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Nuclear site: Fin24 community responds to Dr Kemm

Cape Town – While some Fin24 users showed concern over government’s role in a major nuclear energy build programme and the financial implications it will have on South Africa, others were supportive of Dr Kelvin Kemm’s opinion piece on the move to a build the first plant near St Francis in the Eastern Cape.

READ THE STORY: SA nuclear site set to get green light

THUMBS DOWN: Johann Terblanche

“At last ... our very own Chernobyl.”

THUMBS UP: Saandeni Beharee

“That was a brilliant read!”

THUMBS DOWN: Warren Dickson

“One question: When there is a nuclear fallout, how many minutes do I have to evacuate my home if I live in Port Elizabeth? Assuming the wind is blowing as per average (south-south west)? Many thanks.”

THUMBS UP: Tony Robson

“Nuclear attracts a lot of emotional comment by people who don't have a clue what they are talking about, so it's nice to see a balanced commentary that covers all the bases in a rational manner. From an electricity supply point of view, there is no doubt that nuclear is the way to go. The question is whether or not the politicians can keep their hands out of the till and stop interfering to further their own agendas so that the engineers and project managers can get on with it unfettered by political considerations.

"We also need to see a serious improvement in the quality of project management and technical resources applied to the project(s) to ensure that the project comes in on time and on budget, unlike Medupi and Kusile, which are both debacles of note.”

THUMBS DOWN: Gene Cussons

“All very well Dr Klemm. No doubt you are right. However, you don’t mention the tiny detail of how it’s going to be paid for and who is going to build it. Secondly, and tying in with this, local labour is unfortunately not an option under the ANC government. Take the examples of the coal fired plants under construction. So, just forget it, sir… with all due respect. Unless an offshore concern is contracted to finance, build, maintain and supply on to those who pay.”

THUMBS UP: Hein Calitz

“Well said, sounds factually correct, much better than to rely on coal! Build it I say.”

THUMBS DOWN: Andries Hoffman

“The risk factors need to be addressed at the highest levels. We cannot live and build by making assumptions. It is very true that we need to have the power available as coal will not last forever. Never compare one reactor with another as this will be planning for a disaster.

"Who will take responsibility and accountability for the disposal of the used nuclear fuel? Will there be an upfront trust fund to deal with the cost associated should anything go wrong? Please do not rush into this and make irrational decisions. It is not correct to say no harm was caused with the Japan disaster. Many people lost their properties and valuables.”

THUMBS UP: Kerry Ross

“Sir, many thanks for a sane intellectual voice. He has made all the facts clear. Anyone still shrieking hysterically about the dangers of atomic power is just a loony liberal nut job with an agenda. There can just be no more arguments against atomic energy generation after reading the well-presented facts. ‘Nuff said.”

THUMBS DOWN: Rudolf van Beerschoten

“The resistance is much less the choice for nuclear, as it is the fear of who is going to make the necessary choices and procurement that go with it: a deeply distrusted and corrupt government. No transparency and secret deals all point to corruption and backhanders like with the arms deal and e-tolls.”

THUMBS DOWN: Dave Loseby

“Energy is no doubt necessary for the development of the SA economy and the consequent job creation, but there is the big BUT? Who funds it at the R1trn cost and how is the repayment going to be effected - wealth tax, VAT increases? Let the project be a slow one without stretching the financial burden to the limit for the already suffering group of effective tax payers or adding the VAT that the poorer population will have to face.

"One must live in absolute fear not of a nuclear disaster, but the country's financial collapse. Let's hope that the final decision is not an ideologically based one and is without the corruption that has been associated with high value projects in the past. The paranoia associated with the West and close attentions of China and Russia need to be put aside and a decision based on sound economic and engineering principles must prevail. So should the present political spin that has been found necessary for the present government to retain their votes.”

THUMBS DOWN: Pierre Fabe

“This article lost my respect when it says that nothing was damaged by the Fukushima disaster. One doesn't have to dig deep to find out that the Fukushima incident has been a huge disaster which has greatly influenced global warming especially the Pacific Ocean, where temperatures are abnormally higher than usual.

"The current El Nino which is abnormally bad is partly due to the abnormally high temperatures of the Pacific Ocean, the origin of El Nino. Radiation might not have killed people directly, mainly due to the mass evacuation that was done before the wave hit and caused the damage. One just needs to do some (proper) research and not simply write 'opinions' to see the devastating effect Fukushima has and is having on our world environment. Check out www.jciv.iidj.net where recordings show that extremely high radiation continues to be seen.”

THUMBS DOWN: Ziyaad Manjra

“While he raises some valid points on the viability of nuclear power, that is not the problem. The issue is, can we trust a government who has shown time and time again that it is not able to build mega projects efficiently or without corruption. Look at the arms deal and the new coal stations.

"As much as they would like us believe that these were corruption free, the fact is the ANC adjudicated a tender in which it had a material interest, and its partner (Hitachi) paid a fine in respect of the award of the contract. They will get away with it because President Jacob Zuma and his cronies control the police and justice system. But we can all see where we are headed if we go nuclear.”

THUMBS UP: Scholtz Molipa

“It is good to realise that our African think-tank is ready for use not only on home-based issues only. Our government can rather use our own intelligence to make Africa a better place to leave and explore. Let us unite and work, believing in our own abilities. This Rainbow Nation must rise up and express our God-given talents. Rise up and show the world we can.

"Let our democratic mentality work for us and move forward. We just held Soccer World Cup successfully and we are excelling in sports. Let’s put our minds together because our home brew stuff has shown good fruits.”

* There were other viewpoints that will be published next as full-length opinion stories.

* Send your views now.

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on Fin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.



 

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