Public Sector Leaders | April 2024

FASSET CEO, Ayanda Mafuleka

Taking FASSET to all corners of South Africa

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Deputy South African Reserve Bank Governor and CEO: Prudential Authority, Fundi Tshazibana

TRAILBLAZER

African Bank CEO, Kennedy G. Bungane

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SPACE AGENCY

Star gazing: Beyond borders

32 | 30 years of transformation

An overview of growth and change

36 | Celebrating democracy

What Freedom Day means

38 | Freedom Day

5 ways to honour Freedom Day

40 | South Africa’s CSI

Sergeant Molwantoa Rapakgadi, Forensics: Serial And Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI)

42 | SA voting in May

Except changes at elections due to new legislation

48 | The 2-pot retirement system

2 pots are better than 1

50 | Intellectual property legislation

South Africa's proposed copyright legislation aims to increase access to information

52 | National Health Insurance Meeting universal healthcare goals

54 | National Rural Youth Service Corps

Upskilling youth for rural development

58 | South African National Space Agency

Beyond borders: Working to better society with space exploration

Features

10 | Addressing the Nation

South Africans prepare for free and fair elections

12 | Cover Story

Ayanda Mafukela: Taking FASSET all corners of South Africa

28 | Trailblazer

Kennedy G. Bungane, African Bank CEO

44 | Women in Leadership

Fundi Tshazibana: Deputy SARB Governor and CEO, Prudential Authority

46 | In Other News

5 ways to celebrate Freedom Day

56 | Regional Focus

North West budget aimed at service delivery

60 | Legal Matters

Resignation and constructive dismissal

62 | Financial Fitness

Budget 2024: Tax calculations

66 | Upcoming Events

April calendar of commemorative events

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FIONA WAKELIN

Letter from the Editor

Welcome to the April edition of Public Sector Leaders (PSL)

In his letter to the nation, penned on 15 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa took the opportunity to focus on the upcoming elections – and how this reflects on the country’s democracy.

“It is up to us all to ensure that this year’s election is a success in our ongoing journey of democratic consolidation. It is up to us all, whether as government, political parties, candidates, voters, the media or civil society organisations, to play our part by ensuring that our actions and words inspire faith in our democracy. We must continue to work together to ensure that nothing undermines the integrity of our elections.

“Above all, it is up to us all to ensure that this hard-won right to vote, for which so many sacrificed so much, is exercised by every eligible citizen in a climate free of intimidation and all forms of violence,” – H.E. Ramaphosa.

Our front cover icon this month is Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) CEO Ayanda Mafuleka whose journey to leading FASSET embodies the organisation's ethos of empowerment through education and mentorship. Ayanda’s personal narrative is deeply intertwined with FASSET's mission, as she recounts the crucial role the organisation played in her academic journey, providing vital support and resources that led to her qualification as a Chartered Accountant (CA). This transformative experience instilled in her a profound sense of gratitude and a resolute commitment to paying it forward, ensuring that others, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, are afforded similar opportunities for growth and advancement.

In this April edition of PSL we look at all things related to Freedom Month – including articles on 30 years of democracy; 5 ways to honour Freedom Day; what Freedom Day means and the right to vote and the upcoming elections.

Our Woman in Leadership this month is Fundi Tshazibana, Deputy South African Reserve Bank Governor and CEO of Prudential Authority – a champion of gender equality in economics.

The Trailblazer spotlight falls on African Bank CEO, Kennedy G. Bungane who spearheaded the development and implementation of African Bank’s audacious Excelerate25 corporate strategy which has led the bank into profit-making status.

The Regional Focus takes a look at the North West and in Legal Matters we focus on the issue of constructive dismissal. Our features banquet includes all you need to know about the 2-pot retirement system; youth employment programmes in South Africa; and royalties, intellectual property and legislation/regulation.

You also get a chance to meet South Africa’s own CSI detective – Sergeant Molwantoa Rapakgadi, at Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI), one of the men and women in blue who go beyond the call of duty to protect women and children in South Africa; and finally, reaching for the stars, we give you a chance to take a look through the telescope at the exciting things are happening at the South African Space Agency.

From all of us at Public Sector Leaders, we hope you enjoy the read.

BY FIONA WAKELIN

South Africans prepare to hold free and fair elections

His Excellency President Ramaphosa penned a letter to the nation on 15 April which focused on the upcoming seventh general election to be held on 29 May 2024 and the freedoms that this upholds – such as freedom of the media and an independent Electoral Court that oversees the work of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the conduct of elections.

“As the country counts down to the election, the vibrant and robust campaigning that is taking place reflects how South Africa’s politics continues to evolve and mature. It is also a reflection of the many different views in our society and the variety of choices that voters have.

“In a democracy such as ours, we should not be worried about differences, even when sharply expressed. That is because the vast majority of South Africans value and respect the democratic process. They have faith in the rule of law and know that any disputes can be resolved through the courts and other legal avenues.

“Over the past 30 years we have held elections that are not only free and fair, but also peaceful and free of intimidation. Dire predictions of South Africa ‘regressing into violence’ or ‘democratic backsliding’ that regrettably remain a common feature of some reportage and analysis have been proven wrong time and again,” –H.E. Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa references the 2023 Electoral Integrity Global Report made up of expert assessments

of electoral integrity in 169 countries around the world, which lists South Africa as ranking third highest on the continent when it comes to perceptions of electoral integrity.

His Excellency is optimistic that, despite its many challenges, our democracy is in good health, with political and other forms of contestation in the run-up to this year’s polls taking place under the broad umbrella of a constitutional order characterised by fundamental freedoms and human rights.

“It is up to us all to ensure that this year’s election is a success in our ongoing journey of democratic consolidation. It is up to us all, whether as government, political parties, candidates, voters, the media or civil society organisations, to play our part by ensuring that our actions and words inspire faith in our democracy. We must continue to work together to ensure that nothing undermines the integrity of our elections.

“Above all, it is up to us all to ensure that this hard-won right to vote, for which so many sacrificed so much, is exercised by every eligible citizen in a climate free of intimidation and all forms of violence.

Having proven the prophets of doom wrong time and again, let this year’s election be yet another affirmation of the strength of our constitutional order, our institutions and our democracy, President Ramaphosa

FASSET CEO AYANDA

MAFULEKA

Taking FASSET to all corners of South Africa

FASSET, the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority, plays a pivotal role in South Africa's pursuit of nurturing skilled professionals in the finance and accounting domain.

Established in 2000 under the auspices of the Skills Development Act of 1998, FASSET's mandate is to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping individuals with the necessary skills and qualifications required by the finance and accounting services sector. FASSET's role is not just pivotal but indispensable in fostering economic growth and ensuring financial stability across the nation.

CEO Ayanda Mafuleka's journey to leading FASSET embodies the organisation's ethos of empowerment through education and mentorship. Ayanda’s personal narrative is deeply intertwined with

FASSET's mission, as she recounts the crucial role the organisation played in her academic journey, providing vital support and resources that led to her qualification as a Chartered Accountant (CA).

“FASSET was very instrumental in my journey to qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA); it fully funded me with academic support for both Part 1 and Part 2 of the SAICA Board exams,” Ayanda explains to Public Sector Leaders. “It gives me tremendous satisfaction that FASSET is still funding other aspiring CAs because we know that the transition from basic education to higher education is one which can be marred with several obstacles which may lead to impeding the attainment of one’s qualification.”

This transformative experience instilled in her a profound sense of gratitude and a resolute commitment to paying it forward, ensuring that others, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, are afforded similar opportunities for growth and advancement. Grounded in the principles of servant leadership and social responsibility, Ayanda's leadership philosophy underscores her unwavering dedication to uplifting individuals and communities through transformative education and skills development initiatives.

“Honestly my own background has been the drive for me to be the agent of the change I want to see in the sector. My passion for the work I do really lies in leaving a legacy of paying it forward because the same has been done for me. I am inspired by the likes of both my paternal and maternal grandmothers, Ms Nonkululeko Gobodo, the first black female CA, Mme Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president in Africa. They have influenced my thinking that nothing is impossible for an African child! It is through my work that I foster the same belief, and always want to afford endless opportunities for an African child to unleash their God-given potential.”

Before assuming the role of CEO at FASSET in 2019, Ayanda accumulated a wealth of experience in the corporate realm, holding various executive positions, including that of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Her tenure as CFO not only honed her expertise in financial management and organisational leadership but also provided her with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the finance and accounting sector. Armed with this wealth of experience and insight, Ayanda embarked on her journey as CEO, poised to steer FASSET through a period of transformation and growth.

Under her stewardship, FASSET has witnessed remarkable

strides in financial performance, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the realm of skills development and education.

“My previous roles as a CFO propelled me to hitting the ground running as soon as I joined FASSET, because I found FASSET faced with an audit outcome where there were instances of non-compliance raised by the Auditor-General of South Africa, amounting to a staggering R69-million, as well as organisational performance challenges,” she says. “So, my wealth of knowledge and experience as CFO came in handy while, together with the team, I guided the organisation

to obtain the clean audit outcome and performance that to date is above 90%. I have been privileged to have led the teams that have turned around financial and audit outcomes in organisations like National Credit Regulator, Department of Home Affairs.”

Recognising the persistent gender imbalance in senior management positions, FASSET has been involved in initiatives such as the Women's Leadership Development Programme, implemented by the Wits Business School and International Women Forum of South Africa (in partnership with Duke Corporate Education) aimed at empowering women and

providing them with the tools and resources needed to ascend to leadership roles.

Each year, The Women Creating Wealth, in partnership with the Graca Machel Trust, targets around 2 500 SMMEs, along with the 600 benefitting from other programmes.

Furthermore, FASSET remains unwavering in its commitment to championing the rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities and other marginalised groups, forging partnerships with advocacy organisations to ensure inclusivity and accessibility across all facets of education and professional development.

“It is humbling to note that these programmes have been very impactful as they have produced among many, one of the Deputy Governors of the South African Reserve Bank, Dr Mampho Modise as the alumni of the Programme. Our focus has also been on the people living with disabilities, through fully funded programmes from high school through to the workplace where we fund them for maths, English and accounting programmes, bursary programmes and internships to facilitate entry into the FAS sector.”

Aligned with national priorities and legislative frameworks, FASSET plays a pivotal role in

addressing the skills gap and driving economic development.

As a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), FASSET collaborates with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to design and implement programmes that not only meet the evolving needs of employers but also empower learners to thrive in a dynamic and competitive landscape. By aligning its programmes with national imperatives such as the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP), FASSET ensures that its interventions contribute meaningfully to economic growth, job creation, and social cohesion, thereby catalysing positive change at both individual and societal levels.

Along with strategic partners such as the National Youth Development Agency, IRBA, the Graca Machel Trust, and Associations for Cooperatives, FASSET has delivered SMME support programmes across various industries, equipping entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs with skills such as financial literacy.

“There have been great strides that have been achieved by the FAS sector especially when one looks at the statistics from the formation of FASSET that about 52% employed by the sector are women (across all

races), however at lower ranked occupations there is still a lot of work to be done to address this anomaly. We have about 51 152 (Feb 2023) Chartered Accountants in South Africa with only 8 610 who are black Africans. There is still more transformation and inclusivity needed in the sector so that it becomes a sector for all.”

