Latest news with #G20-related
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga's tourism sector gets a digital boost
The minister of tourism, Patricia de Lille, hosted a community engagement session on the first G20 Tourism Priority on Thursday, July 31, at the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Mbombela Campus. This focused on people-centred artificial intelligence and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups as well as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The event was held in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. According to De Lille, the session aimed to bring stakeholders and academia together to explore how digital transformation and innovation can unlock opportunities for businesses and communities. It was held under the theme 'Empowering travel and tourism start-ups and SMMEs through digital transformation'. 'The country will host more than 130 meetings, including 23 ministerial-level meetings across major cities. Over 200 G20-related events are expected, pumping millions into hotels, restaurants and transport services,' said De Lille. She added that tour guides, guest houses, craft markets, and SMMEs will benefit from the international exposure, with many already showcasing Mpumalanga products at Africa's Travel Indaba. ALSO READ: G20 development leaders gather in Kruger for landmark meeting De Lille explained that the G20 Tourism Hackathon is a platform on which students use artificial intelligence and digital innovation to reimagine travel. 'I look forward to seeing young minds create prototypes for innovative visitor systems, accessible booking platforms and cultural storytelling apps. Students from TUT and the University of Mpumalanga are proving that you are not waiting for the future – you are building it,' said De Lille. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga fresh produce market 'a white elephant' – DA spokesperson She also highlighted Mpumalanga's proactive investment in infrastructure through public-private partnerships, which is already yielding results – from upgrading heritage sites to improving road networks and community lodges. 'The department will continue supporting the tourism sector across all provinces through targeted programmes, including the Green Tourism Incentive programme, which empowers businesses to adopt sustainable practices by providing grants of up to R1m,' De Lille said. She noted that 23 approved projects are currently active in Mpumalanga – five have been completed, while the remaining 18 are at various stages of finalising agreements. ALSO READ: Four Mganduzweni primary schools prioritise learners well-being The five completed projects include Tshamani Guest House in Mkhuhlu, Timamoon Lodge in Hazyview, and La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge in Marloth Park. 'Since the 2023/24 financial year, 21 small tourism enterprises from Ehlanzeni have been supported under the Market Access Support Programme to participate in various trade shows. All 21 of these enterprises are black-owned, and 10 are woman-owned,' said De Lille. When Mpumalanga proudly hosts the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in September, over 30 ministers from around the world will come here – not just to discuss policy but to experience the province's landscapes, hospitality and cultural riches.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt owes tourism contractors over Rs 39.7cr with bills from 2019
Panaji : From housekeeping services and painting to legal fees and translations, the tourism department has racked up Rs 39.7 crore in unpaid bills. Contractors for events, vehicles and executed projects have been fretting with their money lying locked up with the tourism department as well as the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), with some of the bills dating all the way back to 2019. Among those that the department owes money are govt entities such as Goa Human Resource Development Corporation Limited and Goa Electronics Limited. The tourism department's 17 outstanding bills are largely for tourism roadshows and trade fairs, and most are for the current year with just two bills dating back to Dec 2024. However, GTDC's track record of clearing bills of contractors and event management firms is not on par. The Goa Human Resource Development Corporation Ltd provided security services at GTDC residencies for 2019-20 for which it billed GTDC Rs 1.03 crore, an amount that remains unpaid, shows data released in the state legislative assembly. Invoices towards the organisation of the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahostav in Dec 2021 worth Rs 3.7 lakh also remain unpaid. Taxi bills worth Rs 8.65 crore remain unpaid, shows the data released in the state legislative assembly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Emergency Generators in Sevilla: (Prices May Surprise You) Emergency Generator | Search Ads Search Now Undo Information provided by the department also shows that Rs 4.4 crore has to be released to a private firm for development of amenities at the Bom Jesus Basilica under the PRASHAD Scheme. GTDC said that many of these bills are 'under consideration' and will be cleared once scrutiny and approval is obtained. Bills for the G20 meetings, which were held in Goa, also remain unpaid. Goa hosted several G20-related meetings during India's presidency in 2023, including the G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting and the Tourism Ministers' Meeting.
