Mediaweb Releases

Building solar plants more sustainable than coal-fired stations

Provided By : Solar Plaza

Building solar plants is in many ways more financially viable and sustainable than erecting coal fired power stations, various experts claim. They will elaborate on this topic during 'The Solar Future' South Africa conference in Johannesburg this coming Wednesday.

Building solar plants as opposed to coal-fired stations is not only better for the planet, it also makes more financial sense, says Edwin Koot, the CEO of SolarPlaza.

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Solar energy - South Africas job creation powerhouse

Provided By : Solar Plaza

Apart from curbing South Africa's gigantic carbon footprint and being a reliable and cost-effective source of power, solar energy will create thousands and thousands of much-needed jobs if the government plays its cards right.

The South African government plans to eventually install 1450 Megawatt (MW) of solar PV through the initial RE IPP program before 2014. According to international research, every MW of solar generates 30 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs of which less than 10 for production. The installation phase of plants alone would lead to at least 29.000 jobs (FTE), says Edwin Koot, CEO of SolarPlaza.

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The sun could electrify the whole of South Africa

Provided By : Solar Plaza

JOHANNESBURG / ROTTERDAM - Not nuclear or coal, but the sun could power up the whole of South Africa. After the Sahara and some parts of Australia, The Rainbow Nation has the most stable and reliable solar radiation output in the world and is blessed with ample space and plenty of solar hours.

We think South Africas solar power potential is enormous. Apart from a superb radiation output, the country is developing at a relatively past pace, and has ample space, explains Edwin Koot, CEO of SolarPlaza.
This is an international platform for solar industry stakeholders and renown for its solar conferences.

"We think that South Africa could generate all of its electricity from the sun, he adds. That is how big the resource is.

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Matric results: Home learners score again

Provided By : Pestalozzi Trust

Analysis of results in the 2011 matric examinations shows that homeschoolers have again performed superbly.

Provisional results of the exam of the Examination Board for Christian Education (ERCO) indicate that about 500 bona fide home learners wrote the exam, and achieved a pass mark of about 93%. Of those who passed, about 63% passed with university exemption.

Leendert van Oostrum, an educational consultant specialising in home education stated that the excellent academic, social and personal development of home learners in South Africa agrees with results of home learners in other countries as demonstrated by decades of independent research.

He cautioned, however, that these candidates had to overcome numerous bureaucratic obstacles merely to be able to write the examination. Van Oostrum pointed out that the new National Senior Certificate is designed to benefit full time learners in schools and makes it almost impossible, and very expensive, for independent or distance learners to meet the bureaucratic demands associated with the new examination system.

In addition, government examination boards no longer accept independent candidates unless they fly under the guise of schools.

This means that a matric, which could be obtained for as little as one thousand Rand five years ago, now costs at least thirty thousand Rand, the number of independent candidates declining from about fifteen thousand per year to about one thousand.

The Pestalozzi Trust has instructed its lawyers to investigate and challenge (in court if necessary) the exclusion by government agencies of the very people who need access to education most those who could not complete their matric in schools due to financial, personal and other factors.

For further information call Leendert van Oostrum at 082 8262 675

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Matric results: Home learners score again

Media invite: Launch of gripping new Cape documentary on tik addiction

Provided By : Street Talk

On 25 November, 2011, two talented trainee Street Talk filmmakers - Akhona Ndoloshe and Thembela Dick - will provide a rare peek in to the desperate and violent world of the tik addict.

In a documentary they made under the auspices of Street Talk directors and seasoned film makers, Richard Mills and Jo Menell, the dynamic duo sought out tik addicts in Delft and got them to talk candidly about their addiction and how they pay for it.

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Competition Commission exemption could ensure stability of liquid fuel supply to industry

Provided By : Bletchley Park

10 October 2011 - Last Friday the Competition Commission of South Africa granted the petroleum and refinery industry an exemption following an application by SAPIA, the South African Petroleum Industry Association, in April 2010. The exemption enables the participants in the various stages of the supply chain to enter into the collaborative exchange of information necessary to ensure the stability of supply, as well as efficient use of the supply chain facilities.

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Weekend sees Guinness World Record for the longest braai

Provided By : Fruit and Veg City

Saturday saw South African, Vito Polera, break the record for the longest braai after taming hot coals for 32 hours straight at Food Lover's Market, Willowbridge in Cape Town. He beat the Guinness World Record for the world's longest ever recorded braai, previously held by fellow South African, Jan Braai, who set the record at 28 hours and 30 minutes in 2010. The record setting attempt was an idea from Brian Coppin, CEO and co-founder of Fruit and Veg City.

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Media invitation: World record attempt for longest braai marathon

Provided By : Food Lover's Market

South African Vito Polera will attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the longest braai marathon this weekend. To break the current record of 28.5 hours, Vito will have to braai for a whopping 32 hours straight - from Friday, 23 September at 9am to Saturday, 24 September at 8pm. A Guinness World Records representative from London will be present to adjudicate the event and all meat braaied over the two days will be donated to Foodbank.

