global

19 September 2024

SA signs reviewed joint declaration with Germany to boost urban development

Location: News

SA signs reviewed joint declaration with Germany to boost urban development

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, and his German counterpart Federal Minister of Building, Klara Geywitz, have signed a declaration of intent to strengthen relations.

According to the department, the declaration signed on Tuesday renews the commitment to close the exchange that has existed since 2013 with the initial agreement.

The future cooperation themes include enhanced collaboration in integrated urban development across all administrative levels and joint efforts to ensure increased public participation in urban development issues.

The signing of the reviewed Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) took place on the sidelines of the 17th Federal Congress on National Urban Development Policy in Heidelberg, Germany.

Hosted by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building, in conjunction with the Conference of German Building Ministers and top city associations, the congress aims to facilitate crucial discussions on the future of urban spaces.

Speaking at the signing of the reviewed JDI, Hlabisa said it marked a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership.

“This collaboration, which has flourished for over a decade, continues to enrich both our nations. By sharing expertise and engaging in joint efforts to enhance urban development, we are not only addressing the needs of our cities but also setting a global standard for inclusive and sustainable growth.

“This partnership shows how working together and learning from each other can make a big difference in improving our communities. By sharing ideas and solutions, we can create better and safer places for everyone.

"It’s proof that when we join forces and support each other, we can build a better future for all,” the Minister said.

Geywitz also welcomed the signing of the reviewed JDI, saying they were continuing the close and enriching collaboration with South Africa that has lasted for over 10 years.

“It is a joint commitment to further intensive, trusting and cordial cooperation. The exchange with South Africa – both with our partner ministry and with the municipalities and civil society – gives us valuable insights into administrative action and planning practice in South Africa. These perspectives and approaches to solutions help us a lot in our work,” she said.

In addition to an active exchange of expertise on national urban development policies and their implementation programmes in Germany and South Africa, there has been a further focus on inter-municipal learning networks between the two countries’ municipalities, city associations and national governments since 2016.

“The current network with the cities of KwaDukuza, Nelson Mandela Bay, Stellenbosch, uMhlathuze, Bottrop, Karlsruhe, Ludwigsburg and Nuremberg deals with the question of how urban districts can be made livable and safe for everyone, especially for marginalised groups such as women and girls, and how equal access to public spaces can be ensured.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 09/19/2024 - 11:28

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19 September 2024

KZN Premier attends Climate Week in the US

Location: News

KZN Premier attends Climate Week in the US

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, has embarked on a strategic working visit to the United States of America (USA) where he will be attending the highly anticipated Climate Week forum.

The Climate Week NYC, held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, is one of the world’s largest annual events dedicated to climate action and sustainability.

The forum will take place in New York City from 22 to 29 September 2024. It brings together leaders from the world of business, including government, political change makers, academia, and civil society from all over the world, who will gather to drive the transition forward, speed up progress, and champion change that is already happening.

Ntuli, who left the country this week will be engaging in high-level discussions and forming strategic partnerships during Climate Week.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government said Ntuli’s visit to New York underscores the province’s commitment to addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening ties with the USA—South Africa's third-largest trade partner.

“Premier Ntuli’s objectives include reaffirming the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between KwaZulu-Natal and the United States, advocating for enhanced international cooperation in tackling climate change, securing investments in green technologies, and implementing sustainable land-use practices,” the provincial government said.

The provincial government added that the Premier’s visit aims to achieve several key outcomes, including securing international cooperation; obtaining support and investment for renewable energy projects and climate adaptation initiatives; forging global partnerships; and collaborating with international organisations, climate-focused non-profits, and private sector stakeholders to advance climate action.

The visit also aims to showcase provincial progress, highlight KwaZulu-Natal’s achievements in climate resilience, including improvements in disaster risk management and biodiversity conservation.

“Ntuli’s participation in Climate Week and related events signifies KwaZulu-Natal’s proactive approach to global climate challenges and positions the province as a leader in climate adaptation and sustainability. The insights and partnerships gained from this visit are expected to enhance KwaZulu-Natal’s long-term climate resilience and contribute to sustainable development efforts,” the provincial government highlighted.

The Premier will on Friday hold a meeting with the South African Consul General to New York, Simon Cardy, which will cover a range of global issues, including trade, investment, climate change, food security and energy.

The discussion is part of a broader effort to align KwaZulu-Natal’s strategies with global climate goals and secure international support for the province’s sustainability initiatives.

Climate resilience

KwaZulu-Natal has recently faced severe climate-related challenges, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, hailstorms, and a tornado that have caused significant infrastructure damage, particularly in the eThekwini Metro, Ilembe and Howick areas.

The April 2022 floods, among the worst in the province’s history, resulted in over 400 fatalities and severe disruption to infrastructure, including port operations in Durban.

“These recent events underscore the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience. The Premier’s visit aims to address these challenges by securing international collaboration and investment to bolster KwaZulu-Natal’s capacity to manage and adapt to climate risks,” the provincial government said.

MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has been appointed as Acting Premier of the province during Ntuli’s absence. KaMadlopha-Mthethwa will oversee the provincial responsibilities until the Premier returns. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 09/19/2024 - 10:58

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19 September 2024

South Africa’s Finest Art and the Rise of Online Bidding for Auctions

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Art auctions have long been a prominent platform for buying and selling rare, valuable works. Whether you’re an experienced collector or new to the art scene, these events offer an opportunity to acquire pieces that may never be available again. From paintings to sculptures, art auctions span a diverse range of media, ensuring there’s something …

19 September 2024

The Evolution of Contemporary Art in South Africa

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Contemporary art has been shaped by dynamic societal shifts, technological advancements, and the globalised exchange of ideas. Today, it plays a critical role in exploring cultural identity, political themes, and human emotions, giving both artists and viewers a platform for introspection and dialogue. In the context of South African art, the local scene has …

18 September 2024

Local company sets sights on international markets

Location: News

Local company sets sights on international markets

A Mamelodi-based detergents company is determined to take full advantage of the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme and export their products to international markets.

This was said by the Founder and Managing Director of TOSH Detergents, Lufuno Rasoesoe.
She was speaking during the recent alumni event of the programme that was hosted by South Africa and Germany in Sandton.

According to Rasoesoe, participating in the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme has been of significant benefit to her Gauteng company.

In April, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Change signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation to formalise a programme to train and mentor emerging exporters from South Africa to access the German market.

“Through the business-to-business meetings and visits to various manufacturing plants in Germany, I gained valuable insights into how we can improve our own manufacturing plant.

“The exposure to advanced processes and operational standards inspired the factory plans that we are currently developing, as well as the implementation of more efficient standard operating systems. This experience has given us a clearer vision of how to elevate our production capabilities and meet global standards,” Rasoesoe said.

She explained that after participating in the programme, her company was invited to participate in the Africa Start-up Connect Week in Berlin, Germany.

At that event, she met entrepreneurs from across the African continent and was exposed to a wealth of export opportunities within the continent.

“This has broadened my network and opened doors for potential collaborations and expansion into various African markets, bringing us closer to our goal of growing TOSH Detergents' presence internationally."

She added that her participation in the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme and the Rand Show Exhibition, both with the assistance of the dtic has impacted positively on her business.

“Both experiences were incredibly valuable for my business. The Rand Show Exhibition provided us with great exposure to a wider audience, allowing us to showcase our products and build new connections.

“The Partnering in Business with Germany Programme offered insights into international markets, manufacturing best practices, and potential export opportunities.

“These experiences have been instrumental in growing our brand and expanding our market reach,” Rasoesoe said.

TOSH Detergents was formed in March 2021 as a business initiative aimed at addressing the need for affordable, high-quality cleaning products in South Africa.

The company was inspired by the desire to create a sustainable business that could provide essential household products while also empowering local communities.

“TOSH Detergents does not only fill a gap in the market, but also promotes job creation and economic development, particularly in the previously disadvantaged areas,” she said.

READ | SA-Germany to place trade and investment under the spotlight

The company currently employs 15 people, nine in the production area, and six as merchandisers and sales agents.

TOSH Detergents products can be found at Shoprite, Checkers, Makro Online, Takealot, Zulzi and distributors in various provinces. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 15:12

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18 September 2024

IQTech Leads Efforts to Combat Rising Road Accidents in South Africa Through Innovative Telematics Solutions

Location: MyPR

South Africa, 18 September 2024 – As South Africa grapples with a staggering rise in road accidents, IQTech, a leader in telematics technology, is spearheading efforts to enhance road safety through cutting-edge solutions. Recent statistics from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to curb road fatalities, which have reached …

18 September 2024

Education key for African children

Location: News

Education key for African children

Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has told a gathering of the Speakers of African Parliaments that the education of African children in the 21st Century is dependent on the ending of wars and instability on the continent.

Didiza was speaking at the Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments held at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand.

Leaning on the session’s theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century. Building resilient education system for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”, Didiza acknowledged the importance of education.

“While the African continent is relatively peaceful, there are still pockets of instabilities, terrorism and threats to peace in various parts of the continent.

“Therefore, our success in educating the Africans fit for the 21st Century is also dependent on our success in silencing guns in order to ensure peace and stability, for there can be no proper education in volatile and war environments.

“The same obligation applies to development and economic prosperity, for there can be no development and prosperity without peace and education,” she said.

Furthermore, Didiza said the need for investment in education is “unquestionable”.

“The weaker economic and financial standing of our societies should not be the yardstick that determines whether their children should have access to quality education or not.

“This presents us with an opportunity and positive challenge to rethink our budgeting processes and to allocate more funds to departments of education in our respective nations,” she said.

Peace in Africa and the world

Didiza told her counterparts on the continent that South Africa’s recent democratically held general elections and the consequences of that process bear testimony to how the country has embraced democratic processes.

“We hope our sister countries will also learn and embrace democratic processes should they face similar situations in future. Democracy remains the viable system of governance that can help us valorise our natural resources and build the resilience we need for prosperous economies in the continent.

“Embracing democratic processes is a golden route to peace, stability and prosperity,” she said.

Turning to events in the Middle East, Didiza reiterated government’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“[The] attainment of democracy in South Africa against the barbaric apartheid system is a living proof that no challenge can withstand the will and might of the united global community.

“As the product of international solidarity, we call upon the nations of the world, the African Union Member States in particular, to support the call and the birth right of the people of Palestine and all the oppressed people in the world for self-determination and freedom.

