As government prepares for the ease of the lockdown to alert level 3, President Cyril Ramaphosa has consulted a broad range of faith leaders on government’s preparations for a differentiated approach to the reopening of the economy alongside the unrelenting effort to save lives. The consultations between the President and interfaith leaders took place in a virtual meeting on Wednesday evening. The President held discussions with the leadership of the South African Catholic … [Read more...] about Interfaith leaders consulted on preparation for level 3
Coronavirus
5 239 Stranded South Africans repatriated
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has facilitated the repatriation by air of 5 239 South Africans stranded abroad. According to DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor, hundreds more have also returned through the country's land borders. As several countries went into lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, an initial 3 637 requested repatriation. But the repatriation of citizens has not been easy given the various restrictions implemented by … [Read more...] about 5 239 Stranded South Africans repatriated
Rights of persons with disabilities during COVID-19
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her Deputy, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize, will on Friday host a webinar focusing on upholding the rights of persons with disabilities. The webinar will be held under the theme: ‘Persons with Disabilities and COVID-19 South Africa’. The purpose of the webinar is to conduct an interface dialogue as a direct result of the disability specific interventions undertaken by government … [Read more...] about Rights of persons with disabilities during COVID-19
NMBSTC Assists Schools With Re-Opening
NMB Science Centre produces 2000 hand sanitisers and gears to assist DoE with schools re-opening To fight the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre (NMBSTC) operated by the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) produced hand sanitisers, face masks and hand lotions with antibacterial as well as antiviral properties. The NMBSTC hosted IM Africa Foundation, in partnership with FOI Science and the Mandela Bay Development Agency from the 07th – 13th … [Read more...] about NMBSTC Assists Schools With Re-Opening
On Race Based COVID-19 Funding
Enforcing BEE compliance to access relief funding is a dangerous precedent BEE Facts: All South Africans agree that we need a mechanism to redress the past NOT all South Africans agree on the BEE programme It is the only one that we have so we have to live with it BEE was set up to 'balance the economy' using race as a measurement COVID-19 Facts: Non Discriminatory Non Racial Non Xenophobic COVID-19 is a virus that doesn't pay tax or employ people Why for the … [Read more...] about On Race Based COVID-19 Funding
Save the subsistence fishing community
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Barbara Creecy, requesting an immediate amendment to the Covid-19 lockdown fishing regulations to lift the restriction placed on recreational fishing which will allow for subsistence or "own-consumption" fishers to feed their families. The DA has received hundreds of desperate pleas from subsistence fishers who are in possession of recreational fishing permits, but … [Read more...] about Save the subsistence fishing community
WHO calls for universal access to COVID-19 vaccine
World Health Organisation (WHO) member states have signed a resolution that calls for COVID-19 vaccines to be classified as a global public good for health in order to bring the pandemic to an end. This follows China’s commitment made by President Xi Jinping during the two-day World Health Assembly to make the vaccine a global public good, once one is available. “The landmark resolution underlines WHO’s key role in promoting access to safe, effective health technologies to fight … [Read more...] about WHO calls for universal access to COVID-19 vaccine
Over R14 billion disbursed in UIF COVID-19 benefits
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has paid out over R14 billion in benefits to employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. “The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, today processed and paid COVID-19 TERS [ Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme] relief payments to the tune of R748 815 094.20 benefitting 149 263 workers, represented by 9 362 employers,” said the UIF on Monday. “This brings to 2 551 236 the total number of … [Read more...] about Over R14 billion disbursed in UIF COVID-19 benefits
Looming financial crisis for Nelson Mandela Bay as Covid-19 bites
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is facing a looming financial crisis that could cripple service delivery and bring the City’s administration to a grinding halt if urgent interventions are not put in place by the current administration. Financial reports indicate that the Metro, materially under-recovered R170 million in rates and taxes during April, as residents and businesses feel the impact of the lockdown to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The Democratic Alliance … [Read more...] about Looming financial crisis for Nelson Mandela Bay as Covid-19 bites
On the High Seas During Lockdown
Justin Erasmus, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said: At 14h25, Friday, 15 May, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Toft, accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic, to rendezvous with a bulk carrier motor vessel approaching Port Elizabeth to patient evacuate a 49 year old Filipino sailor suffering a medical emergency. The ship that was deep sea at the time passing the South African coastline was instructed to head towards the nearest … [Read more...] about On the High Seas During Lockdown
Motshekga to update the nation on schools reopening
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to brief media on Tuesday, on preparations for the re-opening of schools amid the COVID-19 lockdown. “The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, will give an update on the preparations for the re-opening of schools during a media briefing to be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2020,” said the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Monday. Tuesday’s briefing is expected to outline proposed dates for the reopening of … [Read more...] about Motshekga to update the nation on schools reopening
President calls for healthcare for all
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of universal health coverage That is the message underlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa who was addressing the virtual 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday. The pandemic should propel countries to act with greater urgency to make it a reality. “In this final decade towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, we must press ahead with our goal of making universal health care a … [Read more...] about President calls for healthcare for all
Did NDZ mislead the nation or Parliament?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is astounded that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was unable or unwilling to answer our written Parliamentary question regarding the public submissions her Department received and relied on to make changes to the Government’s Draft Framework for the Risk-Adjusted Strategy to bring different sectors of the economy back to work. In her reply, the Minister told the DA that the information “is not … [Read more...] about Did NDZ mislead the nation or Parliament?
Reminder for Gavin Cherry
Honda Dealerships are open for business - Did you remember to go to work today Gav? Honda Motor Southern has confirmed that all nationwide dealerships have resumed operations. This is after the The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Ebrahim Patel announced that certain trading activities on vehicles will be permitted during Alert Level 4. "The health and safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance" says Dinesh Govender, General Manager of Honda Motor … [Read more...] about Reminder for Gavin Cherry
‘No country for labourers’ | Who is Rampukar Pandit – the weeping face of coronavirus lockdown? – Lockdown News
‘No country for labourers’ | Who is Rampukar Pandit - the weeping face of coronavirus lockdown?: "We labourers have no life, we are just a cog in the wheel, spinning continuously until we run out of life,” said the man, his name unknown but his face by now familiar to many thousands of people ... Source: "Coronavirus Lockdown" - BingNews. Local 4 tries the Do It Yourself Hair Challenge: The coronavirus lockdown has produced the whole spectrum of problems from devastating illness and … [Read more...] about ‘No country for labourers’ | Who is Rampukar Pandit – the weeping face of coronavirus lockdown? – Lockdown News
