President Jacob Zuma has expressed his condolences on the sad departure of one of South Africa's iconic music figures and pioneer of Mbhaqanga music, David Masondo of the Soul Brothers group, who passed away this weekend.

Masondo passed away at the Garden City hospital, in Johannesburg, on Sunday, at the age of 67.

"The whole nation mourns this talented icon of our country, whose music not only put South Africa on the global stage but also could be heard in the streets, in the valleys and all corners of our country. It was music for the whole family," said President Zuma.

"We wish to convey, on behalf of government and the entire nation, our deepest condolences on the passing of this cultural hero. His loss is the whole nation's loss. May his soul rest in peace," the President said.

Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has also conveyed his condolences to the family of Masondo.

“The group being formed in 1974, during the darkest times in the history of our country entertained the working class communities and the rural poor speaking to their challenges of the day and giving them hope,” Minister Mthethwa said on Monday.

Soul Brothers produced over 30 albums and remained the most successful proponents of the mbaqanga or traditional sound which dominated South African urban music for over three decades, Minister Mthethwa said.

“The group enjoyed a massive commercial success and acclaim. Amongst its success was to record an album with another South African who was in exile at the time in Botswana,” department spokesperson Sandile Memela said.

In 1983, the group recorded an album with the legendary artist Hugh Masekela.

“Due to the draconian laws of apartheid and the academic and cultural boycott imposed on apartheid South Africa by the world community, this group could only travel to Europe in 1990,” Memela said. – SAnews.gov.za

World Long Distance Trail, Zermatt – Today we raced the 2015 World Championships at the Zermatt Marathon. The route was nothing but unbelievable and it took our athletes through small villages up the Swiss valley into the half way mark at Zermatt. World Long Distance Trail Champs Zermatt Marathon At halfway there was a strong [...]World Long Distance Trail, SA Team report is a post from: Trail Running South Africa
The post World Long Distance Trail, SA Team report appeared first on Trail Running South Africa.


read more South Africa Trail Running news

An agreement between the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and Nestle is expected to result in the… GlobalBuzz-SA – Your Employment and Recruitment Chicory agreement to help create jobs in E Cape is a post from: JobnSpireChicory agreement to help create jobs in E Cape is a post from: JobnSpire
The post Chicory agreement to help create jobs in E Cape appeared first on JobnSpire.


read more South Africa job news

South Africa – South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle ivory worth R4 million. In a statement on...

more Environment news ...

The Gauteng Province Government has launched a forum which will allow all those interested in unlocking the potential of the economy of the Gauteng City Region (GBCF) to work together.

“In this forum we will be able to thrash out the detail of what is it that we need to do to create more jobs, to grow an inclusive economy, to increase investment as well as to address poverty and inequality,” Gauteng Premier David Makhura said.

Speaking at the launch of the Gauteng Business Consultative Forum on Thursday Premier Makhura said the forum must help the province to reach its goal of a radically transformed economy and an economy that benefits all the people.

He said the forum is expected to resolve the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment

“The forum will have to confront difficult problems and make difficult choices. We expect the forum to tackle these problems head-on, without fear or favour, sparing no effort, driven only by the desire to do what is best for our province in the longterm,” Premier Makhura said.

The forum is not intended to duplicate already existing structures, especially at national government level.

It will complement the work already done by focusing all its energy and efforts to resolving problems that are specific and unique to the Gauteng economy.

“Our vision is to build Gauteng as a seamlessly integrated, socially cohesive, economically inclusive city region; a leading economy on the African continent that is underpinned by smart, innovation-driven, knowledge-based, sustainable industries of the future; an accountable, responsive, transparent and clean government as well as an active citizenry,” he said.

Premier Makhura said in order to advance towards vision the province will implement a programme of radical Transformation, Modernization and Re-industrialization (TMR).

“This is our roadmap to realise the vision outlined in the National Development Plan,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Water and Sanitation Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, will today attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Water Ministers Meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The ministers, who represent 15 member states of SADC, will be reviewing the progress on the implementation of the third phase of the Regional Strategic Action Plan on Integrated Water Resources Management and Development (RSAP III) 2011 - 2015.

The ministers are also expected to provide strategic and political guidance on the fourth phase of the SADC Water Programme (RSAP IV), which is currently under development.

Several meetings have been held among senior government officials representing the 15 member states of SADC in preparation of the meeting of ministers.

