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In celebration of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series’ Tshwane debut on Sunday 27 August 2023, event organizer Stillwater Sports is excited to introduce an innovative “Schools Challenge” that is bound to spark exciting competition amongst the leading athletics schools in the region. “The Schools Challenge is an exciting opportunity for schools and learners to …
Garbage has been piling up in Dunoon for more than a month
Mr Keith Featherstone, acting Chief Nuclear Officer at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), was Premier Alan Winde's guest this week at his 20th Energy Digicon.
The power station's contribution to the Western Cape and South Africa's energy needs was the primary focus of this week's digicon. “The importance of Koeberg to the Western Cape has significantly increased. Without Koeberg it is not possible for transmission lines to actually supply the Western Cape's load on their own. Our aim is always to ensure higher reliability of the plant - which we are able to achieve - as well as to minimise the chance of both units being shut down at the same time,” stressed Mr Featherstone.
From the outset, he addressed the delays experienced in the refurbishment process, currently under way at the plant. Describing it as a “major service”, he explained that Eskom has submitted its application to the National Nuclear Regulator, along with what is called a “safety case”, requesting permission for the facility to be allowed to operate for another 20 years. As part of the submission, management at the power station identified 3 pieces of equipment that need to be replaced:
Mr Featherstone said, “I am pleased to say that at long last the three steam generators at unit 1 have been replaced. All the mechanical work is completed. Once the unit is synchronised to the grid there is still a lot of testing we need to do. Only when all those tests are completed will we consider the unit to be commercially available.” The unit will be back in operation by 3 November 2023.
Mr Featherstone added, “The unit 2 outage has now been scheduled for 7 November 2023. We have estimated that we will need longer than what we originally planned based on the experience from unit 1, and we will be taking all the lessons we have learned from this outage into the unit 2 outage to make sure that we can do it as speedily as possible. There have not been significant periods where there has been a risk to the Western Cape for both units being down. We are actively working day and night to bring this unit back as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it has taken a lot longer than what we were originally anticipating.”
On whether it is viable to expand nuclear power in South Africa to help meet the growing demand for energy, Mr Featherstone detailed how that with the international drive to reduce carbon emissions nuclear energy is finding a resurgence globally, particularly for baseload supply. “We do have the experience; we know how to manage nuclear power stations. Within Eskom, we have a lot of experience in doing that. The technology is viable. With the number of projects starting all over the world there must be a case to show that it can be done viably. I believe it is possible. I believe we do need it because we have to transition away from coal.” He also offered the assurance that there is no risk of nuclear fallout at KNPP.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Department of the Premier.
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 …
In preparation for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series’ debut in Tshwane in August, residents are invited to join a fun-filled and rewarding Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K ‘City Clean-Up’ on Saturday, 26 August 2023 starting at the Absa Lilian Ngoyi Branch at 08:30. “The City Clean-Up is a fun way for the community …
Municipality spent just 58% of its budget says Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister
Providing water a top priority for government
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured local communities in Tsomo in the Chris Hani District Municipality that providing water to communities is government’s priority.
“Izimbizo are meant for government to listen to communities, whether you have a complaint, you have an opportunity here,” President Ramaphosa told residents on Friday.
The President was speaking at the ninth Presidential Imbizo held in Tsomo in the Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
The Presidential Imbizo serves as a platform for face-to-face engagement between citizens and senior government leaders, holding the administration accountable and allowing government to consult and update communities on development and service delivery in the relevant areas.
President Ramaphosa commended those people who did not only raise their concerns or grievances, but also commended what government is doing to improve people’s lives.
“There is a lot that government is doing to improve people’s lives, for all your grievances, there are answers,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa also commended the local communities for heeding the call to attend the Imbizo.
“This is the biggest community Imbizo we have ever been to, I thank you all for coming,” said President Ramaphosa.
The local communities were given an opportunity to raise their concerns before President Ramaphosa and his Cabinet ministers.
Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu assured the locals that government is doing everything in its power to ensure that there is water in communities.
“We are working in ensuring that our communities get water. We have already started with some of the projects,” Mchunu said.
Mchunu told the locals that money has been allocated to the municipalities to speed up water projects.
Most raised concerns about water, poor road conditions, lack of job opportunities and other services.
Today is the ninth Presidential Imbizo since government commenced with the District Development Model (DDM) programme in March 2022 in Mahikeng in the North West province.
