CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON AFRICA’S GREEN ECONOMY
November 13, 2019
South Africa is to host the 17th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Durban.
The conference will take place on Thursday and Friday, under the theme Taking Action for Environmental Sustainability and Prosperity in Africa.
The 17th Ordinary Session of AMCEN will focus on the green economy in Africa.
This economic sector is underpinned by, among other things, the circular economy, green business and green financing, the promotion of the biodiversity economy and natural capital accounting, as well as the oceans economy.
“It is my sincere hope that in line with the theme of this conference there will be a greater focus on implementation in the short term and, in following, a business-unusual course of action trajectory.
“The people of the continent are looking to use for inclusive solutions and meaningful action at the grassroots level in addressing the plethora of environmental challenges we are facing today,” Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy said.
The Minister said the African Union’s Vision 2063 requires that urgent action be taken by all to halt unsustainable use of natural resources and ensure that the continent is placed on a growth trajectory that will meet the needs of present and future generations.
“Sound management of natural resources provides the economic case for environmental management and sustainable development. By facilitating the scaling-up of labour-intensive natural management programmes, African governments can contribute to decent work and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the unemployed, thereby reducing poverty in many communities living adjacent to protected areas,” she said.
Creecy said of equal importance is discussions on the upscaling of manufacturing, utilising Africa’s unique resource base, as well as preventing and combating the illegal trade in natural resources.
This is particularly relevant with the recent adoption of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) which is intended to promote and enhance intra-African trade.
This week South Africa takes over the Chair from Gabon until 2021. Chairing this strategic Ministerial forum comes at a time when AMCEN is playing an increasingly prominent role in coordinating African positions on key issues for the United Nations Environment Assembly.
“As the incoming President of AMCEN, our country hopes to strengthen this body within the multilateral system of both the African Union and the United Nations Environment Assembly,” Creecy said.
This week’s meeting is expected to be attended by around 500 delegates from governments, United Nations agencies, civil society, academia and the youth. – SAnews.gov.za
SA NETS R363BN WORTH OF INVESTMENTS
The total value of investment commitments made at the second instalment of the South Africa Investment Conference tallied up to R363 billion, President Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday, 6 November 2019.
This, the President highlighted, was 17% higher than the R300-billion in investments made at the conference’s debut in 2018 where the President announced his intention to attract R1.2 trillion over five years.
With South Africa's unemployment rate sitting at a staggering 29.1% according to Statistics South Africa, President Ramaphosa said the newly announced investments were set to create 412 000 direct jobs over the next five years.
“We are immensely encouraged as South Africans by the investment commitments made. We believe that those investments will boost the economic growth of the country and will create many new jobs,” said President Ramaphosa.
He was speaking at the second round of investment announcements made on day two of the investment conference at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
“We have received indications of a further R8 billion in planned investments that are subject to either regulatory or company board approvals and therefore we have not named the companies here today,” said the President.
Exxaro CEO, Mxolisi Donald Mbuyisa Mgojo, announced a whopping R20-billion investment.
According to the mining company’s CEO, of the R20 billion worth of investment, R11 billion has been spent.
"With this a lot of jobs have been created. Approximately 10 000 direct and indirect jobs have been created. We have also spent about R500 million in community infrastructure with the local government,” said Mgojo.
National development finance institution, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) also threw its weight behind the investment drive, pledging R18 billion worth of investments.
IDC CEO, Tshokolo Petrus Nchocho, said the investments would be rolled out throughout the course of the next 12 months.
International brewer Heineken solidified its investment into the country with the announcement of a R1.48-billion investment. The beer brewing company will channel the investment into three projects, with the first being the extension of its brewer facility in Sedibeng.
“The second will be to buy land in order for us to build a solar plant. The plant will be operated by a local company and we, as Heineken, will enter into a power purchasing agreement with them,” said Heineken SA Corporate Affairs Director, Millicent Maroga.
Heineken said a share of the R1.48 billion would be used for the extraction of ground water. Maroga explained this would help to reduce the amount of municipal water used at the brewing facility.
