Natasha Odendaal

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Natasha Odendaal

Natasha Odendaal is Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Telkom mobile subscribers near 20m

19th February 2024 Telecommunications group Telkom’s mobile subscriber base is nearing the 20-million mark, amid increased next generation (NGN) product uptake. In the trading update for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, Telkom reported that its mobile subscribers increased 6.4% to 19.7-million, while its mobile... →

DWS, DFFE to probe whether Vaal invasive vegetation clearing methods are aligned with regulations

19th February 2024 The departments of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are reviewing complaints and concerns in the public domain over the use of chemicals as part of a programme to eliminate water lettuce in the Vaal river. In a joint statement, Forestry, Fisheries and... →

Icasa reopens telecoms loadshedding inquiry comments period

19th February 2024 The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has reopened the submissions process for its inquiry into the impact of loadshedding on telecommunications operators in South Africa. The reopening of submissions aims to afford all stakeholders adequate time to answer the series of... →

Digitalisation is the key to SME success in 2024

16th February 2024 For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive sustainable economic growth across South Africa in 2024, digital transformation is critical. The impact of SME digitalisation is far-reaching, promoting sustainable economic growth, inclusivity and resilience against economic headwinds. →

New task team to review municipal water, sanitation service delivery mechanisms

16th February 2024 A new nationally coordinated task team is being established to review service delivery mechanisms for water and sanitation services in South Africa. The task team, comprising the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Department Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and... →

Rand Water kicks off programme to weed out water lettuce in the Vaal river

15th February 2024 Rand Water on Thursday released the first batch of weevils and hoppers as biocontrol agents to start eliminating the invasive water lettuce in the Vaal river. The programme, which formed part of Rand Water’s efforts to remove the alien invasive water plants at the Vaal Barrage, entailed an... →

MTN South Africa’s solar project progresses net zero ambitions

14th February 2024 MTN South Africa has switched on 5 418 out of the planned 9 000 solar panels at its 14th Avenue headquarters as it progresses its solar renewable energy project. Over 50% complete, the energisation process of its solar renewable energy Phase 1 project unlocks 700 kW into the microgrid, making the... →

Significant progress made on R292m Sir Lowry's Pass river upgrade

14th February 2024 Since breaking ground on the R292-million major upgrade of the Sir Lowry’s Pass river a year ago, the City of Cape Town is on track to complete the project in 2026. The upgrades, in an effort to reduce flooding, started in February 2023. →

Proposed water amendments needed, but inconsistencies, enforcement need to be fixed

14th February 2024 While some of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) recently proposed water amendments, which have significant implications for water resource management and public access to water, are an important step in working towards clean and accessible water for all, some inconsistencies need... →

Waning perceptions of drinking water quality underline need for urgent intervention

9th February 2024 While the majority of South Africans perceive their water to be safe to drink, their confidence in water services and quality has been deteriorating over the last decade, a water services barometer study has revealed. The 2022 water services barometer study, undertaken by the Water Research... →

Competition Commission media and digital inquiry public hearings to start in March

9th February 2024 The Competition Commission is preparing to hold the first round of public hearings on its Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI). The inquiry was officially launched in October after publishing the final terms of reference (ToRs) in September 2023. →

Telkom says it has made ‘significant strides’ against vandalism, cable theft

9th February 2024 Telecommunications group Telkom says it has made significant strides against cable theft and vandalism as various joint initiatives drive down infrastructure-related crime at its facilities. Joint efforts between Telkom and the South African Police Service (SAPS) is helping to turn the tide on... →

Waning perceptions of drinking water quality underline need for urgent intervention

9th February 2024 While the majority of South Africans perceive their water to be safe to drink, their confidence in water services and quality has been deteriorating over the last decade, a water services barometer study has revealed. The 2022 water services barometer study, undertaken by the Water Research... →

MTN, JUMO launch new, expanded loan platform

6th February 2024 Telecommunications group MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) and banking technology company JUMO have partnered to launch Qwikloan to offer affordable, short-term loans in South Africa. The newly launched Qwikloan enables MoMo users to obtain small, short-term loans, from R250 to R10 000 depending on... →

