Gauteng MEC of Economic Development Lebohang Maile says his team is pushing ahead with plans to establish a provincial, state owned bank. Maile, who was addressing the media on Saturday, says the bank will invest in infrastructure projects.
Super fans’ trips cancelled
Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has taken a decisive stance by discontinuing funding for “super fans” attending sporting events and exhibitions.
The move reflects McKenzie’s commitment to supporting athletes and artists facing financial hardships, rather than allocating resources towards spectator trips.
By redirecting funds to where they are most urgently needed, McKenzie is prioritizing accountability and equitable resource distribution within the sports and arts sectors.
This decision underscores McKenzie’s dedication to ensuring that limited resources are channeled towards those in the industry who require immediate financial support.
Eskom has announced that it will resume load reduction in some areas due to network overloading with the onset of winter.
Load reduction is implemented in areas when the demand is higher than the infrastructure – such as transformers – is able to handle. It is not load shedding.
Eskom Group Executive for Distribution, Monde Bala, explained that overloaded transformers can leave customers without electricity supply for an extended period.
“Overloaded transformers as a result of electricity theft present a serious risk to human life. We only implement load reduction as a very last resort for the shortest periods possible after all other options have been exhausted.
“A transformer damaged by overloading can leave an area without power for up to six months, protecting Eskom’s assets is in the best interest of all South Africans,” Bala said.
The power utility said the challenge is particularly prevalent in supply areas in Limpopo, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and North West.
According to Eskom, overloading mainly occurs during peak morning and evening times.
“About 94% of the total overloaded transformers are in these areas as a result of electricity theft and indiscriminate use of electricity.
“Despite continued public information campaigns to customers about the implications of electricity theft activities, Eskom has no other option but to implement load reduction to protect its assets from repeated failures and explosions, which pose a risk to human live,” Eskom said.
Mitigating risk
Eskom revealed that some 2111 transformers across the country are “frequently overloaded” and are at risk of damage with a further 900 already awaiting replacement.
The power utility called on consumers to heed warnings regarding the risks of overloading.
“Eskom’s electricity infrastructure is designed to handle loads based on known demand, which is legally connected customers and actual sales for specific areas.
“Exceeding these loads through electricity theft can overload the equipment, potentially causing explosions that may lead to electrical fires in the surrounding areas. Thus, overloading presents a serious risk to lives and equipment, particularly mini-substations and transformers.
“To prevent load reduction and abrupt loss of supply, Eskom has launched the ‘Save Your Transformers, Save Lives’ campaign that urges customers to reduce their consumption, ensure that the electricity they consume is legally connected, paid for, purchased from legal vendors, and to report illegal activities,” Eskom said.
According to Eskom, the winter season presents a particular challenge due to “exponential increase in energy demand in areas prone to electricity theft, as electricity is often used indiscriminately, leading to network failure due to extreme overloading”.
“Over time, Eskom has invested resources and increased capacity to meet the exponential demand in these areas prone to overloading. Despite these investments, the demand has continued to grow, rendering the situation unsustainable.
“Eskom has been engaging with various communities, educating them on the safe and efficient use of electricity. In some areas, Eskom has removed illegal connections; however, network overloading persists,” the power utility said.
The electricity supplier explained that, regretfully, paying customers cannot be excluded from load reduction.
“While Eskom aims to exclude paying customers from load reduction, the network’s configuration does not allow for dedicated supply lines to paying customers, making it impractical to service them separately.
“To prevent load reduction and abrupt loss of supply, customers are urged to reduce their consumption, ensure that the electricity they consume is legally connected, paid for, and purchased from legal vendors, and to report illegal activities. Additionally, customers are encouraged to switch off non-essential appliances, such as heaters and geysers, and use alternative heating methods,” the power utility said.
To report criminal activities such as illegal connections, theft and vandalism that can damage transformers, mini-substations and other electricity infrastructure contact the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 112 722.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture contests his first Salary
In a moving gesture, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has chosen to donate his first salary to a local gallery, with the stipulation that the funds be divided among three talented artists.
During a heartfelt meeting, Gayton McKenzie listened to the artists’ struggles and aspirations, evoking tears of gratitude. The impending financial support promises to make a significant impact on their artistic journeys.
Apply for a PhD scholarship in science, technology and innovation policy
The National Advisory Council on Innovation, through the National Research Foundation (NRF), is offering two scholarships to full-time PhD candidates in science, technology and innovation policy for the 2025 academic year.
