Latest news with #KemptonPark
Mail & Guardian
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
2025: The year of justice for all Africans
Attendees: The ambassadors of Angola, Dominican Republic, Egypt, The Gambia and the EU, as well as Cameroon's high commissioner, the dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the dean of African heads of mission and South Africa's acting chief director of the international relations department. This year's Africa Day event was held at Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld High School sports grounds in Kempton Park and was hosted by the group of African heads of diplomatic missions accredited with the Republic of South Africa. Embracing the African Union's declaration of 2025 as the Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations, this theme is further connected to the G20 theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, which South Africa, as the G20 host, is promoting. In essence, the theme emphasises the need for justice and reparations for the African diaspora, including addressing the legacy of slavery and colonialism. The Africa Day event brought together diplomatic missions, cultural performers and citizens in a celebration of unity. The annual commemoration of Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, now the African Union) in 1963. This year marks the 62nd anniversary. Guest speakers included the dean of the Diplomatic Corps, HE Salih Omar Abdu; the dean of African heads of missions, HE A Nzapayeke; and the ambassador of Angola, who read a message from the president of Angola. Ben Joubert delivered a speech on behalf of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola in which he stated: 'Africa is the cradle of humankind, as much as it is the continent of the future.' He also reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to pan-Africanism and emphasised the country's G20 presidency as a critical platform to champion Africa's development agenda on the world stage. This year's Africa Day event saw embassies from Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and the European Union participating and displaying their connection to Africa. The event is Africa's biggest cultural celebration, showcasing the diverse heritage and traditions of the continent. Guests indulged in a variety of dishes prepared by the embassies and their staff while watching performances.
News24
11-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Green hydrogen opportunities key to unlocking economic growth: Ramokgopa
@GovernmentZA / X Ramokgopa highlighted green hydrogen as a key driver for South Africa's economic growth, addressing structural challenges in energy and logistics while creating downstream value from mineral resources like platinum and vanadium. He emphasised green hydrogen's dual role in decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors, such as transport and heavy industry, while boosting energy security and supporting the mining sector's revival through demand for transition minerals. Ramokgopa stressed the importance of continental policy alignment to unlock Sub-Saharan Africa's renewable energy potential, which could attract greater global investment and foster industrial development. At the media launch of the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit on Tuesday, electricity and energy minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa emphasised that South Africa's future energy mix must be strategically aligned to solve economic challenges, with green hydrogen positioned as a central lever. Speaking at Isondo Precious Metals in the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone, Kempton Park, Ramokgopa said the country's energy problems are not simply technical but economic at their core. 'We are resolving an economic problem with energy manifestations,' he said. South Africa cannot grow if electricity is unreliable or unaffordable. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa Ramokgopa spoke candidly about how the government is treating the energy crisis as a matter of national importance. Drawing from his engineering background, he argued that solving the crisis requires a deep understanding of the root problem, namely, that South Africa's economy has stagnated due to structural constraints, primarily in logistics and energy. 'The structural constraint to the South African economy can be identified as twofold: inefficiencies in logistics and challenges related to the electricity deficit,' Ramokgopa said, echoing views previously raised by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. As part of the state's plan to respond to these constraints, green hydrogen has emerged as a potential contributor to both energy diversification and economic development. Ramokgopa pointed to the dual importance of this emerging industry: on one hand, green hydrogen could help decarbonise sectors like transport and heavy industry; on the other, it opens doors for South Africa to beneficiate its mineral resources and create downstream value. Cabinet has already approved a Critical Minerals Strategy, led by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, aimed at identifying and leveraging minerals essential to the global energy transition. The strategy identifies minerals such as platinum, vanadium, manganese and rare earth elements that are critical to producing green hydrogen and associated technologies like fuel cells. Ramokgopa described the potential as a 'resurgence of the battery and fuel cell economy', which he believes could revitalise the mining sector's contribution to GDP and employment. Mining has contracted in recent years, but the demand for energy transition minerals offers a chance to reposition it. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa On the sidelines of the launch, Ramokgopa expanded on these themes in an interview. 'Green hydrogen is a big part of South Africa's growth story because it allows us to beneficiate our upstream endowments. Mining, particularly for minerals like platinum, has one of the highest employment absorption capacities,' he said. He added that green hydrogen supports not only the decarbonisation of electricity, which remains South Africa's largest source of emissions, but also transport, where traditional renewables like solar are less effective. 'Green hydrogen gives us diversification in energy sources and could play a role in sectors where electrification is difficult,' he said. However, Ramokgopa acknowledged that the current cost of green hydrogen remains prohibitive. 'The technology is still maturing, and we're not yet competitive, but over time we expect costs to come down.' He also noted the need for regional alignment across the continent. 'Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to produce 60% of the world's renewable energy, but currently receives less than 1% of global investment. He said that the summit, taking place 12-13 June at the Century City Conference Centre & Hotel, is about aligning policies and coordination to change that.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kempton Park still at risk of closure as developers have option to build houses on famous track until 2030
