Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 by Topco Media

ELECTRICITY REFORMS

Addressing the energy crises

HONOURABLE KGOSIENTHSO RAMOKGOPA Minister of Electricity

FUNDI TSHAZIBANA

Championing gender equality in economics

NOLITHA FAKUDE

Unlocking SA’s economy to the benefit of all citizens

FINANCIAL FITNESS How to prepare for interest rate hikes

2 | Public Sector Leaders | April 2023

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 3

Contents

APRIL 2023 | ISSUE 26

Editorial 20 | Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill

Q&A with the CEO of the Vapour Products Association of South Africa

28| Freedom Day

36 | Cyclone Freddy

A warning of the impacts of climate change

38 | Conservation efforts in South Africa

Leading conservationists appointed to protect South Africa’s wild spaces

40 | South African Medical Research Council

5 ways to celebrate Freedom Day

South Africa admitted to International Human Frontier Science Programme

30 | Transport and Logistics

42 | Medical services

“Turn around the crisis in South Africa’s logistics system.”

Access to quality healthcare is a right for all citizens

32 | Youth Unemployment Presidential plans to create opportunities

Features 10 | Addressing The Nation

34 | Regional Focus

12 | Cover Story

44 | Legal Matters

New investments to propel our digital economy forward

Honourable Kgosienthso Ramokgopa

22 | Trailblazer

Investing in the just energy transition

Bonuses, incentives and commission - what they mean and who gets what

Fundi Tshazibana: Championing gender equality in economics

46 | Financial Fitness

24 | Women in Leadership

48 | Lifestyle

26 | In Other News

50 | Upcoming Events

Nolitha Fakude: SA economy will be fully unlocked to the benefit of all citizens

Official Freedom Day celebrations across the provinces

4 | Public Sector Leaders | April 2023

How to prepare for interest rate hikes

Introduce a guest to Cape Town’s special brand of sophistication

April is about celebrating freedom in SA

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6 | Public Sector Leaders | April 2023

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GEMS has it’s members GEMS has it’s members and their dependants and theirfor dependants covered the flu vaccine covered for the flu vaccine The flu vaccine is now available at any network General Practitioner (GP) or Pharmacy. It is payable from your risk-benefit, so there is no need Practitioner to deplete (GP) youror day-to-day The flu vaccine is now available at any network General Pharmacy. It is benefits. To protect yourself and your loved is ones, it is highly recommended to get the vaccine payable from your risk-benefit, so there no need to deplete your day-to-day annually. benefits. To protect yourself and your loved ones, it is highly recommended to get the vaccine annually. Getting the vaccine at the beginning of the flu and winter way to of strengthen Getting theseason vaccineisatthe thebest beginning the flu immunity influenza virus. getting and winteragainst seasonthe is the best way to Not strengthen the vaccine may lead to complications such as immunity against the influenza virus. Not getting bronchitis, exacerbate such existing the vaccinepneumonia, may lead toand complications as bronchitis, pneumonia, exacerbate existing chronic conditions. So, and consult your local chronic conditions. So, consult your local pharmacy or General Practitioner (GP) today to pharmacy or General Practitioner (GP) today to get the flu vaccine! get the flu vaccine! Members in the following high-risk Members inare theadvised following high-risk categories to get their flu categories are advised to gettotheir fluthis vaccine as soon as possible avoid vaccine as soon as and possible to avoid this preventable illness possible preventable illness and possible hospitalisation: hospitalisation: • Adults 65 years and older • Adults 65 years and older • Children younger than 5 years • Children younger than 5 years • Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks • after Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks the end of pregnancy after the end of pregnancy • Healthcare workers • Healthcare workers • People who have weak immune systems (e.g. • immunosuppression People who have weak immune systems (e.g. caused by certain immunosuppression caused by certain medications or Human Immunodeficiency medications or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) Virus (HIV/AIDS)

Contact details Contact details 0860 00 4367 0860 00 4367 enquiries@gems.gov.za enquiries@gems.gov.za www.gems.gov.za www.gems.gov.za Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) 0861 123 267 0861 123 267 information@medicalschemes.co.za information@medicalschemes.co.za www.medicalschemes.co.za www.medicalschemes.co.za

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People with long-term illnesses such as: People with long-term illnesses such as: ▪ Any type of chronic disease; ▪ Any type of chronic disease; ▪ Disorders or diseases of the lungs (e.g., ▪ asthma); Disorders or diseases of the lungs (e.g., asthma); ▪ Heart conditions (e.g., congestive heart congenital disease); ▪ failure Heart and conditions (e.g.,heart congestive heart failure and congenital heart disease); ▪ Kidney disease (e.g., chronic renal failure); ▪ Kidney disease (e.g., chronic renal failure); ▪ Liver disease (e.g., poor liver function or ▪ liver Liverfailure); disease (e.g., poor liver function or liver failure); ▪ Nervous system disorders (e.g. epilepsy); ▪ Nervous system disorders (e.g. epilepsy); ▪ Blood or bleeding disorders (e.g., ▪ Leukaemia Blood or bleeding disorders (e.g., and Haemophilia); or Leukaemia and Haemophilia); or ▪ Metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus). ▪ Metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus).

Visit www.gems.gov.za/fluvaccine for more information! Visit www.gems.gov.za/fluvaccine for more information!

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EDITOR’S LETTER BY FIONA WAKELIN

DLetter ECfrom NAtheVEditor DA REBYC YTIRUCES RUOY ROF SSENISUB Welcome to the April edition of Public Sector Leaders (PSL)

In his letter to the country on 17 April, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa focused on the developments in the tech sphere – with the 5th South Africa Investment Conference that took place in Johannesburg recently providing a massive boost to the country’s digital economy through significant investment commitments in data and telecommunications infrastructure.

“While all these investments contribute to economic growth and job creation, the investments in the digital economy will, in addition, propel our country into a new era of innovation and progress. Not only is the digital economy important for growth, but it is also vital to the provision of key services such as education, social services and health care. “South Africa already has among the highest rates of internet penetration in Africa. According to Statistics South Africa’s 2021 General Household Survey, more than three quarters of households have internet access, 97% of all households have at least one mobile phone, and most people use mobile phones to get online. This includes nearly 60 percent of rural households,” – President Ramaphosa.

It is a busy month for public sector leaders with President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the closing remarks at the 5th South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg and Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivering remarks at the official launch of the book “Never Too Young To Lead” authored by Lebogang Maile.

neeb sah ®TESE ,sraey 03 naht erom roF ytiruces TI gnidael-yrtsudni gnipoleved 000,004 revO .secivres dna erawtfos Leaders, su noInythis lebumper r ediedition wdlrofoPublic w sSector resu m0we11include dnaregulars sesssuch enisub as Addressing the Nation - Letter from the Presidency and a Calendar of .noiCommemorative tcetorp eevents. visnThe ehTrailblazer erpmthis ocmonth ,elbisaFundi ilerTshazibana reviled ot (Deputy SARB Governor & CEO of Prudential Authority) and our Women in Leadership spotlight is on Nolitha Fakude (the first woman mining industry president). Our Regional Focus is on Mpumalanga and the province’s investment in the Just Energy Transition and In Other News we look at official Freedom Day celebrations across the provinces. Legal Matters zooms in on bonuses, incentives and commission and in Financial Fitness we dive into the all important topic of how to prepare for interest rate hikes.

SSENISUB RUOY ERUCES TESE HTIW ,ATAD

The April Features include: an introduction to the new Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity; Conservation efforts in South Africa; the Medical Research Council - what they’re busy with; the role of transport and logistics in developing the South African economy; the SA Weather Service - what’s happening with climate change – further to which we focus in on Cyclone Freddy! Whether you are in the public sector, the private sector, supply chain or an interested individual, PSL has something for you. We hope you enjoy the read.

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ADDRESSING THE NATION BY FIONA WAKELIN

Addressing The Nation

New investments to propel our digital economy forward

n his letter to the nation on 17 April, His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa focused on developments in the tech sphere – with the 5th South Africa Investment Conference that took place in Johannesburg recently providing a massive boost to the country’s digital economy through significant investment commitments in data and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as investments in the mining, manufacturing, energy, property, logistics and food and beverages sectors. Since the first South Africa Investment Conference in 2018 there have been total investment commitments of R200-billion in South Africa’s telecommunications network by Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Rain and Liquid Telecom.

investments in the digital economy will, in addition, propel our country into a new era of innovation and progress. Not only is the digital economy important for growth, but it is also vital to the provision of key services such as education, social services and health care.

The Equiano subsea cable announced at the 3rd South Africa Investment Conference in 2020 was launched by Google last year. Amazon Web Services, Teraco and Dimension Data have made investment commitments of R21-billion in the past five years – and Amazon Web Services plans to grow its investment with a further R30-billion in the next six years.

Higher speeds and improved mobile and fibre infrastructure are helping to narrow the digital divide with faster fibre and 5G rollout resulting in the economy becoming more competitive as more connectivity solutions help businesses emerge and expand. Two weeks ago, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies published the Rapid Deployment Policy, which will help to accelerate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

In 2021 Vantage Data Centers, a US-based company, announced plans to build its first African campus in Johannesburg. It said that it saw Johannesburg as “the data centre hub for sub-Saharan Africa due to its strategic location, IT ecosystem, fibre connectivity and availability of renewable energy”. The announcements at this year’s conference took the total amount of investment commitments made over the first five years of the investment drive to over R1.5-trillion - exceeding the target of R1.2-trillion set in 2018. “While all these investments contribute to economic growth and job creation, the

“South Africa already has among the highest rates of internet penetration in Africa. According to Statistics South Africa’s 2021 General Household Survey, more than three quarters of households have internet access, 97% of all households have at least one mobile phone, and most people use mobile phones to get online. This includes nearly 60 percent of rural households,” – President Ramaphosa.

