|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
PRESIDENT ZUMA ATTENDS SADC SUMMIT |
| |
The summit took place under the theme: "Accelerating Industrialisation of SADC Economies through Transformation of Natural Endowment and Improved Human Capital”. |
| |
 |
| |
President Jacob Zuma attended the 35th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government from 16 to 18 August 2015 in Botswana.
The President was accompanied by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies; State Security Minister, David Mahlobo; and Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas.
Deputy President Ramaphosa is the SADC Facilitator in Lesotho and was in Botswana for the meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, of which South Africa (President Zuma) was outgoing Chair. South Africa gave a report to the summit on matters relating to the work of the organ.
The 35th SADC Summit focused on, among other things, the implementation of the recently adopted Regional Industrialisation Strategy that was approved during the Extra-ordinary SADC Summit in April 2015 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The summit also reviewed progress towards achieving the objectives outlined in the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015 – 2020.
The RISDP is the blueprint for the SADC programme of action on achieving regional economic development and will guide the implementation of SADC programmes over the next five years, with a particular focus on industrial development and market integration; infrastructure in support of regional integration; and peace and security cooperation, among other issues.
Ministers Nkoana-Mashabane, Davies and Jonas also participated in a meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers in Gaborone from 14 to 15 August 2015. |
| |
|
| |
R100 MILLION TO GROW TOURISM INDUSTRY |
| |
“With this investment, we are committed to ensuring that the wonders we boast of, and the unique heritage we have been endowed with, are shared by more and more South Africans.” |
| |
 |
| |
The Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, has announced that R100 million has been invested in growing the tourism sector in the country.
Speaking at the launch of Tourism Month in Limpopo, Minister Hanekom said it was important that all South Africans became ambassadors of their own country.
The first step in being ambassadors, the Minister said, was that South Africans must travel within the country to discover it, learn about it, and fall in love with all its beauty and diversity.
“As more of our people discover more about our country, they will feel a sense of pride and belonging.
“There is nothing like direct contact and interaction between people to break through artificial social barriers and allow us to share the things we all have in common,” the Minister said.
In 2014, tourism accounted for close to 10% of all employed people in South Africa.
Domestic trips increased by 11% in 2014 to reach 28 million. The revenue generated by domestic tourism alone in 2014 was R26,8 billion.
Minister Hanekom said for the country to reach the target of 18 million domestic tourists by 2020 as set out in the National Tourism Sector Strategy, it would have to work hard to make tourism more affordable and more accessible to all South Africans.
“We are therefore very keen to work with the trade to make travel a reality for millions of South Africans. All members of the trade are encouraged to upload their value-for-money deals onto the Sho’t Left website and to provide a variety of packages and options to suit all budgets,” Minister Hanekom said.
This year’s World Tourism Day on 27 September 2015, will be celebrated under the theme “A Billion Tourists, A Billion Opportunities”.
The theme provides a platform to examine how communities around the world work to grow tourism through unearthing new opportunities. World Tourism Day will be celebrated in Limpopo.
Limpopo is home to Mapungubwe World Heritage Site and the Kruger National Park, which is known throughout the world. – Source: SAnews.gov.za |
| |
|
| |
DEPUTY MINISTER MFEKETO ADDRESSES THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN'S (UCT) BLACK ALUMNI |
| |
The Deputy Minister discussed South Africa's foreign policy priorities and the role that youth could play in advancing South Africa’s national interests. |
| |
 |
| |
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Nomaindiya Mfeketo, recently addressed the UCT's Black Alumni on the topic: "Youth Moving South Africa Forward”.
Deputy Minister Mfeketo highlighted the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) acclaimed Cadet Programme. The programme trains young graduates for a diplomatic career.
She also outlined the department’s short courses for young people in the areas of global governance, regional integration, conflict mediation and conflict resolution, among others.
Two months ago, DIRCO hosted a Capacity-Building Programme on Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation.
