South Africa Roundup: Zuma expulsion, wheeling project, AI preparedness

Jacob Zuma's expulsion from ANC

Former South African President Jacob Zuma is facing expulsion from the ANC after joining a rival political party and campaigning against his former organisation. Zuma, who was forced to step down as president in 2018 amid corruption allegations, has been critical of President Cyril Ramaphosa and has been suspended from the ANC. His new party, MK, won 14% of the national vote in the recent May elections, leading to the ANC losing its majority for the first time since apartheid. According to Africanews, Zuma remains popular in parts of the country despite facing legal battles, and the MK Party has become the official opposition in Parliament.

44 missing French-owned ships

Authorities were scouring the ocean off South Africa's east coast on Wednesday for 44 containers missing after breaking loose from a French-owned ship in heavy seas last week, the maritime body said. The ultra-large container ship heading to Le Havre from Asia encountered bad weather in the Indian Ocean near the city of Durban on July 9, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said.Aerial surveys of the area were being carried out to trace the containers and other vessels in the area have been asked to look out for them, SAMSA spokesman Tebogo Ramatjie told AFP as reported by TOI.

Opening of parliament address

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, July 18, deliver the Opening of Parliament Address for the Seventh Administration, outlining key priorities and policies. The address coincides with Nelson Mandela International Day and invites all South Africans to participate. It is a rallying point for the nation to work together to address challenges, improve lives, and build an inclusive economy. The President emphasizes the need for the help of all South Africans and sectors of society to grow the economy, create jobs, and bring hope for a better tomorrow, announces the SA Government.

South Africa commissions largest wheeling project

South Africa's largest wheeling project has been launched in Lichtenburg, North West Province. SOLA Group will supply over 200 MW of renewable energy to Tronox Mineral Sands through the Eskom transmission network. Wheeling involves transferring electrical power through a utility's transmission or distribution system between different service areas. The energy will be sourced from two newly completed solar plants near Lichtenburg, generating 126 MW and 130 MW, according to PV Magazine.

South Africa's AI preparedness

South Africa is the best-prepared African country for AI, with a score of 0.5. Nigeria is not among the continent's top five AI-prepared countries, with a score of 0.34. According to the IMF, Ghana, Kenya and Morocco are the other countries in Africa more prepared for AI aside from South Africa. The IMF, however, warns that AI is likely to exacerbate overall inequality, Bitcoin.com News emphasises.