Pretoria - Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has announced an upward adjustment to the minimum wage of farmworkers with effect from 1 March 2015.

In terms of the new adjustments, farmworkers will earn a minimum wage of R2 606.78 per month (from R2 420.41 in 2014/15), a weekly minimum wage of R601.61 (R558.60 in 2014/15), a daily rate of R120.32 (R111.72 in 2014/15,) and an hourly rate of R13.37 (R12.41 in 2014/15).

According to the Labour Department, the new sectoral determination level is applicable until 29 February 2016.

“The sectoral determination broadly deals with the protection of workers involved in farm activities.

“The determination regulates minimum working hours, minimum wages, number of leave days and termination rules,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za

Just under 600 trail running enthusiasts gathered at Buffelspoort Dam (North West Province) on Sunday, 25 January 2015 to partake in the much anticipated PUMA Trail Run. Forming part of the action of South Africa’s largest off road triathlon, the Totalsports XTERRA presented by REHIDRAT SPORT, the PUMA Trail Run incorporates the XTERRA trail run [...] Sesipi, Scheffer defend Buffelspoort Trail Titles is a post from: Trail Running South Africa
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Bafana Bafana has been booted out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) as they were convincingly defeated 2-1 by the fancied Black Stars of Ghana in the last Group C match played at Mongomo stadium on Tuesday night.

As has been the case through the tournament, South Africa took the lead but allowed the opposition to come back and steal the show.

Mandla Masango gave Bafana Bafana the first half lead in the 17th minute, but late strikes by John Boye and Andre Ayew, son of legendary Abedi Pele, crushed South Africa’s chance of progressing into the last eight as Ghana, who lost the opening match to Senegal, topped the group.

It was a sad end for Bafana Bafana, who had entered into the finals in Equatorial Guinea on the back of a long unbeaten run.

With news that Algeria was winning by a single goal, it meant South Africa had to push forward for another goal to proceed to the next round, but instead of pushing forward in the second half, it was the Black Stars who started on the offensive with goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo and his back four trying to keep things tight.

Both Khuzwayo and Mathoho tried to keep the offensive Black Stars at bay, but not until in the 70th minute when Ghana made a double substitution in a bid to add some bite upfront and immediately equalised when substitute John Boye scored after he collected a loose ball inside the box and his strike gave Khuzwayo no chance to make it 1-1.

Kwesi Appiah then hit the upright moments later as the double substitution started to pay dividends. It was at this juncture that South Africa needed to regroup as they were constantly pushed on the back foot. The Black Stars forced one corner after the other as they searched for the winner.

In the 82nd minute, Ghana took the lead through Andre Ayew, whose perfect header gave Khuzwayo no chance as Bafana Bafana again gave away yet another lead as has been the case in their previous two games.

While everyone could see that both Bafana strikers, Tokelo Rantie and Bongani Ndulula, were not doing the job upfront of frustrating the opposition defence, they were like passengers in the field.

This made the Ghanaian defenders push forward, making Bafana Bafana play very deep in their own half.

Bafana Bafana, who are heading home today, will be remembered in this tournament as the first team to concede three goals, miss a penalty and score an own goal.

In another Group C final match played at Malabo stadium at the same time, Algeria secured a spot in the knock-out stages of Afcon after beating Senegal 2-0. – SAnews.gov.za

Rodrigo Gonzalez of Mexico and Renee Tomlin of the USA dominated the 2015 CAMTRI American Cup in Havana, which also served as the 2015 Iberoamerican Championships. Tomlin proved to be the strongest in the 5km run to claim her first victory of the season as she completed the sprint distance in 1:04:22 hours. Fellow American [...]Gonzalez, Tomlin take CAMTRI victory is a post from: Time-to-Tri


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Dti sets record straight on solar water heater reports
The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) says it has noted allegations that rules around the designation of solar water heater components are killing the industry.

“The dti has noted the recent media reports regarding the designation of solar water heater (SWH) components. These reports allege that the formulation of the procurement rules have contributed to killing the industry and contributed to job losses,” said the department.

The department said these reports contain several factual errors, including that the designation of solar water heating components at 70% for tank and collector local content requirement for local manufacturing has led to the destruction of the solar water heating industry.

However, the dti said that according to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) local content verification, there are several companies that have qualified in line with stipulated local content of 70% for tanks and collectors.

“The dti is also aware that the compliant manufacturers are able to supply when procurement commences. Furthermore, both importers and local manufacturers of SWH are free to sell their products in the domestic and export market, subject only to the building and safety standards that apply in South Africa and export destinations.

In 2013, the department made the low-pressure solar water geyser a “designated product” under government’s procurement rules. It said both the tank and collector tubes, which absorb the sun’s radiation to heat the water, must each have 70% local content.

