Category: News

Cape Town switches on pioneering gas-to-energy plant, powering over 4 000 households

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Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City’s new gas-to-energy plant will generate enough electricity to power 4 300 households by converting landfill gas to power at the Coastal Park Landfill.

The Mayor powered-up the new electricity generation plant on Wednesday, 12 November together with Mayoral Committee Members for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg, and for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.

The City has invested R93 million in the Coastal Park Landfill gas-to-energy plant to date, and will invest a further R82m to expand this infrastructure at more landfill sites over the next three years.

These initiatives are set to pay for themselves in time thanks to reduced bulk electricity purchases from Eskom and the sale of carbon credits. A total of R36 m in carbon credits has already been generated by reducing gas emissions at City landfill sites.
 
‘It was exciting to power-up our landfill gas-to-power plant at Coastal Park Landfill today. We are just getting started with these win-win projects, which produce electricity, reduce emissions, and generate carbon credit revenue to pump back into infrastructure and waste management. In this way, Capetonians are getting plenty of public value from these gas-to-power operations, which we will keep expanding over the coming years at other landfills,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.


To convert landfill gas into electricity, the City has dug perforated pipes or 'wells' into landfill sites to extract methane gas. The gas is then channelled as fuel to produce electricity, also reducing methane emissions.
 
‘At Coastal Park Landfill, the City’s waste-to-energy project will generate 1,3 million kWh a month. Of this, 1,2 million kWh will be fed into the Cape Town grid. This is enough power to supply more than 4 000 households. The remaining power will be used to run operations at the landfill facility, generating further savings and efficiency for ratepayers,’ said Alderman Twigg.

Over 80 unroadworthy vehicles removed in Gauteng wide crackdown

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The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, through its enforcement unit, the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), has taken 84 unroadworthy vehicles off the road during intensified stop-and-search operations conducted between 3 and 9 November 2025.

The high-impact operations form part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s comprehensive road safety strategy aimed at tackling lawlessness, enhancing compliance with traffic regulations, and safeguarding the lives of road users across the province.

According to the department, the discontinued vehicles were found to be in serious violation of road safety standards, with many failing critical roadworthiness tests due to faulty brakes, worn-out tyres, and defective lighting systems.

The GTI’s swift action prevented these hazardous vehicles from continuing to operate on public roads, reducing the risk of crashes linked to mechanical defects.

In addition to the discontinued vehicles, GTI officers uncovered widespread levels of non-compliance among public transport operators.

Key offences recorded during the week-long blitz included:
•    54 minibuses operating without valid licence discs,
•    40 minibuses discontinued for mechanical and safety defects, and
•    72 drivers operating without valid driving licences.

A total of 1 539 infringement notices were also issued for various traffic and transport-related offences. Of these, 557 were handwritten and 982 were processed electronically using GTI’s e-Force enforcement gadgets, a demonstration of the department’s commitment to leveraging technology in promoting compliance and accountability.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, commended the GTI for its consistent and proactive enforcement approach, reaffirming the department’s zero-tolerance stance on non-compliance.

“The discontinuation of unroadworthy vehicles is a necessary step to protect lives on our roads. Public transport operators must understand that non-compliance will not be tolerated. We remain resolute in our mission to create safer roads and restore order within the public transport sector,” Diale-Tlabela said.

The GTI, comprising 96 highly trained officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), continues to roll out targeted enforcement operations across Gauteng to identify and remove unroadworthy vehicles, apprehend illegal operators, and ensure adherence to road safety standards.

Maintenance work underway on R24
Meanwhile, the Department of Roads and Transport has urged motorists to exercise caution along the R24, where milling and resurfacing work is currently underway.

The project is expected to be completed by Sunday, 16 November 2025.

“Motorists are urged to exercise caution, plan for possible delays, and use alternative routes where feasible.”

World Diabetes Day 2025 Focuses on Well-Being and Support in the Workplace

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World Diabetes Day will be observed on Friday, 14 November, with the global theme “Diabetes and Well-being,” focusing this year on “Diabetes in the Workplace.”

