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IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Oops! Miscommunication sees construction start on bakery but at the wrong site in Durban
Homeland Security SA, a private security company with the Glenwood Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP), at the Davenport Park site in Umbilo. The metal rods protruding from the ground is where the concrete structure was going to be built. In the background is a community vegetable garden. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers The eThekwini Municipality's R6.7 million community bakery development programme got off to a bad start when construction started on one of them but on the wrong plot of land in Glenwood on Wednesday. In December 2024, the Economic Development and Planning Committee received support from council to fund five bakeries in ward 01: KwaXimba, Ward 94: KwaMakhutha, Ward 32: Albert Park, Ward 61: Tongaat and Ward 107: Ntuzuma/lnanda, during the 2024 and 2025 financial year. The cost per bakery container is R1.3 million. Two years ago Davenport Park was a crime hotspot and based on a park adoption agreement with the parks department, the Association Montessori International (AMI) and Umbilo Business Association(UBA) regenerated this ward 33 park. The lower Glenwood area has become notorious for prostitution and drug dealing on vacant land, in abandoned buildings and on street corners. The UBA policy director Ian Campbell-Gillies said three full time gardening jobs funded by both AMI and the UBA resulted in an urban farming operation of outstanding success in terms of regenerating the area and lowering crime. According to sources, a group of men arrived in a bakkie with building material at Davenport Park alongside the urban farming operation, a vegetable garden, on Wednesday. The men began constructing a cement pedestal for the bakery operation before it was halted when Durban Metro Police arrived together with parks department officials and the ward councillor. Following a discussion between ward 32 Councillor Protas Ngonyama and ward 33 Councillor Fran Kristofer the matter had been resolved after it was discovered that there could have been a misunderstanding with ward demarcations. Both councillors initially declined to comment further but Ngonyama later said that the bakery project would be placed on Dunkirk Park, within his ward in Umbilo. In a report to eThekwini council, it stated that the bakery programme is critical for achieving rural and township recovery objectives. The programme will also assist the city to contribute towards job creation and creation of sustainable livelihoods through supporting the development of Township-Based Enterprises, Co-operatives and Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). The report stated that the programme supports unemployed women, youth, people with disabilities and veterans, through the provision of fully equipped container bakeries and capacitating them to run sustainable businesses. This is aimed at affording them with proper and decent working facilities to produce high quality bakery products, easy access to their markets and creating employment within their areas. The report stated that the development of bakery facilities/industry within eThekwini is gaining momentum. Other benefits from the programme were: To enable customers attraction and diversification of product offerings Production of high-quality baked goods such as, bread, rolls and muffins combination of nutrition, convenience and luxury Linkages with other initiatives or complementing programs such soup kitchens community gatherings, local traditional events, church gatherings, stokvels School nutrition Provision of capacity building initiatives such as mentorship, business management and technical training [email protected]
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Petrol price drop offers slight relief for South African consumers
Experts say that a slight decrease in petrol price will create some breathing room for consumers. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers Experts say that a slight decrease in petrol price will create some breathing room for consumers. This follows the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe announcing on Wednesday a 5 cents per litre decrease on both grades of petrol and 36.90 cents per litre decrease on both grades of diesel. Waldo Krugell, an economics professor at the North-West University (NWU), said that consumers are lucky that the slightly stronger rand–dollar exchange rate and stable crude oil price have absorbed the impact of the increase in the fuel levy that came into effect today. 'It is not quite relief, but the fact that the price is not going up adds to the little bit of breathing room in household budgets. Last week's repo rate cut will also help. And it is really important as we saw in yesterday's Q1 GDP numbers that household spending is all that is keeping the economy going.' Dr Eliphas Ndou, an economist and author at Unisa's Department of Economics, said that the decreases in fuel prices due to the rand appreciation against the US dollar and lower oil prices are good news for the logistics sector and commuters, as transport costs and fares will remain low. 'It's also good news to producers using these fuels as inputs in their production processes. It's a huge relief to financially constrained consumers, facing an expensive food basket and high administered prices, as food prices may not rise due to low transportation costs.' Ndou added that the latest IMF World Economic Outlook report forecasts oil prices to remain around $65 (R1155) per barrel at least throughout the year. 'Hence, fluctuations at low prices may keep fuel prices lower in the near future, thereby cushioning motorists and producers against the fuel levy increase.' Lerato Nkosi, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Unisa, said that what is crucial about the fuel price is the impact it's going to have on the consumer. 