Food Lover's Market at Willowbridge plays host to this feat and Vito, a representative of the fresh produce retailer, will join an elite group of record setters if he successfully completes this bid. Other records set in this category includes 'The Longest Sausage' which was 59.14 kilometres and 'The Heaviest Sausage' which weighed in at 1,740 kg.

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First full BPA-free baby product range gets CANSA's approval

Provided By : CANSA

Nuby's Natural Touch range, (exclusively distributed by Akacia in Southern Africa) is the first full BPA-free baby product range endorsed by the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). The product range qualified for the CANSA Smart Choice Seal recognising Nuby as a CANSA Smart Choice.

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Media Invitation: BPA-free baby and toddler range gets CANSA Seal of Recognition

Provided By : CANSA

Join us for breakfast at the official launch of the first full range of BPA-free baby and toddler products to qualify for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) Smart Choice Seal in South Africa. Also the first Smart Choice Seal given to Nuby Natural Touch internationally.

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Unique adventure catalogues 31 local conservation areas in 12 months

Provided By : Year In The Wild

In an unprecedented journey over the course of the next year, Scott Ramsay will travel to 31 of the country's most famous and most important conservation areas. As a photographer, writer and content producer, Scott will spend about two weeks in each of the 31 different places, including all the national parks, such as Kruger National Park, Table Mountain National Park and Kgalagadi National Park. The concept entitled 'Year in the Wild' aims to promote conservation and nature tourism as an important role player in the country.

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CANSA: 80 Years of Caring

Provided By : CANSA

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has been caring for, and changing lives of countless people for 80 years thanks to its big family of caring volunteers and staff who are united in the fight against cancer. As part of National Cancer Week (1 - 7 August) CANSA shows its care and support with the theme 'CANSA Cares'.

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CANSA batting for a tobacco-free world

Provided By : CANSA

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) welcomes recent rulings against a giant in the tobacco industry by the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) and Judge J Phatudi in the North Gauteng High Court.

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Research report from the Funding Practice Alliance: Meeting their Mandates?

Provided By : AYONGO

The Alliance of Youth NGO (AYONGO), an umbrella body of youth NGOSs in South Africa, hereby wishes to condemn the attack on the National Development Agency (NDA) and National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) by a group of non-profit organisations which are: Inyathelo - The South African Institute for Advancement, Rural Education Access Programme (REAP), Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT) and Community Development Resources Association (CDRA). We strongly believe that these civil society actors have a hidden agenda which is informed by their political affiliation and lack of appreciation and understanding to the broader mandate of the NDA. We also believe that their acts are influenced by their lack of access to funding in both the National Development Agency (NDA) and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

Furthermore, the survey questionnaire form which was produced by these organizations was a clear tool to target the NDA and NLDTF. We, as AYONGO, strongly condemn and cannot allow provincial sectoral based non-profit organisations to dictate and make such barbaric allegations on the NDA and the NLDTF.

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Gauteng Goes Virtual at the Tourism Indaba

Provided By : Gauteng Tourism Authority

As South Africa's economic heart, Gauteng is often overlooked as not only Africa's gateway but as an exciting tourism destination in its own right. But the ever-enigmatic province holds countless secrets that visitors will be both surprised and delighted to discover. In the hustle of daily life, Gauteng's tremendous cultural wealth, extensive calendar of events and world-class leisure, sporting and retail facilities are often as unknown to locals as they are to visitors. And so, with all the mystic and romance of a burlesque performance troupe, the Gauteng Tourism Authority is all set to reveal its wonders to the universe on May 7th at Durban's Tourism Indaba 2011, the third largest event of its kind in the world.

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Fuel price update: Why diesel costs more

Provided By : Traffic Integrated Marketing

Since 2007 the price of fuel in South Africa has risen significantly. With the second price increase effective as of 04 May 2011 and another on the cards next month, the ever-widening gap between the price of diesel and petrol is of concern to diesel consumers. This note sets out the reason for the widening gap between petrol and diesel prices in South Africa.

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Celebrate life with cancer survivors!

Provided By : CANSA

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is hosting the first Corporate Relay For Life in South Africa, taking place from the evening of 3rd September to the morning of 4th September 2011 at Denel Corporate Office, Irene Campus, Pretoria (official venue sponsor 2011).

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Court confirms: National Curriculum not binding on private education

Provided By : The Pestalozzi Trust

Judge Cynthia Pretorius confirmed in the Pretoria High Court today that the state curriculum is not binding on independent schools and parents who educate their children at home.

The judge rejected an application by homeschooling parents and private schools to declare the curriculum non-binding. She decided that a Constitutional Court verdict from 2001 made the application unnecessary.

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SAPIA welcomes the launch of draft fuel specifications and standards

Provided By : SAPIA

The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) welcomes the release of draft fuel specifications and standards by the Minister of Energy, Ms Dipuo Peters.

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SAPIA update: Strike in the Road Freight Industry

Provided By : SA Petroleum Industry Association

The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) has noted with concern the high level of violence and intimidation that has characterised the strike action in the Road Freight Industry.

