Month: July 2023

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, has undertaken an official visit to Chile from 22 to 25 July 2023.

According to the department, the Deputy Minister will co-chair the Eighth Meeting of the Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) between South Africa and Chile.

“South Africa and Chile enjoy cordial diplomatic relations that were formally normalised in October 1991.

“Bilateral relations between the two countries are underpinned by the values of respect for democracy, human rights and sustainable development,” the department said in a statement.

At the global level, the department said the two countries agree on respect for the rule of international law, multilateralism and South-South cooperation in pursuit of the development agenda of the South.

“Bilateral and multilateral cooperation between South Africa and Chile is conducted within the framework of the JCM, which is co-chaired at the Deputy Ministerial level and meets every second year,” the department explained.

The areas of cooperation between the two countries include astronomy, fisheries and aquaculture; mining; education, science, and innovation; social development; sport, arts and culture; trade and investment and parliamentary relations.

The JCM also provides a platform to exchange notes and facilitate cooperation on regional and multilateral issues.

The Deputy Minister will also have a business networking session with South African and Chilean companies.

On Tuesday, 25 July 2023, Deputy Minister Botes will take part in the launch of the exhibition, the 10th Year Remembrance of Nelson Mandela under the ‘The Legacy Lives on through You’ theme.

The exhibition will take place at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago.

Source: South African Government News Agency

To help South Africa move closer to the goal of universal access to electricity, Eskom Distribution last week launched one of its first microgrid technology at Swartkopdam, about 150km from Upington, in the Northern Cape.

Microgrids, according to Eskom, provide an effective, reliable, and easily deployable solution for electrifying geographically challenging areas that are either difficult to access or require extensive capital expenditure.

“The microgrid technology at Swartkopdam will provide electricity to 39 households who did not have access to electricity before this project.

“The electricity networks around the area are constrained and practically impossible to extend and connect the area,” the power utility explained.

Eskom said the installation of the microgrid in the areas follows the successful installations of two pilot microgrid projects at Lynedoch in the Western Cape and Ficksburg in Free State.

“Swartkopdam was identified by Eskom Distribution as one of the high priority needs of the community and due to its remoteness, which also has critical facilities embedded in the grid.”

Meanwhile, the state-owned entity said the microgrid with battery energy storage capability developed by Eskom Research, Testing, and Development (RT&D) was considered the most suitable solution.

“A feasible conventional solution was to connect Swartkopdam by building a 200km 132kV line from Gordonia substation and establishing Noenieput substation at Noenieput, which was estimated to cost R250 million.”

However, according to the statement, this option was considered extremely expensive and was, therefore, not pursued.

“The deployment of the microgrids at Swartkopdam serves as a proof of concept in installing microgrids in remote areas which are difficult to reach or expensive to electrify through the conventional means of electrification.

“Eskom plans to roll out about 100 microgrids across the country by the end of March 2024 as part of Eskom’s Distribution business strategy,” said Distribution Group Executive, Monde Bala.

Apart from the microgrids being cheaper, they also contribute to reducing carbon emissions because they use renewable energy sources.

“We will continue to close the gap of energy poverty by giving everyone a life-changing experience of having electricity,” added Bala.

Meanwhile, through innovation and collaborative partnerships, Eskom Board Chairman, Mpho Makwana, said the entity can provide clean and reliable electricity to the people of Swartkopdam.

“This project serves as reassurance of Eskom’s commitment to assisting the South African government in achieving its objective of ensuring that every South African has access to electricity,” he said.

In addition to the installation of the microgrid and as part of ploughing back to the Swartkopdam community, Eskom is donating two mobile containers and recreational equipment to the Swartkopdam Primary School.

This is central to Eskom’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, which is designed around touching the lives of South Africans.

“The donation is envisaged to provide a good learning environment for learners and the neighbouring communities.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Minister of Electricity Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will today at 12h00pm conduct a site inspection at the Grootvlei Power Station following the fire that resulted in unit 2 being put out.

Grootvlei Power Station is amongst the oldest power stations and has a capacity of 190MW. The purpose of the inspection is to get a visual observation on the extent of the damage.

Members of the media are invited to join the Minister in the inspection as follows:

Venue: Grootvlei Power Station

Time: 12h30pm

Members of the Media are requested to confirm attendance by sending their details to Kutlwano Huma on 078 133 1482 / 066 079 1365

Source: Government of South Africa

Update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan

The Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will on Sunday, 23 July 2023 brief the media on progress made regarding the implementation of the Energy Action Plan.

