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The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has called on unions to convene their own bilateral meetings to finalise the South African Airways (SAA) restructuring plan.

In a statement issued on Monday, the department said after withdrawing from the Leadership Consultative Forum (LCF) – a mechanism formed to facilitate employee engagement towards the development of a business and operating model for a new and restructured South African Airways (SAA) – the department has had bilateral discussions with all unions, and is now calling on them to do the same amongst themselves and find a solution to the future of the airline.

The DPE has had separate meetings with the National Transport Movement (NTM), South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), Aviation Union of Southern Africa (AUSA), Solidarity, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), the SA Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) and the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) and representatives of SAA non-unionised managers and ground staff.

According to the department, the NTM, SATAWU, AUSA, Solidarity and SAA non-unionised staff representatives have made a commitment that they would like to sign the Voluntary Severance Packages (VSP), which can be offered to employees immediately after the creditors’ vote on the Business Rescue Plan on 14 July 2020.

“They further said that they support the VSPs, which include one week calculated per year of completed service, one-month notice pay, accumulated leave paid out, a 13th cheque and a top-up of severance packages calculated on a back-dated 5.9% wage increase, which was agreed to in November last year.

“The department met with NUMSA and SACCA, and SAAPA separately on Friday, 3 July 2020 and the concerns that they have were addressed. The concerns centred on the number of people to be retrenched and the value per employee of the proposed VSP,” the department explained.

The department emphasised that the 1 000 people start-up number and the R2.2 billion budget for the VSP were arrived at with the view to ensuring restructuring results in the formation of a viable, sustainable, competitive airline that provides integrated domestic, regional and international flight services.

“It is important that we ensure that we have an airline that emerges from the business rescue plan, which will not be burdened by unsustainable agreements. The DPE is not in a position to accede to any further demands from sections of union leadership for additional benefits.

“As a shareholder on behalf of government, the DPE has made it clear to all the unions that the R2.2 billion budgeted for VSPs is the best that can be made available when government is faced with massive financial demands and constraints in the current financial crisis facing our economy,” the department said.

Focus on social plan aimed at equipping individuals

The department has urged union leaders and employees to accept the voluntary severance packages offered and focus on the social plan that is aimed at equipping individuals to re-enter the job market.

“Employees who take up the VSPs will be entitled to re-apply for positions in the new restructured company as it grows. The social development plan that is being finalised is aimed at empowering displaced employees with new skills, which will give them the best opportunity of regaining employment in the aviation industry as it recovers as well as opportunities identified in other sectors.”

The department has also committed to exploring the option of a temporary layoff scheme that can accommodate certain employee categories to enable ease of availability.

It warned further warned that effectively all stakeholders, particularly employees, stand to lose if SAA is placed into liquidation.

“Seeing that it would require a level of commitment and cooperation from both SAA and the unions to overcome the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic where thousands of jobs are being lost on an unprecedented scale in South Africa and across the world, the DPE calls on the unions to convene their own bilateral meetings,” the department said.

Proudly South African had recently launched a Buy Local consumer education campaign that went live on various platforms which included TV commercials.

The new campaign featured Dr John Kani who was both the face and the voice of the buy local campaign’s previous advert.

Dr Kani takes on the role of the state President seen delivering an address to the nation.

The TV commercial element, called ‘Game Time’ was shot in one day in Johannesburg and Alex.

“The campaign calls upon us to contribute to putting the South African economy and South Africans back to work by making buy local choices.

“Unemployment figures now stand at a record high of over 30.1%. Our economy is in dire straights and the debt levels of the country, and those of its citizens had already escalated to dangerous levels over the last few months and have been further impacted by the lockdown and the economic inactivity particularly of levels 4 and 5.

“We are delighted with the interpretation of the objectives of our campaign brief by everybody involved in the pre-production, execution and post-production phase of the TV commercial in particular. We are very proud of what we have achieved together.

“We hope the commercial will resonate with the South African public and they will see the benefits of buying locally manufactured goods, but more important, that they will understand the consequences of not supporting our own,” said ProudlySA Chief Executive Officer Eustace Mashimbye.

“We are especially grateful for Dr John Kani’s passion for the buy local movement and his willingness to be part of the project and we hope that it will be his voice that people hear when they go to the shops or order online, making them think twice before choosing an imported item.

“Buying imported products results in jobs being exported, and it is this direct consequence which we need to be mindful of when making our everyday purchasing decisions,” Mashimbye said.

