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State Companies News

South Africa achieves trade balance surplus of R10.5bn in April

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 31st May 2024 South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R10.5-billion in April, the South African Revenue Services (Sars) reports. This surplus is attributed to exports of R169.5-billion and imports of R159.1-billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). →

Coega achieves R1bn SMME procurement spend for 2023/24

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 31st May 2024 The Coega Development Corporation’s (CDC’s) Small, Medium-Sized and Microenterprises (SMME) Development Programme has achieved procurement spend of over R1-billion for the 2023/24 financial year. This achievement equates to 69.42% of the total spend for the year and relates to the overall spend... →

Coega Development Corporation’s SMME Development Programme achieved procurement spend of over R1-billion for the 2023/24 financial year

Electricity, logistics reforms in the spotlight as coalition govt looms

By: Creamer Media Reporter 31st May 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the coalition scenarios facing South Africa as the election results are being tallied and what this could mean for the reforms under way in electricity and freight logistics. →

Electricity, logistics reforms in the spotlight as coalition govt looms

Africa Finance Corporation signs MoU with Alstom to deliver rail project in the DRC

By: Darren Parker 30th May 2024 Infrastructure financier the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and sustainable mobility company Alstom have signed a memorandum of understanding to propel the development of the Kinshasa MetroKin rail project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership was announced alongside the... →

Representatives from the AFC, Alstom and MetroKin sign MoU

SABS publishes voluntary national standard for plain language

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 30th May 2024 The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) in March adopted and published the South African National Standard (SANS) 24495 – Plain Language. South Africa has been implementing the principles of plain language since the promulgation of the Consumer Protection Act of 2008. →

Nedbank, Transnet mediation over swaps terminated

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 28th May 2024 Mediation between financial services group Nedbank and State-owned Transnet, in respect of interest rate swap transactions (swaps) between the parties that took place in December 2015 and March 2016, and which have been widely reported in the media for many years, has ended after it became... →

Labour department, IDC launch round two of the Innovation Fund

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 27th May 2024 The Department of Employment and Labour, in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), has announced the launch of the second round of the National Pathway Management Network’s (NPMN’s) Innovation Fund, an initiative of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI).... →

Nersa extends deadline for comment on Eskom’s move to reserve grid for public IPPs

By: Terence Creamer 26th May 2024 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has extended to June 17 the deadline for comment on Eskom’s application to preserve and reserve grid capacity for independent power producers (IPPs) participating in public procurement processes implemented in line with Section 34 of the... →

TNPA signs terminal operator agreement with Mnambithi Terminals in transformation deal

By: Darren Parker 23rd May 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has signed a terminal operator agreement (TOA) with Mnambithi Terminals for the development of a liquid bulk facility at the port’s Maydon Wharf precinct, in KwaZulu-Natal. The project is expected to result in improved operational efficiencies... →

TFR operating company head raises concern over ‘high tariff’ signalled in draft Network Statement

By: Terence Creamer 23rd May 2024 Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) CEO Russell Baatjies has added his voice to industry-wide concerns being expressed about the high rail tariffs that would arise should the methodology included in a draft Network Statement be implemented. The Network Statement was released for public comment in March... →

Transnet Freight Rail CEO Russell Baatjies tells MIPA chairperson Warwick Lord about his misgivings over the proposed rail tariff methodology, while underling efforts being made to keep TFROC and TRIM separated during the unbundling process. Editing: Shadwyn Dickinson. Recorded: 23.05.2024

Eskom seeks Nersa permission to reserve grid capacity for public IPP procurement rounds

By: Terence Creamer 21st May 2024 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has invited comment on Eskom’s application to preserve and reserve grid connection capacity for independent power producers (IPPs) participating in public procurement processes implemented in line with Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Eskom group executive for distribution Monde Bala

Eskom board approves plan to operate Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina to 2030

By: Terence Creamer 20th May 2024 The Eskom board has given its approval for the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei and Hendrina power stations to 2030 – a departure from the original decommissioning schedule that has reportedly been endorsed by Cabinet. In response to a question posed by Engineering News during an... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Eskom head of generation Bheki Nxumalo

