Author: William Brederode
The Department of Social Development has stood firm in support of its DSDTV streaming platform, highlighting cost-saving benefits by eliminating third-party communication fees. In the midst of numerous government communication platforms, the Department of Social Development has justified the creation and upkeep of DSDTV, an independent internet streaming channel. Launched a year ago to showcase department activities, DSDTV operates separately from MultiChoice’s DStv. The department faced criticism from opposition members for initiating the platform at a monthly expense of R81,000. Despite this, maintaining DSDTV has proved to be a financially prudent move for the department. Stay informed to shape a…
A number of South African government websites with the domain “.gov” have been experiencing frequent downtime in recent weeks, causing pages to either load slowly or not load at all. The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is actively working to address these technical issues affecting various government sites. News24 has observed multiple instances where “.gov” websites have simultaneously failed to load, prompting concerns about the reliability and accessibility of important government information. This ongoing problem emphasizes the need for reliable online resources to keep South Africans informed. Stay informed and empowered with News24’s fearless journalism, delivering essential news for over…
South African metros are expanding their CCTV networks. (Timothy Rogers/Getty Images) South Africa’s biggest metros are increasing surveillance efforts to combat crime. The City of Cape Town has allocated R23 million for CCTV network upgrades and R7 million for drones and training over the next three years, as outlined in its recent budget presentation. Stay informed and help shape a brighter future for South Africa. News24 has been a trusted source of news for 25 years, and we are now entering a new era of bold journalism. Sign up for our free trial to access this story and a wealth…
South African metros are stepping up their surveillance game with increased CCTV and drone technology to combat crime. The City of Cape Town, for instance, has allocated R23 million for CCTV network upgrades and R7 million for drones and operator training in their upcoming budgets. This commitment to enhancing security measures was revealed during the budget presentation on May 31. Stay informed about developments in South Africa to contribute to a brighter future. News24 has been a trusted news source for 25 years and is committed to delivering impactful journalism. Sign up for our free trial subscription to access this…
The sale of inefficient lightbulbs has been banned. This is how much consumers who haven’t made the switch yet could save. (Thana Prasongsin/Getty Images) A new lighting efficiency standard came into effect on Thursday. Consumers who have been using inefficient bulbs stand to save a substantial amount of money by switching. A News24 calculation shows that consumers could save more than R4 000 in 10 years by swapping bulbs. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. New lighting efficiency standards that came into effect in SA on 23 May will save consumers money, as inefficient lightbulbs…
The energy efficiency standard for lightbulbs in South Africa is set to increase, leading to the banning of inefficient traditional incandescent lights. The ban on the sale of regular fluorescent (CFL) and incandescent light bulbs for general household use will be phased in, with full implementation expected by the end of the year. However, most LED lights will meet the new efficiency standards and remain available for purchase. The new regulations, coming into effect on 23 May, will mandate a minimum efficiency rating of 90 lumens per watt (Lm/W) for general household lighting. Incandescent and CFL lights fall short of…
A severe space weather alert has been issued by the South African National Space Agency (Sansa), warning of potential grid asset trips and voltage control problems due to an impending solar storm. The alert comes after Sansa spotted five eruptions from the sun’s atmosphere set to hit Earth between Friday and Sunday, with impacts forecasted to reach G4 geomagnetic storm levels. While the risk is described as slight, the agency urges caution as previous storms have caused damage to infrastructure like transformers and power outages. Sansa’s world-class forecasting station in Hermanus has been providing regular updates on solar activity this…
Amazon’s South African marketplace has some interesting features for consumers to get familiar with. (Amazon/Supplied) Amazon on Tuesday launched its much-anticipated South African marketplace, and it has some compelling features for local consumers. A vast pickup point network, same-day and next-day delivery options, WhatsApp order tracking, and a discount completion bar are among the service offerings on Amazon’s South African site. In October last year, Amazon announced that it would be launching a South African marketplace in 2024, adding to its existing cloud computing business – Amazon Web Services – which has been operating locally for several years. Amazon is…