Author: Agency
Vehicle owners are increasingly abandoning the long queues at vehicle licensing centres and opting to renew their vehicle licences online to save time. An analysis of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) online platform, online.natis, shows that more than 2.5 million vehicle owners have opted for the convenience of the online platform since its launch in 2022. “Monthly average online renewals on the natis platform have increased from 44 802 in August 2022 to 222 606 last month with an average daily renewal of 7 181. “To access the service which offers motorists the convenience of renewing the vehicle licence…
South Africa is expected to receive some R628 million in European Union (EU) grant funding in support of its green hydrogen agenda. This was announced during a media briefing with the Minister of Energy and Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and European Union (EU) Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. “The [first] European Grant is close to R100 million. It will be [used] in the implementation of the strategy for Transnet. The other European Union Grant of almost half a billion Rand will go to the development and construction of infrastructure in the South African green…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the relations between South Africa and China have entered a new “era of opportunity”. The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter following an official State Visit to the People’s Republic of China last week. “During the state visit, China and South Africa agreed to upgrade our relationship to an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a New Era. This signifies the strengthening of the political, economic and social ties between the two countries. “The strengthening of ties with major trading partners like China continues to yield benefits for the South African economy and people.…
By Nosihle Shelembe Beijing, China – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to the business sector in China to invest in South Africa and make use of the great opportunities that exist for growth and development. “South Africa presents a great opportunity for companies in Shenzhen to deepen their global value chains,” the President said on Tuesday. The President made the remarks during the Shenzhen Business Roundtable at the occasion of the State Visit to China. “With the capabilities that your companies have, we encourage you to play a more active role in our economy for mutual benefit,” he said. Impressed by…
Municipalities are at the centre of government’s efforts to move towards clean energy and fulfil the country’s commitment to global climate change. This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was addressing the opening ceremony of the Municipal Just Energy Transition (JET) Conference held in Johannesburg on Monday. The President highlighted that South Africa’s 257 metropolitan, district and local municipalities “own and operate approximately half of South Africa’s electricity distribution grid and facilitate universal access to electricity”. “One hundred and sixty five municipalities are electricity service providers. Through the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant, municipalities are responsible for addressing the…
Consistent electricity supply in South Africa is now “one step closer” due to the diligent and dedicated implementation of the Energy Action Plan (EAP). This is according to Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who on Thursday briefed members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. The country has not experienced load shedding for more than 130 days. “The supply of consistent electricity is now a step closer due to the steadfast implementation of the EAP announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2022. The EAP’s consistent focus on planned maintenance and work to…
Telecommunications giant MTN has lost a Special Tribunal exception application in connection with the alleged irregular supply of mobile devices for COVID-19 screening to the Limpopo Department of Health. This after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) launched an investigation into the affairs of that department which – the unit insists – “revealed that MTN made an unsolicited proposal to supply the department with 10 000 cell phone devices intended for COVID-19 mass screenings” in that province. “This proposal cost the department R10 million. This falls outside the prescripts of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The Department of Health accepted…
The Gauteng Provincial Government has officially launched its e-Panic app (Gauteng e-Panic) as part of the province’s commitment to prioritise the safety and security of citizens and communities. The panic button has been created to fight against crime and the persistent issues of domestic violence in Gauteng. It is a free to use service and, according to the provincial government, the response team is fully equipped to assist residents in their time of need. The Gauteng MEC of e-Government, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, has encouraged all residents to use this free resource. “The Gauteng Panic Button is a testament to the progress…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Speaking at the Climate Resilience Symposium underway at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre in Pretoria, President Ramaphosa said the revised Nationally Determined Contribution balances the country’s developmental needs and economic realities. “It takes into account the feasibility of undertaking a climate response through a set of just transition pathways. Importantly, it notes carbon tax as a vital component of our mitigation strategy to lower greenhouse gas emissions,” President Ramaphosa said. By internalising the cost of carbon emissions, the President said the…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on black business and black industrialists to be part of efforts to rebuild the country’s economy. President Ramaphosa made the call at the Black Business Council (BBC) gala dinner held at Kempton Park in Johannesburg on Tuesday night. He warned that without investment there can be no jobs, and without job creation on a large scale “our prospects for achieving full economic transformation are diminished”. “By strategically investing in the economy we are laying the groundwork for prosperity, connectivity, and opportunity across our nation. Green industrialisation is an area of opportunity for black business,” President…