Africa Energy sees first output from SA's largest gas field by 2033
Canada-listed Africa Energy Corp is aiming to start production from SA's largest gas discovery by 2033, its CEO said on Tuesday, as it forges ahead with a project former operator TotalEnergies walked away from.
The company is awaiting regulatory approval for a reworked environmental authorisation to survey Block 11B/12B off the southern coast.
Using domestic gas is a key part of SA's strategy to diversify away from coal-fired power generation, with a flurry of new projects being pursued, including the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal along the east coast.
"Our 11B/12B indigenous gas should be very competitive versus imported LNG," Robert Nicolella said from the Africa Energy offices in Cape Town.
Nicolella said the company was studying ways to market the gas, though its preference is to supply a gas-to-power plant. SA is targeting 6,000 megawatts of new gas power projects.
The CEO said Africa Energy is in talks with former national oil company PetroSA to use some of its infrastructure to land gas from the Brulpadda and Luiperd fields at Mossel Bay.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
5 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Digital Shadows: Unveiling the crisis of forced labour in the tech age
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G) The digital age is characterised by a fragile balance between promise and peril. The peril is often imagined through the lens of dystopian fiction — tales of mass surveillance, Forced labour is prohibited by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Forced Labour Convention 29 of 1930. According to the ILO, forced labour refers to any work performed under coercion, threat or without free and informed consent. At a national level, South Africa's Constitution provides a clear prohibition — section 13 states that 'no one may be subjected to slavery, servitude or forced labour'. This is supported by domestic legislation such as section 48 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which gives further effect to this right. Despite these protections, enforcement mechanisms have not kept pace with the complexities of the developments introduced by digital platforms and transnational digital labour markets. According to an ILO report, Digital forced labour does not resemble the traditional imagery of chained factory workers. It is more insidious, woven into the underpaid and often invisible work of data labellers, content moderators, AI trainers and even cryptocurrency miners. These people, often based in low-income regions, are employed under precarious arrangements with little oversight. They might work 12-hour shifts for a few dollars a day, with no formal contract or labour protection. In South Africa, as in other parts of the continent, this form of labour is particularly concerning given the high rate of youth unemployment, reliance on informal work and rapid growth of gig and platform-based jobs. The global nature of technology platforms compounds the problem. Many of these companies operate across borders, placing them beyond the jurisdiction of local labour laws and regulatory oversight. A 2019 Forbes article by Adi Gaskell described this vividly: 'It's helped to create a world in which the haves are increasingly well off, while the have-nots make do with insecure and poorly paid work.' For African workers doing digital piecework, there is often no path to upward mobility — only the repetition of tasks for marginal pay under opaque systems. Despite the promise of digital innovation, human labour remains fundamental. Many digital platforms still rely on people to label training data, moderate harmful content, provide feedback and enrich machine learning systems with contextual knowledge. Human involvement remains essential not because machines are incapable, but because people are cheaper, more adaptable and more vulnerable. They can be paid little, monitored extensively and replaced easily — a dynamic that meets the ILO's criteria for forced labour, especially when individuals are driven by poverty and lack of alternatives. One emerging technology that demands closer scrutiny is blockchain. Often praised for transparency, traceability and decentralisation, blockchain also poses a hidden risk when misused. In certain digital labour platforms, blockchain-based contracts — or 'smart contracts' — are used to automate payment and task allocation. While this can reduce overhead costs, it can also entrench exploitation. Because smart contracts are irreversible and automatically enforced, a worker can be locked into a task with no ability to renegotiate terms, challenge unfair compensation or withdraw. In some cases, blockchain-based platforms are designed to obscure employer identities, making accountability nearly impossible. Even worse, digital wallets tied to such platforms can require workers to complete tasks before unlocking payment, no matter how unreasonable the demands. This can create a new form of coercion — one that is enforced not by human bosses but by immutable code. In unregulated environments, this form of 'algorithmic servitude' is indistinguishable from digital forced labour. So what is to be done? Regulatory responses must evolve. The ILO has recommended a comprehensive approach centred on prevention, protection, remedies, enforcement and planning. Strategies include awareness campaigns, victim support services, stronger legal frameworks and improved data collection. Critically, the organisation found that ending forced labour would not only raise wages and protect workers but would also reduce unfair competitive advantages for unethical businesses. The economic and social case for action is therefore strong. But digital forced labour presents new legal challenges. A 2024 article by Thomson Reuters examined this in the US context. It found that although trade laws such as the Tariff Act effectively block goods produced by forced labour, they are poorly equipped to address intangible inputs like datasets or AI-generated models trained through exploitative means. The article argues that new legal instruments are required to extend labour protections to the digital sphere. Africa faces its own specific issues. In a 2020 analysis, Tshilidzi Marwala noted that although countries like Kenya provide the labour backbone for many global digital operations, they receive little of the value or technological infrastructure. 'While Africa plays a significant role by way of providing cheap labour,' he wrote, 'the continent reaps little from the industry.' This is a warning that also applies to South Africa. Without intentional investment in regulatory frameworks and infrastructure, the country risks being a perpetual digital labour reserve — supplying skills but not sharing in the dividends of innovation. What is needed now is a continental vision that safeguards labour rights while advancing Africa's technological sovereignty. South Africa's progressive legal foundation offers a strong starting point. But more must be done to update national frameworks for the platform economy. This includes introducing legal definitions of digital work, mandatory due diligence for companies sourcing digital labour and binding transparency requirements for AI developers. In parallel, public policy must invest in digital upskilling, ethical AI education and mechanisms to track the provenance of data used in machine learning. Moreover, regional cooperation is essential. The African Union's Continental Strategy for AI is a promising step but it requires a sharper focus on labour rights, ethical sourcing and enforcement. Institutions such as the Southern African Development Community can also play a role in harmonising policies across borders, creating a collective front against exploitative digital practices. As consumers of digital products, we seldom reflect on the hidden labour behind our tools — the countless workers whose keystrokes and decisions support our seamless experiences online. But therein lies the real danger — a system that exploits precisely because it remains invisible. South Africa, and the continent more broadly, must not only expose this system but lead the way in dismantling it — replacing shadows with accountability and peril with promise. Letlhokwa Mpedi is the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Johannesburg and a labour law scholar. Tshilidzi Marwala is the rector of the United Nations University, UN under-secretary general, and a thought leader on AI and governance. The authors' latest book on this subject is Artificial Intelligence and the Law (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024).
