MONDAY, 9 JANUARY 2017

In our first roundup of the year, below are summaries of our selection of South African labour stories as recently published.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Three arrested for attack on Tuesday on medics in Khayelitsha
ANA reports that following a tipoff from the community, three men have been arrested in connection with an attack on paramedics in Khayelitsha on 27 December 2016.  Police said in a statement on Thursday that the Emergency Medical Services paramedics were robbed of their cellphones by two armed men while they were treating a patient in Mandela Park in Harare, Khayelitsha.  The trio will appear in court on 30 December on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Read this report in full at eNCA.  See too, Paramedics held at gunpoint in Khayelitsha, at EWN.  And also, Eastern Cape ambulance stoned on Christmas Day, at News24

Paramedics fill court as Khayelitsha attack accused remain behind bars
News24 reports that the three men accused of robbing paramedics in Khayelitsha on 27 December will stay behind bars until 10 March, for a formal bail application, the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court ruled on Friday.  As the three men were led into the dock, they were startled by the contingent of emergency services workers who had filled up the courtroom in support of their colleagues.  It was a demonstration of their frustrations, after close to 100 robberies and attacks were perpetrated against emergency workers last year.  In the latest robbery, the paramedics were treating a patient in Khayelitsha when they were accosted by two of the men.  The third was arrested for being in possession of stolen items.  The Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA’s (Hospersa’s ) Michael Serelina praised police for the swift arrest and recovery of the stolen items.
Read this report by Jenni Evans in full at News24.  See too, Health trade union opposes ambulance robbers' bail, eNCA.  Read Hospersa’s press statement in this regard at SA Labour News

Ambulance crew’s dilemma: We want to help, but we ourselves are crime targets
Netwerk24 notes that ambulance crews complain that they feel unsafe at accident scenes, but asks:  How serious can the situation be?  Shockingly serious, reports Le Roux Schoeman, who accompanied EMS Ambulance #48 on New Year’s Eve on its call-outs on the Cape Flats.  In 2016, more than 80 incidents were reported in the Western Cape where medical personnel and emergency workers were crime targets.  The safety of ambulances is now such a problem that, before each shift, provincial emergency personnel are informed which areas cannot be entered into without police protection.  But there’s not enough manpower to always accompany ambulances.  Sometimes it’s simply just too unsafe to respond.
Read this insightful report by Le Roux Schoeman in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24 (limited access)

Cape Town paramedics undergo trauma counselling after yet another attack
EWN reports that members of a Melomed24 paramedic crew are undergoing trauma counselling after being attacked in Athlone on Friday evening.  Melomed24's Salaama Joseph said the paramedics had dropped off a colleague at home when they were ambushed by a group of men.  “When they went down the road they saw four guys at a tree. One of them approached the vehicle, pulled the handle and realised the door was locked.  The next one banged and shattered the window, he threw a brick.  He (the paramedic) immediately drove away.” The paramedics now fear for their safety.  In 2016, there were more than 80 incidents across Cape Town where emergency services officials were targeted by criminals.
Read this report by Shamiela Fisher in full at EWN.  See too, Close shave for ambulance crew, at Cape Times

Two paramedics killed after ambulance overturns north of Bloemfontein
Netwerk24 reports that two paramedics of the Buthelezi ambulance service were killed when the ambulance they were travelling in overturned some 30 km north of Bloemfontein on Sunday, 1 January.  The accident happened at about 05:30 on the N1 north of the city.  A patient who was in the back of the Gauteng-registered vehicle suffered light injuries and was admitted to the Pelonomi hospital.  The cause of the accident is not yet known.
Read this report by Nico Gous in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24

One worker killed and another injured at Tronox’s KZN site
The Citizen reports that a Tronox Ltd employee lost his life and another was injured at the company’s Mineral Separation Plant in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on 29 December 2016.  Apparently, the employee who was injured was inspecting the site when the floor gave way and he fell some three stories down.  The other employee was on the ground floor when the plant fell on top of him.  The cause of the accident is under investigation.  Tronox is an American worldwide chemical company involved in the titanium products industry.
Read this report by Orrin Singh in full at The Citizen

Claim of 'sewage-contaminated water' leaking onto Sun City staff's food
Based on a Sunday Times report, News24 writes that staff at holiday resort Sun City claim that damaged pipes have resulted in sewage-contaminated water leaking onto food that they have been given to eat.  Irate workers have accused Sun International (SI) of ignoring several complaints by its own managers who did personal inspections of the basement; as well as ignoring a previous report condemning the storage area as a health hazard, and an internal safety report and video showing the leaks, which allegedly contained sewage.  SI has denied that any food was contaminated at the resort, but admits that there was a "grey water" leak.  Grey water is a by-product of water that is used for cleaning.
Read this report by Mahlatse Gallens in full at News24.  Read the original report on page 2 of Sunday Times of 30 December 2016

Cosatu threatens mass action against Sun City over sewage leak in staff food storage area
News24 reports that Cosatu in the Moses Kotane region in North West has threatened to make 2017 a difficult year for Sun International’s (SI’s) Sun City holiday resort.  The labour federation has accusing the resort of undermining black lives after allegations surfaced that food meant for the staff canteen was stored in a “condemned” basement where pipes were apparently leaking sewage.  Cosatu said it was mobilising its alliance partners, namely the ANC, the SA Communist Party (SACP) and the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco), to embark on mass action against the resort.  SI has denied the claims of a sewage leak and that food was contaminated, saying staff submitted deliberately misleading photographs to bolster their allegations.
Read this report by Mahlatse Gallens in full at News24

Death of SANDF soldier in DRC was ‘definitely not in vain’
News24 writes that it was a sombre moment for the family of rifleman Moalosi Mokhothu, who died during a gunfight with rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as they watched him take his last military march at the Air Force Base in Waterkloof.  The handover of the remains of 27-year-old Mokhothu on Friday, 30 December 2016 was attended by high ranking officers in the SANDF.  Acting Chief Lieutenant-General Zimpande Msimang hailed Mokhothu as a hero of the country, saluting his sacrifice for peace on the continent.  He said Mokhothu's death was “definitely not in vain."  His funeral will take place on 7 January 2017 at Botshabelo in Bloemfontein.
Read this report by Lizeka Tandwa in full at News24.  See too, Mother devastated at soldier son’s death, The New Age

