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The South African Canegrowers’ Association says the new Sugar Industry Masterplan is set to change things for the better for both farmers and local communities.

“We have always envisaged working with government to improve people’s lives.

“With government getting on board, we hope small scale farmers, who have been struggling, will get to benefit.

“We are now going to be able to assist our youth, who want to get involved in the farming industry,” said the deputy chairperson of the South African Canegrowers’ Association, Dipuo Ntuli.

SAnews met Ntuli on a media tour of sugarcane farms in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal.

The masterplan was signed last month by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel and the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, alongside industry stakeholders.

The plan seeks to take urgent action to protect thousands of jobs, rural livelihoods and businesses, while creating diversified revenue streams for sugar producers, and deliver significant new job opportunities.

As part of the plan, industrial users and retailers have agreed to a minimum offtake of sugar for a period of three years, with at least 80% of sugar consumption to come from South African farms and millers during the first year, increasing to 95% by 2023.

Among other things, the masterplan will promote sugarcane value chains, making them competitive and sustainable in order to preserve and grow rural employment and sustainable livelihoods.

Ntuli said the industry is optimistic that the masterplan will open up new opportunities. She was grateful that government kept the industry doors open during the hard lockdown.

“We were happy as cane growers to be counted among the essential workers during the lockdown, and the industry was operating during the height of COVID-19.”

Ntuli said the thrust of the association is to put the needs of farmers first, especially small scale farmers. Transformation in the sector, said Ntuli, is something they have been striving for. Through the association, farmers are also given support.

Theuns Theunissen, a regional manager at the South African Cranegrowers’ Association, echoed Ntuli’s sentiments, saying transformation and make farming sustainable are two of their top priorities.

“We were also trying to focus on diversifying our crops,” he said.

Theunissen said government’s support, through the masterplan, will ensure that local products are on the shelves.

Theunissen encouraged South Africans to support and buy locally.

Mbukeni Nyembe, a sugar cane farmer just outside Pongola and a member of the South African Cranegrowers’ Association, said he is happy that cane growers are now going to get the support they need to survive.

Growing local industry

Nyembe has for many years been involved in sugar cane farming.

“I thank government for coming on board to assist us, as we have been struggling because of [imports]. With the new masterplan, we hope that things will be better for small scale farmers,” Nyembe said.

Nyembe said the masterplan means they can expand their businesses and employ more people.

“People are starving because they are not working. As farmers, we want to assist by employing more people,” he said.

The KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Department has strengthened its relationship with the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the province, in a move to further curb gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

KZN Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza; the Social Development Head of Department, Nelisiwe Vilakazi and Santaco provincial chairperson Boy Zondi, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging the need to ensure that GBVF is fought in all corners of the province.

According to the MOU, the department will be responsible for educating commuters, taxi rank managers and marshals on GBVF, and services offered by the department.

Santaco will be responsible for the promotion of respectful and non-violent behaviour towards its customers; the prevention of sexual harassment and GBV, and promotion of gender equality and safety of women in taxi ranks.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Khoza said the contribution made by the taxi industry is highly appreciated, and the department is happy to join hands with the taxi industry.

Khoza said the signing of the MOU is a step in the right direction towards cleaning up the image of the taxi industry, which is regarded as violent towards women.

“The signing of the MOU is a clear commitment by both partners to ensure that taxi operators do not look away when women and girls are abused within their operating spaces.

“We are happy that Santaco leadership, together with government, is strongly committed to the fight against the scourge of GBVF.”

Khoza said the department has committed itself to train all those in the taxi industry to know how to deal with GBV.

“Santaco [has] already started with the campaign to end violence directed at women. We also expect other stakeholders to [follow the example] from Santaco,” the MEC said.

Zondi said the signing of the MOU is geared towards ensuring the safety of female passengers.

“This is a marriage with the department. We transport almost 16 million people and it is important that our passengers are safe. We have a responsibility to look into the safety of passengers.”

Zondi said the provincial council has also made recommendations that all taxis have cameras installed inside, and this must become a law.

