GREEN’ DOLLARS POUR INTO AFRICA ON THE BACK OF PIONEERING CARBON OFFSET DEAL

Nedbank, Africa's first carbon neutral bank and the only bank on the continent to be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, has successfully tapped into the global green economy by selling African carbon credits to companies in the developed world.   Kevin Whitfield, head of Carbon at Nedbank Capital, says that Nedbank's first foray into selling African carbon credits internationally has been extremely successful and has garnered huge international interest.

 

"In November 2009, Nedbank partnered on a carbon offset agreement with Wildlife Works Inc. to provide environmental protection and a financial boost to some of rural Kenya's poorest areas," says Whitfield.  "As part of the multi-million dollar agreement, Nedbank acquired carbon credits through the avoided deforestation of Wildlife Works' Kasigau Corridor Project, a certified offset project located in the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary.  This was Africa's first project whereby reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) would be achieved.   

 

"The deal has given Kenyan landowners the ability to monetize the forest assets they hold, and has made available to the international market more than 2.5 million metric tonnes of carbon, which Nedbank continues to sell on the global carbon market.   

 

"In the bigger picture, this innovative financing solution demonstrates that carbon offset programs in Africa hold promise on both environmental and economic fronts," says Whitfield. "It is also the first carbon offset program of any real significance in Africa, which has been slower to generate money through creating, harnessing, and selling credits than other emerging countries, including India and China."

 

Whitfield calls on African business and the NGO sector to follow the lead of Kenya.     "South Africa and the rest of Africa is well placed to attract international funds by monetising its natural assets.     NGO's and businesses can turn green projects into investment opportunities if they follow the Kenyan model."

 

If you would like to interview Kevin Whitfield I would be happy to arrange a time.

 

Press Release

For immediate release

20 January 2010

 

'GREEN' DOLLARS POUR INTO AFRICA ON THE BACK OF PIONEERING CARBON OFFSET DEAL

 

Nedbank announced today that its partnership with Wildlife Works Inc. to make available to the international market African carbon credits has proved extremely successful.    The demand for carbon credits from the international business community is extremely strong.

 

In November 2009, Wildlife Works Inc. and Nedbank entered into a business arrangement whereby Nedbank acquired carbon credits from Wildlife Works Inc. for on-sale to the international and South African business community.  More than 2,5 million tonnes of carbon was made available through the avoided deforestation of the Kasigau Corridor guaranteed until 2026.    

Nedbank retained a portion of the credits for its own carbon offset requirements which has seen the bank secure carbon neutrality.  This makes Nedbank the first African bank to achieve this status and gives it the same status as global banks HSBC and Deutsche Bank.  Nedbank has sold a portion of the remaining credits and is currently negotiating the sale of additional credits.       

In   According to Kevin Whitfield, Head of Carbon at Nedbank Capital, the Wildlife Works' Inc. project, called the Rukinga and Kasigau Wildlife Corridor project, has proved to Africa that it is possible for the continent to become connected with the global green economy, and by so doing to drive revenues, to conserve its own rich natural heritage and to safeguard the livelihoods of its people.   "This market has made it possible for the continent to effectively fight climate change, to uplift rural communities and to protect its wildlife through accessing carbon markets," he says.    However he admits there has been a scarcity of projects of this type to date, and even fewer large scale carbon projects.  

"Our experience is that there is extraordinary demand for good quality African offsets, and prices are good.  Carbon credits represent a new asset class and I encourage Africa to leverage this opportunity," says Whitfield.

Mike Korchinsky, founder and president of Wildlife Works, says its new venture, Wildlife Works Carbon, was established to help local landowners in the developing world to monetize their forest and biodiversity assets whether they are governments, communities, ownership groups or private individuals.

 

"The corridor project was designed to bring substantial benefits to local communities through education, job creation, environmental protection and direct financial rewards, while protecting precious biodiversity at the same time. It has met the most rigorous standard for ensuring communities and biodiversity benefit from climate change projects. To date it has delivered hundreds of jobs and four schools, setting a positive example for millions of Africans who have the potential to gain financial reward from REDD to boost the future of sustainable development in the face of climate change-related pressure to their livelihoods.

 

"We are excited that the global voluntary carbon marketplace has shown such keen interest in reducing its carbon footprint by investing in our carbon credits.  The money that this project is yielding will help the Kenyan community to protect its natural forests, endangered species and the livelihoods of its people," says Korchinsky.

 

Saliem Fakir, head of the WWF in South Africa, says the indigenous forests of Africa are under constant threat as a result of human activities and climate change.

