South Africa Archives - Page 75 of 122

Cape Town Launches Africa’s First Floating Solar Farm

Marlenique Estate, a fruit farm and wedding venue just outside of Franschhoek, has just unveiled Africa’s first state-of-the-art floating solar PV system.

New South Energy was the company in charge of the installation, which was built on the farm’s dam to generate clean energy while minimising the dam’s evaporation rate and saving valuable agricultural land space.

This system marks the first commercially-operated floating solar system on the African continent as well as the largest, at 60kWp.

The floats for the solar panels are made of high-density polyethylene, which is recyclable and highly resistant to UV exposure and corrosion, giving the units more than a 20-year lifespan and preventing the contamination of the water.

The first phase of the project also includes the installation of a land-based solar PV system on the farm, allowing the farm to run 90% of its cold storage, irrigation and wedding venue facilities off the grid.

In the second phase, battery packs will be added to the current set up, removing the estate from the main power grid completely.

Economic Opportunities Minister Beverley Schäfer says, “This project has looked at some of the key sustainability issues we are facing in agriculture and the economy today – water and energy – and has attempted to find solutions. The system reduces the farm’s reliance on the electricity grid, and provides clean, affordable energy supply, while at the same time also reducing evaporation and saving water. The knock-on effect is that the business will save money in the long run, and create a business that is not only environmentally sustainable, but financially sustainable as well.”

Financial Director Carl van der Merwe, of the van de Merwe family who owns and runs the estate, says the installation would reduce the estate’s carbon footprint by half. The family’s decision to invest in solar followed the rising electricity prices and uncertainty around Eskom.

“Marlenique farm is the highest energy-user in our portfolio. We are aiming to be 100% green through solar energy solutions across our entire portfolio in the near future,” says van der Merwe.

Minister Schäfer says, “As the Western Cape Government, we have been urging businesses to take up solar PV as an alternative energy source. We’ve seen uptake grow from just 18MW in 2015 to 112 MW today, which reduces demand on the grid and helps to diversify our energy mix. We are pleased to see businesses like Marlenique responding to our call to invest in resilience in such an innovative way.”

CEO of New South Energy David Masureik has commended Boplaas for being innovators in the agricultural sector, saying, “I would also like to thank the government for their interest in solutions that will inevitably encourage the sector to thrive. Without the support and encouragement from national and local government for industry to become more sustainable and independent in terms of power solutions, our business would not exist. We are honoured to take part in positive change happening across the public and private sector.”

Capetonians have yet another reason to hold their heads high as our innovation on sustainable energy continues to soar with our ever-increasing consideration for the environment.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

India, South Africa

South Africa-India Trade Relations Deepen

Two KwaZulu-Natal companies are on a mission to explore export opportunities for their products in India. Royalty Agri-Biz, which is based in Pietermaritzburg and Your Best Choice, which is located in Pinetown, will be part of the Outward Trade and Investment Mission to New Delhi and Mumbai in March 2019.

The mission is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). The purpose of the mission is to increase the trade of value-added goods and investment between South Africa and India.

The Director of Royalty Agri-Biz, Ms Fatima Cele says the trip to India could not have come at a more opportune time as the company is in the process of expanding by acquiring a tannery that will enable it to produce leather and leather products for the export market.

“We are currently sourcing cow hides from the local farmers and various communities. We then process them and supply people who make drums, shields, cushions and carpets. But we have decided to look at the bigger market and produce leather for the manufacturing of leather products. As part of our process to grow our business and achieve our objectives, we are in the process of acquiring a fully-fledged tannery from which we will be able to produce leather and leather products for the export market,” says Cele.

She also said that she will be using the trip to India to learn about the Indian leather market and to explore possible opportunities that her company can take advantage of and export leather and leather products to India.

“India is big in leather manufacturing and the mission will provide us with an opportunity to get to know how their market functions and how we can penetrate it as suppliers of leather or the actual leather products. We have undertaken a visit to China where we identify possible export opportunities and we are excited that our plans to export our products will gradually fall into place as we are optimistic about the India trip,” adds Cele.

The Chief Executive Officer of Your Best Choice, Mr Subasen Naidoo says his company is on the verge of breaking into the export market after shipping off samples of his moringa products to the United States of America, Colombia, Brazil, Ghana. Australia and the United Kingdom.

“We attended the Americas Food and Beverage Show in Miami through the assistance of the dti in October last year where we got a good order from Ghana and generated a number of good trade leads in America and other countries. We are excited that these leads are steadily developing into concrete deals. As a result, we are on the verge of signing contracts in Brazil and the US,” says Naidoo.

