Current Affairs
Metaverse Network Media spoke to Brenda Zanele Mbatha, Vice-president of National Teachers' Union, at the Provincial Release of the NSC 2024 exam results.
Sports
SA versus Pakistan in Third ODI: Pink Day
Today is more than just a cricket match.
The Proteas Men will take to the field in their iconic #PinkDay kits to honour the brave women battling breast cancer.
This day is for you. We play for you. We salute you.
#PledgePink as we stand together to raise awareness and vital funds for the Charlotte Maxeke Breast Care Unit.
Current Affairs
Botswana lifts import restrictions on SA vegetables
The newly-elected government of Botswana, under President Duma Boko, has taken a positive trade step by lifting restrictions on imports of vegetables from South Africa. This was announced on 13 December 2024 that Botswana was immediately lifting import restrictions on vegetables from South Africa. The process to phase out the import restrictions on vegetables will be 2 - phased. The initial part includes the immediate lifting of import restrictions on the following vegetables: turmeric, patty pan, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green peas, mushrooms, and eggplant. The 2nd phase will take effect on April 2025 on vegetables such as beetroot, butternut, onion, tomatoes, sweer pepper, potatoes, and watermelon will be lifted.
The effects of Botswana’s import restrictions were felt at various levels: (i) loss of export earnings by South Africa as net exporter of edible vegetables, roots and tubers; (ii) likely food insecurity in Botswana's considering comparative disadvantages; (iii) disruption of fragile food systems; (iv) uncertainty of the single tariff regime as envisioned by Southern African Custom Union (SACU). A key feature of SACU is the application of a single tariff regime, i.e., the common external tariff (CET). This means the member states form a single customs territory that provides for a free movement of goods where tariffs and other barriers are eliminated on all trade between and amongst them. The CET applies to goods imported from all territories that are not members of SACU; and (v) potential inability for SACU as block to fully exploit trade opportunities that accrue and emanates from the Africa Free Trade Continental Agreement.
The inter-dependence and connectedness of the region are depicted by trade statistics amongst member countries. Botswana is a major market for South Africa's vegetable exports. Contributing up to 15% of total exports in 2021 at a value of USD33.8 million (R498
Current Affairs
President Ramaphosa assents to SAPO amendment bill
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill, which expands the mandate of the South African Post Office (SAPO) and repurposes the Post Office infrastructure to provide diversified and expanded services.
The new law expands the objects and mandate of the Post Office and enables its relevance and sustainability by including services that respond to the needs of the users and customers.
The expansion will ensure that the Post Office is not only empowered by the legislation to provide basic postal services but is empowered to provide other value-added services to expand on its revenue generating streams.
The new law enables the Post Office to serve as a hub for government services and other agency services, and as a digital hub for businesses and communities.
The Post Office will also be able to serve as a logistics partner to other e-commerce providers – including small enterprises and informal traders - and any future business that the state-owned company may develop to serve users and consumers.
The Post Office is now empowered to continuously adjust its business model in line with the technological and industry developments in the provision of postal services and other services and to enhance the provision of Universal Services Obligation, including the roll-out of service points and the use of third-party infrastructure.
The law aims to encourage government institutions, which include national and provincial departments, national and provincial government components and municipalities, to use Post Office infrastructure in the delivery of their services and set aside certain services to be provided by the Post Office.
This aims to eliminate the company’s over-reliance on government funding and ensure efficient utilisation of post offices.
The new law also addresses governance matters such as the size of the South African Post O
Medical and Health News
NICD notes surge in rubella cases in SA
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is currently facing a significant surge in fever-rash samples for testing, indicating a pronounced increase in rubella cases nationwide. As of week 40, over 8,700 IgM-positive cases have been identified. Notably, 98% (8543/8723) of these cases have affected children under 15, with the majority occurring in the 5-9 year age group.
Dr Kerrigan McCarthy, the Pathologist at the Centre for Vaccines and Immunology (CVI) at the NICD, stated that an unprecedented number of rubella cases in 2024, surpassing the figures from fever-rash surveillance since 2015. This surge is attributed to a large number of children entering 2024 without prior rubella exposure or vaccination.
Dr McCarthy further added that three factors have led to a large number of children entering 2024 without rubella immunity are as follows:
Immunity to rubella infection or rubella vaccination is lifelong. If children are not vaccinated against rubella and never come into contact with the rubella virus through natural infection, they will remain susceptible to rubella.
Vaccination against rubella was separate from our routine EPI programme before 2024. The Department of Health (NDoH) is presently rolling out the combined measles-rubella-containing vaccine (MRCV), which will be administered to 6 and 12 months old children as soon as each province finishes their stock of measles-containing vaccine (MCV)
The non-pharmaceutical interventions applied during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic interrupted the transmission of rubella. For 2020-2022, almost no rubella cases were identified from the NDoH/NICD fever-rash surveillance.
