Author: Agency
Telecommunications provider Telkom says the R5.9 billion it had pledged during the last South African Investment Conference (SAIC) will contribute towards enhancing connectivity, especially as the country prepares for the national general elections this year. The company is deploying 4G and 5G network infrastructure nationally. At the fifth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) which was held in April 2023, Telkom announced that it would be investing R5.97 billion in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure development across South Africa. In a statement on Wednesday, the company said it wants to develop and enable solutions that enrich customers’ lives and enable…
The South African – Saudi Arabia Business Council has committed to boosting trade as part of efforts to grow the economies of both countries. In 2023, South Africa’s exports to Saudi Arabia increased to R7.3 billion from R6.6 billion in 2022, while imports from Saudi Arabia decreased to R54.6 billion in 2023 from R73.6 billion in 2022. The exported goods include agricultural products, motor vehicles, and basic chemicals, whereas the import items mainly consisted of refined petroleum and related products and crude oil. Speaking at a press briefing in honour of the visiting Saudi business delegation, Co-Chair of the South…
In a bid to ensure a smooth start to the 2024 academic year, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will process up to R4.2 billion as an upfront payment to all higher learning institutions, prior to the application and registration finalisation period. Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, made the announcement during a media briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday on the department’s state of readiness for the opening of the 2024 Post School Education and Training (PSET) academic year. “Out of its financial reserves, NSFAS will pay R1 billion to TVET [Technical Vocational Education and Training]…
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received 1 545 822 applications for the 2024 academic year as of 21 January, with additional applications expected before the application cycle closes on 31 January 2024. Briefing the media on the department’s state of readiness for the opening of the 2024 Post School Education and Training (PSET) academic year on Tuesday, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, said the scheme has provisionally funded 657 703 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) recipients’ applicants. He urged all NSFAS applicants to submit a consent form in order to verify relevant…
The Gauteng Department of e-Government has urged learners who wrote their matric exams last year to use the Matric Results Online System to access their results. The matric results for the National Senior Certificate exams are expected to be released on Friday, 19 January, while the ministerial announcement on the results will be made on Thursday, 18 January. The Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, e-Government, Research and Development, Mzi Khumalo, said the system empowers learners. “The Matric Results Online System is a testament to our commitment to harnessing the power of technology to enhance our education system.…
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to engaging in structural reforms that will foster an environment fertile to economic growth and competitiveness. The Minister was speaking during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting held in Davos, Switzerland. Godongwana is leading the South African delegation to the critical meeting. Structural reforms in South Africa are targeted at – among other things – electricity, infrastructure, water and logistics, and are driven by Operation Vulindlela. Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and…
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has revealed that government has set aside a R3.8 billion initial capitalisation fund to support “missing middle” students. The new Comprehensive Student Funding Model aims to support students including those currently not supported by the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary and funding policy. This category of students is those who come from families who have a total income of more than R350 000, but not more than R600 000 per annum. Nzimande, who was addressing the media on Sunday, revealed that the funding model is divided into two phases. Phase…
Citizens in the country can look forward to the airing of a brand new show on their tele’s – set to educate, inspire and connect with South Africans about issues that affect their daily lives. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is set to launch a 13 episode Advertiser Funded Programme (AFP) called ‘Citizens Connect’, to be broadcast on SABC 2, starting Thursday, 18 January 2024 at 8:30 pm. “This collaboration with SABC 2 is a testament to government’s commitment to reach a diverse audience and deliver impactful content,” said the GCIS in a statement on Friday. Citizens Connect…
Israel’s response to the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 has crossed the line and breaches the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide also referred to as “the Convention”. This is according to Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, who delivered his opening remarks at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, on Thursday. “Madam President, ‘in extending our hands across the miles to the people of Palestine, we do so in the full knowledge that we are part of a humanity that is at one’. These were the words of President…
The City of Ekurhuleni is urging the youth, and unemployed residents to take advantage of a series of free online courses tailored to expand one’s knowledge on entrepreneurship and business ventures. In a statement on Thursday, the city said the courses are presented by computer information systems company CISCO, an international technology company, in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni, the National Library of South Africa and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture. Interested candidates can apply online at https://tinyurl.com/ApplyForCiscoCourses. Applications to free online course closes on Friday, 26 January 2024. The course will be offered as a…