September 30, 2021 – Page 8

September 30, 2021October 1, 2021

Minister Senzo Mchunu visits Gauteng on water related matters, 5 to 7 Oct

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon Senzo Mchunu will from 05-07 October 2021 be embarking on his maiden visit to the Gauteng Province since taking the reigns as portfolio Minister.

The visit will entail discussions on matters of governance, implementation, service delivery and finance towards the provision of quality water and decent sanitation. The Minister will interact with the Provincial DWS Water and Sanitation management on challenges related to water and sanitation delivery in Gauteng.

Minister Mchunu supported by Deputy Ministers Mahlobo and Magadzi will spend three days in the province, where he will meet with Department of Water and Sanitation Gauteng management, Rand Water, Premier and Provincial Executives of Gauteng, and Metro Municipality Executive Mayors among others.

The programme will be inclusive of a site visit to a water treatment plant, as well as to the Vaal Project Pump station in Sebokeng on Thursday, 07 October 2021.

Media will be afforded a doorstop opportunity on Tuesday, 05 October 2021 at Gallagher Estate between 13:00 and 14:00, as well as during the site visit on Thursday 07th October.

For RSVP and transportation arrangements please contact Mr Khulekani Ngcobo at 082 723 6030.

For more information, contact Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 082 874 2942 / rataus@dws.gov.za(link sends e-mail) or Kamogelo Mogotsi, Spokesperson to Minister Mchunu on 076 523 0085 / mogotsik@dws.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa

September 30, 2021October 1, 2021

Government Communication and Information System initiates action on SIU Digital Vibe report

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) confirms that a Special Investigating Unit has made a finding against a GCIS staff member in the Digital Vibes matter. GCIS has set in motion a process to deal with the SIU findings.
This process will determine which cause of action will be taken against the official concerned. The process is guided by the Guide on Disciplinary and Incapacity Matters of the Department of Public Service and Administration.
GCIS will provide updates to the SIU and the department of Health who referred this matter to GCIS.

Source: Government of South Africa

September 30, 2021October 1, 2021

WHO: Most of Africa Has Missed 10 Percent COVID-19 Vaccination Goal

Fifteen African countries have succeeded in fully vaccinating at least 10 percent of their populations against COVID-19 by September 30, a goal set by the World Health Organization in May. However, that leaves two-thirds of the continent’s 54 nations extremely vulnerable to the deadly disease.
Several countries have performed extremely well. Seychelles and Mauritius have fully vaccinated more than 60 percent of their populations and Morocco has inoculated 48 percent against the coronavirus.
Richard Mihigo is coordinator of the Vaccine-preventable Diseases Department in the WHO’s regional office for Africa. He said those countries were able to achieve and even excede the 10 percent target because they had a steady vaccine supply available.
He said most had the money to strike bilateral deals to procure vaccine in addition to the supplies delivered through the COVAX facility.
“Unfortunately, 70 percent of African countries have missed this important milestone to protect their most vulnerable, with half of the 52 countries with COVID-19 vaccination programs in Africa having inoculated less than two percent of their populations,” said Mihigo.
That compares to an inoculation rate of 50 percent or higher in wealthier countries.
The WHO reports monthly vaccine deliveries to Africa have increased 10-fold since June. However, it notes more than double that amount is needed to reach the 40 percent immunization target of Africa’s 1.3 billion people by the end of the year.
Mihigo said COVAX is identifying countries that do not have the means to procure vaccines and put them in the front of the line to get enough doses to cover their most at-risk populations. However, he said pledges of doses by wealthier countries need to materialize soon.
“Starting next week, we are sending multi-disciplinary teams of international experts to countries that are struggling to scale up their operations so that we can drill down and identify the bottlenecks so that the local authorities and their partners can remedy them as they continue to rollout the vaccines,” said Mihigo.
On a more positive note, the World Health Organization says COVID-19 infections in Africa dropped by 35 percent to just over 74,000 last week, with more than 1,700 deaths reported in 34 countries.
Despite the declining numbers, the WHO warns people must remain vigilant and continue to adhere to proven public health measures to save lives. Those include the wearing of masks, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.

Source: Voice of America

September 30, 2021October 1, 2021

Delayed Elections Are Underway in Ethiopia

Delayed elections are underway Thursday in four regions of Ethiopia.
Voters in three regions will decide who wins dozens of parliamentary seats in the last round of voting before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed forms a new government on Oct. 4.
Voters in the fourth region will decide whether to establish their own regional state.
The parliamentary elections are being held in the Somali region, the eastern city of Harar, and in the southwestern Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR).
Voters in SNNPR are also deciding whether or not to form a regional state.
The elections were delayed by a variety of voter registration irregularities, legal disputes, and security issues.
Abiy is facing mounting global pressure over the war in the northern region of Tigray. Conflict erupted in November 2020 between federal and allied regional forces and forces backed by the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front.
Ethiopia’s parliament consists of 547 seats, 47 of which are being contested. Abiy’s party previously won 410 of the 436 parliamentary seats that were contested in the June election. It is uncertain when elections for the remaining seats, some of which are in Tigray, will take place.
The TPLF regained control of Tigray in June after months of fighting. The United Nations has said parts of Tigray are experiencing famine because of the war.

Source: Voice of America

September 30, 2021October 1, 2021

South Africa’s Coal Energy Sector Under Mounting Pressure

Coal provides more than 75% of South Africa’s energy supply, but in the wake of global warming, pressure is mounting for that to change. Protests were seen across the country last week and now a proposed Chinese-backed coal power plant may be scrapped.
It’s what keeps the lights on and industries running.
But South Africa’s coal energy sector is facing mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its use of coal for good.
Frustrated with regular blackouts and the effects of pollution, citizens of the mineral-rich country rallied last week, demanding cleaner, more reliable and affordable alternatives.
Urika Pais was among the protesters from Soweto.
“Electricity has always been a problem in our community. So, community members went forward and they fought for electricity. But when the electricity came, it came at a very high price. We know that solar power is a better solution and it will be cheaper,” said Pais.
South Africa is among the world’s top 15 largest emitters of carbon dioxide. Its reliance on coal stems from having vast quantities of the resource underground.
This week, though, South Africa’s government told the United Nations it is setting more ambitious climate targets.
While environmentalists welcomed the commitment, they say change to the energy sector is not happening fast enough.
Nicole Loser is an attorney with the Centre for Environmental Rights.
“We have to drastically reduce our emissions and reduce our reliance on coal by about 80% within the next 10 years, less than 10 years. We aren’t seeing those changes happening fast enough. We also know that we need to essentially double our renewable energy build our plants — that also is not happening,” said Loser.
As the rest of the world races to tackle climate change, analysts say pressure from business and foreign governments can force a faster green transition in South Africa.
Chris Yelland is an energy analyst with EE Business Intelligence.
“If we do not reduce our dependence on coal, we will be punished by our trading partners who will set up cross-border tariff. And ultimately, South Africa relies on trade with the rest of the world,” he said.
China announced last week that it would no longer fund foreign coal projects. That means a Chinese-backed coal project slated to power a new industrial complex in South Africa’s northern province of Limpopo may not materialize.

Analysts like Chris Yelland say China’s decision will have long-term ramifications.
“China was seen to be perhaps the last outpost of finance that could be available for new coal. And there is nobody else to pick up this ball to finance this new coal-fired power. So, I think the days of new coal in South Africa are over,” he said.
The prospect of canceling coal is a major victory for protesters who want to see South Africa embrace renewables on a larger scale.

Source: Voice of America