More than four billion people worldwide will take part in elections this year, including in the US, UK, India, and South Africa. However, the increasing prevalence of disinformation, fuelled by the growing use of deepfakes and generative AI, means that politicians and voters alike will need to be on high alert. In the 2024 Global Risks Report (https://apo-opa.co/3wRJRWs), the World Economic Forum identified AI-generated misinformation and disinformation as the second most significant global … [Read more...] about Deepfakes a worrying trend in the run-up to elections
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Cape Town Infrastructure Report Launched at Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) Masterclass
Principal Professional Officer for the City of Cape Town Caley Green announced the launch of the city's 2023 Infrastructure Report at a Masterclass during the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) on March 17. Evaluating the city's bulk infrastructure from the past year, the updated report builds on its predecessors by focusing on infrastructure across five sectors, including energy, solid waste, water and sanitation, human settlements and transport. … [Read more...] about Cape Town Infrastructure Report Launched at Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) Masterclass
South African President to Open Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) 2024, Featuring Strong Slate of Ministers
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a keynote and open the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) 2024, taking place on March 17-19 at the Century City Conference Middle in Cape Town. Poised to showcase updates and announcements on new international partnerships and joint ventures in South Africa, SIDSSA 2024 is set to gazette opportunities for investing in infrastructure for stakeholders in the region. The symposium will feature the … [Read more...] about South African President to Open Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa (SIDSSA) 2024, Featuring Strong Slate of Ministers
Police Committee Emphasises Need for Increased Member Training to Ensure Compliance with Domestic Violence Act
The Portfolio Committee on Police has directed South African Police Service (SAPS) senior managers to increase and enhance training for SAPS members to ensure compliance with the Domestic Violence Act (DVA). The committee yesterday received a report on compliance with the Act and complaints against SAPS members, as contemplated in Section 18(4)(a) of the Act. The committee said non-compliance with the Act undermines the fight against gender-based violence, which increased training will equip … [Read more...] about Police Committee Emphasises Need for Increased Member Training to Ensure Compliance with Domestic Violence Act
Committee Welcomes Cabinet’s Termination of Takatso Consortium Deal
The Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises welcomes the Cabinet announcement terminating the Takatso Consortium deal. The committee regards this decision as an important development given its ongoing processes on the matter. The committee has been engaged in examining and evaluating the proposed Takatso deal, in the interests of promoting transparency and accountability, and with the best interests of the public in all matters relating to the deal. Committee chairperson Mr Khaya Magaxa … [Read more...] about Committee Welcomes Cabinet’s Termination of Takatso Consortium Deal
Trina Solar, SOLA, and Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon (WBHO) to Power a South African Mining Operation with 135MW Merak 1 Project
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Trina Solar, the world's leading provider of smart PV and energy storage solutions has partnered with SOLA, a South African leader in renewable energy with a focus on utility-scale projects and WBHO Construction to embark on a transformative solar project. The Merak 1 project signifies a major milestone in sustainable energy solutions for South Africa. Sola and WBHO formed a joint venture to ensure the successful execution of the Merak 1 project, … [Read more...] about Trina Solar, SOLA, and Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon (WBHO) to Power a South African Mining Operation with 135MW Merak 1 Project
Minister of Executive Council (MEC) Ivan Meyer welcomes new agricultural graduate interns
On Tuesday, 11 March 2024, the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, and the Head of Department, Dr  Mogale Sebopetsa, welcomed 120 unemployed agricultural graduates as interns to the Department's Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). During the two-year internship graduates will be placed with farmers and sector stakeholders who will act as mentors and host employers. The agricultural graduate intern programme will offer youth experience through work-integrated … [Read more...] about Minister of Executive Council (MEC) Ivan Meyer welcomes new agricultural graduate interns
Committee Adopts National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill and Will Recommend Adoption by National Assembly
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has adopted the B-list version and committee report of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill, which brings to an end the committee's consideration of the Bill. Having adopted the Bill and a report, the committee will recommend that the National Assembly adopts the Bill. The National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Bill seeks to ensure a sustainable, equitable and reliable supply of water from national water … [Read more...] about Committee Adopts National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill and Will Recommend Adoption by National Assembly
Speaker Calls on World Parliaments to Accelerate Gender Mainstreaming in Government Programmes
National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula implored representatives of world parliaments to use their influence to defend democracy and promote gender mainstreaming, particularly in economic development. Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula was addressing a moderated debate during a parliamentary event that was organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), under the theme, “Gender-sensitive … [Read more...] about Speaker Calls on World Parliaments to Accelerate Gender Mainstreaming in Government Programmes
South Africa: National Assembly Passes the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill
The National Assembly (NA) today, during its hybrid plenary, passed the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill. The Bill seeks to amend the Political Party Funding Act of 2018. Among its key objectives is to align various pieces of legislation with the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023, which enables independent candidates to contest elections for seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. The Bill further seeks to regulate the private and public funding of independent candidates … [Read more...] about South Africa: National Assembly Passes the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill