Attending the SORE Conference and the Exporters AGM last week made me more convinced that we in Africa need to strongly encourage (translation: beat with a stout stick until it happens) motor manufacturers to produce an Electric Vehicle for our situation and infrastructure. If any automotive manufacturer follows my advice a small commission per vehicle or an example of their product is all I ask! We have a combination of factors acting as roadblocks to the widespread adoption of EV's in … [Read more...] about V2L – All I want is a small Commission
Editorial
WIIIFM – Is the Way To Get Government Behind Renewable Energy and EVs
We should be promoting Electrifying Public Transport FIRST before selling private EV's in South Africa. That could make the transport burden on workers lower. #PeoplesPower What Is In It For Me (WIIIFM) is the question needed to be answered when promoting renewable energy - not forgetting that government will mostly base their decisions on that acronym. Last week in Gqeberha I had opportunity to attend two very different events: SORE: Socially Owned Renewable Energy conference … [Read more...] about WIIIFM – Is the Way To Get Government Behind Renewable Energy and EVs
Apparently Calling Me a Racist P@@$ is One Way to TRY Win an Argument
For the first time in my life I have been called a Grumpy Old White Racist P@@$. It happened like this: I took the dwarves and three of their friends down to Kings Beach for a dip in the sea this afternoon. There happened to be a quad bike riding round and round on the sand making most beachgoers slightly nervous as the bike ranged over the beach. I left the quad biker for 30 minutes or so hoping that he/she would finally get bored and leave. But, to no avail. I then (at around … [Read more...] about Apparently Calling Me a Racist P@@$ is One Way to TRY Win an Argument
How Many Solar Installations do You Estimate there are in Nelson Mandela Bay?
Loadshedding has been around for a number of years now and the tipping point in solar installations has seen great demand and many entrants into the renewable energy industry. We are asking you to please help us (YES, there is a small reward for you) to estimate the number of installations that have been done so far in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. If you are a home owner or installer of solar systems then please do assist us in getting a reasonable accurate estimate of the … [Read more...] about How Many Solar Installations do You Estimate there are in Nelson Mandela Bay?
If Only we DIDN’T Have a Water Supply Problem
Then we could add this renewable (?) energy hydro power solution to our water supply infrastructure system in Nelson Mandela Bay. The basic premise is simple: Instead of burning off excess pressure through friction like a traditional valve, In-pipe energy technology converts it into electricity to be used by the water agency.? The energy consumed for water and wastewater treatment is around 3% to 5% of total global energy consumption. That number is only going to increase and its carbon … [Read more...] about If Only we DIDN’T Have a Water Supply Problem
Motion of No Confidence in Gary van Niekerk – Ready, Steady, DOP
On 20 June 2023 the Defenders of the People served a notice on the Office of the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay Council to bring a Motion of No Confidence in newly appointed Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Gary van Niekerk. DOP Councillor Tukela Zumanzi, supported by Councillor Luxolo Nanette gave notice in Terms of Rule 25 of the Council and Orders, read in conjunction with section 58 of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 that hey will be applying for the removal of the … [Read more...] about Motion of No Confidence in Gary van Niekerk – Ready, Steady, DOP
Careful When You Use a Name Very Similar to OURS
A mate recently gave me a heads up about a business advertising Solar Power solutions on Facebook. Now when a 'business' advertises solar systems at a price point lower than what we at Straton Solar pay for the equipment AND that business has a business name suspiciously close to ours then I do like to find out just how they can offer these systems all over the country. I am not saying that this is a scam - after all it could be a charity just looking to give stuff away to needy South … [Read more...] about Careful When You Use a Name Very Similar to OURS
The SA Twitter Account Beating @ElonMusk
Twitter these days offers a bit of a rollercoaster ride to it's adherents. After the acquisition of the platform by maverick South African born billionaire, Elon Musk, we have seen a wholesale discounting of the 'value' of the platform from the over $40 Billion in acquisition cost to some pundits now valuing Twitter at $14.6 Billion - chump change to some apparently! Twitter basically built it's insular audience by encouraging new sign ups to follow as many people as possible. Resulting in … [Read more...] about The SA Twitter Account Beating @ElonMusk
What are Little Boys Made Of?
