Latest news with #R9
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades
Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo Airport at 7pm (4pm GMT), according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on Sunday. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles (R9,977), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand".
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
'It's horrendous!': Inside Cape Town's rental nightmare
Finding affordable accommodation, irrespective of your income, is becoming a challenge, both for Capetonians and newcomers to the city. Image: File The popularity of Cape Town as an ideal place to go on holiday or to live and work is well known, but this elevated status is now becoming a double-edged sword. Ask anyone who has semigrated from other parts of the country to settle in Cape Town, and they'll tell you how shocked they were when looking for a place to rent, in or close to the City Bowl and the Atlantic Seaboard. The Atlantic Seaboard is unaffordable to the average South African who wants to move to Cape Town. Image: Armand Hough/African News Agency (ANA) 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 Let's face it, Cape Town does have it all: sun-kissed beaches, breathtaking views in all directions, a melting pot of cultures and historic buildings, not to mention its centrepiece - Table Mountain. But finding affordable accommodation, irrespective of your income, is becoming a challenge, both for Capetonians and newcomers to the city. "It's horrendous," said June Viviers*, 50, referring to her recent hard slog finding accommodation in the City Bowl after her move from Durban. "I knew accommodation was going to be a challenge, so I moved into an Airbnb for two months to give me time to look. Wow! I must have spoken to about 50 agents, but even though I booked 12 viewings, I never actually got the chance because agents would tell me the place has been taken, and that is because people make a decision based on pictures they see of the place without even viewing it. That's how desperate we all are. "I was so worried that I may have to move back to Durban, but eventually I found the place I stay at through a contact of mine," she said. Comparison She lives in a two-bedroomed flat in the City Bowl and pays R23 500 a month, a far cry from the R9 000 being charged for something similar on Durban's Berea. "Apart from the shortage and high price of accommodation in Cape Town, you have to earn three times more than your rent, plus you have to pay a double deposit, and they do credit checks, so that adds to the problem," she said. "Overpriced" is not a term those in the property market like to use when discussing the exorbitant rentals that are being asked for apartments within the City Bowl and along the Atlantic Seaboard. Agents say it is merely market forces at play, and that Cape Town, like any other picturesque city in the world that has everything that opens and shuts, commands the prices it serves up. Independent Media Property spoke to Mfundo Mabaso from FNB Home and Structured Lending to get an understanding of the challenge and how it can be tackled. He said the biggest drivers of escalating rentals in Cape Town are the influx of high-net-worth individuals from other parts of the country and abroad, as well as the high demand for Airbnb. Euros vs Rands "For digital nomads, the strength of the pound or the euro which they earn makes Cape Town affordable, even though rent is disproportionately high,' he said. "Covid created digital nomads, young South Africans earning in dollars or pounds who have the buying power of a foreigner, where they are happy to pay R18 000 for a studio in Cape Town, while in Sandton they'd pay R10 000. "If you look at it, everyone coming to Cape Town wants to be in close proximity to the CBD, which is very attractive, which then spikes the demand from high-earning individuals, making it easier for owners to raise their rents.' He gives the example of a client, a couple with three children from Pietermaritzburg who have taken up work in Cape Town and now need to make some hard choices. "They sold their home for R2 million, and now they can only afford to buy an apartment if they want to be close to the CBD for work, unless they're prepared to drive 50km out of the city to stay in a place that gives them a sense that they're in a comparatively good area. "But this then means extra time and money to commute each day, as well as additional costs like having someone to help fetch the kids from school. What you'll give up "These unforeseen costs mean that how their life was configured before is now fundamentally different. If they settle for an apartment nearby, they'll have to give away a bedroom and square metres, and there will be no garden," he said. Mabaso said government-subsidised housing and collective buying are seen by many as solutions for the lower and middle ends of the housing market. John Loos, senior economist at FNB, said land scarcity in Cape Town is not a problem experienced by its nearest property rival, Gauteng. "Land is scarce in Cape Town, with a mountain in the middle and the sea on a few sides and high-value farmland surrounding it, which is not being released or turned into residential property at a quicker rate. "Both Gauteng and Cape Town have rapid population rates, but the difference with Cape Town is a bigger influx of high-income people, affluent retirees and the high rate of Airbnb, and this keeps the supply of normal rental properties limited. "This is what happens when a place becomes the flavour of the month. It is very simple, really, and is reflective of a prime city that is more popular than other places in the country," he said. Loos said the city can mitigate this by rapid and orderly densification and the creation of high-density nodes outside the city precinct. Bellville could be turned into a second CBD with a public transport corridor and housing developments. Image: Supplied He said there has been talk about turning Bellville into a second CBD, with high-density housing along major transport corridors such as Voortrekker Road, which, if implemented, would create demand for a state-of-the-art mass public transport system. Rob Steffanutta, head of development at the ClaremartGroup says as these prime areas reach saturation, Cape Town's southern suburbs could become 'the next major frontier for rental market value', adding that these suburbs still offer 'significant parcels of available development land, where the savvy investor could get in under R50K per m2 for construction'. * Not her real name