The TV commercial part of the campaign is being flight as a public service announcement on SABC which is a strategic partner of ProudlySA.

It is also being flighted on eTV and DSTV channels which have committed to providing support to this much needed Buy Local drive.

The entire consumer education campaign will also have a presence on various radio and digital platforms giving it a significantly broader reach.

Members of the public can see the ad on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sdyj05fjtuQ.

The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has signed and approved the reopening of cinemas, theatres, museums, libraries, galleries and archives.

The reopening of these spaces must be done in compliance with measures to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19, as per 27 (2) of the Disaster Management Act 2002 (Act no. 57 of 2002).

“This approval comes after consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health. Cinemas, theatres and arts and cultural spaces overall may operate, provided that only 50 people or less are allowed, in compliance with health safety protocols,” the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said on Tuesday.

The Directions include the limitation of operating hours, as per the amended standard operational procedure, the provision of limited service and limited contact, as well as the limitation on the number of people visiting a space at any given time.

“It is important to note that all arts and cultural institutions must submit their plans to the Minister in writing, in accordance with the outlined processes and protocols, within 14 days of the publication of these Directions,” the department said.

African Union Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has welcomed the resumption of trilateral negotiations between the parties to the Grand Renaissance Ethiopian Dam (GERD).

The negotiations follow the meeting of the African Union (AU) Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held on 26 June 2020, the ministerial delegations of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, supported by technical experts, reconvened on 3 July 2020 to discuss the outstanding legal and technical issues pertaining to the GERD matter.

The GERD is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the continent and has the potential to be a catalyst for integration and development in the sub-region.

“The resumed trilateral negotiations is an indication of the commitment of all parties to the GERD to dialogue as a means toward a peaceful, amicable, and durable solution taking into consideration all the dimensions of the GERD matter.

“By this act, the parties have demonstrated their commitment to an African-led process in the spirit of African solution to African problems,” said President Ramaphosa.

He said he is sincerely encouraged by the initial report he received, which indicates focused attention by all parties to the GERD in finding solutions.

“I wish to further implore the parties to proceed along this path in order to reach an agreement on all outstanding issues,” said the President.

In accordance with the decision of the AU Bureau meeting of 26 June 2020, President Ramaphosa will be presented with a report on the outcomes of the trilateral negotiations, after which he will convene a meeting of the Bureau to consider the report.

In the meantime, the President’s office said the AU Chairperson is maintaining, dynamic, regular contact with all the Heads of State and Government ahead of this meeting in order to lend further momentum to the ongoing negotiations.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has welcomed the arrest of a former departmental employee who appeared in court on charges of fraud and corruption.

Kedibone Serumula, a former administrative clerk in Lephalale, Limpopo, was arrested on 30 June 2020.

The arrest followed police investigations into allegations that she, alongside another suspect, assisted in fraudulently registering a child using the details of another person.

Further investigation revealed Serumula also allegedly received R4 500 from the same suspect on a different occasion.

She appeared at the Lephalale Magistrates Court and was released on a R3 000 bail.

Serumula who resigned in 2016, is scheduled to reappear in court on 13 August 2020.

In a statement on Monday, Motsoaledi commended the police for their dedication in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book.

“I won’t allow corruption and malfeasance in the Department of Home Affairs to rob citizens and other qualifying people access to important enabling documents. Corruption and malfeasance strip-off the dignity of our citizens because they end up being unable to access other government services,”” Motsoaledi said.

Justice said the Minister is being served despite Serumula’s resignation.

“This case pleases me because it shows that the long arm of the law will follow you for crimes committed while in the employ of the Department long after you have left. I commend the police for their dedication in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book,” said Motsoaledi.

The Minister encouraged anyone who may have any information on such corrupt activities or any other criminal activities to contact the South African Police Service.

People with information can also contact the National Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701 and the Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit on 012 406 4318.

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases have breached the 200 000 mark, while the death toll is now sitting at 3 310.

While the country has recorded 97 848 recoveries, infections increased by 8 971 to 205 721 on Monday, while 111 more people lost their lives.

Of the new additional deaths, 50 are from Gauteng, 35 from the Western Cape, 17 from Limpopo and nine from the Eastern Cape.

The MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs in the North West, Gordon Kegakilwe, also succumbed to COVID-19 after a short battle with pneumonia.

“He was admitted [on Sunday] to a private hospital in Vryburg and was subsequently transferred to Klerksdorp, where he suffered cardiac arrest on arrival,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said.

The Minister described him as a tried and tested leader, with an illustrious political career.