“We did this in partnership with National Youth Development Agency and the South African Youth Council. The purpose of this programme was to train young people in conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation and constitution-drafting skills – areas of competency that South Africa is globally renowned for. “
The Deputy Minister said that South Africa had been invited all over the world to share experiences in these areas, which highlights the importance to train the next layer of leadership in these skills to maintain the proud legacy and respect in world politics. |
| |
|
| |
SA EXPLORES TRADE RELATIONS IN GHANA, NIGERIA |
| |
The objective of the Outward Selling and Investment Mission (OSIM) was to increase trade and investment, and deepen bilateral relations between South Africa and Ghana and Nigeria. |
| |
 |
| |
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) is leading a business delegation on an OSIM to Ghana and Nigeria from 17 to 21 August.
The mission serves as an ideal opportunity for South African companies to export value-added products and services to Ghana and Nigeria, and for the penetration of companies that are looking for investment opportunities in these African countries.
The mission is led by Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina. According to Deputy Minister Masina, the mission provides a platform for South African companies to promote their products and services into the African market.
“The mission presents the department with an opportunity to continue to pursue economic collaboration and partnerships with African countries. This, as we continue crafting the way forward for sustainable economic development and the development of investment in the African continent,” said the Deputy Minister.
He added that South Africa had taken a conscious decision to partner with Nigeria during their development phases and that Nigeria, like most countries in Africa, presented a wealth of business opportunities for South African companies.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Ghana experienced an upward trend between 2010 to 2014, growing from R2,6 billion to R10,8 billion.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Nigeria experienced a fluctuating but upward trend from 2010 to 2014, growing from R20,5 billion in 2010 to R66,2 billion in 2014.
The programme for the OSIM included trade and investment seminars, mini exhibitions, business-to-business meetings and site visits. – Source: SAnews.gov.za |
|
|
| |
NATURAL GAS POWER PLANT TO BOOST SOUTH AFRICA'S ENERGY SECURITY |
| |
The project, led by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC), falls under Operation Phakisa, a governmental results-driven approach that involves clear plans and rapidly achievable targets. It comprises ongoing monitoring of progress to quickly unlock economic growth and development.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
A liquid natural gas (LNG) power plant is being planned for Port Elizabeth that is expected to be South Africa's most efficient and safest energy capacity expansion.
The CDC is the operator of the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in Nelson Mandela Bay. Established in 1999, the IDZ is South Africa's foremost location for new industrial investments, with the CDC aiming to provide a competitive investment location and a total business solution for its customers, as well as ensuring sustainable economic development in the region.
To date, the corporation has delivered on its mandate to provide socio-economic development for the Eastern Cape, enabling the creation of almost 100 000 jobs and training for just over 70 000 people. It has 29 operational investors and an investment portfolio of more than R151 billion.
CDC recently issued a tender notice for an environmental impact assessment for a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power facility at the Coega IDZ. It will link to the LNG terminal at the Port of Ngqura, a deep-water seaport adjacent to the zone.
Sandisiwe Ncemane, the CDC energy sector manager, explained that the new stage in the Port Elizabeth project would support the Government's Integrated Resource Plan and a 2012 ministerial determination allocation of 2 652 MW for energy from natural gas between 2021 and 2025.
The proposed CCGT plant will be the second power plant in the Coega IDZ after the Dedisa Peaking Power Plant, a liquid fuel open-cycle gas turbine with a 342-MW generation capacity. Last month, Dedisa transferred power to the national grid during a test exercise and the facility is scheduled to go online later this year. – Source: Coega Development Corporation |
| |
|
| |
 |
|
SA ACCEDES TO CONVENTION ON HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INCIDENTS |
| |
| The convention ensures compensation for damage to persons and property, cost of clean-up and reinstatement measures, and economic losses resulting from the maritime transport of hazardous and noxious substances that may pollute the ocean. |
| |
Cabinet, at its recent meeting, approved for South Africa to accede to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010.