“Our founding father, President [Nelson] Mandela left us with a message that South Africa will never be free until the people of Palestine are free,” Didiza insisted. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 12:06

180 views

18 September 2024

The Costs of Cyberattacks: How One Breach Can Sink a Business

Location: Business

In today's interconnected world, cyberattacks are more frequent and more dangerous than ever before. Businesses, regardless of size or industry, are prime targets for cybercriminals. These attacks can cause widespread damage and create long-lasting consequences. Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) dives into the impact of cyberattacks on business and reveals the key losses that an unprotected business can suffer.

When we consider the impact of cyberattacks on business, the first thing we pay attention to is financial losses. An example of an incident with huge financial losses is the attack on Johnson Controls, a major player in the building technology sector that faced a significant ransomware incident (https://apo-opa.co/3XnrMJm) perpetrated by the Dark Angels hacking group. The attackers claimed to have stolen 27 terabytes of sensitive data and demanded a $51 million ransom. This breach resulted in severe disruptions to the company's systems and cost over $27 million in damages. The attack impacted Johnson Controls' business operations, including disruptions to its billing systems and increased recovery expenses. As a company with a global presence, the breach significantly affected its business relationships and operations.

Below, Kaspersky explores several key ways a cyberattack can hurt your business.

Financial losses
Cyberattacks often result in direct financial losses. Ransomware attacks, where hackers demand payment to restore access to data or directly steal funds, are a clear example. But this is only the beginning, as there are numerous other consequences that may result in considerable indirect financial losses. These can easily exceed what the company has lost as an immediate outcome of the incident.

Operational disruption
Cyberattacks can grind your operations to a halt. Many businesses depend on their digital infrastructure for daily activities. If systems are compromised, productivity falls. In severe cases, entire operations may be disrupted for days or even weeks (https://apo-opa.co/3MQRkKo), resulting in lost revenue, diminished service quality and disappointed clients and partners — an additional impact on your company's reputation.

Indirect long-term costs
Even following the immediate aftermath of a cyberattack, businesses often face long-term financial impacts. Restoring systems, improving cybersecurity infrastructure, and managing the legal fallout are just some of the lingering costs. Additionally, lost business and damaged customer relationships can take months or years to rebuild.

Reputational damage
The trust your clients place in you is invaluable. If customer data is stolen in a breach, it can severely damage your brand's reputation. This loss of trust can lead to customers leaving and a long-term decline in business. In some cases, a single breach is enough to ruin a company's public image beyond repair.

If your business falls victim to an attack, it can also impact your relationships with partners and vendors. Third-party partners might lose confidence in your ability to protect shared data. Similarly, business-critical relationships could be jeopardised if you fail to recover quickly or if your systems compromise their operations.

Legal and compliance issues
With data protection regulations such as the GDPR in Europe, POPIA in South Africa or HIPAA in the U.S., a data breach can lead to heavy fines. Failing to protect sensitive customer or employee data may result in penalties and lawsuits. Furthermore, companies that fall victim to breaches often face lengthy legal battles, which add to the financial and reputational strain.

Loss of intellectual property
For many businesses, intellectual property (IP) is among their most valuable assets. Cyberattacks targeting IP can steal product designs, marketing strategies, and proprietary information. This is particularly harmful in competitive industries like technology and pharmaceuticals, where IP theft can erase the advantage a company has spent years building.

“Attackers are never idle - they're like wolves who must be constantly active to catch their prey off-guard. So, companies need to be ever more alert and agile. They must be sure they have the right solutions and processes to allow for effective threat discovery and containment, as well as swift recovery. At Kaspersky, we're deeply committed to delivering the agile security that businesses need. Proactive assessments and multi-layered protective solutions, plus managed security and actionable threat intelligence - we have it all. What's more important, we have the expertise to put together the exact cybersecurity structure for your individual profile. Only a consistent and comprehensive approach, like this one, can ensure true business resilience against today's cyber risks,” comments Oleg Gorobets, Security Evangelist at Kaspersky.

Below, Kaspersky offers some recommendations to help your business stay ahead of cyberthreats and remain resilient:

Always keep the software updated on all the devices you use to prevent attackers from infiltrating your network by exploiting vulnerabilities. Install patches for new vulnerabilities as soon as possible.
To protect the company against a wide range of threats, use robust solutions, like that from the Kaspersky Next (https://apo-opa.co/4gr9zDD) product line, that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, and the investigation and response capabilities of EDR and XDR for organisations of any size and industry. Kaspersky solutions are regularly awarded, leading in independent tests (https://apo-opa.co/3XyqJXl).
For protection of very small businesses, use solutions intended to help you manage your cybersecurity even without having an IT administrator on board. Kaspersky Small Office Security (https://apo-opa.co/4gxRLqz) provides you with hands-off security due to 'install and forget' protection and saves the budget, which is crucial, particularly in the early stages of business development.
If your company doesn't have a dedicated IT security function and only has generalist IT admins who may lack the specialist skills required for expert-level detection and response solutions, consider subscribing to a managed service such as Kaspersky MDR (https://apo-opa.co/3zzkfiN). This would instantly boost your security capabilities by an order of magnitude, while allowing you to focus on building in-house expertise.
Educate your employees to have protection against human-related cyberattacks. Specialised courses can help, such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform (https://apo-opa.co/3XtzFgw) that instills safe Internet behaviour and includes a simulated phishing attack exercise.
Set up offline backups that intruders cannot tamper with. Make sure you can quickly access them in an emergency when needed.
Conduct cybersecurity audits.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

For further information please contact:
Nicole Allman
INK&Co. (https://InkAndCo.co.za/)
nicole@inkandco.co.za

Social Media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4gsHo7i
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YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3B97XhG
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4epExKw
Blog: https://apo-opa.co/4e7nptg

About Kaspersky:
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky's deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help over 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za.

