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Gqeberha based BA Systems have completed a number of high profile projects in Nelson Mandela Bay, the Eastern Cape, South Africa and abroad. In this article we explore the benefits and cost savings that Building Automation and Management Systems offer to the industrial, commercial, retail and domestic consumer. What is Building Automation? Key Components Benefits …
Call for urgent action on North West stalled projects
The North West’s permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have called for urgent intervention that will lead to tangible results on stalled infrastructure projects in the province.
The delegation commenced with a week-long oversight visit to the province as part of the NCOP flagship Provincial Week Programme on Tuesday.
Provincial whip and leader of the delegation, Sylvia Sithole, underscored an urgent need for implementation of practical interventions for the benefit of the people, who are mostly poor and vulnerable.
“While we are concerned that some projects have taken a long time to complete, we accept the assurances you have given today, and we will be back in November to assess if those commitments have been honoured. We want to see positive change here in the province,” Sithole said.
The delegation raised concerns as highlighted by the Office of the Auditor General including inadequate planning and project management which have a direct impact on the overall implementation of projects.
The delegation also raised concern at the lack of effective coordination between the province and municipalities which indicated the need for the adoption of the District Development Model (DDM) to ensure efficiency.
The delegation visited the Mahikeng Airport which is not functioning despite its potential of being a strong economic driver in the area.
The delegation noted the plans by the North West Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety to revitalise the airport, but highlighted that a comprehensive cost benefit analysis must be done to ensure that the plans create the needed economic benefit that is envisioned.
The delegates also urged the department to undertake an economic viability analysis as it relates to the plans to utilise the airport for cargo to be transported to neighbouring countries.
The delegation further engaged local business forums that highlighted the availability of investors willing to reinvent the airport. The department was urged to consider all available options on the table to ensure the most economic option is taken.
Delays in completing water projects
Meanwhile, during a visit at the Rooigrond Waste Water Treatment Works, a concern was raised regarding the delayed completion of the project which was initially planned to be completed in 2018.
“It is unacceptable that the over 1000 households that would have benefited [from] the projects are still waiting to this day. While the delegation notes the plans by Magalies Water Board to complete the project in July 2025, it is concerning that the initial plans were inadequate thereby raising the hopes of the community for quality sanitation services,” Sithole said.
The delegation also raised their concerns about the Environmental Impact Assessment, and the application for servitudes, which were not conducted when the project was commissioned, which delayed the projects.
“This points to poor planning by departments. Infrastructure projects are complex and effective planning will ensure that they are delivered on time and within budgets,” Sithole said.
Concern was also raised on the number of acting personnel responsible for project implementation and called for Magalies Water to urgently appoint permanent personnel that will be held accountable, in case the projects are not implemented within the stipulated time frames.
The delegation will on Wednesday visit the stalled RDP Project in Tshunyane Village, and proceed to Sanieshof Waste Water Treatment Plant and complete its second day programme by assessing the rehabilitation of sections of road P152/1 from N18 at Delareyville. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 11:42
Maponya Mall, a vibrant shopping destination in the soul of Soweto, is excited to announce its “Join The Upside” market, taking place from September 23rd to 29th, 2024. This initiative aims to celebrate the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the Soweto community, while offering opportunities for local businesses to thrive. Share Your Upside Story and …
Deputy Minister Morolong calls on media to adapt to digital era to survive
The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has emphasised the media’s necessity for long-term self-sustainability strategies as many traditional publications struggle with declining readership and closure.
According to Morolong, the media sector has a significant role in holding government and corporate leaders accountable to the citizens.
“Newspaper companies are also at the forefront of driving economic development in terms of their contributions to a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment creation, general literacy, and skills development.”
The Deputy Minister delivered a keynote address via a virtual platform at the second Meta for Government Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Meta, in partnership with the Ministry of the Presidency and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), is hosting this year’s summit which is currently underway.
He bemoaned the impact of the digital industrial revolution on the media industry.
