Latest news with #R50
Eyewitness News
8 hours ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Lesufi's office receives R50m boost for second phase of the Nasi Ispani programme
JOHANNESBURG - The office of the Gauteng Premier has received an additional R50 million in funding, earmarked for the second phase of the Nasi Ispani programme. This is a mass recruitment drive launched by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, creating job opportunities for unemployed youth. Finance MEC Lebogang Maile tabled his second budget on Tuesday, including allocations to support the next phase of the programme. ALSO READ: Lesufi announces second instalment of Nasi Ispani programme The Gauteng government says the first phase of the Nasi Ispani program provided employment and income opportunities to more than 90,000 young people. This time around, the province is relaunching the initiative with a stronger focus on skills development and training for youth. When asked whether the province has the financial backbone to fund the programme, Finance MEC Lebogang Maile responded with a confident 'yes'. "In the 2025/2026 financial year, the office of the premier will receive an additional R50 million to fund Nas'ispani, a skills development initiative spearheaded by the Gauteng City Region Academy. Unemployment remains our biggest challenge, as evidenced by the latest data showing that Gauteng's unemployment rate increased to 34.7%." The funds for the programme come from the R1.8 billion that was not spent in the previous financial year.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
WhatsApp group linked to July 2021 unrest lands four in court
The Hawks confirmed that more arrests are imminent. The Roodepoort Magistrates Court has granted R1 500 bail each to four suspects who appeared for incitement to commit public violence in connection with the July 2021 unrest. Bekuyise Cebekhulu, 58, from KwaZulu-Natal; Jimmy Sibeko, 44; Busisiwe Skhosana, 52; and Bogadi Mahisa, 49, from Gauteng, made their first appearance before the court on Tuesday morning. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorised arrest warrants for the suspects, who then handed themselves over through their legal representatives. Bail for suspected instigators of July 2021 unrest The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said they arrested the four suspects in connection with the unrest that took place in July 2021. The unrest in 2021 resulted in more than 350 people losing their lives and cost R50 billion in damages. The protests, violence, and looting erupted across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng provinces following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. ALSO READ: Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla wants terrorism charges dropped as trial dates set Hawks' spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the suspects, who were allegedly supporters of Zuma, participated in a WhatsApp group named ZUMA REAL ACTIVIST 100% and other chat groups on the platform. 'They'd post inciting messages which it is believed to have led to the public violence as well as the looting of retail stores in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at the time,' Mogale said. The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime, Crimes Against the State (CATS) in Gauteng carried out extensive investigations. Accused of fuelling the unrest through WhatsApp messages Upon completion of the investigations, the DPP decided to prosecute those who posted messages which led to the unrest. The Roodepoort Magistrates Court granted Cebekhulu, Sibeko, Skhosana and Mahisa bail of R1 500 each. The suspects are expected to appear in court again on 2 July. Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, welcomed the arrests and commended the investigating team. ALSO READ: Will your insurance cover loss and damage due to civil unrest? 'DPCI shall continue to secure in court the attendance of anyone against whom sufficient evidence of committing a national priority offence is obtained, without fear, favour or prejudice,' Maj Gen Kadwa said. The Hawks confirmed that more arrests are imminent. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla charged with terrorism The former president's daughter and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is also a suspect. She appeared at the Durban Magistrate's Court in January. In January last year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found there was no discernible connection between Zuma's incarceration and the violent unrest that occurred in July 2021. The SAHRC concluded that the timing of the events of the July unrest 'coincided' with Zuma's jailing and, therefore, 'it could not find evidence to link the two events'. NOW READ: July unrest: Ex-security guard sentenced to 20 years in jail for killing Verulam father
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Collective X invests R50 million to bridge South Africa's digital skills gap
