No clarity on when Makhanda will have a post office again
The post office closed in July
office
Government addressing deficiencies that led to grey listing
Government addressing deficiencies that led to grey listing
Government is working hard to address deficiencies in the fight against organised crime and illegal financial flows, says Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana.
“Since February, when South Africa was grey listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a large number of government departments and agencies – including the police and the Hawks, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Special Investigating Unit (SIU), State Security Agency (SSA), the Reserve Bank, Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and South African Revenue Service (SARS) – have been working hard to address these deficiencies,” the Minister said.
Delivering the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday in Parliament, he said last week the FATF noted at its plenary meeting that such work is showing positive results.
South Africa has addressed 15 of the 20 technical deficiencies in its legal framework and has made good progress on 17 of the 22 effectiveness action items, including two that are now deemed to be largely addressed.
“However, there is also a significant amount of work that must still be done, particularly with regard to the investigation and prosecution of complex money laundering cases and terror financing, the identification of informal mechanisms for remitting money around the world, and the recovery of the proceeds from crime and corruption,” the Minister said.
Government expects to address all the deficiencies identified by the FATF by early 2025.
“We are also devising ways to make better and more targeted use of the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) to address crime. Among these efforts, and emanating from the Presidential project on illicit mining strategy, a recommendation has been made for Cabinet to consider using money from the fund to combat illegal mining.
“The South African Police Service, The Defence Force, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority have all received allocations from this fund,” the Minister said.
Improving efficiencies
He said over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, the focus is on improving efficiency and reprioritising funds towards key programmes.
The SAPS will contain costs and streamline operations as headcounts decline due to natural attrition.
“It will foster partnerships with communities and implement reforms to optimise resource allocation, training and technology. Government will continue to fill critical posts in the Border Management Agency and verify assets transferred from departments to the agency.
“To reduce employee compensation pressure, the Department of Defence will implement human resource reforms and review commuted overtime and allowance policies. Furthermore, funds will be reallocated in the Department of Defence to provide for day-to-day maintenance and emergency repairs,” the Minister said.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will reallocate funds over the MTEF period to capacitate the Office of the Legal Services Ombud.
“Funding will also be shifted from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to Legal Aid South Africa to improve its capacity to provide legal representation in land rights matters.
“To strengthen its independence, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services will become a government component in 2024/25. Concomitant resources, currently in the baseline of the Department of Correctional Services, will be transferred with the inspectorate,” the Minister said.
Government will continue to fill critical posts in the Border Management Agency and verify assets transferred from departments to the agency. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 11/01/2023 - 14:04
623 views
WHO supports efforts to Combat Zero Dose Kids in the Eastern Cape Province
To reduce the increasing number of zero dose children in the Eastern Cape Province, the National Department of Health, planned a four-day Zero Dose training program for the province, fully funded by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, from 26-29 September 2023. The training took place in collaboration with United Nations (UN) partners, WHO South Africa and UNICEF. The training was designed to benefit senior program managers at the provincial, district, and sub-district levels, as well as facility staff responsible for disseminating knowledge to their constituencies. The training primarily focused on critically evaluating the status of zero dose children and developing micro plans to reach them, with a particular emphasis on the components of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
Immunization is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every year and is a key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right. It's also one of the best health investments. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious diseases and outbreaks thereof. While the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI program) responsible for vaccines in South Africa in its schedule covers for eleven vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs), there are still children who do not have access to a single vaccine. These are called zero dose children.
The number of zero dose children has been increasing globally and South Africa is one of the priority countries for high zero dose children. Over the past 5 years, a total number of zero dose children in South Africa accumulated to almost 700,000 (682,967). In 2022 alone, South Africa recorded 147,674 and 19,127(15%) was from the Eastern Cape. The increasing immunity gaps due to the increasing zero dose children has contributed to the recent multiple vaccine preventable disease outbreaks which the country has battled, and this warrants urgent interventions to decrease morbidity and mortality due to VPDs.
