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Brought to you by Government Communications (GCIS) May 2012 

A healthier 

future for 

learners 

Keeping our 

children 

safe and sound 

> p 4 > p 6 

Transnet growth gets job 

creation up to speed 

The Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela Bay is part of a major infrastructure development that will boost the economy and create jobs. 

Stephen Timm 

Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned 

freight and logistics company, recently 

announced its R300 billion Market 

Demand Strategy that will make its 

rail freight division the world’s fifth 

largest , while creating thousands of 

jobs. 

A 

massive 588 000 – that’s how many 

jobs, both part-time and full-time, 

Transnet expects to create over the 

next seven years as it spends R300 

billion on expanding rail and port infrastructure 

and laying new pipelines. 

These jobs will be created both during the 

building of new infrastructure and after projects 

are completed. As businesses start using 

new and expanded rail, ports and pipelines – 

from mines to factories and small enterprises 

– they will begin experiencing an increase in 

demand for their goods and services. 

Vuk’uzenzele is 

To support its growth, Transnet will increase 

its staff component by 25 per cent 

over the next seven years – to peak at 

74 000 in 2018/19. 

From roads to rail 

The Transnet projects form part of Transnet’s 

Market Demand Strategy, which is aimed at 

expanding infrastructure and shifting more 

goods from roads to rail. In so doing , it will 

boost freight volumes, particularly the shipment 

of iron ore, coal and manganese. 

When the new projects come on line, 

Transnet Freight Rail will become the fifth 

biggest rail freight company in the world. 

To drive growth, Transnet will also spend 

R7,7 billion on training from now until 2019 

– including R4,7 billion on bursaries and 

grants. 

The Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi 

Gigaba said that Transnet was training about 

3 500 people in engineering-related skills 

including technicians, artisans and sectorspecific 

scarce skills such as train drivers. 

FREE 

“Transnet has enrolled 854 new artisan 

learners which is significantly beyond its 

business needs and is exceeding the targets 

agreed in the national skills accord,” he said. 

Eskom 

In addition to this, more than 5 200 learners 

were enrolled for training in Eskom and its 

supplier network. About 2 800 of these are 

matriculants undergoing trade training, with 

2 400 graduates in internships. 

In total, more than 15 000 learners are being 

trained in various scarce and critical skills 

through learning programmes within the 

state-enterprises that fall under the Department 

of Public Enterprises. 

Gigaba said the recent launch of the Eskom 

Welding Academy would be followed soon 

by a leadership academy and project management 

academy. 

Training at SAA also received a boost 

recently when SAA Technical signed a 

Memorandum of Understanding with the 

Ekurhuleni West College last year to train 

young people in flying skills. 

Youth programme 

To look at how state-owned enterprises can 

help more youth participate in the economy, 

the Department of Public Enterprises 

launched the Youth Economic Participation 

Programme in June last year. 

The collaboration of the development 

finance institutions such as Khula, 

the National Empowerment Fund 

and the Industrial Development 

Corporation, will help young entrepreneurs 

to access capital, said 

Minister Gigaba said. This would be 

financed through a dedicated fund, 

which would be finalised by the end 

of this financial year. 

Faster Internet 

Another benefit for South Africans 

is that they can expect faster 

and cheaper Internet in the near 

future, Gigaba added, pointing 

out that since the state’s Broadband 

Infraco had been set up, the 

price of broadband has dropped 

by over 80 per cent. 

He said the department had 

focused on bringing stability to 

Infraco’s management and business 

processes over the past year. 

“I am pleased to say that this 

has been achieved and the company 

is now poised to coherently 

and efficiently roll out its 

network in a manner that will enhance access 

to broadband capacity in both developed and 

under-serviced areas,” he said. 

Foundation for growth 

Meanwhile Gigaba said productivity improvements 

made by Transnet – such as 

setting up a 24-hour command centre to plan 

the movement of trains and ensuring crane 

operators at the Port of Durban worked more 

efficiently – had already allowed some of the 

state-owned enterprise’s key customers to 

expand production and hire more people. 

He said the state-owned enterprise investment 

programmes and developmental interventions 

would help to lay a foundation for 

growth, investment and job creation. 

“I am confident that by 2020, the South 

African economy will be operating at a very 

different level because of the initiatives that 

we are taking through our state-owned companies 

today,” he said. 

For further information, call Transnet: 

011 308 3000 

. . . but please pass it on when you are done

General 


May 2012 


is published by Government 

Communications (GCIS) 

All rights reserved. Reproduction of the newspaper in 

whole or in part without written permission 

is strictly prohibited. 

Two major steps forward for 

SA’s economic growth 

Chief Executive Officer: 

Government Communications (GCIS) 

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Vusi Mona 

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BuaNews 

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vukuzenzele@gcis.gov.za 

President Jacob Zuma with terminal Executive Manager Siyabulela and the Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kieviet 

on a guided tour of Ngqura Port. 

The plan, announced by President Jacob Zuma 

BuaNews 

during his State of the Nation Address earlier 

this year, is part of government’s vision for 

economic development and transformation. 

Two major trade ports – one in 

KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Eastern 

Cape – were opened recently to boost 

South Africa’s economy and create jobs. 

The Dube Trade Port and the Port of 

Address: Private Bag X745, 

Pretoria, 0001 

Ngqura will be crucial for economic 

Website: www.info.gov.za/vukuzenzele 

development, not only in the areas 

where they are situated, but also in the 

rest of the country, said President Jacob Zuma. 

President Zuma and Public Enterprise Minister 

public enterprises 

Malusi Gigaba were both present at the unveiling 

of the two ports in La Mercy and in Nelson 

Department Mandela Bay respectively. 

Public EnterprisesThe Dube Trade Port, a flagship development 

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH project of AFRICA the Kwazulu-Natal provincial government 

and the Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela 

Bay were both seen as the first step to put into 

action the country’s extensive infrastructure 

plan. 

Export corridor 

Located between the two largest sea ports in the 

southern hemisphere - Durban and Richards 

Bay – the Dube Trade Port has huge potential 

to boost economic growth and job creation in 

the province. The construction phase alone has 

created close to 20 000 jobs in each of the past 

two years. 

The successful construction of the Port of 

Ngqura, on the other hand, is expected to become 

a world-class infrastructure site. 

The port is the deepest container terminal in 

sub-Saharan Africa, and will accommodate the 

new generation of giant container ships traversing 

Africa’s southern tip. 

“Today we take another step forward in our 

journey of economic development and transformation, 

as we officially launch the Port of 

Ngqura,” said President Zuma. 

export corridor 

Minister Gigaba said the Port of Ngqura, as well 

as the Dube Trade Port established South Africa 

firmly as an export corridor, as a trade corridor 

between South Africa and Africa and between 

Africa and the whole world. 

His assessment of the development is that 

while they may be viewed by some as only 

relevant to the economy of the two provinces, 

the actual benefits will in the long run be felt by 

the country as a whole. 

“The development is going to contribute 

immensely in creating jobs, in diversifying 

our economy. It will facilitate regional trade in 

Southern Africa, as well as on the African continent 

… these are massive infrastructure network 

capacities that are going to be of major benefit 

to our country and our continent.” 

Government also plans to spend R21 billion on 

the infrastructure of the Durban port over the 

next seven years. This allocation is part of the 

R300 billion allocated to transport and logistics 

projects announced by President Zuma. 

Promoting free trade 

In Port Elizabeth, the President said the development 

of the port was a crucial step in positioning 

the Eastern Cape “as a perceived forgotten province” 

in the country’s main stream economy. 

“The port’s role in promoting free trade in 

the continent will also come into sharp focus as 

Africa cements its goal of establishing a continental 

free trade area,” he said. 

“South Africa’s economic prospects are inextricably 

linked to the region. As such, South Africa 

cannot focus on improving the competitiveness 

of its own freight transport system without 

adopting a regional perspective”. 

The President said this development indicated 

that in the longer term, South Africa and the 

region would be well positioned to lead the 

establishment of a key trade corridor linking 

South-East Asia with South America. 

“More importantly, over time, the new strategic 

position of our ports will lead to a reduction 

in shipping costs and improved maritime 

connectivity”. 

For more information, call the 

Department of Public Enterprises: 

012 342 1039/431 1040 

Getting into gear for pedestrian safety 

The Think Pedestrian campaign aims to raise awareness that pedestrian safety is everyone’s responsibility. 

Department of Transport 

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele 

recently launched the pedestrian 

safety campaign – Think Pedestrian 

– in conjunction with Eqstra Fleet 

Management and Logistics, the 

United Nations and the Nelson 

Mandela Centre of Memory. 

About 14 000 people are killed every 

year on South Africa’s roads. This is 

equivalent to more than 1 000 deaths 

every month, and 40 deaths a day. 

These statistics are of epidemic proportions. 

At more than 28 deaths per 100 000 people, 

Africa has the highest road injury fatality rate 

of all the regions of the World Health Organisation. 

Road safety is an issue that touches both 

rich and poor, young and old. 

In 2010, as South Africa was celebrating the 

opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, our former 

president, Nelson Mandela, knew the pain 

of losing a great-grandchild when 13-year-old 

Zenani Mandela was killed. 

Take responsibility 

“The Department of Transport has been tasked 

with curbing road deaths and promoting a safe 

passage for all in South Africans. We are determined 

to clamp down on reckless behaviour on 

the part of both drivers and pedestrians,” said 

Minister of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele. 

“To reduce pedestrian road deaths, each one 

of us must take responsibility for our actions.” 

The Think Pedestrian campaign aims to stabilise 

and reduce those statistics, through awareness 

and education programmes, targeting both 

drivers and pedestrians. It will address the 

number and severity of road crashes involving 

pedestrians. 

“As a fleet management and logistics company, 

we at Eqstra recognise that it is our corporate 

responsibility to contribute to the reduction 

of road deaths statistics,” said Jacqui Carr, CEO 

of Eqstra Fleet Management and Logistics. 

“With the help of our partners, we aim to make 

a meaningful difference to pedestrian safety. 

Decade of action 

The Think Pedestrian campaign will initially be 

implemented in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu- 

Natal and Mpumalanga, before being rolled 

out in other provinces. 

The joint initiative is part of the implementation 

of the UN Decade of Action for Road 

Safety 2011-2020. The goal is to save five million 

lives by stabilising and then reducing the level 

of road traffic fatalities around the world by 

increasing activities conducted at the national, 

regional and global levels. 

saving lives 

Launching the Decade of Action for Road Safety 

last year, United Nations Secretary-General, 

Ban Ki-moon, said that “the Decade of Action 

for Road Safety can help all countries drive 

along the path to a more secure future… 

“Today, partners around the world are releasing 

national or citywide plans for the Decade, 

hosting policy discussions and enabling people 

affected by road crashes to share their stories 

widely. Now we need to move this campaign 

into high gear and steer our world to safer roads 

ahead. Together, we can save millions of lives.” 


Department of Transport : 012 309 3000

May 2012 

Health 


New renal unit brings relief 

Gabi Khumalo 

Elizabeth Chilwane from Kopman in 

Rietspruit near Rustenburg used to travel 

many kilometres to get treatment on 

a dialysis machine outside Rustenburg. 

Thanks to the opening of the third renal unit 

with a dialysis machine at Job Shimankana 

Tabane Hospital in the Bojanala District in 

North West, the 52-year-old Chilwane now 

receives treatment close to her home. 

Dialysis allows patients with kidney failure 

a chance to live a productive life. It is a medical 

process through which a person’s blood is 

cleansed of the toxins the kidneys normally 

would flush out. It is generally used when a 

patient’s kidneys no longer function properly. 

This can be a result of inherited kidney disease, 

long-term diabetes, high blood pressure or 

other conditions. 

Chilwane, who was present at the opening 

of the new unit, said the new unit was making 

life much easier. 

“We had to travel long distances to get treatment, 

but now we don’t have to worry about 

that anymore. I’m very proud and happy that 

we have been given this service,” an excited 

Chilwane said. 

Service priority 

The R3,2 million renal unit, which was recently 

opened by North West Health MEC Dr Magome 

Masike, has been identified as a crucial 

service priority. 

The renal services include infrastructure and 

equipment, as well as a training facility. This 

will meet the need for dialysis treatment in 

the Bojala district and ease the burden on the 

Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital complex, as 

well as the Mafikeng Hospital. 

The renal service will give residents of the 

greater Rustenburg area and Bojanala district 

a highly specialised and affordable service, 

which will greatly improve their quality of life. 

