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Four Seasons Before Lunch Gauteng (Pretoria)

 I have lived in Pretoria for half my life, but even at almost 50, l still am not ready for mornings like this . I step out of  home in the morning at 7 a.m., greeted by a warm, gentle breeze and sunshine so golden it felt like summer had arrived overnight. The sky was clear; the jacaranda trees glowed purple; the air smelled of warmth and possibility. “Perfect day,” l muttered, locking his door. By the time l drive out—five minutes later—the sky starts to be darkened. A cold wind came crawling in from nowhere, sweeping dust across the pavement. The temperature dropped so suddenly that  l have  to switch the heater for warmth. Laughing. “Ah, Pretoria… you never disappoint.” Halfway to the office, the heavens opened. Not soft rain— a storm . Sheets of water hammered the road, street gutters overflowed instantly, and distant thunder rolled like a grumpy giant waking up too early. People scattered, hiding under bus shelters already too full.  “Ten minutes ago...

Zimbabwe okays export of 200 000 tonnes of excess power coal

 Because of limited intake at its biggest coal-fired power plant, which is beset by frequent breakdowns, the coal producers association said.

Image: Bloomberg

Zimbabwe has allowed the export of 200 000 tonnes of excess power coal because of limited intake at its biggest coal-fired power plant, which is beset by frequent breakdowns, the coal producers association said on Friday.

The southern African nation’s six coal miners have a standing arrangement to supply 300 000 tonnes of coal to Hwange Power Station every month but constant breakdowns of ageing equipment mean the plant is taking in less coal.

“The power coal stockpile has been growing hence we requested to be allowed to export some of it and this was granted,” Linos Masimura, chairman of the Zimbabwe Coal Producers Association, told Reuters.

Masimura said the coal would be exported to other countries in southern Africa but producers could look beyond the region if port facilities were available.

Zimbabwe does not usually allow the export of power coal to ensure adequate domestic supply.

The Hwange plant has a design capacity of 920 megawatts but was producing 410 MW on Friday. The power station is being expanded by China’s Sino Hydro to add another 600 MW capacity.

The country has instituted frequent power cuts, known locally as load shedding, due to electricity shortages.

With average demand of 1 735 MW, local power generation stood at 1 277 MW, according to the state power company.

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