Author: Staff Writer

Huawei has donated high tech solutions to help South Africa’s fight against COVID-19. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize received the company’s donation of four Huawei Cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI) diagnostic systems and four thermal scanning systems at the company’s Johannesburg headquarters. The AI Cloud solution allows for fast, highly accurate diagnosis of coronavirus pneumonia by analysing CT scans of a patients’ lungs. Huawei SA CEO Spawn Fan says, “Early detection helps to reduce the spread of the virus and to flatten the curve. Speeding up diagnosis time from hours to minutes with a 98% accuracy rate is a powerful tool…

Thousands of Grade 12 pupils in the Eastern Cape will now have an opportunity to catch up on their school curriculum by using online learning platforms. Schools have been closed since the lockdown was imposed on 26 March and there is no indication yet when they will open. To help solve the problem of missed lessons, MTN Business has provided the provincial Department of Basic Education with 72 000 SIM cards preloaded with data. This move is part of MTN’s multi-pronged intervention that seeks to mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on communities it operates in, particularly those…

Police have arrested a 22-year-old suspect for selling fraudulent permits to informal business owners. It is alleged that the suspect from Olivenhoutbosch, Centurion in Pretoria, was selling permits to business owners who are not part of essential services. The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation office was alerted. The team made contact with the suspect under the pretext of wanting to buy the permits. “The suspect met with a team member and was immediately placed under arrest after he produced a permit for a R300 payment,” Police said in a statement. The team proceeded to his house where they seized a laptop…

The Surgeon General of the South African National Defence Force says the SANDF has recorded its first four positive cases of the COVID-19. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Surgeon General said three of the cases were in the Western Cape, while the fourth was recorded in Gauteng. “None of these members are uniformed members nor members deployed in support of the SAPS. It is imperative to note that the military community is bigger than the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),” read the statement. The military community is inclusive of dependants of the serving, retired soldiers and others…

The Google News Initiative has launched a Journalism Emergency Relief Fund to deliver urgent aid to thousands of small, medium and local news publishers globally. The funding is open to news organisations producing original news for local communities during this time of crisis, and will range from the low thousands of dollars for small hyper-local newsrooms to low tens of thousands for larger newsrooms, with variations per region. Starting Tuesday 14 April, publishers everywhere can apply for funds via a simple application form. Applications will close on Wednesday April 29, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. “We’ve made this as…

Refinitiv today released the 2020 first-quarter investment banking analysis for Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the report, investment banking fees in Sub-Saharan Africa reached an estimated $128.2 million (R23.7 billion) during the first quarter of 2020, down 15% from last year’s strong start. Advisory fees earned from completed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions generated US$33.5 million, down 38% year-on-year, while syndicated lending fees declined 47% to $35.7 million (R661 million).  Equity capital markets underwriting fees more than tripled to reach $36.7 million (R680 million), a first-quarter total only exceeded twice since our records began in 2000.  Bond underwriting fees increased 20%…

MTN announced on Wednesday the details of its R250 million relief package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating across 21 markets MTN Group has customised its response to recognising its responsibility to contribute both in its home market South Africa as well as in many other markets facing enormous challenges managing the pandemic. Comprising five key intervention initiatives, MTN said it has focused on employees, customers, vulnerable groups, contributions to the South African Government’s Solidarity Fund and participating in industry interventions. “We believe it is the responsibility of all organisations to assist where they can during the pandemic.  MTN…

Vodacom South Africa announced on Wednesday it has significantly accelerated investment spend in recent weeks to ensure that its network remains resilient despite increases in traffic across both its mobile and fixed networks since the start of the national emergency lockdown. The Vodafone-owned company said it expects network traffic to increase even further as customers connect for longer after it implemented price cuts of up to 40% on its 30-day data bundles and launched a range of free essential services available through its zero-rated ConnectU platform on 1 April. Over R500 million will be spent over a two-month period to…

