Archives

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been collaborating with small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the chemicals, agro-processing and biotechnology industry to translate research into market-ready products.

Over the years, the CSIR has – through its Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre (BIDC) – transferred 104 products to 35 SMMEs.

The BIDC is funded by National Treasury’s Jobs Fund Programme and the Department of Science and Innovation’s, Industry Innovation Support Fund.

One of the SMMEs that has benefited from this programme is VIDA Pharmaceuticals, with female entrepreneur and owner, Patricia Mathivha, at the helm.

The business uses biodiversity to create medical and nutritional products that bring sustainable and transformative solutions to communities.

“I was inspired to start VIDA because of the existing challenges of inaccessible life-saving and life-enhancing healthy food technologies in under-resourced communities in the country and continent.

“As part of my journey to expanding and improving VIDA products, I worked with the CSIR to develop two product lines from Baobab fruit pulp, a maize porridge and snack bar,” Mathivha said.

VIDA Pharmaceuticals is one of 35 SMMEs that have benefitted from the BIDC programme.

The company works with communities in Limpopo, specifically in the Vhembe district, where the women of the community collect baobab fruits from the wild, where after the pulp is processed to a powder, which is of commercial value due to its use as a food and nutraceutical ingredient.

Designing the product

The CSIR’s agro-processing technical team, led by Dr Nomusa Dlamini, worked with VIDA Pharmaceuticals to brainstorm ideas to design a product and formulate a specification brief that outlined the kind of work that needed to be done, the type of ingredients to be used, as well as packaging and labelling requirements, as regulated by the Department of Health.

As part of this process, CSIR engineers also looked at the techno-economic feasibility of producing products at a price that is consistent with the market’s expectation while still resulting in a good return for the company.

“The interactive sessions we had with VIDA provided valuable information regarding the direction the work should take, especially on the taste, look and feel of the products, as these aspects determine consumer acceptance or rejection of the product.

“During the formulation process, we had to make sure we had incorporated sufficient amount of ingredients to provide enough nutrients to enable nutritional claims on the products. The safety and shelf stability of the products were also very important,” Dlamini said.

After the final formulation process was completed by the CSIR technical team, the product was analysed by an accredited laboratory for nutritional content, microbial safety and shelf stability.

Additionally, the manufacturing process was handled by accredited facilities that produced market samples for market testing.

“Based on the nutritional content analysis and feedback received from the market, VIDA’s instant maize porridge is not only tasty but also nutritious, with no added sugar or preservatives.

“The company’s snack bar is naturally- sweetened by the addition of honey and is high in vitamin c, magnesium, iron, zinc and dietary fibre,” the CSIR said.

BIDC Programme Manager Lara Kotze-Jacobs, who has been leading the programme since its inception in 2013 said the success of projects like VIDA Pharmaceuticals lies in the co-development of these innovative products and processes.

“The biggest gaps we have seen when it comes to SMMEs in South Africa are the lack of access to scale-up facilities and expertise in scaling up biotech processes, validation of products, and ensuring the quality of the products.

“In response to these challenges, the BIDC, has proven its capability to assist SMMEs in not only translating concepts into quality products, but also providing a platform that allows SMMEs to network with some of our partners, and access financial resources,” Kotze-Jacobs said.

CSIR said VIDA’s range of products are tailored in such a way that they are accessible, affordable and have all the nutritional requirements needed to maintain a healthy diet without spending copious amounts of money.

“The CSIR team is very proud of its work. We are not only strengthening South Africa’s bio manufacturing industry but also enabling small businesses to productise their unique and novel concepts through science and innovation, combined with access to world-class facilities,” Kotze-Jacobs said.

VIDA Pharmaceuticals is currently manufacturing its production equipment, which is set to be commissioned at the end of August.

Plans are underway to distribute their Baobab-based instant maize porridge and snack bar at local retail stores and wholesalers.

