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44 Questions answered about prepaid electricity meters. Straton Prepaid have been installing prepaid meters since 2012 and receive many different questions around prepaid electricity meters. Below are the 44 most common questions received: How to recharge prepaid electricity meters? Why was my prepaid electricity cut? Who stocks prepaid electricity meters in South Africa How does …
One ATM bombing suspect nabbed, while another fatally wounded
An ATM bombing suspect was arrested, while another was left fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Esikhaleni, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Police responded to reports of an ATM bombing at a store in Esikhaleni and swift investigations led to the arrest of the driver of the suspects’ getaway vehicle.
Another vehicle that the suspects were using was spotted at Madlankala area and with the suspects failing to obey lawful instructions from the police and shooting at the men of law, a shootout ensued. This resulted in one suspect sustaining fatal gunshot wounds. A firearm was found in his possession.
A search is underway at a nearby sugarcane farm where other suspects ran into, as they tried to evade arrest. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 07/26/2024 - 10:21
Celebrate the remarkable women in your life – that includes you – with an unforgettable afternoon of luxury and creativity at the prestigious Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa. Join us on Saturday, 3 August 2024, for an exclusive Women’s Month event that promises elegance and indulgence. Every good celebration starts with bubbly! Sip on a …
The Black Business Council (BBC) welcomes the signing into law, by H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, of the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act. The National Small Enterprise Amendment Act, which amends the National Small Enterprise Act of 1996, establishes the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) through the incorporation of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa), …
More than 200 families live in the dilapidated Molo hostel in Butterworth without toilets - and the smell is annoying the neighbours
Call to reform Expanded Public Works Programme
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, believes that urgent reform is needed for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to provide a sustainable pathway to permanent employment.
This follows the ongoing protest action by former EPWP employees in Ethekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Minister has condemned any violence or damage to public property during the protests, particularly as it has halted key municipal service delivery such as the removal of waste which creates a health hazard.
“The EPWP program was always designed to be a short-term program to give recipients work experience and training in order for them to find permanent employment,” Macpherson said, adding that due to the stubbornly high unemployment rate in South Africa, many have grown dependent on the program, having been employed as an EPWP worker for many years.
“As mentioned during the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure budget speech last week, it is therefore imperative that the EPWP program be re-imagined to become skills outcomes-based which leads to South Africans climbing up the opportunity ladder, rather than being stuck in EPWP for years on end,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Macpherson looks forward to working with all stakeholders in the coming months to look at a better outcome for recipients nationwide.
The Expanded Public Works Programme is one of the government’s strategies to alleviate poverty through the creation of work opportunities using labour-intensive methods. The programme is implemented in four sectors namely: infrastructure, social, environment and culture, and non-state.
All spheres of government and state-owned entities are expected to implement the programme.
The EPWP participants (beneficiaries) work on different projects such as the Community Work Programme (CWP), Early Childhood Development Programmes, Home Community Based Care Programmes, Extra School Support Programmes, Working on Fire, Working for Water and roads maintenance projects.
Since its inception on 01 April 2004 to 31 March 2022, more than 13 million work opportunities have been created in the EPWP space across all spheres of government. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 10:01
Solar geyser rollout benefits Woodyglen residents
The Woodyglen community in Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal will now enjoy cost savings and reduced energy consumption as the area goes green following the installation of new solar geysers in their households.
In a move towards embracing green energy, the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal has completed the installation of solar geysers in 700 homes in Woodyglen.
The project aims to significantly reduce electricity consumption and costs for residents.
Ward 6 councillor, Bless Majola, commended the project’s completion and announced plans for expansion of the project into other areas of the ward.
Majola said the municipality has ensured the transfer of skills during the installation process.
“Young people from the community have been trained to install and maintain the geysers, creating around 30 temporary jobs. We expect to employ more young people as the project progresses,” Majola said.
Project Manager of Gemmed Services, Lungelo Ngcobo, emphasised the geysers’ durability, with a lifespan of up to 15 years and a one-year warranty.
“Our work adheres to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy standards. Beyond installation, we prioritise skills transfer to empower the community for future maintenance needs,” Ngcobo said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:04
Three officers are accused of assaulting Juma Igiranieza, a barber, at his workplace, in Mowbray on 7 November 2023
SA firefighters to help fight Canadian fires
The Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF-Kishugu JV) is deploying a team of more than 200 firefighters and management to the Canadian province of Alberta to assist with fire fighting efforts.
The Guardian reported on Wednesday that wildfires near the Canadian town of Jasper have forced more than 25 000 to flee one of the country’s largest national parks as multiple blazes and thick smoke descended on the Rocky Mountain community.
