Expect a Dream run in Lady Geeta feature
IT’S Jockeys’ Guild Day at Caymanas Park, the 10-race programme featuring the grade one Lady Geeta Trophy, which brings together the reigning Horse of the Year, SEEKING MY DREAM, and top sprinter CAMPESINO over 1200 metres.Also on the card is the annual renewal of the Jamaica Jockeys’ Guild Trophy over 1400 metres to be contested by 14 starters, including the consistent WAR TIME, the one to beat in this restricted allowance race for native-bred four-year-olds and up (non-winners of two). But the big clash is definitely between SEEKING MY DREAM with champion jockey Omar Walker again, riding for 16-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta; and CAMPESINO to be ridden by in-form Robert Halledeen for 14-time champion Philip Feanny.SEEKING MY DREAM, who won the ultra-rich Diamond Mile for a second straight year on December 10, came back with a record-equalling performance on his seasonal debut in the Chairman’s Trophy over 1500 metres on March 11, tries sprinting for the first time since establishing himself prior to his 2015 derby winning campaign, and faces a formidable opponent in the reigning Caribbean Sprint champion CAMPESINO in receipt of 5.0kg. It’s left to be seen whether he can overhaul a fit CAMPESINO over sprint distances.Top classCAMPESINO, in fact, has won his two races so far this season in fast times. He really looked a top class campaigner when slamming BRAWN in the grade one Eileen Cliggott Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres with topweight of 57.0kg and in present shape, will only go down fighting.SEEKING MY DREAM, however, is in the best shape of his life and gives the impression that he can beat any horse over any distance at present.Owned by Member of Parliament Derrick Smith, the classy 5-y-o horse by Seeking The Glory out of the 2008 Horse of the Year Alsafra, has looked razor sharp at exercise, and having beaten CAMPESINO convincingly when they last met in the $13.9 million Diamond Mile, his status as the best horse in the country should impact on the proceedings, even from the head of the handicaps.DaCosta and Walker should also team up to win the fourth race over 1100 metres with ALEXANDER REW (working well), who showed promise behind SILENCE on his February 14 debut. UNBREAKABLE, a recent winner, is tipped to repeat in the opening race over 1500 metres for $450,000-$400,000 claimers, MONEY MOVE to win the third, BORDER LINE in the sixth for exercise riders, as well as BIRDIE MY LOVE in the seventh for overnight allowance horses and NEWTON’S FIRST LAW in the eighth for the Al Gopie Memorial Cup.
MOST READ View comments Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Dallas Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan, right, celebrates with forward Harrison Barnes after scoring a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Chicago. The Mavericks won 103-98. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — The Dallas Mavericks didn’t need a big contribution from Luka Doncic to beat the Chicago Bulls. Harrison Barnes and J.J. Barea took care of that.Barnes scored a season-high 23 points and the Mavericks overcame a sluggish performance by their prized rookie to beat the Bulls 103-98 Monday night.ADVERTISEMENT Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award UST star CJ Cansino takes ACL injury in stride: ‘God said rest a bit first’ LATEST STORIES Dallas’ bench outscored Chicago’s subs 44-26. “Our bench has been playing great for us all season,” Barnes said. “So it has been great to see them keep us in games, get us in games, finish games.”3-POINT WOESThe Bulls, who came into the game shooting 36.9 percent on 3-pointers, were 8 of 33. LaVine missed all six.TIP-INSMavericks: Mavericks G Wesley Matthews missed Monday’s game because of a strained left hamstring. Matthews did not travel to Chicago. He played 31 minutes in a win over Oklahoma City on Saturday. Coach Rick Carlisle says the Mavericks hope he can play Wednesday, when the Mavericks host Utah. … Jalen Brunson, who’s from suburban Lincolnshire, scored two points in his first NBA game in Chicago. … Carlisle said the Mavericks would have drafted Wendell Carter Jr. with the fifth overall pick this year had they not traded up to get Doncic at No. 3. Carter went to the Bulls at No. 7. “I see him as another coming of an Al Horford-type player,” Carlisle said.Bulls: The Bulls expect F Lauri Markkanen to miss more time than they initially anticipated because of a left elbow injury he suffered in the preseason. Coach Fred Hoiberg said Markkanen will likely wind up missing nine to 11 weeks. The Bulls initially thought he would be out six to eight weeks after he was hurt in practice in late September. Hoiberg said Markkanen still is experiencing some pain and is not shooting from long range. … Hoiberg said G Kris Dunn (sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee) has not started running on the court. He was hurt at Dallas on Oct. 22.UP NEXTMavericks: Host Utah on Wednesday.Bulls: Visit Boston on Wednesday. Barea added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, and the Mavericks won for the third time in four games after losing six in a row, even though Doncic struggled. The leading scorer among NBA rookies, Doncic finished with 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting.“Sometimes, (Doncic)’s gonna have bad games,” Barea said. “He’s still young, and he can’t be great every game. So we’ve got to help him out.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissThe Mavericks led by as many as 14 points and never trailed after the first quarter. But they struggled to put this one away, with Chicago pulling within a point four times in the second half.Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points. Jabari Parker scored all but two of his 16 points in the second half. Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title
Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? LaVine’s breakaway windmill dunk cut Dallas’ lead to 58-57, but Dennis Smith Jr. responded with a 3-pointer.“We came out too lackadaisical,” LaVine said. “We’ve got to come out and play better. We’ve got to have more energy.”It was 87-84 midway through the fourth when Smith hit a jumper and Barnes made two free throws to stretch the lead to seven points. Doncic hit a 3 with just over three minutes left to make it 96-88. After the Bulls got within four, Barnes made two free throws with 10.5 seconds left and the Mavericks hung on.“We’ve had a lot of tough losses this year, times where we were close and just couldn’t get over the hump, couldn’t make the right play,” Barnes said. “Things are finally starting to come together.”BENCH BOSSESADVERTISEMENT Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew
The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of 55-year-old Lindener, Leroy Barron commenced at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday before Magistrate Wanda Fortune.Travis Hazel also called “Fifty”Travis Hazel also called “Fifty” of Lot 24 Silver City, Wismar, Linden, is on trial for the September 15, 2018, murder.He is being represented by Counsel Stanley Moore while Police Prosecutor Venetta Pindar is representing the deceased.A total of five witnesses testified on Tuesday including brother of the deceased, Kevin Barron, former ambulance attendant Fiona Mingo, Police Corporal Tyrone Van Hearsel and Police Constables Alex Sancharie and Devon Greene.The witnesses were questioned in relation to their involvement in the alleged incident with Mingo being the first to testify.It is alleged that on September 15, 2018, while at Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie, Linden, Hazel inflicted injuries upon the deceased during an altercation which resulted in his death. Initial investigations had revealed that there was an argument between Barron, who was known to do odd jobs around the Mackenzie Market and the defendant, during which the defendant allegedly armed himself with a piece of wood and gave the now deceased man a severe beating before fleeing the scene. The deceased reportedly received several lashes to the head. He was later taken to the Linden Hospital Complex in an unconscious state where he was pronounced dead on arrival.A post-mortem examination later gave the cause of death as brain haemorrhage due to blunt force trauma to the head. The case will continue on Thursday.
More than one week after a miner was stabbed to death in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market area, he was on Monday positively identified as the younger brother of Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud.The dead man was identified as Haymant Persaud by the Police Commissioner at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) mortuary. The Police, on Sunday, sought the assistance of the public to identify the man who was stabbed on February 19 last.Guyana Times understands that after the photo of the dead man was published, it was only then, the Police Commissioner knew it was his brother.At the time the man was stabbed to death, he was clad in a pair of long jeans and a blue and white chequered long sleeve shirt, slim built, about six feet in height, low haircut and fair in complexion.Based on reports reaching the Guyana Times, a woman suspected to be involved in the stabbing to death of Persaud, was arrested but was released since at that time, the Police did not know the identity of the man.It is believed that Persaud, who had apparently returned from the interior, was sporting in the vicinity of Stabroek Market and was throwing money ‘wild west’.The female suspect, who was close by, joined in the drinking spree after which Persaud was reportedly lured to the washroom area at Stabroek Square where he was attacked by two men who attempted to relieve him of his money and other valuables.The now dead man reportedly put up a fight, but was stabbed by one of the men who whipped out a knife. Several people in the area reportedly witnessed the stabbing incident and believed that it was the female suspect who set up the robbery.Further, the Guyana Times was told that after the stabbing incident, public spirited citizens ran to the Guyana Fire Service for assistance in taking the injured man to the hospital, but the ranks on duty at the time refused.The ranks reportedly went to the scene and after they realised he was dead, they left the scene. The ambulance service was then contacted and the man was picked up and taken to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.Upon receiving news of the fatal stabbing, Guyana Times contacted the Public Relations Department, but at the time it was not in receipt of any report of the murder.Nevertheless, the Police are continuing their investigations with the hope that the female suspect would release the names of the men who committed the heinous crime.