He adds that he will be targeting the fast food market in India and is confident that their proudly South African, organically-produced moringa Ice Tea and sugar-free energy drink will receive a warm reception in the country.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

South Africa, Zimbabwe

Relief for SA-based Zimbabwean Students: Registrations and Visa Applications

If you are need assistance with study visas, we may be able to help. Feel free to contact us via info@relocationafrica.com or on 2721 763 4240, or visit our website here for more information.

South Africa-based Zimbabwean students have been offered a lifeline as universities there have agreed to keep the registration period open while the South African embassy in Harare and the South African Ministry of Home Affairs are expediting visa applications.

There had been anxiety as academic visas in South Africa were taking too long to be issued while registration deadlines lapsed.

After pressure from South African students’ union, authorities in the country assured Zimbabwean students of a quick resolve and a registration waiver.

South Africa`s Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor said they have negotiated with universities in the country to be lenient with Zimbabwean students who might miss their deadlines as a result of document delays.

“Regarding international students, in particular Zimbabwean students and visa delays, I am informed that there has been discussion with IEASA (International Education Association of South Africa) and Home Affairs and individual institutions to allow places to be kept open for students who have been affected by the delays in processing visas,” she said in a recent statement.

The delays in the processing of visas have been attributed to understaffing at the Harare embassy, with reports suggesting that the South African mission receives an average of 120 applications per day but there are three people tasked with processing them.

“This work is ongoing. I am also informed that the visa backlog is being addressed and many students have been able to enter the country. We are committed to assisting in addressing these matters with Departments of Home Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, and universities, where possible,” Pandor said.

The Southern Times sent questions to South Africa`s Home Affairs Minister Siyabonga Cwele but he had not responded at the time of going to print.

SA universities have also given their assurances to students, on their registration deadlines and penalties.

University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng met with student unions at their campus last week and addressed the Zimbabwean student issue.

A promise was made that Zimbabwean students will not face a late registration penalty when they register.

The institution later released a statement affirming her undertaking.

“The university recognises the deeply unfortunate and difficult situation faced by our Zimbabwean students – not only at UCT but other institutions across the country. The university, through the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) has been engaging the Department of Home Affairs on the matter as well,” read the statement.

UCT has provided a leeway for Zimbabwean students to register even in the absence of proof of payment.

“UCT has been allowing Zimbabwean students to register as long as they provide proof of transaction even without the money being cleared by financial institutions. Our Zimbabwean students also have the option of utilising UNESCO bonds, through which they make a payment to UNESCO and the money is later paid to UCT.

“UCT has also exempted all affected Zimbabwean students from incurring the late registration charges,” the university added.

Although they have tried to assist, the institutions are still cautious as there are chancers who may try to take advantage of the break from the usual bureaucratic systems.

“The university is addressing each situation on a case by case basis, being sensitive to the fact that different programmes would have different attendance requirements in order to ensure optimum success for the student,” the statement said.

Students have been organising themselves supplying lists to international offices at their various institutions as they wait for their documentation.

The Zimbabwean Government also added its voice to the issue, urging students to stay calm as the situation was being contained.

“Foreign Affairs intervened and they were given the visas. I think there were about 70 students who were affected but it is sorted now,” Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.

There are many Zimbabwean students at South African universities and the recurring visa hiccups have been a cause for concern for a few years.

The Zimbabwe National Students Union South Africa Chapter, which has been at the forefront of lobbying for the extension of deadlines, says there are still loose ends which need to be tied.

Speaking to The Southern Times, Zinasu-SA representative, Tafadzwa Kwaramba, said most students whom applied for permits in January had their paperwork sorted.

“We have made considerable progress, many students who applied in December and January have managed to acquire their study permits and it appears the embassy ended up sending them to be processed in Pretoria where they presumably have manpower.

“However, we can safely say that the majority of students have acquired study permits through our efforts,” Kwaramba said.

He, however, said their concern is on students who applied for their visas late.

“However, a few questions remain on those who applied after the batches were sent to Pretoria for processing. We will only concur once we see results just as we saw them with the study permits. Right now we have students at the University of Johannesburg who have been denied registration and they have forfeited their spots as they were late for university due to getting permits late,” said Kwaramba.

“If pronouncements are being made at ministerial level, there needs to be compliance at implementation level. Zimbabwe students at UCT still can’t register because of the fee blocks and late release of money by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Bank transfers are delaying from the Zimbabwean side, so South African financial institutions cannot clear tuition payments, yet international students need to have paid full amounts before the commencement of the semester.

Other universities like UCT have been accepting proof of deposit from the Zimbabwean side even before the money is cleared into the South African banking system.

However, there were reports that there were students at other institutions who were not enjoying the same clemency.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: Leroy Dzenga via The Southern Times [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], Ross Sneddon [2], Priscilla Du Preez [3].

South Africa

Tracking Your South African Visa Application in 2019

If you need assistance with VFS applications visas or other documents, we may be able to assist. Feel free to contact us via info@relocationafrica.com or on 2721 763 4240, or visit our website here for more information.

