Mariaan Webb:
Nobody expected the economy to get better in 2009, and the year certainly lived up to these expectations as the energy crisis deepened and the deadlines for the FIFA World Cup crept ever closer.

Engineering News' Real Economy Report reflected all of this, and then some.

10. OVER-OCEAN SEARCH & RESCUE (RER 65)

Mariaan Webb:
Coming in at number ten in this year's top ten show, we look at South Africa's ability to conduct an over-ocean search and rescue operation.

An Air France Airbus crash on June first, this year, got South Africans wondering if we would be able to mount such an operation should a disaster of this nature strike our shores.

South African Air Force Chief, Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano.

9. INNER-CITY REJUVENATION (RER 70)

Mariaan Webb:
The Real Economy Report braved the inner city and visited the sections of Hillbrow that are being upgraded through an alternative urban regeneration model.

Hillbrow has developed notorious characteristics of crime and grime, but Josie Adler has helped establish the Ekhaya Neighbourhood. This is an association of property owners and their property supervisors and caretakers who have been working, since 2004, in the area of lower Hillbrow to try and establish an environment in which their businesses can operate successfully.

8. SAAF HAWK JETS (RER 70)

Mariaan Webb:
At number eight, is the story of the South African Air Force's new BAE Systems Hawk fighter-trainers, which have all been delivered and are now in service.

The Hawks are operated by the 85 Combat Flying School, and are part of a whole new integrated training system. The training system includes sophisticated simulator systems and classrooms. The Hawks have replaced the old Atlas Impala trainers that served the Air Force for some 40 years.

7. MEDUPI (RER 70)

Mariaan Webb:

Number seven is all about Medupi, a massive new coal energy complex, which is rising out of the bush in Limpopo province.

The Medupi power station, being built in Lephalale, is four times the size of the Gautrain and six times the 2010 FIFA World Cup expenditure. Eskom's chief officer for generation, Brian Dames, is enthusiastic about the project.

6. JOULE ELECTRIC CAR (RER 76)

Mariaan Webb:
The South African-built electric car Joule, which could unlock the battery industry in South Africa. This story comes in at number six.

Zero-emission electric vehicles are being punted as the future of the automotive industry. Cars run by batteries, which are charged by using a simple wall plug instead of petrol or diesel, have made several governments gear up for their launch and expected expansion. South Africa is also developing its own electric vehicle in the form of the Joule, which developer Optimal Energy hopes to start producing in 2010.

5. RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS (RER 77)

Mariaan Webb:
At number five, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, or Nersa, is confident that renewable energy targets can be met.

South Africa's Department of Energy has set a renewable energy target of 10 000 Gigawatt hours by 2013, which Nersa feels can be easily achieved with assistance from the renewable energy feed-in tariff. Nersa's electricity generation member, Thembani Bukula, seems optimistic.

4. REA VAYA (RER 71)

Mariaan Webb:

The start of the first phase of the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit, or BRT, system comes in at number four. The Real Economy Report was on board.

BRT systems are seen as a fresh answer to increasing inner-city congestion and pollution, and now, the people of Johannesburg have the opportunity to step into their own, home-grown BRT system. City of Johannesburg member of the mayoral committee for transport, Rehana Moosajee, explains how the system works.

3. MECHEM CASSPIR (RER 82)

Mariaan Webb:
Mechem, part of the State-owned Denel defence industrial group, is re-manufacturing the veteran Casspir mine-protected vehicles for sale to export customers.

Our third most popular Real Economy Report story for the year details the veteran South African mine-protected vehicles' new lease of life. Mechem CEO Ashley Williams explains.

2. WATER & ENERGY AUTONOMOUS HOUSE (RER 83)

Mariaan Webb:
Our second most watched Real Economy Report story for 2009 was about South Africa's first water and energy autonomous house.

Rising costs of electricity and proposals from power utility Eskom for more increases in the next three years have many homeowners wondering how they can reduce energy consumption. International Solar Energy Society scientific committee co-chair Professor Dieter Holm spoke to Real Economy Report about the benefits of living in an energy-efficient home.

1. SOCCER CITY (RER 83)

Mariaan Webb:
We end on a high note. Our most popular Real Economy Report story for 2009 celebrates the biggest event to grace the shores of our continent: the FIFA World Cup. Dennis Ndaba was at the Soccer City roof wetting celebration held this year.

The 89 000-seater, African calabash-inspired stadium will host both the opening and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Building the stadium required 90 000-cubic metres of concrete, about 10 000 tons of reinforcement steel, nine-million bricks and 13 000 tons of structural steel. The structure has a double layer of fabric roof and required 32 400 fibre cement panels to complete the calabash-inspired design of the façade.

Mariaan Webb:
That's it from this year's Real Economy Report team. Log on next year for more news and updates on the economy, and the best South Africa has to offer in the fields of science and technology.

Credits:
Brindaveni Naidoo, Bruce Hayter, Chanel Pringle, Charles Hayter, Christo Greyling, Christy van der Merwe, CorpCinema, Darlene Creamer, Dennis Ndaba, Duane Daws, Enver Domingo, Esmarie Swanepoel, Irma Venter, Jacqueline Holman, John Zimmerman, Jonathan Faurie, Judith Woodburne, Keith Campbell, Kenneth Creamer, Leonie Vergottini, Lindsey Berry, Loni Prinsloo, Lizelle Cronje, Mariaan Webb, Martin Creamer, Neal Masimbah, Nicholas Boyd, Reinette Classen, Shane Williams, Shannon de Ryhove, Terence Creamer, Veronica Creamer, Yolande Botes.