South African government, through the National Treasury, is exploring all funding avenues to finance all COVID-19 related programmes and measures aimed at addressing the pandemic. “The funding avenues will not be limited locally, but will include exploring all global partners and international finance institutions,” Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni said. Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, the Minister said government will revise the fiscal framework to take into account the effect of COVID-19 on the fiscus. He said there are a number of elements to the fiscal response, including putting forward clear estimates of the additional health care costs that…

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 2 415, as of Tuesday, 14 March. Releasing the update of cases, the Health Department said the total number of tests conducted to date is 87 022. Gauteng has 909 cases, Western Cape 643, KwaZulu-Natal 489, Eastern Cape 174, Free State 98, Limpopo 24, Mpumalanga 22, North West 22 and Northern Cape has 16. There are 18 unallocated cases. Also read: Coronavirus: WHO Urges Caution in Easing COVID-19 Restrictions With the declaration that the novel Coronavirus is 10 times deadlier than the 2009 swine flu, the World Health Organisation (WHO)…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s will on Friday, 17 April, respond to the Gauteng Liquor Forum that wants restrictions on the sale of alcohol eased during an extended lockdown. The forum threatened court action against the South African government. However, Ramaphosa’s lawyers have written to the form asking them to wait until the end of business on Friday, 17 April to respond to their letter. “The National Command Council, the Presidency and other relevant parties are meeting again this week, specifically to discuss the details of Government’s economic assistance programme. This includes assistance offered to small businesses such as those of your clients…

The Lockdown Digital Classroom is a free and voluntary virtual classroom that encourages pupils to continue learning during the lockdown, the Basic Education Department clarified on Tuesday. The initiative, which is the brainchild of Africa Teen Geeks – an organization that does work in the basic education sector, received criticism on social media with users expressing concern over the use of celebrities as opposed to qualified teachers. “The initiative was created by a Non-Profit-Organization called Africa Teen Geeks (ATG) who approached the department with an idea for an intervention to support learners during the lockdown resulting from COVID-19,” said the…

The Department of Home Affairs has outlined temporary measures that have been put in place to address immigration matters during the lockdown period. The temporary measures were introduced after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a National State of Disaster on 15 March and subsequently a national lockdown from 27 March, extended until the end of April 2020, to contain the spread of COVID-19. These temporary measures will remain valid until 31 July 2020, unless extended officially by the department. They apply only to foreign nationals, who have been legally admitted into the country. The visa concessions are contained in the Directions,…

With the declaration that the novel Coronavirus is 10 times deadlier than the 2009 swine flu, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries to slowly lift control measures. “We know that COVID-19 spreads fast, and we know that it is deadly – 10 times deadlier than the 2009 flu pandemic,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The WHO DG made the declaration on Monday during a virtual briefing. With some countries and communities under several weeks of social and economic restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, Ghebreyesus urged countries to be measured when phasing…

The South African Reserve Bank has cut the repo rate by 100 basis points, or one percentage point to 4.25%. “The committee notes that the more prolonged lockdown and slower recovery creates downside risk to inflation and allows further space for monetary policy to respond to the virus-induced demand shock to the economy. Barring severe and persistent currency and oil shocks, inflation is expected to be well contained, remaining below the midpoint of the target in 2020 and close to the midpoint in 2021,” said Reserve Bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago. “Against this backdrop, the MPC decided to cut the repo…

The number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa rose to 2 272 on Monday, with two more deaths confirmed by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize. The positive tests are an increase of 99 from the previous day. Total deaths stood at 27 on Monday. During a technical public engagement with experts dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Mkhize said the country has conducted 83 363 tests since the outbreak. Of these, 21 190 had been done in public sector facilities. Regarding deaths, Mkhize said the first case was of a 68-year-old male in the Western Cape while the second was that of a 57-year-old male…

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has reiterated her call for municipalities to suspend cutting water to residents and the eviction of residents during the lockdown period. Sisulu has held a third meeting with civil society organisations to discuss interventions in densely populated informal settlements, as part of efforts to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19. During the meeting, the recent evictions in Makhaza Informal Settlements in the Western Cape were discussed. Sisulu emphasised that everyone should adhere to the directive by government that all evictions be suspended during the lockdown period in which the nation is engaged…

