Latest news with #BNG
IOL News
2 hours ago
- General
- IOL News
Melmoth housing project finally making progress after decade-long delays
SOME of the challenges that faced the decade-long delayed Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth was the hilly terrain where the houses are built. However, retaining walls were erected to mitigate against flooding THE Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth in the background with some of the water infrastructure built since the provincial government's intervention in the delayed project. KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma inspected progress of the project yesterday KWAZULU-NATAL Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma accompanied by the department's officials inspects the Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth which has faced decade-long delays THIS was how some of the houses for the Thubalethu housing project, in Melmoth looked like after vandalism, illegal occupation and delays before the provincial government had to step in. TRIBUNE REPORTER THE beneficiaries of a housing project in Northern KwaZulu-Natal have regained hope of occupying the houses that have remained unoccupied and incomplete for many years, with many being vandalised in the process due to delays and a plethora of other challenges. The R168 million Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth has been beset with challenges of delays, cost overruns, vandalism, illegal occupation, and lack of power and water supply since 2012, leaving many beneficiaries destitute and living in informal settlements. The project is a national government initiative under the Human Settlements' Breaking New Ground (BNG) programme and was meant to be an extension of Thubalethu township. The project was initially for 512 units, but the final number was adjusted to 751 due to the land's topography. A total of R168 million was allocated for the project. Yesterday, Human Settlements MEC for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, returned to the Thubalethu community to monitor progress on the project following an April 29 visit earlier this year, accompanied by the Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who both committed to seeing the project to its finality and exerted pressure for its speedy progress. 'We remain convinced that only hard work and commitment to serve the people will end the prolonged construction of houses in Thubalethu township."We want to ensure that there is no maladministration and that there is accountability for every cent spent,' said Duma yesterday when he undertook Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet Day work in the township. He monitored and inspected the work involving the department, Mthonjaneni, and King Cetshwayo municipalities. The Human Settlements Department has made available R38.5 million for the construction of the retaining walls to mitigate against flooding. Some of the houses are in hilly terrain, which maximises the risk of flooding. R61 million has been provided for the installation of bulk water services, and another R19 million for the construction of water infrastructure in the area. There's also a plan to erect water tanks and upgrade sewer and septic tanks. One of the many challenges facing the project was plumbing and sanitation. In the early stages of the project, there were reports of political bickering between the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality and the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, which further complicated the project's progress. The provincial government had to step in to nip the bickering in the bud.
Finextra
11-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Oxygen Conservation and Burges Salmon announce £1 million partnership for 8,000 UK-based carbon cred
Leading natural capital asset manager Oxygen Conservation and independent UK law firm Burges Salmon have announced the signing of a landmark partnership valued at up to £1 million. As part of the agreement, Burges Salmon will be the exclusive buyer of up to 8,000 premium-quality, UK-based carbon credits which will be provided at £125 per tonne. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. Funding one of the UK's most ambitious nature restoration projects on the beautiful Leighon Estate in Dartmoor, Devon, the partnership demonstrates an important shift in how the voluntary carbon market operates - moving from transactional offsets to transformative investments that deliver measurable environmental and social benefits. Importantly, the credits generated by this project go far beyond simply sequestering carbon, they are designed to deliver deep, lasting ecological value, connecting with a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme to form larger, more resilient ecosystems. Rich Stockdale, CEO of Oxygen Conservation, comments: 'Selling our first carbon credits to Burges Salmon marks not just a milestone for Oxygen Conservation, but a defining moment for natural capital markets. Burges Salmon has an established reputation in sustainability and their commitment to environmental integrity, their extensive due diligence, and their deep alignment with our values make them the perfect partner. In a space too often clouded by criticism, this deal is a clear signal; when carbon credits are underpinned by quality, transparency, and genuine impact, the market responds with conviction. This isn't just a transaction - it's proof that natural capital is no longer an emerging opportunity. It's an investable, valuable, and scalable asset class whose time has come.' Ross Fairley, Burges Salmon's new Senior Partner and a long-time leader in environmental and clean energy law, adds: 'This partnership is about helping to set a new standard for how organisations like ourselves engage with nature and lead with purpose. We have a long heritage of demonstrating that you can be a top law firm as well as a responsible business. We know clients and our people increasing value this approach. We're proud to be working with Oxygen Conservation to build a model that others can learn from, replicate, and be inspired by.' Setting the standard for premium quality credits, financing real climate and nature solutions With credits registered under the UK Woodland Carbon Code and independently validated by the Soil Association, Oxygen Conservation uses innovative drone-based monitoring systems to ensure high transparency and buyer assurance. The credits purchased by Burges Salmon will be generated through large-scale nature restoration and native woodland creation on the Leighon Estate. This 861-acre estate is owned by The Dixon Foundation, a UK registered charity, and managed by Oxygen Conservation. In furtherance of the charity's objectives the project forms part of a long-term effort to restore the ancient Atlantic rainforest, regenerating one of the UK's most precious and biodiverse ecosystems through a blend of natural regeneration and targeted tree planting. With an absolute carbon reduction target in place, approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative, Burges Salmon recognises that carbon reduction is its number one priority. However, as the firm transitions to Net Zero it wants to address its residual emissions through a meaningful carbon partnership that will deliver significant benefit to environment and nature. How the carbon partnership works Together, Burges Salmon and Oxygen Conservation are demonstrating what meaningful, values-led collaboration can achieve, setting a new standard for integrity, transparency, and lasting environmental impact in the carbon market. This includes:
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Step inside Bonang Matheba's glamorous 38th birthday bash: a photoshoot to remember
Bonang Matheba dazzled for her 38th birthday celebration in an editorial photoshoots. Image: Instagram Excitement and joy filled the air on June 25 as South African media personality Bonang Matheba stunned in a gorgeous editorial photoshoot as she celebrated her 38th birthday with close friends and family. Matheba indeed created a buzz on the internet yesterday as she shared a series of photographs, showcasing her exceptional fashion taste, which is different from the pastel pink glam she did last year. The House of BNG founder excitedly took to social media amid the celebrations. '+1. A heart filled with gratitude. To more life & more BNG," Matheba captioned her post. Affectionately known as 'Queen B', she took to social media to give fans a glimpse into how she celebrated her lavish birthday, not only with a photoshoot but also shared a vlog, showcasing the behind-the-scenes of the exquisite photoshoot. The TV host is known to go big on her birthdays as she always showcases her immaculate and stunning fashion sense. Matheba is also known and deemed a powerful name in the entertainment industry, and many young girls and women look up to her. From being a radio host to being a household name! Talk about working hard and putting in the work! She has also collaborated with many popular and famous beauty and fashion brands worldwide, including Steve Madden, L'Oréal and Revlon, amongst many others. Matheba's stellar hosting skills also landed her many popular shows and events such as Miss SA 2018 and 2024, the Earthshot Prize Awards 2024 and Glamour Of The Year Women Awards, as well as many others. Many of her friends and fans also took to social media to wish Queen B a heartfelt birthday. 'Happy Birthday to the blueprint!! It's our season,' rapper Gigi Lamayne said.