Regarding clinical aspects of rubella infection, in children and adults, rubella is a self-limiting infection that presents with fever and a maculopapular rash, myalgia, enlarged lymph nodes, headache and conjunctivitis. Occasionally, persons may develop joint pain (arthra
Current Affairs
SA welcomes COP16 outcomes on combatting desertification
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Foresty, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Bernice Swarts, has welcomed the outcomes of the recently concluded 16th session of the Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“The UNCCD COP16 adopted 39 decisions that will guide implementation of the Convention at all levels. During the COP, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership worth USD 12.15 billion was launched and will support 80 countries in building their resilience to drought. Amongst the 80 countries, 43 of those will be coming from the Africa Region,” said Deputy Minister Swarts.
In a landmark decision, Parties requested for the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and priorities are adequately represented in the work of the Convention.
On securing additional investments and relations with financial mechanisms, Parties have requested the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other sources of financing to strengthen its support for the implementation of the Convention including the prioritisation through the 9th replenishment cycle of the GEF to allocate resources to address drought issues.
The COP also requested developed countries, Parties, relevant United Nations entities, international financial institutions and private sector to provide substantial financial and non-financial resources to strengthen the implementation of projects and programmes in line with the UNCCD 10-year strategic framework of the Convention.
With regard to follow-up on policy frameworks and thematic issues: Drought, after a robust and intense negotiations that lasted for two weeks, the COP failed to reach an agreement to tackle drought on whether to negotiate on a new global framework or a legally binding protocol on drought.
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Sports
Cricket: T20 -Pakistan vs SA
Durban's fiery 31-degree day transformed into an equally fiery contest in the first T20 between SA and Pakistan. At the interval, SA scored 183/9, setting Pakistan a target of 184. David Miller top-scored with 82 off 40, GF Linde on 48 off 24. The thriller continues...
Science and Technology
DSTI unveils rocket gantry near Arniston
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, unveiled a suborbital sounding rocket launch facility at the Denel Overberg Test Range in the Western Cape, SA, on 3 December 2024.
Funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and implemented by the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the facility is a first for South Africa and a landmark achievement in the advancement of aerospace technology and innovation in South Africa.
"The space infrastructure programme, funded by the DSTI and built by the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Aerospace Systems Research Institute, is a demonstration of what the combined efforts, resources and expertise of government, industry and institutions of knowledge production can achieve, working together for one national goal. This facility here today is a beacon of this partnership," said the Deputy Minister.
Designed to serve as a pivotal resource for next-generation aerospace projects, the facility will be used for testing and preparing advanced rocket systems, support critical research initiatives, and drive technological progress in the aerospace industry.
According to the Deputy Minister, the facility is a significant step in the country's endeavours to establish launch capability.
"This gantry is a national asset that will be used to launch suborbital rockets built by ASRI, but can also accommodate much larger solid-propellant vehicles of the type operated by space-faring nations, including other potential international clients on the continent and worldwide," she said.
Unlike orbital launch vehicles that can steer themselves, suborbital rockets are unguided and must, therefore, be launched off a gantry that can be accurately aimed, depending on the required flight trajectory, mission requirements and safety risks.
The new launch gantry has a state-of-the-art ai
Science and Technology
NACI roadshow on 2024 STI Report
Metaverse Network Media's Science and Technology spoke to Mr Lindile Adons, Specialist Science, Technology Innovation analyst for the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI - which is an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)) on the 2024 South African STI Indicators' Report, its social impact, collaboration and future trends.
Business and Economics
AMII structured for $3 trillion ocean economy
The Africa Maritime Investment Indaba bolstered a strategic foundation to the massive revenue earnings projected around the ocean economy. Where does SA feature in the massive industry and can job-creation become a reality in this constantly-evolving sector?
Metaverse Network Media interviewed Ms Nompumolelo Nxumalo, HR Executive at SA Cargo, and one of the exhibitors at the AMII. Ms Nxumalo is a strategic business partner, with all key HR functions. Her role involves providing guidance & support to senior managers, organizational development, employee relations, reviewing and developing company policies and procedures.
Here, she discusses strategies, women-empowerment positions, training academies, and essential skills and mentorship programmes.
Current Affairs
SACAA hosts school learners' airports tours
South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) hosted the highly-inclusive and successful school learners' airports' tours to encourage development and access to the various careers.
Metaverse Network Media spoke to Mr Nkosinathi Myataza, Airports Manager:Regional/Cluster 3, about the tours.
Current Affairs
SACAA hosts school learners' airports' tour
Bheki Ngibai, Senior Manager: Airport Safety and Security, discusses the cire of the learners' tour.