He said the recommendation for cameras at taxi ranks or malls where taxis operate is aimed at ensuring that criminals posing as drivers get arrested.

“We don’t want to hear that in our taxis, female passengers get raped because she was the last one to jump off at the last stop.

“We want our drivers to ensure that passengers get home safely. We have to drop off a passenger at her doorstep when she is the last one in the taxi,” Zondi said.

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has urged the public to be weary of spontaneous spending over the festive season.

“If you enter January unprepared, the month will seem longer compared to other months. Avoid excessive spending with an aim of impressing friends, family or even strangers,” says NCR acting manager for Education and Communication Anne-Carien Du Plooy.

Du Plooy’s comments come as many will receive their December salaries mid-month as opposed to the end of the month as is usually the norm.

“This does not mean that you should spend all of it before the end of December. Bear in mind that the very same salary should cater for debit orders at the end of December and also for all January’s expenses such as rent, food, electricity, transport and additional expenses such as school fees, school uniforms, registration fees, stationery etc,” she said on Tuesday.

The regulator said many consumers who spend without a proper budget during the festive season end up applying for credit in order to get through January.

In addition, when their applications for credit are declined by registered credit providers due to affordability, they opt for unregistered credit providers such as “mashonisas”.

Unregistered credit providers charge consumers exorbitant interest and uses unlawful tactics such as retention of cards and PINs to collect their monies.

The regulator urged consumers to report such conduct by unregistered credit providers to the National Credit Regulator on 0860 627 727 / complaints@ncr.org.za.

It also highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial strain to many consumers, which calls for consumers to save more and spend less.

The regulator advised consumers battling to repay their debts to seek assistance by contacting their credit providers for assistance.

“If this fails, they should contact registered debt counsellors for assistance,” said Du Plooy, who also cautioned consumers to be wary of debt counsellors who use misleading marketing and advertising practices, particularly on social media platforms such as Facebook to lure consumers into their businesses.

“These advertisements are misleading in nature as they misrepresent the spirit and the objectives of the National Credit Act regarding the provisions of debt counselling as a debt relief measure.”

Du Plooy gave the following tips to consumers during these difficult times:

• If you have credit life insurance, submit a claim in the event of loss of income, retrenchment, disability or death;
• If you get a bonus, count yourself lucky and use it wisely to repay debt and save as you do not know what the future holds;
• Do not be tempted by “Sales / Specials” in the shops, stick to your budget;
• Always remember that budgeting is crucial, do one and spend wisely

The number of new Coronavirus cases in South Africa has risen by 4011, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 821 889 since the outbreak.

Meanwhile, 183 people died on Tuesday, which brings the death toll to 22 432 since the outbreak.

Of the latest fatalities, 82 were recorded in the Eastern Cape, 50 in the Western Cape, 20 in Free State, 13 in KwaZulu-Natal, 11 in Gauteng and seven in the Northern Cape.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The Western Cape has 16 089 active cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 9 788, Eastern Cape 7 983, Gauteng 4 499 and Free State 4 334.

The Northern Cape has 2 139 active cases, North West 745, Limpopo 408 and Mpumalanga 400.

The information is based on the 5 640 042 tests of which 28 127 were conducted since the last report.

Global view

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the new cases remained very similar to the previous week with just under four million new infections reported in the past seven days.

Meanwhile, deaths increased slightly with over 73 000 new fatalities reported.

The WHO said America accounts for nearly half of all new cases and over one-third of all new deaths this week.

“While new cases remain high in the European region, new deaths have decreased for a second week,” the agency said, adding that new cases declined in South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions this week.

Also, deaths slowed down in the Eastern Mediterranean region and peaked in the South-East Asia region.

In Africa, while both new cases and deaths remain low compared to other regions, there was an increase of 9% in new cases.

“New deaths have remained stable over the past few weeks. In the Western Pacific region, cases showed a small decline overall while new deaths increased slightly this week.”

