South Africa

South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 is a first for the African continent and provides a platform for the African continent’s voice to be better heard, writes Neo Semono.

In 1993 Andrew Lebitsa, a Free State Black Industrialist, participated in an empowerment and capacity building project that he said was initiated by South Africa’s first Black President, Nelson Mandela, and New York’s first Black Mayor, David Dinkins.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged all road users to adhere to the rules of the road as holiday makers travel around the country, to ensure a safe festive season.

Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, says government will continue to clamp down on non-compliant spaza shops and food-handling facilities in the province.

With hours to go before Christmas Day, Gauteng Traffic Police has urged motorists to remain vigilant and to be on the lookout for pedestrians wherever they travel.

A Cost of Capital Commission which will investigate issues that impair the ability of low- and middle-income countries to access affordable capital is set to be launched under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.

Operations at the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court have been able to continue despite protest action over the past weekend which left parts of the court building damaged.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on public transport operators and the freight industry to step up efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities this festive season, following a spate of fatal crashes involving minibus vehicles and trucks.

Eight solar PV projects – with a combined contracted capacity of some 1 760MW – have been appointed as preferred bidders under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window 7.

South Africa is currently experiencing the longest period without load shedding in the last five years.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau is still applying his mind on the granting of the fourth National Lotteries License.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has announced that it is investigating an incident of fish kills at Nandoni Dam in Limpopo.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has urged community members not to damage public infrastructure during protests.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD) has condemned acts of vandalism during a protest that caused extensive damage to the Bishop Lavis Magistrate Court in the Western Cape.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday evening announced his intention to sign a Presidential Proclamation that will bring the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act into operation, immediately.