The district says the evacuation order has been issued to ensure the protection of human life while firefighters, police and emergency officials work to control the nearby wildfire.For up-to-date information and public safety notices, visit the District of Hudson’s Hope website at www.hudsonshope.ca or their Facebook page. The order covers the entire District of Hudson’s HopeResidents under an evacuation order must immediately leave the area and proceed to an Emergency Social Services (ESS) Reception Centre to register.Further instructions on temporary lodgings and food services will be provided at the reception centre.- Advertisement -Police and emergency officials are currently going to each dwelling and business in the evacuation zone to deliver this evacuation order. They will provide details about safe routes to the nearest reception centre.An ESS Centre has been set up at the North Peace Arena located at 9805, 96th Avenue, Fort St. John.If you have relocated elsewhere, call 1-250-794-5178 to register your whereabouts.Advertisement
“What we have done is asked Matano to step aside from the team until Tuesday when he meets with the Executive Committee. I cannot divulge the details exactly but what I can say is that the issues revolve around discipline and performance of the team,” AFC Leopards Secretary General Oscar Igaida told Capital Sports.Humphrey Mieno (right) against AFC’s Collins ‘Gatusso’ Okoth (left) during the KPL Super Cup that Gor won 1-0. Photo/COURTESYOn Okoth’s case, Igaida explained that the midfielder failed to train with the rest of the team while in Madagascar for their CAF Confederations Cup tie against FOSA Juniors.“He was staying in the same hotel with everyone else but when it came to training, he was missing in action. He also failed to turn up for training when the team returned from Madagascar. His seven days to show cause why expires on Tuesday and from there we will take appropriate action,” Igaida added.AFC Leopards were dumped out of the Confederations Cup on the away goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate result over FOSA while they have played three games in the league losing, one drawing the other and winning one.“We have an agreement with the coach that we should be reviewing the performance every five matches. AFC is a team which should be in the first round of the Confederations Cup and as at now, we should be talking of three games and three wins. We just want to find out why the team is not doing well,” Igaida said.He added; “There are also issues with discipline both from the technical bench and the playing unit as well.”-Kitambi to temporarily take charge-Kitambi will be the stand-in-coach. Photo/TIMOTHY OLOBULUHis assistant Dennis Kitambi will temporarily take charge of the team in training and for their Kenyan Premier League tie against Sony Sugar on Sunday in Awendo.Matano joined the team in July last year from National Super League side Bidco United and helped them to the GOtv Shield title as well as safely guarding them to safety against the relegation axe.However, Ingwe are not new to the circus of hiring and firing coaches as they have had close to 20 men at the helm since their return to top flight football in 2009.Last year, they had Stewart Hall in the beginning, then Romanian Dorin Marian who lasted only two weeks and replaced by Tom Juma before Matano came on board.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000AFC Leopards head coach Robert Matano shouts instructions from the touchline during a Past Kenyan Premier League match Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYANAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 2- AFC Leopards head coach Robert Matano has been asked to step aside from the team until after a meeting with the Executive Committee on Tuesday over what the club has termed as ‘indiscipline’ and concerns over the team’s performance.Also, midfielder Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth has been suspended from the club pending an outcome of the same meeting over indiscipline and has been asked to show cause why action should not be taken against him.
Stephan El Shaarawy Bournemouth have offered to take AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy on loan.The Italy international joined Monaco on loan in the summer as part of a deal which would become permanent after 25 appearances.However, having played 24 times, the French club have changed their mind regarding the 23-year-old and have frozen him out.Milan are now considering recalling El Shaarawy and sending him elsewhere in the hope he can get more game time.Bournemouth, according to Sky Italia, are interested in the the former Genoa man and hope a deal can be struck.Manager Eddie Howe has already secured Roma winger Juan Iturbe on loan this month. 1
First choice full-back Vrsaljko has played all but one of Croatia’s games so far in the tournament, missing the win over Iceland in their final group match.Domagoj Vida went to right-back against Russia for the rest of extra-time but its more likely Bayer Leverkusen star Tin Jedvaj will play there against the Three Lions having replaced him against their Group D opponents.Meanwhile, there will also be a doubt over the fitness of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic who appeared to hurt his hamstring in the same match.It means both sides are sweating on injury concerns ahead of Wednesday with England fearing Jordan Henderson could miss the match through a hamstring injury he picked up against Sweden.Listen to live commentary of Croatia vs England in the World Cup semi-finals on talkSPORT, Wednesday, July 11. 1 Sime Vrsaljko looks dejected despite Croatia’s progression to the World Cup semi-finals. 
