.......Regulars
Great strides in evaluating government's performance
In 2009, President Jacob Zuma’s incoming administration established monitoring and evaluation as a tool to improve government performance. It focuses on 12 priority performance outcomes.
In 2009, President Jacob Zuma’s incoming administration established monitoring and evaluation as a tool to improve government performance. It focuses on 12 priority performance outcomes.
Fingerprint technology fights fraud
Fraud and corruption in banking may soon be a thing of the past. South Africa's Online Fingerprint Verification System will go a long way to help prevent these crimes. The newly-launched Online Fingerprint Verification System is expected to deal a major blow to acts of fraud and corruption.
Fraud and corruption in banking may soon be a thing of the past. South Africa's Online Fingerprint Verification System will go a long way to help prevent these crimes. The newly-launched Online Fingerprint Verification System is expected to deal a major blow to acts of fraud and corruption.
FAIS Ombud to the rescue
Have you been unfairly treated or victimised by a financial services provider and didn’t know who to turn to? Don’t despair, the Office of the Ombud for Financial Services Providers (FAIS Ombud) may be able to help you.
Have you been unfairly treated or victimised by a financial services provider and didn’t know who to turn to? Don’t despair, the Office of the Ombud for Financial Services Providers (FAIS Ombud) may be able to help you.
Thuli wins with FAIS
Strengthening the learning and teaching of literacy and numeracy in schools is the main objective of government's workbook programme. Workbooks for learners were introducedin 2011 to provide organised work in the form of worksheets for every child in mathematics and language.
Strengthening the learning and teaching of literacy and numeracy in schools is the main objective of government's workbook programme. Workbooks for learners were introducedin 2011 to provide organised work in the form of worksheets for every child in mathematics and language.
Youth tap into business opportunities
A group of unemployed and self-employed young people recently had a valuable opportunity to learn how to get started in their own businesses. The training was an initiative of the National Skills Fund and auditing firm Deloitte.
A group of unemployed and self-employed young people recently had a valuable opportunity to learn how to get started in their own businesses. The training was an initiative of the National Skills Fund and auditing firm Deloitte.
Meet Minister Angie Motshekga
Ms Matsie Angelina Motshekga was appointed Minister of Basic Education on 11 May 2009. Her qualifications include a Higher National Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Educational Science and a Masters Degree.
Ms Matsie Angelina Motshekga was appointed Minister of Basic Education on 11 May 2009. Her qualifications include a Higher National Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Educational Science and a Masters Degree.
More workbooks for better learning
Strengthening the learning and teaching of literacy and numeracy in schools is the main objective of government's workbook programme. Workbooks for learners were introducedin 2011 to provide organised work in the form of worksheets for every child in mathematics and language.
Strengthening the learning and teaching of literacy and numeracy in schools is the main objective of government's workbook programme. Workbooks for learners were introducedin 2011 to provide organised work in the form of worksheets for every child in mathematics and language.
School fees: who is automatically exempt?
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has received numerous queries regarding when parents qualify to be automatically and fully exempted from payment of school fees: Who qualifies to be automatically exempted from payment of school fees?
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has received numerous queries regarding when parents qualify to be automatically and fully exempted from payment of school fees: Who qualifies to be automatically exempted from payment of school fees?
The chilling realities of climate change
The earth’s climate is always changing and several centuries ago the causes of this change would have been primarily natural in origin. Apart from increasing average temperature, climate change also includes changes in rainfall patterns and in extreme weather events.
The earth’s climate is always changing and several centuries ago the causes of this change would have been primarily natural in origin. Apart from increasing average temperature, climate change also includes changes in rainfall patterns and in extreme weather events.
Presidential Hotline: Hats off to the Hotline
I take my hat off to the staff of the Presidential Hotline, particularly Gontse and Sis Dudu. They have been humble servants," said Mr Mario Andreatta who turned to the Hotline as a last resort. It took Presidential Hotline staff just three days to resolve a problem that had dragged on for 18 months.
I take my hat off to the staff of the Presidential Hotline, particularly Gontse and Sis Dudu. They have been humble servants," said Mr Mario Andreatta who turned to the Hotline as a last resort. It took Presidential Hotline staff just three days to resolve a problem that had dragged on for 18 months.
Ombud's office a hive of activity
An office of the Ombudsman set up by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has been a hive of activity since it started operating at the end of 2011. The Ombudsman’s office assists the Presidential Hotline to follow up and resolve complaints from KwaZulu-Natal.