The unit, which has been built and equipped 

to accommodate at least 32 patients on chronic 

dialysis, can be expanded to 40 should the need 

arise. It provides much more space, comfort 

and privacy for dialysis patients. 

Life saver 

Dr Masike said dialysis is a life-saving technique 

for people with impaired kidney function. 

“While the country is still struggling to meet 

the demand of kidney donations, dialysis 

treatment remains the best option to keep the 

kidney patients alive. We still need to prepare 

and given the anticipated growth in the demand 

for renal services, it is important that the 

necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the 

challenges ahead,” he said. 

“A modern healthcare system, which delivers 

high-quality care is not only beneficial to 

individual citizens and their quality of life, it 

is also one of the building blocks for economic 

development of the country,” Dr Masike said. 

For more information, call 

the North West Department of Health: 

018 387 5830 / 5831 

Choose a smokefree 

lifestyle 

An estimated 25 000 South Africans 

die of smoking-related illness every 

year. To raise awareness of the 

dangers of smoking and to motivate 

smokers to quit, May has been designated 

as Anti-tobacco Awareness Month and 

31 May is World No Tobacco Day. 

Quitting tobacco use is the best thing you 

can do for your health and for the health of 

your family. Being free of tobacco is choosing 

a healthier, happier life. 


the National Council Against Smoking 

Quit Line: 011 720 3145, or send a fax 

to 011 720 6177, 

or visit: 

http://www.againstsmoking.co.za 

And what’s more, 

second-hand smoke 

harms other people 

too, like increasing 

the risk of lung 

diseases in children. 

Smoking has also 

been associated 

with throat, mouth, 

kidney, stomach and 

prostate cancers, to 

name just a few. 

It’s great that 

people are reminded 

about the dangers of 

tobacco. Did you know 

a cigarette contains 

as many as 4 000 

chemicals, many of 

which are highly toxic? 

I know you are 

right and I really 

want to stop 

smoking, but I 

don’t know how! 

Some experts believe 

it causes about 90 per 

cent of lung cancers 

and 30 per cent of all 

cancer deaths. 

The first step is to make a firm 

decision to quit. The National 

Council Against Smoking wants 

to help you – just call their 

Quit Line on 011 720 3145. 

Sister Maggy Njoro shows North West MEC for Health Magome Masike around the new renal unit. 

Gabi Khumalo 

Photo: Thebe Itumeleng 

Don’t kid around with your kidneys 

Kidney disease and failure cause the death of some 10 000 South Africans each 

year, while affecting the lives of thousands of others. Known as the silent killer, 

kidney disease often develops gradually without warning until the kidneys 

are damaged beyond repair. The National Kidney Foundation of South Africa 

urges people who have any concerns about their kidney function to consult 

their doctors before its too late. 

Our kidneys are only about the 

size of our fists but they are 

among the most important organs 

in our body and are vital 

to our health and well-being. 

They ensure that our bodies retain the 

substances we need to stay healthy while 

keeping our blood free from toxins. Our 

kidneys make important chemicals for the 

body, break down unnecessary or dangerous 

chemicals and eliminate toxic waste. 

One of the more important functions of 

kidneys is to filter waste from the blood. 

Waste and extra water are processed into 

urine, which travels via tubes called ureters 

to the bladder. 

Why do kidneys fail? 

The National Kidney Foundation of South 

Africa says kidneys fail for various reasons, 

such as damage by poison or an accident. 

Kidneys may also be attacked by disease 

such as diabetic kidney disease, high blood 

pressure, glomerular diseases and inherited 

disorders such as polycystic kidney 

disease. 

Kidney failure occurs when there is total 

or near-total loss in the functioning of the 

kidneys. This causes an accumulation of 

water, waste, and toxic substances. People 

with kidney failure will either need dialysis 

or a kidney transplant to stay alive. 

signs of kidney disease 

As the kidneys perform so many different 

functions, kidney disease can present with 

many different symptoms, including these 

common signs: 

• frequent urination, particularly at 

night 

• feelings of fatigue and general 

weakness 

• high blood pressure 

• swelling in the legs 

• loss of appetite and nausea 

• headaches 

• numbness in the feet or hands 

• bleeding and the fracturing of bones 

• decreased interest in sex and sexual 

dysfunction. 

Screening 

Should you have concerns regarding 

your kidney function, you can ask your 

doctor to screen you for kidney disease. 

He or she will perform a simple urine 

dipstick test, which can help identify 

kidney problems. 

Your doctor may also want to do a 

blood test if he or she wants to check 

your kidney health. 

Preventing kidney disease 

Steps to take to keep your kidneys healthy 

and functioning well: 

• adopt a healthy lifestyle – eat healthy 

balanced meals with lots of fruit and 

vegetables 

• give up smoking 

• give up or at least cut down on alcohol 

• avoid toxins in your environment 

• manage medical conditions such as 

diabetes, high blood pressure and high 

cholesterol levels with the help of your 

doctor or clinic 

• ask your doctor if you should take 

medication to slow down kidney damage.

Education 


May 2012 

A healthier future for learners 

Panyaza Lesufi* 

Government and its partners are in 

the process of strengthening South 

Africa’s school health services. This 

forms part of the re-engineering 

of primary healthcare services within the 

Department of Health and the mainstreaming 

of the Care and Support for Teaching and 

Learning (CSTL) Programme within the 

Department of Basic Education. 

The latter is a Southern African Development 

Community (SADC) initiative aimed at 

assisting learners, especially the most 

vulnerable, to realize their right to education 

through schools becoming inclusive centres 

of learning, care and support. 

The Integrated School Health Programme 

is being implemented to improve children’s 

health, reduce learning barriers and to assist 

them to stay in school and perform to the best 

of their ability. The programme aims to offer 

health services to all learners introduced in 

stages over a five-year period. 

Health teams 

In 2012, the programme will target learners 

in Grades 1, 4, 8 and 10 in quintile 1 and 2 

(no fee schools) primary and secondary 

schools. Learners in other grades who are 

experiencing health or learning problems will 

also receive health services. Services will be 

provided with minimal disruption to teaching 

and learning time. 

School health teams consisting of nurses 

and health promoters will visit local schools. 

Learners in the targeted grades will receiving 

health screening for issues such as vision, 

hearing, oral health, nutritional status and 

tuberculosis. 

Treatment will be provided for minor 

ailments such as skin conditions and where 

required catch up immunization and deworming 

will be administered. 

Health promoters will also conduct health 

education sessions with learners on topics that 

are age and developmentally appropriate. 

Older learners will receive information 

and counselling about their sexual and 

reproductive health. 

Parents’ consent 

Learners requiring further assessment and 

treatment will be referred to local health 

facilities either at the primary health care 

clinic or to special school health mobiles. 

In support of the programme, parents are 

required to sign a consent form giving 

permission for their children to participate 

in the programme. 

Parents will also be requested to submit the 

child’s original Road to Health Chart to the 

school such that the health milestones can be 

reviewed. Parents who want to participate 

School health teams consist of nurses and health promoters who visit schools. 

during the learner’s assessment can arrange 

with the school principal to be present during 

the screening. Learners who are 12 years and 

older will be required to give their assent to 

participate in the programme. 

It must be noted that participation in 

the programme is voluntary and that the 

confidentiality and privacy of learners will be 

maintained at all times. Parents and learners 

may choose (for their children) to participate 

in some or all of the health services that will 

be made available. 

* Department of Basic Education 

For further information, please contact 

your child’s school principal and/or 

school health nurse or your nearest clinic, 

or call the Department of Basic 

Education: 012 357 3000 

School improvement programme makes its mark 

Thembisa Shologu* 

It has been identified as the secret 

weapon behind Gauteng matriculants’ 

improvement in performance 

in the final examinations 

over the past two years. The 

success has been so encouraging 

that the provincial Department 

of Education is adding more 

schools to its Secondary School 

Improvement Programme 

(SSIP). 

This year a total of 439 public and 

private schools in Gauteng will take 

part in the SSIP. Of the 439 priority 

schools, 73 are independent and 366 

public schools. This is an increase of 48 more 

schools compared to last year. 

Following the success of its SSIP, the Gauteng 

Department of Education launched the 

programme for 2012 at Mosupatsela Secondary 

School in Kagiso. The SSIP provides extra 

classes on Saturdays and during school holidays 

for grades 10, 11 and 12 to assist underperforming 

schools across the province. 

Gauteng MEC for Education Barbara Creecy 

said the programme was critical in helping 

Gabi Khumalo 

A 

total 

of R2,5 billion will be allocated 

towards refurbishment and construction 

of new campuses of Further Education 

and Training (FET) colleges 

over the next three years. 

This announcement by President Jacob Zuma 

at a skills development summit for FET college 

principals in Pretoria recently, is in keeping 

with the priorities of the National Skills Development 

Strategy III, which includes the 

strengthening of FET colleges. 

It is also in line with an announcement by 

Higher Education and Training Minister Dr 

Blade Nzimande that Parliament had passed 

learners pass matric. “Of course there are other 

factors that contributed to the improved pass 

rate, but we can say with certainty that the 

SSIP works. We have seen learners from township 

schools achieving the highest marks in 

critical areas such as maths and science 

Positive results 

Somikazi Chabalala, the Curriculum Chief 

Education Specialist at the Katlehong Technical 

Secondary School, said the programme had 

yielded positive results with a high learner 

turnout. “Learners come in large numbers. We 

have an increasing number of learners from 

good performing schools based in town. They 

come here because they benefit a lot from the 

programme.” 

She said everyone – from monitors to senior 

managers and subject advisors – were 

involved and always on-site. 

Principal Margaret Masiteng said: “These 

learners are really focused; even our results 

speak for themselves. The school’s 2011 pass 

rate was 87 per cent and we would like to see 

this improve to 100 per cent.” 

“Our children are capable; they can achieve 

that. There is no way that we are going to be 

on SSIP forever. We want to stand on our own, 

by hook or by crook,” said Masiteng. 

FET education aims higher 

legislation handing over the functions of the 

FET colleges to the Department of Higher 

Education and Training. 

The Secondary School Improvement Programme has kicked off for the 2012 school year. The programme 

provides extra classes on Saturdays for learners in Grade 10, 11 and 12. 

Coaching 

Learner Siphokazi Mkumatela said the programme 

was very helpful, especially in Maths 

and Physical Science. “Girl learners did very 

well last year in the province and we are going 

to top that in 2012. Boys must watch out. 

Tutors are always there to assist and never 

miss classes.” 

The department would recruit 460 coaches 

this year to support literacy and numeracy in 

primary schools, said MEC Creecy. “Last year, 

Central role 

The skills development summit was a platform 

for FET college principals to discuss the central 

role that FET colleges play within the country’s 

skills development strategy and government’s 

new infrastructure development priority programme 

in particular. 

The meeting was attended by principals from 

all 50 FET colleges, who run 264 campuses 

nationwide. Also at the meeting were chairpersons 

and deputy principals of college councils, 

as well as Cabinet ministers. 

They discussed the level of skills development 

and how the country could produce the scarce 

skills that were needed to make the comprehensive 

national infrastructure development 

programme a success. 

Institutions of choice 

During his State of the Nation Address in 

February, President Zuma announced the bold 

infrastructure plan to develop the economy. 

“The relevance of FET colleges in the infrastructure 

development project cannot be 

overstated,” he told the principals. “The 

construction, maintenance and operation of 

infrastructure, as well as the operation of assets 

require the kind of skills that FET colleges are 

well equipped to provide.” 

For more information, call the Department 

of Basic Education: 012 357 3000 

we appointed 124 coaches for the foundation 

phase. These coaches made approximately 

40 000 class visits – unprecedented for South 

African education. Each coach is responsible 

for five or six schools.” 

The coaches support teachers in preparing 

for class, work with them in class to ensure 

they deliver lessons and give them professional 

feedback. 

* Gauteng Provincial Government 

President Zuma said while universities and 

universities of technology were important, 

FET colleges were just as important. He called 

on society to change mind sets and enable 

FET colleges to become institutions of choice 

for many young people, so the country could 

obtain much-needed technical skills through 

vocationally based training. 

“Such a vocational focus enables the building 

of a strong manufacturing base and productive 

economy,” he said.Stressing the need to tackle 

the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment 

and inequality head on, the President said education 

and skills development were the most 

powerful tools in achieving this goal. 

