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Deadline looms to upgrade Nelson Mandela Bay prepaid electricity meters

Location: News

Deadline looms to upgrade Nelson Mandela Bay prepaid electricity meters

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has urged prepaid electricity customers to update their meters before the November 2024 deadline.

This, as the municipality started the process of updating prepared electricity meters in April 2022.

The programme is being implemented in phases to replace the old KNR1 meters with the new KNR2 system.

The municipality’s Electricity and Energy Portfolio Head, Zanele Sikawuti, commended customers for updating more than 146 921 meters to date.

She urged the remaining customers to join the programme, as the current devices will expire on 24 November 2024.

The directorate is employing various strategies, including door-to door visits, call centre assistance, and an enhanced communication drive to reach the thousands of residents who have not yet updated their meters.

A total of 1 263 meters were updated between 9 September and 4 October 2024.

“However, we still have 169 868 meters that need to be updated, including those that have been tampered with, damaged, or are faulty. We continue to urge all residents and business owners with prepaid electricity meters to update their meters before the current devices expire in November 2024,” Sikawuti said.

Sikawuti reiterated the municipality’s commitment to delivering an uninterrupted power supply to customers and ensured that the 24 November 2024 deadline would cause minimal disruption to electricity provision for all customers who purchase electricity.

She urged residents to cooperate with the municipal teams and be at home when they visit.

“Ward councillors have the information on when our teams will visit wards and residents must allow us access to their homes. The refusal of access has been a challenge and, while we understand there are various reasons for this, our teams are clearly identified as municipal workers.

“It is critical for customers to update their meters. After the deadline, they might be able to buy electricity, but tokens will not be accepted by the outdated meter,” Sikawuti said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 10/14/2024 - 10:44

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Minister attributes Eskom performance to hard work

Location: News

Minister attributes Eskom performance to hard work

Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has lauded the performance of Eskom and its fleet over the past two months, as not a "miraculous” act but a testament to science, leadership and the workforce of the State-owned company.

Ramokgopa was speaking during a media briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, held at the Lethabo Power Station in the Free State on Monday.

On Sunday, the power utility marked 200 consecutive days of not implementing load shedding.

READ | Eskom records 200 consecutive days of no load shedding

“There was an effort to ensure that at a station level, we get people with the right skills, credentials, people with the opposite experience to be able to help us to resolve that challenge. 

“[The team] identified about six stations that are responsible for about 70% of the losses. There’s a great deal of science that the board and the executive team applied in the resolution of this question. So, this is not an act of miracle (sic)…. It’s steeped in science and the team was able to fashion a cogent response,” he said.

He praised the leadership and ongoing efforts shown in all spheres to turn around the power utility.

“When we dissect these 200 consecutive days of no load shedding, there’s an appreciation that there are multiple elements – some not in your face – that contributed to this. [What] I want to put first and foremost is the issue around leadership.

“Someone had to be in the leadership of executing that. Leadership is key…[and] sacrosanct to the resolution of any problem. 

Eskom is an exceptional template and illustration of what can be achieved if we were to invest in leadership,” Ramokgopa said, adding that tackling the load shedding question also required finding the right people with the right skills.

“What the team did was to ensure that all the critical vacancies are filled. The team could do that on the back of an Eskom that is performing but also on the back of the fiscal support that was received from National Treasury. 

“Leadership stability and not just stability but appointing the right people with the right credentials and not only that, but ensure there’s alignment in relation to their credentials and where you assign to discharge their responsibilities,” he said.

Energy Availability Factor 

Although the Minister praised the Eskom team, he warned that there is more work to be done to completely eradicate load shedding.

“When we come to a period in our life here in South Africa, and I suspect it will be very soon, where we stop celebrating and counting the number of 'no load shedding' days, then that will represent a major victory for us. The fact that we are celebrating this, it means that we [are] still in an awkward place. We are not necessarily out of the woods yet, so we will not tell any lies or claim easy victories.