“We have seen newspaper closures, and the decline in advertising revenue, circulation and readership figures means that the sector needs long-term self-sustainability strategies.”
According to the Deputy Minister, profits and the emergence of digital content distribution platforms continue to impact on companies’ traditional profit, which is based on an advertising-based business model.
He announced that the ministerial-appointed Print and Digital Media Transformation and Revitalisation Steering Committee, which he hopes Meta will join, will assist government in addressing issues of mutual interest among all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, he said government has resolved to work with all stakeholders to develop legislative frameworks regarding freedom of the press.
“This approach acknowledges the role of all media in a democracy, and confirms that media and new media fulfil an extremely critical role in the realisation of the right to receive and impart information.”
According to the Deputy Minister, the partnership between government and Meta represents a significant opportunity to create lasting change in South Africa.
The discussion also focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and communication tools in government to enhance citizen engagement.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of digital platforms like Meta in connecting citizens and empowering them through educational content and job opportunities.
The conversation also addressed the challenges of misinformation and the need for media sustainability.
The government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and ethical digital tool usage was underscored, with a call for collaboration to ensure safe and effective digital engagement.
“Together, we can ensure that digital platforms are not just tools for communication but enablers of economic growth, empowerment, and social cohesion. Let us embrace this opportunity to build a digitally inclusive, safe and empowered South Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 12:05
As ANGOSTURA® marks 200 years and the Negroni celebrates a century, it’s the perfect moment to rediscover the allure of this iconic cocktail. With ANGOSTURA® bitters at its heart, the Negroni’s rich history and enduring appeal offer a timeless tribute to craftsmanship and flavor. Dive into the story of two legends that continue to shape …
Education key for African children
Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has told a gathering of the Speakers of African Parliaments that the education of African children in the 21st Century is dependent on the ending of wars and instability on the continent.
Didiza was speaking at the Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments held at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand.
Leaning on the session’s theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century. Building resilient education system for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”, Didiza acknowledged the importance of education.
“While the African continent is relatively peaceful, there are still pockets of instabilities, terrorism and threats to peace in various parts of the continent.
“Therefore, our success in educating the Africans fit for the 21st Century is also dependent on our success in silencing guns in order to ensure peace and stability, for there can be no proper education in volatile and war environments.
“The same obligation applies to development and economic prosperity, for there can be no development and prosperity without peace and education,” she said.
Furthermore, Didiza said the need for investment in education is “unquestionable”.
“The weaker economic and financial standing of our societies should not be the yardstick that determines whether their children should have access to quality education or not.
“This presents us with an opportunity and positive challenge to rethink our budgeting processes and to allocate more funds to departments of education in our respective nations,” she said.
Peace in Africa and the world
Didiza told her counterparts on the continent that South Africa’s recent democratically held general elections and the consequences of that process bear testimony to how the country has embraced democratic processes.
“We hope our sister countries will also learn and embrace democratic processes should they face similar situations in future. Democracy remains the viable system of governance that can help us valorise our natural resources and build the resilience we need for prosperous economies in the continent.
“Embracing democratic processes is a golden route to peace, stability and prosperity,” she said.
Turning to events in the Middle East, Didiza reiterated government’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“[The] attainment of democracy in South Africa against the barbaric apartheid system is a living proof that no challenge can withstand the will and might of the united global community.
“As the product of international solidarity, we call upon the nations of the world, the African Union Member States in particular, to support the call and the birth right of the people of Palestine and all the oppressed people in the world for self-determination and freedom.
“Our founding father, President [Nelson] Mandela left us with a message that South Africa will never be free until the people of Palestine are free,” Didiza insisted. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 12:06
Johannesburg, South Africa – July 10, 2024 – CoreLife Medical, a leading provider of medical oxygen solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its newly designed website. The revamped online platform offers an enhanced user experience and streamlined access to a comprehensive range of oxygen concentrators, cylinders, and accessories. The new website reflects CoreLife …
In today's interconnected world, cyberattacks are more frequent and more dangerous than ever before. Businesses, regardless of size or industry, are prime targets for cybercriminals. These attacks can cause widespread damage and create long-lasting consequences. Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) dives into the impact of cyberattacks on business and reveals the key losses that an unprotected business can suffer.
