Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Marius Fransman, is in Bogota, the Republic Colombia, for the final leg of his four- nation visit to Latin America and the Caribbean.

This after concluding his two-day working visit to Cuba which was aimed at consolidating political, bilateral and multilateral relations and exploring avenues for closer cooperation.

While in Cuba, Fransman co-chaired the 10th South Africa-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) -- established in 2001 to coordinate cooperation between the two countries -- with his counterpart Marcelino Medina.

During the JCM, both sides reaffirmed the solid bilateral relations and historical ties between the two countries.

Fransman, according to Dirco, expressed gratitude for Cuba's ongoing support for government’s main priorities through the implementation of joint programmes in health, labour, social development, housing and infrastructure.

He cited the deployment of Cuban doctors, engineers and technical experts in all the provinces of South Africa as a demonstration of Cuba's commitment.

“The Deputy Minister noted the training of over 1400 South African medical students on Cuban scholarships. The students went through an intensive Spanish language course and 99.7 percent passed their language exams. A further number of students will arrive in September 2013 to start their academic training. The number of South African students will grow to well over 2000,” said Dirco in a statement.

For his part, Medina thanked the South African government for consistently raising its voice in all major forums to demand the lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba and for the unconditional release of the remaining four of the Cuban Five.

With regard to multilateral issues, both sides reaffirmed commitment to advancing the agenda of the South in bodies such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

While on regional matters, both sides discussed the feasibility of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to engage with the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc.

Both Latin America and Africa are regarded as hubs of economic development and growth and therefore, cooperation with BRICS would be mutually beneficial.

As part of his visit, Fransman delivered a public lecture at the Raul Roa Higher Institute of International Relations in Havana on "Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union - strengthening of relations between Africa and her Diaspora."

There Fransman stressed the integral role played by Cuba in the international solidarity and Pan-Africanist movement.

The Deputy Minister has visited Peru, Ecuador, Cuba and now Colombia to enhance bilateral political, economic, social and cultural relations. – SAnews.gov.za

Tembisa – As the 2013 Annual National Assessments (ANAs) kicked off on Tuesday, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has reminded learners that they are the future of this country.

“They should know that they are the future of this country. Our kids and all young people can always remember that they are the inheritors of our future and every little thing they do, even when they are in Grade 1, it is very important for the country,” Motshekga said.

She said they should remember that when government makes budgets and talks about building schools, it is with them in mind. “If they can value and appreciate that and be excited about it like we are, as the country we have a future and they also have a bright future."

The ANAs are written annually by Grade 1 – 6 and 9 learners to establish an objective benchmark by which to measure literacy and numeracy achievement in schools.

Through ANAs, the department is determined to improve the language and mathematics skills of learners and has set specific targets to be achieved by 2014 and beyond.

More than seven million learners will participate in the ANAs in public schools and independent schools that qualify for a government subsidy.

Motshekga oversaw the start of the ANAs with visits to Mvelaphanda Primary School in Tembisa and Edenglen Primary School in Ekurhuleni.

She said that by visiting the schools, the department was able to identify certain problems and make interventions.

“It helps us to identify where the problem is, is it leadership or is it district support so that we can work with the schools to address it,” Motshekga said.

She reiterated that the exams emphasised the point that to get the systems right, they have to get it right from Grade R up to Grade 12.

“If we get the foundation right, the high schools and our kids won’t have a problem. These tests not only assess management but also assess new learning and teaching, they help like any diagnostic exercise and we will be able to see where the problem is and deal with it,” said Motshekga.

Speaking to SAnews after the walkabout at Mvelaphanda Primary, Motshekga said she was very encouraged and inspired.

“I came an hour late but they were settled and there was no rushing. The teachers are ready and that shows that our system is getting where we want it to be…its maturing, its stabilising and its focussed,” Motshekga said.

The school, which is one of the top achievers in Tembisa, placed third position in the province during the Maths Olympiad and is the highest in the district.

School principal Thomas Mathavha said the minister’s visit had inspired them and encouraged them to work harder.

The school did well in last year’s ANAs - they got 65% and over 70% this year in Grade 3.

Mathavha said his only concern this time around was the Grade 6 class, but he was confident they would do well.

