Government

5 important things happening in South Africa today

Staff Writer

 ·21 Dec 2023

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

• Eskom set to disappoint: As part of Eskom’s longer-term recovery plan, the group has set a target of hitting an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 65% by March 2024, and reaching 70% by March 2025. However, data shows that the power company is struggling to get further than an EAF of 55% – which is even lower than the 60% EAF target Eskom set for March 2023. [BusinessTech]

• SA faces a nursing crisis: Private hospital group Netcare has once again warned that with the healthcare system heavily reliant on a nursing workforce above the age of 50 and not bringing in new nurses, this is becoming a societal challenge that needs to be addressed urgently, or else the country faces crisis level consequences. [Business Day]

• SA has a drinking problem: Drunken driving arrests have increased by 312% in the Western Cape this December. This trend is also being noted in other provinces, with many drivers being five to nine times over the legal limit. Arrive Alive advocate Johan Jonck has expressed national concern about increasing alcohol consumption during the festive season. [Daily Maverick]

• MTN approaches Starlink: MTN has announced that it is in talks with various Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband companies regarding partnerships to provide coverage in under-served areas. This includes Starlink, Lynk Global, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb. [MyBroadband]

• Markets:  South Africa’s rand advanced against the U.S. dollar in thin trade on Wednesday, with analysts saying the currency was drifting on global market factors in the absence of domestic economic data releases. On Wednesday (20 December), the rand was trading at R18.39 to the dollar, R23.12 to the pound and R20.02 to the euro. Oil is trading at $79.31 a barrel. [Reuters]