The Census 2021 Trial, scheduled to start from 10 August – 06 September 2020 in selected areas around the country will test online and telephonic data collection to prepare for remote data collection in the upcoming Census 2021.
Census 2021 is the first population count to introduce digital census taking through the use of online and telephonic data collection platforms, which will also allow respondents to complete the census questionnaire on their own.
The telephonic data collection makes provision for respondents to participate in the census with the assistance of a Stats SA call centre agent. The increased use of cell phones and the current technology driven digital era will minimise the challenge of reaching hard to access communities, thus allowing more people to participate in the census. Participating in the Census 2021 Trial requires respondents to register through a platform that is available on Stats SA online and social media platforms.
Respondents may also contact Stats SA via our toll free number 0800 110 248 for further assistance. A census provides small area data on demographics, socio-economic and living conditions of the population. It assists with forming the basis for active community participation in reviewing access to public services among other issues. Data collected through a census is used by government and different sectors of society for policy-formulation, decision making and planning.
Stats SA derives its mandate from the Statistics Act No. 6 of 1999 to collect data for statistical purposes and to conduct a census. The Act makes is mandatory for respondents to provide data when required. Data collected by Stats SA is only used for statistical purposes and may not be shared with the state or any organs of the state and it remains confidential. As part of quality assessment, Stats SA conducts an independent survey called the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES).
The PES 2021 Trial will be conducted immediately after the completion of Census 2021 Trial data collection, and the survey is used to evaluate the quality of the Census 2021 Trial data.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
https://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rohan-reddy-Ae4qJD-IdL8-unsplash-scaled.jpg16912560Andrew Stegmannhttps://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/relocationafricagroup.jpgAndrew Stegmann2020-08-14 10:13:422023-02-21 11:55:57Statistics South Africa to Conduct Trial of the Country’s First Ever Digital Census
Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan says that the government would consider a shareholder structure similar to Telkom, for South African Airways.
Telkom runs independently from the government, despite it having a 37% stake in the listed entity, while state-owned Public Investment Corp holds approximately 15%. The rest is owned by institutional investors and the public.
“Telkom is an interesting model that we could actually look at as we go forward,” Gordhan reportedly said to eNCA.
The National Treasury last week committed to support and source funding for the airline’s new business rescue plan.
It is projected that R10.1 billion will be required to fund the plan. This money will be used to:
Clean up and establish the balance sheet;
Restructure the rest of the group entities that are not in business rescue;
Provide working capital for the rest of the group’s entities;
Create a stable and viable platform for a new restructured national airline.
The restructuring will also include severance packages to about 2,700 SAA employees who will be retrenched, the Department of Public Enterprises said.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
https://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/48140868716_679838482b_k.jpg13692048Andrew Stegmannhttps://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/relocationafricagroup.jpgAndrew Stegmann2020-08-13 12:21:192023-02-21 11:56:00South African Airways Could Adopt Telkom Model of Governance: Report
South African researchers started a study to see whether the plasma from donors who’ve had the coronavirus and developed antibodies can be used to treat those who are still sick. Convalescent plasma treatment is part of the US government’s efforts to get drugs and preventatives against Covid-19 on the market. It was recently shown to reduce the death rate of hospitalized patients, according to Johns Hopkins University. The South African trial is a first on the continent.
“The hope is that antibodies in plasma will shorten and lessen the illness,” Karin van den Berg, head of translational research at the South African National Blood Service, said Wednesday. The service has started collecting plasma – the liquid part of blood – from donors and is waiting for the health products regulator’s approval before it can begin a randomized control trial on 600 patients. Half of these will get plasma and the other half a placebo.
Patients in the trial need to be hospitalized but can’t be so sick they are on mechanical ventilation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, left antibodies in an infected person’s blood for around 18 months, but current research shows that this effect may start to wane after four months in those that have had Covid-19, said Marion Vermeulen, a biomedical scientist who’s also working on the trial. For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
The South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority has published its annual report for 2019/20, showing how the country’s five biggest banks continue to dominate the sector, despite an increase in competition.
According to the SARB, South Africa’s banking sector is dominated by the five largest banks, which collectively held 89.4% of the total banking sector assets as at 31 March 2020 (March 2019: 90.5%).