“To boost the job creation potential of these investments, the National Skills Fund will soon launch a new model for demand-led skills development, which will provide R800-million to fund training for unemployed young people in digital skills. “As we look to foster increased investment over the next five years, as the structural reform process continues to gather pace and as measures to end the energy crisis bear fruit, we will be able to further position ourselves at the forefront of the digital economy in Africa” - President Ramaphosa. n

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 11

COVER STORY BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Honourable Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Powering electricity reforms

n a bid to address South Africa’s electricity crisis, President Cyril Rampahosa has appointed a Minister of Electricity to his Cabinet.

The new position was announced during the President’s State of the Nation Address. President Ramaphosa said the role, which has since been taken up by Hon. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, will oversee “all aspects of the electricity crisis response”.

COVER STORY BY JESSIE TAYLOR

ROLLING OUT URGENT INTERVENTIONS Minister Ramokgopa served as the Mayor of the City of Tshwane from 2010 to 2016. He was also a member of the executive council of the Gauteng government in 2019. He has also served as the MEC for economic development, agriculture, and environment, as well as in the presidency as head of investment and infrastructure. He holds several qualifications, including a PhD in public affairs from the University of Pretoria. He holds qualifications in civil engineering, public administration and business leadership from a number of universities. Minister Ramokgopa has previously been outspoken about the urgent interventions required to deal with the energy crisis and prevent economic collapse. In his first few weeks in office, Honourable Ramokgopa has already embarked on several site inspections to assess the functioning of power stations as part of his national tour of Eskom’s plants. He said that among his priorities is the unbundling of Eskom and the establishment of an independent national transmission company. The unbundling will see Eskom split into three units: generation, transmission and distribution. But for now, Minister Ramokgopa says his focus will remain on resolving loadshedding. He said the tour is part of a commitment made to the South African public and that it would allow him to assess the country’s power generation and develop interventions and timelines. Hon. Ramokgopa will focus fulltime, and work with the Eskom board and management, on ending loadshedding and ensuring that the Energy Action Plan is implemented

Crisis Committee will continue to engage, cooperate and coordinate its actions to reduce and eradicate loadshedding using existing legislation and contingency arrangements, the government said. These include measures already taken to protect critical infrastructure, facilitate emergency energy generation and protect consumers in terms of relevant competition law. President Ramaphosa described the new ministerial position as transitory, saying it has been created specifically to deal with the “severity and frequency of load shedding as a matter of urgency”.

without delay. He will also oversee the work of the National Energy Crisis Committee. He works alongside the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, who remains a shareholder representative of Eskom. Minister Gordhan steers the restructuring of Eskom, ensures the establishment of the transmission company, oversees the implementation of the just energy transitionprogramme, and oversees the establishment of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Holding Company. A COORDINATED EFFORT “The process of restructuring government will give us an opportunity to determine the positioning of various areas of responsibilities and how best the various ministries and departments can best serve our national objectives. We are focusing our attention on the

energy crisis right now and will address the restructuring of government in due course,” said President Ramaphosa. “This is necessary because an effective response to this crisis involves several different departments and entities that require coordination from the centre of government.” President Ramaphosa added that the “energy crisis is an existential threat to our economy and social fabric”. During President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address in February, he declared a State of Disaster of the electricity crisis and Hon. Ramokgopa was tasked with ensuring “coherence in the issuing of directions during the National State of Disaster”. The State of Disaster was lifted on 5 April 2023, but the Energy

“To effectively oversee the electricity crisis response, the appointed Minister will have political responsibility, authority and control over all critical aspects of the Energy Action Plan,” said President Ramaphosa. “This will help to deal with the challenge of fragmentation of responsibility across various departments and Ministers which, while appropriate under normal circumstances, is not conducive to a crisis response.” The Electricity Minister will remain in office for as long as it is necessary to resolve the electricity crisis, the President added. The President said the Minister of Electricity would facilitate the coordination of the numerous departments and entities involved in the crisis response, work with Eskom leadership to ensure the performance of existing power stations and speed up the procurement of new generation capacity. n

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 15

INTERVIEW MEGA

Investing in the place of the rising sun

Interview with the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency’s CEO

uring the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, M.I. Mahlangu was appointed Acting CEO of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), the trade and investment institution of the Provincial Government of Mpumalanga. Now permanently in the role as head of the province’s development finance institution, he takes us through the agency’s work, their flagship projects, how they’re keeping ESG in mind, and shares some of MEGA’s exciting plans for the year.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE MPUMALANGA ECONOMIC GROWTH AGENCY. MEGA offers the following products and services which are aimed at achieving its mandate: • On property development, the agency offers project management services, including the development and management of immovable property. • On enterprise and agricultural development, the products and services offered include provision of funding, including the granting of housing loans. • On trade and investment, the services include the marketing of the province as an investment destination of choice by packaging investment projects which are showcased to investors who seek to invest in the province. Other services include assisting our SMMEs in the province with export support to enable them to export their products internationally.

PLEASE SHARE SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS AS CEO OF MEGA. • We have completed the merger that has taken years to be completed and ensured that all employees at MEGA are placed into the structure. • The agency struggled for many years to obtain satisfactory audit results due to legacy issues inherited from its predecessors. After many years of audit disclaimers, qualified audit opinions, for the first time the agency obtained an unqualified audit opinion with matters of emphasis. • The agency project managed the MIFPM from inception until completion of bulk infrastructure prior to handing over the construction of top structures to DPWRT. • The agency also managed the establishment of the Nkomazi SEZ from inception until designation by the Minister and to a point where the Nkomazi SEZ entity is in place with its own board and management. • We have forged strategic partnerships with various institutions to advance our developmental mandate relating to investment attraction, to mention a few we are implementing partnership with the Office of the Premier where we are disbursing funds to MYDF beneficiaries including the provision of post-investment support. We are also redeveloping

16 | Public Sector Leaders | April 2023

our shopping centres and industrial parks in partnership with strategic development partners who bring with them capital and experience in property portfolio development and management. WHAT ARE YOUR FLAGSHIP PROJECTS? • Redevelopment of the Kabokweni and Siyabuswa Shopping complexes which have a value of R143-million and R 100-million, respectively. • Revitalisation of Ekandustria Industrial Park which will ensure an increase in the number of jobs sustained in the park from the current 2 000 to 5 000. The value of the investment will be known once the planning phase and funding arrangements have been completed. • Another flagship project is the housing of the InvestSA One Stop Shop in the province which is being implemented jointly with the DTIC, geared towards providing investors with services to fast-track projects and reduce government red tapes when establishing a business. YOU BECAME ACTING CEO DURING THE PANDEMIC – HARD TIMES FOR US ALL. SINCE YOU BECAME CEO, WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED IN THE ORGANISATION, RESULTING IN GROWTH AND OPTIMISM? The approved turn-around strategy and its implementation plan outlines all

critical success factors that the agency must address towards its journey to selfsustainability. The results are evidenced by the key achievements already outlined earlier. WHAT ARE THE MOST CRITICAL ESG POLICIES AND PRACTICES EMBEDDED IN MEGA? As a 3D provincial business enterprise, MEGA is expected to be self-sustainable by creating a sustainable investment portfolio which is strong enough to drive the economic transformation agenda of government. For this vision to be realised, the agency has embedded the environmental, social and governance components into its strategy, policies and systems. These components consider the needs and ways in which to generate value for all organisational stakeholders (such as employees, customers and suppliers and financiers). As an investment driven organisation, we take the following into consideration when evaluating investment deals: • We consider environmental, governance, safety and social issues associated with potential investment opportunities when evaluating a portfolio investment. • We do not invest in companies or projects that do not respect human rights, including the use of children and discriminatory practices. • We continually engage with relevant stakeholders such as local communities, all spheres of government, business community, etc. to communicate on ESG matters. • Follow strict guidelines that prohibit bribery and other improper payments to officials and follow anti-money laundering laws and regulation. WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC GROWTH TRENDS IN THE PROVINCE? The province’s three biggest sectors are manufacturing, mining and agriculture (which includes forestry and fishing). The following are some of the economic sectoral observations: • Agriculture: As a champion industry and agro-processing, agriculture is considered one of the most critical sectors due to its high labour intensity. It is imperative to support

•

commercial farmers whilst also providing opportunities for small scale farming. Mining: Coal mining industry will still be with us for the next 30 years according to research. There are still some good export opportunities in the coal mining industry. There are opportunities presented through the infrastructural challenges within the transport and logistics side of the industry. Manufacturing: Agro-processing is centered primarily in the Lowveld region and makes a valuable contribution to the provincial economy’s manufacturing sector. Mpumalanga has a diverse manufacturing sector that accounts for 15% of provincial GDP. Renewable energy: We must consider the importance of an energy mix for the country. Opportunities pointed out at the Provincial Energy Summit include Emalahleni as a Renewable Energy Hub.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION? MEGA has noted how energy security, climate change and the just transition have featured prominently in the provincial government’s engagements, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided from the end of 2021. There are no specific strategies or regulations that would inform MEGA’s approach except those expressed as part of the collective efforts of the provincial government on climate change and the just transition. To this end, MEGA plans to undertake research that will assist it to identify opportunities in the green economy. DO YOU HAVE EXCITING PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? • We are looking at locating an Agroprocessing Industrial Park within the MIFPM precinct. The MIFPM currently sits on 41 Hectares, i.e. 15.8% of the 259 Hectares, and locating this major industrial park within the precinct will serve as a catalyst for accelerated economic growth and development in the province.

