MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
As inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, a growing number of households in South Africa are struggling to meet their financial obligations. In many instances, despite various avenues available to the consumer to seek assistance, households avoid it, leaving debt to spiral out of control. Marius Jonker, CEO of the Association of …
Deputy Minister Judith Tshabalala welcomed South Africa's delegates at this year's World Water Week Conference starting on 21 August 2023, where she will participate in different panel discussions with various representatives from across the globe on different water challenges facing the world.
World Water Week 2023 hosted by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is focused on innovation, particularly at a time of unprecedented challenges facing water security around the world.
The annual conference is the global leader on water issues and attracts diverse participants and global professionals in the water sector. Various water entities that attend the World Water Week include Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Magalies Water, Bloem Water and Breede Olifants Catchment Management Agency.
The theme of the conference this year is Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World, which invites global leaders to rethink how to manage water and come up with ideas, innovations, and governance systems required in a more unstable and water scarce world.
“This is a platform where all the global leaders and experts in the water sector will come together to discuss ways to improve management to ensure that there is sustained provision of water in the world. This is an opportunity to learn and to also demonstrate how the Department of Water and Sanitation, together with research institutes and the water boards are working together to ensure sustainability of this scarce resource., said Deputy Minister Tshabalala.
Deputy Minister Tshabalala was accompanied by Ambassador of South Africa to Sweden, Ms Brigitte Mabandla who highlighted good international relations between the two countries.
“I should mention that you are in a country that has had good multi-national relationship with South Africa for many years, and it is pleasing that critical and important issues of water will be discussed here. I wish you well in your engagements in this week-long conference and hope that the resolutions achieved here will add more value to water service management for South Africa”, said Ambassador Mabandla.
Deputy Minister Tshabalala will take part in various panel discussions with global leaders and African leaders to deliberate and address pressing water challenges facing the African continent.
“I am also looking forward to participate in the high-level ministerial panel discussions in global water and sanitation issues. This will be a platform to exchange ideas and to form continued collaborations with water experts, academics and policy makers. South Africa's participation in Stockholm World Water Conference will indeed bring solutions to South Africa's quest of finding innovative ways of improving its water and sanitation services to the people”, said Deputy Minister Tshabalala
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa.
In this era of advanced pet care, owners are investing more time and resources into ensuring the wellness of their furry companions. One increasingly popular method of boosting canine nutrition is through the integration of vitamin and mineral supplements into their diet. It’s not uncommon for pets to be deficient in essential nutrients, especially vitamins …
What is a workplace dispute? A workplace dispute refers to a conflict or disagreement that arises between employers and employees or between co-workers within a workplace setting. These disputes can involve a wide range of issues, such as employment contracts, workplace policies, wages and benefits, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, breach of employment agreements, or violations …
Maintenance, debt servicing key to electricity distribution: Ramokgopa
The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has emphasised the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the servicing of municipal debt to help keep the lights on.
In his weekly Energy Action Plan briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Ramokgopa said poor maintenance and lack of servicing debt are among the reasons some communities go without electricity, even long after load shedding.
“…Transformers and substations have failed and blown up [in some communities] as a result of demand that exceeds the capacity of those assets,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa said in some instances, municipalities are underspending by R2 billion, money which should be spent servicing and maintaining infrastructure.
According to the Minister, municipalities owe Eskom about R63.2 billion.
Ramokgopa said there is a number of municipalities that have entered into agreements to pay their debts. However, some municipalities have defaulted on their arrangements and failed to make payments as agreed.
Ramokgopa said failure to pay Eskom undermines the entity’s ability to service and maintain the electricity distribution network, resulting in replenishment budgets being depleted on fixing repeat breakdowns of sub-stations and other transmission units.
“We are working with Eskom and the Head of Distribution and his team to ensure that we are able to find sustainable solutions to the problem. We are in discussions with colleagues from Distribution, National Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) to try address the debt of the municipalities.
“Communities are not able to get the electricity they deserve that they have paid for as a result of failure of infrastructure,” Ramokgopa said.
On Friday, Ramokgopa undertook a working visit to Namibia to participate in a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Mines and Energy in Namibia, Tom Alweendo.
The meeting explored opportunities for mutual cooperation between South Africa and Namibia.
The meeting also discussed the development and exploitation of gas reserves from the Kudu fields in the Orange Basin to provide an affordable gas fired base load power of up to 8 40MW for 35 years. South Africa could benefit from up to 600MW of this. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 08/20/2023 - 13:20
SA participates in World Water Week
South Africa is set to participate in the World Water Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, which gets underway on Sunday.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Judith Tshabalala, will lead a South African delegation to the conference, which wraps up next week Thursday.
World Water Week 2023, hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), is focused on innovation, particularly at a time of unprecedented challenges facing water security around the world.
The annual conference is the global leader on water issues and attracts diverse participants and global professionals in the water sector.
The year’s theme for the conference is, ‘Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World’, which invites global leaders to rethink how to manage water and come up with ideas, innovations and governance systems required in a more unstable and water scarce world.
