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Requirements for environmental authorisation for renewable energy facility published
Requirements for environmental authorisation for renewable energy facility published
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy has published a notice on the amendment of certain requirements for an application for environmental authorisation for a renewable energy facility.
“The amendment is necessary to ensure that the full potential of the investment into electricity infrastructure can be realised,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said on Tuesday.
They were published under sections 24(5)(a), 24(5)(b)(i) and 44 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), read with regulation 10(b) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014, as amended.
“The amendment requires that a proponent requests and obtains a consent letter from Eskom, or its successor, which confirms that the proposed layout of the facility will not unnecessarily obstruct access to the transmission or distribution infrastructure,” the department said.
The amendment was published in Government Gazette No. 49815, Notice No. 4143 on 04 December 2023.
A copy of the Government Gazette can be obtained at: https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/legislations/nema_ea.renewableenergyfacility_g49815gon4143.pdf
Any enquiries in connection with the notice can be directed to Dr D Fischer at the following email address: dfischer@dffe.gov.za. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 12/06/2023 - 11:16
174 views
Mashatile calls on leaders to rededicate themselves to Madiba’s vision
Mashatile calls on leaders to rededicate themselves to Madiba's vision
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has taken time in Parliament to honour former President Nelson Mandela and called on leaders to recommit themselves to the former statesman's vision of providing a better life for all South Africans.
“Today we stand on the shoulders of a great giant, former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who left us exactly on this day 10 years ago in 2013.
“On an occasion such this, we recall his wisdom and tenacity in fighting the apartheid system and dedication to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society,” Mashatile said on Tuesday.
The country’s second-in-command was delivering the annual address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, which was sitting for its last session of 2023.
“We do not only recall but rededicate ourselves to the vision of our founding President - that of building a better life for all.
“It is, therefore, a great honour to deliver the last annual address to the National Council of Provinces, for the sixth administration, despite it being my first annual address.”
Mashatile told Parliamentarians that the end of the sixth administration provides an opportunity to reflect and contemplate the future of governance in South Africa.
The Deputy President's speech focused on accelerating the provision of social services, safety, and the advancement of economic reforms for economic recovery in the people's interest.
“As the theme suggests, the current situation requires immediate prioritisation and acceleration of providing essential social services, ensuring individual safety, and implementing comprehensive economic reforms for a swift recovery.”
Mashatile believes the measures are crucial for a sustainable and prosperous future through social policy transformation.
“We cannot talk about the progress we have made in shaping the future of our people if we do not reflect on where we come from as a nation.
“We can unequivocally state that South Africa is in a much better place now than it was 29 years ago.”
Citing the 2022 Census Report, the Deputy President said government has made significant inroads in undoing the legacy of decades of apartheid spatial planning and its consequences on the lives and livelihoods of South Africans.
“We have accelerated the provision of social services over the past few years by investing in education, healthcare, housing, water and sanitation, among other things.
“Although this is expected as standard practice, the progress achieved in recent years indicates that efforts to ensure adequate access to social services have been accelerated,” he added.
He also emphasised the role of Parliament, especially the role of delegates in the NCOP, which is constitutionally mandated to ensure that the interests of communities.
“Using these mechanisms, the Executive can intervene and quickly respond to identified service delivery hotspots through targeted Service Delivery Improvement Plans.
“The National Council of Provinces further uniquely promotes the principles of Cooperative Government and Intergovernmental Relations.”
Mashatile is of the view that Parliament has done very well in processing priority legislative proposals, considering interruptions caused by the July 2021 unrests, the burning of the National Assembly, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 29 March 2023, the Deputy President said the Cabinet approved 42 Bills in the 2023 Legislative Programme, while 22 Bills have already been introduced to Parliament as of 25 November 2023.
As of 30 November 2023, there were 17 Bills before NCOP Committees.
“We remain optimistic that all of these critical Bills will have been passed by the end of this administration.”
He also called on all stakeholders, including business, civil society, inside and outside NEDLAC, and more importantly, political parties, to take advantage of Parliamentary processes.
These include public hearings, petitions, written proposals, and other consultative forums to deposit their views, complaints, and progressive proposals that will contribute to the seamless processing of legislative proposals.
“Delays in passing of critical Bills affect the provision of basic services.”