Croatia are set to be without right-back Sime Vrsaljko for their World Cup semi-final clash with England on Wednesday night.The Atletico Madrid star, 26, was substituted in their victory over Russia on Saturday night with a knee injury after 97 minutes and Marca in Spain believe he will now be absent for the next game.
Comments Saturday May 13Buddu 0-0 MawogolaSunday May 14Kooki 1-0 KabulaMawokota 1-2 ButambalaBusiro 1-2 BuvumaBuwekula 0-0 GombaBusujju 0-2 SsingoBugerere 2-1 KyaggweBuluuli 1-1 BulemeeziMasaza Cup champions Buddu started the defence of their title on a drub note playing out a dour draw at home to Mawogola at Masaka Recreation Grounds. Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi who graced the match would have wished for a goal to coat the game, but that was not to be.The defending champions, who missed a host of chances, failed to capitalise on the numerical disadvantage over Mawogola who had Alex Vvubya sent off at the hour mark. Buddu coach Steven Bogere, who has pledged to the fans that he will defend the title, couldn’t replicate the performance of last season that saw Buddu beat Mawogola 3-0 when these sides faced off on the same ground.Other resultsIn other results, Allan Kabonge’s Buweekula registered a goalless draw with Gomba, Shafiq Bisaso’s Ssingo were 2-0 winners against Busujju courtesy of Steven Mukwaala”s brace. Buvuma, coached by Farouk Kigongo, picked their first Masaza Cup win against Busiro in Ssentema, Mawokota lost to Butambala in a game played in Buwama. The 2006 champions Kooki were won their tie against Kabula, while Bugerere beat Kyaggwe in Kayunga and Buluuli and 2012 champions Bulemeezi ended in a 1-all draw.Past Winners2016 – Buddu2015 – Ssingo2014 – Gomba2013 – Mawokota2012– Bulemeezi2011– Buluri2010– [Not Held]2009– Gomba2008– Kyadondo2007– Mawokota2006– Kooki2005- Mawokota2004- Gomba
It’s taken a little bit of time to get to this, so please forgive me.But what I’m about to say is probably not some kind of earth-shattering statement.With the Humboldt Crabs and Humboldt B52s playing one another for the first time ever earlier this month, many Humboldt County baseball fans finally got to see what they’ve been waiting for ever since there was a second collegiate summer baseball team on the scene.And now that we’ve gotten the first one out of the way, it’s time for more. …
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More than 6 500 small businesses entered this year’s South Africa Small Business Awards. While there are still challenges faced, many have learnt valuable lessons in perseverance.The five special category winners with some of the sponsors: John Lucas (back row, from left to right), managing director for DHL Express South Africa and Stephen Swart, head of global business development at First National Bank. In front are Alicia Castleman (from left to right), partner at Adams & Adams, National Small Business Champion – Roxanne Page (Sassy Chic), National Woman in Business Champion – Vino Govender (LA Consulting Engineers), National Innovation Award – Juanita van der Merwe (Little Green Number), National Entrepreneur Champion – Calvin Mathibeli (Calvin and Family Group), and National Skills Development Award – Tameron Haralambous (Eco Furniture Design). (Images: NSBC)Melissa JavanThe National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) announced the Top 20 winners plus five special award winners at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 10 November 2016.This is the eighth year that the South African Small Business Awards looks to acknowledge South Africa’s most outstanding businesses and the exceptional people behind them.More than 6 500 entries in 10 business sectors were received for this year’s awards. Winners and nominees have started businesses in sectors as diverse as beauty and engineering, transportation, education, music and retail operations.The five winners of the special category awards are:2016 National Small Business Champion is Sassy Chic (Roxanne Page);2016 National Entrepreneur Champion is Calvin Mathibeli (Calvin and Family Group);2016 National Woman in Business Champion is Vino Govender (LA Consulting Engineers);2016 National Skills Development Award is Eco Furniture Design (Tameron Haralambous);2016 National Innovation Award Little is Green Number (Juanita van der Merwe).Who will be crowned South Africa’s top #SmallBusiness? All will be revealed this morning. #SmallBizAwardsSA pic.twitter.com/77bMyDKkH5— NSBC South Africa (@NSBCSouthAfrica) November 10, 2016Congratulations to the #SmallBizAwardsSA #Top20 from all at @AdamAdamslaw pic.twitter.com/n4LITmrEM1— Adams & Adams (@AdamsAdamslaw) November 10, 2016Calvin Mathibeli started a small biz in 2005 to pay for varsity fees. Today he won the National Entrepreneur Award #SmallBizAwardsSA— Tennille Taylor (@teethatsall) November 10, 2016For the entrepreneurs in attendance, doing good work while running their business has become the maxim they live by.In her speech, Tameron Haralambous of Eco Furniture Design said her reward at the end of the day is being able to make a difference in people’s lives.Juanita van der Merwe of the Little Green Number, another winner said: “You can do good