For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: South Africa takes next step toward opening up electricity trade; EFF unfazed by Parliamentary sanctions on its MPs; And, BOSA announces Ntokozo Biyela as KZN Premier candidate

South Africa takes next step toward opening up electricity trade

South Africa moved a step closer toward creating a competitive electricity market after legislation that establishes the framework cleared another hurdle.

The Electricity Regulation Act Amendment Bill, which will facilitate the opening of the national power grid to private generators, was approved by the National Assembly yesterday. The bill provides for the creation of an independent transmission system operator, a precursor to the establishment of an electricity-trading platform.

Africa’s most industrialised nation has been powered for more than a century by Eskom. The loss-making utility has failed to meet demand over recent years, resulting in rolling blackouts that have hobbled the economy, and it has been reliant on state bailouts to survive.

Eskom’s monopoly has been slowly nearing an end as the long-delayed plans to split it into transmission, generation and distribution businesses are implemented.

Besides opening up the grid, the government has exempted private power project developers from requiring licenses and stepped up efforts to procure clean energy to reduce its reliance on coal-fired power.

EFF unfazed by Parliamentary sanctions on its MPs

The Economic Freedom Fighters stated that it is not fazed by the sanctions imposed on its Members of Parliament and does not feel intimidated, calling the recommendation made by Parliament's Powers and Privileges Committee “nonsensical and patently partisan.”

This after EFF members Sinawo Thambo, Natasha Ntlangwini, and Mothusi Montwedi were found guilty of calling President Cyril Ramaphosa “a money launderer”.

The committee recommended a sanction of suspension from April 1 to April 30, without remuneration.

A fine equivalent to 30 days salary was imposed on Anthony Matumba, Paulnita Marais, Babalwa Mathulela and Naledi Chira, while Tseko Mafanya and Yoliswa Yako received a sanction of a fine equivalent to 15 days salary.

The party highlighted that this can only be described as an “abuse of power by the African National Congress and a stifling of democratic debate and accountability” in Parliament.

And, BOSA announces Ntokozo Biyela as KZN Premier candidate

Build One South Africa KwaZulu-Natal Premier candidate Ntokozo Biyela today highlighted that his leadership experience will take the province to “another level”, with his belief in growing the economy and delivering services to residents.

BOSA said the decision to announce its KZN Premier candidate first was informed by the current politics of the province.

Biyela said he is a change catalyst, and believes youth development is an integral part of growing the country’s economy, as is the use of technology for effective delivery of services.

Biyela is a founding member of BOSA – having launched the party with its leadership in Soweto in 2022.

BOSA acting spokesperson Roger Solomons explained that now that the party’s candidate lists had been submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission BOSA has begun to identify and nominate Premier candidates in all its strategic provinces.

Solomons explained that Biyela was number one on the party’s KZN list and would lead BOSA's campaign to bring about real change for the 12-million residents.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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