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Company completes purchase of Italian thermoplastic specialist

24th January 2020 Technology services company Continental has successfully completed its purchase of Italian thermoplastic specialist Merlett Group. →

Local supplier grows through development programme

By: Cameron Mackay 24th January 2020 Local automotive tool manufacturer and supplier Naicker Toolmakers has benefited from completing nonprofit organisation Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative’s (ASCCI’s) Black Supplier Development Programme (BSDP). Naicker Toolmakers began its involvement in the programme in May... →

DEVELOPING LOCAL SUPPLIERS The BSDP aims to drive transformation and skills sharing in the automotive sector by facilitating access to markets for component manufacturers like Naicker Toolmakers

Association records growth despite struggling economy

24th January 2020 Despite a struggling economy, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) reported a growth in membership and influence last year. →

DIVERSE OFFERING In addition to its hugely successful annual PIPES technical conference, Sappma has also begun hosting regular workshops for both members and non-members alike that focus on different aspects of quality

EV pilot programme can help Rwanda go green

By: Cameron Mackay 24th January 2020 Electric mobility through electric vehicles (EVs) in Rwanda can help the country in its efforts to go green, says Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) CEO Thomas Schäfer. This comes after Volkswagen launched a pilot project in the country in October last year, where it introduced its first EV in Africa. →

Photo by Creamer Media
THOMAS SCHÄFER Africa will develop in many ways with cooperation. We need to learn to work together across the continent, find shared value, and ways of collaborating

Recovery of global economic growth remains sluggish, despite stabilising

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd January 2020 The recovery of global economic growth remains sluggish, even though it has stabilised, with the slowdown in the US and China expected to be more than offset by improvement in some of the large emerging markets, the UK and the Euro region, says integrated insurance solutions provider Alexander... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
(Left to Right) Lebo Thubisi, Isaah Mhlanga and Gyongyi King

Dynamic, inclusive global economy essential to meeting 2030 Agenda – UN

By: Simone Liedtke 22nd January 2020 The broad-based deterioration of global economic prospects may cause setbacks in the pursuit of the United Nation’s (UN’s) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN’s ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects’ report has found. According to the report, which was discussed with media on... →

Plus Economics research director Dr Kirsten Thompson speaks to Engineering News about what to expect in the UN's report, and gives us a little more insight into South Africa's economic position. Video: Creamer Media's Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

First group of MSI welder trainees graduate

By: Yvonne Silaule 22nd January 2020 More than 20 aspiring welding entrepreneurs have graduated after completing a training course under the Mpumalanga Informal Welders Recruitment Programme, which was organised by the Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative (MSI), the Small Enterprise Development Agency and the Manufacturing, Engineering... →

Glencore, Merafe to retrench Rustenburg Smelter employees

By: Simone Liedtke 17th January 2020 Global miner Glencore Alloys and Merafe Resources have started a Section 189A process. The companies confirmed on Friday that written notice had been given to its employees at its joint venture (JV), the Rustenburg Smelter, in the North West. →

Company launches unique water plant, empowers community

By: Mamaili Mamaila 17th January 2020 Mineral water company Aqua Air Africa (AAA) officially launched Africa’s first atmospheric water-generating plant at the Ga-Rankuwa industrial site, in Gauteng, in November. →

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND The construction of the atmospheric water geberating plant began in 2018 with a team of committed engineers and local small, medium-sized and microenterprises

Water project uplifts Diepsloot school

By: Mamaili Mamaila 17th January 2020 About 38 Engen Fuel Retail owners undertook an eight-month task to transform the schooling facilities in Diepsloot, Gauteng, by working on a water and classroom project for learners who are mainly from disadvantaged backgrounds. →

A CELEBRATION OF WATER The borehole, which produces water from an aquifer, is expected to supply enough water to at least 3 000 learners

Minerals Council calls for intervention to ‘salvage and revive’ South Africa

By: Simone Liedtke 14th January 2020 The Minerals Council South Africa has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa and other government leaders to “salvage and revive” South Africa’s economy after noting the “increasing urgency of a range of critical steps needed”. In a statement released ahead of the Business Economic Indaba (BEI), which... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Minerals Council CEO Roger Baxter

