Polity.org.za Audio Articles

Velaphi Ntuli has returned as the general manager of Koeberg nuclear power station after he was suspended in June 2021 over performance issues - allegations of which he has since been cleared.

At the time of his suspension, Koeberg's Unit 1 had not returned to service in May 2021 as scheduled.

The delay in returning Unit 1 to service contributed to loadshedding escalating to Stage 4 in June - a first in nine months.

Ntuli was subsequently suspended by former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter while investigations into the performance of Koeberg power station were conducted. He was also given an opportunity to provide evidence in the inquiry about the station's performance and that of his own.

Ntuli, who is an electrical engineering graduate from the University of Pretoria, had started working at Koeberg in 2001 and became head of nuclear engineering in 2016.

But following his suspension he was deployed to the position of general manager for coal and clean technology at Eskom.

In response to questions from News24, Eskom said that there was ultimately "no lack of performance finding" against Ntuli.

"In November 2023, Eskom decided to redeploy Mr Ntuli to his previous position as the power station general manager at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station as his expertise and experience is crucially needed to assist the power station in completing the steam generator replacement project, Koeberg's long-term operation programme, and continue to safely operate the plant once its licence is granted by the National Nuclear Regulator," it added.

But De Ruyter's fate at Eskom was different. He exited the power utility just over a year later.

Life extension

Koeberg is in the process of obtaining a licence to continue operating for another 20 years. It has scheduled the replacement of steam generators as part of its efforts to secure the licence.

Eskom recently completed the steam generator replacement at Unit 1 following multiple delays

Unit 2 went offline for its steam generator replacement in December 2023. Eskom is optimistic that the length of this outage will be shorter, having learnt from the challenges in Unit 1's outage.

At a briefing earlier in January, Eskom's group executive for generation Bheki Nxumalo said the plan was to bring Unit 2 back online by September.

Collectively, the units generate more than 1 800MW of power.

In the grander scheme of things, load shedding has become synonymous with South African life and government is taking steps to procure new generation capacity to address the ongoing energy crisis.

In December it announced three new power procurement bid windows.

As much as 5 000MW is to procured in Bid Window 7 of the renewable energy programme, 2 000MW through the country's first-ever gas public procurement round and 613MW of battery energy storage.

Later this year government will launch Bid Window 8 to procure 5 000MW more of renewable energy and 1 000MW of gas power specifically for Coega.

These procurement rounds are evaluated on their competitive pricing for energy, which Eskom will have to buy.

Eskom recently turned down the procurement of 100MW of power from Mozambique's power utility. "The cost of the 100MW offered is higher than the cost of Eskom's coal fired generation and IPP renewable energy power plants. After careful consideration of the economic and technical parameters, a decision was taken not to pursue importation from the power plant," Eskom said in response to questions.

Eskom did not provide information on what exactly the tariff amounts are, but Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa previously told journalists during an energy briefing that they are "prohibitive".

"I do not think we can expose the country to such amount of tariffs. I am not at liberty to disclose what those numbers are, but take it from me, I do not think we can arrive at a rational justification for the amount asked," he said.

South Africa's national budget day is currently scheduled for 21 February, according to National Treasury, which added that the date still needed final confirmations.

This year's event will be closely watched, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana having said during the medium-term budget presentation in November that significant cost-cutting measures will be undertaken within the government and that the fiscus needed to recoup about R15-billion in taxes.

Promises by various finance ministers in the past to curb government's spending haven't amounted to much and analysts have questioned whether or not the state has the stomach for austerity measures, especially in an election year.

The need to raise an extra R15-billion has also been a topic for debate for the past three months, with consumers concerned that the likes of value-added tax could be increased. Economists have, however, said the amount isn't inordinate and that it could be achieved in a variety of ways, including not adjusting tax brackets so as to allow for bracket creep.

What this means is that if there's no intervention by the state, inflation and pay increases will push some consumers into higher tax brackets, resulting in larger revenues flowing into the fiscus.

