Latest news with #NasiphiMoya

IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Black Business Council unveils transformative projects to energise Tshwane's built environment
The City of Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, outlines big plans for economic growth in the city during a business breakfast with the BBCBE. The City of Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, outlines big plans for economic growth in the city during a business breakfast with the BBCBE. The Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) has taken significant strides in transforming Tshwane's development landscape by unveiling several key projects designed to draw investors and built environment professionals. Established in 2007, BBCBE's core mission is to engage with government and statutory bodies to influence legislation that fosters opportunities for Black professionals within the construction and building sectors. Speaking at the breakfast, Carrington Tlale, the head of BBCBE's Project Management Unit (PMU), shared insights into the group's recent initiatives. 'We established BBCBE investment holdings, and we just completed one of its long-term projects, and we are looking forward to participating in so much more. We established the BBCBE training academy. The organisation used to do training internally, but we have found that could be problematic. And the work that has been done by the members has been very fruitful, and our main focus is on candidacy,' he noted, highlighting the formation of the BBCBE Training Academy. Tlale explained that this academy is a pivotal step away from previous internal training models, seeking instead to professionalise young talent in the industry, and believes local government must heed it as it works towards fostering a skilled workforce. He further emphasised the necessity of self-transformation within organisations leading the charge for change. 'The face of transformation is very different. That requires a focus on key areas,' he explained, identifying sectors such as energy, water, logistics, and artificial intelligence as pivotal in redefining Tshwane's built environment. However, Tlale signalled a need to confront the overlooked realm of infrastructure finance, stressing its importance in enabling these transformative efforts. Echoing these sentiments, Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, a keynote speaker at the event, spoke passionately about ongoing initiatives to elevate the city's economic landscape. Moya announced plans for an upcoming investment conference in July, aimed at providing a platform for business sectors to invest in significant city assets, including the Tshwane Showgrounds and Wonderboom Airport. 'There is a lot of pressure to make this city work for the people that call it their home, for the businesses that were started here. For the people that must come, whether they are students or embassies, they must come and stay in our city. But also for our province and our country to succeed,' she stated. Moya further outlined the city's commitment to creating opportunities for students and embassies, which play vital roles in the local economy. 'So what is it that the city can offer you? Firstly, as the CEO of TEDA, we do have assets that can help you,' she noted, framing the city as an attractive destination for investment. Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise elaborated on the city's three key priorities, with a particular focus on revitalising Tshwane's two power stations: the Rooiwal coal power station and the PTA West waste/gas-to-power station. This effort is seen as essential for revamping the energy landscape to support local growth. Dr Lardo Stander, CEO of TEDA, highlighted the importance of collaboration between the BBCBE and the City of Tshwane, emphasising that leveraging existing networks and partnerships in infrastructure development is vital for success. 'This could be done through leveraging networks and partnerships that BBCBE has in infrastructure development,' Stander affirmed, creating a pathway to more robust economic growth in the area. Saturday Star


Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
The Launch of ‘The Diplomat'
The team: The M&G's Luke Feltham, Wendy Mosetlhi, Hoosain Karjieker and Marion Smith flank the ambassador of Azerbaijan Dr Huseyn Rahmili (centre). The launch of The Diplomat, which took place on 16 May at the University of Pretoria's Javett Art Centre, was attended by the ambassadors and embassy staff of more than 45 embassies. Hoosain Karjieker, chief executive of the Mail & Guardian, opened the event by reaffirming the publication's values. 'For nearly four decades, the Mail & Guardian has maintained an unwavering commitment to investigative journalism, thoughtful analysis and coverage that matters,' he said. The keynote address was delivered by the mayor of the City of Tshwane, Nasiphi Moya, who welcomed the diplomatic community and acknowledged their contribution to international relations. 'The City of Tshwane values the presence of these diverse diplomatic missions. The role played by embassies in building relations between countries does not go unnoticed,' she said. Editor-in-chief of the M&G Luke Feltham explained the vision behind the platform. 'This is an attempt to be part of the solution instead of the noise. By working with you — diplomats — by opening our pages and our platform, we want to bring those dinner-table conversations to a wider audience. We want this to be a space for honest, nuanced and respectful dialogue.' The goal of The Diplomat is to spotlight projects and initiatives that reshape public perception and highlight the work of embassies in South Africa. In his closing remarks, M&G chairperson Roger Latchman reminded guests of the broader responsibility that media and diplomacy share. 'We must resist sensationalism, restore public confidence and recommit ourselves to accuracy, fairness, and informed discourse.' Other guest speakers included Elelwani Pandelani, the head of Nedbank diplomatic and non-resident banking, who spoke about the importance of building strong, lasting relationships beyond financial transactions. Keynote speaker: Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya. Laurie James, a forensic profiler at Cybareti, addressed the rapidly evolving cyber landscape, noting that no corner of the world is untouched by digital threats. Karjieker noted that The Diplomat aligns with the core mission of diplomatic work and thanked Wendy Mosetlhi and Marion Smith for bringing the event to life. 'Their efforts and insight have been instrumental in shaping this initiative,' he said. Smith, who leads The Diplomat section and brings years of experience in diplomatic engagement, spoke about her motivation for taking on this work. 'I have a love for learning and diplomacy. I'd like to use some of my global experience and expertise to contribute meaningfully in this space,' she said. 'I also look forward to using The Diplomat to raise awareness of the importance of identifying and countering disinformation.' Smith said a diplomat's first responsibility is to understand, then to share that understanding — 'and that's what The Diplomat aims to do'. View: The ambassadors and other staff of 45 embassies attend the launch of The Diplomat. Lebanon Golf Championship Expressing gratitude: Ambassador Kabalan Frangieh of Lebanon The Fifth Annual South African Lebanese Golf Championship, hosted by the Embassy of Lebanon, took place on Sunday, 25 May 2025, at the Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg. The tournament welcomed a distinguished group of participants, including the ambassadors of Austria and India, the chargé d'affaires of Thailand, the military attaché of Argentina, and the representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. Professional South African Lebanese golfer Lora Assad competed, alongside members of the Cedars and Phoenicians golf clubs. Ambassador Kabalan Frangieh of Lebanon expressed his gratitude to all participants. As his tour of duty in South Africa comes to an end, he spoke of his hope that this annual event remains a fixture on the embassy's calendar. Tournament Results A Division winner: Damon Zoghby – 2025 Champion B Division winner: Vincent Shahim C Division winner: Terence Joseph Best guest: Lora Assad – with an outstanding 67 shots. Yemen marks 35th National Day anniversary in South Africa On 22 May, the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen marked the 35th anniversary of Yemen's National Day — commemorating the unification of the country's northern and southern regions. To honour the occasion, the embassy, its staff and the broader Yemeni community in South Africa extended congratulations to His Excellency President Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, chairperson of the Presidential Leadership Council, its members, the Yemeni people and the country's armed forces. A small gathering was held at the ambassador's residence in Pretoria, where members of the local Yemeni community and students studying in South Africa came together. The event reflected on the significance of the unification and Yemen's continued path toward peace and stability. The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Yemeni citizens in South Africa and strengthening ties between the two nations. Celebration: The Yemeni community in South Africa came together to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Yemen's National Day.

IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How Tshwane is revitalising its economy for a brighter future
The City of Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, outlines big plans for economic growth in the city during a business breakfast with the BBCBE. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The City of Tshwane has many assets that must be cultivated to improve the lives of its residents and to create business opportunities, and with the Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) as a partner, the city hopes to achieve this. Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, during a business breakfast hosted by the BBCBE on Tuesday, in partnership with the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), showcased transformative development projects in the city, attracting investors and engaging built environment professionals. The event held in Centurion provided the business sector with an opportunity to engage the city on its plans to improve the economic environment in Tshwane and to work towards a people-centred urban transformation. Dr Moya stressed that the city is planning on upgrading and repurposing its assets worth billions, many of which are in decay and not used as they should, such as the Pretoria Showgrounds, the Fresh Produce Market, and the Caledonian Stadium. 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 City of Tshwane, she said, is not merely another municipality on the South African map. It stands as the Administrative Capital of the Republic, a centre of government, diplomacy, learning, and commerce. 'Our economic profile is formidable. Tshwane contributes 25% of Gauteng's GDP and 9% of South Africa's national output. If Tshwane were a country, our economy would rival that of Iceland, Cyprus, or Senegal,' she said. The city's industrial ecosystem includes a thriving automotive manufacturing base, a resilient agricultural economy, world-class universities, and a fast-growing services sector. It is home to over 4.1 million people, determined to see a better tomorrow. But, Dr Moya said, unemployment stands at nearly 34%, with youth unemployment near 60%. An estimated 40% of the residents live below the poverty line. Good governance alone is insufficient; the city requires transformation that is both inclusive and sustainable. That is why the city has adopted the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy (TERS), which is the guiding document to achieve 3.9% economic growth and create 80,000 new jobs by 2029. TERS focuses on 10 strategic sectors, which include the student economy. In this regard, Dr Moya said the city is repurposing vacant buildings into student accommodation and turning the inner city into a vibrant, safe, and inclusive urban campus. She said there is a lack of student accommodation in the city, and many students are homeless. 'The automotive sector remains a cornerstone of our industrial base. With nearly 40% of South Africa's vehicles produced in Rosslyn and the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), we are expanding our footprint. Phase 2 of TASEZ is under way, and the R500 million K217 road expansion aims to strengthen logistics and manufacturing value chains,' she added in expanding on the city's plans. In construction, the city is embracing digital transformation. The automation of land-use, zoning, and building applications is reducing red tape and turnaround times. Meanwhile, social housing and human settlements are high on the city's agenda. Tshwane absorbs 80,000 new residents annually. To address this growth, it is investing over R700 million in water and sanitation infrastructure across Winterveldt and Pretoria West. These investments are laying the foundation for inclusive housing developments and spatial equity. Its urban regeneration programme is also gaining momentum, with projects like Schubart Park, which is being transformed into modern, mixed-use developments. Dr Moya said, in fact, over 180 derelict properties have been identified for reclamation. Included in the city's plans is to extend the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, while the Gautrain expansion is on track. Strategic assets like the Bon Accord Quarry, which supplies essential materials for roads and construction, are also being modernised, while rail revitalisation is being pursued with national partners. Included in the city's plans is to build new taxi ranks to decongest the Pretoria CBD.


