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Remodelled draft IRP to be unveiled next week for limited public consultation

By: Terence Creamer 20th November 2024 A remodelled Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for electricity will be released to the public next week and is expected to deviate materially from the heavily criticised draft IRP2023, which was published for public comment in January. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says... →

SANEDI CEO Dr Titus Mathe

Ramokgopa again moots policy interventions to provide relief from Eskom hike

By: Terence Creamer 20th November 2024 Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who is Eskom’s shareholder Minister, has reiterated his opposition to the utility receiving a 36.15% tariff hike next year, while also indicating that various policy interventions are being considered to reduce the increase. Speaking at a... →

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Protectionism not the answer to South Africa’s economic problems, CDE says

By: Darren Parker 20th November 2024 Think tank the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has called for an overhaul of industrial policy to move it away from protectionism and towards a focus on maximising exports. The organisation on November 20 said a new approach to master plans, tariff-setting and competition policy was... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
CDE executive director Ann Bernstein

VW Africa expands solar array at Kariega plant to more than 12 000 panels

By: Irma Venter 20th November 2024 Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) has added an additional 3 MW solar power to its local grid, bringing the total output of renewable energy to 5.9 MW. This is enough energy to power at least 2 000 two-bedroom houses with geysers and electrical appliances. →

Image of the car park installation at the VWA plant

The car park installation at the Kariega plant

EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism needs to be challenged, Tau says

By: Darren Parker 20th November 2024 Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has said that measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduced by the EU need to be challenged by developing economies at the level of the World Trade Organisation, as they are likely to have a negative impact on South Africa’s... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau

Uncertainty emerges over looming deadline for analogue switch off

By: Natasha Odendaal 20th November 2024 As the gazetted date of December 31 draws closer for the years-delayed switch-off of the analogue broadcasting signals, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) warns of the challenges ahead that could potentially delay the programme further. Communications and Digital... →

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi

Govt progresses consultation on National Communication Satellite Strategy

By: Marleny Arnoldi 20th November 2024 The departments of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), together with their entities, signal distribution company Sentech and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), have provided an update on the National Communication Satellite... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Rebecca Campbell
SANSA CEO Humbulani Mudau

Scopa views the Defence Department as being in a 'crisis of accountability and funding'

By: Rebecca Campbell 20th November 2024 Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has expressed concern about the record of the Department of Defence (DoD) and the Department of Military Veterans, regarding their mishandling of public funds. This followed from the briefing to Scopa by the Auditor-General regarding the... →

Treasury to suspend municipal funds over water debt

By: Bloomberg 20th November 2024 South Africa’s Treasury plans to withhold funds from five municipalities next month over their unpaid water bills, part of an effort to compel local governments to pay for basic services. The Treasury will invoke a law allowing the authorities to block the payment of a so-called equitable share... →

Namibia has best roads in sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa scoring on par with Rwanda, Mauritius

By: Darren Parker 20th November 2024 According to the ‘Global Competitiveness Index’ compiled by the World Economic Forum and hosted on the World Bank's Prosperity Data360 platform, Namibia ranks highest in sub-Saharan Africa for road quality, achieving a score of 5.31 out of seven on a scale used to evaluate infrastructure.... →

South African business mood brightens to best level since March 2022

By: Bloomberg 20th November 2024 South African business sentiment rose its highest level since the first quarter of 2022, as constant electricity supply and political stability supported better business conditions. A quarterly business confidence index compiled by FirstRand's Rand Merchant Bank and Stellenbosch University’s... →

VistaJet unveils 18th Global 7500 ultralong-range jet in fleet

By: Schalk Burger 20th November 2024 Private aviation services provider VistaJet has unveiled the eighteenth Bombardier Global 7500 ultralong-range business jet added to its fleet of 240 aircraft. The aircraft can do 17 hours of flight time with a range of 7 700 nautical miles, or 14 260 km, and a top speed of Mach 0.925, or 1 142... →

Tiger Brands to sell Baby Wellbeing business, excluding Purity

By: Reuters 20th November 2024 South Africa's biggest food producer Tiger Brands said on Wednesday it will sell its Baby Wellbeing business for R605-million, but will exclude its Purity brand, which it described as a core asset. The Baby Wellbeing business was identified as no longer a "financial and strategic fit" after an... →

