- Avoiding to face any power-cut embarrassments during the world soccer events in June this year and the following year, South Africa has called on the regional neighbours to pool power resources to boost supply.
Through the Southern African Power Pool, South Africa will be assured of any power need to make the first ever African World Cup a success.
Announcing the deal today, South African utility company, ESKOM, said pledges made by the neighbouring states would ease any power shortage headaches that the country may face during the hosting of the world events.
South Africa experienced huge power outages last year, which forced many of the producing sectors such as mining to have to cut on production.
The state BuaNews agency reported the utility company's spokesperson, saying the deal will ensure reliability on the part of the company when South Africa host the two events.
The company's officials further said the deal was a clear indication that the hosting of the World Cup was not only a South African affair but for the whole continent.
South Africa hosts the Fifa's Confederation Cup in June this year and the World Cup in June the following year.
Many of the regional neighbours, optimistic of the spill-off benefits from the events are already upgrading sports and other infrastructure as well as the tourism sector in anticipation of huge flows of foreign fans following their national teams into the region.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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