“This year we’ve been doing extra classes and weekend classes and I believe the status quo is going to change in Grade 6 ... you are going to see an improvement,” said an optimistic Mathavha.

He said the focus had now shifted from the learners to the performance of teachers.

“Our focus is now on individual teachers … because our children’s failure also reflects on us as teachers. This year we’ve told ourselves we need to have at least 60% in the intermediate phase,” said Mathavha.

More than 600 learners in the school sat for Tuesday’s language paper. – SAnews.gov.za

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Pretoria - Cabinet has encouraged parents and guardians to support their children in preparation for the upcoming Annual National Assessments (ANA).

The literacy and numeracy ANA takes place between 10 and 13 September and will assess learner literacy and numeracy abilities at foundation, intermediate and senior phase.

The tests were introduced by the Department of Basic Education to measure the country's improvement in learning in specific grades and subjects.

The ANA will not be used for learner progression or promotion to the next grade but verifies that every learner in every school is developing the languages and mathematics skills appropriate for the grades.

This will allow educators to identify areas where they need to intervene.

"Parents and guardians must ensure that they engage with the 2013 ANA results as this serves as an important diagnostic tool of learners' strengths and weaknesses," acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said on Thursday.

Last year's results painted a dismal picture, which showed that the national average performance in literacy for Grade 1 was 58% (59% in 2011); Grade 2 - 55% (52% in 2011) and Grade 3 - 53% (35% in 2011).

Williams encouraged parents to use the tools provided by the Department of Basic Education

The department has provided schools with the 2013 ANA timetable; 2012 ANA report; 2013 diagnostic analysis report; 2013 Assessment Guidelines for teachers to be able to plan for the administration of ANA and 2013 Exemplars for teachers to prepare learners for the administration of ANA. – SAnews.gov.za

Johannesburg – Parliamentarians from Commonwealth states must fight to eradicate poverty, inequality and unemployment to bring development to all its citizens.

Addressing the 5th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Collins Chabane told lawmakers that he hoped their discussions during their four-day meeting, which started on Monday, would contribute to realising a better future for their citizens.

Chabane said this after President Jacob Zuma called on the conference on Monday to work towards ensuring that the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) – a plan adopted by the United Nations to ensure sustainable development in developing countries by 2015 – are achieved.

“Let me emphasise that it is our collective responsibility as lawmakers and representatives of the people in democratic parliaments to pay due attention to the eradication of poverty and hunger, sustainable development as well as combating inequality at all levels, thereby creating hope and a more prosperous and sustainable future for all of us,” he said.

Chabane said while there has been progress in realising the MDGs, challenges still remained.

In Africa in particular, sustainable development remains a challenge as heads of state continue to battle to ensure that peace and political stability are achieved before the continent can work towards achieving regional integration to boost the continent’s growth.

Chabane said South Africa, as one of the member states of the Commonwealth, had adopted the National Development Plan with the aim of tackling its own economic challenges.

“As part of our battle plan and strategy, we as South Africans have adopted a National Development Plan as a tool to guide us as we grapple with these challenges.

“We are proud that this plan carries the clear endorsement of our lawmakers, which represents our diverse nation, and that this plan is among many significant milestones that have marked South Africa’s 20 years of freedom.

“We are aware that solutions to the challenges we face will not happen overnight," he said.

Chabane said South Africa also continued to uphold the principles of the Commonwealth Charter - democracy, human rights and the rule of law - values he said were enshrined in the country's Constitution.

The minister said it was through this charter that member states could achieve their goals, and that he hoped the conference's resolutions could be translated into implementable programmes.

“But we are hopeful that collectively, as members of the Commonwealth family, we will seek and find ways to address these challenges as they continue to confront us.” – SAnews.gov.za

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Marius Fransman, has concluded his official visit to Peru, which is part of his four-nation tour of Latin America.

The deputy minister’s four-nation tour from 2 - 12 September includes Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba.

Fransman's visit to Peru, according to his department, was used to strengthen political, social and economic bilateral relations.

It also identified new areas of cooperation in trade, mining and social development.

During his visit, Fransman met with various ministers. Among them was the Secretary General of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alberto Salas.

The two identified opportunities for cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral level and discussed issues of mutual interest pertaining to their respective continents and the situation in the Middle East.