When we consider the impact of cyberattacks on business, the first thing we pay attention to is financial losses. An example of an incident with huge financial losses is the attack on Johnson Controls, a major player in the building technology sector that faced a significant ransomware incident (https://apo-opa.co/3XnrMJm) perpetrated by the Dark Angels hacking group. The attackers claimed to have stolen 27 terabytes of sensitive data and demanded a $51 million ransom. This breach resulted in severe disruptions to the company's systems and cost over $27 million in damages. The attack impacted Johnson Controls' business operations, including disruptions to its billing systems and increased recovery expenses. As a company with a global presence, the breach significantly affected its business relationships and operations.
Below, Kaspersky explores several key ways a cyberattack can hurt your business.
Financial losses
Cyberattacks often result in direct financial losses. Ransomware attacks, where hackers demand payment to restore access to data or directly steal funds, are a clear example. But this is only the beginning, as there are numerous other consequences that may result in considerable indirect financial losses. These can easily exceed what the company has lost as an immediate outcome of the incident.
Operational disruption
Cyberattacks can grind your operations to a halt. Many businesses depend on their digital infrastructure for daily activities. If systems are compromised, productivity falls. In severe cases, entire operations may be disrupted for days or even weeks (https://apo-opa.co/3MQRkKo), resulting in lost revenue, diminished service quality and disappointed clients and partners — an additional impact on your company's reputation.
Indirect long-term costs
Even following the immediate aftermath of a cyberattack, businesses often face long-term financial impacts. Restoring systems, improving cybersecurity infrastructure, and managing the legal fallout are just some of the lingering costs. Additionally, lost business and damaged customer relationships can take months or years to rebuild.
Reputational damage
The trust your clients place in you is invaluable. If customer data is stolen in a breach, it can severely damage your brand's reputation. This loss of trust can lead to customers leaving and a long-term decline in business. In some cases, a single breach is enough to ruin a company's public image beyond repair.
If your business falls victim to an attack, it can also impact your relationships with partners and vendors. Third-party partners might lose confidence in your ability to protect shared data. Similarly, business-critical relationships could be jeopardised if you fail to recover quickly or if your systems compromise their operations.
Legal and compliance issues
With data protection regulations such as the GDPR in Europe, POPIA in South Africa or HIPAA in the U.S., a data breach can lead to heavy fines. Failing to protect sensitive customer or employee data may result in penalties and lawsuits. Furthermore, companies that fall victim to breaches often face lengthy legal battles, which add to the financial and reputational strain.
Loss of intellectual property
For many businesses, intellectual property (IP) is among their most valuable assets. Cyberattacks targeting IP can steal product designs, marketing strategies, and proprietary information. This is particularly harmful in competitive industries like technology and pharmaceuticals, where IP theft can erase the advantage a company has spent years building.
“Attackers are never idle - they're like wolves who must be constantly active to catch their prey off-guard. So, companies need to be ever more alert and agile. They must be sure they have the right solutions and processes to allow for effective threat discovery and containment, as well as swift recovery. At Kaspersky, we're deeply committed to delivering the agile security that businesses need. Proactive assessments and multi-layered protective solutions, plus managed security and actionable threat intelligence - we have it all. What's more important, we have the expertise to put together the exact cybersecurity structure for your individual profile. Only a consistent and comprehensive approach, like this one, can ensure true business resilience against today's cyber risks,” comments Oleg Gorobets, Security Evangelist at Kaspersky.
Below, Kaspersky offers some recommendations to help your business stay ahead of cyberthreats and remain resilient:
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.
