Latest news with #R3.8
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Gauteng schools urged to settle electricity and water bills
Gauteng Education confirms June payments were made and schools must now ensure their water and electricity bills are up to date. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says no school will face water or power cuts if school governing bodies (SGBs) pay municipal bills with the funds they were allocated in June. The department confirmed on Thursday that June payments were made to all schools for payment of their respective municipal billing accounts. This comes after the financial situation at the schools was shared in a written response to an issue raised by the DA shadow MEC for education, Sergio dos Santos. Over 500 schools disconnected in 2025 A detailed list provided by Education MEC Matome Chiloane's office showed that 536 schools endured some sort of billing-related disconnection in 2025. Of those, 293 were for a period of at least 30 days, while another 250 experienced disconnections lasting between seven and 18 days. Four of the schools had their water disconnected for periods between 10 and 27 days, with the remaining schools having had their electricity disconnected. ALSO READ: If it ain't broke, break it anyway There were 16 schools that had their water, electricity, waste and sewerage services disconnected simultaneously. Schools with the highest bills include Fleurhof Primary with an overdue amount of R3.8 million, R1.6 million owed by Soshanguve South Primary, and R1.9 million owed by Fusion Secondary in Lotus Gardens. The GDE further reiterated that once the funds have been transferred, it is the responsibility of the schools and their SGBs to make sure that their municipal accounts are settled and paid on time to avoid water and electricity cuts. Schools are responsible for their own money – GDE The department emphasised that schools, specifically those granted Section 21 functions, are tasked with handling their own money, in line with legislation. These schools are responsible for a range of functions, including the payment of municipal services such as electricity and water. 'No public school in Gauteng is currently, or will ever be, disconnected from water and electricity services now and in the near future,' said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane. 'Schools must work hand in hand with the GDE to continue achieving this by ensuring their municipal accounts are up to date at all times and that they comply with all necessary procedures.' ALSO READ: Payment delays for school assistants caused by DBE verification issues GDE said that in addition to allocating funds, it provides oversight and support to these schools, having previously settled outstanding accounts on behalf of schools in April 2025. The department also said that it trains SGBs and schools in financial management to emphasise the importance of complying with all relevant financial procedures. Parents and communities urged to support SGBs The GDE said that it continues to collaborate with school leadership structures to ensure sound financial governance and uninterrupted access to basic services. 'We call on parents, communities, and stakeholders to support schools and their school governing bodies in executing their duties not just responsibly but to the benefit of all learners, educators, and school-based staff,' said Chiloane. Additional reporting by Jarryd Westerdale
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Almost 300 Gauteng schools went without electricity for a month in 2025
Water and electricity services were cut at schools in 2025 due to unpaid bills amounting to almost R60 million. Schools throughout Gauteng have experienced multiple days without electricity in the first half of this year. Schools responsible for paying their own municipal bills defaulted to the tune of millions, leaving thousands of classrooms dark. Many of those affected are no-fee paying schools, with some questioning the wisdom of giving them the responsibility of covering their own bills. School electricity disconnections The financial situation at the schools was shared in a written response to an issue raised by the DA shadow MEC for education, Sergio dos Santos. A detailed list provided by Education MEC Matome Chiloane's office showed that 536 schools endured some sort of billing-related disconnection in 2025. Of those, 293 were for a period of at least 30 days, while another 250 experienced disconnections lasting between seven and 18 days. Four of the schools had their water disconnected for periods between 10 and 27 days, with the remaining schools having had their electricity disconnected. There were 16 schools that had their water, electricity, waste and sewerage services disconnected simultaneously. 'This made it impossible to provide lighting in classrooms, power educational technology, and maintain hygiene and safety standards,' stated Dos Santos. Almost R60 million owed The value of the unpaid municipal accounts amounts to R58 million, with the schools disconnected for 30 days, owing over R100 000 each. Schools with the highest bills include Fleurhof Primary with an overdue amount of R3.8 million, R1.6 million owed by Soshanguve South Primary, and R1.9 million owed by Fusion Secondary in Lotus Gardens. These schools have section 21 status under the South African Schools (SAS) Act, with the national education department's 2024 document on norms and standards for school funding explaining the distinction. 'Schools that have section 21 responsibilities, or functions, receive the school allocation as a transfer into the school bank account,' read the document. 'Schools that do not have section 21 responsibilities do not receive the school allocation of money. Instead, the school works together with the department to decide what the school allocation should be used for, and the department buys the goods for the school.' Over 2 000 new Section 21s The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said in the last five financial years, 2 034 schools were given greater financial autonomy under this clause. Asked what criteria were used to determine if schools could handle such responsibility, Chiloane said the GDE gauged the school's capacity to perform such functions effectively. 'To establish this, the GDE also looked into the ability of the governing body to manage finances,' stated Chiloane. 'To empower governing bodies to manage the Section 21 functions, the department ensures that schools are trained in financial management as soon as new governing bodies are elected,' he added. 'The governing bodies of schools are also expected to take all reasonable measures to supplement the resources supplied by the state in order to improve the quality of education provided by the school,' Chiloane explained. 'Utility crisis' The MEC stated that while they provide financial oversight, they did not keep municipal accounts for the school. He added that the GDE was unable to settle the arrears but stated that they 'anticipate' schools will be caught up by 30 June. Chiloane said the GDE was engaging with municipalities and Eskom to resolve billing issues and asked municipalities to inform them before disconnections occurred. Dos Santos inquired whether the financial situation had improved, but that feedback was still outstanding. 'The utility crisis has serious implications for learners' dignity, health, and access to quality education, particularly in schools with limited resources to cope,' concluded the Shadow MEC. A request for an update on the schools' bills was sent to the GDE by The Citizen on Tuesday, but no response had been received at the time of publication. NOW READ: More than 7 000 grade R teachers aren't qualified to teach their class
