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President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa's readiness to host the historic 15th Summit of BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions.

President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The President's most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, 18 July 2023, at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng.

The Summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued. 

President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

The next generation of ethical Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) provides new hope for an equitable healthcare revolution - but advances in technology must never come at the cost of patient rights. 

This was the consensus amongst top African and American health AI experts who participated in a webinar (https://apo-opa.info/3O1seIV) about the impact of GenAI on healthcare. The webinar was hosted by Vantage Health Technology (www.VantageHealth.Tech) – part of BroadReach Group, a social enterprise focussed on health equity globally. Through Vantage, the company has provided AI-led health-tech support to multiple public healthcare systems and diseases including in Africa and the USA for close to a decade.

“The fundamental issue in healthcare, whether you are in Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe, or the USA, is that demand outstrips supply in terms of health services, doctors, nurses, and medications. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, there are 0.2 doctors per 1000 people,” explains Dr John Sargent, co-founder of the BroadReach Group (www.BroadReachCorporation.com).

He says we are trying to deliver on an antiquated model of “sick care”, where there is a certain ratio of doctors to patients. “We need to change this paradigm to be more effective by matching the supply and demand sides of our health systems in new digital ways.” Dr Sargent, who is a Harvard alumni and former World Economic Forum Social Entrepreneur of the Year, says that while GenAI has the potential to revolutionise how healthcare supply and demand are balanced, it is not the be-all-and-end-all of health tech. “The aim is not to get distracted by a shiny new toy – we need to put the patient first by protecting privacy and training our models against bias. We must always remember that technology is just a tool in service of patient care and supporting the healthcare workforce to improve health outcomes.”  

Using GenAI to tackle specific diseases such as HIV and AIDS 

Jaya Plmanabhan (https://apo-opa.info/43wY6KX), chief scientist at innovation consultancy Newfire Global (https://apo-opa.info/44UF3eR) who trains health AI models for a living, says he is particularly excited about how large language models could be trained to revolutionise virtual expertise on diseases such as HIV and AIDS. “We call these ‘Role Specific Domain Models' and they have the potential to be programmed to know everything about a particular disease, to better guide healthcare professionals on how to treat patients. This is a tremendously exciting prospect in the mission to end new HIV infections by 2030.”  

These Private Language Models (PLMs) become oracles on a subject and are especially useful in helping solve hard problems in HIV management, such as loss to follow-up – a term for patients who drop off treatment. “Trying to find patients is critical to ensure that they don't become resistant to drugs due to skipping doses. We can make our outreach much more engaging through conversational messages in their mother tongue and this can help us get people back into the clinic and back into care,” explains Ruan Viljoen (https://apo-opa.info/3XZcdHV), Chief Technology Officer of the BroadReach Group.

Start with the problem, not the solution 

“There is a quote that says we should fall in love with the problem, not the solution, which in this case is AI,” says Viljoen.  “I believe the biggest challenge is still health inequity - healthcare access can vary depending on race, location, or age.” 

Viljoen said GenAI can help solve practical problems, such as frontline healthcare workers being overburdened and not having enough time. “What are the repetitive, administrative tasks that are stealing their time? For instance, GenAI can help nurses with automated note-taking in patient interviews, relieving an administrative burden. The goal is not to replace the role but to free up their time for value-added work.”  

One of the greatest uses of AI in health is to help healthcare workers focus on the next best action. “We can use large datasets and extract insights to help healthcare workers, delivered via easy-to-digest and secure messaging like emails or text messages. This is nothing new – we've done this in some form for nearly a decade using our AI-enabled platform, Vantage (https://apo-opa.info/3qJ1Tax). What I'm most excited about, is how we can augment the quality of the interactions to bring together human and artificial intelligence.” 

Heeding the risks and creating guardrails

Vedantha Singh (https://apo-opa.info/3OglE2l), an AI ethics in healthcare researcher and virologist from the University of Cape Town, said the top ethical considerations for AI in healthcare are privacy, accuracy, and fairness. She urged at all AI systems should start with guardrails and ethics within their foundational design.

“There is a perception that there are no regulations for the use of AI in healthcare, but to assume we are operating in the wild west is not true. International bodies are sharing guidelines and regulation is slowly evolving – including in Africa. Egypt, Rwanda and Mauritius already have strong AI policies,” says Singh. This includes an emphasis on human labour not being completely replaced and giving patients agency over how their data is used.