Only 15 warders on duty at St Albans prison during deadly riot
DispatchLive reports that only 15 prison warders were on duty at St Albans Correctional Centre to guard 674 inmates on the day three convicts were killed in a riot.  This meant each warder armed with a baton had to control 45 hardened criminals.  The deaths happened on 27 December 2016 when a gang of prisoners tried to take control of the Port Elizabeth prison.  Nineteen people, including five warders, were also injured.  Had there been sufficient security personnel on duty, the loss of lives might have been avoided.  It has been said that the current shift system was not assisting security, as many of the inmates know when there’s going to be a small number of staff on duty.  A source also said staff shortages were exacerbated by warders constantly taking sick leave or at times having to accompany inmates to courts.  Provincial commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast said:  “We are reviewing the shift pattern of our members, but there are issues with the unions we are dealing with first.”
Read this report by Bongani Fuzile in full at DispatchLive.  See too, St Albans' lockdown gradually being lifted, at News24.  And also, 'Hunger strike at St Albans all but over', at EWN

December a deadly month for cops
The New Age reports that police in South Africa remained under attack from dangerous criminals as 2016 drew to a close, with seven officers gunned down in December.  This brought the number of officers killed to approximately 60 last year.  The latest of these killings was that of a 35-year-old policeman, Sgt Peter Modiegi Mogotlane, who was shot and killed in Mabopane, north of Pretoria, during the New Year weekend.  On 27 December, the body of a 57-year-old warrant officer was recovered in Atlantis in the Western Cape after it was pointed out by a suspect.  On 20 December, another cop was shot and killed in Johannesburg while attending to a robbery.
Read this report by Batandwa Malingo in full at The New Age

Tshwane metro policeman shot dead outside friend's home
ANA reports that Tshwane Metro Police Department has pleaded with the public to come forward if they had information regarding the murder of one of its officers.  Constable Eddy Bokaba was shot outside the home of a friend after leaving work on the evening of Monday, 2 January 2016.  At around 11pm, he picked up a friend and they travelled to the friend’s home.  On arrival, a VW Polo vehicle approaching them.  Bokaba got out of his vehicle to ask what they wanted and one person got out of the Polo and without a word pulled out a firearm and shot at Bokaba.  He died on the scene.  The motive for the murder is not yet known.
Read this report in full at eNCA.  Read too, Mystery over brutal slaying of metro cop, at IOL News

Mpumalanga firefighter dies in flood rescue after safety cable snapped
The New Age reports that Nkangala Fire division chief Maggie Machete says an investigation will follow the death of one of their rescue workers who died while trying to save a passenger from a minibus taxi.  The vehicle was swept away at Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga on Saturday.  Firefighter Jerry Mogoe, 31, was in the strong currents flooding the Mohlabetsi River when his safety cable snapped.  His body and that of passenger Engeline Msiza, 26 were retrieved on the same day.  “The deceased was one of our firefighters and managed to rescue the driver of the taxi.  One of the other firefighters tried to rescue the other passenger and that’s where everything went wrong,” Machete said.  The recent heavy rains wreaked havoc in many parts of the country and Mpumalanga was one of the provinces swept by the deluge.
Read this report by Kutullo Madisha in full at The New Age

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
- Department of Labour investigates death of child worker in North West,
      at SABC News
-  Fidelity driver killed during cash-in-transit heist, at The Citizen
-  Treindrywer kry berading ná aanval, at Netwerk24 (limited access only)
-  Monarch factory in Boksburg razed in fire, no injuries, at The Citizen

MINING LABOUR

Workers at Barbrook, Lily Mine’s sister company, to hear their fate soon
Fin24 reports that employees at the Barbrook Mine will meet with the company’s management team and the appointed business rescue practitioner on January 11 to hear how the process forward will affect them.  The mine, which falls under Australian holding company Vantage Goldfields, was placed in business rescue on 15 December.  Vantage Goldfield’s other asset is the now defunct Lily Mine, which was also placed in business rescue nine months ago following three workers having fallen into a sinkhole in February.  The mine is still closed as mining in the area is regarded as unsafe.  Following the closure, 130 Lily Mine employees were moved to Barbrook, while the rest opted for retrenchment packages.  According to trade union Amcu, 780 workers were affected by Barbrook’s decision to go into business rescue.
Read this report by Liesl Peyper in full at Fin24

‘Non-payment’ of workers at Barbrook mine concerns trade union Solidarity
BusinessLive reports that Solidarity on Friday expressed concern over the state of affairs at the Barbrook Mine near Barberton, which is under business rescue.  The union said workers were not paid at all in December and that in November had only received a portion of their salaries.  Barbrook’s sister mine, Lily Mine, has been under business rescue for nearly a year and is not operational.  Both mines are owned by Australian listed Vantage Goldfields.  Solidarity’s Connie Prinsloo said the union would meet the Barbrook business rescue practitioner and mine management on 11 January to establish the nature of Barbrook’s business prospects and what has been done so far to rescue the mine.  According to Prinsloo, Lily Mine employees who accepted voluntary severance packages in April last year were still waiting for their unpaid salaries and payment of their severance packages.  "Solidarity will not allow the Barbrook employees to be deceived by false pretenses and promises, as in Lily’s case," he stated.
Read this report by Linda Ensor in full at BusinessLive.  See too, Union vows to protect members at Lily's sister mine, at Fin24.  Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity online

Other labour posting(s) in this news category
-  Solidarity takes up fight for unpaid Barbrook miners, at Business Report
-  Lonmin’s Ben Magara declines pay rise for second consecutive year, at BusinessLive
-  Murder case against two illegal miners in Mpumalanga postponed, at SABC News
-  Body of murdered illegal miner dumped near Barberton, at SABC News
-  Zama zamas’ illegal water usage is a major concern for Joburg, at The Star