In the past week, the highest number of cases were recorded in the United States (reporting over 1.2 million cases, 9% increase), Brazil (over 295 000 new cases, 35% increase), India (over 251 000 cases, 15% decrease), Russian Federation (over 191 000 new cases, 6% increase) and Italy (over 145 000 new cases, 21% decrease).

Africa

In the past seven days, over 53 000 new cases were reported in Africa, a 9% increase compared to the previous week, with just under 1 000 new deaths.

“South Africa continues to account for the greatest proportion (48%) of new weekly cases in the region,” the WHO report added.

In the past seven days, the highest number of new cases was reported from South Africa (25 310 new cases), Algeria (6 290), Kenya (5 379), Ethiopia (3 810) and Uganda (2 244).

To date, there are now 67 210 778 confirmed global cases, including 1 540 777 deaths.

The number of new Coronavirus cases in South Africa has risen by 3 313, as the country also reported 43 more COVID-19 related deaths.

This is a slight decrease from the 4 116 cases reported on Sunday, which brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 817 878 since the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the death toll now stands at 22 249 after several provinces recorded fatalities on Monday.

Of those who lost their lives, 26 are from the Western Cape, nine from Free State, five from KwaZulu-Natal, two from Gauteng and one from the Northern Cape.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The Coronavirus continues to spread, with the Western Cape reporting the highest number of active cases sitting at 16 348, followed by the Eastern Cape at 10 964, KwaZulu-Natal 9 194 and Free State 5 513.

Also, Gauteng now has 4 173 active cases, Northern Cape 2 138, Mpumalanga 450 and Limpopo 395.

The data is based on the 5 611 915 tests of which 19 252 have been conducted since the last report.

The Minister has since called on everyone to change their behaviour as the festive season approaches.

He is encouraging people to wear masks, social distance, sanitise and wash hands.

“As we go into the festive season there is a huge movement across provinces, large gatherings, festivals, and so on. We need to find a way to manage this, so it does not become super-spreading events,” he said.

Deputy President David Mabuza has hailed this year’s National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Summit as particularly special as it will see the signing of the Framework Agreement for a Social Compact on supporting Eskom.

The Deputy President made the remarks when he delivered the keynote address at NEDLAC’s 25th Annual Summit on Tuesday.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s summit was held virtually with only key speakers and signatories of the social compact allowed at the venue.

“We are excited to be witnessing the signing of this social compact, as it signifies confidence in Eskom and its importance to the South African economy.

“This is in sync with the work of the Eskom Political Task Team that is chaired by the Deputy President to bring together key players within government towards the resolution of challenges facing Eskom,” he said.

Negotiation of this social compact began a year ago when the country was seized with the energy crisis – with the prospects of load shedding and high electricity prices.

The Deputy President said the social compact will be an important vehicle to hold Eskom to account to rectify the problems of the past, and ensure a sustainable supply of electricity going forward.

This year’s summit is held under theme “Social Compacting for Economic Recovery in the Time of COVID-19”.

“This is an important theme when government is galvanised to lead society to address the cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At this moment, not only has South Africa and the world been confronted with a once in a century disruptive event – the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have had to address it in a situation of economic distress,” said the Deputy President.

To contain the virus and flatten the curve of new infections, government implemented a raft of measures that included the implementation of nationwide lockdown that impacted on economic activities and jobs.

Mabuza said government is of the view that if it was not for organised business, labour and community in their own constituencies and working collectively at NEDLAC, the country would have been worse off in its response to the pandemic and nationwide lockdown.

With government faced with an ailing economy in a post COVID-19 environment, the Deputy President called on all stakeholders to join efforts in rebuilding the economy.

“As we have said before, the National Development Plan, like the economic reconstruction and recovery plan, is not the responsibility of government alone.

“Its effective implementation requires the participation of all stakeholders to decisively deal with the socio-economic challenges of poverty and inequality,” he said.

In addition to the need to rebuild the country’s economy, the Deputy President said the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the urgency to respond to the changing nature of work.

