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End of load shedding remains within reach 

Location: News

End of load shedding remains within reach 

The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is confident that the end of load shedding in South Africa is within reach. 

Briefing the media on Sunday following an implementation of Stage 6 load shedding, Ramokgopa assured the nation that government and Eskom are making long-term decisions in the best interest of the country's power grid and economy.

“At all material points, we will never make expedient decisions at the cost of the grid, because the consequences will be too ghastly to contemplate. That is why it is important that to the degree that we need to initiate load shedding, understanding fully well that is going to deliver a message of an entity and a ministry that essentially is dropping the ball. 

“But we are making the point that we will not make expedient decisions. We'll make decisions that are in the interest of the of the grid and in the long term, in the interest of the South African economy,” the Minister explained.

The Minister further reassured the public that there is significant progress in stabilising the electricity supply.

“And I give you the assurance, that point I always make consistently, the end of load shedding is within touching distance,” he said. 

New capacity 

The Minister highlighted key developments in Eskom's recovery plan, including the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6, initially expected by the end of February but now scheduled for 9 March.

Medupi Unit 4 is expected at the end of March or early April. These additions will bring 1,600 megawatts to the grid.
"Of course, the Medupi one is what we lost; we are recovering that. The Kusile unit, however, is entirely new capacity.  I'm confident that we are moving in the right direction.

“I want to say to the rest of the country, you are going through pain, we understand your anger, we feel your pain, we can hear your cries. We will resolve this problem,” Ramokgopa said. 

READ | Load shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week 

Staying the course

Ramokgopa emphasised that government remains committed to the generation recovery plan, which he said is yielding positive results despite occasional setbacks.

“We're staying the course in relation to the generation recovery plan, because that generation recovery plan is giving us the results that we desire. We have accepted that there are going to be setbacks. 

He explained that the ongoing maintenance work is a critical part of ensuring that when the government ultimately declares load shedding a thing of the past, it does so with confidence.

“But as I’ve said consistently, when I stood before the nation to give an update on the grid’s performance, I made the point [that there will be] short-term pain, [and] long-term gain. We cannot postpone the maintenance of these assets.

“That’s why we are able to allocate the capital received from National Treasury to ensure that we carry out the necessary maintenance so that when we stand before you … that load shedding is behind us I'm able to speak with a degree of confidence. That is why I have not been able to make that absolute statement, because we have accepted that there are inherent risk in relation to the strategy that we have taken,” he explained.

In response to concerns about Eskom’s operational decisions, Ramokgopa dismissed any suggestions of underhanded dealings, reiterating that all efforts are aimed at long-term sustainability.

"We're not going to do shortcuts in relation to our obligations to the environment. We are committed to ensuring that South Africa’s energy supply is both stable and sustainable. As part of this journey to ensure that we eliminate load shedding, we're going to ensure that we keep to our obligations in relation to the environment,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Sun, 02/23/2025 - 15:50
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Read moreEnd of load shedding remains within reach 

Load shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week 

Location: News

Load shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week 

The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has assured South Africans that the country will overcome the current bout of load shedding crisis by the end of the week.

The Minister along with Eskom executives were briefing the media on Sunday to provide an update on the status of South Africa’s electricity generation performance. 

The briefing follows an announcement by Eskom that it had implemented Stage 6 load shedding as of 1:30 am on Sunday.

“I'm confident that by the end of the week, we should be out of this difficult situation. We are confident we're going to go to conditions of normality. By the end of the week there will not be [any] load shedding. We would have gone through this wave and of course, we want the country to get accustomed to being normal. 

“And in fact, something called load shedding should be considered extremely abnormal,” Ramokgopa said. 

READ | Electricity Minister and Eskom to provide power update  

The Minister explained that despite 300 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply, recent setbacks occurred, including the loss of five generation units at Majuba and four units at Camden power stations.

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said out of the 10 units lost overnight, six were back online.

“We have five to six units that are planned to come back in operation during the course of today and we will take stock just after 8 o’clock in the evening, after the evening peak. Our teams are very focused on returning these units,” Marokane told media at the briefing in Pretoria.

He said the loss of multiple units at the Majuba power station was occasioned by an overload on a transformer.

Marokane said when they checked the situation at Majuba on Saturday, it coincided with the trip to Medupi power station which had to do with the underfrequency in the network.

At Majuba, five units were lost but were brought two back online by 6am on Sunday, as well as one at Camden. The power utility would proceed to bring the rest of the units back into operation.

“Essentially, what really pushed us into the position that we found ourselves [in] having to initiate load shedding at very short notice yesterday at 5:30 pm was the loss of multiple units at Majuba power station. 

“This was occasioned by initially an overload on a transformer as a result of the startup of a unit that was coming out of a long-term outage and that essentially started the domino effect of reticulation supply cutting to the rest of the units. And one by one, those units gave in,” he explained.

