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IOL News
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Louis-Harvey loves his food and visits to market
Our plucky winner this month is 8-year-old Louis-Harvey, a miniature Yorkie from Reservoir Hills. Image: Supplied Meet the winner and finalists in the Independent on Saturday's March Pet of the Month competition. This month it's Louis-Harvey, an 8-year-old miniature Yorkshire terrier who scoops the prize. While small in stature, Louis-Harvey displays a big personality. He is a foodie and loves being outdoors. His mother says: 'He is a healthy eater and loves his strawberries, blueberries and apples. He enjoys his squeaky toys, and he loves going to the flea markets and any outdoor space, especially his walks by the ocean. 'He has his own little closet and has lots of lovely clothing which he wears according to seasons.' Louis-Harvey wins an exciting new prize open to all pet winners this year – an exclusive photoshoot from pet photographer Tilanie Grote worth R1 500. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ How to enter: Snap a photo of your pet showing its unique personality, with a sentence telling us why he or she is so special to you. Add your name, your pet's name, breed, age and area. Email it to Prize: Winners will receive a photoshoot from pet photographer Tilanie Grote worth worth R1 500. Competition rules: The competition is open to all pets and only one picture may be submitted. Employees of Independent Media, the sponsor, their advertising agencies and their immediate families may not enter. The editor's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Our next Pet of the Month feature will be published on June 28. Entries close on June 22 at midday. The competition will run until February 2026. An independent panel of judges will select the Pet of the Month. Because of space constraints, not all pictures will be published in the newspaper. However, every pet will be considered and all entries will be published on our Facebook page Duke, a five-year-old Labrador from Glenwood, guards his stick Image: Supplied Bodhi, a one-year-old Yorkie is sitting pretty on Durban's Berea. Image: Supplied Lukha, an 11-month-old, Jack Russell from Chatsworth plays with his giant ball. Image: Supplied Simba, a one-year-old golden retriever says hello over the fence from Midrand. Image: Supplied Romeo Gulzar, a six-year-old Pomeranian from Clare Estate, leaves mom a message. Image: Supplied Snoopy, a 5-year-old German shepherd from Chatsworth is on a secret assignment. Image: Supplied Ten-month-old Nunubaja from KwaDukuza shows his true English bulldog determination Image: Supplied The grand dame from Kloof, 14-year-old Staffie Haley takes a nap with her toys. Image: supplied Birthday boy Hail, a rednose pitbull from Queensburgh, turns one. Image: Supplied Charlie, the young Jack Russell from Shallcross, gets up to mischief. Image: Supplied
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
May 31: What's on in Durban
Ben Vos in Becoming Benno at the 031 Festival next weekend. Image: Supplied MARKETS Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market: Spend time with family (pets included) and friends outdoors. Traders sell everything from fresh produce and deli food to arts and crafts. Walk the short nature trail or have a zipline adventure. Open rain or shine, and wheelchair accessible from 7am to 1pm. Hillcrest Antique Fair: (today) Dealers will be selling an array of antiques and collectables including: silver, linen, books, records, porcelain, beautiful murano glass, jewellery etc at Hillcrest Corner Shopping Mall. Saturday May 31 from 9 to 3pm. Call Helen Clementz on 084 241 0241. Musgrave Market: Head to Berea Park for food, music, arts and crafts. From 9am to 2pm. Buzz Market: Community market at 38 Pitlochry Road, Westville, 9am to 2pm. Ballito Farmers Market: More than 150 traders offer fresh farm produce, cut flowers and a nursery, retail, fashion, kids' entertainment, art, hobbies, crafted goods and lifestyle products. R103 at Umhlali. 7am to 2pm. Harlequins Flea Market: Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm. New vendors welcome. WhatsApp 083 595 7033 or email harlequinsmarket@ Rotary Uvongo Flea Market: Crafts, toys, bead work, wire work, clothing and food every Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm and Sunday 9am to 2pm, opposite Douglas Mitchell Sports Grounds. Call 082 829 0059. Golden Hours Market: (tomorrow) Family-friendly market at Golden Hours School, 10am to 2pm. Live music and food stalls. Call 083 262 3693. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Macnut Farm, Assagay: (tomorrow) Fresh produce market for locals, 11am to 2pm. Sunday lunch, drinks and bar. Call 031 765 2572 or 074 603 0000. uMhlanga Farmers Market: Autumn Drive, Prestondale, every Wednesday from 8am to noon. Call Ethel at 060 303 3957. La Lucia Antiques Fair: Province's premier antiques fair offers a feast of fun, funky and forgotten treasures from yesteryear. From the gloriously grand to the quixotic and quirky. Sunday June 1 from 9am to 4pm on the lower ground floor of the La Lucia Mall. SHOWS iZulu Theatre, Sibaya: (today) KZN Bollywood Idol was founded in 2023 by Risa Raeanne Moodley to allow people to have their moment on stage showcasing their singing talent. A live band, GM Vikings, will back the contestants, as well as Raeanne and her co-singers. Saturday, May 31 at 7pm. Tickets R100 from Ticketpro. Playhouse Opera: (today) Cape Town City Ballet and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra present Coppélia a true love triumph in this enchanting fairytale, which features three main characters - the young Franz, his fiancée Swanilda and the mysterious doll-maker, Dr. Coppelius, who creates the life-like doll, Coppélia. May 31 at 2pm at 7pm. Tickets R 150-R210 on webtickets. The Seabrookes Theatre: The third annual family-friendly 031 Theatre Festival takes place from Fri June 6 to Sun June 8. The festival will feature various productions that are performing at this year's National Arts Festival in Makhanda / Grahamstown. The programme features two comedy / dramas (I Can Buy Myself Flowers; Becoming Benno) one improv show (Comedy Games), a cabaret (Ethel) and two musical comedies (ADHD; Date Night). Full programme and tickets from webtickets. Rhumbelow Theatre: Barry Thomson & The Reals present SUGAR MAN – A Tribute to Rodriguez. Who would know that an unknown album from an unknown artist in 1970 would become a huge phenomenon in South Africa? Rodriguez himself, as well as most other Americans were never aware of his huge success. Saturday June 7 at 7.30pm and Sunday June 8 at 2pm. Tickets R200 from roland@ or webtickets MUSIC The Barn on The Square, Westown: (tomorrow) Make a date at Durban's hottest new entertainment venue. On June 1 from 11am to 2pm catch Trevor Don Jeany and then from 3pm-6pm The Kickstands take the stage. All Souls Church, Salt Rock: (tomorrow) Pianist Chris Duigan presents Lives of the Piano, a thrilling and diverse selection of mostly classical piano. It features iconic pieces, such as Mendelssohn's 'Rondo cappricioso'' and Liszt's "Un Sospiro," as well as Chopin's Scherzo No 2. June 1 at 3pm. Also June 3 at 7pm at St Agnes Church Kloof. Tickets R150 from The Chairman: (today)Acclaimed South African pianist, composer, and scholar Sibusiso 'Mash' Mashiloane is set to release his eighth album, Isigqi, live at the bird's eye. The live launch event is at The Chairman on June 1, featuring a stellar line-up of celebrated musicians. Tickets from Quicket. Durban Jewish Club: Friends of Music present An Afternoon of Song featuring rising soprano Nontobeko Bhengu, winner of the prestigious Fleur de Cap award accompanied by soprano and pianist Lisa Englebreght. Sunday June at 2.30pm. Tickets R140/ students R50 at the door. For more information contact or 071 505 1021. Playhouse Opera: A two season Winter series by the KZNPO features in June. Both concerts at 7pm. On June 19 Maestro Daniel Boico returns with Qinisela Sibisi's Umnkenenezo (Serenade). Russian pianist Andrey Gugnin then takes centre stage in Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 1 while Dvořák's Symphony No 7 is the finale. On June 26 Following a curtain-raiser by the KZN Youth Orchestra, Conrad van Alphen takes the podium and with celebrated Russian violinist Andrey Baranov puts his stamp on Édouard Lalo's virtuosic Symphonie Espagnole. Beethoven's Sixth Symphony ends the evening. For season tickets with a 15-20% discount mail info@ or call 031 369 9438. Individual tickets from Quicket ART KZNSA: Exhibition groundWork: 25 Years of Activism for Environmental Justice is a collaboration with activists and professional workers from groundWork, offering a profound exploration of the organisation's rich and impactful history. Curated by Vaughn Sadie, drawing from the extensive resources of groundWork's archive, the exhibition is a powerful testament to community resilience, activism, and advocacy. Ends June 8. Woza Moya Gallery, Hillcrest: The exhibition Behind Closed Doors opened last night. Features the work of artist Sinethemba Ndimande, and photographers Masibulele Nako and Manelisi Nene. OUTDOORS Amblers Hiking Club: (tomorrow) At 2pm on Sunday June 1 hike Palmiet Nature Reserve, Westville, to helicopter rock and Cascade. Meet at the reserve at Old New Germany road opposite the Westville Hotel, Westville. Call David on 072 615 0559. Recycles Group: Meet at 9am on Tuesdays at the parking area behind Pirates life saving club. For a 20 km ride on the promenade. Open to beginners, sociable, safe and an option for a breakfast at Pirates coffee shop. Call Ian to join on 083 675 2125. Retreads walking group: Join for a 3 or 5 km social walk on Tuesdays at 9am on the promenade followed with an option of breakfast at Pirates. Call Michele on 083 779 7443 Mountain Biking Rides: Saturdays at 6am, meet at Dura Cycles, Uvongo. Call 039 315 7359. EVENTS Pavilion Shopping Centre: (today and tomorrow) The annual East Meets West Bridal Fair comes once more to Durban's Pavilion Shopping Centre to assist and inspire those preparing for their dream wedding. Engaged-to-be-married couples can enter a phenomenal competition and stand in line to win fabulous prizes – the winner receiving a bespoke Durban wedding valued at more than R170 000. Scottburgh: To celebrate World Ocean Day next month, the Ocean Festival will return to Scottburgh, from June 5 to 8. This epic event will include a new event this year – The Ocean Warriors National Series. Join several engaging outdoor events and activities suited to all ages. These