South Africa power utility probe will hit confidence

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Content Type

Headline SOUTH AFRICA: Power utility probe will hit confidence

South Africa urban reforms will weigh on 2016 election

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Executive Turnover ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Interference ◽  
2016 Election ◽  
Public Sector Unions

Subject Urban governance in South Africa. Significance Amid preparations for 2016 local elections, the Treasury has warned that 86 out 278 municipalities are in "financial distress". Urban debt woes are causing fiscal risks elsewhere in the state apparatus, notably for power utility Eskom. Political interference in senior appointments and consequent high executive turnover and skills deficits are partly to blame. However, it is also clear that some municipalities are unviable. Impacts Municipalities in former 'homeland' areas will be hard to reform due to the added layer of government created by traditional chiefs. High wage demands from public sector unions may force municipalities to cut capital or maintenance spending, hurting service delivery. The fortunes of large cities such as Johannesburg will continue to diverge from smaller municipalities.

Tough South Africa budget may keep downgrade at bay

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Early Retirement ◽  
Civil Servants ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Wage Bill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Revenue Collection ◽  
Skilled Staff

Significance The budget framework presented on February 20 provided a record 69-billion-rand (5-billion-dollar) rescue package for ailing power utility Eskom over three years. Despite measures to cut the large public-sector wage bill, growing revenue shortfalls have combined to lift deficit forecasts, while a longstanding expenditure ceiling has been raised. Impacts Plans to cap civil servants pay and perks will face opposition from the ANC’s trade union partners. An early retirement package for civil servants risks a possible exodus of more experienced and skilled staff. Efforts to overhaul SARS should result in improved revenue collection over the medium term but will prove costly in the interim.

Murky politics to hit South Africa power utility plans

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Credit Rating ◽  
Power Supplies ◽  
Bad Faith ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fiscal Constraints ◽  
Political Interests ◽  
Enriched Uranium

Significance Tsotsi faces a potential no-confidence vote over his handling of the utility's mounting crises which are imperiling power supplies and recently spurred the utility's second 'junk' credit rating. On March 12, Tsotsi had persuaded the board to suspend the utility's top four executives but it now accuses him of acting in bad faith, possibly under pressure from powerful political interests. Impacts The suspended chief executive's reinstatement is unlikely to improve Eskom's performance given his lack of energy sector experience. Fiscal constraints will keep an expanded nuclear power programme a distant ambition. Governance woes may strengthen US moves on South Africa to increase physical security around its enriched uranium reserves.

South Africa fragility to weigh on interest rate call

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
South African ◽  
Credit Rating ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reserve Bank ◽  
Wage Settlement ◽  
Term Energy

Subject South Africa's upcoming credit rating and interest rate decisions. Significance Fitch Ratings yesterday said it would not downgrade South Africa to 'junk' when it conducts its mid-year sovereign credit rating review. This is despite structural weaknesses in the economy, uncertainty over the management of power utility Eskom and possible disruptive strikes. The relatively doveish South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will monitor closely the effects of a strengthening dollar on the wider economy. Impacts The Eskom board's plan to remove controversial chairman Zola Tsotsi could be complicated by his alleged links to President Jacob Zuma. The murky nuclear 'deal' with Russia allows the state to appear to have a long-term energy plan, but raises governance concerns. Frustration over Eskom's mismanagement could expedite legislation allowing greater state intervention, but this could worsen the problem. The fiscal shock of a high public wage settlement could be cushioned by a 'contingency fund', but risks incentivising future high demands.

Climate change impacts on water resources in a rural community in Limpopo province, South Africa: a community-based adaptation to water insecurity

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-598
Author(s):  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptation Practices ◽  
Community Based Adaptation

Purpose The study explored the impacts of climate change on water resources, and the community-based adaptation practices adopted to ensure water security in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The participatory approach was used to allow community members to share their challenges of water scarcity, and the measures they have developed to cope with inconsistent water supply. Findings The study results show that the community obtains water for household consumption from the reticulation system supplied by Mutale River and the community borehole. These resources are negatively impacted by drought, change in the frequency and distribution of rainfall, and increased temperature patterns. The water levels in the river and borehole have declined, resulting in unsustainable water supply. The community-based adaptation practices facilitated by the water committee include observance of restrictions and regulations on the water resources use. Others involve securing water from neighbouring resources. Originality/value This type of community-based action in response to climate change could be used as part of rural water management strategies under climate change.

scholarly journals Shopping list development and use of advertisements’ pre-store food-buying practices within different socio-economic status areas in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 2880-2902
Author(s):  
Rodney Graeme Duffett ◽  
Crystal Foster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Low Ses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shopping List ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Food Buying Practices