Any statements on loadshedding, Eskom's debt, Transnet and state-owned-enterprise bailouts more broadly will also be scrutinised.

In November, Godongwana said the government had made the mistake of focusing on fixing Eskom when what was required was fixing the electricity supply. Similarly, he said the issue with Transnet is about fixing the "structural aspects" hampering the sector, rather than the company.

When he spoke, no new allocations were made to state-owned companies and no support for state-owned companies was written into the budget in the next two years to come.

Social welfare grants and SA's borrowing plans will also be up for discussion and will form part of the fiscal consolidation that ratings agencies want to see.

With the date planned for a month away, National Treasury said on Monday it's now in a close-out period until 20 February and that senior officials will be unavailable because of preparations for the budget.

President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that education is about more than personal betterment or obtaining a qualification to seek gainful employment, it is a ladder out of poverty, he said.

In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa wrote that in a country such as South Africa, universal access to education was by far the most impactful intervention in breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty.

"It is our most effective weapon to overcome the effects of centuries of racism, discrimination and marginalisation of the black majority," he said.

Last week Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga released the 2023 matric results, which showed an 82.9% pass rate for the cohort of matriculants who sat the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam last year.

Ramaphosa said this was the highest pass rate obtained since the NSC was introduced in 2008 and was a stellar achievement.

He noted that while government was proud of all matriculants, it was particularly proud of the young people who had succeeded in the face of great hardship and adversity.

Included in the cohort of successful matriculants from last year were young people with disabilities, child care grant beneficiaries, learners from child-headed households, and orphans from informal settlements and from some of the poorest districts in the country, he noted.

"Of the 110 top performing learners in last year's NSC exam, 62 were social grant beneficiaries. In 2023, matriculants who receive some form of social grant together achieved more than 160 000 distinctions, and more than 200 000 qualified for university entrance," said Ramaphosa.

He added that learners from no-fee paying schools constituted more than 65% of the total bachelor passes obtained. Three of the country's most rural provinces - Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo - contributed 59% of total passes with distinction, he said.

He noted that government had made the call for businesses to invest in the nation's future by employing more young people, and, where possible, to do away with the requirement of prior work experience.

"I encourage companies to use the Employee Tax Incentive to hire more young job-seekers, to make more training and mentorship opportunities available, and to sign up with the Youth Employment Service and other initiatives being rolled out in partnership with government," he said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen stated on Friday that his party will not only protect the grant system if it came into government, but that it would also improve it.

During the African National Congress' (ANC's) 112th birthday celebration in Mpumalanga last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed that social grants and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme would likely disappear should the ANC lose power.

Steenhuisen said that the DA was "unequivocally committed to social grants", as they were an integral part of the party's plan for building a strong safety net to ensure dignity and security for everyone living in South Africa.

He explained that the health of the social grant system was directly linked to the health of the economy, adding that under a DA government, the social grant system would in fact thrive because South Africa's economy would thrive.

Steenhuisen laid out that his party would immediately raise the child support grant, currently at R510, to the food poverty line of R760, to bring immediate relief from hunger and malnutrition imperilling the health and life prospects of millions of children in South Africa.

He said the DA had been proposing this intervention for years and believed it could and should be implemented right away.

"Many people are concerned that the child grant is not used for the purpose intended and furthermore encourages people to have more children. This is simply not borne out by the evidence, which has shown that the child grant has been instrumental in reducing child poverty, improving child nutrition, health (including mental health) and schooling outcomes," Steenhuisen said.

The DA additionally supports a basic income grant, but only in the context of economic growth that makes it affordable and viable.

"And we would improve the grant payment process itself, making the payment of grants more reliable and accessible, and combatting the payment failures and fraud that most recently deprived 150 000 beneficiaries of their January grants," he added.

Steenhuisen explained that with a DA national government managing South Africa's economy, millions of people would move off the grant and into the self-reliance and dignity of a job.

The combination of growing tax revenues and falling unemployment will take pressure off the grant system, growing its sustainability and enabling the payment of higher grants to those who need them.