South Africa will be able to access the fund to assist in hazardous and noxious substances incidents once all the parliamentary processes to domesticate this convention have been completed. – Source: SAnews.gov.za |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
AMAZON OPENS JOHANNESBURG OFFICE |
| |
The company announced recently that it planned to hire over 250 engineers, network specialists, account managers and other technologists to work at its Johannesburg office, which will service Amazon Web Services clients. |
| |
 |
| |
Internet giant Amazon has added Johannesburg to its list of cities where the company has offices.
Amazon Web Services provides cloud offerings to customers such as start-ups, enterprises and governments. The first Amazon Web Services office in South Africa was established in Cape Town in 2004.
"Amazon has been an active contributor to the South African technology community for over a decade,” said Steve Midgley, head of EMEA for Amazon Web Services.
“By expanding our presence in South Africa, and through hiring highly skilled staff, we intend to further accelerate the growth of our cloud customers in Africa and around the globe,” said Midgley.
In its statement, Amazon said that its Cape Town office was established in 2004 to help it build the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) service.
The company said that the Johannesburg office was expected to work on Amazon EC2 as well as other technologies. – Source: news24.co.za |
| |
|
| |
ARTS AND CULTURE HOSTS THIRD WORLD LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CONGRESS |
|
| |
The congress is held annually on a different continent of the world. This is the third time it is held on the African continent. The first conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya, (1984), followed by Durban in South Africa (2007). In 2013, the bid was awarded to the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) to host the 2015 Congress in Cape Town. |
| |
 |
| |
The 81st General Conference of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) is being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town under the theme: “Dynamic Libraries: Access, Development and Transformation”.
Among other objectives, the IFLA Conference seeks to promote high standards of provision and delivery of library and information services as well as to encourage widespread understanding of the value of efficient library and information services. |
| |
|
| |
 |
|
SA AGULHAS RETURNS FROM EXPEDITION |
| |
In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the CSIR, the research voyage, which left Cape Town in July, saw researchers gathering physical‚ biological and chemical oceanographic data. |
|
|
| |
The SA Agulhas II has returned from a successful winter research expedition, the Department of Environmental Affairs said.
This was the first high-resolution experiment to span a full seasonal cycle in the Southern Ocean using a combination of a ship (the SA Agulhas II), robotics platforms such as buoyancy gliders, wave gliders and bio-optics floats as well as high-resolution models and satellite observations, the department said.
“The first high-resolution measurements in winter, which reveal the characteristics of phytoplankton primary productivity and carbon draw down, were taken as well as Isotopic measurements that investigate the role of the Southern Ocean in driving past glacial and interglacial climate cycles.”
Other research highlights included the bio-optical characterisation of the winter phytoplankton community towards new and improved remote sensing ocean colour algorithms, as well as the measurements that fill the gaps in the ocean atmosphere CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) flux record.
The expedition also saw successful collections of trace metal Fe (Iron) concentrations to resolve the seasonal supply and demand mechanism of the phytoplankton community in winter.
“This was the second winter survey ever conducted on density and distribution of Southern Ocean pelagic bird species.”
South Africa plays a fundamental role in Southern Ocean research as it is the closest country to Antarctica. – Source: SAnews.gov.za |
| |
|
| |
SANPARKS' NATIONAL PARKS WEEK DATES SET FOR HERITAGE MONTH |
| |
South African National Parks (SANParks) will be opening its 10th annual SANParks Week at 21 national parks, with free access for day visitors from 14 to 18 September 2015. |
| |
|
| |
The Karoo National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park will also extend National Park week over the weekend on 19 and 20 September 2015. Here, only the first 100 visitors per day on the Saturday (19 September) and Sunday (20 September) will be able to gain free access to the parks.
The Namaqua National Park –- where the annual natural flower show will be in full bloom in September – will be excluded from SANParks' National Parks week.
