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The Energy Regulator has approved that the National Transmission Company of South Africa (SOC) Limited (‘NTC’) be issued with a licence to operate a transmission system within the national boundaries of the Republic of South Africa. 

“This is a milestone decision by the Energy Regulator and will immensely contribute in Eskom’s unbundling trajectory,” National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) Chairperson, Thembani Bukula, said on Friday.

At the 2019 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd would be unbundled into three wholly owned entities: Generation, Transmission and Distribution.

“The NTC is envisioned to be an independent transmission system operator incorporating, inter alia, the currently non-licensable but integrated functions of network provision, system operation and system planning.

“The NTC’s independence is an important signal to all stakeholders, including investors that they will have non-discriminatory access to the transmission system,” NERSA said.

Furthermore, the NTC is responsible for ensuring grid stability, to which end, it is allowed to buy and sell power, but not for profit.

“However, in terms of section 15(1) of the Act, the NTC will be afforded the opportunity to recover its efficiently incurred costs and a reasonable return on its assets. The Energy Regulator understands that the aforementioned provisions are both within the ambit of the Act and enable the NTC to be operationalised as an independent and reliable transmission system operator,” NERSA said.

The NTC a wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom, which was established as per the Government objectives and in alignment with the Department of Public Enterprises’ (DPE’s) ‘Roadmap for Eskom in a Reformed Electricity Supply Industry’ (‘the White Paper’), issued on 29 October 2019.

The NTC will operate the transmission system and perform the following key integrated roles to ensure the integrity of the interconnected power system (IPS):

• Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP)
• System Operator (SO)
• Transmission System Planner (TSP)
• Grid Code Secretariat

The NTC’s licence application was processed following due regulatory process, including a public hearing that was conducted on 11 April 2023.

“All presenters that made oral presentations during the public hearing supported the application. NERSA analysed the application to assess whether it meets the minimum requirements for licensing as contained in section 10(2) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No.4 of 2006) – the Act. The application was found to meet the licensing requirements,” the energy regulator said.

Generation licence application by Ngonyama Solar

The Energy Regulator approved that Ngonyama Solar (RF) (Pty) Ltd be issued with a generation licence as the sixth preferred bidder of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's (DMRE’s) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window Six (BW6).

On 3 March 2023, Ngonyama Solar (RF) (Pty) Ltd was announced as the sixth preferred bidder, with a contracted capacity of 140 MW.

This brings the total contracted capacity for BW6 to 1 000 MW for solar projects.

“Ngonyama Solar’s preferred bidder status letter was issued on 13 March 2023. Ngonyama Solar applied for a generation licence in accordance with section 7 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006, which requires that no person may operate a generation facility without a licence issued by the Energy Regulator.

“NERSA analysed the application and found that it met all the licensing requirements. There were no objections received to the application,” the energy regulator said.

The six preferred bidders for all Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology include Doornhoek PV (Pty) Ltd; Boitumelo Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd; Kutlwano Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd; URSA Energy (RF) (Pty) Ltd; Antlia Energy (RF) (Pty) Ltd and Ngonyarna Solar (RF) (Pty) Ltd. – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela

St. Petersburg, Russia – As south Africa prepares to host the 15th BRICS summit in August, President Vladimir Putin has expressed his full support and confidence in the summit’s success.  

The Russian Head of State stressed the close collaboration between Russia and South Africa in various international fora like the United Nations, G20 and other multilateral organisations such as BRICS, which is currently being chaired by South Africa. 

“We closely and constructively cooperate within this grouping in order to extend our strategic cooperation between the five countries [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa]. 

“I am convinced that the meeting you are currently preparing for will be held on the highest level possible. I have no doubts about this and we will spare no effort in giving our assistance to you,” he said. 

President Putin was speaking on Saturday during a bilateral meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa at Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg. The gathering was held to discuss South Africa and Russia’s bilateral relations. 

In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sincere appreciation, underscoring the longstanding history of collaboration between the two nations. 

He emphasised that their cooperation goes back to their joint efforts within the G20, where they have successfully worked together on numerous critical issues.

