Latest news with #IntegratedDevelopmentPlan
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Multi-million rand tourism boost for Limpopo
Limpopo province has a new tourism development to boast about. A 30 million boutique hotel in the heart of Polokwane was launched today (6 August) amid much fanfare. Lesetja Mukwevho realised her dream of opening the Atrium Boutique Hotel which she co-founded with her husband, Joseph. Their hotel aims to serve the mid to high end market, something that was lacking in Polokwane. Mukwevho owns a majority 60% share in the venture, a celebrated fact as South Africa marks Women's Month. Funding for the establishment was secured from multiple institutions. The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) contributed R10 million, the Tourism Transformation Fund provided a R5 million grant and the Tourism Equity Fund loaned a sum of R9.8 million. The balance was paid by the Mukwevho's. The launch event highlighted the strides women are making in business in South Africa. The Deputy Minister in the National Department of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu were among the dignitaries in attendance. In her keynote address Sotyu said the new establishment would play a key role in meeting conferencing and accommodation needs in the province. 'Significantly, the hotel is recognised within the Municipality's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) as a catalytic project for advancing tourism growth and infrastructure in Polokwane, reinforcing its strategic alignment with both local and national development priorities. 'The significance of women in the tourism sector is multi-dimensional, impacting economic development, gender equality, community empowerment, and the cultural richness of destinations. When structures are inclusive and equitable, tourism can be a powerful tool for empowering women economically, offering both income and agency,' said Sotyu. During her address Sotyu informed guests of a R100 million cash injection into the Tourism Transformation Fund. The additional funds will source tourism projects in the pipeline and bolster black empowerment within the sector. The Atrium Boutique Hotel comprises 26 luxury rooms, a restaurant that seats 100, a 100 capacity conference centre, a 15 seater boardroom and bar. The establishment created 56 job opportunities thus far. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Illegal dumping due to ‘lack of services, education'
Nasaret is drowning in trash and illegal dumping throughout town, suggesting that the municipality is losing the battle against solid waste management. In this week's council agenda, a report on the Section 79 Safety and Security Committee alluded to a bigger problem of municipal law enforcement personnel not doing their jobs, and failing to implement by-laws. According to the DA's Morgan Bruiners, a staggering 15 illegal dumpsites have been discovered in Nasaret, Rondebosch and Sam Rose, resulting in significant health risks for the community. Bruiners agrees that the municipality is showing a 'lack of effective waste management'. According to the municipality, a continued waste minimisation strategy is being followed by engaging with communities with events based on the environmental calendar. The municipality established a waste transfer station between Extension 24 and Nasaret, allowing for the disposal of general waste. The municipality does not have available land, nor the funds, for the development of a landfill site, or more waste transfer stations, on the current budget or Integrated Development Plan. The town only has one landfill next to Tokologo, which also only allows the disposal of general waste, in line with its operational licence. Apart from awareness campaigns and the available by-laws governing solid waste disposal, the municipality plans to tackle the problem with its adopt-a-spot policy, which would partner private entities with the municipality to keep their respective adopted spots clean. According to the municipality, ward councillors should promote the adopt-a-spot policy in order to reduce illegal dumping. The municipality blames illegal dumping on 'culture and lack of efficient service and education'. The municipality said it will continue to collect waste throughout town once weekly, and added that funds have been availed to rehabilitate dumping areas. Bruiners said that by-laws aren't a deterrent and that spot fines are ineffective. The municipality conceded that the only way to win the dumping war 'is to change human behaviour'. Dennesig Ward Councillor Johann Dyason meanwhile dispelled Dennesig and Kanonkop residents' fears that the Dennesig waste transfer station will be demolished with the development of more than 700 stands in Dennesig North as 'unfounded rumours'. According to the plans he has seen, the transfer station falls just outside the residential development and will continue to benefit the suburbs. Just a quick drive towards the transfer station, however, shows that illegal dumping, especially building rubble, continues to be dumped outside the transfer station. 'Illegal dumping is a problem throughout Middelburg,' he agreed.
