Big fuel price drop in January
THE cost of fuel in South Africa will decrease by more than R1 a litre with effect from January 2 due to lower international petroleum prices, the Department of Energy said.
The price of 95 grade petrol will go down by R1.23, while diesel will fall by as much as R1.56.
The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin, used by poor South African households for cooking and heating, will be R1.23 a litre lower.
Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted each month, in line with movements in the rand exchange rate and international oil prices.
“The current fuel price adjustments are due mainly to the international factors, namely, the lower crude oil prices and stronger rand,” the Energy Department said. TODAY marks the fourth stage of the 31st Trans Agulhas Challenge, which started on Saturday with massive fanfare.
The race, which is said to “separate the men from the boys”, is considered to be one of the world’s toughest inflatable boat races.
It takes place over five days between Plettenberg Bay and Gordon’s Bay.
Racing into the new year, teams will face the final stage of the fiveday race, racing between Gansbaai and Gordon’s Bay, with a final stage distance of 104km.
Reaching the finish line, teams would have put machine and body to the test over a total distance of 650.5km. The Trans Agulhas is a fastpaced, action-packed watersports event with more than 40 inflatable boats battling it out in the waves.
This time, there will be some changes on and off the beach to ensure crew and spectators will be able to follow their teams on a big screen while being entertained with live music, fun competitions and a great vibe.
Teams will race from Stilbaai with a distance of 161km, ending at Struisbaai around 10.45am today.
Day four of the challenge will see teams participate in two stages, one from Struisbaai to Uilenkraalsmond, and from there to Gansbaai – travelling a total of 111km.
Spectators were urged to cheer competitors along beaches between Nature’s Valley and Gordon’s Bay. Teams in “the Cape Epic of boat races” must avoid capsizing and connecting with submerged rocks, and race over shark-infested waters near Struisbaai.
Yesterday, stage two started at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay, and teams travelled a distance of 86km, ending at Stilbaai.
For more information on the race, visit www.trans-agulhas.com
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