•

We are also advocating for the establishment of three co-operative banks, one per region, under the direct ownership of municipalities. This initiative presents a viable option towards mobilisation of the funds for investment in productive sectors of the township and rural economy whilst promoting the financial inclusion of our people. We will continue to implement multi-year projects that commenced in the previous financial years jointly with our strategic development partners.

MEGA is the official development finance institution, trade and investment arm of the Mpumalanga Province, tasked with providing funding for SMMEs, cooperatives, housing finance, industrial infrastructure so as to deliver growth and development of the Mpumalanga economy. Therefore, exciting developments are happening at the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency, and we want to share this important directional update with you. As mentioned earlier we moved to a new facility and our new address, and phone number have changed, as shown below:

MBOMBELA NEW ADDRESS: MEGA OFFICE PARK 02 Eastern Boulevard, Riverside MBOMBELA, Mpumalanga, 1200. Telephone: +27 13 492 5818 Email: info@mega.gov.za Website: mega.gov.za. BUFFELSPRUIT ADDRESS: Malelane Area Telephone: +27 13 973 1049. SECUNDA ADDRESS: Heunis Street, Grand Palace Building, 2nd Floor, Suite C3. Telephone: +27 017 634 8458/4199. NKANGALA ADDRESS: 215 Iridium Street, Ekandustria, Telephone: +27 13 933 3421 COME VISIT US, WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 17

ADVERTORIAL VPASA

Electronic cigarettes and smoking cessation

Latest Cochrane study states vaping products may help people quit cigarette smoking.

lectronic nicotine delivery systems ENDS/ENNDS - entered the lexicon of the 21st century, and like many innovations before them, have been embraced and vilified in equal parts. Also, like many innovations before them, e-cigarettes, vapes, and electronic vapour products (EVPs) — collectively called electronic nicotine delivery systems/electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) — are still very much misunderstood. This can largely be attributed to the plethora of conflicting views on the effectiveness of ENDS/ ENNDS as a less-harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes. “Despite many studies supporting ENDS/ ENNDS as a smoking-cessation tool, they continue to be regarded in the same way as tobacco products that decades of research have proven to be harmful to people’s health,” says Asanda Gcoyi, CEO of the Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA). BUT IS THAT ABOUT TO CHANGE? The international not-for-profit organisation Cochrane has long been a world leader in research, providing high-quality information to healthcare officials and professionals to enhance knowledge and assist them to improve health outcomes. Key to Cochrane’s objectivity to generate authoritative, reliable information is that it does not accept commercial or conflicting funding. This has led the organisation to make non-partisan

18 | Public Sector Leaders | April 2023

recommendations on HIV/AIDS and other issues that had profound effects on later research and tools in these areas. Now, the organisation has published a review of strong evidence from over 78 studies that suggest vaping and ENDS/ENNDS are not harmful and are more likely to increase the chances of someone quitting smoking than traditional nicotine-replacement therapies (NRT) such as gum, patches, inhalers, sprays or lozenges. The question remains: Will this evidence be embraced or pushed aside, especially given that research from the Cochrane Library — a credible and trusted research house — is highly commended? Led by Dr Jamie HartmannBoyce, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford and editor of the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group, and Dr Nicola Lindson, a university research lecturer at the University of Oxford and managing editor of the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group, the living systematic review is supported by Cancer Research UK and includes 78 studies that comprised more than 22 000 participants. The review is updated regularly, with new evidence researched monthly and changes to the full review made when new data emerges that has significant implications for the review’s current conclusions. The review sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using ENDS/ENNDS to achieve longterm abstinence from smoking,

and specifically used randomised controlled trials, which HartmanBoyce says are considered the best way to test for effects of treatments. The most significant findings of the review included a high certainty that the use of ENDS (i.e. containing nicotine) instead of NRTs resulted in people being more likely to stop smoking for at least six months as well as moderate certainty that ENDS led to higher quit rates than ENNDS (i.e. not containing nicotine) or no-stop smoking interventions. Data also showed that for every six in 100 people who quit smoking using NRTs, eight to 12 would quit using ENDS. “High-certain evidence means that we think that further studies are unlikely to change our fact estimate in a way that would alter its clinical interpretation,” Hartman-Boyce said in a video presentation of the review titled ‘Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation’, available on the Oxford Primary Care YouTube channel. Importantly, the review authors emphasised that the findings did not detect any clear evidence of harm from using nicotinecontaining ENDS to quit smoking, with the longest follow-up being two years. The most commonly reported adverse effects included throat/mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea, which all dissipated with continued use. Certain studies also showed that reduced toxin concentrations and biomarkers of harm occurred in people who switched from smoking to vaping.

“While longer-term studies would be beneficial, the evidence from the Cochrane Review shows the positive impact that ENDS/ENNDS can have on the lives of those seeking less-harmful alternatives to tobacco products as well as those looking to quit smoking altogether,” adds Gcoyi. “We remain committed to the message that non-smokers should not start vaping but that ENDS/ENNDS are practical, harm-reduced tools to assist with smoking cessation. “Given the Cochrane Library’s stellar record of evidence-based research that is viewed as the gold standard, we implore public health officials and other regulatory bodies to consider these findings, and to embrace the reputable science accompanying it.” Visit www.VPASA.org.za to learn more about ENDS/ENNDS as an alternative tool to reduce cigarette harm.

Asanda Gcoyi, CEO of VPASA

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 19

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Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 21

TRAILBLAZER BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Fundi Tshazibana

Championing gender equality in economics

olding one of the highest positions at the South African Reserve Bank, Fundi Tshazibana has dedicated herself to advancing South Africa’s economic position and championing gender diversity in the financial sector. Ms Tshazibana is a deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank and is the CEO of the Prudential Authority, using her influence to raise awareness of gender equity in the sector. REPRESENTING THE NATION The Prudential Authority regulates banks, insurers, cooperative financial institutions, financial conglomerates and certain market infrastructures. In her role with the Prudential Authority, Ms Tshazibana leads the Prudential Cluster, which includes the Financial Surveillance Department. Prior to 2022, she oversaw the Financial Markets and International Cluster. Ms Tshazibana joined the SARB in 2018 as an adviser to the governor and was appointed as a deputy governor in 2019 by the President. In her role as deputy governor, she also works to keep the National Treasury accountable and manage South Africa’s reserves. She has a wealth of knowledge in her field, having served in roles at local and international institutions, including National Treasury, the National Energy

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Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At the IMF, she was an alternate executive director on the Executive Board, which runs the day-to-day operations of the IMF. Her role at the IMF was what Ms Tshazibana describes as one of her most difficult working environments because she was in a team with people from different countries with extensive and diverse experience. Her key to success was to observe, and she soon realised her strength lay in partnering with other women and advancing South Africa’s position. Before joining the IMF, Ms Tshazibana was a deputy director-general at National Treasury, responsible for macroeconomic policy and economic forecasting. At Nersa, she worked as a senior policy analyst. Ms Tshazibana also fills a role on the Monetary Policy Committee. The committee is responsible for formulating monetary policy to meet the SARB’s price stability objective. She is the first woman to serve on the interest-rate-setting body since Gill Marcus quit as governor in 2014 and was appointed with almost two decades of experience in public policy analysis and formulation. She has proven her worth in the role, contributing to several interest rate decisions. The

Committee has had to make a number of tough calls in the time that Ms Tshazibana has served on it, amid a weak economy, heavily strained consumers and debate around the Bank’s ownership and independence. ADVANCING EQUALITY Ms Tshazibana has said that her career has been largely shaped by her ability to listen to others and provide support. However, she did not initially envision a career as an economist for herself. During her studies, she focused on marketing as a career and picked up economics as a second major. However, she soon veered towards public finance and policy, placing her on her current career path. Ms Tshazibana is passionate about gender diversity and hopes to see more women take up high-level roles within the Reserve Bank. However, she said the Reserve Bank is making good progress on gender representation. In the last 30 years, the Reserve Bank has seen the appointment of women to more than 40% of senior management roles. In addition, women now hold a number of specialist positions. “It’s quite important, as women, for us to appreciate ourselves and what is unique about us and to understand how we can use that to add value in our organisations and in our institutions,” says Ms Tshazibana. “There’s a lot that we could glean about what women bring to the workplace around culture, around having organisations that are nourishing, and when people can be part of a bigger cause as well.”

