Business - Page 57

Deputy Minister Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa gave an inspiring speech at the ICT SMME Certification Ceremony during the 2023 Corrections Week. Holomisa emphasized the importance of human rights and the responsibility of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to create a just and secure South Africa. Community Corrections plays a vital role in aiding the acceptance and social reintegration of offenders, and the DCS needs to reinforce partnerships to accomplish its objectives. The collaborative efforts of stakeholders are necessary to prepare inmates for life after release and create a safer and more just South Africa.

The Western Cape’s tourism and hospitality sector has immense potential, with the province aiming to double the number of visitors by 2035, and skilled tourist guides play a vital role in realizing this vision. The Western Cape celebrated World Tourism Day with the graduation of 38 tourist guides in Langa, Cape Town. The graduates, representing diverse communities, completed a course sponsored by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the City of Cape Town, becoming Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority accredited tourist guides with a specialization in cultural sites.

The Ninth BRICS Parliamentary Forum, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, is working towards creating a fair and just global system. With its expansion to include six new members, the intergovernmental organization aims to address issues such as UN’s role in international matters, economic globalization, peace and security, and collaboration in various fields. The forum’s potential to initiate change on an unparalleled scale has been recognized, and its parliamentarians must utilize the power of legislation to create a fair world where everyone has the opportunity to prosper. The forum must be ready to manage and resolve disputes and challenges that emerge from conflicting interests, tackle the intricate challenges of development, and ensure gender equality and economic empowerment while working towards achieving the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Ivilitex is a new clothing and textile manufacturing facility in Cape Town that aims to increase the share of locally produced apparel from 44% to 65% by 2030. The facility employs stateoftheart technology that streamlines the manufacturing and washing of garments while reducing environmental impact. With plans to produce 1,500 units daily and 33,000 units monthly, Ivilitex’s hightech approach to manufacturing heralds a new phase in the evolution of the local clothing and textile sector.

The South African Youth Economic Council recently hosted a gala dinner to discuss how to combat youth unemployment and encourage economic growth in the country. Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasized the importance of investing in education and skill development for youth, particularly in industries such as mining, renewable energy, and technology. He also promoted entrepreneurship, the expansion of SMEs, and bridging the educationemployment gap through practical skills training and accessible financial institutions. The government and private sector must work collaboratively to empower the youth and create a prosperous future for South Africa.

South Africa’s Department of Employment and Labour has proposed the BRICS Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work Platform, which has been unanimously approved by all member nations. The platform aims to stimulate economic growth, sustainability, and job creation by encouraging cooperation and the exchange of knowledge among its member countries. The ecosystem embodies a dedication to social justice and fairness, recognizing the significance of decent work, dignity, and respect for all as integral components of sustainable development. The success of this ambitious initiative hinges on the mutual commitment and active involvement of all participating countries.

South Africa is hosting the BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) and the Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) in Durban from September 25 to 29, 2023. BRICS is an alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The meeting will focus on discussing employment and laborrelated matters, innovative approaches to address the challenges, and enhancing cooperation among the countries. South Africa’s involvement in the BRICS EWG and LEMM demonstrates its commitment to cultivating a strong and inclusive labor market and engaging in meaningful dialogue and collaboration with international counterparts.

The 20th USsubSaharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum is set to take place in Johannesburg from November 24, 2023. The forum will bring together representatives to discuss strategies for enhancing trade and investment between the US and subSaharan Africa, and promote economic growth and development. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will also play a critical role in spurring economic growth and fostering reform, as it provides dutyfree access to the US market for over 1,800 products from eligible subSaharan African countries. The event will also feature a ‘Made in Africa Exhibition,’ showcasing regional value chains on the continent.

As the global economic landscape continues to shift, the BRICS coalition (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has stepped up to address the challenges faced by workers. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, has urged labor experts, senior government officials, and delegates at the BRICS Employment Working Group to adopt a resolution outlining a clear action plan to reduce the debt burden plaguing numerous workers.

At a recent event in Cape Town, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Mr. Buti Manamela, addressed high school learners about the Decade of the Artisan advocacy campaign. This ambitious initiative is designed to promote artisanship as a crucial career choice in the modern world and spur South Africa’s economic growth.

In an effort to enhance the lives of communities, ABSA and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking solution that simplifies the process of claiming unemployment benefits. By offering prefilled UIF UI2.8 unemployment forms at ABSA ATMs, this collaboration aims to decrease travel and time expenses for jobless customers.

In the vibrant city of Cape Town, the Recreation and Parks Department bears the responsibility of ensuring safety and leisure for both locals and tourists. A crucial part of this duty involves safeguarding beachgoers and swimmers during the festive season. To address this urgent requirement, the department has recently initiated a second round of lifeguard recruitment applications, aiming to fill open positions for both swimming pool and beach lifeguards.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile took center stage as the keynote speaker at UNESCO’s 9th Africa Engineering Week and Africa Engineering Conference. The weeklong event, coordinated by the Engineering Council of South Africa, seeks to promote engineering brilliance in the African region by gathering specialists and thought leaders. The conference’s theme, “Celebrating and Growing Engineering Excellence in the African Region,” mirrors the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and highlights a mutual dedication to sustainable development and technological innovation.

The recent establishment of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between South Africa and Japan marks a fresh phase of collaboration in the fields of green technology and sustainable development. South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, and Japan’s Minister of Economic, Trade and Industry, Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, convened to discuss the potential opportunities arising from this joint effort.