Andrew Stegmann

White males still occupy top jobs

Cape Town – Not only are top management positions in the private sector allotted to white males, but opportunities for promotion and training also remain inherently linked to race and gender at more senior levels, according to the 16th Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Report released on Monday.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant released the report on Monday during a press conference in Pretoria. b55f52c04263416b80e34c288200ec85

“The South African labour market continues to be racialised and gendered,” said the report, and “it remains hierarchical with blacks concentrated at the lower levels and the white group occupying decision-making positions.”

The latest report showed that there was 41.2% representation of black people at the professionally qualified level, 38% white representation, 9.4% coloured and 8.5% Indian.

“There is a pool of employees from designated groups who do not receive promotion opportunities and remain stuck at the professionally qualified and skilled technical levels. This is despite the continued outcry for lack of skilled employees from these groups,” the report said.

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Andrew Stegmann

HOME AFFAIRS TO ISSUE 2.2M SMART IDS THIS YEAR

The Department of Home Affairs plans to issue 2.2 million Smart ID cards during the 2016/17 financial year,minister Malusi Gigaba has announced.

Gigaba was delivering his department’s Budget Vote Speech in parliament this morning, noting that Home Affairs has issued 4.1 million Smart ID since they it first began rolling them out in 2013.

“We…have met our target of 2.2 million Smart ID cards issued last year,” Gigaba said, also mentioning that over 90% of applicants receive their Smart ID and/or passport within two weeks of applying.

The department has a target to replace over 38 million green ID books with Smart IDs over the next few years.

To help meet its rollout target, Live Capture offices have been increased from 140 to 178, with all of them now accept payment by cash, credit and debit cards.

eHome Affairs applications

Since launching the eHome Affairs Smart ID card and passport portal, the site has processed 8 053 applications, as of yesterday.

“When we finalise the roll out plan for the eHome Affairs as well as the conversion plan for the live capture and mobile units, we will review the cut-off date for the green ID book and announce new timelines,” Gigaba said.

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Andrew Stegmann

South Africa: Cabinet Welcomes Home Affairs’ eChannel Project

Pretoria — Cabinet has welcomed the official launch of the eChannel Pilot Project of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which makes ID applications simpler through technology.

The project was launched by President Jacob Zuma earlier this month. The new innovative system allows citizens to apply for their smart ID cards online and avoid long queues.Visa-South-Africa-620x350

Addressing a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said eChannel is part of Home Affairs’ overall modernisation strategy to move services from paper to digital.

Through eChannel, citizens will be able to visit Home Affairs’ kiosks at banks to submit their fingerprints and pictures after having made appointments and payments online for smart ID applications and passports. The pilot project is initially open to 30 to 35-year-olds.

  So far, 12 branches are piloting the project. Eleven are in Gauteng and one is in the Western Cape. The banks have availed their facilities. They also ensure that there is proper branding for Home Affairs within their branches.
Andrew Stegmann

Foreign students could graduate with Permanent Residence

Much need skills for South Africa

A radical statement by Malusi Gigaba related to international and foreign students who are pursuing degrees in South Africa could mean that they will qualify for permanent residence on completion of their studies.millenials

The first of these initiatives … is a special exemption to allow graduate international students in critical skills areas to qualify for permanent residence permits upon graduation.

Naturally, South Africa is short skilled, as is the rest of the world, and incentives such as these are far and few between in the Immigration Act of the country. This change, once implemented, should encourage students to apply for South African universities in fields such as engineering and IT, where afterwards those graduating will have a much better chance of obtaining employment within the local working environment.

Permanent residence for certain students in South Africa

Minister Gigaba said:
“International students constitute a key segment which is prioritized by governments globally, because of the economic and social benefits they offer host countries in terms of adding to the skills base, and contributing positively to society more broadly.

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