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Gogta under fire for defying court order
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is under fire for defying a court order to pay over R9 million to the Insika Foundation, one of its former implementing agents in the Community Work Programme (CWP).Legal experts now say that key department leaders — including Minister V.K. Hlabisa, Director-General Mbulelo Ntshangama, Deputy Director-General Pankie Matomela, and CWP Finance Authority Mawande Skenjana are complicit in contempt of court. Despite a binding High Court ruling and a failed appeal attempt, the Department has refused to pay the money owed, effectively collapsing the Insika Foundation and severely disrupting a programme that supports thousands of vulnerable South Africans. Court Victory, Government Defiance Insika Foundation approached the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2024, seeking a 'mandamus' — a court order compelling COGTA to pay R9,291,633.42 for services delivered in April 2024. The Court granted the order on 12 July 2024. COGTA then tried to appeal but was dismissed with costs on 5 November 2024. The Court's ruling was clear: the Department must pay Insika with interest and attorney-client scale legal fees. Yet, the Department, led by DG Mbulelo Ntshangama, has refused to comply. Despite follow-ups and official correspondence to the Minister and his team, Insika has received no payment and no communication. This non-compliance puts COGTA in direct contempt of court, a serious legal offence that undermines the rule of law. Minister and Top Officials Now Complicit The blame now falls squarely on the leadership of the Department. Minister V.K. Hlabisa – Politically responsible and repeatedly warned about the Department's legal defiance. DG Mbulelo Ntshangama – The accounting officer, legally obligated to ensure compliance with court orders and fiscal responsibility, DDG Pankie Matomela – Head of the Community Work Programme, responsible for oversight and implementation and Mawande Skenjana** – CWP Finance Authority, tasked with ensuring payment processing and financial accountability. 'These officials are not just negligent — they are actively violating a court order,' said constitutional law analyst Adv. Thando Lekganyane. 'This opens them up to personal liability and possible criminal charges.' Collapse of Insika Foundation and CWP Fallout The Department's unlawful refusal to pay has financially destroyed the Insika Foundation, a non-profit that delivered critical community work services for COGTA. Unable to pay staff or continue operations, the organisation has shut down its work, leaving thousands of CWP participants unpaid, unsupported, and in crisis. 'We've followed the law. We won in court. Yet the government is treating us like criminals,' said Insika CEO Ziphozethu Busisiwe Matheniwa. 'Their refusal to pay has collapsed our business and left entire communities abandoned.' This isn't an isolated incident. Insika's experience reflects a broader pattern where small contractors and non-profits collapse after doing legitimate business with the government, only to be ignored or financially strangled when payment is due. CWP in Freefall: Chaos and Confusion Following the collapse of service providers like Insika, COGTA opted to 'insource' the CWP instead of renewing contracts. But internal documents show the Department was unprepared. Contracts with financial administrators and site management staff are set to expire in March 2025, with no clear plan for extension, recruitment, or budget allocation. Although the Department has requested contract extensions through DDG Matomela and Finance Authority Skenjana, delays and dysfunction persist. There is no operational clarity, and site-level staff have reported missed payments, poor communication, and a total lack of support. Legal Action Looms Insika has now signalled its intention to pursue further legal relief, including a Personal costs order for failure to comply with court rulings and a formal complaint to Parliament and the Public Protector. 'This isn't just about money anymore,' said Matheniwa. 'It's about the government's duty to respect the law — and the people who serve the country.' A Government Breaking Its Own Laws As communities go without support and legitimate service providers collapse, the silence from COGTA's leadership is deafening. For Insika Foundation and the thousands of CWP participants depending on this programme, the damage is already done. And unless the Department reverses course, the constitutional crisis may only deepen.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gogta under fire for defying court order
The blame now falls squarely on the leadership of the Department. Minister V.K. Hlabisa. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is under fire for defying a court order to pay over R9 million to the Insika Foundation, one of its former implementing agents in the Community Work Programme (CWP).Legal experts now say that key department leaders — including Minister V.K. Hlabisa, Director-General Mbulelo Ntshangama, Deputy Director-General Pankie Matomela, and CWP Finance Authority Mawande Skenjana are complicit in contempt of court. Despite a binding High Court ruling and a failed appeal attempt, the Department has refused to pay the money owed, effectively collapsing the Insika Foundation and severely disrupting a programme that supports thousands of vulnerable South Africans. Court Victory, Government Defiance Insika Foundation approached the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2024, seeking a 'mandamus' — a court order compelling COGTA to pay R9,291,633.42 for services delivered in April 2024. The Court granted the order on 12 July 2024. COGTA then tried to appeal but was dismissed with costs on 5 November 2024. The Court's ruling