Category: Key Issues

Eskom says its ability to supply electricity will be significantly impacted if a Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) decision to enforce air quality compliance standards is implemented immediately.

The standards – called the Minimum Emission Standard (MES) – legally bind the power utility to immediately scale down the carbon emissions polluted by its coal-fired power stations.

Eskom had applied for its power stations to be temporarily exempted from the MES.

“Eskom’s request for postponements at Matla, Duvha, Matimba, Medupi and Lethabo [power stations] were declined completely. Postponement applications for Majuba, Tutuka, Kendal, and Kriel were partially granted. Eskom has reviewed the decisions and believes they will have a very significant impact on Eskom’s ability to provide electricity.

“If implemented, the decision will result in an immediate shutting down of 16 000MW of installed coal fired capacity. This would have a significant negative impact on the economy and employment, particularly in Mpumalanga and Lephalale, and delay the country’s plans for a just energy transition toward a cleaner electricity supply,” Eskom said on Wednesday.

The power utility said it is engaging the DFFE, the Public Enterprises Department and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the matter.

“Eskom is committed to its mandate to supply stable electricity in an efficient and sustainable manner and enable economic growth.  We aim to do this in an environmentally responsible manner that takes into consideration the need to reduce local air pollution and is in line with the country’s climate change commitments”.

As the country commemorates the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, citizens are encouraged to take part in conversations around social cohesion, anti-xenophobia, tribalism and racism aimed at building the nation.

During a webinar on Tuesday, South Africans were urged to have these valuable discussions in order to understand what is needed to achieve building a united nation.

The webinar on Social Cohesion, Anti-Xenophobia, Tribalism and Racism was hosted by Government Communication and Information Systems, in partnership with the Departments of Sport, Arts and Culture; Justice and Constitutional Development and the Institute of Race Relations.

It aimed to communicate the importance of social cohesion and nation building in diverse communities, as well as highlight the root cause of social intolerance and possible solutions.

In fostering SA’s social cohesion, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has initiated the Social Cohesion Advocates programme aimed at mobilising society in its entirety to work together to build a caring society based on shared values.

The department’s Edwin Cleophas said the programme’s vision is informed by advancing constitutional democracy, human rights and equality, promoting non-racialism, non-tribalism, Ubuntu and social solidarity.

“The Social Cohesion Advocates help us to feel that we belong in South Africa, make us feel proud of our country and increase our sense of identity and shared humanity, trust and respect for one another. [They] build respect and diversity. [They] help us to create a society in which everyone is valued, as enshrined in our Constitution,” Cleophas said.

Where there is a high level of social cohesion, Cleophas said, people help those who are marginalised and they care for one another.

“By working towards social cohesion, everyone living in SA benefits from that, and we are stronger working together, growing a strong healthy nation in which everyone can prosper. Each of us has a role to play as a powerful force in setting SA on a different path.”

The Social Cohesion Advocates have been hard at work, especially in areas where there are disruptions.

Cleophas said during the July unrest, the advocates were sent out to start building social cohesion among communities at the grassroots. They also assisted in quelling tensions in Phoenix by setting up dialogues and meetings with community leaders in order to deescalate tensions and find common ground to move past the struggles that took place there.

Weighing in on racism, Cleophas said many still struggle with it on a daily basis, whether it is structural, physically or mental oppression.

“Unless we undo the past patterns and institutional systemic negative enforcements that were left behind by apartheid, we won’t get anywhere. We have to firstly deal with the dark negative past, undo all of those and we can continue building the nation,” he said.

He said the rewards of what social cohesion advocates are doing have been more significant, as communities are more positive. He noted that economic empowerment is also taking place.

National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Despite collaborative efforts to implement the National Action Plan, as mandated by Cabinet, the country continues to experience high levels of discrimination based on race, nationality, social, ethnic origin, culture, sexual orientation and gender.

“We have noted that one of the challenges in implementation of the NAP is the lack of coordination amongst departments and other agencies involved.

“When looking at the progress in a nutshell, I want to mention that the NAP is closely aligned to government’s Medium-Term Strategic Framework, in particular, priority of social cohesion and safer communities, which gives expression to Chapter 15 of the NDP [National Development Plan] 2030,” said Ntibidi Rampete from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development while giving a progress report on the NAP.

Rampete said the department has been able to make significant progress in regards to some of the areas of the NAP, starting with progress in the Integrated Government Strategy on Public Education pertaining to anti-discrimination, which was finalised in March this year.