 

"Many of these types of forests cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Saving them should be an utmost priority. Rukinga and the associated Kasigau Wildlife Corridor project are world class examples of projects that are making a tangilble difference to both communities and the environment and it is innovative finance solutions, like carbon financing, that makes them possible. Both Nedbank and Wildlife Works are to be commended for their role in bringing this deal to fruition," he says.

 

      The deal between Nedbank and Wildlife Works Inc. was Africa's first reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) project developed at scale.    Registration from the benchmark voluntary carbon market registry, the VCS (Voluntary Carbon Standard) was achieved.  The project has also been awarded gold level approval under the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance's (CCBA) forestry protection standard - a milestone in establishing REDD in the global carbon marketplace.

      Ends

For more information please visit www.nedbankgroup.co.za; www.nedbankcapital.co.za  or www.wildlifeworks.com

 

 

About Nedbank Capital

Nedbank Capital comprises the Nedbank Group's investment banking businesses that together manage the structuring, lending and underwriting activities and all trading and broking activities in the equity, capital, interest rate, and foreign exchange and derivative markets across the African continent.

 

To position Nedbank, and its clients, appropriately for a carbon-constrained future Nedbank Capital has a dedicated Carbon Finance Team that views carbon dioxide and other emissions holistically. The team looks at emissions end to end, using a five-pronged approach that draws on cross-functional expertise in finance against the backdrop of a value proposition comprising the following:

 

·         Sustainability – devising carbon strategy and policy.

·         Carbon advisory and footprinting services.

·         Identification and development of Clean Development Mechanism projects.

·         Identification and development of carbon projects for the voluntary carbon market.

·         Carbon trading – trading of certified emission reduction and verified emission reduction certificates and providing client brokerage services to monetise carbon benefits or to obtain carbon neutrality.

 

Nedbank's Green Credentials include:

·         Dow Jones Sustainability Index membership – the world's premier performance  benchmark for companies in terms of corporate sustainability. Included for fifth year.  One of only 25 banks worldwide and three companies with primary listings in South Africa to be included on the index (only SA Bank). 2009: 78% (2008: 74%).

·         JSE SRI Index – inclusion since 2004.

·         South African Carbon Disclosure Project Leadership Index – ranked 1st in 2009.

·         Financial Times – Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year for Middle East & Africa (2007 and 2008).

·         Equator Principles – first African bank signatory (in 2005).

·         Carbon Neutrality – announced intention to become 100% carbon neutral in 2009, first large South African corporate to do so.

·         WWF Conservation Partnership       

·         UNEP FI – co-chair on the UNEP FI African Task Force.

·         African Banker – Social Responsibility Award (2009).

·         UNEP FI – signatory to official Statement on Climate Change and Copenhagen Communiqué.

 

Nedbank is represented on the following bodies both locally and internationally:

•Climate Neutral Network

•UNEP FI African Task Force

•UNEP FI Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services Work Stream

•UNEP FI Human Rights Work Stream

•United Nations Global Compact – 'Caring for Climate' Programme

•National Business Initiative Sustainable Futures Advisory Committee

•National Energy Efficiency Accord

•Banking Association of South Africa; Sustainable Finance Committee

•UNISA Climate Change Advisory Committee

 

About Wildlife Works' Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary / Kasigau Wildlife Corridor Project

·         In 1997 WWI (Wildlife Works Inc.) established the 30 000 hectares Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary at the Northern end of the Kasigau corridor adjacent to Tsavo East National Park. Working closely with local communities and the Kenya Wildlife Service, WWI has been protecting the fragile dry-land forest which is home to  Africa's 'big 5' wildlife as well as many other of the smaller but equally as important game. ·         The Kasigau Wildlife Corridor sits between two National Parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. It is approximately 200,000 hectares of dryland forest and savannah grassland that serves as an important wildlife corridor for movement of elephant, giraffe, zebra, and other large mammals between the two National Parks. The forest is under constant threat of subsistence farming, grazing, logging for fire wood, charcoal and hunting of bush meat. It is WWI's intention to protect the entire Kasigau Corridor with the carbon proceeds received from avoided deforestation and reforestation at the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, thereby safeguarding wildlife movement in the area. ·         The Rukinga project represents a unique model of commercial wildlife preservation in Africa, accessing global carbon markets to provide financial support for conservation instead of allowing "fence-and-shoot" trophy hunting. WWI has implemented a wide range of sustainable development initiatives at Rukinga over the past ten years, including:  ·             Organic clothing factory An Ecofactory has been constructed, employing young women from the community to sew organic cotton clothing which is exported to the US and Europe for sale on the internet and in fashion boutiques ·             Organic greenhouse An organic greenhouse has been established to grow citrus trees which are sold at a discount to local farmers so that they can plant a tree for shade that will also earn them income. WWI uses the funds from the citrus sales to fund the growth and distribution of free agroforestry species such as Neem and Morabaini to local farmers, to meet their medicinal, nutrition and fuelwood needs. ·             Dryland farming scheme In conjunction with the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), a climate appropriate plant called Jojoba that provides a cash crop through its seeds and is extremely drought tolerant is being cultivated. ·             Schools and bursary scheme A school building programme is underway which has, over the years in partnership with the community and various donors, built 18 classrooms throughout the district. A school bursary programme has also sent dozens of local children through private high school, and several on to college. ·             Ecotourism In partnership with an ecotourism provider a camp in the centre of the Rukinga Sanctuary is operated. This provides employment for safari guides and other service jobs, and a market for local produce.

