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KHOI SAN ROOIBOS MILLIONS PAYOUTS @KASIBCNEWS
KHOI SAN ROOIBOS MILLIONS PAYOUTS @KASIBCNEWS
History was made this past week when the Rooibos industry disbursed the first round of benefit-sharing funds to the National Khoi and San Council and the South African San Council as part of an Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) agreement that was signed between the parties in 2019.
As a signatory to the Nagoya Protocol, South Africa requires all who trade in indigenous biological resources to share benefits with traditional knowledge holders in a fair and equitable way.
Negotiations between the parties began as far back as 2014, when the Khoi and San were recognised by the South African government as the rightful traditional knowledge holders of Rooibos.
The Rooibos ABS agreement is one of SA’s success stories with respect to the implementation of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), the Access and Benefit-Sharing Regulations (BABS Regulations), as well as the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits arising from their utilisation.
The agreement is a first-of-its-kind in the world. Other agreements involved specific companies and traditional knowledge holders, whereas this agreement encompasses the entire industry, ensuring all volumes of Rooibos sold are levied through one process.
Going forward, a benefit-sharing levy of 1.5% of the farm gate price will be paid into a trust annually.
To ensure financial propriety, a lengthy, but necessary administrative process preceded the R12,2 million payout that was generated in the first year of farmgate purchases.
The amount was paid into the Bioprospecting Trust Fund/Suspense account before being transferred into the two Community Trust accounts established by the South African San Council and the National Khoisan Council. The money received by the Department has been shared equally between the two respective communities with the Khoi-Khoi Peoples Biodiversity and Rooibos Trust and the Andries Steenkamp ABS Trust each receiving R6 138 961.25. These monies only relate to the Rooibos Benefit-Sharing Agreement.
The two Councils are presently finalising processes and procedures on how the money received will be distributed across the Khoi-Khoi and San Communities.
The funds received will also be used to protect their cultural heritage, to advance education and development within the community and to improve their livelihoods with respect, honesty, fairness and care. Community structures are to be assisted to develop governance structures before the benefit is shared.
The Khoi-Khoi Biodiversity Trust is developing a comprehensive plan to distribute the funds in a way that will secure equity and fairness to all. It will be guided by a set of principles and policies, and communities will only be able to access funds by submitting a formal business plan to the CEO of the Trust. This process will be communicated to the different community structures and be followed up by workshops.
Martin Bergh, Chairperson of the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) says the industry is delighted that the first funds have now been paid to the representatives of the Khoi and San people and remain committed to the terms of the Access and Benefit-sharing agreement.
THE QUALITY OF SERVICES OFFERED BY CHARLOTTE MAXEKE HOSPITAL @KASIBCNEWS
THE QUALITY OF SERVICES OFFERED BY CHARLOTTE MAXEKE HOSPITAL @KASIBCNEWS
The Gauteng Department of Health would like to clarify the misinformation circulating on social media platforms regarding the quality of service offered by the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital’s (CMJAH) Urology Department.
CMJAH Urology Department is a highly specialised unit which services many hospitals beyond the province of Gauteng, with only 31 beds for admissions. Many patients are referred from outward provinces like the North-West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, which naturally puts a strain on an the already overburdened system.
All patients admitted for operations at the Urology department have to undergo vigorous investigations such as blood tests and scans to scientifically inform the approach and timing of the procedures. At times, the findings of the investigations leads to more blood tests to ascertain the root cause so as to allow the correct procedure to be performed. These can take anything from one to two weeks before the operation can be performed.
The allegations that patients were being turned away due to the shortage of beds in the Urology Department are misinformed and misguided. Like in any hospital across the world, elective operations are postponed now and then due to prioritisation of emergency operations. However, whenever an operation is postponed, the patients or family is always informed and there is always a catch-up plan to perform the operations as soon as possible.
In the context of the limited resources, the Department is working tirelessly to provide the best patient experience of care possible and continues to ensure that the well-being of patients is always prioritised.
Whenever patients are not happy with the services offered at any of our facilities, they are encouraged to immediately register their complaints to the manager in charge of that ward or clinic or through the Quality Assurance Units. Alternatively, patients or the public can contact our Head Office Quality Assurance Directorate by calling 0800 203 886
or send an email to patientcomplaints.health@gauteng.gov.za and SMS 35025 complaints.
