Thursday, April 24th, 2025
11 out of 13 graduates secure jobs
Interns on their way
THE City of Cape Town has congratulated 11 Digital Internship Programme interns who have successfully secured permanent jobs with the City.
The internship programme was launched in February 2023 as part of the City’s Digital Transformation Programme. It attracted many students from Western Cape universities across various degrees, spanning Computer Science, Science, Engineering, Industrial Psychology and Physics degrees.
“I had the opportunity to meet six of the 11 interns during our International Women’s Day celebrations last month and wished them the best in their full-time careers with the City. The Graduate Internship Programme started with 13 interns and we ended up retaining 11,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Theresa Uys.
“There are many more exciting internship opportunities and graduate training programmes within the City. I encourage people to keep regular tabs on the City’s website, and scroll the ‘find a job’ page to view the latest advertisements, “ said Uys.
To qualify for a graduate internship, you must be in possession of a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification. Source: City of Cape Town
No increase on 1 May
Good news on VAT
THERE was some relief for South Africans on Thursday, 24 April 2025 when it was announced that the proposed 0.5% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) would be withdrawn.
The VAT increase was to be implemented from 1 May. According to the National Treasury, the decision to withdraw the increase follows “extensive consultations with political parties and careful consideration of the recommendations of the parliamentary committees”.
Treasury said the withdrawal is expected to create an estimated revenue shortfall of R75 billion over the medium term.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will withdraw when he introduces the Rates and Monetary Amounts and the Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (Rates Bill) to Parliament.
“The Minister has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to indicate that he is withdrawing the Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Bill, in order to propose expenditure adjustments to cover this shortfall in revenue.
“Parliament will be requested to adjust expenditure in a manner that ensures that the loss of revenue does not harm South Africa’s fiscal sustainability.”
The Western Cape Government has welcomed the withdrawal of the VAT increase.
“Our position on the matter has always been clear: We have significant budget pressures, especially in health, education and social services. However, funding should come from fast-tracking economic growth reforms, cutting wasteful expenditure and reprioritising spending – not an increase in VAT,” said Western Cape Minister of Finance, Deidré Baartman. Sources: SAnews.gov.za/westerncape.gov.za