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Robert Wolk earns first King of the Hill title in Single Seater, Sports Car and Sports Prototypes category with Infinity Indycar V8-powered Pillbeam MP58 Dawie Joubert powers his way to first Modified Saloon Car victory in Ferrari-powered Lotus Exige after intense battle and lots of drama amongst top contenders JP van der Walt secures fourth […]
The temperature is rising, as is the intensity of the King of the Hill qualifying sessions – but it’s leading to technical problems for several of the top competitors, with three major dramas playing out so far. Franco Scribante’s Nissan R35 GT-R had a gearbox problem in Q5 after the team dialled up the engine […]
After some light overnight rain, the King of the Hill competitors are back in action this morning in clear and warm conditions for the 2024 Simola Hillclimb. The opening warm-up session started with a bit of drama as Wade van Zummeren got out of shape in the final two corners in his specially built rear-wheel […]
Robert Wolk topped the timesheets in Single Seater and Sports Prototypes category with Infinity Indycar V8-powered 1989 Pillbeam MP58. Exceptionally close battle between the Modified Saloon Car contenders, with Dawie Joubert holding the overnight advantage in Ferrari-powered Lotus Exige. Three-time Road Car and Supercar champion JP van der Walt once again set the benchmark in […]
Robert Wolk is ramping things up, slashing a massive 1.2 seconds from his opening qualifying run to end Q2 on 37.296 seconds to lead the session, well ahead of class B rivals Rui Campos (42.602 sec) and Ian Schofield (42.885 sec). Dawie Joubert topped the class B times for Modified Saloon Cars for both qualifying […]
It’s qualifying time for King of the Hill at the 2024 Simola Hillclimb – with the first of six runs split between this afternoon and Sunday morning. With the ambient and track temperatures dropping markedly after the lunchtime break, Reghard Roets posted the fastest opening qualifying run of 38.303 seconds, but his time was deleted […]
The final practice session allowed the competitors to tweak their car set-ups for the afternoon’s upcoming three qualifying runs. Robert Wolk set the fastest overall time in P4, going half a second quicker in the 1989 Pillbeam (38.509 sec) while Rui Campos lost half a second from P3 (42.536 sec) but remained second in class […]
It was a clean run for most of the competitors in P3, with Dawie Joubert ending the session on the top of the timesheets with an even faster run of 39.040 seconds (average speed 175.205 km/h), with Charl Joubert 0.6 sec adrift to go second in class B for Modified Saloon Cars. 2021 winner Pieter […]
KNYSNA, South Africa, 3 May 2024 – Franco Scribante wrote his name in the Simola Hillclimb record books once again by securing his seventh Classic Conqueror title at this year’s extremely competitive Classic Car Friday on 3 May 2024. The intense battle between Scribante, who last won the title in 2021, and reigning champion Andre …
Franco Scribante returns to top step of the podium on Classic Car Friday in 1970 Chevron B19, earning the Classic Conqueror title for a record seventh time Outgoing champion Andre Bezuidenhout’s title defence faltered in all-or-nothing Top 10 Shootout when the 1976 Lola T460 picked up gearbox trouble, with second place going to Charles Arton […]
And that’s a wrap for Classic Car Friday! The final, all-or-nothing Top 10 Shootout started with only nine cars as Ian Schofield’s March 77B was retired due to the gearbox troubles encountered earlier in the day. Craig Wessels was up next in 1983 Porsche 911 RSR IROC and posted his second-quickest official time of the […]
Jerome Simonis, NSRI Knysna station commander, said: At 07h43, Thursday, 2 May, NSRI Knysna duty crew were activated following reports from eyewitnesses, a foreign couple on holiday in Knysna, of a body in the water near to Belvedere on Knysna Lagoon. NSRI Knysna rescue swimmers and the SA Police Services (SAPS) responded directly to the …
Simola Hillclimb kicks into gear from Thursday 2 May with scrutineering for Classic Car Friday, the race car display and the popular Knysna Parade leading up to a full day of competitive action on Friday The heavy hitters roll into town on Friday 3 May for the official build-up including a spectacular Knysna Parade, followed […]
The 14th edition of the iconic Simola Hillclimb will take place over the first weekend in May (May 2nd – 5th). The twelve months since the rainy yet thrilling 2023 edition have flown by like Andre Bezuidenhout’s record-holding Gould GR55, and once again the attention of the country’s motorsports fans will be turning to a …
