From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Just under two months ago the production order for the Denel Badger infantry fighting vehicle was activated by the South African Department of Defence. Now, Denel Land Systems has briefed the media on the programme. Keith Campbell was there.

Keith Campbell:
The Badger combines a South African turret with a Finnish designed, but South African modified, vehicle. The South African Army has ordered 238 Badgers in five variants. Denel Land Systems CEO Stephan Burger explains the importance of this programme to his company and to the local defence industry.

Denel Land Systems CEO Stephan Burger

Shannon de Ryhove:
South Africa-based Mine Support Products, or MSP, launched its new in-house dynamic testing facility in Vereeniging, in Johannesburg last month, which it says, is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Sashnee Moodley has the story.

Sashnee Moodley:
The R3.5-million investment consists of a vertical press that can accurately simulate underground seismic activity by testing static loads up to 100 t and dynamic loads of 40 t at three metres per second.

MSP GM Conrad Engelbrecht:
The new dynamic testing facility was built to test the MSP products, to make sure it complies with industry standards and also that we maintain the right quality standards within our company. The facility basically consists of a vertical press that we use to test our products in terms of static loads, 30 metres a minute, up to 100 t and dynamic loads at 3 metres a second at about 20 t and this simulates a seismic event.

Our hopes for this facility is that it will allow us to join with our partners in industry, in developing new products that can be manufactured by MSP to actually expand our product range.

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: Department of Public Works programme boosts scare and critical built-environment skills; and a security technology firm considers its South African manufacturing options.

As the Department of Public Works emerges from the “intensive care unit” and has “stabilised”, the department is now moving to develop critical and scarce skills to maintain the momentum, says Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi.

Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi

Safety and security technology provider International Security Consulting is in high-level negotiations with large South African companies with regard to the distribution and sale of its proactive security solutions.

International Security Consulting CEO Marc Kahlberg

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