Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi has officially opened the 4th Waste Management Khoro at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.

The gathering, which ends on Wednesday, is a platform for all waste management officers -- including waste management practitioners and other related officials from the three spheres of government -- to share experiences.

The officials also discuss challenges, possible solutions and opportunities with the aim of improving waste management in the country.

Discussions will also be centralised on the National Waste Management Strategy, which prioritises the development of clean and sustainable environments for all and most importantly, the participation of all citizens in development matters.

Waste management has since 2009 made a remarkable policy shift with the introduction of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) (NEMWA).

NEMWA is one of the means used to fast track the implementation of integrated waste management systems. It is being implemented through the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS), which was approved by Cabinet in 2011.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting on Monday, Mabudafhasi said the gathering had become a milestone event to take stock of what the country has achieved and what still needed to be focused on to improve the delivery of waste services.

“As the population gradually grows and society progresses, the generation of waste becomes an unavoidable phenomenon. It is further complicated by the complex waste streams, which are fuelled by technology advancements and consumerism lifestyles,” said Mabudafhasi.

She said waste management was central to the improvement of the standard of living and had the potential to eradicate poverty through job creation opportunities which exist in waste collection, recycling and other forms of waste management in general.

“Following our assessment of unlicensed waste disposal sites in the country, the department supported the licensing of 56 sites in the 2012/13 financial year.

“Further to that, out of the remaining 202 unlicensed sites, the department will support a total of 122 sites and a further 80 sites will be funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA). We are looking at eradicating the backlog of unlicensed sites by the end of March 2014,” said Mabudafhasi.

This year’s khoro is held under the theme ‘Making the management of waste a collective effort’. – SAnews.gov.za

Last night I had a dream. It was hard to understand and yet seemed full of significance and I wanted to tell other people about it and try to work out what it meant. This sort of experience raises various questions – the most obvious are: “what caused my dream?” and “what did it mean?”. [...]Dreams, Meanings and Causes is a post from: Understanding Wittgenstein


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Two South American capitals – Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru – are neck-and-neck in the battle to host the 2019 Pan-American Games, the Chilean government’s secretary general, Cecilia Perez has stated. Perez spoke in Toronto, Canada, where the Pan-American Sports Organization (PASO) is holding its general assembly session, during which it will decide which city [...]Down to the line for PanAm cities is a post from: Time-4-Sport


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Anna Maluleke, 67, from Brits use to cook for herself and look after her grandchildren without any problems, but when she lost her vision in May, her life took a turn for the worst.

But thanks to a Public Private Sector Partnership, Maluleke’s eyesight has been restored after undergoing a cataract surgery.

On Thursday, Malukeke was among four patients operated on at the Medforum Medi Clinic. On Wednesday, 21 other patients also underwent cataract surgeries at the clinic.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Gwen Ramokgopa visited the hospital over the two-days to observe the procedure, which started with cataracts being removed from the patients.

The Public Private Sector Partnership is an agreement between the Health Ministry and the task team on Eye Health, appointed to re-invigorate and implement Vision 20/20 to curtail the waiting list of cataract surgeries.

Speaking to SAnews after the operation, an elated Maluleke said it was very difficult to accept her blindness as she couldn’t do anything.

“I used to go to church especially on Thursdays but I stopped due to my blindness. But with my eyesight back, I will now be able to do house chores and cook for myself, just like I used to. I don’t know how to thank the government and the hospital for restoring my vision, this is much appreciated,” said Maluleke.

Ramokgopa said through the partnership, they call on South Africans to be aware that 80% of blindness is preventable and encourage them to go for screening.

“We’ve agreed with all provinces to do 1 500 cataract per 1 million population. We are already encouraged that in 2011/2012, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape and Free State achieved and exceeded that target. Through this partnership, we are renewing it so that everyone can contribute. Throughout the country there are cataract operations that are done on a partnership basis,” Ramokgopa said.

She added that the private sector has a role to play and the department appreciates this partnership. “Since 1997, on the public sector platform more than 500 000 cataract operations have been done and we want to build on the success.”

President of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa and a leading eye specialist practicing at Medforum Medi Clinic, Dr Kgao Legodi said the partnership aims to help those patients who can’t afford to do the operation at a private hospital.

“Also we as doctors in private hospitals can go to the public hospitals and assist, where we can,” said Dr Legodi.

The Department of Health dedicates 23 September - 20 October as Eye Health Awareness Month.

Today marks the World Sight/Eye Care Awareness Day recognised by the Department of Health as a significant day in the health sector.

The aim of the day is to raise public awareness of blindness and vision impairment as major international public health issues.

