenen and Golden Gate Hotel in Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
• Mopani Rest Camp in Kruger National Park.
• Skukuza Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park.
• Bontle Tented Camp in Marakele National Park.
• Leokwe Rest Camp in Mapungubwe National Park.
• Mosu Lodge in Mokala National Park.

The discount applies to bookings for the following dates:

• 22/08/2021 to 20/09/2021
• 12/10/2021 to 30/11/2021
• 19/01/2022 to 16/03/2022
• 03/05/2022 to 14/06/2022
• 21/08/2022 to 20/09/2022
• 11/10/2022 to 30/11/2022.

 -SAnews.gov.za

For more information or to register and make bookings, call 012 426 5025 or email traveltrade@sanparks.org. For information on the product, visit www.sanparks.org

The second phase of the biggest mass vaccination programme in South Africa is progressing well, with hundreds of thousands of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccines administered in the first two weeks of this phase.

The second phase of the vaccination programme targets healthcare workers who were not vaccinated during the first phase and all those over 60 years of age.

Between 17 May and 30 May, more than 480 000 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine as part of phase two.

“It has been heart-warming to see images of our elderly citizens receiving their vaccine, and to read the many stories of kindness and solidarity from those who have visited a vaccination site.

 “The positive experiences of the rollout so far reflect both the dedication and professionalism of our healthcare workers, and the intense preparation that has gone into ensuring that the rollout is successful,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Healthcare workers

During the first phase of the vaccination programme nearly 480 000 healthcare workers were vaccinated.

 “More than 67% of public healthcare workers have been vaccinated. These health workers received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, which only requires a single dose,” said the President.

The elderly have been prioritised during the second phase. This is because evidence shows that older people are at a greater risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death.

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses to provide maximum immunity. Those who have received the first dose will need to have a second dose 42 days later.

By 30 May, there were more than 400 vaccination sites operating across the country in both the public and private sectors.

Safe and effective

The President stressed that all vaccines that have been approved for use in South Africa are safe and effective.

“They have carefully been tested in large trials and subjected to a rigorous approval process by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and by a number of health authorities around the world.

“Most importantly, they all provide protection against severe illness or death as a result of COVID-19.”

South Africa has secured enough vaccines to reach all adults in the country, which is around 40 million people.

This includes 31 million doses of the J&J vaccine, which is a single dose that will be manufactured in South Africa, and 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Arrival of vaccines

The delivery of the J&J vaccine has been delayed due to regulatory issues related to lack of adherence to proper standards at a manufacturing plant in the United States.

“We are waiting for these issues to be resolved before the first batch of J&J vaccines can be released from the facility in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

“While this is a challenge that has affected the supply of vaccines for many countries and not just our country, we are in constant contact with the relevant authorities to ensure that our doses can be released as soon as possible,” said the President.

About 1.3 million Pfizer doses have already been distributed. A batch of 636 000 doses arrived in the country on 30 May and deliveries of the same amount are expected weekly until the end of June, when the country will receive 2.5 million doses.

“Our reliance on the Pfizer vaccine for now has affected the pace at which we are able to open vaccination sites.

“Due to the properties of the Pfizer vaccine which requires an ultra-cold supply chain, inclusion of smaller sites and sites in more rural areas is limited.”

President Ramaphosa explained that once cleared, the J&J vaccine will be easier to administer, as it is a single dose vaccine that can be stored in a normal fridge.

“While our vaccine rollout ramps up over the coming weeks, I urge everyone to be patient and to await their turn.”

Registration

The Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) is being used to manage registration and the allocation of vaccines.

The system links people who have registered to a vaccination site near them and allows the national team to monitor vaccine use and to deploy vaccines where they are needed.

By 30 May, more than three million people had registered on the EVDS.

President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to help their parents, grandparents and the elderly in their community to register on the system.

“Right now, our foremost priority is to scale up our vaccination campaign to reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, in every part of our country,” said the President.

Written by More Matshediso

Thanks to a partnership between the South African State Theatre (SAST) and Ster-Kinekor Theatres (SKT), you will soon have the opportunity to view theatre content at a cinema complex.

Both SKT and SAST are adapting to the ‘new normal’ brought on by the Coronavirus Disease and say this collaboration is proof that the social distance created by the pandemic also provides opportunities for unity.

“Whilst we are grappling with the pandemic, I believe this collaboration will change the performing arts game in South Africa, particularly that of theatre. Importantly, this collaboration gives us hope for the revival and future of theatre,” says SAST's Artistic Director, Aubrey Sekhabi.

He adds that the partnership opens the doors for theatre to be accessed in different parts of the country and for those who otherwise would not have the opportunity to watch the SAST's productions to now be able to enjoy them.

Acting CEO at SKT, Motheo Matsau says: “Ster-Kinekor and Cinema Nouveau is proud to collaborate with the SAST to expand our event cinema repertoire in South Africa to feature local productions from incredibly talented actors, performers, writers, producers and directors on the big screen.”

SAST has selected a variety of productions to showcase at Ster-Kinekor. The screenings are expected to start in June.

This is not the first time the SAST has partnered with others to make theatre and dance more accessible during the pandemic.

During the recent 2021 Kucheza Afrika Festival, the SAST collaborated with theatres in Durban and Cape Town to take the dance festival to a larger audience.

For more information, visit statetheatre.co.za

Written by Daniel Bugan

Female entrepreneurs in and around the City of Cape Town who want to learn how to infuse technology into their businesses are encouraged to apply for the 2021 Women in Business Programme.

The 10-week programme is funded by the City of Cape Town and facilitated by its strategic business partner, the Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative (CiTi).

The programme, which has helped over 1 000 businesswomen since it started five years ago, exposes participants to the latest technological resources to improve and grow their business.

Participants also have the opportunity to learn from highly skilled and experienced facilitators and mentors.

Marietjie Engelbrecht, the Head of Marketing at CiTi, says: “The fact that the business owners have access to these services completely free of charge is one of the reasons this programme is so popular. Their only investment is time and effort.”

Raneah Carr, the owner of project and development company Carran Consulting, participated in the 2020 programme.

“Being in the field for many years, there are times one becomes so involved in your business that you tend to forget to do research and development… This programme allowed me to do that and reassess what the business needs."

She says the programme will benefit any entrepreneur.

“It will allow a business to go back to the drawing board to assess how it is currently executing tasks and how processes can be improved and streamlined.”

Another 2020 participant, Nokukhanya Mncwabe of Matawi Mead Collection, a pan-African beverage brand, says she formed meaningful connections with many of the women on the 2020 course, despite it being held virtually.

“A safe space was created almost from the onset – no one was made to feel as if they were asking ‘stupid’ questions. I’ve also been encouraged by the group’s plans to convene networking opportunities and possibly even business collaborations."

She says by the end of the programme, she felt better equipped to strategically and systematically tackle Matawi’s growth.

“There was a good balance between business fundamentals, tech tools and softer business skills. The programme is a holistic toolkit designed to meet as many of a businesswoman’s needs as possible,” she says.  

To apply to be part of programme, visit www.citi.org.za