Latest news with #KhumbudzoNtshavheni
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Cabinet approves bill to limit employment of foreign nationals
The South African Cabinet has approved the tabling of a new bill in Parliament aimed at limiting the employment of foreign nationals, as part of broader efforts to address rising unemployment among citizens. According to Eyewitness News , Cabinet also approved the National Labour Migration Policy White Paper. The policy sets quotas on how many documented foreign nationals businesses can hire in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, tourism, and construction. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the decisions during a briefing at Parliament on Thursday 29 May. She said the policy aims to balance employment across sectors and address public concerns about job opportunities. Ntshavheni said the migration policy works alongside other government measures. These include limiting business visas for foreign nationals in certain sectors and changing the National Small Enterprise Act. These changes aim to prevent foreign nationals from establishing small, medium and micro enterprises in some areas of the economy. Cabinet also approved the tabling of the Employment Services Amendment Bill. The bill aims to create a legal framework to regulate the employment of foreign nationals. The bill would give the employment minister the power to set quotas. It would also tighten controls on labour brokers to stop the exploitation of undocumented workers. In a further directive, Cabinet instructed the Minister of Employment and Labour to expedite consultations to define what constitutes scarce and critical skills in the country. This process will help build local skills and create more job opportunities for South Africans in key areas. 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
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cabinet unmoved by EFF's looming fuel levy increase court challenge; says Malema's party is entitled to pursue litigation
Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the government will study and report back on the implication of the fuel levy on fuel prices. Image: GCIS Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the EFF was within its rights to approach the courts over the increase in the fuel levy proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Addressing the media after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, Ntshavheni said she had no idea what argument the EFF had made in their court papers. 'But we have always had a fuel levy in this country as government, and shortly we will come back on the implication of the fuel levy on the fuel prices in the country as we try to mitigate the high cost of living. 'They can go to court. They are entitled to go to court, but it does not stop us from proposing a budget. The fuel levy has been part of the budget of South Africa since time immemorial,' she said. 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 ✕ Ntshavheni made the comments after the EFF announced that it had filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday to interdict Godongwana from increasing the fuel levy by 16 cents and diesel by 15 cents. Godongwana had announced the proposed fuel levy when he tabled the budget earlier this month after he scrapped the VAT increase amid a court case that was instituted by the EFF and the DA as well as negotiations between the ANC and smaller parties. In a statement, the EFF said it took the action after repeated efforts to caution and appeal to Godongwana to consider the impact of the increase in the fuel levy on the poor and working class when the cost of living was deepening. 'We also reminded him that that, just like the VAT increase, raising the fuel levy without introducing a proper Money Bill is unlawful and undermines parliamentary oversight." The red berets had also written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and finance standing committee chairperson Joe Maswanganyi, warning against adopting the 2025 fiscal framework and revenue proposals that included the fuel levy as doing so would place the entire budget process in jeopardy. 'This matter is urgent not just because of its legal implications, but because the fuel levy directly affects the price of transport, food and other essentials. Any increase will hit the poorest the hardest,' said the EFF. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has affirmed its support for the 2025 national budget that was tabled by Godongwana on May 21. 'The national budget has demonstrated our commitment to fiscal discipline. We have shown that we are steering the economy in the right direction that looks after the most vulnerable in our society, while investing in economic activities through investment of R1 trillion towards infrastructure over the coming three years.' Asked whether all the Government of National Unity parties will vote in favor of the budget, Ntshavheni said they expected that to happen, but the parties have to be asked individually. 'As I have indicated, in all the times that we have at the Minister of Finance has gone to present the budget, they have always been in agreement in Cabinet saying, this is the budget we are going to support, despite its weaknesses,' she added. Ntshavheni also said the Cabinet welcomed the reset of strategic relationships between South Africa and the US during President Cyril Ramaphosa's working visit to the US. She said teams will finalise the details of the trade deal between the two countries. 'The objectives that the South Africa team had set for the trip have been met.' Highlighting some of the elements featured in the trade deal, Ntshavheni said they still have to discuss the tariffs, including the non-tariff barriers.