He noted that next month, the party would present its Alternative Budget, showing how it could be achieved within the current budget envelope, by reprioritising spending.

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) says it will continue to challenge the upcoming auction of former president Nelson Mandela's personal items.

Auction house Guernsey's has advertised the auction for Monday, after the end of a legal battle cleared the way for the late statesman's belongings and artworks to be sold.

The SAHRA had sought an interdict to prevent Madiba's eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, from selling his belongings. However, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed the agency's application.

SAHRA spokesperson Yazeed Sadien said some of the items on auction were still "the subject of ongoing legal proceedings".

"Out of concern regarding the potential impact of the judgment on the preservation of heritage objects in South Africa, SAHRA, together with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the Robben Island Museum, lodged an application for leave to appeal the judgment on 28 December 2023. The application is pending before the high court," the SAHRA said.

Sadien added that, in 2022, a similar auction was suspended at the request of the SAHRA due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

"This situation raises significant concerns for SAHRA, the department and the museum, and requires careful consideration due to the historical and cultural importance of the items at risk of sale. SAHRA, the department and the museum are urgently assessing the lawfulness and implications of the impending auction and considering all available remedies," Sadien said.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has voiced his support for the heritage agency.

"Former president Nelson Mandela is integral to South Africa's heritage. His life, experiences and legacy live in our consciousness and in the values we promote as a country," he said.

"It is thus important that we preserve the legacy of former president Mandela and ensure that his life's work and experiences remain in the country for generations to come."

Kodwa added that it is "critical to support the intervention" by the SAHRA as a way to maintain "the country's rich heritage".

Nearly 100 items linked to the former statesman are set to be auctioned on Monday, including two collections of drawings of Robben Island, where he was held for 18 of the 27 years he spent in jail.

The collections, which were marred by controversy when allegations of forgery surfaced in 2005, are expected to raise more than R1-million.

The first of the two collections going under the hammer is Reflections of Robben Island, which includes five lithographs printed in colour and a sheet of text written by Mandela printed in black.

The second collection includes five lithographs, printed in colour on woven paper, each signed in pencil by Madiba, as well as five printed sheets, each reproducing Madiba's written text, and five printed illustrations created in collaboration between Madiba and American artist Grant Warren.

Both collections include a certificate of authenticity from Makaziwe and the House of Mandela, which values the first collection at $38 500 (R720 000). While the second collection is not listed, art experts estimate it to fetch about the same at auction.

News24 had been unable to reach both Makaziwe and the House of Mandela for comment at the time of publication.

Forgery and controversy

Two decades ago, Madiba launched a project to raise money for charity by selling sketches of Robben Island. The collection went on show in London in 2002.

Among the collection are lithographs of the views of Table Mountain through prison cells, the lighthouse on Robben Island, fences and guard towers, and a view of the harbour.

A series of prints were made of each of the five drawings, with proceeds from the sale of each intended for charities, including the Nelson Mandela's Children Fund and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

However, the prints soon became controversial following claims that forgeries had entered the market. The claims of fraud centred on Madiba's signature, which some said...

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has applauded the class of 2023 for the highest National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate since the dawn of democracy, with Free State taking the top honours with an 89% pass rate.

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga released the matric results on Thursday, in Johannesburg, announcing a record-high overall pass rate of 82.9%.

Committee chairperson Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said this was an improvement of 2.8% compared with the class of 2022, which managed an 80.1% pass rate.

"The class of 2023 has made us proud. They have managed to outperform all other matric classes in democratic South Africa. They deserve all the praise heaped upon them," said Mbinqo-Gigaba.

A total of 723 971 full-time, 129 064 part-time and 53 217 candidates sat for the NSC examinations at 6 337 public schools and 552 independent centres.

The provincial performance saw KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with a pass rate of 86.4% and Gauteng with 85.4%, North West with a pass rate of 81.6%, Western Cape with 81.5% and Eastern Cape with 81.4%.

