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You are here: Home / Archives for critical

critical

11 June 2024

Optimizing Small Spaces: Effective 10×10 Trade Show Booth Strategies

Location: MyPR

Introduction    Maximizing the potential of a small exhibit space can be challenging. This blog focuses on strategies to effectively use a 10×10 trade show booth and 10×10 trade show exhibits to create a compelling and functional display.   Strategic Layout and Design    In a 10×10 space, every inch counts. Prioritize the layout to …

Read moreOptimizing Small Spaces: Effective 10×10 Trade Show Booth Strategies
11 June 2024

X Trillion: The Epic Journey of All-Women Crew Battling Plastic Pollution in the North Pacific Ocean

Location: MyPR

In honor of World Environment Day for the month of June, Discovery Channel Africa proudly presented the premiere of X Trillion, a compelling documentary that highlighted the urgent issue of plastic pollution in our oceans. The special screening took place on Discovery Channel Africa on Saturday, 8 June, at 18:00 CAT. X Trillion follows the …

Read moreX Trillion: The Epic Journey of All-Women Crew Battling Plastic Pollution in the North Pacific Ocean
10 June 2024

Progress in payment of private student accommodation

Location: News

Progress in payment of private student accommodation

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, says a bulk payment of accommodation allowances was processed by the end of May 2024 and beginning of June 2024, with the next scheduled payment expected by mid-June 2024.

Nomvalo said NSFAS has been consulting with various stakeholders since his appointment as the Administrator, and one of the critical stakeholders consulted are the landlords for private student accommodation who raised concerns regarding the outstanding payment of student accommodation allowances.

Nomvalo has assured the stakeholders that a bulk payment of accommodation allowances has been processed by the end of May 2024.

“The next scheduled payment will be not later than 18 June 2024 to clear all legitimate claims. These interventions are intended to provide the much-needed relief to private student accommodation landlords,” Nomvalo said.

The Administrator has urged the landlords, who still have outstanding payments, not to evict students, as NSFAS is committed to ensuring that all legitimate claims are resolved not later than 18 June 2024. 

He encouraged landlords who did not submit their claims for outstanding payments to refer their queries to NSFASAccomProv@nsfas.org.za.

Nomvalo reiterated his call to all Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students, who still do not have bank accounts, to open them with banks of their own choice and submit their bank accounts on the NSFAS established portal in order to avoid delays in their payment allowances. 

“The banking details provided must belong to the student to enable NSFAS to verify these against the student's details on our record and minimise potential risks,” Nomvalo said.

The Administrator also encouraged members of the public to only rely on official communication from NSFAS, as opposed to deliberate misinformation about the work of the scheme, which often appears in various social media platforms.

The Administrator further reiterated his commitment to constructively engage with all stakeholders to find workable solutions for the stability of the Post-School Education and Training in South Africa system and success of the students. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Mon, 06/10/2024 - 10:19

568 views
Read moreProgress in payment of private student accommodation
10 June 2024

City Power implements load reduction

Location: News

City Power implements load reduction

Johannesburg’s power utility, City Power, is expected to begin implementing load reduction in areas it says have “exceedingly high” electricity usage levels.

The load reduction is expected to be implemented from this morning.

More than 80 areas will be affected and grouped into six blocks for load reduction, which will not exceed 2.5 hours per block.

“The decision to initiate load reduction follows extensive efforts to encourage customers to use electricity wisely and efficiently in recent weeks.

“Despite warnings about the constrained electricity network in the city, residents have not reduced their electricity consumption, and energy demand has continued to rise,” the utility’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, said.

Mangena explained that consumption in the metro has reached “critical levels, forcing… City Power to embark on stringent measures to protect the grid from total collapse”.

“City Power has recorded an enormous increase in the average evening peak load in some areas, which went up by 65%, from 25MW during the summer months to 33MW between April and May 2024. In some instances, the load reaches 42MW, constituting a 110% increase in consumption levels in comparison with the warmer season.

“During January and March this year, the average off-peak consumption at some of our substations has been sitting at 20MW. Between April and May, consumption shot up by 50%, increasing the off-peak load to 30MW. With temperatures expected to drop even more between June and July, the consumption levels could have dire consequences on our network infrastructure if load reduction is not urgently implemented,” he said.

