Author: Staff Writer
South Africa’s tobacco makers have given Co-operative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma an ultimatum to amend the regulations that prohibit the sale of tobacco products by Monday or face legal action. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the sale of cigarettes would be allowed under Level 4 regulations, however, on Wednesday Dlamini-Zuma announced that the ban will remain in place. British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) said in a statement it was “seeking urgent clarity on the decision-making process that led to the government imposing an indefinite ban on the legal sale of tobacco products.” “The minister cited 2 000…
In support of the local and provincial government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nelson Mandela Bay, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has donated 150 beds to the isolation facility at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality recently announced that the stadium would be used to isolate low-acuity patients who have been infected with COVID-19, to prevent them from spreading the virus further. The facility will be managed by the Department of Health, with support from the Municipality. VWSA was approached by the Department of Health to assist in equipping the facility to house…
All road-based public transport services will from 1 May 2020 be permitted to operate from 5am until 7pm, with a grace period of one hour in the afternoon to complete their trips and drop off passengers. This includes minibus-taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services. This as the country on Friday began its first day of Alert Level 4 of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Announcing the directions that affect transport operations at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, following the publishing of the new regulations this week, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula emphasised…
Re-emerging from the ruins of the economy-crippling COVID-19 pandemic presents South Africa with an opportunity to arise with a renewed economy that addresses the country’s social deficiencies. This was the potent message delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa in a live-streamed address on Workers’ Day. “South Africans will have to dig deeper than any other moment, since the advent of democracy, to rebuild our nation,” said the President on Friday. “Beyond this grave health emergency, we should see this as a time of possibility and opportunity for renewal. It is a time to work together as South Africans to create a…
The Department of Basic Education has clarified that only senior officials in the education sector will return to work on 4 May to prepare for the eventual reopening of schools. There had been uproar and anxiety among parents after the department’s presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, where a tentative proposal was made for schools to reopen on 6 May. On Thursday, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga clarified that the presentation was merely a consultative document, with no concrete decisions taken. Government has had to revise the original school calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw schools…
With little practical or immediate relief in sight for most restaurants and bars, Stella Artois, one of SA’s best-loved premium beers in the SAB stable, has launched the #SaveYourSpot initiative that aims to put much-needed financial relief into the hands of these businesses. Stella Artois has created an online platform where consumers can buy a voucher for their favourite local restaurant or bar. The premium beer brand said that with every voucher purchased it will add an additional 50% of the value of each voucher. It added that consumers who buy vouchers will be able to redeem them at their favourite…
President Cyril Ramaphosa today received on behalf of the government a R1 billion consignment of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by global internet group Naspers South Africa. Ramaphosa received the equipment at Takealot’s Distribution Centre in Johannesburg. “Today we received over 6 million masks donated from Naspers. I’m impressed by the logistical infrastructure and orderly distribution of these important medical supplies. We are grateful for their co-operation and support”, said President Ramaphosa Naspers announced today the arrival of a major shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of almost 3,5 million KN95 face masks and 2,7 million 3-ply surgical…
Bolt Food will start tomorrow delivering meals from Cape Town restaurants that are members of the Restaurants Association of South Africa (RASA). The company has partnered with RASA to deliver meals for its members. RASA members will benefit from a low 14% commission to use the service to deliver their meals, while restaurants that are not members of RASA will pay a 15% fee. A R35 flat fee for deliveries within 8km of the restaurant is also available, should they have their own online marketplace. Some of the restaurants in Cape Town that have joined Bolt Food include Active Sushi,…
As South Africa and the world grapple with chronic shortages of sanitisers, one of the most critical products in the fight against coronavirus infection, Avon Justine has introduced alcohol-based sanitisers to its product portfolio to plug the supply gap created by an unprecedented spike in local and global demand. The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Health and the health fraternity have identified the use of sanitisers and soap as the first line of defence to stop the spread of the coronavirus and prevent possible infection. “We have leveraged our extensive research and development experience spanning nearly 130 years…
As governments across the globe continue responding to COVID-19’s devastation, the mobile sector is playing a crucial role in supporting efforts to tackle the pandemic and is enhancing health services responses to it, according to a newly released report from the GSMA. While the report found that the pandemic had upended people’s lives, health and business sectors, people were using technological innovation during these uncertain times. “In this unprecedented situation, people are quickly adapting to innovative ways of connecting and doing business empowered by connectivity, and digital transformation is no longer just a question but an action for many industries,”…
Last week JOOX announced the launch of the ‘Gig to Earn’ initiative to support local musicians currently experiencing financial hardship through an inability to perform live. ‘Gig to Earn’ invites them to stream directly to their fans via the JOOX live video streaming feature – and get paid to do so. JOOX needs support to keep this campaign on-going while lockdown measures are still in place at all lockdown levels, as even Level One enforces social distancing rules that will make gigs and performances impossible. JOOX is calling on brands and businesses with vested interests in the entertainment industry to…
Blue Label Telecoms’ subsidiaries Utilities World and Cigicell have teamed up to offer a Free Basic Electricity (FBE) token service to help indigent households meet their basic energy needs while practising social distancing during South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown period and beyond. Alternatively, Simply Switch can help save money by comparing energy companies that would fit into your budget. Qualifying prepaid electricity customers can now use a free USSD service on their cellular handsets to request their FBE token – all from within the safety and convenience of their own homes. They do not have to venture out to shops during…