Additionally, President Ramaphosa said, the partnership extends to the BRICS platform, where they have actively engaged in addressing matters of mutual interest.

“We are delighted to have your support as we are going to host BRICS in a few weeks. We agree with you that BRICS should be held at an appropriate level. 

“We are in the process of preparing for BRICS and we thank you for the support you are giving and that you are willing to give. As it is, a number of Russian officials and Ministers have been to South Africa to attend the various preparatory meetings that are taking place for BRICS. We are hoping that the participation of all the BRICS countries will lead to a valuable outcome. We are looking forward to a successful summit,” President Ramaphosa said. 

Turning attention to the recently concluded second Russia-Africa Summit, President Ramaphosa lauded President Putin for hosting a successful summit, with a declaration that was “well negotiated and well crafted”, representing the views of various countries. 

President Ramaphosa took the opportunity to express gratitude to his counterpart for hosting a successful and well organised summit. 

“We believe the summit was successful and well organised. The outcome was very good and the declaration was well negotiated and well crafted. 

“It represents the views of various countries that were here and put together with your views. I believe that we have a declaration that can take forward our relationship between Africa and Russia. 

“What is particularly pleasing is that Russia conducts its relationship with Africa at a strategic level, with a great deal of respect for and recognition of the sovereignty of African States,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged that Russia's support for Africa has remained steadfast over time, dating back to the days of the Soviet Union. He expressed satisfaction that the spirit of cooperation between Russia and Africa endures to this day.

Trade ties

Regarding the bilateral relationship between Russia and South Africa, President Ramaphosa affirmed that the two nations share and uphold strong ties.

“It’s a multi-level relationship. On an investment level, there are quite a number of companies in the South African market that are also invested in the Russia market,” he said.

The President emphasised that South Africa is presently grappling with an energy crisis and could gain valuable insights from Russia's experience. 

“Currently, South Africa is going through an energy crisis and we could learn a lot and do a lot together with Russia on the energy side. On the science and technology side, there's a great deal that we can learn from each other. We can learn a lot from you,” he said. 

The President mentioned his interest in exploring fields such as space, noting the presence of a Space Institute in South Africa.

“You have advanced a great deal in space, and that is one area in which we could cooperate.

“We appreciate the support we received from Russia during the COVID-19. Your innovation when it came to COVID-19 helped to inspire our own scientists. I remember you [President Putin] and I having a conversation after our scientists discovered Omicron and we spoke on the phone. You sent Russian scientists to South Africa so that we could exchange views. I do believe that that was really impactful. We thank you for that,” the President said. 

Regarding education, the President expressed South Africa's deep appreciation for the support received from Russia. He conveyed his desire to encourage an increasing number of students to pursue studies in various disciplines in Russia. 

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the value of the extensive support provided by President Putin to many South Africans who have been educated in Russia, and expressed his wish to see this support continue.

Furthermore, President Ramaphosa praised President Putin's stance on the representation of Africa at the United Nations level.

“We'd like to appreciate your position on the issue of the representation of Africa at the UN level. We continue to be a continent that is not represented in the key structures of the UN. Thank you for being supportive in that regard,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

A steering committee has been established to deal with water and sanitation challenges at the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in Kimberly, Northern Cape.

This comes after Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu and Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul met with Sol Plaatje Local Municipality leaders to find long lasting solutions to the current water and sanitation challenges in the area.

During the discussions on Thursday, the municipality outlined its challenges relating to bulk water supply and reticulation to communities.  

The steering committee, which includes a technical team from Water and Sanitation and the municipality, will provide a turnaround strategy on the  municipality’s water challenges. 

The committee will also have a political oversight of the Minister and provincial political leadership.

Mchunu said as a Water Services Authority (WSA), Sol Plaatje Local Municipality is responsible for waste water management and treatment of raw water and its reticulation. 

However, he said, through routine inspections and interactions with the municipality, the department identified poor operation and maintenance on both water and sanitation infrastructure, which contributes to sewage spillages, water leaks and water interruptions in the municipality. 