The power utility is also embarking on other measures to work in tandem with load reduction.

“Part of our measures to lighten the load on the grid through load reduction includes the installation of ripple relays. A ripple receiver is part of a load management system used to control the electricity supply to the geyser during peak hours.

“Geysers are among the biggest electricity guzzlers, accounting for up to 50% of monthly household energy costs. These ripple relay receivers at different households are connected to at least 69 of our substations, and we can monitor customers’ consumption load remotely. City Power will remotely switch off the customer geyser once they reach high consumption levels,” Mangena said.

Illegal connections

The spokesperson said illegal connections are also contributing to an already “severely strained” electricity network.

“City Power continues to intensify the removal of illegal connections and revenue collection operations across the City of Johannesburg this winter season. This seeks not only to alleviate pressure on the system but to recover the billions owed to it and send a strong message to non-paying customers to pay for the services they use daily or have their power supply cut off.

“From our observations, those who are illegally connected or tampered with meters, are amongst the highest consumers of electricity, because they do not experience the financial consequences of keeping high and irresponsible usage,” he said.

The schedule for load reduction is available on the City Power website. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 06/10/2024 - 10:41

2280 views
Read moreCity Power implements load reduction
10 June 2024

Scale Up Con 2024: Unleashing the Next Wave of Entrepreneurial Growth

Location: MyPR

Founders Events, in partnership with Outsourced CFO (OCFO.com), is thrilled to announce the return of Scale Up Con, the premier event designed to empower entrepreneurs and business leaders to take their companies to the next level. Set to take place on 20 June 2024, at the Crystal Towers in Cape Town, this year’s conference promises …

Read moreScale Up Con 2024: Unleashing the Next Wave of Entrepreneurial Growth
10 June 2024

Civil Society Organizations Launch “Principles for a Fair JETP” Framework Ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders Summit

Location: News
350.org

On Monday, 10 June, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal presented the “Principles for a Fair Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)” (https://apo-opa.co/45iTydE) during a virtual press conference launch ahead of the G7 Summit proceedings starting on June 13th. These guiding principles for global just transitions highlight the integral need for accountability, transparency, equity, and other principles in climate finance towards addressing the urgent climate crisis, from the perspective of the Global South communities and civil society in line to receive JETP finance.

The JETP deals announced in South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal underscore the necessity for finance in combating the climate crisis. As discussions around COP29 in November begin to take shape, robust commitments to principled climate finance are deemed essential for the world's climate response. Despite finally meeting the USD$100 billion annual goal, developed countries are seemingly in favour of placing higher interest rates and restrictive conditions on their investments.This course of climate finance may ultimately hinder effective climate action in developing nations and increase their debt burden. Civil society voices urge G7 leaders and developed nations, as major polluters, to commit to creating a sustainable energy future through just climate finance deals.

Collectively developed by 350Africa.org, 350.org Indonesia, Trend Asia, Nu Climate Movement, Enviro Vito, Good Governance Africa, Lumière Synergie Développement (LSD) and Action Solidaire International (ASI), through sharing knowledge and experiences, these Global JETP Principles (https://apo-opa.co/45iTydE) call for climate justice and affirm the aspirations of CSOs in recipient countries for enduring climate solutions. They aim to serve as an advocacy and capacity-building tool, bringing together civil society and grassroots communities to advocate for fair and ambitious climate finance that is responsive to the realities of developing countries.

JETPs recognize the need for resources to transform energy systems and support developing countries. Expensive access to finance traps these nations in debt, limiting climate investments and necessitating a reevaluation of climate finance delivery. Collaboration among CSOs in the global south is vital to challenge the top-down approach. Principles developed by recipient countries, facilitated by civil society, are essential for accountability and asserting local aspirations in the energy transition.

Alia Kajee, Public Finance Campaigner at 350.org “Finance is not neutral; it can support transformative aspirations or perpetuate injustices under the guise of environmental progress. The current international financial system reveals significant power imbalances between developed and developing nations, which must be addressed to achieve just, people-centered climate action”.

Ndeye Fatou Sy, Program Manager at Lumière Synergie Développement (LSD) "Finance ministers must prioritize funding mechanisms aligned with justice objectives to avoid undue strain on national economies, while ensuring greater transparency and accountability within JETPs. These partnerships, guided by principles ensuring efficacy and impact, are critical for driving effective climate action."

Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns at 350.org "A principled approach to finance is vital for navigating the global climate finance landscape, ensuring equitable and effective solutions. Initiatives like JETP highlight the need for just transitions, but aligning them with national climate finance direction and unlocking public finance, particularly in the Global South, is crucial. It is crucial that G7 member states demonstrate willingness to deliver finance at COP29."

Maureen Harris, Senior Advisor at International Rivers and coordinator of the Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition
"In Vietnam, the government has committed to a just energy transition and signed up for a JETP, while at the same time imprisoning the country's leading climate defenders. Targeted attacks on climate leaders and environmental organizations severely limit genuine opportunities for consultation with civil society, which are essential to any just transition. To meet the urgency of the climate crisis, energy transition financing must center principles of transparency, participation and accountability, towards truly just and sustainable solutions.” 

Liangyi Chang, Asia Managing Director at 350.org “In the scorching grip of the 2024 climate heat wave, Asia bears witness to the harsh reality of climate change. As temperatures soar and ecosystems strain, the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy becomes ever more apparent. Every climate leader from civil society shall be part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership from all governments, only together we can make it possible and to solve the climate disruption."

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 350.org.

Notes for Editors:
For more information about the JETP work, please visit the webpage (https://apo-opa.co/45iTydE). The Global Principles and panelists information are also available here (https://apo-opa.co/3x0CRat).

For interviews and additional information contact:
350Africa.org

Anna Amar
Email: anna.amar@350.org

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350.org
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10 June 2024

Daybreak Foods Announces Partnership With Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme To Address Critical Issue Of Youth Unemployment

Location: MyPR

Johannesburg, 10 June 2024: Daybreak Foods, a prominent player in the agribusiness sector, has taken a commendable step towards addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment in South Africa. The company is launching a partnership with the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, an initiative that is a beacon of hope for many young individuals who …

Read moreDaybreak Foods Announces Partnership With Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme To Address Critical Issue Of Youth Unemployment
10 June 2024

Time for Level Heads and a Steady Hand

Location: MyPR

As political parties continue to engage to form coalition partnerships, SEIFSA joins the broader business chorus emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the interest of the country over narrow political interest. In the medium to long term, the election outcome means that the country will be governed by arrangements between political parties. We strongly urge the …

Read moreTime for Level Heads and a Steady Hand
10 June 2024

Radiation therapy graduates unplaced for six months by health department

Location: News

Graduates are required by law to complete the Internship and Community Service Programme in order to practise

Read moreRadiation therapy graduates unplaced for six months by health department
10 June 2024

AEW Targets Equitable Energy Future with Just Energy Transition Summit

Location: News
African Energy Chamber

The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference will feature a Just Energy Transition (JET) Summit, bringing together African energy policymakers, industry leaders, community representatives and global investors to develop actionable solutions for building a sustainable energy future.

The Summit will discuss Africa's gas market potential as a transition fuel, from financing small-scale LNG to establishing integrated LPG value chains. Prioritizing gas development for enhanced energy security and industrialization, Mozambique is home to two planned large-scale LNG developments from TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil, as well as Eni's Coral South and North projects. In South Africa, exploration company Kinetiko Energy is advancing an onshore LNG project with gas-to-power plans in Mpumalanga, while TotalEnergies is targeting FID on its Brulpadda-Luiperd conventional gas field this year, with commercial production expected by 2030.

https://apo-opa.co/3yRyajN.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Africa's coal industry will also play a crucial role in shaping a just transition, with many countries relying on clean coal as a primary energy source. In South Africa, the Council for Geoscience is piloting the use of carbon capture storage and utilization technology to capture emissions from coal-fired power generation in Mpumalanga Province, leveraging funding from the World Bank. Botswana plans to construct a $2.5-billion coal-to-liquids plant, producing 12,000 barrels of diesel and gasoline daily. The facility will enable the southern African country to maximize the exploitation of its 212 billion tons of coal reserves for regional energy security, while reducing emissions, compared to using conventional coal combustion. The Just Energy Transition Summit will address strategies to decarbonize and transition existing coal power stations, while ensuring assets are not left stranded.   