Massmart mulls closure of up to 34 stores

By: Simone Liedtke 13th January 2020 Retail company Massmart on Monday revealed that it was considering closing up to 34 Dion-Wired and Masscash stores. The group recently conducted a store optimisation project that identified a number of underperforming stores in its portfolio. →

Matric results must reflect national development agenda – Sacci

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 9th January 2020 The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) on Thursday extended congratulations to those school pupils who had successfully completed their matric year, but it questioned the significance of the reported “improved” pass rate of 81.3% and what this meant in reality. Sacci posited... →

Business confidence remains lacklustre

By: Simone Liedtke 9th January 2020 Although the Business Confidence Index (BCI) remained “virtually unchanged” at 93.1 index points in December, compared with 92.7 index points the month before, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Thursday that the BCI was still 2.1 index points lower than the 95.2... →

Business confidence slowly wanes as PMI edges lower in December

By: Simone Liedtke 8th January 2020 The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged lower to 47.1 index points in December, down from the 47.7 index points recorded in November. The December figure is also about one point below the average recorded through 2019. →

Motshekga says more female candidates eligible for higher education institutions

By: Yvonne Silaule 8th January 2020 Female matriculants have bagged 63.8% of distinctions from the 2019 matric class, with their male counterparts garnering 36.2% of distinctions. As a result, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says more female candidates are eligible for studies at higher education institutions. Female... →

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga

Robotics likely to be a school subject in 2021, says Motshekga

By: African News Agency 8th January 2020 Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday night that select schools would be piloting subjects such as robotics this year and if successful, the subjects could be rolled-out to public schools as early as 2021. The minister made the announcement at the Vodacom Dome in Midrand,... →

Ramaphosa says education is on an 'upward trajectory', urges matriculants who did not pass to persevere

By: News24Wire 8th January 2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the 81.3% matric pass rate, saying South Africans can be proud that education is on an "upward trajectory". The president made the statement after Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced the 2019 National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric results in... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Success of renewables programme continues

By: Darren Parker 13th December 2019 Over the past eight years, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has attracted about R209.4-billion in committed private-sector investment, with the successful fourth window bids being valued at about R56-billion. South African companies, such as... →

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY 27 preferred bidders signed agreements last year and their respective renewable energy projects are well underway

Additional renewable energy development zones proposed

13th December 2019 The second phase of the Strategic Environmental Assessment for wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in South Africa proposes three additional renewable energy development zones for wind and solar PV energy projects. The renewable energy development zones support the responsible implementation... →

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ZONES The Phase 2 proposed zones support the responsible implementation of the Integrated Resource Plan 2019

Government reaffirms support for rural, township economies

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th December 2019 To improve access to information and bring economic infrastructure support closer to township and rural-based enterprises, government is expanding incubators and digital hubs to townships and rural areas, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. →

Photo by SA Investment Conference
VIBRANT THINKING South Africa's small, medium-sized and microenterprises are demonstrating out-of-the-box thinking in business skills

Private-sector investment a key driver of growth

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th December 2019 Ahead of the 2019 South African Investment Conference, JSE-listed and diversified mining company Exxaro hosted a media tour, which started at The conneXXion – its head office in Centurion, Gauteng. →

InvestSA CEO Yunus Hoosen discusses the importance of domestic investments. Camerawork: Creamer Media’s Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 31.10.2019

Diversified miner announces R20-billion investment drive

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th December 2019 JSE-listed diversified mining company Exxaro officially announced its commitment of R20-billion towards President Cyril Ramaphosa’s investment drive for South Africa at the 2019 South African Investment Conference, which took place in Johannesburg, last month. →

Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo discussed the company’s investments ahead of the 2019 South African Investment Conference. Camerawork: Creamer Media’s Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 31.10.2019

Afarak warns of retrenchments at South African subsidiaries

By: Simone Liedtke 9th December 2019 Specialist alloy producer Afarak has said two of its South African subsidiaries – Afarak Mogale and Ilitha Mining – might retrench some employees. The subsidiaries have issued a notice, in terms of Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, to start to a 90-day period of consultations with workers... →