The Citizen
29-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Outages worsen amid equipment shortages, staff go-slow
Waterkloof Ridge residents recently faced a 12-day power outage, with some expressing outrage over the Tshwane metro's delayed response and poor communication throughout. According to residents, electricity was first lost on June 25 in parts of Waterkloof Ridge Ext 2, particularly along Aquila Avenue. While power was eventually restored earlier this month, frustrations continue to mount over what residents describe as a sluggish and inefficient repair process. The metro explained that the complexity of the fault made it more difficult for technicians to locate the problem, which led to the extended power outage in the area. Ward 42 Councillor Shane Maas, who actively escalated the issue on behalf of affected residents, said the delay was worsened by the metro depot not having the proper equipment to locate the damaged cable. He explained that the depot lacked a diagnostic tool known as a 'mega' and had to borrow it from another depot before repairs could move forward. Maas confirmed this detail after engaging with both metro staff and concerned residents. 'I escalated it daily from the second day up until it was eventually fixed,' he said. He also pointed out that this was not an isolated case. 'There's currently another resident with a similar issue who hasn't had power for 27 days. Technicians came, identified a cable fault, and then left. It appears they now need a mega again to locate the fault. The cycle just repeats.' Maas said the average turnaround time for electrical faults has worsened significantly and is now around three days, although in some cases, residents are being left without electricity for several weeks. He noted that councillors are often expected to act as operational managers, despite having no authority over metro departments. 'Residents think I have a team of electricians or a budget to control. But all I can do is keep pushing department managers and hope someone finally takes action.' He added that the situation is further complicated by a go-slow protest by metro staff in response to overtime compensation disputes. 'They're not responding with urgency or using proper fault-finding techniques. That also frustrates us as councillors and frustrates residents too.' According to Maas, residents do not know the limits of a ward councillor's role. 'They assume we have all the power, but we don't. We make submissions to the IDP [Integrated Development Plan] and vote on the budget in council. That's where it ends.' Tshwane metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, confirmed that the outage was caused by multiple cable faults. 'Due to the complexity of the fault, it took longer than usual for the team to locate and repair it,' said Mashigo. He confirmed that once the fault was identified, power was restored in the area. Mashigo added that the outage was linked to fibre installation work that had damaged power infrastructure. According to Mashigo, the metro has strengthened its due diligence processes to ensure that contractors comply with regulations when installing such infrastructure. He also stated that the metro continues to communicate service interruptions through its official platforms and encouraged residents to report faults online or through the city's customer care line. 'Residents are encouraged to report complaints through our Customer Care Centre or online, and also through their ward councillors for escalation.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Star
22-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Decades of faith and hard work transform Sibu's Hindu temple.
A ONCE modest house of worship has now blossomed into a grand cultural and spiritual landmark for the Hindu community in Sibu. The newly completed Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, built at a cost of RM2mil, stands not just as a place of prayer but as a powerful symbol of unity, heritage and hope for generations to come. The temple's origins date back to 1920, when it began as a humble hut. In 1971, it moved into a double-storey building donated by the late Soma Sundram. That house and its surrounding land were generously gifted for religious use – a gesture that laid the foundation for the temple's enduring legacy. Manogaran (fifth from left) leading a mini-procession around the temple. Today, after more than a decade of tireless work, community support and government funding, the temple has undergone a complete transformation. Temple president Manogaran Krishnasamy, who took over its management in 2012, described the journey as both challenging and deeply rewarding. 'This temple is built on new ground, literally and spiritually. It is the first Hindu temple in Sibu constructed under the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the Indian community,' said Manogaran, a retired police sergeant. 'It follows traditional Hindu customs, from the statues to the prayers – it mirrors what you would see in Peninsular Malaysia or even India.' The transformation didn't happen overnight. A large crowd of devotees at the consecration of the temple. 'It took years of fundraising, administrative work and sheer determination. Between 2018 and 2024, major construction and decorative work was completed with support from the Sarawak government and the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), which contributed nearly RM400,000. Further help came from local philanthropists and timber businessmen who donated wooden materials valued at over RM120,000. 'Without the support of our elected representatives and the local Chinese and Iban communities, this temple would not exist in its current form,' Manogaran said. 'I am especially grateful to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Nangka assemblyman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee for their belief in our vision.' The temple consecration ceremony is steeped in tradition. Initially, 10 skilled workers from India were involved in the project but as it neared completion, only four remained. 'Each worker earns a salary ranging from RM3,000 to RM4,000. 'Yes, they are skilled workers, which is why they all have certificates,' Manogaran explained. He said 16 stone sculptures were brought in from India at a cost of nearly RM22,000 for transport, while 63 statues were built on site by the specialist workers. The temple was consecrated on July 7 in a ceremony that featured 48 days of prayers and the participation of over 30 priests from India and Peninsular Malaysia. Looking ahead, the temple committee has set its sights on an even more ambitious goal: to hold Sibu's first-ever Thaipusam celebration next year. 'In Penang, Thaipusam draws people from all over the world. It's more than a religious event – it becomes a multicultural gathering,' said Manogaran. Musical instruments formed an integral part of the consecration ceremony. 'We hope to replicate that spirit here in Sibu. Our vision is to make it a memorable and inclusive festival that also draws tourists.' Plans are already under way for a local religious procession, with hopes that it could evolve into an annual cultural highlight for Sibu. While traditional chariots pulled by bulls – as seen in Peninsular Malaysia – are impractical in Sibu, the committee is exploring creative alternatives such as airport trolleys to symbolically carry the deity during the parade. In addition to Thaipusam, the temple plans to celebrate other major Hindu festivals like Navaratri, ensuring year-round spiritual activity. The temple is open daily from 7am to 10am and 6pm to 10pm, with a full-time priest from Peninsular Malaysia stationed there to conduct daily rituals. A boy being lifted up by his parents to witness the divine blessings of Goddess Mariamman at the temple. In time, there are plans to open the temple to members of the public with fixed visiting hours. Beyond its religious role, the temple also aspires to serve the wider community. Manogaran hopes to raise funds for a temple van, which could be used to transport devotees or assist in charitable work such as ferrying the sick to hospitals. Still, challenges remain as further work is needed to improve the temple's uneven grounds – but Manogaran remains optimistic. 'Many people have served this community for decades but couldn't achieve this. I've been here just seven or eight years and one day decided: it's time we had a proper temple. With faith and unity, everything is possible.' The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple today is not only a place of worship, it is a living monument to interfaith cooperation, community resilience and cultural preservation. As it prepares to host its first Thaipusam festival next year, Sibu's Hindu community, numbering between 300 and 400 people, has every reason to be proud.
