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Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has launched Woza Matrics, a free-to-air television initiative aimed at supporting the matric learners of 2020 following disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The 12-week Woza Matrics campaign will start on 1 September 2020 and will support Grade 12 learners in the build-up to their final matric exams by providing quality educational content.

Subjects covered by Woza Matrics include Maths, Life Sciences, Geography, Physical Science, Accounting, Economics, Maths Literacy, English First Additional Language, History and Business Studies.

Woza Matrics will be broadcast on SABC 3, on all DStv packages and on Openview (Channel 122) from 8:00 – 10:00 and 13:00 – 15:00, seven days a week. It will also be available for free on the DStv Now Catch up app.

A wide-reaching communications campaign will ensure learners, parents and teachers across the country know exactly where to find the subject and content they need each week. A link to support materials will also be made available on 1 September 2020.

While all learners have lost school time, this is most acutely felt by Grade 12s, where marks are important for career and university choices and where the content to be covered is fixed and externally examined.

Woza Matrics is led by the DBE, assisted by the National Education Collaboration Trust and developed in collaboration with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Multichoice and eMedia Investments, as well as with a number of educational content providers including Digicampus, Mindset and Monyetla Trust, the Programme for Improved Learning Outcomes (PILO), and other educationalists.

“This initiative has come at the right time when we are working to get schooling back on track. Matric is always stressful but 2020 has been filled with unusual stresses. I want to congratulate all our Grade 12 learners and their families for the perseverance and determination.

“It is abundantly clear that additional support is required for learners and we will continue to provide this. There are a few months left before the end of the year and Woza Matrics will give learners the support they need to prepare for the final exams,” said the Minister.

Motshekga conveyed a message of gratitude to all the partners and sponsors for the role they have played in the development of the programme and availing their platforms for education purposes, particularly for Grade 12 learners.

“I am most grateful to SABC, Multichoice and eMedia Investments, who have so generously made their broadcast networks and expertise available to Woza Matrics; and to the content providers including DigiCampus, Mindset and Monyetla Trust, who have shared all their excellent content with Woza Matrics,” Motshekga said.

As partner of the Woza Matrics campaign, the SABC said their role is not only a social responsibility but a commitment to fulfil a constitutional mandate of delivering content that is intended to restore the dignity of the South African citizens.

“As the SABC, we are pleased to be one of the key role players in saving the 2020 matric year through the Woza matric campaign. Education forms an integral part of our mandate, and it is for this reason that we have availed our platforms to advance the education agenda in our country.

“As a public service broadcaster, we are duty-bound to ensure that our content includes a significant amount of educational programmes, particularly during a period when it is most needed,” said SABC GCEO Madoda Mxakwe.

Of their involvement in the campaign, MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment and Connected Video, Yolisa Phahle, said they are committed to ensure that they minimise the impact on youth by empowering them through knowledge and skills.

eMedia Investments CEO Khalik Sherrif said the positive impact of Woza Matrics 2020 will be realised when the matriculants of this year receive their National Senior Certificates timeously.

“Congratulations to all stakeholders involved in Woza Matrics 2020, an initiative that is sorely needed in a year in which normal or expected behaviour and activity have been altered by COVID-19,” said Sheriff.

SASSA will reopen its system for approved applicants to change their preferred method of payment for the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD).

SASSA CEO Totsie Memela announced that the window period for preferred method of payment is scheduled for Monday, 31 August 2020 to Sunday, 06 September 2020, 24 hours a day.

“During this period, beneficiaries can change from receiving their grants at the post office to receiving them through their personal bank accounts. They may also change from one bank to another if they prefer to,” Memela said on Tuesday.

Approved beneficiaries of the grant can change their payment method by visiting https://srd.sassa.gov.za during this period.

This development is an effort to address challenges some beneficiaries have experienced in trying to access their special relief grant from the Post Offices.

She said it is important for beneficiaries to understand that they should not go to the Post Office before they have received the SMS notification that says funds are available.

“The SMS notification is used to limit the numbers of people reporting to a Post Office on a particular day and also to ensure that sufficient cash is available,” Memela said.

When choosing a bank account, Memela said beneficiaries should ensure the account is in their name. SASSA cannot pay money for one person into an account held by another or if the bank account is closed.

“The payment process is delayed if money is sent to a closed account, as SASSA has to wait for the funds to be returned before sending it to the Post Office for collection. Clients who update their details are advised to ensure that their information is captured correctly to avoid any further delays,” Memela explained.

The payment of the COVID-19 grant is quicker if paid into a bank account, and applicants without bank accounts are encouraged therefore to open accounts.

“There are many entry level, inexpensive options on the market – some of which can be opened online. Clients who have just been approved for the relief grant by SASSA and have received an SMS to upload and verify their bank details can do so at any time and need not wait for the window period.

