PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET

The President announced the establishment of two new ministries, namely the Minister for Electricity and the Minister with specific responsibility for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is the new Minister in The Presidency responsible for Electricity, whose role it will be to deal with the immediate crisis of load shedding.

The President also appointed Maropene Ramokgopa as the new Minister in The Presidency with specific responsibility for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, who will focus greater attention on the performance of government.

Other changes to the Cabinet include the appointment of Paul Mashatile as the country’s new Deputy President; Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and the appointment of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma as Minister in The Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

In his new role, Deputy President Mashatile replaces former Deputy President David Mabuza who resigned last week, while Ntshavheni replaces Minister Mondli Gungubele and Dlamini-Zuma replaces Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

“We have said that the people of South Africa want action, they want solutions and they want government to work for them.

“All members of the Executive have been directed to focus on those agreed actions that will make a meaningful difference now, that will enable real progress within the next year and that will lay a foundation for a sustained recovery into the future,” the President said.

The President said that the changes were intended to fill vacancies that had occurred in the Executive and to direct government more effectively towards the areas that require urgent and decisive action.

“I have sought to balance the need for new skills and capabilities to drive the agenda that we outlined in the State of the Nation Address with the important task of ensuring stability and continuity in the work of government,” the President said.

More appointments made by the President are as follows:

• Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, replacing Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
• Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng, replacing Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
• Minister of Public Service and Administration, Noxolo Kiviet, replacing acting then Minister Thulas Nxesi.
• Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, replacing Patricia de Lille.
• Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, replacing Nathi Mthethwa.
• Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, replacing Lindiwe Sisulu.
• Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, replacing Fikile Mbalula.

With respect to deputy ministers, the President made the following appointments:

• Deputy Ministers in The Presidency, Nomasonto Motaung and Kenneth Morolong.
• Deputy Minister in The Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sisisi Tolashe.
• Deputy Minister in The Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Pinky Kekana.
• There will be two deputy ministers for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Parks Tau and Zolile Burns-Ncamashe.
• There will be two deputy ministers for Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo and Judith Tshabalala.
• Deputy Minister of Public Works, Bernice Swarts.
• Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters.
• Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Obed Bapela.
• Deputy Minister of Transport, Lisa Mangcu.

Addressing challenges

The President extended his appreciation to all outgoing ministers and deputy ministers for their service to this administration and to the country.

“I have instructed both new and existing members of Cabinet to act with speed and urgency to address the challenges that our country faces.

“I expect them to fulfil their tasks with rigour and dedication, to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to corruption wherever it exists, and to place the interests of the people of South Africa foremost in the work that they do.

“This is the standard that I will hold them to and I have full confidence that they will meet it. We must waste no time and spare no effort in restoring the promise of South Africa,” the President said.

While the new changes will result in an increase in the number of ministries in the short term, the President said that he had instructed The Presidency and National Treasury to develop a proposal to rationalise government departments, entities and programmes to ensure greater efficiency.

This work, which will result in the reduction of the number of ministries, he said, would inform the configuration of government going into the next administration.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

MINISTER PANDOR DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE ANNUAL FORBES AFRICA LEADING WOMEN’S SUMMIT 2023

According to the organisers, the event saluted African ingenuity and harnessed the power of the female collective, connecting the dots, the doers and their doings. Other issues it dealt with included: What are the new strategies that will cement the continent’s future on the world stage? Who are the icons and innovators addressing critical issues at a time of radical change? Who are the epoch-shattering visionary voices leading the next generation to an equitable tomorrow?

The summit was attended by women from all over the African continent, ranging from artists, raconteurs, entrepreneurs, financial titans, thought-leaders and history-makers.

MINISTER PANDOR CONCLUDES HER VISIT TO NEW DELHI, INDIA, WHERE SHE ATTENDED THE G20 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING AND 2023 RAISINA DIALOGUE

Go to www.ubunturadio.com to listen to sound clips on various topics, ranging from outcomes of the G20 Meeting; African Union joining the G20; recently held China, Russia and South Africa military drills; South Africa’s Chairship of the BRICS in 2023; New Development Bank; Russia-Ukraine conflict; South Africa’s participation in the Raisina Dialogue; the Cabinet reshuffle; to the bilateral meetings Minister Pandor had with her counterparts.

JUST ENERGY TRANSITION MUST CONSIDER AFRICA'S NEEDS

The Minister was speaking at the Africa Energy Indaba, held in Cape Town on Tuesday, 7 March 2023.

“Their voice [African people] on the energy transition must be heard. That is the voice that says energy production in Africa must be aligned to Africa’s socio-economic development. This means that there must be a balance between energy demand for socio-economic development and energy supply that is premised on low-carbon emissions.