Other general internet posting(s) on mining
-  Mining towns get R1.3bn for infrastructure, at SA Govt News Agency
-  Mining may be coming to end of 2016's rich seam, at BusinessLive
-  Exxaro dumps 50% ownership model, at BusinessLive
-  Eskom to meet coal supplier over drop in black ownership, at Engineering News
-  Madiba community fights proposed mine, at Saturday Star
-  Bauba reopens chrome mine as price rebounds, at Business Report

MARIKANA DEATHS / FARLAM INQUIRY REPORT

Police portfolio committee awaiting Zuma’s response to Phiyega inquiry report
BusinessLive reports that Parliament’s portfolio committee on police is eagerly awaiting President Jacob Zuma’s response to the report of the Claassen board of inquiry into suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega.  The board investigated allegations of misconduct against Phiyega and her fitness to hold office, following the 2012 Marikana massacre.  Zuma received the Claassen report on 15 December 2016.  It recommended that Phiyega should be removed from her post.  Zuma then gave Phiyega the opportunity to make representations before responding to the report.  Police portfolio committee chairman Francois Beukman said they would look at the report once Zuma had formally responded to it.
Read this report by Khulekani Magubane in full at BusinessLive

Marikana victims close to being compensated, says Zuma
EWN reports that President Jacob Zuma says discussions have started with legal representatives for compensation related to the 2012 Marikana tragedy and that the victims are close to being compensated.  Zuma delivered the ANC’s annual 8 January statement at Orlando Stadium on Sunday when the party celebrated its 105th birthday.  Zuma said:  “The ANC once again extends its condolences to the families of those killed in Marikana.  Discussions are continuing for the compensation.”  Forty-four people, including 34 miners, were killed during labour unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana four years ago.
Read this report by Clement Manyathela in full at EWN

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  'Cut-and-paste' inquiry report invalid, says Phiyega,
      at M&G (paywall access)
-  Phiyega not only person responsible for Marikana, says PAC leader,
      at SABC News

FARMING LABOUR

ConCourt ruling in Snyders eviction case a momentous victory for farmworkers: Sanco
TMG Digital reports that on 30 December 2016 the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) welcomed the Snyders Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling as a momentous victory‚ saying it has affirmed the protection of workers and families residing in farming communities.  "The historic ruling guarantees that the Land Claims Court will no longer endorse unlawful eviction orders but will ensure that the security of tenure of the most exploited and abused section of workers is protected‚” said Sanco spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu.  He called for a review of cases of farmworkers who were left homeless before the comprehensive judgment.  Snyders took Ladysmith farm owner Louisa de Jager to court after she fired him and began eviction proceedings in 2008.
Read this report in full at TimesLive

Spier farmworkers turn carbon credits into cash
Fin24 reports that a game-changer in Western Cape agriculture has seen farm workers benefiting from carbon credits earned through a climate change mitigation initiative.  Twenty-seven workers on the Spier estate in Stellenbosch, which is an organically certified estate practicing regenerative farming, are to share half the R204,000 paid out from carbon credits.  An average of R4,000 was given to each worker, with those managing the cattle component receiving a larger portion of the credits.  The farm acquired the credits for sequestering 6,493 tonnes of carbon dioxide in its soil.  The credits were bought by a South African bank, brokered by Credible Carbon, a business dedicated for making carbon work for the poor as it facilitates carbon trading through credits earned for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming.
Read this report in full at Fin24

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Why farming will make a big comeback in 2017, at Huffington Post

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING / INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

NUM to continue its battle against ‘apartheid’ wage gap at Eskom
The Citizen reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has vowed to continue to fight against the “apartheid” wage gap and high executive salaries at Eskom.  This follows Eskom’s announcement that the Labour Court had confirmed its 2013/14 final offer of 5.6% by upholding a CCMA arbitrator’s award in the power utility’s favour.  The court also dismissed an application by the NUM and Solidarity for a review.  The NUM’s national spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, said while they respected the court ruling, the union did not think that the side of the workers was even considered.  He also said:  “The majority of workers at Eskom still earn poverty wages and the NUM will continue to fight for a living wage.”
Read this report by Eric Naki in full at The Citizen.  See too, Labour Court confirms Eskom’s position for 2013/14 wage offer, at Business Report.  Read Eskom’s press statement in this regard at Eskom online

DISPUTES

New row looming over security vetting of parliamentary staff
City Press reports that parliamentary employees affiliated to the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) have once again dug in their heels against the controversial security vetting process that Parliament now says “never stopped”.  Parliamentary spokesperson Manelisi Wolela indicated that vetting by the State Security Agency was continuing despite earlier objections by the union and defended it as “normal practice”.  Yet, Nehawu had seemingly been under the impression the vetting stalled after earlier objections.  Union spokesperson Sthembiso Tembe questioned the need for this new round of vetting because all staff were vetted before they could be employed by Parliament.  He said Nehawu members would not cooperate until a proper explanation was given.  He also demanded a meeting with the security agency and parliament early next year that, along with grievances about performance bonuses, might escalate existing tension between Nehawu members and parliament’s management.
Read this report by Alicestine October in full at City Press

UNION NEWS

Veteran trade unionist Patrick Craven calls it a day
ANA reports that prominent trade unionist Patrick Craven is leaving the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa).  In a statement on Monday, Numsa general Secretary, Irvin Jim said:  "On behalf of Numsa, I would like to thank Comrade Patrick Craven for his years of service and dedication to the workers movement in general, and to Numsa in particular".  He added: "Although Comrade Craven has been with Numsa for a short time, he has formally served the South African workers movement since 2000, when he joined (labour federation) Cosatu as editor of its magazine, 'The Shopsteward' and later became its spokesperson".  Craven resigned from Cosatu in April 2015, in protest, after the controversial expulsion of general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.  
Read this report in full at Business Report

Labour relations director probed for role in setting up union to destroy Amcu
Mail & Guardian reports that Thembinkosi Mkalipi, chief director of labour relations at the Department of Labour, faces an internal investigation into his alleged role in setting up the Workers’ Association Union (WAU).  The union was supposedly intended to destroy the troublesome but powerful Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).  According to one sworn statement, the creation of WAU was planned in conjunction with President Jacob Zuma and State Security Minister David Mahlobo.  Mkalipi stands accused of helping the WAU to register in violation of departmental rules.  In the process, his superiors in the department believe he may have undermined measures specifically designed to prevent political interference in the regulation of trade unions.  
Read this report by Govan Whittles in full at M&G (paywall access only)