For further information please contact:
Nicole Allman
INK&Co. (https://InkAndCo.co.za/)
nicole@inkandco.co.za
Social Media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4gsHo7i
X: https://apo-opa.co/4esRFi8
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3B97XhG
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4epExKw
Blog: https://apo-opa.co/4e7nptg
About Kaspersky:
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky's deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help over 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za.
Nelson Mandela Bay's efforts to combat crime pay off
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents in a series of coordinated operations.
This follows multiple joint compliance operations conducted over the weekend across various areas, which yielded significant results.
A comprehensive joint compliance operation including Metro Police, the South African Police Service (SAPS), various municipal departments, and Immigration Services, was executed.
This led to the issuing of fines for the shops operating illegally, resulting in their closure; the issuing of fines for illegal dumping; the confiscation of 203 male enhancement tablets and 203 skin lightening creams valued at R10 650 and the issuing of 24 traffic fines.
A liquor compliance operation was also conducted in the Humewood/Central area with the participation of Metro Police, SAPS, Immigration Services, and Traffic and Licensing departments. The operation resulted in the arrest of six undocumented foreign national and two arrests for drunken driving.
Operation Shanela was also conducted in the Humewood/Central area with the involvement of the SAPS, Metro Police, and Traffic and Licensing, leading to five arrests for drunken driving.
A liquor compliance operation was also conducted in Walmer, involving SAPS and Immigration Services. The operation resulted in the arrests of twelve undocumented foreign nationals, and one arrest for drunken driving.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Gary Van Niekerk said the operations underscored the municipality’s intensified efforts and steadfast commitment to maintaining law and order.
Van Niekerk said collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies and municipal departments have been pivotal in achieving these successes.
The Mayor also encouraged the community to continue supporting such initiatives to create a safer environment for all.
"Our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our residents is unwavering. These operations highlight the dedication and hard work of our law enforcement agencies and municipal departments. Together, we are making Nelson Mandela Bay a safer place for everyone," Van Niekerk said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 12:19
For the first time in the event’s history, the highly anticipated Sappi Scottburgh MTB & Trail Run will start and finish at the exquisite Crocworld Conservation Centre on the KZN South Coast. Competitors are encouraged to book now for the race taking place on Sunday, 22 September 2024, with Crocworld announcing a flat entry rate …
President Ramaphosa, Business Unity SA meet on NHI
President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with the leadership of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to discuss matters related to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.
According to the Presidency, the meeting on Tuesday included the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health and senior officials and was “constructive and forward looking”.
“Business and government expressed a shared commitment to the underlying objectives of the NHI, namely to achieve universal health coverage for all South Africans and address inequality in the health system,” the Presidency said.
Furthermore, the office said government will continue to engage on the matter “in good faith”.
“The President has requested BUSA to put forward specific proposals on the remaining issues of concern as a basis for further engagement. Government remains committed to engaging with all stakeholders in good faith on the process of healthcare reform, and to finding workable solutions that will advance quality and affordable healthcare for all,” the Presidency said.
In May this year, President Ramaphosa signed the then NHI Bill into law. During the signing ceremony, he said the signing was a “milestone in South Africa's ongoing quest for a more just society”.
“This transformational health care initiative gives further effect to our constitutional commitment to progressively realise access to health care services for all its citizens.
“At its essence, the NHI is a commitment to eradicate the stark inequalities that have long determined who receives adequate healthcare and who suffers from neglect.
“By putting in place a system that ensures equal access to health care regardless of a person’s social and economic circumstances, the NHI takes a bold stride towards a society where no individual must bear an untenable financial burden while seeking medical attention,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:01
Trek Africa has launched their 2024 Hunting Packages and hunters can be assured of thrilling hunting experiences with an all-inclusive service from start to finish. Trek Africa will organise your customised hunting safari based on the species you wish to hunt across Africa and guarantee an unforgettable hunting experience. Their experienced professional hunters and support …
Expansion includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria; Leveraging success in Latin America to provide underbanked populations in Africa with efficient payment functions.
