Posts

Posted on

President Ramaphosa to lead Reconciliation Day commemoration

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, deliver a keynote address at the national commemoration of Reconciliation Day.

This year’s commemoration takes place at the Ncome Museum, Nquthu Local Municipality, within the uMzinyathi District in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will lead this year’s national event under the theme: “ Reaffirming Reconciliation for Future Generations. ”

This year’s theme enshrines on the call for South Africans to deepen commitment to unity, healing, forgiveness and nation-building for shared future.

The selection of the Battle of Blood River heritage site at the Ncome Museum signifies the value of cherishing unity and peace collectively as South Africans.

The fierce battle between the Voortrekker invaders and the Zulu forces unfolded 187 years ago in 1838 and marked a historical episode that shaped differing and often divisive commemorative customs for more than a century.

However, as a part of redressing the past injustices in South Africa, the democratic government redefined the day in 1995 as the National Day of Reconciliation onwards.

That was a unifying effort to transform the day from a symbol of division into a transformative platform for truth, justice, dialogue, healing and a shared nationhood. 

Hosting the 2025 programme at Ncome reaffirms this commitment and invites the nation to engage honestly with its complex past while advancing a future rooted in inclusion, understanding and unity.

The commemoration will take places as follows:
Date: 16 December 2025
Time: 08h00
Venue: Ncome Museum, in Nquthu KwaZulu-Natal Province

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

Posted on

Burundi : Bujumbura, Capitale de la jeunesse africaine célèbre la créativité et l’innovation des jeunes talents

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Ce samedi 13 décembre 2025, Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, Président de la République du Burundi et champion de l’Union Africaine pour l’Agenda Jeunesse, Paix et Sécurité, a rehaussé de sa présence un événement exceptionnel à Bujumbura, capitale de la jeunesse africaine, dédié à la créativité et à l’innovation des jeunes talents.

La 4ème édition du Dialogue continental sur la Jeunesse, la Paix et la Sécurité s’est ainsi combinée à la finale de la 3ème édition d’Inkerebutsi Day, offrant un cadre unique pour célébrer les talents et les projets innovants des jeunes. Placée sous le thème « Valorisation des initiatives locales : réalisations et perspectives d’avenir », cette grande finale a permis à dix initiatives remarquables, sélectionnées au niveau national, d’être présentées, illustrant l’esprit entrepreneurial des jeunes Burundais.

Le projet de la société D-TECHNO s’est particulièrement démarqué. Spécialisée dans la fabrication de machines de transformation, cette entreprise incarne pleinement le dynamisme et l’ingéniosité des jeunes entrepreneurs burundais. Pour son innovation et son impact, elle a été honorée par un trophée et un prix de 20 millions de FBu, remis des mains de Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye, Président de la République du Burundi, en reconnaissance de son rôle exemplaire dans le développement économique et technologique du pays.

Le Chef de l’Etat, Son Excellence Evariste Ndayishimiye et Ami des Jeunes, a tenu à féliciter la jeunesse burundaise, saluant son rôle exemplaire à l’échelle africaine. Il a rappelé que la persévérance et le travail acharné sont les clés du succès et de l’épanouissement, encourageant tous les jeunes à continuer à oser et à entreprendre.

Fier de la jeunesse burundaise en général, et particulièrement de celle qui se consacre pleinement à la valorisation de la culture, le Père de la Nation a offert deux vaches au club culturel Amagaba. Il a encouragé les membres du club à tirer pleinement parti de ce don afin d’en faire un outil de développement et de prospérité pour leur club.

Distribué par APO Group pour Présidence de la République du Burundi.

Posted on

Qatar Among Five Largest Donors to UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for 2025

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, December 14, 2025

The State of Qatar expressed its pride in being among the five largest donor countries contributing to humanitarian aid to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for 2025, with a total exceeding USD 1.528 billion, reflecting the utmost priority Qatar gives to humanitarian response.

This came in Qatar’s statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the United Nations General Assembly session on Agenda item 72 (a): Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance: strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, convened at the UN headquarters in New York.

HE Sheikha Alya emphasized that the UNGA convenes to weigh in on this agenda at a time when a variety of world territories are experiencing a profoundly perilous humanitarian situation, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where humanitarian needs are unprecedentedly mounting due to the Israeli aggression in the enclave.

At the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar launched a humanitarian aid land bridge last October in response to the urgent needs to mitigate the anguish of the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, Sheikha Alya highlighted.

She pointed out that the bridge was launched through the territories of the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, noting that this initiative came in the wake of the signing of the document to end the war in the Gaza Strip during the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, with Qatar emphasizing the importance of fully consolidating the ceasefire, putting an end to the suffering of civilians, ensuring unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, and embarking on early recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Her Excellency evinced that the tragic humanitarian situation in Al-Fashir in the sisterly Republic of Sudan, and the tough conditions faced by civilians, including severe food shortages and increasing need for shelter supplies and essential goods due to the armed conflict, triggered the State of Qatar to dispatch humanitarian and relief assistance last November to support the displaced from Al-Fashir in Darfur and surrounding areas.

The State of Qatar stresses the need for the Rapid Support Forces to fulfill their duty in protecting civilians, ensuring the secure delivery of humanitarian aid, and adhering to international humanitarian law as stipulated in the Jeddah Declaration, Sheikha Alya continued.

She clarified that from 2013 until October 2025, the State of Qatar provided USD 1.9 billion in support of the general budget and core contributions to UN agencies, their regional offices, and initiatives, adding that, based on the existing partnership between Qatar and the UN, Qatar provided multi-year support for the core resources of OCHA during the period 2017-2026, totaling USD 88 million, to strengthen its capacity to implement its mandate.

Yesterday, the renewal of the State of Qatar’s support for the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for 2026 was declared, bringing its total contributions to CERF since its inception to over USD22million, Sheikha Alya recalled.

Sheikha Alya elaborated that the worsening humanitarian situation gripping numerous crisis zones triggers intensified diplomatic efforts to have a climate in place that helps ensure urgent and unconditional access to humanitarian aid, with the objective of salvaging millions of civilians from humanitarian suffering.

She stressed that this action requires a regional and global effort in prioritizing humanitarian action and protecting workers operating in the humanitarian field, as they are the key drivers of delivering humanitarian aid.

Her Excellency further noted that last September, the State of Qatar joined the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, led by Australia, and the Global Initiative launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross to strengthen and ensure respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).

Finally, HE Sheikha Alya underlined the State of Qatar’s steadfast efforts to strengthen humanitarian diplomacy, in pursuit of mitigating humanitarian suffering and protecting human dignity.

Posted on

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bids Farewell to Ambassador of Haiti

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | December 14, 2025

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Sunday with HE Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to the State of Qatar Jean-Marie Francois Junior Guillaume, on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the country.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs expressed his thanks to HE the Ambassador for his efforts in supporting and strengthening bilateral relations, and wished him success in his new assignment.

Posted on

Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC) Celebrate Graduation of First Cohort of Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program

Source: APO


.

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC) celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of the Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program, a flagship joint initiative designed to nurture entrepreneurial leaders across IsDB Member Countries.

The ceremony took place on 11 December 2025 at the IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah, under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the IsDB. It brought together senior officials, faculty members, program sponsors, distinguished guests, and IsDB Group staff.

Twenty-nine entrepreneurs from 20 IsDB Member Countries successfully completed the program, which included online learning modules as well as rigorous in-person training delivered by MBSC faculty and IsDBI experts.

Eng. Adeeb Al-Aama, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), represented the IsDB President during the ceremony. In his speech, Eng. Al-Aama commended the participants for their dedication and highlighted the strategic importance of supporting young entrepreneurs in driving sustainable development, job creation, and innovation.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program was implemented with sponsorship from three IsDB Group entities, namely the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and ITFC.

