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Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa speaking during an Eskom power station visit while still Electricity Minister

Separation of energy portfolio and Ramokgopa’s appointment praised amid rising energy-transition complexity

Published: 01 Jul 24

The decision to establish a separate energy portfolio with the African National Congress’s Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as Minister and the Democratic Alliance’s Samantha Graham as Deputy Minister has been welcomed by stakeholders and commentators alike. There are already warnings, however, that the success of the new Electricity and Energy Ministry will be judged not only on ensuring a permanent end to loadshedding but on whether it is able to shepherd South Africa, justly, through the unfolding energy transition in a way that addresses not only the immediate threats to security of supply and affordability but also long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Image of Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina

Majodina named Water and Sanitation Minister

Published: 01 Jul 24

Pemmy Majodina has been appointed Water and Sanitation Minister, replacing Senzo Mchunu, who has been named as Police Minister, as South Africa’s seventh administration is formed. David Mahlobo retains his position as Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, while Isaac Seitlholo replaces Judith Tshabalala, who moved to Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

Image of Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull

Kia South Africa’s new CEO seeks to push market share beyond 5% by 2026

Published: 01 Jul 24

Kia South Africa has appointed Paul Turnbull as its new CEO. Turnbull joins the Korean brand from sibling Hyundai Automotive South Africa. He succeeds Gary Scott, who takes up the position of chief digital officer at Kia’s parent company, Motus Holdings.

Image of Transport Minister Barbara Creecy

Steady hand needed as seventh Transport Minister appointed in 15 years – AA, Outa

Published: 01 Jul 24

Newly appointed Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is the eleventh minister in this portfolio since 1994, which is a cause for concern as continuity within government departments is vital, says the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa. The AA says the need for an improved transport model in South Africa must be high on Creecy’s agenda, as should efforts to improve road safety.

Image of Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi

South Africa gets new Communications Minister

Published: 01 Jul 24

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the Democratic Alliance’s Solly Malatsi as Communications and Digital Technologies Minister as the Government of National Unity’s Cabinet is formed. He becomes the department’s seventeenth Minister since 1994, and its fifth since 2018.

Business welcomes finalisation of Cabinet, highlights focus areas for economic growth

Published: 01 Jul 24

Business organisations have responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a final agreement for a Government of National Unity (GNU) and the new Cabinet, with consensus that an announcement finally being made bodes well for the new administration and provides a platform for it to begin undertaking the necessary work. North-West University Business School economist Professor Raymond Parsons highlights that the announcement is, as a whole, positive for business and investor confidence.

Progress made in reducing water lettuce invasion in Vaal

Published: 01 Jul 24

The volume of the water lettuce and water hyacinth across the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir has reduced markedly over the past few months as removal efforts continue. According to a Rand Water statement, water lettuce and hyacinth coverage shrunk from 395 ha in April to 100 ha currently.

South Africa opposition makes debut in Ramaphosa’s unity Cabinet

Published: 30 Jun 24

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new Cabinet, allocating ministerial posts to opposition politicians while retaining close ally Enoch Godongwana as finance minister. The announcement of the new executive followed more than a week of negotiations that ensued when the African National Congress invited its rivals to join a so-called government of national unity after losing its parliamentary majority in May 29 elections. Nine parties accepted the offer and agreed to back Ramaphosa’s reappointment as president in exchange for being allocated other posts.

Eskom to hit CO2 targets despite coal plant extension, CEO says

Published: 28 Jun 24

South Africa's state power company Eskom will meet its target to reduce carbon emissions by 71-million metric tons a year by the end of the decade, its new CEO said on Friday, despite scrapping plans to retire six coal-fired power stations by then. But CEO Dan Marokane said Eskom's immediate priority was bringing an end to the power blackouts that have devastated the economy of Africa's most industrialised nation over the past few years.

Hudaco’s interim performance hampered by suspended loadshedding

Published: 28 Jun 24

Diversified consumer and engineering products group Hudaco has faced a challenging start to the 2024 financial year, with the reduction in loadshedding negatively impacting on some of its alternative energy businesses, resulting in an overall lacklustre set of interim results. "It's been a rather challenging six months for us, I think for most of South African business. There was reduced loadshedding, but we have an up and down factor in that, when there is loadshedding, we have some businesses that tend to perform well, but when there's no loadshedding, that business kind of falls away,” Hudaco CEO Graham Dunford said at the release of Hudaco’s interim results for the six months ended May 31.