The report said the town is home to 5 000 full-time residents, alongside 5 000 seasonal workers.
The request for urgent assistance came from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) in terms of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Canada and South Africa.
The MOU signed in 2019, provides for exchanging wild land fire management resources between the two countries.
The WOF have been on five deployments to Canada between 2015 and 2023 based on the MoU.
The five deployments include the historic deployment of 860 firefighters and management in 2023, one of the largest deployments of international firefighters to Canada.
The organisation said they have since finalised the deployment list of firefighters and management.
The team is currently at Kishugu Training Academy in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, for a training camp for final preparation before departure.
The group will depart for Canada via a charter arranged by the CIFFC on Friday, 26 July 2024, from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and are expected to be there for 39 days.
Flying the SA flag high
“We extend our best wishes to the team as they embark on their deployment to Canada to help put out the fires raging in Alberta.
“They go to Canada to raise the South Africa flag and share their expertise and camaraderie with colleagues from other Canadian provinces and countries.”
The team includes pump-trained firefighters with valid yellow cards, with more than three years of firefighting experience and physically fit.
Meanwhile, 30% of the selected firefighters in the first deployment are women, including three members of the management team, which the WOF believes highlights its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In addition, several of the team members have previous international firefighting experience, which further enhances their expertise in tackling complex fire situations.
“We are proud that South Africa is again able to assist Canadian firefighting teams in their battle to bring the wildfires under control. The extensive experience and training of these firefighters will significantly enhance efforts to effectively suppress and manage the wildfires in Alberta.”
Local operations
The WOF has since reassured all their partners and stakeholders that this deployment will not have any impact on South African firefighting operations.
“Every one of our 200-plus firefighting bases in South Africa will continue to provide firefighting and fire prevention services to our partners and landowners.”
The organisation said they will still have just over 5 000 firefighters available at these bases throughout South Africa.
“Should there be major wildland fire activities in our winter fire season provinces, we will, as we have done in the past, be able to deploy our Western and Eastern Cape firefighters to these hotspots. No partner and landowner will be left without any firefighting operations from Working on Fire, and we urge you to communicate with us directly should you have any enquiries.”
WOF is an expanded public works programme (EPWP) aimed at providing work opportunities to young men and women.
The programme, funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs, recruits participants from marginalised communities and trains them in fire awareness and education, fire prevention and fire suppression skills. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 14:09
Condolences for Knysna fire victims
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has extended his condolences to the families of the three people who tragically lost their lives in a fire at the Garden Route National Park in Knysna.
The fire broke out at the Tree Top Chalet on 18 July 2024 where two South African National Parks (SANParks) staff and one non-SANParks person died.
Ranger Services was notified of smoke permeating near the forest and upon investigation found the chalet ablaze. Emergency services were dispatched from the Bitou Municipality Fire Department and the South African Police Service (SAPS) were called.
"Our hearts are heavy with sorrow following the devastating fire at Garden Route National Park that claimed three precious lives. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. We are committed to providing all necessary support during this difficult time," the Minister said on Thursday.
During the process of managing and containing the fire, three bodies which were burnt beyond recognition, were discovered. An inquest has been opened with the police and the process of identifying the bodies through DNA testing is underway.
The names of the deceased will be disclosed once the identification process has been finalised.
“SANParks is in regular contact with the SAPS and in close liaison with and providing support to the families during this most difficult time. With the matter still under investigation, I appeal for space and respect to the family members,” George said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:29
South Africa’s choice of motor vehicle segment and body shape is changing – perhaps permanently – and, as a struggling market adapts to new realities, brand favourites face challenges too. South Africa’s motor retail industry landscape over the past 15 years has been affected by slow economic growth, poor infrastructure, political uncertainty and a series …
Condolences for fire Knysna victims
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has extended his condolences to the families of the three people who tragically lost their lives in a fire at the Garden Route National Park in Knysna.
The fire broke out at the Tree Top Chalet on 18 July 2024 where two South African National Parks (SANParks) staff and one non-SANParks person died.
Ranger Services was notified of smoke permeating near the forest and upon investigation found the chalet ablaze. Emergency services were dispatched from the Bitou Municipality Fire Department and the South African Police Service (SAPS) were called.
"Our hearts are heavy with sorrow following the devastating fire at Garden Route National Park that claimed three precious lives. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. We are committed to providing all necessary support during this difficult time," the Minister said on Thursday.
During the process of managing and containing the fire, three bodies which were burnt beyond recognition, were discovered. An inquest has been opened with the police and the process of identifying the bodies through DNA testing is underway.
