LIMPOPO CLINIC REOPEN @KASIBCNEWS

LIMPOPO CLINIC REOPEN @KASIBCNEWS 

The Limpopo Department of Health announces today that the decision to reopen the Chuene Clinic, which was previously set to resume operations following a four-day closure, has been rescinded. The clinic will remain closed indefinitely until further notice.

This decision follows a thorough reassessment of the impact that the devastating incidents, including break-ins, robbery, abduction, and sexual assault of the nursing staff, have had on the affected personnel. After careful consideration of the emotional and psychological toll these traumatic events have had on the staff, as well as taking heed of their legitimate safety concerns, the department believes it is in the best interest of both healthcare workers and the community to temporarily halt the clinic’s operations.

We acknowledge and deeply regret the trauma that the healthcare workers at Chuene Clinic have experienced. The safety, well-being, and mental health of our healthcare professionals are of utmost importance, and their concerns must be addressed before any resumption of services can take place.

The department is committed to improving security measures at all healthcare facilities across the province to ensure that our healthcare workers can perform their duties without fear for their safety. The department will work closely with relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement and community leaders, to ensure that adequate protections are in place at the clinic before it is reopened.

In the meantime, community members are advised to continue seeking healthcare services at nearby facilities, including Maja, Soetfontein, and Block B until the situation at Chuene Clinic is resolved.

The department thanks the public for their understanding and continued support in ensuring a safe and secure environment for our healthcare workers.

CEDERBERG GOVERNMENT OF LOCAL UNITY @KASIBCNEWS

CEDERBERG GOVERNMENT OF LOCAL UNITY @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) expresses deep disappointment in the recent decision by the Cederberg Eerste Residents Association (CE) to form a so-called “Government of Local Unity” with the ANC in the Cederberg Municipality. This is nothing more than a coalition between Cederberg Eerste and the ANC.

It is obvious that the CE chose teaming up with the ANC over facing accountability. Again, it shows that by voting for smaller parties, voters are not sure where or to who their votes are going to.

While the DA acknowledges the challenges faced in the municipality, we firmly believe this new coalition with the ANC is a major threat to open, honest and transparent service delivery to Cederberg residents. This political ploy is a guise to place greedy, power-hungry politicians’ needs above the interests and well-being of the local residents.

The DA will continue to deliver for its voters whether in opposition or in government. We will also hold whoever governs Cederberg accountable and we’ll drive issues that serve the residents of Cederberg.

MATLOSANA WATER CRISES @KASIBCNEWS

The DA in Matlosana calls for urgent action as water services break down, leaving residents without reliable water supply. For four consecutive days, water repair interruptions have affected the community while repair teams remain crippled by a severe lack of vehicles.

In Ward 39 alone, more than 100 unresolved water-related issues have been reported. These include leaking pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) and faulty water meters, which continue to inflate residents' accounts unfairly and add to the destruction of the infrastructure around the leaks. The lack of operational resources has left the community questioning the municipality’s commitment to basic service delivery.

The depth of the crisis was exposed during a routine Council meeting in 2024, where it was revealed by a fellow DA councillor to the MMC of Infrastructure that Klerksdorp's five water teams share only one functioning vehicle, this appeared to be news to the MMC. The lack of transportation means only the most severe emergencies are addressed, leaving routine maintenance and minor but critical repairs unattended.

Mismanagement of Fleet control is the root cause. By November 2024, 53% of the water team’s vehicles were stuck in the maintenance workshop due to repairs delayed by non-payment. As of January 2025, the situation has worsened— 100% of Klerksdorp and Jouberton teams' vehicles are now out of commission, again due to non-payment.

DA Matlosana is calling on municipal leadership, MMC, and Directors to address this growing crisis urgently. The community demands accountability and immediate action to restore the basic services that every citizen has a right to expect.

CEASEFIRE HAMAS AND ISREAL #KASIBCNEWS

CEASEFIRE HAMAS AND ISREAL #KASIBCNEWS

 

South Africa welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of Israel’s genocidal onslaught on Gaza after Hamas and other armed groups launched an attack on Israel.