About the Carbon Credits

·             WWI qualifies for carbon credits based on its preservation of forest and wildlife. The Rukinga project has already achieved certification with the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance ("CCBA") standard and registration is being sought with the Voluntary Carbon Standard ("VCS").

·             The carbon credits are Verified Emission Reductions ("VER's") which can be used to offset an organisation's carbon footprint, over and above cap-and-trade emission regulation.

·             Due to the high quality community work and biodiversity benefit attached to the project it has received gold standard accreditation from the CCBA, which is the highest level of accreditation given by the CCBA.

·             The World Bank has indicated that the CCBA and the VCS standards are two of the five most reputable carbon offset standards globally.

·             According to a study done by the World Bank, the CCBA and Gold Standard schemes are two schemes which sell 'premium credits' at higher prices for guaranteed sustainable development 'co-benefits'.

·             In terms of both VCS and CCBA rules the project qualifies for credits from 2006 for a period of 20 years.

·             The project will qualify for approximately 130 000 credits per annum (excluding a buffer of 40 000 credits)

 

Best regards

 

Maria Mazis

Fleishman-Hillard Cape Town

Ground Floor, South Entrance

15 Georgian Crescent

Bryanston

Tel:         +27 11 548 2000

Fax:        +27 11 706 7320

Mobile:   +27 72 207 2695

maria.mazis@fleishman.co.za
Delivering Results at the Point of Impact ℠

 

MEC Magadzi urges citizens to hand over their firearms

MEC Magadzi urges citizens to hand over their firearms

13 January 2010

The Limpopo MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi has urged the people of Limpopo and corporations to take advantage of the firearm amnesty by handing over their firearms voluntarily and without delay.

Magadzi said those who fail to do so during the three-month long (11 January to 11 April 2010) amnesty period will face the full might of the law if found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

However, Magadzi pointed out that firearm amnesty is aimed at reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation which accounts to many serious and violent crimes. She stressed that the amnesty and the separate legislation is not aimed at disarming licensed gun owners. This she said is done in the context of promoting responsible ownership of firearms.

“We would like to encourage legal gun owners including security companies, dealers, manufacturers of firearms and parts with surplus, obsolete and redundant stock to surrender them to the police for destruction in terms of the firearm control regulations,” Magadzi said.

The firearm amnesty was launched by Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa under the theme ‘awuleth’ umshini wakho – surrender your firearm,’ a government’s drive to rid the country of illegal guns.

Magadzi stressed that as with previous amnesties and voluntary surrender of firearms, no compensation will be paid to those who heed the call to surrender firearms, legal or illegal.

During the 2005 amnesty period, police seized and confiscated 17 665 illegal firearms with 33 723 (illegal) and 46 631 (licensed) firearms handed in voluntarily.

Enquiries:

Joe Maila
Tel: 015 290 2912
Cell: 083 457 1549
E-mail: Joe.maila@dssl.limpopo.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Safety, Security and Liaison, Limpopo Provincial Government
13 January 2010
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo.gov.za/)

President Jacob Zuma arrives in Mozambique

14 January 2010

President Zuma arrived in Mozambique today, 14 January 2010 for the inauguration of President-Elect Mr Armando Emillo Guebuza. The President is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Corporation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and senior government officials.

President Zuma’s attendance of the inauguration serves to strengthen the good relations that already exist between South Africa and Mozambique.

“We are here to celebrate along with the people of Mozambique as they mark this important milestone in their democracy. This is further testament of the entrenchment of democracy in Southern Africa” says President Zuma.

Strong relations between South Africa and Mozambique find expression through the South Africa/Mozambique Heads of State Economic Bilateral as well as the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation. Mozambique has been and continues to be an active participant within Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as in the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) within the African Union.

Both countries have over some time been able to play a critical role in ensuring that Africa remains on the developmental agenda within multilateral institutions.