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK The South African Reserve Bank was established in 1921 as a result of unusual financial and monetary conditions stemming from World War I. At the time, commercial banks issued banknotes to the public, which had to be backed by gold. But the price of gold in the United Kingdom rose and became higher than the gold price in South Africa. Therefore, a profit could be made by converting banknotes into gold in South Africa and selling the gold in London. To protect their financial viability, the commercial banks asked the government to release them from the obligation to convert their banknotes into gold on demand. At the Gold Conference of October 1919, a Select Committee of Parliament recommended the establishment of a central bank to assume responsibility for the issuing of banknotes and for taking over the gold held by commercial banks. This paved the way for the establishment of the reserve bank. The SARB opened its doors for business for the first time on 30 June 1921 and issued its first banknotes to the public on 19 April 1922. The SARB is the oldest central bank in Africa. In 1944, the Reserve Bank’s initial 25-year period of issue for banknotes was extended indefinitely. The SARB accepted a formal mission statement for the first time in 1990. In 2000, South Africa became the 13th country to adopt an inflation-targeting monetary policy framework, targeting an inflation band of between 3 and 6% for consumer inflation. n

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WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP BY SINAZO MKOKO

Nolitha Fakude

SA economy will be fully unlocked to the benefit of all citizens A | Public Sector Leaders | 000000

he mining industry in South Africa has always been an industry that is male-dominated and women find it hard to break into this industry. Numbers from Stats SA show that this is one of the few economic sectors growing employment at a time when the economy is experiencing extreme difficulties with electricity shortages, water cuts and constrained logistics and burgeoning crime. However, the question remains: do women have a seat in this industry? While women are underrepresented, there are women who are breaking the cycle and paving a way for many young women who want to be part of the sector. Amongst these pioneers is Nolitha Fakude - President of the Minerals Council South Africa. It was only two years ago when Nolitha Fakude made history and was appointed as the first female president of the Minerals Council South Africa in the organisation’s 131-year history. This moment was described as a watershed occasion and a testament to Fakude’s fortitude and leadership capability by the CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa, Roger Baxter. “I am certain that she will leave an indelible mark on the industry and a material leadership contribution in the years ahead. “One thing that has been such a great asset to the industry is the very high calibre of leadership of women and men from our Board that are willing to step forward and play key leadership roles as Office Bearers in the Minerals

Council. These leaders have a profound impact on the future direction of the mining industry and the country. I look forward to working with Nolitha and the Office Bearer team in the year ahead,” he said. Fakude also holds the position of the Chair of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa, as well as the Group Director responsible for South Africa on Anglo American’s Group Management Committee. She previously served as a NonExecutive Director of the Board of Anglo American from 2017 to 2019.

She added that the future of mining depends on them committing themselves to build an industry that is “truly inclusive, internationally competitive and draws on the talents of women – now, and in the future.”

She was formerly a Vice President of the Minerals Council Board, and is the Chair of the Minerals Council Women in Mining Leadership Forum. One of the key issues she raised while in this position was that young women were not showing interest in the mining industry and more needed to be done to make the industry more attractive to women. “It is worrying that young women look for other career options to exercise their considerable talents. Bullying, harassment and victimisation are negative experiences women face in the industry. Leaders must commit to new ways of working,” she said. She said that a commitment to furthering the involvement of women in all aspects of the South African mining industry is something that should be “front and centre for the leadership of all our member companies on a daily basis. And this commitment has to go far beyond the lip service of positive words and Women’s Month campaigns. We expect to see the commitment bearing real fruit.”

Delivering her address at this year’s African Mining Indaba, Fakude said the mining industry’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP was 4% higher, at R494-billion. She said while these numbers reflect the economic and social importance of mining to South Africa, there is an alarming deterioration in production due to infrastructural constraints in electricity supply and transport logistics, most notably rail. “During 2023, we shall continue working closely with our business peers and other stakeholders to ensure there are sustainable and pragmatic solutions to the energy and transport constraints as well as progress addressing the deteriorating crime and security environment for not only the mining industry but the entire economy. “If these blockages are resolved, which can largely be addressed by including the private sector, the mining industry’s role as a key contributor to the wellbeing of the South African economy will be fully unlocked to the benefit of all citizens. We will ensure we continue #MakingMiningMatter.” n

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he official 2023 National Freedom Day celebration will take place at the Alabama Stadium in Klerksdorp, North West on 27 April where His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the Freedom Day commemoration.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Honourable Zizi Kodwa, at the launch of National Freedom Month celebrations at Freedom Park, City of Tshwane on Thursday, 6 April. The 29th anniversary of Freedom Day will be celebrated under the theme: “Consolidating

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and Safeguarding Democratic Gains across the Country.” Delivering his keynote address at the launch, Minister Kodwa said the month of April is a month in which the country celebrates the journey the nation has travelled together from that “important foothold that 1994 provided us with.”

been missteps on our path, there is still reason to pause and celebrate the efforts that we have made as a nation to create a country of our dreams as outlined in our primary law of the land, the 1996 Constitution,” he said. He added that the month provides an opportunity for the entire government and South Africans, at large, to pause and critically reflect on the journey we have travelled since 1994 and what needs to be done to extend the frontiers of freedom. “There is therefore a reason to celebrate because great strides have been made since 1994 and while it would be impossible to enumerate all, I think it would be important nonetheless that we foreground some of the most notable ones. We cannot say we are free if most of our people are denied the most basic of services necessary in improving the general quality of life,” he said.

He said given that the allimportant 30-year anniversary that is almost upon us in 2024, the government will be using this year’s celebration as a stepping stone or buildup towards the 30thanniversary milestone. “What is intimated in the theme is that even though there had

He urged South Africans to celebrate the many gains they have made while also being true to themselves in terms of the many obstacles that lie ahead. “These would require from us, that is all sectors of our nation, to dig deep in our consciousness and our resilience to combat the challenges of our society,” - Hon Kodwa. SCHOOLS DEMOCRACY EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND COMMEMORATION OF FREEDOM MONTH

2023 Schools Democracy Education Programme and the commemoration of Freedom Month.

In efforts to mark the significance of this month in South African history, the department hosts commemorative engagements between 1 and 30 April, to reflect on progress made in transforming the society, while also examining the challenges it faces. During this time, the department, together with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) collaborates in promoting electoral democracy literacy to young South Africans in public schools nationwide, to dub this month as Schools Democracy Month. “The DBE takes this opportunity to reflect on particular youth freedom attained through the Global Fund Adolescents and Youth Programme and give impetus to learners’ Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)”. South Africans across the country are encouraged to join in the Freedom Month celebrations and participate in the public engagements between the government and communities. n

Meanwhile, the Minister of Basic Education, Honourable Angie Motshekga has launched the

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FREEDOM DAY BY JESSIE TAYLOR

reedom Day, commemorated annually on 27 April, marks the date of the first democratic elections held in South Africa in 1994. The elections were the first national elections to be held in South Africa, where anyone could vote regardless of race. Freedom Day is a time to celebrate our society’s progress in reducing barriers to freedom, such as inequality, poverty, and unemployment. It is also a reminder to stand together for national unity and social cohesion. Freedom Day is a time to honour the many struggle heroes who fought for democracy and human rights and the sacrifices that were made for our democracy and freedom. Freedom Day is the ideal time to gather with loved ones and reflect on the importance of freedom and your role in maintaining an active democracy.

Here are five ways to celebrate Freedom Day. 1.

Bring freedom to life 5 ways to celebrate Freedom Day

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Teach the next generation It is vital to educate our youth about our history and individual responsibilities in maintaining our rights and freedoms if we are to maintain our hard-won democracy. While this can be as simple as teaching your children at home about the struggle and the importance of participating in democracy, there are also formal programmes in which they can enrol.

The Electoral Commission holds one such programme. The civic and democracy education campaign is aimed at young citizens in tertiary institutions to grow youth participation in South Africa’s electoral democracy. This teaches youth about their civic and democratic rights and responsibilities and empowers them to participate meaningfully in democratic and electoral processes.

Honour the liberation struggle Our history has been built on the backs of struggle icons who stood up to oppression and fought for the freedom and human rights we enjoy today. Freedom Day is the ideal time to honour these heroes by learning more about their contribution to society. There are many memorials that tell the story of the liberation struggle and are ideal for a family outing. If you’re in the Western Cape, visit the Robben Island Museum to learn the history of the island on which many liberation leaders were incarcerated. Robben Island, the unique symbol of “the triumph

The required public participation process allows any South African to comment on draft legislation, especially where personally impacted, and influence the decisions made by the government. Engaging with different levels of government around legislation is an ideal way to participate fully in our democracy. 4.

The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum dealing with the history of 20th-century South Africa. At the heart of this history is the apartheid story. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. The exhibits include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of this painful period in our history.

Participate in government decision-making Every South African can participate in government’s decision-making outside of their vote in elections. South Africa’s constitution requires that parliament and the legislatures provide a forum for the public consideration of issues and that they must receive petitions, facilitate public involvement in their legislative and other processes, and openly conduct business.

South Africans aged 16 years and older, with a South African identity document, can register via the Electoral Commission’s Voter Portal to vote for all future elections. 2.

history and struggles with a visit to the Apartheid Museum.

of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice” has a 500-year-old multi-layered history and is visited annually by thousands of people eager to understand and honour South Africa’s history.

Celebrate your history Freedom Day marked the end of the apartheid regime, which was marked by inequality, oppression and human rights violations. To fully appreciate our democracy, use Freedom Day to understand our society’s

Volunteer Another way to celebrate Freedom Day is by volunteering with an organisation that promotes democracy. One of the organisations carrying out this important work is the Thuli Madonsela (Thuma) Foundation. The Thuma Foundation was established to extend the legacy of founder, Prof Madonsela, and aims to empower persons and communities to make democracy work for them and to defend democracy through ethical leadership, governance and legal empowerment. The foundation seeks to develop leadership for democracy, development and peace, focusing on a leadership approach that is ethical, purposeful, impactful and committed to service. The foundation is always in need of volunteers and donors.

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“W

e need to take urgent measures to resolve the logistics backlog that continues to undermine economic growth. I deeply appreciate the constructive manner in which all the impacted sectors have approached the resolution of this crisis. Government will consider some of the proposals presented and act on them quickly in order to unlock much-needed investments into the economy.”