Each year, The Women Creating Wealth , in partnership with the Graca Machel Trust, targets around 2 500 SMMEs , along with the 700 benefitting from other programmes.

fostering a culture of lifelong learning and continuous professional development, ensuring that individuals remain agile, adaptable, and resilient in the face of rapid change and disruption.

Ayanda's leadership at FASSET exemplifies a resolute commitment to excellence, equity, and empowerment.

“My leadership style leans toward servant leadership, because I lead to serve for the greater good of the organisation, communities, and the lives of our beneficiaries. Another vital aspect to grasp when it comes to driving transformation is that one needs to be rigorous in one’s approach and serve with determination and commitment as the journey is filled with hurdles,” says Ayanda.

Looking ahead, Ayanda envisions a future where the finance and accounting sector serves as a beacon of diversity, innovation, and inclusive growth. With technological advancements reshaping the industry landscape, FASSET remains steadfast in its commitment to equipping professionals with the digital skills and competencies needed to thrive in an increasingly digitised world. Furthermore, Ayanda emphasises the importance of

Through her visionary leadership and strategic initiatives, she has propelled FASSET to new heights, positioning it as a catalyst for positive change within the finance and accounting sector. With a steadfast focus on inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration, FASSET under Ayanda's guidance is poised to shape the future of South Africa's economy and workforce, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the nation's prosperity and wellbeing.

“As we gear up for the upcoming elections in May, the future of our country and for future generations is within the hands of our people. Our country will become great because of our pride in it! Let's exercise our pride through a ballot.”

Dr Mashilo Boloka

CEO: Film and Publication Board

Tasked with the critical role of regulating online content, the Film and Publication Board protects the public against harmful and prohibited content, under the leadership of CEO, Dr Mashilo Boloka. Dr Boloka has more than 15 years of public service experience - performing various roles including policy development and regulatory oversight - and he currently sits on the Board of the International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE). Equipped with a doctoral degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Boloka has taught at various universities and is now leading efforts against online Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Beyond the duties of strategy implementation and management, Dr Boloka oversees the classification and adherence to the FPB ratings, monitoring compliance with Film and Publications Act and facilitating collaboration with regulatory partners for online safety and enforcement. Here Dr Boloka explains how the Board ensures consumer protection, what issues are top mind in the regulatory space and more.

HOW DOES THE BOARD ENSURE CONSUMER PROTECTION?

Awareness creation on online safety matters and educating consumers on how to make responsible viewing choices, while protecting themselves (especially children) from harmful content is a key focus for FPB with the aim to protect consumers. We empower communities through outreach and advocacy activities, targeted training sessions and ongoing online education speaking to industry, parents, learners, teachers and collaborating with our government entities and partners.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

• Seeing the vulnerable groups, particularly women and children being protected online through our public education and awareness activities;

• Putting perpetrators of online harms and violence against vulnerable groups behind bars;

• Being part of collaborative movements to curb online harms and creating a safer online environment through the efforts and activities of multiplestakeholders, regulators, NGOs, industry, academia, parents and the youth.

HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY AND THE INTERNET IMPACTED ON CONTENT AVAILABILITY AND COPYRIGHT?

Technology advancements and the internet have made content accessibility and availability

everywhere. However, they have unfortunately undermined the copyright regime throughout the world. As an example, the biggest new distributors in the modern world do not even own a single camera or have journalists anywhere. These new distributors publish news stories and rake in millions in advertising from the products they do not own without even compensating the owners. That’s the highest form of exploitation or slavery of our time. I appeal to the policymakers to deal with this problem through revision of copyright laws that are futuristic and account for the new world.

AS A PUBLIC ENTITY REPORTING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES,

PLEASE UNPACK THE BOARD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MINISTRY

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is our policy-maker and we are its implementing agency. We regularly report to them on the progress we make on the implementation of the policies assigned to us and raise whatever challenges we experience in this regard and propose policy interventions required.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AS CEO?

• Being able to transform the FPB from a narrow classification authority to an agile online safety regulator that is still able to perform its three regulatory functions, while driving a high performing organisation, evident through clean governance and exceptional performance rating;

• Pushing the FPB to be represented on the boards of international organisations such as INHOPE and newly-established Global Online Safety regulators (GOSRN). The appointment to these boards shows the trust not only in the FPB as an organisation, but South Africa and Africa as a whole

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO?

There are three issues which are set to not only dominate the online safety regulatory space, but also to shape it, namely:

• Regulatory coherence and enforcement at the global level

• Privacy and child protection: the challenges of encryption, age assurance and verification technologies for child-oriented services and data privacy,

• Organisationally, the partnership with the Independent Electoral Commission in ensuring that the harmful/prohibited content such as misinformation/disinformation does not undermine the integrity of this important democratic process. For us as the FPB this will be a major test of our capacity as we will be doing this for the first time. But whatever lessons learnt, will prepare us for the next elections

PLEASE SHARE A MESSAGE WITH OUR PSL READERS.

The online environment is a vast world with immense opportunities. Equally, there are threats and dangers lurking. As we connect, we must reflect and be responsible! Online safety is a collective responsibility for all of us.

As a member of INHOPE, The Film and Publication Board (FPB) hosted the annual Safer Internet Day (SID) in Cape Town, Woodstock on Tuesday, 6 February 2024. Joined by the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, and other entities, the FPB invited like-minded stakeholders to participate in this global initiative to raise awareness for emerging online safety social ills such as cyberbullying and the dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

The theme “Together for a Better Internet” was echoed throughout the day and highlighted by speakers and

panellists, which included a keynote address by the honourable Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane, FPB CEO Dr Mashilo Boloka and Council members, CEOs and leaders from INHOPE, Google South Africa and Miss World South Africa 2023, Dr Claude Mashego.

Deputy Minister Mapulane stated: “As part of government’s initiative to reach out to communities, in this case our young people, we aim to support our citizens who require critical information to secure their safety particularly on

the online space. As they say colloquially, the internet is not sleeping, and neither should we.”

The Cape Town Junior City Council representatives engaged in a robust panel discussion and ten of the members challenged the platform providers and technology industry, shared recommendations with government entities and they put focus on their concerns in terms of online harms and how they want to be protected.

A focal point for discussions were centred around misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation refers to false or misleading information that is unwittingly shared, while disinformation is false or misleading that is deliberately

created and distributed with an intent to deceive or harm.

“The rapid spread of misinformation or disinformation online has emerged as a pressing public issue of the 21st century that affects all those accessing online networks as well as those offline. Children are predominantly the most active internet users, however they do not always have the cognitive and emotional capacity to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information. As a result, not only can they become victims of online abuse, but may also spread it among their peers”, says Dr Boloka.

The youth’s concerns were addressed and responded to by a panel of experts from the South African Police Service, UNICEF, Jelly Beanz and FPB’s Adv. Lindhorst. The panel emphasised the solutions and tools available to the youth, how they can access these tools and that attention should be given to the entire cycle that an online victim experiences –from the moment the incident happens, how it is managed, who they reach out to for support and the importance of trauma counselling.

“While SID is a highlight date on the calendar, we as FPB, together with our participating partners and stakeholders, continue on our mission to ensure a safer internet and the protection of especially children and vulnerable groups from online harms” concluded Dr Boloka.

Take a journey away from short termism and start looking at a better future. Meet the interesting people changing Africa – and the way we work, think and live.

Stay informed about environmental, social, & governance trends, strategies & best practices. Feature in our publication to join us in shaping a better tomorrow.

TRAILBLAZER

BY KOKETSO MAMABOLO

African Bank CEO Kennedy G. Bungane,

The power of banking to transform lives

We have got to be communal in order for all of us to have success,” says Kennedy G. Bungane, the CEO of African Bank. “We believe that our community’s success will be our success and that our humanity and ambitions are interconnected.” He’s been in the banking industry since he was 17 and has built up a wealth of experience that makes him the perfect person to carry on the legacy of the Group’s founding Chairperson, Dr Sam Motsuenyane.

“Banking is a unique industry. You don't have gold, silver, platinum, or manganese underneath the ground that brings you resources. We don't sell gadgets, nor do we sell products in the sense of what you manufacture, or what you farm,” he explains. Here he reflects on his journey, the bank’s focus on transformation and how the industry has had to rethink the fundamentals of banking itself.

HOW DID YOU GET TO THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER? PLEASE SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR STORY WITH US?

I started as Group CEO of African Bank in April 2021, having had an extensive set of roles in banking, previously as the CEO of Barclays Africa in 30 countries across the continent, and also as the CEO of Standard Bank’s Corporate and Investment Banking. But the African Bank journey for me has been like no other.

When I joined, I was privileged to be received by Dr Sam Motsuenyane, Founding Chairman of the Group. In conversation with him, it became clear to me that one of the important things for us to do was to reclaim the mandate of African Bank. The original vision

that the founders of this bank had in mind, when they gathered in Soweto over five decades ago, was of a bank for the people, by the people, serving the people. And so one of the major milestones for us was discovering the inspiring story that is African Bank.

It’s a story of audacity and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds in the ‘60s, at the height of apartheid, soon after the arrest and imprisonment of political leaders such as Nelson Mandela. They went on to this audacious journey of envisioning African Bank. That story had almost been forgotten and we set out to reclaim it. And ever since we have done that, our journey has been filled with milestones and many achievements.

YOUR JOURNEY IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY BEGAN WHEN YOU WERE 17, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT IN YOUR TIME IN THE INDUSTRY?

Banking is a unique industry. You don't have gold, silver, platinum, or manganese underneath the ground that brings you resources. We don't sell gadgets, nor do we sell products in the sense of what you manufacture, or what you farm.

At its core, banking is a creature of confidence. It takes confidence for people to entrust their deposits or their life savings and their pensions to you. It takes confidence for people to then entrust you to use those savings and deposits to extend out to the private sector as credit, or as capital, for a return. When they come back for their money, they expect to find it safe at your bank, with good interest.

HOW HAS THE INDUSTRY CHANGED SINCE YOU JOINED?

The industry has changed in that banks have started to move beyond the concept of being a bank, and instead doubleclick on what it means to do banking. Because being a bank and doing banking are two very different things. We accept that in becoming the go-to partner for strategic alliances ecosystems, featuring fintechs and nonbank financial institutions, as well as value-added services and telcos, and by tapping into the convergence of big data and artificial intelligence, we really can be a customer-centric organisation that disrupts banks as we know them today.

WHAT

INSPIRED YOUR PASSION FOR TRANSFORMATION IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY?

We are a bank that has diversity and inclusion in its DNA. We were founded by people who were excluded from the mainstream through apartheid policies, apartheid banking, and by many large institutions. We were founded by people who were obsessed about the power of financial services to enhance lives. We are passionate about understanding more accurately what our communities and our people seek. And so, we strongly believe in diversity as our strength and inclusivity as our differentiator.

WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE TO TRANSFORM THE INDUSTRY?

We take the transformation of our workforce very seriously. We boast today a very diverse leadership, board, and executive team in terms of race, gender, psychographics and the demographics of age and background.