Members of the Road Freight Industry Employers Association (RFEA) are an integral part of the petroleum industrys national distribution infrastructure as they transport petroleum products across South Africa on behalf of SAPIA members.

The strike action - specifically the intimidation of drivers - has posed significant challenges to the operations of our members and our efforts to minimise the impact of the action are being hampered. This is likely to affect supply in areas that are particularly hard hit.

All SAPIA members have emphasised that the safety and security of their employees and contractors are paramount. Contingency plans are in place; however we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that every action possible is taken to meet supply needs safely and responsibly.

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Media Invitation: PDSA & Pick n Pay Cooking School Charity Cooking Demonstration

Provided By : (PDSA) People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (SA)

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals(SA), together with Pick n Pay School of Cooking wish to invite you to participate in our cooking demonstration being held at the Pick n Pay Head Office, in Kenilworth.

The PDSA are a non-profit organization and do not receive any funding from government. It is therefore imperative that funds are raised in order to maintain and improve on our hospital facilities. We support and offer a quality service, to the animals of owners, from our poorer communities.

These animals would not receive an alternative treatment opportunity if the PDSA was not able to provide for them.

We are therefore appealing to the public to support this demonstration, details are listed below:

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Media Invitation: CANSA three day Women�s Health Conference

Provided By : CANSA

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is hosting a three day Women�s Health Conference in celebration of Women�s Health.

Please join us as our media guest on any of the days, or for the entire period. The programme includes

- Her Excellency Madam Tobeka Zuma � First Lady of South Africa - will be opening the conference on the second day, 9th September in the morning
- This is followed by a special media briefing in the afternoon from 15h30 to announce a new breast cancer screening device
- And a talk by Ms Stacy Malkan on The Role of Cosmetics in Cancer and the launch of her book �Not Just a Pretty Face�
- Media are also invited to the formal dinner on Thursday 9 September where research bursaries and awards will be presented. For a copy of the full programme, please contact Shullie or Lucy.

Awareness, Coping and Beyond � A Cancer Conference for our Time

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Towards Rural Growth And Poverty Reduction

Provided By : National Development Agency

Recovering from decades of political and social dis-enfranchisement, South Africa has undergone dramatic economic, political and social transition. Indeed, South Africa has experienced rapid institutional changes. With peace restored, South Africa has moved away from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented economy. Moreover, there has been a move away from isolationism to embracing regional and global integration. Although political and macroeconomic stability have been achieved and key structural reforms have been initiated, the economy remains vulnerable. Unfortunately, economic growth has not facilitated widespread poverty reduction in the country. The loss of physical and social capital has had a negative impact on human capital. Consequently, there are serious challenges to the country�s overall development. In an increasingly competitive regional and global environment, South Africa is challenged to establish institutions and infrastructure to improve service delivery. The country is faced with the need to mitigate risks associated with regional and global integration.

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Men�s Health Best Men 2010 announced

Provided By : Traffic Integrated Marketing

Monday, 16 August 2010 - The Men�s Health Best Men 2010 winners were announced last week at a high-profile awards ceremony in Midrand. The awards, now celebrating its seventh year, recognises leaders in six categories.

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NYDA will commemorate International Youth Day by taking stock of the rate of youth development in South Africa

Provided By : National Youth Development Agency

On 12 August 2010 the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will commemorate International Youth Day with the rest of the international community by hosting a round table discussion where representatives from youth structures, non-governmental organisations, students, student formations and the public and private sector will review how far South Africa is in fast tracking youth development.

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Veiliger bababottels kry KANSA se Se�l van Erkenning

Provided By : CANSA

Die Kankervereniging van Suid-Afrika (KANSA) kondig graag hul nuwe Se�l van Erkenning vennoot aan. NUK, die bekende babaprodukvervaardiger, se reeks BPA-vrye bababottels vorm nou deel van �n reeks produkte wat deur KANSA onderskryf word as Slim Keuses (�Smart Choices).

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BPA-free baby bottles gets CANSA Seal of Recognition

Provided By : CANSA

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is proud to announce that baby product manufacturers, NUK, have been awarded its Seal of Recognition, recognising NUK as a CANSA Smart Choice.

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Kick butt with CANSA

Provided By : The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)

Is nicotine your master? Is tobacco eating up your cash? Do you want to regain control of your life? Need a little support? Make the smart choice and let the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) help you quit smoking for good with its new CANSA e-Kick Butt Programme.

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Estelle, Fatboy Slim, Dizzee Rascal head up 32-day football party

Provided By : Global Icons

UK superstars Estelle, Fatboy Slim and Dizzee Rascal are the headline acts for a line-up of over 40 top South African DJ�s and bands at a football party that kicks off at the CTICC on 11 June. All the Games will be screened live at the venue, and the entertainment kicks off at 12 mid-day, going on until 3 a.m. �The plan�, says Cool Britannia organizer, Conor Nolan, �is to make this the home from home for every football fan. If you like the sound of 32 days of incredible music acts, massive screens showing the games and 32 nations partying under one roof, then the CTICC is where you need to be�.

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