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18 September 2024

Payretailers Expands Further Into Africa, Boosting Financial Inclusion Across Eight Additional Key Markets

Location: Business

Expansion includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria; Leveraging success in Latin America to provide underbanked populations in Africa with efficient payment functions.

PayRetailers, the leading payment processor for Latin America, has today announced further expansion into Africa. With coverage now across 12 countries, the company offers a unified simple payment solution that will be a game changer for cross-border online merchants looking at Africa as their next move for strategic growth.

PayRetailers offer a simple, user-friendly, and scalable experience to businesses looking to grow their regional operations and give them access to major local payment methods like MPESA, Airtel, and MTN. The further expansion includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria, having recently launched in Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania three months ago.

This expansion effort further solidifies PayRetailers' ability to unlock new growth opportunities for their clients, giving them easy access to additional emerging markets. For existing clients, in fact, this process requires zero integration efforts, as it is all handled via the same API.

With many populations across Africa being underbanked, PayRetailers accelerates financial inclusion across the region by supporting businesses with their growth journey. The market is increasingly mobile and connected, with global businesses seeking to tap into the strong growth opportunities across Africa.

The expansion marks a significant milestone in PayRetailers' ambitious growth plans, with further expansion planned into more African countries as well as Europe. Leveraging its extensive experience in Latin America, the company is well equipped to address the unique needs of African consumers and businesses.

Jonathan Vintner, Global Head of Sales at PayRetailers, said:

“Expanding into eight new markets marks a significant milestone for PayRetailers as we continue our mission to bring tailored payment solutions to diverse regions. Africa is a vibrant and varied continent, with payment preferences that differ from region to region. For example, our launch in Kenya enables merchants to access M-Pesa, the country's leading mobile money provider, while in South Africa, we're offering a blend of card and cash solutions to meet local demands. All of this is seamlessly integrated into our existing API, allowing merchants to access the top payment methods across Latin America and now Africa through a single connection—with more countries on the horizon”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PayRetailers.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Issie Rees-Davies
Account Manager
Lansons
payretailers@lansons.com
07712447161

About PayRetailers:
Founded in 2017, PayRetailers is a global payment processing solution for secure and efficient transactions in Latin America and Africa. The company is a trusted partner for businesses seeking customized payment solutions. With a flexible platform supported by a direct API and commercial agreements, PayRetailers provides access to 300+ local payment methods, adapting rapidly to market demands. Its own technological architecture is highly flexible and scalable, allowing rapid innovation to meet the demands of constantly evolving markets. For more information about PayRetailers, visit www.PayRetailers.com

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18 September 2024

How Effective Healthcare Network Management Is Improving Lives

Location: MyPR

Ameer Adonis Advanced Specialist: Health Facility Strategy Unit from Medscheme, an AfroCentric Group company, writes about the power of healthcare network management in improving healthcare and renal care outcomes for patients: At the beginning of this month we observed Kidney Awareness Week with the intent to shine a light on a critical yet often overlooked …

18 September 2024

Nestlé BarOne jumpstarts Mzansi’s dreams with ‘The Next One’ competition

Location: MyPR

Popular chocolate brand uplifts the next generation of game-changers through mentorship and monetary investments Johannesburg – Nestlé BarOne, one of South Africa’s favorite chocolate brands, is on a mission to empower the everyday hustler by kickstarting their ambitions, big or small, through a R25 0000 cash investment and mentorship from experienced industry leaders. Through Nestlé …

17 September 2024

Green Taxes to Enable Climate Justice on the Agenda at Global Conference

Location: MyPR

The use of environmental taxes to stimulate action to combat climate change and drive a just transition to cleaner energy that “leaves no-one behind” comes under the spotlight at the Global Conference on Environmental Taxation (GCET) held for the first time in Africa and hosted by Stellenbosch Business School from 18-20 September. With the European …

17 September 2024

Death Toll Rises to Seven After Police Swoop on Informal Gold Miners

Location: News

Some miners have already gone back to work to earn money and repatriate the bodies of their colleagues

16 September 2024

Government activities for the week 16 – 20 September

Location: News

Government activities for the week 16 – 20 September

On Monday, 16 September, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts officially opens the International Solid Waste Association World Congress at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

On Tuesday, 17 September, the Commission for Gender Equality in the Eastern Cape province will hold a stakeholder engagement to discuss findings and recommendations contained in its investigative report on “State of maternity and neonatal healthcare in the Eastern Cape”.

The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo and Air Show takes place from 18 – 22 September.

On Wednesday, 18 September, The Meta for Government Summit, a collaborative endeavour by Meta in partnership with the Ministry in the Presidency and the GCIS, takes place from 9am to 4pm at the Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg.

Also on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga will deliver the opening remarks at the Eurasian Women’s Forum under the theme: “Women for Strengthening Trust and Global Cooperation”.

On Thursday, 19 September, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga leads a BRICS Ministerial Meeting for Women’s Affairs in Russia.