The Boulders Penguin Colony area in the Table Mountain National Park will also not be offering free access during the National Parks week 2015. The free entry will, however, be applicable in the rest of the Table Mountain National Park.
The excluded parks will apply normal entry tariffs, as they have been declared non-participants in the free access scheme, due to the seasonality of their product offering.
Free access to parks does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities. |
| |
|
| |
GOLD FOR SA SWIMMERS |
|
|
| |
|
Le Clos and Van der Burgh have been on fire in the pool since the Final World Championships in Kazan, once again dominating their respective events. |
|
| |
|
The 23-year-old Chad le Clos made a clean sweep of the butterfly events, adding the 100m gold to those he won in the 50m and 200m from the previous day at the Final World Cup series in Paris on 16 August.
Le Clos then showed off his versatility, adding the 200-m backstroke gold to his four-medal haul at the meet.
Cameron van der Burgh also struck gold, winning the 100-m breaststroke while Myles Brown once again had to be content with the silver medal, this time in the 200-m freestyle. – Source: news24.co.za |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
SA WOMEN'S UNDERWATER HOCKEY U19'S ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS |
| |
|
| |
The South African Under-19 Women's Underwater Hockey team won Gold at the World Championships in Spain on 16 August. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
The team made South Africa proud, winning all seven of their games to grab the Gold Medal at the Third CMAS UWH World Championship's in Castellón de la Plana, Spain, on Sunday, 16 August, 2015.
The team began the competition on 8 August with a 9-0 drubbing of Australia.
Day two of the championships was the most challenging for the South African women, as they beat New Zealand 2-0 before edging Colombia 2-1.
The underwater hockey squad made light work of the Netherlands, winning 12-0, before putting Canada to the sword, 9-0.
They followed these victories with a 5-0 battering of France and a 7-0 assault against Great Britain.
In the semi-finals, they dominated Colombia, the only team to have scored a goal against them, before winning
The final proved to be a tough affair, but the team triumphed 3-2 over New Zealand, a major achievement as the NZ U/19 women had been undefeated since the inception of the Underwater Hockey World Championships in 2004. – Source: eNCA |
| |
|
| |
SA RELAY TEAM FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS CONFIRMED |
|
|
| |
|
The 23-year-old Anaso Jobodwana has consistently finished in the 200m top three in his Diamond League debut season. |
|
| |
|
Athletics SA (ASA) has confirmed the men’s 4x100m relay team relay team consisting of South Africa’s top sprinters for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, starting on Saturday.
Among the six athletes named – who would possibly form the quartet in Beijing – are four sprinters who have set national records so far this year.
The team will consist of Wayde van Niekerk, Anaso Jobodwana, Akani Simbine, Henricho Bruintjies, Antonio Alkana and Barend Koekemoer.
While there was concern that South Africa would not be able to enter a relay team as no quartet have posted a qualifying time this season, last year’s record-breaking effort at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was good enough for a spot among the top 16 teams.
The quartet of Simbine, Bruintjies, Simon Magakwe and Ncinci Titi set a new national mark of 38.35 at the Games.
A total of eight sprint records were broken this year alone with Carina Horn the only woman to add her name to the list after equalling Evette de Klerk’s 25-year-old national 100-m mark.
The quartet will be spearheaded by breakthrough sprinters Bruintjies and Simbine who shared the South African 100m dash record of 9.97 seconds which they set within a week of each other in July.
Olympic finalist Jobodwana broke the 200-m record twice in May before Van Niekerk became the first South African to break through the 20-second barrier in July.
Van Niekerk holds the 200-m record of 19.94 while Jobodwana’s 20.04 is the second-fastest time by a South African.
Two weeks after breaking the 200-m record, Van Niekerk became the first African athlete to break through 44 seconds in the 400-m clocking 43.97, the 11th-fastest time of all-time.
The duo will add further clout to the relay team while the four will be supported by 400-m specialist Koekemoer and 110-m hurdler Alkana. – Source: news24.co.za |
|
|
|
|
|
