Latest news with #R10m
TimesLIVE
09-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Gauteng's agricultural school gets a R10m boost from the province
The Gauteng department of agriculture, rural development and environment has announced a R10m investment in Magalies School of Specialisation over the next three years to support and grow its agricultural focus. MEC Vuyiswa Ramakgopa shared the news during a visit to the school, saying the department and its partners are committed to helping Magalies 'establish and maintain their farm operation'. She described the school as 'Gauteng's only agricultural school of specialisation', and called it 'a model and symbol of what it looks like when public purpose meets strategic investment and visionary leadership'. She emphasised the importance of preparing learners for the full scope of the agricultural sector: 'Agriculture is no longer only about planting and harvesting. It is science. It is technology. It is economics. It is innovation. And it is the beating heart of a sustainable future.' The MEC stressed the need to change how young people see agriculture, urging learners to see themselves not as workers but as leaders. 'You are the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. Every decision we make, every partnership we form, every investment we channel into the school must affirm that belief.' Key partners have come on board, including the school itself through a 2.5% contribution from seed sales made via the school's demonstration plots and technical support through Seedlink. The department donated garden tools and fruit trees to support practical education. Another partner, Ranyaka, continues its work through the 'Proud of My Town' initiative, helping to shape the school's developmental plan. As part of youth month, the top 10 learners will visit the Corteva seed factory to gain insight into the global agricultural landscape. 'An experience that will open their eyes to the global agricultural landscape and inspire them to continue working towards the future of agriculture,' said Ramokgopa. The MEC reminded the learners: 'You are not only learning for today. You are learning for tomorrow. You are the architects of the future of agriculture. The world needs you, and we are here to ensure you are equipped to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.'
TimesLIVE
01-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Joburg to host international farmers' conference
Johannesburg is set to host the world's largest agricultural conference, the World Union of Wholesale Markets [WUWM]. The Johannesburg market is home to the biggest produce market on the African continent, boasting more than R10m in annual turnover. It has been chosen as the host for the conference which will draw industry leaders, policymakers and innovators from more than 200 member countries. This is the third international event set to take place in the city this year, after the U20 and G20 conferences — an achievement mayor Dada Morero believes is an opportunity for the city to make its mark on the global stage. 'This is not only a privilege but a clear demonstration of Johannesburg's readiness to lead, to connect, and to drive a transformative economic agenda. Our role as a city is to create an enabling environment where economic activity thrives — from street-level entrepreneurship to large-scale international trade. Through entities like the Joburg market, we facilitate the daily exchange of goods that feed millions and fuel thousands of jobs.' The mayor said this move is a deliberate part of the city's growth and development strategy. 'These events place Johannesburg at the centre of global dialogue and unlock partnerships that strengthen their infrastructure, their capacity, and global competitiveness. It is our unwavering belief that through collaboration and markets, we can build an Africa that feeds itself, empowers its people and competes with the best in the world,' he said. Economic development MMC Nomoya Mnisi, who presides over Joburg market as an entity, said she hopes the market's selection as the host will highlight its capabilities and contributions to agricultural trade while facilitating networking with key stakeholders in the global agricultural sector. 'This platform now becomes a launch pad for new ideas, partnerships, and growth models that can benefit both emerging and established economies. It stands at the confluence of opportunity and transformation. Africa is home to over 60% of the world's arable land, and yet we continue to confront deep-seated challenges in food security, market access, infrastructure and equitable trade. WUWM Joburg 2025 provides a global platform to collectively address these gaps, showcase our innovations and chart a unified course forward.' Calling it more than a conference, Mnisi described it as a call to action. 'This is rallying point for those who dare to transform food systems not just for profit, but for people and the planet. Agriculture is the backbone of many African economies — a sector that feeds millions, provides jobs to most of our rural population and sustains livelihoods across generations. But the agriculture of tomorrow must be bold, resilient and inclusive.' The MMC gave a marching line to global stakeholders, urging them to align on data-driven practices, climate-responsive infrastructure, and technology that brings the farmer closer to the consumer. 'Through this conference, we reaffirm our commitment to revitalising the wholesale market system as a powerful enabler of economic growth, food system resilience and environmental sustainability,' she says. The conference will take place from May 14-16 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Health Department stands by NHI education budget despite calls for reallocation
In defence of spending on NHI advertising, Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said it is as important as possible in terms of how the Department of Health assisted South Africans to get a fair amount of information. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The South African Health Department is standing firm in its commitment to promoting the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, even as voices arise, urging a reallocation of funds to address other pressing health needs. Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla has emphasised that the government's strategy surrounding NHI education is not simply a binary choice of either funding allocation or prioritisation of other health initiatives. During a budget presentation to the Health Portfolio Committee, Phaahla outlined that the current opposition to NHI is multifaceted, involving not merely legal challenges but also a broader effort to win the hearts and minds of South Africans. 'The pushback on NHI implementation is not only in courts, but is a battle of the hearts and minds of South Africans. It is important as much as possible in terms of how we assist South Africans to get a fair amount of information. It is neither this nor that,' Phaahla said. He made the statement when the department presented its budget during the meeting of the Health Portfolio Committee on Thursday. The NHI took centre stage during the meeting, with DA MP Michele Clarke noting that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi still planned to spend another R10m on NHI advertising. Clarke was of the view the funding could be used toward the treatment of HIV in the wake of the recent withdrawal of US aid funding. In its presentation, the department said there were processes under way in preparation for the NHI Fund. This included the essential equipment list that was to be finalised. 'This is focusing on primary care level as well as accreditation level to be used to accredit service providers that are to participate in NHI,' the department's head of planning unit, Koketso Sebanyoni, said. Sebanyoni also said that as part of NHI preparations, they would track the number of patients actively receiving medication. 'We hope this number can increase to 3.5 million in this financial year.' She added that work was being done on developing the integrated electronic health record system. 'We envisage we will finalise the second phase on the primary care package,' Sebanyoni said. The department said out of its R64.6 billion budget, NHI will be allocated R1.4bn. There was R2.4 billion allocated in the NHI indirect grant for health facilities revitalisation and R7.2bn for the NHI conditional grant. There was also R466m allocation for the contracting of additional health professionals. MPs wanted an update on the appointment of the NHI board and the funding mechanism for the NHI and overburdening of the country's health care system by illegal foreigners, among other things. The department was receiving comments from stakeholders on the regulations that were published in March on the proposed governance regulations of the NHI Fund.