LABOUR AND POLITICS

ANC's January 8 anniversary bash 'much ado about nothing', says Numsa
News24 reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said last week that the ANC’s annual birthday celebrations, which was due to be held on 8 January 2017, would be much ado about nothing.  “Expect nothing new from the ANC’s January 8 statement.  The ANC has run out of ideas, and morals,” the union said in a statement.  The ANC’s 105th anniversary celebrations were planned to be held at Orlando Stadium.  Numsa said the ANC had no concrete socialist plans to solve deepening inequality and joblessness and the over-burdening of the workers through “slave wages”.  It blamed the ANC’s economic policies for the high unemployment rate, deepening poverty, and an apartheid economic structure which it said was still intact 22 years after democracy.
Read this report by Mahlatse Gallens in full at News24.  Read Numsa’s press statement at Politicsweb.  See too, No reason to celebrate ANC’s 105th anniversary, says Numsa, at IOL News.  And also, Zuma, ANC hindering progress, says Numsa, at Fin24

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Mantashe blames Cosatu for ‘spoiling the water’ in ANC succession battle,
      at BusinessLive
-  Cosatu, SACP intensify calls for unity in the ANC, at EWN
-  Cosatu: ANC must learn lessons from poll results, at EWN

THE ECONOMY / NDP / PRICES / PRODUCTIVITY

Food price inflation rate set to decline from third quarter
HeraldLive reports that there may be more water in South Africa’s well this season, but consumers are unlikely to feel the effects until at least the third quarter.  In its recent Agricultural Outlook 2017 report, Absa said rainfall predictions for the coming season had improved substantially.  However, the drought’s cumulative effect would still have a negative effect on the new season, even if good rains fell.  The Agricultural Business Chamber’s Wandile Sihlobo said food inflation was likely to remain high in the first few months of the year and would slowly start to decline once harvesting began in about April.  “In the third quarter, consumers will really start to benefit.  Food inflation in November was 11.6%.  It could come down to between 7% and 9%,” he indicated.
Read this report by Colleen Goko in full at HeraldLive.  See too, Possible sharp fall in SA food inflation rate, at Fin24.  And also, Will we see some mild inflation relief for the poor in 2017? at Moneyweb

Solidarity says agreement between ArcelorMittal SA and Evraz ‘good for the economy’
Netwerk24 reports that trade union Solidarity has welcomed the agreement that ArcelorMittal SA concluded with the Evraz Highveld Steel plant outside Witbank.  According to the union’s Marius Croucamp, the agreement involves a sub-division of Highveld Steel, Highveld Structural Mill Proprietary Limited (HSM), being utilised to produce heavy structural steel.  Croucamp commented as follows:  “Earlier this year, this community was affected by mass retrenchments involving 1,753 employees.  Not only will this agreement boost the local community it will also be an encouraging boost for the South African economy insofar as the country would manufacture its own structural steel.”  He noted that the agreement was for two years, with the option of extending it by another year, and went on to indicate:  “The number of employees that have to be appointed for the purposes of the agreement will be determined earlier in the new year (2017).”
Read this report in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24.  See too, Evraz inks deal with ArcelorMittal, at Business Report.  Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity online

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Unemployment, job creation and economic growth to top ANC agenda, at EWN

LABOUR MARKET / JOBS / WORK PERMITS

Jobs remain high on South Africa’s list of priorities, says Zuma
In his New Year's message, President Jacob Zuma said that jobs remained high on the list of South African’s priorities and in that regard, “we must continue to promote unity in action to reignite economic growth.”  He went on to say:  “The collaboration between business, labour and government to support the economy, which is one of the key achievements of the year 2016, must continue in the New Year.  Importantly, together we must take the economic transformation programme forward.  We need to change the commanding heights of the economy, and increase the participation of black people as owners and managers.  Progress made on the achievement of this goal will greatly enhance the national reconciliation programme.  Business, government and society must work together on this national imperative.”
Read President Zuma’s message in full at Sunday Tribune.  See too, DA leader calls for positive changes in 2017, especially for jobless youth, at Huffington Post

Hypocritical ANC doesn’t care about investment and jobs‚ says DA
TMG Digital reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of not caring about investment and jobs.  This follows criticism by the ANC of Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga for undertaking a trip recently to Taiwan to seek investment opportunities.  Responding to the ANC’s criticism‚ DA spokesman Stevens Mokgalapa said that the ANC had shown once again just how little it valued job-creating investment in SA with its "petty‚ hypocritical attack" on Msimanga.  He said:  "With 9 million jobless South Africans‚ the DA praises the attempt by Mayor Msimanga to encourage investment in South Africa.  This is what our country needs to create jobs and fight poverty.  This simply isn’t a priority for the ANC — they are a party of cronyism‚ fighting to protect corrupt interests.”
Read this report in full at BusinessLive.  Read the ANC’s press statement at ANC online.  Read the DA’s press statement in this regard at DA Newsroom

Outlook more upbeat for 2017 job seekers
The New Age writes that, despite big hurdles, prospects in the labour market are improving and the manufacturing sector is expected to thrive this year on the back of more stable and reliable electricity.  For instance, the recent agreement by ArcelorMittal SA with the Evraz Highveld Steel plant outside Wibank is likely to result in job creation.  The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey reveals that employers are cautiously optimistic for hiring intentions for the next three months.  Opportunities for job seekers are expected to be strongest in the electricity, gas and water supply sector and manufacturing.  Employers in the Western Cape report the strongest hiring intentions for the first quarter of the year, with little expected within Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.  Some analysts say it’s too early to draw conclusions regarding job prospects for this year.  Moreover, it will not be easy for matriculants entering the job market this year given that most available positions need experience and skills.
Read this report in full at The New Age

