Latest news with #Gungubele
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Calls for independent review of Treasury's funding decisions for SA Post Office
The BRPs said that Sapo was currently operating under severe austerity measures, which curtailed its operational capacity and threaten its ongoing services. Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/Independent Newspapers The Deputy Minister for Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, has advocated for an independent system to review the National Treasury's decisions regarding urgent funding requirements. This call to action follows the controversial rejection by Treasury of a R3.8 billion proposed rescue package intended for the beleaguered South African Post Office (Sapo), which Gungubele on Tuesday argued had successfully navigated the business rescue process. "I wish there would be an independent system that scrutinises that. In our view, with all the calculations we have made, if we were to talk about cost-benefit analysis, had that R3.8bn been paid, a lot would have been saved rather than lost," Gungubele told the Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday. "But it is the thing of Treasury. I am saying I wish there could be an independent system to deal with such rejections or acceptance when it comes to crises of this nature." Gungubele's support for the Sapo Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs), Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Ramos, highlighted that while all necessary processes had been executed, the pivotal funding gap still loomed large. The BRPs said that Sapo was currently operating under severe austerity measures, which curtailed its operational capacity and threaten its ongoing services. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ "It is not ideal but we are up to date with all our payments. Right now we are paying creditors in the course of business except of course the R120 million. In November or December, the entity will need more working capital requirement, which only would not arise if we had received the R3.8bn," Rooplal said. "We are looking at some deferral arrangement for the R520m, which is conditional upon funding. It's not a guaranteed payment to creditors." Rooplal said the delayed major portion of the rescue plan was the payment of the 18 cents per rand top up to the creditors, which once paid would have dealt with all creditors according to the plan. He said the next thing would have been to have funding towards working capital and steered toward the right investment in uplifting the structure and even that we would have worked with the incoming board. "The one aspect is around strategic private partnerships. That's in progress. That progress has been lifted up to the joint task team and rightly so because you need to involve Treasury to unlock funding and to help to assess the prospective partnerships," Rooplal said. "We believe its good governance and it is sitting with the right decision makers. We add the BRPs to the joint task team, that in a nutshell is what the dashboard looks like." "There is only literally one aspect left for us to set up the plan and that is to pay the R520m to agency and concurrent creditors, and we would be in a position to discharge. But that obviously depends on funding as we highlighted." The BRPs further detailed their financial landscape, indicating that the R7.4bn in compromised creditor claims had left the entity in a precarious position. "We would have discharged this months ago. Had the funding come in sooner, we would have been able to implement the last outstanding items," Rooplal said. "But unfortunately we had to make a plan so to speak and we had to press the entity back to austerity mode so it's really limiting our ability to expand and spend because we don't have the money to spend on anything other than keeping the lights on and basic services moving. "Currently, funding available is Universal Services Obligation funding and we all know that it must go to a specific purpose. That R572m then there is the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme funding of R381m, which has a specific purpose. We then depend on the revenue that Sapo generates on a general basis." BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Communications department welcomes ruling on Meta
Meta was ordered to shut down Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels posting sexual content of SA schoolchildren. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the Film and Publication Board (FPB) say the psychological effects on victims of child pornography are long-lasting and devastating. The organisations were reacting to the Gauteng High Court ruling that ordered tech giant Meta to shut down certain anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp Channels distributing explicit child pornography involving South African schoolchildren. Judgment Judge Mudunwazi Makamu handed down the ruling in an order sought by Digital Law Company, directed by social media law expert Emma Sadlier, on Monday. In the judgement, Makamu agreed with the arguments by advocate Ben Winks that children have been victimised by the publication of lurid material. Makamu ordered Meta to shut down all the accounts and channels linked to the distribution of sexual content involving schoolchildren and to 'permanently disable the creator of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed… from creating any further WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles'. 'The respondents shall, before 12h00 on 15 July 2025, furnish to the applicant all information in the first respondent's possession pertaining to the creator(s) of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles,' Makamu ruled. ALSO READ: Meta ordered to shut down Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels posting sexual content of SA schoolchildren [VIDEO] Meta response Meta has been ordered to furnish Digital Law Company 'all information' in its possession of the creators. The public relations company that shares Meta news in South Africa, told The Citizen, they are waiting for feedback from Meta on the court ruling. Child exploitation Deputy Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele said with the development and expansion of digital technologies, the crime of online child exploitation and abuse has grown exponentially and has become the most insidious form of global, modern and borderless cybercrime. 'The psychological effects on victims of child pornography are long-lasting and devastating; hence, we applaud the high court ruling. 'Parents and guardians are encouraged to regularly monitor their children's online activities and educate them about harmful and prohibited content that could lead to their arrest as well as the long-term psychological effects of such content on victims,' Gungubele said. Harmful content According to the Communications Department, harmful content is defined as any content that causes emotional, psychological, or physical distress to a person, whether through online or offline mediums, including the internet. The department said Gungubele will be hosting quarterly media briefings on the trends monitored by the FPB on harmful and prohibited content, including CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material). ALSO READ: Parents, use these Instagram tools to keep your teens safe online
