Latest news with #OfficeofthePresident
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Operation Vulindlela's spin masks service delivery crises
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Richards Bay port to witness backlogs. Is the public purse being used to address the country's endemic challenges through Operation Vulindlela or is it being used to boost the President's legacy?, asks the writer. Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu IN OCTOBER 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the two Houses of Parliament during the State of the Nation Address. In that meeting, he announced Operation Vulindlela with the view to boosting the country's ailing economy and to address other pertinent issues. Five years down the line, the question arises: has this programme achieved its intended goal? Put differently, is there anything to celebrate with this programme? Before answering these questions, it is important to understand what Operation Vulindlela entails. In a nutshell, this is a joint initiative between the Office of the President and National Treasury. It is overseen by David Masondo, the Deputy Minister of Finance, who reports directly to Ramaphosa. The programme's primary objective is to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms to support South Africa's economic recovery. Primarily, it aims to modernise and transform four network industries: digital communications, electricity, transport and water. Their selection was predicated on the understanding that they hold the key to the country's economic growth. They are also considered important in the creation of a globally competitive economy. The programme aims to reform and prioritise the visa regime to boost the tourism sector. In total, 19 priority reforms in the selected focus areas were identified. While Operation Vulindlela is a joint effort between the Presidency and National Treasury, its activities are not necessarily confined to these two units, which are responsible for overseeing the entire programme. Ministers from across various government departments are expected to implement the structural reforms in all the areas outlined above. Ideally, any delays in the implementation of government policies are expected to be addressed through Operation Vulindlela in response to societal concerns about the government's failure to implement its policies and enacted laws. The three mechanisms used by Operation Vulindlela to support the implementation of reforms are the following: (i) Monitoring and reporting on progress to identify challenges, sustain momentum and ensure accountability; (ii) Facilitating technical support to enable the implementation of reforms, and (iii) Providing recommendations to the President and Cabinet where a decision or agreement is required. On paper, this looks promising, progressive, clear, and devoid of any ambiguity. Ideally, the programme should produce positive results. However, the ongoing challenges even in the priority areas enumerated above cast doubt about the programme's success. The review of Phase 1 on progress made in driving economic reforms covered the period 2020-2024. Penning the foreword to the review document, Ramaphosa boldly stated that 'significant progress has been achieved since the launch of the economic reform programme in 2020.' To buttress his assertion, he highlighted that in the energy sector, the new reforms saw the private sector being allowed to participate in energy generation for the first time to improve the country's capacity to generate more electricity. Ramaphosa argued that this move has enabled 'a massive boom of investment, mostly in renewable energy sources.' Commenting about the logistics sector, he noted that 'rapid progress is being made to reform the rail system and allow private rail operators to access the freight rail network.' He further noted progress in all the other priority areas identified at the inception of this project. Concluding his foreword, Ramaphosa reiterated that 'while there is more work to be done to reform our economy, we have come a long way since establishing Operation Vulindlela. We will not stop until we have removed the constraints on growth and build a dynamic, fast-growing and an economy that works for all South Africans.' Indeed, such comments paint a positive picture and instil optimism among all the stakeholders saddled with the responsibility to implement this programme. Based on the assumed success of Phase 1 as articulated by Ramaphosa, the newly launched Phase II is titled 'A second wave of reform for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.' Intriguingly, the first sentence in the introduction of the Phase II document admits that 'South Africa's economy has struggled to achieve the growth rate needed to boost employment and create prosperity for all.' Accounting for the reasons behind these failures, the document states that 'structural constraints such as electricity shortages; unreliable freight logistics; and high levels of crime and corruption have held back investor confidence and growth.' Whether these reasons are honest and justifiable or not is less significant. What matters is that this document contradicts the positive picture painted by Ramaphosa when assessing the programme's Phase 1. This raises several questions: To what extent can South Africa celebrate the achievements of Operation Vulindlela? Has the programme achieved its set goals? Is the President being honest in his assessment? Does the programme benefit South Africans or is it being used to benefit certain individuals who are politically connected? Importantly, is the public purse being used to address the country's endemic challenges through this programme or is it being used to boost the President's legacy? Surely, there are no simple answers to these questions. However, as the saying goes, 'numbers don't lie'. Therefore, the best objective way to assess Operation Vulindlela is to look at some statistical data. In Q1 of 2025 the unemployment rate stood at 32.9% up from 31.9% in Q4 of 2024. This means that the number of employed people dropped from 17.1 million in Q4 2024 to 16.8 million in Q1 of 2025. Tourism is growing slowly at the rate of 5.97%. While attempts are being made to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourism is still 12.8% below 2019 levels. This does not reflect growth. STATS SA describes this as marking the 'slow path to full recovery.' Regarding electricity, loadshedding is on and off. When it comes to water, South Africa is facing a critical water crisis. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change are cited as some of the causal factors. But Jozini Dam in KwaZulu-Natal has more than enough water yet local communities have no running water. Digital communication has witnessed an improvement – but rural areas still have network challenges. Therefore, there is little to celebrate with Operation Vulindlela! * Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu is Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at Nelson Mandela University. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine coordinates positions with four countries ahead of meeting with Russia in Istanbul
The Ukrainian delegation has held meetings with representatives of four countries while in Türkiye to coordinate positions ahead of talks with the Russian delegation. Source: Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, as reported by European Pravda Details: Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Yermak are currently on a visit to Türkiye. Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed the start of talks involving Ukrainian, US and Turkish delegations. Yermak has stated that the Ukrainian officials also met with the US President's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, the UK Prime Minister's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, the French President's Diplomatic Adviser Emmanuel Bonne and the German Chancellor's Foreign and Security Policy Adviser Günther Sautter. During the meeting, they coordinated positions ahead of the upcoming talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul. Quote: "Ukraine is ready for peace and for a lasting, unconditional ceasefire. We are also prepared for meetings and negotiations at the highest level. The Ukrainian delegation is in Istanbul today to achieve an unconditional ceasefire – this is our priority." Background: Earlier, the Turkish state-owned news agency Anadolu published a schedule of planned meetings between delegations from Ukraine, the US, Türkiye and Russia in Istanbul. Russia has sent a low-level delegation led by Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky to the talks in Türkiye, which were initiated by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Defence Minister Rustem Umierov is heading the Ukrainian delegation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed 12 people to the delegation in total. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kremlin still silent on its delegation for Istanbul talks
Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary for Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, has said a Russian delegation will arrive in Istanbul for talks with Ukraine on 15 May, but its composition cannot be revealed because Putin has not given instructions to do so. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency Interfax Quote: "No, nothing has changed in this regard. We will announce the delegation's composition once we receive the relevant instruction from the president. So far, there has been no such instruction." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president – ed.] Details: Meanwhile, Peskov stated that the Russian delegation will be waiting for the Ukrainians in Istanbul on Thursday 15 May. Background: Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed that he was ready to host negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that he is scheduled to meet his counterpart Erdoğan in Ankara on Thursday, but if Putin agrees to fly to Istanbul, he and Erdoğan are prepared to travel there instead. Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's special envoys, will travel to Istanbul, where talks between Ukraine and Russia may take place on Thursday 15 May. Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, said that a refusal by Putin to come to the talks in Türkiye will indicate that Russia does not want to end the war. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that the Russian side is continuing to prepare for talks in Istanbul on 15 May and is not providing any further comments. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Columbia University Lays Off Nearly 180 Staff After Federal Grant Revocations
Columbia University announced on Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 180 staff members after the Trump administration revoked more than $400 million in federal research funding, Columbia's Office of the President said in a May 6 statement. The layoffs, which represent about 20 percent of university employees who were funded by the now-terminated federal grants, come as Columbia grapples with the fallout from the U.S. Department of Education's decision to cancel hundreds of millions in grants and contracts. The department cited the university's alleged failure to adequately address persistent anti-Semitism on campus as the reason for the funding withdrawal. In a message to the Columbia community, acting President Claire Shipman, Provost Angela V. Olinto, Executive Vice President for Finance Anne Sullivan, and Executive Vice President for Research Jeannette Wing described the decision as 'deeply challenging' and 'Across the research portfolio, we have had to make difficult choices and unfortunately, today, nearly 180 of our colleagues who have been working, in whole or in part, on impacted federal grants, will receive notices of non-renewal or termination,' the statement read. The university said it has been engaged in a two-pronged effort in response to the funding crisis. First, it is working to restore partnerships with federal agencies that support critical research. Second, it has asked deans and principal investigators to prioritize research activities and develop plans for managing projects affected by the loss of federal support. Related Stories 5/6/2025 5/5/2025 During the review period, Columbia continued to pay salaries and stipends for those whose compensation had been covered by the terminated grants, according to the press release. Columbia's leadership said they are continuing discussions with federal officials in hopes of resuming activity on the canceled research awards and other projects that remain active but unpaid. They said the financial strain is 'intense,' and the university has been forced to reduce expenditures and scale back research infrastructure in some areas. Some departments are winding down activity but are prepared to reestablish capabilities if funding is restored, according to the university. The funding revocation follows President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14188, signed on Jan. 29, which directs federal agencies to use all available legal tools to prosecute and hold accountable those accused of anti-Semitic harassment and violence on college campuses. The Department of Education launched investigations into several universities, including Columbia, where 'widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported.' 'Universities must comply with all federal anti-discrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus,' Secretary of Education Linda McMahon The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which includes the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Education, and the General Services Administration, has been reviewing Columbia's compliance with federal regulations, particularly under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs. In response to the crisis, Columbia has established a Research Stabilization Fund to help mitigate future funding risks and support its scientific community. The fund will provide internal grants to scientists seeking alternate sources of funding or completing research for publication. The university will also contribute funds to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows affected by the loss of federal training grants, according to the press release. 'We are grateful for the exceptional leadership and professionalism of our deans, chairs, and senior management who have come together to navigate this critical moment with care and integrity, while upholding and advancing Columbia's mission, values, and the unique qualities that make this a vital, extraordinary place,' the statement said. The university warned that further actions may be necessary in the coming months to preserve financial flexibility and invest in key areas.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) Representative discussed national health priorities with His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Mauritius
It was a real honor and pleasure for the WHO Representative to meet the new President of the Republic of Mauritius. The WHO Representative, Dr A. Ancia and His Excellency Mr D. Gokhool covered the three main areas of WHO's work: to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for everyone, everywhere. Our common understanding of Health as a socio-economic construct said enabled us to discuss the imperative to engage all sectors in addressing the risk factors of, and controlling the most prevalent diseases in Mauritius including: Promoting healthy diet and physical activity, while reducing the high consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and 'junk food' in a multidisciplinary manner and ensuring that we particularly empower the Mauritian youth to embark on healthier behaviors for disease prevention; Providing opportunities for systematic screening and early diagnostic to ensure early and more effective treatment, for the chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, to ensure better health outcomes and avoid overwhelming of the health facilities and health professionals; and Enhancing and institutionalizing the whole country capacities to prepare, early detect and warn, and to respond effectively and swiftly to public health emergencies in the same way as when dealing with torrential rain and cyclones. 'We feel this first encounter with His Excellency Mr D. Gokhool is the starting point of a strong partnership with the Office of the President in our mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable',said Dr A. Ancia. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Mauritius.
