South Africa: Johannesburg Property Company retreats amid backlash over parks cash grab
Concern erupted among Johannesburg residents after a council agenda in late June suggested that several public open spaces – including Marks Park and surrounding greenbelt areas – could be up for sale or re-leasing agreements.
Daily Maverick can also report that the Bryanston Sports Club has been on JPC's radar screen, but it is undermining its attempts to monetise such assets through its blundering approach.
All rights reserved. © 2022. Bizcommunity.com Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Presidency statement on National Dialogue costs
The Presidency has noted media reports on the cost of the National Dialogue and specifically the first National Convention set to take place on 15-16 August 2025. The Presidency wishes to confirm that all budgetary processes regarding the National Convention are consistent with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The Inter-Ministerial Committee, which is chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and comprises all relevant government departments to coordinate government's contribution towards the National Dialogue, has been working to mobilise resources for the convention and manage costs. As a response to the call for collaboration with other stakeholders to reduce the costs of the National Dialogue, UNISA has offered to host the first National Convention and provide associated goods and services free of charge. As it stands, venues have been secured for the plenary, two overflow venues with livestreaming, 10 breakaway venues, dining area and work areas. In addition, UNISA is providing facilities for an Operations Centre, which has been running over the past week, catering, ushers, AV services, printing of discussion documents, signage, conference bags, notepads, pens and WiFi. The costs of the first convention are being funded from the existing budgets of NEDLAC and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics. The provisions in the Appropriation Act and the PFMA will be used to reimburse the Department of Employment and Labour and NEDLAC in the Adjustments Budget later this year. All procurement and management of public funds will adhere to the PFMA and applicable Treasury Regulations. All funds will be accounted for through the normal public finance mechanisms. Donations have been received for the National Dialogue digital platform. Some goods and services, such as the venue, screens for public viewing, and rail and road transport, are being provided at no cost. The reduced costs associated with the hosting of the National Dialogue and the funding plan are done with the intention to reduce the cost to the fiscus. The Presidency is committed to supporting the first National Convention to kick-start the citizen-led and inclusive National Dialogue. The total budget for the National Dialogue will be developed as the structure and form of the community dialogues are finalised by the Convention, and will depend on in-kind contributions, donations and other resources that can be mobilised. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
The National
17 hours ago
- The National
My Dubai Rent: Entrepreneur pays Dh113,000 for one-bedroom apartment in Wasl 51
My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader's home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay in rent and asks them what they like and don't like Russian entrepreneur Olga Sukhanova, who owns a commercial and hospitality property company, has lived in Dubai for almost four years and has found her dream apartment. She cannot buy it – even though she wants to – because it is in Jumeirah 1, an area where only people from the Gulf can purchase property. However, because she has been paying Dh113,000 a year for three years, she is happy to continue renting for as long as she lives alone and can make the place her own. The National takes a look around. Please tell us about where you live This community is low-rise, with just three levels, and I like the layouts because they're huge. I have a one-bedroom, but the size is 1,500 square feet. I also have a terrace. Why did you choose this neighbourhood? I lived before in Madinat Jumeirah Living, but then I moved to Jumeirah 1 because I really like this area. Before, I worked in DIFC, that's why it was important to live close to my work, because it's just 10 minutes by car. It's also very important to me to live close to the sea, because this is the value of Dubai. The sea is a five-minute walk away. I also like that it is a quieter, more authentic area. How much do you pay? It's Dh113,000 per year. I rent from the developer, which is good because they haven't changed the price in three years. I also have the opportunity to pay monthly because of the developer. We have an app where I can ask all my questions and send my request for maintenance – they solve any problem. What facilities do you have? We have a gym and a swimming pool. There are lots of really modern cafes around the community. It's very modern, for hipsters I think. I like it because I can just walk across the road and there are lots of opportunities to eat lunch and dinner. The quality of the cafes is very good, so you can just sit and enjoy it. How have you made the apartment feel like home? All the apartments here are unfurnished. That's why I've organised everything how I like it. It depends usually on my mood, because I've changed it a few times. For example, I've changed the colour of the walls to make it lighter. That's why I like it unfurnished – I can choose and change and I don't have to ask permission during the rental period. Is there anything you'd change about the apartment or neighbourhood? Actually, no. Sometimes I think, for example, one month before I have to send a request to extend my rental, whether I will move. But then I think, where can I move that I can find the same qualities and the same size for the same price? In my opinion, there is no other alternative in Dubai. Would you consider buying? I would love to buy if I have the opportunity. I would buy this apartment, but it's impossible for foreign people. How long do you plan to stay here? I don't know. It depends on the future. If someone proposes to me and I get married, I will maybe move to a bigger apartment. For now, I will stay here because it's more than enough for a young single woman.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Launches New Outlook on Nuclear Power for Development in Africa at G20