See - Sada Elbalad
28-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
S.Africa Cooperates with UAE on Joint Project to Develop National Satellite
Nada Mustafa Mondli Gungubele, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation of South Africa announced the launch of a joint project with the United Arab Emirates to develop a national satellite for South Africa. This is reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS. Speaking on the sidelines of the SAMENA Leaders' Summit 2025 in Dubai, Gungubele noted that the initiative builds on the UAE's cutting-edge developments in satellite technology. He emphasised that a memorandum of intent was signed during the visit and the parties are ready to move on to the next stages of theprojectt, according to TV BRICS. Gungubele praised the UAE's achievements, calling the country a model of rapid development and prosperity: "Through my repeated visits, I see that the UAE rivals first-world countries in its advanced infrastructure and vital sectors such as transportation, communications, hospitality, and urban development." read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa prioritises digital inclusion for rural and disadvantaged areas
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies in South Africa Mondli Gungubele said that the Government is committed to internet connectivity to all rural and disadvantaged communities. Image: Yogashen Pillay Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, has reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing internet connectivity across rural and disadvantaged communities in a bid to bridge the digital divide. Speaking at the South Africa Internet Governance Forum held in Durban on Wednesday, Gungubele stressed the significance of this initiative as the nation prepares for the World Summit on Information Society review process. 'Digital governance is a global factor that our regulatory, ethical and social frameworks can often keep in place. We are here as South Africans and as global citizens to reflect on the challenges we face. We are here to respond to students, to ensure that they are free and free in the context of research,' he said. Gungubele added that the government has made significant strides in embedding the multistakeholder model in internet governance approach, ensuring that all voices from the rural and township communities and metropolitan leaders are heard in shaping our digital future. 'The emergence of the global digital compact presents us with critical questions. Should governance of the internet shift towards a more centralized intergovernmental structure? Our position must be clear. We continue to stand for an internet that is open, secure, rights-based and accessible to all.' Gungubele said the forum was critical in South Africa's digital landscape. 'Significance arises from the growing importance of the internet in driving relations advancement across various sectors, such as commerce, education, healthcare, governance, and entertainment,' he said. 'Since 2012, internet access has been acknowledged as a fundamental human right, aligning with the United Nations Human Rights Council's affirmation of individual freedom of expression and opinion.' Gungubele added that research showed that technology will disrupt 75 million jobs, but create 130 million digital jobs. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ 'The utilization of AI technology could either alleviate or exacerbate existing disparities, particularly in terms of employment and essential services accessibility. We are currently confronted by AI's increasing presence; tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly proficient in tasks traditionally performed by humans, such as coding, software vulnerability identification, and content creation. As AI progresses, concerns arise regarding potential job displacement among knowledge workers,' Gungubele said. Moreover, he asserted the necessity for educational and training initiatives aimed at preparing the workforce for an AI-centric future. He concluded by stressing the importance of collaboration between government, industry, academia, and civil society to create policies that address the challenges posed by AI while maximising its benefits for the workforce. Mpilo Sibiya, a representative from the KZN Premier's office, said that the province was advancing digital inclusion in rural communities through the traditional authorities connectivity project. 'This initiative provides traditional leaders such as Amakhosi with access to government services and direct communication channels with the provincial departments. So far, 23 international council facilities have been connected through the government,' Sibiya said. 'Moreover, libraries across the province are being transformed into digital hubs with full cyber credits assisting the residents with digital literacy, job searches, and educational resources. This effort has made a significant impact, especially in rural areas where access to digital infrastructure has been limited.' Sibiya added that despite some challenges, particularly around budget constraints, KZN has been committed to expanding digital infrastructure, including inter-literacy across the province. 'Plans are already in place to build and connect more libraries, ensuring that digital links continue to grow and reach every corner of KZN. Our province is aligned with South Africa's NDP to build an inclusive economy that drives sustainable development and shared prosperity,' Sibiya said. 'We are investing in technology access, new skills, and innovation to improve the digital divide and create a future for all. By embracing digital transformation, we are building a connected, capable, and competitive province that leaves no one behind.' BUSINESS REPORT