It also influences governments, particularly health ministers, to participate in and designate funds for national blindness prevention programs.

The day also educates target audiences about blindness prevention, about Vision 2020 and its activities, and to generate support for Vision 2020 program activities. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has called on Gauteng road users to abide by the law, demonstrate good citizenship and make their contribution to a better South Africa by registering for e-tags and paying for use of the country's world-class roads.

Briefing media on Thursday, following Cabinet’s regular fortnightly meeting, Acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said the recent developments surrounding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will make the provincial and national economy more efficient in the future.

The legislation came into effect after President Jacob Zuma recently signed the amendment bill into law last week.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the Opposition to Urban Tolling Association's (Outa) bid to stop the implementation of e-tolls in Gauteng.

However, the opposition to the system, including a few political parties, are still continuing their fight against e-tolling, and are now calling on the public to defy and not register.

Williams said as government, this was not a cause for panic at this point, adding that South Africa was a country of law abiding citizens. A total of 680 000 e-toll tags were in circulation.

She said the decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal vindicated that government had sufficiently consulted the public before the introduction of the project.

“We have always asserted that as a responsible government, we have done everything as required by law. The GFIP was a consultative process. When the first concerns were raised, the Deputy President and a team of ministers engaged sectors.”

She said as government they had listened to the concerns raised by the general public regarding the system which, she said, was not against user-pay principle but the tariffs were too high and would disadvantage the poor.

"E-tolls tariffs have been reduced in response to public comment, poor passengers have been taken care of through the exemption of public transport operators from paying tolls fees; a monthly payment cap has been introduced and a rebate system exists for transport companies," says Williams.

Government maintains that only a fraction of road users of the GFIP will pay the maximum monthly cost of using the road, which is capped at R450 for those who have registered for e-tags.

According to SANRAL, the e-tolling will not cost motorists a fortune, as the vast majority of motorists (82.83%) will only pay R100 a month.

Implementation process of e-tolls

Regarding the implementation process, Williams said the proclamation of the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Act, which follows the enactment of the legislation into law by the President Jacob Zuma, has been gazetted for the information of the public.

Government has also published the toll tariffs for comment by the public for a period of 30 days.

The Minister of Transport will consider the inputs before making a final determination on the tariffs that motorists will pay on the tolled road network.

Motorists can register for e-tolls by visiting participating Checkers, CNA, Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite and Spar stores or one can register online at http://www.sanral.co.za. Also, registration can take place by calling 0800 SANRAL (726 725), a fax to 0800 SANRAL (726 725), or by visiting one of SANRAL’s customer service outlets at malls, as well as along the Gauteng e-roads or the mobile registration point across Gauteng.

While the e-tag can be obtained at a cost of R49.95, the R49.95 is credited to the e-toll account holder’s account, once registered, which makes the e-tag effectively free.

The e-tag serves as an electronic transponder and must be fitted on the windscreen of the vehicle. When the vehicle passes beneath one of the overhead gantries on the toll highway, the e-tag is recognised and a transaction is automatically recorded. Open road tolling means that there will be no toll plazas on the road, which slow down traffic or result in long queues.

There are a number of payment options available to registered account holders. An account holder can make payments online, through the e-toll website or their bank, or through cash, credit card or debit card transactions at SANRAL customer service outlets.

The account holder can also choose from automatic processes, by setting up a debit order that will top up the e-toll account automatically when a minimum balance has been reached or by simply linking the e-toll account to a credit card, whereby e-toll transactions are rolled up daily and deducted from the credit card, once a day.

Road users to exercise caution

Meanwhile, Cabinet also called road users to exercise caution when using the country's roads.

"Cabinet is concerned about the increase in incidents involving pedestrians on highways," said Williams, adding that motorists and pedestrians have a responsibility to look out for each other on the road.

Pedestrians account for at least 46% of the people, who lose their lives on the road. – SAnews.gov.za

Cabinet has welcomed and thanked the Global Fund for their R3 billion funding for HIV and TB programmes in the country.

The approval of the largest Global Fund grant that the country has ever received, followed a proposal by the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism. The body represents government departments, civil society, the people living with HIV (PLHIV) sector, private sector, provincial Aids councils and development partners.

The money will be split between the Health Department and other recipients, including civil society organisations. The department will receive 52% of the money.

Acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams on Thursday said this was the largest single grant for HIV and TB from a multilateral donor in the history of the Aids response.

“On behalf of the people of South Africa, Cabinet thanks the Global Fund for their support to South Africa during a time when there is a desperate need for additional funding,” Williams told media following Cabinet's regular fortnightly briefing.