'The fuel levy increase is already a tax burden that the consumers are facing. A decrease in fuel price will decrease transportation costs and as far as logistics go that will be transportation cost of foods. We hope this will lead to a decrease in the price of food and a decrease in consumer price index (CPI).' Lebo Ramolahloane, National Vice Chairperson of the South African Petroleum Retailers Association (SAPRA), said that while the price drop is welcome; the benefits are significantly muted by the simultaneous tax hikes. 'Consumers and businesses were hoping for a more meaningful reprieve, especially after a third consecutive month of fuel price cuts. Unfortunately, the new increases in fuel levies - 16c per litre for petrol and 15c for diesel - are eroding much of that anticipated relief.' 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 ✕ Ramolahloane added that the revised General Fuel Levy, now R4.15 per litre for petrol and R4.02 for diesel, alongside the Road Accident Fund Levy, still at R2.18 per litre, continues to contribute heavily to the overall fuel price structure. 'Fuel is a key cost driver in virtually every industry. Any increase in fuel-related taxes pushes up the cost of transport, goods, and services. So while the price adjustments in June technically decrease, the net gain to consumers is marginal.' CEO of Debt Rescue Neil Roets says there is no way to sugarcoat the reaction of South Africans to this news. ''This is a slap in the face of motorists and commuters, who have been battling to make ends meet in the face of ever-escalating living costs for over a year, with authorities seemingly turning a blind eye. It is no secret that this minuscule cut in the price of petrol is a direct result of the General Fuel Levy (GFL), which kicks in from Wednesday, 4th June. Petrol was, in fact, set to decrease by around 20c per litre, but with the 15-cent hike in the GFL, this amounted to a reduction of just five cents per litre.' BUSINESS REPORT Visist:
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
MK proposes major constitutional changes: land, elections, compulsory military service
The MK Party's proposed constitutional amendments seek to reclaim land, recognize indigenous languages, and prioritize South African citizens, framing the Constitution as a transformative tool for justice and sovereignty. Image: Tumi Pakkies/Independent Media The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has submitted a comprehensive set of proposed constitutional amendments to the Constitutional Review process for 2025 that will see changes to how South Africa elects its leaders, land redistribution, a state bank and compulsory military service. The party says its proposals aim to "affirm national sovereignty" and reframe South Africa's Constitution as a "transformation document which puts the interests of the citizens first and addresses historical injustices committed against the indigenous majority." According to MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, 'South Africa belongs to all its citizens, united in our diversity.' This revised clause sets the tone for the rest of the proposals, which the party frames as citizen-centred and de-colonial in nature. Key among the proposed amendments is the revision of Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation. The MK Party argues the current framework protects the property rights of the beneficiaries of "colonial and apartheid land theft" and forces the state to compensate for stolen land. The land issue remains deeply contentious in South Africa and has drawn international attention. This comes after President Donald Trump controversially claimed there was a genocide in South Africa. This claim resurfaced when a second, small group of white Afrikaners quietly arrived in the US under Trump's offer to resettle them amid false claims of white genocide and persecution. IOL reported that during a high-level meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa last month, Trump asserted that he had received numerous complaints about the treatment of Afrikaners, alleging brutal murders and land seizures. These claims were widely criticised by the South African government as unfounded and inflammatory. The MK Party also wants to introduce direct presidential elections, giving voters the power to elect the president outside party structures, without abolishing party-based processes. Language inclusion is another focal point. The MK Party proposes that Khoi and San Nama languages be officially recognised, aiming to safeguard indigenous heritage. The party also proposes enshrining the right to full employment, rather than just access to job opportunities. In the realm of marriage, the MK Party seeks to constitutionally differentiate traditional marriages from other unions, classifying the latter as civil unions while maintaining their full legal protections. In terms of public services, the party proposes prioritising South African citizens ' access to healthcare, housing, and education. 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 Earlier this week ActionSA's parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, said his party also seeks to amend sections of the Bill of Rights to limit the state's obligation to non-citizens. Trollip said: 'The current universal application of Section 26 has led to unintended consequences,' referencing municipal housing pressures. He further cited health clinics in Johannesburg reporting that over 70% of patient files belong to foreign nationals and that court-ordered school enrolments are straining education resources. The MK Party also proposes restricting citizenship rights to those born of two South African citizen parents and limiting voting rights to individuals with only South African citizenship, citing a need to "ensure patriotism and allegiance to the South African Republic." The party wants to introduce term limits for ministers, premiers, and mayors to promote accountability. It proposes relocating Parliament from the Western Cape to align with the executive and judiciary, arguing this move will harmonise governance structures. In line with promoting national identity and discipline, the party calls for compulsory military service for citizens aged 18 to 25. Another major shift proposed is the nationalisation of strategic mineral resources and the creation of a sovereign wealth fund to manage and distribute the nation's mineral wealth equitably. The MK Party also supports establishing a state bank with constitutional authority to print currency, which it says will contribute to the decolonisation of the economy and end the monopoly of white capital. The party further proposes realigning Chapter Nine institutions by merging the Office of the Public Protector with the Special Investigating Unit and elevating the National Prosecuting Authority into a Chapter Nine institution. It says these changes will improve the functionality and coordination of oversight institutions. 'These amendments seek to strengthen a citizen-centred constitutional dispensation to forge a constitutional arrangement that puts the citizens first,' said Ndhlela. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
