Polity.org.za Audio Articles

President Cyril Ramaphosa said government must enhance its surveillance systems and strengthen healthcare delivery and infrastructure, noting that African countries need to manufacture Mpox vaccines to reduce costs and improve access.

Rampahosa was speaking virtually during the AU Heads of State virtual meeting on Mpox, where he pointed out that the outbreak of Mpox was a reminder of the fragility of the country's health systems and the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to disease control in Africa.

"It is a reminder that our collective strength lies in collaboration, innovation and a commitment to safeguarding the health of our communities," he said.

South Africa has reported 25 cases of Mpox, which includes three deaths, 19 recoveries and three people in isolation at home.

He highlighted that as government tackled Mpox, it needed to learn from its experience during Covid-19, saying it needed to ensure equitable distribution of medical countermeasures based on transparent criteria and readiness to initiate vaccination.

He said as with Covid-19, Africa was still struggling to get the Mpox vaccine and treatment.

Ramaphosa highlighted that African countries must co-develop medical countermeasures, share intellectual property and ensure technology transfer.

"We ask Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to lead the consultation with Member States to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and other medical countermeasures. We need a finance plan that is evidence-based, with sound forecasting of needs," he said.

He explained that the Africa CDC's mandate on data sharing was the bedrock of global health security.

"…this will help to ensure that public health threats are detected and shared across borders and with other continental and global stakeholders. We are only able to effectively mobilise and direct funds if we are supported by reliable data," he said.

Ramaphosa urged all African countries to make use of this instrumental system that had been created by the institution.

He also called for the urgent operationalisation of the Africa Epidemic Fund as the primary vehicle for epidemic response financial management.

Ramaphosa welcomed the agreement between Africa CDC and Bavarian Nordic to transfer the Mpox vaccine technology to African manufacturers.

"With the financial support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, Afreximbank, the European Union and other partners, we should be able to start vaccine manufacturing by 2025. In the meantime, we appreciate the support from a few countries to get vaccines in Africa," he said.

He pointed out that the Covid-19 experience taught government that it needed predictable demand and offtake guarantees for the vaccines, medicines and diagnostics manufactured in Africa.

He explained that African countries should therefore buy vaccines and other health products manufactured in Africa to ensure sustainable manufacturing on the continent.

He added that this could be achieved through the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism.

He pointed out that countries must ensure frontline health workers had the necessary diagnostic tools, vaccines and antiviral treatments, and must have tested public health messages, that he said promoted awareness and prevention.

He added that the feasibility of continuing vaccinations in high-risk populations must be explored, noting that this dual approach would help create a buffer against future outbreaks and protect most vulnerable communities.

"We call on those regions that still sit with strategic stockpiles of vaccines to deploy them to Africa as the most affected area. African countries should have adequate regulatory mechanisms, internal distribution, and vaccination capabilities," he said.

The Democratic Alliance said on Monday Major General Patrick Mbotho's appointment as divisional commissioner for national priority offences at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, otherwise known as the Hawks, is nothing less than an insult to the nation's commitment to building a "professional, competent and clean" law enforcement community.

The party called on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to set aside his appointment.

Last week Mbotho was appointed to the position, with effective from October 1.

Mbotho was accused of posting graphic sexual content on a South African Police Service detective command WhatsApp group from his official cellphone in 2017.

This is when he was the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner of Detectives.

DA police spokesperson Lisa Schickerling alleged that at that time, senior colleagues in the Saps - including the then-head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit - had raised serious concerns about Mbotho's professional conduct.

Schickerling said the DA would write to Mchunu requesting that he undertake a full investigation into the process taken in Mbotho's appointment as well as the myriad allegations levelled against him.

The party will also request that the outcomes of such an investigation be presented to the Portfolio Committee for further interrogation.

She explained that an officer who had met with a known figure in the criminal underworld, who assailed fellow officers with explicit sexual material, and who left at least one appointment under a cloud of controversy could not be considered fit to serve in such a powerful role.

"Mbotho's appointment stains our nation's dedication to protecting women and children and the combatting of organised crime. His placement in such a critical position, considering these allegations, erodes public trust in our law enforcement agencies," she said.

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police has written to Mchunu to review the appointment and promotion of Mbotho and have also asked the Minister to launch an inquiry into Mbotho's fitness to hold office based on allegations that he had meetings with individuals suspected of gang activity and extortion in the Western Cape.

Meanwhile, Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has defended Mbotho's appointment saying all correct appointment processes had been followed and that Mbotho had been through all the disciplinary procedures following the allegations.