He added that “we have understood the exact nature of how the event came about, and we are able to isolate it overnight and start addressing it.”

“Of course, in the coming week, we will be diving deeper into ensuring that, from a system design perspective, we are able to contain such occurrences going forth. And we'll also assess where else the rest may be lying in our fleet,” the CEO said. 

Apology 

Meanwhile, the Minister apologised for the recent setback and explained the efforts to address the load shedding issue.

“Let me also say at the onset that I want on behalf of government, and the leadership of Eskom, to express our regret and convey our apology to the rest of the country. The fact that we are experiencing load shedding and secondly, that we are experiencing the intensity of load shedding that we haven’t experienced in a long time. 

“The levels of agitation, levels of anger and disappointment are understood because we are really on a journey to ensure that indeed ultimately, we are able to eradicate load shedding.”

He said that the setback was regrettable as was the one that occurred earlier this month.

The Minister explained that it was important to share how the country got to Stage 6 load shedding.

First, he explained that his department and Eskom are guided by the Energy Action Plan that the President outlined in July 2022, of which one of its outcomes is to fix Eskom.

The Minister emphasised that there was no sabotage involved on the basis of evidence in their disposal. 

"I want to say to the rest of the country; the evidence that is before us is that this is a technical issue. I am making this point because we must not find any reasons to manufacture explanations of why we are at Stage 6 and point fingers somewhere else,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 15:06
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Read moreLoad shedding expected to be suspended by the end of the week 

Government remains committed to preserving local industries

Location: News

Government remains committed to preserving local industries

Government is committed to preserving local industries and safeguarding employment opportunities, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said.

This as government acknowledged the concerns raised by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) on the impact of ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA) decision to wind down its long steel business.

“We recognise the significance of this matter for workers, the broader steel industry, and the economy,” said the department in a statement on Saturday.

This as NUMSA staged a picket outside the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to voice their demands on Friday.

“The Minister is awaiting the memorandum to be presented by the board regarding these demands. Once received, the Minister will consider the issues raised and respond appropriately. 

“The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) remains committed to engaging all stakeholders, including AMSA, organised labour, and industry partners, to find sustainable solutions. We continue to explore all possible avenues to avert job losses, support affected workers and ensure the resilience of South Africa’s steel sector,” said the department.

The dtic urged all parties to engage constructively “as we work towards interventions that protect industrial capacity while securing long-term economic stability.”

“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving local industries and safeguarding employment opportunities,” said the department.

In January, the dtic said the steel industry is critical in the reconstruction and recovery plan for the South African economy, particularly the manufacturing, mining, construction, engineering, and transportation sectors.

This as AMSA announced that it was winding down its longs steel business at its Newcastle plant.

“The department notes with serious concern the announcement by ArcelorMittal South Africa to wind down its longs steel business at its Newcastle plant. In fulfilment of its mandate to work with the private sector in growing the local economy the dtic remains committed to working with AMSA to find a workable and lasting situation,” the department said in a statement at the time.

During the course of 2024, AMSA had reached out to various government departments and state-owned entities with requests for different concessions for their business. Having taken heed of these requests, the Minister of the dtic took the decision to form a comprehensive and coordinated approach to resolving the issues raised by AMSA.

READ | DTIC notes ArcelorMittal South Africa’s decision

The Minister set up a technical working group made up of the relevant stakeholders including the dtic and AMSA, the Departments of Electricity and Energy, Transport, as well as Eskom, Transnet and private sector stakeholders. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 12:02
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Electricity Minister and Eskom to provide power update  

Location: News

Electricity Minister and Eskom to provide power update  

The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Eskom will provide an update on the status of South Africa’s electricity generation performance at a briefing this morning.

Sunday’s briefing follows an announcement by Eskom that it has implemented Stage 6 load shedding.

“Eskom regrets to announce that Stage 6 load shedding was implemented at 1:30am due to multiple unit trips at Camden Power Station and will continue until further notice.

“This measure followed the implementation of Stage 3, necessitated by multiple unit trips at Majuba Power Station and a unit trip at Medupi that resulted in a loss of 3 864 MW in generation capacity, while planned maintenance accounted for 7 506 MW,” the power utility said in social media post.

In Sunday’s social media post on X, Eskom said Stage 6 load shedding was necessary to “replenish emergency reserves and prepare for the week ahead.”

On Saturday, the power utility implemented Stage 3 load shedding. 

“Following over 20 days of uninterrupted electricity supply, Eskom has encountered another temporary setback. As a result, Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented from today at 17:30 until further notice,” it said at the time.

The briefing in Pretoria is expected to start at 11 am. -SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

Neo
Sun, 02/23/2025 - 09:32
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Dear Eskom – If Only We All Had the Gift of Hindsight!

