Cabinet has commended Eskom for not implementing load shedding for more than 150 days – including over the South African winter period.
Acting Minister in the Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa, told a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday that stable electricity supply is imperative for economic growth in the country.
“Cabinet commends Eskom, its board, management and all its employees who have worked tirelessly to ensure that South Africa will have no load-shedding this summer as the power utility continues to add more electrons to the grid through its generation recovery plan.
“A reliable energy supply is vital for growing our economy, boosting confidence and enhancing the quality of life of our citizens.
“Government continues to execute the Energy Action Plan, which has been instrumental in reducing the frequency of load-shedding through planned maintenance of Eskom’s power-generation fleet. The reform of our energy sector is a critical component of our efforts to create a secure energy future for our people,” she said at the briefing held in Cape Town.
Staying on the reform agenda, Ramokgopa said President Cyril Ramaphosa has fulfilled his undertaking to “recalibrate” State Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
In that regard, she added, the responsibility for strategic SOEs have been “transferred to the various line ministries, after the President had signed the relevant proclamation to this effect”.
“This step coincides with plans to create a centralised shareholder model through which the State seeks to better leverage the capabilities of our SOEs to grow the economy, improve service delivery, and infuse the SOEs with the requisite commercial and strategic agility.
“The responsibility for power utility Eskom has been transferred to the Ministry of Energy and Electricity and Transnet, South African Airways and South African Express to the Ministry of Transport.
“The state-owned diamond mining company Alexkor will be managed by the Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, aerospace and military technology conglomerate Denel will fall under the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans while South African Forestry Company SOC Limited, which is responsible for state forestry, will report to the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,” Ramokgopa said.
SA avocados in Japan
On agricultural export matters, the first batch of South African avocados have arrived in Japan.
“[This marks] a significant boost for the local avocado sector, and demonstrates the positive impact of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, which aims to expand access to key new markets for South African producers.
“South African avocado growers now stand to benefit significantly as efforts to increase market access for our agricultural produce continues. India, China and Japan represent a combined market opportunity of over 2.5 billion people,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za