Africa's burgeoning green hydrogen industry is pivotal in advancing the continent's inclusive energy transition agenda. By accelerating renewable energy infrastructure development, attracting new investments, creating jobs, and fostering workforce development, Africa is maximizing its green hydrogen potential. Namibia is spearheading this movement with the $10 billion Tsau/Khaeb project, securing funding from global investors including the German government, Japanese investors, and regional financial institutions. The Just Energy Transition Summit will spotlight projects and investment opportunities in Africa's leading green hydrogen markets, such as Mauritania, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco, illustrating their significant role in driving the energy transition continent-wide.

https://apo-opa.co/4cewJtS

Furthermore, the Summit will highlight the intersection of social justice, environmental sustainability and economic policies, and how African leaders can prioritize local workforce development as part of the transition. Private and public sector entities across Africa are introducing policies and programs aimed at supporting local capacity building and female empowerment, ensuring that oil and gas sector activities are inclusive. Last month, Angola-based investment firm ABO Capital launched the Amity Training Center in Luanda to equip the next-generation workforce with technical skills across various sectors, including oil and gas. Namibia is also prioritizing local content with the launch of its draft Local Content Policy last November, anticipating an upcoming oil and gas boom and affirming capacity building as a critical component of a just transition.

“The exploitation of Africa's oil, gas, renewable and coal resources is crucial for a successful, inclusive and just energy transition. Increasing female and youth participation – another critical component of the Just Energy Transition Summit – will also ensure value addition to local economies, while ensuring long-term stability of energy markets,” states NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Energy Chamber
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10 June 2024

Is Ostrich Leather Waterproof?

Location: MyPR

Introduction Ostrich leather is renowned for its unique texture, durability, and luxurious appeal. Often seen in high-end fashion accessories like wallets, handbags, and belts, this leather is favoured for its softness and distinctive quill pattern. However, a common question that arises is whether ostrich leather is waterproof. Understanding the water resistance of this exotic leather …

Read moreIs Ostrich Leather Waterproof?
9 June 2024

Why Mammograms Are Essential for Women’s Health

Location: MyPR

Introduction Mammograms are a critical tool in women’s health, particularly in the early detection of breast cancer. This blog discusses why mammograms are essential and what women can expect during the procedure.   The Importance of Early Detection   Early detection of breast cancer through mammograms can save lives. Mammograms can detect tumours that are …

Read moreWhy Mammograms Are Essential for Women’s Health
7 June 2024

Busting Myths About Blood Donation

Location: MyPR

Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, dispels the common myths around blood donation and encourages more people to partake in this vital act of kindness. Every year on 12 June, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness of the importance of blood and blood product donations. “Worldwide, the need …

Read moreBusting Myths About Blood Donation
7 June 2024

Rehabilitation of Lower Sundays Canal delayed after recent floods

Location: News

Rehabilitation of Lower Sundays Canal delayed after recent floods

The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced the postponement of the emergency rehabilitation of parts of the Lower Sundays River Canal, which was planned to start from Monday, 10 June to 15 August 2024.

The department said the postponement of the project is due to the recent heavy rainfall that resulted in flooding in various areas of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), which may have compromised infrastructure, including water supply systems. 

“This is to afford the municipality time to complete its disaster assessment and response, as well as the resumption of the state of readiness for the project,” the department said in a statement.

The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS).

The LSGWS canal system supplies two main users with bulk water, including agricultural users, the Sundays River citrus producing area, and domestic users, Kirkwood, Uitenhage, Enon, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro amongst others.

The LSGWS forms part of the greater Orange-Fish-Sundays Inter Basin Transfer Scheme and it transfers 740 million kilolitres of water annually from the Gariep Dam to the Eastern Cape through the 80 km Orange-Fish Tunnel. 

The repair of the canal is a result of a May 2017 incident, where a section of the canal embarkment slipped, about 4.4km south of Enon. 

The department then had to construct a temporary embarkment using a plastic membrane to ensure the continuous supply of water to users. However, a secondary embankment failure has occurred, with 200m downstream of the initial embankment and canal failure.

The work on the canal includes demolishing the existing canal at the upstream and downstream tie-in sections, surface preparations, and the placement of a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liner over the upstream and downstream tie-ins.

