Government

IMC established to fast track COVID-19 vaccination rollout Cabinet has approved the appointment of a 16-member Inter-Ministerial Committee on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout programme. In a statement, Cabinet said the IMC would assist with quick decision-making from all the relevant departments that contribute towards the smooth rollout of the vaccination programme. The decision was taken on Tuesday during a virtual Special Meeting to discuss the progress report from the National … [Read more...] about 16 Member Inter-Ministerial Committee to “FAST TRACK” COVID-19 vaccination rollout

SA records 9 780 new COVID-19 cases, 839 deaths South Africa’s COVID-19 cases have risen to 1 356 716 after 9 780 patients were confirmed to have contracted the virus on Tuesday. Meanwhile, 839 additional deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, which brings the tally to 38 288 since the outbreak. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the high number of deaths is due to data reconciliation as part of the regular auditing process. “This includes the analysis of community … [Read more...] about EC Still in Third Place

While the country has seen some promising signs of declining new COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week, the second wave continues to put a massive burden on the healthcare system. This is according to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, who was speaking during the opening address on the update on COVID-19 and the new variant 501.V2 on Monday. The Minister said the decrease in infections could be credited to many factors, including enhanced physical distancing facilitated by … [Read more...] about SA COVID-19 cases drop, as scientists study new variant

SA records 9 010 new COVID-19 cases, 344 deaths South Africa is showing signs of declining COVID-19 cases, with 9 010 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of infections to 1 346 936 since the outbreak. “Regrettably, we report a further 344 COVID-19 related deaths,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Monday. Of the recent deaths, 91 are in KwaZulu-Natal, 88 from the Western Cape, 66 in the Eastern Cape and 63 in Gauteng. Meanwhile, 13 are in … [Read more...] about EC Moves to Third

A man (28) from Helenvale has much to be grateful for after first responders came to his aid within minutes after he was wounded in the neck. This, thanks to an alert from Shotspotter technology that simultaneously informs the Metro Police and the South African Police Services of gunfire in the area. John Best, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, said the incident is especially noteworthy since the officials managed to save the victim’s life thanks to the technology and … [Read more...] about Gunshot victim’s life saved thanks to quick response to Shotspotter alert

Within the first month of taking office Nelson Mandela Bay’s new Coalition of Good Governance has managed to increase the Metro’s investments by more than a billion rand. This follows after National Treasury released R1,4 billion in grant funding to the Municipality after the election of a permanent Executive Mayor on 4 December 2020. The Municipality’s investment portfolio – which stood at R2,14 billion at the end November 2020 had increased to R3,5 billion by 31 December 2020. This … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay increases investment by more than a billion rand

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality successfully vaccinated more than 200 dogs in the Bluewater Bay area on Monday, 18 January 2021. This comes after one resident tested positive for rabies last week after he was bitten by a stray dog which later died following the attack. The resident received medical attention and is recovering. Two dogs that were tested also tested positive for rabies. Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Health, Councillor Lance Grootboom said: "We are … [Read more...] about NMBM embarks on an anti-Rabies vaccination drive

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayoral Committee Member for Infrastructure and Engineering, Councillor Masixole Zinto has called on communities to work with the Municipality to protect water leaks and sanitation contractors and municipal plumbers. This call was made following a meeting MMC Zinto had with seven contractors who are hired to augment the fixing of water leaks programme. The meeting was called by MMC Zinto to try and find ways on how to accelerate the pace of fixing water … [Read more...] about NMBM calls on residents to protect water leaks plumbers working in their communities

Universities to reopen between March and April Higher education is the latest sector to delay its re-opening dates with 16 universities still finalising their academic year. Addressing the media on Monday, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, announced that universities will start the academic year between early-March and mid-April this year. The re-opening of higher education institutions is also aligned with the start of the 2021 academic year for … [Read more...] about Universities delay re-opening

South Africa has technical capabilities to produce vaccines as the country battles with the COVID-19 resurgence. According to the Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, the threat of future pandemics, has propelled the country's ability to develop and manufacture vaccines locally into the spotlight. “Why can’t we produce in South Africa because we’ve produced other vaccines, with the scientist capacity that we have and infrastructure,” Nzimande asked. Nzimande told … [Read more...] about SA scientists have ability to produce vaccines

SA COVID-19 deaths exceeds 37 000 mark South Africa’s death toll due to Coronavirus has now surpassed the 37 000 mark after 254 people passed away on Sunday. According to the latest data, 72 deaths were recorded in the Western Cape, 59 in Gauteng, 40 in KwaZulu-Natal, 26 in the North West, 22 in the Eastern Cape, 16 in Mpumalanga, 13 in Free State and six in the Northern Cape. This brings the total to 37 105 deaths since the outbreak. Meanwhile, the number of infections has risen to … [Read more...] about Another 16 Deaths in the Eastern Cape

The Department of Health has reported 18 507 new Coronavirus infections, which brings the nation's total to 1 296 806 since the outbreak. Meanwhile, 712 more people died due to COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 35 852. Of the latest fatalities, 232 were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, 162 in the Western Cape, 114 in Gauteng. Ninety-seven deaths occurred in the Eastern Cape, 50 in the North West, 21 in Free State, 15 in the Northern Cape, 11 in Limpopo and 10 in … [Read more...] about SA reports 18 507 new COVID-19 cases, 712 deaths – EC Still in 4th Place

Government delays opening of schools With the country experiencing a second wave of COVID-19, government has decided to delay the reopening of both public and private schools by two weeks, to 15 February 2021. Addressing a media briefing on Friday in Tshwane, Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Reginah Mhaule, said the decision to delay the opening of schools was made by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) in conjunction with the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet. This … [Read more...] about Dear Parents – Please Fork Out More for Childcare

With 2020 being a challenging year, especially for artists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, through the Red Location Art Gallery and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum is calling for submission of artworks for the Art Collection of the City. The Art Collection of the City is aimed at telling the story of art in the region with new and contemporary voices added to the unique story of art of the Eastern Cape. As such, the City will celebrate Eastern Cape … [Read more...] about NMBM Looking to Restore Local Artists Confidence