Tshabalala will participate in several panel discussions with her counterparts from across the globe, and among her engagements will be Africa Focus Day, a high-level ministerial panel session aimed at addressing pressing water challenges faced by the African continent.
Africa Focus Day also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration and to bring together water leaders, policymakers, civil society and academia across Africa and beyond.
“We, as the Department of Water and Sanitation, will use this opportunity to participate in various sessions to demonstrate to the world how South Africa is managing the imbalances of the energy and water usage by both households and businesses.
“We will also demonstrate how the department is working to achieve its vision of being a recognised world leader in water management, of course through positive inputs by SA’s Water Boards, research and academic institutions, business and other partners within SA’s water sector participation,” Tshabalala said.
Tshabalala will also be accompanied by two learners, Kelebogile Abrahams and Mahlohonolo Mosia from Emang-Mmogo Comprehensive School in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
The learners will represent South Africa in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition for outstanding young learners participating in science-based projects aimed at improving water management in communities.
The two South African learners won the National South African Youth Water Prize Competition, held by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in May this year.
The aim of the programme is to encourage learners to protect water resources, use water efficiently, and furthermore, motivate them to pursue careers in the water sector. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sat, 08/19/2023 - 15:30
Event Marvels: The 5 Astonishing Titles for a South African Event Planning Business. South Africa welcomes you to a diverse land full of life and beauty, stretching from its golden savannas to its mesmerizing blue coasts. In this realm of Event Management, creativity and culture intertwine harmoniously, leading to extraordinary celebrations that are nothing short …
In today’s technologically advanced world, the significance of magnets in various industries cannot be understated. From their humble beginnings to their current sophisticated designs, magnets have undergone a remarkable evolution, proving indispensable in numerous applications. The Rise of the Dry-Type Electro-Magnet The Dry-Type Electro-Magnet stands as a testament to modern engineering and design. Characterised …
You’re keen to improve your website’s ranking, aren’t you? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll break down the different types of SEO strategies that can help boost your site’s visibility. Whether it’s on-page techniques or mobile-friendly approaches, we’ve got you covered. So buckle up and let us guide you through …
You’ve probably heard of SEO, but do you know how it works? It’s not as complicated as you might think. In fact, once you understand the basics, you’ll see it’s an essential tool for enhancing your online presence. From high-quality content to link building and mobile optimisation, we’re unpacking the mystery of Search Engine …
From scientists and sustainability managers to waste pickers and buy-back centre owners, women are boosting South Africa’s sustainability efforts – but more needs to be done to ensure equal representation. This is according to experts within the sector, as well as the country’s longest-standing Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), PETCO, which oversees collection and recycling efforts …
• From 2020 to date, 60 graduates have been permanently employed at ABB • ABB hires graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds, female engineers and people living with disabilities • ABB’s global initiatives align with localisation policies In recognition of World Youth Skills Day on 15 July, leading technology and solutions provider ABB acknowledges that skills development …
Corporate education requires clearness, usability, and good organization. Platforms should motivate and connect with their courses and educational materials while remaining simple and concordant with the businesses’ brands and workflows. CleverLMS solutions are specifically designed for that, not to be overly complicated with clumsy tools. A world where the information doubles almost every two years, …
The global shift towards sustainable energy solutions has seen a significant rise in the adoption of solar power. South Africa, blessed with abundant sunlight, is no exception. But what if the upfront costs of solar installations are a barrier for you? Enter the concept of “rent-to-own solar systems.” What is Rent-to-Own Solar? Simply put, …
Section 63 water intervention lifted in Nelson Mandela Bay
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has lifted the Section 63 intervention in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM).
Mchunu, together with the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Zolile Williams, announced the closure of the department’s section 23 special intervention in the metro during a meeting with the NMBM Council.
Mchunu visited the province on 15 - 16 August 2023 to receive updates and progress reports on water intervention projects in the region.
The metro was placed under the Section 63 intervention early last year to avert Day Zero after facing a high risk of running out of water due to drought, which would have had a dire effect on livelihoods, jobs, the local economy and investment.
Section 63 (2)(B) of the Water Services Act of 1997, (read with section 139 of the Constitution), provides for the Minister of Water and Sanitation to intervene at municipal level and take full control of a service delivery programme in instances were Municipalities fail to provide water services as a basic human right.
Announcing the withdrawal of the intervention programme and exit of the department from the metro, Mchunu said he was satisfied with the progress made in the interventions in the metro to avert Day Zero through various short-, medium- and long-term projects to expand water supply.
However, Mchunu said the current water restrictions imposed on the metro when dams started drying up will remain as gazetted.
He said the municipality is expected, for the next 18 months, to report quarterly to the department on the business transformation progress, with particular focus on water conservation and demand management; improving the level of service, and the implementation of the business turnaround strategy to ensure resilience.
Mchunu lauded the municipality for the progress made in recovering from an imminent Day Zero and addressing all water leaks backlogs.
He further urged the metro to pay more attention to improving their demand and consumption, which has not reduced even during the drought season and "may threaten future water security".
