Health Ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will today hold an extraordinary meeting to deliberate on the state of readiness and develop a common approach in response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The meeting, to be held in Johannesburg, is hosted by the South African Government and led by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

Convened by the SADC Secretariat, the meeting will bring together Ministers of Health and key stakeholders to build a consensus on appropriate strategic action(s) to prevent the introduction or spread of the on-going Ebola virus transmission that has occurred in West Africa to the SADC.

The meeting will be attended and addressed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to WHO reports, a total of 163 new cases of Ebola Virus Disease were confirmed between 31 July and 1 August 2014. Sixty one deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

“Three of these cases are in Nigeria and include two new probable cases, one is a health-care worker and one is a Nigerian who travelled to Guinea and a suspected case in a nurse,” WHO reported on Monday.

Since its initial outbreak in the West African countries in March 2014, 1 603 suspected cases with 887 deaths have been reported as of 1 August 2014.

South Africa has no confirmed cases of the Ebola virus and the Department of Health has assured that all precautions are being taken to prevent its spread.

Ebola disease cannot be spread through casual contact but is rather transmitted from person to person through direct contact with blood or infected tissues from an infected person. Health workers and family members of infected persons in the outbreak area would therefore be at risk.

The Ebola virus causes Ebola virus disease (EVD) in humans, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. The virus is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals.

Ebola can then spread in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids.

Signs and symptoms

EVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.

This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Council for Educators (SACE) has welcomed the report of a Ministerial Task Team, which looked into the quality of the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

The report, which investigates the promotion requirements for the NSC, was recently handed over to the Department of Education. The department, which is currently studying the report, on Sunday said it had shared it with MECs of education and has published the report on its website.

The task team was set up by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to establish from research and media reports the main criticisms against the NSC pass requirements.

While the 188-page report found that the examinations process has improved over the past few years, the NSC is not adequate in its current format. It also found that “well-trained, fully professional teachers were ultimately the key to the development of the education system”.

Some of the recommendations made by the report include:

• All schools should be required to offer maths;

• Requirements for the selection of exam markers should be raised;

• Life Orientation (LO) should be removed from the promotion requirements of the NSC;

• An exit certificate for Grade 9 should be introduced; and

• The standard of African languages at home language level should be investigated.

The Gauteng Education Department says it will address the grievances raised by Congress of South Africa Students (Cosas) in a memorandum handed to the department last week.

“I agree with 98 percent of the grievances. I will meet with Cosas to discuss the student’s grievances,” Gauteng Education MEC Panyazi Lesufi said on Monday, at a media briefing in Johannesburg.

MEC Lesufi had earlier in the day met with Cosas and the South Africa Informal Traders Forum (Saitf) to discuss a march led by the congress in the Johannesburg CBD, last week.

The learners, in their memorandum, demanded that the department end corporal punishment in schools, supply sanitary towels, end the sexual harassment of girls, and provide safety and security.

The march turned violent when some members looted from street vendors.

MEC Lesufi said Cosas had during the meeting apologised to the South Africa Informal Traders Forum (Saitf) for its behaviour.

Cosas President, Collen Malatji, said: "We are taking responsibility for what happened, we apologise to the public and the hawkers.”

The apology was accepted by the Saitf Provincial Chairman, Sam Khasibe, and General Secretary, Brian Phaaloh.

Malatji said the student body did not condone pupils misbehaving during marches as it had lost support from members of society.

Khasibe said the forum was impressed that Cosas had apologised for its irresponsible behaviour.

He called on marchers to behave responsibly when marching.

MEC Lesufi said the Gauteng Provincial Government had prioritised growing the township economy and South African Informal Traders Forum formed an important part of that economy.

“We should therefore ensure that when there are demonstrations, their businesses are protected. I deeply regret the pain the sellers went through when their products were taken," he said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Education says it has received the report into the investigation of promotion requirements for the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

A ministerial task team was set up by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to establish from research and media reports the main criticisms against the matric certificate pass requirements.

“The ministerial task team has submitted the report and we are studying it,” said the department in a statement on Sunday.

The report found that although the examinations process has improved over the past few years, the NSC is not adequate in its current format.

The department said the recommendations will be taken through the normal policy processes before a decision on implementation can be made.

The minister will make further announcements in due course.

The report has been shared with MECs of education and is also available on the department’s website education.gov.za – SAnews.gov.za

Polokwane – The representation of women in key political and decision-making positions is one of the country’s success stories, says Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.

“The process of proactively involving women in governance constitutes one of South Africa’s globally acclaimed success stories and is the envy of many countries around the world, where women’s empowerment is still a significant challenge.

“Women own conglomerates in the country, many are self-made millionaires in the business world, and women can be found as chairpersons of corporate boards in the country,” she said.

She added that since the advent of democracy and freedom, South Africa has seen a number of women taking up leadership positions in areas previously dominated by men.