GAUTENG LOCAL GOVERNMENT TURNAROUND SUMMIT DECLARES COMMITMENT TO BUILDING SMART AND RESILIENT MUNICIPALITIES @KASIBCNEWS
GAUTENG LOCAL GOVERNMENT TURNAROUND SUMMIT DECLARES COMMITMENT TO BUILDING SMART AND RESILIENT MUNICIPALITIES @KASIBCNEWS
The Gauteng Local Government Turnaround Summit, held at Misty Hills Hotel and
Conference Centre in Mogale City, West Rand Region, on the 23rd and 24th of
October 2024, opened and closed by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, concluded with a firm
commitment from participants to drive transformative change in local municipalities.
Themed “Building Smart and Resilient Municipalities of the Future,” the summit
brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from eleven (11)
municipalities, Provincial Government Departments, National Government
Departments, State-Owned Entities, and experts in local government.
The summit was
facilitated by former Statistician-General, Dr Pali Lehohla and received reports from
various institutions including the Gauteng City Region Observatory (GCRO), AGSA,
Stats SA, South African Cities Network. Attended by the two Royal Houses in Gauteng
other traditional leaders, Mayors and Members of Mayoral Committees from across
the city region, the summit delved into issues that face the local sphere of government
and through its commissions produced a plan on solutions to address these.
Speaking during the opening ceremony Deputy Minister for the National Department
of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Dr Dickson Masemola
emphasised the importance of professionalizing local government through the
appointment of suitably qualified people in the right positions, adding that there was a
review of the white paper on the funding model for municipalities.
The summit also took a report on the financial state of Gauteng municipalities from
MEC of Finance and Economic Development Mr Lebogang Maile who remarked that
the provincial Treasury had appointed technical advisors that would provide
municipalities with financial management and would assist them in implementing
Financial Recovery Plans.
MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA Mr Jacob Mamabolo announced that
an implementation monitoring committee comprising MMC’s of Corporate Services
and Municipal Managers from all municipalities would be established to ensure that
decisions of the summit were implemented.
In the declaration issued at the summit’s conclusion, participants acknowledged that
local governments face persistent challenges across governance, finance,
infrastructure, service delivery, local economic development, spatial restructuring, and
safety and security.
Key Issues Addressed:
• Local governments face serious challenges in governance, financial
sustainability, and service delivery.
• Governance is complicated by coalition arrangements in many municipalities.
• Infrastructure decay hampers service delivery and local economic growth.
• Financial viability remains a pressing issue for most municipalities.
• The global digital shift is transforming service provision.
The summit celebrated 25 years of achievements in local governance and service
delivery, but participants recognised that Gauteng municipalities must do more to meet
their constitutional mandates and address emerging challenges, including climate
change and rapid urbanisation.
Reaffirmation of the District Development Model (DDM)
A key outcome of the summit was the reaffirmation of the District Development Model
(DDM) as the main approach to tackling municipal challenges. The DDM One Plan will
guide turnaround efforts across municipalities in the Gauteng City Region (GCR).
Commitment to turnaround
Participants pledged to transformative actions grounded in cooperative governance,
intergovernmental collaboration, strategic partnerships, and social compacts.
Strategic themes identified for the turnaround included:
• Municipal Governance: Promoting clean, accountable, and ethical
governance.
• Municipal Administration: Committing to the professionalisation and
continuous development of municipal administration.
• Municipal Finance: Strengthening accountable financial management, with
sound budgeting, reporting, and accountability processes.
• Infrastructure and Service Delivery: Delivering projects on time, within
budget, and to high standards, with active public participation.
• Local Economic Development: Driving local economic growth in alignment
with the Township Economy Development Act.
• Spatial Restructuring: Redressing apartheid spatial planning and fostering
inclusive development.
• Municipal Digital Transformation: Advancing the digitalisation and
modernisation of governance and service delivery systems.
• Safety and Security: Focusing on community safety and infrastructure
protection.
In closing, Gauteng Premier Lesufi thanked the collective leadership for addressing
critical local government challenges and outlined priority areas:
• Upgrading aging water, electricity, and sewer infrastructure.
• Preparing for anticipated water shortages.
• Tackling municipal revenue challenges.
• Addressing issues related to undocumented foreign nationals and businesses.
• Combating high levels of crime, corruption, and government property
vandalism.