In a speech on behalf of the sponsors, Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of ICIEC and Acting CEO of ICD, noted that the sponsorship by the three entities reflects their shared commitment to supporting entrepreneurship as a driver of private-sector growth and social impact.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of the IsDB Institute, emphasized the Institute’s long-term vision of nurturing entrepreneurial capabilities as a catalyst for development and economic resilience across Member Countries. He noted that the strong partnership between the IsDB Institute and MBSC stands as a model of effective collaboration, combining academic excellence with development impact to serve the needs of Member Countries.

Dr. Zeger Degraeve, Executive Dean of MBSC, commended the graduates for their high engagement, intellectual curiosity, and determination. He reaffirmed MBSC’s commitment to equipping emerging leaders with world-class entrepreneurial capabilities rooted in rigorous academic standards and practical skills.

The ceremony also featured remarks from Graduate Representatives, Ms. Ahd Abu Alrob and Mr. Nurgozha Kaliaskarov, who shared their reflections on the program’s potential transformative impact and highlighted the diversity and collective strength of the cohort.

The event concluded with a Faculty Perspective delivered by Dr. Muhammad Azam Roomi, Program Director and Professor at MBSC, who praised the participants’ resilience and entrepreneurial mindset. He emphasized that the program’s success reflects not only the curriculum but also the collaborative spirit between MBSC, IsDBI, and the IsDB Group entities.

Throughout the program, participants received advanced training in entrepreneurial strategy, innovation, leadership, negotiation, business modeling, and financial management. They also benefited from mentorship, team-based exercises, and practical assignments designed to strengthen real-world decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The graduation ceremony also highlighted the formation by the cohort of a joint entrepreneurial alliance, initiated by the participants, to foster long-term collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. Additionally, participants will apply their expertise in social impact measurement to evaluate the program’s effect on entrepreneurial ventures across Member Countries.

The IsDB Institute and MBSC reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand future cohorts of the Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program, thereby advancing their joint mission to empower entrepreneurs and foster innovation-led, sustainable development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

Social media handles:
X (Twitter): https://apo-opa.co/4oRILPS
Facebook:  https://apo-opa.co/4pC9SQb
LinkedIn:  https://apo-opa.co/3XQ7vgq

About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org/

Posted on

Qatar condemns attack on beach near Sydney, Australia

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha – December 14, 2025

The State of Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attack that took place on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia, which resulted in deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm stance against violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of the motives or reasons.

The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Posted on

SA extends condolences following Sydney terror attacks

Source: Government of South Africa

SA extends condolences following Sydney terror attacks

The Government of the Republic of South Africa has extended its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the people and Government of the Commonwealth of Australia following the tragic terrorist attacks in Sydney.

According to media reports, 11 people were shot at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, with the attack designated as a “terror incident” targeting the Australian Jewish community.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, especially the families and friends of the victims. We condemn this senseless violence, which appears to have targeted the Jewish faithful while they were lighting candles for Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. 

“There is no justification for terrorism or attacks on any group based on faith or identity. South Africa stands in solidarity with Australia during this period of mourning and grief,” the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said on Sunday. –SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

87 views

Posted on

Afreximbank Inicia Construção do seu Emblemático Centro de Comércio e Nova Sede na Nova Capital do Egipto

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), a principal instituição financeira multilateral de África, assinalou hoje um marco histórico com a cerimónia de inauguração do Centro de Comércio Africano do Afreximbank (AATC) na nova capital do Egipto, que será igualmente a nova sede global do Banco.

Situado no Distrito Diplomático da Nova Capital, aproximadamente 45 quilómetros a leste de Cairo, o Centro de Comércio Africano do Afreximbank estará localizado num ambiente moderno e estrategicamente planificado que reúne ministérios governamentais, embaixadas estrangeiras e organizações internacionais. Será a primeira instalação deste tipo na região da África do Norte.

Ao discursar na cerimónia, o Primeiro-Ministro do Egipto, Sua Excelência Dr. Mostafa Madbouly,  afirmou que: “A criação do Centro de Comércio Africano do Afreximbank (AATC) na Nova Capital do Egipto reflecte o importante papel do Egipto na promoção da integração económica e na facilitação do comércio continental.