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Ekurhuleni Mayor suspends electricity hike after violent protests rock Tembisa
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has temporarily suspended electricity tariff increase in Tembisa following protests by residents over a R126 fixed charge. Image: Supplied Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has temporarily suspended a controversial electricity tariff increase for the metro, following protests by residents in Tembisa over a R126 fixed charge. Speaking to a crowd of residents who had taken to the streets in protest outside Rabasotho Hall, Xhakaza acknowledged their frustration. 'It had been painful since last night and this morning, when you decided to protest,' he said. 'We would like to thank you for being peaceful. No property was burned, and no one was injured. Xhakaza emphasised that the municipality's tariffs had gone through the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultation process, but acknowledged the public's dissatisfaction. 'The tariffs of the municipality were consulted through the IDP processes that you know, but it is clear from where we are that there's a charge that doesn't sit well with you,' he said. 'What is important is that we have heard your grievances. But you have to know that this is not our problem as Ekurhuleni.' He said the municipal tariffs are based on Eskom's pricing structure, as approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'The structure of the municipal tariff comes from Eskom. So, through Nersa, prices are approved. We are guided by Nersa on how electricity will increase, and what we must actually collect from you,' he said. Xhakaza announced the immediate suspension of the R126 fixed electricity charge while the city reviews the issue. 'In the meantime, we are temporarily suspending the fixed charge of R126,' he said. 'But we call on you to keep sending those petitions to allow us to go through the process of taking this matter to the Mayoral Committee and to the Council, so that we can come back and find a permanent solution.' Earlier, IOL News reported that the protest, which turned violent as police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds, follows the City of Ekurhuleni's implementation of new electricity charges that came into effect on July 1 for the 2025 and 2026 financial year. Residents have expressed concern over fixed monthly fees of just under R109 for single-phase connections and more than R200 for three-phase connections. The new charges come on the heels of a 12.74% national electricity tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), effective from April 1, 2025. The increase is part of Nersa's multi-year revenue determination plan, which also includes further hikes of 5.36% in the 2026–2027 financial year and 6.19% in 2027–2028. Nersa said the increases aim to stabilise the country's energy supply and support Eskom's deteriorating financial position, which has been hampered by aging infrastructure, delayed maintenance, and continued load-shedding. Streets across Tembisa were blocked by burning tires, rocks, and debris. Plumes of black smoke filled the air as protesters gathered in large numbers, supported by the Tembisa Community Forum (TCF) group. Brenda Mekoa, TCF's spokesperson, criticised the municipality for implementing the new tariffs without prior consultation. 'The municipality introduced these increases without alerting the community,' Mekoa told IOL News. 'Ward councillors say they knew nothing about these changes. We don't want these increases, and we want them scrapped immediately.' Mekoa said the impact of the price hikes is being felt across both Tembisa and the greater Ekurhuleni region. She warned that the protests would escalate if demands were not met. 'If they don't answer our demands, we will put Tembisa at a standstill,' she said. 'We don't want explanations. The mayor ( Alderman Nkosindiphile Doctor Xhakaza) must apologise and cancel the increases immediately. If not, things will turn uglier than this.' According to Mekoa, four people, including three men and one woman, have been arrested during the protests. She claimed they were detained despite participating in what she described as a peaceful protest. 'The police are just shooting at us randomly. It's a peaceful protest,' she said. IOL News has reached out to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson Thabiso Makgato for comment on the arrests. Nevhuhulwi confirmed that no one was arrested during the protest. Meanwhile, residents like Johannes Papi, 62, from Ward 10 in Lekaneng, voiced their frustration. 'This electricity issue is badly affecting us. Even if you buy R600 worth of electricity, the units are very low. I'm spending over R2,000 per month just to keep the lights on,' he said. Papi, who said he is tired of digging deep into his pockets, added that they would continue protesting until the tariffs are reversed. Protesters began gathering around midnight Sunday, blocking major roads including Link Road, Sam Molele Drive, Brian Mazibuko Drive, George Nyanga Drive, RTJ Namane Drive, and Jabu Mdunge Drive. EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele confirmed that roads remained barricaded and the situation volatile. In an updated statement earlier on Monday, Makgato said, The main roads are still blocked with burning tires. Protesters are throwing stones at moving vehicles. Please be cautious.' EMPD and South African Police Service (SAPS) officers remained on the scene Monday morning to monitor the situation. IOL News