The Deputy President said the sixth administration is also committed to transforming the economy along a developmental growth path to create decent jobs. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 12/06/2023 - 08:00
267 views
HSBC SVNS Cape Town SA Fixtures
The Blitzboks and Springbok Women’s Sevens will kick off their HSBC SVNS Cape Town campaigns with two tricky matches before 11h00 on Saturday morning at the DHL Stadium. The action starts at 09h00 with two matches in the women’s competition – between Ireland and Brazil, as well as New Zealand and Great Britain. Some clashes …
President to guide DDM Presidential Imbizo in Free State
President to lead DDM Presidential Imbizo in Free State
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday lead government’s interaction - in the form of a District Development Model Presidential Imbizo - with communities and stakeholders in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State.
The Presidential Imbizo will take place at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Welkom, within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.
This will be the 11th Presidential Imbizo led by President Ramaphosa since March 2022.
The Matjhabeng gathering marks a return visit to the province by the President following a Presidential Imbizo in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in April 2022.
During the 2022 engagement, 42 community members, representing the seven regions of the Mangaung Metro, voiced their concerns to the President.
The towns represented in this discussion included Van Stadensrus, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein.
“Under the theme 'Leave No One Behind', this week’s visit will allow the President and other leaders in government to assess progress made [and] to be briefed on challenges associated with the improvement of service delivery since the President’s previous engagement with communities,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The Matjhabeng municipal economy is mainly anchored on the mining of gold and uranium and it is the hub of the Free State Goldfields.
The Lejweleputsawa District Municipality consists of five local municipalities, which accounts for a third of the province which is made up of the local municipalities of Matjhabeng, Masilonyane, Nala, Tswelopele and Tokologo.
Ahead of this week’s Imbizo, national, provincial and local government as well as state entities have embarked on pre-Imbizo build-up programmes across the province.
These activities are undertaken to stimulate communities’ participation in the Imbizo and to assist residents with services they may require or other challenges they wish to report.
“Thus, this Imbizo will also take stock of the progress made since the last Presidential Imbizo in the province.
“As an interactive platform, the DDM Presidential Imbizo allows communities to engage and interact face-to-face with the President, Ministers and the provincial and local leadership face-to-face.
“The District Development Model enhances integrated and sustainable service delivery through the maximisation of intergovernmental planning, budgeting and implementation towards creating inclusive economic opportunities for locals,” the Presidency said.
The DDM also aims to intensify the delivery of services, promote social cohesion and advance the developmental state agenda, in line with the National Development Plan, and Growth and Development Strategies of the province.
The participation of leadership from the national, provincial and local levels is directed at maintaining accountability by public office bearers, the administration and promoting collaboration. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 12/06/2023 - 09:08
135 views
The Shine Dance Challenge
The SHiNE dance challenge happening at the Castle of Good Hope this weekend will step up the festive vibe – it’s free and family friendly and the place to go for festive fun and creative inspiration Cape Town: The multi-arts Cape Town Arts Festival (CTAF), is this year, inspired by the Social Harmony through National …
KZN Premier Campaign suspended until further notice
Dear Editor The Premier Campaign has learnt with great shock and sadness of the brutal murder of DA uMngeni Chief Whip, Councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. We echo the sentiments of our Provincial Leader, Francois Rodgers in asking that the South African Police Service (SAPS) speedily investigates and bring his murderers to book. In light of this …
Men’s Guinness Six Nations Rugby Match Officials
The Emirates World Rugby Match Officials have been confirmed for the 2024 Men’s Guinness Six Nations, the first international competition on the road to the men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. A total of 15 different referees representing eight nations will take charge of the 15 matches that comprise the championship, kicking off on …
Response to unfounded allegations against the DA Leader
Dear Editor I would like to address recent statements made by Ms Mbali Ntuli, a former member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), regarding alleged misconduct during the 2020 leadership campaign. It is essential to set the record straight and provide accurate information to the public. The DA takes all complaints of possible misconduct seriously and …
Injury setbacks for Springbok Women’s Sevens
The Springbok Women’s Sevens will be forced to make changes to their squad for this weekend’s HSBC SVNS Cape Town after Zintle Mpupha and Libbie Janse van Rensburg were both ruled out of action. Mpupha is following head injury assessment (HIA) protocols, which means she will only be able to return to the field next …
Scottish Rugby to provide interactive player welfare training
Scottish Rugby is teaming up with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), Brain Health Scotland, Scottish Brain Sciences and sportscotland to deliver player welfare training at Scottish Gas Murrayfield during the month of December. The training will be delivered from the NES Mobile Skills Unit (MSU), a facility developed to support the delivery of clinical skills …
From Football to Rugby
Football’s loss is proving to be rugby’s gain in the case of Vodacom URC top tackler Alex Mann. He spent three years on the books of Cardiff City as a teenage centre-half before opting to focus on the oval ball rather than the round one. That’s a decision which is paying off for both him …
South Africa’s Anneke Bosch jumps 20 slots
Sixteen-year-old Shorna Akter from Bangladesh made significant, career-best gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings following her maiden five-wicket haul against South Africa in the first women’s T20I in Benoni. She sailed 46 slots to 105th among the bowlers, with 297 ratings points from 151st and leaped 38 slots to 79th in …
Half-Centuries for Zondo and Brand in Bloem
BLOEMFONTEIN: Khaya Zondo and Neil Brand both struck half-centuries for South Africa A (SA ‘A’) against West Indies A on day...