Those responsible for the murder of an Eldorado Park teenager this week will face the full might of the law, Police Minister Bheki Cele has assured the enraged community.

Cele made the commitment on Friday after visiting the family of Nathaniel Julius, 16, who was shot dead on Wednesday evening.

The Minister’s vow was reiterated by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who mourned the slain teenager in a statement.

On Thursday, angered residents took to the streets, calling for justice for Nathaniel, alleging that the youngster, who lived with a disability, died at the hands of an identified police officer.

Cele said: “We hear what you are saying. A young, innocent soul has been killed. The allegation is that a member of the SAPS is involved in that killing, therefore, police cannot investigate themselves. That is the reason the case has been given to IPID [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] to investigate what exactly happened. We hope they will find what happened and we will then be able to report [back] to the community.”

The Minister assured the seething community that the culprits responsible for the teenager’s murder would face the full might of the law.

“Whoever committed the crime will have to face the law. It doesn’t matter who’s that person. The case already been given to the IPID. We don’t want the police to be seen to be interfering. We will find the answers,” he said.

He urged those privy to the circumstances around the incident to approach the IPID with the relevant information.

“Come forward with the information so we can move faster [with investigation],” he said.

Regarding requests for the release of community leaders arrested in the wake of the violence on Thursday, Cele said police would engage the National Prosecuting Authority.

Offering condolences to the family, President Ramaphosa called for restraint, saying the death was being investigated.

In the statement, the President said the violent death of any young person is a matter of concern.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and neighbours of Nathaniel, who has, as a 16-year-old, been deprived of a future and whose tragic death has given rise to anger and unrest in a community that deserves better.”

The President says that while communities have a right to express dissent, anger should not spill over into action that could worsen the trauma already experienced by citizens.

“Justice can only prevail if community workers work with our criminal justice system to address alleged injustice or abuse.”

President Ramaphosa further urged Eldorado Park residents and authorities at municipal and provincial level to work together more closely to address underlying socio-economic challenges in this locality, including the fight against crime.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says 95% of all provincial and national government departments have submitted all information requested to the Inter-Ministerial Committee in relation to COVID-19 procurement.

This comes after Cabinet established a ministerial team to compile and collate a comprehensive report of the details of all tenders and contracts awarded by national departments, provincial governments and other public entities as part of the response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, the President said the ministerial team was given the responsibility to ensure that the details of these tenders and contracts are made public.

“Earlier this week, National Treasury started publishing the submissions from these various government departments and entities on their website.

“To date, 95% of provincial and national departments and State entities have submitted all information regarding COVID-19 procurement to the ministerial team.

“This initiative is unprecedented in our country’s history, enabling members of the public to find detailed information about how public funds are being spent,” the President said.

Government believes the initiative will establish an important precedent for future expenditure of this nature.

President Ramaphosa said the publishing of COVID-19 procurement information marks a turning point, and is the start of a new era of transparency and accountability in the procurement of goods and services by public entities.

“The measures that we are taking will definitely lead to procurement reform, which will ensure that we find solutions to the many procurement maladies, including corruption, and ensure that government does not overpay for goods and services and gets value for money.”

The President said the allegations of corruption in the procurement of goods and services for the country’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic has caused outrage among South Africans and the executive.

“It is disgraceful that at this time of national crisis, there are companies and individuals who seek to criminally benefit from our efforts to protect people’s health and save lives.

“As government, we have taken several measures not only to detect, investigate and prosecute such crimes, but also to strengthen measures to prevent corrupt activities.

“To achieve this purpose, I have authorised the Special Investigating Unit to probe any allegations relating to the misuse of COVID-19 funds across all spheres of the State.

“The work of the SIU is taking place alongside the work of the recently-established special coordination centre, which is called the Fusion Centre, to strengthen the collective efforts among law-enforcement agencies to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute COVID-related corruption.