The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tshwane mayor vows to clean up the capital city
Nasiphi Moya says the city will return to complete its mission after launching clean-up operations at key sites in Tshwane. The special operation at Cemetery View and Plastic View informal settlements last week was just the beginning of cleaning up the capital and the city will return to finish what it started, according to mayor Nasiphi Moya. 'We arrested over 90 illegal immigrants who are now being processed by home affairs. Deportations are expected following court approval. This is the beginning of a process to clean up these areas,' she said. Moya said about 800 South Africans who resided in Plastic View would be relocated. 'Residents of Pretoria East have for years decried the lack of action. We are glad that the city was able to bring in support from SAPS and Home Affairs,' she said. ALSO READ: Tshwane makes strides in corruption fight as city tackles R13bn irregular expenditure backlog Last week, Moya and her deputy mayor, Eugene Modise, made a follow-up oversight visit to the Pretoria Show Grounds and confirmed a cleaning initiative was under way after eight years of neglect. 'The prized property stands at 39 hectares in the heart of the CBD. The level of vandalism we witnessed was disheartening,' she said. Moya and her team also visited the city hall and other hijacked properties in the city. 'We will come back to finish what they have started,' she said. DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink said: 'We thank Minister Schreiber for his drive to enforce South Africa's immigration laws and call on Tshwane to finish the work.' NOW READ: Tshwane's R54.6bn budget draws mixed reactions


The Citizen
7 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane targets economic turnaround with new growth committee
The Tshwane metro has launched a dedicated Economic Growth Committee tasked with spearheading the implementation of the Tshwane Economic Revitilisation Strategy. This strategic body, chaired by Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, will address systemic economic challenges and unlock inclusive, sustainable growth. At the core of the committee's mandate is an ambitious target, to stimulate an annual local economic growth rate of at least 3.9% by the year 2029. Moya said this goal reflects a calculated and determined response to stagnating economic indicators and aims to place the metro on a competitive footing within the national and global economy. The committee is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it is designed as a high-impact, action-oriented platform that brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including metro departments, private sector investors, development agencies, and informal economy players. Through this collaborative model, the model hopes to dismantle regulatory barriers, fast-track investment processes, and open up new avenues for economic participation across the spectrum. LISTEN: The team will oversee and accelerate progress in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, green economy, digital innovation, township entrepreneurship, tourism, and infrastructure development. 'We recognise that economic recovery cannot be achieved through fragmented efforts. This committee ensures a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to growth,' said Moya. To maintain transparency and accountability, a comprehensive quarterly performance dashboard will be developed and published. Moya said this tool will track progress against clearly defined, measurable targets and enable real-time feedback on areas requiring intervention. She said it also offers the public a window into the metro's performance, reinforcing trust and civic participation in economic development. The committee also aims to elevate the informal economy and township enterprise as engines of growth, ensuring that revitalisation efforts are not limited to established players but reach the grassroots level where resilience and innovation abound. With sound policy, expert guidance, and decisive leadership, the Economic Growth Committee has the potential to chart a new path for the capital city, one of inclusive opportunity, shared prosperity, and sustained development. ALSO READ: Possible water disruptions for parts of Tshwane Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!