By Neo Semono

Pretoria - The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has granted power utility Eskom a 31.3 percent interim tariff hike.

"A 31.3 percent price increase on the average standard tariff is approved from 1 July 2009 to 31 March 2010," announced the regulator's Chairman, Collin Matjila, on Thursday.

This will result in an increase of the average standard tariff from 25.24 c/kWh to 33.14c/kWh.

This after the power utility submitted its request for an interim 34 percent hike from the regulator to cover its operational expenditure.

Nersa said the increase will result in estimated tariff revenues of R62.031 billion while the estimated total revenues including Special Pricing Agreements (SPA's) will be R64.70 billion.

This increase also includes a 2cents/KwH levy on the sale of electricity generated from non-renewable sources.

However, the increase includes a limited price increase of 15 percent to both the parastatal and municipalities' poor customers.

The calabash-shaped Soccer City Stadium is expected to be the jewel among the ten stadiums that are expected to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, writes Proffesor Ndawonde.

Located in Johannesburg's southwest and only a stone's throw from one of the country's football crazy townships, Soweto, Soccer City Stadium will host the opening ceremony, and opening and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

By Ndaba Dlamini

Johannesburg - As part of its ambitious broadband project, the City of Johannesburg plans to set up techno hubs where people can access the internet and boost their technology skills.

According to Vumani Mangali, the assistant director of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Joburg's Economic Development Department, the project will be a vital tool to transport citizens to digital fluency.

Besides transforming the way the city delivers its services, broadband will also offer beneficiary programmes to its residents, reports Joburg.org.

"These programmes linked to broadband are meant to empower citizens. They will provide access to ICT infrastructure, ICT skills, business advice and job advisory support for disadvantaged communities," he said.

The main focus of the broadband beneficiary programme will be multi-service digital centres - techno hubs - that will house existing and future programmes aimed at helping people develop, among others, computer, entrepreneurial and job-seeking skills.

By Sydney Masinga

Nelspruit - Electricity supplier Eskom will spend over R100 billion over the next 10 years in Mpumalanga on expansion projects that will also help create thousands of jobs.

In his State of the Province Address in Nelspruit, on Friday, Premier David "DD" Mabuza said Eskom planned to complete 41 new supply and expansion projects in the Highveld area, including the Kusile power station, which is being built near Emalahleni (formerly Witbank).

The completion of the power station will also lead to the creation of new jobs in the mining sector.

"The projects will see the employment of more than 9 000 additional full-time skilled staff for the running of new mine operations.

"As government, we would like to thank Eskom for helping us create jobs, especially in this difficult time of global financial recession," said Mr Mabuza.

He commended Eskom's commitment to contribute towards maintaining the road network which will be under even more pressure with increased coal mining activities in the area.

"Technology in the form of an intelligent infrastructure is fundamental to the building industry today, as it enables efficient monitoring and management of energy consumption, resulting in energy savings, reduced operating costs and an improved bottom line."

This is according to Bradley Hemphill, Managing Director of Cape Town-based Electrical Engineering Solutions (EES), speaking this month on 'IT for Energy Efficiency & Building Performance' at the ConnectivityWeek convention being held in Santa Clara, California. At the cutting edge of global smart energy and green environment events, ConnectivityWeek is the only international convention focused on the intersection of energy and information technology.

By Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

Bhisho - The Eastern Cape Department of Education has prioritised the eradication of 860 mud schools over a period of three years.

Tabling his department's Budget Vote in the provincial legislature on Thursday, Education MEC Mahlubandile Qwase said the department has allocated R981.837.000 to complete the projects.

He said construction is already underway. "Three hundred and sixteen schools are under construction and 258 of these will be completed in 2009 and handed over to communities," he added.

According to Mr Qwase, 12 of these schools are model schools of excellence built in the rural and township areas.

"It is my plan that the eradication of mud schools must be fast-tracked by utilising alternative infrastructure technologies in the 2010/11 financial year," Mr Qwase said.

He said as part of disaster management, 112 renovated schools will be handed over to communities. The schools were rehabilitated after having been struck by tornadoes, torrential rains and other unavoidable natural disasters.

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Parliament - An amount of R1.2 billion has been allocated for the Department of Public Works' Capital Works Programme, says Minister Geoff Doidge.

"This included the undertaking of certain well-known projects such as the Land Ports of Entry (R570 million), dolomite rehabilitation projects (R149 million), Prestige (R230 million), and the Apex priority projects," the minister said during his department's Budget Vote on Wednesday.

The department will also spend over R1 billion over the next three years to provide special and major capital projects on behalf of its client departments under the ambit of its Inner City Regeneration Programme and Project Management Branch.

He said the department will also look at how their building programme can support government's commitment to creating decent jobs.

It intends developing a prioritisation model for the utilisation of planned maintenance to improve the conditions of state-owned assets this financial year.

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Parliament - The Department of Public Works has committed to refining its focus, aligning its key competencies and upgrading its capabilities.

This was announced by Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge during his department's Budget Vote speech in Parliament on Wednesday.

"It is time for the department to refine its focus, align its key competencies and upgrade its capabilities, measure its performance and deliver property development and management services that measure up to industry standards," the minister said.

He said his department will continue to strive to become the service provider of choice by undertaking a turnaround strategy.

"For us to be the service provider of choice and to stretch our budgets so we can deliver more requires us to undertake a Turnaround Strategy," he said.

The minister said they will begin the process this year with the intention of improving customer service; the condition of state buildings; improving delivery time on projects; cost efficiency; and productivity.

"Our aim is to do more with less and for all of us to learn the art of commitment to excellence," he said. - BuaNews