President Zuma will also attend the SADC Double Troika Summit, taking place in Maputo this afternoon. Among other things, the summit will consider reports on progress with respect to developments in Lesotho, Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

Enquiries:

Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 072 715 0024

Issued by: The Presidency
14 January 2010

“Unacceptable situation”: hospitals run out of medicines

Report on "Unacceptable situation": hospitals run out of medicines (Mercury, 12 January 2010), based on misunderstood leak of a management tool document

12 January 2010

The report in the Mercury of 12 January 2010 was based on pharmacy management tool dues out report, which was misunderstood and has been used erroneously. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is naturally concerned with any shortage of medicine in any of our hospitals.

This media report was based on a shortage at an institution in a particular time and cannot be described as a crisis as the Democratic Alliance (DA) has chosen to describe it. Our institutional pharmacy managers are regularly in touch with provincial pharmacy stores depot to address any shortages and replenish as required by their institutions.

The provincial pharmacy stores depot stock levels are dependent on the supplier's ability to deliver on time the required items, where they (suppliers) face a shortage; the department cannot therefore decide to change the rules of procurement.

The department has cases where the suppliers cannot meet the Medicines Control Council specifications and has been forced to stop production till these have been rectified. This leads to a world wide shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in the manufacture of that medication. The volumes needed in the public sector are so high such that other suppliers are often unable to cope as they could not have anticipated the failure.

Under such cases the Department Of Health is often forced to source unavailable medicines from overseas at a much higher cost. In instances where a medication becomes unavailable, the pharmacist consults with the clinician treating the patient and he or she will prescribe alternative medication that maybe used.

Most of our patients in the public sector cannot afford to purchase medicines from pharmacy outlets. We have the Provincial Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PPTC) which makes recommendations for alternative medication to be used where there is a dire shortage, and these recommendations are sent down to the institutional pharmacy managers for implementation.

Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government

12 January 2010
Source: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
(http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/)

Minister helps poor student with eight A's

Minister helps poor student with eight A's and visits a school for disabled learners with 100 percent pass

13 January 2010

Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya will tomorrow, Thursday 14 January hand over a bursary to Mandisa Nene, a 17 year old girl who passed Grade 12 with eight A’s while living in a shack in Umlazi with her domestic worker mother.

Minister Mayende-Sibiya (whose constituency is in Umlazi) was informed of the difficult conditions under which Mandisa achieved the remarkable results and the financial constraints that Mandisa is experiencing in realising her goal of becoming an accountant.

Minister Mayende-Sibiya put together, with the help of various generous sponsors, a package of assistance which will enable Mandisa to attend university and relieve the plight of her family. The package of assistance will be announced by Minister Mayende-Sibiya, to the Nene family tomorrow, 14 January.

Before going to the Nene family, Minister Mayende-Sibiya will first visit a Mason Lincoln School (eMalandeni) for children with special needs in Umlazi which achieved a 100 percent matric pass for 2009.

Her visit to the school is part of her ministry programme to highlight issues of access to education for learners with disabilities as schools open across the country.

The media is invited to join the Minister in the two visits taking place as follows:
Time: 09h30 to 10h30
Place: Mason Lincoln School for disabled Umlazi

(Directions: entering Umlazi on Mangosuthu Highway, turn left at V–section robots. Take second left and turn right at V-clinic)

Time: 11h00 to 12h00

Place: Nene family at K section and hand-over scholarship and other assistance

(Directions: Drive straight along Mangosuthu highway until you reach K-section. There will be Yello MTN container on the left and Nhlangulela shop on the right, turn right there into Joshua Dlamini road. Take immediate left into Nyezane Road with Vodacom container. The house is along Nyezane Road after Mphafa Road)

Enquiries:

Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161

Issued by: Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
13 January 2010

post-school options for the class of 2009

Statement by Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande on post-school options for the class of 2009

13 January 2010

The next few months will see progress towards many of the goals we have set for the Department of Higher Education and Training. We have in the past seven months been shaping this new department, bringing the skills component of the Department of Labour, and the universities and college components from the Department of Education into the single Department of Higher Education and Training. We are ready to execute our core mandate and develop a coherent and differentiated post-school education and training system.

1. Some immediate priorities of the Department of Higher Education and Training

In 2010 we will be supporting the Deputy President in the establishment in the Human Resource Development-South Africa (HRDSA) council, strengthening the National Skills Authority and paying particular attention to issues such as improving access and success rates in universities and colleges, developing our post-school funding system, advancing access to and quality of the college sector, redefining the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) landscape and addressing efficiency challenges in the National Skills Fund (NSF).

We will host a higher education summit in April where we intend confronting the challenge of transformation in higher education as well as the role of universities in interacting with and strengthening other sectors of the system, particularly their articulation with the colleges. In the next few weeks I will be meeting the chairs of councils of our 23 universities to discuss the Soudien report on racial and other discrimination at higher education institutions. The meetings are also aimed at strengthening good governance at our institutions.