• Preventing land invasion and creating opportunity in waste management
• Improving townships, hostels, and informal settlements, and implementing
Central Business Districts (CBD) revitalisation, with a focus on the
Johannesburg CBD
• The repurposing of the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency to support
bulk services and infrastructure development
• The modernisation of the indigent register
• Tackling climate change and augmenting disaster management
“We are pleased that for the first time since the 2021 Local Government Elections, all
municipalities, without exception, today we are meeting here to work together. We are
now planning together from the centre as one province, with one plan and one
execution plan,” said the Premier. He emphasised that the summit was a seminal point
of reference point marking a period where the provincial government and local
government commit to doing things differently.
“We must all pull our resources together for the benefit of everyone in our province,”
said Premier Lesufi.
Senior Citizens enjoy relaxed and fun picnic at Johannesburg ZOO #KASIBCNEWS
Senior Citizens enjoy relaxed and fun picnic at Johannesburg ZOO #KASIBCNEWS
Dozens of senior citizens gathered at the Johannesburg Zoo this week for a special “picnic in the park” event organised by the City of Johannesburg’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM Region F) in collaboration with the Social Development and Sport & Recreation Departments.
Elderly residents from Wards 54 and 125 in Region F2 attended the event accompanied by their ward councillors, Cllr Matsobane Sekhu of Ward 125 and Cllr Stuart Marais of Ward 54. This was the second picnic for the elderly this month after a successful event on the International Day of Older Persons, 1 October, where hundreds of seniors from various wards took part.
The picnic provided a refreshing break from daily routines, offering a chance for seniors to enjoy nature, socialise, participate in fun games, and engage in activities that promote emotional and psychological well-being.
October, designated by the United Nations to honour and appreciate senior citizens, carries the theme “Aging with Dignity” this year, serving as a reminder to respect and support the health and well-being of our elders.
The day was all about giving back to our cherished elders, with every detail thoughtfully planned to ensure relaxation, enjoyment, and the creation of lasting memories. Seniors explored the zoo, viewed animals, and enjoyed nature, leaving them feeling refreshed and uplifted.
Throughout the morning, participants joined in fun games such as tug of war, swing ball, juskei, ring the stick, morabaraba, and more. They were also treated to fresh fruit, water, and juice.
In his welcoming speech, Cllr Marais addressed the attendees, saying: “This day is for you. We want to bring variety into your life. Whether you’re busy or spend much time at home, today is your day to relax and have fun. We’re grateful to CRUM and the other departments for organising such a beautiful event, and we hope you enjoy yourselves.”
Meshack Maluleke, Regional Manager of Social Development in Region F, echoed this sentiment, adding: “We’re so pleased to host you today. As senior citizens, you hold immense value as keepers of knowledge and history. Today, we want you to relax and enjoy yourselves without worry. It’s important that our elderly have the resources to enjoy their golden years with health, dignity, and a sense of belonging.”
“October is Senior Citizens’ Month, and we want to remind you that the city has services designed for you. Today we are joined by social workers from your areas; please don’t hesitate to contact them when needed,” said Maluleke.
One active participant from Ward 125 shared, “I walk three times a week with a group of over 10 grannies, and we also hike on weekends. We believe staying fit is essential for our health, and we love being outdoors and enjoying nature.”
Research has shown that interacting with animals can help lower blood pressure, reduce heart rates, decrease stress levels, and provide a calming sense of well-being. The zoo’s surroundings certainly contributed to a serene experience for everyone who attended.
RISE OF KIDNAPPINGS AND THEIR LINK TO EXTORTION IN SOUTH AFRICA @KASIBCNEWS
RISE OF KIDNAPPINGS AND THEIR LINK TO EXTORTION IN SOUTH AFRICA @KASIBCNEWS
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly condemns the alarming rise in
kidnappings across South Africa, which has seen a staggering increase of over 260%
in the last decade. With more than 17,000 kidnappings recorded in the past year alone,
recent reports show that this surge is directly connected to the growing extortion crisis
that continues to terrorise communities, businesses, and individuals throughout the
country.
Kidnapping has become a central feature of the extortion rackets that have taken root
in South Africa, with criminal groups exploiting the vulnerability of citizens and using
violence and coercion to extract ransom payments.
This trend mirrors global patterns
of organised crime, where extortion and kidnapping are intertwined, creating a toxic
cycle of violence and fear. These criminals, armed and highly organised, have turned
communities into hunting grounds for their illicit activities, leaving thousands of South
Africans living in terror. In fact, South Africa is now considered the sixth highest country
for kidnappings.
