The last leg to the liberalisation of the Energy Sector so as to allow for private sector participation, is contained in the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill (the Bill) which has been published by the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, and on which written comments need to be submitted by 13 October 2023. Submissions need to be emailed to Arico Kotze at akotze@parliament.gov.za. The Electricity Regulation Act of 2006 (the Electricity Act) states that a person may not operate any generation, transmission or distribution facility, import or export electricity, or be involved in the trading of electricity, without a licence, unless the activity is exempt from a licence in accordance with Schedule 2. This provision entrenched the status of Eskom as the monopoly supplier of electricity. In 2021, the licencing threshold in Schedule 2 was increased to 100 MW. Following the success of this reform, and the enthusiasm shown by the private sector, the President announced, in July 2022, that he would be removing the licencing threshold for embedded generation, completely. All new generation projects would not require licences but would have to be registered with the Regulator and comply with the technical requirements for grid connection and environmental legislation. Schedule 2 was amended in terms of Regulations published in the Government Gazette dated 17 January 2023. What these regulations stipulated was that, provided the activities complied with the distribution code and were registered with the Regulator, at a point of connection on the grid, and the supply of electricity was to a customer by wheeling, they did not require a licence. The Bill amplifies these provisions. Sections 7 and 9 are to be amended and a new Section 8 inserted. The Schedule 2 exemption presented a regulatory gap in that the Regulator had no powers to set technical and regulatory requirements for facilities, subject to registration. The Bill now provides that applications for registration must comply with technical codes and regulatory requirements necessary for the sustained operation of the transmission power system and inter-connected distribution power systems as well as payment of fees imposed by licencees for granting the registrants access to the network. One of the main problems encountered with the Schedule 2 exemption was the wheeling of power through electricity transmission systems operated by a municipality. Whilst a generating licence was no long required, the generator was still required to be registered with NERSA and acquire permission from the power distributor who will wheel the electricity from one site to another. These distributors could be municipalities or Eskom itself. It also could be a combination of the two. Most municipalities do not have a separate tariff for distribution. Municipalities are tasked in terms of the constitution, with the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. A municipal service is defined in the Local Government: Municipal Services Act as being “a service that a municipality, in terms of its powers and functions, provides or may provide to or for the benefit of the local community” If Eskom wheeled the power, then matters were not too complex to deal with. Eskom has, on its website, provided guidance as to what needs to be done and what agreements need to be concluded about the wheeling of electricity through the Eskom grid. The position, however, was different for municipalities. It was often practically impossible to obtain the necessary permissions to wheel electricity through a municipal grid. On this basis, many private sector electricity projects failed. The Bill now confers upon the Regulator, or NERSA, the power to set and approve tariffs. This should now resolve the impasse in obtaining municipal approval. Municipalities will be bound by the NERSA imposed tariff. Insertions to Section 15 of the Act are contained in the Bill and so as to enable a competitive market to function and to promote energy security and renewable energy. Section 15 of the Act is to be amended to allow the Regulator, when setting tariffs, to allow for a reasonable return proportional to the risk of the licenced activity and to have regard to the need to ensure security of supply, the diversity of supply and to promote renewable energy. An exception to this is set out in the proposed new Section 15(4) which provides that a licencee may charge a customer a tariff, which has not been set or approved by the Regulator, where such tariff is charged pursuant to a direct supply agreement and arises as an outcome of a competitive market. With the proposed migration from a monopolistic electricity supply industry model to a competitive model, the Bill seeks to provide measures that will ensure that third parties are not discriminated against. A new subsection 4 has been added to Section 21. It states that third party access to the transmission and distribution power system must be based on published tariffs, applicable to all eligible customers, and applied objectively and without discrimination between system users. Transmission or distribution licencees may refuse access only where it lacks the necessary capacity, with written reasons given for such refusal. Transmission and distribution licencees shall procure that the energy they use to cover energy losses and reserve capacity in their system, is dealt with according to transparent, non-discriminatory and market based procedures. The rules adopted by the Transmission System Operator Soc Limited (the arm of Eskom which will be responsible for transmission) for balancing the national transmission power system and the inter-connected distribution power systems, including the rules for charging system users of their networks for energy and balance, shall be objective, transparent and non-discriminatory. In the President’s State of the Nation Address, 2022, it was stated that a competitive market for electricity generation would be established. The Eskom roadmap, articulated in the Department of Public Enterprises Roadmap for Eskom in a Reformed Electricity Supply Industry, 2019, outlines that Eskom is to be unbundled, by splitting it into three separate companies, each responsible for generation, transmission and distribution, starting with the creation of a transmission entity. The Energy Policy White Paper of 1998, stated that Eskom was to be restructured into separate generation and transmission companies and that independent distributors would be established. This intent is included in Section 28 to the Bill which inserts a new Section 34 to the Act. The Bill is clearly critical for South Africa’s energy transition and is essential for the transition from a centralised electricity market to a more open competitive model. The wide ranging reforms announced by the President in July 2022 have been slow in implementation and it is clearly in the interests of all concerned that the Bill be adopted by Parliament, at least before the 2024 elections. The Bill should be supported. ARTICLE BY MICHAEL JACKSON PARTNER Tel: 031 536 8512 Email: mjackson@coxyeats.co.za