“It is crushing to lose such talent at the prime of his life,” Mkhize said.

He also expressed his condolences to his friends, colleagues and comrades, and to all the other families who have lost their loved ones.

The country has conducted 1 864 111 tests, 33 950 of which were done in the last 24 hours.

The Western Cape remains the epicentre with 70 938 cases, followed by Gauteng 66 891, Eastern Cape 38 081 and KwaZulu-Natal 15 819.

North West has 6 410 cases, Free State 2 804, Mpumalanga 2 173, Limpopo 1 785 and Northern Cape 820.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 11 327 790 cases globally and 532 340 deaths.

View live COVID-19 Stats @ Live Stats

A Mamelodi West Labour Centre was forced to shut its doors after an officer tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Employment and Labour said the building in Pretoria will be disinfected for the duration of the closure.

Officials at the centre, especially those who came in contact with the client service officer, will be subjected to the necessary Covid-19 related protocols.

The department’s Gauteng Chief Director: Provincial Operations Tshepo Mokomatsidi said strict protocols are in place.

“Our office might be closed but our service continues and work still goes on as we speak because some of our officials are working remotely from home. This goes to show how our team recognises the seriousness of the situation,” said Mokomatsidi.

The department’s Director General Thobile Lamati has previously stated that the safety of staff remain paramount.

“Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible,” he said.

The centre is expected to reopen on Wednesday, 8 July and will function under skeletal staff, as some employees will be in isolation.

Meanwhile the department has advised clients to visit nearby offices and be mindful of the fact that they could be in long ques due to the pressure from other offices.

“We apologise for the inconvenience the closure might cause.”

The department also encouraged clients to use its online services on www.labour.gov.za

North West Premier Job Mokgoro has expressed condolences at the passing of the province’s Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs MEC, Gordon Kegakilwe, who on Monday succumbed to a short but serious COVID-19-related illness.

Kegakilwe was admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia on Sunday afternoon at the Vryburg Private Hospital. Upon admission, the MEC was immediately put on oxygen.

“A decision was taken this morning to transfer him to a medical facility in Klerksdorp,” said the Premier’s office in a statement.

He was transported from Vryburg to Klerksdorp in an ambulance and upon arrival in Klerksdorp, he suffered cardiac arrest. Despite all the efforts by the medical personnel, he passed away.

Mokgoro sent his condolences to the family and friends of Kegakilwe.

Mokgoro said Kegakilwe had distinguished himself as one of the finest to have come from the ranks of the governing African National Congress, and was a ‘tried and tested leader”.

Schools across the country will today welcome back Grades R, 6 and 11 learners to school.

“The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) noted that provinces may be at different levels of readiness for the return of Grade R learners. Therefore, the CEM agreed that those provinces that are not ready to receive Grade R on 6 July 2020, must provide strategic and realisable plans for ensuring the reincorporation of Grade R learners to schools within, but not later than the end of July 2020,” Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, said.

She said provinces that are ready to receive Grade R learners on Monday can proceed to receive the learners.

The Minister was addressing a media briefing on Sunday following the CEM meeting last week, where several reports, including the Monitoring and Evaluation Report compiled by the independent verification consortium, were considered.

“What is critically important is that all Grade R and pre-Grade R learners, who have already returned to school, must remain in school. Schools that meet the health, safety and social distancing protocols can reopen for their Grade R and pre-Grade R learners,” Motshekga said.

The Department of Basic Education will continue to work with the national associations responsible for learners with special needs to streamline the return of these learners to school.

“A further agreement by CEM is that all Grades that are part of the second cohort should return to school in an orderly, staggered fashion within, but later than the end of July 2020,” the Minister said.

She said a number of overall patterns continue to emerge from the monitoring and evaluation process carried out by the department.

“Across most thematic areas in the tool, there were relatively high levels of readiness on average, with the lower levels recorded for psychosocial support, school nutrition, and personnel provisioning, as well as the highest levels of readiness recorded for facilities, water and sanitation, and compliance with COVID-19 protocols,” the Minister said.

The Director-General for the Department of Basic Education will continue to convene one-on-one meetings with the Heads of the Provincial Education Departments to ensure that there is continuous sharing of experiences and working together.

“We unfortunately lost the lives of 11 teachers and four non-teaching staff in the Eastern Cape to the virus; as well as three learners, who are reported to have succumbed to COVID-19.

“The reports show that some of these teachers and learners could not have the opportunity of reporting back to school on school reopening. We convey our deepest condolences to the affected families,” the Minister said.