Janine
Mon, 09/16/2024 - 12:52

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16 September 2024

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Celebrates World Ozone Day 2024

Location: News

Republic Of South Africa: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
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South Africa joins the global community today, 16 September 2024, in commemorating the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer under the theme "Advancing Climate Action."

This year marks 36 years since the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, with the United Nations observing Ozone Day. This year's celebration aims to raise awareness about the critical role the ozone layer plays in protecting life on Earth and to highlight the need for concerted global efforts in mitigating climate change.

World Ozone Day highlights the importance of protecting the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This year's theme serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all share in reducing ozone-depleting substances and working collectively to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

On this day, we not only celebrate the significant progress achieved but also look toward the future for deeper and faster action under the Montreal Protocol. The Protocol has positively impacted the recovery of the ozone layer and the reduction of climate change and its Kigali Amendment, through the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and improved efficiency in the cooling sector, is expected to deliver additional climate mitigation benefits.

World Ozone Day 2024 serves as a vital reminder of the interconnectedness of the ozone layer and climate change. The celebration will foster a spirit of unity and purpose among participants globally, reflecting a collective commitment to advancing climate action. As the planet faces unprecedented environmental complexities, it is imperative that communities and nations remain engaged and proactive in their efforts to protect the atmosphere for future generations.

As countries move forward, the emphasis will be on implementing policies that prioritize both ozone layer recovery and climate protection. Continuous education and global cooperation are essential to ensure a sustainable future.

As part of the celebrations, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) will, on 26 September 2024, hand over tools to 402 trained informal Refrigeration and Air Conditioning servicing technicians in Gauteng province. These tools will be issued alongside a Competence Certificate and a SAQCC Gas/SARACCA Refrigerant Safe Handling Registration Card.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

16 September 2024

BeiGene South Africa Shines a Light on Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Location: MyPR

BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company with a growing presence in South Africa, is proud to support both global and local initiatives for Blood Cancer Awareness Month. The company is focused on raising awareness about B cell malignancies, a group of cancers that affect B lymphocytes. These include mantle …

13 September 2024

The Coca-Cola System in Africa Unveils Water Stewardship Initiative

Location: Business

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The Coca-Cola Company in Africa (www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) and its bottling partners Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) and Coca-Cola HBC announced a nearly USD 25 million investment to help address critical water-related challenges in local communities in 20 African countries, starting this year through 2030. The work will be led by Global Water Challenge (GWC) and implemented by a consortium of partners, including The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The effort, called ‘The Coca-Cola System's Africa Water Stewardship Initiative', was introduced in Cape Town, South Africa, in presence of executives from the Coca-Cola system in Africa and NGO partners. During the event, Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company's Africa Operating Unit indicated “Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottling partners because it is essential to life, the communities we serve and our beverages. As we face increasing water insecurity worldwide, with demand outstripping supply in many regions such as Africa, Coca-Cola is taking steps to help accelerate efforts to address water stress, protect local water resources, and build community climate resilience. Our 2030 Water Security Strategy focuses on helping enhance water security where we operate, source ingredients, and touch lives.”

“One in three Africans face water insecurity. The Global Water Challenge and ‘The Coca-Cola System's Africa Water Stewardship Initiative' partner coalition will seek to improve water security for millions across the African continent, helping advance community health and resilience through abundant, clean water. We applaud Coca-Cola's continued leadership on African water security” said Monica Ellis, CEO of GWC.

‘The Coca-Cola System's Africa Water Stewardship Initiative' aims to help protect and enhance the health of important watersheds and to help improve access to water and sanitation services in local communities. We will have projects in Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“CCBA has a responsibility to help those who face water scarcity and to help protect local water resources where we operate, especially in places with the biggest challenges. We are proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company on this project,” says Layla Jeevanantham, Chief Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Officer at CCBA.

“We are proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company and fellow bottlers on this critical initiative to help tackle water challenges across Africa. By working together, we can leverage the expertise of our partners and the knowledge of local communities to help create sustainable solutions that enhance water access and safeguard vital water resources,” said Sonia Ventosa, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Manager at ECCBC.

“Coca-Cola HBC has been part of African communities for more than 70 years, and sustainability is an important part of how we operate. We're very happy to see this new water initiative come to life and to support the system's water stewardship efforts,” said Marcel Martin, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Coca-Cola HBC.

Recognizing that partnerships are critical to support this work, the company and its bottlers are collaborating with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to design and implement strategic interventions. In addition to supporting the company's water strategy, this effort also aims to contribute to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.

This water initiative will build upon The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF)'s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), a groundbreaking collaboration with key partners and co-funders which helped improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene for 6 million people across African countries between 2009 and 2019. Through 120 projects, the initiative positively impacted homes, schools and healthcare clinics in more than 4,000 communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.

Contacts:
Amel Benchikh El Houcine
abenchikh@coca-cola.com

About The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company's purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We are constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people's lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3Ttw0hL), Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3ToqwVu) and LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/4db5D6V).