“Differences about the pace, scale and how to balance the transition will always exist, however, as African leaders, we are duty bound to act with determination to resolve the intricate problems that beset our continent without the encirclement pressure to please others first. We must be pragmatic in our approach to a low emissions future,” he said.

Minister Mantashe said Africa’s stance had been to put people at the centre of any transition.

“It is pleasing that Africa is uniting on a principle that the energy transition must be people-centred, take into consideration the socio-economic conditions of communities that will be affected and take into consideration Africa’s developmental needs.

“Such a consensus found an expression at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26 and 27), resulting in a resolution to phase down on unabated coal power rather than the view of lobbyists who called for an abrupt phase-out of coal use.

“Recent developments in Europe, China, United States and India have vindicated the pragmatic position that African states have taken. Going into COP 28, Africa’s position must continue to be pragmatic as we move from high-carbon emissions to a low-carbon emissions future.”

Africa’s mineral resources

Minister Mantashe said the continent’s rich endowment with minerals that are suitable for clean energy production could mean a boost for the continent’s economies.

“We believe that it is in the interest of Africa that a rigorous mineral exploration programme is implemented to uncover these unknown deposits in many other countries of our continent. For its part, South Africa continues to mobilise investments in exploration informed by the understanding that it is the lifeblood of mining, which has been the backbone of our economic development for over 150 years.

“Unless we explore, there can be no beneficiating from the mineral reserves that our continent is endowed with,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that with at least 600 million people on the continent lacking electricity supply, it is imperative that Africa be given an opportunity to develop its own energy sources from its own minerals.

“Africa is endowed with resources such as coal, oil and gas, which are needed for baseload energy to power our industrialisation. Our continent deserves the opportunity [to] develop its own oil and gas infrastructure storage, refinery and distribution to cushion its people against the turbulence of global markets and thereby secure its continental energy needs.

“It is incumbent on all of us gathered at this Indaba to align technological innovations with the type of energy sources we can produce. Africa must take full custodianship of its energy and development trajectory and be certain of its outcomes,” he said.

 – Source: SAnews.gov.za

SA BUSINESSES TO CREATE NEW TRADE OPPORTUNITIES AT FOODEX JAPAN

Amb Ngonyama said he was extremely excited to be part of Foodex to showcase the rich and diverse culture of the South African cuisine.

“The South African Pavilion offers an incredible opportunity for us to introduce our unique and high-quality food products to a global audience. Our pavilion features a variety of products, including premium wines, rooibos tea, dried fruit, nuts and various other artisanal food products,” he said.

Amb Ngonyama said the event was a great platform for South African businesses to establish new international trade relationships, which would provide growth opportunities and stimulate economic development.

He said he was confident that the South African businesses would be successful in creating new trade opportunities with international buyers and that he was looking forward to seeing the outcomes of the South African Pavilion's participation at Foodex.

Amb Ngonyama expressed his gratitude to the organisers of Foodex for giving South Africa the opportunity to showcase its products.

“This is a great platform for us to showcase our products and to make sure that the world knows what South Africa has to offer. I am sure that people who visit our pavilion will be impressed by the quality of the products that we have on display.

“I am looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes of the South African Pavilion's participation at Foodex,” Amb Ngonyama said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

SOUTH AFRICA OBSERVES INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA) DAY

South Africa is hard at work in ensuring that, within IORA, we achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 14, which is the sustainable use of the oceans and which will help in creating sustainable jobs in the industry while working to ensure long-term conservation.

Additionally, the event was aimed at publicising the IORA and the envisioned strengthening of collaboration with the African Union (AU) during the declared AU’s Decade of the Seas and Oceans period.

GLOBAL SCIENTISTS GATHER IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The four-day programme includes 150 presentations covering a wide range of topics and research conducted in all savanna national parks and protected areas.

Many topical issues in ecological and social sciences are being be covered, including:

• classic ecological themes like studying ecological patterns (e.g. animal space-use patterns, large-scale biodiversity patterns)
• understanding ecological processes (e.g. erosion, predation, plant recruitment, herbivory, fire, disease, decomposition)
• presentations on cultural heritage, tourism and human wildlife conflict and co-existence.

SANParks GM: Savanna Research Unit, Dr Danny Govender, says the meeting allows SANParks scientists to engage and collaborate with a wide range of national and international scientists, research partners and funders in a formal and informal manner, in a spectacular venue.

“The close interactions between academics and park authorities facilitated by this meeting are key to promoting pro-active evidence-based decision-making, and directing research to address priority conservation management needs. The meeting has always valued capacity-building, and as such, students share the platform with world-renowned savanna scientists from across the globe.”

