Andrew Stegmann

Half of R2b tourism budget earmarked for SA Tourism

The South African tourism industry has proved its resilience, recovering rapidly from the decline in visitor numbers experienced in 2015.south_african_100_rand-620x350

So said Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, on Tuesday, delivering his annual budget vote speech in Parliament. “Despite two decades of consistent and impressive growth, 2015 was not a good year. Global and local economic pressures took their toll and perceptions of health risks discouraged travel to Africa,” he said.

“Visa and other travel documentation requirements had a further negative impact on tourism. The result was that international tourist arrivals declined by 6.8% compared to the previous year.”

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Andrew Stegmann

783 Corruption Charges: Will President Zuma Bow Out Now?

A South African High Court has reinstated the 783 corruption and fraud charges against President Zuma, which were dropped in 2009, a decision that further disgraces the leader’s credibility that has been hanging by a thread.
South Africa President Jacob Zuma should face about 800 corruption charges that were dropped in 2009, a court ruled on Friday, putting more pressure on the battered leader.zuma1462299379363_aspR_1.778_w640_h360_e400

A South African High Court reinstated the 783 corruption and fraud charges against President Zuma which were dropped seven years ago terming the decision by prosecutors as irrational and should be set aside.

“The decision… to discontinue the charges against Mr Zuma is irrational and should be reviewed and set aside,” North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria judge Aubrey Ledwaba said. “Mr Zuma should face the charges as applied,” AFP reported.

Mokotedi Mpshe, then acting national director of public prosecutions, was under pressure leading to the dismissal of the charges relating to multi-billion dollar arms deal, a move that cleared the way for Zuma, who was seeking to be elected as president a few weeks later.
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Andrew Stegmann

SA, Kenya ease travel regulations

Pretoria – South Africa and Kenya have announced measures that will make travelling between the two countries easier.1344067

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba is in Kenya where he met with Joseph Nkaissery, Kenya’s Minister of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government.

The two Ministers held a meeting where a number of steps were agreed upon to make travelling between the two countries smoother.

Both countries also agreed on:

  • Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports;
  • A decrease in the visa service fee. Fees have been decreased from $71 to $49, a downscale of $22, or more than R300;
  • The issuing of three-year multiple entry visas for frequent travellers;
  • Issuing of study visas for the duration of students’ study periods (including extending permanent residents to those studying in the critical skill categories);
  • Removal of transit visa for travellers transiting through South African airports and
  • Ten year multiple entry visas for frequent business travellers and academics.

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Andrew Stegmann

Over 58 000 South African jobs at risk across sectors

South Africa’s Solidarity union said on Tuesday that 58,549 workers could lose their jobs this year, with more than 29,000 jobs on the line in the mining sector and 8,000 in the metal and engineering industry.minerssareuters1

Lay offs are a thorny political issue in Africa’s most industrialised economy where the jobless rate is around 25 percent and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces a stern test in local elections in August.

The current pattern and wave of retrenchments are very similar to the situation at the end of 2008

 

In a presentation, the union, which mostly represents skilled workers, said companies where its members work had received 88 lay-off notices the past 12 months.

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