With a constrained power system, Eskom may be forced to implement load shedding, it said on Friday. “Five generation units were taken off the grid, significantly raising the possible need for load shedding. We urge the public to continue reducing electricity usage to help us avoid load shedding,” said Eskom. Should the need arise; Eskom said it could implement load shedding between 4pm and 10pm. Two units at the Arnot power station, as well as a unit each at Kendal, Tutuka and Majuba … [Read more...] about High possibility of load shedding today
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Eastern Cape becoming the epicentre of Covid-19 Corruption
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape is fighting for its survival, battling the deadly Covid-19 outbreak on the one hand, and the cancerous spread of corruption on the other. Not only is the province one of the epicentres for the Covid-19 outbreak, it is fast becoming the epicentre of Covid19 corruption. While government pleads for residents to wash their hands in the fight against the disease, it has now come to light that various municipalities across the province have been getting their hands … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape becoming the epicentre of Covid-19 Corruption
COVID-19 cases shoot up, Gauteng emerges as epicentre
Officials deployed to East Cape South Africa’s COVID-19 cases are on a sharp and steady increase with 6 130 new cases reported on Monday, bringing the total number to 144 264. A further 73 COVID-19 related deaths were reported, bringing the total to 2 529. Of the 73 new deaths reported, 1 was from Mpumalanga, 5 from Limpopo, 2 from North West, 6 from Gauteng, 10 from the Eastern Cape, 6 from KwaZulu-Natal and 43 from the Western Cape. “The numbers are picking up and the surge is on the … [Read more...] about COVID-19 cases shoot up, Gauteng emerges as epicentre
Economic revival takes centre stage
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s supplementary budget speech on Wednesday was met with trepidation by many South Africans. The combined effects of the coronavirus pandemic and global economic downturn are expected to see our economy contract by 7.2% in 2020 and gross national debt rise to a predicted 81.8% of GDP by the end of this fiscal year. While the picture painted by the Finance Minister is undeniably bleak – and a little light on actionable detail – Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson … [Read more...] about Economic revival takes centre stage
High Court ruling on BBBEE criteria to be appealed
Dear MyPE After a review of the High Court judgment in our case against the application of BBBEE criteria for Covid-19 relief funding, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has decided to file an appeal to continue our fight against the wholesale entrenchment of racial criteria in government policy and administration. While we are pleased that the court upheld our argument that the government had acted unlawfully by failing to provide clarity on how relief criteria would be applied, the larger … [Read more...] about High Court ruling on BBBEE criteria to be appealed
WeConnect Go App now available in South Africa
WeConnect Go offers an easy ‘Plug & Play’ car connectivity solution for Volkswagen customers ? Volkswagen has taken the first step on the journey towards the connected car by launching the WeConnect Go app in South Africa. The app which is compatible with both iOS and Android, is now available for download and use by Volkswagen customers. The WeConnect Go app forms part of the “Volkswagen We” ecosystem which offers a growing range of vehicle-related digital services and mobility … [Read more...] about WeConnect Go App now available in South Africa
To the moon, mars and beyond with the South African National Space Agency
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has entered into a partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to host a Deep Space Ground Station. The station, which will be based in Matjiesfontein in the Western Cape, will support human spaceflight missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. It will be integrated into an existing network of three sites in the United States of America, Spain and Australia. As the fourth site, the station will complement the other … [Read more...] about To the moon, mars and beyond with the South African National Space Agency
NMBSTC Assists Schools With Re-Opening
NMB Science Centre produces 2000 hand sanitisers and gears to assist DoE with schools re-opening To fight the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre (NMBSTC) operated by the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) produced hand sanitisers, face masks and hand lotions with antibacterial as well as antiviral properties. The NMBSTC hosted IM Africa Foundation, in partnership with FOI Science and the Mandela Bay Development Agency from the 07th – 13th … [Read more...] about NMBSTC Assists Schools With Re-Opening
Mkhize assesses COVID-19 response in the Eastern Cape
As the numbers of Eastern Cape COVID-19 infections continue to spread like wildfire, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says they are working around the clock to contain transmissions. Speaking in the province where he was monitoring COVID-19 responses on Monday, Mkhize said he was pleased about the additional beds put in place to deal with the high number of COVID-19 patients. The Eastern Cape now has the fourth-highest number of infections in the country, while the Western Cape … [Read more...] about Mkhize assesses COVID-19 response in the Eastern Cape
Payment breaks granted on more than 500 000 customer agreements
Payment breaks worth over R4.3 billion since 1 April 2020 FNB and WesBank have approved payment breaks on more than 500 000 credit agreements for nearly 150 000 individual and business customers since 1 April 2020. The relief includes payment breaks and/or credit insurance assistance in excess of R4.3 billion to help customers whose finances have been affected by COVID-19. FNB Chief Executive, Jacques Celliers says: “Our approach is to offer qualifying customers a payment break by paying … [Read more...] about Payment breaks granted on more than 500 000 customer agreements
Minister Mboweni’s rejection of race-based criteria for relief aid welcomed
Dear MyPE Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, today shared an anecdote with Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance illustrating the strangling hold of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) on the economy during the Covid-19 lockdown period. He told of a conversation with the owner of the Magoebaskloof Hotel where 95% of the staff are black South Africans. The hotel's white owner told the him that he is excluded from the Government’s relief aid, thereby excluding his staff from … [Read more...] about Minister Mboweni’s rejection of race-based criteria for relief aid welcomed
293 athletes receive COVID-19 financial assistance
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s COVID-19 Relief Fund has come to the rescue of 293 financially distressed athletes, Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced on Monday. This comes after a R150 million Relief Fund was announced to assist artists, athletes, technical personnel and the core ecosystem of the sector. The sport adjudication process began on 9 April. The deadline for application to the Relief Fund was 6 April. Subsequent to this, independent adjudication committees … [Read more...] about 293 athletes receive COVID-19 financial assistance
15 More Bakkies to Assist in Fight Against COVID-19
Isuzu Motors South Africa has made more bakkies available to assist in containing the spread of COVID-19 infections in the country. The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria has accepted delivery of 15 Isuzu D-MAX bakkies which will be used to assist with the transportation of personal protective equipment and medical supplies to support South African community health workers in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This intervention was facilitated by WesBank and … [Read more...] about 15 More Bakkies to Assist in Fight Against COVID-19
Brand SA board member suspended for lockdown party
Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, has welcomed the suspension of a member of Brand SA’s Board of Trustees following allegations of breaching lockdown regulations. Mthembu received a report from the Board of Trustees, indicating the suspension of Tebogo Mamorobela, in terms of Clause 25 of the Trust Deed. This follows charges laid against her in Limpopo for violating the national lockdown regulations (in terms of the National Disaster Management Act) by allegedly hosting a … [Read more...] about Brand SA board member suspended for lockdown party
Police Minister elaborates on revisions to the Lockdown Regulations
Over 17 000 COVID-19 related arrests since the kick-off of the lockdown Police Minister, General Bheki Cele has welcomed the revisions by the National Command Council to the Lockdown Regulations, and has taken time to elaborate on those aspects of the Regulations that seemed to have caused confusion amongst the public. With the second weekend of the lockdown around the corner, Minister Cele has contextualised the relaxation of the regulations in as far as movement between Provinces, … [Read more...] about Police Minister elaborates on revisions to the Lockdown Regulations