South Africa has over the years promoted cooperation within SADC on the sustainable management of water resources in the region and their use to unlock both social and economic development.

Water is an economic and social asset that must be harvested and utilised to provide adequate water supply, sanitation, energy, food security and industrial and infrastructure development across SADC.

In this regard, the country has several bi-lateral agreements with neighbouring states and SADC member states on water management, security and provision.

This includes the recently signed agreement with Zimbabwe during the State Visit to South Africa by Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe in April 2015.

The minister will be accompanied by senior officials of the Department of Water and Sanitation, some of whom have been engaged in the pre-negotiations in preparation for the Ministers meeting. – SAnews.gov.za

An agreement between the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and Nestle is expected to result in the creation of 800 jobs by 2019, says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.

The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is part of the public-private sector collaboration between industry and government for the chicory sector.

This chicory programme is aimed at encouraging local farmers to grow chicory to supply Nestlé for use in its manufacturing of Ricoffy thus contributing to the revitalising of rural economies.

The agreement, signed in Alexandria in the Eastern Cape on Thursday, is expected to create 800 permanent and seasonal jobs by 2019.

Minister Davies said the department saw it fit that there be a MoU between the major agro-processor of chicory in order to provide a platform for emerging farmers, chicory producers and government interaction on managing the challenges affecting the industry.

“This development in the chicory industry [is] within the pronouncement of the National Development Plan and the nine-point programme that President Jacob Zuma announced during his State of the Nation Address earlier on this year, which has set a target of one million jobs for the agriculture and the agro-processing sector,” said Davies.

Minister Davies added that the agro-processing sector, especially chicory farming, has the potential to generate an industrial impetus that can create jobs and answer some of the economic challenges that the country is currently facing.

The Director for Communication and Public Affairs representing the CEO of Nestle, Ian Donald; Ravi Pillay said he was optimistic that the agreement with the Eastern Cape chicory farmers will assist with addressing some of the regression currently facing the industry in South Africa.

He said Nestle will provide technical support to ensure optimal quality and specification of chicory in the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces.

He further added that this is a long term commitment of five years with the dti to curb imports and promote local procurement in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa is still an attractive destination to those who are interested in mineral investments, says Chamber Mines President Mike Teke. ...

read more Southern Africa Business News...

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana says government is reviewing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Act with the aim of improving the scheme to support students from poor backgrounds. The Deputy Minister said this to delegates of the 2015 Financial Aid...

Full Story on Education portal ...

Promoting water use efficiency and water quality management is taking centre stage at the annual Youth Water and Sanitation Summit currently underway in Boksburg.

The four-day summit, which started on Monday, is being attended by youths who are still in school, youngsters who have completed school and young people working in the water and sanitation profession from the nine provinces.

The summit will expose these youths to various programs and activities that will further enhance their knowledge and interest in water and sanitation related careers.

During the summit, young people will participate in educational excursions, lectures, career expos, public speaking through youth debates, exhibitions and competitions.

The week-long programme will culminate in an awards ceremony to acknowledge excellence in teaching and learning on issues of water and sanitation.

The youths who have completed their schooling and the young professionals from all the nine provinces will be crafting plans to assist learners address the water and sanitation challenges facing their schools.

The winning plan will be tabled to Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation, Pamela Tshwete, during a gala dinner on Wednesday.

In her opening remarks on Monday, Deputy Minister Tshwete said the summit was a meeting of young South Africans who have recognised that South Africa is a water scarce country and the sanitation provision levels are not adequate.

“These young people have taken it upon themselves to work towards conservation of nature and reduce the most pressing threats to diversity of life on earth. Their journey in life is about security of fresh water for people and animals,” the Deputy Minister said.

She said Department of Water and Sanitation, working with business, including the Department of Basic Education, Department of Higher Education, Department of Arts and Culture and many water supporting institutions, is implementing a school-based education programme called 2020 vision for water and sanitation.

The programme is a strategic programme aimed at educating youth in schools about water resource management, sanitation health and hygiene, and also promote careers in the water and sanitation sector.

“Through this programme we instil values of water conservation, general hygienic and care of the environment.

“Young people are able to identify water and sanitation related challenges in their communities, conduct comprehensive research, make recommendations and develop interventions to address challenges,” Deputy Minister Tshwete said. – SAnews.gov.za