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How a lime shortage sparked an agricultural breakthrough in Limpopo
The Moletele Community and Komati Fruit Group in Hoedspruit, Limpopo supplies lime to serve the Corona brand for South African Breweries. Image: Supplied By Zoleka Lisa A year ago, we told a story that started with a lime and ended in hope. A national lime shortage had threatened the iconic ritual that completes a Corona beer — that perfect wedge balancing on the rim of a bottle. But at SAB, we saw an opportunity. Not just to secure a supply chain, but to plant something far deeper: the seeds of inclusive agricultural growth in one of South Africa's rural communities. Fast forward 12 months, and the Moletele Corona Limes Project is no longer a bet —it's a proven blueprint. In 2018, we began working with the Moletele Community and Komati Fruit Group in Hoedspruit, Limpopo. Our goal was to build a sustainable, local lime supply to serve the Corona brand. At the same time we wanted to unlock jobs, transfer skills and create much needed income, in an area rich with land and potential, but short on investment. Far from a once-off CSI campaign, this was a deliberate, long-term localisation effort that was grounded in trust, rooted in community, and driven by shared value. And westayed the course. The Numbers Tell One Story In 2024 alone, the project delivered: 2.5 million limes harvested, more than double 2023's output A 53-tonne increase in yield year-on-year R5 million in revenue, up from R3.8 million in 2023 98% of yield sold locally, stabilising South Africa's supply chain Growth in permanent jobs from and seasonal jobs sustained Ongoing benefits to 1 615 Moletele families through land rental, with 55 households directly supported Most impressively though, is that we did not need to plant a single additional hectare in 2024. Instead, we focused on doing better, not just doing more. Operational excellence met community ownership, and the results speak volumes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The People Tell Another For Ruben Koekemoer, Komati Group's production manager, this past season wastransformational: 'Over the past year, the limes project was a very good experience and learning phase. We did our first pruning with our own people working there as well as the irrigation setup and fertilizer setup. Everyone was involved and learned new things and new methods to improve the limes. With starting up this season, we are all working together and making decisions together to wake up the trees and set the new fruits that we will first harvest in week 27. We are looking forward to new growth and new opportunity that will come this 2025 season, and we believe it will the best season so far. We want to thank everyone that is involved with the project and are looking forward to the many years to come working together as one unit.' – Ruben Koekemoer, production manager – Komati Group. And for Pontsho Mathebula, a Moletele community member turned team leader: 'Over the past few years working at limes, I've gained so much experience working together with my leaders and my colleagues. We also did our first pruning, which was great experience, and production was great. No crop loss which means our project is growing and our jobs are safe. We also managed to hire 10 temporary workers, that means 10 families are going to be fed and that's awesome. I'm looking forward to the project's growth and improvement so we can hire more people. l would like to thank everyone who is in involved in this project, please keep doing the good things that you are doing. We appreciate you. From me and my colleagues, we thank you guys.' - Pontsho Mathebula, team leader Komati Group and member of the Moletele community. The Moletele Community and Komati Fruit Group in Hoedspruit, Limpopo has unlocked jobs, transferred skills and created much needed income, in an area rich with land and potential, but short on investment. Workers were taken with former Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza, during her visit to the farm. Image: Supplied A New Definition of Localisation Too often in corporate South Africa, localisation means switching suppliers. We talk often in corporate South Africa about supply chain transformation — but how often are we building entirely new categories of production in overlooked rural areas? Rarely does it mean building entire categories of production where none existed before. This project flips that script. It's not about compliance. It's about contribution. Because in today's South Africa, what we need is not just job creation —it's economic inclusion that lasts. The kind that grows with the seasons and compounds over time. At SAB, we've always believed that beer is more than a beverage. It's an engine for economic growth. And in Hoedspruit, a single lime is proving that belief right. The Road Ahead The Moletele model shows us that it can be done. With land. With trust. With the right partners. And with the patience to see the seasons through. We're consistent because we know real change is not made in headlines — it's made in harvests. And yet, we hope this story continues to spark the kind of public imagination South Africa needs right now: how many more sectors have the seeds of inclusive growth just waiting to be planted? The future of farming doesn't lie only in hectares — it lies in shared value. From a premium beer brand's ritual to the heart of rural development, a single lime has become a symbol of what's possible when business thinks beyond profit and places purpose at the centre of growth. And so, as we reflect on the journey of the past year, we remain clear-eyed about the years ahead: this isn't a once-off. This is a blueprint. From Hoedspruit to the world. Because sometimes, a wedge of lime isn't just a garnish — it's a game-changer. Zoleka Lisa is the vice president for corporate affairs at the South African Breweries (SAB). Image: Supplied Zoleka Lisa is the vice president for corporate affairs at the South African Breweries (SAB). ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng government pays another R3. 3 billion for e-tolls debt