Como país anfitrião da sede global do Afreximbank, o Egipto tem orgulho de aprofundar esta colaboração por meio de uma instalação histórica que servirá como um centro de inteligência comercial, capacitação, inovação e conectividade continental.”

O Presidente do Conselho de Administração do Afreximbank,  Dr George Elombi, expressou o seu agradecimento ao Governo do Egipto pelo seu apoio constante desde a criação do Banco em 1993. Referiu que o Egipto acolhe a sede global do Banco há mais de três décadas, contribuindo significativamente para o forte crescimento do Afreximbank, e que o Egipto, representado pelo seu Banco Central, é igualmente o maior accionista soberano do Afreximbank.

O Dr. Elombi afirmou que: “Este Centro de Comércio Africano do Afreximbank na Nova Capital não se destina apenas a acomodar a expansão do Banco, mas a fornecer igualmente uma solução concreta concebida para resolver a falta de informação sobre comércio e investimento entre as empresas africanas, um desafio que tem confundido o crescimento do comércio e investimento intra-africano há quase sete décadas.”

Descrevendo a relação entre o Afreximbank e o Governo do Egipto como “verdadeiramente simbiótica”, o Dr. Elombi afirmou que o Banco já desembolsou 41 mil milhões de dólares americanos na economia egípcia até à data, apoiando o aumento do investimento em sectores estratégicos, incluindo energia, telecomunicações, construção e indústria transformadora, ao mesmo tempo que reforçou o comércio e o investimento entre o Egipto e África.

“Ajudámos entidades egípcias a capitalizar as crescentes oportunidades de investimento em toda África, ajudando-as a garantir e executar projectos em vários países.”

O Centro de Comércio Africano do Afreximbank na Nova Capital, Cairo, posicionará o Egipto como um importante centro comercial, abrigando centros de tecnologia e incubação de PME, bem como um portal digital de comércio africano que oferece informações comerciais, verificação de clientes, pagamentos e outros serviços digitais.

O AATC do Cairo faz parte da visão mais ampla do Afreximbank de desenvolver uma rede de Centros de Comércio Africanos em centros comerciais estratégicos em toda a África e nas Caraíbas. Estes centros fornecerão informações comerciais, inteligência de mercado, financiamento, oportunidades de trabalho em rede e colaboração e instalações de apoio essenciais para acelerar o comércio, reforçar a cooperação económica e impulsionar o crescimento intra-africano.

Ocupando um terreno de 48.888 metros quadrados, o empreendimento de última geração do Afreximbank terá dois pisos subterrâneos e seis pisos, com uma área bruta total construída de 156.147 metros quadrados.

Quando estiver concluído, o AATC do Cairo oferecerá 57.298 metros quadrados de espaço de escritórios para acomodar a força de trabalho em rápida expansão do Afreximbank. Será disponibilizado espaço adicional para escritórios para agências africanas e internacionais envolvidas no comércio, finanças e investimento, bem como para algumas missões diplomáticas africanas estrangeiras.

O complexo irá albergar um conjunto completo de instalações modernas de apoio ao comércio, incluindo um centro de informação comercial, uma biblioteca e centro de conhecimento de classe mundial, um centro de inovação e incubação de PME para apoiar o empreendedorismo, um centro de negócios, um aparthotel com 110 quartos, um moderno centro de conferências com 750 lugares, um centro de exposições, locais de vendas a retalho e de restauração, lojas, extensas instalações de apoio e uma estrutura de estacionamento com 1200 lugares.

O desenho arquitectónico integra três blocos interligados dispostos em torno de uma rua interna ajardinada, criando o coração social e espacial do complexo. Pátios verdes, passarelas sombreadas e espaços de colaboração irão incentivar a interacção perfeita entre trabalho, aprendizagem e lazer, reflectindo o compromisso do Afreximbank com a inovação, a sustentabilidade e o bem-estar dos funcionários.

Concebido para obter o  nível de certificação LEED de Ouro ou superior, o complexo contará com sistemas inteligentes de eficiência energética, integração de energia solar, tecnologias de poupança de água e um design sensível ao clima, com espaços exteriores confortáveis e sombreados.