Droppa, the digital platform that provides transport delivery solutions, has expanded its service offering with the launch of “Droppa Express”. The new service offers express delivery for light-weight items within a 25 km radius in just 24 hours. The express service, which caters for the delivery of goods such as food, parcels, books, stationery and other smaller items under 25 kg is available in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban – at an affordable rate. Delivery bookings can be made through the company website droppa.co.za or droppa app. “Droppa is continuously looking to enhance current service offerings or to introduce…
Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) condemns tonight’s announcement of an extension to the cigarette ban as “life-endangering economic sabotage”. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s said last Thursday that the ban on the sale of cigarettes will be lifted from May 1, when the country enters a less strict level 4 lockdown. But Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said late on Wednesday that the ban on cigarettes should remain. Dlamini-Zuma cited the health risks associated with smoking and the sharing of cigarettes as the reasons for the revised decision and said that alcohol would remain prohibited for the foreseeable…
The retail price of the Limited Edition Golf GTI TCR has been announced. The Golf GTI TCR will be available for order from Volkswagen dealers in South Africa as of May 2020. The Golf GTI TCR is the final swansong of the Golf 7 range which has sold 40 128 units in South Africa since launch in 2013. Of the total Golf sales, 13 230 (33%) of those were the GTI derivative, which makes South Africa one of the top 10 markets worldwide for Golf GTI. The Golf GTI TCR is derived from the racing car of the same name;…
South Africa plans to open schools next week despite some parents calling for schools to remain closed because of serious concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), told parliament on Wednesday that the department plans to reopen schools from 4 May. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the early closure of schools during the first term. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. In a virtual presentation to parliament, Mathanzima…
Struggling clothing retailer Edcon is to file for a business rescue after losing R2bn in turnover during SA’s lockdown. The group said its board passed a resolution authorising it to file for business rescue in the next few days. Edcon, which owns the brands Jet and Edgars, said in a letter to suppliers that the R2 billion of lost sales during the COVID-19 crisis period which included the necessary “social distancing” measures, lockdown and extended lockdown, has consumed its remaining cash. The retailer added that it will resume operations and open Edgars and Jet stores in “business rescue” mode on…
South Africa’s prudent decision to institute a countrywide lockdown has circumvented an exponential explosion of cases of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic within the borders of the country, the Department of Health said on Tuesday. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said while the lockdown will not spell the end of new infections, it has, however, significantly delayed the peak of the virus. This has bought the country precious time to beef up its response, and prepare health facilities for the management and treatment of those infected with COVID-19. As of Tuesday, 28 April, the country had 4 996 confirmed…
Although it’s recommended in King IV, succession planning is often neglected because it’s an uncomfortable subject. The COVID-19 crisis should act as a wake-up call for organisations to ensure not only that they have a plan to govern an orderly succession for key senior posts, but also an emergency back-up plan, says Parmi Natesan, CEO of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA). “The current crisis should remind governing bodies that in addition to key management positions like the CEO and CFO, succession planning should also cover key board positions, including the chair of the board and chairs of…
Communities in the Eastern Cape such as Mthatha will now have broadband access through Television White Spaces (TVWS). The country’s communication watchdog, ICASA, has assigned temporary radio frequency spectrum to assist in the provision of COVID-19 affordable and reliable data access to rural communities during this period of the pandemic. Using the temporary radio frequency spectrum, Morai Solutions plans to build access infrastructure using TVWS by Eastern Cape. Morai Solutions plans to start its TVWS rollout, starting with Mthatha and the surrounding rural communities of King Sabata Dalindyebo, the local municipality of the OR Tambo District Municipality. “We are planning…
As the face mask become the world’s most coveted commodity, Proudly South African (Proudly SA) has launched a dedicated marketplace portal for selling locally-made face masks. The face mask portal is hosted on the Proudly SA website. The concept of the portal arose from discussions with the SA Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and The Manufacturing Circle around steps that could be taken to align initiatives underway in the clothing and textile manufacturing industry with the needs of the public and businesses. “This initiative is an effort to support a sector…
Libra By Lemok, the first smartphone brand by a township-based company, was first launched in December 2019. Their launch model, the S8, was developed in partnership with a Chinese company, however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Lebogang Mokubela (the entrepreneur behind the brand) was forced to review the business model. “When lockdown restrictions were first implemented and borders were closed, we were stuck. We could not get new stock into the country. We then had to evaluate the business and look at manufacturing the phones in South Africa.” Mokubela said. Although there were plans to eventually bring manufacturing into the…
TicketPro announced on Monday it has launched Covid-Zero, a platform for musicians, comedians and other artists to stream their acts online. All ticket sales will be donated to support these artists during the lockdown and fund community care packages. TicketPro is a subsidiary of JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms, which owns 45% stake in cellphone group Cell C. Covid-Zero and the Trust Blu Foundation aim to provide communities around the country with care packages including masks, hand sanitiser, food vouchers and information on staying safe. The first 5000 Care Packages have already been donated by the Trust Blu Foundation. “Against the…
South Africans have for the first time since the advent of democracy marked Freedom Day under lockdown to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The country commemorates 27 April 1994 as the historic occasion in 1994 when all citizens were allowed to cast their votes and usher in their first democratic elections. But with South Africans confined to their homes in a bid to curb COVID-19, President Cyril Ramaphosa, through a virtual broadcast, delivered the Freedom Day address under the 2020 Freedom Day theme – “Solidarity and triumph of the human spirit in challenging times”. The President’s address called…
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Freedom Day celebrations will be marked using online platforms, says the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. “Freedom Day, as South Africans know it, is very different this year… The COVID-19… pandemic has changed things… [from] the norm,” said the department ahead of Freedom Day on 27 April. The department reminded South Africans that under the current lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, gatherings are prohibited. “The theme for this year’s Freedom Month celebrations is solidarity and the triumph of the human spirit in these challenging times. President Cyril Ramaphosa…