For more information, call the Department 

of Higher Education and Training: 

012 312 5555

May 2012 

Rural Development 


5 

Mabandla Trust in rural 

development drive 

Neo Semono 

The Mabandla Traditional Authority in 

Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal, does 

not only talk about rural development, 

they are a driving force behind it. The 

Umganu Landcare Project is the brainchild of 

the Mabandla Traditional Authority. 

Set to improve the living conditions of the 

community by creating business opportunities, 

the project is run by the Mabandla Development 

Company, which is owned by the Mabandla 

Community Trust. It has already created 53 jobs 

for the community. 

“I am indeed very impressed by this initiative 

and how it has worked for the community. 

This project launch gives real meaning to the 

concept: working together we can do more,” 

former KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture, 

Environmental Affairs and Rural Development 

Lydia Johnson said at the launch of the project. 

“This is an ideal initiative for rural development 

where rural people took ownership of their 

own development,” she said. 

Partnerships 

In its aim to create business opportunities 

for local people, the project has also forged 

partnerships with the Department of Rural 

Development and Land Reform, the provincial 

Department of Agriculture, Environmental 

Affairs and Rural Development and Ezemvelo 

KZN Wildlife. 

The partnerships provide funding for activities 

aimed at clearing alien plants and donga 

rehabilitation, as well as breeding Nguni cattle 

for beef production among others. 

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has contributed 

R300 000 towards training and mentoring the 

community, while the Department of Rural 

Development and Land Reform has invested 

R11 million in the start-up capital. 

Key priorities 

The MEC said traditional authorities were an 

important part of driving development in their 

areas. “We cherish every opportunity to work 

with them in championing quality agricultural, 

environmental and conservation services, as well 

as driving integrated, comprehensive rural development 

for all the people of KwaZulu-Natal.” 

She said the project took into account different 

aspects of development, which responded 

directly to the government’s key priorities, including 

agricultural reform, rural development 

and sound environmental management. 

“I urge the community to strive for the success 

of this project, because it is a good instrument 

for change for the local community,” she said. 

For more information, call the KZN 

Department of Environmental Affairs: 

033 355 9100 

Communities are urged to strive for success in farming as an instrument for rural development. 

Deserted farms now bear fruit 

Nthambeleni Gabara 

Grace Abdul is a successful young farmer who aims to 

contribute towards economic development and food 

security. She has a passion for the land and believes 

farming should not be taken lightly. 

“I’m a successful farmer because I’m not in farming for fun 

or glory, but because I have goals such as contributing to the 

economic development of this country,” she said. 

Grace, the owner of Khuphukha – a chicken broiler farm, completed 

a degree in animal production at the Tshwane University 

of Technology in 2002. “While my peers were looking for jobs, 

I was looking for a piece of land on which to farm. Now I’ve 

outgrown my challenges in the farming sector and the sun is 

shining for me.” 

In 2006, Grace started the farm with four partners but two of 

them dropped out when the going got tough, she said. This did 

not discourage her and she now employs 16 permanent staff 

members and 40 temporary workers. 

Nozipho Dlamini 

Emerging farmers 

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform unveiled 

its recapitalisation and development programme at Khuphukha 

outside Rustenburg in the North West province recently. 

Khuphukha is a thriving example of how support given to 

deserted and unproductive farms through the recapitilasion 

programme is beginning to bear fruit. 

The farm was one of 1 000 which the department has pledged 

to recapitalise. 

These farms are secured for emerging farmers through the 

Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) and 

Settlement and Production Land Acquisition Grant (SPLAG) 

strategies, respectively. 

It is aimed at increasing agricultural production, guaranteeing 

food security and job creation and helping small-scale farmers to 

become commercial farmers, thus making a contribution towards 

the agricultural sector. 

The programme is also aimed at deracialising the rural economy 

to ensure shared and sustained growth, as well as democratic and 

equitable land use and sustained production discipline. 

Defeating hunger 

North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Boitumelo 

Tshwene said, “If land is properly used, it can help us 

create jobs. We can also use land to accumulate wealth and defeat 

hunger.” 

Tshwene said one of the measures used by government to support 

the correct use of land and ensure the success of this project 

was to work with strategic partners who had been successful at 

farming themselves. 

“A strategic partner is someone with farming knowledge, experience 

and a record of success in the farming industry; so you can’t 

be our strategic partner if you’ve failed to run a farm,” he said. 

Sustainability 

The model is designed in such a way that a farm will be funded 

under close supervision of the department to ensure sustainability. 

The department also selected co-operatives, which were previously 

assisting white farmers or commodity organisations with 

vested interest on the projects, because the sustainability of their 

businesses depends on agricultural produce. 

These strategic partners come with their own resources and 

guarantee uptake along the value chain or buying of products 

from the farmers. 

For more information, call the North West Department of 

Agriculture and Rural Development: 018 389 5111 

New packing shed adds flavour – and jobs - to herb farmer’s business 

For herb farmer Jimmy Kabotha from Tarlton in Mogale City, a 

new packing shed not only means he can grow his business, 

but it will also help him to create more jobs. 

Kabotha could therefore not hide his excitement when Deputy 

President Kgalema Motlanthe, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, and 

Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza 

officially handed over the completed building. 

“A pack house is very important to me; it will give me the advantage 

to get a global edge so that I can supply Woolworths and a few 

more greenhouses directly,” said an elated Kabotha, who received 

the packing shed as part of the Gauteng provincial government’s 

war against poverty. 

More jobs 

Kabotha, who applied for assistance from the Gauteng Department 

of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), grows produce 

such as basil, mint, rocket, baby spinach, coriander, Italian parsley, 

rosemary and other herbs which are popular among local consumers. 

“This building will enhance the presentation and production of 

my herbs and maintain quality, grade and marketability,” Kabotha 

said. It will also help him to create more jobs as he plans to increase 

his employees from 20 people to 35. 

The handing over of the building coincided with the Deputy President’s 

visit to the province as part of the War on Poverty Campaign. 

The visit was aimed at assessing the progress that government had 

made with its War on Poverty Campaign. 

WAR ON POVERTY 

The War on Poverty Campaign was launched in 2008 and seeks to 

reach the majority of people who have limited or no access to government’s 

services and programmes. The campaign will run until 2014. 

According to MEC Mayathula-Khoza, one of the department’s main 

objectives is to assist emerging and small-scale farmers. 

“We are proud that today Mr Kabotha, armed with the packing 

shed, will be able to maintain and adhere to the required grading and 

processing standards of herbs,” Mayathula-Khoza said. In addition 

Kabotha’s pack-shed, the provincial government also handed over 

60 tractors to the communities of Mogale City. 

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe cuts the ribbon at the 

official opening of the new packing shed given to a local herb 

farmer in Tarlton. Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and MEC Nandi 

Mayathula- Khoza were also present.

Rural Safety Development 

and Security 


May 2012 

Child Protection Week: 

Keeping our children safe and sound 

Child Protection Week emphasises the importance that protecting our children is everyone’s responsibility. 

Louise van Niekerk 

Children are among the most vulnerable 

members of society and therefore 

need special protection. They 

are dependent on others – their parents 

and families, or if these fail, the state 

– for care and protection. 

To raise awareness of the importance of protecting 

our children, Child Protection Week 

has been held annually since 1998 under the 

leadership of the Department of Social Development. 

This year, Child Protection Week 

runs from Monday 28 May to Sunday 3 June. 

Through Child Protection Week, government 

seeks to educate and mobilise communities 

to put children first. 

The concept of Child Protection Week is in 

keeping with the African proverb: It takes a 

village to raise a child. This emphasises the importance 

of communities working together 

in ensuring that children are safe. 

Green ribbon project 

To highlight the fact that protecting children 

and creating a safe and secure environment 

is everyone’s responsibility, the national 

theme for Child Protection Week is “Working 

Together to Protect Children”. 

Adopted on 28 October 2010 by the National 

Child Care and Protection Forum, it 

is a five-year theme, which was first used 

in 2011 and will run until 2015. It upholds 

government’s commitment to put the safety 

of our children first in cooperation with civil 

society partners. 

The Green Ribbon Project, which encourages 

people to wear green ribbons to show 

their support for Child Protection Week, was 

launched during the 2004 Child Protection 

Week awareness campaign. The green ribbon 

is a symbolic gesture that the person wearing 

it is committed to protect a child. 

Bill of Rights 

The inclusion of a special section on children’s 

rights, namely Section 28, in our Bill 

of Rights, was an important development for 

South African children, most of whom had 

suffered under apartheid for many years. 

Some had been detained without trial, tortured 

and assaulted; many faced discrimination 

in healthcare, education and other areas. 

As a result, the drafters of our Constitution 

made children’s rights a priority, stating that 

the best interests of a child are the overriding 

concern when it comes to any matter affecting 

him or her. In this regard, “child” means 

a person under the age of 18 years. 

Section 28 

Section 28 of the Bill of Rights gives children 

the right to a name, citizenship and some 

form of care. Children have a right to food 

and shelter and must be protected from 

abuse, neglect and degradation. No child 

should work when under age or do work 

that would interfere with his or her education 

or development. 

Children should be jailed only as a last resort 

and should not have to share a cell with 

adults. They should not take part in wars and 

should be protected during conflict. 

A section in the Bill of Rights devoted to 

children does not mean that the rights in 

the other sections do not apply to them too. 

The sections that deal with equality, human 

dignity, religion and health – as well as many 

others – are especially relevant and also apply 

to children. 


Department of Social Development on: 

012 312 7500 

Report child abuse to the South African 

Police Service Childline: 0800 05 55 55, or 

the SA National Council for Child Welfare: 

011 339 5741; 

e-mail: info@childwelfaresa.org.za 

Happy to serve in blue 

Adziliwi Nematandani 

The disturbing number of police killings 

in the line of duty, the high level 

of crime and a series of corruption 

and misconduct cases has tarnished 

the image of the South African Police Service 

(SAPS). 

According to the SAPS Journal Online, 

more than 50 police officers died in the line 

of duty last year in Gauteng alone. It is no 

wonder therefore that young South Africans 

are reluctant to join the SAPS. 

However, Busisiwe Menoe saw the silver 

lining around a dark cloud when she chose to 

become a police officer and is proud to serve 

in blue. 

Commitment 

Sergeant Menoe, who has been a member 

of the SAPS since 2001, is a police officer in 

Carletonville and the possibility of losing her 

life in the line of duty or sustaining injuries, 

is ever present. However, her commitment 

to making her community and country a better 

place, rather than the financial benefits, 

inspired her career. 

Apart from co-ordinating the provincial 

structures and dealing with media, Menoe’s 

daily job entails going out to the community 

to implement crime prevention strategies and 

visiting crime scenes. 

Her day at work is not the typical eight 

hour work day with a lunch break and two 

tea breaks. Instead, she has to contend with 

bullets, blood and devastation. 

“I am highly motivated by the community 

that I serve. When I wake up, I just get so 

excited knowing that I am going to help people,” 

said Menoe. 

Crime scenes 

Even when she thinks she has finished a 

day’s work, she is often called on to respond 

to crime scenes at all hours of the night. It is 

such a regular occurrence that she does not 

even view it as going beyond the line of duty 

anymore. 

When she arrives at a crime scene, she takes 

statements and as a communication officer, 

also helps with translations, if necessary. 

“I do often visit crime scenes and what one 

witnesses at these scenes can sometimes be 

very gruesome. 

“A few weeks ago we arrived at a scene 

where a trail of blood met us at the gate and 

snaked through the house where we discovered 

the body of a young lady. She had 

been stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend,” 

relayed Sergeant Menoe. 

Upon further investigation, when they 

opened the fridge they found a bottle of cold 

drink with blood stained finger prints all 

over it - which showed that the cold blooded 

murderer took a casual sip of the soft drink 

only minutes after killing the young lady by 

inflicting multiple stab wounds. 

The suspect was arrested within 24 hours 

and committed suicide before he could be 

brought to book. 

Coping 

“We sometimes get affected psychologically 

after visiting scenes, but the Employee Health 

and Wellness Services assists us to cope with 

these situations,” Sergeant Menoe said. 

Being a police officer is certainly no walk 

in the park and the allegations of corruption 

and misconduct - which seem endless - are 

not easy to contend. However, not all men 

and women in blue are rotten apples. 

“Yes, there are culprits within the SAPS that 

are not delivering the service that they are 

expected to, but we do have good cops. As 

our minister always says, we have to get rid 

of these culprits, but our success in doing that 

depends on the community.” 