PayRetailers, the leading payment processor for Latin America, has today announced further expansion into Africa. With coverage now across 12 countries, the company offers a unified simple payment solution that will be a game changer for cross-border online merchants looking at Africa as their next move for strategic growth.
PayRetailers offer a simple, user-friendly, and scalable experience to businesses looking to grow their regional operations and give them access to major local payment methods like MPESA, Airtel, and MTN. The further expansion includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria, having recently launched in Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania three months ago.
This expansion effort further solidifies PayRetailers' ability to unlock new growth opportunities for their clients, giving them easy access to additional emerging markets. For existing clients, in fact, this process requires zero integration efforts, as it is all handled via the same API.
With many populations across Africa being underbanked, PayRetailers accelerates financial inclusion across the region by supporting businesses with their growth journey. The market is increasingly mobile and connected, with global businesses seeking to tap into the strong growth opportunities across Africa.
The expansion marks a significant milestone in PayRetailers' ambitious growth plans, with further expansion planned into more African countries as well as Europe. Leveraging its extensive experience in Latin America, the company is well equipped to address the unique needs of African consumers and businesses.
Jonathan Vintner, Global Head of Sales at PayRetailers, said:
“Expanding into eight new markets marks a significant milestone for PayRetailers as we continue our mission to bring tailored payment solutions to diverse regions. Africa is a vibrant and varied continent, with payment preferences that differ from region to region. For example, our launch in Kenya enables merchants to access M-Pesa, the country's leading mobile money provider, while in South Africa, we're offering a blend of card and cash solutions to meet local demands. All of this is seamlessly integrated into our existing API, allowing merchants to access the top payment methods across Latin America and now Africa through a single connection—with more countries on the horizon”.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PayRetailers.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Issie Rees-Davies
Account Manager
Lansons
payretailers@lansons.com
07712447161
About PayRetailers:
Founded in 2017, PayRetailers is a global payment processing solution for secure and efficient transactions in Latin America and Africa. The company is a trusted partner for businesses seeking customized payment solutions. With a flexible platform supported by a direct API and commercial agreements, PayRetailers provides access to 300+ local payment methods, adapting rapidly to market demands. Its own technological architecture is highly flexible and scalable, allowing rapid innovation to meet the demands of constantly evolving markets. For more information about PayRetailers, visit www.PayRetailers.com
Corrupt traffic officers arrested in Mpumalanga
Law enforcement agencies have arrested a further 13 traffic officers in different towns in Mpumalanga in a clean-up anti-corruption operation aimed at restoring discipline and ethical conduct in the traffic law enforcement sector.
This brings the total number of arrested officials to 39 following the arrest of 14 officials in the same province on Monday while 11 other officers were handcuffed in Polokwane, Limpopo last week and a weighbridge master was caught in Belfast, Mpumalanga.
The 13 officers arrested on Tuesday were caught in a joint operation conducted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) National Anti-Corruption Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and Mpumalanga based Crime Intelligence.
The 13 suspects were nabbed in Nelspruit, Kabokweni, KwaNyamazane, Hazyview, Barberton, White River and Calcutta just outside of Mbombela.
Some of the suspects have appeared in different magistrate courts and were all granted bail ranging from R2 500 to R10.000.
They are expected to hand over their passports to the investigating officer, and not leave their hometowns without permission from the investigating officer.
RTMC Chief Executive Officer Advocate Makhosini Msibi has welcomed the arrests and said they will send a message that corruption within traffic law enforcement will not be tolerated.
“Corrupt officials have for a long time operated with impunity and turned the noble duty of enforcing the law into a self-enrichment scheme. This must come to an end. South Africa deserves ethical officers who conduct themselves with discipline and integrity,” he said.
He commended all the officers involved in the investigations that led to the arrests to a job well done. He called on them not to rest until all the “rotten apples have been removed”.
