South Africa’s property market is a robust platform for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and investors. While the Covid19 pandemic caused significant obstacles for the market, there is still hope for the future. Interest rate reductions later this year could provide a muchneeded boost, and the upcoming twopot retirement system launch could potentially increase household disposable income by a large amount, providing a lift to the property market. Despite the challenges, the market remains resilient, embodying the unyielding optimism and spirit of South Africa itself.
The trial of alleged assassins Yanga Nyalara and Wandile Tofile at the Goodwood Prison courtroom has been complicated by the Covid19 pandemic. A witness was proposed to testify behind a surgical mask, with testimonies being relayed through CCTV to ensure their safety. However, the defense team contested this proposal, leading to a legal power struggle. The trial involves charges of murder, attempted murder, and weaponrelated offenses stemming from a series of mass shootings in Cape Town.
Dr. MJ Phaahla is the Honourable Minister of Health leading South Africa’s health sector. He has been fighting against Covid19 and focusing on Universal Health Coverage, human resource allocation, and infrastructure advancement in healthcare. The government is also addressing surgical procedure backlogs and HIV/AIDS, while advancing digital health systems. Dr. Phaahla emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the healthcare workforce, creating additional opportunities for doctors, and improving health services with infrastructure advancement.
The Western Cape Education Department launched the BackOnTrack program to counteract the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on education. The program aims to benefit over 15,000 learners and 5,000 teachers through supplementary lessons and extended training, respectively. However, the province is facing challenges due to rising enrollments and financial obstacles, resulting in budget cuts and scaleddown plans. Despite these challenges, the Western Cape remains committed to delivering quality education for every learner.
South Africa’s mRNA vaccine development is threatened by Moderna’s extensive patents in the country, which could potentially cover any mRNA technology. Outdated intellectual property regulations facilitated the granting of these patents, and Moderna’s actions against other pharmaceutical companies suggest a desire for total control over mRNA technology. South Africa urgently requires comprehensive patent examination procedures, avenues to oppose patents before and after they’re awarded, and efficient compulsory and governmentuse processes to safeguard its scientific innovations and ensure accessible and affordable healthcare for its citizens. The clock is ticking, and legislative action is needed to protect South Africa’s contributions to global health and its citizens’ right to affordable healthcare.
The COVID19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the reading literacy levels of learners in South Africa. In a recent media briefing, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga addressed the issue after the release of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). The results of this study placed South African learners at the bottom of 50 participating countries in terms of reading ability.
South Africa has been grappling with an ongoing tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, further exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic. The country has one of the highest TB burdens globally, including drugresistant and HIVassociated TB. ## The Impact of COVID19 on TB Control
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Africa Day speech highlighted the importance of unity, resilience, and collaboration among African nations. He spoke at the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, a location known as Maropeng, which means “returning to the place of origin.” This setting symbolized Africa’s rich history and promising future.
South Africa’s tourism industry, a major contributor to the country’s economy, has been hit hard by the COVID19 pandemic. However, the government has been making efforts to boost the industry and help it recover. One such measure is the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, launched in May 2020, which aims to recover the sector and create jobs.
During his address, Deputy President Mashatile touched upon a range of topics that have been affecting South Africa and its citizens. Apart from acknowledging the devastating impact of the COVID19 pandemic, he also spoke about the government’s efforts to combat it.
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, recognizes the essential role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in addressing the country’s most pressing issues. The STI Presidential Plenary Forum, established by the Minister, seeks to unite multiple sectors in implementing a science for social justice agenda.
South Africa has been struggling with high unemployment rates for a long time, which have only been further exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic. To combat this issue, the government has made job creation a priority in its economic recovery plan. One sector with tremendous potential for employment is the construction industry, and the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure is leading the charge in transforming the country into a bustling construction site.
Cholera is a type of infectious diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacterium, which spreads through contaminated food and water. If left untreated, the disease can lead to severe dehydration and even death. ## Department of Health Assures the Public
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has made a significant step in the fight against fraud and corruption in South Africa by recovering R71.4 million linked to Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims. ### Misappropriation of TERS Funds
International Nurses Day, which falls on May 12th, is a day to celebrate the remarkable contributions of nurses around the world. These dedicated professionals work tirelessly to shape the frontiers of healthcare, putting their health on the line to nurture their communities. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of nurses in healthcare systems worldwide, how they contribute to promoting healthier communities, and the critical role they play in mitigating the impacts of crises like the COVID19 pandemic.
The Western Cape has launched the #BackOnTrack campaign, a massive R1.2 billion educational program aimed at addressing the significant decline in learning outcomes due to the Covid19 pandemic. The campaign aims to improve learning outcomes in the region over the next three years and secure a brighter future for children.