Location: Business

Friday, 21 February 2025: Eskom confirms that loadshedding remains suspended, supported by a stable power system and adequate emergency reserves. This progress underscores the success of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan in improving generation capacity and maintaining a reliable electricity supply. From 1 April 2024 to 20 February 2025, loadshedding was suspended for 323 days...

Read moreDear Eskom – If Only We All Had the Gift of Hindsight!

Eskom cracks down on attacks against field employees

Location: News

Eskom cracks down on attacks against field employees

Eskom says it is collaborating with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee to crack down on violent crimes against its employees – particularly those based in the Eastern Cape.

The energy utility described a “rising wave” of attacks against its employees in that province and warned that rising violence is compromising its ability to service those areas.

“Despite an initial decline earlier in the financial year, these attacks have surged since October 2024, posing significant risks to both personnel and service delivery operations, particularly in the Eastern Cape

“Eskom is committed to enhancing security measures but will cease operations in areas where employee safety is compromised. Protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its employees is an urgent priority,” Eskom said.

The energy company revealed that at least 14 armed robberies and five car hijackings had been perpetrated against its employees since the beginning of the 2024/25 financial year.

“One of the most alarming incidents occurred on 4 January 2025 along the N2 at Tsolo Junction, where an Eskom employee was shot and robbed of personal belongings during a car hijacking. Electrification sites and commuting employees remain particularly vulnerable, with most attacks concentrated in Mbodlana Village, uMthatha, Port St Johns, and Tsolo.

“Criminals are employing extreme violence, using firearms, hijacking company and personal vehicles, coercing employees into transferring cash, and even restraining them. These threats place Eskom personnel at severe risk of injury or loss of life while carrying out essential duties,” Eskom said.

The power utility said continued attacks “extend beyond individual safety concerns”.

“They contribute to the deterioration of public infrastructure, jeopardise energy security, disrupt electricity supply, result in financial losses, and create an unsafe work environment.

“Eskom strongly condemns these violent acts and continues to work diligently with NATJOINTS to curb the crisis. However, should the situation persist, Eskom may be forced to withdraw its technicians from high-risk areas.

“This would inevitably lead to prolonged power outages and service disruptions, negatively affecting communities and businesses. The safety of Eskom employees is non-negotiable,” Eskom said.

Community members are urged to report any information they may have on these attacks to contact the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323. – SAnews.gov.za

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Thu, 02/20/2025 - 16:11
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Eskom and NATJOINTS Collaborate to Combat Escalating Violent Crimes

Location: Business

Wednesday, 19 February 2025: Eskom is working closely with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety & Security Priority Committee to address the rising wave of violent crimes targeting its employees. Despite an initial decline earlier in the financial year, these attacks have surged since October 2024, posing significant risks to both...

Read moreEskom and NATJOINTS Collaborate to Combat Escalating Violent Crimes

Opportunities for Growth and Investment in Africa’s Energy Sector

Location: News
African Energy Chamber

Africa's energy sector presents significant opportunities for investment and growth through targeted infrastructure development. Despite the continent's abundant hydrocarbon resources, inadequate infrastructure has historically impeded efficient extraction, processing and distribution. Addressing these gaps can unlock substantial economic potential and meet the rising energy demands both within Africa and globally.

As Africa continues to prioritize energy infrastructure development, this year's Africa Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town - will serve as a critical platform for investors, policymakers and industry leaders to explore opportunities in oil and gas pipelines, storage facilities and gas-to-power projects. Discussions at AEW 2025 will highlight successful infrastructure projects, showcase emerging investment prospects and address challenges in financing and implementation.

Pipeline Infrastructure

One critical area for investment is the development of extensive pipeline networks. These pipelines are essential for transporting crude oil and natural gas from production sites to refineries and export terminals. The proposed Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline aims to transport approximately 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Nigeria through to Morocco and onto Europe, traversing 13 African countries. The $25 billion, 5,600-km project is poised to enhance energy security and foster economic integration across the region, with the potential to create jobs, boost industrialization and provide a stable gas supply for domestic consumption and export, strengthening Africa's role in the global energy market.

Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities

Investing in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities is another promising avenue. These facilities enable the processing and export of natural gas, catering to global markets with high energy demands. Countries like Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Tanzania are advancing large-scale LNG projects to capitalize on their substantial gas reserves. For example, Tanzania's LNG Liquefaction Plant, estimated at $30 billion, is set to position the country as a key player in the global LNG market.

Refining Capacity Enhancement

Africa's limited refining capacity often necessitates the import of refined petroleum products, leading to economic inefficiencies. Investments in modernizing and expanding existing refineries, as well as constructing new ones, are crucial. Such developments would not only meet domestic demand, but also create export opportunities. Angola is in the process of developing three new oil refineries, which will collectively increase domestic refining capacity to 400,000 barrels per day and reduce dependence on imported fuels.