Local branches of international banks accounted for 7.0% of banking sector assets at the end of March 2020 (March 2019: 5.8%) while other banks represented 3.6% at the end of March 2020 (March 2019: 3.7%).
Total banking sector assets grew by 16.36% year on year, to R6.6 trillion at the end of March 2020 (March 2019: R5.7 trillion).
This was spurred by an increase in gross loans and advances, derivative financial instruments, and investment and trading securities (mainly government securities and other dated securities), the bank said.
The five largest banks in South Africa based on total assets are:
Standard Bank
FirstRand
Absa
Nedbank
Investec
These banks face competition from smaller players, including Capitec, African Bank, and more recently Discovery Bank, and TymeBank.
The graph below shows the biggest banks by assets, to December 2019.
“The banking sector remained profitable during the period under review, despite a decline in the profitability ratios,” it said. However, it noted that the impact from the Covid-19 outbreak would have a major impact on the data for the 2020/21 period.
Covid-19 impact
“The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) across the world has had a major impact on economies and financial systems,” said Reserve Bank governor and PA chairman, Lesetja Kganyago.
“South Africa, like many other countries, responded to the crisis by putting in place various fiscal, monetary and regulatory support measures. A number of prudential policy interventions were issued by the PA covering banks and insurers.
“The relief measures for banks included a reduction in the minimum liquidity and capital requirements. The guidance notes covered accounting issues and the payment of dividends and bonuses by banks.”
The authority said that the depth and duration of the economic downturn from the Covid-19 crisis remains uncertain at this stage.
“This pandemic, accompanied by a slowdown in economic activity, is expected to weaken banks’ risk profiles or risk-weighted assets and reduce bank profitability, which would negatively affect the ability of banks to meet their minimum capital requirements.
“Financial market volatility, together with the reaction of other financial institutions, has also placed pressure on market liquidity and the supply of term funding,” it said.
South Africa’s response has included:
A reduction in interest rates;
An injection of liquidity into financial markets;
Significant regulatory relief for banks; and
Several fiscal and tax measures were announced, supporting households and firms.
“Despite significant turbulence in financial markets, these measures have helped stabilise markets, enabling banks to continue to operate by extending credit to support their customers,” the group said, adding that the government-guaranteed loan scheme for small businesses will complement the measures already taken by banks to support their customers during these trying times.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
https://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Plastic-Debit-Card-Mockup.jpg15002000Andrew Stegmannhttps://www.relocationafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/relocationafricagroup.jpgAndrew Stegmann2020-08-11 10:28:172023-02-21 11:56:06Almost 90% of South Africa’s Banking Sector Controlled by Just 5 Corporations
Statistics South Africa to Conduct Trial of the Country’s First Ever Digital Census
The Census 2021 Trial, scheduled to start from 10 August – 06 September 2020 in selected areas around the country will test online and telephonic data collection to prepare for remote data collection in the upcoming Census 2021.
Census 2021 is the first population count to introduce digital census taking through the use of online and telephonic data collection platforms, which will also allow respondents to complete the census questionnaire on their own.
The telephonic data collection makes provision for respondents to participate in the census with the assistance of a Stats SA call centre agent. The increased use of cell phones and the current technology driven digital era will minimise the challenge of reaching hard to access communities, thus allowing more people to participate in the census. Participating in the Census 2021 Trial requires respondents to register through a platform that is available on Stats SA online and social media platforms.
Respondents may also contact Stats SA via our toll free number 0800 110 248 for further assistance. A census provides small area data on demographics, socio-economic and living conditions of the population. It assists with forming the basis for active community participation in reviewing access to public services among other issues. Data collected through a census is used by government and different sectors of society for policy-formulation, decision making and planning.
Stats SA derives its mandate from the Statistics Act No. 6 of 1999 to collect data for statistical purposes and to conduct a census. The Act makes is mandatory for respondents to provide data when required. Data collected by Stats SA is only used for statistical purposes and may not be shared with the state or any organs of the state and it remains confidential. As part of quality assessment, Stats SA conducts an independent survey called the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES).
The PES 2021 Trial will be conducted immediately after the completion of Census 2021 Trial data collection, and the survey is used to evaluate the quality of the Census 2021 Trial data.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image sources: [1], [2].
South African Airways Could Adopt Telkom Model of Governance: Report
Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan says that the government would consider a shareholder structure similar to Telkom, for South African Airways.
Telkom runs independently from the government, despite it having a 37% stake in the listed entity, while state-owned Public Investment Corp holds approximately 15%. The rest is owned by institutional investors and the public.
“Telkom is an interesting model that we could actually look at as we go forward,” Gordhan reportedly said to eNCA.
The National Treasury last week committed to support and source funding for the airline’s new business rescue plan.
It is projected that R10.1 billion will be required to fund the plan. This money will be used to:
The restructuring will also include severance packages to about 2,700 SAA employees who will be retrenched, the Department of Public Enterprises said.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
South Africa Starts Coronavirus Plasma Treatment Study
South African researchers started a study to see whether the plasma from donors who’ve had the coronavirus and developed antibodies can be used to treat those who are still sick. Convalescent plasma treatment is part of the US government’s efforts to get drugs and preventatives against Covid-19 on the market. It was recently shown to reduce the death rate of hospitalized patients, according to Johns Hopkins University. The South African trial is a first on the continent.
“The hope is that antibodies in plasma will shorten and lessen the illness,” Karin van den Berg, head of translational research at the South African National Blood Service, said Wednesday. The service has started collecting plasma – the liquid part of blood – from donors and is waiting for the health products regulator’s approval before it can begin a randomized control trial on 600 patients. Half of these will get plasma and the other half a placebo.
Patients in the trial need to be hospitalized but can’t be so sick they are on mechanical ventilation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, left antibodies in an infected person’s blood for around 18 months, but current research shows that this effect may start to wane after four months in those that have had Covid-19, said Marion Vermeulen, a biomedical scientist who’s also working on the trial. For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Almost 90% of South Africa’s Banking Sector Controlled by Just 5 Corporations
The South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority has published its annual report for 2019/20, showing how the country’s five biggest banks continue to dominate the sector, despite an increase in competition.
According to the SARB, South Africa’s banking sector is dominated by the five largest banks, which collectively held 89.4% of the total banking sector assets as at 31 March 2020 (March 2019: 90.5%).
Local branches of international banks accounted for 7.0% of banking sector assets at the end of March 2020 (March 2019: 5.8%) while other banks represented 3.6% at the end of March 2020 (March 2019: 3.7%).
Total banking sector assets grew by 16.36% year on year, to R6.6 trillion at the end of March 2020 (March 2019: R5.7 trillion).
This was spurred by an increase in gross loans and advances, derivative financial instruments, and investment and trading securities (mainly government securities and other dated securities), the bank said.
The five largest banks in South Africa based on total assets are:
These banks face competition from smaller players, including Capitec, African Bank, and more recently Discovery Bank, and TymeBank.
The graph below shows the biggest banks by assets, to December 2019.
“The banking sector remained profitable during the period under review, despite a decline in the profitability ratios,” it said. However, it noted that the impact from the Covid-19 outbreak would have a major impact on the data for the 2020/21 period.
Covid-19 impact
“The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) across the world has had a major impact on economies and financial systems,” said Reserve Bank governor and PA chairman, Lesetja Kganyago.
“South Africa, like many other countries, responded to the crisis by putting in place various fiscal, monetary and regulatory support measures. A number of prudential policy interventions were issued by the PA covering banks and insurers.
“The relief measures for banks included a reduction in the minimum liquidity and capital requirements. The guidance notes covered accounting issues and the payment of dividends and bonuses by banks.”
The authority said that the depth and duration of the economic downturn from the Covid-19 crisis remains uncertain at this stage.
“This pandemic, accompanied by a slowdown in economic activity, is expected to weaken banks’ risk profiles or risk-weighted assets and reduce bank profitability, which would negatively affect the ability of banks to meet their minimum capital requirements.
“Financial market volatility, together with the reaction of other financial institutions, has also placed pressure on market liquidity and the supply of term funding,” it said.
South Africa’s response has included:
“Despite significant turbulence in financial markets, these measures have helped stabilise markets, enabling banks to continue to operate by extending credit to support their customers,” the group said, adding that the government-guaranteed loan scheme for small businesses will complement the measures already taken by banks to support their customers during these trying times.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].