The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is committed to improving the South African employment and labour landscape by embracing technological advancements. Through the introduction of online tools, the Fund aims to enhance the customer experience and reduce queues at labour centres. These innovative solutions offer employees the convenience of accessing services from their homes.

The BRICS Urbanisation Forum 2023 has recently concluded, and it showcased the unwavering commitment of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in addressing urbanisation challenges and building sustainable, resilient cities. In this article, we will discuss the insights gained from the forum and how they can contribute to building urban resilience.

On July 18th, 2023, the Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness exceeded its goal by conducting 720 elective surgeries across 32 facilities on Nelson Mandela Day. This achievement significantly reduced the surgical backlog from 32,000 patients to 18,000 since the year’s beginning. The surgical marathons aimed to address the backlog and restore dignity and hope to hundreds of individuals.

Employment Equity (EE) legislation is changing, and organizations and companies will soon be required to comply with new requirements. The focus is on meeting selfset annual targets to achieve sectorwide fiveyear EE goals. The Department of Employment and Labour’s Deputy Director for EE, Masilo Lefika, recently informed stakeholders that employers will be evaluated on their own set annual targets. Companies have the flexibility to set their own benchmarks, and these are not quotas.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has successfully resolved a multimillionrand contract dispute involving Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) that had been ongoing since 2008. The dispute involved Babazani Trading and Projects CC and 24 other claimants who were awarded contracts for routine road maintenance in Gauteng under the Roads Infrastructure Strategic Framework for South Africa (RISFSA).

On Sunday, July 9th, 2023, the Minister of Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, updated the media on the progress of the Energy Action Plan. The plan aims to revolutionize the energy sector, ensuring its sustainability and reliability. This article summarizes the briefing and highlights the significance of the plan.

The recent surge in truck torchings on South African roads has caused concern for the economic stability of the nation. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has spoken out against the criminal acts, recognizing the impact they have on the country’s economy.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, spearheaded the Nelson Mandela International Day Outreach Programme on July 18, 2023, in Mangaung, Free State. The theme for Mandela Day 2023 was “It’s In Your Hands,” which presented an opportunity for people worldwide to make a difference in their communities by focusing on the pressing issues of climate, food, and solidarity.

Sewer pump stations are critical in ensuring the efficient transportation of wastewater to treatment plants, but they are often targeted by vandalism and theft, resulting in compromised community health and sewer overflows. To address this issue, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has increased its investment in security measures to upgrade and refurbish sewer pump stations.

At the G20 Environmental and Climate Sustainability Ministers Meeting in Chennai, India, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Barbara Creecy, highlighted the importance of global cooperation in protecting biological diversity. ## South Africa’s MegaBiodiversity

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) has pledged complete dedication to ensuring the 2023 Netball World Cup is safe and secure for all. The NatJOINTS, consisting of various government departments led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and the State Security Agency (SSA), has been working diligently on the security plans for the event.

Farmers in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape of South Africa have received a boost in their livestock quality and market reach through the donation of 144 Dohne Merino rams with superior genetics from Nonkqubela Pieters, the Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC. This support is part of the government’s efforts to commercialize agriculture in the province.

The 18th Energy Digicon, hosted by Premier Alan Winde, recently featured a discussion on demand side management (DSM) by the Western Cape Energy Resilience Programme. DSM aims to flatten peak energy consumption and encourage consumers to reassess their power usage habits.

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, will be holding a meeting with the North West business fraternity, including the North West Chamber of Commerce, in Lichtenburg, Ditsobotla Local Municipality on July 28, 2023. The aim of this gathering is to find longlasting solutions for water and sanitation provision in the province.

Cape Town’s Traffic Service has been working hard to locate and pursue the “Top 100” list of drivers who have the highest number of outstanding warrants for the last five years. As of July 17th, the group has collectively racked up 9,430 outstanding warrants, amounting to a staggering R9,129,180 ($611,366) in unpaid fines and penalties. The top offender alone has 268 warrants, totaling just under R300,000 ($20,000).

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, is set to visit Limpopo from 12 to 13 July 2023 to assess the state of water and waste water systems in four district municipalities. This move is part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s ongoing efforts to improve water security and waste water management in the region.