By Sunday Elijah

The South African Parliament delegation to the 144th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has called on all women represented in parliaments across the world to wage a concerted fight against gender discrimination and gender-based violence.

Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Sylvia Lucas, made the call on behalf of the delegation during the Forum for Women Parliamentarians held on Sunday.

The Forum is a platform where all women parliamentarians in all Parliaments across the world meet to provide a gender perspective on draft resolutions that are before the IPU Assembly.

“As we position ourselves as women parliamentarians to address the various forms of violence that women across the world suffer on a daily basis, it becomes particularly imperative that we ensure that we strengthen our oversight and accountability processes, so as to ensure the effective implementation of the legislative instruments that are in place,” Lucas said.

Meanwhile, during the meetings of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security and the Standing Committee on Sustainable Developments held on Monday, the South African Parliamentary delegation succeeded in influencing the amendments of two important draft resolutions.

The delegation participated in the committee meetings, which debated and considered various draft resolutions proposed by member parliaments.

The South African delegation submitted 12 written amendments on the draft resolutions, with at least 11 of them endorsed by the committee.

The 12 written submissions on recognising promotion of peace and conflict prevention were combined with the Indonesian Parliament, where South Africa and Indonesia were of the view that organisations and more actors, including women, children and indigenous people are essential in fostering peace and conflict prevention.

At the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, the parliamentarians also submitted 21 written submissions including among others, encouraging the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support, enhance and optimise the delivery of knowledge and information.

Dorries Dlakude, who represented the South African Parliament in the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, said it is important that the country is continuing to contribute meaningfully to the agenda of the IPU and shaping its international work.

“We have so much to offer to these crucial world forums and we are therefore pleased that other sister parliaments continue to show appreciation to the interventions we are making, not only to strive for a more just, sustainable and equal world, but to bolster the role of this inter-parliamentary body,” Dlakude said.

As a procedure, draft resolutions were written on a specific theme by rapporteurs elected by committees and countries get the opportunity to submit written amendments in advance before the IPU Assembly.

Forum of Young Parliamentarians

The South African delegation also made a significant contribution in the meeting of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU, where they discussed a number of topics including, among others, updates on youth participation in parliaments, contribution to the work of the 144th Assembly, and preparations for the 145th Assembly.

According to IPU survey, about 37% of chambers of parliament in the world have no Member of Parliaments (MPs) under the age of 30, with individuals aged between 20 and 39 make up 38.6% of the world population.

However, the survey showed that only 17.5% of MPs are under the age of 40, and it is understood that many countries have barriers that exclude young men and women from participation in politics and representation in legislatures.

South Africa’s young delegate, Fikile Masiko, noted that the IPU defined young people as persons under the age of 45, and believed that the quota system in South Africa can be achieved if it is introduced at the political party level to ensure increased youth representation.

The delegation will today participate in various committee meetings, including the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security and the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development.

The delegation will also participate in the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, which will debate the draft resolution on Parliamentary impetus to local and regional development of countries with high levels of international migration, and to stopping all forms including, state-sponsored, human trafficking and human rights abuses.

The draft resolutions adopted by the committees and forums will be considered and adopted by the plenary of the General Assembly before the conclusion of its business on Thursday.

SAnews.gov.za

By Sunday Elijah

While District Six can never be returned to its original and perhaps historical setup, the dignity of the people of the community will be restored, says Deputy President David Mabuza.

The Deputy President, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform and Agriculture, conducted an oversight visit to the District Six Development Project in Cape Town on Tuesday.

He said government across all spheres has joined hands to ensure that the historical injustice of District Six is corrected.

“We are pleased that in the course of the process of restitution and redevelopment of District Six, government has engaged with different stakeholders, in particular those representing the displaced and beneficiary District Six community.

“We are, therefore, satisfied that our consultation and engagement processes have been all-inclusive. Consultation and dialogue is an important process in nation building. Not everything will be resolved all at once. No matter how small the steps of progress we make, the dignity of the people of District Six and restoration of their land rights will be achieved.”

The District Six Development Project is a government initiative to return the people of District Six to their ancestral land, which was forcibly taken from them.

The Deputy President, along with members of the IMC, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Cape Town, conducted a walkabout aimed at assessing progress on the District Six Development Project and engage with claimants and beneficiaries.

He was flanked by Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza; Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi and Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille.

Earlier, the District Six claimants signed the settlement agreements with government to occupy houses in District Six.

“We are pleased that today, under the auspices of our Western Cape Presidential Land Reform Programme, 139 dwellings have been allocated to beneficiaries of this Land Restitution Programme, and the remaining 108 dwellings will be handed over once all processes have been completed.”