The remaining three provinces that managed to achieve pass rates in the 70% range are Limpopo with 79.5%, Mpumalanga 76.9 and Northern Cape 75.8%.

GOOD secretary-general and MP Brett Herron noted that the improved pass rate was encouraging, as is the fact that all provinces showed an increase in their pass rate.

"We further encourage those who were not successful to persist and complete their basic education. The greatest threat to our human and economic progress is an education system that fails to prepare young people for the future world of work," said Herron.

The party said while it applauded all of those who were successful and wished them well on the next steps of their life journey as young adults in a competitive and difficult world, it implored the country's education department to improve the quality of its education and the standards of schooling infrastructure.

GOOD also called for an overhaul of education so that completing basic education was "the dawn of opportunity" for all successful learners and not a "dead-end for some".

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the unprecedented success achieved by the class of 2023 is evidence of the determination and ambition of learners and of a nation that values its youth.

"The class of 2023 has given itself and the nation great cause for pride and belief that our investment in education is the key to moving our country forward. The 2023 matric results show that we are a nation that takes care of its young people and that our young people are taking care of their future through their resilience and their dedication to learning," he said.

He added that the results are an "irrefutable indicator" of the country's comprehensive national development during 30 years of freedom and democracy.

CONCERNS IN MATRIC PASS RATE

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) disputed the Department of Basic Education's (DBE's) pass rate of 82.9%, claiming that the real matric pass rate is only 55.3%, an increase from last year's 54.6%.

"The real matric pass rate is calculated by bringing into account the number of learners that dropped out and never made it to matric. While some learners pursue their matric through technical and vocational education and training (TVET) after grade 9, a large number drop out completely. To bring the TVET learners into account, the DA calculates the real matric pass rate from the grade 10 cohort that ought to have completed matric. 345 626 learners dropped out between grade 10 in 2021 and grade 12 in 2023" explained DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education Baxolile Nodada.

DA KZN spokesperson on education Dr Imran Keeka noted that the results released by Motshekga showed that KZN had achieved a pass rate of 86.3% - an increase of 3.3% on the previous year.

"While the DA acknowledges this, we do not believe that it is a true reflection of KZN's 2023 matric results - a figure which should be based on the 2023 matric cohort includ...

Newly elected Tshwane Deputy Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya assured residents of her unwavering commitment and dedication to the betterment of the city, saying ensuring the improved services to the residents of the City of Tshwane is her utmost priority.

Moya was elected on Thursday with some councillors disputing her election, accusing her of breaking the law.

During her acceptance speech, Moya said that she recognises the weight of the responsibility.

"Though this role as Deputy Executive Mayor is new, the work to ensure that Tshwane and her residents get access to the services they so desperately need is not. I am no stranger to this council. I served for four years as, first, the Group Head of the Office of the Chief Whip then as Chief of Staff to the then Executive Mayor," she said.

She explained that these experiences have enriched her appreciation for the responsibilities demanded by the City's Constitution to shape and improve the quality of life experienced by about 4-millions of its residents.

She noted that ensuring the improved services to the residents of the City of Tshwane is her utmost priority.

Moya said to achieve this, she will ensure that basic services are consistently delivered to citizens on a daily basis. She will accelerate infrastructure development and maintenance to be the crucial driver of the city's growth and that she will monitor the allocation of funds to ensure that funds are used to improve services and give expression to the coalition's pro-poor agenda.

"Moreover, supporting the women and men responsible for front-line services is essential. Their morale, commitment and dedication are vital to our city's success," she added.

Moya said the City must continue to support vulnerable members of the community and provide essential social relief, saying it is the City's duty to uplift and empower those who face economic hardships and to ensure that no one is left behind in pursuit of progress.

She urged councillors lean on her for support and collaboration.

"I would like to take a moment to address my fellow councillors. As we continue to represent our respective wards and communities, I urge you to lean on me for support and collaboration. Let us set aside our political differences and work together in service of the people of Tshwane," she said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accepted the resignation of Ghaleb Cachalia as an MP and as a member of the party, effective immediately, while also dismissing Cachalia's claims about the party.