Mchunu said the department has issued several directives that the spillages of wastewater from the overflowing sewer network and pump stations were ponding inside the Kamfersdam and Platfontein pans. However, the municipality indicated that it has financial challenges affecting its ability to address the problems. 

The Minister said the committee will also address issues of high levels of water losses as non-revenue water is estimated at 64% due to old aging bulk and reticulation infrastructure.  

He said he is endorsing the steering committee and is confident that it will improve the services of water and sanitation in the city. 

“Various issues that include operation and maintenance, loss of water through leaks and ageing infrastructure will be dealt with decisively.  We need to improve water and sanitation services in this municipality and ensure that the people get clean, running water in their homes,” Mchunu said. 

Vaal project

Both the Minister and the Premier have also undertaken to expedite the progress of the Vaal Gamagara Phase 2 project, which will be a joint venture between the department and the Mine Leadership Forum in the Northern Cape. 

The project will entail the laying of a 260-kilometre pipeline from the Vaal River Pump Station and will service the communities of John Taolo Gaotsewe District Municipality.

The eradication of the bucket system in the Norther Cape Province was also placed under the spotlight during the discussions.

There are currently 7 600 buckets in the province, and Mchunu and Saul said they will soon sign a memorandum of understanding to eliminate the bucket system, particularly in Campbell under Siyancuma Local Municipality.

Meanwhile, Mchunu is today visiting Lichtenburg to meet with representatives of the North West business sector to discuss sustainable solutions to the provision of water and sanitation in the province – SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela

St. Petersburg, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured the seven African leaders involved in the African Peace Initiative that he has carefully reviewed their proposals and is genuinely committed to addressing the issue at hand.

President Putin was speaking in St. Petersburg on Friday evening during a working dinner, where he hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with six Heads of State from Senegal, Zambia, the Comoros (which is currently chairing the African Union), Egypt, the Republic of Congo and Uganda. 

The dinner was held on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa Summit, which took place on Thursday and Friday in the Russian Federation.

“President Ramaphosa, as one of the co-authors of the African Peace Initiative, came up with concrete proposals and shared them. We have given careful thought to the suggestions put forth by our African friends. 

“We are very serious about that and we have given great attention to this matter. We hope, colleagues, that you understand very well the nature and the origins of this crisis,” President Putin said. 

The Russian Head of State told the African leaders that the conflict is not a recent development but has been prolonged due to specific forces that have been preparing for a hybrid war against Russia.

“They were doing everything to turn Ukraine into an instrument to undermine the fundamentals of security of our country and to damage our world and to undermine our statehood. And I have full grounds to say that,” he said. 

Following President Putin’s remarks, the seven prominent African leaders engaged in the African Peace Initiative addressed him, asserting their legitimate right to advocate for peace as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine directly affects the continent.

Citing the direct and adverse impact of the crisis on the continent, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised that the leaders are steadfast in their commitment to fostering stability and advocating for peace. 

“We stand on the side of peace, and even in this case with the conflict in the Ukraine, we still advocate for peace. 

“We feel that we have a right to call for peace because the ongoing conflict also negatively affects us as African countries. Apart from wanting to support a peace process all over the world, this conflict is now directly affecting us as well,” the President said.
 
President Ramaphosa conveyed to President Putin that, as previously mentioned, food security remains a significant concern. He highlighted the escalating prices of fertilisers in African countries, leading to an increase in the cost of living across the region.

“The cost of living in many of our countries has gone up and we do believe that it is in the interest of humanity and the people of Russia and Ukraine that there should be peace and this conflict should be settled in a peaceful manner,” he said. 

The African Heads of State acknowledged President Putin’s explanation regarding the origins and beginning of the conflict, while expressing satisfaction that he recognises the peace initiative. 

The leaders further noted President Putin’s consideration of their proposal, particularly their call for engagement, which was presented to him last month in St. Petersburg. 

“We are, however, pleased to hear you say you recognise the initiative that we, as seven African countries, have taken and you take this initiative by the seven countries very seriously. You have given due consideration and regard to the proposals that we put forward and you will recall that we said we would like engagement,” President Ramaphosa said. 