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First Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Consistently unaligned with US policy': Rubio says Trump will skip G20 Summit in South Africa
Rubio, who did not attend the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in February, referenced South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel, one of the United States' closest allies, of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza read more US President Donald Trump will not attend the forthcoming G20 meeting to be held in South Africa, State Secretary Marco Rubio has announced, saying that the country has been 'consistently unaligned' with US policy. Rubio said, 'We chose not to participate in this year's G-20, hosted by South Africa, either at the foreign ministers level or the presidents level. They clearly, on the global stage and in multiple multinational organisations, have consistently been a vote against America's interests time and again.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magweny,a has said that Washington has been participating in all G20-related activities, adding that the country has not received an official communication from the US about Trump's non-participation in the event later this year. 'It's still a long time between now and November, and a lot can still happen,' he said. 'Out of control' Meanwhile, when asked about his appearance at the G20 Summit, Trump said, 'South Africa's out of control and it's been out of control for a long time. I'm not sure, I'm really not sure.' US and South Africa have been at a crossroads for quite some time. Rubio, who did not attend the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in February, referenced South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel, one of the United States' closest allies, of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Trump has also accused Ramaphosa of treating white South Africans 'terribly' and said that white farmers in the country are facing a 'genocide'. 'It's a terrible situation taking place,' the president said. 'So we've essentially extended citizenship to those people to escape from that violence and come here.' Ramaphosa to meet Trump At the same time, the US president will host Ramaphosa at the White House on Wednesday as Pretoria seeks to 'reset' relations with Washington. Ahead of Wednesday's meeting, the South African government is expected to propose an exemption to local Black-ownership laws for Pretoria-born billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk, allowing his Starlink internet service to operate in the country.
The South African
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Donald Trump to boycott G20 Summit unless SA resolves 'genocide' of white Afrikaners
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he may not attend the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg in November unless what he calls the 'genocide of white Afrikaners' is addressed. South Africa's International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that all G20 leaders are invited and it was up to them whether to attend – or not. However, just hours later, speaking at a White House press conference, Trump appeared doubtful that he would make the trip. 'South Africa leadership is coming to see me, I understand, sometime next week, and we are supposed to have a G20 meeting there or something. I don't know how we can go unless that situation is taken care of,' said Trump. The United States is due to take over the Presidency of the G20 from South Africa at the end of the year. Trump's administration has already boycotted some G20-related meetings in response to his claim that 'bad things' are happening in the country, including land grabs and the indiscriminate killings of white South Africans. Trump cited this week's arrival of 49 white Afrikaners in the US as an example, claiming that they are fleeing violence, and said that the US has extended citizenship to them. 'People who live in South Africa, they say it's a terrible situation taking place, so we've essentially extended citizenship to those people to escape that violence and come here.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Will Donald Trump attend the 2025 G20 Summit? South Africa says it's up to the US
International Relations Minister Romald Lamola has revealed that United States President Donald Trump has not confirmed whether he will attend the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, amid ongoing political tensions. Image: Se-Anne Rall US President Donald Trump appears unlikely to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled for November in Johannesburg, but South Africa's International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said it is up to the US to confirm his attendance or absence. During a media briefing on Monday, South Africa's International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola addressed speculation about Donald Trump's potential participation in the G20, highlighting the country's role as the current president of the summit. 'All leaders of G20 member states are invited to attend,' Lamola said. 'But it is up to the US government to confirm whether President Trump will attend the G20 summit in South Africa.' South Africa assumed the G20 presidency in December 2024, taking over from Brazil. Lamola emphasised that the US has continued to participate in several G20-related engagements, despite the uncertainty over Trump's travel plans. 'In various ministerial meetings, the US was represented by its chargé d'affaires,' he said. 'There has since been significant engagement, including a meeting in Washington where the US Secretary of the Treasury participated in discussions with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.' However, tensions between Washington and Pretoria have escalated in recent months, stemming in part from US tariffs and criticism of domestic South African legislation, including the controversial Expropriation Act. Trump had expressed strong opposition to the act and has posted inflammatory comments on his Truth Social platform, on X (formerly Twitter.) 'How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 meeting when land confiscation and genocide is the primary topic of conversation?' Trump wrote. 'They are taking the land of white farmers and then killing them and their families. Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don't think so.' The post included a video clip of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema debating land reform in Parliament, a clip the EFF claims was used to spread misleading narratives. 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 ✕ The recent departure of 49 Afrikaners who left South Africa for the United States might also escalate tensions between the two countries. When asked about Russia's representation at the summit, Lamola noted that President Vladimir Putin did not attend the previous G20 summit in Brazil. 'Russia was represented by its minister of foreign affairs, and we expect that will continue in that context,' he said. He confirmed that Russia will participate in the Johannesburg summit. Lamola also outlined South Africa's approach to extending invitations to non-G20 countries and organisations. 'All G20 members are invited, but South Africa, as the host, has the discretion to extend invitations to other countries, in consultation with the other member states,' he said. Among those invited are five of Africa's largest economies, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Angola, which currently chairs the African Union, as well as countries such as Singapore, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. He said several United Nations agencies are also expected to participate. 'If there is any extension of an invitation to other countries, the president will consult with G20 members, and, if there is consensus, the invitation will be issued,' Lamola said. Cape Times