The aim is to remind people that diabetes is not only about controlling blood sugar levels but also about overall quality of life, including mental, emotional and social health. For millions of people living with diabetes, managing the condition while maintaining a job can be a daily challenge.

The International Diabetes Federation says that nearly seven out of ten people with diabetes are of working age, and many face stigma, stress and a lack of understanding from employers or colleagues.

This year’s campaign calls for more supportive and flexible workplaces, greater awareness and a stronger focus on well-being.

The World Health Organization warns that in Africa, the number of adults living with diabetes could double by 2050 if current trends continue. Early detection and consistent care remain vital, especially in low-resource settings. In South Africa, the disease continues to rise as urban lifestyles, poor diets and low physical activity levels contribute to higher risk.

Health services across the country are encouraging people to know their numbers, take part in screenings and adopt healthier habits.

Individuals are urged to understand their personal risk factors such as family history, weight, diet and activity level. Those already living with diabetes should stay engaged in their treatment and pay attention to mental well-being, as stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand with the condition.

Employers can make a difference by offering healthier food options, flexible schedules and a culture of understanding rather than stigma. Employees should feel comfortable disclosing their condition if they choose to, and asking for reasonable support when necessary.

Local clinics and organisations are expected to highlight the importance of early detection and long-term management during this week’s awareness drives. Whether in offices, hospitality venues or agricultural workplaces, small efforts to support healthier living can have a lasting impact. Communities are also encouraged to participate in local health days, get tested and share information that helps others understand diabetes better.

World Diabetes Day 2025 serves as a reminder that managing diabetes is not just a medical issue but a human one. By working together – individuals, employers, families and communities – we can help reduce the burden of diabetes and ensure that people living with it can lead not only longer lives, but healthier and happier ones.

Western Cape Unemployment Drops to 19.7% – Lowest in South Africa

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Premier Alan Winde and provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, have welcomed the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey figures showing that the Western Cape’s unemployment rate has dropped to 19.7% in the third quarter of 2025.

This marks a decline from 21.1% in the previous quarter and keeps the province’s unemployment rate the lowest in South Africa.

According to Statistics South Africa, the Western Cape added 65 000 jobs year-on-year and created 70 000 jobs quarter-on-quarter — the highest number of new jobs in the country for Q3 2025.

Premier Winde said the improvement reflects the success of the province’s partnership with the private sector. “This is the result of the hard work this government undertakes in partnership with businesses and companies in the Western Cape, building confidence and trust in pursuit of our apex priority of economic growth and job creation,” he stated.

He added that the results come shortly after the Western Cape Investment Summit, held from 5 to 7 November, where six major investment declarations worth R50 billion were made. These projects are expected to create an estimated 45 000 jobs over the next few years.

Minister Meyer said the figures are a positive step toward the province’s target of creating 600 000 new jobs by 2035, as outlined in the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy.

Premier Winde emphasised that the province will continue working to attract investment and boost growth in key sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, agribusiness, and services to ensure job creation reaches every part of the Western Cape.

Interim measures introduced for municipal Eskom debt

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Despite the introduction of the municipal Eskom debt relief programme in 2023, municipalities are still battling to address ballooning debt to the power utility.

According to the department’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), the debt has grown to some R94 billion as of the end of March this year - up from some R55 billion.

“While 24 municipalities have qualified for the first one-third write-off after 12 consecutive months of payments and 21 have generally maintained payments, as of 7 May 2025, 47 municipalities remain in default. 

“This is the combined result of weak collections, excessive electricity and water losses due primarily to a lack of maintenance, and inadequate credit control. Measures are being taken to assist municipalities in raising revenue, including expanding smart prepaid metering,” Treasury said.

As an interim measure, struggling municipalities will “transition, where appropriate, to distribution agency agreements (DAAs)”.

“Under these agreements, Eskom will operate municipal electricity services for a defined period, support cost-reflective tariff setting and loss reduction, and assist with collections. 