“The sooner the details are uploaded, the quicker the payments can be made,” Memela said.

Cash transfer

The CEO announced that clients who opted to receive their special COVID-19 SRD grant through cash transfer will get their August 2020 payment through this preferred method.

“They must ensure that the cell phone numbers they provided to SASSA to receive payments, are registered in their own names and not names of other people like relatives or neighbours. It is mandatory that the cell phone number should have gone through the RICA (Communication-Related Information Act) process in order for payment to be done through it.

“Any citizen who does not update their information during this window period, or who provides incorrect banking details will have the payments for the remaining months sent through to the Post Office,” Memela explained.

Responses to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 SRD grant can be found on the WhatsApp platform on 082 046 8553.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has called for citizens to value water during the annual Stockholm World Water Week official opening.

Sisulu on Monday joined several water ministers across the globe to officially open this year’s session of the Stockholm World Water Week, which is being hosted virtually as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.

She said South Africa is still experiencing the imbalance of equal distribution of resources such as water.

“Our country has suffered an imbalance during the dark days, of which many of you know of. The results are so embedded in infrastructure because those who historically had power benefited first, so it will take a bit of time to ensure the benefits reach every corner of the population,” Sisulu said.

Speaking during a ministerial panel discussion with her counterparts from Colombia, the Netherlands and Sweden, Sisulu said the advent of the novel Coronavirus has put a strain on the country’s already ailing water infrastructure.

She, however, said the new dispensation was doing its best to rewrite the wrongs and has improved its efforts to ensure water security for all.

The Minister said since 1994, access to water supply increased from only 55.1% of households having access to 88% in 2019.

“This is a remarkable feat, noting the fact that the population increased from 40.56 million in 1994 to 58.7 million in 2019,” Sisulu said.

As part of the country’s intervention to curb the spread of Coronavirus, the Department of Water and Sanitation has establishment a National Command Centre, which oversees the distribution of water tanks and tankers to communities with dire water challenges.

This is an immediate measure to help address challenges posed by COVID-19.

National Water and Sanitation Master Plan

As part of the long-term interventions, Sisulu said the department will implement the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, which spells out the country’s plan to secure water for all by 2030 and beyond.

The Minister said that the department is working with one of its entities, the Water Research Commission (WRC) to come up with innovative ways to improve the provision of water and sanitation services across the country.

“The South African government is doing its utmost best to ensure that all its population has water. This is an opportune time for all of us to start valuing water, not only in a crisis, but even beyond,” Sisulu said.

World Water Week

World Water Week is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, on an annual basis. It has been the focal point for global water issues since 1991.

It is foremost a collaborative learning experience, providing a unique forum and opportunity to facilitate the exchange of views, experiences and practices between the scientific, business, policy and civil society.

Three suspects, among them two police officers, are this morning expected to appear before the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for allegedly defrauding and laundering proceeds from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) COVID-19 relief funds.

This comes after the trio, aged between 25 and 39, were arrested in Durban on Monday afternoon by the Germiston Serious Corruption Investigation unit assisted by their Durban counterparts.

The suspects are alleged to have fraudulently pocketed over R692 000 which was meant for a company called National Adhesive.

In a statement, Gauteng Hawks spokesperson, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, said National Adhesive applied for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) relief funds for their employees and their application was duly processed.

“It however emerged that the company’s banking details were fraudulently changed and an amount of R692 185.55 was deposited into a different bank account,” she said.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the account belonged to a police official from the Durban Central Tactical Response Team.

He allegedly transferred the money into different bank accounts belonging to another police official and two civilians.

Warrants of arrest were issued against the two police Sergeants and a civilian.

Mulamu said the fourth suspect was not arrested but was warned to appear in court with the other three as he was cooperating with the investigations.

Almost R240 000 of the proceeds has already been frozen while efforts to recover the stolen money are already underway.

Mulamu said the investigation team has also seized a NP200 bakkie as well as a stand that was purchased through the proceeds of crime. Both will be forfeited to the state.

In the statement, national Hawks head, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, welcomed the arrests and commended the Hawks’ Priority Crimes Specialised Investigation, Financial Intelligence Centre, National Prosecution Authority, and Asset Forfeiture Unit for the speedy investigations.

The arrests come a month after law enforcement pounced on five suspects in a similar scheme in Gauteng that fleeced the UIF of R6 million.

The North West MEC of the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Kenetswe Mosenogi, has encouraged women behind a brick manufacturing cooperative to grow their business from strength to strength.

The MEC made the remarks during an oversight visit to the Meja le Mamohla Primary Cooperative in Kosmos, Haartebeespoort.

The department in a statement said the pilot project was intended to empower and introduce women to quality, environmentally friendly brick manufacturing value chains.