Other investments were announced by: • French businesses, Total, Alston, Limagrain, Air Liquide, amounting to R20 billion
- • Corobrik, amounting to R800 million
- • Clover, amounting to R1.16 billion
- • Kerry, amounting to R600 million
- • Tera, amounting to R3.3 billion.
Winding up the second round of investment announcements, an elated President Ramaphosa said the investments demonstrated that South Africa was poised for growth in the future.
“The commitments made today are numerous and diverse. These commitments are a reflection of the diversity of opportunities in the South African economy.
“While there has been demonstrable interest in mega-projects, investors are also focussing on smaller, but employment-intensive projects. This is aligned with our broader strategic vision of catalysing economic activity in our districts, municipalities and provinces,” said the President.
He said the investment drive was taking place in tandem with a range of economic developments – from the opening up of special economic zones, to reviving industrial parks, to supporting community business centres, to creating digital hubs and small business incubators, and to supporting entrepreneurship activities.
President Ramaphosa said the investments were a clear vote of confidence in the South African economy and a response to what it could offer.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za
OPENING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AT THE 2ND SOUTH AFRICA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, 6 November 2019
TASTE OF VICTORY
Thursday, November 7, 2019
The 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok team arrived to a befitting heroes’ welcome at the Union Buildings on Thursday, ahead of their much-anticipated trophy tour.
The red carpet was rolled out at the official seat of government for the world champions, who met President Cyril Ramaphosa on the day they kicked-off their nationwide trophy tour. It was a proud moment for the scores of South Africans, who made their way to the Union Buildings to meet the men whose showing in Yokohama has evoked a sense of national pride and cohesion reminiscent of the Boks’ World Cup win of 1995.
On Thursday, the Boks -captained by Siyamthanda Kolisi and led by coach Rassie Erasmus - were welcomed by hundreds of eager South Africans in the capital city, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the team who rose against all odds to claim victory in Japan. The Boks arrived at the Union Buildings in an open-top bus showing off the coveted goldware.
President Ramaphosa could hardly contain his delight as he thanked the Boks for putting their best foot forward in a World Cup campaign under the slogan #StrongerTogether. The boys, he said, have not only firmly placed South Africa’s flag on the world map, but they have brought home something the nation had desperately thirsted for.
“We are proud of you. You have made us proud. Everything that contributes to nation building and social cohesion must be shared in by all South Africans.
“This is a great moment for us all. You contributed to consolidating our nation. Thank very much for all that you have done for the nation,” the President said to roaring cheers from the crowd.
On the day of the final against a formidable England, President Ramaphosa had an opportunity to speak to the team and wished them well.
“We are delighted that we sent them out there to go and fly the flag of our country in Japan and they did so with great excellence and commitment," the President said.
On the day of the match, more than 2.5 billion people throughout the world tuned in to witness the historic match played at International Stadium Yokohama. Millions of South Africans congregated throughout the country to support the Boks in a final battle that would lead to the national team securing a 32 – 12 victory against England.
Kolisi, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the love and support South Africans have collectively shown the team.
“Thank you so much for your support and for every single message and video that inspired us,” he said.
He thanked the team for the good work they put in throughout the tournament. “I could not have done all this without you,” said Kolisi.
Tshwane resident Ryan Swartman, who came to see the Boks at the Union Buildings, said there was nowhere else he would rather be. “Today I decided not to go to work because I wanted to see the champions.”
Another rugby fan, Tholakele Ndamasi, told SAnews that the Boks’ win was a victory for all of South Africa. “They are our heroes.”
Cabinet Ministers and politicians from various parties also turned out in numbers to welcome the men in green and gold.
National trophy tour
The visit to the capital city marked the start of the Springboks' national parade of the Webb Ellis Cup. The team is expected to visit Johannesburg, Soweto, today and other provinces over the next few days.
In Tshwane, the team paraded the cup along the streets of the capital city, moving along Jan Shoba, Burnett, Park, Kirkness, Lynwood, Paul Kruger, Madiba and Lilian Ngoyi streets.