“During this period, municipalities will be required to select the most appropriate service delivery mechanism, phase in cost-reflective tariffs and limit rebates,” the department said.

Municipalities are urged to direct funding from grants like the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to rehabilitating existing water and electricity infrastructure, which are conduits for revenue generation.

“Additional conditions include strict adherence to pro-poor policies to ensure that local governments are providing the required amounts, doing so within national limits and ring-fencing electricity revenues.

“The DAA pathway is intended to stabilise cash flows, improve payment discipline and create a bridge to longer-term structural reforms in the local government fiscal framework.

“The interim measure does not rule out stronger interventions where failures persist,” National Treasury said.

Municipal Infrastructure Grant

At the same time, National Treasury has announced reforms to the Municipal Infrastructure Grant in a bid to cut out underspending, misuse of funds and capacity constraints.

The reforms include a split delivery model aimed at assisting municipalities to accelerate service delivery infrastructure delivery.

“Where municipalities demonstrate proven capacity, funding will continue to be allocated directly.

However, in cases of persistent capacity and governance failures, delivery will shift to an indirect model through institutions such as the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent and the DBSA [Development Bank of South Africa]. 

“This will be accompanied by time-bound capability plans aimed at restoring municipalities to direct funding. The shift to a split-delivery model balances the urgent need to accelerate service delivery with building resilient, capable local government that can sustainably meet the infrastructure needs of their communities,” Treasury noted.

Added to that, a performance-linked incentive is also being introduced to “reward municipalities that deliver fit for purpose infrastructure on time and budget, at reasonable cost, with funded maintenance plans and climate-resilience measures”.

“The reform will be supported by clearer criteria for determining funding modalities, stronger oversight through annual delivery compacts and embedded technical support to build municipal planning, procurement and asset management capability.

“The necessary conditional grant framework amendments will be tabled in the 2026 Division of Revenue Bill, with pilot implementation commencing in 2026/27,” the department added.

Furthermore, a municipal utility reform programme will also be piloted at the Mbombela, Govan Mbeki, Lekwa and eMalahleni municipalities later this year.

“The National Treasury, working with the African Development Bank [AfDB] and donor partners, is implementing a pilot Municipal Utility Reform Programme, under a results-based AfDB concessional loan of up to US$400 million.

“It aims to stabilise and professionalise core municipal utilities [water and electricity] by reducing losses, introducing cost-reflective tariffs with protections for poor households, ringfencing revenues, improving asset care, and enhancing governance and reporting,” Treasury said.

Lessons drawn from the pilot will be used to expand the programme to “municipalities in other provinces facing severe delivery challenges”.

“The scale-up will align with conditional grant reforms and, where appropriate, will disburse grants linked to independently verified milestones to safeguard delivery and fiscal sustainability,” Treasury said.

Government revises inflation target to 3%

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In a landmark moment for South Africa’s monetary policy agenda, government has decided to reduce South Africa’s inflation target to 3%, with a 1 percentage point tolerance band.

This will reduce the cost of living and borrowing costs for households, businesses and government, supporting higher long-term economic growth and job creation. 

Presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) at a sitting of the National Assembly at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, Minister Enoch Godongwana said the 1 percentage point band provides flexibility to accommodate any unexpected inflationary shocks.

“This decision follows agreement between the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and my consultations with the President and Cabinet. This new target immediately replaces the previous target range of between 3% and 6% and will be implemented over the next two years,” Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday.

This is in line with South Africa’s approach to inflation targeting, which has always been a flexible one, looking beyond short-run deviations in inflation. 

“The Reserve Bank will pursue the target on a continuous basis and clearly communicate any deviations from the target. Over time, the lower target will decrease inflation expectations and inflation, creating room for lower interest rates.

“The short-term fiscal costs of a lower target, which include lower nominal Gross Domestic Product and revenue growth, will make achieving fiscal targets more challenging. 

“Yet the long-term benefits of taking this step far outweigh these costs. We remain committed to ensuring that our macroeconomic policies serve the best interests of all South Africans,” the Minister said.

