Ravi Pillay, MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, has expressed his sorrow over the loss of two people in a fire aboard a Shayamanzi luxury houseboat. Shayamanzi Houseboats has been operating on Lake Jozini near Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal for many years.
According to the department, a crew member and a German tourist died in the event, while one crew member remains missing.
“I am deeply saddened by this incident and wish to convey my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who are deceased. We welcome the investigation by the SA Maritime Safety Authority and we believe it will help shed some light on the cause of the fire,” Pillay said.
While the cause of the fire is unknown, it appears to have occurred on Shayamanzi I, a 25m by 8m double pontoon houseboat that was first inaugurated on 18 October 2002 by KwaZulu-Natal agriculture and environmental affairs MEC Dr Narend Singh.
Nigeria grants approval for genetically modified maize
The Nigerian government has granted environmental approval for the evaluation and open cultivation of TELA Maize, a new maize variety developed by researchers at Ahmadu Bello University’s Institute for Agricultural Research in Zaria and is resistant to fall armyworm, stem borers and moderate drought.
The government’s decision was made official by a certificate issued to IAR by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the federal government agency mandated to regulate genetically modified products in the country.
IAR was granted a permission code for the general commercial release of TELA Maize on 8 October, 2021. It will be in effect until 5 October, 2024.
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