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Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Shannon O'Donnell.

Making headlines today:

The new leadership of the African National Congress was not proposing any "major" changes to South Africa's economic policies. But, secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said that it would be untrue to assert that there would be no policy change.

He said the dynamic would be one of "continuity and change", should the ANC prevail as anticipated in the 2009 election.

Mantashe explained that this would involve the retention policies that have worked, while changing those that had not.

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South Africa's factory output growth jumped to 4,9% year-on-year in September. This was largely due to base effects after a strike at vehicle parts manufacturers hit production in the same month last year.

Statistics South Africa said that growth accelerated from an upwardly revised 0,5% in August, but shrunk 0,6% on a month-on-month basis.

Production for the third quarter was down 2,5% compared to the previous three months.

Also making headlines:

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research launches a programme focused on sustainable housing.
Algeria may alter its medium-term economic strategy.
PPC's CEO says the company is cautious, but not panicking.
And, a survey reveals that the infrastructure sector will face a skills shortage for another decade.

That's a round up of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories please visit engineeringnews.co.za.