No extension of deadline for Lesotho special permit applications
EWN reports that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) says it will not postpone the deadline again for Lesotho nationals who are working, studying or running businesses in South Africa illegally to apply for special permits.  Basotho had until midnight on Saturday to apply for special permits, after the deadline was postponed twice, in June and September this year.  DHA director-general Mkuseli Apleni said those who came to South Africa illegally and who failed to apply for special permits would be deported.
Read this report by Koketšo Motau in full at EWN

One out of every 22 SA workers employed in tourism
Netwerk24 reports that tourism now provides more work than mining, with one out of every 22 working South Africans (4.5%) employed in that sector.  According to a Statistics SA report released in December on tourism in 2015, the number of people in the sector increased in that year, even though it was a poor year for the sector.  2015 was the year in which more stringent visa regulations had an effect on the number of tourists who visited SA.  By all indications, 2016 was a much better year as a result of a relaxation of the visa requirements.  According to Stats SA, 32,186 new posts were created in tourism in 2015 to bring the total of people in the sector to 711,746, which was 4.7% more than in 2014.  However, tourism’s contribution to GDP is still relatively low at 3.1%, against mining’s 8%.
Read this report by Hanlie Stadler in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24 (limited access)

RECRUITMENT / STAFFING

Concerns over staff shortages at police’s 10111 call centres
EWN reports that operators at the police’s 10111 call centres are concerned that staff shortages will cripple service delivery.  The SA Police Service (SAPS) centre in Port Elizabeth has already fallen victim to the problem and had more than 400 calls reportedly going unanswered this week.  The centre has less than 15 people per shift manning more than 20 phone lines.  Also, call centre agents in Gauteng threatened last month to go on strike because they apparently receive lower pay than their Western Cape counterparts.  The SA Policing Union (Sapu) said a lack of manpower posed a risk that could be detrimental to the community and people who require emergency services.
Read this report by Xolani Koyana in full at EWN.  Read too, Staff shortages put PE 10111 centre out of touch for hundreds, at HeraldLive

SAPU calls on police management to resolve 10111 call centre grievances
EWN reports that the South African Policing Union (SAPU) has urged police management to fix issues at its 10111 call centres before they turn into a crisis.  Operators at the centres are reportedly overworked due to staff shortages, raising concerns about poor service delivery.  This week, more than 400 calls apparently went unanswered at the Nelson Mandela Bay centre alone because it has 15 people per shift manning more than 20 phone lines.  Also, call centre agents in Gauteng have threatened a strike because of a pay dispute.  SAPU’s general secretary Oscar Skommere indicated that suspended National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega made promises years ago that haven't materialised.
Read this report by Xolani Koyana in full at EWN

At least 130 doctors left without employment after completing community service
Cape Argus reports that more than a hundred doctors across the country who have completed their community service at state facilities are unemployed and in dire need of being placed at health care centres.  The SA Medical Association (Sama) says it is in possession of a list of 130 names of post-community service medical officers who have not been able to secure employment for this year.  One Durban-based doctor said that at least two hospitals had shown interest in him, but the head of department at one the hospitals had told him that posts were being frozen.  But Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s spokesman denied that posts were being frozen and said instead that doctors were not taking up posts in areas where there was a need.
Read this report by Zodidi Dano in full at Cape Argus

Alert over Durban municipal jobs scam
TMG Digital reports that the eThekwini Municipality has warned Durban job seekers about a con artist claiming to be a municipal employee who has been hooking her victims by placing fake recruitment advertisements.  Applicants who respond to the ads are told to pay a fee ranging from R150 to R1,500 in order to secure a job as either a cleaner‚ an official for Durban Solid Waste or a worker under the Expanded Public Works Programme.  The con artist‚ known as Amanda‚ has been sending messages to unsuspecting individuals using WhatsApp saying they must pay the necessary fee at certain specified stores.  The municipality stressed that it does not charge the public to apply for any advertised post.
Read this report in full at SowetanLive

OUTSOURCING / TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT / CONSULTANTS

Beginning of the end for outsourcing at Wits University
TMG Digital reports that hundreds of workers who were outsourced by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have now begun their work as the institution’s employees‚ the university said on Wednesday.  In response to the call by students during the FeesMustFall protests‚ Wits have brought on board a total of 343 to work as part of the university’s staff.  The university indicated:  “The first cohort of insourced workers reported on the first day of work as Wits employees.  Other groups of workers will come on board at various times during the course of 2017.  Cleaning‚ catering‚ security‚ transport‚ waste‚ grounds and landscaping workers are to be insourced."  The University Council has placed a cap of R100 million on the total cost of insourcing‚ including all incidental costs.
Read this report by Penwell Dlamini in full at TimesLive

RETRENCHMENTS / COMPANY JOB LOSSES

Dumping leads to Rainbow Chickens selling 15 farms and laying-off 1,350 workers
Sunday Tribune reports that one of SA’s biggest chicken producers is selling 15 of its 25 farms in Hammarsdale to stay afloat after fighting years of dumping by importers.  Rainbow Chicken, renamed RCL Foods, is retrenching 1,350 workers from the end of the month.  MD Scott Pitman said he no longer knew what to do to save jobs.  According to him the government was doing nothing to tighten import controls on frozen chicken, and the EU and Brazil, especially, were capitalising on this with large-scale dumping.  Mike’s Chickens (Limpopo), a family-run business in Polokwane for 38 years, has already closed, putting more than 1,000 people out of work.  Country Bird (Free State and North West) is retrenching 1,500 workers.  Katishi Masemola of the Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Fawu) warned that if the government did not step in to hikes import tariffs on chicken, members would embark on rolling mass action.  He also said the union’s fight was not with the chicken companies they were the victims.
Read this report by Mervyn Naidoo at Sunday Tribune.  Read too, Counting the cost of cutting jobs, at Sunday Tribune

