Latest news with #Uys
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane councillors clash over budget
The Tshwane metro council meeting at Tshwane House witnessed intense debates as councillors scrutinised the latest budget. The budget, above R50-billion, was presented by the MMC for Finance and Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise last month. The debates, marked by political tensions and divergent views, highlighted the metro's ongoing financial challenges and the complexities of governance. Modise tabled a fully funded budget for the 2025/26 financial year in a move towards financial sustainability and improved service delivery. The budget was formally endorsed by the National Treasury, marking an achievement for the municipality, previously plagued by financial instability. He hailed his budget as a turning point in Tshwane governance and fiscal management. The budget doesn't rely on external loans or borrowing, which Modise described as 'historic and a reflection of responsible leadership'. Despite the budget's passage with 113 votes, opposition parties raised concerns. The DA rejected and criticised the budget, and described it as using residents as 'cash cows'. DA councillor Jacqui Uys highlighted that the ANC in Tshwane has ignored opposition voices and included another punitive tax on residents. Uys said the plan is to tax every single resident who cannot afford to use the metro's rubbish collectors, at R500 per month, by forcing them to pay R200 per month in the form of a City Cleansing Levy. 'Private waste collectors already pay a fee to utilise the metro's dumping grounds, and those using private collectors will now pay double. Those who cannot afford the metro's rates will be penalised for being poor. 'R20-million is allocated to pay for an advisor, who will facilitate transactions, getting the Rooiwal and Pretoria West Power Stations operated privately. However, the fine print makes it clear that there is no plan to rid Tshwane of Eskom's 93c/KwA Wheeling tariff,' said Uys. She said no independent power producer will be able to sell electricity at the loss this tariff causes. 'The deputy mayor, in his budget speech, celebrated that the water woes of Ikageng are over. In Ikageng, the taps are dry, but water tankers can be found everywhere. This budget has almost doubled the Water and Sanitation Department's water tanker budget.' As Tshwane navigates its financial recovery, the effectiveness of the implemented measures and the administration's commitment to equitable service delivery will remain under scrutiny. Godwin Ratikwane of the EFF commended the MMC of Finance for presenting an improved budget that directly addresses long-standing social injustices raised by communities in the township and informal settlements. He said this budget 'reflects a decisive departure from the neglect of the past administrations and stands as a testament to the party's commitment to uplift the marginalised and make it great again'. 'The fully funded budget backed by the National Treasury is a clear signal that this administration is not merely making hollow promises, but taking concrete steps to transformative change. 'Let it be known that the R1.7-billion allocated to emergency services will revitalise the department, long neglected, and address the communities and the staff shortages that have jeopardised public safety,' said Ratikwana. LISTEN: ActionSA's Tshepo Modiba said this budget is not just a compliance exercise but a plan for inclusive development, service delivery, acceleration, and financial resilience. 'It gives life to the service delivery priorities we have set as a collective. It is a budget that passes both the test of legality and the test of vision. 'We acknowledge that the majority of revenue comes from service charges, and we are strengthening the social package to protect the vulnerable. This budget ensures we maintain the balance between financial stability, sustainability, and social responsibility,' said Modiba. FF Plus councillor Grandi Theunissen rejected the budget and said it places a financial burden on residents, businesses, and property owners. He said instead of the budget fostering growth and stability, it prioritises revenue, extraction over ethical governance, disregards economic realities and fails to uphold financial justice. 'The new valuation role has caused property values to increase for an average of 24.17%, drastically increasing municipal tax obligations, the metro claims to soften the impact by 4%, and adjusting the threshold from R150 000 to R250 000. 'The controversial city cleaning levy unfairly targets households and businesses that do not rely on municipal waste collection, forcing them to pay for services that they do not use. This levy amounts to double taxation,' he said. LISTEN: Modise said the passing of the budget by the council marks a turning point for Tshwane's financial governance and service delivery capabilities. 'The approval of this budget restores credibility to the city's institutional capacity and sends a clear message that Tshwane is moving forward with purpose, discipline, and unity of vision. 'This outcome reflects extensive work behind the scenes, from council engagements to technical planning, all in service of building a city that works better for its people,' Modise said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
DA slams Tshwane's first funded budget since 2021
The DA says the budget increases costs for vulnerable residents while protecting elite networks. While the City of Tshwane's coalition partners celebrate the passing of its first fully funded budget since 2021 in council yesterday, the opposition has accused the city of using its residents as cash cows. The coalition partners which included ANC, EFF, ActionSA, Good, DOP, ATM, PA, PAC and AIC said the budget represented a significant step toward restoring fiscal stability, advancing service delivery and meeting growing developmental needs of residents. DA rejects budget as a betrayal of the poor DA Tshwane spokesperson on finance Jacqui Uys however rejected the 'farce that was the City of Tshwane's budget'. Uys said the ANC government disregarded Tshwane's vulnerable communities because the watchman services budget was increased from R307 million in 2024 to R565 million. 'Tshwane's budget, while promising to uplift and make life easier for the residents, is nothing but a protection of ANC patronage, while using residents as cash cows. The ANC has ignored opposition voices and included another punitive tax on residents. 'The plan is to tax every single resident who cannot afford to make use of the city's rubbish collectors, at R500 per month, by forcing them to pay R200 per month in the form of a city cleansing levy,' she said. ALSO READ: Tshwane's R54.6bn budget draws mixed reactions Private power plans and patronage concerns Uys said the flawed budget was an exercise in protecting patronage networks with R20 million allocated to pay for an advisor that will facilitate transactions getting the Rooiwal and Pretoria West Power Stations operated privately, yet it was clear there is no plan to rid Tshwane of Eskom's 93c/KwA wheeling tariff. 