RHS ESSENTIAL
Awards Ceremony
The Gala Awards ceremony will be held after the eisteddfod.
Awards will be issued in various categories and certificates emailed
A certificate will be issued to category winners (individuals who obtained the highest percentage in a specific phase with a minimum of 95% (Diamond) as follows: Grade 0 (R) – 3, Grade 4 – 7, Grade 8 – 12, Open Section
Category winners will be presented to the individual who obtained the highest number of Diamond awards in a specific category: Vocal, Instrumental, Speech and Drama, Dance and Creative Work
The Top Twenty Performers (in individual items) will become part of the Diamond Club.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS:
Serole Dibatane (Grade 8)
Molebogeng Ganyane (Grade 9)
Tshepang Hlatshwayo (Grade 9)
2016: At the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton was officially nominated for president, becoming the first woman to top the presidential ticket of a major party in the United States.
2004: Sipho Gumede, South African jazz legend, dies
1995: Nelson Mandela as Chief mediator in the Burundi peace process meets with a group of Burundians in Pretoria
1956: On this day in 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser seized control of the Suez Canal and nationalized it, sparking a crisis that later resulted in French, British, and Israeli forces briefly occupying parts of Egypt.
1953: Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada military fortress in Santiago de Cuba, and, although unsuccessful, the event later inspired the 26th of July Movement, which culminated in the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista's regime in Cuba.
1943: Los Angeles experienced its first major smog as a “hellish cloud” descended on the city, limiting visibility to three blocks; the noxious smog was later blamed, in part, on the exhaust from vehicles.
Is this the end of load shedding? Five things you need to know about the family meeting
Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday evening. Let’s take a look at the five things you need to know.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about the country’s energy crisis on Monday evening.
IS THIS THE END OF LOAD SHEDDING? WHAT ARE THE PLANS?
So is this the end of load shedding? Here are the five major things that you should know from the family meeting.
FIRSTLY– IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF ESKOM’S EXISTING FLEET OF POWER STATIONS:
Over time, the maintenance programme of Eskom’s electricity generation fleet has declined. It is now been decided that over the next 12 months, Eskom will increase the budget allocated for critical maintenance to increase the reliability of its generation capacity.
Red tape that has made it difficult for Eskom to buy maintenance spares and equipment within the required period to effect repairs has been cut.
One of the challenges that Eskom has faced has been the shortage of skilled personnel and engineers. The utility is now recruiting skilled personnel, including former senior Eskom plant managers and engineers from the private sector.
Surplus capacity will be bought from existing independent power producers.
Eskom will now also purchase additional energy from existing private generators such as mines, paper mills, shopping centres and other private entities that have surplus power.
Eskom will now import power from neighbouring countries in Southern Africa, such as Botswana and Zambia, through the Southern African Power Pool arrangement.
Eskom will also use interim power solutions, such as mobile generators, to supplement current generation capacity for a limited period.
Eskom will implement a programme that encourages efficient energy use by consumers to reduce demand at peak times.
The National Treasury is working to finalise a sustainable solution to Eskom’s huge debt, which stands at close to R400 billion.
Climate funding provided through the Just Energy Transition Partnership to invest in the grid and repurpose power stations that have reached the end of their lives will be used.
Eskom will be constructing its first solar and battery storage projects at Komati, Majuba, Lethabo, and several other power stations. These will result in over 500 MW being added to the system.
The South African Police Service has set up a special law enforcement team to help Eskom in confronting crime and corruption.
SECONDLY, WILL ACCELERATE THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW GENERATION CAPACITY:
The relevant government departments are working together to ensure that all projects from Bid Window 5 of the renewable energy programme can start construction on schedule.
This includes taking a pragmatic approach to the local content requirements for these projects, prioritising the need to build new capacity as quickly as possible.
The amount of new generation capacity procured through Bid Window 6 for wind and solar power will be doubled from 2,600 MW to 5,200 MW.
THIRDLY, TO MASSIVELY INCREASE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN GENERATION CAPACITY:
The licensing threshold for embedded generation will be removed completely. This will enable private investment in electricity generation to rise to higher levels.
While they will not require licences, all new generation projects will still have to register with the regulator and comply with the technical requirements for grid connection and our environmental legislation.
Certain regulatory requirements will be waived including reducing the regulatory requirements for solar projects in areas of low and medium environmental sensitivity.
It also means Eskom can expand power lines and substations without needing to get environmental authorisation in areas of low and medium sensitivity and within the strategic electricity corridors.
FOURTH, ENABLE BUSINESSES AND HOUSEHOLDS TO INVEST IN ROOFTOP SOLAR:
There is significant potential for households and businesses to install rooftop solar and connect this power to the grid. To incentivise greater uptake of rooftop solar, Eskom will develop rules and a pricing structure – known as a feed-in tariff – for all commercial and residential installations on its network.
This means that those who can and have installed solar panels in their homes or businesses will be able to sell surplus power they don’t need to Eskom.
FINALLY, TRANSFORMING THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR AND POSITIONING IT FOR FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY:
Eskom will be restructured, which will result in three entities, namely an electricity generation entity, an electricity transmission entity and an electricity distribution entity.
Eskom has established an independent transmission company and is on track to separate its generation and distribution businesses by the end of 2022.
“If we work together, if we hold each other to account, if we meet our deadlines and fulfill our commitments, we will end the energy crisis and create the conditions for growth and job creation. More than that, we will show that we are up to the challenge of rebuilding our beloved country.”
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/is-this-the-end-of-load-shedding-five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-family-meeting-breaking-news-latest-25-july-2022/