MTN, Mastercard sign agreement for minority investment in MTN Group Fintech

6th February 2024 Telecommunications group MTN and Mastercard have signed a definitive agreement for a minority investment of up to $200-million into MTN Group Fintech, at a valuation of $5.2-billion on a cash and debt-free basis. This followed the August 2023 signing of a memorandum of understanding between the... →

DWS, Salga, Cogta to review water service delivery mechanisms in municipalities

5th February 2024 The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) are establishing a coordinated task team to review service delivery mechanisms for water and sanitation services. This... →

MTN SA, community police forums partner to tackle theft and vandalism

5th February 2024 Telecommunications giant MTN has partnered with the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board to support Community Policing Forums (CPFs) as the company accelerates its fight against ongoing vandalism and theft of batteries and cables at cellphone towers across South Africa. The partnership with... →

CHARLES MOLAPISI

Vodacom Group customers surpass 200-million for first time

2nd February 2024 Telecommunications giant Vodacom on Friday reported that it has increased group revenue by 26.8% to R38.9-billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, with a positive impact from the company’s Vodafone Egypt acquisition. The group’s service revenue, including Vodafone Egypt on a pro-forma... →

Installing higher efficiency motors can help address energy crisis

2nd February 2024 Energy-intensive industries, such as mining, are increasingly seeking out ways to reduce energy consumption, and the use of the latest motor and drive technology can play a significant role. Energy-intensive industries not only need to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiencies for... →

New Vodafone-Microsoft partnership aims to scale generative AI, digital and cloud services

2nd February 2024 Vodafone and Microsoft have entered into a new 10-year strategic partnership to scale generative artificial intelligence (AI), digital services and cloud services. The far-reaching partnership will see the companies collaborate in five identified key areas, namely generative AI, scaling the... →

Mchunu warns of hardline approach towards nonconforming water-service authorities, municipalities

2nd February 2024 While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is offering comprehensive and collaborative support for underperforming water services authorities (WSAs), mayors and municipalities, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has warned of a hard-line approach for nonconforming entities. This... →

Fibre connections to South African homes up 2 400% over past seven years – Frogfoot

2nd February 2024 Globally, the connectivity and ubiquity of fibre remains a priority, with the UK set to achieve more than 80% of full fibre coverage over the next two years, on track to join countries such as Japan, Iceland, Korea, Spain and Sweden, where coverage has surpassed 80%. South Africa is also making... →

There is no substitute for economic growth, Deloitte says ahead of 2024 Budget

1st February 2024 A tight balance is expected for this year’s National Budget as South Africa’s woes continue; however, a significant, or fundamental, raising of taxes is not expected, with a tightening hold on revenue collections to bridge the budget gap foreseen instead. South Africa’s 2024 Budget precedes a... →

New regional representative announced for IWMI Southern Africa

29th January 2024 Circular economy and water innovation expert Dr Henry Roman has been appointed as the International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI’s) regional representative for Southern Africa and country representative for South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Roman, as the regional representative for... →

Telkom tackles cable theft

29th January 2024 Telecommunications group Telkom has made strides against cable theft and vandalism as various initiatives drive down infrastructure-related crime at its facilities. Hundreds of convictions for cable theft and infrastructure vandalism have been secured in a joint effort between Telkom and the... →

Condra supplies electric hoists, overhead cranes and chain blocks to Platreef mine

26th January 2024 Cranes manufacturer Condra Cranes has delivered electric hoists, two overhead cranes and a number of chain blocks to Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines’ South African subsidiary Ivanplat’s Platreef platinum group metals mine, near Mokopane in Limpopo. The lifting equipment will be used for machinery... →

5G poised to be fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa

26th January 2024 Fifth-generation (5G) is set to be the fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa between 2023 and 2029, when 85% of the global population will have 5G coverage access. The latest Ericsson Mobility Report forecasts that 5G subscriptions in the region will increase 60% a year over the... →