Cachalia announced his resignation on Thursday, detailing his reasons to the chairperson of the party's Federal Executive, along with various pertinent appendices.

On Tuesday, the DA's Khume Ramulifho announced that he would be joining RISE Mzansi, as he also resigned as a member of the DA and as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng.

In his resignation letter, Cachalia wrote that the leadership of the DA had become increasingly uncomfortable with his public utterances on the war in Gaza.

He claimed there was a "growing dysfunctional, undemocratic and authoritarian tendency" in the party, adding that he had not directly contradicted party policy in any way.

He said he had been served with a cease and desist order and had been accused of contradicting DA official policy and contravening a caucus injunction to only allow the shadow minister of International Relations and Cooperation to comment on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He added that he was fired from his position in the shadow cabinet.

"As a consequence, I cannot but infer that party leadership intends not only to sideline me, but also to prevent my return as a candidate MP on the list for the 2024 elections," he explained.

The DA categorically rejected Cachalia's claims, which the party said he "manufactured" in an attempt to justify his resignation, including his mischaracterisation of the party's position on the war in Gaza.

DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi noted that the DA remained irrevocably committed to peace, to a two-State solution, and to the creation of a sovereign and unoccupied Palestine in peaceful co-existence next to a secure Israel.

Malatsi said that it was important to recognise that, "as the most diverse party in South Africa", the DA is home to members from all walks of life with divergent views on various issues.

"These views are frequently aired in an atmosphere of mutual respect through the party's various caucuses, with members respecting the outcomes and decisions resulting from these discussions," he explained.

Malatsi said that Cachalia's disrespect for party processes, for his colleagues, and for the diversity of views in the DA had mounted over time, culminating in his violation of a caucus decision that the party's shadow minister for International Relations and Cooperation would be the spokesperson on the war in Gaza.

The DA further rejected attacks on the party's coalition partners, on civil society that had rallied behind the Multi-Party Charter, and on the DA's systems and processes.

Malatsi explained that the party rejected Cachalia's attempts to scapegoat DA leader John Steenhuisen, particularly after his "full-throated" support for Steenhuisen during the party's recent Federal Congress.

"Less than a year ago, Cachalia declared on Facebook his "admiration" for Steenhuisen, pointing out that he 'walks the talk as a leader'," Malatsi said.

Cachalia said he would evaluate and consider his future options which would "always seek to serve human rights, economic prosperity, and a more inclusive democracy".

"I find myself unable to address and serve these aims appropriately within the confines of the DA in its current incarnation and leadership. This is pertinent as we face all-important national elections," he explained.

Outspoken Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Ghaleb Cachalia has resigned from the party, citing a growing dysfunctional, undemocratic and authoritarian tendency in the party and a clash with the party leadership over his comments on the war in Gaza.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, he announced his resignation.

"The leadership of the DA has become increasingly uncomfortable with my public utterances over the past few months. This mainly concerns issues around the war on Gaza. As a consequence, I have been fired from my position in the shadow cabinet - notwithstanding any connection between my erstwhile portfolio and the events referred to.

"Since then I have been accused of contradicting DA official policy and contravening a caucus injunction to only allow the shadow minister for Dirco (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) to comment on related matters. I have since received a 'cease and desist' notification," he said.

"Moreover, I have not been furnished with any caucus decision which empowers the shadow minister with sole rights of commentary on the matter. This evinces a growing dysfunctional, undemocratic and authoritarian tendency in the party."

Cachalia's resignation comes a day after Khume Ramulifho also resigned from the party.

Ramulifho contested against Solly Msimanga for the DA's Gauteng leadership position, but lost.

In November last year, DA leader John Steenhuisen removed Cachalia from his "shadow Cabinet" for not toeing the party line on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

He was replaced as the spokesperson on public enterprises by Mimmy Gondwe.