NCOP votes to pass Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill

By: Creamer Media Reporter 17th May 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the significance of the National Council of Provinces' (NCOP's) vote to pass the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill; if the Bill is likely to face any opposition; and what further actions can be expected once the Bill becomes law. →

NCOP votes to pass Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill (Camera: Shadwyn Dickinson; Editing: Nicholas Boyd)

Eskom says key revision number rollover project on track

By: Sabrina Jardim 16th May 2024 State-owned Eskom says its key revision number rollover project is progressing well, with 3.61-million, or 52%, of the 6.9-million prepayment meters already recoded as of May 15. The main Eskom meter recoding project in all the nine provinces started in August 2023 after a successful pilot in... →

Ramaphosa denies pre-election loadshedding respite is a ‘political ploy’

By: Terence Creamer 13th May 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa has entered the politically charged discussion on the reasons behind the recent dramatic reduction in loadshedding ahead of what is expected to be a highly competition election and amid allegations that the reprieve is being staged managed to improve the governing... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Genuine progress, not electioneering, behind the easing of loadshedding, council says

By: Darren Parker 9th May 2024 The current loadshedding reprieve is not a result of excessive diesel burning to pacify voters but rather a consequence of government and business coming together to made headway in solving South Africa’s electricity crisis, Energy Council of South Africa (ECSA) CEO James Mackay has said.... →

TPT to continue to invest in Durban Pier 2 while legal spat over private partner plays out

By: Terence Creamer 8th May 2024 South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it will continue to invest in Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 while legal proceedings around its selection of International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), of the Philippines, for a 25-year partnership at what is South Africa’s largest... →

Port of Durban container operations

South Africa to provide new coal-plant closure timeline to secure secure $2.6bn

By: Bloomberg 8th May 2024 South Africa will provide a new timeline for the shutdown of coal-fired power plants in a bid to secure about $2.5-billion in climate finance, an agency in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said. The timetable to be proposed to the Climate Investment Funds in June aims to ensure the country... →

Denel displays guided weapons, landward defence systems at Defence Service Asia

By: Schalk Burger 6th May 2024 State-owned defence technology company Denel is displaying its guided weapons and landward defence systems at the Defence Service Asia (DSA) exhibition this week. Its Umkhonto surface-to-air missile can be launched from naval vessels or ground-based launchers. It travels at more than twice the... →

Eskom takes City Power to court over R1bn debt

By: Sashnee Moodley 6th May 2024 State power utility Eskom has said it has "no choice" but to approach the Johannesburg High Court to force City Power to pay just over R1-billion in unpaid debt. Eskom noted that City Power began to default on payments in October 2023 and that it did not receive any payment for March, this year. →

Ramokgopa insists loadshedding not being ‘stage managed’ ahead of May 29 poll

By: Terence Creamer 6th May 2024 Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa denies that the prevailing reprieve from loadshedding has been “stage managed” to improve the prospects of the governing African National Congress ahead of the May 29 poll, attributing it instead to “orchestrated” engineering efforts undertaken by Eskom... →

Minister insists the recent period of no loadshedding is down to the improved performance of coal stations such as Matla (pictured)

Photo by Creamer Media
Minister insists the recent period of no loadshedding is down to the improved performance of coal stations such as Matla (pictured)

The lights are on in South Africa and many people are suspicious

By: Bloomberg 3rd May 2024 South Africa is enjoying a rare streak of uninterrupted electricity right before elections, drawing more suspicion than praise in a nation that’s become accustomed to the daily power cuts that have dragged on for years. The country is currently in its fourth successive week of no outages — the... →

TFR ramps up coal trains to 28 a week

By: Darren Parker 3rd May 2024 State-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has embarked on a ramp up of GF-class coal trains from 21 a week to 28 a week, supported by an injection of locomotives. This is part of Transnet’s recovery plan initiatives, and a commitment made to the City of uMhlathuze leadership and other stakeholders... →

Short-term insurance product extended to SMMEs

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd May 2024 The State-owned Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC) has significantly expanded its mandate to support manufacturing projects, with a notable enhancement through the establishment of the Export Passport Insurance Facility. This initiative underscores the ECIC’s commitment to... →