IOL News
3 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Daily News Milk Fund: Caring for the babies
In a celebratory mood are Princess Shazi, Ayanda Mdluli, Sushie Munsamy, Michelle Potgieter, Sameera Kareem, and Sarah Pratley. Image: Tumi Pakkies The Daily News Milk Fund, a community-care project that is in its 83rd year of existence, reached out to the children living at the Shepherd's Keep home on the Bluff, Durban with some essential goods on Monday. Sameera Kareem, Ayanda Mdluli, Sushie Munsamy Image: Tumi Pakkies 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 ✕ Shepherd's Keep, a sanctuary in Bluff, Durban, that has been providing unconditional love and care to orphaned and abandoned babies affected by HIV/AIDS since 1998. Founded by Colin and Cheryl Pratley, the home has been a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable members of our society. Sushie Munsamy Image: Tumi Pakkies To mark World Milk Day, the Daily News Milk Fund collaborated with the facility and delivered much-needed items from the home's wish list, a gesture that brought smiles, tears, and immense gratitude. Daily News' editor Ayanda Mdluli said: "I'm proud to say that our Milk Fund is dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged children. Sameera Kareem Image: Tumi Pakkies
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Africa's hospitality boom forecast to reach $33. 54bn by 2029
According to forecasts by Statista , the African travel and tourism market will be worth $33.54 billion by 2029. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers FUELLED in part by a surge in 'bleisure' (combined business and leisure) travel, the continent's hospitality sector is poised for significant growth in the next five years. According to forecasts by Statista, the African travel and tourism market will be worth $33.54 billion (about 601bn) by 2029, benefiting from a post-pandemic recovery in trip-taking, improved international connectivity and strong demand for high-quality accommodation. Hotels comprise the largest part of this, with an estimated market volume of $15bn by 2029. 'For local and international business owners, this is a prime opportunity to unlock growth,' according to Joshua Low, Vice President of dmg events South Africa. The company is organising the eighth edition of Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from June 11 to 12 — its first time in the Mother City. The move seeks to capitalise on Cape Town's robust tourism and hospitality industry. 'African hospitality is unparalleled,' Low said. 'We have a lot to offer the world, from unique gastronomic experiences to rich cultural heritage and the expert creation of welcoming home spaces away from home. Savvy professionals are positioning themselves as part of this and putting their enterprises on the map.' 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 ✕ Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa will welcome more than 150 exhibitors and 4 000 visitors from across the industry, including a large number of top-tier executives and other key decision-makers. The event will provide an interactive platform to explore opportunities for investment and innovation, as well as keep abreast of the latest trends. It is part of dmg events' global hospitality showcase, which includes large-scale events in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. In a value-adding move, Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa will be co-located with the inaugural Africa Food Show, part of the acclaimed Gulfood series of international events. 'Our exhibitors stand to benefit from this strategic collaboration,' Low said. 'It provides an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a much wider, more diverse audience. The decision plays into the increased convergence we are seeing between the food, beverage and hospitality industries.' In a first for the Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa, the event will include HORECA Connect, a special hub for professionals from the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. This significantly broadens the scope of the event, as well as the opportunities for businesses looking to expand their reach. With revenues exceeding $6bn in 2023 and more than 22.6 million diners served nationwide, the restaurant and bar sector is one of the fastest-growing in South Africa's hospitality market. A highlight of the Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa will be the much-anticipated launch of the 2025 African Hospitality Confidence Index report, which reveals research-based insights into market sentiment, challenges, trends and innovation. It is considered a key planning tool in the industry. It will be launched at the Conference section of the event, which is supported by Santam. Other learning opportunities include presentations and panels by a high-level line-up of speakers, featuring names like Jacques Stoltz, Director: Tourism, Department of Economic Development, Western Cape Government; Enver Duminy, Chief Executive Officer, Cape Town Tourism; ; Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, Chief Executive Officer, The Tourism Business Council of South Africa; Darryl Erasmus, Chief Operating Officer, South African Tourism; Neil Hughes, Managing Director, Providence Hospitality; and Geri Flanagan, Development Manager, Accor Hotels, among many others. The Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa will also spotlight new products and demonstrations in a dedicated area, adding to the interactive nature of the event.