Isto torna a nova sede do Afreximbank um dos empreendimentos institucionais mais avançados e ambientalmente conscientes de África.

O Afreximbank nomeou a Hassan Allam Construction, uma das principais empresas de engenharia e construção do Egipto, como a principal empreiteira, com um contrato de 249,5 milhões de dólares. O desenho arquitectónico e a supervisão do projecto estão a ser liderados pela renomada empresa de engenharia EHAF Consulting Engineers.

Este projecto vai gerar um número significativo de empregos durante a fase de construção e nas operações em curso. Vai estimular oportunidades para empreiteiros locais, fornecedores, PME e uma vasta gama de prestadores de serviços.

Com conclusão prevista para o início de 2029, a inauguração do AATC do Cairo segue-se à inauguração do AATC de Barbados (https://apo-opa.co/48XmNFi) em Março de 2025 e à abertura oficial do AATC de Abuja (https://apo-opa.co/459NMw3) em Abril de 2025. A construção de projetos semelhantes em Harare e Kampala já está em curso.

A rede do Centro de Comércio Africano do Afreximbank incluirá centros em Abuja (Nigéria), Harare (Zimbabwe), Kampala (Uganda), Cairo (Egipto), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Yaoundé (Camarões), Bridgetown (Barbados), Kigali (Ruanda) e Tunes (Tunísia).

Em conjunto, estes Centros irão ligar compradores, vendedores, fornecedores, prestadores de serviços, empresas, governos, câmaras de comércio, instituições financeiras, organizações de desenvolvimento e a comunidade africana e global de comércio e investimento em geral.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Afreximbank.

Contacto para a Imprensa:
Vincent Musumba
Gestor de Comunicações e Eventos (Relações com os Meios de Comunicação Social)
Correio Electrónico: press@afreximbank.com

Siga-nos no:
X: https://apo-opa.co/44qp7mG
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4agKevt#
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4q64NiN
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4q9fJfM

Sobre o Afreximbank:
O Banco Africano de Exportação e Importação (Afreximbank) é uma instituição financeira multilateral pan-africana com mandato para financiar e promover o comércio intra e extra-africano. Há mais de 30 anos que o Banco utiliza estruturas inovadoras para oferecer soluções de financiamento que apoiam a transformação da estrutura do comércio africano, acelerando a industrialização e o comércio intra-regional, impulsionando assim a expansão económica em África. Apoiante firme do Acordo de Comércio Livre Continental Africano (ACLCA), o Afreximbank lançou um Sistema Pan-Africano de Pagamento e Liquidação (PAPSS) que foi adoptado pela União Africana (UA) como plataforma de pagamento e liquidação para sustentar a implementação da ZCLCA. Em colaboração com o Secretariado da ZCLCA e a UA, o Banco criou um Fundo de Ajustamento de 10 mil milhões de dólares para apoiar os países que participam de forma efectiva na ZCLCA. No final de Dezembro de 2024, o total de activos e contingências do Afreximbank ascendia a mais de 40,1 mil milhões de dólares e os seus fundos de accionistas a 7,2 mil milhões de dólares. O Afreximbank tem notações de grau de investimento atribuídas pela GCR (escala internacional) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) e Fitch (BBB-). O Afreximbank evoluiu para uma entidade de grupo que inclui o Banco, a sua subsidiária de fundo de impacto de acções, denominada Fundo para o Desenvolvimento das Exportações em África (FEDA), e a sua subsidiária de gestão de seguros, AfrexInsure (em conjunto, “o Grupo”). O Banco tem a sua sede em Cairo, Egipto.

Para mais informações, visite: www.Afreximbank.com.

Media files

Baixar .tipo

Posted on

Concern over heavy motor vehicle incidents

Source: Government of South Africa

Concern over heavy motor vehicle incidents

The Western Cape Mobility Department has expressed concern over the high number of heavy motor vehicle accidents recorded since the start of December 2025.

