South Africa Roundup: Flying ants, food poisoning, corruption allegations

Food poisoning updates

In relation to public health, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa is preparing to address the nation concerning recent food poisoning cases that have led to the tragic deaths of over ten children in just the last two months, TVC News reports. As stated by Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the president’s address is orchestrated by numerous committees and is expected to occur soon. The impetus from the government focuses on a thorough investigation into these food-borne illnesses, particularly as health authorities engage actively with the ongoing cases. Responding to the need for accountability, the government has committed to ensuring that those liable for these fatalities, especially prevalent in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, will be held responsible.

Installation of solar panels

In an effort to address energy challenges, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has initiated a tender for the engineering, design, and installation of solar panel systems across its offices nationwide. The tender outlines the creation of a panel of contractors segmented by regions: Gauteng, Eastern and Western Cape, alongside KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces. Bidders are invited to submit proposals for one or multiple regions, with expectations that the capable contractors will manage all aspects of infrastructure installation and grid connections, according to PV Magazine. An informational online briefing is set for November 15, leading to proposal submissions by the deadline of December 9. This initiative is targeted at reducing operational costs and diesel consumption, particularly significant during periods of load shedding.

Corruption allegations

In the realm of governance and transparency, the President of the South African Football Association, Danny Jordaan, currently faces serious corruption allegations, VOA Africa reports. He has been summoned to appear in court, raising concerns over integrity within sports leadership.

Water crisis

South Africa faces a critical water crisis, exacerbated by ageing infrastructure and unreliable electricity supply. The situation has reached a point where the country’s highest court is operating remotely due to severe water supply issues, Semafor reports. This highlights the severity of the crisis that the water minister, despite his assurances, admits could lead to a further decline in access to safe water. Notably, the public water systems in Gauteng are suffering from significant water loss, a factor that greatly affects poorer communities and perpetuates a cycle of inequality deteriorating municipal revenue and service quality. The global context underscores the urgency of the issue, with alarming projections indicating that by 2025, 1.8 billion individuals could face extreme water shortages. Without immediate and effective water conservation measures, global food production may be jeopardized within the next 25 years.

Flying ants swarm pitch during India-S.A match

Lastly, an unexpected incident during the South Africa versus India cricket match led to a stoppage of play as flying ants swarmed the pitch, occurring on November 13, 2024. Sky Sports reports that this disruption underscores the unpredictable nature of outdoor sporting events, with environmental factors potentially impacting game operations.