Storage and Distribution Networks

Robust storage facilities and distribution networks are vital for maintaining energy supply stability. Investing in these areas ensures that oil and gas products are efficiently stored and transported to end-users, minimizing losses and meeting market demands. Enhanced storage capacity also provides a buffer against market fluctuations, contributing to energy security. South Africa's Richards Bay III project – a $6 million initiative involving the construction of an oil storage facility – aims to enhance South Africa's energy storage capacity and improve supply stability. Additionally, South Africa is experiencing significant growth in its LPG industry, driven by new distribution hubs and rising electricity prices. Companies like Petredec have announced the establishment of the country's first rail-supplied LPG project, aiming to make LPG a more accessible and cost-effective energy alternative.

Power Generation and Electrification

Leveraging natural gas for power generation offers a dual benefit: monetizing gas resources and addressing electricity deficits. Investments in gas-fired power plants and associated transmission infrastructure can significantly improve electrification rates across the continent. Mozambique's Temane gas-to-power project is set to commence operations in 2025, leveraging gas from the Pande and Temane fields to produce 450 MW of affordable power for the state utility.

AEW: Invest in African Energies 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.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Hammaskraal water declared safe for consumption

Location: News

Hammaskraal water declared safe for consumption

Drinking water in Hammanskraal has been declared safe for consumption, following concerns over water quality in the area.

In response to the concerns raised in media reports, an urgent meeting was convened by Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, City of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya, and Magalies Water. The meeting, held last Friday, addressed a temporary water supply disruption that caused brief turbidity in the drinking water.

“The meeting confirmed that the water is now safe to drink. It was agreed that officials from the City and Magalies Water would meet weekly to ensure proper coordination and timeous, and clear communication to the public regarding any water supply disruptions,” the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said in a statement on Saturday.

The department confirmed that Magalies Water experienced a power failure at its Klipdrift Water Treatment Works on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, following a severe storm that damaged the mini-substation supplying electricity to the facility.

The storm caused severe damage to the substation, necessitating the procurement, installation, and commissioning of a new mini-substation.

Magalies Water successfully completed the installation and commissioning process by Saturday, 8 February 2025. 

After the electricity supply was restored, the plant was promptly restarted, ensuring the resumption of normal water treatment operations.

Due to downtime of the water treatment plant caused by the damage to the electricity substation, the department noted that the reservoirs and reticulation system were empty and dry for a considerable amount of time.

The downtown affected a number of areas, including Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (Steve Bikoville), Kudube Unit 9, Babelegi Industrial and Bridgeview informal settlement.

The department added that when the system was restarted on 8 February 2025, it took time to recover, and the City of Tshwane and Magalies Water had to conduct testing and flushing of the system to get air out of the supply pipelines.
Water quality in the system is monitored continuously.

However, on 11 February 2025, it was discovered that there was some turbidity in the water, which could have been caused by settled sediments due to the system been dry for a period of time.

The department said all other parameters, apart from turbidity, complied with the South African National Standards (SANS) 241:2015 drinking water quality standard.

“Subsequent tests and further flushing of the distribution system were conducted on 13 February, and the results indicated that there was no non-compliance on any water quality parameters. The water in the system continues to be compliant to SANS 241:2015 and safe for human consumption.

“Magalies Water’s highly advanced ISO/IEC [International Organisation for Standardisation and the International Electrotechnical Commission] 17025:2017 accredited Scientific Services Laboratory and its staff continuously monitor water quality in the system. Rigorous monitoring protocols are implemented and informed by a risk-based approach that adheres to regulatory frameworks,” the department explained.

The City of Tshwane and Magalies Water, supported by Water and Sanitation, will continue to take samples and assess water quality in Hammanskraal, and the City of Tshwane will also continue to provide updates to residents accordingly.

“Residents are advised to avoid relying on misinformation from social media, which is often unverified and to make use of official notifications published by the City of Tshwane,” the department said. -SAnews.gov.za
 

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Mon, 02/17/2025 - 10:01
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Minister Ramokgopa engages Free State on electricity challenges 

Location: News

Minister Ramokgopa engages Free State on electricity challenges 

Electricity challenges the development of interventions on municipal management will come to the fore at Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s engagement with the Free State provincial government and local municipalities today.

Monday’s meeting outcomes amongst others will develop strategies that will ensure that municipalities are able to meet their obligations to Eskom, thereby ensuring reliable electricity supply for their respective municipalities. 

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and the Minister will lead an intergovernmental intervention team with all Municipalities in the province. 

“The seventh administration’s commitment towards a functional local government that’s able to meet its obligation is displayed by the approach taken by the three spheres of government.

“Majority of our municipalities have been put under section 139 intervention of the Constitution in the stead of the Provincial Executive. This stems from historical municipalities debts of both arrears and current accounts to pay Eskom for electricity distribution,” the provincial government said.