The names of the deceased will be disclosed once the identification process has been finalised.
“SANParks is in regular contact with the SAPS and in close liaison with and providing support to the families during this most difficult time. With the matter still under investigation, I appeal for space and respect to the family members,” George said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:29
Introduction Whether you’re a student, professional, or gamer, finding the best laptops for sale can significantly enhance your productivity and entertainment experience. With countless options available, it’s important to know what to look for to make the right choice. This guide will help you navigate the world of laptops and find the perfect one for …
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is proud to unveil the domestic fixtures for the 2024/2025 season, showcasing an action-packed calendar...
Introduction Power outages can be highly inconvenient, disrupting daily activities and causing discomfort. An inverter for home use is an effective solution to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during such times. This guide explores the benefits of using an inverter at home and how to choose the right one for your needs. Understanding Inverters …
Bo-Kaap residents appeal City’s decision to approve a new six-storey development in the historic suburb
What makes a spot truly Instagrammable? It’s not just about beautiful landscapes or stunning architecture, it’s about capturing unique picture-perfect moments that transport viewers to another world with a single glimpse. The KZN Midlands Meander is set in the heart of the province and offers not only a picturesque countryside dotted with charming farms, but …
South Africa’s water crisis is well-documented, with surface water resources under immense pressure from overuse, pollution and climate change. There is another critical water source that often goes unnoticed, however: groundwater. This underground reservoir, accessed through boreholes and springs, serves as a vital backup to the country’s primary water supply and is increasingly becoming a …
The taxi is being piloted by AfriPaw and is aimed at providing access to its free monthly animal clinics for pets living in poor communities like Vrygrond
Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com), a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, has announced it is expanding its CPT1 facility in Cape Town.
This expansion shows the data centre giant adding three new state-of-the-art halls in new areas on the campus and adds another 6MW of IT load, effectively doubling its current capacity. The new expansion was implemented with support from the United States through an up to $300 million loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to Africa Data Centres.
According to Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava, “This expansion by Africa Data Centres is in response to the increasing demand for co-location capacity in South Africa. Not only is Cape Town the second largest economy in South Africa, but it is also the de facto software and technology hub in Southern Africa.”
The company is seeing tremendous growth in the data centre market in South Africa generally, as both national and international cloud and IT service providers seek to expand their footprints in the region.
In terms of size, the expansion adds 1000 racks of white space or the space available for customers to lease, although the physical site is significantly larger than that. It is made up of two more colocation data halls and one hyperscale hall.
The additional halls are built in the cutting-edge modular design pioneered by Africa Data Centres, which enables rapid scalability and a modern design that allows the facility to be populated as and when required to suit the needs of the customer.
Pemhiwa says this would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of ICT, Western Cape Provincial Government and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development. “I would like to acknowledge their ongoing support, as we expand our data centre facilities in South Africa.”
The new halls feature the same cutting-edge security standards and focus on the elements that matter most to clients, including scalability, flexibility, and energy efficiency, to bring world-class, affordable solutions to all its clients in the area. This data centre is highly flexible and designed to accommodate different and evolving customer demands.
Additionally, this data centre boasts hybrid cooling technology capable of handling both air cooling and liquid cooling. Despite its versatility, no compromises were made on efficiency. It is one of the most efficient and sustainable data centres ever built in South Africa. It is powered by renewable energy, boasts a Water Usage Effectiveness of 0 due to no water consumption for the IT infrastructure, and has an impressive Power Usage Effectiveness rating as well.
The Africa Data Centres' CPT1 facility is at the forefront of pioneering the use of wheeled solar power in the market. This innovation is enabled through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in March last year with Distributed Power Africa, part of the Cassava Technologies group. Africa Data Centres is the first company to successfully implement this groundbreaking technology in Africa, marking it the continent's first project of its kind.
“The introduction of wheeled solar power at the CPT1 facility offers significant benefits to our' customers, providing a truly sustainable data centre solution. As the demand for data continues to skyrocket across Africa, a continent where power supply is often intermittent, the need for reliable, cost-effective, and green power has never been more critical,” said Finhai Munzara, Interim CEO of Africa Data Centres.
By harnessing renewable energy, he says the CPT1 facility not only ensures consistent power supply but also supports sustainable operations, helping customers achieve their environmental goals. “Our state-of-the-art facility reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources, setting a new standard for sustainability in the data centre industry.”