We have plans to manage chicken sector crisis, insists Rob Davies
BusinessLive reports that Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, who in December increased tariffs on imported chicken portions, says the government is aware of the crisis facing the poultry industry and is tackling it on various fronts.  He said on Sunday that his department was aware of the influx of bone-in portion chicken portions, particularly from the EU and Brazil, and was considering designating chicken as one of the products that government departments and state entities would be required to procure locally.  The department has a dedicated unit focused on the poultry industry.  Also, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is involved in a number of projects to support local producers and to provide feed for the poultry industry.  Meantime, Kevin Lovell of the SA Poultry Association (Sapa) has insisted that the 13.9% duty granted by Davies in December was "grossly inadequate", far too late and would not work.  If it was not increased, the impact on the industry — which is already in the process of closing plants and retrenching workers —would be devastating, he said.
Read this report by Linda Ensor in full at BusinessLive.  See too, Poultry sector calls for more protection, at eNCA.  And also, Govt can save poultry sector as job losses loom, says Fawu, at Fin24

REMUNERATION / SALARY ADMINISTRATION

Salary trends survey shows ‘real’ wage increases in 2017 of only 0% to 1.5%
BusinessTech writes that, reflecting the South African economy in general, the average ‘real’ wage increase for 2017 is expected to be as flat as it was in 2016.  This is according to new data published by ECA International in its annual Salary Trends Survey.  According to the group, in real terms (i.e. adjusted for consumer inflation), SA will see an average wage increase of between 0% and 1.5% in 2017.  This will match the rates seen at the start of 2016, when the average increase was around 1%.  This will thus be much lower than the average increase seen in 2015 of 2.2%.  In nominal terms (rand terms), the average salary increase in SA for 2017 is seen at between 6.0% and 7.5%, with inflation currently sitting around 6%.
Read this report in full at BusinessTech

Municipal councillors who lost seats still awaiting once-off gratuity payments
BusinessLive reports that the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has urged councillors who lost their seats in 2016’s local government elections to apply for their gratuity payments.  The gratuity — a one-off payment worth about three months’ salary — is aimed at softening the blow for councillors who suffered an unexpected exit from local government.  Cogta estimates that it has up to 3,720 outgoing councillors to pay.  Cogta spokesman Legadima Leso indicated:  "The numbers of how much were paid on December 23 have not been confirmed.  We are continuing from there.  We said they will all be paid by the first half of this year.  This takes time and [we] have many checks and balances.  Former councillors are already impatient .... everyone will be paid.”  He added that some former councillors have not yet submitted applications.  The DA’s Kevin Mileham said the process has taken an unacceptably long time to happen.
Read this report by Khulekani Magubane in full at BusinessLive

Bhisho’s tardy payment of housing contractors in Eastern Cape puts jobs at risk
DispatchLive reports that millions of rands owed by Bhisho to contractors who have built low-cost housing for the Eastern Cape department of human settlements have plunged them into financial distress.  As a result hundreds of workers had a bleak festive season without pay, and now face the prospect of being jobless in 2017.  The department has failed to pay companies more than R100-million due for housing built in various development projects.  As a result, many companies failed to pay their labourers in December.  One contractor described the situation as “a crisis ready to explode”.  The department has conceded that it “was having a cash flow challenge”.
Read this report by Asanda Nini DispatchLive

Shareholder activist urges vote against Coronation’s pay policy
BusinessLive reports that shareholder activist Theo Botha is urging shareholders of Coronation Fund Managers to vote against the group’s remuneration policy at the annual general meeting (AGM) in February.  Coronation’s decision to provide shareholders with some information and allow them to vote for the first time on the remuneration policy follows two years of dogged engagement by Botha.  Nonetheless, AGM votes on remuneration are nonbinding.  On Wednesday, Botha said Coronation had still failed to provide shareholders with any information that would allow them to make an informed decision as there were no details on key performance indicators or the basis for awarding bonuses.  Jock McKenzie, chairman of the remuneration committee, said Coronation’s "holistic" performance assessment process, "enables us to make an assessment of an individual without excessive reliance on mechanistic, quantitative metrics or key performance indicators".
Read this report by Ann Crotty in full at BusinessLive

South African CEOs earn in 7 hours what the average worker does in a year
BusinessTech reports that a new study released by Quartz has revealed that South African CEOs topped the list of fastest earners in the world, taking just over seven hours to earn the average South African’s annual wage.  The study used data to compare pay at the top of the income distribution with average worker pay in several countries.  Author Aamna Modin noted:  “While CEOs in South Africa make far less on average than their American counterparts, their salaries were 541 times more than the average income in their own country.  It took CEOs in South Africa just over seven hours to make $13,194, which is the country’s average yearly wage.  Assuming Monday, Jan. 2, was a public holiday and they started work at 7:30am on Tuesday, Jan. 3, CEOs in South Africa clocked in the annual average wage by 3pm that day”.
Read this report in full at BusinessTech

HOURS OF WORK / OVERTIME

Implementation of new overtime system for state doctors postponed for further talks
HeraldLive reports that a new policy designed to prevent state doctors from abusing the Department of Health’s overtime system has been put on hold.  Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said one of the reasons behind the proposed policy, which was meant to have come into operation at the beginning of January, was to curb the abuse of the existing system.  It would though have significantly reduced the overtime payments received by specialists working in the public sector.  The SA Medical Association (Sama) and the national Department of Health agreed to halt the policy’s implementation so it could be discussed further at national level.
Read this report by Estelle Ellis in full at HeraldLive

Confusion over overtime policy for state health workers
Daily News writes that the National Health Department could find itself in a crisis if all stakeholders do not reach an understanding on government’s proposed implementation of its new Commuted Overtime Policy.  The policy calls for employees to provide proof they worked overtime, and if they were called out, to provide evidence of the calls received.  There has been unhappiness about the policy since it was communicated to health practitioners early last year.  In a recent communication to its members, the SA Medical Association (Sama) “unequivocally” confirmed it did not agree with the proposed new policy.  Sama’s Dr Mzukisi Grootboom said there was confusion in the interpretation of the policy and he suggested that “we sit down and discuss the nitty-gritty we have identified.”  Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi recently lashed out at Sama after it claimed that the policy had been suspended and said last week that that was not the case.  Instead, the department would, for the next three months, be developing standard operating procedures.
Read this report by Chris Ndaliso in full at Daily News