Menoe believes that working together, the 

police services and ordinary people across 

Gauteng can improve the reputation of our 

country’s men and women in blue. 

At your service ... Police officer Busisiwe Menoe enjoys 

helping her community. 

Harsher punishment ahead for buying stolen goods 

BuaNews 

The long-awaited Second-Hand 

Goods Act came into effect on 1 

April. This means from now on 

harsher sentences lie ahead for not 

only those who steal, but those who buy 

stolen goods warned Police Minister Nathi 

Mthethwa. 

“Any person who buys stolen goods is as 

guilty as the person who stole the goods; 

and harsher sentences will apply to both the 

buyer and the thief,” he said. 

The Second-Hand Goods Act will regulate 

second-hand goods dealers and recyclers, 

and will be an important tool in the effort to 

clamp down on stolen goods. 

The Act will replace the outdated Second- 

Hand Goods Act of 1955 and covers a wide 

range of activities from the traditional corner 

pawnshop to large metal recyclers. It also 

addresses cable theft and the effect it has on 

infrastructure in South Africa. 

Clamp down 

As part of the first phase of implementation, 

certain sections of the act came into effect on 

13 December 13 and 16 January. 

These sections provided for, among other 

things, accreditation of second-hand goods 

dealers’ associations, and regulated “suspicious 

transactions”, as well as the possession, 

acquisition, and disposal of controlled metal 

cable, for example, copper. 

A national structure has also been established 

to deal with the control of second-hand 

goods. 

Among other things, the act requires all 

dealers in second-hand goods to report to 

the police all suspicious transactions where 

the seller attempted to provide false particulars, 

or where the goods were suspected to 

be stolen or tampered with. 

Copper thieves 

Second-hand goods dealers and pawnbrokers 

will therefore not only have to take 

reasonable steps to ensure that they do not 

buy stolen goods or goods that have been 

tampered with, but also be careful from 

whom they buy goods. 

If an unscrupulous dealer is found guilty, 

a court can impose a prison sentence of up 

to 10 years. 

Mthethwa said people dealing in or in 

possession of non-ferrous (controlled metal) 

cable with a burnt cover, were committing an 

offence unless they could provide the police 

with a reasonable explanation for the burnt 

cover. 

“This offence … gives a court the power to 

sentence copper thieves and unscrupulous 

scrap dealers to imprisonment for a period 

of 10 years. 

“We therefore believe this legislation will 

assist in combating both copper and property 

crimes,” Mthethwa said. 

To report theft or other crimes , call the 

Police’s Crime Stop number: 

08600 10111

May 2012 

Employment 


Employment News 

May 

2012 

Building entrepreneurs, creating jobs with Y-AGE 

Surfing then Internet at a Y-AGE awareness event. 

Developing a culture of entrepreneurship 

among South Africa’s 

youth is vitally important for economic 

growth and job creation. 

The Youth and Graduate Entrepreneurship 

Programme (Y-AGE) is a public-private partnership 

established to meet this need. The 

aim of the programme is to turn the business 

ideas of aspiring entrepreneurs into reality 

by providing a support mechanism. 

Following its launch 

in October last year, 

Y-AGE has received an 

overwhelming number of 

applications. This resulted 

in a decision to incresse the 

number of entrepreneurs to 

be rcruited from 100 000 to 

125 000. Soo far, more than 20 000 aspirant 

entrepreneurs have applied to be part of the 

programme. 

It currently runs in Gauteng only through 

partnership with Gauteng Enterprise Propeller 

(GEP), but in due course it will be 

expanded to other provinces. 

Success 

One youngster whose dreams have become 

reality through the programme, is Leonard 

Ndambambi who joined Y-Age after reading 

about it on Facebook. 

Thanks to support from the programme, 

his business idea of starting a company that 

melts polystyrene in a non-polluting way 

using natural materials, is well underway. 

“I wouldn’t have been able to put my idea 

into practice if it hadn’t been for the support 

and inspiration of Y-AGE,” Ndambambi 

said. 

Training 

Y-AGE’s target of training 125 000 future 

entrepreneurs is in line with government’s 

focus on investing 

in infrastructure 

development as 

stated by President 

Jacob Zuma in his 

State of the Nation 

Address earlier this 

year. 

The programme’s training curriculum is accredited 

by the Services Sector Education and 

Training Authority. This will lend credibility 

and formal recognition to the qualifications 

received by trainees who complete the Y- 

AGE programme. 

Thirty-five accredited companies will 

provide the capacity to train the candidates. 

These companies have appointed 400 training 

professionals including facilitators, assessors 

and moderators. Quality inspectors 

will ensure that the trainees’ requirements 

and expectations are met, thus affirming the 

programme’s commitment to high quality 

training. 

The aim of the programme is to 

turn the business ideas of aspiring 

entrepreneurs into reality by 

providing a support mechanism. 

TV personality and Brand Ambassador for Y-AGE Bonang Matheba chats to a Y-AGE official. 

A group of participants at a Y-AGE awareness event. 

FAQs about Y-AGE 

Do people who don’t live in Gauteng 

qualify to be part of Y-AGE? 

No, but plans are underway to implement 

Y-AGE nationally through municipalities, 

provincial governments and the private 

sector. Once implemented nationally, Y- 

AGE will recruit applicants from other 

provinces. 

Do non-South Africans qualify for 

Y-AGE? 

No, Y-AGE is intended for South African 

citizens only and at this stage for Gauteng 

residents only. 

Does Y-AGE cater for all minority groups 

or is it only for black people? 

Y-AGE is open to all South Africans between 

the ages of 18 and 35 with matric 

and for graduates up to age 40. 

Is there a fee involved? 

There is no fee required to apply, but those 

who are selected will be required to pay a 

non-refundable commitment fee of R500. 

What is the duration of the 

programme/classes? 

Candidates with no business experience 

must complete a full-time venture creation 

course for 12 months. Candidates with 

business experience must attend workshops 

and seminars to help them with 

business turnaround solutions. 

Are Y-AGE classes available through 

correspondence? 

No, Y-AGE training is not available 

through correspondence. Candidates 

must attend all sessions, as required; this 

will provide the interaction required for 

practical training interventions. 

Will working candidates have to resign 

to be part of Y-AGE? 

The training will cater for working people 

and will as far as possible accommodate 

their working schedules. 

If people own a company in partnership, 

can they apply for Y-AGE as a group? 

Application for Y-AGE is only on an individual 

basis, even if applicants own a 

company in partnership. 

Does Y-AGE register companies? 

No, Y-AGE does not register companies 

but will help selected candidates get 

their business ideas and companies 

registered. The Department of Trade 

and Industry can help with company 

registrations. 

How will applicants know that they have 

been successful? 

The Y-AGE contact centre will communicate 

the outcome of the selection process 

to all applicants via SMS or email. Successful 

candidates will be informed of further 

details. Payment of the commitment fee 

will secure a place in the programme for 

successful candidates. 

Can candidates open businesses in other 

provinces after completing the programme? 

No, Y-AGE is currently intended for job 

creation in Gauteng only. 

How do I apply for Y-AGE? 

Visit www.yage.co.za and apply online or 

SMS Y-AGE to 34747. 

Manual applications will soon be available at 

GEP outreach offices for people who do not 

have Internet access. Y-AGE will confirm once 

the forms are available. 

For more information, call 010 590 0260



May 2012 

Maponya centre empowers job seekers 

Katlego Makoko of the Professional Job Centre is ever-willing to assist job seekers at the Maponya Mall Thusong 

Service Centre. 

Neo Matonkonyane 

More than 6 000 job seekers have 

visited the Professional Job Centre 

(PJC) in Maponya Mall, Soweto, 

since its opening in February last 

year. This is an indication that unemployed 

graduates and skilled professionals are eager 

to use the facilities to source and apply for jobs 

in the public sector. 

The PJC is an initiative of the Gauteng Department 

of Finance to create a professional 

and user-friendly environment for job seekers 

to apply for public service vacancies online. 

“This facility is the first of its kind, bringing 

government recruitment closer to the people 

in a retail complex frequented by millions,” 

Mandla Nkomfe, Gauteng Finance MEC, said. 

“This means that in addition to doing their 

shopping, banking and the like, people can 

now walk into our facility, check available 

vacancies and apply online, or simply receive 

career advice offered by our highly qualified 

career advisors. I would like to urge our people 

to visit the Professional Job Centre and apply 

to start an exciting career in the public service,” 

MEC Nkomfe added. 

Expand services 

The PJC is an extension of the current recruitment 

services offered by the Talent Attraction 

Services (TAS). 

The motivation behind opening the centre 

came about when the TAS identified the need to 

expand its services to the public by providing 

information to potential job seekers regarding 

vacancies in the Gauteng Provincial Government. 

The PJC’s Digital Lounge gives job seekers 

access to technology to search and apply for 

vacancies online with the help of consultants. 

The database of job vacancies is updated 

regularly and new jobs are available every 

week. With job creation at the forefront of 

government’s priority areas, the PJC helps to 

bridge the gap between government vacancies 

and the citizens, reducing application and 

transportation costs for Gauteng job seekers 

who apply for vacancies within GPG. 

Growing popularity 

“The centre is doing well; we have not received 

any complaints from visitors applying for vacancies 

online,” Nthabiseng Sekere, Director at 

the TAS Unit said. Thrilled about the progress 

and direction that the centre is taking, Sekere 

revealed that the PJC is growing in popularity. 

“It (the centre) has been well received. In fact, 

we have received numerous requests to offer 

the same services to other Thusong Services 

Centres in the province. 

The demand is huge, but we need to make 

sure we have learnt enough before we consider 

expanding the services,” she explained. The 

centre is equipped with professional consultants 

who are well-trained to assist job seekers 

with CV preparation and provides them with 

handy interview guidelines that will enhance 

their prospects in finding a suitable job in the 

market. 

In a nutshell, job seekers are empowered on 

the job application process in a professional environment. 

The operating hours are from 9:00 

– 17:00 (weekdays) and 9:00 – 13:30 (Saturdays). 

For more information, call the Gauteng 

Department of Finance: 0860 428 8364 

Applying 

for a job 

made easier 

Palesa Ngomane 

Looking for and applying for a job 

can be a daunting task. For those 

who want to apply for government 

jobs, the Gauteng Shared Services 

Centre (GSSC) in Johannesburg 

makes it easier. 

Finding a job in government often 

starts with browsing through the 

vacancies section of different newspapers. 

The job advert will indicate 

that once you’ve decided to apply for a job, 

you must complete a Z83 application form. 

You will notice that each advertised government 

job has a clearly marked reference 

number, which must be reflected on the 

application form. 

Job seekers navigate their way through a government job advert. 

All applications are to be hand delivered 

at number 78 Fox Street, unless specified 

otherwise by the department. 

After the applications have been submitted 

and left in the clearly marked referenced 

cubicles, they will be taken to the back office 

to be captured and quality assured. 

A quality assured application is an application 

that has been clearly captured and 

issued a reference number and a waybill 

number. Once this has been done the CVs 

are packed together according to the respective 

departments and sent to the Human 

Resource unit of the relevant department. 

guidelines for applicants 

• Identify a position that you are qualified 

for. 

• Make sure you are suitable for the post. 

• Identify the region the post is geographically 

positioned. 

• Complete a Z83 form correctly and 

accurately; these can be obtained from 

any government institution such as a 

police station or Home Affairs offices or 

can be printed from the website: www. 

dfa.gov.za/employment/z83.pdf. 

• The Z83 should must reflect the correct 

reference number and your contact 

details. 

• Ensure that certified copies of qualifications 

and a valid bar-coded identity 

document accompany your application 

form. 

• Documents should be stapled together. 

• Make sure you know where to drop off 

your application documents. 

• Make sure about the closing date for 

applications – it is crucial to submit the 

applications before the closing date. 

• Make certain the application is placed 

in the correct cubicle at the GSSC. 

Applicants should please note that it is not 

the responsibility of the Gauteng Shared 

Services Centre to appoint people to the 

positions they have applied for; this is 

the sole responsibility of the government 

departments that advertised the positions. 


0860 GAUTENG (428 8364) 

Fax: 011 355 211 

website: www.Gautengonline.gov.za 

Meeting the need for more skills 

South Africa needs thousands more artisans to meet the 

demand for scarce skills. 

To help meet this need, the Manufacturing, Engineering 

and Related Services Sector Education and Training 

Authority (merSETA), Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) 

and St Anthony’s Education Training Centre in Boksburg have 

launched a three-year training programme in the motor industry. 