The EFF has repeatedly raised the issue of extortion and the criminal networks behind
it in Parliament, demanding urgent and decisive action from the government. Yet,
despite our calls, the ruling government and its law enforcement agencies have been
slow to respond. Extortion first emerged as a significant problem in KwaZulu-Natal
around 2014, but by 2019, it had spread to other provinces, embedding itself into
township economies, rural areas, construction sites, and even public services. This
slow and inadequate state response has allowed the criminal practice of extortion to
become normalised and entrenched across the country.
The failure to combat extortion at its roots has contributed to the surge in kidnappings,
as criminals exploit a state that is both unwilling or unable to protect its people.
Business owners, community leaders, and ordinary citizens are being brutalised into
compliance with criminal gangs, while the state has remained largely ineffective in
providing the necessary protection and justice.
In September, our Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema brought forward a draft
resolution to fight for the safety and security of South Africans. Our proposed
resolution calls for the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee dedicated to investigating
the widespread issue of extortion across South Africa.
This committee will hold public
hearings, seek input from small business owners, civil society groups, and subject
matter experts, and develop comprehensive policy and legislative recommendations
to eliminate this crime. Parliament must take a central role in holding the government
accountable and ensuring robust oversight in the ongoing battle against extortion.
We will continue to lobby for the adoption of this resolution demand as we cannot allow
extortion and kidnapping to become part of the fabric of our society. Additionally, the
EFF will continue to expose these injustices and hold the state accountable for its
failure to protect our people from the violence of organised crime.
President Cyril Ramaphosa BRICS Summit Russia 2024 @KASIBCNEWS
President Cyril Ramaphosa BRICS Summit Russia 2024 @KASIBCNEWS
Your Excellency, President Vladimir Putin,
Your Excellencies, Leaders of BRICS nations,
Your Excellencies, Leaders of Global and Regional Institutions,
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to begin by congratulating the Russian Federation and President Putin on chairing a successful BRICS Summit, as well as leading us all on adopting an excellent declaration.
The BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus engagements are important platforms for developing strong ties among countries from the greater Global South and emerging markets.
We should use these platforms to foster meaningful engagement.
We should use the BRICS platform to contribute to social, economic and cultural development of our peoples.
We welcome the Russian initiatives that are aimed at strengthening a number of BRICS countries through the various networks aimed at improving the future of BRICS countries’ transport networks and connectivity under the theme ‘Innovation and Digitalisation of Transport’.
This will help us find ways to integrate and deepen our inter-connectedness in new and imaginative ways.
Work has already begun in this regard through initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor, which is a multimodal transportation corridor established from St Petersburg to Mumbai.
This corridor is an opportunity for this region to unlock new trade flows and trade routes in an increasingly multipolar world.
On the African continent, the African Continental Free Trade Area will unlock opportunities for trade and investment for local and global businesses.
It will create a number of opportunities that will lead to an integrated and connected continent.
The Single African Air Transport Market is another flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063.
This is an initiative of the African Union to create a single unified air transport market in Africa to support the continent’s economic integration.
For BRICS and friends of BRICS, we need to use these projects to further connect the greater Global South.
The promotion of greater regional connectivity and trade facilitation can only succeed in an environment of peace and stability.
Excellencies,
South Africa is concerned about the military aggression by Israel against the people of Gaza, which we have characterised as genocide. This genocide led South Africa to approach the International Court of Justice with a view to stopping the killing of innocent women and children in Gaza. We believe the world cannot sit by and watch the suffering.
The world cannot afford a region-wide escalation of the conflict.
South Africa has been unwavering in advocating for a two state solution that would see an independent Palestinian state along the borders set out in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This would be in line with UN resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters.
We call on the international community and the UN Security Council in particular to address the spiralling conflict.
On our own continent, Sudan enters its second year of horrific conflict and devastation. This is another conflict the world seems to have forgotten about.
The protracted conflicts in the Sahel and Great Lakes regions in Africa persist.
We must find lasting solutions to all these conflicts.
We must remain committed to the peaceful resolution of all disputes through negotiation and inclusive dialogue.
We must safeguard the ability of states to pursue independent foreign policy.
We must safeguard the multilateral system, because it is the cornerstone of international relations, and foster an environment of peace and development.
Existing global institutional mechanisms need to be both strengthened and reformed to play a constructive role in international peace and security.
We cannot allow conflicts to continue in perpetuity.
We need to find paths to peace.
In our quest for a more interconnected, just and prosperous world, we have the ability to foster an environment of peace through a focus on sustainable development.
We must continue to support nations and peoples who seek to end the cycle of conflict and choose the path of peace.
I thank you. President Cyril Ramaphosa
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