'No independent power producer will be able to sell electricity at a loss this tariff causes,' she said. Uys said it was clear that they wanted to keep Tshwane dependent on Eskom patronage. 'The deputy mayor in his budget speech celebrated that the water woes of Ikageng are over. Yet the taps are dry and water tankers can be found everywhere. This budget has almost doubled the water and sanitation department's water tanker budget,' she said. ActionSA hails budget as a major coalition victory ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said the passing of the 2025-26 Tshwane budget represented a major victory for all the city's residents. 'It marks the first time that ActionSA mayor Nasiphi Moya and her multiparty coalition government have delivered from their own budget, an astonishing feat, given the changes already achieved in the city,' he said. Mashaba said plans to reimagine customer care in the city were exciting, ensuring that residents receive timely, responsive service and clear feedback while issues were being resolved. NOW READ: Here is how Tshwane will be spending its R54.6 billion budget
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Glen Hills baby home appeals for donations
THE Ray of Hope Babies Home has been a place of safety for abandoned and vulnerable infants in Glen Hills for 15 years. Recently, Crisis mother Rachel Uys noticed a decline in donations, sponsorships, and volunteers and is calling on the community to help alleviate the mounting pressure it is experiencing. Uys said the drop in donations over the past year has placed the NPO in a difficult position. 'The economic climate has affected everyone, and we've really felt the impact. While we're incredibly grateful for the church and community members who continue to support us, we are in need of more help,' said Uys. The home, which consistently cares for six babies up to the age of three and a half, provides round-the-clock care, medical attention, and emotional support. Some children require specialised formula, medication for eczema or withdrawal symptoms, and other tailored treatments which pushes the monthly care costs up to R3000 per child in certain cases. The recent financial strain has forced the organisation to consider temporary staff downsizing. Volunteers have stepped in to fill the gap, but more are needed. 'We've had to temporarily let go of one of our casual caregivers. I have stepped in but I also have a ton of operational duties to see to such as hospitals and clinic visits, court visits, shopping, etc. And as the children grow, their needs grow too. It's not just baby formula. Toddlers need solids, new clothes, and pull-ups,' Uys explained. 'Unfortunately, people often only think of the babies when donating, but our toddlers need just as much. We need long-term volunteers who can commit their time regularly. Even one extra person helping with meals or laundry makes a huge difference,' said Uys. Currently, staff live on the premises part-time and are grateful for basic food donations like rice, mealie meal, bread, and spreads. Ray of Hope welcomes individual and corporate donations, and can issue Section 18A certificates for tax-deductible contributions. Supporters are encouraged to reach out via phone or email to request the home's current wish list of essential items and child-specific needs. 'Every donation counts whether it's cash, nappies, or your time. Together, we can keep giving these little ones the love and care they deserve,' she said. To make a donation or for their donation wish list and sponsorship opportunities, call Uys on 084 924 3100 or email info@ For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How South Africa is leading the charge in hybrid solar energy development
Explore how South Africa is transforming its energy landscape through hybrid solar solutions, enhancing grid stability and meeting net-zero commitments in the face of climate challenges. Image: File. As the global energy sector races to meet net-zero commitments, utility-scale solar is undergoing a fundamental transformation. No longer defined by megawatt capacity alone, solar projects are now being evaluated on their ability to deliver dispatchable power, enhance grid stability, and provide critical ancillary services. Nowhere is this evolution more pronounced than in Africa, particularly South Africa, where the Just Energy Transition is accelerating the shift towards resilient, grid-integrated renewable energy. 'Across the continent, and especially in South Africa, we're seeing a strategic move away from variable-only generation,'Jaco Uys, SVP Projects Sub-Sahara Africa at Scatec said. 'What matters now is whether a project can deliver clean energy consistently on demand day or night. This means thinking beyond solar panels, to fully integrated energy systems,' Uys said. South Africa's Eskom-constrained grid has spotlighted the urgent need for firm, responsive power. As Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are increasingly permitted to co-develop transmission infrastructure under the country's new Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) framework, the focus is shifting to hybrid models that combine generation with advanced control technologies. At the forefront of this movement is Scatec's Kenhardt project, a hybrid solar-battery development in the Northern Cape. Boasting 540 MW of solar PV paired with 225 MW/1,140 MWh of battery storage, Kenhardt delivers consistent dispatchable energy under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Eskom. It was recently recognised at the 2025 Solar Energy Conference in Norway for its trailblazing approach in combining renewables with storage to strengthen energy reliability. 'Kenhardt isn't just a solar project,' Nic Bailey, SVP Operational Excellence and Digitalisation at Scatec said. Bailey, alongside Uys, is representing the company at Intersolar Europe in Munich this week. 'It's a demonstration of what's possible when you pair clean generation with flexible output. We're not just injecting power into the grid—we're actively supporting it,' Bailey added. Speaking from Munich both Bailey and Uys shared further reflections on the state of the industry: 'We're not witnessing seismic shifts in solar technology,' Bailey further said. 'Instead, we're seeing incremental improvements in efficiency, equipment size, and LCOE year on year. That's a positive for IPPs like us—it allows for predictability in planning and stability in execution.' 'Amid challenges in the solar module market, the booming battery energy storage (BESS) sector is emerging as a vital growth area. It's reshaping the value chain and fuelling supplier diversification,' said Uys. 'It's clear that Scatec continues to stand out as a reliable partner,' Bailey said. 'Suppliers consistently point to our ability to move challenging projects forward in complex markets—something few others are managing as consistently.' As South Africa continues to unlock private sector participation and modernise its energy infrastructure, the lessons from Kenhardt and other grid-resilient projects are resonating far beyond its borders. Hybrid solutions represent the next chapter in the solar story—offering not just power, but progress. BUSINESS REPORT
