Africa Cup Of Nations News Updates 2020

Seven Integrated Wildlife Zones are being introduced across South africa to protect the countrys rhino. Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Barbara Creecy, said by demarcating areas primarily around rhino populations, wildlife in the area and people living in and around conservation areas will be protected. Creecy said the introduction of the Integrated Wildlife Zones, similar to the Integrated Protection Zones previously utilised within national parks and provincial reserves, sees an expansion of the effort to protect the worlds largest black and white rhino populations. By introducing a zoning approach, the necessary resources can be redirected to areas most in need of support. It furthermore ensures cooperation between the state and private role players and is aligned to the objectives of South africas National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, the Minister explained. She added that the initiative prevents borders and boundaries from inhibiting planning and the implementation of actions aimed at halting rhino poaching and the smuggling of rhino horn. The concept is based on multi-party cooperation, but will ensure the use of appropriate technologies to ensure surveillance, early warning and detection -- all in an effort to become more pro-active. As the country joins the globe in celebrating World Rhino Day 2020, Creecy has applauded the coming together of key role-players who have joined the national government in their fight against rhino poaching through the utilisation of new and tested technologies. The Wildlife Zone initiative is supported by the Peace Parks Foundation with funding from the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Dutch, Swedish and UK Peoples Postcode Lotteries. The Minister said the department is proud to partner with Peace Parks Foundation and all government and non-governmental organisations that will be involved in this important initiative. Despite the marked decrease in rhino poaching during the COVID-19 national lockdown, governments target remains an end to rhino poaching.As a key member of the iconic Big Five, we hope that as our provincial borders open, more people will be able to travel to our national parks and other conservation areas to experience first-hand our natural heritage and see these ancient animals in the wild, the Minister said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his address to the 75th United nations General Assembly to renew his push for the reform of the multilateral body's Security Council.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his address to the 75th United nations General Assembly to renew his push for the reform of the multilateral body's Security Council.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his address to the 75th United nations General Assembly to renew his push for the reform of the multilateral body's Security Council.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has come under fire for allowing an ANC delegation to hitch a lift on a South african National Defence Force jet to Zimbabwe.

The South african National Roads Agency needs the government to decide on the future of electronic tolls in Gauteng province, as the coronavirus cuts its cashflow, the Sunday Times reported.

The ongoing standoff plaguing two Gauteng taxi associations has forced Public Transport and Road Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo to dissolve its executives committees. In a statement on Thursday, the department announced the dissolution of both the Witwatersrand african Taxi Owners Association (WATA) and Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (NANDUWE) following deadly clashes that have resulted in the murder of at least two people. This comes after two NANDUWE squad members were shot dead near Nancefield Hostel in Soweto on Tuesday. The associations have been engaged in a scuffle over routes in the south of Johannesburg, said the department. In the statement, Mamabolo expressed dismayed at the latest incident. We cannot allow the taxi industry to turn our province into the capital of murder and violent gangs, said the MEC. Mamabolo, who is empowered by law to place under administration warring taxi associations, in the statement also offered his condolences to families and loved ones of the deceased. The MEC has also called on law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in capturing those behind the killings. The North Gauteng High Court recently ratified an agreement between Gautengs major taxi structures - the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and the South african National Taxi Council (SANTACO-Gauteng), giving the MEC powers to dissolve taxi associations involved in acts of violence. We will not be deterred in our efforts to modernise this industry, so that it takes its rightful place as part of a safe, efficient and integrated public transport system, said Mamabolo.

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy and the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoff Makhubo, invite members of the media to the certificate-awarding ceremony to six co-operatives whose recycling efforts are preserving and protecting the environment.The award ceremony is undertaken during a significant week in South africas Recycling Calendar, the South african National Recycling Week (14 to 19 September) and to acknowledge six co-operatives that are championing the separation (of waste) at source programme and are also assisting the City of Johannesburg and Pikitup to divert waste away from landfill sites. It should be noted that Pikitup is fast running out of landfill sites.Members of the media are invited to the event to interact with both the Minister and the Mayor and other stakeholders whose contribution to responsible waste management initiatives are key to protecting environmental degradation.Details of the event are as follows:Date: 18 September 2020Venue: Linbro Park Landfill siteTime: 08h00 to 09h30For more information, contact:Stan ItshegetsengDeputy Director: Communications and Stakeholder Relations office of the MMC EISDCell: 0837024778Albi ModiseSpokesperson: Minister of Environment, Forestry and FisheriesCell:083 490 2871