The idea for the Savanna Science meeting came about when a small group of scientists working on river-related issues in KNP, reflecting on the impacts of the 2000 floods, started thinking that a small meeting held annually to share research findings with management, might be very useful.
The scope and participation of these meetings grew quickly to include Savanna-related research and delegates from many countries and organisations.

This meeting is now considered the premier international savanna science conference covering socio-ecological research taking place in savannas across the globe.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

SOUTH AFRICA READY TO HOST BIGGEST SAUVIGNON BLANC COMPETITION IN THE WORLD

The South African wine industry is set and ready to host the biggest and most prestigious Sauvignon Blanc competition in the world for the first time on South African soil.

In a statement, Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc South Africa, RJ Botha, said: “This is a dream come true.”

Botha said they started negotiations four years ago with Quentin Havaux who is the director of the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, and after months and months of discussions, bringing partners on board, and making almost impossible plans, they are reaping the fruit of their labour.

“It’s here. It’s now. What a wonderful opportunity for our cultivar organisation, our wine industry and our country, to showcase our resilience, excellence and Mzansi magic,” he said.

More than 1 000 Sauvignon Blanc wines will compete for the attention of 50 judges of whom 40 are international and 10 are local wine experts.

Renowned South African judges joining the panel are Cape Wine Masters Dr Winnie Bowman and René Groenewald, as well as Heidi Duminy, Francois Rautenbach, Dr Carien Coetzee, Cathy Marston, Christian Eedes, Fiona McDonald, Joseph Dhafana and Malu Lambert.

During this competition, South Africa’s exciting Sauvignon Blanc regions will also be showcased through daily excursions to Durbanville, Constantia and Stellenbosch, and with special dinners hosted by Diemersdal, Groot Constantia and Vergelegen.

Botha added that bringing this competition to home soil was no mean feat.

“Collective support from the industry was instrumental in making this bid a reality. We are extremely thankful for the support of our platinum partners, Vinventions, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (handling the technical organisation of the tastings), the National Convention Bureau and WESGRO, and our bronze partners Boutes, Tonnellerie Garonnaise, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Enartis, Beveratech, FNB, Porex, Hillebrand GORI, Anchor Yeast, as well as all other event and media partners. This is a wonderful platform for all our partners to be part of a positive brand SA story,” he said.

The Concours Mondial du Sauvignon will take place at Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa in Franschhoek from 13 to 17 March. Judging will take place over three days and the results will be announced on March 20 in Düsseldorf, Germany, at Prowein.

– Source www.iol.co.za  

SOUTH AFRICAN RESTAURANT JAN IN FRANCE AWARDED MICHELIN STAR FOR 8TH YEAR IN A ROW

Taking to social media after the prestigious awards ceremony in Strasbourg on Monday, 6 March 2023, Jan said: “Since we first gave South African cuisine a world stage when we received our first star, the annual Michelin awards win in France have been a big deal for us.”

Guests come from around the world to not only taste and savour Jan’s delicious recipes, but to also experience good old South African hospitality.

“From the comfort of an elegant dining chair, guests of Restaurant JAN have been able to experience something of our amazing South African spirit and hospitality through dishes ranging from bobotie, melkkos, vetkoek, pap and sheba sauce to biltong, buchu, Rooibos, atchar, tsamma melon and game meat,” says Jan.

You may think after eight years, Jan would be taking the Michelin star for granted by now … but instead, attending the awards, reminded him how fortunate he was. Filled with gratitude, he wrote: “it dawned on me what a privilege it is to be a part of such a small and carefully selected group of culinary magicians. It truly is an honour to be recognised amongst such talent.”

Jan congratulated the four new two-star establishments in France “who truly deserve this award” and said they “keep us motivated and make the younger generation of hospitality artists love what they do”.

The chef, who spends his time between his beloved South Africa and France, also thanked his team in France and all the company’s South African teams “for sharing what I believe is the true art of hospitality. It’s very simple”.

Jan (full name Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen) was the first South African to ever receive a coveted Michelin star. Since that momentous occasion in 2016, Jean Delport (Restaurant Interlude, United Kingdom), Conor Toomey (Condita, Scotland) and most recently, Thinus van der Westhuizen (99 Sushi Bar in Abu Dhabi) have joined the elite set of South African celebrity chefs around the world to be awarded the much sought-after star!

South Africans in South Africa can taste Jan’s cuisine at Klein JAN, his gorgeous little restaurant, nestled like a jewel, in the Kalahari; and at JAN Franschhoek – the talented chef’s newest seasonal food and wine experience, hosted in La Motte’s historic and beautiful Veepos building until 31 May 2023.

