This podcast is brought to you by Den Braven Sealants - Worldwide leader in professional sealants.

Friday, October 23, 2009.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Rosalia Matlou.

Making headlines today:

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says South Africa's economy will probably contract by around 2% this year.

He said that South Africa was doing quite well as a modest economy with an average growth of about 5% in the last five years. However, for this year, South Africa will probably be closer to minus 2%.

On Tuesday, Gordhan will announce South Africa's budget plans for the next three years as Africa's biggest economy struggles with its first recession since 1992.

The Treasury has already estimated a 70-billion-rand shortfall in tax revenues, compounding economic woes that include a massive shrinking in the manufacturing and mining sectors due to a nose-dive in exports.

South Africa is unlikely to meet its November 2011 digital broadcasting deadline, unless the government receives more assistance from industry participants.

Deputy Minister of Communications, Dina Pule, said that the country had already missed its 50% digital broadcasting coverage target for the end of this financial year. It is currently only covering around 33%.

As such, South Africa is unlikely to make its 80% coverage target for 2010, and its 100% coverage target for 2011, if it doesn't receive assistance from industry participants.

South Africa switched on the digital signal on October 30, last year, starting a dual-illumination period during which both the analogue and digital signals are broadcast simultaneously.

Also making headlines:

The South African Cabinet strengthens its support for the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope bid.
The World Wildlife Fund warns that a lack of political will could divert the world from achieving a climate deal in Copenhagen.
Strict conditions are placed on those firms that receive bail-out money from the State-owned Industrial Development Corporation.
And, South Africa's economic ministry denies the rand 'freeze' report.

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