The Department of Labour’s inspectors have embarked on a week-long inspection blitz targeting the farming industry in the Free State. According to the department, the inspectors will be checking labour law compliance. Besides enforcing labour laws, inspectors will also promote sound labour relations and provide information and advice on labour laws to employers and workers.

The revised Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) has been gazetted, reconciling the act which governs the evaluation and awarding of tenders with the principles of the BEE codes of good practice. This is hoped to put a stop to tenderpreneurs and give the fight against fronting renewed fervour.

Democracy, de-regulation and digitisation across Africa has helped to create a more attractive environment for foreign investments and Africa is positioning herself to be the next new frontier says businessman Foluso Phillips.

'Great workplace performance becomes a reality when we hire people who are able to do what is necessary and who have a positive attitude towards doing it.' Attibility is a term coined by South African entrepreneur Andre Grobler to describe employees who have the ability and willingness to perform.

This week Ivan Israelstam asks: What can be worse for an employer than being taken to the CCMA? Perhaps it is finding that too many CCMA commissioners are incompetent and that, at the same time, you have a poor understanding of the law that the CCMA applies. This is a double peril because, if the employee has a competent legal representative he/she will be able to tie both you and the commissioner in knots merely due to your ignorance and incompetence.

For years, teaching at public schools has been compromised by the late or non-delivery of textbooks and the delays in the supply of essential teaching aids. Now, the Department of Basic Educaiton has set aside R4.4 billion for the development of textbooks and has put risk management plans in place to ensure that the process is concluded in time.

If you are struggling to derive value from Enterprise Resource Planning systems an innovative service known as the Pulse Measurement which is an interview-based diagnostic intervention helps uncover problem areas and provide solutions.

As part of their skills development programme directed at the SME sector many of the Setas have introduced the voucher project which allows SMMEs to apply online to their specific Seta and request funding in order to train employees on selected skills programmes.

Through it Kiss Malaria Goodbye campaign Medecins san Frontieres aims to inform the South African public about the improved and affordable treatment options availablel.

If there is one area in which training providers sometimes cheat their clients and learners (not necessarily the same) then it is in time spent on learning and assessment.

How do you sell training in industries that think it is not crucial? The reason behind my question is that there is a perception that training is not so crucial, especially in the IT industry.

Teryl Schroen, Accsys CEO, defines mentorship and shares the benefits of using this method of facilitation to enhance skills development in the workplace.

A new course titled 'Constant improvement and respect, ingredients for durable success' talks about the lean leadership philosophy Toyota long ago adopted, which has helped them to bounce back from many disasters. This leadership philosophy is now being taught by the UCT GSB.

Progressive remedial action rather than 'discipline' is required in the workplace and employers should aim to implement corrrective procedures that include counselling or verbal warnings where possible says Des Squire.

Virtual elimination of paediatric HIV could be possible by 2015, with intensified effort, says South African Medical Research Council (MRC) researcher, Dr Ameena Goga. The study results from a national survey, conducted between June to December 2010, to evaluate the effectiveness of the South African Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme at six weeks after birth.

Mpumalanga’s matric pupils are in for a warm treat following an R8 million budget to finance winter school programmes during the upcoming school holidays. Provincial department spokesman Jasper Zwane issued a statement detailing the plans of education MEC Reginah Mhaule, including that the winter school classes will be compulsory for all schools that performed below 30%, and scholar transport and nutrition will be provided for all pupils attending the winter school programme.

Collins Chabane, the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has announced that government is piloting a Performance Monitoring System, which will be used to measure the state of national and provincial departments, and municipalities, and service delivery. The tool has been modelled on international experience and is being adapted to local conditions.

Human Resource departments are challenged to comply with new business legislation while still maintaining excellent levels of employee productivity and customer service, Majuda Software SA offers turnkey voice logging solutions that address legal compliance issues and also enable effective call centre agent evaluation and employee quality monitoring.

American television host, actress, producer and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey, will visit the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein campus at the end of June. UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader confirmed that the richest African American of the 20th century will be visiting the Bloemfontein campus, but declined to give more details about the visit.