Munzara adds that Cape Town is an excellent location for colocation facilities as it is a stone's throw away from all the submarine cable landing stations. In addition, the Cape Town facility houses the Cape Town Internet Exchange (CINX), which makes multi-region peering more accessible, efficient, and easy to manage. This also facilitates direct connections between networks, enabling data to flow more efficiently and reducing latency, giving our users a faster, more responsive online experience.
In ending, Munzara says the expansion increases the capacity of the company's data centres in South Africa and it is an integral part of its investment plans to deliver several additional data facilities across the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Data Centres.
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About Africa Data Centres:
Africa Data Centres owns and operates Africa's largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities. Bringing international experts to the pan-African market, Africa Data Centres is a trusted partner for rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections across Africa. Strategically located in South, East and West Africa our world-class data centre facilities provide a home for all business-critical data for Africa's small, medium and large enterprises and global hyper scale customers. https://www.AfricaDataCentres.com/
Head of Department claims the Auditor-General has distanced itself from previous statements to GroundUp. The Auditor-General says this is not true
Keeping the Madiba Magic alive
by More Matshediso
A women-led community development project is keeping the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela alive by educating children, and providing entrepreneurship and employability skills to women, youth and persons living with disabilities in the North West.
Tshwaraganang Barolong Project (TBP) is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that was established in 2001 in Motsitlane section near Madibogo village.
The organisation’s chairperson Mapule Lebakaeng said the organisation initially specialised in equipping women with knitting, sewing and upholstery skills to help fight against unemployment and poverty.
“I was inspired to gather a group of women in my village to start the organisation more than 20 years ago. I had just returned from working in Johannesburg then, and I wanted to share my skills with other women and reduce unemployment and poverty in our village,” she said.
Years later, the organisation started to offer early childhood development (ECD) services to five wards in the rural Ratlou Local Municipality, thanks to the support from the National Development Agency (NDA).
In 2015, the NDA identified TBP as an implementing source for its early childhood development (ECD) campaign. It funded the organisation with R914 000 to buy a fully resourced truck that travels to rural areas within the local municipality without access to ECD services.
“Our mobile truck travels to five wards within the municipal area on a daily basis, to offer two hours of learning sessions to children between the ages of one and five years old. The plan is to prepare them for formal schooling and to perform in the learning environment,” explained Lebakaeng.
For the ECD programme, Lebakaeng said the organisation works in partnership with traditional leaders to identify families that need the educational services. About 360 children are currently benefitting from the programme.
“We target 40 children a day and we provide learning sessions for two hours, including nutritious meals because most of our learners come from impoverished families,” she said.
Education, a tool to end poverty
Lebakaeng reminded citizens that Tata Nelson Mandela saw education as a tool that could end poverty, inequality and unemployment in society.
“I encourage women to start ECD centres, especially in rural areas and informal settlements because every child has a right to education and they should not be denied opportunities based on their circumstances,” she pleaded.
Lebakaeng said the organisation currently has six permanent members but it continues to empower unemployed women, youth and persons with disabilities with clothing manufacturing skills and to start their own ECD centres.
“Since inception to date, more than 500 community members have acquired various skills from our project. Some of them benefitted from skills that enabled them to start their own businesses while many young people were able to find employment after working with us on the project,” she explained.
She added that a few years after establishing the project, TBP ventured into manufacturing uniforms for a variety of local clients including schools, churches and stockvels because local women had acquired the necessary skills.
“Among other things, we make and sell jerseys and traditional wear, and we offer embroidery services as well. We also produce fruit juice and cleaning products,” she said.
The organisation has so far received funding and support from various government departments and State-owned- entities.
In 2003, the then Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) built the NPO a new nine-room structure including a kitchen, sewing room, knitting room, store room, chemical room and two toilets.
In 2006, the NDA funded the organisation with R833 380 to buy industrial sewing machinery, a delivery bakkie, two overlocking machines, an embroidery machine, a fridge, and the raw materials needed for sewing, cleaning and knitting.
In the same year, the then Department of Employment and Labour and the NDA provided the women with various training programmes including networking, book-keeping, financial, project and conflict management, as well as how to bid for tenders to supply their clients with uniforms.
In April 2021, the project successfully applied for another grant worth R396 502.70 from the NDA to expand their sewing and material production, and procured four additional sewing, knitting and overlocker machines, an embroidery machine, raw chemical products and renovation of the existing operational premises.
For more information about the NDA visit www.nda.org.za Visit www.labour.gov.za if you need information about the Department of Employment and Labour.
*This story first appeared in Vukuzenzele
Janine
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:09
What's your flavour?