This has enabled this bank to really look and feel like the customer base, it has enabled our people to be relatable to the communities that we seek to serve. When over half of your leaders at various levels of the organisation are women, and half of our people interacting with customers are women, it makes the female customer feel at home.

When you have addressed the issues of race better than your counterparts, in a country like South Africa that still deals with issues of apartheid legacy and racial discrimination, it really sets us apart and that is why I make the bold claim that our diversity is our strength and inclusivity is our differentiator. We see it in the customers’ feedback and the high net promoter scores that we get for our service. We see it in how our colleagues feel at home here.

For three years running, we have been voted a Top Employer in the banking industry because of the inclusive, diverse, workforce we employ and the work we have undertaken to create an environment in which they can thrive. When employee morale is so high, when you have customers developing a sense of allegiance, that ultimately results in the kind of financial numbers we have reported, but it also cements a very direct link in our minds. We believe that there is a very direct correlation between diversity and inclusivity, and sustainable financial performance.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET INTO THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY?

At African Bank, we believe in the principles of Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is the idea that I am because we are, that I can only

advance when you advance, that no man is an island, that none of us can afford to be singular in our preoccupation. We have got to be communal in order for all of us to have success. We believe that our community’s success will be our success and that our humanity and ambitions are interconnected.

Any young person entering this industry needs to do so with the intent of helping others to succeed. They need to be committed to making a tangible difference in communities they serve, using the tools equipped to them via banking and financial services. Every loan that is written, every extension of credit made, cannot just be another loan product. It must help that mother take her child to school.

Every home loan can’t just be housing finance - it must enable that family to extend their place of abode so that it accommodates more family members or ensures safe and secure shelter. The funding given to entrepreneurs aren’t just medium-term facilities, but a means for them to go and express their talents, to be productive, to employ someone to create jobs, and to create a multiplier effect in the economy. That ensures that there’s food on the table for their employees. That ensures that the boundaries of industry are stretched, and that we as a society can push back against unemployment, inequality, and poverty.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP LESSONS THAT HAVE DRIVEN YOUR SUCCESS?

I believe you are living your purpose when your passion is your work and your hobby. My passion lies in developing leaders better and greater than I and ensuring that we continue to produce great leaders in the bank.

Within our organisation, we are disciples of a concept called Steward Leadership. This is the art of leaving something in a better state than when you found it. We have inherited the cause of African Bank from the pioneers who founded it, and we want to preserve this disruptive, audacious attitude in how we think about hyper collaboration, how we think about innovation, and how we think about customers at the core of what we do.

As a leader, I also believe there is real value in developing your ability to listen. Nelson Mandela told a wonderful story about leadership and how the greatest leaders have developed the ability to listen. I therefore find a lot of joy in talking to people of different ages, and of different persuasions about leadership, whether it's self-leadership or leading others. Whether it's with family or with my community, the opportunity to spot leadership, to speak to leadership, to shine the spotlight on leadership and to espouse leadership is really what makes me tick.

At African Bank, we believe in the principles of Ubuntu.

BY FIONA WAKELIN

30 years of transformation

An overview of growth and change

The year 2024 marks 3 decades since our first democratic elections. In some ways the 30 years have gone quickly, in other ways it seems like a very long time since we first cast our votes, so proudly, and optimistically, in those ballot boxes.

In 2003, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) strategy was published as a precursor to the B-BBEE Act, No. 53 of 2003.This groundbreaking piece of legislation was followed by the 2013 B-BBEE Amendment Act Act No. 46 of 2013.

The fundamental objective of the Act was to advance economic transformation and enhance economic participation of previously disadvantaged people in the South African economy. In this article we take the temperature of transformation in two key sectors in the country, mining and financial services.

THE ECONOMY – GDP GROWTH SINCE 1994

South Africa is the most developed country in Africa and was the largest until 2014, when it was overtaken by Nigeria. Services account for around 73 percent of GDP. Within services, the most important are finance, real estate and business services (21.6 percent); government services (17 percent); wholesale, retail and motor trade, catering and accommodation (15 percent); and transport, storage and communication (9.3 percent).

Manufacturing accounts for 13.9 percent; mining and quarrying for around 8.3 percent and agriculture for 2.6 percent.

- Trading Economics In 1994, SA’s GDP was $US 153-billion (World Bank) and the economy has registered an average annual rate of economic growth of 3.3 percent since then, estimated to be

30 YEARS OF SUCCESS

BY FIONA WAKELIN

worth $US 399-billion in 2023; 0.17% of the global economy is represented by South Africa's GDP – Worldometer.

The country’s GDP decreased by 0.7% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2023, following a downwardly revised 1.5% rise in the previous three-month period and compared with market estimates of a 0.2% fall. It marks the first economic contraction since the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to persistent power shortages and logistical constraints. - Statistics South Africa

The summary below shows the total worth of each industry as well as its overall contribution to the total economic value of South Africa for 2023/24.

TRANSFORMATION ACROSS SECTORS FINANCE

Since 1994 financial services have seen strong growth and investors cite this sector as one of the key motivations for investing in our economy. In the South African context, access to finance and financial services are key to achieving economic and social transformation.

Meaningful transformation of the financial sector includes issues such as access, lower rates, appropriate product development, procurement, empowerment financing, socio-economic development, employment equity and skills development. True transformation of the financial sector means that

it will work for all South Africans, enabling all citizens to save, borrow, insure and transact. Structure of the South African finance sector arranged according to value of assets:

• Banks

• Pension funds

• Long-term insurers

• Collective investment schemes

• Short-term insurers

The period since 1994 has seen the South African economy undergo profound restructuring which has included policy initiatives such as the BroadBased Black Economic Empowerment Strategy, the Microeconomic Reform Strategy, Transformation Charters, Sector Codes, Codes of Best Practice, the Black Industrialist Programme and the Financial Sector Regulations Act (2017).

“In 2017 the Financial Sector Code was amended to ensure it was in line with the dti Codes of Good Practice. The year 2018 saw the sector contribute R640 368 228 613 to the gross domestic product of the economy (22.39%).

The Financial Sector Code (FSC) commits all participants to actively promoting a transformed, vibrant and globally competitive financial sector that reflects the demographics of South Africa, which contributes to the establishment of an equitable society by providing accessible financial services to black people

and by directing investment into targeted sectors of the economy.

Recognising the unique position that financial institutions hold in the development of South Africa, two particular elements exist in the FSC scorecard over and above the five elements in the Codes of Good Practice. These are: Empowerment Financing and Access to Financial Services.

These elements are intended to accelerate the transformation process as they focus on making financial services accessible to the previously unbanked and under-served. They empower the previously disenfranchised through the provision of affordable housing, financing of black Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and agricultural activities, and investing in various types of transformational infrastructure that help create the necessary platforms to grow the economy on an equitable basis.” –Government Gazette 1 December 2017

The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2023, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for financial intermediation, real estate activities and other business services.

MINING

Mining is an important foreignexchange earner, with gold accounting for more than one-

third of exports. South Africa is also a major producer of coal, manganese, chrome, platinum (world’s largest producer), and diamonds (6th-largest producer).

The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) requires the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to set socio-economic targets through the Mining Charter.

Mining Charter III came into force on Friday, 1 March 2019 – almost three years after the publication of the first draft. The Charter states that a minimum of 70% of total mining goods procurement spend must be on South Africanmanufactured goods and apportioned as follows: 21% from black entrepreneurs, 5% on black economically empowered women entrepreneurs and 44% from black economic empowermentcompliant companies.

In the case of services, a minimum of 80% of the total spend on services (excluding non-discretionary expenditure) must be sourced from South African companies and apportioned as follows: 50% on black economically empowered entrepreneurs, 15% on black economic empowerment women entrepreneurs and 10% on black economic empowermentcompliant companies. – BizNews – Peter Leon GDP from Mining in South Africa decreased to 200 533.74 ZAR Million in the third quarter of 2023 from 202 678.38 ZAR Million in the second quarter of 2023.

GDP from Mining in South Africa averaged 221 911.38 ZAR Million

from 1993 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 240 357.55 ZAR Million in the fourth quarter of 2006 and a record low of 145 918.98 ZAR Million in the second quarter of 2020. - Statistics South Africa

The numbers from

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Sources: Barrick Mining Review | Trading Economics | BrandSA | Frost & Sullivan | White Paper | Government Gazette | StatsSA | South African Market Insights

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

What Freedom Day means

This year, South Africans are celebrating three decades of democracy. Freedom Day commemorates the first democratic elections, held 30 years ago, on 27 April.

Freedom Day is observed every year to honour those unsung heroes and heroines who fought for our freedom and paved the way for an equal, representative, non-racial nation.

The elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994 were the first postapartheid national elections in which any South African could vote, regardless of race.

During April, Freedom Month, South Africans are encouraged to reflect on the progress made over our democratic journey and consider how we can further strengthen our democracy.

THIRTY YEARS OF DEMOCRACY

The first democratic election in 1994 marked the end of over three hundred years of colonialism, segregation and white minority rule. Following a long history of colonialism and oppression in South Africa, apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa in 1948. The regime denied people of colour the right to vote, removing their participation in the political governing and running of the country.

Freedom Day honours those who fought for our country’s liberation, culminating in the first democratic election. It led to the establishment of a new democratic government, led by the African National Congress (ANC), with the late former president Nelson Mandela at the helm. The election paved the way for a new state and a new constitution.

The elections followed years of struggle and negotiations around the unbanning of organisations, such as the ANC, and the release of political prisoners. During tense negotiations between 1991 and 1992, the South African government, the ANC, the South African Communist Party, and other liberation movements engaged in these talks and drafted an interim Constitution.

The 1994 elections took place in a peaceful and festive atmosphere, though there were threats of political violence, with 19.7 million people, out of 22.7 million eligible voters, casting their vote. The election was won by the ANC with 62.65 % of the vote. The ANC formed the Government of National Unity and Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected President of the country.

In his most recent speech to commemorate Freedom Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: He added that Freedom Day serves as a moment to reflect on our progress as a democracy.

Sources: Sabinet | Gov.za | Labour Guide |OHSA

"On the 27th of April 1994, South Africans of all races, languages and creeds stood in long, winding queues to exercise the democratic right for which so many have fought and for which so many have sacrificed. On Freedom Day, not only do we celebrate this defining moment on our nation’s long journey to freedom, but we also reaffirm our shared commitment to the promise of that momentous day."

"On Freedom Day, we recall the great progress that has been made in nearly three decades of democracy, but we also acknowledge that so much of the promise of 1994 still needs to be realised. It is on this occasion that we rededicate ourselves to work with greater purpose and unity to give full effect and meaning to freedom in our land," said President Ramaphosa.

SEVENTH DEMOCRATIC ELECTION

On Wednesday, 29 May, South Africa will hold the country’s seventh democratic election. To ensure that South Africans have sufficient time to make their way to the polls and have their vote counted, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special public holiday.

Phumzile Mahlangu, Assistant Director of the Communication Resource Centre at Government Communication and Information System, said the government has called on all eligible voters, especially the youth, to go out in numbers to vote on that day, as the active participation of all eligible voters is central to strengthening our democracy.

