Currently Gautrain ( 80km Johannesburg-Pretoria) is South Africa`s fastest train at 160km/hr . At the recent Southern African Transport Conference held in Pretoria the possibilities of high speed rail in excess of 160km/hr were discussed. This is excellent news for the South African economy .
South Africa is working with China on research into implementation of networks that run on speeds in excess of 160km/hr. Morocco is currently Africa`s only super high speed rail which runs at average of 320km/hr. Travel time between South African cities could be reduced by over 50% among countless other benefits of high speed rail which is a key driver of the Chinese economic success.
Source: SABC
SA’s plans to introduce high-speed trains discussed at Southern African Transport Conference
12 July 2023
South Africa’s plans to introduce high-speed trains as part of its new National Rail Policy has formed part of discussions on day three of the 41st Southern African Transport Conference. The country has set up a framework to make rail a more affordable, competitive and effective transport mode that provides the backbone of the country’s freight logistics, economy and passenger mobility. SABC Economics Reporter Katlego Legodi has more for us.
La Chine et la RDC pour un partenariat stratégique global de coopération
27 May 2023
La Chine et la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) sont convenues de rehausser le niveau de leurs liens bilatéraux à la suite des entretiens entre les présidents Xi Jinping et Félix Tshisekedi.
Ethiopia Setting New Global Standards for the Environment
National Flower of Ethiopia
by PD Lawton 13 July 2023
Ethiopia continues to set exemplary environmental standards for the world with its Green Legacy Initiative. This national project was created by the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to rectify the environmental damage caused by decades of extreme poverty, that has seen upto 95% of ancient forests cut down in some areas.
In the past, Ethiopians have had to resort to cutting down ancient forests for cooking fuel but now the country is being supplied with electricity by the first mega energy project in East Africa, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ( GERD), which is providing both energy for the national economy and safe-guarding Ethiopia`s ancient forests.
In the past 4 years, Ethiopians have planted 25 billion trees. A further 25 billion will be planted over the coming 4 years.
On 7th July, 500 million trees were planted across the country in just one day. This was to kick start this year`s target of 6.5 billion trees.
Residents of Addis have already noticed the benefits of the project and report that the air is sweeter. Across the wheat growing regions, it is reported that rainfall is already increasing due to the effect of dramatically increased tree cover, which is increasing wheat harvests.
Africa is prosecuted for a crime it did not commit
In this file photo illegal electricity connections were removed in some part of Mamelodi East township sections. In their Africa Energy Outlook 2022 key findings, the International Energy Agency (IEA) mentions that 600 million people, which is 43% of the total population, lack access to electricity.Picture: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency (ANA)
By Princess Mthombeni
It was on a Monday evening when I received a text message from my despairing friend, notifying me of her whereabouts.
She was at the court to rescue her little brother, who got arrested for “being in possession of a stolen cellphone”.
Apparently, the brother was at a local pub with his friend, having a great time. Then a friend decided to show him his new cellphone.
Like any good friend, he (brother) ecstatically took the cellphone and started scrolling through it, checking out some ‘cool’ features. Whilst at it, the police walked in, and the friend instantaneously escaped, leaving behind my friend’s brother, who, at that time, had this cellphone in his hand. As the saying goes, the rest is history.
Ugandan Engineer takes Africa’s Top Innovation Award for His Safety Invention
On By Dr. Y.In Great Science
Flag of Uganda
In a modern world where drums are no longer used to alert communities (this will be a story for another day), it is imperative to find a solution that will be used to alert all neighbors within a community of some impending issue. Anatoli Kirigwajjo from Uganda has thought of just such an innovation which is based on the ancestral drum tradition. Kirigwajjo is the founder and CEO of Yunga, a local digital security network that enhances neighbor-to-neighbor safety. He was recently awarded “The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation” dedicated to developing African innovators, an award, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK.
10 méga projets les plus impressionnants de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC)
10 – Le PROJET DE CENTRE CULTUREL de Kinshasa.
la Chine finance est construit un nouveau centre culturel à Kinshasa. Le centre sera le plus grand en Afrique centrale avec une superficie de 36 000 m² . Il comprendra un amphithéâtre une salle de spectacle, une salle de réception et l’Institut National des Arts. les installations sportives bénéficieront aux athlètes congolais. Le projet d’une valeur d’environ 100 millions de dollars est étirement financé par la Chine
9 -le Projet de Réhabilitation des aéroports
réhabilitation et à la modernisation de ses principaux aéroports
8 –le projet de développement du tourisme dans le parc national de Virunga.