was clear: the Department must pay Insika with interest and attorney-client scale legal fees. Yet, the Department, led by DG Mbulelo Ntshangama, has refused to comply. Despite follow-ups and official correspondence to the Minister and his team, Insika has received no payment and no communication. This non-compliance puts COGTA in direct contempt of court, a serious legal offence that undermines the rule of law. Minister and Top Officials Now Complicit The blame now falls squarely on the leadership of the Department. Minister V.K. Hlabisa – Politically responsible and repeatedly warned about the Department's legal defiance. DG Mbulelo Ntshangama – The accounting officer, legally obligated to ensure compliance with court orders and fiscal responsibility, DDG Pankie Matomela – Head of the Community Work Programme, responsible for oversight and implementation and Mawande Skenjana** – CWP Finance Authority, tasked with ensuring payment processing and financial accountability. 'These officials are not just negligent — they are actively violating a court order,' said constitutional law analyst Adv. Thando Lekganyane. 'This opens them up to personal liability and possible criminal charges.' Collapse of Insika Foundation and CWP Fallout The Department's unlawful refusal to pay has financially destroyed the Insika Foundation, a non-profit that delivered critical community work services for COGTA. Unable to pay staff or continue operations, the organisation has shut down its work, leaving thousands of CWP participants unpaid, unsupported, and in crisis. 'We've followed the law. We won in court. Yet the government is treating us like criminals,' said Insika CEO Ziphozethu Busisiwe Matheniwa. 'Their refusal to pay has collapsed our business and left entire communities abandoned.' This isn't an isolated incident. Insika's experience reflects a broader pattern where small contractors and non-profits collapse after doing legitimate business with the government, only to be ignored or financially strangled when payment is due. CWP in Freefall: Chaos and Confusion Following the collapse of service providers like Insika, COGTA opted to 'insource' the CWP instead of renewing contracts. But internal documents show the Department was unprepared. Contracts with financial administrators and site management staff are set to expire in March 2025, with no clear plan for extension, recruitment, or budget allocation. Although the Department has requested contract extensions through DDG Matomela and Finance Authority Skenjana, delays and dysfunction persist. There is no operational clarity, and site-level staff have reported missed payments, poor communication, and a total lack of support. Legal Action Looms Insika has now signalled its intention to pursue further legal relief, including a Personal costs order for failure to comply with court rulings and a formal complaint to Parliament and the Public Protector. 'This isn't just about money anymore,' said Matheniwa. 'It's about the government's duty to respect the law — and the people who serve the country.' A Government Breaking Its Own Laws As communities go without support and legitimate service providers collapse, the silence from COGTA's leadership is deafening. For Insika Foundation and the thousands of CWP participants depending on this programme, the damage is already done. And unless the Department reverses course, the constitutional crisis may only deepen.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Building for tomorrow: addressing climate change in South Africa's construction landscape
Climate change impacts vulnerable areas like townships as poor infrastructure turns delays into costly, sometimes indefinite setbacks. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has warned that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. On Tuesday afternoon, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Yellow Level 2 Warning for Disruptive rainfall resulting in localised flooding of susceptible formal/ informal settlements or roads, low-lying areas and/or bridges, slippery roads leading to minor vehicle accidents, and difficulty driving conditions on dirt roads along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. In construction alone, adverse weather delays are said to delay 45% of construction projects globally, costing billions each year, according to Research Gate. In South Africa, the industry faces mounting pressure to adapt, not just through resilient materials and design, but smarter labour practices. The Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC) believes that collective bargaining can help to keep construction safe, viable, and economically sustainable. "Climate change is impacting our industry now," says Danie Hattingh, business spokesperson for the BIBC. In the first six months of 2024, natural disasters cost Africa US$ 0.5bn (approximately R9 billion). "From floods that damage transport infrastructure to droughts that halt water-dependent operations, the construction sector is exposed on multiple fronts," Hattingh said. Weather disruptions impact every phase of construction, from damaged ports and rail lines to delayed supply chains. In vulnerable areas like townships, poor infrastructure turns delays into costly, sometimes indefinite setbacks. For workers, these disruptions translate into safety risks and potential job insecurity. "Our Collective Agreement acknowledges the reality of these challenges," says Hattingh. "It includes provisions that allow contractors to temporarily lay off workers when weather or material delays make it impossible to continue safely. This gives both parties a framework to manage disruptions without dismantling the entire project team." Some regions and project types are said to be more exposed than others. Low-lying coastal developments are vulnerable to rising sea levels and flooding, while inland projects are often constrained by water and energy shortages. Sites in areas lacking proper drainage or stormwater management infrastructure were said to be particularly prone to disruption. Hattingh said the consequences of failing to adapt are severe. "If the industry doesn't embrace climate-resilient practices, we'll see more failed projects, higher insurance premiums, and growing reputational and regulatory risk. Clients and investors are already scrutinising construction firms through an environmental lens." The BIBC said forward-thinking design and material innovation are emerging as critical tools in the industry's climate response. It said passive design strategies (such as optimising building orientation, increasing ventilation, and incorporating shading) help to reduce dependence on energy-intensive cooling systems. "It added that in flood-prone regions, elevated structures and permeable surfaces are mitigating water damage and reducing surface runoff, while non-combustible materials and buffer zones help to mitigate fire spread in high-risk fire regions. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ According to the council, technology is also playing a role, helping construction happen quicker and in smarter ways and not just with the building itself but throughout the whole process. It said modular and prefabricated structures reduce waste and allow for rapid reconstruction after extreme events. Renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, offered off-grid resilience and water security, it said. "These aren't just aesthetic upgrades, they're economic imperatives," says Hattingh. "By integrating sustainable design into their projects, it promotes economic inclusion, job creation in green technologies, and compliance with international sustainability goals such as the UN's SDGs and the Paris Agreement." BIBC said adapting to climate realities does come at a cost, but the cost of doing nothing is far higher. It said firms that continue using traditional materials and processes face escalating operational expenses, insurance liabilities, and reputational damage. Unfit buildings may become uninsurable, energy-inefficient, or even dangerous to occupants. Fortunately, sustainability and profitability were mutually exclusive. Certifications like those offered by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) are helping firms unlock tax incentives, enhance resale values, and demonstrate leadership. "We're seeing more businesses embrace this shift, not just to reduce risk, but to remain competitive," Hattingh notes. In addition, green-certified buildings often command higher rental or resale values, particularly in the commercial sector. Historically, the industry could plan around fairly predictable seasonal weather. That is no longer the case. "We're witnessing increasingly erratic weather patterns, with devastating consequences," says Hattingh. "You can't always foresee a flood that will wipe out access to a building site or a heatwave that makes work conditions unsafe." This unpredictability directly impacts workers across all provinces. High and low temperature extremes can compromise material performance and endanger crews, making it difficult to schedule projects or maintain consistent employment. While the BIBC's collective agreement provisions offer some protection through structured layoffs and reinstatements, it said the long-term solution lies in creating more stable, resilient working conditions through planning, technology, and investment in climate-proof construction. Ultimately, the benefits of climate adaptation extend far beyond compliance; they shape the kind of society they are building. More durable structures mean safer communities. Smarter building systems reduce the environmental footprint. Inclusive green technologies create jobs, drive innovation and build resilience. "The construction industry doesn't just respond to climate change, it shapes how we live with it," says Hattingh. "We encourage industry leaders, contractors, and stakeholders to collaborate on how collective agreements can support greener, safer, and more resilient building practices. Together, we can build a future that withstands both environmental and economic pressures." The UN's latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predicts more frequent extreme weather with rising financial costs, posing a serious threat to South Africa's already climate-vulnerable, semi-arid regions. Meanwhile, drought that has been intensified by global warming and compounded by human action, has taken a devastating toll on wildlife across Africa and the Amazon between 2023 and 2025. According to a sobering new United Nations report, animal populations are being ravaged not just by thirst and starvation, but by human intervention as fragile ecosystems buckle under climatic stress. The Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023–2025 report - released in July by the US National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, with backing from the International Drought Resilience Alliance - catalogues the mass deaths of wild animals as both a direct and indirect consequence of prolonged drought. From East Africa to the edges of the Amazon, the line between ecological collapse and human survival is becoming dangerously thin. El Niño's re-emergence in 2023 brought a global spike in temperatures. This climatic event, part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system, is strongly linked to the spike in extreme droughts recorded over the past two years. In southern and eastern Africa, already brittle ecological balances gave way. Elephants starved in their hundreds, predators strayed into human settlements, and communities responded with lethal force. 'Human-animal interactions are becoming more complex due to climate change, but we must remember that we've fundamentally altered animals' natural migrations,' says Dr Henno Havenga of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at North-West University, offering a broader ecological context. 'Droughts have always occurred, but in the meantime, we've put up fences at every turn. Where elephants once migrated thousands of kilometres in search of food and water, they are now trapped in fixed reserves.' The environmental scientists said in a continent where ecological, climatic and economic stresses now collide with deadly regularity, the cost of doing nothing may prove fatal, not only to Africa's iconic wildlife, but to the human communities that have lived alongside them for generations. Independent Media Property
