Energy crisis being addressed, but implementation is slow, admits DMRE DG

One of the biggest positive developments over the last 12 months has been the “convergence of ideas on what we need to do to resolve the energy crisis”, says Department of Mineral Resources and... 

Mantashe seeks to extend the life of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has called on the private sector to “please and come talk to us” if they have any ideas on extending the life of South Africa’s fleet of... 

South Africa should not be pushed into a corner on just energy transition funding – Eskom, SANEDI

While any funding of South Africa’s embattled energy sector is welcome, South Africa should not “be pushed into a corner” on how this money should be spent, says South African National Energy... 

ARM Geometallurgy Research Chair launched at Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) has partnered with mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) to establish the ARM Geometallurgy Research Chair.  The objective of the position is to advance... 

MAN to start local assembly of electric bus in 2024

MAN Truck & Bus has supplied Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) with its first Lion’s Explorer E electric bus. While the bus boasts a locally made body, its chassis was fully imported. 

Sasol, Anglo American Platinum and BMW ink deal to test hydrogen cars in SA

Anglo American Platinum, BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) and Sasol have partnered to prove that a hydrogen mobility ecosystem can operate successfully within South Africa. The three companies on... 

Tygerberg Hospital to be redeveloped in multibillion-rand PPP project

Requests for proposals (RFPs) to redevelop the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town are expected to go out next year, says Western Cape government Department of Health and Wellness communication deputy... 

EVs are coming, but can SA’s power grid support this rapidly rising technology?

Whether South Africans like it or not, electric vehicles – EVs, those zero-emission vehicles that must be plugged in to run – are coming. You may adore the purr of a powerful V6 engine, but... 

Ineos acquires Botswana’s Kavango Engineering

Ineos Automotive, the manufacturer of the Grenadier and Quartermaster, has acquired Botswana-based vehicle conversion specialist Kavango Engineering.  The business has been renamed Ineos Kavango,... 

MAN hands over first electric bus to Golden Arrow, local production to start in 2024

MAN Truck & Bus South Africa (MAN SA) has provided Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) with its first Lion’s Explorer E electric bus. The bus now enters a test period until September next... 

R575m Goodwood social housing project gears up for its first tenants

Tenanting is set to begin in November on the 330-unit first phase of the Goodwood social housing megaproject, which will, once completed, provide affordable rental opportunities for more than 1 000... 

EVs are coming, but can SA’s power grid support this rapidly rising technology?

Whether South Africans like it or not, electric vehicles – EVs, those zero-emission vehicles that must be plugged in to run – are coming. You may adore the purr of a powerful V6 engine, but... 

It’s a yes for EVs, shows City of Cape Town study

The City of Cape Town has wrapped up a three-year electric vehicle (EV) pilot project, which it says proves the business case for the electrification of municipal vehicle fleets.  “Battery EV... 

Broad-based strain evident in the logistics sector – Ctrack index

The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (CTFI) retreated further during August, to an index level of 118.8, the lowest since February, when it was at 116.7.  This represents a 1.5% decrease. It is... 

Study shows Western Cape had biggest cruise season ever

A new economic impact study shows that the Cape Town Cruise Terminal welcomed 70 cruise ship calls carrying 145 000 two-way passengers and 42 000 crew members between November 2022 and May this... 

Cape Town’s rooftop solar applications reach new record; 100MW-plus already installed

The City of Cape Town says its “rooftop solar boom” has reached a new record, with August seeing the highest ever level of solar photovoltaic (PV) installation applications.  More than 1 500 small... 

MISA warns of spate of job losses at dealerships, retail stores

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) says a number of dealerships and retail stores have announced their intent to restructure, which could lead to a spate of retrenchments in the automotive... 

New Hyundai boss expects negative 2023 as consumers battle tide of bad news

Newly appointed Hyundai Automotive South Africa (HASA) CEO Gideon Jansen van Rensburg steps into his new role at a challenging time. Not only is the domestic passenger-car market cooling, but the... 

Nissan SA says it may cut jobs as it halts NP200 production

Nissan South Africa (SA) has announced that it may cut jobs at its local operations as it halts production of the NP200 half-ton bakkie.  While the Nissan SA plant in Rosslyn, Tshwane, is set to... 

