Cape Town —
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Here to Stay
President Cyril Ramaphosa in his latest newsletter said that the BB Black Economic (BBBEE) strategy from government will remain in place. "We remain as committed as ever to broad-based black economic empowerment, meeting our localisation objectives and transforming an economy that, despite our best efforts, is still largely controlled by a minority. As we reflect on 20 years since the passage of the BBBEE Act, as we remedy the shortcomings that exist and chart a new course, we call on business, labour and civil society to join us on this journey", the president said.
Increase in Fuel Price on Cards for December!
The Automobile Association is reporting that current unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is indicating a mixed bag of increases and decreases to fuel prices for December 2022. The Association says the data is indicating significant increases to petrol prices of between 97c/litre and R1.09/l, but a decrease of up to 34c/l for diesel next month. Illuminating paraffin is also expected to increase by around 30c/l.
Declare December 27 Public Holiday, President Urged
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) is intensifying its calls for December 27 to be declared a paid public holiday this year, since Christmas falls on a Sunday. This could lead to employers having to pay for up to three days of labour without any work done. If not declared, working South Africans will only enjoy 11 out of the 12 paid public holidays.
No If's or Butts for South Africans Facing New Smoking Laws
According to the new Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, presently before Parliament, any person or business that sells cigarettes to a minor may be fined or face a prison sentence of up to 15 years, BusinessTech reports. This comes as the nation moves ahead with proposed legislation that targets new anti-smoking rules along with stricter regulation of e-cigarettes.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
The bill also aims to change cigarette packaging by including more high-profile text displaying health warnings along with a wholesale ban on vending machines selling tobacco products. The legislation is seen as a means to ensure public health that aligns with the World Health Organisation (WHO) WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty.
“When amendments were introduced in the old Act, we realised that the amendments were more than 50%, which means that it would be more like a new Act altogether. So, we were legally advised that we need to come up with a completely new bill so that we can then repeal the current Tobacco Act,” Health Department Director Lynn Moeng-Mahlangu explained.
Provincial Education Dept Appeals for Calm Following Scabies Outbreak as Schools
The emergence of a scabies outbreak at two schools in Oudtshoorn and George in the Southern Cape has prompted the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to call for calm as it works with health officials to find a solution, Eyewitness News reports. Over 200 affected learners are receiving treatment while the WCED awaits an updated report from the district health department on measures required to limit spread of the disease. Scabies is the result of a skin infection spread by mites and causes irritation along with a rash.