Singh says that companies must embed ethical guardrails – aka ‘guardrails by design' in their health products from the start. Plmanabhan adds that GenAI can reduce costs and personalise care, but it must be used carefully. “For example, if the data is biased, the model will be biased. GenAI can also be used to create fake patient profiles to commit fraud.” Unbiased, quality data which complies to regulations such as HIPAA and POPIA or GDPR must be prioritised.

Plmanabhan emphasises the importance of patients giving informed consent, knowing how GenAI is being used on their data. “We need to stay committed to immovable core principles - we cannot compromise on the human in the middle of it all.”

Reaching the hardest to reach patients 

Viljoen says GenAI is not just improving healthcare for urban patients. Those in deeply rural areas could benefit too.

“Internet connectivity and satellite communication are becoming more ubiquitous. A few things provide hope: Big cloud providers are providing more ‘edge computing' for rural areas, the mobile phone is becoming a very powerful computer in the pockets of people all around the world, and small rural clinics can use smaller GenAI models which require smaller amounts of data and computing power– they don't need to use ChatGPT,” says Viljoen.  

Plmanabhan explains that there are secondary GenAI models that can function offline. The primary models are always online, with and secondary models sending information back to the primary model once it is back online.  

Hope for an equitable healthcare revolution

GenAI can increase affordable and equitable healthcare through the automation of routine tasks. To create a world where more equitable healthcare exists, it is critical to establish strong partnerships between donors, policy makers, researchers, and healthcare implementers.  

Viljoen concludes, “We need to be experiment rapidly with AI, and deploy cautiously. It's an incredible time to work in health technology and to see how we can use it to at last achieve health equity.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach Group.

Media queries:
Jennifer Kingwill
Jennifer.Kingwill@accenture.com

About BroadReach Group and Vantage Health Technologies:
BroadReach Group is a group of social impact businesses focused on harnessing innovation and technology to empower human action. Since 2003 BroadReach Group has worked in over 30 countries to support governments, international NGOs, public and private sector to improve health outcomes for their populations. In South Africa alone, during the COVID-19 period BroadReach supported two South African provinces to oversee and manage their COVID-19 outbreaks over a population of 15 million people.  

Vantage Health Technologies – a BroadReach Group company, created the Vantage platform which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics to provide health leaders and workers with personalised data insights and step-by-step next best actions to guide impact at scale. The combination AI and human action makes true health equity.  

For more information visit www.BroadReachCorporation.com or www.VantageHealth.Tech

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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (http://www.AfDB.org) has approved a US$ 20 million investment in the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II in Côte d'Ivoire. The Bank's investment will allow the Fund to raise up to $400 million from private, commercial or institutional investors to invest in industrial and infrastructure projects in Africa.

The Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II will invest in companies based in some of sub-Saharan Africa's leading economies, namely, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Angola. Others are Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.

Funds raised by the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II will be invested in such industrial and infrastructure projects as digital infrastructure, the energy transition (i.e. renewable energies), logistics and transport, waste recovery, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, with a focus on energy efficiency. They will also be used for the development of resilient regional value chains and infrastructure technologies.

The Fund's investment strategy is consistent with the African Development Bank's Ten-Year Strategy, which is focused on green and inclusive growth. It is also consistent with the Bank's priority areas (its “High 5s”( https://apo-opa.info/3OiFCJL). Furthermore, the project is aligned with the African Development Bank's Strategy on climate change and green growth for the period 2021–2030. It is expected to help improve the implementation of nationally determined contributions (https://apo-opa.info/44vZrD5) in target countries. This will translate into better climate funding flows in these countries and contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The African Development Bank is committed to helping mobilize private capital to fund infrastructure in Africa. It estimates that there is an annual $100 billion funding gap.

Abdu Mukhtar, director of the Industrial and Trade Development Department at the African Development Bank, said: “The Bank's operations help capital investment funds like the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers to mobilize investments aimed at industrial and infrastructure projects on the [African] continent. These [operations] contribute to economic growth and job creation, improving business efficiency, mitigating the effects of climate change and improving levels of health and education.”

Wale Shonibare, director of the African Development Bank's Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation Department, said: “It is essential to cover the infrastructure gap to ensure economic prosperity and sustainable development in Africa.”

Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers manages the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund II. It is a fund manager formed in 2012 and based in South Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Romaric Ollo Hien,
Communication and External Relations Department, 
media@afdb.org

Technical contacts:
Christelle N'Guessan-N'Gbeingne,
Senior Investment Officer,
Industrial and Trade Development Department

Adebola Ayodeji,
Senior Investment Officer,
Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulation Department

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French multinational integrated energy and petroleum company TotalEnergies has positioned itself as a dedicated partner for Africa through a series of impactful project developments, its commitment to advancing sustainable energy practices and a drive to making energy poverty history. With a focus on scaling up energy security and economic prosperity, the energy major has unlocked a new era of industry growth in Africa on the back of local content, sustainable investments and long-term partnerships.

With the company advancing its contribution to Africa's energy future, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) is proud to welcome TotalEnergies as a Diamond sponsor and the Sustainable Energy Partner for African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 – the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. Taking place on October 16-20 in Cape Town, TotalEnergies' participation as both sponsor and partner is a testament to the company's commitment to driving the next wave of innovative energy projects in Africa.

Renowned for its expertise across the entire energy value chain, including oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity, TotalEnergies joins AEW as a dedicated partner in promoting Africa's energy sector, supporting sustainable development initiatives while ushering in a new era of energy security and economic progress. With activities in 43 African countries and boasting around 13,000 employees, the company is committed to providing affordable, clean and reliable energy solutions that contribute to the well-being of African people and the development of the continent. Initially serving as an oil operator, TotalEnergies has rapidly expanded its portfolio and footprint in Africa, thereby strengthening its role as both an integrated energy company and strong partner for the continent. 

Steadfast in its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 while accelerating energy security and resilience, TotalEnergies has developed a comprehensive strategy that focuses on improving overall operational efficiency and fostering sustainability. TotalEnergies is implementing various measures, such as optimizing processes, technologies and infrastructure to minimize energy waste and reduce the company's carbon footprint. Additionally, the energy major is prioritizing local content, impactful developments and partnerships, establishing an ‘Africa-first' approach regarding industry growth and investments. Environmental, Social and Governance represents a top priority for the company as well as inclusivity and opportunities for women and youth in Africa's energy space.

TotalEnergies' sponsorship reflects its belief in Africa's immense energy potential and the opportunities for collaboration and investment on the continent. It reinforces the company's commitment to supporting Africa's energy sector as it embraces innovation, advances renewable energy technologies, and drives economic growth and prosperity.

A prominent player in Nigeria's energy sector, TotalEnergies has been actively engaged in various aspects such as oil and gas exploration, production, natural gas liquefaction, and retail operations. Notably, TotalEnergies recently achieved a significant milestone with the discovery of oil and gas reserves in oil mining lease (OML) 102, a testament to its unwavering commitment to unlocking and maximizing Africa's vast oil and gas resources. With interests in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, ownership stakes in approximately 30 OMLs, including five that the company operates, and the management of two lubricant blending plants, TotalEnergies is deeply involved in Nigeria's energy landscape. Additionally, the company is also spearheading the development of several solar projects.

In South Africa, the company operates five exploration licenses, a refinery, and has interests in the Prieska solar project. The energy major was also responsible for two major gas discoveries in 2019 and 2020, respectively: the Brulpadda and Luiperd discoveries. Following the company's discovery in the Namibian side of the Orange Basin last year, TotalEnergies has embarked on an ambitious exploration drive offshore South Africa, having been granted environmental authorization in April this year to explore Block 5/6/7 – an area which overlaps the Orange Basin.

In North Africa, TotalEnergies has been active in Libya for more than 60 years with interests in several oil concessions, including the Al Jurf, El Sharara, Waha and Mabruk fields, as well as in the Murzuk basin. In Algeria, the energy major has been active since 1952, with interests in several oil and gas fields. Through their producing fields, TotalEnergies delivers gas to the French market via the Fos Cavaou LNG terminal. TotalEnergies also has a strong presence in the Egyptian energy market, with interests in the Ikdu LNG plant (Train 1); interests in two offshore oil exploration blocks in the Mediterranean; and has developed two solar projects.

In Uganda, the energy major is spearheading the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) as well as the Tilenga project. The 1,443km-long EACOP is crucial for transporting oil from the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in Uganda to international markets via Tanzania.