The minister was speaking at the Business Women Association 2014 Regional Business Achievers Awards held in Polokwane on Friday.

The Regional Business Achievers Awards recognise businesswomen who control a budget of less than R75 million and who are at local and start-up level, growing entrepreneurs, professionals in profitable practises and corporate women at executive level.

Minister Muthambi used the occasion to call on young women to grab those opportunities presented to them to improve their lives.

“Our young ambitious women can take advantage of the many and varied opportunities to gain a world-class higher education through the wide range of academic institutions that are open to them.

“For those seeking to become specialists in key disciplines, South Africa boasts a number of important technology centres of excellence that are leading the world in innovation,” she said.

Minister Muthambi urged women to join hands to achieve the goals outlined in the National Development Plan, which aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.

“This major initiative represents the foundation of a united approach to achieving growth and sustainable economic prosperity for the country.

“As such, it requires women from every sector of society, from business, labour and public representatives, to citizens from all walks of life in every part of the country, to work together in implementing all aspects of the plan in order to achieve a better future for all,” she said.

Overall winner in the category for Women in Government, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Limpopo Tourism Agency Seipati Tlaka, told SAnews her recipe for success is to never be afraid of challenges.

“In the boardroom, where you always find men, I stand my ground. I have always been myself,” she said.

Tlaka said being herself and always “being part of the team” had also helped her further her career. “Don’t put obstacles before yourself, be part of the group and also be part of the solution,” she said.

Owner of an accountancy firm and overall winner in the Professional and Corporate category, Sally Hansen, said success lies in being committed to your work. “Doing what you love coupled with dedication and commitment is key to success,” she said.

Other categories included Emerging Entrepreneur, Established Entrepreneur and Social Entrepreneur.

August is Women’s Month and the month-long programme, which kicked off on 1 August 2014, is being held under the theme “Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Women’s Charter and 20 Years of Freedom: Moving Women’s Agenda Forward!”.

In the last 20 years of freedom, the democratic government declared 9 August as a Women’s Day to honour the role of women in the emancipation of South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced 2 new measures that give the green light for driverless cars to take to UK roads from January 2015. UK cities can now bid for a share of a £10 million competition to host a driverless cars trial. The government is calling on cities to join together with businesses [...]
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South Africa on Friday said continued support for Africa’s development and funding for HIV prevention programmes should dominate discussions in America next week, as the continent’s leaders will participate in the first US-Africa Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by Barack Obama in Washington.

President Jacob Zuma will leave for Washington DC tonight to join 47 other African Heads of State and Government, who have been invited to attend the summit on 5 August.

The White House said the summit will also build on the progress made since the President's trip to Africa last year, advance the administration's focus on trade and investment in Africa, and highlight America's commitment to Africa's security, its democratic development, and its people.

Pretoria says it’s going to the meeting to establish “win-win partnerships”, which would help build the country’s skills base, transfer technology and create decent jobs, among other things.

“We consider our bilateral relationship with the US as one such win-win partnership. Over the years, this partnership has been rapidly growing towards what we can regard as a strategic relationship,” International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told reporters in Pretoria on Friday.

She said the Obama administration had expressed willingness to partner with South Africa and to support Africa-led initiatives to curb poverty and underdevelopment.

“South Africa has impressed upon the United States the fact that successful economies have done so on the back of industrialisation”.

South Africa’s economy needed to industrialise in order for the country to achieve the goals set in the National Development Plan.

The summit in Washington should therefore focus on trade and investment, promotion of Africa’s development, peace and security as well as good governance,” Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said.

But top of the agenda for many African leaders, including South Africa, will no doubt be the renewal of the Africa Growth and opportunities Act (AGOA) for another 15 years.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said the renewal of AGOA for another 10 to 15 years would provide African with the “necessary stability, predictability and market access”, which she said is crucial for the continent’s businesses.

Congress is scheduled to make a decision on the renewal of AGOA and there have been talks of removing South Africa from the programme with the country’s economic progress cited as the reason.

AGOA is a legislation that provides duty-free market access to the United States for qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries by extending preferences on more than 4 600 products. It also provides duty-free access to all clothing (as well as certain textile) exports from countries that qualify.

Through AGOA, South Africa has reportedly exported significant quantities of manufactured goods - most notably about 60 000 automobiles a year.

Earlier this week, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said South Africa will be putting its case forward not to be excluded from a possible new AGOA term.

“We don’t think the AGOA arrangement is broken and it doesn’t need any fixing that is why we need an extension by another 15 years,” Minister Davies said. – SAnews.gov.za

As World Breastfeeding Week kicks off today, the Department of Health has encouraged families, communities and employers to provide a supportive environment for mothers to breastfeed.

“Breastfeeding needs to be protected, promoted and supported by all. Employers, for example, can support breastfeeding mothers by providing at least two breastfeeding breaks, a comfortable room that can be used to breastfeed or to express the milk for the baby,” the department said.