The training focused on the all the components of EPI but mainly on critically reviewing where the zero dose children are, and developing micro plans aimed at reaching these children. Other topics covered included:
- Global and national strategic and guiding documents which are aligned to zero dose reduction.
- Demand creation and community mobilization
- Reach Every district strategy (RED)
- Supportive supervision
- Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance (VPDs) including Environmental surveillance (ES)
- Data management (using data for action) including the use of technology such (ODK app) for supportive supervision.
The way forward from the training was:
- Cascading the training to professional nurses through integration in existing trainings
- The province will coordinate the crafting of micro plans at facility level using RED Strategy guiding principles which when following the bottom-up approach will inform the subdistrict, then district micro plans.
- Monthly Review of process indicators, performance indicators and quality indicators.
- Data monitoring and reporting on nerve Centre program on weekly intervals which follow-development of action plans to close gaps.
- Demand Creation to reduce zero dose was highlighted as a critical area of focus.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Africa.
COVID-19 social grant extended until 2025
COVID-19 social grant extended until 2025
Government has extended the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) until March 2025 while it considers social security policy reforms and a funding model.
The grant was introduced to support low-income individuals affected by the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delivering the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said R34 billion has been allocated to extend the grant by another year.
“Over the medium term, a provisional allocation is retained while a comprehensive review of the entire social grant system is finalised. The 2023 Budget indicated that the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant was only funded until March 2024.
“Government proposes that the fiscal framework make provision for funding for the grant for 2024/25. Beyond this, a comprehensive review of the entire social grant system by the Department of Social Development and the National Treasury is required,” Godongwana said.
Over the 2024 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) period, 61% of consolidated non-interest spending goes to the social wage — combined public spending on health, education, housing, social protection, transport, employment and local amenities.
“Of this amount, R945.9 billion will be spent on social protection transfers, including the old age grant, the child support grant, the disability grant and the COVID-19 social relief of distress grant. South Africa’s social protection expenditure programme, measured as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), is one of the largest among developing countries,” he said.
The 2019 MTBPS noted that by 2040/41, social assistance beneficiaries – excluding the temporary COVID-19 social relief of distress grant – were projected to increase to 22.5 million, necessitating spending on social grants amounting to 3 % of GDP annually.
“This is in line with current grants spending, excluding the temporary grant. If that or a similar type of new grant is made permanent, beneficiaries are projected to expand from 27.3 million in 2023/24 to 40.4 million in 2040/41, which will cost 3.8 % of GDP in 2040/41 and require a corresponding permanent source of funding, such as additional revenue measures,” he said.
Education
Although additional funding has been provided to implement the 2023 public-service wage agreement, provincial education departments are constrained in hiring additional teachers.
The Minister warned that this could lead to larger class sizes and higher learner-teacher ratios, possibly resulting in weaker educational outcomes.
“To mitigate this, the sector will improve the approach to allocating teachers to schools, ensure that learner and teacher support materials are used cost-effectively, manage infrastructure projects more tightly and focus on plans to catch up on lost teaching time,” Godongwana said.
Institutions in the post-school education and training sector, including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, will need to bring their student enrolment and bursary allocations in line with their budgets.
Planned infrastructure spending will be brought in line with institutions’ ability to spend.
Continued health services
The Minister said the health sector is aiming to maintain service delivery amid budgetary constraints.
“While additional funding is provided to cover wage increases, baseline reductions are being implemented as part of fiscal consolidation. To minimise negative effects, the sector will need to improve efficiency in areas such as overtime payments, medical supplies and security services, and to delay infrastructure projects.”
The South African Law Reform Commission is finalising a report on legal reform to manage medico-legal claims, which constitute a significant financial risk.
“To address funding fragmentation for oncology services, allocations will be shifted from the national health insurance grant to the national tertiary services grant.
