Latest news with #SASA
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
The impact of Trump's tariffs on South Africa's sugar industry and jobs
The South African sugar industry is facing the threat of collapsing and job losses as a result of US President Donald Trump imposing 30% tariffs on the country's exports. Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers Stress is weighing on farmers as they anticipate losing millions of rand through 30% tariffs, which US President Donald Trump imposed on South African companies generating profit from exporting to the United States of America. Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's ongoing efforts to talk to Trump to go easy on the local exporters, the fear was that the US would not back down. The US tariffs against many countries around the world came into full swing after midnight on Friday, leaving a chilling fear that this might collapse the South African industries. SA Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) Executive Chairman Dr Siyabonga Madlala is concerned that while businesses have no power over politically influenced tariffs, they are the ones that will bear the brunt. Although it was still early to see how much damage the tariffs would inflict on the local businesses, Madlala anticipated a loss of millions of rand, a situation that would result in alarming job losses. His concern was that the sugar industry, which falls under the South African Sugar Association (SASA), was producing far more than enough for local and foreign producers, and with the tariffs, a lot might go to waste. 'America, through AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), has given us a lucrative market for some 24,000 tons of sugar exports, so with the imposition of tariffs, our sugar won't be attractive to our US consumers as it is now becoming expensive. 'It forces US consumers to look for alternatives rather than buying from us because our sugar becomes 30% more expensive,' said Madlala. South African competitors in supplying the US with sugar are Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and several Central American and Caribbean nations. Madlala said that while the local sugar industry produces 1.5 million tons for local consumers, another 500,000 tons are sent to the foreign market, which is also supplied by its local producers and other countries. He estimated that, through the tariffs, SASA loses R168 million from its annual revenue. He said the sugar market, through the government, will have to find an alternative market for the 24,000 tons that would not be viable to send to the US. According to Madlala, the US market, which found South African sugar affordable under the AGOA agreement, may look for alternative countries to buy from. 'The reason is that lots of other countries are subsidised, therefore they can afford to sell sugar than us, as we are not subsidised but working on our own. 'With this imposition of tariffs, we will lose 24,000 tons, which will have to go to the dumping market, meaning that we are losing half of the profit we are receiving from the sale of the sugar,' said Madlala. He said reducing production would cause job losses and the closure of sugar mills. 'Once you try to lower the production, it means some farms will shut down or diversify. By that, it means that sugar mills will lose sugar cane supply, which is the lifeblood of the sugar mill,' he said. He said the tariffs came at the wrong time when most of the sugar mills were being revived through the Trade and Industry's master plan and when some sugar mills, including Tongaat Hulett, were making their way out of business rescue. 'Those mills are starved for sugar cane, so we cannot lower production; in fact, we need to grow production. Unfortunately, Trump's tariff is coming at a time when the industry is being revived. While we are appreciating the initiative of the master plan, we are now bombarded with the tariffs,' said Madlala. Influential organisations such as FW De Klerk Foundation recently called for the country to expand its trade partners rather than relying on the US. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the government was also reaching out to other countries. However, Madlala said finding an alternative market was not easy to do overnight. National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) Chief Executive Officer Renai Moothilal told the media that the automotive industry was already feeling the effects of the tariffs, as some US companies that contract with the local industry were starting to fall away. 'We are already seeing new contracts, especially for the US, being cancelled or not pursued, putting one of the country's most critical manufacturing sectors at risk,' Moothilal said. Build One SA (BOSA) described the tariffs as 'a serious escalation in trade tensions between SA and the US', which are threatening thousands of jobs in automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. In a statement, the party called on Ramaphosa to be frank with the US political leadership in trying to revive the AGOA agreement.
