BIC has teamed up with Paralympian Mpumelelo Mhlongo to help disadvantaged students in South Africa ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympics. BIC’s ‘Together We Can Write the Future’ initiative aims to tackle high school dropout rates by giving academic materials to students, with the company having already donated 15 million writing instruments since the ‘Buy a Pen Donate a Pen’ scheme began in 2012. The partnership with Mhlongo is a significant step towards promoting positive change in South Africa.
The Defence Budget Vote 2024 is a comprehensive plan that highlights the multifaceted role of the South African National Defence Force in ensuring national security and contributing to societal development. It emphasizes a ‘soldierfirst’ approach and allocates funds for the welfare of soldiers, military veterans, and youth unemployment. The budget also addresses technological advancements and provisions for various essential organizations that play vital roles in the functioning of the Defence Force. It showcases the commitment of the Defence Force to serving the nation, not just on the battlefield, but also in broader societal development.
The DPME plays a vital role in ensuring governance coherence in South Africa by institutionalizing planning, creating an integrated monitoring system, critiquing important government programs, and generating research outputs to guide decisionmaking. What is the Essential Role of DPME?
Former EFF chair, Dali Mpofu, has confirmed that the party received funding from the bankrupt VBS Bank. The revelations emerged from an affidavit written by the exchair of VBS Mutual Bank and Vele Investments, Tshifhiwa Matodzi, who suggested that VBS contribute R5 million and an additional R1 million monthly to the EFF. Mpofu admitted that the party had received funds from the failed bank, but claimed that the information was already in the public domain. The impact of the disclosure on both the EFF and VBS’s reputation remains uncertain.
Philippi is eagerly anticipating the development of the MyCiTi bus service expansion, which will connect nearly 30 communities in the region. The City of Cape Town is keeping residents informed and involved through knowledgesharing sessions, as the construction is expected to cause disruptions during its twoandahalfyear phase. Despite the temporary inconvenience, the completion of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service will bridge the gap between locations and attest to the City’s dedication to advancement and progress for its residents.
Zulfah Hartley, founder of Auburn Botanicals, has become a rising star in local entrepreneurship with a natural health and beauty business that offers relief to women aged 30 and over from menopausal symptoms. Auburn Botanicals gained momentum through the City’s Urban Waste Management Expanded Public Works Programme, which provides budding entrepreneurs with experience, mentorship, and peer advice. Hartley’s vision for Auburn Botanicals includes broadening her product line and stepping into wellness services such as massages.
SEO companies are the hidden geniuses that help businesses succeed online. They start by conducting a thorough audit of your website, identifying technical issues, and formulating a tailored SEO plan. This includes onpage and offpage optimization, keyword research and optimization, content creation and optimization, technical SEO, link building, and ongoing monitoring and tweaking. Their continuous efforts ensure a strong position in the dynamic digital domain. Overall, SEO companies serve as the unseen navigators guiding your business through the unpredictable waters of the digital world towards the safe shores of success.
Renewing your vehicle license in South Africa is an essential responsibility of car ownership. However, several banks, including Nedbank, Capitec, and FNB, now offer digital solutions for customers to renew their licenses through their banking apps or online platforms, eliminating the need for physical paperwork and long queues. The services are only available for vehicles registered in the customer’s name and with an expiring license disc within a certain timeframe. These banks are making commendable strides in simplifying the yearly car license renewal process and illustrate the immense potential of digital transformation in making our lives more streamlined and hasslefree.
Kenny Kunene is a South African entrepreneur and politician known for his extravagant lifestyle and spending habits. He was recently in the spotlight for spending over R125,000 in a single evening and his highend fashion choices during the Durban July weekend. Despite criticism, Kunene continues to be a unique figure in South African politics and commerce, redefining luxury on his own terms.
Get ahead of the game for tax season with these financial strategies that could save you money. Consider taxfree savings accounts offered by financial institutions to shelter your investments from taxation up to a certain threshold, and maximize your retirement savings with contributions that are taxdeductible. Charitable donations, travel allowances, and membership in a medical aid scheme are other ways to save on tax. These methods can boost your financial growth while ensuring tax compliance and a brighter financial future.
The COGTA Committee has released a comprehensive report detailing the financial strategies and anticipated performance for the fiscal cycle of 2024/25, including budgetary plans for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent. The report also focuses on fostering transparency and accountable governance, addressing distressed and dysfunctional municipalities, spatial integration and traditional practices, and fiscal planning and allocation. The committee’s commitment to enhancing community welfare and sustaining traditional practices is evident in their dedication to oversight in government operations.
The Deputy Minister of South Africa’s Department of Employment and Labour highlighted the success of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) and its settlement rate of around 70% in his speech discussing the evolution of the country’s labor dispute resolution mechanism following apartheid. He also emphasized the critical role of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) in promoting cooperation between the government, organized labor, business, and community, and Productivity SA’s efforts to enhance productivity and encourage sustainable growth, development, and employment. The speech serves as a tribute to previous achievements and an affirmation of the ongoing determination to establish a prosperous and equitable future for all South Africans.
A Comprehensive Review of South Africa’s Employment Sector: Acknowledging Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina’s Contributions
The Department of Employment and Labour in South Africa, led by Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina, is dedicated to improving employment access, retention, safety, and security. The Department aims to mitigate unemployment by proposing tangible solutions and implementing special employment programs for differentlyabled individuals. They also provide funding and rehabilitation programs for injured workers and set crucial employment standards for both public and private employment programs. The Department is proactive in developing policies for the future and showcases a dedication to an inclusive, forwardmoving employment sector.
A group of innovative library leaders has emerged in Cape Town, South Africa, after graduating from the Strengthening Innovative Library Leaders (SILL) program. This initiative, backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to nurture innovation and leadership in the library sector. The successful graduates, representing libraries across the city, bring diverse experiences and stand ready to usher in a fresh era of change and innovation in their respective libraries. The emergence of these new library leaders is a testament to the transformative power of training and capacity enhancement, paving the way for a future where libraries are vibrant hubs of learning, innovation, and community engagement.
The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town is set to undergo a billion rand transformation, as it prepares for a new lease and a new management structure under the InterContinental brand. The refurbishment will not only update the hotel’s decor, but also expand its international reach, as part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts network. The revamp is part of a broader trend of hotels in Cape Town responding to a surge in visitor numbers, and aims to preserve the hotel’s legacy while embracing modernity.
South African National Parks (SANParks) has introduced a new digital service, the TMNP My Activity Permit, allowing for easy procurement of the permit for certain leisure activities within the Table Mountain National Park. The permit is costeffective and valid for a year from the date of purchase. It is aimed at improving the guest experience by enabling smoother exploration of the park’s diverse options and protecting the environment. The procurement process is userfriendly, and holders do not have to pay entrance fees at TMNP pay points for their designated activities, making outdoor activities within this stunning park more economical and attractive.