The 108 dwellings consist of apartment blocks and row houses, which allow for easy future expansion.

The construction of the remaining 954 units will be carried out in two major builds to be completed in December 2025. This will accommodate all remaining claimants.

“We are looking forward to removing the last remaining bottlenecks, together with the claimants’ representatives, as well as the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town, towards a complete return of this historical piece of land to its rightful owners.”

The Deputy President said the preservation and the restoration of land rights to the people of District Six is testament to the strides South Africa continues to make in redressing past injustices and in ensuring that spatial justice is also achieved.

“This remains an important area of work for the democratic government to ensure restoration of land rights to affected community and the people,” he said.

Redress

Speaking about the progress of development in the district, Mabuza said District Six is a painful reminder of the past. However, it is also a symbol of the resilience of the people from this district.

“The ageing population of District Six is a symbol that this development project needs to move faster and there needs to be a further allocation of funds toward these houses.

“We are pleased that in the course of the process of restitution and redevelopment of District Six, government has engaged with different stakeholders, in particular, those representing the displaced and beneficiary District Six community.

“There is work that has been done… but there is still much more to do,” the Deputy President said.

Mabuza said the overall mandate of the IMC on Land Reform is to coordinate and implement measures to accelerate the distribution of land, including working with all affected partners and communities in resolving all their claims.

“It is not an easy exercise. This is… why we are here to interact with you and hear first-hand the challenges from the beneficiaries themselves. From what I’ve gathered today, I can see that a lot of issues have been resolved. To those families who were forcibly removed from this area, one day your dignity will be restored,” he said.

The Deputy President asked all government representatives to recommit themselves to move faster on the project.

SAnews.gov.za

By Sunday Elijah

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, says the recently concluded auction of high demand radio frequency spectrum in South Africa will be catalytic for not only bridging the digital divide for those still without internet access, but also for the growth of the economy and development.

Radio spectrum is used by mobile networks, television, radio stations and other industries to transmit sound, videos, data and images through radio frequencies.

The auction was concluded on Friday last week, netting government some R14.4 billion in income and paving the way for faster internet, cheaper connectivity and the rollout of 5G internet in the country.

“We are determined that South Africa must not be left behind by the digital economy, just as we are determined that no community and no person should be left behind in experiencing the vast benefits of being digitally connected to the world.

“The licensing of spectrum is one of the major reforms that we are implementing to modernise and transform key network industries such as energy, telecommunications, transport and water provision,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the auction has already created new “opportunities for investment in electricity generation, freight rail and ports”.

He said while key industries are expected to benefit from the availability of more spectrum, ordinary members of society will not be left behind.

“The licensing of this new spectrum will be accompanied by agreed social obligations to connect public schools, health facilities and police stations over the next three years. Like the mineral wealth that lies beneath our soil, radio spectrum is a valuable national resource that needs to be used for the benefit of all South Africans,” he said.

The President emphasised that this increased digital access is “critical” for the growth of the economy which continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cheaper data means that young people will have greater access to digital platforms to seek job opportunities online. Students will be able to access information and educational materials. Entrepreneurs will be able to start businesses and reach new markets.

“Equally, the availability of this spectrum will contribute to economic transformation. It will allow many more people, especially those from remote areas and poor communities, to access digital resources and will improve their ability to participate in economic activity,” President Ramaphosa said.

According to President Ramaphosa, government’s digital migration plan – which paves the way for all South African households to switch to digital television – is expected to also contribute a “major leap forward” in South Africa’s drive towards technological development.

“Over the last year, the process of switching from analogue to digital broadcasting has gathered pace and will soon be completed.

“Digital migration will also free up valuable radio frequency spectrum currently used by broadcasters to be used in the provision of mobile broadband services and other applications. The switch to digital improves the TV watching experience, with many more channels and better quality picture and sound,” he said.

SAnews.gov.za

By Sunday Elijah

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Directors of Public Prosecutions for the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga Divisions of the High Court as part of strengthening the capacity of the state in the fight against crime.

With effect from 1 April 2022,  Adv. Nkebe Rebecca Kanyane will head prosecutions in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Nelspruit, while Adv. Livingstone Mzukisi Sakata heads prosecutions in the Northern Cape Division of the High Court in Kimberley.

“These appointments follow the President’s appointment earlier this month of Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) for the Free State, North West and Western Cape. Until recently, five of the National Prosecuting Authority’s DPP positions were occupied by acting appointments,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The President has wished the new incumbents well in their roles.

Adv Kanyane holds an LLB degree from the University of the North and a postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice.