– Source: www.sapeople.com

15-YEAR-OLD SPEAKS AT FORBES WOMAN AFRICA LEADING WOMEN SUMMIT

To add icing on the cake, the rising star was invited to speak at the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit 2023 on Wednesday, 8 March, at the Sun Bet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria.

Honoured and humbled by this opportunity, Singhita says: “Never in my wildest dream would I have thought I’d be invited to speak at such a prestigious event, with other iconic women currently leading and shaping Africa.”

A powerful gathering of influential female leaders, the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit is an event that brings together the who’s who of female leaders on the continent and beyond – from the world of business, politics, art, sports, civil society and life.

This unique collection of female trailblazers is distinct in their thinking but single-minded in their purpose – all for a new, equal and thriving world.

Since its inception, and now in its eighth year, the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit has honoured International Women’s Day on 8 March as an annual celebration commemorating the achievements and resilience of women across Africa and the world.

With a power-packed speaker line-up, Singhita was one of the youngest women to take to the podium this year. After two years of being held as a pandemic-induced virtual summit, 2023 marked the summit’s reincarnation as an unforgettable one-day event bringing power to life on stage and igniting an all-new discourse.

The day saluted African ingenuity and harnessed the power of the female collective. The aim was to celebrate the courageous accomplishments of female leaders whose dedication and selfless impact will inspire future generations.

Singhita lives by the motto: “Work hard in silence and let your success be the noise.” That is exactly what she has been doing her entire life. Every morning, she wakes up with a new confidence to achieve her dreams, tackling them head-on, but never forgetting to enjoy the moment.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

AYANDA THABETHE TO REPRESENT SOUTH AFRICA AT MISS SUPRANATIONAL 2023

She is s very excited to represent South Africa at the pageant this year. The event will be taking place in Poland on 14 July 2023.

Miss Supranational was established in 2009 and has become a highlight on the pageant calendar. The year 2021 was the first time South Africa took part in the event. Thato Mosehle earned second place in the event, with neighbouring Namibia’s Chanique Rabe earning the crown.

Former Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane won the crown and title last year and she will be at the event to crown the next Miss Supranational.

- Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

SOUTH AFRICAN GETS A GOLDEN TICKET ON AMERICAN IDOL

But Benz says that he is loving his Idols journey and the best part has been making friends.

“I knew going into this that no matter what happened, I would definitely make a friend or two,” said Benz.

“I feel like they might stick around for a long time because we have, like, that special bond from going through the experience together. I know this is where I want to be, and entertaining is the feeling I don’t get anywhere else. So that’s what I want to do.”

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

TREVOR NOAH TELLS FANS TO VISIT CAPE TOWN: ONE OF THE BEST CITIES IN THE WORLD

EUGENE LEVY VISITED KRUGER NATIONAL PARK IN HIS NEW SHOW AND LOVED IT

The movie star pushes his boundaries in eight countries, one of which is South Africa. He visits Kruger National Park in episode six and stays at the park's Shalati Train, which is a luxurious hotel situated in a train on a bridge over the Sabie River.

The train has a rich history. It was how guests explored the park 100 years ago. In 1920, the park opened to the public. The train was how guests saw the wildlife and each night; it would park on the bridge over the Sabie River. Guests of this unique hotel are taken on game drives within the Kruger National Park and, wined and dined on authentic local cuisine, done fine dining style.

Levy takes part in all this but it wouldn’t be funny if he didn’t get his hands a little dirty too. And that is exactly what he had to do. Levy was tasked with helping rangers work on an elephant that needed some assistance.

The feel-good show really highlights a beautiful part of our country and showcases some of the incredible people that work to protect our wildlife.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

GEORGE EZRA IS COMING TO SOUTH AFRICA, 8 YEARS AFTER HIS FIRST VISIT

The muso is also YouTube Music's sustainability partner for 2022, working with The National Trust to plant 20 million trees.

South Africa tour info:

Cape Town:
Date: 12 July 2023
Location: Grand Arena, GrandWest

Pretoria:
Date: 15 July 2023
Location: SunBet Arena, Time Square

DRICUS DU PLESSIS BATTERS DEREK BRUNSON TO CRACK UFC TOP FIVE

It was another South African double act at UFC 285 as Cameron Saaiman earned a majority points decision victory over Mana Martinez.

Saaiman also showed that he can absorb some punishment as Martinez started well.

For the second fight in a row, Saaiman had to accept a one point penalty although it was clear that the eye poke suffered by Martinez was accidental.

There was no splitting Saaiman and Martinez and the bout had to be settled by the judge’s scorecards.

Saaiman was declared the winner as the three judges scored the fight 29-26, 28-27 and 28-28.

Saaiman is now 2-0 in the UFC and 8-0 in his professional career.

– Source: www.thesouthafrican.com