Defy Appliances CEO Mustafa Soylu said this pioneering initiative positioned South Africa as a leader in the fight against climate change, with these products anticipated to be available to retailers by January 2024. “Climate change necessitates a comprehensive transformation of the technologies utilized both at home and within the industry. South Africa is actively ensuring the production of future technologies and meeting the demand for lower-emission consumer products ,” Patel added. The new units, designed to operate exclusively on solar energy , will be equipped with an attached battery system , while remaining affordable to enable a broad consumer base to transition to green appliances. Defy, as South Africa ’s largest producer of home appliances, manufactures about 1.5-million appliances, including fridges, freezers, stoves, ovens, dryers and top-loader washing machines, locally every year. The group also exports products to 35 other African countries. Edited by Chanel de Bruyn Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

How do you get included on THE LIST? If you believe that you should be on THE LIST then simply apply . Over the last 25 years of publishing THE LIST, it’s become the go place to be for successful businesses. This list is a resource for businesses in KwaZulu-Natal. You'll find insights around which businesses and services are in demand, and much more. If a company catches your interest, keep an eye on their company page and stay on top of future business opportunities and engagements. The next edition of the KZN Top Business Portfolio - THE LIST will be released and published in October 2023. David White Chief Executive Officer at DRG Outsourcing We have been on the list with Top KZN Business for the last 25 years. We manage all our editorial content and marketing through the Pressroom services the KZN Top Business team offers to us as a Platinum member. WhatsApp Ange Alderton +27 66 206 5654 to set up an appointment to explore the opportunity of been listed and using the pressroom services. Johan van Deventer Regional Manager KZN at LabourNet Through the KZN Top Business Pressroom services we have built customer awareness of LabourNet’s business and brand and been able to effectively communicate information about our service offerings to businesses in the region. Nkosenhle Hlophe CEO at Kenako Marketing THE LIST’s multimedia approach, through its pressroom services, has helped Kenako to reach a larger target audience. We have been able to focus our efforts on our ideal clients and build a community around our service offerings. If your business is in KZN then your business is our business. “The content marketing specialist” Grant Adlam KZN Top Business www.kzntopbusiness.com WhatsApp: 0832629529 Editorial: 031 2671977

Super excited for this weekend as Durban 48 Hour Film Project kicks off with free movie screenings at uShaka Marine World at midday and then at 2 pm. All those registered for next weekend's filming extravaganza will then attend the masterclass in filmmaking and await the amazing race to make a short film in 1 weekend! Come 28 October all films will be screened at CineCentre SUNCOAST Durban , followed by awards UShaka Marine World on 29 October 2023. If you haven’t registered, you still have time to be a part of this wild ride. *Teams Can participate from wherever in the country they are & submit online. Tell your story in 1 weekend! The time is now!