through business, not just do good business.”Building strategies forwardMike Anderson, founder and chief executive officer of the NSBC, said he didn’t want any runner-ups for the competition this year. “If you are a runner-up, it’s almost as if you have lost. Every one of the [6 502] participants who entered are winners.”He added: “Small business is challenging. Everyone taking a risk is a winner.”Anderson also gave insight to the NSBC’s challenges and highlights this year. “The challenge is seeing small businesses go out of business. This means a family goes out of business.”He said that they are trying to help small business owners with strategies. “The highlights of the year are seeing growth and small business owners becoming job creators.”Anderson also spoke about the survey they had done with the NSBC’s members. Currently, the NSBC has a base of 106 000 small medium enterprises and 50 big brands as national partners. “Everything we do is based on our findings.”The most concerning findings in the survey is small business owners’ inability to build a customer base and to boost sales. “Access to funding is also a problem.”He said that they are working towards bringing strategies forward to help the entrepreneurs.Mike Anderson, chief executive officer of the National Small Business Chamber. This organisation plans to host a two day entrepreneurial summit on 15 and 16 February 2017.Anderson’s advice to entrepreneurs was: “Keep innovating. Keep doing something different, be different.“Embrace failure. To me, failure is everything in our path to success.”Anderson also launched the initiative Think beyond a job on Thursday. This initiative aims to encourage entrepreneurship and its focus is millennials.Lessons learntSome of the winners shared a few tips to success:Roxanne Page of the online retail company Sassy Chic said their business is about local designs and giving scope to local talent. The website has been live since 2012.Her business partner (also her mother) won the best female entrepreneur award last year at the South African E-Commerce Awards.Page shared the following: “It’s important to persevere, to keep doing what you are doing, day by day, bit by bit each day.”About marketing she said: “Online is the way to go. We have a brand ambassador and we also make use of bloggers. Never be afraid to experiment, especially on a small budget.”The online retail shop for women, Sassy Chic is this year’s National Small Business Champion. All of their fashion items are local fashion designs. (Image: Sassy Chic)Sivis Pillay is founder and director of Xabisa Human Capital Solutions, a human resources consulting firm. Her business was registered in 2012.Xabisa Human Capital Solutions prides itself in doing things like formal recruitment and hosting graduate development team programmes for their clients. “We encourage our corporate clients to host these programmes, then we facilitate it. This creates employment opportunities for graduates,” she said.“We’re passionate about creating employment opportunities.”She added: “From every programme, we give up to 10% to an underprivileged home.”Xabisa Human Capital Solutions also hosts free CV writing and interviewing skills to grade 12s every year.When she started out as a business owner, she called up directors to set up meetings with key people. That is how she got clients. She added: “Networking also helps.”The list of the Top 20 winnersSassy Chic (Roxanne Page)Eco Furniture Design (Tameron Haralambous)Shift One Digital (Dylan Kohlstadt)Yoco (Katlego Maphai)Xabisa Human Capital Solutions (Sivis Pillay)Myteksonic (Jonathan Kgatshe)Calvin and Family Group (Calvin Mathibeli)Gabsten Technologies (Iniel Dreyer)Setsmol Enterprise (Solly MolefeSchoaro)Old School Cool (Tiffini Wissing Hein)TFS Holdings (Dwayne Malcom)LA Consulting Engineers (Vino Govender)Karl De Leau Natural Skincare (Karel Vermeulen)Little Green Number (Juanita van der Merwe)Nkazimulo Applied Sciences (Bathabile Mpofu)Arrero Premium Car Perfume (Lizelle Beukes)Lets Collaborate (Veronique Palmer)McD Squared (Lizelle Mcdermott)The Supremacy Group (Carien van Dijk)The Pianoman (Raymond Cugnolio)The 2016 awards are sponsored by Adams & Adams, First National Bank, DHL, and World Famous Events, all of which have a vested interest in the growth and development of small business in South Africa.Would you like to use this article in your publication or on your website? 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14 November 2013 Electricity from the Kalkbult solar photovolataic (PV) power station flowed into the national grid on Tuesday, making it South Africa’s first solar plant to come online – three months ahead of schedule. The 75 megawatt (MW) plant near Petrusville in the sun-drenched Northern Cape will generate 135-million kilowatt hours a year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 33 000 households. The Kalkbult plant will avoid annual greenhouse gas emissions of 115 000 tons that would have been emitted by a fossil-fuelled plant, such as a coal-fired power station, in producing the equivalent power. The plant is one of the 47 solar-, wind- and mini-hydro projects awarded 20-year contracts to generate electricity under