Schickerling highlighted that despite the grave concerns, Lebeya staunchly defended Mbotho's appointment, praising his years in service.

"…what Lebeya failed to address was how it could conceivably be acceptable to appoint an officer to senior status in the Hawks when his integrity is so seriously in question," said Schickerling.

President Cyril Ramaphosa called on business and other stakeholders to work with government in the cause of heritage preservation, particularly in marginalised communities.

Ramaphosa was writing in his weekly letter to the nation as South Africans prepare to celebrate Heritage Day on Tuesday.

"By working together as government, business and society, we can use our national heritage to uplift communities, create opportunities and make us all proud to be South African," he explained.

He highlighted that South Africa is perfectly placed to use its rich cultural and natural heritage to promote economic growth.

He said South Africa is home to no less than eight world heritage sites proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, including Robben Island, the Mapungubwe Heritage Site and the Cradle of Humankind, as well as several important ecosystems such as the Cape Floral Kingdom and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ramaphosa pointed out that while heritage preservation is a responsibility of government, the private sector, corporate sponsors, philanthropies, heritage organisations and other stakeholders also have an important role to play in ensuring these legacies are safeguarded for future generations.

He explained that private-sector support for heritage preservation is uneven.

"…while some high-profile heritage sites like Robben Island, the Mandela House in Soweto, Constitution Hill and others receive donor funding, other less prominent institutions, events and initiatives struggle to obtain support," he said.

He highlighted that as a result many important sites of memory have fallen into disrepair, noting that this is a wasted opportunity, because a number of these sites could stimulate local economies and provide work opportunities to the communities in which they are situated.

Protecting and conserving historical, cultural and natural heritage sites is also vitally important for nation-building and national reconciliation, Ramaphosa stated.

He explained that as one of the world's most mega biodiverse countries, South Africa's natural heritage attracted tourists from around the world, supporting local job creation and investment in natural resource infrastructure.

"By way of example, in December 2023 alone, there were more than 400 000 visitors to sites like the Table Mountain National Park and Robben Island. Coupled with this is an abundance of historical sites across the country that span the pre-colonial, colonial, apartheid and democratic eras," he said.

Ramaphosa noted that to preserve the country's rich heritage, government needs to do more to attract young South Africans to careers and opportunities in the sector.

He explained that through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the National Heritage Council and the National Arts Council unemployed young people have been provided with work opportunities in film and digital media production, cultural project management, storytelling, language preservation and as museum guides.

However, he said there is also other laudable work being done in the sector, noting how some of the country's largest banks have supported government's rhino conservation efforts.

South African corporates have also lent their support to preserving South Africa's musical and arts heritage, he added.

Stellenbosch University African Procurement Law Unit founding director Professor Geo Quinot noted on Friday that while deviation numbers in various departmental procurement reports decreased from 2017/18 to 2021/22, a sudden surge in deviations in the last two years is a cause for concern.

He noted that this may reflect increased reporting of deviations rather than an actual increase in deviations.

Corruption Watch launched its fourth 'Procurement Watch Risk Trends' report, which revealed the 2024 risk trends in public procurement and the number of deviations from prescribed procurement procedures reported by provincial and national departments to National Treasury from 2016 to the fourth quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.

Quinot noted a massive increase of 207% in deviations from 2022/23 to 2023/24.

He said that while the number of reported deviations increased dramatically between 2021/22 and 2023/24, the value of deviations, interestingly, fluctuated significantly.

"…these values are based on the reported value of deviations, bearing in mind that in a notable number of instances the value of the deviation was not reported," he said.

He pointed out that the total reported value of procurement through deviations in 2021/22 was around R34-billion, and R11.9-billion in 2022/23, adding that in 2023/24 financial year, the total reported value of procurement through deviations increased to around R24.8-billion.

"Thus, while the total number of reported deviations increased more than five times in value from 2021/22 to 2023/24, the value of such deviations has declined. It is not clear that this represents a trend," he added.

Meanwhile, Quinot explained that while reported contract expansions had steadily declined from 2017/18 to 2020/21, the data showed a slowing down of the decline in 2021/22 and an increase in reported expansions from 2022/23.

In 2023/24, there was a rapid increase in the number of contract expansions to 896, with the total value of expansions in 2023/2024 exceeding R37.8-billion.

Quinot said this was based on the reported value of expansions, which he noted was four times less the total reported value of expansions in 2022/23 (R157-billion).