Forward-Looking Statements:
This update may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute “forwardlooking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Statements about our sustainability goals, aspirations and anticipated progress also constitute “forwardlooking statements.” Forwardlooking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause The CocaCola Company's actual results to differ materially from its historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks include, but are not limited to, evolving sustainability regulatory requirements and expectations, including evolving processes, controls and methodologies for identifying, measuring, assuring and reporting sustainability metrics and data, which could result in significant revisions to our previously reported data; increasing concerns about the environmental impact of plastic bottles and other packaging materials; water scarcity and poor quality; increased demand for food products, decreased agricultural productivity and increased regulation of ingredient sourcing due diligence; climate change and legal or regulatory responses thereto; adverse weather conditions; unfavorable economic and geopolitical conditions; disruption of our supply chain, including increased commodity, raw material, packaging, energy, transportation and other input costs; an inability to successfully integrate and manage our acquired businesses, brands or bottling operations or an inability to realize a significant portion of the anticipated benefits of our joint ventures or strategic relationships; and other risks discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10Q, which filings are available through the SEC's website. You should not place undue reliance on forwardlooking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements.

13 September 2024

Eskom pays tribute to “pivotal figure” former Minister Gordhan

Location: News

Eskom pays tribute to “pivotal figure” former Minister Gordhan

Eskom has joined the rest of South Africa and the global community in mourning the passing of former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Gordhan passed away in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning after a battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 75 years old.

Gordhan was Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until he announced his planned retirement in March 2024.

The State-owned power utility described the former Minister as a “pivotal figure in Eskom’s transformation, driving critical reforms that set the foundation for the utility’s future”.

The organisation said he was instrumental in initiating the legal separation of Eskom into Generation, Transmission, and Distribution entities.

According to Eskom, his vision, outlined in the 2019 Department of Public Enterprises Roadmap for Eskom in a reformed Electricity Supply Industry, led to the creation of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), which began operations in July this year.

This marked a key milestone in South Africa’s efforts to reform the electricity sector, boost efficiency, and promote transparency.

Eskom Board Chairperson, Mteto Nyati, has offered heartfelt condolences to Gordhan’s family on behalf of the Eskom Board, executives, and all staff.

“His strategic guidance and unwavering support were essential to the current Board’s efforts to restore Eskom’s performance.”

According to Nyathi, he consistently stood by the Board, management, and employees during his time as Minister.

“His legacy will live on through us as we rebuild a high-performance and ethical Eskom,” Nyati added.
Eskom has also sent its deepest sympathies to his loved ones, knowing that his contributions will forever be remembered as a vital part of South Africa’s progress.

“May his soul rest in peace,” the power utility’s statement concluded.

In a statement released on Friday morning, President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to Gordhan’s wife Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, the former Minister’s older brother Manecklal, and sister Shanta Harilal.

President Ramaphosa commended him for his role as a leader in the country’s anti-corruption efforts during his later years of service to the nation.

“Gordhan stood up to derision and threats emanating from some in our nation who were scorched by his insistence that justice be dispensed against those who sought to undermine our democracy and raid our public resources and assets.

“During his decades of revolutionary dedication to making South Africa a better place, Pravin Gordhan and his family were deprived of much-needed and deserved time together.

“As we mourn his passing, we remain grateful for his life of sacrifice and service and his sustained striving for the realisation of the vision and dictates of our Constitution.

“We carry his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

READ | President mourns the passing of former Minister Pravin Gordhan

Meanwhile, the South African Revenue Service(SARS) described the former Minister as “a true patriot, social activist and a steward leader.”

READ | Tributes continue for “patriot” former Minister Pravin Gordhan

– SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 09/13/2024 - 12:32

158 views

13 September 2024

Manufacturers pleased with AllFashion Sourcing Exhibition

Location: News

Manufacturers pleased with AllFashion Sourcing Exhibition

Clothing, textile, footwear and leather manufacturers who showcased their proudly South African products at the AllFashion Sourcing Exhibition in Cape Town this week have expressed satisfaction with the quality of meetings they held and leads they acquired during the show.

The group received support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) to showcase their products at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (ICC) from 10-12 September 2024.

The Sales Manager of Genuine Connection Promotions, Elaine Köhne, described the experience as amazing and beneficial as it offered an opportunity to showcase their clothing line, gather market insight, connect with industry professionals and attract new business.

“We managed to network, interact with visitors and other companies that were showcasing at the show,” Köhne said.

“We had good conversations and exchanged contacts which we will definitely follow up on. We will invite these new contacts to our premises for further engagements that could lead to new business opportunities and partnerships. Importantly, the show gave us an opportunity to also see what is on the international market,” she said.

According to the Project Manager of the South African Retail–Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Master Plan 2030 Master Plan Programme, Courtney Barnes, it was great to see local manufacturers showcasing their capabilities at the show.

She said what stood out from the master plan perspective was the variety of the local capabilities, although there is still a need to upscale and showcase more of the local capabilities with real capacity.

“If we want retailers to localise, we need to show them that we have the supplier capabilities and capacity. The show is the first step and I am excited to see its offerings next year and to bring more local manufacturers to the table and have more international buyers to come and appreciate what South African manufacturers can do,” Barnes said.

Sales Manager of Freudenberg Non-Wovens, a global manufacturer and innovative pioneer in the field of technical textiles, nonwovens and fibre, Heidi Smith, expressed her gratification with the outcomes of the show.

She said the participation was remarkable, as it provided a platform for engagements with retail partners and current partners. According to her, they have started sending emails for the expansion of the engagements.

“It was wonderful to engage with various partners and other designers coming to see what we do. It was more pleasing to engage with smaller designers and manufacturers who came to learn and understand how we are doing our business and what they can learn from us,” Smith said.

She said the panel discussions on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) focusing on boosting intra-African trade through regional value chains in the textile and clothing industry, the journey to sustainability focusing on green manufacturing, ethical sourcing, among others, were beneficial.

