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 UAE condoles with South Africa over flood victims

Heavy rains kill 253 in South Africa

The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of South Africa over the victims of floods caused by heavy rains that swept through the city of Durban and resulted in deaths and injuries…reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of South Africa and to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

South Africa is bracing for more heavy rain in districts hit by massive and lethal downpours earlier this week, the Guardian reported.

ALSO READ: Heavy rains kill 253 in South Africa

More than 300 people have died in flooding in and around the eastern coastal city of Durban in recent days. On Wednesday the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, described the flooding as a “catastrophe of enormous proportions”, directly linking it to the climate emergency, it was reported.

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South Africa confirms two Omicron sublineages

South Africa confirms two Omicron sublineages

South Africa’s National Department of Health confirmed that Omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 exist in the country…reports Asian Lite News

“There are 5 sub-variants of Omicron being observed around the world. We are watching two — BA.4 and BA.5,” the Department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale told Xinhua.

Mohale said the BA.4 subvariant’s dominance has not caused severe transmission, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The dominance of BA.4 has not resulted in a change in transmission rate or severity. These sub-variants are not causing nor are they going to cause the 5th wave,” he said.

The department said that it was expecting the fifth wave of the pandemic by the end of May.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira of the University of KwaZulu-Natal also talked about the new subvariants but said no cause for concern.

“New Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 detected in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and the UK. Early indications that these new sublineages are increasing as a share of genomically confirmed cases in SA. No cause for alarm as no major spike in cases, admissions or deaths in SA,” he tweeted.

Infectious disease epidemiologist Abdul Karim told SAfm Radio that the variant that would replace the Omicron would spread much more quickly. There was no way to predict whether the new variant would be severe or mild.

ALSO READ: Back to normal in South Africa

“Each new variant has been able to spread faster than the one before it,” he said.

As a result of the Beta and Delta variants, the second and third waves in South Africa were more severe, while the fourth wave associated with an Omicron variant had fewer hospitalizations and deaths.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said Tuesday that South Africa detected 1,291 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours which represented a 5.6 per cent positivity rate. There were two deaths over the same period, which brought the total fatalities to 100,116.

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Heavy rains kill 253 in South Africa

Heavy rains kill 253 in South Africa

The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province has risen to 253, said a government official…reports Asian Lite News

KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Health, Nomagugu Simelane announced the death toll while speaking to the television station ENCA on Wednesday.

Simelane was speaking on the sidelines of the visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to areas affected by the rains to console bereaved families, Xinhua news agency reported.

Heavy rains kill 253 in South Africa

“We are concerned about the waters…Our biggest worry is about the number of bodies we are finding. Our mortuaries are under pressure, but we are coping. As of last night, we received 253 bodies from two of our mortuaries, that is Phoenix and Pine town. It’s a serious concern, a serious worry,” he said.

Ramaphosa moved to many areas in KwaZulu-Natal addressing people and consoling them on the loss of their relatives. He said the government will help those affected by rains.

“The most painful effect of these floods is that many lives have been lost, people’s homes have been destroyed, streets, bridges and churches have been destroyed. We know that your hearts are broken because of what has happened but we are here to say that we are with you,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Education, Kwazi Mshengu said they have temporarily closed schools in the provinces as it is dangerous for teachers and learners to travel. He said some schools are not accessible with bridges washed away and water still flowing.

ALSO READ: Back to normal in South Africa

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Africa News

EFF Rally Against Johann Rupert

South Africa’s third largest political party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), marched to the office of Johann Rupert and asked him, the country’s richest person, to release his lands to black people…reports Asian Lite News

Hundreds of party members led by the party leader Julius Malema marched in Stellenbosch, outside Cape Town, and handed over their memorandum to a representative of investment firm Remgro, which is chaired by Rupert.

EFF demands the business mogul to release some of his lands, alleging that they were “stolen” from the black’s ancestors, who are “rightful owners.”