Evan Jones, CEO of Collective. Image: Supplied. In a move that promises to reshape the landscape of digital employment in South Africa, Collective X has announced a commitment of R50 million aimed at creating job opportunities for junior ICT talent. This funding initiative is geared towards fostering innovative partnerships with employers, enabling the development of structured, outcomes-based work-integrated learning (WIL) programmes that merge digital skills training with tangible employment opportunities. The decision to allocate further funding stems from alarming findings featured in Collective X's latest research, which revealed a staggering 118,000 unfilled ICT positions across the country. Disturbingly, over 41,000 roles are specifically suited for junior talent — a group that continues to face high barriers to employment despite a staggering youth unemployment rate. With more than 30,000 ICT job openings currently available, the disconnect between job seekers and hiring employers has never been more evident. 'Our model is built on outcomes, not inputs,' said Evan Jones, CEO of Collective X. 'We partner with employers to ensure young people gain practical, on-the-job experience that leads to real economic opportunity—not just training for training's sake." Collective X's approach to investment utilises an outcomes-based financing model, allowing them to co-invest with employers on the condition that junior ICT professionals receive relevant training linked directly to industry benchmarks. All training adheres to the internationally recognised Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA), ensuring relevance and efficacy. This strategic alignment not only lowers hiring costs but also mitigates the risks associated with onboarding junior talent, fostering more inclusive, future-ready teams. 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 ✕ Ad loading Employers are invited to participate by co-investing in skills development, specifically if they can provide: Entry-level ICT talent or assistance in digital placements Meaningful WIL opportunities, inclusive of coaching and mentorship Commitment to providing placements for at least 10 young people The deadline for employers to apply for the current co-payment window is 13 June 2025, with the new cohort of placements set to kick off on 31 October 2025. As a not-for-profit coordinating intermediary, Collective X plays a pivotal role in realising South Africa's national digital skills strategy. By leveraging collaboration across public and private sectors, the organisation is dedicated to producing entry-level digital skills that can help alleviate the urgent talent shortage within the nation's economy. Key junior roles, such as software development, web development, and Microsoft-focused positions, are seen as critical entry points for young job seekers, yet they remain largely unfilled due to the lack of relevant experience and exposure, which this initiative seeks to address. 'Training alone won't close the gap,' Jones emphasised. 'Work-integrated learning and employer-led solutions are the missing link. That's why we're putting this R50 million to work—so we can connect skills to real jobs and help young South Africans thrive in the economy of tomorrow.' Organisations interested in partnering with Collective X are encouraged to apply through their official website or contact them via email at hello@ for further assistance with submissions.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Itireleng Parks Team's receives long-waited award
BOIPATONG.- Itireleng Parks Team finally got rewarded for their hard work. The team, under the leadership of Parks Mofokeng, received R50 000 for taking second place. This was during the Green Economy Branding Marketing Services Summit held at Sedibeng College in Vanderbijlpark on Thursday and Friday. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, the jubilant Mofokeng said they came in second position following their impressive presentation of Itireleng Parks Team's contribution in the community. His organisation was established during the nationwide lockdown (Covid-19) in 2020 when they volunteered to clean the Boipatong township. Back at the summit, Mofokeng said there were nine of them, and finishing in second place was the greatest achievement for the Itireleng Parks Team. When Itirelang Parks Team's name was called, there were celebrations and tears of joy from the team members. Despite the challenges and work as volunteers, the team never got discouraged. Mofokeng said it wasn't easy, as some of the group members got discouraged along the way, but most of them continued with their mission to clean the townships. For example, the team cleaned the streets, schools, clinics, and turned the dumping place next to Lebohang Secondary School into a community park. Mofokeng told Sedibeng Ster that this reward came at the right time when they needed motivation. 'I must say this without being biased, Sedibeng Ster played a huge role in our success, and we will always be grateful for the platform it gave us. We were an unknown group when we started, and thanks to the newspaper for giving us this platform to promote ourselves, for the work that we do within the community. We also want to thank Cape Gate for believing in us, donating tools to the Itireleng Parks Team. Not forgetting those individuals who also contributed to the success of the Itireleng Parks Team,' said Mofokeng. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Local man fights rare cancer with hope and strength