Criminals terrorise aged gold mining area
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R12 Million Investment in Gqeberha’s Apex Polymer Solutions Polypropylene Line
Apex Polymer Solutions (formerly Perspex SA), has invested R12 million in its extrusion plant in Nelson Mandela Bay by adding a dedicated corrugated polypropylene line. Corrugated polypropylene is a lightweight and durable plastic material made up of polypropylene sheets that are structured like a series of connected boxes or wavy folds. The corrugated nature of …
Large fraction of Johannesburg without electricity since Saturday
City Power predicts seven days to restore power after fire gutted Observatory substation
Government departments urged to pay suppliers on time
Government departments urged to pay suppliers on time
Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya says out of 40 national government departments, only 15 have fully complied with the policy on timeous payment of service providers.
Gxoyiya on Tuesday addressed media in Pretoria on the PSC’s Quarterly Bulletin titled: ‘The Pulse of the Public Service’.
According to the PSC, the number of invoices paid after 30 days by the national and provincial departments amounts to 117 158, with the rand value of R11.1 billion. This represents a regression of 12% when compared with the number of invoices paid after 30 days by national and provincial departments during the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, which amounted to 104 937 invoices, with the rand value of R8.6 billion.
Gxoyiya encouraged the departments that are compliant to maintain their performance and continue to pay all legitimate invoices from suppliers within 30 days, as required by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and its related prescripts.
“The rand value of invoices paid after 30 days in the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year amounted to R1.2 billion, and this indicates a regression of 126% when compared to the rand value of invoices paid after 30 days in the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, which amounted to R530 million,” said Gxoyiya.
The most common reasons provided by both the national and provincial departments for the late or non-payment of invoices are interruptions caused by poor internal controls, internal capacity, and budget constraints.
“North West provincial departments reported the second highest invoices paid after 30 days, amounting to 12 988 invoices, with the rand value of R880 million during the same period.
“In contrast, Eastern Cape provincial departments reported the highest number of invoices older than 30 days amounting to 25 789, with the rand value of R2.3 billion at the end of June 2023,” Gxoyiya said.
According to the PSC, the main contributing departments towards late or non-payment of invoices at national level are the Departments of Home Affairs; Correctional Services; Defence; Military Veterans; South African Police Service; Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Transport; Water and Sanitation; Public Works and Infrastructure; Health, and Tourism.
Gxoyiya advocated for transparency in dealing with public finances.
“Transparency is subtly intertwined with accountability... Transparency is pivotal to democracy and accountability, as well as upholding the principles of responsiveness and efficiency.
“In many ways, democracy is government by explanation because in an open and democratic society, government should be accountable for its actions and decisions, which should be informed by rational considerations that are explicable to those affected by them,” Gxoyiya said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 12/05/2023 - 13:34
423 views
Township economy remains critical engine of cities’ growth
Township economy remains critical engine of cities' growth
As South Africa continues to experience rapid urbanisation, the township economy has emerged as a critical engine of growth for many cities in the country, says Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande.
The Minister on Tuesday officially opened the South-West Gauteng TVET College Welding Trade Test Centre at Molapo Campus in Soweto.
The state-of-the-art centre is the 35th trade test centre to be opened in South Africa. It is also a historic centre, as it is the first to be opened in Soweto.
The opening of the trade test centre is part of the department's response to upgrade Post-School Education and Training (PSET) infrastructure in order to respond to the skills needs of communities.
The centre will test for knowledge, skills and competence in welding work, which involves theoretical and practical demonstration of knowledge and skill.
This will lead to a Trade Test Certificate award, which employers usually require before they employ or advance trainees and allow them to do work at a certain level.
Nzimande said the centre is rightly situated in a township in order to provide access to education and training, and to help break the cycle of poverty and inequality that has affected many segments of society.
Nzimande underscored a pressing need to invest in skills development and training in order for the township economy to realise its full potential.
"A number of people in the communities lack the necessary education, training and mentorship to capitalise on economic opportunities and create sustainable enterprises.