include: Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge, The Ocean Warriors National Series, beach clean-up at Scottburgh, Aliwal Shoal scuba diving reef clean-up, Mahlongwa River paddle and clean-up, school education workshop presented by SAAMBR, ocean conservation science and research presentations, film screening at Cutty Sark Hotel, live music, Made for More adaptive surf therapy session and sunrise beach yoga. Full programme at Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market: In conjunction with the Independent on Saturday, join us for CraftFest - a celebration of craftmanship and creativity. Enjoy a taste sensation with craft beer, spirits, artisan food and crafters showcasing their skills. Live local bands all day long and Under 18 tickets include access to the Kids Zone free of charge. Join us this Father's Day for a family celebration. June 15 from 10am to 6pm. Tickets R100 adults, R50 children from Quicket. Kings Park Stadium: Don't rush off after you complete this year's Durban SPAR Women's 10/5km Challenge on Sunday 22 June, as two proudly Durban acts take to the stage in the finish area. Veranda Panda and DJ Dlala Thukzin are lined up to entertain participants and supporters on either side of the prize giving on race day. Send your event details to satevents@ by the Tuesday before publication.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Incorporating AI into workforce planning: optimising skills for the SA workforce of the future
By leveraging AI for talent acquisition, process optimisation, upskilling, and structural alignment, South African organisations can address unemployment, inequality, and inefficiencies across the value chain. Image: RON AI The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workforce planning is revolutionising how organisations prepare for the demands of the future. In South Africa, where unemployment stands at 33% (Stats SA, 2024) and skills mismatches persist, AI presents a transformative opportunity to align workforce capabilities with economic needs. By leveraging AI for talent acquisition, process optimisation, upskilling, and structural alignment, South African organisations can address unemployment, inequality, and inefficiencies across the value chain. This article, grounded in peer-reviewed academic studies, explores how AI can be embedded into workforce planning, with practical examples tailored to the South African context. Part 1 focuses on talent acquisition and process optimisation, while Part 2, to be published next week, will explore upskilling, workforce structures, and human resource challenges. The South African Workforce Context Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa's workforce faces significant challenges, including high unemployment, a youth unemployment rate exceeding 60%, and persistent skills shortages (Stats SA, 2024; Bhorat et al., 2020). The global economy is shifting towards digitalisation, with industries such as mining, retail, and financial services increasingly adopting AI-driven technologies (Schwab, 2019). Yet, only 22% of workers possess intermediate or advanced digital skills, exacerbating the skills gap (OECD, 2020). Historical inequalities further complicate workforce planning, with Black women facing unemployment rates of 40% (Stats SA, 2024). AI can bridge these gaps by enabling data-driven strategies to identify, develop, and deploy skills, fostering inclusive growth. AI in Workforce Planning: Key Applications Talent Acquisition and Skills Matching AI-powered recruitment platforms streamline talent acquisition by matching candidates' skills to job requirements with high accuracy. Research indicates that AI can reduce hiring biases by up to 30% when algorithms are designed to prioritise skills over demographic factors (Dastin, 2018). In South Africa, where affirmative action and employment equity are critical, AI can ensure fairer hiring by anonymising candidate data and focusing on competencies. Standard Bank, one of South Africa's largest financial institutions, implemented an AI-driven recruitment platform in 2022 to address skills shortages in data analytics and cybersecurity. Using a tool similar to IBM Watson Recruitment, the bank analysed candidates' qualifications, certifications, and informal skills gained through online courses or freelance work. This approach enabled Standard Bank to identify talent from underrepresented groups, such as Black graduates from rural universities, reducing hiring time by 25% and improving diversity metrics (Standard Bank, 2023). The platform also integrated with South Africa's Employment Equity Act requirements, ensuring compliance with affirmative action goals. South African organisations should adopt AI-driven recruitment platforms tailored to local contexts. These platforms must be trained on diverse datasets, including informal qualifications and non-traditional career paths, to tap into underrepresented talent pools like rural youth or informal sector workers. Partnerships with platforms like Pnet or Career Junction can enhance local relevance. Process Optimisation Across the Value Chain AI enhances efficiency across the organisational value chain by automating repetitive tasks, improving decision-making, and reducing costs. In South Africa's mining sector, AI-driven predictive maintenance reduces equipment downtime by 