The team landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday and were overwhelmingly welcomed by thousands of supporters who were clad in their green and gold Springbok caps and t-shirts, while some proudly waved the national flag.
The trophy will also be shown off in Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth before concluding in Cape Town on Monday, 11 November.
SAnews.gov.za
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
Dear Fellow South African,
The sight of Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi lifting the cup at the Yokohama Stadiumon Saturday filled me with great pride. I could see the undisguised emotion on the face of his father, Fezakele Raymond Kolisi watching from the stands. There was his son, the first black captain of the Springboks, making history.
Siya Kolisi was born on a day of profound significance in our country, 16 June, when we remember the valiant students who lit the path for our freedom. Siya’s captaincy not only epitomises the transformation of a sport that was once racially segregated; it is the power of a dream fulfilled. This is the dream of a young man of humble circumstances to one day wear the green and gold jersey, and of a country that has enabled him to see it realised.
At a time when South Africa is experiencing profound challenges, we have rallied around the victory in Japan. The outpouring of support for the Springboks on the road to the final once again showed the immense potential of sport to unite us as a people.
When Caster Semenya crosses the finish line, when Banyana Banyana find the back of the net, when Chad le Clos lifts his gold medal, when our national netball team, the Proteas are crowned Africa champions, all of South Africa is cheering on the sidelines. After generations of division, we have become a people with a great sense of national pride.
But we are not only united by the achievements of our sportstars or internationally acclaimed performers, like the Ndlovu Youth Choir. We are also united by a shared desire for a country where all can live in peace and comfort, where all have an equal chance to achieve their potential.
We are united by the vision of a country where the divisions of the past can be overcome, a nation of equality, dignity and respect for human rights. Over the past 25 years, we have been working together to build that nation. And while this is still very much a work in progress, we are firmly on the path to unite, renew and transform our society.
The spectre of racism, sexism, tribalism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance has on occasion taken root in our society and has blindsided us as we strive towards our national objective of creating a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, prosperous and tolerant society.
But we have always come back, even when we stood at the brink of tipping over. Saturday was a triumphant day as it confirmed what we are as a nation, firm in its resolve to find unity in its diversity, as exemplified in our national rugby team which is transforming beautifully, being presented to the world with its first black captain.
We often fail to appreciate just how far we have come since that iconic moment in 1995 when a South African first held aloft the Rugby World Cup Trophy in building a society that offers equal opportunity to all regardless of race, gender or social circumstances.
We are proud of South Africa and what it has become. But there is much more that we need to do to make this a country where the black child and the white child can attain the heights they always dream of.
We must do more to foster social cohesion in our society. Our national broadcaster – indeed all broadcasters – should commission more content that reflects the values of tolerance and multiculturalism. Leaders of faith organisations, traditional bodies, political parties, cultural organisations, sports organisations and business bodies should all work together to foster a more inclusive and cohesive society.
Public sports and recreation facilities must be better resourced, especially in rural areas, so that young men and women who cherish dreams of sporting success attain their goals. The youth should be able to explore and appreciate their history, traditions and languages.
This week, South Africa will be hosting its second Investment Conference as part of our ambitious drive to set our country on a path of faster growth and to create the many jobs that our people need. As we welcome over 1,500 investors and business people to explore the many investment opportunities in our country, let us be as united and as determined as we were on Saturday in Japan.
To mobilise the investment we need requires a massive effort from us all. More than ever, we need to be single-minded in our determination to build an economy that can benefit all our people. So let each of us, wherever we find ourselves, become part of the campaign to build a better South Africa.
As we held our breath on Saturday and awaited the final whistle, we momentarily forgot our woes. And now, our sails swelled by the wind of victory, our pride must not deflate, our euphoria must not dissipate and our optimism must endure.
Let the goodwill brought by our success at Yokohama inspire us to put our collective shoulder to the wheel as we confront our economic, political and social challenges together – and overcome them.
As Siya Kolisi said: “We can achieve anything if we work together as one.”
Best wishes,
President Cyril Ramaphosa
Monday, 4 November 2019