NTOMBIFUTHI MDLULI These projects collectively contribute to employment

Biofibre project to enhance competitiveness

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd May 2024 Government economic programme Coega Development Corporation, in partnership with scientific and technology research organisation Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have embarked on an initiative known as the Biofibre Hub Project. Positioned within the expansive 9 003 ha Coega... →

MANUFACTURING POTENTIAL The Biofibre Hub Project seeks to harness the potential of plant-based fibres, particularly bast and leaf fibres, to innovate in the automotive sector and beyond

RAF launches campaign to deal with unfinalised claims

By: Sabrina Jardim 2nd May 2024 Amid a current backlog of around 321 000 unfinalised claims, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has launched a campaign to reduce claims submitted before April 2021 that have yet to be finalised. The campaign calls claimants to submit all outstanding documents to ensure that the RAF has all the... →

Motsepe-backed GoSolr plans $537m South Africa expansion

By: Bloomberg 2nd May 2024 GoSolr, a company backed by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe and the continent’s biggest bank, plans to spend R10 billion to roll out a model of renting solar panels and batteries to homes in the nation plagued by blackouts. The two-and-a-half-year-old company seeks to install about 500... →

Patrice Motsepe

Transnet aims to defend its decision to partner with ICTSI at the DCT

By: Darren Parker 29th April 2024 State-owned Transnet has defended its decision to select Phillipines-based International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) as the preferred bidder for the establishment of a partnership to manage the upgrade and development of Pier 2 at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT). Following the... →

Transnet volumes, revenue up, but falls short of recovery targets

By: Darren Parker 26th April 2024 State-owned Transnet has reported a 1.5% year-on-year improvement in the total rail volumes reaching 151.7-million tonnes at the end of March 2024, showcasing improvement in operational performance. However, this figure still fell 1.8% short of Transnet’s recovery plan target of 154.4-million... →

Electrical specialist says load curtailment in Ekurhuleni should be respected, or more outages may ensue

By: Marleny Arnoldi 25th April 2024 With the City of Ekurhuleni having entered into a load curtailment agreement with national power utility Eskom, this mandatory energy reduction has been met with some protest by businesses, but electrical control equipment provider CBI-electric:low voltage engineering executive Dr Andrew Dickson... →

Outa demands information on Sanral, Ceta tenders

By: Darren Parker 24th April 2024 Nonprofit watchdog the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has accused the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and the Construction Education and Training Authority (Ceta) of keeping contracts with questionable companies secret, which it says is in line with a government... →

TNPA issues RfP for Cape Town port liquid bulk terminal

By: Schalk Burger 24th April 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a request for proposals (RfP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to acquire, operate, maintain, refurbish or build and transfer a liquid bulk terminal over a 25-year concession period at the Port of Cape Town. “The liquid... →

The Port of Cape Town

Nelson Mandela University-led consortium to develop green hydrogen feasibility study

By: Darren Parker 22nd April 2024 A consortium led by Nelson Mandela University and boutique consultancy firm Ikigai Group has won a UK Government grant under the South Africa-UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (Pact) programme to deliver an innovative feasibility study to explore the viability of green hydrogen... →

NTCSA begins consultations on market code to govern shift towards competitive electricity industry

By: Terence Creamer 19th April 2024 With the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) currently scheduled to be operationalised in July and efforts under way to ensure that the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) Amendment Bill is passed by the current Parliament, work is now advancing on the market code for the future... →

South Africa contingency reserves won't be spent on Eskom, Transnet – Godongwana

By: Reuters 18th April 2024 South Africa will use future drawdowns of its Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account to curb its debt burden, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said, adding he was pondering tax hikes and expenditure cuts in the next post-election budget. Africa's most industrialised nation is... →

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana

Eskom says modest R9m RCA request not a signal of alignment with Nersa on calculations

By: Terence Creamer 17th April 2024 The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has initiated consultations on Eskom’s latest Regulatory Clearing Account (RCA) application for the 2022/23 financial year, where Eskom is requesting R9-million, its lowest RCA application since the utility began making yearly submissions... →

Treasury extends deadline for Budget Facility for Infrastructure submissions

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 16th April 2024 The National Treasury has extended the deadline for submissions to the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) to May 17 to allow more time for project sponsors to package and submit their proposals. The department earlier published a call for proposals for consideration under the BFI. →

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