The municipalities inability to collect revenue from debtors and maintain sustainable credit control has been influenced by a myriad of reasons which the intergovernmental dialogue will be vested with among many other areas of concern.

“Over the years the situation has worsened and had adverse effect on service delivery within the communities, impacting on operations of corporates, small businesses within those municipalities.

“The situation needs an integrated approach which will ensure a sustainable intervention plan looking at medium to long term solutions, some of these plans might require financial reconfiguration, particularly given the country’s ongoing fiscal consolidation efforts,” the provincial government said. -SAnews.gov.za

 

nosihle
Mon, 02/17/2025 - 09:26
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Power System Continues to Be Stable

Location: Business

Power system continues to be stable with loadshedding suspended and R17.57 billion in year-on-year diesel savings delivered. Friday, 14 February 2025: Eskom confirms that loadshedding remains suspended. The system is stable and has sufficient emergency reserves. From 1 April 2024 to 14 February 2025, loadshedding was suspended for 317 days (7 643 hours), compared to...

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Government to unveil energy investment instrument

Location: News

Government to unveil energy investment instrument

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the department has designed a private sector investment instrument to mobilise resources for modernising South Africa’s energy infrastructure.

The minister made the remarks during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate, held in Cape Town, on Wednesday.

“We have designed an instrument. We will be introducing that instrument to the country in the next five weeks and we are going to use that instrument as a template. We’ll take it to Transnet…we’ll take it to all [State Owned Enterprises]. So that we are able to drive infrastructure [investment] forward,” he said.

Over the next ten years, South Africa requires approximately R450 billion to expand transmission lines by some 14 000 km.

Ramokgopa pointed out that government will not be able to bear the financial burden on its own.

“We make the point that the state sovereign balance sheet is weak, the Eskom balance sheet has been eroded, [and] we need to design instruments that help us to ensure that there is accelerated private sector investment,” he said.

Another area where the government aims to increase output is in freight logistics.

“We’ve got a baseline of 149 million tonnes per annum and our target for the year is 170 million tonnes and by 2030 we want to reach 250 million tonnes.

“We have decided that we want to target specific corridors. The Northern Cape Saldanha corridor which carries iron ore and manganese, the northern corridor which carries coal and chrome, the Gauteng-Durban corridor which carries automotive and general freight,” he said.

The transformation project

Turning to geopolitical issues arising from the promulgation of the Expropriation Act, Ramokgopa emphasised that government will press ahead with policies aimed at transforming the country.

“We are determined to protect the gains of the democratic project. We will go and explain ourselves to our allies and articulate the vision of a South Africa that we want; that the transformation project is indeed irreversible.

“We are on the correct path…we will not be bullied,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 02/13/2025 - 11:15

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Infrastructure fund and partners drives major advancement in infrastructure landscape

Location: News

Infrastructure fund and partners drives major advancement in infrastructure landscape

Public Works Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala has highlighted that since the 2024 State of Nation Address (SONA), the Infrastructure Fund (IF) and its strategic partners have made great strides in the infrastructure landscape.

“Seven more blended finance projects with a capital value of R37.8 billion have been added to the IF pipeline as noted by the President in the SONA last week,” Zikalala said.

In his debate on the State of the Nation Address, held in Cape Town on Tuesday, Zikalala said under the 6th Administration in 2020, 62 projects or programmes, were gazetted as SIPs [Strategic Integrated Projects] with an additional seven programmes gazetted as SIPs in 2022.

“Taking into account the various programmes gazetted as SIPs, we have approximately 268 individual projects gazetted as SIPs, which are dominated by the energy sector under the Embedded Generation Programme, the Green Hydrogen Programme and the various bid windows and preferred bidders, as announced by the DMRE [Department of Mineral Resources and Energy] and the Minister of Electricity and Energy [Kgosientso Ramokgopa],” Zikalala said. 

Zikalala revealed that the total value of these projects is estimated at around R3 trillion, with 82 projects already under construction, valued at approximately R437 billion.

“Government commitment for these projects is estimated at around R13.8 billion over the 2025 medium-term, comprising of bespoke and innovative first loss capital grant finance, short and long-term viability gap and project derisking debt instruments. The associated financial additionality from the private sector and public equity contributions is estimated at around R24.2 billion,” Zikalala said.

Bespoke refers to something that is custom-made or tailored specifically to the needs or preferences of an individual. It is often used in contexts like clothing (e.g., bespoke suits), but can apply to anything that is made to order or specially designed.

Zikalala said going forward, government will enhance project preparation by easing regulations affecting Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and further ensure a quicker turn on PPPs implementation unit, while National Treasury continues with its overall monitoring to avoid potential corrupt practices.

“This will ensure an increase in investment in all infrastructure which in turn will lead to the growth of Gross Capital Formation, which is the primary feature of our country’s balance sheet while creating more skills and sustainable jobs.

