15 Oct 2013

Environment & Conservation

Ramphele: Drop BEE

Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele has called for SA to abandon empowerment, which, she says, has not worked. A great many people would agree with her. She also said that under an Agang government, officials found guilty of corruption would be jailed for a minimum of 15 years. Do we hear calls of "More!" "More!"?

Our education system is generally considered by quite a few people to be in a shambles, so it's not surprising that it's bleeding teachers. According to Angie Motshekga, some 14,000 teachers left the education department in the 2012/13 financial year. Of these, 6,272 resigned. If one reads media reports of teachers being assaulted, disruptive pupils and what-have-you, the only real surprise is that there are not more teachers taking the gap and taking up less onerous jobs in which they will have the respect they deserve... from all quarters.

We need entrepreneurs here, but Canada plans to lure SA entrepreneurs to Canada with a Start-up Visa. So what are we going to do to keep our budding entrepreneurs and future employers here?

Come fly with me - but only if you have a bit of cash... Rob Baker (no relation, as you can see he's far better looking than I am) makes some points about what the role of a state-owned airline should be, and also, what the state should not do that might stifle competition.

Rod Baker, Content Director

Comment online in our ed's column archive. Go mobile with apps and m.bizcommunity.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. Subscribe to YouTube and via RSS. Send all your industry-specific news and event invitations to environmentalnews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-environmental@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com. Read "How to contribute to Biz, from op-ed pieces to news".



Weekly top stories

German policies to be reviewed by WWF SA
A group of international experts was recently mandated by Germany's Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel to undertake a peer review of the country's sustainable development policies. Valli Moosa, chairperson of WWF South Africa's board, was invited to be one of the key reviewers. Read more >>

Conservation
Kenya seizes four tons of ivory as elephant slaughter surges
NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenyan customs officers have seized almost four tons of elephant ivory in two separate shipments, officials said as Africa sees a surge in poaching of the threatened animals. Read more >>

C4C launces pilot project at schools
Investec Rhino Lifeline has partnered with Coaching for Conservation to engage with 13 disadvantaged primary schools in the Eastern Cape in a programme designed to raise awareness of the rhino crisis amongst learners. Read more >>

Revision of General Authorisations in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act
[Helen Dagut and Li-Fen Chien] On 6 September 2013, the Department of Environmental Affairs published a notice to revise certain General Authorisations under the National Water Act, 1998. Read more >>


Environmental management
Central database for rhino-related funders being finalised
The Department of Environmental Affairs has received more than 100 applications from non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations and individuals seeking registrations of their awareness raising projects and fundraising initiatives in the fight against rhino poaching. Read more >>


Renewable energy
Belgotex has Africa's largest rooftop solar plant
Belgotex Floorcoverings in Pietermarizburg has invested in the expertise of Sustainable Power Solutions to transform one of their roofs into Africa's largest industrial grid-tied solar plant. Read more >>


Sustainable development
Hartbeespoort becomes 'water desert'
Pollution from 2.7m people living in areas surrounding the Harbeespoort Dam is turning the dam into a "water desert". Read more >>

Silverton Primary honoured for recycling initiative
The Aerosol Manufacturers' Association (AMA) has honoured the Silverton Primary School in Pretoria for its contribution, passion and commitment to the Aerosol Recycling Initiative by awarding the school with the flagship Gold Can Award. Read more >>

GBCSA to launch new category for rating tools
The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) is set to launch a new PILOT Socio-Economic Category (SEC) for Green Star SA rating tools, which aims to recognise the socio-economic achievements of green building projects. Read more >>

Schools benefit from 'green' initiative
Liberty Properties and Aveng Grinaker-LTA have committed to provide a greener future for six primary schools to commemorate September as Arbor Month. The tree-planting initiative was based on a realisation that many schools have buildings in place but no trees to enhance the environment. Read more >>

Konica Minolta earns carbon neutral status
Konica Minolta South Africa has once again earned carbon neutral status by offsetting its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions for its 2013 financial year. The company has had a carbon neutral strategy since 2007. Read more >>


International

Google Street View helps identify alien species
PARIS, FRANCE: Google Street View can be a useful tool in the costly and time-consuming fight against invasive species, French biologists said on Thursday (10 October). Read more >>


More International


New events to diarise

Intro to Carbon Projects and Markets
Terra Firma Academy - 24 Oct 2013 to 5 Nov 2013 Cape Town,Johannesburg
Green Your Home/Guest House
Terra Firma Academy - 28 Oct 2013 to 19 Nov 2013 Cape Town,Johannesburg
Residential Eco Consultant
Terra Firma Academy - 28 Oct 2013 to 20 Nov 2013 Cape Town,Johannesburg
Residential Eco Consultant
Terra Firma Academy - 28 Oct 2013 to 20 Nov 2013 Cape Town,Johannesburg
Environmental Policy and Strategy Development
Terra Firma Academy - 5 Nov 2013 to 6 Nov 2013 Cape Town
Environmental Policy and Strategy Development
Terra Firma Academy - 5 Nov 2013 to 6 Nov 2013 Cape Town
Energy Management Basics
Terra Firma Academy - 12 Nov 2013 to 21 Nov 2013 Johannesburg,Cape Town
Energy Management Basics
Terra Firma Academy - 12 Nov 2013 to 21 Nov 2013 Johannesburg,Cape Town
Carbon Footprint Analyst
Terra Firma Academy - 13 Nov 2013 to 15 Nov 2013 Cape Town
Carbon Footprint Analyst
Terra Firma Academy - 13 Nov 2013 to 15 Nov 2013 Cape Town


Upcoming events

Viridis Africa-Clean Technology Investment Summit
Spindle Communications - 15 Oct 2013 to 16 Oct 2013 Johannesburg


All industry news


Marketing & Media

Medical

Retail

Government

Mining

CSI

Finance & Insurance

Agriculture, Horticulture & Forestry

Arts & Entertainment

Building & Construction

Human Resources & Recruitment

Legal

Manufacturing

Property & Real Estate

Security & Military

Education & Training

Tourism, Travel & Hospitality

IT & Telecommunications

Maritime & Fishing

Sport

Logistics

Science & Technology

Lifestyle

Automotive
PrintPrint any item in this newsletter. EmailEmail any item in this newsletter. CommentComment on any item in this newsletter.


Today's weather
Cpt

21°C
10°C
Jhb

27°C
10°C
PE

27°C
14°C
Dur

24°C
14°C
Bloem

31°C
6°C

Customise weather

Follow us


Industry sectors




Press releases: Distribute your news professionally to over 170 000 subscribers across various industries. Read more about our press offices.

Editorial: We welcome your news, views and comments! Email press releases, invitations, interview requests, and proposals to environmentalnews@bizcommunity.com and exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-environmental@bizcommunity.com.

Advertising: We welcome your sales enquiries! Email sales@bizcommunity.com and read more about our advertising rates.

Location: Cape Town (head office): tel +27 (0)21 680 3500 | 24 On Main, Main Street, Rosebank, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa. Johannesburg: tel +27 (0)11 513 4172 | Nicol Grove Office Park, Design Quarter, Leslie Avenue, Fourways, Gauteng, 2055.

Subscribe/unsubscribe: Invite your friends, colleagues, suppliers, customers and partners to subscribe!


© 2013 Bizcommunity.com. All rights reserved.
Bizcommunity.com, its sponsors, contributors and advertisers disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense that might arise from the use of, or reliance upon, the services contained herein.

Unsubscribe, Manage subscriptions. Subscribe. Change email address. Change frequency to DAILY.