Malema said the poverty of black people is caused by lack of ownership of lands and his party, which describes itself as a radical and militant economic emancipation movement, “exist everywhere confronting white monopoly.”

The party also demanded Rupert immediately disclose the amount of property he owns, among others.

Remgro’s representative received the memorandum and said Rupert is not in South Africa.

South Africa’s land issue goes back more than a century to the 1913 Natives Land Act, which made thousands of black families forcibly removed from their land. This marked the beginning of socio-economic challenges the country is facing today such as landlessness, poverty and inequality, according to the government.

ALSO READ: South Africa’s President formally ends national state of disaster

A 2017 land audit conducted by the South Africa government revealed that white people own 72 percent of the total farms owned by individuals. Black and colored people own 4 percent and 15 percent respectively, while Indians own 5 percent, it said.

Forbes lists Johann Rupert and his family as the richest in South Africa and the second richest in Africa, whose net worth is 9.3 billion U.S. dollars.

The march day coincides with the beginning of European colonization in South Africa. On April 6, 1652, Jan Van Riebeeck, who had a contract with the Dutch East India Company (VOC), arrived at what is now Cape Town, thereafter establishing the first European settlement in southern Africa.

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Back to normal in South Africa

Africa’s covid-19 cases near 11.66 mn

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the country’s national state of disaster was terminated…reports Asian Lite News

In light of the shrinking Covid-19 cases, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the country’s national state of disaster was terminated. The national state of disaster was terminated on Monday at 12 a.m.

 “While the pandemic is not over, and while the virus remains among us, these conditions no longer require that we remain in the national state of disaster. Going forward, the pandemic will be managed in terms of the National Health Act,” he announced in a televised address.

After 750 days under the national state of disaster to combat the pandemic, Ramaphosa said the government decided to end the national state of disaster, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Africa’s Covid-19 cases pass 11.34mn

The declaration of the national state of disaster in March 2020 empowered the government to take the measures that prevented many more people from becoming severely ill and saved countless lives, the President added.  The Disaster Management Act provides that certain elements of the regulations may remain in place for a limited period for “post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation,” he said.

South Africa has been the worst affected African country during the pandemic. Figures released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on Monday showed the country has recorded 3,667,560 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 100,052 deaths.

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South Africa’s President formally ends national state of disaster

S. African President

In light of the shrinking Covid-19 cases, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the country’s national state of disaster was terminated…reports Asian Lite News

The national state of disaster was terminated on Monday at 12 a.m.

“While the pandemic is not over, and while the virus remains among us, these conditions no longer require that we remain in the national state of disaster. Going forward, the pandemic will be managed in terms of the National Health Act,” he announced in a televised address on Monday.

After 750 days under the national state of disaster to combat the pandemic, Ramaphosa said the government decided to end the national state of disaster, Xinhua news agency reported.

The declaration of the national state of disaster in March 2020 empowered the government to take the measures that prevented many more people from becoming severely ill and saved countless lives, the President added.

The Disaster Management Act provides that certain elements of the regulations may remain in place for a limited period for “post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation,” he said.

According to the President, South Africa has entered a new phase in the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Although we recorded a far higher number of infections in the fourth wave than in each of the previous waves, there were relatively fewer cases of severe illness, hospitalisation, and death.”

ALSO READ: South Africa Cabinet safe from dismissal after no-confidence vote

Ramaphosa said certain transitional provisions would remain in place for 30 days following the termination of the national state of disaster to ensure necessary public health precautions and other services were not interrupted while the new regulations in terms of the National Health Act come into effect.

The transitional measures would include the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, number limitations for indoor and outdoor venues, proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for international travellers entering the country. And the 350 Rand ($24) Social Relief Grant introduced due to the effects of the pandemic would be continued.

South Africa has been the worst affected African country during the pandemic. Figures released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on Monday showed the country has recorded 3,667,560 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 100,052 deaths.