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going, except if you’re Transnet. Reports this week suggest trucks are stuck in queues for up to 10 km outside Richard Bay to unload coal due to problems at the port, while a report by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders detailed the dysfunctional mess at the Durban harbour port that won it the unsavoury appellation of the world’s most congested port. At their wits end, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched a broadside against the Transnet management and demanded the wholesale dismissal of the executive, a call echoed by the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business . In this hard-hitting interview, PMCB CEO Melanie Veness lays bare the frustration with Transnet’s intransigence that is firmly rooted in the twin evils of cadre deployment and the culture of self-enrichment by the political elite. https://mailchi.mp/65d64382c6a9/e-biz-blitz-18-september-1007621?e=e25c8bb4fa

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on the Public Enterprises Minister to remove Transnet’s CEO Portia Derby, accusing her of sabotaging businesses through lack of service delivery. In a letter dated 12 September and signed by Palesa Phili, CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the business community of eThekwini said it had reached a point where it could "no longer tolerate" Derby's behaviour which, it said, is "clearly geared towards sabotaging businesses, through the lack of service delivery with the current port infrastructure". The chamber said that it believed Derby, as well as the head of Transnet Freight Rail, Sizakele Mzimela, and Transnet National Ports Authority CEO, Pepi Silinga, did not have the best interests of the business community at heart. Transnet’s executive team "have proven time and time again that they are incompetent … Businesses are collapsing and losing revenue daily … we cannot allow this to continue any longer", the letter said. The chamber's plea comes on top of calls from the Minerals Council South Africa for the removal of Derby and Mzimela in a letter sent to the former Transnet board chairperson in December last year. Earlier this month, Gordhan tasked the new Transnet board with conducting a sweeping review of the organisation, including a thorough review of the executive management and whether the right people with the right skills are in place. He further asked the board to identify the root causes of the inability of management and staff to meet performance targets. In its letter to Gordhan, the Durban Chamber said it had written to Derby, firstly to express concern over her statements made at a Bloomberg event in August – where she commented on potential job losses in the trucking sector should Transnet’s railing service improve. The chamber said it had further raised other critical issues relating to the ports and to the parastatal’s service delivery, and had requested a meeting with Derby. In the letter to Gordhan, the chamber said it believed there needed to be an in-depth investigation into TPNA’s recruitment and procurement processes. The chamber further lamented the lack of commitment from Transnet to improve rail performance. "While there are external factors contributing to the rail networking not functioning, we have not seen interventions that identifies and reviews internal efficiencies," the chamber said. "Furthermore, there is a lack of stakeholder engagement by TFR. This is resulting in business uncertainty." In a written statement issued on Friday, Transnet said it had been made aware of the letter and Derby had met with the mayor of eThekwini, and the CEO of the Durban Chamber on the sidelines of another engagement in Durban that morning. "The parties have agreed to collaborate on finding solutions to the pressing challenges. A meeting will be held as a matter of urgency to discuss the critical issues which cause frustration to the members of the chamber," Transnet said, adding that a joint statement will be issued by the parties after the meeting to detail the interventions to be implemented by Transnet. Business in eThekwini has asked for the removal of the Transnet CEO and other executives. The call comes as pressure mounts for Transnet performance to improve. Transnet said it will meet with the Durban Chamber to address its concerns. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page . Source

If you missed yesterdays online entry cut off, don't worry, we have made some late entries available on Sunday morning at registration. Please come early (6:30am) to secure them, depending on your race starting time. REGISTRATION TIMES: • 10km Run / Challenge Duathlon & Challenge Tri: 5:45am to 6:30am • Sprint Tri: 6:30am to 7:30am • Mini Tri: 6:30am to 7:30am START TIMES: • 6:50am: 10km Run & Challenge Duathlon (SUNCOAST) Challenge Tri (USHAKA BEACH) (All together) • 7:40am: Sprint Triathlon @ Ushaka Beach • 8:15am: Mini Triathlon @Ushaka Beach See you there!