The department emphasised that during the tie-ins construction, the canal will not be completely shut down, but there will be intervals at which, upon completion of certain segments that are being repaired, water will be allowed to flow through to the dams for end users. 

“During this period, on average, the canal will be closed for seven to ten days for construction and be opened for seven days for the flow of water to fill up dams for the areas to be impacted by the temporary shutdowns. The major domestic users to be impacted by the canal supply interruptions will be the towns of Addo, Paterson and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. 

“However, measures are being put in place to ensure less interruptions to these areas. Kirkwood, which is located upstream of the shutdown point will continue to be supplied from the main canal. Addo and Paterson which are supplied from the Caesar’s Balancing Dam, downstream, which will be filled prior to canal shutdown, and continuously recharged during the seven days open flows,” the department said.

The department also noted that balancing dams are designed to act as multipurpose reservoirs and are commonly used to serve as distribution points from where water is diverted into pipelines, canals, or to serve as pumping stations or store water for short period and immediate usage. 

It said the seven days closure and opening interval of the canal was determined based on the storage capacity of these dams. 

Considering the developments, the department said it will continue with its consultations on the new start date of the canal tie-in to bring all stakeholders on board to enable them to plan for this period and inform their customers. 

“The department continues to hold meetings with these stakeholders to discuss action plans to mitigate any possible challenges and bottlenecks when the planned dry period gets implemented. It is important to note that the emergency rehabilitation to be carried out is critical for the reliability and sustainability of supply to the users. If the damaged canal remains not repaired, the scheme stands a total collapse,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 06/07/2024 - 10:15

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Read moreRehabilitation of Lower Sundays Canal delayed after recent floods
7 June 2024

Parliament working to usher in new representatives

Location: News

Parliament working to usher in new representatives

Parliamentary administrations are hard at work in preparation to receive and welcome the newly elected representatives of the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures.

This is according to Secretary of Parliament Xolile George, who was speaking during the official handover of the lists of new representatives on Thursday at the Constitutional Court.

The lists were handed over by Electoral Commission of South Africa Chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo who in turn handed them to George.

South Africans headed to the polls last week to elect new representatives for the seventh administration in the country’s most competitive elections since the dawn of democracy in 1994.

“[Let] me take this opportunity, on behalf of our National Parliament, to extend gratitude, respect and congratulations to the people of South Africa who showed up in their numbers to exercise their Constitutional right to participate in our seventh democratic elections to determine their government and their national and provincial representatives.

“As the Parliamentary Administrations across the legislative sector, we have been hard at work preparing to welcome the elected representatives of the National Assembly and the Provincial Legislatures and the establishment of our sventh democratic Parliament and the nine Provincial Legislatures,” George said.

He outlined the “on boarding” processes that Parliament will undertake for the newly elected members of the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and the Provincial Legislatures.

“We have critically considered the parliamentary rules, mechanisms and processes to ensure that the work of Members of Parliament is facilitated and supported effectively.

“Arrangements are in place for the first sittings of the National Assembly, the Provincial Legislatures and the National Council of Provinces.

“With the receipt of the official list of elected representatives I assure the Chief Justice and our nation that our work will continue in earnest to ensure seamless, efficient and effective foundational processes, so that the work of Members of both Houses of Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures can commence without delay,” he said.

Will of the people

At the handover ceremony, Moepya revealed that Parliament will be made up of 174 females (43.5%) and 226 males (56.5%).

The age range for the representatives is as follows:

  • 12 candidates are aged 20 to 29
  • 67  are in the 30 to 39 age band
  • 110 are between 40 and 49
  • 110 are 50 to 59
  • 90 are 60 to 69
  • 11 are 70 and above

“These representatives reflect the choices, hopes and aspirations of millions of citizens who exercised their democratic rights.

“This list is not exhaustive – an election touches the lives of everyone in a nation. Their commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent election has been truly commendable,” Moepya said.

He emphasised that the lists handover is a critical part of South Africa’s democratic processes.

“We do so in keeping with an established practice in South Africa that after the announcement by the Electoral Commission of the results of the National and Provincial Elections the Electoral Commission hands over the lists of members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures to the Chief Justice, who then hands them over to the Secretary to Parliament.