“This generation recovery has not necessarily reached its full potential. We are on the right path and all matrices are pointing to a positive performance. In fact, we are far exceeding where we expected to be at this time. We still have an ambition of achieving that 70% [Energy Availability Factor] by 2025 and the team is on course to do exactly that,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 10/14/2024 - 10:42

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3rd Project Steering Committee Meeting on Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in Africa’s Blue Economy

Location: News

The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
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The third Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the "Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in Africa's Blue Economy" project took place on October 9, 2024, in Mombasa, Kenya. The meeting aimed to update stakeholders on project progress, discuss difficulties, and provide strategic guidance for the future. The meeting included discussions on the 2023-2024 work plan, no-cost extension activities, adopted recommendations, and strategic recommendations for future project implementation.

The opening session was chaired by Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment. Dr. Salih welcomed participants and expressed gratitude to the Government of Kenya and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) for their continued support.

In his statement, Dr. Joachim Beijmo, Head of Regional Development Cooperation in Africa at the Swedish Embassy to the African Union, emphasized the importance of the Blue Economy for livelihoods and food security across Africa. He highlighted Sweden's commitment to aquatic biodiversity conservation and development cooperation across many sectors, with the Blue Economy being a key priority. Dr. Beijmo underscored the potential of the Blue Economy to improve livelihoods and noted that the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems is a global concern. He welcomed the growing interest from diverse stakeholders, including local communities, and emphasized the importance of cooperation among institutions to maximize synergies. However, he also warned about the increasing threats to ecosystems, such as overfishing, and reaffirmed Sweden's commitment to expanding Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiatives and supporting local communities in conservation efforts.

Dr. Ndiaga Gueye, Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at FAO's Regional Office for Africa, commended AU-IBAR for its achievements in aquatic biodiversity conservation and called for continued efforts in this critical area. He pointed out the vulnerability of oceans and inland waters and noted that the fishing industry is at a crossroads. Dr. Gueye stressed the need for greater investment in capacity building to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on life below water. He also highlighted the importance of international agreements, which can take time to implement, and emphasized the essential role of the private sector in the sustainable management of aquatic resources. Access to data, knowledge sharing, and enhanced communication were identified as key enablers for achieving these goals.

In his remarks officially opening the meeting, Mr. Rodrick Kundu, Secretary of the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Kenya, highlighted the challenges faced by aquatic ecosystems, including pollution and the impacts of climate change, which have severely undermined the productivity of fisheries resources. He stressed that when the productivity of these resources declines, the livelihoods of millions of people, especially those dependent on fisheries, are negatively affected. Mr. Kundu acknowledged Kenya's leadership in promoting the Blue Economy, citing its role in high-level initiatives such as the Blue Growth concept and its participation in the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. He also noted the significant benefits Kenya has gained from the project, particularly in terms of capacity building among local communities.

Solidarity Messages from the Regions

Representatives from the five regions of Africa shared insights on their countries' progress in aquatic biodiversity conservation:
- Uganda: Ms. Grace Namukasa, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, highlighted Uganda's achievements in transboundary aquatic ecosystem management. She emphasized the importance of regional cooperation to address challenges in aquatic biodiversity and noted Uganda's commitment to sustainable resource management.
- Côte d'Ivoire: Mr. Yao N'da Firmin, Director of Blue Economy and Coastal Environment, underscored the critical role of fisheries in food security in West Africa. He explained that Côte d'Ivoire has implemented systems for managing biodiversity and is currently working on its second Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) project. Mr. Firmin emphasized the need for integrated strategies to enhance the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and adapt to emerging challenges.
- Cameroon: Prof. Paul Tchawa, Secretary General of MINEPDED, discussed Cameroon's National Strategy on mangrove conservation and climate change adaptation. He stressed the importance of solidarity and complementarities among African countries to defend their shared interests in aquatic resource conservation.
- South Africa: Mr. Belemane Semoli, Chief Director of Aquaculture and Economic Development, reiterated the significance of sustaining aquatic biodiversity for mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development. He highlighted that maintaining biodiversity is essential for both aquatic ecosystems and human life, providing energy, food, shelter, and livelihoods. Mr. Semoli noted South Africa's Marine Spatial Plan and Ocean Plan, which recognize the contributions of all sectors, and identified the challenge of balancing conservation with realizing the socio-economic benefits of the Blue Economy.