Group of nations make COP29 pledge on no new unabated coal power

By: Bloomberg 20th November 2024 A total of 25 countries and the EU are pledging to commit to no new unabated coal power in their next round of national climate plans, the latest global pledge aimed at curbing use of the fuel. Signatories to the agreement, outlined during the ongoing COP29 climate talks in Baku, include Canada,... →

A truck carrying coal with a coal-fired power station in the background

Namibia aims to raise $450m to boost power generation

By: Bloomberg 20th November 2024 Namibia’s state-owned electricity utility plans to raise $450-million by selling bonds in the country and raising development bank loans to help the southwest African nation boost power generation. Namibia Power Corp. said it has signed loan agreements totaling €166-million ($175-million) with... →

Zimbabwe power tariff hike sparks 3 000 MW of energy investments

By: Bloomberg 20th November 2024 Zimbabwe’s decision to adopt tariffs that reflect costs has sparked a wave of investments in the energy sector that will help ease its power crisis. Since the switch in December last year, energy investments have sharply increased with 3 000 MW of projects currently under development, according... →

Dynapac launches new 15 t compaction machine in South Africa

20th November 2024 Original-equipment manufacturer Dynapac recently launched a new soil compaction machine in South Africa to coincide with the company’s 90-year anniversary. Darren Parker tells us more. →

Dynapac launches new 15 t compaction machine in South Africa

South African inflation drops to lowest since June 2020

By: Reuters 20th November 2024 South Africa's annual inflation rate slowed sharply to 2.8% in October, data showed on Wednesday, setting the stage for another interest rate cut by the central bank this week. Statistics South Africa said falling fuel prices were the primary driver of the slowdown in the headline rate from 3.8%... →

South Africa will focus G20 presidency on inclusive growth, food security

By: Reuters 20th November 2024 South Africa will use its G20 presidency to focus on advancing inclusive economic growth, food security and artificial intelligence, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday at a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies in Brazil. South Africa takes over the G20 presidency from Brazil at... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Summit underscores importance of just energy transition, C&I industry

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 19th November 2024 It is imperative that South Africa and industry decarbonises and, with the transition towards more sustainable forms of energy already occurring, stakeholders should focus on how the transition is implemented in a just manner at the pace that is required, and the steps and strategies this would... →

Small Business Awards celebrate entrepreneurs

By: Sabrina Jardim 19th November 2024 The sixteenth 2024 South African Small Business Awards celebrated South Africa's top entrepreneurs and small businesses at a gala breakfast hosted by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC), in Johannesburg, earlier this month. The awards honoured 20 small businesses and entrepreneurs,... →

Winners of the 2024 South African Small Business Awards

ARC to release invasive-plant controlling beetles in Umkhomazi

By: Marleny Arnoldi 19th November 2024 The Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC’s) plant health and protection unit will, on November 25, release a leaf-feeding lady beetle called Mada Polluta in Umkhomazi, KwaZulu-Natal, to act as a biological control agent against invasive yellow bells. ARC says yellow bells, or Tecoma stans, have... →

Tecoma stans, or yellow bell, invasive plant

Frank discussion needed about 30% local procurement rule – Macpherson

By: Irma Venter 19th November 2024 The country must have a frank discussion about the 30% local procurement rule, which has been abused by the so-called construction mafia, says Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson. Macpherson spoke at the National Construction Summit on Crime-Free Construction Sites, held in... →

Dean Macpherson

NOA Group to supply Old Mutual Real Estate portfolio with wheeled renewable power

By: Schalk Burger 19th November 2024 Property fund Old Mutual Real Estate Holding Company (OMREHC) has entered into an energy supply agreement with commercial and industrial renewable energy company NOA Group Trading to provide electricity for its property portfolio. The wheeling transaction will deliver more than 90% renewable... →

Kaspersky, AFRIPOL sign partnership agreement to prevent and fight cybercrime

By: Schalk Burger 19th November 2024 Cybersecurity company Kaspersky and African Union policing institution AFRIPOL have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at preventing and fighting cybercrime. Covering a period of five years, the agreement formalises and facilitates cooperation between the company and the law enforcement agency... →

Kaspersky founder and CEO Eugene Kaspersky and AFRIPOL acting executive director Jalel Chelba

Sustainability essential for global aviation, and creates great opportunity for Africa

By: Rebecca Campbell 19th November 2024 The biggest challenge facing the commercial aviation sector, globally, is sustainability, asserted International Air Transport Association (IATA) director-general Willie Walsh, in his address to the 2024 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), being held in... →