“This momentous occasion signifies the culmination of a robust and transparent electoral process, a process that echoes the unified voice of our nation.

“[Our] role as the Electoral Commission…is to ensure that South African voters exercise their rights to choose their leaders. We have carried out these responsibilities without fear, favour or prejudice. The lists that we present…reflect the choices of South Africans,” Moepya said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 06/07/2024 - 09:49

59 views
Read moreParliament working to usher in new representatives
6 June 2024

Future-Proof Your Business With Next-Generation IT Services

Location: MyPR

SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, explores the benefits of next-gen IT services and how blending digital and IT integration expertise can future-proof your business. “One of the most effective ways to ensure your business stays …

Read moreFuture-Proof Your Business With Next-Generation IT Services
6 June 2024

The Importance of Eye Wash Stations in the Workplace

Location: MyPR

Introduction Eye wash stations are a critical component of workplace safety, particularly in environments where employees are exposed to hazardous substances. This blog discusses the importance of eye wash stations, their proper use, and maintenance to ensure maximum protection for workers.   Why Eye Wash Stations Are Essential In workplaces where chemicals, dust, or other …

Read moreThe Importance of Eye Wash Stations in the Workplace
5 June 2024

Celebrating World Environment Day

Location: News

Celebrating World Environment Day

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has called on all South Africans to join the international community in celebrating World Environment Day 2024.

World Environment Day is being celebrated under the theme, “Accelerating land restoration, drought resilience and desertification progress”.

The theme highlights the importance of accelerating the implementation of interventions aimed at addressing land degradation, desertification and minimising the impacts of drought at all levels.

"As South Africans, we should combine local actions and land restoration techniques in the fight against land degradation, desertification, and drought impacts. This includes planting trees, rotating crops, using water retention techniques, such as building retention ditches and cut-off drains, and applying organic manures and mineral fertilisers, among other methods," Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, said on Wednesday.

Desertification is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions, particularly drought. It is also caused by human activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soil, negatively affecting land utility.

These include poor land use management and depletion of soil nutrients due to unsustainable agricultural practices; deforestation; pollution (including waste); wind and soil erosion; expansion of agricultural land, overgrazing by livestock; over extraction of natural resources, as well as mining activities that result in salination.

“Both desertification and land degradation are intricately linked to food and water security, poverty, urbanisation, climate change and biodiversity, and are therefore among the most critical environmental challenges,” the department said.

The international community has pledged to restore one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.

Land restoration is about creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for people both small-scale farmers, indigenous peoples and local communities, businesses and entrepreneurs, women and youth to boost incomes, secure food and water supplies, and make individuals and communities less vulnerable.

“Land restoration is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play. Let us strive to restore ecosystems, mitigate desertification and combat drought, thereby forging a path towards a greener, healthier and more prosperous planet for all,” Creecy said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Wed, 06/05/2024 - 09:20

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Read moreCelebrating World Environment Day
4 June 2024

Sundays River Canal to be closed for rehabilitation work

Location: News

Sundays River Canal to be closed for rehabilitation work

Water users in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality have been informed of the upcoming three-month shutdown of parts of the Lower Sundays River Canal for urgent rehabilitation work.

The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS).

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Lower Sundays River Water User Association, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) has announced that the planned shutdown of the LSGWS canal is scheduled for 10 June to 15 August 2024.

The LSGWS canal system supplies two main users with bulk water, including agricultural users, Sundays River citrus producing area, and domestic users, Kirkwood, Uitenhage, Enon, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro amongst others.

The LSGWS forms part of the greater Orange-Fish-Sundays Inter Basin Transfer Scheme and it transfers 740 million kilolitres of water annually from the Gariep Dam to the Eastern Cape through the 80 km Orange-Fish Tunnel. 

The repair of the canal is a result of a May 2017 incident, where a section of the canal embarkment slipped, about 4.4km south of Enon. 

The department then had to construct a temporary embarkment using a plastic membrane to ensure the continuous supply of water to users. However, a secondary embankment failure has occurred, with 200m downstream of the initial embankment and canal failure.

In a joint statement, the DWS, Association and NMBMM said the rehabilitation work to be carried out is critical for the reliable and sustainability of supply to users, warning that if the damaged canal is not repaired, the water scheme will be at risk of collapse. 