“Temporary exemptions from the local content designation for public sector procurement can be granted where exceptional supply constraints exist. This is the prerogative of the procuring entity, in this case, the Department of Energy (DoE).

“To date, the dti has received no indication from the DoE that such an exemption is necessitated by supply constraints from local manufacturers,” said the dti. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa remains open for business and is an attractive destination for investments despite the current energy challenges, says President Jacob...

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South Africa Inc is open for business and it offers investors an array of lucrative investment opportunities. This week we will share these opportunities with the world at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

President Jacob Zuma is leading the South African delegation to this high-profile gathering to reaffirm our investment profile to the world’s top social, political and business leaders.

The annual WEF meeting brings together Heads of State and Government, captains of industry, international investors and thought leaders who shape the global agenda.

South Africa’s presence at the WEF meeting is critical to grow our reputation as a global investment and business destination. It is an opportunity to share with the world our vision for the future and new developments within the country.

While the events unfolding in Davos may seem afar, every South African, as a shareholder in South Africa Inc, has an important role to play in promoting the country in a globally competitive environment.

Our actions on the home front are currency to Team South Africa’s work in Davos. It can help advance our international image and help develop a positive mind-set among South Africans and the world.

When South Africa prospers we all stand to benefit and therefore we should rally behind the country. We need to show a common front as international investors seldom give a country the benefit of the doubt, as they focus more on factors that create risk.

Through the National Development Plan we have a clear vision of what needs to be done and government is fast-tracking its implementation over the next five years through the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.

The economy has been declared an apex priority. We are investing heavily in infrastructure such as electricity, transport, water, roads, schools and hospitals to build a platform for faster, more inclusive economic growth.

The government is targeting the productive sectors of manufacturing, mining and agriculture. It is also opening new areas of economic growth, such as the oceans economy, green economy and shale gas exploration.

Through the first phase of Operation Phakisa, we are tapping into the ocean economy, which has the potential to contribute R177 billion to the gross domestic product and create over 1 million jobs by 2033.

Our transport sector is being transformed with a R53 billion investment from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa to locally manufacture 500 commuter trains over the next ten years.

There is also a new framework for special economic zones that allows for targeted incentives, logistics improvements and active partnerships between businesses, municipalities and development agencies.

These initiatives present opportunities for local and international investors to partner with government and take the economy forward.

Global companies based in South Africa are supported so that they can take advantage of our opportunities and help us promote job creation and a better life for all. Ultimately our aim is to reduce poverty, unemployment and inequality.

South Africa is a strategic entry point for investors interested in Africa. We are a key economy on the continent and play an integral role in Africa’s advancement.

The government is encouraging local businesses to expand into Africa to support continental growth by relaxing cross-border financial regulations and tax requirements.

Similar support measures will apply to foreign companies wanting to invest in African countries using South Africa as their regional headquarters.

South Africa is also championing infrastructure development in Africa through the continental north-south rail and road links, as part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

The project will improve the Pan-African rail and road infrastructure, with a strong focus on the North-South Corridor linking Durban and Mombasa, Kenya. It is creating new investment opportunities for companies to expand trade and invest across borders.

In support of the work of Team SA in Davos, we can all highlight our strong investment credentials.

According to a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Regulatory Restrictiveness Index published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, South Africa ranks amongst the most open jurisdictions for FDI in the world.

Over the last five years South Africa accounted for the bulk of new investment projects in Africa from the United States, European Union countries, China and India.

Last year, the AT Kearney Foreign Direct Confidence Index ranked South Africa 13 amongst 25 leading economies moving us up two places from 2013. South Africa ranks higher than countries such as Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Every South African has a part to play in boosting the investment profile of South Africa Inc. Through your words and actions today you can support our declaration to the world that South Africa is open for business. - SAnews.gov.za

Higher Education and Training Minister, Blade Nzimande, has reiterated the importance and urgency of developing the Strategic Disability Policy Framework in the post-school education and training (PSET) system.

Minister Nzimande said this during a meeting with the Ministerial Committee on the Development of the Strategic Disability Policy Framework for the Department of Higher Education and Training.

This was the first meeting of the ministerial committee after it was appointed in December last year by the Minister.

It was mandated to identify key challenges in transforming the post-school education and training institutions to universally accessible sites that are disability-friendly and recommend solutions to those.

It will also conduct an overview on the available disability policies at departmental and institutional levels and identify gabs in the provisions of services for persons in the PSET system, among other things.

There are approximately 425 095 opportunities available to applicants within the PSET system, this is an increase of 28 646 opportunities on the 396 449 opportunities provided in 2014. - SAnews.gov.za

Renewable energy has benefited South Africa, a study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has found. The independent study by the CSIR found that renewable energy from the country’s first wind and solar (photovoltaic) projects created R8 million more financial benefits for the country than they cost during 2014. South Africa ripe [...]Renewable energy benefits SA is a post from: EconSpire
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