The Director of Leather and Footwear at the dtic, Dr Jaywant Irkhede, congratulated the event organiser, Messe Frankfurt SA, for a world class event.

“The dtic and Industrial Development Corporation officials attended to the needs of the international and local exhibitors, and visitors with the aim of developing investment leads. The event offered an opportunity for scaling up, to showcase and promote manufacturing capabilities of South Africa and Africa.

“Parallel events at the show brought together international community of manufacturers, designers, retailers, buyers, educational institutions, associations, investors, financiers and service providers to the textile, apparel, footwear and fashion industry,” Irkhede said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Fri, 09/13/2024 - 10:23

254 views

13 September 2024

Yoh Yoh Yoh! CN Challengers Go! Takes YouTube by Storm – Now Premiering on Cartoon Network Africa!

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Africa, get ready to flex those remote controls! The homegrown hit CN Challengers Go! has already made waves on YouTube, racking up over 1.97 million views – and now, it’s about to set your TV screens ablaze! This proudly South African show is proving that our local talent can hang with the best of them …

12 September 2024

Nuclear build will follow the science – Ramokgopa

Location: News

Nuclear build will follow the science - Ramokgopa

The South African government will pursue a new nuclear build that is led by scientific evidence.

This is according to the Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who addressed the Nuclear Seminar hosted by the Ministry on Thursday.

“We are going to be evidence led in terms of our policy choices. The beauty about evidence and science is that it removes emotion. It’s important that those who can bring the political dimension, bring it to the fore [and] marry it with the science and we find solutions.

“We have a duty to ensure that as many people as possible or those who have an interest must understand what the science [of nuclear] is so that we are able to dispel these myths [about nuclear], we are able to undermine and push back against those who have no clue about the conversation we are having today,” he said.

Ramokgopa insisted that the withdrawal of the ministerial determination for government’s planned procurement of at least 2 500MW was to protect the process from legal challenges.

“We made the point that we have nothing to hide. So if there are complexities or the process of the 2 500MW build programme is compromised…we have a duty to pull it back, to clean it so that you don’t conflate the science and the process.

“Then on the basis of the science we’ll be able to make a compelling story to the South African people. [We want to] clean the process, make it as democratic as possible. Those who have objections, raise those objections on the basis of the science because the process would have allowed you an opportunity to do exactly that,” he said.

The Minister noted that the global move towards the use of nuclear energy is a “return to realism”.

“We will converge on the science that this is the path that must be pursued for us to be able to achieve energy security to ensure that we are able to green the sources of energy generation.

“Nucelar is part of the energy mix…it’s part of the future. It’s indispensable to the resolution of an attainment of energy sovereignty in this country. We will answer the question of at what scale, what pace that will not undermine the issues of affordability and not compromise the fiscus. I am more than confident that nuclear has got a place, has a got a role,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 12:30

389 views

12 September 2024

SA must keep pace with international nuclear players

Location: News

SA must keep pace with international nuclear players

Eskom Group Chief Executive (GCE) Dan Marokane says South Africa should “move with pace” to keep up with the global move towards new nuclear build.

Marokane was addressing stakeholders at the Nuclear Seminar held by the Ministry of Energy and Electricity on Thursday.

“We are for nuclear. We understand that the energy mix is an important component of us achieving our strategic objectives as a country. This is not a discussion about either or. We’ve always argued that it is about the use of [energy] technologies to be complimentary.

“We are looking forward to participating in the process that will be led by the Minister [of Energy and Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa] to show that we can get to a point of making decisions very quickly. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We have fallen behind and we have an opportunity to catch up and we need to move with pace,” he said.

READ | Nuclear build will follow the science - Ramokgopa

Marokane emphasised that it is very important that government has a clear stance on the use of nuclear energy in the country’s ambitions to lower carbon emissions.

“What I would like to appreciate is the very clear government perspective on the strategy of nuclear and where it sits on the energy mix and its importance for us marching towards net zero targets.

“We exist within the global community and clearly there’ve been movements within the world…the world around has reawakened to the reality that [nuclear] is essentially an important component of baseload power generation going forward and us reducing emissions going forward.

“We have heard about the ambitions for nuclear on the continent, Egypt being quite advanced in this area. It would be sad of us to be overtaken having had so many years of operation…both from a perspective of skills and technical contribution to the continent and opportunities,” he said.

The GCE highlighted that the economic spinoffs from using nuclear energy are “quite huge”.

“For us as a country that is emerging out of the history that it has, the social inequalities that it has, this is an element that is going to contribute meaningfully for us. Our presence in the Western Cape has contributed immensely to the economic activities in the value chain.

“We have experienced quite tremendous positive spin offs from a green stability point of view with the Koeberg [Nuclear Power Station] units that are contributing…into the system. We have just…[installed] new steam generators so that we can have a life extension for the next 20 years.

“We will continue to look at the opportunities for exploiting this for even longer,” Marokane said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 14:33

34 views

12 September 2024

Sector master plans critical to investment, boosting exports, creating jobs

Location: News

Sector master plans critical to investment, boosting exports, creating jobs

By Edwin Tshivhidzo

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has consistently emphasised the need to accelerate the implementation of the sector master plans as one of the key priorities of the seventh administration.

Since his appointment two months ago, the Minister has reiterated the critical role of the master plans in increasing investment, boosting exports, creating jobs, promoting localisation and facilitating transformation.