KEMPTON PARK is still at risk of being closed and knocked down for housing. The Jockey Club announced in January 2017 they were selling off the racecourse to developers in a bid to raise £100 million. 2 2 But the track was given a reprieve when those plans hit the buffers in the face of opposition from Spelthorne Council and a number of high-profile racing industry figures. So the Jockey Club sold an 'option to purchase' to builders Redrow in September 2018, Sunracing can reveal, meaning they can buy the land for development during a set timeframe whenever they want for a pre-agreed price. The expiry date on the agreement is in 2028, though it can be extended a further two years if Redrow express interest in going ahead with the purchase of the 230-acre site, either in its entirety or part of it. The Jockey Club has not hidden its desire to sell off land at Kempton for housing to raise much needed funds, and in February 2020 they announced revised plans to develop on part of the site which would not involve demolishing the home of the King George. But those plans were also scuppered by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Jockey Club remains in a deep financial hole, with the last set of accounts published last summer showing they have around £54 million of debt. Spelthorne Council said eight years ago the site was unlikely to be considered for housing eight as it was deemed 'strongly performing' green belt land. But the new Labour government has relaxed planning laws to encourage house building, with the aim to build 1.5 million new homes before the next election. The Jockey Club dismissed recent speculation on social media that the racecourse was to be closed at the end of next year, but there is a desperate need for housing in Surrey and Redrow is still interested in developing the site, for all they have yet to trigger their option to buy the land. A Redrow spokesperson said: 'We have an agreement with the Jockey Club to promote Kempton Park for development, lasting until 2030. 'Since this agreement was made, we have been reviewing whether the site, or parts of it, could assist with the delivery of much needed new housing in Surrey.' The Jockey Club said: "Since 2018, Redrow have had the exclusive right to promote Kempton Park as a potential site for residential development, lasting until 2028. "Since the agreement came into effect it has been entirely normal procedure for there to be ongoing discussions to see if the site, or parts of it, could play a part in addressing the need for houses in the local area. "Given the recent changes in wider planning policy, it is no surprise that those discussions are continuing, but in real terms there has been no change in Kempton Park's status.' . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Russia Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
South African leader defends black economic empowerment policy
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a forceful defence of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) on Friday night, calling out its critics and questioning whether their opposition stems from fear or envy. Speaking at the Black Business Council's annual summit gala dinner at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa doubled down on the government's unwavering support for transformation policies aimed at redressing South Africa's deep-rooted inequalities. He reaffirmed plans to convene a national dialogue focused on tackling the country's most urgent socio-economic challenges — a process he said will be vital in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future. Ramaphosa argued that real economic growth will only be possible through meaningful transformation while highlighting the significance of the proposed Government of National Unity (GNU). 'Fundamental economic transformation is vital to the growth of our economy and the progress of our nation. This transformation is necessary if we are to unlock the capabilities of all our people and realise the full potential of our economy,' he said. He positioned the GNU as a platform for uniting stakeholders behind bold reforms that can drive change. 'Transformation is not a hindrance to growth — it is the engine of growth,' Ramaphosa said, underscoring the role of legislative tools such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) framework and the Employment Equity Act in building a more equitable economy. 'We must dispense with the false choice that we are urged to make between growth and transformation. Transformation is vital if growth is to be meaningful, inclusive and sustainable. 'Growth is essential if we are to effectively transform our economy. Our task is to ensure that we pursue both growth and transformation, in concert, with more vigour and to greater effect,' he said. While acknowledging progress, the president was candid about the stark racial disparities that persist. He noted that the average income of white households remains nearly five times higher than that of black African households — a gap that, in his view, underscores the continued need for aggressive policy intervention. 'We need to challenge the notion that black economic empowerment is a cost to the economy. We need to demonstrate that it is an investment in the economy. 'Now is not the time to abandon the measures we have put in place to drive is the time to move forward with greater purpose and ambition. 'We must use the lessons we have learned over the last 30 years to make our empowerment policies and programmes more meaningful and more impactful. 'They must be ever more effective drivers of inclusive growth and employment,' Ramaphosa published by IOL
The Age
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Scone on Tuesday
Selections based on a soft track. Race 1 5. Marin County is a UK import that had two starts at Kempton Park late last year and didn't do much in either. She had her first start in Australia when produced at Inverell and ran a solid-enough race to finish midfield. She is better for that run and can go on with the job here. 7. Priscila Statement ran third at Muswellbrook on debut and shouldn't be taken lightly based on that effort. 8. It Stays In Vegas won a trial before resuming with a fifth at Muswellbrook. He could make an impact in this. 1. Hot Chestnut resumes from a spell here and has shown some ability despite not figuring in the placings to date. How to play it: Marin County each way. Race 2 2. Lady Memphis has only had two starts for a debut second behind Private Harry at Newcastle and a strong win at Goulburn as favourite. She resumes from a spell here after two trials and only needs to return in the same form she left in to be winning again. 3. Signatories won at Muswellbrook on a heavy track two starts ago then was down the track in a tougher race here last time. He is set to improve in this. 1. Capital Dancer wasn't beaten far at Newcastle when last produced and has claims, while 8. Ranhita has been midfield of late and is far from the worst. How to play it: Lady Memphis to win. Race 3 9. Ritzsun is a talented performer with two wins and four placings from nine starts. He has finished second at Mudgee and Gosford at his latest two starts and is knocking on the door for another victory after a recent trial in which he ran well. 6. Florida Sky resumes here after two trials and has shown the ability in her career to maintain her good fresh record here. 7. Bodgie has finished third in each of his latest two starts and can get into the money again. 8. In Spades was placed last time out and has claims again. How to play it: Ritzsun to win. Race 4 1. Louisburgh resumed with a solid second at Wyong then started at a short odds-on quote only to finish second again at Gosford when narrowly beaten. He should be at his peak now. 3. Purple Haze debuted with a third in a small field at Wyong and followed that up with a last-start fourth at Gosford. 9. Backward Glance followed a couple of placings with a last-start fourth at Newcastle and that form looks solid, while 5. Omaha Sand resumes here and hasn't been beaten far in each of his three starts. How to play it: Louisburgh to win.
