By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says Cabinet is pleased with the country’s vaccination rollout programme, which is seeing one million people inoculated every three days in both the public and private health sectors.
Ntshavheni was updating the nation on Thursday on decisions of the Cabinet meeting held yesterday.
To date, the Minister said over eight million South Africans have been vaccinated.
“At the current pace, the President should soon announce a revised target date for the country to reach population immunity,” she said, emphasising that “vaccination remains the country’s most effective weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“People can now go to any vaccination site with their identity documents, even without an appointment, to be registered and vaccinated.”
The Executive welcomed the donation of 5.6 million Pfizer shots by the United States, with the first batch having landed on Saturday.
“This will ensure an adequate supply of vaccines to intensify our vaccination rollout programme,” Ntshavheni said.
The Minister thanked the over 35-year-old age group, who have been visiting inoculation centres to receive their life-saving vaccination.
“We’re looking forward to reaching 10 million by early next week,” she said.
On 1 September, registration for those aged between 18 and 34 will open.
Cabinet has also noted the significant decline in new infections in South Africa after the country officially surpassed the peak of the third wave.
However, four provinces — the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and Western Cape (which recently passed the peak of the third wave) — have been recording increases in daily new infection rates.
“Cabinet reiterates its call to all people in South Africa to continue adhering to the prevention protocols of masking up, washing up, maintaining a 1.5-metre social distance, and avoiding large gatherings,” Ntshavheni said.
Reopening of schools
Cabinet has welcomed the smooth reopening of schools and the return of all primary pupils to daily classes.
“Cabinet urged all schools to continue to work within the established COVID-19 health protocols. The return of all primary pupils is in the best interests of the child, and it will help to recover the learning time that was lost during the hard national lockdown,” the Minister said.
Cabinet approves release of high-level NSFAS report:
Cabinet has approved the release of the report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee into the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The committee was appointed in May 2020 to look into the business processes, systems and capacity of the NSFAS to deliver on its mandate, acting Minister in the Presidency Ntshavheni, said on Thursday.
“The investigation focused on the root causes of the problems experienced by NSFAS and the implementation of the new bursary scheme since 2018. The enquiry provided valuable recommendations towards improving the operations of NSFAS.
“Cabinet appreciated that some of these recommendations have already been implemented,” she said at a media briefing.
The report can be accessed through the Department of Higher Education and Training website on www.dhet.gov.za.
Cabinet rejects Israel’s AU observer status:
Cabinet has described as unjust and unilateral the decision the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to grant Israel observer status in the African Union (AU).
“The AU is the legitimate representative of all African member States that should be consulted on such decisions,” said Acting Minister in the Presidency Ntshavheni, on Thursday.
The Minister was updating the nation on decisions of the Cabinet meeting held yesterday.
According to Cabinet, the AU embodies the aspirations of all Africans and carries the mark of confidence in its leadership of the African peoples.
“Therefore, it should endeavour to take decisions which are not in conflict with the principles of the AU Charter,” Ntshavheni said.
The Executive believes that the continued occupation of Palestine by Israel remains totally “unjust and shameful”, and takes away the human rights of Palestinians.
“This unilateral decision follows the recent unjust attacks on innocent Palestinians by the Israelis in East Jerusalem and Gaza,” Ntshavheni said.
Israel obtained observer status at the AU last month, which it has been demanding for years and seen as a diplomatic win for the Jewish State.
Israel, which has relations with 46 of the AU member States, enjoyed observer status with the Organisation of African Unity until 2002 when the organisation dissolved itself and became the AU.
Cabinet approves tourism norms and standards:
Cabinet has approved the Norms and Standards for the safe operations of the tourism sector in the context of COVID-19 and other related pandemics.
The announcement was made on Thursday by acting Minister in the Presidency Ntshavheni, following this week’s Cabinet meeting.
“The norms and standards provide common minimum health and safety measures that will ensure uniformity across the tourism sector. They will cover services such as accommodation, food, tour operators, casinos, weddings and other related activities,” she said.
South Africa, the Minister said, is now on par with international markets, and this will enable the sector to fully open for international tourist arrivals.