Government

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in a virtual meeting on Sunday, engaged with members of the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) on the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting took place at a time when the country and the rest of the world are immersed in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. At the meeting, the President engaged editors on South Africa’s ongoing measures to manage the spread of COVID-19 through the risk-adjusted strategy. The President … [Read more...] about President engages SANEF on COVID-19 response

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured parents that the health and safety of learners and students would be of paramount importance as government prepares to reopen schools and institutes of higher education in lockdown level 3. The gradual reopening of schools was meant to begin today with Grades 7 and 12 returning to class. However, on Sunday the Department of Basic Education announced this move was being postponed for another week to improve school readiness. Schools in the country closed … [Read more...] about Schools health, safety paramount: President Ramaphosa

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has risen by 1 716 cases on Sunday bringing the total number of infections to 32 683. In addition, 40 people succumbed to COVID-19 related disease, putting the death toll to 683 in the last 24 hours. The Western Cape remains the hotspot with the highest number of cases at 21 382 in the country, followed by Gauteng with 4 003 cases and then Eastern Cape with 3 927. KwaZulu-Natal has 2 545 cases, Limpopo 177, North West 175, Mpumalanga … [Read more...] about COVID-19 cases spike to 32 683, with 40 more deaths recorded

Parliament's Presiding Officers says the sixth democratic Parliament will continue to strengthen relations with other Parliaments in Africa to ensure a lasting solution to the challenges facing the continent, including the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Presiding Officers, led by National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo, made the remarks as they joined the rest of the continent in celebrating Africa Day on Monday. This year marks 57 … [Read more...] about SA continues to strengthen relations with Parliaments in Africa

The second phase of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funding for all community and small commercial (SCM) media projects is now open for applications. “This follows the end of the first phase of the fund, which ran in March and April of 2020, with some R10 million being disbursed to 116 community broadcasters and 115 community and SCM publications in R45 000 relief packages, per station/publisher,” Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) said on Monday. The Emergency Relief Fund was … [Read more...] about COVID-19 relief funding for community media opens for applications

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says a move to level 3 lockdown, which will commence from 1 June 2020, will enable the agency to accelerate the pace of paying out the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant. “At the moment SASSA is operating with a third of its staff during level 4 and a move to level 3 will increase human resource capacity drastically so that payments are made quicker than it is the case currently,” said SASSA CEO Totsie Memela. Memela said that much … [Read more...] about Level 3 lockdown enables faster payment of COVID-19 grants

With just a week to go until Grade 7 and 12 learners return to the classroom under level 3 of lockdown, preparations are underway at schools across the country to ensure the safe return of pupils, come 1 June 2020. The doors of learning were shut as the country went on lockdown from 27 March 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has to date infected 22 583 South Africans and claimed the lives of 429 people. As the country marks day 60 of lockdown, delivery of personal … [Read more...] about Back to school preparations underway across SA

Africa has marked the 57th Africa Day amid the Coronavirus pandemic with African Union Chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling on the continent to use the global crisis as an opportunity to re-imagine a new Africa. Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May 2020 and marks the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Africa has not been spared from the COVID-19 pandemic with almost 96 000 people infected with almost 3 000 having lost their lives. Delivering the keynote address … [Read more...] about COVID-19 must enable a new Africa – President Ramaphosa

https://youtu.be/p1MRqAq9STg On Sunday 24 May 2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will move to alert level 3 with effect from 1 June - with more sectors of the economy opening and the removal of a number of restrictions on the movement of people. Addressing the nation on Sunday evening on the developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19, the President said the country will have a differentiated approach to deal with areas … [Read more...] about The Stuff That Was Said After the Ban on Alcohol Sales Was Lifted