A lower target aligns the country with international best practice and makes the cost of borrowing cheaper by reducing the inflation risk premium that investors demand to lend to South Africa.

The Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Reserve Bank will closely coordinate policy settings to maximise the economic benefits of the new target and enhance fiscal and monetary policy alignment.

Minister Godongwana to deliver Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)

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The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, will deliver the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) at a sitting of the National Assembly at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, today, Wednesday, 12 November 2025.

The MTBPS plays a critical role in the overall budget process, as it sets out the policy framework for the budget that is presented every February.

“It also provides the country and its elected representatives with an update on the National Treasury’s economic forecasts, adjusts the budgets of government departments, and makes emergency changes to spending,” Parliament said.

At the sitting, the Minister is also scheduled to table the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill, the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, and the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill.

The MTBPS makes it possible for Parliament and the public to interact with the government's budget through committee oversight over government departments, when committees review the effective and efficient use of available resources.

The process is known as the Budget Review and Recommendations Reports, which must be tabled in the National Assembly before the MTBPS reports are adopted. 

The address will be broadcast on various television channels and live streaming platforms at 2pm.

Western Cape tourism, wine industries shine on the global stage

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The Western Cape Government has congratulated the province’s remarkable achievers who have made the province proud in the global tourism and wine industries. 

The provincial government said the achievers’ recent awards at the 2025 World Travel Awards and other esteemed platforms have not only brought international recognition to the region, but have also reaffirmed the Western Cape’s position as a world-class destination for responsible tourism and wine excellence.

The Township and Village (T&V) initiative in Stellenbosch was awarded silver in the Peace, Understanding and Inclusion category. 

Launched in 2018 with the support of the Stellenbosch Municipality, T&V has welcomed over 2 500 visitors and empowered more than 40 local tourism providers, including guides, artisans, and home-based entrepreneurs. 

The initiative has been widely praised for promoting dignity, inclusivity, and economic opportunity in historically marginalised communities.

T&V was one of 15 participants in the Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Partnership pilot project, funded by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) earlier this year.

According to the provincial government, Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre received gold in the “Increasing Local Sourcing and Creating Shared Value” category. 

“This cultural and educational hub honours the heritage of the San people while advancing rural development through ethical sourcing and immersive visitor experiences,” the statement read. 

In 2024 alone, the centre supported 44 local producers and created 4 500 employment days – demonstrating the transformative power of tourism in preserving cultural knowledge and uplifting communities. 

The department said it was proud to be associated with the centre which is a former recipient of the Tourism Growth Fund.

Meanwhile, four Western Cape wine estates have been recognised on the extended World’s 50 Best Vineyards list for 2025, showcasing the region’s excellence in wine tourism. 

These include Tokara Wine and Olive Estate in Stellenbosch, Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek Valley and Hamilton Russell Vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde. 

“These esteemed estates offer visitors world-class experiences that blend breathtaking landscapes, exceptional wines, and warm hospitality, further cementing the Western Cape’s reputation as a premier wine tourism destination.” 

Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, expressed his pride in the province’s achievements.

“These accolades underscore the Western Cape’s unwavering commitment to excellence in tourism and wine. They reflect the innovation, resilience, and dedication of our local communities and businesses. We remain committed to driving sustainable growth and inclusivity across the province,” said the MEC.

The Western Cape Government has conveyed its sincere congratulations to all the winners and said it looks forward to continued success in establishing the province as a global leader in responsible wine tourism.

SA Unemployment Drops to 31,9% in Third Quarter of 2025

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South Africa’s official unemployment rate fell to 31,9% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey.

The QLFS shows that employment grew by 248 000, bringing the total number of employed persons to 17,1 million. At the same time, unemployment declined by 360 000 to 8 million. Combined, these shifts resulted in a net decrease of 112 000 in the labour force when comparing the second and third quarters of 2025.

However, the expanded unemployment picture remains complex. Discouraged jobseekers rose by 36 000 to 3,5 million, while other available jobseekers increased by 130 000 to 965 000. A further 64 000 people joined the ranks of unavailable jobseekers, now totalling 83 000.