“The directory of service providers was also finalised. It is aimed at providing assistance to victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, homophobia and related intolerances.

“We also managed to complete a baseline study to determine the levels of racism, xenophobia, discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, racial incidents, inter-racial relations and perceptions of national identity. We plan to launch this study as part of the build-up activities towards the commemoration of… the Anti-Racism Week in March 2022.”

All government departments are responsible for promoting and implementing the NAP, together with other institutions and agencies.

On recommendations to improve, Rampete said there needs to be greater public awareness about discrimination faced by certain groups.

“We observed that there is a low level of trust in the police due to a number of historical reasons in SA. Vulnerable groups have had unpleasant encounters with the police force.”

Rampete said there is a need to improve the relationship between the police and society.

“Law enforcement officers need to undergo dignity and diversity training, or enhance the current training that is provided to promote compliance with the existing legislation framework and improve attitudes towards vulnerable groups.”

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has called on officers to prioritise the safety of women and children as the country gears towards the festive season.

The Minister made the call during the first leg of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Monday.

The area recorded the second highest number of rape cases in the country between July and September this year.

Cele was accompanied by Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole, and his management team.

During the visit, they monitored police operations as the province ushers in a season characterised by festivities, entertainment, travelling and shopping.

The Ministry said in the Vhembe District, Cele and the police management interacted with motorists at the multi-agency roadblocks set up to intercept crime on the roads, and also engaged shoppers and holidaymakers at the local malls in Thohoyandou.

Cele said while the high rape statistics were shocking, police in Thohoyandou and around the country must at all times prioritise assisting survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in their time of need. He said they should ensure that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are arrested swiftly.

“I know there are many officers who go beyond the call of duty every day to help GBV victims. However, it is deeply disturbing that some chose to disgrace the service and subject victims to substandard treatment at police stations and in some instances, even turn people away. Yes, many of the rapes are happening in places where police cannot reach, such as private homes.”

He said when victims open cases and turn to police for help, it is the officers’ legal obligation to assist victims with outmost compassion and professionalism, “no matter what”.

“We expect this kind of service in all our police stations and those officers who fail to meet this instruction must be reported and shown the door,” said Cele.

Empowering officers to improve their services to victims and survivors of GBV was also important, he said.

However, some of these crimes can be prevented through police visibility in areas of leisure, since the National Crime Statistics indicates sexual assaults and attacks most likely occur in the vicinity where alcohol is consumed.

The Police Ministry said it is encouraged by the installation of dedicated GBV desks staffed by officers specifically trained to deal with these complaints and cases. GBV desks are already active at some of the identified Top 30 GBV hot spots across the country.  The goal is to have one GBV desk at each police station.

The first day of the inspection tour saw the police top brass also visit the Malamulele police station, which was last month attacked and robbed by 10 armed suspects.

The gang made off with high calibre weapons and shotguns, as well as ammunition.

The Minister said it was unacceptable that those responsible were still at large.

“I’m calling on the police to step up their investigations into this robbery and find the stolen weapons before they are used to commit more crime. I have instructed the National and Provincial Commissioners to provide me with daily reports on the progress of the investigation.

“No one can afford to drag their feet on this case. Police must move with speed and make arrests soon,” he said.

The second instalment of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour will take place in Mpumalanga on Tuesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed grave disappointment at rich countries who have hoarded the much-needed COVID-19 vaccines.

“The greed that they demonstrated is something that is quite disappointing indeed, particularly when they say they are our partners. The lives of people in Africa are just as important as the lives in Europe, in North America, and all over the world,” he said.

The President was speaking during the seventh session of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in the Senegalese capital on Monday.

He said the most critical aspect at this time, is the ongoing negotiations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a temporary waiver of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Whilst this is being negotiated, this is where you really see the interests of the more developed economies, the rich countries, through their refusal to accede to this proposal to waive the TRIPS requirement. This is the type of vaccine apartheid we say must come to an end, because the health of people around the world is at stake,” he said.

The President emphasised that for Africa to meet the challenge presented by new variants, “we cannot wait around for vaccines to be allocated to us as we were forced to in the past.”

He has called on sister African countries to support the proposal.

This as African nations are faced with the task to drive a recovery that is sustainable, inclusive and that leaves no one and no country behind.

