Category: In The News

Headline inflation is projected at 4.8% in 2022 and 4.4% in 2023, National Treasury said on Wednesday. 

This is attributed to food and energy prices, especially municipal rates from rising electricity prices, high domestic food inflation and elevated fuel prices, which are expected to be the key sources of inflationary pressure in 2022.

“Fuel prices were up 40.4% in the year to December 2021 owing to higher global crude oil prices.

“Fuel prices are expected to ease during 2022, but [they] remain elevated and above the 2019 average price level.

“Global supply-demand imbalances triggered an acceleration in the price of raw materials and intermediate inputs, which will continue to put upward pressure on consumer inflation.

“Medium‐term risks to the inflation outlook are to the upside, primarily as a result of price pressures from food and non‐alcoholic beverages, along with petrol, energy and other administered prices.

“Although the forecast assumes 2022 and 2023 electricity prices rise in line with Eskom’s application for a tariff increase in 2022/23, there is a risk that electricity inflation may exceed the assumption due to increasing costs of ensuring electricity supply,” said Treasury in the Budget Review document.

Household consumption expected to grow by 2.5% in 2022.

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“We appeal urgently for an end to the dangerous geopolitical competition that has precipitated this crisis, for de-escalation and reduction of tensions, and for respect for international law and established national borders,” said Sauca. “We call for a return to dialogue and to the principles of the Minsk Agreements as a pathway to a peaceful resolution of the longstanding tensions and divisions in the region, within the framework of international law and commitments.”

Sauca added: “We plead again for consideration of the death and suffering that any armed conflict would inevitably visit on the children, women and men of Ukraine. And once again we pray that eyes of those driving the march to war may yet be opened, and that peace may yet prevail.”

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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Western Cape Agriculture says no other African Swine Fever (ASF) cases have been reported in Mossel Bay and George in the Southern Cape since January 2022.

The provincial Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinary Services officials estimated that about 370 pigs have died due to the disease in the two areas.

“The areas remain under quarantine, and local municipalities are assisting with the disposal of carcasses and disinfection,” Agriculture MEC, Ivan Meyer, said.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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Chakwera, who is also chair of the Southern African Development Community and an ordained minister and former president of the Assemblies of God in Malawi, received an overview of the WCC’s work, particularly the WCC programmes focused on the spiritual role of the WCC for unity, justice and peace through the theological work with Faith and Order, the Pilgrimage of Justice in Peace, Thursdays in Black, and human rights.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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According to The Conversation, there are two big challenges African countries face when it comes to managing public finances.
First, many lack fiscal capacity on account of structural weaknesses of their economies and gaps in tax administration.

Predominant informality of wage employment and reliance on subsistence agriculture in most countries make it difficult to raise revenue beyond consumption and border taxes.

Consequently, on average, African countries collect a mere 16.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in taxes.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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South Africa has recorded a 96.3% COVID-19 recovery rate, the Department of Health reported on Monday.

“The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 3 524 402 with a recovery rate of 96.3%,” the department said in a statement.

The latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 released by the department on Monday were 3 659 698, after 1 151 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours.
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According to The Conversation, English is only the sixth most common language spoken within households in South-Africa, but it’s dominant outside the home, including health and medical contexts.

Communicating information relating to health in South Africa requires careful consideration of the cultural context in which this information is to be received. Clinicians must think about this to enhance their relationship with patients and the patient experience.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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Public Service and Administration Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, says work is underway to “cautiously withdraw” the National State of Disaster in line with the risk adjusted strategy.

Dlodo said this when Ministers in the Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development (GSCID) cluster briefed the media to outline progress made in areas that the President mentioned in the State of the Nation Address.

“Work is afoot to cautiously withdraw the National State of Disaster in line with our risk adjusted strategy.

“We cannot let our guard down yet,. We need to improve our vaccination uptake to attain population immunity and continue to observe none-pharmaceutical health protocols,” she said on Monday.

The Minister said as the President said during the State of the Nation Address, the country is now in the phase of reconstruction and recovery following the devasting impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) will be held during the period 28 February to 2 March 2022, the theme of which is “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. UNEA is open to civil society organisations that are accredited and upon registration. 

Faith for Earth, in collaboration with a diverse group of faith organisations and leaders will be organising 25+ online dialogue sessions during the period 21 February – 4 March 2022. 

The Faith for Earth Dialogue is open to all stakeholders, demonstrating the power and potential of faith-based organisations and faith leaders in shaping the discussions at UNEA as well as engaging in policy dialogue with other stakeholders including governments, major groups, cities, businesses and other civil society organisations.

Register here https://t.co/iGdZZEc9nd @SAIGlobal @OrmondCenter @thriving_cities @PaRDSecretariat @religions4peace @WEAnews @weasc @weacreationcare @KlimateKam @EcoIslam_IFEES @bahutrustuk @UNHABITAT #faith4earth pic.twitter.com/KeGJoWiAN4

— Faith For Earth Initiative (@UNEPFaith4Earth) February 18, 2022

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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Police Minister Bheki Cele says there has been significant reductions in a number of crimes committed and reported to the police during the last three months of 2021.

Cele said police have recorded significant decreases in most of the crime categories for the quarter.

Releasing the crime statistics in Cape Town on Friday, Cele said there has been a significant reduction in crimes such as common robbery, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences.

He expressed concern however at murder, saying it remains worryingly stubborn.

In the three months of reporting, an 8.9% increase in murder was recorded.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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