“From 1 December 2025, the province has recorded 43 incidents involving heavy motor vehicles on Western Cape roads. These include breakdowns, collisions, and overturned vehicles. This trend is worrying, especially ahead of the expected high traffic volumes as residents and visitors travel in and out of the province for the holidays,” the department said in a statement on Friday.

The department said that heavy motor vehicle incidents not only pose a serious safety risk to drivers, passengers and pedestrians, but also cause major traffic delays and disrupt economic activity. Clearing these scenes can take between two to six hours, or longer, depending on the nature of the incident.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Every overturned truck is a preventable tragedy that endangers lives and hampers mobility. We urge the freight industry to take immediate action to improve safety standards and protect all road users,” said Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku.

The department said it values the critical role that the freight industry plays in keeping the economy moving and urged operators and drivers to partner with it in prioritising safety during this peak travel period.

Freight operators and drivers are encouraged to take the necessary precautions by:
•    Ensuring vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy.
•    Adhering to speed limits and load regulations.
•    Managing driver fatigue through adequate rest periods.
•    Avoiding reckless overtaking.
•    Complying with all road rules and instructions from traffic authorities.

It added that Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement will be on duty 24/7 across all key routes this weekend to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

With high traffic volumes expected this weekend, motorists and pedestrians are also urged to take extra care.

Motorists:
•    Check your vehicle before travelling, tyres, lights, indicators, brakes, and fluid levels.
•    Obey all road signs, rules, and instructions from traffic officers.
•    Expect congestion in certain areas and plan extra time for your trip.
•    Be patient and courteous; avoid speeding and reckless overtaking.
•    Take regular rest breaks on long journeys.
•    Make mindful decisions; your safety and the safety of others depends on you.
•    Remember: arriving late is better than not arriving at all.
Pedestrians:
•    Cross only at designated places and make sure you are visible, especially at night.
•    Do not walk on highways or along poorly lit roads and avoid roadways if intoxicated.
•    Avoid distractions such as cellphones or headphones when walking near traffic.

–SAnews.gov.za

 

Neo

83 views

Posted on

Intention to deregister three private higher education institutions

Source: Government of South Africa

Intention to deregister three private higher education institutions

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has issued a notice of intention to cancel the registration of private higher education institutions City Varsity, Damelin, and ICESA City Campus.

“Institutions that fail to meet their legal and educational obligations cannot be allowed to compromise the futures of the people they serve,” the Ministry of Higher Education and Training said on Saturday. 

The decision was undertaken in the interest of protecting students and upholding the integrity of the sector after a prolonged pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act (No. 101 of 1997) and the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions.

“The Notice of Intent to cancel will be published in the Government Gazette in accordance with Section 63(a) of the Higher Education Act.

“The institutions will be given an opportunity to make representations, as required by law. The Department will ensure that students affected by this process are supported through appropriate academic and administrative arrangements,” the Ministry said of the three private higher education institutions.

The department has an obligation to ensure that private institutions deliver quality education and demonstrate financial sustainability. 

The decision to issue the Notice of Intent to Cancel is based on the following critical factors:
•    All three institutions failed to submit their 2024 Annual Reports, despite:
•    An extension being granted until 30 June 2024, and
•    A final remedial deadline set for 6 June 2025.

The institutions did not provide the Registrar with the required documentation, including:
•    Audited Annual Financial Statements.
•    Proof of financial surety/guarantees.
•    South African Revenue Service (SARS) Tax Compliance Certificates.
•    Occupational Health and Safety Compliance.

Evidence of institutional cessation
•    The department has received reliable confirmation that two of the institutions, namely City Varsity (Pty) Ltd and ICESA City Campus (Pty) Ltd have ceased operating and are therefore not providing higher education within the meaning of the Act.

The department remains unequivocally committed to:
•    Protecting students from being enrolled in institutions that cannot demonstrate financial and operational sustainability.
•    Ensuring that providers of higher education operate within the legal and quality assurance framework; and
•    Acting decisively to uphold the integrity of the South African higher education system.
–SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle

6 views