“The project was initiated by the department to empower a women owned co-operative through skills development in quality building panels manufacturing   and business management interventions to produce good quality, environmentally friendly panels that are used in a variety of construction projects, including human settlements, schools and libraries – just to mention a few,” the department said.

The visit formed part of the MEC’s Women’s Month programme aimed at engaging with women in business, and getting a first-hand understanding of their operations and responsibilities in the sector.

Mosenogi engaged women on challenges they face in operating in a male dominated industry.

She encouraged the co-operative’s members to focus on growing their business.

“[The] MEC also committed her department to support the co-operative by empowering them through targeted interventions such as training on running of the business, business plans development, and participating in local community empowerment initiatives for the benefit the local community,” the department said.

The cooperative is 100% operated and owned by women around the Haartebeespoort area.

During the visit, members of the cooperative shared with the MEC the history of the project, achievements to date and also how the project has changed their lives by creating jobs and skills development.

The MEC applauded the members for their passion and dedication, and encouraged them to continue with the same spirit by making it one of the best manufactures of alternative building materials in the province and even the country at large.

To date, the cooperative has managed to produce building panels used for the construction of a clinic and school around the area. The members of the cooperative hope to expand their business and supply building materials to construction companies operating within the province and throughout the country.

Acting Gauteng Health MEC, Jacob Mamabolo has directed the department to compile a full report on all long outstanding disciplinary cases.

In a statement on Monday, the MEC also urged the department to commence immediately with hearings and to fast-track cases which were already underway.

This comes in the wake of the announcement of investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) where departmental officials are implicated.

“Disciplinary action if left pending for a long period has a negative impact on the department’s performance and affect the confidence the people of Gauteng have placed on us. It also leaves staff anxious, as they are worried about their future.

“Furthermore, it constraints the department as you have people who by virtue of their transgression have demonstrated that they no longer have an interest to serve the people of our province,” Mamabolo said.

The MEC added that the department remains committed to addressing maladministration and rooting out corruption.

The Department of Correctional Services has recorded a 91.18% COVID-19 recovery rate for officials and inmates.

A total of 6 476 officials and inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 and 5 905 of those have recovered which translates to a recovery rate of a recovery rate of 91.18%.

As of Monday, the department had 466 (7.20%) active cases comprising of 129 inmates and 337 officials.

According to the latest statistics from the Department of Health, South Africa has a cumulative 611 450 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1 677 new cases identified.

The total number of deaths is at 13 159 and recoveries stand at 516 494.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has reiterated that no health care worker should be exposed to the risk of contracting COVID-19 on duty due to inadequate training, protection and support, including the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Health Department met with unions on Saturday to ventilate issues that have caused tension on matters relating to the occupational safety of health care workers, infrastructure and remuneration.

Present at the meeting was the Health Department’s senior national officials, provincial Members of the Executive (MECs) and their Heads of Department (HODs).

Despite later claims that the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) was not present at the meeting, the Health Department said unions were well represented by leadership from Nehawu, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, National Union Of Public Service & Allied Workers, Public Servants Association of South Africa, South African Medical Association Trade Union and Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa.

In a statement released following the meeting, the Health Department said there was clear common ground between government and unions that a zero tolerance stance will be adopted regarding the availability of PPE to all health care workers.

The department reiterated that there is enough PPE stock in the country but acknowledged that the issues pertain to the movement and distribution or redistribution of stock.

“Based on all the above, it should be clear to all that the primary protection of health workers is a matter on which we will all agree, with no exception. Our approach must therefore be to support the simple ethos: no PPE, no work.

“We believe that this should motivate management and labour to ensure there is not a situation where someone declines to work. It is unfair to put any worker in such an invidious position,” the department said.

Joint monitoring of PPE at health facilities

While all parties noted an improvement in the situation since concerns around PPE were initially raised, the Minister has directed that the availability of PPE needs to be jointly monitored on a daily basis at all facilities.

To gain deeper understanding of the issues on the ground, the Minister sampled a number of institutions where there have been complaints and subjected those to investigations.

The department has adopted the strict principle, with immediate effect, that only a report verified jointly by a functional Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) committee will be taken as the final resolution.

“As far as the national department is now concerned, any unattended problems will automatically mean that the OHS committee is non-existent or non-functional, and as such, there is non-compliance with legislation. This will invite decisive consequence management.

“To ensure that parties engage on the same basis, unions will have direct access to information contained on the department’s web-based dashboard and digital stock visibility system,” said the department.

This will enable unions, together with management, to conduct daily audits at facility level. It will easily allow for tracking of granular details such as sizes available, quantity and evidence of quality assurance.

“This will be very important, as issues of monitoring PPE should best be managed on the ground. Similarly, issues of transportation and distribution of PPE should be managed by the same committees at facility and district level.”