“The ILO [International Labour Organisation] has been leading discussions on the Future of Work and have identified key drivers namely climate change, technological innovation, demographics shift and globalization.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has to a great extent fast tracked some of these drivers. Government thus recognises the urgency in which we should be responding to and harnessing the positive opportunities posed by the Future of Work while mitigating against the adverse impacts that are posed by automation and artificial intelligence, for example,” he said.

The Deputy President said the changing nature of work requires the social partners to deliberate on the necessary changes to the country’s skills strategy, labour legislation and social security dispensation so that the ideal of decent work can continue to be realised under these new conditions.

“For us in the Human Resource Development Council, we recognise that COVID-19 has made more urgent the need to develop skills and training that is innovation-led, entrepreneurial-focused, and technologically advanced,” he said.

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is working around the clock to track all learners from the province who recently attended the Ballito Rage event.

“GDoH can confirm that over 1 300 students coming from Gauteng province took part in the much-publicised super-spreader Rage event which resulted in a number of participants testing positive for COVID-19,” it said on Tuesday.

The provincial department is calling on event attendees to quarantine themselves and get tested urgently.

“Those that test positive will need to isolate for a mandatory 10 days,” the department advised, adding that family contacts of those who test positive should also isolate for the same period.

On Monday, the National Department of Health issued an urgent announcement to all parents and learners who attended Ballito Rage over the weekend to get tested after it was identified as a super-spreader event.

This as scores of attendees including Ballito Rage staff contracted the virus.

MEC for Health, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, has since called on the residents of Gauteng to remain vigilant as the fight against COVID-19 is far from over.

The MEC said large gatherings such as weddings, year-end functions, funerals, religious activities and places such as shopping malls, restaurants, and other establishments disregarding lockdown regulations continue to be super-spreaders.

“We continue to plead with the members of society that in the absence of the vaccine for COVID-19, wearing a mask and adhering to other non-pharmaceutical interventions remain the most effective tool to keep the virus at bay,” Mokgethi said.

The MEC is calling on society to play its part by protecting themselves and others by avoiding the “three Cs” – closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings.

The department is once again pleading with the citizens to maintain a safe physical distance, wear masks, wash hands with soap or use an alcohol-based sanitiser and avoid large gatherings.

KZN COVID-19 outbreak

Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Health department has confirmed the province is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 in four neighbouring districts attributed to the Ballito Rage events.

According to the provincial health department, eThekwini Metro Municipality continues to record the highest number of new cases daily, contributing to more than half of the total laboratory-confirmed infections.

Also, the province is ranking the fourth-highest in terms of the number of confirmed cases countrywide with cases sitting at 131 725.

The province’s active cases jumped from 9 085 on Sunday to 9 194 on Monday.

The province also reported 13 COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours.

“KwaZulu-Natal province also ranks the fourth highest countrywide in terms of fatalities, contributing 3 406 of the deaths.”

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the organisers of Rage in Plettenberg Bay have again confirmed that the event has been postponed.

Special Investigating Unit investigators on Tuesday morning pounced on the National Lottery Commission (NLC) offices in Pretoria as it probes alleged maladministration at the agency.

The swoop comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Monday secured a search and seizure warrant from a local magistrate court as part of its investigation into NLC operations.

Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation, published in the Government Gazette, authorising the SIU to probe alleged corruption and maladministration involving the NLC.

“The proclamation covers offences which took place between 1 January 2014 and the date of publication of the Proclamation, or which took place prior to 1 January 2014,” said the SIU in a statement.

The SIU has been authorised to investigate a raft of alleged misdemeanours.

These range from serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the NLC, unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money or property as well as improper or unlawful conduct by employees or officials of the NLC.

The proclamation states that the SIU would also investigate alleged unlawful, irregular or unapproved acquisitive acts, transactions, measures or practices having a bearing upon state property. Intentional or negligent loss of public money or damage to public property will also form part of the investigation.

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has warned the public of potential criminal elements seeking to exploit the global community in relation to the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

With the pandemic having already triggered unprecedented opportunistic and predatory criminal behaviour, Interpol – in an orange notice on Monday – said the swindling is expected to be in relation to the falsification, theft and illegal advertising of COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

This also includes examples of crimes where individuals have been advertising, selling and administering fake vaccines.