IAEA-Group of Twenty cooperation broke new ground with the release of a new publication examining the potential for nuclear power in Africa. The IAEA launched the publication at a side event co-organized with the Clean Energy Ministerial and the South African Department of Electricity and Energy on the margins of a key Group of Twenty (G20) energy transitions meeting in South Africa as the bloc explores clean energy options for sustainable development. Read the new report: Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Africa | IAEA. Collaborating for Development After participating for the first time as an invited organization during the G20's Brazilian presidency last year, the IAEA is once again collaborating with the world's largest economic bloc — this time under the South African presidency to advance work on nuclear power. South Africa is for now the only African country with nuclear power, with its two-unit Koeberg Nuclear Power Station supplying nearly two gigawatts of electrical generation capacity. However, enthusiasm for nuclear power is building across the continent, where fossil fuels currently dominate energy production, accounting for more than 70% of electricity production. South Africa is partnering with the IAEA during its G20 presidency and focusing on the implementation of nuclear new build programmes in Africa. There is particular interest in small modular reactors (SMRs) in Africa given the grid infrastructure requirements. "The global interest in SMRs is increasing due to their ability to meet the need for flexible power generation for a wider range of users and applications as we move from high carbon emissions to lower carbon emission sources," said Zizamele Mbambo, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy in South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Nuclear Power for Sustainable Growth A growing number of African countries are interested in adding nuclear to their energy mix, with Egypt building its first nuclear power plant and countries including Ghana and Kenya working with the IAEA to develop the requisite infrastructure to launch their programmes. The latest IAEA projections have nuclear capacity in Africa increasing tenfold by 2050 in the high case scenario, while even in the low case scenario the current figure grows by a factor of five. The publication surveys the continent's current energy landscape, highlighting the prospects for nuclear power to address the lack of electricity that is a daily reality for about half a billion people across Africa. The report also takes an in-depth look at what is required to deploy enough nuclear to meet the continent's significant energy needs, underscoring the importance of addressing financing challenges, implementing strong, supportive government policies and adopting a regional approach to nuclear power development, and details IAEA support in these and other areas. 'Access to reliable and low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear can enable Africa to further explore and more importantly also add benefits and value to its vast natural resources, including uranium,' said Frederik Reitsma, Head of the IAEA's Nuclear Power Technology Development Section. 'History has shown that the development of a nuclear power programme, and the development of the associated supply chain, drives industrial growth and leads to advanced technology development in other areas.' The publication also discusses how SMRs could play a major role in Africa, highlighting benefits such as their suitability for the relatively small electric grids that are common in Africa as well as lower capital costs. Uranium mining is also identified as a significant growth opportunity for the continent, which is already home to three of the world's top ten uranium producers: Namibia, Niger and South Africa. 'As the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) contributes to the development of an energy security framework for G20 nations, insight-rich resources such as the IAEA's Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Africa are essential to address regional resource expansion and inform development across continents,' said Emma Wong, Nuclear Principal Lead for Innovation, Quantum Technology and International Development at EPRI in remarks delivered during the launch event. 'By together leveraging every resource at our disposal, we can amplify the value of global efforts to deliver the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of energy abundance to society.' 'The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) provides a trusted and inclusive platform where countries can engage in informed dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of nuclear energy, and advance practical cooperation aligned with their national priorities' said Jean-François Gagné, Head of the CEM Secretariat. 'As a key international platform, the CEM supports governments in advancing their nuclear energy ambitions, including in emerging and developing economies. In Africa, the CEM NICE Future Initiative has actively worked with countries such as Ghana and Kenya, helping them explore the potential role of nuclear energy in their broader clean energy transitions. The CEM works in close partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in support of national and regional goals.' Looking ahead, the IAEA is preparing to engage at the G20's Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for October in South Africa. The IAEA is currently developing a publication on the coal-to-nuclear transition which covers the economic benefits of converting former coal sites for nuclear power deployment and provides an overview of the technical aspects of the repurposing process. This report is set to be released just ahead of the meeting. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