The introduction of the JCB 530-70 Loadall to the South African market has brought owning a telehandler within easy reach of farmers who are looking for a versatile and ever-so-capable tool for almost any on-farm task. Sold and supported in South Africa by Bell Equipment’s JCB Agriculture dealer network, the JCB 530-70 Loadall was on display at the Bell Equipment Forestry and Agriculture and JCB Agriculture stand, at NAMPO 2023, where it garnered a huge amount of interest. Bell Equipment’s Forestry & Agriculture Dealer Development Manager, Charles Inggs, said: “It’s been a year since we added the JCB Agriculture dealership to our business and the partnership is really taking off now that we have established an independent dealer network. “It is clear from initial feedback that there is strong potential for the JCB Loadalls with many farmers who have bought a Loadall wondering how they ever managed without one. Loadalls can be fitted with a grain bucket, grain pusher, sugarcane grab, round bale clamp, drum handler, man platform, unloading rake, forks, buckets, and a crane hook. Their uses are almost endless and the JCB 530-70 leads the offering in terms of its value proposition. “The JCB 530-70 is built in JCB’s factory in India, and we decided to introduce it into the South African market as an entry-level machine to provide a cost-effective solution. With an operating weight of 7 tons, this model has a maximum payload of 3 tonnes and a maximum lift height of 7 metres making it more than capable of performing the tasks that are required of it.” The JCB 530-70 is powered by the proven JCB 448, which is a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, water-cooled diesel engine, and features the JCB 4WD synchroshuttle transmission. “True to JCB form this machine ticks all the boxes in terms of build quality, productivity, ergonomics, safety, and ease of maintenance. It differs from the higher spec machines in that it has rear-wheel hydrostatic power steering and three lever controls in the cab.” In terms of safety, the cab is ROPS and FOPS certified and has excellent visibility. The JCB Adaptive Load Control automatically controls hydraulic operation, which helps to maintain machine stability, and the operator presence switch disables drive when an operator leaves the seat to prevent accidental operation. And to ensure the JCB 530-70 has as much uptime as possible, all daily checks, greasing, and serviceable components are accessed at ground level. All filters are centrally located for faster servicing and the tiltable cooling pack is easy to clean in highly dusty conditions. The machine features a dry lubricant system with extremely durable wear pads to support the enhanced service interval of 500 hours. “It may not have all the bells and whistles, but there is no doubt that the JCB 530-70 is fit-for-purpose in many applications. This versatility coupled with its affordable price has made the launch of this product to our local market a great success to date. We’ve sold six of these units in the past two months and it is rewarding to see the difference they make to our customers’ operations,” says Charles.