An office of the Ombudsman set up by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has been a hive of activity since it started operating at the end of 2011. The Ombudsman’s office assists the Presidential Hotline to follow up and resolve complaints from KwaZulu-Natal.
Presidential Hotline: Listening to Limpopo's people
Launched in April this year, the Limpopo Premier’s Hotline has gone from strength to strength. Among the complaints successfully resolved in recent weeks is the case of a disabled man who was denied access to water.
Launched in April this year, the Limpopo Premier’s Hotline has gone from strength to strength. Among the complaints successfully resolved in recent weeks is the case of a disabled man who was denied access to water.
Letters to the Editor
Give us a piece of your mind! All letters on these pages that require a response from government, will be handed over to the relevant department. We receive hundreds of letters and e-mails from you. Everyone will get a response.
Give us a piece of your mind! All letters on these pages that require a response from government, will be handed over to the relevant department. We receive hundreds of letters and e-mails from you. Everyone will get a response.
Butterfly Effect against use of child soldiers
Andrew Adansi Bonnah from Ghana is a lad on a mission to save the world. He recently visited South Africa with a group of 11-year-old children from Ghana, Somalia, Rwanda and Burundi to highlight the plight of child soldiers at the Universal Children's Day summit, held in Pretoria.
Andrew Adansi Bonnah from Ghana is a lad on a mission to save the world. He recently visited South Africa with a group of 11-year-old children from Ghana, Somalia, Rwanda and Burundi to highlight the plight of child soldiers at the Universal Children's Day summit, held in Pretoria.
Soldiers, we salute you!
South African soldiers have been commended for their role in the success of the recently held presidential and parliamentary elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). South Africa played a supporting role by helping transport ballot papers from our country.
South African soldiers have been commended for their role in the success of the recently held presidential and parliamentary elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). South Africa played a supporting role by helping transport ballot papers from our country.
Youth matters: Pioneering youth
The South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) has finally accredited the Department of Social Development's youth training and education programme. Masupa-Tsela Youth Pioneer Programme is now an official further education and training qualification.
The South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) has finally accredited the Department of Social Development's youth training and education programme. Masupa-Tsela Youth Pioneer Programme is now an official further education and training qualification.
Securing international peace and security
It has been a year since South Africa assumed its seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member. This is the second time that South Africa has served on the Security Council following its first term from 2007 to 2008.
It has been a year since South Africa assumed its seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member. This is the second time that South Africa has served on the Security Council following its first term from 2007 to 2008.
Disability not the end of the road for Zulu
In 1995, at the age of 23, Musa Zulu was involved in a devastating car accident that left him paralysed from the waist down. In 1998, he became the director of KwaZulu-Natal’s Asiphephe (Let us be safe) Road Safety Project, a sub-directorate within the provincial Department of Transport.
In 1995, at the age of 23, Musa Zulu was involved in a devastating car accident that left him paralysed from the waist down. In 1998, he became the director of KwaZulu-Natal’s Asiphephe (Let us be safe) Road Safety Project, a sub-directorate within the provincial Department of Transport.
We want to earn our money
People living with disabilities would much rather be employed and earn money instead of living off hand-outs and government’s disability grant, says Sekgalo Lethloo from Masilo near Welkom in the Free State.
People living with disabilities would much rather be employed and earn money instead of living off hand-outs and government’s disability grant, says Sekgalo Lethloo from Masilo near Welkom in the Free State.
PE sports a comeback
It can be argued that healthy, physical and active children are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. There might also be a link between physical competence and a learner’s self-esteem.
It can be argued that healthy, physical and active children are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. There might also be a link between physical competence and a learner’s self-esteem.
Sink or swim?
At a very tender age, Emily Grey was faced with a choice; should she sink or should she swim? She chose to swim. In 2002, at the age of 11, Emily’s left leg was amputated as a result of osteosarcoma – that is cancer of the femur.
At a very tender age, Emily Grey was faced with a choice; should she sink or should she swim? She chose to swim. In 2002, at the age of 11, Emily’s left leg was amputated as a result of osteosarcoma – that is cancer of the femur.
Game, set, match for Sithole
When he’s not serving up an ace on the tennis courts, he’s busy being an ace in his day-to-day life. His achievements, despite his disability, have turned South Africa’s top wheelchair tennis player and champion Lucas Sithole, into a formidable role model for many young people.
When he’s not serving up an ace on the tennis courts, he’s busy being an ace in his day-to-day life. His achievements, despite his disability, have turned South Africa’s top wheelchair tennis player and champion Lucas Sithole, into a formidable role model for many young people.