Latest news with #Diepsloot
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
CoJ allocates R3bn to revamp CBD
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Joburg has now put plans to revamp the CBD on paper, with R3 billion allocated to improve conditions in the area. But this R3 billion is not exclusive to the city centre, as it will also go towards refurbishing other underdeveloped communities is Johannesburg. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds announced during her budget speech on Wednesday that Eldorado Park, Lenasia South, Diepsloot and Orange Farm would also benefit from the money. Opposition parties in Johannesburg are concerned about the metro's efforts to revamp the CBD, arguing that the area needs a dedicated budget of its own. They believe the R3 billion allocated to underdeveloped communities was not enough, given the extent of decay in some areas. But Arnolds said city's departments also have their own individual budgets allocated specifically for the rejuvenation of the CBD. "These allocations include bulk infrastructure upgrades, human settlements support, and roads and stormwater systems linked to economic nodes." The Gauteng government is also running its own programme intended to rejuvenate Johannesburg's CBD.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Manzi Water debuts automated refill store, Skubu
Manzi Water, part of the Skubu Project, has opened a refill store, aimed at reshaping how South Africans access essential goods while advancing the circular economy, in Diepsloot, Gauteng. Located at Chuma Mall, this innovative initiative represents a significant step forward in affordable, sustainable consumption and access to everyday essentials in underserved communities. The Skubu Project is led by Sonke Retail in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), made possible through the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund. The initiative is also supported by TransForm, a global partnership involving Unilever, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Ernst & Young (EY). Described as the first store of its kind globally, Skubu enables consumers to purchase only what they need through smart, automated refill machines, offering essential items at fixed rand-per-litre prices while eliminating single-use plastic packaging. The model provides up to 50% savings compared to conventional retail, delivering measurable impact in both affordability and sustainability. Manzi Water is honoured to be featured among the trusted brands selected for this visionary platform, offering safe, clean, and affordable drinking water to the Diepsloot community at a price of just R1.00 per litre. "We are incredibly proud that Manzi Water is part of this groundbreaking development," said Alfred Challis, CEO of Manzi Water. "Our inclusion in the SKUBU Project underscores our commitment to making safe, clean drinking water accessible to all, and we are excited to see the positive impact this will have in Diepsloot." Challis also expressed his appreciation to Ebenhaezer De Jongh, CEO of Sonke Retail, for the opportunity to contribute to this pioneering model for inclusive and sustainable retail. 'Eben's vision and leadership made this possible,' Challis said. 'We are grateful to play a part in something that meaningfully improves access to essentials and supports circular innovation in local communities.' Challis further thanked internal stakeholders Pasquale and Belinda Frese, owners of multiple Manzi Water outlets in Johannesburg, whose belief in the vision and willingness to join the bold initiative were instrumental in positioning Manzi Water alongside such influential partners. Their initiative not only credits them as Licensees but also significantly strengthens Manzi Water's presence in meaningful spaces that align with its core mission. Manzi Water looks forward to contributing to the success of this pilot initiative and anticipates that SKUBU will serve as a scalable model for sustainable development across South Africa, opening future possibilities for all Licensees across the network.
The Herald
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald
HIV patient testing falls in SA after US aid cuts, data shows
Given a summary of the data, Foster Mohale, a spokesperson for the department of health, said more analysis was needed and SA had challenges with patient retention and viral load testing before the aid cuts. HIV experts have said for months the health ministry was downplaying the impact of the funding loss, and a drop in testing figures might be an early warning sign, followed by a rise in new cases and deaths. The US state department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'This data demonstrates what previous models have shown regarding the impact of Pepfar/USAID cuts on pregnant women and their infants,' said Dvora Joseph Davey, an epidemiologist working on maternal and infant HIV at the University of Cape Town. She said the impact was clear at five public health clinics where she works in Cape Town, which since the US aid cuts have been under-staffed, with fewer nurses to draw blood needed for viral load tests. HIV experts said diagnostic testing was also likely affected by the funding cuts, though that data was not available. The counsellors who used to do rapid diagnostic HIV tests are also gone, and pregnant women are no longer being put on preventive HIV drugs (PrEP) because the counsellors are the ones who used to offer that, Davey said. In the Johannesburg township of Diepsloot, HIV activist and community leader Sophy Moatshe said it was hard to get HIV patients to seek care because of the stigma, and without health workers reaching out when they miss an appointment, many fall through the cracks. 'These people, they don't want to go to the clinic,' she said outside a community centre. 'If there is nobody to check them, they're going to die.' The long-term future of HIV-related US assistance remains uncertain in SA and globally, as Trump pursues cuts to the international aid budget in line with his 'America First' agenda. The cuts have also hit research, including HIV vaccine trials. Mohale said the government was speaking to prospective local and international donors about covering funding gaps, but declined to give details. Davey said the data on testing in April, however, was 'a good indication of what's going to happen in the future'. Reuters