One answer to that question lies in an early 19th Century Nursery Rhyme that says; "Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails!" In contrast the same Nursery Rhyme asks the question; "What are little girls made of?" and answers thus; "Sugar and Spice and all things nice!" Well this early 19th Century Nursery Rhyme may just be the one to accurately describe the two boys in my home and the reasons for the train wreck state that their rooms are in every single day. At the ages of 10 and 12 … [Read more...] about What are Little Boys Made Of?
Out of the Mud Comes Clarity as EFF Calls for the Head of City Manager Noxolo Nqwazi
The lead up to the elimination of the previous coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay was precipitated by the EFF calling for the removel of Deputy Mayor Khusta Jack on flimsy evidence that he was 'doing business with the city whilst being a councillor'. Those allegations were proven to be incorrect and rubbished by the Attorney General in two findings. Nevertheless the Motion of No Confidence proceeded in council last week on Friday and a new ANC led coalition government assumed the … [Read more...] about Out of the Mud Comes Clarity as EFF Calls for the Head of City Manager Noxolo Nqwazi
Mayoral Committee V13.67b – We Disavow you of that Silly Notion that the Mayor is in Charge
I can recall a time when the announcement of a Mayoral Committe was ACTUALLY newsworthy. Media wags and citizens would debate endlessly on the merits and demerits of who should occupy which position and one got the sense that special care was being taken to ensure that the needs of citizens were of paramount importance when selecting political heads for each of the positions. In our current political climate one gets the sense that the only frisson of excitement around these announcements … [Read more...] about Mayoral Committee V13.67b – We Disavow you of that Silly Notion that the Mayor is in Charge
Pocket Billiard Playing Mayor’s First Public Engagement
The charred and grotesquely bent springs of a mattress among the rubble of the France Street home in Timothy Valley, Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay, was a harrowing reminder of a 62-year-old grandmother’s desperate last attempt to escape raging flames. And New Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Gary van Niekerk 'SPRUNG' into action to show that he cares. Bru - take your hands out of your pockets please. As my Grey High School Teachers always used to ask; "What is the score?" And we … [Read more...] about Pocket Billiard Playing Mayor’s First Public Engagement
Lets Chat About Odendaal and Jack Being Booted
After the vote of No Confidence in Former Executive Mayor, Retief Odendaal, his deputy, Khusta Jack and the coalition government as a whole on Friday 16 May 2023 which went against Odendaal and fellows, the social media chatter is deafening as people cry; "Why" and "How is it possible that 62 people can make a decision for 1 Million citizens!" The answers are not going to be to your liking: If you didn't vote in the local elections then you have no right to comment If you do not … [Read more...] about Lets Chat About Odendaal and Jack Being Booted
I see that ABYC is STILL In the Port of Port Elizabeth. Or is it?
Whilst having a browse through the TNPA Port Development Framewrok plans for 2022 for this article - Why TNPA will NEVER Replace the Manganese Ore with a Waterfront - I saw a reference to the Algoa Bay Yacht Club on page 55 of the document. This is to be found on Page 55 in Table 2-9: Current Port Activities - Port of Port Elizabeth and, under the Other Services/Maritime commercial rows it reads; "Visiting cruise liners are presently accommodated at the MPT terminal. Vesselscall at the port … [Read more...] about I see that ABYC is STILL In the Port of Port Elizabeth. Or is it?
Why TNPA will NEVER Replace the Manganese Ore with a Waterfront
The time has come for the public and the Transet National Port Authority to stop operating in a bubble and denying plain financial facts when it comes to the relocation of the Manganese Ore and Tank Farm facilities within the Port of Port Elizabeth. THIS is why I say that the TNPA will never replace the Manganese Ore facility and Fuel Tank Storage facility with a Waterfront. This is also why we as a society need to look at this problem from a perspective of longevity for our Port of Port … [Read more...] about Why TNPA will NEVER Replace the Manganese Ore with a Waterfront