With Peru chairing the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP20) in 2014, the two countries also agreed that South Africa would assist in knowledge sharing following its successful hosting of COP17 in 2011.

Fransman also met with the Deputy Minister of Mining, Guillermo Shinno, where they agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of mining and shared knowledge regarding health and occupational safety standards, training and capacity-building for mine-workers and mining communities.

“The Deputy Ministers also proposed that an exchange programme be initiated for young people in the field of mining engineering,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Fransman also held fruitful discussions with Peru's Deputy Minister of Social Benefits, Paola Bustamante, where they exchanged information on their countries' respective social development programmes for women, children and senior citizens.

Peru has recently started a pilot project regarding cash payments to the most disadvantaged and destitute.

In this regard, Peru's Bustamante expressed an interest to understand South Africa's social security system.

Tourism and trade relations

With regards to tourism, the two countries discussed the importance of inclusive economic growth and development, and both sides exchanged information on their countries' infrastructure development projects and regional economic integration initiatives.

Trade relations between Peru and Africa were also discussed, with Peru indicating the possibility of opening additional trade offices on the continent, including in South Africa.

Fransman concluded his bilateral meetings by visiting Peru’s Investment Agency, ProInversion, where he met the Deputy Minister and Director Carlos Herrera and extended an invitation to the agency to visit South Africa with the view to establish partnerships with South African companies.

South Africa is one of the largest investors in Peru, with SAB Miller and Anglo American operating in that country.

Anglo American and Gold Fields are currently contemplating further investment of US$2.5 billion over the next five years and SAB/Miller will be extending its reach from Lima into new markets in the region.

The main South African exports to Peru are mining equipment, paper and carton, metal sheeting and specialised structural steel, amongst others.

Fransman in Ecuador

Fransman is now in Quito, Ecuador, to strengthen political, social and economic bilateral relations and to discuss areas of cooperation and mutual interest.

The two countries will also reaffirm mutual support in multilateral and regional forums.

While in Ecuador, Fransman will hold talks with that country’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Marco Albuja, the President of the National Assembly, and the Secretary of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). He will then pay a courtesy visit to Foreign Minister Patiño.

The main South African products exported to Ecuador are base metals, products for chemical and allied industries, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and transport equipment. Imports from Ecuador include mineral products, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and transport equipment. – SAnews.gov.za

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Pretoria – Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has issued a notice of intention to declare fracking a controlled activity of the National Water Act.

The notice, which has been published in the government gazette for public comment, includes the exploration for and/or production of onshore unconventional oil gas resources and any activities incidental thereto, including but not limited to, hydraulic fracturing.

Briefing the media on Tuesday, Molewa explained that fracking becomes a water use matter, thus requiring a water use licence.

“Only matters concerning water resources will be of consideration when licences are issued, including but not limited to the possible impact of substances and chemicals on the ground water resource,” Molewa explained.

Molewa, who emphasised that the key priority of the department was to protect the environment and water resources, said the department would take every precaution to ensure that the possible impact of fracking on water resources was carefully managed and minimised.

The notice of intention follows an inter-departmental task team established in 2011 for the augmentation of the regulatory framework and monitoring of hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo.

An interdepartmental Monitoring Committee has also been established for unconventional oil and gas exploration and production, of which the department is a member.

The monitoring committee is tasked with reviewing the existing regulatory framework for the regulation of fracking and to develop the necessary regulations and guidelines on the methodologies of hydraulic fracturing.

It will also develop guidelines to ensure that the impact of exploration and production of shale gas resources are prevented managed or mitigated.

Molewa said they expected the scope of the committee’s work will consider regulatory measures that must apply throughout the country, address hydraulic fracturing and be wide enough to encompass future technologies, provide mitigation of likely impacts on acquifers (groundwater resource) by exploration and production drilling and allow for a well-planned approach.

“The measures must also include oil and gas from shale and coal bed methane and water use associated with hydraulic fracturing.”

The public and all interested parties will have 60 days from the date of gazetting to make comments. Various platforms, including a postal and an e-mail address, have already been created for the public comments process.

The full text of the notice is available on the department’s website on http://www.dwa.gov.za. - SAnews.gov.za