Le parc national de Virunga en RDC est célèbre pour sa biodiversité exceptionnelle y compris les gorilles des montagnes. Un projet de développement du tourisme durable est en cours pour promouvoir le parc comme une destination touristique
7- le Projet de construction de logements abordables
Face à la demande croissante de logement en RDC le gouvernement a lancé un projet de construction de logements abordables dans différentes villes du pays cela vise à fournir des logements décents et accessibles aux populations à faibles revenus
6- le Projet de Réhabilitation des routes nationales
la RDC s’engage dans un vaste programme de réhabilitation des routes nationales pour améliorer la connectivité et faciliter le transport des marchandises à travers le pays cela permettra de stimuler le commerce et le développement économique dans différentes régions de la RDC
5- le Projet du Parc industriel de Maluku
ce projet consiste à créer un parc industriel moderne près de Kinshasa la capitale de la RDC. Il vise à attirer les investissements étrangers et à promouvoir le développement industriel dans le pays en offrant des infrastructures et des incitations aux entreprises. le projet du parc industriel de Maluku en RDC vise à créer un parc industriel moderne près de Kinshasa le capitale du pays le projet a débuté avec des études de faisabilité et de planification mais les dates exactes de début et de fin ne sont pas précisés publiquement. le financement provient de différentes sources et l’objectif principal est d’attirer les investissements étrangers et de promouvoir le développement industriel en offrant des infrastructures et des incitations aux entreprises le projet a pour but de renforcer la compétitivité industrielle de la RDC de stimuler la croissance économique et de favoriser la création d’emplois
4- le Projet de développement agricole de Bukanga-Lonzo
il s’agit d’un projet visant à développer l’agriculture commerciale et à stimuler la production alimentaire en RDC. le projet comprend la mise en place d’infrastructures agricoles modernes l’introduction de techniques agricoles avancées et la formation des agriculteurs locaux. le projet de développement agricole de. caractéristiques de ce projet comprennent l’établissement d’infrastructures agricoles modernes l’adoption de techniques agricoles avancées et la formation des agriculteurs locaux. l’objectif est d’améliorer la productivité agricole d’encourager la diversification des cultures et de renforcer la sécuritéalimentaire dans la région le projet vise également à favoriser le développement économique en créant des emplois dans le secteur agricole et enstimulant les investissements dans la grande industrie en mettant l’accent sur des pratiques Agricoles durables et la gestion efficace des ressources
3- le projet de réhabilitation du chemin de fer
le projet de réhabilitation du CFC au vise à moderniser et à étendre le réseau ferroviaire en RDC. cela facilitera le transport des marchandises et des personnes à travers le pays tout en favorisant le développement économique et la connectivité régionale le projet de réhabilitation du chemin de fer Congo. océan CFCO vise à moderniser et étendre le réseau ferroviaire entre le Congo Brazzaville et la République démocratique du Congo RDC .l’objectif est de faciliter le transport de marchandises et de passagers favorisant ainsi le développement économique régional le projet a débuté en 2018 et est financé par des sources nationales et internationales il contribuera à une meilleure connectivité régionale à l’amélioration du commerce et à la réduction des colliers au transport routier c’est un projet d’envergure démontrant l’engagement des deux pays dans le développement de l’infrastructure ferroviaire
2 -le projet nouveau port de Matadi
le Projet de Nouveau port de Matadi nouveau port de Matadi est un projet
majeur de développement des infrastructures en RDC. situé sur le fleuve Congo ce port modernisé permettra d’améliorer le commerce et les échanges avec les pays voisins ainsi que de faciliter l’exportation des ressources naturelles congolaises il a débuté en 2017 avec les études de faisabilité et de planification.
1- le Projet de Grand Inga Dam
Grand Inga Dam en RDC est l’un des plus grands projets hydroélectriques au monde. il vise à exploiter le potentiel hydraulique du fleuve Congo pour générer de l’électricité avec une capacité prévue de 40 000 mégawatt. il pourrait répondre aux besoins énergétiques d l’Afrique subsaharienne et même exportée de l’électricité vers d’autres régions du continent. le projet de la grande Inga dam est l’un des plus grands projets hydroélectriques au monde il a débuté en 2013 avec un accord entre le gouvernement congolais et le groupe chinois stegrid Corporation of China. la construction de la dam est prévue en plusieurs phases et sa date de fin complète n’a pas encore été précisée. le financement du projet provient de différentes sources incluant des partenaires internationaux des investisseurs privés et des discussions avec des institutions financières multilatérales tels que la Banque africaine de développement et la Banque mondiale bien que le projet est connu des retards et des obstacles liés à la planification et au financement il reste l’un des projets énergétiques les plus ambitieux en Afrique et pourrait jouer un rôle clé dans le développement régional en répondant aux besoins énergétiques de l’Afrique subsaharienne
la RDC s’engage dans des initiatives ambitieuses pour répondre aux besoins de pays et promouvoir le développement durable
the following are some of the key points from a superb interview with Crown Prince Adil Nchabeleng, independent energy expert ,and Hugo Kruger, civil nuclear engineer:
Source: Hugo Kruger
Towards an Industrialization Plan for South Africa
Why are we being denied the obvious solution to which we have the expertize, which is nuclear power?