“A single grant is also proposed to consolidate the existing personal and non-personal services components of the national health insurance indirect grant. Funding is also redirected towards the Office of Health Standards Compliance to strengthen the Health Ombud,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 11/01/2023 - 14:07
774 views
Protesters call for closure of Israeli embassy
Cape Town march in support of Palestine
Hundreds march in the rain in Durban to demand municipal jobs
The workers also want the eThekwini municipality to pay them on a higher salary scale
Spotlight on gender transformation in the mining sector
Spotlight on gender transformation in the mining sector
Gender equality transformation hearings in the mining sector, where companies will be accounting for the state of gender transformation in their businesses and workplaces, are expected to kick off this week.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) will host the hearings on 31 October 2023 and 01 November 2023 at the commission’s office in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
They are a follow-up to the research study undertaken by the commission in 2017, entitled Bold Claims and Small Gains: Reluctance to promote gender equality in the mining sector in South Africa.
CGE spokesperson Javu Baloyi said despite a plethora of legislative frameworks and the amended Mining Charter, compliance with gender transformation remains a concern for the commission.
“The study, among other things, found that there is a disproportionate representation of gender on corporate boards of Directors, Executive Management and general workforce at most mining companies,” Baloyi said.
Through the transformation hearings, the commission seeks to assess compliance with employment equity legislation and related policies; address institutional and systematic barriers to economic and gender diversity in the workplace on the progress of women and persons with disabilities as well as raise awareness on relevant international commitments to gender transformation and the importance of compliance.
The hearings will start with Samancor Chrome Limited on 31 October, followed by Wesizwe Platinum and AngloGold Ashanti on 01 November 2023. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 10/31/2023 - 12:23
155 views
Communal toilets overflowing with faeces due to extortion
About a month ago, Sanitech workers were held at gunpoint and extortionists demanded several thousand rand
Know the water you drink – the hidden dangers of the water you buy in retail and restaurants
Given the questionable state of the water many of South Africa’s municipalities are distributing via the ‘tap’ system, it is not surprising the country’s citizens are seeking alternatives. Taking advantage of the opportunity to ‘water the nation’ are entrepreneurs, retailers and restauranteurs who are bottling water using countertop systems and/or running refilling stations. However, these …
Embattled municipality yet to pay thousands of workers’ salaries
Workers staged a sit-in at the Matjhabeng municipal headquarters in Welkom to demand that they be paid immediately
Over 100 grannies march in Durban to demand better healthcare and housing
This follows a three-day conference that brought together grandmothers from across the country
Rugby World Cup fever mounts
Rugby World Cup fever mounts
South Africans across the country are gripped by the green and gold fever ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, which will pit South Africa’s Springboks against the All Blacks from New Zealand.
If the semi-final is anything to go by, the final game promises to be a nail-biting encounter that will keep every fan on the edge of their seat as the teams go head-to-head at 9pm sharp.
From schools, companies, and restaurants to social media posts, the Springbok jersey-wearing South Africans are counting down the hours to what will go down in history as one of the most memorable World Cup finals in Stade de France.
If South Africa wins, this will be the first time any country will hold four Rugby World Cup titles.
Even President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be cheering in the crowd as he will be travelling to Paris to support the Springboks in their quest to defend the Webb Ellis trophy.
“The President is really looking forward to being invited onto the pitch for a second time by captain Siya Kolisi to help lift the cup for the world champions,” said the President’s Office.
Meanwhile, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa on Friday joined the Springbok captain’s run to send well wishes to the Bokke.
“The Springboks are ready for the final. This is your team, fellow South Africans. Let’s get behind our pride and joy! Yivale maBhokobhoko,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to SA Rugby, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber predicts a powerful onslaught from the All Blacks and said they posed threats in every aspect of the game.
“Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always special and hard-fought, and with this being a World Cup final, the rivalry is expected to be more intense. They have an experienced squad with a physical pack and a backline that can create magic from nothing, so we’ll have to be at our best on attack and defence to get the result.”
For Springbok fans, SuperSport, the home of the Rugby World Cup 2023, will broadcast the final match live.
The South African game will be also shown on SABC.
And for those who prefer big screens and a bit of a crowd, provinces across South Africa are gearing up for the showdown and bringing on the heat to support the Bokke by having dedicated fan parks.
Some of these, of which most entrance is free, fans can also enjoy some live music in the build-up to the game.
Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga, said it has identified three sites for public viewing, one in each district of the province.
“These public viewing areas will be located in previously disadvantaged communities, which over the years have shown growing interest in the sport of rugby.”
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup across the country.
Eastern Cape
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (free entry, gates open at 7pm).
Sisa Dukashe Stadium (Mdantsane).
Police Park (East London).
Baby Swag (Zwelitsha).
Macelegusha.
Northern Cape
AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley (gates open at 4pm to enjoy some live musical entertainment in the build-up to the game).
Limpopo
Civic Centre Park in Polokwane (free entry).
Mpumalanga
Nkangala District (Siyabuswa Retail Centre, Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality).
Gert Sibande District (Loft Lounge Corner Ennis and Oosthuise Street, Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality).
Ehlanzeni District (Praxos Butchery, Schoemansdal, Nkomazi Local Municipality).
Gauteng
Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg (gates to open from 7pm). Fans can also expect to be entertained by Jozi FM DJs in the lead-up to the game.
Pretoria’s Loftus Park (gates open at 6pm). R 120 per person for general admission includes a free parking ticket and can be purchased electronically.
North West
Hoërskool Rustenburg (Bojanala) and Maseru Park (Mahikeng).
Free State
SaamTrek Fan Park – Phakisa Raceway.
Western Cape
Bree Street (between Church and Hout Street, Cape Town CBD). There will be soft road closures from Wale to Strand Street and Loop to Buitengracht, including all side roads leading to the venue.
Monwabisi Sport and Recreation Centre (Langa).
Westridge Civic Centre (Mitchells Plain).
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban ICC (gates swing open at 7pm). Fans can expect the big screen, refreshing drinks and delectable food, drink specials and secure and hassle-free parking facilities.
Pietermaritzburg’s Woodburn Rugby Stadium (gate to open at 3pm). Children below 12 years free and there will be food stalls live music and secured parking. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 10/27/2023 - 15:28
235 views
Welkom municipal workers react angrily after learning they won’t be paid
A letter signed by the municipal manager states workers may have to wait until the end of October to get their salaries
Disability grant applicants sleep outside this SASSA office
SASSA admitted that there had been “technical challenges with the online system” but that these had since been resolved
Mashatile to attend Unisa’s annual spring graduation ceremony
Mashatile to attend Unisa’s annual spring graduation ceremony
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Friday attend the annual spring graduation ceremony of the University of South Africa (Unisa) at its Muckleneuk campus in Pretoria.
The Deputy President, according to a statement, will attend the ceremony at the invitation of the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Unisa, Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
“This year’s graduation coincide's with the University’s 150th anniversary as a leading comprehensive, open distance e-learning institution, which continues to produce quality graduates, contributing to the country’s human capital,” the Deputy President’s Office said.
During the spring graduation ceremonies, the university will confer honorary degrees on outstanding individuals in recognition of services rendered to their communities in particular and the country in general.
His Grace Dr Engenas Joseph Lekganyane, the Bishop of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church, will become the latest distinguished person to join the list of illustrious Unisa alumni when the university confers on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology.
“This is in recognition of His Grace’s outstanding achievements and globally impactful societal contributions to peace, social cohesion, as well as successful and resilient African-initiated institutions in the 21st century,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 10/26/2023 - 14:27
530 views
Richmond land occupiers given refuge in preschool
The eThekwini municipality repeatedly demolishes their shacks located near a river
African Development Bank’s novel 5-year strategy paper focuses on governance and the private sector
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (https://www.AfDB.org/en) have approved South Africa's Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2023-2028. The Bank's interventions over the next five years will focus on two priority areas: improving governance and developing the private sector in southern Africa's largest and most populated country.
The CSP 2023-2028 aims to support the South African government's efforts to tackle its structural challenges, promote industrialization and establish a faster, more inclusive growth trajectory to reduce poverty for the long term. Its indicative operational program for 2023-2028, amounts to a total of $1,54 billion, comprising six sovereign operations totaling $887 million and seven non-sovereign operations totaling $654 million. The sovereign operations selectively support four focal sectors, relatively large projects aimed at delivering transformation at scale and impact.