Gregory Morgan from Kibler Park is facing the biggest challenge of his life after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Morgan was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on February 28, 2022, at the Milpark Hospital. Now, he is asking for community support to help cover the high costs of life-saving treatment. A sudden turn 'Morgan's journey began in January 2022 when admitted to Mulbarton Hospital with a chest infection. During his stay, he contracted the Pseudomonas virus, a serious bacterial infection. Though treated and discharged, he soon returned with the same infection. During his stay, he picked up the pseudomonas virus, a serious bacterial infection. Although treated and discharged, he soon found himself back in the hospital with the same infection. 'I had a biopsy done on my lungs to check for cancer, but thankfully, it came back negative,' said Morgan. 'I was put on antibiotics and discharged again, but just a week later, I was back in the hospital.' On February 19, 2022, he was admitted to the Milpark Hospital in critical condition. 'I became extremely sick. My C-reactive protein (CRP) level was 591, so I was put in the ICU for nearly three weeks,' he said. Under the care of Dr PG Williams, further investigations revealed a possible diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. An oncologist later confirmed this after a bone marrow biopsy. Morgan began chemotherapy shortly afterwards and in April 2023, was approved for an autologous stem cell transplant. 'It works by using your healthy stem cells and is a 100% match. I didn't require a donor,' he explained. The first step involved harvesting his healthy stem cells, followed by a high-dose chemotherapy regimen to eliminate cancer cells. The stem cells were then re-infused, allowing them to migrate back into his bone marrow. Thereafter, his good stem cells were re-infused and migrated into his bone marrow. 'This was an unpleasant experience, but it also gave me hope for my recovery. After my transplant, I needed to continue with oral chemotherapy treatment for almost three years.' Unfortunately, in October last year, he suffered a relapse. Morgan was given stronger oral chemotherapy drugs and monitored by his oncologist monthly. At this time, he also suffered from severe back and nerve pain and had to have a spinal fusion, but couldn't while on chemotherapy. 'January this year, my cancer cells continued to increase. My oncologist advised me that I needed to start with a combination of even stronger chemotherapy. This devastating news again emotionally affected me. My chemo drugs were stopped for almost two months so I could have my spinal fusion procedure done on March 4,' explained Morgan. The fight begins He is now undergoing a new round of intense treatment, a combination of Ninlarb, Lenalidomide, and Neofordex, which he started in March. These medications are necessary to control cancer but come with a steep price. 'The cost of my current treatment is almost R50 000 monthly. My medical aid doesn't cover everything, and once the oncology benefit runs out, I have to pay the rest out of pocket,' he explained. His oncologist advised him that this treatment would be long-term, two to three years, with bone marrow biopsies every six months. Hope beyond donations Despite the hardships, Morgan remains hopeful and deeply motivated by his love for his family. 'What keeps me going is the hope of spending more time with my grandchildren. It's not just about me; it's about giving myself the best shot at life.' In a heartfelt plea, Morgan said he has always tried to be strong and handle things alone, but this diagnosis forced him to ask for help. 'The weight, physically, emotionally, and financially, became too heavy to carry by myself,' he said. 'Asking for help hasn't been easy, but it's necessary. If people in the community respond to my appeal, it would mean more than just financial help; it would mean hope,' emphasised Morgan. He wants to remind others facing battles that they are not alone. 'To anyone in a difficult season, I want to say: There is hope. You might feel like the weight is too heavy but know there is light on the other side. Hold onto hope with both hands.' As he continues his fight against cancer and with his faith in God and prayer, Morgan is making a heartfelt appeal to the public. 'I am personally asking for help,' he said. 'Your donation, no matter how small, can help me cover these costs and continue my fight against cancer.' With the support of the community, he hopes to alleviate the financial pressure so he can focus on his recovery and spend time with his loved ones. 'Your support would mean the world to me. If you're able to donate or even share my story, you'll be making a real difference in my life,' Morgan added. 'It's not just about the money. It's about giving me the strength to keep going and the chance to live a fulfilling life again.' Those wanting to support Morgan can visit his fundraising page or make a direct donation to: Discovery Bank; GN Morgan; Account No: 1832 7837 521; He is also running a Father's Day raffle, with prizes sponsored by Detailease. The details are on his Facebook and TikTok pages. Every act of kindness brings Morgan one step closer to hope and healing. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