The book titled, ‘The Unsung Heroes’, is the brainchild of Fawzia Peer, and pays tribute to over 40 people, who have made an invaluable contribution to society but have flown under the radar. The Unsung Heroes book was compiled and edited by Peer, Dr Kogie Archary, Vishnu Naidoo and Lavan Gopaul. The primary objective of the book is to honour and celebrate the remarkable contributions and stories of everyday heroes from KwaZulu-Natal. Among others, the heroes include Jaising Singh, Professor Hoosen (Jerry) Coovadia, Safura Khan, Colonel Kacey Naicker, Dr Nanda Soobben, Fathima Khan Gaibie and Kubashnee Perumal. At the launch, held at Orient Hall in Durban, Fawzia Peer said during her time as deputy mayor of Durban, she found many people who were willing to get involved and help in any way they could. Many of them did so quietly and didn’t want any recognition for their work. She said this inspired the idea for the book, which will have a second volume. “The objective of this book is to honour, by way of a written record, the voluntary service rendered by these people and their commitment. There were many people who we approached who did not want to be mentioned in the book because they did not see the need to be recognised for their selfless service. The unsung heroes mentioned in the book have been taking their communities to new heights,” said Peer. Dr Archary, a research associate at Unisa, said the book is aimed at educating readers of the positive impact these people have made over the years. “These unsung heroes changed the circumstances of others, not expecting any financial, material or obligatory returns. Serving society, changing the kaleidoscope of hundreds of communities from Port Shepstone to Zululand, the inland settlement of Pietermaritzburg and the beautiful, majestic Durban with her surrounding apartheid-constructed townships of Phoenix and Chatsworth; the unsung heroes have worked tirelessly,” said Dr Archary. Adv Gopaul commented, “The South African Indian community has a rich history deeply impacted by colonialism and apartheid. The unsung heroes, descendants of indentured labourers, have faced numerous challenges but have risen above them with remarkable strength and determination. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of ambition, education, and the pursuit of a better future. These ‘Unsung Heroes’ are indeed superheroes.” The Unsung Heroes is a non-profit initiative. For more information contact fawziap@global.co.za

The Upper Highway Baby Home (UHBH), a beacon of hope and care for abandoned and vulnerable infants, has been recognised as the Best Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) in Durban at the prestigious Best of Durban Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition celebrates the home’s unwavering commitment to providing a loving and nurturing environment for orphaned and abandoned babies. In a mere 4.5 years, the UHBH has carved an extraordinary path, marked by consecutive community acknowledgments. The organisation’s recognition as the best community organisation for three years running, including two years as the best in the Upper Highway region, is a testament to their profound impact. “This marks the third year in a row that we have been voted the best NPO, holding the title of the best in the Upper Highway region for the past two years,” shared Kerry Stanton, co-founder of UHBH. “We are humbled by this recognition. To be honest, we didn’t even anticipate the possibility of winning the Best of Durban award, given the exceptional work that so many NPOs are doing in and around the greater Durban area.” The essence of UHBH’s success lies in the generosity of the community it serves. “We truly are the conduits of others’ generosity,” says Kerry. With a total of 1100 beneficiaries, many of whom belong to the country’s most vulnerable populations, UHBH’s reach extends far beyond its physical premises. Our organisation thrives on the collective spirit of the community, whether it’s manifested in the form of preloved baby goods or funding that keep their operations thriving. “Our gratitude knows no bounds,” says Gary. “We are all contributing to breaking the cycle of neglect, providing these children with a chance they deserve.” With an alarming annual rate of approximately 40,000 abandoned babies in South Africa, UHBH stands resolutely as a haven amid this crisis. The home fosters a nurturing environment for abandoned infants and facilitates their adoption into loving families, making a transformative impact. UHBH’s dedication to effecting lasting change was recently underscored by their hosting of the world’s largest baby shower on Mandela Day. The event garnered overwhelming community support, resulting in the collection of 15,000 nappies, 1500 packs of wet wipes, and an astounding 62 tonnes of essential supplies. These provisions will benefit both young mothers and infants in the surrounding areas, highlighting UHBH’s unwavering commitment to comprehensive care. Gary says that the support from our community has been remarkable. “A special thank you to all who help us reshape futures and offer these deserving children the opportunities they need,” he concluded. If you’d like to find out more about Upper Highway Baby Home, would like to volunteer, or donate funds to assist them to continue their amazing work, please visit www.upperhighwaybabyhome.co.za or their Facebook page for more details.