Corrupt officers erode public confidence in the traffic law enforcement and create condition where motorists can violate the rules of the road without consequence leading to avoidable road crashes and fatalities.
The RTMC urges the public to report traffic fraud and corruption on Ntacu@rtmc.co.za or Whatsapp on 083 293 7989. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:16
Ameer Adonis Advanced Specialist: Health Facility Strategy Unit from Medscheme, an AfroCentric Group company, writes about the power of healthcare network management in improving healthcare and renal care outcomes for patients: At the beginning of this month we observed Kidney Awareness Week with the intent to shine a light on a critical yet often overlooked …
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality pushes to spend funds before December
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says the metro is working hard to spend 40 percent of the R361 million Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG) in an effort to accelerate essential service delivery and stop underspending.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, said the metro is working closely with senior officials and project managers to make sure that spending and the quality of work tally with the timeframes stipulated in the process plan.
"We want to push all our efforts to spend at least 40 percent of the allocated funds by the December 2024 break so that by January when we reopen, we accelerate performance even more,” Mafana said.
The standing committee this week visited a number of active sites that are funded under the ISUPG, including the Arlington Landfill Site fencing that has been funded for R15 million. Other visits included sites for housing delivery funded for R50 million, roads and storm water infrastructure and electrification of shacks and temporary houses.
The grant covers a number of deliverables that form part of holistic human settlements, such as servicing sites, relocation of communities from vulnerable areas, provision of services like water, electricity, and sanitation to the development of parks and creation of a safe and sustainable environment.
Mafana noted that the municipality’s job must not end at approving budgets at standing committee and council.
“We must follow through in spending, quality of work and monitor adherence to timeframes,” Mafana said.
The MMC added that the ISUPG site visits, which form part of the MMC and the standing committee oversight responsibility for the current financial year, will from now be a standard item in the Human Settlements standing committee financial year plan.
"Our people are living in distress in flood plains and other unliveable conditions, we must then move with speed in relocating them and provide them a decent life,” the MMC said.
Mafana noted that in the last financial year, 2023/24 the metro was allocated R333 million and managed to spend within the stipulated timeframe R317 million.
During the second site visits on Tuesday, the standing committee visited projects in areas including Kariega, among others. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:50
South Africa commits support for South Sudan
South Africa will continue to support the Republic of South Sudan in its efforts for peace, democracy and development.
This according to a statement by the Presidency on Wednesday.
The statement follows an announcement by the government of South Sudan regarding the extension of its transitional period for a further two years.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the statement by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan extending the country's transitional period by another two years. This effectively postpones the national elections initially due to take place on 22 December 2024.
“According to the announcement, the postponement is intended to provide time and space for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement to the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan [R-ARCSS],” the Presidency said.
The statement said President Ramaphosa “commends the Parties to the R-ARCSS for arriving at the decision by consensus, which bodes well for the implementation of the remainder of the provisions of the R-ARCSS”.
“To this end, President Ramaphosa calls on South Sudanese Parties and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity [RTGoNU] to spare no effort in implementing the outstanding provisions of the R-ARCSS and to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that has existed since September 2018,” the Presidency said.
“President Ramaphosa further calls on the RTGoNU to allocate the necessary resources for the effective functioning of statutory institutions mandated to deliver free and fair elections,” the statement read.
The President also called on the East African bloc, the East African Community (EAC) and the international community to “continue to support the Government and people of South Sudan in their search for lasting peace and democracy”.
“For its part, South Africa will continue to support South Sudan to realise the ideals for peace, democracy and development,” the Presidency concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:37
Meet SA’s new petroleum company
A policy statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa has today resulted in the formation of a new state-owned petroleum company, the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC).
The SANPC has been formed following the merger of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) subsidiaries, iGas, PetroSA and the Strategic Fuel Fund.
The SANPC is poised to become a leading player in the country's energy sector ensuring energy security, driving new technologies, developing and enabling essential infrastructure, fostering strategic partnerships and propelling social and economic development.