2. Expansion of the post-school education system

As part of government’s commitment to strengthen our skills and human resource base, we intend to broaden access to post-school education over time. I have previously indicated that the shape of our post-secondary system is not appropriately balanced between universities and colleges. Whilst access to universities must increase, enrolment in colleges should double in the next five years. However, for 2010, we anticipate that enrolments in both universities and colleges will not expand substantially.

For universities, expansion of the system will be preceded by the careful prior development of capacity as part of our enrolment planning process with the sector. Enrolments must be matched to available resources, physical, human and financial. The average annual growth rate in head count student enrolments between 2005 (the base year for the enrolment planning process) and 2008 was 2.8 percnet, compared to the target rate of two percent set in October 2007 by the Ministry of Education.

The data available shows that student enrolments surged above these averages between 2007 and 2008. The headcount student enrolment total rose from 761 000 in 2007 to 799 000 in 2008, an increase of 38 000 or five percent. The full-time equivalent enrolled total, which is an indicator of the student load carried by the higher education system, rose from 519 000 in 2007 to 540 000 in 2008, an increase of 21 000 or four percent. Enrolments in science and technology majors grew at a rate of only 1.1 percent per annum, between 2005 and 2008, compared to the target rate of 2.9 percent per annum. We are awaiting the enrolment data for 2009, but understand that a further surge in headcount was experienced in many Universities. Work has begun on the second cycle of system and institutional enrolment planning.

Increase in access, particularly of the poor and the working class, must be accompanied by increases in graduation rates, and success rates at all levels of study. Success is related to institutional investment in improving teaching and learning, and in student support and the social and living conditions of students.

For colleges, whilst we believe that there is latent capacity in the system to increase enrolment, we are cognisant of the need to consolidate a sector that has undergone enormous change over the last years. 2010 will be utilised to deepen quality initiatives in readiness for expansion, to consolidate the various initiatives we have undertaken with SETA and universities of technology which aim to increase the responsiveness of the colleges to the needs of the workplace, and to manage the transition of the colleges from a provincial to a national function.

Once the registration period is over, we will be able to report if colleges have been able to increase their enrolment from the 2009 figure of 120 000. It must be noted that this is a nearly five-fold increase from the 2007 figure of 25 000 and a period of stabilisation may be necessary after major expansion. We will however be expanding access to learnership programmes in 2010.

3. The national senior certificate results

Much has been said in the past week regarding the outcome of the matric results. We are aware that a large number of students did not pass the national senior certificate grade 12 examinations and that less than 20 percent of the 2009 school leavers qualified to apply for degree study. Our message is: there is a wide range of education and training opportunities for all of these young people, and every young person must face the future with hope, confident of the support of their family and community. We will today outline some of the options available to the class of 2009.

We are also aware that it is the children of the poor who are disproportionately represented amongst those who do not succeed, and who are underrepresented amongst those who excel. We know that consequences of poverty prevent these young people from achieving their potential. Our message to these young people is: you can succeed despite difficult circumstances. We are determined that students from quintile one schools who have qualified to be accepted into university must receive financial support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Higher Education South Africa (HESA) shares this commitment and will assist us to identify such students and to work with us to put in place long terms systemic interventions to ensure greater access of academically deserving from poor communities.

4. The results national certificate vocational (NCV) and general education and training certificate (GETC) results

The achievement of the young people and adults, who have recently written the national certificate (vocational), or Further Education and Training (FET) college results, and the general education and training certificate or Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) level four results illustrate different post-school learning pathways and provide inspiring role models of a life-long commitment to learning.

The national certificate (vocational) enrolled 93 293 candidates on level two, 24 637 candidates on level three and 4 991 candidates on level three. The total number of question papers was 209, representing 805 618 subject enrolments on level two, 232 698 subject enrolments on level three and 50 992 subject enrolments on level four. These examinations were written at 264 examination centres. The examination was for students offering the national certificate (vocational), levels two to four.

Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in general and Further Education and Training, convened on 21 December 2009 and approved the FET college results for final publication. The Quality Assurance Council was satisfied that no incident or process compromised the credibility of the 2009 college examinations as a whole, and the 2009 results were declared fair and credible and released to candidates on 30 December 2009.

For the general education and training certificate for Adult Basic Education and Training, the 89 290 candidates in 2009 was a substantial increase of 29 000 on the 60 000 candidates registered in 2008. As many as 41 315 (46 percent) of those adults writing the ABET general education and training certificate were between 20 and 29 years of age. This is an age group we consider still to be youth, and all of these young people would have spent a considerable part, if not all, of their school years in a post-democratic South African education system. Whatever the reason for their not having completed school, this success in their “second chance” must be applauded and is a great source of pride to us. Their success is a powerful example to many young people who face similar challenges.