Further south, TotalEnergies is making progress with the development of the Mozambique LNG project – a $20 billion project that aims to produce up to 12.8 million tons of LNG per annum. While construction has been delayed owing to security risks, the French-major is currently engaging with government and project partners to get this important project off the ground. In Namibia, TotalEnergies' collaboration with QatarEnergy and NAMCOR in the Orange Basin has resulted in significant oil discoveries, namely Venus-1X. With a multi-well drilling campaign currently underway, TotalEnergies Namibian exploration drive is set to transform the market.

“We are delighted to welcome TotalEnergies as a Diamond Sponsor and the Sustainable Energy Partner for AEW,” states NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the AEC. “Whether it is conducting exploration in North Africa or making discoveries in West Africa or driving large-scale LNG facilities in East Africa, TotalEnergies represents a worthy partner for our continent. The energy major remains one of the companies that has become one of Africa's largest tax payers and largest employers, with the majority of its operations in Africa spearheaded by Africans. TotalEnergies has empowered Africans to take on leadership and drive developments, and we expect a lot more from them as we drive gas development and energy security across the continent. Their global leadership in the energy sector and commitment to sustainable development align perfectly with the goals and vision of Africans.”

Through its participation in AEW, TotalEnergies will support the high-level panel discussions, country spotlight sessions and networking events. The company will showcase its latest advancements in renewable energy technologies and local content, driving various workshops and collaborative discussions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week:
AEW is the AEC's interactive exhibition and networking event that seeks to unite African energy stakeholders, drive industry growth and development, and promote Africa as the destination for African-focused events. For more information, visit www.AECWeek.com

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of Imam Achmad Cassiem, former Robben Island prisoner, Pan Africanist Congress member and founding member of the Qibla Movement.

Imam Cassiem passed away on Friday 17 July 2023, at the age of 78.

President Ramaphosa extends his condolences to the family, friends, comrades and associates internationally of the late political and religious leader who hailed from the Western Cape.

As a teenager, Achmad Cassiem was politically conscientised by the Pan Africanist Congress's campaign against apartheid pass laws, motivating him to join the armed struggle at the age of 15.

He was a high school learner when he and his teacher, Sadiq Isaacs, were arrested for sabotage, detained and charged under the Sabotage Act.

His was handed a five-year sentence, which caused him to become one of the youngest prisoners on Robben Island.

Upon his release, he was issued with a banning order, which he defied to remain politically active, including his role in the establishment in 1979 of the Qibla Movement to promote and defend Islam in South Africa.

He was detained again for an extended period after mobilising learners during a protracted class boycott in 1980 and was later charged under the Terrorism Act for facilitating military training and infiltration into South Africa for Qibla fighters who had been trained in Libya.

Years after arrest for this action, Achmad Cassiem was sentenced to six years in prison, which was cut short his release in 1991, following the unbanning of liberation organisations.

In later years, he served as National Chairperson of the Islamic Unity Convention and as advisor to the Islam Human Rights Commission.

President Ramaphosa said: “Imam Cassiem lived a life of courage, principle and faith in mobilising communities on the Cape Flats and around the country against apartheid.

“Imprisonment, confinement to his home in Hanover Park and repeated harassment and detention by the apartheid security machine failed to extinguish the flame of resistance and revolution that burned in his being and which he ignited in everyone he inspired as an activist.

“We are joined by supporters of our Struggle in Libya, Iran and other nations who had an impact on Imam Cassiem who in turn, had an impact on them.

“We are grateful for his life and wish him eternal, peaceful rest.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

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Over ten days in the South African city of Polokwane, 40 girls from public schools were empowered, inspired, and introduced to coding and robotics through the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) programme on 23 June – 4 July 2023. The participants were selected from eight public schools in the inland provinces and sharpened their design thinking, problem-solving, and soft skills such as communication and self-awareness. The programme curriculum covered user interface/user experience, website development, mobile applications development, robotics, and programming.

While these girls are the first cohort of the second phase of the programme in South Africa, they are part of a larger continental initiative. Similar training programs have been and will be implemented in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Burundi, Mali, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal. Together, these young girls will form a powerful network, united by their shared passion for STEM, and the hope is that they grow to break down gender barriers in the ICT sector in Africa.