The province made the first payment of R3.8 billion in September last year following the scrapping of the e-toll system early in 2024. Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers GAUTENG Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has committed the province to paying off its 30% portion towards servicing the e-toll debt with the provincial treasury expected to make the payment of R3.3 billion towards the debt on Monday. This comes more than six months since the province made the first payment of R3.8 billion in September last year following the scrapping of the e-toll system early in 2024 with the National Treasury having agreed to cover 70% of the debt as the province took responsibility for the remaining 30%. According to reports, the debt is set to be repaid in five annual installments. Finance MEC Lebogang Maile, is set to make a landmark payment of R3.3 billion on Monday, fulfilling the provincial government's commitment to cover 30% of the provincial e-toll debt. Image: Itumeleng English/independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading During a press briefing on Sunday, Maile indicated that an amount of R5.76 billion would be paid Monday for the e-toll debt while another portion will be paid towards SANRAL freeway upgrades. "We are committed to increasing efficiency and systems, cost effectiveness and eliminate leakages, identifying potential new revenue collecting sources that have not been explored and the use of alternative funding and implementation models to achieve more value. We are confident that alongside other interventions such as implementation of advanced technology and digitisation of our supply chain management, we will be able to realise the objectives that we have set before ourselves with the revenue enhancement strategy," he said. Maile revealed that the provincial government has been making progress in paying off its e-toll debt. "The Gauteng Provincial Government will make a transfer total of R5.76 billion towards the e-toll debt and the contribution towards the Sanral Gauteng freeway improvement project. There is much more work that still needs to be done to unpack the financing model.... We wish to announce that... the 30th of June 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Government will honour the province's obligation by paying the second instalment towards the e-tolls debt as disclosed in the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). "The second amount due on the 30th of June 2025, based on the memorandum of agreement, is R3.377 billion in terms historical debt. This is the amount that we will be paying to the National Treasury as a second instalment as part of our 30% contribution," he added. Maile added that the province will be embarking on various alternative ways to fund road upgrades, "for the policy perspective and financial impact as well as practical solutions. Of the studies undertaken by Sanral, there exists institutional knowledge in terms of the new routes and upgrades on new routes. The MEC indicated that the principal debt was over R20 billion, including interest of R3 billion as well as contributions towards maintenance. "The debt was about R12.9 billion with interest of over R3 billion and there was road maintenance of R4.1 billion. What we are going to be paying is the debt and interest as one amount and road maintenance of R2 billion. We have also indicated the roads that we expect Sanral to maintain alongside our team and to report on the progress," he added. Cape Times
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng commits to R3. 3 billion e-toll debt payment amid ongoing road upgrades
Finance MEC Lebogang Maile, is set to make a landmark payment of R3.3 billion on Monday, fulfilling the provincial government's commitment to cover 30% of the provincial e-toll debt. Image: Itumeleng English/independent Newspapers Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has committed the province to paying off its 30% portion towards servicing the e-toll debt with the provincial treasury expected to make the payment of R3.3 billion towards the debt on Monday. This comes more than six months since the province made the first payment of R3.8 billion in September last year following the scrapping of the e-toll system early in 2024 with the National Treasury having agreed to cover 70% of the debt as the province took responsibility for the remaining 30%. According to reports, the debt is set to be repaid in five annual installments. On Sunday, during a press briefing, Maile indicated that an amount of R5.76 billion will be paid on Monday for the e-toll debt while another portion will be paid towards SANRAL freeway upgrades. "We are committed to increasing efficiency and systems, cost effectiveness and eliminate leakages. Identifying potential new revenue collecting sources that have not been explored and the use of alternative funding and implementation models to achieve more value. We are confident that alongside other interventions such as implementation of advanced technology and digitisation of our supply chain management, we will be able to realise the objectives that we have set before ourselves with the revenue enhancement strategy," he said. Maile revealed that the provincial government has been making progress in paying off its e-toll debt. "To restate, the Gauteng Provincial Government will tomorrow, make a transfer total of R5.76 billion towards the e-toll debt and the contribution towards the Sanral Gauteng freeway improvement project. There is much more work that still needs to be done to unpack the financing model.... We wish to announce that tomorrow, the 30th of June 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Government will honour the province's obligation by paying the second instalment towards the e-tolls debt as disclosed in the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). "The second amount due on the 30th of June 2025, based on the memorandum of agreement, is R3.377 billion in terms historical debt. This is the amount that we will be paying to the National Treasury tomorrow as a second instalment as part of our 30% contribution," he added. Maile added that the province will be embarking on various alternative ways to fund road upgrades stating, "For the policy perspective and financial impact as well as practical solutions. Of the studies undertaken by Sanral, there exists institutional knowledge in terms of the new routes and upgrades on new routes.