Members of the media are invited to attend the proceedings as follows:

Date: Sunday, 23 July 2023

Time: 10:00

Venue: GCIS Auditorium, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria

Live Streaming details:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/GovernmentZA(link is external)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovernmentZA(link is external)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GovernmentZA(link is external)

NB: This briefing will be held every Sunday until further notice.

Enquiries: Nomonde Mnukwa, Acting Government Spokesperson

Cell: 083 653 7485

Source: Government of South Africa

Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima will on Sunday depart Abuja to represent President Bola Tinubu at two major international Summits in Rome, Italy and St Petersburg, Russia.

Mr Olusola Abiola, Director, Information,

Office of the Vice President, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

Abiola stated that at the Rome event, Shettima would join other global leaders for the first Stocktaking Moment (STM) Summit themed “Transforming Food Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity,” holding from Monday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 26.

According to him, during the summit, Shettima would chair a high-level session themed “Innovative Financing for Food System Transformation: the Case of Nigeria”

He added that the side event titled ”Scaling up Multi Stakeholders Collaboration and Investment in the Implementation of Food Systems Transformation Pathways in Nigeria,”

Abiola also said that the event is being organised in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Food Programme (WFP), as well as the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and wider UN system.

“Shettima will then proceed from Rome to St. Petersburg in Russia to represent the President at the Russia-Africa Summit scheduled from Wednesday, July 26 to Saturday, July 29.

” While in Russia, the Vice President will join other political and business leaders at the 2nd Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum focused on strategising to enhance relations between Russia and the African continent, among other benefits.

” Also, Vice President Shettima will participate in bilateral meetings with representatives of relevant Russian senior government officials and business leaders to discuss relations between Russia and Nigeria.” he said.

According to him, Shettima, who will be accompanied by senior government officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, is expected back in the country at the end of the week.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima would unveil two books on leadership and communication in commemoration of the 60th birthday anniversary of Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.

This is contained in a statement released by Bamidele’s Media Office in Abuja on Sunday, indicating that the event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25.

The statement added that the two- term senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District (APC) who personally wrote the books in two volumes would clock 60 on July 29.

According to the statement the books are titled: “Leadership Through Communication” (Volumes 1 & 2).

“This is in his erudite efforts to dissect the social, political and economic events which gave birth to the current Fourth Republic in retrospect to independence era.

“Among other things, the first volume of the book comes in 406 pages and 14 chapters.

“It addresses how to actualise development at grassroots through information and strategy, advocating rights of the poor in the society, ending want in the midst of plenty and maintaining integrity in public office.

“This volume also talks about Lagos Mega City and global economic meltdown, government and media relations in Lagos.

“This is where the Senate Leader cut his teeth in politics under the able tutorship of President Bola Tinubu then as Governor of Lagos.

“It is on record that Bamidele served in various capacities which include two-term commissioner, Special Adviser and Special Assistant in government of Lagos.

“Lagos is proudly regarded as one of the largest economies on the continent and the commercial nerve entre of Nigeria.”

“In a foreword written by Prof. Adeyemi Isumonah of Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan; he said “Bamidele’s book is an overview of major processes of leadership and development with a pointed message for major stakeholders in society”.

The statement further indicates that the second volume of the book highlights issues around Nigeria’s democracy, terrorism and security challenges, the place of law and order.

It also highlights restoring public confidence in the justice system, road to self-awareness for the Nigerian youth and the anti-graft fight of Buhari’s administration are given robust engagements.

The statement added that, “On terrorism, Bamidele recommends that “It is important for the security services to review the existing security architecture that privileges protection for persons with power to the exclusion of the majority of the people.”

It also said that the foreword to the 2nd volume with 305 pages and 10 chapters was written by Nigeria’s foremost playright and pace-setting arts journalist, Ben Tomoluju, who described the book as “… predominantly the testament of a rights crusader.”

According to the statement, the book presentation scheduled to take place at the Yar’adua Center, Abuja is one of the series of events lined up for the birthday anniversary.

It said that Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, the former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos would be Guest Lecturer.

Also, governors of Ekiti and Lagos Biodun Oyebanji and Babajide Sanwo-Olu respectively would co-host the event, while the Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the Chief Host.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria