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Your garage door plays a significant role in the security, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of your home. Whether you’re considering an upgrade or need regular maintenance, understanding the various types and services available is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore everything from selecting the right garage doors to ensuring they remain in top condition through …
On Tuesday, 13 August 2024, the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, met with community leaders and councillors of Ward 40 in Cape Town. The meeting focused on the Airport precinct informal settlements’ main site, which consists of the following areas: Kanana, Vukuzenzele, Barcelona, Europe, the Airport infills and New Rest. The meeting …
Government, business partnership begins to flourish
The government and business partnership to resolve South Africa’s challenges is beginning to bear fruit, although much more needs to be done.
This is according to a statement released by the Presidency and Business for South Africa.
The partnership between the two parties was established last year in a bid to work together to resolve the question of inclusive and economic growth.
The collaboration has targeted three areas for particular interest, including energy, transport and logistics, and crime and corruption.
PHOTOS | President Ramaphosa meets with business leaders at the Union Buildings
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Energy
In a joint statement following a meeting between government and business, which was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, the Presidency and Business for South Africa noted that the energy workstream, in particular, has achieved significant progress.
“The energy workstream was reported to have had the most impact, achieving a dramatic reduction in load shedding, in collaboration with Eskom (over 140 days without load shedding so far this year), and significant grid capacity recovery (with more than 6 gigawatts of new energy generation added) through investment in additional technical support and capacitation from 57 companies investing over 9 000 hours at five power stations. The energy availability factor is currently tracking above 60% vs 54% in 2023.
READ | A further 2 500MW expected back 'by the end of August'
“However, we still face multiple challenges, including rapidly rising electricity costs, unsustainable municipal utilities, complex market reform, a constrained grid with delayed expansion, and stalling investment in new generation.
“Significant investment will be required for the energy sector reform over the next five to 10 years, and there was strong consensus that it is critical to pave the way now to address the challenges.
"Business, Eskom and the Presidency have agreed that the priorities of the National Energy Crisis Committee should include a focus on transmission, market reform, municipal utilities and new energy generation,” the statement read.
WATCH | Government, business meet with the President
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Transport and logistics
In the statement, the two parties acknowledged that although the two workstreams have recorded successes, this was not “as quickly or extensively as anticipated”.
“Business has provided significant technical support and resources to Transnet Freight Rail, including procurement and operations expertise, and port maintenance support for Transnet Port Terminals. The Transnet Board and management team are making progress in implementing the Transnet recovery plan.
“Despite the significant efforts by the partners, there is broad acknowledgment that Transnet requires substantial interventions to improve performance to meet the needs of its customers and the market demand necessary for sustainable economic growth,” the statement read.
READ | Transnet forging ahead with reforms
An agreement was reached to move quickly to implement reforms and meet Freight Logistics Roadmap deadlines.
“The meeting agreed that the rapid implementation of structural reforms and strict adherence to the Freight Logistics Roadmap deadlines are crucial to facilitate the participation of and investment by the private sector to help address our national logistics challenges.
“This is crucial to ensure that our commodities and manufactured products can be competitively sold into the local market and exported to meet demand. Resolving these issues will promote job retention and job creation,” the joint statement said.
Crime and corruption
Critical to South Africa’s growth and investment prospects is removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
When the FATF grey listed South Africa at its February 2023 Plenary meetings, it adopted a jointly agreed Action Plan containing 22 Action Items linked to the eight strategic deficiencies identified in the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and the Combating of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.
READ | SA continues work to exit grey list
The joint statement said the meeting agreed that an “immediate joint imperative" is to support South Africa’s removal from the list.
“Key to this is demonstrating the law enforcement agencies’ intent and ability to successfully prosecute complex crime and corruption cases, and recover assets. Business is providing specialised skills at arm’s length to support this objective.
"The promulgation of the NPA Amendment Act is key to bolstering the ability of the IDAC [Investigating Directorate Against Corruption] to effectively deliver on its mandate,” the statement said.
On job creation, the meeting acknowledged that growing the economy is imperative to facilitate employment opportunities.
