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South Africa : Economic crisis might affect pace of service delivery

June 3, 2009 - 12:24 — AA Network

South Africa : Economic crisis might affect pace of service delivery - By Bathandwa Mbola
Parliament - The economic downturn will affect the pace at which South Africa is able to address its social and economic challenges, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday.

However, it will not alter the direction of the country's development, said Mr Zuma, delivering his first State of the Nation Address to a packed joint-sitting of Parliament.

"The policy priorities that we have identified, and the plans that we placed before the electorate, remain at the core of the programme of this government," he said.
Referring back to the popular statement that he made during his inauguration as Presidnet of the Republic, Mr Zuma reiterated again today: "As long as there are South Africans who die from preventable disease; as long as there are workers who struggle to feed their families; as long as there are children who do not receive a decent education; as long as there are people who are unable to find work, government will not rest."

Zuma rise to power to improve relations

May 11, 2009 - 00:54 — AA Network

Zuma rise to power to improve relations - [ANGOP - Angola Press]

Johannesburg, - The secretary for international relations of Angola's ruling MPLA party, Paulo Teixeira Jorge, said friday in Johannesburg that the rise of Jacob Zuma to the presidency in South Africa opens wide perspectives for the improvement of partnerships between Angola and South Africa.

read more

 [AA Angola]

South Africa : Mandela's House - a symbol of liberation

March 21, 2009 - 04:05 — AA Network
Mandela's House - a symbol of liberation -

If the walls of the old house of former President, Nelson Mandela in Orlando West Soweto could speak, they would tell vivid stories of the liberation struggles fought during apartheid, writes Nthambeleni Gabara.

The four-roomed house at 8115, on the corner of Vilakazi and Ngakane Streets, in Orlando West was built in 1945 under the then council's tender for new houses in Soweto.

The house, which is situated in an area with a significant history of the liberation struggle, was petrol bombed several times and often raided by members of the police force during the apartheid.

Next to the house lies the Morris Isaacson High School where the June 1976 uprisings began.

The house is also situated in close proximity to the Hector Peterson Memorial, the very spot where Peterson fell after he was fatally wounded by the police force. On the other side of the Vilakazi Street stands Desmond Tutu's house.

Moves afoot to create ‘single voice’ for SA construction sector

February 24, 2009 - 23:11 — AA Network

Moves afoot to create ‘single voice’ for SA construction sector - Moves afoot to create ‘single voice’ for SA construction sector - The president of Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) has called for the re-establishment of a single entity to represent “the voice of the construction industry” and has told Engineering News Online that he hoped that such a structure could be put in place during the first half of 2009.
read more [Architect's Blog]

Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe on the brink of massive medical emergency, MSF

February 17, 2009 - 14:51 — AA Network
South Africa : Zimbabwe on the brink of massive medical emergency, MSF -

Harare - The cholera outbreak that has killed more than 3 000 people since last August in Zimbabwe, is the tip of a massive medical emergency that is spiralling out of control on the back of a collapsed public health system, says Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF).

MSF, which has treated almost 45 000 people or about 75 percent of total cholera cases to date, urged Zimbabwe's fledgling unity government to lift barriers on aid workers helping combat cholera and called on the international community to support efforts to stem the epidemic.

The group provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger across the world said Zimbabwe's once-lauded health system had imploded over the past decade of political and economic turmoil.

The MSF said the collapse of public health was not just affecting cholera patients but all the sick in Zimbabwe, which is also grappling with acute food shortages, hyperinflation and a burgeoning HIV and AIDS epidemic, amid deepening poverty.

South Africa : Minister announces dissolution of the Mnquma Municipality

February 16, 2009 - 17:49 — AA Network

South Africa : Minister announces dissolution of the Mnquma Municipality - By Proffesor Ndawonde
Eastern Cape - The Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Sicelo Shiceka on Monday announced the dissolution of the Mnquma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, effectively placing it under administration.
The department had two months earlier embarked on provincial stakeholder meetings in the province following reports of corruption and incompetent officials.
According to the department, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been brought in to further investigate incidents of corruption that have been detected in the municipality.
The SIU is in the process of signing an agreement with the department with the sole purpose of rooting out corruption in provincial and local spheres of government throughout the country.
Referring to the situation in Mnquma, Minister Shiceka said "corruptees and corruptors will have nowhere to hide."
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South Africa : 1800 homes handed over to Lephalale families

February 12, 2009 - 23:13 — AA Network
South Africa : 1800 homes handed over to Lephalale families -

By Proffesor Ndawonde

Limpopo - The Department of Local Government and Housing in Limpopo will on Wednesday hand over homes to needy families, including 86-year-old Kutumele Sophia who is staying with her three granddaughters and three grandsons.

The 1800 completed houses form part of the R81 million housing project which aims to reduce congested accommodation and eradicate informal settlements in and around Lephalale.

The handing over ceremony in Marapong Extension 4 will be attended by MEC for Local Government and Housing, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Lephalale Executive Mayor, Rosinah Mogotlane.