Global smartphone market poised for recovery following 3.2% slump in 2023 – IDC

26th January 2024 Global smartphone shipments declined 3.2% to 1.17-billion units in 2023, the lowest full-year volume in a decade, driven largely by macroeconomic challenges and elevated inventory early in the year. However, while the global smartphone market remains challenged, growth in the second half of the... →

Following several advances in 2023, LHWP Phase II moves into final construction phase

26th January 2024 The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has made much progress on the Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) after a milestone year. During 2023, the project marked many milestones, including the start of the water transfer main works and final steps on advance... →

MTN launches academy to equip young people with skills ‘to succeed in the digital age’

26th January 2024 Telecommunications group MTN South Africa has launched its MTN Skills Academy to bridge the digital skills gap and equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital age. The platform provides a range of courses and training programmes, including coding, web... →

EAIF commits billions to Sonatel’s receivables-backed bond

23rd January 2024 Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), has committed XOF23.5-billion to a XOF75-billion receivables-backed bond issued by securitisation vehicle Fonds Commun de Titrisation de Créance. This will support West African... →

Itac rebates for optic fibre cables, electrical apparatus imports

23rd January 2024 The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has created a rebate facility for the import of optic fibre cables and electrical apparatus used in international submarine optic fibre cable infrastructure. This followed Telkom subsidiary Openserve’s 2019 application for... →

Water summit concludes with multistakeholder resolutions to tackle issues

19th January 2024 While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is offering comprehensive and collaborative support for underperforming water services authorities (WSAs), mayors and municipalities, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has warned of a hardline approach for non-conforming entities. This... →

Sylvania marks important milestones on ESG journey

19th January 2024 Platinum group metals producer and developer Sylvania Platinum (Sylvania) has been advancing its various environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives since the publication of its inaugural ESG report in September 2022. From water and energy management, health and safety and community... →

Small businesses using cloud technology could add R185.9bn to South Africa’s economy

19th January 2024 The adoption of cloud computing by South Africa’s small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) can potentially unlock R185.9-billion for the country’s economy by 2030. Further, the use of the cloud by SMMEs could create 142 000 jobs, reduce carbon emissions by about 4.74-million metric tonnes... →

Dept to launch turnaround initiatives as SA’s water quality, wastewater plants deteriorate

19th January 2024 As South Africa’s water quality, nonrevenue water and wastewater facilities deteriorate, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is embarking on various initiatives to arrest the downward trend in water services. The latest full Blue and No Drop reports, released by the DWS in December,... →

South African households remain under pressure

18th January 2024 The restrictive monetary policy stance by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) continues to weigh on South African households, with most remaining under severe financial pressure amid the higher interest rates. This is according to the third-quarter 2023 Altron FinTech Household Resilience Index... →

Eskom to implement planned maintenance at Zuikerbosch

17th January 2024 State-owned power utility Eskom is preparing to embark on an eight-hour planned maintenance on the transformers that supply power at water utility Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant. From 08h00 until 15h00 on Sunday, January 21, pumping capacity will be reduced at the Eikenhof,... →

Ericsson, MTN extend partnership to boost financial inclusion across Africa

9th January 2024 Information and communications technology giant’s Ericsson and MTN Group have strengthened their partnership to broaden the scope of financial inclusion across Africa by using MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) service on the Ericsson Wallet Platform. The new agreement, which is expected to enhance mobile... →

TCTA reports progress on projects in preparation or under implementation, despite challenges

15th December 2023 The various projects under the umbrella of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) are gaining traction, says TCTA CEO Percy Sechemane, outlining the projects in an update on the state of the multiproject entity. This is despite the challenges faced, including the fragmentation of... →

New partnership forged to support Project East2West

15th December 2023 The Smart Africa Alliance, Bayobab and Africa50 have partnered to support the Project East2West initiative with regulatory and policy engagements as the project links landlocked African countries with an extensive terrestrial fibre-optic network. In May 2023, Bayobab rebranded from MTN... →

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