ELECTICITY IS THE CORE ANCHOR OF AN ECONOMY
ANYTHING THAT IS GREEN, if it does not INCLUDE NUCLEAR, WE ARE STILL BEING PLAYED
Wind and Solar are not feasible for Mankind
They are destroying the bedrock of our civilization by destroying coal
South Africa produces 1% of global CO2 emissions
Why is France, South Korea building more nuclear? Why is it not part of the green narrative that nuclear is CO2 free?
The National Party under Apartheid industrialized South Africa by creating a state-owned power utility, Eskom and other state –owned ( NATIONALIZED) entities for manufacturing and essential services like water, rail and communications. Nowadays misguided South Africans equate nationalization with apartheid!
How can you have someone own your drinking water privately!?
South African refinery sector is now all owned by foreign oil companies like BP, Total and Shell who are now running the show in terms of supply
France just nationalized EDF and are now going to build 6 new reactors
Germany regretting its dismantling of nuclear industry, running back to coal and buying nuclear off France
Today only 10% of South Africans can enjoy a comfortable standard of living
Over 60% of South Africans are now living below the poverty line
At the end of Apartheid, agent provocateurs, guided South Africa towards policies of DE-INDUSTRIALIZATION. This DE-INDUSTRIALIZATION process has seen rampant PRIVATIZATION of national assets. The privatization of Eskom will be the last nail in the coffin for South Africa`s economy.
IPPs ( Independent Power Producers/Renewables) take or pay agreements. When there are not even any transmission lines to take the power. Eskom still has to pay!!! That is daylight robbery. If you try to talk about this on TV they shut you out because what you say upsets the advertisers. Because the SAME PEOPLE who are behind the shows on TV are the SAME PEOPLE behind the IPPs.
Communities in South Africa being left with nothing when their core industry is closed down, every aspect of life affected
Land reform : how media spins this. Tribal land for the majority still not recovered back from British annexation. Find an amicable way where both land-owners and communities can benefit. RENEWABLES/GREEN ENERGY IS PRETEXED ON LAND. IS THIS SIMPLY A LAND GRAB BY THE PEOPLE BEHIND IPPs?
And yet rural communities NEVER given opportunity to start their own IPPs. Empower communities.
Most of South Africa`s food is exported, lower quality only for domestic use
Coal is the cheapest option for now. Use coal and start building nuclear all around the coast, PMRs inland
Coal has major industrial applications (including the construction of nuclear power plants)which are still needed:
You need COAL to make CEMENT (fly ash)
You need COAL to make STEEL
30% of inputs into making SOLAR PANELS is from COAL – Ingots of SILICA are made from COAL
START DEFINING MINERAL RESOURCES BY THEIR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION and then weigh up against environmental impact. Stop weighing it against EMOTIONAL CONTEXT
DE-GROWTH /DE-INDUSTRIALIZATION because they do not want to pay towards the infrastructure they have left in ruins:
Americans, British, French all have interests in South Africa but the Germans and Belgians are leading the parade, the Germans are literally the scouts of this DE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
Germany`s and South Africa`s industrial capacity has been on a par. South Africa is able to produce what Germany could. THEREFORE it is for GEOPOLITICAL REASONS they push DE-GROWTH
Actually South Africa is far better in terms of automotive manufacturing for cost of unit production
PASS A LAW ON Environmental groups: NGOs funded to the tune of billions by foreign oligarchs
really enjoyable interview with CEO of TransNamib, Johny Smith, on railway development to open up Namibia`s trading routes from Walvis Bay to Botswana, Zambia and DRC! Walvis Bay was upgraded a few years ago and is now a world class deep sea port.
Source: Railways Africa Magazine
Discussing Transnamib’s Railway Projects and Future
10 March 2023
In this episode of Coffee with the Editor, Johny Smith, CEO of TransNamib, joins Philippa Dean to discuss his impending departure from TransNamib and the exciting projects the company is working on. Watch to learn about the Walvis Bay-to-Kranzberg upgrade project, the Trans Kalahari Project, new locomotives being purchased with a 2.6 billion loan, and the government’s plan to rehabilitate sections of the railway lines in Namibia. Smith also shares his biggest highlight during his tenure at TransNamib and his vision for the future of the rail industry in Namibia.
