Latest news with #ImbizoMediaCentre
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
South Africa takes action against foot and mouth disease with Botswana's vaccine support
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressing the post-Cabinet media held at Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town. Image: GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed that South Africa is actively addressing the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affecting four provinces. On Thursday, Ntshavheni indicated that the Cabinet also welcomed the arrival of much-needed vaccines, sourced from Botswana, which she said would help combat the FMD outbreak, which has spread to four provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the North West. 'The vaccines are being distributed and administered free of charge to the affected areas, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and those farms in other provinces where the disease has been identified. A second batch of vaccines is on order with the Botswana Vaccine Institute,' she said. Ntshavheni, who was speaking during a media briefing on the outcomes of a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, also stated that the Cabinet is 'deeply concerned about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with airstrikes by the United States of America. 'The ongoing attacks by both countries have led to loss of life, casualties, and destruction to property. Cabinet calls for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities, restraint, and full compliance with international law by all parties to prevent further human suffering. 'Cabinet further calls on the USA, Israel, and Iran to create room for constructive dialogue and give the United Nations the opportunity to lead the peaceful resolution of the dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran's status on uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity. 'As a continent, we in Africa are still suffering the consequences of the balkanisation of Libya 14 years later, with the escalation of terrorism across the continent,' she said. Following the recent travel by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Canada for the G7 Summit, the minister said Ramaphosa had used the recent trip to mobilise support for the country ahead of the G20 Summit later this year, where he participated in the G7 Summit Outreach Session. 'President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the G7 to urge for greater cooperation between the G7 and the G20, and mobilise support for reforms in the international institutions of global governance, such as the UN Security Council and the global financial system. 'The president's participation in the G7 clearly points out that South Africa does not hold an anti-West policy position, but we are ready to work with everyone to pursue South Africa's national interests and to advance the African agenda,' said Ntshavheni. She also welcomed the recent return of SA troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the Cabinet has been updated on the process that has led to the return of the more than 1,700 troops who have been returning in small groups. 'About 1,718 SANDF troops have now arrived in the country, and more are expected to arrive over the next few weeks. Cabinet was updated on the phased arrival of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the SADC decision to terminate the SAMIDRC intervention,' she said.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cabinet vows to tackle manufacturing and logistics woes amid dwindling economic growth
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressing the post-Cabinet media held at Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town. Image: GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressing the post-Cabinet media held at Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town. Image: GCIS The gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by Statistics South Africa also indicated that the economy grew by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025 following a downwardly revised increase of 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024. During a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said the government was now working to fine-tune the country's industrial policy. 'Cabinet remains concerned about the decline in the manufacturing industry, more so when the government has prioritised boosting local manufacturing and thus awaits the finalisation of the revised Industrial Policy,' Ntshavheni said. 'The government understands the impact of the challenges within freight and logistics that continues to impact the growth of the mining industry, and we are maintaining a razor-sharp focus on the work of Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 and the Government Business Partnership in urgently resolving the logistics challenges of the country.' Industrial policy during the Sixth Administration was characterised by innovation within the confines of an increasingly complex context, characterised by global instability and system-level shocks and trends. South Africa's industrial policy framework, primarily articulated in the National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) and its subsequent iterations, aims to drive industrialization and create a more robust and diversified economy. The NIPF focuses on strengthening the manufacturing sector and supporting the development of non-traditional tradable goods and services. Key components include investment facilitation, trade promotion, technology development, and support for small businesses, as well as competition and labor market policies. However, the economy is facing domestic and global headwinds, particularly from the looming US import tariffs that would cripple the South African manufacturing industry. On April 2, US President Donald Trump introduced a 10% base tariff on nearly all imports into the US, with additional reciprocal tariffs for specific countries. However, these reciprocal tariffs were suspended for 90 days to allow room for negotiations. Trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau has acknowledged the current uncertainty around what decision the US will make on July 9, adding that South Africa was exposed to both direct and indirect trade and growth risks. Everest Wealth CEO, Thys van Zy, on Thursday said the government must end the wait-and-see approach on the economy. Van Zyl said the looming July 9 deadline for the possible implementation of 30% reciprocal tariffs on South African exports to the US — and the uncertainty surrounding it — should serve as yet another wake-up call for the government on the importance of bold decision-making. He said should the 30% tariffs be implemented, they are likely to significantly impact export-dependent industries – especially automotive manufacturing, agricultural products like citrus and wine, and the steel and mining sectors. 'These sectors contribute significantly to South Africa's GDP and job creation, and higher tariffs will not only undermine exports but also threaten local investment and production,' Van Zyl said. 'The government must use this negotiation window to secure a new, mutually beneficial trade agreement that protects and expands South Africa's economic interests. The focus should be on maintaining preferential access to the US market and avoiding higher tariffs that could harm our exports.' BUSINESS REPORT