The three-year pilot programme is aimed at providing NQF 

level three qualifications for an initial intake of 24 learners. 

Each learner will be mentored by a dealership for four months. 

During this time, they will complete their portfolio of evidence 

for their final assessments. 

Relevant skills 

Speaking at the launch, MerSETA CEO Dr Raymond Patel said 

the launch of the technical learnership programme is in line with 

the merSeta’s mission: “We aim to increase access to high quality 

and relevant skills development and training opportunities to 

support economic growth,” Dr Patel explained. 

“We need thousands more artisans to satisfy the critical and 

scarce skills uptake. But having artisans to fill the need is not 

the only solution. We also need massive transformation across 

the South African economy. 

“This is crucial if we are to avert another catastrophe arising 

out of youth unemployment. This unemployment is particularly 

acute among those aged between 18 and 25, whose prospects 

for a better life dissipate every day.” 

transformation 

Dr Patel added that the course of merSETA is to develop skills 

for black people, especially for artisans and professionals, and 

to change the demographic profile of managers in the sector. 

“This is a key consideration in the overall transformation of the 

sector,” he said. “We must deepen the changes in our society. 

The MerSETA has positioned itself as the leading SETA for the 

development of artisan skills.” 

MBSA Divisional Manager for Group Corporate Affairs Nobuzwe 

Mangcu said the company shares the concern and commit 

ment of government to educate and up skill the youth. 

“We want to focus on a sound skills base. The automotive 

industry is strongly driven by technological advances and we 

have a severe shortage of technical skills,” Mangcu concluded. 

Artisans 

MBSA has trained about 10 000 artisans since the launch of its 

technical and vocational training scheme about 33 years ago, 

while the MerSETA has trained 27 162 artisans since the establishment 

of SETAs in 2001. 

The merSETA sector has about 50 000 firms employing around 

655 967 employees. The manufacturing sector provides employment 

for around 1,7 million or 13,2% of the total employed 

population. 

For more information, call the merSETA call centre: 

086 163 7738, 

or Head Office: 010 219 3000

May 2012 



EPWP looks at social sector support 

What is the EPWP? 

The Expanded Public Works Programme 

(EPWP) involves creating 

temporary work opportunities for 

the unemployed, using public sector 

expenditure. 

It is one of government’s initiatives to 

bridge the gap between the growing 

economy and the large number of 

unskilled and unemployed people 

who have yet to fully enjoy the benefits 

of economic development. 

Since the majority of unemployed 

people are also unskilled, the emphasis 

is mostly on work opportunities 

that require limited or no 

skills. All of the work opportunities 

generated by the EPWP are therefore 

combined with training, education 

or skills development, with the aim 

of increasing the ability of people to 

earn an income once they leave the 

programme. 

A group of previously unemployed people gather at an EPWP information session. 

The EPWP is one of government’s flagship 

interventions and is crucial in the 

fight against the challenges of inequality, 

poverty and unemployment, Minister 

of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini 

recently said. 

Addressing the Expanded Public Works 

Programme (EPWP) Conference in Rustenburg 

recently, Minister Dlamini said: “We are 

encouraged that in a year that was themed ‘A 

Year of Job Creation,’ unemployment declined 

during the fourth quarter of 2011 from 25 per 

cent to 23,9 per cent.” 

The main aim of the conference was to look 

at the extent to which the social sector of government 

can contribute towards job creation 

through the EPWP. This is in line with government’s 

priority to create job opportunities as 

outlined by President Jacob Zuma during his 

State of the Nation Address. 

Antipoverty tool 

Minister Dlamini said the National Development 

Plan (NDP) declared that it was possible 

to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 

2030. In support of this vision, the social sector 

is at the forefront of ensuring the successful 

implementation of the EPWP as an antipoverty 

tool. 

Various studies have confirmed the positive 

influence government investment has had to 

reduce poverty and improve the lack of services 

and basic social infrastructure. 

“The NDP has identified unemployment as 

one of the major challenges. The youth of our 

country constitute the majority of our population, 

and the fact that they bear the burden of 

unemployment remains a major challenge,” 

said Minister Dlamini. 

Wheelbarrow mentality 

In this regard, the minister encouraged people 

to take part in the development of their communities. 

She added that people should not 

expect government to do everything for them. 

“It is important for people to organise 

themselves in response to the socio-economic 

challenges that afflict our society. We cannot 

continue to promote what some have called the 

wheelbarrow mentality where communities 

expect government alone to deliver development 

on their doorsteps.” 

Dlamini mentioned the Community Works 

Programme (CWP) as one of the programmes 

that promoted active citizenship. “It aims to 

provide an employment safety net, by providing 

regular rather than full-time employment 

to participants, with a predictable number 

of days of work provided per month. This 

programme has been endorsed as having the 

potential to scale up the delivery of services, 

most of which fall within the social sector. 

“We cannot continue to promote 

what some have called the wheelbarrow 

mentality where communities 

expect government alone 

to deliver development at their 

doorsteps,” – Minister of Social 

Development Bathabile Dlamini. 

Workers in an EPWP project repairing a road. 

“The Department of Social Development will 

work with other departments such as Public 

Works, as well as Cooperative Governance and 

Traditional Affairs to strengthen the CWP,” 

Minister Dlamini said. 

She noted that one of the aims of the conference 

was to develop an EPWP Social Sector 

Action Plan for the next financial year. 

People with disabilities 

Regarding people with disabilities, the 

minister said according to the White Paper on 

Integrated National Disability, the majority of 

people with disabilities in South Africa had 

been excluded from the mainstream of society. 

“They do not fully enjoy the rights that are 

guaranteed to them by the constitution. Most 

of them still struggle to access opportunities 

within the mainstream economy.” 

However, the two per cent target of the EPWP 

had the potential to open doors for people with 

Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini, right, in conversation with Minister 

of Public Works Thembelani Thulas Nxesi. 

disabilities while upholding their dignity, she 

added. 

“We need to strengthen our efforts to protect 

the weak and vulnerable while at the same 

time promoting social solidarity and family 

preservation.” 

“The success of the EPWP will rely on the Social 

Sector’s ability to reach out to the communities 

and change people’s lives for the better. It 

will also rely on its ability to contribute towards 

the broader government targets including our 

commitments on Millennium Development 

Goals (MDGs),” the minister concluded. 


Department of Public Works: 

012 406 1974



May 2012 

Career-wise girls go techno 

Gabi Khumalo 

Although she excelled in Maths and 

Science at high school, Nomthandazo 

Bhembe was not sure what 

she wanted to study after completing 

Matric. 

Thanks to the Techno Girl career programme, 

Bhembe was able to identify her a passion for 

the sciences and is now studying for a BSc 

degree in Chemistry at the University of the 

Witwatersrand. 

The dynamic Techno Girl programme is 

one of government’s projects which aims to 

turn the tide against the growing shortage of 

young girls pursuing careers in the science and 

technology fields. 

Mentorships 

Championed by the Ministry for Women, 

Children and People with Disabilities, in 

partnership with the Department of Basic 

Education, UNICEF and the private sector, the 

programme aims to empower young girls to 

take up careers in the fields of Maths, Science 

and Technology. 

Through the project, girls between 15 and 18 

years old from disadvantaged communities 

are placed in corporate mentorship and job 

shadowing programmes in the science and 

technology fields, to give them first-hand 

experience of the working world. 

Since its establishment in 2007, the programme 

has reached over 4 250 girls and by 

the end of December 2011, the programme had 

reached girls in all the provinces. 

Career exposure 

Bhembe, who is from Tembisa, east of Johannesburg, 

was orphaned after her mother 

passed away in 2002 and her father in 2007. 

Her brother, who is a graduate from the University 

of Johannesburg, supported her while 

completing Grade 10 at Umqhele Secondary 

School in Tembisa. 

However, learners were not exposed to the 

corporate world and did not receive guidance 

on career paths to pursue after completing 

matric. 

In 2009, when she was in Grade 11, Bhembe 

was fortunate to be the only girl selected 

by her school to join the Techno-girl career 

programme. They visited different companies 

where they could see for themselves how the 

real working world worked. 

“During my involvement in this programme, 

I managed to attend career exposure at companies 

such the Johannesburg Road Agency, 

where I did my internship in Engineering. The 

experience I gained played a pivotal role in 

helping me decide my career path and made 

me realised that I could be a civil engineer or 

anything I wanted to be,” said Bhembe. 

Bhembe, who is currently a second-year in 

BSc Chemistry student, is confident that five 

Nomthandazo at the back left enjoying a break with other Techno Girls and an employee at the Johannesburg Road Agency. 

years’ time, she will be a qualified analytical 

chemist. 

Creating better lives 

The Minister for Women, Children and People 

with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana said through 

the programme, more and more girls will pursue 

the fields of Maths, Science, Technology 

and Engineering through the internship and 

will no longer feel intimidated by the subjects. 

“It is an important intervention that seeks 

to reverse this unfortunate situation by 

providing girls with the opportunity and 

skills to become productive participants in 

the economy and to empower them to make 

positive decisions that affect their lives. 

“It gives young girls the skills, confidence 

and power to create a better life for themselves 

and their communities,” Xingwana said. 

She encouraged beneficiaries of the programme 

to commit to working hard and be 

role models for other girls who will tomorrow 

want to be part of the programme. 

Deputy Minister for Higher Education and 

Training Hlengiwe Mkhize said the programme 

was central to her department as it 

is expected to create a skills pipeline. 

“The programme is a top priority to skill 

young people in critical areas,” Mkhize said. 

For more information about the 

Techno Girl Career Programme, 

call 012 354-8201, or send a fax to 

012 354-8293/4 

the less fuel you use, the more money in your pocket and the less carbon dioxide emissions you 

contribute to the environment. below are some ways in which you can save fuel on a daily basis: 

1. Reduce your normal driving speed 

(reducing speed by 10km/h could save 

your life). 

2. Lighten the load in your vehicle. 

3. Plan your trips and minimise short 

trips (or rather walk to short distance 

destinations; this can also be good 

exercise). 

4. Accelerate smoothly instead of 

speeding from traffic light to traffic 

light . 

5. Keep a safe following distance to avoid 

sudden breaking and acceleration. 

6. Use air conditioner only when is 

necessary. 

7. Reduce idling time (switch off the 

vehicle if the waiting is going to be 

more than a minute and avoid drive 

through’s). 

8. Travel early/later to avoid known traffic 

peaks. 

9. Resolve minor and major car service 

issues (this could result in big savings 

on fuel). 

10. Keep your tyres inflated to the proper 

pressure. Maintaining the correct tyre 

pressure also extends the tyre’s useful 

life and supports safer driving. 

11. If you have more than one car at home, 

use the most fuel efficient vehicle - 

especially for longer trips. 

12. Share the ride with other people 

(whether it’s your daily commute or a 

cross-country road trip). 

13. If you live near a train or bus station, 

consider using public transport. 

14. Always use the recommended grade 

of motor oil for your car. 

15. Downsize or hybridise (if you’re 

shopping for a new car, it’s time to reevaluate 

the size of the car you really 

need). 

16. Always change to the higher gear 

(change up through the higher 

gears as soon as possible without 

accelerating harder than necessary. 

Driving in a lower gear than you need 

wastes fuel).

May 2012 

Youth Matters 


Gauteng youth gear 

up for the auto sector 

Thembisa Shologu 

MEC Qedani Mahlangu announces a partnership with the automotive industry to train young people in 

Gauteng. 

Gauteng Provincial Government 

(GPG) has put aside R45 million to 

train and skill young people in the 

province in the automotive industry. 

Following the Premier’s State of the Province 

Address, MEC for Economic Development 

Qedani Mahlangu said through the Motor 

Sector Investment Support Project at least 2 500 

young people would acquire skills in electrical 

and mechanical engineering. 

“This will create 700 direct jobs and a further 

100 young people will receive technical 

training within the auto sector in Dubai. The 

programme will run for three years,” said 

Mahlangu. 

She said the provincial government was 

also setting aside R60 million for placement of 

young people in different programmes under 

the Gauteng Youth Employment Strategy. 

This group of young people who have never 

worked before will be placed in companies for 

three months as a partnership project between 

government and the private sector, said the 

MEC. 

The first intake of training for this year started 

in March at 90 training centres throughout the 

province. “49 000 recruits will receive training 

in business skills and already Standard Bank 

and Absa are behind this project concretely,” 

she said. 

For more information, call the Gauteng 

Premier’s Hotline: 0860 4288364, or send 

an e-mail to hotline@gauteng.gov.za 

Breaking through business barriers 

Steven Ngubeni, National Youth Development Agency CEO. 

An estimated 73 per cent of South Africa’s youth, 

who make up 42 per cent of our population, are 

unemployed – a reality that needs to be addressed 

if the country is to effectively eradicate poverty, said 

CEO of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) 

Steven Ngubeni. 

To this end, the NYDA recently launched a new initiative 

called the Ithubalentsha Micro Enterprise Programme. 

“Ithubalentsha”, meaning “An Opportunity for the Youth” 

in isiZulu, is aimed at addressing the barriers faced by both 

hopeful and established entrepreneurs. 

These barriers include lack of access to finance to start or 

expand their businesses, inadequate mentorship and business 

opportunities and lack of business management, as well as 

other relevant skills. 

Although Ithubalentsha is aimed at all aspirant and established 

South African entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 

35, preference will be given to those in rural and peri-urban 

areas and those living with disabilities. 

Key pillars 

The Ithubalentsha programme will use an integrated approach 

that comprises five key pillars: 

• Technical training 

• Entrepreneurship training 

• Micro enterprise finance 

• Business mentorship 

• Business opportunities and market linkages 

The programme aims to give young entrepreneurs access to 

mentors and business opportunities in the public as well as 

private sector, while also empowering them with skills and 

start-up loans ranging from R1 000 to R100 000. 

“We believe that the Ithubalentsha programme will go a long 

way to create direct and sustainable employment for young 

people thereby alleviating the scourge of youth unemployment, 

which is a major concern to the NYDA,” said NYDA CEO Steven 

Ngubeni. 

Power of partnership 

“The NYDA recognises that it cannot do this alone. South Africa 

is what it is today because of the power of partnerships and what 

they can achieve. We want to partner with the public and private 

sector and South Africans in general to make the Ithubalentsha 

Micro Enterprise Programme effective” Ngubeni emphasised. 

The NYDA is calling on South Africans experienced in the 

areas of leadership, management and business to volunteer to 

be mentors. Focus is on experienced entrepreneurs, business 

consultants, middle or senior managers, retired professionals, 

and life/business coaches. 

In addition, an appeal is also made to public and private 

organisations to avail business opportunities. 

Those who have already come on board as successful NYDA 

and Ithubalentsha ambassadors, include Rita Zwane, owner of 

Imbizo Buy & Braai (popularly known as Busy Corner); Nenio 

Mbazima, author and activist for people with disabilities; and 

Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, CEO of South African digital marketing 

agency KrazyBoyz Digital. 

For more information about Ithubalentsha Micro- 

Enterprise Programme and how to get involved, potential 

mentors and young entrepreneurs can visit the NYDA 

website at www.nyda.gov.za or email 

ithuba@nyda.gov.za, 

Toll-free call centre number: 08600 96884 

Creative outlet changes lives 

Kemantha Govender 

A 

project aimed at discouraging anti-social 

behaviour among young 

people, using different forms of 

art, has changed five young lives 

forever. 

The programme is part of a series of programmes 

started by the KwaZulu-Natal 

provincial government under the banner of 

My School Cultural Adventure Programme. 

It creates a platform for young people to 

access creative alternatives for quality and 

meaningful after-school opportunities. 

The department recently took five young 

people to the Reunion Islands in the Indian 

Ocean for seven days as a reward for being 

finalists in an essay-writing competition 

The learners, who were required to use essay 

writing, poetry, music and other forms 

of creative expression to write about social 

issues, participated at ward, local municipality, 

district municipality and finally at the 

provincial level. 

Giving hope 

Thandeka Mncube, one of the winners of the 

coveted prize, completed Grade 12 in 2011 at 

Muzokhanyayo Secondary School. 

Mncube said the trip had changed her life 

because apart from all that she had learnt, 

she travelled outside South Africa for the 

first time. She didn’t even know the Reunion 

Islands existed, but did some research before 

she left. 

She added that they were proud to be 

ambassadors for South Africa. “We would 

wear clothes and jewellery that showed that 

we were from South Africa and they were 

very interested in finding out more about 

our country. 

“This programme by government must 

not be stopped because it motivates us and 

it creates understanding and learning. We 

forgot that we came from poor backgrounds 

and this gave us hope,” she said. 

Lifetime experience 

Head of the delegation, Mbuso Kunene, 

said the programme was a direct response 

to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize’s 

call to create a platform for young people 

to access creative outlets for quality and 

meaningful after-school activities. 

“The programme does not interfere with 

school hours; it is implemented after school 

as this is the time when many young people 

are vulnerable to negative lifestyles, influences 

and behaviours,” Kunene said. 

The trip was a lifetime experience for the 

youth and other members of the delegation, 

who were happy and willing to learn and 

share with the people of Reunion, Kunene 

added. 

“The youth represented the South African 

people with pride and honour and they returned 

more determined to be ambassadors 

of good behaviour.” 

Social change 

Bongeka Zuma has already started to feel like 

an ambassador not just of good behaviour, 

but for the country. 

The Grade 10 learner from KwaMncane 

High School is passionate about using poetry 

as a tool for social change and says this 

programme made her feel proud to be an 

ambassador for South Africa. 

“This programme showed me that government 

wants to see us improve our behaviour 

and help us,” she explained. 

“I write about HIV and Aids, the dangers 

and how we the youth must make better 

decisions. The message is simple, we don’t 

have to risk our lives,” she added. 

Apart from essay-writing, other projects 

in the My School Adventure Programme 

include school cultural programmes, intercultural 

and inter-generational dialogues, 

beautification of public spaces and family 

tree projects.


May 2012 

Know your Minister 

Meet Minister 

Naledi Pandor 

Minister of Science and Technology 

Naledi Pandor has been 

a Member of Parliament since 

1994 and was appointed to the 

Cabinet following the 2004 general elections. 

She served as Minister of Education from 

2004 until her appointment as Minister of 

Science and Technology by President Jacob 

Zuma in May 2009. 

After matriculating from Gaborone 

Secondary School in Botswana in 1972, 

Minister Pandor obtained a BA degree 

from the University of Botswana. She went 

on to study in London where she obtained 

a Diploma in Education and an MA degree 

in Education from the University of London. 

She also holds a Diploma in Leadership in 

Development from the Kennedy School of 

Government, University of Havard and an 

MA degree in General Linguistics from the 

University of Stellenbosch. 

Since starting her career as a teacher in 

1980, Minister Pandor has held many prominent 

positions in education. These include 

senior lecturer in the Academic Support 

Programme of the University of Cape Town, 

Chair of the Western Cape School Building 

Trust, Chair of the Tertiary Education Fund 

of South Africa, Chancellor of the Cape 

Technikon and Member of the Council of 

the University of Fort Hare. 

As ANC PM, Minister Pandor has also 

served among others on the Portfolio Committee 

on Education, as ANC Whip in the 

National Assembly, ANC Deputy Chief 

Whip in the National assembly, chairperson 

of the National Council of Provinces, 

member of the ANC National Executive 

Council and member of sub-committees on 

Education, Communications, Archives and 

Political Education. 

Science and 

banking join 

hands for growth 

Reaching for the 

stars with SKA 

Susan de Bruin 

The announcement about who will 

host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), 

which was set to be made during April, 

was delayed. Science and Technology 

Minister Naledi Pandor said she was 

disappointed at the delay and hoped 

that the SKA Organisation would make 

a decision in the first half of 2012 and 

that the decision would “reflect the best 

scientific outcome.” 

World scientists are star struck 

about South Africa being a possible 

place to learn more about 

the creation of the universe. 

In the next few months South Africa and 

Australia will know which of the two contestants 

will be the lucky winner to host the most 

powerful radio telescope in the world. If South 

Africa is chosen, the radio telescope, known 

as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), will be 

situated in the Northern Cape. 

The telescope will help astronomers answer 

questions about the creation and development 

of the first stars and galaxies. 

Construction 

An international consortium will be involved 

in constructing the radio telescope at a cost of 

R15 billion. It will be completed around 2024. 

To make sure the radio telescope functions at 

top capacity, the underdeveloped area of Carnarvon 

in the Northern Cape was selected as the 

perfect location. It is a radio quiet area, meaning 

there are few radio signals and interference. 

The absence of interference is very important 

because this sensitive radio telescope must 

be able to pick up the right sounds from the 

universe without any background noise or 

interference from the surrounding areas. 

Back on earth, the SKA project is a truly an 

African bid, to quote Science and Technology 

Minister Naledi Pandor whose department is 

leading the bid process. 

The Northern Cape will host the core of the 

mega telescope with additional antenna stations 

in Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, 

Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar, Namibia 

and Zambia. 

Job creation 

The construction and hosting of the SKA radio 

telescope will bring much-needed economic 

growth to the Northern Cape. It will create 

thousands of construction jobs in the province, 

as well as the rest of South Africa. After 

completion, it will continue to generate jobs in 

operations, maintenance and support services. 

In addition, tourism is expected to increase 

to the area and jobs will be created as road 

infrastructure is expanded to cope with additional 

traffic. This will most likely lead to more 

small businesses and guest houses opening to 

accommodate the growing needs. 

Special skills 

To construct and maintain the radio telescope, 

South Africa will need special skills. This is one 

of the reasons why government is encouraging 

the youth to study science and engineering, 

and investing in bursaries for such studies. 

Since 2005, the South African Square Kilometre 

Array Human Capital Development 

Programme has given close to 300 grants and 

scholarships to astronomy and engineering 

students. This programme also invests in 

training programmes for technicians. 

MeerKAT 

Apart from the SKA radio telescope, South 

Africa’s science and technology skills are also 

demonstrated to the world by our MeerKAT 

radio telescope in Carnarvon. When the entire 

MeerKAT project is completed in 2016, it will 

be the most sensitive radio telescope in the 

southern hemisphere until the SKA radio 

telescope becomes operational in 2024. 

Government is very pleased with the interest 

the MeerKAT is already attracting. Already, 

more than 500 international astronomers, 58 

from Africa, have submitted proposals to do 

science projects using MeerKAT. 

Government calls on all South Africans to 

support our bid for this very important project, 

because it will improve the lives of many 

South Africans. 

For more information, visit the SKA 

website at www.ska.ac.za, or call the 

Department of Science and Technology: 

012 843 6300/6303 

Absa has agreed to support government in increasing access to high-level graduate programmes in 

science and engineering. 

The Department of Science and 

Technology and one of the country’s 

leading banks, Absa, have 

joined hands to stimulate the 

country’s growth. 

A memorandum of understanding 

(MoU)will see the two collaborating on 

information and communication technology 

(ICT) and agricultural business 

development programmes. 

“This partnership is timely as it occurs 

when government is seeking sustainable 

strategies to increase investment 

in research and development, and also 

stimulate business to do the same,” said 

Science and Technology Minister Naledi 

Pandor, who signed the memorandum on 

behalf of the department. 

Human capital 

Through the memorandum, the two partners 

will focus on, among other things, 

human capital development, technology 

commercialisation, renewable energy 

technologies, information communication 

technology and agricultural business 

development. 

Pandor welcomed the partnership with 

Absa, saying it would go a long way in addressing 

the innovation gap in technology 

platforms such as ICT, information security 

and renewable energy technologies. 

“It is therefore fortuitous that underlying 

this collaboration with Absa is the 

creation of synergies in the research, 

development and innovation enterprise,” 

she said, adding that it was crucial for the 

DST to create a prosperous society that 

derived equitable benefits from science 

and technology. 

Pandor underscored the importance of 

developing highly skilled human capital, 

especially in areas related to finance and 

banking. 

High-level skills 

Signing the MoU on behalf of Absa, Chief 

Executive for Retail and Business Banking 

Bobby Malabie, said the bank was fully 

committed to supporting government 

to increase access to high-level graduate 

programmes in natural and physical science 

as well as engineering. 

“Our role extends beyond that of a mere 

bank. We are a true partner in society 

as we take a step closer today towards 

realising the desired partnership with 

universities to attract quality graduates, 

who will be able to advance the fields of 

science, engineering and technology. 

“It is only through industrial, governmental 

and educational partnerships that 

this can be achieved,” he said. 

Malabie stressed Absa’s commitment 

to the partnership, saying it would open 

up access to occupationally directed programmes 

and develop high-level skills for 

research and innovation to enhance South 

Africa’s global competitiveness.