She has 20 years’ experience in the legal field as an attorney, prosecutor and investigator and spent 10 years at the National Prosecuting Authority’s Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU), progressing from State Advocate to Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.

Since 2017 she served as Specialist Investigator in Group Financial Crime, Forensics and Security (GFCFS) at Nedbank.

The incoming Director of Public Prosecutions for the Northern Cape is an attorney with private and public sector experience, who holds a B Proc degree from the University of Fort Hare.

He has served since February 2020 as Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape.

Sakata became a Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in 1999 and was appointed in 2003 as Eastern Cape Coordinator of the Organised Crime Component in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

SAnews.gov.za

By Joseph Edegbo

States implementing the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) for Routine Immunization (RI) programme of the New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal Initiative (NI-ABAE), say they will continue to align with the Nigerian laws and policies, including routine immunization plans and priorities.

The CCT for RI is a project of NI-ABAE, an International NGO, where a total of N4,500 is given overtime to compensate parents’ and caregivers’ transportation and loss of income, so they can take their children for routine immunisation against childhood killer diseases.

The caregiver receives ₦500 for the first four routine immunization visits and ₦2,000 for the fifth visit. Another ₦500 is given to the caregiver for her final visit when the child gets measles 2 vaccination.

To this end, the implementing states, namely Bauchi, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara have committed to providing enabling environment that will ensure expansion of the CCT programme to more health facilities in their respective states.

These were part of the resolutions adopted at the bi-annual joint stakeholders meeting held weekend in Kano, with 39 participants in attendance, among them, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Mohammed Ali Inname and Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Engr. Yakubu Nuhu Danja.

In the Communique, Bauchi, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara States’ health authorities agreed to greater ownership of the conditional cash transfers for routine immunization program, admitting that the program is in line with their routine immunization and public health plans and priorities.

According to the resolution, NI-ABAE, through the implementing states, will continue to support demand creation and other components of routine immunization in the five States and at the national level.

It will in addition, continue to provide transparent and regular updates to all stakeholders and Provide support on routine immunization, health, and social protection.

The State Ministry for Health, through the office of the Commissioners of Health, will continue to provide the needed support to the programs at all levels, facilitate meetings between the Governors of their States and NI-ABAE representatives.

The Ministry will also encourage the Governors of their States to present the programme gains and successes at every forum, including the national health stakeholders to support the program.

Other resolutions are that, the State Primary Health Care Development Agencies commit to supporting the CCT for RI program at all levels, provide the needed support to ensure the expansion of the program to over 60 LGAs in Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto and Bauchi States (to exceed this target), ensure adequate vaccine supply and health worker discipline in all health facilities, engage all relevant state actors to ensure successful conditional cash transfers programming, ensure accountability among health workers, and reinforce accurate reporting of vaccine utilization.

“In addition, the State Primary Health Care Development Agencies agreed to make their cold chain facility accessible and request for improved vaccine efficacy with relevant stakeholders.

Commissioners for Health and Executive Secretaries of program states to meet and discuss on state level vaccine logistics system to improve immunization coverage and reduce stock out & and wastages.

“The Programme should allow data to speak for its impact, as this will facilitate stakeholders’ ownership.

Commissioners for Health of the respective programme states will take the responsibility of leading engagement with NPHCDA in support of programme sustainability.

“The implementing states agree to develop a sustainability framework for the CCT for RI program.

Other RI implementing partners should be invited to subsequent meetings to allow for program synergy.

“The Program will work with relevant stakeholders to ensures data speaks for its impact at all levels.

“Relevant stakeholders in Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara States to provide necessary support to expand the conditional cash transfers for routine immunization programs to more LGAs, health facilities, and infants and commit to its ownership.

“The Program will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to implement all agreement reached towards improved immunization coverage across all implementing states.

The supporting organization will work with the Commissioners for Health of the respective program states towards meaningful engagement with NPHCDA and other stakeholders in support of program “sustainability.

Advocate to Governors of the benefiting state to arrange meetings among themselves to share success stories as well as challenges as it relates to immunization coverage.

To address concerns with periodic vaccines stockout, Commissioners for Health and Executive Secretaries of programme states, the communique said, will meet and discuss on state level vaccine logistics system to improve immunization coverage and reduce stock out and wastages.

Next Joint State Stakeholders meeting is scheduled to hold in September 2022, and to be coordinated by Sokoto SPHCDA.

