Cabinet urges citizens to conserve electricity
The Msunduzi Municipality has embarked on an intensive alien plant removal programme to improve the New England landfill site.
Newly-appointed manager, Nosihle Nzama, said that the programme, which was initiated in March, was a massive project as 29 hectares have to be cleared.
"We communicated with colleagues from parks to assist with equipment while we are also trying to procure our equipment in the landfill site,” added Nzama.
She added that they want to restore the site to its former condition.
“We are trying to bring confidence back to Pietermaritzburg and to the people who were affected by the landfill site fires. We are working tirelessly to ensure that we are compliant.
“In preparation for the upcoming winter season, and to mitigate dry season fires, our teams at the New England landfill site are working tirelessly, cutting vegetation, as well as grass, [and] poisoning alien plans,” she said.
Nzama added that they would also be starting a programme to plant indigenous plants in the landfill site.
“The site was being maintained, but we embarked on this intensive cleaning last month," Nzama said.
"We are also trying to ensure cleanliness [to create a] conducive environment for everyone. This place is much safer and cleaner. We plan to continue with this programme of beautifying the landfill site.
“The programme is ongoing and we won’t stop.
"We are also making use of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants, who are also assisting in ensuring that the site is clean and providing efficient services,” Nzama added.
Msunduzi Municipality senior waste manager, Wilson Mhlongo, said they have an internal and an external audit to measure compliance that has to achieved.
“Part of the compliance action plan, which is an approved action plan, is utilised currently for us to be able to comply with the compliance regulation.
"We want the facility to be appreciated by the eye rather than to look at the pile of waste whenever you pass by the landfill site. They should see indigenous vegetation and be told by signage that there is a landfill there,” added Mhlongo.
Cabinet has urged South Africans to use electricity sparingly as part of the demand-side management (DSM) initiatives.
Cabinet called on the nation to lower electricity usage, especially during periods of high energy consumption, typically from 5 pm to 9 pm, as part of DSM initiatives.
"By lowering our consumption we can create a win-win situation that both reduces pressure on the power grid and saves households money without affecting business productivity or quality of life," said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The minister was addressing a post-cabinet media briefing in Pretoria.
"Cabinet calls on everyone to assist in saving electricity by using it sparingly while Eskom works with independent power producers to bring new capacity online.
"DSM measures are a global phenomenon and have proved effective in reducing peak demand and promoting energy conservation.
"We have demonstrated this during the 2010 World Cup. The aim is that collectively we must save electricity by switching off non-essential appliances, using gas to cook, installing energy efficient light bulbs and switching off appliances like geysers when not in use," Ntshavheni said.
According to Ntshavheni, the target is to save about 1000 MW of power which is equivalent to one stage of load shedding.
"Cabinet notes that a number of large customers are already participating in Eskom's DSM initiatives and calls on all stakeholders from business, industry and residential customers to heed the call and join the DSM campaign," Ntshavheni added.
Eskom recently said it will ramp up its DSM initiatives in order to better manage the supply and demand of electricity.
The power utility held its first national DSM indaba in Gauteng last week.
During the indaba, the power utility's board chairperson, Mpho Makwana, said the DSM initiatives assist the power utility to reduce pressure on the system during peak hours.
It also gives consumers the opportunity to save on electricity bills.
"The effective implementation of the DSM programmes could create a win-win situation - reducing pressure on the power system and enabling consumers to realise cost savings by being more energy conscious and reducing their consumption without affecting business productivity or quality of life," he said.
Demand-side management is seen as a tool that can help the power utility to potentially reduce load shedding.
SAnews.gov.za.
An alleged physical altercation between a farmer and his employee ended in tragedy last Friday. The altercation in the house allegedly led to a fight on the farm, situated on the Petrus Stroom Road, just outside Howick.
When Maritzburg Sun visited the scene, a family member said that it was not a farm attack.
"The person who did this is known to the family. I think something went wrong during the altercation and someone slipped and hurt themselves.
"We will be able to give a comment once we know what happened," he said.
uMngeni Municipality deputy mayor, Sandile Mnikathi, said they were saddened by the incident.
"Even though this attack is different, it concerns us as we always hear that people living on farms and rural areas are not safe.
"Assistance arrived at a time when the victim had already lost his life.
"This means that there is still much that needs to be done. Our rural response is something that we are working on," he added.
Midlands EMS spokesperson, Roland Robertson, said that when paramedics arrived, they found that the farmer had suffered life-threatening injuries.
"CPR was initiated, along with advanced life support treatment, but despite all efforts, the farmer was declared dead at the scene.
"It is alleged that the farmer and employee had an altercation in the house, which led to a fight.
"The exact cause of the incident is under investigation by SAPS," said Robertson.
KZN police spokesperson, Colonel
Robert Netshuinda, had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.