The African leaders further emphasised that they stand firm on respect for the United Nations Charter and principles, which they also have appropriated as African Union.

“We do believe that those principles should be respected, and we are pleased to hear you say exactly the same thing. We are pleased to hear you also say that our ideas resonate with your ideas and they also coincide with the ideas that have been put forward by others,” President Ramaphosa said. 

He conveyed to President Putin that during their conversation, the Russian President addressed certain points mentioned in the African proposals, specifically concerning grain. 

They proposed the implementation of the Black Sea initiative, aiming to open the Black Sea to the global market. President Ramaphosa further emphasised that their intention was not to seek donations for the African continent during the meeting. 

“We were not coming to plead for donations for the African continent. We do recognise that out of the generosity of the heart of the Russian Federation, you have decided to donate grain to a number of countries on the continent that are facing challenges with respect to that and we accept that,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

All eyes will be on the SPAR Proteas as South Africa takes on Wales in their first match at the 2023 Netball World Cup, set to get underway in Cape Town later today.

South Africa will be competing against 16 countries for the prestigious trophy to become world champions.  

“All the best to the SPAR Proteas. I know you will do the nation proud, as you have always done. Go out on the court and give it your best. Play in the spirit of true sport and enjoy every moment,” Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, said on Thursday evening. 

The much anticipated match this evening will begin at 6pm. 

The game will be broadcast live on SABC Sport Channel,  SABC 2, SABC Radio Stations and SABC plus.

Addressing the 2023 Netball World Cup welcome dinner in Cape Town, the Minister encouraged the netball teams from around the world to enjoy the beauty of South Africa and its cultures.

“While your focus will be firmly fixed on the tournament, I’m sure you can make room for some fun activities as well. Let us take this opportunity tonight to meet new people and make new friends.

“Tomorrow is a new day, where the battle lines will be drawn as the teams get onto the courts and showcase their skills and talent,” Kodwa said.

The highly anticipated tournament is taking place on African soil for the first time ever, starting on 28 July, and ending on 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Kodwa has encouraged South Africans to support the national netball team.

“Let us cherish and appreciate the power of sport to bring us all together, to provide us with lessons in tolerance, discipline and respect, amongst others. I would like to wish Netball South Africa and the World Cup Local Organising Committee a successful tournament.

“More so, I would like to pay tribute to the SPAR Proteas, South Africa's national netball team, who head to the World Cup as the highest ranked African team, and one of the top five ranked netball teams in the world.

“The SPAR Proteas have shown world class standards and enter the Netball World Cup as one of the tournament favourites,” he said.

Kodwa said netball continues to grow and develop at an extraordinary pace.

“There is so much potential in bringing the World Cup to South Africa. I encourage world netball to make strides to grow netball in this region, which has so much talent in the sport.

“South Africa has had such an incredible year in showcasing its sporting talent, with these sportswomen in particularly achieving many firsts.

“We successfully hosted the Under-19 and T20 Women’s Cricket World Cups for the first time in South Africa,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

Her love for agriculture and interest in producing food for her late husband and seven children inspired Nowandile Mbana from Mafini village, outside Libode in the Eastern Cape, to start a sheep farming enterprise.

For Mbana, this was an opportunity to make money by selling her Hammels sheep to local buyers for slaughtering and to sell wool.

Mbana, 60, was one of the sheep farmers from OR Tambo District Municipality who received 144 Dohne Merino rams from the Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters, during a handing over ceremony held at Hlanganani shearing shed in Mafini.

The handover of the rams is part of the department’s ongoing programmes to commercialise agriculture in the province, with a special focus on farmers in communal land, smallholding farms and farmers who received farms through government’s land reform programmes and other previously disadvantaged farmers.

The department hands over Dohne Merino rams with superior genetics to farmers who already have sheep so that the rams improve the genetics of their animals, the quality of their wool and meat.

Mbana, who has 14 sheep in her kraal, said her flock is full of nondescript rams and ewes, which limits the quality of her wool clip, and reduces the amount of money she gets from wool sales.