The upper age range of the ABET cohort of 2009 confirms the adage that no person is ever too old to learn. 685 of those who wrote in 2009 were over the age of 60 and one had reached the age of 99 years. We salute the commitment and determination of people deprived of education that have remained determined to achieve their potential. Such learners must be encouraged and celebrated for the exemplary example they are setting to our younger generations about the value of education.

I wish to thank Mr John Volmink, the Chair of Umalusi for the diligent quality assurance work undertaken by Umalusi. We are aware of the challenges that have been identified in improving the quality of the conduct of these examinations, and the department we will respond to these challenges during the course of 2010. I also want to extend a special thanks to the examinations section in the Department of Education, as well as to all the staff of our colleges and public adult learning centres for their professional commitment and hard work.

5. Post-school opportunities

Our immediate challenge as we begin the year is to present a menu of opportunities to the class of 2009. We congratulate all the learners who passed their national senior certificate examinations and encourage those who have not performed well not to lose heart or hope as learning is a life-long experience. Of the 552 073 learners who wrote the grade 12 examinations last year, 334 718 passed.

On each learner’s result slip it has stated “admission to bachelor’s degree or diploma or certificate studies”. Few young people understand what this means. We encourage learners who need guidance in interpreting their results and or on options available to them to call our hotline 0800 20 29 33.

6. Universities, comprehensive universities and universities of technology

The bachelor’s degree endorsement can be seen as the equivalent of the previous “matric exemption” and allows the learner access to university study. While 109 697 qualify for entry, acceptance is dependent on the criteria set by the individual universities for different courses of study. It also needs to be considered that universities close their application process before the end of the previous year. Some universities may accept late applications in courses where vacancies still exist.

The 225 021 learners who passed “without endorsement” qualify for diploma or certificate studies are eligible for entry into universities of technology, comprehensive institutions or colleges which may include a variety of vocational opportunities and colleges that are vocationally specific such as nursing and agriculture.

7. Colleges

Universities are only one of the post-school education and training options. We believe that Colleges must become institutions of choice and will play a critical role in preparing young people for economic participation. We encourage school leavers to make use of the vocational learning opportunities in our FET colleges. There are 50 colleges encompassing as many as 120 sites across the country.

8. Financial assistance for financially needy students at universities and colleges

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) supports students at both universities and college. Applications are made at the institutions when students apply. We are cognisant of the hardships brought about by the recent economic crisis. Many breadwinners have lost their jobs putting the education of some of our brightest minds at risk. We remain committed to providing financial assistance through the NSFAS to the most financially needy students. We are pleased that NSFAS will assist those receiving assistance with “up-front” payments. We have ensured that NSFAS communicates with institutions regarding this facility which will help financially needy students to register timeously.

9. Work-based education and training including learnerships

To those learners for whom full-time study is not an option, and who wish to enter the world of work, we advise that they pursue opportunities in the sector education and training authorities (SETAs) for learnerships, apprenticeships and skills programmes. The Department of Higher Education and Training is working with the SETAs and the NSF to make more learnerships are available in 2010.

We are pleased to announce that the SETAs will be recruiting 35 000 learners into these programmes during 2010. A further 2 500 will receive opportunities for providing skills into creating their own new ventures. Through the National Skills Fund, we will pledge R500 million towards a special project to roll out learning programmes targeting those matriculants not meeting university or college entrance requirements. The SETAs will be requested to match this amount towards learning programmes in areas of demand in their sectors.

We are extremely pleased that 13 200 graduates of the National Certificate (Vocational) programmes and higher education institutions will also be placed into the workplace by the SETAs during 2010. Increasingly we will seek closer alignment between colleges, universities of technology and work experience. This information is being provided now but the detail will be announced during February. We request learners to register their curriculum vitae’s with the SETAs, and labour centres in the provincial offices of the Department of labour. Contact details for these are available on the Department of Labour and Department of Education websites respectively.

10. Adult education centres

Young people and adults who have not completed schooling are invited to join a public adult learning centre where registration is possible for a general education and training certificate (ABET level four). If a young person or adult wishes to complete grade 12, this can be completed at a public adult learning centre. Participation in any of these programmes in public adult learning centres is free.

