Manufacturing production decreased by 3.3% y/y in January

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reveals that manufacturing production decreased by 3.3% year-on-year in January. The petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastics division was the largest negative... 

Business organisations express discontent with VAT increase

In response to the budget speech presented by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on March 12, Business Unity South Africa (Busa) says it welcomes the focus on macroeconomic stability, structural... 

Bacsa urges business to tackle extortion through E2 programme

Industry body Business Against Crime South Africa (Bacsa) is calling on businesses across South Africa to make full use of its proven extortion prevention programme, which forms an integral part of... 

Translating intentions in Budget into infrastructure development reliant on a concrete plan - Cesa

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) has highlighted the need for a concrete plan of action to translate the intentions set out in the Budget tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, on... 

South Africa launches Africa Expert Panel as part of its G20 presidency

Consistent with the South African Presidency’s intent to draw attention and Group of 20 (G20) consideration to African policy challenges in 2025, an Africa Expert Panel has been established. While,... 

Metair lenders approve capital restructuring plan

JSE-listed energy storage and automotive component manufacturing holding company Metair has reported that the group's net debt – including Hesto Harnesses Proprietary Limited and associated... 

dtic to host South Africa’s first G20 trade and investment meeting

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) will host South Africa’s first Group of 20 (G20) Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) meeting from March 18 to 20.  The TIWG meeting... 

Q Plas Manufacturing launches innovative solar rooftop PV system

Plastic injection moulding manufacturer Q Plas Manufacturing has launched a solar rooftop PV system at its facility in the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park (NMBLP), in Kariega, in the Eastern... 

KPMG Germany, AHK Southern Africa survey highlights business challenges, opportunities

About nine months after South Africa’s national elections, German companies in South Africa and the Southern African region are optimistic about their business prospects for the current year,... 

Regulatory bodies commemorate World Consumer Rights Day in Mpumalanga

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has again partnered with the Competition Commission, the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism and various regulatory bodies, under the... 

Veterinarians perform groundbreaking surgery on injured young giraffe bull

A young giraffe, initially given little chance of survival after a severe leg injury, is now walking with his herd after undergoing groundbreaking surgery. This remarkable recovery followed a... 

Minerals Council celebrates women in mining sustainability heroes

As part of its Women in Mining Programme, the Minerals Council South Africa hosted a breakfast to mark International Women’s Day under the theme ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality.... 

Industry, academia, govt launch renewable energy skills platform

South Africa’s renewable-energy sector takes a significant leap forward with the launch of PowerUp, a South African first, online platform designed to equip the country’s workforce with the skills... 

Implementation of full package of HMI recommendations necessary to improve private healthcare system – UHAC

The government’s proposal to implement only some recommendations of the five-year-old Health Market Inquiry (HMI) to address the high costs of private healthcare will “do nothing” to advance... 

South Africa takes over presidency of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations

South Africa, represented by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), was, on March 5, officially inaugurated into the presidency of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations... 

Black Rock completes A$5M placement bookbuild

ASX-listed Black Rock Mining has received firm commitments to raise A$5-million – before costs – at A$0.023 a share for a placement to new and existing institutional and sophisticated investors.... 

Business sentiment recovery has stalled, index shows

Following three consecutive increases, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) remained unchanged at 45 index points in the first quarter of this year. While a touch above the long-term average... 

BMI expects lower metal prices this year

Market analyst BMI – a unit of Fitch Solutions – has forecast that metal prices will average slightly lower this year than in 2024, with BMI head of commodities analysis director Sabrin Chowdhury... 

Product design, consideration of the local context key to a successful circular economy

The promotion of a circular economy could provide valuable solutions for dealing with South Africa’s growing waste generation and the pressure it is putting on municipal waste facilities, while... 

Kasiya graphite suitable for expandable, expanded graphite applications – Sovereign

Aim-listed Sovereign Metals has reported that further testwork completed on graphite from its Kasiya rutile/graphite project, in Malawi, has confirmed that the graphite has the key characteristics... 

EWSETA, CSIR empower energy SMEs through innovation

South Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a pivotal transformation, with small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) playing a crucial role in driving innovation, job creation and economic growth.... 