In the first priority area, the African Development Bank will support efforts to improve economic governance and boost private investment to promote inclusive growth and create decent jobs. This will help broaden access to the main social and economic services, improve skills and employability, and increase resilience to external and climate shocks.
The Bank will also contribute to strengthening the governance framework to create favourable conditions for implementing infrastructure projects. Its support will help to reduce costs and contribute to the success of the private sector by helping the country to address regulatory barriers.
Among the expected outcomes are a reduction in the budget deficit of 4.2% of gross domestic product in 2022-2023 to 3 percent in 2027-2028. Energy production by the private sector should increase from 100 megawatts in 2023 to over a gigawatt in 2028, and 700 new small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should have access to funding, including at least 210 owned by women and 70 by young people, by 2028.
In the second priority area – developing the private sector – the African Development Bank aims to improve access to high-quality infrastructure, boost productivity and strengthen competition to promote growth driven by the private sector and job creation through transformative projects. The Bank's interventions will focus on the energy, transport, water and sanitation sectors, as improving these kinds of infrastructure will contribute to reducing the cost of economic activity, increasing productivity and strengthening South Africa's competitiveness at all levels. These interventions will also enable women to access basic services and economic opportunities.
Finally, there will be an emphasis on protecting infrastructure from the effects of climate change to strengthen sustainability and resilience, a goal that will be at the forefront of all infrastructure projects.
The Bank's actions in the transport sector should help increase the market share of rail freight from 26.8 percent in 2023 to 28 percent in 2028 and complete the construction of 38 kilometres of tunnels by 2028.
On 30 June 2023, the African Development Bank Group's active portfolio in South Africa comprised 23 projects, with total funding of USD 7 billion.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa's development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: https://www.AfDB.org/en.
Sewage still seeps through Kariega streets and the mayor is nowhere to be seen
Promises made in July have not been kept
Dunlop goes green with sustainable classroom construction project in Ladysmith
As part of the Dunlop Ladysmith plant’s 50th anniversary celebrations in October, the tyre manufacturer announced a project to build two new classrooms, ablutions, an office and a sick bay at Ithubelihle Special Opportunity School in Leonardsville, Ladysmith. Headmistress Sibongile Tshabalala said the new additions would enable the school to extend its support to the …
IEC launches the 2024 National and Provincial Elections programme
IEC launches the 2024 National and Provincial Elections programme
The Electoral Commission of South Africa has formally launched the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE 2024) programme as a means of declaring its readiness to host millions of eligible voters at over 23 296 voting stations across the country next year.
According to the Electoral Commission, the NPE 2024 will be historic, as independent candidates will, for the first time, be able to contest for seats in the national and provincial elections.
The legislation enabling the participation of independent candidates was signed into law in April by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Commission, led by the institution’s chairperson Mosotho Moepya and Sy Mamabolo, the Chief Electoral Officer, presided over the launch of the NPE 2024 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand and was attended by various stakeholders, including political parties.
“Today, we stand proud as the pre-eminent Constitutionally-mandated body that manages elections, and make bold that we are ready for the NPE 2024,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo explained that while the term of office of the current legislatures, national and provincial governments ends around 18 May 2023, the national and provincial governments will remain in office until the newly elected public representatives are able to take office.
He said in terms of the Constitution, the country must have an election within 90 days of the expiry of the legislatures’ terms.
“Therefore, an election is possible between May and the middle of August 2024. The proclamation of the election date is by our Head of State, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, after consultation with the Electoral Commission.
“Our expectation is that the provincial elections will be, as they have for the past 30 years, synchronised with the national election,” he said.
Mamabolo said once the Electoral Amendment Act was signed into law by the President, the Commission moved with speed to finalise the supporting business applications necessary for the implementation of the Act.
Prior to each election, the Electoral Commission launches registration drives aimed at enrolling new voters and empowering existing ones to scrutinise and, where necessary, amend their registration details.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to open nearly all voting stations for the weekend of November 18th and 19th, 2023.