“Manufacturing our own vaccines isn’t just a safe and fast way to get access to the lifesaving medication to protect our people. It is also a critical component of economic recovery.”

The manufacturing of vaccines on the continent will further support the growth of African pharmaceutical manufacturing, create jobs, result in critical skills and knowledge transfer, and develop new African industries and businesses.

However, the President said that they are optimistic that the partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing launched earlier this year, will help in achieving the goal of increasing vaccine manufacturing to more than 60% by 2040.

“It is in this regard that we have already identified a number of countries that have the capability and all it takes from a manufacturing point of view to be able to be manufacturers of vaccines, and South Africa and Senegal are among the countries with that capability and must be allowed to do so,” he said.

Travel bans

Addressing travel bans imposed on South Africa has been the President’s priority during his four-nation visit to West Africa. He has spoken out against Western countries that have imposed travel bans on South Africa.

He said that when South African scientists discovered Omicron, they immediately took on the responsibility of informing the entire world. However Western countries responded by imposing the ban.

“They basically say we will not allow you to travel. However, this new variant continues to spread across the globe, beyond Southern Africa, including in their own countries,” he said.

The President questioned the science behind the bans against South Africa and other southern African countries.

“We say those bans must be removed with immediate effect, so that our people can travel all around the world,” he said.

The President’s Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sall, echoed the same sentiment saying that the Omicron variant is all over the world.

“Isolating a country which has isolated the virus is counter-productive because it is a way to call others not to publish, so we need to work in solidarity with responding,” said President Sall.

South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased by 1.5% in the third quarter of 2021, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) said on Tuesday.

During this period, the trade, catering and accommodation industry decreased by 5.5%, contributing -0.7 of a percentage point to GDP growth.

The statistics agency said decreased economic activities were reported for wholesale, retail and motor trade, and catering and accommodation services.

Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said between July and September, the manufacturing industry decreased by 4.2% in the third quarter, contributing -0.5 of a percentage point to GDP growth.

“Eight of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates in the third quarter. The motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division made the largest contribution to the decrease in the third quarter.

“The food and beverages division and basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division also made noteworthy contributions to the contraction. The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry decreased by 13.6% and contributed -0.4 of a percentage point to GDP growth,” he said.

The Statistician-General said the decrease was mainly due to decreased production of field crops and animal products.

“The transport, storage and communication industry decreased by 2.2%, contributing -0.2 of a percentage point. Decreased economic activity was reported for land transport and air transport. Unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the first nine months of 2021 increased by 5.8% compared with the first nine months of 2020.”

Expenditure on real GDP during this period decreased by 1.6%.

Household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) decreased by 24% in the third quarter, contributing -1.6 percentage points to total growth.

Stats SA said the largest decreases were reported for expenditures on durable and non-durable goods. The main negative contributors to growth in HFCE were expenditures on transport (-4.1% and contributing -0.6 of a percentage point), furnishings (-9.9% and contributing -0.6 of a percentage point), recreation (-70% and contributing -0.5 of a percentage point), food (-1.8% and contributing -0.3 of a percentage point) and restaurants (-6.1% and contributing -0.2 of a percentage point).

The agency said expenditure on health, the ‘other’ category and education contributed positively to growth in HFCE.

Spending on life insurance services was the main contributor to the increase in the ‘other’ category in the third quarter. Final consumption expenditure by general government increased by 0.1% in the third quarter.

Maluleke said an increase in compensation of employees was reported in the third quarter. “Total gross fixed capital formation was flat between the second and third quarters. The asset types that recorded positive growth were other assets (8.8% and contributing 1.0 percentage point), machinery and equipment4 (1.8% and contributing 0.7 of a percentage point) and residential buildings (1.5% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point).”

He said there was a R915 million drawdown of inventories in the third quarter of 2021, saying there were large decreases in manufacturing and trades, which contributed to the inventory drawdowns experienced in the quarter.

During this period, net exports contributed positively to growth in expenditure.

“Exports of goods and services decreased by 5.9%, largely influenced by decreased trade in vehicles and other transport equipment; chemical products; machinery and equipment; pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals; and textiles and textile articles.

“Imports of goods and services decreased by 2.8%, driven largely by decreases in mineral products; base metals and articles of base metals; and prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco,”  said Stats SA.

The South African Post Office (SAPO) says Christmas mail leaving the country will be delayed due to the international travel restrictions.