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
South Africa marks one year of GNU
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced that South Africa is commemorating one year since the National and Provincial Elections in 2024, which resulted in no political party winning an outright majority. 'The period created much uncertainty for South Africa and her people. Today, as the Government of National Unity (GNU), we are proud that we were able to form a government within 14 days, an outstanding achievement given the period taken by some first world countries to form a government in similar situations,' the Minister said on Thursday. Briefing the media following the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ntshavheni outlined the outcomes of the gathering and stated that this milestone represents a renewed commitment to stability, collaboration, and inclusive governance. Ntshavheni emphasised that this historic partnership, which includes 10 political parties, showcases the importance of prioritising the needs of South Africa and its people, by placing the nation first. 'Through constructive dialogue and compromise, the parties have worked together to address pressing issues, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose, despite our different ideological outlook.' Unprecedented in the history of the country's democracy Announcing his new Cabinet last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the establishment of the GNU in its current form was unprecedented in the history of the country's democracy. The President said: 'We have had to consider how to form the new government in a manner that advances the national interest, that gives due consideration to the outcome of the election and that makes use of the respective capabilities within each of the parties.' The President added that all the political parties who were members of the GNU had committed to respecting the Constitution, promoting accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, as well as the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance. 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.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
No timelines set for trade deals with US, says Ntshavheni
The government has put no timelines to its discussions on bilateral trade agreements with the US. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday there can be no deadlines attached to any clinched deals as agreements will be staggered. 'There is a basket of offerings that have been tabled through the department of trade, industry and competition, working with the department of mineral resources & energy, department of agriculture, and other departments.' According to the minister, the various deals will be signed as they are finalised. 'There are many discussions taking place, for example on poultry, pork and citrus. If we close a deal on pork tomorrow, because we are a net importer of pork, why should it wait for a discussion on energy and gas that may only be closed in two months' time? 'So as the deals and areas of agreements are reached, they will be implemented. The US remains one of our strategic partners so we will want to work and conclude those as speedily as possible.' President Cyril Ramaphosa led a delegation, which included Ntshavheni, to the White House to reset and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries after allegations of persecution of white South Africans by US President Donald Trump's administration. 'The issue of relations between South Africa and the US was an issue that occupied the minds of many people in our country. Many were concerned about the deteriorating relationship between our two countries, having recognised the important roles we play in each other's economies, apart from various political and diplomatic relations,' said Ramaphosa earlier this week. Ntshavheni reported the two countries will discuss not only tariffs but also non-tariff barriers. 'We have proposed that we need a quarter of 40,000 vehicles manufactured in South Africa to enter the US in the current no tariff arrangement. There was a discussion about critical minerals, which is in everybody's interest, but you'll recall that in the previous cabinet meeting we approved a critical minerals strategy driven from the fact that we are no longer exporters of sand and rock. 'We are going to beneficiate at source or nearest to source and that discussion must be framed within the provision of our critical minerals strategy. There are licensing requirements to mine in South Africa and we have indicated that if they want to mine they must partner with those who already hold exploration or mining licences.' She said cabinet welcomed the 'reset of strategic relationships' between Pretoria and Washington, adding they look forward to the US' continued participation. 'The South African and US teams will finalise the details of trade deals. It is safe to emphasise the objectives South Africa had set have been met,' said Ntshavheni. Trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau previously told TimesLIVE Premium South Africa submitted to the US government a framework that seeks to balance and promote bilateral trade and investment. 'Given that the expectation from the US side was for countries to address the issues around trade deficit and non-tariff barriers to trade, the framework includes elements that address these issues and will be subject to negotiations between our two countries. 'The elements include procurement of gas from the US, addressing agricultural market access from both sides, promoting two-way investment, co-operation on critical minerals, co-operation among our development finance institutions and discussion on tariffs — in a manner that protects the common external tariff — and digital trade. All this will be done in a manner that preserves regional integration and industrial capabilities. The request from the South African side, among others, is for a maximum tariff of 10% while the two countries conduct negotiations,' Tau said. He added that the gas element of the package was twofold. 'First, to work on import of gas from the US to ensure security of supply and cater for domestic needs. Further, given the discovery of shale gas in South Africa, there is a need for co-operation on technologies,' Tau said.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
We'll beef up security for Trump — some more equal than others: Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says security will be beefed up for US President Donald Trump when he visits the country later this year because 'some are more equal than others'. South Africa will host the G20 summit at Nasrec in Johannesburg in November, with Trump expected to attend as South Africa hands over the G20 presidency to the US for 2026. Ntshavheni told the media: 'We must beef up security. When a leader of the free world visits your country, the security must be heightened. 'So if indeed President Trump comes to South Africa, security around him, and security around other presidents [will differ]. We are all sovereign, we are all equal but some are more equal than others so the security needs to be heightened,' she said, implying that Trump's status as a global leader warrants a protection boost compared with other heads of state.