In South Africa, the programme is implemented through a partnership between UN Women, the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Science, and Innovation, and is funded by the Belgian government, UN Women Finnish National Committee and tech giant, Siemens. The programme took place during South Africa's National Youth Month, celebrated this year under the theme: “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”.

According to a World Bank report, at the tertiary level, more women are enrolled in universities and have higher graduation rates than men around the world. Yet, women are significantly less likely to enroll in many (but not all) of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. According to Women in Science Africa, only 13% of graduates leaving tertiary institutions with qualifications in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are women in South Africa.

One of the AGCCI participants, Mohau Makhwiting (17) from Ga-Maleboho village in Limpopo, sees STEM education as giving girls a chance to change the narrative that has persisted for years. “In society, women have been expected to do the household chores, fetch water, clean after the family, and basically do everything. Where men and women work tother, men get all the credit. For example, men are paid more than women for doing the same work. That is gender inequality. STEM education gives us a chance to change that, which is why women should study more in STEM,” she said.

‘'We are excited to see the roll-out of AGCCI in South Africa because in this way we are actively contributing to encouraging a love for STEM in our girls and contributing to South Africa's future ICT leaders. It's one thing to talk about gender equality but it's even more encouraging to see big stakeholders throwing their weight behind empowering young women in the early stages to take up spaces that have been predominantly male-dominated,” said Aleta Miller, Representative of UN Women in the South Africa Multi-Country Office.

One of the pillars of the AGCCI program is exposing girls to women who model well the role and leadership of women in STEM. Vuyiswa Mpofu, 17, from Ermelo in Mpumalanga said: “This was my first-time hearing about robotics and coding and when I came here, I learned that there are people, like our facilitators, who studied these things and do this work for a living. They've motivated me to focus on my mathematics and physical science subjects so that I can study this at tertiary level and build a career in this field. I am also excited about teaching some of the girls from my class the things I've learned here.

During the camp participants virtually engaged with Malerato Mphahlele, a former AGCCI participant from the programme's first phase in 2019. She shared how the programme sparked a greater interest in STEM and fuelled her to study for a qualification in the ICT sector post-school. Mphahlele is now in the final year of her Information Systems degree at the University of Pretoria. The other positive impact that she noted is a boost in her self-confidence that has helped her navigate the spaces she finds herself in because of her studies. She also lauded the programme's ability to connect girls in her cohort with similar interests across different African countries and as a result, she has made what she believes will be lifelong friends.

As AGCCI forges ahead, igniting passion and curiosity within the hearts of South Africa's future ICT leaders, anticipation is building for the program's second iteration. In South Africa during the September school holidays, 70 girl learners from coastal public schools will have the chance to experience the program, further expanding this transformative initiative's reach and impact.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.

Smoke, fire, and flames claim numerous lives every year and it has been reported that almost one-tenth of all fires stem from electrical sources. “However, many people are unaware that counterfeit electrical products play a major role in fuelling these incidents. To safeguard households, it is crucial to raise awareness and illuminate the extent of this problem,” says Dr Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at (www.CBI-lowvoltage.co.za).

He points out that commonly counterfeited items include terminal connector blocks, timing switches, circuit breakers and earth leakage devices, as well as multi-plugs and adapters. “These products can cause burns, electrical shocks and even fires.”

Dr Dickson explains that the use of substandard materials to make counterfeit products cheaper is largely to blame and unfortunately, with the current economic climate, the counterfeit market is rife. “For example, instead of using plastic materials that are non-flammable or self-extinguishing to produce electrical products and components, counterfeiters use cheap alternatives that burn more easily and can produce toxic smoke which makes the electrical installation unsafe and ultimately puts the consumer at risk of injury or death.”

“Not only are these criminals putting people's lives at risk, but they are also taking away economic activity from legitimate businesses,” he notes.