"The elections is against the backdrop of the commemoration of 30 years of Freedom. The commemoration provides us with an opportunity to reflect on how our lives have changed since the oppressive days of apartheid when the majority of South Africans were denied the right to vote, denied access to basic services, denied access to education, denied access to marry across racial lines, denied freedom of speech and media freedom, denied access to public spaces, and denied free movement," said Mahlangu.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission, more than 27.79 million voters - the highest since the dawn of democracy in South Africa - are eligible to cast their votes in this year's election. The voters’ role is now officially closed, and no one can register to vote or make changes to the voter's roll.

"The right to vote should never be taken for granted. It is a right that many fought and died for and was only achieved because of countless acts of bravery and courage by people who refused to cower under the tyranny of the apartheid regime or be bystanders to history.

Therefore, we owe it to them and to ourselves and our future generations to make sure that we register to vote and have a say on the future direction of the country, adds Ms Mahlangu.

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

5 ways to honour FREEDOM DAY

Freedom Day is celebrated annually on 27 April and marks the first democratic elections held in South Africa in 1994. These elections were the first time that all South Africans, regardless of race, could cast a vote. Of South Africa’s 22.7 million eligible voters, 19.7 million voted in the 1994 national election.

The first democratic election marked the end of apartheid, as well as more than 300 years of colonialism and segregation.

Following the elections, a new democratic government was established, led by the ANC.

PREPARE FOR THE PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS

This year, South Africa will hold its seventh national and provincial election. According to the Independent Electoral Commission, this year could see the highest number of votes cast since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, with more than 27.79 million voters eligible to cast their votes in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

Freedom Day is an excellent opportunity to educate yourself, your friends and your family on the upcoming voting process, as well as the political parties that will be up for election. This year's election will, for the first time, see South African voters receiving ballots instead of only two ballots due to recent changes in legislation. This will allow independent candidates to run for election.

PROMOTE NON-RACIALISM

Celebrate Freedom Day by supporting an organisation that promotes non-racialism in society, one of the founding ideas of democracy. One of the organisations carrying out this important work is the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 2008 to continue the antiapartheid struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada's legacy as an independent, non-partisan entity. Kathrada, a former Robben Island prisoner, served 26 years in jail for his opposition to the apartheid government. Throughout his life, he showed a commitment to the values and principles of the South African liberation struggle.

The Foundation runs various programmes, many aimed at the youth to promote the values, rights and principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution.

REMEMBER LIBERATION HEROES

of people, mobilised by some of our struggle icons. You can see these icons in life-size sculptures at the Long March to Freedom exhibition, which is currently on display in Cape Town.

Considered the world’s greatest exhibition in bronze, the exhibition of 100 life-size bronze sculptures of liberation tells the story of the country’s 350-year journey to freedom and democracy. Among those represented in the sculpture are Hons. Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Desmond Tutu, Miriam Makeba, King Moshoeshoe and King Shaka.

FOCUS ON THE FIRST PRESIDENT

Nelson Mandela headed up South Africa's first democratic government and is renowned for his role in negotiations that led to the first democratic elections. This Freedom Day is an ideal time to learn more about Madiba, his lifetime, and his legacy.

The 1994 elections brought closure to around 300 years of colonialism, segregation and apartheid. This oppression was fought by thousands

Visit one of the many monuments dedicated to him, including the Nelson Mandela Capture Site outside Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, his home in Soweto, the statute of Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings, or the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha in the Easter Cape.

UNDERSTANDING OPPRESSION

Out democracy emerged from hundreds of years of oppression, and understanding the experience of those who lived during colonialism and apartheid can help deepen our appreciation of our freedom.

To learn about our country's history, visit Robben Island, where political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela were held. Robben Island has a 500-year-old multi-layered history. It is visited annually by thousands of people eager to understand and honour South Africa’s history. Alternatively, take a trip to the Apartheid Musuem.

The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. The exhibits include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of this painful period in our history.

FORENSICS

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

SERGEANT MOLWANTOA RAPAKGADI Forensics: Serial And Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI)

PROTECTING CHILDREN THROUGH SPECIALISED INVESTIGATIONS

At the forefront of putting a stop to online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a specialised unit within the South African Police Force.

The Serial And Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit falls under the Family Violence, Child Protection And Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and investigates serial rapists and offenders involved in CSAM.

The FCS Units fight against sexual offences against children, persondirected crimes (where the family is

involved), illegal removal of children under the age of 12, and crime facilitated through electronic media.

The units, found across the country, consist of dedicated members that go beyond the call of duty to ensure that survivors of these heinous crimes – rape, murder and child pornography – are treated with the utmost care to avoid secondary victimisation.

THE FIGHT AGAINST ONLINE ABUSE

Recent work by the SECI Unit has included a partnership with the US

Department of Homeland Security to crack down on a list of 27 people considered to be the country's top online child sexual predators.

The SECI Unit was established in 2017 and was responsible for investigating, tracing, and apprehending serial rapists and electronic crimes relating to online child sexual exploitation. The unit is linked to an international tip-off line and deals with daily alerts of people who are searching, viewing, and sharing child pornography. The unit received 130 reports from the international tip-off line in one year.

Since the crackdown started in October, eight people have already been arrested: Four in the Western Cape, three in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal.

The arrests are part of an international operation to trace the manufacturers, users and distributors of child CSAM. The spread of CSAM is rife in South Africa, with reports by the Films and Publications Board (FPB) saying more than 170 000 images are submitted to it for analysis in just one year. Of these, around 50 000 were found to be CSAM.

In just one recent court case, more than 600 images and videos, classified as child pornography were allegedly found on the cellphones and laptops of two men. According to The Disrupting Harm in South Africa report, which details evidence of online child abuse based on self-reported data, between 7% and 9% of South African children aged between 9 and 17 have experienced online sexual exploitation and abuse.

The report found that the perpetrators of online child sexual exploitation and abuse were largely strangers to the children, with around 45% of the perpetrators unknown to the child. Concerningly, around half of children who experienced online child sexual exploitation and abuse did not report it to an adult or the authorities, and only around 2% of all cases were reported to a hotline or the police.

THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW

Among those authorities investigating such cases and bringing the perpetrators to book is Sergeant Molwantoa Rapakgadi. Sergeant Rapakgadi, a seasoned detective attached to Gauteng’s SECI unit, has secured 57 life-term sentences and an additional 3,074 years in prison for 17 serial rapists.

Sergeant Rapakgadi was among those commended during the recent 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign as one of the men and women in blue who go beyond the call of duty to protect women and children.

The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is an international United Nationsendorsed initiative that takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The period was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to raise public awareness on genderbased violence (GBV) in line with resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999.

Sergeant Rapakgadi consistently strives for service excellence and in 2020 was awarded with a Certificate of Commendation by the National Commissioner of the SAPS for successfully linking six men, dubbed the ‘Six Men Syndicate,’ to a series of crimes they committed in Gauteng, North

West and Limpopo between 2010 and 2018. They were collectively sentenced to 40 life terms and 1793 years imprisonment. Sergeant Rapakgadi said he takes pride in his work and hardly takes leave or books off sick.

Being a detective is my calling and it gives me great pleasure to solve complex cases. Most of my suspects are unknown at first, but through various investigative techniques, I am able to identify, trace and arrest these serial rapists, said Sergeant Rapakgadi.

Source: CSIR | Green Growth

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Expect changes at elections due to new legislation

South Africans will go to the polls for the country's seventh democratic election on Wednesday 29 May. However, the voting process will be slightly different this year due to recent changes to the legislation governing our elections.

In April last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Electoral Amendment Bill into law. This piece of legislation expands electoral participation and widens the pool of leadership choices for national and provincial elections.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission, more than 27.79 million voters - the highest since the dawn of democracy in

South Africa, are eligible to cast their votes in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said: "Since the voters’ roll was compiled for the first time ahead of the 1999 National and Provincial Elections, it has shown steady growth of over 35% and contains the highest number of registered voters, recording an increase of 9.6 million voters since the 1999 general elections."

Gauteng remains the biggest voting block, followed by the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, respectively.

Of the eligible voters, 15 million are female, representing over 55%.

CHANGES FOR VOTERS

Due to the changes in legislation, South African voters will, for the first time, receive three ballots instead of only two ballots.

The first ballot will be for the election of the compensatory 200 members of the National Assembly (national ballot). The second ballot will be for the regional elections of the other 200 members of the National Assembly. This ballot will vary from region to region, depending on which parties and independent candidates contest the relevant regional election.

Only the names of political parties and independent candidates that have met the requirements to contest each regional election will appear on this ballot. The third ballot, the provincial ballot, will be for electing the members of the provincial legislature in each province. It contains the names of the political parties and independent candidates that have met the requirements to contest each provincial election.

INCLUSION OF INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

The Electoral Amendment Act 1 of 2023 allows for the inclusion and nomination of independent candidates as contesters to elections in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures for the first time. The Act sets out the requirements that must be met by persons who wish to be nominated as independent candidates, as well as the obligations they must fulfil under the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The amendment of the Act follows a judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court in June 2020, which found that it was unconstitutional that election to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures may only be attained through membership of political parties.

The Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to remedy the legislation, which resulted in the amendment bill. The bill went through extensive public consultations, prompting Parliament to request two deadline extensions from the Constitutional Court. The final deadline for Parliament to pass the bill was 28 February 2023. On 23 February 2023, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Amendment Bill. The Electoral Amendment Act became law in June 2023.

ALLOCATION OF SEATS

A second aspect of the Act is the revised formula for the allocation of seats and their re-allocation in the event of vacated seats. The amendment will not impact the two-tier multimember compensatory proportional system, so there is no change to South Africa's electoral system.

The 400 seats in the National Assembly, which is the maximum set by the Constitution, are retained. Of these, half are reserved for the national list (to be contested only by political parties), and the remaining half are divided among the nine provinces (contested by parties and independent candidates).

In the national elections, independent candidates will contest the 200 regional seats alongside political parties, while the other 200 seats will be compensatory to bring back general proportionality for political parties. An independent candidate can only occupy one seat, even if they contest in multiple regions. In provincial legislatures, there are between 30 and 80 seats. The Electoral Commission is responsible for determining the number of seats before every national and provincial election based on the size of the population in each province.

BY KOKETSO MAMABOLO

Fundi Tshazibana

Deputy South African Reserve Bank Governor and CEO: Prudential Authority

Championing gender equality in economics

Holding one of the highest positions at the South African Reserve Bank, Fundi Tshazibana has dedicated herself to advancing South Africa’s economic position and championing gender diversity in the financial sector.

A child prodigy, Ms Tshazibana, matriculated at the young age of 15, and completed her first degree, a Bachelor of Commerce, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, when she was just 18. Ms Tshazibana is a deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank and is the CEO of the Prudential Authority, using her influence to raise awareness of gender equity in the sector. Her term was recently extended for another five years.

REPRESENTING THE NATION

The Prudential Authority regulates banks, insurers, cooperative financial institutions, financial conglomerates and certain market infrastructures. In her role with the Prudential Authority,

Ms Tshazibana leads the Prudential Cluster, which includes the Financial Surveillance Department. Prior to 2022, she oversaw the Financial Markets and International Cluster.

Ms Tshazibana joined the SARB in 2018 as an adviser to the governor and was appointed as a deputy governor in 2019 by the President. In her role as deputy governor, she also works to keep the National Treasury accountable and manage South Africa’s reserves.