Technical Sessions and Presentations

Key presentations covered the progress of the project, recommendations from the PTC, the project's no-cost extension activities, and budget updates. The PSC members endorsed the presentations and commended AU-IBAR for the significant achievements made so far.

Emerging Issues and Recommendations

Several important issues were raised during the meeting, including the need for:
- A second phase of the project to ensure sustainability and broader coverage across Africa.
- Increased collaboration with regional institutions to strengthen capacity-building efforts.
- Greater private sector involvement to support the long-term sustainability of the project.
- Addressing the challenges of plastic pollution and expanding training programs to replicate the project's successes in other regions.

The PSC members endorsed the recommendations from the 3rd PTC and approved the work plan for the no-cost extension. They recommended the preparation of a comprehensive report on the 3rd PSC meeting and requested AU-IBAR to share its exit strategy with PSC members. They also urged AU-IBAR to begin preparations for a second phase of the project and to enhance partnerships with both regional institutions and the private sector.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Huyam Salih, AU-IBAR Director, as well as representatives from Uganda and SIDA. SIDA noted the significant progress made, the valuable recommendations provided, and the strong leadership demonstrated throughout the project. FAO acknowledged the relevance of the successful recommendations shared during the exchanges.

In her vote of gratitude, the president of AWFISHNET emphasised the importance of women's participation in the initiative. A government officer from Kenya formally ended the meeting. The significance of ongoing communication with member nations was stressed by Mr. Rodrick Kundu in his concluding remarks. He emphasised the significance of establishing mechanisms for cross-border cooperation, bringing project initiatives down to the local level, and keeping partnerships and accountability at the forefront of the project's objectives. At its third meeting, the Project Steering Committee (PSC) reaffirmed AU-IBAR's dedication to protecting aquatic biodiversity in Africa and fostering long-term growth in the Blue Economy across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

Read more3rd Project Steering Committee Meeting on Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in Africa’s Blue Economy

Water curtailment implemented throughout eThekwini

Location: News

Water curtailment implemented throughout eThekwini

The uMngeni-uThukela Water Board has implemented water curtailment throughout eThekwini Municipality, effective from today, to reduce the volume of water abstracted from the uMngeni system.

This follows a recent announcement made jointly by eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cyril Xaba and the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board.

The water curtailment is being implemented at the directive of the Department of Water and Sanitation, which issued a notice to uMngeni-uThukela Water Board to reduce the volume of water abstracted from the uMngeni system to their licensed volumes of 470 million megalitres per annum (m3/annum), meaning a reduction on the current sales and abstraction volume of 8.4%.

Xaba said the curtailment is aimed at enabling continued water availability, including during periods of below-average rainfall.

“The risk of not enforcing the abstraction limit is that should a drought occur, there would not be sufficient water in the system for uMngeni-uThukela Water to continue providing the eThekwini Municipality with a reliable water supply,” Xaba said.

Xaba emphasised that the water curtailment is not water shedding, where there is a schedule for water cuts at certain times.

“The purpose of the water curtailment is to avoid water shedding by bringing down the total volume used in a controlled manner,” Xaba said.

The mayor reiterated his call to eThekwini residents to use water sparingly to assist in reducing high water consumption.

“The demand for water in eThekwini far outstrips supply, and we continue to plead with all stakeholders - both our residential and business customers - to work with us to address this challenge. Some of the contributing factors to the high-water usage include rapid urbanisation, and aging infrastructure, which causes water leaks and illegal connections,” Xaba said.

The average water consumption in eThekwini is very high, as it is between 270 and 298 litres per capita (person) per day (l/c/d), compared to the international average of 173 l/c/d.

Xaba said the curtailment is expected to be implemented for a period of 12 months, and during this process, the city’s teams will be monitoring the system and manage excessive water demand.