Eyewitness News
13-06-2025
- Eyewitness News
There are more than 20,000 unfinished RDP houses in the Free State
A couple in Bolata village in the eastern Free State have waited 14 years for their RDP home to be finished. Theirs is one of more than 20,000 Breaking New Ground (BNG, formerly known as RDP) houses in the province that are incomplete, says Zimasa Mbewu, spokesperson for the Free State Department of Human Settlements. These projects are 'blocked' mainly because contractors failed to complete the work they have been paid for. Toloko Mofokeng and his wife Monyaduwe Tshabalala were allocated an RDP house in 2011, to be built on a piece of land where they lived. A contractor arrived the same year but left without doing anything. A second contractor left after levelling the ground. A third contractor put in a concrete slab before also abandoning the project. Fourteen years later, the couple live in a shack next to the slab. The shack leaks when it rains and will need to be rebuilt soon. Mofokeng, tired of waiting, says he is considering building his own mud hut on the concrete foundation. Mbewu says the department has scrapped contractors who left work undone and 'blocked' housing projects, including Mofokeng's home, will be completed over the next two years. She declined to name the contractors responsible for Mofokeng's incomplete house, as disputes over payment were still taking place. LONG HISTORY OF HOUSING FAILURES The Zondo Commission found that between 2010 and 2011, under former Premier Ace Magashule, about R1-billion was spent on housing projects in the Free State, many of which were never completed. In 2014, the province entered into a R255-million corrupt tender for the removal of asbestos roofs. That trial is continuing. In 2021, the Auditor General wrote that for three years, the housing department had spent most of the grants received for housing but had delivered 'significantly fewer houses than the target', with no consequences for contractors who failed to meet their targets. In 2024, the Auditor General commended the department on improving internal controls, but the department only reported completing 50 Breaking New Ground houses against a target of 2,065. The Auditor General found there was insufficient evidence that even 50 houses had been built. 'I could not determine the actual achievement, but I estimated it to be materially less than reported,' the Auditor General wrote. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
Business News Wales
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Hugh James Planning Team Marks 'Transformational' Year of Growth
Top 100 UK Law Firm Hugh James is marking a 'significant milestone' in the evolution of its planning practice. Since the appointment of Alex Madden as Partner and head of planning and environmental in July 2024, the planning team has grown in both size and scope. The firm says it now has new clients, complex projects, and key hires under its belt. 'It's been an action-packed 12 months,' Alex said. 'We've supported the firm's commercial property team on standout deals like Rockwool's new manufacturing base at Peddimore and Pobl's land acquisition at Cardiff's Plas Dŵr. We've also facilitated critical conversations around housing delivery in Wales, including a roundtable with Lee Waters MS focused on unlocking social housing.' The team now includes Senior Associate, Hannah Mannion, who specialises in energy and renewables, and soon to be assistant solicitor Ben Bowen who will qualify in September 2025. The team's growth over the past year has significantly boosted their capacity to support the firm's national housebuilder client base across both contentious and non-contentious work, it said. The introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for certain developments, updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – including the new 'grey belt' classification – and proposed legislative reforms via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill all signal an increasing demand for commercial planning advice, said the firm. Further changes are in the pipeline, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) publishing a working paper proposing reforms to site thresholds in the planning system to better support housing delivery across different types of sites and launching a consultation on proposed reforms to planning committees. Defra is also consulting on BNG implementation for NSIPs and minor, medium and brownfield developments. Alex believes these developments only underscore the importance of having a strong, agile legal team in place. 'Our expansion means we're not just meeting our clients' needs – we're anticipating them,' he said. 'We're now able to offer a cradle-to-grave service that ensures continuity, clarity and strategic input at every stage of a project. That's a win-win for clients new and old.' The team is advising on significant residential schemes in the South West. These include the landmark Selwood Garden Community comprising 1,700 homes, a major mixed-use development of around 400 units at Nailsea within the Green Belt, and a residential-led scheme at Trull delivering 125 new homes. Recent client wins include Wain Estates, Wain Homes, and Land Value Alliances. This strategic growth reflects Hugh James' wider vision for its planning and environmental team, and delivers on the ambitions set out when Alex was first appointed, the firm said. 'We knew that planning and environmental law was becoming a bigger priority for our clients,' said Alex. 'That's why we invested in building a market-leading team, and now we're delivering on that promise.'
