Plans are underway to ensure that South Africa gains the capacity to desalinate its own seawater.

Speaking at the 38th Expert Group meeting of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) on Monday, acting Director General of the Department of Energy, Tseliso Maqubela, said the City of Cape Town at which the meeting was held is facing drought and the highest level of water restrictions.

GIF is a co-operative international endeavour which was set up to carry out the research and development needed to establish the feasibility and performance capabilities of the next generation nuclear energy systems.

“The irony is that it is alongside an infinite body of water, which we do not have the technology to harness economically. For us, this is where Generation IV hybrid reactor systems can play a pivotal role, through desalination of seawater,” he told those attending the meeting.

He further added that South Africa could not wait until the full development of these systems.

�... Read More

Statistics show that South Africans now spend more money on beer than on vegetables and fruit combined.

Durbanites eat the least sugar and salt while Cape Town and Johannesburg residents are better at stocking up on fruit and vegetables.

This is among the findings of the Discovery Vitality ObeCity Index 2017‚ released on Wednesday‚ which presents the latest insights on weight status as measured by Body Mass Index and waist circumference and food purchasing behaviour of nearly half a million Vitality members in Johannesburg‚ Pretoria‚ Cape Town‚ Durban‚ Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.

Cape Town scores best with 53.5% of Capetonians having a normal weight status.

Johannesburg and Durban came in at second and third with 52% and 51.8%‚ respectively.

Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein have the worst weight status‚ with 48.8% of residents having a healthy weight status in both cities.

“While there are some positive trends‚ we still have a lot to do to combat obesity�... Read More

The City of Cape Town has kicked off its water saving campaign, ‘Save like a local’ — this time targeting tourists expected this summer.

The campaign will be used to drive awareness about the serious drought crisis, especially among visitors this coming festive season.

According to the MasterCard Destination Cities Index 2017, Cape Town, popularly known as the Mother City, raked in 1.52 million visitors in 2016.

“If this year’s tourist season is similar to last year’s, we can expect a bumper season and we will need all visitors to ‘save like a local’ and follow the example of many of our water ambassadors,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services and Energy, Councillor Xanthea Limberg.

In partnership with the tourism sector, the campaign will include airport billboards in various foreign languages and branded flags in the CBD and Waterfront area. Mobile billboards on beaches and at tourist centres will also be used to ampl... Read More