To help raise awareness among consumers, Dr Dickson shares his top tips for ensuring the authenticity of the products they purchase:

• Buy recognised brands from recognised establishments: According to the latest Survey on Electrical Counterfeiting in Africa, the majority of the continent's consumers purchase these products from street vendors. While this may be a more affordable avenue, it gives them little recourse should the product be faulty. Rather shop for products from well-known brands and from reputable wholesalers and retailers.
• Use compliant and trustworthy contractors: Unscrupulous electricians are another common source of counterfeit electrical goods. However, in countries like South Africa all low voltage electrical installations (which include circuit breakers, cables and earth leakage devices, amongst others) must – by law - comply with the requirements of SANS 10142 which is the standard for the wiring of premises. A Certificate of Compliance (COC) verifies that an electrical installation is compliant, but if it is discovered that this was issued fraudulently, it may invalidate the consumer's insurance cover. So, for example, in the event of an electrical fire, the insurer can refuse to pay any claims.
• If the price is too good to be true, it probably is: As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. The problem with counterfeit goods is that shortcuts are taken so their quality is compromised. With electrical items like circuit breakers, for instance, most people don't understand the value and the protection these provide until they are in a situation where they need the products to operate. If a circuit breaker fails to operate, it places the electrical installation, and potentially appliances, at risk for damage, and in severe cases may result in a fire.

Should consumers discover that they have been the victim of counterfeiters, Dr Dickson advises that they approach consumer protection groups or organisations.

“While counterfeit products might be less expensive than the genuine article, is it really worth the risk? By being empowered with knowledge about these dangers, people can make informed choices and protect themselves and their loved ones,” he concludes.

For more information, go to (www.CBI-lowvoltage.co.za).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CBI-electric: low voltage.

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The Department of Home Affairs is inviting members of the public and interested parties to submit written comments on the Draft Marriage Bill of 2022. The draft Bill was published in Government Gazette No. 48914 on 7 July 2023.

The South African Cabinet has approved the publication of the Draft Marriage Bill of 2022 for public comment. The Bill seeks to give effect to the White Paper on Marriages in South Africa, which Cabinet approved in March 2022, and empowers the Department of Home Affairs to develop a single Marriage Act for the country.

The Marriage Bill seeks to rationalise legislations dealing with marriages and ensure that all persons, regardless of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religious or cultural beliefs, are treated equally and with dignity. To this end, public comments are critical as they will shape the development of the new legal framework.

To foster this single Marriage Act, the Department engaged various stakeholders.

The closing date for written submission is on or before 31 August 2023. Submissions should be addressed to the Chief Director: Legal Services in any of the following ways:

• Delivered by hand to the Department of Home Affairs, 230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Hallmark Building, Pretoria, for the attention of Adv Moses Malakate (012 406 4273) or Ms Agnes Molefe (012 406 4273).
• Mailed to the Department of Home Affairs, Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001.
• Faxed to 0865 769 025, or
• Emailed to Moses.Malakate@dha.gov.za(link sends e-mail) or Agnes.Molefe@dha.gov.za(link sends e-mail).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

By Janek Winand, Managing Director South Africa, Siemens Gamesa (https://www.SiemensGamesa.com)

South Africa's energy challenges with daily power cuts and regular load shedding have put the country at a critical juncture, with the need for solutions that can provide reliable and sustainable power. The recent discussions surrounding parastatal Eskom's debt relief, budgetary measures, and transmission expansion plans have sparked significant attention and debate across the nation.

Amidst these discussions, the potential of renewable energy is increasingly being recognized as a game-changing solution, to address these challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable energy future. The fortuitous presence of June's high winds in the coastal regions is impossible to overlook as they have played a significant role in mitigating the occurrence of loadshedding incidents, resulting in a notable decrease in peak demand in non-renewable energy, averaging less than 29 GW instead of an anticipated demand of 30 GW. The unexpected availability of wind energy has demonstrated the value of renewable energy sources in the energy mix.

As South Africa navigates its energy challenges, wind power remains at the forefront of the energy transition, propelling the shift from an economy mostly reliant on coal power towards a future powered by low-carbon renewable energy. While the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), reported that currently, wind power and solar PV account for 7,3% of the country energy mix, 52% of renewable power comes from wind. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) predicts that 17 GW of wind capacity will be added to Africa by 2027, of which 5,3 GW will be in South Africa. In 2021, South Africa recorded 668 MW of new wind installations, up from 515 MW in 2020, which increased the country's overall base to 3,4 GW (https://apo-opa.info/43kFL3F). Siemens Gamesa has installed 855 MW in the country to date.