Andre Bezuidenhout remains the man to beat in Single Seaters, Sports Cars and Sports Prototypes category with six consecutive King of the Hill wins Robert Wolk will be Bezuidenhout’s fiercest title rival once again, driving a Pillbeam MP58 powered by an Infinity V8 Indycar engine Formula Ford and VW single-seaters joined by Lotus 7-based […]
Five-time King of the Hill winner and reigning champion Franco Scribante to face intense onslaught once again from rivals, including 2023 runner-up Reghard Roets Addition of new class for street-legal tuned or modified cars further broadens the appeal and interest in this thrilling event 14th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place in Knysna from […]
In an inspiring move to honour and support the unsung heroes of wildlife and marine conservation across Africa, African Secret Cream Liqueur created “The Secret Hero of Africa” initiative. This campaign is dedicated to celebrating the courageous efforts of individuals and groups working tirelessly to ensure the preservation of Africa’s rich wildlife and marine life …
Looking for a holiday with a difference? Tired of the same ol’ same ol’ family trips and fancy the idea of trying something new these school holidays? Then perhaps you should consider embarking on an outdoor adventure to explore magnificent sights, often only accessible by hiking. With the cooler autumn season upon us, it’s a …
JP van der Walt set to defend his triple King of the Hill crown in Road Car and Supercar category in Porsche 911 Turbo S Official entries from Suzuki, BMW and Mercedes-Benz feature the latest petrol, hybrid and alternative energy-powered vehicles Category covers everything from hot hatchbacks to muscle cars and high-powered supercars – from […]
Service delivery 'war room' working to resolve water and electricity disruptions
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government is implementing rapid response interventions to resolve water and electricity disruptions in various municipalities across the country.
The Deputy President was speaking during his question and answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
Through the Service Delivery War Room, the Deputy President said the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has developed some improvement plans to implement rapid response interventions.
These, he said, include the establishment of the Results Management Office and the introduction of reforms in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to fund repairs, refurbishment and renewal of infrastructure.
The war room is looking into the continued deployment of technical professionals through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).
The Deputy President told Members of Parliament that part of the Results Management Office’s responsibility is to assist municipalities in advancing demand-side management measures and providing alternate energy supplies.
“These initiatives are aimed at reducing the impact of load shedding and its effect on substations and transformers,” he said.
Last week, the Deputy President, together with the Deputy Ministers of CoGTA and Water and Sanitation, visited Knysna Municipality in the Western Cape to find solutions to some of the challenges the municipality is facing.
“We are happy to report that with the support of MISA, the pump station that had been vandalised in the Hornlee area has been repaired, and water supply has been restored to the community.
“As this government, we are committed to working within the inter-governmental relations framework to ensure that we assist municipalities in delivering services to our people,” he said.
MISA continues to engage the private sector to fund bulk water infrastructure projects. Mashatile cited Sishen Mine in the Northern Cape and the Anglo Platinum Mine in Limpopo as some examples of private sector projects.
“These private sector entities have stepped up to fund wastewater treatment works upgrades in the Northern Cape and Limpopo,” he said.
In addition, Eskom has initiated the Active Partnering Programme, which provides technical support to municipalities through targeted interventions based on their needs. This is also aimed at strengthening the capacity to address the high failure rate of mini substations and transformers.
The Deputy President said Parliament is currently processing the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Limited Bill to establish the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency as a State-owned company, and a major public entity.
“The agency will enable South Africa to expand our bulk water infrastructure and improve the management of existing water assets to ensure water security over the next decade,” he explained.