She has a wealth of knowledge in her field, having served in roles at local and international institutions, including National Treasury, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

At the IMF, she was an alternate executive director on the Executive Board, which runs the day-to-day operations of the IMF. Her role at the IMF was what Ms Tshazibana describes as one of her most difficult working environments because she

was in a team with people from different countries with extensive and diverse experience. Her key to success was to observe, and she soon realised her strength lay in partnering with other women and advancing South Africa’s position.

Before joining the IMF, Ms Tshazibana was a deputy director-general at National Treasury, responsible for macroeconomic policy and economic forecasting. At NERSA, she worked as a senior policy analyst. Ms Tshazibana also fills a role on the Monetary Policy Committee. The committee is responsible for formulating monetary policy to meet the SARB's price stability objective. She is the first woman to serve on the interest-ratesetting body since Gill Marcus quit as governor in 2014 and was appointed with almost two decades of experience in public policy analysis and formulation.

She has proven her worth in the role, contributing to several interest rate decisions. The Committee has had

to make a number of tough calls in the time that Ms Tshazibana has served on it amid a weak economy, heavily strained consumers and debate around the Bank’s ownership and independence. In December last year, she was bestowed with an honorary doctorate from the University of Stellenbosch (Doctor of Commerce) at the graduation ceremony for the faculty of Economic and Management Services.

ADVANCING EQUALITY

Ms Tshazibana has said that her career has been largely shaped by her ability to listen to others and provide support. However, she did not initially envision a career as an economist for herself. During her studies, she focused on marketing as a career and picked up economics as a second major. However, she soon veered towards public finance and policy, placing her on her current career path.

Ms Tshazibana is passionate about gender diversity and hopes to see more women take up high-level roles within the Reserve Bank. However, she said the Reserve Bank is making good gender representation.

In the last 30 years, the Reserve Bank has seen the appointment of women to more than 40% of senior management roles, including two women in the roles of deputy governor, Ms Tshazibana and Dr Mampho Modise. In addition, women now hold a number of specialist positions.

While at the IMF, Ms Tshazibana became aware of how a lack of gender diversity was not an issue unique to South Africa.

“A former colleague from the UK was the first woman who her country had sent as a representative to the IMF. When we look at managing directors at the IMF, Christine Lagarde was the first woman and the current MD [Kristalina Georgieva] is the second woman,” she said in an interview with the Sunday Times.

“By the time I left the IMF, I was part of a group doing work around increasing gender diversity on the IMF Board.”

It’s quite us to ourselves is and to understand how to add value organisations our Ms Tshazibana.

“It’s exciting for young black women in particular. When we grew up, there were some careers that we didn’t even know existed.”

“There’s a lot that we could glean about what women bring to the workplace around culture, around having organisations that are nourishing, and when people can be part of a bigger cause as well.”

BY NALEDI MOKOENA

5 ways to

celebrate April 27 is Freedom Day

On this day as a nation we unite to annually celebrate and acknowledge the history which gave birth to the democracy we now embrace in South Africa. This year's theme is “30 years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth,” in honour of the first democratic elections held in South Africa in 1994.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE FREEDOM DAY

FREEDOM PARK HERITAGE SITE AND MUSEUM AMPHITHEATRE

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Honourable Zizi Kodwa officially launched the 2024 Freedom Month, on 9 April at Freedom Park.

The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the government officially launched National Freedom Month in celebration of 30 years of Democracy on 9 April 2024, at the Freedom Park and Museum Amphitheatre. The DSAC also facilitated a dialogue surrounding 30 years of democracy with the participation of business

representatives, labour society, the media and members in academia, aimed at discussing the challenges and triumphs within 3 decades of democracy. Hosted in collaboration with Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GPSACR), announced the programmes for the month of April and throughout the year in addition the plans to unveil the 30 years of democracy official logo.

YOUTH SME EXHIBITION

In honour of celebrating Freedom Day, South African SMMEs will showcase the pulse of the country’s heritage and innovation through their product and service offerings. On 26 April 2024, various organisations, the general public and different stakeholders are all welcome to celebrate this momentous day with the youth at Mary Fitzgerard in Newtown. In association with the Johannesburg Chamber and Commerce Industry (JCCI), the chamber is dedicated

to promoting a business conducive environment, from every sector of the economy.

IZIKO MUSEUM SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Founded in 1825 the museum will commemorate Freedom Day with free entry to selected museums in Cape Town, in solidarity of 30 years of Freedom. These include BoKaap, Slave Lodge, South African Museum and the National Gallery, Koopmans de Wet House, Rust en Vreugd and Bertram House.

VILAKAZI STREET

Considered one of the most famous urban areas in Soweto, Johannesburg it is the only street in the world to produce two Nobel Prize winners - former President Nelson Mandela and Reverend Desmond Tutu. Madiba’s house, which is at the corner of Vilakazi Street, is a historic staple visited by thousands of tourists per year. Hire a tour guide and explore the surrounding neighbourhood with

friends and family. In addition there are a variety of famous restaurants like Sakhumzi and Vuyos which specialise in South African Cuisine.

THE 2024 PRESCIENT FREEDOM PADDLE

The 2024 Prescient Freedom Paddle is a 27-kilometre ocean-racing event set to take place on April 27, commemorating Freedom Day in South Africa. With Robben Island as its backdrop, this event is in its seventh consecutive year “Freedom Day holds immense significance for our country, and we are privileged to celebrate it in such close proximity to Robben Island, a prominent symbol of South Africa’s struggle for freedom,” - Robin Tindall, one of the event organisers.

The ocean paddling and rowing event is open to all human-powered paddle crafts that are seaworthy enough to complete the course, and for many of the competitors, the opportunity to paddle to, and around, Robben Island is a unique way to celebrate Freedom Day.

To enter, visit the entry page of the race website. The entry process offers different phases with significant discounts for early registrations. Phase 1, with

an entry fee of R800 per paddler, opened on February 1st. The first R200 price increase will occur on March 1st. All short course entries are R250 per person. Entries will close on 14 April 2024.

The emancipation of South Africa

For the first time in decades 19.7 million citizens were afforded the right to cast their votes during the first democratic election, for the political party of their choice.

The African National Congress (ANC) won the election with 62.65 percent of the votes on 25 May 1994, at the time led by the first black President Nelson Mandela. In spite of the political unrest at the time, communities from all walks of life casted their vote in a triumphant moment in history.

Interesting facts about Freedom Day

Freedom Day was initially celebrated in 1995 in order to celebrate the actual day of the emancipation of the country.

This momentous day led to a new foundation for human rights.

The election was held over a three day period from April 26-29 in 1994

A total of 19.7 million citizens of the 22. million eligible voters in the first national elections made their mark

Prior to the election a transitional constitution was drafted in 1993, the final version which cemented our rights and freedom came into effect on 4 February in 1997.

BY FIONA WAKELIN

2 pots are better than 1

The two-pot retirement system aims to empower more South Africans to preserve their retirement savings when they leave a job or change employment, while enabling controlled access to these savings in times of financial hardship – Sanlam

From 1 September 2024 retirement fund members will be able to make partial withdrawals from their retirement funds before retirement, while preserving a portion that can only be accessed at retirement. The purpose of this is to offer flexibility to those fund members experiencing tough financial times, while at the same time supporting long-term retirement

In many cases, retirement funds. Under the current system members are resigning from their funds to access savings to pay off debt –which is a short term solution and does not bode well for retirement.

This new two-pot system has been conceptualised and designed so that those fund members who are experiencing hard times financially will have access to a portion of

the savings component before retirement. A “divine and” instead of an “either or” approach.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

The new system will apply to all private sector and public sector retirement funds, except for the old generation legacy retirement annuity policies, or funds with no active participating members. Pensioners and members of provident funds who were 55 years and older on 1 March 2021 who have not opted to be part of the two-pot system will also be excluded.

HOW IT WILL WORK – THE 3 COMPONENTS

The following shows how this system will actually work in practical terms. Importantly the

reform will create 3 components:

• Savings component

• Retirement component

• Vested component

After September 1, only the savings and retirement components will receive retirement contributions while the vested component will contain those retirement benefits accumulated by the member prior to implementation date - which will continue to accumulate investment growth.

WHERE DO THE 2 POTS COME IN?

Under the new system, retirement contributions will be split by retirement funds into the savings pot and the retirement pot. A ratio of 1/3 of total contributions will go into the savings component and

2/3 of total contributions into the retirement component.

The savings pot will be accessible at any time, but withdrawals must be a minimum of R2 000 with only one withdrawal being permitted in a tax year. There is no maximum withdrawal limit and the withdrawal will be taxed at the member’s own marginal tax rate.

THE RETIREMENT POT CANNOT BE ACCESSED ON RESIGNATION –ONLY AT RETIREMENT.

The vested component –which is the retirement value accumulated up until 31 Augustwill not take further contributions - if you resign sometime in the

future, you will still be able to access it or have it transferred to a preservation fund.

GETTING THINGS STARTEDSEEDING THE SAVINGS POT

To get things started, 10% or R30 000 (whichever is lower) of the value of your fund on 31st August 2024 will be allocated to the savings pot. This seeding capital will be a once-off transfer and will not be repeated.

WHO IS EXCLUDED FROM THE 2 POT PLAN?

Provident fund members who were 55 years or older on 1 March 2021 will not be included – but they can participate if they

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Tips and advice from national treasury

choose to do so by applying to their provident funds; once they choose to take part in the 2 pot system, this will be a done deal and they cannot reverse their decision.

NEXT UP FOR RETIREMENT FUNDS

After the Pension Funds Amendment Bill and the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill have been signed by the President, retirement funds will have to apply for rule amendments with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in order to get ready for 1 September 2024. They will communicate with their members on how the system will operate.

1. Please ensure that your retirement fund has your correct contact details. This is important so that they can contact you about the reform.

2. Keep an eye out for communication from your retirement fund administrator or the trustees of the fund, as they need to communicate with members about the implementation of the reform.

3. Carefully consider your options and seek advice from an accredited financial advisor.

• Identify your long-term savings goals and plan for your future – and try to save as much as you can when you can. Unforeseen events may mean that you must adjust the plan – but start with a plan. You will have more flexibility than ever before – but that comes with the responsibility to protect yourself now and for the future.

• If you are a provident fund member that was over the age of 55 on 1 March 2021, then you have the option of structuring your contributions to follow the two-pot design.

• If you have contributed to your retirement fund over several years, you may have access to a withdrawal from the seeding capital on implementation. Do not make hasty decisions to take a withdrawal. It may be tempting to make a withdrawal as soon as possible – but keep in mind that you will be giving up the amount drawn plus all interest on that amount in retirement. Plus, if you wait to withdraw money from the savings component until retirement, it will attract less tax.

• Consider whether you would rather transfer funds from your savings component to the retirement component.

4. Do not let anyone pressure you to do anything that is not in your interest. While it is good to help people when one can, you have worked hard to save for retirement – and the longer it remains invested, the better.

