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WCC expresses “very deep Christian concern” on COVID-19 outbreak in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

“We stand with you in solidarity and prayer in the midst of this time of trial,” wrote Sauca. “We grieve with you before God, for the loss of those who have been taken by this pandemic.”

Sauca also expressed solidarity with those who share the pain of those who are sick and suffering. “It is our hope and prayer that during this crisis God will continue to accompany you and uphold you as the North Korean people strives for healing and recovery,” Sauca wrote. “As a global community of faith, we affirm that, even amid our vulnerability, we trust in God who is our hope.”

Sauca communicated a spirit of living hope. “While we all live amidst fear, anxiety, and uncertainty during this ongoing pandemic, may our faith and spiritual values sustain us to live with hope in God’s abundant mercies, love, care and protection,” he concluded.

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General fuel levy temporary suspension extended to August

Government has offered much-needed short-term reprieve to motorists by extending the temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre.

Initially, the Ministers of Finance and Mineral Resources and Energy had on 31 March 2022 jointly announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre from 6 April 2022 until 31 May 2022.

This was to provide limited short term relief to households from rising fuel prices following the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

On Tuesday, the two departments said relief was to be funded by a liquidation of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves.

“Since this announcement, the continuation of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, supply chain bottle-necks and a tightening of global monetary policy have led to further unfavourable changes in the two key drivers of the regulated petrol price, the exchange rate and the global oil price.

“These events have led to even larger increases in fuel prices compared to a few months ago when the temporary fuel levy relief was introduced. The withdrawal of the temporary relief in the general fuel levy on 31 March 2022, as per the original announcement, would contribute to an increase in petrol prices of close to R4 per litre, and push prices of 95 octane unleaded petrol (ULP) to above R25 per litre, an increase of just under 20 percent next month.”

The departments said due to this significant monthly price increase, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday submitted a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, requesting the tabling of a two-month proposal for the extension of the reduction in the general fuel levy.

“This will take the form of a continuation of the relief of R1.50 per litre for the first month, from 1 June 2022 to 6 July 2022, and then a downward adjustment to the relief for the second month to 75c per litre from 7 July 2022 to 2 August 2022,” they said.

They added that the temporary relief would be withdrawn from 3 August 2022.

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Government welcomes humanitarian aid from Qatar

Government has welcomed much-needed humanitarian aid from the State of Qatar, as it is expected to bolster efforts in response to the devastating floods that recently hit KwaZulu-Natal.

The humanitarian aid delivered by the State of Qatar on Sunday comprised,among other things, foodstuff, clothing, generators, water purifiers, ventilators, tents and medical supplies.

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Act on food crisis now, urges WHO special envoy at WCC-led meeting

Dr David Nabarro, special envoy of the World Health Organization on COVID-19, urged the church and civil society leaders to act now in the briefing with participants from different parts of the world, particularly Africa.

After an introduction by Dr Manoj Kurian, coordinator of the WCC-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Nabarro cautioned, “that we don’t look back on 2022 as the year where there was a crisis of civilization, because building on the pandemic, humanity we just could not find a way to promote equity, the realization of rights, and the wellbeing of not just people, but our beautiful planet.”

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President Ramaphosa to meet with The Elders

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday meet with The Elders, a group of independent global leaders founded by former President Nelson Mandela.

The meeting will take place at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the official residence of the President in Pretoria.

The Elders are in South Africa for their bi-annual board meeting in Cape Town.

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President Ramaphosa to host German Chancellor on Official visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday host the Head of Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on an official visit at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

In a statement on Monday, The Presidency said that Chancellor Scholz is visiting South Africa at the invitation of President Ramaphosa and will be accompanied by senior officials and business executives.

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Load shedding expected throughout the week

State power utility Eskom has announced a further week of stage two load shedding following the continued shortage of generation capacity at its power stations.

The electricity supplier has been battling breakdowns and the slow return to service of some of its generation units for the past two weeks leading to load shedding from about 5pm to 10pm daily.

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As Horn of Africa drought bites, church leader highlights children’s malnutrition

In drought-stricken regions in eastern Africa, churches and church congregations continue to pray for rain, as the weather conditions leave millions of people without food, water and pasture for their animals.

Overall, food insecurity has generally compromised children’s health, welfare and protection in the regions.

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Upcoming briefing will cover global food crisis and urgent response

Experts from the UN, civil society, and churches will discuss food security with participants form the World Council of Churches (WCC), ACT Alliance, regional and national councils of churches, and others working on agriculture, food, and humanitarian assistance. A question-and-answer session will offer further opportunity for input. 

In all its dimensions, the war in Ukraine is producing a downward spiral effect on a world economy already battered by COVID-19 and the climate crisis, with particularly dramatic impacts on developing countries. The world’s most vulnerable people are most impacted. Food prices are currently at their highest since records began 60 years ago.

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Fuel prices remain high despite mitigating measures

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, says despite government’s mitigating interventions to cushion consumers against rising fuel costs, global events have led to prices escalating. 

He said this when he tabled the department’s budget vote during a mini-plenary of the National Assembly on Thursday. 

“The domestic and global economic realities under which our budget is delivered today remain dim, continuing with the difficult conditions of 2020 and 2021. 

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