The department also highlighted that a common understanding needs to be brokered in regards to the use of PPE in various work settings.

To this end, the meeting recommended that the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 collate information from all stakeholders and issue an advisory that can be acceptable to all parties and applied across all provinces.

This will also provide an opportunity for any revisions that need to be considered, based on feedback from health workers.

Caring for health workers

Mechanisms to enhance support for health care workers, who become infected, need to be strengthened.

“It will be important to provide a service that encompasses pre-test counselling, post-test counselling, quarantine/isolation support and support for those who fall ill,” said the department.

The meeting agreed that there has to be consistency in the implementation of these provisions to address the concerns of the unions.

The number of COVID-19 cases has reached 609 773 in South Africa after 2 743 new cases were identified on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the death toll has now jumped to 13 059 since the outbreak in March.

Of the new 72 new COVID-19 related deaths, 41 are in Gauteng, 12 in KwaZulu-Natal, 11 in the Eastern Cape and eight in the Western Cape.

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

The provinces with the highest number of infections include Gauteng with 206 018 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 109 841, Western Cape 104 588 and Eastern Cape 85 203.

Free State has 34 980 cases, North West 24 301, Mpumalanga 23 100, Limpopo 12 563 and Northern Cape 9 129.

Fifty cases remain unallocated.

The number of those who have recovered stands at 506 470, which translates to a recovery rate of 83%.

The information is based on the 3 553 425 tests done to date, with 18 358 conducted since the last report.

In an interview on eNCA on Sunday, Mkhize said the country might be over the surge.

“The plateau has started. In the Western Cape, it’s been over two months. Cases in KwaZulu-Natal are also decreasing. That is indicative of a promising time,” he said.

However, Mkhize said the real risk government is worried about is resurgence if people neglect precautionary measures.

“The message we are sending is for everyone to take personal responsibility,” he said, adding that other countries have had to re-impose restrictions.

“We will have to do the same if people start behaving complacently. We hope we don’t have to go in that direction. It is a decision that is not taken lightly. We do think it’s possible for people to exercise social behavioural changes.”

Mkhize pleaded with the nation to focus on containment measures such as wearing of masks, washing hands regularly, sanitising and maintaining social distancing.

Globally, as of 23 August, there have been 23 057 288 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 800 906 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has appointed a team of experts to investigate a fire that broke out on municipal land adjacent to a plastic manufacturing factory at the weekend.

According to Dube-Ncube’s department, the factory was gutted in the fire. The incident happened a few kilometres away from the New England landfill site in uMsunduzi Municipality.

“I have requested a formal report from environmentalists, who have been on site … Although I am still waiting for this formal report, I must hasten to point out that we won’t hesitate to take action against anyone found responsible for this air pollution [cause by the fire],” Dube-Ncube said in a statement.

The investigation was expedited, as research has revealed that long-term exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide can reduce lung function and cause respiratory illness.

“These pollutants have also been shown to cause a persistent inflammatory response, even in the relatively young and to increase the risk of infection by viruses that target the respiratory tract,” said the provincial Department of Economic Development.

Dube-Ncube recently briefed the Portfolio Committee on Conservation and Environmental Affairs about the importance of clean air during this period of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The department has previously stated that it will focus its efforts on ensuring that the private sector and all spheres of government commit and work together to improve air quality.

“We are stepping up efforts aimed at cutting emissions and cleaning up the air for communities across the province. With many companies getting back to business, we are expecting an increase in air pollution,” said Dube-Ncube.

To deal with air pollution, KwaZulu-Natal is developing a comprehensive Air Quality strategy, which is expected to be concluded around 30 October 2020.

Dube-Ncube said the strategy will be implemented across all municipalities.

“Our long-term plan is to ensure that leaders of society, academics, big corporates, elected public representatives and communities adopt a single strategy for implementation to deal with air pollution,” she said.

Regarding the New England landfill site, the MEC said her department was encouraged by the positive response from a number of communities, who are part of the ‘Love Pietermaritzburg’ initiative. This comes after the department recently presented its plan aimed at turning around the situation at the site.

“We have agreed to work together with representatives of this initiative. They have also offered to share their skills and expertise in the area of waste management,” said Dube-Ncube.

The Ministerial Committee appointed by Premier Sihle Zikalala to work on the New England landfill site will continue to work with all stakeholders to deal with air pollution.

The committee includes Dube-Nube, Finance MEC Ravi Pillay, Transport and Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli, COGTA MEC Sipho Hlomuka, Mayor of Umsunduzi Municipality Mzimkhulu Thebolla, uMgungundlovu District Mayor Thobekile Maphumulo and the Technical Team of officials representing the three spheres of government.