Here Under Is the Full Details; –

ABOUT MEETING

A meeting of stakeholders of the Conditional Cash Transfer for Routine Immunization Program supported by NI-ABAE in Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto States was held on 19th March, 2022 at the Tahir Guest Palace, Kano State. A total of 39 participants were in attendance, including:

Commissioners of Health from Sokoto and Katsina States, HC Women Affairs Katsina State (represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry).

Executive Secretaries of SPHCDAs Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa and Bauchi state Executive Chairman of the SPHCDA.

Directors of Health Planning, Research and Statistics of the SMOHs Jigawa and the research desk officer of Bauchi SMoH.

Primary Health Care Directors of SPHCDAs.

Logistics Head and Logistics Officer of NPHCDA North West Zonal Office.

Program Managers of SERICCs in Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi and Zamfara States.

Media organizations, NI-ABAE Government Relations Advisors, and staff from NI-ABAE.

The meeting was Chaired by the Commissioner of Health, Sokoto State, moderated by the Stakeholder Relations Director of NI-ABAE, and supported by the PRO Katsina SPHCA.

The meeting commended the implementing states for reaching over 500,000 infants. The program is now operating at 1,352 clinics with caregivers from 11,632 settlements in North West Nigeria. This milestone has been achieved by the implementing states in close collaboration with NI-ABAE.

The objectives of the meeting are to review program progress, share experiences including challenges and proffer solutions to implementation gaps

The meeting received updates from the stakeholder relations unit and operations unit on future expansion plans from the NI-ABAE’s supported program. The participants discussed extensively on vaccine supply, use of program data and ownership of the supported CCT Program by the state government. General discussion ensued followed by a resolution and presentation of the communique to the media.

RESOLUTIONS

The meeting built on, and tracked the recommendations agreed upon in the meeting on 16th September, 2021 and emerging issues:

The program will continue to align its implementation with the Federal and State laws, policies including routine immunization plans and priorities.

The implementing states of Bauchi, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara will provide the enabling environment for New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal Initiative to support programme expansion of the conditional cash transfers for routine immunization to more LGAs, health facilities, and infants.

Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara States’ health authorities agreed to greater ownership of the conditional cash transfers for routine immunization program, confirming that this program is in line with its routine immunization and public health plans and priorities.

New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal Initiative through the implementing state will

Continue to support demand creation and other components of routine immunization in the five States and at the national level;

Continue to provide transparent and regular updates to all stakeholders; and provide support on routine immunization, health, and social protection.

The State Ministry for Health, through the office of the Commissioners of Health, will:

Continue to provide the needed support to the programs at all levels;

Facilitate meetings between the Governors of their State and NI-ABAE representatives;

Encourage the Governors of their States to present the program gains and successes at every forum including the national health stakeholders to support the programme.

The State Primary Health Care Development Agencies commit  to supporting  the CCT for RI program at all levels, provide the needed support to ensure the expansion of the program to over 60 LGAs in Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto and Bauchi States (to exceed this target), ensure adequate vaccine supply and health worker discipline in all health facilities, engage all relevant state actors to ensure successful conditional cash transfers programming, ensure accountability among health workers, and reinforce accurate reporting of vaccine utilization.

In addition, the State Primary Health Care Development Agencies agreed to make their cold chain facility accessible and request for improved vaccine efficacy with relevant stakeholders.

Commissioners for Health and Executive Secretaries of program states to meet and discuss on state level vaccine logistics system to improve immunization coverage and reduce stock out & and wastages.

The Program should allow data to speak for its impact as this will facilitate stakeholders’ ownership.

Commissioners for Health of the respective program states will take the responsibility of leading engagement with NPHCDA in support of program sustainability.

The implementing state agree to develop a sustainability framework for the CCT for RI program.

Other RI implementing partners should be invited to subsequent meetings to allow for program synergy.

NEXT STEPS

The CCT for RI program will continue to align its implementation with Federal and State laws including policies.

The Program will work with relevant stakeholders to ensures data speaks for its impact at all levels.

Relevant stakeholders in Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara States to provide necessary support to expand the conditional cash transfers for routine immunization programs to more LGAs, health facilities, and infants and commit to its ownership.

The Program will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to implement all agreement reached towards improved immunization coverage across all implementing states.

The supporting organization will work with the Commissioners for Health of the respective program states towards meaningful engagement with NPHCDA and other stakeholders in support of program sustainability.

Advocate to Governors of the benefiting state to arrange meetings among themselves to share success stories as well as challenges as it relates to immunization coverage.

To address concerns with periodic vaccines stockout, Commissioners for Health and Executive Secretaries of program states will meet and discuss on state level vaccine logistics system to improve immunization coverage and reduce stock out and wastages.