“For now, unlocking a few key policy, regulatory and funding bottlenecks could accelerate existing short-term interventions across four areas, including new work opportunities in tourism and global business services; skilling that creates new jobs (particularly in digital skills); providing additional public sector first loss funding to crowd in private sector capital to increase affordable debt available for SMMEs, and institutionalising, expanding and strengthening the SAYouth platform to facilitate access to opportunities for young people,” the joint statement said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:00
Carte Blanche, this past Sunday, covered the NHLS cyber-attack. This attack highlights the continued threat to South Africa, it’s businesses and institutions – with our country being one of the most targeted for cyber-attacks in the world. Graeme Millar, MD of SevenC, a home-grown South African Managed IT Services company highlights the best practices for …
Dear Editor Today, the release by StatsSA of the unemployment figures places unemployment at 33.5%. It is not a statistic; it is a crisis and a shame. It embodies an attack on the dignity of our people and a destruction of their potential. We need to overcome this challenge, and we are determined to do …
Springboks Lukhanyo Am (centre), Marco van Staden (flanker), Elrigh Louw (No 8), and Ruan Nortje (lock) hosted a media conference in Perth on Wednesday in the build-up to Saturday’s second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium.
World Rugby has announced a reimagination of the qualification process for the men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027, the first event to feature 24 nations. With the core principle of qualifying on merit and simplifying the process for fans and teams, the new process opens new avenues for more teams to reach the pinnacle of …
With heavy underfoot conditions expected in Paarl on Friday, the SA Under-18s are under no illusion that a tough challenge awaits them when they face Ireland in their first outing of the 2024 U18 International Rugby Series. The match, which will take place at Paarl Gimnasium, kicks off at 15h30 and will be broadcast live …
Continued collaboration key to addressing challenges
Government and business have recommitted to working together to resolve some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges.
On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with members of his Cabinet, held a meeting with senior business leaders and technical experts from government and business to discuss a new era of collaboration for a partnership launched over a year ago to address barriers to growth in South Africa.
President Ramaphosa said since last year when the partnership was established, much progress has been recorded in key areas, including electricity and rail and ports.
“The Government of National Unity has reaffirmed its commitment to urgently implement the reform agenda started by the sixth administration, and to restore confidence and sentiment -- essential drivers of investment, inclusive economic growth, and job creation.
“We have reaffirmed our commitment to a dynamic partnership between government and business to foster South Africa's economic growth and social advancement. Since the start of the partnership just over a year ago, we have made substantial progress towards stabilising the energy sector, improving the performance of our rail and port systems, and strengthening the fight against crime and corruption,” the President said.
The President expressed optimism that in partnership, government and business can navigate the country’s most pressing challenges successfully.
“As we move forward with this partnership, we will intensify our work to address these pressing issues and expand our efforts to drive employment creation. We know that the challenges ahead are formidable. But with our continued partnership, we are well equipped to navigate these complexities and contribute to sustainable growth for South Africa," said President Ramaphosa.
Chair of the Business for South Africa (B4SA) Steering Committee, Martin Kingston, said: “This is a model of collaboration that has shown its merit and is fit for purpose to drive accelerated growth and jobs in the seventh administration.
"Over the last year, significant progress has been made and impact has been achieved. While it has not been as swift or extensive as we would have liked, it has gifted us with a blueprint for success in a new era with the GNU. We are keen that the reforms are implemented with urgency. We are very optimistic about the next phase of the partnership.”
Co-convenor of the business delegation, Adrian Gore, said he expects that continued momentum in the partnership will bring the desired level of economic growth needed in South Africa.
“We welcome President Ramaphosa’s commitment to a new era of partnership at a critical inflection point for the country. In the first phase of our partnership, over 130 CEOs pledged support and business invested more than R260 million and mobilised over 350 experts across the three focal areas.
“This has contributed to the excellent progress made, with the reduction in load shedding being the most visible and pronounced achievement. Continued momentum could mean we are able to achieve 3% - 5% GDP growth by 2030. We will be launching Phase 2 of our partnership with this ambition in mind,” Gore said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:01
31 July, Johannesburg – Austell Pharmaceuticals has recently announced the launch of its latest product, Tasectan Duo, an innovative solution for the treatment of diarrhoea. This first-of-its-kind treatment in South Africa brings together the clinically proven anti-diarrhoeal effects of Tasectan with the balancing power of probiotics, creating a combined solution to a common but serious …
Despite DNA tests, Home Affairs refused to issue birth certificate to single dad’s son
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, has noted with shock the death of several learners in Gauteng yesterday.