May 2012 

Presidential Hotline 

Letters to the Editor 

Give us a piece 

of your mind... 

Madia Ntseye Jonas, Seshego, Limpopo, 

wrote our winning letter. Prizes are 

sponsored by On the Dot 

winning 

letter 

Our 

future 

leaders 

Where are 

our future 

leaders? 

Many of the 

youth and 

teenagers 

that should 

become our future leaders are rotting in 

jails. They should go to school to study 

so that they can become better people or 

become our future leaders. The question 

is – who can help these young people? 

People would ask why the Department 

of Education doesn’t come up with some 

strategies to guide the learners on how 

to prevent unwanted pregnancy and 

stay away from drugs, alcohol, violence 

and theft. Younger girls are falling 

pregnant every day and the blame is 

always put on government, particularly 

the Department of Education, while we, 

as citizens do nothing. 

Let’s stand up and fight this together as 

the slogan of our country says, ”working 

together we can do more”. 

All stakeholders – parents, doctors, 

psychologists, religious people and communities 

must contribute so that we can 

build a strong future nation. 

– Madia Ntseye Jonas, Seshego, 

Limpopo 

Knocking on your door 

I can really say that Vuk’uzenzele knocks 

on your door. I appreciate all the information 

you are giving us, and now its 

up to us to use it, because Vuk’uzenele is 

right when it says, “Wake up and do it 

for yourself”. 

We all have 24 hours every day, so we 

should use it in the right way to achieve 

what we want in life. Everybody can 

benefit from reading Vuk’uzenzele like I 

have and I will keep on reading every 

month. 

– Tzenande Nkabane, Zamdela, 

Gauteng 

Always try one more time 

Our greatness weakness lies in giving 

up, while the most certain way to 

succeed is always to try one more time. 

If you want to achieve success, just do 

what love and believe in yourself, then 

it will come to you naturally. 

So, stand up, work harder, persevere, 

try again, and don’t let the things that 

you cannot do interfere with what 

you can do. Let’s begin this year with 

passion and make it a year of excellence 

in achieving something have wished for 

because you will gain from pain. 

- Ramoroka Salome, Ga-Mushi Village, 

Limpopo 

Send your letters to: Vuk’uzenzele, 

Private Bag X745, Pretoria, 0001. 

E-mail: vukuzenzele@gcis.gov.za. If you 

don’t want your real name published you 

may use a different name, but please include 

your real name and address. PLEASE NOTE: 

To win a prize you must include a physical 

address and a contact telephone number. 

Prizes that are not claimed within 90 days of 

publication, will be forfeited. 

We would like to hear 

from you 

If any of the information published in 

Vuk’uzenzele has helped you in any way to 

improve your life, we would like to hear from 

you. Don’t forget to include your telephone or 

cellphone number and address. 

South African Government Online 

The Presidential Hotline 17737 

should only be used when all your 

attempts to get assistance from government 

departments, provinces, 

municipalities or state agencies have failed. 

The hotline is not only a complaints line; 

you can also call to share your views or 

provide solutions to the challenges in your 

community. 

Apart from the Presidential Hotline, government 

has a number of other help lines and 

call centres through which you can: 

• get information about services and programmes 

• report problems or make complaints 

• provide tip-offs to authorities about 

fraudulent or criminal activities. 

Below are some of government help line 

numbers, as well as some non-governmental 

organisations working with government. 

Call centre Description Telephone number E-mail 

Presidential Hotline Deals with complaints about unresolved service delivery issues. 17737 (1 PRES) Fax: 086 681 0987 / 012 323 president@po.gov.za 

8246 

Deals with enquiries about government services The call centre 

Gateway call centre 

accommodates calls in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, 1020 

Sesotho and Tshivenda 

Numbers for specific issues 

AIDS help line Help line 0800 012 322 

National Anti-corruption Forum National anti-corruption hotline for the public service 0800 701 701 

Call Centre for Investors (dti) 

The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) helps companies 

wanting to invest in South Africa. Trade and Investment South 

0861 843 384 (SA callers) 

+27 12 394 9500 (international callers) 

Africa (TISA) maps investor needs with opportunities in each 

of the nine provinces. 

Crime Stop Report crime anonymously 08600 10111 

Department of Communications Ministerial hotline 012 427 8292 

Department of Education Hotline 0800 202 933 

Department of Environmental Affairs Environmental affairs & tourism call centre 086 111 2468 

Tip-offs on contraventions of environmental legislation 0800 205 005 

Department of Home Affairs 

- General enquiries: identity documents & travel documents 

- Ministerial hotline for complaints and/or compliments 

- Zimbabwean special dispensation call centre 

0800 6011 90 

0800 2044 76 

0800 864 488 or 0800 601 190 

- Housing enquiries - toll free 

0800 146 873 

Department of Human Settlements 

- Customer service hotline 

012 421 1915 

- Fraud hotline 

0800 204401 

Department of Water Affairs Water affairs enquiries - toll free 0800 200 200 

- Pension and benefits queries 

0800 117 669 

Government Employees Pension Fund - Anti-corruption hotline 

0800 43 43 73 

csc@dha.gov.za 

minister@dha.gov.za 

Health complaints 

Limpopo 

Mpumalanga 

Eastern Cape 

Free State 

Gauteng 

0800 919 191 

0800 204 098 

0800 032 364 

0800 535 554 

0800 203 886 

Land Rights Awareness and Evictions Land rights violations of any nature including illegal 0800 007095 

eviction 

Mental Health Information Line Mental Health Information Line 0800 567 567 

Military Police Crime line 0800 222 091 

National Health System Ethics Line National Health System Ethics Line 0800 2014 144 14 

National Traffic Call Centre (ntcc) 

Report bad drivers, unsafe vehicles and reckless and negligent 

driver behaviour, as well as fraud and corruption within 0861 400 800 (not toll free) 

the traffic situation. 

Public Protector RSA Investigates maladministration in government 0800 112040 

Public Works Dedicated hotline for payments outstanding for over 30 days 0800 782 542 Fax: 012 320 2854 

South African Police Service 

National firearm call centre Enquiries about firearm licences 012 353 6111 

SAPS Service Evaluation Complaints about poor police service 0860 13 0860 

Childline Report child abuse 0800 05 55 55 

National Crisis Line 

24-hour telephonic counselling service dealing with all 

forms of abuse, HIV/AIDS, bereavement, suicide and eating 0861 322 322 

disorders. It is linked to SAPS. 

Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) 

- Public Sector SMME Payment 

- Assistance Hotline - help with late government payments 

(more than 30 days) 

0860 766 3729 

0860 SMME PAY 

Fax: 012 452 0458 

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Report fraud with social grants 0800601011 

South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) National Career Advice Helpline 086 0111 673 help@nqf.org.za 

Tourism Tourism call centre 086 111 2468 callcentre@tourism.gov.za 

Provinces 

Eastern Cape Education General enquiries on education 0860 638 636 Fax: 0862 169 749 customercare@edu.ecprov. 

gov.za 

Gauteng Provincial Government General enquiries 0860 GAUTENG (0860 428 8364) 

hotline@gauteng.gov.za 

Fax: 011 429 3222 

Limpopo Provincial Government 

Report cases on non-delivery and other issues directly to 

Premier Cassel Mathale. Hotline operates from Monday to 0800 864 729 (toll free) 

Friday between 8am and 10pm. 

Department of Health: Service delivery complaints, information 

0800 005 133 

KwaZulu-Natal 

about health services, and antiretroviral therapy help line 

Transport - enquiries and offence reports 

0860 4288 364 

Online report facility 

Western Cape Provincial Government General enquiries 0860 142 142 (weekdays 08:00 - 18:00) questions@capegateway.gov.za 

Non-governmental organisations 

Anonymous, confidential and 

FAMSA Advice on family relationships Stop Gender Violence 

accessible telephonic information, 

counselling and referrals, 

in all 11 official languages 

Human trafficking 


Government call centres and help lines at your service 

Report cases of human trafficking - hotline operated by 

the Salvation Army and Be Heard 

08007 37283 / 0 8000-rescue

General 


May 2012 

Drop debt: you owe it to yourself 

Samona Murugan 

Every month, thousands of people go 

into debt review as they struggle to 

cope with the endless list of expenses. 

There are 18,6 million South Africans 

who currently have credit agreements. Almost 

half of them are in arrears. Thousands of 

people realise every month that they can no 

longer afford to pay their debts and pay their 

basic bills for food, petrol, electricity, water 

and other essentials. 

This has led to the number of consumers 

flocking to debt counselling increasing rapidly. 

At the start of the new year, the National 

Credit Regulator (NCR) warned of reckless 

lending and spending. The regulator pointed 

out that of 19,10 million credit-active consumers, 

8,83 million had impaired records at the 

end of September. The NCR also stated that 

debt counselling applications were on the rise. 

debt review system 

To facilitate the smooth running of the debt 

review system, the NCR has contracted payment 

distribution agencies or PDAs to collect 

money from consumers and distribute this 

to credit providers in accordance with the 

restructured agreement. Five PDAs currently 

provide these services: 

• About R1,3 billion in debt review payments 

has been collected by PDAs from 

March 2009 to April 2010. 

• Since its inception, PDAs have received 

R1,8 billion and disbursed R1,6 billion. 

• The NCR receives about 7 000 to 8 000 

new debt counselling applications every 

month. This brings the total number of 

applications since its inception to 160 000. 

These are applications of consumers who 

could have had their houses, cars and 

other valuable possessions repossessed. 

Steps to curb debt 

Stop making more debt: You cannot 

even begin to think of becoming 

debt-free unless you stop making any 

further debt. Don’t be tempted to use 

your credit cards or enter into more 

loan agreements just to try and pay 

current debt. That is debt suicide. 

Make a list of what you owe: Use your 

latest statements and begin to make a 

list of all your debt obligations. Begin 

with the largest balance first. List the 

minimum monthly instalments required, 

the interest rate applicable as 

well as the outstanding balance. You 

might be shocked when you see how 

many credit agreements you really 

have and the total debt amount they 

all add up to. 

Reduce your expenses: Look at your 

budget responsibly and see which 

expenses can be reduced. For example, 

reduce your DSTV package to a 

lesser one or consider reducing your 

cell phone contract to a more affordable 

package. You might have to pay 

a penalty because of the reduced 

package, but in the end you will save 

money. 

Prioritise your repayments: Add the 

additional money created in step 3 

to the debt with the smallest balance. 

Once the smallest debt is paid off, use 

the money freed up in step 3 to pay 

off the next debt on your list until this 

one is also paid off. This way you will 

not spend the money available after 

a debt has been paid off, but use 

it to pay off other debt. You will be 

amazed how much interest you will 

save. 

Get help: If any creditors are in the 

process of taking legal action against 

you or you are unable to meet all your 

monthly debt requirements, don’t 

stress. Seek debt counselling with an 

NCR-registered debt counsellor. They 

can help you reduce your monthly 

debt repayments to one affordable 

amount, without making more debt. 

Debt counselling 

Debt counselling started in South Africa in 

2007 as an extension of the National Credit 

Act, which came into being in 2005. This was 

done to curb reckless lending and borrowing. 

Debt counselling aims to help over-indebted 

consumers to pay off debts. In doing so, credit 

providers aren’t put out of business and individuals 

still have enough money to live on. It 

was created for people who have lost control of 

their finances and are facing legal action from 

their creditors. Forms of debt counselling exist 

in several other countries, but South Africa is 

one of the few that have made it a process. 

beware of dodgy deals 

Don’t get caught out by a dodgy debt counsellor. 

Contact the National Credit Regulator 

(NCR) and check that the company is registered. 

Make sure it uses approved debt-counselling 

software and that it is compliant with the 

National Credit Act, as well as the NCR’s fee 

structure guidelines. Ask whether the company 

has signed the debt counsellors’ code of 

conduct and check that it uses an NCR-regulated 

payment distribution agency to manage 

your repayments to creditors. 

For more information, call the National 

Credit Regulator: 011 554 2600 or 

086 0627627. You can also send an 

e-mail to: complaints@ncr.org.za

May 2012 

International Relations 


Brics leads global solutions 

to the world’s challenges 

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese President Hu Jintao and South African President 

Jacob Zuma hold copies of the BRICS report at the summit in New Delhi. 

Bua News 

President Jacob Zuma has welcomed 

the Delhi Declaration issued by the 

leaders of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, 

China and South Africa after the 

fourth Brics Summit, which was held 

in New Delhi, India recently. 

