The Inquiry into Ensuring Free and Fair Local Government Elections During COVID-19 (“Inquiry”) is inviting the public to provide their views on whether the Electoral Commission will be able to ensure that the forthcoming general local government elections are free and fair in view of (i) the challenges posed by the COVID‑19 pandemic, and (ii) the measures promulgated by the government to curb the continued spread of the pandemic. On Wednesday 8 June 2021, the Inquiry launched its new website, which can be visited at https://www.elections.org.za/freeandfair/. Members of the public will be able to make submissions about the forthcoming local government elections on the website.…
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The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened its doors to young people who plan to pursue water and sanitation related qualifications next year. The Department calls on learners who are in Grade 12 or have been accepted at mainstream South African Institutions of Higher Learning within water related qualifications to apply for bursaries made available by the Department. “Bursary applications for students with an interest in science and engineering disciplines are currently open. We urge Grade 12 learners particularly, to apply as we are in dire need of young and innovative minds to join the sector,” said the…
The Working on Fire (WOF) Programme, funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, helps to fight veld and forest fires and has been hard at work in the Eastern District of the Eastern Cape, preparing its participants for the 2021/2022 Winter Fire Season. A total of 400 participants, stationed at 19 bases, underwent a Yellow Card Training Camp in Elliot during May 2021. The camp aims to refresh their firefighting skills and test their physical and mental fitness in preparation for the upcoming winter fire season. These firefighters will be deployed across the province to reduce the personal…
Drowning is a leading cause of death in toddlers. The places that toddlers face the greatest danger from water is in, and near to their home. Children can drown in only a few centimetres of water which is why anything from backyard swimming pools to bathtubs and buckets pose a great risk. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is urging parents and caregivers to ensure that their homes are water safe. According to Statistics South Africa, fatal drowning is the 5th leading cause of unintentional death in the country with an estimated 350 children who die by drowning in each year. May…
The Electoral Commission today officially launched the 2021 Municipal Elections, unveiling a mobilisation campaign aimed at encouraging eligible voters to register and participate in the October elections. The launch was held at an event at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg attended by key stakeholders including leaders of political parties, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and the media. In line with COVID-19 regulations the event was limited to under 100 attendees but was simultaneously broadcast live on various news channels and online platforms. The mobilisation campaign will roll-out from today over two phases across television, radio, digital and…
1. When will the 2021 Municipal Elections be held? Section 159 of the Constitution provides that a term of a municipal council is 5 years and that elections must take place within 90 days of expiry of the term. The last municipal elections were held on 3 August 2016. For the 2021 Municipal Elections that window starts on 4 August and ends on 1 November 2021. In line with this, the Honourable President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced the earmark date for the elections of 27 October 2021. The announcement follows extensive consultation between the Electoral Commission and the Minister of COGTA,…
In an effort to counter the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will be placed on Adjusted Alert Level 2 with effect from Monday 31 May. Addressing the nation on the developments in the country’s response to the pandemic, the President said the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 has recommended that the country urgently implement further restrictions. “It bases this recommendation on the sustained increase in new cases in the last 14 days; increased hospital admissions in almost all provinces and an increase in the proportion of COVID tests that are…
The Department of Basic Education will undertake on a nationwide school safety and violence prevention drive to raise awareness on the distressing impact of bullying on the school community. Themed ‘School Safety – Violence, and Bullying Prevention Initiatives’, the multi-sector and inter-departmental campaign aims to mobilise learners, parents, teachers and key stakeholders in promoting a safe learning environment for quality education, and galvanise constructive community involvement in schools to curb incidents of bullying and violence. “Bullying, which often leads to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicide, low academic performance, absenteeism and school dropout, can have a direct impact on educational outcomes,”…
Guide to the Natural and Cultural History of Grahamstown/Makhanda has been in production for many years. In the same format as WESSA’s Coastal Guides, its 22 chapters cover the area’s Natural, Cultural and Recreational environments. The Natural Environment section covers Landform and Geology, Fossils, Climate, Plants and Vegetation, Some common Insects, Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds and Mammals, Conservation and Reserves. Chapters in the Cultural Environment are Conservation history, Archaeology, History, Military History, A clash of cultures, Rhini Schools, Rhodes University History, Grahamstown: Creative City. And chapters in Recreational Environment are Geological Walking Trail Street Trees, Driving Trails, Hikes and Trails, Day Drives. Gala Launch of the Book at Amazwi (NELM), Worcester Street: Thursday 3 June at 4pm The launch will take place…