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Introduction: In the realms of childhood imagination, few structures hold as much enchantment and wonder as the Wendy house. These miniature playhouses, named after Wendy Darling from J.M. Barrie’s famous play “Peter Pan,” have been a staple in gardens and playrooms, offering a magical retreat for children. The Wendy house is not just a plaything; it’s …
Padel tennis, a sport that has been gaining immense popularity worldwide, is now making significant strides in South Africa. This racquet sport, often described as a hybrid of tennis and squash, has captured the interest of sports enthusiasts across the nation. With the emergence of dedicated padel clubs and a growing market for padel rackets, …
In an era of rapid technological change, software development companies are not just participants but pioneers, shaping the digital landscape. They blend cutting-edge technology training and development with the implementation of sophisticated cloud-based solutions, playing a vital role in digital transformation across industries. These companies offer a wide range of services, from cloud computing and data intelligence …
Work underway to return units affected by boiler tube leaks
Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says teams are working around the clock to return to service the units that have contributed to load shedding being intensified to stage 6.
Giving an update on the performance of the grid following the escalated levels of load shedding, Ramokgopa on Sunday said boiler tube leaks at nine units contributed to the load shedding being bumped up to stage 6.
Ramokgopa said from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 4 400 megawatts were taken off the grid.
“Eskom management has taken a decision, having identified boiler tube leaks as a major area of concern that undermines the availability of these units, to work directly with the original equipment manufacturers, so that they do not go through the middleman. They are engaging with the people who had designed these units.
“The people who know the DNA of these units are the ones who are assigned the responsibility to deal with this, so that we are able to do a proper root cause analysis, and be able to diagnose and then provide a prognosis, and return these units to service at the quickest possible period of time, having taken into account all safety concerns,” Ramokgopa said.
The power stations whose units had contributed to the 4 400 megawatts include Lethabo, Matimba, Duvha, Majuba, Camden, Grootvlei, Kriel and Medupi.
"Our planned maintenance is at about 7 000MW... If it means we ramp up load shedding for the purposes of conducting planned maintenance... we will be able to return the units healthier... for the long-term gain," said Ramokgopa.
Ramokgopa said two of the units, Lethabo 5 and Kriel 2, have since come back online, with work underway to get the unit at Medupi back online.
The Minister added that Matimba 2, Kendal 3 and 4 are expected to return today.
“We are expecting to return [the other units] that failed... by Wednesday. By Tuesday, we are expecting to see a significant reduction, going back to stages 4, 3, 2, and 1 [of load shedding]... As part of planned maintenance, a significant portion of units will come back towards the beginning and end of March, where we will be moving from 7 000MW, to lower levels of between 5 000MW and 6 000MW, where you are going to see significantly improved intensity of load shedding.
The Minister said by March, they are expecting to see significant improvements in the intensity of load shedding.
“We can account for the sources of failure. We know what the issues are... We are working on ensuring that we return these units, and if there are other issues, the board and the executive will look at that,” Ramokgopa said.
Loadshedding reduced to stage 5
Meanwhile, Eskom has announced that load shedding stage 5 will be implemented from 12pm on Sunday.
According to a statement, Eskom has over the past 48 hours successfully replenished its pumped storage dam levels, bringing some generation units back to service.
“This enables the reduction of load shedding to stage 5 from 12pm until further notice. Eskom will closely monitor the power system and communicate any changes to load shedding, should it be required,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 02/11/2024 - 12:30
Legal matters are an integral part of our lives, shaping our rights, responsibilities, and interactions in society. In this guide, we’ll explore a diverse range of legal specializations, each with its unique focus and significance. From property and real estate law to immigration law, we’ll delve into the intricacies of these fields, highlighting their importance in …
In the dynamic world of luxury items, the allure of precious metals and gems never fades. For South Africans looking to convert their high-end possessions into liquid assets, there’s a thriving market for selling luxury items for cash. This blog explores the avenues and considerations for those looking to part with their cherished possessions, from diamond …
President Ramaphosa to attend Football for Humanity match
President Cyril Ramaphosa will today attend the Football for Humanity match between the Palestinian national team and the South African Football Association (SAFA) Third Division at Cape Town's Athlone Stadium.
The Football for Humanity international showpiece, held under the theme, 'Peace, Hope, and Solidarity', aims to provide Palestinian players with the opportunity to enjoy their favourite sport in conditions of peace and sound infrastructure.
The Presidency said the event symbolises South Africa's historic solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle against illegal occupation and violent excesses by the State of Israel.
The Football for Humanity event will showcase the Palestine National Football Team in two exhibition matches on Sunday, 11 February and Sunday, 18 February 2023 at the Athlone Stadium.
The second match, also to be held at Athlone Stadium, will feature a South African Invitational XI facing off against the Palestinian visitors in the Freedom Cup.
The Palestinian National Football Team, fresh from their historic achievement in the Asia Cup, where they qualified for the Round of 16 for the first time, touched down in Cape Town on 8 February 2024.
The South African side will be coached by football legends, Boebie Solomons, Dr Jomo Sono and Farouk Khan, adding a significant layer of expertise and leadership to the occasion.
The Presidency said the match holds great significance, as it takes place on a day embedded in the history of South Africa and in a momentous period for the Palestinian solidarity movement.
“It was on this day, 11 February, in 1990 that former President Nelson Mandela was released from prison, marking the victory of the liberation struggle against apartheid.