President Zuma said the Delhi Declaration 

would strengthen the Brics 

partnership’s collective resolve to find 

global solutions to global challenges. 

The declaration highlights the possibility 

of establishing a new Development Bank for 

emerging economies and developing countries. 

It also tackles the roles of the International 

Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank; 

the Doha Round of trade talks; energy, efforts 

SA, Italy boost police cooperation 

to fight terrorism; the situation in the Middle 

East and North Africa; particularly Syria, Iran, 

and Afghanistan; and the humanitarian crisis 

in the Horn of Africa. 

In a statement issued after the meeting, 

President Zuma said he was pleased with 

the BRICS leaders’ commitment to support 

Africa and South Africa’s comprehensive 

infrastructure development programmes, as 

part of stimulating sustainable development 

and prosperity on the continent. 

Development Bank plan 

The President also welcomed the decision to 

prepare for a new BRICS-led Development 

Bank for inclusive and sustainable development 

projects. 

In the declaration, the leaders directed their 

finance ministers to work towards forming a 

Development Bank that would cater to the 

needs of developing countries while supplementing 

the existing efforts of multilateral 

and regional financial institutions for global 

growth and development. 

“This development is welcomed by many 

other African leaders as it will support our 

priority infrastructure projects as well as 

trade and investment opportunities with our 

BRICS partners,” Zuma said. “Such a bank has 

great potential to help us create good jobs in 

developing countries.” 

trade talks 

On the matter of inclusive growth, Zuma said 

the BRICS leaders were concerned about the 

current impasse in WTO trade negotiations, 

and the threat to the Doha Development 

Agenda. 

“Developing economies are under pressure 

to offer additional and un-reciprocated access 

to their markets in industrial products and 

services, in exchange for moderate reforms 

in agricultural protectionism. This is unfair, 

un-mandated and anti-development.” . 

The leaders also discussed the situation in 

the Middle East and North Africa. President 

Zuma said strong global governance was required 

now more than ever to bring stability 

to these regions. 

The important issues of food security and 

the achievement of the Millennium Development 

Goals by 2015 were also discussed. 


Department of International Relations 

and Cooperation: 012 351 1000 

Congratulations are in order for 

Africa’s third female head of state 

Italian Interior Minister Annamaria Cancellieri and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa sign an agreement on 

police cooperation between the two countries. 

Bua News 

Police cooperation between South Africa 

and Italy will be strengthened following 

recent discussions between Police 

Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Italian 

Interior Minister Annamaria Cancellieri. 

The ministers signed an agreement on police 

cooperation between the two countries at Parliament, 

Cape Town. 

At the heart of the bilateral discussions was 

promoting cooperation between South Africa 

and Italy in preventing, combating and investigating 

crime, and recognising the importance 

of international cooperation in combating 

transnational organised crime. 

State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele and 

the Italian Ambassador Vincenzo Schioppa also 

Malawian President Joyce Banda . 

Congratulating Joyce Banda on assuming 

the Malawian Presidency, 

President Jacob Zuma said: 

“We commend the Government 

and people of Malawi for upholding their 

participated in the discussions. 

Mthethwa noted that criminal syndicates 

globally were becoming sophisticated. He 

was hopeful that through the agreement, law 

enforcement agencies from both countries 

would be able to cooperate and jointly break 

the backbone of such syndicates. 

“From our side as South Africa, we shall 

spare neither strength nor effort to ensure that 

criminals fail in these acts and intentions. We 

therefore welcome this cooperation from our 

counterparts from Italy as we see it as additional 

arsenal in our efforts of fighting crime,” 

Mthethwa said. 

The discussions also highlighted the need to 

strengthen cooperation in searching and capturing 

of criminals at large, Cancellieri added. 

On the issue to terrorism, South Africa and 

Italy agreed to cooperate in preventing and 

suppressing terrorist acts in accordance with 

the domestic law in force in their countries and 

their international obligations. 

They also agreed on ongoing exchange of information 

about crime and criminal organisations, 

legislation and scientific tools to combat 

country’s constitution and ensuring a 

peaceful and orderly transition.” 

On 7 April, Joyce Banda was elected to 

be Southern Africa’s first female head of 

state and the third-ever female head of 

state in Africa after Ethiopian Empress 

Zewditu and Liberian President Ellen 

Johnson Sirleaf. 

The 61-year old mother of three is a winner 

of national and international awards 

for her work as a supporter of women’s 

rights. 

She founded three major organisations 

in Malawi, namely the National Association 

of Business Women, the Young 

Women’s Leaders Network, and the Joyce 

Banda Foundation. 

Last year, she was named by Forbes 

Magazine as Africa’s third most powerful 

female politician after Liberian President 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Nigerian Minister 

of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. 

crime and to exchange information relating to 

training and use of specialised techniques to 

combat crime. 

In addition, the two countries undertook to 

put in place measures to help each other with 

special investigations, exchanging information 

on methods to combat human trafficking, 

information on passports and other travel 

documents.


May 2012 

Sports 

World-class theatre for Soweto 

Lerato Mailoane 

In a few months’ time, Soweto’s local artists 

will no longer have to travel long distances 

to fulfil their dreams. This, thanks to 

a world-class, state-of-the-art R150-million 

theatre, which will soon open in Soweto’s Jabulani 

Township. 

Construction of the theatre started in June 

2009, and is nearly ready to host audiences and 

performers, said construction manager, Renton 

Haskell. “We are expecting to be finished by 

mid-year if all goes according to plan.” 

When complete, the theatre will comprise a 

420-seat main venue with an end stage, furnished 

with wings and buttresses; two smaller 

venues of 180 and 90 seats, respectively; an 

indoor foyer serving all three venues; multilevel 

change rooms; storage rooms; and a green 

room, where the performers will be able to rest 

or receive visitors. 

Legacy project 

The Soweto Theatre is one of the legacy projects 

of the 2010 World Cup and was announced 

three years before the event. The legacy initiative 

aims to ensure that long after the end of 

the World Cup, the city’s residents will still 

benefit from the football spectacular. 

“Once the theatre is complete, it is expected 

to create new jobs for many theatre groups and 

individuals living and working in Soweto and 

surrounding areas,” the City of Joburg’s Arts, 

Culture and Heritage director Steven Sacks 

said. “We hope that the theatre will have a 

professional and community theatre element 

as Soweto is a big community and all those 

artists from the area will need to benefit from 

the initiative. 

“It will also be important to strike a balance 

and create an atmosphere, which will cater for 

the numerous tourists who frequent Soweto 

daily. It will further give residents quality 

entertainment and will provide for education 

and training in theatre and the 

performing arts,” Sacks added. 

The Soweto Theatre is the first of 

its kind in the township and is being 

delivered by the Department 

of Community Development 

together with the Johannesburg 

Property Company. 

The multi-purpose theatre will 

be used for theatre productions, 

music productions and dance. 

The two small venues are aimed 

at the growth of local talent 

and will stage local dramas and 

traditional dances, as well as 

rehearsals. Sacks added that the 

structure would be easily noticeable 

and will be one of the tourist 

attractions in Soweto where visitors 

will enjoy a spectacular aerial 

view of Soweto. 

Economic boost 

The construction of the theatre 

has created several jobs for locals 

Magnificent Wednesdays get 

the ball rolling for school sport 

and will also help to boost the local economy, 

said Sacks. The theatre will be easily accessible 

from main roads and a nearby Rea Vaya bus 

rapid transit station. It is located next to the 

busy Jabulani Mall on the corner of Bolani and 

Koma Roads. 

The theatre will be central to the development 

of the Jabulani business node, which 

will eventually house a R320-million shopping 

mall, the 300-bed Jabulani Provincial 

Hospital and a residential area. The theatre 

will eventually have 55 employees. However, 

not all 55 positions will be filled immediately. 

Filling positions will be phased in as theatre 

requirements grow. 

The the municipality’s Department of Community 

Development will be responsible for 

managing the Soweto Theatre. 

An architect’s model of Soweto’s colourful new state-of-the-art theatre, which will open in Jabulani Township later this year. 

Technological edge 

for Banyana 

Nthambeleni Gabara 

Banyana Banyana is using of state-of-the-art 

video analysis support in preparation for 

the London Olympics in July. 

“The Amisco programme is used by the 

FIFA Technical Study Group and 11 Premier Soccer 

League (PSL) teams as well as international brands 

such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, 

Hamburg, Inter Milan and many more,” Amisco 

video analyst Wade Benn said recently. 

Bafana Bafana has also been using the programme 

for the last few months and the coaches 

are very happy. 

Off to a winning start at the launch of Magnificent Wednesdays. 

Sport and Recreation SA 

After the recent kick-off ceremony 

of the National Schools League 

and Magnificent Wednesdays, 

there can be no doubt that school 

sport is well on the way to regaining its important 

status as a vital part of South Africa’s 

sporting success. 

The event held at Vlakfontein High School 

in Mamelodi near Pretoria symbolically 

represented something very significant in 

the world of South African sport. 

So far, more than 10 000 schools representing 

thousands of children in both urban and 

rural areas have already signed on to the 

National Schools League, and will be participating 

in any number of the 16 sporting 

codes that are part of the league 

Wednesday, sport day 

The kick-off, which not by coincidence was 

held on a Wednesday, was addressed by 

both the Minister of Sport and Recreation 

Fikile Mbalula and the Minister of Basic Education 

Angie Motshekga. This signified the 

importance of the event and of Wednesdays 

being the day for sport in schools nationally. 

The two departments are working together 

in the implementation of school sport, with 

the help of various other interested parties. 

Both Ministers urged the assembled children 

to participate in the sports offered in 

their schools. They also spoke of the importance 

of physical activity in their lives and 

the value that it added to both personal and 

community life. 

Minister Mbalula mentioned several goals 

for the remainder of 2012, including the 

establishment of “One School – One Qualified 

Physical Education Educator”, “One 

School – One Sporting Facility” and “One 

Learner – One Sporting Code” campaigns to 

ensure that school sport continues to become 

an integrated part of every school-going 

child’s life. 

Sport legends 

During the kick-off activities more than one 

prominent sports legend who had reached 

elite levels in South African sport in the past 

could be seen putting the children through 

Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula 

and Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga 

get the ball rolling for school sport. 

their paces in football, netball and athletics, 

teaching them basic skills and edging them 

on to try harder. 

These past stars, who include football great 

Phil Masinga and athletics star Geraldine 

Pillay, form an important part of the larger 

school sport environment as experts who 

will share their experience and knowledge 

with the school sport movement as coaches 

and in other capacities. 

funding 

At the launch of the league, a cheque to the 

value of R33 million from Sport and Recreation 

South Africa (SRSA) was handed 

to Anita Mathews, Executive Director of 

the Sports Trust, the organisation that will 

coordinate and administer the league. 

SRSA will play a monitoring role to ensure 

that the goals of the school sport programmes 

are met. 

A further R200 million will be set aside by 

the Lotteries Fund for the funding of school 

sport during the current cycle. 

For more information, call SRSA: 

012 304 5000 

preparations 

The programme takes the emotion out of decision 

making and allows coaches to prepare thoroughly 

for training and matches by remembering what 

they previously saw of players and allowing them 

to analyse video clips and statistical research. 

Said Benn: “Each of the four matches played by 

Banyana Banyana at the recent Cyprus Women’s 

Cup, has led to a 31-page report, giving coaches 

in-depth information on elements including the 

team’s strengths and weaknesses, goals scored and 

conceded, possession retained and lost. 

The coaches will also be getting a tournament 

report summing up strengths and weaknesses as 

well as key tactical and statistical points from the 

Cyprus Women’s Cup.” 

match intelligence 

According to Benn, the players’ match intelligence 

is also improving as they can see the decisions they 

could and should have made, and how to position 

themselves on the field. 

Cape Town-based Benn has been working with 

the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana team since 

February this year. He has also worked with PSL 

sides Ajax Cape Town, Amazulu and Moroka 

Swallows. 

Benn is not the only supporting structure that 

has been introduced by the South African Football 

Association (Safa) to Banyana Banyana ahead of 

the Olympic Games in London. The support staff 

now comprise a technical advisor, an assistant 

coach, goalkeeper coach, team manager, physical 

trainer, doctor, physiotherapist, biokinetics specialist, 

masseur and two kit managers, as well as 

a media liaison officer, a security manager and a 

video analyst.

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