the Department of Energy’s renewable energy programme for independent power producers. Total investment in the programme is estimated at R74-billion, with the government’s recent acceptance of 17 new bids pushing this closer to the R100-billion mark. The Kalkbult solar plant was built by the Norwegian-based company Scatec Solar with local partners. It was commissioned in 10 months, with construction beginning in late November 2012. “Our teams worked literally day and night to make this happen,” Raymond Carlsen, chief executive of Scatec Solar, said in a statement on Tuesday. “Suppliers made a huge effort to deliver their services and equipment, and local people who worked on the project were quick to learn despite the fact that many did not have previous experience in this kind of work.” Introduced by the Department of Energy three years ago, the renewable energy programme for independent power producers supports South Africa’s international commitments to combat climate change by reducing its near total dependence on coal-based electricity and its high greenhouse gas emissions. The project also gives momentum to the Green Economy Accord, signed three years ago by the government, business and labour with the goal of creating 300 000 new jobs based on renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, biofuel production, manufacturing of equipment to support “green” projects, and natural resource conservation and rehabilitation. The Kalkbult plant covers 105 hectares of a working sheep farm and includes 312 000 solar panels mounted on 156 kilometres of substructure linked to inverters, transformers and a high voltage sub-station. During peak construction periods, more than 600 employees – the majority from the local community – worked at the Kalkbult construction site. About 16% of employees were women, who participated at all levels, from management and administration to construction activities. As required by the government from all independent power producers, part of the revenue from the Kalkbult facility and a portion of dividends has been earmarked to support social and economic development initiatives in communities within a 50-kilometre radius of the plant. “The fact that renewable energy can work in harmony with the environment and without disrupting surrounding activities is often overlooked,” said Carlsen. “After 20 years, we can upgrade the project with the latest technology and continue operations for many years, or we can dismantle it and leave the environment in its original natural state.” Two other projects being developed by Scatec Solar and its South African partners will improve on the Kalkbult plant’s electricity generation performance, which is based on solar panels mounted at a fixed angle to the sun. A 40MW plant near Hannover, also in the Northern Cape, and a 75MW plant near Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape, will have panels mounted on single axes, enabling them to track the sun and optimise electricity generation. Carlsen said the new plants, scheduled for commissioning during 2014, would be able to generate about 20% more electricity than fixed-panel plants. Of the 47 renewable energy facilities contracted during the first two phases of South Africa’s renewable energy programme, 27 are solar PV plants that will have combined installed capacity of 17 048MW, with Scatec Solar providing 190MW. Scatec Solar and SAinfo reporter
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest 2015 Trade TalkHannah Thompson from the Animal Ag Alliance visits with the Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins about the organization and their efforts in keeping current with the trends of animal rights activists. (Aired 11/13/15 on Ohio Ag Net)Animal Ag Allicance Hannah Thompson
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest By Chris ClaytonDTN Ag Policy EditorTANGARA, Brazil (DTN) — A tour bus full of Americans bounces like a carnival ride traveling downhill, coming off a plateau on a narrow clay, unsurfaced and seemingly unmaintained road in the middle of a steady downpour while maneuvering around semi-trucks likely loaded with soybeans going the opposite direction.It’s just another afternoon during harvest in Mato Grosso in Brazil.Mato Grosso has some farming advantages, such as its vast acreage — the state is the size of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio combined (with room to squeeze in Delaware and Rhode Island). Also, Mato Grosso farmers can grow soybeans in the rainy season, then plant a summer crop like corn, cotton or sunflowers.Agriculture, after all, makes up 75% of the economy of Mato Grosso.Nevertheless, the Achilles heel in Mato Grosso is infrastructure for all those crops and livestock. And, for all its size, Mato Grosso lacks people and overall tax base with a population of just 3.4 million, of which more than 600,000 live in and around the city of Cuiaba.The Institute for Mato Grosso Economics of Agriculture (IMEA) projects it costs $80.51 a ton to get most soybeans and grains to port for farmers in the state. That equals roughly $2.20 for each bushel of beans.Mato Grosso farmers take significant basis discounts because roughly 60% of Mato