“As a developmental state, our approach on infrastructure development is not about caring only for selective areas but the whole of South Africa. Each day, we play our role to reverse the evil legacy of apartheid spatial planning which neglected poor townships and rural communities,” the minister said.

Zikalala said the Welisizwe Rural Bridges prgramme connects rural communities with each other and to amenities.

To date, 40 bridges have been completed in six provinces, with the highest numbers in Kwa-Zulu Natal, followed by the Eastern Cape.

The completed bridges include 18 in KwaZulu-Natal, 14 in Eastern Cape, 4 in Mpumalanga, 1 in North West, and 3 in Free State, with none built in Limpopo.

Zikalala said his department has also developed recovery plans for all provinces.

“We managed to unlock hindrances affecting the construction of bridges in that province [North West]. Before the end [of] March 2024, we will hand over six completed bridges in the North West,” Zikalala said.

With regard to the construction of harbours, Zikalala said by the end of March 2025, government would have completed feasibility studies that will allow for the actual construction of new small harbours in Port Alfred (Eastern Cape), Port Nolloth (Northern Cape) and Port Edward (KwaZulu-Natal) for local communities to have fishing infrastructure.

“We continue to ensure that all 13 habours that we have refurbished in the Western Cape are opened for all communities to exploit economic opportunities, including big and small fishing companies,” Zikalala said.

Zikalala said government have seen the impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in many communities.

“Whilst departments have fiscal challenges, the reduction of EPWP based on age is unacceptable. The working age in South Africa is from 18 to 65 years, and therefore none must be excluded,” the Minister said.

Regarding expropriation, Zikalala explained that the Expropriation Bill grants the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure the authority to expropriate land or assets solely in the public's interest, with compensation provided, even if that compensation is valued at zero.

Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Expropriation Bill, which sets out how organs of State may expropriate land in the public interest for varied reasons. 

In a statement, The Presidency said the new legislation, which repeals the pre-democratic Expropriation Act of 1975, aligns expropriation processes with the Constitution.

Section 25 of the Constitution recognises expropriation as an essential mechanism for the state to acquire someone’s property for a public purpose or in the public interest, subject to just and equitable compensation being paid. – SAnews.gov.za 

Edwin
Wed, 02/12/2025 - 12:03

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Solar Installations up to 50KW May Qualify for an Exemption From Legislated Registration-Related Fees

Location: Business

Tuesday, 11 February 2025: With more and more solar systems pushing energy onto the grid, the safety of the grid has become a critical focus for both performance and the safety of staff working on it. Eskom remains committed to the seamless integration of Small-Scale Embedded Generators (SSEG) into its network while ensuring adherence to...

Read moreSolar Installations up to 50KW May Qualify for an Exemption From Legislated Registration-Related Fees

Masango remembered for inspiring future scientists

Location: News

Masango remembered for inspiring future scientists

The Department of Electricity and Energy has joined the growing number of condolences from South Africans, and across the scientific community, pouring in for the family of pioneering and distinguished nuclear scientist, Senamile Masango.

Masango, the first Black female nuclear scientist in South Africa, passed away over the weekend, reportedly following a short illness.

“Masango’s legacy as a role model and her tireless efforts to promote science and technology will continue to inspire future generations. The Ministry acknowledges her remarkable journey and the positive impact she made throughout her life. 

“We mourn her loss alongside those who knew and loved her. May her memory serve as a guiding light for all who aspire to follow in her footsteps,” the Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

At the time of her death, Masango was a board member of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) and fostered youth empowerment through her foundation.

“Masango’s contributions to the scientific community and her unwavering commitment to empowering young women in science hase left an indelible mark on our nation and beyond. 

“As the first African woman to participate in experiments at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), she inspired many with her groundbreaking achievements and passion for scientific inquiry.

“Her dedication to fostering academic excellence, through the Senamile Masango Foundation, demonstrated her belief in the potential of the next generation. Through her leadership, she advocated for inclusivity and represented South Africa on the international stage, particularly within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Youth Energy Agency,” the Ministry said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Tue, 02/11/2025 - 12:39

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Annual toll tariffs to increase by 4.84%

Location: News

Annual toll tariffs to increase by 4.84%

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the adjustment to the toll tariffs effective from 1 March 2025.

The tariffs are adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). 

The annual toll tariffs will increase by 4.84%, as published in the Government Gazette of 7 February 2025. This rate is less than last year’s 6.25% adjustment.

SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing, Vusi Mona, explained that toll revenue is necessary to maintain, operate and improve toll roads, as well as to service debt incurred to implement a toll road project.

“The funds go a long way towards ensuring that SANRAL fulfils its mandate of delivering quality road infrastructure that adds value to the lives of South African citizens,” Mona said on Monday.

