News 15:00

BULLETIN 12 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom extends the small-scale embedded generator registration’s fee exemption until March 2026
# AfriForum demands the disclosure of the mining application details near the Kruger National Park
# And rugby: The axed Warren Gatland is already linked to the Wallaby job

# Eskom has extended the exemption from registration-related fees for small-scale embedded generators until March next year. This applies to residential solar installations up to 50 kilowatts, helping customers mitigate the impact of load-shedding. The exemption covers application, tariff conversion, and connection fees. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says off-grid generators that do not connect to the utility’s network are exempt from registration:

# AfriForum urges environmental practitioner Kimopax, handling the mining application near Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, to disclose all interactions with interested parties by Monday. The civil rights organisation, registered as an interested and affected party, claims it was excluded from key communications regarding the environmental impact assessment. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk warns of escalating legal action to block the mining application if the request is not met:

# AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé has accused US president Donald Trump of fueling division within South Africa’s farming community. This follows remarks he made, claiming Afrikaners are facing persecution as a result of the Land Expropriation Act. Kotzé dismissed claims of land grabs and farm murders as politically motivated. According to MoneyWeb, he warned that Trump’s stance could endanger South Africa’s duty-free trade access. While AgriSA also has concerns about the Expropriation Act, Kotzé confirmed that no farms have been seized without compensation.

# The British government says it was toughening immigration rules to make it almost impossible for undocumented migrants who arrive on small boats to later receive citizenship. Under new guidance migrants arriving by sea, or hidden in the back of vehicles, will normally be refused citizenship. Prime minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government is under pressure to reduce migration after Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK party won roughly four-million votes during the last general election, an unprecedented haul for a far-right party.

# Rugby: Warren Gatland, who had just been axed as head coach of Wales after 14 consecutive losses, had already been linked to another international job. This follows earlier news Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt won’t extend his contract when it expires at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship in October. Gatland, as well as former Australian coach Michael Cheika, are both suddenly available. Cheika, who recently announced he won’t extend his contract with English club Leicester, had also been touted as one of Gatland’s possible successors in Wales.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-43-cents and the euro at 19-rand-12-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-175-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-879-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….