She said: “This is indeed incredibly sad such young lives, dying so tragically. They will now never reach their full potential. The youth is the future, but South Africa will now never benefit from these young people.”
Ms Maimela was reacting to media reports that three Sebokeng's Evaton Primary School learners, two of them were siblings got sick at school and were taken to a nearby health facility. They were declared dead on arrival at hospital and food poison is alleged as the cause of their death.
In a separate incident a Grade 8 learner from Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni died yesterday after she allegedly consumed rat poison. “We want to appeal to all learners to seek help if they feel overwhelmed. Schools normally have support systems in place and learners should make use of this,” said Ms Maimela.
Ms Maimela appealed to parents and care givers to be vigilant, especially during examinations periods with the nearing Grade 12 preliminary and final examinations. She called for a favourable atmosphere of study for learners at this time.
Ms Maimela also noted that the body of a Grade 10 learner was found in the storeroom late last week at the Overberg High School in Caledon, Western Cape. “This learner was sent to school in what is supposed to be a safe environment. Now her parents and loved ones will never see her thrive in life.”
She appealed to the authorities for greater safety in schools. “Furthermore, we appeal to the police for swift investigations and to ensure that they leave no stone unturned.”
The committee also noted several road accidents in recent weeks where learners lost their lives. Ms Maimela appealed to the providers of scholar transport, public transport owners to screen drivers before hiring them to ensure they are trustworthy for transporting learners. “Sadly, we are losing too many learners on our roads,” said Ms Maimela.
She added: “We want to convey our sincerest condolences to all the families, friends and school communities at large that have been affected by these tragedies.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Mens finalists © Zane De Lange Victoria Bay: In an exciting finish to the 59th SA Surfing Championships, Anastasia Venter is the new Women’s Champion, and defending Men’s Champion Tom Lindhorst retains his title. Buffalo City wins the coveted President’s Cup, and Tyrell Johnson wins the Surfer Of The Contest Award Women’s Finalists © Zane …
JOHANNESBURG: White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today named the 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International (T20I) series...
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.
This declaration, under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes, empowers the organization to lead and coordinate responses to significant health emergencies. The statute mandates Africa CDC to “coordinate and support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared PHECS or Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as well as health promotion and disease prevention through health systems strengthening, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, environmental health, and Neglected Tropical Diseases.”
The declaration will enable the mobilization of resources across affected countries, unlocking essential funding, strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), boosting surveillance and laboratory testing efforts, and enhancing human resource capacities to respond effectively to Mpox through a One Health approach.
Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya emphasized the urgency of swift and decisive action: “Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilize our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act—swiftly and decisively. This empowers us to forge new partnerships, strengthen our health systems, educate our communities, and deliver life-saving interventions where they are needed most. There is no need for travel restrictions at this time.”
At least 13 African countries, including previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported Mpox outbreaks. So far in 2024, these countries have confirmed 2,863 cases and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7,146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023. This is just the tip of the iceberg when we consider the many weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing and contact tracing.
Dr. Kaseya underscored the gravity of the situation stating “This is not just another challenge; it's a crisis that demands our collective action. Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statutes mandates us to lead and coordinate the response when there is a declaration of a public health emergency of international concern.”
From May 2022 to July 2023, Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO. However, Africa did not receive the support it urgently needed during this period. As global cases began to decline, the escalating numbers in Africa were largely ignored. Dr. Kaseya emphasized the need for a change in approach: “We urge our international partners to seize this moment to act differently and collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide the necessary support to our Member States.”
He continued, appealing to global partners: “We call on you to stand with us in this critical hour. Africa has long been on the frontlines in the fight against infectious diseases, often with limited resources. The battle against Mpox demands a global response. We need your support, expertise, and solidarity. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis.”
He explained that the emergency declaration follows wide consultations, including a unanimous decision by the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, head of CAPRISA, an AIDS research program based in Durban, South Africa.
Prof. Karim highlighted that limited surveillance and evidence suggest the situation could be more severe than currently understood. “The number of cases has significantly increased compared to 2022 when WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency. It's clear that we're facing a different scenario with far more cases, resulting in a higher burden of illness,” he said. He also raised concerns about the rising fatalities, particularly the potential link between HIV and Mpox. “Our concern is that we may be seeing more fatalities in Africa due to the association with HIV,” he noted.
Cross-border transmission to previously unaffected countries was also a concern, prompting the ECG to urge the strategic distribution of the limited vaccines available. The lack of diagnostic capabilities was identified as a critical issue requiring urgent attention, and the ECG encouraged the development of response plans, promising to provide input and support.
To address the Mpox outbreak in Africa, Africa CDC has set up a 25-member Incident Management Team based at the epicenter of the Mpox epidemic with mandate to support affected and at-risk countries. Africa CDC has also signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and Bavarian Nordic to provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine—the only FDA and EMA-approved Mpox vaccine. Africa CDC will oversee the equitable distribution of these vaccines, prioritizing local needs across the affected Member States.
MPOX SYMPTOMS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, with two distinct clades: Clade I and Clade II. Common symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting 2–4 weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infectious person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) made a significant step forward in enhancing aviation's role as a catalyst for sustainable development in Africa. During the AFI Week held in Gabon, ICAO signed four pivotal capacity building and implementation support agreements with Member States, each aimed at strengthening their aviation sectors and alignment with international standards.
Gabon's Agence Nationale de l'Aviation Civile entered into a Management Service Agreement (MSA) with ICAO. This comprehensive agreement will provide Gabon with access to ICAO's expertise, project management and procurement services, and customized training packages. A key focus of this collaboration is the potential development of a Civil Aviation Master Plan, which will chart the strategic growth of Gabon's aviation sector, ensuring efficient, safe, and sustainable development of infrastructure and services.
Chad's Autorité de l'Aviation Civile partnered with ICAO for a preliminary assessment of training needs. This crucial project will evaluate the technical and general skills of ADAC's staff responsible for overseeing civil aviation safety and security. By optimizing human resources, Chad aims to significantly enhance the operational efficiency of its civil aviation authority.
Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority and ICAO agreed to develop a comprehensive 15-year Air Navigation Plan. This strategic framework will not only guide the implementation of air navigation services and infrastructure but also ensure Uganda's alignment with international aviation standards, in order to facilitate a safer, more efficient, and higher capacity air navigation system for the East African nation.
South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority signed a Declaration of Intent to host the next Global Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Summit. Set for February 2025 in Johannesburg, this summit highlights South Africa's commitment to nurturing the future leaders of the aviation industry.
These agreements represent ICAO's commitment to supporting African Member States in developing sustainable aviation sectors. By focusing on areas such as strategic planning, human resource development, and infrastructure enhancement, these initiatives are set to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and capacity across the continent.
The collaborative efforts between ICAO and these African states are expected to yield significant benefits, not only for the aviation sector but also for the broader economy. As aviation acts as a multiplier for economic growth, these agreements are poised to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, improve connectivity, and foster economic opportunities in the region.
As these projects unfold, they will serve as examples of how targeted ICAO support and collaboration in the aviation sector can drive sustainable development and economic growth in Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In an update, the WHO said that an outbreak of mpox was declared in Burundi on 25 July, at around the same time that Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda also confirmed their own cases.
The UN health agency noted that all of these infections – where patients' symptoms included fever, joint pain and a widespread rash - were linked to the “expanding outbreak” in East and Central Africa.
Later in the day, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) officially declared the situation a public health emergency voicing concern over the speed of its spread in the past few weeks.
Every infection was identified after genetic sequencing as clade Ib – one of three recognized variants of the virus, explained WHO, which added that 934 new laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox and four deaths had been reported to the UN health agency from 26 countries in June.
This indicated “continuing transmission of mpox across the world”, it noted.
Endemic problem
Mpox been circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for years, according to the UN health agency, which said that there has been an “unprecedented increase” in the number of countries in Africa reporting mpox, which is mainly spread through sexual contact.
