South Africa
South Africa
ANC: Celebrating 100 Years of Existence
The African National Congress (ANC) held its 100th birthday celebrations from 6-8 January 2011 in Mangaung, Free State, where it was formed in 1912. The celebrations featured events which were attended by among others, sitting and former heads of state, ANC members and supporters from all over South Arica and the alliance partners.
Below are the messages of support to mark the ANC’s centenary:
- President Jacob Zuma Speech
- Zwelinzima Vavi
- ANC Youth League
- ANC Women’s League
- Congress of South African Trade Unions
- South African Communist Party
- Communication Workers Union
- National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa
- Swaziland Solidarity Network
We invite NGO Pulse readers to share their views about the ANC’s centenary celebrations and what they mean to our 17-year old democracy. Comments and articles should be e-mailed to editor@sangonet.org.za.Parliament Under Press Over CGE Nominations
Pressure is mounting on Parliament to reconsider the selection of commissioners for the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE).
The Democratic Alliance says it will write to the speaker of Parliament, Max Sisulu, to request that the ad hoc committee tasked with filling positions on the commission reconvene and reconsider its nomination of Janine Hicks and Ndileka Loyilane as commissioners.
The move follows a report in the City Press, based on concerns raised by acting chairperson of the CGE, Teboho Maitse, in a letter written to Sisulu, deputy speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo and chairperson of the ad hoc committee, Ruth Bhengu.
To read the article titled, “Pressure mounts over gender commission nominations,” click here.Source:City PressNGO Approaches Court Over Lotto
The North Gauteng High Court is being asked to force the National Lotteries Board (NLB) to honour a R20.4 million grant that it withdrew barely a month after awarding.
According to a press release by Adams and Adams, papers have been lodged demanding the setting aside of the decision to withdraw the grant made to the Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy.
The organisation’s Masennya Dikotla, who claim that the funds were allocated in June 2012, says that they were informed that its grant had been withdrawn due to the current budget constraints of the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).
Top read the article titled, “Court asked to force lotto to honour R20m grant,” click here.Source:News24Learners Prefer English at Schools – NGO
The South Africa Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) says that more than 60 percent of South African pupils choose English for learning and teaching.
SAIRR researcher, Jonathan Snyman, points out that, "The majority of pupils are taught in African languages at the foundation phase, but switch to either English or Afrikaans as their language of learning and teaching from as early as Grade Four."
The Institute states that this is despite the fact that only seven percent of the country's pupils (852 000 out of 12.2 million) spoke English at home.
To read the article titled, “SA pupils prefer English – SAIRR,” click here.Source:News24Fellowship Targets Young Learners
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is offering South Africa’s brightest young minds a head-start in life through its Allan Gray Fellowship Programme.
The initiative aims to develop students, known as Allan Gray Fellows, into SA’s future high growth entrepreneurial leaders and includes comprehensive financial support as one of its benefits.
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, a social responsibility initiative funded by the Allan Gray and Orbis groups, aims to develop a new generation of dynamic entrepreneurs and leaders as a means of bringing about job creation in Southern Africa.
Applications to the fellowship programme close on 31 May for Grade 12 pupils and 31 August for first-year university students.
To read the article titled, “Call to ambitious youths,” click here.Source:The CitizenSecrecy Bill Hearings Move to Bloemfontein
Public hearings on the Protection of State Information Bill (Secrecy Bill) are scheduled to continue in Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Organised by a Parliamentary ad hoc committee, the hearings have already taken place in Gugulethu and Thembalethu in the Western Cape and in Mthatha and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.
In the same vein, committee chairperson, Raseriti Tau, came under fire from opposition parties and activists who said the hearings have been manipulated to mislead the public and manufacture support for the contested draft law.
To read the article titled, “Info bill hearings move to Bloemfontein,” click here.Source:News24Staff Memo Rocks Lotto
A memo by National Lotteries Board senior staff claims that former chief executive, Vevek Ram, received pay from a lottery beneficiary with the full knowledge of the board and worked as CEO for 12 years without an employment contract.
The memo from a key national lottery funding committee lifts the lid on new allegations of corruption, incompetence and illegality in the organisation that controls about R3 billion in payouts annually.
The document exposes ‘rivalry and animosity’ between the board and the distribution agency, and suggests that there are serious irregularities in the awarding of lottery grants to beneficiaries.
To read the article titled, “Staff memo rocks Lotto,” click here.Source:News24South African Democracy Slipping – SAIRR
The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) says that key indicators of democracy in South Africa have slipped since 2008.
SAIRR researcher, Georgina Alexander, points out that the survey, which is based on assessment of three international indexes, found that civil liberties have decreased.
Alexander says the falling scores could be attributed to issues such as media freedom and accountability of public officials.
"Proposed legislation such as the protection of state information bill passed by the National Assembly may adversely affect SA’s democracy rankings in the future," she explains.
To read the article titled, “Survey shows SA democracy slipping,” click here.Source:News24Call for Policy Framework on Energy
Tongaat Hulett says small-scale farmers would have a better chance of succeeding if the government finalised the regulatory framework enabling independent players to get into the generation of energy, including electricity and biofuels.
Tongaat Hulett chief executive officer, Peter Staude, has warned that the slow pace of consolidating the policy framework for electricity co-generation as well as the biofuels sector is frustrating the industry.
The company is lobbying the government to relax the regulations and open up the energy generation sector to various agricultural processing industries, which would also create a new market for smallholder farmers.
To read the article titled, “Biofuels sector ‘frustrated’ by lack of a policy framework,” click here.Source:Business DayPresidency Uses Social Media Ahead of SoNA
The Presidency says that President Jacob Zuma will use social media to find out what is troubling South Africans ahead of his State of the Nation address on 9 February 2012.
In a press statement, it says that this year, his social networking has expanded to include Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.
Last year, Zuma used Facebook to encourage ordinary citizens to speak directly to him and to highlight the needs of communities.
To read the article titled, “Social media helps Zuma connect with SA,” click here.Source:The Citizen
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Events
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Monday, February 13, 2012
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Opportunities
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