Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe’s draft amendments to electricity regulations to allow for municipalities to establish their own electricity generation capacity. For years, we have been calling on the Government to empower municipalities to procure energy independently. These draft regulations are indeed a step in the right direction and could pave the way towards an energy secure South Africa. In light of him … [Read more...] about Draft regulations on municipal electricity generation welcomed
COVID-19
SARS projects R285bn revenue loss
Dear MyPE South African economy can really be schizophrenic at the best of times. For instance, when the Rand strengthens, an economist whines and when it depreciates yet another learned-patriot-in-economics whinges. It is the same thing with SARS' projected R285bn revenue loss (The Herald, 6 May 2020) as that money wouldn't have made much difference in the lives of the country & general citizenry anyway. For a long while now, the country's resources are directed towards the Politically … [Read more...] about SARS projects R285bn revenue loss
Disability organisations receive donations
Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Deputy Minister, Hlengiwe Mkhize, has today handed over food parcels, sanitary pads and masks to disability organisations. This is to help mitigate the compounded risks that people with disabilities continue to experience during the COVID-19 lockdown. The donations were made to the Blind SA Association and the Deaf Federation of South Africa. The Ministry said people with disabilities should be supported though extraordinary measures to ensure … [Read more...] about Disability organisations receive donations
511 healthcare workers test positive for COVID-19
A total of 511 healthcare workers in the country have tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), says Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize. Addressing the media in Rustenburg on Wednesday at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital, the Minister said of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, 149 have recovered, 26 were hospitalised and two have lost their lives. Mkhize, together with the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, received personal protective equipment (PPE) … [Read more...] about 511 healthcare workers test positive for COVID-19
Rugby Players Get Paid
The Isuzu Southern Kings is pleased to have honoured its salary payment obligations to players and coaching staff yesterday. The funds emanate from funding received from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality which followed a lengthy process of negotiations between the franchise and the Metro. The funding received provided for salaries for players and coaching staff. The Chairman, Mr Loyiso Dotwana, stated: “We are appreciative of the funding and support received from the Nelson … [Read more...] about Rugby Players Get Paid
PE Shows the Way to build a Tourism Business, and Then Some
Showcase of 30 years of PE Based Mantis Mantis, a global hospitality development, management and marketing company based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is launching a docu-series about its 30-year journey in the tourism business. The series will launch on Wednesday 6th May 2020. The videos feature Founder and Executive Chairman of Mantis, Adrian Gardiner and his entrepreneurial family of tourism, conservation and adventure enthusiasts: Murray Gardiner – CEO of Gitledge Travel, and Paul … [Read more...] about PE Shows the Way to build a Tourism Business, and Then Some
Tourism Recovery Plan one dimensional and devoid of any research and fact
Dear MyPE On Monday, the Department of Tourism presented its Tourism Recovery Plan to Parliament. The Democratic Alliance (DA) was left with more questions than answers as the recovery plan, which the Department claims would use a “risk-adjusted approach”, can only be described as one dimensional and devoid of any proper research. The only immediate proposal is its discriminatory race-based Tourism Relief Fund which will only do the sector more harm than good. Of particular concern to … [Read more...] about Tourism Recovery Plan one dimensional and devoid of any research and fact
Urgent investigation needed into police station shutdown
Dear MyPE There needs to be a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of the New Brighton police station earlier this week, after a member tested positive for the Coronavirus. There are serious questions that need to be answered. I have therefore submitted parliamentary questions to the MEC of Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe. These relate to the time between when the station commander found out that a member tested positive and when the station … [Read more...] about Urgent investigation needed into police station shutdown
More Explanation of THAT Ban
The decision to uphold the ban on the sale of cigarettes as the fight against COVID-19 continues, has many citizens fired up and wondering if government is not encroaching on civil liberties. “People think that government is trying to force things down their throat,” says Dr Catherine Egbe, a specialist scientist of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Civil liberties, which form part of our daily lives, are hardly given a … [Read more...] about More Explanation of THAT Ban
COVID-19 pushes by-election dates
As the pandemic continues to plague the entire nation, the Electoral Court has since been forced to postpone the by-elections that were set for June due to COVID-19. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Electoral Commission said it welcomed the decision and that it will revise the by-elections timetable accordingly. “The Electoral Court today granted the application of the Electoral Commission to postpone the by-elections scheduled for 3 and 10 June along with associated … [Read more...] about COVID-19 pushes by-election dates
Public cannot collect social grants at labour centres
The Employment and Labour Department has referred the public wishing to collect their R350 social grant to the Social Development Department. This follows scores of people visiting the department’s labour centres on Monday with the aim of collecting their social grant. According to reports, large numbers of people flocked to labour centres in Alberton in Gauteng; Port Elizabeth, East London, Grahamstown, Graaf Reinet, Queenstown and Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape; Pinetown in … [Read more...] about Public cannot collect social grants at labour centres
SANParks distributes food parcels to communities
The South African National Parks (SANParks) CEO, Fundisile Mketeni and the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko, today handed over food parcels and hygiene products to 300 households living in areas adjacent to Addo Elephant National Park, in the Eastern Cape. They also handed over a further 800 food hampers to communities residing around other national parks in the region which includes Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra … [Read more...] about SANParks distributes food parcels to communities
Municipalities warned against water cuts
Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has appealed to municipalities throughout the country to refrain from the abrupt cutting of water supply to residents. The Minister’s appeal comes as thousands of residents contacted the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) call centre complaining about municipalities who have cut off water supply to residents who are in arrears or for no apparent reason. According to the department, most of the complaints were from Western Cape, … [Read more...] about Municipalities warned against water cuts
Patel meets with clothing industry
As 1.5 milion workers in the South African economy returned to work this week, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has met with representatives of the clothing textile, footwear and leather sector. Monday’s virtual meeting with the sector was held to review the readiness of shops and factories for the new Level 4 lockdown which kicked in on 1 May. “The meeting agreed to develop a common framework on implementation of COVID-ready workplaces that can serve as a … [Read more...] about Patel meets with clothing industry
SARS urges taxpayers to use e-services amid COVID-19
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers to remain compliant and make use of its online services as the country battles an ailing economy compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. “If there was ever a time where delivering on our mandate matters, it is now. During this time, it remains extremely important for all taxpayers to remain compliant,” said SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter. This, Kieswetter said means taxpayers must register when they are legally … [Read more...] about SARS urges taxpayers to use e-services amid COVID-19