He further said that key economic infrastructure, such as the national road network, is a precondition for providing basic services such as electricity, water, sanitation, telecommunications and public transport.

“This road network therefore needs to meet industrial, commercial and household needs. SANRAL is empathetic to the South African public, considering the current state of the economy. However, it is equally important to introduce the adjustments to ensure that the agency continues to deliver safe and quality roads to the benefit of all road users,” Mona said. 

SANRAL is an entity of the Department of Transport -SAnews.gov.za
 

nosihle
Tue, 02/11/2025 - 12:41

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Power System Remains Stable

Location: Business

Friday, 07 February 2025: Eskom confirms that loadshedding remains suspended. The system is stabilised and emergency reserves are fully replenished. Kusile Unit 3 has returned to service after being offline for reconnection to the repaired Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) system and main stack, as authorised by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)....

Read morePower System Remains Stable

President Ramaphosa tees off for charity

Location: News

President Ramaphosa tees off for charity

In a bid to raise funds for charity, President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning teed off alongside a diverse stakeholder grouping during the annual Presidential Golf Challenge.

This year, President Ramaphosa partnered with an 11-year-old golfer Shalom Madlala from Malelane in the Mpumalanga province. Shalom is a provincial player in the South African Golf Development Board’s (SAGDB) program.

The PGC, held at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, is held every year following the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and is hosted by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration in partnership with the private sector as part of the activities around SONA.

According to the Presidency, the challenge raises funds for charities designated by the sitting President and provides an opportunity for networking between government and the private sector. 

The proceeds will be donated to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, which will in turn distribute funds to deserving charities to improve education and promote skills development in the communities across the country. 

Job creation, economic development and investment

Speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of the PGC, the President outlined his strategy for job creation and economic growth. He highlighted that investment confidence was rising, indicating a potential increase in investments and job creation.

“As I said yesterday in the State of the Nation Address, we intend to grow our economy, we're focusing more intently on growing the economy by ensuring that our reforms take root, and we broaden our reforms as well to the second phase. 

“We've done relatively well so far with our reforms, particularly when it comes to network industries our electricity, our logistics, our rail, and our ports with doing much better than we did in the past. And that in itself is a really good indicator to investors they see that we are serious and beginning to address issue that they were believing are holding back their own investment,” he said. 

The President emphasised that increased investor confidence was a key driver of economic growth and job creation.

“Investment confidence is up, and once investment confidence is up, we will see a real growth in investments in our economy, and then we will see growth and creation of jobs. 

“We intend to get into the second phase, which will focus on water and local government as well and the regulatory environment. So, we are intending to do a clean sweep of everything that is holding our economy back,” he said. 

The President also highlighted the government's commitment to expanding public employment programs, particularly targeting young people, women, and people with disabilities. He pointed to emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, the green economy, and the digital economy as key areas for job creation.

“And at the same time, government itself is ramping up its public employment programs, we are going to be integrating them and making sure that we bring in young people, we bring in women, we bring in disabled people and give them opportunities, real opportunities of learning new skills…we want to get into new industries, the green economy, artificial intelligence and digital economy,” he said. 

The President expressed confidence that opportunities would open up in South Africa, adding that the government was excited about this prospect. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with business, labour, and social organisations in driving economic growth.

“The growth of our economy is going to revolve around pulling together and I have a sense that South Africans collectively now want the country to move forward and that nothing should hold us back and government is going to be there to facilitate that,” he said. 

International relations

President Ramaphosa stressed a diplomatic approach when it comes to international relations, particularly regarding engagements with the United States and South Africa’s role in the G20. 

He reiterated that the United States was an important player on the global stage. 

“They're the biggest economy and they are a very important trading partner. So, we intend to deal with them in a formal way and in proper engagement. And as I said, I'm going to be sending a delegation to the world, on our own continent, to Europe, to America, Asia, and to the Middle East…to go and explain our position, more particularly our G20 objectives, because we want this G20 to be an African G20 but also to be a G20 that is going to focus on the issues that impact on the global south and humanity more broadly,” the President said. 

Addressing South Africa’s stance on international negotiations, President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of open dialogue and consensus-building.

“Anybody who says some things are not for negotiation is not being realistic. We live in a world where we want to promote cooperation. We want to promote dialogue. We want to promote being able to work with others, so we want people to put their views forward. 

“It must be a festival of ideas being put forward, where we sharpen each other's wits and where we put wisdom and facts on the table, so we will be willing to talk to people,” he said.

As the current president of the G20, the President said South Africa takes on the role of host and lead in dialogue. 

