SME confidence holds firm in the second quarter

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have maintained their confidence in the future, despite persistent challenges and uncertainty, the SME Confidence Index for the second quarter shows. SMEs... 

Transnet, SAPS sign MoU to combat logistics network theft and vandalism

State-owned Transnet and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaborative efforts between them in the fight against theft and... 

Review of dtic entities can boost business environment, says BLSA

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) is encouraged by the quick steps taken by new Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau to engage with business to ensure open channels of... 

Manufacturing confidence holds steady amid persisting headwinds – Absa

Confidence levels among local manufacturers held steady at 28 points during the third quarter, driven mainly by their optimism regarding policy direction after a peaceful election and the formation... 

7 Parks Boulevard earns Green Star 6 star rating

Office development 7 Parks Boulevard, built by construction company Concor, has earned a Green Star 6 star rating in terms of the Green Building Council of South Africa’s Green Star-rating system.... 

South Africa set for massive changes as energy market pivots, renewable energy grows

South Africa will need about 150 GW of renewable-energy generation and associated transmission infrastructure by 2050, meaning it needs to build about 6 GW of renewable-energy capacity each year.... 

JDA appoints new board members

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has appointed a new chairperson Julias Maputla, new non-executive directors and new members of its independent audit committee. The new board members bring... 

Increase in chicken prices expected to ease in 2024, Absa's AgriTrends report shows

A stronger rand and robust growth in production by key global suppliers, such as Brazil, could see the average price of chicken products increase by just over 1% this year in some instances,... 

Notable surge in trade expectations in August – Sacci

The political broadening of governance has led to the encouragement of expectations in the trade environment, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) says. Although there remain... 

Major UIF service points to extend operating hours, open on Saturdays in Sept

Some Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) service points will be open on Saturdays and from 07:30 to 16:00 on weekdays to render services to clients and employers during September to cater for an... 

AI, IoT waste management solution developer wins GreenPitch challenge

Waste management AI, machine vision and Internet of Things solutions developer Dragonfly has won the 2024 FNF GreenPitch Challenge. The early-stage company leverages these technologies to enable... 

Aquaculture a 'powerful means to address food and nutrition security across Africa' – Singh

Globally, aquaculture contributes more than 50% of all aquatic products, thereby making a significant contribution to the transformation of food production systems. The continued expansion of... 

Attacq grows distributable income by 19.9%, full-year dividend by 19%

JSE-listed real estate investment trust Attacq grew its distributable income per share for the financial year ended June 30 by 19.9% year-on-year to 86.2c, while its full-year dividend increased by... 

TIA launches nanobubble aquaponics pilot plant

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and water treatment technology company Fine Bubble Technologies have launched a nanobubble aquaponics pilot plant at De Grendel School of Skills, in Cape... 

Restructuring to bring an end to Land Bank's debt default position

State-owned agricultural finance institution the Land Bank has concluded a debt restructuring solution with all its lenders, which will take effect on September 16, and effectively end its debt... 

Competition Commission, NEF renew MoU

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Competition Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration in key areas of economic development and market... 

Lategan, Joubert to leave Calgro M3 at year-end

JSE-listed integrated residential developer Calgro M3 has informed shareholders that CEO Wikus Lategan and Memorial Parks MD Waldi Joubert have resigned, with effect from December 31, to pursue... 

Xylem SA receives ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems certification

Water solutions company Xylem South Africa (Xylem SA) has been certificated according to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards ISO 14001 and 45001 management systems,... 

Orion, South32, Perenti and DRA Global receive awards for Africa community development projects

Mining companies South32, Orion Minerals, Perenti and DRA Global have received awards for transforming communities in Africa during the 2024 Australia-Africa Minerals and Energy Group (AAMEG)... 

OptiPower, joint venture partner win R1.2bn solar contract

Energy infrastructure project delivery company OptiPower, which is a trading division of engineering and contracting company Murray & Roberts (M&R), has, in a joint venture (JV) with Spanish energy... 

