At the start of another hardworking day in Mzansi, the agri sector is bracing for a 45c per litre increase in the price of diesel at midnight tonight.
In better news, wine-lovers can bid on premium wine and a weekend getaway in the country’s first online winery auction. Also high up on Food For Mzansi’s watchlist are slots for free journalism training that are filling up fast and the AgriSETA Learner Connect podcast introducing learners to a mechanical technician in the agriculture field.
1
Fuel prices going up at midnight
The minister of mineral resources and energy, Gwede Mantashe, announced the new fuel prices which will be in effect from 5 August 2020, kicking in at midnight tonight.
The fuel prices for August 2020 will be adjusted as follows:
- Petrol (both 93 ULP and LRP): five cents per litre increase
- Petrol (both 95 ULP and LRP): five cents per litre increase;
- Diesel (0.05% sulphur): forty five cents per litre increase;
- Diesel (0.005% sulphur): forty five cents per litre increase;
- Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): thirty nine cents per litre increase;
- SMNRP for IP: fifty two cents per litre increase; and
- Maximum LPGas Retail Price: four cents per kilogram decrease.
The fuel prices schedule for the different zones will be published later today.
2
Bid on premium wine and weekend getaway
On the second day of South Africa’s first online winery auction you can bid on a secure, premium wine and weekend getaway.
The auction kicked of yesterday with a few rare, out-of-sale Baleia Wines vintages on the block. Today’s catalogue features a weekend getaway at Videira self-catering farm stay, near Still Bay in the southern Cape, plus one box each of Baleia Wines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sebastian.
Bidding starts at R3 708 and items will only be shipped once the nationwide lockdown alcohol restrictions have been lifted. To take part in the auctions and bid remotely, auction-goers can register by following the link here.
3
Free journalism training
Do you have big dreams of spending your life in journalism, telling heartfelt stories of the people in your community? Then Food For Mzansi’s Sinelizwi citizen journalist project is just for you.
The Sinelizwi project is giving 50 aspiring community journalists a chance to break into the industry without any prior experience. It is a rare opportunity to be mentored by and published on Food For Mzansi and you will even get paid for your stories.
The programme, presented in partnership with the Google News Initiative, is open for participants nationwide. We are inviting learners in grades 8 to 11, unemployed youth, agricultural workers and community members to apply for the remaining spots.
But you need to hurry, the programme is filling up fast. Just fill in the simple application form here. Applications need to be submitted by Saturday, 8 August 2020 at 12:00. No late applications will be accepted. For more information contact duncan@foodformzansi.co.za
4
Meet a mechanical technician in agriculture
Today’s episode of the AgriSETA Learner Connect podcast and community radio insert introduces learners to a career for those who love working with their hands and fixing things.
If dismantling defective units and repairing or replacing parts on tractors and agricultural machinery sounds like your ideal career choice then you will enjoy today’s installment. The episode guides learners through the career of Gary Patience, who is a mechanical technician in agriculture.
It is available on all major podcast platforms, the Food For Mzansi website and 19 local radio stations all around South Africa. Keep an eye out as Food For Mzansi will publish the downloadable link later today. If you missed yesterday’s episode, search for AgriSETA Learner Connect on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts or find it here.
