BuaNews (Tshwane)
12 February 2008
Nelspruit — Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla has signed a renewed bilateral agreement with the German province of North Rhine Westphalia, aimed at finding initiatives to source renewable energy.
Premier Makwetla, accompanied by his MEC for Sports Culture and Recreation Jabu Mahlangu met with North Rhine Westphalia Minister of Sports Armin Laschet on Monday to look at ways of sourcing renewable energy in order to mitigate the impact of load shedding.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr Makwetla said his province was happy to host the delegation in driving the objectives stipulated in memorandum of understanding signed between the two states in 1995.
He said the electricity crisis has compelled South Africans to be "open minded" in seeking solutions in the area of alternative energy supply.
Mr Makwetla said South Africa has experienced an unexpected interruption in its energy supply capacity arising out of the robust growth of its economy.
National government has now encouraged provinces to take initiatives that will assist the country to devise strategies of reducing the high demand and consumption of energy.
The bilateral agreement, within the two countries was first signed in 1995 and renewed in 2006 when Premier Makwetla visited Germany to hold discussions with his NRW counterpart, Minister President Jurgen Ruttgers.
This was part of efforts to solicit the involvement of NRW in assisting the province to prepare for a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The initial agreements focused on good governance, economic development, health and sports development.
In 1996 the treaty was amended to include co-operation about 2010 related activities such as infrastructure development, mass mobilization, fan parks and volunteer mobilization.
The agreement focused on rural development, HIV/AIDS and was amended to include 2010 preparations, particularly football development, mass- mobilization and infrastructure development.
Minister Laschet also announced that the German chamber of commerce would visit the province in April, this year.
He also said that the chamber would provide an opportunity for 48 Mpumalanga based young people to be trained as welders and be employed by German companies that operate in South Africa.
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