Shortly after the start of the current violence, which erupted on 7 October, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel in which nearly 500 people were killed, the DA's Emma Powell released a statement. It said the party condemned Hamas' "unprovoked attack on Israeli territory during the religious holiday of Simchat Torah".

Cachalia's views, as expressed on social media, differed as he blamed Israel's occupation of Gaza for the violence.

In his detailed resignation letter to the party's chairperson of federal executive committee, Helen Zille, Cachalia said should the party wish to continue and conclude the disciplinary process against him, he would delay his resignation.

"I will be willing to delay my resignation until such a date as I have no desire to obfuscate nor escape any allegations made. However, the party should be aware that during the intervening time, I will continue to publicly voice my opinion on Gaza. I am of the firm belief that insofar as such policy may exist on the war in Gaza, I have not directly contradicted party policy in any way," he said.

He also said that it had become clear that the party did not want him to return to Parliament after this year's general election.

"I cannot but infer that party leadership intends, not only to sideline me, but also to prevent my return as a candidate MP on the list for the 2024 elections. Over the same period I have repeatedly sought meetings with the leader and requested mediation processes to be instituted. Such requests have been met with silence. The party leader has since said he is open to mediation contingent on me furnishing him with an apology in advance of any mediation."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed as "false and preposterous" South Africa's allegation that he incited genocide in a speech, saying the charge reflects historical ignorance.

Meanwhile, Canada has seemingly switched sides in the legal fight between SA and Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), saying its initial comments had simply been misunderstood.

Both attempts at clarification came as the World Court, as the ICJ is also known, deliberates on SA's request for immediate intervention to prevent what it says is ongoing genocide in Gaza. After a hearing late last week, the court promised an urgent ruling on the need for and what kind of emergency measures may be required. When it ordered such provisional measures in the case of Ukraine vs Russia, those came nine days after it heard argument.

'Amalek' is anti-genocide, says Netanyahu

South Africa told the ICJ that Netanyahu had called for genocide with references to Amalek, the archetypal enemy of Jews since biblical times.

By telling Israeli soldiers to "remember what Amalek has done to you", said South Africa, Netanyahu had invoked a biblical command in which God ordered the Amalekites to be wiped out down to their infant children and livestock.

In a statement about that accusation on Tuesday, which never mentioned South Africa directly, Netanyahu called its interpretation absurd.

"The Amalekites mercilessly attacked the Children of Israel after the Exodus from Egypt," said his office. "The comparison to Amalek has been used throughout the ages to designate those who seek to eradicate the Jewish people, most recently, the Nazis.

Netanyahu pointed to the use of the same phrase in Israel's Yad Vashem holocaust museum, in a memorial - in The Hague, home to the World Court - to Dutch Jews murdered by the Nazis.

When he spoke of Amalek, Netanyahu said, he was describing the attack by Hamas on Israel, "and the need to confront them".

The statement did not deal with South Africa's contention that Netanyahu's Amalek reference was used by soldiers, and one famous singer, in what SA considers justification of genocide in Gaza.

'Does not mean' that, says Canada

Also earlier this week, Canada appeared to swing from dismissing South Africa's case at the ICJ to support for the legal process - but only because it had been misinterpreted in the first place, its government said.

In their initial reactions to South Africa's case, both Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and its foreign affairs minister, Mélanie Joly, appeared to say they did not accept South Africa's allegation of genocide in Gaza.

"Support for the process and the institution does not mean, per se, that we support the premise of the issue brought forward by South Africa," Trudeau said.

"Canada's unwavering support for international law and the ICJ does not mean we accept the premise of the case brought by South Africa," said Joly.

Pro-Israel groups in Canada, members of Canada's government, and many media outlets took that as a rejection of the case.

But, the federal government told broadcaster CBC News, the wording had been crafted to show that Canada supported the ICJ case being heard, as well as the work of the court more broadly, and it was not rejecting SA's claim of genocide - but was not pre-empting the outcome of the case either.

Britain, the USA, and Germany reject South Africa's allegations outright, but Canada has now signalled - or signalled more clearly - that it will abide by the finding of the World Court.