Tag: South Africa

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis
African Development, Environment, Infrastructure, News, Power, South Africa

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

South Africa's public power utility, Eskom, has announced a delay in the closure of several coal-fired power plants, citing the ongoing electricity crisis as the primary reason. The Eskom board has approved the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei, and Hendrina power stations until 2030, local media outlet Engineering News reported on Monday, May 20. Originally, these power stations were scheduled to be retired between 2023 and 2027. However, South Africa experienced one of its worst electricity crises last year, with daily power cuts lasting up to ten hours. These outages severely impacted the country’s economy, which is Africa's most developed. The decision to keep these plants operational is a direct response to the urgent need to stabilize the national grid. “The electri...
South Africa’s Contentious Healthcare Bill Signed into Law
Elections, Legislature, News, South Africa

South Africa’s Contentious Healthcare Bill Signed into Law

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill into law on Wednesday, sparking both hope and controversy across the nation. The bill, enacted just two weeks before a crucial general election, aims to deliver quality healthcare to all South Africans, regardless of income. However, concerns loom large over its implementation amidst fears of corruption and budget constraints. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), facing the possibility of losing its parliamentary majority for the first time post-apartheid, sees the NHI as a vital step towards equitable healthcare. Currently, 80% of citizens rely on stretched state-run health services, while only 16% have access to private healthcare through medical aid schemes. See Also: One Million Afric...
Death Toll Rises to 33 in George Building Collapse Tragedy, 19 Still Missing
News, Safety, South Africa

Death Toll Rises to 33 in George Building Collapse Tragedy, 19 Still Missing

A week after the devastating building collapse in George, South Africa, the death toll has climbed to 33, with 19 individuals still unaccounted for, marking a somber escalation in the aftermath of the tragedy. Despite tireless rescue efforts, which have mobilized a vast array of resources, including cranes, heavy machinery, and sniffer dogs, no new survivors have been located. The grim reality is further underscored by the identification of only six victims thus far, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams amid the rubble. See Also: Building Collapse Leaves 23 Dead as Week-Long Rescue Efforts Continue Focused efforts are now concentrated on scouring the building's lower levels, as well as the first and second floors, in the hope of locating any remaining survivo...
Building Collapse Leaves 23 Dead as Week-Long Rescue Efforts Continue
News, Safety, South Africa

Building Collapse Leaves 23 Dead as Week-Long Rescue Efforts Continue

Search and rescue teams persist in their endeavors at the site of the tragic incident, a full week after disaster struck in the city of George, located in South Africa's Western Cape province. Municipal authorities revealed on Monday that the death toll has tragically risen to 23. An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the root cause of the collapse, with the country's public works minister slated to visit the accident site on Monday, as reported by local media outlets. Amidst the somber atmosphere, a ray of hope emerged on Saturday when a man was miraculously rescued from underneath the rubble, a staggering 116 hours after the initial accident occurred. See Also: South Africa: Over 26 Rescued as Rescue Mission Continues The ill-fated building, approved for construction las...
Building Collapse in South Africa Claims Triggers Investigation
News, Safety, South Africa

Building Collapse in South Africa Claims Triggers Investigation

George, South Africa – A horrific building collapse in George, South Africa, has left seven people dead and nearly 40 construction workers missing. The tragedy has prompted a massive rescue operation, national mourning, and urgent investigations to determine the cause of the disaster. "We've recovered 36 people, of which, unfortunately, seven are deceased," said Leon van Wyk, the Executive Mayor of George, during a press briefing. "There are still 39 that are unaccounted for, buried somewhere in the rubble behind us. So, the rescue part is still continuing with the operation, but at the same time, what the teams are now doing are preparing for recovery." South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his deepest condolences to the families impacted by the building collapse and pled...
South Africa: Over 26 Rescued as Rescue Mission Continues
South Africa

South Africa: Over 26 Rescued as Rescue Mission Continues

Rescue teams in South Africa continued their frantic search for dozens of construction workers who went missing when an apartment complex collapsed. As they embarked on a second night of the challenging operation, they managed to extract more survivors from the rubble on Tuesday. Tragically, the collapse has claimed at least seven lives so far. The rescue efforts involved a meticulous process: first, teams conducted a thorough search of the area, listening for any cries or shouts from trapped individuals. Canine units then verified the presence of survivors. Utilizing advanced technology, rescuers triangulated the locations of those trapped, enabling them to commence the difficult task of extraction using concrete breakers and drills. See Also: 5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Coll...
Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse
Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, Security, South Africa

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

Death toll rises to 7 11 trapped workers rescued. In George, South Africa, a frantic rescue effort persists into the night as over 30 individuals remain trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building. The construction site, bustling with 75 workers, suffered a catastrophic collapse on Monday afternoon, claiming at least 7 lives. Colin Deiner, leading the provincial Western Cape disaster management services, conveyed the intensity of the rescue operation, expecting it to extend for at least three days. "We are going to give it the absolute maximum time to see how many people we can rescue," Deiner emphasized during a press briefing, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams maneuvering heavy machinery near trapped individuals. Earlier assessmen...
5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Collapses in South Africa
Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, South Africa

5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Collapses in South Africa

In a devastating turn of events, a multi-story apartment complex under construction collapsed in a coastal city in South Africa, leaving 5 persons confirmed dead and dozens of construction workers trapped under the debris for over 12 hours. The incident occurred in George, a city located about 400 kilometers east of Cape Town on the south coast. "Rescue teams have been working tirelessly through the night to reach those trapped under the rubble," stated Colin Deiner, the chief director of the provincial Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services. "It's a very tough operation… There's a lot of concrete… so we think it will still take quite a while." According to authorities, the collapse, which transpired on Monday afternoon, has resulted in a tragic death toll of ...
South Africa President Congratulates Banyana Banyana On Winning First WAFCON
South Africa, Sports

South Africa President Congratulates Banyana Banyana On Winning First WAFCON

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, has congratulated the country’s female national team, the Banyana Banyana for winning the 2022 WAFCON hosted by Morocco. Cyril Ramaphosa - South African President The South African side beat hosts, Morocco, 2-1 to clinch their first-ever WAFCON title.  The game was won through a brace by Hildah Magaia to put the game safely at 2-0. Morocco’s goal 11 minutes before full-time was not enough as South Africa held on to win the match. South Africa became only the third team to win the WAFCON after Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Reacting to the feat, Ramaphosa tweeted on his official Twitter handle, “Congratulations to @Banyana_Banyana on making history and winning their first ever title at the Women’s Africa Cup of National la...
South African Club Banned For Life After Beating Opponent 59-1
Corruption, News, South Africa, Sports

South African Club Banned For Life After Beating Opponent 59-1

A South African club in the lower division of the county’s football system, Matiyasi FC, has been banned for life after scoring fifty-nine goals in one match. Matiyasi FC, who were vying for promotion to the Provincial ABC Motsepe League, beat Nsami Mighty Birds 59-1, with forty-one of the goals scored as own-goals. A player who was recorded to have been given a red card in the first half was also recorded to have scored a goal in the second half. After the match, the South African Football Association (SAFA) regional office in Limpopo summoned Matiyasi FC and Nsami Mighty Birds to a disciplinary committee hearing on 25 May 2022 in Giyani. Read Also: Ghana Match-fixing: Ashanti Gold, Inter Allies Players, Officials Sanctioned Both teams were charged and found guilty of ...