So said His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, at a virtual meeting he hosted on April 5 with the chief executives from key exporting economic sectors in the country. MEASURES TO IMPROVE RAIL AND PORT EFFICIENCIES The executives included representatives from the automotive and freight forwarding industry, mining

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and minerals, as well as the agricultural and forestry sectors. The sectors represent the country’s largest exporters who are reliant on the country’s road, rail and port infrastructure. The gathering comes after a meeting the President held with members of the Transnet board and executive management at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on 28 March 2023, which zoomed into challenges facing the country’s logistics

the course of the coming weeks, the “government will consider and announce a set of measures that will add impetus to the work that is currently underway to improve rail and port efficiencies, and in line with the government policy direction for the freight transport sector in the White Paper on National Rail Policy and in legislation such as the National Ports Act and the Economic Regulation of Transport Bill that is currently before Parliament.”

system, including the declining performance of the freight rail network. President Ramaphosa told Transnet to implement reforms swiftly and completely to “turn around the crisis in South Africa’s logistics system.” Proposals which are aimed at improving the state of South Africa’s national rail and ports were presented at the meeting. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya said that over

DEREGULATE THE COUNTRY’S TRANSPORT AND ELECTRICITY SECTORS Speaking at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington on April 11, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, has called on the government to implement reforms to macroeconomic policies to boost economic growth. He highlighted the need to deregulate the country’s transport and electricity sectors. “Clearly, in South Africa, structural reforms and key deregulations of transport and electricity are critical. But so too is a shift in fiscal policy back to predictable, transparent rules. With the rise in debt created by our efforts to confront weakening growth and failures of state enterprises, there is little chance of improving credit quality without new rules and more strategic use of macroeconomic policy,” he said. THE CTRACK TRANSPORT AND FREIGHT INDEX (CTRACK TFI) According to the latest Transport and Freight Index report, the country’s logistics sector bounced back during January 2023 following a challenging year last year, and that momentum was sustained during February.

The report indicated that the transport sector defied expectations of underperformance in the last quarter of 2022 to be the best sectoral performer, admittedly amongst multiple laggards. “The negative impact of the prolonged Transnet strike had depressed the transport sector’s contribution, with the sector growing by only 0.7% on a quarterly seasonally adjusted basis compared to growth of 3.6% in the third quarter.

“However, given that the overall economic performance was worse, with real GDP contracting by 1.3% on a quarterly seasonally adjusted basis, the transport, storage and communication sub-sectors were the star performers. This talks to the resilience and diversity of the sector, despite multiple headwinds,” the report said. It highlighted, amongst others, loadshedding, the high cost of living, high production costs due to high fuel prices and rising wage demands as the key contributors to the country’s dismal economic performance. “With little indication of a notably different economic environment in 2023, but rather even lower economic growth forecasted for 2023 compared to 2022, the economic environment is expected to remain dismal and challenging.” n

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YOUTH EMPLOYMENT BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Presidential plans to reduce unemployment Creating opportunities

outh African youth are most affected by the country’s unemployment rate. However, plans from the highest level of government are being implemented to give more young people access to the job market. In an effort to reverse the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, President Ramaphosa launched the Presidential Employment Stimulus in October 2020. This programme looks to create jobs and strengthen livelihoods as part of the Economic

Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) and has a particular focus on ensuring youth enter the workforce. The priority of the ERRP is to achieve more rapid and inclusive growth in order to create sustainable jobs in the private sector through economic reforms and other measures to support the recovery. While these measures take effect, the government is committed to supporting employment and protecting those who are most vulnerable.

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CREATING OPPORTUNITIES The aim of the Presidential Employment Stimulus is to utilise public funding to create jobs and support livelihoods while the labour market recovers. In the first five months of the programme, more than 540,000 jobs and opportunities were delivered. This momentum is set to continue into next year, with funding for the programme confirmed until March 2024. To date, there have been more than one million direct beneficiaries of the programme. In addition, the Presidential

Employment Stimulus has supported the largest youth employment programme in South Africa’s history. Almost 600 000 young people have been placed as school assistants across two cohorts, improving the learning environment in schools and reaching every community in the country.

The first five months of the programme, more than 540,000 jobs and opportunities were delivered President Ramaphosa says these include jobs created, work experience provided, livelihoods strengthened, skills developed, and small business owners supported and promoted. “These opportunities have been a lifeline for many in a time of crisis and are supporting economic recovery in local economies, in townships, informal settlements and rural areas in every part of our country.” One beneficiary of the programme is 20-year-old Wade Janniker, who, as an Education Assistant, gave a helping hand in computer labs at Range Primary School in Elsie’s River. “I learned how much my help was valued. It was such a privilege to have that experience. In our neighbourhood, other people stand on corners and ask for R2. I don’t want to be like them. My duties included assisting the deputy principal and teachers with admin work, but mostly I was in the computer lab. That’s where I discovered how much

I love computer work. It was very rewarding to see children wanting to learn.”

Pathway Management Network (NPMN) that guides young people towards opportunities for training, work experience and income. The PYEI is delivered through a partnership approach, in which key government departments lead

After exiting the programme, Janniker was able to find permanent employment. The implementation of the stimulus has involved a ‘whole of government’ effort coordinated by the Presidency, with 15 government departments as well as provinces and municipalities responsible for its implementation.

implementation, and the private sector, academia, development partners and civil society support the different components. The programme is essential in addressing the “persistent and structural nature of youth unemployment”, says President Ramaphosa.

PARTNERING FOR THE FUTURE The Presidential Employment Stimulus also contributes to the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention by supporting the National Youth Service and the Youth Enterprise Fund. The National Youth Service creates opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to develop critical skills required to participate effectively in the economy, build confidence and expand their networks and social capital. Through this programme, more than 2 000 youth-owned enterprises have been supported, in turn creating and sustaining more than 7 600 jobs. The Presidential Youth Service programme is structured to support service work for 16 hours a week and will channel young people’s energy into advancing social cohesion, nation-building and development. It has a strong focus on supporting complementary incomeearning opportunities. Central to the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention is the establishment of a National

“The situation requires an extensive, coordinated and sustained effort to respond to both the changing needs of the economy and those of young people in South Africa. This effort must be mobilised, cut across sectors and actors, and must include a wide variety of stakeholders and decisionmakers from Government, the private sector, academia, development partners and civil society,” he says. The programme is an ambitious multi-sector action plan that looks to expand the range of opportunities for young people in South Africa – whether in further education or training, work experience, youth service, employment or entrepreneurship. President Ramaphosa adds: “Unemployment among young South Africans is a national crisis that demands urgent, innovative and coordinated solutions. It is, therefore, essential that we implement a comprehensive plan to create no fewer than two million jobs for young people within the next decade.” n

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REGIONAL FOCUS BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy

Mpumalanga-investing in the just energy transition

ome to around 80% of South Africa’s power stations, Mpumalanga is at the heart of the country’s energy transition plans. In ensuring the transition to green energy that does not leave behind the thousands employed in the coal value chain, the province will draw on international funding and expertise.

develop skills among the youth and other green industries in the region. The project, intended to fast-track the just transition in Mpumalanga, is supported by the national government and the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency.

The roughly R300-million will be contributed over five years as part of the country’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The JETP was initiated at COP26 along with the UK, France, US and the EU.

The project, called JUST SA, aims to link local stakeholders with international expertise.

DRAWING ON INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS The province is the beneficiary of an R300-million contribution by the German government that will provide technical assistance to

JUST SA project director Navina Sanchez said the project is funded through the International Climate Initiative by the German Federal Industry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Under the JETP, partner governments pledged an initial amount of $8.5-billion (R160-billion) as a contribution towards financing South Africa’s long-term just transition process to reduce the carbon intensity of South Africa’s electricity system. The partnership will also look to develop new sectors such as green hydrogen and electric vehicles.

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The partnership aims to ensure a just transition for workers and communities that have historically relied on South Africa’s coal-based value chains for their livelihoods. Estimates have suggested that South Africa will need around R1.5-trillion over the next five years to support its energy transition plans, including initiatives like the decarbonisation of the energy sector and green hydrogen. The JUST SA project looks to provide local support in Mpumalanga and its local communities, with the intention of creating a model that could be implemented in other regions of South Africa. Some of the interventions identified by JUST SA include working to strengthen Mpumalanga’s municipalities and develop career pathways for youth. Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy says there are hundreds of thousands of jobs that are created in the coal value chain and its associated industries in the province.

A LOCAL FOCUS The Mpumalanga government is exploring plans to diversify the local economies to reduce dependency on coal, said Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane in her recent State of the Province Address. She added that the provincial government is working with the Presidential Climate Commission, the Climate Investment Fund and the World Bank to explore plans on reskilling and upskilling the most vulnerable in the labour force and supporting small businesses and co-operatives in local communities. “Those who work in these coal mines, those who work in these power stations, those who provide goods and services to these coal mines and power stations, those who depend on the workers and service providers to these mines … those are our people, and those are the people we are most concerned about,” said Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane.

The province has approved funding for 36 companies in the current financial year, with more than R90-million disbursed. The province’s energy transition plans will also look to empower youth-owned businesses, and through the Youth Development Fund, the province has approved funding for 36 companies in the current financial year, with more than R90-million disbursed. “These youth-owned enterprises are within sectors that are inclusive of mining, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and logistics. Beneficiaries of the fund are spread all over the province, with the effect that every single one of the 17 local municipalities is home to at least one beneficiary,” the Premier said.

“They should not be left behind. The transition will not be just if it fails to ensure that these constituencies of ours are not left behind.”