“It is noteworthy that the matches occur in the 30th year of South African freedom, a time when South Africa has taken decisive and historic steps on the global stage in the fight for Palestine's liberation and the end of the conflict in Gaza,” the Presidency said in a statement.
According to the Presidency, the Palestine Football Association has expressed enthusiasm about participating in these matches, recognising their focus on humanity and peace.
“The Football for Humanity match is poised to be a fitting display of the power of sport to promote peace and unity, echoing the sentiments of former President Mandela, who believed that sport has the unique ability to unite people in ways little else can,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 02/11/2024 - 08:35
ChommY set to change young lives in Manenberg
Excitement filled Silverstream Primary School in Manenberg as 100 boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 prepared themselves for the launch of the social and behavioural change (SBC) programme, ChommY.
Social Development Deputy Minister, Dr Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched ChommY at Silverstream Primary School in Manenberg in the Western Cape on Saturday.
ChommY is a social and behavioural change programme for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years.
Manenberg is a community on the Cape Flats that has been plagued by gang-related violent crimes and drug abuse.
ChommY, a colloquial term for “friend”, seeks to build positive friendships among children, and encourages young boys and girls to motivate one another to minimise risky behaviour and social ills, including bullying.
Themed 'Invest in my Future… Protect me Today', ChommY aims to generate knowledge, develop skills and empower young people to make informed choices and contribute to reducing the high prevalence of HIV infection, substance abuse and prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Exploring social ills that affect Manenberg children during the dialogue, 13-year-old Zainab Williams* recalled a chilling incident where she witnessed a woman being fatally wounded during a drive-by shooting.
“I saw this lady die in front of me. I went home afterwards as if nothing happened. I wish the violence could stop," Williams said.
When asked if they had lost anyone they knew due to violence in the area, more than half the children raised their hands, with most saying they have lost an uncle, close friend, mother or grandfather.
Bogopane-Zulu said she felt it was important to visit Manenberg to try to find solutions for the struggles that the children are exposed to.
“We brought this programme here so you can have a day to be children and to remind you that your dreams are valid. Do not let your circumstances define your future,” Bogopane-Zulu said.
Founder of Mothers4Justice, Vanessa Andriaase, thanked the Deputy Minister for revisiting Manenberg.
“We really feel our community is forgotten and such programmes do not reach our children. Programmes such as ChommY have the potential to change the narrative for the boys and girls sitting in this hall," Andriaase said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 02/11/2024 - 09:22
Various peanut butter brands recalled
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged consumers in possession of various peanut butter brands manufactured by House of Natural Butters to return them to the point of purchase.
Acting Commissioner Thezi Mabuza said the manufacturer informed the Commission that the products from Pick n Pay’s No Name brand, Eden All Natural brand, Wazoogles Superfoods and Dischem’s Lifestyle brand were found to have higher than legally acceptable levels of Aflatoxin, as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in Foodstuffs.
The recalled products are Dischem’s Lifestyle 400 grams Smooth and Crunchy, Dischem’s Lifestyle 800 grams Smooth and Crunchy, Wazoogles Superfoods (all sizes starting from 32g to 20kg), Pick n’ Pay’s No Name 1kg Smooth, and Eden All Natural.
“Pick n Pay, Eden All Natural, and Dischem’s Lifestyle brands were distributed nationally, while Wazoogles Superfoods products were distributed mainly in the Western Cape,” Mabuza said.
Mabuza urged consumers in possession of these products to immediately stop consuming them and return them to the point of purchase for a full refund “with or without proof of purchase”.
While the Commission is investigating the affairs of the manufacturer, House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, Mabuza said the NCC will also conduct a nationwide assessment to establish whether other brands are affected.
“The Commission urges the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of peanut butter to comply with regulations and conduct urgent tests to assess the safety of the products on their shelves and take immediate corrective steps, if found to be unsafe,” Mabuza said.
The Commissioner reiterated that the Consumer Protection Act requires that goods that pose any risk of harm to the consumer be recalled, and “it is the responsibility of the manufacturers, importers, and retailers to ensure that goods comply with all applicable laws and standards of the Republic".
“Aflatoxin may lead to health complications not limited to nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. We, therefore, urge South African consumers, who have the recalled products, to immediately stop consuming these products and return the products to the point of purchase for a full refund, with or without proof of purchase,” Mabuza said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 02/11/2024 - 08:53
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Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu to launch ChommY in Manenberg
Following the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Social Development Deputy Minister, Dr Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, in partnership with USAID, will on Saturday launch ChommY at the Silverstream Primary School in Manenberg, in the Western Cape.
ChommY is a social and behavioural change programme for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years.
Manenberg is largely a coloured community on the Cape Flats that has been characterised as an area plagued by gang-related violent crimes and drug abuse.
ChommY, a colloquial term for “friend”, seeks to build a positive friendship among children and encourages young boys and girls to motivate one another to minimise risky behaviour and social ills, including, bullying.
“The programme gives children the opportunity to develop a personal plan for their lives and emphasises the importance of support from parents and communities to enable young people to make informed decisions. The programme forms part of a basket of social and behavioural change programmes offered by the Department of Social Development,” the department said in a statement.
Observed under the theme: “Invest in my Future…Protect me Today”, ChommY aims to generate knowledge, develop skills, and empower young people to make informed choices and contribute on reducing high prevalence of HIV infections, substance abuse and prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Bogopane-Zulu will facilitate dialogues with the children as they share their social experiences and solutions.
Bokamoso - the programme’s mascot - will interact with the children as they participate in indigenous games. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:25
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