As a nation that fought and defeated apartheid, we have a particular obligation to stand up for justice and fundamental human rights for all people, everywhere. It is this obligation that informed our application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt the violence unleashed by Israel on the Gaza Strip. 
Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says on-boarding new generating capacity, particularly renewable energy, is critical to ensuring that additional capacity is added to the national grid.
He recently gave an update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, which aims to relieve pressure on the electricity system.
Minister Ramokgopa explained that tremendous progress is being done to ensure that solutions are found for transmission.
ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY
Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing maritime employment opportunities for South African seafarers.
The Minister said the Seafarer Employment and Development Programme (SEDP) will be launched in the first quarter of the new financial year.
ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is reviewing the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which is currently published for public comments until 23 February, 2024.
Currently, the department is hosting a series of public workshops to unpack the draft IRP, and will review and consider public comments first before finalising the plan in May.
According to the DMRE, the plan seeks to ensure security of electricity supply by balancing supply with demand, while taking into account the environment and total cost of supply.
Lotsha Onaka, a Pretoria-based e-commerce platform, is making things happen for small-scale businesses looking
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has announced a new National Minimum Wage (NMW) determination which will go up from R25.42 to R27.58 for each ordinary hour worked.
Recently, the Department of Employment and Labour released a statement and said the new NMW will come into effect from 1 March 2024.
The Class of 2023 will leave their schools as history makers, having achieved the highest pass rate since the dawn of our democracy. Whilst this is a grand celebration for the 82.9 percent of matriculants, those who may have missed the mark may feel discouraged.
There is however no need for despair as hope comes through government’s Second Chance Matric Programme. The programme offers matric learners who have not met the requirements for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) a second chance to achieve the results they desire.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has revealed that government has set aside a R3.8 billion initial capitalisation fund to support “missing middle” students.
The new Comprehensive Student Funding Model aims to support students including those currently not supported by the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary and funding policy.
Minister Nzimande recently addressed the media in Pretoria. He said the funding model is divided into two phases.