South Africa calls for the implementation of a just and lasting peace that ensures the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis are protected and promoted. The ceasefire agreement is a crucial first step toward ending the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has deemed to be plausibly genocidal.

The ceasefire must lay the basis for a just peace which should include the establishment of a contiguous, independent, and viable Palestinian state. Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld. It is imperative that no land is annexed in either Gaza or the West Bank following the ceasefire, and that illegal settlement expansion is halted.

In accordance with the successive rulings of the ICJ, the provisional measures prescribed by the ICJ must be adhered to by the occupying power. International law and humanitarian law must be respected and upheld.

Immediate and massive humanitarian aid is urgently needed to provide relief to civilians in Gaza. All obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid must be lifted immediately and unconditionally, allowing civilians unrestricted access to essential food, water, shelter, and healthcare.

MINISTER OF FINANCE, PRE-WEF BREAKFAST BRIEFING SESSION @KASIBCNEWS

MINISTER OF FINANCE,PRE-WEF BREAKFAST BRIEFING SESSION @KASIBCNEWS

1. Introduction

Good morning, distinguished guests, colleagues in Cabinet, and partners in business. It is a privilege to welcome you to the Pre-WEF Breakfast Briefing Session. This gathering underscores the importance of collaboration between business and government as we prepare to present South Africa’s story on the global stage.

The WEF Annual Meeting brings together a wide array of key global stakeholders. These audiences are keen to understand the opportunities and challenges facing South Africa. It is essential that we align our key messages to showcase our country’s strengths, address misconceptions, and advance our collective priorities. By presenting a unified message, we can enhance South Africa’s standing and influence in the global community.

2. WEF Theme

This year’s WEF theme, Collaboration in the Intelligent Age, speaks directly to the era we are entering, one defined by transformative technologies and interconnected challenges. For South Africa, this theme resonates deeply. Collaboration is the foundation upon which we can harness innovation to address our economic and social challenges, while ensuring that technological advancements are inclusive and equitable. Minister Malatsi will delve further into this theme, exploring its implications for our nation and how we can leverage it to drive growth and prosperity.

OPENING ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, MR ENOCH GODONGWANA, AT THE PRE-WEF BREAKFAST BRIEFING SESSION 16 January 2025

G20 Presidency

This year’s WEF is particularly significant for South Africa. For the first time in many years, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, will lead the South African delegation. This presents a golden opportunity to not only strengthen South Africa’s visibility on the world stage, but to also profile our G20 Presidency.

Under the theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, our G20 Presidency reflects the essence of South Africa’s vision for global leadership.

• Solidarity emphasises the power of unity and mutual support, recognising that our interconnected world requires cooperative solutions to shared challenges. • Equality focuses on creating fair opportunities for all and addressing systemic disparities, ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of global development. • Sustainability reminds us of the need to balance economic growth with social inclusion and environmental stewardship, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Domestic Economy

Turning to the state of the South African economy, we acknowledge the challenges we face. The third quarter contraction, combined with the slight downward revision of the second quarter GDP, resulted in modest growth of 0.4% over the first three quarters of 2024. This was below the projections included in the 2024 MTBPS macroeconomic forecast.

However, we remain cautiously optimistic. There are significant upside risks to growth in the final quarter, including faster-than-anticipated easing of inflationary pressures, improved electricity reliability, and the stimulus effect of the withdrawals of the two-pot retirement system. While the road ahead is challenging, these positive indicators provide a foundation for stronger growth in 2025 and beyond.

Government of National Unity

In the political arena, South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has demonstrated its potential to unite the nation and foster progress. This era of governance has allowed for meaningful discussions on accelerating structural reforms. The positive reception from both the markets and the public has created a conducive environment for the GNU to deliver on its commitments and build an investment-friendly environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as we prepare to represent South Africa in Davos, let us remember the strength that lies in collaboration. Together, government and business can drive the messages that matter most, which are those of resilience, opportunity, and shared prosperity.

Thank you for your commitment to this mission. I look forward to our productive discussions today and to working with all of you to ensure South Africa’s success on the global stage. Thank you.