The scholarships will cover the full cost of study, including annual tuition fees, accommodation, transport and food allowances.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
They must be full-time students who are registered or intend to register, for a PhD at any South African public university in 2025.
They must be South African citizens or have permanent resident status.
They must hold a relevant master’s qualification from a university in South Africa or abroad. For the latter, the master’s must be recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
They must have achieved a minimum of 65% at master’s level.
They must be 32 years old or younger in the year of application.
They must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
They may not be in full-time employment while they are studying.
To apply, individuals must send a CV of no more than five pages to Professor Anastassios Pouris at apouris@icon.co.za by 19 July 2024.
The CV should include a proposed PhD topic or area of interest.
Shortlisted candidates will be linked to the NRF Connect system (https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za) to apply for funding.
They will receive an NRF application reference number and their application will be sent to their chosen university for screening and review.
If the university recommends an application for funding, the NRF will continue with the process.
Springboks make SA proud
The Springboks claimed victory against Ireland in a thrilling test match on Saturday.
The Boks beat Ireland 27-20 at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) winning team scored in the first three minutes of the evening game with a try by Kurt-Lee Arendse.
“The Boks held a 13-8 lead at the break and apart from a dominating opening 30 minutes, it was not the smoothest win ever, but a seven-point margin over the second ranked team in the world is not something to sniff at,” said SA Rugby.
The second half of the match that saw South Africa beat Ireland for the first time since 2016 was a tense affair.
“Overall, the goal was achieved but it was far from a perfect performance,” said Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
Bok captain Siya Kolisi said he was pleased with the result but cautioned that the series remained very much alive.
“Of course, this game was very important for us. We haven’t beaten them since 2016, so it was special for our confidence. But the job is not done yet. We want to win the series and we know they are going to come back harder,” said Kolisi.
“After that stellar opening performance by KB Motsilanyane, I knew we had this one in the bag #GoBokke #StongerTogether,” said new Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie in a social media post on X, previously known as Twitter.
This as the singer led the singing of the national anthem backed by the crowd gathered at the stadium.
“We are a winning nation,” the Minister said in a follow-up post.
The second test between the Springboks and Ireland is set to take place at Hollywoodbets Kings Park stadium in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Toya Delazy recently shared that she regret collaborating with Cassper Nyovest on her song “My City” years ago.
In a candid moment, Toya expressed regret for choosing Cassper over AKA for the collaboration, admitting that her youthful idealism led her astray.
“Yeah, waste of a good song. I could have got Aka, but I was young and wasn’t thinking, should have followed Sony’s direction with this one, my heart was too big, and I gave a chance to a vile person. But I’m glad you dig it,” she wrote.
Cassper’s offense isn’t known, but Toya Delazy revealed that she’s forgiven him.
Despite the song being a fan favorite, Toya acknowledged that she should have followed Sony’s guidance instead of following her heart. She shared that forgiveness played a key role in her healing process, revealing that she had forgiven Cassper even though she may never receive an apology. This experience has taught Toya the value of forgiveness and the importance of personal growth.
“Don’t kill Chris Hani again” Panyaza Lesufi
“We will defend what Chris Hani stood for but you go to negotiations and have other political parties that their mission is to kill the ANC their mission is to eliminate the ANC that will never happen” Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi
“Some of this organisations still glorify an apartheid flag, some of the organisation’s that still wants Orania but we said for the sake of our citizens we will dust ourselves and try to form a government of national unity”
‘I used to perform in taverns, now my price is going up. Grammys are next’
Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport was buzzing with excitement when BET Award winner Ndivhudzannyi “Makhadzi” Ralivhona touched down on Wednesday morning.
Makhadzi won the prestigious Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act award on Sunday in Los Angeles.
When Makhadzi arrived at the airport, beaming with excitement while holding the award high, she was welcomed with applause from fans and family, cheering praises and ululating while chanting “Makhadzi, Makhadzi”.
The Limpopo-born star expressed her excitement about the award and said her hard work was finally paying off.
“I deserved this, I worked hard for this. I’m here today because of the hard work I put in. I used to perform in taverns, but because I’ve always believed in myself and loved my craft, I’m here with support of my fans,” she said.
“Now my price is going up. They must watch out. We are going for a Grammy next!”
