Several organisations have developed a Basic Education Rights Handbook. The Handbook is a legal literacy tool that serves to empower communities, school governing bodies, principals, teachers and learners to understand education law and policy, to know when learners’ rights have been violated and what steps are required to protect learners’ rights. Read and download the handbook here http://section27.org.za/basic-education-handbook/
In 2016/17, the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) saw a 60% increase in the number of cases reported to it. The top five business sectors that attracted the most complaints were telecommunications, furniture retail, clothing retail, wholesalers and fitness. The top five complaints that emanated from these sectors related to cell phones (26%), services (23%), electrical appliances (10%), other (9%) and furniture (8%).
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All women and men are encouraged to conduct regular self-examination and undergo screening at their nearest health care facility. Early detection of the condition can lead to effective treatment.
From 29 October to 4 November, South Africa will be hosting the 28th International Population Conference in Cape Town. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), research on South Africa and the continent’s challenges of poverty, population, health, economic growth and policy interventions to advance development in the region, are some of the issues to be discussed at the Conference.
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will conduct nationwide public hearings in all nine provinces between 30 October 2017 and 16 November 2017 as part of its decision-making process into Eskom’s revenue application for the 2018/19 financial year. The energy regulator urged the public and stakeholders who wish to attend the hearings or present their views to submit their requests to [email protected] by 3:30pm on 23 October 2017. Eskom has applied for a 20% hike in tarrifs. Eskom’s application is available on the NERSA’s website at www.nersa.org.za .
South Africa now ranks 61 out of 137 economies assessed according to the annual World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index survey. This is a decline of 14 positions from the previous year and can be attributed to low GDP growth forecasts.
Although the newly established Information Regulator is not yet fully operational, it has to date received 107 complaints relating to the unlawful processing of personal information and access to information. An analysis of these complaints revealed that a majority of the complaints relate to banking, insurance, and telecommunications.
The Department of Basic Education reported that 798 289 pupils (full and part-time) have enrolled to write the 2017 Matric exams. This translates into 37 838 fewer pupils than in 2016.
The total spending by municipalities amounted to R310-billion in 2016‚ according to Statistics SA’s non-financial census of municipalities report for the same year. This averages out to R5‚584 for every person based on the country’s recorded population of 55.6-million in 2016.
The Department of Health said the HIV Treatment programme has grown from 923 000 patients on treatment in 2009 to 3.9 million patients on treatment as of the end of August this year.
According to a discussion document “Integrated Urban Development and the New Urban Agenda in South Africa”, projections estimate that by 2030, South Africans residing in the urban areas will constitute 71.3 % and this will increase to at least 80 % by 2050.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has gazetted the Draft National Norms and Standards for Domestic Water and Sanitation Services for public comments. The Department said the finalisation of these National Norms and Standards will help assist water service authorities and providers in providing offerings that are effective, efficient, reliable and sustainable. The closing date for submissions is 06 November 2017.