CSIR, TIA partner to accelerate local technology development

By: Simone Liedtke 6th December 2019 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Technology Innovation Agency have announced a five-year partnership on accelerating technology development and commercialisation in the country. The two organisations on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement in this regard. →

CSIR CEO Dr Thulani Dlamini (left) and TIA interim CEO Fuzlin Levy-Hassen signing the MoU

Trade union outlines business-rescue case for SAA

By: Rebecca Campbell 6th December 2019 Trade union Solidarity has served court papers on embattled State-owned airline South African Airways (SAA) and on the Ministers of Finance and Public Enterprises. The union has asked the court to put SAA into business rescue. If granted, it would mean the appointment of a business rescue... →

Sugar giant transforming business amid turmoil

By: Tracy Hancock 6th December 2019 In addition to its plans to exit sugar farming in South Africa, embattled agroprocessing business Tongaat Hulett expects to conclude a transaction to establish a transformative milling, refining and sugar marketing business by the end of this year. The developments are part of a strategic review... →

FELIXTON MILL The initial assets of Tongaat Hulett’s transformative milling, refining and sugar marketing business have an installed capacity to produce more than one-million tons of sugar a year

Richards Bay Minerals wins top employer award for fourth year straight

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd December 2019 Mineral sands producer Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has won the Top Employers Institute’s Top Employer of the Year award for the fourth year in a row. The top employer certification recognises organisations that successfully demonstrate an exceptional human resources (HR) environment and employee... →

Jobs Fund to generate sustainable employment

By: Simone Liedtke 29th November 2019 The R9-billion Jobs Fund, established by the South African government to generate sustainable employment among previously disadvantaged South Africans, youth and women, recently published its list of partner projects for 2019. Four of these partnerships highlight the fund’s efforts to support the... →

Jobs Fund head Najwah Allie-Edries

South Africa can learn from China in drafting 4IR policy, say experts

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th November 2019 In tackling the lack of awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the skills gap that prevents South Africa from successfully implementing these technologies, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) suggests that universities broaden their scope of work-based training and that... →

Partnerships help pull domestic cotton industry out of doldrums

By: Donna Slater 29th November 2019 The South African cotton industry was in decline, having reached crisis point in about 2013. On the verge of collapse, a chain of events from three seemingly unassuming roleplayers set off a chain reaction that resulted in explosive growth and substantial redevelopment for the sector into an... →

UK academy seeks to encourage business, academic partnerships in SA

By: Simone Liedtke 28th November 2019 The UK Royal Academy of Engineering has opened a new call for grant proposals which will support partnerships between businesses and university academics in South Africa, with up to £80 000 of funds to be made available for research and innovation. Applications will be led by academics, but in a... →

Barloworld Equipment opens new Isando showroom

By: Schalk Burger 27th November 2019 Heavy-duty machines and services company Barloworld Equipment inaugurated a new 3 200 square metre showroom at its Isando campus, in Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday, and renamed its ten-year old learning academy in honour of Peter Bulterman. Barloworld CEO Dominic Sewela, alongside Ekurhuleni mayor... →

Hoedspruit air force base solar water heating system proves efficient

By: Marleny Arnoldi 22nd November 2019 A solar water heating (SWH) installation at the South African National Defence Force’s air force base in Hoedspruit has proven to improve efficiency, as well as act as a catalyst for upskilling personnel from the Department of Defence (DoD). The training has produced 20 artisans, who have... →

SAA flight schedule to be reinstated as wage agreement reached

By: Rebecca Campbell 22nd November 2019 State-owned airline South African Airways (SAA) announced on Friday that it had reached agreement with trade unions to end a seven-day long strike. The unions were the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Airways Cabin Crew Association. The agreement was ratified... →

SAA, unions reach wage deal – if funds are available

By: News24Wire 22nd November 2019 South African Airways and unions the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association have reached an agreement, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration announced on Friday. Following an eight-day strike that cost the airline some... →

SAA cabin crew trickle back as no-work, no-pay begins to bite

By: News24Wire 22nd November 2019 Cabin crew are returning to work at a growing pace as the one-week wage strike at South African Airways begins to bite with the imposition of a strict no-work, no-pay policy. "For Wednesday and Thursday, we had 70 cabin crew returning to work. The quantification of actual losses (to workers of... →

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