From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Not-for-profit social housing company Johannesburg Housing Company in September launched four new social housing developments, which were purchased and refurbished during 2012 and 2013. Megan Wait has the story.

Megan Wait: 
The projects, which aim to tackle the challenge of providing adequate housing in the city’s central business district (CBD), include the Ukhamba Mansions, in Berea; Lethabong Mansion and Taylors Mansions, in the Johannesburg CBD and Smitshof extension, in Hillbrow. Department of Human Settlements Deputy Minister Zou Kota-Fredericks speaks about the significance of the projects.

Department of Human Settlements Deputy Minister Zou Kota-Fredericks

Megan Wait:
JHC new development manager Manie Meyer has more.

JHC new development manager Manie Meyer

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: South Africa aims to finalise the integrated energy plan in 2014; and Afgri moves to mitigate the effects of a weak South African poultry market.

The Department of Energy has formally launched the much-anticipated public-consultation phase for the formulation of an Integrated Energy Plan for South Africa, which it says should be published during the course of 2014.

Deputy Energy Minister Barbara Thompson

Poultry imports to South Africa increased by 15.4%, from 349 854 tons to 403 773 tons, between 2011 and 2012, with the half-year figure for 2013 being 201 104 tons, indicating similar or slight volume growth in imports for the full year, says Afgri CEO Chris Venter.  He adds that an announcement on an increase in poultry import tariffs is expected soon, but the unclear brining percentage standards are creating uncertainty in the market.

Afgri CEO Chris Venter

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