Grosso’s soybeans, more than 700 million bushels, go direct to export at ports that can be 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) away. With the wait time at port, it’s a seven-day round trip for each semi-load of beans, typically two 25-metric-ton trailers of beans, or roughly 1,836 bushels each trip.FREIGHT CHALLENGE“Freight is a challenge every year, and it takes up to 30% of our prices compared to the price at the port,” said Ricardo Silva, a farmer near Tangara in south-central Mato Grosso.Trucks hauling beans dominate the roadways. That gave truckers enough influence last year to halt traffic throughout the country last May and early June as truckers demanded higher pay to go along with higher diesel prices. Just as Brazilian farmers were getting more for their beans because the U.S-China dispute was heating up, the trucker strike took some of that away. While truckers are still waiting for legislation to confirm their gains from the successful strike, some of the largest commodity haulers such as Amaggi Group, Cargill and others started buying trucks and increasing company-owned trucking fleets. Amaggi ordered 300 new trucks in December.Mato Grosso has one railroad that runs from Rondonopolis in the southeast corner of the state to the Santos Port at Sao Paulo. There are always discussions about carving out other major rail lines, and “planned” expansions show other future links to a major north-south rail line east of Mato Grosso owned by the mining company Vale SA, which runs to ports in both the Amazon to the north and in southern Brazil. Vale SA had been looking to run a rail line through Mato Grosso, but those plans are now likely derailed after a mining dam accident in December that will likely be costly for the mining company financially.The Brazilian government also has been working for years to build a 1,100-km (683-mile) railroad, Ferrograo, which would run from Mato Grosso to the Miritituba Port in Para State on the Tapajos River. Both a group of U.S. and Brazilian agribusinesses were bidding for the project, estimated to cost $4.3 billion, as were state-owned Chinese firms. Reuters reported last month that the Brazilian government wants to have the Ferrograo railroad bid out late this year or early 2020. It will take at least 10 years to build.DISAPPOINTMENT IN GOVERNMENTAntonio Cesar Brolio, president of the Rural Syndicate, a Farm Bureau-type organization in Brazil, in Campo Novo de Parecis expressed disappointment in the Mato Grosso state government over its lack of action on infrastructure. The state implemented a tax on farmers specifically for infrastructure improvement, but then the state government diverts roughly 30% of the revenues to deal with other funding issues outside of infrastructure. The tax revenue also goes up with higher production.“We would like to see the money we are paying the tax used for infrastructure as was promised in the beginning,” Brolio said.Silva added, “We have some anger at the state government but (are) confident the federal government will focus on infrastructure.”BR 163 is the main north-south highway splitting Mato Grosso, but even it has areas that need completing to connect the state’s trucking system. Earlier this month, the new minister of infrastructure emphasized that the new government under President Jair Bolsonaro will finish a 50-km (31-mile) stretch of Highway BR 163 from Sinop, Mato Grosso, to Miritituba Port, by the Tapajos River. It is sometimes called the Itaituba Port, a city on the other side of the Tapajos River, but it is the same port.“Last week, the new minister of infrastructure — he’s a guy we know from Mato Grosso and he knows what he’s doing — he rode in a truck and said he would have the army pave the last 50 km this year,” Silva said. “That is the promise of this new government and we are very confident.”Farmers in other parts of Brazil may not have the scale of production they do in Mato Grosso, but they do not bear as much of the transportation cost. Domingos Trevisan, who manages a 1,768-hectare (4,367-acre) farm near Itaipulandia in Parana state, told DTN that buyers come to his farm to pick up soybeans and corn that typically goes to port about 700 km away. His basis, though, is narrower, normally running about 10% to 15% under the prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for the front month. Parana, with a larger population base and tourism, also has a more modern overall road system than much of Mato Grosso.“We don’t have the kind of road issues they have in Mato Grosso,” Trevisan said.Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Iowa-based Soybean Transportation Coalition, noted Brazil has a long track record of intentions not becoming outcomes. But it’s apparent if Brazil wants to give a shot of economic boost to the rural areas of their country, the odds of success with infrastructure are high if Mato Grosso farmers can be linked to more ports.“All they have to do is make progress and our competitive advantage starts to erode,” Steenhoek said.Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.comFollow him on Twitter @ChrisClaytonDTN(ES/AG)© Copyright 2019 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.