Travel restrictions were imposed on South Africa after the detection of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

In a statement on Wednesday, the SAPO said cargo space on aeroplanes is limited due to the cancellation of some international flights. The Post Office estimates that mail leaving South Africa may be delayed by up to 14 days.

“Only surface mail is currently available to the United States of America. The post office expects that the airmail option will again become available in January.

“Mail to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini and Mozambique is not affected at this time. Items posted from South Africa by 5 December 2021 to these countries should reach their destination before Christmas,” it said.

The SAPO has advised customers who are sending items to foreign countries to do so as soon as possible.

“Customers should package international items securely as mail is transported in bulk and to include the mobile phone number of the recipient with the address details.”

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has announced the readjustment of the price of both 93 and 95 ULP and LRP grades.

“The DMRE regrets to announce that the adjustment of the petrol price announced on Monday, 29 November was erroneous,” said the department on Wednesday.

On Monday, the department announced that the price of petrol (both 93 and 95) will go up by 81c per litre taking the price to R20.35 a litre in Gauteng as of Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the department announced that the price of petrol has risen by 75 cents a litre instead. This means that a litre of 95 ULP in Gauteng, which currently costs to R20.35 will now cost R20.29.

“The 6 cents difference is due to the fact that the adjustment of wages for service station workers had already been implemented in September 2021.  Although it is for the very first time that such an error has occurred in the history of basic fuel price determination in South Africa, the DMRE profusely apologises for the inconvenience caused. The rest of the fuel prices are correct,” said the department.

It added that the reasons for the fuel price adjustments remain as communicated.

The price of diesel 0.05% increased by 72c and diesel 0.005% sulphur will increase by 75c per litre.

“The main reasons for the fuel price adjustments are due to…[t]he contribution of the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate. The Rand depreciated, on average, against the US Dollar during the period under review when compared to the previous one.

“The increase in the prices crude oil…[t]he average Brent Crude oil price increased from 82.50USD to 83.00USD per barrel during the period under review. The key driver is the higher global demand recovery amid a weaker supply response from non-OPEC and other oil producers,” the department said in a statement.

The department said other factors contributing to the increase include petroleum products prices around the world, the adjustments in the Regulatory Accounting System Industry Margins and the implementation of the Slate Levy.

Meanwhile, the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin has increased by 42c per litre, while the maximum retail price for illuminating paraffin has increased by 56c per litre.

The retail price for gas also increased by R1.83 per kilogram.

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has encouraged South Africans to engage in safe sexual practices by using SABS certified condoms.

This plea comes  as the world observes World Aids Day, on 1 December, which serves as a reminder to everyone that HIV/AIDS is still prevalent and precautions are necessary.

According to Statistics South Africa, the total number of people living with HIV in 2021 was approximately 8.2 million.

“At the SABS, we take all matters of public health and consumer safety very seriously. While the world is focussing on fighting COVID-19, we also want to remind South Africans that the HIV pandemic also requires sustained attention and that all citizens should continue to use condoms and practice safe sex,” said SABS Lead Administrator Jodi Scholtz.

Scholtz said the SABS has a dedicated condom testing facility that ensures that all batches of condoms are tested in strict laboratory conditions, in accordance to stringent criteria and that consumers can rest assured that all SABS approved products are safe to use.

Should the SABS experience any sample failure, the entire batch of condoms will be disqualified to ensure that no defective products will enter the market.

The testing and certification of condoms, in South Africa, is mandatory. The SABS is the appointed certification body for the National Department of Health and National Treasury is contracted to conduct the testing and certification of all public health condoms.

The ‘SABS Approved’ mark appears on all government issued condoms, which are branded as MAX condoms.  MAX condoms are available free to all South Africans at various distribution points.

Additional safety precautions by the user include a visual inspection to ensure that individual packets are not leaking, torn or broken, been exposed to extreme heat or expired.

Condoms help in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

The SABS also certifies and tests other brands of condoms according to the criteria contained in SANS/ISO 4074: requirements for natural rubber latex condoms. MAX condoms are tested to SANS/ISO 4074 as well as additional criteria set by the National Department of Health and at a higher testing frequency, thus ensuring a superior quality.

The number of unemployed South Africans rose by 0.5% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2021, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke has announced.

The rise saw the country’s unemployment reach 34.9%.

Releasing the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the last quarter, Maluleke said during this period the number of employed persons decreased by 660 000.