One of the interventions initiated by partnerships in the Retail–Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Master Plan, where more than 20 000 jobs have been created as a result of its roll-out, is the redesigned Clothing Textile Footwear Leather Growth Programme (CTFLGP), which was launched in 2022.

Import substitution, creation of new jobs, transformation and competitiveness improvement are the main objectives of the programme.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme that is being implemented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) through the Industrial Development Corporation, is R and L Apparel. It is a woman-owned company based in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

The company received financial support for the purchase of equipment and machinery, as well as for initial working capital, in order to grow their Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) manufacturing capacity.

Managing Director of R and L Apparel, Solis Benjie Dolores, said the support from government has enabled the company to increase its production, improve product quality, create jobs and extend its clientele, which now includes The Foschini Group, which they supply through Celtico, one of the CMT suppliers in the Newcastle clothing industry.

“The funding assisted us greatly in creating additional jobs. We had only 17 workers when we applied for the programme. As of August 2024, we were able to reach a staff complement of 103 employees, 98 of whom are women. As a matter of fact, we are looking forward to achieving the additional 150 jobs that we have committed to,” Dolores said.

“The CTFLGP is a great initiative. The programme opened new doors for our company's growth. Without the funding, we might have just stayed on 17 workers, because our machinery and working capital were very limited.

“Before we received the funding, we were running a hand-to-mouth operation that was kept going only by the dedication and endeavours of our team. Now the company is on a positive growth trajectory,” she said.

Dolores said the company is planning to acquire automated machinery to expand its production capacity based on the market demands, as local retailers are increasingly embracing Proudly South African products.

“We are happy to contribute in import substitution, growing the economy, and more importantly, creating jobs for the local people, both skilled and unskilled, assisting them to earn a decent living,” she said.

Managing Director of Argento, Joudalle Govender, also bears testimony to the positive impact of the CTFLGP on her company, which is based in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal.

The company manufactures apparel and corporate clothing for a major retailer and numerous corporate clients.

“We used the funding for operational expenses and to re-tool the factory with new machinery. The funding allowed us to create 45 new jobs. 100 people are currently employed in our company, 80 of whom are women.

"Our profit margins increased and we had a rapid growth in production due to the extra capacity,” Govender said.

She said the company is planning to expand its product lines, adopting sustainable practices, improving its manufacturing efficiency and exploring new markets.

“Our future plans include expanding our current building and creating 100 more jobs. We are also looking into exporting our local garments and creating more awareness on local manufacturing with South Africa,” Govender said.

She emphasises the importance of the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Masterplan in promoting sustainability and innovation within the industry, which she said is crucial in adapting to the changing market demands and consumer preferences.

“I love the fact that the plan focuses on several key objectives, such as job creation and increasing local production. Argento is a local champion because we produce our own local fabric in the rural area of Isithebe.

“My favourite part is that the plan enhances competitiveness in the global market, by fostering collaboration between government, labour, and industry stakeholders. That is important for our economy,” said Govender.

The stories of two companies that operate in the clothing and textile sector undoubtedly illustrate the critical importance of the master plans, and the positive impact of the collaboration between government, business and labour on the South African economy.

According to the Director of Clothing and Leather at the dtic, Dr Jaywant Irkhede, more than R1.87 billion had been approved for 154 businesses employing almost 24 000 people and R1.41 billion was disbursed by July this year. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 11:03

300 views

12 September 2024

Nuclear energy still a ‘critical component’ of SA energy mix

Location: News

Nuclear energy still a 'critical component' of SA energy mix

There is global affirmation that nuclear energy has a part to play in responding to the question of climate change.

This is according to Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity Samantha Graham-Maré who was speaking during the Nuclear Seminar hosted by the department in Tshwane on Thursday.

“There is global acceptance of nuclear energy as an integral part of the solution to mitigate the impact of climate change. We therefore need to work together to ensure that nuclear energy becomes an important part of the Just Energy Transition.

“It is clear that nuclear is a critical component of South Africa’s energy mix – offering a low carbon, reliable source of energy that can contribute significantly to the country’s energy security and climate goals, she said.

Graham-Maré said South Africa remains committed to fulfilling the objectives of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, while refining the IRP 2023.

“[The IRP] sets out a requirement of 2 500MW of nuclear power to ensure the stability of South Africa’s power grid. In turn, driving the reindustrialisation of our economy and the promise of economic growth that leads to job creation,” she said.

The Deputy Minister added that although new nuclear build is urgent for ensuring energy stability, the Ministry will not compromise on “public participation, adherence of statutory regulatory requirements and openness and transparency in decision making, procurement and the implementation of our new nuclear build”.

In that regard, the Ministerial determination for the procurement of the nuclear energy was withdrawn last month.

She said the negative perceptions around nuclear energy must be changed.

“Nuclear still carries somewhat of a stigma. Much of this is ignorance perpetuated by [a view of] government shrouded in secrecy manned by scientists in hazmat suits and the fear generated through the cold war era of the total destruction of the planet as a result of a nuclear war. It is up to all of us to change these perceptions.

“This summit is the first leg of that process. Given South Africa’s expertise and commitment to nuclear energy over the years, this summit is a key engagement with the nuclear industry in SA that we hope will become a regular feature of our agenda,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Thu, 09/12/2024 - 10:37

106 views