"…the number of reported expansions in 2023/24 (894) rose when compared to 2022/23 (673). The implication is that while the number of expansions is rising, the average value has declined in 2023/24," he highlighted.

He explained that the original value of the expanded contracts in 2023/24 was R33-billion, and the contract expansion value was R37.8-billion, saying this entailed a 115% average increase in contract value.

"There can be little doubt that a procurement contract that is doubled in terms of value after award is materially different in terms from the contract awarded by way of the procurement process. As with deviations, however, there is significant variance in the percentage increases through expansions between the 894 cases," he noted.

Minister Leon Schreiber announced on Friday that between September 21 and October 12, Home Affairs branches will be open on Saturdays, between 8:00 and 13:00, for Temporary Identity Certificates, ID collections and applications.

Learners will be prioritised during this time, as the initiative is aimed at allowing matriculants to write their exams.

"We encourage matriculants who are waiting on their IDs, along with their parents, to make their way to the nearest Home Affairs or where they applied. We encourage clients who have applied for identification documents and have received their SMS notifications, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents," Schreiber said.

Discovery, South Africa's biggest health-insurance provider, is cautiously optimistic that the government and business can find solutions to implement a contentious health law that could cut coverage by private insurers.

The plan seeks to provide universal access to health care through a centrally managed government fund that buys services from public and private providers. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill into law two weeks before the May 29 election after years of wrangling.

Companies have criticised the law, claiming it will ban them from providing health insurance to anyone covered by the NHI. The bill doesn't spell out minimum benefits, show how much the revamped system will cost or indicate how it will be funded, they have said.

Ramaphosa on Tuesday met the leadership of Business Unity South Africa (Busa) to discuss the matter, with the nation's biggest business-lobby group saying it would suggest solutions to address its concerns with the law it previously called unaffordable and unconstitutional.

"I got a good-faith feeling from that meeting that there's a desire to find solutions - that's a much better road than conflict and litigation," Discovery CEO Adrian Gore, who is also Busa's vice president, said in an interview.

If implemented, private health insurers like Discovery could lose market share because the law allows them to only pay for products and services not covered by the fund.

"The new system would be an equaliser between the rich and the poor," Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in an address to lawmakers in July.

While the country's overburdened public facilities currently serve about 84% of the population, the remaining 16% that can afford private insurance have access to world-class treatment.

"I don't think anyone believes the status quo is acceptable," Gore said. "I think everyone's saying, 'how do you make this thing operate so that it helps all South Africans?'"

Discovery's modelling shows that South Africa will need R200-billion a year in additional funding to make the law's aim of achieving universal access workable. That would result in a 30% increase in income taxes, and a 70% cut to the benefits private-sector members typically enjoy.

"We do not believe NHI is workable without private-sector inclusion," Gore said at an earlier investor briefing. "We need more funding, we need more doctors, we need more resources, and that's a key issue."

In the meantime, the insurer says it does not expect the new law to impact its operations in the short term because it has yet to be fully implemented.

According to the NHI Act, the first implementation phase is supposed to run from 2023 to 2026, during which time the government will establish the related fund and complete other groundwork.

The second phase, which would see the mobilisation of resources and operationalisation of the NHI fund as a purchaser of health-care services through a system of mandatory prepayment, is slated to run from 2026 to 2028.

"I don't think people should be concerned about in the short term, but in the medium to long term, we've got find solutions," Gore said.

The African National Congress (ANC) said any massive increase in the electricity price is currently "untenable", as well as pledging its support for a larger amount of free electricity for indigent households in the new budget.

Members of Parliament will on Thursday debate a recent decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to grant Eskom's application to retrospectively recover R8-billion for the 2021/22 financial year.

ANC Parliamentary Caucus Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said this debate was not one the ANC relished, saying the party understood the gravity of the situation and why it was imperative for the tariff increase to be effected.

Ntuli pointed out that Eskom needed to be reimbursed for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, and had accumulated a growing municipal debt which necessitated bailouts from National Treasury.

"Whilst the ANC understands the massive gains made by Eskom in keeping the lights on for 176 consecutive days, and the difficult financial challenges they face, we want to make it clear that any massive increase in the cost of electricity at this stage is untenable," Ntuli stated.

The ANC believes that as the Electricity and Energy Minister and government develop an "innovative approach" to determine the cost of electricity in the country, urgent interventions to reduce the burden on consumers are needed.

The party noted the strain on citizens, saying it would not relent in the fight to advance the fundamental programme of inclusive growth and employment creation, and the war on poverty and the high cost of living.