She said the Dohne Merino ram she received from the department will improve the genetics of her flock from nondescript to a better quality than she had before.

“I am excited because it feels like God has Blessed me. I say so because acquiring this ram has been one of my desires because my flock was nondescript.

“I expect the ram to mate with my ewes to produce a flock of lambs with superior genetics that will help expand my farming enterprise and increase my profit margins,” said an elated Mbana. 

Papama Madyibi from Vidgiesville, outside Mthatha, who also received rams, said as emerging farmers, getting the rams will bring a huge difference to their farming businesses because they have nondescript sheep.

“By mating them with these rams, we will see the difference. Some local farmers had these rams and we see the quality of their lambs and we are confident that the rams we are getting from DRDAR will make a difference.”

Madyibi, who is hoping to get better income from wool sales, said to sustain effective mating for rams, they will focus on grass and grain feeding, providing medicines and keep rams separate from ewes, until the mating season. 

Pieters, who also handed over eight shearing sheds to local wool growers, said the department delivered the 144 Dohne Merino rams in order to improve the quality and volume of the farmers’ wool clip. 

Pieters said the Eastern Cape government is investing in the construction of shearing sheds to take woolgrowers out of the mud huts they use for shearing. 

The MEC said the department is investing in farmers in rural areas so that they compete with commercial farmers. 

“Foreign countries need meat because they don’t have livestock and OR Tambo is one region that has the highest livestock population in the province. We want to improve the breed of their animals so that it is suitable for the markets, and they can also export it to other countries and earn money. 

“We know that in South Africa, it is only the East London harbour that has capability to load live animals on a ship for export markets. Government wants to ensure that when livestock is sold, farmers from OR Tambo... also benefit from exporting their animals and be paid in dollars so that they can make meaningful profit,” said Pieters. 

The department’s veterinary services also trained farmers to take care of their sheep, feed them and prevent disease. The department strongly urged members of the public and farmers not to eat animals killed by diseases. – SAnews.gov.za

Developed countries need to assist with securing an at-scale, predictable and appropriate funding stream for nature conservation and protection of biodiversity, says Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy.

“We must re-emphasise that 17 of the major biodiverse countries in the world are developing countries. Accordingly, the ambitious targets to preserve our planet will be meaningless unless they are backed with enabling means of implementation for developing countries,” Creecy said on Friday.

She was addressing the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministerial meeting in India.

“Land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change are interlinked global environmental problems. Twenty-thirty (2030) is a significant milestone for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality as one of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

“We welcome the ongoing discussions under the Indian Presidency, as well as past Presidencies, and look forward to further collaboration including through the implementation of the G20 Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats,” the Minister said.

She said South Africa’s mega-biodiversity is both a national and cultural asset and a source of socio-economic development its citizens through the sustainable use of a wide variety of plants, marine living organisms and wildlife.

“This year our government adopted the White Paper on the Sustainable use of South Africa’s Biological Diversity, which outlines four strategic goals of conservation, sustainable use, equitable sharing of benefits and transformation.

“We regard this white paper as our own strategy to implement Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). In December last year, the international community adopted the landmark Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

“A key decision has been the adoption the ambitious 30 by 30 goal which science tells us is necessary to preserve biodiversity, ecosystems and indeed human life itself,” she said.

The Ministerial meeting will consider recommendations prepared by senior officials in the G20’s Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG).

The Indian G20 Presidency has focused on three priority issues under the ECSWG, namely:

• Arresting land degradation and accelerating ecosystem restoration via an ecosystem-based approach, and enriching biodiversity;
• Promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient blue economy to protect the natural environment and the lives and livelihoods dependent on marine resources;
• Encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy to move towards sustainable production and consumption systems.

– SAnews.gov.za

By Dikeledi Molobela

St. Petersburg, Russia - African leaders participating in the second Russia-Africa summit have in unison emphasised to their Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, that their aim is to foster a strategic and mutually beneficial partnership, while rejecting the notion of a "begging approach".