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there is a difference in the development of shopping lists and use of advertisements as pre-store food-buying practices in terms of planned shopping by South African consumers who dwell in different socio-economic status (SES) areas. The paper also considers the influence of shopper and socio-demographic characteristics on pre-store food-buying practices in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 1 200 consumers in retail stores in low, middle and high SES areas in South Africa. A generalised linear model was employed for the statistical analysis of pre-store food-buying practices within the SES area groups in a developing country. Findings South African consumers that reside in high SES area displayed the largest of shopping list development, while consumers who dwell in low SES areas showed the highest incidence of advertisement usage. Several shopper and socio-demographic characteristics were also found to have an influence on pre-store food-buying practices in different SES areas in South Africa. Research limitations/implications A qualitative approach would offer a deeper understanding of consumers’ pre-store food shopping predispositions as opposed to the quantitative approach, which was adopted for this study. A longitudinal design would also provide a more extensive representation of pre-store food shopping practices over a longer time frame than cross-sectional research. The survey was conducted on Saturdays, whereas consumers who shop during the week may have different shopping and socio-demographic characteristics. Practical implications Astute food brands, marketers and grocery stores could use the findings of this study to assist with their marketing efforts that they direct at consumers in different SES areas in South Africa and other developing countries. Social implications The findings of this study may assist consumers in developing countries, especially those who reside in low SES areas, with food-buying strategies to reduce food costs, make wiser purchase decisions and reduce shopping. Originality/value No study (to the best of the researchers’ knowledge) has considered shopping list development and use of advertisements’ pre-store food-buying practices in different SES areas in a developing country. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research analysing shopper and socio-demographic characteristics in relation to pre-store food-buying practices among different SES areas in developing and developed countries.

scholarly journals Trends in Antifungal Drug Susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans Isolates Obtained through Population-Based Surveillance in South Africa in 2002-2003 and 2007-2008

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 2606-2611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelesh P. Govender ◽  
Jaymati Patel ◽  
Marelize van Wyk ◽  
Tom M. Chiller ◽  
Shawn R. Lockhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Drug Susceptibility ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microdilution Method ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

ABSTRACTCryptococcus neoformansis the most common cause of meningitis among adult South Africans with HIV infection/AIDS. Widespread use of fluconazole for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis and other HIV-associated opportunistic fungal infections in South Africa may lead to the emergence of isolates with reduced fluconazole susceptibility. MIC testing using a reference broth microdilution method was used to determine if isolates with reduced susceptibility to fluconazole or amphotericin B had emerged among cases of incident disease. Incident isolates were tested from two surveillance periods (2002-2003 and 2007-2008) when population-based surveillance was conducted in Gauteng Province, South Africa. These isolates were also tested for susceptibility to flucytosine, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Serially collected isolate pairs from cases at several large South African hospitals were also tested for susceptibility to fluconazole. Of the 487 incident isolates tested, only 3 (0.6%) demonstrated a fluconazole MIC of ≥16 μg/ml; all of these isolates were from 2002-2003. All incident isolates were inhibited by very low concentrations of amphotericin B and exhibited very low MICs to voriconazole and posaconazole. Of 67 cases with serially collected isolate pairs, only 1 case was detected where the isolate collected more than 30 days later had a fluconazole MIC value significantly higher than the MIC of the corresponding incident isolate. Although routine antifungal susceptibility testing of incident isolates is not currently recommended in clinical settings, it is still clearly important for public health to periodically monitor for the emergence of resistance.

An overview of the current state of interlibrary loans in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Jenny Raubenheimer ◽  
John Stephen van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Current State ◽  
Computer Library ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Essential Service

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review interlending development in South Africa and current trends in interlending. Design/methodology/approach – Literature study and survey. Findings – Interlending is still an essential service in South Africa. Interlending systems must be used effectively to ensure rapid delivery of requested interlibrary loans. There is a significant use of WorldShare ILL, but there is a scope for substantial development. Research limitations/implications – This is not a comprehensive study but focusses on current interlending activities at some of the larger South African academic and special libraries and the use of Online Computer Library Centre systems. Practical implications – The paper provides some historical information and the extent of current interlending and systems used. Social implications – The paper gives an indication of the value of interlending in South Africa and its contribution to information provision. Originality/value – The paper provides a snapshot of interlending in South Africa and areas for development.

The impact of globalization on the performance of Banks in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadzlan Sufian ◽  
Fakarudin Kamarudin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Bank Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multinational Banks ◽  
Dynamic Panel Regression ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for the impact globalization has had on the performance of the banking sector in South Africa. In addition, this study also investigates bank-specific characteristics and macroeconomic conditions that may influence the performance of the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data collected for all commercial banks in South Africa between 1998 and 2012. The ratio of return on assets was used to measure bank performance. They then used the dynamic panel regression with the generalized method of moments as an estimation method to investigate the potential determinants and the impact of globalization on bank performance. Findings Positive impact of greater economic integration and trade movements of the host country, while greater social globalization in the host country tends to exert negative influence on bank profitability. The results show that banks originating from the relatively more economically globalized countries tend to perform better, while banks headquartered in countries with greater social and political globalizations tend to exhibit lower profitability levels. Originality/value An empirical model was developed that allows for the performance of multinational banks to depend on internal and external factors. Moreover, unlike the previous studies on bank performance, in this empirical analysis, we control for the different dimensions of globalizations while taking into account the origins of the multinational banks. The procedure allows us to test for the home field, the liability of foreignness and global advantage hypotheses to deduce further insights into the prospects of banking across borders.

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