For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: Ramokgopa withdraws 2.5 GW nuclear-procurement determination; My Vote Counts launches Civil Society Electoral Reform Panel; And, Mpox in Africa prompts $500-million funding from Gavi for vaccines

Ramokgopa withdraws 2.5 GW nuclear-procurement determination

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has withdrawn a Ministerial determination for the procurement of 2 500 MW of new nuclear capacity, which was being contested legally, having concluded that there was insufficient public consultation prior to the regulator providing its concurrence with the determination.

The withdrawal comes ahead of a scheduled court case initiated by the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, which are contesting the legality of the gazetted Section 34 determination signed by Ramokgopa.

The matter was scheduled to be heard on October 15 and 16.

The two environmental groups argue that the determination is unlawful and unconstitutional, owing to various procedural irregularities, including a failure of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to consult with the public before concurring with the determination.

My Vote Counts launches Civil Society Electoral Reform Panel

Civil society organisation My Vote Counts today launched the Civil Society Electoral Reform Panel, as a way to demonstrate civil society’s continued commitment to deepening democracy and engagements in the process of electoral reform.

The Civil Society Electoral Reform Panel is made up of nine representatives from non-governmental organisations and social movements working in government accountability and transparency.

The panel will embark on a process to advise civil society on broad electoral and political reform.

Executive chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa Terry Tselane emphasised that the Civil Society Electoral Reform Panel is not competing or opposing the State panel, however will complement the work being done in parliament.

My Vote Counts emphasised that it wants to collaborate with government.

Tselane explained that the approach Parliament has taken has been in the past, has been a largely technicist approach where he said few people get together and the main criticism is that there is not enough consultation.

And, Mpox in Africa prompts $500-million funding from Gavi for vaccines

The global vaccine group Gavi has up to $500-million to spend on getting shots to countries affected by an escalating mpox outbreak in Africa, its chief executive Sania Nishtar said.

Gavi helps countries with fewer resources buy and deploy vaccines, usually against childhood diseases like measles, but it expanded into broader efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The money is available in the organization’s "First Response" fund, which was set up after global health agencies like Gavi were left behind by high-income countries in procuring vaccines during the early days of Covid.

It can be used to respond to health emergencies, which were declared by the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention this week.

The funds are largely left over from money donated by governments and global health funders for the Covid response.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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