“As a number of COVID-19 vaccines come closer to approval and global distribution, ensuring the safety of the supply chain and identifying illicit websites selling fake products will be essential,” said the organisation.

Interpol said law enforcement and health regulatory bodies will need to heighten coordination, as this “will also play a vital role to ensure the safety of individuals and wellbeing of communities”.

“As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains.

“It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why Interpol has issued this global warning,” said Interpol Secretary General, Jürgen Stock.

Stock warned that criminal networks will also target unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives.

As international travel gradually resumes, Stock said it is likely that testing for the virus will become of greater importance, resulting in a parallel production and distribution of unauthorised and falsified testing kits.

With an increasing amount of COVID-19 related fraud, Interpol has also advised members of the public to take special care when online searching for medical equipment and medicines.

In addition to the dangers of ordering potentially life-threatening products, an analysis by the organisation Cybercrime Unit reveals that of the 3 000 websites associated with online pharmacies suspected of selling illicit medicines and medical devices, around 1 700 contained cyber threats, especially phishing and spamming malware.

“To avoid falling victim to online scams, it is important to be vigilant, be sceptical and be safe, as offers which appear too good to be true usually are.

“Always check with your national health authorities or the World Health Organisation for the latest health advice in relation to COVID-19,” said Interpol.

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Nomalungelo Gina has made a clarion call to liquor traders to adhere to COVID-19 regulations in order to arrest the second wave of the pandemic.

Gina made the call during the launch of the national annual anti-alcohol abuse campaign held in Springbok, Northern Cape, on Monday.

Held under the theme “Combating Alcohol Abuse is Everybody’s Business”, the campaign aims to educate and create awareness amongst the country’s citizens about the adverse effects of alcohol and substance abuse, particularly during the festive season.

Gina, who is also the Champion of the District Development Model for the Namakwa District Municipality, said one of the key messages of the campaign is that a second wave of COVID-19 was becoming a reality in South Africa.

“No province or district can claim to be immune from the escalation of the virus. Alcohol selling places such as clubs, pubs and shebeens have been cited as the new super-spreaders of the virus, followed by funerals and the after-tears parties.

“We are making a national call to liquor trading places that they must adhere to COVID-19 regulations. They must make sure that they provide sanitisers at points of entry for all patrons and ensure the wearing of masks, and social distancing.  Owners of these liquor joints must obey the evening curfew and must not undermine the closing time,” Gina said.

The Deputy Minister also appealed to liquor traders to do their part in helping government in the fight against the pandemic, by contributing positively in minimising infections and deaths.

She warned liquor traders that failure to comply with the country’s COVID-19 regulations would result in their liquor licences being withdrawn by government.

She further called on all South Africans to refrain from glorifying alcohol, noting that whilst alcohol is one of the main contributors to the economy, there is a need for society in general, government in particular to point out and deal with the impact of alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol abuse has negative effects on families especially the breadwinners, the youth within the families and the communities in general. These negative effects also affect the economy through the drop of productivity.

“A winning nation with the prospects of a rising economy cannot achieve maximum progress with a society which has high levels of alcohol abuse. We are a drinking nation and therefore have an alcohol problem as a country. South Africa ranks amongst the leading countries in the world for heavy drinking levels,” Gina said.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that South Africa experienced high rates of fatal accidents during the festive season and that alcohol is a common denominator in many of the accidents, as well as in many violent incidents throughout the country.

It is against this background that the department is undertaking a campaign to create awareness amongst members of society to drink responsibly.

Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development Mase Manopole, who was also part of the launch, said that the campaign could not have come at a more opportune time, as the country is rolling out the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.

After the launch, Gina and Manopole led an inspection around Springbok, where liquor inspectors from the Northern Cape Liquor Board found that three of the five liquor outlets visited did not comply with their liquor licence conditions.

Two of the liquor outlets were ordered to close immediately.