From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.
An implementation agreement for the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was signed between the governments of South Africa and Lesotho in August. Brindaveni Naidoo reports from the land of the Basotho.

Brindaveni Naidoo:
Considered as one of the largest and most intricate construction projects in the world, South Africa and Lesotho have now agreed to move forward with phase two of the Lesotho Highland Water Project.

At an estimated cost of R15-billion, this phase comprises a water delivery system to augment the delivery of water to South Africa, and the construction of a hydropower plant.

Aimed at mutual development of both countries’ water sectors as a foundation and a catalyst for modernised and integrated economies, Engineering News spoke to South Africa’s Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa and Lesotho’s Natural Resources Minister Monyane Moleleki.

Monyane Moleleki

Edna Molewa

Brindaveni Naidoo:
A key feature of this project remains the construction of the hydropower plant, which is expected to be complete by 2018. We asked the confident ministers on just how this would be rolled out.

Monyane Moleleki

Edna Molewa

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: Group Five says the market is bottoming out, but warns of a slow recovery; mobile technology research and development gets a boost with DST, Nokia and NSN partnership; and Growthpoint Properties encourages waste management.

The local construction market could be at the bottom of what had been a bruising downwards cycle, says Group Five CEO Mike Upton. However, he adds that the recovery process will be slower and longer than originally expected.

Group Five CEO Mike Upton

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) have started the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding a number of mobile technology research and development (R&D) initiatives in South Africa.

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor

JSE-listed Growthpoint Properties is encouraging the adoption of waste management practises and initiatives by its staff, tenants and contractors to enable it to contribute to a cleaner environment.

Growthpoint Properties head of corporate social responsibility Shawn Theunissen

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.

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