No one will be able to attend The House of David Tlale’s Autumn / Winter 2020 / 21 Collection, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to stream it from the safety of your home. Due to the COVID-19 national lockdown, The House of David Tlale will today, April 13, at 19H15 launch a new sustainability-friendly and COVID-19 compliant Autumn/Winter “Fashion Trend.” For more read: David Tlale’s Winter Collection Goes Digital with Avon and Boschendal The show, which is powered by Boschendal Wines and Avon South Africa, will broadcast for free on David Tlale’s website: www.davidtlale.com The show will also broadcast for free…

As of today, 12 April 2020, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 2 173, with no reported increase in deaths. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said this is an increase of 145 cases from the previously reported cases on Saturday. The number of deaths still stand at 25. He said the total number of tests conducted to date is 80 085. “We are also seeing an increase in test conducted at public laboratories. Of the 5 032 tests conducted in the past day, 3 192 were done in public laboratories,” Mkhize said. The provincial breakdown…

African Union Chairperson President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Donald Kaberuka, Tidjane Thiam and Trevor Manuel as the African Union’s COVID-19 Special Envoys. The newly appointed envoys are tasked with mobilising international support for Africa’s efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Special Envoys will be tasked with soliciting rapid and concrete support as pledged by the G20, the European Union and other international financial institutions. “In the light of the devastating socio-economic and political impact of the pandemic on African countries these institutions need to…

Vodacom will donate 20 000 smartphones plus 100 terabytes of data and 10 million voice calls minutes to the National Department of Health. The donation is worth R40 million. This will be used by frontline health workers to collect and transmit data in real-time for resource planning purposes as the government accelerates its COVID-19 testing campaign. The donation Vodacom will also assist the Government by ensuring that medical care resources are efficiently and effectively distributed to help those who are infected or require critical medical assistance. Each of the 20 000 smartphones will be loaded with 5GB of data and…

Inspired by the role that ecommerce and online food delivery companies have played around the world supporting people during the COVID-19 crisis, Mr D Food announced on Thursday a partnership with Kauai. Kuai is launching Kauai Real Food Market, selling a range of make-at-home smoothie mixes, frozen meals, protein powders and healthy snacks on the Mr D Food app. Customers will also be able to get Kauai’s sugar-free sparkling sodas and a selection of their healthy real-food ingredients like their famous wraps, Schoon artisanal bread, sugar-free nut butters and 100% local real honey delivered in a safe, contactless way. Through…

South Africa can flatten the curve, without extending the nationwide lockdown, the World Health Organization (WHO) told ENCA. Spokesperson, Dr Margaret Harris, says people must, however, maintain social distancing, keep hands clean and identify cases quickly. “Africa has an advantage and understands the importance of surveillance. While the rest of the world was taken by surprise, My feeling is Africa is better placed in many ways”. “It is still relatively early, There is still time to flatten to curve”. Watch the interview below: The number of coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, infections rose to 1,845 in South Africa, with 18 people confirmed to have…

The South African Police Service has noted with concern a photograph of two females, in SAPS uniform, each holding what appears to be a bottle of beer and posing next to packs of liquor. “We are currently investigating the authenticity and origin of the picture to determine the identity of the persons in photograph as well as when and where the picture was taken,” said SAPS in a statement. “Such behaviour by any South African Police Service member is unacceptable and it is condemned in strongest terms by police management.” As soon as the investigation is concluded and the picture…

South Africa, together with the rest of the African continent, has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well, given the circumstances that the world finds itself under. “I think we’ve handled it well. Much more proactively than other countries. I think Africa as a whole, what has been apparent is a significant amount of coordination among African countries early on,” said Chief Executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Elizabeth Sidiropoulos. Speaking to SAnews, Sidiropoulos said the African continent has taken lessons learnt from other countries in dealing with the pandemic that has grappled the world. “I think both South…