“National Treasury has taken effective steps to tighten procurement regulations. These measures will strengthen the ongoing work of the Auditor General to audit, in real time, all COVID expenditure,” said President Ramaphosa.

Rand Water is planning to curb water demand from August 2020 until January 2021. Ekurhuleni Municipality said it has received a letter from Rand Water, informing the city that various stages and levels of restrictions will be imposed on the bulk supply meters of Rand Water, in agreement with the municipal customers.

“According to the letter, Rand Water intends to have water consumption staying within the licence target level and that means an overall reduction of 8% by municipalities,” said Divisional Head: Communication and Media Relations in the City of Ekurhuleni, Nhlanhla Cebekhulu.

Cebekhulu has encouraged customers to do everything in their power to save water at this time.

“Such actions include ensuring that no water goes to waste and that efforts to reuse water are applied. Customers are also reminded to make plans to harvest rainwater which may be used for all other household needs except for drinking and cooking,” Cebekhulu said.

According to the latest weekly report by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the country’s dam levels have dropped by 9% in the past three months, bringing them from 75,2% to 66,6% this week.

However, the department assured that his is not all doom and gloom, as this is normal during this period of the year, as the rainfall season for the inland provinces ended four months ago already.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says people who had applied for their Smart IDs or passports before 26 March 2020 at their selected banks can now go and collect them.

“The department, in partnership with the banks which participate in the online system for smart ID card and passport applicationsa, has opened for collections for clients who had applied for these documents before the lockdown,” Motsoaledi said.

Addressing the media in Pretoria virtually, Motsoaledi explained that the service at the banks will only be provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the banks’ operating hours.

“As we resume more services, I urge everyone who will be visiting our offices and our partner banks to observe health protocols aimed at combating the spread COVID-19.

“They must wear face masks, maintain social distancing and adhere to all other applicable regulations. The banks had undertaken to continue doing all in their powers to protect staff and clients,” Motsoaledi said.

Motsoaledi said the eHomeAffairs portal remains deactivated as new applications are still not accepted in the current form.

Levels of the lockdown and that of he refugee reception offices and borders throughout the county remain closed.

“VFS offices are open only by appointment for collection of outcomes on applications, which were made before the lockdown.

“During each lockdown level, we analyse the numbers of people who normally visit our offices and determine which services we can offer safely. At all times, we aim to protect the lives of our employees and citizens, while ensuring access to essential services,” Motsoaledi said.

According to Motsoaledi, since the beginning of the lockdown until 21 August 2020, Home Affairs officials assisted more than 1.6 million people who visited the department’s offices with enabling documents.

From the beginning of the lockdown on 27 March 2020 until Wednesday, 26 August 2020, Home Affairs immigration officials assisted 839 004 people to cross the borders under the permissible conditions.

“Most of these people were foreign nationals, who were returning to their countries and South Africans who were returning home, to South Africa.

“Some of these South Africans have since returned to their base countries. Other people who were assisted include those who were travelling for emergency medical evacuations,” Motsoaledi said.

Learners without IDs

Motsoaledi said his department has received a report from the Department of Basic Education indicating that there are 637 767 learners, who do not have IDs.

“The Deputy Minister is leading the initiative of ensuring that learners are issued with their IDs,” the Minister said.

According to Motsoaledi, the department has in the period between 27 March 2020 and 21 August 2020, the Department issued 347 787 Temporary ID Certificates (TIC).

Gauteng accounted for most of these TICs and has issued 92 597. Of the total issued TICs, 65 129 have expired.

Motsoaledi said holders of these expired TICs are now eligible to apply for Smart IDs and that the validity period of remaining 282 658 TICs has been extended to 31 October 2020.