Next Joint State Stakeholders meeting to be held in September 2022, coordinated by Sokoto SPHCDA.

Signed this 19th day of March, 2022 by:

The Honourable Commissioner for Health Sokoto SMOH, Mohammed Ali Inname _____

The Honourable Commissioner for Health Katsina SMOH, Engr. Yakubu Nuhu Danja _____

Permanent Secretary, MOWA Katsina State, Abdulhamid Garba Sabuwa, ________

Executive Secretary of Jigawa SPHCDA, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim ___________

Executive Secretary of Zamfara SPHCB, Dr. Tukur Ismaila ____________

Executive Secretary of Katsina SPHCDA, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya  _________

Executive Chairman, Bauchi SPHCDA, Dr. Rilwan Muhammad  _________

Director Disease Control and Immunization, Zamfara SPHCB, Lawali Bello ______

Director PHC Katsina, Dr. Nafisa Sani Nass________________

Director PHC Bauchi, Bakoji Ahmed__________________

Director Disease Control and Immunization, Bauchi SPHCDA, Dahiru l.Mahmood _____

Program Manager of Katsina SERICC, Dr. Shemau Kabir Abba _________

Program Manager of Zamfara SERICC, Almustapha Aliyu ___________

Program Manager of Sokoto State SERICC, Aliyu Abbas  ___________

Program Manager of Bauchi State SERICC, Dr. Jibreel Muhammad  ________

Director Community and Family Health Services, SPHCB Zamfara, Bello Maccido,  ____

DD PRS, Jigawa State MOH, Hamisu Adamu,  _______________

Stakeholder Relations Advisor, NI-ABAE, Alh. Aminu Danmalam __________

Stakeholder Relations Advisor, NI-ABAE, Dr. Abdulwahab Ahmad _________

PRO, Katsina SPHCA, Ibrahim Almu Gafai _______________

NPHCDA Logistics Head, North West Nasiru Roni _____________

NPHCDA Logistics Officer, North West Shamsuddeen Abdullahi __________

Stakeholder Relations Director, NI-ABAE, Nura Muhammad ___________

Operations Coordinator, NI-ABAE, Mubarak M. Bawa ____________

Stakeholder Relations Manager, NI-ABAE, Zaharadden Sabiu  _________

States Partnership Manager, Dr. Hauwa Bello Katagum ____________

Stakeholder Relations Off., Zamfara State, Muhammad Ibn Mahmoud _______

Program Manager of Jigawa SERICC, Shehu Ibrahim ____________

Program Manager of Gombe SERICC, Musa Ibrahim Kuna ___________

CPO, MOH Bauchi State, Nuru Yakubu Umar ______________

By Joseph Edegbo

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Zone One, Kaduna State have pleaded with top organs of the party to allow the zone to produce the next governorship candidate for the 2023 elections for equity and fairness.

The Zone comprises Zaria, Sabon-Gari, Soba, Makarfi, Ikara, Giwa and Kubau.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna on Monday, representatives of the stakeholders, Ahmed Yahaya Lere and Dr. Usman Ahmed Danbaba spoke of the strategic position of the zone in APC in Kaduna State.

The zone, they argued, has been marginalized when it comes to appointments in spite of their contributions to the party and the state.

“It is known to everyone that our zone is the strongest in the State, this is so because our consistent performance is undoubtedly outstanding in all previous elections of 2015 and 2019 and the recent local government elections.

“Some of us here were State and Zonal party executives, returning agents of the party, former government officials and contestants, but most importantly, we are genuinely concerned about the future of the party and consolidating on the gains made by the administration of Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.

Therefore, they said, “for the future of our great party, the APC, we believe that our views and stands on the FORTHCOMING party primary election of our great party should be listened to and be respected. In particular, it affects the choice of a predecessor to our leader, Mal. Nasir Ahmad Elrufai.

“After lengthy deliberations and consultations, on behalf of our people, we make bold to demand the following on the choice of a successor to our leader, His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

It was on this basis, they claimed, the next governor should come from the zone because of the following reasons.

“For instance, zone one had a Senator, six members of the House of Representatives, eleven members of the out-state Assembly members, seven council chairmen are all from the zone.

However, lamented that none of the Governor, Deputy Governor, the two Ministers, Party Chairman, Party Secretary, Women Leader, Youth Leader or the State representative at the national APC is from the zone.

“Yet, the performance of the party especially in zone 2 has been declining, they alleged.

For consolidation and continuity of the laudable projects of the governor in recent times, need a candidate that is competent, a team player and indeed familiar with the policies and development agenda of the current administration of Mal. Nasir El-Rufai