KZN Top Business Women 2023 powered by DRG, BusinessFit and Mangwanani African Spa recognises the amazing women in our province. This year’s theme is ‘Celebrate the Extraordinary’ and Carol Ofori has been nominated as one of the KZN Top Business Women 2023. Carol is an internationally award-winning voice over artist, a multiple award-winning radio presenter, TV personality, MC and motivational speaker. Carol hosts 9am to 12pm on KZN’s number 1 hit Music Station East Coast Radio. On the Carol Ofori Podcast, Carol explores important conversations that are not suited to music radio format. In addition, Carol is a freelance writer for various publications and has recently proudly authored The African Adventures of Sena and Katlego – a series of six children’s books telling six different African stories. When not working Carol is busy being a wife and a mother to her son. This year, each KZN Top Business Women enjoyed a professional photographic session, shared aspects of their story in a video interview as well as indulged in some Mangwanani Spa pampering at the Mangwanani Signature Spa The Capital located at the prestigious Capital Hotel in Zimbali. Each woman is to still participate in a panel discussion, which will be streamed online during October. The grand finale gala dinner will be held on the 2 November at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani. For more information visit www.kzntopbusiness.com

Now might be the right time to start thinking about getting clear aligners to pimp your smile. If you missed the opportunity to straighten your teeth earlier in life, we can help you achieve the smile you want without using traditional metal braces. Aligners offer several advantages over other traditional methods. What are clear aligners? Clear aligners are virtually invisible trays that are manufactured from transparent, strong medical grade plastic and are generally undetectable by other people. The removable aligners can be used to treat a range of tooth alignment problems without metal brackets, wires or screws. A series of aligners or trays are custom-made to fit over your teeth and gradually straighten crooked teeth, gaps or rotation in an organised manner. Getting ready? First, we will review your dental and health history. Once we have confirmed that you’re eligible for clear aligners, we will arrange a comprehensive consultation in which we will take photos, X-rays and digital scans of your teeth. A 3D computer model of your mouth and bite is used to create the complete treatment plan from establishing the initial position to the final desired position. Consequently, before you begin the process, you will have a good indication of what your teeth will look like at the end of treatment. Aligners can potentially be used together with other cosmetic dental solutions, such as veneers if your teeth are particularly deformed or discoloured. The aligners are also well suited to people who have undergone previous treatment involving braces in their past. Often teeth shifting occurs over time after braces have been removed, which is commonly referred to as relapse. How the aligners work Like metal braces, clear aligners apply pressure and force to the mouth, causing your teeth to gradually move into the desired positions in the mouth. With these actions, the ligaments on either side of the teeth stretch and compress, breaking down and creating new bone. The teeth movement is slow but consistent. Treatment plan The treatment plan is used to produce a series of custom-made aligners. Each aligner moves teeth up to 0.3mm per stage and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next tray in the series until the desired position of the teeth is achieved. An advantage of the system is that you are able to change the aligners at home, without needing to come to the practice every two weeks. The total duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the treatment as every person is different and outcomes vary. The average treatment time is between six and seven months, however treatment times may vary between two to twelve months. The aligners must be worn every day for at least 22 hours a day except when eating, brushing and flossing to maintain good oral hygiene. If the aligners are not worn the minimum recommended time each day, the treatment may not be effective and the length of treatment time may be extended. Care and maintenance You should rinse the aligners a few times a day and should brush them with non-abrasive toothpaste twice daily. Some people prefer to remove the aligners during heavy physical activities, such as contact sports. Possible Responses You may experience some temporary discomfort for a few days at the beginning of wearing each new tray. This discomfort is a normal response to the gradual movement of teeth and is often described as a feeling of pressure rather than pain, which generally goes away after a couple of days. As the aligners don’t have any metal wires or brackets, no irritation or sore spots occur in the inside of your mouth. Similarly, to all orthodontic treatments, your speech may be temporarily affected by the aligners. You may have a slight lisp for a day or two, which should soon disappear. Following the course of treatment, wearing a retainer is critical to keeping your new smile. We will be happy to produce a detailed treatment plan to straighten your teeth which will transform your smile. Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practises in Durban as this is not limited to emergency dentistry treatment. New Address: 26 Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North. T: +27 (0)81 207 8621 E: info@dramod.co.za W: www.dramod.co.za