The work on the canal includes demolishing the existing canal at the upstream and downstream tie-in sections, surface preparations, and the placement of a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liner over the upstream and downstream tie-ins.

“It is important to note that during the construction of the tie-ins, the canal will not be completely shut down, but there will be intervals at which, upon completion of certain segments that are being repaired, water will be allowed to flow through to the dams to supply end users. The major domestic users to be impacted by the shutdown will be the towns of Addo, Paterson and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro,” the statement said. 

Minimising interruption

However, the stakeholders have assured the public that measures have been put in place to minimise interruptions to water supply in these areas, and Kirkwood, which is located upstream of the shutdown point, will continue to be supplied from the main canal. 

The stakeholders said the Caesar’s Balancing Dam, which supplies Addo and Paterson, will be filled prior to canal shutdown, and will be continuously recharged during the intervals when the canal is opened. 

They explained that the NMBM, which ordinarily receives 70% of water supply from the scheme through the Nooitgedaght Water Treatment Works, will be supplied from the Scheepersvlakte Balancing Dam for the duration of the canal shutdown period. 

“The reduced supply to the Nooitgedacht WTW [Water Treatment Works] will also be offset by increased supply from the western systems through Loerie and Churchill Dams, and Loerie and Elandsjacht Water Treatment Works managed by Gamtoos Water User Association and the Metro respectively.  

“The Loerie and Scheepersvlakte Balancing Dams will be filled to 100% capacity before the shutdown commences and refilled during open flows,” the statement said.

The DWS said it has consulted extensively on the planned shutdown, to bring all its stakeholders on board and for them to plan for this period and inform their customers. 

“The department continues to hold meetings with these stakeholders to discuss action plans to mitigate any possible challenges and bottlenecks as the planned shutdown gets implemented,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 11:14

333 views
Read moreSundays River Canal to be closed for rehabilitation work
4 June 2024

Top 5 fraud prevention challenges and how to overcome them

Location: MyPR

The fight against fraud is constantly evolving. Experian’s recent fraud research shows that 71% of the fraud leaders in our survey are struggling to keep up with the rapidly evolving fraud threat. But as new technology creates opportunities for fraudsters, so too does it enable better fraud prevention. This balance between fraud attacks and prevention …

Read moreTop 5 fraud prevention challenges and how to overcome them
3 June 2024

Nutrition Tips For Men: Fuelling Your Body For Optimal Health

Location: MyPR

Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, offers 10 nutritional tips for men in light of June being Men’s Health Month. “A balanced diet isn’t just about avoiding illness; it’s about thriving,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “According to the National Institutes of Health, optimal nutrition can enhance physical performance, boost …

Read moreNutrition Tips For Men: Fuelling Your Body For Optimal Health
31 May 2024

Impilo Collection Foundation to Provide Critical Support to Victims of Gender-Based Violence and Promote Education with Donation of 200 Blankets

Location: MyPR

The Impilo Collection Foundation recognises the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. In line with this vision, funds were raised by our founder, Angela Yeung, during her recent mountain climb up the daunting Manaslu, standing tall at 8,163 meters, which surpasses her previous triumph on the Island Peak at …

Read moreImpilo Collection Foundation to Provide Critical Support to Victims of Gender-Based Violence and Promote Education with Donation of 200 Blankets
31 May 2024

Education at the Forefront of South Africa’s Children: Afrika Tikkun celebrates International Children’s Day

Location: MyPR

South Africa is abuzz with discussions, debates and decisions as the nation awaits the outcome of the 7th democratic elections. Every citizen’s vote will shape the country’s trajectory, making this period critical for our democracy. While parties presented a variety of platforms and promises, one issue stands out prominently: education. For many South Africans, the …

Read moreEducation at the Forefront of South Africa’s Children: Afrika Tikkun celebrates International Children’s Day
30 May 2024

Navigating Bi-Annual Tax Filings with Ease

Location: MyPR

Keeping up with taxes is a big part of running a company in South Africa, but it can be daunting, especially when you have to deal with bi-annual tax filings. It’s not just about paying what you owe, it’s about knowing when to file, what forms you need, and ensuring everything is accurate. If you’re …

Read moreNavigating Bi-Annual Tax Filings with Ease
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