“We are the dialogue leader; we are going to be presenting positions and therefore we are open to talking as we are open for business. And when you're open for business, you want to hear views even when they are divergent to your own views. And you want to find consensus, and once we get consensus, we're then able to move forward,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM
Fri, 02/07/2025 - 14:07

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Government puts shoulder to the wheel to build a thriving economy

Location: News

Government puts shoulder to the wheel to build a thriving economy

Growing the economy and job creation are at the top of the seventh administration’s agenda, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

“We want a nation with a thriving economy that benefits all. To create this virtuous cycle of investment, growth and jobs, we must lift economic growth to above three percent,” the President said, as he delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Cape Town.

In the first SONA of the seventh administration, the President said government has adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan, which sets out a clear and ambitious programme for the next five years.

The actions contained in the plan advance three strategic priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living as well as building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

“To achieve higher levels of economic growth, we are undertaking massive investment in new infrastructure while upgrading and maintaining the infrastructure we have.

“We are engaging local and international financial institutions and investors to unlock R 100 billion in infrastructure financing. A project preparation bid window has been launched to fast-track investment readiness.

“This includes revised regulations for public private partnerships, which will unlock private sector expertise and funds,” the President explained.

Focus on infrastructure

Over the next three years, government will spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure. This includes R375 billion in spending by state owned companies.

“This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports and power our economy. Through the Infrastructure Fund, 12 blended finance projects worth nearly R38 billion have been approved in the last year.

The aim of the Infrastructure Fund is to use committed government funding to leverage much higher levels of private sector investment in public infrastructure. Managed by Infrastructure South Africa, the fund is a portfolio of blended finance projects and programmes. 

“These are projects in water and sanitation, student accommodation, transport, health and energy. Construction of the Mtentu Bridge continues. This bridge will rise above the river between Port Edward and Lusikisiki, and will become the tallest bridge in Africa,” the President said.

The Polihlali Dam will feed 490 million cubic metres of water a year from the Lesotho Highlands into the Vaal River System, securing water supply to several provinces for years to come.

In addition, government is working with international partners to revitalises small harbours and unlock economic opportunities for coastal communities.

“We are steadily removing the obstacles to meaningful and faster growth,” he said.

Operation Vulindlela

As government continues to implement economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela, the President said a new sense of optimism and confidence in the economy has been created.

“We have made progress in rebuilding and restructuring a number of our network industries. We are seeing positive results in the improvement of the functioning of our network industries as well as the investment opportunities that are opening up and are being taken by investors leading to job creation. 

“Working together with business, labour and other social partners we must now finish this work. Over the coming year, we will initiate a second wave of reform to unleash more rapid and inclusive growth,” the President said.

Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and support economic recovery.

The initiative aims to modernise and transform network industries, including electricity, water, transport and digital communications.

“Our immediate focus is to enable Eskom, Transnet and other state-owned enterprises that are vital to our economy to function optimally. 

“We are repositioning these entities to provide world-class infrastructure while enabling competition in operations, whether in electricity generation, freight rail or port terminals.

“We continue with the fundamental reform of our state-owned enterprises to ensure that they can effectively fulfil their social and economic mandates."

READ | New wave of reforms to propel SA economy

This includes the work underway to put in place a new model to strengthen governance and oversight of public entities. 

“We will ensure public ownership of strategic infrastructure for public benefit while finding innovative ways to attract private investment to improve services and ensure public revenue can be focused on the provision of public services,” the President said.

Meanwhile, government is in the process of establishing a dedicated State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Reform Unit to coordinate this work. 

Energy Action Plan

“The measures we have implemented through the Energy Action Plan have reduced the severity and frequency of load shedding, with more than 300 days without load shedding since March 2024.

“While the return of load shedding for two days last week was a reminder that our energy supply is still constrained, we remain on a positive trajectory. 

“We now need to put the risk of load shedding behind us once and for all by completing the reform of our energy system to ensure long-term energy security.”

The President said the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, which came into effect on 1 January, marks the beginning of a new era.
 

READ | President Ramaphosa signs Electricity Regulation Amendment Act into law

The act sets out far-reaching reforms of the country’s electricity sector, including the establishment of a competitive electricity market.

“This year, we will put in place the building blocks of a competitive electricity market. Over time, this will allow multiple electricity generation entities to emerge and compete.

“We will mobilise private sector investment in our transmission network to connect more renewable energy to the grid,” Ramaphosa said.

Rail network

The President said Transnet’s performance has stabilised and is steadily improving.

“We released a Network Statement in December 2024 which, for the first time, will enable private rail operators to access the freight rail system

“Open access to the rail network will allow train operating companies to increase the volume of goods transported by rail, while our network infrastructure remains state owned,” the President said.

This will ensure that South African minerals, vehicles and agricultural produce reach international markets, securing jobs and earning much needed revenue for the fiscus.

New cranes and other port equipment are being commissioned to speed up the loading and unloading of cargo and reduce waiting times for ships at ports. -SAnews.gov.za

nosihle
Thu, 02/06/2025 - 21:22

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Read moreGovernment puts shoulder to the wheel to build a thriving economy