Among other programmes, the funds will be used for the following:

procurement of antiretroviral medicines for 350 000 patients;
to pilot the provision of antiretroviral medicines by courier to patients’ homes or pick up points in the community;
TB screening services for all inmates at all prisons in South Africa;
and TB and HIV screening for 100 000 mineworkers in small mines that do not have their own health services.

Cabinet has also applauded the continued achievements of the Partnership against HIV and AIDS, which celebrated its 15th anniversary on Wednesday.

South Africa is currently implementing the largest antiretroviral treatment programme in the world.

The country has successfully rolled out its ARV treatment programme, with two million people receiving treatment – which makes it the largest treatment programme in the world.

The country is also on track to achieve the target of reducing and eliminating HIV transmission from mother to child by 2015. The transmission rate is now at 2.7% - down from 8% in 2008. – SAnews.gov.za

President Jacob Zuma has urged labour and business to work on any unresolved labour disputes so that the economy can return to full production.

Addressing the South African Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday evening, Zuma said the country has a progressive labour relations framework enshrined in both the Constitution and labour laws.

“Our message to employers and labour is that with the advantage of such a legal framework, they should conclude labour negotiations and disputes speedily. We urge those sectors with disputes that have not yet been resolved to attend to them speedily so that the economy can return to full production,” Zuma said at the Gala dinner.

The recent strikes and labour unrest have caused concern among investors. The strike in the motor industry has resulted in the country losing out on a significant contract by the German motor manufacture BMW SA, to build the new BMW model. The company had frozen its local expansion plans because of strikes in the automotive sector.

Zuma told the event that government had intervened in the mining sector over the past nine months to help stabilise it.

“We have worked closely with business and labour to ensure a more rapid and peaceful resolution of labour disputes, while at the same time improving the operational and policy environment in the sector. We appreciate the cooperation of business and labour in the mining intervention programme.”

Zuma said that the country was facing many challenges, but government was on course to providing a better life for all.

The President assured the leading business people that the country was dealing with its challenges.

“We should continue working together to build the economy and the country. This cannot be the responsibility of government alone.”

Zuma also used the platform to call on South African business to take advantage and make investments in the continent, especially in infrastructure projects.

The President further applauded companies that ploughed back into communities from where they draw labour. – SAnews.gov.za

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The provincial Department of Health is working hard to address backlogs in surgeries at central and tertiary hospitals in Gauteng, says MEC for Health Hope Papo.

“We have already engaged some of our public health institutions to assess the possibility of them performing non-complicated cases to free up time for complicated surgery as well as extending operating hours beyond 4pm, including working on Saturdays,” said Papo.

Gauteng hospitals conduct an average of 2000 surgical operations a month, however, the hospitals are experiencing backlogs in surgeries due to limited theatre time, surgeon time, insufficient Intensive Care Unit beds and booked patients who do not honour appointments.

Papo said on Tuesday that limited resources and lack of cooperation from patients sometimes necessitated that operations should be deferred.

“For example, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, has deferred the following operations - 34 paediatrics, 42 surgical, 22 obstetrics and gynaecology, 18 orthopaedics patients, 30 neurosurgery and 25 cardiac surgeries

“The hospital has a total of 132 patients waiting for paediatric surgery, 272 for neurosurgery, 33 spine epidurals, 21 spine degeneration, 31 spine deformity, 187 hip replacement, 317 knee replacement, 300 cardiothoracic (paediatrics), 220 cardiothoracic adults as well as 67 for ear nose and throats,” said Papo.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has deferred operations as well - a total of 50 patients are waiting for hepatobiliary, 150 colorectal, 80 breasts, 9 burns, 11 vascular, 108 general surgeries, 220 orthopaedic and 2548 ophthalmology patients waiting for cataract operations.

In April this year, Baragwanath entered into a partnership with Mediclinic through which Mediclinic assisted to reduce the waiting list by conducting some operations.

“As we continue with the implementation of the turnaround strategy of the department, I am confident that we will succeed in bringing down surgical backlogs and waiting times in Gauteng hospitals. The department has a plan in place to deal with the situation, this includes prioritising emergency cases and improving the management of hospital units/departments,” said the MEC.

Papo said while the surgical operations conducted are evidently more than those that are postponed, officials were trying their utmost best to ensure that all patients receive treatment when it is due.

The Department’s Turnaround Strategy for 2012 - 2014 amongst others seeks to address key issues such as staff shortage, repairs and/or purchasing of medical equipment and the issue of budgetary constraints in Gauteng health institutions. – SAnews.gov.za