"In the debate today, our speakers will focus on one of the issues to be raised by the Minister of Electricity in Parliament this afternoon, vis-à-vis, that treasury has provided funds to supply 50 kWh of electricity [a month] to 10-million indigent households, but only 2-million households are currently benefitting. It is critical that our government and [the South African Local Government Association] deal with this matter," said Ntuli.

He stated that the focus on the implementation of the country's Energy Action Plan, targeting Eskom's plant performance and transmission maintenance and development, was solidified when President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed into law the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill.

It seeks to open pathways to greater competition and reduced energy costs and increase investment in new generation capacity to achieve energy security.

It also establishes an independent transmission company as the custodian of the national grid, and imposes severe penalties for damage to and sabotage of infrastructure.

The ANC also commended Eskom, its board, management and all employees who had worked tirelessly to prevent loadshedding.

POLITICAL POINTS

Meanwhile, Ntuli warned political parties to resist the temptation to create panic by spreading "unconfirmed" information about tariff increases.

He said "disingenuous arguments" which sought to conflate the need for, and cost of, this tariff increase with scoring political points were unconscionable, saying the Democratic Alliance (DA) was "hypocritical" in this regard.

"In several areas across the Southern Suburbs and Cape Flats, residents have accused the DA-run City of Cape Town of exorbitant electricity increases following the installation of new power meters. By invoking the ire of residents against the proposed tariff, the DA wilfully ignores that they have already subjected those residents to the DA electricity price increases," he said.

In his speech honouring former Public Enterprises Minister and struggle stalwart Pravin Gordhan, fellow activist and former politician Mac Maharaj called for State institutions to be capacitated and for the African National Congress (ANC) to "put its house in order and render itself fit for purpose", in memory of the former Minister.

Gordhan was laid to rest on Thursday, in a category 2 Special Official Funeral, after his passing in the early hours of September 13, following a period of illness.

Maharaj described Gordhan as a fearless human being.

"PG [Pravin Gordhan] was a human being vested with weaknesses and frailties like all of us, but let there be a debate about his actions, [and] let us ensure that such a debate is based on facts and evidence. We need that if our democracy is to flourish," he said.

Maharaj said vigorous debate was the lifeblood of the ANC during the liberation struggle, adding that it was also the essence of democracy.

He thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for offering Gordhan an Official Funeral, saying the President "read history correctly" and appreciated the relevance of the model that Gordhan was in present-day South Africa, which he said was incorruptible and driven by the goal of a South African nation at peace with itself.

He said without Gordhan's leadership and his team at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) South Africa could have become a "banana republic governed by an autocratic regime" and a hollowed-out democracy.

Maharaj pointed to those implicated in corruption as having concocted fake intelligence to rubbish Gordhan's identify, but he noted that despite abuse Gordhan remained steadfast.

"…but he found himself in a lonely place in the fight back against State capture with the ANC and the alliance partners. A few like Derek Hanekom stood out. Some who shared his concern stayed silent, others defended the indefensible," he explained.

South African Communist Party general secretary (SACP) Blade Nzimande described Gordhan as a strategic thinker and skilled negotiator.

He pointed to Gordhan playing a crucial role in the Constitutional Assembly, adding that he had a gift of a "very sharp analytical mind" and attention to detail.

He explained that this helped Gordhan succeed in building a world-class institution such as Sars.

"I must say as the SACP, we honour Pravin on his role in fighting against State capture. We are proud we stood firm in the battle against State capture as the communist party, but as communists we made some mistakes by thinking that some leaders would actually lead our country, and [we] came out openly and said 'we made a mistake', 'those who are capturing our country must go', and indeed that happened," said Nzimande.

He said Gordhan was brave, highlighting his successes in the portfolio of public enterprises.

"I do not care about what the detractors are saying, because these detractors are mostly those who benefited from State capture. He took a bankrupt SAA and a Transnet in deep trouble, a Denel whose intellectual property was stolen by the Guptas…at least we still have State-owned enterprises today. To us, the SACP, that is very important and we will always honour comrade Pravin [for that]," he said.

He noted that in memory of Gordhan the SACP had a challenge to now understand the tasks that it was faced with, and said it needed to confront the mistakes and weaknesses it had as a movement.

"…all of us, not just the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP collectively. We have to do that collectively. We also have to be intolerant of renegade behaviour within our own ranks and deal [with it] decisively as part, also, of the renewal project," said Nzimande.

"He was my comrade, he was also my colleague and he was a very good friend."