Mashatile said government will continue to work tirelessly to assist municipalities to meet their constitutional obligation to provide reliable water and sanitation services to all South African citizens. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:36
Thrilling tussle expected between Andre Bezuidenhout and Franco Scribante, along with a brace of other serious challengers, for Classic Car Friday glory Exceptional line-up of cars across the nine classes, from thoroughbred single-seaters to legendary tin-tops, ranging from 1926 to 1994 14th edition of the Simola Hillclimb takes place in Knysna from 2 to 5 […]
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning today confirmed that the Knysna Council adopted the Diagnostic Assessment and Support Plan drafted by the provincial government. Among the key actions the Diagnostic Assessment identified are: The relationship with the community must be strengthened and managed through amongst others a communication …
Following various engagements with the Knysna municipality, Premier Alan Winde has been informed that the municipality has, after multiple attempts, scheduled to meet on Friday, 1 March to consider the recent Diagnostic Assessment of the municipality that was conducted by the Western Cape Department of Local Government, as well as a Support Plan that was …
Government raises US$3.3 billion to support climate change initiatives
Government has raised US$3.3 billion so far from Multilateral Development Banks and International Finance Institutions to support climate change, energy, and just transition objectives.
Delivering the 2024 National Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said National Treasury plays a crucial role in mobilising resources, designing incentives, and influencing policy to mainstream climate change.
“As climate-related disasters intensify, a multi-layered risk-based approach is being developed to manage the associated fiscal risks. This considers various funding instruments from grants to contingency funds, including the Climate Change Response Fund, depending on the incidence and intensity of the disaster event.
“The National Treasury is reviewing disaster response grants to improve efficiency and create incentives for disaster planning, preparedness and risk reduction. It is also developing a climate-budget tagging framework to influence policy, planning, and budget decisions, by tracking climate-related expenditures in public budgets,” the Minister said on Wednesday in Parliament.
He said the support of concessional funding providers, such as Multilateral Development Banks, is going a long way to support the country’s climate adaptation, mitigation, energy transition, and sustainability initiatives.
“Crowding-in the private sector is necessary to managing the climate disaster funds. We are actively participating in climate negotiations, aligning with the government's advocacy for reforming multilateral finance institutions.
“We are also working with eight municipalities to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate and weather-related events, by providing technical assistance for climate-responsive capital projects,” the Minister said.
According to the 2024 National Treasury Budget Review, the department is finalising a disaster risk financing strategy, centred on innovative financing and risk transfer to effectively mitigate climate impacts.
The strategy will boost state capacity to fund disaster recovery efforts and expand insurance mechanisms to protect against the financial strain of natural disasters.
“Recent years have seen a significant increase in extreme weather events and economic losses amid mounting concern over the effects of climate change. Between 1980 and 2021, 86 notable weather-related disasters have been recorded, affecting more than 22 million people and causing economic losses of about R113 billion.
“The 2017 Knysna wildfires, Cape Town (2015–2018) and Eastern Cape (2015–2020) droughts and KwaZulu-Natal floods in 2022 have heavily affected agriculture and tourism, with negative implications for government spending and revenue.
“These events exacerbate economic inequality, particularly in poor communities that are highly exposed to droughts, floods and wildfires and their consequences,” the document said.
Government incentivises electric vehicles producers
In an effort to encourage the production of electric vehicles in South Africa, government will introduce an investment allowance for new investments, beginning 1 March 2026.
This will allow producers to claim 150% of qualifying investment spending on electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles in the first year.
“The incentive will be implemented in addition to the existing support under the Automotive Production Development Programme. Government has also reprioritised R964 million over the medium term to support the transition to electric vehicles,” the Minister said.
The Electric Vehicles White Paper outlines government’s strategy to transition towards a broader new energy vehicle production and consumption in South Africa, starting with electric vehicles.
It aims to transition the automotive industry from primarily producing internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual platform that includes electric vehicles, by 2035. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:14