Government

OUTA’s Parliamentary Oversight Report 2021 finds Parliament continues to fail to hold the executive to accountParliamentarians have been metaphorically burning down the institution of Parliament for years, threatening South Africa’s democracy. Today OUTA releases its annual Parliamentary Oversight Report, looking at 2021. MPs dragging their feet: OUTA’s 2021 Report on Parliamentary Oversight in South Africa, is an assessment of how well MPs did their jobs in defending democracy during 2021. It … [Read more...] about Parliament is a failed institution

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, says the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia poses a danger to ailing African economies.The Minister was speaking at the Africa Energy Indaba on Tuesday. “The present situation regarding Ukraine, that pits the Russian Federation against the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [NATO] and its allies, threatens our already battered economies. It further postpones our reach for the Africa We Want,” Mantashe said. The conflict between the … [Read more...] about Ukraine-Russia conflict pounding ailing African economies

With many households and businesses still under financial pressure, National Treasury will not be increasing taxes to keep money in the taxpayer’s pocket.Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said this when he tabled his maiden budget speech before a sitting of Parliament on Wednesday. “Households and businesses are still under financial pressure and are coping with higher obligations, the effects of COVID-19 and increased fuel prices. “Now is not the time to increase taxes and put the recovery at … [Read more...] about Now is not the time to increase taxes

Patrick O’Leary, a veteran photojournalist specializing in the trucking industry, who took second place in the photo category at the 2021 SADC Media Awards, has encouraged other journalists to enter this year.While accepting the award during the SADC Media Awards Dinner in December 2021, he urged other journalists to present both sides of an issue when reporting on it. “Now, more than ever before, your role as a journalist is critical to projecting all sides of an issue. Report accurately, … [Read more...] about Journalists encouraged to enter SADC Media Awards

With the President citing infrastructure investment as a catalyst for growth and job creation in his State of the Nation Address, Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has announced the construction of six mega social housing projects in the coming two years.Kubayi made this announcement when she participated in a debate on the State of the Nation Address on Monday. “There are six social housing projects which will be constructed over two years, starting in the financial year … [Read more...] about Six new mega social housing projects

North West Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) MEC Desbo Mohono has encouraged local farmers and manufacturers to apply for hemp permits, in order to participate in the hemp industry.Mohono said the hemp permit process follows a Cabinet decision taken in 2019 to have a plan for industrialisation and commercialisation of Cannabis, in order to increase economic growth, create jobs and poverty alleviation. The decision followed an establishment of a committee to guide the development of a … [Read more...] about Farmers encouraged to apply for hemp permits

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) says the approval of the NYDA Amendment Bill will be marked as one of the important milestones for youth development in the country, as it showcases that the voice of the youth is taken seriously by government.The NYDA has welcomed Cabinet’s approval to amend the NYDA Act 2008 (Act 54, 2008), following extensive consultations undertaken with various stakeholders across the country in May 2021 during an Integrated Youth Development Strategy … [Read more...] about Turning point for youth development

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture, Elleck Nchabeleng, has condemned in the strongest terms an incident where a black pupil was forced to bow on his knees before a fellow white pupil at Milnerton High School.In a statement on Tuesday, Nchabeleng said the committee has called on the school and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Education to leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the matter and for the perpetrators to face … [Read more...] about Milnerton High pupil humiliation condemned