These were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa as he delivered the eulogy at former Minister Pravin Gordhan's funeral, in Durban, on Thursday.

Gordhan passed away at the age of 75 in the early hours of September 13, following a period of illness. He was given a category 2 Special Official Funeral.

Speaking to the Gordhan family, and State dignitaries present at the funeral, Ramaphosa described the former Minister as a humble person, activist and leader.

"It was his unwavering belief that a political activist must serve no other cause than the cause of freedom that made PG [Gordhan] exceptional. It is that which makes great all true servant leaders," he said.

Ramaphosa spoke of Gordhan's courage in standing up for "what is right", noting that he took this stance even before his ministerial roles in a democratic South Africa.

Ramaphosa reiterated what was stressed by previous speakers - Gordhan's activism during apartheid - and said even as a Minister, Gordhan remained a grassroots activist.

The President noted the violence meted out against Gordhan during his anti-apartheid activism and his determination to serve the struggle, regardless.

He also pointed to Gordhan being a key figure in the formation of the United Democratic Front, as well as a leader of the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress, and stressed his role in South Africa's transition to democracy.

Gordhan's role as head of the South African Revenue Service was praised for the impact it had on societal transformation.

Ramaphosa also pointed to Gordhan's resistance against State capture, which was also reinforced by other speakers at the funeral.

"Drawing on his substantial moral stature, he refused to be silenced. He was prepared to confront those who had once been his comrades, whom he had once looked up to as his leaders, but who had abandoned the cause of the people. As many others looked away, his revolutionary consciousness demanded no less of him than that he speak out. For him, it was no different to when he joined the struggle against apartheid. It was a choice between what was right and what was wrong. It was a choice between standing with the people or standing against the people. There was never any doubt where Pravin Gordhan would stand," Ramaphosa said.

He noted that Gordhan's stance against State capture afforded enablers of corruption the opportunity to attack him in ways that were personal, dishonest and racist.

"These attacks did nothing to diminish Pravin's standing among South Africans. Instead, they exposed the moral bankruptcy of those who chose to target him and his family. It was shameful then, and it remains shameful now," Ramaphosa said.

He went on to remember Gordhan's collaborative spirit, positivity, tact, strategic thinking and his standing firm on principle.

Ramaphosa described Gordhan as the "quintessential activist" and urged consideration from others on what could be done to better serve South Africans and the country.

He acknowledged the sacrifice made by the Gordhan family owing to the former Minister's dedication and said his legacy would continue to guide efforts to ensure South Africa was just and equal.

"He was my comrade, he was also my colleague and he was a very good friend. Pravin Gordhan's spear has fallen. And it is now up to us to pick it up and take our country forward… You were a much admired, much respected and much loved comrade. You were a much loved colleague, and a friend. Hamba kahle," Ramaphosa ended.

South Africa's National Treasury is working on measures to encourage private investment in infrastructure projects, an initiative it hopes will silence calls from other quarters in the government to compel pension funds to help finance their development.

Amendments may be proposed to pension-fund legislation to "crowd in" private-sector financing, David Masondo, one of the country's two deputy finance ministers, said in a speech Wednesday. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may make an announcement in his budget update in late October "that may make the calls for asset prescription unnecessary," he said.

Prior to May elections, the African National Congress, which had ruled South Africa since apartheid rule ended in 1994, pledged to make it mandatory for the financial sector to make adequate funds available for industrialisation and economic development. But the party lost its outright majority in the vote and entered into a coalition with nine rivals, some of which oppose the plan, and it's unclear if the new administration will implement the policy.

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority, a government regulator, has warned that any move to dictate to pension funds how to invest would infringe on their fiduciary duties.

Masondo said that a prescriptive investment policy would adversely impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the capital markets, and money allocated to under-performing state companies that they would not otherwise have received could be squandered.

"Recipients of the prescribed funds may be incentivised to manage the entities inefficiently as they will be guaranteed funds regardless of how they are managed," he said. Pension funds may also earn below-market returns, impacting on their ability to meet their liabilities, and forcing them to increase contributions, while subjecting retirees to lower benefits, he added.

"Foreign investments and investor confidence in the efficiency of the capital markets will be undermined, thus reducing available savings," Masondo said.

In March, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said as much as R1.6-trillion in public-sector infrastructure investment and a further R3.2-trillion from the private sector will be needed for the country to achieve its infrastructure goals by 2030.

"We do have a huge financing gap for our investment portfolio as well as industrialisation, but I don't think that asset prescription is the right solution," Masondo said.