Engineer invents manhole protector that provides early-warning alerts for sewage spills

Civil engineer Chris Nganga Kimaru has developed a manhole protector grid (MPG) solution that uses GSM and Sigfox-enabled Internet of Things sensors and gateways to continuously monitor sewage flow... 

Private train operators could access Transnet's rail network by April 2025, says business development exec

State-owned Transnet Group chief business development officer Yolisa Kani has said calls for applications for private train operators wanting to access the freight rail network are likely to open... 

Data, monitoring needed as water tariff increases threaten to become core business cost

Beyond the challenges to water security presented by population growth, urbanisation, poor infrastructure and water treatment, companies must start measuring their water use throughout their... 

City Power installs long-awaited new 88/11 kV substation in Eldorado Park

Johannesburg utility City Power opened the 88/11 kV Eldorado Park substation on September 3. The new substation, which has been eagerly awaited by the communities since 2015, has four 45 MVA... 

Rare specimen from space precipitates broad research collaboration

The fall of a meteorite in Nqweba, in the Eastern Cape, and the collection of a fragment has led to a joint team of researchers and astronomers affiliated with the Astronomical Society of South... 

Lufthansa launches direct Munich to Johannesburg route

German airline Lufthansa waved off the first flight from OR Tambo International Airport, with one of the airline's new Airbus A350-900's landing at 06:45 and then departing at 08:20 for Munich on... 

Nedbank CIB, SA REIT Association to launch sustainability guide

Financial services firm Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) and industry organisation the South African Real Estate Investment Trust Association (SA REIT) have formed a strategic... 

Good progress on air quality frameworks, but implementation needed

South Africa has a robust framework to manage air quality, as well as regulations and standards that serve as a yardstick for measuring and monitoring harmful emissions. The country also follows... 

South Africa is losing its trade competitiveness edge

Enormous investments are being made in ports, rail and transport logistics in Southern Africa, as well as more broadly in Africa, including by international companies and consortia. "Global... 

Regional integration to make products more competitive, but many challenges remain for Africa

Better transport and trade infrastructure across Africa will make it quicker and cheaper to transport goods, while lower tariff and non-tariff barriers will reduce the cost of goods and increase... 

CSIR showcases locally developed compostable, bio-based plastic products

As part of Women's Month, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials principal researcher Dr Maya John has showcased some of the... 

Woolworths to invest further R17.5m in renewable energy

Retail group Woolworths will make a further R17.5-million worth of investments in renewable-energy projects, which are projected to have a payback period of four to five years. The investment... 

Survey shows renewable energy product affordability is a challenge for SMEs

Consumers and businesses believe there are many competitors in the renewable energy products market, but affordability may be a potential barrier to accessing renewable-energy solutions, which may... 

Interruptions, natural disasters, fire and blackouts the main renewable energy sector risks

The main risk facing companies in the renewable-energy sector in Africa and the Middle East is business interruption, which remains the foremost risk, with 63% of respondents to financial services... 

Uneca discusses reforms to address SOE debt challenges to Africa's growth

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) hosted high-level discussions about tackling the growing challenges of State-owned enterprise (SOE) debt in Africa, highlighting the vital... 

JRA appointing a new contractor for Lilian Ngoyi street rehabilitation

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is appointing a new contractor to undertake the rehabilitation of Lilian Ngoyi street, after having terminated the contract of the previous contractor Step Up... 

Free State Agriculture highlights crime along Lesotho border to Free State MECs

Agriculture organisation Free State Agriculture (FSA) met with members of the executive council (MECs) in the province to highlight increasing crime affecting communities and farmers on the border... 

AI can help with local data beneficiation, boosting local enterprises

Businesses can use their own data in AI systems to understand their business challenges in new ways and with greater accuracy, which will help them to make different decisions. The use of AI... 

JDA starts renovations and upgrades to Murray Park Library

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has started with upgrades to the Murray Park Library, in Malvern, Johannesburg, which opened in 1957 and has served as a cornerstone of knowledge and... 

A balanced AI governance framework can develop as technology advances

While there remain unknown risks and benefits from the use of AI for economies and societies, there is a need to start regulating the use of AI and this will require a balanced approach that can...