THE HOUSE THAT FORGOT HOW TO LAUGH

 There was no love missing in our house, because there was no love left to miss.That was our secret. We were not sad. Sad would have been easier.In House 24, 2nd Street, Germiston - the Molefes were perfect.6:00 AM - Alarm. 6:15 AM - Mom in the kitchen. The sound of the spoon against the pot. Same pot. Same porridge. Every day for 7 years. 6:30 AM - Dad at the table. Phone brightness on his face. He nods at Mom. Mom nods back. That's their good morning. 6:45 AM - Me and Junior. We eat with the TV on mute. Mom says TV at breakfast rots your brain, so we watch the pictures move with no sound.No one shouts. No one throws plates. Our neighbors who scream at each other at night - they have more life than us.We just... live. We pay. We eat. We sleep. We repeat.Then Mrs. Khumalo gave us the project."Grade 4s, for Life Skills this week: Record 10 moments your family laughed together."I took my pink notebook home like it was gold.DAY 1 - Monday I wrote the date and waited. Dinner....

Sasol's sale of the world's biggest oxygen production site gets thumbs up

 


accreditation
0:00
play article
SUBSCRIBERS CAN LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE
The Competition Commission is recommending the approval the sale of Sasol's 16 air separation units in Secunda.
The Competition Commission is recommending the approval the sale of Sasol's 16 air separation units in Secunda.
Gallo/Getty images

The Competition Commission has recommended the approval of Air Liquide South Africa’s acquisition of Sasol’s 16 air separation units (ASUs) in Secunda.

Together these units form the world's biggest oxygen production site, which produce oxygen and other gasses mainly used by Sasol in its production of fuels.

Sasol will earn R8.5 billion from the deal, which it will use to help settle its massive debt burden of more than R120 billion. Sasol has sold a number of its assets, including a 30% stake in a natural gas pipeline between Mozambique and South Africa, in recent months to stabilise its precarious financial position.

Air Liquide supplies industrial gases to different industries in South Africa, including the health sector, and the Competition Commission found that its takeover of Sasol's oxygen units was unlikely to result in the prevention or lessening of competition in the market.

But the commission does have some prerequisites for the deal, including that Air Liquide must commit to substantially reduce carbon emissions from the site in the next ten years. Also, it must agree to an agreement to buy 900 MW in renewable energy.

Other requirements include that it must invest in training affected employees, as well as in localisation, and it must provide surplus liquid oxygen to the healthcare sector, particularly to public facilities. The commission also have requirements around promoting diversity of ownership, and procuring services and products from small businesses and black-owned enterprises.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For only R75 per month, you have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.
Subscribe to News24

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

This New Ultralight Aircraft May Be World’s Fastest Single-Engine Business Jet

800 HP Bronze Lamborghini Urus With Mansory Carbon Kit Is Worth $500,000

How High Do Planes Fly: A Ceiling Height Comparison