VFS is an acronym that stands for Visa Facilitation Services. There are a number of companies to facilitate this process such as an Indian company known as VFS Global, which also handles other passport issues. Established in 2001, this private company is now, as the name suggests, in most parts of the world. So, what is the procedure for VFS tracking in South Africa?

VFS South Africa

In line with the changing South African immigration regulations, the Department of Home Affairs contracted the services of VFS Global, an external organization, in opening of Visa Application Centers across the country. These centers are located in Bloemfontein, Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, George, Nelspruit, Kimberly, Port Elizabeth, Mangaung, Pretoria, and Rustenburg. This move eradicated the need for applicants to submit visa applications to the Department of Home Affairs regional offices but instead encourages physically handing in of biometric data and applications at the VFS centers. Applying for South Africa Temporary Residence Visa or Permanent Residence permit? Here is how you can track your application after following the application procedure.

VFS tracking South Africa

Now, you have prepared your application, correctly followed the application steps, and after submission, you can track the progress of the process. Here are the simple steps for VFS South Africa tracking 2019.

Visit VFS Global South Africa website.
Click on the “click here” button and then enter the required reference number.
You will be redirected to the page where you will be required to enter the tracking or AURN number and your last name.
After feeding these details, click on submit and you will get information on your application’s progress.

Depending on the outcome of the application, you can collect the decision yourself, or send a representative to the Visa Facilitation Centre with the required details to collect the decision.

How long does it take to get a visa in South Africa?

Depending on the category of visa application, Temporary Residence Permit applicants can wait for a minimum of 8-10 weeks for the process to be carried out. On the other hand, Permanent Residence Permit applicants have to wait for 8-10 months. Since each application is evaluated individually, processing time varies. So, note that South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs does not give a specific length of time to process visa applications. How long does it take to get a visa to go to South Africa? For those in other countries, there is no standard period but it all depends on the visa policies in your country.

Visa costs in South Africa

Different countries have different regulations as well as varying payment systems and rates. In South Africa, visa payments are done online. If you have all the supporting documents, fill the online application form and pay the mandatory pre-pay minimum amount of R1,350 to secure and schedule your appointment online. This pre-payment can be made:

Online through the secure online portal using a debit or credit card
At Standard Bank, you will be required to download and then complete the online generated bank receipt and then deposit the cash into the nearest Standard Bank or make an EFT payment through a secure online portal.

It is important to note that after paying the amount, you can visit your online application form after three business days to schedule your appointment. For the Financially Independent Permanent Residence applicants, you will be required to pay R120,000, which should be deposited into the account of the Department of Home Affairs prior to the issuance of the permit, and the proof of payment forwarded for attention to the relevant email addresses.

What are the requirements for South Africa visa?

For those outside South Africa, the requirements for each country vary but there are some general things that you must have. These things include:

A valid passport that has at least three clear pages. It has to have a validity of at least one month when you leave South Africa.
A photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport and a professional passport size photograph.
Self-employed people need to have letters from their business, certificates of ownership, and registration of the business. Retired people must present proof of retirement.
A completed application form.
A copy of a yellow fever certificate.
A return ticket that can be verified or something similar.
If you are going to work, you need a signed proof of employment from the employer.
A non-refundable fee that you will be informed of during the application. The fee does not include the VFS service fee.

Above are the mandatory requirements. Anything else aside from this will be unique to the type of visa you want. For those in South Africa, to get the temporary or permanent residence permit, here are the steps to follow:

Complete the appropriate online form and then pay the required pre-pay fee to schedule an appointment. Have all the documents required for the application.
Go with your printed online application form, appointment letter, proof of payment, valid passport or travel papers and the supporting documents to the Visa Facilitation Centre on the day of the appointment.
At the centre, collect a token and wait for your turn. After the application process, you will be given an acknowledgement receipt which you should keep safe as it will be needed for you to be given the decision later on.

Note that you will have to register your photograph and fingerprints at the Visa Facilitation Centre, and select whether you will personally collect the decision or send a representative.

The Hout Bay neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa. SA is a popular destination for international tourists and for those looking to start a new life in a diverse country, with an economy full of promise, a rich history, and great weather for outdoor activities.

Can you travel to South Africa without a visa?

This depends on the passport you have. For example, people with US passports are free to visit South Africa without a visa if they are visiting for a period of less than 90 days. Other countries that have a similar privilege to the US include the UK, Norway, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, and many more. Regardless of the type of visa, VFS tracking in South Africa should be able to assist you anytime.

And there you have it. You now hopefully have a deeper understanding of VFS tracking in South Africa, as well as of the related costs and visa application processes. Hopefully your application is a success.

For more information straight from the VFS South Africa website, click here.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: Julie Kwach via Briefly [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2], Sofia M [3].