“Climate justice means that those who are part of the sectors that need to transition have to be part of the conversation and the planning from the beginning... The same affected workers and communities have to be beneficiaries of the transition,” she said.

Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane said the provincial government intends to rehabilitate mines and the land for industries that conform with the Just Transition principles – such as manufacturing, agriculture and assembly of solar voltaic panels, wind turbines, batteries and others.

“The transition has to help us with our overall socio-economic and development challenges. There has got to be a better quality of life in general for people in Mpumalanga.”

“We would also like to see our people participate and derive benefit from small scale, surface mining and other beneficiation opportunities,” she said.

Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane of Mpumalanga Province

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CLIMATE CHANGE BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Cyclone Freddy A warning of the impacts of climate change

he deadly and devastating tropical cyclone Freddy, which has lashed southern Africa’s coastline for over five weeks, is one of the longestlasting cyclones recorded. Destructive winds, storm surges and extreme rainfall have hit large areas in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique. Experts have cautioned that its length and intensity could be another symptom of climate change and that storms of this intensity may increasingly become a reality for African nations.

A RECORD-BREAKING STORM Freddy was identified in the first week of February, a few hundred kilometres off the northwest coast of Australia. The storm tracked across the entire Indian Ocean from east to west, affecting Mauritius and La Réunion on its long journey en route to Madagascar. Freddy has been named a tropical cyclone for close to 40 days and travelled more than 8 000 kilometres. The storm first made landfall in Madagascar on 21 February and in southern Mozambique on 24 February. It spent several days tracking over Mozambique and Zimbabwe, bringing heavy rains and flooding. It then looped back towards the Mozambique Channel and picked up energy from the warm waters and moved towards the south-western coast of Madagascar and then back towards Mozambique. It made landfall again on 11 March in Mozambique, bringing heavy rains to Mozambique and Malawi. The death toll across Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar is estimated at over 300. In Malawi, around 20 000 households have been displaced by the mudslides and flooding. In Mozambique an estimated two million people have been affected, with over 8 000 persons displaced.

Southern Mozambique received more than a year’s worth of rainfall in a month, and Madagascar got three times the monthly average in a week.

The WMO says that rising mean sea levels will contribute to higher extreme sea levels associated with tropical cyclones. “Coastal hazards will be exacerbated by an increase in the average intensity, the magnitude of storm surge and precipitation rates of tropical cyclones. There is low confidence in changes in the future frequency of tropical cyclones at the global scale,” the WMO said.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has since announced that it will set up an expert committee to evaluate whether tropical cyclone Freddy has broken the record as the longest-lasting tropical cyclone. “The WMO Weather and Climate Extremes Archive are currently assembling a blue-ribbon international committee of scientists. Once the tropical cyclone has dissipated, these experts will begin a detailed examination of the raw data to determine if Freddy has indeed established a record as the longest-duration tropical cyclone on record. One question that we will be addressing is the fact that throughout its long lifetime, the storm has periodically weakened below tropical storm status. We will obviously need to address if that is a concern in our evaluation,” said Prof Randall Cerveny, WMO Weather and Climate Extremes rapporteur.

Numerous scientists have predicted that we will see increased and more extreme weather phenomena, like cyclones, due to climate change. The majority of the warming due to human-induced greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, increasing their heat content. This makes sea conditions more favourable for tropical cyclones, which typically form over sea surface temperatures above 26 degrees celsius, as well as low vertical wind shear (the difference between the wind speed and direction at the land surface versus the upper air).

AN INCREASINGLY COMMON OCCURRENCE The accumulated cyclone energy (index used to measure the energy released by a tropical cyclone) is the equivalent of an average full North Atlantic hurricane season, the WMO said. The reality facing the continent is that storms like Freddy may become increasingly common due to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for East Southern Africa and Madagascar, there is a projected increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones and the associated rainfall and wind speeds.

Climate change is causing the warming of both sea and air temperatures. While this may not necessarily mean that cyclones will form more often, those that do are likely to be more intense. Due to its vulnerable population and the developing economies of many of its nations, these weather events have potentially devastating impacts on Africa. n

SEA RESCUE – Kwa-Zulu Natal Floods

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CONSERVATION EFFORTS BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Leading conservationist appointed to protect Africa’s wild spaces

leading voice in South African conservation will now take on a role on the global stage, working to preserve the world’s wild spaces.

Dr Luthando Dziba, the managing executive for conservation services at South African National Parks (SANParks), has been appointed as regional director for East Africa, Madagascar and the West Indian Ocean at the Wildlife Conservation Society. He will take up the role as of April and will be based in Kigali, Rwanda.

SAVING WILDLIFE THROUGH EDUCATION Dr Dziba is a renowned conservationist and will bring more than 15 years of experience in the conservation and nature-based tourism sectors to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places across the globe through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. The Wildlife Conservation Society runs a Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 countries as well as five wildlife parks in New York City, which are visited by four million people annually. The Wildlife Conservation Society combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquariums to achieve its conservation mission. Dr Emma Stokes, Wildlife Conservation Society Vice President of Field Conservation, said: “We look forward to welcoming Dr Dziba to Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Conservation Program. He brings with him extensive management and conservation leadership experience, along with a passion for science and policy.” Dr Dziba will lead a team of Wildlife Conservation Society colleagues across Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. He will look to strengthen and expand the Wildlife Conservation Society’s conservation impact in the region, added Dr Stokes. The Global Conservation Program leads the organisation’s mission to conserve a portfolio of the world’s largest and most ecologically intact wild places on the planet. These areas provide habitat for more than half of the world’s biodiversity, supporting abundant

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populations of the world’s most magnificent wildlife, and sustaining over 300 million of the world’s most vulnerable people. Through its regional programs, Wildlife Conservation Society builds capacity and support via partnerships with indigenous peoples, local communities, local decision-makers, regional stakeholders, and national governments.

A LEADING VOICE IN CONSERVATION Dr Dziba joined SANParks five and half years ago to lead the conservation services division. The organisation has described him as “an invaluable member of the SANParks team”, adding that he has been “the voice of SANParks on matters related to conservation nationally and internationally”. At SANParks, Dr Dziba led various programmes, including veterinary services, scientific services, conservation planning, and cultural heritage, which covered a wide range of areas that contribute to SANParks’ core mandate. He also led SANPark’s participation in international agreements such as Transfrontier Conservation Areas. SANParks acting CEO Property Mokoena says: “Dr Dziba’s leadership in SANParks has been felt in our conservation work in all national parks. He and his team have led a number of key initiatives, including rhino and elephant conservation, conservation of large predators, protected area expansion, improved management

of cultural heritage, innovative conservation finance and advancing conservation research.” Dr Dziba has also advanced collaboration with stakeholders across various conservation landscapes, said Mr Makoena. He will continue his passion for conservation at a regional scale and contribute to conservation across the African landscape and beyond. “He leaves SANParks at a crucial time but his contribution to conservation will continue,” Mr Makoena said. “SANParks is confident that Dr Dziba will continue to make a positive impact and will advance collaboration between South Africa (especially SANParks) and other international institutions that share the duty of conserving biodiversity across African landscapes.”

(CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). He serves as the Co-Chair of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of the Intergovernmental SciencePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and on the Advisory Board of Witwatersrand University’s Global Change Institute. He brings extensive experience in managing and advising large national and international institutions across the public, private, and academic sectors. Dr Dziba also is a member of various boards, including the Board of Trustees of the Endangered Wildlife Trust and of the National Parks Trust, and the Boards of WWF Netherlands and Leadership for Conservation in Africa. He holds a PhD in Rangeland Science from Utah State University (USU) and an Executive Development Programme Certificate from Wits University Business School. n

Before joining SANParks, Dr Dziba managed the Ecosystem Services research area at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), leading a team of more than 50 researchers undertaking cuttingedge research on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Coastal Systems and Earth Observation. Dr Dziba has served as an advisor to South Africa’s delegations to Intergovernmental SciencePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) plenaries, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Dr Luthando Dziba

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 39

SAMRC BY JESSIE TAYLOR

South Africa admitted to International Human Frontier Science Programme

The HFSP promotes international collaboration in basic research focused on explaining the sophisticated and complex mechanisms of living organisms.

The recent admission comes after a competitive application process and will see the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) serving as joint institutional members.

AT THE FRONTIER OF SCIENCE The HFSP was founded in 1989 to advance international research and training at the frontier of the life sciences. It aims to promote intercontinental collaboration and training in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research on the life sciences.

outh Africa has become the 16th country to be admitted to the International Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) and the only State on the continent to do so.

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The membership offers South Africa significant benefits as HFSP is the premiere global organisation that funds top research grants and fellowships in frontier life science. This funding is intended for scientists and postdoctoral researchers launching their careers. South Africa will have representation on the Board of Trustees, the Council of Scientists, and the Review Committees that select the best proposals for science and fellowships.

South Africa has become the 16th country to be admitted to the International Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) and the only State on the continent to do so. “South African scientists have already participated successfully in HFSP programs in recent years, and we are excited that South Africa will now take an active role in participating and developing the program. The outstanding quality and support of life science research in South Africa will ensure that its scientists make major contributions to the science supported by HFSP,” says HFSP president Shigekazu Nagata. The membership will mean that South African researchers can now serve as Principal Investigators on research grant teams, and early career scientists can apply for a fellowship in a host lab anywhere in the world. The HFSP is the only international organisation that funds research grants and fellowships specifically for cutting-edge basic research for which there are no preliminary studies or data. “We assume that failure may ensue, but we’re willing to take high risks for the possibility of high rewards. This is how we define frontier life science research, and this is what we fund. Also, all HFSP programs are fully internationally collaborative, which provides access for researchers to participate in, and contribute to, the most advanced thinking from the world’s most brilliant minds working on the newest frontiers of the life sciences,” the HFSP says.

