The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Summit is set to be a major event in the world of international trade and cooperation. Cohosted by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) of South Africa, the summit will take place from 24 November 2023 in Johannesburg. Bringing together trade experts, policymakers, and business leaders, the summit could potentially transform Africa’s economic landscape and its relationship with the United States.
KwaZuluNatal, a South African province, is grappling with the urgent need to supply secure and dependable water and sanitation services to its inhabitants. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) acknowledges the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) report on these issues and is actively working on solutions to improve the current conditions.
The Departments of Social Development and Communication and Digital Technologies, as well as their respective agencies, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Postbank, recently held a joint ministerial media briefing to update the public on the challenges some social grant beneficiaries faced with their Postbank accounts. The briefing sought to address the previous week’s announcement that Postbank had resolved the intermittent system issues leading to delayed payments for some social grant recipients. Both departments reassured the nation that all outstanding issues with the affected social grant accounts would be promptly rectified.
The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is set to enter a new phase of innovation and excellence under the direction of the newly appointed CEO, Tshepo Kgobe. Beginning on 1 February 2024, Kgobe will assume the GMA leadership position, succeeding William Dachs, whose term concludes on 31 January 2024. Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone DialeTlabela, announced Kgobe’s appointment, generating anticipation in the transport sector due to his extensive knowledge and expertise.
In a recent ruling by the Middleburg High Court in Mpumalanga, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s regulatory authority in South Africa was reinforced. The court passed judgment against Msukwaligwa Local Municipality on eight charges connected to the pollution of water resources.
South Africa’s government, joined by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), recently organized the South African Transmission Financing Seminar. This significant event gathered experts and key players from energy and financial fields to deliberate on the country’s power transmission infrastructure’s future.
South Africa’s Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, has been accused of stalling the appointment of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) for Eskom, the national electricity provider. Gordhan vehemently denies these allegations, emphasizing the importance of a transparent and lawful appointment process.
South Africa is entering a new and exciting phase in healthcare with the recent announcement of local insulin production. A collaboration between Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk and Aspen, the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Africa, aims to revolutionize insulin treatment accessibility for millions of Africans.
Following the devastating and violent protests in Swellendam on August 16 and September 20, 2023, MEC Reagen Allen took decisive action by asking the Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO) to examine the South African Police Service (SAPS) with respect to various issues concerning their operations and deployment. These incidents led to substantial damages to public infrastructure and widespread looting of shops, calling into question the readiness and competence of SAPS in managing such situations.
Swellendam, a charming town situated in South Africa’s Western Cape province, is renowned for its rich heritage, distinctive architecture, and exceptional natural splendor. However, recent events have cast a pall over this idyllic setting, as unauthorized protests have disrupted the peace, resulting in property damage and unrest. To address these issues, the Swellendam Municipality recently secured an interim court interdict against individuals and organizations involved in inciting or participating in these unlawful activities.
In the breathtaking setting of Limpopo, South Africa, a remarkable story of teamwork and determination took place. The concerted efforts of the South African Police Service and the Hoedspruit Farmwatch led to the capture of armed criminals involved in a cashintransit heist. The events that occurred in late September 2023 stand as a testament to the unyielding spirit of unity against crime and its offenders.
The South African government teamed up with the Pan South African Language Board to organize a crucial workshop on the South African Sign Language (SASL) Charter on September 22, 2023. Held at the Government Communication and Information System in Pretoria, the event brought together representatives from national and Gauteng government departments to deliberate on the execution of the SASL Charter.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is committed to cultivating talent and encouraging a greener, sustainable future for South Africa. To achieve this goal, the department has announced bursaries for fulltime students in the 2024 academic year. The bursaries cater to a broad range of study fields, including Environmental Programmes, Forestry Management, Regulatory Compliance Sector Monitoring, Fisheries Management, Oceans and Coasts, Biodiversity and Conservation, Climate Change and Air Quality Management, and Chemicals and Waste Management.
A recent gathering of the BASIC group, consisting of Brazil, South Africa, India, and China, was held alongside the 78th United Nations General Assembly session on September 20, 2023. The meeting focused on climate change strategies and showcased the group’s solidarity and continued leadership in addressing climate change.
South Africa has long been grappling with the intricate challenges of unemployment and economic disparities, particularly impacting its young population. In an effort to address these concerns, the South African Youth Economic Council (SAYEC), a legal and economic policy advocacy organization, recently hosted its second annual business gala dinner in Johannesburg. The theme for this year’s gathering was “Accelerating Economic Growth & Growing Investments for Youth Job Creation,” highlighting the significance of laborintensive sectors in creating employment prospects for the country’s young people.
Climate change impacts everyone, and the necessity for a worldwide approach to confront this critical issue is more urgent than before. South Africa is particularly susceptible to climate change, experiencing increasing occurrences of extreme events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Consequently, the country has emphasized transformative adaptation actions with significant socioeconomic consequences for both smaller and major emerging economies.