Daily Maverick
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
DFFE's efforts to implement Climate Change Act hit by funding shortfall
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment asked for R704m to implement South Africa's new Climate Change Act, yet received just R10m (earmarked solely for hosting G20 meetings). The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) requested R704-million from the National Treasury for the implementation of the Climate Change Act, in addition to other funding requests for its 2025 three-year spending plan. However, only R10-million was granted — for hosting G20 environment meetings in 2025. The DFFE revealed this during an oversight meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on Tuesday, as officials presented their 2025/26 annual performance plans. The Climate Change Act, promulgated in March, sets out how South Africa will tackle climate change and transition towards a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. On Tuesday, DFFE Director-General Nomfundo Tshabalala told Parliament, 'Whatever we had last year, this year, we have even less, and there's more responsibility that is expected of the department, but we are engaging the National Treasury. Unfortunately, due to constraints, they could not allocate those resources.' That was the harsh reality the department faced after officials from its nine programmes outlined their plans for environmental reform, job creation and coastal economic transformation. On the funding required and what had been received, Tshabalala said, 'I would want to believe that the National Treasury is yet to respond comprehensively. It may not be in the 25/26 year, but for the future, we believe that they can. 'Currently, we are implementing whatever is possible and plans on the table using our existing budget. But we also try to tap into available donor funding, which then can enhance the existing programmes.' Maesela Kekana, the deputy director-general of climate change and air quality management at the DFFE, said, 'We are continuing the discussions with the Treasury. They've guided us on what to do around the business case. Once that is concluded, the Treasury will be able to look at that and either provide the amount or part of the amount. But we are not there yet.' Coastal provinces prioritised On the sidelines of the briefing, Tshabalala told Daily Maverick, 'The major funding that will be required for the Climate Act is ensuring that municipalities on the ground respond and are able to put together their responsive plans. That is quite critical. For us, that's a priority, and those responsive plans must be funded.' The department needed to work closely with municipalities and prioritise the provinces hard-hit by the impacts of climate change: KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. 'It's mainly the coastal [provinces] that are affected by climate change as far as issues of weather go. We do have, to a certain extent, fires, but the fires are also mainly in the Western Cape,' said Tshabalala. She said the other provinces would not be left behind. 'We need to ensure that we are taking every province along in ensuring that they have responsive plans in place in order to adapt, firstly. Adaptation is critical.' Tshabalala said the department was working on sectoral emission targets for seven high-emitting sectors to align with SA's greenhouse gas reduction commitments. Kekana, in his presentation, said that these had been submitted to the minister for consultation, given that the Act had been promulgated. 'It's no longer voluntary. It's mandatory. We need to monitor that, working very closely with the National Treasury,' said Tshabalala. Some work still needs to be done on the deferred sections of the Act. 'We are doing all that work so that we are ready to promulgate the remaining parts,' said Tshabalala. With a spate of extreme weather events and natural disasters hitting SA in recent years, Tshabalala said: 'Around disasters, we don't have funding to assist the communities. Disaster funding is centralised out of Cogta [Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs], working together with the Treasury, and those provinces and entities affected by disasters can then have access to that funding.' The DFFE's funding requests to the National Treasury The department's deputy directors-general had to provide costs for all the programmes they highlighted on Tuesday, and align the resources to indicate their priorities. The department submitted several additional funding requests to the National Treasury during the 2025 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), after which it received a revised preliminary allocation letter on 24 March, in line with the Budget that is now going through parliamentary processes. The DFFE requested R45-million from the National Treasury to carry out its G20 duties and mandate. The DFFE estimated the cost of implementing the Climate Change Act at R704-million over the 2025 MTEF, but Tshabalala said, 'No resources have been allocated for this, so we have to fund it from existing resources.' In terms of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, a letter to the National Treasury and the Presidency was submitted requesting funding of R1.129-billion over the 2025 MTEF. The DFFE's Waste Bureau had asked for R3.2-billion over the MTEF, but was allocated only R1.5-billion — a shortfall of R1.7-billion. Tshabalala said the National Treasury had allocated additional funding of just R10-million, solely for the hosting of the G20 meetings. This shouldn't have been surprising, as when he opened the briefing on Tuesday, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dion George said that in addition to the annual performance objectives, 'delivering a successful G20 is top priority.' The department has hosted one virtual meeting for the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group under South Africa's G20 presidency. The next two meetings, according to the department and minister, will be at Kruger National Park in July and Cape Town in October. DM