In ensuring that residents are not adversely affected, the city will be implementing the following interventions:
•    Installation of restrictors in water metres to all consumers.
•    Pressure reduction in the reticulation network.
•    Metering all unmetered consumers.
•    Improving turnaround time in repairing leaks and pipe bursts through deployment of ward-based plumbers.
•    Community education in water conservation.
•    Disconnection of illegal connections. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 10/10/2024 - 14:21

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SA, Norway Ministers to drive talks on climate change mitigation

Location: News

SA, Norway Ministers to drive talks on climate change mitigation

South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, and his counterpart from Norway, Minister of Climate and Environment Tore Onshuus Sandvik, have been appointed to steer informal consultations on mitigation before and during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

The Ministerial Pair was appointed by COP29 President-designate and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev.

Minister George said he was honoured to accept the important and challenging assignment from the President-designate for COP29.

“The designation of South Africa as a ministerial co-facilitator recognises the country’s long-standing leadership role at the international multi-lateral climate negotiations in ensuring the voices of developing countries are well reflected in the multilateral deliberations, and our national level leadership to implement Just Transitions,” George said.

In their consultations, Ministers George and Sandvik will be engaging with parties and all negotiating groups to conduct informal consultations on concrete issues related to the content on mitigation and linkages to the process at large.

It is anticipated that the pair’s consultations will foster a comprehensive understanding among ministers and their delegations regarding the priorities, perspectives, and areas in need of political guidance in the lead up to and during COP29.

“This is the challenge of our time, and I am honoured to continue South Africa’s leadership,” George said.

The appointment comes as the Minister prepares to participate in this year’s Pre-COP event, taking place from 10-11 October 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Pre-COP29 brings together ministers to discuss the key political aspects of the negotiations, find solutions to outstanding issues, and set the tone for the upcoming COP29.

Minister Babayev will open Pre-COP proceedings on Thursday alongside COP28 President and United Arab Emirates Special Envoy for Climate Change, Dr Sultan A. Al Jaber, among others.

The opening will be followed by a Plenary discussion on the Road to COP29 and various Climate Change Labs. The second day of Pre-COP will consist of plenary discussions on “Unlocking the potential of Article 6” and “Taking forward the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST)”, before proceedings are concluded. - SAnews.gov.za
 

 

nosihle
Wed, 10/09/2024 - 14:52

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Access to finance remains a challenge for SMMEs

Location: News

Access to finance remains a challenge for SMMEs

While government is fully cognisant that access to finance remains the most significant barrier to entry for new venture creation, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and entrepreneurship, steps are being taken to address this.

This is according to the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, who was during the Financial Inclusion Week session in Johannesburg.

“The consequences of government inability to increase the pace of transformation after 30 years are evidenced by the lack of economic growth, unsustainably high levels of unemployment, widening inequality and market concentration,” Godlimpi said.

“Though government policies have worked to dismantle many structures of the apartheid state and increase living standards, these efforts have not translated into the creation of job opportunities for many South Africans,” he said.

Godlimpi pointed out that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and its agencies, which include the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), have managed to attract new business projects in which they will be investing R78 billion.

“We have also agreed to push the dtic and its entities to go beyond the Treasury standards to pay SMMEs. This ensures that we, as an institution of nine branches and 18 entities, do not contribute to the barriers that constrain our SMMEs.”

Glodlimpi explained that on the policy front, government is aware that SMMEs find it difficult to access different forms of finance, including debt.

He said when SMMEs approach debt markets, they are often faced with onerous credit checks and, at times, fall victim to negative reinforcement tools such as credit bureaus due to a lack of access to patient capital.

“When a small business owner misses debt repayment due to delayed payments from clients and, in many instances, the government, they are blacklisted. According to [the] Small Enterprise Development Agency's SMME Quarterly and Stats SA, SMMEs contribute about 59% of total employment in the country,” he said.

Godlimpi said this picture demonstrates the unsustainable structure of credit market in South Africa, which is embedded in a consumption logic rather than a developmental and investment orientation.

“As part of the Minister Parks Tau's new wall-to-wall approach, we have begun to look at sharing important economic data within the dtic to enhance our understanding of the economy and achieve complementarity in deploying the various tools to achieve our industrial policy objectives,” said Godlimpi. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 10/04/2024 - 10:36

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