South Africa has embraced the integral role of wind power in the country's ability to provide affordable, sustainable power. With advancements in technology and the decreasing costs of wind turbines, wind power has become increasingly cost-effective and competitive with traditional energy sources. One of the key advantages of wind energy is its ability to diversify the country's energy mix. By incorporating wind power alongside traditional energy sources, South Africa can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and create a more balanced and sustainable energy portfolio.

Moreover, wind energy is a clean energy source that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation. South Africa has set an ambitious target to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and for 22,5% of the energy mix to come from wind energy. The country has also progressed in the revision of its greenhouse gas emission levels up to 510 MtCO2e by 2025 and 420 MtCO2e by 2030 (https://apo-opa.info/43jZNLG). To achieve these goals, it needs to significantly increase its renewable energy capacity, including wind power. The current Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019) envisions adding 14,400 MW of wind power by 2030. While this will be a positive challenge, the revised IRP should follow this ambition and should even go beyond. In addition to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), the government has enabled more and more private Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which is positive for accelerating the green and just energy transition.

South Africa's transmission infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient and reliable delivery of electricity across the country. As renewable energy sources are increasingly integrated into the grid, the expansion of the transmission infrastructure becomes essential to accommodate the growing energy capacity. The Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape are operating at maximum wind power capacity. While these coastal regions are typically known for their strong and consistent winds, several inland areas, such as the Free State, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, also offer favorable conditions for wind power generation. Expanding wind power in these areas would diversify the geographical distribution of renewable energy generation and contribute to the country's sustainability goals. Approximately 21 GW of wind and 7,5 GW of wind and battery storage projects are in the pipeline (https://apo-opa.info/44AEy9y).

Another key benefit of modern wind turbine lies in their grid integration capabilities, which enable them to monitor grid conditions in real time and adjust their power output accordingly.

Wind energy can play a vital role in enhancing the stability and reliability of the transmission grid. Today, the company offers turbines with an increased output per unit. This technological advancement results in a reduced need for many turbines to generate electricity while reducing the levelized cost of electricity. Also, cutting-edge technologies and predictive maintenance strategies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced sensors, and real-time data monitoring can identify potential issues and optimize turbine performance.

Wind projects not only address the country's energy challenges but also stimulate local job creation and sustainable economic growth. In the Global Wind Report 2022 (https://apo-opa.info/43kFL3F), the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) estimates that approximately 180,000 direct and indirect full-time jobs will be created from wind energy in South Africa between 2022 and 2026 in the initial phases of the projects.

In South Africa, Siemens Gamesa is committed to making a positive impact in the communities (https://apo-opa.info/44hLNU7) where its wind farms operate. Through various initiatives and programs, we focus on improving the lives of community members by supporting education, promoting sustainable development, and creating job opportunities.

While the recent winds have enabled power generation and provided temporary relief, it is crucial to recognize that a long-term and sustainable solution requires a comprehensive approach to meet the country's energy needs, promote economic growth, and ensure access to power for all.

South Africa must continue engaging in constructive discussions, considering diverse perspectives, and exploring innovative solutions.

The green energy transition can only be achieved with a reliable and efficient transmission infrastructure. By joining forces, integrating wind power into the transmission system, and supporting the expansion of the grid, the public and private sectors would contribute to a sustainable transition to a cleaner energy future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Siemens Gamesa.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is saddened by the passing of veteran anti-apartheid activist, Ms. Blance La Guma, at the age of 95.

The President extends his condolences to the family, friends, comrades and associates of the late veteran in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Cuba, where she lived at various stages of her life.

Ms. La Guma, who was a midwife by profession, was instrumental in the formation of the Federation of South African Women and conducted underground political activity as a member of the Communist Party in the 1950s.

She was detained in 1957 for mobilising 300 nurses in a protest against the Nursing Act and was later banned.

Ms La Guma and her husband, intellectual and author, Alex La Guma, went into exile in 1966 and she returned to South Africa after the unbanning of the liberation movement.

President Ramaphosa said: “Blanche La Guma was in the vanguard of a succession of activists who mobilised communities on the Cape Flats against apartheid.

“She was a health professional who contributed to the development of her profession in her home city and the United Kingdom where she worked in exile.

“Blanche La Guma's sacrifices and impact should inspire all of us to take a deeper interest in the history of our liberation and to develop a greater appreciation of the extraordinary roles ordinary played to fight for change in our society in the world.

“May her soul rest in peace.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.