Author: Agency
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, announced on Friday that technical experts supported by the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF) will be stationed at various power stations across the country from Monday, 5 June 2023. He said the team will go around the four power stations where the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) is low. These, according to the Minister, include Matla, Kriel, Majuba, and Kendal power stations. In addition, support will be given to open-cycle gas turbines, which poses a challenge when it comes to logistics and storage and is confident that the experts will provide solutions. The…
The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the five-nation grouping, BRICS, on Thursday said they appreciate the proposals put forth for mediation aimed at a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue and diplomacy. “The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in and around Ukraine, as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UNSC [United Nations Security Council] and UNGA [United Nations General Assembly],” a joint statement from the Ministers on Thursday read. The Ministers held a two-day meeting in Cape Town, which started on Thursday. They called for the full and effective implementation of both the Black Sea…
Career opportunities existing in the digital economy will come under the spotlight as the country kicks off the 2023 Youth Month celebrations. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), together with government departments, will lead a month-long programme of activities to be hosted in various provinces in celebration of Youth Month 2023. The NYDA, under the stewardship of the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) – in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture – launched the Youth Month 2023 activities in Soweto on Thursday. NYDA board executive chairperson, Asanda Luwaca, said this year’s Youth Month…
Eskom says it expects to implement various stages of load shedding over the weekend with a chance of a power cut-free Sunday afternoon. This as the power utility said it expects to return several generating units to service over the coming days. The load shedding schedule for this weekend is as follows: Friday: Stage 4 throughout the day and evening Saturday: Stage 2 from 5am until 4pm Stage 4 from 4pm until 5am Sunday: No load shedding between 5am and 4pm Stage 4 from 4pm until midnight “Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Kendal and…
Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, on Thursday announced the appointment of the new Health Ombudsman, Professor Taole Resetselemang Mokoena, effective from 1 June 2023. This comes after the country’s first Health Ombud, Professor Malekgapuru Makgoba, bowed out of office after his seven-year tenure ended on 31 May 2023. Phaahla described the incoming Health Ombud as one of the most “outstanding” South African medical scholars, who has transcended the globe to show the quality of South Africa‘s academic prowess. Mokoena, who is the retired Head of Surgery from the University of Pretoria, will take on the job that seeks to…
Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has strongly condemned the attacks on e-hailing drivers and burning of cars at Maponya Mall in Soweto. “We would like to strongly condemn these senseless attacks on individuals and damage to vehicles. These acts are unacceptable and must be dealt with harshly,” the MEC said on Friday. This comes after an alleged confrontation that took place on Thursday between minibus taxi drivers and e-hailing drivers. It is alleged that minibus taxi drivers attacked e-hailing operators’ drivers and burnt three vehicles and damaged four others at Maponya Mall parking area. Two of the…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says although South Africa is facing an electricity crisis that appears unrelenting, government is making progress in resolving the challenge. The President was delivering his replies to the debate on The Presidency’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Thursday. “We have been forthright about the challenges the country faces. The anger and frustration that South Africans feel in the face of sustained load shedding is understandable. At times like this, the electricity crisis appears unrelenting, as if there is no end in sight. “Yet, if one considers the work that is being done and the progress that is…
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has welcomed a significant downward trend in the Cholera outbreak in Tshwane, as the source of the waterborne disease remains elusive. “The numbers are going down drastically and we’re very hopeful that in the next few days [the numbers will go down even further] and happy that there haven’t been new deaths this week and severe illness at this stage,” the Minister said on Wednesday. The Minister was providing an update on the department’s efforts and interventions in response to the cholera outbreak to curb the spread and save lives. “While it might be important…
State power utility, Eskom, says it expects to resume wage increase negotiations with trade unions in June. This after the power utility and unions, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Solidarity, concluded three rounds of negotiations without reaching agreement. “As a custom, the negotiations take place over three sessions of three days each. However, this year, all parties agreed to hold a fourth round of negotiations on 13 and 14 June 2023, with the view that there are prospects of reaching a settlement at the Central Bargaining Forum (CBF). “Eskom is…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation to transfer roles and responsibilities to the Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. A statement released by the Presidency said some powers have been shifted from the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe. “After due consideration, President Ramaphosa has transferred to the Minister of Electricity all powers and functions contained in Section 34(1) of the Electricity Regulation Act, which were previously entrusted to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy. The President has also transferred to the Minister of Electricity relevant powers and functions set out in Section…