Govt mulls subsidy for gas cannisters

The government is considering subsiding the cost of gas cylinders and refilling of them, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says.

- Kyle Zeeman

Ramokgopa said this would help impoverished communities that rely on wood and coal for cooking and lighting.

Using these resources may be cheaper, but they have significant health risks.

"The negative effects of unsafe cooking practices are also evident in schools, where children are exposed to unhealthy environments.

"Most significantly, transitioning to cleaner cooking methods will help reduce the harmful impact on both the environment and the health of children," the minister told SABC News at the recent launch of the G20 Clean Cooking Legacy Programme in Zamokuhle, Mpumalanga.

He added that the government was looking to extend relief programmes to include gas.