5. If you need help but do not know where to start, contact your retirement fund.

Source: Sanlam, National treasury

INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY LEGISLATION

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

South

Africa's

proposed copyright legislation aims to increase access to information

The National Assembly has passed the Copyright Amendment Bill. The legislation seeks to update South Africa's copyright laws. Among the changes in the proposed legislation are clauses that will allow increased access to copyrighted works for education purposes, as well as make them available to people with disabilities.

PROMOTING FAIR USE OF COPYRIGHTED WORKS

The Bill was introduced to Parliament by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2017 with

the aim of modernising South Africa's copyright laws. These laws have been in place and largely unchanged since 1978. There has been some opposition to the Bill from the creative industries.

ReCreate, a copyright advocacy group, has declared its support for the South African Copyright Amendment Bill and supports the notion of "Fair Use and Fair Royalties". The organisation believes the reforms to existing copyright legislation, which it describes as "outdated and

unconstitutional" are long overdue.

ReCreate represents organisations including BlindSA, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), WikimediaZA, Scholarly Horizons, which advances research integrity and reputable knowledge reproduction, and Artists Unite, among others. According to ReCreate, the Copyright Amendment Bill will

benefit authors and give them more control over their works, more protection in contracts and better Another change is

four factors, ‘such as’ in its new Copyright Act of 2022, but still calls it fair dealing," the organisation says.

MAKING INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

This is a fair period for rights holders to benefit from their investments in these works. South Africa decided on a period of 25 years for assignment of copyright, because its term is 50 years after the author’s death. The US period of assignment is 35 years because their copyright term is 75 years or more than that of South Africa

the introduction of the fair-use principle. This principle allows the free use of copyrighted works in certain circumstances, such as research or teaching. However, it is the onus of the copyright holder to prove that the use of their work does not constitute fair use.

"Fair use has four deciding factors before anything can be copied. Not everything that is copied will meet these criteria. Fair use in the Copyright Amendment Bill is in line with the US fair use provisions and those of some 12 other countries that benefit from fair use in their copyright law and which also use the words ‘such as’, except for Malaysia, which uses the word ‘including’ instead. Nigeria adopted the Source: SA, News DALRRD, Stats SA

The legislation also includes a clause that will make it possible to convert books into accessible formats without the copyright holder's consent. This will pave the way for people with disabilities to access copyrighted works. For example, converting a book into a format such as Braille, large print, and audio would be accessible to a person who is blind.

ReCreate adds that the lawful limitations and exceptions are necessary to enable access to information for teaching and learning purposes, research, libraries and other information services, people with disabilities, as well as for authors and creators who need access to information for the purposes of innovation, invention and creating new works.

"The current Copyright Act has very limited ‘fair dealing’ provisions and few exceptions for research, education or libraries and other information services. It also does not permit copying or course-packs for people with disabilities," the organisation says.

"Currently, people who are blind or visually impaired have to purchase the work first, then pay for permission to convert it into Braille and include it in course-packs, which often takes months to do," the organisation said.

Jace Nair, CEO of Blind SA, said the exceptions to transcribing

reading material into accessible formats, such as Braille, large print, and audio, will ensure that it is no longer a criminal offence to convert books into accessible formats without the copyright holder's consent.

In 2022, Blind SA, represented by SECTION27, took the Minister of Trade Industry and Competition to the Constitutional Court to challenge the constitutionality of the Copyright Act for the way it discriminated against persons who are blind and visually impaired.

The Court found the Act to be unconstitutional to the extent that it required persons who are blind or visually impaired to obtain the consent of the copyright holder before being able to convert books and other published works into accessible formats.

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Meeting universal healthcare goals National Health Insurance

South Africa is poised to introduce a universal healthcare system that would make affordable healthcare more accessible to those in disadvantaged communities: National Health Insurance (NHI).

The NHI Bill was passed last year and is currently awaiting sign-off from President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Bill looks to lay the groundwork for a fund from which the government will buy healthcare services for South Africans from healthcare providers both in the public and private sectors.

While there has been some resistance to the NHI, with some saying it will lead to disinvestment in the healthcare sector, the South African government has stressed that the move will be in line with the United Nation's Sustainability Goals.

UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE AS A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL

The NHI Bill seeks to reform South Africa's healthcare sector to create a more equitable, accessible and

affordable healthcare system based on the premise that everyone deserves equal access to quality and affordable healthcare.

South Africa is a member of the United Nations community and has committed to implementing universal health coverage for all under the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the world is off track to make significant progress towards universal health coverage by 2030, with improvements to health services coverage having stagnated since 2015.

The WHO found that the proportion of the population not covered by essential health services has shown minimal improvement in the last decade, and in 2021, about 4.5 billion people were not fully covered by essential health services. The WHO estimates that globally 344 million people are going deeper into extreme poverty due to health costs.

For the NHI Fund to be effective, the entire health system will undergo reforms, including partnerships between the private and public sectors and implementing robust governance structures.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the NHI will be implemented incrementally, with the government dealing with issues like health system financing, the health workforce, medical products, vaccines and technologies, and health information systems.

REFORMING HEALTHCARE

There are both pros and cons to implementing the NHI system, which has undergone robust debate in the public sector.

SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES INCLUDE:

• Lowering healthcare costs through the government determining fair healthcare prices

• The potential for higher standards to be set at hospitals and clinics, especially those in the public sector

• Reduced unexpected or out-ofpocket costs for patients

• The removal of barriers to accessing healthcare services

• Better salaries for healthcare workers in the public sector

• Improved socio-economic rights and reducing inequalities through access to healthcare resources

Protecting people from the financial consequences of paying for health services out of their pockets can reduce the risk of being pushed into poverty. However, ensuring the entire population has access to healthcare also prevents other social issues, such as crime and welfare dependency and stimulates the economy by ensuring a healthier workforce.

There are some downsides to the NHI system, such as removing the autonomy of those who would like to

choose their medical aid system. It also places an increased burden on taxpayers and may result in some unemployment should medical aid and private healthcare providers downscale. In addition, medical practitioners, particularly in the private sector, may wish to seek more lucrative opportunities abroad.

In addition, there are concerns that patients may face long wait times for procedures, experience a decrease in the quality of care provided, and have an increased potential for corruption and misappropriation of funds. For South Africans without medical aid or in lower income groups, the NHI will be beneficial in that it will offer more equitable access to healthcare services. The NHI will provide health insurance to those not currently a medical aid member, and will also seek to improve the resourcing of public hospitals and healthcare.

What is the NHI?

The National Health Insurance (NHI) is South Africa’s strategy to achieving universal health coverage. It is a fund that aims to give all South Africans access to quality and affordable healthcare by covering the healthcare costs of South Africans, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This means there will be no fees charged at healthcare facilities, and the cost of healthcare will likely remain reasonable while compensating healthcare providers fairly. This will see public and private healthcare providers compensated on the same basis and expected to provide the same standard of care.

The NHI will be funded through taxes, which will see every South African earning above a certain amount required to contribute towards the fund. This will be administered in the same way as contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

How does the NHI differ from medical aid?

The NHI has two key differences from private medical aids currently available in South Africa:

• It will cover every South African, regardless of employment or income level, and does not need the individual to opt in.

• The type of healthcare provided to each patient will be of the same standard and will be determined by their health condition and not their choice of healthcare plan. This means there will be no limits on benefits.

Individuals will be free to continue their medical scheme membership, but they will not be able to opt out of making contributions to the NHI Fund. It is likely that many people will need a form of additional health insurance to cover healthcare procedures considered cosmetic or non-essential.

NATIONAL

RURAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Youth unemployment in South Africa remains a key priority for the national government. Among the numerous programmes in place to increase employment among young people is the youth flagship programme of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, the National Rural Youth Service Corps.

The latest quarterly labour statistics from Statistics South Africa indicate that the youth (aged 15 to 34 years) remain vulnerable in the labour market.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the total number of unemployed youth increased by 87 000 to 4,7 million. There was a decrease of 97 000 in the number of employed youth to 5,9 million.

The skills development provided by the National Rural Youth Service Corps programme focuses on construction, agriculture, disaster mitigation, office management, basic administrative skills, project administration and enterprise development. This skill development aligns with the identified need to promote economic development in rural areas.

TEACHING MULTIDISCIPLINARY SKILLS

Upskilling youth for rural development

The National Rural Youth Service Corps aims to develop youth with multidisciplinary skills through specifically developed programmes linked to community needs in rural areas.

The National Rural Youth Service Corps provide character-building programmes and soft and hard skills training. It also dispatches the youth to rural areas to undertake various rural infrastructure and other development projects. The programme aims to upskill youth from rural areas, allowing them to become entrepreneurs and employment creators and breaking the cycle of dependency on social grants.

Among the skills that participants are taught include smallholder livestock and dairy production, and vegetable gardening and soil sampling. The first two years of the programme focus on skills development while the latter two focus on enterprises' incubation.

The programme has been specifically designed as part of the National Youth Service and focuses on aspects of discipline, patriotism and service delivery in rural communities. In this vain, after completing the skills-development phase, participants enter a community-service phase, where they apply their newly acquired skills in rural communities under the mentorship of the responsible department.

The final phase of the Narysec is linked to the maintenance and operations activities of local and district municipalities. When participants complete the four-year National Rural Youth Service Corps programme, they can be employed or contribute to the economies of their respective communities through building enterprises.

TRAINING YOUTH TO UPLIFT RURAL COMMUNITIES

At the recent passing out of National Rural Youth Service Corps graduates, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on businesses and other bodies to support rural economic development by hiring graduates and assisting them to start their own businesses. “We can only overcome the challenge of youth unemployment if we work together. Let us build better, stronger and safer rural communities. Let us leave no one behind,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said that through the National Rural Youth Service Corps, the government has been working to change the high rate of unemployment amongst rural youth and lack of developmental opportunities in their areas.

The District Development Model is designed to address problems with service delivery by allowing all spheres of government, from local municipalities to national government, to work together in a more effective and coordinated way. This will help municipalities to better plan, budget and implement projects and programmes.

There are less factories, industries and businesses in rural areas. As a result, there is less economic activity than in metros and urban areas. Access to tertiary education in rural areas, though it is improving, is still limited, said President Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa added that National Rural Youth Service Corps graduates can contribute to making rural areas sources of job creation, self-employment and entrepreneurship, and models of excellence in service delivery.

“Youth must be at the forefront of bringing development to rural communities. It is our responsibility to provide them with the knowledge, skills and experience that will enable them to play their part in bettering their communities," he said.

“As a result, young people in search of opportunity are migrating away from rural areas to the cities. This affects development in rural areas. Through the National Rural Youth Service Corps, we have been working to change this." The president added that the government aims to continue to scale up the National Rural Youth Service Corps programme, to ensure more young people can feed into the District Development Model.

“You have been given the tools. Now it is up to you to use them to better your own lives and to bring about change in your communities. Use what you have learned to work with government and other social partners to alleviate poverty, unemployment, inequality and underdevelopment."

Recruitment for the National Rural Youth Service Corps is done through advertisements and selection by community structures. Narysec participants are expected to stay in the programme for 48 months following their recruitment from rural communities. For more information, visit www.dalrrd.gov.za

REGIONAL FOCUS: NOTH WEST

BY NALEDI MOKOENA

North West

Budget speech aimed at service delivery

The 2024 North West budget speech presented a transformative plan for the province's communities with a budget boasting over R53.4-billion for the 2024/2025 financial year. The MEC for finance in the North West, Motlapula Rosho delivered the annual budget on 7 March 2024 at the provincial legislature in Mahikeng. The overall budget summarised the provincial government’s role including its outcomes over the last 30 years.