Mail & Guardian
7 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
How to help your parents in their golden years
Most South Africans are not planning for retirement, with only 6% of the country's population on track to retire comfortably. They brought you into this world. And now, as the roles begin to shift, you're the one stepping up. For many South Africans in their 40s and 50s — especially Gen X — the pressure is mounting. You're raising children, planning for your retirement and, increasingly, supporting aging parents who are approaching retirement with little to no financial cushion. It's a tough balancing act. And without a plan, it's one that could leave you just as vulnerable. Most South Africans are not planning for retirement, with Economic hardship and high immediate financial obligations are major barriers, leading many to prioritise short-term financial survival over long-term planning. Adult children are expected to help, often without formal conversations or structures in place, potentially leading to financial strain across generations. You may want to help your parents — and so you should — but doing so without a strategy can compromise your own long-term security. It is possible to support them with confidence and clear boundaries, without becoming a financial martyr. This step is essential: talk about money. Sit down with your parents and discuss their income, expenses, debt and medical cover. If they don't have a formal budget, you may want to help them build one. It's not about control; it's about laying the cards on the table. Once you know what they're working with, you'll have a clearer idea of where the gaps are and whether, and how, you could possibly help fill them. Healthcare is one of the biggest financial risks in retirement. Is your parents' medical aid cover active and adequate? A lapse in cover can trigger late-joiner penalties and limited benefits, which could leave the family footing the bill. You might also want to consider looking at frail care, which might eventually be necessary. It can cost upwards of R40,000 a month, If your parents' income falls short, it might be time to look at their assets, including property, investments, or annuities. Could downsizing free up cash flow? Are there underused investments or savings that could be restructured? Equity release, structured drawdowns, or liquidating non-essentials are all options, but they require good advice and, ideally, a professional financial plan. Because it doesn't help to offload assets, only to fall into the same trap later down the line. As these conversations progress, boundaries remain important. Can you contribute financially, without jeopardising your own savings goals? What about your retirement savings, annuity and tax-free savings account (TFSA) contributions? This isn't about being cold or calculative. It's about ensuring you don't end up repeating the same cycle as your parents, or taking on new debt to help someone else. If you have siblings, you might want to loop them in early. It helps to share the load — whether that's handling paperwork, managing medical claims, or contributing financially. Everyone brings something different to the table. Shared living can work well, but it's worth thinking through the emotional and practical side of things. It's not just about splitting costs — the mental load matters too. A life stage strategy Boomers (61-79): You might want to focus on preserving capital and clearing any unsecured debt. A TFSA could help generate tax-free income in retirement. It's also a good time to review your will, medical aid, and beneficiary details. Gen X (45-60): This could be the moment to ramp up retirement contributions and work on eliminating short-term debt. A diversified portfolio still makes sense, but you may want to start de-risking gradually. Estate planning might also be worth prioritising if you haven't already. Millennials (25-44): Now's a great time to build a strong financial foundation. Using a TFSA and starting a retirement annuity can help set you up for the long term. An emergency fund is key — and it's okay to get that in place before taking on financial responsibilities for others. Supporting your parents while planning your own future is no small task. There's a lot to juggle — from tax and retirement planning to healthcare costs and estate matters — and getting expert advice can make a big difference. It's not about giving up control. It's about having someone help you navigate the complexity and avoid emotionally driven decisions that could come at a cost. Helping your parents in retirement is a real act of love — but it's also one that needs boundaries and a clear head. So, as you look ahead to what the next few years might bring, ask yourself: how prepared do you really feel? Kananelo Matela is a junior investment consultant at 10X Investments. This article provides general information. It is not intended as nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, investment or other advice.
The Herald
16 hours ago
- The Herald
Peanut butter maker to pay R500k penalty for contaminated products
Peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay an administrative fine of R500,000 after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) received recall notifications in February 2024 from Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay due to elevated levels of aflatoxin found in certain peanut butter. NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba said the NCC found that the affected products had higher than legally acceptable levels of aflatoxin as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in foodstuffs. Ntaba said their investigation found that between May and November 2023, House of Natural Butters imported and supplied contaminated, decayed and impure groundnuts and byproducts to South African consumers through various retailers. In its ruling the National Consumer Tribunal noted that the manufacturer imported the products from Malawi and Zambia using trucks and trailers, via land borders and port entries. It said the trucks and trailers did not have the requisite certificates of acceptability required for the transportation of food. 'Laboratory tests results from various accredited food testing laboratories established that the products were contaminated, decayed and impure,' said Ntaba.