When the Azkals step on the pitch at Al Maktoum Stadium for the showdown against continental giant South Korea at 5:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. in the Philippines), they will mark another milestone for a country where the sport has been an afterthought.Azkals coach Sven Goran Eriksson has instilled a strong belief in his side, that with some luck, they could get a result against a country that regularly plays in the World Cup.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSUrgent reply from Philippine football chiefSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completion“We have a lot of respect against Korea, but we should not be afraid [against them],” said Eriksson, who took England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006.“We should go out and play our type of football. Of course Korea will play. They are a strong opponent. But we cannot just defend.” Private companies step in to help SEA Games hosting Coach Sven Goran Eriksson gather the PH Azkals during a break in practice ahead of their debut Asian Cup match on Monday against South Korea.—mfalkesgaard InstagramDUBAI—It doesn’t get any bigger than this for the Philippine Azkals.Long regarded as one of the continent’s weakest teams, the Azkals finally take a bow in Asian football’s grandest stage as they begin their AFC Asian Cup campaign on Monday night in this bustling Emirate city where close to 700,000 Filipinos reside.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES Pacquiao: Into the homestretch TS Kammuri to enter PAR possibly a day after SEA Games opening SEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completion Is Luis Manzano planning to propose to Jessy Mendiola? SEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completion “Everyone in the world of football expects Korea not to lose. The players are focused and have been training very well. We’ll see what we can do. We are very optimistic.”It will be a moment to savor for everyone involved in the team from captain Phil Younghusband down to the 22 other players in the squad as they finally get their reward for the hard work and sacrifice they put in just to thrust Philippine football into the continent’s elite.As the lowest ranked team in Group C with China and Kyrgyzstan, the Azkals have no illusion that the tournament will be a trouble-free coming-out party. And with the Koreans as their first assignment, they cannot expect any favors from the 1956 and 1960 champions.“It will be tough and they’re obviously the favorites in our group and favorites for the competition,” said Younghusband.“When the draw was made I was happy that we’ve got one of the big teams. It will be a great experience for the team. It will sort of put in perspective and give us a gauge of where we really are as a team and how far we really need to go to compete with teams in Asia.”ADVERTISEMENT
LOOK: Joyce Pring goes public with engagement to Juancho Triviño MOST READ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games PLAY LIST 02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games02:11Trump awards medals to Jon Voight, Alison Krauss The Azkals can also draw inspiration from what the Koreans achieved in the Fifa World Cup last year when they stunned 2014 champion Germany, 2-0, in the group stage.Portuguese coach Paolo Bento will be without Tottenham striker Son Heung-min but youngsters Kim Min-jae and Hwang In-beom and Lee Jae-sung pose a heavy scoring threat for the Koreans.It will be the fist competitive meeting between the countries since Koreans’ 5-0 demolition of the Azkals in the 1978 Asian Cup preliminary in Manila.“I think it will be a good game,” said Younghusband.“It will be tough. We’ll need a bit of luck. I think if we can keep it close. We can keep it competitive. You will never know. There’s been some big shocks in football. When you step on that field, give everything we’ve got, who knows what could happen in that game, but it will be tough.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next SEA Games hosting troubles anger Duterte Hotel management clarifies SEAG footballers’ kikiam breakfast issue View comments