Robben Island, once a notorious symbol of apartheid oppression, served as a prison for leaders of South Africa’s liberation movement, isolating them from the growing resistance across the country.
These political prisoners endured harsh conditions, including forced labour in limestone quarries on the island, as part of an effort by the apartheid regime to silence and break their spirit.
South Africa is exploring various new ways of easing the strain on the national grid during periods of high energy demand. It is part of government’s commitment to tap into all available avenues to help get us through our energy crunch.
The right to adequate housing in South Africa is enshrined in our Constitution. The Constitution obliges the state to take reasonable steps to ensure that this basic human right becomes a lived reality.
This right has also been enforced through our courts in the Grootboom case where it specified that priority should be given to those who live in extreme conditions of poverty, homelessness or intolerable housing.
In June last year, our country woke up to the tragic news of the death of twenty people suspected of being illegal miners at an unused mine in Orkney, North West. Their premature death was because of an underground fire. This was not the first time that suspected illegal miners commonly known as ’zama zamas’ died in an abandoned mine.
The auto-manufacturing sector has emerged as one of the sectors that stands to benefit from the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that holds the potential to revitalise the continent.
It is estimated that by 2035 Africa shall require five billion units of vehicles and our continent has the potential to manufacture both the finished products and automotive components.
South Africa has cemented its position as a global player in the auto manufacturing sector with its own home-grown automotive components supplier opening its doors. Last year Batyi Automotive Component Supply (BACS) opened its new facility in Pretoria.
BACS manufactures vehicle components for the Ford Motor Company. The company emerged from an incubation centre that supports black suppliers to be independent and globally competitive. The new facility employs 60 people and there are plans to bring in young trainees to further develop their skill sets.
A suite of interventions under our country’s Energy Action Plan are being diligently implemented by government to turnaround our country’s energy challenge. Despite our best efforts, we do experience temporary setbacks like earlier this month when we experienced Stage 6 loadshedding.
Energy is one of the most precious commodities we possess and therefore it is the duty of all citizens to conserve this resource, especially for those darker days when it is needed the most.
If everyone plays their part by observing energy saving initiatives we can navigate through the cold winter days to come. Ultimately, we want everyone to adopt an energy saving lifestyle.
It encourages South Africans to adopt an energy saving lifestyle and draws all citizens together as part of a common to keep the lights on.
The communications sector has been identified as an important conduit through which people of the continent can have access to information and are empowered to make decisions in Africa’s development.
Our country’s energy sector will soon enter into a new era through the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill that sets out to create a competitive and sustainable electricity sector that meets our nation’s energy needs.