Bank branches that will be re-opening for collection of smart ID cards and passports are:

–             Absa Greenacres, Port Elizabeth

–             Absa Sandton City

–             Absa Towers, Johannesburg

–             Absa Lifestyle, Centurion

–             FNB Lifestyle, Centurion

–             FNB Menlyn, Pretoria

–             FNB Merchant, Sandton

–             FNB Portside, Cape Town

–             Investec Bank Sandton

–             Nedbank Arcadia

–             Nedbank Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort

–             Nedbank Rivonia

–             Nedbank Nelspruit

–             Nedbank St Georges Mall, Cape Town

–             Standard Bank Simmonds Street

–             Standard Bank Canal Walk, Cape Town

–             Standard Bank Killarney Mall

–             Standard Bank Centurion Lifestyle

–             Standard Bank Kingsmead, Durban

–             Standard Bank Jubilee Mall, Hammanskraal

The Directions can be accessed via the following links: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202008/43650gon923.pdf

A childhood memory wherein a friend was attacked by dogs led Zandile Mbonxa to make a pinkie promise to herself that she would never have anything to do with animals.

While nobody has a one-way ticket to peak into his or her future, Mbonxa would have probably laughed at the thought that she would one day become a Veterinarian.

“I really wanted to become a human medical doctor. I could never see or imagine myself as anything else. I was very terrified of dogs and feared animals because I had no knowledge of them,” she says in an interview with SAnews.

While she had no ambition of becoming a Veterinarian, Dr Mbonxa has made use of every opportunity that life has so far presented to her.

She describes her earlier life as being both difficult and fun at times.

“I say difficult because my parents were never around when I needed them at times, due to work. I carried R2 to school daily for lunch and I knew the situation was not ideal. As young as I was, I constantly thought of how I could get myself out of that situation,” she says.

She quickly realised that education is the ticket to a better life and immersed herself in her schoolwork.

Her aunt who was always around to take care of her and her two sisters ensured that Mbonxa was able to focus on her schoolwork.

“I was raised by a single and wheelchair bound lady, who inspired me and played a huge role in my social and academic success. Despite her disability, she was able to put food on the table for us and cater to all our basic needs.

“It was through this life experience that I learnt that nothing is impossible in life, and that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to,” says Mbonxa who was born and raised in Orange Farm in the south of Johannesburg.

While attending high school at Leshata Secondary School, Mbonxa discovered her love for science.

She worked hard to ensure that she obtains good grades, if her dream of pursuing medicine was to become a reality.

As fate would have it, she went to a career awareness campaign, hosted by the then Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in 2011.

At the time, the DAFF was also looking to fund learners interested in studying for careers linked to the department.

She nevertheless applied for a bursary advertised by the department.

“I wanted to study human medicine, but I needed financial assistance, so I went for it and applied for the bursary. Luckily, I was chosen for funding and I chose Veterinary Science because it was the closest thing to human medicine,” she says.

Clinching the bursary, the ball was set in motion for her to study Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria.

While she was excited to get the bursary, Mbonxa admits that the thought of living away from her family, in an unknown city, was terrifying.

“The biggest challenge was adapting to living alone, the self-discipline [involved in] getting things done by myself, and being taught in English in a large lecture hall was just strange.”

While having graduated in April 2020, Mbonxa says coursework was no walk in the park.

“It was very hectic and the most challenging thing I have ever had to deal with really. Vet school takes blood, sweat and tears to complete the degree in record time,” says the 25-year-old.

First year of the course entailed basic Science and Math modules. The second year focused on Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Animal Science and animal behaviour.

The course also involved students working on small animals like dogs and cats, small livestock such as goats and sheep, horses, pigs and poultry.

She advises anyone who would like to become a Veterinarian, to have good inter-personal skills owing to the fact that a Vet interacts with a variety of people.

Describing her career as a noble profession, Mbonxa loves being part of a team of people who are contributing to food safety, public health and the prevention of potentially dangerous Zoonotic diseases.

Clinical work entails diagnosis and treatment of conditions, surgery, research, herd health, farm management, disease prevention, animal welfare, public health as well as import and export control among others.

“One needs patience, and the intellect to get to the correct diagnosis. Remember our patients cannot talk and say what is wrong,” she says.

Asked about what is most misunderstood about animals, Mbonxa says people often think that animals don’t have feelings or that they get sick, feel pain or that they can take anything thrown at them.

“That makes me sick. I feared animals because I had no knowledge of them. Through knowledge, I learnt that they are the most adorable creatures, so I know now that there’s nothing that knowledge doesn’t solve,” she says.

She points out that there are not a lot of Black Vets in the country – a matter that underlines the importance of having more career awareness outreach drives, particularly in Black communities.

Mbonxa says the field offers many opportunities and that those who qualify as Vets can venture into private clinical practice, welfare, government/state work, pharmaceuticals and research.

Mbonxa is currently doing her compulsory community service (CCS) with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and is a mom to a two-year-old daughter.

“I just do what needs to be done each time, work during working hours, and spend time with the family after hours,” she says.

She hopes to one day own several veterinary practices in townships as a way to lend a hand in animal health and welfare awareness.

She also wants to inspire “young Black girls like me from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.”

With South Africa currently observing Women’s Month, Dr Mbonxa is challenging women to reach for their dreams.

“Nothing is impossible; there is nothing that you touch with passion that will not turn into gold.  You are able,” she says, while also encouraging unemployed graduates not to lose hope.

In his Women’s Day message, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 not only stood for themselves alone, but for the rights of the generations of women yet to come.

The President said gains have been made in advancing women’s rights, in broadening women’s access to education, in the provision of health care and social support to women, and in improving their participation in the economy and decision-making.

While Dr Mbonxa is plying her trade in a different kind of medicine today, the women of 1956 would have been proud of everything she has achieved.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) will launch the Export Barriers Monitoring Mechanism, which will help companies experiencing export challenges.

The Export Barriers Monitoring Mechanism (EBMM) is a single channel for companies to report and receive assistance in resolving export barriers.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s launch, Deputy Minister Fikile Majola said the EBMM is open to all companies that require assistance in overcoming export challenges.

It will be able to assist with barriers encountered locally and in foreign markets.

Companies reporting to the EBMM will receive dedicated government support, with a comprehensive resolution strategy developed for each individual barrier.

“While the EBMM is open to receive barriers encountered in all markets, it will have a particular focus on smoothing trade with the rest of Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) offers unprecedented opportunities on the continent, and building a conducive environment for the movement of goods in the region is key to unlocking the potential of the agreement,” said Majola.

He adds that the EBMM will be part of a comprehensive programme of work to address non-tariff barriers that stifle regional trade.

He adds that firms making use of the EBMM will receive dedicated support from dtic officials throughout a process designed to address their specific concerns.

The launch event will include an overview of the EBMM as well as how to make use of the system. It will also include details of special support for firms looking to trade with Africa, as well as a panel discussion on export barriers featuring top business leaders.

Operations at Eskom’s Camdem power station have resumed.

Operations at the power station located in Mpumalanga, resumed on Thursday after a successful project to relocate ash from an unsafe dam at the station.

Following a four-month shutdown, Unit 8 of the station was synchronised onto the grid on Thursday, with Unit 5 expected to return to service on Friday afternoon.

“Five other units will start returning to service from 1 September until 19 September 2020. Unit 3 will remain on a major outage for the next three months. This will add a total 1 400MW to the grid,” said Eskom.

Operations at the station were suspended on 24 April 2020 following the outcome of a review by a professional body, which was contracted by Eskom to conduct a risk assessment on the structural integrity of the ash dam.

The contractor concluded that the current dam had reached its maximum height and therefore it posed a safety risk to all personnel on site, including neighbouring communities and could be a cause for environmental contravention if not attended to.

Eskom has moved about 795 000 cubic metres of ash from the dam, inclusive of 300 000 cubic metres that is being moved by road to an opencast mine for beneficiation.

To create more space, the second phase of the project will be to excavate 800 000 cubic metres of ash from the north side of the dam to a mine for beneficiation. This project should be completed by the end of November 2020.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will implement fiscal and economic reforms to raise confidence and grow the economy.

This comes at the back of a rising public debt that was incurred as government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the main, government debt is expected to reach R3.9 trillion in 2020/21.

“Since the economy and the fiscus were already weak prior to the current crisis, the starting point for ensuring fiscal stability is to close the gap between government spending and tax revenue.

“In undertaking this task, government has adopted an ‘active’ approach to managing the country’s debt.

“This includes faster implementation of the economic reforms needed to support investment and employment, raise productivity and competitiveness, and lower cost of living and doing business,” he said.

The President said the reforms will include the finalisation of electricity determinations, the unbundling Eskom and other steps to open up energy markets, the modernisation of ports and rail infrastructure and the licensing of high-demand spectrum.

He said under the ‘active’ scenario, which requires a programme of fiscal restraint, government anticipates a small surplus in the primary balance – which is the difference between non-interest spending and revenue – in 2023/24.

“Debt would stabilise at around 87.4% of GDP, after which it would gradually decline.

“The active scenario prevents debt service costs from continuing to rise faster than all other items of spending for the foreseeable future.

“In this way, it prevents an outcome where South Africa’s debt costs are higher than all other expenditure. A sovereign debt crisis causes investors to leave the country, and the country has to seek large bailouts from official lenders,” he said.

The President said new and urgent government priorities have been funded through the reallocation of budgets within and across functions.

He said it was a necessity to improve efficiency, meaning that government will have to do more with less.

“For example, more will need to be done using communication technology instead of spending money on accommodation and subsistence and travel costs.

“Government remains committed to improving education and health outcomes, and reducing poverty, as shown by the size of allocations to the learning and culture, health and social development functions over the medium term.

“The economic recovery and reconstruction plan that is being developed by government, alongside its social partners, will ensure that resources are directed to infrastructure and employment creation programmes, in particular.

“Alongside urgent structural reforms, such investments will lay a firm foundation for a return to economic growth and job creation.

“This, in turn, will increase public revenue, allowing government to reduce the budget deficit and lower its exposure to debt.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Cabinet has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the Employment of Foreign Nationals.

Fielding questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, the President said the IMC will deal with the migration of foreign nationals for employment.

“To ensure a coherent and sustainable solution to these challenges, Cabinet has recently established an IMC on the Employment of Foreign Nationals.

“Convened by the Minister of Employment and Labour and co-chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs, this IMC will deal with the migration of foreign nationals for employment and related opportunities.

“The IMC will provide guidance on matters such as existing labour supply agreements, trade relations and transportation agreements. It will also address criminality and related security matters across our borders,” President Ramaphosa said.

African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP, Thandiswa Marawu, had asked the President what steps would be taken, in view of the many job losses in the formal employment market and the youth unemployment rate at just over 60%, to ensure that trading in the informal economy is reserved only for South Africans.

She had also asked the President if he intended to instruct the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Employment and Labour to review all work permits given to non-South Africans.

Addressing the National Assembly, the President said the unemployment crisis has been dramatically deepened by the economic effects of the global Coronavirus pandemic.

“We are therefore called upon to use every means at our disposal to rebuild our economy, protect existing jobs and create new jobs.

“This means, among other things, that we need to look at issues of migration, employment and economic activity.

“As we do so, we should avoid the populist temptation to blame our unemployment crisis on foreign nationals working in our country, either legally or illegally,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said by the same measure, there is a need to understand and respond to the frustrations of many South Africans at the violation of immigration laws and other regulations by companies that employ foreign nationals illegally.

“The IMC will also review decisions on special dispensation work permits, amendments to our Immigration Act and Employment Services Act and Labour Migration Management.

“The committee will also need to ensure that our approach to the employment of foreign nationals provides the scarce and critical skills that we need to grow our economy,” he said.