15–20% (McKinsey, 2021). In retail, AI optimises supply chain management by forecasting demand and minimising waste (Chui et al., 2018). Anglo American, a leading South African mining company, deployed AI-powered predictive maintenance systems at its Kumba Iron Ore operations. By analysing sensor data from mining equipment, the AI system predicted maintenance needs, reducing unplanned downtime by 18% and saving millions in operational costs (Anglo American, 2022). At the macro level, this aligned with South Africa's National Development Plan 2030 by enhancing productivity in a key economic sector. At the micro level, the system optimised workforce allocation, allowing technicians to focus on high-value tasks rather than routine checks. In the retail sector, Shoprite, South Africa's largest supermarket chain, implemented an AI-driven supply chain management system in 2023. Using a platform similar to SAP Integrated Business Planning, Shoprite forecasted demand for perishable goods across its 2,900 stores, reducing food waste by 12% and improving stock availability (Shoprite Holdings, 2023). This optimisation required upskilling employees to interpret AI-generated insights, highlighting the need for integrated workforce training. South African organisations should deploy sector-specific AI tools for process optimisation, such as predictive maintenance in mining or demand forecasting in retail. Collaboration with government and SETAs can align these tools with national skills development initiatives, ensuring macro-level coherence. Training programmes should accompany AI adoption to equip workers with data interpretation skills. Looking Ahead Part 1 has outlined how AI can revolutionise talent acquisition and process optimisation in South Africa's workforce planning. Next week, Part 2 will explore how AI supports upskilling, optimises workforce structures, and addresses human resource challenges such as inequality, workforce anxiety, and data privacy. By integrating these strategies, South Africa can build a workforce ready for the future. Dr Chris Blair, Group Director at 21st Century. Dr Chris Blair, Group Director at 21st Century. Image: Supplied.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Remembering Douglas Gibson: Tributes at the memorial service
Former DA chief whip and ambassador to Thailand, Douglas Gibson, has been described as a 'loyal soldier of the party'. Image: Leon Muller / Independent Newspapers DA leader John Steenhuisen described the party's former chief whip and ambassador to Thailand, Douglas Gibson, as a 'loyal soldier of the party' whose relentless commitment set a benchmark as a chief whip. 'He lived and slept politics and determination and drive to make sure that his party prevailed is something that never lost me,' Steenhuisen said at the memorial service held in Parliament on Friday. Gibson passed away recently at the age of 82. He served as South Africa's ambassador to Thailand between 2008 and 2012. Gibson, who served as an MP from 1994 until 2008, was a lawyer by profession. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Steenhuisen described him not only as a man of 'incredible intellect' but also as a man who knew how to play the ball and not the man. He said Gibson liked to raise others to the light as well. 'It was evident at the time that he spent here and walked these hallowed halls, and he played a big role in asserting the role of the opposition in a democratic Parliament, and as much as those who seek to play the role in shaping Parliament what an opposition should look like,' he said. Steenhuisen said Gibson was a loyal soldier of the party and he did not stop working for DA. 'We will miss Douglas, but his contribution here in this House and to our politics will be remembered.' The deep respect held for Gibson was echoed by former DA leader Tony Leon, who acknowledged him as one of the great builders of South African politics. 'He will be well remembered. Go well, our dear, distinguished, and noble friend. You have served our country so well,' Leon said. John Jeffrey, ANC member and former deputy minister for Justice, fondly recalled Gibson as a quintessential gentleman. 'He was never outright rude and didn't raise his voice. He was always polite. It was wonderful to have him as opposition chief whip, because he was hardworking and reliable and didn't play games,' Jeffrey said. He recalled interacting for a considerable time with Gibson when he was a parliamentary counselor to the then-deputy president Jacob Zuma. 'He was also primarily committed to South Africa and the impact of his actions on the bigger picture, rather than narrow, immediate party games. He was also a very eloquent speaker, and would often stand up at his seat to raise some or other point of order.' Jeffrey added that Gibson played an important role in building the democratic parliamentary democracy. 'He greatly enriched the functioning of Parliament in the early years of democracy. On behalf of the African National Congress, I wish to express our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the Democratic Alliance. He ran a great race, and we will miss him,' he said. Sandra Botha, former opposition leader in Parliament, said Gibson was such an 'authentic personality, an original, cunning, ruthless and compassionate at the same time, super bright, steadfast and liberal'. 'He cherished democracy and the rule of law, an excellent manager of caucus, strategist, and timekeeper, only once deeply appreciated by me,' Botha said. She said Gibson was rarely wrong and could rely on his legal training, which he put to valuable use in terms of legal forums involving the party. 'He tutored and he led. He was keen to engage and all times there to cover where his leader needed, not that that was easy. If you wish to measure Douglas at his true worth, you just need to see the relationship between him and Tony. They were equals, taking on quite different responsibilities. It was not a competition. It was a relationship built on mutual, deep understanding of what was needed,' Botha said.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkabane's controversial refusal to disclose SETA panel members
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane told the Higher Education Portfolio Committee that she could declare her volunteers who served on the panel that selected and made recommendations on the chairpersons of SETA boards that have since been withdrawn. Image: X Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane repeatedly refused to disclose the names of members of the panel that selected and recommended the now-withdrawn chairpersons of the Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETA). This happened as top department officials, including Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi, told the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education that they did not know the people serving on the panel. Nkabane was appearing before the portfolio committee after she withdrew the appointments of chairpersons for the SETA boards following public outrage after the list of the appointments was leaked. The appointments had included ANC-aligned people that included former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Briefing the committee on Friday, Nkabane maintained that they complied with the law when processing the appointments, having considered the criteria that candidates met. 'The integrity of the process was beyond scrutiny and reproach,' she said. Nkabane also said she had appointed the panel using the King 4 Report on Governance to ensure there was a dedicated committee to play oversight. 'This requirement of assigning a dedicated structure to evaluate the nominations was a recommendation by the Auditor-General on boards in 2020,' she said. The department had obtained 573 nominations, but only 20 were recommended for appointments by the independent panel. Nkabane told the committee that the panel consisted of very reputable and highly profiled individuals who would do the work voluntarily. 'They don't claim to execute this responsibility on behalf of the minister.' She further stated that the panel consisted of five or six people, a similar size to those that made recommendations for the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and university councils. Asked by DA MP Letta Maseko who the members of the panel were, Nkabane put her foot down. 'There is no need for me to come and declare my volunteers, the people who assisted me voluntarily to execute my responsibilities. I am not in a position. If something wrong you believe happened with the entire process, you shoot the person empowered by legislation to execute the responsibility,' she said. Pressed again by Maseko to name the panel, Nkabane said: 'I can't share the names. Whatever comes, the responsibility lies with the minister, not them. I am not to drag them.' Nkabane stood her ground when MK Party MP Mnqobi Msezane said it was of public interest that the panel be named, as well as the criteria used to appoint 'ghost people'. 'I still maintain that we want to know who those people are,' Msezane said. EFF MP Sihle Lonzi said they did not buy Nkabane's explanation that the initial process was beyond reproach. In response, Nkabane insisted that the process had no flaws. 'The process was run by a credible and reputable panel. They overlooked demographics,' she said. When Lonzi asked if Nkabane would disclose 'the secret panel', she referred to advisory councils. This prompted Lonzi to ask her to answer in yes or no whether she will disclose the names of the people on the panel who took very serious decisions on behalf of the Ministry and the department. 'The people of South Africa want to know where the decisions about higher education are made. Are you willing to tell us the people, yes or no?' asked Lonzi, before promising they would find the names of the panel members. In response, Nkabane said she was not in court. 'It is not compulsory for me to disclose the independent panel that is assisting the minister. I will find out from them if they are happy I disclose their names. I can't come here and disclose information. I need to comply with relevant legislation. I am not going to respond to yes or no,' she said. DA MP Karabo Khakhau said it was an act of shame for Nkabane to be arrogant and tell the committee it was none of its business who the people on the panel that advised her were. 'It is our business as people of this committee. It is the business of the people of South Africa to know,' Khakhau said. The department has restarted the nominations of the SETA boards' chairpersons, and nominations are open until June 12.
