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Education & Skills Development News

Ramaphosa announces new science and technology varsity

By: News24Wire 14th February 2020 The people of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng will soon enjoy a new science and technology university, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised during his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Thursday night. "We will enable young people in that metro to be trained in high-impact and cutting edge technological... →

Skills shortage plagues natural refrigerant sector

By: Darren Parker 14th February 2020 One of the most pertinent issues facing the local heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry is the lack of specialised skills needed for the systematic adoption of natural refrigerants in place of traditional synthetic refrigerants. Heightened pressure on... →

SNEAKY LEAKS Refrigeration systems charged with odourless CO2 need to be monitored with sensors to ensure leaks do not compromise air quality in enclosed spaces

Eskom sets aside R400m for voluntary separation offer to senior employees

By: Terence Creamer 13th February 2020 Debt-laden State-owned power utility Eskom confirmed on Thursday that it would be offering senior employees voluntary separation packages during March and April in an effort to lower overhead costs. It reiterated, however, that it had no intention of implementing a forced retrenchments programme.... →

Mpact’s Neo Dongwana first woman to chair Barloworld board

By: Simone Liedtke 12th February 2020 JSE-listed equipment supplier Barloworld has appointed Neo Dongwana as independent chairperson following her endorsement by shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM). She is the first woman to chair the board in the company’s 118 years of existence, and takes over from Advocate... →

Unions launch ‘rise up’ campaign as SoNA, National Budget approach

By: Simone Liedtke 12th February 2020 South Africa finds itself looking over a precipice as the economic malaise currently being experienced all but places the nation at a point of no return, trade union federation, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said in a statement published on Wednesday. With the country... →

SAB empowerment scheme generates almost R14bn in decade-long run

By: Simone Liedtke 12th February 2020 When the South African Breweries (SAB) Zenzele broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) scheme winds down in April 2020, it will have generated almost R14-billion in value for South Africa, the beermaker said in a statement on Wednesday. Created with the intention of generating sustainable... →

Solidarity to take GEPF, PIC to task should they use State pensions to fund Eskom

By: Marleny Arnoldi 12th February 2020 Solidarity has sent a letter of demand to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), requesting that the trustees and boards of these institutions not accept any proposals related to providing financing to power utility Eskom. At a media briefing... →

Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann

Govt, SOEs urged to appreciate South Africa’s consulting engineers

By: Simone Liedtke 12th February 2020 Closing the infrastructure gap in South Africa is closely linked to infrastructure development on the rest of the continent, as it is to the creation of value chains that can advance Africa’s industrialisation, ultimately contributing to greater job creation, says Nelson Mandela University (NMU)... →

South Africa should brace for ‘toughest budget since 1994’, says PwC

By: Simone Liedtke 11th February 2020 As the 2020 National Budget approaches, consumers should expect to tighten their belts further, particularly with continued fiscal drag set to blot the horizon amid a continuing economic slowdown, says multinational advisory firm PwC. Speaking at a pre-budget review on Tuesday, PwC lamented that... →

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni

Tourism sector urged to do more to curb youth unemployment

By: Yvonne Silaule 10th February 2020 Tourism Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela has called on the tourism sector to create more initiatives to curb youth unemployment in the country. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for learners who had successfully completed the Hospitality Youth Training Programme learnership, on Friday, he lamented... →

Tourism Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela

Construction starts on Western Cape waste disposal facility

By: Simone Liedtke 7th February 2020 The construction of the first of nine new regional waste disposal facilities in the Western Cape has started in Mossel Bay. The new facility will serve multiple municipalities along the Garden Route and is aimed stimulating the waste economy, creating jobs and reducing the environmental impacts... →

Unions slam SAA route cancellations, warn of 'devastating' impact on jobs

By: News24Wire 7th February 2020 Two key unions at flag carrier South African Airways have slammed plans by the airline's business rescue practitioners to cancel a number of routes to save costs. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association said in a joint statement, "This will... →

Workplace equality seen as key to attracting and retaining talent

By: Schalk Burger 7th February 2020 A sustained, measured and directed approach to workplace diversity and gender equality bolsters the corporate entities that leverage them to attract and retain the desired talent from within a competitive pool of candidates, says information technology services company Dimension Data System... →

THEMBA CHAKELA Allowing people to develop their skills while maintaining diverse and effective teams helps to sustain and grow services

Octodec, Raizcorp launch enterprise and supplier development programme

By: Simone Liedtke 6th February 2020 In collaboration with business incubator Raizcorp, real estate investment trust Octodec has launched its enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programme, which offers participants internationally accredited business learning and guidance. The ESD programme aims to enhance the impact,... →

Raizcorp prosperator manager Sharon Venn chats to Creamer Media's Engineering News about the ESD Programme and its participants.

MBSA calls for meeting to clarify Ceta investigation

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 4th February 2020 Construction contractors industry body Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) has called for an urgent meeting with Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande, to provide clarity on the prospects of thousands of learners who are in training programmes supported by the... →

John Matthews

Thousands of jobs wait for next wind farm bid round, says association

By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th February 2020 Thousands of jobs await a Ministerial determination to give the green light for the next round of wind farms to be built. South Africa Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) says South Africa’s energy transition is poised to unlock economic growth and deliver thousands of much-needed jobs at a time... →

Absa’s PMI at lowest level since September 2019

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd February 2020 The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) started the year on the back foot and declined further in January, decreasing by 1.9 points to 45.2, the lowest level since September 2019. The performance of the five major subcomponents was mixed, Absa said on Monday, noting that two... →

Nzimande places Construction Education and Training Authority under administration

By: African News Agency 3rd February 2020 Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande has placed the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) under administration. Nzimande made the decision after he was notified of serious allegations of "governance failure and gross financial mismanagement, including,... →

A new approach is needed to solve the unemployment crisis, says CDE

By: Simone Liedtke 29th January 2020 Development think tank, the Centre for Development and Enterprise, on Wednesday urged South Africa to consider “a new approach” to alleviate the country’s unemployment crisis, saying this should include actions to promote faster economic growth. South Africa’s official unemployment rate is above... →

The video sees CDE executive director Ann Bernstein in conversation with Engineering News, where she gives some insight into what CDE's report is about and why a labour-intensive market should be such a key focus for South Africa. Video: Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Accelerator Lab to develop new solutions to South Africa’s challenges

By: Simone Liedtke 28th January 2020 A new Accelerator Lab has been launched in South Africa to provide a network and platform through which new solutions can be developed to mitigate and solve the challenges facing the country. Launched at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s conference centre, in Tshwane, on... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande

CEO remuneration remains a complex issue – Deloitte

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th January 2020 Consultancy Deloitte has tackled the controversial question of whether CEOs in South Africa are being remunerated fairly in its latest ‘Executive Compensation Report’ for 2019. The release of the findings of the report come at a time when executive pay continues to attract intense public and... →

Applications open for leadership development programme

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 24th January 2020 Gauteng innovation agency, the Innovation Hub, has called on young South Africans to take part in the CoachLab Leadership and Business Skills Development Programme. CoachLab is a youth skills development programme managed by the Innovation Hub in collaboration with industry partners, government... →

Motsepe joins WEF board of trustees

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th January 2020 The World Economic Forum (WEF) has asked International Monetary Fund MD Kristalina Georgieva and African Rainbow Minerals chairperson Patrice Motsepe to join its board of trustees. The WEF said in a statement on Friday that both Georgieva and Motsepe have a record of thought leadership and... →

Photo by Creamer Media
ARM chairperson Patrice Motsepe

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... →

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