During her address the MEC for Finance highlighted the contribution of the provincial government’s empowerment of disadvantaged communities, addressing unemployment, provision of basic services including the prevalence of poverty within lower income communities. In addition the provincial government detailed the progress made in an effort to support struggling municipalities.

A BUDGET FIT FOR A PROVINCE IN NEED

The Presidency is dedicated to implementing the District Development Model (DDM) aimed at improving municipal service delivery in the country.

The DDM aims to address various challenges faced in communities by collaborating with local municipalities and the national government to achieve a common objective. Hon Rosho highlighted the efforts to alleviate challenges within the social cluster by allocating more than R42-billion within the Health, Education and Human Settlement departments.

The economic cluster including the Department of Public Works and roads was allocated more than R4-billion. In an effort to alleviate the results of climate change, incomplete agricultural projects worth millions and deteriorating road infrastructure in the province, R1.2-billion was allocated to the Agricultural and Rural development, while the Economic Development, Environment and Conservation and Tourism Department will receive over R 982-million.

In this cluster, the Department of Education receives R 21.932 billion, Health is allocated R 16.522 billion, Human Settlements budget is R 1.826 billion, Social Development receives R 750 million,

- Hon Rosho.

OFFICIAL LAUNCH FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE NORTH WEST

Meanwhile Deputy President Paul Mashatile officiated the launch of phase three of the Accelerated Service Delivery Thuntsha Lerole Programme on 15 March 2024 in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa assigned Mashatile to assist in implementing the DDM through effective coordination of various areas in government.

The Thuntsha Lerole Programme is an initiative led by the North West provincial government in an effort to address pivotal challenges faced regarding service delivery, through

strengthening partnerships with government, private and civil society organisations. Hon. Mashatile visited the Seeking community in the Taung Local Municipality, in September last year.

Newly built Seraleng Primary School in Paardekraal by the provincial government, includes a science laboratory, nutrition centre, 15 multipurpose classrooms, administration block and a computer room, all valued at R 26.5-million. The Presidency’s visit offered the opportunity for the Deputy President

To engage with government departments, from local municipalities to national government, in an effort to accelerate service delivery in a more effective and coordinated manner,

- Honourable Mashatile

In addition he highlighted the symbolism of the newly built school’s contribution towards the government's efforts to create accessibility to basic education in order to encourage a culture of teaching, learning and service. The Deputy President will also visit the Tlhabane Community Health Centre to launch a state-of-theart-X-ray machine, to address some of the challenges faced by the local community's patients who at times travel from distant areas to access healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, as part of efforts to bring lasting solutions to the dire challenge of sewer blockages and leaks around the Boitekong area, outside Rustenburg, the Deputy President will witness the handover of the newly completed sewer network project.

The Tlhabane township will also benefit from a water and sewer project in collaboration with an appointed service provider. In 2021 the local municipality was dealing with burst pipes and sewer spilling into residents properties and blockage of domestic pipes. The Presidency highlights the importance of a feedback session for the Thuntsha Lerole Programme aimed at facilitating a platform for key leaders to address members of the community, regarding various government service delivery initiatives.

The North West Finance Department affirms that their key focus is on disadvantaged communities in order to create a cohesion of service delivery in the province. Despite their challenges, MEC Rosho says their province emerged victorious against the odds and reaffirms the government's commitment to continue its efforts of creating a better life for all.

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Beyond borders:

Working to better society with space exploration

Space exploration and the resulting technology can have a significant impact on the continent. Space-based products and services can offer solutions to challenges facing Africa, such as spacerelated applications already widely in use in the agricultural sector.

The good news is that the three fuel lIn addition, space-based information systems play a significant role in risk reduction and disaster management on the African continent, which is heavily affected by natural and man-made disasters. Not only does space exploration offer an area of innovation for countries, but it also offers the opportunity for partnership between nations.

INTO SPACE

The agency that is mandated to promote space exploration in South Africa is the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), located in Hermanus, Western Cape. SANSA is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation and works to promote the use of space in South Africa, foster space research, and to strengthen cooperation in spacerelated activities.

SANSA was created in 2010 to promote the use of space and strengthen cooperation in spacerelated activities. The agency aims to foster research in space science, advance scientific engineering through developing human capital, and support industrial development in space technologies. Although

the agency was only established in 2010, South Africa has been involved in space research and activities for many decades. The country helped early international space efforts in the second half of the 20th century and has been instrumental in observing the Earth’s magnetic field at stations around Southern Africa.

South Africa is also home to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), an international effort to build the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope. The second SKA receiver is located in Australia. The programme aims to help better understand the history of the universe. The research and work carried out at SANSA focuses on space science, engineering and technology, which can promote development, build human capital and provide important national services.

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SPACE AGENCY

Much of SANSA's work involves monitoring Earth and our surrounding environment and using the collected data to ensure that navigation, communication technology and weather forecasting services function as intended.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

There have been a number of recent space-related developments in South Africa. Among these was the announcement that it would partner with China to build a base on the moon. SANSA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Space Administration, which will see the two agencies collaborating to construct a research base on the moon. South Africa will be one of a number of countries, including Russia, to

contribute to the International Lunar Research Station project. South Africa will contribute to the demonstration, implementation, operation, application, education and training for the project. The project aims to establish a permanent lunar base in the 2030s.

South Africa is also aiding lunar exploration through the Lunar Exploration Ground Site (LEGS), to be constructed in Majiesfontein in the Western Cape, which will assist with communications for the Artemis project. The Artemis is a NASA project which will see the USA return to the moon for the first time since 1972. The goal of the project is to put the first woman and person of colour on the moon in 2025. The LEGS facility is one of three in the world that will help with communications and ensure astronauts have an uninterrupted link to a ground station. South Africa has a history of assisting NASA and hosting communications infrastructure during the Apollo programme. Apollo helped land the first humans on the surface of the moon.

The infrastructure can be used for future manned space flights. SANSA has also assisted the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, which attempted to land the Rashid Rover on the surface of the moon, with the Hartebeeshoek ground station responsible for establishing communications between the rover and a station in Dubai.

Unfortunately, the rover crash-landed in the final stages of the mission, but another attempt is scheduled for this year.

SANSA has also expressed hopes of training astronauts, although there are currently no firm plans for such a mission. Working with partners such as the Russian space agency, SANSA said it has aspirations to have South African astronauts contribute to global space exploration.

Meanwhile, SANSA continues to work on developing technology and partnerships to advance both space exploration and the local economy.

Sources: News24, My Broadband, South African National Space Agency, AU, Chatham House

BY NALEDI MOKOENA

Resignation and constructive dismissal

Aquestion commonly asked about constructive dismissal is - when is it applicable and will it be recognised in the eyes of the South African Labour Law. There are numerous well-documented complaints and grievances relating to employers regarding constructive dismissal and the challenges which transpire due to disagreements with management relating to performance or conduct.

WHAT IS CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL

According to terms of section 186 (1) (e) of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) 66 of 1995, the basis of constructive dismissal is when an employee terminates the employment contract without notice based on an employer making their employment

intolerable. In order for this type of dismissal to be recognised, an employee is required to prove the case. In the event of such a decision, according to the Labour Court, there are three requirements an employee must substantiate to claim constructive dismissal.

These include:

1. The employment situation had become intolerable for the employee

2. The employee ended the contract of employment

3. The employer made continued employment intolerable

In addition, according to the Constitutional Court, the basis for constructive dismissal is tested

by proving the employer made continuous attempts to make the employment intolerable. There is no case for constructive dismissal if an employee resigns for any other reason, for example “because s/he cannot stand working in a particular workplace or for a certain company” which is not due to any conduct on the part of the employer.

WHAT IS “INTOLERABILITY”

Intolerability is a high threshold, far more than just a difficult, unpleasant or stressful working environment or employment conditions, or for that matter an obnoxious, rude and uncompromising superior who may treat employees badly. Put otherwise,

Intolerability entails an unendurable or agonising circumstance marked by the conduct of the employer that must have brought the employee’s tolerance to a breaking point, - SA Labour Court.

RESIGNATION LETTER

The initial step to resigning from any contractual agreement is formally writing a resignation letter

to more than one recipient, not limited to the human resources department or a manager. In the instance of a letter pertaining to constructive dismissal, it needs to communicate the basis of resignation to the employer and notify them of immediate departure. The letter must state the date of resignation and be sent by email in order to keep a record of to whom it was sent.

THE CRUX OF THE MATTER

The circumstances of resignation, including the events leading up to it, need be listed in detail in the resignation letter. In addition, if there was previous communication in the form of a grievance letter written in a bid to facilitate further investigation, this can be referred to in order to avoid repetition.

Due to the complex nature of the relationship between employers and employees the LRA, Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and the Commission for Conciliation, Meditation and Arbitration (CCMA) exist. The CCMA is an independent body founded by law to resolve a range of corporate disputes. Due to the nature of a constructive dismissal claim, it is classified as unfair dismissal which means the employer is taken to the CCMA, at minimum to no cost at all to the complainant, who will have to prove the employer had made continued employment intolerable.

HOW APPROACH CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL FOR EMPLOYERS

According to the Consolidated Employers Organisation (CEO), whether an employer agrees or not with the employee's decision, it is

advisable for employers to enlist legal advice before acting on any matter to avoid future implications. In instances where an employer is brought before the CCMA or the relevant bargaining council , it is pivotal to establish if the date of the employee's resignation hasn't changed and when the case will be heard, especially for claims of reinstatement by employees

For claims regarding reinstatement, if the circumstances have not changed, the employer can dispute the employee's testimony in relation to their working conditions. Employers should note the determining factor for constructive dismissal is objective, meaning it is based on factual information. Hence the circumstances and facts will be scrutinised in detail.

POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF WORKPLACE CONFLICTS

Although conflict in any organisation may not be a pleasant experience between employees and employers, it does have the potential to encourage change. According to the Gitnux Marketdata Report 2024, the positive outcomes associated with workplace conflicts are linked to inspiring conflict management training.

The CPP Global Human Capital Report, reflects that countries with prevalent occurrences of training have proven results. A total of 76 percent of workers worldwide experienced a positive outcome after conflict resolution resulting in improved relationships between employees and employers and execution of tasks.

Source: Labourguide, CCMA, BUSA, SpringhouseLaw, Linkedin, Gitnux

BY NALEDI MOKOENA

Budget 2024

Budget 2024 brought with it no rate hike but also no inflation adjustment; the flip side of this coin is that taxpayers who receive increases will move into higher tax brackets (also known as fiscal drag - which has nothing to do with performance art). When drawing up personal budgets this possibility, plus sin taxes, petrol and income tax all need to be factored into financial projections - which may well mean the buying power of net income could decrease.