“As a result, unemployment and poverty remain significant challenges in many townships across our country. This is the reason this centre will be one of the building blocks towards revolutionarising skills development here in Molapo and in Soweto as a whole.
“This centre, together with many initiatives launched by government, will ensure that people are capacitated to be self-sustainable and be able to generate the necessary income to support their families,” Nzimande said.
Partnerships yield positive results
Nzimande also noted that partnerships between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) are yielding positive results, with more public colleges entering into strategic relationships with SETAs.
“Our vision is to remain focused on providing an integrated, coordinated and highly articulated Post-School Education and Training System for improved economic participation, skills development and social development of our youth and the entire community in the country.
“The vision and objective for our public TVET colleges sector is to expand and strengthen the TVET sub-system to provide quality technical and vocational education and training to prepare students for the world of work,” Nzimande said.
About 20 000 qualified artisans produced per year
In order to address the shortage of mid-level skills, government has committed to re-establish the artisan training system, targeting to produce 30 000 artisans a year by 2030.
South Africa is currently producing an average of 20 000 qualified artisans per year.
"We therefore need to ensure that the number increases significantly leading up to 2030 for the country to realise the National Development Plan (NDP) target. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 12/05/2023 - 15:02
346 views
Health places medical interns, community service practitioners for 2024
Health places medical interns, community service practitioners for 2024
The Department of Health has concluded the process of placing medical interns and community service applicants on the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) due to commence in January 2024.
The department said all successful applicants have been notified accordingly.
The department said it received 10 386 applications through an online application system, of which 10 228 were South African citizens, including permanent residents and 158were foreign nationals.
The department said 9 395 applicants have since been placed, including medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals at health facilities throughout the country.
“The majority of posts were allocated to rural and underserved areas, in line with the philosophy of promoting access to Universal Health Care. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to take up those positions where they are allocated to serve the people of South Africa.
“The department tried hard to accommodate the applicants’ choices of placement. However, everyone can't be placed according to their choice areas and provinces of preference.”
The allocation process, the department said, was conducted in line with the relevant employment laws and guidelines, which prescribe that priority should be given to qualifying South African citizens.
This is followed by permanent residents and lastly, foreign nationals who wish to pursue their career in South Africa.
In addition, the department urged all students who wish to further their health science studies outside the country to ensure the institutions they wish to enrol in offer academic programmes that are aligned to the curriculum eligible for registration with the relevant South African statutory bodies.
This, according to the department, is aimed at preventing avoidable registration challenges once they complete training. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 12/05/2023 - 15:09
257 views
CSA and Lootmogul Launch Tech Revolution in Cricket Experience
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is thrilled to announce a transformative partnership with LootMogul, a pioneering sports technology platform, marking...
“Xenophobic” Makhubela should not be part of Joburg flame inquiry, say activists
Picket outside Commission of Inquiry into Albert Street fire
Dr Thandi Mgwebi appointed in NRF’s top leadership structure
Dr Thandi Mgwebi appointed in NRF’s top leadership structure
The National Research Foundation (NRF) has announced the appointment of Dr Thandi Mgwebi into its top leadership structure with effect from 1 February 2024.
Mgwebi is re-joining the organisation to assume the role of Group Executive: Business Advancement.
Over the last six years, she served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor responsible for Research, Innovation, and Internationalisation at Nelson Mandela University and Tshwane University of Technology.
During her tenure at the NRF, she served in senior management roles, including Director of Human Capital Development.
Through these roles, she has gained extensive experience and is an internationally recognised leader in higher education.
“As a seasoned professional, Dr Mgwebi will contribute to the international agenda and diplomacy, and will help drive the NRF’s business strategy in support of the national science system.”
The NRF said the professional has championed partnerships with many international organisations in and outside Africa for the national science and innovation system.
In her previous role at the NRF, Mgwebi led partnerships with institutions such as Fulbright, the British Council, and the Newton Fund.
She completed postdoctoral research in Virology at the University of Cape Town and holds a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of Cape Town, a Tertiary Educational Management degree from the University of Melbourne and a Management Development Programme certificate from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
She received her undergraduate BSc degree from the University of Transkei (now Walter Sisulu University).
Recently, she obtained a certificate in Business Sustainability from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, congratulated the newest member of his executive team.
“This appointment shows the NRF’s commitment to excellence, transformation, and inclusivity. Dr Mgwebi has a proven record in academia, management, and strategic leadership. The NRF is proud to welcome such a high calibre executive as it continues to make significant contributions to the National System of Innovation.”
The NRF is an independent statutory body established under the National Research Foundation Act.
Its mandate is to support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 12/05/2023 - 15:22
204 views