Dear MyPE The Departments of Social Development and Basic Education have sent mixed messages on the reopening of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, on Friday, gazetted directions on the reopening of the ECD sector. The directions indicate that the sector would reopen on 6 July 2020. This stands in contrast to a circular sent out on the same day by the Acting Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Linton … [Read more...] about Government sends mixed messages on reopening of Early Childhood Development sector
COVID-19
Shambolic Sports and Arts Covid-19 relief funding
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding transparency from the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, on his department’s shambolic handling of the R150 million Arts and Sports Sector Relief Fund. We have received several complaints from athletes and artists who have successfully applied for relief funding but are yet to receive any payments from the department. They have sent numerous emails to follow up but never received any response, the DA’s emails and … [Read more...] about Shambolic Sports and Arts Covid-19 relief funding
Minister Dlamini Zuma lied to the nation and must be fired
Dear MyPE It appears that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma lied to South Africans in her justification for the continued ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. If this is indeed the case, then President Ramaphosa surely has no choice but to fire her from his cabinet. On 29 April, in a televised briefing of the regulations for Level 4 of the lockdown, Minister Dlamini Zuma claimed that government’s decision to … [Read more...] about Minister Dlamini Zuma lied to the nation and must be fired
Tourism resumes limited operations in June
Relief funding for tour guides South Africans, who have been confined to their homes, will now be allowed to venture out for hikes from 1 June when the country moves to level 3 of the lockdown. As of next month, hiking is permitted - provided it is done in compliance with existing guidelines and not in groups. Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane made the announcement when she outlined plans for the gradual return of the sector in a briefing on Saturday. In addition to hiking, … [Read more...] about Tourism resumes limited operations in June
Tourism relief fund applications close on 31 May 2020
Tourism recovery plan The application window for the COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund will close on 31 May 2020. The Tourism Relief Fund provides a once-off capped grant of R50 000 per entity to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs and other pressure cost items. To date, more than 6 000 completed applications for grant assistance have been received from across the country. A large bulk of the applications were from businesses that provide accommodation services (2 … [Read more...] about Tourism relief fund applications close on 31 May 2020
Travel restrictions eased as millions return to school and work on Monday
Port Elizabeth Airport will resume operations in Phase 1 With millions of citizens set to return to work, school and institutions of higher learning when the country moves to COVID-19 lockdown level 3, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced that public transport will operate throughout the day. However, capacity restrictions remain, with minibus taxis still only permitted a 70% loading capacity. Buses are still expected to adhere to a maximum loading capacity of 50%, taking due … [Read more...] about Travel restrictions eased as millions return to school and work on Monday
Are Our Political Leaders Meerkats?
As the lockdown starts to ease across the world, we knocked on the door of Estienne de Beer, a motivational speaker on the USA, UK and South African circuit about his popular Meerkat Motivation message and how it applies to the current situation. The concept of lockdown is not new to the meerkat species. Consequently, meerkats have become highly skilled and successful at dealing with lockdowns underground and at navigating their uncharted "business world." There are parallels in the way … [Read more...] about Are Our Political Leaders Meerkats?
Real Estate receives go-ahead for Level 3
Breaking news has just confirmed that the real estate industry will be resuming operations under Level 3 lockdown on 1 June. The announcement has been met with widespread relief and excitement from industry professionals, as well as buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants who have been left in limbo since 27 March. According to Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group, permission to operate under Level 3 is the result of extended lobbying by the industry. The Rawson Property Group’s … [Read more...] about Real Estate receives go-ahead for Level 3
100-point plan implemented to protect employees on site
Uitenhage plant restarts production in line with Level 4 lockdown regulations Uitenhage - Following a gradual ramp-up of its local production, the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) plant in Uitenhage has resumed its manufacturing operations. In line with the regulations pertaining to Level 4 of lockdown, VWSA production was restarted on 4 May, with essential employees returning to work in a phased approach. The company has since started exporting Polos to various markets, in … [Read more...] about 100-point plan implemented to protect employees on site
Emerging trends to look out for as rental market responds to Covid-19
Like most real estate sectors, the rental market has been deeply affected by Covid-19 and landlords around the country have had to adapt quickly in order to make the most of a difficult situation. According to Jacqui Savage, National Rentals Manager for the Rawson Property Group, these are the four biggest trends hitting the market since lockdown began. 1. Negotiated payment plans With countless citizens facing reduced salaries or job losses thanks to lockdown, it’s no surprise that … [Read more...] about Emerging trends to look out for as rental market responds to Covid-19
Providing Healthcare Support to the Local Community
Logistics Assistance to Business' Collaborative Healthcare Support Initiative Isuzu is a partner for the long run, particularly when it comes to becoming proactively involved in providing healthcare support to the local community during the COVID-19 crisis. For the past few weeks Isuzu's Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre (VCDC) in Markman Industrial Township, Port Elizabeth, was made available to serve as a centralised logistics and distribution hub for medical supplies … [Read more...] about Providing Healthcare Support to the Local Community
President calls for National day of Prayer and opens Places of Worship
On 26 May 2020 the President of South Africa addressed the nation and the question of religious worship. https://youtu.be/0Mrvu00fZ3k The current restrictions on worship will be eased in a carefully measured way from 1 June which marks the start of Lockdown Level 3. Recognised places of worship may resume services which will be limited to 50 persons or less depending upon space available. Face Masks and protocols currently in place must be observed. Religious leaders will be … [Read more...] about President calls for National day of Prayer and opens Places of Worship
COVID-19 Lockdowns – Could we be back to ‘Normal’ by September 2020
Since 27 March 2020 South Africa's Lockdown Levels have been eased every month If that continues to happen we could be at Level 1 by August and a resumption of normal activities by September. Of course we would also have to see similar levels of Lockdown easing from other countries to be able to get cross border industries like tourism back on track. SA Lockdown Level Timeline: 27 March 2020 - Lockdwn Level 5 1 May 2020 - Lockdown Level 4 1 June 2020 - Lockdown Level 3 Lest we … [Read more...] about COVID-19 Lockdowns – Could we be back to ‘Normal’ by September 2020
SA continues to strengthen relations with Parliaments in Africa
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
COVID-19 relief funding for community media opens for applications
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
