Welcome to the 2013 roundup of Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report, which reflects on a selection of stories that made news headlines this year:

AIRBUS A400M PROGRAMME (RER 258)

We begin the 2013 count down of Real Economy Report’s most-watched shows with the Airbus Military A400M military transport aircraft programme, which involves South African industry.

Airbus Military President and CEO Domingo Ureña hailed 2013 as “the year of the A400M”. The programme has significant South African content, with private-sector company Aerosud obtaining six work packages for the aircraft and producing various structures for it, such as the nose fuselage linings, the cargo hold linings, and the cockpit linings, among others. State-owned Denel Aerostructures, meanwhile, makes the wing/fuselage fairings and the centre fuselage top shells.

Airbus Military is confident that the A400M has a great future, with market opportunities in Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and South America.

UMK: SA’s MINING SUCCESS STORY (RER 250)

Our next insert, at number 9, is a mining success story. The United Manganese of Kalahari mine became a fully operational mine after it unveiled its newly built offices and warehouse in June.

The R1.2-billion UMK mine, a joint-venture between Russia-based Renova Manganese Investment and consortium Majestic Silver Trading, has become the world’s third-largest producing manganese mine after completing the operations infrastructure last year.

TRANSNET RAIL ENGINEERING TANKER WAGONS (RER 229)

Coming in at number 8 is Transnet Rail Engineering’s unveiling of 50 tanker wagons, which were built at its Germiston plant.

Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba dubbed it a milestone for TRE, with equipment and technology worth over R20-million being invested for the plant to meet the specific requirements of the wagons.

SIBANYE GOLD HOUSING (RER 260)

Gold mining company Sibanye Gold handed over 100 family units to employees this year as part of its housing project aimed at encouraging family living.

The 100 units were handed over to Sibanye Gold employees in Libanon, near the company’s Kloof mine, near Westonaria in Gauteng. They were built at a cost of R31.5-million, with each unit comprising two bedrooms, with an open-plan kitchen and lounge area. They are located in the secure Tswelopele and Lehae Park complexes.

JOHANNESBURG HOUSING COMPANY (RER 266)

Up next at number six is the launch four new social housing developments by not-for- profit company, the Johannesburg Housing Company. The units were purchased and refurbished during 2012 and 2013 and aim to tackle the challenge of providing adequate housing in the city’s central business district.

DCD PROTECTED MOBILITY (RER 255)

We’re half way now. Coming in at five is the news that local armoured mine protected vehicle manufacturer DCD Protected Mobility officially opened its new factory in Isando, in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg, in July this year.

DCD Protected Mobility, which is part of the DCD industrial group, is famous for its Husky armoured mine detection and clearance vehicle and associated mine detonator trailers, but has now diversified its range to include the Springbuck armoured personnel carrier and its all-new mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, the Mountain Lion.

AGGREKO EXPANDS MOZ-BASED POWER PLANT (RER 263)

Temporary power solutions provider Aggreko officially launched Phase 2 of its cross-border interim power project at Gigawatt Park, in Ressano Garcia, Mozambique. The expansion project adds 122 MW of capacity to the original gas-fired facility, which now generates 232 MW of power to Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia’s respective power utilities.

JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW (RER 269)

We’ve entered the top three most-watched Real Economy Reports for 2013. At number three is the Johannesburg International Motor Show, which, in conjunction with the Truck and Bus Show, showcased vehicles from all aspects of industry.

The Johannesburg International Motor Show saw the launches and unveiling of several new vehicles set to hit the South African market this year and next, including new hybrid, energy efficient and electric vehicles. VW announced its plans to introduce the first electric golf in 2014, and unveiled the Jetta Hybrid, which is already in production, as well as the e-Up small electric city car and the Golf 7 Blue Motion energy efficient model.

BASF ENERGY EFFICIENT DEMONSTRATION HOUSE (RER 259)

Our second most watched Real Economy Report is the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Built Environment Unit, which concluded a two-year performance research study, providing breakthrough information on passive energy efficiency, which could be helpful to government when implementing future building standards for low-cost housing.

PETROSA STUDYING LNG IMPORTS TO SUSTAIN GAS-TO-LIQUIDS REFINERY (RER 264)

And now for our number one Real Economy Report show: South Africa’s national oil company PetroSA aims to make an investment decision on a $375-million to $510-million liquefied natural gas import facility near Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape, during the fourth quarter of 2014.

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:
Anine Vermeulen, Bruce Hayter, Chanel de Bruyn, Charles Hayter, Christo Greyling, Darlene Creamer, David Shepherd, Duane Daws, Enver Domingo, Irma Venter, Jackson Kgoale, Keith Campbell, Kenneth Creamer, Joanie Strydom, Leandi Kolver, Liezille Janse van Rensburg, Lionel da Silva, Mariaan Webb, Martin Creamer, Megan van Wyngaardt, Natalie Greve, Natasha Odendaal, Nicholas Boyd, Nomvelo Buthelezi, Reinette Classen, Samantha Moolman, Schalk Burger, Shane Williams, Shannon de Ryhove, Sashnee Moodley, Sheila Barradas, Terence Creamer, Tracy Hancock, Veronica Creamer, Wendy Marshall, Yolande Botes.