“We hope that after our exit, the metro does not regress and is able to maintain the status quo with all the interventions that have been put in place,” Mchunu said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Gary Van Niekerk said, operations are in place to curb the scourge of vandalism. This includes collaboration with communities, security companies and the South African Police Service.
Van Niekerk said the interventions put in place include emergency water supply and expanding water supply through water tankering, and the new groundwater boreholes constructed and linked to distribution system.
Other interventions include upgrades to the Nooidgedacht Water Treatment Works (Low Level Scheme phase 3), which consist of increasing the supply of treated water from Gariep Dam to a total peak supply capacity of 210 megalitres per day, as well as the desalination of sea water as a long-term goal.
Kouga Municipality hailed for innovative and technological solutions
Meanwhile, Mchunu has hailed Kouga Local Municipality for finding innovative and technological solutions to ensure water security in the municipality.
Accompanied by Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, provincial government and local government officials, Mchunu’s working visit started at Jeffrey’s Bay Water Treatment Works in Kouga Municipality, to assess progress on the Drought Relief Project.
The municipality was declared a disaster area in 2016 following severe droughts since 2015. This was after dams, including Kouga, Impofu and Churchill, which supply water to the municipality, were not filling due to lack of rainfall, resulting in the municipality losing most of its water allocation from these dams.
As a response to the drought, the department allocated R57 million to Kouga Municipality from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) to implement drought relief projects.
The municipality drilled nine more boreholes, followed by the construction of water treatment plants in Jeffrey's Bay, Humansdorp, St Francis Bay and Hankey.
The municipality has also constructed one of the biggest processing plants in Africa for water contaminated by iron and manganese within the Jeffrey’s Bay Plant to treat water from the boreholes and make it drinkable quality.
The municipality said these packages are completed and are currently working to treat water being pumped from the boreholes.
The four water treatment works will allow Kouga Municipality to supply up to 70% of its own average water consumption and rely on the metro for only 30%.
Mchunu said the forward thinking of Kouga is something that many other municipalities can learn from.
Williams implored leadership in the municipalities to address non-revenue water, improve billing systems, and he encouraged water users to pay for their use in order to keep the systems well functioning.
“We would like to thank the Minister for the intervention and support you are continuously providing to our municipalities. Now it is up to us keep these systems well maintained to ensure continuous services by ensuring that we bill all the users and collect revenue, which in turn will be used to service these water infrastructure and systems,” Williams said. - SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 08/17/2023 - 09:24
The success that Shines: The 10 Leading South African Marketing Companies Marketing Companies are the best storytellers. They create & spin business tales using the symphony of strategy, creativity & persuasion. Today’s business world is highly competitive, and the art & science of Marketing has taken center stage. It has emerged as a powerhouse …
Skills are a rare resource that can be found within the talented depths of a trusted managed services provider, says Hope Lukoto, Chief Human Resource Officer at BCX. In 2021, Gartner found that talent shortages were inhibiting technology adoption and development, with 64% of IT executives citing it as a challenge. Fast-forward to 2023, and …
Introduction Home automation, once a concept limited to sci-fi novels and futuristic movies, has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. As technology continues to evolve, our homes are becoming smarter, more efficient, and, most importantly, more comfortable. The allure of a home that responds to our needs, learns our preferences, and even anticipates our desires …
In today’s fast-paced business world, first impressions are paramount. Whether you’re a fledgling startup or an established enterprise, ensuring that every call is handled with utmost professionalism can set the tone for all future interactions. This is where the virtual receptionist comes into play, offering a transformative approach to customer service. Historically, businesses have …
Track It All, a leading software development company is excited to announce the launch of their highly adaptable system software created to meet the unique needs of your company. With a focus on effortless management, improved productivity, and seamless tracking, Track It All empowers businesses to streamline their operations and optimize efficiency. CEO Jenna Brown …
[Cape Town, 14 August 2023] – Uku Inbound, a leading HubSpot Partner in South Africa, and power2Cloud, a leader in digital transformation from Italy with a robust technology ecosystem, are thrilled to announce their partnership, a significant milestone for both companies. The partnership positions Uku Inbound as a formidable player in the digital transformation landscape, …
Following the success of its 7-year long-standing partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal based non-profit, Thanda, Beiersdorf has further committed a funding donation to address the critical long-term aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic. With this commitment, Beiersdorf lives up to its sustainability agenda CARE BEYOND SKIN, which seeks to enhance inclusivity within society and achieve sustainable advancements …
Four keys to ensure that People with Disabilities can flourish in your business: Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Employment Equity Amendment Act into law. While the proclamation of the implementation date is still pending, the Minister of Employment and Labour can establish equity targets for various economic sectors as well as prescribe …
Johannesburg, South Africa – AV-INNOVATE and ATMS Advisors are excited to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), heralding a new era of cooperation, collaboration, and mutual support in the aviation sector. Signed by Mr. Sibusiso Nkabinde, representing AV-INNOVATE, and Mr. Arthur Bradshaw, on behalf of ATMS Advisors, the MOU formalizes the parties’ …