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will brief the media on South africas development of the Space Infrastructure Hub.The Space Infrastructure Hub marks a significant milestone for the South african space sector to build an indigenous space capability that will service the needs of South africa.The project will position space data as a tool for sustainable development, especially addressing governments national priorities and for commercial use in thematic areas such as remote sensing, navigation, and space sciences.The Space Infrastructure Hub will be managed by the South african National Space Agency (SANSA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).SANSA has been awarded a significant R4.47 billion in additional funding over the next three years, to develop the Space Infrastructure Hub as part of Governments Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium (SIDS) initiative.The members of the media are invited to join the Minister, DSI DG and SANSA CEO during a virtual media briefing scheduled as follows:Date: Today, Wednesday, 16 September 2020Time: 13h00 to 14h00To RSVP and receive the link to virtual media briefing, please contact Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690.Enquiries:Ishmael MnisiCell: 066 037 8859

Many have been yearning for a road trip out in the warm South african sun as a release from the cabin fever associated with the lockdown. While not doubting the love one has for family, several months of being in lockdown together may leave all involved with feelings of claustrophobia, irritability and the need to get away from it all. As the fight continues against the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated the implementation of a national lockdown,, the country moved to stage 2 of the lockdown from midnight, 17 August 2020. The move to level 2 has come with the further easing of restrictions implemented in the last several months under the risk-adjusted alert levels to stabilise soaring COVID-19 infections. Not only have more sectors of the economy opened up, the country has also seen new confirmed cases of the virus drop. The move to level 2 also saw restrictions on interprovincial travel lifted, opening the way for accommodation, hospitality venues and tours to operate, albeit observing approved protocols to ensure social distancing. The move to allow interprovincial travel could not have come at a better time for those wanting to see their loved ones in other provinces, as well as for those wanting to explore the domestic tourism sector. The South african National Parks (SANParks) were among those who welcomed the lifting of restrictions on interprovincial travel. SANParks opened overnight accommodation to intra-provincial guests on 14 August 2020 at most of its parks. The new government regulations and protocols were likely to result in restrictions when coming to overnight accommodation occupancies. The conservation authority manages 19 national parks in seven of the countrys provinces, including the ever-popular Kruger National Park (KNP). We have to adjust to the new normal and include the COVID 19 rules as part of operations, General Manager of Communications and Marketing at the KNP, Ike Phaahla, tells SAnews. This as SANParks continues to open hospitality operations gradually in a move to ensure optimum readiness to accommodate guests, who at this point are in desperate need of a change of scenery. For those considering a midweek or weekend getaway this Tourism Month, Phaahla says booking through central reservations is essential. Like before, people still have to book with central reservations. Check-in has not changed much. The process now has the inclusion of the COVID-19 rules. For example, there are markings for social distancing, people are required to sanitise before handling any paperwork and must wear masks in public areas at all times, explains Phaahla. Some of the parks owned by SANParks have been undergoing refurbishment during the lockdown period, with reopening plans based on the assumption that tourism facilities would be allowed to reopen around mid-September 2020. The Kruger boasts 12 rest camps, five bushveld camps, two bush lodges and four satellite camps. The majority of the camps have reopened, with the exception of a few such as Orpen, Roodewal and Maroela Phaahla says. South africans, who are keen to connect with nature, have so far taken full advantage of the reopening of the KNP. However, in earlier levels of the lockdown, the park provided South africans, who were stuck indoors, with healthy doses of its rich wildlife through pictures and short webcam videos posted on its social media platforms, including Twitter.The animals are fine. They were more visible during the [earlier stages of the] lockdown, as they had taken over what belongs to them, Phaahla chuckles. Self-drive excursions for day visitors have been taking place at the Kruger from 8 June 2020 under level 3 of the lockdown. The majority of gates at the park have been operational, with the exception of Pafuri and Numbi gates. While SANParks was operational under level 3 of the lockdown, it was not open for overnight accommodation, as per the then lockdown regulations on leisure and interprovincial travel. At the time, day self-drives were permitted for residents of the various provinces in which the respective national parks are located. As the country commemorates Tourism Month in these unprecedented times, the park is eager to welcome nature-starved citizens. We look forward to welcoming more visitors as lockdown rules are being relaxed and to continue to conserve and maintain the ecosystem for the benefit of all humanity, said Phaahla. Spoilt for choice South africa is endowed with endless beautiful attractions, waiting to be explored. The tourism attractions are there for people to enjoy and be proud of. Please visit them with your families so that as your children grow up, they become ambassadors of these sites and have knowledge that they need to be conserved and protected, says Phaahla.</p