‘Anchor demand’ a must for renewables masterplan to succeed – Montmasson-Clair

The energy sector requires consistent demand from a consistent flow of renewable energy projects in order to invest in local manufacturing, and not “haphazard demand that comes and goes”, says... 

Hudson Rubber calls for auto-component import substitution for growth of economy

Import substitution in the local automotive industry is crucial for the growth of the South African economy, says Hudson Rubber Company MD Stoney Steenkamp. Hudson Rubber is a Hammanskraal-based... 

Feasibility study on Stellantis plant to inform IDC on its contribution

The State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) says the bankable feasibility study for the proposed multibillion-rand Stellantis vehicle assembly plant, in Coega, in the Eastern Cape, is... 

Metair ups profit despite Hesto bleed, export losses

Despite the loss of the Russian battery export market, as well as the poor performance of wiring harness maker Hesto, Metair still managed to chalk up a healthy increase in profit for the six... 

Government taking too long to wrap up power projects – Ramokgopa

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says he “laments” the time it takes for government to go from issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) to announcing preferred bidder status and reaching... 

Africa using only 'very small' percentage of wind power potential – GWEC

Africa is utilising less than 1% of its wind power potential, which is “very, very, very little”, says Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) Africa director Wangari Muchiri. A new report released at... 

Focus on microgrids while grid capacity issues are being resolved – Winde

The current capacity constraints in Eskom’s transmission system can, to a degree, be countered by a focus on microgrids, says Western Cape premier Alan Winde. Speaking at Windaba Connect in Cape... 

New-vehicle sales drop by 4.1% in September, exports down 12.6%

Total new-vehicle sales in September dropped by 4.1%, to 46 021 units, compared with the same month last year, reports naamsa | The Automotive Business Council. The new-passenger-car market reached... 

Rubicon aims to more than double its charging network by the end of 2024

Technology group Rubicon aims to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network from the current 90 chargers to more than 250 by the end of next year, says e-mobility director Greg Blandford.... 

MAN hands over first electric bus to Golden Arrow; local assembly to start in 2024

MAN Truck & Bus has provided Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) with its first Lion’s Explorer E electric bus. The bus now enters a test period until September next year to evaluate its... 

Bell to diversify production at Richards Bay plant through launch of new business

Bell Equipment is set to launch a new business, called Bell Heavy Industries (BHI), at the Mining Indaba in February next year. BHI will be an arm of Bell Equipment Company South Africa, which is... 

South Africa negotiating with Chinese automaker to build local plant – Cabinet

Government is negotiating with BYD, the Chinese automaker and the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, to possibly open a manufacturing plant in South Africa, Cabinet announced at... 

Automaker Stellantis to build R3bn plant in Coega

Vehicle manufacturer Stellantis says it will invest R3-billion to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega, in the Eastern Cape, along with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)... 

WBHO makes strong return, warns of potential contractor shortage for IPP jobs

Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) is back, “and we are back on a very strong footing”, says CEO Wolfgang Neff. “We had an exceptional year in a difficult period.” 

Stellantis’ AUTO24 launches used-car marketplace, offering includes six-month warranty

AUTO24 has launched its used-car marketplace in four new markets in Africa – Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa. This follows a “remarkably successful first year in Côte d’Ivoire ”, says the... 

Volvo Cars to produce its last diesel vehicle next year

Volvo Cars will produce its last diesel vehicle early next year. This follows the company’s decision last year to halt the development of any new internal combustion engines. 

City of Cape Town to launch dispute mediation process on PRASA devolution, service standards

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the city is briefing its lawyers to launch an intergovernmental dispute on passenger rail devolution and service standards.  Hill-Lewis says the city has... 

SA component makers aim to invest R4.8bn

The South Africa component industry will invest R4.8-billion in the South African economy up to the end of next year, says National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers... 

Five more Western Cape rail corridors targeted for recovery – PRASA

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it has, to date, recovered eight lines in the Western Cape following the complete collapse of service during the Covid-19-pandemic. Six of the... 

Feasibility study on Stellantis plant to inform IDC on its contribution

The State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) says the bankable feasibility study for the proposed multibillion-rand Stellantis vehicle assembly plant, in Coega, in the Eastern Cape, is... 

R575m Goodwood social housing project gearing up for its first tenants

Tenanting is set to begin in November on the 330-unit first phase of the Goodwood social housing megaproject, which will, once completed, provide affordable rental opportunities to more than 1 000...