Between July and September, 14.3 million people were in employment.

He said: “The number of unemployed persons decreased by 183 000 to 7.6 million compared to the second quarter of 2021. The number of discouraged work seekers increased by 545 000 (16.4%).”

The number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement increased by 443 000 (3.3%) between the two quarters resulting in a net increase of 988 000 in the not economically active population, the QLFS shows.

Maluleke said the changes resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0.5 of a percentage point from 34.4% in the second quarter of 2021 to 34.9% in the third quarter of 2021.

This was the highest since the start of the QLFS in 2008.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said the unemployment rate, according to the expanded definition of unemployment, increased by 2.2 percentage points to 46.6% in Q3, 2021, compared to Q2, 2021.

The statistics agency said the results indicate that the South African labour market was more favourable to men than it was to women.

“The proportion of men in employment is higher than that of women; more men than women are participating in the labour market as the labour force participation rate of men is higher than that of women; and the unemployment rate among men is lower than among women.

“The unemployment rate among women was 37.3% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 32.9% among men according to the official definition of unemployment. The official unemployment rate among black African women was 41.5% during this period compared to 9.9% among white women, 25.2% among Indian/ Asian women and 29.1 among coloured women.”

Stats SA said employment decreased by 571 000 (5.6%) in the formal sector, by 65 000 (5.4%) in private households and by 32 000 (3.8%) in Agriculture in Q3, 2021, compared to Q2, 2021. Informal sector employment increased by 9 000 (0.3%) in the same period.

Maluleke said all industries experienced job losses between the last two quarters of 2021 except the finance industry which gained 138 000 jobs. The largest employment decrease was observed in Trade (309 000), followed by community and social services (210 000).

President Cyril Ramaphosa has slammed travel bans imposed on South Africa as countries around the world continue to react with apprehension to the emergence and reporting of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

He was speaking during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), hosted by the Republic of Senegal on Monday.

President Ramaphosa said the imposition of travel restrictions on developing countries like South Africa further hinders those countries’ ability to recover from the economic devastation that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing.

He highlighted that China had demonstrated solidarity with the African continent in this regard.

“We need to resist unjustified and unscientific travel restrictions that only serve to further disadvantage developing economies. We wish to thank the People’s Republic of China for its unwavering support to Africa since the onset of the pandemic. We are confident we can continue to count on China’s support in the continental vaccine acquisition drive and in support for our proposal to the WTO,” he said.

The President also reiterated his call for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to finalise deliberations on the waiver on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

“Our immediate and most pressing priority is to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing economies, including those in Africa, need to be able to access and manufacture their own vaccines. We need to finalise deliberations at the WTO on the temporary TRIPS waiver to make COVID-19 vaccines and treatments available to all,” he said.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that humanity is reaching a point where it must show solidarity and warned that failure to do so threatens to increase the chasm between richer and poorer countries.

“At this moment in humankind’s history, we must demonstrate our determination to leave no country behind. COVID-19 has forced us to confront global inequality. We have been galvanised into action against a world order where a country’s wealth is the difference between sickness and health, between life and death.

“Unless every country is able to meet its national aspirations, the gulf between developed and developing economies will only widen,” the President said.

Sino-African relations

On relations between Africa and China, President Ramaphosa said the formation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has generated considerable gains for both the continent and the Asian country.

“We have expanded trade and investment and cooperated in a number of fields on an equal basis with great respect for one another from Higher education and training to agriculture, from medical care to transportation.

“FOCAC has been a valuable platform for dialogue in our collective quest to bring about a more equitable international order and for amplifying Africa’s voice on the world stage,” he said.

The President said, however, that the trade deficit between Africa and China needs to be reduced – with more African products reaching Chinese shores and increased investments into Africa.

“Over the next three years we will be implementing the Dakar Action Plan. This will require that we recalibrate the Sino-Africa relationship with a greater emphasis on promoting sustainable development for the benefit of all.

“We call on China to increase infrastructure investment in Africa, especially in key sectors such as port, rail, energy and water, and to continue to support human capital development and technology transfer,” President Ramaphosa said.

He praised FOCAC as a “beacon of hope”.

“For us to fully reap its benefits, FOCAC must be strengthened and enhanced. The war on poverty, inequality and underdevelopment must define the next phase of the FOCAC partnership. This partnership must be used as an instrument for economic cooperation and development, in pursuit of the common prosperity we all seek”.