TO HELP WITH TAX CALCULATIONS WE LOOKED AT THE SARS TAX BRACKETS FOR 2024:

Income Tax: Individuals and trusts

Turnover Tax For Micro Businesses

Years of assessments which end on any date between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025

IN THIS EDITION WE ALSO UNPACK THE TWO POT SYSTEM - THE SARS TABLE BELOW REFLECTS THE TAX IMPLICATIONS:

Retirement Fund Lump Sum Withdrawal benefits

Income Tax: Individuals and trusts

Taxes rates from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025 Individuals and special trusts

Retirement fund lump sum withdrawal benefits consist of lump sums from pension, provident, pension preservation or retirement annuity fund on withdrawal (including assignment in terms of a divorce order).

Source: Dotnews | Pgpslaw | SARS

FIVE REASONS

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World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day is a means to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for autistic people on an equal basis with others. The day of observance seeks to raise awareness and appreciation of autistic people and their contributions to society.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and impairs the ability to communicate and interact. The disorder can manifest in about 2000 different ways, and the severity of the disorder ranges from 'mild' to 'severe'.

There are currently no reliable prevalence studies indicating how many people live with Autism in South Africa, but researchers estimated that around 2% of our population is affected by the disorder.

Those living with Autism still face issues such as stigma, lack of access to medical interventions, under-diagnosis, and cultural misperceptions.

International Day of Conscience

The United Nation's International Day of Conscience aims to promote a culture of peace with love and conscience.

Conscious of the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, the General Assembly declared 5 April the International Day of Conscience.

The United Nations is dedicated to creating a world in which future generations need not experience war by building a culture of peace. This culture is built on the values of freedom, justice and democracy, human rights, tolerance, and solidarity. The culture also rejects violence and endeavours to prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation.

The concept of a culture of peace emerged from the International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men in Côte d'Ivoire in July 1989. Since then, promoting a culture of peace has increasingly been seen as a worthwhile objective of the international community.

April

International Day of Human Space Flight

The International Day of Human Space Flight celebrates the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals. On 12 April 1961, the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen, took place. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.

The United Nations General Assembly has expressed its conviction in the benefits of promoting and expanding the exploration and use of outer space as the province of all mankind, for peaceful purposes. This aligns with the ongoing work of the United Nations to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space.

The United Nations displays a replica of the Voyager Golden Record at its Headquarters and shares a deep connection to the process of creating it. The Voyager Golden Record shot into space in 1977 with a message from humanity to the cosmos – and decades later, it stands as a reminder that we are all connected.

Calendar of Commemorative Events

24 25

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace,

Multilateralism is, in its simplest form, the cooperation between three or more countries. As a method of cooperation and a form of organisation of the international system, it is the cornerstone of international relations and allows States to engage with each other in a spirit of consultation.

Multilateralism is part of the United Nations' DNA and is a pillar of the international system in which we live today. This international system created by multilateralism ensures that all nations enjoy the same rights and obligations.

The United Nations has been the multilateral framework par excellence for more than 75 years. The success of this model can be seen in the growth of the UN, from 51 member states in 1945, to 193 today. There are also more than 1 000 non-governmental and international organisations that have observer status at the United Nations.

World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.

Observed annually on 25 April, World Malaria Day recognises global efforts to control malaria.

Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria. Annually, malaria kills around 2.7 million people, with 90% of these cases occurring in Africa. Those most likely to fall victim to the disease are children under the age of five years.

This year's observance will mark one year since the rollout of the first malaria vaccine. In the initial campaign, this vaccine was delivered to nearly 1.5 million children at high risk of illness and death from malaria in Africa. If implemented broadly, WHO estimates that malaria vaccines could save the lives of tens of thousands of children each year.

Freedom Day 27

Freedom Day is the commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994. These elections were the first time that all South Africans, regardless of race, could cast a vote. Of South Africa’s 22.7 million eligible voters, 19.7 million voted in the 1994 national election. In order to hold the first non-racial elections, political leaders spent years negotiating the unbanning of the liberation organisations, the release of political prisoners and the return of exiles.

The first democratic election marked the end of more than 300 years of colonialism, segregation and apartheid. Following the elections, a new democratic government was established, led by the ANC (who won the election with 62.65 % of the vote) and former president Nelson Mandela at its helm.

BY RAINE ST. CLAIRE

Dynamic Duo Five African Power Couples: Changing Lives and Shaping Futures

The African continent has gained recognition for its talented innovators, influential figures, and as a home to dynamic power couples who are achieving remarkable accomplishments in their respective fields. In this article, we introduce five dynamic African power couples who have not only achieved success in their careers but have also dedicated themselves to philanthropic endeavours, uplifting and empowering individuals and communities across Africa.

Halima Dangote and Suleiman Sani Bello

Suleiman Bello and Halima Dangote are known as Nigeria’s most cherished power couple. Halima (40) with an estimated net worth of N500-million, is the daughter of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man. Despite their extravagant wedding in 2008, the couple and their two daughters intentionally maintain a private lifestyle. Halima started her career as an Analyst at KPMG. As the current Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Group and a board member of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, her commitment extends to

fostering economic growth in Nigeria, advocating for women’s empowerment and increasing female representation on corporate boards in Nigeria and Africa. Suleiman, the son of multi-millionaire Sani Bello, holds the position of Executive Director at Equatel Telecoms. With extensive experience in IT & Telecoms, Oil and Gas (Downstream and Upstream), Power and Energy, including hydro power generation, Aviation, logistics, and the Marine sector, he also serves as a Director on various boards. He is a respected member of the British Computer Society (BCS) in the UK and a member of the Nigerian Polo Association.

HALIMA DANGOTE AND SULEIMAN SANI BELLO

Tony and Awele Elumelu

Tony Elumelu (60), a Nigerian billionaire, economist, and philanthropist, is widely recognised as a Nigerian and African banking and finance sector guru. He started his career in the late ‘80s as an ambitious copier salesman and made history as the youngest bank CEO in Nigeria at the age of 34. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), a prominent philanthropic initiative, reflects Tony’s belief in the significance of young entrepreneurs and their determination to uplift Africa from poverty. The TEF empowers entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries with a $100-million programme to create one million jobs in a decade. Despite the challenge of receiving thousands of applications, so far 7 520 entrepreneurs, with 68% being female have been accepted.

Awele (59), is an accomplished, beautiful and sophisticated Nigerian business magnate and medical doctor who serves as the African Ambassador for Gavi. She champions African immunisation drives, quality healthcare in Nigeria and is the recipient of the distinguished Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria As the Founder and CEO of Avon Medical, she is a prominent advocate for universal healthcare in Africa, and serves on the Yale Institute for Global Health Advisory Board and is equally passionate about the work of the TEF. Known for her unwavering commitment to privacy, Tony openly attributes Awele as his greatest inspiration. In 2020, TIME recognised Tony as one of Africa’s leading investors and philanthropists, estimating his wealth at $1.98-billion. In August 2023, Tony earned N26-billion & Awele N4-billion from investments in Transcorp Group across Hospitality, Power, and Oil & Gas sectors.

Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa

Strive (62) is a Zimbabwean billionaire businessman and philanthropist based in London. He is the founder and executive chairman of international technology groups Econet Global and Cassava Technologies. Ranked 12th on Forbes’ 2023 list of African billionaires, and a net worth of $1.9-billion, Strive made history in 2022 as the first black billionaire on the Sunday Times Rich List. Strive entered the telecoms industry in the 90s, but the government’s attempt to prevent him from acquiring a licence to operate his cellular business led to a challenging five-year legal battle that nearly pushed him to bankruptcy. The landmark case that ruled in his favour ended the state monopoly in telecommunications, opening the door to private investment in the African telecom sector.

Tsitsi serves as the Executive Chair and CoFounder of Delta Philanthropies and the Masiyiwa Higherlife Foundation, which focuses on human capital development, thriving communities, and improving education and healthcare access, especially for girls and women. As signatories of the Giving Pledge initiative, the couple is well-known for their philanthropic work, uplifting orphaned and underprivileged children across multiple African countries. They have pledged $100-million to establish a fund that improves the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Over the past two decades, Strive has used his own fortune to create and support programmes that educate over 40 000 orphans in Africa and provide scholarships to more than 250 000 young Africans. As Chairman Emeritus of AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), Strive has helped mobilise over US$15-billion in investments for agriculture throughout Africa.

TONY AND AWELE ELUMELU

STRIVE AND TSITSI MASIYIWA

DUOS

BY RAINE ST. CLAIRE

Mohammed and Saira Dewji

Mohammed (47) ranked 15th is Africa’s youngest billionaire and the sole billionaire from Tanzania with an impressive net worth of $1.5-billion. He owns MeTL Group, a Tanzanian conglomerate with diversified interests across varied sectors. “Mo”, known for his exceptional style, extensive collection of designer suits and fetish for glasses, is considered an exceptionally humble gentleman. Mo has made an impact in the beverage industry with Mo Cola, a competitor to industry giants like Pepsi and Coca Cola. He plans to triple the current production of 1-billion bottles in the next 2 to 3 years by opening factories in other African nations. He also introduced Mo Bomba Energy Drink to compete with Red Bull. In 2016, Mo joined the Giving Pledge and the Mo Dewji Foundation focuses on providing education to underprivileged children in Tanzania, including university-level support.

With agriculture as the foundation of Mo’s business he is poised to become the world’s largest sisal producer. He has invested $50-million in planting extensive hectares of organic tea for export and is also expanding into Mozambique and Rwanda with ventures in macadamia production, maize milling, cashew processing and denim production, and of course, Mo beverages. Saira, who maintains a fiercely private lifestyle, serves as a board member of the Mo Dewji Foundation and Tumaini La Maisha, Tanzania’s only children’s cancer centre. Mo regards Saira as the cornerstone of the much-needed balance in his family life, reminding him of what truly matters beyond wealth and money. Mo’s headline-making near-death kidnapping incident in 2018 shifted his perspective toward philanthropy and impact investing. He co-owns the football club Simba SC and even as he reduces his work hours, his ambition is driven by his ceaseless passion for his endeavours.

Dr. Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe and Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe

Patrice (61), a prominent South African businessman with a net worth of $3.2-billion, ranking 9th on Forbes Africa’s list, was acknowledged as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” globally. He founded African Rainbow Minerals, a company with interests in various mineral sectors. Holding various corporate boards positions, including Harmony Gold, a leading global gold mining company, he is widely recognised for his leadership and is considered one of South Africa’s top business leaders.

Precious (61) is a highly accomplished South African businesswoman, philanthropist, entrepreneur and one of Africa’s wealthiest women. In 2020, she began her ten-year tenure as Chancellor of the University of Cape Town. Precious founded African Fashion International in 2007 to promote Pan-African fashion designers and has consistently been honoured as Forbes 50 most influential women in Africa. She championed the Gender Responsive Budget Initiative in 2012, advocating for women’s inclusion in national plans and budgets. In 2013, Patrice became the first African to sign the Giving Pledge, and the couple remains dedicated to lifelong philanthropic efforts through the Motsepe Foundation, aimed at alleviating poverty and improving living conditions for marginalised individuals.Patrice, a self-made billionaire, made history by becoming the first black partner at the law firm Bowman Gilfillan in 1994.

DR. PATRICE TLHOPANE MOTSEPE AND DR. PRECIOUS MOLOI-MOTSEPE

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