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS

SA’s education system one of the worst in the world, says The Economist
News24 reports that international news publication, The Economist, has declared SA’s schools as among the most inept in the world.  The London-based publication reported on Friday that SA ranked 75th out of 76 in a ranking table of education systems drawn up by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2015.  Furthermore, in November a study into trends in international mathematics and science placed SA at or near the bottom of a variety of categories.  The publication suggested that some of the problems could be attributed to the inequality of resources during apartheid-era Bantu Education, as well as a lack of sufficient teacher training in certain subjects.  It also laid the blame on the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), saying that a report published in May 2016 indicated that "widespread" corruption and abuse was occurring.
Read this report in full at News24

DA, Sadtu clash over matric results
The Star reports that a war of words erupted between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) following last week’s release of the 2016 matric results.  The DA launched a scathing attack on Sadtu for poor performances in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).  The party’s basic education spokesperson Gavin Davies said:  “It is no coincidence that the worst-performing provinces in matric 2016 were those where Sadtu is most dominant.  The provincial education departments in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal were all found by the ministerial task team in its ‘jobs for cash’ report to have been captured by Sadtu.”  Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke rejected Davies’s views as those of an “arrogant white supremacist racist” who does not want to acknowledge the brutal legacy of apartheid in the provinces concerned.  On the “jobs for cash” allegations, Maluleke was firm that none of them had been proved in a court of law.  Professor Elias Mathipe of Unisa’s department of education said the DA was correct in raising issues of corruption, but should not blame Sadtu for some of the poor performances found in the three provinces as 2016 had been a peaceful schooling year “where Sadtu members did not disrupt learning like it was done in the past.”
Read this report by Khaya Koko in full in The Star of 6 January 2017.  See too, Matric results dispel 'DA lies', says teachers union Sadtu, at News24.  And also, Sadtu: Teachers doing something right, at EWN

The rich can afford to buy better education, says Vavi
The Citizen reports that Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of labour federation Cosatu, has taken to social media to air his views on the state of the country’s quality of education.  This came after the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) boasted a matric pass rate of 98.67% this year, up from the 98.30% in 2015.  Vavi said:  “The rich and upper middle class can afford to buy better education, security, health care whilst the poor contend with inferior services,” which was “the source and face of deepening inequalities”.  He blamed the ANC for allegedly failing to implement what it promised in 1994 and 2009 when it came to education.  Vavi was met with lots of criticism from his Twitter followers.
Read this report in full at The Citizen

Teacher unions in KZN urge Basic Education to tighten monitoring of matric exams
SABC News reports that the National Teacher's Union (Natu) and the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have called on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to tighten up the monitoring of matric examinations.  Last week, the SA Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) announced that four provinces, including KZN, had been implicated in group copying.  Natu Deputy President, Alan Thompson, said:  “We are not happy with the manner that they have utilised to address the issue of group copying  …  the unfortunate thing about this, is that it affects even the learners that were never part of any form of group copying but their schools were implicated.”  Meanwhile, Sadtu’s Deputy Provincial Secretary, Bheki Shandu, said the DBE should conduct thorough investigations and take drastic steps against offenders.
Read this report in full at SABC News

Pay maths teachers more, says education activist
The Citizen reports that education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on government to prioritise maths teachers in South Africa, saying that someone who teaches maths should not be paid the same as someone who teaches life orientation.  Writing on his Facebook page, he said:  “Mathematics teachers should be paid five times more than their current salary package on condition that they improve performance of [pupils] in 2018.  If they fail to improve [pupil] performance, then they should be returned to their original salaries.”  He went on to write:  Maths is a scarce skill subject.  If government wants maths teachers to do more, then they should pay them more.”  Makaneta also said South Africa needed a single, coordinated organisation of maths teachers to champion their interests.
Read this report in full at The Citizen

SA Qualifications Authority announces massive crackdown on false qualifications
BusinessLive reports that the SA Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has published a new policy framework for dealing with falsified or illegitimate qualifications.  This appears to be in response to a series of scandals involving high-profile people which has undermined the credibility of the country's qualifications controls.  The Draft National Policy on the Misrepresentation of Qualifications seeks to "define what is meant by misrepresented qualifications" and to "provide a framework for dealing with individuals and providers who misrepresent qualifications," according to SAQA CEO, Joe Samuels.  The policy proposes the establishment of a Register of Misrepresented Qualifications and Providers.  The private sector, the police and the department of justice would be involved in identifying culprits.  The authority will also crack down on institutions identified as "degree mills" that churn out certificates, diplomas and degrees with little or no substantive education process.
Read this report in full at BusinessLive.  See too, Plan to name and shame academic qualification fraudsters, at News24

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Teachers who failed Grade 3 exam await retest, at Cape Argus
-  Lack of qualifications, experience among teachers ‘a problem’, at EWN
-  ‘Probe maths teachers’ qualifications’, at HeraldLive

SKILLS / TRAINING

Vast shortage in SA of various artisans, says F4SD
ANA reports that the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) said on Tuesday that South Africa has a vast shortage of various artisans.  “We do not really need more lawyers.  Let us also include in our independent community curriculum basics of trades – plumbing, bricklaying and so on – so learners can see for themselves that these can be attractive jobs,” said Mbahare Kekana, the national convenor of the new North West-based political grouping.  Kekana also said allegations of marks adjustments surrounding the 2016 matric results were disheartening to the F4SD and he called for an urgent basic education imbizo.
Read this report in full at The Citizen

‘Transnet sold us false dreams with its Maritime School of Excellence’
amaBhungane writes that the Transnet Maritime School of Excellence is paraded in the media every year for its purported achievements in training young South Africans for skilled jobs in the maritime transport environment.  However, there are disturbing indications that this rosy picture of happy graduates masks a programme that is chaotic and poorly planned, and has not provided for the practical experience that is key to young recruits receiving qualifications that are worth anything.  In addition, there are persistent rumours of nepotism and corruption swirling around the institution.  The school, based in Durban but with satellite campuses in Richards Bay, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, was established by Transnet in 2013 to address the shortage of technical skills in the maritime sector.  Transnet announced an “investigation” late last year in response to detailed questions from amaBhungane, but has provided no indication of what kind of investigation is being done, when it began, who is conducting it and what its terms of reference might be.
Read this report by Sam Sole in at Daily Maverick

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Why matrics should not shun vocational training, at Fin24

RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUNDS

Hunter to appeal ruling that pension funds cancellation project not be further investigated
Netwerk24 reports that Rosemary Hunter, former deputy registrar of pension funds at the Financial Services Board (FSB), intends to appeal against the court ruling in her case relating to cancelled pension funds.  The High Court in Pretoria in December dismissed her application to require the FSB to conduct a thorough investigation into the cancellations of hundreds of dominant pension funds.  Her predecessor cancelled the funds in the period from 2006 to 2013.  They were regarded as “orphan funds” because they no longer had boards of trustees.  Some were empty funds with no assets and others were dormant funds that did have assets.  Hunter, the applicant in the case, argued that the funds were cancelled in an unlawful manner.  She originally brought the case to gain access to two reports on investigations into the cancellations after they were withheld from her by the FSB.  The judge criticised the withholding of the reports, but ruled that it was not within his powers to pronounce on the merits of the cancellations or to question the findings of the investigations as undertaken. (Loosely translated from Afrikaans)
Read this report by Nellie Brand-Jonker in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24

EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT / CORRUPTION / DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Drink-driving judge on suspension for 14 years fails to halt judicial investigation
ANA reports that Judge Nkola Motata, who was convicted of drunken driving in 2009, has failed in his latest bid to have the judicial conduct committee and tribunal established to investigate him declared unconstitutional.  He has been on special leave since April 2007 and it emerged last year Motata had been paid almost R14m since being placed on special leave.  In a judgment handed down by Judge Dhaya Pillay in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, Dhaya dismissed Motata’s application with costs.  Motata had sought to have the establishment of the Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC) and the subsequent Judicial Conduct Tribunal declared unconstitutional.  It was not immediately known if Motata would be appealing the ruling.
Read this report in full at The Citizen

Following successful court ruling, KZN top cop is back at work… for now
The Witness reports that KwaZulu-Natal’s top cop, Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, was back at work on Tuesday and determined to do her job.  This followed a successful court ruling earlier that day that overturned her suspension, effective since May last year, based on allegations of gross misconduct.  However the SA Police Service (SAPS) said they would be appealing the decision made by the court and that Ngobeni’s suspension would continue, pending the finalisation of the appeal process.  The police spokesperson indicated that Ngobeni’s attorney would be requested to inform his client not to return to work.  Ngobeni, however, returned to work on Tuesday almost immediately after the successful court ruling.  When asked about the police statement that he would be “requested to inform his client not to return to work”, Ngobeni’s lawyer, Ravindra Maniklall, said he had not spoken with the state attorneys.
Read this report by Chelsea Pieterse in full at News24

Naked search for missing cash at Sun City leaves female cleaners in tears
Sunday Times reports that three cleaners at Sun City claim they were made to strip naked after guests alleged that R6,000 had been stolen from their unit at the resort's Vacation Club apartments on New Year's Day.  A tearful Doreen Motaung, who has worked at the resort for 12 years with a clean record, said she felt humiliated and violated and added:  “I was forced to expose myself in front of a young [female] security guard who is almost the same age as my child."  She also said the quests verbally abused the three workers using racial slurs.  However, Sun City claims the women voluntarily undressed during a pat-down in privacy.  "[A strip-search] would have been contrary to Sun International's policy," said spokesman Michael Farr.  No money was found to be in the possession of the three ladies employees.  Farr indicated that an internal investigation was underway.
The original of this report by Mzilikazi Wa Afrika is on page 9 of Sunday Times of 8 January 2017.  A longer summary is at SA Labour News

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

NGOs call on Eastern Cape premier to release reports on sex-for-jobs scandal
SABC News reports that Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle is under pressure from NGOs to make public reports on the so-called sex-for-jobs investigation.  Earlier in 2016, the provincial government set up a committee to investigate sex-for-jobs allegations in the legislature and the local government department.  The investigation was initiated by Nehawu after its members reported the allegations to the union.  It is believed that the committee has concluded its work and the reports are now gathering dust.  The Masimanyane Women Support Centre and Khula Community Development Centre have expressed disappointment at the provincial government for dragging its feet in releasing the reports.  The two NGOs have called on Masualle to lead by example and release the reports.  Individuals fingered in the legislature report have taken the institution to court in a bid to stop it from making the report public.
Read this report by Mkahaya Komisa in full at SABC News

Nehawu to take action to secure release of Eastern Cape sex-for-jobs report
EWN reports that the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) in the Eastern Cape is threatening action against the provincial government if it doesn't release a sex-for- jobs inquiry report.  An independent investigation found some managers in the Eastern Cape legislature and in some government departments had made sexual advances on subordinates in exchange for jobs.  The probe, which started in 2014, came after at least 10 female interns admitted to having sex with senior officials to get their posts.  Nehawu’s provincial secretary, Miki Jaceni, said:  “We will use the legal route or any other form to get the report released, depending on what the workers want to do.”
This short report by Xolani Koyana is at EWN

OTHER REPORTS AND ISSUES

Domestic workers get piece of pie at Oceans Umhlanga development
BusinessLive reports that more than 460 domestic workers will own a portion of Durban’s exclusive R3.1bn Oceans Umhlanga development, thanks to the generosity of their wealthy employers.  The mixed-use development has been hailed as one of the largest investments in KwaZulu-Natal and construction is due to start in the next few months.  The project is set to create 15,000 direct and indirect jobs and will create 2,500 permanent jobs once it is completed.  During the launch, developers Vivian Reddy and Rob Alexander revealed that they had decided to buy their four domestic workers shares worth R10,000 each.  The gesture from the founders seems to have caught on with other well-heeled investors.  Since the launch, more than 460 other employers have decided to buy shares at the project for their domestic workers.
Read this report by Nce Mkhize in full at BusinessLive

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  I am not here for the money, I am here to serve, says award-winning cop, at News24



For daily reports, the following are among the sites routinely scanned:
Business Day, The Times, The Star, IOL News, The New Age, Sowetan, News24, The Citizen,
Fin24, Business Report, Moneyweb, Mail & Guardian, SANews.gov.za, Politicsweb, BizNews
Daily Maverick, Eyewitness News, Cosatu Today, Mining Weekly, Miningmx, Engineering News