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South Africa Parliament hears independent assessment on Jan fire

South Africa Parliament hears independent assessment on Jan fire

The South African Parliament said its committee on financial management has been updated on an independent assessment to the damage to Parliament buildings due to a massive fire in January…reports Asian Lite News

According to the assessment following the fire on January 2, the fire in the building of National Assembly, the lower house, caused significant damage to the central structural elements from the 2nd floor to the 6th floor, however, it is “not vulnerable to collapse”, reports Xinhua news agency

Basement floors are flooded, and investigators will inspect them once water is extracted to issue a final report, which will provide a detailed assessment to determine the extent of the damage for full restoration of the building, including providing a cost and time estimate for such works, Parliament in a statement.

MPs were also told urgent work is required to make parts of the Old Assembly safe and that provide a temporary roof to prevent rain from causing damage to lower floors.

South Africa has three capitals, including Cape Town that hosts Parliament.

The fire that lasted more than 70 hours severely damaged the building of the National Assembly and completely burned down its chamber.

ALSO READ: S.African Parliament fire allegedly started by boxes, paper, petrol

It also caused extensive damage to the century-old Old Assembly building that houses the National Council of Provinces, the upper house.

A 49-year-old Cape Town man Zandile Christmas Mafe, who is suspected of setting fire to Parliament, was arrested on January 2.

His case has been postponed to May 12 due to delays of investigation caused by the “50 tonnes of water” in the basement which needs to be cleared.

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Africa News Environment and WIldlife News

South Africa records decline in Rhinoceros poaching

South Africa records decline in Rhinoceros poaching

A total of 451 rhinoceroses were killed for their horns in 2021 which is 24 per cent less than the pre-Covid period in 2019, said Barbara Creecy, South Africa’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries…reports Asian Lite News

A total of 327 rhinoceroses were killed in government reserves and 124 on private property, Xinhua news agency reported.

Creecy on Tuesday attributed the decline in poaching to collaboration between the parks rangers and other law enforcement agents.

“Over the last year, conservation and anti-poaching efforts have intensified countrywide as a joint effort is made by state-owned conservation areas, government, and private landowners to reduce the poaching of rhinoceros in South Africa,” she said.

ALSO READ: Tourism takes off: S. Africa records 2 Lakh visitors in festive season

In 2021, there were 189 arrests in connection with poaching activities, in comparison with 156 arrests made countrywide in 2020. In the 38 verdicts, handed down by the courts, 37 cases resulted in the conviction of 61 accused rhinoceros poachers or traffickers.

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South Africa vows to transform energy sector

S. Africa committed to transition from coal to clean energy. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said coal accounts for about 70 per cent of the primary energy consumption, 75 per cent of electricity generation, and 30 per cent of petroleum liquid fuels in the country’s energy mix

South Africa is committed to a transition to cleaner energy, but coal will for some time be vital for the country’s economic growth and employment creation, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said at the coal colloquium in Pretoria.

Mantashe said coal accounts for about 70 per cent of the primary energy consumption, 75 per cent of electricity generation, and 30 per cent of petroleum liquid fuels in the country’s energy mix, Xinhua news agency reported.

  “The transition must speak to the contribution of coal to energy security, sizeable contribution to the gross domestic product, large contingent of employees, and other relevant economic factors. Our climate change agenda cannot afford to ignore these national interests. They must be integrated into our plans to move from high carbon emissions to low carbon emissions,” said Mantashe.

 He called on the captains of industry to demonstrate the commitment to just transition and the country’s national interests in coal mining and coal power stations.

 Mantashe said there is a potential for the country to export coal to China.

  “Strong international coal prices of around 130 U.S. dollars per tonne have raised the attractiveness of exports, with most of South Africa’s export coal going to India and Pakistan. China is also reopening opportunities for imports from South Africa,” he said.

 Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa invited scientists from BRICS countries to work alongside South African scientists in further researching the various characteristics of the Covid-19 virus and its mutations.

Ramaphosa made the call when he appointed the Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Covid-19 Koleka Mlisana to lead a task team of South African researchers in the area of genomic sequencing to work with their scientists from other BRICS countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

This initiative is a contribution to intra-BRICS cooperation to strengthen preparedness and responses to the pandemic as articulated in the New Delhi Declaration, which was adopted at the 13th BRICS Summit in September 2021.

 This cooperation takes place within the context of the establishment of the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre in a virtual format.

Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa pointed out that the cooperation would boost the BRICS countries’ preparedness and responses to the pandemic.

  “The collaboration among BRICS countries is intended to broaden our knowledge of the Covid-19 virus not only for the benefit of member countries, but for the global community more broadly. Humanity will only overcome this pandemic if the countries of the world work in closer cooperation by sharing information, expertise and resources. This cooperation must be underpinned by the principles of solidarity, partnership and mutual respect,” said Ramaphosa.

 He said the team from BRICS countries would share information on laboratory, clinical and epidemiological experiences regarding the pandemic to help clinicians and policy-makers to prepare for future manifestations of the disease.

ALSO READ: Boris: UK-Africa investment can help alleviate climate change

 “The spread of the different Covid-19 variants to all corners of the earth underlines the importance of effective surveillance, scientific transparency and collaborative research. Every country is affected and every country must be able to develop responses based on sound scientific evidence,” Ramaphosa said.

 He stated that scientists would conduct research on omicron at the BRICS Vaccine Research Centre which is in the country.

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South Africa’s Parliament fire flares up again

The fire service of South Africa’s legislative capital Cape Town said that the blaze at Parliament, which erupted two days ago, has flared up again…reports Asian Lite News

In a statement, the service said that the void beneath the roof sheeting of the building of the National Assembly, the lower house, was on fire and about 34 firefighters were busy battling it, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Monday morning, the city government said the fire service has scaled down resources from 9 p.m. on Sunday night, and the fire in the building was under control except on the fourth floor, which was still smouldering.

The fire has affected both the National Assembly Wing and the Old Assembly Wing built in 1885, which houses the upper house National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

The old wing’s fire was contained on Sunday.

The interior of the National Assembly building was “extensively destroyed,” and the structural ceiling of the National Assembly Wing collapsed.

The fire gutted the third floor of the old wing, including the office space and the gym, and its roof partly collapsed.

The fire led to the “complete burning down” of the chamber of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the NCOP Amos Masondo told reporters here.

It is “one of the biggest losses” caused by the fire, said Masondo.

The lower house’s chamber in the National Assembly building built between 1983 and 1985 was used to host plenary sittings of the National Assembly and the joint sittings of the two houses.

Masondo, however, said some important sections were saved, including NCOP Chamber and offices, the Parliament Library, the Museum including artworks and heritage objects as well as the Keiskama tapestry, an embroidery telling the history of South Africa on the ground floor of the Old Assembly Building.

ALSO READ: Man held over fire at S.Africa parliament

He said the multi-agency and multi-pronged investigations are underway and will be in full swing once the whole building is declared safe and handed over to the investigation team.

“We wish to assure all the people in South Africa that we will leave no stone unturned to enable appropriate actions to be taken by all relevant authorities,” said Masondo.

According to him, a multidisciplinary team of professional engineers has arrived in Parliament to determine the cause of the fire, the extent of damage, safety of the building, and the estimated cost as well as timelines for repairs.

South African Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia De Lille also told reporters that the team of engineers includes electrical, structural and mechanical engineers, and they focus on repairs that need to be done, the cost of the repairs and the timeframe for the repairs.

A fire expert, together with a fire forensic team, on Monday started to determine where exactly the fire started and a preliminary report is expected to be presented by Friday morning, she said.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown and one person has been arrested in connection.