Fintech, partners offer WhatsApp solution to improve access to banking services

By: Schalk Burger 19th November 2024 A bank card that enables cardholders to manage their account and money through a WhatsApp solution has been launched by fintech Mama Money in collaboration with financial services firm Access Bank and retailer Pick n Pay. The aim is to overcome the barriers millions in the country face when... →

GFRP Tech launches first of its kind manufacturing facility in South Africa

By: Sabrina Jardim 19th November 2024 Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) products supplier and manufacturer GFRP Tech has launched the first manufacturing facility of its kind in South Africa, in Linbro Park, Gauteng, for the manufacture of GFRP Rebar, GFRP Mesh and GFRP Bends. The sophisticated multimillion-rand facility has been... →

Two more battery projects achieve financial close, next set of bidders to be announced within weeks

By: Terence Creamer 19th November 2024 Two more battery storage projects selected as preferred bids under South Africa’s first public procurement bid window (BW1) for the technology have achieved commercial close. The projects have a combined investment value of R4.7-billion and increase to 360 MW/1 440 MWh the amount of utility-scale... →

A group photo taken at the signing ceremony attended by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, seated at centre

Eskom once again urges prepaid metered customers to recode their meters before Nov 24

By: Schalk Burger 19th November 2024 State-owned power utility Eskom is once again urging all prepaid electricity customers to update their meters immediately to avoid an unexpected loss of electricity after the deadline of November 24. It is critical that all customers, including those who have not bought electricity in the past... →

South African pension withdrawals since reform up to R35.1bn

By: Reuters 19th November 2024 South Africa's tax service said on Tuesday that pension withdrawals in the 11 weeks since a reform took effect allowing people to make partial withdrawals before retirement had risen to R49.6-billion. The South African Revenue Service said on October 11 that R21.4-billion had been paid out since... →

Zambia, Zimbabwe face wake-up call after Kariba dam water levels plunge, Minister says

By: Bloomberg 19th November 2024 A plunge in water levels at the world’s largest man-made reservoir, which has left Zambia and Zimbabwe without power for hours, shows why they need to diversify their energy sources, according to a top official. “The over-dependence on hydropower has exposed the vulnerability of the energy mix,”... →

Photo by Reuters
The Kariba dam

Africa Central Banks seen cutting while they can after Trump win

By: Bloomberg 19th November 2024 Most African central banks weighing interest rates over the next three weeks are set to lower them, wary that the window to ease further may narrow after Donald Trump becomes US president. Of the 14 monetary authorities due to give rate decisions, eight including South Africa and Kenya are... →

Bombela Operating Company highlights operational, sustainability strides

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 18th November 2024 The Bombela Operating Company (BOC) has highlighted its works in ensuring an effective, efficient and safe Gautrain operation, while also pursuing sustainability at a broader level, as it aims to contribute toward creating an improved, integrated public transport industry in South Africa. BOC,... →

An image showing the Gautrain Operational Control Room

Photo by Creamer Media's Tasneem Bulbulia
The Operational Control Room at the depot is where the Gautrain line is monitored

PPC moving into second phase of its recovery plan

By: Schalk Burger 18th November 2024 JSE-listed cement and construction materials company PPC has started working on the second phase of its turnaround strategy, with the benefits of its first phase evident in its results for the six months to September 30. Despite revenue declining by 4.2% to R5.06-billion, from R5.28-billion in... →

PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli

African air safety has improved significantly, but more still to be done

By: Rebecca Campbell 18th November 2024 International Air Transport Association (IATA) director-general Willie Walsh has hailed progress in aviation safety in Africa but urged that more be done. He was addressing the 2024 Annual General Assembly of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). (AFRAA is the representative body for the... →

Far-reaching platinum hydrogen package launched at European Hydrogen Week

By: Martin Creamer 18th November 2024 A new brand that offers a comprehensive portfolio of hydrogen application support off a single platinum group metals (PGMs) company base has been launched at the European Hydrogen Week 2024 by Heraeus Precious Metals, a German-based entity with long-standing association with Johannesburg Stock... →

Heraeus Business Line Hydrogen Systems head Dr Philipp Walter

AgriSETA reflects on strides made to empower women in sector

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th November 2024 In reflecting on education and training authority for the agriculture sector AgriSETA’s accomplishments for the 2023/24 financial year, chairperson Sharon Sepeng lauded the organisation for having surpassed its artisan development targets well ahead of schedule. Given that artisanal skills are... →

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