It is also expected to oversee strategic planning, coordination and governance of the country's petroleum resources, contributing to the country's development and economic growth.
The company has been granted approval to start operating in terms of the s51(g) (h) of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999.
The formation of the state-owned company follows President Ramaphosa’s February 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein he announced government’s intention to repurpose and “rationalize” state-owned enterprises to support growth and development in South Africa.
Under this national directive, on 10 June 2020, Cabinet approved the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) request to merge the three subsidiaries of the Central Energy Fund (CEF); namely the South African Gas Development Company SOC Limited (iGas), PetroSA and Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF).
“The rationalization of these subsidiaries into one single SA National Petroleum Company is on the basis that each company be efficiently structured so as not to transfer operational inefficiencies and going concern issues into the new entity.
“Out of the three merging entities, only iGas and SFF are financially viable to be merged into the new entity subject to key legal requirements. However, following a rigorous assessment of the PetroSA business, the only financially viable division to be merged into the new company is Trading and the Ghana asset,” the new petroleum company said in a statement on Wednesday.
It added that the remainder of the business that does not form part of the SANPC will form part of legacy assets requiring further work to be done before they could be transferred into the SANPC.
“In the interim, the SANPC will be incorporated as a subsidiary of [the] CEF Group of Companies until the National Petroleum Bill is promulgated into law. For the SANPC to kick start its operations, it would use the Lease and Assign model wherein certain assets of the merging entities will be leased to the new company, the SANPC.”
READ | Closing date for draft SA Petroleum Company Bill public comments extended
The proposed Lease and Assignment model provides the opportunity to strategically select what is leased and assigned to the SANPC by ring-fencing or isolating PetroSA’s legacy assets such as decommissioning liability and current operating challenges of the Gas to Liquid Refinery.
“This approach will improve the financial risk profile for SANPC to secure funding as well as provide a legally sound solution to deal with the constraints associated with the non-profit status of [the] SFF. At the same time, work has begun to attend to the legacy assets which include the re-instatement of the Gas -To- Liquids (GTL) Refinery and the decommissioning liability methodology and provisioning.
“Once all the matters relating to these legacy assets are resolved, they would be ready for transfer to the SANPC.”
The company said that the Lease and Assignment transaction is deemed necessary and the most effective approach for the merger.
“With the combined strengths of the three subsidiaries, a solid financial position, and robust stakeholder support, the SANPC is well-positioned to leverage these benefits and seize the R95 billion market opportunity.
"The SANPC would be poised to become a leading player in South Africa's energy sector, ensuring energy security, driving new technologies, developing, and enabling essential infrastructure, fostering strategic partnerships, and propelling social and economic development,” said the company. - SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:28
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, explores the early signs of Alzheimer’s in light of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September. “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition, meaning it gradually gets worse over time. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it starts with mild memory issues and can develop into serious challenges that …
Popular chocolate brand uplifts the next generation of game-changers through mentorship and monetary investments Johannesburg – Nestlé BarOne, one of South Africa’s favorite chocolate brands, is on a mission to empower the everyday hustler by kickstarting their ambitions, big or small, through a R25 0000 cash investment and mentorship from experienced industry leaders. Through Nestlé …
There are limited tickets available for the unmissable Heather Clark fundraiser featuring live music by Qadasi and Maqhinga on Saturday, 21 September at Waves in Umzumbe. Starting at 4pm for the Sharks v Lions rugby match, there will be food and coffee stalls on site, as well as ‘pap & sous’ on sale in celebration …
The team from Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh once again came to assist local residents after a 3.8m Southern African Python was spotted at Renishaw farm on the KZN South Coast. Crocworld’s Animal Curator Busani Mthiyane received the call from farm workers in the area who had noted the ‘very large snake’ on site. He …
SA launches R300 million facility for recycling plastic
A new PET (polyethylene terephthalate) processing facility, which can accommodate more plastic waste and is the first-of-its-kind technology for Africa, will come on stream in 2025.