News24
a day ago
- Sport
- News24
Nominations revealed for SA Sports Awards
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced the nominations for the 18th edition of the South African Sport Awards (SASA). The awards, which will celebrate 'Sporting Excellence', will take place at the Sun City Superbowl on Sunday, 24 August. READ | World champ Pieter Coetzé finds taste for winning: 'I want to be favourite in next Olympics' The awards carry a total of 16 categories, including the major award of the night, the Sport Star of the Year award. The three nominees for Sport Star of the Year award are sprinter Akani Simbine, swimmer Tatjana Smith and sprint and long jump star Mpumelelo Mhlongo. Smith also features in the Sportswoman of the Year category alongside Proteas women's cricketer Laura Wolfaardt and pool champion Tasneem Solomons. Simbine, along with Springbok rugby star Pieter-Steph du Toit and cyclist Alan Hatherly, are nominated in the Sportsman of the Year category. The categories will recognise performances from the period between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024. SA Sport Award nominees: Sport Administrator of the Year • Gavin Crookes • Pholetsi Moseki • Hezekiel Sepeng Recreation Body of the Year • Beaufort West Older Persons Club • Mac Masina Foundation • Made for More Sport Volunteer of the Year • Phuti Lekoloane • Sandile Lukhele • Ingrid La Fleur Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year • Bayanda Walaza • Noah Bennett • Simoné Kruger Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year • Under 20 - 4x4 Relay • Under 19 Men's Cricket Team • SA U19 Tug of War Men's Team Sport Visual Journalist of the Year • Roger Sedres • Phakamisa Lensman • Thulisile Dlamini Sports Media Journalist of the Year • Stuart Hess • Charles Baloyi • Palesa Manaleng Technical Official of the Year • Ernesta Strydom • Adrian Holdstock • Aimee Barrett-Theron National Federation of the Year • Cycling South Africa • Golf South Africa • SA Rugby Union Sport Team of the Year • 4x100m Men's Team (Paris Olympics) • Donald Ramphadi & Lucas Sithole • Protea Women Team - Cricket - T20 Coach of the Year • Jason Sewanyana • Rocco Meiring • Andries Kruger Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability • Kgothatso Montjane • Simone Kruger • Minke Janse van Rensburg Sportsman of the Year with a Disability • Mpumelelo Mhlongo • Pieter Du Preez • Jean-Paul Veaudry Sportswoman of the Year • Tatjana Smith • Tasneem Solomons • Laura Wolvaardt Sportsman of the Year • Alan Hatherly • Akani Simbine • Pieter-Stephanus Du Toit Sport Star of the Year • Akani Simbine • Tatjana Smith • Mpumelelo Mhlongo
CBS News
31-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Zoo strep outbreak pauses intakes at Stanislaus Animal Services as vet shortage, clinic gaps persist
A contagious respiratory illness known as zoo strep has forced Stanislaus Animal Services to halt all stray animal intakes, as shelter staff work to deep-clean the facility and separate exposed dogs. "We're having to empty out sections at a time," said SASA Director Lily Yap. "Those areas are essentially on hold while we perform the deep clean." There's no timeline for when intakes will resume. But the outbreak is just one part of a larger challenge. In 2024, the Joint Powers Authority Board, made up of six government partners, including Stanislaus County and five cities, approved more than $500,000 for a new low-cost spay and neuter site, known as the Love Clinic. The idea was to make the clinic self-sustaining. Instead, it's barely running. "The original expectation was that it would fund itself," Yap said. "But the biggest challenge is being able to fill that veterinarian position." Without a vet, the clinic offers only a handful of appointments each week. This isn't the first time public veterinary services have hit a wall. In 2023, a Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report revealed that SASA's request for a mobile clinic was denied by the JPA board, which later reclaimed nearly $400,000 in unused funds. "Our partners have the option to take those funds back," Yap said, "or put it toward the next year's budget." With rising stray numbers, a shelter-wide disease outbreak, and no full-time vet in sight, Yap says the agency is relying on fosters, volunteers, and a September budget reassessment to try to fill the gap.
Hans India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
People urged to avoid plastic
Srikakulam: Director of the Factories Department D Chandra Sekhar Varma participated in an awareness programme organised at Apitoria Pharmaceuticals in Pydibhimavaram as part of the "Swarna Andhra – Swatcha Andhra" (SASA) initiative. Addressing the gathering, Varma emphasised that the eradication of plastic goods is a collective responsibility of everybody in the society. He highlighted the severe environmental and health hazards posed by plastic usage. He stressed the need for proactive participation from both industries and the public to combat plastic pollution and safeguard all living beings, including humans. As part of the programme, competitions were conducted on the topic of plastic pollution for employees and their children. The winners were presented with prizes and merit certificates by the officials. The event was coordinated by Joint Director of Factories J Siva Sankar Reddy along with Apitoria representatives S Madan Kumar and E Sampath Reddy.
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Hans India
Intensified campaign launched to prevent plastic pollution
Nandyal: In a major move towards environmental protection, the Nandyal district administration has launched an intensified campaign to eliminate plastic pollution under the Swarna Andhra – Swachh Andhra (SASA) initiative. District Collector G Rajakumari has announced a one-month deadline for reducing the usage of banned single-use plastic (SUP) items across the district on Saturday. The Collector urged the public, traders and institutions to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and support the campaign for a cleaner and greener environment. The Collector emphasised that after the one-month grace period, stringent legal action will be initiated against those involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution, usage and transportation of prohibited SUP products. Enforcement will be carried out by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), municipal bodies, panchayat departments, and other regulatory authorities. Action plans have already been drawn up to monitor violations and impose penalties as per established norms. As per the enforcement guidelines, manufacturers and importers of banned SUPs will face a fine of Rs 50,000 for the first offence, along with confiscation of the goods. Repeat offenders will be liable to pay Rs 1,00,000 in fines, face seizure of products and machinery, revocation of licenses, and prosecution under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Distributors, importers, and e-commerce platforms found storing or distributing SUPs will be penalised Rs 25,000 initially, with additional charges of Rs 10 per kg of plastic seized. A second violation will attract a Rs 50,000 fine and legal prosecution. Penalties for retailers and vendors are also clearly defined. Street vendors found selling banned plastics will be fined Rs 2,500 for a first offence and Rs 5,000 for repeat violations, which may also lead to business closure. Shops and commercial establishments will face fines of Rs 20,000 for initial violations and up to Rs 40,000 and licence cancellation for subsequent offences. Transportation of SUPs will also be closely monitored, with special enforcement teams imposing fines and seizing vehicles, if necessary. The administration has appealed to the public to strictly avoid banned plastics and warned that violators will face tough consequences.