Since the organisation’s inception in 1989, 28 HFSP-supported scientists have gone on to win Nobel Prizes in just over 30 years. HFSP scientists regularly win other top international awards as their breakthrough investigations pioneer new knowledge in the life sciences. “We are excited and privileged to have South Africa engaging with our unique organisation, and very much look forward to rapidly expanding our collaboration to harness the best of frontier life science for the benefit of South Africa and of the African continent,” says HFSP secretarygeneral Pavel Kaba. “The accession of South Africa to HFSP will strengthen the global presence of our Organization, and we will honour the growing scientific strength, diversity and inclusiveness of scientific research in the country and support the successful efforts for innovation and capacity building.” BOOSTING LOCAL RESEARCH The mandate of the SAMRC is to improve the health and quality of life of South Africans, realised through research, development, and technology transfer. Established in 1969, the scope of the organisation’s research projects includes tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases, gender and health, and alcohol and other drug abuse. The SAMRC regularly collaborates with the NRF, which supports and promotes research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities.

This membership of the two organisations to the HFSP underscores South Africa’s value in supporting fundamental research to advance industry, health, and human well-being. “As a member, South Africa will work closely with other HFSP members to support innovative basic research; apply novel and interdisciplinary approaches; and enable scientific exchanges across national and disciplinary boundaries to address fundamental biological problems,” says SAMRC President and CEO, Professor Glenda Gray This membership will significantly contribute to the research and education programmes supported by the NRF and the SAMRC and, by implication, the African continent. “This partnership will have a fundamental impact on building South Africa’s capacity and global influence in life sciences for the greater benefit of society,” says Prof Gray. Through joint programming with partners, South Africa will increase its vital scientific and innovation skills development through unique research and training programmes in basic sciences, with specific emphasis on generating outcomes that directly impact socio-economic and benefit society. “This membership will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa becomes globally competitive in frontiers research relating to life sciences, thereby promoting innovation and a transformed research system,” stated NRF CEO Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo. n

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 41

ection 27 of the South African Constitution states that everyone has the right to access healthcare services. However, this remains a challenge in different parts of South Africa, with people living in rural areas bearing the brunt of poor service delivery.

Public Sector Leaders highlights a few organisations that are

ensuring that people, even in remote parts of South Africa have access to quality healthcare. Africa20twenty Heeding a higher calling to improve the lives of those in Africa through the restoration of sight, Africa20twenty is an ethical non-profit organisation dedicated to quality cataract removal surgical services for

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those who can not afford specialised treatments. According to the organisation, the aim has always been to perform 800 cataract operations before the end of 2022 and 3000 per year by December 2023. While the organisation is based in KwaZulu-Natal, the team travels to identified areas and offers pro bono cataract removal procedures

the right to rural healthcare connecting practice, policy and partners to achieve the vision. The organisation, which is a division of the Wits Health Consortium, facilitates the building of a strong, advocacy platform for rural health based on research-based evidence, civil society alliance building and effective engagement with policymakers. They focus on four main areas including, rural healthcare financing, rural health policy, Rural Resources for Rural Health (HR4RH) and rural policy implementation.

across the continent via multiple Africa20twenty nomadic ocular surgery mobile units.

Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa What started in 1996 as an initiative by a group of vocal, dedicated and passionate rural doctors, initially based in KwaZulu-Natal has become a beacon of hope for people living in rural areas. The Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA) has built a network of professionals, many from rural facilities and university-linked rural health centres across South Africa,” working on the ground with an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by rural doctors.”

Rural Health Advocacy Project With a vision of a health system where rural communities have access to quality healthcare, Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) goes above and beyond to promote, protect and realise

The organisation has taken a prominent advocacy role in fighting for improved health in rural areas and addressing challenges faced by health professionals in rural hospitals including drug shortages.

Eastern Cape Health Crisis Action Coalition In June 2013, a group of organisations and individuals concerned by the deepening crisis in health care in the Eastern Cape and its results, including increased morbidity, death and the violation of a range of Constitutional rights and duties started an Eastern Cape Health Crisis Action Coalition (ECHCAC). The group highlighted, amongst others, increased morbidity, death and the violation of a range of Constitutional rights and duties as the key drivers to starting the organisation. The coalition was behind the report entitled; “Death and Dying in the Eastern Cape: An investigation into the collapse of the health system” which was released in 2013. The report gave a vivid picture of the state of the provincial health system including the sporadic availability and, in many instances, the complete unavailability of ambulances in rural areas of the Eastern Cape. The Coalition continues to hold the Eastern Cape Department of Health to account for its inability to meet the needs of the people it serves. n

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 43

LEGAL MATTERS BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Bonuses and commission What employees need to know

ost permanently employed workers in South Africa can expect a payslip every month that reflects the same pay throughout the year. However, there are some sectors where employees are entitled to commissions or bonuses based on their performance. Employees who earn commission are usually renumerated based on targets – such as income generated or sales achieved – and the amount and details of this payment will need to be established ahead of time with the employer. Other employees who work to targets may find they qualify for performance bonuses should they achieve specified outcomes. These two forms of remuneration could see their monthly wage fluctuate, and these employees should be aware of the following rules and regulations around their pay.

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Bonuses are based on individual performance, they are not guaranteed by the employer, and employees should not assume they are entitled to them. COMMISSION The commission is a common form of payment in the wholesale and retail sectors. There are several rules regulating the payment of commission to an employee, such as a salesperson. South African labour law requires that both the employer and employee agree in writing that the employee will perform commission work on a regular basis. The agreement must specify the employee’s wage, the basis on which commission payments will be calculated, the period over which the commission will be calculated and when the commission will be paid. The agreement will also have to stipulate the targets, value of sales, margin, profit, or orders for which the employee is entitled to earn a commission.

personal in nature. This means that many employees are entitled to similar deductions to those who are sole proprietors or independent contractors. These deductions can include travel expenses, home office expenses, internet connectivity and business equipment. Commission earners can also claim entertainment expenses for various sales and marketing initiatives. PERFORMANCE BONUSES There is no labour law requirement for employers to pay bonuses, but many companies do have bonus structures in place to reward staff performance. Bonuses are considered remuneration, and your company will be required to deduct tax from the bonus payment. This deduction will be handed over to SARS. The bonus will be declared whether it is paid in cash or any other form and must be reflected on your tax certificate.

Those that earn commission must take note of certain tax legislation that is applicable to them.

Your performance bonus is based on your individual performance in your role, and the bonus is often used as an incentive for the employee to reach certain targets. These targets, and the conditions around your performance bonus, must be discussed ahead of time and should be spelt out in your employment contract. Very often, performance bonuses are based on a percentage of the employee’s salary.

Commission earners who earn more than 50% of their total remuneration as commission income are not limited in the type of business expenses they can claim, provided these are incurred in the production of their income and are not capital or

Some companies make use of an employee’s performance appraisal test to determine performance bonuses, while others might tie the bonus to a specific target – such as income generated for the company.

The employee must earn a wage that is at least two-thirds of the applicable minimum wage to which the employee is entitled.

Because these bonuses are based on individual performance, they are not guaranteed by the employer, and employees should not assume they are entitled to them. THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR SOUTH AFRICANS The South African government has set a national minimum wage, which sets a baseline for earnings across all sectors. This increase in the minimum wage will, in particular, benefit farm workers and domestic workers, said Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi. It will also cover workers employed in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), learnership allowances, the cleaning sector and wholesale and retail. The percentage increase for farmworkers and domestic workers will translate to R25,42 per hour, whilst the EPWP will be R13,97 for the same duration. This significant increase will benefit 892 000 domestic workers, who are overwhelmingly women, and 800 000 farm workers. The cleaning sector in the metropolitan areas will enjoy R27,97, and the rest of the country is R25,50. “The National Minimum Wage Act was agreed to with the aim of protecting low-earning workers in South Africa and providing a platform for inequality reduction”. The introduction of a minimum wage in South Africa is a significant labour market intervention that has benefitted about 6 million workers,” said Minister Nxesi. n

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 45

t the end of March, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, announced an interest rate hike above what was expected by many economists. While some predicted no hike at all, others believe this may be the last one for a while. But the question remains, how can households and consumers prepare for another interest rate hike? The struggling economy and rising inflation has left many unable to pay-off their debt. Speaking after the release of Capitec’s latest financial results, Chief Executive Officer Gerrie Fourie had a message for consumers: “We are seeing consumers taking pressure with expenses going up and incomes coming down. I think what I want to say is, don’t keep up with the Joneses, live within your means.” The consensus is that increasing interest rates has the effect of bringing inflation down, but it also means the cost of paying back any debt you might have increases, which could leave many consumers in a situation where they are unable to fulfil their obligations. Fourie mentions debt review as a way for consumers to overcome the challenge.