11. Scarce and critical skills

While every person should pursue a career according to choice, we need to encourage study and professions which will help meet the needs of our economy. We have a target to produce at least 12 500 artisans per annum, which requires a dramatic increase of the average qualification rate of 5 600 per year. The national scarce skills list includes:

* Engineering and built environment professions
* Health professions
* Finance professions
* Law professions
* City planners
* Information technology (IT) or information and communication technology (ICT) professions
* Natural science professions
* Management professions
* Education professions
* Transport professions
* Artisans and technicians such as engineering, ICT and science technicians, automotive and engineering technicians and trades workers, construction trades, Other trades, printing, packaging and textile and wood
* Agriculture professions

In KwaZulu-Natal, we have been monitoring applications for higher education, and have established that the top 10 programmes that students are applying for include both degrees (offered at universities) and diplomas currently offered at universities of technology. These are bachelor degrees in education, social work, nursing, law, social science and psychology; and diploma courses in information technology, human resource management, emergency medical care and pharmacy.

What this data indicates is that students are opting increasingly for focused occupation specific qualifications and confirms that the need and demand outstrips the number of places available for these programmes.

12. The 2010 academic year

With regard to stakeholders in the university sub-system, in the past week, I have held meetings with Higher Education South Africa (HESA) and the South African Union of Students (SAUS) to discuss, primarily, the 2010 academic year and what can be done to ensure that registration proceeds smoothly in all institutions and that learning and teaching begin as soon as possible as because of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the shorter academic year.

HESA has assured me that all options will be investigated and used to ensure that students that are both academically deserving and financially needy will not be excluded on financial grounds. We have agreed that HESA will work within the sector to ensure best practice is in place for reviewing academic performance across higher education institutions, and that these are fairly and consistently applied.

We also agreed that potential high achievers must be assisted to find their way into the education and training system. The department and HESA will work together to seek long term systemic interventions to ensure greater access and to ensure that no academically deserving student especially from our poorest communities is without financial support.

My discussions with SAUS included a framework for negotiations of fees, shortage of student accommodation, student funding and improving career guidance. We have agreed importantly on keeping the channels of communication open to ensure that we have a successful academic year. With regard to interaction with stakeholders in the College sub-system, I have met key stakeholders including the South African College Principals’ Organisation towards the end of 2009 in order to prepare for 2010.

We have established an office to monitor enrolment patterns at colleges and to monitor oversubscription in particular programmes. On our part, the Department of Higher Education and Training has a dedicated task team monitoring the registration process both at universities and at colleges will be ready to intervene should the need arise. A dedicated helpline is available for students at the Department of Higher Education and Training: 012 3125250 or 012 3125277.

13. National Student Financial Aid Scheme

The Ministerial Committee reviewing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme was scheduled to hand in the report on their findings in December. However, they requested a month’s extension in order to finalise their recommendations on several key aspects on the scheme. The report will now be handed to me at the end of this month and we intend releasing it for public comment at the end of February. The NSFAS review is aimed at incremental realisation of the right to free education at undergraduate level for the financially needy and what would be the best methods to achieve this.

Contact:

Ranjeni Munusamy
Tel: 012 312 5555
Cell: 082 898 6082
E-mail: munusamy.r@doe.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Higher Education and Training
13 January 2010
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condolence by President Jacob Zuma on the earthquake in Haiti

Statement of condolence by President Jacob Zuma on the earthquake in Haiti

13 January 2010

President Jacob G Zuma said in a statement: “The government and the people of the Republic of South Africa wish to convey to His Excellency Mr Rene Garcia Préval, President of the Republic of Haiti, the government and the people of the Republic of Haiti our deepest sympathy and condolences following the disastrous earthquake that struck Southern Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the earthquake either emotionally and psychologically or through the loss of life of loved ones or destroyed infrastructure”.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has at this stage not been informed of any South African citizens who have been affected by the events in Haiti. The department urges South Africans who may have family members in Haiti to contact the Consular Division of Department of International Relations and Cooperation at 012 351 100. Department of International Relations and Cooperation will continue to monitor the situation in Haiti.

For more information contact:

Saul Kgomotso Molobi
Cell: 082 940 1647

Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
13 January 2010

Contact your bank first should you be in financial difficulty

 

The current economic climate has created extreme pressure on consumers’ ability to honour their financial obligations. Too often, this has resulted in uninformed, cash-strapped consumers responding to opportunistic advertising messages from debt counsellors promising that they have the solution to relieve their debt problems.

Since the implementation of the National Credit Act in June 2007, a private individual suffering under the pressures of over-indebtedness and who earns a regular monthly income can now apply for a formal debt review process by consulting a Debt Counsellor for assistance. A consumer is over indebted when, after paying for essential living expenses such as food, transport and insurance, he/she has insufficient funds available to cover monthly debt repayments. The Debt Counsellor is responsible for determining if a consumer is over-indebted or whether he/she will be struggling to meet financial commitments to creditors in the future. Furthermore, they need to present a proposal to the lenders for debt re-arrangement on behalf of the consumer.