African Rainbow Minerals warns of up to 55% fall in interim headline earnings

JSE-listed African Rainbow Minerals has warned that its headline earnings for the first half of the 2025 financial year are expected to be between 45% and 55% lower year-on-year, at between... 

SSEG registration requirements an important step in protecting the national grid – SAPVIA

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) says it supports efforts to ensure the safety and performance of the national grid and reminds businesses and members of the public of... 

Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I reaches final close at R1.4bn

Specialist alternative investment fund management company Kholo Capital’s Mezzanine Debt Fund I has reached final close at R1.4-billion in commitments, in order to make long-term mezzanine debt... 

Tertiary Minerals appoints new MD

Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals has appointed Dr Richard Belcher as MD. He will begin his role on March 7, the day after the company’s AGM. Tertiary says Belcher has over 22 years of geological... 

Schneider Electric appoints new CFO for Anglophone Africa operations

Electricity and automation company Schneider Electric has appointed Ziphozihle Wonci as its CFO for Anglophone Africa. With over 18 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)... 

SolarAfrica secures R1.8bn solar investment, advancing wheeling adoption in South Africa

Independent power producer SolarAfrica has reached financial close on the first 114 MW component of its flagship utility-scale solar project, SunCentral, alongside funding partners Investec and... 

AfDB, Standard Bank support SMMEs, boost trade

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Standard Bank Group (SBG) have entered into a landmark financial agreement to enhance funding for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs),... 

Expo to showcase construction tech to deal with inclement weather, disasters

As the country grapples with issues of safety at construction sites and the risks posed by adverse weather conditions on properties, humans and building systems in the country, innovative ways of... 

Unicorn carries out site visit on potential copper asset in Namibia

Following a preliminary independent technical evaluation of a potential copper exploration and development project, in Namibia, London-listed Unicorn Mineral Resources’ management team and... 

Central bank, investor buying continue to drive record gold prices – Heraeus

Technology group Heraeus has described gold’s price performance over the last 18 months as “remarkable”, noting that, as the price nears $3 000/oz, signs of “excess frothiness are becoming... 

Gemfields generates $4.8m in mini auction of previously unsold emeralds

London-listed Gemfields has generated $4.8-million in revenue from a mini auction, held from February 19 to 21, of previously unsold higher-quality emeralds. The Gemstone miner says 10 of the 13... 

Panellists discuss local business environment amid Budget speech postponement

Following the postponement of the Budget speech from February 19 to March 12, panellists at the PwC ‘Responsible growth for a sustainable future’ panel discussion, on February 21, considered South... 

SolarButterfly educational tour to reach Waterfall City soon

The SolarButterfly – a solar-powered, 30-ft-long house in the shape of a butterfly, which charges an electric vehicle that tows it – is undertaking a tour across South Africa as part of a worldwide... 

Hydropower study confirms sustainable, low-cost power supply for Orom-Cross

London-listed Blencowe Resources has completed an initial hydropower study for its Orom-Cross graphite project, in Uganda. The study confirms the availability of abundant, low-cost and renewable... 

Mondi posts 13% y/y drop in Ebitda amid difficult trading conditions

Packaging and paper group Mondi has reported a 13% year-on-year decrease in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to €1.05-billion for the year ended... 

Appian to acquire the majority shareholding in Rosh Pinah Solar Park

Metals and mining private capital investor Appian Capital Advisory has announced that it will acquire the majority shareholding in Rosh Pinah Solar Park (RPSP) from Emesco Energy to exclusively... 

Tertiary Minerals advances drilling at Konkola West

Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals has reported that the drilling of hole KWDD001 at its Konkola West copper project, in Zambia, has advanced past 2 600 m down-hole depth and is now drilling ahead in the... 

West Wits secures credit approval for R902m loan facility to advance Qala Shallows

ASX-listed West Wits Mining (WWI) has agreed a credit approved term sheet for a senior debt syndicated loan facility of up to R902.5-million to provide senior funding for development of the Qala... 

GoviEx progresses Muntanga project financing

TSX-listed GoviEx Uranium has taken the first step in securing project financing for its Muntanga uranium project, in Zambia, by appointing Endeavour Financial as its financial adviser. Muntanga is...