Within the African Region, the WHO said that the DRC reported 96 per cent of the confirmed mpox cases in June. But with limited access to testing in rural areas, less than one quarter of suspected cases there have been tested, so it is very likely that the disease burden is higher than initial estimates.
Data indicates that the DRC has been experiencing “a severe outbreak” of mpox since the beginning of the year, with more than 14,000 cases and 511 deaths reported, the UN health agency said.
Transmission focus
In a related development, WHO said that Côte d'Ivoire is also experiencing an outbreak of mpox, clade II; this was the variant that was responsible for the global mpox outbreak in 2022, the UN health agency said, adding that South Africa has reported two more confirmed cases.
Mpox – formerly monkeypox - is endemic in Central and West Africa. It can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated materials. Symptoms include skin rash or lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
World trends
Globally, the most affected region in June was Africa with 567 cases of infection, followed by the Americas (175 cases), Europe – excluding the Eastern Mediterranean region - (100 cases), Western Pacific (81 cases) and South-East Asia (11 cases).
From 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2024, a total of 99,176 laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox - including 208 deaths – have been reported to the UN health agency from 116 countries in all WHO regions. Apart from Africa, “the outbreak continues at a low level of transmission” globally, WHO said.
Data for June showed that 16 out of 26 reporting countries showed an increase in cases compared to May. DR Congo reported the highest increase in Africa – with 543 cases in June compared to 459 a month earlier (up 62 per cent) while Spain saw the highest increase in Europe (54 cases, up from 38 in May), Colombia reported the highest increase in the Americas with 11 cases in June and none in May, Australia had the highest increase in the Western Pacific (from 33 cases in May to 64 in June). No country reported an increase in South-East Asia.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Atlanta Phambili – “forward” in Zulu and Xhosa – is a subnational diplomacy initiative which seeks to deepen bilateral ties between the United States and South Africa through City of Atlanta's educational and research institutions, Diaspora connections, creatives industry, and economic dynamism. The initiative is a joint effort by the U.S. Mission in South Africa and the government of South Africa.
In March 2024, the U.S. Mission launched Atlanta Phambili with a four-day trade and investment-focused roadshow in Atlanta co-hosted by Prosper Africa. The roadshow included events hosted in partnership with Spelman College, Georgia Tech, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others. The delegation had the opportunity to meet with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young. The South African delegation included senior business executives and government officials. The U.S. government delegation included U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben E. Brigety, Prosper Africa Coordinator British Robinson, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, United States Export-Import Bank Chair Reta Jo Lewis, and United States Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh Ebong. During the Georgia Tech Hosted Atlanta Phambili Trade & Innovation Forum on March 27, USAID Deputy Administrator Coleman announced the launch of the Africa Trade Desk, an exciting new program to connect African products with large U.S. retailer buyers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy & Consulates in South Africa.
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Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule a beacon of hope: KZN Premier
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of seasoned radio personality and businesswoman, Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule.
She passed away on Monday after a battle with lung cancer.
Ntuli described Mbokazi-Nkambule as a pioneer of the arts and a respected radio journalist who used her platform to inspire hope.
“Zanele Mbokazi was a pioneer and touched the lives of many. She was a media personality, but many will recall that she was the founder of the Crown Gospel Awards, which are often referred to as the ‘Grammys of gospel music in South Africa’ since their inception in 2007,” Ntuli said.
“Through her show ‘Eshilo’ which was broadcast every Sunday morning from 9am to 12pm, she connected with people on a personal level, making each one feel seen and heard. Her passion for radio and commitment to providing quality content made her an irreplaceable part of our community, and her absence will be deeply felt.”
READ | Government pays tribute to Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule
For dedicating her life to uplift others by spreading messages of hope, faith, and resilience, Ntuli said Mbokazi-Nkambule deserves to be applauded.
“Her contribution, by promoting gospel music talent from KZN and beyond, through the Crown Gospel Awards certainly changed many people’s lives and fortunes. Her legacy continues to be celebrated in KZN and across South Africa,” Ntuli said.