The DDM is an integrated planning model for Cooperative Governance that seeks to ensure an integrated, district-based service delivery approach aimed at fast-tracking service delivery.
The President’s visit here in Tsomo brought hope to many people in the Chris Hani District Municipality.
Siyamthanda Maqoko from Cofimvaba told SAnews that she is happy that the President has visited their area.
“I hope the President is going to address the many challenges that we have here. We have a water problem, our roads are not good. We hope the President is going to address our grievances and all our challenges,” Maqoko said.
Asked how she feels about 30 years of democracy, Maqoko said she is happy because government has done a lot to improve people’s lives.
“Even though there are still challenges, many people who did not have houses, they now have houses, new schools have been built and most households now have electricity,” she said, adding that people now participate in the running of the government.
Maqoko expressed concern about the high number of young people who are taking drugs, appealing to government to create more job opportunities for young people.
“Government must create job opportunities for young people, this will make our youth to stop taking drugs,” she said.
A learner from Tsomo Mission in Tsomo, Ovayo Booi, told SAnews that the President must intervene and ensure that those who do not have houses should be assisted to get houses.
“Government must help our communities to get houses, water and electricity. Government must also build more schools,” Booi said.
Thabisa Zwakala, a mother of three, said she is happy that the President is in their area, which means government has not forgotten about them.
“For the President to come here, this shows that we are important and that government is going to address our grievances,” Zwakala said, adding that she believes that the communities are going to change for the better.
“Our area is very poor, no water and our roads are very bad,” she said.
Prior to engaging with the local communities, President Ramaphosa started the Imbizo by visiting the local Water Treatment Plant which is expected to help provide water in the area.
Upon his arrival, President Ramaphosa was briefed about the plant by the municipal officials.
He then conducted a walkabout at the plant and thereafter proceeded to the Imbizo venue where he was welcomed by the locals. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 08/11/2023 - 19:56
The meant-to-be newly renovated Ngqamakhwe police station has been stripped by vandals after construction work stopped
Eastern Cape Presidential Imbizo underway
The ninth District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo has kicked off at the Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
The Presidential Imbizo presents an opportunity for South Africans from all corners of the country to voice out the challenges they face from their everyday lives directly to the President and Cabinet, with a view to tackle them head on.
The President has visited all provinces, with the Eastern Cape imbizo expected to be the last in this round.
Opening the programme for the day, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng said the imbizo is an important platform for citizens to get their concerns heard at the highest level.
“It is an honour that we gather here today as part of culmination of an essential journey of the [DDM] Presidential Imbizo that we started.
“This is the last round, our ninth imbizo. What is important is that we give the citizens the opportunity to talk to the President and that is the main reason why we have come here,” she said.
The Minister added that ministers and the President will respond with a way forward on the challenges raised.
“We are here today as part of the [DDM], the Presidential Imbizo to talk to you about service delivery challenges and opportunities in your areas. The President and the ministers will show some of these opportunities and talk about some of the programmes within the DDM framework to show that we are working together.
“We are doing this in support of [municipalities] because we know that basic services are important such as water, sanitation, healthcare [and] education. When we work together as the spheres of government, we can deliver services and improve turnaround time,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 08/11/2023 - 13:21
Introduction Recycling is more than just a trendy catchphrase; it’s a pivotal component of sustainable waste management that plays a crucial role in safeguarding our environment. In a world grappling with mounting waste and dwindling resources, the significance of recycling cannot be overstated. This article delves into the multifaceted importance of recycling, exploring its far-reaching …
All systems go for Eastern Cape Presidential Imbizo
It is all systems go for the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo, which is set to be held in Instika Yethu Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape on Friday.
This is according to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Thembi Nkadimeng, who was briefing media ahead of the imbizo.
“All the Ministers will be here. They will be able to account on issues that are raised on human settlements, water and sanitation, health, education, societal ills and crime.
“We are confident that the ninth imbizo will yield the positive results that we have seen in the last eight izimbizo. The main objective is to ensure that our communities are tomorrow afforded the opportunity to speak to the President.
“In a nutshell, tomorrow we will strengthen a partnership with citizens in order to deal with issues affecting their daily lives, as imbizo is a tool of development communication to bridge the information gap and address service delivery backlogs in rural areas,” Nkadimeng said.