World Breastfeeding Week takes place from 1 to 7 August annually. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life!” It highlights the importance of promoting breastfeeding to reach Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 to improve maternal and child health.

According to the department, the under-five mortality (MDG 4) can be reduced by about 13% with improved breastfeeding practices alone and 6% with improved complementary feeding.

About 50% - 60% of under-five mortality is linked to malnutrition due to inadequate complementary foods and feeding following on poor breastfeeding practices.

With respect to improved Maternal Health (MDG 5), the department said breastfeeding is associated with decreased maternal postpartum blood loss, decreased rates of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers, and the likelihood of bone loss post-menopause.

“The policy of the Department of Health, in line with the World Health Organisation and United Nations Children's Fund, is that mothers initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, moms exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months of life and introduce appropriate complementary foods from six months onwards, in addition to continuing breastfeeding to achieve optimal growth, development and health.

“HIV positive mothers must also exclusively breastfeed for six months, start with complementary foods and continue to breastfeed for 12 months. The HIV positive mother must be enrolled on the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Programme and receive antiretrovirals to prevent the transmission of the virus while breastfeeding,” the department said.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, compared to mixed feeding, has been shown to play a major role in reducing diarrhoea, respiratory infections and allergies.

Breastfed babies also have a lower risk of becoming obese, diabetic, having cancers and heart disease later in life, as well as a lower risk of allergies, asthma, wheezing and rashes.

There are many benefits for mothers too, as breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis and promotes bonding between mothers and their babies.

During a National Breastfeeding Consultative Meeting held in August 2011, South Africa committed to actively promote and support breastfeeding as one of the most effective interventions at improving child health.

South Africa already has 62% of the public health facilities with maternity beds accredited as mother and baby friendly. The aim of this global strategy is to create a healthcare environment where, among others, breastfeeding is the norm.

Babies who are very premature, with low birth weight and newborns that are too ill to suck are at greatest risk of not receiving the lifesaving benefits of breast milk.

Provinces are now scaling-up the establishment of human milk banks. Some of the hospitals that have breast milk banks are Kalafong, Leratong, Far East Rand, Kimberley, Mafikeng, G Morolong, Pelonomi, Greys and Witbank Hospitals, as well as Bloemfontein University. – SAnews.gov.za

The Employment Equity Amendment Act has come into operation today after being signed into law by President Jacob Zuma.

President Zuma declared 1 August 2014 as the date on which the Employment Equity Amendment Act 2013 comes into effect.

The Employment Equity Amendment Act No. 47 of 2013 was approved by President Zuma, in January 2014, and later published in the Government Gazette on 16 January 2014.

The amendments gave effect to constitutional rights like the right to equality, fair labour practices as well as protection against unfair discrimination. It further strengthened the implementation and enforcement mechanisms of the Act by increasing fines for non-compliance and introduces the concept of equal pay for work of equal value.

Employers are reminded that the deadline for manual reporting is 1 October 2014, while on-line filing is 15 January 2015.

According to the Department of Labour's employment equity directorate, 98.5% of reports received in the last financial year were on-line while only 1.5% was manual. – SAnews.gov.za

Taiwan has plenty of business opportunities, especially in the agro-processing and jewellery sectors, says Director of the Department of International Cooperation in Taiwan, I-Min Tong.

Tong was addressing South Africa’s business delegation that arrived in the country on the second leg of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Outward Selling and Investment Mission (OSIM).

In his address to the delegation, which represents 18 companies, Tong said South African agricultural products are popular.

“South African agricultural products, especially wines and grapes, are very popular in Taiwan. This has been the case for a number of years which has seen Taiwan increasingly importing most of these products from South Africa,” said Tong at trade and investment seminar held on Thursday.

He added that the export of finished products from South Africa to Taiwan did not mean that Taiwan and South Africa could not collaborate in the food processing industry in particular.

“Taiwan has advanced technology when it comes to food processing and the exchange of skills and technology can assist South Africa to be on par with other countries and develop its agricultural processing industry further,” he said.

The investment mission would generate more bilateral cooperation that would create more trade and investment opportunities for South Africa and Taiwan.

The Chief Director for International Trade and Economic Development at the dti, Victor Mashabela, said the department was meeting with the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan during the OSIM to deepen bilateral trade relations.

Mashabela said the economic consultation meetings focussed on cooperation on a number of sectors including the ones represented in the OSIM, and strengthening investment promotion for Taiwan and South Africa.

“The economic consultation with Taiwan will give South African businesses more options and opportunities when they want to enter and explore the Taiwanese market,” said Mashabela.

The SA delegation will today (Friday) visit different sites in and around Taipei covering various sectors which are represented by the delegation. These include ago-processing, jewellery and the automotive sectors.

The investment mission, which profiles South Africa as an investment destination, kicked off in Thailand on Monday.

The delegation arrived in Taipei on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za