The local community has benefited during the construction of this project with over 2000 jobs where both skilled and unskilled labourers were employed.

read more

 [Freenet Africa ]

South Africa : Government considers interventions to protect SA from economic crisis

February 8, 2009 - 15:15 — AA Network

South Africa : Government considers interventions to protect SA from economic crisis - By Bathandwa Mbola
Parliament - Government and its social partners are considering various interventions which can help minimise the impact of the global economic crisis on the country.
Delivering his first State of the Nation Address on Friday, President Kgalema Motlanthe said the global financial crisis posed a serious danger to South Africa's economy which is strongly integrated into the world economy.
He reported that interactions between the Presidency and leaders of various social partners, have agreed jointly to devise interventions that would minimise the impact of this crisis.
"Firstly, government will continue with its public investment projects, the value of which had increased to R690-billion for the next three years. In this regard, where necessary, we will find creative ways to raise funds," he said.
read more [Freenet Africa ]

South Africa : Over 2.6 million houses built since 1994

February 8, 2009 - 14:06 — AA Network

Over 2.6mil houses built since 1994 - By Proffesor Ndawonde
Parliament - The Department of Housing has made significant progress towards housing delivery by building more than 2.6 million houses for more than 14 million needy households since 1994.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament on Friday, President Kgalema Motlanthe said: "Government's social programmes have improved the asset base of the poor, in the form of housing with 2.6-million subsidised houses provided."
He further said that female-headed households received a bigger part of the social wage portion over the years.
read more [AA South Africa]

South Africa: Joburg brings in solar powered traffic lights to help congestion during outages

January 28, 2009 - 22:43 — AA Network
South Africa: Joburg brings in solar powered traffic lights to help congestion during outages -

By Rudo Mungoshi

Johannesburg - The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) has completed the installation of solar-powered traffic lights at five critical intersections in the city, in a bid to ease traffic congestion during a power outage.

The high-tech traffic lights have been placed at the corner of Loveday and Rissik streets, the Grayston on and off-ramps from the M1; the corner of Grayston and Rivonia roads and the corner of William Nicol and Sloane streets.

The solar-powered traffic lights were installed at an initial cost of R1.65-million, reports Joburg.org.

JRA Spokesperson, Conel Mackay said they were closely monitoring the performance of the solar traffic lights, under South African weather conditions.

"Our traffic signal control boxes are being fitted with communication devices that automatically give feedback to our maintenance team if there is a fault at the intersection," he said.

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South Africa : Water contamination is likely main cause of cholera increase

January 26, 2009 - 02:51 — AA Network

South Africa : Water contamination is likely main cause of cholera increase - By Gabi Khumalo
Pretoria - Health Minister Barbara Hogan said in most cases the contamination of water sources and food by cholera bacteria was likely the main cause of cholera increase in the country.
"The spread of the infection from the north-east of the country has probably been caused by the migration of cholera carriers from affected areas as well as by the lack of adequate water supplies and safe sanitation in certain areas.
read more [Freenet Africa ]

Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe cholera still out of control, spreading

January 26, 2009 - 02:49 — AA Network

Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe cholera still out of control, spreading - Harare - Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic, with a mortality rate of 5.7 percent, is still way out of control and continues to spread, an international aid agency said on Friday.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement on Friday the disease that the World Health Organisation says has killed 2 773 people of the 50 000 affected since last August, has exhibited an unusually high death rate, indicating the extent of decay of Zimbabwe's health infrastructure.
read more [Freenet Africa ]

South Africa : Load shedding, power cuts a learning experience - Eskom

January 25, 2009 - 00:53 — AA Network

South Africa : Load shedding, power cuts a learning experience - Eskom - By Edwin Tshivhidzo, tel: (012) 314-2454
Johannesburg - The load shedding which wreaked havoc on South Africa's economy and businesses at the beginning of last year was a learning experience for Eskom, says Eskom Chief Executive Officer Jacob Maroga.
The forced rolling black outs were caused by a higher than expected demand in electricity and low reserve margins.
read more [Freenet Africa ]

South Africa : Joburg Water focuses on Ennerdale

January 25, 2009 - 00:52 — AA Network

South Africa : Joburg Water focuses on Ennerdale - By Lesego Madumo
Johannesburg - Joburg Water has drawn up a six month-long water infrastructure upgrade project in Ennerdale Extension 5 in a bid to get rid of obsolete systems in the southern suburb.
The plan is to replace outdated water house connections and household water meters at 1 161 stands, reports Joburg.org.
Already, R4.7 million has been assigned to the project, which is expected to start at the end of the month and be completed by mid-July.
read more [Freenet Africa ]

South Africa : SA must reduce, recycle waste

January 22, 2009 - 00:43 — AA Network
South Africa : SA must reduce, recycle waste -

Pretoria -The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) has urged South Africans to be more conscious about reducing, reusing and recycling waste.

The President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, Vincent Charnley, on Tuesday said the festive season generated more waste than any other time during the year, especially in households.

"We are calling on all South Africans to be more responsible in the way they dispose of their waste in the future," he said, adding that there was a need for players in waste management to educate people.

read more

 [Freenet Africa ]
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