“Debt review has been positioned in the market as a solution to financial problems, and there is a certain portion of clients who need it because they are in a bad financial space.” He goes on to say that for some it’s better just to approach their bank to reschedule their debt. A debt review is when a debt counsellor discusses payment arrangements with your creditors, to bring them down to something more manageable. While you will not be able to apply for credit when you’re under review, and will have to pay for the debt counsellor, the debt review process allows you to bring in a third-party with experience and knowledge on how to make the whole thing easier for you and your creditors. Whether it’s your mortgage or credit card payments, rising interest rates also increase your payment obligations. Managing your debt, perhaps through a debt review process, is one of the things you can do to deal with rising interest rates. The second thing you can do is to get an understanding of what the interest rate hikes mean for you, particularly when it comes to savings and investments. If you’re already saving, interest rate hikes are good, if you’re borrowing, interest rates are bad.

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You can also prepare for the next interest rate hike by refinancing your loans. This is when the terms of your loan agreement are renegotiated, whether that be the interest rate or payment schedule. By doing this before the rate increases, you can get ahead of the curve. Coming back to savings, you can prepare for interest rate hikes by saving money for when you need it most, which could allow you to avoid taking out loans. Starting an emergency savings fund for you and your family could give you the opportunity to handle unexpected, or big expenses which you cannot plan for, or cannot afford under normal circumstances. While economists don’t expect another hike soon, it’s better to be safe than sorry and plan ahead. You never know what’s coming next. n

Brainfood for business. Take a journey away from short

termism and start looking at a better future. Meet the interesting people

changing Africa Ð and the way we work, think and live.

LIFESTYLE BY MARIE YOSSAVA

Taj Cape Town

Introduce a guest to Cape Town’s special brand of sophistication

onveniently located just a stone’s throw away from Cape Town’s Houses of Parliament, in the heart of iconic St George’s Mall, the magnificent Taj Cape Town is an ideal meeting place, offering a plethora of options for stylish wining and dining.

The first thing that stands out about this heritage hotel is its singular ambience. Effortlessly conveying a sense of gravitas – perhaps its legacy from its days as the home of the South African Reserve Bank – this beautiful building bears the marks that make the Taj brand sought after the world over: think luxuriously opulent décor and furnishings as well as hospitality that is unsurpassed in terms of warmth and outstanding service. These attributes add an extra dimension to a range of venues that delight guests with their hint of the exotic. Take the Bombay Brasserie, for example. This restaurant has gained a well-earned reputation for outstanding Indian cuisine – with an interesting twist. Headed by Farzanah Harris – the first woman within the Taj stable to hold such a position – Bombay Brasserie caters for both local and international tastes by introducing a hint of Cape Malay flavours, making for a truly interesting flavour profile.

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While a meal at Bombay Brasserie is certain to impress important guests and is the ideal venue for special occasions or significant events, those who are keeping an eye on the time may find that their needs are better met at Mint Terrace Restaurant. Housed in the Reserve Bank’s erstwhile mint, this restaurant boasts serious credibility from a historic point of view – yet its offering is thoroughly modern. The menu features a range of delicious wood-fired grilled small plates, that guests can enjoy that signature South African smokey flavour. While slick, efficient five-star service is the hallmark of Taj Cape Town it is a particular accent at Mint: diners can be seated, enjoy their meal and leave, all within an hour.

Then there’s the Whiskey Bar, a brand-new addition to the hotel. This venue oozes unadulterated style, in the form of leather-andwood old Hollywood glamour. Visitors are invited to browse an extensive menu of whiskies, from single malts and blends to varieties from Ireland, Scotland and Japan – to name just a few.

If, on the other hand, the intent is to linger, why not explore the Lobby Bar? This venue also underwent an exciting refurbishment last year, firmly entrenching its status as one of Cape Town’s favourite meeting points. With the view of St George’s framed by antique sash windows, the space is especially beautiful. A carefully crafted, custom-made bar adds to the sophisticated atmosphere.

Not sure which of these tipples to sample first? Why not embark on a tasting journey curated by our in-house whiskey sommelier? Allow him to select the perfect whiskey for your tastes, then sit back and enjoy in a space that’s simply made for such decadence – nostalgic black and whitephotos, plush couches and all? It’s the ideal way to introduce a guest to Cape Town’s special brand of sophistication.

With its dedication to creating the ultimate visitor experience, its unbeatable location – which ensures that the Cape’s many attractions and key business sites are within close proximity – and meticulous attention to guests’ needs, Taj Cape Town is a perfect choice, no matter what the occasion. n

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 49

UPCOMING EVENTS BY SINAZO MKOKO

April is all about

celebrating freedom is SA

World Autism Awareness Day

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) aims to raise awareness and highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. The day is also used to celebrate the unique talents and skills of persons with autism across the globe. This day was observed with a virtual event which was organised in close collaboration with autistic people and “will feature autistic people from around the world discussing how the transformation in the narrative around neurodiversity can continue to be furthered in order to overcome barriers and improve the lives of autistic people.”

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April 4 was declared the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action by the General Assembly in December 2005. The UN marked this day under the theme “Mine action cannot wait” with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) where a commemoration took place at UNHQ. According to the UN: “It called for continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant organisations, to foster the establishment and development of national mineaction capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels.”

22 World Earth Day Commemorated every year on April 22, World Earth Day marks the anniversary of the beginning of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The day is recognised as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behaviour and create global, national and local policy changes. People across the globe are encouraged to take part in initiatives aimed at protecting the planet. The activities can include, among others, planting trees, reducing littering and using less water to make the earth a better and healthier place to live.

World Book and Copyright Day

Freedom Day

World Veterinary Day

A significant day in the world of literature, World Book and Copyright Day is a celebration to “promote the enjoyment of books and reading.” The day is also the date on which several prominent authors, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. UNESCO chose this day for its General Conference in Paris in 1995 to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone to access books. For this year, World Book and Copyright Day will take a sharp focus on indigenous languages.

Freedom Day is the commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994. It is a significant day in South Africa as it marks the end of over three hundred years of colonialism, segregation and white minority rule and the establishment of a new democratic government led by former President Nelson Mandela and a new state subject to a new Constitution of South Africa’s 22.7 million eligible voters, 19.7 million voted in the 1994 national election. While there were threats of political violence, the elections took place in a peaceful and festive atmosphere 27 years ago.

This commemoration was begun in the year 2000 by the World Veterinary Association to highlight and promote the incredible work performed by veterinarians around the globe. The day takes place each year on the last Saturday in the month of April. Every year, a theme is chosen to call attention to a particular aspect of veterinary medicine. This year’s theme is “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession.”

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 51

RICHEST WOMEN IN AFRICA BY FIONA WAKELIN

AND WHO HAS TUMBLED FROM THE TOP?

Top to bottom: Folorunsho Alakija; Ngina Kenyatta; Hajia Bola Shagaya; Wendy Ackerman; Wendy Appelbaum

Looking at the list of the richest women in Africa, what is striking is that acquiring billionaire status does not happen overnight. Everyone featured here has spent a lifetime investing in, and growing, their entrepreneurial empires. Silver hair and gold in the bank!

TOPPING THE LIST OF WEALTHY POWERHOUSES IN AFRICA IS: Folorunsho Alakija - a Nigerian billionaire Fifty years ago Folorunsho started out in the fashion industry and today her business interests include real estate, oil and gas and printing. She is the owner of several groups of companies including Dayspring Property Development Company Limited, a real estate company which owns properties around the globe, as well as Rose of Sharon Prints and Promotions. Folorunsho is also Executive Director of FAMFA Oil, her familyowned oil production company. NEXT IS: Ngina Kenyatta - the mother of current Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta Nearing her ninth decade Ngina Kenyatta is a billionaire with a portfolio which includes investments, banking, media and the dairy industry. “Mama Kenyatta” has a 24.91% share in the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) – she also owns shares in Media Max, a media company that owns K24 TV, Kameme Radio, and The People newspaper.

THIRD PLACE GOES TO: Hajia Bola Shagaya who also hails from Nigeria With a current net worth of almost a billion US, Hajia Bola started out as an auditor for the Central Bank of Nigeria and then her entrepreneurial verve kicked in! She started an empire by importing Konica photographic equipment for resale. Nearly 40 years later she is CEO of Bolmus Group International with interests in oil, real estate, banking, and photography. Hajia founded Practoil Limited, and in 2005 became its managing director. Today Practoil is one of the largest importer and distributors of base oil in Nigeria today. 4TH AND 5TH PLACES ARE HELD BY SOUTH AFRICAN POWERHOUSES: Wendy Appelbaum is the richest woman in South Africa and the 4th wealthiest on the continent Wendy Appelbaum is the daughter of Liberty Group founder Donald Gordon and the owner and Chair of De Morgenzon Wine Estate. Previously, Wendy also served as the Deputy-Chairman of the Women’s Investment Portfolio Limited (Wiphold Limited), which is a renowned women’s investment holding company that is listed on JSE. Overall, Wendy is also a director of Sphere Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is a black empowerment company

addressing financial services in mining sectors. In 2015, she was awarded both the Forbes Woman Businesswoman of the Year, and the Forbes Africa Woman of the Year. Wendy Ackerman – FMCG powerhouse Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick ‘n Pay Stores. Along with her husband Raymond Ackerman, Wendy has been a tremendous force in building up one of South Africa’s leading FMCG retailers, which, to date, consists of over 450 stores, with the inclusion of 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. The company extends its food and retail services across South Africa, southern Africa and even Australia, and has employed an estimated 49,000 people over the years. Wendy received an Inyathelo Award for her family’s philanthropic efforts in 2007. A CAUTIONARY TALE For many years Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos, topped the list as the richest woman in Africa. Currently in self-imposed exile in Dubai she is embroiled in legal battles while watching her empire implode.

Public Sector Leaders | April 2023 | 53

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Public Sector Leaders | April 2023

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