Sandy Nairne has decided to step down in February 2015 as director of the National Portrait Gallery, London, after 12 years, to pursue his writing and advisory work, it was announced this week, Thursday 12 June 2014. National Portrait Gallery Sandy Nairne says: ‘It has been a great privilege to lead such a special institution... Read MoreSandy Nairne resigns from National Portrait Gallery is a post from: ArtnSpire


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The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has invited companies to apply for participation at the South African Expo and Investment Seminars to be held in China, in October. Companies targeted are those operating in the agro-processing, chemicals, plastics, steel, aluminium, automotive, electro-technical, transport, mining and renewable energy sectors, among others. The expos will take [...]Apply for SA Expo in China is a post from: South Africa Business


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Youth development and jobs, housing and boosting small businesses are among the things citizens want President Jacob Zuma to speak to when he delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Zuma, who recently took time out to rest after a busy election period, is expected to deliver his speech at 7pm on Tuesday, June 17.

Shortly after Parliament’s presiding officers announced that they were prepared to host the President and many other guests at the event next week, SAnews took to the streets to ask what Cape Town residents expected President Zuma to announce.

Martin Dirk, from Mitchells Plain, said he would like to hear the President outline how jobless and unskilled youth with matric would be helped.

“Our children have passed matric and are still struggling to find jobs for years. My son and daughter both have their matric. My daughter passed matric when she was 18 and she is now 27, still struggling to find a decent job,” he said.

Earlier this month, Statistic SA released a trends survey that found that young people of today were likely to struggle to find employment despite being more educated than the older generation.

Sakhile Malinga, a local entrepreneur, said he would like to see President Zuma spending some time talking about how government would make it easier to do business.

When the President announced his new cabinet, he announced that a new Ministry of Small Businesses would be formed to focus on ensuring that small businesses are given a chance to survive, and that red tape is reduced.

“As an entrepreneur, I would like to see what the benefits are for small business. I think there are tax benefits and initiatives on receiving contracts. I think the biggest support we would require would be for government to make it easy to do business, proper business, not tender business,” he said.

Nwabisa Lindi, a young professional, said housing has in recent weeks dominated headlines and she felt government needed to ensure that enough was done to scrap housing list corruption to allow older citizens to be given houses before young people.

“I would actually like the President to look into human settlements because we find that in most cases, in each and every province there will be youngsters getting houses. From my experiences, what I know based on recent media reports, Vukani – an area in Gugulethu in Cape Town – you will find that the identity numbers written there were that of young people born in 1991 to 1986.

“My issue is that there are older people who don’t have houses. I would like the President or the Department of Human Settlements to prioritise old people.

“Now that we are experiencing this kind of weather, it is very hard and it is traumatising to wonder how old people live in these conditions,” she said.

Nondumiso Matuntuta, a teacher from Khayelitsha, said she would like to hear the President announce new projects around schooling.

She said she wanted to hear what the President will say about supporting struggling independent schools, as the ones from her area were struggling.

Meanwhile, Parliament announced on Thursday that it was ready to host the President’s SONA.

The theme for this year, “20 years of democratic Parliament”, was kick-started with the unveiling of former President Nelson Mandela’s bust in front of the National Assembly entrance in April.

A red carpet would be rolled for the President on Tuesday when he arrives to deliver his speech.

The order of the day will see the following activities taking place, including:

· A mounted police escort and a military ceremonial motor escort;

· Lining of the President’s route to Parliament by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF);

· A red carpet at Parliament lining the President’s route to the National Assembly building;

· Public participation along the walk by the President, accompanied by Parliament’s Presiding Officers and the Secretary to Parliament, from the Slave Lodge to the saluting dais in front of the National Assembly building;

· Cultural performances along the red carpet route;

· National salute by the Ceremonial Guard of the SANDF, a military band, a salute flight by the South African Air Force and a 21-gun salute.

– SAnews.gov.za

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the City of Tshwane on Thursday signed a R1.6 billion long-term loan facility to support the City’s capital expenditure programme.

This facility aims to accelerate the eradication of backlogs in water and sanitation, roads, electricity and housing related infrastructure, as well as to support the City’s growth and development initiatives.

Supporting municipalities to deliver socio-economic infrastructure remains an important focus area for the DBSA to address the country’s triple challenges of high unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The Bank participates in public bond issuance programmes and other funding, including project finance, to accelerate the delivery of social and economic infrastructure, such as the Bus Rapid Transport system in Metropolitan municipalities.

City Manager Jason Ngobeni said the facility will be utilised to aggressively fast track the City’s Infrastructure Capital Programme designed to match the long term assets to be created.

“This is the inaugural 20-year loan tenure for the City, which remarkably coincides with the celebration of the country’s 20 years of democracy.

“This level of capital investment in the City was, in part, necessitated by the need to improve the enlarged infrastructure of the City, which now includes the erstwhile municipalities of Metsweding, Nokeng Tsa Taemane and Kungwini.

“In this financial fear, 37% of the capital programme is funded through long-term borrowing and the rest being from capital grants and internal resources,” he said.

DBSA Group Executive for South Africa Financing Division at the DBSA, Tshokolo Nchocho, said the facility forms part of the DBSA’s continuous and accelerated support to municipalities in eradicating infrastructure backlogs.

Like many other metropolitan municipalities in the country, the City has its substantial infrastructure backlogs, which create challenges in facilitating and increasing access of basic services to its constituencies, particularly those in the previously disadvantaged areas.