Honing in on the challenges the Eastern Cape is facing, the Minister said government is already focused on implementing and finding solutions to the water challenges in the province.
“We are looking strongly into the improvement of our disaster management assessment teams at COGTA and also in the province because we know now that KZN and Eastern Cape are more disaster prone in terms of floods… and some areas like Gqeberha are disaster prone in terms of drought.
“[There is] a water and waste water treatment project… that services both the Amathole and Chris Hani [Districts]. The project is currently running and servicing two districts. I would want… the Eastern Cape government, COGTA and the Department of Water and Sanitation to do a replica of such projects in all the areas in the Eastern Cape that have a problem of water provision and sanitation,” she said.
Izimbizo present an opportunity for South Africans from all corners of the country to voice out the challenges they have directly to the President and Cabinet, with a view to tackle them head on.
Thus far, the President has visited all provinces, with the Eastern Cape imbizo expected to be the last in this round.
“These series of interactions and engagements brought communities closer to the President and the entire leadership across the three spheres, and also ensured that their issues are made known.
“As reflected earlier, the successful institutionalisation of the DDM compels us to collaborate with key strategic stakeholders, including traditional and Khoi-San leaders, as well as business and civil society at large in planning, budgeting and implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
“The DDM Presidential Izimbizo are a practical expression of community centred development that is rooted on active public participation and accountability. President is committed to continuing to build an ethical, capable and developmental State that delivers on its mandate and is corruption free at every sphere,” Nkadimeng said.
She called on citizens in the Eastern Cape to attend tomorrow’s imbizo and have their voices heard.
“We call on all communities of the Chris Hani District to come and interact directly with President Ramaphosa, who will be accompanied by public representatives from national, provincial and local government in keeping with the principles of the DDM.
“Transport and related logistical arrangements have been finalised to ferry communities from various areas to ensure that no one is left behind in the transformation journey of our country,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 08/10/2023 - 10:44
Introduction Centrifugal pumps are ubiquitous in various industries, playing a vital role in applications ranging from water supply to industrial processes. These pumps operate on the principle of centrifugal force, converting rotational energy into hydraulic energy to move fluids. This article provides an in-depth exploration of centrifugal pumps, covering their working principles, types, selection criteria, …
Introduction The bathroom is more than just a functional space; it’s a place of comfort, relaxation, and personal care. Equipping it with the right accessories not only enhances its functionality but also adds to its aesthetic appeal. From essential items like soap dispensers and towel racks to decorative touches like artwork and plants, bathroom accessories …
Homeowners say the eThekwini municipality’s 2023/2024 budget does not take into account the inclusive needs of ratepayers.
Pan African Resources says it will not give in to the “equivalent of a construction mafia”
“Why vandalise a library that your sister, brother and child needs?” asks ward councillor
The inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K is set to see some incredible racing on Sunday 27 August 2023 as the next generation of athletes, Nicholas Seoposengwe and Kabelo Seboko, both running in the colours of Boxer Athletics Club, enter the fray. Nicholas proved that he should not be underestimated when he claimed victory …
Introduction: In the fast-paced world of automobiles, keeping vehicles in optimal condition is crucial to ensure smooth and safe travels. This comprehensive guide explores the world of auto parts, ranging from vital service components to steering and suspension essentials, electrical components, filters, and more. By understanding the significance of each category and maintaining a diligent …
In the era of digital transformation, the concept of a smart home is no longer a futuristic idea but a reality. A smart home connects various devices and systems to work in unison, delivering an intelligent living experience that makes life more convenient, safe, and enjoyable. But what exactly does a smart home do? Let’s …
The Organizers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K are excited to offer a special 10% discount to all companies, clubs, families and friends that enter 10 people or more into this exciting event that will make its Tshwane debut on Sunday 27 August 2023. “The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series offers the ultimate …
Subcouncil 3 manager says area is too volatile to render services
Stillwater Sports, in partnership with Boxer Superstores and Coca-Cola, is excited to launch the Boxer Super Run, a world class 5km road run that is set to captivate entrants, young and old, social, and elite, in the scenic city of Durban on Sunday 15 October 2023. “We’re excited to launch the Boxer Super Run, a …
Community leaders say some households in Tshikota near Louis Trichardt have been without water for four years
City has still not upgraded the settlement in spite of a 2016 court ruling