These changes pushed the potential labour force up by 230 000 to 4,5 million. In addition, the broader group classified as "other not economically active" increased slightly by 8 000 to 12,4 million. As a result, South Africa’s total population outside the labour force climbed to 16,9 million.

The decrease in unemployment translated into a 1,3-percentage point drop in the official unemployment rate, down from 33,2% in the previous quarter.

Other labour underutilisation indicators also showed improvement. The LU2 measure — unemployment combined with time-related underemployment — fell by 1,2 percentage points to 34,9%. LU3, which includes unemployment and the potential labour force, dropped by 0,6 percentage points to 42,4%.

The most comprehensive measure, LU4 — incorporating unemployment, time-related underemployment and the potential labour force — stood at 44,9% in the third quarter.

Stats SA says the underutilisation measures give a fuller picture of how different groups remain connected or disconnected from the labour market.


Southern African Large Telescope marks 20 years of breakthroughs

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The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), which is Africa’s largest optical telescope and one of the most powerful in the world, celebrated its 20th anniversary of astronomical achievements and breakthroughs.

According to the National Research Foundation (NRF), this flagship facility for South African and global astronomy was officially inaugurated in 2005 by then-President Thabo Mbeki.

The milestone celebrations on Monday were co-hosted by SALT, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), a national facility of the NRF in Sutherland in the Northern Cape, where SALT operates.

The commemorative celebration brought together dignitaries, prominent astronomers and scientists, and representatives from international partners to reflect on SALT’s scientific impact and enduring legacy.

In his welcome address, Professor Brian Chaboyer, Chair of the SALT Board, stated that the telescope is the first optical telescope built in South Africa. He described this decision as courageous on many levels, given that all previous optical telescopes had been constructed outside the country.

“Motivated by an ambitious Science White Paper from the new government, there was a plan for South Africa to build and operate the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Chaboyer.

Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, said the democratic government’s decision in 1998 to fund SALT’s construction was a defining moment for South African science. 

“SALT was built to serve both science and society, linking frontier research with education, technology and socio-economic development. It showed that big science can drive national progress.”
As South Africa looks ahead, Gina reaffirmed the department’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the country’s global leadership in astronomy. 

“SALT’s 20-year journey is a story of vision, perseverance and excellence. We remain committed to ensuring it continues to shine as a beacon of African science, uniting research, education, and innovation for the benefit of humanity,” said Gina.

SALT is more than a telescope, but a symbol of what is possible when vision, investment, and international cooperation come together in pursuit of knowledge and progress, Gina added.

Human development

Speaking on behalf of the NRF, the Board Chair, Professor Mosa Moshabela, emphasised that the conception of SALT was not only a scientific ambition, but a governance decision of courage. 

“It represented a conviction that South Africa could build and sustain a world-class research facility and, through it, redefine its place in global science,” he said.

The NRF leadership championed that vision and provided the stewardship needed to make SALT a reality, said Moshabela. 

“From conception to construction, and through two decades of operation, the NRF has remained the principal shareholder, funder, and custodian of SALT’s success.”

Moshabela emphasised that every discovery made by SALT involves a person – be it a student, technician, engineer, or scientist – whose development reflects a story of progress.

He added that SALT has served not only as a laboratory for scientific discovery but also as a workshop for human development. 

“Over fifty doctoral theses have been produced using SALT data, and hundreds of students have gained hands-on training at the observatory. Many of them now occupy leading positions in research and technology, locally and abroad,” Moshabela. 

Affectionately known as Africa’s Giant Eye on the Sky, SALT remains the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, capable of detecting light from celestial objects a billion times too faint to be seen with the naked eye. 

Originally conceptualised in the late 1990s as a bold national scientific endeavour, the project became a reality in 1998 when the South African government committed US$10 million towards its construction. 

Completed in 2005, SALT entered full scientific operations in 2011 and has since delivered groundbreaking research that continues to shape our understanding of the universe.
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