“We are pleased to be part of this capital expansion programme, which signifies the Bank’s commitment to contribute towards the development of social and economic infrastructure in the City of Tshwane, which is much needed to improve the quality of life of its 2.9 million residents.

“In ensuring that metropolitan municipalities remain the heartbeat of the country’s economic growth, the DBSA has therefore embarked on a process to package a comprehensive support programme aimed at addressing each metro’s unique requirements while at the same time ensuring that the Bank delivers on its development mandate,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za

Platinum producers have announced that an 'in principle' agreement has been reached in the five-month strike over wages.

Mining companies Amplats, Implats and Lonmin said on Thursday that undertakings had been reached with the leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) in respect of wages and conditions of employment.

Amcu is expected to discuss the 'in principle' undertakings with its members to seek a mandate to accept offers which, if given, will bring to an end 21-week long strike.

The mines said they will receive feedback from Amcu on Friday.

Amcu members downed tools on January 23, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.

The strike has reportedly cost platinum producers R21 billion in lost revenue and workers R1 billion in lost wages.

The Minister of Mineral Resources, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, on Tuesday announced the withdrawal of an inter-governmental task team in the wage dispute in order to exert pressure on platinum producers and Amcu to move towards a common ground.

The task team was set up two weeks ago, following the appointment of the new minister. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African government has conveyed its best wishes for a successful 2014 FIFA World Cup to the government and people of Brazil.

The opening match will be preceded by a ceremony at the Arena de Sao Paulo that pays tribute to nature, people and football.

Deputy CEO of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Nebo Legoabe said: “On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, we wish Brazil all of the best. Football has the ability to unite people from different cultures and backgrounds.

“It is our hope that, just as we experienced this in 2010, a deep sense of pride and confidence will sweep over Brazil, as the world experiences its rich culture and vibrancy, and its hosting of this major event”.

She said government is pleased at the number of African teams that will contest the FIFA World Cup and is confident that the teams will make the continent proud.

“Africa’s participation in major sporting events is gaining momentum, and we will be supporting our continental teams.”

Legoabe said government encourages Brazilians to enjoy the tournament and the lasting benefits that will be in place after the event.

“Government also invites South Africans to use this occasion to reflect on the success with which our country hosted this event four years ago this week; we must hold onto this legacy as we move South Africa forward in the years to come,” she said.

Brazil to take on Croatia

The football-obsessed national team is expected to beat Croatia in their opening match scheduled to kick-off at 10pm South African time at de Arena Sao Paulo.

The host nation have never lost their opening World Cup game, with the previous 20 opening games producing 14 victories and six draws for the hosts.

The month-long tournament sees 32 nations compete for a place in the final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, 13 July.

African teams

Africa's national teams, who are representing the continent and hoping to produce better results than at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, are Ghana, Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon. - SAnews.gov.za

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) congratulates Aleck Skhosana from KwaZulu-Natal Athletics who was elected new president of Athletics South Africa (ASA) on Saturday 7 June 2014. Skhosana was elected after beating three other candidates, including former ASA President, James Evans. The establishment of the new leadership follows the overthrowing of Evans’ [...]SASCOC congratulates new ASA leadership is a post from: Time-to-Run South Africa


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The Department of Home Affairs has provided a grace period to allow children to travel with parents or guardians without an unabridged birth certificate, until end of September 2014.

This means that families will be able to travel with children even for the coming school holidays, as some would have made the necessary arrangements ahead of the commencement of the Immigration Amendment Acts of 2007 and 2011 and the new Immigration Regulations.

The Amendment Acts and the new Regulations came into effect on 26 May 2014.

The amendment to the Immigration Act Regulation 6 requires anyone travelling to or from South Africa with children under the age of 18, to be in possession of a fully unabridged birth certificate, in addition to a valid passport.

“From 1 October 2014, the requirement for an unabridged birth certificate for children travelling with parents will come into effect for the safety of children, including their protection from child trafficking, abduction and kidnapping,” the department said.

The department has urged citizens and foreign nationals to heed the call to apply for unabridged birth certificates for their children.

Up and till mid 2013 parents of new borns were issued only with a birth certificate which stated the mother’s information.

Parents had to apply for an unabridged birth certificate separately. Since August, parents had the option to apply at birth for a fully-fledged unabridged birth certificate that has both parent’s info on the document.

A birth certificate takes a few days, while an unabridged birth certificate takes 6 to 8 weeks. – SAnews.gov.za

The Boitekong Community Health Centre (CHC) in the North West, has temporarily closed its doors, to allow contractors to give it a much needed facelift.

The North West Department of Health said the refurbishments at the centre are part of a revitalisation programme aimed at upgrading and improving infrastructure of health facilities in the province.

The refurbishments will see the centre getting new additions, including a theatre, mental facility and four additional maternity beds.

Health services that were being offered at Boitekong CHC have been relocated to various health facilities within the Rustenburg Health Sub District.

“During the duration of refurbishments, maternal deliveries will be catered for at Tlhabane and Bafokeng Community Health Centres.

“Mothers and children services have relocated to Kanana clinic, while HIV and Aids, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Tuberculosis and Trauma services have moved to Boitekong Clinic.

“Chronic patients will receive health services at Boitekong CHC Park home,” the department said.

The department has appealed to members of the public to access health services at designated health facilities. – SAnews.gov.za

A car-obsessed dentist who has amassed Britain ’s biggest private car collection is selling the whole lot for £100 million. James Hull, 53, who founded the James Hull Associates chain of dentists, owns more than 450 rare and classic cars, ranging from multi-million pound rare Jaguars to Winston Churchill’s Austin, and a Bentley once owned [...]
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