The Premier added that they had every hope that Mbokazi-Nkambule was going to recover from her illness because she was not “merely a presenter, she was a beacon of hope and inspiration in the broadcasting industry.”
EThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cyril Xaba, has also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of Mbokazi-Nkambule.
“Amongst her many great accomplishments, we will remember her mostly through her contribution to uplifting the creative industry,” Xaba said.
Born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the 52-year-old Mbokazi-Nkambule spent most of her life in the province, where she grew in prominence in radio and in the South African gospel music industry.
She was the founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards, which honoured excelling talent in the gospel music genre. SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 08/13/2024 - 10:54
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has completed and inaugurated the Hamidiye Mosque Ornamentation Project in Johannesburg, South Africa. The project aims to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and the South African Muslim community.
The Hamidiye Mosque, built in the mid-19th century, holds historical significance as the site where Mahatma Gandhi launched the civil disobedience movement with the pass burning in 1908. In 1980, the mosque was designated as a cultural heritage site and was renovated by TİKA at the request of Jamiatul Ulama. As part of the project, the mosque's main ceiling was adorned with the Surahs of Al-Fath and Al-Fatiha, while the women's prayer space was decorated with traditional Turkish motifs. Sultan Abdulhamid II's tughra was placed at the entrance of the mosque.
Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks; Turkish Ambassador to South Africa, Ayşegül Kandaş; TİKA's Coordinator in Pretoria, Abdulkadir Abukan; Jamiatul Ulama Secretary General and Hamidiye Mosque Imam, Ebrahim Bham; Muslim MPs, diplomats and representatives from NGOs attended the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Kandaş highlighted the significance of collaborating with the South African Muslim community and underscored the value of TİKA's projects in South Africa.
Hendricks expressed his gratitude to TİKA for the mosque's ornamentation project and shared his family's historical connection to the mosque. He noted that his great-grandfather was one of the founding members and had organized a fundraising meeting in front of the mosque during the Tripoli War to support the Ottoman Empire.
TİKA's Coordinator in Pretoria Abukan stated that TİKA will continue its efforts to preserve shared heritage in South Africa and strengthen existing connections.
Mr. Bham, Secretary General of Jamiatul Ulama and Imam of Hamidiye Mosque, referred to the congratulatory and welcome letter presented by the mosque community to Ottoman Consul General Mehmet Remzi Bey. He emphasized that the mosque has been a symbol of shared heritage for Turkish and South African Muslims since its establishment.
During the opening ceremony, Islamic calligraphy artist Refik Çarıkçı introduced the project to the guests and demonstrated calligraphy techniques.
This project is viewed as a significant step in strengthening the ties between Türkiye and the South African Muslim community, preserving shared cultural heritage and advancing diplomatic relations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
Eskom reduces diesel spend by R9bn
Eskom has recorded a reduction of some R9 billion in diesel expenditure from 1 April 2024 to 7 August 2024, compared to the same period last year.
This as the power utility has kept load shedding at bay for more than 135 days and reduced reliance on Open Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), which use diesel to generate energy.
During a media briefing on Monday, the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, explained that because of Eskom’s sustained Energy Availability Factor (EAF), spending on the fuel has decreased significantly.
“If your EAF is up, it means that you are less reliant on the Open Cycle Gas Turbines. So you are burning less and less diesel. Since the beginning of the financial year, we have brought down the use of diesel by 73%. So we have saved about R9.6 billion compared to the same period last year. That’s significant.
“It’s good for Eskom’s own balance sheet and its liquidity. We can reinvest this money back into the people and into the [generating] units so that we can continue to see the kind of phenomenal improvements that we have been seeing and we can stave off load shedding,” he said.
The Minister expressed optimism that Eskom is moving towards a reality where OCGTs are only used “as and when we need them”.
“The amount of time that we have been calling on [the OCGTs], since the 1st of April, averages about 4%. If you look at the same period last year, we were using them about 20.6% of the time. "
He said the performance of Eskom is an indication that the Energy Action Plan announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022 is producing tangible fruit.
“We are really optimistic about the situation. The net picture confirms that we are on a good path… It confirms the efficacious nature of our intervention. It’s giving us the kind of results that are desirable and most households can see that,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 08/13/2024 - 11:08