Since the return of the Grade 7 and 12 learners on 8 June, 968 of the 25 762 schools, were closed and reopened.

This is almost 4% of the total number of public and independent schools in the country.

“Again, since the return of the Grade 7 and 12 learners, 2 740 teachers, of the total number of 440 000 teachers, were infected by the virus. This is equivalent to less than 1% of the entire teacher population in our country.

“In the same period, 1 260 learners were infected by the virus. This implies that 0.01% of our learners, were infected by the virus,” the Minister said.

Differentiated timetables and trimming of the curriculum

The department has noted that many schools may have spacing challenges when more grades return to school.

“Almost all schools are going to have to adopt innovative approaches with respect to timetabling and classroom management, in order to ensure that all children can return to school, while at the same time, maintaining the necessary social distancing measures.

“Options such as platooning, rotating different grades coming to school on particular days of the week, and other innovative approaches based on the different contexts, will need to be considered. Most provinces are inclined to favour the rotational option, rather than the platoon option,” the Minister said.

As a result of the loss of schools days this year, revised Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs) have been developed and adapted by provinces, and have been communicated to schools and teachers.

“In some cases, innovative approaches are being used, like training teachers using Microsoft Teams and other virtual approaches. It is of critical importance that young people are kept constructively occupied, engaged and connected through schooling,” the Minister said.

Vandalism of schools

Almost all provinces are currently doing repairs as 1 718 schools were vandalised during the national lockdown.

“In Gauteng alone, 351 schools have been affected by vandalism, and six were vandalised just this week. These are burglaries taking place in schools previously targeted. In the North West, a school was torched this week, resulting in three classrooms being damaged. The province reports that burning tyres were used to set the school on fire,” the Minister said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the public to protect the elderly from exposure to Coronavirus, as this group is the most vulnerable.

Writing in his weekly newsletter to the nation, the President said keeping a distance from the elderly during this period can save their lives.

“Coronavirus can infect anyone, but older people are among those at highest risk of getting severely ill and possibly dying. Sadly, there have been a number of Coronavirus outbreaks at old age homes and care centres, resulting in a number of deaths,” he wrote.

Data released by the Department of Health indicates that people with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, asthma and chronic respiratory disease are more vulnerable to developing severe complications and dying from COVID-19.

According to new research published by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a third of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 had at least one co-morbidity.

“This is a significant concern in a country such as ours, which also has a high prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis, the leading cause of natural deaths in South Africa last year. Additionally, more than 4.5 million South Africans have diabetes, a figure that has doubled since 2017. In the Western Cape alone, diabetes is a co-morbidity in over half of all COVID-19 deaths,” the President said.

In Gauteng and the Western Cape, testing is being offered to people with co-morbidities, such as diabetes, whether they show COVID-19 symptoms or not.

“This smart approach to screening and testing is part of our effort to limit infections among those most vulnerable. As part of the national effort to contain Coronavirus, protecting the general population from becoming infected must be matched by efforts to protect people who are at greater risk.”

Throughout the nationwide lockdown period, government has taken measures to ensure that those who rely on chronic medication or treatment are able to visit health facilities.

The Department of Social Development has set dietary standards on the food provided to communities during the lockdown to ensure that it is of nutritional value. This, President Ramaphosa said, is particularly important when managing diabetes.

“Companies can play their part by keeping basic food prices down, which means that people don’t need to seek out cheap processed foods of poor nutritional value

“Among the many cases being made for the National Health Insurance is that we will be able to mobilise the necessary resources to overcome the burden of these non-communicable diseases and improve the health outcomes of all our people, not just those who can afford to pay.”

He urged the public to not expose the elderly to the virus through social visits, calling on citizens to rather keep in touch by phone or video messaging.

“If they live with us, let us ensure we observe proper hygiene at all times by washing and sanitising our hands. Frequently touched surfaces, including equipment used by our parents and grandparents like walkers and canes, should be frequently cleaned,” he said.

Where possible, shared spaces should be limited and a mask be worn when around elderly relatives.

He said that people with underlying medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension should be extra cautious.

“They should observe social distancing, stay home if possible and stay away from crowded places. Like everyone else, they should practice good hygiene and continue to take their medication.

“One of the lessons from this pandemic is that we need a holistic approach to health. Anecdotal evidence suggests many of our people have used the lockdown period to make positive lifestyle changes like doing more exercise or quitting smoking. Such developments should be welcomed. If some of us have become healthier during the lockdown, we should continue in this vein,” the President said.