However, debt counselling is not always the best long-term solution and consumers must ensure they are fully aware of the advantages, as well as the disadvantages associated with the debt counselling process. The debt counselling process is a serious matter and although it allows consumers, if they qualify, to repay their debt at reduced monthly installments, it will take them much longer to pay off all their original debt. During the debt counselling process consumers will also be prevented from accessing any further credit.

Consumers must, regardless of their financial institution, always approach their bank first should they be in any financial difficulty, or foresee any difficulty in the future, before seeking alternative solutions, says George Nyabadza, General Manager Marketing.

“Over committed consumers are especially vulnerable this time of the year and can easily fall prey to misleading advertising messages”, says Nyabadza.

According to WesBank they receive complaints on a daily basis where consumers have suffered a loss due to negligence and mismanagement of their affairs by debt counsellors. Another general complaint is where debt counsellors, after receiving their fees, do not always complete the debt review process, as their fees are paid up front and the consumer’s problem is therefore not resolved.

 A common mistake consumers under debt review often make is to entrust their debt counsellor with the duty of distributing their funds amongst their various creditors, instead of insisting that a payment distribution agent is appointed for this purpose. This has too often resulted in consumers losing money.

 “Where a consumer’s only solution is to approach a Debt Counsellor, they need to ensure the person is registered with the National Credit Regulator. In addition, registration as a member of the National Debt Mediation Association would be recommended, as the counsellor will be equipped to assist them with budget advice, support and mediation with financial institutions and other credit providers”, says Nyabadza

WesBank further wants to advise customers under debt review to keep up with their monthly insurance premiums. In the event of a total right-off of the vehicle due to theft or an accident, the customer remains liable for the full outstanding debt on his/her finance agreement, adding further financial pressure if the vehicle is un-insured. It is also important for consumers receiving a monthly car allowance to continue to use the full allowance towards paying off their vehicle installment.

“We appreciate these are exceptional times and as a result WesBank has invested in special call centres and new methods of assisting customers to cope with the strain of their debt”, concludes  Nyabadza.

matriculants bag bursaries valued at R35 000 a year

Hard work pays off as top matriculants bag bursaries valued at R35 000 a year

8 December 2010

Gauteng’s top matriculants were on Thursday awarded bursaries to the value of R35 000 a year.

Fana Ndebele, of Phefeni Secondary School, hopes the funds will help him realise his dream of studying B.Com Accounting at the University of Cape Town.

“I worked very hard and attended extra classes. However I must be honest with you that the results exceeded my expectations. I cannot begin to express my excitement,” said a rather relaxed Ndebele in the city on Thursday.

Ndebele got five distinctions with a 100 percent pass in Mathematics.

He was one of the 10 top students who were awarded bursaries at the Jeppe High School for Girls, the venue for the announcement of results for the class of 2009.

The other recipients are Happy Khambule, Kgothatso Mabaso, Khuliso Musweswe and Javis Lumo-Bosa, Amina Varachia, Jessica Hill, Liang Yu, Hayley van Dyk and Tiega Alberts.

Hill, who plans to study health sciences at University of Witwatersrand, says although she studied hard, she also found time to relax.

“I am very excited about the results. I worked hard but also found time to relax by going to the gym. It is important to get a good balance,” said Hill.

With 10 distinctions, the Jeppe High School for Girls pupil surely knows what she is talking about.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
8 December 2010
Source: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.gov.za)

Case for Sport to be released soon

6 January 2010

The long awaited Case for Sport, a document showing the importance of sport in South African society and the economy, is due to be released within the next few weeks.

The document shows the strategic importance of sport across many sectors of society, including health, tourism, social development, investment, and others. It contains recent statistics on sport in South Africa including a ranking of the most popular sports, and indicates certain trends in sport.

The publication is a handy guide not only for anyone looking for a at a glance view of sport in the country, but also for business people and leaders in government and the non-profit sector.

To receive a copy of the Case for Sport when it is released, please join the mailing list at http://surveys.polldaddy.com/s/6230833B2F62CB6C/

Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
6 January 2010
Source: Sport and Recreation South Africa (http://www.srsa.gov.za/)

Process regarding presidential pardons

6 January 2010

The Presidency has noted the media reports and commentary relating to possible presidential pardons.

The President of the Republic is empowered by Section 84 (2) (j) of the Constitution to pardon or reprieve offenders. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development routinely receives the applications for processing and forwards these to the Presidency for consideration by the head of state.

The President currently has more than 300 applications for pardons awaiting his attention, from South Africans from all walks of life who have violated the laws of the land. The applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications through normal procedures once these are finalised.

For further enquiries contact:

Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 072 715 0024

Issued by: The Presidency
6 January 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)