This monumental effort not only registers new voters but also facilitates the verification of the roll. Station-based registration ensures equitable access to the vote.
Modernising registration
Furthermore, the Electoral Commission has expanded registration modalities to enable voters’ continuous enrolment.
For those with internet access, registration, inspection and updates are accessible via www.elections.org.za.
Voters may also visit local Commission offices or capitalise on various activation campaigns to register and update their information.
The theme for NPE 2024 will be: “Your Democracy, Own It” - celebrating the fruits of democracy by showcasing different, real-life experiences of young South Africans from all corners of the country.
The Commission called on South Africans to use its online portal for registration, verification and updates.
“We urge you to actively participate in the registration weekends and exercise your responsibility as engaged citizens who choose their own representatives.
“We extend a call to all electoral stakeholders to stand shoulder to shoulder with us, working collaboratively to make these historic elections a resounding success,” Mamabolo said.
Moepya said the Electoral Commission of South Africa is approaching the upcoming elections with immense pride and a profound sense of responsibility.
“This is so because our electoral democracy has come a long way since those historic elections in 1994, when millions of South Africans cast their votes for the very first time. While it is essential that we recognise the remarkable achievements of the past three decades, it is necessary for us to embrace the challenges that lie before us,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 10/24/2023 - 14:37
1479 views
How to finish the year like a boss!
How to end the year like a boss! When done well, office parties can make for great bonding sessions, especially when the company uses a hybrid working model or is entirely remote. Year-end parties can also be like opening a mystery box on a TV game show. Depending on your company culture and colleagues, you …
9 Trends in celebrating the end-of-year office party
The world over companies are reimagining the end-of-year celebration, moving away from buffets and shooter stations towards activities that foster shared experiences. Odele van der Merwe, General Manager of ANEW Resort Hazyview Kruger Park, has observed some dynamic shifts from the traditional end-of-year dinner dance to creative, team-focussed activities. She notes, “These new trends are …
Almost a third of Limpopo residents have no access to piped water
Human Rights Commission report slams failure of water supply in Limpopo
Green shoots in resolving the energy crisis
Green shoots in resolving the energy crisis
South Africa is beginning to turn the corner in resolving the energy crisis.
This according to Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who was briefing the media on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan in Pretoria on Monday.
Improved performance of Eskom’s generating fleet meant the suspension of load shedding over the past weekend and much lower stages of the planned power outages during the week.
“We have turned the corner, although we are not out of the woods yet. We are beginning to show sustained improved performance over an extended period of time and this is good news in that it’s an affirmation and validation of the work that the team is doing at Eskom,” he said.
The Minister said the intensification of maintenance plans at Eskom are beginning to have a positive impact despite a difficult period in September when load shedding was intensified as a result of maintenance outages.
These maintenance outages are aimed at reducing the incidence of generating units tripping on their own and improving performance.
“These plans that have been put into motion are beginning to bear fruit. I did indicate some time ago when we were experiencing heightened levels of load shedding Stage 6, that essentially what we are dealing with is short term pain which is going to result in long term gain and we are beginning to see the kinds of gains that I was referring to.
“Our actions are deliberate. We are going to invest a lot of our efforts to ensure that we are able to maintain the units,” he said.
Ramokgopa insisted that both Eskom and the department will not show any signs of complacency going forward.
“It’s important that we shouldn’t be complacent and we have never been complacent…even when are beginning to see … green shoots. I think what that does is just bolster and raise the morale of the team to ensure that we even achieved greater results and we are able to save the South African economy.
“We introduced these interventions when we came into office, after the President appointed and sat with the team and thought the best way of getting out of this situation is to ensure that we make these investments into these units. What are the results - when the units come back, they remain on load for the longest period of hours.
“Essentially we have undermined the rate and frequency of failure of these units. We have improved on their efficiency. They are beginning to produce more… closer to their design capacity. This is not by accident. It’s not some intervention that comes from a place that is unknown. It is simple engineering and we really want to commend the team,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 10/23/2023 - 11:10
185 views