This was announced on the sidelines of the International Solid Waste Association’s (ISWA) annual conference where South Africa’s efforts to build a circular economy for post-consumer packaging was thrust into the spotlight.
The ISWA’s annual conference saw the country’s most experienced producer responsibility organisation, Petco, and recycling partner, Extrupet, giving a site tour of the new PET processing facility.
The facility, which houses the new R300 million project, will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling capability to the Western Cape for the first time.
The facility will add an extra 15 000 tonnes per annum of food-grade recycled PET (rPET recycled polyethylene terephthalate) output capacity.
Extrupet Joint Managing Director Chandru Wadhwani said 64% of South Africa’s PET plastic bottles were currently collected for recycling.
“With this increased capacity, we will be able to accommodate more plastic waste and strengthen South Africa’s position as a circular economy leader in Africa and the world,” Wadhwani said on Monday in Cape Town.
Stimulating demand
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said the facility adds value to the country’s efforts to increase the collection and recycling rates for packaging materials, including PET.
“We view the facility as an opportunity to stimulate a demand for more PET materials and a supply of these by waste pickers and waste small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), thus creating stable markets for PET.
“The facility needs to be fed and the collection system needs to be improved in order to meet the demand of this facility.
“Waste pickers are an important contributor to the supply of the input material of plastic waste and we look forward to seeing the implementation of the waste picker service fee in order to continue to enable these waste pickers to do their work effectively and efficiently," Swarts said.
Petco CEO Cheri Scholtz said the additional capacity would assist in closing the loop for PET, which is the most widely recycled plastic polymer that can be turned into another food- grade product.
“So, this increase in capacity takes us another tangible step towards that circular economy, in which a bottle becomes a bottle over and over again and keeps that material in circulation at its highest possible value,” Scholtz said.
This year’s ISWA conference is taking place under the theme: “Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future”.
As the host country, South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development with a focus on building a circular economy and the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations that require producers to take responsibility for their packaging waste throughout its life cycle.
Partnership
Scholtz said, as a Producer Responsibility Organisation, Petco worked with government to contribute to policy development and the implementation of EPR legislation and helped its members to meet their legislated targets for collection, recycling and the inclusion of recycled content in their packaging, which increased year on year.
She said the key to success lay in building a sustainable value chain that could survive the economic peaks and troughs, by balancing collection with recycling capacity and stimulating.
“It doesn’t just happen overnight; it has been a journey. Petco and Extrupet have been working together for more than 20 years to build a solid foundation.
“Petco’s commitment of ongoing support to our 10 contracted recycling partners, like Extrupet, gives them the confidence to invest in the new equipment and infrastructure that is needed to recycle increasing tonnages of recyclable packaging.
“The support also enables recyclers to increase the gate price at which they purchase recyclable packaging, which stimulates collection on the ground by increasing the street value of this packaging and growing the local market for it, thereby making it easier for waste pickers to sell their collected packaging and earn an income from it,” Scholtz said.
She said a strong relationship with government, especially the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, was equally important for the country to benefit as a whole.
“Having implementable regulations, strong compliance, and effective enforcement is vital. We partner with all tiers of government to support sustainable waste management and diversion initiatives, and work towards meeting sustainable development and circular economy goals.”
Climate Change Bill
She said that the opening of the new plant also aligned with government’s climate change goals, as outlined in the newly signed Climate Change Bill.
The bill sets out to enhance South Africa’s ability to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience, while reducing the risk of job losses, and promoting new job opportunities in the emerging green economy.
Wadhwani said Extrupet had established its first bottle-to-food-grade line in Johannesburg in 2009, with the second following in 2014.
“The third arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And the fact that this is now the fourth line in what's, in essence, a 15-year horizon is just so gratifying for us,” Wadhwani said. - SAnews.gov.za
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Tue, 09/17/2024 - 09:49
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