A venture that started as a passion project for creating ice cream recipes to indulge friends and family during a difficult period in the life of a former architect, has evolved into a successful artisanal ice cream business.
With a presence at various SUPERSPAR outlets, popular stockists, hotel groups and high-end restaurants, the Johannesburg-based business plans to grow its customer base to offer premium ice cream to consumers in various cities in the country.
Established in 2019 by Kamal Manilal, Roska Artisan Ice Cream has experienced a steady growth, enabling it to employ 12 people.
Manilal started making ice cream in his home with an ice cream machine he had received as a gift from a friend 14 years prior.
“Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was going through a rough patch in my career. There were quite a few retrenchments that were being implemented. It was a very taxing time in my life as I had just lost my father.”
At the time, he had also recently completed his Master of Business Administration.
“One morning as I was on Facebook and a picture of an ice-cream machine appeared on my feed.”
This inspired Manilal to use his ice-cream maker and explore recipes.
“I started making ice cream and I took it to work for tasting. I started getting orders,” he said.
In March 2020, Manilal posted pictures of the ice cream on Instagram, which generated interest from consumers. This move took his business to greater heights.
“Before I knew it, I was making ice-cream at home. In October 2021, I realised that I needed more space so I decided to move into a commercial property to start making ice cream on a bigger scale. Since that time, we have on-boarded 140 customers and we are now in our second premises because we outgrew the first premises,” he said.
The journey of building Roska Artisan Ice Cream has not been easy as there were hurdles that the business had to overcome.
“The biggest challenge is cash flow. To start the business, we needed to have an investor to fund freezer rooms, generators and facilities. Cash flow is very important because sometimes you are not paid on time but the business still needs to cover the expenses for production, rental and utilities. We also used our corporate savings to fund the business to buy the machines that we needed,” he said.
Manilal co-founded the business with his wife Roshni Morar, who has played a fundamental role in positioning the business's brand.
With capital being essential in running a business, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) funded the expansion and growth of the business for about 30% while a private investor paid for the rest.
“The highlight of our journey has been moving into our second premises. We have proper facilities that include offices, freezer rooms for storage, and an industrial generator. When we showcased the product at the Paris Food Show, the chief executive officer of Checkers saw our product and offered our company an opportunity to work with them. We now have a store inside the Checkers Hyper in Sandton City,” he concluded.
For more information about Roska Artisan Ice Cream visit www.roska.co.za. Log on to www.thedtic.gov.za if you would like to find out about financial assistance for your business.
*This story first appeared in Vukuzenzele
Janine
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:14
Shining a light into entrepreneurship
by Sinovuyo Mfiki
Meet Makatu Tshi-vhula, a young entrepreneur who went from working at a candle manufacturing factory to owning one.
The 26-year-old from Soweto is the founder of The Light Candles, a company he started in February 2020. Their catalogue ranges from regular household to fancy scented candles. His candles are popular among churches, traditional healers and event organisers.
After working for a candle-making company for five months, he used his newly found skills and knowledge to manufacture and distribute candles to his community and courier to other provinces.
He said he was determined to start his own candle-making business after working at the factory and acquiring the skill.
However, he concedes that the journey has not been smooth-sailing, having had to overcome numerous challenges. Chief among these were funding and access to markets through distribution channels.
“Currently it has been four years since I started the business, and it is growing stronger by the month. There are now more people who know about The Light Candles. I get over a mountain, and a new mountain appears, so I have been taking it one day at a time and it has been going quite well,” Tshivhula said.
What sets The Light Candles apart in the market is that they can makes up to thirty different colours. “Moreover, The Light Candles products last up to twelve hours whilst other brands last between six and seven hours," continued Tshivhula.
“From the idea of candle production, you need to have an idea of the type of candles you want to make, and you must look at what type of mould you want to have." There are diverse types of moulds, such as the human body figure, a car, cake, and moulds of a heart.
Furthermore, different shapes and sizes of moulds can be fragranced.
The process of moulding a candle includes melting solid wax and pouring it into a mould of your preference while it is still hot.
“After a few hours you have a fully functioning candle,” he explained.
With South Africa celebrating Youth Month in June, Tshivhula said there should be a spotlight on young entrepreneurs for their businesses to be given exposure.
“Young people play a huge role in the economy... We might not be making a lot of money, but it is a step in the right direction,” he concluded.
For more information about The Light Candles, contact Makatu Tshivhula on 079 320 4106 or email him on makatutshivhula@gmail.com. You can also visit The Light Candles page on Facebook. You can also follow @lightcandlesza on Instagram.
*This story first appeared in Vukuzenzele
Janine
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 12:18