The African leaders from several countries were speaking during a plenary session hosted by President Putin at the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

During the plenary session earlier on Friday, African leaders highlighted several key concerns. These included the urgent need to focus on exporting valuable finished products, ensuring peace and security in the region, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships, and facilitating the smooth flow of goods and services within the continental free trade areas. 

These issues, among others, took center stage in the leaders' discussions, with the aim of advancing Africa's economic and social development.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo stressed the importance of synergy for Africa's continued development, stating that self-isolation is not an option for the continent.

Addressing the session at the second Russia-Africa summit, President Nguesso called for the establishment of strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships, firmly asserting that Africa is not seeking handouts. 

“We call for the establishment of a strategic, mutually beneficial partnership. We are not begging for assistance. The Russia-Africa partnership has great potential because Africa has many resources,” he said. 

President Nguesso pointed out that while some small-scale projects are underway, Africa requires large-scale initiatives to drive its progress effectively.

He made it clear that Africa does not expect generosity or financial aid from its partners, instead calling for focus to be placed on creating a prosperous future through collaboration and trust.

“We do not expect any generosity for us. We are not begging for money. The Russian-African partnership has a great future. Africa has vast resources. 

“Our vision of our future of cooperation is a vast vision, and we are doing this in the name of peace, based on the mutual trust and confidence between mutual partners. This would allow us to comply with all the obligations and complete all the initiatives,” President Nguesso said.
 
President Macky Sall of Senegal underscored the immense potential lying in the partnership between Africa and Russia, encompassing vast demographic and natural resources.

He told President Putin that Russia and the African continent can work and cooperate in various areas, including agriculture, oil and gas, digital information technology, security, transportation, and the digital economy.

“However, we should always pursue the pragmatic goals, including investment, finance and partnership. 

“You may have noted that I am not mentioning the word 'help'. I do not believe in assistance. We are not here to beg or ask for something. We are here to work, establish a decent, dignified partnership for the benefit of the good of our people,” he said. 

President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique also addressed the summit, which he views as a crucial event dedicated to peace, development and cooperation. 

He stressed the significance of upholding peace and security as paramount for all African countries. 

In order to ensure effective participation in global decision-making, President Nyusi called for a permanent African representation at the United Nations Security Council.

“We fully adhere to the major principals of equality of the presence and representation of all African countries. Some of them should also be represented on the UN Security Council. It is also important for us that African countries should receive permanent membership at the UN Security council. 

“There is no doubt that in this context, this is the only way for the African countries to take effective part in the long term decision making in the global arena,” he said. 

Furthermore, President Nyusi urged collective efforts to combat terrorism and establish a common foundation among nations. 

“It is critical that we continue our work to establish a common foundation of all the countries in the fight against terrorism. 

“This is also of great importance for peace-building and for maintaining peace and security in Mozambique. We also require political dialogue on an international level,” he said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni put forth a proposal to Africa's allies, including Russia, India and China, urging them to support the continent's economic transformation by making policy decisions that prioritise purchasing value-added products instead of raw materials.

“My proposal to our allies of Russia, India, China is to point out to them that they could help by policy decisions to buy value-added products from Africa, rather than raw materials. 

“Those are products like processed coffee, instead of bean coffee; chocolate, instead of cocoa beans; textiles, instead of just cotton; steel, instead of iron ore; electric batteries, instead of just lithium,” he said. 

President Museveni further addressed issues concerning the free flow of goods and services within the continental free trade areas, acknowledging that resolving this matter would also contribute to alleviating food shortages in African societies.

“If this is addressed, the other problem of food for African societies will also be partially addressed. In Uganda, we don’t have a problem of food. Uganda is a net-exporter of food; produce like maize, milk, bananas, fruits, fish, cassava, not to mention beverages like coffee, tea, cocoa, vanilla, which are produced in big quantities and, with irrigation, bigger quantities are possible,” he said.

President Museveni concluded that the primary challenge lies in accessing markets, both within Africa and globally. 

“We actually need markets both in Africa and the rest of the world. A lot of African countries produce food but cannot trade in other countries because of access,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za